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It’s just like Sae to do this. Show up out of nowhere after months of being gone, only communicating through phone calls and texts. Which is fine, because it’s Sae, but no one expected him to show up like… this.
“Oh, congratulations, honey!” Mrs. Itoshi exclaims, hugging her eldest son tightly. Mr. Itoshi settles on patting Sae’s back with a proud smile.
Rin stands there a few inches away, staring at the wide gap between his brother and mom. Staring at the belly of a 6 months pregnant man, who looks a little too big to be 6 months. Sae looks like he could pop any minute now. Or maybe that’s because of Sae’s slender build. He isn’t scrawny, but Rin thinks he could lift more weights.
Well, he can't now.
Never in Rin’s life did his brother ever talk about having kids. He just assumed the man didn’t want any. But now here is, months later, almost as big as a house and happy. He’s really trying to shuffle through his memories real quick to see if Sae ever said anything—
“Rin, how do you feel about kids?”
“They’re tiny, sticky, and loud.”
“But you don’t hate them?”
“I don’t feel one way or another about them.”
“Hm. Okay.”
Holy shit.
Was that Sae telling Rin he was pregnant? Or did he ask that before he got knocked up? What the fuck?
Apparently, Rin has been staring too long without a word because he’s suddenly being shoved lightly by his shoulder.
“Hey, idiot. Speak,” Sae says.
Rin looks up from the intrusion to his brother’s eyes. Sae’s face is rounder, and his cheeks lightly flushed. His hair is a little longer now, nearly reaching his shoulders. His bangs are still the same, but they’re down today, not styled like usual. He looks softer… kinder. Rin doesn’t dislike it, though.
“I’m not the idiot, you are,” Rin spits back, playfully shoving his brother back. “Why’d you let yourself get knocked up?”
Sae snorts. “It was a mutual decision between two adults. You wouldn’t get it, baby brother.”
Sae walks— well, waddles— past him into the living room to sit down. Rin sits next to him rather closely. Sae notices, but doesn't say anything. His baby brother is so cute.
“Were you already this big when you told me?”
Sae shakes his head as he’s handed a glass of water by their dad. “No, I just wanted to make sure you were okay with it beforehand. You’re no longer the baby of the family.”
Rin scowls. “I don’t care about that. Why wouldn’t I be fine with this? You can do whatever you want.”
Sae’s expression changes then. Somehow growing softer and Rin immediately tries to figure out what he said wrong.
“Rin, you’re my brother. I want you in my life for every part of it. I’m not gonna do something life-changing without your input. Not again.”
They’ve come a long way since Sae was 18 and Rin 16. They had finally talked about that night in the snow when Sae returned home from Spain. Rin yelled the entire time, but Sae let him get it all out. Sae was vulnerable for the first time ever, letting his brother understand the inner workings of his mind. It was a slow process, but they finally managed to reconcile and reconnect like when they were kids.
Now, at ages 25 and 23, you’d think they never had a falling out in the first place. They were closer than ever and attached at the hip.
Rin scoffs quietly, taking Sae’s empty glass and setting it on the coffee table. “When did you go all soft?”
“I’ve always been like this. What do you mean.”
“Lying is for lukewarm brothers. Who did this to you, anyway? You’ve never mentioned anyone.”
At that, Sae freezes momentarily. He stares at Rin like he’s grown two heads in the last ten seconds. Rin glares at him in question.
“What?” He asks, irritated.
“Rin, I’ve only been with one person this whole time. For like, three years now.”
“Who?”
“Ryusei.”
“…”
“Shidou.”
“…?”
“Rin.”
Rin wracks his brain for a moment until pink flashes across his frontal lobe. “Antenna head? I thought that was a joke.”
Sae sighs deeply. “No, we’ve been dating this whole time. Why would I joke about that?”
Rin shrugs nonchalantly, “Because you hate me and want me to die. You know I don’t like him. Why him? I thought he was just some leech attached to you.”
“… You mean a friend?”
“If that’s what you wanna call it.”
“Aren’t you and Isagi…?”
“Me and Isagi what?”
“…Nevermind, we can talk about that later. But, Ryusei and I have never been friends. The moment we met, he started pursuing me.”
Rin makes a face. “That sounds creepy as hell. Don’t you think that was weird?”
Sae smiles softly. “Not at all. I thought he was charming,” Rin fakes a gag and Sae rolls his eyes. “Anyway, I came to give you guys your official invitations. Rin, my bag.” He points at the small messenger bag on the other end of the couch.
Their parents, who had been sitting in the living room as well minding their business, perk up at Sae’s words. “Ooh I hope it’s for what I think!” Their mom exclaims excitedly.
Sae opens his bag and grabs a big envelope. It’s bulging a little with what Rin assumes are invitations. He takes some out, and hands them off.
Rin looks down at the thin cardboard card. In fancy lettering it reads: You are invited to Ryusei and Sae’s Baby Shower!
It has all the information on it and an RSVP line that conveniently already has Rin’s name on it. He can only assume their parents’ invites do as well. He’s going to turn it over in case something is on the back, but notices he has two.
“You game me an extra, here,” He hands it back to his brother.
Sae looks at his hand then back up at Rin. “No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did.”
“I gave you two, yes?”
“Yeah, by accident.”
“….Rin, I love you, but you’re kinda dense sometimes. That invitation is obviously for Isagi.”
“Huh?”
Sae gestures to it and Rin looks at it. And there it is, right on the RSVP line: Isagi Yoichi.
Damn.
“He’s gonna come, right? It’s next weekend, so I hope that’s not too late of a notice. You’re seeing him tomorrow, right? Make sure to give it to him.”
Their parents garner his attention, then, asking all types of questions. Rin tunes them out as he stares at both invitations. Interesting.
___________________
The venue they chose is elegant. Not too big, not too small. The crew Sae hired was already done setting everything up an hour before the start time. There’s music playing and the catering is setup nicely.
Rin is stuck doing whatever Sae needs him to do. Okay, “stuck” sounds harsh. Rin doesn’t mind helping him; Sae’s as big as a whale and waddles like a damn penguin. He can’t do shit on his own. Not that he’s allowed to, anyway. Their mom keeps yelling at Sae to sit down while they finish up all the smaller work.
But it’s been an hour and it seems Sae is enjoying bossing his baby brother around.
“Grab me a drink.”
“What kind? And you better say water."
“I’m feeling a sprite.”
“Try again.”
“…Your niece wants a sprite.”
Rin’s eye twitches. Sae has been using the baby as an excuse the entire week. Rin loves his brother, really, but he’s incredibly annoying. Hormones or something his dad had said.
Rin comes back with the can and hands it to him. Sae looks at it, but doesn’t take it. Rin huffs in frustration. Sae nearly breaks character with an amused smile.
“Open it for me.”
“Huh? Do it yourself!”
Sae shakes his head. “Mom said I’m not allowed to do anything.”
Rin wants to strangle him. He doesn’t, though, because he’ll go to jail for pregnancy abuse.
“You’re really milking this, aren’t you.” Rin grits out, opening the can.
Sae smiles now, amusement all over his face, “Of course not, baby brother,” His expression changes quickly, surprise written all over it. “Oh, Rin, here.”
Before Rin could react, Sae is grabbing his wrist and placing his hand on the side of his pregnant belly. Rin doesn’t feel anything for a moment, but then—
“Holy shit.”
The baby is kicking. Rin hasn’t felt a thing all week. Anytime she would move around or kick, their parents and even Isagi were able to feel it. But when Rin pressed a hand against Sae’s stomach, she’d stop. It was like she knew it was Rin. Does she not like him? They haven’t even met yet!
But now, standing here, he could cry.
He won’t.
After a moment, the baby stops. She must’ve been tired because she was kicking quite hard.
“That’s insane. There’s legit a human inside of you.” Rin comments of all things.
Sae snorts. “That’s how pregnancy works. I think she’s finally warming up to you.”
Rin ignores the warmth in his stomach.
When the baby shower starts, it’s lively. Both sides of the family want pictures with him and Sae’s friends (Rin didn’t think he had any of those) are claiming that they’re going to spoil the baby rotten. Rin sneers at their comments. That’s his niece, thank you very much.
Isagi had shown up a little late because he was out getting a gift. When Rin asked him why, the shorter man replied, “He has a registry!”
Now the two of them sit at the main table reserved for the immediate family. Sae made sure Isagi was involved in anything that had to do with immediate family. Rin didn’t get it, but he wasn’t complaining.
“Sae! There’s this trend going around and we wanna do it with you!” Charles, one of his friends, exclaimed. He was more Ryusei’s friend, but after some time he grew on Sae.
Next to the blond is another friend, and former teammate, Bunny Iglesias. He looks excited to do whatever trend they’re talking about. Rin can’t wait to see how stupid this turns out.
Sae sets down his fork and carefully swallows his mouthful. He was already on his 4th plate of baby shower meatballs.
“What is it? It better not be stupid,”
Charles giggles, “It’s not! You just gotta say what gender you think the baby is!”
Sae furrows his brows in annoyance. “I already know she's a girl. Didn’t I tell you it'd better not be stupid?”
Bunny says, “Come on, Sae-san, just do it for fun. Humor the kid, won’t you? It’s good practice.”
Sae sighs and rolls his eyes. “Fine, hurry on with it.”
Charles takes out his phone to record. “Okay, just say ‘Hi I’m your mom’ and what gender you think,”
“Do I have to say mom?”
“It’s funnier!”
“Whatever,”
“Okaaaay, go!”
Sae looks into the camera and says, “Hi, I’m your mom and I think you’re gonna be a girl.”
“Perfect!” Charles stops recording with a wide smile. “Now, we wait for Ryu-chan!”
As if summoned, the man himself bursts into the venue. He’s carrying three large boxes and Sae has no desire to ask what they are. The explosive man will tell him anyway. He sets the boxes down at the gift table and makes a hasty beeline towards Sae with a wide smile.
“Sae-chan! Daddy’s back! Sorry, I took so long,” He reaches the table within seconds and is all over Sae.
Sae gives him a quick peck on the lips. “Took you long enough, devil. Your friends are bothering me,” He vaguely gestures towards Charles and Bunny.
“We aren’t!” Charles argues.
Ryusei laughs, “You know how Charles is, baby!” He automatically opens his mouth when Sae offers him a meatball.
The blond kid opens up his phone camera once more. “Ryu-chan! Say what you think the baby is going to be!”
“Huh? She's my princess! Fuck you mean, Charles?”
“Language.” Sae gently reminds him.
Ryusei pats his hand and Charles says, “It’s just for the trend! Please? Sae already did his part.”
Ryusei chuckles and looks at his boyfriend. “You did?” Sae nods. “Okay, then! I’m game!”
Charles sets it up and gives him his cue. Ryusei waves at the camera, “Hey kiddo! I’m your dad, and you’re gonna be a girl!”
During this moment, Rin decided to pay attention again to his brother. He ended up letting Isagi distract him with some soccer techniques (he’s a fucking nerd.) And in that instance, Rin heard and saw everything.
“The who!?” Rin said without hesitation.
He didn’t recognize Ryusei at first. Before he could, Isagi is panicking, “Rin! Shut up! That’s Shidou the baby daddy!”
Rin looks at Isagi bewildered. “The pappy?”
“Yes, the pappy!”
Rin looks back at the man standing next to his brother. Admittedly, Rin doesn’t remember what the man looks like. He really only remembers pink and antennas. The face? Not a clue. Rin doesn’t like him nor cares for him, so he deemed Ryusei unimportant. But apparently he’s more important than he thought.
“Sae.” Rin calls out.
The man stops his fork midway to his mouth. Can’t he eat his food in peace? He sighs quietly, “What, Rin?”
Rin points at Ryusei, who is now filming a stupid dance with Charles and Bunny, “That’s him? The man you like enough to have a child with?”
“Rin, you’ve seen him before.”
“… Out of sight, out of mind.”
Sae closes his eyes, sighing once more and mumbling to himself, “Little brothers,” He opens his eyes. “Well, be nice, okay? Especially today. Can you do that for me?”
Rin scowls. “Only if he doesn’t piss me off.”
“He won’t. I made him promise.”
Rin nods, “Good. I’ll play nice for today.”
Sae thanks him and gives a look to Isagi. The younger man understands, and nods sagely.
The rest of the baby shower went off without a hitch. The guests played games and won prizes. Sae and Ryusei opened gifts that weren’t visible on the gift table. It mostly consisted of the regular gifts: diapers, wipes, clothes, bottles, etc. Multiple pictures were taken at the photo booth Sae had wanted with a professional photographer. People still took pictures with their phones as well.
The couple decided to sort of combine this party with a gender reveal. They know what their baby is, but not everyone else. So, the guests were all shocked more than them when they pulled the strings on the confetti tubes. Ryusei had pulled Sae in for a kiss as the pink confetti fell down around them. Sae thinks more pictures were taken at that moment than anything else.
After all the festivities, guests began filing out of the venue, congratulating the soon-to-be parents. Sae was eating his second slice of cake when Ryusei told him he’d pack the car with the help of Sae’s dad.
“Be careful. That stroller is heavy,” Sae warns him.
“I got it, baby cakes!” Ryusei says and kisses his cheek. Then he’s off.
Rin walks over to him. “You look tired as fuck.”
Sae swallows his cake before responding, “Thanks, I feel like it. Long day.”
“Do you need anything?”
Sae shakes his head. “I’m fine. Where’s Isagi?”
“Helping mom clean up all the trash.”
“I told her the people will do that tomorrow morning.”
“You know how she is.”
Sae sets his empty plate down and looks at Rin. Like, really looks at him. “What’s wrong?”
Rin is slightly caught off guard by the question. “Huh? I’m fine.”
The elder slowly shakes his head. “No, you’re not. I won’t force you to tell me, but I’d like to know.”
Something has been bothering Rin all day, but he really doesn’t want to make this about him. This is his brother’s day, and it should stay that way. He can tell Sae some other time.
Rin plays with his fingers. “It can wait. Today is about you. And the baby.”
Sae smirks playfully, “Not Ryusei? My boyfriend and coincidentally the father of said baby?”
Rin glares at him but there’s no real heat behind it. “Shut up.”
“Okay. That’s fine, Rin. Does it have to do with Isagi?”
Rin freezes. He feels his cheeks heat up and he quickly looks away. Truth be told, Sae is right. Watching him and Ryusei be a lovey-dovey couple all day made him think of Isagi. They’ve been… friends (gross) for years now. Despite that, Rin just came to terms with the fact that he does indeed like the shorter man. Romantically. It pisses him off.
Why can’t he just tell Isagi how he feels? It’s not complicated, they’re just feelings. Sae and that pink pest are so in tune with each other it’s kind of scary. They look good as a couple, Rin can admit that (to himself). He wants that with Isagi.
But he can’t say it.
Rin hates this.
With his head turned, he mutters, “Maybe…”
He doesn’t see it, but Sae smiles fondly. “Well, if I know you— and I do— you’ll be fine. Whenever you decide to tell him. If you’re worried how he’ll respond, don’t be. You should see the way he looks at you.”
Rin turns back around quickly, blush be damned. “How does he look at me?”
Sae snorts in amusement. “Don’t worry, baby brother. Can you do me a favor?”
Rin sighs in frustration. Sae is annoying. “What?”
“Get me one more slice of cake. Your niece demands it. Oh, and more water.”
Rin rolls his eyes. “Are you allowed to eat this much? You’re gonna get fat. Well, fatter.”
Now it’s Sae’s turn to scowl at him. “I’m not fat. And it’s not me, it’s her. You know I wouldn’t be eating this regularly.”
“Right. Okay. Whatever you say.”
Rin gets up to go do as his brother asks. Sae goes on his phone as he waits patiently. He grunts a little when the baby kicks particularly hard on his side.
“That hurts, princess. Uncle Rin will be back soon, yeah?” Sae says while rubbing his stomach.
“Sweet cheeks! I’m back!” Ryusei’s voice is louder and echoes more now that the venue is empty. He walks up to his pregnant boyfriend and squats down, hands resting on his belly. “Hi, princess. Daddy missed you,”
Sae smiles as Ryusei kisses all over his stomach. He’s gotten used to it now so it doesn’t tickle as much. He reaches out and cards his fingers through Ryusei’s hair. “Did everything fit in our car?”
“Nah, we had to put some stuff in your parent’s car. We can get it tomorrow, or whenever you feel like it. I know today was exhausting for you,” Ryusei lays his head on the crest of Sae’s stomach, looking up at him.
“Yeah, it was, but I’m happy. You seem tired, too. We can leave as soon as Rin comes back with my— the baby’s cake.”
Ryusei smirks. “Babe, you can’t keep blaming your cravings on Princess.”
“But it is her. I don’t eat this stuff, you know that.”
“Sure, sure, love.”
Sae rolls his eyes. “When Rin comes back, I need to tell you both something.”
They wait, but barely a few minutes before Ron comes back with a plate of cake and a water bottle. Ryusei smiles, shouting, “Underlashes junior! Just the guy I wanted to see!”
The younger Itoshi glared at him. “I’m gonna go check on Isagi—“
“Wait, Rin. I need to ask you something.” Sae says, grabbing his wrist.
Rin raises a brow, “Is it important?”
Sae nods. “Very important. I’ve been thinking about it for some time now. How would you feel about being her godfather? I know you’re her uncle, but would you like to be her godfather as well? Just in case something happens to us.”
“Oh, that’s a good idea! I doubt anything will happen to us, but I know Rin-Rin will take good care of her!” Ryusei says.
Rin isn’t sure what to say. He wants to say yes, but should he? He doesn’t think he would be a good caretaker. Maybe Isagi would be…
No, he can’t think like that.
It won’t happen. Nothing will happen to them. His brother and the pink pest will be fine.
“I mean… sure? I don’t think you guys are dying tomorrow, but sure.” Rin says.
Sae smiles, “Thanks, Rin. That means a lot.”
Rin nods and walks away. Sae watches him go, and Ryusei continues talking to the baby.
Once they’re home, Sae collapses onto their bed. Ryusei chuckles and leans over him. “You okay, sweet cheeks?”
Sae opens his eyes. “I’m fine. Baby showers are exhausting. We’re never doing that again.”
“What about our other babies? They deserve a party too!”
“We’ll just make a registry. No more parties, I’m tired.”
Ryusei pecks his lips. “Sure, sure. Wanna take a bath?”
Sae shakes his head. “I’ll take one in the morning. I want a foot rub. They feel swollen even though I wasn’t walking much today.”
“On it, boss!”
Sae smiles tiredly as his boyfriend grabs the lotion off the dresser and begins taking his shoes off.
“Do you want to get married?” Sae ends up asking after a few minutes.
Ryusei smiles fondly. “Only if you want. I know you’re mine forever, Sae-chan.”
“Okay. You know Rin didn’t remember you when I first came back. He asked me who did I let knock me up.”
At that, Shidou cackles loudly. Sae feels his baby wiggle around as soon as her dad laughs and he rubs his bump. “I expected nothing more from him! Hey, princess, your uncle Rin is the best, okay? Treat him nice when you come!”
Sae winces quietly as the baby kicks him hard and wildly. “Stop riling her up, please, Ryu.”
Ryusei leans over to kiss his stomach. “Sorry, sweet cheeks. I love youuuu.”
“Mm. Love you, too.”
____________________
“Finally!”
Rin stares at Isagi in disbelief.
What.
What does that mean?
Rin just told Isagi that he likes him. Romantically. What does he mean finally?
“What the hell are you talking about?” Rin asks, disbelief being replaced by a confused glare.
Isagi, who is smiling bright, teeth and all, exclaims, “You finally confessed! I was waiting for you to say something. You’re kinda obvious, Rin.”
“I wasn’t hiding it.” Rin immediately fires back in defense.
“You totally were! Rin, I know you. You can’t hide anything from me.” Isagi scoots closer to him on the bed. They’re at Rin’s house and his parents are out.
Rin almost moves back on instinct, but refrains. Isagi is so close Rin can nearly feel his steady breath on his face. “Shut up, bastard. You don’t know anything.”
“I know you like me. You’ve liked me for a long time, hm? It took awhile for me to notice, honestly. I’ve just been waiting for you to grow some balls to tell me.”
At that, Rin feels his cheeks blush lightly. He shoves Isagi away, and the blue haired boy laughs. “Rin, don’t be like that! I like you, too, you know!”
Isagi right back in Rin’s space, but before the younger could push him again, lips are on his. Rin freezes on the spot, brain buffering as it tries to comprehend that Isagi is kissing him. Isagi pulls away all too soon, though, so Rin couldn’t kiss back. What the hell.
“Rin— oh!”
Rin yanked him forward by the collar of his shirt, disrupting whatever bullshit he was going to say. Their lips move in tandem, like they’ve been doing this for years. It feels familiar despite how new this is, and they both find comfort in it. Isagi’s hands thread themselves in Rin’s hair, lightly tugging the green strands. Rin pulls him closer so they’re chest to chest, not even a slip of paper could squeeze through them. Isagi then swipes his tongue against Rin’s bottom lip, hoping the other will let him in to explore.
Rin immediately retches himself free. They stare at each other, breathing heavily, pupils blown wide. Isagi is the first to talk, stammering over his words, “Shit— Sorry, Rin. I— I should’ve asked. Sorry.”
Rin stares for another moment before saying, “It’s fine, I guess. Hold on.”
Before Isagi could say anything, Rin is practically running out the room. Isagi scoffs in amusement as he hears Rin’s deep voice down the hall:
“Nii-chan, I just kissed Isagi. What the fuck do I do now?”
Isagi couldn’t help but laugh.