This one’s a crackfic, with me thinking of some Kouya/Torahiko/Juuichi love triangle and how it would come to be. Had to admit, I have some slight difficulty nailing down Kouya’s personality, but I hope I did him justice.

---

It all started with a plea. Shun, feeling concerned about Torahiko and Kouya fighting all the time, had asked if he could help make them, well, not completely stop fighting, but maybe just make them more civil with one another. Juuichi wasn’t sure why Shun approached him when there were better choices (Tatsuki and Kyoji came to mind), but he had been unable to decline the wolf’s request. Truth be told, he wasn’t sure what he could do to make those two stop arguing, but he promised the wolf he’d give it a try. Juuichi wasn’t the type who ran from challenges and adversity, and he wasn’t about to start now. Seeing Shun give him a warm smile was a reward in and of itself.

Juuichi had invited Torahiko and Kouya to Raimon for a meal, thinking he’d start by asking them what their problem with each other was and go from there. What he didn’t count on was the two arguing mid-meal over something as simple as what condiment would go better with roast beef (the tiger claimed it was ketchup while the husky insisted it was soy sauce). When the slang for males of questionable parentage started flying, the bear decided he’d had enough. Frustrated and feeling a headache coming on, Juuichi gripped the bases of their tails and pulled, making them howl in pain and knocking both of them down to the floor.

---

The next day, he told Kyoji about the dinner fiasco. The smiling dog had been sympathetic and understanding. When Juuichi wondered aloud why those two felt the need to bicker all the time, Kyoji offered his theory.

“They remind me of the way some kids try to upset their friends by throwing bugs at them or something. Those kids don’t really mean any harm; they mostly just do it to get each other’s attention.”

Juuichi paused to consider that. True, Torahiko and Kouya fought on a daily basis, but they never considered the other their enemy. So maybe that had to count for something, right? He thanked Kyoji for his insight and thought what to do next.

---

As it turned out, the decision had already been made for him. He had just finished with the Judo Club and was heading home when he was stopped by Torahiko and Kouya. The two looked sheepish, and the bear sighed in annoyance when the two started coughing and trying to push the other to start talking. “What is it?”

“We, uh, we wanted to apologize to you, senpai,” the tiger began, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “You treated us to a nice meal and we had to ruin it like that.”

Juuichi crossed his arms and looked at Kouya. The husky gave a soft sigh and added, “Yeah, we talked about it afterwards, and we wanted to treat you to dinner, both as an apology and thanks.”

“You two actually got along long enough to decide that?” The two gave him an embarrassed nod and the bear could feel a smile on his face. Maybe getting these two to get along with each other wasn’t so hopeless after all.

---

The three of them enjoyed a nice dinner at Raimon that evening. No raised voices, no arguments, no fists raised. Truth be told, Juuichi enjoyed the mood and the company. Who knew these two would be fun to talk to? He listened to Torahiko tell them the latest events in the inn and mention how his father taught him yet another recipe (a meat dish that used honey, something that made the bear’s mouth water). Kouya told them about his band’s latest gig and how he was thinking of composing a new song (something telling the message of lost love in the summer, which Torahiko jokingly remarked should be dedicated to him). For his part, Juuichi told them about Judo practice as well as the mischief his brother got into.

The three were all smiling and laughing as the bear finished recounting an old tale about how his brother went around town dressed as him, scaring most people with the image of a grinning, cheerful Juuichi. Deciding he wanted to come clean, Juuichi explained to Torahiko and Kouya what Shun asked of him. The two did have the grace to look embarrassed at the thought of Shun worrying about them, but couldn’t make any promises.

“I dunno, senpai, I mean, it just kinda happens, you know?” Torahiko shrugged, not looking at Juuichi.

Kouya looked apologetic and sighed. “Yeah, I can’t exactly help myself if this idiot needs to be put in his place.”

“Who are you calling an idiot?!”

Juuichi grunted. ‘The meal had been going so well too!’ Thinking back on Kyoji’s comment, he leaned back in his seat and addressed the two. “You two are acting like little kids.” Seeing that he had their attention, he gave them a small smile and added, “Either that, or an old married couple.”

The two looked at him with horrified expressions blossoming on their faces before they started spluttering and shouting denials at the top of their lungs. Juuichi knew the meal would go downhill from there but didn’t care, smiling to himself and thinking that at least the two had stopped arguing with one another.

From that point on, the three began to treat each other to meals. Torahiko and Kouya would get into an argument while eating. Juuichi, in turn, would either perform a judo move on them or tell them they were acting like a married couple once more (or both) in order to shut them up. All of them would feel bad afterwards and offer to pay for the next meal.

When Torahiko complained that all they ever did together was eat, the three of them started finding other ways to hang out with each other. Juuichi would invite them for a stroll across town, Kouya would talk them into going to the music store, and Torahiko would drag them to watch the latest action movies. Juuichi had to admit that he was having a lot of fun. He also got to see a different side to Torahiko and Kouya, as the three slowly told each other more details about themselves. Sometimes he liked to think that these counted as dates, but he knew he was being absurd.

---

As the months rolled by, Juuichi began to notice something strange. If he didn’t know any better, Juuichi would say that the two were trying to compete to see who could get his attention. Torahiko kept inviting him to try his cooking as well as inviting him to watch him during practice in the Swimming Club. On the other hand, Kouya regularly asked him to listen to some music and even asked him to help come up with lyrics for songs. But the bear knew that the two did those things for one another as well (while arguing all the way), so he decided he was just being silly. Still, it did make for a nice fantasy, thinking he had two people interested in him like that.

On the other hand, Juuichi could safely say that he was beginning to see them both as something more than friends. As he spent more time with either (or both) of them, he knew this wasn’t merely a physical attraction. Juuichi got to know them, from simple things like favorite color, to important matters like their plans and dreams for the future, but it was more than that. He liked their presence. The two were different, yet similar. Torahiko was like the sun’s blaze, able to brighten up a room with his cheery personality. Kouya was like a candle’s flame, easily able to chase the darkness away while giving off gentle warmth. Maybe it was a little sappy, but the bear felt that analogy fit.

Now, Juuichi wasn’t afraid of telling one of them what he felt. He was mature enough not to fall into the trap of fearing the person wouldn’t return his feelings. The problem was how to decide who he liked between the two…

---

Juuichi knew he needed advice for this situation. His brother was out; Juuichi just knew that his twin would tease him about this mercilessly. Fortunately, he knew a certain canine who gave solid advice.

“Takahara, what do you do if you can’t decide who you like more between two people?”

“Eh?” Kyoji looked at him in confusion. The two were walking back home after their club practice ended. Juuichi noted that most of Kyoji’s female (and some male) admirers were hanging back, as if afraid of Juuichi. The bear almost rolled his eyes. He wasn’t that intimidating, was he?

That was why he and Kyoji got along so well, Juuichi reflected. Juuichi appreciated the dog’s maturity and ideas, while Kyoji was grateful that Juuichi’s presence could ward off his more ardent admirers. Personally, Juuichi didn’t mind being his friend’s bodyguard, it was the least he could do for the gentle dog. The bear could occasionally hear some rumors from the school grapevine about various students’ plans to ask out Kyoji, all of them extravagant, and would doubtlessly embarrass the dog.

Once they were out of earshot of the other students, Juuichi explained his problem. All the while, Kyoji had his hand on his mouth, humming in thought. It was very hard to tell if he was perturbed or not by what Juuichi told him. The bear hoped his friend didn’t think he was strange for this; lately, he’d been feeling that he was being incredibly selfish for his indecision. Juuichi did stress that he wanted Kyoji’s honest opinion, which made the dog sigh. He knew from experience that unless pressed, the dog would try to sugar coat his words for fear of offending others. Finally, he spoke. “You should tell them both.”

“What? At the same time?” Juuichi was flabbergasted at the dog’s suggestion.

Kyoji nodded. “Well, yes, it’s best to get these things out in the open. Poor communication kills after all.” Before Juuichi could protest, Kyoji raised a hand and continued. “Besides which, you’re not even sure if one of them likes you back.” Left unsaid was the worst possibility, that neither Torahiko nor Kouya would feel the same way.

Juuichi grumbled under his breath but knew Kyoji was right. Besides, the bear knew deep inside that whatever might happen, he would still be friends with Kouya and Torahiko. The dog’s advice did help calm the weird churning in his stomach. “Thanks, Takahara.” Juuichi sighed and continued, “Sometimes, I just wish there was an easier way to do this.”

Kyoji gave a laugh. “Well it’s either what I told you or the three of you should get together.”

He couldn’t tell if the dog was serious or not, but Juuichi blushed all the same.

---

Juuichi decided to talk to Torahiko and Kouya about it while they were taking a stroll down the forest path. He didn’t want anyone else to overhear this. Juuichi took a deep breath, turned towards the arguing pair, and spoke without preamble. “I like you both.” Mentally, he cringed. Too direct!

One could hear a pin drop in the silence that followed. Torahiko and Kouya had stopped their bickering and turned to look at him, blinking. Juuichi guessed that his words hadn’t sunk in yet. A few seconds later, the two began to talk at the same time

“Uh, Juuichi-san, did you just say what I thought you said?“ “Wait, wait, senpai, did I hear that right?“

Juuichi cut them off with a nod and looked away, blushing. ‘Well, it’s out now at the very least.’ He took a deep breath and faced Torahiko and Kouya again. “I apologize if I shocked you. I know it’s selfish of me, but I…I like you both equally.” Judging from the small smiles and the heavy blush on Torahiko and Kouya’s cheeks, Juuichi received his answer. ‘This is really going to be complicated, isn’t it?’

The tiger and husky looked at each other, and Juuichi could only imagine what the two were thinking about. Kouya looked at him curiously. “Juuichi-san, we, uh, we like you too, but are you serious? About liking us the same?”

The bear nodded.

Torahiko chuckled. “Wow! Guess I just have to try harder to win you over, eh senpai?”

Kouya snorted and glared at the tiger. “You’re free to try, but you’re fighting a losing battle.”

“The only one who’s losing here is you!”

As the two started fighting once more, Juuichi felt his anger flaring. “Stop it!” he snapped, silencing the two. “Aren’t you two angry at me? Don’t you think I’m leading you on? Don’t you think I’m weird?” His voice choked out the last word, the one thing he was always worrying about. He looked away, and clenched his fists in frustration.

“Why would we think those things?” Juuichi looked back at Kouya. The husky’s voice was soft, gentle. “You’ve been really great to us all this time.”

Torahiko nodded, looking serious. “Yeah, I mean, thanks to you, me and Kouya here are actually closer to each other now.” He tossed the husky a smirk. “Even if we still fight from time to time.”

“So, stop thinking like that. We don’t think you’re weird or whatever, Juuichi-san. Whatever you decide, we can handle it.” The two smiled at the bear, and Juuichi could feel himself returning it with his own. He felt the pressure in his chest lift, knowing these two knew his feelings and didn’t think he was strange for it.

Sure, he still liked the two, but at least he knew they wouldn’t blame him for whatever choice he made.

---

From that day on, it seemed the two kept inviting Juuichi to spend time with them. Apparently, the two really were serious about competing for his affection, something Juuichi didn't know what he should feel about. Flattered? Embarrassed? Annnoyed? Or maybe all three.

Still, Juuichi noticed that Torahiko and Kouya were also spending quite some time together. Sometimes, he could catch them talking with such serious expressions on their faces. Part of him wondered what the two were talking about.

---

A week later and Juuichi had his answer. He was standing outside his home and about to go for a walk when Torahiko and Kouya came up to him.

“We want to share.”

Juuichi stood in front of the two, not sure what he was hearing. “What?”

Torahiko stepped forward, grinning and blushing. “Me and Kouya talked it out, and well, we didn’t want some complicated love triangle crap getting in our way.”

“Idiot,” Kouya sighed, but Juuichi saw the husky was blushing as well. “What we’re going to do is also going to be complicated.” He also stepped forward, offering Juuichi a small smile. “What we mean is, we don’t want to just be with each other, and we don’t want to have the other to just be with you. So, if you’re okay with it, maybe the three of us could…” He trailed off, cheeks blushing.

Juuichi stood there, dumbfounded. Part of him wanted to shout at the two, to ask ‘What the hell? Don’t you think it’s strange? Aren’t you afraid what people would think?’ while the other part wanted to take these two wonderful males in a hug and never let go.

Before he could decide what to do, Torahiko and Kouya latched onto his arms and began pulling him outside. “Where’re we going?”

“On a date, of course!” Torahiko grinned, squeezing Juuichi’s hand. “We got a lot to talk about, right?”

“But I haven’t even answered yet,” Juuichi protested, blushing heavily.

“You never said ‘no’ either,” Kouya shot back, his voice gentle and teasing. Juuichi felt the husky’s hands rub his shoulders and almost sighed in pleasure.

“Alright, alright, yes, I do want to be with you two,” Juuichi relented. He saw the two grinning at him and couldn’t resist smiling back. Yes, things were probably going to be complicated and they probably would have a lot to talk about (he was already thinking of weekly rotating schedules), but they had each other and that was the most important thing in Juuichi’s mind.

Later that night, when he was lying on his futon, tired, sweaty and caught in a tangle of arms and legs with two sleeping idiots, Juuichi smiled and felt like he was the luckiest person in the world.