Work Text:
neuvillette never thought he would ever hear anyone call him 'papa'. between juggling his life at opera epiclese, as well as his, well, dwindling social life... there really wasn't any time to father anyone, let alone find a partner. it was an archon-blessed miracle that he even managed to find you, amongst fontaine's population. and even then? neuvillette never thought he would ever hear anyone call him 'papa'.
that didn't stop from looking at the five or so (more) melusines clamoring to be on his lap, their paws standing on tiptoes to reach his knees.
"papa! iara always gets to sit first!" the littlest of them all, puca, cried. a steady hand reached down to smoothen her hair out, soothing the distressed girl.
"take turns, iara. you've had your turn this morning," neuvillette offers, his voice not unkind. the melusine in question huffs and hops off papa's lap, stepping behind her sister and watching her get lifted up by neuvillette instead.
"come here, iara," you smile, gently patting your own lap. the young melusine tippytaps her way over, quietly settling for yours instead.
your fingers start to run through iara's hair as you watch the older melusines, lutine and mela, run up to neuvillette and puca – their hands full of decorative supplies. it's become somewhat of a daily habit at this point, you reminisce.
the two start to gently tug on neuvillette's hair, your husband wincing but masking it as well as he could. the first time your girls noticed that he was in pain was something to remember – the both of you spent an hour comforting and soothing the distressed melusines, both of whom couldn't bear to send their beloved father into a fit of pain. neuvillette now chooses carefully which emotions to show to them, even as a father. especially, as a father.
by the time lutine and mela are finished, both melusines are in fits of giggles while admiring their handiwork. a long braid of hair cascades down his back, full of beads and ribbons and colourful hair ties adorning his locks. the girls seem to have attempted to sequence the colours of the hair ties in a rainbow formation, but the blue and yellow seem to have been swapped – intentionally or accidentally, is another thing.
puca leans over neuvillette's shoulder to see the results, and the model of the day smiles as the older girls excitedly describe what they've done – handing him a pocket mirror after.
"you two are getting better at this, day by day." neuvillette gives them a reassuring smile. the beams that return seem to make your living room even brighter.
"thank you, papa!"
yes, neuvillette never thought he would ever hear anyone call him 'papa'. he'd have to get used to it someday.