Your Protector

Chapter 20

"Daddy!" his daughter cried out happily when he entered the house.

Budo smiled as she started running toward him with open arms. When she reached him, he lifted her in the air and hugged her, chuckling brightly as she hugged around his neck tightly.

His husband then came into the entryway, cradling their infant son who was sucking on a pacifier. "Welcome back, sweetie," Taro greeted him as he used one of his arms to hug Budo's neck.

The couple shared a quick kiss, which earned a disgusted gag from their five-year-old daughter. Budo placed her down as Taro announced that dinner was ready.

With a happy smile, Budo placed his bag down and walked to the dinner table where a delicious, hot meal was waiting to be devoured. This was what he looked forward to every morning he woke up. Nothing could be better than coming home from the dojo to his lovely husband and adorable children.

He opened his eyes to the familiar sound of his alarm clock. He groggily rubbed his eyes awake to see that he was in his bedroom, and that it wasn't five years into the future.

He sighed sadly as he turned his alarm off. He then laid his head back onto his pillows to rest his eyes.

But then, like a flashback, he remembered the events on Friday, and he shot up from his pillow faster than one could blink. "That's right!" he gasped as a big grin grew on his face.

After Friday, he had gone home and had not interacted with Taro the whole weekend, so he completely forgot that the boy had confessed to him and that they were now boyfriends.

Filled to the brim with happiness, Budo jumped out of the bed and practically frolicked to his closet. Once he got his uniform on, he went downstairs to have a breakfast banana, happily greeting his mother.

From the couch, his mother noticed his cheerful attitude. She raised a brow as she looked at him. "You're in a good mood. What's got you so excited?"

Budo was still doing a little dance as he peeled his banana. "I'm just very happy right now," is all he cared to explain to his mother. He would soon tell his parents about him and Taro, but he wanted to wait to have his boyfriend's consent first.

Thankfully, his mother took his vague answer without any more questions. After Budo finished his banana, he slipped on his shoes and grabbed his bag. He went over to his mother to kiss her cheek goodbye. "Love you, Mom."

"Have a good day, sweetie–" Budo was out the door before she got to finish.

The martial artist practically ran to Taro's house; he was so excited to see him after being separated for a whole weekend.

When Budo got to Taro's house, the smaller boy came out with an infectious smile on his face. Budo audibly sighed adoringly as he watched his boyfriend walk up to him, like an angel.

"Morning," Taro greeted, bringing Budo out of his trance.

"Good morning," he greeted back.

Budo reached for Taro's hand, but then the boy suddenly began walking quickly ahead of him, clearly trying to avoid his hand. Budo's eyebrows furrowed. He jogged up to Taro's side and asked him, "Why are you avoiding holding my hand? I've waited all weekend to be with you..." he eyed Taro's hand, and ever so slowly, reached for it again as he whispered, "...as your boyfriend."

Taro quickly moved his hand away, like he had been burned, and he kept his eyes down, not wanting to look at his boyfriend's hurt eyes. "Budo," he began, his lip beginning to quiver, "I don't want to risk anyone seeing and finding out about us."

Budo rolled his eyes. "Who cares if they see?"

"Everyone!" Taro shouted emotionally. "You know exactly how everyone will react if they see two men together."