a strong wind at my back [semi/shirabu, single dad au]

[zemi]

[Okay. Today's important. Meeting the lawyer. Important first meetings.

Checklist.

- Teeth. Clean.
- Shower. Probably scrubbed too hard. Soap got in his eyes.
- Hair. Brushed. Brushed enough. He never got it to stick flat after high school, he blames the bleach.
- Ugh.
- Suit. Yeah, sure.
- Ohmygod he actually does not care.
- Tie. Fuck.
- Wait. What the fuck is the lawyer's name.
- FUCK.
- FUCK!!!!!
- Rui.

Semi pushes his mild panic attack off to the side to peek into the room where mentioned love of his life should be with his little brother (his other love of his life). They're both there, they're fine, and honestly just looking at Rui simmers all the nerves that were catching fire in Semi.

He's a grand mess right now, not that he'd ever admit that within earshot of Kunimi, but he's doing it for Rui. And if it's for Rui then it's worth every inch of stress and awkward conversation with a lawyer that doesn't actually care about his well-being. Because if one good thing came from this godforsaken marriage (he shouldn't call it that. he loved her, he truly did), it was Rui. He was going to talk to this lawyer and make it clear to them that he didn't care about anything else. She could have the apartment, the furniture, the money - whatever she wanted, as long as he could keep Rui.

His child. His little bundle of a bean that resembles and acts far too much like his uncle but smiles chubby and precious whenever he sees Semi.

Semi takes a deep breath. He smiles for Rui and then gets to gathering all the documents that have ended up scattered with all his nights of pacing.]

I gotta scoot. Are you sure you'll be okay with him today, Akira?

Comments

[shitabu]

[ As Semi describes her, Shirabu doesn't write anything down. Doesn't say a word. It's only after he finishes and shows some hesitancy that he breaks the silence on his end. ]

I've dealt with stubborn opponents before, Semi-san. [ That is to say - ] I haven't lost a custody case yet, and you won't be my first.

[ After that positive affirmation, though, Shirabu keeps their meeting tightly on track. He asks Semi more questions about, well. A lot of things. Related to his relationship, his son, Aiko's family... anything relevant that he feels he needs to know sooner rather than later.

Eventually, he runs out of things to say, so Shirabu puts the cap on his pen and sets it down on the desk. ]

Thank you for your time, Semi-san. [ He rises from his seat, ready to see him out. ] Do you have any questions for me?

[zemi]

[Semi rises from his seat as well, feeling a thousand times better than when he first came in. It's hard talking about Aiko when everything is still so fresh but it's necessary and he knows it'll be worth it in the end. His heart will heal. And with how confidently Shirabu speaks, Semi thinks he'll sleep easier tonight too. He bows, half mast, politely.]

Not right now. [He could certainly think of some questions but they'd have nothing to do with his divorce.] But thank you. I'll see you next time.


[Semi does indeed sleep easy that night and the following nights. Even on the nights where he crawls into Akira and Rui's cuddle puddles on the couch after returning from work late. Life is proceeding as normal and he and Shirabu have been making decent progress on their case before the official hearing. Everything's going as planned until - well.

It's nothing serious. But something comes up and suddenly Semi is forced to tote Rui into the law firm's lobby. He can only give the receptionist a sheepish smile as they eyeball the child gripping his hand tight. This can't be the first time someone's had to bring their kid to a meeting but it's still not the ideal.

Luckily Rui's a fairly quiet child. He'll keep quiet and entertain himself for as long as daddy needs him to, and Semi made sure to bring something for any possibility (juice boxes, snacks, rui's favorite plush, crayons but no paper oops) but Rui is still a child. Semi will be keeping an eye out for the eventual fussiness and hope it wont disturb the meeting too much.

He hefts Rui into his lap while they wait. With his arms around his waist, he teases Rui by blowing into his hair, the both of them giggling quietly.

He isn't sure what to say to Shirabu when he does eventually come to greet them. But first things first.] Uh. Sorry about this.