Chapter Text
The next morning, Kazutora leaves before his mom does. They had planned to meet in Shibuya around mid morning, which was plenty of hours away, but if his mom found out he was skipping school, she would force him to go. It wouldn’t take too long to get back to Shibuya, so he plans to say hi to Kei and Fuyu’s parents (they love him) and hang out at one of their places before leaving together.
He doesn’t think of much aside from the laws of the road as he drives, and only really starts processing things when he makes it to the apartment complex. He heads to Kei’s floor first, remembering to knock since it’s super early in the morning. Last time he came over this early, auntie had a heart attack and nearly hit him with a frying pan.
The door opens to Ryoku Baji, the wonderful mother of his partner, who he’s called auntie since meeting her.
“Tora,” she greets with a tired smile, pulling him in for a hug after he gives a small nod. She was considerate like that, always asking silently if touch was okay before doing anything. “How’s it been?” She asks as she ushers him inside.
“Tiring,” he answers honestly. “Is Kei-”
“Him and Fuyu are in his room,” she replies. “I need to head off to work, will you be here for dinner?” She asks as she walks around to collect her stuff.
“Yes auntie,” he nods, knowing it's not really a question. “I will need to head back today, though. I hope it's okay that Kei's missing school today.”
She shrugs in reply, moving over to ruffle his hair. “Eh, it's the 3rd day and he has Fuyu with him. I know you won't be able to really visit like this often, so it's fine just this once.”
She gives him one last hug before she heads out, and then he's heading to his boyfriend's room. This one he doesn't need to knock for, he just slips inside. He quietly slips off his jacket and indoor shoes as he pads over. He takes a moment to just watch his boyfriends as they sleep, as they're absolutely beautiful and stunning and all of the above. They're huddled together with Kei's back pressed against the wall and his arm holding Fuyu like his life depends on it, per normal. He slips into his normal spot on the outside, he's glad they slept the same way even when he wasn't here. He has a hard time sleeping right between two things, even if it's just a wall and someone he loves.
He wraps one arm around the shorter's waist, the other moving to intertwine his fingers with Keisuke's. He buries his face in the back of the blondie's neck and then promptly falls back asleep.
He's woken up by someone hugging him around his waist, and a face being shoved into his neck.
“Please say your real,” a muffled voice speaks up, causing him to snort.
“You're doubting me now, pretty boy?’ Kazutora teases.
“Too early,” Keisuke admonishes from where his head is buried in the sheets. He goes to do something with his hand, but Kazu holds it tight. He can practically see the other's look of confusion, and he does get to see it on his face once he looks up. “Tora?” He asks with a yawn.
“Hey,” he replies.
He wakes up quickly at that, eyes widening and a grin stretching across his face. He moves quickly to drape himself over the pair, excitedly squeezing them close. Fuyu groans lightheartedly, and Kazu can’t help but laugh at them.
“Missed you too, you big oaf,” he says, sneaking a hand up to squeeze him close.
“Why are you here early?” Chifuyu asks, his voice slightly muffled.
“Wanted to see you guys, and I had to leave before my mum,” he explains. “I’ll be here for dinner too,” he adds.
“Wait, are we late?” Fuyu shoves Baji off of him, and fusses his way out of bed and to his phone. He frowns. “No, but we will be if we don't leave now.”
“Let's just stay here,” Keisuke says, wrapping himself around Kazutora.
“And have everyone, including Mikey, on our ass? No thank you,” Fuyu shakes his head and walks around to start changing.
“I agree with Fuyu,” Kazu speaks up as he detangles himself from Kei. He slips his jacket and indoor shoes back on with a yawn. “Mikey's scary, and I need to see them anyway. Everyone gets upset when they can't make sure I'm okay every five seconds.”
When they were younger, it was way worse. There were times Kazutora would be dragged to the Sano household without him knowing why. He would be forced to spend dinners with them, and then spend the night, which conveniently Mikey had the biggest room so they could have sleepovers. Or Takashi and Hakkai would tag team him and somehow he'd end up at the Mitsuya household, sometimes with Yuzuha as well. Nearly everyone used to drag him to their houses after hang outs or meetings or school, having every excuse and reason why he needed to be there.
He never really understood it until after his father was locked up. His house had never felt like home, even after the abusive bastard was gone, because home was with Toman. Even before they had formed the gang, all of them had been looking out for him. They made sure he could spend as little time as he could at his house, giving him spaces to be himself and grow.
He's not quite sure where he would be without them.
“C'mon, we don't want to be late,” Chifuyu's chiding knocks him out of his reminiscent state. Both of them are already dressed aside from their shoes, staring at him expectantly.
He smiles. “Sorry, let's head out. Mikey'll be pissed if we're late.”
-
They make it just on time. Today there's not too many of them. Tetta was busy with family stuff, Haru was on the hunt for Hanma and Pah was off doing who knows what (Kazutora lowkey forgot). Today it was just him, his partners, Takashi, Hakkai, Draken, Mikey and Takemichi. They had decided to meet up at an American style diner that had popped up recently. When the trio get there, the other 5 already have a table and are waiting for them.
“Tora!” Mikey greets excitedly when he sees them. He stands quickly to move over and drag him to the table. For once there's a free seat next to him, his guard dog and golden retriever on his other side together. He sits him down a bit forcefully, and doesn't let go of his arm as he sits. It's as if he's afraid he'll just up and disappear.
“Welcome back, Tora,” Draken says with an exasperated sigh.
“Hi!” Takemichi waves, offering his silent support.
“How was the ride over?” Takashi asks amicably.
Kazutora snorts. “Please don't make me small talk,” he begs lightheartedly, which earns him a chuckle.
“What happened with Hanma?” Mikey cuts to the chase after a moment, drawing his attention away from Takashi.
Kazutora sighs. “I won the fight against him with only minor injuries, and everyone else in Bofurin won as well. Shishitoren seems like it's going to be going through some major changes, so Hanma most likely won't stay. He had already disappeared after our fight and before all the others had ended. I had Kei ask Haru to track him down, he can't have ran too far,” he reports after taking a moment to articulate his thoughts.
“You have a brace on your wrist," Hakkai points out. “You're sure it's only minor injuries?”
He waves the other's concern off. “Just lightly sprained, he's got such a tight grip. I should be fine in a few days. At the very least he was more fucked up than me, he let me get a solid punch in on his stomach and I got to smash his face in multiple times,” he grins at the memory. Ahhh, good times.
“Deserved,” Kei says with a scowl. “I can't believe that bastard was so close.”
“Well, if he tries to come back, we'll handle him,” Mikey speaks up, the temperature around him having dropped.
“Oh, what happened with Bofurin?” Takemichi pipes up as a topic change.
Kazutora hums in thought. “Umemiya's pretty cool,” he starts, looking at Mikey. “He reminds me of you, actually. I think he's the one who changed everything in Makochi, he runs Bofurin like a gang and uses it to protect the city. He's also super nice, he'a grown SUPER fond of this other 1st year. I think everyone there imprinted on him, he's super traumatized and bad with people.”
“So you?” Takashi teases with a light smile.
Kazu groans. “Stop comparing us, he's got it WAY worse. I think his Bofurin friends are the first friends he ever made and he reacts like everything is a fight from what I've seen. He also gets flustered easily, I think.”
“You were like that too!” Kei exclaims, reaching a hand over to pinch his cheek. “You cried when I shared Yakisoba with you. And you tried to fight Mitchy n Mikey when you got scared!”
“Shut up,” he replies with a pout, swatting at the hand. “I still wasn't as bad as this kid.”
“I'm glad you're not fighting for your life, at least,” Draken speaks up, taking control of the conversation. “We were all really worried because of the reputation Makochi had, I'm glad to see you find nice people though.”
“You're not replacing us, are you?” Mikey asks with a pout as he pokes his cheek, having finally let go off his arm.
“Never,” he replies with 0 hesitation. “Umemiya said I was on loan and that's all it is. You will always come first, Mikey.”
The boy preens as that, clearly happy with the response. Kazutora can feel himself breathe a little easier now that all of that is out of the way. All the hard stuff is gone so now they can have fun.
-
After a long day of walking around and doing whatever Mikey wanted, as well as dinner with his partners and their families, he's on his way back. He wanted to stay curled up in bed with Fuyu and Kei forever, but sadly he had more school. His mom would call the police if he never went back, and he didn't feel comfortable enough to not have to rely on her to get emancipated. He also didn't want to bother anyone else with his problems, he'd find a solution eventually.
His mom is in his room when he gets back, so he just heads to his. He sets out his uniform again, not exactly excited to go back to school but knowing it's for the best. Even if he could keep going back to Shibuya constantly, his friends had school and other things to do throughout the day.
Hopefully he didn't miss anything too important today…