I Can't Live Without You (Sequel)

Chapter Four

  (Warning: self-harm)

~*~

The cherry blossoms had bloomed beautifully. Their soft pink petals swayed in the gentle April breeze. Warm rays of sunshine filtered through the thin, white clouds. The laughter of children filled the streets as they fully took advantage of last few days of spring break they had. Kenma cursed them for being so happy. He cursed the weather for being so joyful. He cursed the world for being so bright while he was so sorrowful. With a swift and sharp movement the young teen slid the curtains shut. Darkness overcame his room. He shuffled back to his bed and wrapped himself in the warmth of his comforter.

His days were spent entirely in his room and more specifically in his bed. He barely ever left his cozy habitat to grab something quick to eat. He avoided his parents at all costs. His father wasn't willing to speak to him anyway. He said he would probably do something he might regret if they tried to talk things out. So for one week Kenma had avoided his father's eyes and presence all together. His mother still wasn't sure what she needed or what she wanted to do. She smiled softly at him but never engaged in a conversation. She was also against the relationship Kenma and Kuroo had claimed to be having, but didn't wish to purposely hurt her son.

So he creeped around the house when they were at work making sure his trail was covered afterwards. Kenma's heart was pained causing his entire body to weaken. Despite the healthy environment outside his home, the brunet managed to catch the start of a cold. His eyes were always red and puffy, his nose always clogged, his throat always sore. But maybe that was due to the incessant crying, and the symptoms weren't ones of the flu, but ones of a broken heart.

Everyday since the nightmare dinner, Kenma thought over his choices. His parents were against his love for Kuroo. That was stated, the matter was closed. The boy took time thinking about that. He tried to understand why it was so bad for him to be in love with his childhood friend. He tempted to put himself in his parents shoes and see why they were so against it. But he couldn't see it. There was nothing wrong in being happy with a certain human being, no matter their sex or gender. He believed the warmth his heart felt around Kuroo, the outbursts of joy coursing through his body as they touched, and the sparks of electricity that set off as their lips locked, were sentiments to be cherished. He believed he had found his special person, so why couldn't he keep him?

A gentle knock on Kenma's door snapped him out of his pondering daze. He peeped out his blanket-burrito and watched his mom's face poke through the small opening.

"Kenma... May I come in?" she whispered, holding the door in front of herself.

The brunet raised and dropped his shoulders from under the covers. His mother stepped in and closed the door behind her. She brought in a platter with a small bowl of fruits and a plate of cookies. She laid them on her son's desk, passing her index over the dusted wood. The cocooned teen sat up on his bed. He was joined by his mom who wrapped an arm around him, pulling him against her chest. She rocked him gently while tenderly stroking his long hair. Between two of her fingers she lifted a strand, twirling it in thought.

"Your hair has grown so long... Only the tips are blond now," she muttered eyeing the dark hair. "Are you going to cut them soon?"

Kenma shrugged, his eyelids gradually drooping. He let himself be engulfed by the motherly love which was irreplaceable and which he had had so little the last few weeks. Things were still tense, he could feel it, but at least his mom was trying.

"I don't really know... Maybe?"

They stayed in each other's arms in silence once more. Kenma loved his mother, he really did. He felt horrible making her worry and upset the way she was. He was sorry for causing her pain, but wasn't sorry for being who he was, or for loving who he loved. He was ready to fight for the person he cared for so dearly. His parents had given him all he had and he was extremely grateful. But now he had found someone else who cherished him, probably more than his own family did. Kenma had felt so put aside his entire childhood he was happy to be someone's number one. His parents told him they loved him but rarely did show it. They bought him all he wanted but never gave him some time. They were good parents, they just weren't present. Kenma wanted his mother to understand that even if he loved Kuroo he would still love them. However he knew if it had been a girl, his parents wouldn't have cared much about the matter, just like everything else in Kenma's life. As long as it didn't bother his parents, they said nothing and didn't get involved.