Chapter Text
Syo Bakarn looked at his gurgling grandson as the baby settled into his left arm. Two months after purging the Emperor from Satele Shan's mind, Setra and Theron were finally taking a proper mini-vacation to Alderaan. Syo had jumped at the chance to babysit for them - not only to get a chance to spend some quality time with his young grandchild but also to give the first-time parents a much-needed break from everything, not just from running the Eternal Alliance.
He knew Setra had been nervous about leaving the baby behind - it was only the second time she'd been away from her son since he was born, besides when they'd freed Satele from the Emperor's control. Theron, the more practical one of the couple, had reassured her with gentle words and the reminder that Grandpa Syo would have plenty of help caring for Baby Syo, between Setra's sisters (plus Kevra's son, at 8, was old enough to also help his little cousin while supervised), Lana and Koth, and even Senya and Arcann should the baby get too fussy or throw another Force-Sensitive baby tantrum.
And so, the two Syos had waved goodbye as Setra and Theron (and Setra's ever-present nexu, Paws) departed in Setra's ship, the Hope Everlasting, before heading down to the Force Enclave. The base on Odessen was bustling and lively, and the pair were stopped frequently as passersby wanted to coo over the child (and Grandpa Syo was very happy to show off Baby Syo).
Once at the Force Enclave, he found Sana-Rae, Lana, and Senya. The three women promptly descended on them, setting up a little "play area" for Baby Syo so that Adult Syo could put him down. The five-month-old immediately started showing off his recently gained ability to roll around, causing quite a few squeals from the onlookers.
Lana, after a moment, looked over at Adult Syo. "Did Mouse show you where they store the frozen breastmilk and diapers?"
Syo nodded quickly. "Yes, and where to find the formula and extra diapers in the event of an emergency or if they get delayed past the three days they're supposed to be gone. She also provided me the number for the clinic on Iridonia should he get sick."
Lana chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "Yes, that sounds like Mouse, prepping for the worst-case scenario. I'm hoping Theron can get her to relax a bit - I know it's non-traditional to take a several-day trip away when the baby's this young, but I know that she and Theron both need it; they've barely gotten a chance to rest."
Syo nodded absent-mindedly as he watched Baby Syo Force-pull a rancor stuffy to him. While it was a surprise to some that the baby was already demonstrating sensitivity to the Force, it wasn't to Syo; it was almost expected given who his mother, maternal aunt, and paternal grandmother were (not to mention being a descendent of both Revan AND Lord Kallig). He also knew from others that Kevra's three children hadn't been much older when they started showing Force sensitivity themselves.
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It was smooth sailing until the second night. Syo had set up Baby Syo's crib in his small living room, with the door between the living room and his bedroom open so he would hear/wake up if the baby was restless.
At 2 AM, Syo was awakened by a crash in the living room.
He ran out into the living room.
Baby Syo was sitting up on his own, despite having just started learning to sit up a week prior and needing support to do so.
He also had a frog halfway in his mouth, with several toys and books strewn about the floor.
Syo made a slightly panicked noise as he picked up his grandson, prying the poor, thankfully-still-alive frog out of the baby's mouth. Still panicky, he brought the frog outside to save it from death-via-grabby-baby and promptly brought said baby to the base's medbay, pinging Lana to meet him there.
The nurses, after a fit of giggles, explained that no, Baby Syo was not going to get sick from his attempted froggy snack - the worst would have been an upset tummy as the frog was an entirely harmless breed local to Odessen, and he wasn't on solids yet.
Lana, as well, had given both Syos some gentle teasing. "I don't know if I should be impressed that he's hitting milestones early, or be scared."
Syo's nose flared, but he let out a soft chuckle as the baby babbled in Lana's arms. "Yes, is this normal baby behavior, or did he inherit some of Mouse's quirks?"
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Syo Bakarn woke up the third morning - the morning before Setra and Theron were supposed to return - to a swarm of frogs and one very ecstatic baby. Strapping Baby Syo to him via baby-wear, he used the Force to lift the swarm up and carry them outside; a long, sad line of frogs floating behind as the Syos marched their way outside the base.
They got more than a few stares as they led their froggy army; quite a few of the base personnel's children - including Kevra's three - joined in on the parade.
Syo wasn't sure how, but the frogs didn't stop coming. It felt like every time he turned a corner, there was a new frog. They were everywhere - in his quarters, in the refresher, even in the Force Enclave.
He let out a very displeased noise in his throat before caving and calling HK-55 for pest control.
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En route back to Odessen, Theron found Setra in the Hope Everlasting's cockpit, perched on the armrest of one chair. He could see the tension in his wife's body as her anxiety warred with her Jedi training. He said nothing, instead opting to simply hug her from behind and kiss her neck.
Setra, startled out of her reverie, got up and turned towards Theron, tilting her head up to kiss him as she returned the embrace.
Theron gently ran a thumb over Setra's horns as he broke the kiss. "Everything's fine, babe. If there was something wrong with the kid, your dad or Lana would have contacted us."
Setra said nothing for a moment, instead leaning into Theron for comfort. After a moment, she sighed deeply and relaxed slightly; Theron knew immediately she was reciting the Codes to calm her nerves. Even though she no longer saw herself as a Jedi, she still relied on her training.
"I know, and I keep trying to remind myself. Kiki would have pinged me through our Bond if there was an emergency. I just feel guilty that we left him for more than a night."
Theron squeezed her shoulders. "Tell you what. Every time one of us has to leave Odessen on mission, we take turns on which one of us has him. If that means he comes on a mission too, so be it. If we both go, he comes with. Deal?"
Setra finally relaxed completely, giving Theron a soft smile that sent warmth through him. "Deal"
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They found the the two Syos sprawled out on the couch, grandfather and grandson in similar napping positions. Setra tenderly picked up her son, eliciting a sleepy squawk in protest. Adult Syo opened one bleary eye, and Setra shot him an easy smile as he got up to join her and Theron.
Syo let out a law, hiding it in the crook of his elbow. "Welcome home, little one. Good trip? Any issues with the flight back?"
"Yes and no. Alderaan was beautiful, and we had an easy trip back home. How was the baby?"
"Oh, he was perfect. Though, we had a bit of a...frog problem?"
Setra and Theron exchanged a suddenly guilty look. "Was it the wall frogs?"
Syo gaped at the pair. "What do you mean, wall frogs?"
Setra almost felt like a child again. "Ahh, so Dr. Oggurobb had a bunch of frogs for some experiment or other on the local wildlife, and I had caught several for an art study, and, well, they...escaped. And started breeding. Every so often Hk-55 will go through and clear out their nests, but they keep popping back up."
At that moment, another frog jumped out, and Syo yelped.