Chapter Text
Takemichi and Izana looked very, very different. Pale blonde and onyx black hair, vivid lilac and ocean blue eyes, olive and alabaster skin, they were almost complete opposites, yet they were family in name and blood.
Shinichiro knew that, yet he could still only gape at the brothers, both of whom were staring up at him with wide eyes, shock evident in their pupils. Takemichi looked like a fawn in Izana’s arms, the shorter boy trembling in Izana’s grasp as the taller boy stared suspiciously at Shinichiro.
Laughing awkwardly at Izana’s stare, Shinichiro reached out to pat the boy’s head, frowning slightly at the reflexive flinch backwards from Izana, Takemichi letting out a soft squeak as Izana’s grip tightened.
“I’m not going to hurt you guys.” Shinichiro softly said, raising his hands up placatingly, wanting to make the boy’s feel safer in his vicinity. Sadness gnawed at his heart, his eyes trained on Izana’s tensed figure.
Vivid lilac eyes narrowed, Izana shooting him a scathing look as he shielded Takemichi away from him, Shinichiro wilting at the obvious distrust, although anger built up inside him when he came to the conclusion that Izana could not trust anyone because everyone had turned on him, minus Takemichi.
“How do we know you aren’t lying to us? Okaa-san didn’t want us, Otou-san didn’t either, what makes you different?”
Shinichiro froze, dread seeping into his heart at the words that Izana had spat out venomously, Takemichi staring up at him with teary blue eyes filled with fear and pain.
Honestly, he was going to strangle the two adults who let these children, barely older than ten, believe that they weren’t wanted.
“Hey, I swear I’m different.” He whispered softly, watching as Takemichi tugged Izana down to whisper something into the other boy’s ear. Amazed, he sat in silence as Izana visibly relaxed at whatever Takemichi told him, the younger of the two turning to look at him expectantly.
“Y-you’re Shinichiro, right?” Takemichi’s voice wavered, his grip on Izana’s shirt tightening as he timidly looked up at the older boy, who nodded silently.
When Shinichiro nodded, Izana spoke up for Takemichi, the younger boy quietly watching from the safety of Izana’s arms. “Michi says that Okaa-san said that we had an older brother named Shinichiro. He said that if you are Shinichiro, then we can trust you.” Izana begrudgingly said the last few words, lips downturned as he glared at Shinichiro.
Eh? Okaa-san mentioned me to them?
Deciding to take the chance at building trust between them, Shinichiro crouched, still a distance away so as to not spook Izana again, before looking at Takemichi. “Okaa-san really said that?”
Shinichiro watched in amazement as Takemichi’s startingly blue eyes sparkled, a grin lighting up his face as the shorter boy wiggled out of Izana’s arms. A huff left the taller boy before he relented, Takemichi practically running up to Shinichiro in his haste.
“Mhm! Okaa-san mentioned you sometimes! Zana-nii was usually playing outside when she did, so he didn’t hear her say your name!” The boy was rambling at that point and Shinichiro thought it was absolutely adorable. With a laugh, he ruffled Takemichi’s curly locks of onyx hair before smiling at the boy.
“You’re very cute, Takemichi. I’m glad I got to meet you guys, even if you guys don’t exactly trust me.” Shinichiro glanced at Izana, the half-Filipino boy grumbling underneath his breath before walking over, stopping behind Takemichi. Takemichi, however, was bright red, his flushed face covered by his hands. The sight was heartstopping.
A ring from his phone brought him out of his stupor, Shinichiro fishing out his phone before shooting the boy’s an apologetic look. “Sorry, I have to go. I’ll see you guys in a few days?”
Takemichi nodded enthusiastically, Izana letting out another huff before slowly nodding along, much to Shinichiro’s amusement. Reaching over, he ruffled Izana’s hair before bolting out of there, shouting a goodbye over his shoulder.
He couldn’t wait to see the boys again.