Little Moon

“Me? How did I change your mind?” Kuroo stood up, standing close to Kei.
“You came back,” Kei whispered, turning so that they were face to face, bodies only a breath apart.
“What do you mean?”
Kei shrugged a little. “Let’s just say that seeing you again brought back everything I felt for you back in high school.”
“Yeah. Same.”
“I’m sorry I was rude to you the other day.”
“Wait. Why are you apologizing? Rude?”

Dear god, the number of times these two left him stunned tonight was… well, he lost count. Still, Tetsuro wouldn’t change it for the world. It was an amazing feeling, to be honest, and he loved it. He loved them.

Tetsuro realized he’d placed his arms around Kei’s waist, hands resting lightly on the small of his back. Perhaps it was an impulsive move. Or maybe it was instinctive. Whichever, he was holding Kei loosely in his arms, and it felt good. He didn’t want to let go. Ever. Still, they’d only just reconnected. This was the first night they’d spent any amount of time together since they were in school, and that wasn’t for too long, either.

Still, Kei had always had a place in his mind, and heart. And, if he were to believe what he was told a couple hours ago, Kei had been harboring his own feelings toward him.

“I ran away,” Kei admitted quietly. “I left right after I told you who Eru was to me.”
“But…”
Kei gently placed his hand over Tetsuro’s mouth. “No, I ran away. I was scared. I’d kept our lives in a small bubble, and you finding out about her burst it. My first instinct was to run, and hope I’d never see you again. I’m sorry.”
Tetsuro gathered Kei into his arms, holding him gently, yet firmly.
“Don’t apologize. Not for that. You were doing what you thought you needed to do in order to keep Eru safe.”
“You wouldn’t hurt her,” Kei protested.
“No, I wouldn’t. But you didn’t know that. All you knew of me was our time during those camps. Several years have passed. For all you knew, I could have been the… the Big Bad Wolf.”

They stared at each other for a few moments, and then Kei broke first, trying not to laugh and failing. Tetsuro smirked, then smiled, and finally joined him. They laughed and held each other. And perhaps the happiness, the joy, and the closeness all contributed to their first kiss. A sweet one, just long enough to tempt them into more, but it ended before it could go further.

“Daddy?”
Tetsuro let Kei go, and watched as he went to his daughter, who was at the door, rubbing her eyes. It also looked like she woke up crying. Tetsuro wanted to go to her, too, but knew this was Kei’s place as her dad.
“What’s wrong, baby? Did you have a bad dream?” Kei brushed back the hair from her face. He turned to Tetsuro and asked quietly, “could you get me a cool, damp, towel?”
“No problem.” And he snapped into action, only to stop a few moments later. “Ummm…”
Kei chuckled. “In the pantry, on the shelf to your left.” Tetsuro almost passed it. “Stop. Turn left.”

Tetsuro felt his face heat, but he opened the pantry, found a towel, and took it to the sink. He turned on the cold water, and ran it under the water stream, and then wrung it out. Turning off the water, he brought the towel to Kei, and knelt beside him. Just in case.

Kei thanked him and lightly pressed the towel to Eru’s face. She squirmed a bit, trying to move away, but Kei held her firmly, assuring her it was alright, and the towel would help cool off her face. She settled down and let him finish, and then Kei passed the towel back and picked up his little girl. He turned to face Tetsuro, who also stood up.

“I guess we should call it a night,” he said with a bit of a sad smile.
“Yeah. I have to work in the morning anyway.” He fiddled with the damp towel.
“Just put that by the sink. I’ll take care of it later.”
Tetsuro nodded, but hadn’t moved. “Kei? Will I…”
“Do you want…”
They smiled at each other, and Kei nodded.
“You have my address. Why don’t you come over after work?”
“Sure! Do you want me to bring anything to eat?”
“No, I’ve got an idea. Bring your appetite.”
“Done. See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. See you.”

They parted slowly, both wishing they’d had a little bit more time together. Still, as Tetsuro went to the door, he turned back, and watched Kei turn and take Eru back upstairs. He left, turned the locking mechanism in the doorknob so that he’d be locked out, and closed the door carefully behind him.

~*~

For the rest of his week in Sendai, Tetsuro spent all his free time with Kei and Eru. He was supposed to leave Friday, and go back to Tokyo, but he stayed for the weekend, and Kei invited him to stay over at his place. Eru made the most of that, considering it a sleepover, and demanding his time and attention, which he gladly gave. He watched her shows, let her “style” his hair, and joined her for tea parties, with her favorite dolls and plushies. He’d often find Kei watching them, his amber eyes bright, and a smile on his face.

They went to the park and joined Daichi, Koshi, and their kids for their playdate on Saturday. The kids all raced to the playground, with Kenji grabbing Eru’s hand and tugging her along behind him. The adults watched them play for a while, and then Daichi asked Tetsuro if he’d join him for a walk.

“Extended your stay, huh?” Daichi asked once they were on the sidewalk track that circled the playground.
Tetsuro shrugged nonchalantly. “Yeah. I didn’t feel like going home right away.”
“I noticed,” Daichi smiled. “Plus, I think you love them, and don’t want to leave.”
“When did you start reading minds, Sawamura?”
“I don’t, but I’m pretty good at reading into a situation. You love them.” It wasn’t a question, but Tetsuro answered anyway.
“I do. And you’re right. I hate that I’m going to be leaving them tomorrow.”
“Why not invite them down?”
“I’ve thought about it. But, I don’t know.”
Daichi chuckled. “Just ask. Best case scenario, Kei will agree, and they’ll see how you live in Tokyo. Next best, you can always come back up here.”
“I’d be more surprised at your attempts at matchmaking if I didn’t know who you were married to.”
Daichi blushed. “Yeah, well… anyway. For what it’s worth, I think you’ll need to plan for a couple visitors.”
“So certain…”
“Nah, I just know that Kei’s just as in love with you and you are with him. And Eru, too.”
“Eru?”
“She likes everyone, but she also picks who she likes best. Kind of like her own little circle of Very Important People. Kei is at the top of that list. You took second place. Then us.”
“I’m second?”
“Yep. So, once you get the chance, ask him.”

~*~

“So, are you two official, yet?”
“Good grief, Koshi,” Kei answered, exasperated. “We’ve just been spending time together, nothing beyond that.”
“Why not?”
“Ohmigod! You’re impossible.”
“Well?”
“How long were you with Daichi before…?”
Koshi squinted at him. “Three weeks.”
“Tetsuro and I have only had a few days.”
“A few days is enough to get it started, don’t you think?” Koshi chuckled at Kei’s thoughtful face. “Besides, you love each other. Always have.”
Kei hmphed. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am.” They waved at Daichi and Tetsuro as they walked toward them on the track. “If you want, we can keep Eru for you tonight.”
“Koshi?”
“What?”
Kei just stared at him for a few minutes. “Nevermind.”
“I thought so. Just let us know when you’re on your way.”

~*~

After dropping Eru off at the Sawamura’s, and dodging knowing looks from the both of them, Tetsuro and Kei were seated on the floor in the living room, eating pizza and watching their favorite anime. They played a few video games, and Kei made a chocolate sauce to go with the strawberries he’d bought earlier.

“You know what?” Tetsuro asked, feeding Kei a strawberry.
“What?”
“I think I’d have been able to figure out Eru was yours, even if I hadn’t seen her at the park that day.”
“How so?” Kei asked, returning the favor, and feeding Tetsuro a strawberry.
Tetsuro winked. “These.” He picked up a nearly perfect, ruby red fruit.
Kei blinked, and then smiled. “She loves them. Eating them, clothes with strawberries on them, hair ties and ribbons with strawberries on them.”
“Yeah. When she came up to me at the party, she was wearing that cute little dress with strawberries all over it. I would’ve known she was yours right then.”
“And why’s that?”
“You love strawberries, too.”
“I wonder what gave you that idea.”
“Couldn’t be that I saw you eating them every morning at camp.”
“Not at all.”
“Hmmm…”

Tetsuro fed Kei the strawberry he held, and leaned in for a kiss. One that grew heated the longer it went on. It ended when they were breathing heavily and drunk on love. With his forehead against Kei’s he waited a little bit before finally speaking.

“What are you doing next weekend?”
Kei blinked, still hazy from that kiss. “Uhhh, nothing that I’m aware of. Other than Eru’s playdate. Why?”
“Come visit me in Tokyo?”
“What?”
“Come visit me in Tokyo. My place isn’t as big, but it’ll fit the three of us. I know of a few kid-friendly places Eru would like, and all in Nerima City.”
Kei moved back a bit. “I don’t know. I’d like to, but it’s so big. Eru’s never been anywhere but here.”
Tetsuro sighed and smiled, “It’s okay. I don’t mind coming up here to see you both.”
“Let me think about it, alright? It’s been so long since I’ve been, and Eru’s still so little.”
“Okay. Let me know.”
“I’ll call you.”
Tetsuro smiled again, and went back to kissing the man he loved.

~*~

[One Week Later]

The train eased to a stop at Ikebukuro Station nearly three hours after they left Sendai. Kei held Eru in his lap, and she was sleeping against his chest. He tightened his hold a little, kissed her head, and then did his best to stand up without waking her. For a moment, he was at a loss as to how to juggle daughter and both their bags, but one of the coach attendants came over to help him out. He thanked the young lady, and left the car, finding Tetsu almost immediately. Smiling, he waited while his boyfriend took the bags from the attendant, tipped her handsomely, and then turned to Kei and leaned in for a quick welcome kiss for him, and one for Eru.

“How was the trip?” Tetsu asked as they made their way out of the station.
“Quiet. She was asleep within a half hour,” Kei replied, smiling at Tetsu and down at Eru. “Good thing you suggested the late train.”
“Why do you say that?”
“She’d have found everything so fascinating. I’d have to keep up with her as she explored everything.” He shifted his daughter more comfortably. “She’s just so curious! If I didn’t keep an eye on her, she’d be off following whatever captured her interest.”
“Well, she’ll have two pairs of eyes on her tomorrow at the park.”
“Yeah. Thanks for inviting us down.”
Tetsu grinned and looked at him for a long moment. “You’re still worried, aren’t you?”
Kei nodded, his arms tightening around his sleeping daughter. “I am. Sorry. She’s still so small, and she’s just so curious. I want to have fun, but…”
“I understand,” Tetsu said. “No, really, I do!” he added when Kei looked at him a bit skeptically. “To be honest, I’m a little nervous too. But we have an entire weekend, and the only places I plan on taking you two are relatively quiet areas.”
Kei breathed a sigh of relief. “Good.”
“Since it’s getting late, and you look like you are about to drop, we’ll call it an early night. Sound good?”
Kei nodded, but then, his stomach protested. Both of them tried not to laugh too loudly. “Well, maybe a bite to eat, first?”
“No problem. I can make a light meal.” He reached over and ran his fingers through Kei’s hair. “I’m glad you could make it. Both of you.”

~*~

“You ready, Eru?” Kei asked as they waited patiently, and quietly. “Remember what I told you?”
“Eru has to be quiet,” she said and held a finger up to her lips as she shushed him.
“Very good! And what else?”
“Eru must be careful,” and she stood still as a statue, making a pouting face. Kei laughed and kissed her cheek.
“Maybe not quite like that,” he said, looking over at Tetsu, who was smiling at them both. He came over and crouched down on the other side of Eru.
“Look up there, Eru!” Tetsu pointed up, and Eru looked up.

Slowly, but surely, butterflies fluttered into the observatory. You could hear hushed oohh's and aahh's from other visitors, but Kei and Tetsu watched Eru. Her little face lit up, amber eyes sparkling with wonder, little mouth open in a perfect “O”. She was bouncing up and down, and trying so hard not to make a sound.

As the butterflies fluttered down, Eru would hold her little hands up as if to try and catch one. Kei gently corrected her, whispering that she couldn’t catch them. His little sunshine never dimmed. She held her hands out in front of her, palms up, and soon she was rewarded for her patience. A beautiful, tiny yellow butterfly settled on her left hand.

“Daddy, look!” she almost squeaked.
“Yes, baby. Isn’t it pretty?”
Eru nodded enthusiastically. While she did, two more butterflies landed on her other hand. A handsome, larger blue butterfly, and one that seemed to shimmer both green and purple at the same time. His little girl practically vibrated with excitement beside him. She wanted to move so much, but did her best not to until the butterflies fluttered away.
“Daddy! They liked Eru!”
“They did! Oh! Hold still a little more, okay?”
“Why?”
Kei gently touched her hair, and a butterfly crawled onto his finger. He brought it around to show Eru.
“This one liked your little flower hair tie,” he said, showing her the orange and black insect.
“It’s so pretty, Daddy!” She held out her finger and Kei let it crawl onto its new perch. “What kind is it?”
“I think it’s a Monarch butterfly.”
“Monarch,” she repeated.

They stayed for a little while longer, letting Eru explore the garden, and find different butterflies. They stayed with her, laughing at her antics. While they walked, Kei reached for Tetsu’s hand, and weaved their fingers together. After another hour, they left, Tetsu carrying Eru, and went to their next destination.

~*~

After lunch, they went to the park near Tetsu’s apartment complex. It was fairly large, but oddly, there weren’t very many people around. Still, Kei kept his eye on Eru, letting her run around, but not too far. They strolled along one of the longer paths on their way to the playground. Eru, for the most part, stayed close as she’d been told. Sometimes, she’d bring back a shiny green leaf, or a tiny wildflower. Each time, she ran back to Kei proudly showing him her newest treasure. Once she showed him, she would shyly show Tetsu what she’d brought.

“She loves you,” Kei told him, nudging Tetsu with his shoulder.
Tetsu looked surprised. “You think so?”
“I do. I think she’s been fascinated with you since the first time she saw your picture.”
“My picture?”
Kei laughed. “I took a few pictures at summer camp that year. The one she stopped on was the one of you, Bokuto, and Akaashi. She stopped telling me her story about my teammates and asked me who you were.”
“Oh, yeah. She mentioned it at the party. I’m amazed she didn’t ask about Akaashi. Or Bokuto.”
“I don’t think they even registered for her. She was focused on you.”
Tetsu put his hand on the back of his neck, and his face took on a pinkish hue. Kei smiled and took a quick look around for Eru, who was just ahead of them, examining a rock she’d found.
“She asked me if I liked you.”
“Oh?” Tetsu turned his head just enough to look at him, gray eyes sparkling with curiosity. “And what was your answer?”
“I didn’t answer her.”
“What? Why not?” Tetsu was smirking at him, knowing full well what Kei felt for him. Still… He gathered Kei up in his arms, bringing their faces close. “Tell me.”
Kei smirked back. “I didn’t answer her, because I couldn’t. Not verbally, anyway.”
“Cat got your tongue?”
Kei leaned back and laughed. Then, he moved so that his arms wrapped around Tetsu’s shoulders. “Maybe not then,” he said quietly, as their faces were once again close. Close enough to kiss.
“How about now?” Tetsu whispered, taking Kei’s mouth in a deep, long kiss. When it ended, they took a moment to catch their breath.

Kei was going to answer, but took a moment to gather his scattered thoughts. As he did, he looked for Eru, making sure she was still nearby. But she wasn’t where he last saw her, nor was she anywhere else around them.

“Eru?” he broke out of Tetsu’s arms, quickly going to where he’d last seen her. The rock was there, but she wasn’t. “ERU!” And he started looking everywhere around him, frantic with worry. He was heading back to Tetsu, who was also looking for her, but going back the way they came.

“Tetsu? We have to find her!”
“I know, baby. I know. We’ll find her.”
“Right.” He tried to breathe deeply, but it was almost impossible. His little girl was gone. “Tetsu?”
Tetsu took one look at Kei and quickly wrapped his arms around him.
“Shhhh… I know you’re scared, but we can’t panic. She couldn’t have gone too far, right? Something must have caught her eye, and she wanted to get it and bring it back to you. Another little treasure.” At least, that’s what he hoped. “Calm down, okay? We’ll find her.” He tightened his hold a bit; Kei was shaking hard.
“Alright, here’s the plan. You go back the way we came. Can you remember where she stopped to show you something?” Kei nodded. “Search for her in those areas. I’ll go the other way.”
“We have to find her.”
“We will, baby. We will.” Tetsu assured him. “If you find her first, call me. I’ll do the same if I find her. Sound good?”

Kei nodded again, wiping the tears from his face. Then, he kissed Tetsu’s cheek, wiggled out of his arms, and started looking for his daughter, calling her name as he went. Tetsu kept his eye on him for a minute, making sure he wasn’t going to panic. Each time he heard Kei call for Eru, his voice was a little less scared, less shaky, stronger. Satisfied, he turned and started walking in the direction they were going before Eru wandered off.

“Eru!” he called out, his eyes flicking over the landscape in front of him. “Eru? Where are you?” He called her as if they were playing a game of hide-and-seek, thinking that maybe she’d come out to tell him they weren’t playing a game, but looking for pretty things.

Pretty things. They’d gone to the butterfly garden this morning. Maybe she found a butterfly, and followed it as it fluttered away? He kept looking and calling her name, looking behind hedges and around trees. From the sound of it, he was coming closer to the playground area; kids were laughing, screaming, and overall having a grand time. He started off in that direction, maybe she found a new friend or two to play with. Baby girl never really met a stranger.

“Eru? Come on out!”

And then he heard it. Almost like a sad undertone to the laughter and happy screams, there was a crying child. Tetsu slowed down, trying to pin-point where the child was. He was sure he’d found Eru. Closer he crept, until he heard her voice over everything else. He walked calmly, and eventually found her, curled up in a ball, crouched on the ground. Her blonde ponytail had almost come completely undone, her little face was red, splotchy, and wet with tears. She was crying so hard, she’d started hiccuping, and she was trying to say “Daddy,” but she was too upset.

Tetsu knelt down in front of her. “Here you are, Eru! We were looking all over for you. What an excellent hider you are,” he crooned, lightly stroking her hair. When her watery gaze reached his, and recognition lit up her amber eyes, she hopped up and was suddenly in his arms. Tetsu hugged her tight, relief flooding through him. In that moment, he realized he’d been just as worried, almost as panicked as Kei.

Rising slowly, he stood up, and gently moved Eru so that he could retrieve his phone from his pocket. With one hand, he swiped to unlock, brought up his contacts, and tapped Kei’s number.
“Tetsu?”
“I found her, love.”
“Oh, thank god! Where are you?”
“Almost to the playground. I’m on my way back.”
“Tetsu… where?”
“Just follow the path we’re on.”
“On my way!”

Kei hung up, and Tetsu put his phone back in his pocket. Only a couple minutes later, Kei was running toward them.
“Eru?!”
“Daddy?!”
Eru’s head popped up from Tetsu’s shoulder, and then she was struggling to get down. Tetsu tried to set her down gently, but she was already running (and crying) toward Kei, who was on his knees with his arms out wide. She didn’t stop until she was in his arms, both of them crying.

Tetsu watched them from where he stood, both of them with hands on faces, brushing through hair, wiping tears away. Kei tenderly took the hair tie out of her hair and asked her if she wanted it back up; Eru shook her head. Kei also examined her gently, making sure she wasn’t hurt, and with a watery smile also tickled her, making his little girl laugh. Then, Eru reached up and Kei took her in his arms again, looking so relieved, so happy, as if his world was once again on solid ground.

Tetsu nearly turned his face, the moment a little too much to bear, but then Kei’s amber eyes caught his. “Thank you,” he whispered. Tetsu could only nod, his own emotions getting the better of him. Kei gave him a knowing look, smiled fondly, and held out one of his hands, beckoning him to join them. He didn’t think twice, and he sat down next to Kei, wrapping both dad and daughter in his arms.