Work Text:
It was really happening.
They were actually leaving.
Sebastian felt like his heart was in a vice. How could this be happening?
Logically he knew why it was happening. Kimi had gotten a new job in another city and they had decided together that moving elsewhere would be the best thing they could do. A new start for them and their kids.
The only thing they both didn't think of, was the attachment they'd have to the house.
For their oldest, Grace, it meant leaving all her friends behind.
For their youngest, Astraali (nicknamed Astra), she didn't really understand what was happening until it was too late. In her little mind, people were going to buy the house but they'd still live there. Now she was faced with never seeing her best friend again.
And for Sebastian? God the house meant so much to him. It was where Grace had learnt her first steps.
Sebastian was in the kitchen, washing the dishes when he heard soft babbling behind him. He turned around and saw Grace let go of the corner of the counter and take very small steps towards him, her little arms outstretched as she tried to reach him. The thing she wanted most in the whole world.
It was where Kimi had thought of Astra’s name.
Sebastian stands in Grace's doorway, watching their three year old sleep. He has one hand on the soft bump of his belly and Kimi is leaning over his shoulder, watching with him.
“Astraali.” Kimi whispers softly, his hand coming round to touch Sebastian's bump. “Like the stars you and our daughter love.” He motions to the glow in the dark stars on Grace's bedroom ceiling and Sebastian finds himself falling more in love with his Husband.
It was where their kids had grown up. Where they had laughed, cried and celebrated. The house wasn't just a house. It was their home .
Sebastian understood why they had to leave and of course he knew it was the right decision. But god it broke his heart.
Kimi himself seemed to also be having doubts. Just before they had finished packing up, Kimi had looked up at their house. His expression, pained. He had quietly asked Sebastian if they were making a mistake. Sebastian had just taken his hand and said they'd make the mistake together.
And now Sebastian was sitting in the car, watching Kimi do one final check over the house. Fuck….
Grace and Astra sat in the back, both not talking. Both miserable as they sat in their car seats. Both refusing to look at the only home they'd ever known. Sebastian felt like shit.
Kimi was just about to get in the car, his own heart heavy. It was time to go.
He was just about to open the car door when his phone rang. He reluctantly answered it. On the other end was the estate agent. He sounded regretful.
It turned out that the buyers had pulled out at the final minute. They wanted to retract the sale.
Kimi felt like something inside him had released. He ended the call and he made his way to the for sale sign.
Sebastian watched his husband from the car, puzzled about what he was doing.
Kimi just looked at the sign and quietly removed the ‘sold’ sticker. Then he just stared at the sign and, gripping it with both hands, he tugged it hard out of the ground.
Fate had given him a second chance. This wasn't what his family wanted or needed. They needed the house.
Sebastian watched from the car, their daughters alerted to what their dad was doing. All held their breath as Kimi turned and chucked the sign as hard as he could.
The sign landed on the ground with a clatter. The sound was infinite and final as it landed.
Kimi stands there for a moment, breathing hard. Then the next second he's tackled to the ground by Sebastian in a hug so big and so all consuming, all Kimi can do is shelter Sebastian from the hard ground as they fall in a tangle of limbs. Sebastian is in his arms, crying so hard he's shaking from how hard he's crying.
All Kimi can do is hug Sebastian fiercely to his chest and not let go.
The next second two tiny bodies join their parents in the cuddle pile on the ground and Kimi holds everyone close. Knowing deep in his heart this was the right choice for his family to be happy.
That evening the family sit on a rug in their empty house, eating fish and chips and Sebastian glances over at Kimi with such love in his eyes, Kimi swears he would do anything and everything to keep Sebastian looking at him like that. To keep him and their girls happy.
Anything.