Work Text:
“I don't think you’ll be needing a bubble machine, Yuichi.”
In the middle of a pile of his clothes, Kurosawa looks back at Adachi with sad puppy eyes.
Adachi winces. He mustn't let him win. “You can’t keep using that on me. It’s not gonna work every time”
Kurosawa doesn’t say a word back. Instead, he draws a pout.
There’s a minute of silence before, “Fine.” Adachi says, defeated. One of these days he’s really going to figure out how to stop getting swooned by his husband. “But I really think you’re just gonna have a hard time carrying that thing around.”
“Don’t worry, angel.” Kurosawa replies blissfully, still basking in his win. “Besides, I’ve been seeing this everywhere, the kids are going to love it! It might come in handy and I want to be ready for anything.”
As Kurosawa continues to pack his things, Adachi can’t help but stare at him.
To anyone else, Adachi is sure that no one would be able to pick up the quiet anxieties laced in Kurosawa’s words. But to him, he knows his husband all too well. He knows his heart.
He had first noticed it when Adachi’s mother called two days ago, asking the two of them to join a spontaneous trip to Fujikawaguchiko and enjoy the snow at a new popular ryokan. Of course, the thought of spending a whole day with Adachi’s family alone was already enough for Kurosawa to jump for joy. But the more Adachi listened to Kurosawa gush about his family, the more he realised that the gears in his head were turning despite talking about something else entirely.
After that, he noticed when Kurosawa spoke a bit faster than he usually did when they talked about the trip. He noticed when Kurosawa would often look up things to do on family vacations and watched dramas about family-in-laws on his phone. He noticed when he woke up in the middle of last night and Kurosawa was still up and double-checking if he remembered his family’s names and information, writing it in the small journal he brings everywhere, whispering as to not wake Adachi up.
With his husband being the ace salesman of Toyokawa, Adachi wasn’t surprised to notice the lengths Kurosawa would go just for everything to go the way he wants it to. (Although a bubble machine that would arrive just in time for the trip somehow managed to get by Adachi.) Even more so, with his husband always wanting to be the perfect everything he can be, it made Adachi grow more restless to make sure that Kurosawa knew it was okay to just be.
So from where Adachi is packing his own bag on his side of the floor, he makes his way across the room to sit in front of Kurosawa. “Yuichi, nothing bad is going to happen, okay? My family already loves you.”
Kurosawa freezes for a second, then melts right into Adachi’s arms. “You really think so?”
“I know so.” Adachi wraps his arms around Kurosawa, placing his own chin atop of the older’s head, tracing circles on the span of his back to soothe him. “I’m the biggest witness and the living proof of how you’re the greatest husband ever. If you’ve already got one Adachi wrapped around your finger, what’s six more?”
Kurosawa’s face immediately flushes red as he breaks into a shy laugh and Adachi’s heart swells as he follows after. Then, Adachi feels an array of soft kisses all over his neck making him pull back, laughter growing louder.
“Yuichi, that tickles!”
Although Kurosawa stays at Adachi’s neck for a bit to tease him, his kisses trail up to his husband’s face and he stops just before his lips. Kurosawa's eyes alternate between Adachi’s eyes and lips, full of love and adoration and Adachi is sure enough that he looks exactly the same.
“I love you.” Kurosawa whispers, lifting his head to kiss Adachi’s forehead.
Then, he kisses either side of Adachi’s cheeks. “I love you so much.”
“Fuck, I’m so lucky to have you.” The top of his nose.
Then finally, “Thank you, Kiyoshi.” He kisses Adachi’s lips softly.
Adachi kisses him back with the same affection. “I love you too, Yuichi.”
It takes them a few more minutes to get back to packing again, then half an hour to finish. They retreat to their bed and if Adachi wakes up in the middle of the night again to find Kurosawa sound asleep this time, he knows he’s done something right.
—
As soon as they arrive at the lobby, Kiyoshi is immediately greeted by two small silhouettes, dashing towards him at full speed.
“UNCLE KIYO!”
Kiyoshi kneels down to their height as Kiko and Haruta spread their arms wide open to embrace him. He pats their heads, grinning, “How have you guys been?”
“We really missed you!” Haruta yelled with excitement.
Kiko nodded in agreement, “We got you something, Uncle!”
“Oh? What is it”
“Hold out your arm, Uncle Kiyo.”
Obediently, Kiyoshi stretched his arm and Kiko giggled, reaching into her pocket and immediately putting a green beaded bracelet around his wrist. Kiyoshi’s grin morphed into a smile, twisting his arm to admire it. “It’s beautiful, guys, did you make it yourselves?”
“We did!”
“Well, I love it.” Kiyoshi remarks, patting the kids’ heads once again. “Thank you.”
Then, a shutter sound makes the three of them whip their heads.
“Oh, sorry,” Kurosawa scrambles to show them the picture on his phone. “It was just such a beautiful family moment that I had to take a picture.”
“Oh, uhm,”
Kiyoshi’s attention comes back to the twins, realizing that they’re looking at each other expectantly. He’s about to ask them what’s wrong until—
“Uncle Yuichi, we made you something too!”
There’s a squeak that comes from Kurosawa so fast and quietly that Kiyoshi questions whether it actually happened, but before he can, the twins find their way to Kurosawa, who’s already fallen to his knees.
This time, it’s Kiyoshi who pulls out his phone to take a picture. He watches the way Haruta pulls out a blue beaded bracelet and how Kurosawa looks like he’s about to cry when he puts it on his wrist. There’s a warmth that spreads throughout Kiyoshi’s chest, something he’s unsure of what to name.
Before he can dwell on it too long, a familiar voice calls out to him.
Kazuya, along with his wife, Yumiko, and their mother, Haruko, make their way across the ryokan’s lobby carrying their luggage with them. They exchange greetings, and Kiyoshi’s mother makes it known that his father will be arriving at a later time. As a receptionist guides all of them to their rooms, Haruko makes conversation with her, asking more about the activities they can do during their stay.
Meanwhile, Yumiko matches her pace with Kiyoshi, watching Kiko and Haruta proudly talking about each bracelet they made for the family. “The kids made the bracelets during one of their art classes in school, and they’ve been looking forward to giving everyone their bracelets today, all week.”
“They’re so cute and innocent aren’t they?” Kiyoshi comments, “I just know that that probably came from your side of the family, Yumiko. Kazuya was always rough and mischievous when we were growing up.”
Yumiko laughs. “Trust me, Kiyoshi, I see it in the kids sometimes. You might catch a glimpse of it later when we watch them play.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” Kiyoshi added, laughing with her.
Trailing behind them, Kazuya and Kurosawa walk almost quietly next to each other.
“Have you been treating my brother well?” Kazuya muttered under his breath, trying hard to mask his tone.
Kurosawa maintains his smile. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. I see you’re still as skeptical as ever.”
“Of course I am. He’s the only brother I’ve got.” Kazuya admits, looking off to the side and trying to play it cool.
“Well,” Kurosawa retorts, “he’s the only one in my world. Besides, I’m probably treating him better than the way you treat your untied shoes.”
Kazuya stops in his tracks in panic, looking down to check on his laces, before remembering he’s wearing slip-on loafers. “What the he- Hey!”
He watches Kurosawa scurry to Kiyoshi’s side and for a minute Kazuya wonders how someone who looks the way Kurosawa does can act in such a silly manner, before catching up to his own wife.
—
Activity 1: Snowman Making
“Let’s make a princess, Uncle Kiyo!”
With Kiyoshi’s hand in hers, Kiko rushes towards the white expanse of snow. She lets go of his hand just as quick to start making a large snowball. On the other hand, Kiyoshi turns around to find Kurosawa already watching him fondly. He offers a confused expression in return as he mouths How am I supposed to make a Snowman Princess? to which Kurosawa responds by raising his shoulders and giving him a chuckle.
Later, Kiyoshi finds the solution by making a somewhat decent braid made out of snow and giving the snowman bangs as well. “She’s done!”
“And beautiful!” Kiko cheers, adoring their shared creation. “Thank you, Uncle Kiyo!”
Just about when Kiyoshi tries and looks for Kurosawa, he shows up just in time holding a bundle of twigs twisted and intertwined into a circle.
“Not to intrude, but would your princess like a crown, Kiko?”
Kiko squeals, immediately grabbing Kurosawa’s twig crown and placing it on top of their Snowman Princess. “Thank you, Uncle Yuichi! It’s perfect!”
Haruko, who was previously observing them from afar, has made her way to where they were making snowmen. “What did you make, my sweet darling?”
“I made a Snowman Princess with Uncle Kiyo and Uncle Yuichi, Gran!”
“Oh how wonderful!” Haruko exclaims with glee. She then looks to their right, where Haruta and his parents are making their very own as well. “What about you, my sweet boy?”
Haruta shows off his own, a snowman with patterns on it. “I made a Spiderman Snowman with Mom and Dad!”
Haruko smiles, “Very creative!”
“Okay, everyone get behind the snowmen!” Kazuya happily interjects, before pulling out a camera from his bag. “Let’s take pictures before the snowman and the snow princess melt away.”
It takes about 3 photos before both Kiko and Haruta start giving each other knowing looks.
“Hey, Kiko.” Haruta starts, holding back a laugh.
Kiko does the same thing, making all the adults look at the both of them suspiciously. “Yeah, Haruta?”
“Which one do you think is the strongest? Your princess or my Spiderman?”
The two of them break into a mischievous smile before yelling, “SNOWBALL FIGHT!”
Kiko runs away as fast as she can while Haruta gathers the largest snowball he can make and throws it at her. The rest of them follow through, making their own snowballs, except for Haruko who’s already on her way back to where she was watching them before.
“I see what you mean now, Yumiko.” Kiyoshi comments with a smile.
Yumiko giggles. “It’s got Kazuya written all over.”
The man in question, however, is struggling to put his camera back in his bag, blocking the snowballs with his back. “Not the camera— NOT THE CAMERA, PLEASE, KIDS!”
And in the middle of the Adachi Family Snowball Fight™, one Kurosawa Yuichi stands tall in front of Kiyoshi, acting like a human shield and repeatedly getting hit by stray snowballs.
“Hey, I can protect you too, Yuichi!” Kiyoshi sneaks from underneath Kurosawa’s arms and spreads his own arms as wide as he can. “See—”
Before Kiyoshi can finish his sentence, he gets hit by a larger than average snowball right in the middle of his face, knocking him off his feet.
“Kiyoshi!” Kurosawa catches him before he can fall to the floor, eyes filled with worry. “Baby, hey, are you okay?”
Kiyoshi keeps his face deadpan, “This is ridiculous. I can’t believe I got taken out by a snowball.”
Kurosawa laughs, kissing Kiyoshi right where the snowball hit him, just at the tip of his nose. “Is that better?”
It draws a giggle out of Kiyoshi. “Much, much better.”
“You doin’ alright?”
The sound of Kazuya’s voice makes the couple whip their heads towards him, realizing that the rest of the family are heading towards him as well, faces filled with concern.
Kurosawa helps Kiyoshi up, putting his arm around the younger’s waist to support him.
“It’s all good.” Kiyoshi responds, not long before dark red starts dripping from his nose.
“Kiyoshi!” Yumiko gasps, “Your nose!”
Kurosawa panics at the sight of blood and rushes to where he placed his backpack, passing Kiyoshi to Kazuya. Then, he takes out a first aid kid and hands him a cotton ball to clog his nose.
A guilty Haruta makes his way to his uncle, “I’m sorry, Uncle Kiyo, I didn’t mean to hit you in the face.”
“It’s alright, Haruta.” Kiyoshi reassures him. “Thank you for apologizing.”
As soon as Kurosawa is done putting his first aid kit back in his bag, he takes Kiyoshi back from Kazuya. “Are you sure you’re still okay? We can head back to the ryokan if you’re not feeling well.”
“Oi, I’m stronger than you think, Yuichi.” Kiyoshi playfully retorts. “Let’s go and finish our itinerary.”
—
Activity 2: Ice Skating
Amidst all skaters falling left and right, sons getting picked up by their fathers, strangers bumping into each other, and siblings barely moving on the ice—Kurosawa gracefully skates in the middle of the rink.
From just a few meters away, Kazuya has his jaw dropped. “What the hell? How is he doing that, Kiyo? Was he professionally trained?”
“Nah,” Kiyoshi remarks next to Kazuya, looking at his husband with complete awe, not even a tad bit surprised despite this being the first time he’s seen Kurosawa ice skate. “He can just do that.”
Kiko and Haruta cheer from the sidelines, excitedly putting their skates on faster, “Uncle Yuichi! Teach us how to skate like you!”
“Sure thing! Just wait for me, I’ll come get you.” Kurosawa beams as he takes a curve around the rink, switching between racing forwards and gliding backwards towards the twins. Then he eases into a snowplow stop, slowing himself steadily.
As Yumiko double-checks her kids before they hop on the ice, Kurosawa averts his gaze towards Kiyoshi. Soon enough, he’s made his way where he and Kazuya are seated.
“How’s your nose?”
Kiyoshi takes one of Kurosawa’s hands to reassure him. “It’s all better now, promise.”
“I wanted to be the one to stay with you here.” Kurosawa playfully whines.
Kazuya shoots him a side-eye that Kiyoshi doesn’t notice.
“It’s alright, Yuichi. Haruta wants you to teach him.” Kiyoshi reassures, “I promise you after this, you’ll have me all to yourself.”
Kurosawa flips the hold Kiyoshi has on his hand and kisses the back of the younger’s hand. “I’ll be back as soon as I can then.”
He skates back to the twins, taking Haruta’s hands as they slowly make their way back to the middle of the rink, Yumiko and Kiko following them.
Suddenly, Kiyoshi feels a poke from his right—Kazuya. As he looks towards the younger’s way, Kazuya's face forms into an awkward look. “Hmm?”
“Hey, Kiyo, uh, you’re happy right?”
Kiyoshi raises a brow. “What do you mean?”
“I mean- it’s just–” Kazuya’s arms flail shortly before one of them finds its way to the back of his own neck. “A year ago, every time I heard from you, it was always the same thing. You were doing okay at work and you hung out with Tsuge every once and a while. And now,” Kazuya pauses, gaze averting from Kiyoshi back to Kurosawa.
It makes Kiyoshi’s eyes follow suit.
He watches Kurosawa teach Haruta the basics of moving forward and backwards, holding his hand while cheering him on as Haruta successfully glides on the ice each time.
The warm feeling like earlier finds its way back into his chest again, something that feels like when his heart is swelling. Kiyoshi can feel his cheeks push against his eyes as his smile widens. And maybe, it’s because of the way he squints that he doesn’t notice Kazuya’s gaze has shifted back to him. Or that his younger brother smiles softly at the sight.
“Hmm.” Kazuya fiddles with the camera in his hand. “Let me rephrase my question. How are you handling the change? Being married and all.”
Kiyoshi’s smile doesn’t dissipate, nor does he look away. “I’ve never been better.”
“That’s all I need to know.”
Finally, Kiyoshi looks back at his brother, placing his arms around his shoulder and patting him on the head. “Thanks for looking out for me, Kazuya.”
“Of course.” Kazuya rolls his eyes, letting his older brother pat his head before playfully wiggling out of Kiyoshi’s hold. “On that note, I’m starting to think your husband’s kind of a weirdo. After your nose bled earlier, I could’ve sworn I heard him cursing the snowball that hit you under his breath.”
“Really?” Kiyoshi says in between laughs. Despite sounding like he’s in disbelief, he blushes.
“You…” Kazuya’s expression changes from a confused face to a surprised one. “You like this, don’t you?”
Kiyoshi stops laughing. “What?”
“You like that he’s overprotective of you.” Kazuya teases. “You like the fact that he acts so silly…is it because it’s because of you? I would have never seen this coming in a million years.”
“I’m not admitting that.” This time, it's Kiyoshi who’s avoiding eye contact.
“You’re not denying it either.” Kazuya grins, not expecting to see a cute side to his older brother for once. “I guess that makes you somewhat of a weirdo too.”
Finally, Kiyoshi smiles again.
“I guess it does.”
Activity 3: Snowfall
“I told you the bubble machine would come in handy.”
Kiysohi doesn’t know what to feel as he watches his husband take out the infamous bubble machine from his backpack with a triumphous grin.
The receptionist had informed them that a light snowfall would happen around 4 in the afternoon, but after waiting for almost an hour, not even a hint of snow had come. Haruta feigned a smile, telling them it was alright if they headed back now. But unlike him, Kiko was unable to hide her feelings and looked like she was just about to cry.
Suddenly, an idea sparked Kurosawa, remembering the weight of his backpack was caused by something that he had prepared for this exact moment.
He set the small machine up, plugging a cord in it and connecting it to his own powerbank, then pouring a dash of the bubble liquid into its reservoir before finally turning it on. It whirred for a moment, Kurosawa tensed a bit, sensing everyone’s anticipation. But soon enough, bubbles started to scatter in the air as it bursted out of the machine.
Haruta and Kiko broke into smiles, immediately chasing the bubbles.
“So pretty!” Kiko exclaimed with glee, simply watching the bubbles as they fractilize, freezing against the cold winter air before breaking as Haruta sways his arms, trying to pop as many of them as he can in one go.
Yumiko smiles and nods at Kurosawa as a way of saying thanks, then switches to her kids. “What do we say to Uncle Yuichi?”
“Thank you, Uncle Yuichi!” The twins cheered simultaneously, each of them giving Kurosawa a quick hug. Then, the two of them take him by the arms to come and play as well.
Meanwhile, an enthusiastic Kazuya starts taking photos of the twins, taking advantage of the iridescent bubbles that surround them. Then he takes shots of his wife as well, doing so much as laying in the snow and squatting in different positions. In a way, it reminds Kiyoshi of Kurosawa, it seems like something he would do. He chuckles at the thought, and thinks about telling them later. Especially since they seem to get along well.
Unbeknownst to Kiyoshi, Haruko has made her way next to him.
“Oh my, he brought that all the way here? In his bag?”
Kiyoshi nods. “He did. He said that all the kids loved it these days.”
“It seems that he was right.” Haruka smiles, watching her family the same way Kiyoshi is.
Kiyoshi notices that his mom looks at Kurosawa, who is playing with Kiko and Haruta, then back at him. He notices that her smile is different this time, different to what it looked like earlier when she was watching them make snowmen or when they were skating on the ice. Something about her smile felt like she knew something Kiyoshi didn’t.
“Why’re you smiling like that, Mom?”
Haruko shrugs her shoulders playfully, her smile replaced with a grin. “You’ll figure it out.”
Kiyoshi looks at her confused, not knowing what to say, which makes Haruko laugh.
“Your father is here so I’m heading back first to guide him.” Haruka places her hand on her son’s shoulder. “Look out for them for me, alright?”
“Of course.”
As his mother fades into the distance, Kiyoshi looks back at where the kids are playing with Kurosawa and Yumiko. He also notices how Kazuya is finally done with taking pictures and has joined them in playing with the bubbles in the snow.
Kurosawa laughs and Kiyoshi’s eyes find themselves staring at him. He watches the way his smile reaches either cheek. He notices how good he is with Kiko. How he runs with her, makes sure she doesn’t fall over, and how he makes her laugh. He looks good. Too good, in fact. He looks like he’s exactly where he’s supposed to be.
A warmth pools in Kiyoshi’s chest. It’s that feeling again. The thing he’s been feeling all day. It’s just one of those things that just fit Kurosawa.
Oh.
Kiyoshi’s eyes widen a bit when he remembers the last time he felt this feeling.
At the church.
A soft smile finds its way on Kiyoshi’s face.
He wonders what Kurosawa’s reaction would be. What Kurosawa would say if Kiyoshi asks what he thinks about adopting a child.
Kiyoshi giggles and Kurosawa’s eyes naturally drift towards him. Of course it does.
For now, Kiyoshi puts a pause on that thought and carefully tucks it to the back of his mind, saving it for a different day. Maybe he’ll save it for new years. But for now, he runs back to Kurosawa, reveling in the fact that his eyes never look away from him, not even a millisecond.
“What’s got you laughing so much, gorgeous?”
“‘M not laughing,” Kiyoshi giggles, falling into his arms, making them both crash into the snow. Kurosawa accepts with his arms open wide, making sure he’s the only one hitting the snow before fully embracing Kiyoshi. “I’m just so happy. You look good.”
“I look the best when I’m in your arms.” Kurosawa flirts. It’s really no use. Kiyoshi has no choice but to fall for Kurosawa, over and over again.
Kiyoshi places a peck on Kurosawa’s cheek. “You do, don’t you?”
“Mhm.” Kurosawa gives him a peck back. “So always keep me in your arms, ‘kay?”
“Always.”
—
Activity 4: Onsen
At Shigeru’s arrival, he suggests trying the onsen with all of the men of the family. Which is how the four of them find themselves seated in a private room.
Immediately, Shigure takes his seat next to Kurosawa before Kiyoshi can, making the younger sit next to Kazuya opposite to them.
“You work out, son?”
Kurosawa smiles, trying his best to mask his nervousness. “Yes, sir.”
Shigeru laughs and reassures him. “Hey, no need for formalities, son. You can call me Dad if you want.”
“Oh, of course.” Kurosawa beams, his nervousness exchanged with excitement; the screaming in his head going a mile a minute. “I work out regularly… Dad.”
“That’s amazing, considering all the work you do.” Shigeru compliments. “Maybe you should try bringing Kiyoshi with you, I love that boy but he does need the exercise.”
“He doesn’t come with me to the gym, but we do go jogging almost everyday.” Kurosawa recounts.
Shigeru’s eyes widened a bit, mouth slightly opening. He was half-joking when he mentioned his son. “How did you convince him? There were a couple times I tried to talk to him to take up classes but he’d brush me off and with our… situation, I just thought it was probably not my place to.”
“I didn’t convince him. I never asked about it, actually.” Kurosawa explains, “But I think it was before we even got married, he’d told me that he wouldn’t be able to accompany me at the gym, but that he wanted to at least join me whenever I went out to jog. Your son is quite diligent. He works just as hard as me, maybe even more, and he’s still always wanting to improve himself.”
It takes a minute for Shigeru to respond. He simply looks at Kurosawa, before his gaze drifts off to his son across the room, then he smiles before looking back at Kurosawa. “Thank you.”
“Huh.” A puzzled Kurosawa tilts his head. “What for?”
“You’re good for him. “ Shigeru places a hand on Kurosawa’s shoulder, offering him a warm smile. “I wasn’t able to be around much for Kiyoshi. And when I was, I’m not sure I was able to do it right. But you… you’re right for him. I’m glad that someone like you can always be by his side.”
It takes everything in Kurosawa to stop himself from bawling. “Thank you, sir- I mean, uh, Dad. But trust me, he’s better for me. I’m grateful to have him in my life.”
“Ah, young love.” Shigeru chuckles, then stands. “Well, that’s all I wanted to say. Oh, and I heard about the snowball incident earlier. As well as this machine you bought for the kids too. You know, you’re already a good husband, but take it from me, you must know that you’ll surely become a good father too.”
The sudden comment makes Kurosawa freeze. He’s completely overwhelmed, from Kiyoshi’s father suddenly pouring his heart to him to the idea—the simple thought of becoming a father? Of adopting a child with Kiyoshi?
The thoughts that rush to Kurosawa’s head override his system so much so that he doesn’t notice Shigeru making his way to where Kiyoshi is seated, and that Kazuya is the one standing now, reluctantly walking to be in front of Kurosawa.
“Oi.” Kazuya says, finally grabbing Kurosawa’s attention. ”Give me your email. I’m sending you a drive.”
Kurosawa furrows his brows, barely processing Kazuya’s words. “What?”
“Look, just give me it, okay?” Kazuya grabs Kurosawa’s wrist and puts his phone in his hand.
Obediently, still half-lost-in-his-thoughts, types in his email address on Kazuya’s phone. Once he’s done, Kazuya takes it back and after a few more minutes, he hears his phone vibrate. Kurosawa looks at Kazuya confused, but the younger merely looks at Kurosawa’s phone, gesturing for him to check it out rather than saying it directly.
So Kurosawa does. He checks his phone and clicks on the email Kazuya sent him, he opens the drive and waits for it to load and when it does his jaw drops. The contents of the drive reveal themselves to be photos; not just any photos but photos of himself and Kiyoshi.
The first few photos are pictures of Kiyoshi trying to protect Kurosawa from snowballs, just moments before he got hit in the face. Kurosawa laughs, finding his husband extremely cute. Then, there’s a photo of Kiyoshi alone, gazing lovingly at the distance; eyes all lit up and the corners of his mouth forming a soft smile. Kurosawa thinks he really is the prettiest thing to ever exist, then, a small bit of jealousy forms inside him when he realizes he doesn’t know who or what Kiyoshi is looking at.
“He was looking at you there.” Kazuya mentions, as if he could read Kurosawa’s mind. Although it wouldn’t be the first, Kurosawa would rather not have Kazuya know about that side of him so he prays it isn’t showing on his face.
Still, knowing that he’s the object of Kiyoshi’s loving gaze immediately douses the fire that was about to build inside him and instead a different type of warmth spreads all over his body.
As Kurosawa slides to the next photo, his heart softens, as he sees himself being embraced by Kiko and Haruta. He recalls it as when they first arrived, all his nerves getting soothed by two of the cutest angels to come out of the Adachi bloodline (apart from Kiyoshi) who gave him a bracelet. A small something that signified that he was part of their family.
When he slides to the final photo, his eyes widen and his heart almost explodes. It’s the prettiest picture of him and Kiyoshi, hugging in the snow. Kiyoshi is atop of Kurosawa, his hair catching the light making it shine. It’s almost as bright as his lover himself. They’re laughing and all the bubbles that surround them make the scene look more lovelier, as if they were in a movie. And at last, Kurosawa notices their eyes, the way they look at each with all the adoration in the world. He wasn’t even aware of how they looked to other people. He almost got goosebumps with how cinematic the picture looked like.
“I know I tell you off sometimes, but I’ve already told you, I can’t help but be protective.” Kazuya starts, making Kurosawa look at him. “But at the end of the day, Kiyo loves you. You make him really happy.”
And just like how he usually is, Kazuya stares off into the distance, making his eyes focus on anything that isn’t Kurosawa. “You know I’m actually more observant than more people since it's part of my job as a photographer. But when it comes to you guys, I’m sure even a child would see how head over heels you are for each other. So thanks, alright.”
Kurosawa smiles, not expecting to receive so much thanks, especially not back-to-back.
“I guess being a tsundere is an Adachi thing, huh?” Kurosawa teases, placing his hand on the younger’s shoulder.
Kazuya’s eyebrows furrow as he puts on a playful frown. “Just because I gave you pictures doesn’t mean I won’t beat you up if you still break my brother’s heart.”
Kurosawa laughs loudly, his hand now patting the shoulder it rested on. “Sure thing, ‘cause that’s never ever happening.”
—
As the sun sets, all of them make their way to their respective rooms, bidding each other good night.
Haruko places a kiss on Kurosawa’s cheek. “You were wonderful today, thank you for coming, darling.”
Kurosawa thanks her as well, hugging her with one hand. She gives the two of them another knowing grin before heading to her room. Kurosawa looks at Kiyoshi in confusion, only for Kiyoshi to respond with the same look.
Yumiko and Kazuya bid their greetings, carrying either twin who’ve finally run out of energy throughout the long day. Kiko soundly sleeps on Yumiko’s shoulder while a sleepy Haruta somehow makes out a mumbled “Good night, Uncle Kiyo and Uncle Yuichi.”
Shigure pats both Kurosawa and Kiyoshi on the back, bidding them both a good night before heading to his own room.
And at last, Kurosawa takes Kiyoshi’s hand as they watch everyone go and they retreat to their own room as well.
—
Adachi walks out of the bathroom after brushing his teeth to find Kurosawa on the bed, with his arm stretched out, staring at the blue beaded bracelet wrapped around his wrist. Then, he giggles.
“Happy?”
The sudden sound of Adachi makes Kurosawa jolt, but he soon relaxes at the sight of his husband. He smiles, opening his arms wide, signaling for Adachi to come to him. “ Very.”
There could be nothing in the world that can stop Adachi from falling straight into Kurosawa’s arms. So he takes his seat beside him, snuggling up to the older.
A comfortable silence fills the room, and the two of them bask in it. Kurosawa wraps his arm around Adachi’s waist, his hand playing with the hem of Adachi’s shirt. Then, he buries his face in the space between Adachi’s neck and shoulder.
The silence is broken by a very quiet, “Do you think they liked me?”
“Liked you?” Adachi questions. “Yuichi, they love you.”
He plants a kiss on the older’s forehead, his hand snaking from the side of his face to the back of Kurosawa’s head.
“You see that bracelet you’re wearing?” Adachi plays with Kurosawa’s hair as he talks, “You’re part of the family, Yuichi. You don’t need to worry about things like that anymore.”
Kurosawa softens, he looks back down to where his arm rests above Adachi and stares at the bracelet. “I guess I really am now, huh?”
His words sound calm but at the point where their chests meet, Adachi can feel Kurosawa’s heart racing.
“So,” Adachi adds, “how does it feel to finally have all six Adachi’s wrapped around your finger?”
Kurosawa chuckles, realizing it’s an effort to make him feel more at ease.
“Hmm.” He hums, pretending to think hard. Then, “Amazing.”
He starts pressing kisses against Adachi’s neck, one of his favourite hobbies.
“Grateful,” Kurosawa says in between kisses, “Surreal. But nothing compares to having my favourite one wrapped around my arms.”
Adachi giggles and Kurosawa climbs up to close the gap between his and Adachi’s lips.
They pull away, out of breath, resting their faces on each other’s forehead.
“I love you so so much, Kiyoshi.” Kurosawa confesses, softly.
The response comes quick and just as soft. “I love you too, Yuichi.”
—
Kurosawa sleeps soundly that night, in a deep embrace with his husband, completely unaware that after New Year’s, he would have two favourite Adachi’s wrapped around his arms.