ex-husband

will you leave again ?

You sighed, walking into your home, and rubbing a hand over your face. 

"Welcome back!" Satoru hurried after Kiyo as she came running to the front door to greet you. "I missed you!" 

"I wasn't gone that long," you smiled, sitting down on the seat by the door to take your shoes off. Satoru eyed how you fell into the seat with a slight thump, and the exhaustion riddling your face. You weren't gone too long - which means whatever mission you were called for had been truly tiring. 

"Are you alright?" Satoru asked, picking up Kiyo (despite her protests of wanting to hug you) so you could take off your shoes in peace. He didn't do anything to hide the worry etched on his face. 

Your shoulders slumped. "Yaga had me caught up. About everything you've known since the sister exchange event." 

"Oh," Satoru frowned. "You know I didn't want to keep that from you, right?" 

You smiled softly. Satoru almost dropped Kiyo - he almost melted into the ground. "Don't worry, I know. Utahime already groveled to me about keeping it a secret. You figured I'm not the mole though, right?" 

"Yeah," Satoru nodded. He brought his hand up to pinch Kiyo's nose. "Hey, honey, do you wanna show mommy that painting you did?" Kiyo nodded excitedly. "Okay, go get it, alright! Be super careful holding it though - can't have you dropping it!" 

Kiyo practically jumped out of his arms and ran to her room. Satoru, chuckling lightly, turned to you. "Yeah. Always knew you weren't, but it was safer to keep you from... all of that." 

You nodded. "I get it, uh..." You swallowed. "That's why Yaga decided to tell me actually." Satoru just rose a brow, waiting for you to continue. "He wants me and Kiyo to leave." 

"Oh." Satoru felt his heart drop. Yeah, he'd discussed it with Yaga, but no plans were confirmed yet. He knew that these special grades were ramping up, about to do something grand, something that probably focused on Satoru. But, if they decided to attack his family, wouldn't Satoru be the best person for them to be near? 

"That's what I said too," you huffed with a smile. "He said to go stay with my parents... those special grades won't waste their time heading all the way north for just me and Kiyo." 

"Yeah..." Satoru replied hollowly, nodding. But when he realized how depressed he sounded, he quickly cleared his throat and smiled at you. "Hey, we should start packing soon, right? Gotta make sure my daughter has all her pretty dresses packed so her grandparents know they'll never steal her from me." 

You were surprised by his sudden burst of energy, but chuckled nonetheless. "Alright... you aren't upset by this? I figured you'd want us to stay here." 

Of course he does. He would want you both in his sigh all the time, 24/7, if he could choose. 

"As long as you'll be safe," Satoru said. "I'll be happy." 

Satoru had you put your hand around his waist. He needed both his hands, but you could have just held onto the seam of his shirt and he'd still be able to teleport. But, if this was the last time he'd see you in a while, he wanted you to be close to him, even if it was for a second. 

Kiyo gripped onto his leg. "Ready, baby?" He asked, looking down at her with a grin. "Don't let go, okay?"

Kiyo nodded, gripping tighter, looking up at her father with excitement. 

In a second, you all had arrived to your family's estate. It was in the countryside, and it was peaceful. Nothing like the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Satoru loved coming up here with you before. The two of you would sneak out and take in the fresh air at night. Sometimes you'd run off to the nearby hills to watch the sunrise and then hurry back to the estate before the servants came by to wake you both up. 

Memories swarmed his head and he almost kind of maybe wanted to cry. 

He got back to his senses when he felt you let go of his waist. He reached down to pick up Kiyo and held her closely, having her rest her head on his shoulder. "Daddy?" She asked, her voice filled with so much empathy. "Are you okay?"

Satoru opened his mouth to answer but no words came out. He sent you a panicked look, and you came over, patting Kiyo's back. "Daddy is fine, Kiyo... he's just sad he needs to go on a quick work trip. But he'll come back soon and spend the whole week with us." 

"We're going trick or treating!" Kiyo exclaimed. 

"Yeah," you grinned, pinching her cheek. "Although, your daddys' gonna just steal your chocolate, you know?" 

Kiyo let out a gasp and swatted at Satoru's face. "That's bad, daddy!" 

Satoru let out an even more exaggerated gasp and pointed at you. "She's lying! Isn't lying worse?" 

"No, stealing is bad!" 

Satoru and Kiyo had some back and forth bickering, but you had gone quiet, as you spotted your parents at the front of your estate. Satoru, noticing that you had gotten quiet, looked over as well. "Ah," Satoru said, the smile on his face threatening to drop. "I should go." 

As he moved to pass Kiyo over to you, you shook your head. "You have some time. Come in. I think they want to offer you some tea." 

Satoru is the strongest. But he's weak here, right now, because he'll do anything to get a couple more minutes together. "Yeah, of course." 

Time moved too quickly. Satoru barely got to sip his tea when he got a call from Utahime. It was time to go. Satoru's face was quick to drop, and he declined her call, knowing why she was calling. If he heard her voice this peaceful moment would all be gone. 

You noticed his face fall, while your parents were busy entertaining Kiyo. "You should answer her. What if she's in trouble?" 

"I..." I don't want to leave you. "Yeah." He got up. "Okasan, Otosan! I'm off! Thank you for the tea!" You watched him gulp his tea down quickly before wiping his mouth and getting up. "Kiyo, come here, give daddy one big hug! I need your energy!" 

Giggling, Kiyo ran up to him and hugged him tightly. Oh no, why'd Satoru do this. Now he was going to be stuck to his daughter and end up staying here forever. 

Your mother pulled Kiyo away, scolding her since Satoru had to go on his mission. You got up, and walked up to Satoru's side. "I'll walk you out," you said quietly. He nodded, and let you lead, even though he memorized your estate long ago. 

The two of you walked in silence to the door. 

Satoru gulped. "You'll be alright, right?" 

"I'll be fine." 

"Will Kiyo be safe?" 

"She'll be fine. My family can hold their own." 

"You can too," Satoru said. "You're strong." 

"Well, I'm not staying." 

Satoru stopped abruptly. "What?" He watched as you stopped as well, turning around to look up at him. "What do you mean?"

His eyes glimmered with home. "I mean, I'm not leaving you to deal with those special grades by yourself. Kiyo will be safe here. But I'm going to be with you, making sure Tokyo is safe for her, too."

"You- You're..." Satoru didn't know what to say. He settled with a smile. "You're amazing." 

Okay, maybe his words sounded too cheesy. 

You smiled. "Yeah, I'm well aware." 

And you were even more aware when you saw the way his ears had a twinge of red.