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I love my children. I love my children. I love my children. I love my children. I love my children. I love my children. I love my children. I love my children. I love my children.
Satoru repeated in his head as he tried his best to rub the glitter glue off the sofa and the TV screen.
How did they even manage to get the TV screen is beyond him. Oh man, Satoru is so tired.
Out of the corner of his eyes he can see Tsumiki doing her homework at the dining table, while stealing worried glances his way. But right now his only concern is getting the sofa clean and then he will solve the kids' fight.
After what feels like another half hour or so, he is left with only a scratched spot on the otherwise clean sofa. Huh, what do they say about the strongest being good at everything? Definitely not cleaning after his kids glitter glue fight on the sofa.
Now that he is finally done with the sofa and TV he lays down on the said sofa, blackout glasses forgotten long ago. His eyes and brain hurt so much. He needs sleep, because apparently after being on 4 special grade missions in one day he didn't expect to come home and clean his kid's glitter glue fight. He isn't even sure if it was a fight.
His overtrained six eyes can sense a familiar cursed energy of a certain sea urchin pitter patter closer to him but he is far gone in his head and already drifting to sleep. If there's a kid blanket patterned with smiley dogs gently tucked on him,he doesn't notice.
— — —
An hour and a half ago
Megumi is a quiet kid, to the world. But at home ? Home where it's only him and his sister, and a white haired idiot who gave him that said home and safety. He is anything but quiet at home, he has his sister to talk about barbie movies and wildlife documentaries and random facts about nature.
He also has Satoru san who listens and talks to him about everything and anything in particular, did he mention that his satoru san is sometimes an idiot.
Problem at hand, he loved his little family but what does his sister mean that he can't use glitter glue yet because he is 5 and a half. He is a big baby now. Last year he was 5 and now he is 5 and A HALF, he has grown. He wants to do cool things too, and he will.
With that in his mind, he inches closer to his sister who is currently in charge of writing the alphabets with glitter glue.
They were making something too secretive. As both of them decided to call it. Currently sprawled on the coffee table was stuff for DIY and craft, which they were using to make the said secretive thing. No one should know,yet.
“Miki, can you smell something coming from the kitchen too?” He asked feigning concern, and looked in the kitchen's direction dropping the paper sheet and scissors from his hands.
(Satoru-san would be proud of his acting, if he saw him right now.)
“No, are you sure it's coming from the kitchen? It might be from the balcony..” Tsumiki said, giving him a small smile and waited for his response.
He nodded a little too eagerly and too soon for his response to be considered normal.
“I'm sure, it's maybe the stove.” Megumi replied, he will be guilty for his lies later but actually he is a 5 year old, what else could you expect from him.
Tsumiki eyed him suspiciously but sighed, and got up on her feet. “Kay, I'll go check. Please, don't mess up anything.” She mumbled away while walking to the kitchen.
In the span of milliseconds he gained the light of speed and grabbed the glitter glue bottle.
Yes! I did it, now I just gotta write the last letter then I'll be a little help in making this. He thought as he began drawing the last letter on the sheet of paper with absolute concentration.
His chubby hands drew a wobbly line and the strings of glue were going in every direction, but he didn't give up. He was determined. He will do it.
He was writing the letter slowly but if Megumi had been a little quicker then he wouldn't have to go through the snatching that Tsumiki did with sheer force of the glitter glue out of his hand. He was startled to his core and flinched back into Tsumiki.
As they both stumbled back on the couch, the glue slipped out of Tsumiki's hands, staining the whole right side of the couch in pink glitter. Not to mention, the couch was white.
Oh, God.
The moment seemed to stretch as they stared at the mess, horrified and stunned.
Tsumiki was the first to recover. She untangled herself from Megumi,leaving him frozen at the other end and sat near the damaged part of the couch.
“Gumi, i told you not to mess with anything” she remarked, her brows furrowed with panic.
She reached out and tried to scoop the glue back into the tiny bottle.
Megumi also came back to earth but he had nothing to say, the guilt and panic came tripling down on him. The pouty lips went unnoticed.
“I am sorry, Miki. I just wanted to help.”
He mumbled inaudibly. “I'll go bring a washcloth.” He regained his resolve,trying to make up for his mistake and got off the couch. His foot was met with the spare glitter glue bottle laying on the floor which unexpectedly was not shut properly and all the contains of it squirted out, aiming straight ahead and decorating the TV screen in a pretty and ugly blue glitter glue.
“Why did we have to use different colours of glitter glue???” Megumi wailed in frustration and held his head while stomping his feet on the floor.
He heard another similar noise, When he looked up he was met with another splash of glue on the TV screen. Oh right, the glue. It was still there.
“Megumiii !! Are you dumb?? Why would you do that again ??” Tsumiki yelled, if she was panicking before now she is full on assuming every and each scenario of Satoru finding out about this and being disappointed in them or maybe he would be angry or or he would finally..
“No !! I just wanted to help ! You're being mean !!”
Megumi yelled back at her, the tears beginning to pool in his eyes as he sniffled and stood his ground. If Satoru sees this he will be angry and he will leave.. his thoughts were interrupted by the clatter platter of the keys being used to open the apartment door.
Tsumiki was about to say something back to him, she too was on the verge of tears but she stopped.
Megumi and Tsumiki stared at each other neither having any idea to hide this out, nor were they going to make up or say anything. All they had in common right now was the anxiety of Satoru seeing this.
But Tsumiki, the angel she is, sniffled and tucked the card they were making under the rug quickly.
Giving Megumi a mean look.
“You ruined it” Tsumiki accused Megumi, balling her fists at her sides hiding the tremble that was her fingers. She did not back down from the argument, though. (Agh,kids)
“I did not ! You're mean !! I hate you !” Megumi shot back, the tears he was holding back were full force sobs. He hated crying. His hands scrubbed at his face as he sobbed.
“I don't like you either !! I hate you too !!”
If Megumi was crying Tsumiki was no better, she was wailing too. Clutching her dress in her fists and using her forearm to hide her face.
— — —
Satoru checked the apartment number to make sure he was entering his own apartment and not someone else's. Because the thing is, his kids never yelled at each other, sure they argued and fought but full on yelling?? Nah could not be his kids. Must be the TV something because from here the voices were muffled so he might be mistaken.
He smiled to himself at the thought and finally entered the warmth of his home.
Leaving the glasses and keys in the bowl atop the shelf by the genkan. He took off his shoes and approached the living room area.
His every thought and hopes of rest went out the window the moment he saw both of his kids crying.
“What's wrong?? Are you two okay ??” Satoru asked, trying his best to maintain his composure while he kneeled beside the two and pulled them both into his sides. His hands gently, rubbing circles on their back.
Megumi hid his face in his neck. His wails are nowhere near loud but also not quiet. Tsumiki was no better, her breathing was short and she was clutching his jacket as if her life depended on it.
“Shh…it's okay, I'm here kids. Please calm down.”
Satoru pleaded as his worry only grew,he was going to prop his chin on Tsumiki's head but oh well.. the TV screen seems different. A little too much.
“What-” His confusion was interrupted as his gaze fell on the sofa. He was stunned. Kids are kids. And he was dumb to think his were timid.
Megumi was starting to calm down and so was Tsumiki as he continued to murmur sweet nothings into their hair. His hands never once stopped from the patting on their back. First things first, He needs to calm the kids. Later in the evening, he will talk about this whole ordeal.
“Are you two feeling good now ? Wanna talk about what happened?” Satoru started, his voice soft. Softer than he would like to admit.
One snot and tear covered face emerged from his shoulder, his heart broke a little. Yes, He felt bad that he could not be home earlier to comfort his kids.
“Im sorry Satoru san, we were m- ma- making a school p-project but then-” Tsumiki tried her best to explain whatever might have happened.
“Miki,I am not mad or anything just wanna know you're both okay. Calm down kid. It's okay” Satoru shushed her, bringing her head back into his chest. His fingers gently massaging her head.
“Gumi ? You hear me too, right ? No need to worry about anything. I'm here now and I'm not angry.”
Satoru reassured Megumi, who still had to show his face but all Satoru got as a response was a nod against his shoulder.
Some of the kids' worries seemed to ease up at his words. Their shoulders relaxed a little. Tsumiki even sighed, she sighed. Unbelievable. His angel of a kid was growing up too fast, well Satoru don't be such a sad girl dad and focus on the kids at hand.
Tsumiki eased herself from him a few moments after. She gave him a soft smile in return to his gentle ruffle of her hair.
“Feeling good, Miki?” Satoru asked. He couldn't help but smile so relaxed that she finally calmed down.
“Yes Satoru san, Sorry again. I'll help you clean-”
Tsumiki didn’t get to finish her sentence as Satoru pinched her cheek.
Tsumiki couldn't help but let out a giggle.
“What have I said about being a kid and not stressing out about grown up stuff ?”
Satoru asked with a soft grin gracing his lips. His heart always seemed to swell whenever his kids seemed free to laugh or be carefree around him.
When they first started living under his care they were so reserved and careful to not let their guards down that even the emotionally devastated Satoru gojo at that time was worried.
But with time they started opening up. With time, the apartment usually kept its life with laughter and soft giggles here and there.
Still whenever this happened, he can't seem to stop himself but feel proud and soft towards them and with himself.
“Okay Satoru san, but if you need help please let me do it?” Tsumiki requested. And aww, Satoru's face was two seconds away from splitting into two from the way he was grinning.
His kids are the light of his life.
“Aw Miki, you're so sweet but if you said you both were working on the school project, I wonder who completed your homework?” Satoru teased, no matter what, he is Satoru gojo after all.
He is evil for the way his chest rumbled with laughter as Tsumiki's face painted in horror.
She apologised for the last time, and scrambled to get her homework done. She sat on the dining table, pulling her bag by her side to get her books.
It seems, someone has emerged from his shoulder in the meantime he offered to help Tsumiki with anything hard on her homework.
Ofcourse, they're his kids. They're both geniuses. At such a young age even before Satoru found them.
Can you believe Tsumiki is still six and could do multiplication of more than one digits’ number ?? Yup definitely, genius.
So, she refused his help with a self satisfied grin. She started her homework, already invested in it.
“Soo..gumi chan,are we feeling good now,hmm ?”
Satoru piped, testing the waters to see if Megumi is in the mood to talk or to go and hide in his shoulder again.
Surprisingly, the little boy nodded but still had his hold around Satoru's neck if he would disappear any moment.
“You…you're not angry, right?” Megumi's voice was soft and hesitant, almost inaudible but Satoru catched it anyway.
Megumi was staring up at him with hope in his eyes. He had his signature small pout and this sad look that shouldn't be on his kids’ face.
Satoru cupped Megumi's cheek and wiped away the remaining tears.
“Gumi, you could go and turn the world upside down and I could care less. No, I'm not angry my baby.” Satoru started, his voice laced with adoration. He pushed the hair away from Megumi's face. His gaze soft and mind blank excluding the ache that was building behind his eyes.
“If you're worried that I'll be angry and leave, you're wrong.” He finished, his eyes showing sincerity and nothing less.
Satoru booped Megumi's nose when the little kid seemed relaxed at the statement.
It earned a shy giggle from the even shy kid.
Satoru couldn't help himself and pulled the kid into his chest once again, wrapping his arms around the little boy gently as if Megumi is the most precious in the world.
He looked at the mess meanwhile. Satoru had to clean this mess ASAP or else it's never coming off, but his kids are more important at the moment. He sighed, there goes my rest.
Satoru wonders what will be more efficient to get the sofa clean, every mom blog he had read till now only mentioned the universal enemy that is glitter but never its solution. Okay, SO it's on Satoru to find out. Amazing.
Suguru would've known what to do in such a situation- before Satoru could possibly accelerate his thoughts and drown in misery by the end of the day he felt a faint tug at his sleeve.
“Satoru san?” Megumi mumbled, from his arms, staring at him was a boy with eyes the colour of a dark green jade.
Without realising all his misery flew away. Satoru smiled softly at the little boy in his arms, prompting him to go ahead with a hum.
“Are you okay?? You seemed lost in thoughts.”
Megumi, ever the observant kid, voiced his concern.
“I am all good, kid. Was just thinking about the cleaning stuff”
“Really ?”
“Yuppp”
“And you're not mad ?”
“Noo,not at all”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Megumi held onto his pink, his hands small as an egg. If you find gojo coo at his baby, no you didn't.
“Okayyy. Now that y'know I'm not mad and stuff. You should go and complete your homework with Tsumiki.” Satoru said, his usual smile on his face.
“Nope, I don't want her help, she is mean.” Megumi's pout returned in full force as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Oh yes,the fight. Actually, Satoru only heard the last two sentences of their argument so he does not know the full thing. But well, again. First things first.
“Gumi-chan, can you tel-” Satoru meant to ask him about the whole argument when
“Satoru san,please tell him that i don't wanna help a bad kid who lies.” Tsumiki said in a flat tone, not raising her focus from the worksheet sprawled in front of her.
“As if, Satoru-san, please tell her that I don't even wanna be near her.”
“Like I was gonna let you be near me.”
“KIDS, ENOUGH PLEASE” Satoru did his best to control the volume of his voice but well, he doesn't want another round of snot and tears or bruises and scraps.
Tsumiki mumbled something akin to sorry and went back to her homework.
Megumi,though. He was startled but didn't let it show.
Satoru ruffled his hair with a barely audible sorry.
It was a lot, everything was under his control but he does not have the capacity to solve two kindergartens’ fight after a full blown emotional moment ? No, take away the strongest title from him, he would not complain but now is not the time.
“Gumi, can you do your homework in your room then ?” Satoru asked, hoping the kid would say yes. Satoru can see the gears turning in his little sea urchin's head contemplating the option of refusing and sitting right beside his sister on the dining table just to spite her.
“Okay..but will I get a ginger cookie if I do my homework all by myself?”
Megumi requested, knowing full well Satoru won't refuse. A little tilt on his lips.
Satoru chuckled lightly,this little gremlin.
“Yeah yeah,but you'd have to drink a full glass of milk in return.” Gojo knew his cards well. Not fair for a kid but Megumi is growing and a grumpy kid might as well say spoiled but he is not complaining. He loves his children anyways.
Megumi accepted his defeat and nodded, strolling Down the hall to his room.
Okay,now the sofa and the TV screen.
— — —
When Satoru woke up, considering the sun had dipped below the horizon, after an hour-long very deserved nap he felt refreshed and surprisingly rested.
He blew a sigh of relief, a soft smile curling his lips as the two bundles of warmth clung to him.
Satoru looked down at his children, really looked at them. He noticed, both have grown healthy over the months. The baby fat has finally returned to their cheeks. Could he blame himself if he presses a soft kiss to both of their foreheads ? Nope, they're his kids and also so cute.
For a while, he just exists there. Cocooned in warmth, no expectations bound to him at this moment, shockingly no thoughts of suguru hunting his mind.
Slowly, both kids come back to earth from the dreamland. Snuggling closer to him to seek out dreamland again.
Satoru smiles softly. “Hi kids, feeling good ?”
“Mhm” Megumi and his grumbles against the world.
“Yes Satoru-san” Tsumiki yawns and smiles sleepily against his shoulder.
“That's good Miki." He replies, running his fingers through her hair. “I'm ordering takeout so, any special request, you two ??” Now that Satoru thinks about it, ordering take out is not a bad option. His muscles are sore. He is sure cooking will take more time and kids have school tomorrow.
“Can we have sushi today?” Both kids ask excitedly at the same time, looking over at each other and bursting into a fitful of giggles. And, aww Satoru might bite their cheeks.
"Of course we can, kiddos.” Satoru sits crisscrossed on the sofa, careful of the kids and tucks the blanket around them. He grabs his phone and places the order after confirming with his kids.
Satoru watches as his kids finally make up over his lap. His smile is amusing as Tsumiki makes herself home there and rests her face on her palm while talking to her younger brother.
The younger brother in question is sprawled on the couch. Megumi's head fully rests on his lap, clearly in no mood to be fully shaken off his sleep.
Satoru's hands automatically find their places on his kids’ head, slowly patting through strands.
He might not notice it, but his gaze is open, full of love, and adoration.
He would never trade anything for his life now, he is content, needed for who he is, and wanted and included and also loved.
His interest is suddenly piqued when he hears some gossip passing between the two. He makes a playful comment, the kids dramatically play along with him.
Just like that, until the food arrives, three of them share a peaceful moment with talks about anything and everything. After exhausting days, after emotional tornados, and even after being abandoned by people, the three will always find each other at the end of the day.
And the next monday, if on father's day Satoru is invited to his kids’ kindergarten and sheds a few happy tears, then it's no one's business.
And if Satoru cries again in front of the whole kindergarten when his kids’ hand him the glittery Father's day card, then it's again no one's business. Back off gossipers.
And if that day, Satoru spoils his kids with tons of sweets and snacks, and shopping, and what not. Then it's no one's business. He can hear Shoko's scold from the future about the abnormal amount of sweets.
All in all, Satoru has his kids, his blessings and Megumi and Tsumiki also have their dad.
— — —