Chapter Text
The wind blew in his face, the city below him a vast jungle of buildings towering over it all.
One wrong move would mean serious injury or even death. He had to make this next jump count. Carefully, he maneuvered himself onto the building nearby, holding his arms out for balance as he found his footing. He moved carefully along the edge, looking down at the hustle and bustle of the streets below. The wind picked up blowing his inky black hair around as he tried to take focus of the roof across from him.
This is one small step for Miyamoto's… One giant leap for Ken.
The young man made his way for the edge bracing himself for the jump.
"One… Two…"
He jumped his limbs flailing as he missed the edge just barely, his fingers brushing against the rooftop.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Ken fell landing on a pile of pillows, on the rug that was printed to look like a busy street. The six year old threw his head back laughing breathlessly, as he caught his breath.
"Almost! So close!" He cheered, as he looked around to be sure no one had heard him actually fall off of his dresser. If his mother had caught him… Ken could already picture his mother, chancla in hand ready for a warning throw.
All was well in his world, just waiting for his dad to come home so he could ask him about how his investigation went… And so he could get tucked in. Ken didn't want to miss a single moment of his father's time with him.
He got up dusting off his pajamas, making his way for the window near his bed. He peered out to the driveway. He had timed it perfectly as he saw a very familiar van pull into the driveway. A large black SUV with four letters stenciled on the side door.
"Daddy!" He squealed pushing away from the window and running down the stairs, getting the attention of a large black and cream wolf like dog. The dog perked up her ears twitching as she chased after the boy. "C'mon Okami, Daddy's home! Daddy's home!"
The dog gave a loud howl bolting down the staircase, waiting as Ken hopped up onto the banister sliding down before following after him.
The front door opened as a very tired man entered. He yawned a bit as he stretched, running his hand through his shaggy black hair, blue eyes showing exhaustion.
"I'm home-" He called before letting out a surprised noise as Ken ran right to him throwing his arms around his father's leg.
"Daddy's home!" Ken cheered.
Eiji chuckled scooping his son up into his arms. Ken hugged him tightly, nuzzling him.
"Good to see you kiddo. Missed ya… Shouldn't you be in bed?"
"Nya!" Ken stuck his tongue out a playful look in his eyes. "Parkour doesn't require sleep."
"Oh yes it does." Eiji was glad he and his team had agreed to go over the evidence in the morning. All he wanted to do now was to spend some time with his family and sleep. "And I thought we talked about the 'parkour in your room' thing." He lowered his voice to a whisper.
"Mommy, doesn't know." Ken whispered back.
Eiji grinned ruffling his hair.
"Good." He chuckled before sighing in relief. It was worth it, he knew it was… But sometimes he wondered if he should cut back on the number of clients he accepted. He was gone nightly at the rate he was going.
And the last thing he wanted was to miss out on his son's childhood.
"Welcome home mi corazon."
Eiji looked to the staircase seeing his wife standing before him. Her long curly brown hair was tied into a ponytail, warmth in her eyes.
"Carmen.." He whispered. Ken smiled waving to his mother as she made her way over, kissing her husband's cheek before nuzzling her son. "It's good to be home mi amor."
Eiji brought his free arm around her as she wrapped her arms around the two people who meant more than life itself to her.
"Oh I've missed you. How was work?"
"Tiring. Also because the door wouldn't unlock we had to go, the Chase route."
Carmen raised an eyebrow, displeasure in her green eyes. Eiji grinned sheepishly.
"I was careful." He insisted.
"Eiji. How high was it?"
"... The fifth floor…?"
"Ay dios mio!" Carmen gave him a stern look before it changed to a smirk. She couldn't stay annoyed with him and she knew better than anyone else what it was like when a lockdown didn't go exactly according to plan.
Especially when it was Chase involved in arranging that particular arrangement. The history teacher by day, investigator by night had a knack for somehow bringing unintentional chaos in his wake.
Eiji buried his face in his wife's hair inhaling the scent of marigold and lavender that was just so… Carmen.
In this house in the woods was everything precious to him. His wife, his child… And their dog who eagerly sat at his feet awaiting a pat on the head.
"And who's a good girl?" He asked with a grin earning a bark from the dog as he rubbed behind her ears.
"Okami's a very good girl!" Ken chirped. Eiji chuckled giving a nod in agreement. He set Ken down on the floor.
Carmen smoothed down her son's hair.
"Alright you, it's very latel. You need to go get ready for bed." She told him. "And then me and your dad will be up there soon to tuck you in."
"Okay Mama." Ken hugged both of his parents quickly before scurrying upstairs, whistling as Okami chased after him up, her paws pounding on the stairs as she did so.
The couple watched him go, before exchanging a warm look. Eiji kissed Carmen quickly bringing her in close.
"You need to take a night off sometime soon." She told him, running her hand through his shaggy black hair.
"I know. But you know me, I can't help it." He chuckled, grinning sheepishly. She cupped his face in her hands touching her forehead to his.
She had a playful look in her eyes as he gazed at her with a gentle one in return.
"What am I gonna do with you?" She whispered.
"I dunno, marry me again?" Eiji teased lacing their hands together.
"Heh, true, true-"
"Daaaadddyyy! Moooommyyy!"
They laughed a bit, before heading upstairs. They could catch up more once Ken was asleep. Eiji raised an eyebrow at the amount of pillows on the floor, picking one up and giving the six year old a smirk.
"Clever."
Ken bounced in place on his bed, still wide awake and alert. Okami was on the bed wrapped around the boy acting as a pillow to lean against, nearly dwarfing him.
"Oh no you don't. Okami." Carmen snapped her fingers. "Down."
Ken hugged the dog's head, giving his best sad face, his bottom lip quivering a little. Carmen and Eiji both wincing as he did so.
"Please?" He whimpered, the dog joining in as dual eyes gazed up at the couple.
"Okay, okay just for tonight. Claro?" Carmen told him as Ken nodded rapidly, laying down.
"Claro." He giggled.
Eiji chuckled bringing the covers up over his son, kissing his head.
"We love you so much Ken."
"Love you too." Ken curled up a little. "Can I hear a story tonight?"
"Sure thing." Eiji sat on the edge of his bed, as Carmen sat on the floor beside them. "What story?"
Ken rolled onto his side curling up more.
"I want…" He yawned. "A story about the unknown…"
Carmen and Eiji exchanged a warm look, as she reached up taking her husband's hand. They had a lot to thank the unknown itself for… Especially due to the circumstances of their meeting.
"A long, long time ago… In a galaxy far, far away…" He joked.
"Daaaddy…" Ken whined. "The real story!"
Carmen giggled as Eiji cracked a mischievous grin.
"Alright, alright… The Memoria, are a coven who reside under the guidance of Vitalis. A being who was known to help aide in the life and death cycle, via aiding with crossing over wandering spirits…. And giving those who wished to stay a means of staying."
Ken nodded tiredly.
"They receive gifts due to this job… Abilities to enable them to see the world beyond. The ability to help cross over spirits or help them become more than what they could ever dream… To protect this world." Eiji continued, stroking his son's hair, eliciting a little yawn from the child. "And the Memoria are all over… They work together if they can, to protect this world. Isn't that amazing Ken…. Ken?"
Ken let out a quiet little snore, as Okami laid her head down finally, content her 'pup' was fast asleep now.
Eiji smiled softly, kissing Ken's head, giving Okami a scratch behind her ears.
"Now, you watch over him tonight Okami. Okay?"
Carmen stood up, tucking her son in more, before pressing a kiss to his forehead.
"Te amo, my little one."
Eiji brought an arm around his wife, as they fell quiet watching him for a moment. It was hard to believe they were married and had a child at that.
Carmen lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes a smile on her face.
"I'm so glad I married you." She whispered.
"I feel so lucky, I married you." He whispered back, bringing her close. "Oh Carmen…"
"Eiji…"
He kissed her head, inhaling the scent of her hair. She nuzzled him a bit in return, before they left Ken's room, hand in hand.
"I didn't think he'd go down that fast." Eiji sighed in relief. Some nights were better than others… Ken was their world and they adored every second they had with him…
But it wasn't to say all was easy. Eiji glanced to his wife, giving her a sneaky look.
She raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"How much do you love me?"
"Oh no. I am not falling for that." She pulled away, holding her hands up in the "I'm unarmed" pose.
Eiji gave her his best kicked look, following her as she started to walk away.
"But Caaarmeeen… I'm hungry. Starving in fact!"
"What? Did Chase swipe your snack?" She asked, mostly teasing him as he brought his arms around her from behind. She brought her hands up, brushing against his as he did so.
"In fact he did!" He remarked.
Carmen shook her head but cracked a grin, feigning a dramatic sigh.
"Okay but I want a movie night then."
"Deal. I pick out a movie for us and you make us a snack?"
"Deal."
They exchanged a hug before going their separate ways. Eiji, getting ready to wind down, taking his chance for a hot shower while he had some free time.
While he had gotten lucky this time, that he didn't get totally covered in dust, he still wanted to get the chill out of his bones.
Next time, no haunted farms unless we get bonfire rights. I swear I need to learn to say no to Chase about that.
He rolled his eyes a bit. He was glad his friends were also his business partners, it made running their paranormal group easier… But he did still find himself unable to say no at times still.
But he wouldn't trade them for the world. Even if sometimes he questioned their choices.
Now… He just had to worry about winding down and enjoying his downtime with his wife before bed.
Glancing in the steamy bathroom mirror, he noted what appeared to be a hand print making it's way through the steam.
Raising an eyebrow he looked closer at it, noting the size and shape of it.
Probably was when I was supposed to clean it earlier and didn't notice the residue… He reasoned.
Despite his work, he still didn't want to completely blame the supernatural for everything. Some things were just coincidences after all.
So with that in mind… And hoping he wasn't wrong, he exited the master bath, clad in his favorite pajama bottoms and a t-shirt that had a movie logo on it. It was two sizes too large but that made it comfy to sleep in.
"Got any preferences about the movie love?" He called out the door.
"No." She called back but after a moment appeared in the hallway, carrying a bowl of popcorn. "But we are not watching Ghostbusters." She added.
"That's a preference." He replied.
"We watched it three times last week."
"Fair enough." Grabbing up his laptop, Eiji settled beside his wife, trying to pick one to watch. "Hm…"
Carmen laid her head on his shoulder, already munching on some of the popcorn.
"We haven't watched that one in awhile…"
"... You know the music gets stuck in my head."
"I know. We own the soundtrack on everything possible for a good reason."
Eiji smirked, bringing an arm around her, making himself comfortable.
"Greatest Showman it is." He hit play, laying his head back, as Carmen tucked hers under his, hand coming up to play with the necklace he wore.
"You know, I still plan to sleep with this on." He winked.
She giggled, nuzzling her husband, so glad he was home. Even if they teased and goofed around, at the end of the day they were still each other's.
They both chose for the time to ignore the sound of the bathroom cabinet slamming shut on it's own. She glanced up, seeing his eyes had shifted briefly only to go back to the characters on the screen.
Even if sometimes, he brought home uninvited guests.