Chapter Text
Stormy weather was always the best. The constant rain on the roof and smacking against the window, the thrashing of lightening as it paints the sky in different hues of yellow and orange, the cacophony of thunder rolling. It gave off a calming atmosphere from inside the house. Where it was warm, you were safe and hot cocoa was in hand.
Something that added to the calm serenity of a storm wailing about outside was the gentle piano music.
Sitting in front of the piano, your fingers dance gracefully across the keys. A gentle smile plastered to your face as you tried to contrast the sounds of raging weather with the calm you felt in your mind. The cup of hot cocoa resting on the table at your side still half full, waiting on you to finish your song.
Sleeping on the armchair behind you was Zeus, a Shiba Inu whom you had recently received from your cousin, who found they couldn't take care of the poor thing.
And everything was calm.
A calm in the storm.
That certainly seemed to fit.
But seemed this wasn't going to last today.
As your fingers lightly graze each key as you keep up your tune, there's a rather deafening thunder crack that makes you jump- messing you up. Zeus had lifted his head as well, spooked by the loud noise. A low growl came from him as he hopped off the armchair and dashed through the house. Sighing lightly, you get up and grab your cocoa. "Zeus, come back here-" You call out- only he doesn't return. Instead, he begins barking at the window in the kitchen. "What in the world are you even barking at?" Making your way to the kitchen, you find why he's barking.
The window above the sink is slightly open. Not nearly enough for someone to fit in or anything- but it was open. Furrowing your eyebrows, you walk over to try and close it when fingers slide through the small slit and tries to force the thing open.
Your heart falls and you set your cup down shakily.
You didn't own any kind of weapons- other than the taser your friend had given you once as a joke. And that was all the way in your room. By the time you grab it, this person would be in the house!
That's when you heard a baby crying. Gently muffled by the rain and barking of Zeus.
"Please- please stop, doggy." A voice says through the crack in the window. They sounded- hoarse. "Shhh- it's okay Max." The voice seemed to try and soothe the crying. Now, you weren't sure if this was some kind of elaborate new way of killing people or something that gangs had come up with. But you weren't about to fall for it! Taking a deep breath, you stand straight and run to grab your taser.
Coming back, you make sure it's on- giving it a quick test before finding the window was half open now and Zeus was on the counter now. After walking over and plucking the dog up and putting him on the ground, you ready your taser and throw the window open.
The shock is more of a warning- you didn't even hit the male as he screamed, stumbling back. He held close to a small bundle in his jacket as he fell back in the mud. "Think you can just break in to my house- think again, buddy." You say, about to slam the window when lightening cracks the sky and you catch sight of the man in the mud.
His face is- bruised beyond all hell. Blood seems to stain his shirt and be running from his nose and mouth. One hell of a shiner on his left eye too. Blinking down at him, as he struggled to get up, wincing in pain as he uses one arm to try and get up, baby still crying. As you now realize the bundle he's holding in his jacket is the small crying baby.
Fuck- if this was some kind of weird initiation to a gang or something, it was playing right into your good hearted nature.
The male goes down, his arm seeming to shake way too much with the effort. A small sob escapes him as he curls around the child. "Please- please help us." He chokes on the words, making you feel horrible as you look at Zeus, who is still growling. "Shh, it's okay." You gently pet the dog, calming it down before looking to the male. He looked in bad shape- and made you wonder just what the hell had happened to him for him to look this smashed up. A part of you was scared to see what the child looked like- you wouldn't be able to handle seeing a baby all beat up like that.
"If I come help you, I better not end up shot or attacked by five guys." You say, keeping your taser close and jumping on the counter before slipping through the window. You didn't feel like you should let him out of your sight for even a second. That and you were seriously worried that if you took the time to race around to the front door and then around the house, you'd be right in any trap that may be laid out for you.
My, someone is paranoid.
Anyway, now outside in the pouring rain, you crouch and look the man over- him still clutching the baby to his chest. A frown pulls at your lips. "Here, give me the kid." You say, reaching to take the child. This only seems to make him look at you with fear in his eyes, clutching the baby closer to his chest. "Sir, if you want me to help you, you have to give me the kid." You explain. No movement or noise beside the kid crying and the male choking back his sobs. Sighing, you drop to your knees and gently pry the kid from him.
"No- please! Don't take him away from me-" He says- though hardly has the energy or power to fight you back. Easily slipping the kid from his grip, you hold them close. A small boy, hair as fluffy as a cloud and as dark as the clouds currently hanging in the sky. "Don't- don't leave me here." The male still on the ground said. "He needs me- So please-"
Man, he sure says please a lot.
"Calm down, sir. I have to get him inside. I swear, I'll be right back." You promise, getting up and heading to the window again. Getting back in was a fucking difficult task and with a baby in arm, made it even harder. Once inside, you walk to the main living room again and try soothing the child. "Hey, hey now. It's all okay." Cooing at the baby, you make a small nest out of throw pillows and gently lay him in it. "You stay right here, I have to go help your dad." The crying had died down a bit, and as you head out the front door this time, satisfied that it wasn't a set up- you head back to the man on the ground.
The moment he sees you, he seems to be relieved. "You came back." The male sniffles. "I promised you, didn't I?"
Now, you weren't exactly the strongest person alive, but you could at least help this guy to his feet. Looping an arm under his armpits, you pull him up- him hissing in pain. "Do you have a name?" You ask, deciding you'd rather know who the hell is staying in your house with you than letting some stranger in. Even if it was pretty obvious they needed your help.
"David...A-and I'm sorry for trying to break in-" He wipes at his bloody nose. "I just- had to get somewhere safe..." His voice is still raspy- like he'd been screaming for lord knows how long. "I'm so, so sorry."
Helping him inside, you close and lock the door back. Carefully walking the male to the couch, you sit him down and sigh lightly as he crumbles onto the cushions, soaking them. "Well, David, I don't fully forgive you for almost breaking in- and taking a baby out in this kind of weather-" You start, watching him shiver on the couch, looking around until he found the baby now resting in the small pillow nest.
Now that you were in the light of the house, you could see the man much better now. His eyes an emerald shade that lit up when he saw the sleeping child. "Oh thank goodness." David says, under his breath before looking at you with a smile. "I know, I wouldn't forgive me either..." Well- at least he seemed like an okay guy. Didn't seem like the type to kill you. Then again, what killer would be seen as that type to begin with?
"But- thank you. I-... You have my eternal gratitude." David explains, moving the pillow nest closer to him, still shaking.
Staring at him for a moment, you sigh and head over to your fire place. "You two need to get dry and warm." Throwing a few logs on the fireplace, you find some starter wood and grab your lighter, starting a fire. It takes a few minutes to catch, but eventually, it's glowing and warming the room.
Standing again, you look back at him. "I'll get you one of my bathrobes. I'll wash and dry those." Motioning to his clothes, you head off to the bathroom. "I'll also need the kids clothes-"
"Max."
As you walk back, you raise an eyebrow, robe in hand. "Huh?"
"His name. It's Max." David says, smiling gently and taking the robe you hand him. "Ah, okay. Well, I'll dry his clothes too."
David nods and looks at you. "Um, I know this is your house and all- but can you just- step out for a moment?" He asks, polite as possible. He really did seem like a nice guy..
"Oh- yeah." Heading into the kitchen, you decide to make the guy a cup of cocoa. What? It always helped you feel better! Plus it gave him plenty of time to change and get Max out of those wet clothes too.
Once the cocoa was done, you head back in, finding he had put the clothes- neatly folded, mind you- in a little pile on the floor. He was sitting in front of the fire with Max in his arms again- swaddled in a blanket that usually you kept on the back of the couch for days when you were far to lazy to get up and find one.
Walking over, you gently sit the cocoa down beside him. "Here. You might want to drink that to help get your body temperature back up." You say. The redhead looks up at you with an expression of shock.
"Thank you- you're...really kind." A smile adorns his face, making his eyes seem to pop even more. "Especially to someone who tried to break in." A soft laugh escapes him, only to end with him coughing. You purse your lips and shrug. "Maybe I'm just gullible and way to considerate." You half joke, picking up the pile of clothes. "I-I didn't mean it in a bad way,- uhhh-" He trails off.
"[Y/N]." You turn to him with a smile. "And don't take my kindness for weakness, Mister David." You say, heading off to throw the clothes in the washer first. "N-Never." He mumbles as you leave.
In the laundry room, you put the clothes in and toss in a few pods before setting it on a quick wash. Running through the event in your head, you bite your lip. Maybe you shouldn't have let him in the house. But he seemed harmless. And you couldn't just leave him there! But why was he so bloody? What if he was an actual killer? What if he stole that baby! It didn't even look like him!
Thought after thought raced through your mind as you turn on your heels and head back out. Maybe you could ask him a few questions- just to be safe.
"Hey, David?" You say, stepping into the main room, only to find him sleeping. Max lay gently in his lap, David's arms protecting him from rolling off.
They both looked so..peaceful. Maybe you had it all wrong. He did seem nice- and he did say he just needed somewhere safe to go...
Smiling lightly to yourself, you shake your head as Zeus sniffs at the two, a bit more weary of the newcomers. "They're fine, Zeus." You tell the pup, who curls up at David's leg.
Walking over to your piano again, you sit down and start playing a gentle, soothing lullaby.