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Rocking Sapnap in his arms carefully, Bad hummed a quiet lullaby beneath his breath. It was working to keep the babe settled; Sapnap was not an easy child to make fall asleep but Bad had the patience to make it happen. His sensitive hearing picked up the faint puffs of breath from between his son's parted lips and the calm beats of the baby's heart, and it made the nerves pricking beneath his skin dissipate slightly.
The full moon was shining through the windows to illuminate the two of them where Bad was seated on the window sill. It was normally not a place he allowed any of them to sit but he had wanted the best view of the walk up to the mansion.
He looked out at the world and felt his brows furrow with worry.
His singing trailed off as he started to get lost in his own head. Chewing his lower lip, he stared out into the night, tail flicking anxiously as his eyes picked out the monsters shuffling by in the distance.
Sapnap stirred. His tiny brow furrowed and his little lips pursed, and he made a small grumbling noise of discontent.
Bad took a deep, calming breath and licked his dry lips. Then he started to sing again.
It worked like a charm. The child settled back to sleep instantly, pudgy little fist clinging to Bad's sleep shirt, and Bad spent a few moments just watching him.
Before Sapnap had come into their lives Bad had thought he would never love anything as much as he loved Skeppy. His husband, his partner, his best friend and soulmate. But, looking down at the tiny being cradled in his hold, Bad felt his heart swell with love and adoration. He delicately brushed the back of his knuckle over a soft, pudgy cheek and felt his chest squeeze. Nobody could take Skeppy's place in his heart - that much remained true - but having Sapnap in their lives had made Bad realise his heart was bigger than he had ever thought. The two had solidified their shared places in his heart. And he was so very thankful to have them both in his life.
He continued to stare down at his son with affection, before he lowered his head to press a kiss to the child's brow. He breathed in the familiar scent of his son, and felt a calmness wash over him.
The moments like this - still, calm, content - allowed him to pause and soak in how much he loved his family. His precious little one and his beloved soul.
Looking back out the window, Bad continued to rock Sapnap in his arms while he tried to spot his missing husband. It wasn't unusual for Skeppy to be late home but ever since Sapnap had joined their lives he had been better about it. Hadn't wanted to worry them by being away too long.
The trip for supplies had only been supposed to last a few days at most. It was already starting to push a second week since Skeppy had lifted his headbox - decorated with stickers and doodles courtesy of Sapnap - to press a kiss to each of their cheeks before he had dropped it back into place and walked out the door. Every night since he had been gone Sapnap had begged for them to wait up for him.
The little demon missed his dada more and more each night he did not show. He fought to stay awake, pressed against the cold glass, until Bad pulled him into his arms and started to sing. That would eventually work to have the little one falling asleep. But Bad, also worried even though he hid it well, would wait at the windowsill for a while longer, cradling Sapnap close.
Eventually, though, even Bad knew it was time to call it a night. He sighed heavily and then stood up.
He adjusted his hold on his son, giggling quietly at the way Sapnap scrunched his tiny nose in response, and then started to carry him up the stairs to put him to bed.
Halfway up the stairs, the front door's lock clicked, and he turned to watch it swing open. His tail started wagging at the sight of his husband in the doorway, a bright smile spreading across his lips, until he noted the way Skeppy leaned heavily on the door frame. His eyes scanned him quickly and he noted the bandages peeking out from beneath Skeppy's armour.
"I'm putting Sap to bed and then I'll help you with everything," Bad said. He needed to get Sapnap settled into bed so he could tend to whatever was wrong with Skeppy.
Nodding, Skeppy mutely waved his hand to signal him to go, and Bad turned to continue up the stairs.
He laid Sapnap in his crib and pulled his blanket over him. Then he moved his favourite stuffie so if he woke up it was in his immediate sight. Finally, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to his hair and whispered, "sleep well, my sweet little flame." He watched for a moment to ensure he was truly settled, and then he stepped back from the crib.
He walked out the room and back down the stairs hurriedly to find Skeppy more or less where he left him. By the door was Skeppy's discarded armour, his headbox, tool belt, and sack of items. The faint scent of blood, long since dried, tickled Bad's nose and he frowned at the uncomfortably familiar scent.
"What happened, love?" Bad asked as he made his way over to his partner. His glowing eyes scanned his injured partner, tail flicking behind him worriedly, and his hands hovered awkwardly since he was unsure where was safe to touch.
Skeppy, one hand clutching at his side, sighed heavily. "It was going perfectly fine," Skeppy informed, stepping forward with a small limp, "until a witch snuck up on me and the poison made me disorientated enough to miss the creeper at my back." He huffed. "I'm more or less fine. Mostly just an annoying limp," he assured at Bad's concerned expression. He reached out for one of Bad's hands and intertwined their fingers, stroking his thumb over Bad's knuckles soothingly. "I'm sorry for being late home."
Bad snorted, rolling his teary eyes. "You silly, silly muffin," he muttered, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to Skeppy's temple. "I don't care that you're late. I'm just happy to have you home." He nosed at Skeppy's cheek gently, lovingly, and said, "we missed you."
Skeppy turned his head to meet Bad's lips with his own. It was short and chaste but no less sweet.
Bad pulled away with a gentle squeeze to their joined hands. "Let's get you taken care of and then you should rest up."
Skeppy smiled. "That sounds really good right now."
The first thing Bad did was very carefully scoop his husband into his arms - ignoring his protests that he could walk fine - and carried him up the stairs. While the bath was running, he regaled Skeppy with everything that he had missed while he had been away, particularly in regards to Sapnap. Then when the tub was finished filling up he helped Skeppy get situated in the warm water. After dropping a quick kiss to Skeppy's hair, Bad went back downstairs to tidy away the items left discarded by the door. He returned the armour and tools to their rightful places and organized the supplies that Skeppy had gathered in the proper chests. He grabbed his husband's headbox, absently dusting off some of the dirt that had affixed itself to it, and carried it with him up the stairs. On his way to the bathroom he deposited the headbox on Skeppy's bedside table. And then he opened the bathroom door to find Skeppy trying not to fall asleep in the tub. He rolled his eyes fondly. After helping him out the tub, Bad carefully applied ointment to Skeppy's injuries before wrapping them up in new bandages.
Finally, Bad lifted Skeppy up into his arms again, cradling him close, and carried him to their bedroom. He helped him get settled in the bed before he crawled beneath the covers with him; he curled protectively around him, nose pressed to his still damp hair, and breathed him in.
"Thank you," Skeppy whispered. "You always take such good care of us."
Bad's hold tightened minutely around him. "It's because I love you both very much," he said, "and I know you would do the same for me."
Wincing at the way his body protested the movement, Skeppy rolled over to bury his face in Bad's chest. He pressed a quick kiss to the skin above Bad's steadily beating heart. "I'm so lucky to get to come home to you," he murmured, "and knowing tomorrow I get to spend time with you and our son..." he sighed happily. "It makes me so damn happy."
Bad grinned into the fluff of Skeppy's wild hair. "Oh, my goodness, Sapnap is going to be so excited to see you tomorrow!" he giggled.
Smiling happily, Skeppy admitted, "I can't wait to see him. I've missed him so much."
Waking up the next morning, Bad sat up and stretched, shivering lightly at the way his back popped pleasantly. He glanced down to see Skeppy, his face half smushed into his pillow, snoring softly, and Bad couldn't help his loving smile. Gently, he brushed away some of the dark hair that had flopped down into his face. The action had Skeppy's eyes fluttering open slowly.
"Good morning, my soul," Bad breathed.
Skeppy smiled, blinking up at him sleepily. "Morning, my heart."
"How are you feeling today?" Bad asked, concerned.
Humming lightly, Skeppy slowly sat up, wincing only mildly. "A lot better after that rest," he answered, "though I'm probably going to be sore for a few more days." He leaned against Bad's side with a sigh. "Thank you for taking such good care of me yesterday."
"Of course," replied Bad, turning to nuzzle at the top of Skeppy's head.
They remained settled against one another, content.
"Do you want to go surprise Sapnap while I go start breakfast?" Bad asked. "He's going to be so happy to see you."
Skeppy grinned. "Can't wait to see his face!"
While Bad headed down stairs to start making breakfast for them all, Skeppy walked to Sapnap's room, his limp only slight by this point. The ointment and good rest had done wonders for his sore and tired body, and he was already feeling much better.
He slowly opened the door and felt the smile rise to his face unbidden at the sight of his son.
Sapnap was curled around his stuffed panda, snoring softly.
Quietly, Skeppy tip-toed to the crib, and reached in to gently run his fingers over Sapnap's hair. "Sapnap," he called softly, "it's time to wake up. Come on, my little firecracker, wake up now."
Slowly, sleepily, Sapnap's wide, dark eyes blinked open and he stared at Skeppy for a moment. Eyes wide but smile wider, Sapnap scrambled to sit up, looking at Skeppy with clear delight.
"Dada!" He cheered. "Dada is home! Dada is home!" He reached out his hands and Skeppy immediately lifted him into his arms. "I missed you, Dada!"
Skeppy felt his heart melt with his son's excitement. He kissed his temple and murmured, "I really missed you too, buddy. I got you a gift while I was out."
Sapnap squealed with excitement. "Presents!"
"But first we've got to go have breakfast with Papa," Skeppy said.
Nodding, Sapnap clapped his hands together. "Food then presents!"
Laughing fondly, Skeppy carried his son downstairs to the kitchen where his husband was plating up their food. He seated Sapnap in his high chair, settled in his usual, and then watched Bad deposit Sapnap's food on his tray. He dropped a quick kiss to Bad's cheek in thanks when he handed over Skeppy's food. Then, just because he could, he snagged a quick kiss from his lips too, which made Sapnap make playfully obnoxious kissy noises.
"I really have missed you both," Skeppy breathed.
"We waited for you every night, Dada," Sapnap informed in between mouthfuls of breakfast. "We like when you're home with us."
Skeppy smiled and reached over to ruffle Sapnap's hair. "I like being home with you both too."
Bad, tail flicking behind him happily, smiled softly. "We're happy you're home safe, darling."