The first time isn't their fault, not really.
Hiroto's motorcycle was in the shop. What was he supposed to do? Takeru said he had to go too. What was he supposed to walk all the way to the market watching as Aniki and Masaki sped past or something? As if.
It hadn't been a big deal, not really.
He, Masaki and Takeru hadn't thought anything of it. Masaki was just driving them both down. They had shared bikes multiple times in the past, this was no different.
Hiroto had slid on behind Masaki, pressing in close as he wrapped his arms around his brother's waist. The close contact was necessary, it was to keep him from falling off the motorcycle at the high speeds they traveled in.
Takeru and Masaki zoomed through to the market fast enough to draw attention, quickly finding their usual parking spaces. As Hiroto climbed off the bike, the strap of his backpack got caught on something causing him to fall forwards. He probably would've hit the ground if it hadn't been for Masaki's quick reflexes.
Masaki's hands swiftly grabbed onto his waist, the momentum making Hiroto fall into his brother's chest. Masaki held him steady as Hiroro regained his balance before releasing the hold of one of his hands to reach past and untangle Hiroto's bag.
It was nothing, just Masaki helping him out, it didn't mean they were together.
The crowd of people around them did not get that memo.
They kept staring at them, watching as Hiroto stayed plastered to Masaki's side as they walked through the open market, cooing at them as they shopped together.
Hiroto and Masaki passed through blissfully unaware of all the people watching them.
They continued bickering and helping each other pick the best and freshest the market had to offer.
The lady at one of the stalls cooed at them telling Masaki what a gentleman he was for giving his boyfriend a ride and carrying their groceries for him.
They were mortified, embarrassed as they realized everyone around them was thinking similar things.
Hiroto protested loudly, Masaki insisting they were brothers. Those within earshot didn't believe a word of their protests.
Not when Masaki gently, lovingly helped Hiroto back onto his motorcycle and Hiroto latched onto him immediately as they took off down the streets towards their apartment.
The second time was their fault.
Well, Hiroto will forever blame it on Masaki.
They'd been outside, enjoying a day off in the sun. It was nice out, hot enough the two had already taken off their jackets as they laid outside, bored but unwilling to go out and do anything. Masaki had been the one to suggest they wash their bikes while it's sunny out. Hiroto agreed readily, there were few things he enjoyed more than taking care of his baby.
Minutes later, the brothers found themselves carefully taking apart their bikes, wiping off helmets and cleaning out saddlebags. They run through a more in depth maintenance list than they do every day, taking care to check the lights, all the fluid levels, seals and especially the clutch and brake pads. Masaki had oil, grease and dirt covering his hands and up his arms, with sweat trailing down his neck and back. The sun beat down on them heavily, Masaki sliding his shirt off in hopes to cool down.
The two moved at their own pace, Masaki leaving briefly to bring out several buckets of clean and soapy water when he finished the maintenance part and moved to carefully washing his motorcycle.
He hadn't noticed when Hiroto had also moved on to washing his bike until he suddenly got splashed with water from behind.
He yelled out, gasping at the cold of the water, turning to look at his brother. Hiroto was smirking behind him, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Masaki wouldn't stand for it, never one to back down once a fight had started. He feigned innocence, rolling his eyes and sighing loudly as he turned away briefly before springing back to retaliate.
He watched as Hiroto's eyes widened, as his brother tried in vain to move out of the way of the water flying at him towards him. Hiroto wasn't fast enough and he cackled as his brother was drenched in soapy water. Hiroto gasped in a shaky breath, eyes opening to glare at Masaki before he lunged for a nearby bucket of water, scooping some up in the smaller bowl he'd been using.
Masaki smirked reading his own ammunition as Hiroto turned towards him. His brother darted towards him, water splashing out around the rim of the bowl before he hurled its contents at him.
Masaki darted away, laughing in delight at Hiroto's frustrated grunt when only half of the water aimed for him hit its mark. He danced around their bikes running towards Hiroto who now ran from him.
He lunged towards his brother, managing to dump water on him before Hiroto threw a soapy cloth at him. Masaki dodged the cloth, accidentally spilling the rest of his water across the floor in his attempt not to fall. Hiroto grabs another, smaller bucket of water, darting towards him. Masaki raises his own bucket, throwing the rest of the water at his brother only to realize that it's empty.
He gasps in horror, Hiroto cackling madly as he realizes Masaki's predicament. Masaki lurches away, bucket tossed behind him lightly to give him more time as he darts around their bikes again.
Hiroto runs after him, weaving between their motorcycles as he speeds up to catch him before Masaki gets away. Masaki looks around, eyes darting everywhere for something he can use; he comes up empty handed.
The last of the water is in Hiroto's hands.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
He glances backwards, checking where his brother is at.
He waits.
Closer.
Closer.
He slows down slightly.
Just a little closer.
Now.
Masaki turns, arms raising to grab the bucket Hiroto gleefully holds high to dump on him. Hiroto yelps at his sudden move, too surprised to move to avoid him as they collide. They struggle with each other, each holding opposite sides of the bucket as they battle for dominance.
Hiroto stands on his tiptoes pushing the bucket forcefully. Masaki slides backwards trying to regain the upper hand only to slip.
The ground disappears beneath him as Masaki falls only to land hard on his back.
Hiroto falls with him.
The bucket flies up, water pouring out at Hiroto lands on his chest. They're drenched with water, oil, dirt and soap making them sticky, pressed against each other on the floor. The bucket clatters to the ground out of sight.
Masaki bursts into laughter as he stares at Hiroto's shocked face, Hiroto giggles once before breaking out into uncontrollable laughter.
Masaki sees an opportunity and takes it, fingers digging into his brother's defenseless sides as he tickles him.
Hiroto squirms against him, yelping as he bursts into renewed laughter again and again. He struggles against Masaki briefly, too out of breath and weak to stop him as half formed pleas fall from his lips.
Eventually, he gets a hand up under one of Masaki's, their fingers twining as he holds Masaki's hand to the side away from his torso, eventually planting it on the ground next to their bodies.
Masaki relinquishes his attack, laughing softly at the joy he finds lighting up his brother's face and eyes.
Takeru's voice breaks them out of the spell, "Jeez, I know you kids are horny but at least have the decency not to fuck in the middle of the street."
Hiroto freezes on top of Masaki as they both realize how they've been laying, Hiroto against his bare chest, pressed together from head to toe, how they must look.
They jump apart, protesting loudly to their Aniki.
Takeru just heads back inside mumbling to himself, deaf to his brother's hasty excuses.
The third time is Hiroto's fault.
If he hadn't been so hotheaded, they wouldn't have gotten into this mess. To be fair though, if someone had kicked his motorcycle, he would've kicked their ass too.
Even if they belonged to a gang with well over a hundred members. His motorcycle is his baby, his one and only true love and nobody would get away with that shit. Hiroto's he sure, feels the same.
Even Masaki, who had originally tried to stop Hiroto, jumped into the fight wholeheartedly after getting kicked in the back. Though he still thinks Hiroto took it too far when he decided he wasn't satisfied with beating up just the ones who started it and went after their gang leader.
It had been a while since they had fought so many people at one time; Masaki could feel the adrenaline, blood rushing at just the sight of the size of the gang called Mugen. The name felt familiar like he's heard it before but Masaki didn't put much thought into it as he stepped off his bike to follow Hiroto.
He fell into a serious state, playfulness slipping away as he focused, readying himself as he charged into the crowd, Hiroto to the left.
He ran full force, not slowing down as he threw punches and kicks left and right.
Instincts and muscle memory kicked in immediately as he moved through his enemies, almost as if he was dancing gracefully. He kicked out multiple times, landing blows strong enough to knock out his opponents in one hit as he kept them at a distance, barely taking any hits of his own.
Hiroto worked his way through the men beside him, adding in a flashy move as he ran through the air using the faces of the gang members as if they were stepping stones before landing a punch hard enough the guy flew through the air.
Not one to be outdone by his little brother, Masaki leaped into the air, sending his own opponent flying with a kick that he's sure broke several of the guy's ribs. He toyed with one annoying gang member, holding him tight as he kicked him multiple times to make sure he stayed down. He turned, following his instincts to see a guy grabbing a beam of wood off the ground, which was rather rude of him, this was a fistfight. He darted towards the guy, not slowing down as he raised his leg to deliver a powerful blow to the cheater not noticing the guy had raised the wood to block him until his leg went through it, breaking it in half as he kept going to hit the guy.
Masaki spun, his back meeting Hiroto's as they faced the crowd of gang members still standing, not nearly as many as before. He glanced at his brother, briefly checking to make sure he was okay before jumping back into the fight.
The two stayed closer than before, not letting the gang separate them as far as they had before. Masaki and Hiroto fought seamlessly together, covering each other's backs and trading opponents every now and then as they fought through the rest of the men.
They stood together, side by side as they looked out at all the people they had fought, disappointed at their weakness.
Two of the four people at the front, the leaders he guessed, approached them now that their minions were defeated. The blond rushed at Hiroto as the other ran after him, Hiroto dodging the two as Masaki stepped up to kick at the darker haired one. The brothers traded their opponents back and forth, overwhelming them easily, dealing hard hits to both of them one after another.
The other two leaders jumped in after that turning the fight to a two v four, not that Masaki and Hiroto cared about numbers after fighting through over a hundred of the gang members all at once.
Masaki let the fight flow through him, kicking at the blond before turning to one of the dark haired guys before finding himself fighting three of the four of them. Next to him, he knew that Hiroto was fighting the blond, could sense where he was at without looking and was used to keeping track of him during fights.
Hiroto must've known too as he sent the blond flying at Masaki's opponent just as the guy started choking him for the second time. Hiroto backed him up, giving Masaki the opportunity to land a good enough hit to the leader to send him careening backwards.
His arm slid around Hiroto to steady him as they stood two against four, waiting for their enemies to make a move. They did, two of them stepping forward to meet Hiroto before the leader — the one who had choked him, yelled out to stop them.
Apparently he wanted to fight one on one.
Well, Masaki was never one to turn down a fight, stopping Hiroto before he could jump into it. He and the leader were fairly matched, trading blows one by one as they each blocked. They locked arms, raining hit after hit to each other's sides, Masaki feeling the strength behind each blow and wished he was in a good place to kick the guy instead. He's always been better with his legs, Hiroto was the boxer after all.
He took a hard punch to the face, dealing back one he hoped was twice as hard and watched as his enemy smiled. Somehow, Masaki got the feeling they could be friends and would get along pretty well if they weren't on opposite sides. He matched the guy's energy, yelling back at him briefly before another sound cut in: sirens.
Hiroto was there then, dragging him back, away from the leader.
Masaki let himself get moved, Hiroto sliding close to him as they watched the gang around them panic and run. Masaki didn't take his eyes off the four leaders of the group. They had paired off, the two younger members already on their bikes as the two older leaders stood together where one had pulled the other off Masaki.
He took his eyes off them just long enough to look over his brother, tucking Hiroto into his side when the leader began to speak.
"This isn't over."
Masaki nodded once before turning away as he and Hiroto walked to their motorcycles. They could now see the flashing red and blue lights, sirens echoing around them. Hiroto picked his helmet up off the ground as they walked past, silently sliding right back into Masaki's space as they reached their bikes.
They were just getting on, Masaki nodding at his brother's concerned look. Just as they were ready to leave, the Mugen leaders rode past one yelling out, "You and your boyfriend better watch out, if I see you in our territory again I won't go easy on you!"
Masaki chuckled as Hiroto sputtered and protested at the title, the two having to quickly leave before they got caught.
The fourth time is not their fault.
It's not their fault that they fight seamlessly together. Just because they don't have to talk to each other or look for the other to know where they are and what their every move is, doesn't mean that they are boyfriends.
Or maybe it has less to do with the way they fight together and more to do with how widespread the rumor of them being together is.
It's like everyone they meet thinks they're together.
Everyone.
Even their enemies.
It starts with Nameless City, with Smoky and several members of Rude Boys leaving the city, clearly headed somewhere with fire in their eyes. Hiroto has a gut feeling that wherever they're going it won't end well. He follows them from afar. It's a good thing he does since Smoky's revenge turns into a massacre.
By the time he arrives, the Rude Boys are fleeing, running past him. Hiroto's gut tells him to keep going. He makes it just in time, Smoky's lying on the ground, his enemies surrounding him. Hiroto jumps into the fight, easily making his way to Smoky. Nameless City's leader only has two questions for him, why is he there and where's his boyfriend.
Hiroto doesn't get the chance to reply to the second, turning to face the men running at them. He covers Smoky, making sure the man he has questions for makes it out alive. The suddenness of a guy with a sword joining the battle was unexpected; he doesn't have time to cover Smoky before he's already on the ground, hit in the back hard. He steps in quickly, covering Smoky, fighting the dark haired guy before someone else jumps in too.
His new opponent, because that guy definitely wasn't here before, lands a good hit on him, bringing Hiroto's attention to him. The guy must know who he is as he starts taunting Hiroto.
Thankfully they're interrupted by the arrival of some of Smoky's gang who take him away. Hiroto follows after them, calling a doctor he knows. Smoky will need him.
Which is how Hiroto finds himself dragging Masaki into retrieving Smoky's sister to get information about Aniki.
Hiroto can hear the battle long before they see it. He and Masaki speed through, watching as the Mighty Warriors and the men backing them, run out of their way so as not to get hit. He can hear their temporary allies rallying at their entrance, spirit renewed at receiving backup. They cut a path through their enemies for SWORD, zooming underneath the storage compartment as they head for where they believe the kidnapped women are being held.
On the other side, he and Masaki are greeted by a crowd of their enemies, though they are quick to beat them, getting confirmation that the girl is here. Before they can reach the place where Smoky's sister is being held, the two brothers are interrupted by the arrival of the guy from before. Hiroto leaves all of the other guys to Masaki, knowing he won't have to worry about him as he jumps into battle with Mighty's leader.
He falls into the rhythm of battle, doing what he can to wear the other out, opting to counter his punches and reserve his energy. Mighty's leader taunts him like before, trying to provoke Hiroto's anger in hopes to make him reckless. He doesn't give in, not even when taunts of his lack of strength turn into mocking him and Masaki, into insinuations of them being together.
Where the heck his enemy had heard that from, Hiroto doesn't know but he doesn't get the chance to deny it, just punching the other twice as hard as before when he hears the man trash Masaki's name.
Subconsciously, Hiroto notes that his brother is doing well, having no issues with the rest of the gang members even when they bring out sticks that are on fire. He worries briefly for him but is brought back into focusing on his opponent.
Before long the battle is over, Masaki bringing back all of the girls. His opponent — Ice, doesn't want to stop, wants to keep fighting even after he's lost. Thankfully the Mighty Warriors manage to talk some sense into him. Not that Hiroto wasn't up for continuing to kick the guy's ass and Hiroto falls back to his brother's side.
Masaki checks on him briefly, eyes tracing the bruises that no doubt have already started forming. Hiroto reassures him, hands reaching out for a hug he can't help but ask for. Masaki pulls him in tight, holding Hiroto briefly before they have to part to find Smoky's sister.
Apparently she wasn't with the rest of the girls for some reason. The two return to Nameless City following the Rude Boys to Smoky.
It doesn't stop after that, as if all of their enemies have heard they are together.
And maybe Hiroto shouldn't automatically assume they mean Masaki. It is pretty telling. In Hiroto's defense, who else would it be? Hiroto's only ever seen with Masaki and Takeru. Lately just Masaki. They hardly actually go anywhere without the other. It's really not his fault.
It is pretty unsettling to have all of the Mighty Warriors, the Prison Gang, Doubt and Kuryu believe they are together though.
Though at least they are correct in the fact that Hiroto's weakness is Masaki and vice versa.
Which is why he will always stay next to his brother's side, even if it makes everyone around them think they are in a relationship.
They wait a while after Takeru's death before finally admitting they need a new apartment.
Not because a two bedroom apartment is a lot cheaper than the three bedroom they live in currently but because Aniki's absence weighs on them heavily in the space the three have spent their lives growing in since the death of their parents.
It takes a while but the two eventually manage to work their way through Aniki's stuff. Through what is left of their parents' stuff that Aniki kept all these years.
They search through ads for rental houses and apartments online and elsewhere, searching for one that they both like. If they plan to be there for a while, they want to like it. Need to feel comfortable, secure, in a place that will become their home.
And they're both picky, which doesn't help at all when they begin to look at different options. They bicker and fight a lot before frustratingly deciding they'd be better off finding a realtor to help them look for something they both will like at a decent price.
The lady they meet is wonderful. She's endlessly knowledgeable, nice and more importantly honest about the places she shows them.
There's just one thing.
She thinks they are a couple.
She keeps showing them one bedroom apartments or ones with a master bedroom and a smaller guest room. She also keeps detailing all these different kinds of discounts for couples.
Discounts that make Masaki light up, practically glowing at the thought of not spending as much as they planned for a new place.
Hiroto doesn't correct the lady for that reason only.
They end up taking a beautiful apartment with a kitchen Masaki drools over and a wonderful living room Hiroto absolutely adores and a balcony they both love.
The place comes with only one master bedroom but Maski and Hiroto tell themselves they will turn the spare sunroom into a second bedroom.
If Masaki accidentally only buys one new mattress, well, Hiroto's not complaining.
After the Kuryu mess is over, SWORD, or rather Cobra, calls a meeting to discuss impending changes. Their presence is requested.
Hiroto doesn't want to go. Masaki understands.
They're not part of SWORD, not even officially allied with them, they have no reason to be invited. Only the mutual desire for revenge against those who hurt their loved ones brought the brothers into the Kuryu mess. Now they have no interest in being involved with them.
Masaki decides he will go. An alliance like this might be useful in the future, besides he might find out something important they wouldn't otherwise learn.
Hiroto refuses to let Masaki go alone. Anything could happen, it's too dangerous for him to go alone. It could be a trap, after all, they were enemies with all of the groups who would be there.
Apparently the leaders of the Mighty Warriors, the Prison Gang and Doubt had been invited.
He couldn't help but feel that this meeting wouldn't end well. There were too many elements at play, too many uncontrollable variables. Their common enemy was gone. Didn't that make SWORD and Mugen their enemies again? The presence of the leaders of the Mighty Warriors, the Prison Gang and Doubt stank of betrayal. The rumor of a Kuryu head attending as well spelled out deceit in bold capital letters.
Masaki knew that if this was a trap, if they were walking into a fight with all of SWORD, Mighty, the prison group, Doubt and Kuryu , he and Hiroto might not survive it.
The SWORD gangs were full of young members, young but experienced though they wouldn't put up too much of a fight. He and Hiroto had fought each of the SWORD groups individually at one time or another and won. Even their leaders would fall beneath them. The Mugen leaders, Kohaku and Tsukumo, would be a challenge. Mighty's leader, Ice, had fought on equal footing with Hiroto twice before. Masaki would have to keep them apart. If Hiroto was busy fighting Ice, he would be left with everyone else. Masaki would not survive that. The Doubt leader being there was possibly the most troublesome. Doubt didn't play fair, they used dirty underhanded tricks; anything to deal a lot of damage in as little time as possible.
Combine all of that plus the word that a Kuryu head would be there…things didn't look good for them.
The Kuryu heads knew it was them. Knew it was the Amamiyas who ruined all of their plans. It was Takeru who started it, finding key evidence. It was Masaki and Hiroto who released the data on the flash drive. It was Masaki and Hiroto who brought evidence of the lake poisoning to the press. Kuryu was out for their blood.
It hurt to think that the people they had worked with, fought with, fought for, had betrayed them to Kuryu . Kohaku, Tsukumo, Cobra, Murayama, Smoky, everyone else, how could they? But, Masaki reminded himself, they're enemies, have been enemies for years, fought against each other multiple times.
People had always seen the two as stepping stones. They had stood undefeated for years. Hundreds of people had fought them trying to beat them and become the new "top dog". the best fighter. All of them had failed. Maybe the SWORD leaders had decided once again they wanted the title. Maybe Kohaku had decided they were in his way again. Maybe Mighty, the Prison Gang and Doubt had decided to challenge them again.
Maybe Kuryu 's payout was just too good to resist.
Masaki understood.
That's just how the world worked.
He, Takeru and Hiroto had done just about anything for the right amount. How could he expect the others to say no to something like that? They could all use the money. Their lives could improve immensely. They'd have enough money to sustain their communities, Nameless City to start rebuild efforts and feed all of their people, not to mention all of the more flashy options that go hand and hand with money.
Masaki only hopes that they know what they're doing.
Hopes they don't come to regret their decision to take Kuryu 's money.
The brothers spent the next few days planning.
If they were going to walk into a trap, Masaki would ensure that he and Hiroto got out in one piece.
If he can't stop Hiroto from following him, Masaki will sure as hell make sure he gets out alive.
The meeting spot was an empty warehouse long abandoned by its former business. It was eerily quiet and dark the first night Masaki watched the building. No one came. The second night, Masaki watched as the leaders of Mighty and the Prison Gang did a quick search through the warehouse. The third, Daruma Ikka members drove through a few hours after the Rude Boys checked it out. The fourth, Oya High students cased the place almost immediately after the White Rascals drove by. The Sannoh group never bothered to check the place their leader picked. Doubt and Kuryu never showed.
In the early hours of the morning of the meeting, Masaki slips into the warehouse unseen. He riggs their escape route before hiding away in a dark corner to wait. Hours pass in silence interrupted only by messages from Hiroto.
He watches Cobra and huh? Isn't that the Prison Gang leader? It's definitely the guy he's seen with Mighty before. Cobra and the other leader didn't notice him tucked into the shadows, talking quietly as they walked closer to the center of the room. A few moments later Murayama comes in, approaching the two with a cheerful grin before cuddling — there's no other word for how he melts into Cobra's arms, plastering himself against the Sannoh Rengokai leader. Masaki had heard rumors that there was something between them but not this. He almost gasped in shock; given himself away, as the Prison Gang leader also, as if in competition with the Oya Kou leader, curled into Cobra's other side. Masaki rapidly blinked a couple times, trying to figure out if his eyes deceived him. What did he just see? He watched as Cobra just chuckled, chuckled fondly, before pulling the two closer into him, as if that was even possible. The three talked quietly together for a few moments before the two left Cobra's side, linked hands, and left the warehouse side by side.
The next to arrive was the White Rascals' leader, Rocky, who nodded hello to Cobra and stood to wait. After him came Smoky and Takeshi who settled against the fall wall talking quietly. Hyuga of Daruma Ikka arrived shortly after, making his way towards Rocky who greeted him with a small smile.
Moments later Murayama and the other leader came back carrying several chairs. The Mighty Warriors' leader, Ice and a dark haired guy who was unmistakable the guy who had fought Hiroto and Smoky with a sword, followed after them also carrying several chairs.
Masaki watched analyzing their every movement as chairs were placed around the room in a circle.
Three were set in front of Cobra, two in the direction of the Rude Boys' leaders, mysteriously enough three were placed next to where Hyuga and Rocky, two were placed between Cobra's group and the White Rascals' and the Daruma leader for Ice and the sword guy. Finally, four chairs were set down in two groups of two on the other side of Murayama. Two of which were soon taken by Kohaku and Tsukumo who had just arrived.
The last to arrive was Doubt's leader, Rinmaru, who sat in between Hyuga and the sword guy and Ice.
That left two chairs in between Kohaku and Smoky for him and Hiroto.
It was a good setup. Mugen's leaders next to Cobra. The leaders of Mighty, Doubt and the Prison Gang next to each other. Masaki next to Kohaku. Hiroto next to Smoky. This had Cobra's influence written all over it but Masaki didn't mind too much. He'd rather be next to Kohaku than Rinmaru or Ice.
Where the Kuraya head was, Masaki wasn't sure. He didn't see any of the fuckers who managed to escape jail. He overheard one of the others say they were only waiting for him and Hiroto and instantly became suspicious. He looked around the circle.
The only person it could be was the guy sitting next to Ice. He was unknown other than his fight with Hiroto. Masaki didn't like it. Didn't like it at all but it was time.
Just as Cobra pulled out his phone commenting about messaging him. Masaki stepped forward. He silently made his way across the warehouse unnoticed. He sat smoothly on the open chair next to Kohaku. Several of the leaders around him couldn't hide their surprise, mouths opening and closing in shock as he just appeared.
Cobra composed himself first. "Masaki," he greeted, "How long have you been here?" Masaki smirked, nodding at Sannoh's leader before answering, "a while." Even Kohaku looked surprised at that.
"Where's your boyfriend?" The question came from his right, Smoky. Masaki shrugged before a voice called out, "Right here." He watched for a second time as the group startled when Hiroto just appeared out of thin air, sliding quickly in beside him. "Smoky, " his brother greeted briefly before turning towards the person who called the meeting.
Masaki stayed quiet as Cobra started the meeting, bringing up his main points with several of the other leaders pitching in with details or asking questions. He listened with only half an ear, paying much more attention to what the leaders were doing.
He watched their body languages, their facial expressions, listened more to the tone and pitch of their voice rather than the words they spoke. Hiroto would be doing the listening for him, speaking up only when he needed something clarified.
Masaki spent the meeting on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop; a hidden signal, a hand gesture, glances between leaders, bodies tensing as they prepare for a fight. Time dragged on but nothing happened.
Cobra smiled at Murayama and Jesse — he'd heard his name spoken a few times Masaki was sure it was his — on either side of him. The two couldn't seem to keep their hands to themselves, constantly brushing against Cobra's hands, sides, thighs, shoulders — anywhere they could reach without straying too far.
Ice and Ryu, the sword guy who was definitely the Kuraya head, had been holding hands for the last twenty minutes, shoulders pressed together.
Hyuga had his head leaning against Rinmaru's shoulder, hand on Rocky's thigh.
Smoky had curled into Takeshi almost as soon as the meeting started, eyes falling shut though Masaki knew he was awake and alert the whole time. Takeshi ran his fingers through Smoky's hair absentmindedly close to five times in a minute.
Kohaku's arm had slid around Tsukumo's waist to hold him what felt like hours ago.
All the leaders were calm, content in each other's presence. This was not the first time they had gathered like this.
With no indication of everything Masaki and Hiroto feared, the two began to relax a little. Hiroto going as far as to slide his arm around Masaki's back, hand finding its way under his leather jacket and shirt to rest warmly against the small of his back. Masaki tuned slightly more into the conversation, actually listening as the men around him joked and laughed with each other, gently teasing one another.
Somehow they had moved past "vital information of impending events" to discussing how Cobra's search for a new apartment was coming to how good of a cook Ryu was to how loud Hyuga was in bed.
Masaki silently laughed along with the others relaxing further at the comfortable atmosphere only to tense right back up when Smoky chimed in teasingly that Hiroto was probably just as loud in bed too.
Shocked, he turned to look at the Rude Boys' leader as Hiroto choked on air beside him.
Then it was like the floodgates had been opened questions flying at them from nearly everyone about nearly everything, all sex related.
"Masaki do you have an Anki kink…?"
"Wait does Hiroto bottom…?"
"No Masaki is definitely a top…"
"So is Hiroto the masochist or are you…?"
"What's the weirdest…?"
"Wait…have you two fucked on your motorcycles….?"
"Huh? No way, Hiroto is a top…."
"Have you ever…?"
"Are you two into leather or into leather…?"
"Hold on, are you two even together?"
At that the chatter dies down immediately, everyone waiting for a response. Masaki, who was hiding his red face in his hands, finally looked up, peeking out between his fingers at the men staring at them, expecting an answer. He quickly composes himself, glancing down at Hiroto who had hidden his face in the crook of Masaki's neck almost at the second question. His brother's ears are bright red where they frame his face, evidence of his blush. Masaki nudges him gently with his shoulder. Hiroto hesitates but nods once against him. Masaki looks back at the group of leaders before saying, "yes. We are together." Masaki's endlessly thankful that his voice comes out even and calm.
The group breaks out into cheers for them, a whistle or two sounding out as several of the leaders exclaim that they knew it. Masaki breaks out into a wide grin, giddy laughter spilling out as the group immediately returns to asking all kinds of questions.
Masaki leans back, holding Hiroto into his chest as they answer the more reasonable questions. That night they leave in one piece, happier than they've been in a while at the enthusiastic acceptance of their relationship. They promise to attend the next meeting the following Friday.
When they make it safely back home, the two send a quick goodnight message to a new group chat and fall into bed together.
