a/n: A lemon has grown! Their wedding night was unexpectedly hastened by...soup.
Chapter 12: The celebrations continue
xxx Souichi xxx
"…What's with that cake topper?!"
"Well, it reflects reality, no?"
"No, it doesn't!"
Taichirou Isogai had arrived. Gifts and jaunty grin in tow, the man's presence had started causing havoc just after Souichi and Morinaga signed the actual papers.
"Now, now, Souichi- kun, let's focus on the cake, not the decorations—" Isogai tried to reason as he fended off Souichi's repeated attacks on the cake topper. He looked appealingly at Morinaga for help. "Save the topper!"
"Don't you dare, Morinaga! And who invited you, anyway, Isogai?!"
"I did, Nii- san!" Kanako's cheerful voice chimed in. She was busy scrolling through the Tiffany & Co. website on her mobile while munching on some snacks. After answering Souichi, her attention soon flitted back to the screen. "I'm going to save up to buy this bracelet. Do you want any of these, Matsuda- san?"
"The prices are a bit…" Nonetheless, Matsuda- san looked over the pictures of accessories with her niece with interest.
"I'll buy one for you on your wedding day, Kana- chan," Souji declared, "And for you, too, Emi- chan," he added. He hoisted Emi on his arm and began to talk to her about the insects that he had seen in Sumatra. Fortunately, the baby could not understand a word and was hence completely entranced.
Those people! They were completely unaffected by the atrocious cake topper! Souichi wanted to scream, or shake somebody's head loose. Then, he felt a tap on his shoulder before he was being pulled closer to the dining table.
"The topper's really cute, Sempai. They look like us!" Morinaga cajoled as he peered at the confection masterpiece. The cake itself was a two- tier confection, a Chantilly dream of swirls and rosettes. Made by Hidemi Sugino, Isogai had ensured that his wedding gift was an unforgettable and delectable one. What Morinaga was referring to, and what had got Souichi's blood boiling, however, were the two figurines adorning the top of the cake.
Fully customized, the figurines' resemblance to the two grooms was undeniable. Morinaga's was dressed in a black tuxedo, Souichi's in white. The details were accurate down to the parting in Morinaga's fringe and Souichi's round, wire- rimmed glasses. Unlike usual wedding toppers, the figurines were not engaged in a cheesy embrace. Instead, Souichi's figurine was holding up a mike, its mouth opened in an exaggerated opera, while Morinaga's was shown covering its ears in apparent torture.
No prizes for guessing whose creative idea it had been.
"Ehh, why is your figurine singing, Nii- san?" Kanako had stowed away her mobile and was now examining the wedding toppers. The girl broke into laughter as she touched Morinaga's tortured figurine. "There must be a story behind this!"
"Oh, you are definitely right, Kana—umpff!" Isogai had barely launched into his story before being silenced and dragged forcibly away by Souichi.
"Too much information!" Souichi roared- whispered.
"Heh, but I'm glad that you could appreciate my gesture," Isogai chortled. "And you, too, Morinaga- kun. You should keep them as mementoes. They are one- of- a- kind, you know."
"Morinaga…" Souichi narrowed his eyes at his husband. The man was obviously elated by the topper! "…You aren't thinking of keeping them, are you?"
"O-of course not, Sempai!" Morinaga immediately looked guilty and when Souichi's glare began to simmer, he hurriedly turned away. "Ah—let's cut the cake! Look, everyone's waiting!"
"Idiot—don't you dare change the subject!" Souichi tried to hold his ground but was soon sequestered by his family. Squeezed to the front and handed the silver cake knife, he had no choice but to cut the cake with the offending topper.
After the first cut of the cake, Isogai looped his arm around Souichi's shoulder and began to shoot the breeze. He managed to distract Souichi successfully, which gave Morinaga the chance to pluck the two figurines from the cake and store it in a box, to be washed, wiped clean and then displayed later.
"Congratulations, Souichi- kun! So, you two are finally official, huh?" Isogai grinned. So saying, he slid a tastefully- wrapped present to Souichi. "I have a present for you! It's going to be very, very useful."
"…What's in there?" Souichi gazed at the package distrustfully. Anything from Isogai was bound to have some catch. "Why don't you just give me that video that you took as a present? That'd be infinitely more useful!"
"Oh, no, no, no. That's my trump card—I couldn't possibly relinquish it that easily!" Isogai wagged a finger at Souichi and sniggered.
"You—!"
"Sempai, do you want to have some cake?" Morinaga called out. He carefully placed a slice on a plate and brought it to Souichi, elbowing Isogai away as he did so. He forked up a mouthful and held it to him. "Here, try some, Sempai."
Without thinking, Souichi ate the cake that was offered to him. Sweets were not a favourite of his but this cake that Isogai had ordered was unlike any that he had eaten before. Made with a sake cake base and topped with fluffy sponge and summer strawberries, the natural sweetness of the berry complemented the fizzy, slightly alcoholic flavor of the shirozake. "Damnit, the cake's pretty good."
"It is, isn't it?" Morinaga smiled tenderly and fed Souichi another mouthful.
Souichi glanced at his new husband. Their wedding was slip- shod by any standards—there was no luncheon, no praying. There had not even been a cake until Isogai had come along. Yet, Morinaga seemed completely fine. More than fine, in fact.
Still, Souichi had known his husband long enough to know that the man would not speak up even when he had grievances, especially when Souichi was involved. "…Sorry that we couldn't make it for the restaurant and the temple visit."
"Hmm? Ah, that wasn't even your fault, Sempai. Besides, we could always visit the shrine once you feel better." Morinaga murmured. "Here, another bite."
"You are fine with that…?" Souichi swallowed the cake and waited until Morinaga nodded firmly.
"Yes. I don't need any rituals when I have you, Sempai."
"That's exaggeration, idiot…!"
"It's not." Conviction rang true in his tone. Morinaga smiled quietly at Souichi's flaming cheeks, as rosy as the strawberries in their wedding cake. Hand resting lightly on Souichi's hip, the man stepped forward and completed the embrace. They stood close like that, bodies swaying gently to a frequency that only they were attuned to.
Marriage was intimacy, affinity. There were so many facets to it, all of which Souichi, and surely Morinaga, was getting used to. Still, there was just one more aspect—one that Souichi had not expected—
He was relishing every moment of it.
After lunch, Matsuda- san and Kanako had announced that they would be going to a temple to pray on the men's behalf and would be back to help prepare dinner later. Isogai had decided to tag along with them, though it was likely that he just wanted to go out and have high tea with the ladies.
In any case, that left the newly- weds at home with their baby, Souji and Kunihiro. The men had laid out a futon in the living area so that Emi could take a nap where everyone was.
At the moment, Souichi was alone with his daughter. Souji had gone to the bathroom while Morinaga had insisted on cleaning up and Kunihiro had volunteered to help. Left with nothing to do, Souichi entertained himself by watching Emi try her utmost to roll over. The baby did it patiently, little limbs straining under her weight. When she finally managed the feat, Souichi picked her up and snuggled her. Her baby scent was comforting yet poignant.
"Ah, there's my little granddaughter, now." Souji had joined them and he immediately stole Emi away from Souichi. Cooing and gushing, Souji scooped Emi high up in the air, eliciting gasps of laughter from the five- month- old. "Aye, aye, good girl."
After ten minutes of piggyback and tickling, Emi was beginning to yawn. It was time for her afternoon nap. Souji lay her on the futon. The baby, tuckered out, soon fell asleep.
Now that the raucous atmosphere had calmed down, Souichi's thoughts also became more somber. He rested his hand over his abdomen. He would have been seven weeks along by now. Subtly, Souichi glanced at his father, who seemed content patting Emi to sleep. In fact, the old man's eyes were drooping as well, lulled by the quiet and the few cups of sake that he had already indulged in earlier. "Hey, Tou- san."
"Hmm…?" Souji blinked and then smiled at his eldest son. "What's the matter, son?"
"...How did you cope when Kaa- san died?"
At Souichi's question, Souji straightened and pondered his reply. "There was a very bad period right after her passing. However, it helped a lot that I had the three of you. Trust me, taking care of three young children isn't a joke. Yet, you were already very responsible, then, and helped me a lot." Souji's eyes crinkled as he recalled their many antics. "And then there was my work, too. That helped take my mind off from missing her.
"The toughest times came at night, when all of you were asleep and there was no more work to be done. Sometimes, I would sleep in the altar room, beside Hana- san's plaque. Scared Matsuda- san when she woke up in the morning and saw me there, hah."
"I see…" The vice gripping Souichi's chest loosened a little. He stroked Emi's soft hair quietly, her presence an amulet of peace.
"I miss her every day. Thinking about her started off painful but the memory of her makes me smile, now," Souji murmured. The elder man picked Emi up carefully and then placed the sleeping baby into Souichi's arms. "The person might be gone, but the love still remains. That way, we never truly lose them. Because they are a part of ourselves, now." The elder man indicated his heart.
"Un…" Dipping his head, Souichi hugged Emi close. It was suddenly a little hard to breathe. Sourness rushed through his nose, his eyes.
"There's no shame in missing him, Sou- kun. No shame at all." Souji made no effusive move to comfort his son. His eldest had never worn his heart on his sleeve. There was never a doubt, though, that he felt things deeply. Perhaps even more deeply than most people he knew. Souji said a little prayer to his wife's spirit and then, without further probing, he quieted and waited patiently until the storm within his son subsided.
xxx Tetsuhiro xxx
"Ah, Tetsuhiro- kun. Come, join me."
"Yes, Tou- san," Tetsuhiro put down the tray of ginger tea on the coffee table and hastened to comply. Before he moved to the sofa, though, he covered Souichi, who was dozing beside Emi on the futon, with a thin throw. Satisfied that his lover would not catch a cold, Tetsuhiro joined his new father- in- law for a cup of tea.
"Everything going fine for you? How is your work?" Souji asked genially as he sipped at his tea.
"Yes, everything's going as well as they could, Tou- san," Tetsuhiro replied. He took the chance to observe the older man. Ah, Sempai had inherited those tawny eyes and chiseled jaw from his father.
"That's good to hear, Tetsuhiro- kun. Ah, Sou- kun must go and pay his respects to your parents soon, if he has not done so already."
The mention of his parents surprised Tetsuhiro, although it should not have been. There had been so much bad blood and emotional distance between them…"Actually, I'm not on very good terms with my parents, so we haven't visited them regarding our marriage, yet. However, my brother is representing them today."
"I see." Souji nodded pensively. "Do try to keep in contact with them, Tetsuhiro- kun. Family is important. I'm not in Japan most of the time, so I'd feel more at ease if there were another elder around for the three of you." Souji smacked his knees, then smiled at Tetsuhiro. "Maa, in any case, you have us, now. Matsuda- san can always be counted on for help. So, don't hold back on us, Tetsuhiro- kun. You are family, now."
"I appreciate that a lot, Tou- san," Tetsuhiro said with feeling. "Thank you, for accepting our marriage."
"It's Sou- kun's choice and he seems happy about it so, there's really not much to oppose, is there?" Souji smiled cheerily at his new son-in-law. "I entrust my son and granddaughter to you, Tetsuhiro- kun."
"Yes…!" Tingling from the knowledge that Souichi was happy, Morinaga sat, seiza- style, and bowed deeply. "I'll care for them with my life!"
"That's great. All right, now that that's settled, just let me tell you about this giant millipede that we discovered in the western forest of Sumatra…"
xxx Souichi xxx
If weddings are blessed events, then food must be the auspicious items. As they had planned to have dinner at home, preparations began in the afternoon for the banquet. Everybody pitched in to help, whether it was the actual cooking, setting of the table, washing up and, in the case of Isogai, buying a party set of pastries from a café while on the way home from the temple.
The sun was still bright by the time seven- thirty rolled around. Since there were so many people, the men decided to carry the dining table out and set it in the middle of the living room. Soon, the mahogany was groaning under the weight of the dishes. Everyone gathered around the table and settled down to eat.
"Sempai, here, drink this soup. Matsuda- san says that it's very good for blood circulation and fatigue." So saying, Morinaga ladled a bowl of it and placed it in front of Souichi. Matsuda- san had clearly taken into account Souichi's weak constitution. "I also cooked zousui for you; it's bland so you might be able to keep it down better."
"Thanks," Souichi said and took the bowl of soup from Morinaga. At the sound of snickers, however, he flushed and threw a glare at his nosy family. "H-hey! Eat your food, everyone!"
"Tetsuhiro- Nii's such a good husband! My husband shall be someone like him, too!" Kanako declared. She grinned toothily at her brother when he glowered at her. "Ne, Nii- san?"
"Eat your food and don't talk so much, Kanako!" Sheesh, Morinaga was just being his typical self! What was there to comment about? Grumbling, Souichi sipped his soup. It was excellent, as expected of Matsuda- san. Turning to his husband, he told him, "Hey, Morinaga. Drink the soup, too. It's damned delicious."
"Ehh, but if I were to drink it…" Morinaga suddenly looked embarrassed, which took a lot. The man had skin as thick as a rhinoceros. "I don't think that I should."
"Why not? It's good for health, no?"
"Ehh…" Morinaga flushed.
Matsuda- san chuckled. She took pity on her new nephew-in-law and explained, "Sou- kun, the soup's suitable for you but not for Tetsuhiro- kun. It would be too…strong for him to handle later."
Isogai and Kunihiro immediately understood her meaning. Choking on their food, they hastily drank water and steered the conversation to safer areas. Souichi and Kanako were the only ones still bemused. The girl, however, simply shrugged and continued to watch over Emi.
"What the hell? It's soup! Besides, you've also been tired lately…" Recalling the late nights that Morinaga had burnt taking care of him and Emi, Souichi felt guilty and he doubled his efforts to make Morinaga drink the tonic. "I don't want you falling sick on me!"
Morinaga finally capitulated under Souichi's insistence. However, a mischievous grin soon crossed his face. Now that the entire family knew about their relationship, he was open about his desire to interact with Souichi. "Only if you feed me, Sempai."
"What?! Why the hell should I? You have your own hands; feed yourself!" Flustered, Souichi ladled a bowl of the tonic and set it smartly in front of Morinaga. Then, he proceeded to ignore the younger man, only glancing in his direction to make sure that he drank the soup. The poor man did so, much to raised eyebrows from the other men.
Appetites were healthy and the mood was jovial as the night went on. Sake was opened, including the junmai daiginjyo that Yuki Manami had gifted them. As the alcohol flowed, so did conversation.
Morinaga was blending well with his family, Souichi noted as he sipped at his ginger tea. The smell of alcohol had nearly upturned his stomach earlier and he had opted for a safer option. Which was pissing him off, really, especially when that bastard Isogai was clearly enjoying the daiginjyo!
His thoughts were cut off when he felt a presence come near him. "May I join you?" Morinaga Kunihiro asked. At Souichi's nod, the elder sibling sat down and sipped his sake.
"What do you want?" Souichi had no patience for the guy. As an older brother, he had not carried out his responsibilities righteously. In fact, the last time he had seen Kunihiro was when the guy had collaborated with his mother to take Emi away! Fuck if he would be friendly with him now.
"Tetsuhiro is in your care, now. Thanks." Kunihiro cleared his throat and then sipped more sake.
"Yea, at least he has a place where he's fully accepted," Souichi retorted.
His remark clearly hit home. Kunihiro downed the rest of his sake, his stance stiff. Souichi was just about to move off when the man spoke. "Wait."
"What?"
"I'm sorry about, well, everything that's happened." Kunihiro said softly.
Souichi turned back and looked squarely at his brother- in- law. "Apologies are worth nothing. Only action does. You know what I mean, as does Morinaga."
"I've been trying to make amends, and coming here was one of them."
"Right. That doesn't eliminate the past." Souichi tried to rein in his anger. This was Morinaga's brother. "All of us know that the root problem has not been solved."
"That'd require cooperation from all sides. I'm more than willing to face up to my part but what about Tetsuhiro? Our parents?"
"An older brother never stops looking after his kid siblings," Souichi replied evenly. He kept his gaze on Kunihiro, both men at a standoff until there was a cough and Morinaga appeared.
"Sempai, I, err, am not feeling too hot at the moment. I wanted to tell you that I'd be going upstairs for a moment," Morinaga said a little breathlessly. Indeed, he looked flushed and his eyes were feverishly bright. It was not the flames of sickness, though. When Morinaga fixed his gaze on him, Souichi could practically feel himself being undressed.
Instinctively, Souichi flitted his glance downwards. Was there a bulge there under Morinaga's yukata? At that moment, Morinaga shifted and the silken cloth flowed over his crotch. He was definitely…Souichi jerked his head away and gulped down his tea. What the hell? Had Morinaga been drugged? Souichi remembered the feeling all too well, the rush of liquid heat deep inside, the urge that just would not recede, no matter how many times he—
"Nii- san, I'll send you off when you are leaving. Now, I need to—" Morinaga crossed his legs anxiously, "—I need to go to the bathroom!"
Kunihiro blinked in confusion but accepted his brother's excuse. He glanced at Souichi to continue the conversation but the long- haired man whom his brother had married was off- skelter as well. His new brother- in- law was red up to the tips of his ears. His well- defined lips were parted, his eyes melted gold. Kunihiro suddenly realized that his brother had always gone for the good- looking ones…
"Excuse me." With that firm statement, Souichi swept away from Kunihiro. His pulse was leaping as he followed behind his husband. "Morinaga!"
"S-sempai?" They were upstairs now and the brunette turned to regard Souichi. He was visibly aroused by this time; his short breaths and heated skin bore testament to that. As Souichi came closer, the man backed off, holding out a hand to stem his advance. "Sempai, I don't think—I don't think you should come closer…!"
"What the hell's happened to you?" Despite the warning, Souichi grabbed Morinaga and took his temperature. Standing chest- to- feet, he used the back of his palm to touch his husband's forehead. "Did you come down with something?"
Morinaga's breathing had become staccato by now. Carefully, he tried to extract himself from Souichi. "Nothing's wrong with me…just something I expected after drinking that soup…Sempai, you really have to stay far away from me, now! I won't be able to control myself any longer…!"
"…!" Belatedly, Souichi realized that he had placed himself right at the mouth of the tiger, so to speak. Kami, was this what Matsuda- san had alluded to? Already, Morinaga was instinctively grinding his hips against him, even though he was still pushing Souichi away with his arms. His kouhai's face was contorted in an agony of desire and self- control. His arousal was a rod of heat against Souichi's pelvis. Even through the folds of clothing, Souichi's nerves danced into life. "You—"
With a groan of surrender, Morinaga pushed Souichi against the wall. He kissed him urgently. It was sensuous, slippery. Hands slipped under Souichi's yukata, found his left nipple. Souichi gasped aloud as sensation, stronger and more sizzling than before, zipped through him. "Morinaga—!"
"Sorry, Sempai, I know I should stop but…" To his credit, Morinaga managed to lift his lips. Still, he had already divested Souichi of his yukata; the clothing now hung at his elbow, completely exposing his chest. Morinaga hugged Souichi close, his mouth sucking a hot, bruised kiss mark on his neck. Down his collarbone, his heaving ribcage, his tongue licked circles around Souichi's nipple, flicking his areole until it peaked up sharply.
Souichi's knees buckled as the onslaught of feeling concentrated in his crotch. He could feel himself swelling, the skin stretching and filling with heated blood. Morinaga aroused and Morinaga aroused were completely different. He was a demon, utterly focused, completely feral.
Souichi cried out as Morinaga grabbed his laden balls, massaged them through the thin layer of his underwear. Squeeze, squeeze, relax. Working his way up, Morinaga stroked his frenulum. His thumb flicked upwards against Souichi's penis's head. Flick, flick, stroke. Souichi swelled, his erection jutting out between the folds of his disgraced yukata.
The landing faded, the feel of the hard wall became insignificant. His hair was disheveled, his lips bloodied from biting. Yet, all Souichi could see was Morinaga, feel only his rough caresses. He was going to burst into a kaleidoscope of light. Free-fall like a catewheel. Searching for a foothold, Souichi grabbed his husband's back, nails digging deeply in as Morinaga kissed, then sucked on his tip.
By this time, they were practically sitting on the ground. Souichi's back was flattened against the wall; his legs were splayed wide open. Morinaga's tongue had flitted from Souichi's penis to his perineum. He had done this sometimes, a prelude to fingering. Knowing that, expectation began to build up in Souichi. Morinaga's tongue was against his most intimate part, inching ever closer to his entrance. Souichi forgot to breathe when the soft, warm appendage licked and then pushed into him. "Mori…"
The sound of his name seemed to trigger a stop button in the man. At the precipice of climax, Morinaga stopped his actions. He lifted his head. He was a beast who had already indulged in his meal halfway. Souichi shivered, breathing harshly as his husband arched over him, eyes dilated in the throes of arousal.
"Sempai…" With great effort, Morinaga moved himself away from Souichi's thighs. His skin was blotched purplish red and it was scorching hot to the touch. He had already come once and yet his second erection had already swelled to its maximum. It did not help that Souichi was lying before him in wantonness, his entrance completely exposed. Despite that, despite the blood- enriching tonic currently intoxicating him, Morinaga had pulled on the brakes. "Please, get into the bedroom and lock it. At this rate, I'll hurt you…!"
This was not like Morinaga… Souichi tried to sit up and his elbows slid awkwardly on the polished floor. He was still breathing heavily but he pulled his yukata over his lower body. "A—a little late, isn't it?"
"The doctor said not to strain your body…" Morinaga's words sounded thick around his mouth. He got unsteadily to his feet and helped Souichi to his. "I'll—I'll just go to the bath—"
Souichi had silenced him with a kiss. He jerked the man close, fingers fisted around his yukata. When they separated, Souichi looked him deep in the eyes. "You don't have to hold back to this extent. I—I understand how it feels, okay? I'll be fine."
Morinaga gazed uncertainly back. "Will you really be okay? I don't think I can be gentle tonight, Sempai."
Souichi gulped. Whether it was out of anticipation or nerves, he would never know. In the next instant, Morinaga had hauled them both into the bedroom. Behind them, the door shut with a click.
To be continued.