Work Text:
“Heh. Take that you fucking scrubs!”
Kenta’s voice could be heard from the kitchen, but you didn’t think to stop his cursing habit. You had been the one to contribute to its making, after all.
“Wait! Dude! Fuck, fuck, fuck! What the hell are you doing! I was totally fucking handling that until you ruined it!”
You laughed, sipping your drink and poking at the leftovers you had microwaved for yourself with your fork. You weren’t very hungry, but you still decided you should eat. You wanted to set a good example for your son, although he would likely eat as he pleased regardless of what you did.
“You guys are such idiots! Did you get this game yesterday? Or better yet, is this your first time on a computer in your life?! Get good or delete yourself, good-for-nothing noob!”
You sighed.
You loved him dearly, and the worst part of that was knowing he loved you too. Even if not to show him to eat right, you knew he would worry if you didn’t eat well enough. You wondered whether he got that from you or his father. Perhaps both. You both did tend to be the “focus on others” type when it came to close family. You hoped that that trait wouldn’t burden Kenta having such an inexperienced and emotionally messy parent.
“You fucking suck at this game! All of you! Jeez, do I seriously have to carry everyone all the time? I swear if I had a team of people anywhere near as competent as me we’d be dominating every rank in this game possible!”
You decided to eat as much as you could. Even if Kenta was preoccupied, it was best to take care of yourself regardless.
Things were just hard when his father was working late.
He was always a busy guy between working, taking care of the family, and music production. Things eased up a bit once you had the money for the house and you were grateful, but it still left stretches of time where, now that Kenta was more self-sufficient, you felt more like a lonely, unemployed loser than a stay-at-home parent.
Still, you refused to bother Kenta. He was clearly in the middle of something very important and you would really rather not accidentally make yourself the target of his game-induced wrath.
“Oh, hey, mom.”
You looked up. “Oh, Kenta!” You hadn’t noticed him standing in the kitchen doorway. “What is it? It sounded like something really intense was going on in there.”
“Don’t even get me started,” Kenta growled, rolling his eyes. “Like, I was fine at the start when my teammates were just letting me take care of everything. It was dumb, but I’m used to having to hard-carry literally everyone, so it was nothing special. Until this guy fucking started trying to help. Like, I get it if you think you can do something and want to actually contribute for once, but it was like he was actively working against me! He kept trying to hide near me and shit and getting us both caught! I wished I could’ve killed him so he’d stop following me around, especially because some other of my noob teammates started trying to do the same! Like, I am not your fucking mother goose, quit following me!”
You smiled, trying to keep up with his story even through his words so quick they felt like they had motion blur. It was no wonder he was already a talented rapper with a fast mouth like that. “Oh, so they lost you the game by trying to help?”
“What? Nah. I just started using them as human shields.”
You couldn't help but laugh. “My son is so smart!” You said with pride.
Kenta smiled too and let out an amused little exhale. “Yeah, I guess. It’s not like I’m literally a genius or anything.”
“My perfect boy!” You found it in you to have a few more bites just because having Kenta be so cute somehow lessened your stomach discomfort. “So did you come here for a celebratory snack or what?”
“Yeah,” he said, walking behind you and opening the fridge. “And to see what you were doing.”
His words surprised you. “Me? How come?” You turned around in your seat so that you could watch him look through the fridge.
It was nice to see him have so many fresh food options without even much thought. It was more than you often had growing up, and especially so for Kenta’s father. It was one of the things you were proudest of now that you had a family together, as silly as it felt to celebrate a full fridge.
Kenta eventually decided on microwaving chicken nuggets from the freezer, but instead of doing it himself, he placed the bag on the counter beside you.
“Oh, y’know. I know you don’t really have that much to do when dad and uncle aren’t here,” Kenta answered nonchalantly.
As much as his concern warmed your heart, you decided on joking around instead of taking it seriously so that you wouldn’t end up crying. “Nuh uh. I have plenty to do. I play mahjong and stuff.”
“Old ass,” he snarked.
“Baby boy,” you fired back. “Anyway, can’t you make these yourself?”
“Yeah, but I like the way you do it more,” he answered, his tone ever so slightly gentler than what you were used to.
“Really? Or is this just an excuse to not have to do it?” You joked, already getting up to set the plate and warm the nuggets up for him.
As much as it seemed like pushing something unnecessary onto you, it somehow felt better to be doing something for him. It was nice to feel wanted and needed at home and something simple like giving Kenta instant food was the perfect thing to do so without exhausting you at all.
Maybe that was the point, you wondered. You knew Kenta was smart. You knew he was absolutely smart enough to think of something like this.
You glanced at him as you put the plate in the microwave. His gaze was elsewhere, but you could tell he was there with love.
Of course. He wouldn’t admit that it was for you because it would be easier if you never found out and were just made happier by his plans. He could live such an easy life being the only one with the knowledge of how much he really loves you.
But he forgot that a smart boy has to come from somewhere.
You went over and hugged him.
It startled him, but he didn’t fear your touch. He leaned into it and welcomed the warmth of your hold even if he didn’t quite understand why he was given it so suddenly.
“Mom? What is this?” He asked, patting your back to make sure you were okay.
“I love you so much, Kenta. Thank you.”
“For what? What did I do?” He still tried to act like he didn’t know.
“For loving me too.”
He paused for a moment, holding you a bit tighter. “Of course I love you, mom. Why wouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know,” you mumbled. You didn’t know why most people didn’t seem to love you very much growing up. You had just grown used to some level of disdain, false care, or complete indifference as the default. “I just didn’t expect it’d be this much.”
“Well, I dunno. You're good to me. And you love me. So what else am I supposed to do?”
The microwave beeped.
You could tell he was getting embarrassed with all the affection you gave him. You still thought it was cute that he managed to get shy despite being showered with it since the first day you had him.
“Eat your nuggies and come watch a movie in the living room with your mama. I think it’s going to rain soon.”
“Hell yeah. Can I choose?”
“Of course, my love.”