Chapter Text
Daiki and John unloaded the two mares from the horse trailer and led them into the field. They were both watching the massive Belgians grazing a short distance away and let out soft nickers of greeting. John took a deep breath before he unhooked the lead rope and patted the chestnut’s rump.
“Go say hi,” he cooed.
The chestnut trotted forward, tail held high. Daiki let the shy bay off of her lead rope and she trotted after her companion. The Belgians tossed their heads and greeted the mares warmly. John smiled as old Belle kicked her heels and set off at a quick trot with the shy bay at her heels.
“Looks like we chose some good girls,” he commented before he let out a long breath. “Okay. Step one down.”
“I’m sure the boys will want to meet them,” Daiki agreed before he headed for the fence. “Jack, keep a good hold on Genji’s hand, okay? I don’t want him running off.”
“Okay, Oto!” Jack grinned as he helped Hanzo and Genji over the fence.
Hanzo hurried over and John scooped him up, throwing him over his shoulder to make the boy squeal in delight. They babbled nonsense words at each other; Hanzo was determined to create another language and was convinced that John could understand it all perfectly; and Daiki smiled as he knelt down to pick his baby up.
Genji snuggled close, staring at the horses as they trotted across the field. He made grabby-hands at them, laughing happily. The chestnut mare perked her ears forward before eagerly hurrying towards them. Daiki smiled as the mare approached; the man they had bought her off of said that she was incredibly fond of children. The younger, the better, according to the previous owner.
“Ta,” Genji said happily as he reached for the mare’s nose.
“They still need names,” John said as he stepped closer so that Hanzo could pet the mare’s mane.
“Cherry!” Jack said happily. “Cherry pie!”
“Well, she’s certainly red,” Daiki agreed with a smile. “What do you think, girl? How do you like the name, Cherry?”
The mare blew air over Genji’s face and Genji laughed happily. John smiled and nodded.
“Alright, so our chestnut is Cherry Pie. What about the bay, Jack?” he asked.
“Pudding!” Hanzo laughed.
John and Daiki shared an amused look and nodded. She did look like chocolate pudding. Leave it to the kids to name the horses after food.
“Pudding and Cherry Pie,” Daiki mused as he ran his hand over Cherry’s forehead, scratching at the white star. “Adorable names for adorable mares.”
John took a deep breath and smiled as he took something from Jack. “Well, we aren’t done yet,” he said.
Daiki lifted an eyebrow as John set Hanzo down. Jack reached for Genji and grinned happily as the kids all stood together and giggled. Daiki glanced at John and smirked.
“What are you doing?” he teased.
John smiled and took his hands, lifting them to his mouth to kiss over his knuckles. “Daiki Shimada, you are the light of my life. I love you more than I can properly express. You care for me and Jack, never holding your love for ransom. You’re the backbone I need when it feels like the world is out to get me. The thought of not having you by my side is terrifying. So, I just want to know before we go any further what your answer to one very simple question is.”
Daiki let out a gasp as John got down on one knee and produced a beautiful golden band from the velvet box he had in his pocket. He looked from the ring to John and smiled as tears built up in his eyes.
“Daiki, will you marry me?” John asked.
“Yes,” Daiki nodded his head. “Yes, a thousand times, yes.”
John smiled as he slipped the golden band onto Daiki’s finger and gently kissed over his knuckles. Daiki let out a wet laugh as John stood up and offered him the partner to the ring. He slipped it over John’s finger, pulling John into a kiss.
“Did you know about this?” Daiki demanded as he turned towards his kids.
“Yes!” Hanzo giggled and hurried over. “Daddy told us to keep it a secret. And we did.”
“You’re amazing little secret keepers,” John agreed. “Thank you.”
“Welcome!” Genji grinned happily before he patted Jack’s face. “I’m hungry!”
“We’d better go feed the kids,” John chuckled before he picked Genji up and covered his cheeks in kisses. “Otherwise they’ll waste away to nothing! And we just put some chub onto Genji’s chubby cheeks.”
Genji squealed happily as he was carried out of the field and towards the house. Daiki shooed Jack and Hanzo ahead of him, closing the gate to the field. He smiled as Pudding and Cherry Pie trotted around the field, throwing their heads happily.
A new start in a new chapter of his life. He smiled at the ring on his finger and bit his lip. A new start with the love of his life. This was going to be so good for him and his boys. John was everything to him now and Jack was his own son now. He let out a happy laugh before he headed for the house as he heard Hanzo laugh loudly at something John was doing to Jack.
Best to go save his son before his husband made him sick from laughter. His son. His husband. He was going to faint from the excitement.