Work Text:
Starlo opened the gate to the Ketsukane Estate.
He passed through the lush lawn, and up the steps where he reached the front door.
He knocked, and waited.
A small shuffle of locks and twist of the Knob, and he was face-to-face with Chujin, and the Purple Fox seemed to ponder for a moment, before smiling.
"Starlo! Come right in!" He announced, shutting the door behind him.
Starlo adjusted his glasses and looked around the house.
"So, what is it you called me here for? You didn't damage the crib me n' my father made, Didja?"
Chujin had a smile on his face, unnatural of the canine.
"Oh, we'll get to it. How about we sit and have a chat, I'll even make some Tea."
"You know how I feel about Leaf water."
Chujin cleared his throat.
"Coffee is on the table, I suppose."
Chujin guided Starlo to the Family room, though he had been to their house enough times to already know the layout.
Chujin kneeled down on his Cushion, while Starlo sat on the floor with his legs crossed, facing away from the fireplace.
"So, what'd you have me come over for? If I need to fix something you should have told me to bring my toolset."
Chujin chuckled again.
"Oh, you won't be fixing anything, Starlo." Chujin informed him.
Starlo heard footsteps approaching from his right, and looked over.
"I tried to get him to do this whole thing normally, believe me, Starlo."
Starlo stood up in shock.
His jaw dropped as Ceroba approached him.
"You didn't tell me you had your baby yet!" He complained as he looked down at the swaddled infant in Ceroba's arms.
"Well personally, I wanted it to be more formal, but Chujin really wanted to mess with you."
Chujin, now beside his wife, put a hand on her shoulder.
"Guess this makes you an uncle, Or something." Chujin joked.
"Well, Starlo, meet Kanako. Kanako Ketsukane." Ceroba introduced.
Starlo's eyes widened as the baby opened her eyes, and looked up at him.
They were a deep Amber, reminiscent of her mother's hair.
"Chujin, you ain't mad I'm feelin' some sorta... Second-hand pride right now?"
"It's only natural meeting your best friend's new baby, I suppose."
Ceroba rolled her eyes.
"Chujin, how about you go make us some drinks, I'll get Starlo to know Kanako better, in the meantime."
Chujin placed a kiss on the Baby's forehead, followed by one on Ceroba's cheek before he left for the kitchen.
Ceroba sat down on the floor, and Starlo followed closely after.
"So, Kanako, huh? Didn't you have a Pet S-"
"Yes, Starlo. We all remember. I named it that then because I liked the name. And I decided to name her this for that same reason." Ceroba explained.
Ceroba huffed, gently rocking the baby back and forth.
Starlo wasn't a parent.
He never planned on having any kids, unless his future partner may want some.
But he damn-well knew that Ceroba was fit for the role.
"Star, I have a question for you." She announced, her eyes leering up at him.
He perked up.
"I was... Thinking, about Kanako's future, and... I want to prepare, just in case something bad happens to me, or Chujin... or the Both of us."
She looked down at her sleeping baby, her whole world.
"I want you to Godfather Kanako. In case something happens... and I can't be there for her, I entrust you alone to take care of her."
Starlo readjusted his Glasses once more, with a smile.
"I'd be more than honored, Ceroba."
Just then, Chujin walked back in, with a platter of glasses.
Starlo grabbed one of them and took a sip, only to be met with the leaf water he oh-so despised.
But it wasn't... Awful.
It had a rich taste, and it wasn't terrible, unlike he should would have supposed.
What got him, however, was the shit-eating grin on his face.
He knew he liked it.
"Well, I suppose it's gettin' a bit late... I should head out. not like I could stay, Guest bedroom being a Nursery now and all." He reasoned.
Starlo went for the front door, but felt a hand pull him back.
"Starlo, I just want to to know, you're always welcome in the Ketsukane Home, alright?"
He nodded.
"Didn't know this was somethin' you were only makin' clear now!" He joked.
They all laughed as he waved goodbye, and shut the front door.
"That kid is gonna go places." Starlo thought to himself as he walked down the front pathway.
"Big places."