Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, sadly enough.
Author's Notes: It's just a humorous drabble, not to be taken very seriously. Don't even ask about MOMO when you're done reading. :)
Hug Me!
by Lucrecia LeVrai
Soon after the Kukai Foundation was cleared of the charges brought by the U-TIC organization, Shion found herself back on the bridge of the Durandal, reunited with the majority of her friends and acquaintances. Gaignun Kukai was the last person to arrive, and his quiet return stirred a considerable commotion among the crew. The many 100-series stood up to greet him politely, whereas Mary and Shelley practically threw themselves at the man the moment he left the elevator. Both sisters seemed to be one step short of fainting in relief; they proceeded to shower their boss with hugs and kisses, unbothered by several pairs of eyes watching the entire scene.
The director just stood there, calm as ever, not a trace of irritation on his handsome face. He had accepted the sudden emotional outburst as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Jr., on the other hand, looked—or rather pretended to look—utterly heartbroken by the amount of affection his so-called 'father' was receiving.
"Hey, what about me?" he wailed, spreading his arms wide in an inviting gesture. "Mary, Shelley…?"
Both women promptly ignored him, without as much as a second glance in his direction. They kept clinging to their black-haired superior, chirping about how happy they were to see him again, safe and unharmed. Well, to be precise, Mary did most of the talking. Her older sister merely contented herself with burying her head in the crook of the man's neck.
"Oh, c'mon! I could've been hurt, or died, too!" Jr. pouted, trying his best to sound like a shaken, little kid, who was suddenly relieved to find himself alive. Shion raised an eyebrow. She knew better than to fall for the boy's antics, and judging from the two sisters' lack of reaction, they must have been equally unimpressed.
Gaignun Kukai Jr. was still an enigma to her, even more so in the light of the recent events in the Encephalon, but Shion could swear that the redhead was no coward. She understood why Mary and Shelley, 'preoccupied' as they were, saw no need to pander to their captain's whims, yet at the same time their indifferent behavior puzzled her slightly. She also couldn't help but muse about how adorable the boy looked right now, as he kept sulking:
"And these soldiers were really scary… Hey, why don't you show me some compassion here!"
This, at last, prodded some response from the women.
"Little Master…" Shelley began warningly, turning around to flash him an icy stare.
"Cut it off! We're not gonna hug you again, ever!" Mary, the blunter of the two, finished.
By now Jr.'s expression had grown so forlorn that he resembled a kicked puppy. "Dammit, you two are cruel!" He sighed, slowly dropping his arms, a perfect picture of misery. "I feel so unloved."
Shion had absolutely no idea what was going on, but she decided to play along, if only for the redhead's sake. "There, Jr." She titled her head to the side and smiled. "I'll give you a hug, if you wish…"
The boy instantly whirled in her direction. "Shion…" he sniffed, still pretending to be devastated by his subordinates' blatant lack of interest. "Thank you!"
The dark-haired Kukai cleared his throat. The corners of his lips twitched, forming a barely noticeable smile. "Ms. Uzuki, if I were you, I wouldn't–"
He was interrupted by a grinning Jr., who rushed forward, giving Shion no opportunity to reconsider her offer. Before she could even say 'it's alright', the boy was already upon her, holding her in a tight hug. There was a brief pause, during which some realization sank in, mainly about the difference in height… but it was too late.
Shion felt her left eyebrow twitch.
Jr.'s face was buried right in her chest.