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“Nanamin!”
Kento was shaken out of his reverie upon hearing the overflowing sunshine in Yuuji’s voice. Ever since the toddler was able to pronounce the syllables of his name, he kept on adding the letter ‘n’ at the end of it. The older man always tried to correct it every single time but the boy insisted on calling him so. Nobody else called him that way and it sort of became the little boy’s call of endearment to him. Time went by, and he slowly became fond of Yuuji's weird choice of endearment.
“Nanamin, you’re here!” Yuuji gave him a huge smile; two front teeth missing, as he hugged one of Kento’s legs so tightly. The boy was a little short of breath after sprinting when he saw the older man emerging out of his car.
Slightly bending on his knees, he scooped Yuuji with both of his arms and lift the bouncing boy up to his waist.
“Itadori-kun, how was your day?” Kento asked and Yuuji started babbling unintelligibly as he struggled to recall all the events of the day in a single sentence. The older man patiently nodded and gently wiped the smudged evidence of chocolate on his plump, cherry cheeks. Yuuji must’ve charmed his way again with the volunteers and social workers. It’s a known fact that nobody can resist the toddler’s requests especially when he throws his infamous ‘kicked puppy-look’. It’s terrifying how the kid’s already got them at the palm of his hands and not even Kento is able to deny it.
Maybe it’s because of what the kid went through. When he first saw Yuuji in the orphanage, the boy was a walking trauma in a shape of a little human. The workers there have told the blond man that Yuuji was admitted just at the age of two after losing both of his parents in an accident. He was then turned-over to the closest relatives eligible for adoption but they end up abusing the poor toddler verbally and physically. It was a blessing that a neighbor of the cruel relatives reported it and Yuuji was taken to the orphanage. Not the best option but at least he was safe and properly fed.
“…and Gogo give me lots of candies! And said something wike… wike… congualation---coralations----conguatulations?”
Yuuji’s face was so confused about the unfamiliar word it’s so adorable.
“It’s ‘congratulations’, Itadori-kun,” Kento softly chuckled, taking in the relieved face of the boy when he heard the right word.
“That’s it!,” Yuuji started bouncing excitedly. “That’s it! But I don’t know what it weans…” Yuuji slightly tilted his head like a puppy waiting for treats.
It was so cute Kento can’t help laughing again. Leave it to Gojo to say words without explaining it. That man likes to believe he’s some kind of a wise guru even though he acts worse than kid’s throwing tantrums on a daily basis. Well, at least he didn’t spoil all the surprise for Yuuji.
“It’s what people say Itadori-kun when they are happy for you because something good happened to you,” Nanami replied with a fond look in his eyes when he saw Yuuji getting confused even more.
“Huh? But everyday good happens to me… but Gogo don’t tell me conguatulations?”
Oh God, could Yuuji be any more adorable than this? Because the kid always tugged on his heart strings and Kento is melting inside every single time. Yuuji already came a long way and he’s no longer that terrified little kid, stuck in a corner and flinching whenever someone gives him a look or attempts to touch him. Hearing the boy say the opposite now just hits so different as someone who’s finally able to take Yuuji as his own.
“It’s because Gogo is happy that you are finally going home with me, Itadori-kun.”
For a second, Kento felt his heart stop when Yuuji just stared at him, his doe eyes sparkling with wonder while he processed the blonde’s words in his little head.
Then he suddenly felt chubby arms wrapped around his neck, cute head and spiky soft hair tickling him just beneath his jaw because Yuuji was hugging him.
“Nanamin! Do I live with you? Am I going to live with you?!” Came the excited questions and adorable squeals of delight.
“Yes, Itadori-kun. You’re going to live with me as long as you want.”
“Yay! I’m living with Nanamin forever!”
The amount of love he has for Yuuji at that moment intensified even more. After all the struggle they went through just to adopt Yuuji was all worth it. The tears Yuuji have shed watching Kento leave him at the orphanage day after day are nothing compared to the pure joy Yuuji is radiating in his beautiful, toothy smile.
“Oh, I’m telling Gogo and my fwiends!... I’m so happy Nanamin,” Yuuji can’t stop the giggles from coming and Kento’s heart just swelled with happiness too. He’s going to make sure that happiness will stay painted on the Yuuji’s face for as long as he can.
“Does that mean you’re my daddy now?”
Nanami was taken aback. It was a matter he never thought about in the whole adoption process. He was so focused on getting custody over the kid, he failed to even ask himself if he was even ready to be a father.
But this is what he signed up for. There’s no turning back. Kento will take whatever role he’s given if it means he could have Yuuji to protect and love like his own. Yuuji is now his son and-
“Yes, I am your dad now Yuuji. And love you so much, kiddo.”
“I love you too, Nana- I wean dad.”