Haru stared at the email on his laptop screen, the words blurring for a second before sinking in. "Congratulations on your outstanding performance. We are pleased to offer you the interim Branch Manager position at our Osaka office for a two-month secondment, starting next month..."
Promotion. Bigger role, higher pay, resume gold. But Osaka—three hours by bullet train, full relocation for eight weeks.
He leaned back in his office chair, rubbing his temples. The current branch ran smooth now, team solid. This was the next step—prove he could lead bigger. But home: Chris, Ichigo. Family his world.
Boss called later—praise flowing. "Natsuki, you're the guy. Osaka needs your touch. Family okay with it?"
Haru voice steady. "Need to discuss. Big ask—two months away."
Boss understanding. "Take weekend. Decision Monday."
Home that evening, Haru quiet. Chris noticed instant—hazel eyes concerned as he set dinner table. Ichigo chattered school—Mia drama, new dino book.
After bedtime hugs, kid out, living room dim. Chris poured wine, curling Haru's side. "Spill. You've been off since work."
Haru exhaled, handing phone—email open.
Chris read, eyes widening. "Osaka? Two months? Promotion big though—interim manager?"
Haru nodded. "Yeah. Career jump. Pay bump help savings, future. But... us. Ichigo."
Chris set phone down, hand on Haru's thigh. "Hesitate 'cause family. Valid."
Haru voice low. "Don't wanna leave you guys. Daily life—mornings, bedtimes, everything."
Chris leaned forehead to his. "We'd miss you crazy. But it's eight weeks—not forever. Ichigo resilient, I'd handle routines. Video calls nightly, weekends visits?"
Haru eyes conflicted. "You sure? Full-time Ichigo, your teaching job starting."
Chris smile soft. "Team, you remember? I'd take leave or adjust hours. For you—for us."
Weekend talks deep—pros/cons lists, Ichigo involved gentle ("Papa trip work? I miss but proud!").
Decision Monday: Haru accepted. "For family future."
Prep month flew—packing light, routines planned. Chris strong, but eyes misty drop-off station.
First night away, hotel lonely. Video call: Ichigo "Papa! Hotel big bed?" Chris "Miss you. Safe?"
Haru heart ache. "Miss more. Love you."
Weeks blurred—Osaka grind intense, branch turnaround hard. Late nights, but calls anchor.
Mid-second month, weekend home surprise. Train ride anxious excitement.
Door open—Ichigo tackle, Chris hug tight tears.
Bedroom later, lights low. Chris whispered, "Missed this."
Haru pulled close. "Me too."
Kiss started soft—longing deep. Turned sensual quick. Chris lips teasing, tongues brushing slow savor. Hands framed faces, breaths mingling warm.
Shirts shed gradual—Chris unbuttoning Haru's deliberate, palms gliding chest warm. Haru lifted Chris's shirt gentle, fabric whispering away, skin meeting candle-glow soft.
Mouths wandered: Haru neck kisses feather-light, tongue tracing pulse slow. Chris sighed deep, body melting, hips shifting languid.
Pants eased away unhurried, fabric pooling floor. Bare, warmth intimate. Bodies aligned—Haru's hand wrapping gentle firm, stroking long deliberate rhythm. Chris rocked slow, moans hushed sweet, legs loose wrap.
Haru's free hand traced inner thigh feather, fingertips teasing sensitive till Chris trembled deep. Pleasure built gradual—warm waves rising sensual, every caress lingering. Eyes stayed locked—hazel shimmering emotion, brown full devotion.
Whispers filled space: "I Missed your touch," Chris breathed shaky; "Never again apart long," Haru murmured husky.
Climax crested gentle intense—Chris tensing graceful, body bowing soft, release spilling warm muffled sigh into Haru's neck. Feel pulled Haru over moments later, pleasure surging deep slow waves, shuddering tender.
Tangled long after, breaths evening sync, foreheads pressed. Candlelight danced skin, afterglow soft.
Chris lazy smile. "Homecoming perfect."
Haru kissed slow. "You are home."
Two months done—branch success, promotion permanent option. Haru declined full transfer—"Family first."
Life resumed—stronger, love deeper.