Chapter Text
Kuramochi doesn’t think the nerves will ever quite go away, but they’re more of an afterthought than an all-consuming fear these days. It’s taken a lot of very slow, infrequent trips just to get him back to breathing normally on the drive to the mountains, let alone to drift down them like he used to.
It’s been a long couple of years and lots of ups and downs, but he’s made it to where he feels exhilarated by the drive again. He shifts down and drifts through a turn, laughing when he passes Miyuki. Behind them, the rest of their crew comes around the bend and transitions into the straightaway.
They’ve all been running up and down the same pass all night, playing cat and mouse to get comfortable on the drive. Kuramochi is the only one who knows these roads like the back of his hand, followed by Miyuki, who has come with him every time as emotional support, and later, a fun opponent. Sachiko, Jun, and Nori are still getting used to the hairpin turns, especially since they all have passengers.
To even out the last trip down before they call it a night, Miyuki jumps into Kuramochi’s passenger seat with a bright grin before Kuramochi can say anything about it, saying, “I’ll drive next time.”
“Sounds good,” Kuramochi replies. He can’t contain his smile as he waits for everyone to pull out onto the road, feeling that familiar thrum of adrenaline coursing through his veins.
“We can’t let them win, you know that, right?” Miyuki says, closing his hand over Kuramochi’s briefly.
“Like you gotta tell me that,” Kuramochi replies, grinning wildly. He throws the car into gear and the chase begins.
Kuramochi overtakes each of his teammates in turn, taking a little longer in getting the best of Sachiko. He knows she’s probably cursing him out in her car, as he and Miyuki cackle happily over the sound of screeching tires. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Miyuki waving out the window, adding fuel to the fire. They’re going to get an earful when they all park again.
There’s a sliver of light on the horizon already, which shouldn’t be surprising; it’s around five in the morning. Kuramochi yawns loudly, which means that it might be a good idea to head back soon, even though the adrenaline is still keeping him buzzing.
“Tired?” Miyuki asks, then yawns. “It’s contagious!”
“Yeah, I think we might wanna head back. I’ll pull over here and let everyone know.”
Kuramochi pulls off to the side and turns his car off. He leans over the gear shift, tangles his hand in Miyuki’s hair and kisses him long and slow while they wait. It feels good to have Miyuki pulling him closer by the front of his hoodie, to feel his laugh when Kuramochi slips on the centre console and falls forward into him. Miyuki just takes hold of his face gently and kisses his nose.
“You’re a clumsy dork,” he tells Kuramochi, and it’s all fondness.
“Except for when I’m driving,” Kuramochi says against Miyuki’s mouth, grinning.
“Can’t deny that you’re good at that.” Miyuki smiles back, and tips his head to press their lips together again.
There’s a knock at the window, and Sachiko’s scowling face appears a moment after. Laughing, Kuramochi pulls away from Miyuki and opens his door slowly.
“Sorry,” he says, not sorry at all.
“My ass. How the fuck did you overtake me on that corner? What are you?” she asks, shoving Kuramochi affectionately. He laughs and throws his hands up in defense.
“You didn’t take a very good line, and I took advantage of it,” he says, putting her in a headlock and messing up her hair. She smacks his arm, puffing up her cheeks in irritation as she squirms out of his grip. Haruno does nothing to help; she just giggles at the scene.
As Jun, Tetsu, Nori and his boyfriend, Akira, make their way over, Kuramochi and Miyuki move to sit on the guardrail and wait. Sachiko and Haruno join them, and get into an argument over whether Miyuki and Kuramochi’s higher combined weight helps them hurtle downhill better.
The argument peters out when they’ve all gathered, and Jun asks, “Are we calling it a night?”
Kuramochi is staring at the glowing horizon, a gentle smile on his face and Miyuki’s hand in his. He’s relaxed, happier than he ever remembers being, and surrounded by his closest friends.
“Yeah, I think we could all use a rest,” Nori says quietly, huddling closer to Akira to keep warm. It might be the middle of the summer, but it’s still chilly in the early hours; Kuramochi is thankful for his jacket, for once.
Haruno tries to stifle a yawn, but it comes out adorably high-pitched instead. She covers her mouth, and everyone shares a fond chuckle. Sachiko pulls her closer and rests her head on Haruno’s shoulder.
“Wanna be really corny and watch the sunrise for a bit?” Sachiko asks the group, and Kuramochi nods absentmindedly. He scoots closer to Miyuki and presses their sides together.
There’s a chorus of various tired, but enthusiastic voices, and everyone packs close on the guardrail.
Kuramochi sighs happily, even though he’s stopped focusing on the brilliant colours spreading across the sky and is looking at Miyuki instead. Miyuki looks so at peace, and so stunning with the light catching the gold in his eyes and in his hair.
He tips his head in Kuramochi’s direction with a grin, and says, “What’re you looking at? Sunrise is over there, you goof.” He points at the sun, just to make it abundantly clear.
“Looking at something better,” Kuramochi admits in a low murmur, and Miyuki’s cheeky smile falters.
“Filthy liar,” he says, to cover up his pause, but Kuramochi can see that he’s blushing.
“You know I’m not,” Kuramochi says with a grin, and feels Miyuki’s hand tighten around his.
“I know, and I hate it.”
“Uh-huh.”
Kuramochi turns back towards the sunrise, chuckling softly. The adrenaline is fading, replaced instead by bone-deep contentment, and the slow creep of exhaustion.
He lets himself rest against Miyuki, and closes his eyes.
“Rest. I’ll drive back. We’ll get my car tomorrow,” Kuramochi hears him say in a soft voice, and he can’t help but hum in agreement.