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There were times that Kanata simply didn’t want to go home. After the realization in second year that his parents weren’t what parents should be, he often found himself wishing for a family that he could rely on — a family that would love him like he was a kid, and not just their God.
But no matter how much he wished, there was no one there to grant a God’s wishes, after all. Well, there was Chiaki, of course. His hero, his perfect hero, who had his own family and helped Kanata to find his own in the form of Ryuseitai — but even then, the children were not enough to replace the love he’d missed out on for years on end.
On nights like this, where he found himself dreading the thought of going back home, he would spend his night at the school. He’d rest in the shallow depths of the fountain, despite Chiaki’s insistence’s that he would catch a cold in the chill of the evening air. However, spending the night at the school proved to be a difficult task with the added security around the school. They’d be fine with him spending his day at school in the fountain, despite how he should’ve been in class, technically. But when night fell and both units and clubs went their separate ways to make their ways home, Kanata was lost.
“Something wrong?” Chiaki hummed as they worked on cleaning up the practice room together, the kids already dismissed to have a full nights rest.
They were growing children, at the end of the day, they needed the rest to grow big and strong — even if they weren’t that much younger than Kanata himself, he found happiness in taking care of the young ones at times.
“I don’t want to go home.” Kanata replied, honest as always. He had no reason to hide anything from Chiaki.
Chiaki seemed to contemplate Kanata’s words for a few moments, before he lit up with an idea. “Why don’t you spend the night at my place? My parents would love to meet you!”
Kanata… Didn’t see the issue with that, really. He’d never met Chiaki’s parents before, despite the time they’d spent by each other’s side, and to some degree, he was afraid. Chiaki was his hero, a bright light shining stronger than the sun — what if his parents expected someone normal, someone just as happy to match their son’s light? What if they hated everything about Kanata?
“Are you sure they’ll ‘like’ me?” Are you sure they don’t already have expectations of me that I’m doomed to fail once we meet?
“Yeah, why wouldn’t they?” Chiaki’s voice, usually so strong and boisterous, turned soft as he said the words. It was comforting, to be able to see this side of Chiaki directed towards him.
(It was comforting, knowing he could be a creature treated with kindness.)
The walk to Chiaki's house was about as normal as Kanata would've expected, passing through nice neighbourhoods on their way before arriving at a cozy house belonging to the Morisawa family.
Kanata's own neighbourhood was... Fine. He never felt comfortable in it, not nearly as comfortable as he felt walking down this street with Chiaki by his side, knowing he was on his way to safety guarded by his hero.
"I don't think they're home," Chiaki started, "so we should put our stuff down in my room and start on dinner, maybe?"
He looked towards Kanata for verification that that was okay, and all Kanata could do was nod. He'd be okay with doing anything, if it meant Chiaki was there.
Kanata didn't really know how to cook much, but he helped the best he could. Not long after, there was a delicious smell in the air as he stirred at a pot, Chiaki hugging him from behind as he helped to move Kanata's hand. He didn't need the help, not really, but he appreciated the closeness with Chiaki.
It was terrifying, when the door opened and one of his parents entered the house. Chiaki could probably feel him tense up, despite how Kanata didn't say anything, but he didn't mention it, merely rubbing a comforting hand along Kanata's shoulder as he greeted whoever entered.
"How was work?" was all that Kanata paid attention to before he started focusing very intensely on stirring the pot. He was afraid of Chiaki's parents, he was so afraid of being some weird kid that they wanted their son to have nothing to do with and he'd end up alone and his hero torn away from him-
"Kanata?" Chiaki said, bringing Kanata back to earth from wherever his mind had floated away to.
(Floating... Kanata was going to dehydrate, he was going to die if he didn't get in the water soon, but he needed to be normal.)
"Yes~? Sorry, I was... 'distracted.'" Kanata said casually, trying to remain visually calm.
"That's okay! Just wanted to introduce you to my mom," So Kanata turned to the kitchen entrance in order to greet a small woman, who shared the same beautiful hair and eyes as her son. "Mom, this is Shinkai Kanata, I've told you about him. I invited him to stay the night."
Chiaki was being more formal than Kanata was used to from the other boy — from his hero who loved cheesy kid's shows and made all of his friends smile — but it was probably for Kanata's own comfort.
"Ahh, it's so nice to finally meet you! Thank you for taking care of my boy!" She laughed, reaching up to mess up Chiaki's hair even more than it already was.
Kanata laughed lightly, "It's... 'no big deal,' he takes more care of me, if anything."
You've raised a good kid and I'm in love with him for it and terrified you'll hate everything about me.
Dinner was a peaceful affair, Chiaki's father staying late at work leaving just the three of them. Conversation was surprisingly light and easy, despite all of Kanata's worries eating at him from the inside out. They talked about what Ryuseitai was getting up to, how their studies were doing, and what his mother did for work.
She didn't ask about Kanata's family; he couldn't help but wonder if she knew. If Chiaki had told her something during second year when everything when going on. Kanata wouldn't blame him, if he did.
When Chiaki got up to do the dishes, Kanata wasn't sure what to do, or if he should follow to help out. He'd never really... been to a friend's house before, what was he supposed to do?
However, Chiaki's mother put a gentle hand over his from where she sat beside him at the table.
"You make my boy really happy, and I cherish that so much. He didn't have a lot of friends growing up, and we worried high school would be the same, but you've really brought out the best in him. Thank you." She said kindly, warm eyes staring into his own.
"Chiaki... Brought out the 'best' in me, too." Was all Kanata could bring himself to say. He was glad Chiaki was his hero, but he didn't know how to properly express his thanks. His mother seemed to understand despite his lack of words, gently bringing Kanata's head towards her shoulder in something of a hug, if not for how they were still sitting down.
"Okay! Dishes done! Me and Kanata should go work on some homework upstairs," Chiaki exclaimed, mildly ruining the moment, but Kanata didn't mind. He would never mind, not when it came to Chiaki.
Kanata didn't particularly want to do homework, but he followed Chiaki nonetheless, confusion somewhat evident on his face when Chiaki simply sat down on his bed without pulling out his homework.
"Come sit," He said with a soft smile.
Kanata sat down gently on the bed, leaning his head against Chiaki's shoulder as Chiaki wrapped an arm around him, pulling them even closer together.
He could just imagine the Ryuseitai kids' comments at them right now, about how close they were and how weird it was. That was okay, Kanata thought, they didn't need to understand him, or why he was the way he was, and why he loved Chiaki so dearly, in order for him to care for them. One day, he thought to himself, they'd get it.
"Aren't we doing homework?" Kanata hummed into the quiet air around them, moving his head off of Chiaki's shoulder only when the brunette shrugged.
"Nah, I'm all caught up," He said, forgetting that Kanata had a tendency not to show up to class or do his work, but that was fine if it meant not having to do any work right then. "I just wanted an excuse to be alone with you."
Kanata smiled as he stared at Chiaki, Chiaki staring right back with a soft look in his eyes, as if Kanata were the purest human who deserved such love and affection.
Chiaki leaned over and pressed the most gentle kiss against Kanata's cheek. Kanata was... Unsure of what to do, raising his hands up to rest on Chiaki's shoulder, to try and pull his hero closer, all for just a chaste kiss on his cheek.
He wanted more.
"Kiss me, really," Kanata mumbled, nervous about his words, nervous about how Chiaki might react.
Instead, Chiaki just nodded, shifting his head to press his lips against Kanata's own, warm skin meeting Kanata's cold lips. He moved his arms to rest on Kanata's waist, however, the movement caused him to lose his balance. He fell onto his back on the bed, on the cheesy hero-themed bedsheets, but Chiaki didn't ease up.
Kanata moved one of his hands to feel how Chiaki's muscles flexed at the effort to hold himself above Kanata, lips moving together as Kanata slowly exhausted all of the air he had in his lungs. He had to remind himself that he was human now, and that he needed to breathe, or else he would've let himself die right here, lips pressed against Chiaki's, suffocating in his grasp all for an ounce of affection.
He pulled away, Chiaki trying to chase after his lips for a moment or so before realizing they both needed to breathe.
"I love you," Chiaki spoke first, pressing his forehead against Kanata's neck, warm breath fanning against his collar.
"I love you, too," Kanata said, smile evident in his voice despite Chiaki being unable to see it from their position. "My hero."
Despite how much he wanted to stay there forever, eternally grounded by the comforting weight of Chiaki on top of him, it was getting to be late in the evening. He didn't want to fall asleep in his school clothes, despite failing to bring his own change of clothes with him in their rush to get to the Morisawa residence.
"Hey, Chiaki... Do you have clothes I could 'borrow' overnight?" Kanata said, running his hands through the short strands of hair. Chiaki nodded, begrudgingly getting up to find Kanata something to wear after they both got washed up.
(He let Kanata stay in the bath way longer than necessary, something Kanata greatly appreciated. The water welcomed him after a long night of stress, regardless of it all working out in the end.)
As the two of them lay side by side on Chiaki's bed, the futon that his parents brought in forgotten and still rolled up by the door, he felt at peace. More at peace than he would be spending another night at his godforsaken family home, at least. He would always be happy with Chiaki by his side.
"Your 'mom' was really nice." Kanata said, laying across from Chiaki. When the brunette opened his eyes, just about to fall asleep but refusing to miss whatever Kanata was saying. "She gave me a 'hug'."
"Mm, I saw that. You looked really happy." Chiaki said, a small smile on his face as he reached over to twirl a piece of Kanata's still-wet hair around his finger.
"I liked her." Kanata nodded. He really did, he enjoyed seeing and... Experiencing what a "normal" family could be like, what "normal" parents could be like, even if only for a short while.
"You're always welcome back to stay again, I'm sure she wouldn't complain." Chiaki mumbled, words slurring with exhaustion as his hand fell back down to the mattress.
Kanata smiled, a quiet "Thank you," escaping his mouth as he decided to finally let Chiaki get some rest.
And in the morning, if he was putting on a day-old uniform and refusing to look at his phone for any missed messages the night before, that was okay, because he got to spend the night with his hero. Everything would be okay, as long as he was with Chiaki.