Baby Moments - Nilou & Arlecchino x Male!Reader
A/N: Tumblr didn't let me post anything yesterday, sorry. Also I might have ADHD, doctor says. Would explain why I'm feeling like irritable garbage. Anyways... Enjoy.
CW: Not proof-read. Also mobile editing because my laptop is in repairs, you can imagine I'm bored out of my mind.
Nilou takes the products out of the shopping basket and continues sorting them into their correct spots. Oranges and Harra go into the icebox, chives into a glass with water and potatoes - into the corner. She doesn't really know why they don't need to be cooled like anything else, but that's what her mother always did. Who is she, to question the wisdom of the elders?
A small tuber slips out of the bag and rolls along the floor; she turns, only to find it already molested by two tiny, pudgy hands. Her itty bitty son pulls the dirty vegetable closer and lifts it off the ground, eyeing it intently. Before he can savour the delicious earth encrusting it, Nilou picks up little Mani, taking away his would-be treat with a gentle smile.
“Ah-ah. It's yucky!” She makes a silly face. “Come to mommy.”
As he's picked up, Mani gives Nilou a thoughtful response. “Dziaba.” His arms instantly find her body and latch onto it tightly. She feels warmth within her heart, feeling her little one's touch. He was a lot of work for you both, but the feeling of holding something made of you in your hands… Irreplaceable.
She gently tilts his face to look at her, just to make sure there's nothing worrying in his curious mouth - he can't feel all that well just yet, and teething has long begun… As the bags under your eyes could attest. Finding nothing, she places a kiss on Mani’s head - decorated with a seemingly random assortment of barely-growing hairs, colored like his father’s.
The little one coos happily at the affection.
Nilou, with her son in her arms, goes back to unpacking the shopping. As much as she could with one hand, that is. As she takes the grapes, juicy and firm and absolutely delicious-looking, she can't stop herself and cracks open the box. A few of them land under tap for cleaning.
At the sound of the water, Mani’s attention shifts right away to the tap. It's his first time being this close to it. It's bizarre, he thinks, loud and spewing water - definitely scary. His sapphire eyes go wide and he snaps to look at Nilou’s face… Only to find it bearing the same warm expression as before. Mani furrows his brow in deep consideration. Hm.
Footsteps come from across the room - daddy's back inside. You throw off your shoes - quietly - and trot to the kitchen. Your son welcomes you with an intrigued yet uncertain expression; you send him a wink, put down the heavy bags full of groceries and embrace your better half, sneaking your hands around her small waist. You kiss her hair.
“Sorry for taking this long. The neighbours chatted me up.” She leans into your embrace, placing her head under your chin.
“It's alright.” She responds. Just then, Mani takes another look at Nilou - this time, he leans out to get a full frontal view. She looks down and her smile widens at the adorable, confused little expression. Very serious. You notice and find it as amusing - being yourself, you join in.
Another head slowly enters her vision from the opposite angle. Your brow is furrowed in a faithful recreation of your son’s. You exchange glances with him - with theatrical slowness - and follow his eyes to Nilou.
She looks quite amused, clearly holding in a laugh.
“Mommy…” You whisper dramatically. “How are we supposed to feel about this?
Nilou giggles brightly, dispelling any worries her son might have had. She stops her washing of the fruit and pats both of your heads.
“Don't worry, my boys. It's nothing scary. Trust mommy.”
Social referencing (generally to the parents) is the primary means through which a child learns what reactions to the world are proper. It is crucial in early stages of life, but remains impactful forever - we need others to function. Anyways, remember not to fret over your future children every time they stumble. If you're cool, all's cool.
You are a fool if you think you can hide anything from your wife. Arlecchino keeps a close eye on you and everything you're doing - for safety, genuinely! Alright, fine, she's just curious too. Unfortunately you can't be with her all the time, especially now that your family has grown. An heir, Lilith, means significant resources needing to be dedicated at all times - yours, specifically. She has a crucial set of responsibilities that drive her out of home for most of the day. Not that you seem to have any objections, you seem entirely content with a house husband role.
It is a delight to see you carrying Lilly around in your arms as she suckles intently on the bottle, to see you holding her like the most precious little thing. She is Arlecchino’s pride and joy - what terrible luck that she cannot sing her to sleep every night… Messy and taxing as the role might be, it is a blessing too. She's a little jealous, suffice to say. Is it wrong of her to observe the two of you lovingly from a hidden spot? Arlecchino definitely disagrees.
Who knew that her two dearest creatures on this worldly plane of tears were hatching a scheme right under her nose?
That morning both of you woke up, per usual, to the sound of Lily's crying - the “I'm hungry” kind. You've learned to differentiate the types after a time. Perhaps that's one of the skills only a parent can have. You looked at the clock - four thirty two in the morning; behind you the first, lazy rays of summer sun fell through the window. Arlecchino stirred next to you.
“Mhm…” She combs her messy hair with her hand, turning to face you. “Honey…”
Gently, you keep her on her side, reassuring her with a peck on the cheek. “Take a rest, dear. I'll go feed her.”
Arlecchino lets out a satisfied sigh. How nice was it, to have such a busy little hubby. “Thanks… Milk’s in the fridge.” She goes back to sleep.
You step out of bed, slowly as to not risk a cramp, do a little stretch and get to work. First stop - toilet, second stop - fridge; you grab Lily's breakfast, a glass bottle with fresh Arlecchino milk, and put it into the warmer case. As Pyro crystals wrapped in cloth heat it up, you get the bottle ready, making sure to sterilise it thoroughly. Eventually, when everything is done, you dash to your daughter.
As soon as you enter, her cries quiet down into a sad, sniffling murmur. Her little eyes stare up at you with hope when you pick her up and place your beloved daughter into your arms. “There, there…” you whisper, presenting her the milk; Lily latches onto it and starts suckling like her life depended on it. Her itty-bitty hands grasp it clumsily, but with ever more surprising firmness. “So strong for someone so little…”
You feed her, rocking gently and gazing out into the slowly waking world. You're thinking of what to do for breakfast. Unbeknownst to you, upstairs, Arlecchino already completed the bathroom routine; as she dried her face with a towel, a thought came to her - why not try and catch a glimpse of you and Lilith in your natural habitat? She could see how you treat her when mommy’s not around. I bet he spoils her rotten, that man.
Arlecchino gets a pair of socks on her feet and slips down the stairs, every step soundless and graceful - the trained step of a spideress stalking her prey. She draws closer and closer, her usually cold and still heart begins to beat faster; the thrill of the hunt. Slowly and gently across the corridor, then right up against the wall she goes, reaching the open door to Lily's room. For a moment Arlecchino freezes, listening to find out whether you're wary. Nothing but the soft, sweet nothings you're whispering to your daughter.
By the time she got there, the little one had already finished her breakfast and was now squirming around in daddy's hands, grasping curiously at every bit of fabric within her reach… Examining the world with her developing sense of touch. She makes a cute little noise, which doesn't go unanswered.
“Back to talking already, I see. You're a morning munchkin, aren't you?” You tickle her gently, evoking a few happy squeals (a sound not quite like laughter yet). “Tickle tickle!”
“Uuuaa!” Lilith babbles, her red-crossed eyes fixed on you and only you. “Muuaah!”
Arlecchino smirks. It's adorable, how she tries to talk already. There must be so many questions and fascinating observations she has… It will be a joy to finally hear her share them. Well, maybe after the first nine hundred thirty seven the charm will wear off. But before that, she's yet to say her first word - with how much time she spends with you, Arlecchino bets that's going to be “dada”.
Her heart grows full from the scene. It's like a novel, wholesome and delightful. She will remember it for a while. This is exactly for whom she is doing what she's doing. But before she can lean away, Arlecchino hears you again.
“Can you say mama?” You ask her daughter, scratching her little belly. “Mama.”
“Maaa…” She tries her hardest, clearly working out how to mimic the noise. “Muuaahhaaa…”
Her heart skips a beat. So this is what you've been doing, you sneaky schemer. Smiling, she hovers over the threshold and leans on the doorway, arms crossed. It doesn't take long for you to notice.
“Look, Lily!” You turn around, directing the little one's attention to her mother. Her eyes light up right away, fists raising up in excitement. “Who's that? Do you know that lady?”
You walk over to Arlecchino, who already extends her arms to take her child. She coos softly, shooting out half-giggles and various vowels. Until…
“Mah… Muaha… Mama!”
You both freeze, processing her first word. It wasn't just random babble, she said it in context. After all those days of training, finally…
“Aw…” Arlecchino says, voice quiet, shy, as if she's scared of making Lily upset. “My dear, my sweet, my most adorable…” She takes her into her arms and cradles her, looking interchangeably at you and the child. “Yes… Mama is here…” She gives Lily her hand, which she quickly grasps by the thumb. She's so little she can barely wrap her hand around it. “And mama loves you so, so much.”
She “hugs” Lily, bringing their noses together. When Arlecchino gazes back at you, her eyes seem a bit wetter than usual. The Knave doesn't cry, but she allows herself to be moved.
“What an excellent teacher you are, Y/N.” She does her best to keep her voice composed. “I could not hope for a better father for Lily. I bet you could provide for another one...”
"Perrie..."
"Shush."
Thanks for reading!
