Top pic credit: Chiaki

"Hey, Mrs. P, are there any apartments in this town? After flying through it, I'm thinkin' I might have to get a place of my own, out here." Keigo said, lightly touching my mom's house decorations like a child.

She laughed softly, watching him walk around the kitchen in pure curiosity.

"Yep! It's very tiny, but there's a small apartment complex just a few blocks away from here. It's a very nice one, as it overlooks the....uh, Tengaku Summit? The one with the waterfall. Sorry, even though I've been here for eight years, my Japanese is still only passable." My mom said sheepishly, giving Keigo an apologetic smile, as she continued cutting vegetables.

"No worries! That's right, you're talking 'bout the Tengoku Summit. I bet that's the mountain top Ari and I flew over on our way here." Keigo suggested, looking at me with a smile.

I lightly brushed his shoulder, as I came up next to him, leaning over the counter tops.

"Yep! That's the one, I'm pretty sure. I bet you'd love living there, Keigs. There's actually a ton of hawks flying around the summit. Heh, maybe you can follow their flock and fly south for the winter, too." I smirked, lightly nudging his wing.

He feigned hurt feelings, quickly clutching his heart, as he turned to my parents.

"Do you see the way your daughter treats me? It's a crime, really." Keigo teased, causing my mom to throw a piece of carrot at me.

"Wha-hey!! He deserves it." I defended, trying to pick the carrot out of my hair.

"As you can see, Ari gets that....fiery personality from her mother." My dad smirked, automatically dodging the carrot piece my mom quickly threw at him.

"Speaking of that, I hope my Little Booger isn't giving you too much trouble, Hawks. Just tell me if she is, and I'll ground her." My mom said, causing me to slam my head down on the counter in embarrassment.

Keigo placed a hand on my shoulder, patting it lightly.

"Eh, she's a good Little Booger most days-" Hawks stated casually, already knowing that would push my buttons.

"Shut up." I mumbled face down on the counter, as he lightly grazed the back of my neck with his fingertips. It felt nice.

"I'm just surprised you were able to get Ari flying, Hawks. Heights have always been her biggest fear." My dad said in shock, walking to the fridge to grab something to drink.

"Oh yes, that came as quite a shock to all of us when Ari explained how you took her flying. We didn't believe she actually did it at first. Ari doesn't usually trust anyone that much. She's barely been on a plane before." My mom chuckled.

Keigo was quiet for a moment, taking in my parents' words. I heard him let out a small chuckle to himself, clearly appreciating the fact that I let him take me flying that very first time.

"Yeah, well....it took a little convincing, at first, to get her out there in the sky. But, she was really brave, Mr. and Mrs. Parker. Now, she's practically a natural." He smiled, causing me to lift my head.

"Keigo. A natural? Really? Now, you're being too modest. I still can't land to save my life. Literally." I laughed, reminiscing slightly on my failed landing attempts.

I continued a moment later, wanting to say something nice about him. Something true.

"But, Keigo's been really great through all of this. I was really upset about Jeanist letting me go at first.....but now...I'm actually happy that he did. I'm really happy to be at the Hawks Agency." I uttered softly, looking over at him.

He was already studying my face, immediately meeting my gaze. He looked soft. Content.

"And I'm really happy you're with me." He stated, matching my quiet tone, as he continued looking into my eyes.

My parents were quiet for a moment, smiling softly at my interactions with Keigo.

"And I'm really happy that dinner is ready soon, because I'm starving." My dad laughed, taking a swig of his beer.

"About fifteen minutes, dear. Ari, why don't you give Hawks a small tour of the house and show him to the guest room. I'll call for you when the food's ready." My mom suggested, starting to mix up a barbecue sauce.

"Sure thing. C'mon, birdie." I called out, grabbing our bags and walking to the stairs.

"Oh, and little booger don't forget to say hi to your brother. He's upstairs, but had his headphones in. He probably didn't hear you arrive." My mom called out, as Keigo and I began ascending the stairs.

.......

"Wow. This is the guest room, huh?" Keigo chuckled, starting to walk around the suite room in awe.

He tossed his duffel bag carelessly onto the king bed, shrugging off his gloves, headphones and aviators.

"Yep. Nice open windows, big bed for you to sleep in..." I started off, as I suddenly felt Keigo's hands on my hips.

He quickly pulled me against his body, sliding his arms all the way around me.

I couldn't help but smile, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Mm, big bed for us to sleep in?" He whispered quietly, smirking softly as he dipped his head down to my level.

I immediately pulled him closer, returning his kiss in full.

"Nice try, birdie boy. The only thing you'll be holding in that bed tonight is the body pillow." I teased, giving his lip a soft bite.

He hummed softly in content, burying his head in the crook of my neck for a warm hug.

"I know, I know. I'm just messing around. Honest. Cross my wings and hope to fly, baby." He uttered out, muffled into my neck.

I felt my heart flutter at the nickname that seemed to fall out of his mouth so naturally.

"Baby, huh? I didn't think you were a "baby" kinda guy." I laughed, feeling his wings wrap around my entire figure.

"Hmm, I'm not a big "baby" guy, actually. I dunno where that came from. Hey, maybe this town's changin' me." He grinned, before ruffling his feathers in my face.

"You've been here for ten minutes." I countered, shaking my head in amusement.

"Well, you've gotta admit that ten minutes here is much better than that crumby office we spend all day in. You should come back here more often, chicky. I don't mind watching things at the Hawks Agency, while you spend time with your family, ya know." He reassured, tucking a lose strand of hair behind my ear.

That was sweet of him to say.....and as much as I wish I could...

"Thanks, Keigs. But, Diane is the one who approves my time off, when it's away from the city. Yes, you're my boss....but she's my-well, she's our boss. She's stricter with me, because I'm still a student. I had to beg her to let me come down here for the weekend." I explained, laughing dryly as I remembered my conversation with Diane a few days ago.

Keigo's brows twitched in obvious irritation for Diane, pulling me closer to him.

"Ari. She can't just do that. This is your family. You shouldn't have to beg her to come home and see them." Keigo stated firmly, starting to get visibly annoyed with Diane.

While I'm normally the one to calm him down, when it came to Diane....I couldn't help but be on his side, realizing he's right.

"Ugh, I know. It's ridiculous, the demands she puts on me. I-It's not fair." I countered, getting ready to have a roast fest with him about Diane.

But, I quickly stopped myself....looking around the gorgeous guest room in silence.

Sighing in defeat, I turned my attention back to Keigo, remembering why I'm doing this.

"But....this is the only way. This is the only way my family can stay off the streets. The only way they can live in this house....this town. The only way they can be happy. And sure, I don't get to come back here a lot. I don't get to spend a lot of time with them, and enjoy this big house. But, they do. They've done a lot for me, Keigo. When they were hungry, they still chose to give me their food. When they were cold, they still chose to give me their blanket. And when they were scared...they still chose to protect me, and tell me everything was okay. Now, I just want to give something back to them....because they deserve this." I whispered, feeling my voice starting to crack slightly at the end.

Keigo gently caressed both sides of my face, keeping his golden eyes trained on me.

"Hey....Diane's given me a big sum too, you know. I can give you guys some cash, so you don't have to work so hard-" He offered softly, before I quickly cut him off.

"No, no, no. That's sweet of you, Keigo. But, I can't accept that. My family won't, either. It's not their fault. If they knew how hard Diane really pushed me, they would have ended my path to becoming a hero a very long time ago. It's my fault. I never said anything to them about this. I-I didn't want too. I didn't want them to lose it all." I sighed, resting my forehead against his chest tiredly.

He held me against him tightly, starting to gently run his fingers through my hair.

"I understand you wanna do this by yourself, little dove. I get that. But, hey...don't be afraid to come to me if it ever becomes too much for you. I'm not just talking financially. Emotionally, too. I want to support you through this. I mean, if anyone can understand what you're going through....it's me." He whispered sweetly, continuing to run his fingers through my hair in a soothing motion.

Keigo's words intrigued me, as I know he didn't like to talk about his past. I don't really know how he came to Diane. I know sad bits and pieces of his home life, from the time she decided to spill it in front of me, at the Hawks Agency. But, I don't know a lot of Keigo's story. I wish I did. But, I know he'll tell me in his own time.

I smiled softly, finally lifting my head up to look at him. He met my gaze, before placing a chaste kiss on my forehead.

"I mean it, Ari. I'm here for you." He whispered, never breaking away from my gaze.

Sure, Keigo and I joke around a lot. We like to have fun, and we push each other's buttons....

But, there's more to our relationship than that. Keigo and I have built up a bond. A friendship. A mutual connection of care for the other person.

And no matter how much we may tease each other, at the end of the day....he's someone I really care about. He's a very important person in my life, and he makes me feel as though I'm someone important to him, too.

I'm happy to have him.

"Thank you, Keigo. I hope you know I'm here for you, too. If there's ever anything you want to tell me...I'll be here to support you through it. I promise." I stated softly, grabbing his stubbled chin between my fingers.

He was quiet for a moment, lost in thought about my words.

Closing his eyes, he let out a tired sigh.

"Thanks, beautiful. If there's...ever anything I need to get off my chest....I'll....I'll let ya know." He mumbled out, not being able to meet my gaze anymore.

I figured he was just shy about opening up.

I quickly brought him down for one more kiss, feeling him reciprocate it gladly.

We both pulled away after a few moments, as the smell of chicken clouded our nostrils.

Keigo's eyes immediately lit up in realization, as he threw his head back in happiness.

"Look, chicky. If you don't wanna come home more often, that's fine. I'll just come back in your place." He smirked, trying to lighten the mood from our somewhat heavy talk.

I rolled my eyes, playfully pushing him away from me, as I headed to my brother's room.

"Dream on, birdie. If my parents are cooking up chicken, I'm sure they won't hesitate to cook up another kind of poultry." I laughed, gesturing to the poultry boy in front of me.

Keigo simply shrugged, trailing behind me.

"Eh. I wouldn't blame 'em one bit. I'm delicious."