A/N: Confession time, I don't really proofread some of my fics, so as you can guess I rushed this. But anyway, as always, enjoy~
Mei had just completed wiping down the table and kitchen counter after dinner was finished. Sighing to herself from accomplishing such a simple cleaning duty, she gently placed the rag she had been using back on the kitchen sink and slowly tread towards the living room couch. While it had been only about four days since Yuzu went away on a business trip, Mei felt like she had been gone for four weeks.
She did get occasional calls and messages from the blonde, usually checking in every now and then, and asking Mei if there were any problems going on. Of course, not to worry Yuzu while she was hundreds of miles away, Mei denied any problems she could be facing being the only parent in the household. She's helped raise their son before, but the task of having to take care of their son on her own felt daunting.
Yuzu had always been the more open and outgoing parent between the two, the kind of parent who showed caring through laughing and sharing experiences. Mei, on the other hand, would often show her love to her son through silent acknowledgement, similar to how a strict, seemingly-emotionless father would. Whenever he would finish his chores on time, she would nod approvingly. Whenever he would get a good grade in class, she would add in a "good job" for his effort. And whenever he excelled well in something, she would give him a pat on the head.
However, Mei often sensed her son feeling as if he wasn't doing enough for his mother. Knowing this, the black-haired woman hated how her mannerisms led him to thinking that way. It was an uncanny resemblance to her younger days when she did everything in her power to satisfy her grandfather and become what others expected of her.
But Mei wasn't exactly emotionless, and Yuzu had often reminded their son of that. Showing love to Yuzu had been one of her biggest challenges during their early days of dating. Now, as a mother, her biggest challenge was showing love to her son. Yuzu reminded her that she didn't need to match her way of showing love and affection to their child. All she needed to do was take care of him the best she can in her own way, and if she was struggling with anything regarding their son, then Yuzu would be there to help guide her through it. After all, they are a family.
Resting and outstretched on the couch, Mei felt her muscles relax after the long day as she placed her arm over her head.
"Only one more day…" she whispered to herself, hoping Yuzu would come home sooner.
Not long after, Mei's thoughts drifted elsewhere while her lashes lowered. But before she could drift off into peaceful slumber, she began hearing faint footsteps heading towards her direction.
Mei slowly opened her eyes and turned her head to find her son clutching Kumagorou.
"Hiroki? What are you still doing up this late?" Mei asked, "it's past your bedtime."
"I can't sleep," and began fiddling with Kumagorou's arms, "I was wondering...can I sleep with you tonight, Mama?"
The last part of his question sounded hesitant, almost expecting his mother to decline and send him back to his room. Mei sensed the hesitation in his voice and felt guilty for his uncertainty. Without any words, she motioned him to lie beside her on the couch.
Holding Kumagorou, Hiroki climbed atop and nuzzled under his mother's chin as Mei sat up to lean against the arm of the couch. She circled her arms around his small frame as he leaned back into her, facing away. Once both of them were at a comfortable position on the furniture, Mei began combing his dark locks with her fingers in an effort to help him fall asleep better.
"Mama?" the small boy asked, "what do you like about mom?"
The question prompted Mei to break out of her near-slumbering trance. Where exactly was this question coming from? It made her worry about any other thoughts her son had towards her as a person as well as her current parenting skills.
"Why do you ask?"
The young boy pondered for a bit before responding, "I don't know...it's just, mom always talks about why she loves you, but I never hear you talk about why you love her."
So, that was the reason. Mei sighed in relief. Although, it did make her reevaluate how she showed her love to Yuzu around their son. Mei had gotten better at being more open and affectionate the further they got in their relationship, but if it gave the impression to him that she didn't love her as much as Yuzu did, then she probably needed to try harder.
But Mei had her own ways of showing how much she loved Yuzu...just not when their child was in the house.
"What I love about her?," she mused as she smiled affectionately, thinking of all the reasons why her wife was the most perfect person in the world, "well, when I first met your mom, she was very clumsy, not exactly the smartest, and tended to get into a lot of trouble." It felt nostalgic reminiscing the many times she called Yuzu out on dress code violations, sleeping in class, and failing many of her exams back in high school.
"But the one thing I've always loved about her," Mei continued, "is her persistent desire to put on smile on other people's faces." Of all people, she would know of that persistence since she was the most difficult of people for Yuzu to put a smile on.
Yuzu had always been so kind and warm, and Mei felt lucky enough that her persistence broke through her previously cold and icy walls.
The next morning, the two were nestled on the couch with Mei's arm over her son, while both his arms held onto Kumagorou.
Mei was faintly awake, but her exhaustion from the long previous day kept her from wanting to move a muscle. Sunlight barely peeked through the windows and she figured it wouldn't hurt to get a little more rest.
She couldn't tell whether or not she heard a clicking noise by the front door, but she was in between consciousness she didn't bother making the distinction.
Before Mei knew it, she felt soft lips on her forehead and delicate fingers brushing her shoulder. She opened her eyes to find emerald irises softly gazing into her.
"Good morning," Yuzu greeted with a whisper, careful not to disturb their son's slumber.
"Good morning," Mei smiled as she used her free hand to bring the blonde's head closer for a kiss.
Their shared kiss was quick and chaste. Mei was still in a daze, not realizing Yuzu was coming home sooner. Had she only known the blonde would be coming home this early she would've prepared something for her last night before dozing off.
Mei looked over to the kitchen and carefully moved Hiroki off of her to cook something, allowing him to occupy most of the couch.
"What are you doing?" Yuzu placed a hand on Mei's shoulder, noticing how wobbly the other woman was getting up.
"You just came home," Mei noted, "I'm assuming you haven't eaten breakfast yet," still motioning to stand from the couch.
"I'll make breakfast," the older woman offered, "you should get some more rest. You look exhausted."
"But…" the dark haired woman tried to argue, but her sore muscles betrayed her. If only she didn't overwork herself the day before. Admitting defeat, Mei sighed and allowed Yuzu to rest her back on the couch. The blonde smiled and placed another loving kiss on her forehead before proceeding to the kitchen.
By the time Yuzu was finished preparing breakfast, Mei had enough energy to stand. Their son was still asleep, curled into Kumagorou and Mei thought it would be best to give him a couple more minutes before starting the day. She got up and walked to the kitchen while Yuzu was placing the plates of food on the dining table.
"I hope you didn't miss me too much," Yuzu teased as she was setting up the table.
As Yuzu finished placing the last plate on the table, she felt arms encircle around her waist from behind and her lover's body heat encompass her own. Mei softly nuzzled into the back of Yuzu's neck, intoxicated by her scent, and left lingering kisses to which the blonde couldn't help giggling to.
"I missed you," Mei murmured in between kisses.
"I missed you too," Yuzu whispered softly after turning to face her wife.
Not long after, the two mothers woke up their son so they could all eat breakfast together. Hiroki gave his mom the tightest bear hug welcoming her home. The three sat at the dining table and Yuzu spent the most of breakfast talking about how her trip went. When she asked the two how their week went, Mei and Hiroki looked at each other in silent acknowledgement and smiled back at the blonde, giving her the impression that there were no worries at all.
After a seemingly-long five days, Yuzu felt like she finally came home. But Mei felt like home came back to her.
A/N: So, ever since I came up with the idea of what Yuzu and Mei's child would probably be like I couldn't help but try writing a couple drabbles about their married/family life, including the rest of the gang involved.
I chose for them to have a son mainly because a daughter in female same-sex couple families has been done many times before and I just thought it would be interesting...interesting in the sense that I just wanted to. The name was something I made a quick Google search with, so to be honest, that might change and I'm hoping I might even be able to draw this character. I was slightly influenced by angel0wonder's fic Branching Out, for having Mei be Hiroki's biological mother since Yuzu can't carry a child herself. Maybe I'll come up with more scenarios to write about Yuzu and Mei's married life, there are endless possibilities ;D