It took a lot of nerve. It required more effort than it would take most normal people. But then again, they weren't exactly normal. Yukine looked across the yard at Yato who was chatting with Kofuku while avoiding Daikoku's attempt to spray him with the hose. Spring was just starting to get in full swing and that meant it was time to fix Kofuku's garden. Between Take, the celebrations, and the harsh winter the pit stop had seen better days. Things had finally winded down, Father had slinked off to who-knows-where and heaven was planning their next move. Bishamon and Kazuma were trying to work out the kinks in their relationship while tending to their wounds. The rest were doing pretty much the same, choosing to rest at home with their family.
That left the people here. Well, them and Hiyori and Nora. Everyone had their massive sobbing fest and hugged each other like their life depended on it but now things were pretty much the same, almost. Yukine and Nora were not allowed to be alone with Daikoku and Yukine couldn't help but panic when Yato was out of sight without him knowing. The rest of the dark winter had been difficult and spent on self-healing of all types but Yukine could safely say he was doing far better than he's ever been. Confident in Yato's feelings and fully understanding his fears. That didn't make the fears go away, of course, but thankfully Yato was rarely a couple yards away. Even so, Yato decided it would be good for Yukine to get out in the fresh air and sun shine during some good old-fashioned labor. Of course, Daikoku was going to let the god get out of gardening, not after everything he didn't tell them.
"Yato! I told you to plant the bulbs!" Daikoku hollered. Yato huffed from his spot next to Kofuku.
"I did! See?" Yato held up an empty bag and waved it around.
"You rushed them!"
"Did not! What kind of delivery god would I be if I couldn't do something like this quickly and perfectly?" Yato's nose seemed to grow as he bragged and Yukine couldn't help but agree. His god had always been efficient in his work, if nothing else.
"I ain't paying you!" Daikoku refuted. A grin finally made its way to the shinki's face when Yato whined. As he raked the leaves, Yukine watched his god out of the corner of his eye. He had been doing that a lot since his memories came back. Not in a glaring way like he used to but in a more "I can't believe you're still alive and around. You've done so much for me. Thank you, I love you" kind of way. That last part had only come out once and hadn't been talked about since then. But still, it was just reassuring to see Yato here and know he was happy because that meant everything was okay.
That wasn't the only thing Yukine wanted to say though. His eyes flickered down to the pile of leaves then back at Yato. The god was now in charge of trimming the bushes, his white t-shirt filthy with dirt and sweat while his ascot covered his head to keep his hair back. They hadn't done any sort of work since they came back. No delivery god work, no god of fortune work, no nothing. And while the thought of not helping Yato stressed Yukine out, he wasn't ready to go back to doing guidepost work just yet. No, there was something else he wanted to do. If only he could work up the nerve to ask.
"Everything alright, kiddo?" Yato's voice cut through Yukine's thoughts easily, just as it always did. Yukine looked up to see Yato looking at him with gentle concern. There was some space between them, more than there used to be, but Yukine knew Yato put it there for Yukine's comfort. Yukine closed the space between them of his own accord.
"Yeah everything's fine!" Yukine's voice squeaked out of embarrassment and Yato's eyes narrowed.
"Do you want to talk about it? It doesn't have to be anything big you know, maybe you feel like having steak for dinner," Yato tried. Yukine gave a short laugh.
"You mean you want steak for dinner." Yukine said. They smiled at each other and Yukine thought now would be the perfect time to ask. It wasn't as if Yato would say no, in fact the god would be absolutely ecstatic Yukine started to come back out of his shell. And Yukine wanted to do more father-son things with the god now that their relationship and feelings were out in the open. Yato had been willing to be a dad for a while and Yukine was finally ready to take him up on that.
"Can we go for a walk?" Yukine asked. Yato looked at him for a moment, surprise flashing across his eyes, then he nodded.
"Sure," he smiled. Yato started taking off his garden gloves and stuffed his ascot into his pocket. Yukine did the same, throwing his gloves on the grass next to his god's.
"Yato! Yuki! We're taking a break, want some lemonade?" Kofuku called from across the yard. Yato gave Yukine a questioning look and the kid shook his head with a polite smile.
"Nah, we're gonna go for a walk!" Yato answered. He snickered at Daikoku's comments at his 'selective laziness' then nodded for Yukine to follow. They walked out the gated area, Yato waving off Kofuku's concerned face, before they disappeared into town. It was a Monday in the early afternoon so the part of the city they wandered in was rather quiet. Hiyori would be at school for a while longer and Nora was discussing her future with Ebisu; neither of the girls would be around until later. Yato took the moment to stretch and Yukine copied, the boys letting out a sigh at the same time. The thought made Yukine smile.
"So, what's up?" Yato asked, trying to sound casual. Yukine walked a bit closer to him to show it wasn't anything bad. Still, Yukine's muscles locked up as adrenaline thrummed through them. It was different being so nervous without any trace of the fear Yukine's come to know, but Yato described the feeling as "an excited anxiety." Sweat made itself known and Yukine tried to swallow through a tight throat.
"I wanted to ask you something," Yukine started. As the words left his mouth he got the overwhelming feeling this was a bad idea. It was too soon and the idea was something he thought of while talking to that terrible man. He really shouldn't bring it up now and cause such trouble after everything was winding down. At the very least he should think of something else!
"What is it?" Yato looked over at his kid. It was difficult to meet his eyes, Yukine kept looking up and down, from the grey side walk to eyes that matched the sky.
"I want to, uh, do something." Yukine started. That was good but it was stalling. He really should think of something else. It's not too late, he could back out and cover it up so that nothing would happen. It didn't have to be a lie and it wasn't like they couldn't do it sometime down the road, in about a decade.
"Oh yeah? Like what?" voice excited, Yato grinned down at Yukine, happy to see the healthy color filling his kid's cheeks with embarrassment.
"Well, uh, you see," Yukine started to babble, "when I was really upset your dad asked me what I wanted to do- like really wanted to do- with my supposed family, you know? And I, uh, said things like eat food and shave. But I also wanted to go camping with my dad, so, uh, I wanted to know if you wanted to go camping?" The words came jumbling out before Yukine could stop them, all squished together in one breath. It was a bad idea to talk about Father. No one had even mentioned the man since Ooharai and it tended to be a mood-killer. Yukine winced at his missing tact and had to force himself to look at Yato. For a second, Yato's expression was unreadable and he was quiet. Then from the ground up Yato's body started shaking like a rocket preparing for take off before happiness practically shot up out of his head.
"I'd love to!" Yato cheered. The volume was just as embarrassing as his reaction and Yukine had to look away from both, shielding his eyes from Yato's bright, beaming face. Regardless, a smile crept onto Yukine's face. Out of habit, Yukine braced himself to be tackled into a hug but the action never came. A moment of disappointment passed when Yato made a strange whine. Yukine peaked to see Yato biting his lip with a pleading expression, arms thrown out wide and begging to wrap around a certain teenager.
A year ago, Yukine would have scoffed at the idea of Yato having any concept of personal space even when the person greatly needed it. But things were different now and as much as Yukine seeked Yato's affection, sudden man-handling startled him. It was a silent change, one Yukine hoped he would be able to out-grow eventually, but greatly appreciated. So for now, Yukine would settle with giving a fake-glare at his god and trudging into Yato's arms. Of course, people don't change overnight and Yato's sense of boundaries would only go so far. Strong arms squeezed Yukine tight as he was lifted off his feet and spun around like they were a reunited couple.
"Oh this is so exciting! You're gonna love it! I know so many places we can go! We can just do one or all of them! We can spend the month or a weekend or a year! It'll be great!" Yato chattered excitedly. The hands that were fisted in Yato's shirt started to push as Yukine signaled he wanted to be let off the ride. Sneakers were set gently on the sidewalk as Yato's jaber continued undeterred. Yukine's small smile was threaded with a huff. Of course the idiot would be this excited to go on a camping trip with someone who almost killed him roughly four times. The thought sent a sharp pang to Yukine's heart and his mood was weighed down with guilt. This sudden shift choked off Yato's talking and the god gave Yukine a soft look.
"Sorry, I got a little excited there," Yato said, "was there a place you had in mind? Or something else?" The god cocked his head and waited patiently for Yukine's heart to lift back up and the blatant consideration and pride.
"No, no! I figured you would know a good place," Yukine looked down to hide his blush, "I just wanted to go somewhere with you, that's all." A sigh escaped the shinki as Yato let out a muffled squeal, cooing at how cute Yukine was. He didn't even have to look back up to know Yato's arms were ready and waiting. Letting himself lean forward, Yukine was brought into another sweaty, dirty hug by the god who became his dad.
In order for this trip to fit Yukine's idea, the kid was given full reigns of planning the trip. Yato gave Yukine three of his top picks and explained the pros and cons of each. In order to make this a more "family trip" Yukine wanted to keep the guest list small. This included: Hiyori, Daikoku, Kofuku, and Nora (if she wanted). As it turned out, the camp site Yukine felt was most perfect was about a day's journey away. In order to accommodate this, Daioku and Kofuku would take a flight ahead of them and set up, while Yato drove the car with the kids.
"You can drive?" Yukine and Hiyori squawked when Yato offered. The god looked offended before shrugging.
"All of us have been driving since cars were invented! I used to do it illegally but Kazuma didn't like that too much so he forced me to get a semi-legal license. I'd just need his help to get it updated." Yato glared at Daikoku's teasing comments. On one hand, Yukine didn't like Yato having to ask Kazuma for help; on the other hand, going on a road trip with the god was part of the ambition. Tents and sleeping bags were covered by Kofuku, Daikoku, and Hiyori so the trip was all settled.
"Remember you have all the clothes in the trunk," Daikoku said as he dangled the keys.
"Yes," Yato confirmed, holding out his hand.
"Kofuku and I will get the spot and set up both tents and the sleeping bags. I gave Yukine money so the three of you can stop for food on the way."
"You're the best," Yato complimented with a nod.
"You are to go straight to the site, Hiyori will call us when you are close so we can tell you what spot we got. You will not call us while driving." Every word out of Daikoku's mouth grew heavier and heavier with regret and dread.
"Righty-o," Yato beamed. There was a moment of silence where the two men were on opposite ends of the positivity spectrum. Finally, Daikoku dropped the keys in Yato's hand with a sigh as the god cheered and dove in the driver's seat. Yukine sent a silent apology to Daikoku, then a prayer to whatever would keep them safe. Hiyori tried her best not to look nervous.
"It'll be okay!" Kofuku said, throwing her arms around Yukine and Hiyori. She gave them both a comforting smile that put them at ease.
"I gave Yatty an aux cord so you won't have to listen to him talking the whole time!" Kofuku declared before skipping off and hopping in the car. Yukine and Hiyori shared a look that communicated that little fact wasn't the problem, before getting in the car as well. Nora had decided to use the time for herself and offered to watch the store while they were gone.
Once Kofuku and Daikoku were dropped off at the airport, Yato pointed them south and they were on their way. It turned out Yato had a habit of antagonizing other drivers, something Daikoku's Hummer made very easy (and kinda fun if you asked Yukine but he was also working on being a better person). But a couple of chides from Hiyori put a stop to that by the time they were on the highway. At first they chatted like they usually did, Yukine turned around in the front seat so Hiyori could be included. The radio was turned on low as the friends joked and laughed. A serious debate covered the music as the trio argued over what to eat for lunch, Hiyori using her phone while Yukine looked at the signs. Eventually, they relented to Hiyori's choice as Yato was starting to complain about muscle cramps.
"Hey, hey, Hiyori," Yato nudged the girl's side, "let's plug your phone in the car!" It was hard for her to say no to that smile. After lunch they piled back into the car, Hiyori handing Yukine the device and helping him set it up.
"Oldies?" Yato gave his kid a side glance, both amused and curious. Yukine looked a meek but gave a smile and a small shrug.
"I still like them," Yukine turned to look at Hiyori, "if that's alright?"
"Y-yeah! Of course, Yukine!" Hiyori quickly reassured him. She was worried it meant something deeper, that it was too soon, but Yukine and Yato quickly started singing word-for-word. After the first two, Yukine played a song that happened to be a particular favorite of Yato's so he decided to crank up the volume. His excitement was contagious, Yukine felt it was only natural to insist all the windows go down. Fresh air whipped through their hair and carried the boys' singing that somehow still sounded louder than the wind and music combined. Hiyori couldn't help but laugh as Yato and Yukine tried to surprise each other with forgotten nostalgia only to tease each other's reactions.
"You know this song?" Yukine asked with disbelief.
"You kidding? I know every song, kid!" Yato stuck his tongue out and noggied his hand in Yukine's hair. His kid laughed and pushed the arm away, laughing harder when Hiyori shouted at Yato to watch the road when they swerved. As an apology, Yukine passed the phone back to Hiyori. She selected more recent songs that Yukine enjoyed and Yato also knew the words to. As they approached dinner time, Hiyori kept the mood going with some good old-fashioned stand-up comedy. This time, Yato pulled into Yukine's restaurant choice and managed to secretly tell the waiter it was his birthday.
"I already have a birthday," Yukine glared half-heartedly at Yato who simply shrugged. This glare quickly shifted to Hiyori when she wouldn't stop giggling.
"It said free slice to anyone who's birthday it is." She helpfully informed.
"Besides! We'll help you eat it!" Yato already had a spoon dug into Yukine's slice of not-birthday cake.
"H-hey!" Yukine sputtered. The sense of possession bubbled up when he watched Yato scoop the fluffy confection into his mouth, followed quickly by Hiyori.
"Hiyori!" Yukine looked to her with betrayal. The girl shrugged and quickly swallowed her smaller bite of cake.
"Sorry, Yukine. It just looked so good," Hiyori said.
"What's the point of a birthday cake if you don't share it? If you want a bite of your cake you're going to have to be quicker!" Yato supported his point by stuffing another bite of cake in his mouth. With a short gasp, Yukine scooped up his spoon and shoveled a large bite in his mouth, the sweet filling his cheeks as far out as they would go. His friends laughed at him and Yato signaled Hiyori to take a picture.
Hopped up on sugar, the trio stumbled back into the car and turned the radio back on. By now the sun had set and Yato started turning off the highway. They had another four hours in the car but at least the roads were empty. Yukine, with his face full of frosting, was passed out in the front seat. Hiyori sat in the back and scrolled through her phone, Yato choosing to listen to a baseball game on low volume. The silence was comfortable and lasted for another hour until Yukine started to grunt and move in his seat.
"What's wrong?" Hiyori leaned forward to try to look at Yukine. Yato glanced next to him, then back at the road, then back at his kid, a frown growing.
"He's having a nightmare," Yato said matter-of-factly. This had become a common occurrence since the hospital fiasco, but after being released from The Crafter the nightmares were practically weekly. Turning the radio down further, Yato clicked on the light above Yukine and noticed the sweat dotting the kid's knitted brow. Yukine twitched for a couple minutes longer, Yato rubbing his arm and speaking soft nothings, before stilling back into sleep. As if dodging a bullet, Yato sighed and turned the light back off.
"Is he alright?" Hiyori asked quietly.
"Yeah I think so." Yato gave her a quick smile through the rear-view mirror then focused back on the road. Through their shared heart, Yato's pulse thrummed with anxiety and his hands tightened around the wheel. He took a deep breath in and out, working to relax his fingers and stop himself from bending Daikoku's wheel. It didn't stop his eyes from darting all over the sides of the road and all the mirrors, just in case. He felt Hiyori's soft hand on the back of shoulder, giving him the same comforting rubs he gave Yukine. It was nice, Yato wished- not for the first time- that he didn't have to drive so he could be closer to the young woman in the back seat. Instead he turned around to give her an honest, grateful smile, an action she returned. The two of them went back to what they were doing, a light blush dusting their cheeks.
The last thing Yukine thought he heard was the sound of a refrigerator door slamming before his body jolted awake. His eyes snapped open and whatever breath he was about to take got lodged in his throat when he realised it was dark. Someone spoke from somewhere around him and he hummed as a natural response. He was in a car, sitting in the front seat, feeling heavy. He was driving at night, the car going on a light-less road through what Yukine could identify as a forest. He was sitting, limbs heavy, in the front seat of a car that drove alone through the back streets of a forest in the dead of night. Absolute, heavy, cold, bone-crushing terror sank its claws into every muscle of Yukine's body. Another sound caught Yukine's attention, someone was speaking to him from the driver's seat. Slowly, Yukine let just his eyes flicker to his right just as his body began to shake. The driver wore dark pants and white t-shirt, it was a man older than Yukine who's arms could definitely cause damage.
"D-don't," Yukine trembled. His voice came out like a whisper, vocal chords hardly able to articulate the plea. The man was looking at him now, though the shadows covering his face made it hard for Yukine to recognize him. That didn't matter, Yukine knew in his soul he was in danger.
"Yato?" Hiyori sat up from the back seat when Yato called Yukine's name a second time without a response. Yato was staring at Yukine like he was a snarling wolf, eyes no longer addressing the road ahead.
"No, don't please," Yukine pleaded a bit stronger this time. He was looking at Yato with wide, tear-filled eyes as he tried to press himself against the car door.
"Yukine," Yato spoke firmly, "Yukine, it's me. Ya-"
"Yato!" Hiyori cried out from the back. Yato's head snapped forward and he turned the wheel to stop them from driving off the turn. Locking up his leg, Yato stopped the knee-jerk reaction of slamming on the break and let his foot gently raise off the gas. Pulling over was not an option right now, Yukine needed to get somewhere light. Quickly, Yato flicked on all the lights in the car and tried to glance at Yukine. The sudden illumination didn't help the kid at all, Yukine was still pale and staring at Yato, unblinkingly.
"Please, please, don't. Dad, no," Yukine kept muttering, words drowned in his hyperventilation. A heavy, painful feeling squeezed Yato's heart and he quickly turned the car towards civilization. The small green sign said they would hit a town in six miles.
"Come on, kid it's me. It's Yato," Yato tried. It was clear Yukine wasn't listening. The kid probably didn't even recognize Yato and it didn't help that Yato couldn't fully face him. Behind them, Hiyori unbuckled herself and leaned over the seat divider. She repeated sweet soothings to Yukine, reminding him who they were and where they were going. When she tried reaching out to comfort him, the boy yelped at the contact and threw his body away from her reach.
"No!" Yukine wailed. His back was pressed against the far corner of the door, his feet up on the seat to try to kick himself away from them both. Yukine was starting to frantically look around. His arms, sprawled out along the side of the car, were feeling the door for a handle, his nails scratching along the interior. It was all too much, Yato was having trouble sorting through his emotions and focusing on the road.
"Hiyori, sit down." Yato commanded harshly. The girl immediately sat back, shutting her mouth and looking to Yato with wide-eyes. Yato took another glance at Yukine. He was still terrified but not having someone hovering over him made him think he had more time. The tricky part would be getting Yukine out of the car without making the kid think it would kill him. They were nearing the town, lights of all shapes and colors were just within reach. Yato bit his lip and took another deep breath, preparing to thaw the frost in his voice.
"Hiyori," he calmly got the girl's attention, "I'm going to stop at the closest store. I need you to open the door and bring him inside. Don't let him fall but do not grab him unless he reaches for you first, okay?" His blue eyes locked on hers through the rear-view mirror- their brightness just as piercing in the reflection- and she gave a determined nod. Yukine was still pale and shaking, his muttering slowed slightly but tears poured down his cheeks like twin waterfalls. His glassy-eyed stare was locked back onto Yato as he looked at his god with fear and betrayal. A gas station was coming up just before entering the actual town, the large windows surrounding it glowed like a halo and Yato noted there were no other cars. He sped up and came to a quick stop right in front of it's doors, Hiyori hopping out of the car once the brakes were applied.
She opened the door carefully, Yukine's entire body jolting when he started to fall backwards. His fingers scrambled to grab onto something as his body tipped out of the car. With more sweet nothings, Hiyori caught him and tried to steady him on his feet. Yukine stayed crouched on the ground for a moment before realizing no one was holding onto him. The kid booked it towards the light, fumbling with the glass doors for longer than it would take most people before peeling inside.
"Wait, Yukine!" Hiyori called after him. She gave Yato a lost look only for him to nod at her to follow. Biting her lip, Hiyori went into the store after him, nodding apologetically to the worker as she passed. Yato watched them for a moment, Yukine had scurried to the back of the store and hidden himself against the wall. Hiyori followed him but was smart enough to keep her distance. Crouching some ways away, Hiyori was clearly speaking gently to the boy, only stopping to tell the clerk to keep out of sight.
Normally, such intelligence and consideration was enough to make Yato smile, but not tonight. Tonight the moment she shut the door he gasped in air like he had been drowning. Being surrounded by light, in a non-traumatic environment, helped calm the kid down. But that didn't stop their shared heart from pounding a heavy beat in their chests nor did it stop the hyperventilating. Yato shut the car and leaned the seat back as far back as he could without having the inside of the store disappear from view. Then he took out his phone, schooled his breathing, and pressed the speed dial.
"Yatty?" Kofuku picked up on the first ring.
"Yeah, Kofuku, it's me." Even to his own ears he sounded worn out.
"What happened? Are you guys okay?"
"Yeah we're all fine but Yukine had another, uh, attack. We pulled over and I think we need to get a hotel and finish the drive in the day-light."
"I see," Kofuku said after a moment, "I'm glad you guys are okay. Take all the time you need. Daikoku and I set up everything so we'll be fine without the car."
"Hmm," Yato hummed. Yukine was starting to realize where he was, looking around with clear eyes. It was clear his environment didn't match with what he thought was happening. Hiyori crept closer, then hugged him when he opened his arms to her. He continued to weep and Yato's chest constricted in a familiar way.
"I'm so sorry Yatty," Kofuku spoke quietly into the phone. Yato pinched his nose and rubbed his eyes.
"It's not your fault Kofuku," Yato said.
"It's mine," he thought.
"How far out are you?"
"Like a couple hours." Yato watched the clerk bring them a bottle of water. The god couldn't see the kid too well, only seeing his hands pull Hiyori closer and out of sight, but he felt Yukine's yearning. It was the same feeling he got when Father sent him away and Yukine was left behind, only much stronger, much more pure.
"Okay, well take your time. Tell Yuki not to worry about it." Kofuku said.
"I will, thank you, see you soon," Yato stepped out of the car and shut his phone. There was no reason he couldn't be in there with his kid like he's supposed to. If Yukine was still afraid of him then he would just stay out of sight, it's not like he was on another sucicide mission that was preventing him from being a decent parent for once. He stalked towards the door and coaxed the tension out of his shoulders. Yato worked to fix his expression and shove all his toxic emotions in a deep corner of his mind. Just as he approached the front door, it burst open. Yukine stumbled through with a frantic expression and Yato got ready to chase him if he bolted. Instead, Yukine kept looking around until his baby-doe eyes landed on his god.
"Yato!" Yukine called out. Yato was already making his way towards Yukine, arms open. It took a total of two seconds for Yukine to spin on his feet and crash into Yato's waiting arms.
"Hey, hey, shh, shh. It's okay. You're okay," Yato squeezed his kid tight and brushed his fingers through Yukine's hair.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Yukine buried his words in Yato's chest, "I didn't- it was a nightmare. I just thought, I mean I know you're not. I'm sorry." The words were separated by hiccups and sobs as Yukine squeezed Yato even tighter. Yato curled around his kid and buried his nose in the blonde hair.
"What did I tell you? You have nothing to apologise for, alright? Absolutely nothing. You were scared and that's no one's fault. I just want to make sure you're okay," Yato murmured. His kid's body shuttered as Yukine hiccuped from somewhere buried in Yato's shirt. Soon Hiyori stepped out of the store after paying for the water bottle and waited patiently for the boys to calm down. Eventually, once Yukine's crying finally died down, Yato signaled for Hiyori to come over. She stepped closer and rested a hand on both Yato and Yukine's shoulders, listening to them have a similar conversation to their previous ones.
"Yukine, it's okay. You're okay, you're safe, shh," Yato's eyes were unfocused as he prodded the bond they shared just to make sure his words were true. Yukine let out a large sniff before jerking his head up to face Yato.
"That's not it!" He shouted. Yato reared back slightly but looked down at Yukine with confusion. He didn't need to say anything, he already knew what Yukine was going to say, so he waited for the kid to gather his thoughts together and let out his feelings.
"You're not him! I know you're not him, you're not like either one of them! I know you would never hurt me no matter what. You're a good dad, my good dad, and I don't want you thinking that you're like them!" The word again was on the tip of his tongue but Yukine stifled it. It was his own fault Yato had such doubts after doing so much for him, but now it was Yukine's job to make sure he didn't think that ever again; as his son. He watched Yato's complicated expression. He knew Yato wanted to argue that not hurting him didn't automatically make him a good parent, but that argument just went in circles. Besides, Hiyori was here.
"Well, good then," Yato sighed. A small smile worked its way on his face and all was right with the world. Yukine and Hiyori smiled too, Hiyori offering her handkerchief to Yukine so the kid could clean his face.
"We should tell Kofuku and Daikoku we'll be late." Hiyori said.
"Already did. In fact, I told them we would grab a hotel and finish the trip in the morning," Yato replied. No one argued with his decision and Hiyori looked up the closest, and most affordable, place to stay. Yato gazed down at Yukine, who settled back into another hug, and rubbed his back.
"How about we get some candy?" Yato suggested. The other two wordlessly agreed and made their way back into the convenience store and into the candy aisle. Yukine didn't let go of his god as they walked, choosing to stay in a side-ways hug as he selected some gummy bears. The moment of truth came after they paid and went to the car. They stood patiently as Yukine eyed the familiar vehicle warily and hugged Yato tighter. The god placed a hand on his head and got Yukine's attention.
"Would you like to drive?" Yato grinned.
"Yato!" Hiyori gasped.
"What, it's not like anyone's gonna see him. Besides, you said it's right down the road. He can sit on my lap and I'll work the gas." Yato waved off her concerns. He brought Yukine around to the driver's side as Hiyori climbed into the front. With the seat as far back as it could go, Yato explained the gear shift, turn signal, and all the little buttons on the steering wheel. He helped Yukine back out of the parking spot and drive onto the main road before letting the kid go.
Hiyori couldn't help but smile. This idea worked wonders as Yukine's fears turned into giddy excitement. With Yato leaning back and looking over Yukine's shoulder, he laughed when Yukine told him to speed up. Somehow, Yukine figured out how to work the radio from the wheel and he even flickered his high beams at someone to give them the right-a-way. They made it to the hotel in one piece, Yukine pulling in and parking with reluctantness.
"I'll go get the rooms," Hiyori said. Yato and Yukine stopped their playful banter over Yukine's driving to acknowledge the girl. Yato gave her whatever was left of Daikoku's money and said he would bring their bags. Despite the nightmare being chased away, Yukine squirmed as he waited for Yato to gather their things, insisting he was fine to wait for him. Once Yato shut and locked the car, Yukine scurried into the bright hotel lobby just as Hiyori was picking the beds.
"Yato and I can always share," Yukine piped in with red cheeks, "if we need to." He ignored the look the two women gave him and refused to look at his god when he came in. Their room was on the first floor and had two full beds with a couch. Hiyori was the first to use the bathroom, locking the door and changing into her pajamas. When she stepped out she saw the boys were already changed and watching some adult cartoon. Yato laid sprawled out on the top of the covers, shoulders propped up with pillows against the headboard. Curled against his side, Yukine was resting with his head on Yato's chest. The bag of gummy bears was ripped open on Yato's stomach and the boys took turns picking out pieces.
"What are you watching?" Hiyori asked as she got settled in her own bed.
"Who knows? It's funny though," Yato shrugged and flashed her a smile. She was happy to see it was brighter than before. Glancing over, Yukine gave a small smile of his own before snuggling closer into Yato's side. They hardly lasted an hour before Hiyori settled under the covers and faced the other way. Yukine had been dozing on and off since they laid down but the kid had definitely passed out at some point, drool pooling on Yato's shirt. Yato waited until the episode was over before turning off the tv and looking at the boy on his side. It was hard to believe anyone could be comfortable with their cheek smooshed like that but Yukine snored nonetheless. With a faint laugh, Yato nudged Yukine's shoulder and grabbed the arm that was slung across his body.
"Come on kid, time to go to bed," Yato whispered. Yukine's jaw shut and he let out a groan. Pushing his nose further into Yato's shirt, Yukine squeezed his arm tighter around Yato's torso.
"Wakey wakey," Yato shook him again. The kid didn't startle but his eyes opened fast.
"Hey, time to get under the covers," Yato said as Yukine looked around then up at him. Grumpy at the disturbance, Yukine slid off Yato and crawled under the covers. The god made his way around the bed and towards the couch. He was too tired to pull it out so Yato just threw out a blanket and fluffed a pillow.
"Wait," Yukine said, "what are you doing?" His voice was quiet and when Yato turned around he saw Yukine's face peeking out of a blanket cocoon.
"I'm going to sleep. It's late," Yato replied as he slipped under the covers. Yukine didn't seem to like this idea as his eyebrows furrowed and he regressed further into the blanket.
"Mmm hmm, here," Yukine mumbled from under the blanket.
"Huh?" Yato asked coyly, already knowing what Yukine wanted.
"...Idiot," Yukine rolled over.
"You sure it's okay? I went the whole day without a shower," Yato teased quietly as he rounded the bed.
"Gross," Yukine said. The kid moved over anyway, making room for Yato as he slipped under the blankets. Not wanting to be kicked back to the couch, Yato stifled anymore remarks. Biting back his smile, Yato nuzzled into the pillow as Yukine flipped around to face him with narrowed eyes. Yato couldn't help but let out a snort. His kid was smart enough to know Yato wanted to tease some more, maybe let out a couple cooes, but instead Yato just smiled.
"Goodnight, kiddo." Yato closed his eyes. Yukine took a moment to respond and when he did, it was short and very sweet.
"Night dad."
The next morning came like a fresh breath of air. Together the trio packed up and meandered down to the complimentary breakfast. They had a hearty meal, Hiyori having to pull Yato out by the ear when he started a food fight with Yukine and the concierge came to speak to them. They piled back in the car by late morning and started on their trip.
"Let's play some Capybara songs!" Yato announced and snatched Hiyori's phone. Yukine let out a groan but gave Yato his favorite Capybara song when asked. For better or worse the rest of the trip went by in a flash and soon the Hummer was turning down a beaten path and entering a homey campsite. Over the phone, Kokuku gave Hiyori the site number and the answers to the man that sat at the front entrance. They rolled down a dirt hill and found the grassy space between the trees where Kofuku and Daikoku were roasting hot dogs over a fire.
"Hey guys!" Daikoku waved.
"You made it!" Kofuku stood and her hot dog immediately caught fire.
"Yeah we made it," Hiyori smiled as she stepped out of the car. Yato and Yukine hopped out of the front, Yukine was captured in a hug by Kofuku and Yato helped Hiyori get their things.
"You okay, Yuki?" Kofuku cooed as she squished his red cheeks.
"Yes, I'm fine. Sorry I made us late."
"Don't worry about it. You didn't miss much and we'll have plenty to do!" Daikoku was readying more hot dog sticks.
"Yeah! Like fishing for dinner!" Yato cheered, snatching a couple sticks from Daikoku. The man shouted at the god as Yato scampered out of reach.
"We're just glad you're okay," Kofuku said softly, holding Yukine's face in her hands.
"That's right," Hiyori put a hand on Yukine's shoulder, "we're here now, together, and that's what matters." She smiled at Yukine along with Kofuku. The goddess quickly grew tired of the seriousness and leaped onto Hiyori's shoulders.
"And we'll be together all night Hiyori, you and I are sharing our own tent!" Kofuku giggled. From the fire, Daikoku grumbled about having to share a tent with Yato instead of his mistress but Yato bounded into view.
"What are you waiting for, Yukine? Let's have lunch!" Yato put a hot dog stick in Yukine's hand, a smile on his lips.
"Yeah!" Yukine beamed and ran to join his family by the fire.
