Ichigo stood at the front of his kindergarten classroom, his small hands clutching the edges of a large poster board like it was the most precious treasure in the world. The room was full of wide-eyed kids sitting cross-legged on the colorful rug, their parents perched on tiny chairs along the walls. Ms. Park, the teacher, smiled encouragingly from her spot beside him, her voice gentle as she introduced the next presenter.
"Okay, class, next up is Ichigo Natsuki with his family tree project. Go ahead, Ichigo—tell us all about it."
Ichigo puffed out his chest, his wavy black hair a bit messy from recess, bright brown eyes shining with pride. He was wearing his favorite dino t-shirt under a button-up (Chris had insisted on "fancy" for presentation day), and his voice came out loud and confident, though with that cute kid lisp on some words.
"This is my family tree!" he announced, holding the board higher. The poster was a masterpiece of crayon chaos—green branches twisting everywhere, stick figures with big heads and wobbly smiles. "See? This big one is Papa—he works in office and makes numbers happy. He strong and gives best hugs!"
The class giggled, parents smiling. Haru sat in the back row, his dark brown eyes soft and proud, sleeves rolled on his button-up as usual. He gave Ichigo a thumbs-up, that rare full smile cracking his serious face.
"And this is Chris!" Ichigo pointed to a figure with light brown scribbles for hair. "He my bonus dad. He teaches school and makes pancakes with faces. He came two years ago and stayed 'cause we family now. He loves Papa lots—kisses him like in movies!"
A few kids "eww"-ed, but the parents chuckled warmly. Chris, sitting beside Haru, blushed faint but grinned big, his hazel eyes misty. He squeezed Haru's hand under the chair—two years official, but felt like forever.
"Then Mommy!" Ichigo continued, pointing to a figure with long hair. "She lives other place but visits lots. We go zoo and she makes cookies. And Mia—my best friend! She like sister."
Ms. Park nodded. "That's wonderful, Ichigo. Families come in all shapes, right class?"
"Yeah!" the kids chorused.
Ichigo beamed. "And Dino-Fish on bottom—he family too! We catched him at festival. That's all. Questions?"
One kid raised hand. "You have two daddies? Cool!"
Ichigo nodded big. "Yep! Best ever."
Presentation done, claps loud. Haru and Chris hugged him tight after. "Slayed it, buddy," Haru said low, proud.
Chris ruffled hair. "Star of the show."
Aiko met them outside—co-parenting strong now. "Heard from Ms. Park—amazing job. Proud mommy."
Ichigo hugged her legs. "Arigatou! Ice cream celebrate?"
All agreed—treat stop on way home. Quiet here too—debt history, rival gone.
But afternoon turned sudden. Chris felt off—headache creeping, body achy. "Just tired," he brushed.
Pickup time—Ichi's class dismiss. Chris waited gate, leaning wall. World spun light—fever high sudden, vision blur.
Aiko arrived early—co-pickup plan. Saw Chris sway, pale. "Chris? You okay?"
Chris mumbled, "Fine... just hot..." Then legs buckled, faint to ground.
Aiko gasped, kneeling. "Chris! Help!"
Parents, teacher rushed—call ambulance. Aiko with Ichigo, calming him. "Chris sick, doctors help. Papa coming."
Haru rushed hospital—traffic blur, heart pound. Room found: Chris IV drip, fever down, eyes open weak.
"Heat exhaustion? Dehydration?" Doctor said. "Fever spiked fast. Rest, fluids—home tomorrow."
Haru held hand tight. "Scared us."
Chris weak smile. "Sorry... felt off, didn't say."
Ichigo climbed bed careful, hug gentle. "Chris okay? No faint again."
Chris ruffled hair. "Promise, buddy. Better soon."
Aiko lingered, support solid. "Saw it—called fast. He's okay."
Haru thanks teary. "Family team."
Night home—Chris bedrest, Haru caretaker mode. Ichigo slept between, "protect Chris."
Next day, Chris stronger. Evening quiet, Ichigo out.
Bedroom dim, lights low. Chris pulled Haru close. "Scare over. Love you."
Haru kissed deep. "Love more. Rest now."
But warmth sparked—Chris tilting up, lips soft. Haru kissed back gentle, careful fever. Tongues brushed light, breaths synced warm.
Shirts shed slow—Chris lifting Haru's gentle, palms warm chest. Skin met soft, slim pressing medium careful.
Mouths wandered: Haru neck kisses feather-light, tongue tracing pulse slow. Chris sighed deep, body melting, hips shifting languid.
Pants eased away unhurried, fabric pooling floor. Bare, warmth intimate. Bodies aligned—Haru's hand wrapping gentle firm, stroking long deliberate rhythm. Chris rocked slow, moans hushed sweet, legs loose wrap.
Haru's free hand traced inner thigh feather, fingertips teasing sensitive till Chris trembled deep. Pleasure built gradual—warm waves rising sensual, every caress lingering. Eyes stayed locked—hazel shimmering emotion, brown full devotion.
Whispers filled space: "You scared me," Haru breathed husky; "Safe with you," Chris sighed shaky.
Climax crested gentle intense—Chris tensing graceful, body bowing soft, release spilling warm muffled sigh into Haru's neck. Feel pulled Haru over moments later, pleasure surging deep slow waves, shuddering tender.
Tangled long after, breaths evening sync, foreheads pressed. Candlelight danced skin, afterglow soft.
Chris lazy smile. "Healing best with you."
Haru kissed slow. "Always."
Recovery quick—fever gone, Chris back strong. Family closer, love unbreakable.
Scare passed—healing bonds tighter.