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Hanzo does his best to not chuckles as he watches his granddaughter out of the corner of his eye. Tiny little Vera had just snuck into the dinning room, ducking under the table where she thinks he can’t see her. He very much can, but he finds her antics adorable, so he amuses her for now.
He goes about, continuing to set plates and silverware around the table as Vera bobs and waves beneath it to skillfully avoid his gaze. It doesn’t work of course. Still, he plays along. Once finished, he simply turns and walk out of the dinning room, pausing just out of sight. Listening closely, he’s actually fairly impressed with how quiet she being.
Slowly, peering back in the room, he spots her, tiptoeing towards the kitchen, curled pigtails bouncing, mischievous little grin on her face. He smiles to himself. She quite stealthy for a 3 year old. Of course, he supposes the daughter of Jacqui and Takeda wouldn’t be your average 3 year old.
Slowly, he creeps back in the room, his footsteps honed from year of training being even softer then hers. His socked feet letting him glide across the polished floor. He crotches down behind the kitchen island, watching her with a fond smile.
Her tiny brow is furrowed in the same way Takeda’s does when he’s thinking about something as she studies her angle. Hanzo knows what she’s after. She’s after the cookies on the counter. He can practically see the idea swirling behind her eyes as they light up just like Jacqui’s do when she decides a course of action. Hanzo can practically see the thought of scaling the cabinet handles forming.
Realizing it’s the time to put a stop to her, he crawls forward slowly. Just as she’s about to make an attempt, he speaks. “What do you think you’re doing!” He says a fraction louder than his normal voice. He’d never actually shout at her.
She lets out a startled squeal as she spins around with wide eyes. “Grandpa!” She huffs, crossing her little arms. “You scared me! Not nice!” She scolds.
Hanzo just chuckles before standing, then scooping her up into his arms. “I suppose it wasn’t.” He grins, kissing her temple as he holds her close. He shifts a bit so he can see her. “But you know those cookies are for after dinner.” He reminds gently.
“But, Grandpa, they’re better warm!” She points out with a whine.
“You know I can heat them back up for you, my dear.” Hanzo chuckles. “If you eat cookies now, you won’t have and room left for dinner.” He explains.
“Please?” She begs.
“After dinner.” He says softly but firmly. He’s always been one to teach discipline, control. While, perhaps, not on one so young before, he still knows they are import virtues that sever one well-
Oh no.
Vera looks up at him with her best puppy dog eyes and his resolve quickly weakens. “Pretty please?” She tries again.
“Vera-“ He starts softly. This child was going to be the death of him. His heart just couldn’t say no to her.
“Just one?” She tries to wager. “Please, Grandpa Zo? Please?”
The nickname always hit him like a ton of bricks. It was a remnant of before she could speak as well, when she was even smaller. Back when he was Ganpa Zo and Kuai Liang was Ganpa Kai. By the gods, she’d gotten so big. That tiny baby he had held was big enough to speak to him now, and she still kept his special nickname that for her and her alone to use.
Hanzo sighs and drops his head. He looks around to ensure they’re alone before looking back to Vera. “Okay, one cookie. But you can’t tell Grandpa Kai, okay?” He makes her promise.
She beams at him, throwing her arms around his neck. “Thank you thank you thank you!” She giggles as he walks them over to the trey of fresh cookies. He touches it, ensuring it cool enough for her little hands as she selects one, gripping it tightly. “I promise, Grandpa Zo! It’s a secret!” She vows.
Hanzo just chuckles, wondering how in the world she had him wrapped so tightly around her little finger. “Thank you.” He gently sets her down, still holding her prize. “Now run along and play.”
She nods and grins, but stops briefly and looks up at him, then back down at her cookie. He watches her for a moment, expecting her to request a different one instead, or maybe even more. It’s surprises him when she carefully breaks it in half and offers one up to him. “For you!”
Hanzo’s heart melts even more. “Oh, my dear, are you sure?” He asks as he kneels. “You can have the whole thing if you want.” Dinner be damned. She can have the whole tray if she’d like.
She just grins up at him. “No, you have it! Just don’t tell Grandpa Kai!” She laughs as she runs off.
Hanzo remains knelt for a moment. Gods, when did life get so….nice? He blinks away what’s definitely not moisture from his eyes as he stands with a soft laugh to himself. Turning the cookie over in his hands he shakes his head in fondness and takes a bite.
“Those are for after dinner, you know.”
He almost chokes. “Damn it, Kuai Liang.” He coughs as he turns to face his husband’s smirking face.
Kuai Liang just chuckles as he retrieves a glass from a cabinet, filling it with water for him. “You’re going to ruin your appetite.” He teases.
Hanzo shoots him a glare as he takes a sip, but there’s no real heat to it. “One cookie won’t hurt.”
“And here I thought I married a man with more self control.” Kuai Liang chuckles as he leans in briefly to bump their shoulders together. “You’re spoiling our girl.” He says, but he’s smiling.
Hanzo sighs, slow smile forming as well. He takes a bite of his cookie. “I know. Grandmaster Hasashi, brought to his knees by a pair of big brown eyes.” He shakes his head, finishing the cookie. “How the mighty have fallen.”
“Indeed.” He chuckles, leaning back against the counter, looking relaxed. “You’ve gone soft, my love.” He shakes his head.
“Oh, and you’ve not?” Hanzo teases right back. “Don’t think I didn’t catch that ice cream before breakfast you two shared yesterday!”
Kuai Liang sputters briefly, his normal rigid composure failing him. “You saw that?” A faint blush covers his face.
“Yes, and I didn’t feel the need to sneak up on you afterwards!” Hanzo laughs, tossing a dish towel from the counter at him. “You’re just as bad.”
Catching the towel and tossing it to the side and lunges forward, wrapping his arms around him playfully. “You’re the one taking baking classes so she can have homemade sweets!” He accuses with a laugh.
“And you’re the one that lets her have a snow day whenever she wants!” Hanzo laughs right back before leaning in for a kiss. He rest his forehead against Kuai Liang’s, soft smile of his face. “I’m so unbelievably happy.” He admits.
“As am I.” Kuai Liang beams at him.
In the distance of their home, they can hear her joyful laughter and the faint chatter of Takeda and Jacqui as they watch over her. For once, things are peaceful, calm, and feel oh so very right.