The Cat and the Crow

No Longer Last

Addendum to The Cat and the Crow. An "Appendix," if you will...

Tetsu had noticed something about his chosen family not too long after Kei and he had started dating. At first, he didn't think anything of it; he'd been too wrapped up in Kei to really notice. But after a few holidays spent with Kei, his mom, and his brother, it really became something of a curious notion. Something that pops up from time to time, making one think about it, before being tucked away again due to distraction.

Before they'd accepted him into the family, there were only the three of them. No father was around, and no aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents ever called or came to visit. And really, no one ever mentioned additional family members. It was just the three of them. Once that had settled in his mind, he knew he wanted to find out more, but didn't know exactly how to ask. One didn't just drop a question like, "where is the rest of your family?" into the conversation. Though, that's nearly how it happened one night around the dinner table.

"Kei, I need you to go out and get the flower arrangements tomorrow, okay?" Mom told him as she sat down at the table. "Akiteru, you can help me with the food."

"Yes, Mom," they both said.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Tetsu asked, not really thinking.

"Not unless you want to, dear," Mom answered quietly. "We're just going to visit the family grave the day after tomorrow. The flowers and the food are all we typically bring with us when we visit."

"I'd like to help," he offered. "That is unless anyone else in the family..." his voice trailed away, and the three of them looked both a little sad and a little uncomfortable. "I'm sorry," he quickly apologized. "I didn't mean..."

Kei reached for his hand under the table. "No, you're family now, too. You have a right to know."

"We apologize for not saying anything sooner," Mom added.

"I imagine you've been curious for a while now," Akiteru said.

Tetsu shrugged. "A little bit, yeah." He looked over at Kei, who smiled gently.

"Let's go for a walk," he said. He glanced at Mom, and she nodded.

"We'll keep dinner warm for you."

~*~*~

By the time they'd reached their little hideaway at the park, Tetsu was practically vibrating with curiosity. They'd walked there in near silence, only speaking when Kei asked if he wanted a snack or something to drink. He went into the little store to buy the requested bottle of water, and they continued on. Now, they sat on the ground, Kei facing him.

"It's only the three of us," Kei said without preamble, breaking the long silence. "Well, four, now that we have you. But, of the Tsukishima family, Mom, Akiteru, and myself are the last of the line."

Tetsu didn't know how to react. Does one even apologize, or...

Kei smiled. "It's fine. You didn't know," he said, as if he'd read Tetsu's mind. He reached out and took hold of his hands. "I can explain, if you want to know more," he offered quietly.

"You don't have to..."

Kei chuckled and looked him dead in the eye. "I'd like to think I know you enough by now to tell you're itching to know everything." He winked, and then laughed at Tetsu's expression. "You're quite cat-like, you know?"

Tetsu snorted. "Just because I'm super curious about your family, doesn't mean I'm cat-like."

"Yes it does," Kei rebutted. "We're your family now, too. So, I'll explain, but first..." and he moved so that his back was against Tetsu's chest. Tetsu wrapped his arms around Kei and rested his head on his shoulder.