All I Wanted Was Your Love

Chapter IV: It’s An Epic Story Where The Surprise Ending Is A Trip To The Pet Shop.

Drucilla puffed on her cigarette, leaning back into Jagger's arms. She looked so comfortable there. And she fit perfect, too. Leigh, however, was tormenting poor Hazel about his ugly-ass yellow belt.

"It doesn't fucking match your outfit, cunt," she threw.

"Whatever, bitch, you're just mad that you don't have the most awesome banana belt," Hazel wiggled his hips, blowing a smoke ring in Leigh's face.

"Leave him alone," Erika smiled to Leigh, who did so almost immediately. We could all tell that Leigh had something for Erika. Just like everyone could tell that I had a thing for Matt.

"I like it, Hazel," Riley grinned to him. Hazel smirked and sashayed over to him, pressing their hips together.

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah, really."

Hazel laughed and backed away, throwing his arms around Riley.

Matt smiled, but still stood beside me, our hands barely brushing.

Riley slipped out from under Hazel's arm, running into the solace of my embrace. He laughed childishly (probably brought on by the fact that we were hanging out at a playground) and kissed me.

I... should've felt something. Anything.

But... I didn't.

I never did.

--

"Hey, we're home."

My eyes snapped open to see Riley leaning over me, just like I stood over him all those nights ago, the neon lights surrounding and throwing shadows on us.

I smiled to him and sat up. His face was lined with worry, so I held out my arms, which he gladly fell into.

"What's wrong, kiddo?" I ran my fingers through his baby-soft hair.

"I'm just... so... oogedy."

That was Riley. When English fails, make shit up.

"Well, what's wrong?"

"I... don't know," he frowned, and I could see worry lines creasing his brow. "Just... hold me?"

"Forever and always." He gladly snuggled into my chest and quickly fell asleep, his tiny chest rising and falling.

I felt guilty... I didn't know exactly how long "forever and always" was.

--

"Cereal," Jeremiah demanded.

Damn, he could be kinda annoying.

"Okay, okay, 'Miah," Kowareru smiled, grabbing a bowl and making breakfast for my... adopted son. Even though he was practically the flesh of my flesh, Kowareru took more care of Jeremiah than I did. It made me guilty, of course, but I didn't dwell on it. If Kowareru was happy taking care of Jeremiah, that was fine with me.

"Y'know, Chris, I was thinking..."

"Oh, Jesus, don't do that too much, Kowareru," I joked. He shot me a look, but continued, "I want to dye 'Miah's bangs."

That got me interested real quick. "Like, what colour?"

"Purple," Kowareru tilted his head to the side, his long bangs sweeping across his high cheekbones. He spun the end of his rope between his fingers, thinking. "Yeah, purple would look cute with his little skin tone." He smiled and ran his hands through Jeremiah's blonde hair.

"Well, you wanna go today and get it done?" I looked at my son, smiling as well. His cute little shirt was drenched with milk and there were bits of Cheerios on the floor. I had to admit that it tugged on my heartstrings. I lifted him out of the high chair and twirled him around. "Want to make your hair purple?" I asked him.

He, obviously, didn't know what I meant, so he just looked at me with those adorable dark brown eyes.

"I'll get Riley up," Kowareru offered, leaving me to get Jeremiah cleaned up and ready to go.

--

We arrived at one of the many barber shops in Seattle around noon. Jeremiah was dressed in one of the cutest little tees I think I'd ever seen. It had bright blue stitching through black fabric and, down the sides it had kanji in bright blue. I wanted to buy him the Loveless shirt, but Riley thought it'd be a bit... tacky.

Kowa waltzed in, greeted the what I gathered to be the shop owner, and sat Jeremiah in one of the “big people chairs.”

“So, what’re we doing for him today?” The shop owner asked. He was obviously French, which I thought was pretty neat, considering I knew the language.

Kowa grinned and ruffled Jeremiah’s hair, “’Miah’s getting purple bangs today.”

“Aa, magnifique.”

Riley ran his hands through his own hair. “Maybe I should get some highlights or something. Just… something different.”

The shop owner smiled, “You would look très beau with some auburn lowlights.”

I smiled as well. Riley would look cute with red in his hair.

Kowareru clapped, “Well, it’s settled. Riley and Jeremiah will get their hair done and Chris and I will go get food.”

“Joy,” I smirked playfully.

“Au revoir, Saber,” Kowareru waved, dragging me out by my arm. He kept latched onto me. I thought it was kind of cute.

We arrived at Kowa’s favourite ice cream shop and went in. Apparently, Kowa came in here a lot, for the girl at the counter greeted him cheerfully.

“Konnichi wa, Sayu-chan,” Kowareru waved. I noticed that he waved a lot. Must be a Japanese thing.

“The usual, Kowa-kun?” Sayu asked as she pulled a cute little cone out from under the counter. He nodded and she opened the sliding door to dip out the chocolate chip ice cream. “And what can I get you?” She handed Kowa’s cone to him and grinned to me. An off-to-the-side lip ring glinted.

“Just a chocolate cone, please.”

Sayu nodded and quickly whipped up my snack. We said our thanks and pulled up a stool.

It was silent a few moments as Kowareru and I ate. I listened to others’ conversations, the soft Japanese music playing in the background, and Sayu handling her customers.

“Chris…”

I looked at Kowareru as he trailed off. He had a pained expression on his face as he tugged on his rope. He took a deep breath.

“We need to talk.”

Yet another chapter. And the plot thickens. :3 Haha. Not really.

Expect another chapter within the week. My muse is visiting. :D

Enjoy.