With a reassuring glance, Anna nudged the black-haired girl forward towards the small desk where her papa was immersed in one of his books. On closer inspection, Yuki realised her papa sported dark bags under his eyes, and looked as if he couldn't stay awake much longer.
She stalked forward, eying the books surrounding the brunet. They were all hardcover, not stacked in neat piles as usual, but scattered around the surrounding areas, and a light windbreaker was draped over the back of the wooden chair. Yuki winced as she put two and two together, touched that even her heartless, demon of a papa cared enough to stay out looking for her when she disappeared.
Hiroki caught her eye, sighing in relief as he stood and wrapped his lanky arms around his adoptive daughter. He could feel tears threatening to fall from his brown eyes, but he blinked them back, holding the stubborn girl close to his chest like he had done with Miki. Parenting was not his strong suit, nor would it ever be, but he had learned to pick up certain techniques from Nowaki, and only used them when he deemed necessary. He was generally very capable of caring for the girls when Nowaki was away on extended absence at the hospital, and while putting aside his pride to build the confidence of the girls might be one of his hardest challenges, he would do it, even if it was nothing more than a mere grumble of praise.
But now, this girl before him trembled, and he blatantly wished for his lover's appearance. Nowaki would know how to deal with this, Hiroki thought absently, and had the black-haired giant been there, what would be his reaction? Would he hug the girl until she suffocated, or would he spew nonsensical remarks about her behaviour? Would he reprimand her for causing worry, or would he be too focused on comforting her to actually begin to think of it?
But that did not matter to either of them as the stay still basking in the silence. The warmth and comfort they provided the other with was more than enough to cause them to forget. Without words, they both conveyed various doubts and anxieties that the other would fend off, veiling each other in collective security.
Anna smiled at the two, excusing herself and exiting down the hall silently to assist her father with his busy work.
Daichi groaned, burying his head into the blond's chest, slowly awaking to the sounds and smells of cooking. The sun was already above the edge of the horizon, the birds from the trees screeching out terrible harmonies that could even rouse his tired, almost bedridden author/father from his toy-filled room.
As he sat, Daichi tried to peel himself away from the blond as best he could without disturbing him. Katsuo looked so peaceful in his sleep, and the silverette smiled, brushing back some of the boy's unruly blond hair before covering his lanky body in a blanket. He kissed Katsuo's cheek lightly, before going to help his papa with breakfast.
Daichi wasn't the best cook around (that would be Misaki, by far), but he was decent enough to prepare basic dishes, and helped the brunet when he could. Today, it seemed, that the cooking had already been finished, and his papa was beginning to prepare the table for the four of them, even when he knew that the brunet didn't exactly like Katsuo. It seemed to Daichi that his papa was finally respecting his wishes on the dating matter, and he was accepting their relationship more and more as time passed.
The two men exchanged silent nods, going their separate ways to get their lovers once they had finished setting up the table.
The blond was still sleeping peacefully when Daichi reentered the room, moving to sit on the bed. He stroked Katsuo's hair lightly, smiling at the silky feel, and leaned down to kiss his cheek lightly, rubbing his thumb over the spot as he blinked awake.
"Hey." He whispered, meeting the blond's questioning gaze.
"Wha-wha time is itt?.." Katsuo groaned, stuffing his face beneath a pillow. Daichi chuckled softly at the act, lifting up the pillow to join the blond, kissing him lightly on the lips.
"It's time for breakfast!" He gasped as Katsuo's arms wound themselves around his waist, pulling him closer than before, the blond leaning in to suckle the skin of his neck.
"I know what I want to eat-"
"No, you can't have me! You have to eat real food!" Daichi frowned, gasping softly as the lips ghosted warm air over the wet spot on his neck. "If you don't you'll get sick and die!"
Katsuo grumbled, pulling back slightly. "Who told you that?"
"A friend of mine."
Amusement sparked in the boy's blue eyes, laughing at the silverette's bad excuses. "Does this friend have a name?"
"Mr. Doctor."
"Really now? Fine then, let's eat." Katsuo stood from the bed, popping his back and cracking his neck to loosen them for the coming day.
"Mr. Doctor said that cracking things leads to joint problems.." Katsuo rolled his eyes, helping the other boy off the bed.
"Well, tell Mr. Doctor to mind his own business. What I do is of none of his concern-" There was a loud crashing noise, followed by a multitude of angry curses, and the two of them sighed in unison.
Katsuo gripped the silverette's hand, giving it a slight squeeze and a grin as the two exited the room and headed toward the breakfast table, where Daichi's parents already sat.
The meal was relatively quiet, as Misaki was glaring warily at the two boys, and Akihiko could feel them playing footsie beneath the table.
"So, what does your father do?" That velvety voice cut through the silence as Akihiko directed his gaze toward the blond, who immediately ceased any foot contact with the silverette across the table (much to Daichi's distaste) to answer the question.
Katsuo was originally caught off guard, struggling to swallow his food before answering the man's question. "My father works at a law firm." He stated simply, looking anxiously at the older silverette.
"What is it you want from life?" Akihiko asked, never breaking eye contact with the blond as he cocked an eyebrow, rubbing his chin in thought.
Katsuo was taken aback once again, thinking about the question for a minute before turning back to the man. "I want to make my mark on this world." He said firmly, glaring into violet orbs. "I don't want to die some nameless fool. I want people to remember me."
Akihiko's laugh caught Katsuo off guard, and he growled at the man. "What's so funny?!"
"Nothing, but I have one final question." Figures, Katsuo thought, sighing tiredly. Too many questions too early in the morning... He's probably just testing my faithfulness to Daichi or some shit.
"Do you like Marimo?" Katsuo blinked in confusion at the strange question. Moss balls? Daichi and Misaki rolled their eyes slightly, using the time to clear the empty plates from the table.
Dishes began to clank in the kitchen as Katsuo stared that the older man, and as he slowly began to realise that he was serious, he frowned.
"Uh, I'm not exactly a huge fan of Marimo.." He finally said, still looking confused as Akihiko hummed, cocking an eyebrow.
"Well, I'll tell you this now." Akihiko leaned closer to the blond, out of earshot of the other men. "Daichi loves them, and is extremely cute when he coos over Marimo." He whispered. "Just a piece of advice, learn to like them."
"What are you two talking about." The younger silverette smiled, taking a seat across the table from Katsuo while the blond blushed, imagining a cooing Daichi in a french maid's uniform as he cared for moss balls.
"Nothing." Akihiko smirked. It took no effort to get these youngsters riled up, did it? Just mention something cute and- BAM- instant boner.
Daichi shrugged, tickling the back of the blond's heel with his toes. "So, Katsuo~" He started, smirking slightly when the boy shivered. "I was thinking... we could go to the pool!"
The blond merely stared, shaking his head slightly. "I, uh, don't have a swimsuit.."
Daichi laughed. "Don't be silly! You can just borrow one of my papa's" Bingo, Daichi smirked, running his toes over the other's foot. Katsuo is cornered, he has to come with me now, Daichi thought, quickly imagining a soaked and sexy blond.
Katsuo sighed, giving into his fate.
"CANONBALLLLLLLL!" Daichi yelled at the top of his lungs, jumping into the water and producing a large splash that Katsuo narrowly dodged. The blond looked at the water warily, then watched as the silverette reemerged from the pool. He cocked his head slightly, and Katsuo almost smiled at how innocent the boy looked. "Aren't you going to get in?"
Katsuo suddenly frowned, readjusting the borrowed bathing suit before sitting at the edge of the pool and dipping his legs into the water. "I don't really want to.." To be honest, the blond couldn't swim, nor could he stand water for anything other than showers and hydration. His mother had tried to set him up with swimming lessons, but even the lifeguard, who threatened him with humiliation and rat tails, couldn't force him to get in the water, nevertheless, swim.
"Aw, come on Katsuo! It's fun!" Daichi grinned, grabbing at the blond's arm, pulling him down into the pool, barely noticing the other's frantic nature until Katsuo cried out.
"No! NO! DAICHI, I CAN'T SWIM! GAH, I'M GONNA DROWN!" He wailed, clinging to the wall as he tried to gain a foothold somewhere, but, seeing as they were in the deepest part of the pool, the blond had no choice but to scrabble against the pool edge. At his outburst, the silverette let go, floating in the water as he watched the older boy climb up onto the side of the pool once again, looking rather embarrassed at his outburst.
Daichi smiled softly, swimming up close to hang onto the wall. "Don't worry, I'll teach you how!" He pulled himself out to stand next to the blond, taking his hand and gently guiding him to the shallow end of the pool. "It's quite easy." He said, and promptly pushed the blond in, laughing as Katsuo reemerged, glaring daggers at the silverette.
With an angry grip, Katsuo reached up and pulled him in as well, watching in smug victory as the silverette performed a very inelegant belly flop, only to come up spluttering and looking at the blond.
"What was that for?" Daichi pouted, standing up in the water and looking at the other boy angrily as he rubbed his stomach slightly. "That hurt.."
Katsuo sighed, trying to look away from those mesmerizing emeralds but was unable to do so. Instead, he engulfed the other boy in a hug, smirking as he pulled back. "Now, about that swim lesson?"
"Ah, right!" Daichi exclaimed, smiling as he maneuvered carefully in the water. "First, come this way," he said, motioning Katsuo into deeper water, up to his mid-section. Katsuo followed, then was pushed onto his back by the silverette. "Second," he started again, holding the other boy's body above the water slightly, helping him to keep his head above the waterline.. "Float."
"How the hell do I just float?! You make it sound so easy!" Katsuo screeched, trying to remain calm as his floating went unnoticed by him, helped by the silverette's nimble hands. Daichi smiled at the boy's obliviousness, and leaned down to peck him lightly on the lips.
When he pulled back, he looked down, slowly stepping away as he left the blond floating by himself. "You're doing it right now."
"O-Oh.." Katsuo whispered, eyes widening at the revelation.. He was floating.. in water... He let out a high-pitched shriek, instantly paddling toward the silverette, latching himself onto the boy like a leech. "Please just carry me."
"Uh, Katsuo?" Daichi called, reaching up to stroke the other's blond hair softly. "As much as I appreciate your dependence on me, you can stand here..."
A/N: Okay! Before you all throw tomatoes at me... I HAVE AN EXCUSE! IT'S A SHITTY EXCUSE, BUT IT'S STILL AN EXCUSE! Okay, so, for the first week after I updated, I had writer's block, which fucking sucks, so I played a bunch of downloadable games that scared the shit out of me, but gave me the idea for the pool section, so I started writing that. BUT THEN, TO MY HORROR, our internet wires got fried, so we had to get new ones. Then right after we got new ones, we left for DC on vacation, and our hotel didn't have free internet, so I wrote the rest of the chapter on my 3G phone. And, of course, before I could finish, I get close to going over my data plan, and I don't want to pay my mom $20, so I write the rest in my head and- ugh, this has not been my week... On the other hand, I UPDATED! (Totally rushed though...)
pinky5907: Yes, Coffee is a beautiful thing~ keeps me up when I need it~! And don't worry about reviewing, and you certainly don't go out of your way to do so. Ugh, good luck with your cousins!
invisiblemage: INVISIBLEMAGE, YOU ARE AMAZING. NEVER DOUBT YOUR WRITING TALENTS BECAUSE YOU ARE AWESOME! Like seriously, that was the best lemon I think I've ever read.. ever! Seriously, why were you so embarrassed?! and yes, sugar is beautiful. It's almost literally what I live for...
sam: A-Are you implying that you are a straight yaoi fanboy?! (I mean, unless your name is Samantha or something... In that case, it's totally cool girl) But if you are what I think you are... LET ME LOVE YOU!