(Tuesday, 7pm- Buccelli's restaurant)
(Afuro)

"You're going to be fine Afuro, it's all gonna go great okay?" Fubuki said as we stood outside the restaurant together. "God I hope you're right." I remarked, giving him a small hug goodbye and walking over to the entrance. I took a deep breath, flipping my hair over my shoulder and putting on my game face before stepping inside, the delicious aroma of Italian food filling my nose.

I looked around, trying to find Arata. Someone with short, pink hair sat by the window, I walked over confidently and sat down opposite my date. He looked up at me, a happy expression in his grey eyes.
"Aphrodi? I thought I was never going to see you again, this is amazing. You look great by the way." He said cheerily, and I was so taken aback by how supposedly happy he was to see me that I forget to correct him on my name. I couldn't help but feel bad though...there'd only be one reason why he was single now.
"Are you okay?" He questioned looking worried. I nodded quickly and put on a smile, though it didn't help to mask the guilt.

A waitress with short red hair walked over to us and took our orders, I asked for the ricotta and spinach tortelloni and Arata ordered the ossobuco. Our drinks arrived soon after and we just sat drinking and talking about our interests until our food arrived. I studied him closely, the way he ate, spoke, he seemed very kind. I never thought I'd date someone with a kid- though I suppose there's a first time for everything. I took in his appearance; he wasn't exactly what I would call my type, but then again I wasn't sure I even had a type anymore.
Arata's phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket, he picked it up and frowned "Oh no." he said, I looked at him questioningly.

He shook his head "Aphrodi I am so sorry, my babysitter's just texted me saying she's got a family emergency and she has to go. I have to look after Josie." I frowned but put on a small smile when he looked at me "I have to go, I'm so sorry." Arata got out of his seat and called over the waitress. "How about I come with you?" I blurted out without thinking. I instantly cringed at my outburst 'God, way too make yourself sound like creep!' The annoying voice inside my head scolded but Arata gave me a small (maybe slightly confused) smile "If you want, yeah." He replied and I grinned as we headed out.

We got back and as soon as he opened the door a little girl ran out, her long pink hair bouncing behind her. "Daddy!" She said, jumping at him and I smiled inwardly as he held her close. Her bright green eyes locked onto mine and I gave her an awkward smile 'Shit! Shit! Shit!'
She grinned a gappy smile "I remember you!" she said and grabbed my hand, I was quite surprised. How did she remember me? I know it was only eight months ago but I thought most kids have goldfish-like memories. Maybe I made an impression on her? Oh God, I hope I made a good impression. We all got inside and Josie dragged me into the living room.

Arata laughed as she sat me down on the sofa and climbed to sit next to me. "What's your name?" She asked confidently. I told her it was Aphrodi and she smiled happily. I'd forgotten to correct Arata at the start of the date and felt too weird to do it now.
"You have pretty hair Aphrodi! I can touch it?" She asked and I nodded my head, people are always touching my hair, so it was nice that she asked first. 'She seems to have good manners, her parents must've brought her up well.' I thought, my mind veering off to that night I first met them all...
Those worried thoughts came back again.

"Jo, have you had dinner?" Arata said from the kitchen "Yes daddy! Have you had your dinner daddy?" She replied, playing with my long hair. I had to admit they were very cute together. "I'm doing it now, can you please set up the table?" He asked. After we ate- well Arata and his daughter ate since I was already full from earlier, Josie got up and ran to her room. She came back down with her school bag, pulling out a piece of paper to show her dad "Look daddy, look I got a gold star for my homework, miss Mikami said it was exstellent!" Arata and I chuckled to ourselves "Josie, it's excellent." Arata replied. She smiled and then pulled something else out. "Daddy! Daddy! I drew this for you today!" She grinned handing Arata a drawing of a fish with 'I luv my daddy' in black marker. "It's beautiful Jo, I think it deserves a spot on the fridge, don't you think so Aphrodi?"

I clapped my hands together "Oh, yes it's amazing." I replied, giving her a smile and she squealed at me, hugging the paper to her chest excitedly. This was supposed to be our first date and yet it already felt like I was being integrated into their little family, it was weird, I wasn't sure how to feel. It didn't feel weird though, it felt kind of normal, like I was visiting a friend. I glanced over at Arata who was busy praising his daughter; an indescribable feeling rising up inside of me. Usually when I meet someone, I can tell within the first hour or so if I feel it's gonna work out; you feel a spark, an attraction, butterflies, all that good stuff, well lately I'd felt none of those feelings with people, and I didn't feel it with Arata either.

I didn't feel like there was romance between us, but then again, we weren't exactly trying to act romantic with his kid around. But there was definitely something- I just didn't know what it was. I thought back to when we first met, I've never believed in love at first sight, but in that small, slightly chaotic moment, I genuinely felt something like that. I'm usually so good at hiding my emotions behind my over-exuberant personality, but during that looooong car ride home I could feel myself losing grip on that. My cheeks began to heat up 'You're catching feelings way too quickly, calm down!' that annoying voice scolded again, I quietly excused myself to the bathroom. I needed to calm down.

When I came back Josie was asleep on Arata's lap and there was a movie on. I watched as he gently stroked her hair, his grey eyes glassy and tired. I wanted to ask him so badly what had happened but I knew it wasn't my place. Then Arata suddenly spoke.
"Safia left. She never loved me really, or Jo to be honest. I didn't really love her either, we were just kinda forced together because of the pregnancy. She knew I well...wasn't straight but she couldn't raise Josie by herself, we were both young but we knew we didn't want to have Josie adopted, we wanted to raise her right, even if it was painful for us both.

At first it was alright. We muddled through the first two years, through the hardest times, but as soon as Jo turned three things started to break down." He whispered, giving me a sad smile. I wasn't sure what to do, I knew I should just be quiet and listen so I simply sat down next to him, being careful not to wake his daughter. He looked down at her and continued "It was both our faults really. I worked all the time to try and take my mind off of everything, I was never there for Jo, for Saf- she started drinking to cope, some days she'd drink too much and pass out, leaving Josie to fend for herself. When I found out we argued so much we got a noise complaint from the neighbours, Josie was crying because our shouting woke her up. It got worse after that, we both tried to pretend everything was fine but it wasn't, we just grew further and further apart. That night, just after I dropped you off she decided to come clean, she was cheating on me. We argued so much that night and then a few days later she had packed her bags and left.

I didn't know what to tell Joseline, how do you tell a five year old that their mother's abandoned them? I told her mummy loved you very very much, but she had to go because things weren't ok for her here. I didn't know how else to explain it. We never got married so we didn't have to deal with a messy divorce, but I was a single father now, my whole world changed over night."
He looked up at the ceiling, pausing for a moment before carrying on "Josie's all I have now. My friends said I should start dating again, but how could I? It's already hard to date when you've got a kid, it's hard to find someone who's going to accept that. I've got to think about Joseline, I have to put her first and make up for all the time I missed, I have to make it up to her; and that can be hard for other people to understand, it just makes dating more complicated. Even tonight, I was so close to cancelling our date." He sighed heavily, turning to me "But I'm really glad I didn't."

I didn't really know what to say, I felt mute.
He shook his head lightly, motioning that I didn't need to say anything. He turned his attention back to his daughter "Jo was so excited to find out where I was going today." He muttered with a small smile and 'Joseline' stirred slightly. "It's been a while since I've been this happy, Josie's always telling me to look on the bright side ya know? I've been trying but it's really difficult- I just don't want to let her down." I listened silently as he spoke, just as his daughter's eyes fluttered open. Arata smiled down at her as she moved off his lap.

He gently picked her up to carry her up the stairs before I interrupted. "Arata I think I'm gonna head off now." he looked at me with a pained expression on his face, I shook my head lightly "No there's nothing wrong it's just I have to get to work early tomorrow and plus Fubuki will probably be worried that something bad happened." I walked up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, a blush spreading across my cheeks 'You're really catching feelings'.
"I would really really love to do this again Arata." I spoke and was relieved to see his face brighten up.

I let my arm fall back to my side, not sure whether to just let myself out or not. Arata put Josie down and told her to go to her bedroom. We both just stared at each other quietly, the tv playing softly in the background. Arata spoke up first "Well, how does Friday sound? Uh don't worry I'll get someone for Jo, it'll just be us." he said but I shook my head vigorously, it wouldn't be right "No, bring her, we can all go somewhere nice together, it's not fair for you to have to compromise your daughter for me." I smiled at him before grabbing my phone, he nodded slowly, a smile tugging at his cheeks "Then...it's a date."
I nodded, saying goodbye before placing a tiny kiss on his cheek and leaving as quickly as I could.

(Wednesday, 7am- the Fubuki-Gouenji residence)

"Still nothing?"
Fubuki looked up from his phone at his husband and sighed heavily, his grey hair bouncing a little as he did so "I thought I'd try his social media, his last twitter post was two months ago when he said he was going abroad for work, nothing since. I've messaged him a bunch of times but he's not replied." He said lowly, turning back to his phone and refreshing the page, a picture of Endou sitting in a crate of footballs with the hashtag ThrowbackThursday popped up.

"I'm sure he's just busy, or maybe he's not using social media anymore- I hardly use mine at the moment." The blonde reasoned, shaking his head lightly at the picture on his husband's screen 'It's just like Mamoru to still be using 'ThrowbackThursday'- it's not even Thursday.'
Fubuki placed his phone on the table standing up and opening his arms for a hug, to which Gouenji happily obliged "I know he's fine, it's just so weird that he's not speaking to me, or you for that matter. I feel like he's avoiding me. What if I upset him or something?" Shirou muttered into his husband's chest, the other stroked his hair soothingly "You worry too much Shirou. He probably just wants a bit of space, don't think too much into it. You could never upset him."

Fubuki pulled back "I suppose you're right. I should stop worrying so much. And I suppose it is 11pm where he is."
"Yes, he's probably asleep." Shuuya countered, placing a kiss on his husband's forehead. "Now come on and eat, I made us breakfast."

(11pm- Milan, Italy)

Someoka stared out into the inky black sky, at the stars that shimmered brightly. It was a warm night and Someoka had chosen to spend it out on the balcony of his hotel room, thinking about how much he missed home. His contract was up, and he'd be going back to Japan in a few days, which he was delighted about, but the the thought of having to face Fubuki and Gouenji and all the mess he'd left behind was a troubling one. His phone rang but he ignored it- it was Fubuki- the icon flashed on his screen for a few moments before disappearing; it was of Fubuki back when he was in high school, Someoka knew he should update it but the smile his friend was sporting in it, it was just too cute to replace. Someoka smiled but shook his head, staring up at the stars.

"Knock knock, can I come in?" Someone called and Someoka strode across the room, opening the door to reveal his boss. He looked at him in confusion but stepped aside "Come in, is something the matter?"
His boss shook his head. "Sorry to call on you so late Ryuugo. I just wanted to congratulate you on a job well done this past month, I know it was a big ask for you to leave so suddenly and come down here, but you've been amazing." He said, giving the other a firm handshake.

"I must admit, I was a bit apprehensive about signing you on with us last year, given your earlier work. But we all must start somewhere, and I must say you've been performing very well, you should be proud of yourself. That Haruna girl was right to recommend you."
"Thank you, Nakata-San." Someoka replied, he should feel proud of himself, he'd come so far in just a few years.

His boss waved a hand at him "I told you you can refer to me as Hidetoshi, after all we don't do formalities here." Hidetoshi remarked, walking over to the open balcony, the curtains flapping around in the light breeze.
"You know." He stated, looking out at the night sky "You could stay in Milan permanently if you would like, there's a spot on the team here for a senior editor. I'm sure the juniors could do with someone like you leading them." He continued, eyeing the other "If you'd be interested." Someoka looked at him "A promotion?" He asked and his boss leaned back on the balcony railing "Indeed. There's a couple others in line, but I'd be happy to put your name forward. I personally think you'd be the better choice, but I understand it would be another big ask of you. Though you would be handsomely rewarded of course."

Someoka looked at the floor "I...I'm not sure what to say." He answered truthfully. His boss nodded, patting the other on the shoulder lightly "Like I said, it's a big ask, just have a think and get back to me on it."
"Yes I'll...I'll think about it." Someoka replied as the man nodded at him and left the room. He sighed, looking out again at the sky, a million thoughts rushing through my mind. Wasn't he just thinking about how worried he was to go back, maybe staying here wouldn't be so bad after all? But going to live in Italy? He'd be so far from all the people he cared about- and the three particular people he wanted, and didn't want, to see.

He walked over to his bed, lying down and huffing. His phone pinged and he grabbed it, seeing a Twitter notification from Fubuki, he sighed, not opening it. He really didn't want to be thinking about Fubuki right now...

(Many, many years ago)

Fubuki looked distraught.
Someoka's face instantly fell as he unzipped his coat, allowing the other to snuggle into his warmth. He felt Fubuki's cold hands near his skin, wrapped tightly around his body, his warm breath on his chest as he mumbled into Someoka's sweater.
Gouenji was leaving for Germany, and he'd broken Shirou's heart.
"I'm sorry to make you come all the way out here Ryuugo I just-" he began before looking up at the other, his beautiful teal-grey eyes, the eyes that Someoka loved so much, full of anguish.

"Don't worry about it, you know I'll always be here for you." The other said softly, Fubuki pulled out of the embrace, snow cruching under foot as he did so- Someoka missed his touch immediately.
"I know I should be happy for him, it's his life after all, I shouldn't hold him back. But it's just so hard Someoka, I don't want him to go." The grey-haired male cried, Someoka grabbed his gloved hand "But if this is what he wants-"
"-It's not though!" Fubuki exclaimed, a tear forming in his eye "He's just doing what his dad wants, he's just trying to impress him like always!" He yelled, trying to wipe the tear in his eye away. He'd thought Gouenji would be over this by now, he thought he'd settled things with his father, that's what he'd told Fubuki at least. "I'm not going to let him control my life anymore Shirou, I'm going to live it, my way." He'd said on that starry night when they shared their first kiss.

They walked over to a bench and sat down, everything was so still and quiet, Fubuki sniffed. "Shuuya, he...he said it's over." A tear slid down his face, he didn't bother to wipe it away this time "He said it would just be easier this way, I-I told him I would do long-distance, I'd even come and visit him but..." he stopped, his face crumbling, his hands flew up to his face as he started to sob.
Someoka wrapped his arms around the other's small frame, holding him close as he cried. "Shhh, it's okay Shirou, please don't cry..." he soothed. 'They broke up? No wonder he's so upset'
'Isn't this what you wanted though?'
Someoka shook his head, getting rid of those shameful thoughts, Fubuki stirred in his arms. He looked down, seeing Fubuki staring back up at him with those big eyes of his, his face a complete mess.

Ryuugo reached out, wiping away his tears as Shirou sniffed pathetically. A few minutes passed as the two just sat there, until Fubuki spoke up, pushing against the other lightly and sitting back. "He's leaving this Friday." He mumbled "I'm supposed to see him off at the airport, Endou said he won't be able to make it so it'll just be me." He turned to the other, voice still hoarse from the crying "Will you come with me, I don't think I could go alone."
"Of course Shirou." Someoka replied, laying an arm across his friend's shoulder. Fubuki leaned into his side.

Someoka stole a glance at him, at his perfect hair, perfect eyes and perfect lips that looked so kissable, he desperately wanted to tell him how he felt, but he knew now wasn't the right time. He looked away, again ashamed by his inner thoughts.
"You shouldn't stay here in Hokkaidō by yourself, why don't you come back to Tokyo with me." Someoka urged, he knew how miserable the other would be now that Gouenji was going.
A few snowflakes landed on their heads, but they didn't seem to notice.
"Shuuya said the same thing." Fubuki began quietly, burying his hands into his coat pockets. "He wanted me to come and live with him there but..." he looked up, only now noticing the snow that had started to fall. "I can't just leave, all my family is here..." he looked around at the white landscape, the bare trees that were dusted with white sugar. "This is my home Ryuugo, I don't belong in a big city like Tokyo."

"You could just stay for a little while, just for a bit, at least for the first few months. There's good music schools down there, and you'll be closer to the others too." Someoka reasoned but the other just wouldn't have it.
He shook his head sadly "I can't Someoka."
Someoka leaned forward, reaching into the other's pockets and grabbing his hands "Then I'll come and stay up here with you then." He said quickly, staring deeply into the other's eyes. Fubuki stared back at him. It was silent between the two, Someoka moved back, letting go of Fubuki's hands awkwardly. "Unless that's not...what you want..."

Fubuki gave him a sympathetic look, removing his glove and placing his now slightly warmer hand on Someoka's cheek. He spoke softly, a quiet lilt in his voice "That's very kind of you to suggest but...I can't ask you to drop everything and move up here, you just started a new job after all...and I think...I just need some time alone."

"S-shuuya!" Fubuki called as they stood in the departure lounge, Gouenji turned around, a stoic expression on his face. "Shirou, I thought maybe you'd decided not to come." He said quietly, walking slowly over to his trembling ex. He stopped just short of him.
"Traffic was bad." Someoka said, coming up behind Fubuki, he wasn't sure how to feel, Shirou had been silent the entire car journey, he really did not want to have to watch the other cry again, but from Fubuki's shaky form that was a possibility. Gouenji nodded at Someoka "Thank you for coming Ryuugo, I'm sorry I didn't tell you about it sooner." Someoka kissed his teeth "You should be sorry you son of a bitch, springing this on all of us, and not even saying goodbye properly." He said gruffly to which the blonde just gave him a sad smile "I've already had the lecture from Mamoru. I'm sorry, it's just better this way, please understand."

"S-Shuuya I-" Fubuki began shakily, his breath hitching in his throat, Gouenji frowned.
"Please...."
Someoka placed a firm hand on Fubuki's shoulder, shaking his head. Gouenji's frown deepened, he walked up to Fubuki, standing there for a moment taking in his ex's appearance, he looked broken. He sighed, wiping away the tears that had begun to form in those teal-grey eyes. Fubuki's lips trembled "Shuuya, I'll-I'll always love-"
"-Don't." Gouenji commanded softly, cutting him off, Fubuki hung his head, willing himself not to cry again.

Someoka watched them, his heart aching. He watched as they embraced each other, shared a final, tender kiss; the love and hurt so clear on both of their faces. 'They really are in love.'
The blonde pulled away and the other reached out for him, longing for his touch as the announcement for boarding played out above them.

"I have to go." Gouenji stated simply, picking his bag off the floor and tearing his eyes away from Fubuki. He turned to Someoka who had a similarly pained expression on his face. "I'm going to miss you too." The blonde said, putting out his hand, Someoka stared at it before shaking his head and pulling the other into a tight hug. "You son of a bitch, I'll never forgive you for this you know?" He croaked out and Gouenji just let out a sad laugh, hugging him back just as hard.
He let go of the blonde, a bit embarrassed by his actions, he wasn't sure what had come over him, it must have been the realisation that one of his best friends, and someone he had such complicated feelings over was actually leaving, right now, seemingly forever.

He watched as Gouenji walked over to the gate, turning back only once to wave at the two of them before disappearing. He held onto Fubuki as he broke down.

Someoka's eyes snapped open, how long had he been asleep for? He got up, closing the balcony doors. It was cold now. He checked his phone, 00:15, he pulled a hand down his face, retracting it quickly- he'd been crying.

((I'm finally managing to get through these earlier chapters. This idea had been in my head for the longest time since I kind of neglected Someoka when I first started this story, and when I looked back in this chapter I thought this storyline would fit the best here. I also fleshed out the Afuro part a bit more. Looking back, I picked a very odd couple of Arata and Afuro but I still like them even if it doesn't make much sense!
Also the restaurant is named after one in my uni town, I always laugh when I pass it since it's basically a Jojo reference to me.
Also fun fact, I chose Nakata Hidetoshi as a cameo character since he fit the Italy setting- but did you know, he's actually based off a famous Japanese footballer of the same name who played for Japan and Italy- because I didn't, but it's a really cool fact!
Also also, the line about Music schools in Tokyo was a reference to CityOfFragments university/college headcannons, I really liked her idea that Fubuki plays piano and would study music.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed this one, cheers!))