justice_is_blond | Inbox for Fade Rift

Of course.

[It's a perhaps surprisingly short time later that Anders is knocking on the door. He can't afford to run through Skyhold, it would attract attacks, but running to? Safe enough.]

Zevran? It's Anders.

[ The door opens a creak- barely enough for Anders to slip inside. The room is a study in organized chaos- the luxurious fabrics and coals and litter of the tools of his profession all locked away somewhere else. There are blankets and throws and lines half full strung across the room covered with shirts and rags-

Zevran himself is harried, hair a mess knotted at the base of his skull, shadows under his eyes dark and bruised, voice rough and ragged from lack of sleep. There is a stain of vomit on one shoulder of his shirt and a rumpled chaos to the clothing he wears. ]

He won't stop- [ Zevran gestures to the bed where a bundled lump of elven infant, all tanned skin and blonde curls whines, coughs, and hiccups in irregular intervals. This is actually a lull- there'd been shrieking sobs earlier. ] I do not know what is wrong.

[A baby. An elven baby, no less, and combined with pale hair there is no question as to who the father is, not when Zevran looks like this.]

It'll be all right.

[Anders sets down his emergency satchel, going over to the infant and gently picking him up, sending the lightest tendrils of creation magic inward. There's nothing wrong except a little inflammation, which tells Anders everything. Anders gives Zevran a small smile and keeps his voice low and calm, much as he would with any worried caretaker of an infant.]

It's hiccups, Zevran. He's just got a little air... I can ease it.

[ The trouble with knowing every possible way to kill a man, a child, a giant- how easy it is for such a thing to be done even on accident? It makes every little deviation from what is already an unfamiliar norm terrifying. It could be sickness, it could be he swallowed something he shouldn't, maybe some of the powder he hadn't cleaned up properly?

Zevran drags his hands through his hair and stares at his boy, at Anders tending to him and sags, dropping to his knees at the news.

Hiccups.

Only the hiccups. ]

Grazi a Creatore. Please.

Of course.

[There wasn't a chance he wouldn't, unless Zevran had sounded frightened at the possibility. He doesn't just help the air out of where it's trapped, though, Anders eases the soreness before bringing the babe up to shoulder and patting the little one's back, speaking quietly. The miserable noises die down... and baby takes firm grasp of Anders' hair, which he hadn't had a chance to tie back up before dashing here.]

Definitely strong, a strong and healthy... [checking takes only the briefest amount of attention,] boy. I'm... not certain the same can be said about his father? Upon looking around.

He- ah. He is fascinated by hair.

[ The thudding of his heart slows gradually- Zevran does not so much as stand to settle on the bed as slump and sit on the ground, leaning against his mattress. Doghren crawls out from under the bed to nose at his palm and earns herself a scratch of the ears for her troubles. ]

Luciano. His name is Luciano and I am only keeping him until I can find somewhere safe for him to stay. [ a beat. ] And I am not sleeping near as well as I used to.

Luciano.

[It's a warm echo. The baby's tugging on his hair, yes, but that's what babies do. Anders looks Zevran over before taking a seat on the ground next to the elf.]

Until you've found that place, if you could use someone looking after him so you can get some sleep, the offer's here.

[He can follow Zevran's train of thought - Skyhold is not really a safe place for anyone. And when Zevran's called off on a mission, chances are high that those he trusts will be too.]

I wouldn't mind. I also truly wouldn't mind hearing more about how he came to be...

Lucci.

[ Little light. With bright eyes and bright curls and a burbling laugh. Zevran reaches out to tap the child's nose, earning another bubble of laughter. ]

I was in between jobs in Antiva City and spent a rather enthusiastic night with a lovely Merchant by the name of Serena. Apparently the witherstalk did not take. She is getting married soon to one of the Princes and he would be considered an unfortunate complication. It is not safe for him with her.

[The baby is adorable, and even as he nods, following along with what Zevran is saying, Anders can't help but smile back at Lucci.]

It would not be.

[A bastard child? He'd vanish, or worse, be raised in a hostile and abusive environment. Lucci needs somewhere he can grow up and be loved.]

Do you have options for him? Families who are able to take another child?

[Nate has a sister with children, doesn't he? Only they probably live in a city, and he's seen enough of cities to know how elves often get treated there. Being mostly surrounded by humans could be difficult.

The baby rocks forward, free hand reaching to try to catch the finger that got his nose while his other hand tugs more on Anders' hair. It's all right. This is a good reason for pain, and aside from a brief wince, Anders is wearing a smile. He's actually got a hand in Lucci's hair, playing with the little curls while the other holds the baby steady.]

What family?

[ He snorts a weary laugh. ]

The place he might have lived best and safest would be with his mother- I have no doubt that were she to have married any other man? She would have kept him and loved him. But there would be no safety for him in Antiva. It broke her heart to leave him.

[ Zevran allows Lucci to hold fast of his finger, crooking it gently. ]

Anyone I might ask to mind him is already here. Leliana offered me a few options- people she trusts, places he might be safe. I am...considering it.

Not your family, people you might have...

[Except Zevran's an assassin. The people he's come across, short of while working with Jonas, aren't exactly the good sort for raising an infant and Anders goes quiet and listens. Anders listens and looks at the little child, playing with Zevran's hand and entirely unaware of what's going on.]

I'm sorry.

[Part of the unrest that makes this world so dangerous is due to him. It would have happened sooner or later anyway, it had to have, but he'd helped light the fire.]

This is not a kind world, but it is especially unkind to the small. At least his parents love him. It's a small thing, but it matters.

[A beat.]

He's also adorable. It's been... such a long time since I've held an infant.

Met? I am not one to make lasting connections, Anders. As an assassin I come in, I do the job, I make myself a sweet dream for whomever would share my bed, I leave. That is what it ought to have been with Serena.

[ And yet- a complication. A beautiful complication.

A beautiful, cranky complication as Lucci tugs what he's grabbed of Anders' hair to his mouth to gum. ]

You are one up on me. Until him? I never had. My hands are better suited to murder and lovemaking, not the results of lovemaking.

Ow, little one, you don't want to do that...

[Gently he untangles his hair from the boy's fist, only to get a displeased wail because he's taken the toy away.]

Here. Here.

[A moment later he's fishing a small golden hoop earring out of a pouch and letting Lucci coo over it while keeping a firm grip. It's clean, but everything goes into the mouth with children and he's not going to let the boy have a choking hazard.]

Some of the servants in Vigil's Keep had children. I'd heal them and then let them climb all over me. And yet their parents objected when I said they weren't much different from kittens.

[Zevran gets a flash of a smile.]

And then in Darktown there were always more children than there were people to watch them. I didn't have much time, with the healing and working with Hawke, but they made the situation far more bearable.

Shh, shh, mia bella bambino, shh.

[ Zevran leans in enough to press his lips to Lucci's forehead before slipping back and away, pulling a rag from one of the lines strung in the room. He folds the corner over and pulls a vial from his desk. Unstoppers it and drops something that smells of honey and mint and a little elfroot on the fabric before offering that to Lucci.

His boy recognizes the smell well enough to pull that in to suck instead- silencing the wailing. It is not the best solution, but it helps. ]

His teeth are coming in- the ache wakes him in the night. Apparently you do not give infants rags soaked with brandy in the South as we do in Antiva.

[He watches Zevran silently. This seems to come naturally, for all that the elf has no experience.]

Mm, no. Are you fine giving him brandy? I could put together something else for his gums otherwise that includes a little less alcohol. A lot less, actually, but it's not like that little brandy is harming him.

[Everything else seems to be fine. The child's reflexes, grip, eyes, voice, they all seem healthy. Not only that, the baby's adorable. Anders has seen some hideous babies in his time. This one has everything going for him except the circumstances that took him from his mother.]

If you are so sure it will not hurt, help me convince Mia it will not kill him.

[ Zevran tucks blond curls behind one tiny, pointed ear. ]

...He is truly well? No illnesses, nothing he needs that I have not been able to get him?

[He chuckles.]

Me, convince Mia of something? I can try, but it's far more likely she'll soak me in brandy and offer me as a teething toy to the mabari of Skyhold. And yes, Zevran.

[Anders' voice is warm and reassuring.]

He is healthy. Absolutely healthy. There's nothing you're falling short on, if that's the worry. I'd like to see him from time to time, while he's still here, to make sure that stays the case as infants can be tricky, but there's nothing I'm feeling that's a cause for concern. ...Other than your clear exhaustion.

[There's a pause as he turns his attention more to Zevran rather than the baby that's now drooling as he munches away at the cloth. Anders will need to dry his hand later.]

I'd be glad to spell you and give you a chance for some rest. Justice is no threat to an infant, and I... [He shrugs.] I like children. I'll never have one, which is for the best, really, but I can care for them.

Of course that is the worry- I am an assassin, not a parent.

[ Irritable and snapping and Anders has not done anything to deserve it. Lucci whines softly in Anders' hands at the sharp tone of Zevran's voice- a few soft murmured words of Antivan seem to ease his mind. ]

That was uncalled for. I apologize. It is...the not sleeping. I could use rest, but I cannot while Mia is away- someone must mind him. Believe me, I will not need a spell to find sleep, my friend.

Zevran.

[Anders reaches up to brush some of the elf's hair back, and his voice is as gentle as his touch.]

I didn't mean spell as in casting. I can't even do sleep spells; that's entropy and I'm far too strong a healer to have any skill there. I mean give you a break. I could watch him and let you get some rest.

Please.

[ He doesn't think twice before asking, leaning into that touch with a sight that spoke of ache. He's a social creature, is Zevran. Craves contact, craves affection and approval. When his only source is a cranky child- it makes his life difficult.

But this- for however long he might have it? he needs it. ]

Please.

Gladly.

[He shifts enough so that he'll be comfortable in the long term and both baby and elf are supported, then Anders is relaxing.]

Rest. I've the both of you.

[ He needs no more convincing than that. Zevran curls against Anders' side- one hand slipping out to rest on his son's chest. Just to be certain. Just to know Lucci is well.

True to his word it takes nothing more than this for him to drift and fall asleep, exhaustion has long since worn him ragged. A half murmured croon of a lullaby leaves Lucci awake but calm in the face of his father's slumber. ]

[Parting is very hard on children, but as that hand rests on Lucci, Anders is left wondering how hard it will be on Zevran. This may be far messier than the elf suspects. For now, though, it's simple enough. Let Zevran sleep and the baby continue drooling.]

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