A Matter Of Inheritance | By : kierasama Category: +M to R > Ouran High Host Club Views: 2113 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club. It belongs to Bisco Hatori. I only own the plot. I make no money from this story. |
"Talking"
Text
Thinking
Chapter Five: A Matter Of Acceptance
The limo ride to Haruhi's apartment was short. Fifteen minutes at the most. Soon Takashi and Mitsukuni were knocking at the door. They heard screaming and Haruhi calling out over the noise. "Coming!"
She opened the door and smiled at her friends apologetically, "Sorry about the mess. Kyoichi's throwing a fit." she stepped aside and let them into the apartment. Takashi smiled at Haruhi as he passed her.
Kyoichi looked up at her friends and screamed. He threw himself down on his back, and kicked his legs and flailed his arms.
Takashi appeared to be calm, but Mitsukuni looked near tears. He looked up at Haruhi. "Haru-chan! What did I do?"
Haruhi just knelt down and moved the toys away from the baby. "Sorry. He seems to not like changes very much, so when he gets like this it's best to just move the smaller things, so he doesn't hurt himself." she said.
When Kyoichi had calmed down a bit, Haruhi gave him his toys back. She then set about getting her friends some tea. She heard Mitsukuni talking to Takashi and when she got back to the living room, almost dropped the tray in shock. Takashi was sitting on the floor next to Kyoichi, and was entertaining him with a stuffed panda that the two had brought for him.
Haruhi caught herself in time and carefully set the tray down on the table. She smiled at the three of them. Kyoichi was gurgling and waving his arms happily. Mitsukuni made a funny face. Haruhi tried to keep the laughter out of her voice. "Are the three of you having fun?" she asked.
Mitsukuni smiled and bounded up and over to her. He hugged her side. "Uh huh! Kyo-chan is so cute Haruhi!"
"Thank you." she smiled. She gestured toward the couch and chairs. "If you guys want to take a seat, dinner will be ready in a few minutes."
Takashi looked confused. "Dinner?" he asked.
"I thought, that since you two came over to sit with us for a while, you would be missing dinner, so I took the liberty of making something." Haruhi said with a smile. "Is that okay?"
"Yes! I love Haru-chan's cooking!"
Haruhi smiled. "I'm glad." she said. They sat for a few seconds in silence, before Haruhi broke the ice. "I have something I need to tell you guys..." she began.
"What is it?" Takashi asked.
"It's about...Kyoichi..." Haruhi said sadly. "I had been noticing it for a while now, but he seems to cry more than other babies, and at first I thought he was just colicky, but when I took him to the doctors..." she let a few tears fall.
"He told me that Kyoichi...that he...has autism. It's a mental condition that impairs his learning, speech, and sometimes even mobility...there's no cure for it..." Haruhi began to sob hard. "After we found out, that's when Kyoya left us. He said that there was no way that he could have been the father of someone with bad genes! He said...he said that I cheated on him! He said that Kyoichi wasn't his son!"
Haruhi's body bent over because she was crying so hard. "How can a father turn his back on his one and a half year old baby!"
Mitsukuni stood to go comfort Haruhi, but when he saw that Takashi had already stood, he sat down. Taka-chan... He thought.
Haruhi felt warm arms enveloping her. "It's okay." Takashi's warm voice rumbled over her. "Let it all out."
Haruhi wrapped her arms around Takashi's waist. Her arms shook as she cried. He was trying to comfort her, she realized. Haruhi felt safe, and cried until she couldn't force anymore tears from her eyes.
When she was done, she sat back and gave a teary smile at Takashi. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to get your shirt all wet."
"It's fine." Takashi gave her a little smile.
"Do you feel better Haru-chan?" Mitsukuni asked.
"Yes...thank you." she replied. There was a noise in the kitchen, and she stood. "The dinner's ready." she rushed into the other room.
"Takashi..." Mitsukuni whispered in his cousins ear.
"Hm?" he answered.
"You...like Haru-chan...don't you?" he asked.
Takashi looked at Mitsukuni with no emotions on his face. His eyes however, showed everything he was feeling. "I..." he began.
Haruhi came into the room and picked up Kyoichi. "It's on the table boys, are you ready to eat?" she turned and led them into the other room.
Takashi stood to follow her, when Mitsukuni tugged on his shirt. He looked down at his cousin.
"I won't tell, it can be our secret for now, okay?" Mitsukuni said with a finger to his lips.
Relieved, Takashi nodded his head.
Haruhi poked her head out of the kitchen. "You coming or not?"
Mitsukuni scampered to her with a bright grin plastered on his face. "Yes! I can't wait!"
Dinner passed without event, and soon Haruhi was saying good bye to her two best friends. Mitsukuni had already went to the limo, leaving Takashi to help Haruhi put Kyoichi to bed, seeing as he had fallen asleep on him during the movie they had watched after the meal.
Haruhi watched as Takashi carefully laid her son in his bed. His hand softly brushed Kyoichi's hair from his face. She smiled when he leaned in and kissed the child on his forehead. She bent and kissed her son as well before turning his mobile on and leaving the room.
As she was walking Takashi to the door she said, "You're good with kids, Takashi."
He shrugged. "Mitsukuni sometimes acts like a child." He gave her a small smile. "How different are they really?"
Haruhi laughed. He had made a joke. "I might just get you babysitting within the month." She said in a joking tone.
"Alright."
"Haha...really?" She asked.
"I don't see why not, he's a good kid." Takashi said. He kissed Haruhi on the forehead, like his cousin had done before running for the car. "Haruhi?" he asked.
"Yeah?" she answered, confused.
"Nothing...just remember that the room you stayed in all those times is still there for you, should you chose to accept it."
"I...Takashi..." she didn't know what to say.
"Just think about it okay?" Takashi urged her. "You will be able to look for a job at a nearby law firm, and we can hire a nanny for when you need one, one that has experience with children with autism. Mitsukuni and I could also watch him if you would prefer that." Takashi said.
"I don't know..." Haruhi said, not sure if it was a good idea.
"Haruhi...we are your friends, and it would be remiss if we didn't at least try to help you in you're time of need." he ruffled her hair as he had done in school. "We'll be around to visit soon." with that, Takashi left Haruhi's apartment.
She watched the car drive away before closing and locking her door.
The next few weeks were like a dream for Haruhi. All of her friends had come by at least one time or another, and all had expressed their sympathy's for her son's autism. They understood she was having a rough time, and all offered for her to move in and stay with them. She couldn't think of any other answer but no though. Tamaki and the twins, were too loud, and her son hated loud noises.
They were slightly upset but in the end they understood her reasoning. They just weren't used to having children around, even if the three acted like children themselves. Every couple of days they stopped by though, and brought Kyoichi stuffed animals, and toys for him to play with.
Usually when the three visited, it was together. That unfortunately led to Kyoichi throwing his tantrums, the loud noises getting to him. No, Haruhi much preferred it when Mitsukuni and Takashi visited. They would sit and watch a quiet movie and have dinner together, both her guests taking turns feeding Kyoichi when they were there. Actually, Haruhi hardly had to lift a finger when it came to that.
Mitsukuni loved playing with him while Takashi and she talked, and Takashi would feed him and just sit watching him play with his many toys, he didn't even mind changing his diaper once in a while. Mitsukuni was a bit put off by that, it just wasn't his cup of tea. So when Takashi gave her the much needed break, she and Mitsukuni would chat and talk about some kind of new sweets that he wanted to introduce to Kyoichi when Haruhi said he was old enough.
One visit, however, Mitsukuni was sick. Haruhi said that Takashi didn't have to come over, that he could stay and take care of his cousin, but Mitsukuni wouldn't hear of it. He told Haruhi on the phone that, "We always come over twice a week, Haru-chan! If I can't make it, then Takashi will still come over so he can watch Kyoichi and you can get some time for yourself. So there, it's settled. I'll see you next time, 'kay!" he had hung up the phone then.
Takashi had shown up an hour later. That day had been a particularly bad one, as Kyoichi's tummy was hurting him. He still couldn't talk yet, but he could cry. Lord have mercy, he could cry. All day until Takashi had shown up, all Haruhi had heard was the sound of her baby screaming, and try as she might, he just wasn't calming down. So when she heard the door open she called from the back room.
"I'm back here Takashi!"
Haruhi had given Takashi and Mitsukuni a key for her apartment, something she didn't trust to their other, more loud, friends. She was probably afraid that they would let themselves in at their leisure and attempt to drag Kyoichi and herself on some god forsaken trip to the commoner supermarket. She shuddered at the thought. Usually she had one of her more responsible friends look after the baby while she went shopping by herself.
"I'm sorry," Haruhi began as Takashi found his way to her bedroom, where she was currently attempting to sooth her son. "We might not get much of a chance to talk much tonight, Kyoichi has been a bit upset lately. You might want to just head home, and we can do this another night."
Takashi didn't say a word, but instead walked over to her and held out his hands. "I'll take him." he offered. "You look like you could use a good soak."
"I don't know Takashi...will you be able to handle him for that long?" she asked, uncertain.
"It's fine." he took Kyoichi from his friend. "Now go and relax. I'll try to calm him down, and give him something to eat."
Haruhi looked at him gratefully. "Thanks Takashi." she said as she accepted his hand up. "I'll do that." she pecked his cheek and kissed her son. "Mommy will be back soon sweetie."
"Take your time to relax. I can handle it." Takashi reminded her.
With a last smile behind her, Haruhi entered the bathroom and shut the door.
He could hear the sound of clothing being removed, and the rushing of water as she filled the tub. He looked at the wiggling child in his arms and said, "Now. Lets be a good boy and let your mother rest a while shall we?" the baby had stopped crying and was looking up at Takashi with his big gray eyes. He gurgled and reached for his face.
Takashi smirked at the actions of his temporary ward, and left Haruhi's bedroom, shutting the door behind him. He entered Kyoichi's room and set about putting him in his pajamas. It was quite the feat too, because Kyoichi was a squirmy little thing. Who would have thought that such a small child could be as strong as he was.
Doing his best, Takashi worked to disentangle the flailing babies arms from the tiny shirt. He changed his diaper while he was at it, before selecting a light green footie pajama from the little drawer under the changing table. When he had finally managed to get him dressed, Takashi took him to the living room, where he placed Kyoichi into his play pen with several soft foam blocks to play with.
He drug it to the kitchen so he could keep an eye on him as he cooked. He knew Haruhi usually fed him jarred baby food, but he couldn't find any.
"Hm...she must be out." He looked at the boy, who was now laying on his back, and waving his hands in front of his face contentedly. "Kyoichi," he crooned, very unlike himself. He would only show this side to the little boy he had become so fond of. "How would you like to try something new?"
Takashi pulled out a few pans, and began making homemade Okonomiyaki, a skill he had learned from his mother. While that was cooking in the oven, about thirty minutes later, he began to take random veggies and peeled them. Yams, carrots, and peas went into the blender. He mixed them until the mixture was in a baby food like texture. He scooped it out and put it into a bowl. He tasted it and deemed it fine.
He went to the fridge and pulled out a jar of milk that Haruhi had in the door. He poured some into a bottle, and began to heat it. While it was warming, the oven timer went off. He took the Okonomiyaki out and set it on top of the stove to cool. Retrieving the bottle he tested it on his arm as Haruhi had taught them. When he found that it was alright for Kyoichi to drink, he turned to retrieve him, and stopped. Haruhi stood there, leaning against the door frame with a smile on her face.
"How long have you been standing there?" he asked with a slight blush on his face.
"Not long." she smirked. "Takashi...I never knew you could cook."
"Mother taught me..." he blushed a bit brighter, before turning to set the table. "I just have to set it out..."
Haruhi smiled softly as she picked up Kyoichi. "Hello there my little one. Has uncle Takashi been teaching you how to cook?"
Kyoichi just pulled at her shirt in response. She hugged him. "Aw, such a sweet boy." she said as she carried him to his highchair. Placing him in she turned to Takashi. "Do you need any help?"
"No...take a seat." Takashi said as he carried the two plates of food. Setting it down in front of her, he got the babies food and sat next to the highchair. He took a baby spoon and held it to his mouth. Kyoichi opened wide and he fed him. Kyoichi smacked his lips contentedly and immediately opened again.
"What kind of baby food is that? I don't think I've seen that kind." Haruhi asked after she tasted the food.
"I made it. I put in yams, carrots and peas. Home made baby food is supposedly better for him..." he smirked at her. "Besides, you were out anyway."
Haruhi laughed. "I'll make sure I go shopping tomorrow."
Takashi ate his Okonomiyaki as he fed the baby. He handed him his bottle and he upended it into his mouth greedily sucking.
When they had finished, Takashi gathered up the dishes and took them to the sink.
"I can do that..." Haruhi protested. "You already cooked and all."
"It's fine. Though I think someone's tired." he commented nodding his head toward Kyoichi.
"Ah." she said. "You're right. I'll just put him to bed then."
As she left the room, Takashi finished the dishes and cleaned up any mess he might have made. Bored then, he wandered into the living room, and searched for a movie that they hadn't seen yet. Finding one he slid it in to the DVD player and started it up. He sped past the previews, knowing that both Haruhi and himself found them to be annoying.
When it reached the title screen, he left it there, and sat on the couch waiting for Haruhi. He didn't have very long to wait though, as Kyoichi fell asleep more quickly than usual. He looked up when she walked in. "Is an action movie okay?" he asked her.
"Yeah, that's fine." she sat down in the middle of the couch. "Oh, I haven't seen this one yet."
"I didn't think so, it's one of the ones that Hikaru brought last time." he said pushing play. "It was still in the wrapping."
As they watched the movie, Takashi noticed that Haruhi was shivering slightly. Hitting pause, he got up and left the room. Haruhi stared curiously after him, seeing him enter her room. He soon returned with a blanket. He handed it to her, and she smiled back gratefully. She snuggled up under the soft material.
They resumed the movie, but not much further in it, she accidentally bumped Takashi's arm. She gasped. "You're freezing!" she looked up at him. "Why didn't you say
anything?"
He shrugged, only vaguely aware of the cold. What he didn't expect, was for Haruhi to throw the blanket over him. He looked at her to protest. "If I take your blanket, then you'll be cold Haruhi." he told her.
He was surprised when she lifted the covers and squeezed in closer to him. "No reason for both of us to be chilly." she smiled. "We can share the blanket."
He was shocked that she would make such a bold move. Not that he minded much. Her head rested on his chest. He must have stiffened in surprise as she did though, because she looked up at him.
"Is this okay? I can always just get another blanket if you like? I don't mean to make you uncomfortable." she asked him.
"No. It's fine." Takashi told her, and to reassure her he let his arm wrap around her shoulder, to give her some extra warmth. They watched the movie like that, just resting. Somewhere during the last part of the movie, they had fallen asleep.
When Haruhi awoke, she was a bit surprised to see that they had somehow managed to get into a laying down position, while she still rested on his chest. She peeked up at Takashi, and saw that he was still asleep. She would have gotten up and left him to sleep there, and gone to her own room, but he looked so peaceful. She didn't want to wake him, well that and his arm was holding her to him so she wouldn't fall. She shrugged lightly and lay her head back down. She then realized how warm he was. She snuggled into him and closed her eyes.
Takashi had been awake before Haruhi, and had been enjoying the feel of her against him. She was so light. He had tightened his hold on her, so she couldn't fall from the couch. When he felt her stir, he feigned sleep, so as to put off the uncomfortable questions that were sure to come. He felt her look up at him, and then shrug and lay back down. His heart was beating fast, and from where she was on his chest, she could probably hear it. He put it out of his mind however, and went back to sleep.
The two were awoken by the fussing noises of Kyoichi in the other room. Haruhi woke first, and carefully disentangled herself from Takashi's grasp. She covered him back up and hurried to her son. After she changed him and brought him out of his room, so she could get him a bottle, she noticed that Takashi was in the process of sitting up.
"Good morning." she smiled at him. His hair was sticking out in the back.
"Ngh...Morning." he said as he stretched out his muscles.
"Sorry about falling asleep on you last night." called Haruhi from the kitchen.
Takashi stood and walked in after her. "It's not a problem." he told her.
Far from it. He thought to himself with a satisfied inner smirk.
"Ah, that's good. I was afraid you would be uncomfortable with it." Haruhi said as she busied herself cooking some eggs.
Takashi ruffled Kyoichi's hair lightly as the child drank his bottle. "No. It wasn't uncomfortable." he assured her. In fact, he quite enjoyed it. Not that he could ever tell her...he sighed to himself.
"So I've been doing some thinking." Haruhi started as she placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of him. "Eat." she demanded.
He nodded and sat. he broke a yolk and dipped his toast into it. After he took and swallowed a bite he asked her. "About what?"
"About what you said a few weeks ago." she said as she pulled up a chair. "About that room..."
"The offer is still on the table Haruhi." Takashi said. "Mitsukuni agrees with me, you probably shouldn't be living by yourself, not that you can't handle it." he took a bite of egg.
"Far from it. It's just that with Kyoichi and all, we would feel better if you were closer to us, we can help you more that way."
Haruhi listened to him as she ate. "I know I said I wouldn't...but after thinking it over, I decided to take you up on that offer. I will be able to get a job then, and I wouldn't have to worry about the baby. He likes both of you and I know he will be in good hands, with someone I can trust." she smiled at him.
"Besides, I might as well." she smirked teasingly at him, "Especially if you guys are just going to spend the night all the time."
Takashi blushed. "Sorry about that..."
Haruhi laughed, "It's okay. I'm teasing you Takashi. Hahaha."
After they finished eating, Takashi stood, "I'm sorry Haruhi, I have to get going. I never called Mitsukuni. He's probably worried."
She stood as well. "Yeah, probably." she gave him a hug.
Takashi kissed her forehead, then Kyoichi's. "When did you want to start moving your things?"
"Um...when is it convenient to you guys?" she asked.
"How about in a week?" Takashi asked her.
"Okay, that's fine. Thanks again Takashi." Haruhi said to him. "After Kyoya rejected Kyoichi..." her voice dwindled into nothing.
"Haruhi," said Takashi softly taking her small hand in his. "We're your friends, and we accept you and Kyoichi for who you are. We all love you."
Haruhi smiled at him, tears in her eyes. "I love you all too." she said.
As Takashi left the house, he thought about what was said. "Me too, Haruhi." he whispered as he walked away.
A/N: Thanks for reading. Please review and let me know what you think.
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