There are two cakes in the kitchen; a large one for them to share, and a smaller one that Senjuro had wanted to make himself, with strawberries atop and HAPPY BIRTHDAY piped carefully into the smooth icing. A feast of other foods, mostly sweet and some savory, almost all dishes known to be well-liked by Satoru, dot just about every flat surface in the kitchen surrounding the cakes. Set to the side, but certainly no less important, is an intricately wrapped present, within which a certain someone will find a hinged box, concealing a dazzling necklace with matching earrings, all custom ordered. Senjuro bounces around the place excitedly, placing and moving decorations he had chosen. Even Kaname is here, dozing off in a corner while she waits for her favorite sorcerer ( who she surely thinks will no doubt pass her some tasty morsels! ).
All that's missing are Satoru and Megumi, though they're not absent long. They walk through the door soon enough and are greeted with utmost enthusiasm from the Rengoku brothers.
❝ Happy birthday! ❞ Kyojuro's smile tells all as he makes his way closer: he is excited too, but more than anything else, he is so happy to see Satoru, and to be able to spend this day with him. Megumi gets a grateful smile as well, before he goes to join Senjuro — Kyojuro had quite handily recruited his brother to conspire with Megumi to do his best to hold Satoru up a little while, in order to give them more time to finish preparations here. It may not have been a complete surprise in the end, but he and the boys had kept the details of their little celebration here fully under wraps!
Pushing up onto his toes, Kyojuro kisses his love, the man they're celebrating this evening, hands clasped gently around the back of his neck, to aid in bridging the gap in their height. Chaste enough in the presence of the younger two, he still could have easily kissed him all night!
❝ A year older, and another year to look forward to. ❞ He pulls away, just enough to look into Satoru's face, and maybe the slayer would have looked there longer, but Kaname decides they're quite done, and flies herself over to perch on Satoru's shoulder, cawing raucously for attention. ❝ This way, then. ❞ Hands fall away to lead Satoru forward, on to the kitchen, to the culmination of all their preparations. ❝ There's more too, when we have time. For now, we thought you might like this. ❞
just because he had suspected something was occurring at the home didn’t mean satoru was keen on being a bad sport about it. megumi’s “distraction” was evident enough in the fact that he so rarely asks for things, his foster father immediately knew it was out-of-character for him to ask to be taken to a comic shop on the way home from their earlier errands and a breakfast outing with shokō … but gojō felt no pressing need to foil whatever plans his family had brewing for him for the day, so he’d willingly played along! coming home, there is no surprise on his face, but satoru does still wear an expression of glee being welcomed by the other half of their unit of four.
❛❛ ahh, no way! look at all this! i’m so spoiled! ❜❜ he exclaims, still somewhat chuckling into kyojuro’s lips as they gently kiss. the sorcerer steals as many pecks as he can before his partner leans back to get a better look at him, but selfishly tries to keep him close with one arm snaked around his muscular back. kaname’s furious fluttering knocks wefts of crystalline-white hair loose around his glasses. he sputters as her dark feathers slap his face in her efforts to steal away all the attention, and just laughs. satoru’s heart is soaring. with kyojuro’s hand hooked into the crook of his arm to lead him, grasping the crow like a football, gojō kisses her round, little head and fusses ‘ what a good, sweet bird, yes you are ’ in a baby voice as they venture further into the kitchen. releasing her when she’s had enough, satoru takes in the sight of the spread, as adoring as he is grateful.
❛❛ whoa, is that homemade? ❜❜ in reference to the smaller cake senjuro’s handiwork produced with love. the boy boasts his creation as satoru tugs him into a snuggle. he motions for megumi as well, saying ‘ i want a group hug as a present! ’ to which the younger child only groans, but participates anyway.
gojō satoru has been the center of attention his whole life, thus there is no bashfulness at being so for his birthday— but this is special. in this celebration of him, the intention exists not regarding him as a savior ( or weapon of mass destruction and control ), rather as a lover and a parent. as someone human, worthy of the affections of others for no reason aside from his existence with heart and soul. as a member of a family he’s helped create, support, and build up. the understanding sits warmly in his chest like a star, pricks at the corners of pale eyes. they love him because he is satoru, not because he is the clan leader six eyes, nor because he is an all-powerful sorcerer. they celebrate because he was born.
with the boys freed, gojō’s arms are again freed to exclusively hold his belovéd. nose pressing into kyojuro’s golden hair, satoru helps himself with a wandering hand to whatever snackable foods are immediately within his grasp. all of his favorites, nothing that he wouldn’t eat. between the four of them, he’s certain they could clear this away by nightfall! no need for leftovers. he lets them light a candle, sing happy birthday, serve cake, and chit chat a little with all of them before megumi’s capacity for group interaction begins to wane ( desiring to scurry away to the family room so he can show off the newest comic releases from overseas to senjuro that satoru had gotten him earlier today ). with the boys sufficiently distracted, the birthday celebrity for the day is more than happy to center all of his affections on his life partner.
❛❛ i love you, ❜❜ he whispers, kissing the shell of rengoku’s ear, then the bow of his cheek, and then his mouth again, more intimately than they had before. ❛❛ this is great. thank you, baby. you always know how to make me feel special. let’s see what’s innnnn this gift, ❜❜ he grins, gently rattling the wrapped box before he opens it. the shine of the jewelry glitters in his bright eyes as he admires it. wow!
❛❛ oh, shit. it’s beautiful! i gotta wear these right now— help me put the necklace on. pretty please. ❜❜ feeling kyojuro’s fingers work at the nape of his neck to clasp it, satoru adds mischievously quiet, just between the two of them : ❛❛ maybe later these’ll be the only thing i’ll wear for you. ❜❜
