#what was going on.. kids can see through bullshit easily. & you think you’re super sly but you’re a doofus

[dramaqueeenamby]

Waves: The Dinner

A/N: Not a single soul asked for this, but I couldn’t shake the idea, so here we are. Let me know if you like Waves content where the twins are older or naw.

Words: 3.5K

Warnings: None

TAGS: @babe-im-bi @notacamelthatsmywife @missyperle @queenoftheworldisdead @tashawar​ @valkryienymph​ @letsshamelessqueen-m​ @liquorlaughslove​ @lettytheletdown​ @hello-therree​ @missdforever​ @mani-lifes​ @toni9​ @koko-michelle

Waves

“You ask him.”

“Me?”

“No. Doggy. Yes, you, dummy.”

Elysha ignored the insult and settled for her initial follow-up question. “Why me?”

“Because he likes you better.”

“Bullshit,” she scoffed, reaching to steal one of Emmett’s pretzels. She scowled, however, when he snatched it from her and swallowed it whole. “Creep.”

“Lee, you know the rules.” The twins neglected to hide their surprise when Christopher sauntered into the kitchen, a faux stern expression on his face. “No bullying each other when the other person can hear it.” 

While Elysha smirked, Emmett rolled his eyes and muttered, “told you.”

Christopher chuckled and walked to the fridge, leaning over to pull out the pack of meat he’d pulled from the freezer the night before. “So, I take it you don’t want us to go to the dealership this weekend, eh?”

As Emmett’s eyes lit up with excitement, Elysha groaned and crossed her arms. “Papa, that’s not fair. Why is it he gets a new car and I don’t?”

“Because your brother held up his end of the bargain, while you, my beautiful little girl, did not,” Christopher reminded, handing the meat to Emmett who placed it on the counter and waited for his dad to reach him the rest of the ingredients. He checked the time on his Apple watch and mentally cursed. Damn, it was already time for dinner.

Elysha was seconds away from pouting and stomping. “Papa, I saved up money, too.”

“Yes, you did,” Christopher agreed, closing the fridge with a bottle of beer in one hand. “And you spent it all on a pair of boots.”

“But they were Gucci!”

“Good luck driving Gucci to school next week.”

“Shut up, Emmett!”

“What did I just say about bullying?” Christopher lectured as he instructed Emmett to hand him the stainless steel skillet. “Not when the other person can hear it.” A beat. “And you’ll be driving your sister to school, mate, so don’t be too smug.”

Elysha rolled her eyes and caught the way Emmett nodded his head in their father’s direction, eyes widening to convey the unspoken but urgent message.

Do it now!

Clearing her throat, she sauntered over to the counter where her father was starting to prep, hopping up, and earning a sideway glance.

“You’re lucky your mom’s not here,” he murmured, failing to tell her to get down. “Alright, what is it and how much is it gonna cost me?”

She shrugged casually. “Nothing.”

“Nothing?” Christopher wasn’t even trying to hide his disbelief. “Elysha, do I need to call our lawyer?”

“Papa,” she interjected with the sweetest smile that she could muster. “Emmett and I were wondering, if, well-” She took a deep breath while playing with her fingers. “We want to invite two people over for dinner.”

Christopher looked over at the meat. “How much do you think they’ll eat?”

“Not tonight,” Emmett interjected. “Maybe this Friday?” He took a deep breath, scratching the back of his neck. “And it’s not just any two people, dad. It’s….the two people we’re talking to.”

Deep down, Christopher knew what his kids were trying to tell, err, ask him. However, if he wasn’t anything else, he was stubborn and could play the hell out of the obtuse role. “Jesus, all the people you have in my house for parties and you mean to tell me you two only talk to two of them?”

“No, papa, he means talking to, as if, ya know, dating.” A beat. “And mama said this is her house, you’re just a renter.”

“What? When did she say--never mind.” He could come back to that. One problem at a time. “So, why invite them over for dinner? Why not just throw another party you think your mother and me won’t find out about?”

Emmett ignored the sly remark about the parties. His dad was right. “Because we actually want you guys to meet them.”

Christopher carried the bowl over to the sink, turning on the faucet. “Is that so?” He saw the kids nod out the corner of his eye and asked, “have you asked your mother about this?”

“Not yet,” Elysha answered. “We figured we’d ask you first since you actually do all the cooking.”

“And because we were also hoping you could ask her for us.

“See, push long enough, and the truth always comes out from you two.” As the twins exchanged nonverbal communication, Christopher pondered their question. In the long line of expensive and wild things his kids had requested over the years, this was relatively tame, and it would cost nothing. Nothing monetary, at least. “Fine. Friday at 5. I’ll talk to your mother.”

“Seriously?” Elysha didn’t want to give him time to rethink his answer. Hopping off the counter, she gave him a tight side hug. “Thank you, papa. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled dismissively, seconds before Elysha buzzed out of the kitchen to call Jason and tell him that they were on.

“Thank you, dad.” Emmett kept it brief, squeezing his dad’s shoulders while sliding his phone out his pocket to see if Madi could Facetime when Christopher called out.

“Where are you going, mate? It’s your night to help me fix dinner.”

“But--”

“Unless you want to switch shifts with your sister, so you clean and she helps.”

He could have put up a fight, but considering Christopher had already agreed to both the dinner and talking to Summer for them, Emmett realized he had to pick his battles.

“What do you need me to do?”

------

“What are they even doing dating in the first place? They should be focused on school.”

“Babe, they’re straight A Honor Roll students.”

“Well, then, their sports.”

Summer sighed, securing the silk scarf around her edges. “Both are captains.”

“Work with me here, Elsa.”

She looked at him through her vanity mirror, eyebrow raised. “You want my help?” Standing up, she sauntered over to her husband, placing her arms around his waist. “Let it go, Kristoff.”

“Summer, our children are in the middle of a teenlife crisis. This is no time for games.”

She rolled her eyes and pushed him away, going to remove the decorative pillows from their bed. “Most parents would kill to have their kids let them know who they’re dating--”

“They’re not dating them. They’re talking.”

“--Our kids are inviting them over just so they can meet us, and you’re upset?” Hearing it aloud made her laugh. “Baby, people are dying. Find something else to grow gray hairs over.”

Christopher paused, watching her peel back her side of the blankets and climb in. “That’s low, swimming pool. Even for you.” A beat. “Maybe they’re being blackmailed.”

Summer sighed as he finally joined her in bed. She moved her body across the mattress, pressing herself into his side as he wrapped his arms around her. “You need a hobby.”

“How can I enjoy life when my children are suffering?”

“Oh my god.” Summer sat up in the bed and forced him on his back, climbing on top of him, hands restricting his wrist. “Christopher, the kids are alright. You, however, I am starting to worry about.” Any trace of humor depleted as she frowned while caressing his cheek, fingers playing with the hair of his beard. Scruffy Christopher was always her favorite. “Our babies are growing up, babe. We can’t stop it, no matter how much we may want to. We just have to be there for them, be supportive of them, so long as they’re not hurting themselves or anybody.” She moved her index finger to his mouth to silence him. “You will be fine, sir.”

He sighed, gently moving her hands up and down her sides. “How can you be so calm about this?”

“Oh, I’m imploding on the inside,” she admitted casually, lowering herself so her lips grazed his. “But, I’m also an EGOT winner, baby.�� She moved her mouth to his ear, giving a slight tug with her teeth. “I can fake anything.”

Summer yelped when he switched so that his body was over his. “Not anything.”

------

“This is a bad idea. A terrible idea.”

Emmett looked over at Madi who was currently looking into her compact mirror, applying another unnecessary layer of mascara. She caught him looking and motioned to the road. “Focus.”

Emmett rolled his eyes and reached over, placing a hand on her lap. “Would you relax? They’re going to love you.”

“That’s easy for you to say. They’re your parents.” She leaned her head against the car window, mindful of her bun. It wasn’t easy fighting box braids in a bun, and she surely did not have time to do a redo. “You don’t get it. Your parents are….you freaking mom is….she’s my idol. She’s every little black girl’s idol, and now I’m just supposed to walk up to her, extend my hand, and say, ‘Hi, Mrs. Hemsworth. I worship you. Also, I’m dating your son.”

Emmett shrugged. “Sounds good to me.” Madi reached over and shrugged him when Emmett grabbed her hand and brought it to her mouth. “I promise it’s going to be fine.”

She sighed, leaning back and looking at him while she gently asked. “How do you do that?”

He chuckled. “Do what?”

“Make me feel better so easily.”

Emmett smiled and winked. “I got my daddy’s charm.”

Madi smirked and lowered the armrest. “You also have his car.”

Emmett sucked his teeth. “I’m getting mine soon.” She laughed. “I’m serious.”

“I’m sure you are, baby. I’m sure you are.”

------

“Are you insane, Elysha?”

She sighed, switching out her textbooks. “I don’t see what the big deal is.”

Jason’s eyes nearly doubled in size as he stared down at her. “Your dad is going to kill me. That’s the big deal.” Elysha laughed, checking the time on her watch. Being late for class was a pet peeve of hers. There was no excuse. “Oh, I’m glad you find my upcoming murder funny. Why don’t you just livestream it, too?”

“You are completely overreacting,” she sighed, shutting her locker and keeping her hand flat on the locker. “My dad isn’t like that. He’s super chill.”

“Chill?” He repeated her term while accepting the books she handed him so that she could adjust her uniform top. “I’m sorry, but have you seen your dad? He’s freaking huge.”

Sighing, she relieved him from the books after being satisfied with her tie. “Okay, and?”

As she began to walk, Jason kept the same pace with her, lowering his voice so that the other students couldn’t overhear. “Wait, are your uncles going to be there too? Fuck. I’m so screwed.”

While she understood his concern, she couldn’t help but find the whole thing humorous. Everyone seemed to believe her dad’s size meant he was a holy terror when it was the complete opposite. “Jason, my uncles are even more chill than my dad. Trust me.”

“On your mom’s side too?”

She laughed. “Oh no, they’re all crazy.” Elysha placed her arm around his waist when he moved his around her. “No, I promise my parents are going to love you, and that includes my dad.”

“I’m the first guy you’ve ever introduced to them, huh?” Her silence didn’t help. “Even better.”

She stopped walking, forcing him to do the same. Naturally, people walked around them, no one wanting to interrupt one of the “it” couples on campus. “Look, Jason, if you don’t want to do this, then you don’t have to. I just-I just wanted you to meet my parents, because I want them to know about you.”

“Stop,” he interrupted, shaking his head and cupping her cheeks. “I’m sorry, I just, I really like you, and I just-I want to make the best first impression that I can.” He dropped his hands, taking hers in his. “I want them to know how crazy I am about their daughter.”

She smiled, looking down to hide her bashfulness, only for him to bring his finger under her chin. He matched her smile. “What time do you want me to be there?”

------

“They’re here!”

Summer and Christopher shared a look, his sigh of exasperation forcing her to walk over to him, placing her hands on his chest. “Be nice.”

“I’m letting them in my house, aren’t I?” Summer slapped his arm, forcing him to relent. “Fine. I’ll be fair. For now.”

“There will be no embarrassing stories or threats of violence issued, do I make myself clear?” Summer wagged her finger and turned away, purposely switching her hips, hiding her smirk when her husband slapped her ass and whistled.

“Mama! Papa!”

“Coming,” Summer called out, speeding up her pace as she made her way out the study and down the hall, allowing a kind smile to grace her face as she was met with her children and their friends.

Elysha was the first to speak, clearing her throat. “Mama, this is--”

“Jason,” she guessed, withholding her laugh when Elysha seemed surprised, while Summer pointed to the tall young man with striking green eyes and dark brown hair that grazed past his ears. Strangely enough, he reminded her of Christopher in some of the family albums she’d been shown during one of the many family dinners with her in-laws.

“I told you I have eyes in the back of my head.” Jason gave a nervous laugh that prompted her to take it easy on him. He seemed terrified.

Finally, he spoke, giving a weak clearing of his throat.. “Yes ma’am. It’s so nice to finally meet you.” Elysha cleared her throat, reminding him about the flowers in his hands. “I’m sorry. These are for you.”

“Thank you.” Her smile widened as she sniffed them. “Gardenias. One of my favorites.”

He seemed relieved by that information, prompting her to turn to the young wide eyed girl who also looked as though she was close to passing out.

Emmett took advantage of the opportunity to introduce Madi. Summer smirked when she saw he had his hand on the small of the young lady’s back. “And mama, this is-”

“Madi.” Again, Summer was correct and almost offended by the surprise on their faces. “Do ya’ll not believe me when I tell you that I know everything?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “It’s so nice to meet you as well--”

“--Madi.”

“--I love you.”

They spoke at the same time. Summer laughed and placed her hand on Madi’s shoulder who was clearly mortified by her unintentional confession.

“I mean--I don’t--I mean, I do, but….” Madi shut her eyes and quietly murmured, “I’ll just shut up now.”

Summer shook her head, never once dropping her friendly smile.

“You both need to relax. I promise you have nothing to be nervous about.” She nodded in the direction of the dining room. “Come on.” Summer guided the four to the room, stepping aside to allow them to enter while she turned around to direct them to their seats when Christopher finally decided to make his presence known.

“Sorry about that.” He rubbed his hands on the towel in his hands before tossing it over his shoulder. He approached Madi first. “Madison?”

She was clearly awestruck, eventually shaking her head to accept her handshake. “Please, call me Madi, Mr. Hemsworth. It’s so nice to meet you.”

He waved her off and smiled. “Chris is fine.” That smile dimmed when his eyes landed on Jason. “Hello.”

Elysha grabbed his hand, giving a light squeeze. “Papa, this is Jason.”

“Nice to meet you, Jason,” Christopher forced, squeezing Jason’s hand tighter than necessary but just enough to get his message across. “You play any sports, mate?”

“No. I mean, yes--basketball.” He swallowed deeply, remembering something else. “I also surf as well, Chris.”

“Mr. Hemsworth will be fine,” he corrected.

Summer rolled her eyes and shoved him. “Pay him no mind. Ya’ll sit down and make yourselves comfortable.”

“I’m sure you already have, though.” Christopher joked, earning a glare from Summer. “Come on, babe. No one throws a party like the twins.” A beat. “Speaking of, I’d say we could give you a tour, but I’m sure you both already know your way around.”

“Ignore him,” Summer interjected, shooting him a glare. “He’s still upset that you kids are able to throw a party better than we ever could when we were your age.”

That seemed to alleviate more of Jason’s nerves. “You used to party, Mrs. Hemsworth?”

“Boy,” she laughed. “If you don’t call me Summer.” Elysha smiled up at him, giving him a slight squeeze of his hand. “And what do you mean used to?”

Madi was also fully invested in the conversation, her fangirling almost impossible to contain. “You really are even nicer in person.”

“Don’t be fooled. It’s all an act.” Christopher interjected, walking over to pull the chair out for her. He noticed how Jason did the same for Elysha, and of course, Emmett with Madi.

“Ignore him. He’s actually hired help.”

Summer and Christopher shared a look as he rolled his eyes while murmuring. “Cute.” Sitting in his own seat, he jumped into the questions. “So, kids, tell us about yourselves.”

Madi and Jason shared a look when he told her to go first. Again, something else Christopher noticed.

“Well, I’m a junior, an only child, and my dad is in the Navy--”

“So, your family is stationed here?” Summer surmised.

“Yes ma’am.” Christopher and Summer exchanged a look, but unlike the previous ones, this was not a warning from wife to husband. This one was of silent concern. Madi wasn’t an Australian native. She would eventually return to the states. Both mother and father quietly wondered if that was something Emmett was taking into consideration.

After briefly discussing the shared commonalities of having active duty family members, Christopher turned the question back to Jason. “And what about you, young man?”

Summer contained her sigh at the way his eyes widened before he tentatively spoke. “Well, sir--”

“Chris is fine.”

Both Summer and Elysha looked over at that last statement, Summer with a smirk and Elysha with a small smile. Chris looked at his daughter and shot her a wink.

Jason, to Summer’s happiness, seemed thrilled by the stripping of the formal address.

“I, well, my family is originally from Melbourne--”

“Melbourne native, eh?”

“Yes, sir. My, uh, dad got a job up here when I was eight, and we’ve been here ever since.”

“Any siblings?”

Jason chuckled. “Believe it or not, two. I’m the middle child.”

“Nothing wrong with that.” Christopher shrugged. “I’d say we’re the best.”

“Elysha and Madi.” Summer stood up and nodded to the kitchen. “Help me prepare the toss salad.”

“Yes ma’am.” Elysha also stood up and shot a reassuring look to Jason while Emmett gave one to Madi as well. As soon as the ladies were in the kitchen and the swinging doors shut, Summer released a sigh of relief. “Finally, that was too much testosterone.”

Madi laughed. “You and Mr--Chris are really nice, Summer.”

Elysha nodded and playfully bumped Madi with her hip. “Told you they were chill. Even my dad is being surprisingly nice to Jason.”

“Ladies, trust me, if Chris didn’t really like either of you, he would let you know. He’s just giving Jason a hard time because Elysha is his little girl. He’s always going to be protective.” She reached the bowl to Madi while speaking. “Just how I’m protective of my little boy.” Madi’s smile dimmed. “So you can imagine how proud I am to see his amazing taste in women.” She winked and laughed when Madi placed her hand over her chest.

She straightened up and spoke truthfully. “I really do like Emmett, Summer. He’s….he’s amazing.”

“He’s a jerk.”

“Shut it, Elysha,” Summer warned with a small head shake. “You know, Madi, you should join Lee and me on one of our spa days.”

Her jaw dropped. “A-are you serious?” She looked at Elysha who seemed just as thrilled by the idea of a spa day with her mom and good friend.

“Of course, and Emmett told me you’re in theater with Lee, so if you ever need any advice or have any questions, I’m always available.”

“I’m going to pass out.”

Summer laughed and gave Madi a side hug. “Welcome to the family, Ms. Madi.”

Just as Elysha and Madi shared excited squeals, Emmett stuck his head in the door.

“Mama, ya’ll almost done?”

“Boy, don’t rush us.”

He lifted his hands in surrender. “Sorry, mama, it’s just that Uncle Liam is here--”

“What?” She interrupted, hand on her hip. “What the hell is he doing here?”

“I don’t know, but dad just asked Jason how he feels about weekly, random drug tests.”

“Christopher!”

#chris hemsworth #chris hemsworth fanfiction #chris hemsworth fanfic #chris hemsworth x black!reader #chris hemsworth x reader #chris hemsworth x black!oc #fic: waves

[bburningbridges]

think of the children

summary: In which Shiro fails to ask Allura on a date, but his kids don’t. (Single dad!au) notes: ITS SUMMER TIME TO FLOOD THIS BLOG WITH ALL MY WIPS

+

It’s a rare, work-free Saturday for Shiro--and the kids have no doubt been watching the calendar, because at 9 am sharp there are four little bodies jumping up and down on his bed.

 Shiro shoots upright, nearly slamming his head into Hunk’s in the process. Hunk’s brilliant smile brightens even more, and he grabs each of Shiro’s cheeks and squishes them together. “Good morning, Papa!”

 Bless Hunk’s round face and soft features; if not for them, Shiro wouldn’t find it in himself to smile groggily. “Morning, pal,” he says, and just barely gets the word out before he’s flanked on both sides by Lance and Pidge. Pidge wraps her little arms around his neck, giggling so hard she’s drooling, and Lance latches onto his arm.

“Morning, Dad! Did you sleep okay?”

 “Yes, I did, buddy. How about you?”

 “I couldn’t sleep because I was too excited to wake up!” Lance says, nearly vibrating with said excitement. Pidge throws herself into Shiro’s lap and echoes, “Wake up!” as loud as she can. (Which is really, really loud. Damn those toddler lungs.)

 “I can see that,” Shiro says around a yawn. “What’s got you kids so buzzed, anyway?”

 Keith, up until this point, has seemed content with bouncing around the big bed, away from the conversation. But he bounces closer to Shiro and plops beside him, immediately reaching out to play with Pidge’s hands as he answers, “It’s Saturday. You don’t have to work today, and we don’t have to go to school, and Pidge doesn’t have to go to daycare.”

 “We can make breakfast!” Hunk says.

 “And play video games, or go to the park, or go to mall, or go to the park,” Lance adds. He picks one of Shiro’s legs to sit on. “And I can tell you about school, and how stupid it is, and then I won’t have to go anymore.”

 “I wouldn’t say that,” Shiro says.

 “Yeah, dummy, you have to go to school,” Keith says hotly. “Only Pidge doesn’t ‘cuz she’s a baby.”

 “No, I’m big,” Pidge fires back immediately. She holds her hands up above her head, and indeterminate width apart, with her face screwed up into a resolute expression. “I’m this big.”

 Shiro is adamant in his refusal to play favorites among his kids. He’s not even sure it’s possible, because he loves them all so much his heart’s bursting at the seams as is. But Pidge is his youngest, and she’s so tiny even for her age, the idea of her going to school makes him wince even as a hypothetical. He’s not sure either of them are ready for that.

 Pidge is looking up at him for validation, and he nods at her with a solemn expression. “You’re big,” he confirms.

 “A big baby, maybe,” says Lance.

 “Lance.”

 He grins easily, as if he knows he’ll get away with it because Shiro’s still too sleepy to lecture him. Which is true. Shiro is too sleepy to do much of anything besides get jostled around by the four of them.

 He’d been up late the night before, trying to sort through last minute company plans to make up for his day off. Altea Inc. was facing more trouble than usual lately, since a few major investors weren’t taken by the new head of the company and wanted to back out. Personally, Shiro thought it was a load of bullshit; Alfor had been a great CEO, but Allura was shaping up to be an even greater one. Life had just dealt her too many unlucky hands, and she was still stuck cleaning up messes left behind by the sudden death of her father. Her hands are tied in a lot of ways, which is why she really needs Shiro’s help, and why the sudden desire to pull out by the investors is such bullshit. They’re just not happy about having a woman tell them what to do.

 But that whole mess had kept him up late and staring too many screens--his laptop, his tablet, his phone--and sleeping after all that had been a nightmare.

 On the bright side, one of the last things he’d seen before going to bed was a thank you text from Allura. One that toed the line of staying completely professional.

 “Dad?” Lance asks. “Why’re you making that face?”

 Shiro immediately hammers his smile back into a neutral expression. “I’m not make any face,” he says, giving Lance a look.

 Lance ignores the look, presumably because he’s Lance. “Yeah huh, you were making a gooey face like this--” he shuts his eyes tight and puckers his lips, blowing sloppy wet kisses into the empty air.

 Hunk and Pidge start giggling--the latter joins Lance in imitating the face--while Keith tries and fails to look above it all. He gives Shiro a once over, then calmly asks, “Were you thinking about Miss Allura again?”

 If Shiro had been drinking water, he would’ve spit it out. Instead he turns a little pink around the ears and gives his oldest the most bewildered expression he can muster. “What? Where on earth did you get that idea? And what do you mean by ‘again’?”

 “You always get super sappy when you’re thinking about Miss Allura, Dad,” Lance says while rolling his eyes. “It’s super gross.”

 “I think it’s sweet,” Hunk says, sticking his nose up in the air. “Miss Allura is like the princesses in the movies, and Dad’s not really a prince since he doesn’t have a castle or a horse but I don’t think that’s a dealbreaker.”

 “What?” says Shiro.

 “He’s gotta have a horse,” Keith intervenes. “He can’t be a prince without a horse.”

 “I don’t even think Miss Allura likes horses.”

 “Fine. Then you don’t need a horse, Shiro. But maybe you should get one just in case.”

 Pidge, who’s spent the past conversation entertaining herself by clapping her tiny hand against Shiro’s prosthetic, pauses to shriek, “We’re getting a horse!?”

 “No!” Nope, gotta nip that one in the bud real quick. “No horses. And I’m not a prince, guys, but thanks for trying. Miss Allura isn’t a princess either.”

 “But she looks like one,” Lance counters and…..yeah, Shiro’s not gonna argue him on that.

 “How about this,” Shiro says, wiggling his hand out of Pidge’s grasp. “Why don’t you guys go downstairs, and I’ll meet you in a few minutes. Then we’ll make pancakes.”

 “Lion pancakes?” Hunk asks warily.

 “Lion pancakes,” Shiro affirms.

 “Score!” He practically leaps off the bed. “Last one downstairs is a rotten quiznak!”

 That’s more than enough to get the others moving. Pidge wriggles and drops to the floor with a worrying thud, but pops right back up and teeters out behind her brothers. Despite his eagerness to beat Lance, Keith lingers an extra moment to make sure she’s safely upright, then grabs her hand and runs with her.

 Shiro’s pretty sure his heart grew three sizes just watching.

 He lets his head fall back into the pillow and sighs. He counts to three, then drags himself out of bed.

 +

 While he’s showing Hunk how to mix the ingredients together, his phone buzzes on the counter and Lance gets to it before he can.

 “It’s Miss Allura!” he yells.

 Before Shiro can say anything, Keith says, “Well, pick it up dummy.”

 And Lance does just that.

 “Good morning, Miss Alluraaaa,” Lance half sings, half shrieks as he jumps to dodge Shiro’s reach. “I’m great! How’re you?”

 “Lance,” Shiro hisses. Not that he doesn’t love his son, or the fact that Allura’s perhaps the greatest boss of all time and isn’t phased by his kids answering his work phone--but Lance has been honest enough about how he thinks she and Shiro’s relationship works and letting that slip is not gonna fly this morning.

 Lance ignores him expertly. “Oh, yeah, Dad’s here--we’re making pancakes! Do you like pancakes?” He giggles again, ducking under chairs to avoid Shiro. “Awesome! Pancakes are my favorite!”

 “Lance, give me that phone!”

 Shiro’s not even thirty-five but he’s already too damn old to be crawling around after his six year old on the kitchen floor. Also, it’s hard to look very serious when he’s on all fours.

 “We’re going to the park today!” Lance grins, meeting Shiro’s eyes directly. He’s too good at this. “You should come with us. No, no I don’t think Dad would mind at all--ask him yourself!”

 Shiro’s angry “Lance” dies in his throat the phone gets shoved into his hands, and Lance scampers off while he’s still in shock. Hunk and Keith are laughing, Pidge is screaming yet again and follows behind Lance on wobbly legs.

 “Hello?”

 “Oh,” right, he’s on the phone now, because Lance is getting too good at making things go his way, “Morning, boss.”

 “Morning, Shiro. I hope you still managed to get some sleep last night.”

 “Don’t worry, I slept fine. The kids were a little excitable this morning...as I’m sure you heard. Sorry about that, by the way.”

 “Your kids are lovely--no apology is necessary. I originally called to ask about the investors--”

 “They’re still just as old and crotchety as ever, but I think I’m getting to them. The Arus CEO’s starting to warm up to you; another dinner or two and I’m sure will get him.”

 “That’s wonderful!” she sounds genuinely relieved, and Shiro can’t blame her. This whole thing has been an extra stressor, on top of balancing a company and dealing with the aftermath of her father’s death…

 “We can discuss the details of the dinner at the park,” she goes on, and Shiro says yes before the words actually click in his head.

 “Wait, what.”

 “Lance invited me.” He can practically see the expression she’s making--the small, sly smirk, one corner of her mouth twitching as she tries to hide the mischievous light in her eyes. “As I’m sure you heard.”

 Shiro opens his mouth, and not one sound comes out.

 Allura starts to laugh, and all Shiro can think is that this is happening on his work phone and that’s his boss--

 “I’ll take that as a yes,” she says, smiling no doubt.

 “Okay,” he says intelligently. “Yeah. I mean--it’s a yes. I meant yes.”

 “Text me the address? I’ll meet you lot there. And, please, tell Lance thank you for me.”

 “Sure, boss.”

 It’s only after he hangs up that he realizes he’s gotten ‘gooey’ as Lance had called it, and he’s still sitting on the floor, and the kids have all gone alarmingly quiet.

 He stands and they’re all staring at him--Lance included, though from a safe distance away-- in a way he can only describe as hopeful. It’s as adorable as it is infuriating.

 “Pancakes first,” he says, still trying to sound stern. “And then we’ll get ready for the park.”

 They cheer and Shiro’s not heartless; he smiles.

#fic #shallura #voltron #single dad!au #not proofread