Random my loveprize in viewfinder stories.

Akihito's friends by anonymous

Their footsteps echoed up and down the concrete space. The elevator had been out of order for just under two years. The building owner was being an asshole about the repair, forcing residents to haul groceries and the like up the stairs. Slowly, but steadily, he kept climbing. His respiratory system was back to normal, but he didn't want to take any risks. Hayashida and Shiro were a few stairs behind keeping sharp eyes on him for any relapse.

Exiting the stairwell, he walked to the door on the left. Laughter drifted through the wood. A small toddler laugh joined in. Hiroto must be playing with his 'Uncle' Kou.

Pausing to draw a breath and straighten his glasses, he knocked on the door. His two guards leaned back against the wall. The door opened to a smiling Takato before it dropped into shock. "Akihito?! You're back? What happened?"

"Oh my god!" Minako had her hand over her mouth.

"Kou didn't tell you?"

"No. Come in. What happened?"

"Akihito, who are they?" Minako pointed at Hayashida and Shiro. They both nodded, but remained silent and still.

"I'll explain in a minute." They finally left the landing where he toed off his shoes.

"Where have you been?"

"Which time? I just got back from my parents last week."

The two bedroom apartment was small, but lovingly decorated by Minako. Red, orange, sage green, and gold accents bloomed around the room against the dark furniture. The creative Minako had sewn the pillows and curtains. The blankets on the backs of the couch and loveseat, too. A few stains from Hiroto accidents marred the cushions. Taking plain lamps, she had turned them into her own creations with red and gold crackle paint.

Her sewing machine was back against the wall, and covered from curious toddler fingers. Her art easel was also covered. She supplemented their income by selling her items through an Etsy account.

Pictures of a changing baby turning into the 'big boy' he was now lined the walls. Several of them taken by Akihito before he went into hiding. His favorite so far was a close-up of the laughing toothless baby in Minako's lap, squeezing a tiny teddy bear between his fists while she kissed the top of his head. It had been a perfectly timed shot. The toys Hiroto and Kou must have been playing with were jumbled in front of the decently sized flat screen television.

"Sweet glasses and eyepatch. Very pirate like."

"Kou, why didn't you tell us Aki was hurt? We were wondering why his phone was off."

"He wanted to tell you."

"Unka Aki!"

"Hello, squirt." He scooped up the smiling toddler who immediately jabbed at his glasses."

"Glasses! Unka glasses?"

"Yes, I do. How does he know who I am? He wasn't even walking yet last I saw him."

"From pictures and videos. He likes to look at them on Takato's phone. Don't poke his eyepatch, sweetie. His eye is hurt." Minako gently scolded the toddler as she took him from Akihito.

"I'm fine. It's healing."

"After surgery and a hospital stay. Your lungs better?"

"It was my whole system, Kou. But, yes. I can finally take deep breaths. I can even run now, though the doctor still wants me to be careful for a while longer."

"Oh, Aki. What happened?" Minako led him to the sofa.

"Someone lied to someone high on the underground food chain. I almost took the blame. My retina detached, and my respiratory system took a beating. Luckily, I had proof, so I was let go. I ended up in the hospital for four days."