#tiny erik

Summary: In which Nakiri Alice enjoys the company of the men in her family. 

The sky was overcast, and raindrops sharp as needles plummeted over the estate. Nakiri Alice stood on the veranda, watching her menfolk chase a football around the grounds. It had started with Ryo drilling Erik in preparation for his upcoming match, but then her father—and even grandfather—decided to join in. 

Ryo never went easy on their precious spawn, even though he was barely six years old, and the others had no intentions to either. Hard training was the Nakiri way if there ever was one, and though it was often very difficult to watch, she had to admit that he was getting good, fast. 

Alice smiled broadly when her child managed to kick the ball through her father’s legs, then rushed to get it again. “That’s my genius spawn!” she cheered. “Good try though, papa!” 

She watched them for a long while, sipping the rosehip tea one of the housekeepers had brought her, and rubbed her stomach absently. She hoped the next baby would be a girl; at present, she and her mother were severely outnumbered. 

“Come inside already!” she shouted, once lightning started crashing into the nearby sea. And because none of them were in the habit of denying her, they did as she asked. 

The housemaid returned just as they started heading back to the house, and — per Alice’s request — dropped off a stack of warm towels. 

“Honestly,” she said, pouting slightly as she passed the towels out, wrapping the smallest one around her shivering spawn. “How long were you all going to stay out there if I didn’t say something? Grandpa, I expected better from you, at least.”

“What can I say? These ones keep me young.” The old man smiled at her, and at once Alice found herself unable to act cross any longer. 

She sighed. “Make sure you warm up by the fire,” she said. “Erina will not let me hear the end of it if you fall ill.”

“My Alice has become so responsible,” her father, Soe, chimed in then. “In addition to being adorable and brilliant, she’s also grown into such a reliable woman.”

“You’re so kind, papa!” she gushed. “But make sure you don’t keep mama waiting for you in the lab.”

With that her father blanched, and very quickly made his way back into the house. 

“We’re starting practice at 5:30 tomorrow morning,” Ryo said to Erik when they were the only ones left. “You’re faster now, but we still have to improve your footwork and stuff before the match.”

Her son heaved a sigh, which translated roughly to ‘Does it really have to be so early?’ but didn’t argue. He didn’t argue much; Alice would have to teach him to be more difficult one of these days. 

“You know, your godfather is going to be here this weekend with Akane,” she pointed out, just remembering. “They’ll probably end up watching the match with us.” 

Erik’s eyes widened slightly at this, and Ryo looked at him, face deadpan. “If you lose in front of Hayama’s daughter, she’ll skewer you, I think. Better start practice at five.” 

“Yeah, you’re right,” Erik said. “Are we running first?”

“Of course.” 

Alice smiled in sympathy. “But for now, you’re going to go inside and have something hot to drink so you don’t catch a cold before your match.”

Her son glanced at her quizzically. “Mom, we both know that’s not how germ theory works.”

Alice’s cheeks puffed up in a pout. “Yes, love, but I was on a maternal streak and it sounded right. Don’t ruin the moment, okay?”

“Ok.” The boy sighed, and Alice kissed his forehead, making him smile back even though his scientific sensibilities were still offended. 

“That’s my spawn,” she said. “Now go warm up.” 

“He’s a natural athlete, I think,” Ryo observed, watching their son head inside the estate. “Just needs more training.”

“You push him too hard, you know,” she said. “You all do.” 

When her child wasn’t training with his father, he was in the lab with his grandpa, or the boardroom with his great-grandfather—all of them preparing him tirelessly for a role that would never be his. 

“Training builds character,” the dark haired man told her, “and being good at things builds confidence. He’ll need both to survive in this world.”

Alice started a bit at this, but then her features softened. “Your neuroses are showing, darling,” she said. “Your children are Nakiris. Survival is guaranteed.” She brought his hand to her stomach then, covering it with her own. “Now make me a shellfish stew for dinner! You’ve kept me waiting long enough, and your daughter is hungry in here!” 

THIS WAS IN THE MAIL Woooohooo  ❤ 💀

I have this complicated notion that bb!Erik (six or so) was a sweet, shy mama's boy, he opened doors for everyone and was all around adorable. bb!Charles on the other hand, was the nastiest, most jaded six year old on the planet.