Flashback Family of Half-Men (Part 1)

[Nadeshiko]

15TH OF SUMMER 491 AV NADEKO'S HOUSE IN THE EASTERN QUARTER Nadeko's hulking frame restlessly shifted about in his chair. In front of him, the dining table offered a modest meal: dried fruits, warm bread, and fresh milk. His eyes targeted a plate full of hot muffins, enviously watching the generous slabs of melting butter. Shiro, his male partner, who was more a wife than a lover, had prepared the special breakfast. It was by no means luxurious but it was a celebration nonetheless. The unfortunate thing was that the birthday girl was missing. Shiro had just appeared from the bath, his waist-long straight blonde hair dampening his fresh tunic. He smiled at Nadeko and said, “I don’t think they would take long. It’s unbecoming of Konan to be late.” Nadeko balled his fists and toyed with his fingers. He didn’t like waiting, and hunger was knocking on his stomach. His voice resonated deeply as he complained. “I don’t see why we have to wait for the little man to arrive.” That was how they called their Nadeshiko. Little man. “It’s her birthday, and you haven’t been waiting for more than three chimes.” By contrast, Shiro was soft spoken and demure. He filled in the roles that Nadeko couldn’t put in his basket. Bushy brows wiggled, “You know why I’m anxious…” He left the rest of the sentence trailing. “I have an inkling. But I wouldn’t know for certain unless you tell me.” Shiro nodded and slided himself into the opposite chair. He extended his hands, and slender fingers met rough and calloused hands. “I am not sure if we did the right thing,” Nadeko began, "I'm not even sure if it's time already." It was vague, but Shiro knew Nadeko better. "It is very unlike you to dwell on petty emotions. Konan might have been an exact copy of your later wife. And he might have enjoyed playing dress-up, but it would be wrong to keep up this charade. I am proud of you for respecting his decision to end his disguise." Shiro had a level stare and spoke coolly, "It's high time for him to stop acting the mother. I can fill in that role for Nadeshiko you know." Before Nadeko's eyes betrayed his feelings, he poured his anger towards breakfast. "Petch but why are they taking so long? The bread is getting warm. The milk might stale." A sigh that sounded like a half-croak escaped his dry lips. And the other said what he could not, "Will she be angry? How would she react to this news? And on the day of her birthday too!" His soft hands grasped Nadeko's tightly and chided, "Didn't think this far ahead when you asked Konan to substitute for Heredia?" Nadeko threw a unibrow at Shiro, they never really say her name anymore. Shiro held Nadeko's hands tightly to reassure the Jamouraish man. "It is better to raise a child in the light than to have her believe in lies. We all knew, when we all agreed to the scam, that we will have to tell her one day and we will have to pay for our sins. Let us expect the best and atone for the worst." Shiro raised Nadeko's hands and met the man's knucle with thin supple lips. And then let go. "What you need to worry about is how to tell her about us." There was a hard tone to Shiro's voice that caught Nadeko off-guard. "What about us?" Shiro answered with a raised brow and pouting lips. "Do you really want those muffins or not?" Quickly, "Yes. I will tell the little man about us. That is, if she isn't broken by the time she comes home. When she comes home. If she comes home."