AN: Hope you enjoy, thanks for reading.

Chapter Eight – Placing the Call

"So," Kuu said as he looked up at the doctor with a weak smile, "He's going to be alright?" he had to check and then looked down and closed his eyes. He felt so weak and unintelligent. He didn't know how to be a good father. "He's going to -"

"There has been a little damage to his back but he doesn't need any surger—" the doctor replied before seeing the haunted look on Kuu's face. She stared at the man before her and tried to understand why he looked as if she had just said an alien had popped out of his son's chest. "He seems to be okay, maybe a little bit of a cold but being home with you would probably be the best thing for him right now."

"Are you sure?" Kuu asked before seeing Julie run in. Neither of them had slept more than a few hours a night with Kuon being gone. They were also both running on empty.

"Kuu," Julie said as she threw her arms around her husband's shoulders and looked at him sadly. She felt tears in her eyes and bowed her head as she tried to control her tears. "I'm so glad that he's been found, is he…he's okay isn't he?" she asked and looked at the doctor.

"You can take him home in about half an hour, I just want to get the final analysis verified," the doctor smiled to the two of them. "If you'd like to follow me."

Kuu took Julie's hand in his as he looked down and Julie quickly followed after the doctor. She looked at Kuu and saw how much he was blaming himself for what Kuon did. She knew that he was questioning how good of a father he was just as she was questioning how good of a mother she was. She let her thumb run over the back of his hand. Kuu's haunted expression didn't change.

As the door was opened, Julie took a few steps in and then let her anger get the best of her. "What were you thinking running off like that, Kuon?" she asked as the eleven-year-old looked at her in an exhausted manner. "Where did you think you could have gotten to? Where were you headed? You're not even a teenager yet and you think that …"

"I'm sorry," Kuon whispered as he looked at her and Julie tried to keep the tears from falling down her face. "I'm sorry. I really am."

Julie ran over to him and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him in for a close hug. "Well, young man, you have been grounded for the history of the universe or until I get this pain out of my chest that you're not going to leave again," she told him as Kuon looked up at his father.

"Okay, I'll tell -" Kuon began but Kuu sat down in a chair next to the bed.

"I'm taking some time off from work," he said as Kuon looked at him in shock

"Dad, no, no you can't do that," he tried to argue and Kuu watched him with such pain and torment in his expression. "Dad…please…" he said wanting for his parents to go back to normal. He didn't want to be what was standing between them and their dreams. "Dad, I want you to stay here and be an actor. I want Mom to model. You both love your jobs," he said desperately and Kuu shook his head.

"I can't," he told his son. "As much as you might want me to act, I can't act properly if you're not going to be okay. Boss told me that one day I might have to pick between my job and my family and I choose you and your mother every time." He looked up at Kuon and saw so much shame on his face. "Kuon, I just need to take some time off. I think that I'll go back to -"

"No," the young boy tried to tell his father again. "Dad, you're at the height of your career. I've heard you and Mom talking about what happens when actors withdraw and how it's hard for them to get roles. No. I don't want to be the reason why you can't act. That's what you love doing."

"I love you more," Kuu told him. "I haven't been a good father, Kuon. I'd like to at least try to improve as a parent."

Kuon looked down sadly. He had messed everything up for his parents. He had taken them away from their dreams and he felt as if all he was doing was bringing them pain. He felt that he was hurting everyone around him. After a few seconds, Kuon looked up at his father. "Dad, could I make an international call?" he asked and Kuu paused.

"An interna-"

"Yes," Julie nodded. "I think I remember her telling me that she would be waiting for your apology whenever you wanted for her to hear it."

Kuu nodded and handed his phone to Kuon, "Boss's number is on there."

…..

…..

Kyoko didn't want to call this day her birthday. She felt guilty that everybody around her was celebrating the holidays and her birthday and it was as if she was cursing all of the people who were around her. She missed him, she missed her friend talking to her and her believing that everything between them was going to be okay. She wanted to hug him and celebrate with him. He had given her so much and despite seeing that foul attitude Kuon, she still admired him.

There was a tap on the door and Kyoko looked up at her father holding the phone. She wondered whether it would be somebody else who wanted to wish her a happy birthday. She felt guilty that she wasn't overflowing with happiness, but what if Kuon wasn't with his family.

"Kyoko, did you want to take a phone call from Kuon?" he asked her and Kyoko grinned, her face lighting up the whole room. She nodded eagerly and took the phone from her father.

"Kuon?" she asked and heard a weak laugh that always made her grounded.

"Happy Birthday," he said weakly, "Kyoko. I really don't have a right way of saying how sor—"

"I'm sorry too," Kyoko replied quickly and heard Kuon laugh again. "You're okay, right? You're not hurt?"

"My dad protected me," Kuon told her and then let out a heavy exhale, "I'm sorry, you really…I am so sorry, you're a treasured friend to me Kyoko and I'm really sorry that I hurt you. I'm sorry that I ruined your trip and I hope that I haven't completely ruined your birthday. I'm sorry that I said something that cold to you, you are meaningful to me."

"I know," Kyoko nodded as she looked up at her father with tears glimmering in her eyes. Lory looked at her and felt happy that she was starting to gain her confidence again. "Merry Christmas, Kuon," she said as Kuon laughed.

"Christmas Eve here and your birthday is more important. Are you doing anything later?" he asked and Kyoko smiled as she pressed the phone closer to her ear whilst treasuring the phone call.

"Just spending time with family. Father likes watching "The Nutcracker", he's got all these different costumes," she said and Kuon laughed as well. "Kuon, I'm really glad that you're okay."

"And I'm glad that we can still be friends," Kuon said as he took a heavy breath and Kyoko's eyes widened. She opened her mouth wanting to know what that sound meant but she was afraid to ask. "Can we still be friends."

"Yes" Kyoko nodded eagerly, not even with a moment's pause. "You're my very special friend, Corn"

"You're mine too, princess Kyoko," he said and Kyoko smiled. "Kyoko, my dad wants to speak to yours, is that okay?" he asked and Kyoko nodded.

"Yeah, I'll send you an email tonight, be sure to answer it, okay?" Kyoko asked excitedly and Kuon's smile could be sensed over the phone.

"Okay. I promise," he told her and Kyoko grinned. Her friend was okay.

…..

…

Lory sat down in his home office. He had expected for there to be a very serious call from Kuu about what to do about Kuon this day, but he hadn't been expecting to hear the suggestion that Kuu was making. He didn't even know what it would take to achieve it, but Kuon was special to him as well and as much trouble as that little boy had caused everyone, Lory still loved him.

"I know that what I'm asking for is a lot and especially for such a short time but…" Kuu said nervously and Lory sighed.

"You can prepare everything with Kuon's school. I know that there is self-study even for people of his age. It might take some time before he can enroll in a school here. I can arrange for him to -" Lory said and Kuu's weakness was heard from the other end of the line.

"It's fine, whatever is best for Kuon and then I'll pay for it," Kuu said as he had tears in his eyes. "I hate this, Boss. I think that Julie is going to hate it too, but it's for the best to do it now, before anything else were to happen and we can trust you with him."

"Yes, you can trust me to take care of him," Lory said and Kuu felt his heart ache. "Are you sure about this though? If you want me to look out for jobs for you or a house that the three of you could stay in together?" he asked and Kuu shook his head.

"I think for a few months he needs his space, he needs to experience something different and then I'll be there for him when he needs me and we'll come and see him in February for his birthday. Boss, if this is any imposition on you that you don't want then please say no and I'll find another plan."

"I'm up for it," Lory agreed. "I think that young boy is too much like you, Kuu. He needs to find where his feet are and he needs to breathe in the fresh air. I'll do my best to help you three with anything that you might need. I also suggest we don't tell Kyoko yet so she won't get her hopes up."

"There's a present on its way to her," Kuu said quickly. "Wish her a happy birthday from me?" Kuu said as he looked forwards.

"You tell Kuon to get better and I'll see him soon," Lory said before smiling.

These kids were going to be the death of him one day but at least it reminded him of all those romance games.

End of Chapter Eight

Thank you so much for reading

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