#NOT on purpose. went to catch a cord -> cord knocks shit off my desk -> knocks phone down (i had it sitting up against part of the desk) ->

[leitmotif]

just knocked everything off my desk, spilling the drink that was on it all over me btw. so needless to say i will be imploding into nothingness shortly

[thotsforvillainrights]

~Pivitol~

Summary: Today is a very special day unlike the others because today Kai has taken some initiative to introduce you to his father figure, Pops! Along the way, you end up learning even more about Kai’s past as well. 

Chapter: 9

Warnings: None

“Somebody is looking more eager these days, eh?” Yuko teased you and brought you back to reality before you drifted too far away from it. “Huh, wha?! Haha, nah! I’m just waiting on the time to finally pass so I can clock out. Got some important stuff to do.” Yuko smirked as you fumbled with some paper on your desk. “More like some ONE important to do.” She playfully elbowed your side and you cringed. “Ugh, what do you want huh? You want me to admit you’re right or...?” Yuko laughed at your semi-annoyed expression as she continued to type away at her keyboard. “Y/N it’s okay. I know you’ve been meeting up with the guy like every week. Lately we can all tell how happy you are to clock out. Even the boss thinks it’s cute. He calls it ‘young love syndrome’!” You rolled your eyes and smiled softly to yourself. It’s true after all; lately you’ve been so eager to see Kai that you get happy every time the clock indicated the end of your shift. Wednesdays were no different either! This was especially true with the show you two have been following looping around to it’s season finale. Your mind began to drift off again as you wondered what you two could possibly do once the show ended for the season. Would Kai still have fun with you when there were no strings attached? You shook your head at the fleeting worry and smiled when the clock hit 5 p.m. “Yes! Catch you later!” You rushed past Yuko, clocked out, and headed to the nearest train station to try and beat Kai to your apartment. Meanwhile the young head of the Hassaikai was preparing to make today rather special on his account. In other words, today was like a right of passage for you into his life. Date after date and he wasn’t fully confident on calling you his girlfriend/boyfriend/partner, but now would be the final test to this. Yes today was the day he would finally introduce you to his father figure...

“Pops!” Kai called out to the man as he trailed the halls of the house (aka the upper base of the Hassaikai). “Hmm?” Pops peeked his head innocently from around the corner, holding back a smile. Kai sighed and approached him, watching as the old man fully rounded the corner to face him with a now large smile. “Listen, please don’t make a single act of trouble upon me today okay? This is very important to me and I don’t need you embarrassing me alright?” Pops rolled his eyes and continued to walk past Chisaki as he headed to the kitchen. “Oh please my boy, I’m not a child so you don’t need to speak to me like one. Besides, I’m eager to meet dear y/n, so you needn’t worry about me scaring her/him/them away okay?” Pops reassured Kai while he began to brew some fresh tea and bake something delicious to have when you arrive. Kai sighed in relief before heading out to his car and leaving to pick you up. When he finally arrived at your apartment, you had just finished putting comfy clothes on when you heard a familiar 3 knocks at your door indicating his presence. A flooding warmth and happiness burst in your chest as you took long strides to quickly get to the door and open it. He was smiling under that black medical mask. You could tell by now after being with him for a while. His eyes always seemed to sparkle when he smiled. “Good evening y/n, I trust work went well?” He asked you...he wanted to hug you so badly and you felt the same, but kept your distance to respect his germaphobia. “Oh yeah! It was boring but I’m glad to see you. Anyway, come in and I’ll get the episode started.” You were about turn around when suddenly Kai cleared his throat and chuckled a bit. “No Angel, I actually have somewhere to take you this evening if that’s alright. We can always catch the replay of the missed episode later on if you want. Come with me?” 

“Angel?”

...shit... “Oh, did I say that? I apologize, I just...I was t-th-thinking...I...”

You chuckled and rolled your eyes. “It’s okay Kai. You let me call you by your real name rather than your nickname so I think it’s only fair you call me by what you want to. Anyway, where are you taking me?” You asked sweetly, trying to ignore the butterflies welling up in your tummy. He cleared his throat and adjusted his mask to hide the light blush creeping up. “I have someone I want you to meet.” You nodded, grabbed your phone, and headed to his car. “Oohhh this is nice!” You raved once inside of the luxury vehicle. “Thank you. Take a little time to look around if you wish. It also has Bluetooth capabilities so you can use the radio.” He offered as he started to drive. You had no patience to fiddle with the screen so you opted out for the Aux cord method. You opened the glove-box in search of a cord and out fell a tiny foil package. You gasped when you flipped it over and read the words ‘Condom’ out-loud. Kai almost slammed on the breaks. “Kai? Is this what you had planned for me all along? I had no idea you were such a naughty man.” You teased him and watched in amusement as his face lit up cherry red. “No, I swear it! It’s just...Damn that old man! That must be why he was smiling before I left earlier. Damn it, he snuck another one into my car again, UGH POPS!!!” 

“Wait, Pops? Like the man you told me about 2 weeks ago when we were watching TV? You’re dad kinda? Kai is that who you wanted me to meet today? Oh no! I’m not ready! I wore these comfy clothes because I thought you were gonna finally introduce me to your friends that were with you the first day we met. I had no idea you were bringing me to meet your dad! Oh God, I’m a mess too!” You started to panic when suddenly Kai reached over and laid a gentle hand on your leg...he was touching you...”Y/N, it’s okay. I promise you need not worry about Pops opinion of you because he already loves you. I’m the one that should be worried. That old man is on a constant mission to kill me from embarrassment, so please don’t encourage him. Also, get rid of that wretched thing.” You laughed at his words and placed the condom in the mini trash bag that hung on the back of your seat. In no time at all you had arrived upon the base. All of your worries dashed away when you saw how happy the elder was to meet you. He pulled you tightly into a hug and spoke loudly in excitement. “There you are! The only person that could seem to steer my boy in the right direction! Welcome my dear, make yourself at home! I’ll return shortly with some snacks and drinks.” And then Pops shuffled quickly and happily into the kitchen, leaving you and Kai standing in the living room alone. You began to check out the photos scattered about the walls and Kai sighed. “and so it begins...” He spoke under his breath as you started to giggle at a photo of him as a child standing next to Pops. “Oh my God Kai, you look so grumpy compared to him. What was wrong? Did you miss nap time, cutie?” You teased him and he groaned. Suddenly you heard Pops voice from behind you. “Ah I see you’ve found one of his childhood pictures. I have so many more if you wish to see them!” You immediately turned around and smiled widely at the elder. 

“Yes...YES PLEASE.” Pops nodded and gently placed the tray down, leaving the cookies and tea between you and a blushing Kai. Then he rushed off to his room so he could dig out some of Kai’s ‘baby’ photos. “Damn it. This is what I was talking about.” Kai grumbled as he took a seat next to you on the couch and mentally prepared himself for the embarrassment to come. Pops returned with a dusty album and took a seat on the other side of you, leaving you in the middle of the couch. You and Pops proceeded to look at baby/child/teen Kai for at least an hour or so. “This one right here is one of the earliest pictures of Chisaki I have. It was donated to me by the orphanage that I adopted him from.” You nodded in awe at the chubby cheeked baby with the large golden eyes on the page. “Pops, had you always wanted a child? Is that why you adopted Kai?” Pops smiled and ruffled your hair (if not applicable towards reader, than he just rubbed your head instead). “No my dear. I had a daughter in my younger days before my wife and I divorced. Shortly after, my ex wife passed away from illness. My daughter cut ties with me, but I always wonder where she might be nowadays. I actually did not mean to adopt Chisaki on purpose. I came across the boy on a hot summer day when he was walking alongside the road, probably on his way back from a store or something. He was a little dirty, and seemed to be so troubled. I still remember the feeble voice he used when I asked him his name. He had no where to go, so I took the boy into my arms and under my wing. Of course I hadn’t known he’s cause so much trouble in his teen years.” Pops playfully glared at Kai, making the young head sigh in annoyance. “Was he a trouble maker?” You pressed on, smiling at the way Kai groaned on the other end of the couch.

“Was he a trouble maker? HA! More than I would’ve ever expected. The boy was constantly in fist fights back to back. Not to mention the way he always seemed to think dealing drugs behind my back would bring our organization from the shadows.” You peeked at Kai and noticed his uncomfortable shift. “Y/N my dear, had you not come along who knows what the boy might’ve ended up doing. I know he’s told you about his work here by now, yes?” Pops asked you and you nodded. About a week ago Kai came clean about his affiliations during a date between you two. You still remember how scared he looked and how worried he was that you might leave him behind. “I like him so much, so none of this stuff bothers me. I’m glad to have played a hand at the change in his personality. I really mean that.” You turned to smile sweetly at him and his eyes widened for a bit before getting brave and reaching out to touch your cheek...the second time today he touched you...”Oh well I think I’ll leave you two kids alone for now.” Pops winked and left in a heartbeat. “I love him Kai. He is now my designated father as well.” You joked and Kai laughed lightly. “Anyway, gonna show me your room kind sir?” 

»—————————–———————————————————–✄

TIp Jar: https://cash.app/$YuTakeyama

[ecotone99]

[TH] Bruce’s Trip

I’m a divorce attorney in a small, rural town in Southern Appalachia. Most of my clients are in their forties when they call it quits. Usually, it’s just after the kids are grown and begin to move out. Then, the house is empty and there’s nothing to distract the couples from realizing they aren’t right together anymore. Occasionally I’ll get a young client wanting out of a short marriage, but it’s rare that I get a long timer who wants out.

When Lucille came into my office she was 84 years old. She and Bruce were married in 1951 when she was 16. He had been 18. She was pregnant when he left for Korea, and had a one year old Robert on her hip when he returned. She gave him two more sons, Milton and Thomas, and he gave her just about everything she ever wanted. He bought her a new car nearly every year, their home was large and well furnished, and some Pharos were buried with less jewelry than she wore any given day. What he also gave her were bruises. Twice in the 70’s and once again in the 90’s were the concussions. Bruce was a giving man.

She never left. Through the twentieth century, tradition made her stay. Sure, divorce wasn’t a taboo by the time the 70’s and 80’s came around, but in the Bible Belt packing up and parting ways just wan’t an option. What turmoil she would’ve escaped in leaving would have only been replaced with isolation from the community. The good folk of Appalachia are prone to Southern Hospitality, but they’re equally adept at persecution.

After the turn of the century, Bruce softened. That isn’t to say that he was kind to Lucille, only that he kept the belt in his pants and his hands to himself. She couldn’t point to any particular reason. He just stopped. So, she stayed put.

Lucille told me all of this while sitting across from my desk, picking at her dress. Despite what could be interpreted as reservedness, she looked me in the eye as she spoke and told her story with a confidence that made it sound as if she was telling me about the life of someone she knew rather than her own. I guess what I mean is that she was very matter of fact, as if recounting instances of having her legs whipped with a belt or an extension chord were of no particular consequence. She may as well have been telling me about the last time she pumped gas.

She explained that during the years after he’d stopped hitting her she’d grown angry with herself for not leaving, for not fighting back, for not telling. In her head, she’d mock the woman she had been. “The funny thing,” she said “is that no matter how mad I got at myself for never doing anything, I never got mad at Bruce.” But, she did resent him for it all, and she never forgot. In the years that passed as she scolded herself for allowing Bruce to have at her, she promised she wouldn’t let it happen again.

A few weeks before she came into my office, Bruce had walked in through the garage as Lucille was vacuuming the hallway. The vacuum cord trailed along behind her as she made her way down the corridor towards the living room. As Bruce started down the hallway, his foot caught in the power cord, stopping his foot from traveling forward to catch his momentum. He fell forward, grabbing at the wall lining the hallway in attempt save himself from the coming fall. This effort caused him to roll slightly as the earth pulled him to the floor where he landed on his knees with his hands in front of him.

Lucille heard the fall over the sound of the vacuum cleaner and turned to find Bruce on his hands and knees. She moved to him quickly, worried. At their age, every fall is life threatening, and as Lucille had explained, he’d grown weaker in his old age.

Bruce pulled himself to his feet. As he stood, he grabbed the vacuum’s power cable with his right hand and gave it a violent jerk, ripping it from the outlet where it had been connected. “You careless bitch,” he said. “When was the last fucking time you paid attention?” Lucille said nothing. She just looked at him, trying to comprehend how his tripping had been due to her carelessness. As she watched, Bruce pulled the cord through his hands until only four feet or so of the cord was left. He then doubled it over, halving its length and wielding it like a club. “You’re either fucking stupid or you do shit like this on purpose,” he angrily breathed through his teeth. He swung the length of cord as hard as he could, catching her in the thigh. Although Bruce lacked most of the strength he once had, the cord still went to work on her. She howled. Bruce caught her by the arm as she turned to run, and as he held her he striped her on the back of her legs. And then again, and again after that.

The confidence she’d shown slowly deflated as she told the story, and as she spoke she dropped her gaze, staring at her feet as she recounted Bruce’s trip down the hall. “I’m embarrassed,” she said, “and I’m embarrassed that I’m embarrassed. Why should I feel this way over something he did? I guess I’m just mad that I was even there for it to happen in the first place. The more I think about it all, the madder I get. I can feel my blood get hot and my blood pressure rise. When it does, I can feel the welts across my legs pulse in rhythm with my heart. That make me mad too. I said I wouldn’t let it happen again, and I’m not. I want a divorce.”

I told her I'd be happy to help her with the divorce, and further explained that I’d like to help her get a restraining order too. Since we’d be alleging domestic violence, I could get a judge to sign an order granting her possession of the house until we sorted everything out. “I can take care of myself,” she’d replied, “I don’t need a restraining order.” She said this like I had offended her by even suggesting the idea. “Besides, I don’t want the house. I don’t want anything to do with it or Bruce. I’m going to stay with Tommy in Monroe until I find a place of my own.”

The following day I prepared the divorce complaint and filed it with the Clerk of Court. Afterwards I dropped the filing off with the Sheriff’s Office so a deputy could formally serve Bruce with the suit. Lucille had told me that Bruce rarely left the house, so that’s where I sent the deputy for service.

A week later I received a call from the Sheriff’s office explaining that the summons had come back unserved. According to Deputy Corey Langley, he had attempted to serve Bruce each day since I had dropped off the filing. “Can your client let us in” he asked. “I know Bruce and It’s a little odd that he wouldn’t answer the door when I was there. Maybe we should check on him. Just a welfare check.” “I’ll check with Lucille,” I said.

When I called Lucille, she was still in Monroe at Tommy’s. Driving back from Monroe would have taken her a little over two hours, and she said she hadn’t been feeling well. Instead, she explained that under a flower pot on the back deck I would find a spare key to the front door. I don’t know what reaction I expected from her when I explained that the deputies were worried about Bruce. Concern? Anger? I half expected her to accuse Bruce of dodging service. Instead, I got nothing. Our conversation carried no more tone than if I had called to ask for her forwarding address in Monroe. Before I ended the call, she added one additional instruction. “I don’t want the police walking through my house. I may have left, but for now it’s still my house. Will you go with them?” Although something like this was well outside the scope of representation, I agreed. I liked Lucille.

When I arrived at the house Corey was parked in the driveway. He stepped out of his car as I pulled in and began walking my direction. He had already knocked on the door while waiting on me to arrive, obviously not getting an answer. As I made my way around the house to retrieve the spare key, I heard Corey giving the front door another series of knocks. When I’d made it back to the front door, Cory had his hands cupped around his eyes and his fact against the window looking into the living rooms.

After unlocking the door we stepped inside, Corey immediately calling out Bruce’s name. I followed him as he made his way through the living room and into the kitchen. Finding nothing, we passed through the dining room before turning down a long hallway leading to the far end of the house. Halfway down the length of the hallway, lying on his back, was Bruce. At this sight, Corey hurried ahead, dropping to his knees at Bruce’s side.

I never took a single step down that hallway. I didn’t need to. From where I stood I could see the vacuum cleaner, just as I could see that its cable had been pulled tightly around Bruce’s neck. From the looks of it, he’d been lying there for a few weeks. From the looks of it, Lucille was right. She won’t let it happen again.

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