Chapter Text
The clumsy, handmade decorations around the apartment were colorful, taped together by small dedicated hands. The table was set neatly, covered in all of Rei’s favorite foods, a result of Kazuki’s carefully shelved knowledge from the past three years.
“I have something worth protecting, too.”
Kazuki patted him on the back.
“C’mon, Rei.” He grinned. “Happy birthday. Dig in.”
He shuffled to his seat, staring down at a plate that was steadily being piled up with his favorites. Kazuki placed the best parts of the chicken in the middle, surrounded by a big helping of fries. Rei watched him think about sneaking in a handful of salad at the side, and his heart warmed.
Familiarity , he thought. Just when did being cared for in this way become familiar?
He thought of instant ramen cups and convenience store bentos.
He thought of greasy slices of pizza and fries.
He thought of the trash he used to leave behind, living in the mess, rotting, rotting , rotting…
“This is your home,” Miri said, rubbing sleep from her eyes.
“...yes.”
When did he stop rotting?
He stared down at the plate Kazuki made for him.
(He did end up putting salad on the side.)
Kazuki caught him staring at the salad.
“It… it is your birthday,” Kazuki mumbled, as if every word hurt him. “So… I guess you don’t have to eat it. If you don’t. Y’know. Want to.”
Rei opened his mouth, but no words came out.
How could he possibly thank him? For cleaning? For cooking? For giving Rei a home ?
How could he thank him for caring?
He stuffed the bite of salad into his open mouth. Kazuki stared at him, eyes wide and face beaming.
“Thanks, Rei!” Kazuki leaned forward, chin in his hands.
“...It wasn’t much.” It really wasn’t. He really wasn’t (isn’t). And yet, Kazuki looked happy.
Familiarity, Rei thought again, relishing in knowing Kazuki’s real smile. Root word, familiar. Latin root, familiaris, familia, family.
He ate the rest of his food, tasting artificial grease and preservatives (but no rot. not anymore.).
He blinked slowly at the apartment, watching the bold colored furniture and decorations blur into colorful spots. He leaned back in his seat, breathing in the scent of detergent (Kazuki must’ve done the laundry today), glue (Miri must’ve spilled some), and joy.
His vision darkened. He opened his eyes to find Kazuki standing over him, blonde hair illuminated by the light falling in wisps around his face.
(An angel, Rei’s mind supplied, unbidden.)
Warmth spread in Rei’s chest.
“You really are similar to Miri.” Kazuki snorted, rubbing a finger between Rei’s eyebrows to soothe the wrinkles there. “Falling asleep the second you’re done eating— it makes me worry about that girl’s future…”
“Miri’s better than I am,” Rei replied, a thousand hidden meanings under the casual tone. “She’ll grow up well.”
“Yeah.” Kazuki looked at the— their little girl sleeping on the couch. A warm hand moved to Rei’s shoulder. “She will. She’s better than me too, you know.”
“That’s true.”
“Hey!”
Rei snorted.
Silent, they both watched the steady rise and fall of their daughter’s chest as she sprawled on the couch. The party hat on her head was crooked, drool dribbled down the side of her cheek, her hair clung to her face and fanned out on her pillow…
Rei thought she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
“Well, time to get the kid to bed.” Kazuki sighed, quietly shuffling towards Miri to pick her up. He lifted her, careful not to disturb her sleep, one large hand on her back, and another under her legs. Miri’s head lolled on his shoulder, and her drool stream relocated to Kazuki’s sweater. “Woah, woah, woah, hey! Ugh, I just washed this jacket…” He grumbled, but the look in his eyes was fond.
Perhaps it was the late hour. Perhaps it was the way Kazuki’s soft hair looked in the dim living room lights. Perhaps it was the two of them, standing in the middle of what used to be rot, holding each other, a silent promise to stay.
Rei got up from the table, wandered to Kazuki, and buried his face in his other shoulder. He took a deep breath— laundry detergent, dinner, and Miri’s drool— and wrapped his arms around Kazuki’s waist.
“Rei—? What—” Kazuki didn’t stiffen, but his voice seemed pleasantly surprised.
“...thanks.” For coming for me. Three years ago, tonight… tomorrow. For caring. Rei squeezed Kazuki tighter, as if the pressure against his ribcage would make him real (sometimes, Kazuki didn’t feel real— he was too caring, too loving, too good for someone like Rei).
“Anytime.” Kazuki leaned into the embrace, melting in Rei’s arms.
Oh. Rei blinked, the thought like a warm gust of wind. I love him.
Once the dam broke, the tide rushed out.
I love him. I love him so much. Rei squeezed him tighter. He’s my home. Storge, philia, eros, all of it, he’s all of it. I adore him.
“Rei…” Kazuki whispered, and Rei felt the breath on his head. “Did… something happen?”
“I’m ok.”
“Ok. I won’t ask, then.” And he didn’t. As if it was that simple.
“Kazuki…”
“Hm?”
“Thank you,” Rei murmured into his shoulder. “Really.”
He held Kazuki for one moment more before he pulled away, greeted by the sight of Kazuki’s pink cheeks and smile too big for his face.
“You’re welcome.” Kazuki buried a hand into Rei’s hair. “Thank you to you too.”
“I don’t…”
“You do. You’ve kept me safe.” Kazuki snorted. “Ask Kyu-chan. Before we were partners, I got a gunshot wound, like, every other mission.”
“That’s just because you were incompetent.”
“ Were? Aw, Rei, I knew you appreciated me!” Kazuki joked, tugging a few strands of Rei’s hair.
“I do.” Rei leaned into the touch, daring to press a kiss against his palm. “I do appreciate you, Kazuki.”
“Oh.” Kazuki blinked.
Rei watched, entranced, as a pink flush traveled from Kazuki’s neck to his cheeks. The sensation of a smile tugged at his cheek (it was getting more and more familiar, now).
“I, uh. I. Yeah.” Kazuki looked anywhere but Rei, pulling away. “Anytime, buddy-o.”
“Did you just… do finger-guns at me?” Rei sighed.
“...yeap.”
“Yeap?”