Crybaby — f. toji (pt. 3)
ˋ°•*⁀➷ Synopsis: When you realize your husband might still be hung up on his ex-wife.
・❥・requests
・❥・characters: fushiguro toji.
warnings: themes of a possible divorce, sad gumi, angst.
・❥・crybaby masterlist
"And I still think you shouldn't. Let's get divorced."
Megumi had taken an immediate ride home when his Uncle Satoru slipped up and revealed his parents' situation.
The ground had been ripped from beneath his feet when he heard about their divorce. The news left him in disbelief, he was practically reeling from shock when he first heard it.
He would have never imagined that his parents' relationship would come to such a drastic end. His parents, the most loving people he knew and probably will ever know, were getting a divorce.
His leg was shaking the entire train ride, anxiety flying through the roof. He had given his father one phone call informing him of his return, only giving you a text in contrast.
He only did so knowing his father rarely ever checked his messages. And now knowing the situation, he doubted the two of you were in talking terms.
That wouldn't happen though, right?
His parents won't outright stop speaking to one another, they still had him, so they can't. Right?
A deep sense of sadness washed over him as he realized the impact the divorce would have on his family. He couldn't bear the thought of his parents parting ways.
He had never seen the two of you ever show dislike towards each other. There was no animosity, only love. Then how come this was happening?
Was he the reason the two of you still stuck together? Because the moment he left for college he was struck with the knowledge of your divorce. Guilt gnawed at his heart, the weight of responsibility pressing down on his shoulders.
Should he have not left in the first place? The question lingered, a bitter reminder of the changes that had unfolded.
Did his absence somehow put a strain on your relationship?
He was scared for many reasons, but the most important one was custody. Still under the age of 18, he was an important part of their divorce, meaning having to decide who could legally take care of him.
There was a low chance that you would get custody, and at this point, he doubted you would fight for it.
You're already away from him due to college, but this would mean you'll truly be apart. Whenever he came home, you probably wouldn't be there.
If you were, you would be visiting the house, not living there.
As the train neared his destination, Megumi's thoughts were a whirlpool of emotions and unanswered questions. Returning home felt like traveling into the unknown, a path filled with pain and sorrow.
When Megumi arrives at the train station, his father is there to meet him, offering a lift in the family car. Megumi places his luggage in the car trunk and then takes a seat in the back.
Toji glances at him through the rearview mirror and makes a usual taunt.
"I'm not your fuckin' chauffeur. Get in the front" Toji says casually. Megumi rolls his eyes subtly before complying with his father's request.
As they drive home, the atmosphere inside the car feels tense. Megumi steals a few glances at his father, noticing the lines of worry etched on Toji's face.
He wants to ask about the divorce, about why his precious Ma is leaving them, but the words get stuck in his throat, suffocated by the weight of unspoken truths.
Toji clears his throat, breaking the heavy silence in the air.
"How's college been, kid?"
Megumi shifts uncomfortably in his seat, torn between the facade of normalcy and the conflict brewing inside him.
Toji nods, but there's a distant look in his eyes, as if his mind is elsewhere. The car ride continues in a sad quiet, each passing mile a reminder of the growing distance between the family members.
As they pull up in front of their home, Megumi hesitates before getting out of the car. He turns to his father, searching for answers in the depths of Toji's gaze.
"Dad, can we talk?" Megumi's voice wavers, unsure if he's ready to confront the painful truths lurking beneath the surface.
Toji locks eyes with his son, his gaze conveying a blend of acceptance and yearning, reflected in his eyes.
"Not now, kid. We'll talk, but not now."
With a heavy heart, Megumi steps out of the car, the weight of the situation lingering in the air like a silent plea for understanding.
The moment he faces the house, he's met with you at the gate.
Look at you...smiling as if nothing's wrong.
"'Gumi!" You run up to him, engulfing your dear son in your arms. He can't resist, and your embrace almost makes him falter.
With no words being said, he wraps his arms around you, returning your affection.
"Your bags." Toji comes up behind the two of you, passing Megumi his luggage when he separates from you.
"Could you bring these from the store, Toji? We're a bit short." You ask softly, handing him a small piece of paper. Toji nods, his fingers lingering against yours when he takes the list from you.
"Your father and I are making Chicken and Egg Rice bowls with extra ginger! Just how you like it!" You're enthusiastic as you relay today's lunch menu, leading him into the house.
"Nonsense! You just came back home. Go take a nap if you want to." You reach up to pat his head sweetly.
Do you really think he can sleep in this situation?
"I slept on the train, so..." He lies. You chuckle, obviously believing him.
Except you didn't believe him, not when the bags under his eyes were apparent to you. But if this helps to keep the atmosphere lively, so be it.
You'll pretend for a while longer.
Due to his sudden visit, you had an inkling of his knowledge about the possible divorce
Satoru probably opened his big mouth.
"So, let me get this right," Satoru started, leaning back in his chair with a playful glint in his eyes.
His demeanor was a mix of casual confidence and genuine concern, especially when it came to you and Megumi.
You were seated across from him and couldn't help but smile at Satoru's familiar mannerisms.
"Go ahead, Uncle Satoru. Shoot." You match his behaviour, trying to lighten your mood. He notices this by the small stress in your tone when you say 'uncle', taking a play at the way Megumi addressed him.
Satoru chuckled, tapping his fingers on the table.
"You're telling me that you and Toji are on the brink of divorce? The perfect couple, the envy of every relationship out there?" Your smile fades slightly, replaced by a hint of sadness.
"It's complicated, Satoru. There's been a lot of self-doubt and insecurity on my part, and Toji feels like it's better if we part ways."
Satoru raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting to one of curiosity.
"And Megumi? How's he taking all of this? He still at college?"
A flicker of concern crossed your face.
"He doesn't know yet. We've been trying to shield him from the tension, but I don't know how long we can keep it up. He's quite sharp."
Satoru leaned forward, his tone serious yet comforting.
"You know I'm here for both of you, right? Whatever you need, just say the word."
You managed to grace a grateful smile, touched by Satoru's unwavering support.
"Thank you, 'Toru. It means a lot, especially now."
What you hadn't remembered about Satoru at this moment was his meddlesome persona. So you didn't notice as his mind was plotting a way to take this problem into his own hands.
You sigh, suspecting that Satoru let it slip, and not by chance either.
"So? What's with the sudden visit, 'Gumi? It's not even been two weeks."
"Can't I visit my home?" Megumi answers back with a question, eyes not leaving the potato in his hand, running the peeler across it.
"It's nothing like that. I mean, I know I said you can skip a few lectures..."
"...but isn't this going overboard?"
"Well, it's not like I can be mad about it..."
"...I missed you dearly, my baby." You smile sweetly, hugging him from behind, arms circling his stomach.
"'Gumi?" You question when Megumi doesn't respond.
"Hon?" You pull back, genuinely concerned.
"'Gumi? Is something the matter-"
"You're leaving us, aren't you?" Megumi's hands cease to move.
Your heart sank as Megumi's abrupt question hung in the air. You hadn't expected him to bring up such a heavy topic during what seemed like a simple moment in the kitchen, but you should've known better.
Taking a step back, you let out a sigh, gaze soft yet filled with concern.
"So you found out...Was it Satoru, or your father?"
Megumi's hands remained still, the peeler forgotten amidst the weight of his words.
Your heart clenched. Silence settled between the two of you, punctuated only by the sound of the peeler dropping onto the kitchen counter.
Megumi's eyes were now fixed on you, searching for reassurance amidst the turmoil of emotions.
As he turned to face you completely, you took a careful step back, creating a comfortable distance between the two of you.
"Listen, Megumi. Your father and I are going through a tough time, but we haven't made any decisions yet. We're still figuring things out." You say, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Megumi's shoulders tensed as your fingers made contact, the muscles beneath his skin stiffened with subtle resistance.
His eyes revealed a mix of sorrow and uncertainty as he came to terms with emotions too complex to fully understand.
"But... are you going to leave?" You shook your head gently at his question.
"I don't know, Megumi. It's complicated, and I wish I had all the answers for you."
"Do you not...love Dad anymore? Or me?" He asks the question that has been torturing his mind. You reel back in shock, eyes shining with unshed tears.
"Of course, I do! It's just sometimes...I feel like a stranger in my own family." You spoke earnestly, wiping the tears before they seeped down your cheeks
You broke down because of the silent cry in his words, the weight of the situation pressing down on you.
"I'm sorry, hon. But I know that your father's heart will always be set on Rei."
"That's not fair...!" The sudden spike in his volume stunned you momentarily. There was a lot Megumi took after Toji, his ability to remain calm being one of them, but being pushed into such a situation can be enough to break someone.
"Why are you blaming Dad?" He's looking at you, and you can see the truth behind his visage.
Of course, You are the one to blame here, but it still hurts.
"He's always seen you as my mother, from the day I called you 'mom'. He loves you Ma..." He says, voice growing softer with every word.
"Didn't you love someone once before you met Dad? But now you only love Dad. How is that any different from his side."
Megumi was trying hard to reason with you. If only things were that simple.
"I'm sorry, Megumi. But there are complexities... things you're not aware of."
"Tell me! Maybe I can help!"
"No. It's something only I can fix. But, my heart just isn't ready for it."
A moment passed, sadness tainted your face as tears welled up in Megumi's eyes, and he turned away slightly to hide his emotions.
"I don't want things to change. I don't want us to be apart."
A sob follows after, moving closer to wrap your arms around him, holding him close.
"I know, sweetheart. I'm sorry."
