Chapter Text
It was out of his control, with everything considered. One thing led to another - and sure, Kain can handle whatever is thrown at him. Chores or assignments, work or fun - he can follow orders. That isn’t the hard part.
What is the hard part is everything else.
He only came to Baron because Cecil said there would be ‘something in it if you helped Rosa and I out.’ This ‘helping,’ was not helping. Well, it was, but Kain doesn’t like it because children are disgusting and gross and Ceodore is a very snotty child.
The most infuriating part is how happy Ceodore looks with snot and food all over his face. Cecil and Rosa left an hour ago, but there seems to be no respite in sight even as Kain spoon feeds Ceodore what must be a very special meal because it was labeled and everything.
Kain takes a deep breath. He has been through worse. He has lived through worse, done things he would not particularly like to recall - Cecil always commented that he should get to know Ceodore, but not like this.
Anything but this.
Ceodore babbles something in baby speak, making grabby hands at Kain. Taking that as a sign he wants more, Kain spoons out another mouthful of orange slop to feed to the baby. However, the impudent little snot clearly does not want food because he babbles something else and slams his hands on the table. Thankfully, Kain is holding the jar of whatever-this-is so the food doesn’t go everywhere, but snot and puree is still spread all over the chair.
He’ll have to apologize to whomever is the one cleaning this mess. Perhaps it’s Rosa herself - either way, it will stain and smell bad and it is none of Kain’s business because he was asked only to take care of the kid, not of the messes he inevitably makes.
Kain decides that Ceodore is done with the meal for now. He picks up the child and lets it babble, tiny little hands pressing against his shirt.
Does he find it interesting? His armor is far more interesting to touch, what with the cold metal and the varying materials used to make it lightweight but sturdy enough to prove the might of a dragoon. His shirt is a shirt and Cecil has a million just like it. Rosa must have even more. Even Ceodore is wearing a soft outfit that covers his tiny toes all the way up to his neck.
…it only takes a moment for the worst to happen and Ceodore to rock in his arms, burbling up puree of… whatever that meal was.
Kain thinks long and hard about how he should not throw a baby against a wall. That is bad, and Rosa would be angry. If Rosa is angry, he will not be welcomed back into Baron. Even after spitting up his meal, Ceodore looks happy with wet shiny eyes and a pumpkin-crusted mouth.
Very calmly, Kain returns to Ceodore’s quarters. He sets the baby down on the changing table, and wishes very sincerely for Cecil and his wife to return home.
He’s never changed a diaper before. There is a first time for everything, Kain supposes - and with a new shirt on himself and a new outfit for Ceodore to relax in, as well as the cloth for Ceodore’s diapers, he feels ready. Then he realizes he probably needs more supplies to wash Ceodore, and returns with those in tow. Now, he is ready.
Steeling himself, Kain undoes the buttons on Ceodore’s outfit. “Be calm,” he warns, watching the baby look straight up at him. “I will swaddle you as much as you please after I change you.”
“Awwaaah!!” Ceodore chirps.
“Yes, exactly,” agrees Kain, pulling off the stained outfit. He sets it to the side for now, pulling away the cloths that comprise Ceodore's underthings. It’s a little late to realize he doesn’t know how to tie the two cloths together, but he decides he will figure it out. Thankfully, Ceodore is not so disgusting Kain has to take a moment to compose himself - it is fine, and it is good, and he continues with cleaning off the meal and the spittle and all of the other grimy baby fluids he has amassed throughout the short time they have been together.
Ceodore’s legs kick as Kain cleans them with a rag. “Mmaah?”
“I’m doing this so you don’t get a rash,” Kain states. He doesn’t know if that’s what will happen, but Rosa fussed that Ceodore should be clean and so he will do it even if it is not necessary. “Adults don’t make a mess like a baby does, yet you do not know better.”
Ceodore seems to accept that. “Ahahhg?”
“You cannot formulate a proper sentence,” Kain argues. “Therefore, you have no clue on what conversation you are having with me.”
On and on their little conversation goes, until Kain can manage to tie the linen diaper around Ceodore and put a clean outfit on him. It goes smoothly, all things considered, and now that he is fed and bathed (somewhat) it is time for sleep.
He does not know how to swaddle a baby, but Baron has many wives who unabashedly talk to others loudly about their children. It is easy to understand the idea. Kain finds a blanket and returns to Ceodore on the table, gently maneuvering him to lay on the blanket.
“Ammmah?” asks Ceodore, wide eyes blinking.
Kain pulls the blanket around his tiny, tiny body. “You are going to sleep now,” he explains.
If Ceodore does not understand, his sobbing is so perfectly timed that he must. His cheeks turn rosy-red and he begins to wail, even as Kain pulls him up by the swaddle into his arms. What does he do? Shake the baby? If he shakes the baby too hard, won’t it hurt him?
Kain looks out of the window, and Baron Castle stares back.
No. He will not jump and pray that by the time he is done patrolling Baron Ceodore will be sleeping. That is a horrible idea. What would Rosa - what would Cecil say? Bad things. He would be exiled for absolute certainty and he will go to Mount Ordeals and spend the rest of his days thinking about how awful he is to everyone he has ever loved.
Ceodore continues to sob. Kain decides… well, what they do not know will not hurt them. Walking over to the window, he manages to push it open with his elbow so as to not let go of the baby.
It’s an easy task to climb over the windowsill, take a deep breath (accompanied by Ceodore’s fresh sobs), and jump.
Up he soars above Baron Castle, letting the wind carry his body while Ceodore is helpless to the zephyrs that accompany the ride. If anything, he is quiet only because he is starstruck - Kain chances a look down to see Ceodore’s eyes wide open, staring at the expanse of sky above him.
He braces himself on one of the castle’s ramparts, turning to jump again. This time Ceodore’s eyes are closed when he looks down - and while Kain nearly misses the next landing, he manages to stick it and jump once more across the castle.
It is freeing to fly - a shame Ceodore is so young, he will forget this experience. He will forget Kain existed, he will forget that he was babysat and his diaper was changed and he was fed nasty puree from a container that was clearly meant and made for him to eat from.
‘Tis a shame, truly. Yet, Kain does not feel remorse nor sorrow as he leaps across the sky, letting the gales command him as they wish.
Only when he returns to Ceodore’s room does he notice the baby is finally asleep, snoring softly. A sure sign to come that he will be even more raucous than his father. Long were the nights pressed in too-small tents together, listening to the rhythmic, ear-shattering snores of Cecil Harvey.
How Rosa can handle it, he knows not. Kain can hardly handle listening to the child now, setting him down in the cradle and wondering what to do next. Cleaning his clothes… simultaneously, he does not want to be here when they return. However, if Ceodore wakes again…
Kain decides to sit. If he bothers Ceodore he will wake up, and let it be known that babies are exceptionally terrific at being loud and obnoxious. It would be best to be quiet and wait for his parents’ return.
…when will that be? He neglected to ask, but Kain hopes it will be soon.