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“Boo! Boo!” an angry Peekaboo chirped. How long has it been since you paid your friends at Jabberwock a visit? You lost track after being bombarded left and right with missions. The days blurred into weeks, so it’s become nigh impossible to keep track of how long it’s been before you got any proper rest. And it looks like Peekaboo was not happy with your absence. He stamped on the floor in indignation, and poor Haru was mortified.
“Peekaboo!” He chided, wagging a finger at the peeved creature. “MC’s been super busy! Don’t you yell at them!”
You couldn’t help but chuckle, the sound came out surprisingly light. “It’s fine. I get it. The little guy must’ve missed me a lot. Honestly... I missed him too.” You reached out, giving Peekaboo a fond scratch on the head, even as it huffed and turned its back on you with exaggerated flair. Though he soon melted into your touch, almost purring like a contented cat.
“Those missions must have been exhausting,” Haru said. You always did appreciate how much he doted on the anomalous animals as if they were his children. And that care extended to his ghoul and human friends alike. Right now his eyes were scanning you from head to toe. If you were trying to hide any sign of fatigue, you were doing a really bad job at it. Your clothes were clean and it seems like you took a well-deserved shower earlier, but your posture and dark circles betrayed how exhausted you were. You looked like an invertebrate. He grinned suddenly, breaking through your haze of exhaustion like sunlight after a storm.
“Lucky for you,” he said, “I already tackled all the chores at Jabberwock. The dorm’s spotless, the kitchen’s stocked, and we’ve got the whole place to ourselves!”
“And it’s not even 3pm?” You said. “I’m impressed! And kind of concerned. I really don’t deserve you. Or Peekaboo for that matter”
“Don’t be silly!” Haru teased with a wink. “But lucky for you, Peekaboo and I are a package deal.”
Even as exhaustion tugged at your body, the warmth in your chest was undeniable. For now, you could finally rest, surrounded by friends who always seemed to know exactly what you needed.
“I hope you’re hungry because I prepared a picnic just for the three of us!” He went in and out of the kitchen so fast you’d think he teleported. You’d slap him silly if he was using his stigma. You were well aware of how much of a toll it takes on his body and you’d rather he didn’t exhaust himself to take care of you.
“Wow, Haru. Thank you,” you said. Then, narrowing your eyes in mock sternness, you added, “But I swear, if you wore yourself out making this, I’ll be very cross with you.”
“You’re sweet, MC, but I’m totally fine!” He said with a chuckle.
Unconvinced, you raised an eyebrow at him and then turned your gaze to Peekaboo. “Peekaboo, spill the beans—did papa overwork himself?”
The small round creature shook his body from side to side, an emphatic “no.” You smirked, biting back a laugh. “Good,” you replied. “I’d be sad too if he did.”
Haru burst out laughing, and you couldn’t help but join him, your gratitude bubbling to the surface in the form of warm, unrestrained laughter.
“Thanks, Haru,” you said again, softer this time. “You’re the best.”
“Always,” he replied, his grin as bright as the relief blooming in your chest."
And so, Haru gently wrapped his arm around you, his touch steady and comforting, and guided you outside to bask in the sunlight. Haru laid out the picnic blanket and arranged the food as Peekaboo was darting around like a tiny whirlwind of energy. Everything about this scene felt so perfect to you. You felt like a spouse returning home from a long and grueling day of work to the warm smile of your partner and the laughter of a rambunctious child.
“Peekaboo seems really energetic today,” You chuckled as you watched the little white furball run around like a child on sugar. Haru chuckled, his gaze lingering on you with quiet fondness. “He’s excited to have you back.”
You laughed, cutting him off before he could say more. “That’s fine. I’ll take this over the chaos of those missions any day.”
Haru’s smile was warm, his gaze holding yours as though the rest of the world had faded away. His hand brushed gently along your cheek, his touch feather-light yet grounding. As his face leaned closer, his lips parting slightly, you felt your breath hitch—a shared moment, intimate and unspoken, drawing you together.
Your gaze softened, your heart swelling as you leaned into him, meeting his lips in a tender, lingering kiss. The world could wait.
“Boo! Boo!” Peekaboo called out to you demanding to play. You turned to see him determinedly rolling a ball toward you, his little body puffed up with impatience. You pulled away with a laugh, the warmth in your chest still there.
“We’ll pick up where we left off later,” he promised, his voice low and teasing, his thumb brushing your cheek one last time. “Alright, Peekaboo, we’ll play with you.”
Haru stood, offering you his hand with a grin. “Let’s make sure we give him some good memories, too.”
As the three of you played, laughter echoing in the air, the earlier tenderness lingered, a quiet promise that moments like these—filled with love and joy—were the ones you treasured most."