I think we all know by now that I am setomary trash. That being said, I had to write this because it's so ridiculous and unnecessary but it's something Seto would do anyway.

Mary awoke at 6 a.m. to a buzzing alarm clock. Seto groaned and rolled out of bed, beginning to get ready for work.

"I thought today was your day off," she yawned.

Seto sighed. "No. Something came up and they need me to work today. I'm filling in for somebody else. I might be home late." Mary stuck her lower lip out. "Hey, don't be upset. They're paying me extra, and I promise next week will be really special."

"I wanted to spend the day with you! Now I'm stuck at home with Kano."

"Oh, he isn't so bad. I think he's going to have to lay off soon, anyway." Seto kissed her as he tied his apron. "I'm out. Get some more sleep, okay? Don't worry." Seto exited the bedroom, shutting the door behind him quietly and tiptoeing outside so he didn't wake Kano up. Kido had been staying with the Kisaragi family lately, so there were less fresh breakfasts. Sometimes he missed her, but it isn't like she took an initiative to socialize with him and Kano when she did live with them.

On his way into work, Seto bought a bagel. He ate it thoughtfully while watching people pass him on the street. I really hate not telling her the whole truth. It's got to be a surprise, though. He tossed the empty bag in a trashcan and worked his 5 hour shift. The day ran smoothly, and Seto spent much of his time stocking shelves. He kept reminding himself what this was going to help him do. All I need is a little more money.

At noon, Seto clocked out and checked the shop downtown to see if they still had what he wanted. Good. I'll go on Friday, after I get paid. Up the street a little ways was a florist shop where he bought a bouquet of pink roses.

"Somebody's in trouble." the man behind the counter winked.

"I sure hope not. They're for my girlfriend's mother."

"Ah, getting on her good side."

Seto nodded. "Something like that. Thank you!"

"Any time, kid."

As he walked to the forest, Seto hummed a short tune under his breath. The birds took interest in him and soon began to perch on his head. Politely, he asked them to shoo, since he had something important to do. He promised to feed them on his way back, and the birds flew off to their spots in the trees.

Retracing his steps on the path he had taken many times before with Mary at his side, Seto soon found himself at the cottage he had met her. Smiling at the memory, Seto pulled some weeds in the garden, tossing them into the trees. He wiped his hands on his pants and walked around to the back. The grave sat in a far corner, partially hidden by a rosebush. Seto knelt at her feet, and bowed his head slightly, laying the roses down where Shion's arms would be.

"I promised myself I would do this," Seto started "It isn't as hard as it could be. If you were alive this would be much more difficult." he laughednervously. "Mary hasn't brought you flowers in a while. I'm sorry that I've been keeping her so busy, but I swear we'll visit more often.

"Um, your daughter is incredible. I don't think that I've ever met anybody like her before. I care greatly for all of my friends, but Mary left a lasting impact on me. I always tell her that you would be proud, because I would be proud if she was my daughter. She really loved you, and I know how hard loss is. My sister died about 4 years ago, and our mother, my foster mother, she went before my sister did. Usually, Mary and I don't talk about our mothers, sorry about that again, but it's something we both really feel strongly about. Caring about you quietly.

"But I didn't really come here for that reason. Like I said before, your daughter is amazing. She's kind, and she's smart, and reallyreally beautiful. I tell her every day so she doesn't forget, and I love her. I love her like my own family.

"I talked to my, uh, my brother, about this. He said that it was a great idea, and that she'd fit right in. Then he gave me this grin that just couldn't be fake. His eyes shone and I knew that I couldn't ask for a better person to call my brother. Then I told my sister, Kido. She got really worked up and hugged me, and said that she would help as much as she could. Both of them are just great. So, after my immediate family, I told our closest friends. Momo got really bouncy and bubbly, and I still don't know how she hasn't told Mary yet. Shintaro just clapped me on the back like Dad would have. After them, I told Haruka and Takane. They got married sometime last year, and just sort of sat there for a minute before talking super fast and I still don't think I really know what they said.

"Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that your daughter has this amazing beauty and kindness that I could never find in anybody else so I want to marry her. I want to marry her more than I really even know and it's been hard keeping it in. There's this jewelry store that has the perfect ring. It's gold and diamonds and I can just imagine her wearing it and I know it would be just right and she'll love it, even though I'm still not sure if she'll say yes. I'm only 18 now, so it would be strange, being married, but I want to do it for her. I just really want to be with her.

"I'm not sure how it'll work out. Our lives will coexist for the rest of mine, but only a small portion of hers. I'm worried about her, but in the end, I think the right thing to do is spend as much time as we can together. We could live here, I think. Maybe it would be nice for her to stay in the home that she grew up in. It isn't far from the city. We can visit our friends and family, and I can work.

"What I'm trying to say is, Miss Kozakura, please accept me as a part of your family, because I'm ready to be a part of yours. Mary is a young lady who never ceases to amaze me, and if she loves me half as much as I love her, I must be the luckiest man on Earth."

Seto stood up and ran his fingers along the words carved into the stone: 'MAMA' and then more recently 'SHION'. The boy smiled sadly, thinking of his own family, and headed home.

Moved from fresh-hot-yaois