Chapter Text
(past)
Kojiro remembered every time Kaoru had smiled at his food, hiding it with his hand as he went on and on about how it needed more of this or more of that. But Kojiro was never listening because he knew that smile meant the food was absolutely perfect. That the smile he gave meant it was wonderful. So why had Kaoru looked at him like that sometimes?
The chef was always confused when Kaoru got a little extra touchy or started giving more gifts, but he enjoyed it. Always the flair of hope that rooted itself in his stomach right after, what if he liked him back??
Kojiro had never seen Kaoru take interest in anyone so for all he knew Kaoru could be any sexuality. He always seemed very accepting and cool about it too.. And maybe that was part of the reason his grandfather had hated him so much.
The thought always dared to cross his head but he normally didn't actually go for it.. That would be dumb.
The two had been friends since they were kindergarteners, Kojiro had knocked over a cup of water onto Kaoru's book soaking through the Japanese literature.
"hey!"
Kojiro gulped looking at the intense gaze of the slightly shorter male in front of him, arms crossed and small face pouty.
"I was reading that you dimwit"
where Kaoru had learned that term at his age? No one knew but it fit him.
"It was an accident." Kojiro shifted back and forth on his tiny feet, hazel eyes darting between the gold piercing ones in front of him.
That was the moment they had met, and the moment Kojiro decided he would become the pink haired brats friend because well.. he looked lonely.
Of course it took a while to get Kaoru to warm up to him, but eventually he seemed to accept him enough that Kojiro didn't feel as bad about pushing his extroverted agenda on him.
When they were teens Kaoru was always the daring one.. the one who did what he wanted, the rebellious one. That impressed Kojiro and he tried desperately to keep up.
He wouldn't fall behind.. No matter how far the pink haired male ran Kojiro would chase him. Chase those sharp gold eyes.. those eyes that now were staring at him with a very unsure look..
-----
(present)
"you what!!"
This had to be a joke.. Right?
Right.
It made absolutely no sense that Kaoru would like him.
No sense at all.
"this isn't funny Kaoru-"
He looked back up at his friend's expression expecting well.. he didn't know what he was expecting. But he wasn't expecting the sincere dejected look that Kaoru showed. One of pure truth and desperation. Desperate that Kojiro wouldn't hate him for admitting such a thing.
Why was he so dumb?
He really thought this would go well?
Kojiro was straight, and it was proven everytime Kojiro would make out with a girl in front of him. After they had just had a wonderful day out just enjoying eachothers company. The slight change that the taller man might like him..
But then watching him lock lips with some random girl.. well that told Kaoru all he needed to know about the crazy wish of being with Kojiro.
Now he had gone and confessed? How selfish of him. To ruin the friendship just for the very slim chance that Kojiro may like him back.
He must have looked absolutely pathetic at the moment, nearly in tears as he waited for Kojiro to say anything else.
Anything.
The tension was absolutely killing him.
Did Kojiro enjoy torturing him or something?
Trying to take a sniff of air he sucked in some snot from his nose making a face as he went back to breathing through his mouth.
Room so silent you could hear a pin drop.
"Listen I-"
"I love-"
The two of them spoke at the same time, immediately looking up at each other In surprise.
"Oh uh you go first"
Kaoru swallowed a lump in his throat, not sure what Kojiro was even going to say.
"I just uh, wanted to say I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that I take it back.. I don't know what I was thinking"
That didn't seem to help anything as they continued to stare at eachother gold and hazel eyes clashing in a war of confusion and mutual pining Kaoru still hadn't seemed to notice.
"Oh uh I see.."
Going quite for a moment the chef wasn't sure what to say, hazel eyes darting around the room like he would somehow see something that could help him..
What the fuck was he supposed to do?
This had to be a very realistic fever dream.
"I uh I'm gonna go freshen up"
Getting up Kojiro practically stumbled out of the room, closing the bathroom door behind him with a soft sigh.
Freshen up??
He was an absolute idiot.
Why the fuck hadn't he said it back.
What was even happening!!!
Kaoru sat in silence for a moment before getting up and straightening out his robes. Grabbing some of his hair he pushed it up frustrated, banging his head softly on the table.
What the fuck.
Kaoru tapped on his phone as it lit up showing the pink glow of the installed Carla.
"Carla.."
"yes master?"
"Please search for the closeted flight back to Japan.."
"yes master." the bot went silent as it shuffled through the internet.
"the soonest one is in an hour approximately and costs 592$"
Kind of pricey but Kaoru had the money. Plus he expected when Kojiro came out of the bathroom he would want to leave..
Who wouldn't?
Kaoru had ruined everything with his confession.
-----
Kojiro stood at the door of the bathroom, head leaned against the smooth wood as he listened to Carla.
Did.. did Kaoru want him to leave?
It seemed so.
Why else would he book a ticket back to Japan?
It was all Kojiro's fault.. Why hadn't he said it back? He- he definitely loved Kaoru back and he had blown his chance.
He would probably want him off on his way when he came out of the bathroom.
The male sighed gently and dried off his hands stepping out of the bathroom hesitantly.
"ok I'm done.."
A startled Kaoru pushed his messy pink hair behind his ears as If trying to make himself presentable.
Kojiro thought he looked good no matter what.. and his amber eyes showed that as he looked at his best friend lovingly.
The look seemed to just confuse Kaoru even more and the artist, hesitant to get up, handed the phone over to Kojiro.
"I uh.. found a flight.. It's in an hour. Would you like some food? I can order?" Even though things were awkward, Kaoru would remain a good house guest. Hoping that take out would reach his chef friend's taste.
Kojiro went quiet for a moment and the two locked eye contact, Kaoru pursed his lips not sure what to say.
Well this was awkward…
Exactly why he had been avoiding Kojiro.
Sadly he couldn't run forever. And despite the seemingly bad ending at least he had gotten his feelings off his chest. It felt good in a way. Like he had been holding in a breath for a while and he could finally breathe.
-----
(past)
"shh we will get caught" Kojiro said with a tinge of panic in his voice as the girl in front of him giggled.
She had long pretty purple hair and bright blue eyes but somehow they looked gold to Kojiro.
"I'm sorry hehe" the girl pressed up against him as they huddled in the janitor's closet, Kojiro trailing kisses down her neck and running his fingers through her long hair.
His eyes widened as suddenly he could hear Kaorus voice. Had he been caught?
Wait… but he could hear it right in front of him? He was giggling.
The girl turned around only now it wasn't the girl, it was Kaoru his hair tucked behind his ears, cheeks flushed and rosy and mouth stretched into a grin as he laughed quietly.
"don't worry about it," the male mused.
What… what was happening. Kojiro could have sworn he had gone into the closet with Marissa and now? Now it was the love of his life.
He couldn't move or breathe as Kaoru leaned in close breath light against Kojiro's skin and their lips almost brushed together, gold eyes slanted closed with pleasure.
"kojiro?? KOJIRO"
Eyes snapping open, Kojiro looked around confused. They were still in the closet but.. Marissa was there again.
"Are you ok?" A concerned look as she pushed her slim hand against his forehead sharp purple nails brushing through his short hair.
"yeah uhm I just remembered I have somewhere to be I'm so sorry" Kojiro tripped over his words bumping into the door.
"oh ok-.. I hope you feel better, your face is burning up" she looked disappointed but she didn't say anything else as Kojiro made his escape.
Fingers lightly going up to his lips.
He was going insane.
-----
Kojiro poked his fork into his food silently, the plastic sinking into the lightly salted potatoes.
They had ended up getting food but it seemed Kaoru was counting down the seconds until the flight was coming. They had gone to the airport Kaoru insisting he must pay for the ticket and food. The plane came in 20 minutes and time seemed to be going too fast for Kojiro's liking.
Even just sitting here with Kaoru made him sad.. made him miss when they where .. normal? When they had been friends.
No, they were still friends. They just hadn't been in touch for a while.. Right?
Kojiro felt like crying at the thought that they weren't friends anymore. Hopefully Kaoru didn't think so.
He glanced up meeting his already staring gold eyed gaze and let out a small noise of surprise. He wasn't really expecting Kauro to be looking at him so uh well I don't know he didn't expect to be looked at much at all.
He had messed things up. So.. So why would Kauro want to look at his stupid face.
Glancing at the clock the green haired male let out a sigh. 10 minutes. They might as well walk to the waiting place now.
Getting up he grabbed his bags tossing the remains of his mostly eaten meal.
Kaoru glanced up curiously and followed suit leading Kojiro to the right boarding station.
The two stood there for a moment and Kojiro looked down at his friend sadly.
"Did you really mean it?" he asked.
Kauro looked startled and stayed still for a moment before gently nodding. He turned and tried to walk away assuming the conversation could end there but Kojiro had other plans.
His hand shot out grasping Kaoru's and he yanked the smaller man back.
Without much more thought he had pressed their lips together in a startling kiss.
Hands cupping the sides of his pink haired friend's face.
"what-" his words were cut off by Kojiro's lips. Pushing eagerly into Kaoru's, tongue sliding into his mouth hungrily. Kauro immediately kissed back, complying to the others request as they pressed together, mouths sliding together in every way they would want.
Finally getting the kiss both of them wanted.
When Kojiro pulled away Kaoru seemed very out of it, his eyes glaring down at the ground as if waiting for an explanation.
"ah I'm sorry-. I just wasn't sure how else to get you to stay and here is what I have to say.
Kaoru I love you so so much. And I mean it 100% I don't know why I didn't say it before and I regret it so much and I just can't lose you and i-"
Kojiro's rant was cut short by Kaoru pulling him in for another kiss, hands balling up the fabric of the front of Kojiro's shirt as their lips crashed together again.
Yet again the two slid perfectly into each other's embrace lips pushing together as if it was the most natural part of one another.
Taking a little gasp when he pulled away, Kojiro looked at him astounded and Kaoru gave a small shy smile.
"I didn't know how else to shut you up," the male said bluntly.
Kojiro was completely silent amber eyes still blown wide with disbelief. Then he started laughing and he couldn't stop his belly heaving as he took a gasp for air.
"so.. you believe me?"
It rang unanswered for a bit as Kaoru let out his own little giggle.
"yes I believe you Kojiro.. I still feel as if this is a dream though.." it wasn't the most believable thing when your supposed straight friends say I love you back. I guess he had been wrong about his calculations.
Seems the two of them where to dumb to ask eachothers sexualitys from the start.
The ding of the intercom came on as a french voice mused out some words kojiro could only slightly understand.
"seems like my plane is leaving soon.."
Should he still go? No he couldn't.. not after this.
"oh.. right" Kaoru looked pretty dejected before his face twisted into surprise, Kojiro grabbing his hand and his bag as he yanked the two of them away from the boarding hall.
"what- your going to miss your plane." the other said breathlessly as he tried to keep up with Kojiro's longer strides.
"I don't care I want to stay here with you for longer"
Kaoru didn't respond and let himself be pulled back to the car.
"That's ok right?"
"yes.."
-----
Sitting next to each other on the couch Kojiro glanced over to where Kaoru sat, his cheeks flushed pink like his hair. He sat with his hands tucked under his thighs which Kojiro had never seen him do.. it was quite cute.
Especially how he avoided his gaze but still kept close in the seat.
Kojiro finally broke the silence, turning to Kaoru with a pleased smile.
"So uh how long have you liked me" he smirked, his tone teasing and Kaoru glared at him, his pink hair falling into his face.
"Kind of a cliche question for you to ask Kojiro" the male said with an eye roll.
"this whole thing is cliche, I mean where literally in Paris"
Kaoru went silent.
"Hmm" he sighed before turning to Kojiro's gold eyes as full of wisdom as they always were.
"I think.. it was when we were 14 and I had forgotten my umbrella and you took off your coat and let me use it as one even though you'd then be shivering.." he admitted.
Another cliche but you gotta love how romantic.
Kojiro blushed and covered his mouth and Kaoru looked over confused.
"that's- when I first realized I liked you too" he murmured through his hand.
Kaoru laughed a little, his eyes closing as he kind of shook in place.
"You're telling me we have both liked each other this whole time? And neither of us noticed or asked?" Kaoru said annoyed but the amusement was still there.
Seeming dumbfounded for a moment the chef nodded. "I guess so." so much wasted time. Though Kojiro would love any time he got to romantically spend with Kaoru.
Gently Kojiro snaked an arm around the other's waist pulling him in close. At first Kaoru tensed up but a second later he rested his body against Kojiro's. Head on his shoulder.
Kojiro fondly pushed a strand of Kaoru's hair behind his ear. He had always dreamed of a day when he could do so. When he could sit with Kaoru like this. Bodies close. His pretty hair tangled with his own.
Now he finally had it.. and it was amazing. The soft breaths of Kaoru's breathing and his focused slightly bashful face he made while obviously trying to hold still.
He was so precious and- and Kojiro just loved him. Love.
Yes love.
"I like you so much! and you like me" he gave a laugh of disbelief, pressing a small kiss to Kaoru's cheek, he did it a few more times before his victim held his hands out pushing Kojiro's face away while he blushed.
"this seems like a dream.."
and suddenly the two of them were kissing again, Kaoru sliding into Kojiro's lap like he had been there 1000 times.
Hands gripping Kaoru's waist as their lips slid together, soft and gentle at first tongues sliding together as the two pushed closer together.
Kojiro smiled, he had never felt such bliss and it was all perfect, when he opened his eyes he still saw Kaoru he could still grip his pink hair and feel his soft breaths as he whined Kojiro's name..
He was going to go insane. Oh god and he could whisper as many words of love as he wanted he could cherish every hold.
Kaoru seemed to be able to tell that Kojiro was distracted and pushed further into the kiss and suddenly it was desperate. The years and years of love and wanting shoved into one frantic hot moment, bodies pressed together and lips pushing together and separating with deep breaths and loving eyes.
Kojiro pushed him down onto the couch looking at him as he lay there, hair spread out on the dark blue cushions.
Somehow the time hadn't snuffled the passion. Maybe even increased it.
Now he didn't want anything to do with anywhere else. He couldn't remember anything but the way Kaoru's lips felt.
He couldn't hear anything but Kaoru's slight laugh and the sound of the two moving around on the couch lips still crashing together like a hurricane on an unprepared town.
Arms still wrapped around Kaorus waist, his hands slipped up the robes that hung loose on his frame. Pale skin exposed against the tan hands of Kojiro as he gripped on sliding his hands further up.
Lips pulling away to kiss down his neck.
Kaoru pushed his forehead to Kojiro's, their noses bumped together and he flashed a smile, his gold eyes locking with Kojiro's.
Ah how he had dreamed of this day. Being able to slide his hands along Kojiro's muscles and cuddle into his chest.
Letting out an oof as Kojiro layed on top of him spooning him gently.
"I'm tired." Kojiro mumbled into Kaoru's shoulder.
"at least get in bed before you sleep you oaf"
Kojiro smiled, gripping tighter onto Kaoru.
"noo I want to stay here I'm very comfortable"
"kojiro! let me go" Kaoru struggled to get out of the grip, his legs pushing between Kojiro's as he held him tight with a smirk.
"hmm I think I'll keep holding on. I'll miss you too much if I do."
Kaoru went silent blushing as he laced his fingers with Kojiro's.
"ok.. but If you fall asleep still clinging onto me I'm pushing you off the couch" Kaoru grumbled.
"deal." It seemed neither of them kept that deal because they both fell asleep after a few minutes.
-----
"Are you sure you got everything??" Kaoru asked for probably about the 5th time.
"yes babe I got everything! stop worrying you've cleaned this apartment like 10 times" Kojiro whined and Kaoru looked over with a glare.
"that's an extraction" he said with a sarcastic eye roll yet he had a smitten smile.
"Plus I'm just trying to make sure you don't leave anything like when we visited Canada. You wouldn't shut up about the hoodie you lost" he sighed.
Kojiro seemed offended.
"Well it was a nice hoodie!"
With a shake of the head the calligrapher grabbed his boyfriend's hand, yanking the two of them out of the door.
"yes yes now let's not be late for our plane. I haven't been to Japan in a while and I'm quite excited to get back into my apartment"
Kojiro nodded, opening the cab door for Kaoru as the two sat in.
"yeah I haven't been to my restaurant in so long I want to cook something!"
"hopefully your cooking hasn't gotten any worse" Kaoru teased and Kojiro glared
"You love my cooking, I don't know what you're talking about. You smug four eyed man" He grumbled looking away.
The two of them walked in silence for a little while, Kaoru snickering under his breath for a moment. They ended up having to run to their plane when Kojiro took too long in the bathroom doing god knows what.
-----
Finally home Kojiro immediately plopped down on Kaoru's couch breathing in the gentle smell of his boyfriend with a sigh of pleasure.
"get up you slob" with a slap to the back of Kojiro's head he got up grumbling.
"Can I not rest for 3 seconds?" The chef whined clinging onto his annoyed boyfriend pressing small kisses onto the revealed skin on his neck.
With a long dramatic sigh Kaoru let in, wrapping Kojiro's arms around him and pushing his braided hair to the side.
With a smirk Kojiro continued to press soft kisses against his neck, hands slipping through the front of his dark blue Yukata brushing against his pale skin.
Letting out a pleased sigh the male allowed the fabric to slip down his shoulder the soft touch of his boyfriend spiraling his brain up and-
The phone rang pretty loud Carla's robotic voice ruining their moment.
"master you have a call from your accountant"
"thank you Carla" Kaoru pulled himself away from the others grasp and picked up the phone a deep blush resting on his pale skin.
"hello?
mhm
alright thank you"
Kaoru sighed, straightening his Yukata and letting down his soft pink hair.
"I'm going to get my check from France soon and I need to start accepting jobs here again" . Pushing his glasses up his nose he grabbed his bag and started to unpack his things as Kojiro watched annoyed.
"I suppose I should get back to my restaurant then" the male made no move to leave and Kaoru just agreed in an absent minded hum.
Wandering around as he put things back.
Kojiro smiled softly looking at the other softly. He loved everything about Kaoru despite his constant ignorance and he loved the way that even though it took them so long to realize they had mutual interest they still did.
He never wanted to let Kaoru go now that he had him and he couldn't help staring at his boyfriends face, if pupils turning into hearts was possible Kojiros definitely would have.
Because Kaoru was perfect with his soft long pink hair that tumbled over his slim shoulders, his pale skin, the small dip of his pouty pink lips and the way he grumbled and turned away not knowing what to say when complimented.
He knew that he would make sure the two of them stayed together for the rest of their life's, he could imagine if they got a place together, their decorations clashing but somehow looking good together. The way Kaoru could wrap his arms around Kojiro while he was cooking breakfast and they could spend all their free time together bickering or not.
There must have been a pretty cheesy smile on his face because Kaoru glanced back with an annoyed blush.
"stop looking at me like that and go to your restaurant" he said, pushing Kojiro out of his door while grabbing the larger man's suitcase.
"aww, don't miss me to much babe" Kojiro teased with a wink and kaoru made a gagging sound
"don't worry I won't miss you oaf" despite the words he leaned in and pecked a kiss on Kojiro's lips gently offering a sweet smile which almost made Kojiro fall down the stairs.
Touching his lips with a smile Kojiro left as the door closed hurrying down the stairs. He realized he would have to walk and let out an annoyed groan starting his journey back to his apartment.
Well he hadn't worked out in a while so this would be a good opportunity.
He ended up running exited to see his restaurant again a smile spread across his lips.
Things finally seemed perfect, because perfect was with Kaoru.
~fin~