#littlejohnask

He watched the little boy flail his toy sword around in the air, a mixture of pride and concern wafting about in his messy mind. Still, a smile was visible on his lips. "Not bad!" His hand reached out to ruffle little John's hair when he crouched down to rest a knee on the ground. 

"But dad's job isn't very easy, you know that, right?" Platinum locks stirred between his fingers when he ruffled his hair again, trying not to sound too serious. "He can't be with his family very often, either. I'm sure you'll find a much better way than daddy when you grow up."

Strength: What gives you strength?

A cheerfully beaming laugh was audible without the door even fully opened. "Mom!! Mom, dad's home!!" The boy would exclaim jumping up and down, soon throwing his little arms around the crouching man's neck, wiggling around and nuzzling against him excitedly. A moment like this did not often last longer than a good ten seconds, until his son would let go and dash off to bring the things his mom had bought him during the blond's absence. He would talk about them in the purest way; juvenile innocence.This gave Raiden the time to come in and close the door behind him, John's contagious happiness beginning to affect him too.

And then she would enter the living room.

Her delicate frame was always covered in the finest clothes -- never too flamboyant, yet modern enough to catch anyone's gaze. With her head tilted lightly, a warm smile bloomed on the brunette's soft features. Hazel eyes watched the idyllic scene affectionately as she'd enter the tale herself with slow-paced steps, until there was no distance between her and her husband left. "Jack..." Her voice would chime softly, their lips meeting momentarily, parting just in time when the little boy comes running. He would be tugging at his father’s pants leg, gaining his attention again.

“Dad! Dad, look! I’m the Hulk!” A high-pitched growling sound would come out of little John’s mouth that’d be hidden behind a green mask Rose had bought him last month at a superhero-themed amusement park. After releasing a lighthearted laugh, Raiden would comment “whoa, I’m scared!” right before picking him up. A surprised squeal from his son would be the result, quickly followed by both of their laughs.

But he could feel eyes on him, chocolate brown orbs sharing his genuine joy and watching him heartily. It would be then when the parents’ gazes united, a blissful moment of silence embracing all three of them.

“Welcome home, Jack.”

.

.

.

. 

Oh good. Someone else to bother him.

"…what is it now-“Solidus instantly stopped himself the moment he turned and saw a boy. A small boy. Very happy and very… normal looking, something the Snake was certainly not used to. 

A part of him considered telling the boy off, to go away and not bother him, but something about him seemed… familiar.

And that’s when he remembered the files he took, the images he saw, when he went out of his way to look up a certain person…

Following a moment of disbelief, a smile started to spread on Solidus’ lips, with a subtle hint of smugness present at how wonderfully recursive life seemed to be.

"That's good, isn't it?" He showed a smile. It would be a nice change for them all. He knew Sunny worked hard at Solis, so it would allow her to take a break and actually learn having some fun, and John wouldn't feel so lonely when his parents watched him do all the exciting things.

Two kids, Rose and him at an amusement park.

...