Maruchika? Did someone ask for Maruchika? EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

“That’s because you’re a failure. You’d be better off as ghoul fodder.” Tsuneyoshi waves his hands in dismissal.

“Understood, sir.” Yoshitoki keeps his face blank as he leaves his father’s office. 

Marude’s eyes probe his friend. 

Once far from Tsuneyoshi, Yoshitoki slams his fist into the wall. It’s the most emotion Marude has ever seen from him.

“Let’s talk.”

“Let’s not.”

“Sir, you may be my boss, but you’re also my friend.” Marude leads Yoshitoki into his own office. He shoves a cup of coffee into Yoshitoki’s hands. “I suppose I see now why you’ve been so forgiving of my mistakes. Because your father never forgives yours.”

Yoshitoki sighs. “Truth to be told, he’s angry that I won’t put pressure on Matsuri to have a child.”

“That’s Matsuri and Iyo’s business.” Marude is perturbed. He’s never liked Tsuneyoshi – never liked how the old demon forced Chika to marry and then forced a divorce as soon as they had Matsuri – never liked his strange sway over CCG.

“I agree.” 

“Chika, you’re a good father. That’s not nothing, especially…” Marude swallows and sits beside his friend. “Well, it doesn’t seem your father treats you well.”

Yoshitoki smiles at the use of his old name, the name he misses. “Thanks, Maru.” He chuckles. “You never married, and you seem to be doing fine.”

If only the Washuus could be similar. 

“You know, when we were new officers, I dreamt of marrying you. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.” Marude shrugs.

Yoshitoki’s mouth opens. “You…”

Marude smiles, inches from Yoshitoki’s face. “What I’m saying is, your son’s not a deviant. It’s normal for some of us.”

“He’s not the only one it’s normal for,” Yoshitoki whispers. He leans over to brushe his lips against Marude. 

Marude draws him closer. “Chika – I never thought -”

“Why didn’t you ever ask?” Yoshitoki’s eyes widen. All these wasted years. For a moment, he doesn’t feel tired or pressured or failed. He feels free. He feels what his life was meant to be.

Yoshitoki leans his head on Marude’s chest and lets himself cry. 

——————————————————————————

Matsuri had been waiting outside Marude’s office. From the look on Dad’s face, Grandfather was angry about his inaction with Iyo again. 

But he wasn’t expecting to – hear – this.

And so Matsuri hurries away, but as he does, a smile grows on his face.

He’s not alone. He’s not a freak.

He can confess to Dad if he needs. 

Maybe he and Dad can understand each other, after all.