Chapter Text
“Kojiro, it’s been far too long!” The beautiful woman with long jet black hair greeted her nephew as she opened the door the next night. She kissed each of his cheeks, pulling the tall handsome man inside.
“Aunt Carla!” Kojiro cried hugging her and kissing her cheeks in the same manner. Kaoru’s lips thinned. He had forgotten Kojiro’s aunts name.
“Uncle Joe!” He greeted the tall salt and pepper haired Italian man in the same manner as the woman. But now the woman was bowing to Kaoru.
“Kaoru Sakurayashiki, it is an honor to welcome you to my home.” She bowed politely. Kaoru returned the gesture.
“Thank you, uh Carla.” Kaoru muttered.
“Yes Master?” Came the computer voice from his purple wrist bracelet.
“Not you!” Kaoru hissed at it.
“Oh dear, Yes Kojiro told me of this. May I?” She asked holding out her small pale hand. Kaoru raised his wrist. Her fingers were gentle as she took his hand. She spun the bracelet around.
“And it only reacts to your voice?” She asked. Kaoru felt his cheek flush. He nodded.
“This is amazing. You must really be something smart to build something like this.” Her husband had his hand clasped to her shoulders as he leaned over her to look at the delicate tool.
“I didn’t build it. I just maintain her.” Kaoru stated.
“If you didn’t build it, where did you get something like this.” The man asked.
“Kojiro.” Kaoru muttered. Their eyes danced between the two men.
“What does he mean? Did you purchase this for him?” His aunt asked.
“Kojiro built it for me! I named her!” Kaoru half yelled. He flinched at his own voice. He really hated it when others believed his boyfriend to be an idiot.
“I’m sorry for my rude tone.” He apologized.
“It is alright, dear. Not many know of Kojiro’s abilities.” His aunt patted him on the arm. She hadn’t let go of Kaoru yet.
“Please come in.” She pulled lightly on the man’s arm. Kaoru stumbled a little forward. He was presented with slippers to put on after taking his shoes off. Kojiro followed them.
“Kojiro talks of you so much that it feels like we grew up with you.” Aunt Carla said. “To not confuse your device, please call me Zia.” She told the shocked male. He nodded.
“Thank you.” He offered. Kojiro’s arm slipped around his waist. He was gently but firmly pulled from the woman’s clutches.
“Aunt Carla, you can’t just go stealing my fiancé like that!” Kojiro teased.
“You’re what now?” She squealed covering her blushing cheeks with her hands. Before the grinning baboon could say any more Carla took Kaoru’s hand. She held up the beautiful ring.
“Oh, look, Giuseppe!” She cried.
“Congratulations, boy!” Uncle Joe cried kissing the younger man’s cheeks while hugging him and pounding on his back.
“Oh, if only you’re mother was still here to see this!” Zia Carla cried big happy tears. She hugged Kaoru.
“Welcome to our family, Kaoru!” She kissed his cheeks as they flushed from the attention.
“Aunt Carla, unhand him!” Kojiro chuckled. He easily swung Kaoru out of the woman’s grasp. “He doesn’t like so much attention.” He reminded them.
“When did this happen? Tell me everything!” Carla cried gripping onto Kojiro’s free arm.
“If you can be nice, I will cook dinner and we can all talk.” Kojiro chuckled.
“Nonsense, boy! You are a quest here tonight. Who taught you how to cook, go, go sit. I have been preparing all day for this.” Uncle Joe cried. He shooed them all out to the back patio.
“Just for tonight I hired two of my servers from the restaurant to come up and serve us, but I cooked everything myself.” He beamed.
“Ah, I can’t wait! Your food is always the best!” Kojiro stoked the mans ego.
“I doubt that.” Kaoru huffed.
“Do you?” Uncle Joe laughed good naturedly. Kaoru’s face turned red once more.
“I mean no disrespect sir.” He bowed his head. “But Kojiro is the best chef I have ever known.” Kaoru stated firmly.
“And you said he was mean and pissy!” Aunt Carla cried. Kojiro chuckled.
“Only to me.” He picked up the delicate artist hand to kiss the fingers of his lover. Carla smiled.
“Ah, I can see how much you love each other! If only Karen was here to see this!” She patted her nephew’s face.
“I think she would be as happy as you are. It’s why I brought him here to propose. My mother being your twin, I felt I could see her smile at my happiness.” Kojiro explained.
“Oh, this is recent?” Carla looked surprised.
“As of last night.” Kojiro beamed.
“Oh such wondrous news!” She cried hugging her nephew again.
“This is so strange.” Kaoru muttered.
“I’m sorry, we are a pretty physical bunch.” Uncle Joe offered. Salad, breadsticks and a meaty soup like dish was presented to them. Kaoru was interested in the wine that was poured to accompany the meal.
“We should talk about the other reason we came out here.” Kojiro said after complimenting his Uncle on the quality of the food.
“No, no business can wait until tomorrow.” Giuseppe waved him off.
“I will say I do not expect any favors just because you are engaged to my nephew, young man. You do the flyers and paint the signs and I will pay you you’re fair asking price!” He informed him.
“Truthfully, sir, I had already decided to give you a discount. Not because of Kojiro, but in help of promoting my abilities here. I do not have a customer base in this area. It will greatly assist me.” Kaoru informed him.
“Then I will accept!” Uncle Joe cried.
“Where will the wedding be? When will it be!?” Zia Carla asked.
“Aunt Carla please, I just asked him last night. We haven’t had time to discuss…” Kojiro began.
“Spring, when the Cherry blossoms are in bloom.” Kaoru muttered.
“Then you would wed in Japan?” Carla asked. Kaoru smiled.
“It would be best, so the kids can come.” He answered.
“Langa and Reki are old enough to make their own choices.” Kojiro pointed out.
“Yet Miya is not. Do you wish to exclude him?” Kaoru demanded.
“Of course not, but…” Kojiro was forced into silence with a glare from his fiancé.
“Springtime in Japan is a lovely time for a wedding.” Kojiro smiled fondly at the pink haired man beside him. He gently tucked a strand of the silky hair behind the others ear.
“But, how is the wine, eh?” Uncle Joe asked lifting his glass up. Kaoru smiled.
“Excellent.” He confirmed picking his own glass up.
“To the future!” Zio Joe exclaimed. Kaoru, Kojiro and Carla clicked their glasses to his each exclaiming the same toast.
The food came out in several different phases. Each one more delightfully tastier than the last. Kaoru ate small amounts of each one to save room for the next round. The cabonara, was very well made. It was the only dish that Kaoru allowed himself to eat every bite of.
“Eh, I think he likes it!” Uncle Joe called.
“It was very tasty, but not as well made as Kojiro’s!” Kaoru stated.
“Huh, how can that be? I taught him to cook that!” His uncle cried out.
“Yes, but you don’t love me like he does. It shows in every dish he makes for me.” Kaoru smiled politely.
There was jovial laughter that came from those sitting around the young man.
“There it is!” Uncle Joe cried. “I shall never be as good as you in his eyes!” He clapped his meaty hand over the muscled shoulder of his nephew.
Kojiro laughed easily. His smile warming the face of his lover. The meal was amazing. Afterwards, the elder couple lead the way on a small walk through their vineyard. They produced a small local wine. Kaoru asked to try some. As they came up to the shed where the wine was made, the uncle opened a bottle. He fished out glasses for everyone and toasted.
“To a lifetime of love and happiness!” The others accepted the toast. Kaoru sipped the wine. His eyes bulged at the succulent flavor that filled his mouth.
“This is heavenly!” He cried. He spun to Kojiro. “I want only this wine to be served at our wedding!” He demanded.
“We can definitely arrange that!” Uncle Joe tilted his glass to Kaoru. The man got the hint and accepted with a tip of his own glass. They finished the wine. Aunt Carla taking them up to a scenic overlook.
Here they saw the setting sun painting the world with its wondrous brush between two tall mountaintops. Kojiro stepped up behind the slender man. Slipping his strong arms around him, he held him tight to his muscled chest. Looking down, Kaoru found out way.
The path they stood on overlooked a valley far below them. Treetop stretched to reach the underneath of the overlook. Kaoru clutched onto Kojiro’s powerful wrist. A light kiss was pressed into his pink hair. Kaoru lifted his gaze up to the glorious view of the sunset.
“To new tomorrows.” He whispered turning his face to press against Kojiro’s cheek.
“To forever.” Kojiro cooed. He tipped the pointed chin upwards. His lips brushed over the slim molded ones of his lover.
“Yes.” Kaoru agreed. His hand was threaded between Kojiro’s. He glanced over to the elder couple beside them. Kaoru smiled fondly as they mimicked his and Kojiro’s embrace. The love shinning in both their faces was everything Kaoru hoped he could have after so many years with the person he loved.
He laid his head on Kojiro’s shoulder. The colorful rays dipped below the horizon. Before the light faded to darkness, they made their way back to the main house. Dessert was waiting for them.