Work Text:
Daily routines were hard enough by themselves but life really had its obstacles when there were multiple wrenches thrown in. In this case the wrenches were so many children. When Riku, Sora and Roxas had been babies they could make all three appointments at the same time and it was really no big deal.
It was not the same when you had seven children. Cloud had picked up four of his children from school midday for a dentist appointment and that was long enough. It was just for a cleaning but it still took nearly three hours for the four of them to be done. Monday was Leon's turn taking the remaining three when he had the time around his classes.
As things were, Cloud was just glad there were no further problems.Today he had the twelve year olds and the ten year olds. Vanitas, Ventus, Sora and Roxas. Cloud was almost surprised there were no cavities but Leon really was on them on a daily basis to brush their teeth. Seems like it paid off.
"My mouth feels funny." Sora complained as they walked down the sidewalk. Cloud had purposely parked a little further away so they'd have to walk the rest of the way.
"It's just cause your mouth is clean." Cloud teased him. "It's okay. By the time we order and talk to Aunt Aerith a little it will have been long enough from your appointment that you can eat."
"And get our mouths dirty again." Vanitas agreed.
Ventus just snorted. "Is that how it works?"
"It makes sense." Vanitas shrugged.
"Just keep brushing your teeth before you go to bed and in the morning and you'll be fine." Cloud said.
Roxas made an annoyed sound. "So what was the point of going to the dentist for them to do it?"
Cloud snorted. "They do a better job than you do."
"Then why don't they do it every day?" Sora asked.
"Do you want to go to the dentist every day?" Cloud asked.
"Ugh, no." Vanitas grumbled. The older twins didn't consider the dentist as a 'doctor' which they were so afraid of but they still wanted one of their dads to be present with them for comfort. That part of the day, Cloud hadn't minded. It was keeping Roxas and Sora occupied until it was their turn that gave him a headache. Never in his life did he think this would be his life but he loved these tiny annoying children who constantly played twenty questions.
"Are the others coming?" Ventus asked, too 'old' to hold hands but he held onto Cloud's sleeve when they walked sometimes.
"They'll be a little late, but yep. Daddy should be picking them up from school now and they'll head over."
Sora ran forward to open the door to Aerith's cafe for an older woman exiting and then holding it still for the rest of his family. Cloud ruffled his hair fondly and shoved him inside ahead of him.
"Aunt Aerith. Hi." Roxas greeted, already at the counter, and the days where he had to stretch to peer over the counter were gone.
"Hello there." She smiled at him. "How was your appointment?"
"Fine i guess." He shrugged. "Can we have the fancy grilled cheese sandwiches?"
Aerith laughed. "For all of you?"
Roxas' eyes sparkled. "I want bacon in mine."
"Me too!" Vanitas grinned.
"Tomato." Ventus said.
"Three cheeses!" Sora cheered.
Aerith laughed softly. "Alright. I'll get it ready." She glanced up at Cloud. "And for you?"
"All that, throw it on one sandwich." Cloud mused.
"Heey." Roxas said, suddenly realizing that was an option.
"I'm bigger than you." Cloud snickered.
Vanitas pouted. "Not by much."
"Woah, okay, that's a low blow." Cloud snorted, guiding all of the kids to a table. "Let's get out of the way and not block the counter."
There was one big table and they always took it. Nine people usually warranted it.
"Is this a late lunch or an early dinner?" Ventus asked.
"We'll see." Cloud said vaguely, having learned to not make promises on something so simple that could be so easily changed. He pulled out coins for them to play table soccer and amuse themselves without the use of his phone and both sets of twins turned it into a mini tournament.
Aerith returned to the table with their drinks which they hadn't ordered but she'd known the boys far too long to not know as simple as their drink order. "Here you are boys, your food will be out in a minute. I have a new waitress working for me now, so be nice."
She got a chorus of hums and agreements but they were focused on their game.
Cloud took the moment to rest his eyes and contemplate his age versus the number of children he had. He didn't even react when Aerith playfully flicked his forehead.
In only ten minutes, and Ventus declared the first tournament win, the food was out, carried on a big tray by one small girl. She struggled only a little until she could set the tray down on the edge of the table.
A gasp lodged in Vanitas' throat, eyes comically wide and his face flaring red. "Naminé." That got his brother's attention quickly.
"Naminé? You're the friend from grandpops airship?" Ventus asked, looking at the girl, her blond hair braided behind her ear.
"Yes." Her smile was hesitant. "Hello..."
Vanitas pulled the tray further onto the table to help her. "What are you doing here?"
"Did you not know?" Cloud smiled. "Naminé is Aerith's niece."
"Really?" Sora giggled softly.
"Mhmm.." Naminé looked on shyly.
"You..You uh...lived somewhere else though. You live here now?" Vanitas asked, faintly flustered.
"She does!" Aerith smiled, returning to the table. "We talked it over with my father and Naminé will be living here from now on. She’ll start school with you boys in the fall.”
“That could be fun.” Sora smiled, even having no concept of who this girl really was. He’d never met her before, but that had never stopped him from chatting.
“What grade are you in?” Roxas asked.
“She’s in our grade, right?” Ventus asked. “Cause you’re twelve too.”
Naminé smiled faintly and nodded. “Mhmm.”
She seemed a shy little thing but sat down when Vanitas grabbed a chair for her. Aerith obviously didn’t mind. It was an adorable mutual crush and this unrealistic part of Cloud hoped it lasted.
He and Leon weren’t great examples of past romantic interests, but they’d had them. Nothing to repeat and nothing they wanted to share with their children. They’d been angry teenagers and there were times when any company would do. They wanted better for their children.
Vanitas might have been an angry little boy working through his trauma but they were trying to steer him away from being the angry teenager they had been. Him having a crush on a shy little girl was perfect. Exactly what he needed to help temper him.
“This is Naminé’s first time in Radiant Garden so i hope you boys can show her around and make her feel welcome.
“We can do that.” Roxas agreed.
“Yeah! You can come play at our house, right papa?” Sora asked.
Cloud chuckled, finding immense amusement at the look Ventus was giving Vanitas. “Sure. If i remember, you’re an artist too, right Naminé?” Cloud asked. “We have a lot of art things, i’m sure we can make a day of it.”
She smiled and nodded. “I’d…like that.”
Naminé was a shy one, so different from all the other little girls Cloud had been exposed too. Kairi, Xion, or even Aqua.
Kairi was bold, Xion was brazen, and Aqua was unapologetically herself. Personally he felt like he was raising, and helping to raise strong girls that would never be on the defensive. He was waiting for the day he got a call from school because Xion punched another little boy because she didn’t care for his tone.
Leon was going to blame him for that one.
“So you’re… really living here now?” Vanitas muttered. “That’s good. We can show you the Great Maw and stuff…”
The two have been sharing emails since they met on Cid’s ship the previous summer, and now they’ve been friends nearly an entire year. He wasn’t the only one to think it was adorable.
“I’d like that.” Naminé mumbled. “There’s lots of things i’d like to see, and i’m nervous about starting school in the fall. I’ve never gone to a school with boys before.”
“Hm?” Ventus’ brows pinched together. “What does that mean?”
Aerith laughed softly. “Naminé went to an all girls school, but it wasn’t the right fit. It wasn’t right for me when i was young either.”
Cloud snorted and Aerith playfully kicked the leg of his chair. He didn’t remember a lot of school himself but he remembered that kids could be unnecessarily mean. He’d always hoped that his kids wouldn’t be the mean kid or the mean kids victim.
“That doesn’t sound as fun.” Sora commented. “You’ll like our school better.”
“Hope so.” Naminé mumbled but her words were almost overshadowed by the door being thrown open as Xion skipped in with Riku and Rei. Leon brought up the rear.
“Okay, okay, we’ll eat too.” he said, sounding like it hadn’t been the first time.
“You’re here.” Roxas smiled around a bite of his sandwich.
“What’s Sora have, that looks good.” Rei muttered, taking his seat.
“Can we have chocolate croissants?” Riku asked.
“After real food.” Leon said. At this point both men were conditioned to getting the kids croissants every time they left the cafe.
“Tell me what you want, kids, and i’ll get it.” Aerith was laughing, greeting Xion with a hug. They each ordered and Cloud was not sure what got into all seven kids that they were ordering different kinds of grilled cheeses but whatever. At least they weren't picky eaters. Usually.
“Who’s the new girl?” Xion asked, flustering Naminé.
“This is Naminé.” Roxas said.
“She’s Vani’s friend.” Sora added.
“Oh, the girl from the airship.” Riku said. “Nice to meet you.”
“Oh, the girl Vani likes.” Rei mused right after, making both Vanitas and Naminé turn a bright shade of red and avoid eye contact.
“Yep. She’s gonna be moving here.” Ventus added, before abruptly swapping topics. “Dad, our teeth are good.”
“Fantastic.” Leon chuckled. “That means you’ve been very responsible. I think grandad promised you all treats if your appointments went well.”
The four who’d gone to the dentist today grinned and the remaining three were pouting, their fates still up in the air.
“Is Naminé gonna come over?” Xion asked.
“I’m sure she will.” Cloud said.
“Good. There’s always more boys than girls.” She said and her brothers didn’t deny it. Even when all the kids were together, more than half were boys. It made sense that Xion would be pleased at the prospects of a new friend but that was only if Vanitas was willing to let go of his own time with her.
“Yeah.” Leon said dryly. What was one more kid for the playdates?
While the three other kids and Leon ate, Cloud played table soccer with Ventus, Roxas, and Sora. Vanitas however had turned his place mat over and, with the pencils Aerith had given them, doodled with Naminé.
They apparently had made a game out of their doodles, something only the two of them would likely understand.
Cloud and Leon shared a look, the two of them thinking along the same lines. This one wasn’t theirs but she’d probably end up at their house quite a bit. Naminé was new to the area and nothing would help her adjust as much as having many new friends her age.
They were going to end up having to put up a sign proclaiming that their house was not a daycare.
Aerith returned to the table with chocolate muffins and chocolate croissants, each of the kid taking their pick happily, even Naminé. It was sheer practice with meeting new people that had the kids giving Naminé some room to breathe. All of them were too young to read the social cues of two preteens trying to talk to each other after so long apart.
Cloud smiled at the sight of the two of them drawing different pieces of the same picture. He was aware that Naminé had her own problems to deal with and Vanitas would be able to understand them. All in all, their long distance friendship would be able to continue in the same city.
Cloud foresaw many more lunches here, and maybe Aerith babysitting more often again.