[Fic] SD Spin-off: Holly, Jolly Christmas
Kame discreetly reached out to the couch for support as Jin greeted his parents with a bright smile.
“Well our plane just landed an hour or so ago so we decided to come visit you and Reio as soon as we landed.” His mother smiled happily.
He watched her excited movements at seeing her son and decided she looked younger than he expected, especially when she smiled and that familiar twinkle entered her eyes. He watched Jin hug his father, a hard pat landing between his shoulder blades that made Jin nearly jump. He decided Jin was definitely his parent’s son, the mesh of little traits: that twinkle, his smile, the shape of his face, the way he tilted his head lightly. But then he noted that the couple definitely didn’t look as if they had just spent hours on a plane and Jin’s ability to wrinkle a suit in less than an hour, maybe his boyfriend wasn’t really that much his parents’ son after all.
“You know your mum, she was excited.” His dad smiled warmly, his eyes already flitting over to Kame on multiple occasions.
“You should have called, I’m not prepared at all,” Jin pouted.
“Well, I’m afraid we didn’t know you would have company,” the woman eyed Kame with a smile, “you don’t tell us anything, but I’m sorry did we interrupt something important?”
Jin turned bright red and opened his mouth a few times. Kame definitely knew the feeling, he would try to help him out but fear had already worked its way through his normal confidence, choking it right in his throat.
Jin motioned for Kame to come to his side, a nervous shake in his hand, “Mum, dad… this is Kamenashi Kazuya.”
Kame bowed politely once he reached Jin’s side and timidly said, “Kamenashi Kazuya, it’s nice to meet you. Please take care of me.”
“I’m Hiromi, and this is Hitoshi, it’s a pleasure,” Hiromi smiled knowingly as she bowed and her husband followed suit.
“Be super, super nice to him, ok?” Jin childishly asked, part of his nerves disappearing at his mother’s smile. “He’s my… my boyfriend.”
“And how long have you been together?” Hiromi asked.
“Dear…” Hitoshi murmured, sending her a warning look.
“Six months,” Jin answered, playing with the bracelet adorning Kame’s wrist.
Kame briefly hoped that this wouldn’t become a new nervous habit for Jin, it would only bring more attention to the declaration on his wrist. When he nervously glanced back up at the couple Hitoshi caught his eye and smiled lightly.
“I wanted to bring him to dinner tomorrow to introduce him to you,” Jin started embarrassedly, “but he’s visiting his own family and I…”
Kame couldn’t stop his smile; Jin had turned bright red, again, and was now fiddling with his own watch.
“Would you like to come to dinner tomorrow?” Hitoshi questioned, tilting his head slightly bit to the left. “I doubt he even asked, knowing this boy.” He quickly ruffled Jin’s hair and chuckled at the pout he received in response.
“I didn’t think you’d want to…” Jin admitted, unable to look Kame in the eyes.
“Of course I’d love to, if you’ll have me that is. It’s so last minute after all,” he murmured in response, looking nervously at the couple in front of him.
His eyes widened as Hiromi enveloped him in a tight hug, her jewelry clinking lightly. He blinked, tiny droplets dotting his left shoulder at her sudden surge of emotions. He wasn’t sure just what to do, it wasn’t every day someone he had just met was hugging him and crying on his shoulder.
“Mum, why are you crying?” Jin sighed, smoothing her hair out of habit.
She finally released Kame after a few long moments and cupped Jin’s face. “You silly boy, you’ve never wanted to bring a boyfriend home to meet us, never. I’m happy, now let mummy have her fun.” She tipped up onto her toes to kiss his forehead affectionately.
“Not too much fun. We did interrupt their Christmas Eve, remember?” Hitoshi reminded. “It’s alright for you to cancel on your parents?” He asked.
“I’m going home for New Years so it’s fine,” Kame answered.
“We’re happy to have you. Let’s go bother Reio now, dear.” He prompted.
“Of course, I’ll see you both tomorrow.” She chimed and kissed both on the cheek.
Jin hugged his dad. “See you tomorrow.” He grinned when his dad gave Kame a warm goodbye hug, he rarely got to see shock so clearly on this beautiful face so he decided to savor it while he could.
Kame heaved a sigh of relief, placing a hand over his heart when the front door closed again.
“My mum likes you,” Jin commented, his head tilted at that perfect angle again and drawing his eye to his neck. “And dad seems to think you’re properly polite…”
Kame pulled Jin close again, one arm firmly wound around his waist and the other trailing through his hair. “So you wanted to bring me home to your parents?”
Jin blushed again. “Yes…”
“So why didn’t you ask me?” Kame smirked at the shiver that ran down Jin’s spine when he pressed a kiss onto his neck.
“I didn’t think you’d want to go,” Jin mumbled, “and I wasn’t sure how you would react today.”
Kame hummed for a moment. “Do you want to meet my parents?”
“Yes!” The response was immediate and Kame smiled.
“Then come with me on New Year’s Day?” Kame mumbled. “We can have New Years Eve like we’ve planned but instead you can come with me the next day to meet them, and my brothers… it’ll be chaotic because everyone is coming home but…”
“Really?” Jin bounced a bit on his heels. “Of course I want to go! You’ll be meeting Reio tomorrow too. He’s pretty fun, I don’t know if he’ll be bringing his girlfriend though.”
Kame smiled fondly before a thought struck him. “You know Jin… you never told me your parents are just like you.”
“Eh?” Jin blinked dumbly.
“They’re so touchy-feely and don’t act at all like traditional Japanese at all.” Kame explained.
“I’m not that touchy-feely… am I?” Jin asked.
“You’re clingier than a puppy is to its master.” Kame chuckled. “I was freaking out, trying to decide what would be best to do.”
“They’re just like that.” Jin muttered, looking away in embarrassment at his own tendencies. “I’ll tell them to not do that anymore since it’s weird for you. They’ve been like that as long as I can remember so…”
“Don’t worry them by telling them that. Just some warning would have been nice.” Kame smiled. “By the way, don’t act like that with my family, please. You’ll give my parents a heart attack if you walk right up and hug them. Well maybe not mom but she’ll just want to baby you anyway so it won’t matter.”
“I don’t hug people I’ve just met Kazu!” Jin whined.
“Right, right. You only get clingy after you get to know them a bit.” He rolled his eyes. “Just in case you slip up I’m warning my parents…”
Jin sighed, knowing he wouldn’t win this, ever. “Fine, what should I bring?”
Kame frowned. “What do you mean? I know you can pack for a trip, you go on business trips all the time.”
“I mean as presents for your family….” Jin prompted. “I’ll need to pick out cute envelopes for your niece and nephew for them otoshidama* but your brothers and parents?”
“Jin… what should I bring your parents? I mean what kind of thing could I get them? They probably have everything, right? Any desserts or sweets?” Kame began to panic, he couldn’t make a bad impression with a poorly chosen gift now. “And what should I wear? Will it be formal or casual? What kind of dinner is it normally?”
“Don’t worry about it, I have that covered. We’ll pick up some chocolates on the way tomorrow, their favorite kind. Anything a bit dressy will be fine, don’t worry you’ll look great as always. Now help me.” Jin bit his lips, running through the list of gifts he’d normally bring when visiting someone’s home. He just didn’t know what Kame’s parents would appreciate or like and he couldn’t screw up and bring something they could even remotely dislike, it was Kame’s parents after all.
“What would you normally bring to someone’s home?” Kame sighed, it wasn’t as if his parents would be displeased with any kind of gift.
“Depending on the person… chocolates, sake, flowers, other sweets, snacks, wine, or something specific if I know what they like. Like with clients who particularly enjoy our jewelry I’ll do that. Oh what about your brother’s wives?” Jin listed. “I should bring a present for everyone it is Christmas tomorrow after all. So much shopping I need to do…”
“Just bring some nice sake or something and don’t worry about gifts for everyone, it’s a Japanese Christmas Jin, not a foreign Christmas. And don’t worry about the otoshidama, I’m their uncle I should worry about that!” Kame gave Jin a soft kiss, he was just too precious sometimes.
“Hm, sake it is then. But I feel weird not bringing some other things, and of course I’ll bring otoshidama. It’s normal to get them from any adult who visits during the New Year.” Jin mumbled.
“Let’s continue this conversation tomorrow.” Kame suggested with a smirk . “If I remember correctly we were interrupted.”
“Kame we were just talking about your family, that’s so wrong!” Jin exclaimed in horror as Kame pushed him towards the bedroom.
“Uh huh.” Kame began popping Jin’s shirt buttons open.
“Kame that’s just gross!” Jin protested, trying to escape to the kitchen.
Kame wrapped a strong arm around Jin’s waist. “Right Jin, gross.” He assured him while kissing Jin’s pulse point, and smirking when Jin shuddered under his ministrations.
“Oh god do not let mum have forgotten something and come back.” Jin flailed a bit, still trying to escape.
Kame rolled his eyes and kicked the bedroom door shut behind him. He tilted his head and smirked before throwing Jin on the bed and silencing his protests.
--
“Are you sure this is ok to wear?” Kame fingered the hem of his designer dress shirt, even in relatively dressy clothing he wasn’t sure if it was enough.
“You look great, stop freaking out.” Jin flicked his right signal on before turning into the konbini’s* parking lot.
Kame frowned and unbuckled his seat belt. “Why are we here?”
“I just need to pick something up.” Jin explained, bowing lightly at the store clerk’s greeting.
“This can’t wait?” Kame urged. “We’ll be late Jin, and then what kind of impression would I make on your parents?”
“You’ve already made a great first impression. Plus we’re going to be early even if this takes longer than a few minutes. I’m getting their gift for them, just so you know.” Jin chuckled as he made his way to the candy aisle.
“Jin… what do you mean we’re getting their gift… here?” Kame demanded, his eyes going wide.
“Chocolates Kame, chocolates.” Jin explained as if it were the simplest thing, and it actually just might be. He knelt to retrieve the whole box of Crunky bars, rolling his eyes at Kame’s sharp intake of air.
“What the hell, Jin? These are your parents and you’re getting them Crunky?” He resisted the urge to hit his boyfriend, only stopping himself when he realized it might mess up the other’s perfect hair.
“Don’t look at me like I’m insane, I know what my parents like. I’d bet you any amount of money Reio is bringing the same thing.” Jin grinned as he straightened back up. “It’s their favorite and no I’m not joking. Mum says no matter where she goes, be it Switzerland, Belgium, or Germany, she still prefers Crunky and dad seems to agree for the most part. Reio and I don’t question it, so I don’t think you should either.”
Once they got back to the car Jin pulling out a bag from the back seat. “Can you wrap them in the tissue paper and put them in this box for me? And put your name on the tag too, there should be a pen in here too…”
Kame raised an eyebrow at the supplies, an ornate lacquer box with tissue paper perfectly matched to one of the colors greeted him. “Jin I helped you pick out this box… it’s at least a few hundred times more expensive than the actual chocolate.”
“A bit more than that… but that’s hardly the point.” Jin replied absentmindedly. “It’s a beautiful piece, especially because you have wonderful taste.”
“Is this the actual gift?” Kame raised an eyebrow.
“Not really, Reio and I just got in the habit of doing this. Now let’s see if we can arrive before he does.” Jin grinned and started the car.
--
Kame gulped as they approached the mansion, he felt even more out of place and nervous now. Though it helped to look at Jin and remind himself that he had dressed up a bit more than Jin had, so at least he wouldn’t be under-dressed. His boyfriend was currently singing along to a song from his iPod, some catchy beat about mp3 from what his limited English allowed him to understand, and refused to leave the car until it was finished.
“Jin…” Kame prompted nervously, fidgeting even more. His only consolation was that he knew Jin would be in this exact position, and out of his usual comfort zone, in a few days.
“Twenty more seconds.” Jin paused in singing long enough to answer.
Kame didn’t throw the iPod like he had considered, he was above such petty acts, besides he knew it wouldn’t stop the singing or get them out of the car any sooner. When he was finally standing in front of the huge double doors, holding the now wrapped and still ridiculous present tightly in his grasp, he began to truly panic. What kind of meal would it be? Japanese? French? Maybe Indian, because he remembered Jin mentioning that was where they had just gotten home from. He wasn’t even sure how you politely ate Indian food, all he knew was certain things were ok to eat with your hands and for others you could use utensils. His mind began to spin a bit more as he considered the prospect even further, what if there was silverware and he didn’t know what dishes to use it for and which not to and made a complete fool of himself? And just why hadn’t Jin rung the damn doorbell yet? The least his love could do is shorten his humiliation by getting the night over with.
That’s when he noticed Jin watching him with that look in his eye. The one filled with affection and what, as of last night, he could officially label as loving gaze. He smiled confusedly, trying to figure out why Jin was giving him that look.
“Before I ring the doorbell I just want to say… I didn’t really say it last night but…” Jin reached out and squeezed his hand. The warmth spread back into his body, bit by bit, and considerably calmed him down. “But I’m so, so happy you wanted to come meet my family. I thought you might’ve been just being polite last night but seeing you here… I just… thank you. I know we don’t seem close but they mean the world to me, you know that. And I know you’re really nervous and worried, and I’m kind of glad because that shows this means something to you. But you have to know that regardless of what my family’s opinion means to me and of how tonight goes. Though I know it’ll be amazing, how could they not love you?” Kame couldn’t help but give him a small smile. “It won’t change anything, not my feelings for you or our relationship… I-I just wanted to say that. We can ring the bell whenever you’re ready.”
It helped, more than he thought it could have. It didn’t take away all his worries but lessened them considerably, though that didn’t mean he could relax until this was over. He reached out and wrapped an arm around Jin’s waist, the act so ingrained and comforting in his mind, and tucked his head under Jin’s chin.
“Thank you.” He murmured appreciatively and managed to tickle Jin’s throat in the process. “I think I’m ready.”
Jin beamed and finally hit the doorbell. After a few seconds the doors swung open and they were ushered in by a smiling maid.
“Merry Christmas.” She greeted with a wide smile.
“Merry Christmas. Has Reio arrived?” Jin smiled charmingly.
Kame watched the unconscious persona that overtook his boyfriend when he was waiting for an answer he wanted, that same tone and expression he would use at work.
“No, he hasn’t arrived just yet.” The old woman responded with a knowing smile.
“Awesome.” Jin held his own mini celebration, including a brief hug with the woman.
“Your parents are having tea if you’d like to join them but you’re still early.” She reminded him, ending his little victory dance.
“Ne, ne Naomi.” Jin practically sang. “This is Kamenashi Kazuya, be nice to him and you can slip him sweets if he’s ever here overnight like you do for me! Kame this is Naomi, she’s been with our family for as long as I remember, probably longer.”
“Of course, Merry Christmas dear. Here, let me take that from you for now dear” She bowed to Kame and smiled when he returned it. She took the box from his hands to put aside until after dinner. “Shall I tell Reio, ‘You lose’ as per the usual?”
Jin grinned. “Yes please. We’ll go see mum and dad now, thank you.” He tugged on Kame’s hand and led him out of the foyer.
“You’re even touchy-feely with her.” Kame murmured into Jin’s ear with a chuckle.
“She practically raised me Kame.” Jin gave him a small smile.
Kame reached over and brushed Jin’s bangs from his eyes with a sad smile. “You’re an odd one. Too precious…”
“I don’t want to be precious Kame.” Jin rolled his eyes but still squeezed Kame’s hand again.
“I knew I heard the door!” Hiromi exclaimed triumphantly, pointing at them from her place under the archway. She quickly began to pull them both forward, Kame wondered how so much strength was packed into such a tiny woman. “Come in, come in! Merry Christmas, both of you! Would you like some tea Kame? Oh, is it alright if I call you that? Kamenashi just seems so formal, and Kame suits you so much better.”
“Of course it’s fine.” Kame answered quietly, unsure of how else to respond. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, and mum you’re freaking Kame out…” Jin warned, squeezing his hand again. “He’s only used to me being all touchy-feely.”
“Oh, right of course.” She tilted her head. “Mayu was the same at the beginning, wasn’t she dear?”
“Mayu?” Kame whispered.
“Reio’s girlfriend. She was confused pretty much every moment when she first met us.” Hitoshi stood up from his seat to greet the two young men. “If Hiromi makes you uncomfortable just tell her and she’ll stop. It’s good to see you both made it safely. Merry Christmas.”
Kame followed Jin and took the seat beside him, discreetly taking in his opulent surroundings. He thought he would have been used to it, Jin’s apartment was more than lavish but it hadn’t prepared him at all for this. It wasn’t just the crystal chandelier, no doubt imported and with some amazing story as to its journey, or the obviously custom furniture, meant to align perfectly with the drapery and every other ornament in the room. It was the smaller things. Trinkets, covered in gems, picked up from countries all around the world. He never thought he could see so many jewel encrusted things in one place, other than in a jewelry store, and not feel blinded by the gaudiness. But the couple before him was a generation of AJ Jewelry and proved exquisite taste in purchases so far.
“Ah, Reio is here.” Jin chirped when he heard the doorbell go off in the distance.
“Have you ever met Reio yet, Kame?” Hiromi questioned.
“No, I haven’t yet.” Kame answered as she stood to greet her younger son as she had with them.
“Reio, Mayu! I’m so glad you both made it, and a bit early too. Merry Christmas!”
“Apparently not early enough. Merry Christmas, mum.” Reio sent a pointed look at Jin before his eyes flitted to Kame but then quickly went back to Jin. “Naomi gave me your message, you win this time. Sorry for being rude, you must be Kamenashi Kazuya. I’ve heard your name a few times. Akanishi Reio and this is my girlfriend Morioka Mayu.”
Kame stood and bowed at Reio and Mayu’s polite bows. “It’s nice to meet you both. Merry Christmas.”
Kame watched Mayu’s reaction as Hiromi finally took her chance to hug the young woman. He guessed that eventually one got used to their eccentricities, though he wondered just how long Mayu had had to become used to them. Mayu smiled sweetly and returned the hug
“Hey I may have won but that doesn’t mean you get to ignore me now.” Jin pouted as he stood.
Kame recognized that stance, he brought a hand to cover his wide smile. Jin was obviously waiting for his hug from his brother and after a few moments of what appeared to be Reio balancing his options, Jin got his wish. Mayu didn’t resist and gave in to the hug, and Kame knew he was right: she had already adopted to the odd family.
Reio looked at Kame and smiled. “I’m assuming you’re not an affection freak like these three, or has Jin rubbed off on you so much you’re thinking of demanding a hug.”
Kame blinked at Reio. “I don’t really mind either way… I’m still not used to it.”
“Try to keep it that way.” Reio laughed. “The moment you’re used to it there’s no escape.” He seemed to be referring to Jin’s demand. “Mum, how soon until dinner?”
“In half an hour I believe.” She checked the clock briefly. “Dear, offer them some tea.”
“Ah, I completely forgot, would any of you like some tea or coffee?” Hitoshi offered, picking up the silver teapot from the tray on the table.
“I’ll take some coffee.” Jin mumbled. “I had to run to the office early this morning…”
“Kame?” Hitoshi glanced up from putting a scoop of sugar into Jin’s coffee.
“Just tea is fine.” Kame answered.
“Sugar?” He nodded once and after a few moments was handed a cup and saucer of tea. “What was going on at the office?”
“Coffee for me dad. It was some issue with the advertising department, nothing too major. Jin sent you an e-mail about it this morning. Apparently there was some mistake in the advertisement that was set to be sent out today.” Reio smiled happily after his first sip of coffee.
“Just some tea please.” Mayu requested.
“Still no sugar, right?” Hitoshi asked.
“That’s right.” She smiled again.
“So you both had to go in today?” Hiromi frowned. “That’s a shame, and on Christmas morning too. I hope it was resolved quickly.”
“Relatively so.” Jin answered and blinked. “Ah, Reio is CFO.” He explained quickly.
Kame nodded in understanding.
“Well seeing as you’re here Kamenashi…” Reio started. “How long have you and Jin been together? He’s only mentioned you to me recently, not that I haven’t been hearing stories around the office for the past few month but…”
“Stories?” Kame tilted his head.
“Oh stories?” Hiromi leaned forward. “Is the office gossiping about my Jinny?”
“Mum, don’t call me that.” Jin sighed. “Ah, they must be talking about when you brought me my lunch that one day I forgot it, or when I forgot some of those papers you brought to me.”
“Mm, everyone was gossiping about the President and CEO’s handsome boyfriend.” Reio smirked.
“Oh that’s boring.” Hiromi pouted.
“Well we don’t want bad gossip going on in the office.” Hitoshi reminded.
“Of course, of course.” Hiromi murmured.
“Six months, Reio.” Jin finally answered and smiled at Kame.
“Longer than I thought you would ever manage to stay in a relationship.” Reio teased.
“Reio…” Mayu sent him a look. “Unlike your brother I’ve always had faith in you Jin.”
“Aww.” Jin grinned. “Thanks Mayu, I always knew there was a reason I liked you better than Reio.”
Mayu smiled while Reio glared at Jin.
“Enough boys. How are things at your work Mayu?” Hitoshi quickly changed the topic.
“Hectic, it is the end of the year and we’re rushing to finalize the finances for the fourth quarter so that the company can start making decisions for next year. But you get used to the work quickly and all we need to factor in is the next few days’ results and we’re finished. Ah, Kamenashi, I’m an accountant.” Mayu explained.
“Did you and Reio meet in school then?” Kame quickly put the two together.
Mayu beamed. “In freshman year of university we happened to have calculus together. We’ve only been together for four years though.”
Kame opened his mouth, about to comment on how amazing it was they had been together for years but stopped when a maid entered the room.
“Sorry to interrupt, but we wanted to tell you that dinner can be served at any time.” She bowed politely.
“Oh, well we’ll start dinner now then.” Hiromi suggested.
Kame followed Jin’s lead as they moved to the grand dining room. Kame took in the high ceilings as Jin leaned in lightly.
“It’s going amazing.” Jin murmured. “There was nothing to worry about I guess.” He pulled out a chair for Kame before taking a seat to his father’s right.
Kame smiled lightly, Jin had clasped his hand underneath the tablecloth and squeezed it.
“What’s on the menu tonight, mum?” Reio asked, flattening his napkin. “Wait… let me guess. Italian.”
“You hardly need to guess, she always has Italian made when you boys are home.” Hitoshi mumbled.
Kame resisted the urge to sigh when he saw Hiromi’s smile, confirming that he wouldn’t be making a fool of himself just yet.
“I’m afraid I didn’t know any of your preferences, Kame. It didn’t occur to me to ask last night or to call, so feel free to leave anything you don’t like.” Hiromi apologized. “Oh, you do like Italian food right? If not I can always request that something else be made for you.”
Her apology and concern was genuine and Kame couldn’t help but smile to reassure her. “I love Italian food, don’t worry.”
“He just doesn’t like tomatoes.” Jin chirped helpfully.
“I’m relieved, I think there are only tomatoes in the salad but everything else should be fine then.” Hiromi bit her lip, trying to remember the exact recipes she had gone over.
“Sorry for the trouble.” Kame blushed a bit, embarrassed about his childish dislike of tomatoes.
“Oh not at all, as you probably know Jin here won’t even touch olives.” Hiromi waved his worry off as the appetizers were brought in along with the first glasses of wine. “Let’s see, tonight there is caramelized onion crostini*, bruschetta* with roasted peppers, and herb-crusted polenta rounds*.”
Kame looked down at his plate, examining each in turn. The bright colors seemed perfectly selected to play off one another and go together well.
“Definitely try the crostini, Hana makes them better than anyone.” Jin picked up the treat and took a large bite happily.
“So Kame.” Hitoshi started after a swirl of his wine. “What do you do?”
Kame brought his hand up to cover his mouth, a nervous tick, as he swallowed his food. “I’m actually a kindergarten teacher.”
“You must love children, just like Jin then.” Mayu commented.
“I do, and I’m never bored at work.” Kame chuckled. “They can be a handful though.”
“I can only guess.” Hiromi murmured. “You really have to have the right skills and mindset to be a teacher for young children.”
“Oh very much so.” Hitoshi responded. “There are things most young children don’t understand that can make them difficult, as compared to older students. What kind of school is it?”
“It’s a private school aimed at preparation for elementary school.” Kame explained.
“That must be good then, many kindergartens are more like day-care centers these days.” Hiromi paused. “How did you meet Jin then?”
“Akira is actually in his class.” Jin dabbed his mouth lightly. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Kame delicately slicing his bruschetta with a knife and fork and smiled.
“Oh! So you teach at that kindergarten.” Hitoshi smiled. “It’s a great school actually, though I’m sure you know that. They’ve been around for a long time; we sent both Jin and Reio there.”
“Oh, you never told me that.” Kame arched an eyebrow.
“Really?” Jin looked at his father. “That was the school we went to; I don’t remember the name or location at all. Only that giant sakura…”
“They actually removed that tree about two years ago; I think they said it had Brown rot issues.” Kame looked apologetically at Jin.
“That’s a shame, that tree had been there from long before these two attended the school.” Hiromi sighed.
Reio tapped on the table lightly. “Wait does that mean you know Yui-nee?”
“Ah yes, we actually had dinner with the Nishimura family recently.” Kame smiled at the memory. “Akira certainly has a lot of energy, even outside of school.”
“He definitely does.” Reio laughed. “If I didn’t remember us being just as bad at that age then I’d wonder where he gets all that energy from.”
--
Kame’s eyes widened when the dessert came out, tiramisu. It was as perfectly formed and delicious looking as good what Jin had made the day before.
“Tiramisu is my favorite dessert.” Hiromi closed her eyes during her first bite.
“Jin told me yesterday actually.” Kame answered. “He actually made it for dessert last night.”
“Oh Jin’s tiramisu, sweetie I want you to make it for me again soon!” Hiromi pouted. “Even Hana likes to say that Jin’s tiramisu is better than hers.”
“Mum, you and Hana both know that can’t be true.” Jin licked his lip, trying to remove a bit of the mixture of Mascarpone, espresso, and liquor.
Kame secretly lamented that he couldn’t kiss the bit remaining on Jin’s full lower lip, as he had the night before with the cocoa powder.
“But you did make amazing tiramisu.” Kame reminded with a smile.
“If we had known you had made it last night you know your mother would have demanded some.” Hitoshi pat Jin’s shoulder.
“Oh yeah… mum and dad interrupted you guys on Christmas Eve, that must have been awkward.” Reio chuckled.
Jin rolled his eyes. “I know they went and interrupted your Christmas Eve too, so don’t give me that. We had just exchanged presents. Besides, if they hadn’t then Kame wouldn’t have joined us for dinner.” He played with the rings on Kame’s left hand.
“Ignore Reio. They always try to embarrass each other.” Mayu rolled her eyes. “I guess it’s just something that happens between siblings.”
“If I were really trying to embarrass him I’d be telling him embarrassing childhood stories.” Reio smirked. “Significant others always want to know those stories. What do you say Kamenashi?”
“I’m always willing to get more teasing material.” Kame grinned, rubbing his thumb over Jin’s hand clutched in his own.
“Kame.” Jin covered his own eyes. “Don’t encourage him!”
“How about we relocate? Some after dinner drinks sound nice.” Hitoshi suggested.
“Let’s go into the other room, I know we have some great photos for you to see Kame. Jin was such an adorable little boy.” Hiromi stood and linked arms with Kame once he stood and lead him out of the dining room.
“Jin could be a total crybaby when we were little.” Reio called from where he walked Mayu through the double doors.
“Mum…” Jin called, after his initial shock he jumped from his chair and ran after them. “What are you doing?”
Kame sat next to Hiromi, finding it odd that he already felt so comfortable in this position. Naomi walked up and deposited three huge leather-bound books on the table.
“Thank you Naomi.” Hiromi smiled. “Stay with us and help tell Kame stories?”
“Of course.” Naomi took her own seat and Jin reluctantly sat next to Kame, hoping he might be able to interfere with any horribly embarrassing stories.
“Jiin!” Kame smiled. “You had the cutest, chubby cheeks ever! And I should have known you learned that pout of yours so young… yep you’re doing it right now.”
“I’m not pouting.” Jin complained. “Please don’t look at those.”
“Is this baby Jin in a suit?” Kame cooed, tracing the edge of the picture.
“Oh that was at a wedding, a family friend’s son was getting married. Isn’t he just too precious?” Hiromi smiled fondly.
“See I’m not the only one who says it.” Kame whispered into Jin’s ear.
“When you’re a baby it’s different!” Jin indignantly crossed his arms and huffed.
Hiromi skipped a few pages but Kame paused her at one picture in particular.
A young Jin was crying, his cheeks flushed red, and looking terrified as he tugged on a skirt that peeked into the frame. The background showed them to be at a everyday looking park.
“What is this?”
Hiromi began to giggle. “Aww isn’t he the cutest? Jin was about three or so, we were at a park and of all things.” She paused when her laughing got the best of her.
“Muuuum!” Jin whined and tried to turn the page.
“Stop doing that sweetie.” She mock slapped his hand. “We were letting him play in the park I guess a little girl was playing with her pet rabbit. He went to try and pet it but I guess he scared it with all his shrieks-“
“I was not shrieking!” Jin turned bright red and Kame leaned into him for a moment to placate him.
“Well then you were practically shouting for joy, about how cute it was.” Hitoshi corrected with a small smile.
“Well the poor rabbit nipped at his finger, no harm or anything it didn’t even scratch his skin. But poor Jin was absolutely terrified, thinking it was going to attack him, he came running back to us in tears.” Hiromi finally finished. “See you can kind of see the little girl and her bunny off in the distance here.”
Kame covered his mouth, trying to contain his laughter but his whole body was already shaking with it. “That’s… so… so… I don’t have words for it.”
“Yes and instead of comforting me like any parents would you immediately started taking pictures.” Jin grumbled.
“Oh don’t sulk, Jin. At least you got a cute story out of it.” Kame’s voice still shook with suppressed laughs.
Part Two