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It was 8:30 am on a quiet, sunny Friday morning (far too early into the day, Tenza thinks), when he was woken up by a sudden pressure around his midriff, tightening by the second.
Yamada Asaemon Tenza nearly jumped out of his bed, and for a moment, he thought that he was being attacked by a fugitive. The blonde dreaded the thought of having to deal with a criminal even on his day off from work.
His hazy vision adjusted, blurred from long hours of much needed sleep, and when he came to, it was Nurugai hugging his waist, not a criminal trying to strangle him in his sleep, and Tenza exhaled a sigh of relief.
“Nurugai,” He whined softly, attempting to roll the young girl off of where she sat on his chest and to the other side of the bed instead, “It’s too early in the morning for this.”
“You’re really cranky in the mornin', y’know? I dunno how Shion deals with waking you up everyday.” Nurugai pondered as she rolled off of the older man, and settled for laying down beside him in the bedsheets. “And it ain’t even that early. It’s 8:30! You’re always up at, like, 5:30 when you’ve got work.” She added, kicking her legs.
Tenza didn’t respond, simply giving a small audible noise muffled by his pillow to acknowledge her words.
“Tenza.”
The male rolled off of his pillow, turning to face Nurugai. His eyes slowly opened, dark and lidded, reddish-orange staring at brown, firm and resolved.
“Mhm?”
“Shion’s always working. Hasn’t had a break ‘n a while.”
“Yeah.”
“So what if we did somethin’ for him?”
This grabbed Tenza’s attention. He sighed, letting out a yawn as he got up, now sitting in a cross-legged position on the bed. “What do you have in mind?” He asked curiously, gazing at the younger while rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
“I dunno.” Nurugai admitted honestly, looking down at her hands, before lifting her gaze back up to meet Tenza’s. “But lately he's been leaving real early in the morning to go to the station, and he doesn’t come back ‘till it's late and past dinner time. Then he stays all cooped up in your guys’ room working 'till the morning hours of dawn.” She let out an exasperated sigh.
Tenza frowned at the young girl’s words. It wasn’t unusual for her to be so perceptive – she was the smartest kid Tenza had ever met. But she wasn’t the only one worrying about Shion’s health.
Tenza had known Shion for a large majority of his life, since he was a kid. When he was young, he spent days living on the streets, scrawny and homeless, before being put into an orphanage at the age of 8. That’s where he met Shion.
Shion had lived with his financially-unstable mother during his early childhood. He had been born blind, given scars by his mother, and traveled around performing various gigs and tricks involving the “blind boy and the sword” just to scrape by enough money to make a living. Later when she could no longer support caring for her son, Shion had been torn away from his mother and placed in an orphanage. The man was 14 when Tenza first met him, and the two quickly formed a close bond, becoming practically inseparable. And when Shion reached the age of 18, he moved out and found a stable job. Two years later, he invited Tenza to come along with him. At the age of 20, Shion had ‘adopted’ him.
Tenza admired Shion’s kind, caring, and protective nature. The other man had been an older-brother figure to him as he was growing up. It was only when Tenza moved in with Shion and voiced his opinions to the latter out loud that he learned something surprising in return.
“You say you look up to me,” Shion let out a breathless laugh, “When I can only admire everything about you. Your bluntness, honesty, passion – all of it.”
Tenza smiled more that day than he’d probably ever smiled his entire life.
He would never betray that trust.
Time slipped away and their lives changed drastically. The next year, Shion joined the police force. Being a police officer was the last thing Tenza might’ve taken interest in when he was younger, but seeing Shion’s hard work, determination, and his ability to help people – it sparked a drive within him.
“I’ll join the police force too,” The 15-year old blonde stated, his resolve set in stone. “I’ll stand by your side one day.”
Shion paused before grinning. “I’ll be waiting for you, then.” He ruffled Tenza’s hair.
True to his word, Tenza joined Shion in working for the police, and the white-haired man became not only his senior, but partner. They solved countless numbers of cases together, indulging in joyful and tragic memories, and time moved along. The two followed a consistent, daily routine, until one fateful day, they stumbled upon Nurugai’s case.
The young girl had been found in the middle of a village filled with massacred inhabitants – malnourished, terrified, and alone. Shion and Tenza had been in charge of handling the case, and Nurugai had grown attached to Tenza in the process. The white haired-man felt awful about leaving her alone with her baggage of trauma and guilt, and rather than relinquishing her to an orphanage, he agreed to take care of her as her ‘foster parent.’
A year later, after taking into consideration much thought (hugs, and tears), Shion finally adopted Nurugai.
Thus completed the creation of their small, warm, makeshift family.
“Tenzaaa. Are you even listenin’ to me?” Nurugai pouted.
“Yeah! I’m listening, sorry.” Tenza smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck, before his lips tightened into a straight line. “You’re right though – Shion’s been working a lot more lately. I don’t even know when his next day off is.” He sighed.
Tenza’s phone buzzed.
He picked it up from where it laid on the nightstand, opening it up to read the message.
Shion : I’ll be home earlier today. Just in time for dinner – should I bring takeout?
8:37 am
Tenza smiled, seeing the message on the screen. Finally, they could eat dinner as a family again, for the first time in weeks. Takeout sounded good, but Tenza had other plans.
Tenza : Nah, I’ve got something else in mind.
8:38 am
Shion : And what would that be?
8:38 am
Tenza : A surprise. You’ll find out once you get home haha.
8:38 am
Shion : I’m looking forward to it then. Get it? Pun intended.
Say hi to Nurugai for me.
8:39 am
Tenza : You sure do love those jokes of yours.
Will do!
8:39 am
“I know what we should do!” Tenza finally declared as Nurugai peered over his shoulder to gaze at the messages on his phone, “Let’s cook dinner for Shion.”
“Dinner?” Nurugai echoed, and her brow furrowed, peering at Tenza suspiciously. “Have you ever cooked before? Shion’s always cooking dinner for us, and that’s why we’ve been eatin’ so much instant ramen and microwaveable food lately. ‘Cause he keeps working overtime.”
Tenza squawked indignantly. “I know how to cook!” He immediately defended himself. “Shion’s just better at it than I am. And we do not eat instant food every day, you know Shion would be after both of us if I only fed you junk food for dinner. Remember we made gyoza and onigiri together yesterday?”
“That was one time.”
“And I made you miso soup a couple days ago, when you were sick. Ah, and last week, I–”
“Alright, fine! I get ya.” Nurugai clamped a hand over his mouth. “Doesn’t mean I trust you in the kitchen, though.”
“Guess I’ll just have to earn that trust then!”
The process of cooking dinner had gone pretty smoothly, much to Nurugai’s surprise.
The girl had prattled off about a long list of Shion's favorite foods, insisting that they cooked each and every one of them. Somehow, Tenza didn’t seem to mind spending the whole day in the kitchen. His cooking skills were nothing short of sufficient, getting things done just as swiftly as Shion would’ve.
He was a good baker too – Tenza proposed making a small coconut cake for dessert, and Nurugai asked if she could handle making some taro mochi, to which Tenza agreed.
“That means you’re just lazy, then.” Nurugai glanced at him as she was rolling the small lumps of mochi dough flat on the countertop. Tenza had just put the cake into the oven.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Y’know – I never see you cook. You’re usually helpin’ out Shion by cuttin’ vegetables or somethin.’” She explained. “That means you’re too lazy to make dinner by yourself, huh?”
“Like I said, Shion’s just better at it.” Tenza pouted at her, walking to her side to assist with making the balls of mochi.
“That’s not true. You’re just as good at cooking as Shion is!” Nurugai proclaimed. “You just don't give yourself enough credit.”
The expression on Tenza’s face softened momentarily. “Thanks, Nurugai.”
“Don’t mention it,” She grinned at him. “I still think you’re just using that excuse as a facade to cover up the fact that you’re really just lazy.”
“And here I thought you were supposed to be complimenting me?”
Yamada Asaemon Shion was tired.
Cases were piling up on his plate, one by one, and for every case he completed, there seemed to be twice as many that he had yet to solve.
It was definitely Jikka’s fault. He was extremely smart and capable, one of the most intelligent officers, Shion had to admit. But he drowned in incompetence and laziness, and Shion was left to pick up the pieces.
“Sir Shion!" Shugen bowed down to Shion as the man got ready to leave the station. "I sincerely apologize on behalf of sir Jikka's ineptitude."
Shugen was Jikka’s younger, and also his partner, but he did the most work between the two of them. In fact, despite his young age, he was a genius – a prodigy, outdoing the other officers in terms of brain and brawn repeatedly. Despite this, he was a cold person, and a stickler to the rules, which was why he and Tenza usually ended up bickering all the time.
“Shu’s right. Jikka seriously needs to stop drinking and goofing off all the time.” Fuchi chided in frustration – to no one in particular really. Fuchi was apart of the forensics team, preferring to analyze crime from behind the scenes. Like Shugen, he was also a genius.
Sagiri stood beside Fuchi, nodding awkwardly in agreement. She was timid and quiet, and at first Shion doubted whether she would be fit to work in an environment filled with violence and crime. However, her determination to follow in her father’s footsteps and her tenacity made her a force to be reckoned with. Sagiri was extremely reliable and caring – someone Shion could always depend on.
“It’s alright,” Shion gave them a tired smile, feeling around to rest a hand on Shugen’s shoulder and tapped him a few times to let the younger one know he could stand up. “Tenza’s been helping out a lot, so it’s not as bad. I’m sure Jikka will get his stuff together soon. Eventually. I owe him a favor anyways.” Shion replied, reassuringly.
“It’s not really fair though.” Fuchi sighed, “We all know you’re tired, Shion. You deserve a break. I’ll try talking to sir Eizen tomorrow and see if he could lift some of the work load off your shoulders.” He paused, before continuing, “For now, let’s get you home to rest. I’ll drive today – Toma and Senta are caught up with work.”
Usually it was Tenza who drove them both home, due to the fact that Shion was visually impaired. However, since the blonde was at home enjoying a day off and Shion didn’t want to disturb him, Fuchi offered to drive him home instead, claiming that they ‘lived close enough to each other anyways.’ Shion appreciated it greatly.
“Stay safe, both of you. We’ll see you tomorrow.” Sagiri said softly, smiling gently along with Shugen who had stood upright again and raised a hand to say goodbye.
“You too,” Shion replied, smiling, and Fuchi waved back.
The drive back to Shion’s apartment was filled with Fuchi’s ramblings over whatever forensic discoveries he had encountered that day, and Shion’s small hums of agreement to let the shorter man know he was listening.
“We’re here,” Fuchi declared as the car pulled to a stop in the parking lot in front of Shion’s apartment.
“Thank you for the ride, Fuchi.” Shion smiled as he gathered his belongings from the other’s car.
“Don’t mention it. It’s the least I could do for all the things you’ve done for us.” Fuchi waved his hand, dismissing Shion’s thanks.
“Get home safe.”
“Thanks. Get some rest for today, Shion. Or I’ll seriously let Tenza know the extent to which you’re overworking yourself.”
“Please don’t.” The silent ‘you know he’d blame it all on himself’ went unsaid.
“That’s what I thought.”
Fuchi pulled out of the parking lot, telling the white-haired man goodbye once more, before driving off, and Shion entered the apartment, following the same routine he performed everday.
Shion stepped into the elevator, felt around with his hands before pushing the button to go to floor 3, and walked down the end of the hallway, stopping at the door at the very end. Then, he fished the apartment keys out of his pocket, slotted them into the keyhole, and opened the door.
The first thing Shion noticed was the strong, entrancing smell wafting from the direction of the kitchen.
“I’m home,” He announced loudly into the apartment, closing the door behind him, and slipping off his shoes and socks. The smell got stronger.
“Shion!”
A familiar voice yelled, and he was suddenly met with a small but strong force colliding with his chest.
“Hey Nurugai.” Shion greeted as the young girl gave him a hug, returning the favor and ruffling her hair.
“You’re finally home early! Come to the kitchen once you get yourself washed up. Tenza and I have a surprise for you!” Nurugai exclaimed, excitement seeping into her voice as she bounced excitedly on the heels of her feet.
Shion nodded, smiling at the girl’s enthusiasm, before letting her go so he could go to his shared bedroom with Tenza and freshen up.
After he took a shower and changed into a t-shirt and sweatpants – something more casual – Shion returned to the kitchen, and the delicious smell he was greeted with earlier got stronger. He was starving.
“Welcome home,” Tenza greeted him and stepped forward, reaching to envelope him in a hug, and Shion accepted enthusiastically. He laid his head in the crook of Tenza’s neck.
“Smells great,” Shion’s voice was muffled by skin. “What are you cooking?”
“A lot.” Tenza chuckled, patting the taller’s back. "I wasn't sure what food you'd be in the mood to eat, so I just cooked whatever dishes came to mind. We just finished, actually."
Shion lifted his head from Tenza’s shoulder and gave him a gentle smile. “Thank goodness, I’m starving.”
“I can tell. That’s why we did all of this after all – it’s to thank you for your hard work!” Tenza explained with a grin, leading the older man to the dining table where the freshly-cooked food sat. “Nurugai helped out a lot.”
The family of three sat down at the small table, clasping their hands together as a simultaneous “thank you for the food” was announced, and Shion dug in.
“This is… really good.” Shion divulged breathlessly, lifting his face from his plate of food. “Tenza, you really should cook more often.”
“That’s what I said!” Nurugai exclaimed in agreement. “You’re a real good cook, Tenza.”
Tenza’s cheeks flushed pink from the praise. “It’s really not that big of a deal, you guys.” He mumbled, flattered.
Nurugai and Shion shared a quick glance and continued to bombard him with compliments, and dinner that night ended with three satisfied bellies and an extremely flustered Tenza.
After dinner, the trio shuffled to the living room, settling on the large couch that was filled with cushions. Nurugai sat to Shion’s left, laying her head on his lap, and Tenza sat to Shion’s right, resting his head on his shoulder.
Nurugai got remote privileges that night, as she did most movie nights, settling on a random cartoon movie that they’d all seen at least ten times before, but it served as nice background noise.
It didn’t take long for Nurugai to drift off to sleep, worn out from cooking and kitchen shenanigans. Tenza could feel himself wanting to doze off to sleep as well, but forced himself to stay awake, for Shion’s sake.
“You can sleep, you know. You don’t need to force yourself to stay awake.” Shion offered gently, stifling a laugh as he listened to Tenza’s drowsy mumbles.
“I don’t want you to go start working again after I fall asleep though.” He protested lightly, pressing himself closer to Shion’s side.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere today.” Shion said, amused. “I think I can afford to slack off for a bit tonight.” He smiled, running his fingers through Nurugai’s hair, and wrapped his other arm around Tenza’s shoulders.
“That’s good,” Tenza responded, and Shion could hear the smile in his voice.
A comfortable silence settled between them again, the soft noise from the movie bleeding into the quiet atmosphere.
“Tenza.” Shion called softly, remembering he had something to tell the younger.
“...Yeah?”
Good. So he was still awake.
“Thank you. For today. I’ve been pretty stressed lately, and the two of you have helped a lot. Being able to eat dinner together and spend time with you guys like this… I was able to momentarily forget about all of my problems regarding work. I feel calmer now – as if my head is more clear. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart.” Shion allowed the raw affection and emotion he felt to seep into his voice.
“You’re so sappy, Shion.” Tenza laughed quietly. “But it's nothing to thank me for. You've been working a lot recently, and I know you needed a change of pace. I love you a lot, and you deserve to be happy! Nurugai, too.”
“I love you both. I love you.” Shion replied softly, voice filled with mirth and love. “Rest. I’ll be here when you wake up."
“Alright, then.” Tenza smiled. “You should get some rest too – please don’t stay up.”
“I won’t.”
“Goodnight, Shion.”
It only took a minute before Tenza slumped over in his arms, resting on his shoulder, small puffs of air leaving his mouth as breathed softly.
Shion whispered goodnight, draping the blankets over Nurugai, Tenza, and himself, his arms tightening around the two as he allowed himself to rest his cheek against Tenza’s head.
True to his word, the next morning when Tenza awoke on the sofa, Shion still sat there, curled up beside him, with Nurugai laying on his lap.
He smiled.
“Good morning, Tenza.” Shion whispered softly.
And as Tenza looked down at Nurugai, peacefully asleep and sprawled out over the couch, then back up at Shion, his eyes twinkling with mirth, Tenza couldn't be more happy to call them his family.