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Daren nodded, "thanks, Tim. it will be a bit rough for you, but if you want you can stay outside? i'm sure they will take us back to their house, so you won't have to worry about the baked goods." he still remembered Tim had good reason to want to avoid the bakery. he wasn't going to make Tim suffer for his sake. he waited for Tim to bring their shoes before sitting down and carefully lasing them up, giving Tim time if he needed it. when they were both ready, he held the door for Tim and locked up behind them. it was a simple ride down the elevator and a small walk before they were in the park. "alright, where would those lightning bugs be hiding? they are low to the ground around this time, right?"

Daren shook his head, "catch and release, we don't have anything to keep them in." he looked at the bushes and searched for flashes of light. it took a few minutes, but eventually he saw one, then two lightning bugs lighting up. after that it seems like they all started to wake up because the bushes were soon filled with flashes of light. "well, there they are. have fun, i'll just watch for now. not much for chasing bugs."

Daren followed Tim's advice and found a seat. he smiled as he watched Tim running around, his hands occasionally snapping out as he tried to cup one of the lite up bugs. he wondered if Tim knew just how adorable he was at that moment. it only got better as the man was joined by a group of kids, one or two at a time. he taught them what to do and soon there was a whole mass of them running around, Tim's red hair standing out above the rest. soon the children were called in by their parents and Tim was returning to him. Daren watched the firefly buzz away, shaking his head a little, "you ran around a lot, of course you are hot and tired." he smiled as he patted Tim's shoulder, "but didn't it feel good to just run like that?" he chuckled and stood up, "don't worry about time, i really enjoyed watching, you're great with kids." he stretched and glanced at the path that would lead them to the bakery, "as soon as you've cooled down, we'll go."

Daren took Tim's hand and stood up, "naw, watching was more fun that running around. i just got out of jail, Tim, too soon for me to go chasing fireflies and kids alike." he laughed a little and started towards the bakery, hand still holding Tim's. "the park's nice right now, not too hot, not too cold. perfect." the closer they got to the bakery, the slower he walked, worried about how they will react to his sudden return. they would probably ask questions, how would he answer? they were just one corner away and he all but stopped. "well, here's go nothing." he smiled at Tim and let go of his hand before squaring his shoulders and walking with his back straight, his head high. the least he could do was not look guilty.

Anna was sweeping the front sidewalk of the store when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. "Sorry we're close-" she looked up and felt her voice die away. she stared for a second before dropping her broom and running to Daren, throwing herself into his arms and hugging his fiercely. She couldn't speak at first, tears choking her voice as she felt his arms wrap around her. "you idiot-" she finally croaked out, pulling away far enough to slap him across the face, "do you know how worried i was?" her 'mother' voice came through as she took in the bruises on Dark's cheek and cut on his lip, "you complete idiot!" her voice broke and she hugged him again, sobbing into his shirt.

"anna?" Tarte walked out and looked around, his eyes falling on the trio and slowly widening. "Daren!" he hurried to his friend and smiled, "welcome back. and you too, stranger." he smiled at Tim, shaking his head, "we feared the worst-for both of you."

Anna released on arm from Daren and pulled Tim into the hug, "you're an idiot too! why didn't you let us know you were ok? we were so worried!"

Daren was a little shocked by the slap, but he would allow her that. "sorry," he said softly, hugging her back, "i didn't do it on purpose." he let her cry as he looked at Tarte, "i'm sorry." Tim was included in the hug and Daren knew they were going to be there for a while if Anna had her way. "Let's go inside, i'm sure the kids would like to hit me as well."

Anna laughed and pulled away, wiping her eyes, "Tetsu will be so happy. he's not been able to sleep through the night since you left. i think he knew there was something wrong," she looked at Daren critically, "and don't you dare tell me you are fine or nothing happened." she huffed before turning to lead the way around the bakery and to the house. "Come on, then!"

Daren felt guilt spike through his heart, he'd worried about Tetsu, the boy far too dependant on him, but understandably so.

Tarte put an arm around Tim and Daren's shoulders, walking with them, "i am glad you are doing better, Tim. you've put on some muscle, looking good, my friend."

A basketball flew through the air and hit Daren in the back of the head, knocking him over. Taiga stood behind them, his hands still extended from his 'pass'.

Tetsu stood behind him, looking as if he'd frozen when he saw Daren and wasn't able to function quite yet.

"You jerk!" Taiga yelled, made at Daren for not contacting them for all this time. "you jerk! you can't just come back as if you didn't abandon us for the past month. go away! we don't want-" his voice broke, his little chin trembling as he broke down into tears. despite his anger, he still couldn't make himself say that Daren wasn't wanted. "Jerk!"

"oh dear," Tarte let the boys go and walked to Taiga, hugging the little boy close, "it wasn't his fault, dear. he didn't abandon us."

Daren slowly picked himself up and brushed off his clothes, "Tetsu-" he said softly, the bluenette's name making him blink. Tetsu dropped his basketball and ran to Daren, grabbing the man's legs and gripping him tight.

"don't leave." he whispered, his face pressed to Daren's thighs, "you can't leave. i won't let you."

Daren glanced at Tim, blood oozing from the scraps on his chin and cheek caused by his fall, "yeah, i know." he looked down, not wanting Tim to see how strongly the boys' reactions were tearing him apart. he bent down and tried to pick Tetsu up, but the boy clung harder, as if he was afraid Daren was pushing him away. "it's ok," he said softly, "it's ok, Tetsu." reluctantly, Tetsu let go and Daren lifted him into his arms. As soon as he was settled, Tetsu wrapped his arms around Daren's neck and buried his face in his shoulder, holding on for dear life. "i'm here," he murmured, rubbing the boy's back, "i'm not going anywhere."

Taiga wiped his eyes and pulled away from his father, running to Daren and lifting his arms, demanding to be held without word. Daren bent and picked him up too and the red head settled in much like his brother, refusing to let Daren go.

Tarte picked up both basketballs and walked to Daren and Tim, "come, the others will want to see you as well. it's near dinner time, you know Anna won't let you leave without eating, so you might as well come along." he lead the way, smiling a little to himself. Taiga had a wicked good shot.

"Pink ones!" came Taiga's muffled voice, "he has to use hana's."

Tarte chuckled, "aright, pink ones it is."

Daren resigned himself to his fate when they walked into the house. at least he could replace them when he got to his own home.

Anna looked out of the kitchen and saw the boys and Daren, "Ame, can you get the med kit?"

Ame stepped around her mom and stopped when she saw Daren. "Oh-" tears filled her eyes as she stood there, just watching him, "you're back." she hurried to daren and hugged him around the waste before moving to do the same for Tim, "both of you! i'm so glad! i-i need to get Yuki. and Hanna, Yuki won an art contest while you were gone. h got first place and now his painting is hanging in that big art gallery downtown. we tried to call-" he voice died away before she shook her head. "i'll go get them, they'll be so happy! and the med kit. we need to clean you up."

"Pink bandaids only!" Taiga called as she hurried away.

Anna looked at Tim, "sweetie, will you come help me? they'll get him patched up, don't worry, but i need an extra set of hands in here."

Anna smiled when Tim joined her, "i'm happy for you, really. it must feel so good being able to progress so far in such a short time." she looked into the over to check the turkey before she moved to Tim and gave him a hug, her arms gently enfolding the man, "thank you for bringing him back. i do't know how you did it, but i have a feeling it's all because of you that Daren is with us today. for myself and my family, thank you." she held him a bit longer before stepping back, "could you make a salad? everything is set out, it just needs chopped and put together."