#⛶ ic; takeru

[soulburnings]

❰❰ Tsuki ❱❱

Well, he would be put into a tight spot but not for the reasons Takeru thought! Tsuki could only shrug his shoulders lightly at this, flashing a small smile.

“I won’t get hurt, I’m used to it. If people are mad at me then that just means that they’re not worth our time- And yeah, if anybody questions you, just say you’re with me and I’ll do the same.”

He couldn’t help but feel like this would be incredibly bad to do but… On the other hand, Tsuki desperately wanted to help Takeru with something important. 

“I’ll be okay.”

“I’d still feel a little weird about using you like that, but I guess that’s one way to keep those girls from getting any bolder!”

Though if Tsuki only knew, Takeru wasn’t really afraid to throw himself into a scuffle either. The group of girls that’d been pestering him might’ve been persistence, but he could be pretty convincing too when he wanted someone to leave him alone.

But for some reason, he kind of liked this way better! As long as Tsuki didn’t end up a target, then Takeru was content.

“Just do me a favor and make sure Metanmare-kun doesn’t find out about this, okay?” 

[soulburnings]

👁‍🗨 Y'know, the flower girl with the son who thinks he's a big brother to everyone, Takeru- XD

First impressions! ▮ @sakurarisen ▮ accepting!

“She’s sorta quiet. We haven’t got the chance to talk all that much, but from what I hear about her from Kiku and Mako, she seems like she’s been through a lot. She’s bright and happy whenever I do see her around though, so I guess she can’t be all that bad.”

“Maybe she just needs a few extra trips to Cafe Nagi with that guy friend of hers because that seemed to make her day last time Sera was here.”

[soulburnings]

@lunephased​ ▮ cont.

“Yeah, even if I didn’t think there’d be so many of these trees here. You think this many blooms being in one spot would only only happen out in the countryside, but Den City really went all out making this park centered around them.”

Not that sakura flowers were anything unusual to Takeru. Being from the countryside, they seemed to be everywhere this time of year, but this time it seemed...different? More relaxing?

Maybe that thought just came with having Tsuki by his side this time.

“Guess it’s always been like this though, huh?”

[soulburnings]

It'd taken Mako days to make up a box big enough - That was to say, a container about the size of a shoebox, held out to Takeru with a soft smile as the sound of shifting, homemade pocky inside had their son reaching for it from his nearby spot on the couch. From orange to matcha and four different kinds of chocolate, she'd made sure to have every flavor they could think of inside, pressing it into his hands with a rock onto her toes and a soft kiss to follow. "Happy Valentine's, my phoenix~"

And Mako had to know that the way to Takeru’s heart was right through his stomach, didn’t she? Because if she didn’t, then the bright smile that answered her as soon as Takeru had cracked open her gift should’ve been more than enough to say that much!

There was so much pocky here, that Takeru wasn’t sure where he wanted to start!

“You just wanted an excuse to make all of these, didn’t you?” Well, maybe he’d start there; with a slight lean forward to press his forehead against hers. With Kiku’s cupcakes and now these, he had plenty of sweets to last. “Happy Valentine’s, Mako.”

[soulburnings]

❰❰ Tsuki ❱❱

“That’s true, nothing beats Cafe Nagi.”

Even though Tsuki didn’t like getting things for free just because he was Takeru’s friend, he couldn’t deny the good service.

Entering unfamiliar streets, Tsuki took a glance around. 

“Well, there seems to be a Rabbit Cafe there,” He said, pointing to a sign that was in front of a narrow storefront. “And I think if we go one more street over there’s a Monster Cafe and a Maid Cafe.”

A thoughtful fringe tug.

“If we’re going to pick one based on popularity, I’d say the Maid Cafe- but I heard that they’re so popular that you have to make a booking to get a table. If we want to go there, it’s probably better to go during the school holidays or make a booking for some other day.”

He frankly wasn’t too keen on the idea though. He wasn’t sure if Takeru was even into maids but if he were, Tsuki probably would have a hard time containing his jealousy. Their afternoon snack and dinner wouldn’t be much fun then.

“That’s one of the most popular cafes around here?”

Takeru’s tone hopefully confirmed that Tsuki wouldn’t have to worry about his jealousy jumping out of bounds again. Maid cafes definitely had a lot of appeal to people who were into that, but Takeru had barely been able to tolerate being the center of attention of a group of girls at school. He definitely wasn’t looking to go find more at cafes, too.

He was more interested in the food right now, anyway!

“I guess we could try booking a table there someday, but...it sounds like we’d probably have more somewhere else.

Takeru fell quiet at that, scanning the street in front of them as if the sidewalks and shop signs were supposed to help him make a decision. 

“So do you know anything about that Monster Cafe? It’s not themed with scary monsters, is it?”

[soulburnings]

He likely hadn't been expecting both Mako and Kiku to lay claim to his sides, but they'd both decided nothing was going to stop them - Not when they shared the same desire to snuggle themselves into their husband and pepper his shoulders and cheeks in soft, quick kisses, hands laying against his chest for their own support. Their reasoning? He'd looked tired, that was all! "Hey, handsome~" "Got a few minutes to spare?"

“Maybe...!”

Because if they’d look up right then, then they’d see that the smile on Takeru’s face definitely wasn’t him complaining! He actually hadn’t had much time either either of them lately, so just getting the chance to talk and be together for something was enough for him. He’d definitely missed them!

“But I was kind of starting to think you two were the ones too busy this time. You sure you’ve got a sec?”

[soulburnings]

@sakurarisen​ ★ cont!

“Guess that means you’re not from around here, huh? ‘Cause if you were, then you know this kind of crowd is definitely normal for a day like today.”

Takeru couldn’t help but meet the others’ confusion with a laugh. It’d almost brought him back to the first time he’d seen Den City going at full force during the afternoon rush. To someone not from the city, it’d looked less like the everyday flow and more like people were everywhere.

“Don’t worry. I promise you don’t look as out of place as you feel though, so you’re okay.”

[soulburnings]

“ you were just trying to defend yourself, weren’t you?” (A Mako~!)

Interrogation starters! feat. @sworntolight

“Yeah, but you remember how Mizunuma and his gang were though, don’t you? They always seemed to start everything, but I couldn’t have just stood there defending myself the entire time either.”

Because Mako would know, Takeru’s temper wouldn’t let him stand there and be a punching bag. One insult or provocative remark and Takeru was prone to launching himself right at any thug.

“I guess that’s why Kiku doesn’t trust me to go to places like this alone anymore.”

[soulburnings]

❰❰ Haruto ❱❱

Well it probably would have been a short argument if Takeru had started it, after all both of them hadn’t been present at that time so what would they have been able to say besides the things they had been told? And those things probably were all said already. 

So maybe the change of topic was rather welcome for him as well, even though Haruto had to admit that he hadn’t that much of a clue when it came to local rents at all. 

“Well can’t say anything about that.” he replied eventually, shrugging slightly. After all he still was living with his father. Even if he spend most of his time on Ryokens boat lately and he actually hadn’t that much intentions of ever going back to his father at all before that guy understood that Haru hadn’t any intentions on following into his career plans. 

“I just know that I wouldn’t go back to the countryside given the chance? I think it would be way too boring over there.”

“You don’t even sound like you miss it at all. Wouldn’t you wanna go back and at least visit someday?”

The question was out before Takeru could even really stop himself, but as someone who actually liked the countryside, calling it ‘boring’ just seemed weird. ‘Quiet’ maybe, or ‘slow paced’ and ‘less noisy’, but his seaside hometown was anything but boring.

“You could catch up with Kiku and check out everything you missed since you’ve been gone. Wouldn’t you want to do that?” 

To talk to Kiku again and check in with his grandparents after being gone for so long. Takeru knew that’s exactly what was driving him back home, at least. Haru didn’t want something like that, too? 

[soulburnings]

“ and you weren’t involved?” (Inquiring Kikus must know~)

Interrogation starters! feat. @sworntolight

“Did someone tell you I was involved...?”

No, of course they hadn’t and Takeru knew that, but Kiku always seemed to have a sixth sense about these things. She’d knew he’d been caught up in another back alley scuffle, hadn’t she? One that hadn’t been so friendly after he’d promised confronting people like that was something he’d stop.

But...could Kiku really pinpoint that much just from him asking for a bandaid?

[soulburnings]

“ we can take a break, if you want.” (From Rinto!)

Interrogation starters! feat. @galaxciaas

“C’mon, don’t tell me you’re already giving out on me? It’s not been that far of a walk already, has it?” At least, it hadn’t been to Takeru anyway, but then again, he was actually used to going longer distances, too. That still wouldn’t stop his playful laugh though!

“I mean, I figured a few blocks just to get to this ice cream shop everyone’s been talking about would’ve been completely worth it.”

[soulburnings]

@lunephased​​ | cont.

“Not really? Kiku mentioned it once a long time ago, but-”

Takeru would still make a slow grab for the stick being jabbed at his cheek though, even if he’d miss grabbing the actual pocky itself. He’d heard of the pocky game...kind of. It’d mostly been in passing and nothing he’d really paid too much attention to, but-

“Isn’t that the game you usually play with two people though?”

[soulburnings]

❰❰ Tsuki; Orion-san ❱❱

“You’re not missing out on much other than the planetarium itself, the aquarium, and a few shops worthy of browsing.”

Asahi laughed, his gaze shifting from Takeru to Tsuki.

“But that sounds like a plan. A little tour of Den City’s important spots. What do you think?”

Cheeks still dusted with pink from Asahi’s teasing comment from earlier, Tsuki would nod with a smile. Even if the word ‘cup ramen’ made him want to implode, but he was successful in not reacting to it. Takeru deserved better than food like that !

“I’m on board. But we should probably make a group chat on our phones so we can plan in detail more later. Sound good?”

“As long as you two can add me to a group chat thing from your end, I guess. Yuusaku showed me how to do that once, but-”

Not a single word of Yuusaku or Kusanagi’s instructions had stuck with Takeru past he could’ve set one up from the message app on his phone, which he’d pull out at the mention. Even though Takeru’s flip phone looked like it should’ve been years out dated, it at least had the tech to keep up with group messages.

“I guess I don’t really keep up with very many group chats on here.” Especially when Takeru only had a handful of people who’d ever messaged him anyway.

[soulburnings]

Tsukiya shuffles over, only to throw a white scarf around Takeru's neck. "Merry Christmas!" Now they can match <3

@lunephased

White was a nice change! When it came to gifts, everyone’s go to color for him was usually red—but the white really matched his hair, didn’t it? A thought that’d earn Tsuki the brightest smile from him, too.

“You know you didn’t have to get me anything! But I can totally see why you always like wearing yours around now, too. This is warm-” then Takeru’s smile softened, “Thanks, Tsuki.” 

He’d have to do something special for Tsuki for New Years in return for sure.

[soulburnings]

Handmade always made for the best gifts - And it was with that thought in mind that both Hiko and Sumi held up their gifts to Takeru, grinning brighter than the sun itself behind them. The model customized to look like Heatleo and the small bracelet of fake but fiery colored woven flowers had taken them both months to make, but that was fine - All they wanted was to see him smile, blue and violet eyes sparkling in delight. "Merry christmas, Daddy! We love you~!" (<3)

The model of Heatleo might not have been perfect and the bracelet of fiery flowers was obviously handmade and not something that would’ve lasted through wearing everyday like something store bought—but the second he was presented with both presents, Takeru’s eyes all but lit up.

“Hey, you both made these yourselves, didn’t you? Because they’re amazing!” Takeru was quick to praise, but even quicker to wrap both kids up in a tight hug, “Probably way more amazing than what I ended up getting you-”

If Hiko and Sumi wanted to go dive into their own mound of gifts, that was.

[soulburnings]

They knew he was busy for the holiday, but that wouldn't stop Mako and Kiku both from setting a large, heavy box in Takeru's hands, both girls beaming soft, loving smiles. It'd taken them the better part of the year to gather everything together,but it'd been worth it for the chance to present him with a photo album spanning the history of the Homura family,holding pictures from his grandparents' time, to his parents, and theirs, right down to a sleeping Hiko at the end. "Merry christmas, love~"

It’d only take Takeru a quick glance at the inside cover of the album once he’d unwrapped the box for him to know exactly what they’d given him. Talking about his family was still tough, even now; especially when the topic of his parents came up and how much he honestly didn’t know anything about the people that barely had a chance to raise him.

But if the bitter sweet smile Takeru had beamed up wasn’t a sign of how thankful he was for their gift, then he wasn’t sure what else would’ve been.

“You know you didn’t have to do all of this just for me. But I...” He wouldn’t let it go; was what he would’ve side if words wouldn’t have been failing him then.

“Thanks. You two are seriously the best.”