Forever With You

Five

"Hold on to my dress, Haru," she said gently. "You too, Yuki."

Each little boy reached up to grip her skirts, and they left the nursery to go see their parents for supper. Aiko was giggling merrily, sitting up in her pram, waving her favorite stuffy around and randomly throwing it out, causing one of the boys to fetch it for her. She clearly had them wrapped around her tiny finger, and Hitoka giggled at the sight.

It wasn't unusual for Prince Kuroo and Prince Tsuki to send for the boys like this. In fact, it happened while they were at Nekoma due to their workload increasing more so than on the islands. The boys stayed with her a majority of the time. The princes insisted meals together were taken in the royal suite, unless it was a state affair, then the three of them ate in the nursery.

Tonight, they were celebrating their friend's birthday, and she couldn't think why they'd invited her, too. Kiyoko had even offered to go in her stead, but both princes insisted she bring the boys, and Aiko.

Suddenly, the boys recognized where they were, let go of her skirts, grabbed each other's hands, and tore off down the hall. Well, she didn't really think they'd make it the whole way without haring off in any direction, but at least they got this far.

"Yuki! Haru!" She called after them, hurrying while trying not to jostle Aiko too much. "Slow down, boys!"
"PAPA! DADA!"

They pushed open the door, which had been left open for this exact reason, and she soon heard the boys screaming and laughing. Well, at least now they'd be worn out by the time supper was finished. Getting them to bed and asleep shouldn't be an issue. She smiled and stopped just before she reached the open door, and listened to the boys chattering away while their dads peppered them with questions to keep them talking.

Parking the pram against the wall, she reached in and picked up Aiko, who screeched happily, toy flying and one of her hands grabbing Hitoka's braid. Then, she took the few steps needed to enter, and stopped again. Peeking around the doorjamb, she saw someone she hadn't thought to see again. The man who was singing the same lullaby she remembered from her childhood.

His back was to the door, so she only saw his longish, messy ash blond hair with darker tips, the back of his maroon t-shirt, and he was laughing at something Kuroo had said. Was this the friend they were talking about the night they arrived? She'd been so tired that night that she couldn't recall exactly. Still, she knew it was the man she met as soon as she heard his voice.

"I see you, Yacchan," Prince Kuroo suddenly said. "Come on in. We were waiting for you before we ate."
She groaned softly. "You shouldn't have, your highness."

Screwing up her courage, Hitoka took another two steps and was through the door. All eyes were on her, including his. She could see his face better this time, not just in the silvery light of the full moon. He was handsome, and her heart fluttered. Her arms tightened around her baby, and poor Aiko squealed with surprise. Her little angel let go of her braid and patted her face instead.

"Don't just stand there, Yacchan! We saved a place for you." This time, Prince Tsuki tried to entice her.
"Very well, your highness."

Another servant was already bringing a high chair for Aiko, so Hitoka really didn't have much choice but to sit at the table. The men rose (with a whisper from Prince Kuroo, the boys stood up, too) as she approached, and she had to pass behind him to get to her seat. She felt his dark brown eyes on her, never wavering as she settled Aiko in the high chair, and then sat down. The men (and boys) re-took their seats.

"Mama! We did good?" Haru asked her, looking around the high chair to see her.
"Yes, Haru, you were very good."
The little boy cheered. "Yuki! We did good!"
"Yay!"
"Shhh, boys! How are we supposed to behave in front of guests?"
"I don't mind," said guest replied with a grin. "I've known them since they were babies."
"Unka Eita play music," Yuki said, very seriously.
"Does he?" she asked, looking at him curiously, though she knew full well he did.
"Just the guitar," he replied, a little bit of a blush showing up on his cheeks.
Hitoka was charmed.
"Do we really need to introduce you two, or has that already happened?" Prince Kuroo interjected, looking curiously between them.
"Well..." she started to say, and felt her own face heat.
"We've met," he answered. "But it wasn't for that long."
"Well, now my curiosity is piqued," Prince Tsuki said, looking as curious as his husband.
"Maybe another time," Eita replied, feeling her embarrassment as well as his own.
"Of course. Well, since official introductions are in order," Prince Tsuki started.
"Yachi Hitoka, this is our friend of many years, Grand Duke Semi Eita, of Shiratorizawa." Prince Kuroo finished.
Grand Duke?! She'd met the Grand Duke of Shiratorizawa that night?!
Hitoka panicked and suddenly stood up, bowed deeply, startling everyone at the table.
"Your Grace, please accept my apologies!"
"Yacchan, what...?" Prince Tsuki sounded like he wasn't sure what to do.
"Mama?" she heard little Yuki's worried voice. And little Haru was out of his chair and clinging to her skirts, torn between worry and giving the Grand Duke a betrayed look.
"I-I didn't know who you were, I'm so sorry!"
She almost flinched when she felt a gentle touch on her arm.
"It's okay," Grand Duke Semi said softly. "Don't worry about it. You don't have to bow."
"But..."
"No buts."
"No touch Mama, Unka Eita!" a little hand shot out to push the bigger hand away.
"Haru!" Prince Kuroo scolded.
"No Papa. Mama scared!"