Author's note: Time to get some family fluff in there!. Remember I tend to write the things I want to read. This is a hurt/comfort/family story afterall.
Disclaimer: I don't own MHA or any of it's characters. The story is rated for content as well as triggering materials. Mentions of rape, assault, child abuse, torture and violence.
Chapter 21 - Holiday Downs and Ups
Azumi sat in the hospital gown on the examination table staring at the images of her recent CT scans. Soji was outside trying to talk to the doctor about other options, and all she could think about now was Keigo. She had been seeing the doctor twice a month since she was recommended to him by Soji. Azumi had been following the medications and physical regime he had instructed her to follow. Despite the collapses and seizures both herself and Keigo believed things were getting better. And now this.
Keigo was due home for a week after his classes today. He needed to be told but she wasn't sure how to tell him. Despite Soji declaring that it had to be wrong, a small part of her knew it was right. Soji came back inside upset and she held out a hand for him to take. He took her hand in both of his and brought it to his lips, planting a soft kiss as he held tight. "We can get a second opinion or try different medications." He tried to say what he was thinking as Azumi smiled gently at him. "You said yourself this doctor is the best, and really I lasted this long without needing the surgery. You said it yourself, the medication might not work and then the surgery would be necessary." Azumi tried to reassure him with his own words but Soji shook his head.
The doctor came back in and seemed to hesitate until Azumi smiled at him. "So how do we do this doctor?" The doctor smiled gently and looked at his clipboard. "We'll need to schedule your surgery and have a post op so you know what to expect and preparations for the procedure and anesthesia." Azumi nodded as Soji kept a hold of her hand. "How soon?" The doctor frowned. "The sooner the better but I'd say the post op in a week and the surgery before two." She nodded, still smiling as she held Soji's hands with both of hers. "That's perfect. My son is going to have a week off from school and it will be during Christmas and his birthday. I don't want to miss either of those with him if I can help it." The doctor smiled and signed a few documents. "I completely understand. I'm going to give you this paperwork which will explain the procedure and risks. You'll need to fill it all out and sign it, bringing it with you to the post op."
Azumi took the paperwork and both the doctor and Soji could see her hands shaking as she set it aside. "Thank you. Should I continue my medications as I have been?" The doctor nodded and gave her arm a pat. "We will do our best Azumi. Take some time to enjoy your week with your son and we'll be in touch." With that he left and Soji stepped into the hallway reluctantly to let her get dressed. She slowly slipped her clothes back on and gave herself a moment to eye the image of the brain with shading in the area they were going to fix. She planned to put in her time off tomorrow at work while Keigo was with her. Maybe even show Dr. Seeks for his opinion, but she also knew the blackouts and memory issues were getting worse. This had to be done.
While Soji helped her into his car and started to drive her home, she looked out the window and was quiet. He glanced over and saw she was gripping the paperwork with both hands. "I'm so sorry, beautiful. I wish I could do something to help." He spoke quietly, his tone sad as he watched the road. She smiled looking over at him and gently put a hand on his arm. "May I ask you to drop me off a block from home so I can walk? I want to spend time with Keigo tonight when I tell him." Soji nodded returning her smile. "Of course." He dropped her off at a corner that was a block from the apartment building and gave her a kiss before promising to come by tomorrow.
Once he drove away, she walked slowly towards her building, pausing at the entrance to a familiar alley, eyes on the dumpster and trash can. It seemed like not that long ago she had found the dirty scared little boy who lost his way home and clung to her as if she was his only life line. She slowly continued her walk and glanced at her watch, noticing that Keigo would be coming home shortly. Instead of heading up to the apartment, she waited in front of the building, one hand holding the rolled up stapled packet as she thought about how much older and stronger he was now. Would he be ok if she didn't wake up? Or if she died? She didn't really have any family he could go to. Soji wouldn't be able to legally take him because he was a boyfriend and lawyer for them.
The black car pulled up and she smiled, waving to Guen and Keigo through the windows. Keigo was his normal excited self as he would now have the entire week off with Azumi for the holidays and his birthday. She saw Guen day something before stepping out to get the door, Keigo running out to tackle her in a hug before turning to wave and give his usual "Thank you!" followed by "Have a good holiday Guen!" She also waved as she gave Keigo her free hand and walked him to the elevator. He saw the paperwork and made a curious chirping noise before pointing. "What's that?" She laughed and didn't answer, instead walking to their apartment and kicking off her shoes. Keigo slid his boots off and put his coat and backpack on the hook. She retook his hand and walked him to the sofa, sitting down and putting the paperwork on the table.
"Tell me about your day my handsome bird. And let me preen those wings of yours." She spoke softly and Keigo happily climbed into her lap, spreading his left wing out for her as he talked about what he learned and what he did that day. Azumi asked questions to show she was paying attention, and laughed when he talked about how well he did on his hero training. When he was done, he closed up his left wing and spread out his right, pointing to the paperwork. "How did the doctor go? What about your day?" She smiled as she played with his feathers, organizing and preening them, playing with them as she spoke gently.
"Do you remember when I had to decide if I was going to do the medication or surgery and we said the medication until the surgery needed to be done, or I was all better?" He nodded and glanced back to look at her, noticing she had tears in her eyes threatening to spill down her cheeks. "Well the medicine isn't working anymore, and I need to have the surgery done very soon." He turned around in her lap and hugged her tightly with both his arms and his wings as she hugged him back just as tightly. "I'm sorry my little bird. It's very scary." He nodded his agreement as he buried his face in her shoulder. She rubbed his back between his wings and held him close for a long time.
When they finally decided to move it was pitch black outside. She looked down at him and saw he had been crying, so she used her sleeve to wipe away his tears. She leaned forward to get the paperwork and he kept gripping her shirt as she went over the paperwork with him. The procedure, the recovery, the risks of coma or death. Even slurred speech for weeks and lack of quirk afterwards as one of the many side effects of the procedure. He listened carefully and asked questions here and there. He asked about when she would have it done, who would watch him until she recovered. What would happen to him if she didn't recover and even a few she didn't think to ask the doctor, like how long before the side effects would wear off and where she would stay for recovery.
It was well after midnight when they both decided they were too tired to bother with dinner, Keigo refusing to let go of Azumi's shirt. So she picked him up and carried him into her room, cuddling together on her bed as they did when she first brought him home over a year ago.
/
Keigo was waiting patiently in the living room for Soji to show up. He had offered to watch Keigo while Azumi was at work for her last day before Christmas Eve and requesting the week off to spend time with Keigo and short term disability to be able to get her surgery. Keigo had just finished a breakfast of eggs and sausage with rice when Soji knocked and came in. Smiling at Azumi. He wished her a good day, they exchanged a brief kiss and then she was out the door. Soji looked at Keigo, who was sitting on the sofa eyeing the surgery paperwork in his pajamas and walked over to sit on the sofa. He rested his head back in the same position as Keigo and looked over.
"Hey Keigo, I need to ask you something." Keigo looked over at Soni. But kept his head resting on the back of the sofa. He raised an eyebrow and that seemed to be enough for Soji to continue. "I'm asking you because Azumi is your mom. I know you love your mom and I know she spoke to you last night about her surgery." Keigo nodded and watched as Soji pulled a small black velvet box out of his pocket and held it up to Keigo. "I love your mom too. Very much. If she goes through with this surgery and never wakes up, I want her to know how much. I'll never love anyone as much as I love her." Keigo eyed the box and slowly took it from Soji, opening it carefully. The ring was elegant, as all engagement rings should be. Fine white gold with a single diamond in a four prong setting. There was curved filigree on the band from the main setting around half on either side.
Keigo closed it and held onto the box as Soji watched him. "I'm asking your permission, Keigo. I am asking permission to marry your mom. Even if the worse happens, I want to be there for her and you " Keigo eyed the paperwork before speaking quietly. "What if mom says yes and then doesn't wake up from the surgery for five or ten years?" Soji smiled at the young boy. "Then I would wait for her." Keigo tilted his head. "Even 20?" Soji nodded and crossed his heart with a finger. "Even 20. I would wait as long as I had to."
There was silence between them before Keigo slowly handed the ring box back to him. "Alright. I always thought you'd make a cool dad." Soji grinned and put an arm around him as he looked at the TV on the wall. "We should go Christmas shopping. I need to pick up a few other presents and I need to get the right thing to propose. Does your mom like white chocolate?" Keigo nodded and slowly got up, stretching his wings and hands before fluttering his wings a bit. "I'll get dressed and then we can go."
Soji waited, glancing through the paperwork as he waited for Keigo to be ready to go. When he stepped out in a red and black sleeve shirt with flames and jeans, Soji smiled and offered his coat, making sure to lock the door behind them. They both went to the mall, Keigo shopping for Jin, Sion and Azumi. He declared he already had Agent Bend, Guen and Soji's presents at home. Soji shopped for his family at the firm and a few other people. He did go into a chocolate store, coming out with a special decorated box which he handled carefully, grinning when Keigo asked if that was for the ring. By the time they got home and got everything wrapped and hidden, it was after lunch.
Soji made lunch while Keigo dug out the Christmas box and used what they had to decorate the apartment. Because the apartment was bigger, there were not enough decorations for every room in the house, so he made do decorating the living room and windows. By the time Azumi came home, the apartment was decorated for Christmas, stew was on the stove and both boys were playing Old Maid in the living room. They sat down on the folding table and chairs for dinner as Azumi marveled at the house decorated while she was gone. Keigo asked if he could spend the night at Jin's since it would be his birthday that weekend, and asked if he could have a chocolate cake for his birthday and a meet up with Gran Torino. They ended the night before Christmas eve together on the couch. Soji and Azumi cuddled together while Keigo sat on the floor watching a Christmas movie.
When the movie was over and the channel didn't change, Keigo looked behind him and smiled at the sight of Soji and Azumi having fallen asleep leaning on each other. He smiled and curled his wings up, memorizing the picture for himself for later. This is what he always wanted. What he had always wished to have with his old mom and dad. Loving parents, even an adopted mother and soon to be stepfather that cared about him. Did what was in his best interest and never struck him or abused him. Unable to stop himself from doing it, he walked over to Azumi's side and crawled onto the couch curling up next to her. He saw the blue of Soji's eyes as he cracked them open at the movement, glowing from the light of the tv. Azumi moved to wrap her arms around Keigo while her eyes remained closed, holding him close as Soji reached over and ruffled his hair.
This memory would be ingrained in Keigo's mind forever….
/
Christmas morning, Azumi woke up to find Keigo out of his bed in his bedroom and resting his head on his folded arms on the edge of her bed watching her sleep. She blinked at him and he smiled brightly with closed eyes as his wings fluttered and flapped. "Merry Christmas Mama!" She laughed and sat up grabbing him quickly, despite his chirp and flapping. Pulling him into a big hug, she started peppering his temple and head with kisses that had him laughing. "Can we have breakfast while we wait for Soji?" Soji had spent Christmas Eve with his siblings so he could come over Christmas day, and Keigo had declared they would wait for him before opening gifts.
Azumi finally let him go and nodded as she slipped on her slippers and pulled her hair back. "What would you like for breakfast this morning?" She guided him from her room into the kitchen as Keigo peaked out at the three piles of presents on the sofa. "French Toast?" They were cooking the last of them when Soji showed up with a bag of presents, managing a one armed hug to Keigo before setting them by the sofa. The three enjoyed a loud breakfast as Keigo was unable to calm down very long now that Soji was there. He practically inhaled his breakfast making the adults laugh.
After breakfast, coffee and tea in hand, they all went to the living room and began opening their presents. Keigo got more art kits and toys, along with some clothes. He was most excited about a book on famous heroes of the age, which he began reading once he found the Endeavor section as he chewed on red licorice from a stocking full of candy and snacks. Azumi similarly got clothes and tea with a few books having saved her work presents for today. Soji smiled, thanking them both for the mug and writing set with a silver engraved pen and matching holder for his desk. He also got a tie clip and cufflinks from Keigo that were blue, and he promised to wear them next time he was in court.
When it was time for him to give them their gifts. He started with Keigo, handing the bouncing boy a large box as he tried not to get hit with his wings. When Keigo opened it, he chirped excited as he pulled a dark brown aviator leather jacket from the box. It had bronze embroidery around the edges and making wings on the cuffs, collar and shoulder patch. The neck could ride high or fold down, lined with fur like the sleeves. Putting it on, he quickly ran to get his glasses and headphones as he struck a pose, hands on his hips for them both to see. "How do I look?" Azumi grinned, taking a few pictures as Soji tilted his head, eyeing it to make sure it fit perfectly. "You look like a fast and capable hero." Keigo grinned and pushed his glasses up on his h3ad before running over to give Soji a hug. "Thank you! I can't wait to show Jin!
Soji handed Azumi a smaller box that sat in her lap perfectly. Keigo leaned over the couch watching as Azumi carefully pulled ribbon off and lifted the lid to reveal a white chocolate molded and painted ornate box. There were painted pearls, small crystal looking gems and gold swirls and designs. If there hadn't been a card on top saying it was an edible jewelry box, Azumi and Keigo would have thought it was real. "Wow. Soji, this is stunning. And it says everything is edible. That's incredible." She went to lift it out and her brow furrowed in confusion. "It's a bit heavy for chocolate and sugar candy." Keigo tilted his head to the side, catching the clear sugar molded gems and gold dust paint that was used to make it detailed. "Maybe it has something in it. Candy jewelry?"
Azumi grinned with a glance to Soji, noticing he had a smirk as she lifted the chocolate lid to see a small black velvet ring box nestled inside. Her eyes widened and her smile dropped to a look of shock as she glanced quickly at Soji. He carefully plucked the box from its resting place and kneeled in front of her as she put both hands over her mouth. "So you know, any argument you would try to make, I already have a counter argument ready for it. I even got Keigo's blessing before this." She looked at Keigo who was grinning and nodding, his wings shaking. When she looked back at Soji, he had the box opened letting the diamond sparkle in the Christmas morning sunlight. "Azumi Tayaka, will you marry me?" He asked gently, blue eyes on her purple ones that were filled with tears.
She didn't have a valid argument that he couldn't counter and Azumi knew it. Every argument she could think of had been brought up before while they were dating and he easily dismissed them. He had asked Keigo first, which was something she would never have expected any suitor to do ever. He was sincere, caring and she knew there was really only one answer for both herself and Keigo.
"Yes…"