Since the website seems to be up I wnated to put in here real quick a little note! Just in the case that the website goes down again, please consider finding me on AO3 or on Wattpad! I go by the same name on each platform! Just so, if you like my fics, you can access them! Or even download them on AO3! But I just wanted to put that in here! Until we meet again ❤️
Shouta: hizashi, i have the biggest favor to ask of you
Hizashi: Shouta! What's up? 😄
Shouta: would it b 2 much if i brought a thermos over & u culd show me how to mke tht vanilla milk?
Shouta: i tried 2 make it last night for eri but i ended up scalding & burning the milk
Hizashi: Okay, that's pretty hilarious! 😂 But I completely get it, cooking isn't for everyone and it's safe to know you aren't very good at it 😜
Shouta: oi! i can make a mean lunch & dinner whn i want 2 😤
Shouta: how bout i show u by makin lunch as repayment?
Hizashi: Oh, I'm just teasing, Sho! Of course, I believe you can cook but it seems like the vanilla milk really seems to be putting you out, huh?
Hizashi: I don't mind making vanilla milk for Eri one bit! I still gotta make that vanilla milk with the bourbon for you at some point! That is if you still want to try it?
Shouta: i wuld absolutely love 2 try it sometime
Shouta: but am i being 2 assertive in askin? i mean do u have the time 4 me 2 come over?
Shouta: i don't want to intrude 😟
Hizashi: You're not intruding at all! If anything, I just got home from a shopping haul and was going to decorate outside of the house! I did the store the other week! The boys are flipping out with Halloween being two weeks away haha!
Hizashi: If you REALLY feel you gotta pay me back, why don't I help out with lunch and I put you to work decorating outside? Sound fair?
Shouta: r u sure u want 2 help me deal w a fussy baby while i decorate if u just went shopping?
Hizashi: Shouta, if I don't see that car parked outside and a baby in my arms in about twenty minutes, I will kick your ass to the moon and back. Get over here already! I'm more than happy to have you guys over for the afternoon! I'm thinking we could have sandwiches for lunch? Something easy we can throw together!
Shouta: r the boys goin 2 help me decorate?
Hizashi: Oh no! They're at my parents for the afternoon! They came and picked them up, so they won't be back 'til dinner time! So, it'll be just me, you, and Eri today! My parents are probably spoiling them with candy and cookies as we speak 😂
Shouta: tht does seem like the cliche grandparent move lmao 😂
Shouta: but if ur rlly ok w us coming over i'll get the diaper bag rdy & head over
Shouta: i'll probably be there around one, ok?
Hizashi: Okay! See you soon! 😀
Hizashi wished he could say he didn't feel that flutter of excitement in his stomach. That when he stuffed his phone in his pockets he didn't bounce on his toes. His heart didn't skip at the thought of seeing Shouta. It'd be a horrible, dirty lie to himself as he stood at the dining room table with the bags from his shopping venture laid out before him. Another haul of Halloween decorations, candy that he bought preemptively for the night in question to hide in his closet away from the boys. He'd spent the weekend redecorating his shop.
Oh, it had been an absolute weekend filled with painting the walls of his office, his front room, and his breakroom. The soft golden orange of his front room contrasting with the deep teak wood paneling and the deep bookcases had been lovely. He'd gone through the hassle of splurging on decorations that he hung up around his store much to his delight. It was these small renovation ideas that had a new crowd of customers in his shop. It had him giddy at the sight and all too delighted at the sudden boom in business.
He'd talked to Oboro about placing tables by the windows and bar stools for people to sit, read, and drink their coffee if they so desire after buying their books. Oboro had seemed more than receptive to the idea with the promise that next weekend they'd get them installed. He's been excited with the change as he played around with the hours of his store to which he came to the decision to open on the weekends. Even if he had to take a shift, he was more than eager to expand his hours. To expand his store however he could.
He was thinking of clearing out the corner of his store for comfortable recliners and small tables for customers to sit back there as well if they didn't want the window seat. It was all about making his space approachable, comfortable, and convenient. He wished he'd bought a bigger store but he could make adjustments. He was busier than he liked to admit with the changes to his store, but he was happy that Taishiro was being helpful with it all as well. The bigger blonde promised to keep an eye on his younger employees when he wasn't around.
However, he knew how most older women could be. And so, he had cards with his number that could be given out if there was a problem or anything of the sort. He taught them how to count the till at the end of the day with Taishiro helping with putting the money in the small vault he kept in hsi office. It was amazing the free time he had now to put time and dedication into changing up his store for the fall season. For planning out his winter appearance for the store that had him all too excited for it.
He'd put his blood, sweat and tears into this store for two years going on there and he planned on keeping it running for longer. He was doing what other twenty-six year old's with business majors would hope for. He didn't think of himself as the ideal, but he was thrumming with the delight that came with knowing he was hitting a lot of customers. And the idea of how many more he could get? How many more he could get for Nemuri and Oboro? It was absolutely leaving the three of them tickled pink at the idea.
It was the best thing about having his best friends next door; it made it convenient. They often worked together on how to help one another get more customers but this change? He was hoping it would be the upwards swing that they needed this season. He wasn't doing horribly in the past two years. If anything, he was making more than enough by the few customers he got. But they were experiencing a high wave that he wanted to ride as long as he could. That he wanted to make the most out of.
And if that meant adjusting and tweaking his store both in appearance along with his times then he'd do it. With Taishiro's help, they'd gotten the painting and decorations up in no time. Hell, he'd gone so far to decorate his own office with soft pastel yellows, plants, and his own books with his desk decorated with his name plaque. Four pictures of his boys along the edges and small items to place on the edges of his desk. However, now that the shop was set up for the Halloween season, he was eager to get started on his own home.
He had promised Hitoshi and Izuku when they got home that the house would be all decorated for them. That they would carve pumpkins eventually and he'd gone through the hassle of driving out today to the closest pumpkin farm to look at prices for carving. He planned on bringing the boys back with him to choose their pumpkins. He also planned on cooking the seeds to give the boys something to try. He hummed as he grabbed the bag with the candy then spun on his feet with a pep to his step as his stomach dropped airily with excitement.
It may only be two weeks into October, but he was absolutely thrumming with excitement. Halloween, as a child, had always been his favorite holiday. If anything, he was glad to share in the excitement with his boys who were already talking about Halloween costumes they wanted to wear this year. It was adorable. He made his way through the kitchen with muted thuds of his boots on the floor ringing out as he made his way through the kitchen to his small hallway. All but flying down it quickly as he could.
His hair, which he'd worked into a braid today, swayed with light thuds against his back. He made his way into his bedroom where Twix, Sterling and Cappella were sprawled out over his bed sleeping. He smiled at the sight of his cats when he opened his closet doors and tossed the bags of candy up on the top shelf. It was better to have the candy and be ready to go on Halloween than scramble to buy more near the holiday. He definitely planned on buying a bag of candy for himself to snack on after taking the boys trick or treating.
He wished he could hand out candy, but he had promised to take the boys out to which Nemuri and Oboro offered to hand out candy. He shut the closet doors with a thud when he glanced over at the sleeping cats with a smile before making his way towards his bedroom doors again. Sighing out as his braid swayed against his back. The thuds of his boots on the floor were deafening in the quiet of his home as he made his way back through the kitchen into the dining room. He grabbed the bags of decorations off of the table with a rustle.
And he turned on his feet to make his way back into the kitchen to place them down on the floor with a quiet hum. His mothers, the saints they were, had asked to take the boys from him for the afternoon. He'd been more than delighted to let the boys go spend time with their grandmothers. He loved the fact that his boys had been so eager to run off with his mothers than they were the first time they went over two weeks ago. His mothers had spent moments questioning him before they'd left as they usually did.
Small check-ins on how he was feeling and his problems that he'd talked with them about during his previous visit. He'd done his best to wave off their concerns and promised the boys when they came back that the house would look accurately "spooky" much to their delight. He needed to get outside and begin raking soon with the leaves changing from their brilliant greens to pale green. Yellow-greens, deep burnt oranges, golds, deep reds, and those light oranges. All falling from the branches of trees.
He'd been meaning to take a look at the backyard and the front yard to being raking. He knew it would be better to do it while Hitoshi and Izuku were at his mothers. When they were at school. But he didn't want to deprive Hitoshi and Izuku their fun of jumping into the piles of leaves no matter how small they may be. Leaves can always be raked up again. He loved their delight when they were tossing the leaves at one another or up in the air as they fell back down. When they were squirming and giggling through the leaves.
Bouncing on their toys with sparkles of excitement in their eyes when he plucked leaves out of their hair only to have small hands raising up. Crumbling leaves into his hair that they rubbed into it that he would have to wash and comb out. Shoving them down his shirt before yanking him into the pile with them. To play with them which he always adored when it came to fall. He wanted to wait and certainly it wouldn't hurt if the leaves were there for a bit, would it? He hummed as he left the bags on the floor before turning to his cabinets.
He reached up for his box of tea that he set down on the counter with a light tap. He grabbed at his mug then shut the cabinet with a gentle thud and he reached for his electric kettle. Dragging it over into the sink, he turned the water on and filled the kettle up before shutting the water off. Placing it back onto the counter with the water sloshing within it, he plugged it into the wall then flicked it on. The blue light at the bottom flaring to life when he opened his box of tea pouches then placing one into his mug.
Anything to keep the cats from swatting it off the counter. He'd learned his lesson more than once when it came to leaving his tea packets on the kitchen counter. Opening the cabinet door once more, he tossed his tea back onto the shelf when he shut the door. How sudden the weather seemed to change from the last week of September during his visit with his mothers to the weather they had now. It had him breaking out his thicker sweaters and long sleeve t-shirts. For the few scarves he had in his position.
Breaking out the boys thicker long sleeves before letting them play outside and he was breaking out his collection of cardigans. Soon enough they'd be breaking out the scarves that he had for himself and the boys. The heating would be going on soon. The past two weeks had been amazingly rainy and dreary but today it was bright. The sun out highlighting the golden and reds of the leaves outside that scuttled along the ground. Leaving him with a sense of excitement, a sense of determination to make himself busy.
To keep himself busy. He knew that he couldn't keep himself busy forever. His conversations with his mothers were weighing heavily on him and he knew he couldn't avoid it forever. He could see the reasoning in his mothers about the attraction he felt to Shouta and he could think with a clear head on it. That he could find the man attractive but it didn't mean he was going to jump his bones. He'd known the man going on three months now and he hadn't had any desire to jump his bones. No desire to act on that attraction.
He found him handsome, yes, very much so but did that mean they had to be together? No. No, he didn't believe so. His mothers had been right that perhaps he was also attractive or handsome to Shouta. But they had also said that sometimes attractions can lead to lusts. To desires. Even if they never said it out loud, that attraction could possibly be a mutual thing between himself and Shouta. He wanted nothing more than to say it out loud just to rid himself of the awkwardness he felt when he was admiring the man.
He wanted to know if it went both ways yet he didn't want to make their friendship weird. If anything, he was finding himself excited at the fact they were closing on two months of friendship. His other friends, Mitsuki, Rei, Himari, along with Asui, Kirishima, Kaminari and Monoma all wanted to throw a little get together. Something to celebrate his being part of the group for three months. A milestone they insisted and he found it touching. Very touching that his friends wanted to do something so sweet for him.
They planned out Halloween night as well with the group of them taking their children out to go trick or treating together for the first half. It had Hitoshi and Izuku all too happy when he asked them if they wanted to go trick or treating with their friends. He wondered what Shouta was going to do for Halloween. Obviously the man could take Eri trick or treating but she was still so young, would she even count for a child? He'd have to ask the black-haired man about it when he came over with her.
God, his mothers had been voices of reason for him and he had to do something to thank them. His mother, Yuki, had offered again this afternoon to help him make little pamphlets for him to come out. And he had to admit, he found it to be a cute idea. He planned on making them in his store when he had the chance and if he couldn't find the words to say it to his mom group friends? Well, he can always hand out the pamphlets to them if need be. Like a little back up plan. Shouta, on the other hand, was a tougher situation to handle.
He knew he could hand him a pamphlet as well but he wanted it to be different. He couldn't explain why he wanted his confession to him to be different but he just did. He didn't want it to be goofy or silly. Hell, he didn't want to use the pamphlets if he didn't have too. He'd rather treat it delicately but seriously as a topic like that was supposed to be. He felt sick to his stomach thinking of this little get together with Mitsuki, Rei, and the others. However, he knew that if he just got it done and over with then it'd be fine.
He just had to practice what he wanted to say and how to say it. It didn't stop him from feeling shaky at the thought of admitting it to a group of women that he was transgender. However, hsi mothers had assured him countless times he didn't have to do it until he was comfortable. That he could wait. That he could take all the time in the world to practice what he wanted to say and how he wanted to say it. That he didn't need to do a damn thing he wasn't comfortable with and he couldn't help but agree with them.
Were his mothers right? Did they have their reasons for telling him what they had? He wanted nothing more than to question if the black-haired man would ever like him like that. But then that left room to be uncertain giving he hadn't told Shouta he was transgender yet. Would there be a possibility of it after he found out? Or was there simply no chance of it? God knows he didn't want it to turn into a romance but what if Shouta felt that way for him? What did he do then? Was there anything he was supposed to do then?
It was questions that had him sighing as he braced his arm on the back of the couch with his head finding his hand. He would be Shouta's friend. Nothing more, nothing less. He needed to stop overcomplicating it. He was overthinking it. He would keep Eri with him, if need be , to ward off any chance of this complicated bunch of emotions from coming up. She was quickly becoming like a small talisman that he adored holding. Something that kept him from thinking about anything other than keeping his fingers out of her mouth.
He drew his knees up slightly when he scratched his head absentmindedly before reaching up to grab his braid. Trailing it over his shoulder to dangle over his shoulder to his chest. He played with the end of his braid when he got another text, this time from Nemuri questioning if he wanted to have a Facetime call tonight with her, Tensei, and Oboro. Given how long it had been since he'd talked to the three of them together, he found himself reaching out for his phone and unlocking the screen of it quickly.
Tapping on the notification to open their texts to which he answered in the affirmative. Asking if there would be alcohol involved which merely got him a laughing emoji back before he got a bold yes. Alright , so he'll be taking wine or bourbon out tonight. He smiled softly at the enthusiasm he could read in Nemuri's responses when he sent back an affirmative that he'd be joining the call. It was honestly exciting to think about. He'd have to check in with his mothers but he needed to know what time they'd be bringing the boys back.
If they were bringing the boys back. If anything, he had the feeling they would suggest an impromptu sleep over that already had him rolling his eyes affectionately when he turned his phone screen off before tossing it onto the cushion next to him. He then leaned forward to grab his tea to sip at the cooling liquid with a hum at the temperatures and weather conditions displayed on the TV again. Rain on Wednesday and Thursday. He could plan accordingly for that, but he hoped the decorations would be able to withstand that.
He wanted to use the cobwebs outside, but he didn't know if they'd withstand the rain. Would they dry out again? They were made out of a clingy cotton so maybe? He'd put a swatch out to test it rather than have himself and Shouta go through the hassle of putting it up only to have the rain ruin it for them. The boys would be heartbroken to see the cobweb hanging up only to have it ruined by the rain. If he had too, he could always hang it up inside. Along the doorways and the stairs if he wanted to hang up cobwebbing.
Shit, he really should call his mothers soon, shouldn't he? To see if they were keeping Hitoshi and Izuku like he felt they were going to? He hummed quietly to himself when he drummed his fingers on the arm chair before reaching up to tug at the end of his braid. A small tuft he found himself playing with as he fought the urge to tighten his braid and it looked bunched up. Wrong. He twisted hair around the tips of his fingers when he shifted to put his tea down. He hummed softly when Cappella jumped up onto the couch.
She chirruped at him before he fixed his legs to crisscross instead, and the cat crawled into his lap. He smiled as he reached down to stroke her smooth fur; his fingers combing through it gently when he came down at the bottom of her spine. Grabbing her tail to gently curl around his fingers, the cat flopped down into his lap. Purring furiously as she nuzzled her little face into his thigh with her tail flicking out when he lifted his hand up to scratch at her head. Smoothing his hand over it with his thumb, stroking her forehead gently.
He moved his hand down her body. Her bottom popped up when he reached her tail much to his delight when he scratched the base of her tail gently before reaching up to stroke her tail. Lifting his hand up to rest on her ribs where he scratched idly at the purring cat. He loves his cats; all three of them. He'd been debating taking on a brown tuxedo cat that Nemuri claims to have been seeing lately around the stores. A small thing but her cat, Sushi, wouldn't take well to another cat. They'd tried in the past and had learned.
Sushi was an elder and he could understand why Nemuri wanted to but couldn't. It was a matter of capturing her and the woman had set up a cage in the alley way with the promise to tell him if they caught her. He combed his fingers through Cappella's fur with a quiet hum when there was a "crunchy" meow next to him of Twix who hopped onto the couch. With his large copper eyes locked onto him when the cat trotted over and flopped against his thigh. Smiling down at the tabby, he reached to comb his fingers through his brown fur.
Sliding his hand down, where he wrapped his tail around his fingers when he reached it. He slid his hand up to scratch at his forehead gently; rubbing at that spot right before his ears when he then slid his hand over his fur. And then he caught it; the faintest sound of a car door slamming shut in his driveway. His mothers? Or was it Shouta? He had no clue how close the man lived or if he sped but he always seemed to get here in record time if it was him. He shifted slightly causing both cats to grumble at him sleepily.
A protest when he slid his hands over them with a croon down at them as they purred in unison against his thigh and lap. Humming softly down at the cats, he reached forward carefully to grab his tea to which he drained the rest of it. Humming softly, he placed his mug down on the small table next to him with the lamp instead of leaving forward. He scratched his nails through their fur comfortingly with a quiet hum when Twix was jumping violently. Launching himself off the couch in a flurry when the doorbell rang.
He clicked his tongue sympathetically when he coaxed a startled Cappella off of his lap as well before standing up. He shuffled between the couch and table then rushed forward with a pep to hsi step. His braid bouncing over his shoulder lightly to hit against his neck when he approached the door and flipped the locks. He tugged it open to find what he knew he'd find there; Shouta and Eri. The black-haired man looked utterly exhausted as usual but there was a glimmer to that gaze as Eri sat on his hip.
The glowing image of a freshly turned one year old with a sparkle in her gaze when she gasped with such unmistakable delight. And then her tiny hands were reaching for him eagerly as she squealed before squirming on her father's hip. Reaching for him with a bounce when she whined to which Shouta angled himself towards him. Angling Eri towards him allowing him access to the baby that he eagerly pulled off the man's hip to balance on his own. Smiling at the beaming baby who looked up at him adoringly.
Tiny hands twisted into his sweater when he tugged the door open wider allowing Shouta to step over the threshold with the diaper bag thumping against his thigh lightly as he shut the door behind them to cut off the chilly air outside. The scuttling of leaves. There was a rosy blush on the black-haired man's face that he couldn't stop himself from reaching up to touch only to feel how cold it felt making him blink. Shouta blinked at him in response when he quickly dropped his hand to adjust the babbling baby on his hip.
"I-I completely apologize for not asking! Um, do you want a cup of coffee? To warm up? I can put a pot on it now for you! Here, I'll go get started on that!" He then surged forward with head gathering in the back of his neck with the muted thuds of his feet over the floor ringing out. He made his way back into the kitchen where the bags of decorations sat in a huddle. He kept a secure arm around Eri when he began to open cabinets to grab coffee filters and the grounds. "How was the drive over?"
"It was fine. It's cold as shit outside but the little bugger likes being able to play with the leaves in the front yard of the apartment complex." It was a tease to the baby who merely squealed as she bounced on his hip before tugging on his shirt then patting it flat with her adorable baby hums and babbles. "And with her getting the hang of walking, lately, I've been frantic in baby proving the apartment to keep her from getting into things. This also means she likes running after leaves now when she has the chance."
"Oh, then she'll love it if you come over and I just so happen to be raking! I planned on getting some raking done today, actually, but I want to save it for when Izu and Toshi were home! They love jumping in the piles." He was babbling. Absolutely babbling to make up for his slip of touching the black-haired man's cheek when he pulled the coffee grinds down. Opening the top of his coffee pot, he adjusted Eri who giggled when he tugged the filter out then turned to face Shouta.
Shuffling over to the trash, he dumped the grinds out then turned quickly to the sink. Running it under water to rinse it out all while he swore, he could feel those dark eyes resting on him when he finished rinsing out the filter and put it back into its place in the pot. He then cracked the top to the grounds, grabbing the scoop then getting a good scoop before dumping it into the filters when Shouta cleared his throat. "Well, I suppose that shows some great patience on your part. I'm just glad I don't have a yard to rake."
"True! I can't fault you there but when she's big enough to really enjoy fall you can always come over and let her run around with the boys!" He checked the back for the water before deeming it enough for half a pot. Just enough for Shouta's visit. He snapped the top shut then fussed with the settings before turning it on. Turning, he adjusted Eri who was tugging at his necklace he wore today with her tiny fist hitting his chest as she squealed. "But if I'm honest, I might not get to raking. My mothers' might keep them tonight."
"Mothers'? As in more than one mother?" He nodded as he leaned back against the counter slightly when small pink hands reached for his braid that he quickly swung over his shoulder down his back. A pout formed on Eri's lips that quickly disappeared when he wiggled one her feet giving him a sunny smile. What an adorable baby she was! God, he swore she got cuter each time he saw her. "I don't know how you could live with two mothers. It'd be an ever ending cycle of 'go ask your mother' to me."
Grinning at the black-haired man who was smiling weakly; hesitantly. As if his comment might be taken the wrong way but it had him grinning at the black-haired man when he tickled a pink cheek to get Eri giggling as small hands clung to his shirt. "Oh, it was! I remember one field trip of mine for a play at a different school I got the run around of 'go ask your mother' countless times! It was a running gag of theirs, but I can look back on it and laugh. God forbid I ever had two dads! It makes me shudder to think about it."
"But it'd also be funny as shit to have two dads giving you an endless amount of Dad jokes, wouldn't it?" The coffee pot behind him gurgled and hissed with the drips of coffee hitting the hot bottom of the glass bottom. Shouta's gaze fell on Eri who was tugging on his sweater as if to gain his attention to which he also looked down at the baby he adjusted in his arms causing her to beam with delight as grabbed at his necklace again. "You must really be a baby whisperer like you said. She doesn't even act this way with my sister."
"Really? Does that make me special, bug?" He crooned at the baby who gained a sparkle to those wide red eyes of hers when she crooned back in a gurgled pitch when he heaved her up to cradle her in his arms. She already felt so much bigger in his arms, but he happily held her close to his chest and she seemed all too content to be cradled as she tugged at his necklace. He smiled down at the baby when he began to sway idly with a hum. "Guess I'm just a baby whisperer, huh? Or do you just like me the most?"
Eri let out a gurgle with her tiny hands reaching up for his face to which he happily kept away. He knew those small pink hands would dart for his glasses the second, he did so. He chuckled at the baby who pouted and reached for his face with tiny hands touching his jaw and cheeks until he turned his face away to which she whined. Shouta chuckled when he cocked a hip with black brows raising. "What's this? Is Uncle Hizashi denying you the chance to play with his glasses, Eri? How cruel of him!"
"Not cruel when they're prescription glasses, douchebag!" He shifted Eri from that cradle hold to back on his hips when her hands kept reaching for his glasses. She pouted when her hand darted to his ear where she yanked at the gauged jewelry and hoops, he wore. He yelped loudly at the pain stabbing through his ear when Shouta's eyes widened. And he rushed forward with his hands reaching up to Eri's small hand that held his ear in a fisted grasp. "Oh, shi-Jeez, that hurts! Eri, bug, let go!"
"Let go, Eri!" Rough hands brushed at his ear when fingers wiggled into pink palms and the relief once her tiny hand let go of his ear had him sighing out when the baby whined with a pout on her lips when Shouta held her hands. She tipped her head back to look at her father who took both of her hands while maintaining eye contact with her. Dark eyes locking onto wide red ones when her hands were shook lightly. "No grabbing, Eri, understand? That hurts. No more grabbing at his ears, okay?"
Eri let out a scream of her protest when her face buried itself into his shoulder with a whimper when he couldn't help a sympathetic click of his tongue for the baby. He knew she meant no harm; all babies went after shiny things. It's what made teaching Hitoshi not to reach for his glasses and ears easier when he was growing out of that phase. He bounced the baby, but she merely whimpered and kept her face hidden in his shoulder. "Oh, I'm not mad, bug! It just hurts, so you can't do that again! I know you don't understand that yet."
"She's like a feral little human who hasn't gotten the grasp on etiquette yet. That's on me to teach her, huh?" He bounced Eri gently as her small face remained pressed into his shoulder before shifting to bury itself in his throat with tiny fingers plucking at his sweater. Shouta sighed out then when he kissed the back of her head earning a whine in protest before a hand lifted to caress the white, wispy curls. "At least I'll do better at it than my mother and father. I know what not to do at least. I guess I can thank them for that."
"Oh, yeah! You mentioned a biological father before! Does that mean you have a stepfather?" A distracted hum left the black-haired man when he stroked his hand over those wispy curls of hers and he rubbed at the girl's back. No wetness meant no tears. Was she pouting then? He gently bounced the baby in his arms when he glanced behind him at the gurgling coffee pot. "Well, I suppose you did have two dads growing up but from your tone I'm guessing someone, or multiples failed at it, huh?"
"You could say that. I don't talk to my father that often and I have no contact with my mother and stepfather. It's for the best, honestly." Dark eyes flicked down to the decorations he had piled in the corner on the floor before they flicked up to him with a twitch to full lips when black brows rose at him. "Do you think you have enough decorations? I think that's what makes me lucky for living in an apartment; I don't do the decorating unless the landlord asks me. Don't really get kids for trick or treating when you live in a big apartment building."
"It's honestly not too bad decorating the house! It's mostly just about shoving things in the ground, getting the little pumpkin lights set up in here, and plenty of cobwebs! Besides, I don't have to worry about passing out candy here, Nem and Oboro are gonna do that for me. I'm going to my mothers for Halloween and taking the boys trick or treating out that way for the second half of the night. Gonna hit some houses around here." He then grinned at Shouta. "Maybe, if you give me your address, I'll come by yours."
"If you want your kids to get ramen packets or muffins then be my guest!" A wicked, wide smirk curled over full lips; Totoro-esque. It was something that should be disturbing. And it was with all the teeth flashed at him. But he'd long since become accustomed to the sight of it after their various hang outs when he'd seen it. It was as disturbing as it was growing familiar to him. "I don't really keep candy on hand, but I guess I can grab a bag if you really wanna come by. I live semi-close so don't worry about coming late."
"You'll be my last stop of the night in that case! I promised the boys we'd go trick or treating early then zoom over to my mom's and get them some full-sized candy bars from the houses around there. The boys know how to milk their cuteness to get as much as they can per house!" A snicker left Shouta when he pushed off the counter then turned to the gurgling coffee pot that was halfway full. The drips coming idly when he reached up to open the cabinet to grab a mug and he turned to hand it to Shouta.
The black-haired man took the mug from him, fingertips brushing at his sending a tingle up his arm when he shifted out of the way. He felt Eri peeking out with a shift of her head before lifting it up from its hidden place. He smiled down at the pink faced baby when he poked a chubby cheek. Rubbing his thumb in an affection manner he'd done countless times with Hitoshi and Izuku to get the baby smiling when Shouta spoke up. "I'm sure Eri will be just like them. She'll learn from the best of the best."
"Oh? You think we'll be friends that long? Wowie, zowie, do I feel honored to know you're thinking that far ahead!" He couldn't help but grin when Shouta shot him an unimpressed look when he slid Eri forward with her small legs straddling his stomach when he held her hands and bounced her playfully to which she began smiling. A bright smile that showed off the new teeth coming in as she giggled. "You hear that, bug? You're gonna see Uncle Zashi for years! How do you feel about that?"
The baby squealed with small hands clinging onto his thumbs when he shuffled around his decorations while Shouta stirred a few spoonful's of sugar into his mug before grabbing the coffee pot. He spun around in a circle earning himself an ear piercing squeal from the baby in his arms as he bounced her hands playfully. "You're absolutely obnoxious, you know that? I've known you for three months now and you act like we're not friends. I don't have many, but I know a friend when I have one. I'm socially aware enough for that."
"Are you? Are you really, Shouta? Tell me, do you think Papa is aware enough of that, bug?" Dark eyes narrowed at the croon in his voice when Eri let out another gurgling squeal as tiny hands held onto him tightly. Squirming against his stomach when he spun with her again causing her to shriek with laughter. He chuckled at the sparkle of excitement to wide red eyes when he turned to Shouta. "I'm playing! I think it's sweet you're planning on being my friends for years to come! I think it's very sweet of you!"
"Are you telling me that you haven't thought that far ahead? You, who confessed over text to being an overthinker?" Shouta questioned when he shuffled over to the fridge to tug it open where he grabbed the half and half. He hummed as he spun with Eri again causing her to laugh again. God, there was nothing more contagious than a baby's laughter. He swayed side to side while bouncing the baby lightly as he watched Shouta pour the half and half into his mug. "Maybe you're the socially unaware one."
"Nope! I just don't think that far ahead when you're already my friend of three months!" He replied offhandedly while bouncing the baby who giggled sweetly at him with the wispy curls of hers bouncing against the tips of her ears. He'd never stopped to ask if Eri was his biologically or if she was adopted. It was one thing he didn't know about Shouta, but he could always find out later. Ask about it at a later time. "Now, I don't know about you, but I think this baby needs some air! You wanna go toddle around outside, bug?"
Hands jerked in an excited flap with her arms included as she squealed at his question when Shouta rolled his eyes at him with a rather affectionate glimmer to that wide, unsettling smirk of his. The black-haired man sipped at his steaming coffee once, twice, three times with swallows he could hear from the doorway before the mug was lifted up and Shouta shuffled to the decorations to grab at them. Lining them on his forearm before standing up with a sigh. "Let's go, I'm sure she'll get a kick outta chasing the leaves."
"Let's go, bug!" He spun on his feet then, lifting his knees up high in a march as he bounced the baby lightly causing her to giggle and laugh at him with that sparkle to her gaze. Making his way to the door quickly, he tugged his thumb from Eri's hand to reach for the door handle. Tugging the door open he stepped outside where the chilly autumn breeze fluttered around his face with a few wisps of hair making themselves known by his ears when Eri's eyes widened when he made his way from the door.
Into the grass that rustled around his feet with leaves crunching beneath his boots when the baby looked up at the leaves rustling together dryly. To the leaves crunching beneath him when he spun the baby around in his arms to place her down on the grass. Shouta came shuffling out with his coffee and rustling bags. Placing them down in front of the door, he shut the door when he pointed at the toddling baby. "Keep an eye on her, please! I don't want my child running into traffic!"
"I will! Don't worry, sour puss! I won't let your child get hit or else we'll have a Pet Cemetery situation on our hands, won't we?" Dark eyes narrowed at him again when he turned his attention back to the toddling baby who was chasing after a leaf as fast as she could before falling forward into the grass. A tiny sound of surprise left the baby when she sat up on her knees to look at him with wide eyes. He chuckled as he made his way over to her and he reached down. "C'mon, bug! Let's chase some leaves, yeah?"
The baby beamed up at him at the thought when he reached down beneath her armpits to stand the baby up again where she wobbled. And then Eri was launching forward across his yard after another leaf with a squeal. He smiled as he shadowed the toddling baby. Well on her way to becoming a toddler in a year time, she was absolutely precious. As much as he loves Hitoshi and Izuku, he'd been hoping to gain a daughter someday. He wasn't against the idea of adopting another child down the road.
Of taking in another child when he had the chance with the hopes of a daughter, but he knew better than to get his hopes up. To be purposefully selective. He had been planning on possibly adopting closer to his thirties, however, when he was more financially stable. Besides, if his role was to be "Uncle Hizashi" to Eri who would be the closest thing to a daughter or niece figure then he'd take it. He was more than happy to know that Shouta was indeed thinking years into the future for their friendship.
It was an odd thing, but he'd never thought years ahead. He'd been so wrapped up about his attraction to Shouta, about his transgender status, that he'd not stopped to consider that fact. The notion that these new friends of his would be tethered to him for years. It had his stomach fluttering at the idea of having this wide, diverse group of people to being in his life years from now. With his sons having that new network of friends being in their lives for years. It was a strangely giddy thought that had him overjoyed.
It was inevitable given they'd be in the same school systems if they so happened to choose the same ones but still. He smiled as he followed the baby toddling through the grass with the ends of her hair bobbing against the tops of her ears. They were adorable. He smiled down at the baby who bent down to grab a leaf then looking up at him as she held it up. Babbling at him when he took the leaf from her to which her eyes sparkled as she trotted forward. He happily followed after her as leaves scuttled over the ground.
The light breeze around them tugging at the branches of the trees with a few leaves fluttering down to the ground when he reached down to hook hsi arms under her armpits. And he then spun her around to keep her from running into the neighbor's driveway. She didn't seem to mind one bit when she began to toddle forwards with a sense of determination to her. Looking at the leaves on the ground with her little feet rustling through the grass. Running forward with a giggle leaving her as she ran after a scuttling leaf.
He glanced up at Shouta when he caught the rustling bags in the light wind to find the man sticking the bats and skeletons with their posts into the ground. Making his way down the front walk way as he alternated between the sides. Simple decorations that had him smiling when the limbs of the small skeletons rattled in the breeze, catching Eri's attention. She looked over at her father before bending down for a golden orange leaf that she held up to him which he took. She clapped with a bright smile on her face before she ran forward.
Running towards Shouta who glanced over when he walked after the trotting baby with a smile on his full lips. Eri ran around her father, and he couldn't help a smile of his own as he followed after her. She teetered on her feet before falling forward again. A puff of a noise leaving her when she looked up at him before placing her hands on the group to push herself up. Trotting forward she grabbed a deep red leaf then held it up to him again. And just like with the other two, he accepted the leaf from Eri.
She beamed at him with tiny hands clapping together when she squealed when he smiled down at the baby. So far, he had a yellow-green leaf, a golden orange and now a deep red. He had not a clue what the girl's thought process was in collecting leaves, but it was adorable. He had only known the baby for three months but to see her toddling around with such confidence? Especially when just a few weeks ago she'd been crawling? When she'd been cradled and stood on wobbly legs with something to hold onto?
It was a change that had his heart aching; just as it had when Hitoshi had become potty trained. Or when Izuku had called him Dad for the first time. It was aweing and adorable to see how suddenly his friends daughter was growing up. He'd only known her three months, but he was strangely proud over how confidently she trotted through the grass. He rushed forward to stop her, once again, from running into his neighbor's driveway. He spun around to face the yard which she giggled at before running across the yard.
He chased after her when he swept her up and spun her in a circle that had her shrieking with delight. He then he spun in another circle and he couldn't help laughing with the baby. He came to a stop with a half spin to find Shouta smiling. A soft, adoring smile that had his stomach fluttering viciously before dropping out as his heart thudded sickeningly. A one-two hit that had him feeling sick when the baby squealed and hit at his shoulders for the silent demand of again. It had heat stinging at the tips of his ears.
Heat gathering in the back of his neck with the threat of exploding in his face at that soft smile on Shouta's face. And so, he quickly spun away from the sight of Shouta who was making his way back up the front walkway. A blur of color the world was as he spun around, around, around with the baby squealing with laughter in his arms. Delighted. He came to another stop when he found himself stumbling over his feet and he flew back. Holding Eri tightly in his arms he fell on his ass with a grunt when the baby blinked.
Wide eyes looking at him before she then squealed when he smiled at the the Eri after she babbled out a slurred "'kay? 'kay?" with that baby babble. He nodded which had the baby wriggling in his arms when she reached up with small hands tapping at his red cheeks with a giggle. Shouta stood at his front door with the fall wreath in his hands that he was working onto the small nail he had on the door for all wreaths. He let himself fall back when he heaved Eri up above him with the baby squealing with delight.
An airplane position that had the small girl wriggling and squirming with her arms flapping out. Red eyes glowing down at him with delight as she kicked her little feet out giddily. What he'd give to cover that chubby face in the kisses she deserved and all the nuzzles in the world but she wasn't his baby. He was a big believer in refraining from kissing or nuzzling other people's babies. He was the same with Hitoshi; he'd hardly let his family kiss the then toddler. And they'd accepted it; it was a big rule their mothers raised them with.
If they weren't his baby, then he didn't kiss or nuzzle. Not unless he had the permission of the parents. And Eri wasn't his baby. He wants to shower Eri in all the affection she deserved but he has to agree it would be odd. He instead sat up as he lifted his hands up to rub his thumbs over pink cheeks in affectionate little pinches that had her squirming before standing up and rushing off. He chuckled before standing up to chase after her when he noticed Shouta tugging out the window stickers from a bag.
He bought heavy duty ones for outdoors making them resistant to rain. Guess he'll be finding out when it rained, now won't he? He scooped Eri up into his arms getting her to squeal when he spun then threw her up into the air. The absolute joy on her face was everything. She shouted when he caught her then threw her up into the air again. The leaves scuttled over the road when he caught the baby and hands tapped at his cheeks again with delight glowing in red eyes. She looked absolutely delighted in their game.
Squirming in his arms, he spun getting a peal of laughter from the baby who held onto his sweater tightly. He knew he'd be doing the same thing with Hitoshi and Izuku when they got home. Even if it was difficult to throw a six year old in the air. He came to a stop with his head weakly spinning from all of his spinning, his running, when he glanced over to find Shouta. Watching the man standing before the windows plastering the stickers carefully onto them. He looked nice today. Very nice if he was honest.
A deep blue sweater with darker diamonds along the bottoms of it with a deep black coat over it had his pale skin glowing. His hair curling slightly with light bounces that shimmered faintly in the sunlight up above. Highlighting the broad set of his shoulders with the flare of his waist being hinted at through his sweater. Dark jeans hugged his ass tightly. His thighs that held the smallest gap between them with black boots that bumped up his height with their wedged bottoms. Shouta looked cozy. Comfortable.
When he'd come inside, those rosy cheeks had gotten his full attention. The way black lashes fluttered with dark eyes locking onto him when he'd taken Eri. The slight parting of full lips as if he had been about to say something when he'd touched that rosy cheek. Shouta looked good today. And he felt that heat in the back of his neck rushing to his face in what he knew was unflattering when Shouta moved. Curls swaying against his upper back when the man glanced over his shoulder at him curiously.
A response when Eri began whining with hands tapping his burning cheeks. A curiousness to that dark gaze when he turned away quickly to spin getting the baby in his arms to shout out with a surprised delight. Doing his best to keep his face angled away from possibly looking in Shouta's direction. The man was attractive. He ticked all of his boxes. He'd been man enough to admit that to his mothers yet face to face with Shouta after those conversations? After saying it out loud to someone? To himself?
It had his face burning uncomfortably as he tossed Eri up into the air much to her delight. He'd thought seeing Shouta would be easier after admitting out loud that he was attracted to him. After telling someone he found the black-haired attractive. But instead, it left him red faced at his shameless gawking of the other man. Shouta looked so nice today that he couldn't help admiring it just a bit. But to be caught looking at him? It had him embarrassed. Unbelievably embarrassed that he was looking at a friend that way.
He didn't look at Oboro or Taishiro that way so what was so different about Shouta? He knew he was only glancing at him but still. Who looked at a friend and thought they looked good? Or was that natural? His mother had said if he wasn't going to do anything about it then he didn't need to worry. But did he need to worry? He fought the urge to drag his teeth over his lip as he spun Eri again causing the girl to squeal with happiness when he threw her up into the air. Smiling at that shimmering delight on her face.
He caught the baby with a croon as he then threw the baby up again causing her to squeal with peals of laughter. It had him smiling when he swung the baby in his arms causing her to smile widely with hands holding onto his sweater as he swung her down low in a cradle in his arms. He hummed down at the baby as he tried to get the blush to dissipate in his cheeks when the baby smiled up at him. Showing off with pearly white new teeth with delight when he smiled down at the baby. He was fine. Shouta was fine. Eri was fine.
Swaying the baby in his arms down low over the grass when he heaved her up into his arms causing her to giggle when leaves scuttled over the ground. He then threw her up as she shouted, and he placed her down letting her toddle in a run over the grass over to her father with a squeal. He smiled when Shouta placed the pages of stickers down to scoop the baby up into her arms. Holding her up when she buried her face into his chest with squealed laughter when Shouta began dancing his hands over her sides.
Targeting her armpits and neck with peals of laughter leaving the baby were heartwarming. Then Shouta's head dipped down with kisses and raspberries against her neck. Actions that had the baby screaming with joy as her little face flushed as she writhed in Shouta's arms when the man laughed. He nuzzled the baby before placing her down. A shimmer to dark eyes when Eri lifted her arms up and ran towards him as fast as her little feet could carry him. Shrieking with her laughter as she ran over to him.
She raised her arms up to which he happily lifted Eri into his arms where he took the okay to dance his hands along her sides. Up beneath her armpits which had the baby pealing with laughter when she squirmed in his arms to which he put her down to avoid dropping her. And she took off across the front walkway to the other side of the yard to which he happily grinned. He rushed onto the sideway, running around the decorations Eri tore through, and ran towards her as she squealed. Toddling as fast as she possibly could.
God, he'd forgotten how fun it was to play. The boys were always off with friends, and he missed this. He missed playing with his sons. He'd have to rectify that if he could and he happily ran to scoop up the baby who threw her head back with a scream of delight. He spun with Eri in his arms with huffing pants leaving the baby from the exertion of running across the yard. From being tickled. Shouta finished up with his window then may his way to the walkway. Stepping gingerly around the decorations carefully to make his way around them.
Making his way to the other window on their side of the yard. He jumped when Eri nuzzled her chubby, hot cheek to his to which he happily nuzzled the baby after glancing at the smiling Shouta. He squeezed the baby to his chest gently with small hands holding onto his sweater when he watched Shouta beginning to place stickers on the window. Finishing up the sheet in his hand with black curls swaying against his back with the breeze that rushed over them. A much stronger breeze that had leaves fluttering down.
Hell, it had Eri's little curls flying wildly around the tips of her ears and his own braid swayed lightly from the powerful gust. He curled inwards slightly when that wind cut through his rather thick sweater effortlessly much to his surprise. He shuddered at the breeze when Shouta glanced over at him curiously again before shifting to the side. Watching Shouta stuff the empty sheet of stickers into the shopping bag before Shouta fussed with the placement of his coffee on the window sill before Shouta began walking over.
The coat he wore over his sweater was being shrugged off. He blinked when the black-haired man walked over with Eri contenting herself to relax in his arms when Shouta threw his coat over his shoulders. It had him blinking again before his face burned with a rush of heat when the Shouta tugged the coat together before placing his hands on his shoulders when he noted the rosy blush on his cheeks. The shadows his lashes cast onto them when he glanced away from him then in an almost shy manner.
As if he had any reason for being shy when he found his gaze dropping to his feet as he held Eri close to his chest with the baby resting her head on his shoulder. Curling into him with a hum as if to soak up the warmth he was generating when another burst of a breeze rushing over them. He shuddered with his face burning hotly when he found himself fidgeting nervously. The back of his neck and the tips of his ears were hot. Painfully hot like hsi face. Then Shouta coughed lightly before clearing his throat.
"Wear it. Keep yourself warm and don't be scared to put your arms through the sleeves. You're, um, slenderer than me and I don't want you being cold, you know? And I run warmer, so I'll be fine." Shouta was mumbling. He then turned to point at the window where his coffee was sitting on the sill with black curls fluttering in another strong breeze when he noted that rosy blush deepening. "I still, um, have my coffee so I'm warm enough. If it's weird-"
"No! Not at all! I just, uh, wasn't expecting it, you know? But thank you, I-I appreciate it!" He couldn't tell what he wanted more; for the hot sizzling heat in his face to dissipate or the awkwardness to go away. He swore he was watching Shouta's face turning redder by the second with his own uncomfortably hot when he fidgeted. "Um, I think I'm gonna take Eri to-to the backyard and push her on the swing. I got a new one for babies an-and I think I'll go do that for a bit."
"Sure! Sure, feel free too! Uh, I have that thermos by the way. For the vanilla milk?" He nodded with his glasses slipping down his nose slightly when the black-haired man fidgeted much like himself with hands resting on his waist. Tugging then twisting his fingers into the ends of his sweater when he couldn't help but feel like a damn teenager. Blushing over a coat. He turned slightly with Shouta clearing his throat. "I'll come get you when I'm, um, done with upfront, okay?"
"Yeah! Yeah, no problem! I'll be in the backyard!" He turned then to walk briskly with his hand shifting to hold the ends of the coax together with his braid swaying against his back. Eri hummed as she tugged at his necklace curiously when he made his way towards the back gate leading to the back porch with the residual body warmth of Shouta's coat soaked into him. He then caught the scent of Shouta's cologne on the coat. Vanilla? Something musky. It itched at his lungs when he made his way into the backyard.
Leaning against the gate door, the tall fence cutting him out of view, he swallowed when Eri squirmed against his chest when his cheeks burned uncomfortably hot. He couldn't believe this. What was Shouta doing? He knew it was a nice gesture because he'd shivered but still it had him hot faced. Embarrassed. Swallowing again, he made his way forward with the grass rustling around his boots. The coat was big. Shouta was a broad man and he himself was slender despite having broad shoulders of his own.
Despite being muscular. And yet as he shuffled forward towards the swings with Eri letting out another hum had his face burning hotly. He was appreciative that Shouta had given his coat without a second thought, but he didn't know what to do with himself. Did he really keep it on? Or did he throw it onto the backyard table? Did he slide his arms into the sleeves, or did he politely take it off then put it on when he heard Shouta approaching? What did he do? How did he react properly to this gentlemanly move of his?
Eri's head perked up when she noticed the swing then giggled when he walked up to it with the baby squirming in his arms. He carefully slid Eri into the baby swing carefully that sat separately beside the swing set for the boys. Fuck, he still had to call his mothers about them! He hesitated before choosing to slide his arms into the sleeves with a skip to his heart when his stomach dropped. Tugging it close with the zipper jingling on the end, his hands poked out of the ends when he hesitated before lifting them up to his face.
Holding the ends of his sleeves into his hands, he inhaled to drag that cologne scent down into his lungs. Definitely vanilla. Musky with a bite of something he couldn't quite name but he likes it. Very fitting for a man like Shouta he felt. Letting out a sigh, he focused his attention onto Eri who was looking at him curiously. He felt a fresh wave of heat hit his face when he grabbed the seat she sat in then pulled her back before letting her swing. A light swing that had her giggling as her curiosity faded away.
A look of delight as she swung smoothly back and forth with those little curls rustling wildly around the tips of her ears. He could think about it another time. Like how warm his coat was from his body heat. How good it smelled with that vanilla cologne clinging to the fabric that he caught whiffs of. The way it was just a bit baggy on him due to his slender form. He was muscular, had the biceps and leg muscles, the abs, to show for it but this just proved it. However, there was no changing the reality of it.
How, despite how proud he was of his physique, he was still smaller than the typically built cis-born man. He could have done his best to bulk up, but he didn't want to. His BMI, his muscles, were all in accordance to his slender body and he liked them. He was proud of his muscular appearance, of how slender he was, and with his breasts gone? Well, the world certainly viewed him as a man. A slender man but a man nonetheless and he was more than happy about that. Delighted. So what was his problem?
Was it just disorienting because he was wearing another man's coat for the first time in years? Another man who was shorter but bulkier than him? Because it was Shouta's coat? He had not a clue. His mind was swimming with questions he had no answers for. He focused on swinging Eri who was giggling with such joy it had him smiling as the heat in his cheeks began to dissipate slightly. He reached into his pants pocket for his phone, and he took a deep breath. God, he'd have to talk to Nemuri about this.
To talk this out with Oboro. They'd be able to pick it apart while Tensei kept him rational about it all. He knew he was just getting caught up in his own head. It was a nice gesture, there was nothing more to it. But then why had he blushed? Why had Shouta blushed? Was it because it was awkward? Or because it could be seen as a weird type of a romantic gesture? He didn't know what to do with himself as he helped kept Eri swinging in her swing as she giggled with feet wriggling and kicking with her joy.
He sent a quick text message to his mother, Kimiko, about the boys before putting his phone back into his pocket. He only had to wait. That vanilla cologne hit him again when he shivered at the gusty breeze when Eri shivered this time as well. The last thing he wanted was staying outside longer and letting Eri get sick. He'd have to take her inside soon and when he did, he'd find that thermos to begin making the vanilla milk for her and Shouta. Watching her red eyes sparkle when she looked up, however, had him smiling softly.
And he did his best to ignore the way he felt so cozy in his borrowed coat. To ignore the scent of vanilla that hit him with each gust with its faint traces. Did his best to forget the way Shouta looked so unbearably lovely with that rosy blush when he put his coat around him. They were friends. Friends gave their coats up, right? He'd keep it in mind as he pushed the giggling baby with a smile curling over his lips as he took a deep breath. Something that he tried to soothe himself with yet it did little to do what he wanted.
His skipping heart, his fluttering stomach, refused to give him respite. God, he was a damn mess. He was losing it over Shouta giving him his coat and he didn't know what to do about it. Was that just the problem? The fact he didn't expect it? He'd sworn it was weird but had that just been to soothe Shouta? He groaned under his breath as he focused on the baby giggling before him. Focus on the baby. He'd focus on her and then tonight when he talked to Nemuri, Oboro, and Tensei he'd focus on it again.
Until then he needed to only focus on the baby giggling in her swing as her hair swayed around her ears. Her tiny hands reached for him when she swung forward towards him. He'd think about the situation later when he had a few drinks in him. And that was going to be that. He swore it. He would let Nemuri in on his dilemma but until then he needed to shrink this mountain to a molehill. Down to the anthill that it was. He took another deep breath when branches swayed above him. This was nothing.
So why did he feel so odd?