Chapter Text
"...So you're saying he's perfectly fine?"
The white-haired male glances at the papers in his hands before pushing his reading glasses up. The moment of silence causes the dark headed male to tsk, frowning in impatience. He shifts the child in his arms slightly, pushing out his hip a tiny bit more to make it more easier, more comfortable. The boy in his arms, eyes wide, and clutching to the black fabric of his guardian's rough jacket, blinks.
"It's not common, but it isn't unheard of either. We've had seven year olds come in who've never uttered a sound in their life."
The doctor notices the way the man in front of him frowns ever so slightly, catchs the worried look casts from the man's blond partner, lounging by the door.
"Really," he starts, pulling off his gloves, and flashing them a grin. "It's nothing to be worried about. He's completely normal," then, "Does he try to communicate any other way? Points? Stamps his feet?"
"He points." The blond says, and swiftly, he plucks the boy from his partner's arms, and sets the child on the ground. "And when he wants to go somewhere," the boy grabs the blond's jeans -a good fist full- but stands obediently to the side, "he pulls at us."
The doctor bends down, getting eye level with the child, and pulls out a green sucker from his coat pocket. "Would you like it, Haru?"
The boy doesn't answer, but he doesn't hesitate to step forward and take the sweet before retreating back to his blond guardian. The doctor's eyes narrow slightly in understanding when he notices the child never relinquished hold of his guardian's leg.
The pediatrician stands, his knees popping, and he motions as the boy starts to unwrap the candy and sticks it in his mouth. "He always hold onto one of you like that?"
The dark headed male nods, chewing on his lower lip. "Shinya...that's not normal. Even if him not speaking is fine, that's," he points, his hand close to his mouth, "not normal. Haru only lets go when we're home, or after Mika drops him off at daycare."
"Is it hard for him to say 'goodbye'?"
Mika, the blond, the doctor now realizes, doesn't hesitate to answer. "Sometimes. If his friends are playing, no, but if I drop him off early and no one's there, yes."
The man hums to himself, then glances at his notes. "He's only two...so give him some time. It's very probable that he's a late bloomer, especially with the trauma he's experienced....But with everything else, he's fine. However, you can work on his communication skills. Sign language might help."
The dark headed male gives a look of disbelief before opening his mouth. "Sign language?"
"Yuu-chan..." Mika warns, his voice calm and collected.
It's silent for a moment before Yuu opens his mouth again, eyes doubtful. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard, Shinya. He's mute. Not deaf."
The older man laughs, and his eyes twinkle. "Honestly, it'll give him a way to communicate. Otherwise, just wait it out. But like I said," he nods to the boy, grins when he sees him hiding behind Mika, peeking at him cautiously, "he's normal. But if you get worried, don't hesitate to contact me, or let Guren know, and I'll be right over."
Shinya bows his head and starts to leave when Yuu stops him, when Yuu asks, "You're sure it'll work?"
The taller, older male suddenly feels uncomfortable. The couple are staring at him, Yuu with a desperate expression, and Mika with curious eyes. But Shinya sighs and regains his composure. "It's the best I can offer right now, Yuu. Come and see me in six months. We'll talk more then." He smiles, softly, and takes his exit.
When they arrive home, Mika is the one to retrieve Haru out of his car seat as Yuu goes about unlocking the door, cursing when the lock gets stuck and he has the budge the apartment open with his shoulder.
"You're tense..." Mika says as he bends down and drops Haru to the floor. It doesn't take long for the child to scurry off, grabbing a picture book from the cabinet in the corner.
"I'm fine. I'm worried." Yuu doesn't look Mika in the eyes as he locks the door back.
"Don't be. Hiiragi said he was perfectly fine-"
Yuu turns on him immediately. "Shinya also mentioned that he's seen some kids that don't talk until they're seven, Mikaela. I can't...I don't..." Yuu breaks eye contact and stares at the ground as he takes off his shoes. The dark headed male inhales, shakily, and mutters, "I just want him to say 'Daddy'."
Mika smiles softly, wrapping his arms around Yuu as he whispers, "You're a great daddy, even if he can't say it yet. And we can do this." He grins even wider when he sees the faint pink on Yuu's cheeks, notices the goosebumps on the back of his neck. He laughs, low, and kisses right where Yuu's shirt stops and his skin begins.
And then there's a tug at his leg.
"Go get a bath," Mika says as he pulls away. "Go relax. I've got him."
"You sure?" Yuu watches as Mika bends downs, and smiles when Haru offers his lover the picture book.
If Mika heard his question, he gives no indication. "You want me to read this one? Again?"
There's silence, Yuu notes, and he bites his lip as he starts to walk off to their bedroom.
Mika's voice trails after him. "No, no, no, this one's fine. No, Haru, stay with me. Daddy's getting a bath. Okay, 'Once upon a time...'"
Yuu smiles.