Chapter Text
(Naofumi never was supposed to exist.
That was a fact.)
Gareki was only 16 when Kafka was brought to justice. He'd just recently graduated as Circus' first ever Combat Physician, going on his third official mission as a member of the Airship Two.
They (Gareki, Yogi and Tsukumo) came across something... highly disturbing, when searching through Kafka labs.
When the Kafka workers were surrounded, they deactivated and shut down most of their system to prevent Circus from finding more about the organization. As evident in what they saw now.
Countless glass chambers with clear green liquids now a dark grey, the monitors pitch black to match the somber atmosphere.
Countless glass chambers, with human fetuses inside, connected to many, many tubes for survival.
Many human babies. Dead.
Yogi's face slacked, tears pouring from the turmoil he felt at the scene before them. He saw Gareki grimace. For all that aloofness of his, his younger boyfriend has a soft spot for children, just like everyone on the Second Ship. And this... this was extremely upsetting...
And when they thought there's been enough loss as it is.
"We have to get them all out... for a proper burial." Tsukumo's voice broke. These children were probably created in labs for the sole purpose of making stronger Varugas and soldiers. They never got to experience life like normal people, and now they never will.
Kafka was cruel, even to their own. Arumerita and Uro were prime examples.
"Yogi-san, Tsukumo-chan, Gareki!" They heard Nai call from the entrance. He and Karoku walked in warily, only to cover their mouths in horror when the three Circus members parted. Nai, bless his empathetic heart, choked on a gut-wrenching cry.
"Oh dear..." Karoku muttered.
Tsumuko approached one of the tubes, and frowned when she saw something green through the glass amidst her tears. She wiped her eyes, certain it was an illusion created by her grief. But it was still there.
"Tsukumo-chan?" Yogi sniffled. She rounded a tube, and another, and another, until, she reached it.
A glowing, working one. The monitor was on, showing the artificially-made infant's beating pulse.
Yogi and Nai sucked in a breath. "Wha- but how is this one different?" As happy as he was, Gareki was skeptical. Karoku inspected the chamber, careful not to touch the wires. He widened his eyes when he found the source of its power.
"An automatic generator that turns on the moment the power supply cuts out. It has just enough fuel to last the day." He spoke up, aware of the looks following his gaze. "It's no mere accident. One of them must have wanted this particular one to stay alive, must be because it seems old enough to be able to live outside the chamber." He picked up the note on the generator, and read it clearly.
"If you're Circus operatives and are reading this, then you've found Subject #70F3, one of the most successful attempts at creating artificial humans with high levels of Incuna cells in their blood. Surprisingly, they already have a great amount in their system when conceived, which begs the question to whose DNA was taken to make them. It would be a waste to shut this one down, when they've already reached mature stage, and showed great promise."
Karoku frowned at the message, but that expression changed when he flipped it around.
"Please give them the life I could never hope to give. The other children died, the Incuna cells injected into them were too much for mere infants. The others were planning to get this one out tomorrow, but Circus changed that plan. I want to watch this one grow, and if I happen to be in Hell, then so be it."
"Seems like some retained their humanity..." Gareki muttered bitterly, tracing his fingers against the smooth glass. "I'll go find the instructions on how to safely get them out."
Yogi nodded. "You do that, Gareki-kun." He then looked at the other chambers, and his heart clenched.
"Rest in peace."
"I have good news, and news that depends on the recipients whether to be good or bad." Yogi shifted in his seat, Gareki gripping his hand tightly.
"W-what is the g-good new, s-sensei?"
"The child is stable. They are perfectly healthy, and was able to breath easily when extracted." Akari stated stoically.
"And the other news?" Gareki threw an impatient look at his teacher.
"I've done some DNA tests to find out what the scientist in the note was talking about. Apparently, it matches with both of you." The two blinked, and then widened their eyes as the information sunk in.
"..Is that why you called us here? To 'break the news'?" Gareki gazed at the door to the Specialized room. for some odd reason, he felt a warmth in his chest.
"Yes." The doctor said bluntly. "I suspect Arumerita was behind choosing DNA samples. With Yogi's heritage as a royalty of Rimhakka, and your odd immunity to Varuga cells, he could make a powerful superweapon." Gareki felt Yogi tense up beside him.
"It was a good thing this is the first one of your genes they created, and that they didn't get to taste the fruits of their labor." The strawberry-haired doctor smirked vindictively as he turned back to the room where the infant was held. "We shall keep them here for a few months to run some minor test to ensure their health and survival. After that, it is up to you two whether or not you take them in. Circus will monitor them either way."
The couple was left to process the whole situation.
***
"Your child?" Tsukumo gasped in disbelief. "We have to throw a celebration!"
"No, we are not." Gareki snarled firmly, still very confused and unsure. "I'm not fit to raise a child, and you know it. Yogi would be a better dad." His family frowned at the self-depreciation. They've been trying to break this habit of his for two years...
"That's not true, Gareki-kun..." Yogi took a hold of his boyfriend's hand, still aware of how young Gareki still was.
"You wouldn't know until you try, Gareki-kun." Miumarie sat him down on the couch, Tsukumo and Nai following suit. "You were still a child when it happened. It wasn't your fault."
Gareki didn't say anything.
"We won't force you to raise the child. All you should do is to be present in their life." Karoku ruffled his messy raven locks, earning a hiss from the younger male. Yogi looked at the others, and motioned to the door, silently asking them to leave him with his lover. Miumarie mouthed a 'good luck, nii-chan' before she shooed the others including herself out.
"Gareki-kun..." Yogi muttered, pulling the other into a hug not at all suffocating and Gareki melted. "Just so you know, I love you no matter what, and I'll make sure our child loves you too."
The raven huffed out a laugh, burying his face into the crook of the blonde's neck. "Idiot Yogi...that's not how it works.."
Yogi giggled. "But I'm your idiot, Gareki-kun."
The two sat in blissful silence for a good minute, when Yogi decided to ask the ultimate question.
"So...what should we name them?"
Taking care of a baby is not like taking care of a younger sibling. Especially if said baby is sexless and is your child. Yogi almost collapsed from exhaustion when he entered their shared room that first night. Gareki was still outside, making baby food for their little one. How did he manage to woo such a wonderful and talented person again?
"They're playing with Nai now." He heard Gareki enter the room. "Why don't you have dinner, and rest up for the day."
"You're a godsend, Gareki-kuuun~" Yogi kissed his boyfriend's forehead when the other lied down onto their bed. "Enjoying your new books?"
"Mhm.." The raven hummed, nodding to Yogi as he snuggled into the embrace.
Hah... Raising a child is hard...
***
It felt like just yesterday when they were but a fragile being in a glass chamber built to keep them alive.
"Uncwo Nai! Aun'y Sugumo!" A child laughed as they chased the duo down the halls of Airship Two, a Hitsuji following in case something goes wrong.
"Naofumi, what have I told you about running in the halls?" A deep voice cut off their bout of glee. Naofumi huffed, their chubby face turning into a pout.
"Bu' uncwo 'n aun'y run.. Gwanpa Hiyato meanie..."
Hirato chuckled. "Yes, because they don't get hurt if they fall, Naofumi-chan. Now finish up your game, Gareki's finished making lunch."
Naofumi's face lit up. "Okey!" Apparently the distraction was enough for them to forget about the light scolding.
Blink and time went by. Gareki thought absentmindedly, gazing at his husband and child from the couch.
"Hey dad, why were others called she-her or he-him? You all keep referring to me as they-them." Naofumi was preceptive for a ten-year-old. Definitely a trait from his genius of a father.
Yogi scratched his head awkwardly, looking at Karoku for help. The bluenette shrugged.
"You see, Naofumi-chan, there's a newfound concept about 'Genders' and 'Sexes'. Basically-"
Naofumi got scarred for life.
***
"Dad? Father?" The couple focused their attention on their child. Naofumi was fumbling with their sweater.
"I want to be a boy."
Gareki blinked. Yogi blinked.
"Sure."
"Why didn't you say so before, Naofumi-chan?"
"Drop the 'chan', dad.." The teen huffed. "That was super anticlimactic. I was expecting a lot of drama and denial from you guys.."
Gareki was alarmed now. Hands on his son's shoulder, he growled. "Who told you we wouldn't accept you."
"The internet?"
Yogi chuckled now. "You've been reading too much, Naofumi-kun. While it's true some people couldn't accept the fact that their children are of different genders, do we look like we care about that?"
Tears brimming, the boy jumped onto his parents.
***
"Congratulations on graduating Kuronomei's Combat Course."
Naofumi startled when the doctor tasked with running tests on him spoke up.
"Akari-sensei?"
The old doctor, Akari, didn't elaborate. "You're clear to go. This is your last annual checkup."
Naofumi confusedly followed the doctor out. His parents talked with the man for a few minutes, at one point sighing in relief. Dad walked up to him and pulled him into a hug.
"I'm so glad you came into our lives, Naofumi-kun."
The sixteen-year-old didn't question the meaning behind his words.
***
Naofumi was eighteen when he was told of what he is.
An artificial human.
Nothing made sense, how- why-
Grandpa Hirato was looking at him calmly, like he'd expected this. Naofumi couldn't even be surprised, the man wasn't former commander of Circus' Second Ship for nothing.
"Try to understand, Naofumi-chan, we wanted you to have as much a normal childhood as we could."
"As if I'll ever be a real human for a 'normal childhood'." Naofumi spat bitterly.
"You are to Nai, Tsukumo, Miumarie, Karoku, Iva, Tsukitachi, doctor Akari, Tokitatsu and I, and especially your parents, Yogi and Gareki." Hirato ruffled his hair, chuckling when the boy puffed up like a cat. Exactly like Gareki. "I would admit, you were a very unexpected presence, but a very welcomed one."
"You are, and always have been, a child of the Second Ship."
***
"You can refuse the mission, Naofumi-kun! You can stay here with Nai, Miu and the Hitsuji!"
"Dad, you know that's not how it works."
It was a comical sight to the soldiers who aren't in on the family dynamics of Airship Two. The Commander, Yogi, was holding one of his subordinates, trying to convince him to stay. The first leading Combat Physician merely sighed at the sight, and he was known as one of the most impatient men in Circus.
Said subordinate was their son.
"You should go now, Naofumi-kun." Tsukumo, the ship's lieutenant, pulled her superior off her nephew and nodded at him. "Good luck."
It turned out to be the last time in a long time they would see each other again.