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Still fresh off the win of his beef joe made his way back to his little group, well more like family. Reki ran to him half way and punched his shoulder smiling brightly, “dude that was so awesome! you really tore him up!” joe just chuckled and threw his arm over reki’s shoulder to calm the excited boy. “yea i know, but he was getting kinda cocky so had to give him what he deserved ya know” he stated with a easy smile.
Reaching the group everyone else congratulated him, Cherry with more of a eye roll and miya a slight nod but that’s their business. “alright i think that’s enough for the night, let’s go out front to meet with shadow he should be at the car right now” Cherry said ushering them out. “hey reki, bet you can’t race me there” langa said already pushing off “oh you cheater!” reki shouted going after him. if cherry also rolled his eyes at their antics then that was also his business.
Finally outside of the crowded place the three heard a very angry shout behind them, “hey! joe!”
they all turned around surprised just to see the man he beefed with.
“i want a rematch, right now” he huffed out angrily “maybe next time, i’m heading home now” joe replied feeling a bit uneasy by the man’s angry demeanor, he pushed cherry who was now holding miya’s hand behind him.
The man started to advance only to slowly walk past them, or that what they thought at least when cherry loosened his grip on miya only to have him grabbed with a knife against his cheek. “maybe you didn’t hear me last time” the man sneered, “i need a rematch now” they both were high alert thinking the worst was about to happen.
“ok, ok i’ll do it, we can have a rematch just please let him go” joe said with his hands raised in defense trying very hard and failing to hide the worry in his voice. “it’s not his fault you suck, why don’t you go cry about it” miya bit out trying to act tough but on the inside he was very much afraid. “and just who do you think you are you brat” the man shook him slightly causing the knife to slice his cheek. joe glared hard at him for hurting the child, his child.
Thinking fast cherry spoke up scared out of his mind for the young boy who he has gotten very close to and loved him as his own son but managed to keep his voice stable, “it doesn’t matter who he is just let him go” joe nodded in agreement praying that miya would be out of danger soon “hmm, that could happen or i could just keep him” the man smirked and ran his fingers down miya’s chest “he’s cute too” miya closed his eyes tightly and whimpered uncomfortably.
joe.fucking.snapped.
He instantly lunged forward knocking the surprised man to the ground so miya ran into cherry arms shaking badly, cherry lifted him in his arms and put his hand against miya’s head so he wouldn’t see anything. “m-mama i-i’m s-scared” miya chocked out on a sob holding on tightly to cherry who continuously rubbed his back and rocked him a little like a baby. “i know honey, i know it’s gonna be alright ok?” cherry said trying to stay calm himself.
Joe managed to get on top of the disgusting man knocking the knife out of his hands and began to punch the man repeatedly only pausing to bring his face closer and whispered out menacingly “If you ever fucking touch my kid again I will fucking end you”
Then even with blood all over his hand, clothes and some on his face he kept going, and cherry was actually worried he would kill him. Not worried for the man but his husband going to jail. Hearing all the punches and feeling how cherry was shaking Miya could only sob louder “m-mama! please m-make it stop p-please!”
How could cherry almost forget he was holding miya! “kojiro! stop please!”
he didn’t stop
“joe! your gonna kill him stop!”
he kept going
“your scaring Miya!”
His bloody fist stopped mid air now the only sound was of miya’s crying. Giving the bloody man another glare Joe got up and walked over to them, he gently put his hand on miya’s back who flinched from the contact, that alone broke his heart. “hey, miya it’s me, you know i won’t hurt you” joe reassured in the softest voice could.
Now reduced to sniffles the boy looked up slowly from cherry’s neck at joe, the blood that was running from cheek very faint due to the amount of tears he shed. Of course miya knew joe wouldn’t hurt him, he just wasn’t used to seeing him this..violent. Nonetheless with a barely audible ‘papa’ he moved into the man arms hugging him tightly, joe breathe a sight of relief, he really thought miya would hate him for what he had done. with that he kissed miya’s head multiple times repeatedly whispering ‘your ok’. Joe then turned to cherry mouthing ‘are you ok’ Cherry nodded with a small smile coming closer to rub miya’s back.
“i love you papa..”
It was barely a whisper but he heard it clear so clearly his heart was doing summer-salts and melting at the same time. he couldn’t help the tear that ran down his face,”i love you more miya, i won’t let anyone hurt you ever, do you hear me?” he answered making sure his little kitten was looking him in the eyes, said boy nodded with tear stained cheeks. Miya then turned to cherry and held his little arms out to him, of course without hesitation cherry accepted miya back into his arms. “i love you mama” ok they were both crying now. With a small chuckle cherry hugged miya tighter.
“I love you more honey”
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Afterwards Cherry and Joe would call everyone to the restaurant tell them the whole situation, bruises were cleaned, hugs were exchanged and everyone stayed over for a sleepover. Hiromi on the couch with reki and langa in the guest room.
Now here the three were miya in between his mama and papa feeling so loved and protected, cause that’s what families do right?