Work Text:
Warlock hugs his new toy delightedly. It’s a present from Brother Francis, which makes it special anyway — it’s always exciting to get something from him, especially something that isn’t a book about good little children who love all things great and small — but even if it wasn’t, even if it was just from one of the American relatives he’s never met or one of his parent’s friends, Warlock would still love this gift.
A large stuffed snake, red and black plush, large and soft and absolutely perfect for both playing with and snuggling. He’s already decided he’s going to ask Nanny if he can sleep with it tonight.
There’s an argument going on over Warlock’s head. He pays it no mind; Nanny and Brother Francis always argue with each other, it’s just what they do, and Warlock has gotten good at tuning their back-and-forth out into comforting background noise. Brother Francis and Nanny arguing is a sign that all is right with the world.
~ ~ ~
“All the gifts you might have given him,” Nanny Ashtoreth accuses, nearly hissing the words, “anything under the sun, or over it for that matter, and you go and choose this?”
Francis glances down at where Warlock is now seated on the ground, wholly occupied with his new possession. “Why, aren’t soft toys appropriate for this stage in child development? I looked it up beforehand, to make sure. And he certainly seems to be quite happy with it…”
“Child development,” says Nanny Ashtoreth, “is not my point.”
“Oh?” Francis inquires, excessively politely. “And your point is? I’m afraid I fail to see any problem here, my dear girl.”
“It’s a snake! Why would you, you of all people, give the Antichrist a stuffed snake?”
“Snakes are living things too,” Francis returns primly. “Just like all other creatures of the earth, they deserve respect, appreciation, and love.”
Nanny sputters consonants at him.
“Besides,” Brother Francis goes on, smiling with calculatedly calm, bright cheerfulness, “I’ve read that many humans, especially children, particularly enjoy toys that they can cuddle with. It is an important part of their development. And, you see” — he pauses, drawing out the moment, and finishes with just a touch too much innocence to be anything but insufferably smug — “I have always found that snakes are excellent for purposes of cuddling.”
Nanny Ashtoreth’s spluttering intensifies tenfold.
Francis beams at her, then bends to talk to Warlock.