2: Babysitting

Parting his bangs to the side, Fuyumi kissed her little Misaki's forehead. He giggled, returning the action with a kiss on the cheek. Turning to her eldest son, she gave Hiroki a hug. His reassurance of keeping the house in one piece made her comfortable in leaving them on their own as usual. He added in how Misaki would sleep in his bed and not to worry about not seeing him in his bed.

Soshi ruffled the top of his sons heads before Fuyumi laid a hand on his right arm. Leaving money on the coffee table, knowing full well Hiroki wouldn't cook, they left the living room after saying their goodbyes. Misaki followed after them, leaving Hiroki alone with his new novel. The little boy waved at them from the front entrance with the biggest smile on his face. Soshi and Fuyumi waved before walking down the pathway to the front gate.

Misaki ran back to the living room. Expecting Hiroki to give him all his attention, his smile dimmed at the sight of Hiroki with his nose buried in his book. Pouting in petulance, he pouted before he walked closer to his brother. He attempted to keep his steps as quiet as possible, but Hiroki gave him a brief glance before looking back down on his book.

Hiroki found relief in having an afternoon where his well behaved brother caused no mischief. After the awkward lunch he spent with Akihiko and Takahiro, he wanted an uneventful afternoon. Remembering the way Akihiko comforted Takahiro over a family situation made him uncomfortable. He spoke his mind when he informed Takahiro over not worrying about problems that he couldn't help. Akihiko stepped in and berated him for his lack of empathy. Following up with telling him how he would never know about family problems when the Kamijou family experienced nothing of the sort.

Hiroki bit his tongue for that moment. He didn't dare comment about the internal problems of his father's side of the family. His grandmother still disapproved of his mother, which caused her son to cut communication with her. None of them missed her incessant complaints, but Hiroki still accepted calls from his grandfather when he phoned the manor.

Besides, he knew Akihiko wouldn't believe him, so he swallowed the words before he spoke them.

An altercation ensued between Hiroki and Akihiko while Takahiro tried calming them down. As unsuccessful as he was, Takahiro still left with Akihiko leaving Hiroki alone on the rooftop. His foul mood followed him throughout the day, prompting others to leave him in his solitude. Hiroki steamed in anger that Akihiko defended Takahiro with such vigor when Akihiko had never taken the initiative on his behalf. Upon realizing this truth, the feeling of hurt still stung.

While sitting in the living room, he couldn't get over the fight.

Misaki waved his arms above his head which always got a chuckle out of Hiroki. It didn't work. In fact, Hiroki turned another page and got comfortable on his pillow. He even took a sip of his green tea and a bite from a sugar cookie.

Misaki started tap dancing using his slippers, which transformed into a sequence of noise. The light taps got louder as Misaki jumped in his routine. At some point, he picked up his plush toy and began dancing with him. Hiroki scrunched up his eyebrows at the distraction, but didn't give Misaki the attention he desired.

When the noise didn't stop, Hiroki stared up at Misaki who twirled in his dance with his dog. In a stern tone, he told Misaki. "Stop doing making all that noise,Misaki. Sit down and do your homework. I know you haven't started a page of it."

Frowning, Misaki halted his actions. "But, Hiro nii-chan, it isn't due until Monday.."

"It's better to get started at least, now hop to it." He turned another page.

Misaki braved ignoring Hiroki's orders as he went to Hiroki's side. "What are you reading?"

Hiroki answered. "A book you're too young to read that's what I'm reading. Start your school work Misaki. Now." Misaki tried getting in his lap to get a glimpse of the text. "Misaki! What's with your behavior today?!"

"I just want to be with you nii-chan.." Misaki muttered as he tried getting on Hiroki's lap, but the teen pushed him away.

"I know you do, but you have to listen to me and finish your homework. Mother and father will expect to see some work done when they come home from their date." Hiroki said while pointing to the door. "Stop being difficult and get your work."

Misaki whined. "I'm not being difficult!"

"Yes, you are. Go now or I won't order in the dessert with our takeout order."

Misaki pouted as he crossed his arms. "You're not being nice. You're supposed to be nice…"

"I never said I was nice, if I have to be bad to get you to listen so be it." He snatched away the cream colored stuffed dog, Misaki gaped at Hiroki's action.

Misaki grabbed onto the novel, but Hiroki had a good grip on the book. "No! Give Shiro back you jerk!"

Hiroki's grip slacked and the plush toy fell onto the floor. "What did you just say to me brat? Repeat that again?"

Misaki managed to keep his composure even though his brother began to scare him. "You..you..are a jerk face."

Hiroki snapped. "At least, I don't still wet the bed at 8 years old!"

"Liar! I don't do that anymore! I stopped when I was 6!" Misaki exclaimed. "You're the one who has stinky feet!"

Hiroki yelled back. "I bathe every single night and you know this! You are a simple minded brat that doesn't know anything! All you can do is run after mother and father, you don't stand up for yourself at all!"

Misaki's eyes prickled with tears as he cried out. "Because I'm little!"

"That's a likely excuse. When I was your age I was able to be on my own. You cling to us every chance you get and quite frankly it's annoying!"

Misaki let a few tears fall down his face before grabbing a page from the novel and ripped it in half. He ran out of the room. Thinking Hiroki ran after him, he went even faster. The pitter patter of his fact feet echoed throughout the manor as he went straight to his bedroom.

Hiroki recollected what he said in the last couple of minutes. He facepalmed, muttering how stupid he acted. He took out his anger on his beloved brother who did nothing wrong. His eyes caught on Shiro who laid on its side, he reached for it and picked it up. Dusting a few parts of the pristine fur, he heard faint sound of Misaki slamming his bedroom door.

Hiroki stood up, dropped his novel on the floor and held Shiro in his arms. "I fucked up big time."

Misaki tried keeping himself from crying, but his hiccupping did nothing more than prompt him to cry even more. Wiping his tears with his sleeves and sheets, he laid down on the bed. He curled into a ball and clutched his pillow tight in his arms. He didn't understand why this fight started, all he wanted was his brother's attention. It wasn't too much to ask.

Wiping his tears with the back of his hand, he wished he had Shiro back to cuddle in his arms. Shiro always brought him comfort when he needed it. He cuddled with his pillow as a replacement for his oldest buddy.

"Am I really that clingy?" Misaki burrowed his face into the pillow, creating wet spots from his tears. "I…I..don't think I am…I just love mommy, daddy and Hiro nii-san so much.."

Misaki heard Hiroki knocking on the door and gripped the pillow even harder. He thought Hiroki was mad at him so he stayed quiet. He didn't want to make him even angrier.

Hiroki used a gentle tone when he inquired. "Misaki?"

Misaki jumped and uttered out in a quivering voice. "…Hiro nii-san…"

In an instant, Hiroki felt horrible for his behavior. The happy little ball of sunshine who loved him without question was upset and he caused all of this.

"Misaki…may I come in?"

"No!" Misaki cried out, the pillow muffled out his voice. "Go away!"

Hiroki stared at the wooden door. "Please let me in, I'll explain everything okay?"

Misaki lifted his head from the pillow. "No! I don't want to see you!"

Hiroki stood outside, clutching Shiro in his arms. "I didn't mean what I said at all. I unleashed all the anger I held in from someone else on you...you didn't deserve it at all."

Misaki rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands. "Then, you shouldn't have done it! Be mean to the person you're mad at …not me."

Hiroki flinched and worried his lower lip. "I'm so sorry Misaki."

"You are a liar."

Hiroki opened the door and walked inside. A pillow was thrown to his face making direct contact. In a way, he felt proud of Misaki's improved aim.

"I said go away!" The pillow fell to the floor as Hiroki sat on Misaki's bed. "You never called me a brat before.." He hiccupped as tears streamed down his face. "How could you say such mean things to me?"

"I don't know why I said those things, they just came out of my mouth. You can kick Akihiko in the shins when you see him next time. He's the one who made me mad." Hiroki explained, he reached out his hand and wiped the tears from Misaki's face. "Forgive me?"

Misaki's lower lip quivered before he jumped into Hiroki's arms and cried in his chest. Hiroki wrapped his arms around him, kissing the top of his head and laid his cheek on that spot. Misaki shivered in his arms and let the rest of the tears flow out like a river.

Hiroki rocked him in his arms as he hummed a song his mother sang to them to comfort them. Misaki clung to his shirt, rubbing his face into the fabric, creating wet spots in random places.

Misaki calmed down enough to mutter. "Mr. Rabbit man needs to be punished."

Hiroki arched a brow. "Mr. Rabbit Man?"

Misaki looked up at Hiroki, his eyes turned red from his crying binge. "Isn't that what your other friend calls him?"

"Ugh…that nickname…it's so stupid." Hiroki said as Misaki sat on his lap and kissed his cheek. "You are forgiving me?"

Misaki nodded his head. "Yup...love you nii-chan."

Hiroki kissed his forehead. "Love you too kiddo." He moved his body in order to get out of bed, but Misaki pulled his shirt sleeve.

Misaki gave him his best pout. "Don't go yet."

Hiroki chuckled. "I have to go order our food. The phone is in the living room and my arm doesn't stretch that far."

Misaki wrapped his legs around Hiroki's torso. "Carry me, please?"

"You're lucky I haven't lost my arm strength." Hiroki got up and balanced Misaki in his arms. "Alright, want me to order an extra dessert for you?"

Misaki smiled big as he exclaimed. "Yeah!"

"After you do some of your homework." Hiroki said. Bending down, he held Misaki in one arm as he picked up his backpack. "You're not putting it off again, Misaki. You'll rush through it on Sunday because you were lazy."

"I guess that's fair.." Misaki held Hiroki tighter and they walked to the living room. "You're not mad about your book right?"

"No. I can easily replace that book without a problem. Don't worry about it." Hiroki assured Misaki as he took the phone off the receiver. He pressed the correct numbers and placed their order. Misaki piped in his dessert option with gusto.

The rest of the night went well with no problems. Hiroki and Misaki ate a wonderful dinner while watching a program in Hiroki's room. Misaki eagerly dug into his dessert. He finished his homework without complaints which earned him a pat on the head.

Returning from their date, Fuyumi and Soshi caught their sons sleeping in Hiroki's bed. Misaki laid his head on Hiroki's chest with his brother's arm over his back. Pillows surrounded the boys, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Yet, they forgot to pick out a thicker blanket before they went to bed.

Fuyumi snapped a few photos of her sons before Soshi placed a blanket on them before they caught a cold. Turning off the lights, they wandered to their room so they could sleep themselves.