after a horrendous event Tenko and Touya have been left all alone. the two were lucky enough to find each other in their time of need. but what can two children do without a helping hand?
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"touya stop setting your brother on fire...
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I in fact did not remember how old they were, so we are sticking with eleven and five. Also most of this chapter hasn't been changed, but there are some slight differences.
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January eighteenth, the day finally arrived. The day where Touya would turn twelve. Not that anyone would know of course. He was lucky if the maid remembered. It wasn't like his mother was mentally stable enough to recall the date or like his father even bothered to learn it. And to be honest it didn't matter to him. Being able to smile every day was already enough to celebrate. He was able to feel content every day. He could watch Tenko eat and play, watch the younger boy express himself without fear. Touya was happy he found Tenko a place to be some comfortable in. This was enough.
Or so he thought.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN ITS YOUR BIRTHDAY? I DON'T EVEN HAVE A CAKE PREPARED! Oh, dear what do I do...I could call Doc to have her bring balloons, but they have to be latex free, so Tenko doesn't have a reaction. I can make a cake really quickly...what else what else...presents! We need presents! Touya tell me absolutely anything you could ever possibly wish for, and I will be sure to get it for you! I swear!" Jiro was practically starting a fire on the floor with his constant pacing across the living room floor. Touya could barely even make out what he was saying. The kid thought if he mentioned it was his birthday jokingly, that Jiro wouldn't really take it seriously and would just shrug it off like most people. Besides, birthdays aren't that important. He has seen in movies where the main character has a giant party with a big cake but those were only in movies. It didn't happen like that in real life, everyone knew that, right?
Touya snapped out of his state of shock as soon as Jiro began dialing Doc's number. Practically tackling the phone out of his hand; Touya lets out a sigh of relief when he sees Jiro hasn't hit dial yet. "It isn't that big of a deal, I just turned twelve," Touya remarked casually while putting the phone in his pocket. He wasn't trying to make it easier on Jiro, he just really didn't care. He never celebrated it before so why would he start now? Besides, he cared more about Tenko's happiness then anything else.
Jiro just stared at the boy with a mixture of confusion, and pity?
No that couldn't be right. It was just another day after all. The only thing that changed was his age.
Jiro's lips formed a straight line as a defeated look slumped on his face. Resting his hand on Touya's shoulder, he shook his head softly. "We don't have to have a party if you don't want one, but at least tell me if there is anything you want." If anyone else heard this, they'd think Jiro was begging the boy for his life while being held at gunpoint while wearing a unicorn costume. Jiro wanted nothing more than to throw the biggest party he could afford for the child. But he didn't want to push him or cross any boundaries. It hasn't been long since his breakdown, the last thing he wanted was to overwhelm him with too many things at once. But he still wants to celebrate the boy's birthday. After all, he was thankful the boy was in his life. He was thankful for Touya even being born. The very least he'd do was grant Touya anything he wanted. He may not have a lot of money, but he'd make it work.
A few seconds went by while Touya pondered. Was there something he wanted? He practically has everything he needs right here. Hell, he even had triple-ply toilet paper! Well, there was one thing he was curious about and Jiro never specified that it had to be a physical gift. So why not take the chance and ask the question that has always been on his mind... "Jiro... are we a family?" His tone wasn't condescending or judgmental, it was just purely curious.
Huh? Family? Jiro expected some physical object or a trip somewhere, but a question? And one so simple as this?
Jiro could only blink slowly, mind reeling as he thought about the question. Wasn't it obvious? Did Touya really need to ask? He could've sworn he was doing a good job at this whole guardian thing, but was he lacking?
Slowly, Jiro lowered down onto his knees. His eyebrows knit in concern as his hands gently grabbed onto Touya's and held them in a soft grip. "Touya, of course we are. I am so sorry if I made you feel like we aren't. You and Tenko are both my family. That is, if you're alright with that?" His tone was as smooth as honey, Jiro's gaze deeper than the sea. His large thumbs briskly rubbed against the back of Touya's hands, offering a soothing presence.
Touya felt something on fire. There was something burning hot and feverish inside him. The feeling starting in his stomach. The fire spreading rapidly. Filling his organs and spreading higher and higher up into his lungs. The smoke rising through his throat before settling in his eyes. Yeah, he'll blame that damn fire in his gut. That's the reason he was crying now. No other reason. It wasn't because he was happy. Not because he was overjoyed. Definitely not because all of his anxiety and insecurities vanished with one simple sentence.
The only thing Touya could feel was Jiro's hands on his. Those sweet words echoing in his ears. Over and over again. As the tears streamed down his face, Touya can't even recall how he ended up in Jiro's arms. He doesn't remember his arms wrapping around Jiro, hugging him like a child on the verge of death. His body shook with each violent sob. His face buried in Jiro's shoulders as he clung to the man. Two large arms held his body in a tight warm embrace. Was Jiro always this big? Was he always so warm? Touya didn't know. He only knew one thing. He was home.
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No one: Touya: haha I hate myself so I don't matter and my own use in life is to serve other people
No one: Tenko: will I ever get screen time again?
Short chapter again but tbh I forgot everything about this book since its been so long. I love y'all <3 please don't leave me (you can't you joined the cult already)
