Seriously didn't expect this to become a series, but my muse demands it! Please read and review!
Dreaming of You – Selena
Five Months Later:
"Eat your rice, Kai." Hiroki said as he finished Nowaki's breakfast.
"But... it tastes funny." Kai pouted.
"It supposed to taste funny."
"Why?"
"So little boy's like you will want to eat it cause you think it's cool to eat things that are disgusting." Hiroki sighed. "You're not like most boys though." He smiled when Kai looked at him. "Such a good boy...unlike your father." The professor whispered, drying his hands and kissing the top of Kai's head. "Nowaki! Get your butt out of bed and eat breakfast!"
"Dad's in trouble." Kai grinned when Hiroki growled in annoyance and made his way to the bedroom.
Hiroki opened the door to find Nowaki still sleeping, cuddling Hiroki's pillow. "Oi... brat... get your ass out of bed." Nowaki mumbled and shifted. Hiroki sighed and kneeled on the bed. "Nowaki..." He leaned down and bit harshly on Nowaki's ear.
"OW!" Nowaki cried out in pain and sat up. Tears in his eyes, he looked at his glaring lover. "Hiro-san... that hurt."
"Good!"
"Why'd you do that?"
"Cause you wouldn't wake up! Breakfast is getting cold. Get out of bed and come eat." That said, Hiroki turned and made his way back to the kitchen.
~Late at night when all the world
Is sleeping
I stay up and think of you
And I wish on a star
That somewhere you are
Thinking of me too~
Nowaki sighed and climbed out of bed. Grabbing some clothes, he went into the bathroom and did his usual routine. Five minutes later he was walking into the itchen. "Morning, Kai." He said and kissed Kai on the head.
"Morning, Dad!" Kai chirped and finished his rice. "Daddy! I ate my rice!"
Hiroki smiled. "Good. Now go get ready for school. I'll pack something special in your lunch."
"Okay!" Kai hopped off his chair and walked to his room.
"He's such a good boy... unlike some brats." Hiroki looked pointedly at Nowaki.
"But, Hiro-san! I was dreaming about you!"
Hiroki rolled his eyes and sat down to eat.
"Have a good day, Kai." Nowaki and Hiroki smiled as Kai hugged each of their legs and ran off to join his newly made friends under a tree.
"I'll be home late tonight." Hiroki said and waved as he conitnued on his way to the university.
With a tired sigh, Nowaki turned and made his way back home for a short nap and then to straighten the house up. Hiro-san was going to be staying late tonight to grade mid-term papers, so that gave Nowaki a chance to spend some alone time with Kai. Sure he loved spending time with both his lover and son, but with his work schedule at the hospital, it was hard to spend time alone with Kai. Hiroki seemed to know their son better than him.
Three hours later, Nowaki was rudely awoken from his nap by a pounding on the door. Grunting, he got up and pulled his shirt back on and went to the front door. Swinging the door open, he almost thought he was looking at an older Hiro-san.
"K-Kamijou-san?"
Hiroki sighed as the bell rang. Time for lunch with Kai. One of his new favorite parts of his days were lunch with Kai on Tuesdays and Thursdays when their lunch schedules were the same. Smiling softly, surprising a few lingering students, he put his laptop in his briefcase and walked out of the room. Five minutes later he was standing outside waiting for his son.
"Daddy!" Kai came running up to him, glomping him tightly. "I made a ninty-two on my math test!"
Hiroki smiled proudly. "Of course you did. I tutored you and you are one brilliant six year-old." He stroked Kai's hair. "Let's eat lunch." He said and sat down on their usual bench. Kai sat next to him and they ate their home-made lunches.
~Cause I'm dreamin of you tonight
Til' tomorrow, I'll be holding you tight
And there's no where in the world I'd rather be
Than here in my room, dreaming about you and me~
Nowaki shakily placed a cup of hot tea in front of Hiroki's father. "W-What brings you here, sir?"
"Where's Hiroki?"
"H-He's at work. He's working late tonight, mid-term week."
"I see. And... you're off today?"
"Yes, sir." Nowaki gulped as his would-be father-in-law sipped at the tea. "H-How's-"
"She's... misses Hiroki."
Nowaki nodded in understanding. "I'll be sure to tell Hiro-san you came by." Nowaki began to stand.
"I don't plan on leaving yet." Kamijou smiled a bit, the smile that Hiro-san smiled when Nowaki was in deep shit. Nowaki slowly sat back down. "Let's... talk... Kusama-kun."
'Hiro-san... heeeeeeelp!'
Hiroki shuddered.
"You okay, Daddy?"
"Yeah... just got a chill. Fall must be coming."
"Uh... Kamijou-san... I've gotta go pick up Kai from school." Nowaki said, standing from the floor.
"Kai?"
"Yes... o-our son..."
Hiroki's father's eyes widened. "Son..?"
"If... you'll just wait here. I'll be back in about ten minutes." Nowaki walked to the front door and slipped his shoes on and practically ran out of the house. He arrived at the school within five minutes and spotted Kai waiting for him. "Sorry I'm late..."
Kai smiled happily and shook his head. "It's okay, Dad. Class just let out early, so you're not late."
Nowaki smiled. "Good. Lets get home and I'll make a snack since Daddy will be late today." Kai smiled and took his hand. "So, how'd your math test go?"
"I got an A-."
Nowaki smiled brightly. "That's great, Kai. Have you told Daddy?"
Kai nodded enthusiastically. "He was really happy."
"I bet. He spent two weeks tutoring you. We're so proud of you, Kai." Nowaki grinned and picked Kai up in his arms and carried him the rest of the way home. Kai giggled happily, hugging his father's neck. They soon came up to the apartment building and Nowaki felt his stomach drop. 'Here goes nothing...' He thought and opened the apartment. Kamijou was waiting for him in the hallway.
"Kusama-san..."
"Kamijou-san, meet your adopted grandson, Kai. Kai, this is your grandfather."
Kai and the older Kamijou stared at each other, one in wonder, the other in shock.
"Adopted?"
"Yes."
"How... how long have you had him?"
"Seven months. He turned six five months ago." Nowaki sighed. "Kai, go to your room and start your homework."
Kai smiled. "Okay." He let Nowaki set him down, then walked to his room, glancing over his shoulder to see his father and grandfather walking to the kitchen.
"Why am I just learning about this?" Kamijou-san asked.
"Well... Hiro-san and I have been talking about telling you, but things kept coming up. Mid-terms started and I just got promoted at work. We've been talking about buying a house."
"A house..?"
Nowaki began making a snack for his son. "The lease won't be up for six months, so we still have some time to save money and decide what we want."
"What... happened to Kai's biological parents?"
Nowaki's lips tightened. "They died in a car accident eight months ago. He barely made it. It's a miracle he's even alive."
"May I... go talk to him?"
Nowaki looked at him. "Sure. I've gotta concentrate on these rice balls." He watched his hopefully-someday-father-in-law walk out.
~Wonder if you ever see me and
I wonder if you know I'm there
If you looked in my eyes
Would you see what's inside?
Would you even care?~
Hiroki sighed tiredly as he entered the apartment. "Tadaima..." He muttered softly, toeing his shoes off and smiling when he heard Kai's patter of running.
"Okaeri, Daddy!" The child yelled and glomped his father.
Hiroki picked Kai up, giving his mini-brat his suitcase. "Where's Dad?"
"He's in the living room with Grandpa!"
Hiroki froze. Kai only had one 'grandpa'. Tensely, he entered the living room with Kai in his arms.
"Okaeri, Hiro-san." Nowaki said softly.
"Hiroki..."
"Father..." Hiroki set Kai on the ground. "What brings you here?" He watched Kai go to the desk in the corner of the room, knowing that was where his daddy put his briefcase, and Hiroki had to smile.
Kamijou frowned. His son had never smiled like that. "I came to visit. You never call or visit us and your mother is starting to fret."
"I'm fine, if you couldn't tell. Nowaki-"
"Tea." Nowaki finished his lover's sentence as he stood and picked up the tray. He left the room, Kai close behind, and Hiroki took the seat his lover had previously sat.
"How is Mom?"
"Beside fretting?" Kamijou sighed. "Not too well, son."
Hiroki frowned. "What's wrong?"
"She has a tumor on one of her ovaries. The doctor says they caught it early enough that if she does the surgery within two weeks, she won't have to have radiation." Kamijou looked at his son. He could see the worry in Hiroki's eyes and placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "She wants to see you, Hiroki. She's been talking about seeing her son, and about grandchildren. I think it would be a good idea to introduce Kai to her."
"It's not like she's going to... die, Dad. So why do you sound so urgent."
Kamijou sighed. His son was always so observant. "The doctor said there's a possibility that the tumor could return. If that happens and they catch it late, it could kill her."
Hiroki gripped his pant legs. "Alright." He stood. "Saturday... Nowaki and I are planning a picnic... you and Mom should come."
Kamijou stood as well. "Good idea." He turned and headed for the door, Hiroki close behind. "Any other surprises?"
Hiroki faltered. "I... changed my name."
The older Kamijou stopped, one shoe half-way on. "What?"
"It's... Kusama now."
"I... see. You love that kid that much?"
"... Yes." Hiroki whispered. "Dad... please understand."
Nowaki paused just inside the door. He could hear his lover and maybe-soon-to-be-father-in-law talking.
"Nowaki's never had a real family. He loves kids, it's why he became a pediatrician. I've... also... wanted kids, as much as I hate them. Kai... Kai has given Nowaki... given us... a family. If I were to keep my last name Kamijou, we wouldn't be a real family. As a Kusama... this way... Nowaki has a real family."
Nowaki smiled warmly, one arm around Kai's shoulders.
Kamijou sighed. "Didn't know you had it in you to get that soft look in your eyes, Hiroki. Those brats have changed you." He smiled a bit. "They've changed you for the better."
Hiroki nodded. He watched his father finish putting on his shoes and open the door. "Remember... 11 o'clock, Saturday, meet here." Kamijou nodded and shut the door on his way out. With a heavy sigh, Hiroki turned and walked back into the living room. He sat on the couch and buried his face in his hands. A million thoughts and emotions ran through his head. If his mother died, Kai won't even have a grandmother to dote on him.
"Hiro-san..?"
"Daddy?"
The two brats had a habbit of speaking at the same time. Kai had even started getting the same tone of voice as his dad. Hiroki lifted his face and saw similar expressions on the two faces. He smield. "What's for dinner, brats?"
~I just wanna hold you close
But so far
All I have are dreams of you.
So I wait for the day
To take the courage to say how much I love you
Yes I do~
"Hiro-san... can't sleep?" Nowaki whispered. When Hiro-san lay on his stomach, that usually meant there was something heavy on his mind.
"I'm fine. You have the early shift tomorrow, right?"
"Yes."
"Go to sleep, Nowaki."
"But... Hiro-san..." Nowaki rolled over, half-laying on top of his lover. "I can't sleep if you can't." He whispered, sliding his hand along his lover's bare back, pressing a kiss to his shoulder. "My mind is linked with your's."
Hiroki scoffed. "You need to stop watching that Star Wars crap."
Nowaki chuckled. "The nurses are throwing a good-bye party for one of our long-time patients and he loves StarWars so it's a theme party." His lover closed his eyes and released a sigh. "Hiro-san... what's on your mind?"
It took him a few minutes, but Hiroki answered. "My mother's sick."
Nowaki's eyes snapped open. "Sick?"
"Well... not really sick. She's got a tumor. She has to have surgery in two weeks or she'll have to have radiation therapy."
"Oh... Hiro-san... where's the tumor?"
"On one of her ovaries."
Nowaki fell silent. "Is it cancerous?"
"Dad said they caught it in time, which is why the option for surgery is still available, but there is a possibility it could return and if they catch it late, it could turn cancerous." He felt Nowaki's big hand pet his hair and relaxed. Nowaki's hands, they always made him relax; and soon, he fell asleep.
"... Hiro-san...?" Nowaki looked at his lover's face and smiled tiredly. "So adorable..." Carefully, he rolled Hiroki on his side, knowing his lover couldn't sleep comfortably on his stomach, and spooned behind him and settled down to sleep.
The next morning, Hiroki woke up refreshed and almost excited to have a picnic with his parents and family. Rolling over, he spotted Nowaki missing. Sitting up, he looked around their room and barely heard Kai's giggles from the kitchen. Looking at the clock, he saw it was almost seven thirty.
"NOWAKI! BASTARD!" Jumping out of bed, he grabbed some clothes from the closet and hurried into the bathroom.
In the kitchen, Nowaki sighed with an affectionate smile and continued cooking breakfast. Five minutes later, Hiroki ran into the kitchen, tieing his tie.
"Why didn't you wake me, brat?"
"I did... or I tried..."
Kai nodded. "He really did, Daddy."
"Che... whatever. I gotta leave or I'll be late." The professor kissed the top of his son's head and grabbed his coat and briefcase and hurried out the door.
"Hiro-san!" Nowaki frowned, hearing the door slam shut. "I guess I'm walking you to school." He smiled at Kai, who just smiled back. "Finish your breakfast and get ready." The boy nodded and looked back at his food.
"Dad..."
"Yes, Kai?"
"How come you and Daddy never kiss?"
Nowaki blushed and stammered. "W-What do you mean?"
"I see a lot of the other mommies and daddies kiss, but you and Daddy never kiss."
"W-We kiss. We just... we kiss in private."
"Why?"
Nowaki sighed and sat at the table. "Kai... not everyone little boy or girl has two dads. A lot of kids have a mommy and daddy, but you have two daddies and society doesn't always accept that."
"Why?"
'Hiro-san... help!'
Hiroki shivered. "Hmm... there's that chill in the air again."
"I'll explain more when you're older." Nowaki replied and kissed Kai's head. "Go get ready for school or you'll be late."
"Okay!" Kai hopped off the chair and ran to his room while his dad cleared the table.
"Well, we knew this day would come, Nowaki." Hiroki said into the phone.
"Yeah... but... I wasn't exactly prepared for it."
Both were on their lunch breaks, talking on their cell phones as they did whenever they got the chance if both were working.
"You're not supposed to be prepared for it, Nowaki. Most gay couples don't even get a chance to have kids, much less adopt. And because society doesn't approve of two men, or two women, raising a child together, those kids are often taken away."
Nowaki went silent. What if Kai were someday taken away from him and Hiro-san?
"I wouldn't let it happen Nowaki."
"Hiro-san?"
"If some asshole tries to take Kai from us, I'll fight for the rest of my life if needed. You're not the only one happy to have a family."
"Hiro-san..."
"Kai has become a part of our family, and I won't let anyone take that from us."
Nowaki smiled happily. "Hiro-san... I love you."
Hiroki flushed. "I've got to go. Class is about to start. I'll be home early tonight. What time will you be home?"
"Around six probably."
"Alright. I'll make some kimchi stew for dinner."
"Sounds good, Hiro-san. See you later."
"Bye..." He quickly closed his phone as students filled the room.
~I'll be dreamin of you tonight
Til' tomorrow, I'll be holding you tight
And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be
Than here in my room, dreamin about you and me~
Later that night, Hiroki watched Kai sleep. He stood in the doorway, holding the door open with one hand, while the other held his body against the frame. Nowaki came out from the bath, towel drying his hair and sleeping pants almost falling off his hips.
"Hiro-san?"
"Hm?"
"What's wrong?" Nowaki stood behind his lover, peeking in at Kai. "Is Kai alright?"
"He's fine. Fell asleep almost as soon as his head touched the pillow."
"Why're you in Kai's room?"
"No reason." Hiroki quietly shut the door and walked toward the bathroom. "I'll take a bath now."
Nowaki tilted his head and watched his lover disappear into the bathroom. Curious, he peeked into Kai's room, glancing around the dark room for a paranoid second, then shrugged and shut the door. Hiroki soon joined him, wearing his usual white shirt and sleeping pants, which usually never stayed on cause he took his shirt off in his sleep or just before he went to sleep. Flopping down on the bed, he sighed and huggled his pillow. Nowaki watched this worriedly.
"Hiro-san... are you alright?"
"I say I'm not worried about Kai being taken from us, but... what if I'm not strong enough when it does happen?"
The doctor's eyes widened. "Hiro-san..." He smiled warmly and leaned over his lover. "If that were to ever happen, I would give you my strength and stand by your side as a pillar of support. You needn't worry Hiro-san. We'll protect Kai together as his parents."
Hiroki closed his eyes, enjoying Nowaki's heat and words.
The next afternoon, Hiroki was anxiously awaiting his parents' arrival. He had the picnic basket ready, Nowaki was helping Kai choose something to wear, and Hiroki's nerves were a mess. He hadn't spoken to his mother in about two years. When the doorbell rang, he jumped up off the couch and hurried to open the door; but just before opening it, he calmed himself and slowly opened the door as if distracted.
"Mother... Father... welcome."
"Hiroki! My baby!" Mrs. Kamijou smiled happily and glomped her son around his neck. "I'm so happy to see you! Now, where's the grandson your father told me about?" Releasing her son, she hurried into the apartment and looked around.
"You told her?"
"Of course." His father stepped into the door. "I was afraid it would shock her too much to meet Kai before being told about him... like you did to me."
Hiroki sighed and shut the door. "Nowaki! Kai! Come into the living room!" He gestured for his parents to sit on the couch and soon Kai came running on, one sock on and Nowaki chasing him with the other sock in hand.
"Daddy! Dad's trying to tickle me!" Kai yelled and glomped his daddy's legs.
"I am not!" Nowaki cried out in exhaspertion.
Hiroki chuckled and picked Kai up before sitting in the recliner. "Nowaki... his feet are very ticklish." He held out his hand for the other sock and Nowaki handed it to him. "You can handle sick children, but you can't handle your own son?" Nowaki blushed. "Don't worry. You'll get it eventually." Nowaki smiled, watching his lover put the sock on Kai's bare foot expertly without Kai squirming one bit. "Now, Kai... you remember your grandfather?" Kai nodded happily. "The woman next to him is your grandmother. Say hello."
Kai waved shyly. "Hello."
"Oh! Isn't he precious?"
"Are you Daddy's mommy and daddy?" Kai asked softly.
"Yes, we are." Mrs. Kamijou smiled.
Kai looked at Nowaki. "How come you don't have a mommy and daddy?"
Nowaki's smile fell. "Well... Kai..." He kneeled down next to Hiroki. "I'm like you, only... I never knew my parents and I never got adopted."
"Oh..." Kai frowned and reached up, hugging his dad's next. "You have me and Daddy now, so it's okay." Nowaki blinked, but smiled and hugged his son back.
Hiroki cleared his throat. "Well, let's go on that picnic!" He handed Kai to Nowaki, who stood up with their son in his arms.
"Oh! This is so exciting!" Mrs. Kamijou clapped her hands together and Hiroki had to smile. Seeing his mother like this, he knew she wasn't letting the tumor get her down, and for that, he loved her even more.
~Late at night when all the world
Is sleeping
I stay up and think of you
And I still can't believe
That you came up to me and said
I love you
I love you too~
After lunch was ate, Nowaki had to get ready for work, so he bid his family good bye and walked back home.
"Hiroki... your father tells me you changed your name."
Hiroki tensed. "Did he tell you the reason?"
"I thought it best you tell her yourself, because I cannot understand." His father replied, frowning.
Hiroki sighed. "Mom... please don't take this the wrong way." His mother nodded and listened intently. "The thing is... Nowaki got his name from the orphanage that took him in, so... he's never had a family with the same name that lasted. When we adopted Kai, we agreed that Kai would take Nowaki's name and he often talked about me changing my name. I've already decided to spend the rest of my life with him, so... to show Nowaki the extent of my... love... I decided to change my last name to match his." His mother was silent, as if contemplating this answer. "It's not as if there aren't any Kamijou kids running around causing chaos."
"I understand, Hiroki. You don't have to explain anymore." She smiled. "I didn't know you were such a romantic, Hiroki."
Hiroki glared at her. "I'm not."
"You don't call changing your last name to make your lover happy romantic? It's almost like getting married without the ceremony and license." She giggled. Hiroki shook his head. "I set a date for the surgery." The family went silent. "It's going to be next week on Wednesday." Hiroki nodded.
"I'll be sure to ask for the day off."
"You don't need to, dear. Your father is going to be there."
"Mom... I want to be there. Besides, Nowaki will be working that day, so consider it my visiting Nowaki instead of being there for your surgery."
She nodded. "Very well. What will you do with Kai?" She looked over toward the swing set where Kai was swinging.
"He can stay at his friend's house until I return." Hiroki replied, packing up the tubberware. "What time is the surgery?"
"Ten AM. The doctor said it should only take about two hours, if even that." Mr. Kamijou replied.
Hiroki nodded. "Alright." He stood up. "I'm going to check on Kai."
The two older Kamijous watched their son walk away.
"Well... he's not a biological grandson, but..." She smiled. "At least we have a grandson."
"Why couldn't Kusama-san take the Kamijou name?"
"Because Nowaki-kun is the seme and Hiroki is the uke."
"DEAR!"
"What? It's the truth." Her husband sighed and shook his head.
"Where's Dad?" Kai looked up as his daddy walked over.
"Dad had to go to work. He tried calling you over to say goodbye, but you didn't hear him." Hiroki smiled and began pushing Kai's swing. "He'll be home before you go to bed, hopefully."
"What does Dad do?"
"Dad takes care of sick children your age, so he has to work long hours in order to watch over all the sick children in the hospital."
"What about Daddy?"
"Daddy's a teacher. He teaches adults about books and people who write books." Hiroki smiled. He loved playing twenty questions with his son. "What does Kai do?"
"Kai's a kid. Kai plays games with other kids his age."
"I see. Does Kai have fun with other kids?"
Kai nodded. "Mm! Kai has LOTS of fun with other kids. Kai has many friends. Does Daddy have friends?"
"Daddy has Dad. And that's enough for him."
"Does Kai have uncles and aunts like other kids?"
Hiroki frowned. He wondered if Akihiko would be considered Kai's uncle. He would have to talk to Nowaki about it.
"Uncle?" Nowaki asked, sitting in the lounge on break, one hand holding his phone to his ear and the other typing on his laptop.
"Yeah. I wasn't sure what to tell him so I kind of said 'yes'."
"Hmm. Well... Usami-san does know about Kai, though they've never met. I suppose we could try asking him. You're an only child and I never had any real siblings, and we wanted want you to seem like a liar to Kai."
"I'll give Akihiko a call later."
"Paging Dr. Kusama, please go to room 204. Paging Dr. Kusama, please go to room 204."
"Ah, sorry Hiro-san, I need to go. Let me know what Usami-san says. Bye."
Hiroki frowned, not even given a chance to say bye. Hitting the red button, he dialed his long time friend's number.
~Now I'm dreamin with you tonight
Til' tomorrow and for all of my life
And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be
Than here in my room dreaming with you endlessly~
Nowaki stepped tiredly into the house, toeing his shoes off. "Tadaima!" Receiving no answer, he peeked into the living room and saw his lover and son curled on the couch asleep while a kid's movie played on the big screen. He smiled and kneeled in front of them, reaching to pet Kai's hair and kiss Hiroki's cheek. His lover's eyes fluttered open.
"Taking a nap with our son without me, that's not fair Hiro-san."
"You're the one who kept me up all night last night... horny oaf." Hiroki whispered back.
"Want me to make dinner?"
"Yeah, I'll wake Kai up. He'll be happy to see you since he didn't get to say goodbye before you left."
"I feel guilty now. He didn't cry, did he?"
"Thankfully, no. He isn't as sensitive as most kids are, considering."
"Hmm... I wonder if he would cry if you left without saying goodbye? He seems more attached to you than me."
"Nonsense..." Hiroki sat up completly, watching his lover stand. "He loves us equally, Nowaki."
"I don't know Hiro-san. I was supposed to be the fun parent and you the strict parent."
Hiroki smirked. "Didn't expect me to get so attached to him, did you?"
Nowaki smiled. "No, but I'm happy you are."
"Kai... wake up. Dad's home."
Kai's eyes opened and he blearily saw his dad standing before them. "Okaeri, Dad..."
"Tadaima, Kai." Nowaki smiled and kissed Kai on the head. "I'm going to make dinner, so go wash your face."
"Okay..." Sleepily, Kai climbed off the couch and walked to the bathroom.
"Well, at least he's easier to wake up than you are, Hiro-san, or he would always be late to school."
Hiroki glared at him. "Shut up, brat, and get in the kitchen."
"I love it when you're so demanding. It's such a turn on." Nowaki giggled and hurried to the kitchen before a book could hit him.
"Tch..." Hiroki rubbed the back of his neck, mumbling under his breath. "Brats... taking over my life... gonna be the death of me."
The End... maybe (wink)