Chapter 14- All's Well That Ends Well

It had been Kazuma and Hiyori's plan, apparently. They had cooked it up together while he'd been unconscious. Bishamon had woken up, finally, too little too late to be of any use, and told Kazuma of a dream she'd had that hadn't felt like a dream at all. In it Kazuma was telling the story of how he'd burnt down the school and Yato had taken the blame to protect him all these years. Kazuma had confessed everything then, not that there had been much left to confess after that, she'd obviously been partway conscious when Hiyori bullied Kazuma into telling the story, and she knew everything now. Bishamon had agreed not to kill Yato on sight.

That had given Kazuma and Hiyori the brilliant idea to lock the two of them in a room together while they were both too injured to move and force them to reach some sort of cease fire. It was not going well. She'd been furious when Yukine and Kazuma carried Yato in on a stretcher and placed him on the twin bed next to her own. Kazuma was conveniently and mysteriously deaf while Bishamon ordered him to dump Yato on the street.

"It's better this way," Hiyori said gently. "If we're all together we can understand each other better. Just think about all the harm a misunderstanding did before!"

Yato was exactly as angry as Bishamon when he woke up and saw her across the room, glaring at him. He'd have got up and left if he'd been able to move, and therein lied the brilliance of the plan. Both of them were incapacitated, so neither could harm the other, and neither could flee. Yato thought it was what being held captive in a group therapy session must be like, and he was not pleased.

"How did you even manage to get beaten up so badly by a deranged lunatic like Rabo?"

"He had the powers of you and I combined, and I still killed him, so I think that makes me the strongest person on the planet!"

"Yeah right," Bishamon scoffed. "I've beaten you plenty of times!"

"That was before I knew all I needed to beat you was a sock full of pennies!"

"For the last time, pennies are made with zinc at their core!"

"Why do you know that? Maybe if you spent less time thinking about the insides of small change and more about fighting I wouldn't have been able to put you in that bed!"

Kazuma walked between them, chuckling tolerantly as he checked their IV bags. He might have been concerned if either of them was capable of sitting up on their own.

"That's about the only way you can get a woman in bed!" Kazuma snorted so violently he dropped the thermometer he was holding and had to brace his hand against the wall.

"I have a girlfriend! She's on TV!" Yato replied.

"Oh yeah? The anime with your 'waifu' hasn't been canceled yet?"

"Hiyori is a real person!" Bishmon's jaw dropped.

"You're dating Hiyori? Doesn't she have standards?" Yato looked affronted.

"HEY! I saved the city!"

"Saving the city doesn't count if you're the one who nearly destroyed it!"

"Well you didn't do either of those things!"

"Alright, alright," Kazuma said, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "Speaking of Hiyori, she's about to go on, so let's be quiet and listen to her."

"Yeah, let's be quiet and listen to my girlfriend." All eyes focused on the TV screen where Hiyori appeared, looking slightly amused.

"Hello, this is Hiyori Iki reporting to you live for the first time since the epic showdown between two superhuman beings that took down half the city, our broadcasting building with it." Yato winced. Oops.

"Our temporary broadcasting equipment was provided by the same man who saved us, the man who risked life and limb to protect us from the person who called himself the God of Chaos, who certainly lived up to his namesake. We received footage of the fights from an anonymous source, and though most of them are too graphic to show on television, I think it's important for you all see what we can show to grasp what went down. I still have to warn you; this footage is not suitable for all viewers."

"What's she doing?" Yato muttered. Kazuma shushed him.

The screen switched to an image of Yato and Rabo staring each other down, then Yato leapt into the sky and sliced a long gouge into Rabo's chest. The scene switched before blood sprayed into the air. Rabo stayed nearly stationary while Yato danced around him, bouncing from building to building and flitting through the air like a hummingbird. Hiyori's voice resumed over the soundless clip.

"That's right viewers, you are not mistaken. That is the God of Calamity, otherwise known as Megamind, fighting on behalf of Metro City. I was there that day viewers, and I can attest that he fought with bravery and integrity. He no longer brings only calamity and pain but is now our salvation." The screen cut back to an image of her earnest face, looking directly into the camera, except Yato knew she wasn't looking at the camera. She was looking at him. His breath hitched. Kazuma smiled at him while Bishamon made an unbelieving sound.

"So, I propose to you, dear viewers. That we change his name. No longer will he be called 'Megamind' or 'God of Calamity.' Today we will give him a title he has earned as Metro City's new hero. God of Fortune." A single sob ripped from his chest, unbidden, and Kazuma reached over and placed a hand on his arm.

God of Fortune? Me? How can I be? All I do is cause disaster. How could anyone ever call me that when I've killed so many?

Hiyori's voice was so sure, however, so sure that it made him want to be sure as well. She had declared him a hero to the entire city, and not all of them would believe her, but some would, surely some would. His throat closed around his tears, they spilled silently down his cheeks. Bishamon made a disgusted sound, but he ignored her.

"Not only did he fight for our safety and freedom, but he has been sending his brain bots to help rebuild the city while he recuperates from the grievous injuries he sustained during the fight." He hadn't. He hadn't been awake for long enough. "His son Yukine has been working as liaison, coordinating the rebuilding efforts and keeping us informed on his father's condition."

"What is she doing?" Yato cried, "If they know I have a son they'll never stop coming after him!"

"In fact, he's here right now to give us the latest."

"No!" Yato cried, throwing off his blankets and attempting to sit up, meaning to march down to that plaza and put an end to this himself. He had to stop this stupid stunt before Yukine showed his face to the world and slapped a big red target on his back. Kazuma forced him back down, telling him to be quiet as Yukine walked on screen.

"Hi," Yukine said awkwardly, glancing at Hiyori, who nodded encouragingly. He gulped, then took her microphone. "My dad is out of critical condition, and we think he's going to make a full recovery."

"How is your dad right now?" Hiyori pressed.

"Probably really mad at me for doing this." Hiyori chuckled.

"Other than that."

"He's alright, he doesn't like lying in bed doing nothing, he's a horrible patient. I feel bad for the person I left him with, they're probably is having to wrestle with him just to keep him in bed right now," Hiyori gave him a knowing look while Yato stopped struggling, annoyed that Yukine had guessed so well.

"Yukine, since I have you here, can I ask what sort of father the God of Fortune is?"

"The good kind, but he's also kind of annoying. He's so overprotective, he won't like that I've let the whole world know who I am."

"That's right!" Yato shouted. "You're grounded!" He was too angry even to cry that Yukine had said he was a good dad.

"But I have something else to say, if that's alright?" He looked at Hiyori, who was slightly surprised, obviously he hadn't run this by her first.

"My dad is my hero, and I'm really proud of him, and I think that if all of you gave him a chance that you'd see he is going to be a really good hero." Hiyori smiled softly and ruffled Yukine's hair affectionately. He swatted her away, looking harried, and handed back the microphone. Yato was crying again, to no one's surprise.

"Repairs on the city buildings destroyed during the battle are now underway, aided by the resources of the God of Fortune. Most of the streets have been reopened as his brain bots have cleared away the rubble, and repairs on those streets too damaged to be usable are expected to begin tomorrow or the next day. Thank you, this has been Hiyori Iki bringing you the latest news about the city's repairs."

"Where is Yukine?" Yato asked, between sniffs, the anger in his voice diminished by the way it trembled. "He's grounded. He's grounded forever and he's never leaving the house again. Ever. Except for school. And Hiyori is grounded too. How dare she put him in danger like that?"

"Don't be angry, he was just trying to help. He practically insisted, and Hiyori and I agreed."

"I don't care! He's my son and I decide what's best for him! You shouldn't have gone behind my back and done something you know I wouldn't approve of!"

"I don't believe it," Bishamon muttered, "he actually sounds like a real parent."

"Of course, I'm a real parent, Yukine is a real boy!"

"We all thought that making Yukine your public face during this whole reconstruction phase and painting you as a sympathetic single dad would help heal your reputation."

"Where is Yukine? I want him back here right now!"

"He's stopping by the grocery store to get antiseptic, bandages, and groceries. He'll be back soon." Yato huffed, turning his head away from Kazuma to stare angrily at the wall.

"You have to let him make his own decisions," Bishamon said, surprising everyone. "He's a tough kid, and he loves you. You should be thanking him, he just did you a huge favor."

An hour later the door to the bedroom opened and Yukine walked in, arms laden with bandages.

"I think I bought too much," He said, but was drowned out by Yato's cry of outrage.

"Yukine!" He shouted, trying to sit up again and regretting it.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm grounded for the rest of my life or whatever. I get it, you're pissed about the interview."

"No, you don't get it!" Yato scolded. "Now that people know you're out there it's only a matter of time before-"

"Before the entire world closes in on my location and kills me to punish you for your sins."

"What if they take you away from me?" Yato said, voice pitching higher with fear.

"Not possible," Yukine said darkly, his expression reminding Yato of when he'd threatened the nurse. Yukine can be scary too. "Besides, I already filed for a legal adoption, when you're feeling well enough we can go sign the papers." Yato was left momentarily speechless.

"What have you done to this kid to make him so willing to be near you?" Bishamon asked, watching the exchange with some trepidation.

"Being a great dad!" Yukine snapped, glaring so fiercely at Bishamon that she didn't challenge him. Yato, on the other hand, was getting rather misty eyed. Yukine groaned.

"Ugh, don't you dare cry, you big cry baby!"

"But you're such a good boy!"

"Gross. Shut up and let me change your bandages," Yukine huffed, sitting down on the bed next to him and tugging the covers down to reveal Yato's torso.

He produced some trauma shears and began carefully cutting away the dirty bandages. A few minutes later Hiyori stepped into the room, greeting Bishamon and Kazuma pleasantly before walking to Yato's bedside and kissing him on the forehead, ignoring his angry glare.

"I'm glad you're finally awake," she said, taking his hand. "You were out for three days."

"Really? Kazuma didn't tell me. Also, you're grounded." She ignored that too.

"Oops," Kazuma said idly, tending to Bishamon's wound.

"Yeah, I was starting to worry. Bishamon woke up right after the fight, we filled her in on everything."

"She's been being mean to me!" Yato said. Hiyori rolled her eyes.

"I'm sure you were being perfectly civil," she said sarcastically.

"They've been arguing non-stop. I feel like I'm ten again. If either of them could actually move one of them would probably be dead," Kazuma said.

"Not me!" Yato and Bishamon replied together, then scowled. Hiyori giggled.

"You two should try harder to get along," Hiyori said. "For me and Kazuma's sake, we love both of you, and we don't want to see the people we love fight!"

"And I don't want my only son to be a publicly known target for my enemies, but we can't always get what we want!"

"It was what's best, Yato!"

"It wasn't your decision!"

"If Hiyori hadn't helped me I would have done it on my own," Yukine snapped. "We're all trying so hard to protect you and help you, but you have to let us!" Yato didn't have a response for that, so he stayed silent. His stomach growled loudly.

"Hiyori, can you do this? I'll go make him some food." She nodded and moved to Yukine's seat, and Yato found himself blushing slightly, noticing for the first time his bare chest, and her warm fingers brushing lightly against his skin.

She was a lot better than Yukine had been when he first started taking care of Yato, but then he remembered her father was a doctor, so she had probably learned from him. It suited Yato just as well, he liked having Hiyori take care of him. Despite his lingering frustration he found his fears abating in the sense of safety that she radiated. Hiyori had just finished and tied off his bandages when Yukine entered the room carrying two plates.

"I brought feel better food!" Yukine said, grinning. He had a plate in each hand with a sandwich, a large pile of potato chips, and some fun sized candy bars. Kazuma eyed the food disapprovingly.

"They really should be eating healthier food."

"Shut up, Kazuma," Yato said, taking his plate from Yukine.

"Yeah, shut up," Bishamon said, taking the other plate and thanking Yukine. Yukine stole one of Yato's chips and helped him sit up, then reclined next to him.

"You know," Yato said, side eye-ing Yukine mischievously. "If we're filing for a legal adoption, and it's only been three days, you can still register for the new semester at school." Yukine gaped at him, aghast, then rolled over and screamed into Yato's pillow. Yato chuckled.

"You'll like it! It's all coloring and playing games!" Yato said and was surprised when everyone gaped at him.

"You only think that because you dropped out in middle school!" Yukine said. "Are you sure you don't wanna keep homeschooling me? I mean now the world knows you have a son it might be safer…"

"Nice try, Yukine," Yato said sternly. "You're going to school, and you're going to make friends, and you're going to like it."

"Debatable."

"Really Yukine, school isn't that bad," Kazuma said. Yukine grumbled into Yato's pillow, and Yato patted his head comfortingly.

"They'll all love you, you'll see."

"What school were you thinking of sending him too?" Kazuma asked.

"I'd like to do one with a lot of security, but those cost money…"

"You get a lot of free stuff as protector of Metro City," Bishamon said. "They probably won't charge Yukine admission, and if they do you could probably get him a scholarship, considering your zero-dollar annual income."

"Since he doesn't have formal education from the last two years, he'll probably have to take an entrance exam, I could help him study," Hiyori offered.

"Thank you, Hiyori!" Yato said. "Yukine, thank Hiyori!" Yukine grumbled something that might have been the words "thank you, Hiyori." He was quiet for a few moments, before a loud outburst startled Yukine so badly he fell into the floor. "Oh no!"

"What?" Yukine asked, pushing himself off the ground and climbing back onto the bed.

"Is our apartment still standing?" Yukine nodded.

"You didn't get near that part of town while you were fighting Rabo."

"That's good."

"You did destroy the office building my work broadcast out of, but that's alright, because I hated it anyway. Maybe this time we'll get a cappuccino machine!" Yato started to smile, then faltered. Yukine mentioning Rabo's name had reminded him of the revelation he'd had during the fight.

"M-Mizuchi," he said, gulping hard. "Um…did…" He wasn't sure how to phrase the question, without saying did they ever find her body. Nevertheless, everyone in the room seemed to have understood the end of the question, and was looking at him with pity and sorrow, everyone except Bishamon.

"Who is Mizuchi?"

"My younger sister," Yato replied mechanically. "I just found out, Rabo said that he, um-" Yukine and Hiyori each took one of his hands, and he squeezed them in reply. "Rabo told me he killed her. Did they- does anyone know-"

"I checked with the coroner's office while you were unconscious, and it's their procedure to cremate any unclaimed bodies after the closing of the investigation. They keep the ashes, just in case any family ever shows up to claim them, but since I'm not a relative and I can't identify a photograph I couldn't see if they still had hers."

"You might be able to find her birth family and give them some closure," Hiyori suggested gently. Yato nodded, that was a good idea. He had no idea how his father had obtained Mizuchi, but he was certain he hadn't done it legally.

"They might not be alive, Father didn't like loose ends."

Hiyori lifted Yato's hand and kissed his knuckles, then piled onto the bed with Yato and Yukine, stealing one of his candy bars. They were squashed in pretty closely, but Yato lifted his arms with some difficulty and wrapped one around each of them, he smiled happily, despite his grief.

How did I get such a great family? He wondered.

"Hey, I have an idea!" Yukine said. "You should start sewing and knitting for money! People would probably pay a lot for stuff made by the city's hero!"

"You can sew?" Bishamon asked incredulously. Yato nodded proudly, grinning at Yukine.

"I'm a man of untold mysteries!"

Yato's hands were shaking nervously as he stood behind the curtain before his dramatic entrance to the opening of the new Metro Woman and God of Fortune museum. Hiyori insisted that they keep the dedication to Metro Woman and all her service to the city and had seen to the installation of an accurate history of the two of them. Yato had tried to convince her to leave out the school fire, but she refused because Kazuma had wanted it, as a way to make up for being too scared too for all those years.

Yukine was waiting in the crowd with a friend from school, Suzuha. He was going to join Yato on stage with Hiyori after his entrance. Whether he liked it or not, Yukine was part of his public face now. It was even official, the adoption had went through, and Yato hadn't expected it to be such a relief, but he didn't have to worry about Yukine being taken away any more.

Hiyori whispered to him that it was time, and he nodded, and prepared to break through the wall that had been prepared for him.

"Now introducing the God of Fortune, protector of Metro City!" Yato burst through the wall and waved at the cheering crowd as it was wheeled away. Hiyori joined him and took his hand on one side while Yukine ducked under his arm on the other, looking vaguely shy. Hiyori lifted her mic to her lips.

"Welcome citizens of Metro City to the rededication of the new and improved Metro Woman and God of Fortune museum! All donations made inside, as well as all the profits from merchandise sold here will be given to those who lost everything in the Incident!" The crowd cheered. This had been one thing everyone agreed on. It had only been a month since Yato's fight with Rabo, and a lot of people were still hurting. "We hope you enjoy this attraction! Now, if you would please-" she gestured for Yato to cut the blue ribbon and he obliged, drawing his sword for the first time in a month.

When he turned around his eyes landed on a man with glasses, and a woman whose long blonde hair was tucked out of sight to avoid notice. Kazuma beamed up at Yato proudly, and even Bishamon held a begrudging smile. Kazuma mouthed something at Yato that made him beam in return.

I always knew you could do it.