Chapter Text
“Momma, I’m so glad you accepted my request for us to go to a restaurant!” Ban Hammer smiled as they walked down the pathway in the middle of Crossroads. Around them, mortals stood there, shocked, while staring at the both of them. It wasn’t everyday they saw Ban Hammer walking around Crossroad. For Windforce? It was more like a once in a lifetime opportunity to see her there alongside her son.
Some of the inphernals actually cried seeing the two of them.
“Hm… I’d rather not be off my island any more than I want to but since you insisted so much, I’ll humor it.”
“Still. I think you’ll love it here. It’s owned by a mortal which is whatever but their food is really good! Some of my staff swear by it.”
“Do they now… Guess we’ll find out won’t we.”
“For sure!” Ban Hammer was so excited. Today was mothers day… well he guessed it was a day to celebrate their caretakers or any guardian who raised you. For Ban Hammer? That was his momma, Windforce. The best mother that there was. There was also a separate day called fathers day which was the same thing but… slightly different? Honestly, Ban Hammer wasn’t sure of it himself. They said that fathers and mothers were different but those titles were the exact same thing. Interchangeable actually.
Huh. He guessed he’ll take his momma out again on fathers day too then.
“Did you really have to insist that we’d walk there? I could've just the backdoors to get us there.” Windforce looked around to see more people gawking at the two of them. She could care less about what anyone thought about them but the eyes were quite distracting if she was being honest.
“I wanted you to see how safe I’ve made the streets! I put a lot of work into getting as many police stations- stationed- haha- across Crossroads.” As the warden said that, they walked by a police station where the staff outside waved to Ban Hammer who waved at them back.
“Well if that’s your goal, I’m proud of you.” Even if she had her… opinions on people living in Crossroad, Ban Hammer was doing a good job at curbstomping crime. If he was happy doing it, then she was happy. And anyways, the title of warden of the entire police in the central hub of the Inpherno did have a certain grandeur that she liked.
There was also a certain… brother of hers hiding out in Crossroads trying to deal with that “mortal.” That’d be for a different day though. Today was about herself and spending time with her son.
“Awe, thank you momma!” They continued their way to the cafe.
Maybe I should’ve informed them about my presence… naw, they’ll be fine. It’s me of course! They’ll always have space.
“I’m really proud of my staff! Look at these streets, not one crime in sight!” As he looked forward, everyone was going about their days, happy like they should be. Well- he guessed they were until they got closer where they dropped their actions and stared at them. It’d be less significant if Ban Hammer was by himself but since his momma was there beside him, it would catch a lot more attention.
In response, Windforce nodded.
They continued their walk but before they got there Windforce decided to ask Ban Hammer a question. “Ban, what have you been up to in Ban Lands?”
“Ohhh! I’ve made expansions to the whole prison, now we have space for so many prisoners. I gotta go out and find some myself. Speaking of, there’s this vigilante that’s been so annoying. I mean I love the fact that whoever it is, they lay out this pile of criminals, but they still shouldn’t be doing that. I’ve been itching to…”
Ban Hammer then went on tangent to his momma on what he’d been up to. Windforce, as always, listened with an open ear. After a while, they approached a cafe.
“Thieves Rest?”
“Yeah! They make some of the best food. I’ve been here before with my staff and I gotta say, they were definitely right.”
“Well… lead the way Ban.” She watched as he opened the door for her. “Thank you, Ban, I’m glad to see you still have manners during the time we haven’t talked.”
“For you momma, always!”
They walked inside as everyone in the cafe turned at them in surprise. The person at the register widened their eyes in surprise. They’d seen Ban Hammer there before but Windforce? That was the first time they saw her.
“Oh- uh- Ban Hammer and… Windforce, welcome!”
“Vinestaff! How are things going!”
“They’re good… why is your mom here?” Vinestaff held a smile between both the warden and deity. How she kept smiling without any wane to it, neither Shuriken or Slingshot knew. The other siblings were gawking at the sight of the two of them in the same room.
“Mortal, that is rude to ask.” Windforce glared down at her.
“O- oh. Apologies, we just don’t usually see deities coming to our restaurant.”
Ban Hammer added in. “We’re here for mothers day!”
“I forgot that it was today…” Unlike Ban Hammer, Vinestaff had… opinions on her caretakers. She had a valid reason to not particularly care about mothers day but that didn’t concern Ban Hammer or Windforce’s concerns. Definitely wouldn’t ruin their amazing, spectacular day!
While many inphernals were naturally spawned and had no biological caretakers, a lot of them were taken in by adoptive guardians, mentors, and whatnots.
Or killed…
It wasn’t Ban Hammer’s favorite thing to think about, definitely not now, but it was something he’d have to concern himself with being the warden and all. Crossroads was welcoming to all except murderers, thieves, and the other horrors that Ban Hammer had seen. Horrors for its citizens. For Ban Hammer? Well… they get the other end of the stick. In that case his hammer. And depending on the crime, a bit of entertainment for him.
“Anyways! What can I get you two?”
Windforce looked up at the menu. “Hm… Ban, have any recommendations?”
“Ooh!” He got excited that he was able to choose. “What about those!” He pointed to a special mothers day cake that Slingshot had brought out for the fact that it’d help business because it was in season. “It’s like those cakes we made when I was younger!”
“Huh. Yes. Those.” The two of them have baked together before. A sweeter moment of Ban Hammer’s life. It was super fun whenever Windforce allowed it. She did consider the entire process of baking too much of a bother to really do. But… for Ban Hammer and spending time with him, she tolerated it.
“Good choice! Just grab a number and we’ll have it out for you in a minute.” Vinestaff walked to the back to give Slingshot the order.
“Oh man, imagine the reaction Slingshot would have knowing you’re here, momma!”
“Scared, terrified, a bit pathetic?” She didn’t even hesitate saying that out loud.
“Like always!” The two laughed over the thought of it. His momma was always so funny.
“Let’s grab a seat, shall we.”
…
Shuriken stood there in shock as he watched the two take their seats. Did- did Ban Hammer find out? Was he going to jail? Was he absolutely, undoubtedly fucked?
…
It seemed not. It was mothers day after all. The ninja let out a sigh of relief that he didn’t even know he was holding.
Deities, I didn’t get enough sleep for this.
…
“So momma! How do you like this place!” Ban Hammer smiled at Windforce as he looked around. The cafe was normally packed. Although two inphernals caught his eyes. One with red horns and the other with teal horns with a certain ring on it. Those two were here?
“It’s satisfactory, though not as nearly as fancy as the cafes up in Spolintered Skies.”
“Oh definitely not! But I do gotta admit they do it pretty well, you’ll see.”
“If you insist, Ban.” Windforce saw that Ban Hammer was distracted and staring into the distance. “Something bothering you?”
“Oh?! Oh nope. I think I saw Sword and Medkit over there.” Windforce turned towards the direction that Ban Hammer was looking towards.
“... Him.” For a moment she glared at the inphernal with the red horns. It was none of her business to pry into their business now. Especially today. “They got your eye?”
“Nah! We’ve played in a phight or two and I’ve seen them around here every so often. Though I do say,” he looked towards the teal inphernal, “that one should be in jail with all the crimes they’ve done but I dunno.”
“In jail?”
“Yep! He’s done many illegal things but with his circumstances, it’s… complicated. Also I don’t wanna disappoint Sword.” He looked back at Sword. “Though he could do with some bulking, might I add.”
“Well I trust you’ll make the right decision, you’re doing quite well at Ban Lands so far.”
Ban Hammer perked up at hearing that. “Thank you, momma! I think you made Splintered Skies amazing as well!” The two of them smiled at each other as they saw their waiter come with the food.
…
“No! I don’t wanna serve them!” Shuriken crossed his arms in objection.
Slingshot stared at Shuriken with murderous intent. “Shuri! It’s Ban Hammer and Windforce! You have to serve them or they’ll blow this entire cafe down.”
“But-”
“But nothing! You’re the waiter so you’re the one bringing it out. I am not risking those two getting into a mood because we’re- I mean you’re too scared to serve them.”
“Why can’t you do it if you’re so brave, I’m a fucking coward!” Shuriken backed away from the tray of finished cakes in front of them.
“Shuri?!” Slingshot pinched the bridge of their nose.
“No!”
“Shuri!”
“FINE.” He grabbed the tray with one hand before grabbing Slingshot’s hand with the other. “You’re coming!”
“Woah hey, you didn’t say-”
…
Ban Hammer and Windforce looked at the waiter- uh- waiters coming to them. Ban Hammer gave them a big smile while Windforce looked… amused. Honestly, the entire sight was entertaining enough to her. Other than spending time with Ban Hammer. That was just the icing on the cake, a couple of inphernals who think she could snap at any moment.
Of course she wouldn’t. Not when she was with Ban Hammer. If anything did happen, they’d be hit with Ban Hammer’s hammer. She raised him right.
The one with the pink horns almost stumbled walking to them.
“Aha- welcome- we’re here with your food, two- uh- mother’s day specials.” Ban Hammer watched as, with shaky hands, Shuriken placed the food onto their table.
Windforce spoke up. “Why thank you.”
“Oh- uh…- oh- uh- yeah- I.” Windforce watched as the inphernal behind him elbow the waiter.
“Dude! Get a hold of-” The blue horned inphernal pulled the waiter back. “We’re sorry, enjoy your meal!” Slingshot and Shuriken then both quickly walked back behind the counter and into the kitchen.
Vinestaff just gave them a grin as the two walked by looking like they were about to cry.
Ban Hammer looked down at the pastry. It was adorable. It had pink frosting, fitting for a deity like Windforce and a demi deity like himself. “Momma, what do you think!”
Windforce looked down at the plate for a moment before deciding. Her answer was already clear. “It’s… acceptable, mainly because you’re here.”
“Awe, thank you!” Ban Hammer ignored the fact that she wasn’t that much of a fan of it but he still loved how she tried to reassure him. “It’s the taste that matters, right?”
“Of course the taste.” She picked up a fork and tasted the cake. Ban Hammer followed her action.
…
…
“It’s fine.” If Slingshot saw someone call their baking like that, they’d have many things to say to the customer. But it was Windforce so… anyone can put the pisces together.
For a moment, Ban Hammer felt… insecure. Was this really not good enough for his mother? He thought the food was pretty good. Not as good as anything the two of them made together, of course, but he’d thought her reaction would’ve been a little bit different. “Really? I mean- of course, yeah momma!”
Windforce took a moment to look at Ban Hammer before she gave a small smile to him. “Well the activity doesn’t matter, I’m happy to see that you can still take the time to take me out with you.”
“Really?! I was worried you didn’t like it.”
“The time we spend is what I value Ban, this cake’s nice anyways but I still think the one you made for me last year was superior.”
“Really?” He asked, knowing that he burnt the cake last time and Windforce had to keep a smile to him not to hurt his feelings. “I thought you didn’t like it.”
“It’s the effort that really matters, Ban. I know you do whatever it takes.” And she meant it. Windforce raised Ban Hammer well. “I’m proud of you.”
For a moment, the warden had tears in his eyes before he wiped them away. “Thank you! Momma! Happy mothers day.”
“I love you!”
“That’s really sweet. I should be the one thanking you Ban, you did invite me to this.” Her eyes gave a smile even if her helmet covered it.
“I love ya too, Ban.”
…
Vinestaff saw the two walk back to her. “So… how’d it go?”
Shuriken was on the verge of tears. “Ahhhh- Vinestaff I love you! Don’t ever leave me!”
Slingshot who was right behind him gave off a shrug. They didn’t know what went over Shuriken but… it seemed fitting for the day. “Uh- I love you too Vine?”
A giggle came out of her as she heard the other two. “Awe- I love you both.” She wrapped the two of them in a hug.
All three of them knew what to say to each other.
“Happy Mothers Day”
For they took care of each other like they were moms for each other.
…
Medkit looked back to see two deities smiling at each other while he looked towards the staff and saw them crying with each other. Today was… interesting he’d add.
Sword distracted him from his mind. “Med! Today’s Mothers Day!”
Medkit nodded. “Yeah, did you make sure to say that to Venomshank?”
“Oh I did but I should thank you too!” Medkit turned his head in confusion when Sword said that. “You’re like a mom to me as well, you know! Well I guess a brother but you took care of me just like a mom or dad would. Happy mothers day, Med.”
Medkit smiled to Sword. “I should say the same to you, thank you. Happy mothers day, Sword.”
…
Mood seemed to be good today. As it should.
Ban Hammer and Windforce smiled at each other while they finished their meals. Ban Hammer knew what they should do next. “Momma, we should watch a movie!”
Windforce gave a smile in return. “That sounds like a good idea, Ban.”