Sesshomaru was sitting on one of the bar stools when Kouga came down the stairs. He paused at the entrance to the living room upon seeing him. "There's coffee in the pot. I'm not quite awake enough to cook anything, but you're welcome to anything we have."

That seemed to put Kouga at ease and he walked forward to grab a mug from a cabinet and filled it with coffee. He sipped it with his eyes closed. Sesshomaru continued to read the news on his tablet.

"I guess you have some questions," Kouga eventually said.

"A few."

"I'm grateful that you're at least being rational about this. It's more than my family was."

"Oh? Did they catch you two making out too?"

He had been joking, of course, but Kouga's expression was far from jovial. His forehead was pinched in pain and his entire face looked pensive. "No, my family is...very close and they expect certain things of me. I accidentally blurted out that I was gay to them in a moment of anger and well, only a handful of my cousins are still speaking with me."

"I'm sorry," Sesshomaru said. "You're always welcome here. Doesn't matter how long."

Kouga gave him a sad looking smile and thanked him. "I didn't mean to intrude. It's just Inuyasha is the only one I can really turn to in this; you're kind of the by-product of relying on him. I didn't mean to pull you into this."

"I do consider you a friend too, Kouga. I'm not being pulled into anything. Though, after what I witnessed last night, I hope my brother means a little more to you than how you phrased that."

"Oh, well, yeah. We're kind of figuring that part out."

Kouga sighed, his tan cheeks flushing a little, and bringing up a hand to scratch at his neck. His customary ponytail was missing and his dark hair, much longer than it usually looked up, was down close to the middle of his back. "I kind of came on to him at the BBQ a few months back. And by come on, I cornered him as everyone was leaving and kissed him. It was kind of, not planned, and I'm grateful he didn't slug me."

"Didn't you bring a date to the BBQ?"

"Ayame. Yeah. My family has been trying to set me up with her for ages and have continuously been forcing me to bring her to things. That fight I blurted out that I was gay, it was about Ayame. My parents were all but threatening to propose to her on my behalf. My dad, he got so angry. My mom just cried."

"I'm sure they'll come to; they're your parents."

Kouga shrugged. "My cousins have passed on a messages. My dad says he'll forget the whole thing if I just agree to marry Ayame. That's not going to happen. It would be cruel for both of us."

Sesshomaru agreed. "So you kissed my brother and he didn't hit you. I'm curious how it got from there to...well, last night."

"You'll have to ask him to explain his part of it. I only know about me. But," he paused, his voice softening a bit. "I'm actually really happy he accepted who I am and, for now at least, accepted my affection. I know you were just joking last night, but he-he's not my boyfriend."

"Do you want him to be?"

Kouga shrugged looking up again. "I don't want to get my hopes up."

"Okay, yeah 'cause I'm like so known for sleeping around with random people - male or female," Inuyasha's grouchy voice interrupted them.

He was wearing only sleep pants and his hair was a tangled mess. He walked over, glaring at both of them, and poured himself a coffee. Kouga looked sheepishly anywhere but at the two brothers.

"Don't mind him," Sesshomaru said. "He's not a morning person. Let him get some coffee in him and wake up, and he'll be less of... this ." He finished with a sweep of his hand towards Inuyasha.

Inuyasha flicked him off as he drank his first cup. He filled it again after he drained it, slowing down as he sipped this one. His shoulders relaxed a little, moving over to wrap an arm around Kouga's waist. He kissed him on the cheek before returning to his mug. "I'm all for skipping this morning's workout," he mumbled. "Kinda sore."

"I figured; that's why I let you sleep in."

"I could have lived without what that implies," Sesshomaru said.

"Whatever, I walked in on you and Kagome's heavy petting session before. You don't get to say anything."

"So I guess you're both even then," Kouga added.

Both brothers looked at each other for a moment, before breaking out in laughter. Kouga joined. "I'm starving," he said, after they had calmed down a bit. "It's still early enough to beat the crowds to the diner at T Plaza. Anyone want to go?"

"I'm in," Inuyasha. "You doing something with Kagome this morning?"

"We didn't have plans for the morning. I'd invite her grandfather, but he doesn't like me."

"Good man," Inuyasha said. "Sees through your bullshit. I like him already."

"That's good, because he likes you."

"Me? Have I met him?"

"Don't think so, but Souta spoke highly of you to them."

"He's a good kid. Shouldn't he be done with school soon? Wonder what he's going to do after he graduates."

"You can ask Mr. Higurashi tonight. I'm sure he'd love to speak with you."

"Sure. I'll try to put in a good word for you."

Kouga was already leaving the room to get dressed. Inuyasha saw this and drained his mug, putting it in the sink, and following. Sesshomaru did the same. "Hey," Sesshomaru stopped Inuyasha before he entered his room. "Let's plan on switching rooms over the next week or two, okay? You're right. I'm not over here all that much anymore; I think you deserve the bigger room."

Inuyasha's brows knit together. "You sure?"

"Definitely."

"Okay."

"Though I demand you do a full scrub down of your room first."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and walked into his room, slamming the door behind him. Sesshomaru just chuckled and walked into his room to change.

I'm heading out to get breakfast with Kouga and my brother. Do you need anything?

IV drip of coffee?

Didn't sleep well on the couch? Or just without me?

Both?

Is it okay if Kouga joins us for dinner tonight?

Of course. Did he stay the night?

He'll be over here for awhile. Got into a fight with his family.

That doesn't sound good. Is he okay?

I'm not sure if I should tell you or let him tell you.

You can't do that! You have to tell me now!

Sesshomaru!

Fine, I'll ask him.

Sesshomaru put his phone down and walked downstairs. The other two men were waiting for him already. Both their phones, and his, went off as they walked out of the door. "That's Kagome. I guess she's doing a group text."

"What did you tell her?" Inuyasha asked, looking at his phone.

"Not much. I figured it was something you two should share."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Kouga asked.

Sesshomaru volunteered to drive and they piled into his car. Kouga took the back seat. "It's Kagome," Inuyasha said. "She's not going to care."

"She might be curious as to why you flirted with her so hard," Sesshomaru added. "You definitely laid it on thick sometimes."

"Actually," Inuyasha said, finishing up sending a message then turning around in his seat to look at Kouga. "I'm curious about that too. Until the BBQ, I always thought you were really into Kagome."

Kouga just shrugged. "I am really into Kagome - don't look at me like that, just because you're dating her doesn't mean my attraction changes. Just that I wouldn't do anything about it."

"So you're bisexual then?" Sesshomaru asked.

"No clue. I'm not like into everyone I meet. Kagome's kindness attracted me to her. She's pretty, but that's not even half of what she is and that's why I probably came off as 'laying it on thick' when it came to trying to impress her. My fault. She was actually the first person I ever pursued."

"Really?" Inuyasha asked.

"Yeah," a cocky smile coming over Kouga's face. "Everyone else pursued me."

"Arrogant ass," Inuyasha scoffed, looking back to the front.

They were nearly at the diner now. Traffic was light this early in the morning. The weather had cleared, which would bring more people out once things began opening up for business for the day.

"What about Inuyasha then? What attracted him to you then?"

"Definitely the bod."

"Hey, I have a good personality too."

"No you don't," both men responded in a joking tone.

Inuyasha glared at both of them. "I hate you both."

"What do they say? Common interests makes good friends and good friends make great lovers?"

"Then Sesshomaru is screwed; what do you and Kagome have in common?"

"I take offense to that," Sesshomaru said.

"Yeah, name one thing that you two share in common - that isn't Shippo, because he came in after you two started dating."

Sesshomaru paused to think it over. They didn't have a lot of common interests, if he was really thinking about it. There were things she did that he had begun to enjoy because of her - like her bad movie nights - though he would never go out of his way to watch those without her present and vice versa. Puzzling over it as he pulled into the strip and parked, he couldn't actually think of anything they had in common. He frowned at his thoughts as he got out of the car.

"I was just joking, Sesshomaru, shit," Inuyasha said as they walked towards the diner. "Get that stupid look off your face because you frighten everyone."

Kouga proceeded them into the building and found them a seat in one of the front booths. Kouga and Inuyasha shared a side while Sesshomaru sat on his own.

"No, you're right."

"But that doesn't mean you aren't well suited," Kouga pointed out. "In some ways, that might be better for the two of you. Kagome's very nice, while you're a bit too..." he paused to think over his word choice. "Formal? Hard? I don't know the best word, but you two balance each other out."

"Plus, who says shared interests have to be something you have going into a relationship?" Inuyasha added. "Maybe for some people it's just one of those things you grow into."

The waitress came, ending their conversation, and taking their orders. Sesshomaru's phone went off, this time without the accompanying chorus from Inuyasha and Kouga's. He fished it out of his pocket and looked at the screen. It was from his mother.

I'm officially back in town. Call me if you want to do dinner.

Of course. I'd like to introduce you to my girlfriend before you leave again, if that's okay with you.

Is this the girl your dad has been mooning over?

I wouldn't say mooning. When have you been talking to him?

He keeps me informed on how you're doing. I grill him to make sure he's not being a complete imbecile.

He said something about you bringing a 'banging' date to one of his Club's events.

I'm surprised he didn't try to steal her from under you.

He showed up a few times to flirt with her; Kagome just thought he was coming off creepy.

Hmm, I like her already.

Good. Because I plan on asking her to marry me.

His mother went silent for a few minutes. Marriage with his dad had kind of soured her towards the concept and she was known to be fairly opposed to the institution as a whole now. Even after dating her current boyfriend, Ito, for a decade and change. The next text he got was from his dad.

Just got a call from your mother.

Come to my place after work Tuesday.

This isn't a request; we'll both be there to talk to you.

Sesshomaru frowned and put his phone away, not bothering to respond. His father knew well enough he wouldn't disobey a request like this - especially when his parents were willing to be in the same room as each other. He told Inuyasha about both conversations.

"Want me to come with you? Your mom doesn't like me much, but I can at least be moral support."

"Mother never had a problem with you, personally."

"She never seemed like she liked me."

"She doesn't really like dad and I think some of your personality comes off like his less than positive attributes, at least in her eyes."

"If you say so," Inuyasha replied skeptically. "Offer still stands regardless. Just let me know."

"I know what this lecture is going to be about and think I can handle it. I'll let you know if I change my mind."