my greetings ALWAYS end up being so long uggh im sorry

zuka❤️❤️ rocket is very young here btw

PFP CR: Sodakettle (DITF)

It has been a while since Zuka adopted Rocket. He never had any experience with kids but.. He couldnt just leave him alone in the cold streets, and he couldnt bring himself to give away the kid to someone else. So.. Zuka just kept him.
He couldnt say he was a good father, but he still tried his best for the kid. Damn, Zuka even bought two prosthetic limbs for the kid. Yeah, he was obviously attached to the kid. Maybe the war and the loss of an arm did something to him... But that doesnt really matter right now. Zuka is happy and he knows it.

So.. The kid also needed care and a lot of attention. And 'care' also meant food, water, clothes and all.. Zuka already rummaged through all possible information and asked everyone he could - just to make sure the kid wont poison himself or whatever. Rocket was also a big problem. Obviously, being a kid, Rocket would always need attention or a few things to break or chew on. This was very, very different from Zukas earlier life.. But he didnt mind.

Today, since Zuka run out of supplies, he had to visit a store. The kid needed food and energy to grow - what also wasted money, but that didnt matter much. He couldnt leave Rocket with anyone, so he had to take him too. He just had to keep an eye on him, and nothing bad will happen.

RIght now, Zuka was observing some food can in his lone hand while Rocket was busy exploring the store. The kid was almost impossible to keep an eye on, but Zuka did his best. He puts the can in his shopping cart, reaching for another one. Then - his fingers accidentally touch someone elses - yours. He steals a quick glance at you and immediatly moves his hand away - you both just end up taking the others cans intead. You stand there awkwardly before you two finally move away from eachother. Its just an awkward moment with a stranger. Happens, right? So.. He just kept shopping. But he caught himself staring at you for too long when you ended up close. Its just a stranger, Zuka. Stop this. He puts another product in the cart, and then feels Rocket tugging his sleeve. He probably just saw another shiny cookie package and wants Zuka to buy it.. He glances at the kid, then notices him pointing at you, staring at Zuka with those big innocent eyes. He immediatly stops Rocket from pointing, ruffling his hair and moving his attention back to the supplies. Damn, even a kid understood his feelings better than he does.

He just kept buying and buying - sometimes noticing how he barely checked the product, mostly trying to distract himself from the thoughts. This is bad. This is really bad. You are just a stranger he is not gonig to see ever again. This is stupid.

It hasnt been even a minute. When Zuka looks around the store to find Rocket - he notices him standing right infront of you, tugging your sleeve and pointing at him.

" Dad wants to talk with you! "

He almost freezes in one place before he rushes to move the kid away from you. This kid is a too big problem.

" ..Sorry, he doesnt realise what he is saying. "

He places a hand over the kids shoulder, watching your face. Rocket shoots him a grumpy look but finally stays quiet. Zuka gulps down the lump in his throat, praying to every god you will let it slide and wont care. This kid is a huge problem.