shamelesshookery | (no subject)

[I did and that is why I am now downstairs :9]

Is that applespaetzle...?

Almost! Apple pancakes. There's sausage and cheese too, and preserves, and sliced fruit.

[visibly perking up. pancakes are excellent, but normally if he wants them he has to make them himself.

half-joking] Did something good happen?

[cheerful] Hopefully! I'd like to talk to you about that, actually.

[pausing with a sausage already halfway into his mouth]

Aah?

Aah, it's hard to talk and cook at the same time. Let me finish with the pancakes, and then we'll talk!

[...biting down the rest of the way, chewing with a dubious expression]

...Okay.

[Len certainly seems cheerful enough as he finishes and then serves up the pancakes. as he tops his stack with sliced bananas:]

So! Kaito, you've been living here for quite some time now, haven't you?

[selecting a strawberry and putting it on top of his own '-']

Yeah...?

I know that, technically, you're still employed as my housekeeper. But, really, I've come to see you as much more than an employee... I hope it's not too presumptuous of me to say, but I've really come to think of you as a son.

[...staring at him for a good few seconds with wide eyes, before lowering his gaze. he keeps his eyes on his hands instead as he puts his fork back down and clasps them together]

I— [no, no, his voice is far too unsteady. try again.] I... that much...?

[still not particularly coherent, but his train of thought is a bit more of a trainwreck. he'd known Len was fond of him, but the most he'd ever dared to think those feelings went was perhaps something like an uncle's affection for a nephew.

(not that his uncle had been particularly affectionate, but...)]

[I HOPE THAT WAS A GOOD THING TO SAY fret fret fret toying with his utensils]

Yes, I - well, I've always wanted a child, and having you here - you fill up this empty house, it's been wonderful. I've come to realize that even if you were to find another job somewhere else, I wouldn't want you to stop living here...

Aah, is that too...?

[... sniffles

and then looks absolutely mortified with himself. but... Len is the closest thing to family—real family—he's had since the accident. he's the first person he's cared about since the accident.

shaking his head] I— I don't want to leave, either. Even if I did get another job. But, I haven't...

...you're not like Father, so...

[;A;]

I... I understand. I would never want to replace your father, Kaito...

[slumping, and rubbing the old scar on his wrist]

—That doesn't mean that, that I wouldn't...

[but he can't bring himself to say it, not when Len had just said he didn't want to (and maybe he's interpreting that wrong but what if he isn't?), so he just trails off. eventually, he mumbles]

I miss having a family.

... well, Kaito, I... I'm not certain if I'm reading the situation right, but let me just say what I wanted to ask you about.

I was wondering if, perhaps... if you'd like for me to formally adopt you?

[...

i seem to have sprung a leak ;-; belatedly reaching up to wipe at his eyes as he tries to find words for a reply, but in the end he just nods]

I, I- I don't know if I can think of you like— like Father, but you're— you're more family to me than the relatives I have left. And I... I want that to be "real."

[oh he's beaming now ;u; reaching across the table to try and catch one of Kaito's hands]

Of course - like I said, I'd never want to take the place of your father. But I would like us to be a family.

[not only letting him, but clinging a little bit]

...Okay. Okay.

...

Then... is it okay if- if I use your last name...?

[EVERYTHING WENT BETTER THAN EXPECTED]

Of course! I'd like that.

[he is still a sniffly mess, but he's a limp with relief sniffly mess. it hurts, a little, the thought of letting go... but every time he's had to use his own last name has been a painful, guilty reminder that he wasn't where they were. as much as he loved them—as much as he still loves them—he doesn't particularly want to hang on to that.]

When...?

Whenever you're ready. We can get the proceedings started right away, if you like.

We should probably at least finish the pancakes first...

[...the lukewarm pancakes. :c]

[laughs]

Well, yes, of course!

[takes a bite :3]

[eating the strawberry off of the top of his after some deliberation and then getting up to put the stack in the microwave. what's the point of pancakes if they aren't warm enough to melt butter on them!!!]

[cute c: just keeps eating his. this went well!!]

[well while you do that and my pancakes heat up I'm going to try to think of a way to go for a hug that won't leave me feeling incredibly awkward '-']

...I guess now my "wages" are going to be more like an allowance, if anything...

And your work will be more like just doing chores.

Speaking of which, I won't expect you to do all of that. It's hardly right for a man to expect his child to do all the work!

[fhjdskafhs s-scowling]

If you're still paying me to do it, it's fine. You're busier than I am.

...And it's better than doing the yardwork. You've got a lot of yard.

[wait no why scowl]

Ahah, I do, at that.

[because I'm still going to be useful and earn my keep even if you are adopting me!!!

...really, though, he's so used to doing all of it that he doesn't know what he'd do with the free time if he didn't have to anymore. it's not like he has much in the way of friends, or hobbies... he'd had to give them all up.

except... if Len's adopting him— if he really, truly has a home again, and doesn't have to worry about the what-ifs or the maybes or the worst case situations...

doesn't that mean he can maybe have those things again?]

...If it's chores instead of a job, can I maybe, ah... online courses? Or something like that... Since I'll have more time.

Why, of course! If you want to go back to school, I'd be perfectly happy to support you in that!

[belatedly retrieving his pancakes and bringing them back to the table. butter!!! and condensed milk :9]

Mmmn. I'd have to catch up a lot, but if I can manage it...

[finally starting on his food, looking confused and happy and like he doesn't have the slightest idea of what to do with himself]

I'll help you as much as I can! I'm sure you'll manage well, Kaito. You're a clever, hard-working young man.

Edited 2012-11-19 08:00 (UTC)

[o-oh no how is he supposed to respond to that? blushing and covering it up by taking a bite of the pancake—

...oh well yes he could always get distracted by deliciousness. that could work too]

Mmmmmmm... a-ah. Well, I don't know about "clever," my grades were sort of... um.

Well, if you need any help studying, I'll be happy to help with that too.

[shoving a bite around with his fork '-']

...Maybe with math. I was thinking that your work looks really interesting, but that I'd need to be better with mathematics before trying anything like that.

Edited 2012-11-19 08:52 (UTC)

[wait what BEAMS]

Really! Why, of course, of course!

[okay now I have officially hit maximum embarrassment capacity :x ducking his head and attacking the pancakes]

[c: let's pancaking together]