Karma didn't like this. He had no idea why, but he just didn't like it. It seemed he had been wrong when he thought that Nagisa being taken and unavailable because of more than a psychological barrier would help him get his feelings in check. And he was fully aware he was acting like a toddler crying because an old toy was taken from them… not that Nagisa was a toy, or ever really his in the first place.

It wasn't even like Nagisa was away longer than usual. He always tended to see this Rin guy in school. But now there was this air surrounding him at all times. Karma couldn't quite put his finger on what it was, but it was just different. By all appearances, Nagisa looked happy. Karma hated it. It wasn't like this boyfriend was bad, from what he could tell he seemed kind of vanilla. Definitely not good enough for Nagisa, but then again Karma doubted there would be anybody good enough.

"Nagisa," Karma half called, bored. "Whatcha doing?"

Like he was in his own little world, Nagisa looked up very sharply. "Huh?"

Well, that was suspect. "You looked busy, is all."

"I'm just texting Rin," he said, a soft smile growing on his lips.

Of course he was. How long did they really need to text for, exactly? Maybe that was the difference. Nagisa might be physically with him, but his attention was clearly elsewhere. It ground his gears, that was for sure. Though, Karma couldn't exactly just go and rip the phone out of his hands and demand Nagisa talk to him, because that would make him look absolutely insane. And Karma wasn't insane, he was just… annoyed.

"Oh really?" He decided playing it off was his best option. It was what Nagisa would probably expect out of him. "What kind of texts?"

Nagisa looked back down at his phone. "I don't know, just texts?"

"Let's see." Naturally, Nagisa startled, but Karma was quicker, and stronger. He practically launched himself onto Nagisa, easily manoeuvring the phone out of his grip. For some reason, Nagisa didn't attempt to fight him. Karma wasn't that interested in reading his messages, but something caught his eye and made him want to hurl. "'Nagichan'?!"

"Can I have it back now?" Nagisa asked, defeat lacing his tone.

Karma forced himself back to neutrality. "Sure," he climbed off him. "I didn't take you for the embarrassing texts type."

"It's just a nickname," he defended. "I don't love it, but that doesn't matter, right?"

He knew when he couldn't win. If Nagisa wanted to be gross and cutesy, well Karma supposed there was nothing he could do to stop it. This had been his own doing, he knew, in the first place. Unfortunately, he couldn't convince himself that Nagisa had gone and gotten himself a boyfriend totally based on what he'd said, even Karma wasn't that arrogant.

Before the conversation could go any further, Karma looked at the time and figured Daichi had been napping for long enough. It was a small miracle he'd even wanted one, in the first place… Maybe nursery had been wildly interesting. He ignored Nagisa's look of question as he pulled himself to his feet, and just as predicted, Daichi was already stood up in his crib. In all honesty, he was actually attempting to scale the crib, to let himself out. Whoops.

"Hey there," Karma said lightly. "Don't do that."

Recently, Daichi had picked up the concept of 'don't', so of course he was rewarded with a glare. "Up."

He didn't feel like arguing with him about it. Karma reached down, lifting him out of the crib. Not that Daichi seemed to want to be held at all. In fact, he started squirming the second Karma had him up. Happy to let him do what he wanted, he just placed him down on the floor, holding on for a second or two to give him the chance to find his grip. Unfortunately, he left it a little too long, and just face planted when Karma removed his hands.

Karma couldn't help but laugh lightly at his little face, crouching down. "Dummy," he ruffled his hair, "you know walking doesn't work that way. You want some help?"

Appearing to think about it for a moment, Daichi shook his head, crawling back over to the crib so he'd have something to help pull himself up. Once he managed it, he let go with determination, taking a good amount of slightly shaky steps all the way over to the wall. Looking pretty pleased with himself, and his ability to stay upright, he skirted around it, making for the door.

"Yeah yeah, good job," Karma said, opening it properly for him.

He practically raced out again, though his tiny legs couldn't really catch up and it wasn't long before he toppled over again. Karma supposed he just needed practise, though that was the point he did just give up and go to a much faster crawl. For a moment, Karma wasn't that bothered about what he was gunning off to do, until he realised.

Unfortunately, Daichi was still weirdly quick at crawling, and made it to the living room before Karma had a chance to stop him, swiftly grabbing the TV remote from the table, and – somehow – turning it over to some stupid kid's show. In any other circumstance, he'd be impressed that Daichi had even figured out how to do that, but it also meant that Daichi would complain (aka cry a lot) if he changed it back over. So he was forced into watching it. Knowing where to pick his battles, he gave up, lifting Daichi so he could sit on the sofa and see it properly.

Nagisa, still engrossed in his phone it seemed, didn't seem to care. "Are you still okay to pick Daichi up tomorrow?"

He almost felt the urge to roll his eyes. "I haven't changed my mind in three hours."

Apparently frustrated about something or other, Nagisa flopped back. "I don't know what to do."

"Huh?" Karma looked at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

Nagisa blinked. "You seriously want to help me?"

"Sure," he shrugged, "why not?"

He groaned, then, looking at Karma seriously. "Tomorrow's Valentines Day and I don't know what to do about it. I-it's easy for girls, but I don't know what's appropriate. Who gets chocolate for who if you're both guys? Does being an omega change things?"

"You're asking me if you should buy chocolates for your boyfriend?"

Nagisa nodded, and Karma wanted to throw himself over the balcony. How was he supposed to know, anyway? But then he paused, and thought about this in the long run. A happy Nagisa in general was better than a Nagisa angry at him for purposely giving bad advice. Well, not necessarily, but Karma did have to live with him, which unfortunately meant it made his life easier to stay on Nagisa's good side. His bad side? Weirdly terrifying.

"You should go for it," Karma said finally. "It would be more awkward if he got you something, and you show up with nothing."

Nagisa chewed his lip. "You're right. Uhm, a-also, do you think it should be homemade or is that too much? We've only been together for a month."

Only? In Karma's eyes, it was a lifetime. "Just buy some."

With that settled, Karma continued to mope for the rest of the day. He even ended up paying attention to Daichi's stupid TV program, because at least that was better than watching Nagisa return to his own little world. It continued to plague him throughout the night, straight through to the next day.

He couldn't help but latch onto the thought that Nagisa had changed recently. Not that Karma needed a reason, but it was an excuse to be suspicious. He'd heard quite a lot about a personality change - once starting a relationship - being a cry for help. So he wasn't being ridiculous. Nagisa's… boyfriend seemed pretty harmless, but maybe Nagisa was being fooled somehow (ignoring the fact that Karma knew how good at judging intentions Nagisa was, because that didn't fit with his theory). So then it was reasonable to check it out for himself, right? Sure, Nagisa could physically defend himself, but he was too nice. Karma was an alpha, he was supposed to protect him.

So, when he woke up after little sleep, Karma may have shoved a few unusual supplies into his school bag. He still had to pick Daichi up, not that he minded that. In fact, maybe Nagisa would be less mad at him if he found out (on the small chance he would), if he used Daichi as a shield. Nagisa was rarely mad when Daichi was held in front of him.

Of course, he said goodbye to Nagisa as normal, and took Daichi off to nursery. No complaints about being left that day, he seemed immediately distracted by some toy or other. And then came school, which was considerably harder to not want to wish away when he had things he had to do. Since they'd already taken their final exams, there was no entertainment of a challenge, he'd have to wait for the second year to roll around for that. He'd read ahead, anyway. So it was all boring this, basic thing explained over again that, yawn yawn.

Until the day finally came to a close, and then Asano's annoying hands were slamming down on his desk. Whatever it was, Karma didn't have time to listen or care. Even though they'd spent quite a bit of time together due to their punishment (which really was more Asano's doing in the first place), they hadn't spent much of it talking. And he preferred it that way, even if a bit of accidental teamwork had driven up their profits at the festival.

"So," he begun, "the project."

Karma looked up at him, just barely. "The what?"

"Don't play dumb with me Akabane," Asano bit out, and then straightened. "Look, it seems that we've been thrown together on this, so we'll be getting it done right away."

There was a project? With Asano. Well, if he insisted. "Sure thing, but you're coming with me."

His eyes narrowed. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Well," Karma leant back in his chair, "I promised I'd pick Daichi up today, so you better learn to walk and talk."

He was almost surprised, when Asano followed after him. Tempted to test him, Karma made it a brisk walk, and since he was pretty sure Asano didn't know this part of town, he didn't have to chance to walk ahead or make him talk school work. He really didn't care about whatever it was they were meant to do, at least, he didn't yet when there was something more important to focus on.

Luckily, Asano didn't manage to get a word in before they reached the nursery. If Karma wasn't running on something time sensitive, he'd have dragged it out, because Asano looked, in short, hugely uncomfortable. Any opportunity to make him look like that, well, Karma didn't want to waste it. Maybe he'd manage to orchestrate this again sometime, with a video camera.

He didn't get the chance, before Daichi became aware of his arrival. "Papa!" He launched himself at Karma's shin.

"Hey~" Karma picked him up. "Have some fun today?"

Daichi wrapped his arms around his neck, but peaked around curiously. "Dada?"

"Sorry about that." Karma sighed. "You wanna go see Dada?"

He nodded, which made Karma's life a lot easier. They couldn't continue the conversation, because a slightly distressed worker came rushing round the corner, panting. She paused when she saw them, straightened, and shot him an approving nod. Daichi looked pretty innocent in his arms, but he had to wonder just what he'd put the poor woman through.

Asano cleared his throat. "Is that all, then?"

It really wasn't. Karma turned and faced him. "Asano kun, introduce yourself to Daichan."

His brow creased. "But he's a baby."

"So?" Karma laughed lightly. "He's just another little guy."

Gulping, Asano bent forward a little. "Hello. I'm Asano Gakushuu-"

"Gaga," Daichi reached out curiously, batting him on the nose.

Asano jerked back like it was poison. "Teach your son some manners."

"He's one, or, almost," Karma defended. "It's harmless."

"Hmm," Asano said, like he didn't believe him, and then paused. "What's it doing?"

Karma looked between them. As Daichi often did when he wanted to be held, he kept his arms out, motioning towards Asano with a pout. Weighing out his options, Karma decided that he may as well do what he wanted. Before Asano had the chance to stop him, Karma pushed Daichi into his arms, relying on his reflexes to catch him.

He didn't hesitate to pull out his phone, now his hands were free, and snap a quick photo. "Smile!"

"Gaga!" Daichi giggled, nuzzling into his neck.

"Why?" Asano asked flatly.

Laughing, Karma shoved his phone back in his pocket. "He likes you, clearly. Definitely didn't inherit that from me. Anyway, to the station."

"Wait!" Asano called as he chased after him, not too well practised at travelling fast with a baby in his arms. "The station?"

Karma nodded. "We're buying him shoes."

"Shoes?"

He didn't bother answering Asano. In fact, handing Daichi over to him had turned out to be the most effective way to shut him up, after that. He didn't even bother complaining about being dragged a town over. So he was taking Asano along for this, apparently. Karma supposed he was fine with that, it would make him look more casual. It wasn't like he was properly attempting to stalk Nagisa, he was just keeping an eye out, in a location he was likely to be in.

It was a decent length journey, and after a while Karma couldn't hold off at least talking a bit about the project. Nothing that interesting, or hard, or much work… He had to give credit where it was due, Asano could more than carry his weight. Still, once the train pulled into the station, Karma changed the subject immediately. If Asano wanted to argue then, well, he had the absolute handful that was Daichi.

There was no sign of Nagisa on their way to the shoe shop. But that didn't mean anything because he wasn't… following him. This was the best place to buy shoes around, it just happened to be in the same general location. And if Nagisa found out and complained, then, he was just making sure their son's feet were in good hands.

"Welcome," a youngish girl greeted them. "Ah, are you getting shoes for the little one?"

Asano jabbed him in the shoulder. "Shouldn't Nagisa be here for this?"

"We talked about it," Karma shrugged. "He said he doesn't care, as long as they fit. I think he's just kind of sick of stopping Daichan from walking around when he wants to."

The girl who worked there smiled. "So, you want him measured?"

"Sure thing," Karma offered, finally taking Daichi back from Asano.

He wasn't really sure how this kind of thing was meant to go, but he followed all of her instructions. As she said, he sat down with Daichi on his knee, holding him as still as he could. Daichi didn't seem all that impressed with the set up, immediately trying to scoot forwards and grab whatever device she was using for measuring.

"You want this, huh?" She said gently, letting him hold it. "Don't worry, I can go get a spare one."

Karma sighed, and ruffled Daichi's hair lightly. He didn't seem that bothered, once occupied, with her swiftly manoeuvring his feet around. After she was done announcing his size, Daichi had just about figured out how to slide the gauge around. She left them to it, which oddly made Karma feel pretty out of his depth. You couldn't really go that wrong with shoes, right?

Looking at a few options, he pulled out some pretty basic trainers. "What do you think of these?"

"Akabane," Asano glared at him, "you really think I have an opinion or care?"

From his lap, having been transferred there immediately so Karma could go look at shoes, Daichi made a grab for his arm. "Gaga gaga gaga!"

Asano looked down. "Fine. They're fine. Just put them on him."

Making sure he had the correct size, Karma bent down and tried to put it on him. Immediately, Daichi's focus changed, curious at what he was doing. It took him quite a bit of manoeuvring, more than it would to put socks on him. In fact, once he seemed to notice the difference of the foreign object, he wanted it off. Though, ignoring Asano's snigger as Daichi kicked him in the face, he managed to get them on and fastened.

"Wanna go for a walk?" Karma encouraged, picking Daichi up and popping him on the floor.

He didn't seem so sure about it at first, but he took a tentative step. A couple of seconds later, and he managed to walk from sofa to sofa. Enough so that Karma could see he hadn't instantly tripped wearing them. Satisfied with that, Karma tried not to think about the price of something Daichi would quickly grow out of, and paid for the pair.

Asano cleared his throat once they were out of the shop. "Are you done now?"

They hadn't come across Nagisa yet, so Karma definitely was not done. "How about some coffee?"

He deadpanned. "There's something going on."

Perhaps Karma would have actually explained himself to Asano, but then his eyes caught a flash of blue. "Get down!"

Surprisingly, Asano didn't question or disobey the sudden order, crouching down behind a large bush. Daichi giggled lightly, but didn't reveal their position. As it turned out, his instincts were right. That was clearly Nagisa, deep in conversation with another guy who must be Rin. Fighting his instincts to growl, he instead observed. The guy was taller than Nagisa, although that wasn't hard, and seemed pretty plain looking and harmless. Vanilla. A part of Karma almost wished he had crazy tattoos or something he could warn Nagisa to stay away from.

"Oh," Asano said, "so that's what you're doing."

"I'm not doing anything," Karma denied.

Asano glared. "You're obsessed, Akabane. There's a lot of things I wouldn't but past you, but this?" He shook his head.

He scoffed. "I'm not stalking him. That would require more finesse, in which case I wouldn't have brought you."

"So," he straightened up. "What's your price for my silence?"

Karma raised an eyebrow. "You joined in, as an accomplice. You can't try and tarnish my reputation without ruining your own. Say, people won't believe you came all this way with me just for that, especially your," he coughed for added effect, "minions, since they know you used to be close with Nagisa."

"Seek psychological help." Asano finally had enough, and made to walk away. "We'll be completing the project come the weekend."

"Can't," Karma called out. "It's Daichan's birthday."

He turned over his shoulder. "Monday morning then."

Soon after that, he was gone, and Karma was just left with Daichi. "Well," he addressed him. "Now we're going home, and nobody finds out about this, yes?"

Daichi just drooled a little on his shoulder, which was response enough.

Important notice!

Please don't be alarmed, first of all. I just want to keep you all up to speed. So, this is the last chapter before I start university. I'm moving halfway up the country on Saturday, and will be beginning my Japanese language degree (yay!). It also means that now I don't have a bunch of free time. Although the first year doesn't really count towards the end grade, doing well means I'm going to get a scholarship for next year?

Why do I really need a scholarship? Well, because I'm moving to Tokyo! Or, hopefully. I need to get the grades, and need the right Japanese university to accept me, but you get the idea. I'm moving to Japan, at least. And, you know, it's really kind of an expensive country. To live there for one year, as part of my degree, I need all the moneys I can get. Plus, I'm kind of an overachiever. The point is, I really need to study as my first priority.

Please don't feel guilty about accidentally pressuring me or anything, because you really don't! I love all your comments like "please update soon!", because it just tells me you guys want more, which is such a compliment!

I am not giving up on this fic in the slightest. It's just, likely going to slow down quite a bit. Remember when I used to update like once every three days before I got a job? And now it's kind of around once a week ish? Well, it's just going to slow down again. Honestly, I can't tell you by how much, because I have no idea what the size or consistency of my workload is going to be. I'm considering putting it on a proper 'once every two weeks' schedule, but really I don't know yet.

I absolutely love writing this story, and I love how much you guys seem to love it! So I'm still going to try my best, but you just need to be aware of that. I'm not sure when the next update will be, but I'll see you then :D