Endless Skies, Chapter 04
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, 6863 (28685) words, published 12-03-16
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Endless Skies
butterflie Chapter Four
Pieces
"Hey. Any better luck this time?" Taichi whispers, nudging Yamato.
Yamato stares at the kanji saying "Fail" in red at the top for a moment, and then angrily shoves the paper in his bag, shaking his head at Taichi. "No," he says shortly. He doesn't want to discuss it. He's sick of the whole thing-of the class, of Dr. Kanada, of his unfair grades, of Taichi's well-meaning concern. He stares rigidly ahead to the front of the classroom as Dr. Kanada begins his lecture. He doesn't bother to take notes, or even listen-why should he bother, when it won't get him anywhere? He already knows how the rest of this course is going to go. He'll keep getting failing grades on his assignments no matter how hard he works, and not be allowed to take quizzes for made up, bullshit reasons, and at the end of the term he'll have a fail and nothing to show for his hard work, and will have to do it all again next term, hopefully with a better professor. So why put in the effort?
He spends the rest of the day in a foul mood, the failing grade constantly in his thoughts, trying to imagine how disappointed everyone will be in him for failing the class. His mind keeps spiralling downward, and by the time he gets back to his apartment with Naoki, Taichi in tow out of worry, he's picturing all the worst case scenarios. He sinks down onto the sofa wearily. He's tired, and troubled, and his heart aches from the injustice and frustration of it all, so when a few tears start sliding down his cheeks he's not surprised, though he wishes he was alone to cry.
Taichi's been standing by the entryway uncomfortably, clutching tightly to his own bag still slung around his shoulder, still wearing his rain jacket even, staring with some apprehension at Yamato, so he notices the tears right away. "Yamato," he says in an appalled, upset sort of tone, and that seems to be the cue to open the floodgates. Yamato starts sobbing, burying his head in his hands and feeling weak and ashamed of himself. It doesn't matter if it's Taichi-he doesn't want to cry in front of anyone, especially not over some stupid grades. But everything's piled up so much, and he can't seem to control it now.
"Hey, no, don't cry," Taichi says, growing distressed. He hastily pulls off his bag and jacket, along with his shoes, leaving them all by the door, before going and sitting next to Yamato on the sofa. Yamato feels an arm going around his shoulder, pulling him in sideways.
Naoki, who'd been placed in his newly bought playpen as soon as they'd got home, sees his Daddy crying and starts to cry as well, standing up and clutching the edge of the playpen tightly in chubby fists as he howls. Yamato, who's normally so prompt to go to his son and soothe him when he's upset, remains on the sofa instead, seemingly having a mini-breakdown, all of the hurt he's kept bottled inside all term finally spilling out through his tears.
After a moment of uncertainty when it becomes clear that his boyfriend is going to let Naoki cry, Taichi goes reluctantly over to Naoki and lifts him up out of the playpen, holding him in his arms and softly rocking him, soothing him. "Don't cry," he says. He's feeling a little awkward doing this when he knows it should be Yamato. It makes him feel too much like a parent, and the thought of that scares him, bringing up things about his and Yamato's relationship that he's not yet ready to confront. "Daddy's just a little upset, but he's fine, really, don't cry. Shh," he tells the toddler.
Naoki doesn't settle though, and Taichi decides to carry Naoki to his room, hoping that taking Yamato out of his sight will help calm him. It's not as if he has any better ideas, and Yamato's certainly not in a state to help either of them. When he gets there, he rocks Naoki for awhile longer, relieved when he realises the toddler's sobs are finally starting to taper off, and settles him down into his crib, giving him a few soft toys to play with until Taichi can hopefully manage to calm Yamato down as well, and maybe convince him into doing the right thing. He's dreading it-when Yamato's upset enough to let someone else see him cry, he's nearly impossible to reason with.
He goes back into the living room, mentally preparing himself for an upset and crying Yamato, but he finds it's not as bad as he's feared-Yamato is still clearly upset, leaning forward with his head still in his hands, but he's no longer sobbing his heart out. Taichi sits next to him on the sofa again, hesitant. He knows Yamato isn't going to like what he's about to say, that it may start a fight, but he really thinks Yamato needs to do this. He sighs, mentally bracing himself, and just says it. "You really need to go the department head about Dr. Kanada."
Yamato raises his head and looks at him incredulously. His eyes are red and swollen from crying, and still rimmed with unshed tears. His face is lined with despair, and it's a little heartbreaking to look at him. "I told you I can't," he says, voice low and full of anguish.
"Remind me why not."
"Because all that will happen is he'll get a warning and then be even more vicious toward me!"
Yamato's already getting agitated at the subject. It's not a good sign. Still, Taichi carries on. "You don't know that," he points out calmly to his upset boyfriend. "He's treating you very unfairly, and giving you grades you don't deserve. We already have an incident where he showed bias against you on that quiz, and the whole class could vouch for that if necessary. I don't think the university would just let that go, or warn him and trust him to correct his behaviour."
"But we don't know that for sure!" Yamato explodes at him, slamming his fist down into the sofa in anger. "I can't take that chance!"
Taichi knows it's not him Yamato is angry at, but the rage still startles him. He's suddenly reminded of all the times when they were younger, and one of them would end up taking a swing at the other in anger. He wonders if letting Yamato punch him now would help, though he knows Yamato would rather die now before causing him any harm. Still, if he thought would help any, he'd let it happen. He doesn't want Yamato to be like this, even if he has to admit that desire is mired in at least partial selfishness-he doesn't know how to handle Yamato like this, and he wants things to be like before, when Yamato didn't have all this stress and responsibility and they could just always hang out and have fun.
"Yamato, you can't just let this keep going on," he says, starting to feel a little desperate. He needs to convince Yamato, needs for something to be done so he doesn't have to keep seeing his boyfriend upset every time they have that class, doesn't have to see Yamato constantly stress and kill himself over papers, doesn't have to see Yamato break down when he thinks he's going to fail. "Look at you, you're crying and punching things because of the way this jerk has treated you. You don't deserve that."
"Of course I don't!" Yamato screams at him, once more starting to cry. It startles Taichi, but he barely has time to react as Yamato goes on. "But there's nothing I can do! It would only make it worse! Don't get all high and mighty and pretend you know what's best!"
"Yamato..." It's painful, to see Yamato this agitated. He feels helpless, and hates it, hates that he can't do anything about it, not if Yamato won't let him. In the bedroom down the hall, he hears Naoki's wails start up again. The little boy has clearly heard his daddy yelling, and it's upsetting him. He doesn't go to him this time-he's not the parent.
"Just get out!" Yamato yells at him, but the words catch easily, as if he doesn't really want to say them. "I don't want to talk to you right now!"
"Yamato, no-" he tries, but Yamato's having none of it.
"Get out!" he screams louder, and the rawness of his voice causes Taichi to wince.
"Are you sure?" he asks quietly. He doesn't want to leave, not when Yamato's like this. He'd expected a fight, but not to get thrown out. It's startling, and worrisome. Yamato's always made good grades in school, but he's never realised before how seriously Yamato takes them-he's always assumed the band comes first. Now he's not so sure.
"Just go!"
With a heavy heart, Taichi does, grabbing his stuff and slipping his shoes back on without saying another word. He shuts the door softly behind him.
Once he's gone, Yamato flings himself down into the sofa, shoving his face into a pillow and screaming for several minutes, getting out all the frustration and tears before he sits slowly back up. He doesn't feel better exactly, but he feels calm now, the urgency of needing to break down having faded with his screams. He takes a few deep breaths, wiping at his face with his shirt, and then goes to deal with his crying son.
* * *
"Naoki's not with you?"
"Hello to you too," Yamato says as he shakes his head at Koushiro. "And no, I'm paying Taichi's mom extra to keep him. I didn't think you'd appreciate him being here when it's supposed to be us hanging out." He steps into the house, removing his shoes for slippers, and follows Koushiro to the kitchen.
"I don't mind. He's your son. Would you like anything to drink?" Koushiro asks him. "Or to eat?"
"I'm good," Yamato says.
Koushiro nods, and sets about making himself some oolong tea. Yamato watches him quietly, wondering if he should have just cancelled on Koushiro and gone home. Today has not been a good a day. He and Taichi hadn't spoken once to each other, and Taichi had not ridden the subway to university with him this morning. Sora, who had history with them, had been upset to see them ignore each other, and had tried to get them to make up, but Yamato wouldn't talk to her about it, and Taichi only told her to ask him what the fight had been about it. By the end of class, she'd been resigned to their not speaking to each other and let them be. When he'd gone to get Naoki, Taichi hadn't been home. He almost had cancelled. When he's not in a good mood, he sometimes finds comfort in being with Naoki, in spite of him being only two-or perhaps because of it. Naoki can't really judge him, after all, and offers him unconditional love that usually soothes the ache in his heart.
"You're quiet tonight," Koushiro observes. "Something on your mind?"
Yamato hesitates, and then decides to hell with it. Unlike Sora, Koushiro will listen without judgement and offer what advice he can without trying to force them to make up right away. He's never fully outgrown his social awkwardness, but he's got a quick mind and a knack for solving problems, so Yamato figures he'll have something to offer. And if he doesn't, well, Yamato can at least use a listening ear right now. "Taichi and I got in a fight yesterday," he admits.
"About what?" His tone is mild, and that reassures Yamato. Of course, it's hardly their first fight, and Koushiro's probably not surprised by it in the least.
He sighs, leaning back against the counter. He suddenly feels weary. This whole fight is really his fault-he shouldn't have insisted Taichi leave. "You know that teacher I've mentioned before, that's being a dick to me this term?" He waits for Koushiro's acknowledging nod, and then continues. "Taichi thinks you're right, that I should report him to the department head. I think all that will do is just earn him a warning, and then he'll be even more vicious to me. He doesn't think so. We fought, I yelled at him to get out, he did. We haven't talked once today. I feel like a jerk."
"He's probably worried," Koushiro says. "And feels helpless. You know how Taichi is, he always likes to be in the thick of things, doing whatever he can to help and make things right."
"I know." The more he thinks back on it, the more miserable he feels. Taichi hadn't deserved his poor treatment. And it's so unlike him, to lose control like that. He normally keeps himself wrapped up tight. "I was really upset yesterday, I know he was just worried. I didn't mean to yell at him. I just want him to stop telling me I should report it."
"Just talk to him. Apologise for yelling. Tell him the situation is very stressful, and you'd like it if you could spend your time together talking about happier things, and leave the professor situation at school."
"Maybe," Yamato says. He's not sure it will be that simple, though. Taichi's really bothered by his treatment at the hands of Dr. Kanada.
Koushiro gives him a wry smile. "Taichi's got a big heart, and doesn't like to fight. Especially not with the one person who means the world to him."
Yamato smiles a little at that, knowing how true it is, and feeling oddly warmed by Koushiro's opinion of Taichi's view of him. "Yeah. You're right about that." He gives the other boy a bigger smile. "Thanks, Koushiro."
"No problem. You still want to watch this movie?"
Yamato grins. He's glad, now, that he hadn't cancelled, and thinks next time he'll even bring Naoki. "Absolutely."
* * *
The next morning Taichi's left without him again. He also still hadn't been home when Yamato had picked up Naoki last night after leaving Koushiro's. He's a little annoyed that his boyfriend's avoiding him, but tells himself to just take a deep breath and let it go. He wants to apologise, not make the fight worse. And really, he'd sort of invited it, hadn't he, with the way he'd treated Taichi?
He doesn't dare say anything during Dr. Kanada's class, and prob and stats is difficult enough for him that he needs to pay attention the entire time. He intends to talk to Taichi afterwards, since they both have free time before their third class, but Taichi's racing out of the classroom before he's even finished packing up, and by the time he makes it outside, Taichi's gone. He can feel himself getting frustrated again, but knows he wasn't exactly kind to Taichi during their argument, so he probably deserves a little avoidance.
He knows he can just text Taichi, but he prefers to do it face to face, so Taichi knows he's not just saying it. He really does feel bad about their fight, and kicking Taichi out-he had definitely overreacted. Instead he decides to leave his intro to music class a little early, and ducks out with about ten minutes left of class time, heading over to Taichi's class to wait outside.
Taichi tries to quickly head in the opposite direction when he exits the room and spots him, but Yamato refuses to let him, snagging on to Taichi's bag and yanking lightly. Yamato jerks his head towards the hallway, indicating that they should go somewhere more private, and Taichi frowns at him. He raises his eyebrows, his eyes asking if Taichi really wants to do this here in front of everyone, and after a moment Taichi sighs and nods. They walk down the hall, finding an empty classroom and ducking into it.
"What do you want?" Taichi asks once they're alone, folding his arms across his chest and leaning casually against the whiteboard. His eyes lack any warmth, and though he's not frowning, he's not smiling either. He looks as if he'd rather be anywhere but here listening to Yamato-he's the perfect picture of disinterest.
Yamato looks away briefly, knowing he deserves the sullen tone with the question but feeling slightly intimidated by it just the same. He hates apologising, even when he's in the wrong. He always feels so awkward about it. "I'm sorry," he says quietly, looking back at Taichi again, meeting Taichi's eyes and hoping his sincerity shows in his own. "I overreacted, and I shouldn't have made you leave. I know you were just worried."
Taichi's merely watching him, not saying a word, and Yamato feels so uncertain and uncomfortable, wondering if Taichi's more upset than he realised, wondering if Taichi's not going to accept his apology. He forges onward anyway, not knowing what else to do. "I know you're just trying to help, but being in that class is so stressful that I'd rather us not discuss it when we're outside of it, because I just want to be able to relax and forget about it when I'm with you. But that didn't give me the right to yell at you, and kick you out. Forgive me?" He stops, then, having said what he needed to say, and waits nervously for Taichi's response.
Taichi stares at him for a moment, his face impassive, and then he lets out a long breath, rolling his eyes. "You're forgiven," he says. "And I'll leave it alone for now. But I'll still worry."
"I wouldn't ask you not to," Yamato says softly. Relief blossoms in his chest, and he sags slightly. He'd really been worried that Taichi wouldn't forgive him, which would have left their relationship a huge question mark. But he should have known better. He smiles at Taichi, and ten minutes later they exit the classroom with Taichi's hand clasped tightly in Yamato's.
* * *
The following Thursday finds Yamato in line at First Kitchen. He rarely goes out for fast food, wanting Naoki to eat healthy, but tonight he's tired, and has too much homework to mess with cooking. So he's here, waiting to order, Naoki held in his arms, when he happens to glance around and spot Dr. Kanada at a nearby table, watching him. A wave of annoyance washes over him, but he does his best to ignore it, and continues to scan the kid's menu, wondering what Naoki might want most. There's only four items, but the little boy still gets overwhelmed if he has to decide between more than two things.
"Do you want a cheeseburger or chicken nuggets, Naoki?" he finally asks, figuring that out of the three burgers the restaurant offers to kids, Naoki will go for the cheeseburger the most. Really, he's not sure why he's asking, because Naoki seems to love cheese, and picks it over everything when he has the chance.
Sure enough, Naoki looks at him, all smiles, and says, "S'eese!" which is his word for cheese. He hasn't quite mastered double consonants.
"Cheeseburger it is," Yamato says, smiling back at him, and Naoki reaches out and pats his cheek, giggling. He feels eyes on him, almost boring into him, and hugs his son to him protectively, still very aware that Dr. Kanada's watching him, and wonders what the man's problem is. It's bad enough he gets harassed in class, does the man have to bother him in public too? He hopes the professor isn't planning on coming over to him and dressing him down in front of everybody-the man lacks any ounce of politeness in class, but surely around strangers in public is an entirely different story.
Ignore it, he tells himself firmly. Ignore him. Don't let him get to you. He gets to the front of the line and places his order, Naoki wriggling impatiently in his arms. The little boy wants to run around and explore. When he steps off to the side to wait for his food, he sets Naoki down, but holds firmly to his hand so he can't go anywhere. Naoki doesn't like this, but thankfully decides not to make a fuss. However, when he's approached by Dr. Kanada, he almost wishes Naoki had thrown a tantrum-it would likely be easier to deal with.
"Mr. Ishida," the professor says, nodding in greeting, and his voice is probably the least hostile Yamato's ever heard it. It seems the man can be polite after all, at least somewhat.
"Dr. Kanada," Yamato says. He does his best to seem cool and distant, not wanting to encourage Dr. Kanada. He's still wary of being humiliated, and wonders what his professor could possibly want.
"Is this your little brother?" Dr. Kanada asks him, nodding down at Naoki. "Are you babysitting for the night? How old is he?"
"He's my son," Yamato says shortly, "and he'll be two soon. I don't 'babysit' him, I take care of him." The assumption galls him, but it's hardly the first time he's gotten it from strangers, so he supposes he can't entirely blame the man.
Dr. Kanada raises a surprised eyebrow, looking the two of them back over with a newly assessing eye. "Where's his mother?"
Yamato silently fumes at the question, finding it rude and unnecessary. Like it's any of his business! Still, he decides to answer anyway-maybe it'll teach the man not to judge so hastily in the future. "She wasn't interested in a kid, and gave me all rights before he was born. I haven't seen her since I left the hospital with my son."
The shocked look he gets in return almost makes all the humiliation of the term worth it. It makes him feel viciously glad, to see all the man's preconceived notions being torn apart right in front of him. "See you in class," he adds as he hears his number called, and then grabs his order of food before swinging Naoki back into his arms and leaving. The man's a jerk, and even if he fails he'll be glad to be rid of him once the term's over.
* * *
"Now, some of you haven't been doing so well this term. Maybe some of you don't care, and that's fine. But if you do, this is your chance to make it up. I'm offering an extra credit assignment, due next Wednesday."
"Close your mouth," Taichi hisses at him, but Yamato ignores him, mouth still gaping. He can't help it. Their syllabus clearly states that no extra credit work is ever given, and Dr. Kanada had spent a good portion of their first class stressing this point. Even Jou had confirmed it for him.
He wonders what has changed the man's mind. He also wonders-if he does the extra credit, will he still be graded unfairly? It seems likely, but he knows he'll do it anyway. He'd definitely shocked his professor with his son last night, and he can't help but hold some hope that it will make Dr. Kanada stop treating him so harshly. He listens as the man continues to explain the assignment, scribbling down notes on it.
"Are you planning on doing the extra credit?" Taichi asks him once class is over, and he just nods. He's not sure it'll make a difference, but he has to try. Taichi gives him a worried look, but says nothing, respecting Yamato's request to not talk about it.
He spends the weekend and the start of the week working on it whenever he has a spare moment, paying Taichi's mom extra to keep Naoki for a couple more hours on Tuesday so he can finish up the assignment. He feels so grateful to her, that she's always so willing to help him out when he needs it, knowing that if it weren't for the support of his friends and family, he probably never would have made it this far.
Wednesday morning he turns the assignment in, meeting Dr. Kanada's eyes for a moment. He feels nervous, but the man gives away nothing, his expression blank as he nods in acknowledgement for receiving it. The rest of the day, along with Thursday, he finds it hard to concentrate on anything, wondering if Dr. Kanada will be fair, wondering if he'll get a good grade, wondering if maybe he'll get to pass the class after all. He feels resigned to failing by now, but if there's any chance-
When he gets the assignment back Friday morning and sees the perfect score at the top of the paper, he nearly yells in astonishment. A little bit of noise does escape him, and Taichi looks over, his eyes widening in shock. "Did you get the right paper?" Taichi whispers, and Yamato stabs his finger at the five characters that make up his name.
"It must be because he saw me with Naoki," Yamato whispers back.
Taichi just looks confused. "What?" he asks, and Yamato remembers he'd never told him about that encounter.
"I'll explain later," he mouths as Dr. Kanada returns to the front of the room to begin the lecture, his hands now empty of assignments.
* * *
When exams roll around next week, Yamato goes to the one for Dr. Kanada's class with a new sense of confidence. He's a little worried that the extra credit assignment was just a fluke, perhaps the professor's way of messing with him, but he firmly tells himself he can't think like that, and when he leaves the classroom after finishing his exam, he feels certain that he did well, and the only question that remains to be seen is whether he'll be graded fairly. The rest of his exams also go smoothly, and he's able to face his dad with a smile on Friday evening as he drops off Naoki.
"Pass everything?" his dad asks as he takes the diaper bag handed to him.
"I think so," Yamato says cheerfully. "Thanks for watching Naoki, Dad. I'll be back by eight at the latest."
His dad just waves him away. "Go have fun with your friends," he says.
Yamato gives his son a goodbye hug and wave, and then leaves, making his way to the restaurant where he, Taichi, Sora, Jou, and Ratsuii had all agreed to meet up, to celebrate finishing their first-well, fourth for Jou-term in university.
Everyone else is already waiting outside for him when he gets there, and he hurries up to them, idly wishing for the rainy season to come back, because the humidity in the mid-July air is making him sweat already. "Hey guys," he says. "Sorry to make you wait."
"It's fine," Ratsuii tells him. "Shall we go in?"
They all give their agreement and then head inside. "Welcome," a waitress greets them. "Just five?" At Jou's nod, she continues. "What style seating would you prefer?"
Jou looks around at the others. "Traditional?" Everybody nods.
"Very good," the waitress says, ever smiling. "Let me take you to a table."
They all remove their shoes and then follow her. Once they're settled on to their cushions and orders taken, talk soon turns to their classes they just finished.
"Do you think you did okay in Dr. Kanada's class, Yamato?"
Yamato frowns at the question, fiddling with his glass of water, wiping away the condensation with a finger. "It was weird," he says. "He came in a couple of Fridays ago and offered extra credit."
"He's never given extra credit," Jou says incredulously, but Yamato can only shrug helplessly at him.
"He gave me top marks on it," he says. "And I feel that I did well on the exam. So I should at least pass, if nothing else."
"That's great, then!" Jou exclaims, smiling wildly at him. He looks across the table to Taichi. "What about you, did you have trouble with that class? You two had it together, right?"
Taichi shakes his head, slipping his hand into Yamato's under the table and squeezing in silent support. "We did, but he pretty much ignored me even though it was obvious I was friends with Yamato," he tells them. "I never had a problem with my grades."
"What's this all about?" Ratsuii asks, confusion colouring his tone. He looks to his left at Yamato, wanting an explanation.
Yamato sighs. "My lit professor apparently decided he didn't like me because I was late the first day of class, and he's been giving me unfair grades and making snide remarks at me all term. Then I ran into him at First Kitchen while I had Naoki with me. He asked about him, so I told him Naoki was my son and his mom didn't want him, and the next day he came into class and offered extra credit, after making a point at the beginning of the term to make sure everyone knew he doesn't offer extra credit. It was strange."
"And he gave you top marks on the extra credit?"
"Like I said: strange." He shrugs again, not concerned enough to decipher his professor's reasons. He never has to see the man again, after all, and that suits him just fine. "How about you guys, how did your classes go?" he asks, wanting to change the subject and deflect attention away from himself.
Jou makes a face, starting to speak, but just then their waitress returns with their food, and they all wait a moment as they are served, thanking her politely. "I feel like I barely have time for anything outside of studying," Jou complains once she's gone.
"You're planning on med school, right?" Ratsuii asks. Most of his knowledge of the Chosen often comes from what Yamato occasionally shares, as the band and the Chosen never hung out together too often in high school, and Jou had gone to a different one than them anyway. Though Yamato has to admit to himself that he's amazed Ratsuii's able to remember it all, and keep it straight. Of course, Ratsuii also doesn't have friends outside of their band, so maybe it's not that surprising he can keep up with the information.
"Yes." Jou absently shoves his glasses up his nose before picking up his chopsticks and breaking them apart. "Let's eat," he says softly, and everyone echoes him. For a few moments there's only the sound of eating, before Ratsuii continues the conversation.
"You want to be a doctor?" he asks, still directing his question towards Jou.
Jou finishes his bite of food before speaking. "It's what my parents want, and I'm fine with it. But it's a lot of work to prepare for medical school, even this early on."
"I think you'll manage just fine," Sora says, smiling at him. "I remember how you were in our first days in the Digital World-always so anxious until one of us got hurt, and then you were the most cool and collected of us all, fixing us up as best as you could."
Jou blushes at the compliment. "I just like helping people."
"Digital World?" Ratsuii asks, looking around at them curiously.
The rest of them freeze, looking at each other with a slight sense of panic, and a bit of apology on Sora's face. None of them have any idea what to say. Taichi, Sora, and Jou all look to Yamato, since he's the one that knows Ratsuii best. He gazes at each of them helplessly, no more sure than the rest of them how much he should explain, if anything at all.
"...It's a long story," Yamato finally says, glancing to his right at his friend. "Remind me some other time and I'll try to explain what I can."
"Okay," Ratsuii says slowly, sounding confused but still willing to accept Yamato's answer. They go back to eating, still chatting about classes, along with the band's upcoming plans for the summer hols. Eventually their celebratory evening comes to an end, and he and Taichi are soon alone in his bedroom, getting in a little quality time before Yamato heads back over to his dad's to get Naoki.
"Why does this always feel so fantastic?" Yamato mumbles, sliding out of Taichi with a slick pop and rolling over to collapse back on the bed.
Taichi laughs. "Because humans would have died out long ago if it didn't, probably," he says. "You gonna be ready to leave in a few minutes?"
Yamato groans. "We need to start doing this when I can just roll over and sleep afterwards," he says, letting out a long sigh. He groans again, and closes his eyes. "Give me a few minutes."
"Don't fall asleep," Taichi warns him, slipping off the bed to clean up and get dressed again.
"I won't." He does, though, and Taichi sighs, crawling back into bed to curl up beside him. Just for a little bit.
* * *
Naoki's second birthday falls on a Sunday this year. While he appreciated Mimi's enthusiasm for an American-style party last year, Yamato definitely does not want to repeat that again, finding it way too lavish-especially for a child that's too young to remember it. Instead he just invites his parents and brother over, along with Taichi, and bakes a small cake, placing a big number "2" candle on top of it.
Taichi comes over an hour early, and handles getting Naoki bathed and dressed while Yamato finishes frosting the cake and picks up the mess in the apartment. Taichi's placing Naoki in his playpen just as the doorbell rings, and Yamato hurries to answer it.
"Hi dad," he says, stepping aside to let the older man in.
His dad greets him with a tired smile, nodding at Taichi as he removes his shoes. "How are you doing, Taichi?"
"Fine, sir," Taichi says, grinning at him. "Looking forward to the hols."
Yamato leaves the two of them to chat and entertain Naoki as he goes back into the kitchen to take care of the last few dirty dishes.
His mom and Takeru arrive around ten minutes later, just as he's drying the very last plate, and he quickly places it in the cabinet and steps into the living room. "Hi mom," he greets as Taichi lets them in. "Hey Takeru."
"Yamato," his mom says with a smile, slipping off her shoes for slippers before coming over to him and enveloping him in a hug. The smell of her perfume assaults his nostrils. It's not unpleasant. He hugs her back, briefly, and then steps away, giving her a small smile to take the sting out of it. Physical affection from his mom still makes him feel a little uncomfortable, no matter how many years they've gotten along now.
"Hi dad," Takeru says with a wide smile.
Yamato watches his brother with a pang of nostalgia, missing when Takeru used to run up to both him and their dad and hug the life out of them, always so happy to see them. Now Takeru's older, and though he's still a gentle soul, he's picked up on his dad's awkwardness with physical affection, and no longer does it. It makes him wonder if Naoki will be that way someday-he does his best to hug his son and give him love, but he's not used to it, and he knows it shows. He worries Naoki will pick up on it when he starts getting older, the way Takeru has with their dad. It makes him feel sad, thinking of it. He only wants his son to know how much he's always been loved and wanted.
"Hello, Hiroaki," his mom says, greeting his dad with an awkward, uncertain smile-if one can really call it that. One corner of her mouth turns up hesitantly, looking more like a grimace than anything.
"Natsuko," his dad returns, equally uncomfortable, nodding at her.
Yamato and Takeru both watch them in confusion for a moment, and then glance at each other. Takeru raises his eyebrows, silently questioning, and Yamato shrugs, not sure what to make of it either. He doesn't remember them acting this way around each other before, but then, they haven't really done things together solely as a 'family' in years.
Naoki breaks the unsettling tension by shrieking happily at them suddenly, raising his arms up, wanting someone to pick him up. Yamato watches as his mom seems to take it as her cue to break away from his dad, and lifts Naoki into her arms. "Hi baby," she says, giving him quick little kisses on his nose and cheeks. "I haven't seen you in a few weeks. You're getting so big! I can't believe you're turning two today!"
Yamato rolls his eyes at her back, even though his thoughts had been along similar lines when he'd woken this morning-not that he'll ever admit it.
They all visit for some time with each other, his parents asking after all of their schooling-Yamato hasn't told them about how Dr. Kanada treated him for most of the term, so he just smiles and tells them he thinks he did well. His parents both still seem awkward around each other, making Yamato exchange several glances with his brother, but they both can tell their parents are trying to pretend everything is normal, possibly for Taichi's sake.
Eventually they get around to opening Naoki's presents. Yamato has to get the wrapping started with a tear or two, but after that Naoki is able to finish pulling the paper off, looking at everything with interest and curiosity. His mom has gotten Naoki a couple of new outfits, while his dad has bought him two new books. Takeru gives him a few toys, and Taichi gets him a new colouring book and a box of neon coloured crayons. Yamato gets him some toddler friendly puzzles, and a new swimsuit-Yuuko has mentioned taking him to a wading pool during the summer when she has to watch him.
After presents comes the cake, and-with a bit of assistance from Yamato-Naoki manages to blow his candle out, grinning when Yamato tells him, "Good job!" in a proud voice. Yamato takes it back and cuts it, handing out a slice to everyone.
"This is good," his dad says after a few bites, and the others echo him.
"Thanks," Yamato says, blushing a bit. It's not often he gets compliments on his cooking-Naoki's not exactly eloquent, and the few times Taichi stays for dinner he's too busy stuffing his face to speak, though Yamato supposes that's a compliment in itself.
Shortly after finishing his cake, Naoki starts fussing, cranky. It's getting close to his nap time, and he's getting sleepy.
"I think that's our cue to leave," his dad says, when Naoki throws his empty juice cup to the floor, yelling "No!" really loudly.
Yamato sighs, bending down to pick up the cup. "Yeah, it's about time for him to take a little nap-We don't throw things, Naoki-sorry about that."
His parents wave it away, while Takeru just looks relieved it's not his kid. They all say their goodbyes to Yamato while Taichi takes Naoki to his bedroom, and soon it's just him and Taichi looking at each other in the living room. Taichi waggles his eyebrows, grinning suggestively.
"Fine," Yamato says, rolling his eyes. "Are you ever not horny?"
"Nope!" Taichi says cheerfully, and quietly races down the hall to Yamato's bedroom. Shaking his head, Yamato follows him, a fond smile on his face.
* * *
A week later, Yamato goes online to check his grades for the term. When he sees the passing grade for Dr. Kanada's class, he's floored. It's not a perfect score, of course, but it's more than he'd expected, even with the extra credit. He finds himself wondering if the man went back and re-graded his older assignments fairly.
After a moment of staring at the grade, he shrugs and powers down the computer. He doesn't really care how he got it, all he cares is that he passed and now he never has to deal with Dr. Kanada again. He can't ask for more than that.
"I passed," he says quietly to Taichi, who's sprawled out on the sofa on his back, his feet dangling over one end and his head resting on a cushion towards the middle. He's holding manga up in the air, reading it, and it looks like the most uncomfortable position ever to Yamato, but he's been that way for the last half hour without moving.
"Dr. Kanada?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Good, I'm glad that dickface finally saw the error of his ways," Taichi remarks, not looking up from his manga as he turns a page.
Yamato raises his eyebrows. "Dickface?"
"Have you looked at his nose? It's like the end of a mini dick right in the middle of his face."
Yamato snorts. "I could have done without that mental image." Taichi's not really wrong, though.
Taichi simply grins at him.
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