Gold, Raven, & Lavender: An Erasermic Family Fanfic

Chapter 15: All in the Eyes

After several late-night conversations in the hotel room, parsing out the pros and cons of every viable option, the two heroes finally settled on a house that was both larger and closer to UA than their previous one. In addition to having more square footage and fancier appliances, the place also boasted a spacious garage, garden, and top-of-the-line security system. Along with a price tag reflecting those features. Luckily their combined savings and Commission stipend more than covered the downpayment, with a little extra left over as compensation for their sudden move. Now, two weeks later, Shouta and Hizashi were standing in their new living room, up to their eyeballs in bubble wrap and cardboard boxes.

"Careful with that one Sho!" Hizashi loudly fussed, "It's got all my records in it. Don't want 'em getting all smashed and scratched up, ya dig?"

"You know you could help." Shouta shot back with a glare, readjusting his hold on the heavy box in his arms. "I haven't seen you lift a thing since the moving van showed up."

"I'm doin' my share! Someone's gotta keep an eye on the kid."

"Oh sure. Because he could bolt at any second, right?"

Shouta set down the box in the corner of the living room area and pointed an accusatory finger at the child in question. Hitoshi was buckled into his car seat, which had been set in the opposite corner to keep him out of harm's way, babbling to himself and tugging at the mobile clipped to the carrier's handle. Mizuki was locked in her own carrier beside him, curled into a ball and watching the men keenly through the grated door.

"No need to be snarky, babe." Mic said with a huff, "I packed like crazy these past few days, same as you. And besides, if you don't wanna do the heavy lifting, that's what these guys are here for!"

Hizashi jerked his thumb at the trio of movers behind him, all of whom where burly, muscular men with an assortment of strength quirks. Two were currently attempting to wrestle the heroes' bulky  bed frame out of the truck bed, while the third was carrying the still fully-assembled crib through the front door. They'd been specially acquired through the Commission and came highly recommended for their speedy and discrete services. Hizashi had jokingly asked if they doubled as "cleaners" for the Commisson when they first arrived, and the stony silence he received made both men wonder if he wasn't far off the mark.

"Where do you want this?" The one holding the crib grunted out, effortlessly shifting it from his left shoulder to his right.

"Take it to the farthest room down that hallway." Shouta pointed towards the north end of the house. "Just set it in the corner if you can manage it. I know there's already quite a few boxes in there."

With another affirmative grunt and a nod, the behemoth lumbered off in the direction Shouta had gestured towards. Given his pug nose, beady eyes, and almost ludicrous amount of body hair, Shouta could have sworn he'd just given instructions to a well-mannered gorilla. Bickering aside, the men spent the next hour or so cycling between directing the movers, rearranging furniture, and sporadically playing with Hitoshi. Once the last box was loaded off the truck and the furniture reassembled, the moving men bid them a quick farewell before setting off to parts unknown.

"So... what's the plan Sho?" Hizashi said, slinging an arm around his husband's waist as they surveyed the labyrinth of cardboard boxes. "I hope it involves food. I dunno know about you, but I'm starvin'."

"I think we could all stand to take a lunch break." Shouta said, leaning into his husband's gentle hold for a moment before pulling away. "I'll see what I can find in the boxes from the old kitchen. Can you take care of feeding Hitoshi in the meantime? There's a bottle and some extra jars of food in his diaper bag. And one of those silicone spoons too."