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Valentine’s day is Megumi’s least favorite holiday. His parents are insufferable, his sisters are even worse, and he’s not the biggest fan of chocolate. He was hoping that participating in the annual cake-decorating contest at the fair this year would help him escape from some of the gross PDA and sickly sweet festivities, but it was turning out to be quite the opposite. And really, he should’ve known. His and Mimiko’s cake was probably the only one not Valentine’s themed. And he wasn’t sure if that put them at an advantage or a disadvantage.
He certainly hoped it wasn’t the latter, because most of the other contestants’ cakes sucked. They were cheesy and cheap and all around not very skilled. Except for Itadori’s. Itadori and his brother Choso had definitely put a lot of effort into theirs, because it stood out from all the other love-themed cakes. It had a pleasant array of complimentary colors, the whole thing was heart shaped but it wasn’t oversaturated with hearts like the rest of them. And apparently it had, like, ten layers.
Megumi and Mimiko certainly weren’t going to let that intimidate them, though. Their triple-decker constellation themed cake was flawless, and he’s not just saying that because it’s their own work. After all, they learned from the best, though Megumi would never admit that in front of his parents. Speaking of which, he wished Gojo would just leave for his and Geto’s date night already and stop taking a million pictures while Megumi and Mimiko put the finishing touches on their cake.
Megumi slapped Gojo’s hand away for the millionth time when he reached out a finger in an attempt to steal some frosting. Gojo cackled and Megumi felt his eye twitch.
"Alright, good luck, you two!" Gojo said, ruffling Megumi’s and Mimiko’s hair aggressively.
"Thanks," Mimiko replied, ducking away from his hand expertly.
"Text me when Tsumiki gets here, okay?" Gojo gave a cheeky thumbs up before finally walking away toward the parking lot. Megumi huffed a sigh of relief. Mimiko nudged him with her elbow and nodded toward the other end of the stage, where Itadori and Choso were setting up their display.
"How did they do that so fast?" Mimiko whispered. Megumi leaned over to get a better look and saw that their cake seemed to have somehow grown even taller. Itadori was finishing up a border of swirly frosting, tongue poking out of the corner of his mouth in concentration.
"At least we have one worthy opponent," Megumi muttered. Mimiko hummed in agreement. Choso caught Megumi’s gaze from across the stage. Megumi narrowed his eyes at him and Choso narrowed his own in return, staring each other down like they were about to have an old fashioned shoot out. Then Itadori’s head popped up and he gave a cheery wave and a bright smile. Megumi suddenly felt embarrassed for acting so petty. He waved back meekly before putting his head down over his own work again. Mimiko giggled, bumping her shoulder against Megumi’s.
"Maybe you’ll have a Valentine’s date after all, Gumi-chan," she teased.
"Shut up," Megumi grumbled, feeling his face flush. She poked his cheek.
"C’mon, you’re the only one who hasn’t brought someone home yet for us to judge." Megumi rolled his eyes and turned the accusations back on her.
"You sound like our parents." Mimiko froze.
"Oh god. Don’t tell them I said that."
"I’m gonna tell them."
"If you tell them, I’m telling them it was you who dented Gojo’s car with your skateboard."
"I’m not gonna tell them."
"Good."
Megumi heaved a sigh and Mimiko chuckled, going back to assessing their work. The early sunset of February had already commenced, giving the whole place soft golden lighting. It was all disgustingly romantic. Megumi spotted a couple blatantly making out it public and started to think entering this childish contest was a bad idea. He glanced over at Itadori and Choso again. The only saving grace was the earnest competitiveness he felt going against them specifically. He was glad that he had Mimiko, who was just as quietly competitive as him, though he’d never admit it. Itadori looked up from his work for a moment and Megumi quickly looked away.
"C’mon, it’ll be fun!" Tsumiki sat on the edge of Nanako’s bed and shook her shoulder. Nanako just whined again and rolled away from her. Tsumiki huffed, trying to come up with a different angle to use to convince her.
Nanako had just found out earlier today that she got rejected from her dream school, and she was taking it about as well as they’d all expected. Not that anyone in their family had expected she’d be rejected, just that… whatever, you get the point.
"Let me just wallow in my misery," Nanako said, voice muffled by her pillow.
"You’ve had plenty of wallowing time, haven’t you?" Tsumiki tried. She was trying to get Nanako to attend the final day of a music festival with her because her friend bailed last minute, and she really wanted to cheer her up. Seeing her little sister so upset made her sad. "And, well… you probably don’t wanna be here when Gojo and Geto get home tonight." Nanako stilled for a moment.
"Shit, you’re right." She let out a loud and drawn out groan of annoyance before pushing herself up. "Fine, let’s go."
"Yay! Now hurry up and get ready, we’ve gotta leave in five minutes."
"Five minutes?" Nanako shrieked and bolted to her closet to pick out an outfit.
Tsumiki had successfully gotten her into a slightly better mood by the time they arrived on festival grounds, blasting her favorite music the entire long drive there. She dragged Nanako over to one of the smaller stages to watch a set, trying to get her to dance along, but Nanako still wasn’t quite into it yet.
Perhaps it’s time for some more drastic measures.
Tsumiki is usually the most well-behaved of the siblings, but she wasn’t afraid to break the rules every now and then. And maybe she wanted to be the cool older sister for once.
Nanako ordered some shitty fries from a food stand and Tsumiki got two cocktails. She handed one to Nanako once they were far enough from the festival staff’s watchful eyes. Nanako looked up at Tsumiki with wide eyes.
"Don’t tell dad," Tsumiki said in a stage whisper.
"Which one?" Nanako laughed.
"Both!"
Satoru checked his watch for the fifth time. Suguru is late. Suguru is never late. Usually he’s the one getting on Satoru’s ass about timeliness. Satoru was starting to get worried that something might have happened.
They’d had this date night planned for literal months. Every year they used Valentine’s day as an excuse to take a night for themselves, to have a proper date night - the kind they only had pre child adoption. Occasionally, Satoru missed the more carefree times, when they were younger and not parents, but he still wouldn’t trade anything for the domestic life they have now, with their four little terrors who weren’t very little anymore. Nonetheless, Satoru wants his date night.
He’d been sitting in the fancy bar of the fancy hotel downtown by himself for ten minutes now. He’d driven to meet Suguru at the bar right after dropping off Megumi and Mimiko at the fair, (and harassing them for a few minutes,) fully expecting Suguru to arrive first. Suguru had gone home after work to get ready, then he was supposed to turn right back around for their rendezvous. Meaning, he should’ve been here ten minutes ago. As hard working as Suguru is, he never clocks out late.
Satoru’s phone rang and he frantically pulled it out of his pocket. Just as he’d both hoped and dreaded, Suguru was calling him.
"Hey," he greeted after answering the call.
"Hey Satoru," Suguru breathed on the other end. He sounded tired. "I’m sorry I’m late, I uh… I don’t think I’m gonna make it."
"What?" Satoru sat up straighter in his seat "What happened?"
"The car won’t start and I had to call triple-A, they said they’d be here soon but, you know how it goes, soon could mean five hours."
"Well- should I come get you?"
"No, I’m all sweaty and it’s been a long day, I just…"
"But this is our date night, it’s the one time we set aside just for us!"
"I know, I’m sorry honey. Just finish your drink and come on home and… I’ll make it up to you another night, okay?" The line dropped before Satoru could respond. He sighed, scrubbing a hand down his face before shoving his phone back in his pocket. Before he could lift a hand to signal the bartender for the check, someone sidled up next to him.
"I heard your husband is having some trouble with his car," a deep, silky smooth voice murmured in his ear. Satoru felt a shiver down his spine. All of a sudden, he knew exactly where this night was going. He turned to see Suguru settling onto the barstool next to him, dressed in a sheer button-up and flawless mascara, lips painted dark and glossy and extremely kissable, hair wavy and even shiner than usual and practically begging to be pulled. "I wonder how that happened." He set a large bolt-looking car part on the counter, lips quirked up into the hint of a devious grin. Satoru swallowed before his jaw could drop to the floor.
One thing Satoru neglected to mention earlier - part of his and Suguru’s Valentine’s day tradition included some good ol’ role play. Y’know, just to keep things interesting, spice things up in the bedroom on occasion. Specifically, Suguru stepped into the role of 'Takashi', a secretary by day and an underground arms dealer by night. Usually, Satoru would take on his own dirty businessman role, but apparently he would be just Satoru tonight, unfaithful lover, cheating on his husband with his husband in disguise. How exciting.
"Takashi," Satoru started, stopping himself from saying Suguru’s real name. It was hard to say anything else when he looked into his eyes like that. "I must say, you’re the last person I expected to see here tonight." Suguru chuckled mischievously, sliding his hand over Satoru’s on the counter.
"Oh Satoru," he purred, looking up at him through his lashes. "I’ve had my eye on you for years."
"Holy shit," Satoru stuttered under his breath.
"I’m so happy we could finally get some…" Suguru’s eyes roved over Satoru’s body hungrily. "Alone time." Satoru nearly let out a whimper right there in the bar, desire already simmering in the pit of his stomach. Suguru bit his lip, grinning with a knowing look. "I’m not scaring you, am I?"
"Quite the contrary, gorgeous," Satoru breathed, desperately trying to keep his cool. After so many years, he still really wanted to impress Suguru, or at least seem somewhat cool, even though Suguru already knew to the fullest extent how much of a dork he is. Suguru glanced over the bar, a glint in his eye.
"What do you say we get out of here?" He reached over the counter and grabbed a bottle of champagne from the other side while the bartender was turned the other way.
"Wait- what are you doing? We haven’t payed for this!" Satoru jumped out of his seat, looking around frantically. Getting arrested is not supposed to be part of date night.
"We’re outlaws, baby!" Suguru shoved at Satoru’s shoulder and started off toward the exit. "Run, run!" Satoru quickly followed him, checking over his shoulder to make sure none of the waitstaff saw them. He let out a breathless laugh as they approached an elevator, heart pounding in his chest.
"What a rush!" Suguru flipped his hair over his shoulder with a flick of his head.
"What, you’ve never stolen anything before?"
"Only hearts." Satoru internally fist pumped for finally saying something smooth. Suguru chuckled, turning to face him.
"I shouldn’t have asked." He slid his free hand up Satoru’s chest, lightly squeezing his pec. "I know from experience." He winked. The elevator pinged its arrival before Satoru could short circuit too terribly.
"Glass elevator?" He nodded to said elevator as the doors opened. "Should make for an exciting view."
"It certainly will for the people on the street." Suguru grabbed Satoru’s tie and yanked him into the elevator. Satoru’s stomach hadn’t even completed its flip before his lips crashed into Suguru’s. He tasted cherry on his lips and chocolate on his tongue. He had Suguru against the wall before he even realized what he was doing. The ascent didn’t last nearly long enough.
Satoru’s face and neck were covered in lipstick marks by the time they reached the roof of the hotel. His whole body was buzzing with excitement, just like it had the first time he touched Suguru. He knows Suguru’s playing a character, but nevertheless, Satoru was falling for him all over again. He still has a way of doing that to Satoru.
Satoru was still admiring the view from the rooftop poolside when Suguru’s shirt suddenly hit him in the face. Satoru blinked and pulled it off of his head.
"Does that mean what I think it means?" He muttered. He heard a splash. Suguru swam up to the poolside, resting his forearms on the concrete, bare shoulders visible above the water. He grabbed the champagne bottle and pulled the cork out of it with his teeth.
"The water’s pretty chilly," he said. "Why don’t you get in here and help me heat it up?"
Satoru had never stripped so frantically in his life.
"Have you seen my sister?" Tsumiki tapped a security guard on his shoulder and he turned to her with a displeased look. "She’s about this tall, blonde hair in space buns, most fashionable person here?"
"Is that who you’re looking for?" The guard nodded toward the large stage to her left. Tsumiki looked over to see Nanako aloft above the crowd, cheering wildly while crowdsurfing.
"Oh dear."
Tsumiki ran over to make sure Nanako didn’t get dropped on her head or fall over and get trampled in her seemingly drunken stupor. Tsumiki either severely overestimated her alcohol tolerance, or she just hadn’t eaten much today, both of which were very possible. Tsumiki dragged her over to another food stand to get her water and a burger. Nanako whined and insisted that she’s fine and she wants to see the music, but Tsumiki didn’t want to risk losing her in the crowd when it was getting dark and her face was flushed from one drink.
Tsumiki made a mistake. She let her baby sister down. She wanted to cheer up Nanako, and instead, she accidentally got her drunk. Not very good older sister behavior, not to mention illegal. Gojo and Geto would be disappointed if they found out. Tsumiki’s stomach sank at the thought. She wasn’t sure if it would be better to keep it a secret or to tell them right away.
She managed to get Nanako over to the parking lot and sat her down on the curb. Tsumiki wasn’t even buzzed herself, which she was very glad for now that she had to take care of Nanako. Nanako wolfed down her burger, apparently a lot more hungry than she claimed to be, an intense frown on her face the whole time.
"I’m sorry, Nanako," Tsumiki said, sitting down next to her. Nanako just grumbled around her final mouthful of food. Tsumiki held out the water bottle she’d bought and Nanako snatched it, turning away from her as she took a drink. "You’re still upset about the school, huh?" Nanako heaved a sigh. After a long moment, she turned halfway to Tsumiki again, glaring out at the rows upon rows of tightly packed cars.
"You get straight-As in every class, take on way too many extracurriculars, write the fucking perfect essay-" Nanako stood up and threw her hands in the air. "And all you get is a 'no thank you!' We don’t want you! You spend your whole life trying to be perfect, and still nobody wants you!" Tsumiki’s breath caught in her throat. Nanako stilled, facing away from her, fists clenched at her sides. Tsumiki probably remembers it more clearly than Nanako does, considering she was nine at the time and the twins were only five; how thin and hurt and terrified the girls had looked the day they picked them up and brought them home. And after so much time, Nanako still held that deep, firmly rooted belief hammered into her young and vulnerable self by her biological parents. She must have just gotten better at hiding it. Tsumiki hadn’t heard her say anything like that in quite a while.
Tsumiki got to her feet and stepped in front of Nanako to face her.
"You know what?" Tsumiki started. "I think this is a good thing for you." Nanako looked at her blankly.
"Are you serious right now?"
"Yes." Nanako started to roll her eyes. Tsumiki clamped her hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eye, taking on the tried and true big sister tone. "You’re going to get into one of those posh schools you applied to, you’re gonna go and show all those snooty people how smart and stubborn you are, and sometimes you’re gonna come in second. Maybe third. Maybe even tenth. But if those seconds and thirds and tenths weren’t wanted, why would they even be given the grace of a number in the first place?" Nanako blinked, her expression softening in the slightest. "And the Nanako I know doesn’t give up after one single 'no'. You know, I actually learned that from you." Nanako finally smiled at that, wiggling playfully in Tsumiki’s grasp.
"Really?" Tsumiki smiled back and pulled her into a hug.
"Yeah." Nanako leaned into her, resting her head on her shoulder. She took a deep breath before pulling away. Tsumiki turned and kept one arm wrapped around her shoulders. "Now why don’t we go pick up our little siblings?" Nanako nodded and they started off toward the car. Her voice was a little pouty when she spoke again. It reminded Tsumiki of when they were both quite a bit younger and she’d finally come out of her shell.
"Are you gonna tell dad about this?"
"No, because I’m the one who would get in trouble, and I think I’ll cry if Geto gives me that disappointed look." Nanako sucked in a breath through her teeth, knowing exactly the look in question. Then she laughed, bumping into Tsumiki and making her stumble.
They arrived at the fair just a little earlier than planned, so they ventured through the aisles of tents and stalls and booths until they found the stage set up at the far end of the fair grounds, where the cake decorating contest had seemingly ended not too long ago. Observers lingered, slowly made their way out, congratulated contestants and made friendly conversation.
"Oh my god, they won!" Nanako squealed. She was pointing up at the far right end of the stage, where Megumi and Mimiko were, sporting first place ribbons. Mimiko was gathering her things and cleaning up their workstation while Megumi talked to a boy with a second place ribbon.
"Is that Itadori?" Tsumiki asked. Nanako gasped and shook Tsumiki’s shoulder in excitement.
"Quick! Let’s go embarrass him!" And so, Tsumiki and Nanako did their duty as older sisters and went up to the stage where Megumi was to impose their presence upon him and Itadori. "Megs! Megs!" Nanako began chanting, stepping up onto the stage to hug Megumi and ruffle his hair. Megumi groaned and made a weak attempt to push her off of him. Tsumiki joined them and pinched Megumi’s cheek, noticing the slight tinge of red on them.
"Stop it," Megumi grumbled. He leaned a little closer, turning away from Itadori to say through clenched teeth, "you’re embarrassing me."
"Hi Itadori!" Tsumiki greeted, giving a cheery wave. Itadori returned with a wave of his own and a bright smile.
"Hi! I was just congratulating Fushiguro on the win!"
"That’s my little bro, I knew you and Mimi would win!" Nanako said, ruffling Megumi’s hair again. Megumi shoved her hand off his head and ran his hands through his hair in hopes of fixing it.
"Well, we’re ready whenever you wanna leave," Tsumiki chimed in again. "No rush, take your time." She threw a wink at Megumi, who’s face was growing redder by the second, before pulling Nanako away to help Mimiko pack up the cake. They whispered amongst themselves while eavesdropping on the boys’ conversation. It was really nothing exciting, but the tone was what was most intriguing. Itadori was like a puppy wagging its tail and, well, Megumi likes dogs. Eventually, Itadori’s brother came over to say it was time to go, and Itadori and Megumi said their goodbyes. Megumi marched over to the girls with his best scowl. Before he could even say anything, Nanako spoke up.
"Did you get his number yet?"
"No," Megumi scoffed. Nanako groaned.
"Dude, when are you gonna make a move?"
"And why do you think I want to do that?"
"It’s the blush," Mimiko supplied. "Gives you away immediately."
"I’m not blushing." Megumi slapped his hands over his cheeks self consciously.
"I bet I could find his instagram," Tsumiki said, pulling out her phone.
"Ooh! Yes, stalk his social media!" Nanako replied, looking over Tsumiki’s shoulder with a devilish grin. Megumi continued to protest while they badgered him about it until they were all in the car and turning the music up loud and rolling the windows down.
Tsumiki shushed her little siblings as they approached the front door, noticing Gojo’s car parked in the driveway. She hoped for all of their sake that their dads were already asleep.
Suguru was starting to suspect that his husband was in love with another man. A man by the name of Takashi, specifically. He kept waxing poetic about how lovely a night they had on the drive home, still acting out the fantasy Suguru had created for him. Created mistakenly, apparently. Suguru tried to remember the last time Satoru said such sappy and disgustingly sweet things to Suguru.
Was Suguru not interesting anymore? Of course, it was natural for many parts of a relationship to lose excitement over time, but had Satoru’s attraction to him in his natural state really faded that much? He’d always liked it when Suguru put on a show, Suguru had enjoyed it himself, especially when Satoru matched his energy, but Satoru had also always told him how much he loved him when he was tired after a long day, when he was frustrated about something trivial, when he was relaxed in their bed, when he was just Suguru and nothing else. But what if Satoru had grown tired of him?
So, naturally, Suguru had to step up his game. And step one was taking Takashi out of the picture. He let out a sigh and leaned back in the passenger seat, adding the extra breath to his voice that he always did when he played this character.
"I can’t wait to take a nice hot bath and soak this infected toenail," he said. Satoru paused.
"A bath sounds nice," he said after a moment. There was only the slightest hint of hesitation in his voice. Suguru might get somewhere with this. "Surrounded by scented candles I hope?" Satoru added, trying to turn the mood romantic again.
"Of course. I’ve got loads of candles, put 'em everywhere. Since my boyfriend stopped paying the bills, they turned off the electricity." Satoru turned his head slightly, like he was going to look at Suguru, but stopped himself.
"Leaving us to generate our own," he tried with a grin. Suguru was starting to lose patience. With Satoru or with his own insecurities, he wasn’t sure. He shouldn’t even have such insecurities after nearly twenty years of marriage. "You in the mood for some… dirty dancing?" Suguru dropped character for a moment without meaning to.
"Ugh, I hate that movie."
"What?" Satoru shrieked, the car screeching to a halt in their driveway. "Why?" Suguru sighed again because fuck it, the facade has already gone out the window.
"Of course they fall for each other, because Johnny’s this handsome country bumpkin and Baby’s the shiny new thing, but what happens when the movie’s over and he really gets to know her, huh?" Satoru looked at him, bewildered, while Suguru bit out his words and gesticulated in the way he only did when he was passionate about something so trivial. "Two weeks out of the cat scales and it’s - 'you’re wearing that again Baby? You borrow my razor again Baby? Isn’t two glasses enough Baby?’ Trust me, he is no longer having the time of his life." Suguru ripped off his seatbelt and got out of the car. Satoru rushed out after him.
"Takashi, wait!" Suguru’s heart dropped a little hearing that name instead of his own. He still wasn’t giving up the act.
"Satoru, it’s getting late. Valentine’s day is over."
"Not yet, it’s not midnight, is it?" Satoru caught up and stepped in front of Suguru, stopping him on the doorstep. Suguru huffed and ran a hand through his hair. He looked at Satoru, defeated, no effort to stay in character anymore. Satoru leveled him with a suddenly serious look. "I can’t see you anymore." Suguru blinked.
"What?"
"I can’t believe I’m saying this, because you’re the most intoxicating person a guy could ever meet. But, by some cosmic miracle…" Satoru glanced back at the house, his face softening. "There’s a man in that house that I still find just as beautiful and lovely and exciting as the first day I met him." He smiled in that way, unguarded and devoted, Suguru’s favorite smile. Suguru’s heart fluttered just like it did the first time Satoru looked at him like that. Had this been his game the whole time? Suguru couldn’t help but smile too as Satoru continued. "I should probably let him know that more often than I do. The point is, when a guy like me gets that lucky, he quits while he’s ahead." Suguru breathed a tiny laugh. He nodded toward the house.
"It sounds to me like he’s the lucky one." Satoru’s smile grew a little wider. He looked Suguru up and down, somewhat wistfully.
"Goodbye Takashi." Suguru wondered if this really would be the last time they did this silly role play on a Valentine’s day. After what Satoru said, he wouldn’t really mind if that was the case.
Satoru turned and started toward the door again. Suguru followed behind but Satoru held a hand up as if to stop him. "Please, go, my husband will see you."
"Wh-" Suguru shook his head in confusion. "Sorry, are we-"
"Don’t make this harder than it is!" Satoru let himself into the house. Suguru ran after him but he slammed the door before he got close enough to stop him. Suguru knocked impatiently.
"Satoru!"
"Takashi, no!" Suguru turned and threw up his hands. Satoru can really go from adorably soft and vulnerable to annoying and insatiably stubborn at the drop of a hat. What is Suguru gonna do, sleep on the street? Go back to the hotel?
The door clicked open behind him. Satoru stepped out and grabbed Suguru, lifting him off the ground. Suguru yelped in surprise. Satoru giggled as he hauled him inside and Suguru couldn’t help but laugh too. He’s in love with a total dork. He’s married and raised four children with said dork.
Satoru kicked the door shut behind himself and fully scooped Suguru up in his arms. He carried him all the way to their bedroom and tossed him on the bed with playful abandon. Then he kissed him and Suguru held him close until he managed to think clearly enough to push him away and insist they at least change into their sleep clothes. Satoru said they don’t need them, and simply stripped naked before crawling into bed. Suguru rolled his eyes and shook his head, but followed suit nonetheless.
They kissed and ran their hands over each other’s bodies lazily like they were young and in love again. At least the second part was true. Suguru was half asleep, Satoru snuggled into the crook of his neck, when he heard the front door open and four sets of footsteps make their way inside, whispering and giggling. He smiled into Satoru’s hair. He really is a lucky guy.