Little Moon

Later that night, after several bedtime stories told by both Kei and Tetsu, Eru was wrapped up in her favorite blanket and sound asleep on the sofa. Tetsu and Kei were in the kitchen, nibbling on a range of snacks, and Tetsu’s special tea: plain tea with mint and honey.

“What would you like to do tomorrow?” he asked quietly, listing a few places that were small, kid-friendly, and relatively quiet in terms of visitors.
“Those all sound great, and I know Eru would love them…”
“But?”
“After today, I just want to stay home.”
“Understandable.” Tetsu’s heart did a little flip when Kei said ‘home.’ “Are you sure?”
Kei nodded. “We have enough here to keep Eru happy, I’d like a day to just relax with you, so movies or binging whatever is fine with me. Plus, our train leaves at 7pm, and we’ll need time to pack everything up…”
“I can go for that,” Tetsu said thoughtfully. “What do we do about meals? I mean, you’ve seen the rather barren state of my fridge.”
Kei smiled. “Hmmm… Maybe we could go out to the grocery store? Or, surely you have delivery services here?”
“Of course!” Tetsu scoffed playfully. “So, completely in, or a trip to the store and then home for the rest of the day?”
Kei looked thoughtful, taking a sip of his tea. “If we are awake early enough, we can do the latter. But, to be fair, no alarms.”
“Well, maybe one.”
“She’s usually up at the crack of dawn anyway. But, Eru’s the only “alarm” we’ll have.”
“Done.” Tetsu stood up and started putting away the snacks, and offered another cup of tea. “I’m going to the little corner store and pick up some food for breakfast.”
“What are you going to make for us?”
Tetsu shrugged. “I know you both love pancakes, but… I thought french toast would be a good change.”
“Sounds great!” Kei took the steaming cup of tea. “Eru hasn’t had that yet, but she loves bread and eggs, so I think she’ll love it.”
“If not, I can alway make something else.”
“Only if she absolutely refuses the meal. And she does have to at least try a bite first.”
“Got it. Daddy knows best.”

Kei’s smile was bright, and there was a light blush on his face. Tetsu was absolutely charmed, and he sat down beside Kei, leaning in to kiss him. For the first time (or maybe second or third), Tetsu thought this was something he could get used to, something that he’d always wanted, but never really thought about it. Kei was the perfect partner for him, and little Eru had won his heart within the first few times he’d been able to spend time with her. Together, it felt like he had his own little family, and he wanted to keep it that way.

~*~

Kei woke up to the delicious smell of breakfast, wafting into the bedroom. He smiled and stretched, taking his time waking up. As he pushed himself up, pushing off the blanket, he heard hushed voices, one low and raspy, the other high and chipper. He wasn’t sure who woke up first, but they’d clearly come to a mutual decision to let him sleep.

“Eru try!” he heard his daughter demand rather loudly.
“Shhh,” Tetsu replied, no doubt with his finger up to his lips. “Daddy’s still sleeping. Remember what I told you?”
“But, Eru want to try!”
“I know, sweetie. Let me finish this up, and I’ll let you try, okay?”
“Okay.”

Kei stood up and crept to the doorway, peeping around the corner. As he thought, Tetsu was cooking their breakfast and Eru was seated on one of the high seats, on top of a few thick books. Her golden hair was its usual morning mess, which paired well with Tetsu’s own bedhead. Her face was smudged with what looked like powdered sugar, and she was holding a plastic knife. In front of her was a plate in which a small pile of strawberries sat. Minus the one she just ate.

“Now, now, Eru,” Tetsu chided her gently. “If you eat those, we won’t have any to go on the french toast.”
“Eru loves strawberries!” She ate another one, with a look that spoke volumes.

Oh dear. Tetsu was about to see the not-so-angelic version of Eru. He started to step into the room, when Tetsu caught his attention and shook his head imperceptibly. He quickly finished cooking the french toast in the pan, flipped it out of the pan and onto the pile he’d already cooked. Then, he set the pan aside, turned off the stove, and leaned over the bar. He picked up the plate in front of Eru, and the bowl of uncut strawberries, and put them in front of him. Kei heard her whimper and sniffle.

“Kuroo-san took strawberries!”
“Yes, I did.”
“Eru want them back!”
“Nope.”
Kei watched his daughter deal with her new favorite person telling her no. He put his hand over his mouth, trying not to laugh at her stunned expression. It didn’t last long, however.
“Eru was cutting them!”
“No, Eru was eating them when I told her not to.”
Tetsu was slicing the strawberries very slowly, as if waiting for her. Kei caught his attention and nodded. His boyfriend was handling his daughter’s bad mood with ease. Eru had gone silent again, her little arms crossed over her chest. She’d be like this for a few minutes more before trying, again, to get her way.
“Kuroo-san, Eru want strawberries back!”
“Is Eru going to eat them?”
She didn’t answer right away. Tetsu winked at Kei and went back to cutting another strawberry.
“Well, Eru?”
“Eru eat strawberries.”
“Eru may eat the strawberries with the rest of her breakfast,” Tetsu said gently. “Eru must also share the strawberries.”
“NO!”
“Eru…” his voice was stern, and he looked at her, waiting and slicing.
“Eru sorry,” she said, hardly above a whisper. Kei could hear her tears, but he stayed where he was.
“Will Eru eat any more strawberries?”
She shook her head.
“Eru?”
“Eru won’t eat strawberries,” she practically mumbled. But it was enough for Tetsu.
“Will Eru share the strawberries?”
She nodded, but before Tetsu could ask again, “Eru share strawberries.”
“Good girl.”

As Tetsu gave her back the plate and bowl filled with strawberries, Kei walked into the room and sat down on the seat next to Eru. He didn’t say anything, just kissed her head, and smiled when Tetsu put a mug of coffee down in front of him.

“Well done, love,” Kei praised quietly, watching Tetsu’s face color. “She’s at her most… contentious in the mornings.”
“Ah. Like her daddy?”
Kei smirked. “In five-year-old form,” he agreed, sipping his coffee.
Tetsu looked curious as he put the finishing touches on their breakfast, slicing up some other fruit and pouring juice in glasses. He gestured with his head toward the table, and Kei nodded, picking up Eru, who whined again.
“Is it only in the morning?” Tetsu asked as they settled at the table.
“No. She’s not always bad-tempered, but it shows up mostly when she’s tired and fighting it.”
“Noted.”
Kei grinned and served Eru her french toast, cut up into bite-sized pieces, and liberally covered in strawberries and a light dusting of powdered sugar. Tetsu served theirs, with maple syrup. Kei raised an eyebrow. Tetsu merely smirked, with an impish glint in his eye.
“I saved some for… later,” he winked at him, sipping his juice.
“I look forward to that,” Kei replied with his own wink.

~*~

They arrived early at the train station, with Kei holding Eru and Tetsu carrying their bags. They were there to spend what little time they had left together and not have to rush. Eru was already looking all over, and pointing at brightly colored signs and neon lights.

They found a bench to sit near the platform where the train would arrive, and sat down. Eru tried several times to get down and look around, but both Kei and Tetsu kept her seated, which she loudly protested. Kei gave Tetsu a knowing look, and went to move her into his lap, but Tetsu stopped him. With smooth maneuvering, Eru was in his boyfriend’s lap, facing out, and he was pointing at bright shiny things, telling her what they were and what they were for.

Kei watched them, and even chipped in occasionally. But mostly, he would smile and nod at Eru when she looked at him for confirmation, and he’d run his fingers through her hair to help calm her if she started looking upset. Then, he’d do the same for Tetsu, who leaned into the touch like a happy cat.

When the train arrived, Kei took Eru and they walked to the open doors of the nearest car. He handed over his tickets to the conductor, and a porter took their bags from Tetsu. They only had a few moments left.

“See you next weekend?” Kei asked, leaning in to kiss Tetsu.
“Yeah. I’m taking Thursday and Monday off as well, so we’ll have a little more time.”
“Sounds great.”
“Miss you already.”
“Same.”
“Eru misses Kuroo-san, too!”
“And I’m going to miss you, too, Eru.”
“Daddy? Can Kuroo-san come with us?”
“Not right now, baby. He has to stay here and go to work.”
“No! Kuroo-san, you come, too!” And she reached over to grab his shirt, almost toppling Kei and herself in her dive to latch onto Tetsu.
Kei handed her over, and smiled apologetically at the conductor, who was pointedly staring at his watch.
“Can he come aboard with us? He’s not going to stay, but…”
“It’s fine, but he needs to be back off in five minutes.”
“Thank you, sir,” Kei bowed, and then hooked his hand around Tetsu’s elbow and tugged him to follow.

Once they made it to the seats Kei was assigned, he took Eru back, after they managed to make her let go. She cried, curling up against her daddy and looking forlornly at Tetsu.

“Don’t worry, sweetie. I’ll see you in a few days, okay?”
She sniffled and nodded.
“You better go. We’ll be okay from here.”
Tetsu ran his hand over the little girl’s hair, and he looked up at Kei, his own eyes watery with tears.
“Already has you wrapped around her pinky finger, huh?”
“I guess so.”
“See you on Thursday, my love.”
“Yeah. See you then.”

They shared a kiss which almost caused Tetsu to miss his exit time. It wouldn’t have been a bad thing, really, if he didn’t have to be at work extra early in the morning. He kissed Eru’s little cheek and then ran off the train, almost being caught by the closing doors. Tetsu spun around and waved, racing along with the train before stopping at the very edge of the platform.

Little Eru reached up to wipe away a few of her daddy’s tears.

~*~

Thursday night arrived in no time at all, and Tetsu drove straight to Kei’s apartment building. He was walking up to the door when it swung open and a little blonde whirlwind raced out and wrapped herself around his legs.

“Look, Daddy! Kuroo-san is home!”
“He is, isn’t he?” Kei raised an eyebrow at Tetsu, who looked stunned. “She’s been telling everyone you’re coming home today. I didn’t have the heart to correct her.”
“Sh-she’s not wrong,” Tetsu’s voice sounded shaky, thick. He bent to unwrap the child currently attached to his legs and picked her up, gathering her up in his arms for a big hug. “I missed you very much, baby girl,” he said quietly.
“Eru missed Kuroo-san a lot!”
“Honestly, I don’t think she stopped talking about you since we left,” Kei came up to them both, placing a hand on his daughter’s back, and wiping a stray tear away on Tetsu’s face. “Daichi and Koshi got an earful as well, as did most of the others.”
Tetsu nodded, not quite able to speak yet. So, Kei picked up his bags and led him into his apartment.
“I’ll order some pizza, and take your stuff up to our bedroom…”
Tetsu’s eyes met his. “Our bedroom?”
“I guess I started thinking you were coming home, too,” Kei said quietly. “I’ll be right back.”
“Kei?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
Kei tilted his head. “For what?”
“I’ll explain later, okay?”
“Alright.”

After they ate dinner, watched a movie, and told Eru a few bedtime stories, they left her sleeping soundly, and went through Kei’s room to the balcony. There, they took some of the furniture cushions, laid them on the floor, and then sat down on them. The night was clear and mild, with the nearly full moon shining down on them, with a few twinkling stars visible through the city light. Tetsu moved so that he was behind Kei, wrapping him within the circle of his arms, pulling him close.

“I was thanking you for helping me make a decision,” Tetsu said quietly, answering Kei’s question from earlier. “Actually, you both helped me.”
“A decision?”
Tetsu tightened his hold. “They’re opening offices here in Sendai, and I was considering a move, even before seeing you again. That was the whole reason I was up here in the first place. I needed a fresh start and a new location. Tokyo’s fun, but… it was becoming more like a rat race than anything.”
“I noticed it, too. Way too fast paced for my liking.”
“And it was almost too much for Eru.”
“Yeah. Too much, too fast. I mean, she adored the butterfly garden, and until she got lost, she was having fun at the park. Nerima City isn’t so bad, but still…”
“Understandable.”
“So, what did you decide?”
“The whole way up here, I couldn’t stop thinking about how lonely it was after you left, and how much I wanted to be with you and Eru. You both are happier here, and I’m so much happier with you. So, I called my boss. He wanted a firm answer by Tuesday, when I got back. He got it a couple hours ago, instead.”
“He must’ve been surprised.”
“Possibly. I don’t know. He didn’t sound surprised; more like he expected it, really.”
“When do you move?”
“Officially, not for another month or two, until they find my replacement for the Tokyo offices.”
“Unofficially?”
“I’m already home.”

~*~

On Saturday, they pretty much spent the entire day with the Sawamura’s. They met at the playground, and once again split up, with Daichi and Tetsu walking around the playground on the track, while Koshi and Kei stayed on the bench they always sat on. The latter two watched as Tetsu was ambushed by a small gaggle of children ranging in age from seven to four.

“I bet she’s telling them that Kuroo-san is staying forever,” Koshi said quietly.
Kei smiled. “Well, there’s been a bit of a name change.”
“What??”
“No, not that! Not yet, anyway. No, Eru stopped calling him Kuroo-san. She tried pronouncing ‘Tetsuro’ and ‘Tetsu’, but couldn’t quite do it. Eventually, she ended up calling him ‘Papa.’”
“I bet you could have knocked him over with a feather when she called him that.”
“I think it actually sent him into orbit. It took a good long while before he came back down. Even so, I don’t think he’s quite landed just yet.”
“I don’t think he ever will.”
“I think you’re right.”
“So now that Eru’s adopted him, when’s the wedding?”
“Ohmigod, Koshi! You’re incorrigible!”
“I know. It’s a gift.” The two of them laughed. “But really. When is it?”

~*~

“‘Papa,’ huh?” Daichi asked as they started around the playground again.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to hearing that.”
“It’s amazing, isn’t it? The first time a child calls you Daddy, or Dad… or Papa.”
“Yeah,” Tetsu agreed.
“So when will we see you up here permanently?”
“Not for another month or two. They have to fill my position at the Tokyo headquarters, and I'll have to train them. Once that’s complete, I’ll be given leave to get my stuff together and move.”
“I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that you don’t have to worry about finding a place.”
“Nope. Well, we might look for something bigger in time, but until then, Kei’s place is just right.”
Daichi laughed. “Somehow, we knew it wouldn’t take you two long to sort everything out. Welcome to the family, by the way.”
“Wait. What?”
“Welcome to the family. Or should I say the flock? Whatever. Either way, Kuroo Tetsuro, former Nekoma Captain, you have hereby been given honorary Crow status.”
Daichi walked a little ways before realizing Tetsu had stopped. When he turned back, Tetsu was looking stunned, which was almost a common occurrence lately.
“Did you think you’d always be the Cat among the Crows?”
“Well… yeah.”
“Technically, you’d be right. But you know our team. You know how we are. You’ve always fit right in with us, so it really shouldn’t be that much of a surprise.”
“Yeah.”

~*~

For Tetsu’s last night, at least until next weekend, the three of them made a picnic for dinner. Kei made fried chicken, Tetsu and Eru made little sandwiches, and they made veggie and fruit plates. To make it even more like a picnic, they grabbed a blanket big enough for the three of them to fit, and packed up the food and drinks in a big cooler. Then, they all trooped upstairs, through their bedroom, and out onto the balcony. It was almost dark by the time they settled down to eat, so Tetsu went back inside to fetch the lanterns. When he came back, he found they’d already started without him.

“Couldn’t wait, could ya?” he asked as he sat down.
“Eru hungry!” she said, chomping down on a drumstick.
“I can see that.”
Kei passed him a plate heaped with food; a little bit of everything.
“Thank you, Moonshine,” he said quietly, enjoying the blush that colored his love’s cheeks.
“Papa called Daddy Moonshine,” Eru stated, looking between them.
“I did, indeed.”
“Why?”
“Well, I love the way the moonlight makes his hair look silver, and his eyes shine. The first part of your family name means ‘moon.’ I just mashed it up, and Moonshine became my nickname for your Daddy.”
“Do you remember when you first called me that?” Kei asked quietly.
Tetsu smiled with remembrance. “The night before Karasuno left the Shinzen summer camp. It was a total accident; I never meant for you to hear it.”
“But I did.”
“Yeah, you did.”
They were quiet for a few minutes, staring at each other.
“What Papa call Eru?”
“Would Eru like a nickname, too?”
“YES!”
“Yes, what, Eru?” Kei gently corrected her.
“YES, please?”
“Very good!”
Eru happily clapped her hands at the praise, and then turned back to Tetsu expectantly.
“Hmmm…” Tetsu hummed, appearing thoughtful as he squinted at Eru. “Come here for a sec,” he asked her, and she popped up immediately, jumping into his arms.
Tetsu held her with one arm, and used his free hand to brush back loose strands of her golden hair. He playfully tugged on each of her twin ponytails, making her giggle. And then he booped her little nose, which made her laugh.
“I’ll call you my Little Moon. How’s that?”
“Eru is Little Moon?”
“Yep! And you know what?”
“What?”
“I love my Moonshine, and my Little Moon. Very, very much.”
Eru blinked at him. He wasn’t sure if she was stunned, or just not sure how to respond. Still, when she did finally say something, she turned to Kei and smiled brilliantly.
“Daddy! Papa said he loves Little Moon!”
“Yes, he did,” Kei's voice was shaky, but he was smiling just as brightly as his daughter. “What is Little Moon going to tell Papa?”

Eru turned back to look at Tetsu, and she reached up to pat his face gently with both hands. Then, she surprised them both by leaning forward and giving him a butterfly kiss on his cheek. She wrapped her little arms around his neck, and said very softly…

“I love you too, Papa.”