(no subject)
As much as she loves him, Tear knows that their relationship isn't perfect.
It's times like this that reminds her of that; Kaito arguing over one thing, one little thing, and making such a giant deal over something that shouldn't be an issue. She glares at her husband, her arms folded across her chest, but he doesn't budge from his position. He just stares straight on back, as if daring her to make a move. She hates to fight, and while she would love to simply drop the subject, this was something she knew she couldn't back down on.
"We are going to watch that movie with him," she says, her voice even and firm. "You are acting very childish about this. If this was like Finding Nemo again, or anything like that I would understand, but-- but it's lions! Why are you being so difficult about this? You know how much Toichi wanted to see this movie."
He continues to fight it, but eventually he gives in. Pleased, Tear calls down the toddler and gives him the good news. Toichi drags Kaito to the couch while Tear makes popcorn, and she soon joins them to watch the film together.
If there's one thing she hates more than fighting with Kaito, it's disappointing their son.
When the movie starts, she prepares herself for some sort of fish. But no, she was right, it is mostly just lions and other animals that definitely lack fins and scales. She glances at Kaito, and she has to resist the urge to Pow Hammer him; he's barely paying attention to the movie. He glances at the screen occasionally, watches for a few minutes, before turning away. Toichi seems to haven't noticed his father's poor behavior, though, so Tear doesn't call him out on it. At least not yet.
But the longer they watch, the less Kaito pays attention to what's happening on the screen. Tear has much patience, but she can't believe this. He really can't do this one thing for his son? Something so simple, that requires no effort, and he's being a drama queen about it? She's upset with him, and can no longer concentrate on the movie. Finally, enough is enough, and Tear opens her mouth to scold him--
"Long live the king."
She catches it from the corner of her eye; a lion falling down into the stampeding horde below. There's a frightened cry, and then silence. Kaito's grip on Toichi tightens as he pulls the boy closer to him. He doesn't look away from the sight of the young cub numbly calling out for his father, trying his hardest to get some sort of response that will never come. He averts his gaze once the sobs begin, and instead of looks down at the boy next to him, who is watching the movie with a pained expression.
Suddenly, she gets it.
It isn't until long after the closing credits, past Toichi's bed time, that Tear approaches Kaito. Her arms wrap around his waist, and she leans her head against his back. They stand in silence.
"I don't really like that movie," he finally mutters.
"I know, I'm sorry. I know."
They stay like that for a little while longer before they head to bed. They hold hands, never breaking the silence that has fallen over them, but nothing needs to be said.
Because even though their relationship isn't perfect, she loves him.