Title: Ordinary Lives

Pairing: Souji/Dojima

Genre: Family/Romance/Humor/Drama/Drama/Drama/Drama/Yuletide carols!/Drama/Drama/Drama…

Rating: T

Summary: Ordinary, not because we are, but because these things occur every day.

Disclaimer: Now, at long last, someone else's POV! Happy Holidays. I promise to produce something worthy of reading soon. Like, next chapter soon.

Ordinary Lives

Adachi Tohru was the town proclaimed wife of Dojima Ryotaro. Sure, no one said this to his face (or behind the man's back for that matter), but it was some unspoken title that Adachi utilized to the fullest. There were many advantages in being formally recognized as Dojima's partner. They included, but were not limited to: free booze, free sushi, free room and board, free designated driver when he got too drunk to—

"Adachi-san!"

Adachi glanced up at the running figure coming towards him and smiled. There were also many responsibilities that came with this title. Like taking care of Dojima's daughter as if she were his own. At the consequence of death if he didn't of course.

"Hi, Nanako-chan! How was school?"

"Great!" the girl beamed, taking his hand and dragging him towards the car. Adachi laughed and sent a sheepish smile to the teacher who stayed behind with students who were to be picked up. On the inside, he was groaning. Seriously. He liked Nanako and all, but why did he have to do Dojima a favor? After that ramen incident, it was the least the man could do.

Nanako settled excitedly in the passenger seat, pulled out a notebook and began scribbling excitedly on the lined paper. Adachi grinned when her lead broke and she muttered angrily. He couldn't stay angry with her around. Adachi pulled into traffic and glanced down at Nanako again. Surprisingly, she was looking at him.

"Yes? What is it?"

Nanako looked away, a little red in the face. "Uhm….nothing."

Adachi frowned, sensing the awkward silence thing about to happen. Nothing sucked like awkward silences. "Okay, kid. Shoot. I won't judge."

Nanako turned back to look at him, narrowing her eyes, slightly. "Yeah, you will."

Like father, like daughter, eh? Adachi snorted. "Does it really matter?"

Nanako thought on it more before smiling slightly and shaking her head.

"Great. Now that that's settled. Shoot."

"I don't think it works."

"What?"

"You and Dad. I don't think it works."

Adachi frowned, not truly understanding. What about him and Dojima didn't work? Did they look bad together? Personality clash? Was he keeping the man from a stable relationship? Adachi's brain fired off more possible meanings to the littlest Dojima's statement, but Nanako took the liberty of explaining herself.

"Some girls at school said that if you and Dad were together, it would be hot. I don't really think so."

"Ah." Adachi said, feeling relieved. If that was all it was, he had nothing to worry about. The amount of power, Dojima Nanako had over him if she thought he wasn't right for her Dad as a partner was…frightening. One word and he'd be out of a job. The things Dojima would do for his daughter. Adachi let his relief fade a bit before thinking back on her statement. It was only natural that the girl didn't think he'd look good with Dojima, the other man was her father after all. She probably believed only her mother fit that role. Simple, really.

"So who do you think would work? With your Dad, I mean."

"Nii-chan."

Adachi sputtered. "What?"

Nanako looked up sharply, probably because of the unmasked surprise in his voice. Her brow furrowed. When she spoke, she sounded a tad defensive.

"It really has to be Nii-chan." Nanako exclaimed. "Adachi-san, you're Dad's best friend, his go-to person when he's feeling down. Romance between best friends is super lame."

"So you choose incest instead."

"Well, there was also the option of you and Nii-chan, but that's too angsty. It really has to be Dad and Nii-chan. It's perfect. Funny things would happen. There'd be sweet moments and sad moments and moments of love."
Adachi took his eyes off the road to stare at his partner's daughter. She was well on her way to the deep end. He felt a little ill.

"Well? What do you think, Adachi-san?"

Thankfully, Adachi pulled up to Dojima's house at that exact moment, saving him pain of having to answer. He opened his and the passenger's door, got out, and escorted Nanako to her front steps. Souji, standing in the doorway, greeted them.

"Welcome home, Nanako-chan. Hey, Adachi-san."

Adachi didn't answer. Instead, he took three bold steps forward and placed his hands on Souji's shoulders. He ignored Nanako who squeaked in surprise. Adachi looked Souji— who seemed very disturbed—in the eyes, gave his shoulder a slight squeeze and whispered, "Be strong; I believe in you."

"Ah…okay."

Adachi nodded once, pity washing over him. He turned and walked back to his car, climbed in and drove away.

Souji frowned as he watched Adachi's car drive off. He turned to Nanako for an answer.

Nanako closed her eyes, shook her head, and walked into the house. "Some people are just non-believers, Nii-chan."

Souji followed behind her, more confused than ever, but he didn't question it. Some things were better left alone.

(A/N: No. Adachi is not his first name. I know. Shocker. Scared me the first time, too.

Apologies about grammar/spelling from previous chapter still apply.)