#⛶ ic; takeru

[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]

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]

“ 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]

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.”

[soulburnings]

It was rare Jin wandered away from Shoichi and Cafe Nagi, so he wasn't going to question any surprise sparked by his sudden arrival to the Homura household. They had every right to be and he knew it, but this was a visit with a purpose, too - A visit for him to set a small mason jar into Takeru's hands with a small smile covering a flash of /delight/ in his eyes. "They're sugar scrubs - For dry skin. I made them." As a christmas gift, really, but he'd just been too eager to share to wait-!

For a second, it was all Takeru could do but blink back at Jin as he tried to register what exactly the small jar was for. He hadn’t asked for anything from older Kusanagi that he’d forgot and Kin was just playing the part of the messenger, was he? 

But as soon as Jin had spoken up, Takeru’s expression all but beamed a bright smile back.

“For a second, I thought you were gonna ask me to give these to Mako and Kiku! They’ve been talking about the ones you gave them before almost non-stop,” The comment was paired with a light laugh as Takeru lifted the jar up to examine, “But you really didn’t have to make some of these for me either!”

But Takeru really appreciated the thought! He’d have to pay Jin back with his own gift in return before the holidays were over for sure!

[soulburnings]

They hadn't been able to really cuddle in over a week, but that was something Mako was determined to remedy, carefully snuggling herself into Takeru's side. With Hiko in her arms, she couldn't curl around him like she usually would - But she COULD nuzzle her nose into his shoulder, barely hiding a faint, content hum. "Mmm- Hey there, Dad- Mind if we join you for a bit? The nursery's cold and we missed you." SHE'D missed him, but that was obvious, right~? "Missed you more than I care about cold."

“Only if you promise not to fall asleep.” Because Mako had a bad habit of that and Takeru knew; falling asleep anytime she’d snuggled up against his shoulder and with Hiko in her arms, that’d just end up awkward. 

But Takeru was happy to see both of them though and hopefully his bright smile said that much as he reached forward to stroke a gentle finger over Hiko’s cheek.

“And that goes double for you. I heard from someone that you sleep more than enough.” Though night time was clearly the exception to Hiko’s sleep schedule.

[soulburnings]

He was born from fire, Kiku knew, and likely didn't need it, but as soon as she'd seen the snow outside and heard the front door open, she'd been off like a rocket. Even flames sometimes needed a warming, and she wasn't about to hesitate in reaching up as soon as she saw him, cupping cold cheeks with far warmer hands and beaming a smile to match. It'd been a long day for him, but nobody said she couldn't help him settle in, right? "Welcome home, Takeru~"

Cold weather never really bothered him. Even in Den City, where the chill could definitely be sharper than back home, Takeru always seemed to be the last of his group to get cold—but he wouldn’t turn away the sudden warm affection either! Especially when he’d forgotten how fridge snow could be or just how warm Kiku hands were.

But still, he’s meet her grin with a small chuckle.

“Kiku, don’t tell me you’ve been waiting here all day just so you could do that?”

[soulburnings]

@metafaizu​​​:

That’s when Tsuki would jolt up and wave his hands about. Wow, wow, wow, things were getting heated real quick and he definitely needed to stop this. Jeremy looked like he was going to get throttled to death- even though Tsuki trusted that Takeru wouldn’t go that far………right?

 “Jeremy, just... please go home,“ Tsuki would whisper, giving his ex a small tug to the sleeve in an urgent manner. 

 But alas, the troublemaker wasn’t listening to anybody here. Instead, Jeremy would stretch over to steal another fry from Takeru’s plate. He didn’t look too bothered having his shirt pulled like that. 

 “Oh really?” Nom, nom. “I really couldn’t tell.”

“I’ll give you one more chance then-”

Which was more of a chance than Takeru was willing to give Jeremy on his own, but because Tsuki was right there and trying to tug a blue haired gremlin back him, a single, final warning was as much as Takeru could give.

“And that’s for you to stand up, go home, and stop butting into our business like this. If either of us really wanted you here, we would’ve said so. You got that?”

Jeremy ruining the day at school was one thing; but after it when he’d actually been looking forward to this? And for him to go and make Tsuki completely uncomfortable without even acting like he’d noticed?

Takeru’s patience was seriously running about as thin as Jeremy could make it go.