Gold, Raven, & Lavender: An Erasermic Family Fanfic

Chapter 18: Loud Blondes Abound

"Alright loyal listeners!" Hizashi said, readjusting to a more comfortable, cross-legged position on the floor. "Fifteenth time's the charm! Ready, Sho?"

"Mmhm." Shouta hummed in reply. He was also sitting on the floor a few feet away, his back against the couch and facing Hizashi. Hitoshi was sprawled out on the floor next to the dark-haired hero, trying to crawl under the couch in an attempt to find shade from the incoming sunlight. Since it was nearing the peak of summer, the men had decided it was too hot to put Hitoshi in a full outfit and just let him wear a loose T-shirt and diaper around the house. Unfortunately, he was also getting too big to fit fully underneath the couch and had gotten himself stuck halfway, leaving his legs and bottom sticking out.  Shouta grabbed him by the ankles and gently pulled him out before lifting him into a standing position. He then placed both hands on the baby's waist to stabilize him.

"Okay rockstar!" Mic chirped, holding out both arms. "Walk this way! C'mon, you can do it!"

"Go to Papa." Shouta quietly commanded, releasing his grip on Shinsou and giving him an encouraging pat on the butt. Shinsou stood unassisted for a moment, one hand in his mouth as he looked between Mic and Shouta. Then with a giggle he dropped to all fours and crawled towards Hizashi. The blonde groaned in frustration but let the baby climb into his lap anyways.

"I don't get it." Hizashi said, running one hand through his hair while Hitoshi stuck the hem of his T-shirt in his mouth. "He's almost a year old and he still won't walk! What're we doin' wrong?"

"We're not doing anything wrong, Zashi." Shouta said placatingly, rising from his spot on the floor to stretch out his stiff joints. "Babies just go at their own pace, all the books say so. He'll walk when he's ready."

Hitoshi giggled in Mic's lap, sputtering and giving a heart-melting coo of, "Papa."

"You're lucky you're so cute." He said with a smirk, tousling his lavender hair. "Maybe we should take a little break, yeah? Let ya chill out a bit before you're ready try again."

"That's probably for the best. He must be getting hungry by now."

"Right on! Why don't you whip him up some grub? I'll stay here and give ya a shoutout if he suddenly decides to start movin' and groovin'."

Shouta nodded before retreating into the kitchen to set up the high chair and prepare Hitoshi's lunch. He was in the middle of cutting up leftover chicken into bite-size pieces when there was a knock at the door.

"Zashi?" Shouta called out, "Are we expecting any deliveries?"

"Yeah, I ordered some toys for Toshi's birthday! Didn't think they'd come this soon though."

"More?" Shouta said as he set down the knife and walked to the front door. "Honestly Hizashi, you're turning him into a spoiled–"

The reprimand died on his lips when he opened the door. The people standing before him were definitely not mail couriers. One was a tall, muscular man, completely bald save for the sandy blonde beard ringing his face. He was carrying a cellophane wrapped basket in his arms, full of fresh fruit and a sizable bottle of sake. The other was a shorter, slender woman, a kind smile gracing her face and her own golden blonde locks tied up behind her in a messy bun. Her eyes were a hypnotic, emerald green with swirls of inky black spiraling out from the pupils in a pinwheel pattern.

"Shouta!" She squealed, throwing herself at the man in question for a bone-crushing hug. "It's been too long, sweetheart! How are you?"

"Erm..." Shouta stalled, caught off guard. "Hello Mrs. Yamada. And Mr. Yamada. This is a surprise."

"Oh you! Always so formal!" She giggled, keeping Shouta locked in her embrace. "I keep telling you to call us Hanako and Benjiro. Or Mom and Dad if you really want to! You are a part of the family after all."