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Soren most of the time likes to believe that he was a relatively good kid. Sure, he got into the occasional trouble with his jelly tart stealing habit and his tendency to knock things over with his wooden sword, but besides that, nothing else.
Then there are times like this where he believes that he must’ve committed some grievous childhood misdeed that waited until he had his own kid to come back to bite him.
“Azar.”
At the sound of his voice, his daughter looked up, green eyes staring back at him unashamed.
‘You just HAD to give her two pot fulls of your stubbornness and pride, huh, Sef?’ Soren mentally cursed his husband, groaning before giving his daughter a hopefully stern look.
“Azar, what did we talk about hitting others?”
The 3 year old rocked on her heels, glancing away from her father with a pout.
“To not to.”
“Because?” He prompted his daughter, her scowl eerily reminding him of Kasef.
“Because it's not nice.”
“Exactly. You know this. So why did you do it anyways?”
At that question, Azar raised her chin, and narrowed her eyes, her nose scrunched up in that familiar expression that Soren knew all too well.
‘Oh boy, here we go again’
“Because he deserved it, Poppa. He was pulling my hair!” Azar explained angrily, an adorable little scowl on her face, green multicolored eyes glaring into Soren’s blues.
“Then why not tell the tutor?”
Azar huffed and gave her father a look that was identical to Kasef’s “You should know this already” expression.
“Because he didn’t do nothing bout it! He just tell Kasim to stop and dat’s it! I hate it!” She explained, stomping her foot with a loud huff. On one hand, Soren is displeased to hear about the tutor’s negligence towards the behavior of his students and a surge of parental protectiveness welled up in his heart for his daughter. On the other hand, he couldn’t help but aww at how cute his daughter looked, even when angry. Just like her father.
“Poppa! Are you listening?!”
But first, he had to parent.
“Yes, Blueberry Tart, I’m listening. So you hit him because you were frustrated and ran out of options, right?”
When Azar nodded her head vigorously, he chuckled, bending down to pat her hair fondly. Honestly, how did He and Sef make such an adorable kid?
‘Maybe we should have another. I think she would like a baby sister or brother like Sef and I.’
“Poppa!” Azar’s shout brought him out of his thinking, bringing his attention back onto his daughter who was now tapping her foot impatiently, waiting for his decision. Honestly, he wasn’t quite sure what to do. He knows that a good parent would tell their child to not hit someone under any circumstances. That’s what a responsible parent would do.
Then again….Kasef and he were never known for being responsible.
“While I don’t encourage you to hit others, especially when losing your temper, I will allow it this time because you were backed into a corner and had no other options. I will deal with your tutor myself.”
And by “deal with”, he means “beat the shit out of him”. Verbally. Probably. Depends on what excuses the guy comes up with to defend himself. The grin he got from his daughter though, was well worth it.
“Are we gonna dell Baba?”
Gods, no! If Soren was considered protective, Kasef was downright OVERprotective. He does not handle his daughter being put down or picked on very well.
‘Then again, I was just thinking about beating up the tutor 5 seconds ago, so maybe I can’t really talk.’
“I wouldn’t do that. Let’s just keep it a little secret between you and me for now, okay, Cupcake?” He asked, getting a serious nod from his daughter. Smiling, he pulled her into his arms, kissing her hair as she tucked her head under his chin. Every time he looks at her or holds her, Soren still finds himself amazed that he and Sef made her, with a bit of magical help. He knows he sounds like a stereotypical parent, but….Azar was perfect in every way. Even when she was throwing temper tantrums and shouting and screaming. Even at her worst, she was still their perfect princess. Not because she was talented or could do certain tasks well or because of her behavior, but simply because she was her. Azar.
“Poppa.”
“Hm?”
“Can we have jelly darts? The raspberry ones!” She asked, looking up from beneath her eyelashes with the famous puppy eyes that every child mastered. And Soren wasn’t strong enough to say no.
“Sure, Honeybun. But, you’ll have to split half of them with me. Or else your teeth will rot from too much.” He answered, chuckling at the look of shock on her face.
“My teef will rot?”
“Yup! They’ll turn black and fall right out of your mouth. Like avocados off a tree.” He continued, waving his fingers in the air to illustrate fruit falling, trying not to laugh too hard at the look on her face. Technically, he wasn’t lying.
“I don’t want my teef to fall out!” Azar cried out, burying her head in his chest, huddling close to Soren as if he could protect her from that fate. Luckily, he can.
“Don’t worry, Sweetpea. Just be careful how much jelly tarts you eat. That’s why you gotta share with Poppa.”
“And Baba too?”
“Baba can get one. You know he doesn’t like sweets too much.” He replied, lifting her up in his arms and beginning his journey to the kitchens to commandeer some treats.
“Baba’s weird.”
“I know.”
It was during dinner that their little secret slipped out. Soren made the mistake of letting Kasef ask Azar how her day went. And only realized too late how much of a mistake that was.
“I punched Kasim’s nose! Just like Poppa taught me!” Azar announced proudly, puffing her chest with a grin. Soren froze, spoon halfway in his mouth, eyes wide in realization. In contrast, Kasef wasn’t phased by his daughter’s answer, giving her a proud smile and ruffling her hair. Azar getting into fights was becoming a common occurrence and as long as it was self defense, Kasef did not mind her setting a few people straight.
“Was he bothering you again, Azar?”
“Mhmm! And I told the tutor to make him stop and all he did was say “stop” one time and nothing else!”
‘Fuck.’
The table went dead silent. From his spot, Soren could see Kasef’s eyes widen in shock before narrowing in anger.
‘Dammit.’
And then his face went carefully blank. But Soren knew his husband well enough to know that only meant that the storm was brewing, not ending.
“Your tutor did nothing to help you besides that?”
Soren shot his daughter a pleading look, trying to avoid fanning the flames called Kasef’s overprotective temper. Azar doesn’t even look in his direction. Traitor.
“Mhm! When I was calling him again, I got in trouble for being loud! That’s why I had to punch Kasim myself!”
After a moment of silence, the sound of a metal hitting wood rang through the air as Kasef dropped his spoon and turned to face the doors.
“Guards!”
‘Shit.’
“Sef-”
Soren was cut off by the doors opening and the guards entering, bowing before responding.
“Your Majesty.”
“Bring the History Lala here. Fakir Adem. Immediately.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As the guards left to fetch Azar’s tutor, Soren leveled a semi stern look at Kasef who picked up Azar and placed her in his lap, their daughter giggling and cuddling into his chest.
“Sef.”
“Hm?” His husband’s olive green eyes glanced at him in a casual manner, a brown eyebrow rising in question. Who did he think he was fooling?
“Can we at least put Azar to bed first before we beat this dude up?” He pleaded, half jokingly, half serious.
“Why? His offense was against her primarily, us secondary. He needs to apologize to her at her feet for such negligence and nonchalance. Especially towards a princess.” Was Kasef’s blunt answer before popping another pepper in his mouth, Azar following his example.
“Because that’s what responsible parents would do?”
All Soren got was a dry look with a raised brow from his husband.
“Soren, have we ever been described as responsible? Ever in our lives?”
‘Valid point.’
Before anymore could be discussed, the doors reopened, revealing the two guards that had been sent out and the man of the hour between them. The playful, teasing atmosphere vanishes in the blink of an eye, the tension in the air growing heavy.
Fakir greeted the family with a bow, hands clasped in front of him.
“Your Majesty. You have summoned me?”
Soren watched as Kasef’s body language switched from relaxed and at ease to predatory, eyeing the man like a tiger at meat.
“We did. Step forward.”
Fakir, completely oblivious to the danger he was currently in, stepped forward, closer to the table the family was eating.
“Fakir Ahmed. I have heard a report that there was an altercation in your class today. Between my daughter and a nobleman’s son.” Kasef started off in a deceivingly casual tone as if he was speaking about a daily occurrence. Which, technically, it kinda was.
“Ah, yes. A minor scuffle, Your Majesty. A common occurrence between children. Nothing of importance, I assure you.”
Now Soren felt that past anger start to creep up in him again as the tutor spoke. And he couldn’t hold himself back from scoffing.
“A minor scuffle? A kid’s nose got broken!”
Fakir fidgeted at the rebuke, his hands clasping and unclasping together as he thought of a rebuttal.
“Your Highness, Her Highness the princess has a tendency of losing her temper to mere words and-”
“Mere words, you say? That’s fascinating. Because from what she told me, the boy was placing a hand on her person multiple times. Something that she has told you about multiple times to no avail. At first you only gave the boy a lukewarm warning, and continued to ignore my daughter repeatedly telling you that Kasim was continuing to bother her. Not only that, you would scold HER for ‘interrupting the lesson’! Wasn’t Kasim doing the same thing?” Kasef snapped at the man, scars beginning to faintly glow.
‘He’s screwed now.’
Seeing Kasef’s anger, Fakir gulped loudly, hands gripping his robes so tightly, Soren could see his knuckles turn white.
“F-Forgive me, Your Majesty. I had thought is as minor play between children-”
“My daughter, your princess , asked for you to help her. Only to be ignored and waved off!” Soren lashed out, growing angrier from the man’s weak excuses. Like hell he’ll let this fuck get away with ignoring his daughter!
Now recognizing the danger he was in, the tutor bowed lowly, his trembling obvious even from where Soren was sitting. But he was too pissed off to care.
“Forgive me, Your Highness! I meant no offense!”
“It’s not us you need to apologize to.” Kasef said with a note of finality, gesturing to Azar who stood up and made her way to stand in front of the man, crossing her arms and glaring down at him.
“You have 1 minute to apologize to the princess and gain her forgiveness. If she refuses, I’ll have you flogged 10 times and banished from the city. Now.”
Fakir wasted no time in bowing Azar, nearly slamming his head on the ground.
“Forgive me, Your Highness! I meant no disrespect! Forgive me!”
“I told you that Kasim was pulling my hair and you did nothing bout it!”
Soren’s heart ached as he watched his little girl stomp her foot and rage. When Azar had been born, he had swore that he would never let anyone in this world make his daughter feel inferior or ashamed or take away her confidence. That she’d never be treated as “less” or something to be disappointed about. And Fakir had done that. Had allowed her to be picked on. And ignored it using the excuse of “She always has a temper”.
“I understand my mistake. Forgive me, Princess.” Fakir continued to beg, kneeling. Soren watched as Azar’s mouth twisted as she glared at the man, her arms crossed. Honestly, he couldn’t see a bit of himself in her expressions. It was all Kasef.
“20 seconds.”
“I beg for your forgiveness, Your Highness! I understand my wrong!”
Soren watched as his daughter’s brows furrowed, nose scrunching up in what Soren recognizes as her thinking face.
“10...9...8…”
Now Fakir was getting desperate, begging loudly. Azar’s eyes narrowed, looking to the side, clearly making a decision.
“7....6...5...4-”
“Fine. I forgive you.” Azar finally said, huffing. Soren let out a sigh, rolling his eyes as Fakir groveled on the floor, thanking Azar.
“So, the princess has decided to be merciful and forgive your wrongdoing.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. Your Majesty.”
“However.” Kasef spoke up again, not finished. The older man straightened, now looking down at Fakir with a look that Soren knew by now meant trouble.
“By tomorrow afternoon, I want you out of the city gates. You will be allowed to take your belongings with you in a cart with a horse. If you’re not out by the time the sun is highest, then you will be dragged out with only the clothes on your back.”
Soren tried not to snicker at the shocked look on Fakir’s face, mouth opening and closing like a fish.
“B-But Your Majesty, you said-”
“What I said was that if she refused, I’ll have you flogged 10 times AND banished from the city. I never said anything about what I would do if she did.” Kasef stated casually while popping another pepper into his mouth, as if he were speaking about another prank of Azar’s.
“Y-Your Majesty-”
“I think your king just gave you an order. Now get out before I drag you out myself.” Soren spoke up, glaring daggers at the now ex tutor over the top of Azar’s head. He’s lucky he’s getting banished. If it were up to Soren and Kasef, he would’ve been black and blue.
“Guards. Escort him out. Make sure my command is followed tomorrow.” Kasef ordered, the guards bowing before grabbing the disgraced tutor by the arms, dragging him out.
“Your Majesty, spare me!”
“That’s what I just did.” Kasef snarked, both men chuckling, only for Soren to let out a grunt when Azar decided to jump into his lap.
“Do you feel better now, pumpkin?” Soren asked, wrapping his arms around her. The little princess’s face went back into that thinking expression before nodding her head.
“Mhm!”
‘And in the end, that’s all I want.’ Soren mused, kissing his daughter’s cheeks, causing her to giggle. Glancing over, Soren could see his husband watching the two of them with a gentle look, a soft smile on his face. Unable to help himself, Soren leaned over and kissed Kasef, always loving the feel of his soft lips, something that was happily returned.
“EW! Gross! No kissing!”
The moment was very quickly shut down by their daughter’s loud shouting, tiny hands pushing against their cheeks in an attempt to push them away from each other. All it did was squish their cheeks.
“Well sweetpea, if you wanted some for yourself, all you had to do was ask!” Soren teased before launching a kiss attack on her right cheek, Kasef doing it on her left cheek, making Azar squeal with laughter.
The rest of dinner passed by happily. Well, at least for them. Though, Soren would’ve liked to get at least a punch in on that tutor. Oh well.
Maybe another day.
BONUS SCENE
"Does dis mean no lessons?" Azar asked, mouth covered in raspberry jelly from her dessert. Chuckling, Soren passed Kasef a napkin so he could handle their daughter's mess.
"For the rest of the week, yes. No history lessons. We'll need to find you a new History tutor." Kasef answered, gently wiping away the jelly and crumbs from off her face.
"YAY!"
"However-" Kasef's "Stern Parent" voice on full blast, interrupting the princess's celebration.
Soren bursted into laughter at the confused and annoyed pout on her face, making her look so cute. At least, in his opinion.
"Wha?"
"That doesn't mean you're gonna be on some holiday, either. Until a new history tutor is found, you will be doing physical training with Poppa. You already know how to break someone's nose, might as well teach you the rest."
The look on Azar's face was a mix of annoyance and interest at the same time. Grinning, Soren leaned over, covering his mouth to whisper to Azar.
"If you're good, we could just spend the lesson sneaking into the kitchens and eating jelly tarts. Maybe even some lokma if we beg Hatice long enough." He whispered, causing Azar to smile that matched his, giggling.
"And since your Poppa obviously has different plans for you, I'll make sure Captain Ahmet is there to keep you two on task and not try to sneak off." Kasef's smug tone quickly dashed that plan to pieces, much to the disappointment of the two schemers.
"Awwww, but...but Sef!"
"Babaaaaaaaa!
"Whining now, are we? Well then, I guess Captain Bayezid will have to join in too. Give you both a challenge."
'Now he's just being cruel!' Soren mentally wailed, but wisely kept his mouth shut, knowing that his husband can do much worse if he wanted to. He and Azar must have the same pout on their faces because Kasef took one look and snickered.
"You know I love you, right, Sef?"
"Nice try, Soren. 5 laps tomorrow around the courtyard at noon."
"Well sh-I mean-shoot." Honestly, Soren should've known that wouldn't have worked.
"Nice save."
"...Sarcasm?"
"Possibly."