Welcome to Gaia! ::

Daichi looked quickly at Hana and felt his stomach flip. s**t, his mother didn’t know they had a dog. Kaoru came out quickly and picked Hana up, but the damage was done… his mother had seen. He kept his face restrained when his mother spoke. “She’s a new addition.” He answered, honestly. They hadn’t even had Hana a full four days yet… Daichi was actually a bit surprised his mother hugged Kaoru. She wasn’t insensitive per se… but normally a bit reserved… maybe since it was just the three of them she wasn’t being as formal… Daichi stood off to the side as his mother and Kaoru shared a few words.

He nodded when his mother directed him outside to the balcony to talk. He could handle his mother… he didn’t want to stress Kaoru anymore than he already was. But he still tensed when that door shut, cutting him off from Kaoru. He could still see the male through the glass, which helped. Daichi frowned at his mother’s words. “I don’t understand mother.” he tilted his head, confused, and crossed his arms in front of his chest. Bad move, that drew his mother’s attention to his hand.

“What happened there?” she asked, reaching out to take his hand into hers. Internally Daichi cursed. “I hit a wall.” He said honestly. There was no reason to lie, his mother would know immediately. She raised her eyebrows then glared at her son. “Why?” she asked and Daichi sighed. “There was… a miscommunication between Kaoru and me… I was angry and not thinking straight.” He sighed again, but didn’t try to move his hand from her grip. “It’s not important… Rui met us at the hospital… he’s excepted to visit us today… and help Kaoru through some things.” He said, and that got the look from his mother. you know the look… the one that screamed ‘explain yourself young man, right now’. He sighed again. Trying not to give out too much of Kaoru’s personal history, he explained a bit of Kaoru’s training… and how it was affecting their relationship currently.

He sighed once he gave his brief overview. “He apparently thought I’d be happier without him…” he rubbed the back on his neck in tired frustration. “He wrote letters, mother… one to me and… one to you…” he looked down at her (he was taller than her), with a soft sad look. “The letter is in my suitcase by the door…” He glanced at the suitcases from his location on the patio. “Do you want the want he wrote for you?” he asked, though he thoroughly planned on giving it to her anyway.

Daichi actually felt a bit of relief when Yui said she would deal with his mother. He still needed to worry about her randomly showing up… but hopefully mother would put the fear of the head family in Kaoru’s mother and she would know better… hopefully. He shook his head softly when Yui asked he had read his letter. He didn’t tell her he never planned on reading it… he’ll give it to Rui discreetly and have him read it… then they would at least get the information off of it… Daichi just couldn’t bring himself to read… read the last words Kaoru had intended to say to him… Daichi looked back into the apartment, and couldn’t help the smallest of smiles to break his calm façade… “Even if that means breaking tradition?”: he asked out loud, but he didn’t expect and answer. And his mother didn’t supply one. That would be a hard call for the whole family… and they’d cross that bridge when and if they had to.

Daichi looked down at Hana and nodded. “She’s pretty attached to Kaoru.” He said softly. He couldn’t help but imagine what Hana would have done if Kaoru had succeeded last night… would he have been able to care for her on his own? He shook the thought from his mind as his mother stepped back inside. He followed his mother to the door, and discreetly handed her letter to her from the top pouch of his suitcase. He hugged his mother as she left, kissing her cheek before she shut the door. He turned around and leaned against the solid wood before looking over at Kaoru in the kitchen.

Breakfast… right… why did he want to go back to bed? They had slept for a while. He ran a hand through his hair. “There’s a little café on the corner… we could walk there, or have it delivered?” he offered. “My phone is dead, so I don’t know if Rui has called. Let me plug it in and check. He said, grabbing his phone and the charger from his bag. But he paused when Kaoru spoke nervously about his mother. He shook his head. “The opposite actually… she’s worried about you…” he said, not wanting to go into detail. He wasn’t sure Kaoru would find it all comforting.

Daichi plugged the changer into the wall and plugged his phone in. it would take a few minutes for the battery to charger enough to turn it on. He set the phone on the counter and walked over to the kitchen. He stood in the doorway and watched Kaoru, nervously fiddling. “Kaoru… come here…” he gestured the male closer with his good hand. Once the male was close enough, he pulled him in and wrapped an arm around him, pressing his cheek into Kaoru’s head. “You seem really anxious… take a breath for me…”

Daichi just held Kaoru, leaning into his warmth. His eyes drifted closed and he realized he was still so tired. Yesterday… was just too much… he hadn’t even called in to work yet… they surely realized by now that he wasn’t coming in… good thing he was the boss of his branch. He pulled himself out of his drossy state when Kaoru pulled back and spoke. It was taking longer than necessary to register Kaoru’s questions. He looked to the fridge, then back to Kaoru. But by then the male was already pulling away from him to head to the bedroom. Daichi was left feeling cold. Damn it… wake up Daichi! or better yet, go back to bed. He scratched his head and checked his phone again… not charged enough. He sighed and headed back to bed with Hana on his heels.

He slipped into the bed, next to Kaoru. “I’m still tired… eat later.” He mumbled as he pulled Kaoru into him. He nuzzled his head into Kaoru’s neck, wrapping his arms around Kaoru’s middle. Maybe if he was more awake, he would be worried and flustered over his direct actions. But he couldn’t get himself to care at the moment. He nuzzled into Kaoru, breathing in his scent before he closed his eyes and relaxed against Kaoru’s warmth.

It was another few hours before there was another knock on the door. By now it was late afternoon. It had to be Rui. Daichi didn’t stir at the knock on the door… he didn’t even stir when Hana went to bark at the door. He was in too deep of a sleep, cuddled against something warm and comforting.

Daichi groaned softly when Kaoru moved, but he didn’t wake.

Rui smiled from the other side of the door. “Good afternoon, Kaoru.” He said happily. He gladly stepped inside with a soft thank you. “Daichi’s still asleep?” he looked at his watch, then back at Kaoru. He shrugged but nodded when Kaoru mentioned the phones. “Yes, I tried calling. When it went straight to voicemail I assumed Daichi forgot to charge his phone last night.” He smiled a bit and took a seat at the bar as Kaoru made tea. “How was returning home last night?” he asked, curious how Kaoru was handling. He wasn’t aware the head mother had visited that morning. But today he wanted to focus on Kaoru, and possibly make a consistent schedule for which they would meet up for Kaoru’s sessions. He truly hoped Daichi could make a few of these sessions… it would be beneficial for both males.

Rui thanked Kaoru for the tea and smiled at the male. “How are you feeling today? Any more negative thoughts?” he asked softly, gently probing to try and get Kaoru to talk.

Rui sipped his tea while Kaoru talked. He smiled when Kaoru explained Daichi’s actions. He always knew the male was more open with his feelings when he was exhausted, but he wasn’t expecting such an affectionate display so soon. Rui paused when Kaoru mentioned Daichi should be angry. “To be honest, I bet Daichi was a bit angry, once you woke up and were alright. He had no idea what you were thinking, and he blamed himself.” He took a sip of his tea. “But my guess is that he can’t stay mad at you for long… he likes you too much.” He said with a smile. He could see how much Daichi actually felt for Kaoru… though Kaoru seemed blind to the signs. And Daichi seemed to want to ignore them.

Rui smiled at the pouch, petting her little foot with one finger as Kaoru continued. His expression changed to one of surprise for a moment before he relaxed. “Mother Yui may seem like a strict and harsh woman in front of the rest of the family, but alone, she’s actually quite nice. And she loves her boys, and their wives. You are part of her family now… so of course she is worried about you.” He commented, but he knew Kaoru didn’t have the same family dynamic as others did. “Normally, the members of your family want to keep you safe, happy… and this event has brought attention to head family that you need some help. I know you know how to be happy Kaoru… I think you need to work on accepting the fact that it’s alright to be happy.” He said, placing a gentle hand on Kaoru’s shoulder.

The conversation turned, and Rui could visibly see the fear ridged in Kaoru’s form. He set his cup down and turned to Kaoru more. “Kaoru, take a breath for me.” He asked, hoping to calm the male a fraction before he starting speaking. “I can’t promise that your mother won’t find out.” Actually at this point she probably already knew. “But I know for a fact that Daichi and the head mother will handle her.” he said, just assuming Daichi told Yui something about Kaoru’s mother. Yui was just and good as Rui in reading others and getting them to talk. “But if something does happen, you need to immediately call either Daichi or me… okay?” he tried to say comfortingly.

Daichi shifted his arm around the bed, then panicked when he didn’t feel Kaoru laying beside him. He startled awake and jumped up out of bed, looking around the room before heading out o the living room. He found Kaoru, sitting next to Dr. Rui. He stood in the doorway for a minute, trying to get his racing heart to calm down. Kaoru was fine… Rui was here. “Doctor.” He said in greeting before looking over at Kaoru, studying him for a moment. “Is everything okay?” he asked, a bit worried.

Rui frowned at Kaoru’s recited statement. “Kaoru… you-you don’t actually believe that to be true… do you?” he asked. Man… they had a lot of work to do to try and build up Kaoru’s self worth. He really seemed to believe he deserved to be punished… hadn’t he suffered enough as he was? Daichi entered the room and immediately Kaoru tried to cover up his discomfort. Though Rui was pleasantly surprised when Kaoru stopped himself and spoke truthfully. Rui nodded, “Really, if she tries to see you alone in general…” he said softly, looking up at Daichi, taking in his disheveled state. He could tell the male had panicked when Kaoru wasn’t in the room with him. Rui had two patients he needed to work with.

Daichi stood ridge, especially when Kaoru asked if they would punish him instead of his mother. Rui frown softly and rubbed his hand on Kaoru’s shoulder. “No, Kaoru, you don’t need to be punished.” He shook his head. “You’ve been through enough as it was… Punishing you isn’t and will never be something that needs to done to you…” he looked up at Daichi, and could see the tension in the male’s shoulders. That… probably wasn’t good. “Kaoru… has Daichi ever seen you… after one of your mother’s punishments?” he asked carefully. “And if he has, how did he react? Do you remember?” he asked, looking between Daichi and Kaoru. “Was he happy you were punished? Or upset?”

((I’m a horrible therapist T-T want to help me? ))

Rui was much better at this ‘talking it out’ thing. Daichi was just steadily getting angrier, angry at Kaoru’s mother, angry Kaoru felt this way about himself, angry Kaoru was asking him to punish him again! This was like the morning before last, where Kaoru told Daichi to hit him instead of the wall when he was angry. He leaned against the doorway, arms tight across his chest, practically fuming as Kaoru spoke to Rui. He was careful to keep his anger to himself… it wouldn’t help the scenario if he scared Kaoru. But he really wanted Kaoru to stop thinking that way about himself. He wasn’t stupid! Damn it! Breathe Daichi… calm down.

Daichi forced his shoulders to relax when Kaoru looked to him. He nodded slightly, agreeing with what Rui was saying. He absolutely would never, ever, punish Kaoru. The mere thought made his blood boil. He couldn’t hold back the growl when Kaoru called himself stupid again. “You aren’t stupid Kaoru. And no… I will never punish you.” He tried to keep his words calm, but there was tension in his tone. Please… please let this get through to Kaoru… please let him understand that Daichi never wanted to cause him harm. And by the gods, it seemed it did. Daichi nodded, smiling softly at Kaoru’s statement. He felt the tension melt mostly from his shoulders and arms. “Yes, Kaoru… exactly…” he said softly, his tone loving.

Maybe these meeting with Dr. Rui were actually going to work. Daichi took another breath and unraveled his arms, flexing the fingers he could on his bummed hand. It was throbbing… “I’m going to get dressed and walk Hana… do we all want to go?” he asked, wondering if some fresh air would help all of them. And maybe they could all still talk while they walked? He wasn’t sure if that was a thing…