#sando speaks | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

gingernut1314 · 1 month ago

Text

Pleasure Doing Business With You ch. 5

Toji Fushiguro x F!Reader

Summary: You convince Toji to take a shower with the promise of lunch and sweet treats.

Warnings: pre-star plasma vessel, reader is the cousin of Mamaugro, reader is Tsumiki's mom, Tsumiki and Magumi are cousins, gendered terms, grief/mourning, misuse of alcohol

Word Count: 3.1K

Tag list: @sordidmusings @lostfirefly @needsleep3000 @onebatch--twobatch

↞ to Speak No Evil Masterlist | Jjk Masterlist | Request Rules | Blog Navigation ↠

The store wasn’t too far of a walk, but a walk it had to be seeing as you had yet to locate Megumi’s car seat--if he had one. You had stopped by your car, grabbed out the light pink baby wrap carrier you had thankfully kept after Tsumiki had grown out of it, strapped Megumi to your chest, and went about doing your shopping.

You had bought Tsumiki a tamago sando to munch as you shopped to keep her from exploding from hunger. You bought all essential cleaning supplies, things you would need to make quick meals, and a wagon so that you wouldn’t have to lung all the groceries back.

It took you about an hour to get all your shopping done, Tsumiki now passed out in the wagon as you pulled it back towards the filthy townhome. Megumi had also fallen asleep, his usually grumpy face all soft and peaceful. You did a quick stop back at your car to load as much as you could into the wagon without crushing your daughter before finally making it back.

You went about bringing everything into the home, putting it by the door so that it wouldn’t be in the way of your cleaning.

Toji was nowhere in sight and definitely not in the shower as you had asked him. It pissed you off but gave you room to set up a little play area for Megumi and Tsumiki in the living room without worrying about the man.

You set rules with your daughter about playing with the baby before starting on cleaning.

It was bad.

So much worse than you had originally thought.

You wanted to vomit at all the sights and smells that were bombarding your senses, but you pressed on after opening all the windows in the downstairs area.

You took a pause to feed Megumi and gave Tsumiki a snack before going back at it.

You tackled the fridge next only to find it was as bad as you had imagined and the freezer did in fact hold pouches of breastmilk, expiration dates marked in black Sharpie. Marked in handwriting you recognized instantly to be your cousins.

You debated for a long time whether you would keep it. It would be good for Megumi…the best for him but--but the idea of you going about the process of prepping it made a painfully hollow feeling fill your chest.

It was thrown into one of the large trash bags to be forgotten about.

It took you an hour--almost two to clean the whole kitchen. There were still dishes that needed to get run through the dishwasher, but other than that everything sparkled. You went about putting away all the groceries you had bought before putting Megumi and Tsumiki down for a nap.

As you came back down the stairs, you found Toji trudging through the door. He looked--

“Are you--tell me you aren’t drunk.” You came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs to watch him wander over, Toji rubbing his face as if he was exhausted.

“I’m not.” He sounded annoyed, like your concern wasn’t valid. You watched in disbelief as he pulled his hands from his flushed face and smirked down at you as he came to a pause before you.

God, why was he so tall? It only made you more mad.

“Maybe I am.” You huffed, crossing your arms tightly over your chest. “Hey,” He elongated the word as he pulled closer to you. You felt your ankles hit the bottom step when you tried to back up, remembering what had happened the last time he was drunk and this close. “You said you wouldn’t get me beer. I had to take matters into my own hands.” He gave a huff of his own, leaning down so that he could look directly into your eyes.

You felt your heart begin to beat rapidly in your chest, your grip around yourself growing near bruising.

“I didn’t because of this.” Your words came out weaker than you should have allowed. “What if I had gotten beer? Hum?” Toji’s hazy eyes gleaned in humor.

“Well then, I would be inclined to do a trick for you. I am a good boy after all.” His voice grew deeper, nearly shaking through your rib cage. Those damn eyes of his scanned you over like he was picking out the best place to grab hold of you. And his smell--it was too strange, too dark, too wild. It almost possessed your body with its allure.

“Stop.” You snapped, your arms tightening further. You wanted to curl in on yourself, but you kept tall.

Green eyes fluttered back up to your own eyes, that damn smirk still on his lips. He found this funny. He found all this so funny and it made you want to slap him to get rid of that damn smirk.

“Will you take a shower?”

“Will I get lunch?” You gave him a simple nod. He nodded back, moving past you as he shuffled up the stairs to disappear into the bathroom just at the top of them. As you watched him go, your hand ran up your arm and collarbone to find rest over your mouth to muffle the shaky breath you had been keeping back.

What the fuck were you going to do about him?

He couldn’t keep coming back slobby drunk.

He couldn’t keep--his eyes. They needed to keep off you. He needed to stay away from you.

You tried to shove all thoughts of the man out of your mind as you went about making everyone lunch. You had decided to make the sandwich the lady who you had once lived across the hall from taught you to make. They were tasty and dirt cheap. A win, win in your books. They soon become you and Tsumiki’s favorite meal.

You wondered if Toji would enjoy them…but then you assumed he probably liked anything he could get his hands on.

You wrapped a sandwich up for Tsumiki to eat when she woke up, placing it in the freshly cleaned fridge before making you and Toji’s food. You had just finished plating the sandwich and orange slices when you heard the bathroom door open and a half-naked Toji climbed down the stairs.

“Shit--that smells good.” He mumbled, making his into the kitchen to peek at the food.

“It’s just--it’s just chicken and some--” You tried to explain what was within the sandwich but you couldn’t keep focused. Not when his smokey scent was so close again, now dampened by whatever soap he had used. He smelled fresh and like--cinnamon?

You’re eyes wandered and your focus was as good as lost.

Toji was muscle. Just pure muscle.

And good muscle too. Muscle you could tell he had worked on and the muscle he used. It wasn’t fake muscle like those bodybuilders you would see in magazines. His skin looked soft and smooth and was only interrupted here and there by faint scars.

Scars.

Why did he have so many scars?

Your eyes found a small scar on his abdomen and your eyes left said scar to find his prominent Apollos belt--hard lines that disappeared beneath the white towel he had wrapped around his waist. Hard lined that made your face feel like you had shoved it into a pot of boiling water.

Maybe--just maybe you might see why your cousin would have been interested in a guy like him.

Maybe.

Toji reached for one of the plates growing even closer to you. His closeness made you feel even hotter, but you snapped out of your damning daze and pulled the plate out of his reach before he could take it.

Sharp, green eyes snapped down onto you not at all pleased.

“I was a good dog wasn’t I?” A deep frown pulled on his lips which usually stayed all too smug. “I took a shower like you asked. You promised lunch as my reward.”

“You need to change.” His eyes only narrowed further.

“Why?”

“Why?” You repeated with a huffing laugh. “Because it’s unhygienic to walk around buck-ass naked.” Toji rolled his eyes oh so dramatically like it was truly such a hassle to change.

“I’m wearing a towel.”

“No. Get changed. Into something clean.” You pulled the plate further away when he tried for it again. “Do you have clean clothes?” Toji shoved a thumb towards the living room turned makeshift bedroom. You noticed the pile of clothes on the other armchair closest to the tv and huffed. “There is no way those are all clean.”

“I’ll change.” He didn’t seem to understand he was still very much in your personal bubble and still very much making you burn alive. “If you give me some of those.” He redirected his hand to point toward the top of the fridge. You looked to find him pointing to the box of kinoko no yama’s you had hidden up there to keep out of sight from Tsumiki.

“I bought those for myself.” Toji shrugged, that goodman smirk pulling at the corner of his lips again.

“I’ll change if you give me some with my lunch.” His eyes shined with mischief as he leaned in even closer. “Otherwise I’m a-okay to stay like this. It’s freeing, ya know?” Your lips pressed together thinly as you tried not to let your eyes slip from his own. To try and forget he was naked and little droplets of water still clung to his pale skin.

“Fine .” Toji chuckled, pulling away from you finally.

“A pleasure doing business with you.” Toji winked before heading for his pile of clothes. You huffed, all but storming over to grab the box of snacks you had been looking forward to. “Make it a good handful, yeah.”

“You’ll get what you get.” You grumbled as you opened the box.

“Damn, you’re a hardballer huh?”

“Just get changed.” The box made a muffled bang when you all but slammed it down on the countertop. Toji only continued to smirk at your frustration as he passed you once more.

“These clean enough for ya?” He outstretched his hand to show you the clump of clothes he held. “Don’t think I’ve worn these yet.” He mused, scratching the side of his head like he was truly trying to think about it.

“I’m sure it's fine.” Toji didn’t seem satisfied with this answer cause he came all too close again. All too close and you could smell his spiced, smoky scent again. A scent that made your frustration deepen in a warming way.

“Ah, come on. Give ‘em a little whiff.” Toji wiggled them before your face. “What if they smell like shit 'cause I’ve been livin’ in a…what did you call it? Yeah, a landfill? Wouldn’t want to smell that bad.”

“I’m not going to smell the clothes you’ve been keeping in a goddamn pile.” You bit, swatting his hand away from you.

Your breath hitched involuntarily at the feel of his skin against yours.

Warm.

And solid.

Like stone.

Stone that had been left out to bake in the sun only to be wrapped in pale, silky sheets to horde that warmth.

Soft stone you wanted to hold against your cheek and--

“Get changed.” You grit through the fluttering drop of your stomach. Toji only chuckled, finally backing off.

“Yes ma’am.” And off he went into the downstairs bathroom. Once you heard the door shut with a soft click you gave a groan that sounded more like a growl as you roughly scrubbed your hands over your face.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

What the fuck��did he think he was doing? Making you--you--

What was he doing? Giving you a damn headache that was for sure.

…did he know what he was doing? Was he doing it on purpose? Was he trying to stress you out so much it killed you?

Probably.

The door opened again before you could try to work through your thoughts. Out walked Toji fully clothed this time, though you noticed that his shaggy hair was still a bit too wet like he hadn’t bothered to fully dry off. You let it go because you could only handle so much from the man.

“Is this up to your standards?” You glanced over the outfit he was wearing; a gray crewneck and matching sweatpants. He was barefoot but you assumed he’d be wearing those ratty slides in a bit. “Can I eat now?”

You said nothing as you slid his plate along the counter towards him. His green eyes sparkled in excitement as he all but hunched over and began wolfing down the sandwich like it was his last meal. You couldn’t help the small wrinkle of your nose at the sight, picking up a slice of orange and popping it into your mouth.

“Can we talk like adults for a second?” You asked after a few moments of silence as you two ate. Toji glances your way, cheeks full of sandwich.

“Depends on what ya want to talk about.” He spoke around the food in his mouth, only making your wrinkled nose crease further.

“I want to talk about our situation here.” Fire flashed in those green eyes of his.

“No.” You didn’t even give him the stratification of a sigh because you were determined to at least talk over a few things. So, you simply grabbed the box of kinoko no yama and fished out a small handful. You leaned forward and added them to the slowly disappearing pile already on his plate.

“It’ll be quick. Just a few things and then we can be done.” Toji eyed you, then the added kinoko no yama, then to the box in your hands. He jutted his head towards the box, demanding more. You gave him more without complaint. “Do you have a job?” You watched Toji swallow the mouthful of the sandwich.

“Did.” And then he was chowing down on another bite of sandwich.

“Okay…you did. Were you fired?” He shook his head. “You quit?” A nod. “So you could take care of--” He leveled you with a glare so hard and bloody it made your body lock up. Made your heart race and your mind scream at you to run, run, run . “Okay…okay. That’s fine.” You spoke carefully--calm and softly.

He was hurting.

Even though he was an asshole, he still lost someone who you knew he cared for deeply. So deeply it was turning him into a complete and utter mess with her gone.

“I’m assuming you rent this townhome. Meaning rent is going to be due.” You continued, picking at the cardboard of the box of snacks in your hands. “I only have so much saved away. I’ve already started looking around for jobs and I think you need to find one too.” Toji’s eyes flickered over your features as he chewed his latest bite, taking you carefully in as you spoke.

“I can help you if you need it, but you need a job. We have two small children to feed and clothe and house. It was a struggle to do that for Tsumiki all by myself and adding another one on--” You shook your head, feeling your fingertips begin to grow cold and vision narrow the slightest bit at the thought of it all.

“I can’t do that all by myself. If you could pay for rent and utilities, I would pay for food and the kids. I feel that is more than fair.” You kept that soft and calm tone praying he would agree without complaint. Praying your cousin was right. Praying that he was a good man deep, deep down.

“If I say no?”

Of course.

Of course .

“I don’t think no is really an option. The kids cost a lot. Food, clothes, school, daycare, doctor visits . Keep in mind I am paying for your child, not just mine.” You could feel your sensitive tone slipping away the longer you spoke. Slipping away with no chance of gaining it back. “I don’t care where you work as long as you are paying your part off.”

“You might regret that.” Toji simply said. Simply said and took another bite of the sandwich, finishing it off. “The where I mean.”

You didn’t quite understand what he meant by that but he wasn’t saying no to finding a job and that is all you cared about.

“I know I won’t as long as we have a roof over our heads, running water, and lights,” Toji’s eyes shifted. Shifted to that dark look you had seen only a few times since meeting him. A look that reminded you of a predator. A look that made you want to run upstairs, grab your kids, and leave.

“Whatever you say, boss.” Toji shrugged, shoving a few of the mushroom-looking snacks into his mouth.

You let the air grow silent once more as you tried to keep yourself grounded. Tried to keep back the fearful burning building in your eyes.

You were scared of him.

Whatever the hell he was alluding to scared the shit out of you.

Dangerous. He was dangerous…

“Maybe he is in a gang. Maybe he made her join.” You’re aunt’s words echoed through your mind. Thoughts she had spoken huddled around in the kitchen with the other female members of your family as they worked on crafting dinner for everyone. Words you had scoffed at but--

Maybe he was in a gang. Maybe he seemed dangerous because he really was. It would explain the scars. The dark look in his eyes.

Maybe…maybe he had killed people before.

Maybe you were forcing him back into such bloody work and that's why you would regret it.

Whatever the reason, you were terrified.

“...you going to let me cut your hair?” You suddenly asked.

Brush your feelings aside. It’s what you always had done in the face of danger--of evil.

Ignore it.

Cover your eyes and ears and ignore it.

Toji rose a brow at you as he popped more of the sweet snacks into his mouth. You turned from him as you grabbed your sandwich. “You might act like a dog, but you don’t need to actually look the part.” You took a bite from your food as Toji laughed. A rich thing that helped you further forget the danger until it bore its fangs at you again.

“I’ll only do so many tricks in one day, warden.” His newest nickname for you made you roll your eyes as you swallowed. “Get me some beer and you can cut it tomorrow. Gotta look my best for work, right?” His words surprised you. You didn’t think he would have actually agreed but…

“Fine. Deal.” Again that richly deep laugh poured from his scarred lips once more.

“Always a pleasure doing business with ya.”

<- Previous | Next ->

34 notes · View notes

echantedtoon · 2 days ago

Text

A Lovers' Circle (Poly Haishira x Reader) Ch18 Flamboyant Cooking

(Hearts conquered so far: Sanemi, Giyuu, Gyomei, Rengoku, Kanae, Mitsuri, and Shinobu. Only five more to go. Can you guess who's next? Note that I don't know Tengen's Wives' birthdays or favorite deserts. I'm just making it up for story. Art not mine found on Pinterest.)

Taglist: @shadyd3ar @jcrml

@tengensangel @miniverse-zen @mysteri0uz @jjamsbangtan

@the-unknown-fandom

@lavenderdropp @mimisweetz. @purplesoulsapphire

@kksmush @denkpanda18 @whomisi @lessthanimperfect @silver-rin

@namis-noodlebox

@k1ttyluverz @akiramente

@rascalraccoon @ravenclawkae1

@gilded-sunrays @crescent-blades

@yukari1k @bloodymarysgirl21

@artbyrebel @abaker74 @lunarluna9482

@rainbowidol

Remember if you want to be added to the taglist lemme know

Love is a beautiful thing.

It could move mountains, heal others, or even start a war. But you can also put love into things you do. Whether it's knitting, working out, or in your case packing up some of the food you made for Giyuu and Shinobu.

"That smells devine. What are you making?"

"Okonomiyaki and some caviar salmon onigiri." You smiled happily over your shoulder and into the living room where your boyfriend was sitting on your sofa and held a book in his hands. One carefully holding the book while the other was pressed into the pages to read the brail that was written on it. But he had his head turned when he smelt seafood. "I also have some umurice and yakisobapan."

"Ah. I thought as such. If my nose doesn't deceive me, then I swear I smell something sweet as well." He rose a brow as the sounds of familiar footsteps skipped happily along the wood floor and a scent suddenly grabbed his attention with a hum. "Strawberries?"

"Strawberry sando sandwiches to be exact." He turned his head following the feeling of her pushing his hands from his lap as an unmistakable tray was placed down in front of him. "Didn't think I'd let you go hungry did you?"

"Hm. And I am to assume those are the sando sandwiches you speak of?" Amused he tilted his head but was not prepared for the kids to his lips that got him to drop his book on the sofa and an immediate pink color rise to his face.

"Mwah! Yes.~ And some tea just how you like it." Another kiss this time softly placed to his forehead making his face a deeper pink as she giggled. "Now you go ahead and eat lunch. I have to finish packing up all this food I made."

He blinked before a hand covered his face. "Goodness. I might never get used to that."

"Then maybe I should kiss you more often to get you used to me "

"Gods above. You'll be the death of me."

She giggled again before footsteps retreated. "A death worth while.~ Now eat up. I'll be needing your help if I'm going to be delivering all this food."

You heard a few chuckles as you walked back into the kitchen and gave a sigh as the sight of all the food you still needed to pack up was still placed on the kitchen table, counter, and stovetop. There was the food you'd made for Giyuu and Shinobu of course. Kanae had mentioned to you that she'd talked her sister into eating healthier and start cooking more often so you wouldn't have to cook for them anymore which was a really kind gesture. Most of the food you cooked was actually for Mitsuri whom asked you to make her a few certain deserts she's been wanting minus the ohagi Sanemi requested shyly last Friday.

So guess who spent all Thursday afternoon and all weekend baking. Your kitchen might as well have been a sauna at this point. It was hot and you had to open the window slightly to not overheat despite the cold outside. You just needed to get these all packaged up and ready to be given out tomorrow.

As if fate was testing you again, a familiar sound sounded off as you were handling some more fruit sando sandwiches intending to pack them up for Mitsuri.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

Both your heads turned towards the door instinctively before you sighed and shouted at the top of your lungs from the kitchen. "The door's open! Come in!"

A moment of silence passed by before the doorknob turned with a creak and the front door opened up with a rush of cold air that had Gyomei shivering. A moment later a head of red hair stuck itself inside with a wide smile.

"Hello!," Kyojuro called as he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.

You paused as the familiar man made himself known but it was your boyfriend who spoke up first "Kyojuro, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Tengen planning Makio's birthday party?"

"It's already been planned out!," he answered loudly, "I just wanted to stop by and speak to Y/n on a small favor!"

"Oh?.." Gyomei hummed again raising a thoughtful brow. "I see. She's just in the kitchen through there. You'll find her busy however."

"Not to worry. I don't intend to bother her for long!" You blinked as footsteps approached and a second later the bright cheery man himself was standing in the doorway, bright orange scarf around his neck and beaming at you. "GREETINGS, Y/N! Apologies for dropping in like this but I had something to tell you! I hope I'm not interrupting!"

"Uh." You blinked before finishing wrapping up a banana sando sandwich in plastic wrap. "No. Not at all. It's good to see you again, Kyo."

"LIKEWISE!!"

"How can I help you?"

"I bring good news! Makio's said she'd be happy to celebrate with everyone there and has extended that invitation to you!" He sounded so happily at you. "If you're available tomorrow then you can join the girls for their day out!"

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes!" He tilted his head. "Is that a bad time?"

"Oh. No but it's just that I have a lot of food to deliver." You gestured to the sandwiches you had just wrapped up with plastic wrap. "And I have some more to bake before today's over."

"Ah! I see! If you'd like you could just bring it along! Everyone will be in one place anyways!"

"I guess that could work. By the way, what favor did you want to ask me?"

"Hm? OH! I nearly forgot!" He slapped a hand to his forehead. How could he have almost forgotten about why he came all the way here for? "Senjuro rally enjoyed the sugar cookies you had made for our party and was wondering if you'd be willing to give our mother the recipe for them!"

Senjuro? Oh that was Kyojuro's younger brother. You nodded happily. "Sure! I have the recipe over there." You pointed turning around. "Just give me a minute and I'll write you a copy."

"THANK YOU! I'm sure my brother will be so happy!" He beamed watching as you giggled and started towards a small shelf with a few cookbooks laid upon it. After a moment his orange eyes wondered curiously over the many Tupperware containers and wrapped up food, only to pause when something caught his eye. "Is that nerikiri wagashi?"

You hummed briefly looking over your shoulder noticing the way Kyojuro eyed the pastel colored, flowery looking deserts. "Oh. Yeah. Mitsuri asked me to make her a few deserts after she found out I gave Giyuu some food. You can have a few if you want."

"Don't mind if I do!" You turned back to the books as he quickly plucked up one and popped it into his mouth. "TASTY!!" You gave a chuckle heading him yell out before helping himself to another sweet treat. "UMAI!! This is delicious!"

"Thank you!" You didn't look up. Just starting to flip through the book for those sugar cookies recipes.

"This reminds me of Hinatsuru's cooking at the cafe! She makes a lot of those cakes and sandwiches you can order off the menu! Sometimes she'll even make everyone's favorite deserts."

Your head slowly rose.. before you looked over your shoulder at him putting another one into his mouth. "Really?..What are their favorite deserts?" He hummed in question. "Tengen and his wives."

"Oh! That's easy! Suma adores chocolate! She can never get enough of it! Hinatsuru is more of a daifuku person and I'm not sure about Makio. I do know she enjoys purin pudding though. Tengen's easy to please. All you have to do is give him rock candy."

You blinked. "Tengen likes rock candy?" He nodded. "I thought someone like him would like something fancy like creme brulee."

"Pfft. Hahaha! He does give that impression doesn't he?" He shook his head. "No. He likes rock candy because it reminds him of jewels. He likes to wear pretty jewelry and I suppose when the light bounces off rock candy it looks like the jewels he wears. 'The flashiest Candy' as he calls it."

You giggled. "Well that's one way to put it-" A growling sound caused the both of you to pause.. before you blinked. "Oh. Are you hungry?"

He sheepishly rubbed at his neck. "I'll admit I haven't eaten since breakfast and seeing your food does make me hungrier."

"Well it'll take me a second to write the recipe. Why don't you go sit down and I'll get you something to eat."

His head perked up immediately. "Really? You'd cook for me like you do for Giyuu?"

You nodded. "I have some extra food I can spare. Go sit down and I'll get you some unagi."

"I was right! Mitsuri really should've gone with the angel costume for you!"

"Oh stop it and go sit down."

You were already going to get him something to eat as he turned and walked into the living room. Only to be slightly caught off guard to find Gyomei staring at him silently with a raised brow. It took him aback a little bit but he shook it off and instantly went to sit in the armchair across from him. A moment later you followed after with a plate of grilled eel and rice and something for him to drink. He beamed as you handed it over to him before leaving again for the kitchen.

Gyomei continued to stare at him as he began to eat the food given to him. Humming as the delicious taste bathed his taste buds in rich flavors. "MMM!! This is delicious! Y/n's cooking is truly amazing!"

"Is that so?"

"Hahaha! She's a perfect chef and such a kind person. I swear it's almost as if we're married and we're her husbands"

"Ah. Is that right?" Gyomei's hum only made the flamed haired man raise his own brows. "Kyojuro, if I didn't know better I'd say that quite a few of you are starting to display symptoms of liking her."

"Why wouldn't we? She's a lovely person!"

"I'm speaking of romantic feelings."

Rengoku paused. Well raised to his open mouthed smile as Gyomei silently kept staring at him. Silence between the two of them persisted until Gyomei calmly turned back to his food and raised the cup of tea to his lips.

"I'm not angry with any of you just for the record. It would be stupid of me to be angry with my partners liking someone I also love considering the nature of our relationship...But do keep in mind that even if Y/n is in a relationship with me and is perfectly fine with my relationship with all of you, that she may not wish to return the affections from all of you."

"...I understand." Orange eyes turned back to his food. "I hope you don't feel like we crossed any of your boundaries."

He held up a hand sipping his drink. "I'm not at all upset. I should've expected something like this to occur. But please keep in mind to respect the wishes of my girlfriend concerning her wants in a relationship."

"I promise you that we will. You've always been understanding."

A huff and smile was sent his way. "With you all I always will be "

You had returned from the kitchen about ten minutes later after wrapping up the food a little bit more so Kyojuro could have some time to eat. The cheery man thanked you for the recipe and food before bidding you both goodbye and leaving but not before letting you know where the birthday party will be taking place.

"The girls are going out shopping and to the spa again but we're celebrating the party at Tengen's home. You can come over and give everyone your food then."

Sounded like a great plan to you! You'd be able to deliver everything to everyone on time and wouldn't have to worry about traveling to so many places in one day. Now you just had to take care of the obligatory birthday present.

***********************************************

Footsteps collided along the sidewalk up towards a home you were unfamiliar with but wouldn't really be too surprised by. A fancier side of town for sure with the bigger houses and fancier structure. You really didn't come to this part of town too often. Aunt Dakita did a lot though for clients or high social events she was invited too. Honestly it didn't surprise you but how many different people she knew, but the fact that Tengen was able to live here on a college student's salary was very surprising to you.

What the heck did he do for a living?!

"He works in a host club and bar! He's a very popular entertainer!"

Rengoku was more than happy to satisfy your curiosity on the drive over. You sat beside him on the passenger side with Gyomei uncomfortably squished in the seat behind you. True to his word, Kyojuro had swung by early in the morning to help you get everything there. And by that he meant picking you both up and driving you to Tengen's home himself, which was a nice gesture even if you didn't expect it. You thought that Tengen and his wives lived with Kyojuro since the five of them were all together an item but you guess not.

Honestly if Tengen was a popular entertainer between classes then it'd explain why he could afford to live here, and you weren't surprised by the news of him being an entertainer. He certainly had the looks to pull it off and the personality to back it up.

"How much longer until we get there?," you asked him looking out the window at one house that had a fancy birdbath in front of it.

"It's just around the corner!," Kyojuro assured you with a smile. "Don't worry!"

Thank goodness. You were getting worried about how squished your boyfriend was in the back seat despite him not complaining a bit. Kyojuro turned a corner and continued to drive until he slowly came to a stop right in front of a three story house. You took a look at it before proceeding to exit the car and take a moment to look over the large house. Wow. Other than the one campus dorms, these might be the biggest homes you've ever seen.

You didn't doddle long when Gyomei emerged from the car and quickly stretched out his back with a hiss of relief just as Kyojuro popped the trunk, leaning into it. A moment later he reemerged holding two giant paper bags in his arms. With the amount of food you ended up working late into the night before to work on, you had to stuff them all into three giant bags in order to hold it all. You went to go retrieve the third bag but Gyomei had beaten you too it already picking it up into his arms and closing the trunk.

Wordlessly, you followed Kyojuro as he nodded his head towards the home. You both took his initiative and walked up to the doorway where you were slightly surprised when Kyojuro just struggled to hoist the bag up into his arms to free one hand and just opened up the door without knocking. Sure his boyfriend (and girlfriends) lived here but you expected him to knock first before he just waltzed on in. Followed by Gyomei and then yourself timidly looking inside.

"WE'RE HERE!!"

"It's about time, Kyojuro! What the hell took you so long?!", Sanemi's voice demanded from inside the house. He didn't see you until Gyomei moved out of the way and he quickly paused, annoyed frown disappearing immediately upon seeing you. "Oh..Well nevermind then. It was for a good cause."

"Y/N'S HERE!!" Mitsuri gasped turning around from where she sat watching something on the TV.

"Hi, Everyone!," you greeted with a slightly tired smile and wave. "Sorry if we're late. It was my fault for sleeping in."

You looked around as you spoke and inside was a...Regular living room?? When the door gave away you weren't sure what you were expecting but a regular looking living room wasn't it. It had a regular second hand looking leather couch facing a decently sized TV mounted to the wall, along with a few shelves against the opposite walls covered in knick knacks next to a coat wrack, along with two doorways. One looking like it lead into another hallway and the other looking like it lead into a kitchen area. It-....wasn't fancy?? Certainly wasn't expecting that. With the location of the home you had thought you would be walking into one of those rich people's houses you'd seen in the movies.

You managed to push your gaze back to everyone else in the room only to be met with a pink and green blur, one moment later you were being bear hugged by a squealing Mitsuri. "EEEEE!!! IM SO HAPPY YOU GOT INVITED! WE'RE GONNA HAVE SO MUCH FUN!!"

"Good to see you too, Mitsuri." You patted her sides with your arms pinned by her. "Sorry again for being late."

"Don't apologize." Sanemi approached getting off the wall he had been leaning on and gently prying his partner off you. "C'mon, Mits. You're suffocating 'er."

A sigh of relief escaped you as the bear trap hug was released allowing you to breath. "Thank you.'' You took another look around finding most of everyone still watching the movie playing and Kyojuro hoisting the bags into his arms more. Oh right. You should probably hand out everything already. "Sanemi.' He rose a brow at you. "I got your the ohagi you asked for."

He perked up immediately. "Shit. Really?"

You nodded. "Hang on a second." Gyomei blinked as you shuffled past Mitsuri and just grabbed the giant bag out of his hands. Paper crinkling sounds reached his ears as you just shoved your hand inside, digging around until you pulled out a small box out and handed it over to an expectant Sanemi.

"Fuck yeah!" Taking it in his hands, a sweet scent filled his lungs as he inhaled and sighed out. "That's the good stuff."

"Mitsuri, here's all the deserts you wanted." She squealed out as you just handed her the bag, no doubt she'll have already eaten everything before you girls go out for Makio's planned shopping spree, and then you turned to Kyojuro. He didn't say anything as you took a whole second bag, walked over, and plopped it into Giyuu's arms. "This is for you two. I tried a few European dishes I found online so hopefully it tastes good."

Giyuu blinked looking down into the bag before looking up at you and smiled. Surprising Obanai next to him so much the masked man dropped the TV remote. "Thank you so much. I'm sure Shino and I will love it."

You smiled turning back around and noticed something you didn't see at first glance. There was lots of paintings along the walls. Small paintings, big paintings, landscapes of cities and nature, one giant portrait of Kanae, another one of two portraits of people you didn't know, one abstract art, tie dye you think, and a few other art forms you were unfamiliar with but each one looked more beautiful than the last. Until you got to one painting in particular.

It was the biggest painting you've ever seen. About a yard wide and as long and tall as a full length mirror. Probably because the painting WAS of a mirror. A beautiful full length mirror with a golden frame sat upon a heavenly landscape of clouds and sunset coloring, it's reflection carried on through a small stream originating from the base and threatening to carry away the stars falling from the sky around it. After a moment Kyojuro blinked at your awed stare and turned his head to see exactly what you were looking at.

"Ah!" Realization caused him to perk up. "I see you've noticed one of Tengen's more larger pieces."

"It's beautiful." You stared in awe at it. "How could someone do that with just paint alone?"

"Flashy ain't it?" Both you and Giyuu jumped and whirled around only to make eye contact with wine red eyes as Tengen smiled down at you both from the doorway behind you leaning against it's frame. "I call it Mirrored Dreams. Part of a project I did back in my first year of Uni."

How did he sneak up on you without you hearing him?! Once the initial shock wore off you sighed before smiling at him in greeting. "It's really beautiful. Where did you get the idea for it?"

He shrugged. "Had a really weird fever dream after reading Through The Looking Glass and eating bad take out. Though I'm not complaining about the outcome of it since it is one of my favorite pieces." Leaning off the doorframe he made his way past you both into the room, walking a little bit sluggish and tired.

"I think it's a really beautiful piece, Tengen," you complimented him with a smile. He took pause to look back at you as you did so. "You're a very talented painter."

He huffed a chuckle after a moment. "Thanks. I like to think I'm pretty decent at it." He turned back to Kyojuro which made you blink again tilting your head at his form. "Hey, Best Buddy. Finally decided to join the party huh?"

He nodded back to him. "INDEED!! Apologies for our lateness!*

"Eh. Don't mention it." A hand tiredly reached out to rub his face. "Makio's almost ready to go so...you guys can just hang out here until she's ready."

Again he nodded. "Sounds like a plan! Then we can all decorate for the party when they come back!"

Tengen nodded mumbling something you couldn't make out before he yawned and shuffled towards the kitchen area past Kyojuro. "Go ahead and make yourselves comfortable." He waved a hand behind him as he disappeared. "I'm gonna get me some coffee."

You watched as he fully disappeared into the kitchen before slowly turning to Giyuu in question. "Hey..Is he ok?" Giyuu hummed in question turning to you. Your arm gestured towards the kitchen. "Tengen. He seems pretty down today." Usually he'd greet you with a flirt or big cheeky grin when you both spoke, but he seemed tired and a bit upset.

"Oh. He's just been going through a bad patch of art block recently," he explained, "Don't worry. It's nothing that he hasn't gone through before. He's usually mopey and tired during these patches."

"Like you, Tomioka?"

Giyuu shot Obanai a look. "What are you talking about? I'm happy right now."

Obanai stared at Giyuu's unchanging expression as you calmly reached into Giyuu's bag before pulling out one Tupperware container and walked over to Kyojuro. "Uh..You are?"

"Yes. Can't you tell?"

"Uh ..I'm going back to the movie."

A paper crinkling sound went off as you took the bag from Kyojuro and peered inside. F/c eyes peered into the kitchen area... before you slowly walked into the kitchen after Tengen. However you were surprised when you saw the state of the kitchen. Like the living room it seemed rather normal with a stovetop oven combo, a microwave, and what looked like a hand me down table and chairs. Not as fancy or 'state of the art' as you were expecting to find. Maybe Tengen didn't like showing off his wealth?

Speaking of the art major, you found him with his back back towards you in front of a countertop.

SNIFF.

You blinked at the sounds of a sniffing noise before his arm reached up to you guessed rub at his face before his other arm reached up to open the cabinet above him. Tengen just pulled out the first cup his hand touched without bothering to close it. The hot coffee pot lifted up to poor the black liquid into the porcelain mug as the smell of French vanilla bean frappe filled his senses. The hot stinging liquid burning his tongue when he gulped it down. Adding a sense of warmth to his body he desperately craved.

A sigh escaped his lips as the cup lowered from his lips. "Gods I needed that."

"Tengen?"

"SHIT-!!" The hot cup fumbled in his hands as he fumbled to not drop it before whirling around to your face.

"Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." You took a step back to give him space as he blinked at you. "I just...W-Wanted to thank you for inviting me is all. I appreciate it." You decided not to comment on the pink around his eyes

Quickly he wiped at his face and plastered on a smile towards you. "Oh. H-Hey, Pretty Lady! Aw. You don't gotta thank me. Any girl of Mei's is welcome here!"

Your brows furrowed. "Right. Are you..ok?"

"Fit as a fiddle! Why wouldn't I be?"

You decided not to comment on the fact that he looked like he was about to cry before placing the Tupperware container on the table and sliding it over to him. "Here. Looks like you could use a good meal. Whenever I was upset my Aunt used to cook me my favorite snack to cheer me up."

"Upset? Pfft. Who's upset?" He asked waving off a hand as your brow rose higher at him. "It's my wife's birthday today! There's nothing to be upset about!"

".... It's beef sukiyaki." You continued opening up the top and nudging it over to him more as he blinked. "Eat if. You'll feel better with a nice warm meal in your stomach. And before I forget I made you this." He still watched silently as you reached into the paper bag you still held before pulling out a second small container and held it out to him. "Here. I made this for you."

...For a long moment he said nothing. Tengen looked at the box, then at you, then back to the box... before he slowly took it from you, staring at it a little bit more before talking. "What is it?"

"Homemade rock candy. Kyojuro mentioned it was your favorite candy." His eyes snapped back to you. "I was already making some for Mitsuri and I figured you'd like some too." You smiled at him brightly. "I hope you get free of your art block soon. I'd love to see more of your paintings!" Your arms held up the last bag. "In the meantime I'd better get Makio the present I made her before we leave. Thanks again for inviting me, Tengen."

He said nothing as you turned around to exit the kitchen, ironically bumping into the women in question finally coming downstairs to join the crowd only to be met with you hopping over to them with a bag of goodies to pass out. Eventually the man blinked again slowly looking back to the box in his hands and going to lift up the top to peer inside. What he was met with was the sunlight hitting the rocky, jagged surface of what looked like multicolored gems. Glittering with the light bouncing off and enticing him to eat them. He did. Reaching in slowly to break off a peace of a large red chunk just as Suma's voice squealed out.

"Choco cornets!"

The red gen glittered between his thumb and pointer finger before he decided to pop it into his mouth and chew down. "Huh...Cherry. Doesn't taste too bad." Wind red eyes looked at the other open container next. The smells of beef, mushrooms, and a few other ingredients wafted from it as he leaned down to inhale it's scent only to him. "Whaddya know. Smells good."

Suma was absolutely destroying the choco corners you made her as Makio was thanking you for the homemade custard pudding you gifted her when he bothered to reach in and pull out a warm piece of stewed beef before also popping it into his mouth. Huh... That tasted pretty good too! Pretty nice of her to gift it to him. As he ate, he curiously pulled out another rock candy to examine. Dark blue. Wonder what this tasted like. Blue raspberry? Blueberry? Grape maybe? These sparkled like real gems almost. Kinda reminded him of all the pretty blue jewelry Suma always-....

Wait a dam minute-

His head perked up wide eyed. Eyes snapping back to the living room. Gems and beauty. And not just any beauty.

INNER BEAUTY. THE MOST PURE RAW KIND OF BEAUTY THAT ONLY THE PURE OF HEARTS HAD.

"THAT'S IT!"

The box of colorful candy was tossed to the side as a raw desperation busted throughout his chest and took ahead of his legs, carrying him to the living room with such speed it startled everyone else inside. Only one person caught his interest however as f/c eyes turned to him surprised.

"YOU!!"

You jumped dropping the now empty paper bag as Tengen was suddenly looming over you with a focused, tense look in his eyes and his hands gently grabbed your cheeks.

"You're perfect. YOU'VE GOT TO BE MY NEXT MUSE!!"

....You blinked. "What?"

31 notes · View notes