This was her favorite time of morning. When the house was quiet and no one was up but her...well, her and lately Papa now that Zori was moving in. She
didn't used to like being alone with her thoughts. In a house that felt like a prison, it was unsettling for the Bishop's Court house to be quiet.
Maybe because back then quiet gave her space to think about all of the things she'd let Shemar ruin for her and her kids. Here the quiet was peaceful.
She would sit in the kitchen, drink her morning coffee, and not think for the little bit of time before Zori woke up and joined her.
Fumie sipped from her mug as Papa rubbed against her leg begging for her attention. She giggled a bit, unfamiliar with this kind of affection from a
pet. Lindbergh wasn't like this. He only really took to Eri. "Wanna sneak a treat, Papa?" she teased him as she turned to the cabinet, her finger to
her lips as she shushed the already quiet dog and grabbed one of the peanut butter pumpkin flavored Buddy Biscuits. She tossed it his way and chuckled
quietly as he caught it midair. She might have done another one if she hadn't heard the sound of a car starting in her driveway. Someone else in this
house was "sneaking treats" and Fumie sighed at the idea of finally talking to him about it.
Koi and Devyn had been almost inseparable since Christmas. They were back up to their old ways again and seeing them together made it feel like
nothing had changed. That sentiment sounded nice on paper, but things had change. For sure they'd changed for Koi, but Fumie wasn't so much worried
about him in all of this. It was Devyn. Fumie saw who she was trying to become. She'd gotten to know her much better when the Kidd she spent the most
time with was Eri rather than Koi and Fumie saw Devyn. Really saw her. Young, ambitious, caring, smart. She was Fumie before Shemar, but she
was of course smarter because she'd chosen herself. Koi wasn't his father, but he put Devyn through some things in their short time together. Devyn
chose herself and Fumie finally felt like she got to meet her.
She wasn't herself with Koi. She had been that same girl from high school for the last week after she and Koi...shared a moment in her
fucking powder room and...Fumie didn't like it. Zori had been telling her to let them sort it out, but she felt like she had a responsibility to say
something. She knew what Devyn and her son had was...complicated, but they both needed time to figure out who they were on their own. Fumie knew it
and deep down, with all the work he'd done and the progress he'd made, she knew Koi knew it too.
Fumie snapped out of her thoughts, hearing the front door close as Koi made his way back inside...No time like the present right?
"Happy birthday, Sweets-," she heard his footsteps slow. He got in late last night. She knew he only wanted to go back to bed but, "Come let me love
you for a minute, baby."
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
"You miss me yet?" Koi whispered against Devyn's lips, pecking her there again. His arm wrapped tighter around her waist now that they were outside of
the house, pulling her closer to him. They'd been playing with fire when Koi got her to sleep over for his birthday, but it'd been worth it. He'd
woken up with Devyn in his arms...the best birthday gift. And even though he hated saying goodbye to her, they'd made plans to..."meet up" later.
Dinner and then maybe, dessert? He didn't really care what, he just wanted to be with her. Since their...time together in the guest bathroom
(he said what he said), he hadn't wanted to spend a lot of time away from her. He had her back. After all that time away from her, he finally
had her back. Well, he kind of had her back. Okay, so they hadn't really discussed it...at all. But, it didn't matter. They were "them" again.
"I hate saying 'goodbye' to you." He whispered, his lips moving to her forehead as she pushed away from him softly. He watched her walk in the
direction of her car, barely able to let her hand go. She giggled softly, as he let go. And he was still watching as she drove away.
His footsteps were light as he entered the house. He knew trying to be quiet was pointless. He'd smelled the coffee when he'd walked Devyn past the
kitchen and out the front door. His mom was up...
Happy birthday, Sweets-
Koi turned in the direction of Fumie's voice, his hands going to the pockets of his sweatpants as he padded into the kitchen. His eyes hesitantly met
her face and surprisingly, she was full on smile. Well, it wasn't really a surprise. She'd been way more laid back lately...still nosy, but more laid
back. It had something to do with Zori, of course. Lately, most of her happiness did. It wasn't all bad. Zori had been what she'd needed to get away
from his sperm donor...find herself. Finally be for real happy. Koi felt that, supported it even.
"Hey mommy..." He walked to her, pulling her into him as he wrapped her in a tight hug. He was sleepier than he was really letting on. The night
before had been a LONG night in the best way. But he always had time for is Moms.
"...thank you." He said, kissing her quickly on her cheek.
"Since you're up early, what you cookin'?" He chuckled, although he was sure that if she was cooking, he could definitely eat.
Her arms went around him as his enveloped her and Fumie smiled a little. Nineteen. She'd kept a human alive for 19 years. Sure, she hadn't done her
best work in all of those years, but he was still here. And still Koi. She chuckled a little as he let her go, kissing her cheek and asking what she
was cooking. Of course her little garbage disposal could eat.
"What abouttttt-" she put a finger to her lips pretending to think about it. Fumie knew what she would make before he even woke up this morning. She
was in no way Susie Homemaker. Fumie was much better in a boardroom than a kitchen and she had no illusions in that regard; but the one thing her
father made sure she knew how to do before she was 7 years old was make the perfect pancake. "Chocolate chip pancakes?" Since he was 3 years old, on
the rare occasion that she did cook, Koi only asked her for chocolate chip pancakes. Every childhood birthday, after winning big games, always
chocolate chip pancakes. And she wasn't going to disappoint this morning.
Fumie moved around the kitchen collecting the things she needed as he took a seat at the island. She let the quiet linger for just a second before,
"So how was the party last night?" She was going to take it slow. Despite all that had changed, she knew how Koi got when he felt like he was being
handled..like someone was telling him what to do. He was doubly defensive when it came to Devyn.
She listened to him talk about his birthday a little, her next question already on her lips, even though she knew the answer. "Sounds like fun,
baby...And who was that leaving just now? Did Dhonny stay over?"
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
Before his mother said it, Koi already knew what his mom was cooking for breakfast. Chocolate Chip Pancakes. Without a doubt. Every special
occasion, every win...hell, if he put his puppy eyes on right, his mom would make chocolate chip pancakes for him. That morning was no different. And
since he was three, his mother had continued the tradition. It's just...what she did. She would hold on to as much tradition as she could. In spite of
Shemar's constant attempts to fuck their lives up with his very existence, Fumie tried to keep some sort of normalcy in Koi and Eri's lives. Even when
shit was turning completely upside down. That had been her job for such a long time. But, it wasn't a job for her now. She didn't have to play that
role anymore. Shemar was gone. Koi's shit had cooled...for the most part. And she could just...be. Koi dug that. He dug the "new normal".
"That sounds good..." Koi smiled, taking a seat at the island. Zori's big ass dog, Papa, sniffed the floor around his chair, looking up at Koi
hopefully. Almost as if he knew that Koi's presence in the kitchen meant some type of food was about hit the table and in turn, find its way to Koi's
mouth. Papa...was a hater.
Koi pet the dog's massive head, his eyes returning to Fumie as she asked him about the night before. To be honest, there weren't many things that Koi
COULD tell his mother about the night before. He'd been sober through it all, of course. The night hadn't needed one drop of liquor for him to enjoy
it. Dhonny and Miyu had come into town for the celebration and they'd all gone to dinner and a burlesque show that night. "All" meaning him, his best
friends from high school, Minna...and Devyn. The food was amazing, the show was really good...and then Devyn and Koi came back to his Moms'
brownstone...and put on a show of their own. He was really going to need to clean up the feathers from his bed and his floor before his Mom saw his
room. Who knew burlesque could be so...inspirational?
"Uh...it was good." He said, scratching the side of his face to hide his secretive smile.
"We hit Kings. Had some dinner...caught a show. It was a good night." He told her a little more about the evening, leaving out the details of the "21
and over" parts. His mom nodded, smiling a little. Talking about how it sounded like "fun". Koi smirked to himself, remembering
highlights...especially the ones with Devyn in nothing but thigh highs and a feather boa she'd taken off of a husky voiced, burlesque performer who'd
seen them with their hands all over each other the entire show. You two kids are gonna have a swell night... Ha. They had...
"Wh-what?" Koi stuttered, his attention returning to his mother's voice and away from Devyn's arching back and breathy moans.
"Oh...uh, no. That...wasn't Dhonny." He'd admitted, going back to avoiding her eyes. He focused on Papa who was sitting near his feet. The dog huffed,
got up, and trotted away towards the stairs. Deserter.
Dinner, a show, a good night. Fumie was sure he was leaving out plenty that she didn't need to know anything about, but she was glad that he'd enjoyed
his birthday with his friends. She was glad that for the first time in half a decade, she hadn't had to fish he and Dhonny out of a police station
drunk tank this morning. Whatever he'd done, Koi had done it sober and that made her happy. For obvious reasons, sure, but she was also glad he was
finding joy in life without having to be...how did he put it? Elevated. She liked his new normal...even though there were remnants of his
"old normal" too.
Fumie smirked, her back turned to Koi as she retrieved a mixing bowl from the cabinet, listening to him admit that the person leaving wasn't Dhonny.
Of course it wasn't! She'd been a little aloof in the past few years, but she knew who was coming and going in her brownstone the same way she knew
who was coming and going in the last house. She did like that they were being honest with one another though. There was a time where her son would've
lied to her...she was sure he would wish he had.
"Yeah...-," Fumie sighed, turning to face him then. "Devyn's been over a lot lately, hasn't she...-," that wasn't a question. "Are you, um...don't you
think it's a little soon after everything for you all to be...trying again?" Truly she didn't even know if that was the right way to phrase it. She
wasn't sure what her son was doing with this girl and the truth was, they probably didn't know either. Fumie had been there for his weird and very
embarrassing "propology". Koi didn't always think out his choices with Devyn and Fumie feared that this was another time he was letting that happen.
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
When Koi heard his Moms sigh, he already knew what the situation was. Shit was about to start. Any time that Fumie had that look on
that face and that sound in her voice, it meant that all that time she'd spent being "concerned" about Koi (also known as motherly nosy) was
about to come to a real nasty head. That "head" was about to be a heart-to-heart, Koi could already hear it. Koi, what's going on? Koi, do you
think you're doing the right thing? Koi, when are you going to stop being a complete fuck up? Okay, so his Moms would never call him a fuck-up,
but every time she criticized him without knowing the situation, that screamed "fucking fuck-up" to him. That's what heard. Every fucking time.
"Yes, mom. She has..." Koi tried to keep the sharp edge out of his voice as he answered his mom's comment about Devyn being around "a lot lately".
Which meant since Christmas. Which meant since they...shit, since they had sex in her bathroom. Everybody, outside of Eri, pretty much knew now. Hell,
Eri might've known. He felt particularly guilty about that considering his kid sister shouldn't know about her brother's sex life. Zori'd basically
told him his fly was down when he and Devyn finally emerged from the bathroom. And after everyone but the family had left for the night, his Moms
completely flipped the fuck out and made him clean the damn bathroom like her name was Joan Crawford! Calling him all sorts of "nasty asses" and
"disgustings". Apparently sex with the family and guest in the house was frowned upon. Message received. Point was...his mom was letting him
know...VERY LOUDLY...that he and Devyn spending "time" wasn't something she approved of.
"...and I don't see what the problem is. You like Devyn." His eyebrow arched as her next question hit him. Really...
"Mom. Come on..." He shrugged, the exaggerated scowl on his face making her nose flare with a look that said "try again, son".
"...I mean...I don't know. It's been a year! That's enough time. We're happy."
And he was starting. She watched as Koi cut his eyes at her, confirming that Devyn had been around "a lot lately". She could hear the 'what the fuck
about it' he knew not to add as it would further stir up this conversation. Ugh. She didn't want to fight with him. Honestly, Fumie couldn't remember
the last time they'd gotten even into an argument...well...outside of Christmas night when she made him scrub her bathroom from top to bottom after he
fucked his little girlfriend in it. The disre-fucking-spect. But that was the shit she was talking about now.
Devyn wasn't herself when she was with Koi. He got her to make decision that Fumie knew she wouldn't usually make if it weren't Koi asking. She
remembered Devyn from her first Kidd's Kids Gala. A nervous wreck trying her damnedest to impress a woman that should have been begging for her
forgiveness after their initial meeting. Devyn was a good girl. Really, she was...which was why Fumie worried.
"Koi, we don't need the attitude. I'm not trying to fight with you, sweets. I do like Devyn. I think she's great, but, it's just...-," he cut her off.
The 'come on' he offered wearing her patience thin. Fumie was sure the glare she gave back told him to clean it up and she listened as he did.
It's been a year...We're happy. Oh brother.
"Sweetheart, it's been eight and a half months since you proposed. And neither of you were happy then." A bit harsh? Maybe, but it was true and she
was trying to stop him from making a big mistake. Rushing back into things with Devyn was going to bad for the both of them and they had already been
through enough.
"I'm not trying to upset you on your birthday baby, I just think you two have growing to do without each other."
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
Hm. Koi couldn't help but think about how funny it was that he had attitude, yet his Moms was the one who was pressing the issue that was
causing it. And she was doing it on his birthday after a night that even thought it was as good as it was long, he still hadn't rested up from. He was
tired. He was over it. He was starting to think that his mom was giving him an "uncomfortable ass conversation" as a birthday present. Because the
thought of it...the subject of he and Devyn...that shit was uncomfortable. Which was weird because things had been amazing with them for the past
couple of weeks. They were them again. The real them. Not the them they'd tried to be for the past year because of everything that'd happened
senior year. They were back to that short period before everything went to shit. They were good. The sex was better. But...Koi couldn't help feeling
like...fuck. He didn't know. And he didn't want his mother forcing him to try and figure it out either.
"Mom...okay." He huffed, taking a breath as he listened to his Moms talk about Devyn. How great she was. But there was a hesitance there. Almost like
there was something else that she wasn't saying. And what the hell would that be? Because as far as Koi was concerned, being back in his life was the
only thing that really mattered. Right?
...it's been eight months since you proposed...neither of you were happy then.
The fuck? Koi's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing dangerously at his mother. He could see from the look on her face. She knew it. She'd gone
entirely the fuck too far. The proposal? That's what she thought she would bring up on his birthday? His inability to love her enough to be better for
her. His stupid attempt at making her happy with his meaningless words in front of her family and friends. Embarrassing her. Confusing her. Losing
her. All of it, not a near distant enough memory in his mind. Sure, he could talk about it with Devyn. He owed that to her and it was
their issue. But talking about it with his mother? It wasn't her business...and it wasn't her place. Not this.
Shaking his head, he scoffed at her words. Not trying to upset him? Did it. Giving advice he didn't ask for. Doing it.
"Just...mom! Stop! Damn!" His voice rose above hers as he stood, drowning out his mother's fucked up idea that he and Devyn needed to keep doing life
without each other.
"That you would even say that screams that you don't know what you're talking about! Let us do us!" Koi could tell he was going overboard, but he
literally couldn't stop himself from talking. Not even as he heard heavy footsteps coming down the stairs.
"Lower your voice, Koi." A baritone voice broke into the argument, a heavy hand resting on his shoulders. They were heaving and Koi hadn't even known
they were. The hand pulled him back gently, directing him to the barstool where he'd been sitting before. Zori. His face was concerned, but
there was something else there...his eyes shifting to Fumie as he stood between them. Something almost...protective.
"Alright...what's goin' on?" Zori asked, his attention going back to Koi.
So maybe she'd been a little more than "a bit" harsh. Koi certainly thought so and was telling her just that right now. Fumie tried to clean up
bringing in the proposal, but it was too late and still too sore a spot. She saw the shift in him from annoyed to angry and knew what was coming next.
The yelling. Defiance. Telling her she didn't know what she was talking about...but she did. Koi just didn't want to hear it. She was making too much
sense and asking too many of the right questions. He didn't want to think about it and that's when he made bad decisions.
So she let him go off. Putting down the spoon she was holding so she didn't act on the urge to smack him with it. She let him fume ending his tirade
in a "let us do us!". She was sure he had more to say, but Zori had found his way to the argument and asked him to lower his voice. Fumie sighed,
bracing herself on the other side of the island as she watched Zori direct Koi to a seat. He had that way about him with everyone. Even Koi in his
irrationality. It was hopeless for her to try talking sense into her son, but maybe Zori would have more luck.
She offered a small smile when his eyes fell on her. There was worry there. Not necessarily with Koi, but for Fumie. Despite his stoic demeanor, Zori
cared. And he tried with Koi especially because he knew he needed it. It was a another thing to love about Zo. He of course cared about her kids
because he cared about Fumie, but Zori genuinely wanted the best for them as people. Which was why he'd advised against this right now. He'd told her
not to do this with Koi, to let him figure out this thing with Devyn...and she didn't listen, like she usually didn't when it came to the kids.
But he was opening the door to help with it. Zori always had her back, whether he agreed or not. She might hear more about it later, but for now...
"Maybe you'll have more luck than I did."
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
When Zori woke up that morning, he couldn't say that he expected the scene playing out in front of him. Fumie standing at the stove, her hands
clenched by her sides. Koi's voice, angry and defensive. He'd expected their typical morning, routine that they'd formed way before this week. Before
he'd begun the process of moving his things from his home at Hibiscus Hill to here...his home with Fumie, Eri, and Koi. Fumie was always up before
everyone scooting from under his arm for her morning coffee...and, lately, the chance to sneak Papa a couple of treats that weren't on his diet plan.
Then he was up, his morning meditation and quick run followed. That morning, Zori was pretty sure he wasn't going on that run.
"...talk to me, Koi." Zori spoke louder, Koi's eyes moving from a blank between where he and Fumie stood and he looked straight at Zori. His eyes were
angry, but rational. He was pissed, but he wasn't stupid. The raised voices had him on alert, his memories of raised voices around Fumie making him
more on edge than he liked. But the truth was the truth. Koi wasn't his damn daddy, no matter how much he'd thought he was in the past. And it was
important that Zori remembered that too, no matter how protective of Fumie he'd become.
"Look..." Zori started, rubbing his face. His fingers scratched at his beard as he took a breath, letting calm wash over him. Steadying himself for
the situation at hand. He angled his body, focusing on Koi before he started to speak again.
"...I know this ain't my fight. I get it." He spoke calmly, his words just for Koi.
"I'm not trying to take sides, Koi." And he wasn't. He was protective of Fumie. His first nature was to shield her. And whether Koi understood it or
not, Fumie was a packaged deal. That went for Koi and Eri as well. After everything that had happened the past year, Zori's first instinct was his
family's survival. Koi was his family. And if settling whatever this disagreement was got him closer to his goal of keeping his family well, that was
direction he was going. He loved them. More than he'd loved anything outside of his Momma. That meant whatever the situation, whatever the issue...it
became Zori's.
"So, talk to me...c'mon." Zori urged again, hand coming to Koi's shoulder again. He squeezed him there, jostling him gently.
"Man..." Koi started, a sigh breaking the silence.
"...so, Devyn slept over last night..." Lovely
"The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."
...talk to me, Koi. Just that little bit was more than Koi's sperm donor had ever asked for. In fact, as the years went on, Shemar had
actually asked the exact opposite of his son more and more. Not that Koi wanted to talk to him after a point. She liked that he had this now. Fumie
liked that Zori wanted to know what was going on with her son. That he could take Koi's side and hers at the same time. Because Zori wasn't asking
Fumie to tell him what was going on. He was asking Koi. He didn't want to place blame in an argument; he just wanted resolution.
Although later Zo would certainly talk to her about why this argument was happening in the first place. He told her Koi had to learn this lesson
himself. This wasn't the first time she'd wanted to ask Koi about he and Devyn. Especially not after their very obvious tryst in her powder room (she
might still be mad about that), but Zori had advised against it every time. She understood his reasoning, but they just had different methods of
parenting. It wasn't Fumie's nature to let what could be fixed continue to go broken. Especially now that the main cause of her family's brokenness
was gone. Koi had been through enough and he cared deeply for Devyn. She just didn't want him getting his heart broken again when things inevitably
went left.
She gave Koi the space to offer his understanding of what Fumie was saying. Devyn had slept over and Fumie had chosen his birthday to tell
him she had a problem with Devyn and Koi being together. Fumie sighed, rolling her neck as she ran a hand through her hair. That wasn't it.
"Koi, sweetheart, I don't have a problem with you and Devyn being together. I just think there's more for the two of you to think about than how you
feel about one another right now." That was all. Koi had plenty to deal with without adding "keeping Devyn happy" to the mix. School, the season had
started, therapy, AA, and she didn't even want to think about him starting his pledge process when the semester began (something she actually
didn't approve of). Not to mention the things she was sure Devyn had going on.
"I'm not going to pretend to know it all when it comes to you and Devyn, but I will say, from just what I can see, I don't like the two of you having
sex, especially in my house because it clouds your judgement, baby. And hers. Tell me, where did Devyn lie and say she stayed last night? She
certainly can't tell Athena she was here without consequences." That was the point. Fumie just wanted her son and the girl he loved (because he did
love her, she knew that), to be together without consequence. They weren't there yet. Why wouldn't he acknowledge that? She knew he saw it.
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
Zori had fucking entered the chat... Koi couldn't lie. At that moment? He wasn't necessarily excited about Zori's presence in the kitchen.
Any other time, Zori was more than welcome. He was the homie. More than that, he was the only father figure Koi had now that his actual "father" (his
number was saved as 'sperm donor') had fucking disappeared off the face of the earth after the divorce was finalized. It didn't take Shemar two
seconds to "get the fuck" and leave his family to someone that wanted the job more. Someone that didn't owe Koi and his family shit...but gave them
everything he had. Koi got it. He loved Zori. But what he didn't love? Being ganged up on ON HIS FUCKING BIRTHDAY. Which he felt was the move...until
he started listening to Zori. Okay, so he wanted to know what was going on? Gladly.
Devyn slept over. Koi sucked his teeth, his eyes catching the barely noticeable shift in Zori's face. Eyebrows started to raise before he
caught them. His eyes went downcast for a second before he blinked and the returned to Koi's. His nose flared before he could stop it. And Koi knew
without having to hear him say it...Zori was disappointed. Whatever. So was his Moms. And even though Koi hated to see the look...that look
on Zori's face, he loved seeing Devyn's even more. He loved seeing her smile at him again. He loved seeing her smiling face when it was just the two
of them and his was the reason for her laugh. He loved seeing her bite her lip underneath him when they were together, her moans filling him with more
than just lust. But with hope. With hope that the time they spent pretending they were over. That they could just BE together.
But that wasn't enough, right? According to his Moms, there were "more things" besides he and Devyn. More things like everything he was already
fucking doing? School, basketball, pledging, being fucking sober? Repeat, all of this shit he was doing without drugs or liquor. And there was more?
He could barely keep the shit together that he had kept together...and he was trying to do it without Devyn. Well, the last couple of days told him he
didn't have to anymore.
Koi couldn't stop his eyes from rolling as his mother kept talking, laying down all of the shit that he'd done wrong in this situation. Sex with
Devyn. Sex with Devyn in his Moms' house (okay, so he can admit he was super fucked for that). Making Devyn lie. Knowing that Devyn's aunt, Athena,
hated him and forcing Devyn to do the shit he'd forced her to do anyway.
"Okay, so...what you're saying this is everything is my fault. Got it. Thanks." He shrugged, ignoring his mother's exasperated sigh.
"Koi, that's definitely not what your Mom said." Zori spoke up, his voice the stillness in the middle of the storm.
She was trying to be clear. She was thinking her words out so carefully and choosing which ones to say in the hopes of NOT further upsetting him. And
it was worth shit because it wasn't working. In all of the things she had said, in everything she had asked him to consider, all Koi had heard was
blame. He heard her saying "everything wrong is your fault". And it was crazy because she wasn't saying anything was wrong! Should Devyn be over here
sleeping with her ex? No. Should her son be over here fucking in her gotdamn guest bath-...that wasn't the point. The point was, Koi and Devyn needed
to take some time to figure out who they were without one another. That was what she was trying to get at. That was no one's fault, it was
just...life.
Life. Something she had never let her son understand without her help. That was her problem...or at least that what Zori said it was. She wouldn't let
Koi do without her meddling. Without Fumie fixing. She heard him, but...she really couldn't help herself. It's who she was. It was who she hadn't been
for far too long. But maybe she was too late. Maybe she couldn't be the mother she wanted to be to Koi now and she'd missed her window.
"You know what-," she broke in before Zori could better explain what she was trying to say. "Maybe I should just say less. Whatever I say is
obviously going to be the wrong thing. Zo, please talk to this boy. I pray your patience." Oh, God because if she prayed for strength...
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
For the first time in a long time, Zori found himself a little speechless. And not his normal, stoic silence. Completely wordless. Because he could
admit he was a little out of his element. Yeah, he'd had to give advice to the kids that trained at the gym. A little relationship, a lot of "after
high school" talk...and a whole lot of "family". When it came to teenage drama and what it meant those days, Zori had gotten to the place where there
wasn't a discussion he couldn't have. Except the one he was in the middle of now. Because this time, he wasn't degrees removed. This was his family.
Their situation. He couldn't give advice and be done with it because whatever he said affected him as well. The past eight months had him
understanding parenting in a way he never had before. And he couldn't lie about the fact that it scared him. Every time he met a challenge with Koi,
had to be responsible for Eri...he felt the weight of that responsibility. Did he run from it? Hell no, because when he met Fumie...when he fell in
love with her, he knew that she came with extras. Two talented, amazing ass challenges that he'd have given everything for...done anything for. That's
why even though he wasn't excited about what he had to say to Koi, he'd do it anyway.
"Alright...okay, Fumie." Zori reached out for her, the irritation apparent as he massaged her right shoulder quickly. He hated how wound up she was
as she cooked, wielding that spatula like a knife. Zori kissed the side of her head and went to the bar where Koi was sitting, scooting out the
barstool and sitting beside him. He sat there silently for a moment, letting the Koi cool down...relatively speaking. Because eventually he went from
seething to slightly upset, his shoulders relaxing. Nose unflared.
"Tell me what you want, then." Zori said simply, looking at the side of Koi's face. Without waiting for him to respond, he kept talking.
"What do you want? With this situation between you and Devyn? How do you want all of this to turn out with her?" He asked again, watching Koi slowly
look at him. And even though he'd learned the boy that'd become a son to him in such a short time, he couldn't read the answer that came out of him.
"The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."
Sometimes she felt bad about what she asked of Zori. He wasn't her kids' father. None of this was his responsibility, but...he was here. He wanted to
be here with them and he wanted to be here for them. She'd gotten lucky. At her age, with her baggage? She should have been alone for the
rest of her time on this planet. She should have been raising Koi and Eri on her own, butting in where she had no business with her grandchildren (Koi
and Devyn's kids were probably going to make an appearance sooner than she hoped), and making sure everyone had what they needed to thrive. She
probably should have...but she wasn't alone. She had Zori.
And she was ever grateful for the way he handled Koi. As her baby tried to navigate life post-suicide attempt, Zori had been the Mr. Miyagi to his
Karate Kid. This wasn't the first time Zori had been the one to break through and talk sense into this boy and Fumie was sure it wouldn't be the last.
Zori just...he was what Koi needed. She had learned not to take Koi's rejection personally. It was a dynamic she was responsible for creating with her
son and she'd come to expect an argument whenever she had to say something he wouldn't like. Zori on the other hand, he would listen to.
Zori offered the fatherly guidance he'd never gotten. Despite hating his actual father, he still needed someone to fill that void. It was something
he'd always longed for. Koi probably would never say that out loud, but Fumie knew her son. He wasn't the fuck up he kept accusing her of calling him.
He was just a sad kid without the right guidance...well he was.
What do you want in this situation between you and Devyn? Now he had Zori to ask the right questions.
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
Tell me what you want. What the hell kind of question...What did Zori think they were doing right now? Bonding? Shit, he'd been so deep in
the argument with his Moms, Zori's question caught him off guard...confused him a little. Because no one asked him what he wanted when it came to his
future with Devyn. They told him what he should do. His mother wanted he and Devyn to wait. Devyn had wanted a relationship, and then after the
overwhelming year she'd had with him, wanted space to figure their shit out...which she was totally owed. But him? He almost didn't know how to answer
the question. What was he supposed to say? All he'd wanted for almost a year was what he had now. Devyn back with him. The shit that he'd done to her,
forgiven. Well, shit was forgiven and Devyn was back...right? That's what he was telling himself. And now that they were back to them...?
"I want..." Koi rubbed his hand through his curls, looking at his Moms cooking at the stove. He knew she was listening, even if she was trying hard
not to show it. She cared a lot. Too much. So much that she would get into a fucking argument on her son's birthday to figure out his
craziness...because she loved him. He knew that. No question about it. And Koi knew...that Devyn would be the same way. She'd probably be a little bit
more laid back, but loving her kids enough that she'd move hell to protect them? That was all her. And immediately, Koi knew the answer...
"...I wanna spend the rest of my life with her." He answered, smiling even though the answer scared him a little.
"I want be with her. Because at the end of everything...it's gonna be her. I already know it." He looked at Zori again, nodding his head as he spoke.
He met Zori's eyes, unblinking. He wanted him to know that despite everything...he meant what he said. He'd known it before he lost her even if he
couldn't say it to himself. But losing her and nearly losing himself had him ready to say the scary shit that he'd only thought and never
expressed.
She had never asked him that. In all of the drama and the discord between he and Devyn, Fumie had never asked Koi what it all was for. She
hadn't...she just hadn't considered it. To be honest, although she would never EVER say so out loud, Koi was still his father's son. He held more
tendencies relative to Shemar than either of them would like to admit and she knew just how fleeting what Koi wanted could be. Sure, he loved Devyn
now, but would he in a month? A year? Five? She didn't know. She didn't know and it scared her that he wasn't willing to think that far out to know
for himself either...at least it seemed that way.
But maybe she hadn't given him enough credit. Her hand slowed, the rubber whisk in a bowl of batter coming to an almost complete stop as her attention
turned to his answer, a lingering I want... leaving her in suspense. He was thinking about it. Fumie could feel his eyes on her, her
eavesdropping discovered, sparking action in her again as she poured the batter into a perfect circle on the stovetop griddle. I want to spend the
rest of my life with her. Fumie smiled, willing every molecule in her body not to turn her around to look at her son. But she didn't have to look
to know. He meant that.
Koi only spoke with that much conviction about one thing and it was basketball. He had loved the game since he was old enough to crawl to his ball and
his commitment to that hadn't waivered. Through the drama with his parents, the drugs, the drinking, the partying, whatever, when it was time
to get serious about his game he did what he had to do. Koi was guaranteed to the league and not because he was "Shemar Kidd's son" but because he
worked and he earned that shit. To hear that passion in his voice when he talked about Devyn...someone he wasn't guaranteed...Fumie was proud of him
and she was happy that he'd found who he thought was his partner in life...But she was more scared for him now than when she started all of this.
That was what Koi wanted...what did Devyn want?
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
Zori most definitely had to hide the smile that was attempting to break on his lips at everything that Koi had just told him. First of all,
dad. Second of all, it'd been awhile since he and Koi had had a discussion about the future. When they did, they talked about basketball,
school, and yes, his relationship with Devyn. But in all that time, Zori was sure that he'd never heard Koi talk about Devyn like this. With the
future in mind. And with so much resolve in his voice. It was new...and Zori was oddly proud of him for it. Proud that even as young as he was, Koi
wasn't running from something that would've scared the shit out of a nineteen year old Zori if it'd been him facing that truth. The truth that he'd
found the woman he wanted forever. Zori believed in timing. He believed everything synced for a reason. And in that place, he knew that shit had lined
up to place he and Fumie together. If it'd been any other time and any other place, he wouldn't have been ready for her. He wouldn't be with her. He
wouldn't have this family...this "now". And he felt the same thing for Koi. This was his "now". Everything he felt for Devyn was now and it didn't
need to take years for him to see it. The only thing that made him waiver was wondering...if Devyn felt the same way.
"Okay. I hear you...and I'm proud of you." He patted Koi on his shoulder, his smile wavering as soon as it showed up. As happy as he was for Koi,
reality was what it was. The truth was what it was, as well.
"But, what about Devyn, Koi?" That was reality. The understanding that just because one person felt a way, that the other person didn't or wouldn't
necessarily return the feeling. Devyn quickly came to mind. It wasn't that Zori didn't see the love she had for Koi. That would be a lie. She loved
him more than she could possibly understand. But in the past year, that love had been stretched to the limits. What that limit was, Zori wouldn't
know. That limit would only be determined by the two people that would set it. And Zori meant "two". Koi AND Devyn.
"What does she think? How does she feel? Do you know...have you even asked?"
"The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."
Fumie had really found her better half. She thought about what this conversation might look like if Shemar had been the one having it with his son
instead of Zori and...she honestly couldn't picture it. He certainly wouldn't be asking Koi what he wanted. Especially, not concerning Devyn.
Zori wasn't Shemar, obviously. And he wasn't Fumie. While she'd had the same thought Zo was expressing now, asking Koi what Devyn thought would have
been a fight. She knew that without even asking because he was quiet now. Fumie turned to look at him then, trying her hardest to keep the sympathy
out her eyes.
With just the few words Zori'd offered, Koi's confidence faltered. He hesitated, his brow furrowing as he broke eye contact with Zori. Fumie didn't
think it was because he didn't know what Devyn wanted. If she had to guess, Devyn at one point had wanted to do the rest of forever with him too.
Now...forever might have been a long time for her. And they'd come full circle. Somehow, in a way that Koi could understand, Zori had asked what Fumie
had asked to start this whole thing. What were the two of them doing? "Two" being Koi AND Devyn. They weren't going to find out now, Dhonny padding
into the kitchen in the brief moment of quiet contemplation.
"Morning, y'all! Pancakes done?"
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
Fumie sighed again, as she put the last breakfast dish in the dishwasher and turned it on. Koi and Dhonny had disappeared back upstairs (surely for
more sleep) and Zori was finally able to go on his morning run, albeit a bit late. He'd stopped to help Fumie...with some drama he'd asked her not to
start. Zo knew now though that it was just her nature right? Koi was going down a path that was only going to end up hurting him and she was tired of
watching him hurt. She was trying to help, despite Zo's insistence that Koi needed to figure it out for himself.
It was a moot subject once Dhonny entered the room. Things were obviously tense for all of two seconds, then Dhonny did what Dhonny does and "cleansed
their auras" or whatever he would say. Dhonny was Koi's most quality friend. Hell, he might've been Koi's only friend outside of the roommate she knew
almost nothing about. Dhonny was Koi's voice of reason (when it counted) in high school. Fumie thought that since The Sanctuary Koi was learning to be
his own voice of reason, but...Devyn. Devyn made her son throw caution to the wind and it - Papa nudged her leg, pulling her out of her newest bout of
worrying. He whined a little and Fumie knew what that meant. She giggled a little.
"Your daddy is going to be mad at us if I give you another treat, Papa-," the dog whined again, his head tilting as if he was confused. He knew what
Fumie was saying...but he was cute when he was begging. Fumie conceded, rolling her eyes as she made her way to the cabinet, "Fine, but just one." She
giggled, watching Papa's tail wag in anticipation. She's gotten the biscuit out of the box and was waving it over him when she heard his
voice. She smiled at the sound of his baritone, attempting and failing to hide her hand behind her back as she turned to face him.
"Hi, baby! How was your run?" Before he could answer Papa, jumped up behind her, taking the treat in his mouth before trotting out of the kitchen
triumphant. Fumie looked at Zori expectantly, biting her lip.
"Busted, huh?"
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
Zori stepped on the backs of his shoes, pulling his socked feet out of them before he crossed the threshold of the brownstone. Not that Fumie cared,
but Zori hated tracking outside into their home. Their home... Even though it'd only been a firm week since he'd actually gotten the last of
his things in the home he now shared with Fumie and the kids, it still felt...a bit like a dream, he guessed. Not that corny, 1970's crooning R&B,
"fantasy" type of dreaming, but the kind of dream that happened and you had to check yourself to make sure you were awake. It'd seemed like just
yesterday that he and Fumie met, were fighting falling for each other...which they ended up gladly losing at...and now they were here. Him pulling of
his ratty running shoes that she'd threatened more than once to throw away when he wasn't looking...and stepping the home they shared.
He closed the door the the outside sounds and the fresh air he'd gladly greeted after the conversation he'd just had with Fumie and Koi earlier. A
conversation that was on the brink of an argument. Koi and his momma weren't meeting eye to eye, which wasn't nothing out of the usual considering Koi
was a teenager and Fumie was as headstrong as she was beautiful (also known as something that he'd never say in front of her). But this time, it was a
bit more heated than Zori had seen it get in awhile. Koi and Devyn had been spending a lot of...close time together and understandably, Fumie
wasn't having it. Zori didn't necessarily think it was the best idea either. One, because Koi and Devyn wasn't supposed to be a "thing" right now.
Sure they'd get back to it when the time was better for the both of them, but that for sure wasn't now. And two? Because Zori loved Devyn like his own
daughter...but there was just...something about her. He prided himself on being a man that saw deeper than surface. His Momma, who was a
superstitious as she was saved, said it was the "sight"...whatever the hell that New Orleans, mumbo jumbo shit was. But he knew it was just his
ability to read a person deeper than what the showed him. And he felt it. There was more to Devyn than Koi knew...than he really tried to see. And
laying next to her wasn't going to prepare him for when he finally saw it.
"Baby..." Zori spoke softly on his way to the kitchen, his sock feet padding against the hardwood floors. Now that the argument was over and done,
maybe they could get back to their morning routine. He'd make some tea, maybe some breakfast. They'd talk...and now that they boys were sleep
again...maybe they could have a little "adult" time together. Something that didn't involve the kids...or clothes...
"Babe...you want some..." Zori was about to say "breakfast" when he entered the kitchen, a silent "wow" falling from his lips at the betrayal he was
seeing. Fumie...feeding his damn dog...again.
"What part of the word 'diet' are you not getting, Sachi...?" Zori, chuckled in disbelief as she tried to hide the biscuit she was feeding Papa behind
her back...which, he smartly (bad ass) nipped out of her hand and trotted into the next room. Zori watched him leave, his eyes returning to Fumie's, a
smirk playing on his lips.
"Yeah, very busted..." He walked to Fumie, his arms going around her waist, pulling her into his sweaty chest and damp A-shirt. He lowered his head to
her neck, kissing at her playfully as she tried to push away from him.
"The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."
She was caught. Fumie smiled as innocently as possible, whirling to face Zori with her hand behind her back as he asked why she was again
violating Papa's diet. Well she hadn't done it yet...until Papa took the choice from her, stealing his treat and leaving her to face the consequences
alone. Deserter. Good thing for her, Zo had a soft spot when it came to disciplining her...it was probably part of the reason she never
listened now. But hey, who knew? Maybe today he'd give her a spanking.
He chuckled as he approached her, pulling her body into his as his lips found her neck. Any other time Fumie might have been more receptive, but he
was sweaty and gross right now! "Zo, nooo-," she whined playfully, unable to contain her giggle as she gave a little struggle against his hold.
"You're all sweaty, stop!" Her words said one thing, but her lips said another as she rose on her toes to kiss him. Her tongue slipped between them
and she felt his hands slip lower on her waist. Zori wasn't gone long, but she missed him. She always did...and she maybe owed him an
apology.
Fumie broke their kiss, smiling up at him as she responded to his half question from earlier. "And yes, I could do breakfast-," she knew what he was
asking. They had a routine. Even before asking him to move in here, Zori was around more often than he wasn't. Their awkward, learning one another's
habits phase was long gone...honestly, she wasn't even sure that they'd had it. She and Zori just kind of clicked. Like they were meant to be
together.
The two of them broke apart and Zo went to preparing breakfast while Fumie pulled out a kettle for tea. "Hey babe...Thank you for earlier." She knew
he knew what she was talking about. She filled the kettle as she clarified, "Koi loves you." Koi needed him. He knew both of those things,
but she was sure it was still nice to hear.
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
Even though he fought against the smile creeping on his lips under their kiss, Zori loved when Fumie was like this. Playful. Absolutely
naughty. He could feel it in her kiss, her tongue touching his, his hands moving beyond her waist...holding her in a way he probably shouldn't
have been with their son and his best friend sleeping upstairs. But this Fumie was his favorite. Not like he didn't love the others, as well.
"Businesswoman", "Mom", "Best Friend" Those were just a few and they were amazing women. But this one? This was the Fumie that made his knees
weak and his heart skip a beat. Even as Fumie pulled out of their kiss, agreeing to what would be their second breakfast (Koi and Dhonny demolished
the first), he felt his lips follow hers, looking down at them like they were a too short drink of water on a too hot day.
"Then let's do breakfast..." He muttered, his hands moving back to her hips as he pulled her to him. His kiss met her forehead as the hesitated to
separate, moving into the routine that they'd built together. Her, getting down his tea kettle and the Red Blend tea from the tea shop on the
Boardwalk. Him, getting the ingredients for omelets out of the fridge...and quietly enjoying the view of Fumie reaching on the top shelf of their
cabinets.
"...especially since Koi ate the last two pancakes before he knocked out again..." Chuckling, he mixed the freshly cracked eggs with the diced
tomatoes, onions, and peppers that Ipo kept in the fridge...mostly because she knew about he and Fumie's morning routine as well. And because she'd
taken a liking to Zori, a fact that Fumie wouldn't stop teasing him about.
A quiet settled over the kitchen, the sounds of Fumie filling the kettle and Zori whisking in the mixing bowl filling the space. That was when they
were the most in sync. Doing what Koi called their "freaky ass silent" conversations. But to Zori, it was just...them. They'd always vibbed that way.
One look, a smile...her body movements. His back brushing against hers as they passed each other on the way to their destinations. It was a dance,
with two partners that moved like they were one.
Hey babe... Zori looked up from the stove, turning down the heat down on the tea that Fumie'd just placed on the eye...she liked to brew the
tea a little quicker that Zori did. In a lot of ways, Fumie was about results. She knew what she wanted to see and she worked towards it tirelessly.
That included her relationship with him, as well. And he that was something that he really loved about her...more often than not. But
sometimes...especially when it came to her children, Fumie could...push. Sometimes a little harder than Zori felt she should...
"Of course..." He said softly, ladling the egg into the omelet skillet. She didn't have to thank him for that. Not for talking to a boy he loved like
his own son. Not for instructing that boy along his journey into manhood. And definitely not for being the father that both he and Koi had been denied
by no doing of their own.
"I love him..." Zori answered her quickly, pausing to lower the flame on her omelet, looking over his shoulder as he said his next words.
"...he loves you, too." He muttered, smiling at her.
"The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."
This was her second favorite version of them. When the two of them didn't speak, but they were still connected in their actions, in their movements,
in their goals. Fumie smiled thinking about her children seeing it in action. Koi was weirded out by them. That two people could exist in silence near
one another was an anomaly to him. Eri on the other hand didn't find it strange at all. In fact, she and Zori sometimes did their own version of this.
Fumie first noticed when they were moving in. Eri had asked for help hanging some things in her room. She refused to let the decorators in, but Zori
was a different story. They moved back and forth from wall to wall for a little over an hour without a word and somehow it was just
right. Being with Zori was like that though. Pretty much all of what he did was right.
Especially when it came to the kids. Fumie thanked him for talking to Koi this morning when she just...couldn't get it right. Not that she ever did.
She smiled as he offered a nonchalant 'of course' followed by a verbal confirmation of what Fumie already knew to be true. I love him. Of
course that was his reply. Of course Zori loved her son like a father would. Like Koi's own father didn't. Fumie watched Zo as he lowered the heat on
the omelets, a small smile on her lips.
...he loves you, too. Fumie scoffed then, her eyes rolling, "Debatable-," she chuckled a little then, leaning against the counter next to
him. Her lips pressed against his shoulder quickly as she weaved a hand around his waist, pulling herself into him.
"You know I couldn't help it right?" She looked up at him, her gaze innocent even though she knew her actions this morning had been anything but. "You
know I can't let him make this same mess with Devyn...again."
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
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