A/N: Here we are with a much longer installment, I hope that helped the sting of the last one. (Of how short it was I mean.) I am trying to stay within the characters personalities, but if I missed it again, please let me know. Anyway, on with the chapter!
Of Impulse and Fey: Spin Off Ed.
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Ch. 5
Halfway Happy
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Well I wasn't wrong in my mental scenario when I got home. Natsuki was indeed moping in our bedroom and Reito was struggling with Kiyo's fussing, panicking because she was near scream eruption. I left my suitcase by the doorway and took in a long breathy sigh. Then I remembered a quote from Channel that I quite liked a lot for days like this. If you're sad, add more lipstick and attack. Sure, I wasn't sad per say, but it still seemed fitting for this situation all the same. Baby first, I thought before marching into the kitchen.
Kiyo saw me enter the doorway before Reito and immediately began viciously kicking Reito sides in order to be held by me. Reito gasped in pain but held on out of sheer determination so as not to hurt my baby, his goddaughter. I plucked Kiyo from his arms but held her at arm's length, to show her that my face was not entirely cheerful to see this behavior. "Kiyo," I began in a firm and disappointed tone, "kicking your godfather is not appropriate and very painful. I don't like it and neither does Reito. Your fussing is natural, but your screaming is not. Only scream when you're in pain, in trouble, or both. Do you understand?"
Yes, I do realize now that it is terribly pointless to speak to an 8 month old baby in this manner, but I was tired. I suppose I was hoping that my tone and facial gestures were enough to make Kiyo comprehend that I wasn't happy with what she was doing. Her eyes kind of stared at me owlishly before she made a face that I took to mean that she understood. I don't know how I knew she understood, but I did and that's all that mattered. Pleased, I held her close and smothered her with kisses and raspberries until Kiyo's beautiful eyes smiled with her mouth. I walked over to place her in the highchair by the island instead of handing her back to Reito who was still rubbing his sides.
"Thank you," Reito breathed in relief. He walked over to Kiyohime and playfully tickled under her chin to show her that he wasn't angry. Kiyo giggled before reaching for his index finger to kiss it, a way she learned how to apologize. The Japanese male chuckled and kissed the top of her head in response. There, I thought, all made up. Round one, won. Now for round two…
As I trudged up the stairs, I thought about what happened in the kitchen. I spoke to Kiyo like and adult. I also treated her like one. Was that normal and healthy? My earlier childhood, I sparsely can remember, and by the time I was adopted by my parents they spoke to me in the same way I spoke to Kiyo. Well, Reito hasn't said anything. It wasn't that I was incompetent when it came to dealing with children, as shown with Kiyo, but still that didn't seem completely right. Anyway, I couldn't really dwell on it any longer since I finally arrived at our bedroom door. Here goes nothing.
I gently pushed the door open which revealed a dark room and a lumpy figure on the bed. I sighed through my nose and tip toed my way inside. I didn't want to push the details out of Natsuki just yet, and I couldn't console her without Natsuki thinking of it as pity either. So, I made my way to the closet and got comfortable. I changed into my old maternal clothing (don't judge me I've had a bit of a day) quietly enough so as not to disturb the lumpy figure, but made enough ruckus to make my presence known. Once I had finished getting comfortable Natsuki had yet to stir.
I couldn't leave her there the rest of the day, so I reached out mentally. It's hard to explain this whole process, but we have a system that's like knocking on the door. If you want in, you knock, and the other person has a right to either let you in or deny entry altogether. It was our compromise after the whole invasion of privacy after our first coupling. I made my knock as warm and inviting as possible, trying to coax the injured beast from her hiding place in the deep recesses of her mind. The blunette twitched physically, surprised at the action I expect, I don't do it often, and reluctantly opened her mental window.
I was immediately assaulted with a hurt so deep I had to sit down to keep my balance. And because I ended up sitting beside her head, I couldn't help it when my hand went to gently pet her long silky hair. Natsuki twitched again but didn't move this I took to mean that I could continue. We stayed that way for a while. I carded my fingers through her hair and she eventually placed her head on my lap. A while later, she broke the silence.
"They didn't want me."
I continued my ministrations before answering as best I could. "They didn't want you because you kept trying to actually kill the other actors." She pouted and remained silent. I began making little braids in her hair and went on, "There is a difference between our world and yours. Our television is hardly real. And we certainly don't kill each other for entertainment, unless of course you do, but that's something else entirely." She shifted her weight away from me, trying to shimmy out of my grasp, but the puppy in Natsuki couldn't help but stay within reach. She likes being petted. "That is my fault though, I should have explained all of this before you went out this morning." Natsuki opened her mouth, as if to agree, but thought against it and clamped it shut. Natsuki knew that it was both of their faults, even if she wouldn't admit it aloud.
I smiled and gazed about the room, absurdly searching for a sign of how to mend this situation. My eyes landed on a small golden glimmer on top of my dresser. Curious, I rose from the bed to see what it was. I laughed despite myself when I saw what it was. Now curious, Natsuki came to peer over my shoulder to see what I was laughing at. "I know it's not what you wanted, but maybe this is a start in the right direction." Natsuki nodded and hummed in affirmation, smiling subconsciously.
Juliard's Pet Emporium.
A/N: Couldn't leave Jack out for too much longer! New update day is Sunday! I hope ya'll have an amazing week, stay positive and good luck with finals!