as we walk ; geto suguru

Fudge Bars (Disney Part Two)

You watch as the children joyfully crash their bumper carts into each other, squealing and yelling in surprise as you comfort a hiccuping Junpei in your arms. Poor boy, he was two inches short of the required height limit and therefore was unable to ride the bumper carts with the other kids.

The kids were too stubborn and set on the ride when you tried to coax them into going on a more inclusive ride where everyone was able to play together. All you could really do was witness the other kids play with each other with a quietly crying raven-haired boy sobbing into your shoulder with Geto by your side.

He caught your eye and sent you a sympathetic look as you pat Junpei's back in an attempt to calm him down. The kids were in the middle of their second round, still having two more to go, and you don't think you could let Junpei suffer like this as he watched the other kids in envy. You didn't notice he went quiet for a while until he tugged on your sleeve. Junpei's attention was settled on a gift shop and he was staring at a fuzzy, felt Peter Pan hat that was displayed in the windows.

"Peter Pan..." he says softly and points to it.

Geto lifts a brow. He leans into your ear while not breaking contact with the children in the carts.

"Maybe try and distract him for a while. I'll stay here."

You look up and he nudges his head toward the shop. Nodding, you step down the stairs while gripping on your bag. Junpei notices the change in your actions and asks you where you both were going. You smile and look at him.

"If you'd like, do you wanna try that hat?"

Junpei's expression lifts immediately and he squirms out of your arms and runs into the shop, yelling at you to hurry up with short, chubby arms stretching into the air.

The shop was lively with kids running around and touching the variety of toys settled on the shelves and hooks. You spot Junpei trying on one of the hats that were offered near the corner of the entrance. The boy looks up at you from the hat, which was a bit too oversized for his head and laughs as you adjust it.

"How much is this...?"

Your fingers flip over the price tag, thinking it couldn't be more than a thousand yen.

¥2,750

The sigh that left you was probably strong enough to cause a tornado of dust on the floor. Grimacing a tight smile, you debate whether buying the hat and spending too much on a felt hat or dealing with a child crying profusely for the next hour. Junpei was looking at himself with a large smile on his face in a mirror and though the decision was painful for your wallet, you couldn't help but melt when Junpei looked back at you joyfully. While you wait in line watching Junpei as he inspected the variety of keychains near the counter, a voice calls out your name and you look up.

"(Y/N)? Is that you?"

God, you just wanted to evaporate right then and there.

A familiar long blue-haired man was walking up to you with a smile on his face. He was dressed casually, a lot different than his normal getup in a blue-cladded suit. It seemed as if the stitches on his face still hadn't healed yet.

"Mahito. Hi," you greet blandly.

"How have you been?" he asks cheerfully, cutting the line of other customers to join you. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

You nod stiffly. "What are you doing here? Don't you have work?"

He shakes his head, that smile still etched on his face. "I'm just buying a quick present for my girlfriend and her son. It'll be her birthday soon and I wanted to get them both something before I meet the little guy, y'know?"