Chapter Text
**
Ryou-chan, my dear sweet boy.
With your hair all messy, you had the most beautiful smile tonight when you gave me flowers today.
And it hurt me so much.
It's the first Mother's Day we've celebrated. It warms my heart when I hold you in my arms, and it hurts me to know that I do everything I can to protect you from the outside world, but that I fail again and again.
***
100,000 voices reverberated through the arena. Ryouma sang at the top of his lungs, and the crowd’s roar swallowed his words whole, spitting them back amplified, distorted.
Could there be anything more intoxicating? The red dragon on his naked chest roared in response.
"RYOUUUUMA!" A girl in the front row shouted over the bass and drums. She thrashed wildly, her sign whipping above the sea of people. He winked. Her scream pierced through the wall of sound.
Then 100,000 hands cheered. Demanding more, more, MORE. They tore through two encores. Then stumbled off-stage, drenched in sweat, vibrating with energy. The noise of the stadium, of the bass, still echoing in their ears.
***
Backstage was chaos. Bodies collided, cables snaked underfoot, equipment carts barreled past. Hands slapped their backs in congratulations while voices - shouting names or orders -overlapped into unintelligible noise.
"Hurry up, guys, the reporter is here!" Shizune materialized next to him. Their media relations manager dragged them through the human current. Small as she was, she had no trouble slipping through, but even though people who recognized them would step aside to let them pass, Ryouma, with his broader build, had to apologize over and over again whenever he bumped into someone.
Ryouma’s boots caught on gaff tape. In a corner, a monitor was strobe-like flashing, projecting images of him, as it displayed the best bits of their show.
A staff girl, with a nose piercing, thrusted water at him.
"Thanks."
"My pleasure." Her fingers lingered on his sweat-slick bicep. An unnecessary gesture.
His smile stretched tight. He was drenched in sweat after two hours on stage and several runs through the crowd that had pressed against him, wanting to touch him. He just wanted his personal space back.
"There," Momichi prompted him to move forward.
***
The silence in the lounge that had been reserved for them in one of the arena’s corridors was deafening after their two-hour performance. Ryouma put on a sweatshirt that Shizune handed him. The fabric was too warm, but he would soon feel cold if he suddenly stood still in the air-conditioned room after having been so active on stage.
Momichi stood at the double doors of their dressing room to screen the team of journalists.
"Do they have any new leads?" Gen asked, the toothpick in his mouth rolling over his tongue from one corner of his lips to the other, looking at Momichi. The man was glowering at everything and everyone.
Ryouma shook his head as he sat down on one of the chairs set out for them in the middle of the room.
"I know a guy who could hack public security cameras and identify that freak," Kat whispered so the arriving journalists couldn’t hear.
"Not only is that completely illegal, but do I want to know how you met a hacker?" Raidou leaned forward in his chair to stare at Kat from over Ryouma's shoulder.
"Nope, Taichou," beamed Kat for no reason. "But let’s just say it was during the last fashion week, at a casino party where I met three models, a movie star, a chef, an astronaut, and this hacker. Wild parties."
Raidou sighed.
Ever since their songs were hits on every radio station and their concerts filled stadiums, they were invited everywhere. Kat was doing her best to enjoy it. While Ryouma received thousands of declarations of love every day, with people following his every move in the media, stopping him in the street for photos and autographs. He had always loved being the center of attention, and people adored him. But four years ago, he started wearing a baseball cap when he wanted some privacy in public areas.
Not to mention the letters that his record label had been concerned about- photos of him taken in hotels despite the security measures. Then, a few weeks ago, on his 28th birthday, the letter was accompanied by bloody rose petals. Happy birthday to him. As a result, Momichi and his team of bodyguards had followed him everywhere while the police investigated.
"So," said the reporter. Ryouma focused again as one of the crew attached a microphone to his T-shirt, and another started the camera.
***
They had already answered the usual questions: what did they think of the city, what did they like best about the tour, what did they feel about the audience’s reaction?
Ryouma let Raidou and Gen do the talking; they were more skilled with the media. Ryouma just offered his prettiest smile.
"Your latest album is now platinum. Your fans loved its more introspective direction. Your choice of photos, like the lyrics."
The reporter held up the album cover for the camera, and Ryouma looked at the black-and-white photo of himself on the album cover, his face half-submerged in darkness. He hadn’t known his eyes could capture light like that until then. Before this, the record label had capitalized on their sex appeal, and Ryouma still performed shirtless on stage, complete with eyeliner. But he had wanted to show something else.
"What about the next album? Is it ready yet? Your fans are speculating on social media about the release date."
Ryouma blinked. They were finishing a 90-day tour, traveling day after day, doing concerts, interviews, and fan meetings. He was so tired that he could only think of one thing: going home and sleeping for days.
"We’re working on it," he promised.
***
I should have held out a little longer. Stayed until I got my high school diploma. Smiling and having a positive attitude help, but it's not always enough to find a job. But don't worry, what we lack in luck in the family, we make up for in charm—it comes from my mother's side.
Lean on that strong point, use it to your advantage.
***
The residential street was eerily quiet under the streetlights. It was past midnight, but at least they were back in Konoha. Ryouma gave a wave to Momichi's team stationed in front of the gate. The poor guys were going to spend the night in their cars. He would bring them a cup of coffee tomorrow morning.
He opened his front door and entered the security code to disarm the alarm. Because he had a security alarm. And to think that at 16, he slept with one eye open, the strap of his backpack, containing all his belongings, wrapped twice around his arm so no one could steal it on the street. Fuck, life was weird.
Inside the single-story house, only darkness and silence greeted him.
He sighed. After months on tour, even though exhausted, the transitions were always brutal. Especially when it was just him. Alone.
He thought about turning on the music as he headed for the bathroom. But that wasn't the kind of presence he had been craving. So in silence, he turned on the shower. The hot water fell on his shoulders, and his head fell forward to feel the warm stream on the back of his neck. Finally, the perfect water pressure. He had renovated the bathroom along with the rest of the house, their third platinum album putting a definitive end to the two-thirds of his life spent wondering where he would sleep and what he would eat the next day.
The scent of his blackberry shampoo made him feel even more at home, but the exhaustion of the journey and the last three months quickly caught up with him. He quickly dried himself off in the large walk-in shower before dropping his towel on the floor. No one would pick it up for him, as hotels do. It was comforting in a way.
He looked at the moon through the bay windows of his room, which opened directly onto the garden. His garden. He had been away for the blossoming of the trees. A pity. He had always loved this time of year.
He let himself fall onto his bed and fell asleep before he even realized it.
***
Click.
The sound cut through the fog of his sleep. The morning air brushed against his bare shoulder, his back. He hadn’t even had the strength to get under the covers the night before.
Sunlight warmed his eyelids, then vanished. A shadow blocking it.
Click.
The sharp sound of a camera shutter.
His muscles tensed. Unwanted attention, letters, and photos of him taken without his knowledge came to his mind. His heartbeat stuttered against his ribs.
Ryouma’s eyelashes parted just enough to let light flood in. He didn’t move, didn’t breathe.
The lens of a camera hovered above him. But then, above the camera, an eye peeked out. Red with black flecks.
He was home.
His shoulders relaxed into the familiar mattress.
"Something inspiring?" Ryouma’s lips curved upward as he stretched languorously against the sheets.
"Maa, just calculating how much the tabloids might pay for that," came the detached reply, fingers already adjusting the aperture for another shot.
"I hope we’ll at least share the proceeds," Ryouma replied, lifting his head slightly.
Kakashi shifted. The sun poured from the window, finding Ryouma’s face. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the gentle warmth. Another snap of the camera captured the moment, and Ryouma couldn’t help but smile.
"That can be negotiated," Kakashi mused, his tone light.
Ryouma’s heart swelled at the sight of him in his ruffled flannel shirt and baggy pants. Oh Kami, how he had missed the man.
"Come in," he beckoned, extending an arm, inviting Kakashi.
As Kakashi stepped closer, Ryouma grasped the hem of his shirt, pulling him down for a kiss. Their lips met, soft and familiar. Ryouma hummed happily. Despite all the lyrics, despite all the melodies and choruses, Ryouma had never been able to put into words the sensation of Kakashi's kisses. Each time, he lost himself in them.
And this had been so long since their last one.
Ryouma slid a hand beneath Kakashi’s shirt, feeling the warmth of his skin.
"Nope," Kakashi broke away. "I need a shower first to wash off the twelve-hour train ride."
"We haven’t seen each other in three weeks, and you’d rather have a shower than me?" Ryouma pouted.
"Without hesitation," Kakashi replied, stepping back to place his camera on the nightstand. "Those trains are as crowded as they say. I saw a family spending the entire trip in the open toilet room. Compared to that, the Konoha subway at rush hour is a walk in the park." He peeled off his shirt and pants. The sun reflected off his white skin.
Ryouma found himself momentarily mesmerized by the sight. Then he asked, "Did you get everything you wanted?"
Kakashi nodded, tossing his clothes into the laundry basket before striding naked toward the bathroom.
Well, Ryouma had planned to sleep for three days straight, but if that wasn’t motivation to get up, he didn’t know what was. He dashed after Kakashi.
"It’ll make a good news story about regions neglected by public services," Kakashi replied to his question. "But I’m waiting to finish the one about ERs before I release it. Otherwise, even with Rin’s help, they’ll only throw more obstacles in my path."
Ryouma frowned. "Serious stuff? Momichi could stay with you." He wrapped his arms around Kakashi from behind to shield him.
Kakashi paused at the bathroom door at his embrace - no, not at his embrace, Ryouma realized when Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the towel carelessly left on the floor. "Maybe I should use the money from your nude photos to hire a cleaning help."
Ryouma rolled his eyes. "I’ll put it in the laundry and wash it, I promise. But later. Right now, I have other plans," he said, pressing a kiss to Kakashi’s neck.
Their reflection caught Ryouma’s eye in the mirror. Both of them naked, their bodies completely bare. Kakashi, with his pale skin and lean muscles. His shoulders were relaxed and loose, so much more at ease at 26 than the tense, wary stance of his younger days.
Just above Kakashi’s shoulder, Ryouma was still taller and broader-shouldered, his dragon tail tattoo peeking out over his collarbone.
The tattoo was a curling splash of color, inked jaws open threateningly around the silver nipple ring. He had finally inked his skin at twenty after signing their first contract: the first four notes of “Seven Nation” and “The Sound of Silence” on his forearm. Then, a seagull on his bicep for his mother, after their first gold record, and the red dragon just before their first Grammy awards. That night, as they celebrated another milestone with his bandmates, Kakashi had kissed him, and the dragon was no longer destroying; he was spreading his wings to show everyone what they had accomplished.
It nearly silenced the harsh echoes of his grandfather’s voice.
Every "useless" drowned out by the roaring crowds chanting his name when he was on stage, or by the sounds of Kakashi’s moans in their bed.
But now, Kakashi was trying to wriggle free from his embrace. "I’m still dirty. At least wait until after I shower."
"I’ve waited too long," Ryouma declared. And he decided to get things done. He spun Kakashi around and tossed him over his shoulder.
"Ryouma!" Kakashi squawked into Ryouma’s back, laughter bubbling up in his voice.
"If you’re going to take a shower, I’m coming with you. We have twenty-four hours before we pick up the dogs from Minato, a week before I leave for another media show, and a week and two days before a meeting with the label. Now it’s time for you." He set Kakashi down on the shower floor.
"I’m fla-" Kakashi began, as Ryouma turned on the shower, and Kakashi spluttered at the water falling from above. He glared at Ryouma, but the effect was lost beneath his wet hair, falling into his eyes and making him look like a soaked dog. Ryouma chuckled.
"I was saying," Kakashi tried again, ignoring him, "I’m flattered that in your schedule, you try and make time for a quickie with me."
"It's important to be multitasking when you're managing a rockstar career," Ryouma retorted, a proud grin stretching across his face while the water jet hit his shoulders. "But, this isn’t a quickie I’m offering you," he added, cupping Kakashi’s cheeks in his hands. He kissed Kakashi’s forehead, his nose, both of his eyelids, and then his mouth. "I’ve missed you. A lot. I’ll take my time and make you beg for me to finish before I’m done with you."
Kakashi shivered despite the hot water falling on them, his eyes darkened. "Well, do your best, Tousaki."
Ryouma huffed a laugh at the challenge. Then he leaned in, capturing Kakashi’s lips once more.
***
I know some kids in the neighborhood bullied you because of our situation, but you ignored them, made other friends to play soccer with, and you've never complained about sleeping in this squat. You're going to hate having to leave in a few weeks. One day you'll be grown up, and I want you to be able to decide what's best for you. I want you to have that chance.
***
"I've thought it through," Ryouma said, his fingers rifling through the colorful wrappers of gum in the surprise pack he had found at the corner grocery store. He sank deeper into the plush sofa of the hotel lobby. "I think the father is the leopard demon."
Kakashi, perched in one of the armchairs nearby, looked up from his book, not that he’d had much time to read; they had just arrived at the motel, and Genma was already collecting their room keys.
They were only there for 24 hours for a TV interview. But it was too much time away from each other when Kakashi could accompany them between reporting assignments.
Kakashi’s brow furrowed as he shot Ryouma a skeptical glance. "That doesn't make any sense," he replied, clearly implying 'you don’t make any sense', before adding, "It was the father who built a wall of sand to protect the village."
"Yeah, but that was before the attack," Ryouma countered. "We haven’t seen him since."
In the crumpled brown paper bag, Ryouma found a strawberry chewing gum with a bright pink wrapper. Rai's favorite. Ryouma smiled before tossing the foil-wrapped square in a gentle arc toward their band leader, who stood nearby, arms crossed, guarding their luggage and watching Kat already hitting on one of the hotel girls. As if Momichi, who was standing in a corner of the lobby, wouldn't step in if necessary.
Raidou snatched the candy mid-air easily, and he nodded his thanks. He unwrapped the gum and popped the pink square into his mouth. Rai’s satisfied grin sent a warm flutter of accomplishment through Ryouma's chest.
"Plus, they're never on screen together," Ryouma continued, returning to his theory. He fished out next a green wrapper: sour apple. His face contorted at the thought of its acidic bite and sharp tang assaulting his taste buds. He handed it to Kakashi, who, after a look at the suspicious thing, accepted the offering.
He had more than earned it. Ryouma owed him a decade of passion for anime, a whole universe just as captivating as the action-packed movies he used to binge-watch. And something that had unexpectedly ushered in one of the most thrilling moments of his life when, after casually mentioning his love for "The Leaf Ninja" during an interview, his phone had buzzed. The anime’s creators wanted him to compose their upcoming film's soundtrack. He had to pinch the skin on his arm, half-expecting to wake up from a dream.
With the project still under wraps, he couldn’t brag about it in the media. But the last time they visited Minato, Naruto had thrown himself at Ryouma, asking him a million questions while barely paying any attention to Kakashi. His boyfriend had frowned for hours. But Ryouma knew it wouldn't last; the blond had idolized Kakashi for thirteen years.
And how could a simple singer compete with his big brother? Admittedly, it was under the pseudonym Sukea, but it was still Kakashi's work that made the headlines of the most important newspapers.
Because only Kakashi's genius could turn a hobby meant to distract him from his dark thoughts into a full-time career. It had been four years since Kakashi had last set foot in a science lab. The evenings spent with Minato, with father and son scribbling physics equations on napkins, were more than enough. Kakashi no longer had time to get lost in science with his busy work schedule.
So busy, it was a small miracle that Kakashi had the time to do the portraits for their latest album. Or to come along with them on this trip.
Kakashi pondered for a moment, "Snow Leopards are animals that fear heat. The father trains every day at noon in the desert. The son is the demon."
"He's barely three years old," Ryouma shot back, his head snapping up from the gum bag, disbelief etched on his face.
"Maa, exactly," Kakashi replied. "That makes sense."
"It doesn’t make any sense. That toddler can’t be a cannibal and make goat’s guts explode."
A lady, sitting on the couch across from them, shot them a disapproving look. Her twelve or thirteen-year-old son was looking at them with wide eyes.
"Kids, we’re in public," Raidou chided, his voice low but firm.
Kakashi, who had always refused to answer to the title of ‘kid’ - and even more so now that he was over 25—continued undeterred, "And the father is clearly a maniac. He must have had a relationship with a demon."
“Just because someone likes kinky sex doesn’t mean they’re going to spawn a demon. I would know," Ryouma grinned, his expression playful. "I like people biting my nipple piercing—"
The mother quickly clamped her hands over her son’s ears while the boy looked at Ryouma with even more curiosity. The lady stood up in a huff, dragging her son away.
Raidou shot them a reproachful look. Ryouma winced, embarrassed. He mimed zipping his lips as a sign of apology.
"By people biting your nipple, I really hope you mean me?" said Kakashi pointedly, ignoring Raidou’s look.
"Nobody else." Ryouma raised his two hands in the air. "I swear, honey."
Kakashi looked unamused. "Don’t call me that."
"Of course, sweetheart."
Kakashi groaned, then decided it wasn't worth it and went back to his book.
So Ryouma returned to his pack of gum. Finally, he pulled out a cherry-flavored piece, the tartness promising a burst of sweetness. Also, Genma wouldn’t be able to complain again about Ryouma not eating enough fruits. He was a responsible adult now.
Kakashi turned a page in his book.
Ryouma enjoyed the tangy taste of his chewing gum. "I’d like to live in the desert," he said after a moment, blowing a bubble with his chewing gum. The thought of endless dunes stretching beneath a vast sky filled with stars instead of city lights. Fresh air, free from the choking exhaust fumes of the city.
Kakashi scoffed, his eyes still on his book. "You’d be bored in thirty minutes."
"I would not," Ryouma said, trying to project maturity despite the pout in his lips. "I could enjoy the peace and quiet to meditate or something."
Kakashi shot a pointed glance at Ryouma’s bouncing leg, which immediately stilled under the weight of the other’s gaze. Maybe sitting still wasn’t his strong suit.
"The only time you’re calm is when you’re listening to new songs, and even then, your head bobs to every beat. I’m sure you’d go looking for a demon just to pass the time," Kakashi remarked dryly.
"A kinky demon?" Ryouma said with a cheeky grin. "I could meditate with them," he added, his tone laced with innuendo.
"And you would spawn a demon child, just like in the anime."
"The father is the demon! Not the son."
"If you say so," Kakashi replied, clearly thinking Ryouma was wrong.
"Stop bickering," interrupted Raidou. "It's time to go." He picked up one of the bags from his shoulder, his guitar case in hand. Near the reception desk, Gen had the keys in his hand.
***
Ryouma's phone buzzed on the sofa, its vibrations pulling him from the rhythm of his melody. The dogs lying around him in the living room lazily twitched their ears at the sound.
Ryouma let the phone buzz, his fingers busy strumming the guitar strings, immersed in the music.
After a few seconds, the screen dimmed. Then lit up again.
Bull barked deeply at the sound.
Kat’s signature emojis flashed on the phone’s screen —red heart and explosion.
Ryouma stared at them. Kat had always been persistent, but they rarely called each other, with them spending at least six hours a day with the band.
What if she had a problem? With a knot of anxiety in his stomach, he picked up.
"You did it again!" Kat’s voice burst through with excitement.
Ryouma frowned. "What?"
"You're not on social media? What do you even do all evening?"
"Believe it or not, I was working. Apparently, our fans are waiting for our next album." He tried to sound casual, but the record label was already working on the album's marketing strategy even though he had barely finished the very first song.
"The fans are going to be even more hyped," Kat chimed in. "You’ve just been voted sexiest singer of the year for the second time."
"Oh," was Ryouma's reaction, but he knew what was expected of him, so he put as much enthusiasm as he could into his voice. "Are you surprised by abs like mine?"
"Not at all," Kat laughed. "I knew from day one you had it in you, hotshot. So, have hordes of horny fans started camping outside your place again? Tossing underwear at your windows?"
"We moved for this same reason last time," Ryouma reminded her. He had always known that sharing his songs with as many people meant blurring the lines between his private life and his public persona. But this news would soon make the front page of every celebrity magazine in the country, and it was certainly not going to help solve his crazy stalker problem.
At least Momichi was still keeping watch at the entrance to the house.
Kat’s tone shifted, seriousness threading through her words. "You know the label is certainly already planning a bunch of interviews for you after this, right? If you want to swing by for this pancake place in the north, just say the word. We all agreed we needed a break after the tour. I only partied twice last week."
Ryouma laughed, a soft huff escaping him. "I’m sure Taichou is making up for the sleep you're missing, certainly going to bed at 10 p.m."
"Come on, Taichou can’t party to save his life, but the man is unstoppable. All these nights he doesn't spend partying, he spends working. Sometimes I feel exhausted just watching his schedule. With Gen, we should plan a sauna day. Rai won’t say no if it’s the three of us against him."
"Let’s save that for when we’ve got at least two or three songs ready for the new album." Ryouma winced at the thought of his future interviews and the inevitable questions about the album’s release. If he could sidestep the awkwardness of admitting they had nothing solid yet.
"Taichou has really rubbed off on you, hasn’t he?" Kat teased.
"After his last 15-kilometer jog, I was too exhausted to do anything but agree to his work plan."
Kat snorted. "Evil."
Ryouma smiled for real this time. "Evil."
***
"We should have gotten a plant," said Kakashi from the front passenger seat, looking at the gift box on his lap. "Naruto gave us a plant when we got our first apartment."
"Rin and Gen are never home," replied Ryouma from behind the wheel. "I'm even surprised they left their downtown loft with the hospital and all the takeout places nearby."
"Well, if they're moving into a house, they must want some nature. A plant would have been better. Actually—" Kakashi stopped, suddenly lost in thought. Ryouma glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.
"What?" Ryouma asked.
Kakashi frowned, then said, "Nothing."
But Kakashi continued to frown silently during the rest of the drive. Ryouma wasn't concerned. Even though Kakashi would never be a car enthusiast, he was far less nervous than before. "Because I have not only bad memories now," he had explained one day. Ryouma had, of course, immediately thought of their road trip, just the two of them, the year Kakashi turned 20, and their backseat activities. Kakashi had rolled his eyes. "That too, but it was also in your van that I first talked about my father’s death with someone other than my therapist. With you." When I found you.
In front of the music school during their first and only tour together. Ryouma still didn’t know what he’d done to deserve that trust. But that was what had marked a turning point in their relationship for Kakashi, and he would always be grateful for it.
They were the last to arrive at Rin and Gen's housewarming party. Rin kissed them, and Kakashi looked at her, narrowing his eyes.
Rin chuckled. "Stop that, will you?" she said, patting him on the arm. And immediately she hooked her arm through Ryouma's. "So, Ryouma, tell me more about the project Obito asked your help with."
Ryouma was relieved that she didn't comment on his status as the sexiest man alive, like everyone else he had seen during the week. Especially when he had more interesting things to talk about.
Obito had given up on his dream of becoming an actor after leading a theatre workshop for Naruto's school, when he discovered how much theatre could help kids in difficulty, just as it had helped him. With Minato's encouragement, he had resumed his studies to earn an education degree. He now worked for an association helping young offenders reintegrate into society through theater. Obito had come up with the idea of creating an original musical opera and had enlisted Gen and Ryouma in the adventure.
It had been difficult at first to get the teenagers to open up enough to write song lyrics, but after months, the first song was promising. It had been such an exciting process.
Ryouma was about to answer when Kakashi opened his mouth. "Why are you asking him?" he asked Rin. "You see Obito every week."
Rin looked at Kakashi tiredly. "Oh Kami, Kashi, I see Obito because, unlike you, he doesn’t travel around the country every other day. But just so you know, we’re counting on you for our next karaoke night. No excuses will be accepted."
Kakashi took a step back. "Nope, certainly not." He shook his head. "I know what you're doing, but let's just say that you've only won a few minutes." With that, he ran off to join the others in the garden.
Ryouma looked between his fleeing boyfriend's back and Rin. "What—"
"Don't worry. It's just Kakashi, you know."
Ryouma thought about it for a moment, then nodded. Kakashi had too many quirks to list, and Kakashi's friends were weird, too. Nothing new there.
***
When Ryouma joined his bandmates in the garden, Gen was describing every little detail of the house renovations to the group. As if Ryouma, Kat, and Raidou hadn't spent their last month off here knocking down walls, repainting, and laying tiles in the bathroom.
Letting off steam by hitting a wall with a hammer between recording sessions, stuck in a studio day and night, had been weirdly therapeutic. Also, even though all the journalists kept asking them if it wasn't hard to live together 24/7 on tour, they loved spending time with each other. These guys were everything to him.
It was only at sunset that they sat around the outdoor fire. If the hot dogs were great, really, Ryouma kept being distracted, watching the orange hue and light reflecting on Kakashi's face.
"You're so whipped," said Kat next to him. Ryouma shrugged, not denying it. She had been saying the same thing to him for years.
Rin came and sat on the bench between Kakashi and Obito, ending their heated discussion/fight with a glance. Another thing that hadn't changed. Kakashi and Obito were still glaring at each other behind Rin's back when she placed a hand on each of their knees sternly. They groaned but stopped.
"Kids, still kids," sighed Raidou, watching the scene, a beer in his hand.
"So," said Rin, her hands still on her two friends' knees. "We have something to announce."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes at her again.
"You're moving in together," joked Obito.
Rin looked at him, unimpressed, then she continued, "In addition to the house, there's going to be another change in our lives. I'm pregnant."
Ryouma whipped his head to Gen, who was staring at Rin with love while she was smiling at him.
"Congrats, man. Congrats, you two." Ryouma stood up to hug Gen.
Their bandmates joined them to hug Gen one after the other. "You will be incredible parents," said Raidou, and Gen's eyes teared up a little.
Ryouma turned to hug Rin, but she was still sitting on the bench between Kakashi and Obito, who hadn't moved, as if frozen. Her hands were still resting on their knees.
Obito tried to get up, but Rin squeezed her hand on his knee. Obito sat back down. That didn't stop him from glaring at Gen. "You thought you were safe after all these years, but I swear to God if you fuck this up, I'll fucking kill you."
Gen gulped. Gathering their two groups of friends together for the announcement had been a smart idea, because Obito seemed furious, and Kakashi was looking at Gen with calculating eyes.
"Boys, it's fine," said Rin. "We both want that."
"Are you sure?" Kakashi said without taking his eyes off Gen. Rin had risen through the ranks of the hospital at lightning speed since graduating. Minato predicted she would make it to director in less than five years. But a pregnancy would delay all that.
Rin sighed. "Yes, I’m sure. We’ve talked about it for a long time. I want to be a mother."
"Baby fever," Obito grumbled. Which was probably true. Asuma, Gen's best friend, had gotten married and had a baby a few months earlier.
"And," Rin said, ignoring Obito's remarks. "I want my kid to have two uncles who won't kill and bury their father's body in our garden."
"Don't be ridiculous," Obito said, and Gen seemed to breathe again. "We're not dumb," Obito continued. "Kakashi is even some kind of genius, or so they say. We wouldn't bury his body where it could be found."
Rin rolled her eyes. "In the meantime, you want to help me look at names for babies. I'm thinking of Cynegonde or Petronilla for a girl."
Obito spluttered, turning to Rin. "Oh Kami, the pregnancy hormones are already going to your head."
Rin tilted her head. "Or Osbert for a boy. What do you think, Tobi?"
Kakashi, whose eyes had been fixed on Gen, turned to Rin. "Are you really asking for this moron’s opinion? He wanted to name my dog Mr. Bark. Also, you're buying Genma only a few days, because for now, I won't let this poor kid suffer because of you all."
"I'll go get the dessert," Gen announced as Kakashi and Obito started arguing again. "And piss my pants privately," he muttered under his breath.
Kat snorted.
***
"This dumb moron is learning to knit," Kakashi announced as he returned home one afternoon.
Ryouma looked up from his guitar. Since that night at Rin and Gen's house, the sound of the crackling fire had been spinning around in his head. He had to turn it into a new song.
"Obito," Kakashi specified at Ryouma’s interrogative look.
"For the musical show with the kids?"
"For Rin's baby," Kakashi said as he headed for their open kitchen, the dogs running between his legs.
It was never Gen and Rin's baby. Always just Rin's.
Poor Gen, he was in for the long haul. Ryouma had had to deal with Obito, too, when he started dating Kakashi. Ryouma loved the guy now, but the bastard could be as scary as he was friendly. And Kami, those three were so protective of each other. Like three souls who found each other life after life, their destiny intertwined.
"Are you going to learn too?" asked Ryouma, randomly strumming a few notes on the guitar while looking at Kakashi.
Kakashi snorted. "I already bring sanity to this child. They’ll be surrounded by crazy people, between Obito and the band." He boiled some water and took out two cups. "Rin seems level-headed, but she chose Genma after all."
"Gen loves Rin more than anything. They would be great parents," Ryouma said. "They are already good with kids." Rin with her experience with Naruto and at the hospital, and Gen with his experience at Obito's association, and the few classes his old music school had asked him to teach. The news of Kunai in the Back's bassist, giving lessons, had attracted a ton of new students.
Kakashi placed two cups of tea on the coffee table. Kakashi helped Pakkun climb onto the couch, then he snuggled up against Ryouma, who put his guitar down next to him, his bracelet with pink charms jingling on his wrist. His mother's.
"Rin and Gen would be fine," Ryouma continued. "They had good role models."
Just like Obito, Rin's mother was already knitting hats for the baby. Her father had already bought picture books, Minato was looking at the best schools even though the baby wasn't born yet, and Gen's father had celebrated the news by making a giant cake that he gave for free in his bakery.
All Ryouma had left of his mother was his creative side, a bracelet she had found on the street that was now on his wrist, and an unopened letter that had been moved from his old backpack to a box at the back of his wardrobe.
Kakashi looked up at him, earnestly. "Are you worried? Despite what Obito and I may say, I’m sure they’ll be perfect."
Ryouma nodded to reassure him, and Kakashi rested his head on Ryouma's shoulder.
After a moment, Kakashi added under his breath, "Rin more than Genma, of course."
Ryouma chuckled softly.
***
The same night, Kakashi was brushing his teeth, while Ryouma sat against the bed’s headboard, lit only by the light from Kakashi's bedside lamp. He was humming a new melody, something gentle; perhaps he could turn it into a lullaby, a gift for the baby's birth.
He started humming again. It sounded familiar. Was it something he had heard before? Had he ever heard a lullaby?
Kakashi settled beside him, lifting the blanket with a slight rustle.
"Tired?" Ryouma asked.
"Not enough," said Kakashi, picking up one of the five books on his bedside table.
Kakashi still had trouble sleeping. If his insomnia had eased, his sleep schedule was still irregular. But if he grabbed a book, he didn’t need Ryouma to chase away his dark thoughts.
Ryouma lowered himself into bed. With his head on the pillow, he stared at the ceiling, half cloaked in darkness, half illuminated by Kakashi's lamp. The melody was twirling in his head. His mother had probably sung him lullabies when he was little. Maybe she had sung him this song.
But it was already one in the morning. Ryouma had a media interview the next morning. He really should sleep.
Did Kakashi's parents sing to him?
Kakashi deserved to feel safe when he was a child.
Ryouma’s grandfather's shouts pierced his mind. You're nothing but a loser; nobody wants you; just failure. The only sounds from his childhood that he remembered.
But this new baby would have Rin and Gen as parents. They would protect him.
He turned and wrapped his arms around Kakashi's waist.
They stayed like that for a while, Kakashi turning the pages of his book from time to time.
"You okay there?" Kakashi said when Ryouma nuzzled his nose against the softness of Kakashi's pajama top.
Ryouma hummed. He felt Kakashi put his book down beside him, before sliding under the covers, their faces inches apart. Kakashi's fingertips brushed over Ryouma's cheek.
"What do you want?" Kakashi asked, his voice low. What do you need?
"You." Only you. Always.
"You have me," Kakashi replied, his hand slipping behind Ryouma's neck, drawing him in for a kiss. Ryouma leaned forward, his mouth sliding sweetly against Kakashi's, testing the minty taste lingering on Kakashi’s tongue.
He whined lightly when Kakashi's lips left his, even though the only reason Kakashi did so was to take off his own shirt, revealing skin that glowed softly in the dim light. Ryouma's hands slid, palms flat, against Kakashi's torso.
He had Kakashi.
Kakashi had him.
Ryouma pulled his own shirt over his head, letting it fall carelessly to the floor. He'd have to pick it up tomorrow. But for now
"I've got you," Kakashi murmured, and Ryouma rolled onto his back. He parted his thighs, and Kakashi nestled between them. Ryouma let out a sound that was equal parts gratitude and longing.
Kakashi kissed him again, deeper this time.
In the cocoon of their bedroom, Ryouma loved making out with Kakashi. In fairness, he loved just about everything with Kakashi. But now, all his senses were narrowing to the feel of Kakashi’s lips, the taste of his tongue, the heat of their bodies pressed together, the rhythm of their breaths intertwining.
But then he needed more. He needed to feel Kakashi fully.
As if reading his mind, Kakashi's fingers slipped into the waistband of Ryouma's boxers. He pushed against Kakashi, craving more, seeking more contact, wanting to feel him inside.
That night, Ryouma fell apart under him, his body caught between the mattress and Kakashi’s chest. With each thrust, his whimpers fill the room, and Kakashi caught them from his lips with gasping kisses.
Kakashi knew how Ryouma liked to be taken sometimes, slow and liquid.
Ryouma clung to Kakashi as tightly as he could, wanting to pull him deep enough that he was sure he’d never forget the feeling. Ryouma could feel the familiar coiling of pressure at the base of his spine, the slow and steady swell in the pit of his belly.
"Let go, Ryouma," Kakashi whispered breathlessly, his slow, sure rhythm never faltering. "I’ve got you, Ryouma, just let go."
And Ryouma came, with a gasp against Kakashi’s open mouth.
***
The cameras were on him, and Ryouma winked at the end of the anecdote about their last concert. The reporter laughed, her cheeks a little redder than before. It felt good to know that he still had that effect on people.
Especially since he knew that Kakashi's love bite marks were marking his collarbone, barely hidden under his shirt.
They brought his guitar on the TV set. He sang one of their hits, the studio falling silent. He finished a cappella. And the applause was there.
***
Ryouma gave Momichi a nod over his shoulder as he headed for the front door of the house.
With the interview done, he could spend the rest of the day back to writing the lullaby for Gen's baby. At the same time, he had this new album to work on. He had also promised the teens at Obito's workshop that he would review their lyrics.
Well, they would have to order something to eat for dinner tonight.
At first, it was just a black shape on their doormat, and he frowned. As he got closer, he froze, his hand clenching the strap of his guitar case. It was a raven.
A dead raven on their doormat.
The poor thing had its eyes open.
Then something white under the bird caught his eye. It was a piece of paper.
We are watching you.
He looked up to glance around quickly. He saw a movement out of the corner of his eye, tensed, but quickly released his breath when he saw the neon green attire.
From the gate of the garden, Gai was already waving enthusiastically at him. Quickly, Ryouma took his guitar case off his shoulder and placed it upright on the ground next to him to hide the bird from view.
Since the drama of his first love song years ago, he and Kakashi had promised each other that they would no longer hide anything that could tarnish their relationship. But this was different. He knew Kakashi was worried about the anonymous letters he was receiving, so much so that Kakashi had called Fukagu Uchiha, the goddamn chief of police, to ask him what in the world the police were doing. Obito had found it hilarious, but Ryouma really didn't want to see his boyfriend in jail for implying that the chief of police was incompetent.
"My dear friend!" As usual, Gai's grin was bright and unbridled.
Ryouma forced a smile onto his lips.
The bond between Gai and Kakashi had only grown stronger over the years. Kakashi's loud criticism of some of Gai's fighting moves, along with extensive lectures on aerodynamics and fluid dynamics, combined with Gai's lightning-fast speed, allowed the latter to breeze through several tournaments. To such an extent that the coach of the Konoha MMA club promptly gave Kakashi a stack of video footage to analyse the techniques of the rest of the national team and pinpoint any areas for improvement ahead of an international tournament. After two gold medals and three silver medals in various categories, Kakashi had become the mascot of the MMA club.
Kakashi had welcomed the news with the same enthusiasm as when Gen had declared him the mascot of their band.
But it had given him access to the champions' training sessions, and these photos had earned him his first publication in a national magazine.
"You look tensed, the dear beloved of my eternal rival," said Gai, looking at him.
"I'm fine, Gai," Ryouma tried to reassure the other. "Just tired, I had another media interview."
Gai looked at him like a skeptical parent. "My dear friend, to stay as youthful and hip as you are, you mustn't neglect your rest time. Our bodies and minds need recovery. How long has it been since you and Kakashi took a little vacation?"
Fuck if Ryouma could remember. It was probably that road trip for Kakashi’s 20th birthday. But even then, he attended a series of concerts and met musicians recommended by their label as the band was building its career. Had they ever gone on vacation? A real vacation?
Gai became even more serious. "Actually, a few days away from Konoha would definitely be good for you. And Kakashi. You know, for a change of scenery. There are so many amazing things to discover in the world. You could go on a hike in the mountains, for example. Or maybe not the mountains. I mean, you don’t want to- get lost in a place that’s too remote. You could visit the temples of the Land of Sky. They have a wonderful festival every year, with lots of people around."
"Well, it seems great. We're pretty busy for the next five months, but maybe after that. If we manage to record the new album and Kakashi finishes his series of reports."
Gai looked at him silently for a moment. "My dear friend, you should- maybe-"
Ryouma frowned. Gai wasn't the type of man to hesitate. Not in his words, nor in the ring.
"Just maybe think about it," Gai said simply. "Sometimes it's best to take a step back."
Something in Gai's voice made Ryouma stop and think. "Did Kakashi tell you something?" Was he that tired without Ryouma noticing?
Kakashi was out on assignment again, this time covering the project he was working on with Kat, before resuming his series on the failings of public services in isolated regions.
"My eternal rival is always intensely focused on his work, until he collapses from exhaustion."
Well, that was just how Kakashi operated. At least photography had the advantage of being more immediate than physics equations. Once the photo was taken and the reportage finished, Kakashi moved on to something else. Above all, it forced him to interact with other people. Even if shielded behind his camera, he was no longer shutting himself off.
"Sometimes when a fight is too perilous," Gai continued, “you have to put some distance between yourself and the situation, to analyze it, to see more clearly the danger posed by your opponents and the angles of attack to get around them."
Ryouma nodded silently, a little lost by the analogy.
Gai nodded as well, looking pleased that Ryouma shared his opinion. "Remind Kakashi to come to the dojo for our training. We still have several sessions left in the plan we've set. It's crucial to follow through."
"The plan?" What plan? Kakashi still attended the lessons Gai gave at the dojo, but they were random, depending on Gai's competition schedule and Kakashi's reporting assignments.
Gai chuckled awkwardly. "Ah, yes, the plan. You know, the plan." He continued to chuckle. Ryouma's brow furrowed because, no, he didn't know. "We have to—We—I want to convince Kakashi to youthfully run the marathon with Raidou and me."
Ryouma snorted at the idea. "Well, good luck with that. He still makes a face every time Raidou shows up in his running shoes. But if anyone can convince him, it's definitely you."
"I'm trying, my dear friend. I'm trying," Gai said, once again very serious. "Think about it, too."
"About the marathon?"
"About leaving Konoha." Ryouma blinked. Gai quickly clarified, "I mean, about taking a few days off. A well-deserved vacation."
Ryouma was once again lost by the conversation, but Gai often had that effect on him, or on everyone. The funniest thing was usually seeing Gai interact with Obito, who would grunt and lose patience every time.
Ryouma said goodbye to Gai and waited for the man to leave before picking up the crow and putting it in the trash. If even Gai thought Kakashi needed rest, there was no need to worry him about it any further.