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“All of you…. JUST BEHAVE ALREADY! “
Rood whipped his head around to glance at the kid behind him. The grey haired toddler on his shoulders was still fast asleep. Good, out of all of them, Lidusis was the most well behaved (and like a normal kid, kinda).
“Dio, get off my neck. What if you fall on Lidusis?”
“But I haven’t,” whined a blue-headed toddler as he rocked back and forth.
“That’s the point! Get off so you don’t! Ow!” Dio leaned back as if on a buckling horse while pulling the babysitter’s hair like a pair of reins, “Wheeeee!”
“Dio!”
“Green midget!”
“Stupid idiot!”
“Meredith, Shic!” Rood barked, “I can’t even remember what you were fighting about anymore! Calm down! You’ll wake Lidusis!”
Meredith, a short boy with light green hair, turned, his face pulling into an angelic smile-
“Don’t even try," Rood loomed over the short-haired boy, "You and I both know you’re a mischievous little sh-“
“Blonde midget,” Shicmuon said very seriously. He grabbed the front of Rood’s apron.
“Oi, I’m older than you-“
“Why is Meredith here?” Shicmuon demanded, “Everything was fine until he came! Get rid of him! I want to play tag without him.”
Meredith started foreword, “You’re too stupid to play tag! I can see that Rood gets tired of you every time he sees you!” He shoved Shicmuon off of Rood, clinging on to his babysitter’s apron in his place. HIs face re-morphed into an angelic smile, “Stuuuuuupid.”
“Don’t touch Rood!”
“You don’t touch Rood!”
They both simultaneously flung themselves on to the babysitter’s clothes, limbs shoved up in each other’s faces.
Lidusis began crying.
Dio pulled harder on his hair, “Roooooooooood play with meeeeeeeee!”
Rood stared blankly into space “Ahahahaha…I hate my life.”
***
“Well, well, thank you for taking care of little Shic,” A man with long auburn hair patted Rood’s shoulder, “I was going to ask if he behaved himself, but I don’t think you need to answer the question.”
“No, he was fine. He’s just….” Rood twitched at the sensation of Shic grabbing him by the knees, “…..really active. He and Meredith get along really well-“
“Stuuuuuuupid,” echoed Meredith’s voice as he was led away by his mother.
Shicmuon snarled and bolted out the door.
Shicmuon’s father and Rood stared after the running boy, “Well, thanks again for putting up with him. It must be a handful, having to take care of so many kids in your own home on top of all your school work.”
“Actually, I enjoy it a lot,” Rood smiled, “My social life isn’t a dominant force in my life, so I have a lot of time.”
“Stop, you’re making me sad,” The man laughed, “Well, if you ever want someone to talk to, join me at the bar.”
“Mr. Lanoste…. I’m only in high school.”
“In a few years then, thank you again,” The father started after his son, “Shicmuon! Let’s go home! You can fight Meredith tomorrow!”
“Stuuuuuuuuupid!”
“Grraaaaaarrrrggghhh!”i
Rood sighed and closed the door behind him, “Now then,” he looked at the two remaining boys who were seated in the living room, “You two.”
“Rood Rood, let’s play!”
“Can’t,” The blonde groaned, he sat on the couch and put Lidusis on his lap, letting the toddler lean on his chest, “I’m too tired.”
“Rawr! I’m a dragon!” Dio squatted and waddled around the carpet, arms fanned out, “Guooooooohhhhh! I’m a big blue dragon, Rood!”
“I can see that,” Rood leaned his head back, “Go breathe your fire.”
He stared at the ceiling lights. It’s late but I should be able to finish my homework on time. Kiel should be coming home soon as well. His eyes narrowed. It felt like his life was one big cliche in a story. Separated since they were little. Rood’s brother left home as soon as he was independent, leaving Rood with a cheating father and a mother too (stupidly) forgiving to do anything about it. Then his father finally left. Soon, his already sickly mother (is that why his father cheated?) died from exhaustion; Rood was too young to help with work.
It took Kielnode an entire college degree’s worth of time (a good chunk of Rood’s life spent in hellish foster care) to even meet Rood again. Now, Kielnode was working and clearly trying to patch things up between the two of them, but spending 90% of the day trying to provide for the two was an obstacle.
Rood sighed. Maybe this was why he liked babysitting kids. Give them something he didn’t have.
“Rood! I just breathed fire on you.”
The boy breathed deeply, “Arrggghhhhh,” he feigned pain, “It burns!”
The doorbell rang. Rood got up, “That should be your sister.”
“No!” Did protested. He hugged Rood's legs, but the blonde dragged them forewords anyways, “Don’t open the door! I don’t wanna go home. Please Rood! Please please please Rood!”
“We can play tomorrow,” the door was open before Rood had even touched the knob.
“Dio!” barked a tall girl standing at the door, “Let’s go!”
“Go away Ruby!”
“Shut up! I have college exams tomorrow!” She took out an envelope, pushing it into Rood’s chest, “Here’s the fee. Thanks for watching over this nutcase.”
“Um….thank you?”
Ruby locked Dio in an iron grip and trudged down the sidewalk. Dio wriggled in her arms, reaching for the babysitter, “Rood!” He wailed, “You can’t do this! Ruby’simpatientandalwaysyellsatmewhenItalktohersheactslikeeverythingshedoesisrighteventhoughsheisstupidandneverplayswithmeyoucan’tdothispleasepleasepleaseplease-“
Ruby slammed the car door shut.
Lidusis stirred. His violet eyes opened and he stared at Rood. He looked around, “Rood, where is everyone?”
“They left while you were asleep. I didn’t want to wake you up. Sorry,” Rood apologized, “you’ll see them tomorrow.”
Lidusis looked to the side, nodding slowly. His face was fraught with disappointment, but Rood could see him trying now to show it. The way this kid was obedient was a little unusual, scary, even. Rood watched the toddler shift uncomfortably and sighed, “I’ll get you something to eat. You’ve been sleeping for quite a while.”
“No! It’s okay, I don’t want-“
“You can tell me if you want something. It’s not going to kill me or offend me,” Rood deadpanned, “Besides, I’m the one who’ll be in trouble if you go home with a grumbling stomach.” He hefted Lidusis on to his shoulder and walked into the kitchen, “Let’s see, apple-sauce, apple-sauce….”
The doorbell rang. Lidusis gripped Rood’s shirt, “I don’t want to go home,” he whispered.
“Don’t say that,” Rood reached into the fridge, “Your family will be worried.”
“No they won’t.”
Rood paused. The perceptive kids were usually the hardest to deal with, “Lidusis, I shouldn’t say this to other kids, but if you want something, you should say it. You’re not even five, they won’t get mad.”
“Brother has.”
Your brother’s an exception.
“Your father-“
“-doesn’t look at me.”
“Well….” Rood struggled. He shifted Lidusis in his arms so that the toddler wouldn’t see how ugly his expression was, “don’t stop trying, okay? You’re still a kid so you have plenty of chances. Don’t give up on your family. You won’t know how much you miss them until they’re gone.” What am I saying, he’s too young to understand this.
Rood opened the door. Lidusis’s tall brother stood, school uniform and everything, “Working late hours again, student body president?” Rood raised an eyebrow. Lidusis’s brother was a senior in another high school. Rood gently lifted Lidusis up. When his brother did not take him, Rood awkwardly set the toddler on the ground. HIs blood ran hot, “By the way, Lidusis is feeling hungry. If you have time to fix him something really quickly-“
“You mean you didn’t?” His brother handed Rood an envelope full of money as if to make a point. We’re paying you for things like this.
Rood froze. What the hell, “I mean, I was going to before you came, so-“
“I understand. I’ll get someone to bring him something to eat.” The brother turned, Lidusis walking after him.
“Hey.”
The student body president turned, “What is it?” His cold eyes narrowed.
“Lidusis, he-“ This is none of my business, “He really wants to spend more time with you and your parents, so if you can make some time-“
Lidusis glanced at Rood with wide eyes. He was shaking his head.
“I have too much work, and my parents are busy,” his brother said shortly, “Besides, I’m pretty sure he’d rather spend time with you. Let’s go,” he called to Lidusis. The toddler trailed after his brother in silence.
At least try, you rigid popsicle stick. What about how Lidusis feels?
Rood watched Lidusis and his brother get into a sleek black car before turning back into the house. His living room was a mess. I should get this cleaned up and start on my studying. He couldn't exactly excuse an F by saying Sorry, I was taking care of four kids.
He yawned, “Damn it, I’m hungry.” He was too tired to make anything substantial. He glanced at the tub of unopened apple sauce lying on the counter. Something quick…. but maybe he should make something after all. By the time his brother returns, it’ll be late. Keilnode would probably want dinner, even if they weren't going to eat it together.
Rood barely touched the fridge when the doorbell rang. He turned. Who? Wait...Was Kielnode home early? Maybe they could eat dinner together after what- since the last long weekend? Rood yanked the door open, “You'e early- oh.” He straightened his face to hide any disappointment and replaced his expression with the genuine surprise he had felt for a second, “Ryuu, what brings you here?”
“What are you talking about,” a redhead in the same grade as him tilted his head with a grin “We said we’d study together, remember?”
“Oh…right.” It had been too long of a day, “What’s that?“
Ryuu looked down at the pot he was holding, “Oh…” he said shyly, “I asked Saikawa-san to make a quick dinner to go, since I doubt you had eaten. He did go a little overboard though…”
“As expected of him," Rood opened the door wider, "Remind me to thank him the next time we meet. Come in, I’ll take that from you.”
“It’s fine, I can deal with it. It’s really easy to heat up. There’s some left for your brother when he comes back home,” Ryuu walked inside, “Wow,” he laughed, “busy time with the kids?”
“Don’t remind me,” Rood groaned.
“They don't have to stay in the daycare room during just the school day. I wouldn’t mind hanging a little longer for the evenings-“
“We’re not going through this again. Besides, I’m pretty Taka and the others can only put up with my lot for only so long. It's a hell storm with even just Shic and Meredith.”
The two were classmates, and they met when Rood went down to the babysitting room to see if there were any free spots for the evening. Unfortunately, the school’s babysitting club only went as long as the teacher’s worked, and there was no way Rood was making Ryuu stay later. Rood ended up doing his late night babysitting in his own home. They knew each other ever since.
“Let’s go to my room,” Rood suggested, “all my notes are up there anyways. If Saikawa’s dish is easy to heat up we can do it later. I want to study before I get too tired.”
“Mm,” Ryuu nodded, “Let’s go.”
***
Rood sat on his bed against the wall, textbooks splayed over the covers, “If that’s the case-“
“-then this point has no derivative.” Ryuu sat at the foot of his bed, “I heard your stomach growl just now. Want to go downstairs?”
“I’m fine, I can go a little longer-“
“I bet you were hungry even before I came here,” Ryuu pulled himself up beside Rood, “You’re working too hard for those kids.”
“Don’t you?”
“Yeah,” Ryuu looked away with a smile, “But I have a lot of really kind people who help out. Kamitani, Inomata-san, Usaida-san, Saikawa-san, Obaa-san… and then the teachers. It bothers me to think about you taking care of those kids alone. Rood, I really don’t mind staying at the day care center a little later-“
“I’m not letting you do that,” Rood said sharply “Kotarou deserves some alone time with you, you know? Your little brother’s too much like Lidusis, minus the family situation differences. Lidusis lives in an unkinder situation, but both he and Kotarou have trouble voicing their thoughts. They’re too easy to miss. Not to mention you have the Chairman and Saikawa. They may be adults but they also want to spend time togethe with you.” Rood’s eyes darkened, “Don’t let your work interrupt your family, Ryuu.”
The redhead stared at the blonde, Then his expression softened, “Sorry,” he sidled next to Rood, “I promise I’ll make sure to spend time with them.”
Rood let his textbook rest on his face, “Is Kotarou fine with you being here?” His voice was muffled.
Ryuu chuckled, “He knows I have exams. He said that he’ll be working hard too, although on what, I don’t know,” Ryuu tilted his head, “Rood, do you want to talk?”
Rood glanced over, “It’d just be my complaining.”
“I’m all ears for complaining.”
The blonde looked back into his textbook, although it was clear he wasn’t really reading it, “If my father was more responsible my mother wouldn’t have been so weak.”
“…”
"If my mother asked for help from even just her friends she wouldn’t have overworked herself.”
“Rood…” Ryuu looked down at his toes. Memories of the plane crash trickled in.
“If my brother came back sooner I wouldn’t be struggling to have a conversation with him every time I saw him. If he had come back earlier, maybe mother wouldn’t have died. Kielnode wouldn’t be coming home so late from working extra hours. Ahhh, but what am I saying,” Rood snapped the textbook shut with a biter smile, “I’m the one who hasn’t done anything at all.”
“Rood…you’ve been taking care of other people’s children, haven’t you? I’ve seen how much they love you.”
Rood didn’t reply.
“Hey,” Ryuu put his chin on Rood’s shoulder, “it’s the holidays soon.”
“Mm.”
“Your house won’t be so empty during the day anymore.”
“Maybe.”
“You and your brother are welcome to come over and eat dinner with us. I’m sure Obaa-san wouldn’t mind. Hey, cheer up,” Ryuu nuzzled his nose under Rood’s ear, “Why do you think I came over to study?”
“Oi, oi,” Rood pushed at Ryuu’s shoulders, “If you’re here to study then don’t be distracting. Not tonight. Hey, stop! That tickles.”
Ryuu put both arms around Rood’s waist, pulling the blonde closer to him, “I think you need to be hugged.”
“I need to make an A.”
“And a hug,” Ryuu’s eyes closed in a smile. He buried his face into Rood’s hair, “Just for a little while, until you’re feeling better.”
Rood sighed. He set his textbook down, leaning back into Ryuu, “Just for a little while, then.”
His boyfriend smiled.
*****
The front door opened, “I’m home,” a tired voice said quietly, “hungry….hopefully Rood left something.” He lifted his head as footsteps sounded on the stairs, “Rood?” he said in surprise as his brother came down, “And Ryuu? Why are you guys still up?”
“Studying,” Rood turned to the kitchen “Ryuu brought food, although we already ate half of it.”
“Nice to see you again,” Ryuu said politely, “Sorry for intruding.”
“No, no. Your’e always welcome,” Kielnode hung his coat, “It’s not healthy for Rood to spend every evening alone. Thanks for taking care of him.”
“It’s nothing-“
“No, really,” Kielnode ran a hand through his hair. He could hear Rood getting the food ready. He turned to Ryuu, “I’m glad he has someone like you by his side all the time. I wish I could be at home more often, I really do. So thanks, Ryuu.”
The redhead scratched the back of his head, “R-Really, it’s nothing. I just enjoy spending time with Rood, that’s all. Oh, by the way, I was wondering if you could come by with Rood during the holidays. I’m sure Obaa-san would love to have you over.”
“Oh,” Kielnode said thoughtfully, “that’s really kind of you and the Chairman. We’ll bring the wine.” Kielnode walked in to the kitchen, Ryuu following behind, “How was school?”
“Exams are tomorrow, if that counts for anything,” Rood set a plate down, “Here’s dinner.”
Kielnode clapped his hands together, “Wow! Looks delicious! Thanks for bringing this, Ryuu.”
“Haha, no problem.”
Rood pulled a chair and watched his brother dig in. He glanced at Ryuu who smiled back. The blonde sighed, then a small smile escaped and he put his chin in his hand.
‘Welcome home.”