The Hardships of Childrearing
Sorry for the long wait, but finals are starting to get in the way and I'm not really sure when I'll be able to post the next chapter (probably the last).
But for now...
Read and Enjoy!
Chapter 6: Step Forward
Kuroko was slightly concerned. Kouki was a little over a year old and had yet to show any signs in walking. When he consulted Midorima about the issue, the green haired man had assured him that some children just developed walking later than others but that it was still normal.
"Don't worry about it so much; the little guy will walk when he wants." Kagami had assured him one day when the red-head had caught him trying to help Kouki stand on his own only for the little toddler to plop back down on his butt, giggling up at his mother and father.
"You seemed troubled Tetsuya."
The blunette turned to look at the addressee, Akashi (who had decided that he hasn't spent enough time with him and Kouki. And decided to have them visit his home).
"It's nothing really."
"If it was 'nothing', then you would not be bothered by it." The red-haired man said smoothly, mis-matched eyes locking briefly onto baby blues. "As your friend I want you to tell me what troubles you." He added, his eyes finally breaking off contact and looking back at the game.
"…Not really troubled, more like worried." Kuroko gave in after a moment of silence, one eye on the shogi game board and the other on Kouki who sat on a blanket swinging a stuffed basketball toy in his tiny fist.
"About?"
"Kouki hasn't walked yet even though he's old enough."
"Perhaps he's a late bloomer. It's not unheard of." The red-head stated, turning his gaze from the game board to the little child, giving Kouki a meaningful look once the child looked up at him.
"Maybe, but it still worries me." No matter what anyone said, the blunette couldn't help but worry, Kouki was his only baby and he wanted him to be happy and healthy. He couldn't keep himself from worry-
"Akashi, what are you doing?" He asked bewildered, he watched as the heterochromatic eyed man kneeled next to the little boy and gently lifted him up until he was helping the red-haired baby stand upright on wobbly legs.
"Helping him stand so that he may walk." He replied, making sure he had a firm grip on the child's hand.
"Kouki, you should walk. It's not good to worry your parents, especially your mother." He scolded playfully, "Now, go to your mama."
Kouki looked between the two adults before settling his large, pale blue eyes on his Kuroko, who was also kneeling a few feet away from the toddler. "Kouki, come to mama." He called out, holding his hands out.
"Mama!" He called back, smiling brightly before shuffling one foot forward carefully, his little nose scrunched slightly in concentration.
His other foot shuffled forward until even with his right foot, Akashi lessened his hold on Kouki's tiny hands. Kuroko smiled happily at little child, "Good boy, come here." Waving his hands in a 'come here' gesture.
Another step and small giggle by Kouki.
And another, Akashi had now carefully released Kouki's hands and was watching the toddler closely in case he fell back. The little red-head tilted his head slightly as he realized that he was no longer being held and paused slightly. Akashi smiled slightly at the hesitation, "You're almost there, go to your mama."
"Come here Kouki, come to mama." Kuroko called gently, his chest swelling with pride as his baby flashed him a smile (his father's) and took a few more tentative steps towards the blunette until he was within arm's reach.
"Mama!" The child cried happily as he (tried to) lunged himself into his mother's waiting arms. He cooed slightly as his mama wrapped his warm arms around him and hugged him close, planting a kiss on his head. "Good job Kouki." Kuroko praised, hugging the child a little tighter. The knot of worry he felt for the last few weeks lessened, it was a relief knowing that his baby boy was healthy. He couldn't wait for Kagami to see this.
"See Tetsuya? You had nothing to worry about." The shogi player reaffirmed, smiling slightly at the image of Kuroko smothering his son with hugs and kisses. It was the most unguarded he had ever seen the other man, for once; he wasn't hiding behind his usually blank expression.
"It seems you were right again."
"Of course."
Later, when Kuroko told his husband about the chain of events surrounding how his son managed to take his first steps, he immediately said that poor Kouki was 'frightened' into walking because of Akashi's 'weird way of making people obey him'.
Quite frankly, Kuroko thought Kagami was being silly.
This one was kinda hard, I didn't thin writing Akashi's personality was easy at all. I applied those writers that can!
What did you guys think?
Review please!