the lack of green or brown bottles on the coffee table was a good sign, though eight year old Hotaru held her breath as she walked farther into the house, careful to remove her shoes by the door. She could hear the sound of a pot boiling in the kitchen, as well as water running. Slowly walking into the room with her backpack still in hand she was surprised to find the tall blonde figure standing by the stove.
"Haruka-Papa?"
she whispered timidly, earning a grunt in response.
"um...What's going on?"
She asked, earning a small smile.
"well...I thought I'd cook for once. You still like Soba right?"
Hotaru couldn't help but smile at that.
"yes...Um...Papa? Did something happen?"
she asked, earning a sigh as the blonde walked over and stood over her, causing her to flinch back, eyes screwed closed as she braced herself for whatever Haruka decided to do. However to her surprise and relief she felt a hand gently touch her shoulder.
"Nothing happened Hotaru, I...Noticed the bruises this morning. We need to talk."
Hotaru began to panic then, blurting out promises and backing up though the blonde just sighed.
"Hotaru, stop and listen."
Haruka ordered, her voice soft but in a tone that Hotaru knew that she couldn't disobey.
"I know you didn't tell or whatever else. I want to know...What I did...What happens when I...get drunk."
Haruka sighed, her voice dropping slightly as she turned and walked back over to the stove.
"You get mad a lot...Yesterday you...Punished me for...staying after school to work on a project with some of my friends."
Hotaru whispered, noticing Haruka's body stiffen.
"Hotaru...What I did last night wasn't punishment...That was abuse."
Haruka stated then sighed and glanced over at her.
"Hotaru, I want you to go stay with Setsuna for a while. I am going to have to get my shit together so that don't happen again."
Haruka stated, though suddenly the little girl ran and hugged her, tears filling her eyes.
"No! Please don't send me away! I will behave I promise."
Haruka hated this, hated how scared she sounded.
Bending down she lifted the child into her arms for what was probably—she knew—the first time in forever.
"Hotaru, I am not sending you away because you did something. I...I will get sick and temperamental when I stop drinking. I don't want you to see that."
Haruka sighed, careful not to touch the child's welted skin.
"I am so sorry."
Hotaru could barely believe this. Haruka never apologized, not anymore not since Mama died.
"then Satsuna-San can come stay here! I'll stay in my room and won't do anything you tell me not to! Please Papa?"
Hotaru pleaded, earning a sigh.
"that's a bad idea but...I know you more or less was abandoned by...him. Fine. After dinner I'll call Setsuna, now go wash up."
