"Everything good?" Iruka asked, looking hopeful. "Yes. Everything's good. They are now your parents Aslan. You can choose whether you want their last name or not. The decision is up to you. Just let me know" Kakashi said and Aslan's eyes teared up as he walked around the couch towards Genma and Raidou. "Thank you!" he said as tears rolled down his face as he began to cry. Genma let go of Raidou's hand and got up from the couch. He stood in front of the teen. He pulled the boy into a hug, running his fingers through his hair. "We are glad to have you. I hope those are happy tears" Genma said, sniffling as he pulled back to wipe away Aslan's tears. Aslan nodded smiling.
"How about Raidou shows you where your room will be?" Genma asked. "Can we?" Aslan asked and Genma looked at Raidou. "Yeah kid. Let's go look at your new room" Raidou said getting up. "Are you coming?" Aslan asked, looking at Genma. "Y'all can go on ahead. I have something to talk to Iruka and Kakashi about" Genma replied and Aslan nodded leaving with Raidou.
"Are you alright Gen? I know some old wounds were opened up when I was talking about Aslan's past" Kakashi asked and Genma nodded. "I'm alright. I don't really have nightmares like I did back then. What worries me is if Aslan does. Do you know?" Genma said and both Iruka and Kakashi shook their heads. "I don't. If he has any, he doesn't tell me. He keeps a lot of things to himself and doesn't like to talk about his feelings. It's like pulling teeth, getting him to talk" Kakashi replied and Iruka giggled, kissing his cheek.
"Sounds like someone I know" Genma said chuckling his tone teasing knowing Kakashi was glaring at him. "Iruka said the same thing! You would think after spending so much time with him, that he would pick up a better habit from me" Kakashi said rolling his eyes. "Do you think he's going to change his name?" Iruka asked and Kakashi shrugged. "I don't know. He may, seeing how happy he is to be adopted. Also he has a couple things at the office but I'll bring them by tomorrow" Kakashi said and Genma nodded. All three of them turned when they heard voices and footsteps from down the hallway. A minute later, Aslan and Raidou walked back into the living room.
"How was the room?" Iruka asked. "I love it. I can't wait to decorate!" Aslan beamed before he frowned. "What's up?" Raidou asked. "I can decorate right?" Aslan asked, hesitant and Raidou smiled ruffling his hair. "Of course you can. You live here now" Genma replied as Aslan smiled bright. "Aslan. Me and Iruka have to go. I'm really happy for you" Kakashi said and Aslan nodded giving them hugs and Genma noticed that his eyes were filled with tears as they left. "You okay kid?" Raidou asked and Aslan nodded. "Mn. I'm good. I'm just happy. They both have been there for me and have done so much. I'm just gonna miss them" he said and Genma smiled. "We'll see them quite often," Raidou said and Aslan looked confused. "All four of us are childhood friends so we hang out a lot," Genma explained. "Really? That's awesome" Aslan replied smiling bright.
"Yep! So how about we start unpacking some of your things?" Raidou suggested looking at Aslan and Genma and both nodded in reply. "Let's do it" Aslan replied and all three of them went down the hall to unpack boxes.
Early next morning
Genma woke up the next morning to do his daily morning meditation as he always does before making breakfast. He walked past Aslan's room noticing the door was open and that he wasn't in there. 'Where is Aslan?' Genma thought as he continued heading towards the living room, but then decided that the boy probably went to the bathroom. What he didn't expect was to see Aslan on the sofa with a blanket and the television on.
"Aslan?" Genma called and the boy turned around startled. Genma noticed how Aslan's eyes were puffy like he'd been crying, his hair was down and his bangs were loose and fell in his eyes a bit. He looked exhausted like he hadn't slept. "You're up early. It's 5:30 in the morning" Genma said and Aslan nodded. "Mn. I couldn't sleep" Aslan replied, scooting over on the couch to leave room for Genma to join. "It can be that way being in a place that's unfamiliar" Genma said sitting in the offered spot and Aslan shrugged. "Yeah that's true I guess. But that's not why I couldn't sleep. I had a nightmare about past things" Aslan said. Genma nodded but didn't say anything waiting for the boy to continue. "I dreamed about my stepfather. I was terrified being back in that hellhole. He was in my face yelling about how I was the son of a whore and that I would never become anything. That's not true. I can be something right!" Aslan bursted out as he looked over at Genma, eyes full of tears. Genma took a breath to calm himself as he pulled Aslan into a hug. "You can be anything you want to be Aslan" Genma said pecking the boy's forehead as he traced small circles in the boy's back. "Thanks dad" Aslan replied though it was mumbled and Genma felt his heart grow warm. After a few minutes, Aslan pulled away, blushing and Genma chuckled, ruffling the boy's hair. "I can call you dad right?" Aslan asked nervous, picking at a thread on his sweatshirt.
"Of course you can. Whatever makes you comfortable. We are your parents now and we'll always be here for you. If you need anything just ask" Genma replied as Aslan yawned nodding. "And we also give solid advice. You need sleep. But, if you don't want to go to your room, then you can sleep here while I do my morning meditation and make breakfast. Sounds good?" Genma said and Aslan nodded giving a small smile. By the time Genma finished his morning meditation, Aslan was asleep, lightly snoring and Genma got up quietly heading to the kitchen to start breakfast for the three of them and coffee for Raidou.