#so yeah... enjoy ig

Shikadai was glad Temari used to pester him to do groceries with her as a kid. Sure, it was troublesome but at least those trips have helped him now. He’s familiar with the store owners and can easily find the ingredients he needed. Shikamaru was just tagging along, returning greetings to whoever recognized him. But for the majority of the trip, he was just impressed at his son. Maybe he’ll reconsider getting him a sibling. Maybe. Though getting him that game he wanted could also be a good prize. Yeah, let’s go with that.

 Once they were finished with their grocery, the father and son duo headed back and prepare for battle. Cooking is something neither of them have the experience of. Well, Shikadai still beat his old man in that aspect. Temari had often had Shikadai help her with the kitchen work when he was young. Though he stopped after getting into the academy, he still remembered most of the basic kitchen kills. But not basic knife skill.

 “Are you sure that’s how you hold a knife?” Shikamaru seemed nervous. He may be one of the strongest ninjas in Konoha but watching his son holding a knife, is even more scary than going into war. Watching him spin a kunai seems much safer than him holding a knife.

 “If I remember what Mom taught me, it’s something with claw…” Shikadai struggled to hold the carrot, holding the knife up.

 Shikamaru let out a huge sigh, picking up the piece of paper and read through the instructions “Seeing you hold a knife is way scarier than when I first let you use a real kunai”

 “No need to state the obvious”

 “Should I call your grandmother?”

 “No”

 “Why?”

 Shikadai shot him a glare, his eyes reminded Shikamaru so much of his wife. Shikamaru was waiting to see what his son had to say but Shikadai turned back to the cutting board, resuming on chopping the carrots.

 “I just want to use my own strength to thank Mom for everything she’d done for us” He spoke up after a while. Shikamaru leaned up, seeing the slight blush on his face.

 He let out a soft chuckle and took the radish and a peeler “Alright, let’s try our best then”

 Cooking was a huge challenge. For someone who never cooked before, the two men were struggling. Luckily, no one lost a finger and after struggling for 3 hours for a food that should only take an hour but that’s fine. Shortly after, Temari got home and they could tell she was fuming.

 “I can’t believe they finally let me go” She groaned, sliding the door close “Oi! Nara Shika-“ A familiar scent stopped her and she walked over to the kitchen, looking at the two boys collapsed on the dining table

 “Welcome home, Temari” Shikamaru was the first to greet her, sitting up straight “Hope you’re hungry”

 “Well…” She tried to gather her thoughts. She gave the kitchen a quick scan. It was surprisingly clean. She went to sit down and watched Shikadai setting the bowl down in front of her. “Did you two made this?” She looked back up at the boys. They laughed sheepishly, small blush creeping onto their faces

 “If it’s bad, just tell us” Shikadai scratched his head, casting his eyes down. Temari hummed, taking a small sip. Shikamaru and Shikadai held their breath in anticipation, expecting a disgusted look or any sort of reactions.

 “Well…?”

 “It’s good” She smiled, taking another spoonful “I’m surprised”

 “It was mainly Dai. I just help a little”

 “Well, thank you, you two” She flashed them a huge grin. The sight of her soft smile brought warmth to their chests. “I’m surprised you knew how to make Kenchin soup”

 “I had to ask gran and uncle Gaara” Shikadai confessed, taking a taste of his soup as well. The taste took him aback and he glanced at his father, watching him taste it as well.

 “Why do you seem so surprised?” Temari laughed, reaching over and ruffled his hair “You did amazing Dai, thank you”

 “M-Mom…” He blushed a bit “Happy Birthday…” He murmured and Temari smiled