Work Text:
"So, we took this, we got this too..." Zen was looking at the shopping list on his phone, checking the groceries in the cart. "This is also here… Oh, where did this come from?"
Zen pulled a pack of chocolates out of the cart and looked at his son. He couldn't hide his smile; Rinji, who was already standing with another pack of marmalades, about to put them with the rest of the products, immediately smiled and made puppy eyes.
"Rinji… I told you to take only one pack". Zen took a pack of marmalades from his son's hands and handed him along with a bag of sweets, bending slightly. "Let's choose together: Which do you want the most?"
Rinji immediately became serious, carefully looking at the candies, and then at the marmalades. The slightly furrowed eyebrows and puffed cheeks were so charming that Zen couldn't help but pinch his right cheek. His little son immediately looked at him with a frown, and Zen couldn't help but laugh. He would have sprinkled kisses on his son's face, but Rinji hinted that he was preventing him from making a choice in such an important and difficult matter.
"Candy!" Finally, Rinji pointed to a pack of chocolates, and Zen handed them to him. He put the pack of marmalades back in its place. The boy immediately grabbed Zen by the pants, holding sweets in his other hand. "And when are we going to get the flowers?"
"After we buy all the groceries and then we will go." Zen patted his red hair and then walked forward, looking from one shelf to the other. Rinji obediently followed him, still holding his trousers tightly.
Today was Shirayuki's birthday, and they wanted to go to a restaurant to celebrate it, but she got sick. It had been raining for the last few days, and she got caught in it without an umbrella when she was returning home. Her condition was already better than yesterday, but his wife preferred to stay home and rest. Zen wanted to please her, especially when she was in such a state and so wanted to spend the day together, so he decided to give her a little surprise.
His main gift had been ready for a long time, but he still decided to decorate the house, inflate balloons, buy a cake, make her favorite salad, and give flowers. His little son supported him in everything, which is why, while Shirayuki was sleeping and resting, they went shopping together.
Having bought the necessary products, they went to get flowers. The balloons and other decorations had already been ready, and the birthday cake was well hidden at home, so they had to complete the last point and go home.
"Can I come with you?" Rinji asked immediately, as soon as Zen parked near the flower shop. Zen was about to refuse, turning to him, when he noticed his puppy dog eyes. "Please…"
"Okay, let's go." He still couldn't refuse him. Rinji was delighted and waited for his dad to open the door and help him to get down.
There was a strong wind blowing today, which made it incredibly cold. Zen quickly ran into the flower shop with Rinji in his arms, because his little legs couldn't run fast enough.
The florist immediately greeted them with a smile and then went to get their bouquet.
"Daddy," Rinji pulled on his arm. Zen shifted his gaze to him, realizing where he was pointing it, "can we also get this one?"
There was a small bouquet of carnations in the window. The flowers were beautiful and dazzling. Rinji looked at him with shining eyes.
"Do you want to give this to Mommy?" Zen immediately smiled, understanding what his son was leading up to. Rinji nodded at him and his eyes sparkled even more. After all, he has never been able to say “no" to his son.
They eventually left the flower shop with two bouquets. Rinji was happy, constantly giggling and looking at the little bouquet.
When they returned home, Shirayuki was still asleep. Zen took all the groceries into the kitchen, put the bouquets in vases, and began to prepare.
Rinji willingly helped him arrange the food, and then he washed all the necessary ingredients for the salad, and with the help of metal molds cut an apple and kiwi into flowers and bunnies. Rinji then just watched Zen chop the remaining vegetables quite slowly; his cooking skills were still not excellent, but Shirayuki loved this salad very much.
The chicken broth was ready yesterday, so Zen just threw the potatoes and carrots in there. He also boiled some eggs, and while he was busy with other vegetables, Rinji ate two of them. Zen only noticed this loss when he was slicing them for a salad. The little son immediately giggled and handed him a piece of apple that looked like a bunny. Zen of course couldn't refuse and ate it, and then patted his hair.
Finally done with the cooking, Zen quickly washed all the dishes, and they moved on to the decorations. Rinji did not stay away and helped Zen hang stars and hearts out of paper. He also hung balloons, and the inscription “Happy Birthday.”
As soon as they finished, his son couldn't help but rejoice and admire the beauty, looking forward to his mother's reaction. Zen was pleased with the work they had done, so after pulling the cake out of its hiding place and putting it on the table, he and Rinji went to Shirayuki.
Shirayuki was sleeping in complete darkness. It had been lunch for a long time, but the thick curtains did not let in any sunlight, so he opened them slightly. Shirayuki immediately narrowed her eyes, burying her face in the pillow. Rinji climbed onto the bed, almost jumping on it.
"Mommy, happy birthday!" Rinji was so excited that he couldn't contain his emotions. Zen just sat on the edge of the bed with a smile, stroking her hair. "Mommy, the sun has been awake for a long time!"
"Mmm... Rinji... Zen..." Shirayuki sleepily opened her eyes, turning over on her back. Zen couldn't help but touch her cheek. She immediately turned her head so that her lips touched his arm.
"How are you feeling?" Zen said it quietly enough, brushing her bangs off her face.
"Much better." Shirayuki smiled at him as she stretched.
"Mommy, we have prepared a surprise for you there! Let's go!" Rinji threw the blanket off her, wanting to show her everything they had prepared as soon as possible.
Shirayuki immediately hugged the boy, embracing him to her chest and kissing him on the cheeks. Rinji giggled at first, giving kisses in return, and then began to laugh loudly, feeling how Shirayuki's deft fingers tickled him.
"Daddy, save me!" Rinji, somehow getting out of Mom's arms, immediately rushed into Daddy's arms.
"Come here." Shirayuki immediately straightened up, extending her hand in their direction, as Rinji squeaked and hid behind Zen. "All right, let's go and see what you've done there."
"Let's go, let's go, let's go!"
Rinji immediately perked up, got off the bed, and took Shirayuki's hand. The boy was very energetic and still couldn't stop saying how she would like it and how they worked on these preparations. Shirayuki just followed him with a smile, adjusting the sleeve of her pajamas.
"Tadam! Do you like it? Do you like it, Mommy?" The little son turned his attentive gaze on her.
Zen was also interested, and so he came closer, smiling broadly; Shirayuki's emerald eyes immediately widened, and a wide and happy smile appeared on her face.
"I really love it." Shirayuki turned her soft and happy gaze on them. Her eyes were shining from such a pleasant surprise.
"I helped Daddy! We made your favorite salad, and also… And also..." Rinji was so overwhelmed with emotions that he stuttered, trying to express everything he wanted to say. "And we also bought a cake and flowers!"
"Aww, my sweeties." Shirayuki immediately took Rinji in her hand, showering his face with kisses. Their son didn't mind at all, getting a tenderness from her, hugging her neck tightly. Then she looked at him, holding out her hand. "Zen…"
"Happy birthday, honey." Zen walked over to her, putting his arm around her waist. He reached for her lips, closing his son's small emerald eyes. Rinji immediately tried to remove his hand, not understanding why and for what.
The kiss wasn't that long and deep; just a light touch, but it was enough to express feelings.
"Let's go eat." Shirayuki quickly left a light kiss on his cheek and then went to the kitchen with Rinji in her arms.
Their son continued to tell her about the whole process of their preparation; about their trip to the store, how they picked flowers, how they cooked and how he cut fruits, and of course about how they decorated the house. Shirayuki listened to him with pleasure, praising him for his hard work.
Zen couldn't look at them without a smile on his face. They might not spend the day the way Shirayuki wanted because of her cold, but he and their son still found an alternative option. The main thing was that she would be happy.