The One that (Almost) Got Away

⋆˙⟡this moment⋆˙⟡

Atsushi and Dazai left, leaving Kunikida alone with Y/n and Kaya. He couldn't take his eyes off of his perfect daughter. "I mean the least you can say is thanks," Y/n finally spoke up. "Thank you, thank you for raising our daughter," Kunikida instantly understood what she meant. "I really didn't have a choice, when I got pregnant she was the only reason why I worked as hard as I did," Y/n explained. "Was it hard? Taking care of her?" he asked. Y/n sat down on her couch and motioned Kunikida to come sit with her. "Well motherhood is never easy, but I wouldn't trade it for the world," she explained, her demeanor was a lot more calm now. "What about the pregnancy?" he asked. "Well I mean it was pretty smooth with a few hiccups like the occasional sick mornings and the contractions towards the end, but that's what happens when you're pregnant," Y/n said. 

Kunikida took a few moments to take a good look at Y/n. She looked a lot healthier than before, Y/n wasn't stick thin anymore, but instead looked fuller in the face and in the arms. In addition to that, her hair had gotten healthier, most likely due to her dyeing her hair less. "Why do you keep staring at me like that?" Y/n said, a smile creeping on her face. "Well, I feel like I've missed so much since we broke up and Kaya...she's not gonna stay this little forever," Kunikida explained. "I know, time just zooms by, it seems like yesterday we were staying up all night because she was so cranky," Y/n looked at Kaya, who was playing with some dolls. "Why didn't you tell me?" Kunikida asked. "Kunikida...we needed to grow and I didn't know how to come back into your life," Y/n explained. "Also why do you keep calling me that?" Kunikida wanted to hear Y/n say his first name again. 

"Doppo doesn't feel right right now," Y/n said. "Why do you say that?" he asked. "It's just been so long, I'm scared that we don't have...what we had before," Y/n broke away from Kunikida's eye contact. "Well...we never know until we try," Kunikida gave Y/n a soft smile. "I don't know, Kaya is my number one priority right now and-" Kunikida's hand rested on Y/n's. "I'm here to help you now, don't push me away again," he comforted Y/n. The word 'again' rang through her head. "I don't know if that's possible," Y/n admitted. "Well there are other options, we can co-parent if you would like," Kunikida suggested. Y/n shook her head, "...I think...I need the both of you in my life," Y/n broke eye contact again. "We still have time to think it through," Kunikida's hand was still on Y/n's. 

"You'll take good care of her right?" Y/n asked. "Of course I will, I can't have you killing me now," Kunikida managed to make Y/n smile. "Kaya come here," she called out to her daughter. "Yes mommy?" she asked. "Why don't you show your daddy your home," Y/n suggested to Kaya. Within seconds, Kaya held onto Kunikida's hand and showed him around the apartment that he once lived in with Y/n. A lot had changed in the years that Kaya had been alive. The place was a lot more lively with lots of pictures of Y/n and Kaya on the walls and a couple of toys left on the ground but most importantly, Kaya had her own bedroom. 

Kaya's room was exactly what you'd imagine for a three year old. The white wallpaper was decorated with pink polka dots and the bed matched the pink wallpaper. There was a nice rug and a bunch of toys in Kaya's room. "This is my room!" Kaya smiled brightly. "Wow! Your mom did an amazing job decorating," Kunikida said. "I helped too," Kaya said. Kunikida put his hand on Kaya's head. "I'm sure you did," he smiled at her. "Can I ask you something daddy?" Kaya asked. "Go for it kiddo," he kneeled at her level. "How come you left mommy alone for so long?" Kaya innocently asked. "Well...that's a complicated question, I never wanted to leave the both of you, but I was just so busy with work that I had no other choice," Kunikida made that up on the spot. 

"What do you even do as a job? Mommy said it was dangerous, didn't she?" Kaya was curious. "We'll have to have this conversation when your mom is here, why don't we play with some toys?" Kunikida suggested. "Alright...can we play princesses?" Kaya asked. "We?" Kunikida was confused. "Yeah, you have to be a princess too," Kaya explained. "I guess I have to do it for you," he reluctantly gave in. "Yay! I'm gonna do you're makeup and make you look pretty," Kaya was so excited. "I don't already look pretty?" Kunikida asked. "Well...you could use some work," Kaya said innocently. 

She's as brutal as her mom  Kunikida thought. Kaya put on some blush and eyeshadow on Kunikida and then finished the look with a tiara. "You look like a princess now!" Kaya smiled brightly. Kunikida felt his heart swell when he saw his Kaya smile so bright. It was a small moment, but he was so grateful that he could be sitting in front of his daughter and enjoy this moment. She might've been the only person who would truly be his without a doubt. Kaya was so young, but she had a huge impact on both of her parents and she probably would never know how much she meant to them. 

"Alright, who's hungry?" Y/n went into Kaya's room. Kaya and Kunikida looked over at Y/n and she almost jumped when she saw Kunikida's face. "The hell happened to you?" she asked. "Kaya and I were playing princesses," Kunikida explained. "Alright...what do you want for dinner, I was thinking a hot pot," Y/n said. "ooooh I want hot pot," Kaya's eyes lit up. "I'll help you cook," Kunikida got up. "Alright, just take care of that first," Y/n said before leaving Kaya's room.

Kunikida wiped off the makeup that Kaya did for him and took off the tiara before going to the kitchen to help Y/n cook. He chopped up meat and vegetables while Y/n got the pot going. From a glance, they looked like a true family and deep down that's what they wanted. After about an hour of cooking, they all ate together. "This is so yummy!" Kaya said. Y/n and Kunikida smiled at her. "Hey daddy," Kaya said. "Yeah Kaya?" Kunikida said. "You should come here more often," Kaya said before getting back to her hot pot. "Actually about that...I was thinking he'd stay the night," Y/n spoke up. Kunikida looked at Y/n with wide eyes. "That's great!" Kaya smiled again. 

After dinner, Kaya showered and went to bed and Kunikida cleaned the kitchen with Y/n. "Thank you," Y/n said. "For?" Kunikida asked. "Being here, Kaya needed you...and so did I," Y/n turned her back to Kunikida couldn't see her. "I needed the both of you two," Kunikida confessed. "That's not true," Y/n spoke under her breath. Kunikida put his hand on Y/n's shoulder and turned her to him. "Y/n...that will never not be true, I love both you and Kaya so much, you could never understand. If you ever need me for anything, I'll be there before you can even ask," Kunikida's green eyes stared into the brown eyes that Y/n had, not breaking eye contact for a second. 

Y/n was quick to break eye contact and started tearing up. Kunikida's hand was quick to wipe the tear and hold Y/n close to him. "I know it's hard, I promise I'll never leave you guys again," he spoke softly. "We should get to bed...Doppo," Y/n held his hand on her cheek. He smiled when she finally said his name. When they both got to Y/n's room, they stood at the door for a few moments. "I can sleep on the floor," Doppo suggested. "I'll get you a blanket," Y/n went over to the closet.