ITOSHIGO
Marron was in the middle of a class on Earth Magics when he noticed that Gateau had appeared in the doorway, watching the class. It was an extremely strenuous lesson, and so Marron had to tune out his presence until the period had ended.
The boys bowed and said in unison, “Arigato, Sensei!” before running out of the room like a flood. As they left, they greeted Gateau warmly - the children liked Gateau a lot, he was a fun teacher. While Marron’s class offered a lot of strenuous training and deep philosophical and religious speculation, Gateau provided the Combat Course with comic relief. Which, in Marron’s opinion, was just what a Second Master should do. The aging Combat Master was a rather unsmiling fellow, an ex-general who worked the boys hard. Soon he could be retiring, an Gateau would take his position. Marron had no assistant in his course, nor did he have any need of one.
Grabbing a towel and patting his face dry before slinging the cloth around his neck, Marron walked over to his lover.
“Good class,” Marron said contentedly.
“Yours usually are,” he replied, laying a kiss on Marron’s smooth forehead. There was a taste of sweat on his skin from his exertion during the course. “Seems like it was tough work.”
“It’s no easy thing to move the earth,” Marron joked, smiling. Gateau loved it that Marron had started to make jokes after they had begun dating. It was a side of the man he hadn’t seen much back when they were younger. Calm, and intelligently funny.
“You have the block after lunch free today, ne?”
“Yes, why?”
“Want to go out to lunch?”
“Oh, alright. Let me go change.”
“Hmmm... OK... I’ll be waiting for you out front.”
“Hai. I’ll only be a few minutes.”
Marron emerged in front of the school about ten minutes later wearing his usual white button-down shirt and black slacks. He had abandoned his white kimono some time ago. He had also begun to tie back his black hair, which had gotten even longer, into a loose ponytail at the nape of his neck. It suited him nicely, the more casual look. Besides, it kept his hair out of his face during practice, and looked very commanding when he wore his glasses.
He strode over to Gateau, and took his hand as they walked off campus.
“I wish the school had been open when I was a child,” he’d said, looking back at the campus. “But there was only the public school in town then. I really would’ve benefited from such an education.”
Gateau knew that Marron still regretted not having gone to college. His six years as a Sorcerer Hunter had prevented it. Not that it had inhibited him from getting a decent position in life. In fact, a year after Gateau had taken his position Second Combat Master, it had been Big Mamma that had recommended him to the school board for the position of Master of Magic.
“I think we all would have. That public school was crap.” Gateau smiled. He wouldn’t have gotten in to college, even if he had tried. He’d never been that type - never anywhere as smart as Marron. In Marron’s case, they probably would’ve been begging him to attend.
As they took their seats at an outside cafe, Marron wondered why his lover was so solemn. His blue eyes looked worried, deeply involved in some inner thought process. He wondered what could be the matter.
After the waiter left with their orders, Marron leaned forward, his elbows on the table. “What’s wrong, Gateau, love? You look troubled...”
“Not worried so much... I just have a lot on my mind.”
“The school?”
Gateau looked up, and at Marron. No, Marron realized, Gateau wasn’t looking at him, but out past him, to at the busy street. “No. Actually, I was thinking about my sister.”
Marron’s browed furrowed. “What the matter?”
Gateau’s eyes refocused, looked at Marron. “Nothing, actually. I got a letter from her yesterday, regarding a particular discussion you and I had a couple of weeks ago.”
The blonde watched his love’s face, and final he saw the recognition settle into the gorgeous features.
“What did she say?”
“Well, she agrees with you that it certainly is strange, but... Well, here, why don’t you just read the damn thing.” He pulled from his pants pocket a creased letter. It looked to Marron as though Gateau had already read the thing over many times, which he had.
Marron opened the letter, and read.
Dear Brother, it said in a hand similar to Gateau, although neater,
I received your letter today, and I couldn’t wait to reply. While it’s always good to hear from you, and I always hasten to reply to your letters, I felt especially compelled to do so today. So here’s my reply:
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a sweeter letter. I always knew you and Marron loved each other. It’s so obvious. But this has got to be one of the most touching things I’ve ever heard. Without a doubt, it’s also one of the strangest, but no matter.
If Marron’s willing, so am I. By now, you must know that I’d do just about anything for you, Gateau, just as I know you’d do anything for your little sister. And, closet romantic that I am, I’d also do just about anything for a love as strong as yours is. I’m also willing because I know you two will make wonderful parents. If I had any doubt in my mind that you would raise a child with the utmost grace and care, you can bet that I would be turning you down right now. But I know you, both of you. I know this is a good idea.
You tell me when, and I’ll be there.
Much love,
Your sister, always and forever,
Eclaire Mocha
The waiter returned with their drinks to find the black-haired man refolding a letter, tears rolling gently down his cheeks. Setting down the drinks, the man asked, “Is the gentleman alright?”
Gateau looked from the waiter to Marron, and back again. “I hope so.”
Marron looked up. after the waiter left, his gold eyes wavering. Then, all of a sudden, he lunged across the table, spilling the drinks, locking Gateau in a deep kiss. Gateau, surprised, moaned into Marron’s mouth, only to find that it has no longer there. He felt the soft lips near his ear, and hear Marron whisper, “We’re going to have a baby!”
Only when Marron sat back did they both become aware of the surprised and uncomfortable stares their fellow diners were giving them.
“Maybe we should take a walk,” Gateau suggested, leaving some money on the table for the drinks.
Having foregone lunch, the two lovers walked through the park. Gateau couldn’t help but grin as he watched the children playing on the playground. A gentle smile crossed Marron’s face as he thought of earlier dates in the very same park, the time they had fallen asleep together on that bench over there...
“What should we name the child?” Marron mused happily as they sat down on that same bench.
“Whoa, Marron... I haven’t seen you this excited since the ice cream incident...”
Flushing deep red, Marron replied, “I know, it’s just that...” He leaned against Gateau and nuzzled his head into the space between the blonde’s head a shoulder. “I can hardly believe it. I had always sort of thought that I would have children. And I always sort of knew I wouldn’t. I can’t explain it - it just makes me so happy.”
“Are you nervous?” Gateau asked gently, looking at the top of his lover’s head.
“Yes, extremely. You know you were my first, and,” he added with a contended laugh, “my only.”
“For the gods’ sakes, how can you stand it?”
“I don’t mind it in the least,” Marron said, nuzzling further. “I love you, in case you’ve forgotten.”
“It’s been a long time since you told me that.”
Marron looked up. “What, this morning?”
“Yes!” Marron laughed. Gateau smiled, then sobered. “You know you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”
“I know. Strange as it is, I can’t turn back now. But I think of the future - a child for us to raise on our own, and it melts away any fear I might have.”
Gateau kissed Marron’s soft black hair. “Gods, Marron, I love you.”
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