“No no, you’re sick. You rest, I’ll take care of everything.” ( Momma Kin and babby Shio 👀)
Delightfully Domestic Starters | Kintsugi
It had started that morning with a light cough. Something that could have easily been dismissed by either of the two adults in their home. Sure Kintsugi had felt the tad bit of warmth too but that still wasn’t going to stop her from getting up for the dag. Even though she would like to stay in bed she also didn’t want to risk Shibi forcing medication on her. Yet sadly she, and her husband, had both made the vital mistake of allowing one of the children to sleep with them the night before. Which meant that the smallest movement was sure to awaken them. Which was a proven fact when she tried to sit up and a head of messy dark hair arouse with her. “Mama?” It asked with a small voice. Why did they allow this again? This was going to make getting ready for the day hard. They tugged on her arm and asked again. “Mama?” Kintsugi looked downwards, a tired small on her face only to be interrupted by a cough. Causing that little ball of hair to jump up, nearly knocking over the other person in the bed onto the floor, and dramatically point at her. “You’re sick!” “Ah, No! I’m fine Shiori! I promise.” She tried to assure. Not wanting any more commotion to alert her partner. “Let’s get up okay? We can go have pancakes with your brothers okay, just be quiet, okay?” Voice a raspy hush. There was no need to cause a commotion after all. Shiro refused and began to tug at her arm some more. Trying to force her down. It was almost cute in a way. This small child trying to make her, the grown adult, fall asleep. “No no, you’re sick. You rest, I’ll take care of everything.“ The determination of him got to her, it was just too cute. She laid back down, holding back a giggle as he covered her with the blanket. Tugging as much away from the now half awake man that laid on the other side. “Huh?” Shibi slowed blinked awake at the feeling of the it. “What? What’s going on?” He grumble, lifting up the sleep mask he wore only to turn and see the small boy tugging at the rest of the blankets. “Shiro? When did you get- Kin, when did?” She was about to talk only for the rest of the blankets to be tossed upon her. “I’m in charge! Mama is sick! So I have to take care of her!” Shiro replied. Shibi looked between the two, sighed, got up and went to their bathroom. “I’m getting the medicine, orange or cherry?” Kintsugi hated being sick, but at least now she had her own in house doctor?
This has been in here forever but Mirin wanted KinKu so I’mma give it to her
“You changed me Kintsugi…” Those words rung heavily in her head, like as if she had stuck it inside one of the biggest bells they had and requested the bell ringer to hit it as hard as they possibly could with passion. The words that idiot Nara said made absolutely no sense to her. They had been standing there in the mist of an argument, when he said that, causing her to forget what they were arguing about. How could she, the civilian woman of no noble birthright, change him a high ranking shinobi and well established clan head. In comparison to his now, unfortunately, deceased wife. A woman who has seen the same life as he had. The woman who, even though she was forced to leave, was a clan heiress herself! The mother of his only child!
How could she as the weaker woman have changed him. Brown eyes blinked in a flurry of confusion. There was no right way to respond to that. No correct format to answer with when this scenario made no sense what so ever. Yes it had been years since Yoshino’s death but it still should have meant more to him then Kintsugi ever would.
She shouldn’t have been what made him change as a man, shouldn’t have been the mark that meant anything. Yes, Shibi had passed due to that wrenched war and yes Shikaku was there for her as she had been for him and his son. But that still did not fix the fact that there was no way in heaven or hell that she changed him. He still enjoyed eyeing other partners, though yes, she helped him realize he liked them all even if there was a preference. There was no way of breaking that out of him.
Shikaku cared for her on another level though. She wouldn’t ever replace Yoshino, that woman was on a pedestal all her own. But Kintsugi? She had her own, rightful place in his heart and he had been wrong to covet it when Shibi was around. Now he wasn’t, Now Shikaku could admit that he cared about the red head in a way he hadn’t meant to care for her. That seeing her really did brighten his life up. Like a warm day during the cold seasons. After all it was so painfully obvious to everyone else around them, though it wasn’t like it was being kept such a secret. It had been a year since the war and He just kept...coming around to check in on the widow. Making sure she wasn’t faltering down into a depressive pit like how he first found her in those early months.
“Kintsugi. I love you.” It wasn’t as hard for him to admit this as she thought it did. He had loved her for a long time and he knew exactly why that mosquito on the wall fell for her too. Charm, wits, a passion that could burn any who couldn’t keep up. A bit of a sad story for an underdog who wanted to make it in the world. Who then eventually did achieve their dream. Kintsugi was a story all her own and they were just lucky to be apart of it. Hell, to be a side character was a honor but to be another main to stand beside her? It was worth it.
Even the drama that came with her was a priceless experience.
“I know I’m not Shibi, I know you aren’t Yoshino. But in all our lives you and I both know that you can’t ever replace a person you love. Sure you can...go around, find a warm embrace...but love is something entirely else. You taught him that. Everyone knew just how much he loved you.” Words flowed out like a waterfall with no real destination. Shikaku was a genius of course, but even geniuses had trouble with things sometimes.His grip loosened on her arms, hands sliding down into hers. He just wanted to do this with her for now. “Everyone who knew him knew that fact. You were the light for him...why can’t you let me be something akin like that for you. Let me be something that keeps you tied to this world. The shadow to your back, not your moth to your flame.”
But as the water welled up in her eyes she couldn’t contain it any longer. The way her stomach twisted and turned with every gut punching word he spoke. How could she be so certain he was being honest. That this wasn’t just him trying to score with another random woman.
Only then did those words hit her. Forcing the tears she had been trying to contain fall down her cheeks. A whimper left her lips. “Shika-Shikaku...don’t.” Don’t do this, Kintsugi thought, don’t do this. For if he did this then she too would have to come to terms with her affiliation towards him. “You know I never did anything to change you. So please don’t.”
Shikaku shook his head slowly, eyes closed and brows furrowed. Mouth a hard solid line. He had to say it once more. “Kintsugi, I love you. I do.” He meant it truly. Love came in many forms and each one was never the same. You can love multiple people romantically and each one would never be the exact same. They both knew that. “I don’t want to be with anyone else, that’s a promise I’m willing to make to you right now.” Gently headbutting her and staying there.
Kintsugi gripped his hands tight in hers, jaw clenched. How could someone this smart be so dumb. It didn’t matter, she’d always be trying to one up her even if she knew it was wrong to do. Women are equals in every way and it was so toxic, so wrong to try and outrun a dead woman.
And she already did that once. She really didn’t want to do it again.
Yet, when she pulled back to look at him through a blurry vision. Kintsugi smiled, her glossy peach lips spread thin in an attempt to put on a brave face. She wanted it so bad to feel loved and wanted by him. Even if it meant feeling the shame of some betrayal for the both of them.
Slowly to brought him in for a close hug. Arms resting on his back and face securely tucked into the crook of his neck. “I love you too...just please don’t.” Voice cracking in hushed tones. If he was serious then, then he couldn’t be who he was in the past. There would be no late night escort missions.
“I promise, you changed me...remember...you’re the reason.” He said, returning the hug in full.
“Kuku?” She asked.
“Yes?” He replied.
“You’re an idiot.” She said matter o’factly.
He chuckled, kissing the top of her head. “Yeah, I know.”
