#delicourse

“Of course not” she huffed, eyes rolling as her head turned to look back at the pair playing in the yard. “And dad’s not smitten with mom either.” The sarcasm thick in her voice.

Once again, Kei couldn’t help wonder how it was possible that Aimi was Akiteru’s daughter and not his own. There was so much of him in her, it was a little frightening, and a lot frustrating.

Genetics he summed up. It must have skipped Akiteru.

“Won’t get a boyfriend with that mouth” he quipped back, feeling slightly offended that he was getting sassed by a nine-year-old.

“Dad says I’m just like you when you were younger. Old man” she replied, looking up at Kei again.

“Say that again” he dared. Gods, his niece could be such a pain.

“Anyway, I’m too young for boys. Not like you or dad or mom or your shooting star would let me.” Wasn’t that the truth. Girl was already a sight for eyes -genetics Kei- and no matter how much she drove him up a pole, there was no way some punk was getting his hands on her. So help him, he would call his upperclassmen from high school and the cat and owl idiots if he need to.

“Tashi!” Kei and Aimi look up at the high-pitched squeal. Kei’s face relaxed and a slow smile spread – unbeknownst to the man.

In Tadashi’s arms was a small boy who was giggling his head off. Tadashi was laughing along with the boy, spinning them round and round.

“Higher Tashi! Higher!” Tadashi complied to the boy’s request and held him up a little higher, grip remaining firm to keep the boy from falling.

“Your smitten~” Aimi sing-songed, smirk on face as she jumped off the swing. Kei tsked, eyes trained on the little girl as she raced across the backyard and slammed into Tadashi’s legs a cry of “Uncle Tashi” on her lips. The older man laughed and fell onto the ground, Kiku held safely above his head. Within seconds both kids were climbing onto Tadashi and he lightly wrestled with them to keep them entertained.

Kei’s face relaxed once again. Yeah, he probably was smitten, but after knowing Tadashi since childhood, the man still seemed to shine as bright as a star.

He couldn’t help the small thought of doubt that grew in his mind though; that perhaps he should have let his childhood go years ago. During university would have been a good time. After all, seeing Tadashi play with Akiteru’s kids just drove home the fact that Tadashi would make a great father – and Kei couldn’t give him that.

As if sensing his husband’s negative thoughts, Tadashi lookup at Kei. A smile spread on his freckled face as he regarded the man who made him happiest, who also seemed to be lost in some dark place. He really was like the moon lost in the dark sky.

“You’re smitten” Aimi repeated, this time to Tadashi.

“Yup” he confirmed, patting the girl’s arms that were wrapped around his neck as she stood behind him.

“Tashi?” Kiku asked, the two-year-old innocent to the deep meaning of the words that his sister had spoken.

“Tsukki!!” Tadashi yelled. “Come play with up!”

“Uncle Tsukki” Aimi joined.

“Tsukki!” Kiku wailed, joining the other two.

Kei looked up at the trio calling out to him. He was half-tempted to ignore them and go inside. But, Tadashi seemed to have that look on his face that said ‘I know what you’re thinking and I will drag you back out here if you so much as continue that thought.’ He sighed and stood up.

“Yay” the three cheered, all scrambling to get up and tackle Kei.

Kei may be like the moon who got lost in the dark night sky, but Tadashi would forever be that star that shone light into the dark.