Ever since we found out that, canonically, Thomas has a wife and child, I’ve been dying to see a 5 star memory involving Rafayel and MC having to emergency babysit his daughter. I got impatient and realized I could just write it myself so self-indulgent Rafayel x MC fluff 🤍🤍🤍🤍
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“Thomas, wait! You can’t just-“
“Rafayel, MC will be here any minute.” Thomas paused, hand on the doorway. He spun around to face Rafayel. “Look, Amelia’s not even awake right now. She’ll probably still be asleep by the time your miss bodyguard gets here.”
“She barely even knows Amelia! I don’t know if she knows how to take care of a baby!” Rafayel protested in a hushed whisper.
“Well, she can take care of you just fine!” Thomas retorted. Rafayel scoffed and folded his arms. “You know I wouldn’t ask you guys to do this if I didn’t really need you to.” Thomas sighs. He meets Rafayel’s gaze. “I’m not just gonna leave my wife to deal with her broken down car in the middle of nowhere herself, especially not at this time of night.” He explains. “You know if you and MC ever have kids, I'd do the same for you. And Amelia knows you. You’ve held her plenty of times while I’m tied up talking to a curator.” He explains. “Hell, you were one of the first to hold her, remember?”
Rafayel remembered very well the day he had to take over Thomas’s job for him when his wife went into sudden early labor during a massive art exhibition. Despite his annoyance at having to take over the business side of the art world (even after Thomas insisted all Rafayel had to do was sit there, answer the same 5 questions over and over, and look pretty) he couldn’t ease his anxiety about Thomas. He had seen the man in stressful states before, but nothing like this. Nothing like Thomas going as white as a sheet after a phone call with his petrified wife interrupted talks of pricing one of Rafayels pieces. The way he didn’t even politely excise himself, just looked to Rafayel and stuttered out “It’s Sonya. Something’s going on with the baby.” And in response, Rafayel uttered a sentence he had never and hasn’t since spoken to Thomas. “Go. I’ll deal with the exhibit.” Rafayel struggled to admit it out loud ever, but under the sass and whining, he and Thomas’s relationship was important to him. He spent the next hour talking business, trying desperately to get the curators out of there. Once it was over and the dust settled, Rafayel was one of the few non family members to join in on the anxiety-ridden waiting room at the hospital. It had been hours, and Sonya’s condition had been touch and go. Thomas had been popping in and out, updating everyone every few hours. Finally, after a full night in the waiting room, Thomas slowly reappeared, tears stained on his face, but a slight, exhausted smile as well.
“It’s a girl.” He exhaled. Rafayel watched as Thomas and Sonya’s family gathered around him. He breathed a sigh of relief, his heart finally able to settle. After family had gone in to see Sonya and the baby, Thomas was surprised to still see Rafayel, half asleep in the waiting room.
“You’re still here?” He chuckled. Rafayel was unsure how to respond, so he just shrugged.
After greeting and congratulating Sonya, Rafayels eyes fell to the baby girl sleeping in the clear bassinet at Sonya’s side.
“Her names Amelia.” Thomas picked her up gently and gestured toward the soft arm chair at the side of the room. Before he could protest, Rafayel found himself sitting, putting hand sanitizer on, and suddenly holding a very tiny, fragile human. He didn’t tell Thomas this, but it had been the first time in years Rafayel had ever held a baby.
The tension from Rafayel’s shoulders drops as he sighs. “I know, I know ... .Ok just…” He pinches the bridge of his nose, staving off the already forming stress headache. “get back safe. And soon.” Thomas nods and holds up his phone.
“You know my number. Keep her breathing. Keep her away from anything flammable. Don’t let her swallow anything big and inedible. You’ve got this.” And with that, Thomas shuts the front door of his house behind him, leaving Rafayel in the uncomfortably quiet house.
He slowly lets out the breath he didn’t know he was holding and looks around the room. His eyes fall on the small screen of the baby monitor next to the couch. Slowly, he walks toward the monitor, incredibly aware of the sounds of his footsteps in the now, nearly empty house. Slowly, he settles himself onto the couch, facing the video feed on the baby monitor. The slightly grainy footage shows Thomas’s daughter lying on her back in an empty, but comfortable looking crib. He watches for a few seconds, eyes narrowing in on the picture.
Rafayel fiddles with the volume control and holds his breath, straining to hear anything resembling a sign of life. A sudden knock at the door startles a gasp out of him, his hand rushing to clutch his heart.
“Raf? It’s me.” MC’s familiar voice rings out from behind the door.
Oh thank god, it’s her he sighs. He turns quickly again to the baby monitor to see that the baby has shifted positions slightly, her arms curling tighter to her sides. With a sign of life observed, Rafayel lets himself relax and walks toward the door.
“Hey, I got Thomas’s text!” She exclaims as soon as the door is opened. “I’m glad to see the house is still-” her snide comment is immediately cut off by Rafayel’s finger pressing against her lips “...standing” she whispers.
“Excuse you” Rafayel chides, “The baby is sleeping.”
“Sorry, my bad.” she relents, a smile playing at her lips. “If you worry I’m just gonna wake the kid up I can just head out-” before she can finish her sentence, Rafayel scoffs and pulls her inside.
“Absolutely not.” he pulls her into a hug “I’m glad you’re here. Trust me.” he pulls back and cups her face in his hands, still whispering. “What else am I gonna offer as a human sacrifice if the baby demands blood?” MC rolls her eyes and pushes him away.
“You act like an almost one year old infant is going to bring about your downfall.” She walks toward the kitchen table where Thomas’s written instructions lay. Rafayel fidgets where he stands while she looks over the list. “Okay, this doesn’t seem too bad.” She comments. “Theres formula in the pantry, clean bottles, Thomas listed all the emergency numbers. He’s got it all here for us.” She looks back up to see Rafayel has taken his position on the couch, yet again watching the monitor closely. “Raf?” He’s stuck watching the grainy footage, holding a pillow close to his chest. MC sighs, folding up the list to stick in her pocket and walks toward her clearly anxious boyfriend. She joins him on the couch, leaning against him to observe the footage as well. “Yup. She’s still there.” she jokes. He turns to look at her, an uneasy look in her eyes she hasn’t seen often.
“Do you…know much about babies?” he asks. “I don’t… I just-” he sighs. “I’ve never done this before.” He turns back to look at the footage.
“I know enough.” she reassures him, rubbing his arm. “I used to babysit some of the kids in my neighborhood when I was a teenager. A lot of girls did. It was a good way to get money in the summer.” She brings her hand to his chin and turns his face to meet her gaze. “You’ve been around Amelia before, you know she loves you.” she chuckles. “Or at least she’s very entertained by pulling your hair. Why are you so worried?”
Rafayel sighs and leans into her, finally turning away from the monitor so they can both lie back on the couch. “I just- I don’t want to do something wrong.” he sighs. “I always panic when I hear a baby cry. They never say what’s wrong so you’re just stuck with a loud, screaming child.”
“Yeah, 9 month olds aren’t the best communicators.” MC nods. “But luckily, their needs are very simple. If she wakes up crying, we just have to see if she’s hungry, fussy, or just needs a change of clothes.” MC slips her hand into Rafayel’s. “And if it’s anything more serious, we have a working phone and access to emergency services.” she reaches up and toussles his hair. “I promise, we don’t need to panic.” Rafayel chuckles and pulls MC’s hand away from his hair.
“Hey, leave some of that for Amelia. She might need it.” he brings her hand to his lips and places a gentle kiss on it. “Thanks for being here.” She smiles and brings her hand to the side of Rafayel’s cheek, letting him nuzzle into it.
“Of course. And who knows, she might just sleep through the whole-” Before she can finish, MC is cut off by a slight whine coming from the baby monitor. Their eyes quickly fall back to the grainy footage to see Amelia’s arms twisted up by her head, a scowl forming on her face accompanied by small whimpers that are gradually becoming louder until finally, she releases a full on cry.
“Ah! No! What did we do wrong?!” Rafayel turns to face MC, clear panic in his eyes. She chuckles.
“Nothing, babe, we didn’t do anything wrong.” She pulls him up off the couch with her. “Come on, let’s go see if she needs anything.” Although reluctant, Rafayel lets MC lead him up the stairs to Amelia’s room. Once at the baby girl’s door, MC stops and looks at Rafayel expectantly.
“What…what’s that look for?” He asks, confused.
“She knows you better than me.” MC explains. “We’ll probably have better luck if you’re the first one she sees.”
“But you said- I- I don’t” he stutters
“Hey, Raf.” MC grabs his shoulders, looking him in the eyes. “She’s not a sea monster. She’s not gonna bite. And she’ll probably feel safer seeing you first.” She explained. “I’ll be right behind you.” Rafayel looks at the door again, the wailing inside has only gotten louder.
“Okay. Do I just…” he trails off, looking toward MC.
“Just go in, talk to her a bit, be gentle, we’ll see if we can find why she’s crying.” MC explains. She pushes open the door slightly and leads Rafayel in. Immediately, Amelia’s head turns in the direction of the door and her whining subsides. She tilts her head and murmurs a bit before returning to her previous whines. Rafayel moves toward her slowly, hands resting at the edge of her crib. Despite his nerves, his heart squeezes a bit in his chest when Amelia looks up at him, arms outstretched and hands grabbing for him. Before he realizes it, he’s reached into the crib and scooped Amelia up into his arms, balancing her on his hip. “Hey, little sea monkey.” He coos. “What’s got you all sad?” Amelia wiggles a bit in Rafayels arms, her tiny hands grasping at his shirt. “Oh good. Her hand is covered in drool” Rafayel deadpans.
“Is someone trying to eat their hands?” MC coos at the baby. “Are you so hungry?” she chuckles. “We could try and give her some formula.” she suggests.
“Good idea” Rafayel chuckles. “Better than her trying to eat my shirt.”
The three make their way downstairs with Rafayel carefully holding tight to the still wiggly baby.
“Thomas left instructions for making her a bottle in his note, right?” Rafayel asks.
“Yup, you just keep holding her and I’ll make one.” MC calls back, already searching through the pantry.
“You sure you don’t want a turn?” Rafayel asks over the baby girls heightened whines, hiking her up higher onto his hip. “It’s one heck of a work out.”
MC scoffs. “What, and ruin what the two of you have?” She looks back at the two of them, Amelia now chewing at one of Rafayels fingers. “She loves you.”
“She loves the taste of me.” he grumbles, pulling his finger away.
“A lover of seafood. Can’t blame her.” MC smirks as she pulls the tin of formula out. Grabbing a clean bottle from next to the sink she measures the formula out and fills it with water.
“Aren’t humans able to feed babies with their own milk?” Rafayel asks. MC chuckles as she seals the bottle and begins shaking it.
“Yeah, but not all mother’s breastfeed and those that do can switch to formula after a few months.” She guides Rafayel over to the couch with Amelia. “And in our case” She sets the bottle on the coffee table and scoops Amelia up gently out of Rafayel’s arms “I’m the only one out of the two of us with the required…equipment but Ameilia’s not mine and you have to have been pregnant for your milk to come in.” she explains.
“Huh…” Rafayel watches as MC hold Amelia in her left arm and brings the bottle to the babies lips. Amelia’s whimpers immediately cease as she latches onto the bottle. He observes her in silence, pulling slightly at his now sore shoulder.
“Aren’t Lemurians mammals as well?” MC asks “Or do you guys like…lay eggs?” Rafayel chuckles.
“No, we do not come from eggs.”
“Do Lemurian women also breast feed?”
“Yeah, actually. I was suprised to learn that humans were similar to us in that respect.”
“Man, I have so many questions for Talia now that I think about it.” MC remarks as she sighs, leaning back against the couch as Amelia continues feeding.
“Why Talia?” Rafayel scoffs, “Why not your Lemurian boyfriend?”
“Raf, I’m not gonna ask you about the typical gestation period of a pregnant Lemurian woman.” MC retorts.
“Hey, I-” Rafayel stops himself. “You know what, fair enough.” he relents. Amelia’s body has become much more relaxed as MC pulls the now empty bottle from her lips. Amelia yawned in response, stretching her arms out stiffly. MC lifts Amelia up and sits her on her lap. Amelia’s eyes blink blearily toward Rafayel, a low whine starting back up in the back of her throat. Her hands reach out toward him, her little fists reaching out to try and grab him.
“Oh, someone wants Uncle Fishy” MC giggles, handing the child back over to Rafayel. Despite his still lingering anxiety, Rafayel’s lips pull into a small smile as he carries Amelia over to his lap. Carefully supporting her head, he bounces her slightly on his leg.
“Feeling better, sea monkey?” He asks. Amelia mumbles and coos in response, reaching up and grabbing a handful of Rafayel’s hair. “Gah- hey!” he whines. MC chuckles before reaching over to unclasp Amelia’s tiny fist.
“She really likes you.” MC comments. “Look at her smile”
“I guess she’s got good taste.” He responds. Amelia sighs heavily, her eyes beginning to droop again. Almost instinctually, Rafayel immediately lays back, letting Amelia rest her head on his chest. A silence settles over them with only the sound of Amelia’s tiny breaths becoming steadier.
“See? Not so hard.” MC whispers. “You’re a natural.” Rafayel looks over at her, a quiet smile pulling at his lips.
“Don’t jinx it. She could still burst into flames somehow.” he whispers.
“Babies aren’t as fragile as you think.” MC comments “It’s obviously good to be careful with them, but they can handle a lot.” MC runs a finger through Amelia’s soft curls, admiring the now, nearly asleep baby.
“Well we make a pretty good team, so that helps.” Rafayel whispers. He leans down and kisses MC lightly on the temple. “Hey, I think she’s asleep!” he whispers.
“Yeah, I’d say soOkay, little one let’s see if we can get you back in your crib.” She whispers. She stands and gestures for Rafayel to follow.
“But she’s already asleep!” He protests, his hand moving protectively over her back.
“Trust me, babe. It’s a lot better for everyone if we can transfer her back to her crib.” Rafayel sighs and stands up slowly, careful not to jostle the sleeping baby.
Back in Amelia’s room, Rafayel gently sets her down, holding his breath. Amelia squirms slightly, but ultimately settles. Before he can pull away, Amelia’s hand grasps onto Rafayels pinky finger. Wordlessly, he looks up at MC.
“She’s trapped you.” She whispers. “We’re stuck here, I guess.” She joins him next to the crib, leaning against Rafayel’s arm.
“Either that or we’re gonna have to amputate.” he sighs. “She’s got a death grip on it.”
“How will you continue to paint?” MC muses
“Maybe she’ll show me mercy.” he laughs “Can I please have my finger back so I can keep my hand and your dad can keep his job?”
He moves his pinky finger slightly, testing the waters. Amelia sighs and relaxes her hands, freeing Rafayel from his confines. Silently, he looks back at MC who gestures for him to follow quietly. Carefully, they both sneak out of the dark bedroom and close the door softly behind them.
“See?” Rafayel whispered. “Told you we had nothing to worry about.”
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A few hours later, Thomas braces himself before opening the door to his house, unsure of what he’d find. Upon entering his home, however, he finds Rafayel and MC asleep on the couch, curled up next to the baby monitor.
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