The hotel was a large, manoresque building that rose proudly above the surrounding landscape. A dozen or so floors ran up all the way, with white walls that led up to symmetrical, black slate roofs. Here and there the windows gave a glimpse inside, revealing the lobby and restaurant, all meticulously decorated in natural themes like flowers and vines.

Tristan felt a small tap on his shoulder, and turned his gaze away from the awe-striking hotel, back to Hibiki. The latter smiled, and took a deep breath for him to mimic. He did, and nodded that he was alright.

Hibiki stopped the car in front of a man in uniform that was waiting outside. Tristan assumed that it was a valet, which was proven when Hibiki stepped out to hand the man his keys. He quickly followed, unbuckling himself and opening the door. The outside air was crisp and clear, with a sweet taste of frost deeply entering his lungs. It cooled down his thoughts somewhat.

He stepped up beside Hibiki, and smiled softly.

"So this is where you hide out every winter?" He asked, as behind them the valet drove away the car. The bodyguards left their vehicle as well, but he chose to ignore them.

Hibiki grinned back at him, before taking his hand as if to say it was his now too. A warm glow pushed all other thoughts aside. Even though there were others there, he let Hibiki's fingers slip between his for a moment – just as long as it took to pull him along to the entrance.

"Ah, Mister Yukimura. Welcome back." A tall, man with a shiny bald head and dressed in hotel uniform stated politely from behind the reception counter. "And you bring company I see?" The receptionist shifted his attention from Hibiki to Tristan, whose manners kicked in well enough to smile and nod.

"Wonderful! You may take the elevator to the right to the very top floor, certainly Mister Yukimura knows the way around." He spoke with a friendly, flowing enthusiasm in his voice, as he gestured elegantly to the right. Hibiki grinned and nodded, grabbing Tristan's wrist.

"Ah! And if the sir ever wishes for anything, dial one on the phone in your room." The receptionist stated louder, as he was in the midst of enthusiastically getting dragged along. He smiled and nodded to the best of his abilities, before Hibiki impatiently tugged at him again.

Tristan barely had the time to really take in the surroundings, instead he just caught glimpses of fairytale-worthy patterns and designs strewn about everything from the carpets to the furniture. It took a moment for the elevators to arrive, during which Hibiki bounced about on the tips of his toes barely able to contain his enthusiasm. It didn't escape him that this same ball of energy had just told him to be calm.

"Are you excited to show me?" Tristan asked, to which Hibiki immediately nodded. "Well, we can do whatever you like."

Hibiki grinned so bright, and bounced up and down with so much cheer that he was afraid he'd explode from pure happiness. Before he knew it, Hibiki had thrown his arms around him and hugged him tightly. He smiled and laid an arm around the waist of his overexcited ball of joy.

A ding indicated the elevator had arrived, prompting Hibiki to let go of him. A man and a woman dressed in fine clothing stepped out, only for Hibiki to immediately dart past and gesture for him to get in. He took a second for the people to properly exit, before moving in.

Hastily Hibiki pressed the button for the top floor, and the bouncing recommenced whilst the doors shut. The very moment the doors shut, Hibiki grabbed him and gave him a big kiss. The suddenness, combined with the motion of the elevator nearly made him stumble forward, but Hibiki held him upright. Rather bewildered he just let it happen, sinking in deeper as Hibiki's wild enthusiasm settled down too.

Another ding indicated they'd arrived, and Hibiki let him go. It felt like he'd been kissed by a hurricane, and he quickly wiped his mouth and straightened out his jumper. Hibiki grinned and made a heart gesture as he stepped out in the hallway, and he frowned in response.

As he left the elevator too, he realised they were already in their hotel room hallway. Hibiki took his hand and led him further along. The hallway curved around to a full blown kitchen, and he caught a glimpse of a large, spacious living room through an open door.

Just as they stepped into the living room, two people came out of a bedroom on the right side. He recognised Hibiki's parents from the video call: his father bore even more of a resemblance in real life, if only Hibiki were twenty years older and had taken on a well-kempt and clean shaven corporate appearance, suit included, whilst his mother was slightly taller than his father, wore her hair in a mid-length bob cut, and was dressed in an embroidered blouse top and a skirt that fell down to her knees.

Immediately Hibiki let go of his hand, and ran up to tightly hug his parents. For a short moment he stood there, a little endeared by how much they seemed to care for one another – only for a slight twinge of envy to unwillingly creep up. He wasn't allowed to feel that way for long however, as Hibiki let go of his parents and with the same bouncy enthusiasm gestured towards him.

He stepped forward, and gave a polite nod of his head as he wasn't certain how to approach them. He didn't have to, as immediately Hibiki's parents came up to him.

"It is nice to meet you in person." His father said as he placed a hand on his shoulder and shook his hand, but also gave a nod that resembled a bow, in a sort of hybrid between greetings. Hibiki's mother on the other hand stuck to a quick but enthusiastic bow and a smile.

"Yes, it's really nice to see you." Tristan said with a smile and a nod, even as the knowledge that these were the same people who had him arrested not that very long ago lingered in the back of his mind. Yet now he met them in person, and saw how they cared for Hibiki and made a genuine effort to approach him, he didn't feel resentful.

"Have you eaten yet? Suzume and I just returned from dinner.” Hibiki’s father said as he took a step back and looked them over. “It must have been quite a journey by car.”

Beside them Hibiki signed a few things, which caused his father’s eyebrows to raise in surprise.

“A drive through? You didn’t have to resort to that, if you had called we would have had meals prepared for you.” Hibiki’s father said with slight concern, as if they had dug into several month old rations.

Hibiki shook his head and puffed up his cheeks while signing something again. Tristan didn’t know what he said, but when he was done he decided to explain anyway.

“It’s actually something me and my family used to do on vacations.” He said, right before Hibiki’s father could speak. “Just a family tradition.” Despite smiling sweetly, he felt a little aggravated that Hibiki’s parents wouldn’t let him do something as simple as that. Hibiki nodded defiantly too, to agree with his explanation.

“For once can’t hurt.” Hibiki’s mother said as she placed a hand on her husband’s shoulder, who had begun to frown, and matched Tristan’s smile with an equally sweet one. “But we wouldn’t want you to get sick. The food here is wonderful.” Despite seeming genuinely concerned, it somehow also felt like a scolding – and judging by the way Hibiki puffed up his cheeks further that seemed to be the case. For a moment the air seemed to turn frigid, in a sort of anticipation he was all too familiar with.

“It does sound a lot better.” Tristan agreed with a smile and a nod, trying to de-escalate as quickly as he could. Only for Hibiki to glare at his parents and sign what appeared to be a few choice words.

Hibiki’s father glared back at him, as if contemplating saying something back, but then sighed deeply and decided to let it go.

“It’s late, and I think we are all a bit tired. It’s best we head to bed so we can talk with clearer heads tomorrow. It’s truly great to meet you Tristan, let’s have breakfast at eleven so you both can sleep in.”

“Er,- yes, thank you.” Tristan said softer, nodding sheepishly as the realisation that he’d already fucked up his first impression humbled him.

Once more Hibiki signed, but he wasn't sure what – and he began to lament that he didn't know since it seemed so fluent and quick. Hibiki's father agreed to what was signed, and then turned his attention back to him.

"Hibiki can show you to your room. Oh, and they should bring your luggage up soon." Despite the earlier frigidness, the smile he gave him was genuine.

"Thank you." Tristan responded, before Hibiki grabbed his wrist and pulled him along with renewed energy.

"Good night." – "Sleep well." He heard Hibiki's parents say, but despite their well wishes he couldn't help but feel he'd completely fumbled the conversation. Despite Hibiki being excited to show them their room, and him wanting to match that, he remained quiet and let Hibiki lead him along.

With a deep sigh he sank down on the meticulously made bed, resting both hands on his knees and hiding his head in his hands.

"I'm sorry, I fucked up." He lamented, only to feel two hands on his. Slowly Hibiki pried his hands from his face, and he was met with a smile and a nearly amused headshake. He frowned, confused as to why Hibiki didn't hate him for causing such a stand-off.

Seeing his confusion, Hibiki took his phone from his pocket and wrote. As he did, his mind drifted back to the sign language from before, and he wished they could communicate that freely without having to wait.

'They don't hate you. If they did they wouldn't even try. My parents are just a bit scared about new things. Especially when new things means me having a boyfriend'

"Still… I don't want them to think I'm bad for you." He said softly, whilst giving a slight shake of his head.

Hibiki solved his worries by moving over his lap, and laying an arm around his neck, whilst the other pulled his chin up for a few soft kisses. He let it happen, somewhat relieved that Hibiki didn't blame him for anything.

'Nothing is ever good enough for me. But they're going to come around to you, just loosen them up a little. Show them what a boring, kind, goody two shoes you are – and how happy that makes me'

He nodded, but wasn't entirely convinced. Rather he felt a little out of his depth, and afraid of being ostracised.

'You'll see during breakfast. My parents are just protective, once they see me smile they'll be all over it'

Tristan sighed and nodded, before letting himself fall backwards onto the large king sized bed. He glanced up at the ceiling, and then gazed through the room, somewhat intimidated by the intricate craftsmanship and quality.

"Is this really how you live your life?" He asked, glancing up at Hibiki who was in the midst of undoing his hair and shaking it loose. He fell forward over him, causing the long black locks to tickle his cheeks. A small nod answered him, somewhat proud, yet simultaneously unsure.

"And you've been by yourself here every year?" Despite knowing it was a sore subject, he didn't ask it to hurt Hibiki. Rather he was curious; he wanted to understand what was behind all the excitement of bringing him here. Just to be sure he placed a hand on his cheek and caressed him.

Hibiki bit his lip and glanced away, conflicted by the question, but then nodded. That wasn't the whole answer though, and he let him write on his phone to expand.

'I have people I like here. But I never brought someone like you'

Tristan smiled a little, hoping to ease a bit of that loneliness he seemed to feel.

"You know, even if your parents don't like me…" Hibiki adamantly shook his head, but he stopped that with a quick kiss. "I wouldn't stop liking you."

He meant it, but Hibiki furrowed his brow and puffed up his cheeks slightly. Sitting up, and with hasty taps he wrote an elaborate answer.

'That's why my parents won't hate you. They're not evil. All they want is for me to be happy and safe, that's why they didn't like the fast food. Because they think it's unhealthy. I know they overreact sometimes, and sometimes it really pisses me off too, but they just love me. They love me enough to let me love you, and I am sure when they see you make me happy, that they're going to open up to you. So don't worry. Really really don't worry about them, they're only stupid'

He looked up at Hibiki and nodded, trying to process what was said.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that." He mumbled, only to immediately be met by a deep kiss and a headshake. "I just want everything to go well."

Hibiki smiled at him and caressed his cheeks, to reassure him that it would.

"Thank you for taking me here. I know it's important to you too." He said, reaching in for a soft kiss.

When he pulled back, Hibiki's expression was soft, softer and more vulnerable than usual. He ran a few fingers through his hair, brushing it out of the way so he could see him better. 

The sound of a distant ding, and something heavy being brought into the penthouse made both of them look up. Realising it was their bags, Hibiki got up. It disappointed him slightly that their moment was interrupted, but he did want his items, so he stood up too and straightened himself out best he could.