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If heroism somehow became obsolete and modeling was no longer appealing, Tsunagu thought he might choose to create custom plushies as a career.
He had loved the stuffed toys as a child, and he never grew out of them. The soft textiles that made their bodies never mocked him, and they played with him when nobody else would. They even encouraged him to use his quirk when he used to fear it, the first manifestation of his power having caused the tragic death of his grandmother.
Fiber Master was never meant to kill. It was meant to create anything he desired with fibrous materials, and he created his own brand of justice alongside those who were his first friends. He rarely cared if anyone found it strange, all because they brought him joy on a daily basis.
Maybe that was why, when he had to travel to the United States for a conference, he did not bring a single plushie with him. He was simply too afraid of them becoming damaged or lost. He knew they would be lonely without him, but they would forgive him for leaving once he returned in two week’s time.
At least he had Shinya, who was very nice to cuddle as well, since the top heroes of both countries were meeting as a gesture of goodwill.
But they were not spending the entire time working, so they had decided to explore a large shopping mall near their hotel. Tsunagu was curious to see what sort of cosmetics and clothes were popular in the United States, and Shinya claimed he just wanted to practice his English by reading the advertisements.
They would have to go somewhere that suited his husband, Tsunagu had thought, right before Shinya suddenly had a tight grip around his elbow.
"Look, to your left,” Shinya said, dropping his hand the moment he got Tsunagu’s attention. “I see a Build-A-Bear Workshop.”
Tsunagu did, and he was immediately greeted by the name of the store, typed out in blue and white English letters. There was also a teddy bear’s face in front of the word workshop, smiling at him and Shinya.
The name caught his attention, and he reached out with his quirk. He extended his range toward the building, only to sense a large amount of synthetic fibers, mostly polyester, and an assortment of other textiles further back.
“A plushie workshop…?” he muttered, unable to turn away from the store as children and adults walked into the open entrance.
Shinya was looking as well, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the front of the store. “You must be able to make your own stuffed toys, because you create things in workshops and the stereotypical stuffed toy is a bear.”
There must be a machine involved too, as he could sense the fibrous cords but not the metal that enclosed them. They were uncomfortable to feel due to the electricity flowing through them, so Tsunagu restricted his range back around himself.
He did not look away with his eyes, however. He felt frozen as he remembered his plushies at home, how much he missed cuddling and tending to them.
He knew when Shinya’s eyes moved, his optical muscles contracting briefly. It was obvious to him, as the one who lived with Tsunagu, that he was interested in the colorful store clearly aimed at children before adults.
Tsunagu knew he should say something, but he missed his plushies so bad that he suddenly yearned for a new one. It was close to how one felt while missing a pet, he thought, and it was a feeling not everyone would understand.
“Tsunagu…?” Shinya asked lowly, just as Tsunagu was going to step toward the store. “Are you feeling okay?”
Something within Tsunagu suddenly snapped, and he spun on his heel until he was no longer facing the store. He shoved his desires deep within him, speaking in a tone even he found too dull. “We should start walking again. We wouldn’t want to be in anyone’s way.”
He stepped away, but the heels of his boots only clicked maybe four or five times before Shinya was suddenly grabbing his hand.
“What…?” he uttered, confused as he was suddenly spun around toward the store.
Shinya did not answer at first, as he opted to drag him toward the entrance. It made Tsunagu wonder if he suddenly wanted a plushie, as his husband’s mind sometimes regressed to a younger age. He had not brought any of his personal belongings either for the same reason, so this seemed like the only option in his mind.
“Do you want a plushie…?” he asked, looking down at Shinya as he walked directly through the open entrance.
“You want a plushie, and you will be getting a plushie,” Shinya answered, his voice nearly as firm as it was when he was directing others in a crisis.
Tsunagu suddenly stopped, forcing Shinya to halt as he let go of his hand. He could not deny to himself that he did want a new plushie, but he found himself protesting as his husband turned toward a display. “But this is a store for children. What if I take someone that a child wanted more than anything else in the world?”
“Tsunagu,” Shinya replied, still looking at the display that housed several plushies dressed in little clothes. “This is a workshop, which means there will be enough supplies for every child to create whatever they please.”
That sounded logical, but something deep within Tsunagu would always refuse to accept anything as a gift or purchase. “We don’t even know how much everything will cost. What if we spend too frivolously?”
"The day you spend frivolously is the day I do a face reveal,” Shinya replied without consideration. “You are getting the plushie, even if I do all the work in creating it.”
There was a finality to his tone, and Tsunagu found himself folding immediately. He could tell by looking that he was correct about the supplies, and he had not lived paycheck to paycheck since childhood. He could buy out the entire store and not lose a single percentage of his net worth, even if he felt like a bad person for admitting that he was rich.
He looked at the display more closely, and then he looked at what had to be the first area he was supposed to go to. He knew this because the sign above the shelves said Choose Me in English, and there were several stuffed plushie on the top as an example of some of his choices.
Tsunagu frowned at the empty plushies, knowing that they had nobody to love them. He would never be able to love them all in the way they deserve, so he walked closer to find the one that was best for him.
Shinya followed, his eyes scanning the shelf as he spoke. “What a large variety they have available for you to choose from.”
Tsunagu nodded wordlessly, looking at the display of general animals. There were also quite a few pop culture characters, like Sanrio and other characters that must be more popular in the United States than in Japan. Many of them were wearing little outfits, ones that he found very charming as he thought hard about his new friend.
He let out a breath. “How am I to choose just one…?”
“You could just get multiple plushies” Shinya replied, his eyes on the top shelf. “Or you can pick one of their original characters that you would not easily find in Japan.”
Realizing that his second idea was a good one, Tsunagu nodded as he looked up. He noticed how all the plushies were of a modest size, though they would all look smaller compared to his very long body.
But that was okay, because no plushie was too big or too small for him to love.
There were several teddy bears of different colors, and he saw frogs and animals that stood on four legs. All of them felt as if they were made of similar or identical material, so the texture was not something he would have to debate.
People were all around, but no employees approached as Tsunagu stepped as close to the shelf as possible. He wondered briefly if they were too short-staffed to help a couple without a child, though his thoughts ceased the moment he saw what had to be the perfect plushie.
It was a cream bunny, their ears so long they nearly touched the bottom of the display case. Their pink nose resembled a little heart, which was incredibly adorable in Tsunagu’s opinion.
He must had stared at it for too long, as Shinya suddenly spoke. “Is that one calling to you?”
Tsunagu nodded, reaching down for one of the unfilled bunnies. They had several bunnies at home, but something about this one was already special to him.
“Yes,” he declared, carefully holding it up so Shinya could see.
“It has a heart nose…?” Shinya observed, nodding in approval. “That is adorable.”
Tsunagu agreed, and he thought of the bunny plushies at home. Shinya often gravitated toward them, and he wondered if he was wanting one of his own right now. “Are you sure you don’t want one for yourself…?"
“I am sure,” Shinya replied, just as he started to look around the rest of the store. “I think we are to go around in a circle, starting over there.”
Tsunagu looked at what Shinya was staring at, and he saw a sign that said Hear Me. From what he could see, there was a shelf shaped like a teddy bear wearing headphones, though he could not tell what exactly the shelf was carrying with his eyes.
“They must have voice boxes available,” he guessed, looking down at his bunny. “But my new friend would not like having it weighed against their chest.”
As he spoke, he felt somewhat younger in the presence of the plushies aimed at children. It was not obvious to anyone but Shinya, and Tsunagu knew it would remain that way due to his reserved nature.
“I know,” Shinya replied, looking over to the left again. “I am certain they will enjoy being stuffed, thought.”
Tsunagu did too, and he saw a sign that said Stuff Me. There was a giant machine under it, filled with the stuffing he had sensed earlier. There was an older child approaching it, though he could not see the employee working it.
Suddenly worried, he looked down at his bunny. He spoke in a hushed voice. “Do you think they’ll be gentle with them…?”
He was very concerned about plushie safety, especially when he could feel the hole in the back of the bunny. They felt wounded, and he wished he could stuff the poor thing himself.
“I am sure they will be, because they know these toys are special,” Shinya replied, taking Tsunagu’s free hand and squeezing it for a moment. “And if not, your bunny will know it was not your fault and it will forgive you.”
Tsunagu looked down, squeezed Shinya’s hand in return, and then released it. “…alright, I believe you.”
They walked over to the machine a moment later, and Tsunagu realized there was a slot in front of it with tiny plush hearts. He saw the employee, an overtired teenager, grabbing one and placing it inside the child’s teddy bear.
He then stitched the back of the bear quickly, his motions practiced and careful. He did not seem particularly upbeat about it, however, but the child did not care as she were given the teddy bear.
“I thought it would be more interactive…?” Shinya mumbled to himself, glancing at Tsunagu.
But he did not feel disappointed, not when the employee was clearly still young. It was probably hard to work with empty plushies all day, especially if one did not have the passion he did.
“That’s alright,” Tsunagu replied, walking forward with his bunny as the child left with her mother. “Maybe the children can choose, and they may not be interactive with adults regardless.”
They then walked forward, and Tsunagu handed over his plushie. “Excuse me, I would like this one stuffed, please.”
The employee’s tired eyes widened, and Tsunagu wondered if it were due to him being an adult or because he was so tall. They were not as easily recognized as heroes in the United States, but that could easily be a reason as well.
The employee shook himself slightly, and then he was speaking in a professional tone that did not reach his eyes as he took the bunny. “Would you like me to bring your rabbit to life? It’s for the kids mostly, but adults can do it too if they want.”
Tsunagu almost said yes, but the employee looked like they needed a break from acting bubbly and magical. Perhaps that child felt too old for such an experience, which meant the employee would feel better with at least one more easy task.
Of course, he also had his image to worry about. He may be known for liking plushies, but he was concerned that being seen participating in a childlike ritual may make things complicated for him. He was already pushing it by being inside the Build-a-Bear without a child, and he was prepared to claim the bunny was for his little sister back home.
Because, as far as they knew, Best Jeanist was interested because of his quirk and job. He sometimes used plushies to calm down terrified children, which meant that his interest was considered less of a childish trait and more of a tool for heroism.
Nobody needed to know how far his love really ran, if only not to complicate things with his image, which was why he shook his head at the employee. “You can do whatever is easiest for you.”
The employee let out a small sigh of relief, straightening from his seat attached to the machine. “Okay, I understand.”
Tsunagu’s eyes soon left him and landed back on the bunny. Truly, he was still afraid the employee would be too rough as he pushed their back onto a tube that connected to the machine. Then he reached out with a tail that Tsunagu had not noticed before, which started to press down on a foot pedal on the ground.
It was pleasent for him to watch, as he also felt the process with his quirk. The way the bunny puffed outwards felt good against his senses, though his expression remained impassive as he waited with a shrinking sense of anxiety.
The employee soon pulled the bunny away from the tube, and he looked at Tsunagu as he grabbed one of the plush hearts. “You could make a wish on this heart, if you want to do a little something anyway.”
His expression nearly changed at the mention of a wish, but Tsunagu hid it by looking down at Shinya. He was looking back at Tsunagu, and he nodded his head slightly.
“I would like to,” he decided, taking the heart and lifting it to his covered lips.
It did not take him long to make his wish, though he whispered it so lowly he could hardly hear himself. He knew not even Shinya would hear, so it would come true as long as he kept it to himself.
He then handed over the heart, and the employee pressed it into the back of the bunny. They he stitched the back as carefully as the teddy bear, right before he offered his friend back to Tsunagu.
“Thank you,” he said, managing to keep his excitement hidden.
“We got a fluffing station, but it’s mostly just for the kids can play a little,” the employee said, pointing to the back of the store with his tail. “But the clothes are real, and they’re next to it back there.”
Tsunagu nodded, and he held the plushie against his chest. He then looked at Shinya, who was already walking away from the stuffing machine.
“Enjoy your new friend,” the employee called out, sounding just a little bit more energized after an easy filling.
“Thank you for your effort,” he thanked again, just as he and Shinya approached the empty fluffing area.
There was a large bathtub, though Tsunagu could tell immediately that it was just a large toy. It had two little shower heads pointing down, and he could see a bar of soap with two rubber ducks on the plastic water background.
It immediately caught his interest, but he looked around first. It would be strange for an adult to play with the display regardless of their status within society, yet he also wanted to indulge himself badly as there were very little witnesses around.
So much for his concerns about his image, he thought, as he realized that if he could be completely little openly, he would had been indulging himself already.
Shinya spoke suddenly from his side. “Make it a photo shoot, and nobody will question your presence. People will believe you are simply exploring the local culture in relation to your quirk.”
His idea was unexpected, but Tsunagu realized it was perfect. Nobody would question it if asked, especially if they knew he was a hero traveling from a foreign country. He could easily pretend he was just exploring what was only available in the United States, keeping his true motivation private.
“That is a great idea,” he said, walking closer to the bath tub. “Could you take pictures for me?”
“Of course,” Shinya replied, and Tsunagu saw him take out his phone from the corner of his eye. “Have fun.”
He looked down at his bunny, and he decided that he would have a little bit of fun.
Remembering his days of playing pretend as a child, he placed the bunny under one of the shower heads. He imagine them being wet by the streaming water, and he picked up the bar of soap.
After looking around for a moment to make sure nobody but Shinya was staring, he carefully pretended to wash the bunny. He braced it with his free hand, scrubbing it gently with the bar.
It was very difficult for him to feel truly small, especially with how tall he was, and having to bend down to play was not helping. His back quickly started to ache, but he pushed through like he often did at work as his mind slipped ever so slightly.
He only allowed himself to wash the bunny quickly, and he soon placed the bar next to them. He then reached for the rubber ducks, moving them so it looked like the bunny was playing with them.
Tsunagu then stepped away. “Go ahead.”
Shinya must had been waiting, as he immediately heard the shutter of his phone clicking several times. He was quick and precise, and Tsunagu knew that the quality would be good enough to post on his socials if he wanted to.
But as Shinya lowered his phone, he decided that this was not a moment for the world. No, this was a moment for himself and his husband, who was witnessing it all without judging him.
Feeling grateful for this, he decided he could afford to be a little childish. He used his quirk on the bunny, making them shake themself like a wet dog would.
He felt Shinya’s lip twitch as he responded to Tsunagu’s silliness. “Look at those ears, swinging all around.”
They really were swinging around, and Tsunagu soon made the bunny relax as he brought them back into his arms. He stroked a hand down each ear, just in case they were sore from the movements. “Let’s go find some clothes, because they are cold from their bath.”
“Okay,” Shinya replied, putting his phone away. “I will send the pictures later.”
Tsunagu nodded, and the two of them walked several steps to the clothing section. There were many outfits hanging on little cardboard hangers, and there were some filled plushies modeling certain fits.
Immediately, he knew that the options were as vast as the options for the plushie were. He had planned to only buy one outfit, as he made most of his own clothes, but he realized he was going to struggle to pick it. He adored fashion, and that love was shared by several of his plushies.
His eyes scanned over the clothes several times, taking note of what was available. He saw t-shirts and dresses, scouting and sport uniforms. Some were separates, while others were full outfits.
“I see denim over there,” Shinya said suddenly, right as Tsunagu noticed the dark blue clothing.
Right in the separates section, he saw a dark denim jacket and a pair of dark jeans next to one another. They even had little buttons on them, though he could tell there were no holes to fasten the clothing properly.
Carefully, he took one of each and slipped them off of the hangers. He then used his quirk to dress the bunny, ensuring that it fit their body properly as he tucked the hangers under his arm. The price was on them, so he needed to save them so they could pay later.
They fit perfectly, and the bunny was starting to resemble Tsunagu. But they needed a shirt and a pair of shoes, because they currently appeared as if they would get kicked out of a store.
There were many separate shirts, and he knew they would all match the denim well. He was unsure of the personality of the bunny, so he decided to go with what he personally liked.
His eyes finally landed on a white t-shirt with short pink sleeves. There was a rainbow heart in the middle, and he realized a moment later that it was made of sequins.
He grabbed it, and he quickly rearranged the clothing so that the shirt was under the jacket. The bunny was almost dressed appropriately, and now they just needed shoes.
Deep in thought, Tsunagu’s eyes easily found the shoes. There were sneakers and dress shoes, and several other types that he knew he would not be choosing.
He knew this because he immediately found a pair of black combat boots. They resembled the pair he was wearing, and he decided he wanted to match with his friend.
He then grabbed them, slipping them on the bunny’s little feet. He then laced them with his quirk, deciding that the bunny was now dressed properly.
“They look very sharp,” Shinya finally said, his eyes on the dressed bunny. “Are you ready to move on?”
“Yes,” Tsunagu replied, looking over to the next station. “There’s a naming section over there.”
He pointed toward the area, seeing a set of computers lined up together. Name Me was plastered on the screens, which meant that Tsunagu now had to think of a name for his friend.
They walked over to the computers, and Tsunagu had to bend down in order to work it. He clicked the mouse, and a form was suddenly on the screen.
It asked for the name of the plushie, and Tsunagu checked the tag attached to them. He saw that they were called “Sweethearts Darling Bunny”, and he clicked the option and watched the screen change.
Most of the options, like size and colors, were already filled out. The current date was the bunny’s birthday, which left Tsunagu the option to pick a name for them
“Have you thought of any names?” Shinya asked, looking over his shoulder at the computer.
Tsunagu looked down at the keyboard, the letters being from the Latin alphabet. He briefly wondered if there were an option for other languages, though he supposed it would be different to name them an English name.
However, Tsunagu was not familiar with English names. The few that he knew were from the American heroes he met, and he did not think any of them fit the little bunny he was holding.
Names were the core of one’s entire character, and he wanted to give the bunny one that gave them meaning. If he had his usual naming website on hand, he may be able to transcribe the name into Romaji, but he felt he did not have enough time to analysis meanings in the middle of the store.
He sighed, looking back at Shinya as he finally answered his question. “I have absolutely no idea.”
Shinya also sighed, looking apologetic. “I do apologize, but I have none of my own to suggest.”
Tsunagu knew he would not be very helpful. His own plushies had basic names, such as the cat he simply called Cat.
He felt the tag on the bunny against his blouse, and he suddenly had an idea. He flipped them around, reading the official name again.
“Sweethearts Darling Bunny…” he mumbled, before his face suddenly lit up. “I will call them Darling.”
It fit perfectly, because Darling had meaning that he understood in English. It was also a word he could spell, thanks to his rigorous study of the language in school and beyond, and he typed it into the form.
“Darling?” Shinya asked, carefully reading the name as it was typed. “That is a fitting name, as it is a little darling.”
Tsunagu hummed in agreement, and he typed his own name at the bottom with the Romaji he knew. His fingers typed quickly, as he suddenly felt impatient.
He wanted to play with Darling properly, but they had to pay first.
Again, he showed no sign of this, and he stood up straight. “We’re done, I think. Let’s go pay for all this.”
“I will pay,” Shinya said, no doubt knowing Tsunagu was feeling smaller than he would ever admit to in public. He took out his wallet, looking at the converted money stored inside. “A hundred should be enough, right?”
American money was much different than Japanese money, but Tsunagu had studied it before they arrived, and he nodded his head. “I think so.”
Despite his earlier concern, Tsunagu had not looked at any of the price tags. He truly could afford the entire store and more, and he had made up his mind that Darling would be his new friend the moment he saw them.
They walked over to the checkout line, and they found that only two customers were ahead of them. They included the child from before, who stared up at Tsunagu until she left with her mother.
As he promised, Shinya paid for Darling and her clothes. He paid with the hundred, but he got almost thirty dollars back as change, as he had overestimated the cost.
After he was given the receipt, he slipped his hand into Tsunagu’s. He then took Darling, who had been placed in a box shaped like a house.
“Here you are,” he saw lowly, handing the box to Tsunagu. “Let’s bring them back to our hotel so nothing happens to them.”
Tsunagu knew what he was really implying, and he nodded wordlessly as he squeezed Shinya’s hand. He then looked down at the box, frowning as he did not like Darling being in the dark.
He stepped away from the counter, only to sit the box on the edge away from the rest of the customers. He then undid the lid of the box awkwardly with one hand, and he made Darling hop out of the tiny, cramped prison.
“You can reuse this box,” he said to the cashier, a young adult who seemed to be the only other person on call at the workshop.
“…oh,” she uttered, clearly having seen him using his quirk to remove Darling from the box. “Okay.”
Tsunagu pushed the box toward the cashier, and he wrapped his free arm around Darling as Shinya pulled him away.
Nobody noticed who they really were as they left, and it brought them a strange sort of peace they knew they would never get in Japan.
Tsunagu was even more impatient as they walked into the parking lot, though this did not show with how quiet he was. He was just as silent as Shinya, who was searching for the unfamiliar rental car he had parked near the front.
“Would you like me to drive?” Shinya asked, his eyes finally landing on the car. “You and Darling can sit together in the back.”
Tsunagu considered this, and he soon nodded as he held Darling tight. “That would be very kind of you.”
Shinya walked to the car, pulling Tsunagu along. He could feel his headspace slipping further now that fewer people were around, but he refused to let it show until they were completely alone.
Soon, Shinya was opening the passenger seat, and he bent down and pulled it up to the dashboard. That would give Tsunagu the legroom he needed, which he was grateful for.
Without saying a word, Tsunagu climbed into the back seat. He had been younger than most when he was tall enough to sit up front, so being in the back made him feel as childlike as he wanted alongside his friend.
He sat Darling in the opposite seat, and he pulled the seatbelt over them as best he could. They really could use a booster seat, but Tsunagu had none of his little toys or accessories he owned for the plushies with him or at the hotel.
Shinya had climbed into the front passenger seat, shutting the door being him before using his quirk to get into the front seat. He then reformed, readjusting the seat so he could drive more comfortably.
“Thank you for driving,” Tsunagu said, knowing that it must be more stressful to drive in the mirrored American streets, especially since Shinya did not like driving to begin with.
“You are very welcome,” Shinya replied, starting the car. He then started the CD of their favorite J-Rock band, and Tsunagu sighed as he relaxed in his seat.
Shinya was such a kind man, and he would be able to play with Darling soon.
The drive to the hotel was stressful, if only because the roads were still too different for Tsunagu’s liking.
But Shinya had prepared for this, just like he did, and he drove safely and as quickly as he legally could. He was silent, allowing their music to fill the car as he focused on the roads.
Leaving him to focus, Tsunagu petted the long ear of Darling the entire drive. The mall was only around fifteen minutes away from the hotel, which meant that he never got bored with his simple activity.
Just as the seventh song began playing, the car parked and Shinya spoke again. “We are here.”
Tsunagu let go of Darling’s ear, and he was quick to unbuckle them and himself. Shinya was doing the same, and they were soon exiting the car together in the hotel’s parking lot.
He picked Darling up, and he held them with both arms. “Come on, Darling needs to stretch their legs.”
He spoke lowly so nobody else could hear, and Shinya nodded. He then lead the way to the large building they had booked for a discounted price for being heroes, something that apparently applied to foreign visitors.
He squeezed Darling against his chest as they walked, the hotel crowded with visitors. There were several amenities they could use, but only their room was private enough for them to play.
Still, nobody noticed them for who they were, or they kindly kept quiet about it as they walked to the elevator. They had gotten a room near the top floor, and they decided to save time by not walking.
The elevator stopped a few times before they could leave, and only a few people stared at him. Whether it was because of the plushie or his height was unclear, which only made Tsunagu feel restless despite his pride for the toys.
Soon, they were exiting the elevator and walking down the hallway. Tsunagu remembered the room number, and he watched as Shinya approached first with his key card.
In the few seconds between the door being unlocked and then opened, Tsunagu untied the laces of his boots. He also started to control Darling with his quirk, making them look forward as if they were also waiting to be let in as well.
Shinya then walked inside, and Tsunagu quickly followed. He stepped out of his boots the moment he entered, pushing them aside with his foot as he shut the door. He then pulled the curtains tighter together with his quirk, ensuring that nobody could see into their modestly-sized room.
As soon as he was done, he lowered Darling to the floor. They were made to hop out of his arms, straightening their body and looking up at Tsunagu. It was like they were waiting to see what was allowed in the hotel room, and he even made them tilt their head to the side.
Tsunagu had loved playing pretend with his plushies as a child, and he realized that was what he wanted to do now that they were alone and away from the public eye.
“Welcome to the hotel room,” he said, kneeling down to look at Darling. “Our real home is much bigger, but you will have all the space you need to stretch your fibers in here.”
He spread his arms as he spoke, feeling like he was talking to a toddler with how he needed to kneel on the floor. He even had Darling grab at his hand, tugging it toward the bed closest to the door.
“You want to jump on the bed?” Tsunagu asked, looking over to the space Shinya was currently sitting on as he changed his clothes.
“Bunnies love hopping,” Shinya said, tying his shirt back as he looked over at Tsunagu and Darling.
Tsunagu looked up for a moment, and he felt warmth at the lack of judgment in Shinya’s tone. It would be hypocritical if he did have a sly remark, but he was often just a little bit afraid that he was too odd for his husband to tolerate.
Not wanting to think about that, he made Darling nod as he stood up. He then starting to walk to the bed, Darling hopping alongside him as he sat down next to Shinya.
He made Darling hop up on their own, and they were soon jumping up and down on the bed. Their ears flopped around as they moved, and Tsunagu found the motion soothing against his mind.
Tsunagu watched, crossing his legs as he moved closer to Shinya. He was making Darling hop at a quick pace, almost as if they had more energy than they knew how to deal with.
Shinya wrapped an arm around him. “They must had felt so restless, having never been able to hop so freely.”
Tsunagu leaned into him, nodding in agreement. His mind was drifting downwards again, and he did not try to repress it as they were alone. “They must had been so uncomfortable…”
He felt sad again, remembering how he used to avoid stimming as a child to avoid being noticed. He was very shy, and he knew that the adults around him liked him better when he was ordinary and quiet. So though it often made him feel like a fake person, he acted accordingly for the sake of pleasing them.
Tsunagu sighed, uncrossing his legs as he began to tap his foot on the hardwood floor. He sighed, his eyes on Darling as if they were his child. “I’m happy we found them, but we left so many little ones behind…”
Shinya’s hand slipped upwards, and he started to stroke the back of Tsunagu’s head. “We can go back tomorrow after our meeting.”
Tsunagu leaned into his touch, unable to help himself as he protested weakly. “But we almost spend a hundred dollars already.”
Shinya sighed, reaching up and massaging his scalp. “Tsunagu, you have bled for your money. If you want more plushies, then you will get more plushies.”
Tsunagu glanced at Shinya, wishing he could believe him. His morals were rigid, and he always felt like a fake hero whenever he spent on himself. But he could not deny that he wanted more, and he answered quietly. “Maybe we can visit everyday until we go home…?”
“We will,” Shinya responded immediately. “Everyday, Darling will gain a new friend.”
Tsunagu sighed in contentment. “They will have so many…”
“We will have to make sure they can be carried by us,” Shinya reminded him, referring to the airplane they would be traveling on to return to Japan.
“Maybe I will only get three more,” Tsunagu decided quickly, thinking of splitting up the plushies between them. “They can have their own denim outfits, and they can have English names too.”
“Whatever makes you happy, love,” Shinya replied, his voice growing softer than usual.
His mind was drifting further, but he was okay with it. Shinya would take care of him, and nobody would ever discover what Best Jeanist occasionally did with his free time.
He made Darling stop jumping, right before he made them walk toward them. He made them hug Shinya’s free arm tightly, and he responded softly. “Thank you for never being mean about this.”
Shinya’s lips twitched with a small smile. “You are very welcome.”
Tsunagu relaxed, feeling the love he had always yearned for. It was open and without judgment, and filled with surprises. He was so grateful for the Build-a-Bear Workshop, and he knew he may not feel as peaceful without his new friend.
But Shinya was the one who completed the group, and Tsunagu was so happy that he was his.