I Don't Care (9/12)
Author: ryosukekoibito
Pairing: Hikabu, with some side Takachii, and other side pairings to come!
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Hikaru had a great life. He had two great jobs, fun and caring friends, and an amazing boyfriend that he loved more than anything in the world. Life was good, but it would be perfect if Takaki would just stop calling during his make out sessions with Kota.
A/N: So! This fic is part of a project my sister
thanku4urlove and I have been working on. It ties in with two other multi-chaps: I Do, and I Don’t. If you’d like to get some other perspectives on the same series of events, please check her stories out! I Do is from Chinen’s POV, and I Don’t is from Takaki’s.Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Yabu's prediction turned out to be extremely true. They woke up early the next morning and walked to the train station, the sun in their eyes as they approached Yuto's family's house. For a moment Hikaru hesitated before ringing the doorbell, afraid that they could be waking up any late sleepers, but his fear was unnecessary, Yuto obviously wide awake, practically bouncing in excitement when he pulled open the door to see them standing there. He yelled back into the depths of the house that he was leaving, before joining them outside, immediately pestering them with questions about where they were going, skipping ahead and gesturing widely as he talked, and Yabu giggled, leaning into Hikaru's side as they watched the young man's innocent excitement.
"Can we just keep him forever? He's so cute." Yabu whispered, and Hikaru had to agree with the sentiment. Yuto was adorable.
"D'you remember what you said last week about wanting a kid like Yuto? Well I'm on board with that one hundred percent." He said, as Yuto dashed back over to them from where he had skipped ahead, slinging an arm across Hikaru shoulders before trying to use some ridiculous logic to get any hints about their destination, succeeding in making both Hikaru and Yabu laugh, but failing in procuring any information about their day trip. This behavior continued throughout the train ride, Yabu and Hikaru keeping Yuto guessing until they were standing in front of the amusement park's entrance.
For a moment Hikaru thought the surprise might be ruined, when he realized that they had to walk right past Takaki's motorcycle parked in front of the entrance, but Yuto didn't seem to notice; perhaps due to the new, extremely girly, pink and purple helmet hooked over one of the handlebars. Hikaru raised his eyebrows in surprise-that helmet had to be for Chinen. Yuto was amazed, squealing in excitement, but that amazement was heightened when they got inside and the rest of the group Inoo and Daiki had put together popped out from behind a bush, shouting
"Happy birthday!" Yuto was lost in a sea of people as the group all gave him hugs, and he was grinning, completely surprised. Hikaru couldn't help but smile too, and he and Kota fell into step with Yuto and Yamada, leading the group to the first roller coaster. Just behind them, Chinen was chatting with Keito and a boy Hikaru recognized as Ryutaro, and he realized that Kota had never met them before. He was just about to introduce Kota to them, turning to his boyfriend, when he saw Keito trip and he cursed internally, on reflex he reaching out as Yuto's best friend fell onto Kota, the both of them pitching forward harshly into Hikaru's arms. His heart was pounding at the close call, and he helped the both of them regain their balance, giving Kota a quick one armed hug as he settled them on their feet.
"You two alright?" He asked, and Yabu nodded, obviously more concerned for Keito than himself. The whole group had crowded around them by this point, and Keito seemed extremely embarrassed and very sorry, apologizing profusely for the incident in that overly polite manner of his that had taken Hikaru aback the first time they'd talked. But both Yabu and Yuto comforted Keito, and they continued on their way to the roller coaster Yuto had designated as their first stop. They had barely made it to the line however, when whatever courage Daiki had previously convinced Inoo of was shed, the older man sprinting full out away from the ride, Daiki following in his wake.
They watched Daiki try and convince Inoo to rejoin the group, and as they did, Hikaru couldn't help but notice that Takaki and Chinen were teasing each other just a bit, their interaction on the verge of being flirtatious, and he caught Kota's eye, sharing a pointed look with his boyfriend. Kota nodded; he saw it too. It didn't take too long for Daiki to convince Inoo to rejoin the group, hand in hand. Inoo was offered an out, Yuto saying that the keyboardist didn't have to ride the coaster, but Inoo shook his head, saying
"Daiki said if I ride this one he'd go on the carousel with me." Hikaru couldn't help but coo at the cuteness of that statement along with some of the others, but Takaki was visibly skeptical, saying
"You guys act so cute and innocent."
"What do you mean?" Yamada asked from his place tucked under Yuto's arm. Takaki smirked, saying
"Well, not to name names, but someone nearly got to second base on date two." Beside Hikaru, Kota gasped, sounding confused as he said
"That was years ago, how do you know about that?" Hikaru immediately knew why Kota had misunderstood Takaki's implication.
"Kota, I don't think he was talking about us." Hikaru nudged his boyfriend, nodding over to Inoo and Daiki, the two in question looking like a pair of flamingos. Yuto was looking at their friends in wide eyed incredulity, and he said
"Seriously? I've only just now kissed Yamada." His declaration earned him a whack on the arm from his aforementioned boyfriend, but Takaki wasn't quite finished embarrassing Inoo, continuing on.
"I told him I didn't want to know all of the graphic details, but he let me know anyway." Takaki informed them, before glancing over at Yabu in mild surprise, saying "But really though, you guys too? Second base?" Hikaru felt the need to step in. This did involve him as well after all. And besides, it wasn't even a big deal anymore. It had been at the time, but that was nearly ten years ago.
"We were teenagers. Hormones were everywhere." In response, Takaki let out a rather dramatically pained
"Don't share. Please." Yabu immediately adopted this evil grin, launching into the story, starting off with a loud
"If you really want to know..." Hikaru laughed, slinging an arm across Kota's shoulders as the taller man continued, as if the tale was a bedtime story. "Once upon a time, at an amusement park not too different than this one-really different actually, because we weren't at an amusement park at all, it was a fair-Hikaru and I decided to go ride on the Ferris wheel. By some extremely fortunate twist of fate, the thing got stuck while we were in it, and-"
To Hikaru's disappointment, that was where the description came to a halt, an amusement park employee ushering them onto the roller coaster they had been in line for. The coaster was fun, Hikaru's heart racing in his chest, and Kota grabbed his hand as they went around the fast turns, the older man's face scrunched up. The ride didn't last long however, and before they knew it they were all back on the ground, Inoo dragging everyone onto some smaller, less thrilling rides. Throughout these events, Takaki was constantly looking at Chinen, the older man extremely sensitive to his little husband's actions. Daiki and Yuto both sent pointed looks Hikaru's way, silently asking 'are you seeing this?' And Hikaru knew that they too could tell that Takaki definitely had a crush on Chinen. So when the group split up, Hikaru, Yabu, Daiki, Yuto, and Ryutaro getting Takaki alone for a bit, they jumped on the opportunity to pester him, Yabu asking as they got off of their second coaster
"When were you going to tell us you had a crush on Chinen?" Takaki's eyes grew wide, his cheeks red, and he stared at Yabu, sputtering out
"I... How did...? What?" Yuto grinned, announcing
"We were right!" The tall drummer slapped the rest of them high fives, and as he did so Takaki seemed rather mortified, asking
"How did you guys know?"
"Well, you kind of have been staring at him since we got off the first roller coaster." Hikaru informed him, Kota nodding in agreement. "Plus, I don't think I've seen that pink and purple motorcycle helmet before. Is it new?" Takaki just groaned, hiding his face with his hands, and Hikaru couldn't help but smile. This, he felt, was a fantastic development. Perhaps now Takaki and Chinen could try being a real couple, and focus on their marriage. Perhaps Takaki wouldn't take that divorce his mother had offered him after all. Honestly, if those two could just love each other, it would probably make their lives a whole lot easier.
The discussion didn't last much longer, the two factions of the group reunifying and heading off to grab some food, during which Takaki and Chinen's flirting got a little out of hand, powdered sugar everywhere. Kota meanwhile managed to eat a whole turkey leg by himself, before running off to play at some of the booths, declaring that he would win something. Hikaru watched from a distance as Yabu picked some ring toss type game, smiling as his boyfriend grandly failed on his first attempt. Daiki walked up, joining him, and they quietly watched Yabu fail together for a few moments before the younger man said
"So, how are things going with you two?" Hikaru looked over at his friend, a bit surprised by the question. But he smiled, nodding.
"Great."
"You love him a lot." Daiki said, looking back to where Yabu had finally managed to win a lollipop for his efforts on the ring toss. Hikaru felt his smile grow a bit bigger, and he nodded. He used to feel embarrassed when admitting just how much he loved Kota, but as the years had gone by he'd grown comfortable with it.
"Yup. Our anniversary is coming up. Well, it's in November." He said, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I want to ask him to marry me. I just need a bit more money, for the ring." It was Daiki's turn to look surprised, and Hikaru realized that he hadn't told any of his friends his plans yet. He talked about it all the time with his customers from work, but it was sometimes easier to tell strangers his secrets than the people he was close with.
"That's fantastic." Daiki said, sounding completely genuine. "I'm really happy for you, Hikaru."
"Thanks."
"Hikaru!" Yabu called, interrupting their conversation. He was waving for him to come over and look at something, pointing enthusiastically at some strange shoot the ducks type game. Hikaru excused himself, jogging over to see what the excitement was all about, Yabu grabbing his arm and saying
"Look! There!" It only took Hikaru a moment to figure out why Kota was so excited. The prizes were rainbow colored fake beards. Hikaru felt the laughter bubbling out of him, and he laughed until he cried. He shook his head, asking
"Do you want me to win you a beard, Ko-chan?" Yabu blushed a bit, but the glint in his eyes was answer enough, and he looked so cute that Hikaru couldn't help but lean in and kiss him, taking a few coins out of his pocket, and gearing up to destroy some plastic ducks. Hikaru completely forgot about his conversation with Daiki until long after the amusement park adventure had ended. He had eaten a quick dinner with Kota at their apartment, and had gone out to work, his ramen stand barely set up when all eight of his friends appeared, crowding around, taking up all of the seats and leaning on the counter.
"Surprise!" Daiki announced, smiling widely, and Hikaru felt a grin break out on his face. He took a sweeping glance of all of them, truly surprised. Everyone had come, even Keito and Yamada, and Chinen's friend, Ryutaro; the two boys engrossed in some playful sounding argument. Hikaru felt himself smiling.
"What's all this?" He asked, and Takaki flicked his hair out of his eyes, saying deadpan
"We're hungry."
"We figured if we're going to be giving our money to someone in exchange for food, it'd be good to give it to a great cause." Daiki said, winking. None of the others seemed to be in on the reference, a few of them giving him weird looks, but no one asked any questions. Yuto interrupted, drawing everyone's attention by shrieking and falling off of the stool he'd been perched on, Yamada drew his hands away from Yuto's neck, laughing as his boyfriend fell.
"What the―"
"Just testing some information Keito gave me earlier." Yamada explained as Yuto scrambled to his feet, his face red from embarrassment and laughter. Hikaru felt himself grinning as he took everyone's orders, and as they all ate he found himself participating in the conversation, leaning across the counter to discuss music with Keito, and ruffle Ryutaro's hair, and make kissy faces behind Chinen's back whenever Takaki would talk to his little husband teasingly. He had the best friends. They bought bowls and bowls of ramen, Keito and Yamada eating three helpings each, much to Hikaru's amazement. In ones and twos they eventually left, until only Daiki remained, the younger man picking at the dregs of his second bowl of ramen. Hikaru sat down opposite him, asking
"Did you plan this?" Daiki nodded, a small smile on his lips.
"I wanted to help contribute to your wedding plans, and even though the others don't know about them yet, I figured that if they did know, then they'd want to as well. I know you don't like people just giving you money, but I thought something like this would be okay. Besides―" He stopped to slurp up some noodles. "―this stuff is really good." Hikaru was genuinely touched by Daiki's words. Daiki was so thoughtful, so considerate and he cared so much about him, and Kota, and that was just so wonderful. He was so lucky to have friends like Daiki. Hikaru didn't express any of this though, too embarrassed. Instead he just said
"Well, if―or when―you and Inoo decide to tie the knot, let me do the same for you." Daiki's smile grew, and he nodded, pulling himself to his feet and laying some money down on the counter next to his empty bowl.
"You have a good night, Hika." Hikaru smiled, and Daiki waved before turning and leaving, his little hands shoved into his pockets. The rest of the night continued as per usual, no more surprises, but Daiki's plan had worked, and Hikaru realized at the end of the night that with the extra money his friends had contributed he could buy Kota a ring. He shook his head in amazement, excitement rising up in his chest, despite how weary he was from his long night. He'd have to start going ring shopping.
Corresponding Chapters:
I Do | I Don't
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