AN: This story is rolling along at a pretty decent pace. The more I do, the more I want to do. It's like Yotsuba and Fuutarou, the more I see them together the more I want them together.

Chapter 8: Labors Rewarded

Ever since her brief run in with a fever, Yotsuba had been full of passion. She had made a routine for herself. She had started to get use to Fuutarou's work schedule. He could work all he wanted on weekdays, because from the time he got home Friday night, until the time they went to bed Sunday night, he was hers.

She had taken a far more proactive role in the relationship. She wondered if he had noticed her true intent. He never questioned her about it. He never protested, even when he was tired. But there was something she kept seeing in his eyes. Every time they looked into each other's eyes it would seem like he was studying her, trying to figure out a difficult problem. And that just made her blush. She wanted that look to stay on her forever.

But no matter how many times they did it, no matter how absolutely amazing it felt, no matter how many cautions she threw to the wind, the result was the same. Every Friday, while Fuutarou was at work, she would buy a pregnancy test. And every Friday, it came up negative. She started to think something might be wrong with her, or wrong with Fuutarou. And brought a twinge of depression to her soul. So much so that, under Nino's advice, she asked her doctor.

Usually their father personally oversaw all their medical care. Brilliant as he may be, he was still more of a surgeon. Something like this needed a more personal touch. So she got in touch with a fertility specialist named Dr. Kirin and did a check up.

"Well Mrs. Uesugi, everything seems perfectly healthy for you." Dr. Kirin said.

"Are you sure?" Yotsuba asked.

"You should have no problems having children. You are incredibly healthy. You're fertile. And you have a body more than capable of bringing a pregnancy to term. I'm not surprised that your mother had Quintuplets." She mused.

"Then why am I not pregnant yet?" Yotsuba said.

"Well, your husband has never been tested so records don't exist for him. But he could be sterile. Or, more likely just has a low sperm count."

"Oh." Yotsuba sighed. She wanted anything but to blame him. She didn't want him feeling inadequate. She didn't want him thinking she was angry about something he had no control over.

"Look, Mrs. Uesugi. The two of you are still relatively young. It just takes some couples a lot more attempts. It's premature to lose hope just yet."

"You're right. I'm just not sure how to bring up my fears to him."

"Well you'd know about him more than me." The doctor said. Now if you'll excuse me, I have another appointment. Feel free to schedule something anytime."

Yotsuba spent the rest of the day riding her bike around before stopping at the park. She jumped on the swing and started building some momentum. She looked out at the houses, and spotted her own. She smiled. Unironic joy always took her when she saw it from this vantage point. This was where she first made him laugh and smile. This was where she first truly confessed to him. This was where they had their first kiss. And it was where he proposed to her. So many sad memories of her self-inflicted loneliness were no more. All of them struck down by her loving husband.

Love could see through any disguise. She wondered if he knew she was wanting to have kids? He probably did. If he hadn't he probably would have complained about certain decisions. Or at the very least he would have asked if she was really okay with throwing caution to the wind. So he knew? But what did he think?

What did she think? She wanted a kid but she couldn't quite put her finger on why. She felt like she had to come up with a reason before asking Fuutarou what his thoughts were. Fuutarou may be open to the idea but he also likely doesn't feel ready for one. And in her mind, it wouldn't be right to guilt trip him into something so serious. The question of whether they were ready was another concern.

"Fuutarou-Kun would make a great dad." She said to herself. "But he gets down on himself so I'm going to have to be the one convincing him of that. Not sure if I'd be a good mother but I'll show them all the love I can. So long as Fuutarou-Kun is by my side even an idiot like me can accomplish anything."

She stayed a little later than she initially planned. It crossed her mind that Fuutarou had never had the house to himself. She wondered what he would do under those circumstances. She'd have to ask him when she got home.

She leapt off the swings and went to Nino and Miku's restaurant. Both of them were busy so she didn't get the chance to socialize. She also only got a coffee and listened to more podcasts on her phone. Knowing Fuutarou he'd cook something.

Right before she left, she got a message asking her to get them food while she was out. That was a curious notion. Fuutarou always preferred to make food. He wasn't half bad in the kitchen and it often helped him decompress after work. The fact he'd have been off for an hour by this point meant he was either too tired to cook, or was up to something.

Most likely the former. Fuutarou wasn't the kind of person to do surprises...for the most part. She ordered food and then started making her way home. She took her time, giving Fuutarou more time in the house without her. She teased him in her thoughts. 'See, now you know how I feel in this house when you're gone.' She thought.

When she arrived, she noticed another car parked out front. This raised another question in her mind. Maybe it was someone visiting the neighbors. But then the idea of having guests crossed her mind. Took the fun out of the whole 'leaving Fuutarou home alone' thing.

"Fuutarou-Kun!" Yotsuba called. "Food!"

"I'm in the basement!" She heard him call.

She descended the stairs. Fuutarou almost never went to the basement. It was a big empty room with a stacked storage closet and the laundry room. And laundry was something she always did. She aso heard some clamoring and a hushed curse from Fuutarou. The first thing she noticed lt her heart ablaze.

"Fuutarou-Kun!" She cheered.

"Figured you have been clamoring for it enough." He said as he stood up and stretched.

"I love you so much!" She hugged him and nearly knocked him into the pool table he was constructing.

"Hey Mrs. Uesugi." A young man piped up. "We never properly introduced ourselves." He held out his hand. "I'm your husband's desk neighbor." He began shaking her hand.

"Yeah." She did recognize him but couldn't remember his name. "It's uh…."

"Tokoyami-Kun." Fuutarou bailed her out of the awkward fumble. She had only met him in passing at the wedding and a party before that. Plus she was terrible at names anyway.

"That's right." Yotsuba said as she let his hand go.

"I ordered this pool table a while ago. Tokoyami-Kun is helping me put it together."

"And here I thought I was leaving you home alone." Yotsuba smiled.

"Thought we could use your help but we managed." Fuutarou teased.

"Don't make me feel bad about it." Yotsuba pouted. "Thank you, Tokoyam-Kun." She politely bowed. "And thank you Fuutarou-Kun."

"Anything you want, I'll give it to you eventually."

"Eventually?" She sighed remembering the trip to the fertility specialist.

"Well gotta make sure it's something you really want and not an impulse buy." Fuutarou scratched the back of his head.

"Anything I want." She didn't notice at first but her hand had subconsciously drifted to her stomach. Fuutarou must have noticed because he changed the subject to the food.

"I'm ready to eat." Fuutarou clapped.

"Sorry I didn't get you anything Tokoyami-Kun." Yotsuba apologized. "You can have mine if you…"

"No need I ate on the way here." Tokoyami interrupted.

"Yeah, bastard had the nerve to eat the last bites right in front of my face." Fuutarou groaned. "It's why I had you get some take out."

"If you say so." Yotsuba plopped down on the last step and Fuutarou sat cross legged in front of her. She tore open the bag and used it as a placemat for the barbecue she had picked up. Fuutarou stayed silent, which made Yotsuba feel good, but also made her curious. He saw her reaction, did he know what she wanted? Did he know why? So she broke the silence. "Why now?"

"It's getting close to Labor Thanksgiving." He said. "Thought I'd pay you back for all the amazing work you do around here and all the love and support you've shown me, even when I'm being an ass who doesn't deserve it."

"Hmm….I know I should feel good about it. But I can't help but think that I've been a tad bit selfish. Even a lot of the good I do for you I do because of what you do in return." She sighed.

"That's a healthy relationship. I would never dream of taking advantage of your kindness and I trust that you won't take advantage of me."

"I would never."

"Yotsuba, you're the most selfless person I know. Just stop being so dumb and narrow minded and think about people other than me." He said.

"But I can't stop thinking of you." She cooed to play off the tease.

"When you volunteer, do you look for reciprocation?" He asked.

"No, that defeats the whole purpose." Yotsuba said.

"So, why?" Fuutarou didn't sound facetious. He sounded genuinely curious.

"I just...I'm not sure." Yotsuba pondered. "It just makes me so happy when I see people smile. It's like, my heart just can't give everything to you. It's like it desires to see as many people happy as possible."

"I see." He said as he took a sip of tea.

After they were done eating, they finished up setting the pool table. They played a few quick rounds. Fuutarou won all three fairly easily. Yotsuba wasn't all that surprised. Tokoyami on the other hand was pretty astounded.

"Woah, Uesugi-San, you're really good at this." Tokoyami gleamed.

"You just have to think things through." Fuutarou responded.

"Well, I guess I'll cut my losses." Tokoyami said as he set his pool stick down. "It's getting kind late. I need to get home soon."

"Well thanks for coming over." Yotsuba said. "Feel free to visit anytime."

"Please don't abuse that privilege." Fuutarou said.

"Have fun. I'll see you at work tomorrow." Tokoyami waved goodbye before ascending the staircase.

"He seems nice." Yotsuba said.

"He's kinda annoying." Fuutarou said. "But he's a good man. Just kinda dumb. Sorta reminds me of you now that I think about it."

"Hmph." Yotsuba pouted for a split second before grinning. "Knew there was something I liked about him." She punctuated the statement with a punch to his arm. "So, you brought up Labor Thanksgiving. We doing anything special?"

"I was thinking of having a cookout, invite the whole family. That sort of thing."

"I should probably get you something since you got the pool table." Yotsuba blushed.

"Don't worry about it."

"I'll get you a notepad or something cheap. Shishishi." She knew he didn't want her to worry less because of his heart and more because he was singy. So, giving him a notepad, something he had gone without for a few weeks now, was the best she could muster. And the thought brought a smile to his face.

"I am in need of a new one." He noted.

"I know. It's not exactly equal but I think it's fair." She faced him and climbed to her toes. She pressed her body against his and gave him a kiss. His lips were chapped but she didn't care. That awkward loving smile that invaded his features was what she lived for. She rested her hands on his shoulders as he leaned further into the kiss. After a moment, Fuutarou pulled back and broke off the kiss.

"Do I tell you enough, how beautiful you are?" He asked.

"You could probably stand to say it a bit more." She replied as she bit her bottom lip. When she looked deep into his face she averted his gaze. Her hands fumbled to smooth over his collar. All the thoughts she had earlier that day came back.

"Is everything okay?"

"It's fine. I'm fine. We're fine." Yotsuba said.

"You don't seem fine."

"Well, I am. Probably not great but this is fine."

"For now?"

"Hmm?" Yotsuba perked up at his response.

"It's nothing." He played it off though Yotsuba wasn't convinced. Maybe that was his way of letting her know that he knew what was on her mind. Or at the very least suspected. That did a lot to make her feel better. For now, as in everything is fine and dandy, but eventually they'll want a change in that status quo. What it didn't tell Ytsuba, was whether Fuutarou was ready for kids, or if he had figured out the part of Yotsuba she herself hadn't fully grasped. What does she really want and why?