Smoke Rings in the Dark (Reader x Various)

Anzen

Mako clutched the katana tightly as they walked up the stairs. No one had said a word as the three of them trudged through the forest and into the village. Once Y/n had responded with the single word, they were all void of thought it seemed. Mako led the way and Y/n was behind him. A cast glance over her shoulder and she found Asuma staring at her ass. With a roll of her eyes, she stopped abruptly and Asuma crashed into her. His head hit her back and she grabbed the wall to keep from falling into Mako. Asuma held her waist in order to not fall back from the impact.

Mako looked behind him at the sound at Y/n shrugged before walking again. Mako opened the door while Asuma snorted and the three entered the small apartment. Omi and Himiko stood at the stove cooking while Haruka sat at the table. The small girl's eyes lit at the sight of the trio and she hurled herself at Y/n, knocking her into Asuma this time. His hands held her shoulders to steady her and he caressed them a moment before he let her go. Haruka pulled away only to grab onto Y/n's hand. The girl looked to Asuma expectantly and extended her free hand to him. Hesitantly, Asuma laid his hand into the girls, though his hand engulfed hers.

Y/n and Asuma exchanged a look as Haruka pulled them forward. A soft smile on their lips they followed the girl to the table and she pointed them to their chairs, beside one another. Asuma sat at the head of the table, Y/n to his right. Mako sat opposite Asuma, Omi to his right. Haruka sat beside Y/n and Mako, while Himiko was between Omi and Asuma.

Omi saw how nervous Y/n looked, though Asuma didn't look much better. "Eat up," the old woman declared and the kids nodded happily before digging in.

Y/n scanned the table and watched as the children ate, warm food filling their bellies. They had a warm place to sleep. A soft bed to lay in. Sorrow that their mother was gone weighed heavy on her heart, but she was thankful for Omi, and Asuma, for helping them now. Asuma watched Y/n and smiled when he saw the happy look in her eyes. Maybe he'd convince her to stay here. He was damn sure going to try and get her to do just that.

Dinner was fairly quiet, which Y/n was thankful for. She wasn't sure she could handle a conversation at the moment, her heart too full. The kids asked questions and were silly, but nothing heavy to weigh down the mood. Omi would sneak looks at the two adults but didn't say anything about Asuma's hand bellow the table. From time to time, his missing hand would meet Y/n's bouncing knee and he would give her a knowing look.

Himiko cleared the dishes and Y/n moved to help clean up. Asuma watched with Mako and Omi as Haruka ran to help as well. Himiko washed, Y/n dried and Haruka put the dishes away. Y/n was finding leaving to be harder and harder, but she must for the safety of the family that filled this apartment. She wanted to call them her family, but she knew she couldn't.

The kids settled on the couch to watch a show they've already fallen in love with quickly. Omi stood behind the couch and smiled while Asuma and Y/n were still in the kitchen. Y/n felt trapped, a deer caught in a snag with no way out. Asuma moved closer and looked down at the anxious woman. A heavy sigh left his lips before he pulled her to him. Y/n stumbled forward but she relaxed into his warm embrace.

"You need to tell them," his voice was sad, "then we can talk." He didn't tell her that she'd be going to his apartment to talk, but he'd deal with her wrath later.

Giving in to her own desires for once she nuzzled into his chest and took a deep breath in. With a slow exhale she said, "I know." Those were the only words that left her before she stepped away from him, heading into the living room.

Mako heard the heavy footsteps and looked behind him. He knew it was coming, but to see Y/n's face, and the look on Asuma's face, if made it all too real. Mako stood up and turned the tv off making his sisters look at him curiously. Mako pointed behind him for Himiko and Haruka turned around. Y/n was twiddling with her fingers as she's stood behind the couch, Asuma, and Omi watching everyone.