Work Text:
Taro sat by his office’s window side, gazing out onto the spectacular view of the Capital of the Land of Light. The aesthetic of the landscape soothed his nerves. The land had a slight entrancing shimmer to it, no doubt a result of the crystalline materials used to build the city. A small smile appeared on Taro’s lips. The planet never failed to astound him with its beauty.
Usually, Taro would only sit by the window for long periods of time if he was stressed about work due. This time, he had to get a report in by that night, and he had only completed half of it. He wasn’t sure if he would be able to turn in it by the deadline. The words simply wouldn’t come to him. He fiddled with his half-empty mug of coffee, hoping that the scenery would inspire him to get that report done. Zoffy was a scary fellow, and Taro knew better than to anger him.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Taro swivelled around in his chair towards the noise. “Come in,” he said.
The door opened. “Hey, Otousan,” said Taiga. “Mom told me to bring you some lunch. You know, since you forgot to take it.” He smirked at his father’s forgetfulness.
“Ah, Taiga!” Taro said with a smile, standing up to take his lunchbox from Taiga. “What would I ever do without your mother. And what would I ever do without you!” He patted his son’s head affectionately.
“Aw, dad,” Taiga squirmed, not really used to the affection his dad rarely showed him. He would never show it, but No. 6’s son really did appreciate the few-and-far-between cuddles and compliments his dad decided to give. It felt like a badge of honour, something that reassured Taiga that whatever he was doing, he was doing it right.
“Thanks for the lunchbox, son,” Taro said. “I’ll see you at home!”
“Sure thing, dad. See ya!” He waved him goodbye, and headed towards the door.
Taro then suddenly had an urge to call Taiga back. “Hey, wait, Taiga!”
Taiga had just put his front foot out the door before he abruptly stopped. “Yes, dad?” he asked, confused. “Is everything alright?”
“Yeah,” he said. “I just remembered something. Come here.” He beckoned for Taiga to come stand in front of him.
Taiga obeyed, not completely sure what his father was going to do next.
Without further speaking, Taro wrapped his arms around Taiga, holding him to his chest. Taiga, surprised by the action, slowly placed his hands on his tall father’s back, taking time to nestle himself into the comfort of Taro’s arms. He smiled as he relished in the hug of his own father.
Tears brimmed Taro’s eyes as he held his son close to him. He hoped that this conveyed everything Taro wanted to say, but couldn’t find the words to. How proud he was of his son, how he would give up the world for him, how he would never ever let him go. Too often Taro wanted to say this in words, but couldn’t muster up the courage to do so. It simply wasn’t a conversation he was used to. With this embrace, he hoped that he could pass on the message to his son that he can’t convey with words.
But there was a simple saying that Taro had no hesitation in saying.
“I love you,” Taro said to his son while still locked in embrace.
“I love you too,” Taiga replied.
After what lasted several minutes (but seemed like hours), Taiga broke the hug first. “I… gotta get back to class. Don’t want to get in trouble.”
“Ah, yes,” Taro said, placing his hand behind his head. “I don’t want to get a phone call from your school either.”
The two chuckled awkwardly.
“Well. See ya, dad.” Taiga waved.
“Bye, Taiga.” Taro waved back, and Taiga disappeared out the door. He skipped through the building back to school, still happy about the embrace his father had given him.
Taro shut the office door and sat down at his desk chair. “I’m so, so proud of you, Taiga,” he whispered to himself. There was nothing in the world that would get in the way of his love for his son - not even the world.
That night, Taro managed to complete the report on time, therefore being saved from the wrath of Zoffy. And Taiga had a good night’s sleep, filled with happiness for his father and himself.