Reason #25: You're always there when it counts the most

"When and how the fuck do you know?" Haru asked calmly after a brief silence. I cringed at the silent harshness of his tone. If Kaoru was listening, he'd have shivered in fear. I was no different. Just because I was his brother didn't mean I was immune to him, no matter how much he adored me.

"He called the house 15 minutes ago." I answered meekly. As if sensing my discomfort, he sighed in frustration. A long pause passed as I licked my bottom lip before nipping it softly to relieve the stress I felt.

"I'm coming home." With that, he hung up. I breathed in relief, savoring the cool air invading my nose.

"Jin, why's the door locked?"

I flinched upon hearing Rei on the other side of the door. He couldn't have heard me. The library was soundproof, right? He doesn't know. He didn't need to know. He didn't have to know, right?

He won' t know.

I straightened myself before opening the door to Rei carrying Shun and Shin on each arm. He had a worried look on his face making me feel sick with guilt. I smiled, or at least tried to, before taking Shin from him.

"I'm fine. Just stressed out." I said while we made our way back to the living room. He was right behind me and I coud feel his intense stare drilling holes in my head. It was uncomfortable but I wasn't going to cave in. I'd rather be liar than tell another story from my past. I wouldn't want him to worry about a ghost from the past. Especially now that his exams are nearing.

"You're not telling me something. Should I be concerned?" He finally asked after placing the kids in their playpen and sitting on the nearby couch. I tensed slightly then shrugged my shoulders in ignorance. I heard him huff in annoyance but I kept my gaze on the munchkins chewing their toys. They were teething so, as far as I know, they're freaking piranhas right now. I grimaced upon remembering the other day when Shun decided it was funny to bite my nipple where he was feeding on.

"Jin. Are you listening to me?" Rei asked in annoyance. I blinked my eyes before turning to him with a sheepish smile.

"Sorry, zoned out a bit there." I felt his arm wrap around my waist. He was worried, that I could tell. He was positive I was hiding something so he tried to pry me open.

I looked up at him, staring into a sea if blue he calls his eyes. I smiled softly, reaching for hus cheek as I caressed it softly. "I'm sorry if I'm worrying you. It really is nothing you need to concern yourself with."

He looked at me and I could sense he wasn't falling for my words but he relaxed. He covered my hand on his cheek with his own and led it to his lips, where he kissed each finger intimately.

"I know you're hiding something. And I'm not falling for that lie." I grimaced after hearing his words a he kept his stare on me. "But. I trust you. I trust you enough to know that whatever you're hiding is something under your control. If not, you'd have begged for my help already." He smiled softly at me. His eyes smothering with his adoration for me. It made me sick to the stomach knowing that I was lying to him. At the same time, I was happy he knew what would happen if I couldn't handle it.

"Do not hesitate to come to me when you need help. You do not need to worry about me and my problems. I'd rather be the one with hard stuff to deal with while you changed nappies. Instead of the other way around." He told me before lowering his head to kiss me. He started out slow, passionate. Then his free hand grabbed the back of my neck and shoved me deeper into the kiss. He was devouring me and I loved it.

He pulled away, our lips still brushing each other while we panted for air. His hand behind my neck moved to my cheek as he squeezed it lovingly. I stared in his eyes and smiled. I knew shit was coming but I was confident Rei would be there when I needed him.

We both turned to the playpen after hearing someone crying and saw Shin sitting there, bawling his eyes out. I tried to get up to check on him but my legs had no strength to carry me. They felt like jelly and I heard Rei laugh beside me. I shot him a dirty look an he grinned in return, satisfied with the effect of his kiss. He stood up and reached for Shin and checked if he had gotten hurt.

"What's wrong, little man? You hurt?" Shin continued crying while Rei narrowed his eyes a little. "Guess not. You ain't hungry 'cause I just fed you guys. That must mean it's time to change your nappy." He lifted Shin slightly and peeked in his nappies. When I saw him smirk, I knew it was time to change Shin. He looked at me and smiled.

"Jin, don't take everything alone." I looked at him, shame seeping in my smile. "I'm right here, okay?" I nodded, keeping the smile on my face. Rei returned the smile and went to the bathroom to change Shin's diaper.

Once he was out of earshot, I walked to Shun. He was just sitting there with his toy in hand as he looked up at me questioningly. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he knew what was happening around him. I crouched down as he crawled to me, a whimper escaped from either his lips or mine. I wasn't even sure. He looked up at me and I tried to muster a smile but failing miserably. Shun tilted his head at me and he looked absolutely adorable. When I smiled at his actions, he smiled back.

"Don't worry, baby. I know what I'm doing." Shun immediately frowned at me. I couldn't help but frown as well. "I hope so." I added in a whisper before Shun took one final look at me and crawled back to his toy.

Haru, hurry back.