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It’s midday when Shikamaru braves the market place. The crowd bustles with activity and the Nara head regrets sleeping in. He knew he shouldn’t have. The thought was a bad idea from the get go, lit up in neon in his mind’s eye…yet his futon had been so inviting. Just a little sleep. A birthday treat.
Now he was paying the price.
Ugh.
Why did he have to run errands on his birthday anyway?
His mind of course supplies the series of events that lead to his current situation. Of course. His brain can’t just shut the hell up for one goddamn second.
He feels the small hand in his tighten their hold on his.
Ah.
At least he had company for his errands.
Shikadai’s attention was on his surroundings, bright intelligent eyes taking everything in.
Shikamaru loved watching his son. The little guy was growing up so fast and with it growing up to be so smart.
Then again, Shikadai was his son after all.
He smiles down at the little guy and they continue their little trip through the market place.
It’s when they’re finishing up that Shikamaru realizes his son had an ulterior motive to accompanying him to the market.
Pressed against the shiny capsule gacha machines was Shikadai, looking at each one with stars in his eyes. He was probably calculating and weighing his options on which machine to stick his money into.
Aw well. Shikamaru could hardly fault the kid. He had been the same way when his mother dragged him around when he was Shikadai’s age. A reward always made such mundane tasks feel worth it.
He feels Shikadai’s little hand tug on his pant leg. “Daddy I can’t reach.” He pointed to the machine he wanted to put his money into.
Shikamaru just feigned exasperation before smiling, leaning down to pick the child up. He leans them over to the requested machine and he watches as Shikadai’s little hand began turning the dial.
Huh.
What kind of a prize would he get?
Shikadai held the capsule with pride then looked at his father with a smile. “Happy birthday, daddy.”
“Ah…?”
He pushes the capsule closer to his face.
“For me?“ He honestly hadn’t expected that.
Shikadai nods.
A balancing act has to be achieved as he continues to hold his son and groceries somehow.
He opens the capsule and inside is…jewelry?
Oh…a ring? Well, it was an awkward size to wear on one’s finger. It could work as a bracelet for Shikadai’s little wrists.
“You like it, daddy?”
Shikamaru beamed. “I love it.”
Shikadai’s face lit up, pleased that his father liked his gift.
When they return home, Shikamaru ties a piece of leather around the ring.
He wears it then shows son his new accessory. “Whatcha think?”
Shikadai gave a thumbs up.
Shikamaru grinned and returned the thumbs up.
Definitely one of the best birthday presents he had ever received.