Dear Aliko Kinav,thanks! Yes, they totally are!
Dear StrayDogHowling028, as it is, everything can happen next, but I think I'll keep the fluff for a little while longer (but one of them getting kidnapped by Kafka has a certain appeal too). I keep thinking that with this story, 'reviews rule all' will keep applying, because the possibilities in the next chapters and all. No, thank you for writing such a nice review!
Dear Salt-the-Catgirl, thank you! They are re-meeting Tsukumo and Nai in this chapter, although Nai doesn't get much time. More would be in future chapters for sure!
Dear Tsuki Aizawa, I'd say your wish is my command, but it's a bit too late to say that by now. Thank you!
Dear yaoiprincess101, I will! And I'm making a note to explain the past in a further chapter! Thanks!
Dear kaminokoe, I think so too! They'd be brilliant parents (but I think, they'd both have a tendency to their earlier protégé instead of being entirely unbiased like 'real life' parents. What do you think? I'm only writing on for you guys, it's just very delayed by now.
Dear fem-nova, will do! Thanks for the comment!
Dear Guest, I am! Thank you!
Dear Mizuki hikari, I felt like Nai would be a little confused at first, but one of these things will happen in later chapters (no spoiler at this point!).
Dear TheDeadOne28, thank you for your enthusiasm (and the review)! It's a little late now, but I updated for you guys!
Dear Kazugami Saichi Hakuraichi, I hope it will get clearer soon or even now. Thanks for the comment!
Dear Guest, thank you! I hope this chapter is as much fun then, even though I had too rush more to get the Sunday update this time. Yes, they are very cute (even cuter in my head).
Dear VitameatavegaminGirl, more is on the way! Thanks for commenting!
Dear Guest, yes, it's right under the line! I hope you'll love this chapter as well!
Children's Games
Gareki could barely believe just how lucky he was. Even on the second day the table was still full of food – even though there were some more people this time.
His hand was tightly in Yogi's as he pulled him along, smiling brightly. It still wasn't comfortable for him. No, it was anything but comfortable, even if Yogi's smile was there.
Yogi threw him a curious gaze, squeezing his hand lightly. "It's ok, Gareki-kun. They are friendly."
"But…" Gareki started whispering, "They could hurt us easily."
The prince seemed at a loss when Hirato crouched down on their eyelevel. "Yes, Tsukumo-chan and I are fighters. But we have no reason to hurt you or Yogi-kun." He put his hand on Gareki's black locks, ruffling them slightly. "Now come, Gareki-kun, before the breakfast gets cold."
Gareki didn't move, he just blinked in confusion. "But grown-ups don't need a reason to hurt." Then he seemed almost smaller. "I didn't mean to talk back…"
"It's quite alright to voice your thoughts, Gareki-kun," Hirato encouraged him gently. "I don't know what your parents told you, but here you are free to be who you are without facing bodily harm – we will only be angry if you bring yourself into danger or go against direct orders. That's a promise."
Gareki's gaze wandered to Akari who looked down at them before adding. "I'd like to make an exception for medical examinations. We don't know what immunisations they had, so I'll repeat all – and there is no knowing whether they'll never accidentally staple themselves and I need to get it out."
Then Gareki's gaze wandered to Yogi who seemed clearly amused by the adults. "See no need to worry, Gareki-kun. And if they really wanted to hurt us, I can fight too. I'll protect you."
"Alright," Gareki mumbled softly, letting Hirato picking them both up and carry them to the table.
Yogi made immediate action to pull his favourite foods closer, even though he didn't start eating until everybody was seated. Only when the others reached out for food, Gareki tenderly followed suit.
His mouth was already watering as he reached for the beacon when a soft laugh interrupted his actions. "I'm sorry, Gareki-kun. It's just so you to go for the beacon first." When he slowly pulled his hands back she rose the plate and offered it to him. "Just go ahead, Gareki-kun, please don't mind me laughing."
He nodded slightly and shoved a few stripes on his plate before taking sausages next. His gaze wandered over the faces of the adults, nobody even seemed to notice it.
"They need more clothes," Gareki overheard Akari mention to Hirato when he got dressed in the nice, soft clothes of yesterday. "And more toys – something else than the soft toys."
Hirato rose an eyebrow at the doctor while helping Yogi with the buttons of his shirt. "You're talking about child appropriate books?"
Akari inclined his head. "Among other things. Gareki likes to put things together, so he would appreciate some toys like that or science kits for children."
Gareki turned around when his name was mentioned, staring wide eyed at the adults. "The table should allow a trip to a nearby town. The Second Ship is a fighter down after all and its medic."
"I'll go with you on the trip, the Z-table will agree," Akari told him and the looked down at Gareki. "I'll question you on the trip."
Gareki didn't know what else to do but nod.
Yogi continued grabbing his hands all the times and Gareki couldn't shake the feeling that he really loved having a friend. When Yogi started to pull out boxes of soft toys again, he didn't waste any time to take the small Niji toy Yogi had given him the day before.
Akari watched them from over the edges of his book. "You can chose any soft toy you want, Gareki-kun," he told him softly before returning to his book.
Gareki pulled the soft toy a little closer before moving over to Yogi. "How are you so relaxed?" he whispered softly, squeezing the toy closer to his chest. "What if we do something wrong?"
The little prince looked up at him, clearly confused. "What are you expecting to happen? What is so scary for you, Gareki-kun?" He stood up and embraced his little friend warmly. "I'm here. Please stop being so scared, I'll always protect you."
Gareki's eyes were huge when Akari put him down in the toy store. "Since you studied so well two days ago, you can pick some new toys out."
He blinked. "New toys? But there are already so many…"
"Whatever you want, Gareki-kun," Akari told him. "Be it soft toys or books or science kits. Do you want to take a look alone and rejoin us later?" His gaze stayed steady even though he kept wondering what sort of life Gareki must have leaded to be that confused about toy stores. "We could also tag along with you if that made you more comfortable."
He shook his head. "I'm going to take a look around first. Where do we meet up later?"
Akari could see that Gareki wasn't quite comfortable with being alone, so he mentioned Yogi to get over to them. "You'll go with Gareki-kun, Yogi-kun. We're going take a look at clothes for you two. Be nice to the shop clerks you two."
They nodded slightly and Gareki took Yogi's hand. "We won't go with a stranger either, Akari-sensei," Gareki promised softly. "We'll wait for your return."
Yogi's eyes roamed the shelves until he reached a certain shelf. "I think you'll enjoy this section," he told Gareki with an amused smile. "Science. Really awesome science. Look what we could built with this stuff!"
He squeezed Yogi's hand lightly and nodded. "But it's also really expensive, isn't it? That's a fortune – you could live from that money for weeks!"
"I don't think Akari-sensei will mind, he seems to have that sort of extra money, Gareki…" Yogi then mumbled, smile still on his lips. "C'mon, which one do you think is the nicest?"
Gareki bit on his bottom lip. "That one up there…"
Yogi laughed softly. "See wasn't that hard, was it?"
"Robotics?" They heard a voice behind them and turned around just to see Tsukumo with Nai. She then chuckled. "I think Akari-sensei is halfway expecting that, Gareki-kun."
"Tsukumo-nee!" Yogi cheered softly. "We can't reach that high!"
She ruffled Yogi's hair gently. "I'll get it. Hirato-san and Akari-sensei will be back soon, they sent us ahead."
Gareki nodded in understanding. "So they are coming back?" he asked gently, tension disappearing from his posture. "I thought they might have gotten bored of us…"
Tsukumo shook her head. "They are always going to come back for you, don't worry."
He nodded slightly. "Alright, Tsukumo-san."
She took the kit from the shelf and put it into a shopping basket. "Did you see anything else you would like?" she asked them and Yogi nodded happily.
"They have the cutest kittens!" he cheered taking her hand. "I mean have you ever seen a kitten like Nyan-tan? Whoever came up with the design was genius!"
Tsukumo giggled softly. "That's really cute of you, Yogi, but we've got plenty of Nyanperonas on the Airship already."
Yogi pouted slightly. "There can't possibly be enough! We gotta pick one up, Nee-chan!"
It was then that Akari and Hirato stepped into their field of vision, Gareki's eyes widened when he realized before his gaze wandered to Yogi, who had raised his hand cheerily to greet them and repeated his wish for the soft toy. Hirato chuckled softly and looked at Akari. "We can't quite say no to that wish."
Akari shrugged slightly. "It would be unfair to Yogi. Even though we were looking for other toys than soft toys, so only one."
Yogi nodded, a bright smile playing on his face. "I'd like some puzzles too! And maybe some magic kits? They look like so much fun!"
"Sure," Akari answered. "That's exactly why we're here."
Gareki gulped softly when they were at the cashier and Akari whipped out his card. "That's more expensive than I…"
Yogi blinked. "Humans don't come with price tags, Gareki-kun…"
"It's good that you're a priceless person then, Gareki," Akari told him without turning around. "Because we will never give you up."
He looked up at the doctor, eyes wide. "Thank you," he mumbled, wiping his sleeve over his eyes. "Thank you so much."
"There is nothing to be thankful for."
This story will continue as a OneShot collection, not a 'real' story with end. (It was just my desire to write something akin to a kindergarten AU.)
About the summer project… that didn't work out at all. But maybe someone will still be happy that I updated. I'm really thankful for the comments, favourites and follows. Thank you guys again.
Much love,
Mal
