you don't own me

5

ushijima spent the day actually putting up a contract for sugawara. he figured that why not just go for it. if oikawa wouldn't let him help him, at least sugawara gladly accepted the financial support.

it was a pretty predictable day. one of his cleaners stopped by to do part of the house — it was too big to do alone in a week — and tidied up his study as he finished the details of the contract at the coffee table. he even made himself fried rice in stead of ordering something online.

his evening turned around when oikawa stood at his doorstep.

ushijima looked at the brunet and the orange-haired girl sitting on his hip, the man wearing a desperate and slightly angry expression.

"i'll pick her up later," he informed him. "please keep her safe."

"oikawa?"

"my neighbour isn't home like she said she would be and i don't know what else to do," he said, on the verge of tears. "suga's working and you're the first person i thought of that natsu, well, likes."

normally, ushijima would've given him a hard time — make a few comments before he left. but he simply took natsu from his arms and lifted her up calmly.

"come pick her up when you need to," ushijima told him firmly. "or you two can stay here."

"just keep her safe," oikawa ordered shakily. "don't give her nuts, she's allergic. her bed-time's at nine and you'd better tell her a story."

"story..?"

"just think of something." oikawa turned around.

he stopped in his tracks, clenching his fists.

"thank you," he said. he walked on.

—

ushijima had many talents. they included running an investment company and getting people to strip for him. they did not involve taking care of his favourite dancer's daughter.

he stood against the edge of the kitchen counter, nervously watching natsu at the breakfast bar eating left over fried rice. the girl seemed content, which was a relief to him.

"uhm... is there anything you need?"

"we should play a game!" natsu said enthusiastically, accidentally flinging an entire spoonful of fried rice over the floor. ushijima cringed.

he did not understand children one bit.

"wh-what kind of game?"

"you don't have any board games?"

"i don't have time to play games. my free time is spent watching the stock market." natsu giggled.

"you're doing the smart talk again," she told him.

"i am?" he asked, sitting down. "uhm, how exactly?"

"just so neat," she said with a smile. "like, stock market!"

"oh," ushijima replied, considering that she probably indeed had no idea what that was.

"anyway, i want you to give me a piggy back ride."

"...a what?" he asked helplessly.

"i wanna sit on your back! and then you run around!"

"oh, yeah, that," he shrugged. "uhm, okay, sure." he stood up and walked over to the girl, turning around. she jumped on his back suddenly.

ushijima grunted. his thirty-six year old body was not meant for kids launching themselves on to it.

ushijima looked around, and walked to the living room, where there would be more space. natsu giggled and clamped her arms around his neck as he timidly ran around his couch and coffee table. use your imagination.