Prompt 28 Part 2
Dec. 25th, 2018 08:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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aibaexchangeOhno came a day before to trace everything, leaving the lining of the art ready for today, and Ohno sighs.
“Too much painting to be done.” Ohno stares at Sho and Sho shrugs, “Yeah you’re okay with it because you’re doing it for another reason.”
“I’m not and I’m helping you. Be nice.” Ohno chuckles but he’s pushing the sleeves of his shirt up and already grabbing on the paint buckets, “Grab that container. I want to keep the paint all ready for the kids.”
Sho pulls the containers close and they spend the next few minutes preparing the paint, putting the different colors in different containers, and preparing the brushes to give the kids. Kazama comes peeking around the gate, asking if everything’s ready and if they should start bringing the kids.
The kids will be coming in different batches and they start with the youngest batch. The teachers do stay close to the kids, showing them where to paint, and Ohno and Sho do start guiding them. Seeing as they’re the youngest, they decide to allow them to pain the larger areas, where no details are required, and they can paint aimlessly. Some of them seem to be slightly nervous around Ohno and Sho, and are being persuaded by the teachers to step forward, but thankfully the majority approach them eagerly, asking them for more paint or letting them know they finished painting their parts.
They whine slightly when the teachers announce that it’s time for them to head inside and once the kids line up, they brightly thank them, and Sho realizes he’d been smiling brightly all the time. It’s quite endearing watching them and while he might have been persuaded to come here for a whole other reason, he realizes this entire thing is turning out to be much better than he expected.
Akane’s batch, the one with the oldest kids, comes the last. By then, Sho and Ohno’s shirts are covered with splatters of paint and Sho wants to do nothing but head home and sleep. But then the kids arrive and Sho’s stomach does a little flip when he notices Aiba guiding them. He’s breathtaking as usual, even with the slightly baggy pants he’s wearing, it’s still enough to show how lean he is. And the plain t-shirt he’s wearing is a bit loose, so when he leans down to help one of the girls tie her hair back, Sho’s eyes drift off to where his collarbones start to slightly show―
“Don’t ogle him in front of the kids.” Ohno mumbles, snapping him out of his thoughts when he bumps into his side, and Sho rolls his eyes, grabbing the brushes Ohno hands him.
“I wasn’t.” He mumbles and Ohno scoffs, but smiles when Aiba approaches them.
Sho’s breathing hitches when he smiles brightly at them, “Thank you for all your hard work. This is the last batch of kids, so you should be able to rest soon. Anyway, what can I do?”
“You can give the kids these brushes while we refill up the containers with paint.” Ohno says and Aiba nods his head. Sho hands him the brushes wordlessly, their hands brushing against each other briefly, and Sho tries not to think too much about how he’d been overwhelmed by a desire to hold his hand.
Sho watches Aiba as he heads towards the kids before glancing back and he’s not surprised to find Ohno staring at him, a knowing look in his eyes, and smirking just a bit. Sho sighs, “I thought we were supposed to fill up the containers with paint?”
“I thought so too.”
They’re nearly halfway done with this batch when Sho leans back slightly, stretching his arm, before looking aside and instantly spots Akane. He furrows his brows at how he finds her; holding tightly to the brush but not painting, instead looking aside and she’s got her cheeks puffed up, eyes squinting just a bit, and trying to stifle her giggles. Sho blinks his eyes quietly before directing his gaze towards the direction Akane was staring and his eyes widen when he finds that expression had been directed to Aiba who similarly has been pulling the exact face to her. Aiba blinks his eyes tightly and it’s endearing because Sho can instantly tell he’d meant to wink with how similar it’d been to what Akane does when she tries to wink. His thoughts are confirmed to be true when he finds Akane shutting her eyes tightly, tilting her slightly as in that’s what’s needed to wink. She giggles and Aiba smiles brightly, before he motions for her to continue painting.
Akane goes back to painting, a bright smile across her face, and Sho tears his gaze away finally. His heart feels all warm at that and he instantly turns to Ohno, nudging him slightly, “Hey, can I ask you something?”
“Hmm?” Ohno glances back when Sho falls quiet, “What’s wrong?”
Sho bites his lips, fiddling with the brush in his hand, “Aiba likes Akane.”
Ohno blinks his eyes quietly before mumbling, “That’s not a question.”
“I want to ask something else. Aiba does he…I mean do you think…he…no, me…no, no…I mean us…like a chance―”
“If there’s a chance of you and Aiba being together?” Ohno interrupts, yet saying his thoughts, and Sho nods his head quietly, “Yeah I think so.”
“But won’t it be weird?” Sho mumbles and Ohno raises a brow. Sho sighs, “He’s Akane’s teacher.”
“Do you only see him as Akane’s teacher? Or at least is that the first thing that comes to your mind whenever we mention him,” Ohno pauses and points towards Akane’s direction, “And what about Akane? Do you think she only sees him as one of the other regular teachers in here or does she view him the same way as she views me, Nino, and Matsujun?”
Sho allows Ohno’s words to sink in and being in a preschool’s playground, looking like a mess, and being covered in paint shouldn’t be the place for him to realize Aiba stopped being just Akane’s teacher a long time ago; he’s made his way not only in his heart, but in Akane’s heart as well.
Ohno smiles and pats his back, “Let’s continue painting and you can think about that later.”
++
Sho doesn’t get the chance to rest properly when he reaches home with how his phone goes off just an hour later with a call from work letting him know one of the castors has gotten a terrible flu and Sho’s needed to do the coverage instead. The coverage can’t be rescheduled and Sho runs a hand through his hair, unable to do anything but agree to it.
He instantly goes through his contacts and decides to dial Nino. Nino picks up instantly, “Hello.”
“Hey, Nino. I’m really, really sorry, but something came up with work and I need to leave as soon as possible. Can you stay with Akane? Or if you want I can drop her by your place?” Sho asks, rubbing his face.
Nino hums, “I’ll come over, well actually we’ll come over― Ah, Aiba take this turn, we’re going to Sho’s place―I was going out with Aiba but we’re going to come over instead.”
Sho lets out a long breath, “I’m so sorry I’m ruining your plans.”
“It’s nothing exciting. I was just going to grab a few things from the store and we decided to go together.” Nino pauses and asks, “Hey, can we take her with us? We won’t take too long so we’ll have her back for her dinner and her bedtime.”
Sho sighs but instantly agrees, “Yeah, I don’t mind. Just keep an eye on her and don’t get her too many things and spoil her, okay?
++
There’s a hamster’s cage on the table with a hamster running enthusiastically in its wheel and Nino, Aiba, and Akane eyes are all fixed on the hamster.
Even when the three look up, none of them utter a word, yet the room isn’t entirely quiet with the creaking of the wheel. The hamster stops running abruptly and Sho clears his throat, “Why is there a hamster in here?”
“We got it for free.” Nino answers instead and Aiba and Akane nod their heads eagerly at that.
“That’s not the answer I’m looking for.” Sho sits down beside Akane, taking a better look at the hamster, except the hamster goes back to running in its wheel again.
Akane pulls on his arm, voice bright as she speaks, “We stopped by a pet store on our way back. I was looking around with Aiba-san when a woman tripped and she was about to drop this hamster but Aiba-san was really cool and he held this cage from falling. Then the owner was really happy Aiba-san stopped it from falling on the other cages and making a huge mess, and then he said to thank us he’ll give us this hamster for free.” Akane looks up at him, eyes pleading and bright, “Can I keep it? Please? I’ll take care of it properly. Please?”
Sho’s weak to that look, all puppy eyed, and he sighs in defeat, “But you have to really take care of it―”
“Thank you, Oji-san!” Akane squeals, throwing her arms around Sho’s neck, and hugging him tightly, “I’ll take care of it!”
Sho smiles tiredly and pats her back, prompting her to lean back and he keeps his hands atop her shoulders, “Okay. But now, you’re going to sleep. It’s really late.”
She doesn’t seem too keen about the idea of going to sleep but she nods her head before turning around and mumbling goodnight to Aiba and Nino, followed by a much quieter one to the hamster, and then she toddles off to her room.
Sho fixes his gaze back at Aiba and Nino and sighs, “I asked you two not to get her too many things or spoil her, and you bring her back with a hamster.”
++
The hamster ends up being a frequent topic of discussion between Sho and Aiba, and Sho grows fond of the hamster.
“She’s calling him Akai.” Sho says a week later, holding the hamster in his hand, “Aiba was saying it suits him. I told him she only named him that because that’s her favorite color. But, red has only become her favorite color with how Aiba has started calling her Aka. She really like it though.”
Nino hums, prompting Sho to look up at him, and he finds him smirking, “So, the hamster is giving you two reasons to date?”
Sho sighs and puts the hamster down, “Shut up.”
Nino chuckles but then he’s stretching his arms above his head, stifling a yawn, then sighing, “Sho-san, what’s wrong with the hamster?”
“Huh?” Sho turns around and his eyes widen, finding the hamster stuck in the space between the sofa and coffee table. He’s struggling to move and Sho gently pulls him back and puts him away, “How did he get stuck there?”
“I don’t know. He’s just running around―” Nino gets cut mid-off by another yawn. He whines and gets up, “Sho-chan, I’m too tired to drive back home. I’m sleeping here in your bed, goodnight.”
“Yeah, sure―no, wait, not in my bed. You kick a lot―”
“Goodnight.”
Sho sighs watching Nino head to his bedroom and shakes his head.
As if he can just allow Nino to sleep on the sofa.
++
When Sho wakes up the next morning, it’s to a poke to his cheeks, and he scrunches up his nose at the persistent poking.
“Sho-chan, wake up. I want breakfast.” Nino says, voice slurry from sleep, and Sho swats his hands away.
“Go away.” Sho sighs, smiling when Nino finally moves his hand back, and shuts his eyes tightly, hiding his face slightly against the pillow.
Nino goes strangely quiet and when he opens his eyes, he finds him holding his phone, smirking, and takes a photo, “I’ll send it to Aiba-chan. I’ll tell him if he’s interested in waking up to this.”
Sho rubs his face, groaning loudly, and sits up in bed, “Don’t send that if you want me to make you breakfast.”
“I changed my mind about that. It’s you. You’re terrible at cooking. How’s Akane surviving with you?” Nino grins widely and Sho shakes his head.
“I know how to cook basic things―”
“Very, very basic things.”
Sho’s not sure how long they remain like that, but they continue mumbling nonsense until Sho’s awake enough to get out of bed and Nino follows him. He’s about to head towards the kitchen when Nino holds his arm tightly and quietly, yet cautiously calls out for him, “Sho…”
“What’s wrong?” Sho whirls around instantly and Nino takes in a breath.
“We forgot to put Akai in the cage last night.”
Sho furrows his brows, “What?” Nino points towards the sofa and Sho’s eyes widen when he finds the hamster sandwiched between the sofa and the coffee table like last night, “No, no, no.”
Sho tiptoes towards the sofa, suddenly determined not to make any noise and wake up Akane. He swallows the lump in his throat and leans down, poking the hamster, and letting out long shaky breath when the hamster remains unmoving.
“Did we kill Akai?” Nino asks, voice hushed as he tiptoes towards Sho’s side, and Sho nods his head slowly.
“What am I supposed to do now?” Sho turns to Nino and Nino shrugs.
“I mean, it’s not like he was going to live forever―”
“There’s a huge different between the hamster dying when he gets too old and killing a hamster.” Sho sighs again, panic spreading through him, rubs his forehead, “Should I still tell her or―Wait, wait, wait.”
Sho grabs Nino’s hand, eyes wide and pleading, and Nino whines, “No. If you think I’m going to tell her that or pick up this dead hamster, no, no way. I’m not―”
“Buy a replacement.” Sho interrupts, “You were with them when they went there. I know you could tell me where the shop is, but it’ll be suspicious if she wakes up and you’re here and I’m not.”
Nino sighs, “You can’t just replace―”
“I’m going to give you the money for it.”
“Excellent plan. I’m going now.” Nino grins, turning around and padding back to the bedroom to change, and Sho shakes his head.
“Stingy.” Sho chuckles when Nino’s grin widens.
Sho stares back at the hamster until Nino comes out of the room fully changed and he frowns, “What am I supposed to do with it?”
Nino shrugs, but then halts, grinning brightly again, “Aiba might know.”
“No, he got that hamster for her and I killed it. What will he think of me?” Sho whines and Nino huffs out a breath.
“You’re a mess.”
Nino leaves after that and Sho sighs, groaning slightly when he picks up the hamster and throws it in an old shoebox, before wrapping it in a garbage bag, and hiding it behind the trash where he’s certain Akane won’t get to spot it.
He’s pacing around, awaiting Nino to come back with a new hamster, when his phone goes off and he instantly picks up, figuring out it’s Nino.
“Sho-san?”
Sho freezes at that voice and holds his phone back, staring at the name momentarily, before holding it back to his ear, “Aiba?”
“Umm, sorry for calling so early on a weekend. But Nino just called me and told me you wanted to talk to me?”
Sho shuts his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose, and contemplates murdering Nino. He’ll probably do it after he’s brought the replacement hamster though.
“I…umm, I actually have a bit of a problem with Akane’s hamster.” Sho mumbles, fiddling with the end of his shirt, “I accidently forgot him out last night and he got stuck. And he’s…he’s dead. I know I’m a terrible parent. I killed her first pet and now I’m just waiting Nino to come back with a replacement because that’s how terrible I am. And you even got it for her yet I end up doing this―”
“Sho-san, please breathe.” Aiba interrupts and Sho lets out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.
“But I’m terrible―”
“You’re not. Relax. It happens. You’re not the first and won’t be the last. I deal with kids on a daily basis and you would be surprised at the amount of times I’ve had parents come in and tell me similar stories.” Aiba’s voice is calm and somehow, it’s enough for Sho to make him feel slightly better, feeling the panic from before subsiding.
“I suppose.” Sho mumbles and Aiba chuckles.
“You are.” Aiba pauses and adds, “What did you do with the hamster?”
“I hid it in a shoebox behind the trash.” Sho mumbles quietly and Aiba hums.
“Then, do you want us to bury it? I know a place we could take it.”
Sho furrows his brows, “Why do you know a place we could bury a dead hamster?”
Aiba chuckles, “Okay, I should have explained. But the vet I used to work for, he had this empty part behind the building, and sometimes if the pets die, he would tell the pets’ owners if they want to bury their pets and he would bury them there. I could talk to him if you want and we could go there tomorrow.”
Sho rubs his head, because it’s a Saturday and it’s far too early, yet here he is, having killed Akane’s hamster and agreeing to bury the hamster with Aiba.
“Yeah, that sounds good―” Sho trails off when the door is pushed open gently and quietly, and Nino enters. His eyes widen, happiness spreading within him, when he notices the cage in Nino’s hand, with a very-much alive hamster that looks like an exact duplicate of Akai, “Aiba, I have to go. Nino brought the new hamster.”
“Good luck!”
Aiba ends the call shortly after that and Nino pushes the cage towards Sho. Sho quickly puts the hamster in the older and larger cage, putting away the new cage, smiling when he notices the new hamster running in its wheel, and yanks Nino into a tight hug, “Thank you so much!”
Nino pats his back, “So what did you and Aiba talk about?”
Right, Nino called Aiba.
“First of all, why did you call him?” Sho says as he steps back and Nino cackles, “Anyway, we agreed tomorrow we’ll be burying the hamster.”
“Huh…” Nino keeps his expression stoic and Sho can tell how he’s purposely holding himself back from blurting out what he wants to say.
“What?”
“Your first date is going to be burying a hamster―”
“It’s not a first date.” Sho interrupts and he freezes when he hears the slight rustles coming from Akane’s room, before her tiny figure makes its way outside of her bedroom.
Her hair’s a mess but she smiles between them brightly, “Did you have a sleepover last night?!”
Nino nods his head, “But he snores a lot so I couldn’t sleep well.”
“I don’t snore. And you kick.” Sho counters and Nino rolls his eyes. Akane giggles and Sho rustles her hair when she passes by him, “And what about you? Did you slept well?” and takes in a deep breath when she stops by the hamster’s cage.
“I did,” She hums, stopping by the hamster’s cage, “Akai-chan, did you sleep well too?”
Akane doesn’t seem to notice the hamster’s different and Sho smiles.
Thank you, fake-Akai-chan.
++
There’s a knock against his door and Sho blinks his eyes open.
“Oji-san?”
Sho shoots up at that, heart racing at how quiet yet watery Akane’s voice had been, and finds her peeking behind the door, lips trembling, and rubbing her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Sho instantly rushes by her side, leaning down, and she drops her arms around his neck. She starts bawling and Sho holds her tighter, rubbing her back, and trying to soothe her, but his heart hasn’t stopped racing, “Akane, what’s wrong? What happened?”
She sniffles, mumbling all incoherently, until she mumbles out between her sniffles, “I dreamt of dad. I miss him so much.”
Akane’s bawling again and Sho lets out a long shaky breath, holding her tightly, and rubbing her back soothingly. He doesn’t utter a word, just allowing her to cry, and feeling helpless again. What is he supposed to do or say to make her feel better? Is there even anything he can do to make her feel better?
Sho can feel his heart sinking at that and he forces himself to stand up, Akane still in his arms, and doesn’t let go of her even though her crying has significantly lessened. He sits down at the edge of the bed and Akane sniffles. She leans back and Sho keeps an arm around her, keeping her close atop his lap, and she murmurs, “Oji-san, you won’t leave me too, right?”
Sho’s heart shatter at that, at how wobbly her voice came out, hesitant yet pleading. He rubs her cheeks, rubbing away her tears, and reassuringly says, “I’m not leaving you. We’re staying together, okay?”
Akane nods her head, rubbing her eyes, before dropping her arms around Sho’s neck again, and Sho pulls her into a tight hug, comforting her, until she lets out a long breath, and leans back mumbling quietly, “Can I sleep here tonight?”
“Of course.” Sho runs a hand through her hair, pushing it back, and she smiles at him.
He can’t stop himself from smiling at her when she says, “Thank you.”
Sho picks her up swiftly and puts her down in the bed. He remains awake following that, remaining by her side until she’s deep asleep, and he tiptoes outside of the room after picking up his phone.
He runs a hand through his hair, dropping himself on the sofa, and dials the last of his recent calls, not bothering to check the name.
It’s nearly three in the morning and waking up Nino at this time is the worst, but he needs to make this call. His heart feels as if it’s about to burst and he doesn’t think he can stay still if he doesn’t make this call, despite knowing that if this had occurred at any other time and not so late in the night, he definitely wouldn’t be making it.
It only rings twice before it’s picked up and Sho instantly speaks, “Nino, I know you’re going to complain later, and I’m sorry, but I don’t know what to do. Akane just came crying because she dreamt of her father and she misses him. I―what am I supposed to do? She misses him because I’m so terrible and helpless, right? She doesn’t want to be with me, right? She’s only agreeing to be with me because she doesn’t have anyone else. I’m the worst, Nino. I’m so terrible. How am I taking care of her? I thought I was doing my best and doing well, but I’m not, am I? I―”
Sho pauses, taking in a deep breath, and he parts his mouth, ready to continue his blabbering, when he gets interrupted, “…I’m not Nino.”
Silence lingers and Sho’s eyes widen, whining loudly, and hides his face, because that voice was deeper than usual, slightly croaky and heavy with sleep, an obvious sign he’s just been startled awake, but Sho could instantly recognize that voice, “I’m so sorry, Aiba.”
“It’s fine.” Aiba clears his throat, “Is Akane okay now?”
“She fell asleep just a few minutes ago.” Sho mumbles, voice barely coming out, and he feels the shame creeping upon him at each passing moment.
Aiba remains quiet for several seconds, “Sho-san, are you okay?”
Sho lets out a long breath, “I…ummm…yeah, I’m fine―”
“Don’t lie to me.” Aiba speaks gently and Sho whines.
“I’m terrible. I am a terrible parent. I can never do something on my own, I killed her hamster, and she probably hates me―”
“Sho-san,” Aiba interrupts, voice soothing, “Believe me when I say you’re not. You’ve been taking her for just a few months, but you’re doing so good. And you’re doing it all by yourself―”
“I’m not. I get help―”
“You get help from Ohno, Nino, and Jun, yes, I know.” Aiba sighs, “You’re terrible at taking compliments, you know?”
Sho bites his lips and sighs slightly, a small smile making its way across his lips, “You genuinely mean it?”
“Of course, Sho-san.”
Silence lingers momentarily and Sho takes in a deep breath, “I’m sorry for suddenly calling you. I’ll hang up now, besides, I’m already making you get up so we can bury the hamster.”
“It’s fine, Sho-san.”
Sho smiles and mumbles, “Goodnight, Aiba. And, thank you”
++
Ohno and Nino take Akane out for lunch while Sho goes to pick Aiba up the next morning. The look Ohno gives him is enough for him to understand Nino has explained enough regarding the hamster. So he doesn’t go into that, instead only asks them to keep an extra eye on Akane and briefly tells them about last night without mentioning the call. He’s not entirely surprised with how Ohno instantly picks Akane up when she runs by their side and she’s giggling when Ohno tells her today’s going to be real special with how Nino has agreed to pay for everything. Nino doesn’t utter any protests and that’s enough for Sho to know Nino’s trying to cheer Akane up as well.
When Sho eventually leaves and picks Aiba up, Aiba doesn’t bring up the call from last night. The ride is spent in general in silence with Aiba giving him the directions and sometimes recalling some entertaining anecdotes of when he used to work at the vet. By the time they reach the place, Sho doesn’t know what he was expecting, but the two-story building’s small, yet looking bright and friendly.
The garbage-bag wrapped shoebox sits heavily in his hands when he takes it out and he’s thankful for Aiba noticing the way he’d been eyeing the bag because he grabs it from him, quietly and gently, before nudging him, “Let’s go inside, yeah?”
Sho nods his head and follows Aiba quietly, greeting less enthusiastically than Aiba when they step in, and then Aiba’s introducing him to the vet, before leading him to the back door with a hand resting on the small of his back.
The area in the back is larger than he expected. Box hedges line the area, with a few plants scattered across, and two trees with branches bare sitting at one corner. The spot next to the trees is empty, soil left untouched, and Aiba points to that spot.
“There?” Sho inquires and Aiba nods his head. Aiba turns around and grabs a trowel from where a bucket rests with a few gardening tools next to the door. They stop by the edge of the trees and Aiba puts down the box, before leaning down, and he’s driving the trowel in the dirt. Sho feels a bit useless and out of place standing there, and the guilt is washing over him again, so he settles next to Aiba and reaches out for the trowel, placing his hand atop Aiba, “Can I? I was the one who killed it.”
Aiba hands him the trowel and doesn’t utter a word. He watches Sho as he scoops out the dirt, a small pile piling up, until there’s a hole he reckons it’s deep enough to bury the hamster. He lets out a breath and Aiba grabs the box, taking it out of the garbage bag, and stares back at Sho, “Ready?”
Aiba lowers the box in the hole, sprinkling some of the dirt on top of it, “Akai-chan, you bit me quite a few times, pooped on me once, and although I didn’t know you for long, you were the best hamster I’ve ever met. You’ll be missed but never forgotten.” Aiba glances back at Sho, an amused smile on his face, “Any words you’d love to say?”
Sho chuckles softly, because it’s ridiculous how two grown men covered with dirt burying a hamster one of them accidently killed and preparing a funeral for said hamster, even though the sky’s clouded, high chances of rain, and the breeze hasn’t let up. Sho takes a bit more of the dirt and sprinkles it on top of the box, “Akai-chan, I barely knew you, but you made Akane happy and that made you the best. Also, I’m sorry for letting you out of the cage to get stuck overnight and accidentally killing you. I promise I didn’t mean it.”
Aiba nudges him softly, grinning, and Sho chuckles brightly. Aiba grabs the trowel this time, scooping the pile of dirt, and filling the hole until the shoebox is all covered, and pats down the spot, “Rest in peace, Akai-chan.”
Aiba stands up, stretching his arms above his head, and Sho’s eyes instantly falls on the patch of skin of his hips that shows from where his shirt his risen. He instantly tears his gaze away, trying to calm down his heart, and Aiba claps, grabbing his attention. He turns back at him and Aiba’s offering his hand with a bright grin, “Come on, it’s getting cold.”
Sho grabs his hand and allows Aiba to help him stand up and if Aiba doesn’t let go of his hand until they’re back in the car, he doesn’t mention it.
Sho starts up the car and before he drives out of the parking spot, he glances at Aiba momentarily, “Thank you. And I’m sorry I dragged you into this.”
Aiba sighs loudly, “Sho-san, I’ve told you many times, you’re not dragging me into anything. I wanted to help you with this.”
“But even...” Sho bites back his tongue, feeling the guilt creeping up on him, and then lowly mumbles, “...even last night calling you like that by accident and making a huge mess.”
Aiba doesn’t say anything until Sho drives out of the parking spot, “How’s Akane-chan today?”
“She seemed fine. I told Ohno and Nino to keep any extra eye on her just in case, though.”
Aiba nods his head at that and doesn’t speak until they spot by a red light and Sho glances at his side to find him staring at him intently, “You’re doing really great, Sho-san.”
Aiba’s voice came out quiet and voice laced with sincerity, but it’d been sudden in the quiet stillness of the car. And because Sho knows Aiba’s a friend now, he knows he didn’t say those words with no sincerity or saying it just out of politeness.
Sho smiles, a small genuine smile, “Thank you.”
++
Jun lets out a strangled shriek when Akane holds his hand with her glittered coated hand and Sho can’t stop himself from bursting into laugher.
“Look what Aiba-san and I did!” She exclaims, voice filled with glee, as she picks up the card, more glitter falling down, and holding it out for Jun to look at, “Ohno-san will love it, right?”
“I’m sure he will. It’s wonderful. But, how about you put it down and clean up? They should be coming soon.” Sho answers instead and Akane nods her head eagerly.
She turns around to face Aiba, whose busy gathering the scattered glitter on the table, trying to clean it up, and she pulls his arm, “You need to wash your hands too.”
“You’re right.” Aiba chuckles when Akane holds out her arms for him and he picks her up swiftly in his arms. She’s giggling loudly when she drops her arms around him, holding tightly, and Aiba does his ridiculous failed attempt to wink, which Akane follows instantly, and the two are laughing brightly between themselves.
Sho stares at that sight and feels his heart warm up at that, a smile instantly making across his face, and he lets out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding until those two have walked out of the room and Jun nudges him, “Is that your ‘I-love-Aiba-Masaki’ face?”
“Shut up and go wash your hands.” Sho replies instead and watches Jun as he stares down at his hand with a grimace look washing over his face.
“Why did they feel the need to user this much glitter? I hope Ohno either likes it or at least can pretend to like it.” Jun grumbles and Sho chuckles.
It’s Ohno’s birthday and seeing as it falls in the middle of the week, they agreed to gather for dinner in Sho’s place. Jun and Aiba had arrived a while back and helped Sho prepare everything, with all the food they’d ordered, and fulfilling Akane’s wish of decorating the place.
Aiba and Akane come back a few moments later, hands washed and free of glitter and glue. Akane’s by Jun’s side when Sho turns to glimpse at Aiba and spots the dust of glitter in hair, hair sparkling under the light, and Sho chuckles, “Akane’s covered in less glitter than you and you’re supposed to be the responsible adult making sure she doesn’t make a mess.”
“Huh?” Aiba’s already grinning, tilting his head slightly in confusion, and Sho points to his hair. He runs a hand through his hair, twice, and looks back at his hand empty and clean of any glitter specks.
Sho grins and shakes his head, “No, just wait.”
Sho steps forward, running a hand through Aiba’s hair where the dust of glitter’s scattered, and ruffles his hair slightly. All the glitter seems to have fallen and Sho runs a hand through it one last time, “That’s it…” Sho’s words trail off when he lowers his gaze and his eyes lock with Aiba. He’s only aware now of their proximity because just a tiny step forward from either one of them, and they would be closing the distance between themselves. Yet, Aiba hasn’t made a move to step back not when Sho stepped forward or now. Instead, Sho can’t tear away his gaze away from Aiba and wondering what’s causing that glimmer in his eyes. Sho can feel his quickening heartbeat, feeling all breathless, and overwhelmed by this huge yearning to step forward, closing the distance between them, but Sho knows he’s got no rights to do that, even though his heart’s all feverish because that looks a lot like anticipation in Aiba’s eyes―
“Nino called, they’re here.” Jun’s voice snaps Sho out of this trance and he doesn’t miss noticing the way Aiba’s eyes widen and he instantly ducks his head downwards and Sho takes a step back, whirling around and trying to calm his heart down.
He’s aware of Aiba beside him, but focuses his attention back on Akane when Jun hands her the party popper and shows her again where to pull on it. Ohno and Nino arrive a minute later, and when Sho opens the door, Akane instantly pulls on the party popper, the loud pop startling Ohno slightly, making him take a step back and bump into Nino. Akane exclaims loudly happy birthday and Ohno’s smiling at that, even when he leans down and she hands him the card swathed with glitter, ignoring the way Nino grumbles behind him at how he nearly broke his nose.
The evening goes well and Sho doesn’t ignore Aiba, but he’s not paying him particularly much attention. Because despite what his other three friends are persistent about, he can’t act on these feelings. Aiba may have become a friend and he might mean a lot to Akane than just being her homeroom teacher, but he’s still her teacher and Sho doesn’t feel particularly well about that thought. Besides, he can’t just date anyone now. He has Akane to think about and he doesn’t want to introduce and allow someone in his life and Akane’s life, only to later have them walk out.
Not paying attention to Aiba does turn out to be much more difficult than he anticipated, especially during dinner when Akane struggles to cut her food, and before Sho could do anything about it, Aiba’s picking up his knife and cuts Akane’s food into smaller pieces, until she seems satisfied and she’s looking up at him enthusiastically as she thanks him.
This is going to be much more difficult than he anticipated.
++
Sho stops texting Aiba, with the only exceptions being him replying to his texts, and never initiating a conversation, even during those brief moments he gets with him when he drops Akane and picks her up. He tries not to overdo it, but when Nino calls at times inviting him over and deliberately mentions everyone’s coming including Aiba, the suggestion in his voice so evident, Sho finds himself most of the times turning him down, either using the excuse of how he’s got a long ahead tomorrow or how he had a long day today. Nino doesn’t question it, so Sho figures he’s alright, it’s not too obvious and he’s only taking a healthy step back.
“So, when were you planning on telling me about it?”
Nino asks after Sho walks out of Akane’s bedroom and Akane has already drifted to sleep. He’s the only one here today, having come to stay with Akane when Sho had to leave for a few hours.
“What are you talking about?” Sho asks, dropping himself on the sofa next to Nino, and takes a quick peek towards the fake-Akai-chan’s cage, ensuring that he’s inside and the cage’s closed, before turning his attention back to Nino.
“I’m talking about you ignoring Aiba-chan and thinking I’m not noticing it.” Nino says and Sho’s eyes widen momentarily before he gains his composure.
He scoffs lightly, “I’m not ignoring him―”
“I don’t know if I should be insulted because you thought you could hide it from me or because you’re lying to me.” Nino raises a brow at Sho and Sho relents at Nino’s intense gaze.
“Was it that obvious?” Sho mumbles and Nino nods his head, before halting, and shrugs.
“It was too obvious for me. Anyway, why are you doing that? I thought you liked him and you two were getting along.” Nino probes, nudging Sho slightly until Sho sits up straight.
“Nino, I might like him, but I can’t act on these feelings. He’s Akane’s teacher―”
“Again with that?” Nino huffs out a breath, “You do realize he won’t be her teacher forever, right? He won’t even be her teacher for one more year. We’re already in December and Akane’s going to start attending school in April. He won’t be teaching her anymore. So, is that it? When April comes, you’re just all of a sudden going to fall in love with him or what?”
Sho takes in a deep breath, rubbing his face, and he realizes that Nino has a point. Aiba won’t remain as Akane’s teacher for so long. He knew that from the very beginning, yet he kept on holding on to that excuse. All quietly, his voice coming out all muffled, against his hands, he admits what’s truly giving him doubts, “Nino, I can’t just date anyone. I can’t just introduce someone into mine and Akane’s lives and then have that person walk out. It’s no longer just me. And I have to make sure that person’s accepting of Akane―”
“Are you even listening to yourself?” Nino huffs out, “It’s Aiba! Have you seen the way he looks at Akane?! Have you even seen what he does for her and how much he loves her?! Do you seriously think all that he’s doing for her it’s only because he’s forced to do it because he’s her teacher? What about Akane? You think she doesn’t love him? And you? Have you seen the way he looks at you and what he does for you?”
Nino takes in a deep breath, Sho frozen at his sudden outburst, and he glances back at Sho and quietly says, “It’s too late, Sho. You three have already gotten way too attached to each other. You think what you’re doing, ignoring him and pushing him away is helping, but it’s not. It’s making everything worst.”
Sho doesn’t utter a word and instead looks down at his hands, staring blankly, and allowing Nino’s words to sink in.
Nino’s words, they make sense, and Sho realizes he’s being selfish with his actions, and yet he can’t find that courage in his heart to do anything about his feelings. It’s terrifying how quickly he fell and allowed Aiba to walk in their lives, and he’s too terrified to do the wrong thing and ruin it. Yet, isn’t what he’s currently doing is ruining everything?
Nino stands up and grabs his jacket, letting out a long breath, and looks back at Sho one last time, “Sho, Aiba has been my friend for so long. I’ve seen him date and seen him get sad whenever relationship ended unexpectedly. But, I’ve never seen him get his heartbroken. So, if you’re planning to be the first person to break his heart, and you’re a great friend Sho, but I’m going to murder you and I know Oh-chan and Jun would do the same. Think about what you’re doing.”
Nino doesn’t utter anything else and walks out, leaving Sho slumped in his sofa, and with thoughts that won’t allow him to sleep tonight.
++
Sho doesn’t get a wink of sleep that night and as he watches Akane put on her coat, he resolves to actually make an effort to start up a conversation with Aiba today.
He holds out his hand for her once she’s worn her coat and has put on her shoes, but she’s staring down at her shoes and unmoving. Sho leans down to be in the same eyelevel as her and holds her hand, squeezing gently, “Hey, what’s wrong? You feeling okay?”
“Oji-san, you’ve been seeming sad recently,” Akane looks up at him, with a slight pout, “Is it because you haven’t been able to see Aiba-san a lot recently?” Sho’s eyes widen and he blinks his eyes quietly, unsure of what to say, until Akane takes in a deep breath and speaks again, “It’s okay, I miss him too. Even though I see him in the morning, I still miss it when we used to see him more. And you see him less, so you probably miss him more, right? It’s okay, just try to talk to him today a bit, okay?”
Sho’s speechless and he doesn’t know what to say, especially with how attentive Akane seems to be, and he wonders how did she see manage to see past him. He’s really been that obvious.
He smiles and gently squeezes on her hand again, “Okay. I’ll talk to him.”
Akane smiles brightly, throwing her arms around him, and he instantly pulls in for a tight hug, shutting his eyes, and smiling.
He really has no choice now but to talk to him.
When they reach Akane’s preschool, Akane squeezes on his hand just before they enter the classroom, and look up at him as she mumbles, “Don’t forget.”
Sho chuckles and nods his head.
The classroom’s emptier than usual today and Sho notices Aiba instantly. Aiba turns around and smiles at them, greeting Akane as usual, and Akane says goodbye to Sho but not before grinning all brightly at him, and reminding him once again.
Akane walks towards the end of the class to her cubby and Sho remains frozen in his spot, unable to think of anything to start up a conversation with Aiba.
It wasn’t that difficult before, yet his mind’s blank, and thankfully Aiba speaks first, “Sho-san, how are you? I’ve barely gotten the chance to see you or to speak to you recently.”
Aiba’s says it quietly and matter-of-factly, and Sho doesn’t miss noticing the way the corner of his lips fall slightly. It fills Sho up with guilt and Nino’s words from the night before are running through his mind again. He scrubs his hand over the back of his neck and clears his throat, “Yeah, I’m sorry about all of that. I was just busy with many things that happened all at once.”
“It’s fine. It’s understandable, you don’t have to explain it to me.” Aiba smiles, but somehow it’s small and slightly sad, and Sho mentally kicks himself for that.
Nino’s going to murder him and he deserves it.
“But, things should be fine now.” Sho mumbles out and Aiba blinks his eyes, staring at him intently, and he mumbles, “I mean I took care of those things, so it should be fine now...”
Sho trails off when his phone goes off and he instantly grabs his phone, mumbling a quiet apology, but Aiba shakes his head, this time a small smile on display, but seeming genuine, even when Sho has to bid him goodbye to answer the call.
Sho rushes outside and picks up the call without bothering to see the caller’s ID.
“Hello?”
“Hello, this is Sakurai-san, right?”
At that voice, Sho freezes and he mentally kicks himself again. He’d been so absorbed by everything else going on and forgetting the most important thing he’d been awaiting.
It’s December; Akane’s mother is back.
++
There’s a soft knock against his door and Akane’s voice is quiet, “Oji-san?”
Sho blinks his eyes open and sits up in bed, rubbing his eyes, and stares at Akane standing quietly by the door, “Akane?”
“My head hurts.” Akane mumbles, voice so quiet, as she makes her way towards his bed by his side, and he instantly picks her up, instantly being able to notice how there’s something odd with how warm she is, “I don’t feel well.”
Sho places his hand against her forehead and he frowns at how warm that touch had been, her body radiating heat, and he runs a hand through her hair gently when she coughs, “You’ve probably caught a cold.” Akane only rubs her eyes and he smiles gently at her, “How about you go to sleep for a few more hours and I’ll take you to the hospital in the morning, okay? For now, do you want to sleep here?” Akane nods her head and Sho scoots over, fixing the pillow for her and making plenty of space for her. He tucks her in and watches over her until she drifts off to sleep.
He wakes her up in the morning and frowns when he finds that she’s still burning up. Once she’s done with her breakfast and she’s dressed, Sho quickly texts Aiba, letting him know Akane’s sick and won’t be coming today, and picks Akane up to take her to the hospital.
Just like he expected, Akane has caught a cold and he’s glad it’s his day off and he can spend it with Akane when she’s not feeling well.
He keeps her covered up, her blanket draped around her when he leaves the TV on for her to watch, and he’s not entirely surprised to find her all drowsy after lunch and she has taken her medications. She needs the rest to get better, especially with how fatigued and drowsy she’d been, and Sho picks her up gently and places her in her bed, leaving the door of her room slightly ajar so if she calls for him, he can hear her.
He texts Nino about Akane and asks him to give him the instructions to prepare soup for her. Nino sends a series of texts with emojis he can’t comprehend followed by a long text dramatically declaring how Sho’s going to make her feel worst if he attempts to make the soup by himself from scratch. Sho rolls his eyes at that but he does feel slightly grateful when Nino follows it with another text telling him he’ll instead prepare the soup for Akane and bring it over.
Akane wakes up a few hours later and it’s evening with them both gathered around the kotatsu when he gets a new text from Nino.
“Something came up and I can’t bring the soup but I’ve sent a special delivery man for you and he should be there in a few minutes ;)”
Sho stares at the text and huffs out a breath. He should have expected this from the start. He quickly types out his reply,
“you liar nothing came up you planned this from the start”
“hot soup for akane-chan and a hot man for you I don’t see the problem in that”
“NINO YOURE THE PROBLEM”
“im the best and im going to make oh-chan and jun-pon buy me dinner for being the best friend you guys could ever ask for bye”
He’s about to send a reply when he’s interrupted by the doorbell ringing. He takes in a breath and pats Akane’s head when she looks up from where she’s covered in her blanket.
“Just a minute.”
Sho heads towards the door and takes in a deep breath before opening the door and his breathing hitches slightly when his eyes fall on Aiba. His got a beanie pulled down and Sho shivers slightly at the breeze from outside, and so does Aiba even though he’s wearing his coat, and Sho takes a step back, letting Aiba enter, and shuts the door behind him.
“Hey, how’s Akane-chan now?” Aiba asks as he hands him the plastic bag in his hand, with two warm sealed pots in it, and Sho takes it graciously.
“Still sick, but feeling a bit better after her nap.” Sho explains and Aiba trails behind him as they enter. Akane’s face lights up when she spots Aiba and she squeals, but gets interrupted by her coughs.
Aiba frowns and he’s by her side instantly, rubbing her back, and smiles gently at her when she glance back at him, “How are you feeling?”
“Better! I thought I wouldn’t see you Aiba-san only after the weekend!”
Sho smiles gently between them and pads to the kitchen, placing the bag on the counter, and takes out the pots. There’s a sticky note on one of the pots and Sho grabs it, instantly recognizing Nino’s handwriting, and preparing himself for what he’s about to read, with the doodles of hearts scattered all around his writing,
Dinner and soup enough for a family of three
― from: your-bestest-friend-ever
Sho takes the note and stuff it in the nearby drawer instantly, and hopes Aiba didn’t read or notice the note while he’d brought here.
The soup’s still warm enough that he’s not required to heat it up again and he fills up a bowl of the soup first for Akane. When he steps back into the living room, Aiba’s by the kotatsu beside Akane hearing her intensely as she seems to be recalling something for him.
He stops by their side and places the soup in front of Akane and rubs her back when she coughs again. She’s lost her appetite and has barely eaten much today, so he gently pleads her, “Try to finish this, okay?”
Sho watches her carefully as she picks up the spoon, stirring the soup slightly, before raising a spoonful of the soup and blows on it gently, and places it in her mouth. She’s grinning at that and looks back at Sho, “It’s good!”
“Then when you see Ninomiya-san again make sure to thank him, okay?” Sho says and she nods her, and goes back to her soup. Sho glances back at Aiba and smiles, “Stay for dinner? Nino made us some dinner.”
Aiba has a genuine smile on display when he says, “I would love to.”
Dinner passes with them quietly talking and paying attention to Akane. Akane manages to finish the bowl of soup and Sho sighs in relief at that. She takes her medications after dinner once again and it doesn’t take long for the medications to kick in and she’s drowsy again. Sho takes her to bed and when he steps out, Aiba’s underneath the kotatsu, and his hair’s all mussed up from the beanie he’d been wearing earlier, and Sho’s been holding himself back from running his hand through Aiba’s hair.
He seems so warm and cozy with the sweater he’s wearing, his hair slightly messy, and feeling so homey, and Sho wouldn’t mind being able to witness this sight every day. His mind does wander off, briefly wondering just how warm Aiba could be right now if he were to embrace him and hold him and how warm his body would be underneath that sweater.
Aiba glances up and Sho snaps himself out of his thoughts and makes his way towards Aiba. And he has the entire kotatsu, but he settles beside Aiba, and sighs, “It has gotten colder, hasn’t it?”
“It has.” Aiba agrees and chuckles, “When Nino called me and told me how something came up and he wants me to bring the soup, I agreed and I was happy I could bring it to you, but I was dreading the cold the entire time.”
“I told him to send me the recipe and I would do it, but he was dramatic and whining how I would make Akane feel worst.” Sho complains and Aiba laughs brightly at that, his laugher warming him up, and leaving him feel all tingly and warm on the inside.
Aiba lets out a short breath after that, “But maybe it’s a good thing he didn’t send it. I got to bring it and see you and Akane because of that.”
Sho stares at him intently for a second and then ducks his head down, biting his lips, before mumbling quietly, “I’m glad I saw you too before the weekend.”
Silence lingers slightly, but somehow it doesn’t feel uncomfortable or odd. Aiba hums eventually, “You said the adoption process would be finalized and finished in December, right?”
Sho can’t help himself but smile because Aiba still remembers than and he nods his head, “Yesterday morning when I left in a hurry, I got a call from her mother. She’s back and we will try to finish everything and all the papers by the next week or so.”
“Then you’ll be officially Akane-chan’s father?” Aiba asks, voice bright, and Sho smiles at that thought, nodding his head.
“Yeah.” He smiles and he can feel the exhaustion settling in his body, with the lack of sleep he got last night watching over Akane, and how he’s spent the majority of the day on alert and keeping an extra eye on Akane. He sighs and doesn’t think about it and lies down, the kotatsu being all warm just encouraging him, and he shuts his eyes momentarily.
“So will that be enough for you to believe you’re a good parent or will you still try to call Nino and accidently call me in the middle of the night to complain?” Aiba asks amusedly and Sho blinks his eyes to glare at him with no real resentment behind it. Aiba grins, “I don’t mind getting those calls.”
“You can be annoying just like Nino. Now I see why you two are such good friends.” Aiba laughs again and Sho smiles. He stares blankly at the ceiling once Aiba has stopped laughing and mumbles, “But still, I know I can’t ever replace her father and that’s not what I’m aiming. I just want to be good enough for her.”
“You are a good parent. How many times do I need to tell you that?” Aiba scolds him gently and Sho lets out a quiet chuckle.
“But there are so many things I can’t give her or offer her even though her father could.”
“Like?”
“Whenever something good would happen, like an occasion or something like that, her father used to make her omurice, I don’t know how to make that.” Sho blurts out and he only realizes it after he said it, but it’s a bit ridiculous, and he can’t help the chuckle that escapes him and Aiba sighs beside him.
“Please don’t underestimate your parenting capabilities because of omurice.”
Sho nods his head between his laugher and when he calms down, he blinks his eyes and admires Aiba from this angle, at his defined jaws and the way his eyelashes flutter when he blinks his eyes.
Aiba’s phone buzzes then and he glances back from where it rests inside the pocket of his coat that he’d taken off earlier and left it on the sofa. He turns slightly to grab his coat but seemingly has forgotten Sho’s beside him, so when he turns around a bit abruptly, their legs bump into each other and he loses his balance. Sho impulsively grabs his arms to hold him back from falling, but it’s a bit too late, so when he holds his arm, he ends up pulling him towards him, and Aiba manages to put his hands down to hold himself from completely falling, and ends up being above Sho, straddling him.
Their eyes lock and Sho’s breathing hitches at their proximity. He could pull Aiba down slightly and connect their lips, and that thought shouldn’t be the first on his mind, yet it is. Aiba’s legs are between his yet Aiba hasn’t made a move to adjust himself and Sho hasn’t made a move similarly to push him or move him aside.
That could mean something, right?
When the silence only lingers, and neither one of them has made an effort to move, Sho cautiously lifts on hand to run it through Aiba’s hair, which in turn Aiba’s eyes widen, but then he’s biting his lips before murmuring so quietly, “Sho-san, those things that you feel you lack and you want to give Akane-chan just like her father did, have you considered that maybe someone could help you with that?”
Sho feels delirious at their proximity and the only reply he can utter is a quiet, “Huh?”
Aiba takes in a deep breath, “Have you ever thought that someone would want to be with you and is going to completely accept Akane-chan because she already has made her way in his heart the same you have and he would want to help you and be by your side through everything?”
His heartbeats are quick and loud and Sho wonders if Aiba can feel his quickening heartbeat. He swallows the lump in his throat and pleads he’ll get the answer he’s been desiring when he mumbles, “And who can that person be?”
Aiba doesn’t speak for a second, but then he murmurs quietly, “Me.”
Sho for once doesn’t think about it and completely goes with what his heart’s been desiring when he cups Aiba’s cheek and pulls him closer, closing any distance between them, and connecting their lips.
It’d been sudden and unexpected, but Sho feels the way Aiba’s body goes lax at that one kiss, and Sho’s heart is torn between getting all feverish and melting at how right this is and how it finally happened. When they pull back, it’s to catch their breaths and Sho keeps Aiba close, rubbing his thumb gently against his cheek, and at the corner of Aiba’s lips, and notices the way the corner of his lips instantly lifts up at that.
“Aiba, are you sure you want to be with me? I―”
Aiba shuts him down by leaning down again and connecting their lips, that one kiss reassuring and enough to tell Sho they both want this.
He doesn’t know how long they remain like that but then Sho realizes Akane could walk out of her room and he doesn’t want her to walk in to Sho and Aiba making out underneath the kotatsu in the living room. He wraps his hand around Aiba’s wrist and with how late it’s gotten, he convinces him to stay over the night, and pulls him with him to his bedroom.
++
Aiba’s deep asleep, eyes tightly shut, and chest rising and falling with each intake of air, and everything’s so serene that has Sho smiling all drowsily and realizing he won’t mind waking up to this sight every morning. They’d slept with arms draped around each other, so when Sho leans back to grab his phone and check the time, Aiba blinks his eyes open, and clears his throat before slowly mumbling, voice muffled against the pillow, “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” Sho mumbles and frowns when he checks his phone to see it’s only six in the morning and there are texts from Ohno, Nino, and Jun, all sent around the same time, and he glances to find Aiba staring at him sleepily.
It’s quite adorable and Aiba hums, “What?”
“Nothing, just, do you know if those three were together last night?” Sho asks and Aiba furrows his brows, contemplating Sho’s words.
“Wait, didn’t Nino say something came up―ah, wait, he probably planned this. He wanted me to come over.”
Sho chuckles, “Did you just realize that?”
Aiba nods his head quietly and Sho unlocks his phone to read the texts.
The first text is from Nino with a picture attached and Sho squints his slightly and it doesn’t take him long to realise Nino’s taken a photo of his place with Aiba’s car parked outside. His eyes widen and he glances at Aiba momentarily, which has Aiba scooting closer, and he shoes him the photo. Aiba sighs when they both read the following text,
“it’s late and I’m certain Aiba’s finally in your bed!! congratulations!!”
Jun’s text is next with the same photo followed by,
“congratulations you two! took you long enough! just keep it down in the bedroom and don’t traumatize Akane-chan please”
Sho shrieks and Aiba’s chuckling brightly as they scroll to Ohno’s text, with a similar photo followed by two texts.
The first contains only an emoji with a fishing rod with a fish at the end of it, followed by the second one saying,
“That was my way of saying I’m glad you got your perfect catch”
They both laugh at Ohno’s text and Sho glances back at Aiba with a gentle smile, “I think it’s safe to say those three approve of us.”
++
Sho officially adopts Akane two weeks later on the twenty third of December.
When he’d stepped back home and was greeted by Aiba, Nino, Ohno, and Jun brightly congratulating him, he didn’t cry no matter what everyone insists on saying.
Akane clings to him tightly that day and Sho doesn’t mind it, only holding her tighter, and hopes it’s all the reassurance she needs that Sho truly won’t ever leave her side.
When nighttime comes and Akane’s gone to sleep, the five of them stay gathered around the kotatsu, mumbling nonsense to each other. Sho’s settled beside Aiba and he lets out a long breath, staring at Aiba, then tearing his gaze to stare at the other three, “Thank you.” Sho mumbles and Ohno stares at him blankly.
“For what?” Ohno asks and Sho chuckles.
“Being there for me this entire time even though I was a bit ridiculous sometimes.” Sho says and notices the way Nino and Jun are grinning.
“A bit ridiculous?” Jun repeats with a grin and Nino scoffs.
“Sometimes?” Nino’s grin is matching Jun’s and Sho rolls his eyes at them.
“Anyway, thank you for being there for me.”
Aiba puts his hands atop Sho’s underneath the kotatsu, intertwining their hands, and squeezing gently. It’s a small gentle gesture that has Sho smiling and unfortunately, Jun and Nino notice it with the way they start smirking.
“So, when you two get married, would that make Aiba her father as well?” Nino asks and Jun hums beside him.
Sho and Aiba freeze at that. It’s true that they both have realized what they both want and what they have is filled with long-term commitment, but it’s too early to bring up marriage, isn’t it?
“But they can’t get married here. So if they get married outside, but then her adoption papers and everything was done here.” Jun hums, contemplating, “What if they decide to have more kids?”
Ohno shakes his head when he notices the way Sho and Aiba are staring at those two wide-eyed and chuckles, “You two stop it. Let them take things at their own pace and do whatever they want.”
Nino and Jun laugh, while Sho and Aiba sigh, “You two are the worst.”
Nino scoffs at that, “I’m the worst? Have you forgotten the part that if it weren’t for me you two wouldn’t have met? Yeah, you’re welcome.”
Sho doesn’t utter anything about that and when they drift off to another topic, he only squeezes Aiba’s hand again, his way of telling him, I’m glad I met you.
++
Sho’s got an arm thrown around Aiba’s middle and Aiba’s got a leg thrown atop his legs.
It’s cold and they should probably get up and clean up and put some clothes on before going to sleep, but they’ve settled to only pull the covers atop themselves for now.
It’s quite a contrast from moments ago, when everything felt too hot and warm in all the places their bodies were touching, and Sho reaches out and pushes Aiba’s hear away from where it’d been sticking to his forehead.
Aiba hums and holds Sho’s hands, lowering it to press his lips gently against it, and then keep it close to his chest. Sho can feel Aiba’s heartbeats and he shuts his eyes, relishing in this comfort, and of those steady heartbeats. He flutters his eyes eventually and smiles gently at Aiba when he notices how he’s shut his eyes similarly but he’s still awake. Sho moves slightly, glancing aside to look at the clock, and sees it’s two minutes past midnight.
Aiba still hasn’t let go and Sho moves forward, poking Aiba’s cheek gently. Aiba blinks his eyes smiling softly at Sho and Sho sighs before leaning downwards and connecting their lips. He lets it linger before pulling back and whispers against his lips, “Happy birthday, Masaki. I love you.”
Aiba cups his cheeks and he’s pulling him back again, connecting their lips and kissing him thoroughly. They should definitely get up and clean up, but Sho figures it can wait a bit more.
++
“Do you think you can do it?” Sho asks carefully, standing behind Aiba, and Aiba takes in a deep breath.
“I’ll try my best.” Aiba answers, letting out a long breath.
Sho squeezes Aiba’s hips encouragingly and Aiba nods his head before his hold on the pan tightens. He grabs the nearby empty plate they’d kept aside earlier and holds atop the pan, before swiftly turning it around, and Sho’s breathing hitches.
Slowly, Aiba lifts up the pan and the two shriek when it’s fully lifted and they’re presented with a neat omurice, the omelet not torn and none of the rice has made it out from its middle.
“We did it!” Aiba places the pan and the plate down, before turning around, and hugging Sho instantly.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you!” Sho exclaims, his arms around Aiba tight, and they’re laughing before they know it.
They woke up early for this, to make omurice for Akane, to celebrate the fact she’s officially adopted, and it’s quite ridiculous how excited they’ve gotten over it, but Sho’s content with that. They step back but not before Sho pecks Aiba’s lips, and they turn their attention back to the omurice.
Aiba grabs the ketchup and draws a rabbit on the omurice, stepping back and nodding his head at it, and looks back at Sho with a bright grin, “We did it, we made omurice for Akane-chan.”
Sho wraps his arms around Aiba’s waist, pulling him his back tightly against his chest, and he’s smiling when he presses a kiss against his neck, and hides his face there, “Thank you.”
Aiba intertwines their hands and squeezes gently, before Sho lets him go and turns him around to kiss him properly. He only gets to peck his lips once when he hears the slight sounds of Akane’s footsteps and he steps back.
Akane steps in the next moment, her hair mussed up from sleep, and blinks his eyes quite a few times, staring between the two of them grinning brightly, “Good morning, what’s going on?”
Sho and Aiba glance at each other and Sho smiles back at her, “Akane-chan, close your eyes.”
Akane eyes them curiously but she closes her eyes as she’s told and Sho nudges Aiba to pick up the plate. Aiba picks it up and they both lean downwards, holding it in front of Akane, and Aiba nods his head at Sho.
“You can open your eyes now.”
Akane opens her eyes and Sho watches the way her eyes widen when it falls down on the omurice, staring at it intently, before looking at them, and quietly mumbles, “You made it for me? Just like dad used to make it?”
Sho nods his head, smiling gently at the way she blinks her eyes, eyes tearing up slightly, but she’s smiling when she mumbles, “Can you put it there and come back?”
She points towards the table and Aiba nods his head putting it atop the table and he’s by Sho’s side again. They both are staring at her curiously before she lunges forward, wrapping an arm around Sho and an arm around Aiba, pulling them for a tight hug.
Sho wraps an arm around Akane instantly and Aiba does so similarly, his arm falling atop Sho’s. Akane’s giggling when they both pull her in for a tighter hug, holding her so closely.
And being like this right here right now, holding the two precious people to him close, Sho realizes that this is the best thing that has happened in his life.
When she leans back, she rubs her tears away, a smile so wide and precious across her face when she looks back at him and says, “I love you, oji-san!”
Sho’s heart melts at that, warmth radiating throughout his body, and he pulls Akane back for another tight hug to stop himself from crying at that.
When she pulls back, he swallows the lump in his throat, not trusting himself enough to speak without bursting into tears at how elated he feels right now, so he only smiles brightly at her, and she glances back at Aiba. Aiba had been observing the entire exchange with a gentle smile and he tilts his head slightly when Akane continues staring at him brightly, “What is it?”
“I love you too! Because you make oji-san happy and he loves you a lot, and you make me happy and love me a lot too,” Akane’s grinning brightly and giggling again when Aiba hugs her tightly this time and then she’s whispering to him a bit too loudly that Sho hears it, “Please always stay with oji-san, okay?”
She leans back and Aiba meets her eyes and nods his head, “I will.”
They’re not really helping him in stopping his tears.
Sho takes in a deep breath, rubbing his eyes, and chuckles when Akane glances back at him, “Go and wash up so we can have breakfast together, okay?”
“Okay!” Akane toddles out of the kitchen and Sho instantly gets up, rubbing his eyes again, and Aiba chuckles gently.
“She’s really precious.”
Sho nods his head and takes in another deep breath as he picks up the omurice and places it atop the dining table, and mumbles, “Open up the first drawer and grab everything we need.”
Sho may not know the exact order of what’s around his kitchen, but he’s certain the utensils they need are in that drawer and the lack of answer from Aiba has him turning around, “Did you find―oh…”
His words trail off when he finds Aiba holding that sticky note Nino had left him two weeks ago. Aiba can recognize Nino’s handwriting and he definitely realizes when this was written, because he looks up at Sho with a gentle smile, and he knows they’re both thinking the same thing;
This family is the best thing to happen to them.
no subject
Date: 2018-12-28 04:56 am (UTC)I actually appreciate that in spite of a lot of encouragement, Sho took his time with Aiba. He was already dealing with a lot of emotional change, so it was fair for him to need time to work out his new reality first. If he had jumped in too quickly, he may not have been prepared. I like that Aiba was patient about it too, waiting for Sho to be ready. His confession - about being able to care for Sho and Akane and be a partner - guh! Lovely. :)
no subject
Date: 2019-02-20 09:56 pm (UTC)Thank you so much! Yup, they truly are the best support system 💚
Ahhh, yup they all are unique and support him in their own ways <3
I wanted to really highlight that, that despite loving Aiba instantly he really wanted to take his time with him and not rush into especially with all the emotional changes occurring.
Thank you again!! :)