Endless Skies, Chapter 02
Sequel to "Unequivocal." Yamato thought the hardest part of raising his son as a single teen dad was the first year. But he's quickly finding out how wrong he was as he juggles his first year of college, the band, dating, and the terrible twos. Taito. AU for Tri.
[Digimon] M+, family/drama, 6572 (13637) words, published 11-12-16
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Endless Skies
butterflie Chapter Two
Drink It Down
"You need to have your topic and thesis statement ready to turn into me by next Monday. I will not accept any late assignments, no matter what your excuse is," Dr. Kanada says, staring directly at Yamato.
He feels his face heat up, both in embarrassment and anger at being singled out. The one assignment they had last week he turned in on time, and he's done all of his readings for the class. He really doesn't understand this guy's problem.
"What is that guy's problem with you?" Taichi asks as they're heading to their second class.
Yamato shakes his head as he shifts his bag, wishing he knew. "He's just a dick," he mutters. He doesn't want to waste time thinking on it, he just wants to enjoy the rest of his day.
Just as they get to the classroom, his phone vibrates in his pocket, indicating a new text. Laying tracks for single Saturday. Two songs. Yamato sighs. The news is another aggravation, and the last thing he wants to hear right now in his current mood.
"Bad news?" Taichi asks.
He shakes his head again, letting out another sigh as some of his hair falls into his eyes. "Just Ny. We're laying down the tracks for our new single on Saturday."
"That's good news, isn't it?" Taichi asks, raising his eyebrow. Usually Yamato is excited about anything related to his band. He can't understand why this text would make his boyfriend sigh like that.
"Yeah, it is, sort of, just..." Yamato makes a face. "He didn't actually ask if the day was okay. What if we'd had a date or something?"
"But we don't," Taichi points out, confused.
"I know, but we could have, and..." Yamato stops, seeing the look of confusion on Taichi's face. He's not up to explaining today. "Never mind."
"Okay..." Taichi's not sure what the problem is, but clearly Yamato doesn't want to discuss it. He decides to leave it alone.
* * *
The first Saturday in May is Children's Day. Naoki was too young to bother with celebrating it last year, but this year Yamato makes sure to get a few different koi flags for the apartment. He hangs the larger one outside by himself, but the other smaller ones he lets Naoki help with, putting some rods and hooks in and then hoisting Naoki up to loop the flags on them, knowing the ceiling fans will be enough to keep them flying.
He has to look up the lyrics to remember everything clearly, but he teaches the koinobori song to Naoki while they do the flags, and afterwards Naoki runs around the apartment, stripping down to just his diaper while he sings it in mostly gibberish at the top of his lungs. Yamato isn't quite sure why he feels the need to take all his clothes off while singing, but he's pleased his son is enjoying himself nonetheless.
Later that afternoon, he gets Naoki dressed again, and the two of them go out for some kashiwa mochi. He has to stop the boy from eating the oak leaves, explaining that they're not made for eating, but Naoki seems to enjoy the treat, getting plenty of red bean paste all over his face and hands. Luckily Yamato keeps wipes in the diaper bag for just this reason, and he easily cleans the mess before they go to a nearby park with a playground where Naoki tires himself out running around with the other children there and having a great time.
All in all, Yamato considers the day a success, and enjoys the chance he's had to just spend time with his son-he's so often busy with school and the band and homework that he doesn't spend nearly as much time with Naoki as he'd like. He remembers how he had felt when he was younger, watching his dad always have to go off to work to provide for them when he just wanted him to stay home and play sometimes. He doesn't want that for Naoki. He just hopes he can be there for his son when Naoki needs him.
* * *
Yamato gets home Sunday night feeling completely exhausted. The band's spent the day shooting the promotional video for the new single, constantly doing take after take. They're not even done-they'll have to shoot tomorrow after classes, and probably Tuesday as well. Naoki's spent the day with Natsuko, and he doesn't seem to have minded-he had a lot of fun with grandma and Uncle Takeru-but Yamato feels bad for not being able to spend time with him nonetheless.
It's only when he's gotten Naoki to bed and is preparing to collapse into his own that he remembers the assignment. That stupid, pointless assignment for their paper, to come up with a topic and thesis statement-that assignment he can't make up if he doesn't turn it into tomorrow, that assignment that will make Dr. Kanada hate him even more if he doesn't turn it in tomorrow.
Fuck.
Groaning, he grabs his bag and heads over to his desk, pulling out his notebook and a pen. He's worn out, and not at all in the mood to think about appropriate topics, so he puts down the first thing that comes to mind and then scribbles out a quick thesis statement. He's not sure Dr. Kanada will be happy with it-but then, the man doesn't seem to like him anyway, and at least now he has something to turn in.
Still, when he gets the paper back Wednesday, it's disheartening to see a slew of words in red all over the top of the paper, telling him the topic is awful and something the professor would expect a grade-schooler to come up with, not a student in university. He lets out a small sigh, but he knows he does deserve it at least somewhat, since he didn't put much thought into it. He'll just have to come up with something better tonight.
He puts Naoki to bed early and then sits down at his desk, blocking out everything around him as he focuses on coming up with a better idea. Finally something comes to him, and he starts the rough draft. He spends the rest of the week working on it, putting more effort into it than he put even into any of his entrance exams for high school and university, or at least that's how it feels. He turns it in Friday with a sense of accomplishment, certain it's a good paper and that even if Dr. Kanada doesn't like him, he'll still have to give him the high grade he deserves.
Saturday morning Taichi comes over early, and the two of them take Naoki to the Kanda Festival. Naoki loves watching the main procession through the streets of Tokyo, delighted by all the traditional costumes and shrines. Yamato has the small boy up on his shoulders, and several times Naoki grabs at his hair in excitement, making him wince.
"Want me to take him for a bit?" Taichi asks after a particularly hard tug that has Yamato unable to hold back a small cry of pain.
He hesitates, and then shakes his head. "No, it's fine. He'd probably get lost in your hair."
"Hey!" Taichi protests indignantly, but Yamato just grins cheekily at him.
Lunch is some of the festival food from the various stands set up nearby. Yamato usually enjoys cooking-or at least doesn't mind it-but it's nice to not have to worry about making food for once, and Naoki seems to be happy for the chance to eat things he doesn't usually get at home, although as usual he winds up wearing half of it instead of it eating it.
Taichi looks over at Yamato with a content smile shortly after they're done eating, or at least the two of them are. Naoki's up on Yamato's shoulders again, gnawing on some okonomiyaki. Yamato smiles back at him, feeling pretty happy himself, but suddenly Taichi lets out a snort of laughter, making him feel immediately self-conscious. "What?" he asks defensively, wondering if he has food on his face or something.
"There's bits of cabbage, egg, and pork in your hair," Taichi says, still chuckling as he looks at him again.
Yamato just sighs, not in the least surprised. "I should have known better than to put him back up there while he's still eating."
"Here, give him to me. You can duck into one of the shops and fix your precious hair."
Yamato glares at him, but does as Taichi suggests. Naoki fusses momentarily at being passed off, but settles again once he's firmly ensconced on Taichi's shoulders. When Yamato gets back, they wander the streets some, and then Naoki suddenly lets out a shriek, yanking fistfuls of Taichi's hair happily.
"Ow ow ow!" Taichi exclaims as he reaches up and tries to free his hair, glaring at his boyfriend's unrepentant laughter. "Yeah, we'll see who's laughing later..." he mumbles.
"Dwum!" Naoki exclaims loudly, and the two adults look around in confusion for a bit before the sounds of a drum filter back to them.
Taichi lifts an eyebrow, surprise evident in his eyes that Naoki could hear that and know what it is. "That has to be a couple streets over. Your kid must have excellent hearing. How'd he even know what it is?"
Yamato shrugs. "I'm a musician. Instruments and the sounds they make is one of the first things I taught him when he started speaking."
They start wandering again, following the sound, eventually coming across a taiko drum performance. Naoki seems captivated by the big drums and the colourful happi coats the performers are wearing, and Taichi's sure he's going to be bald by the end of the day.
After a bit with Taichi constantly flinching at every tug, Yamato takes pity on him. "Here, I'll take him back."
"No, he's enjoying himself. And your hair is too pretty for you to go bald."
Yamato snickers. "You won't go bald."
"Sure feels like it."
They watch some of the afternoon procession, all three of them enjoying the samurai on horseback, along with the dancers and various floats, and when they've at last had enough, they begin to head back home. Naoki's head is starting to droop, worn out from all the fun and excitement of the day, so Yamato takes him back from Taichi, carrying him in his arms, and Naoki falls asleep, his head against Yamato's shoulder, drool wetting his yukata.
"I had a good time today," Taichi says as they walk, smiling at him.
Yamato smiles back. "Me too."
"I bet he did too," Taichi says with a laugh, gesturing at the sleeping boy in Yamato's arms.
Yamato looks down at his son with a fond smile. He's glad to be able to have days like this with him. He just wants more than anything for his son to be happy. He feels lacking, sometimes, that his son doesn't have a mother, and worries that Naoki will one day resent him for choosing to raise him alone. So he does the best that he can, working hard to make up for the fact that it's just him, and hopes every day that Naoki will forgive him for his choice. Days like this make him think it's possible. "Yeah," he says to Taichi. "I think he did."
* * *
Taichi's birthday is Monday, so all the Chosen get together the day before to celebrate it with him. They hold the gathering at Koushiro's house, as his house has somehow become the de-facto party house for everyone.
The day promises to be pretty low-key, not too different from when they hang out for no particular reason, except this time there's cake and presents involved. However, the first present is given as soon as everyone arrives, bursting out of Koushiro's room with an excited cry.
"Taichi!"
"Agumon!" Taichi exclaims, a wide smile splitting his face. He holds out his arms and Agumon rushes into them, the two of them hugging and laughing.
The rest of the Digimon run out soon after that, quickly finding their partners and having mini-reunions with everyone.
"Thank you, Koushiro," Taichi says, knowing who is likely responsible for organising this surprise.
Koushiro blushes, scratching at his head in embarrassment. "Well, it was really Yamato's idea," he says. "I just pulled it off."
Taichi immediately crosses the room to where Yamato's standing, arms crossed and a smug look on his face, and kisses him long and hard in front of everyone. A few whistles and catcalls ring out, making Yamato blush when Taichi finally lets him go. "Thank you, Yamato," Taichi says seriously, his eyes shining with happiness.
"Happy birthday, Taichi," Yamato says in return.
They all have a great time after that, talking and laughing and playing games, snacking on several party foods Koushiro's mom has prepared for them. They play truth or dare, teaching their Digimon how it works, and peals of laughter are constantly ringing out as the dares get increasingly ridiculous, especially from the Digimon, who can't quite seem to get the hang of the game.
"How about Never Have I Ever?" Sora eventually suggests, when they get bored of thinking up dares for each other.
"Isn't that a drinking game?" Miyako asks with a frown.
"Yeah, Jou's the only one of us here that can legally drink..." Daisuke says with a pout.
"I don't drink," Iori volunteers.
"No one is making you drink, Iori," Sora reassures the fourteen year old. "Only those that want to drink can, the rest of you can just drink soda."
"I'm down with that," Taichi says with a grin, slinging an arm around Koushiro's shoulders. "Koushiro, your parents have some alcohol hidden away, right?"
"We can't drink their alcohol!" Koushiro protests immediately, looking scandalised. He ducks away from Taichi's grasp, backing up and crossing his arms, trying to seem stern.
"Oh come on, I'll replace it. Please? It'll be more fun, and it is my birthday..."
Koushiro groans, giving in easily. "If I get caught, I'm throwing you under the bus."
"I'll just say I corrupted you," Taichi laughs, and Koushiro reluctantly gets up, heading into the kitchen to get his parents' collection of shot glasses and a couple bottles of tequila and rum.
"Don't break these," he warns as he hands them out to everyone. "My parents would kill me."
They fill up their glasses with either alcohol or soda, the humans helping their Digimon partners-being sure to give them only soda. No one really wants to find out what a very drunk Digimon is like. Most of the older Chosen choose alcohol, Jou being the only exception despite his legal status. Takeru and Daisuke are the only two younger Chosen to choose it, and though Yamato wants to protest Takeru's choice, he bites his tongue, knowing he'd been drinking at that age too.
Gomamon tugs at Jou's shirt. "Jou. What is Never Ever?"
"Never Have I Ever," Jou corrects, looking down at Gomamon with a smile. "We all sit in a circle. The person starting says something they haven't done, using the phrase 'never have I ever.' Anyone that has done it has to take a drink, and sometimes explain the story behind it, if people want. Then the next person in the circle says something they haven't done, and it keeps going around until people get bored, or are too drunk to go on, if there's alcohol involved."
Palmon looks confused. Though Mimi hadn't been able to make it, she hadn't wanted to be left out, and so came along with the other Digimon. "You have strange games," she says.
Taichi grins at her. "It's my birthday, so I'll start," he says. "I'll start easy. Hmm... Never have I ever broken a bone." Jou downs his shot, to the surprise of no one, along with Daisuke, Ken, and Sora. The Digimon just look confused.
"Soccer," Daisuke offers, though no one had asked, and Ken nods.
"Tennis for me," Sora says.
"How do you break a bone playing tennis?" Ken wonders.
Sora blushes. "I might have tripped over the net while trying to return a serve."
They all laugh at her, and then Taichi nudges Yamato. "Your turn."
Yamato thinks for a few seconds, then shoots an evil smirk in Koushiro's direction, who immediately gulps and looks nervous. "Never have I ever hacked into a teacher's computer to change my grade."
After a moment's hesitation, Koushiro drinks, glaring at Yamato over his glass. The rest of the Chosen look shocked, and he knows he'll have to give at least somewhat of an explanation. "He said I got a question wrong," Koushiro mumbles, his face turning as red as his hair. "I didn't! I just wanted the correct grade I deserved!"
"Wow, our innocent little Koushiro is growing up and becoming corrupt after all!" Taichi exclaims, pretending to wipe away a fake tear. "I'm so proud!"
"I am not corrupt!" Koushiro huffs, glaring some more. "It was just one time! I would never do it if I was actually wrong!"
"Sure, sure..."
"Your turn, Gabumon."
Gabumon looks at his partner uncomfortably. "I don't think I will be good at playing this game," he says.
"You sure?" Yamato asks him, raising an eyebrow, and Gabumon nods.
"I will watch you play," he says peacefully.
"Okay," Yamato says, shrugging. He's not going to force his Digimon to play something he doesn't want to. "Takeru?"
"Never have I ever been punished for getting drunk," he says immediately, and Yamato rolls his eyes as he takes a shot, along with Taichi and Sora. "Oh yeah, I forgot you were there, Taichi," Takeru tells him apologetically.
Taichi just shrugs. "It was worth it," he says cheerfully, thankful for the incident that had brought him and Yamato together at last. Even if it had been particularly embarrassing at the time.
"Never have I ever cheated on a test!" Patamon declares, wiggling happily, making the others laugh.
"I didn't think Digimon took tests," Miyako teases.
"We don't!"
Takeru drinks to that, giving his Digimon a dirty look. "That was supposed to be a secret!" he complains. However, when the only people that don't drink are Iori and Koushiro, he feels better.
They continue to go around the circle, some of the 'nevers' being random, general questions that just pop into their heads and, in the case of the Digimon players, not always making a lot of sense. Others are clearly specific, referring to secrets they've kept, and meant to make the person being talked about take a drink.
"Never have I ever gotten drunk and wound up with a kid after a one-night stand," Hikari says at one point on the third go round.
Yamato drinks to that one resentfully, giving her a nasty look before turning it onto Takeru. "You were supposed to keep that part secret."
Takeru actually looks a little apologetic. "I didn't think she'd ever tell..."
"Wait, so Naoki was born because you... what, got drunk with the mom?" Jou asks incredulously.
Yamato glares at him fiercely. "Yes, and if any of you even suggests he was a mistake or I should regret it, I will punch you as hard as I can in the face."
"Woah," Daisuke says, holding up his hands in an attempt to be placating. "Touchy subject."
"Moving on," Miyako says, "it's my turn. Never have I ever been caught making out in the school bathrooms."
Yamato drinks to that one gratefully, along with a sheepish Taichi, unashamed Sora, grinning Daisuke, and hesitant Ken.
"Ooh, details!" Miyako squeals at them all. "Who with, how'd you get caught, and was it good?"
Ken immediately turns bright red, and hides his face, refusing to discuss anything.
"I won't say who with, but an upperclassman wandered in and caught us," Daisuke says. "It was during the lunch period. He said he wouldn't tell as long as we got out of there and didn't do it again. I would though, it was worth it."
"Mine was with Junta," Sora says, laughing as she recalls it. "He snuck me into the boy's bathroom early before school, unfortunately one of the teachers happened to be in a stall, we didn't think to check and so he came out and lectured us and we had to join in the cleanup that week even though it wasn't our rotation. It wasn't even worth it, Junta didn't have a clue what he was doing."
"Why didn't you teach him then?" Miyako demands. "It could have been a perfect opportunity."
"No way, he was sure he was amazing at it. He never would have listened." She turns to the last two to drink. "What about you guys, I'm assuming you got caught together?"
Taichi starts to answer her, but Yamato clamps a hand over his mouth, shaking his head. "No details, sorry," he says, and then lets out a startled noise when Taichi begins to lick his hand. "Stop, you're not that drunk yet!"
"Sure I am," Taichi says, slurring his words deliberately, leering at his boyfriend.
Yamato rolls his eyes and pushes him away. They finish up their round, and decide to move onto presents before Taichi really does get too drunk to open and appreciate them.
Taichi exclaims over everything happily, enjoying what everyone gives him. Yamato is nervous about his, having tracked down some limited first print manga that Taichi had been pining over for the last year-he isn't sure Taichi will really like that, but Taichi seems to love them, going on at length at how he'd been trying to get them forever but they always got sold or wound up being too expensive.
Eventually they all begin to wind down as it gets later. They say goodbye to their Digimon companions, and watch as they go back through the Gate that's currently open on Koushiro's computer. People start leaving, though Hikari and Yamato stick around to help Koushiro clean up while Taichi gives Jou some money to run out and replace the alcohol they drank.
"Have fun?" Yamato asks as he walks with Taichi and Hikari towards their apartment building. He's left Naoki with his dad, so he has to go in that direction anyway.
Taichi smirks at him. "Yeah, but I'm looking forward to tomorrow even more."
Hikari groans and covers her ears. "I don't need to hear that!"
Yamato just laughs.
* * *
The next day, the day of Taichi's actual birthday, the two of them have a celebration of their own. Yamato leaves Naoki with his dad, and then he takes Taichi out to dinner at a nice restaurant. Afterwards, at his apartment, he gives Taichi his final present.
"Oh shit," Taichi moans as Yamato takes the full length of him in his mouth, dipping his tongue into the slit as he sucks gently. Taichi looks down to see Yamato looking up at him-mouth wrapped wide around Taichi's dick, cheeks bulging a bit, eyes half-lidded with lust-and feels himself get even harder, though he would have sworn a moment ago that wasn't possible. He can't help but to thrust a bit, driving himself further down his boyfriend's throat. At that, Yamato increases the suction as he starts doing crazy things with his tongue, and Taichi tries to hold on, he really does, but all too soon he's coming, spilling down Yamato's throat with a loud groan and half-babbled apologies about the lack of warning. Yamato just looks at him, swallowing everything, licking him clean.
"That was incredible," Taichi says finally, when he feels he's recovered enough to speak. "Thank you."
Yamato grins. "Happy birthday."
"Best birthday present ever," he says fervently, meaning it.
"Isn't that what you said last year?" Yamato asks him cheekily.
"Well practice makes perfect," Taichi teases him, and Yamato just sticks his tongue out at him.
* * *
Wednesday morning, Dr. Kanada hands their rough drafts back. Yamato looks down at his paper and has to swallow a cry of dismay when he sees the red writing everywhere. He doesn't understand. He worked hard on this paper, he knows it was good, how can his professor find so much wrong with it? He almost wants to cry, but years of hiding his emotions and keeping everything inside easily holds the tears at bay. He's still upset when he leaves the class though, and even when he tries to hide it, Taichi's attuned enough to him to sense it anyway.
"What's wrong?"
Silently, he hands over the paper that's still clutched tightly in his right hand. Taichi skims it quickly, frowning as he reads through all the comments, thinking that most of them seem unnecessary, and a few come across as downright cruel. "What a dick," he says, anger threading through his tone as he hands the paper back.
"All this because I was late the first day," Yamato sighs.
"He's just trying to play games. Don't let him get to you. You know your work is good. Do the rewrite, make the changes he says-he can't give you a bad grade then."
"Yeah, you're right," Yamato says, but privately he's doubtful. This professor does not like him, and seems to have made it his mission to be out for blood this term. Still, there's not much he can do about it, so he does his best to put a smile back on his face and not worry Taichi.
That night, he bribes Takeru with extra pay to come over and watch Naoki for him while he works on the final draft of his paper, which is due Friday. Takeru does such a good job that he begs him to come back the next night, so that he can finish writing in peace and have the most amazing paper to turn in. Takeru's reluctant, but he pleads as hard as he can, offering even more money, and Takeru finally gives in, though he won't accept the extra pay.
He's deep into his work when Naoki's high-pitched laughs, accompanied by Takeru's deeper ones, penetrates through his consciousness. He frowns in annoyance, absently wondering what they're doing as he tries to block out the noise and keep writing. Their laughter continues though, constantly distracting him, until he finally gets up and makes his way down the hall to Naoki's room, wanting to see what's got them both so amused.
He's not sure what he's expecting, but what he sees definitely isn't it.
Takeru and Naoki both have clothes hangers in their hands, which they're brandishing as make-shift swords, stabbing them at each other and making fake clashing sword noises. Well, Naoki's mostly just laughing, but Takeru seems to have the sound effects down enough for the both of them.
"How dare you," he starts, and Takeru looks over at him, alarmed. "How dare you have a sword fight without me?" he finishes, grinning, and runs into the room, snatching a spare hanger from Naoki's closet before joining in. The three of them battle fiercely, Takeru and Naoki ganging up on him, and eventually he lets Naoki 'kill' him, pretending to be mortally wounded by a stab, falling to the floor and clutching at his chest. Naoki's shrieks of joy are the most precious sounds he's ever heard.
After that, though, he has to ask them to play outside for a bit while it's still light out, so that he can finish up his paper without further distraction. They go agreeably enough, and an hour later he's finished-or at least as much he thinks he can be, having the feeling that no matter how much work he puts into it, it won't be good enough for Dr. Kanada.
He turns it in Friday with a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, and then spends the whole weekend stressing about it, worried about what sort of grade he'll get back. He even finds it hard to concentrate on the date he and Taichi go on Saturday, fretting in his head about everything he wrote and thinking of ways he still could have done it better. He feels bad, because he can tell Taichi's getting a little annoyed with him, but he can't seem to turn off the anxiety no matter how hard he tries. He does appreciate that Taichi at least doesn't say anything to him about his worrying.
He doesn't get the paper back until Wednesday, and when he does, he almost wishes he hadn't. The grade's even lower than the rough draft, which makes no sense because Yamato made every single change Dr. Kanada had suggested. He knows protesting it would be useless though, so he doesn't bother. He spends the rest of the day in a foul mood, all of Taichi's attempt to cheer him up unsuccessful. When he wakes up the next day, he's feeling somewhat better-at least until he gets Ny's text.
Photoshoot tomorrow at 9:30, it reads. Details in a bit. He's angry, because Ny hadn't bothered to check with him to make sure the time was okay, and because the photoshoot is during the time he has Dr. Kanada's class. Missing it will not make the man any happier with him. When he gets to his third class that afternoon-Intro to Music, a class he doesn't share with Taichi-he finds Ratsuii just as angry as he is about the text, as he also has a class he'll be missing at that time.
"He didn't even check to make sure it was okay," Ratsuii gripes. "Probably just told Daichi right off the bat to go ahead and confirm it."
"He did the same thing when he picked the time for recording the single," Yamato agrees, glad that Ratsuii's with him in this. "I don't know if he genuinely didn't think about our classes or is mad at us for going to university, but it's really inconsiderate, and not like him."
"We'll just have to say something to him," Ratsuii says frowning. "After all, maybe he really did forget. I doubt he has both of our schedules memorised."
"Still, he could have just asked, just to be sure," Yamato complains. "My professor already hates me, if I miss his class he'll hate me even more."
"Are you not going to go?"
Yamato sighs, running his fingers through his hair. "No, I'll go. It's already been scheduled, and it'll be a good opportunity for us. Cancelling could hurt our future chances. I just won't be happy about going, that's all."
* * *
"I'm sorry, Yamato, you know I would if I could."
"Yeah, yeah I know Dad, don't worry about it. I'll ask Mom."
He ends the call and then dials his mom's number, waiting impatiently for her to pick up. He feels bad for doing this last minute, but with his paper and the photoshoot he had completely forgotten about his and Koushiro's plans until the younger boy had texted him earlier to make sure they were still on.
"Yamato?"
"Hi Mom," he says. "I'm sorry to do this, but is there any way you can watch Naoki for a couple of hours?"
"Oh honey, I'm sorry, I'm working late tonight, I can't. Have you tried your dad?"
"Yeah, I'll do that. It's okay, thanks."
He wonders if Takeru wants to make a bit more money.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's Yamato. You want some extra money?" Before his brother can answer, he hears muffled laughter in the background that sounds a lot like Daisuke, and knows he's going to have to find someone else.
"Sorry, I'm out with Daisuke and Ken tonight. You try Dad?"
Yamato sighs. "He's working late. But don't worry about it, I'll find someone. Have fun."
"Yep!" Takeru says, and hangs up.
He thinks for a moment, drumming his fingers on the counter in irritation. He doesn't want to have to ask Mrs. Yagami when she's already watched Naoki all day, but he doesn't really have any options left. He selfishly wishes Taichi wasn't hanging out with some of his old soccer buddies from high school, because he knows Taichi wouldn't mind.
Letting out another sigh, he dials the Yagami number, and after a couple of rings Yuuko's voice answers. "Hello?"
"Hi, Mrs. Yagami, it's Yamato."
"Oh hi, Yamato. You only left an hour ago. Is everything okay?"
The immediate concern in her voice warms him. She's been like a second mother to him ever since he and Taichi became good friends. It makes him feel even worse for asking on such short notice-he feels as if he's taking advantage of her, somehow. "Everything's fine. I hate to ask, but is there anyway I could bring Naoki back over for a few hours?"
"Oh, dear, you know I normally wouldn't mind at all, but right now I'm on my way out to go shopping with Hikari and won't be back for awhile."
"Oh," he says, doing his best to hide his aggravation. It isn't her fault, after all. "That's okay then, I'll ask someone else. Thank you."
"No problem. Good luck finding someone."
"Thanks." He hangs up, groaning. Now what is he supposed to do? The only Chosen that don't seem to be busy are Sora, Jou, Miyako, and Iori. There's no way he's going to ask the younger ones, and he can already hear Jou's excuses about needing to study echoing in his head. And Sora, well... there's a reason the other Chosen refer to the last time he asked only as 'The Great Babysitting December Debacle.'
He groans again.
"Mad?" Naoki asks curiously, coming over to him and patting his legs.
"Irritated," Yamato tells him, though he knows Naoki is too young to pick up on the nuances just yet. He looks down at his son for a moment, wondering what to do, and then abruptly decides to hell with it. While he usually only brings Naoki to group outings, something like this won't really hurt either, and he doubts Koushiro will really mind. He can find something to keep his child entertained for a couple of hours.
"You wanna go somewhere with Daddy, Naoki?" he asks, putting a smile on his face.
Naoki responds to it, smiling back and clapping his hands together with glee. "Daddy go!"
* * *
When he rings Koushiro's doorbell an hour later, diaper bag slung over one shoulder and Naoki hoisted against the other, Koushiro raises his eyebrows but doesn't say anything. He smiles sheepishly anyway, hoping the other boy isn't too mad with him. "I tried to find a babysitter, but everyone is busy tonight," he offers apologetically.
Koushiro shrugs. "If you're fine with it, I'm fine with it."
"I brought stuff to keep him entertained. Hopefully."
They set Naoki up in a corner of the living room with several of his toys and a few colouring books and crayons. He mostly just scribbles, but he enjoys seeing the pictures nonetheless. Then they head over to the sofa, where Koushiro's already got their movie set up. He won't admit it to most of his friends, since he knows they'll just tease him to death, but he really enjoys the crazy science fiction stuff Koushiro often watches. And Koushiro's been happy to have a friend besides Jou that's willing to watch it and discuss it with him, so he doesn't mind keeping Yamato's secret.
"So how's the final year of school going?" Yamato asks while Koushiro fiddles with getting snacks for them.
"Busy," Koushiro called from the next room. "I'm sure you can imagine. Everyone's focused on getting the best entrance exam scores."
"You worried about it?"
"Of course," Koushiro said, tone matter of fact. "I know my grades are good, but are they good enough for university?"
"Hey, if I can get in, then so can you," Yamato told him. "You've always been the smartest out of all of us. I know you'll do fine."
"I hope so," Koushiro said, giving him a wan smile as he comes in and sets out a small assortment of dried cuttlefish, nori maki, and onigiri . "I just hope I can survive the year and all the revisions."
"You will," Yamato says confidently, and then pops some nori maki into his mouth as Koushiro starts the movie.
* * *
Early Saturday afternoon, he meets up with Taichi and Sora at Moumou's. It's a bit weird, being in the shop again. The last time he was here, he was telling Megumi that he wanted to keep his son. Except he hadn't even known then that he was having a son. It had just been a nameless, sexless baby at that point. When he looks around, he sees the shop hasn't changed much in the past few years. He can still point out where he and Megumi had sat.
He orders a coffee for himself and a small bowl of ice cream for Naoki, then goes over to greet Taichi and Sora. "Hey guys," he says.
Sora greets him with a smile and hello, and Taichi gets up to give him a quick kiss, making him blush. He gets Naoki settled-although he fusses at the booster seat, making it difficult-and then seats himself, at last taking a sip of his coffee before he reaches over to help Naoki eat. The boy lets out a shrill noise, yanking his spoon away, so Yamato decides to let him feed himself-he so rarely shows interest in it and Yamato wants to encourage every instance.
They enjoy their coffee, taking their time as they just chat and enjoy hanging out together.
"I broke up with Minoru," Sora says at one point.
"Oh Sora, I'm sorry," Yamato says sympathetically, and Taichi makes murmuring noises of agreement. They both know how much she had liked him, she had called each of them and spoke of nothing but him for an hour when he had first asked her out.
"What happened?" Taichi asks gently, hoping that she won't get too upset, or start crying. He always feels awkward when other people start to cry.
"Oh, I dumped him. He never wanted to go out on dates, and the few times I could get him to go, he never paid much attention to me. I got tired of it, so we broke up."
"Well, I'm sure you'll find someone better soon," Taichi tells her awkwardly.
"You two about ready to go to the park and study some history?" she asks. It's an obvious attempt to change the subject, and they glance at each other, worried, but silently agree to let it go. If she needs to talk to one of them about it, she will when she's ready. They both know that. Still, Yamato finds himself wishing Mimi were still here. She and Sora were so close, and Mimi would have a much better idea of what to say to cheer her up than either of them do.
Yamato checks on Naoki, who's finished about half of his ice cream. He cleans the other half off the boy's face, and then looks at her with a smile, hoping she's really okay. "Yeah, let's go," he says softly.
They all throw their trash away, then he takes Naoki tightly in one hand and Taichi in the other, and the four of them make their way to the park.
Kashiwa Mochi is a traditional mochi (Japanese rice cake) with red bean paste filling wrapped with an oak leaf. It is enjoyed on Children’s Day in Japan as we celebrate a child’s growth and happiness. - justonecookbook (dotc0m).
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