justice_is_blond | Inbox for Fade Rift

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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