Chapter 53

October in the Wizarding world was always a magical time. Since most wizards lived amongst Muggles these days without a care, many magical children were getting ready to go out trick or treating as well. Mystic Sumeragi-Sakurazuka was also getting ready for her third birthday. She could tell something was bothering her papa though. Lately he had been very sad and he and her daddy didn't look at each other the way they used to. If it weren't for Auntie Hokuto they probably wouldn't even be living together. She heard the arguments late at night about wanting another baby. She wondered if that meant she wasn't good enough or if it was just because they wanted her to have what Sora would soon have: a little sibling to play with. Her mind wandered to a fight the two of them had somewhat recently.

Subaru scooped Mystic before heading out the front door. He thought first of heading for Kamui and Fuuma's place but…Fuuma would remind him of Seishirou who frankly Subaru didn't want to see right now. So instead he apparated to his sister's place. He knocked on the door of the flat above the robe shop.

"COMING!"

"HI SUBARU—What's wrong?" Her baby brother's eyes were glistening with tears. "Please, don't ask, just let me in."

"Did something happen with you and Sei-chan?"

"Yeah….you could say that."

"HE TRIED TO PUNCH DADDY AUNTIE HOKUTO! HE ONLY KNOCKED DADDY'S GLASSES OFF."

"Subaru!"

"WHAT?! HE WONT GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!"

This night was no different. Papa had come to pick her up from Auntie Hokuto's shop and when they got home, Daddy was waiting there. "Hi Mystic, Subaru."

"Hi Daddy!"

Subaru didn't answer, just nodded his head at his husband and retreated into his bedroom, closing the door.

The phone decided to ring and Mystic ran over and pressed the button on the screen, revealing her aunt's face. "Auntie Hokuto! Hi!"

"Hi my precious princess! Is your daddy around?"

"UH-HUH! DADDY!" She padded over to where Seishirou was slouched in a chair. "Phone daddy!" After delivering the message she padded into her play room.

Standing up, he walked over to the phone. "Ah, Hokuto, how are things?"

"I SHOULD BE ASKING YOU THAT!" She waved her wand threateningly at the screen. "Subaru hasn't been himself lately! What did you do?!"

"Nothing and will you keep it down? Mystic's playing in the next room, we don't want to worry her."

"Well you are worrying her! She's afraid her parents are going to stay divorced! You and Subaru used to be inseparable. What in the name of magic happened?!"

Seishirou sighed. "He wants another baby but you and I both know that's impossible. My mother didn't help matters either."

"YOU STILL HAVEN'T TOLD HIM! DIDN'T I WARN YOU?!" Another threatening wand brandishing.

"Yes, you did, but...he was under so much pressure with his job training, he didn't need that on his plate too."

"YOU GO TO HIM AND YOU MAKE IT RIGHT! OR I'LL SICK KAMUI AFTER YOU!"

Rolling his eyes at the idle threat he thought about his next line. "I'll try to work my charm on him."

"YOU HAD BETTER! HEED MY WARNING SEISHIROU SAKURAZUKA! I know you love him; you married him, you knocked him up, you saved his innocent self from trouble numerous times, and most importantly you CHANGED for him so you think of something or else!" Hokuto disconnected the call.

Likewise, Seishirou's mind wandered. The hold of the imperius curse was lighter letting his mind think. Subaru being around lately seemed to help a bit. That and the slight chill in the air almost like the presence he and many other students felt at Hogwarts when the ghosts were around.

Seishirou picked up his glasses and tapped them with his wand, repairing them. If they were his sunglasses he wouldn't have cared but these were his normal glasses. He pocketed them before leaving the manor, locking it as he did so. He apparated to one of the only places he felt like he could go to think. He knocked on the door and was looking up into a pair of honey brown eyes hidden behind orange-tinted glasses. "What did you do now Seishirou?"

"Shut up, it's what I'm not doing that's the problem."

"What are you not doing then?"

"Giving him another baby."

"Well why not? You're a great father."

"You can't tell anyone and I know you have a big mouth."

"Well come on in, no Kamui's not here, he brought the kids shopping so I could get some peace. Now do I have to get my bat to beat the truth out of you or…?"

"Watch it Fuuma or I'll hex those glasses of yours so you'll never be able to take them off." A pause as he stepped inside his younger brother's home. "Or better yet, I'll hex every trashcan in the world to follow you and make you trip over them and then they'll ram onto your head."

"Alright you have my word, brother to brother, blood to blood. I won't tell a soul so what it is it?"

"The day Mystic was born, the healer told Hokuto and I that if he ever got pregnant again, he had a ten percent chance of survival."

"So that's why you've been avoiding him?"

"Yes."

"You idiot, that's probably the worst thing you could do, I know you love him and he sure as hell loves you."

"Exactly my point!" The older male got up and paced. "I know Subaru, he'd rather die and have the second child live than live and never have another child."

"There is one way you can both get what you want you know?"

Amber met honey brown. "And that is?"

"You're the smart one Seishirou, you figure it out."

Then of course there was that time with Hokuto…

Hokuto bounced a two year old girl in her lap before lightly tapping said girl's father who was face planted into a book. "When was the last time you slept..?"

"Almost a month ago…but I'm not giving up…where are my glasses?"

"On top of your head Sei-chan…you need those a lot more now than you did in school, is everything alright?"

"Everything will be fine once he's back into my life."

"Sei-chan…"

"You don't have to stay around me...but please...take care of her...right now I don't trust myself with her."

"What she needs is you; not me."

"What she needs is both of her parents. But I don't know how to fight this alone…"

"You just answered your own question; you don't fight it alone."

Seishirou sighed and entered a number in the phone. He was staring at his former classmate's bright blue eyes.

"Ah Seishirou, what do I owe this pleasure?" Fai lazily flicked his wand to move a two year old Sora away from the cookie jar.

"'Ello Fai, think you could babysit Mystic for the night?"

"Shouldn't be a problem, she always has fun over here, and she actually keeps Sora in check. Pop on over and drop her off, you and Subaru could use a night alone."

Not bothering to ask Fai how he knew, Seishirou hung up and picked Mystic up. "Come on Mystic, you get to go see Sora."

"YAY!"

After dropping Mystic off at the Flourite-Suwa's, Seishirou headed upstairs to his and Subaru's bedroom. As expected, he saw Subaru curled up on the bed in a little ball. "Subaru?"

Subaru didn't answer he remained curled in his ball.

"Subaru, I know you're not asleep."

Subaru sat up and looked at Seishirou with his tearstained face. "What? I'm important now? Hokuto convinced me that you still loved me, that the wanting the divorce was your mother, but I've been here for about a month now and for the past month you haven't even slept in the same bed as me. Maybe Kamui was right, maybe we did rush into things too quickly." He stared down at his hands and saw his wedding ring gleaming back up at him.

A sigh escaped Seishirou's lips as he cupped Subaru's chin in his hand and titled his head up to look at him properly. "All I want is another baby Sei-kun, why won't you give that to me? You promised me I'd never feel sorrow, but you won't give me something that would make me happy."

Another sigh. "Because I'm afraid I'm being selfish Subaru, the doctor told me something the day Mystic was born and I never told you and I prayed I never would have to tell you but then you told me you wanted another baby. So I tried to distance myself in fear of not telling you. You had a lot of complications with Mystic and I was told if you ever attempted childbirth again, there was a ten percent chance of your survival."

Subaru stared off into the distance. "…So all this time…it hasn't been because you don't love me anymore?"

"Quite the opposite, it's because I love you too much, too much to let you go."

In the back of Subaru's mind, he heard his fifteen year old self saying something similar when Seishirou had flipped his lid on Fei Wang Reed. "After all this time, you're still protecting me. I'm sorry. I-I was out of line. I should've never snapped at you or for that matter tried to hit you. I'll understand if you want a divorce for real and for me to pack my bags and turn around and, and…"

"Subaru…don't be silly, I don't want you to leave; it'd be dreadfully lonely without you here, come here."

The younger male crawled over to his husband and found himself nestled between his legs. He felt a gentle kiss pressed to his back. "I don't deserve you or your kindness…Sei-kun. I'm a horrible monster"

"Nonsense, you deserve better in fact. You're not a monster; that would be me. You're nothing but pure hearted and I love you, now hush."

"I love you too." Subaru turned and seated himself in Seishirou's lap, wrapping his arms around the man's neck. In return he felt arms around his waist. They simultaneously leaned in and their lips touched. The kiss quickly turned into a more passionate one as a month without being in each other's intimate presence revealed itself to have taken its toll. Subaru was crying again. He had truly been afraid of losing his husband, and a world without Seishirou was one he didn't want to know. They pulled away finally and Subaru rested his forehead against his beloved's.

"Subaru?"

"Yes?"

"If you really want another baby…"

"It's okay Sei-kun, I won't be that selfish to take myself out your life."

"Let me finish. If you really want one, I'll do it this time."

Emerald eyes widened in shock. Sure Subaru had been allowed to be on top before, only once, just so they could say they had both taken each other. But for Seishirou to offer this…they really could say they've done everything together. "You remember how to make the potion and the incantation, don't you Subaru?"

Subaru moved his head to snuggle into his husband's chest. "I do…but why do this for me? I've been so moody and hard to deal with."

"It's because it's you that I'm doing it and now there's only one thing left to do…"

~#~

"Ohohohohohoho, this is fabulous; a small second wedding for the two of them to renew their vows. I'm glad I get to wear these gorgeous robes again ohohohohoho!"

A tug on her pale pink robes. "Um, 'cuse me miss Hokuto? When do I give them the rings?"

A pat to the boy's head. "When the minister tells you Sora. Come on, let's get you ready."

In the room adjacent to the one Hokuto and Sora were in, Fuuma stood pacing and muttering about what he'd like to do to his mother. "As romantic as this is, they shouldn't have to be doing this again. When I get my hands on her I'll tear her apa—"

"WEEEE!" A child collided with Fuuma's leg, snapping the male out of his delirious ranting. "How come you're nervous?"

"Most people are when they get married."

"But you're not getting married Uncle Fuuma, so why?" Innocent emerald eyes looked up at him.

"Even when it's not you, you get nervous. Although not as nervous as when it's you. You'll find out when you're older…"

"Ah okay…WEEE—WAHHH!" The child was surprised by being picked up.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready for your big moment? You're the flower girl after all. Winter's playing with your cousins and Watanuki made a lovely spread of food. You don't want to miss it."

"WAHHH DADDY!"

A soft laugh. "Go in the next room sweetie, your aunt will love to accessorize you."

"Okay!"

The child ran out into the next room where both brothers heard Hokuto's trademark laugh.

"You alright Seishirou?"

"Well for starters don't go trying to marry Mystic off, she's my only child you know? And I can't believe I'm doing this again."

"Well believe it and don't blow it this ti—OW, EAR, LET GO!"

"When will you learn? Now come on, I do want to get into the food Watanuki brought. Despite being pregnant he really went overboard."

~#~

The vows had been said, the shower of cherry blossoms had been scattered by flower girl Mystic, and Sora had nervously given them their rings (which they both had removed prior to the ceremony). Now everyone was at the reception enjoying the food Watanuki had brought. Subaru was eating a cupcake from Seishirou's hand. Both of them had decided that even though they renewed their vows in October, their anniversary would forever be in December. To their right, Hokuto complained about the music volume to her brother-in-law and fiancé.

"Why can we barely hear the music my goodness, what's that loud spell?"

"You're asking me? I was good at DADA not Charms."

"Well thanks Fuuma!"

"Did either of you consider you know...turning it up by hand?"

"OH! Kakyou, you're a life saver, ohohohoho!"

"I still don't know why you insisted I come Hokuto…I mean I'm honored, but why?"

"Because! It's my baby brother's second wedding and you didn't see the first!"

"I wouldn't argue with her...she's stubborn."

"I know…I fear for our future children."

A slower song came on and after wiping frosting from Subaru's face, the older male offered him his hand and once again they both started to waltz around. It wasn't their wedding song, they had kept that the same. But it was a song that fit them in this moment more or less.

'We both know that I'm not what you need…And I will always love you'

Emerald eyes looked up into amber eyes as they waltzed across the floor. "Don't even think about saying it. I've said it before, right? You're exactly what I needed and still do need."

He received a crooked smile in return. "And I feel the same way...I'm sorry for keeping it a secret from you and I'm sorry I let her do…you know…"

"Hush now." The younger male stretched up to kiss his husband again.

Guilt filled the older of the two as they kissed, causing him to break it and look into those intense emerald eyes. "Subaru...I…I'm sorry...it was my mother, she controlled me and made me do it...I really do want to be by your side forever and…"

Subaru put a finger to the older male's lips. "Seishirou...I never hated you…I'm pretty sure she got to me to; so shut up and kiss me."

~#~

The reception was over and Mystic was staying with her aunt and her aunt's fiancé and it was with a good reason too.

Dress robes were scattered all around the room and Subaru fell to their water bed with an amazing grace. Getting too impatient, he pulled his husband's face down to meet him in a kiss; a lot more passionate than the one they had shared earlier at their wedding. The rest of their clothes were scattered as Seishirou's hand touched Subaru's face.

"Subaru?"

"Hmm?"

"I'll be honest, I took the potion and casted the spell. I found it in your notes."

The younger of the two flushed bright red. "Are you implying you want…"

"Indeed."

Nervous hands trailed down the toned chest. "A-are you sure?"

"Subaru hush, I said I was sure, that I'd do this for you. I'd much rather swallow my pride than lose you."

"Sei-kun..." Subaru felt himself being pulled down into a kiss and sighed in contentment. Now he just needed to muster up the confidence to take the lead and continue.

It was close to three in the morning when the both of them lay together in each other's arms, both sore and well spent but satisfied. Subaru had assumed his husband had taken to falling asleep since he was on the bottom and Subaru, once he got his confidence up, had been rather…eager.

In the past, Subaru was always cold when he was asleep. The rooms at school were dreadful in the winter and back home the walls were thin. Now he felt warm but he didn't think it had anything to do with the way things were heated.

Emerald eyes looked over at the shadow in the bed; this was really happening; they were married, they were trying to expand their family. Subaru felt a pang. He didn't realize it could hurt to feel so happy and he never thought anything would've been harder than being away from Seishirou in school. He was wrong; almost losing Seishirou over the past few months was way worse. He couldn't help but start to cry.

"Subaru."

"WAH!"

"Go back to sleep."

"I can't...I'm afraid all of this will be taken from me."

A pair of strong arms gathered him close to the older male's body.

"I'm scared too, but you're here that's all I need for now; now go to sleep or else."

Subaru met the gaze in a playful challenge. "Or else?"

"Or else I'll make you tired enough to fall asleep."

"Maybe I'll accept. If you can handle it that is." Subaru tilted his head up and met his husband's lips in a gentle goodnight kiss.