#wmftd

its been awhile huh?

I missed drawing these two :')

Typically you were the first one awake in the house and it might be your favorite time. Everything was quiet, dreamlike in the house. You glanced down at Hypnos who slept, his face slack in peacefulness.

The new pregnancy - you weren't sure if that was the right word but you and Hypnos were clueless at what else to call it- haven’t been easy on Hypnos, who slept so deep that it took forever for him to wake up.

He looked unreal, a fantasy under the twilight lights of the canopy. His curls were mussed from sleeping, his skin lavender under the dim lights and his mouth parted in a soft ’o’.

Lazily, you brushed off a stray curl from his mouth, tucking it behind his ear and smiled at his deep sigh.

Slipping out the bed quietly as you could, you went to check on Morpheus in his room. He was also still asleep, a little foot sticking out of the covers. You tugged the blanket over it, smiling at the little grumble your son made.

Typically, you would go train but the thought of a warm bed with Hypnos in it was too tempting of a thought. So you returned to him, pressing a kiss against his temple when he rolled into your side.

You weren't sure when you heard Morpheus’ steps that first went past your bedchambers only to return moments later. You listened closely from the bed, Hypnos still deeply asleep by your side, undisturbed from the noise

Morpheus cracked open the doors, stepping inside on his tippy toes. His childish efforts at being silent made you want to laugh. 

Morpheus was like Hypnos in how he moved, lackadaisical and a little noisy.

“Father? Dad?” Morpheus whispered loudly, trying to peer over the tall bed. A hand patted at your back. “It’s time to wake up. I’m hungry.” 

You sat up, careful of Hypnos who huffed as you turned over to pick Morpheus up, rumbled pjs and all. 

He climbed into your arms, still so tiny and fragile like a baby bird. You pressed a kiss to his warm cheek, smoothing a hand over his bed-spiky hair. Morpheus cuddled in closer, resting his head under your chin.

“I think we should let your dad sleep in, hm?” You muttered, checking over Hypnos more one time, tugging the blanket higher up on his shoulders.

Morpheus nodded, his face solemn. 

“We have to be very quiet.” He informed you in a loud whisper, grabbing your face between his small hands, his sleepy eyes suddenly alert.

He pressed a little finger to his lips and made a shushing noise.

You held back a smile as you got -quietly as your son had ordered you- out of the warm bed carrying him in your arms. Once you were in the hallway, he began chatting about his dreams of rainbows, runaway sheeps and faces unknown to him, calling him silly names. 

Maybe it should concern you but as long as his dreams remain harmless as Hypnos claimed, you weren’t going to worry about it. Much.

“When will the baby come?” Morpheus asked when you placed him at the kitchen table, shifting on the large pillow he needed to actually see over the table. 

“I don’t know. When it’s ready, I suppose. I think that's how it works for most babies. Like you, you only came when you were ready.” You said, grabbing both the cool pitcher and his special cup. 

Morpheus held his small cup on the table with both hands, watching intently as you poured him some milk. He took careful sips, humming happily as he kicked his feet. “Dad said I was a big surprise!”

Resisting the urge to laugh at his cheerful, innocent tone, you murmured in agreement. “A very big surprise.”

You shifted through the cabinets, frowning when you only found more empty space. 

You will need to go get food soon, Hypnos have been eating like an starved army - not that you would ever say that to his face. Hypnos had been considering hiring servants but it seemed ridiculous to you since the house largely kept itself clean. 

Not to mention it was you and Hypnos and Morpheus. Although not for much longer, you mused, wondering if maybe you should reconsider hiring someone. But the mere idea of a stranger in your peaceful home was enough to make you scowl.

“When was I born?” Morpheus chirped when you decided on a simple breakfast of toast and berry jam.

“Late autumn.” You replied, cutting the round loaf in even, thick slices. “I remember your uncle Zagreus talking about the leaves falling. Do you know that leaves can change colors?”

”Yes! The Queen told me! They can change to yellow and - um- orange and red and… wait, why do they change color when they fall?”

“Um.” You paused, “I don’t know, they just do.”

“Oh. Maybe they like changing colors.”

”Yeah, maybe.”  

A moment of quiet then-

“Father, why do leaves exist on trees?”

“Ah…”

Once breakfast was finished and Morpheus’ face and hands were scrubbed clean of crumbs and sticky jam, you set him loose once more as you went to check on Hypnos with a tray of food in one hand. 

Morpheus took off, running down to his room in search of a toy, singing loudly to himself. 

Hypnos was still sleeping, although he had rolled into your spot, half buried in the blankets. You leaned down to kiss him awake, lingering as he smiled into the kiss. He hummed, his eyes still closed as his fingers reached up to press against your cheek.

“Our son?” Hypnos sighed when the kiss broke, slowly blinking awake. His eyes were hazy with exhaustion but his smile was warm, softening the dark circles.

“He's been fed.” You replied with a chuckle, helping Hypnos sit up and greedily ran a hand down his smooth back. “He is playing in his room for now. Brought you some food.”

Hypnos woke up at those words, a greedy gleam in his amber eyes. “Oooh, breakfast in bed. Don’t mind if I do.”

A loud crash reached your ears followed by a louder guilty silence. You sighed, closed your eyes and dropped your head onto Hypnos’ shoulder as Hypnos shook with quiet laughter.

“Maybe it is finally that ugly vase you hate.” Hypnos encouraged, grabbing his toast and took a large bite. He thoughtfully brushed the crumbs off your shoulder as he took another bite.

“It never is.” You muttered as you pulled away to go check on the latest mess.

~

“Market day! Market day!” Morpheus cheered, running circles around you. 

He was freshly washed up, white curls wrangled into neat coils, the smell of berries lingering in the air around him. He had chosen to dress in a dark blue chiton with a simple leather belt around his waist.

He bounced on his feet impatiently as he waited for you. “Father, why isn’t Dad coming?”

“Dad needs more rest for himself and the baby.” You replied.

“Because sleep is very important.” Morpheus sighed, parroting the common phrase of their household.  

You hummed in acknowledgment, checking over the list once more. Hypnos really would have joined but he passed out almost immediately after playing with Morpheus for an hour.

Sure that the list was correct, you glanced down at him, smiling at the bright gold of his eyes. He really was a perfect little copy of Hypnos. “Do you want to walk or be carried this time?”

Morpheus was starting to grow some independence but this time, he lifted his arms toward you. “Up please!”

Once he was on your shoulders, you and him took off. He loudly pointed out each strange rock or tree, had a different question every other minute and called out greetings to the occasional familiar face. 

The markets came into view, colorful flags high on poles and the rich smell of cooked meat and roasted vegetables filled the air. There was a hum in the air, a promise of a busy day.

Thankfully, right now there was a lull with barely any people around. If you were quick, you would get out before it got too busy. 

You walked past a few warriors chatting to the local blacksmith, a wife ordering her husband around as they set up the food cart. A musician was setting up near the market center, and you made a metal note to come back so Morpheus could enjoy some music before returning home. 

“Father?” Morpheus patted your head to get your attention. “I have a question.”

“Yes?” You replied absently, checking over the list.

“Dad is having a baby right?” Morpheus asked. You blinked, not expecting that line of question.

“Ah. Yes, he is.”

“So where do babies come from?” Morpheus asked, heedless of the choked noise you made. “Does uncle Hermes deliver it? Like when he gave me my birthday present?”

“Well. No.” You stammered.

You tried to remember what your parents told you, but all you drew was a blank. Your eyes scanned the marketplace, desperate for something when you spotted a shop with cakes and other sweets lined up.

”Morpheus.” You bounced him on your shoulders and pointed toward the little bakery. “Do you want a treat?”

Morpheus gasped in delight. “Yes please!”

You sighed, thankful he seemed to have forgotten his lines of questions. You decided you were going to let Hypnos deal with the baby question as Morpheus messily devoured his sweet treat.

There was going to be way too much sweets for Morpheus between this and breakfast and you knew you were going to pay dearly for it later.

“Father?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Why is the grass green?”

“Um.”