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A week had passed and Yukine has working diligently, insisting on still doing part-time work at Kofuku's, though it was constantly spotted with breaks to tend to anything Yato might need. He learned to cook things Yato could eat from Daikoku and he watched videos on how to care for children online. One thing he never had to do was change a diaper. Yato hadn't been kidding when he said gods don't shit. Yukine threw himself head-first into caring for the garbling baby, who was curious and loud but whose health would occasionally dip into a light fever. Yato's safety was the only thing he could focus on. His own way of grieving for the Yato he'd lost.
Another constant were texts from Hiyori, much more often than they'd ever been. At least twice a day, he got messages like "have you been keeping up with your studies?" or "would you like to go to the park?"
In all the cases, his response was "no" although he always managed to come up with a believable lie. It wasn't that he didn't want to see Hiyori, it was that he couldn't bear to see her without any memory of Yato and the things they had all done together.
It was evening and Kofuku, Daikoku and him where sitting around the table while Yukine watched as Yato grabbed peas and diced carrots off the plate in front of him, stuffing them uncoordinatedly into his mouth. Miraculously, he didn't dribble on his baby blue hakama, which Kofuku had gone out to buy him.
"He's growing, Yukine. You've done a great job taking care of him."
Yukine looked up at Daikoku with a look of confusion. Daikoku explained. "Kofuku and I have been doing a little digging and this situation has a precedent. A weak reincarnation results in a baby. But as soon as they get healthy, they'll grow up into childhood much faster than a human out of necessity. Drooling isn't very godly, ya know."
Yukine looked at Yato in surprise and hope. It wasn't dramatic but, Yato had put on some weight and could stand up if his hands were balanced on the table.
"Yato, can you say my name? Can you say 'Yukine'?" He asked sweetly. "Yukine?" He'd been practicing with him.
Yato moved his mouth carefully once before mimicking. "Yuki. Yuki."
"Great job, buddy!" Yukine picked him up. "I'm Yukine, your blessed regalia. I'm here to protect you." Yukine had been telling Yato this nearly every day, and never given a response. He didn't even know if Yato knew he was a god or that Yukine was his faithful vessel. It was incredibly important to him that Yato knew.
Yato didn't say a word. He moved Yukine's shirt collar away and laid his tiny hand on Yukine's name.
Another week went by when Bishamon suddenly burst in, Kazuma at her heels. It was raining hard outside and rain dappled her leather jacket and Kazuma's glasses. Yukine was sitting on the floor, holding Yato in his lap. They'd been playing with a black and white toy when suddenly, Yato had lost all interest and stopped responding to his name.
It was worrisome for Yukine, as Yato had started to become more independent in his movements, being able to shuffle around on his own. And now, he was shaking in Yukine's arms, eyes red-rimmed as if he might cry.
"Hey, Yato. It's okay, you're okay. Can you say my name?" He prompted. Usually, Yato would be excited to say his name. Or "Kuku" or "Dada" as he called Daikoku, much to his pleasure. This time he remained silent in time to hear a screech of thunder echo around the wooden house.
Bishamon's bright purple eyes quickly located Yato and Yukine and approached them.
"Bishamon, what?" Yukine started as she crouched down, offering something to Yato. Yukine's eyes widened and shivers started along his spine when he realized what it was the god of war was offering the child god. White and scrappy and undoubtedly soft looking.
"Fluffy!" Yukine managed. Yato's eyes widened and he reached out a small hand to touch it. A silly grin spread across the toddler's face and he pulled his fluffy from Bishamon's grasp, waving it up and down.
"Fuwa, fuwa!" Yato had a way of laughing that almost sounded like a cackle.
"Bishamon, how?"
"Gods disappear after they die, regardless to if they reincarnate. After you left, I took it. Just on a whim. In case you wanted it back." She blushed slightly and averted his eyes from baby Yato. "It was covered in blood, so I had my shinki clean it until it came out."
Sure enough it looked good as before (but then again, it had always looked dingy). Yato holding his fluffy-fluff just looked so right.
"Bishamon, thank you so much."
Weeks had gone by with high hopes and a constantly falling toddler. Yato had grown a couple inches since they found him and had just started trying to run. Yukine had delighted in it and taken him to the park to play games and Daikoku played hide and seek for as long at Yato wanted. His energy had gone through the roof and when he was too tired run around, he still found ways to travel.
It was one of those days. Bishamon and Kazuma had stopped by for the first time since their abrupt visit six weeks ago, and were shocked by his growth. Kazuma sat by young Yato while he reached for his glasses, insisting with "gimme!" Yukine tried to apologize but Kazuma waved him off.
"Yato, do you want to play a game?" He asked, producing a toy. Yato's face changed into a mischievous grin. Yukine watched out of one eye while he, Kofuku, Daikoku and Bishamon sat at the table. Conversation was light, some about Yato's growth and some about the state of heaven. It was strange how in the last two months, Yukine hadn't given more than a thought about the ayakashi or the state of heaven. Before Yato's…well, it had been all they seemed to think about.
Kazuma's game had rapidly devolved into a game of chase, but then again, Yato had never been one for structured activity. Sounds of giggling and pleas of surrender warmed the room. Yukine's heart dropped slightly when he felt his phone vibrate again. He swallowed the dread and ignored it. There was only one person who texted him anymore.
He forgot the pain, though, when Yato ran over to the table, popping up between him and Bishamon, face red from exertion.
"Wow, you tired him out pretty good, Kazuma." Yukine smiled toward the Kazuma, who was collapsed on the couch in a manner much unlike the man. Judging by the sparkle in Yato's eyes, he wasn't done playing yet.
"More!" He hopped up and down, turning to face Bishamon. "Bi-ch, carry!" The room when quiet. Bishamon hadn't dropped by enough for Yato to really know her very well so through that or toddler mispronunciation, his words had come to sound like a certain swear word. Bishamon's stoic face didn't move an inch.
Kazuma raised his head up to say something like "Viina" when a bright blush swept across her face and she stood quickly, looking the small child she dwarfed.
"F-fine." She said, sweeping the boy up and hefting him onto her shoulders before making for outside, leaving a host of shocked people behind.
Kazuma stood up and fixed his glasses, looking at the others. "Viina doesn't like kids." He said in disbelief while laughs echoed from the garden.
Finally my developmental psych class comes in handy! Please review! The next chapter has the return of a certain important character :)
