Title: Three's A Crowd
Author: Sicilian Maiden
Pairing: Narumi Ayumu/Yuizaki Hiyono
Fandom: Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna
Theme: #2—news; letter (more of a newsflash)
Rating: PG (all cutes and cuddlies!, minor, suggestive themes)
Disclaimer: All characters of Spiral are the property of Kyou Shirodaira; I allege no possession of said characters. I only request to take them to over-rowdy soccer games and force them to play at gunpoint.
Summary: Needed: Just a bit of lovin'.

Think of this as an 'extra' chapter. Yes, I'm using the same theme but don't worry, you'll get all thirty. This plot was inspired by and pretty much belongs to one of my reviewers, syNemYoA. In a bit from "Lost in Translation," this idea was bred. So a huge thanks to SyNemYoA for your brilliant idea. This is for you. XD!

And of course, to my wonderful beta, Hayumiko! Thanks bunches; you're amazing and I greatly appreciate all the time and effort you put into to correcting my horrendous flaws! Readers, please thank her; she's the reason the chapter flows so well. :DD

-o-

Narumi Ayumu felt as if he was nothing but a shadow cast upon an adjacent wall. As of thirteen and a half months ago, the famous detective was no longer the forefront of attention; he was an extra, cast to the three second scene. Now, don't get him wrong, he was more than happy to fall back to this other male, but, honestly, Hiyono had hardly shown him a gentle caress or delicate kiss in the last few months. Yes, there was the 'goodnight' peck or the 'see you later' hug, but, as odd as it was to say, he was a red-blooded male and... he had needs, dang it!

It was okay in the beginning; he was thrilled with that specific prospect. And as time went on, he learned to become flexible in his time management. But after a certain point, he was pooped. He swapped out his Bon Appetit for Parenthood, switched his cellphone for a monitor, and was given the responsibility of grocery shopping.

Then when it finally was time to welcome the new baby boy to the family, Ayumu was there every step of the way—from driving through horrendous weather at three-thirty in the morning, to soothing Hiyono's frazzled, hectic nerves, to resisting the urge to scream like a frightened five-year-old when Hiyono practically broke his hand. Twenty-seven hours later, Ayumu was ready for an aspirin, two Zoloft and a long, long nap. Baby Haru, however, had drastically opposing ideas. From minute one, Haru dictated when, where and how things were going to be done. Watch the news? No? Okay, let's watch cartoons. Kiss kaa-san? No? Okay, I'll make dinner. 'Special time' with kaa-san? No? That's cool, you and your kaa-san can bond. This was the routine for as long as he was present. And on those occasional times when he slept, kaa-san was too tired.

He was enough to drive Ayumu bonkers.

However, every time Ayumu began to address the 'situation,' he was blown off because there was something "more important" to do. In Ayumu's mind, he was either a prisoner or an outcast living in his home: forced to linger on the sofa until he was given the "go-ahead" to ask permission if he could do something else.

"Haha, you're whipped, man," Kosuke laughed when Ayumu informed him of the depressing situation. Ryoko nodded from her position next to her boyfriend. Even Eyes agreed with the obnoxious redhead.

"Narumi-san, you need to say something if it's bothering you."

"I tried!"

A pause and the clicking of a tongue. "Now, now, Narumi-san," Rio chided, "If it's important to you, it should be important to Hiyono-chan."

"Newsflash, Narumi-baka, Jou-chan is your wife; she'll listen if you speak."

"Kosuke-kun's right."

Another pause and a quizzical, disbelieving look. Then, the repeated sound of a head hitting itself against a tabletop; Narumi couldn't believe what his friends were saying. Maybe he could knock some sense into himself?

"Narumi-san," the banging stopped. "It'll work out."

Banging resumes.

Night times were the hardest. Instead of taking his wife to bed like a normal husband could, he had to make sure everything was peachy-keen and right with the world. Instead, Ayumu had to make sure their 'special bundle' was comfortable and wrapped tight in his blanket, then plug in the monitor and adjust its volume.

Eventually, the moping became a habit... one that he detested. Work, in a bizarre sense, made Ayumu feel wanted, since people actually wanted to know what he thought; a concept he felt he wasn't receiving at home. The men at work only hid their snickers behind clipboards and manila folders while the clapped him on the back as he passed. Even Wataya gave Ayumu the day off when he came into work, opened his bag, and found the baby monitor in place of his cellular phone.

On one particular night, after cleaning dishes, mixing together formula, feeding Haru, and placing him in his crib, Ayumu sluggishly made his way down to his room. As usual, his wife was beneath the top sheet, a romance novel, with Fabio on the cover, clasped in her hand. The soft light of the lamp made her golden-locks seem more 'glowy' than they usually were. Closing the door, Ayumu looked up to see that yes, Hiyono had acknowledged his presence.

"Ano, you look tired Ayumu-kun," she remarked. He nodded, grumbled, and grabbed a towel and a set of jammies before trudging off to the bathroom.

Turning on the shower's faucet, he allowed the water to warm up and then peeled off his clothing—the dress shirt from his chest followed by his dark slacks. Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, he did in fact look tired. Even for the twenty-nine years that he was, small bags were beginning to work their way under his eyes.

'...Almost thirty,' he thought ruefully.

He tested the water's temperature and then stepped gingerly into the heated stream. The pounding upon his back felt good and he stood in the shower for almost fifteen minutes, letting the spray ease his stiff muscles. While turning to grab the bottle of shampoo, he could have sworn he heard the door close. Knowing fully well that he closed the door earlier, he dismissed the notion.

A few moments later, the shower door was pushed open. Chocolate-eyes widened considerably as he took in the sight of Hiyono, baring herself completely to him. His mouth became suddenly drier as he realized just exactly what she was doing. She gave him a coy smile (one he adored) and batted her lashes sensually at him before pushing past her flabbergasted husband and into the stall. Sliding the door back, Hiyono laced her arms around Ayumu's shoulders, drawing the two bodies closer.

"Hmm... I have this nagging feeling that I'm forgetting something," she drawled. Seeing that she wasn't going to get a coherent response from her husband, she continued, "You know what it is?"

Dazed and confused, Ayumu could only mutely shake his head. Without warning, Hiyono was flush against him, her lips rushing up to meet his. Moments later, she pulled backing smiling, "That's right... you."

Chuckling, Hiyono kissed him once more, passion detectable in each movement of her lips. They would have continued if it wasn't for the sound of muffled wailing. Ayumu sighed in defeat, "Once again, that little attention-horder."

Placing a lingering mark on his neck, Hiyono laughed quietly as she left the shower. Before closing the door, she nearly sang, "Now, now, don't be jealous of a baby. It's very unbecoming."

Jealous? Of a baby? Hardly. Though... he couldn't help but feel that Haru, sweet, lovable little Haru, was in his crib, one of the devious baby-smiles on his face. Ayumu finished showering, dried off, and slipped into his flannels. Leaving the bathroom, he spotted Hiyono and Haru, curled up in the bed. The child was alseep but Hiyono continued to surf the channels.

"Haru couldn't sleep so I brought him in here. I hope you don't mind," Hiyono explained, her attention still on the television.

"Hn."

It seemed so unfair—minutes ago, Ayumu was sure that he and Hiyono were going to get some 'alone time'. But... well, he guessed he should be happy to have Haru. The baby was definitely adorable, with his kaa-san's eyes and his tou-san's unruly hair. A small smile pulled at the detective's lips and he sighed realizing that there had to be something wrong with jealous feelings towards a child.

Ayumu made his way to the bed, pulled back the covers, and got in. Flicking off a light, he turned over to see two wide, golden eyes looking back at him. Hiyono smiled and reached out for his hand, her arm laying softly atop Haru. She interlaced her fingers with Ayumu's and she brought his hand to her lips.

"Gomen," he whispered.

"For what?"

Sounding like a dummy, he replied, "For getting jealous."

Hiyono had to try her hardest to keep her laughter down. She shook her head at her husband, replying, "I love both of my boys. I could never choose between them."

Ayumu nodded. As he drifted off, he heard her speak quietly, "But I know who I'd like to spend tomorrow's night with."

A large smile broke across the detective's face. He opened his eyes slightly to see Hiyono smirking mischievously back at him. He had to agree that three was definitely company, especially when his wife and son were concerned. Unfortunately, for activities such as those they were thinking of, three was more of an unnecessary crowd.

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