A/N: I feel like an idiot because I had no idea what Shizuki's parents names were. Then I flip through vol. 12 trying to get a better grasp on Gilbert's personality, and lo and behold, there are the parents' names. Dee Dee Dee! Which are by the way are, Takumi and Eiko, for anyone else who needs them. I'm wondering if I should put together an Umeda shipper website for anyone who wants to write Umeda slash that needs Hana Kimi facts. Anybody interested?
Warning: Some limey stuff. Nothing major. Don't want to freak out the Ashiya parents yet. :-P Also, this chapter is a lot longer than I meant it to be. Whatever. LOL
Chapter Four
Umeda shifted irritably as the sounds of pots rattling and voices talking pulled him out of a pleasant dream. He blinked a few times to clear his blurred vision. He found himself looking up at an unfamiliar ceiling. Sunlight streaked across the white paint from the slants in the window blinds. The pictures on the wall weren't his. The furniture was all wrong. For a few seconds, he was completely disoriented. Where the hell was he? None of this stuff was his. Then he remembered. He was in Shizuki's childhood home. He felt a little silly at his momentary freak out. He rolled his head to the side to see Shizuki curled up on his side facing away from him. He rolled to snuggle up against his lover's back. Even if he was some place different, he still had Shizuki with him. That made him happy. He nuzzled the blond's neck and smiled when Shizuki grumbled sleepily. A playful smirk stole across his face as he leaned forward to nip the blond's ear. He was rewarded when Shizuki jerked awake with a gasp.
"Ungh," he groaned, swatting tiredly at Umeda when the doctor nipped at his neck. "Must you wake me like that almost every morning?"
"Yes," Umeda pressed his hard on against Shizuki's ass. "Because then I get sex almost every morning. I love starting my day with an orgasm."
"Horny bastard," the blond muttered.
"Uh huh. So are you," Umeda palmed his lover's morning wood.
Shizuki moaned in frustration. He caught Umeda's wrist before the man could do anything else. "We can't. I promised my dad we wouldn't do anything in the house. You heard me. I know you were standing at the bottom of the stairs."
"I heard, but there's no way you can keep that promise."
Shizuki huffed out a laugh. "The door's open," he reminded the doctor.
"Only a little," Umeda squeezed Shizuki's dick.
The blond cursed, his fingers tightening on Umeda's wrist. "You're not gonna take no for an answer, are you?"
"Nope."
"Fine, but only a hand job this morning. And you better be quiet," Shizuki warned him with a smirk.
"Same to you," Umeda chuckled as Shizuki rolled over.
The doctor had his hand down the blond's pants before Shizuki had rolled all the way over. Umeda smiled as Shizuki growled and his cock twitched in the doctor's palm. Shizuki slipped his leg between Umeda's and fitted their hips together so their bodies were only a few inches apart. The blond reached down under the covers to pull Umeda's cock from his pajama pants. The doctor returned the favor for the blond. Their bare dicks slid together making them both gasp softly in appreciation. They wrapped their hands around both cocks and began to stroke slowly. Shizuki buried his face in Umeda's shoulder as their hands sped up the pace. The doctor kissed and nipped at the blond's shoulder, enjoying his lover's taste almost as much as the motion of their hands. Pretty soon both of their hips were trembling with impending orgasm. Fuck, it felt so good. So damn good. Precum leaked faster, smoothing their motions and making a wet slippery sound that was so wonderfully erotic. Shizuki came first with a barely contained moan of ecstasy. He bit down on Umeda's shoulder to muffle the sound as his body shook with release. Umeda came right then. He always did love a little pain with his pleasure. It made his nerves sizzle pleasantly with mixed signals. He groaned low in his throat as cum splattered over his fingers and chest. They both sagged against each other in sated relief as they last of their orgasms chased through their bodies.
"Mmmmm," Umeda hummed as his body tingled satisfyingly.
"Mmmmm," Shizuki hummed back in agreement.
"Shizuki?" Mizuki's voice startled them out of their post-orgasmic bliss. She knocked on the door tentatively.
"We're awake. Tell mom we'll be down for breakfast in a few minutes." Shizuki answered, slightly irked sounding. Probably because he was afraid his sister would open the door. He was pretty sure she had more sense than that though.
"Alright. We're having pancakes," Her footsteps faded away down the hall.
Umeda sat up and reached for the box of tissues. "At least she didn't interrupt us any earlier. I might have had to hurt her."
Shizuki chuckled as he took the tissues his lover offered to wipe himself off. "Yeah, you're hateful before you've had coffee or you're first orgasm of the day." He adjusted his pants before getting up. He pulled on his t-shirt from the day before and tossed one of his other shirts at Umeda. The doctor slipped it on after he sniffed it to make sure it was clean. Shizuki rolled his eyes in annoyance. They both trooped out of the room and down the steps the dining room. The girls were already up, dressed, and eating breakfast when they walked into the room. Mr. Ashiya's plate was already scraped clean. He had his face buried in the newspaper.
"Good morning," Shizuki greeted all of them. Umeda headed straight for the coffee pot sitting on the table. The need for caffeine over shadowed anything else.
"Good morning, son." Mr. Ashiya glanced up from his paper with a smile. He shifted his eyes over to the other man who was entirely focused on getting his first cup of coffee before anyone tried to talk to him.
"Good morning, Shizuki and Umeda. You both look refreshed," Mrs. Ashiya said cheerfully, eyeing their flushed cheeks and still relaxed attitudes.
Umeda coughed to cover his laugh as he cradled his mug of coffee to his chest. Shizuki tried not to blush guiltily. "Yeah, we slept well," the blond answered.
"Very well," Umeda muttered, avoiding Shizuki's attempt to stomp on his foot. "What time is it?" he asked, taking a gulp of coffee. He tipped his head back in delight at the taste of the wonderful coffee. French vanilla flavor…
"It's like 9:30," Rio shook her head. "Lazy ass."
"Jet lag," her brother snapped at her.
Rio snorted. "I'm sure."
The two scowled at each other. Mr. Ashiya eyed the two siblings with slight concern.
"Relax, Dad, they do this all the time at home too," Shizuki whispered to his father. Mr. Ashiya nodded and went back to reading the newspaper.
"So, Shizuki, do you have any plans while Hokuto is here?" Mrs. Ashiya asked, setting a plate of pancakes in front of each young man.
The blond looked up from his plate. "I was planning on showing him around Berkeley. I wanted to make a trip out to the hospital too. Other than that I was gonna take him to meet my friends. I figured I could start doing all that tomorrow. Today, I just wanted to relax and recover from jetlag."
"Sounds like a good idea," his mother smiled at him as she passed the syrup. "Maybe you guys can help out around the house if you get bored."
Shizuki sighed. He knew that was her way of saying 'you are helping' not maybe. "Sure, Mom. What needs doing?"
"Well, the lawn could use mowing and the garden needs weeding. Some of the dogs in the overnight kennels need walked," she began to name off a list of chores.
"Let the girls walk the dogs. We'll do the yard work." The blond replied evenly.
"Umeda doesn't like dogs?" Mr. Ashiya glanced up from his paper, frowning.
Umeda shrugged as he gulped down more coffee. "No. Not really. Not much of an animal person to be honest."
Mr. Ashiya blinked then gazed over at his son. His expression was pure bafflement of why he'd ever bring someone home that didn't even like animals. It was almost blasphemous. He knew there was something that didn't sit right about Umeda.
Shizuki sighed at his dad's expression.
"Oh, Gilbert is coming over to visit tonight!" Mizuki broke the tension. She was apparently developing a knack for doing that. "I didn't tell him you were coming back, Shizuki. I wanted to surprise him."
"I'm sure he'll appreciate that. It'll be good to see him though. His therapy should have all been done by now right?"
"Yeah, he's doing great." Mizuki grinned happily.
"Good." Shizuki replied with an answering smile. He finished his pancakes before carrying his plate into the kitchen. He kissed his mother on the cheek. "We'll start the chores as soon as Umeda's done eating."
"Alright, sweetheart. Can you sweep off the porch too?" She asked after giving him a return kiss.
Shizuki chuckled and shook his head. "Yeah, Mom."
///////////////
The rest of the morning and afternoon was spent on yard work and other various chores. Umeda hadn't exactly been thrilled about it, but it turned out not to be so bad. He swept the porch while Shizuki mowed the lawn. They spent a few hours out back in the garden, weeding, trimming and planting flowers. It ended up turning into a dirt fight when Umeda said something uncouth and Shizuki had answered by clobbering him with a big clot of dirt. It turned quickly into an all out war when Umeda dived for the garden hose. Shizuki tackled him a moment later. They struggled, rolled, cursed, and wrestled for control of the garden hose. It didn't really matter who got it in the end. By the time, they stopped and called a truce they were both drenched and muddy. Shizuki was laughing hysterically, because Umeda looked like a raccoon with a dirt mask across his face. Umeda retaliated by sticking the hose down the back of his pants. The war started all over again. Shizuki managed to pin his boyfriend down and wrest the hose from his grip. Umeda retaliated by grabbing the back of his head and pulling him down into a biting kiss.
The girls came back from walking the dogs to find two grown men kissing in the garden, looking like they'd been playing touch football in the rain instead of gardening. The two lovers were to busy laughing when they broke apart to notice their incredulous faces. There were clots of dirt and weeds all over the place. Half the yard had been drenched. It was amazing the garden had survived at all. Mrs. Ashiya came out onto the back porch to shake her head and laugh at them too.
"Clean up those weeds! Then come in and take a shower." She ordered with a smile. "Gilbert just called and said he was on his way over."
///////////////
Gilbert arrived 20 minutes later while the two men were still showering and changing. Mizuki raced to the front door to meet him.
"Hi Gil!" She smiled, giving him a brief hug. "Come in!"
"Hi, Mizuki. You look really excited today. What's up?" He chuckled after she let go of him.
"We have friends visiting. Come on I want you to meet one of them." She led him into the living room where Julia and Rio were sitting, drinking iced tea. "Would you like any tea?" She asked before she introduced Rio.
"Sure, thanks, Mizuki," Gilbert replied with a warm smile.
"Hi, Gilbert!" Julia waved at him.
He glanced away long enough to wave back. "Hey, Julia." He didn't really look at the other girl. He was more intent on Mizuki. She picked up a glass and pressed it into his hand. Gilbert swallowed at the feel of the girl's skin against his own. Logically, he knew that she was in love with someone else. Mentally and physically he still wanted her. He wondered if she had any idea at all at how devastating her presence was to him sometimes. He doubted it.
"Rio, this is Gilbert. He's one of my best friends," Mizuki grinned as she introduced the blond.
Gilbert looked away from Mizuki finally. He paused for a second as he really looked at the other girl for the first time. She had bright liquor brown eyes, long chestnut hair that shimmered in the sun, and a curvy little figure that had him swallowing hard. Damn, she was cute. He smiled, walked over, and extended his hand quickly, realizing he'd been staring to long. "Hi, Rio. It's good to meet you."
"Hello," she shook his hand with a shy smile. She felt her cheeks flush as he continued to stare. Normally his kind of reaction didn't bother her. She was used to being stared at like that. All the guys her age always did this and whispered about how cute she was. She'd been asked out so many times that she could have had her own harem by now. But this guy wasn't just another dumb school boy. No, this was an extremely hot American college guy. His emerald green eyes were hypnotizing in a way not even her older brother and Dad could have pulled off. His corn yellow hair seemed to glow in the sunlight. He was well built and trim with long legs. For the first time in her life she felt incredibly bashful in front of a guy.
"Rio went to my sister school over in Japan," Mizuki was telling Gilbert, oblivious of the stares being exchanged between her two friends that spoke of instant attraction.
"How'd you two meet?" Gilbert asked, forcing himself to focus on what Mizuki was saying. That was the first time he'd ever had to make himself pay attention to her.
"Her brother is the school doctor for Osaka High School. She let me borrow her clothes when I needed to dress like a girl." Mizuki chuckled a little with discomfiture.
"And her family was my host family when I was an exchange student in Japan. I went to St. Blossom high school with her for a month. We had a great time." Julia told him with a grin. She noticed the sparks flying between Gilbert and Rio. To her, it was amusing. Rio had never placed much concern in boys, because they annoyed her. Apparently, Gilbert was just different enough to interest her.
"So you're here to visit Mizuki and Julia?" Gilbert asked to clarify.
"Yes, and actually the only reason I'm getting to visit Mizuki over the summer is because her parents wanted to meet my brother and I begged him to take me with him," Rio put in, needing to say something so she wouldn't seem like a silly girl.
"Why do they want to meet your brother?" Gilbert asked in confusion before taking a sip of tea.
"Because he's Shizuki's boyfriend," Rio answered frankly.
Gilbert nearly spit out his tea. "What the hell did you just say?!"
Rio blinked at him in surprise and looked over at Mizuki for help. Mizuki laughed nervously, scratching the back of her head.
"Shizuki's dating a GUY!? Shizuki's here!" Gilbert looked between the all of them for answers.
"I didn't want to tell you Shizuki was back home. It was supposed to be a surprise," Mizuki shrugged and grinned sheepishly.
"Yeah, and he is dating Rio's brother, Hokuto Umeda. He's smokin' hot too." Julia confirmed what had been said.
"Ew, Julia," Rio made a face.
Julia smirked. "Like you didn't know he was."
"But…how?" Gilbert was still baffled.
Mizuki laughed at his befuddle expression. "Don't worry, Gilbert. My family's still getting used to the idea too."
"Unreal," the boy shook his head. "He used to get a rash and everything just being around a gay guy."
"Yeah, it was funny," Julia snickered.
Gilbert rolled his eyes at her. "You must have one amazing brother," the boy said to Rio.
"I guess. Mostly, he's just weird." Rio replied with a shrug.
"I gotta meet this guy. What the hell did he do to make Shizuki turn gay? I didn't think anyone could do that to him," the blond was amazed.
"Hokuto harassed him—relentlessly. Io and I helped," Rio answered honestly with an innocent smile.
"What?" Julia and Mizuki looked at her in shock.
Rio clasped her hands, maintaining her guiltless expression. "Shizuki didn't tell you about the Umeda Christmas party?"
"No!" Both girls cried. Gilbert just looked between all three of them, a little scared to get in the middle.
Rio opened her phone and flipped through her pictures until she found the one she was searching for. She turned her phone around so all three of them could see her picture. Their jaws dropped open in complete astonishment. Umeda and Shizuki were wrapped up in passionate kiss under a sprig of mistletoe.
"That was before they'd admit they liked each other. Io, my mom, and I all decided they needed a little help accepting the attraction between the two of them. So we tricked them into getting caught under the mistletoe. It was really sweet. They totally forgot we were even there for a minute," Rio explained with smug satisfaction.
"Holy crap," Gilbert gapped.
"Why didn't you send this to me? It's awesome!" Julia demanded. Mizuki smacked her arm.
"I didn't think they'd appreciate me sending that around before they were officially together," the other girl explained.
"Unbelievable. Girls are so conniving," Gilbert shook his head.
"I'll say. I was hoping that damn picture got deleted," Shizuki groaned from the living room doorway.
"Hi, Shizu." Gilbert looked up and smiled. He got up to walk over and shake the other blond's hand. "I heard you're a fully certified doctor now. Congratulations."
"Thanks. It's great to see you, Gil. I heard you're therapy is finished." Shizuki replied, returning the friendly handshake.
Gilbert nodded. "Yeah, finally. It's awesome to finally feel like I can really live without fear of that disease anymore. I really owe you a lot for helping me get into that hospital."
"No you don't. I'm just glad you're well. You deserve it. Besides, you're practically part of the family," Shizuki said warmly.
"Thanks."
"How have you're studies been going over at U.C. Berkeley?" Shizuki asked.
"Great. Passing all of my classes with flying colors so far. I've made some good friends over there too." Gilbert replied proudly.
"Just don't let them talk you into drinking the day before a test. It never turns out well." He laughed as he sat down in a chair across from the couch.
Gilbert sat down in the other chair, not realizing how close he'd sat to Rio until he was already there. He glanced over to see her watching him. He smiled a little self consciously. She smiled back automatically and looked away quickly. He made himself return to the conversation that was flowing pleasantly between everyone now. Shizuki got up when another man came walking down the steps. Gilbert watched out of the corner of his eye, not wanting to appear nosy. The first thing he noticed was the guy had the same color hair as Rio. The eyes were lighter shade as well—more honey colored then liquor. They were bright and deep, a little entrancing. The guy was really good looking like Julia had said.
"That's your brother?" Gilbert asked Rio in surprise.
"Yeah." She sighed like any younger sibling that found their brother slightly exasperating.
Gilbert watched the two guys smile softly at each other in a way he'd seen many couples do who were obviously completely wrapped up in each other. A moment later, the two exchanged a brief, heated kiss. "He's got some intense eyes." He remarked almost to himself.
"Don't worry. He doesn't eat people's souls. He just likes to make people nervous. He's really a big puss." Rio said casually.
Gilbert looked over at her in surprise. "You sure are blunt."
"Oh…sorry." She looked abashed.
"No, it's kinda refreshing," he grinned.
"Um, thanks. I guess."
"No problem."
Shizuki led Umeda over. "Umeda, this is Gilbert. A very close friend of the family."
"Nice to meet you, Umeda," Gilbert stuck out his hand.
Umeda shook it politely as he glanced at his sister then back at the blond haired boy. "Same."
"So, I gotta say I'm impressed you managed to rope in Shizuki. He could be a real tight ass…," Gilbert trailed off, realizing what he'd just said to late.
"Gilbert!" Mizuki gasped, her face turning red.
Rio and Julia started to giggle hysterically. Gilbert glared over at them in humiliation.
Umeda laughed much to the boy's surprise. "I would know best of all." The doctor's eyes glinted mischievously. Gilbert's face turned completely red too at the comment.
"Ew, brother!" Rio gasped.
Shizuki elbowed his boyfriend in the side. "You are such a pervert."
Julia got up to sit in the chair that Shizuki had vacated so the two men could sit together on the couch. Gilbert was grateful the conversation after that returned back to safe, normal talk. He and Shizuki talked about U.C. Berkeley, telling the Umedas all about the school and its beautiful campus. Both Umedas seemed incredibly interested to go see it. Before Gilbert realized it he'd offered to show Rio around. Shizuki had suggested they all go as a group. They could explore the U.C. Botanical gardens together. Shizuki wanted to take Umeda up to see the sunset over the San Francisco bay up on the Berkeley Hills near the hall of science. Full blown plans were soon being made much to Gilbert's surprise.
"I can't do it tomorrow," Gilbert said. "I have classes. I can do it Saturday."
"That's perfect. I had plans for tomorrow anyways," Shizuki replied, pleased that they'd worked out a day they could all go.
"What plans?" Umeda asked curiously.
Shizuki grinned. "You'll see."
"Well, I gotta go. I promised my buddy, Mack, that'd I come over. It was great to meet you, Rio and Umeda," Gilbert stood up to shake both of their hands again.
"Thanks for stopping by, Gilbert," Mizuki smiled happily.
"We'll see you Saturday," Shizuki waved as Mizuki walked the other blond to the door.
"Alright. See you guys there." Gilbert waved before stepping out. He was really looking forward to Saturday now. He was very interested in getting to know more about Rio. It was so weird how she'd somehow taken his attention of Mizuki. He didn't think any girl would ever be able to do that. She was so cute though. He liked how she wasn't afraid to speak up too. He liked girls who could hold their own. He was looking forward to spending time with here. Saturday couldn't come soon enough.
//////////////
Dinner passed by without incident. There was joking about the disaster the two guys had created out of the lawn instead of fixing it. They'd taken it good naturedly. There was more talk of tentative plans about other places Shizuki wanted to visit. The girls would be going out to the mall tomorrow to start their buying extravaganza they had promised Rio. That dominated the conversation for a while. All the men grimaced at having to listen to their excited chatter about shoes, clothes, and whatever else they wanted to look at. Mr. Ashiya talked to Umeda a little more about his job, which went over rather well. Maybe the doctor didn't like pets, but he seemed to care about the teenagers he watched over.
After dinner, Umeda slipped out to the back porch for a much needed cigarette. The girls all helped clear the table before disappearing upstairs. Shizuki stayed in the kitchen to help dry dishes as his mother washed them. For a few moments, there was a calm silence. It was comfortable.
"Sweetheart, is there something that you're not telling us?" his mom asked gently out of the blue.
Shizuki froze like he'd caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "Uh…no." What exactly was she referring to? There were to many things wasn't telling his parents. He wondered which one she was trying to get him to own up to. He kept his mouth shut waiting for her to go on. He didn't want to say anything to incriminate himself further.
"Uh huh." His mom said skeptically. "Your father has been worried about where you've been staying over in Japan since you went back. Every time your dad asks about where you're living you get vague." His mom pointed out with a knowing smile. "You can tell me, darling."
"It's just…I didn't want to tell dad this. He's been having a hard time with it all as it is. He puts up a good front but I know it's still bugging him." Shizuki paused before confessing. "I've been living with Umeda since I went back to Japan."
"Ah, I see. And you figured you're dad would take it badly so soon after everything."
"Exactly."
"I understand, Shizu. But you can't keep lying to your father. I'm not gonna tell him and make it easier for you. You're an adult now in a mature relationship. You're father deserves to know the truth about you." She said seriously.
Shizuki nodded and sighed. "How do I tell him though? I keep waiting for the right moment."
"Darling, there's never a right moment for this sort of thing. You have to just say it. I think your dad will be a lot more accepting than you think. Especially after meeting the boyfriend in question."
"Mom, can I ask you how dad's really been about this?" Shizuki asked worriedly.
She smiled sadly. "Well, for the most part he's ok. Every now and then he'll say he hopes it's just a phase. He knows it's not, but still. The shock's worn off and I think he's starting to get it. He's concerned about you though."
"Thanks, Mom. I promise I'll tell him." Shizuki hugged her.
"Ok. Why don't you go talk to you boyfriend. He looks lonely." She nodded her head towards the window.
Shizuki looked over her shoulder to see Umeda sitting out on the back porch railing staring out at the sunset. He glanced down at his mother with a smile. "I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, Shizu." She squeezed him for a moment before letting go.
He stepped away and walked out the backdoor onto the porch. He stood in the doorway for a minute just looking at Umeda. The doctor had a cigarette dangling between his fingers. He had one foot propped up on the railing in front of him and the other leg hanging down. His left arm was propped up on his knee comfortably. Shizuki thought the doctor looked pensive as he stared out at the woods with the sun disappearing behind them. The door creaked shut behind Shizuki as he began to walk across the porch. Umeda swung his head around and smiled when he saw the blond.
"Hey," Shizuki greeted with a smile.
"Hey."
Shizuki leaned against the rail next to Umeda's leg. He reached out to rub his hand down the doctor's thigh. He glanced at the cigarette in Umeda's fingers with slight longing. He wasn't a heavy smoker, but seeing someone else smoking always made him want one. He glanced back up into Umeda's face to see his lover watching him with a contented look. "What?"
"Just not used to you touching me so easily in public." Umeda replied, taking another drag from his cigarette. "You've been doing it more openly since you got here."
Shizuki blushed slightly. "Well, the Japanese are so uptight about PDA. It's nice to be somewhere that it doesn't really matter so much."
"True," Umeda agreed. He reached out to twine his fingers through Shizuki's. "I like it here. It's pretty and peaceful."
"Do you like my family?" Shizuki asked anxiously.
"Yes," the doctor answered honestly. "You're all very close."
"I think they like you. I mean I know Mizuki does. She's a given. But my parents…I think they are warming to you."
"I hope so. I'm not letting you go."
Shizuki smiled crookedly. "Oh no?"
"No. I love you," Umeda pulled Shizuki down into a steamy kiss. He sighed when the blond's hand slipped under his shirt and palmed his hip.
"I love you," Shizuki whispered against his lover's lips. "I won't go anywhere."
"Good." Umeda pulled him in for another kiss.
///////////////
"I was worried about Shizuki," Eiko admitted as she finished washing the dishes. Her husband had come into the kitchen after checking on all his animal patients one last time for the night.
Takumi nodded. "Me too. I was afraid he was losing his mind. Or that he was over stressed. Or that Umeda tricked him."
"Well, I always knew he wasn't really happy with all those girls he dated. There was something missing in him when he was with them."
"How'd you know that?" Takumi looked over at her in surprise after putting the plates into the cupboard.
"I could sense it."
"What was missing?"
"Passion." She smiled.
He frowned lightly when he realized she was right. "So how do you feel about Umeda now?"
She looked out of the window with a warm smile to watch the two young men kissing for a moment. "I think he really loves, Shizuki."
"I was worried he might not be serious." He confessed quietly.
"Oh, I don't think you have to be concerned about that. It sounds like he went through a lot to win Shizuki's heart. It would be our son's seriousness I'd be worried about if I didn't know better."
"What do you mean?"
She gestured out the window. Mr. Ashiya walked over to look out and paused when he saw them. He watched for only a moment before turning away quickly. "He never looked like that with Alisha."
"No, he didn't. I think he's finally found his true love." Mrs. Ashiya's expression softened.
"No grandchildren from him," Mr. Ashiya joked sadly.
"We still have Mizuki for that," she laughed. "I'm happy for him. He's finally being true to himself. That's what's important, dear."
Takumi kissed her gently. "You're right. As always." He squeezed her waist as he glanced out the window to watch his son lean his forehead against Umeda's. He still wasn't quite comfortable with the amber eyed man yet. He felt he could get to like him though. He was making progress. Maybe before they left to go back to Japan, he'd be able to come to terms with all of it. One day at a time, he knew his wife would say if he voiced his thoughts.
"Didn't I say today would be a great day?" His wife smiled up at him.
"You did," he replied kissing her again.
Be a responsible reader and review!
It's official. Hana Kimi has eaten my brain. Now I'm making up more couples without meaning to. I couldn't help it. Rio and Gilbert would be so cute together. Now the story has more stuff to play with. Yeah, this thing is definitely taking on a life of its own. Thank you to everyone who reviewed and told me I did alright with the Ashiya parents. I'm glad you all feel like I'm doing a good job with them. I've never had to deal with this many characters in a story. And I'm only adding more next chapter. OMFG, my brain. Like I said, it's been eaten. And the AxU fic I have planned keeps gnawing at my brain too. As well as another kooky couple I put together. Omg, what to do. Anyways, thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed. I'll see yah next chapter.