Here it is folks, the final chapter for "For the Love of An Egoist." I've had a grand old time writing this story, and I'm really happy with all the positive feeback I've gotten. Thanks and now here is the conclusion of this arc of the Egoist story.

Enjoy, and thanks for reading!

At the end of the week, when Nowaki and Hiroki had returned home, it felt strange getting back into their old routines again. Their usual easy-going laid-back days in Maine were suddenly frantic and chaotic with activity once more. Hiroki got back into his teaching schedule, got back into putting up with the same old bullshit from Miyagi, and Nowaki continued his work at the Hospital once more, caring for younger children as if they were his own.

It's true, their schedules were hectic again, but it didn't affect their relationship, which had become infinitely stronger since their short stay in Maine. Hiroki was still his same blustery loud-mouthed self, but all the same, he assured that each night he would see Nowaki, either at home or at the hospital, at which he'd become a frequent visitor. (The only downside to this was that it meant he'd occasionally have to deal with Tsumori, Nowaki's senpai, and considering that once Hiroki had clobbered him on the head with an overnight bag, they obviously weren't too keen on each other.) But regardless, their marriage bound them, and they made sure they acknowledged that strengthened bond. They went out to eat together more, and Hiroki would even allow Nowaki and him to take "The longest route back home," at night from the restauraunt where they ate. Nowaki could'nt have been happier with his marriage, nor could Hiroki, even though he would never admit it in so many words.

For awhile, everything seemed to be going smoothly. Perfectly even. Things were good for both of them, and they were both satisfied. Elated, really. They were together, and as far as they were concerned, that was all that mattered, and nothing would ever come between them again. It was like Nowaki had said; "What matters is that we are together, and no one is ever going to change that. Never."

But they weren't expecting what happened next

It happened on a day Hiroki had off from work, and he was busying himself cleaning up the house. He was finishing sweeping the kitchen floor, when he heard the door bell ring. Huffing, he grumbled a half-heart, "Coming," and went to go answer it. Probably just my neighbor again asking if I've seen her stupid lost dog. Nowaki isn't due to come home for lunch for another hour.

"All right look lady," Hiroki declared as he opened the door. "I haven't seen your damn do-" He broke off the minute he looked into the familiar eyes of his visitor.

His father.

"Hello Hiroki. It's been awhile."

Hiroki just stood, totally dumbfounded at the sight of the person who now stood before him. It had been almost twenty years since he'd last seen this man, but regardless, he recognized him. The same stout build, the same beer belly, protruding slightly frok under his stained white T-shirt, the same ragged beard. The same cold, unfeeling, indifferent gray eyes; total opposite to the gentle, kind, understanding ones of his husband.

"Wh-what the hell are you doing here?" Hiroki demanded quietly, trying to back away from the door but not making it look too obvious he was afraid. "How the hell did you find this place?"

"Asked your mother. She didn't want to, but eventually she fessed up. I wanted to talk to you."

"About what?" Hiroki shot at him, fists clenching. "I think you made it perfectly clear when I spoke to you that you wanted nothing to do with me. Maybe we should keep it that way."

But the aging man shook his head. "No, Hiroki look. I'm sorry about what I said on the phone. I was drunk off my ass and..."

"Yeah, as usual. If you think showing up at my door and making excuses is going to make me forgive what you said to me, then you can just-"

"Hiroki, can I just come in?"

"No! You can't!" Hiroki shouted. His father actually flinched at this. Huh, I actually made him cringe for once. I like it. "Now you listen up; I don't want you in my life. I never did, and I still don't, and-"

"Hiroki please. I know. Just hear me out before you say anything more." His father pleaded, interrupting him once again. Hiroki actually wanted to punch him, but some odd force inside him held his fist back. He let himself wonder for a moment if this was actually a pinnacle moment where his father would break down, confess he wanted to give up drinking and get help for his alcoholism and so forth. Maybe it was too late for him to be a father to Hiroki, but maybe if anything he could get his father to sober up and possibly even come to accepting his marriage to Nowaki. It was strange why this was so important to Hiroki, but the true reason mostly stemmed from what he had told Nowaki; that he'd wanted the entire Kamijou family to warm up to him and accept him as their own. Maybe, at the very least, he could get his father to accept his husband and their marriage. And maybe, this was the opportune moment to recieve this acceptance; when his father seemed willing to try anything just to get a foot in the door.

"All right then. Come in." He said quietly, conceding at last. His father nodded once and stepped inside the threshold.

"Huh, nice place you've got here. I'm impressed." His father commented as he sat down, (in Nowaki's special recliner, much to Hiroki's annoyance. He hadn't even hesitated to sit wherever he wanted.) "Looks like you've been doing very well for yourself."

Yeah, no thanks to you. "Yeah, I have been." Hiroki responded. "Want some tea?" He asked, tfinding it was getting increasingly harder to look his father in the eyes and tell himself this was the right thing to do.

"Ah, that'd be nice thanks, but I think I'm just going to get right to the point of why I came down here." Hiroki's father said, sinking back into the chair with a small sigh of either contentment or resignation. Hiroki poured the water for the tea into the kettle left it to boil as he put the teabag inside.

He heard his father take a deep breath behind him. "Listen Hiroki. I'm not going to pretend that you even remotely like me as a person, or as a father. I take full responsibility for that, but can you at least tell me what possessed you to inform me of your marriage just days before it occured? That's big news to hear for someone's father, that his son is being married."

Oh man, I should have known this topic would come up. Stupid me. "I-I know...I guess I'm sorry I told you so late...I was debating with myself whether I should tell you at all..."

"Now, Hiroki. Isn't that going to bit far. I am your father after all."

Hiroki swallowed hard, biting his lip.

"Anyway, let me continue, if you don't mind. I understand why it was so hard to tell me. It would be hard for anyone to confess something so...shameful...to their own father, especially if he's had a history as a deadbeat and a drunkard..."

Hiroki clenched his fist suddenly, his mind centering on the word his father had used. Shameful. But he still said nothing, though his fury was steadily rising.

"Regardless, I have come to understand. You have gone your entire life without a proper father figure, and I must take the blame for that, as well as for the way you have turned out Hiroki. I must confess I thought you had more reasonable judgment as a child, and would have retained that judgment into adulthood, but I can see now I was wrong. I take full responsibility for it..."

What the hell is this damned moron talking about?

"Hiroki, this is what I'm trying to say." He turned to his son. "I am sorry. I have been a terrible father, a terrible person, and my actions have had a horrific impact on you. The trauma of not having a dad growing up obviously led you into this devious, ungodly lifestyle...but I am willing to, with your cooperation, undo what has been done wrong here..." With this, he walked over to his speechless, dumbfounded son, and took him by the shoulder.

"I am going to fix you, my son. Together, we are going to cure you of this sinful, wasteful lifestyle and put you back on the path of righteousness and holiness. Hiroki, I know you have been scared, confused...alone...but I am here for you now..."

No frickin way...he can't be...he can't be for real...

"The first step we are going to take, together; the first step to your to your healing, is going to be filing for a divorce-"

SLAP.

His father stumbled backwards, eyes the size of dinner plates. He almost tripped over the living room coffee table and back into the couch. A furious, enraged Hiroki Kamijou towered over him, but he was trembling. Not with fear, or sorrow, or confusion...but with pure bitter malice. It coursed through his veins and accented the lines of his face in a stoic, terrifying way.

"You...have got...some damned nerve...coming back here after all this time, and saying those fuckin retarded, hurtful things to your own SON!" Hiroki thundered, wanted to kneel down and pummel his father into dust. His father tried to straighten up, look dignified once again. He was infuriating. He actually looked sympathetic. Not for his own words, but for his son.

"Son, just listen to me-"

"No, you listen to me." Hiroki said through clenched teeth, so angry he could'nt even see straight. "You have no goddamned idea what the fuck you're talking about. You're just as stupid, deluded, and morally twisted as you were when I was a kid. If you even have the notion I would EVER file for a divorce from my husband for you or ANYONE you're sick in the head. I don't need healing, and I sure as hell don't need you. I have never been happier in m entire life than I am with Nowaki, and if you'd even take the chance to meet him you might finally understand-"

"Hiroki, please. I am your father-"

"NO! YOU AREN'T!" Hiroki screeched, tears beading his eyes. "YOU'RE JUST A ROTTEN FUCKED UP BASTARD WHO NEEDS TO PISS OFF AND SHOVE YOUR "HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS CRAP" BACK UP YOUR ASS WHERE IT BELONGS! DON'T EVEN BEGIN TO TELL ME YOUR SUDDENLY A RELIGEOUS BASTARD NOW? "A GOOD CHRISTIAN" AND ALL THAT SHIT? LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING ASSHOLE, "GOOD CHRISTIANS" DON'T BEAT THEIR KIDS, OR PATRONIZE THEIR YOUTH, OR COME BACK AFTER ALL THESE DAMN YEARS AND PRETEND I'M THE ONE WHO HAS THE PROBLEM!"

Hiroki paused to catch his breath, and now his father actually looked hurt. Good. I want you to be hurt...for all of the hurt you've caused me...an eye for an eye.

"Hiroki-"

"Get out of my house." Hiroki seethed, trying to hold himself back. "And don't you dare show you're pathetic face around here ever again."

The flabbergasted man just stared back dumbly at his son, not sure what else to say, or if there was anything he could say. He honestly didn't know what he did wrong, but he also saw he had no other option now than to show himself out.

And he did just that, without another word.

Hiroki just stood there, feeling his anger flare in his face and in his arms and in his chest. It was like a deadly flame was writhing under his flesh, searing his skin. He was so angry he was tired. Exhausted. So pissed off all he wanted to do was cry.

That pathetic deluded asshole...divorce Nowaki...over my dead body.

The kettle had long since boiled over. Hiroki cleaned up the spilt water, at the risk of burning his hands, and curled up on a couch in the living room, closing his eyes and letting his father's words ring in his ears. The sad part was, he really hadn't even realized what he was saying. He was on a completely different universe. He could never relate to Hiroki's marriage as a love-filled, passion fueled union. Maybe partly because he had never even had it for himself. It was so far beyond him that his son was actually in his right mind, and married to a man at the same time. Hiroki knew that mindset would never change now. It didn't matter how much his father got to know Nowaki; he was a biased, bigotted asshole, sober or not, and there was so way he could deal with someone like that.

Somehow though, this meeting had almost helped him purge him of somethings...frustration, anger, pain. It felt good to stand before his helpless, hateful father and put him in his place. It gave him a satisfaction he had not found on while doing it on the phone.

Maybe this was for the best. Hiroki thought tiredly, though tears still framed his eyes. God, I hope Nowaki comes home soon...for lunch...I really need to see him right now..."

It was late when Hiroki finally stirred; someone was shaking his shoulder, and urging in a quiet voice for him to wake up.

"Hiro-san? Come on. It's late. Wake up."

Hiroki's eyes fluttered open. Nowaki stood over him, looking worried.

"N-Nowaki...you're back." Hiroki's eyes darted to a clock, and he straightened up. "Wh-why is it so late?" He demanded. "Did you come home for lunch or what?"

Nowaki stared at the floor, appearing ashamed. "I'm sorry Hiro-san. I had to go to lunch with a few other pediatricians at the hospital, then I had to work the evening shift. I left a message on your cell, but I guess you didn't get it."

Hiroki sighed. "No, sorry. I had a little..."company" today."

Nowaki looked confused. "Really? I didn't know you were expecting anyone. Who was it?"

Hiroki's eyes narrowed. He almost didn't want to say it. "My father."

Nowaki gasped. "No..."

"Yes."

"W-why didn't you tell me he was coming?" Nowaki asked.

"Because I didn't know it either. He just showed up at the door." Hiroki replied flatly, staring straight ahead.

Nowaki studied his husband's features. He looked worn out, and creases beneath his furrowed brows. He looked a wreck. Nowaki rested a hand on his cheek, as he considered all the things that might have possibly occured between them. "Hiro-san, tell me what happened." He asked worriedly. Hiroki sighed, leaning his cheek into his palm, but when he spoke again, he appeared to be speaking to himself more than to him.

"Tch. The nerve of that bastard." Hiroki whispered, eyes cast downward. Nowaki had to strain just to hear him. "Saying something like that to me..."

"What? What did he say?" Nowaki pressed frantically.

Hiroki took a deep breath and looked right into his eyes.

"He wanted me to divorce you Nowaki."

It was like a two ton weight had crashed onto Nowaki's chest. Nowaki inhaled sharply. Hiroki looked close to tears. He suddenly leaned forward and sank is head into his hands.

"I didn't want to say it, but there it is." Hiroki said ashamedly. "He was just so blunt Nowaki. It was astonishing. He acted as though our being together was a result of his not being a father to me or some shit like that. He was trying to be all sensitive about it. I swear, he acted as though I had some sort of disease that he had given me himself..."

"Hiro-san..." Nowaki murmured, capturing Hiroki in his tender embrace. Hiroki didn't even try to fight it. He buried his head in Nowaki's broad chest and inhaled that soothing scent for all it was worth.

"You know, like a fool, I really wanted to give him a chance too. But it's over now. I'm never going back to that spot again. I'm through Nowaki. I don't give a rats ass what the hell he does now, as long as he stays away from us.

"I'm not nearly as helpless as I was when I was a child. He isn't going to step over me and crush me anymore. If he ever comes near me again I might just have to kill him..."

"Okay Hiro-san...it's okay now."

Hiroki sighed once more. "I know. Listen, I don't feel like staying here anymore. What time is it now?" He glanced at the clock. "Oh, it's 5:00 now. Do you want to go get some dinner?" He asked.

Nowaki was stunned; it normally wasn't like Hiro-san to ask something like that so outright. He was usually the one who asked. But, of course, he didn't say anything about that. "O-okay." Nowaki agreed, smiling. Hiroki nodded and got up to go get ready.

After their brief meal at the usual restauraunt, Hiroki asked if they wanted to take a detour. Nowaki again, was throroughly confused, but consented easily. He and Hiroki wandered around for a bit until they were out of town looking over a river. Their was a stone ledge that overlooked the river as it flowed away from town, and the couple stood next to it overlooking the outflowing water. It was dirty and clouded, mostly with silt and garbage. Manmade rivers almost always were polluted, but regardless, the sound of the water was calming. They just stood there, watching the sun dip beneath the horizon across the river. It was nowhere near as beautiful as the sunset view at the lighthouse, but at the time, it was good enough. It was just enough that they were together.

Nowaki wanted to say something; this really wasn't like Hiro-san at all to offer this kind of detour of his own volition. Most of the time he had to be half-dragged by Nowaki just to take the back way from the restauraunt, since Nowaki had a bad habit of smooching him in public there. He once again studied Hiroki's face, particularly his eyes. All through the meal he hadn't talked much, and now he just stood staring dejectedly at the horizon. He looked exhausted; defeated. Nowaki thought back to Hiroki's profound words at the lighthouse; about how the world was filled with evil and he was the only truly good human being he had ever met...Nowaki began to wonder how true that was, but even moreso about the fact that this day...this encounter with his father was the definite confirmation of his father's contemptment of their relationship. Hiroki had mentioned briefly that his father was completely sober at the time, so if was clear his feelings were coming out unaffected by alcohol. That must have been hard. It must have been hard to listen to his father talk as though he really believed that love just could'nt exist naturally between two men.

"I've had to face this kind of shit all my life... "

This incident made Nowaki look at those words in a whole new light. Just how much had Hiroki suffered in the past? How much more pain was he capable of handling?

He just don't deserve this...

Nowaki just could'nt help himself then. He leaned forward and kissed Hiroki gently on the cheek. It was all the comfort he could offer him.

Then, when he was expecting a blow to the skull, he felt a familiar weight on his shoulder, and a voice practically aching with need.

"Nowaki..."

The two of them stood close. It was enough that they had each other. It was enough that they had someone whom could ease the pain that life brought. It was enough that Hiroki had stood up for his marriage, his husband, and himself.

"I love you Hiro-san." Nowaki said quietly, taking his hand. "No matter what happens, that won't ever change. I love you."

Hiroki bit his lip, nodding silently. The sun was beginning to sink out of sight. He laced his fingers with Nowaki's.

"I know...

"...and that's all that matters."

Then the two of them, hand in hand, even in public, walked home. They both felt resilient, defiant. Resolute. In a world which offers no safety, promises, or happy endings, it was enough to be able to hold one another. Through even the harshest storms, the darkest nights, and the most heartbreaking of trials they could imagine, it didn't matter, as long as they were together...

...they would see them all through to the end.

The End

Wow, it's finally done. What to write next? Man it's gonna be hard to do one shots after this fic. Oh well, hope you enjoyed everyone. Sorry if the end was sappy. I really suck at endings. (Mostly because Egoist is forever ^_^ )

Please review!