estirose

Another Rook-universe fic! The third of a series, so far. (The first two are “To Give Up, and Wish the Difference” and “Alone Time Conversations“.)

Summary: Nao says what the others really should have, a long time ago.

Bishop Speaks the Words
by Estirose
c 2010

Taiga folded his arms. “So, what’s going on with Hiroto?” he asked casually, folding his arms. It was clear that he expected a report.

“Beloved, Hiroto’s fine,” Nao said with some exasperation. “He just likes his space.” They all did, really, but she knew that at least she could get Taiga to loosen up on his son, maybe, for a bit.

“He’s not seeing me as his father,” Taiga told her, clearly concerned. He started to roam back and forth.

“Beloved….” Nao tried to find the right words. “Hiroto is a loner. Always has been.”

“That has nothing to do with this sudden… conviction that I’m not his father,” Taiga said, and Nao knew that if she didn’t do something, Hiroto was apt to get moved back home whether he wanted it or not.

“Yes, it does, Beloved. Listen to your Bishop.”

“I’m listening,” Taiga said. By all indications, he wasn’t happy about it, but he was listening.

“It’s about your sudden drive to father a child on Mio,” Nao said. “Hiroto is feeling like he’s a fake. That you don’t really want him.”

Her King’s eyes reflected panic. “But he *is* my son, even if Wataru fathered him. How could he not understand that?”

Nao took a deep breath. “It’s just… you might be a bit overeager… and yes, I know that you’ve long wanted a child with Queen, but… even as he wants to be alone, he feels like he’s not wanted.”

“That’s it. He’s moving home.” Taiga, who had calmed down enough to stay still for a moment, started roaming again.

“Beloved, it’s not that simple,” Nao told him. “Just as much as he needs you, he also needs his space. Taking him out of Okinawa… that would just make things worse.”

Taiga sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t want to lose him.”

Nao gave him a wan smile. “You won’t, Beloved. You’re still his father. It’s just that… Hiroto tends to show it in small ways. And while it hurts him that you want to be a true biological father, he also… you tend to overwhelm him. He has a very quiet personality, you know.”

“So, what do you suggest I do?” Taiga asked. “I don’t want him to feel unwanted….”

“Love him from a distance,” Nao said. “Let him live his own life. But be there for him. I don’t mean call every week, but remind him every so often that he’s loved. He’ll reach out if he needs you.”

Taiga frowned, but nodded. “I’ll try to do what you say.”

“Beloved, if I may say something a bit frank?” Nao asked. She hoped Taiga wouldn’t go off on her when he heard what she had to say.

“Does it have to do with Hiroto?” Taiga asked. “Because I know he’s hurt.”

“It has to do with us Checkmates,” Nao said. “I’ve… observed something on how the four of us interact, and… in a way, it has to do with Hiroto, too.”

“If it will help me deal with Hiroto,” Taiga told her, “I’ll listen to anything.”

Nao nodded. “Hiroto is a lot like his biological parents,” she said. “At least personality-wise.”

“Go on,” Taiga said, making a hand motion.

“It seems, Beloved, that you have managed to get three other Checkmates who like their space as well.” She took another deep breath. “You noticed that I took a place away from here. It wasn’t just for my books. Likewise, there are reasons that Wataru likes his apartment and you’re forbidden to go into Mio’s kitchen. We all love you, Taiga. It’s just that all of us are… introverts. We know you need us, but we need our alone times.”

“Why hasn’t anybody ever said anything, before now?” Taiga demanded. “I would have given you the space if you’d asked. Wataru and Mio, too.”

“Because we want you to be happy, Beloved,” Nao said. She didn’t mention that all of them had tried to tell him he was squashing them at points. “And you were happier with us all present. That’s why we never said anything. I’m afraid Hiroto has been the most vocal about it.” And a prime example of why the others had never protested too hard.

“You never said anything… because you put my happiness first.” A smile broke out on Taiga’s face. “You and Wataru and Mio… such treasures….”

“We love you, Taiga,” she said. “We never wanted to hurt you.”

Taiga was still grinning in such a silly way. “Come on, Nao,” he said. “Let’s gather the others together. It looks like we have some talking to do….”

Crossposted from Ramblings Yet Once More here.