Nino put the keys in the lock of his new apartment. It was almost three months ago that Satoshi had asked him to live together. He wanted to scream once he heard his boyfriend’s proposal but he was just too shy to express his feelings freely. He knew positively though that Satoshi didn’t need much of observation to figure it out… he could read him well, almost too well for Nino’s taste but he never complained.

He was always the one to receive mocking laughs, negative comments, jeers… Masaki was an exception. He was like a brother to him and having him by his side gave him the courage to defend himself against all those jerks who liked to make fun of him. He never tried to hide his identity but he hated that people would only look at that as if it was something bad; something that was humiliation worth. He always pretended the one that never paid attention… the one that simply didn’t care... just focusing on his games. That masquerade of the geek had saved him as the others were losing their interest. It wasn’t until he was alone in his bedroom when he could let his emotions free… sobbing with his head buried in his pillow.

All that seemed pieces of the past. Satoshi made him feel human again; feel complete. He had never dared to speak any of those thoughts to Satoshi. He was somehow feeling that he had no right to upset the other. He was never good at expressing himself. So instead of confessing all that, he preferred to tease Satoshi. Behind every bratty response was a huge “I love you” hidden, behind every ‘angry’ nudge was “You are more than my life” meant. He was sure that the other understood him… perhaps that was the reason that he never argued with him. All Satoshi would do was to smile and let go.

Satoshi was supportive. He never judged any of his decisions. When he announced that he will go to a tech school, he never asked him to change his choice or rethink it. He simply kissed him, telling him “I’m happy you found what you want to do with your life”. It was those small things in their everyday life that made him love Satoshi a little more day by day.
***
“Toshiiii I’m home!” Nino said but there was no ‘welcome’, no hug, no kiss. He was sure that Satoshi was home, since he had texted him earlier that afternoon. Whenever he created a new painting he was working at home. “I need my space to work… it’s a matter of inspiration” Nino couldn’t get the reason but he already knew that there’s no point in trying to solve the spoken mysteries of an artist.

He threw his keys on the small table near the entrance and went to the room that was turned into a studio. He knocked the door but no response came from the inside. “Toshi? Are you here?” still no answer. He tried to open the door in vain; it was locked. “As if I care to see your creations Picasso!” sighing, he walked to the kitchen to fill a glass of water.

It was always difficult to work at the online support for one of the biggest computer companies in Japan when you always had to give instructions to people who had never heard of what back up is before. It’s not that he complained about his work. He was never good with dealing with people so that job was ideal for him; it was just that he wished the other in the line knew some basics.

As he grabbed his phone to text his boyfriend his ears caught a sound that seemed like water falling. His lips immediately curved into a smirk and his eyes sparkled dangerously. “So you are here…”

He walked as soundlessly as possible, taking in the same time his clothes off and throwing them on the floor. He didn’t care about the mess he was creating all that mattered now was the nude body that was under the hot water. He opened the door entering the bathroom to see Satoshi’s figure behind the shower glass. You couldn’t welcome me better my Toshi…

Without thinking about it twice he opened the glass and wrapped his arms around the other’s waist from behind as his mouth found the sensitive spot between the neck and the left shoulder.

Satoshi who didn’t hear a thing almost jumped out of surprise when he felt someone behind him.

“Nino!” he said panting “You scared the hell out of me!”

“Take it as your punishment. You know… you’re such a little naughty boy… you knew it was around this time that I would be back home and you decided to take a shower right now?! You know I can’t resist your wet silky skin…” Nino whispered in Satoshi’s ear making him tremble.

“You…” Satoshi grabbed Nino and turned him the other way, locking him between his body and the wall. “You’ll pay for this!”

Nino didn’t say a thing he just grabbed Satoshi’s shoulders forcefully and bit his lower lip in his attempt to muffle a scream.

Satoshi smirked and lean closer to Nino’s face, speaking slowly almost in his lips. “Already? I haven’t done anything yet…”

Nino pushed him away and whining rubbed his butt, with both his hands. “Idiot! You pressed my cute butt on the tube of the hot water! I thought I would burn!” Nino said frowning.

Satoshi blinked for a minute but immediately took his boyfriend in his arms. “I’m sorry baby… I didn’t mean to…”

“But it hurts…” Nino complained with his best baby like expression.

Satoshi smiled and turned him slowly so that he could face Nino’s back and kneeled down spreading soft kisses on the ‘hurt’ part of Nino’s body. “There… does my little cute butt feeling better now?”

Nino was already ecstatic. He couldn’t help it… he was way too sensitive whenever Satoshi was touching him.

Satoshi guessed it and leaned forward making his half erected member touch the other. “I guess I should do something for all the trouble I caused…”

Nino who was supporting himself a little awkwardly angled his head so that he could see the other and replied in a husky way. “You’d better hurry up…”

Satoshi didn’t say anything else. Slowly, he entered his boyfriend making him scream every time the tip of his member brushed the spot deep inside Nino that made him moan so beautifully, so lustfully. For Satoshi it was not just a fuck… it was love… they had slept together so many times yet it felt as if he couldn’t be satisfied. He always wanted more. Perhaps it was because his feelings for this person grew day by day, becoming stronger, more solid.
***
“Was my compensation enough?” Satoshi said as he blew dry Nino’s hair.

Nino smiled leaning closer to Satoshi. “It was acceptable…”

Satoshi pouted. “Brat…”

“I love you too” was Nino’s answer as he took the hair dryer to blow dry Satoshi’s hair.

“My father called…” Satoshi spoke in a really low voice. Nino froze. “He wants us to have lunch this Saturday”

Nino gulped. It was true that Satoshi’s family wanted to meet Nino. It had already been 4 years since they had been together but Nino couldn’t help but feel nervous about this meeting… perhaps too nervous.

Satoshi cupped his cheeks. “Stupid… I already told you that they are fine with the idea of us… dad even found us this apartment…”

Nino was avoiding his boyfriend’s eyes. “What if they don’t like me…” he mumbled, slightly pouting; something that made him look even cuter; at least in Satoshi’s eyes.

Satoshi caressed his hair and pecked Nino’s nose. “They will not like you…” Nino looked at him dumbfounded. He expected that Satoshi would be at least supportive. “They will love you!” Satoshi finished his line and drove him into a sweet kiss.
…………………………………


Satoshi rang the bell.

“Do I really look ok?” Nino whispered in his ear. They were at the door of Satoshi’s parents and couldn’t help but feel his stomach ready to explode.

Satoshi squeezed his hand. “You look perfect Kazu… relax baby… they’re cool! You’ll see!”

The door opened to reveal a woman who looked like an older, female version of Satoshi.

“Satoshi… Kazunari… you finally arrived. Come inside!” she said smiling.

They entered the living room. Nino remembered when he had come in this house to learn about Masaki and Sho. He almost smiled as he remembered how nervous he was for being alone with Satoshi. “I remember it as well…” It was Satoshi that whispered in his ear. Nino frowned. Is he a telepathic or something?!

Satoshi looked at his boyfriend amused. “Don’t look so troubled… you actually muttered the whole thing!” making Nino blush.

They were served tea and cake when Satoshi’s father entered the room. Nino almost chocked. He wasn’t that tall or muscular but his gaze was surely intense.

“You had already told me that your boyfriend was cute but I couldn’t believe that he would be that much…” was the first thing that came out of Ohno-san mouth leaving Nino stare at him. He expected a lot but something like that was definitely out of his agenda.

“Does my son make your life difficult? If so don’t be afraid to scold him. You have my permission!”

Satoshi sighed. “Dad!!!”

“Satoshi stop it. I know that you have this artistic thing in you and I’m fine with it but honestly those emotional ups and downs always gave me a head ache”

Satoshi crossed his arms in front of his chest and said stubbornly. “Well I don’t think that we’re here just to speak about this…”

Ohno-san raised an eyebrow. “Then, could we talk about how you chose to be a painter instead of a police detective?! You are a natural! Kazunari… don’t you agree with me?”

“Well… I think… I think that everyone should do whatever he wants with his life… and since… well… Tosh- Satoshi” he cleared his throat a bit “wants to be a painter I can’t do anything else but support him…”

Ohno-san looked at him intensively before standing up and coming closer, just to pat Nino’s head. “That’s what I wanted to hear Kazunari! Now let’s have lunch… That smell of curry is torturing me!”

Nino was speechless. He followed Satoshi and sat next to him.

Ohno-san raised his glass filled with sake. “Welcome to our family Kazunari!”

Nino looked at him, then at Satoshi’s mother who was nodding softly with a wide smile and then to Satoshi who gave him a soft kiss on his cheek. “I told you they’d love you Kazu!”
…………………………………………


The national art gallery was so big, full of people.

Nino was there alone; not because no one else was available but because he felt that way. He entered through the main entrance where a big poster, hanging from the roof with a painting of still life.

January 1 – March 31
Ohno Satoshi – First Prize in the national contest held by the National School of Arts
“Two”

Nino’s eyes were filled with tears. He was so proud of Satoshi. He knew how much he loved painting and now it seemed as if his efforts were finally getting the place they deserved.

He walked from painting to painting, his eyes focusing on every single detail. The way shadows were created, the way the brush had left hurried touches on the canvas but which for some reason felt so needed. Everything was still nature. Satoshi loved nature. In Sunday mornings they would go to the park where Satoshi used to sit with his canvas and paint the scenery in front of him.

Nino entered the last room where there was only one painting. It was the only one that wasn’t still nature. Nino gasped. It was a portrait of a sleeping young man… it was his portrait. He started tremble… his heart ready to rip his insides. Satoshi was painting when I was sleeping… That’s the reason he always left the studio in our apartament locked?

He felt being hugged from behind and lips touch his neck. “Do you like it?”

It was Satoshi’s voice. Nino put his hands on top of Satoshi’s holding him tightly, his gaze still on the painting.

“I like this painting…” he could feel his voice trembling. “It’s the only one that has no price. How much does it cost?”

“You’re interested in purchasing it?”

“Yes…”

“I’m afraid I will disappoint you…”

Nino frowned and turned so that he could meet his boyfriend’s eyes. “Why… what do you mean?”

“This painting is not for sale… it’s priceless… and it is mine like the model…”

Nino tried in vain to shake away his tears. “Satoshi…”

Satoshi caressed his cheek before leaning to peck his lips. “My Kazu…”
……………………………………………..


“Masaki-kun was glowing from happiness!” Satoshi said as he entered the apartment followed by Nino.

“Yes… he was…” Nino said in a low tone. They had just returned from Chiba. Masaki and Sho had decided to exchange vows in the beach. It wasn’t a real marriage but it was a testimony in front of their close friends and families. They were twelve years together and they wanted to seal their love in a way. It was Sho’s idea.

Satoshi chuckled as he looked at Nino who lied in the sofa with his clothes on.

“I can’t believe that this year we’re turning thirty! We’re getting old!” Nino was whining.

Satoshi smiled and went closer to his boyfriend as he loosened his tie a bit. He knew the reason Nino was that gloomy.

“I forgot to tell you love… This morning I found this outside our door...” Satoshi said and handed an unwritten envelope to Nino.

Nino took it curiously and opened it. It wasn’t until minutes later when his hands were shaking.


We are delighted to invite you to our wedding
that will take place in London’s City Hall
on September 22 at 13h.
We hope to see you with us on the happiest day
of our lives.
                  Satoshi & Kazunari



“To- Toshi… what’s this?” Nino said with his stare still fixed on the card in his hands.

“Our wedding invitation… Jun-kun and Toma-kun helped me a lot! I guess you should hurry to find the best tuxedo. I want my husband to be the most handsome!” Satoshi said softly as he brought teary Nino closer.

“I… I love you…”

Satoshi looked back at Nino’s eyes. “I love you too my Kazu…”





THE END



A.N. I finished Ohmiya Side Story!!!! It didn't take too much right?! Bratty Nino was there but this time I needed it to be deeper... Also... *coughs* I advanced a bit with Sakuraiba making their ending even sappier... I know... But whenever I (re)watch Sakuraiba date in Chiba and them being onm that beach... yeah... you understand! XDDD

With this  the cycle of Kako no Sakura officially closed! YAY! It reached (with the two side-stories included) the number of 285 pages and 87.000+ words!!! O.0 That's almost a PhD thesis... XDDD


I hope you enjoyed it! And comments are always <333!