#dadbot

This was done for the 30+ December Holiday Event! It had to be less than 500 words (I had to cut from 813 and it was painful, let me tell you) and the prompt I chose was best Christmas morning ever.

Title: Save This Moment

Fandom: Pokemon Violet

Characters: Professor Turo and Arven

https://archiveofourown.org/works/43644670

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Finger held to smiling lips, Arven's father led him past the lab to the waiting sky taxi. The five year old giggled, covering his mouth with both hands. He had been promised an adventure.

The boy squealed when the taxi took flight and a beam from the lighthouse blinded them. His father pulled him into his lap, wrapping him in a blanket.

"Sleep, little one. I will wake you upon arrival."

"Where?" Arven questioned, leaning against his father's chest. Tilting his head, he sent a radiant, gap-toothed smile above him. "Will there be food?"

His father chuckled, arms tightening. "I packed sandwiches. You may have one now, if you wish?"

"When we get there," the boy insisted, yawning. With nothing to do but sit in the dark, he drifted off.

A jarring impact woke him. He flailed — certain he was falling out of bed — before realizing he was still being held.

"Good morning," his father whispered. "What do you see?"

The boy peered out the window; breath frosting the glass. Hesitantly, he rubbed the fog away with a pudgy hand. Outside it was white.

"Snow?"

His father nodded. "You wanted a white Christmas."

"Oh," Arven whispered. He let the window fog again before facing his father. "Can I touch it?"

"Of course."

Huffing and puffing on bare hands, the taximan offered a coat. "My kid's about his size."

A gust swirled through Arven's pajamas, and he gratefully pulled the coat on. Buttoning it, his father handed him a pair of gloves. "They will be too big, and are not meant for snow, but will provide some protection."

Snow wasn't what Arven had imagined. It wasn't soft or fluffy, and tasted like water. Everything was cold and wet. He refused to complain, though.

Glancing over his shoulder, he discovered his father watching him — a strange look on his face. His father was always in motion; hands full and mind focused on his work. He barely noticed his son. But now, open lab coat whipping in the wind — unbothered by the cold and snow — his father had eyes only for him.

The warmth stolen from his extremities curled around his heart; encasing it in an unfamiliar feeling. It was indescribable.

His father's expression seemed to reflect it, though. Something uncertain; affectionate. A special feeling only for them.

Arven took a deep breath and forcefully expelled it. The giant puff it created warmed his cheeks before vanishing into the wind.

His father sighed, but no cloud came from his lips. "Come here, Arven. It's too cold."

He shuffled over without protest. The taximan opened the door as Arven settled into his father's arms; searching for a warmth he couldn't find.

His concern vanished when he spotted a maschiff quivering on the floor. Setting him down, his father nudged him towards the Pokemon. "You wanted a companion."

honey — Halsey

Jenny — Studio Killers

Cloud 9 — Beach Bunny

Angel — FINNEAS

Work in progress. Coloured sketch of the triplets' father while I work out which sort of ears to give them in the comic I'm planning. The fantastic @nyyght has been teaching me her colouring wizardry, so this is a practice run of the techniques she was kind enough to show and explain. I will never be able to thank her enough for her advice, for sharing her knowledge with me, and for her friendship and support.