"Stay with your friend, Suga. I need a moment with your father. We'll be back in a moment," Suga's mom whispered.
Her voice sounded almost hollow to Suga's ears. His father stepped out to meet his wife in front of the door. Wishing he could hear them, Suga looked down at Kageyama to remind himself where he was really needed. However, when Suga looked back up, his mother had her hands covering her facd which rested against her husband's chest. The older man had his arms wrapped around his wife.
"It's official buddy. My mom's adopted you. I hope you're ready for the changes that'll come with that. Whatever you say though, I know it'll be good for you. We're going to be good to you. I promise," Suga muttered to the boy sleeping in his lap.
It wasn't long after when Suga's dad opened the door behind the boys and greeted his son, "Hey kiddo, your mom filled me in. I'm glad Kageyama will be staying with us for a while. Why don't you slide out now? I've got him."
When Suga lifted Kageyama's shoulders off his lap, Suga's dad managed to slip an arm underneath the boy's shoulders so he wasn't jostled too much. It took a bit more shimmying before Suga managed to get out of the car. After he was out his dad simply bent further into the car and gracefully stood back up with the younger boy in his arms.
Suga's jaw dropped. "H-how did you do that so easily? And the car is so much smaller than the bus?"
His dad chuckled softly, "Lots of practice, son. You kids seemed to only ever fall asleep in the car."
"Um...mom, do you think it would be okay for Kageyama to sleep in my room? I mean... given the nightmare and all," Suga asked. As if on que Kageyama grimaced in his sleep.
Suga's mom looked conflicted, "Suga, I really think it'll be better for him to sleep in a real bed. With his injuries and everything-" They'd made it into the house and were removing their shoes. Kageyama groaned despite Suga's dad leaving his shoes on and staying perfectly still while waiting.
"He can use my bed. I'll set up a futon. Please, mom, he needs me," Suga pleaded.
At the same time pleas started falling from Kageyama's lips. Suga's dad quickly made his way to the couch as the child began twisting while his pleas grew louder.
The man sat Kageyama up and pulled him against his chest. With one hand, the man pressed Kageyama's head right above his heart. While rocking back and forth slowly, the man's other hand gently rubbed up and down the boy's arm. "Shh, it's okay now, kiddo. You're safe. My boy Kooshi is right across the room although he seems a little shocked his old man knows how to deal with nightmares. I think he sometimes forgets he was a kid once too. *chuckle* Being a dad has taught me a thing or two and I'm sorry you didn't have one before."
Tears were streaming down the kid's face as pleas fell from his lips but the thrashing had stopped. Now Kageyama was clinging to the man's shirt like his life depended on it. "Easy, kiddo, now that you're here you get something kind of like a dad. So take some nice deep breaths. I'll let you in on a secret. A part of being a dad is never letting anyone or anything hurt your kids." Though tears continued streaming down Kageyama's face, his pleas had completely stopped. "Now, I know you're not my blood; but my son adores you and it's clear as day that my wife loves you. I'd bet she's working on a plan to adopt you right now. *chuckle* So, even though I don't know you well yet, you're my family and I'm going to protect you. That means whatever's haunting your dreams right now can't touch you here. You're safe. I've got you."
Kageyama's eyes didn't fly open. He didn't startle awake confused and scared. His pleas and cries didn't continue. The young boy's face simply relaxed along with his entire body. His death grip on the father's shirt released. Kageyama simply drifted back into a peaceful sleep.
Suga had tears in his eyes but his mother's had fallen freely down her face. His father simply offered them both a sad smile as he stood with the boy in his arms. "I'll tuck him in your bed, Kooshi. You can set up the futon. I think we'll all need some tea though after this. Would you brew some darling?"