Yuu couldn’t help but bounce in his seat as Mika turned into the run-down parking lot, car bumping over gravel as it came to a stop. “Yuu-chan, calm down… I’m excited too, but you have to settle!”
While his tone was stern, Mika was grinning softly and leaned over to kiss Yuu to relax him a little. “I’m just really fuckin happy, you know? I mean, we’ve been waiting for so long and now…”
“I know, Yuu-chan, this is going to be great for us. Are you ready?” He nodded and took a breath, trying to contain his enthusiasm. Today was the day they were going to adopt their child, after so many months of waiting and stacks of paperwork, they were finally allowed to take the child home. The orphanage had once been home to them both so it was no wonder they had chosen to come back, hand in hand as they walked through the door. The elderly woman at the front desk grinned at them, she was the one who had protected them so many years ago.
“Mikaela, Yuichirou… I’m so happy to see you.”
“We’re happy to be here, Yuu-chan was tempted to run the whole way over.” Yuu smiled sheepishly, running a hand through his ever wild hair.
“No surprise there, he’s always been such a little firecracker. You’ve mellowed him out, Mika.” The boys both laughed and shifted on their feet, the look in their eyes making it clear the gratitude they held toward this woman. She had advocated for the couple, helping them through the hoops they needed to adopt.
“Well, are you ready?” Yuu nodded quickly, bouncing on his toes as she grabbed a set of keys and lead them back to the main room. Children of all ages poked their heads up as the door opened, a glimmer of hope in their tired eyes.
“Only one, Yuu-chan, we cant take them all home.” Yuu pouted a little, Mika knew full well how much felt for those children. Despite the care the orphanage gave them, it still wasn’t a family, it wasn’t a real home.
“I know, I know…” They surveyed the room as the children settled back into their routines, some playing together, others coloring, a few curled up on some pillows to nap. One child was sitting alone in the corner, pretending he wasn’t glancing over at Yuu and Mika. His hair was dark but his eyes were a bright blue, a stuffed toy clutched tightly in his hands. “Who is he?” Mika asked, turning to the younger woman who was overseeing the children for the day.
“His name is Ethan, he’s been here since he was born, more or less. He’s five now, six in a few months. But-” Yuu didn’t stick around for more, making his way over and kneeling in front of Ethan.
“Hey, buddy!” He grinned, offering out a hand. Ethan just looked away nervously, Yuu noticing the bruises on his face and arms. Mika squatted by his side, whispering in Yuu’s ear.
“The other kids bully him a lot, he’s pretty shut in.” Yuu nodded, changing tactics. He felt something about this kid, an aura that the other children just didn’t have, he wasn’t about to give up on him.
“Hey, Ethan. My name is Yuu, and this is Mika. We wanted to meet you today, and maybe talk about being your new family.” Ethan lifted his eyes, biting his lip a little anxiously. But he didn’t shy away this time, brandishing his stuffed toy to the couple. It was clear that he didn’t trust easily, but Yuu and Mika took the time to get to know him, getting him to open up and even play a game. After an hour, Mika and Yuu shared a look and told Ethan they would be back in a second, smiling wide. The orphanage manager met them at the door, holding a file of records and paperwork.
“Can we adopt him? Please?” The look on Yuu’s face was almost desperate, like his chance was going to be taken away now that he had gotten attached to Ethan. But twenty minutes and some paperwork later, Yuu and Mika returned to the playroom. This time, Ethan came up to them, clutching his toy to his chest.
“Are we going to play more?”
“Well, we can. But… would you like to go home with us, Ethan? Would you like for us to be your family?” Ethan glanced around, as if wondering if someone was watching him, ready to tease him. But after a moment he grinned and nodded, rushing forward to hug them both around the legs.
“Yes honey, it is. Go get your things, okay? We’ll be right here when you get back, I promise.” Ethan rushed off and Yuu laughed, smiling fondly.
“He’s like you, Yuu-chan.”
“He’s like us both, back then,” Mika said softly, waiting anxiously for Ethan to return. When he did it was with a small bag on his back but his toy still in his hands. He looked up at Mika and Yuu and turned to glance back at the room for a moment before smiling.
“Do we leave now? Can we go home?” He said with the most eager of looks on his face, which mimicked Yuu’s own several hours before. Mika nodded and took Ethan’s hand, leading him outside. On the way, he waved goodbye to the orphanage manager, who grinned and wished them well. Already there was a car seat in Mika’s car, which took Ethan a couple minutes to operate.
“So, Ethan, we don’t have your room set up yet. We wanted you to choose everything, so that its how you want it, with your own toys and clothes. That okay?” Ethan grinned, clutching his stuffed toy close. The entire time, he hadn’t let go once, but Yuu only smiled. He was perfect, the child he and Mika had always dreamed of having. Mika kept glancing back in the rear-view mirror, smiling.
It was surreal, a child of their own, someone to share their life with, to raise and to love. He was all they could have ever wanted and more.
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