Finding Salvation

Misaki grasped the door handle and slowly opened the door. He didn't bother to glance through the peephole. Why on earth would it be someone he didn't want to see? As soon as the door was opened, Misaki felt strong arms capture his body in a tight embrace. Instantly, Misaki knew who he had just let into his house.

"Should I make some tea?"

Misaki's guest sat on the small sofa, fiddling with his coat. He watched Misaki set a small glass of tea onto the coffee table in front of him. "Akihiko-san, I was wondering when you would find me." Misaki said as he pulled a chair in front of the television to sit in front of the man.

"I'm no longer Usagi?" Akihiko asked, curling his long fingers around the tea cup.

Misaki stiffened. "Not to me." He replied. His eyes stared down at his own trembling fingers that were tightly clutching his tea cup. The silence brought the sense if heavy tension between the two for long lost reasons of hatred and betrayal.

Hiroki was nervous. Misaki would know he messed up; he'd figure it out. He'd already told Nowaki, and no doubt the man would tell Misaki. Hiroki was positive that Akihiko was already at the boy's apartment. So, here he was with five children in front of the elementary school. How was he supposed to tell children that they couldn't go home because their father was there? No, he'd have to make up some lie.

"Ah, would you kids like to get some ice cream?" he asked. The kids looked at up him for a moment before they broke out in a wild cheer. Hiroki pinched the bridge of his nose. What had he done?

Hiroki pushed the children toward the crosswalk at the end of the street and told them to shut their annoying traps. All he received was back talk. Rolling his eyes he pushed the children along. They soon reached the small café that Misaki worked at, where they also happened to serve ice cream, but of course Misaki was not there. Soon, the triplets were asking questions. Their mother was supposed to be working.

"Misaki-kun took the day off to surprise you…" Hiroki lied again. The triplets seemed to accept that one easily.

"What's the surprise?" Kyouhei asked, his green eyes narrowing as if he refused to believe the adult.

"If he tells us, it won't be a surprise!" Ishida retorted, answering the question for Hiroki.

"I don't think that's possible." Misaki whispered, "It's too late." Akihiko was still in front of him on the sofa. He was watching Misaki intently now, though the boy still refused to meet his eyes. Misaki feared that if he looked at the man, he would begin to cry. And if he cried, he would be totally vulnerable to Akihiko's apologies.

"One chance, Misaki," Akihiko pleaded, "Don't they deserve a father?" Misaki jumped. He shot up out of his chair.

"I think you should leave." He stated firmly. Akihiko stood, nodded and headed for the door. Misaki clutched the hem of his shirt and watched the man's back as he moved.

As Akihiko grasped he felt the small arms of a desperate boy cling to him. He turned swiftly and caught Misaki in his own arms. Akihiko lifted the boy's chin and pressed their lips together. When they broke apart, Akihiko wiped the tears from Misaki's eyes and held close. "Never," he whispered, "Never again will I let you go." Misaki knew there was no point in crying anymore, but the tears came pouring out of his eyes, sliding down his flushed cheeks.

When the triplets burst through the door to their apartment, they found a strange man sitting with their mother on the sofa. At first, they confronted the man and treated him like an enemy. But as their mother explained that this man was going to be their father, their resistance to accept him into their lives faded. Kyouhei was easier to persuade than the other two. He immediately found joy in the fact that he now had a father. He climbed up into the man's lap and scanned him over.

"Are you really going to be our daddy?" he asked. Akihiko nodded and placed his hand on the boy's head.

Maria climbed up onto the sofa next to them. She wouldn't be as accepting as Kyouhei, but she was willing to have a father. Ishida, however, would not be so kind. He folded his arms across his chest and glared at the man.

That night, as Misaki was tucking the children into their beds, Ishida confronted him. "Mommy, is that guy really our father?" he asked.

Misaki smiled and kissed his forehead. "Yes," he replied, "And I know it will take time for you, especially you, to accept that." Misaki paused, "But we've talked, and resolved the mistakes we made. We're all going to have to make this work, Ishida, and I need to know that you're with us."

Ishida thought for a moment. "Well, I don't like him," he mumbled, "But I'll try to make it work… for you."

Misaki kissed the boy again. "Thank you, sweetie." He let Ishida settle into his bed, and then he turned out the light and left the room. Misaki joined Akihiko on the couch and feel asleep against the man's shoulder. An hour later, they were woken by Kyouhei's screaming.