#KazukiWeek2023

[reikurusu]

"I'm not old!"

May 16th 1994 - Happy 29th Birthday, Kazuki!

[bbfeelings]

I think they get along (they’re watching tv)

Ref under the cut

[seekers-who-are-lovers]

Pretty in pink: Kazuki K & subversion (an homage)

Note: For Kazukiweek 2023: Acceptance

Pink is fresh. It is a happy color. It is positive. It is a sign of good health. That says a lot about Kazuki Kurusu. He has a bubbly personality, his optimism is brimming, especially after the seventh episode. It sure helps that Rei and Miri have become his ethos, have accepted to welcome the changes after five years of losing Yuzu. Usually, he wears his emotions on his sleeve. (But I think that’s only a front.) I love him. Right to the 11th episode, he has totally embraced the new life he’s been leading with Rei and Miri. The fact that he wanted it all along but was apprehensive because of his traumatic experiences made him cautious of the way he dealt with Rei and Miri. Rei’s determination on the second balcony scene was the catalyst because he knew how much K wanted it.

That fond looks K gives toward his family.

In the West, we are past that era where men cannot subvert pink’s gendered stereotype. You see men wear pink dress shirts, pink suits and other piece of clothing and they look spectacularly good. It is still a test of bravery for some though. Small boys still despise this color perceiving it as a girly stuff. New mothers try to veer their daughters away from this color by consciously not purchasing and introducing pink-coloured merchandise to their daughters’ color palette only to be disappointed because of peer pressure in the kindergartens. You know Elsa and Anna and the beautiful ladies of Disney and their association with pink? Too common, too banal.

However, “in contemporary Japanese culture, says (Barbara) Nemitz, pink is perceived as a masculine and mournful color that represents ‘young warriors who fall in battle while in the full bloom of life.’” Slain young samurai. All right. (Thanks to PA Works, it didn’t come to that though.)

It is also the color of sakura, cherry blossoms, which are the Japanese’s favourite flower. They do picnics just enjoying and gazing at the beauty of cherry blossoms (and later, peach blossoms). The Hanami. Some Japanese migrants adapted this ritual/event to their host countries and it is a sight to behold.

Different shades/nuances of pink worn by K and the moms

Pink has long been associated with homosexuality. The pink triangle. The lgbtq movement reclaimed the former badge of shame used by the Nazis incorporating it into the pride flag later. Though almost 70 per cent of the Japanese society supports it, it still is a huge problem to come out.

While there are no legal implications, coming out remains taboo for many in Japan for fear of being ostracized. A survey of young LGBTQ people published last year found high levels of mental anguish, including suicidal thoughts. More than 90% said they couldn’t talk about their sexuality with their guardians. Very few people in national politics or the corporate world are openly gay, although homosexual themes and LGBTQ celebrities are a staple of television and other forms of entertainment.

“Buddy Daddies” is not marketed as BL, but the show makers can write whatever about their characters. Sometimes implying them without direct confirmation. It depends how the viewers interpret it.

But K also symbolizes subversion. K’s characterization nonetheless goes against of what is perceived to be the norm in the Japanese society. He is both a nurturer and a protector, though Rei certainly will take over this “protector/saviour” task without any question. From the looks of it, he’d do anything for K and Miri.

Rei always in front to gauge the danger

An odd man out, K does the household chores while he can carry an adult man without any problem. We have seen him does it more than twice already. He’s loud and conspicuous. In Japan, you must never stand out. (<< - Shogo’s videos are highly recommended to watch btw!) He (and Rei) (go) goes against the rules. They blur the gender stereotyping in all aspects of life.

The crew presented the scenarios as if they were a matter of fact, normal, without making fun or light of it. No further commentary. One can say that it is subversive in a sense they want the audience to become aware of their thoughts on adoption, new family dynamics, the bureaucratic hurdles of enrolling your children and better access to daycare centres/schools to the ever-present mothers who have to give up their jobs and dedicate their lives to their kids, etc.

(It was unfortunate that they didn’t follow it up with Misaki Unasaka.)

Why do I get this feeling that one way or another “Buddy Daddies” had been the show makers’ thinly veiled social commentary on their society?

Anyway, I will miss his winking. Either way, I can still rewatch it.

Many happy returns, K!

[bdcharacterweek]

Kazuki Week 2023

Dates: May 15 - 21st

Prompts:

Day 1, 5/15 - Grief / Acceptance

Day 2, 5/16 - Surprise Birthday Party

Day 3, 5/17 - Daycare / Night Out

Day 4, 5/18 - Health / Sickness

Day 5, 5/19 - Chores / Lazy Day

Day 6, 5/20 - Cats / Dogs

Day 7, 5/21 - Youth / Old Age

How To Participate: Create anything related to Kazuki Kurusu and one of the prompts (or multiple prompts at once!) - including art (digital or traditional), fanfic, edits, videos, playlists, moodboards, meta, etc! Post your contribution to Tumblr and tag it #kazukiweek2023 for Kazuki Week. If you post your contribution on Tumblr, tag it properly, and the rating is PG-13 or under, we will reblog it here.

[silversoulstardust]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Buddy Daddies (Anime) Rating: Explicit Word counts: 5330 words Summary:

“For me?” asks Rei, furrowing his eyebrows. Why is he getting a surprise when it isn’t even his birthday?

Kazuki unbuttons the second from the top button on his white shirt, lifting one side up for Rei to take a peek at the black lace draping around the skin of his chest for a whole second before promptly buttoning it up again. A sudden flush runs through Rei’s body. Kazuki is currently wearing the lingerie Rei bought underneath the expensive suit he’s wearing, and when the realization dawns on Rei on what’s waiting for him at the end of the evening, Kazuki is already smirking, looking devilishly handsome for the night.

“Can we skip dinner and get to the best part?” suggests Rei, and he’s dead serious too. Kazuki simply laughs it off.

-----------

OR: It's Kazuki's birthday, and they're getting nasty.

[night-heron-writes]

Now that the show's finished airing, it's time for some fandom events! @realtruesuccessor and I put together a character week for each of our main trio. Kazuki Week will run from May 15-21, Rei Week from August 7-13, and Miri week from November 6-12!

Follow the events blog @bdcharacterweek for info and for prompt voting! We're now accepting prompt suggestions for Kazuki Week!

[himebushou]

For Day 3 of KazukiWeek2023!

Remains

“K-K-Kazuki Papa!”  Miri’s voice was coated in tears.  A tiny bubble clung to her left nostril.  “Miri doesn’t – Miri doesn’t want to grow up!”

She grabbed Kazuki’s legs and wept.  Her heart was cracking like a boiled egg.  Feeling everything in his body become jelly, Kurusu Kazuki bent down, scooped up Miri and straightened again.  He held his daughter close as he rubbed her back and made soft, soothing noises, interspersed with murmurs of, “It’s okay, Miri.  Let it out.”

Finally, she stopped.  She settled her cheek against Kazuki’s shoulder.  She mumbled, “Does Miri have to grow up?”

“Growing up has perks,” said Kazuki.  “You can go on the bigger rides next time we’re at the theme park.  And one day, when you’re tall enough, you’ll help Papa make breakfast and you won’t even need a stool to reach everything.”

She sniffed.  “But Miri loves daycare!”

“You’ll probably love elementary school too, sweetheart.”

“And Miri loves Kotomi and Hinata and Taiga –”

Kazuki muttered, “Do you have to?”

“And especially, especially Miss Anna,” concluded Miri.  “Why can’t we just… play together forever?”

Now, Kazuki gently popped Miri on the kitchen counter.  She watched him helplessly; Kazuki swept aside Miri’s fringe and kissed her forehead.  The last few months had probably churned her insides.  Maybe Miri felt as though she were within a washing machine.  First, they’d had to talk about Misaki… and now Miri was worried about losing Miss Anna…

“They’ll stay in your heart,” Kazuki said, at last.  “As long as you keep them there, you can definitely go back to them.  They’ll always be waiting for you.”

“Promise?”

“Promise,” answered two voices as one – and Kazuki beamed at the doorway, grateful that Rei had returned from running errands at the perfect moment. 

[queenbananya]

My one contribution to Kazuki birthday week. It’s still the 21st on pacific time (but won’t be in less than 2 mins). 

Fandom: Buddy Daddies (Anime) Rating: General Audiences Relationships: Kurusu Kazuki/Suwa Rei, Kurusu Kazuki & Suwa Rei & Unasaka Miri Characters: Kurusu Kazuki, Suwa Rei, Unasaka Miri, Original Child Character(s) Additional Tags: Aged-Up Character(s), Old Kazurei, Original character is Miri's child, Light Angst, aging parents, fluff, Adult Unasaka Miri, Miri pov Summary:

It is Kazurei's 30th wedding anniversary, and Miri visits for a small celebration.

[sponsoredbyadhd]

Guys MY HEART

Miri: Cat-chan! (In English it’d be something like Mr. Kitty)

Rei: (It’s) family!

Kazuki: Making Miri an ally…

Lily really said the cat is family in the Lily-verse!!!

Translation:

Good morning☀️

Good evening😴?

In Oohigashi’s world line, cat-chan became part of the family☺️💦

I will also do my best today☺️💤

Note:

Oohigashi 大東 is Lily’s surname. World line 世界線 in Japanese is similar to one’s universe or headcanon.

Lily is so real for this. Thank you Lily.

[bbfeelings]

Day 3 of Kazuki Week 2023: daycare/night out. A full version of my brain rot of @hubbydaddies's post where Kazuki drunk sang about Rei's tiny waist. -> You can also read on AO3.

Small Waist, Pretty Face

mlm KazuRei. Drunken first Kiss. Mutual pinning. Fluff and humor.

Summary: Drunk Kazuki involved Rei in his shenanigans. Troubled, Rei turned to people around them for advice.

After another victorious and unsurprisingly boring round, Rei took a drink of beer, then joined another game like it was muscle memory. He checked his phone. 1:28 am. The sudden vibration startled him; Rei exited the game. It could only be one person. There was only one person in this world who’d call him. 

Kazuki wants to video chat.

Rei took off the headphone and hesitantly pressed the answer button.

What he did not expect was to see Carol’s face. “Rei-chan—! Took you long enough to pick up!” She whined. 

“Um…uh, sorry?”

“He picked up!” Carol said cheerily, shoving the phone in front of Kazuki.

“Hey, Rei, hehe,” his drunk face under the neon lights was stupidly stupid. “My bad…I had one too many!” His foolish grin was stupidly stupid. Rei rolled his eyes. 

”I’m coming home now!”

“Just don’t be so loud when you do.”

“Okie-dok, Rei-chan—” The video went blurry then dark. He must’ve dropped his phone. Idiot. Serves you right. Rei leaned his head back and exhaled audibly. Kazuki had an obnoxious, rowdy tendency when intoxicated. Not that he’d ever awoken Miri with his drunken shenanigans. But still.

An unfamiliar face appeared on the screen; Rei only knew of Carol and Dorothy. “It’s fine! It didn’t break!” She announced, and a cheering choir of girls could be heard in the background. “So this is Rei-chan? He’s so cute!” She exclaimed, “Kazu-san, you never told me he’s this cute!” 

Girls swarmed in front of the camera, squealing and giggling, “What a cutie!” “This is the pretty face you go home to? Kazu-san, you sly dog—” “Rei-chan, Rei-chan! Tell us what Kazu-san is like at home!” Rei felt his face go hot. What the hell? “Aww, he’s blushing! We’re embarrassing him! How adorable!” “Don’t worry, we don’t touch Kazu-san! He’s all yours!” The girls laughed.

What the hell?

────

2:07 am

“Rei—the door won’t open,” Kazuki whined over the phone. He’d finally made it back to the apartment building, but he was long gone. Rei sighed as the elevator arrived at the building lobby, “Coming.”

Upon seeing Rei, Kazuki happily draped himself over Rei’s slimmer frame, crying about forgetting how keys work. He smelled of booze and some tacky cheap perfume that made Rei’s nose itch. He cursed under his breath. Seriously. 28 years of age, behaving like a fucking hot mess. As they exited the elevator on their floor, Kazuki started humming off-key and mumbling some lyrics to himself.

Five minutes later, Rei was standing at the bathroom door, watching Kazuki puking his guts out. Between the dry heaving and whimpering, Rei’d hand him a tissue. He didn’t feel an ounce of sympathy toward his miserable roommate. Why does he like drinking himself into oblivion? Getting a bit tipsy, sure, but Rei absolutely hated the feeling of being wasted. 

At the very least, a blacked-out drunk Kazuki still practiced personal hygiene. He crawled into the shower; Rei passed him his toothbrush and toothpaste. He grabbed a fresh towel and hung it on the door before closing it.

────

2:46 am

Rei made some cup noodles. Kazuki came out and stumbled across the living room with the towel around his waist. The steam coming from the bathroom told Rei that Kazuki took a boiling hot shower if his red-as-a-cooked-lobster body didn’t give it away. Traces of minty tea tree scent of his shampoo lingered; somehow, Rei always thought it smelled like mint chocolate. Kazuki dropped himself onto the couch and curled up. Rei pinched his brows.

“Oi,” he said as he chewed, “sleep in your own room.” Kazuki retaliated with inaction and started humming and mumbling again. Rei couldn’t risk letting him fall asleep on the couch like that. The bathroom was damp and nasty; no way he was going to sleep in there tonight. 

“Get up,” he towered over Kazuki, who was making noises like a complaining 4-year-old would. “You’re gonna get a cold.”

────

3:11 am

Kazuki finally made it into his room, but not without Rei basically dragging his ass. “Clothes,” he ordered; Kazuki reached into the dresser obediently. Rei figured his job here was done. He wanted to finish his cup noodles, which were probably soggy and cold by now. 

As Rei was about to close the bedroom door, Kazuki turned around and muttered something sing-song-y.

“…small waist…”

“What?”

“You.” Kazuki pointed. 

“What about me?”

Half clothed, Kazuki waltzed over and took Rei for a dance as he hummed. They stumbled around the room if it could be called dancing. Rei was too tired for this shit. Kazuki’s eyes were half closed and hazy, “…big boobies…small waist…”

Rei snickered. What the hell?

“Wait, no,” Kazuki halted all actions and frowned as if he was thinking hard—if he could even think with that soupy brain. 

“Small waist…pretty face.” Kazuki figured out his drunken logic and resumed his shenanigans. 

Quickly losing his patience, Rei maneuvered out of Kazuki’s grasp. “You’re gonna wake Miri.” 

He pointed again, “That’s you,” Kazuki said with a smug grin, “Small waist, pretty face.”

The four words hit Rei like a tsunami of utter embarrassment. Devastated by the increased heart rate and full-body goosebumps followed by a shudder, he was blank. 

While Rei was momentarily immobilized by the sheer humiliation, Kazuki seized the opportunity, launched himself at Rei, and gently grabbed hold of that small waist he wouldn’t shut up about. Then he planted a quick and clumsy kiss right on Rei’s gaping lips, knocking his own teeth on his. 

They toppled over and fell into bed. Kazuki clung to Rei and snuggled in. His hand crept up to cup that pretty face of Rei’s as he let out a satisfied sigh.

Rei’s eyes widened. 

What the hell?

────

Days went on as usual. For Kazuki, at least. 

Trapped under an arm and a leg that night, Rei didn’t dare move a finger until the lousy drunk began snoring. He sneaked downstairs and curled up on the couch, with a mind so loud and noisy that he was wide awake until daybreak. 

“Papa, what are we eating?” Miri’s relentless poking forced Rei to get up at around 9:30 am. Lethargic and hungry (he didn’t get to finish his late-night cup noodles,) he dragged his feet into the kitchen and poured themselves some new cereal Miri insisted on buying the other day. They sat at the table. His head was spinning and his body felt heavy; this sensation was akin to a hangover.

The door upstairs creaked open, giving Rei a heart attack. He could hear Kazuki’s footsteps and the loud groans. He started to panic, which was totally unbecoming of one of the organization’s top assassins. Rei had three seconds to hide, yet he wasted that precious time sweating bullets holding a spoon. Pathetic. 

“Good morning, Miri and—“ Kazuki paused, and so did Rei’s heart. Kazuki stretched audibly. “Good morning, Rei.”

“Papa is so late!”

“Hehe, my bad. Went to bed late.” Kazuki stepped into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water. “Hmm? Did I make cup noodles and didn’t finish last night?” 

Rei stared at his bowl of rainbow cereal, thinking he might be dying of anxiety. “…no, that was me.”

“Then clean it up, man. I don’t want to get bugs in here,” Kazuki nagged. 

“Like unicorn stag beetles?” The daycare had a field day at a museum and Miri had since been obsessed with various shiny cool bugs. 

“No, Miri, no… the gross ones. Like roaches.” 

“Lame.”

“Language, young lady.”

“But lame isn’t a bad word! Taiga-kun said so.”

“Well, Taiga-kun isn’t your papa. Or Anna-sensei.”

“Anna-chan said **** is a bad word,” Miri muttered under her breath.

Rei wasn’t sure of anything anymore. 

────

Of course, Kazuki didn’t remember shit, nor did he have a hangover. 

“Just a bit tired. Why do you ask?”

Rei swallowed nervously. “You threw up last night.”

“I did? Shit, man. Did you have to deal with it?”

“You threw up in the toilet.”

Kazuki scrunched his nose, “Sorry you had to see that.”

That was the least of what I had to see, “I’ve seen worse.”

The blonde man groaned and put his face into his hands. “Please. Don’t. I don’t want to remember that.”

“You don’t even remember shit.”

────

It had been a week since.

Since what? That dipshit was drunk out of his mind, making up some songs about big boobs, small waist, and pretty face. He said Rei was the last two things, kissed him on the mouth, then promptly fell asleep on top of him. 

What the hell even happened. It all felt like a fever dream. Rei couldn’t get himself to act like himself. Kazuki had blacked out, so he went about as if nothing had happened. Rei couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or a bad thing. On the one hand, they didn’t have to talk about anything or pretend to be normal; on the other, he had to pretend to be normal. 

Everything that wouldn’t cause Rei to bat an eyelash became weird.

Kazuki walking down the stairs in the morning.

Kazuki returning home after walking Miri to daycare. 

Kazuki complaining about the cold (it was not that cold.)

Kazuki’s wordless pat on his shoulder while he watered the plants. 

Kazuki folding his boxers (well, clothes, but particularly boxers) neatly. 

Kazuki’s hands when he picked up Miri.

Kazuki handing him his preferred furikake at dinner. 

Kazuki nagging him about the pile of wood ear mushrooms he picked out.

Kazuki’s hair, still wet after a shower. 

Kazuki’s pink sweatshirt. “Millennial pink,” he said. 

Kazuki saying good night. To Miri.

Kazuki laughing at his epic in-game death that happened immediately after he sat down next to him with two beers in hand. 

Kazuki leaving a light in the kitchen on when he plays games past midnight; not too dim and not too bright. 

Kazuki’s presence. 

Kazuki. 

Kazuki’s very existence. 

What the hell is going on?

────

After waving Miri goodbye at the daycare front gate on a cold, rainy day, Rei made a detour. 

“Please help me, Kyuutarou-san.”

“You scared me for a second, Rei-kun,” Kyu said as he prepared a hot milk tea for an unlikely visitor. “Given that Miri-chan had a fever last time you came to me like this.”

“Sorry.”

“So what is it this time, if she was fine?”

Rei started at the cup. It had a delicate, curvy handle. It had the same curly pattern on the side, too. It was emerald green and rich mahogany—

“Rei?”

He looked up, fixing his gaze on the shelves behind Kyu. He swallowed. 

“How is… Kazuki?”

“Why are you asking me? You two live together.”

Shit. “Uh, um, was he weird when he came here last week?”

“No?” Kyu was getting frustrated with this roundabout nonsense. “What is this about? Shoot. I don’t have all day.”

Rei felt like he was going to explode. He was filled with thoughts but no words. No words at all. He fidgeted on the bar stool while Kyu habitually polished an already spotless glass. 

“If you’re not gonna—“

“Okay, okay,” it’s spilling. Rei’s face was all scrunched up. Pretty face. 

“Kazuki kissed me.”

A brief silence followed the crisp sound of glass shattering; it slipped out of Kyu’s usually steady hands. 

“…alright. And what do you need help with?” Kyu said with a deadpan. 

“The glass…” Rei got up from his seat, only for Kyu to stop him with a show of hand. He sat back down as ordered. 

“I, uh, don’t know what to do,” Rei said to the cup of milk tea that had gone lukewarm. 

Never in Kyu’s criminal career had he thought that a fellow associate would come to him for personal advice. He took off the glasses and rubbed on the bridge of his nose. 

“Are you fine with it?” He asked. 

“Huh?”

“I said are you fine with it.” He is flustered. My word. Kyu thought to himself. 

“I mean, we’re partners—work partners. And there’s Miri. We take care of Miri, together. I don’t know. Is this fine? But, like, he was drunk. And he doesn’t remember. This is really weird. I don’t know…” Rei took a sharp breath, “Is this okay?”

“I can’t tell you that,” Kyu leaned back against the shelves, arms crossed. “You didn’t answer my question.”

Rei wanted to come up with an answer, but it was all just white noise in his head. 

“It didn’t feel, um, wrong. I guess.”

“Then there you have it.”

“But it feels really weird—“

“Drink your tea now. I have work at 10.”

“He also said I’m small waist—“

“You’re pushing it. Out. Now.” Kyu took away the untouched tea and dumped it in the sink. “The weird part, you’d have to figure it out. The two of you.” Kyu said to Rei before shutting the door of Yadorigi. 

────

9:37 pm

Rei figured working out and watching something might clear his head—or occupy his mind.

Kazuki came out of the bathroom with just a towel around his waist. “Rei, you’re acting weird,” He glared. “Why did you go up and stay in your room this morning?”

And whose fault is it? Rei narrowed his eyes. “Nothing.”

“Eh, whatever.” He shrugged and resumed busily typing on his phone. Rei glanced over. It’s either the moms in Miri’s class or the girls at Fairy Lips. 

“Alrighty! Going out later.” Kazuki tossed the phone on the couch and sat down in front of the TV. “Tsk. I just showered.”

“Huh?”

“I said I’m going out.”

“…with who?”

“Dorothy. Why?”

“Nothing.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

The sound from the TV filled the otherwise awkward silence. The ice skater jumped but fell on landing. He then picked up the pace and nailed the remaining jumps flawlessly. He stood in the center of the rink, arm stretched in the glory, eyes searching for his coach in the crowd. 

And he found him. 

Kazuki gasped as the tender-eyed coach tackled the skater and both fell onto the ice. “They so just kissed. They totally kissed. No?” Kazuki turned around, eager to confirm with Rei what he’d just seen. 

“I’m going.” Rei released his hands and straightened his torso; his skin was dewy with sweat. It took Kazuki a few seconds to realize what he had just heard. 

“Wait. What?”

“I’m going out, too.”

He almost couldn’t recognize this man. 

────

“Then I said,” Kazuki slammed down the beer stein and wheezed, “Girl, what if you float in the ocean because of your fake boobs!” Dorothy cackled and punched Kazuki’s bicep. “So that’s why she was talking about taking them out!” Rei sat and watched the two in hysterics, wondering if it was a mistake tagging along. 

But he had to know. 

“Okay, okay, whew.” Kazuki fanned himself, “All that laughing almost made me piss myself.”

“Gross. Go.” Dorothy jokingly slapped Kazuki’s behind as he stood up. 

“Hey! Hands off the private property.” He turned his head with a dopey grin. Dorothy giggled and shooed him away. 

“Sorry about that, Rei-kun. We were just talking about one of the girls.” Dorothy took a drink of water, “She’s retiring and moving to Okinawa to get married.”

Rei nodded politely, then down the beer he’d been clutching. “Dorothy-san…”

“Dorothy. Dorothy is fine. Don’t san me, makes me feel old,” she chuckled, chin resting on her hand. Rei had no idea how old she was. He couldn’t tell. 

“So, Dorothy.” He cleared his throat, “had Kazuki, uh, ever said anything about me?” 

“Oh, hun, he wouldn’t shut up about you,” Dorothy looked at Rei’s rather serious face, “My, he still hasn't done it, huh?” 

“Done what?”

“I thought that you came along tonight because—“ Dorothy paused, narrowing her eyes, studying Rei’s face as if he was a rare and fascinating specimen. “You two are some very funny people, you know that?”

“Eh?”

Dorothy flashed a knowing smile and leaned in. “I’m just going to tell you. I’d be doing that idiot a favor, anyway.” She gestured at Rei to huddle closer and put one hand next to her mouth. “He adores you.”

────

2:03 am

“Dude, you were pounding it! What the hell?” Kazuki laughed, “Who were you trying to impress?” They were walking home, slowly, with Rei’s arm over Kazuki’s shoulder, and Kazuki’s arm around Rei. 

Rei pouted, eyes closed. “Nobody.” 

“And you got along so well with Dorothy! I mean, you’ve met before, but it’s not like—Hey! Keep those legs moving.”

Rei felt fuzzy and warm. He felt safe walking with his eyes closed. It all made sense now. 

2:35 am

Kazuki made his drunk roommate brush his teeth and change clothes before he collapsed on the couch. Too lazy to take another shower, Kazuki retreated into his bedroom. 

Then a knock on the door followed by it cracking open. It was Rei, wrapped in his blanket. 

“What’s up?” Kazuki asked. 

And somehow Rei took it as an invitation; he promptly waltzed in and climbed in bed next to him. 

“Hey, what the hell?”

“I’m sleeping here.”

“Huh?”

“I’m sleeping here tonight.” Rei burrowed in. 

How was Kazuki to say no to this face? He stared at Rei for a while, then settled back in bed. Only now he lay wide awake. After a bit of toss and turn, Kazuki glanced over; he could just make out Rei’s sharp features under the brightness of a full moon seeping through the blinds. He could hear him breathing, even and calm. 

“Pain in the ass,” he whispered, pulling the blanket to cover Rei’s shoulder. He remembered bits and pieces of the night when they had a going away party at Fairy Lips. There was a stupidly catchy song stuck in his head. He remembered dropping his phone, the hot shower, and Rei’s stunned face. 

In his fuzzy memory, Rei’s face was dangerously close. So close that he would’ve brushed his lips against his it if he’d stretched his neck just a little. Kazuki hoped that he didn’t. But he also wished he did. 

A petty face, under the moonlight. So hazy yet so clear. 

Some cold toes brushed against his ankle. Kazuki held onto that thought and carefully hooked his leg around Rei’s. Kazuki moved closer, and gently wrapped an arm around Rei’s slim waist, bringing their warm bodies closer together. 

Kazuki rested his eyes. 

Ah. What the hell. 

[The End]

Thank you for reading! This was so much fun for me to write!

Check out my other Buddy Daddies fics in the pinned post, if you'd like!

[bbfeelings]

My contribution to the first day of Kazuki Week 2023: grief/acceptance. Sorry double posting, but I figure it's more accessible to post the entire fic here on Tumblr. You can also read it on AO3.

Title inspired by this song. And for your vibe considerations.

Your Mess Is Mine

QPR or mlm KazuRei. Post-finale, Pre-Time Skip. Family fluff.

Summary: Kazuki, Rei, and Miri attend Karin's wedding in France. Before this, Kazuki and Rei's relationship was largely undefined because they were both fine with whatever that is going on.

────

When Karin flashed her engagement ring over video chat a year ago, Kazuki didn’t imagine he’d be in the French countryside, walking her down the aisle, with Miri tossing petals just steps before them. Karin clung to “Kazu-nii” all those years ago; and just now, she hooked her arm around his again.

Yuzuko’s death once separated them. Parentless and raised by her elder sister, young Karin went to live with a distant relative up north, while Kazuki remained in Tokyo. He believed that she resented him for taking her only family away. Then they reconnected again, and she fitted right into his newfound family. Miri and Karin adore each other, and Rei warmed up to her quickly, too.

Kazuki feels the tears well up. Don’t cry, don’t cry, they’re taking photos. He looks at her; Karin is beautiful in the gown she designed herself. She looks right back at him, the way she squints when she smiles, the same quirk Yuzuko had. I’m walking her down the aisle, Yuzu. Can you believe it? He presses his lips together, but a blink lets the droplets fall.

“Aw, come on, you’re such a cryer,” Karin says, with a smile so dazzling that he almost misses her misty eyes. “You’re gonna make me cry, too.” The two giggles at how silly they look trying to fight back tears.

────

After retiring from their previous careers and moving out of the city to a seaside town, Kazuki and Rei (mostly Kazuki, really) made local friends and were invited to weddings a couple of times. But this particular wedding is unlike anything they’ve experienced. For starters, the celebration is hosted at a chateau—or what Miri excitedly called a castle. Karin’s husband is an award-winning chef specializing in Japanese-French cuisine, so the food is bound to be exquisite. Not to mention, French weddings are an all-day affair, as they’ve been warned that dinner will be served at 9 pm, and the party after will last till dawn.

As her first trip outside of Japan, or perhaps just as a 9-year-old, Miri is having the time of her life. “We’re staying at a castle!” Their room is furnished with one king-sized bed. Kazuki and Rei looked at each other and shrugged.

In the four and a half years they’ve left their old lives behind, the family of three had had a few living situations. After the loft apartment, they moved into an old unit with a tatami floor in the only bedroom. Much to young Miri’s delight, the three of them slept together for an entire year.

It wasn’t an easy year; stuck in a shoe box, between assimilating into civilian life, parenthood, and Rei’s disability, Kazuki and Rei had disagreements. Many. Never fighting in front of Miri was the one thing they could agree on from the start.

But it was also that year when they grew much closer. The reality forced them to communicate, and to face issues head on. Ultimately, Kazuki and Rei wanted the same thing: a safe, happy childhood for Miri. Every time they fought, it was to protect that vision. In that same year, they began to truly mold and fit into each other, consciously or unconsciously. From Kazuki walking on Rei’s right side, Rei’s ability to maneuver in the kitchen alongside Kazuki, to the way they sleep in the futons on tatami.

────

The day of the wedding, Kazuki stood before the armoire; a black suit for him, a navy suit for Rei, and a satin and tulle dress Karin had made for Miri in a shade of sage green that flatters her eyes and hair. She’d even hand sewed her name, in cursive, on the inside of the dress.

“Reminds me of the night before her first day at daycare,” Kazuki said in a tone reminiscent of something like nostalgia.

“A much better job than we’ll ever do,” Rei took a glance then chuckled.

“Can’t argue with that.”

Kazuki zipped up the dress then fluffed up the wrinkled tulle skirt. Miri twirled excitedly. “Can I go? Can I go?” Her eyes sparkled.

“Don’t run too far, be back here in 10 minutes, okay?” She nodded then disappeared behind the door. By the sound of her heels, she was skipping down the hall.

Kazuki combed and tied Rei’s hair into a sleek low ponytail. Rei had kept it at mid length, after discovering his strands form loose waves with the right haircut, instead of a puffy, frizzy mess. Though Kazuki never called it a mess; he’d say it was fluffy while ruffling through it.

“I can do it myself,” Rei said. Kazuki fastened the necktie just right, then smoothed down the collar. “I know. But I like doing it.”

“Hmm.”

────

After the ceremony, it’s the cocktail hours. When the blonde man finally returns with a plate of hors d'oeuvre and two flutes, Rei snares. “Done harassing your brother-in-law?”

“This is the time! A real, living Michelin star chef. I had to.”

“So what did you steal from him.” Rei takes a sip as he watches Miri playing with other children across the room.

“He said we should try using baguette instead of milk bread for French toast.”

“We could test with baguette on the next day off. What else?”

“Something about olive oil… I’m not sure. His Japanese isn’t fluent. And a lot of the food terms were in French,” Kazuki pauses to enjoy the finger food. “You have to try this.”

Rei studies the little piece of toast with various toppings, “Nah. It has olives.”

Kazuki picks out the olive, eats it, then offers Rei again by shoving it directly in front of his face. Rei reluctantly eats off Kazuki’s hand.

“Not bad.”

“Right?”

────

The dinner was a feast. Multi-course, modern Japanese-French cuisine with wine pairings. Rei swears that Kazuki was nearly brought to tears, again. “The miso? The miso in the sauce? Brilliant. Gosh. I wish I was Karin.” Kazuki gushes.

“Don’t even think about stealing my husband, Kazuki,” the tipsy bride waltzes over with a wine glass in hand. Her pretend stern face turns into giggles as soon as she sees Rei. “I don’t think Rei-kun would be happy with that either!”

“Why wouldn’t I be—“

Karin shushes him. “Stop it. Stop. It flew right over you again and I’m not explaining.” Rei closes his gaping mouth in confusion.

“Go get Miri! I’m doing the bouquet toss in a bit!” The giddy bride says before hopping away towards the groom, who waits to take her hand with the fondest look on his face.

“What was that?” Rei asks. Kazuki puts a hand on his back and shakes his head.

“Figured.”

────

Kazuki and Miri wait with a group of women who are participating in the bouquet toss.

“This is so fun,” She says as she yawns. Too much fun, perhaps. It is getting late. “When you and Rei-papa get married, can I be a flower girl again?” She looks up at Kazuki and asks nonchalantly.

“Eh? Why—“

“Kazuki! Get outta there! You’re not getting this bouquet!” Karin shouts and swings her arm dramatically. Her cheeks are flushed and her steps are slightly unsteady. She looks so happy.

“My bad, my bad…” Kazuki holds up his hands as he moves out of the way. The guests laugh at their sibling banter.

The excited crowd gathers. This is where the real fun of the night begins. Karin turns around and does a couple of swings before her toss; the guests watch attentively in anticipation.

“Three… two… one!” The bride jumps and hurls backward, sending the bouquet across the ballroom. In front of the group, Miri realizes the bundle of flowers isn’t coming their way. It’s going completely sideways, towards the wine table. Everyone’s eyes follow the flying bouquet.

Rei flexes his left arm and catches it backhandedly. He turns around, prosecco in one hand, flowers in the other, utterly flabbergasted. The guests go wild; several women swarm him. That man wasn’t even looking!

Miri weaves through the traffic, throws herself at Rei, and squeals. “That was so cool!” She beams and hugs his waist tightly. “My papas are getting married!”

“Eh? What do you mean—“

“Congratulations!” The guests cheer, making him even more flustered. What is Miri saying? He scans the crowd in a panic, but couldn’t find a single familiar face.

Then he sees it. Strawberry blonde, a pair of bright, tea-brown eyes, and a crooked grin. Kazuki swims through the crowd and makes it to Rei and Miri.

“Rei-papa and Kazuki-papa are getting married!”

“Wow, haha, um, nice catch!” Kazuki says awkwardly. Damn it, my nerves! Rei doesn’t say anything, eyes wide like a deer in the headlight. “Um, you all right? Rei?”

“I saw something in the corner of my eye and… this.” He holds up the bouquet, “That wasn’t very normal people of me.” Rei mutters, ears still hot from all the attention.

Kazuki chuckles slyly, “Sure was very assassin of you.”

Rei dishes a side eye and chucks the flowers in his face.

────

They finally coaxed Miri into going to bed. The condition: she gets to hold on to the bouquet when she does. The two men step out to the garden for some fresh air. Rei takes out a brand new pack of cigarettes in French packaging.

“Haven’t seen you smoke in a while,” Kazuki commented.

“Well, it’s for the occasion.” He lights it up, takes a drag, and promptly coughs.

“Can’t handle it anymore?”

“Shut up. I just wasn’t expecting it to be this strong.”

The lively music flows out from the chateau, a stark contrast to the serene and sleepy countryside.

“…would you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Sign the papers.”

“Sign what papers?”

“Gosh, Rei, do I really need to spell it out?”

“You know the answer.”

“Fine.” Kazuki sighs, wishing he’d had a drink before this. “Like, getting married or whatever. Hypothetically, of course.”

Rei takes a long drag and exhales. “I mean, you’re the one who was married.”

“That was different.”

“How so?”

Kazuki pictures the day he and Yuzuko got married at the city hall. She was in a sundress, and he was in a shirt and tie that were sold as a set. But that wasn’t really it, was it? Marriage is… what comes after. Though their marriage barely lasted, and it wasn’t their fault. Kazuki reaches his hand over, Rei passes the cigarette.

Kazuki coughs.

“Told you.”

“Yeah, thanks for the warning.” Regaining composure, Kazuki continues. “You know she died six months later.”

Rei remains silent.

“But it was easy—the decision to get married. It was just the thing to do, you know? If I could do it over, I’d marry her again. She was what I needed. At the time. I… loved her. I really did. And I still do, I think.” He pauses, looking back at the chateau. “Like how I love Karin and Miri. I’d do anything for them—I’d die in their place, if I could.”

The thought of Miri or Kazuki dying sends a chill down his spine. Rei turns his head away. “That’s grim. We’re at a wedding.”

“I know. But—and then there’s you. And I’d do the same for you, too.”

“I can handle myself.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“Then what do you mean, Kazuki? You asked me a hypothetical question and went on about… about the people you love. What’s that got to do with each other? I can’t understand you when you go roundabout like that.” Rei pauses, filling his lungs with brisk air. “I need you to tell me exactly what it is.”

Kazuki traces the outline of the man before him, then puts his arm around his slim frame. Rei leans in and rests his head on his shoulder. “We’re not fighting though, are we?”

“Of course not, dummy,” Kazuki says softly.

“Idiot.”

“Jerk.”

“…it’s warm.”

“Hmm.”

“I like you.”

“What did you just say?” Kazuki pulls away, “What are you, a teenager?”

“I didn’t like anyone when I was a teenager.”

“Don’t get smart with me,” he fixes Rei’s crooked tie, “I love you.”

Rei brings them back together and burrows his face in the strawberry blonde.

“I love you, too.”

────

The guests circle the newlyweds as they open the dance. Kazuki and Rei watch from a safe distance, sipping on drinks.

Rei finishes his dessert wine. “This is delicious, why do they serve it in such a small glass?”

“Probably because only an ant like you could drink it,” Kazuki scrunches his nose, “It’s sickly sweet.”

“No, it’s not, it has… layers.”

“I think it’s too sweet.”

“Can we stock these at the diner?”

“Absolutely not.”

“You suck,” Rei pouts, “I’m going to get more.”

10 minutes later, Rei is visibly tipsy. “I learned,” he says as he puts his hand on the small of Kazuki’s back, “these are called dessert wine.” His eyes twinkle. Oh no. Kazuki knows this look.

“Let’s go!” Rei tugs on the lapels.

“You don’t even like dancing!”

“Yeah, but, Karin says we have to.”

Kazuki glances over, Karin is in the middle of the dance floor, picking up her floor-length skirt, laughing and twirling to the poppy music. Kazuki hesitates. He can’t dance to save his life. A happy drunk Rei is mesmerized by the joy spilling over from the dance floor.

Then the music changes. It’s a slower instrumental piece; anyone can tell that it’s a love song. The crowd slows down. Then the groom waltzes in, Karin takes his hand. Cheek to cheek, they step and sway to the rhythm. The guests pair up and follow their lead.

Rei looks at Kazuki, eyes twinkling. He gives in. Then Rei smiles the only way he can: a thin-lipped, strained smile. But Kazuki knows better than anyone else. This is Rei’s happy face. He takes his left hand, and he places his right on his heart. He pulls him in with an arm around the waist.

“Is your arm okay like that?” Kazuki asks, in a voice only Rei can hear. Rei hums. They move with the music; knowing nothing about dancing, they just follow their instincts. Rei puts his head down on Kazuki’s shoulder and closes his eyes.

“Don’t fall asleep on me.”

“Hmm.”

────

Daylight breaks into the ballroom, the partied-out guests sit around, nibbling hot onion soup.

Rei’s glossy, wavy, raven-colored hair is down, draping over his shoulders. Kazuki’s shirt is stained with wine. Their ties are missing. The two huddle together, eating soup.

“If it’s possible, it’d be nice.”

“What?”

“To get married. To you.”

“I see.”

“Tsk. That’s it?”

“You want me to propose now?”

“Maybe.”

“Then I propose to—add French onion soup to the menu.”

“Okay.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. It���s delicious.”

“That’d be nice.”

“Hmm.”

“To get married. If it’s possible. That is.”

“Okay. What about dessert wine?”

“No.”

“Fine.”

Kazuki warps Rei into his arms and rests his chin on his left shoulder. Their cheeks touch; slightly sticky with sweat, wine, and maybe a little bit of happy tears.

[ The End ]

Thank you for reading! Fun fact: the baguette French toast is a secret menu at this little cafe run by a French couple near where I used to live. The best French toast hands down. I want to thank the anon who sent in the lovely idea of a KazuRei story at Karin’s wedding.

Check out my other Buddy Daddies fics in the pinned post, if you'd like!

[seekers-who-are-lovers]

This is an excerpt from a story I am working on. PA Works didn’t give us that playdate scene they hinted at during the sixth episode, “Love is Blind.”

Submitting this for #kazukiweek2023 for daycare/night out prompt @bdcharacterweek

“Rei, Rei, Rei, come out, come out, wherever you are!”

Kazuki checked Rei’s possible bolt holes in the loft, but the bathroom was empty and so was his unused bedroom. When he turned the glass door handle to the terrace, cigarette smoke surrounded his friend like a smoke bomb listening to his headphones as he swayed his head. No wonder he didn’t budge at Kazuki’s arrival at all.

Kazuki touched Rei’s arm softly, careful not to surprise the younger man, whose eyes were closed listening intently to his music. Kazuki would love to know what type of tunes that required his friend’s attention and concentration, a face devoid of worries at this moment. When Rei finally noticed him, he was red in the face and quickly turned the music off.

“Kazuki, what the hell?!”

“Dude, I just want to tell you that you still have 30 minutes before you pick up Taiga and his mother from the train station,” Kazuki informed him. Rei’s eyes turned shifty, collected his things and stood up.

“Why fetch them from the train station anyway? I thought they just live nearby,” Rei grunted his way to the door.

“They went to see Taiga’s grandmother in Kanagawa too. She’s bringing the kid here after that.”

For security reasons, Kazuki suggested that they they should meet on a neutral place for the child’s pickup and back. Sato, at first, was not impressed. Doubt was etched on her voice when Kazuki talked to her on the phone. When they met at the Aozora daycare to fetch their children, she was apprehensive to talk to him in person. Their interaction mostly happened either with private messaging or Line chat group with the other moms anyway.

“You can trust me, Mr. Kurusu, but can I trust you?” She appeared hurt.

“That’s a bit forward, Ms Kawasemi. Of course, you can. It is a matter of our household policy. I hope you understand.”

But her anger and doubt vanished as soon as she saw her son and Miri leaving the door while holding hands. Both children shared that sympathy that somehow bothered Kazuki initially. He thought Taiga was giving his daughter a hard time. Observing Miri develop her own way of thinking and set of morals truly fascinated him.

“Oh well, Taiga doesn’t stop talking how Miri did this or Miri did that. I guess, we’ll see each other on Saturday then,” Sato smiled. Her heart melted seeing Taiga clung to Miri. She finally succeeded releasing the poor girl from Taiga’s strong grip. Sato waved goodbye and quickly forgot her somewhat heated conversation with Kazuki earlier. Taiga was eager to tell her his stories as his small hands clutched on to her skirt.

Kazuki gazed at the two figures slowly dissipating from his view. Sato was not classically pretty but wore a kind and comely face. She initiated the first contact explaining to him how grateful and happy she was that Miri was a good influence on her child. On the other hand, rumours spread like wildfire about Sato and her husband cheating behind each other’s back.

Not my problem, not my partner, Kazuki noted.

He watched as the other mothers pick up their kids. These women used to have their own lives before they got married. Now what they had were absent husbands and fathers and so much housework. Furariimen these men were called. Husbands and fathers who don’t return home immediately avoiding their duties.

At least, Rei caught early on why there should be a division of labour at home if they wanted to make this family work. He’d grown so much as a person after Kazuki “ran away” in June. It was a wake-up call: taking care of a sick child, cheering her on her endeavors. He volunteered more often to bring and pick Miri up to and from the daycare centre apart from helping at home. He also got interested in cooking. His French toast was way better than a month ago. But the way he drenched the bread with cinnamon was over the top. Oh. Strange categorising Rei with the nursery mothers’ husbands. Kazuki shook his head smiling at his inanity. They still had a lot of things to talk about.

[bbfeelings]

My contribution to the first day of Kazuki Week 2023: grief/acceptance.

Read on AO3:

Read on Tumblr:

I took on the prompts a little differently; interpreting “acceptance” as feeling acceptance.

And I want to thank the anon who sent in the lovely idea of a KazuRei story at Karin’s wedding.

This is my most romantic? KazuRei to date as I only wrote them as platonic or pre-relationship. It was fun to explore their characters in such a dynamic!

Title inspired by Vance Joy’s Mess Is Mine. For your vibe considerations:

[bdcharacterweek]

Kazuki Week 2023 is only two weeks away!

Dates: May 15 - 21st

Check out the prompts here!

[bdcharacterweek]

Day 1 of Kazuki Week is officially open for business! The theme is Grief / Acceptance! 

Post your contribution to Tumblr and tag it #kazukiweek2023 for Kazuki Week. If you post your contribution on Tumblr, tag it properly, and the rating is PG-13 or under, we will reblog it here.

[bdcharacterweek]

Day 4 of Kazuki Week is officially open for business! The theme is Health / Sickness!

Post your contribution to Tumblr and tag it #kazukiweek2023 for Kazuki Week. If you post your contribution on Tumblr, tag it properly, and the rating is PG-13 or under, we will reblog it here.