Haru was wrist-deep in dish soap when the doorbell rang. Ichigo was in the living room, building a wobbly block tower with Chris, both of them laughing every time it crashed. It was a regular Saturday afternoon—sunny, calm, the kind that felt like a gift after weeks of tension.
"I'll get it!" Chris called, wiping his hands on a towel. He padded to the door, light brown hair tousled, hazel eyes bright.
Haru dried his hands, glancing over. Chris opened the door, and the laughter stopped.
Standing on the doorstep was Aiko.
She looked polished—dark hair in a neat ponytail, stylish coat, small suitcase at her feet. Her eyes went straight past Chris to Haru.
"Hi there," she said softly. "I… I was in the neighborhood. Thought I'd drop by. See Ichigo."
Chris froze, hand still on the doorknob. Haru felt his stomach drop. Surprise visit. No call, no text. Just… here.
Ichigo's voice piped up from the floor. "Papa? Who dat?"
Aiko's face lit up at the sound. She stepped inside—Chris moving aside automatically—and crouched as Ichigo toddled over. "Hey, baby. It's Mommy."
Ichigo blinked, bright brown eyes wide. He remembered her from the café, but this was different—her in their home. He hugged her legs shyly. "Mommy here?"
Aiko scooped him up, eyes glassy. "Yes, sweetie. I missed you so much."
Haru cleared his throat, reserved posture kicking in. "Aiko. You could've called."
She stood, Ichigo on her hip. "I know. I'm sorry. Work brought me back to town longer than planned. I just… needed to see him."
Chris closed the door quietly, expression neutral but tense. Haru caught his eye—awkward didn't cover it.
"Coffee?" Haru offered, more for something to do than hospitality.
Aiko nodded. "Thanks."
They moved to the living room. Ichigo chattered nonstop, showing Aiko his blocks, his dinosaur, dragging her to sit on the floor. She played along, voice warm, but Haru saw the glances—guilty, hopeful.
Chris hung back, helping Haru in the kitchen. "You okay?" he whispered.
Haru exhaled. "Yeah. Just… unexpected."
Chris bumped shoulders. "I can take Ichigo to the park if you need space to talk."
Haru shook his head. "Stay here. You're part of this."
They brought coffee, sat on the couch while Aiko and Ichigo built towers. Conversation started careful—weather, Ichigo's preschool, her job. Then it shifted.
"I've been thinking," Aiko said, eyes on Haru. "About moving back. Permanently. For Ichigo. More time with him… if you're open."
Haru's grip tightened on his mug. "We can talk custody. But it's gotta be stable. No flaking."
Aiko winced. "I know I messed up. Leaving, the affair—everything. I was lost. But I'm better now. Therapy, new perspective. I want to be his mom again. Really be here."
Chris stayed quiet, but Haru felt his tension. This changed things—schedules, routines, maybe even their new normal.
Ichigo yawned mid-tower crash. Nap time. Haru took him to bed, Aiko following to tuck him in. Chris cleaned up blocks silently.
When they returned, Aiko lingered by the door. "I'll call next time. Promise. Can I come tomorrow? Take him to the zoo?"
Haru nodded slow. "Yeah. Text me times."
She hugged Ichigo's stuffed bear one last time—left on the couch—then left. The door clicked shut.
Silence.
Chris exhaled hard. "That was… intense."
Haru pulled him into a hug. "You good?"
Chris nodded against his chest. "Yeah. Just weird seeing her here. In our space."
Haru kissed his temple. "It's still ours."
The air crackled—relief, possessiveness, need to reclaim. Chris tilted up, lips finding Haru's soft at first, then urgent. Haru backed him against the wall, hands on hips, deepening the kiss. Tongues brushed hot, breaths quickening.
They stumbled to the bedroom, door shut firm. Shirts peeled off—Haru's button-up tossed, Chris's tee yanked away. Skin met warm, Haru's medium build pressing Chris's slimmer one to the mattress.
Mouths roamed—Haru kissing down Chris's neck, sucking slow marks that bloomed pink. Chris arched, fingers tangling in Haru's black hair, tugging to guide lower. Haru obliged, lips trailing chest, tongue flicking sensitive spots that drew gasps.
Pants undone, pushed down impatient. Bare now, bodies flush—sweat starting, heat building. Haru hovered, eyes locked on Chris's hazel ones, full of trust and want. Hands intertwined, Haru rocked slow, friction teasing through every slide.
Chris's leg hooked higher, rhythm deepening. Haru's free hand stroked firm, matching the grind—pleasure coiling tight. Whispers filled the room: Chris's breathy moans, Haru's low encouragements.
Climax built shared—Chris tensing first, release crashing with a muffled cry into Haru's shoulder. Haru followed, body shuddering, spilling hot as waves hit.
They collapsed tangled, breaths evening. Chris smiled against Haru's neck. "Needed that. Needed us."
Haru kissed him lazy. "Always us."
Afternoon brought Ichigo's wake-up—snacks, play. Aiko texted: Zoo tomorrow 10am? Haru agreed. Evening routine normal on surface—dinner, bath, stories. But Haru and Chris shared glances, bond tighter.
As Chris stayed over—Ichigo begging for "both read story"—Haru held him close in bed later.
"Whatever changes with Aiko," Haru murmured, "you're here. With us."
Chris nodded, fingers laced. "Wouldn't want anywhere else."
The past knocked again, but their present held strong.