✧ ex-gang

[reignitions]

[There's one thing Shio can say about his life now and that it's, for the most part, quiet.

Disbanding BLAZE was not the easiest decision (no matter how it felt at the time, grief is a bitch, etc), but... well, in hindsight, it's one he's glad he made now. Gen is moderately successful and that's good enough for him. Nobody causes trouble in this quiet little out-of-the-way noodle shop.

Even if that is partially by design.

He should be expecting one of his regulars in about three, two, one...]

Comments

[reignitions]

I care about you and I don't like seeing the people I care about hurt or in pain.

[As he takes one of Kuni's hands and gently squeezes a little.]

[threebetrayals]

You...care. About me.

[What. Yes Shio said they were friends but.]

[reignitions]

[Listen, Shio was expecting to have to take this slowly anyway.]

Yes, I care about you.

[threebetrayals]

...I'm not used to that.

[reignitions]

[He manages to not say the first thing that crosses his mind, which amounts to "yeah, didn't figure".

Instead--]

Well... you've got time to get used to it?

[threebetrayals]

At least until you get tired of me or whatever.

[Kuni has vaguely implied some abandonment issues before, unrelated to the Raidens.]

[reignitions]

You're a pain in the ass sometimes, but... I definitely won't get tired of you.

[threebetrayals]

Hmph.

[He settles down on the sofa, clearly tired.]

I'll believe it when I see it.

[reignitions]

Fair enough.

[And he'll just leave it at that.

Things quiet down after the whole mess (Shio has a laugh about how both of them were wrong with proposals among the gambler and his two boyfriends, having heard about the first restaurant's from Jiaoqiu--guess where it happened--and then the second one actually happening at Gen. Shio might have quickly texted Kuni to come look when he realized it was happening).

The months pass and Shio... honestly has forgotten what day it is by the time it's August 19th. He drags himself up to the apartment after work, ready to flop on the sofa for a while.]

[threebetrayals]

[And there is a cake on the counter and Kuni in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on a dinner full of Shio's favorite things. Three boxes sit on the coffee table, wrapped and labeled for Shio.]

Go sit down, I'm almost done!

[reignitions]

[... Give him a minute, his brain needs to catch up.

He'll do as he's told once his brain does catch up, at least, lowering himself onto the sofa with a lot more care than he had been originally planning.]

[threebetrayals]

[Kuni finishes dinner and comes out with a tray of twice-cooked pork (made in the Japanese style but spicier like the Sichuan original), rice, and something to drink.]

Happy birthday. Jiaoqiu's a menace.

[reignitions]

... You know, I'd completely forgotten what day it was. Thanks, Kuni.

[As he gratefully takes the food.]

A menace, huh?

[threebetrayals]

I had to get spices from him for the pork, and he would not stop with that damn smirk of his for some reason.

[Kuni's portion has a bit more rice. He's fine with spice, but this is just a hair too much for him.]

[reignitions]

[Yeah, sorry, Kuni, hazards of your roommate growing up with Jiaoqiu's cooking.]

Huh, wonder what that was about, then... [Anyway, he's going to go ahead and dig in.] Mm-- you did amazing with this, Kuni.

[threebetrayals]

[Kuni knows perfectly what that was about but he isn't saying anything.]

It's the first time I've made it, so good to know. I was worried about the spice, admittedly.

[reignitions]

Yeah, fair enough. It turned out perfectly, though.

[threebetrayals]

I'll make sure to keep the recipe on hand, then. The cake and the gifts are yours, too.

[reignitions]

Alright, thanks.

[He'll reach for the gifts after he's finished eating, carefully opening each.]

[threebetrayals]

[The first one is a new cookbook for Shio to try, if he wants. Kuni knows how boring it can be sometimes to cook the same things over and over again. The second gift is a new leather jacket, clearly meant to go with the helmet Shio has for his motorcycle. The third gift is a set of cooking utensils, and a photo of some very nice cookware.]

The cookware was held up in customs.

[reignitions]

[All of this... Once he's opened the final gift, he turns and pulls Kuni into a hug.]

Thank you so much.

[threebetrayals]

[And for the first time, Kuni returns the hug.]

Nahida helped me get money the Raidens apparently owe me just in time for your birthday.

[reignitions]

[Oh, it's... really nice having Kuni return the hug...]

This is more than I expected. [He pulls back, just enough so he can smile down at Kuni.] And even besides all of this, I'm glad you got the money you're owed.

[threebetrayals]

[Dryly:] If you pay rent on this building, I can fix that really easily.

[He has so much money.]

[reignitions]

[Holy shit.]

I mean. Do you want to?