Chapter Text
It was Christmas Eve, and the Jenova family was in their natural state of chaos.
Kadaj was bouncing off the walls in excitement, eagerly shouting about presents and candy canes. Cloud, already frazzled from decorating the house and managing Kadaj’s newfound obsession with Christmas lights, groaned as Sephiroth announced their next activity.
“We’re going shopping,” Sephiroth said calmly, pulling on his long coat.
Cloud stared at him like he’d suggested jumping into a Mako reactor. “Shopping? On Christmas Eve? Are you insane?”
“We need gifts for Kadaj,” Sephiroth replied matter-of-factly. “You were too busy decorating the tree for the fifth time to plan ahead.”
“I wasn’t decorating,” Cloud muttered. “I was fixing it because someone knocked it over—again.” His eyes darted meaningfully toward Kadaj, who was currently trying to stuff an entire candy cane into his mouth.
Kadaj perked up at the mention of shopping. “Are we going to get toys? Lots of toys?”
“No,” Cloud and Sephiroth said in unison, but Kadaj was already tugging on his shoes, ready to go.
------
By the time they arrived at the crowded mall, Cloud was already regretting every life choice that had led to this moment. Sephiroth, on the other hand, looked as composed as ever, striding confidently through the chaos with Kadaj perched on his shoulders.
“I hate this,” Cloud muttered as they squeezed past a group of carolers blocking the entrance.
“It’s not so bad,” Sephiroth said, seemingly unbothered by the festive mayhem.
Cloud shot him a look. “Of course, you’re fine. Everyone’s too scared to bump into the guy with the seven-foot sword.”
Kadaj, meanwhile, was having the time of his life, pointing out every brightly colored display and shouting, “Mama, look! Dadda, look!”
“Stop calling me Mama in public,” Cloud hissed, his face turning red as a group of teenage girls giggled behind them.
“But you are my Mama,” Kadaj said with a pout.
“Not helping,” Cloud grumbled.
---
Their first stop was the toy store, where Sephiroth grabbed the last box of a popular action figure set just as another parent reached for it. The poor man froze when he saw who he was dealing with and promptly backed away.
Cloud sighed. “Do you have to intimidate everyone?”
“I didn’t do anything,” Sephiroth said innocently, handing the box to Kadaj, who squealed in delight.
The squeal quickly turned into a shriek as Kadaj spotted a display of toy swords and tried to make a beeline for them. Cloud managed to grab him just in time.
“No more swords,” Cloud said firmly.
“But I want them all!” Kadaj wailed, dramatically throwing himself onto the floor.
Sephiroth raised an eyebrow. “Should we leave him here?”
“Don’t tempt me,” Cloud muttered, hauling the squirming toddler back to his feet.
---
After surviving the toy store, the family headed to a gift-wrapping kiosk. While Sephiroth calmly supervised the process, Kadaj discovered a roll of wrapping paper and decided it was the perfect makeshift sword.
“Look, Dadda! I’m just like you!” Kadaj declared, swinging the roll wildly.
Cloud ducked as it narrowly missed his head. “Kadaj, stop that!”
“But I’m practicing!” Kadaj protested.
Sephiroth smirked. “He’s got potential.”
“Don’t encourage him!” Cloud snapped, snatching the paper away.
----
By the time they reached the food court, Cloud was ready to collapse. They managed to find a table amidst the crowd, and Sephiroth went to get drinks while Cloud tried to keep Kadaj from climbing onto the table.
When Sephiroth returned, he handed Kadaj a small cup of hot chocolate. Kadaj took one sip and promptly spilled it all over his sweater.
Cloud groaned. “Why do I even try?”
“Because you love us,” Sephiroth said with a faint smile.
“Debatable,” Cloud muttered, grabbing napkins to clean up the mess.
---
After what felt like an eternity, the family finally made it back to the car. Kadaj, now tired from all the excitement, dozed off in his car seat clutching his new action figure.
Cloud leaned back with a sigh, his head resting against the window. “Never again,” he mumbled.
Sephiroth glanced at him, a rare hint of amusement in his eyes. “You handled it well.”
Cloud snorted. “Sure, if by ‘well,’ you mean I didn’t lose my mind completely.”
Sephiroth reached over, his hand brushing against Cloud’s. “It’s worth it. For him.”
Cloud looked over at Kadaj, who was snoring softly, and couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah,” he admitted. “It is.”
As they drove home, the chaos of the day faded into a warm, contented silence—at least until Kadaj woke up and started asking if Santa had brought his sibling yet.