Chapter Text
Rei stood at the front of the stairs, his nervousness building up more and more by the second. He was going to be the one to break the ice and knock on the door of his mother’s house. He could fairly hear the sound of mugs clanging together, guessing that she was making her morning beverage. Rei stared down at his feet, gently biting his lip. He had never felt this much fear before until now. He’s experienced terror before when Miri got sick and he was by himself to look after her, but it was never this bad before.
“Rei?” Kazuki broke the silence, placing a hand on his fiencé’s shoulder. He held Miri in one arm, still passed out asleep, her head resting against his shoulder as a tiny bit of drool trailed down the corner of her lip, Toothless still in her arms. “Are you okay?”
Rei breathed slowly and swallowed. “I–I… I’m scared, Kazuki…” He softly tells him, the way he spoke is almost hard to hear.
Kazuki gently gripped his partner’s shoulder. “Rei… it’s alright.” He smiled. “You can do this. Me and Miri are here for you.”
Rei breathed in and out before nodding slowly. “Yeah… it’s now or never,... right?”
Kazuki nodded. “You got this, love. We’ll be right behind you.”
Rei looked up at the door. He was right. It was now or never. He and his family didn’t come all this way just to back out now. His mother needed to know he was doing well and was alive.
So, with slow and hesitant steps, Rei went up the stairs. The wood below him creaked with each step he took, the sound alone could’ve given away his presence. He looked behind him where Kazuki and Miri stood at the bottom of the steps. Kazuki smiled warmly up at him and nodded. Rei was really glad they came along with him, reminding him that he wasn’t alone on this journey.
He now stood in front of the door, his hand curling up into a fist and slowly raising it. He hesitated for a moment. What was wrong with him? Why was he so scared to see his own mother? He’s an assassin, for crying out loud. He was trained to not show fear, so why was he experiencing this much emotion?
His arm started shaking as it hovered over the door. He swallowed and breathed in and out slowly, attempting to calm himself down. It was the same breathing techniques that Kazuki taught him to help him calm down in the aftermath of a bad panic attack. It really was now or never. No turning back now.
Pushing all of his emotions down and aside, Rei held his breath and finally, after much hesitation, knocked on the door.
He could hear shuffling from the other side, and a faint “Coming!” while he waited for the door to open and reveal the woman he’s traveled all this way to see. He occasionally looked back to make sure Kazuki and Miri hadn’t left him, and sure enough, they were still there, waiting at the bottom of the steps, Kazuki winking at him and reminding him that he’s got this.
When the door finally opens, the woman on the other side is finally revealed. Rei’s almost taken away by how gorgeous his mom really was, with her long black hair tied into a bun, the streaks of gray hair visible, and those same exact eyes he has. She wore a long black kimono and even in her old age, she still remained the same beautiful woman in the photograph he carried around for years.
“Hello. Can I help you?” She asked him, holding a half full mug of what appeared to be freshly brewed tea. Rei had to take a moment before getting out of his trance, processing the fact that his very mother stood before him, alive and doing well it seemed.
“Um…” Rei said, finding it hard to speak at the moment. “Are… Are you Suwa Hanako?”
“Yes, I am.” Hanako replied with confusion. “I’m sorry, but do I know you?”
Rei reached a trembling hand into his coat pocket, reaching for the photograph that he’d brought alone with him on this trip. It was more for a “just in case” situation, like right now, in case she didn’t remember him right away. Not that he blames her, of course. It has been over 21 years after all, and the last time she saw him was when he was 4.
He pulled the polaroid picture out to her. Hanako looked at it confused, but slowly accepted it, not really sure what was happening. With one hand, she unfolded it, and Rei could see her eyes widen and her breath caught in her throat. She looked at the photo for what felt like forever before she met his eyes again, her mouth slightly agape.
“It…It’s me…” Rei felt like he was going to combust with emotions at any given moment. “Mom.”
The grip Hanako had on her mug loosened, causing it to slip out of her hand and smashing onto the ground, glass pieces scattering everywhere and the tea inside of it spilled out onto the patio. None of the liquid landed on either him or his mom, thankfully, but it still made Kazuki flinch by the sudden noise and also feeling glad that Miri was a heavy sleeper.
“R–Rei?” Hanako asked, her voice beginning to tremble. She glanced down at the photo of the mysterious young woman holding her baby boy in her arms. She recognized it anywhere. But… was this really her son?
She reached her shaky hand up and gently cupped his cheek, stroking away the tears that Rei didn’t even know had fallen until now, the wetness spreading against her thumb. Just one look into the young man’s eyes and it was enough for her to start crying as well, only her tears weren’t of sadness, but of happiness. Her smile grew the moment she recognized the man in front of her truly was her one and only son.
“M–Mama…” Rei said in a weak voice as Hanako gently cupped his other cheek with her other hand, drying away more and more tears that Rei couldn't be bothered to control. This was his mother, after all, the very woman who birthed him into this cruel world, raised him, showed him what the real love of a parent felt like, and cherished every moment he had with her.
Rei’s legs were shaking violently as Hanako pulled him into a tight embrace, both mother and son holding onto each other like the other would fade away as soon as they broke away. Their legs gave out and they both collapsed onto the patio, still tightly holding onto each other.
Rei freely allowed himself to break down in her arms. He would allow himself just this one moment to let out all of those emotions towards his mother that he’s held down for years. He sobbed into her shoulder as she stroked his back with one hand while her other carded through his inky black hair. Her tears were dampening the back on his shirt, and so were his, but neither of them cared.
“Rei…” His mother wept as she pulled away from their hug, smiling warmly at her son, brushing some hair out of his eyes. “My baby… my beautiful baby boy… It really is you!”
Rei sniffed and nodded. “Yeah… i–it’s really me, mom.” He hiccuped. He had a death grip on her kimono as a tiny smile grew on his lips. He would allow himself to be vulnerable in front of his mom.
“My little Rei… Look how much you’ve grown!” Hanako says with a laugh. “SUch a handsome young man you’ve become!”
Rei huffed out a wet laugh as his mother pulled him into another warm hug. As the mother and son reunited, Kazuki watched from the sidelines, tearing up himself and bringing his sleeve up and drying them away. Miri began to stir in his arms.
“Papa…?” She mumbled tiredly and yawned, snuggling into his shoulder. “Are we there yet…?”
“Good morning, sweetheart.” He whispered, kissing the top of her forehead. “We finally made it.”
Hanako was the first to break away from the hug again when she finally did notice Kazuki and Miri standing at the bottom of the steps. She looked up at Rei, wondering who they were. Rei stood up, helping his mother to her feet, and helped down the stairs before placing a hand on Kazuki’s free shoulder. He could sense his partner’s nervousness and squeezed his shoulder in reassurance.
“Mom, this… this is Kazuki.” Said Rei. Miri clutched onto her toy and shyly hid her face in her Papa Kazuki’s hoodie. “My partner and…” He lifts his left hand up, revealing his engagement ring to her. “Your future son-in-law. And this is Miri, our daughter… your granddaughter.”
Hanako’s eyes welled up with tears as she brought both of her hands up to her mouth, covering it in shock. Not only was her son in a relationship, and not only was he engaged to said man, but they also have a daughter together? He had a family of his own now? He started a new and better life for himself? She had both a suture son-in-law as Rei put it, and a granddaughter who looked so cute and adorable? It was hard to see her ever growing smile behind her hands.
“H–Hello, ma’am.” Kazuki said nervously as Miri poked her head up from his shoulder. “It’s an honor to meet–.”
He was cut off by Hanako throwing herself into both him and Miri, pulling them into a tight hug similar to the one she gave Rei. He could feel her tears landing on the back of his shirt. Miri even poked her head up when the older woman hugged them.
“Oh, my goodness!” Hanako said, breaking away from the hug and cupping both of Kazuki’s cheeks into her hands. “Look at you! Such a fine and handsome young man you are!” Then, she turns her attention to Miri, lightly pinching the girl’s cheeks, causing her to giggle happily. “And you, my sweet little angel, are just the CUTEST child I’ve ever seen!”
“Grandmama!” Miri exclaimed happily, holding out her arms for Hanako to pick her up out of Kazuki’s hold and smutter the young girl in over a dozen kisses all over her face and cheeks. Miri laughed as her grandmother placed wet kisses all over her.
Kazuki and Rei both looked at each other and smiled lovingly. Rei had told him nearly a dozen times whenever Kazuki would worry about her not liking him that she would, and she did. In fact, she didn’t just like Kazuki, she adored him, loved him with every fiber in her body and gave him the same amount of love and affection that she gave Rei. It made Kazuki miss this sort of parental love and care, thinking if his own parents were ever like this before they abandoned him.
And seeing Miri interact with Hanako was the best part. Just seeing her finally getting to meet a family member outside of her papas was rewarding and made their trip here worth it. She laughed and giggled as Hanako continued to kiss the girl over and over and snuggle her in her hold. Kazuki wiped at his eyes, which were filled with even more tears that wanted to fall.
“Miri is so happy to see you, Grandmama! So is Papa Rei!” Miri said once Hanako ceased her kisses. “And so is Toothless!” She held up her pink axolotl plush for her grandmother to see.
“Oh, and did he come up all this way to see me, too?” Hanako said as she shook the doll’s hand.
Miri nodded enthusiastically. “Yep! He did!”
Hanako laughed and kissed the toy on the nose. “Well, I’m very glad he could come all the way just to see me! I love the extra company!”
“She has even more company for you in her suitcase.” Kazuki pointed out with a smile.
Miri gasped. “I do, Grandmama! Miri can’t wait to show you all the toys Papa Kazuki got me!”
“Does he buy all your stuff for you?” Hanako asked with a laugh. Miri really was the sweetest and cutest child she’s ever met.
Miri nodded. “Mmhmm! He does! I love him so so much, Grandmama! And he makes amazing food! French toast and Hamburg steak are my favorites!”
“Oh, really?” Hanako asked, smiling. “Well, maybe he could teach me how to make them, then. I would love to try his cooking.”
Kazuki’s lips quivered up into a smile hearing all the lovely compliments he was receiving. Miri’s were always occasional, but hearing Rei’s mom, his future mother-in-law, say that she wants to try his cooking, it was a huge bonus.
Rei huffed out a laugh upon seeing his partner’s happiness and leaned into his side. “See? Told you.”
“Well, why don’t we all go inside and make a yummy breakfast?” Hanako asked, turning her attention to the two men behind her and Miri. “I bet you’re all starving after that long trip.”
Kazuki nodded in agreement. “We’d love that, ma’am.”
“Oh, Kazuki, honey, please!” Hanako said, placing a hand on his cheek. “Just Hanako is fine. Or even mom if you want. You’re my family, too!”
Kazuki almost wanted to cry all over again, but he held back and nodded. “O–of course, Miss Hanako.”
Hanako smiled at him and gave him a gentle pat on his cheek before pulling her hand away. “Maybe you can teach me how to make your famous french toast, as Miri puts it.”
Kazuki’s eyes light up excitedly. “Yes, of course! I’d love nothing more!”
Hanako held Miri in her arms as she along with Kazuki and Rei at her side walked back inside. They all stopped when they noticed the shattered mug on the ground.
“Sorry about your mug, mom.” Said Rei. “We can get you a new one, if you want.”
“Oh, no need.” She replied. “It was old and losing its value anyways. Besides,” she rubbed her nose against Miri’s cheek, making the little girl giggle, “I have something even better!”
Rei smiled (he would allow himself to just this once, he kept reminding himself) and felt Kazuki place a hand on his shoulder as their little family headed inside Hanako’s house for breakfast.
“The french toast was amazing, Kazuki!” Hanako said with a new mug of tea in her hands, watching him from the living room area doing the dishes for her. “You don’t have to clean up for me, though.”
“Thank you, Miss Hanako!’ Kazuki said from the sink in the kitchen. “And I insist, really! I don’t mind doing a bit of house chores! I’m used to it, after all!”
Hanako laughed lightly, leaning back onto her rocking chair while Rei sat on the couch next to her and Miri played with some old toys her grandmother dug up from the attic. She said that they were her Papa Rei’s toys that he used to play with and that she needed to be careful with them as they were delicate and held a lot of personal memories for her.
“You’re gonna marry a good man, Rei. I see why you said yes to him.” Hanako said to her son.
Rei lightly laughed. “Yeah, he… he really is.”
Hanako smiled and placed a hand on his. “You really love him, don’t you?” She asked. Her smile was warm and knowing.
Rei slowly nodded back. “Well, yeah. What is there not to love about Kazuki?”
“I see it in the way you look at him.” She tells him. “You look at him like he hangs the moon and stars, and it’s beautiful. I’m very happy for you two that you found each other and have a beautiful daughter.”
Rei almost tears up at hearing her words. “Do… Do you think I’m… I’m doing a good job as a dad to her?”
Hanako patted his hand. “Rei, of course you are.” She looks at Miri, who isn’t paying any attention to them. “I can tell that she’s going to grow up to become a very beautiful, smart, and mature young lady. “ She looked back up at Rei, who is listening very intensely. “You and Kazuki have given her a loving place to live, you both take care of her, and give her the best in the world.” Her voice starts to sound like it’s on the verge of an emotional breakdown.
“But… But my job–.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Hanako interrupted him. “You have given her everything I wasn’t able to give to you growing up… and I am so proud of the person you’ve become, Rei. My beautiful son.”
Rei got up from his spot on the couch and got on his knees to pull his mother into what felt like their millionth hug since reuniting, where Hanako allowed herself to quietly weep into his shoulder, combing the back of his hair with one hand. Rei could feel his lip quivering slightly as a single tear rolled down his cheek and landed on Hanako’s kimono. The mother and son eventually broke away when they felt a pair of tiny arms wrap around them. They both looked down to see that it was Miri, her eyes full of worry and were also glossy themself.
“Grandmama? Papa Rei? Why are you sad?” She asked them both. It was Rei who picked her up and placed her on Hanako’s lap so she could hug the girl against her chest, who returned it right away.
“Nothing is wrong, my dear Miri.” She said into the girl’s hair, kissing the top of it while keeping a hand on Rei’s shoulder. “Your Papa Rei and I are just happy to finally have each other.”
Miri nodded and rested her head on her grandmother’s chest. “Grandmama? Can you tell me a story about Papa Rei?”
Hanako smiled down at her granddaughter. “Of course, honey! I would love to!” She said happily. “What story would you like to hear?”
“Any!” Said Miri. “I wanna learn more about my papa!”
Hanako laughed. “Okay then. Let’s see…. Ah! There was once this time that your papa…”
As Hanako told Miri a story about her Papa Rei when he was her age, Kazuki had finished up the dishes and joined his family in the living area and sat down next to Rei, putting an arm around his partner’s shoulder. Rei leaned into his fiancé as he listened to his mother reminiscing on his past life.
It was all a bittersweet feeling, to say the very least. Deep within Rei, he knew that eventually, him, Kazuki, and Miri would all have to travel back home at some point. They still had jobs, afterall, and there were still enemies out there watching their every movement and waiting to strike at the right given moment.
But Rei doesn’t want to focus on any of that right now. He doesn’t want to think about going back to his miserable life with his so-called “father” and doing his dirty work for him. He just wants to focus on this very moment happening right now, with his mother, daughter, and fiencé at his side always. He wants to spend every moment with Hanako and regain that lost bond that was taken away from him at such a young age.
And as long as Mir and Kazuki were at his side, forever and always, promising Kazuki many more years of love and happiness, escaping from their current life and maybe open up their own restaurant together one day, Rei knew that it would all be worth it in the end.