[ The summer has arrived to sap up the rain that spring brought. The sun is shining, it's a beautiful day... to stay inside. Yup, when Kazuki gets home with Miri, Rei's right where he left him, sprawled out like a cat in a sunbeam on the sofa and playing games. Miri gleefully runs to break his concentration, abandoning her backpack's weight on the way to make an unencumbered leap onto her darker papa's chest.
Rei wheezes, the controller flying out of his hands, rasping out a small 'welcome home' that's quickly drowned out by enthusiastic pleas to Rei Papa to let Miri play Morio Kart. Beneath the fringe of dark hair, Rei's brow furrows. ]
Need you to help me water the plants... Kazuki?
[ The tone alone is a summons, come here, and puzzled. ]
[It's a beautiful day outside and they'd dawdled a little on their way home. Had even stopped at least once so that Miri could admire some flowers that had caught her eye. The resulting shriek of 'Papa look! Look papa!!!' had about given poor Kazuki a heart-attack. Kids.
But all is well that end's well and they're home in one piece. Plus, Miri is still his sparkly little bundle of sunshine and energy. So it worked out.
Watching Miri leap at Rei has him wincing though, knowing exactly what that feels like all too well. Their daughter is a little human canon ball of pain and suffering when she wants to be.
The tone is... strange, the look not so much. Rei's going to have wrinkles for a forehead when they're older because he frowns like that so often.]
Miri, honey. Why don't you get Morio Kart out while I help Papa Rei take care of the plants.
[It distracts Miri quite easily and he smiles fondly at her retreating back even as he's crossing the room towards Rei.]
[ A hint of wry amusement threatens to tinge the correction. What, you don't think he could have run the watering can around out there on his own?
He makes Kazuki wait until Miri has loaded in Morio Kart and is toddling back towards them. ]
Miri, say "papa".
[ Of course she does, big and expansive - it's probably her favorite word besides 'Miri' and 'Sorry'. Rei glances up at Kazuki. ]
You see it...?
[ Maybe it's because of the angle Kazuki was working at bringing her home, maybe it was because she got right into Rei's face, but there's something missing here. As Miri approaches to sit on the couch, Rei scoops her up and settles her on his knee facing Kazuki. He cups her chin and turns her face up to the blonde, thumbing down her lower lip.
[Is he pouting? Yes, yes he is. Don't say his name if that's not what you meant. Or at least mention Miri first? Come on now. It wasn't an unreasonable assumption!
But the pout doesn't last very long, because he's clearly noticed something that he hasn't. But he notices it as soon as she says Papa. Because wait... what?]
Do I see... wait! I think I see it.
[The pouting has been replaced with fascination as he examines her face, completely ignoring the way Miri is squirming because she's not exactly happy with being manhandled like this. And she was gonna play Morio Kart!!!
Fascination turns into sniffles as, moments before he's scooping Miri up from Rei's lap and into his own arms, smothering her in affection even as he cries. Affection that has her protesting, but it's a giggly kind. Secretly delighted even if Papa Kazuki's going overboard like usual.]
Why, you don't know? It means our little girl's growing up, Rei! Miri lost her first tooth!
[Miri, finally realizing just what all the fuss is about, is very proud. Because yes, Miri is a big girl now!! She even brought her tooth home for the tooth fairy, look it's right here. Only right here turns into her looking through her pockets and coming up empty. And then she's flinging herself from Kazuki's arms to look through her bunny backpack. But it's not there either. Now Miri and Kazuki are both in tears, though for very different reasons.]
Rei! ['PAPA!'] I was gonna put it in her book! ['Was gonna give it to the tooth fairy!']
[After a few eventful days with Miri's missing tooth and then the whole Tooth fairy ordeal, a few days of quiet? Very needed. Especially since the weekend there's a lot going on. Miri's first sleepover!
Honestly, while part of Kazuki is heartbroken, his little girl is growing up and making friends and spending the night at other places!! The rest of him is excited because they've got a job lined up and there's plans. He might even, heavens forbid, actually go out tonight after the job's done.
Miri gets dropped off with only... a reasonable amount of sniffles and theatrics from Kazuki. Then it's time to get to work. Literally. Except he gets to be a chef this time, which is great. Someone can appreciate his kitchen skills. Finally. Won't that be nice?.
And it starts out great, but then suddenly it's not great. Which is... pretty typically how things go. The shift's going smoothly, he's making nice with all the wait staff, it's a good time. Until someone catches on that something's off about the new commis chef is... far too skilled for his position. Which, figures, he blows his cover by being too good at the job. One second he's happily assisting the chef garde manger and the next he's barely avoided a cleaver that's been lobbed at his head.]
Hey now, we can talk this out, right?
[There's another knife, which he manages to avoid pretty easily.]
Not in the food prep area! You're going to contaminate the food! [Grabbing the paring knife he'd been using earlier, he chucks it at one of the porters before grabbing a chef's knife that had been abandoned nearby.] Seriously? I was looking forward to this gig and you had to go and ruin it. Thanks for that.
[The next knife isn't thrown and gets a little too close for comfort. Kazuki manages to dodge, but doing so knocks into a rack of dirty dishes. For a moment he's still and then he topples it over, rejoining as the dishes inside shatter with an unholy noise. It's not like he can get a call out, so that's going to have to be the best signal he can manage. Rei, please.]
[ Growing up, Rei learned quite a few languages in order to prepare him for future negotiations. French, however, was one he'd let rust over in the past few years - you really didn't ever run into it unless you were dealing with jewel and art fencing and Rei never bothered to exchange many words anyway. So he's sitting at his dining table with his menu, murmuring pronunciations of the various dishes to himself, when he hears a clattering ringing out from the kitchen.
What the hell, Kazuki? What happened to you sending his table that special order you had him memorize for when the owner finally turned up to be murdered? Good thing he already had dessert first.
Of course, despite his internal annoyance, Rei doesn't hesitate to get up and head into the kitchen, the maneuver so smooth and confident that those around him probably think he's on the way to the restroom. He pulls his gun as soon as he crosses the threshold between the dining room and the hallway leading into the staff byway into the kitchen, eyes scanning the room for both his partner and the closest threat. Immediately, he has to duck a baking sheet being swung at him. ]
[Kazuki, who is currently scrambling through the kitchen like his life depends on it, because it does, doesn't even slow down when Rei appears. Because why wouldn't he? That's what his partner does.]
All of them.
[He'd lost his knife in the desperate lunge to upset the dishrack so he picks up a chopping board full of diced onion and flings it at his pursuer.... before actually picking up a, thankfully, abandoned chef's knife that was at this station.
... Maybe he'll talk to Rei about some hand to hand practice once they're out of this situation. Because honestly, he's feeling a little silly right now.]
Think the boss'll show up to handle the fuss personally?
[Or has he just fucked up yet another mission. Which... given their record recently, Kyu is going to be pissed.]
[ The man said all of them, so Rei starts shooting. He manages to put a body shot in sheet chef and the one currently harassing Kazuki; the blonde might have to fend for himself a little longer until his attacker realizes they're dead thanks to the blood loss. But that's about as far as Rei gets before what he'll forever claim to be a lucky shot happens. A serving tray comes at him like a frisbee, clearly meant for his head, and while Rei blocks with his arm it hits his funny bone just right to make him drop his gun. Bloop. Right into the bisque.
Rei has to gawk for a second before moving again, dropping to pick up the serving tray and using it as a shield for the produce that's being flung at him in order to give one of the chefs time to close in with a knife. Rei stands his ground for now. ]
More our luck we'll have to chase them down.
[ What? He's just being honest.
Just when it looks like he's going to have to do some more shield tricks against the knife-wielder, Rei tosses the tray into his opponent's face, reaches over, and grabs the bisque. A scream of agony wails up through the kitchen as Rei tosses the contents of the pot onto his would-be attacker. It's time enough to pick up his gun and a fresh knife. No way with all these chunks the gun fires, though. ]
Incoming.
[ Rei picks up the tray and tosses it towards Kazuki. He looks like he needs it more. ]
[ The wail fills the apartment, piercing every peaceful corner.
Miri is a handful to be certain. She's precocious and that comes with questions, playfulness, and empathy. But it also comes with its fair share of misunderstandings, and at the end of the day, she is a four year old. Meltdowns aren't unheard of, but they are much rarer than a tear through the apartment. And they never seem to happen when Rei is involved.
Which is why, when Kazuki comes out to investigate whatever it is that's upset Miri, Rei is wearing a uniquely bewildered expression that might just be edging towards distress. They're both sitting on the sofa, Rei still with his controller in hand and Miri dramatically face down in a pillow bawling her little heart out. ]
Told her we're not married.
[ Is his quick explanation to the blonde. Help? He just told the truth??? ]
[Miri is, for the most part, a remarkably easy four year old. She's not perfect and goes through hyper fits of being an Actual Hurricane, but aside from that? She's a real joy.
But Real Joys can't always be happy. And the occasional fit isn't unheard of. Though they've usually been separation anxiety that's expressed the only way she knows how.]
Miri, come on, talk to Papa.
[He settles down on the floor next to her, rubbing a hand over her back soothingly. It's helped before after all.]
We can't fix it if we don't know what's wrong, sweetheart.
[But apparently the term of endearment only makes things worse because the crying only gets worse. Red eyes wide he glances over at Rei in confusion. Is it something he said?]
Maybe start from the beginning, Rei. Why would she think we're married?
[ As far as Rei was concerned, the conversation had totally come up out of the blue. He's been taken so off guard it's hard to remember what the first things they were talking about were. So he shares the lead up to the piece of information that was, apparently, the absolutely wrong thing to say. ]
She asked if we were going to get divorced. I told her we aren't married.
[ His blue eyes stare pleadingly back at Kazuki a moment before something like curiosity pauses the stress. ]
[Kazuki, of course, just happens to have the tea all ready for that one. A small look of not quite understanding, but close in his eyes.]
Junko's parents are going through a divorce. Super messy. Looks like an affair. But there's been some uncertainty about who gets custody and if she'll have to change to a new school or not.
[He continues rubbing circles on Miri's back soothingly Cooing at her even as she continues to cry.]
We've lived here for years, Miri, and that's not likely to change anytime soon. Okay sweetie? And we'd never pull you from class mid-term, you'll be okay.
[But she continues to wail, though this time there are words in the crying. Their daughter clearly upset that they don't use nice names for each other like other families do. Which baffles even Kazuki so he looks back to Rei, despite knowing that the other man would be just as clueless.]
You didn't call me couch crasher to her or something did you?
[Seriously he's supposed to be starting dinner soon. But not in this environment he's not.]
[It all starts off fairly normal. Kazuki hasn't taken much solo work in a while. Or, maybe it's better to say that there's been no work made available to him. Since it's not like he'd made a conscious decision to not do the jobs. More that he can't take them if they aren't there.
So when Kyu contacts him with a job, he doesn't really think too much about it. Job's a job and that's never been an issue before. A simple intelligence retrieval gig. Nothing major, Rei wouldn't be needed for clean up or anything like that. Except it starts weird and gets weirder. The target has a lot of requirements for appearance. A certain style and air to their preferences, a need to be seen as more. It's honestly all very sleazy feeling. Narrative Kazuki doesn't really want to get into the details about it.
Afterwards, despite having successfully completed the mission there's no denying that he's feeling off as he finally makes it home. The thought of actively seeing Miri or Rei right now actually turning his stomach. So when he gets in, it's late enough that Miri's in bed, but early enough that Rei's still awake. Kazuki doesn't even say hello, no quiet greeting when he walks in the door. Instead he just toes off his shoes and then heads straight for the bathroom. Locking it behind himself with a quiet click.
The water starts running soon after and it's going to stay on for... a long while. But even if Rei could see inside it'd just be to see a Kazuki sitting quietly under the water spray doing... nothing. Just sitting under the spray. Fully clothed. Because that's apparently the vibe for the night. Hope Rei hadn't been planning to sleep in the tub because he's going to be at this for a while.]
[ Unsurprisingly, Kazuki will find the apartment lit up by only the glow of the television and the sounds of gaming happening. A grunt of a greeting comes from the darkness, because of course Rei has to be alert to the sounds of what enters his domain, especially when they don't come with a voice. Kazuki has his own tells that it's him, though - the weight of his footsteps, the way that he breathes. Despite having given no verbal cue after coming back in the middle of the night, the blonde doesn't have to worry about being attacked on top of everything else that's happened to him.
Rei registers it as off, especially since we assume lately he's probably had to ward off the occasional cuddle advance. Unfortunately for everyone involved, there didn't seem to be a lot of consistency yet to when Rei felt like he could allow it and when he didn't. Tonight would have been a 'yes' - it's been a long ass day without Kazuki - which may be why Rei doesn't totally wait until he's ready for bed to go and check on his partner.
It's probably not the first time Kazuki has come home from a solo mission in a bad mood, though, and time slides on Rei worse than usual when he's playing video games. So it's probably a good hour or two before Rei thinks to get up and go check. Seeing Kazuki still in his clothes through the frosted glass of the door leading into the bathroom gives him a start. Would Kazuki come in without telling him that he got hurt? Did he pass out? Is he drunk as a skunk with his clothes still on?
Unless Kazuki can call out and stop him in time, Rei's going to be sliding open the door and giving a more alert look in to try and assess the situation. ]
[Kazuki very much aware despite himself, notices the sound of the door, but not with enough time to do anything about it. Mostly because gathering the energy to even say anything is going to take a lot of time and effort.]
Go away.
[It's a little muffled between the water and the way Kazuki's hunched in on himself. It's perhaps a little impressive that a guy with his frame can somehow manage to scrunch up to look so much smaller than he really is. Though the wet clothes clinging to him might help with that illusion in some ways.
Two hours in, is there even any hot water left at this point? Or is he just sitting here under freezing water? Either way, the point is that he's not actively going to try to get Rei to leave. Because he's not really in the mood to try or do much of anything.]
[ Well, they do live in a pretty ritzy apartment, so there's a chance that it might be lukewarm... But it's still probably not great. It feels chilly by the time it wafts to Rei and he can't help but think about the last time Kazuki wasn't here. He'd pedaled through the rain and got Miri sick.
This is tough, because usually Rei respects Kazuki's privacy and he honestly tends to just obey what the man tells him to do. But it doesn't feel right. So he just stands there for nearly a minute, indecisive, before finally determining that it might be to Kazuki's detriment if he does do as he's told. It's very weird. Usually Kazuki makes the good decisions. Disobeying him feels uncomfortable.
Striding barefoot across the floor, the hem of his pant legs catching in the puddles, Rei moves past the hunched figure to shut off the water. ]
Bath would keep you warm and wet longer. You hurt?
[ Field Day had left Rei feeling somehow tired and completely energized all at once, possibly because it had had so many ups and downs for him. There had been the nervousness of making the rice balls this morning and sitting among the other parents while not knowing what exactly was expected. There had been excitement, culminating in him actually raising his voice and cheering for Miri for the first time, and then the immediate desire for the ground to swallow him up as he watched it make her trip. It had been a rollercoaster. He had seriously considered leaving, slinking out with his shame, but needing to see the last race with both his partner and Miri working together had made him stay. It was a good thing he had.
Rei had given up on the concept of family when he was barely a teenager. Not even his own father wanted to be referred to as anything but his patriarch and commander. In his life, there was blood, not family - loyalty and legacy, not love. But running across that finish line hand in hand today, that had felt like something. Then Miri had given it a name, the name of something he never thought he could have.
Walking home, Kazuki's words of encouragement finally break through. He had worked hard; they all had. There was no missing talking about training for next year. Miri worked so hard it seemed like she might be conked out for the rest of the night. With Kazuki he's able to get her in bed with as little jostling as possible and get her shoes off. Maybe it's because the day has already primed him up for them to come much easier, but there's a little smile on his face as he shares a look with his partner for a good job well done. ]
Want to order in?
[ Kazuki had spent all morning cooking and Rei had done the same planting a damn minefield to ensure their spot on the field. He imagined they might both like to kick their feet up. ]
[Field day was a lot to process. There were highs, there were lows, and ultimately it's one of the best days in Kazuki's life. The memories that were made today he'll cherish until his dying day, he just knows it.
Miri helping put into words the thing Kazuki's been trying to hint at for a while really makes his heart sing. Family, love, they were these things, weren't they? He certainly thought so, and apparently Miri did too.
They work together to get their tired little bundle of joy to bed, before she's less of a bundle of joy and more a bundle of grumpiness. Then, standing in the doorway, watching her already fast asleep he feels warm... and that warmth only deepens when he turns and sees Rei smiling at him like that.
He falls more in love with the man every day. Which feels hard to believe, but it's true. New sides to Rei keep opening up, he keeps learning new things, it's everything. This little life they're building. There are downsides, because of course there are, but... all in all he has no real complaints.]
You know what? I think we deserve it.
[He brushes past Rei as he heads out the door, hand hooking on Rei's and leading him out of the room as his free hand closes the door behind them.]
[ The surprise reads plainly on Rei's face as his hand is taken, but there's no protest as he's lead out of the room. Maybe he's returning the favor when the door shuts and he makes to press Kazuki back against it, just crowding into the older man's space to lean up and kiss him with all the fluttering, high energy of the moment. Rei's been getting worse at stifling his urges when it comes to his partner lately, or perhaps it's fair to say that he's just been getting more of them than he can handle without action. But today has also been pretty special.
He eases back with a breath. ]
Pizza? Maybe fried chicken?
[ The day Rei answers that question with something conceivably healthy is the day they need to check him into a hospital. ]
[Honestly, he should have realized that the day was a bust from the start. Miri woke up cranky, apparently having had weird dreams and just... not sleeping well. He even burns the first attempt at breakfast. Completely harried and unsure why everything feels wrong. It's just going to be a bad day.
Actually no. No, it's not. Because he's not going to let it be a bad day. Days are precious and he's not going to let this one go to waste.
Only it turns out nothing is ever that easy. Getting both Rei and Miri to the store turns out to be a massive hassle. Neither one particularly wanting to cooperate. They've hardly started doing the shopping that needs to be done and Kazuki's already close to the end of his patience.
It's after what feels like the millionth non-committal response from Rei that Kazuki loss it, whirling on his partner with red eyes blazing angrily.]
Is it too much to ask you to even pretend to care? Just this once? Fuck's sake, Rei.
[An outburst he regrets almost instantly, as Miri starts giggling and repeating the word 'Fuck' to herself. God damn it. He should just give up and go home, go to bed and pull the covers up over his head and pretend none of this ever happened.]
[ For Rei it'd been an overall okay day until it was time to go to the store. Normally, shopping is one of the few things that get him out of the house, a relatively mundane activity that he actually enjoys doing both by himself and with the company of his... family? Is that what they are? It feels like it, but then again, what would he know about it? Anyway, maybe it was the fact he'd looked at the calendar this morning and really seen what day it was, maybe it was that he could sense Kazuki's buzzing, nervous energy before they even got out of the door, but he feels a sense of dread that he was hoping the actual act of shopping would relieve. Retail therapy is a real thing.
But it actually just makes it worse. Because for the first time, when he sees Kazuki start piling things in the cart, he begins to actually see how much things cost. Normally he doesn't care. Rei grew up rich and whatever you wanted, you just bought because often enough it was a tool of the trade and you didn't want to skimp on those sorts of things; if it wasn't, well it still didn't matter, because the work would replace the funds. When it came to Kazuki's spending habits, he hadn't cared because all Rei needed his money for was tools and games. Kazuki took care of everything else, including the budget, so he didn't see an issue just letting the man splurge on their combined dime. They'd just make it back up doing a few jobs. Except Rei isn't going to be here forever - in fact, he's not going to be here for very much longer at all.
So yeah, he's a bit distracted, but honestly a lot of being noncommittal is his avoidant way of turning Kazuki off buying something he's not sure is necessary. His reasoning is that if his partner really feels strongly about it, he'll make the executive decision to add it. But Rei has also already slipped a few of what looks like duplicate items back onto the shelves when Kazuki has gone off to hone in on another aspect of whatever he has planned. He's felt justified every time the blonde returns and doesn't even notice things are missing.
Somehow he still feels blindsided when Kazuki turns and snaps at him. His body locks up on him for a moment in the confrontation, fight or flight warring because actually? That stings. The problem he's having is that he does care. In fact, he cares too much. He doesn't really care about the harsh language as much as it really underlines how angry his partner is with him. The instinct to just keep his mouth shut and say everything he needs to with a glower is there.
But you know what? No. Rei takes a step in, getting right up into Kazuki's space, lowering his voice so that Miri is less likely to hear but even if she does, his tone is even. ]
You're overdoing it again. You're going to get all this home and complain about putting it away. Then half of it is going to go to waste and sit around the house or get thrown out because we don't need it. How about we just leave that half at the store instead and save some money? That possible, Kazuki?
[ See? He knows how you are. He cares. He's also angry, which probably accounts for the fact this is more words he's strung together in a single sitting than he normally has over the course of a typical day. ]
[Speaking of blindsided, Kazuki actually takes a physical step back. Eyes flashing with a look of hurt before switching back to one of anger. Then he's stepping back into Rei's space, voice low so Miri won't hear while trying to keep a, mostly, neutral face.
And failing. Horifficly.]
I'm going to complain about putting it away, am I? Maybe it's because most of the time I'm the only one who ever puts anything away! It's stuff everyone is going to use, so how come just I have to do it?
[Wait. That's... that's totally not the point here, he's getting sidetracked.]
How would you know what's overdoing it or not anyway? Have you ever celebrated like this? Why're you acting like you know everything all of a sudden? Someone die and make you god while I wasn't looking? And besides, how would you even know if it got wasted? If it got thrown out? It's not like you'll even be there!
[....Now he's gone and done it. He's been trying so hard to pretend like it's okay, like everything's fine. Like he doesnt' mind. And yet here he is airing all his dirty laundry in the middle of a random aisle at stuff mart. God damn it.]
Forget it. You don't care and Miri's young enough she probably won't even remember anyway. So why am I even bothering?
[He turns away, shoulders hunching defensively as he looks at the stuff that's in their cart. Okay.. maybe he is overdoing it a little. But everything in the shows and online has said this is the best way! He'd stayed up extra late doing research and everything!
He just wants them to have something good to remember for it. Is that so wrong?]
Stay with Miri. I'm going to go put this stuff back since clearly we don't actually need any of it, that right, Rei?
[Besides, if he doesn't leave soon he's going to ruin everything by bursting into tears right here in front of everyone. Though, he waits for an answer, holding himself rigid while refusing to look at Rei. He wants to go home.... Which is funny, because home isn't really the apartment. It's his people. And they're right here, yet they've never felt further away.]
[ Maybe when your costume experience starts at 'alpaca' and next swings to 'tooth fairy', you become pretty liberal about what else you'll put on. Or maybe Rei has simply accepted his lot in life as Kazuki's black cat, as what started out as a cute 'consolation' graphic on a shirt bought for him ( noodle cat shirt is best shirt ) has now morphed into a full-body kigurumi for Halloween. It's comfortable, he certainly has to give it that.
It also has a hood, which he's grateful to duck under as they make their way along the festival thoroughfare. He really dislikes crowds - the eyes, the noise, the inevitable bumping into one another of it all. He sticks close to his partner, the golden retriever ( literally, tonight ) but not so close he can't also flank Miri. Damn, she's so adorable... and so excited. Seeing her energy alters the situation he'd otherwise be hating, making him look ahead not just for threats, but what he thinks might get her even more gleeful once she gets to it. The inflatable obstacle course/slide, for instance, decorated in seasonal theme, is coming up after they get through the lined up booths for collecting candy.
There's one aspect of this outdoor festival that puzzles him as to its purpose, however. He nudges Kazuki while Miri is in line to get candy from the booth that seems to be space themed with little glow-in-the-dark stars and hanging mobiles of planets. ]
What's that?
[ Dark plywood walls stand in the distance, a roofless sort of structure that's clearly been raised for the event. But for what? He's seen people go in so far, but no one's come out. It's pretty big. Has Kazuki ever seen a 'haunted' maze before? ]
[Kazuki has, admittedly, been in love with the whole black cat and golden retriever dynamic ever since he saw it referenced online. Because instantly it made him think of Rei.... as well as himself. So when Miri decided she wanted to dress up as a monkey it just made sense to stay on theme with her.
The street fair for Halloween is so much busier than he'd expected. There's a lot of people and a lot of energy. He loves it, but also keeps half an eye on Rei. Since this is way more than his partner had probably ever had to handle before. Miri, though, is clearly loving everything. Constantly trying to dance off to try new things without them. No wonder some parents put their kids on a leash.
But now she's in line to get candy and he can relax just a little bit. Turning to see what has Rei curious when he's nudged. Fortunately he's done enough research to have a rough idea.]
Pretty sure it's some sort of Maze. You know... like those test of bravery mazes in the dramas?
[Bless pop culture for giving him points of reference.]
[ Being stationary also means he can kind of step around and get out of the way of the passing crowd, using Kazuki as his golden buffer against the rest of the world. ]
Dunno. [ He's definitely curious. He knows what a maze is from, surprise, video games. Never seen one in real life, though, much less a 'test of bravery'. ] If it'd be too scary for Miri, maybe later. If we can find someone to watch her.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
clap if you believe in fairies;
Rei wheezes, the controller flying out of his hands, rasping out a small 'welcome home' that's quickly drowned out by enthusiastic pleas to Rei Papa to let Miri play Morio Kart. Beneath the fringe of dark hair, Rei's brow furrows. ]
Need you to help me water the plants... Kazuki?
[ The tone alone is a summons, come here, and puzzled. ]
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But all is well that end's well and they're home in one piece. Plus, Miri is still his sparkly little bundle of sunshine and energy. So it worked out.
Watching Miri leap at Rei has him wincing though, knowing exactly what that feels like all too well. Their daughter is a little human canon ball of pain and suffering when she wants to be.
The tone is... strange, the look not so much. Rei's going to have wrinkles for a forehead when they're older because he frowns like that so often.]
Miri, honey. Why don't you get Morio Kart out while I help Papa Rei take care of the plants.
[It distracts Miri quite easily and he smiles fondly at her retreating back even as he's crossing the room towards Rei.]
Yeah? Everything alright?
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[ A hint of wry amusement threatens to tinge the correction. What, you don't think he could have run the watering can around out there on his own?
He makes Kazuki wait until Miri has loaded in Morio Kart and is toddling back towards them. ]
Miri, say "papa".
[ Of course she does, big and expansive - it's probably her favorite word besides 'Miri' and 'Sorry'. Rei glances up at Kazuki. ]
You see it...?
[ Maybe it's because of the angle Kazuki was working at bringing her home, maybe it was because she got right into Rei's face, but there's something missing here. As Miri approaches to sit on the couch, Rei scoops her up and settles her on his knee facing Kazuki. He cups her chin and turns her face up to the blonde, thumbing down her lower lip.
A bottom tooth at the front is missing. ]
What's up with that?
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[Is he pouting? Yes, yes he is. Don't say his name if that's not what you meant. Or at least mention Miri first? Come on now. It wasn't an unreasonable assumption!
But the pout doesn't last very long, because he's clearly noticed something that he hasn't. But he notices it as soon as she says Papa. Because wait... what?]
Do I see... wait! I think I see it.
[The pouting has been replaced with fascination as he examines her face, completely ignoring the way Miri is squirming because she's not exactly happy with being manhandled like this. And she was gonna play Morio Kart!!!
Fascination turns into sniffles as, moments before he's scooping Miri up from Rei's lap and into his own arms, smothering her in affection even as he cries. Affection that has her protesting, but it's a giggly kind. Secretly delighted even if Papa Kazuki's going overboard like usual.]
Why, you don't know? It means our little girl's growing up, Rei! Miri lost her first tooth!
[Miri, finally realizing just what all the fuss is about, is very proud. Because yes, Miri is a big girl now!! She even brought her tooth home for the tooth fairy, look it's right here. Only right here turns into her looking through her pockets and coming up empty. And then she's flinging herself from Kazuki's arms to look through her bunny backpack. But it's not there either. Now Miri and Kazuki are both in tears, though for very different reasons.]
Rei! ['PAPA!'] I was gonna put it in her book! ['Was gonna give it to the tooth fairy!']
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... the underground ate my tag now I have to redo it 😫
ugh the worst
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when the child is away the parents will play
Honestly, while part of Kazuki is heartbroken, his little girl is growing up and making friends and spending the night at other places!! The rest of him is excited because they've got a job lined up and there's plans. He might even, heavens forbid, actually go out tonight after the job's done.
Miri gets dropped off with only... a reasonable amount of sniffles and theatrics from Kazuki. Then it's time to get to work. Literally. Except he gets to be a chef this time, which is great. Someone can appreciate his kitchen skills. Finally. Won't that be nice?.
And it starts out great, but then suddenly it's not great. Which is... pretty typically how things go. The shift's going smoothly, he's making nice with all the wait staff, it's a good time. Until someone catches on that something's off about the new commis chef is... far too skilled for his position. Which, figures, he blows his cover by being too good at the job. One second he's happily assisting the chef garde manger and the next he's barely avoided a cleaver that's been lobbed at his head.]
Hey now, we can talk this out, right?
[There's another knife, which he manages to avoid pretty easily.]
Not in the food prep area! You're going to contaminate the food! [Grabbing the paring knife he'd been using earlier, he chucks it at one of the porters before grabbing a chef's knife that had been abandoned nearby.] Seriously? I was looking forward to this gig and you had to go and ruin it. Thanks for that.
[The next knife isn't thrown and gets a little too close for comfort. Kazuki manages to dodge, but doing so knocks into a rack of dirty dishes. For a moment he's still and then he topples it over, rejoining as the dishes inside shatter with an unholy noise. It's not like he can get a call out, so that's going to have to be the best signal he can manage. Rei, please.]
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What the hell, Kazuki? What happened to you sending his table that special order you had him memorize for when the owner finally turned up to be murdered? Good thing he already had dessert first.
Of course, despite his internal annoyance, Rei doesn't hesitate to get up and head into the kitchen, the maneuver so smooth and confident that those around him probably think he's on the way to the restroom. He pulls his gun as soon as he crosses the threshold between the dining room and the hallway leading into the staff byway into the kitchen, eyes scanning the room for both his partner and the closest threat. Immediately, he has to duck a baking sheet being swung at him. ]
All of them?
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All of them.
[He'd lost his knife in the desperate lunge to upset the dishrack so he picks up a chopping board full of diced onion and flings it at his pursuer.... before actually picking up a, thankfully, abandoned chef's knife that was at this station.
... Maybe he'll talk to Rei about some hand to hand practice once they're out of this situation. Because honestly, he's feeling a little silly right now.]
Think the boss'll show up to handle the fuss personally?
[Or has he just fucked up yet another mission. Which... given their record recently, Kyu is going to be pissed.]
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Rei has to gawk for a second before moving again, dropping to pick up the serving tray and using it as a shield for the produce that's being flung at him in order to give one of the chefs time to close in with a knife. Rei stands his ground for now. ]
More our luck we'll have to chase them down.
[ What? He's just being honest.
Just when it looks like he's going to have to do some more shield tricks against the knife-wielder, Rei tosses the tray into his opponent's face, reaches over, and grabs the bisque. A scream of agony wails up through the kitchen as Rei tosses the contents of the pot onto his would-be attacker. It's time enough to pick up his gun and a fresh knife. No way with all these chunks the gun fires, though. ]
Incoming.
[ Rei picks up the tray and tosses it towards Kazuki. He looks like he needs it more. ]
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kiss and make up;
Miri is a handful to be certain. She's precocious and that comes with questions, playfulness, and empathy. But it also comes with its fair share of misunderstandings, and at the end of the day, she is a four year old. Meltdowns aren't unheard of, but they are much rarer than a tear through the apartment. And they never seem to happen when Rei is involved.
Which is why, when Kazuki comes out to investigate whatever it is that's upset Miri, Rei is wearing a uniquely bewildered expression that might just be edging towards distress. They're both sitting on the sofa, Rei still with his controller in hand and Miri dramatically face down in a pillow bawling her little heart out. ]
Told her we're not married.
[ Is his quick explanation to the blonde. Help? He just told the truth??? ]
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But Real Joys can't always be happy. And the occasional fit isn't unheard of. Though they've usually been separation anxiety that's expressed the only way she knows how.]
Miri, come on, talk to Papa.
[He settles down on the floor next to her, rubbing a hand over her back soothingly. It's helped before after all.]
We can't fix it if we don't know what's wrong, sweetheart.
[But apparently the term of endearment only makes things worse because the crying only gets worse. Red eyes wide he glances over at Rei in confusion. Is it something he said?]
Maybe start from the beginning, Rei. Why would she think we're married?
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She asked if we were going to get divorced. I told her we aren't married.
[ His blue eyes stare pleadingly back at Kazuki a moment before something like curiosity pauses the stress. ]
How does she even know about divorce...?
[ It's not like her parents were ever together. ]
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[Kazuki, of course, just happens to have the tea all ready for that one. A small look of not quite understanding, but close in his eyes.]
Junko's parents are going through a divorce. Super messy. Looks like an affair. But there's been some uncertainty about who gets custody and if she'll have to change to a new school or not.
[He continues rubbing circles on Miri's back soothingly Cooing at her even as she continues to cry.]
We've lived here for years, Miri, and that's not likely to change anytime soon. Okay sweetie? And we'd never pull you from class mid-term, you'll be okay.
[But she continues to wail, though this time there are words in the crying. Their daughter clearly upset that they don't use nice names for each other like other families do. Which baffles even Kazuki so he looks back to Rei, despite knowing that the other man would be just as clueless.]
You didn't call me couch crasher to her or something did you?
[Seriously he's supposed to be starting dinner soon. But not in this environment he's not.]
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I can't describe what I'm feeling
So when Kyu contacts him with a job, he doesn't really think too much about it. Job's a job and that's never been an issue before. A simple intelligence retrieval gig. Nothing major, Rei wouldn't be needed for clean up or anything like that. Except it starts weird and gets weirder. The target has a lot of requirements for appearance. A certain style and air to their preferences, a need to be seen as more. It's honestly all very sleazy feeling. Narrative Kazuki doesn't really want to get into the details about it.
Afterwards, despite having successfully completed the mission there's no denying that he's feeling off as he finally makes it home. The thought of actively seeing Miri or Rei right now actually turning his stomach. So when he gets in, it's late enough that Miri's in bed, but early enough that Rei's still awake. Kazuki doesn't even say hello, no quiet greeting when he walks in the door. Instead he just toes off his shoes and then heads straight for the bathroom. Locking it behind himself with a quiet click.
The water starts running soon after and it's going to stay on for... a long while. But even if Rei could see inside it'd just be to see a Kazuki sitting quietly under the water spray doing... nothing. Just sitting under the spray. Fully clothed. Because that's apparently the vibe for the night. Hope Rei hadn't been planning to sleep in the tub because he's going to be at this for a while.]
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Rei registers it as off, especially since we assume lately he's probably had to ward off the occasional cuddle advance. Unfortunately for everyone involved, there didn't seem to be a lot of consistency yet to when Rei felt like he could allow it and when he didn't. Tonight would have been a 'yes' - it's been a long ass day without Kazuki - which may be why Rei doesn't totally wait until he's ready for bed to go and check on his partner.
It's probably not the first time Kazuki has come home from a solo mission in a bad mood, though, and time slides on Rei worse than usual when he's playing video games. So it's probably a good hour or two before Rei thinks to get up and go check. Seeing Kazuki still in his clothes through the frosted glass of the door leading into the bathroom gives him a start. Would Kazuki come in without telling him that he got hurt? Did he pass out? Is he drunk as a skunk with his clothes still on?
Unless Kazuki can call out and stop him in time, Rei's going to be sliding open the door and giving a more alert look in to try and assess the situation. ]
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Go away.
[It's a little muffled between the water and the way Kazuki's hunched in on himself. It's perhaps a little impressive that a guy with his frame can somehow manage to scrunch up to look so much smaller than he really is. Though the wet clothes clinging to him might help with that illusion in some ways.
Two hours in, is there even any hot water left at this point? Or is he just sitting here under freezing water? Either way, the point is that he's not actively going to try to get Rei to leave. Because he's not really in the mood to try or do much of anything.]
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This is tough, because usually Rei respects Kazuki's privacy and he honestly tends to just obey what the man tells him to do. But it doesn't feel right. So he just stands there for nearly a minute, indecisive, before finally determining that it might be to Kazuki's detriment if he does do as he's told. It's very weird. Usually Kazuki makes the good decisions. Disobeying him feels uncomfortable.
Striding barefoot across the floor, the hem of his pant legs catching in the puddles, Rei moves past the hunched figure to shut off the water. ]
Bath would keep you warm and wet longer. You hurt?
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go for gold;
Rei had given up on the concept of family when he was barely a teenager. Not even his own father wanted to be referred to as anything but his patriarch and commander. In his life, there was blood, not family - loyalty and legacy, not love. But running across that finish line hand in hand today, that had felt like something. Then Miri had given it a name, the name of something he never thought he could have.
Walking home, Kazuki's words of encouragement finally break through. He had worked hard; they all had. There was no missing talking about training for next year. Miri worked so hard it seemed like she might be conked out for the rest of the night. With Kazuki he's able to get her in bed with as little jostling as possible and get her shoes off. Maybe it's because the day has already primed him up for them to come much easier, but there's a little smile on his face as he shares a look with his partner for a good job well done. ]
Want to order in?
[ Kazuki had spent all morning cooking and Rei had done the same planting a damn minefield to ensure their spot on the field. He imagined they might both like to kick their feet up. ]
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Miri helping put into words the thing Kazuki's been trying to hint at for a while really makes his heart sing. Family, love, they were these things, weren't they? He certainly thought so, and apparently Miri did too.
They work together to get their tired little bundle of joy to bed, before she's less of a bundle of joy and more a bundle of grumpiness. Then, standing in the doorway, watching her already fast asleep he feels warm... and that warmth only deepens when he turns and sees Rei smiling at him like that.
He falls more in love with the man every day. Which feels hard to believe, but it's true. New sides to Rei keep opening up, he keeps learning new things, it's everything. This little life they're building. There are downsides, because of course there are, but... all in all he has no real complaints.]
You know what? I think we deserve it.
[He brushes past Rei as he heads out the door, hand hooking on Rei's and leading him out of the room as his free hand closes the door behind them.]
Any idea what you want?
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He eases back with a breath. ]
Pizza? Maybe fried chicken?
[ The day Rei answers that question with something conceivably healthy is the day they need to check him into a hospital. ]
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A no good, very bad, horribly, awful day
Actually no. No, it's not. Because he's not going to let it be a bad day. Days are precious and he's not going to let this one go to waste.
Only it turns out nothing is ever that easy. Getting both Rei and Miri to the store turns out to be a massive hassle. Neither one particularly wanting to cooperate. They've hardly started doing the shopping that needs to be done and Kazuki's already close to the end of his patience.
It's after what feels like the millionth non-committal response from Rei that Kazuki loss it, whirling on his partner with red eyes blazing angrily.]
Is it too much to ask you to even pretend to care? Just this once? Fuck's sake, Rei.
[An outburst he regrets almost instantly, as Miri starts giggling and repeating the word 'Fuck' to herself. God damn it. He should just give up and go home, go to bed and pull the covers up over his head and pretend none of this ever happened.]
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But it actually just makes it worse. Because for the first time, when he sees Kazuki start piling things in the cart, he begins to actually see how much things cost. Normally he doesn't care. Rei grew up rich and whatever you wanted, you just bought because often enough it was a tool of the trade and you didn't want to skimp on those sorts of things; if it wasn't, well it still didn't matter, because the work would replace the funds. When it came to Kazuki's spending habits, he hadn't cared because all Rei needed his money for was tools and games. Kazuki took care of everything else, including the budget, so he didn't see an issue just letting the man splurge on their combined dime. They'd just make it back up doing a few jobs. Except Rei isn't going to be here forever - in fact, he's not going to be here for very much longer at all.
So yeah, he's a bit distracted, but honestly a lot of being noncommittal is his avoidant way of turning Kazuki off buying something he's not sure is necessary. His reasoning is that if his partner really feels strongly about it, he'll make the executive decision to add it. But Rei has also already slipped a few of what looks like duplicate items back onto the shelves when Kazuki has gone off to hone in on another aspect of whatever he has planned. He's felt justified every time the blonde returns and doesn't even notice things are missing.
Somehow he still feels blindsided when Kazuki turns and snaps at him. His body locks up on him for a moment in the confrontation, fight or flight warring because actually? That stings. The problem he's having is that he does care. In fact, he cares too much. He doesn't really care about the harsh language as much as it really underlines how angry his partner is with him. The instinct to just keep his mouth shut and say everything he needs to with a glower is there.
But you know what? No. Rei takes a step in, getting right up into Kazuki's space, lowering his voice so that Miri is less likely to hear but even if she does, his tone is even. ]
You're overdoing it again. You're going to get all this home and complain about putting it away. Then half of it is going to go to waste and sit around the house or get thrown out because we don't need it. How about we just leave that half at the store instead and save some money? That possible, Kazuki?
[ See? He knows how you are. He cares. He's also angry, which probably accounts for the fact this is more words he's strung together in a single sitting than he normally has over the course of a typical day. ]
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And failing. Horifficly.]
I'm going to complain about putting it away, am I? Maybe it's because most of the time I'm the only one who ever puts anything away! It's stuff everyone is going to use, so how come just I have to do it?
[Wait. That's... that's totally not the point here, he's getting sidetracked.]
How would you know what's overdoing it or not anyway? Have you ever celebrated like this? Why're you acting like you know everything all of a sudden? Someone die and make you god while I wasn't looking? And besides, how would you even know if it got wasted? If it got thrown out? It's not like you'll even be there!
[....Now he's gone and done it. He's been trying so hard to pretend like it's okay, like everything's fine. Like he doesnt' mind. And yet here he is airing all his dirty laundry in the middle of a random aisle at stuff mart. God damn it.]
Forget it. You don't care and Miri's young enough she probably won't even remember anyway. So why am I even bothering?
[He turns away, shoulders hunching defensively as he looks at the stuff that's in their cart. Okay.. maybe he is overdoing it a little. But everything in the shows and online has said this is the best way! He'd stayed up extra late doing research and everything!
He just wants them to have something good to remember for it. Is that so wrong?]
Stay with Miri. I'm going to go put this stuff back since clearly we don't actually need any of it, that right, Rei?
[Besides, if he doesn't leave soon he's going to ruin everything by bursting into tears right here in front of everyone. Though, he waits for an answer, holding himself rigid while refusing to look at Rei. He wants to go home.... Which is funny, because home isn't really the apartment. It's his people. And they're right here, yet they've never felt further away.]
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viewers beware, you're in for a scare;
It also has a hood, which he's grateful to duck under as they make their way along the festival thoroughfare. He really dislikes crowds - the eyes, the noise, the inevitable bumping into one another of it all. He sticks close to his partner, the golden retriever ( literally, tonight ) but not so close he can't also flank Miri. Damn, she's so adorable... and so excited. Seeing her energy alters the situation he'd otherwise be hating, making him look ahead not just for threats, but what he thinks might get her even more gleeful once she gets to it. The inflatable obstacle course/slide, for instance, decorated in seasonal theme, is coming up after they get through the lined up booths for collecting candy.
There's one aspect of this outdoor festival that puzzles him as to its purpose, however. He nudges Kazuki while Miri is in line to get candy from the booth that seems to be space themed with little glow-in-the-dark stars and hanging mobiles of planets. ]
What's that?
[ Dark plywood walls stand in the distance, a roofless sort of structure that's clearly been raised for the event. But for what? He's seen people go in so far, but no one's come out. It's pretty big. Has Kazuki ever seen a 'haunted' maze before? ]
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The street fair for Halloween is so much busier than he'd expected. There's a lot of people and a lot of energy. He loves it, but also keeps half an eye on Rei. Since this is way more than his partner had probably ever had to handle before. Miri, though, is clearly loving everything. Constantly trying to dance off to try new things without them. No wonder some parents put their kids on a leash.
But now she's in line to get candy and he can relax just a little bit. Turning to see what has Rei curious when he's nudged. Fortunately he's done enough research to have a rough idea.]
Pretty sure it's some sort of Maze. You know... like those test of bravery mazes in the dramas?
[Bless pop culture for giving him points of reference.]
You wanna give it a go?
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Dunno. [ He's definitely curious. He knows what a maze is from, surprise, video games. Never seen one in real life, though, much less a 'test of bravery'. ] If it'd be too scary for Miri, maybe later. If we can find someone to watch her.
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