I own nothing!
Yashiro side-eyed his charge in the car. Ever since he'd picked him up that morning, he'd been oddly… calm. Content. Peaceful, even. Yet he couldn't smell a whiff of pine on him. He could only smell what little of his cornflower scent made it past his scent blockers.
"Okay, say it," Ren said.
"You're suspiciously chipper for someone who doesn't smell like Kyoko-chan."
He spluttered a laugh. "She's not my only source of happiness!" She's a big one, sure, but not the only one.
"So…?" he gestured vaguely at Ren.
"It's a secret." But hey, he was in a good mood, so…. "But I'll tell you part of it." And then he confirmed what Yashiro had suspected since picking him up from their pack meeting at the rage room: "Kyoko and I are courting."
"I knew that." He rolled his eyes. "The tabloids almost know that. They know you're courting someone, anyway. They've been going crazy since you made that addition to your necklace. Do you have any idea how many fires I've had to put out because of that, by the way?"
He shrank in his seat a little. "Sorry."
"Don't get me wrong, I'm ecstatic for you two. It's been a long time coming. Sometimes it feels like it's been twenty-two years."
"That's… oddly specific."
"Anyway, let's talk about our game plan. You have your first interview in a while today, and you know they're going to ask about it. If they don't, you can get onigiri for lunch." He adjusted his glasses.
"No, I can't." Kyoko would be disappointed.
Yashiro, wisely, did not comment.
The interviewer did, in fact, ask if he was courting someone. Ren gave a well-practiced smile, just barely tinged with the one he reserved for Kyoko. "I am. I'm courting one of my pack members. But I would like to ask everyone to respect her privacy at this time."
LINE BREAK
Kyoko was having a fantastic time on the shopping trip, which so far just consisted of Julie trying various Japanese snacks. It was kind of like feeding paper into a shredder, really… very satisfying. But the fact that it was time spent with (most of) her pack and her newly-proclaimed mom made it amazing.
After her hunger was momentarily sated, Julie summoned a car from literal nowhere and had the driver take them to the single fanciest store Kyoko had ever seen. She balked at the door.
"What's wrong?" Julie asked.
"I don't think I'm allowed in there," she said, nervous pine hanging in the air between them.
"Don't be ridiculous." She grabbed her hand and led the way inside, caught the attention of the worker, and made arrangements. "Now, girls, let's have some fun. And don't worry, everything's on my dime." She winked at them. "I remember how rough it is getting started. Let's give you girls a boost!"
They spread out throughout the store, bringing different items to Julie for approval. Or at least, Chiori and Kanae did. Kyoko was more focused on the fact that none of these items had price tags, which meant they were automatically expensive. She was too focused on it to notice Julie approaching her. At least, until Julie flicked her forehead.
"Ow! Why?" She looked at Julie with large, betrayed eyes.
"You need to listen to me, young lady. I said not to worry because I'm paying."
"But that makes me worry more -"
"Listen to her, Kyoko," Kanae called from where she was looking at an evening gown.
"Just say thank you!" Chiori added. She was examining an emerald green top.
"I think you've been overruled, dear." Julie gave her a fond smile, then kissed where she'd flicked. "Now, come here, I found a dress that I think will look just lovely on you."
She obeyed, blushing. She'd never had a mom figure kiss her forehead before.
(Chiori, for her part, was thinking that joining the LoveMe section was the single best networking move she could have possibly made.)
Once they'd gathered enough items, it was time to head to the dressing rooms. Kanae went first, gaining Julie's approval of her sleek, elegant style. Only a handful of items were deemed no good. Then Chiori went; she, too, received Julie's stamp of approval. And then it was Kyoko's turn.
The only item she'd picked for herself (the rest had been Julie's suggestions, to try things on and start building her style) had been a light yellow sundress, patterned with small daisies. It was just a cotton sundress, but it felt… different. Lighter, somehow, but also sturdier. She'd examined the stitching in the dressing room and had been suitably impressed. Maybe there's a reason this stuff is so pricey. She did an experimental little twirl - loving the way the dress flared just enough to be fun - and then started to walk down their makeshift runway.
Julie's jaw dropped when Kyoko started to walk for them. Not because she looked that good - though her daughter was adorable - but because she knew that walk. It was hers, after all. "Kyoko, dear, your walk…."
"Ah, that's her Natsu walk," Chiori said.
"Natsu?" She raised an eyebrow.
Kyoko blushed. "Ren taught me how to walk like a model for my role as Natsu. He said he'd learned it from the most beautiful woman in the world."
Julie, internally, turned to goo.
Behind her, in Kyoko's view, the shop owner turned on a silent television. It was a playback of Paris Fashion Week. And as Julie walked the runway onscreen, she realized where Ren had gotten that walk.
His mom, she thought, a weight she didn't know she'd been carrying lifting off of her. He learned it from his mom, not some - not competition. Kuon would have been thrilled to know that she was jealous.
"Okay, next outfit. That one's a yes." Julie waved one hand, surreptitiously dabbing at her eyes with the other. "Later, I'm teaching you girls how to develop your own runway walks."
And she would, after they each left the store with enough clothes to make Kyoko want to faint. Kanae and Chiori, in addition to thanking Julie profusely (as Kyoko did, too, of course), also thanked her by steering Kyoko out of the store while the items were purchased. If she'd known just how expensive they were, she would never, ever have worn them. And Julie, obviously, did not want that.
LINE BREAK
Kuon was having a hard time keeping his Ren persona in place. It was weird seeing his parents again - and introducing them properly to Kyoko. It left him feeling kind of giddy, honestly. Excited. Freaked out, but excited. Especially as he wondered what they were doing together.
Kuon: how's it going princess
Kyoko: your mom is worse than u are omg i dont want to know how much she just spent
Kuon: ah good she hasn't changed
Kuon: she took you shopping?
Kyoko: framed it as a loveme assignment and took all 3 of us. Which was super nice of her! But she spent so much! (stressed emoji, three times)
Kuon: don't worry she can afford it
Kyoko: not the point (crying emoji) how am i ever going to repay her
Kuon: she doesn't want you to
Kyoko: (crying emoji)
Kuon: well
Kuon: how about cooking dinner for her. You can all come to my place, I'll get ingredients, and you can cook. I bet dad's been bragging about your cooking to her
Kyoko: you're a GENIUS ilysm
He blinked down at his phone, then googled what "ilysm" meant. He then blushed a lovely shade of pink.
Kuon: love you too, princess (heart and sheep emojis)
Later, he would print that conversation out and frame it.
LINE BREAK
Kyoko knocked on the door of Kuon's apartment, nervous pine permeating the hallway. He'd said she didn't need to bring anything, but she still felt so awkward. If it's thanks for the shopping trip, shouldn't I buy the food? But then… I don't think I would be able to get enough to feed both of them….
Kuon answered the door, but only just beat his parents to it. "Hi," he said, a little breathless.
"Hi." Oh my god this is also dinner with my partner's parents. That hit her suddenly, and the nervous pine intensified.
"Kyoko, honey, there's no need to be nervous!" Julie called from over Kuon's shoulder.
Kuon looked over at her, confused. Then he remembered that, oh yeah, others can smell emotions. "One second," he said to Kyoko, then turned around and had a hushed conversation with his parents. They withdrew to the kitchen, pouting. Kuon stepped aside and let Kyoko into the hall. "Sorry. They can be… a lot."
"No, no, it's not that! They're wonderful. I'm just." She swallowed. "I'm just not used to it."
"C'mere." He leaned down and scented her. Calming cornflowers wrapped around her, and he felt her relax a little. He hugged her. "I get it. Frankly, it's overwhelming for me, too, and I grew up with them."
"It's just so weird," she mumbled into the fabric of his shirt.
He heard what she meant in the offing. "I know. Well, I don't know, but I get it." One hand came up to stroke her hair. "But they mean well."
"I just feel like I don't deserve it," she whispered.
"I can't think of anyone who deserves it more." He could feel the heat of her blush through his shirt, and dropped a kiss on her scalp. "Now, let's go cook before they eat all the ingredients."
"Right." She withdrew from his hold and squared her shoulders. Cooking. That's something I can handle right now.
"We just have to keep Mom away from the spices, or she's liable to add something weird."
She looked up at him with terrified eyes, imagining culinary crimes beyond tastebud comprehension.
LINE BREAK
In the end, Kuu and Kuon tag-teamed distracting Julie while Kyoko led the charge on cooking. Kuu did the second-most in terms of cooking, though Kuon did help with some chopping. The fact that he now knew how to properly slice vegetables was enough to move Julie to tears. In her defense, she'd had a very busy weekend, what with reuniting with her son and gaining a daughter and all. Despite it all, they managed to create a truly impressive feast.
And then, once dinner was eaten (and Kuu and Julie had lavished Kyoko with praise to the point she thought she was going to die), Kyoko and Kuon were sent to the living room to relax while the others tackled the dishes. She tried to protest but was met by Julie's disapproving stare. "You did the majority of the cooking, young lady. Go rest." She turned to her son. "Kuon, go with her and make she she does."
"Yes, Mom," he said, and she melted all over again.
Then he took Kyoko's hand and led her out to the living room, where the family nest was still laid out on the floor. She approached it cautiously, not used to him having anyone else's scent in his nests. It almost felt like she was intruding.
Then he sprawled out in it, tugging her down to lie with him. He had Shep come nuzzle her until she laughed. "Kuon!"
"Baaaaaa," he said in a high-pitched, nasally voice. "Baaaaaaaa."
She collapsed against him in a fit of giggles. When she'd calmed, she scooted up until she could reach to scent him. "Thank you."
"They love you, you know." He threaded his fingers through her hair as she scented him.
She rolled her eyes as she pulled back. "They barely know me."
"They know you enough." He had Shep bonk against her shoulder. "Besides, they know I love you. And that helps."
She turned a brilliant shade of pink and hid her face against his neck. "Don't say that so casually!"
"Nah. I think you need to hear it." He wrapped his Shep-free arm more securely around her waist, shifting her against him just enough so he could whisper to her. Tell her how much he loved her, how important she was to him, and how excited his parents had been for her to come over tonight.
This was the adorable scene into which Kuu and Julie walked when they finished doing dishes. Julie snapped a picture on her phone before they interrupted. "You kids down for some family nest time?"
Kyoko stilled. When was the last time she'd had family nest time? Maybe when she and Sho were still very, very little. "I - I'd be okay with it."
"C'mon in," Kuon said, gesturing with Shep.
Kuu and Julie settled into the nest, sandwiching the kids between them. Slowly, Kyoko relaxed, allowing herself to enjoy this. To enjoy the thought of parents who loved her. To enjoy being with her partner. To enjoy family nest time. To enjoy the sensation of Mom running her fingers through her hair.
She didn't even realize when she started purring.
Nor did she realize that she was drifting off to sleep, until Kuon woke her gently an hour later. She let out a sleepy whine that did not so much tug at his heart strings as it did rip them like a grumpy suburban dad trying to get an old, gas-powered lawn mower to start.
"Kyoko," he said, when he'd managed to get ahold of himself. "It's getting late. Did you want to stay over, or should I drive you home?"
Stay. I want to stay. I don't want to leave this nest, ever. "I should get home. If I get back too late, it might disturb taisho and okami-san."
That got Julie's attention. She opened her mouth to ask, but Kuon subtly shook his head. He'd explain later. "Okay, let's get ready to go, then."
When he'd come back from dropping her off, he explained Kyoko's situation to his increasingly indignant parents - including the recent TV interview that Kyoko's mother had done, denying her existence, which their pack had to nurse her through. Julie was ready to hunt the woman down, late hour be damned, but Kuon managed to talk her down. And maybe applied some cornflower scent to help with that.
Julie and Kuu instead decided to take a subtler approach, and start by completely paying off her schooling. Subtler, because Hizuris are not really capable of subtlety when it comes to their loved ones. And, after all, it was natural for parents to pay for their children's education when finances allowed.
Kuon was just jealous that they got to do that, as he knew Kyoko would never allow him to do it. But then, his parents were far more in the business of asking forgiveness than permission when it came to grand gestures.
Kyoko had no idea about the absolute tidal wave of love coming her way.
LINE BREAK
Nor did she expect to have a certain idiot pounding on her door at two in the morning. She stumbled downstairs, rubbing sleep out of her eyes, to see taisho staring disapprovingly at Sho.
"I'll talk to him, taisho," she said, yawning. "I'm sorry he's like this." He went, not back up to bed, but to the kitchen. She wondered if he was hungry before turning to Sho. Scorched gasoline met her nose. He was pissed. "What do you want?"
"Pay up, Kyoko," he seethed.
"Excuse you? Pay up what?"
"Go back to Kyoko, and work at the ryokan, forever."
The fact that he wasn't yelling almost scared her. Almost, except this was Sho. She could tell he was moments from a tantrum. "Why the hell would I do that?"
"Because you swore you would!" There it was, that insane glint he got in his eyes. The smell of gasoline was growing more and more intense. "You swore you'd go back if you fell in love with that bastard Tsuruga Ren!"
"I don't need to go back, as I've done no such thing." She crossed her arms. "Now if you're done spouting nonsense, I'm going back to bed." She made to close the door.
He lunged at her, and for one wild moment she actually felt a hint of fear - was he going to choke her? - but instead he pulled the chain of her necklace out of her yukata. "Then explain this."
She wanted to punch him. But she knew from her talks with Chiori and Kanae that sinking to his level only validated him. So instead, she put on her best impression of Kanae, sounding as bored as possible. "It's a necklace, Shotaro." She arched an eyebrow and slid the chain out of his hands. "Surely you've heard of them?"
"I know what a necklace is, goddamnit!" He tried to grab at it again, but she side-stepped. "I also know damn well that yours matches that bastard's new charm!"
"Wow, I didn't know you were such a fan of Ren's," she said. "Only the diehard fans recognized that his necklace changed."
"You know damn well what I mean, bitch!"
She gave him a cold, hard stare. "Are you done?"
"Not until you get your ass on the train back to Kyoto," he growled.
"I don't need to. I haven't fallen for Tsuruga Ren," she said simply.
"But you're wearing his necklace! He said he fell in love with a pack member, and you let him in your pack!" He was practically frothing at the mouth now. The girls had been right about this approach.
She let out an amused huff, gave him her best condescending Natsu smile, and put her hand on the door handle. "Oh, Shotaro… haven't you ever heard of a stage name? Tsuruga Ren doesn't exist."
And then she slammed the door in his face, locking it before he even had a chance to respond. She turned to walk up the stairs when he started pounding on it again, yelling obscenities and calling her every name in the book. She groaned.
"Go to bed." Taisho had emerged from the kitchen, holding one of his knives. His usual scent of rice had taken on a burnt undertone. "I'll take care of it."
"I'm so sorry about him -" she started, bowing, but he shook his head.
"He won't be welcome here anymore. Go sleep."
She bowed again, this time in thanks, and scurried up the stairs. Once she reached the top, she heard him open the door. Sho's yells died in his throat, and moments later, she heard a car roar off.
She'd have to put in some extra hours in the restaurant soon in thanks.
She entered her bedroom and pulled out her phone, giddy.
Kyoko: i hope your phones are all off but update: taisho just scared sho off with a knife
Ren: are you okay?
Kyoko: why are you awake
Ren: reasons. Are you okay?
Kyoko: I'm great actually, it was really funny
Ren: what happened
Kyoko: so the idiot showed up at 2 am for some godforsaken reason and was pounding on the restaurant door
Kyoko: when i met with my mother for my passport she told his parents where i lived and now he knows btw
Kyoko: so he was screaming about me going back 2 kyoto bc i fell in love with you
Kyoko: but when he pinned me in the garage and made me promise that, he didn't realize he was using ur stage name
Ren: HE WHAT
Kyoko: yeah this was that day he forced me into his car with handcuffs
Kyoko: so i kept v cool like moko and chiorin said and he just got super angry and it was really funny
Kyoko: and i pointed out that i fell in love with u, not ur stage name (dw i didn't say anything about ur real name)
Kyoko: and then i slammed the door in his face
On the other side of the phone, Kuon was having many mixed emotions.
Kyoko: but then he started making a ruckus again but taisho sent me up to bed and met him at the door with his big knife! And then i heard him drive away like seconds later (cry-laughing emoji, three times)
Ren: we need to talk to the boss about this guy this is ridiculous
Kyoko: (eye roll) he's an idiot but idk if he'd do anything serious
Ren: he KIDNAPPED YOU
Kyoko: …okay when u put it like that
Ren: seriously though, are you okay?
Kyoko: yeah im fine this is funny now
Kyoko: it's not like he hit me again
Ren: what
Kyoko swore quietly. She'd forgotten that he didn't know about that incident during early Dark Moon.
Kyoko: uh remember that cut i had on my cheek when we were filming dark moon
Ren: I'm going to kill him
Kyoko: not allowed. I can't defeat him in showbiz if you kill him
Kuon switched to messaging her privately.
Kuon: HE HIT YOU?
Kyoko: yeah i was telling him to stand up to the beagles and he got pissed
Kyoko: so i set grudge spirits on him
Kuon: we're definitely talking to boss. This can't go on. If i'd known sooner i wouldve done more
Kyoko: (eye roll) he's just an idiot
Kuon: he hit you, stalks you, and kidnapped you
Kuon: you're lucky i just want to tell boss and not mom or dad
Kyoko: ?
Kuon: they would eviscerate him and wreck any chance of his career
Kyoko: again, i want to defeat him in showbiz and i can't do that if outside forces do it for me
Kuon: he would deserve it
Kyoko: meh.
Kuon: (picture of Baarnaby glaring into the camera)
Kyoko: you're right baarnaby i should go to bed
Kuon: that's not what i meant but okay. We can talk more in the morning. Love you
Kyoko: (heart and sheep emojis)
Back in the group chat, the next morning:
Moko: girl wtf at this point u need a restraining order
Chiorin: yeah it's gotten way out of hand
Ren: pack vote, majority rule. We talk to boss.
Kyoko: it's not that big of a deal but fine, majority rule.
(Kuu and Julie would, in fact, find out about Shotaro's crimes, but not until they were back in the States and Lory was well on his way to handling it. For now, they were allowed to continue their blissful family time.)