We’ve seen plenty of content of AZ adopting people, but what about a reader who adopts him? They take one look at him and they’re like, “yeah that’s my grandpa”
I think it’d be cute if reader just started calling him “grandpa” out of the blue
I work with elderly people and I adopt so many grandparents because of this. Go hug your grandparents people they ain’t around forever.
Team MZ, or rather Taunie and Lida, had decided that today was the day they would get AZ out into public again. The man was, admittedly, a bit of a hermit when no one’s there to drag him out to the plaza, so the girls planned a nice lunch as a treat for the crew.
You admittedly weren’t too happy with the kids for doing so, especially without informing you, but you were even more worried about AZ. Not only is he extremely tall and partially disabled, but the poor man is old. Age had been kind in the face, and absolutely NOTHING else. Walking often winded AZ if he went for too long, and that was only if his bad knee didn’t get to him first.
You care about him a lot. He’s like your grandfather, since you’d never met your own, and it was hard not to call him Pops or Gramps playfully on occasion. You had once, and the look you received haunted you for at least a week. Offering to assist him went a tad better, but AZ was still a stubborn man, even at this point in his life.
Still, despite all of this, you can’t help yourself. As the crew trot along the sidewalk, you hang back with AZ and walk at his pace. He attempts to quicken his stride to keep up, but ultimately must slow every time, leaning slightly onto your arm as you steady him.
“You needn’t worry for me, truly. Though I value your concern and appreciate your efforts, I do not wish to slow your energetic spirits. Go, rejoin the others. I will make my own way.” AZ insists, trying to gently pull his weight back onto his own feet and his cane, but you keep your hand open in case he needs you. You always do.
When you do make it, the crew has already claimed a table and was ordering their food. AZ, seeing no room left and feeling awkward to try and speak to the staff knowing they wouldn’t have a seat suitable to his stature, chooses to sit separately, and you would be damned if he was going to be sitting by himself. You settle into his booth, much to his surprise, but you two start a vibrant conversation nonetheless. Until the server finally leaves the table of your friends, and over to your table.
This is where you make a crucial decision.
“Hello there! And who do we have today?” The server asks cheerfully, handing both of you a menu. They seem mildly nervous of AZ, leaning away from him in favor of you, and you answer with an overly happy tone. “Just me and my granddad. He needed to get out of the house today.” You partially lie, making the server give you a look that could only be described as a Deerling in headlights as if you were going to suddenly grow 5 feet and bite their arm off.
Good, you think to yourself. You feel petty, but also satisfied, as you both order a drink and the server scampers away.
“Ahem.” AZ says, interjecting your thoughts and turning your attention to his face again. He looks surprised, his head tilted slightly, as he gazes at you with an eyebrow raised. You gesture to him with a slight shake of your head, not realizing what it is that you had done to get his attention.
“Did..you just call me your grandfather?” AZ asks quietly, leaning his elbows on the table and his chin on one hand, a smile sneaking onto his face slowly. You flush and rub the back of your neck, flustering slightly. You hadn’t even realized that you’d said it. “Ah, I’m sorry, it just sort of..slipped out I suppose. I guess that’s..how I see you. I’ll stop if you want me to.” You explain quietly, embarrassed now by the fact that you’ve grown so attached.
AZ simply smiles, reaching over and ruffling your hair. “Nonsense. I would be honored to be your grandfather, even if not by blood. Truthfully I never had any children of my own..but I doubt I would’ve made even a mildly decent father, particularly during my reign. I prefer this, here and now, where my presence comforts those I care for.” AZ admits to you, gently wrapping his large and withered hands around your own and squeezing them with such pride in his heart.
For the first time, he truly feels like he’s found a family.
The MZ kids all call him Peepaw or Grandpa behind his back, thinking it would upset him or make him mad. Little do they know he’s actually a huge family man and would SOB.
If you have an idea or a prompt you’d like me to try, please send an ask!
