Chapter Text
The thought of having a family never crossed Seiichirou’s mind after ending up in Romany. It’d barely even been a thought back in Japan, but now, far from home and his parents, it was the last thing on his mind.
Unfortunately, the events of the past week put things into perspective for the accountant.
The Indolark estate had been exactly as Seiichirou imagined it would be, grand without being ostentatious, and warm despite its size. The moment they’d stepped through the doors and announced their engagement, Aresh’s parents celebrated as if a miracle was coming true. His mother had clasped her hands to her cheeks, while his father had smiled, placing a firm and strong hand on Seiichirou’s shoulder.
“Oh, my son is finally settling down!” the Marchioness had cried, pulling Seiichirou into a tight hug before he’d quite processed what was happening. “I was beginning to think I’d have to drag someone down the aisle for him!”
Aresh, mortified, had attempted to pry her off with a strained, “Mother, please.”
Dinner only made things worse.
Between courses, the Marchioness launched into story after story about Aresh’s childhood. How he’d been such a quiet, serious boy, always watching before speaking, and how the tutors praised his composure.
“And yet,” she had added dramatically, “he was always getting into trouble.”
“I was not,” Aresh muttered mid bite.
“You most certainly were,” she insisted. “Sneaking out to train past midnight, picking fights with boys twice your size, disappearing into the forest for hours. I worried myself sick! I used to wonder if he would ever settle down and marry someone. I’m not getting any younger, you know. It's why we tried every so often to get him to at least talk with other potential suitors.”
Seiichirou had nearly choked on his glass at that.
“And grandchildren,” she sighed wistfully, dabbing at her eyes with a napkin. “I’ve been waiting ever so patiently.”
The conversation drifted after that, from politics, to the magic research exchange efforts after the events in Egorova, to Princess Sofia’s recent visit. Since Erene had returned with the young princess, the household had been utterly enchanted by her. The Marchioness in particular seemed to have adopted the child as her own personal treasure.
Which was why, perhaps, the question had been simmering at the edge of her tongue all evening.
She leaned forward slightly, her gaze flicking between them.
“So,” she said lightly, though there was unmistakable anticipation beneath it, “have you two thought about potentially having children together?”
Seiichirou’s world stopped.
He inhaled too quickly in the wrong moment, and the next thing he knew he was choking on a bite of food. Heat flooded his face as he reached desperately for his glass. Before he could properly recover, a strong, familiar hand pressed firmly between his shoulder blades, patting in slow, steady motions.
“Careful,” Aresh murmured beside him, voice low and close to his ear.
Seiichirou managed a small nod, swallowing hard and taking a measured sip of water, willing his coughing to subside. His heart, however, did not settle nearly as easily.
“I don’t think that we’ll be having any children,” Aresh said, his tone firm and even.
Seiichirou felt his blood freeze.
Aresh’s hand remained warm against his back for a moment longer before returning to the table. His posture had straightened almost imperceptibly, shoulders squared in that way Seiichirou recognized well. It was the stance he took when he intended to close a discussion.
He knew his mother. He knew the pattern. She would coax, persuade, list advantages, tease him about heirs and legacy and the importance of family. He had endured it for years regarding potential suitors. Aresh would not let her corner them now.
The Marchioness blinked, a slight glint in her eye. “Oh?”
“It isn’t something we’re planning,” Aresh continued, hoping decisiveness would end it there. "Even so, It's much too dangerous for him."
Seiichirou’s coughing finally subsided. He placed his glass down carefully, though his fingers trembled just slightly against the stem. A faint ache had lodged itself beneath his ribs, something quiet and uncertain. It wasn’t that he had been thinking about children. Not seriously.
But hearing the door closed so quickly, so absolutely, left him cold.
He stole a glance at Aresh. The younger man’s jaw was set, expression controlled.
You could have talked to me first, he thought faintly. What happened to making decisions without me…And what do you even mean too dangerous?
Too many questions swirled in his head, but he couldn't have the conversation he wanted to, not yet at least. Instead of letting the silence stretch awkwardly, Seiichirou straightened and offered the Marchioness a gentle, apologetic smile.
“It’s much too soon to be thinking of that anyway,” he said calmly. “We’ve only just become engaged. There’s still so much to prepare, so much to arrange.”
Aresh’s eyes flicked toward him,briefly surprised.
“And,” Seiichirou added, his tone warm and measured, “it isn’t a decision to make lightly.”
Under the table, Aresh’s hand slid across the space between them, fingers seeking his. When their hands met, Aresh laced their fingers together firmly, thumb brushing over Seiichirou’s knuckles in a quiet, grounding gesture.
Seiichirou’s cheeks warmed immediately at the public display. He could feel the weight of his future in-laws’ eyes on them. Still, he did not pull away.
The Marchioness pouted.
“Well,” she huffed softly, folding her arms. “Do think about it before you go telling me no.”
“Mother-”
“I suppose,” she continued dramatically, waving a hand as though granting them mercy, “for now I shall simply continue spoiling Sofia, my darling little angel.”
Her mood shifted quickly, her pout dissolved into a radiant smile as she began recounting how Sofia had insisted on feeding the garden swans herself, how she’d demanded extra honey in her tea, and how she’d declared the Marchioness her “favorite grandmother.”
Aresh groaned softly. “She said that to you too?”
“Of course she did.” She winked, playfully.
The tension eased, replaced with gentle laughter and lighter conversation. His father chimed in with dry commentary, adding remarks about Aresh’s “inevitable domestic future,” and gradually the earlier question faded into the background of the evening.
Later that night, when the candles had burned low and the servants cleared the last of the dishes, the two couples retired for the night. Lady Indolarks gaze lingered on Seiichirou a moment longer, her eyes reading him before grinning softly and turning to her husband. She bid the two goodnight, before taking his arm and allowing herself to be walked to their bedroom.
As they walked the quiet corridor toward their room, Aresh’s hand remained wrapped around Seiichirou’s, Lady Indolark's knowing look ingrained in the bean counters mind. Despite her girlish nature, he couldn't help feeling like an open book under her gaze.
Aresh guided them to his old room wordlessly. It was only their first night in this week long visit. There was no point in bringing up any of his concerns from their earlier conversation, thought Seiichirou, following beside his Fiancee.
The questions lingered between them for the remainder of their stay.
Seiichirou sat at the edge of the bed, a towel draped over his slightly damp hair. Warm and smelling like the fresh herbs used for the bath, he settled into a comfortable spot, absently drying his hair. They had only just returned from visiting Aresh’s childhood home, the carriage ride back still fresh in Seiichirou’s bones, the rhythmic sway, the distant hills rolling past, the faint scent of his future mother-in-law’s perfume clinging stubbornly to his sleeves from her far too enthusiastic embrace.
“So, have you two thought about potentially having children together?”
That same pang of sadness hit the otherworlder again. He never thought about having children before. Sure, growing up he always assumed he would eventually settle down and start a family, all while providing for them and working his regular accounting job.
But that was before he got summoned (kidnapped, he's still argue) to this world. After ending up caught in the spell with the Yua everything he thought about his life and future were subsequently thrown out the window. It had been close to a full year after ending up in the Kingdom of Romany, and so much had changed in that time. From being given a job in the Accounting Department, to getting promoted and eventually being put in charge of several side projects on behalf of the Prime Minister Karvada. Best of all, his and Aresh’s relationship had deepened since their first meeting. What started off as an almost transactional like relationship blossomed into a mutual love the two shared and cherished deeply.
So much had changed, and he himself had too.
He pulled the towel off his head, wondering to himself quietly. Aresh made it clear that he wasn’t interested in having children. Could they even raise children together? They’d most likely have to adopt, unless surrogacy was a thing…Would anyone even be willing to consider that if it was an option?
He could feel his thoughts swirling in his head, enough to keep him occupied enough that he didn’t notice the sound of his door opening and closing, and the soft pattering of feet walking across the floor to him.
“What are you thinking about now?” A low voice rumbled, not even a foot away from where Seiichirou sat on the bed. He looked up, pulled out his thoughts and made eye contact with Aresh, who stood before him wearing a comfortable set of night clothes. His eyes narrowed, staring at his fiancee, waiting for an answer.
“Oh, it's nothing, really. It’s just been a long week and I’m just thinking about everything, that's all.” He shrugs, returning to drying his hair.
Honestly, after spending time with his soon to be In-Laws, he’d rather just finish drying himself and lay down in bed, too exhausted to even distract himself with the massive pile of documents he knows will be waiting for him in the morning at work.
Seiichirou felt large hands take the towel on his head and begin to dry him off, gently rubbing at his hair despite the sigh he lets out.
“I understand. My Father is much more mild mannered, but my Mother can be a bit….much sometimes. She’s just excited that another one of us is finally getting married. It’s all she’s ever wanted for us.” He almost whispers, and Seiichirou doesn’t have to see him to know that there's a soft smile on his face, his tone giving it away.
The otherworlder chuckles in silent agreement.
Spending time with the older woman was refreshing though, as she treated him like her own son throughout their stay, doting on him and indulging him when she could. It was overwhelming at times, but it comforted him as well. Memories of his mother would flash in his mind, how she would always call him while he was away at college, how she would visit sometimes and bring freshly cooked home meals, and the endless support she had for him during the years where he worked constantly.
“But, I know you, Seiichirou. I know something’s on your mind. Tell me what you’re thinking…”
The knight’s hands pull away, taking the towel with him. When Seiichirou meets his eyes again, they’re softer, not worried. Just curious, and hoping for honesty from the other man. His face is light, almost child-like as he stares. Behind those eyes though, he knows Aresh is searching for an answer.
There's no point in hiding anything from me Seiichirou, So just come out with it, They read. He lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, a hand reaching up to his head as he thinks about his next words.
“I really was thinking about this past week…I was just specifically thinking about something you said.” He trails off, suddenly feeling embarrassed for overthinking about something so trivial. He feels his cheeks flush slightly, his eyes shifting to the side before continuing.
“Would…would you really not want...to have children together….?” He forces out, his voice trailing into a soft whisper at the end. Aresh freezes, his eyes widening slightly in surprise as he registers the question asked before tilting his head.
“Did you want to have children? I never took you as the type to want them.” He stated, the unmistakable tone of confusion in his voice as he stared down. He moves to sit beside the other man, never turning his gaze from the other. Seiichirou felt the dip in the bed and looked up at him, cheeks slightly dusted in pink.
“Well, you never asked…You answered your mother so quickly, I was under the impression maybe you didn’t want them…” He sighs, “I always thought I would have them…And I wouldn’t mind having them with you…If you wanted them too, that is…”
He felt his heart rate pick up a bit. He didn’t expect to feel this embarrassed having the conversation, it was normal to discuss this topic between partners, he's done so before with past partners. (Or so he believed, not like any of them stuck around long enough to fully talk about it.)
“We’re certainly well off enough for us to take care of a child. Between your work in the Third Royal Order and my work in the Accounting Department, we could comfortably raise one, maybe two….”Seiichirou shuffles a bit, turning his body towards the other.
“Isn’t that the next logical step, after getting married?”
Aresh sat in silence, watching the other man's body language as he spoke his thoughts out loud. He noticed the slight tremble in the other's voice, how his hands fidgeted, and his eyes shifted from side to side. His cheeks getting darker and more flushed as he tried not to stumble through his words.
“Logic, huh? Is that what this is really about?” He can almost feel a grin forming on his face. It was cute, watching his lover try and give a logical reason as to why he’d want to have a child together, surprising as it was. He reached a hand out, grabbing Seiichirou by the chin gently, and pulled his attention towards himself.
“Be honest with me, Seiichirou,” his voice low and husky, teasing the other man.
Seiichirou put up his best glare, despite the embarrassment he felt for being so vulnerable already, and frowned. How dare he make fun of him, especially during such a conversation. It was natural for the workaholic to present the most logical answer to questions asked of him.
“Forget I said anything, It was foolish to bring it up.” He grumbles, attempting to pull away from his lover. A quiet huff escapes his nose before he’s suddenly pulled in closer, wrapped up in Aresh’s strong and firm arms.
“You don’t get to take it back now. Not after saying something like that.”
His voice drops to a whisper, all the amusement gone, now replaced with something softer and more tender. He presses his face into the crook of Seiichirou’s neck, his lips grazing the sensitive skin in an almost kiss.
Seiichirou felt himself stiffen, the hairs on his neck rising, his heart racing like a jackrabbit in his chest. Being this close always made him nervous, made him melt just a little in the others hold. He couldn’t stay mad, not when Aresh sounded so vulnerable. He felt his face heat up tenfold, frustration pushed to the side, and brought his hands up to grab the fabric of Aresh’s shirt as a way to steady his anxiety.
"…So if I said I would, potentially, that is…maybe one day in the future…Want a child with you…Would you be opposed to that…?"
Time felt like stalled between the two of them, the calm of the night just beyond the window the only hint that it was still going. Aresh pulled away, wordlessly, before repositioning himself to overtake the other man, knocking him onto the bed. He pinned Seiichirous arms by his head on both sides, a soft grunt escaping his throat as he's weighed down by the knight. Their eye's locked, Aresh's amethyst eyes staring directly into Seiichirous onyx ones.
"Seiichirou…" Aresh's voice cut's through the silence, soft and gentle. His express unreadable, a far cry from how expressive the Commander actually was when around him.
"I would love for us to one day have a family…But I refuse to put you through that. It's much to dangerous for you and It's just not worth the risks."
The finality in Aresh's voice caught him off-guard. He could hear an after-tone of sadness, but whatever risk's he was thinking of were stopping him. Seiichirou's face tensed, he could feel a spark of anger rise in his chest, recognizing the look Aresh was giving him.
It was the same look when he'd made up his mind, and he wasn't going to share his thoughts. He was definitely withholding something from him. That look that screamed 'You're too fragile. You'll break, so I'll protect you.'
It made his face burn, from anger or embarrassment from having poured his heart out just now, Seiichirou didn't know. He broke his hands free from the others grip, as they flew to Aresh's chest, pushing him off of him.
"Why do you keep saying that? That it's 'too dangerous'? Clearly you want a family with me, so tell me why your answer is no. And be honest with me…" He stressed the word 'honest', since he knew Aresh had a habit of just ignoring questions he didn't want to answer. It was one of his more child-like and annoying qualities, and one that always surfaced whenever they had more serious arguments.
Seiichirou's brows knitted together, a hard frown on his face. He could accept a no, it was valid to not want kids. But when Aresh was hiding something from him, when even Seiichirou could tell that his lover was hiding his feelings, he felt the need to press further.
"Answer my question and I promise I'll drop it…I just want the truth from you." His voice was firm and steady. If Aresh was gonna act like a child and dance around his answer, then the least thing Seiichirou could do was negotiate with him.
Aresh made no attempt to speak though, seconds turning to minutes as the two sat on the bed, one glaring and the other looking away.
"If I tell you, it'll only make you want to seek it out. I know you, Seiichirou. I know that when you get an idea in that head of yours, you'll do everything you need to do to make it a reality. But I'm putting my foot down." The tense silence finally broken after what felt like an eternity. Aresh's voice was quiet, it held none of the usual warmth it did as he spoke, and sounded like he'd accepted that while he wasn't gonna get out of the conversation, he would rather incur his lovers wrath then answer him.
Aresh stood from the bed, a deep sigh leaving his nose before he turned to the door connecting their rooms. Seiichirou watched his every step as he made his way across the room. He couldn't believe it, another argument over something that could have been solved easily if Aresh just told him what was wrong. But to see Aresh willing walk to his room, and actually make as if he's going to sleep in his own room was a surprise in and of itself.
"I'll give you some space tonight. I understand that was a heavy conversation, and that you wish for a proper answer. But for your own good, I will drop this topic. One day, You will understand why." Aresh turns back towards Seiichirou for one moment, whispering a quiet 'I love you' before stepping into his room and closing the door between them.
The click of the door is the last thing Seiichirou hears before the silence once again makes itself at home in the now colder and empty feeling bedroom. He can still feel the small embers of anger flickering in his chest, his gaze slowly following the path Aresh took back from the door to the bed, before settling on the soft linen at his sides.
"What a fucking asshole…" he murmurs, his hands gripping the sheets before rolling his eyes and crawling into his own bed. A groan escapes his lips as he flops onto his pillow. A million thoughts swirling in his head. He works himself up throughout the night, thinking of all the different responses he could have given to Aresh instead of just letting him walk out and leave him with even more questions.
He'll just give him a piece of his mind in the morning…