The Sum of Our Parts

Chapter 11

Night fell early in late February, making it cold and dark by the time Tobio arrived in Shoyo's hometown. He ran to the Hinata household, weighed down by his heavy coat and the bag slung over his shoulders. His breath fogged the air as he went, illuminated by the streetlights.

They didn't have much time. He needed to get to Shoyo before the government went looking on their own. Tobio didn't trust that they would wait until Shoyo traveled back to Tokyo.

That mistrust turned out to be well founded.

Parked in front of the Hinata home was an unmarked black car. Tobio slowed his pace, advancing on it quietly. Nobody was in the car. All the lights in the house were still on, so Tobio carefully made his way to the front gate. He entered as quietly as he could, not wanting to draw attention to his presence.

Maybe he could sneak around to the back of the house, or try to peak in the windows to assess what was happening. Every hair on his body stood on end as he carefully walked forward. He expected at any time for the front door to burst open and catch him in the act.

Suddenly, the silence of the night was broken. What sounded like multiple things crashing and tumbling around upstairs echoed into the yard, muffled by the walls. Raised voices came from near the entryway. Tobio's stomach dropped. He wasn't sure what to do. Would entering now help or harm the situation?

Then Shoyo screamed and Tobio no longer needed to make a decision. He dropped his bag and ran for the front door, slamming it open, and barreling into the house. There was a agent in a black suit that had Shoyo's father pressed up against a wall. In the corner, Shoyo's mother was crying, her arms wrapped protectively around a thrashing Natsu.

"Stay back!" The agent barked, but Tobio didn't slow down. He used his momentum to send them all crashing to the floor.

The agent grappled to get the upper hand, and he was trained to do so, but Tobio didn't leave that to chance. The first instant he was able to acquire eye contact, he threw every bit of force he had in himself into his voice.

"Stop!"

The man went limp.

"Do not move."

The agent nodded and babbled to himself as his mind tried to reason why that was the best thing to do. Tobio ignored it. He jumped to his feet and ran for the stairs. By the time he got to the first step, Shoyo was already halfway down. Upon seeing Tobio, Shoyo jumped the rest of the way, and landed on Tobio with force.

Tobio stumbled back a few steps, but wrapped Shoyo tight in his arms regardless. Those small muscled arms clung like a vice in return, nearly squeezing the breath from Tobio. Having his bond mate, his husband, in his arms again... it was indescribable. His entire body sang with the joy of it.

The moment was broken by the loud stumbling of another agent all but falling down the steps after them. Tobio swung Shoyo behind him, and squared off with the new threat. The other man wasn't much competition, however. He looked injured and sick. Tobio easily shoved the man into the wall, and subdued him with a quick burst of Talent.

Turning around, he found the Hinata's all gathered around Shoyo, making sure he was alright. Tobio cleared his throat. "Is there anyone else in the house?"

"No," Shoyo's mother shook her head, one hand wiping tears off her cheek. "There were only two agents."

"Why are they here?" Shoyo turned around, eyes wide with confusion and fear.

"They've decided that you're a threat." Tobio was known for his bluntness, and he didn't hold back then either. "They came to verify that you weren't at the apartment, and asked a bunch of bullshit questions so they could diagnose me as mentally compromised."