Chapter Text
It’s another day where Kazuki says he’s going to the grocery store for a few minutes, then comes home wasted and says he got carried away at the bar. The second half hasn’t happened yet, but the routine is so predictable that it’s most likely gonna be exactly like said. Kazuki is an amazing father, and partner. It’s just that when he gets stressed, he leaves. He leaves, sometimes without even telling Rei or Miri.
Today, like mentioned before, is one of those days. Miri is crying and having a fit while Rei is trying his best to cook something for her. He screaming and crying makes Rei overwhelmed. He’s never really been one to show much emotion, but days like these, he’d often cry. Finally, Rei is done cooking. It doesn’t look as good as Kazuki’s but if he started over, there’s no doubt that he would have a mental breakdown. So this will have to do for tonight. “Miri…” Rei tried to talk over Miri’s crying, “M-Miri!” She finally looked up, “Food’s ready, Miri…” After a bit, Miri stops crying and notices something, “Rei Papa, you need dinner too!” “I’m… I’m not hungry, Miri. Don’t worry about me.” “Okay…” After some silence, Miri asks, “Where is Kazuki Papa?” Rei looks down, “He’s out again. But don’t worry, you’ll see him tomorrow, Miri.” “But why does he leave?” Rei’s face contorted, trying to hold back tears for his daughter’s sake, “I… I don’t know, Miri…” “Papa still… loves us… right?” She said, still in her high chair. Her face turning red, about to cry. “I–Miri, please don’t cry…” Rei says in response, trying to wipe off the tears on Miri’s cheeks, “Of course Papa loves us… Of course he does.” Rei reassures Miri, with a false smile pasted on his face with a couple tears slipping.
After putting Miri to bed, he tries to do so himself. But stupid insomnia takes over and he ends up getting out of bed and playing video games in the living room. He kept losing and dying because all he was thinking about was how many women Kazuki might be kissing, or how many times Kazuki will hurt him when he gets back. The bruises from last time haven’t even healed, but Kazuki is ruthless when he’s drunk.
Eventually, he got bored of losing lives and started to listen to music until his phone died. Once his phone died, he just sat there, starring at the blank TV.
Footsteps could be heard from outside the door, keys unlocking, then the door opening presenting a wasted Kazuki.
“Hey babe,” Kazuki says, his speech slurred. “Kazuki… Where have you been..?” Rei asks as he gets up to walk to Kazuki. “Oh y’know, ou with friends,” He says in response, while walking over to the counter to get a shot of whiskey.
“Kazuki… please, no more drinking for today.” Rei says trying to take away the bottle, “Geez, Rei, m’just tryin’ to have a bit of fun. Y’don’t have to be a bitch.” Kazuki said, pulling the bottle back,
“Exuse me? I’m being a ‘bitch’?” Rei questioned, “You’ve probably had ten bottles of beer today, and you’re calling me a bitch because I’m telling you to take a break from alcohol?”
“What I choose to do has nothing to do with you, Rei.”
“It does if it’s hurting our fucking family…” Kazuki just ignored him, “You know what Miri asked me today?” Rei started tearing up, “She asked me if her papa still loves her. And you know what I said? YOU KNOW WHAT I HAD TO FUCKING SAY!? I HAD TO TELL HER THAT YOU DO!!”
“And what’s the problem with that, huh?” Kazuki said as he laughed bitterly.
“BECAUSE—! B-Because… I don’t even know if I’m lying to her or not…” Rei answered with sorrow trapped in his eyes, “And the fact that she even asked that question… It’s just—…” Rei started crying more than he was before, “Why do you leave us, Kazuki..? What did we do..? What did… I do..?”
Kazuki just laughed again, “God, you’re pathetic, Rei.”
Kazuki walked around the island counter. As soon as he was close enough, he slapped Rei on the face. Rei grunted, then sobbed harder.
“Do you ever shut the fuck up?” He hit him harder. He kept doing this until he got tired and went to their shared bedroom.
Rei was curled up in a ball, sobbing and crying on the floor. He’s terrified.
He decides to sleep in the bathtub, like he used to. If he saw Kazuki’s face one more time tonight, he might just die from fear.