Chapter Text
It wasn’t often Kuzuha had a full day off. But today?
Today was family day.
“No work, no calls,” Kanae had declared, arms crossed, expression firm despite the twinkle in his eye. “You promised, Kuzuha.”
Kuzuha grumbled under his breath, tugging on his coat while Shu wrangled Uki into his tiny boots. “I said I’d try.”
“You said you would commit.” Kanae raised an eyebrow.
Uki peeked up at them from the floor. “Papa, did you pinky promise?”
Kuzuha blinked… and visibly flinched. “...Yes.”
Shu snorted.
The shopping center was lively that afternoon. Children darted between racks of clothes, families wandered arm-in-arm, and upbeat music played from hidden speakers. Uki’s eyes sparkled as he clutched Kanae’s hand, wearing a warm lavender jacket and bouncing with excitement.
“Can we look at the plushies?” he asked sweetly, already trying to pull his Mama Kanae in that direction.
“In a bit, sweetheart. Let’s get Shu some new sweaters first, okay?”
Shu groaned dramatically. “I’m fine.”
“You have three black ones and one deep purple, Shu,” Kanae said flatly. “Let’s get you at least one non-sorcerer shade.”
Kuzuha, carrying both the family shopping bags and the weight of his sins, leaned toward Shu. “Just let him pick. It’s easier. Trust me.”
Kanae gave his husband a look that said, I heard that.
Uki ended up picking a sweater for Shu, an oversized lilac one with tiny star patches near the hem.
“It matches mine!” he beamed.
Kuzuha snapped a photo.
Shu muttered, “This feels rigged.”
But when Uki tried to reach up and fix the collar for him with tiny careful hands, Shu melted. “...Okay. Fine. I’ll wear it.”
The next stop was the bakery, where Uki pointed out his favorite strawberry cake and Kanae picked out snacks for everyone. They sat down on the outside bench under the pale spring sun, a soft breeze ruffling Uki’s hair as he munched his cake with pink cheeks.
Kuzuha offered Shu a drink. “Doing okay?”
Shu nodded, glancing at his baby brother. “He’s better now. Still clingy but...”
“He always loved holding your hand,” Kanae said gently, brushing Uki’s hair back. “Ever since he could walk.”
Kuzuha reached over and pulled Uki into his lap. “He’s stronger than he looks.”
“I’m super strong!” Uki flexed dramatically, and everyone laughed.
“Alright, Hulk,” Shu said with a smirk. “Don’t break the cake box.”
Kanae leaned against Kuzuha’s shoulder with a soft sigh. “I love this.”
“Cake?” Kuzuha teased.
“This,” Kanae repeated, eyes warm. “Us. All four of us.”
Uki beamed. “We’re the Violeta family!”
Kuzuha smiled, a rare soft one.
Shu glanced sideways and whispered to Kanae, “He’s going soft.”
“Shu,” Kuzuha warned.
Uki giggled. “Papa’s all mushy!”
“Okay, that’s it- who wants to carry the bags?” Kuzuha said quickly.
But no one was afraid anymore. Not when love wrapped around them like sunlight.