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A soft, pitiful cry rang loudly in the middle of the night. It stirred even the sleepiest kings awake.
Remus huffed from under the covers, blinking the sleep away from his golden eyes before begrudgingly sitting up. Soft black locks, slightly mussed and tangled from sleep, fell gracefully to his shoulders. His sleep robe slipped off one shoulder like a tease, though Remus didn’t give half a mind to make himself even slightly presentable.
The Sebastos descended from his extremely comfortable bed; even his draconic husband didn’t stir one bit and kept on snoring, his tail swishing lazily (probably dreaming of kissing Remus—who knows).
Remus didn’t need light, as his eyes adapted startlingly fast to the dark. Still, he trudged carefully through his bedroom so as not to make his crying infant son wail even louder with his hustling.
Wriothesley, only a month old, was a chubby little baby with an equally chubby dragon tail. His soft sniffling and sobs were heart-wrenchingly cute, capturing the hearts of mortals and immortals alike.
The first thing little Wriothesley saw was the soft glow of Remus’ laurel. His sobs turned into little coos as he tried to reach out to his mother with his pudgy arms, Remus then softly grasped his grabby hands.
“Good evening, my dove.”
Remus’ words were spoken with so much grace and care; his voice was a blessing from the divine. It carried like soothing Inazuman wind chimes on a lovely spring morning. From the greeting alone, Wriothesley cracked a small, toothless smile.
“My little dove is hungry, is he not?” Remus cooed at his baby as he gently picked him up from his finely made crib (Scylla had made it) and settled him against his chest. Wriothesley must’ve smelled the sweet scent of milk, as he began to nudge at the Sebastos’ chest, his tail wagging slightly faster than normal.
Remus chuckled sweetly at his darling boy. He made his way back to his bed with Wriothesley safely tucked in his arms. He climbed onto the bed with no fanfare and laid back on the cushioned headboard with equally soft pillows, just as he liked.
As he sat down and started to loosen his robe, Remus heard Scylla groan as he slowly roused from sleep.
“Sweetheart?” Scylla called in a raspy voice, still heavy with sleep. “Still dark, huh?”
“Light’s out, dear,” Remus answered simply. “Your son was being his hungry self.”
Scylla huffed in amusement before asking, “You didn’t flick on any lamps?”
“Too lazy. I can rely on my eyes.”
“You really shouldn’t overwork your LEDs,” Scylla joked lightly. “You’ll end up like a bat.”
Remus huffed petulantly. “I’m not a human, husband.”
“Still.” Scylla flicked on their bedside lamp, illuminating the room in a soft golden glow. “It’s not good for your eyes, Rem.”
Scylla sat up and scooted closer beside his mate, sticking close to his side. He placed his chin on Remus’ shoulder as he peered at their son, who was happily drinking his midnight snack.
“Greedy little thing.”
Remus snorted. “Your greedy little thing.”
“Our greedy little thing. We made him together.”
“You planted your seed inside me.”
“He’s half your egg. So you also made him.”
“Okay, okay, stop,” Remus warned between chuckles, still speaking softly so as not to wake the baby, “you win, dear.”
Scylla puffed up his chest with pride. “Told you so.” His eyes fell to his snoozing son, now lightly drinking any excess milk. His gaze softened as his fingers gently traced the nubs on Wriothesley’s head.
“A little angel he is,” Scylla murmured. “What a small little thing … can’t believe we made him.”
“Yeah …” Remus whispered back, almost reverently, “but he has your appetite. Goodness, that’s enough to put dark circles under my eyes…”
Remus sighed as he slumped against the pillows, his head falling atop Scylla’s and his eyes started to close. Even the sleepiest kings need their beauty sleep.
Scylla adjusted his position so Remus could properly snuggle his head under his chin. He rested an arm across the other man’s shoulders and gently squeezed it for comfort, his tail coiling around his little family possessively.
“I’m sleepy … but I don’t wanna put Wrio in his crib…”
Wriothesley finally stopped drinking. Scylla plucked him from Remus’ arms to pat him on the back gently until the vishap heard small burps from the baby.
“No need, then,” Scylla said as he put a now-sleeping Wriothesley between himself and Remus, surrounded by soft blankets and their elemental powers. “We’ll sleep together.”
“Thank you, dear,” Remus mumbled. It didn’t take long for the Sebastos to settle back on the bed, automatically curling his body next to his infant son and nuzzling his nose against the baby’s soft skin.
“My sweet, sweet boy … how I love you.”
Scylla smiled fondly at his two precious people, his heart bursting at the seams. He joined them by laying next to Wriothesley, his arm and tail holding his two treasures close.
“Sleep, my loves. I will see you two in the morning.”
🎼
It became a morning habit for the little family.
Scylla woke up first to prepare breakfast for his mate, while Remus took a while to wake up since he needed the extra sleep as a new mother.
Wriothesley wasn’t a fussy baby in the morning. The small dragon slept soundly until 9 AM— the time his mother was usually awake.
Once Remus was up, the first thing he did was greet his son (who was also awake) with a kiss on his forehead. Wriothesley cooed happily from the attention, much to his mother’s delight. Seemingly not hungry yet, Remus quickly changed his son’s diaper and onesie. Wrinkling his nose cutely as he tossed the used diaper into the bin, he remarked, “You had a lot to dump away, didn’t you, little dove?”
Wriothesley giggled, seemingly in agreement. Remus then dressed his baby in the cutest onesie yet, a wolf onesie with a hoodie to protect Wriothesley’s horn nubs. He then grabbed a soothing cream from his bedside drawer and lathered a small amount on both of Wriothesley’s growing horns.
“I was thinking— do you need a bath, little one?” Remus asked lightly, glancing at the ceiling as if in thought before answering himself, “probably later; the water’s too cold in the morning.”
Next came Remus’ own morning routine. He washed his face and prepped it with the skincare products Scylla had gifted him. Then, he tied his hair into a half-up style, letting his bangs brush his forehead, and swapped his sleep robe for a simple shirt and shorts that hugged his perky butt just right.
From the vanity mirror, Remus caught his son’s wide-eyed gaze and smiled cheekily, sticking out his tongue, which made Wriothesley laugh again.
“Love watching me, little dove?” Remus teased as he walked over to his son once more. Pinching Wriothesley’s chubby cheek with fondness, he said, “time for breakfast downstairs~ your dad is waiting for us.”
Remus picked up his son from the bed and marveled at the newborn crunch Wriothesley was doing before settling him against his hip.
Though Wriothesley was happy to be close to his mother, he was much more interested in the milk hiding behind Remus’ shirt.
In the dining room, Remus kissed his husband good morning and praised him for the food before gingerly sitting on his lap. Then, as Scylla spoon-fed him breakfast, Remus fed their son as usual.
The menu consisted of eggs with lightly charred salmon, Caesar salad, corn soup, a bowl of grapes and strawberries, and chilled glasses of water. Scylla took extra care in preparing these meals, ensuring they provided the nutrition Remus needed as a mother. He even consulted multiple doctors and nutritionists to perfect them.
“Ahh, you’re so good to me, Sill~” Remus hummed happily, munching his food. Scylla clicked his tongue in faux annoyance as he wiped a speck of dressing from the corner of Remus’ lips.
“My mate deserves the best, after all,” Scylla responded with an indulgent smile, intent on spoiling Remus with attention and praise. Remus giggled in response, his laughter soft and sweet.
“This tragic Godking has laid his dominion to rest… for he exchanged it with being taken care of by a dragon no less~” Remus dramatically declared, placing a hand on his forehead and leaning back like a damsel in distress. Despite his theatrics, his other arm remained steady, holding Wriothesley.
“Careful sweetheart, you two are going to fall,” Scylla chided gently, steadying Remus’ upper back with a firm hand, though he couldn’t resist playing along.
“Nonsense! I have great arm strength—see?” Remus chirped, motioning toward Wriothesley, who cooed happily at his parents.
Scylla gently took Wriothesley to burp him, as usual, while Remus resumed eating his breakfast and nibbling on some grapes.
Their peaceful bubble popped when Aurelius entered the dining hall with a scroll.
“Imperator, I apologize for bothering you so early, but the architects from Sumeru have requested your presence regarding the rebuilding of the bridge,” Aurelius explained matter-of-factly, catching the couple’s attention.
“At this hour? What for?” Remus quickly switched to work mode. He set down his grapes and stood to take the scroll from Aurelius, skimming it quickly. “They detected strange movements from the seafloor?”
“Yes. Also, it would be wise to bring Prince Scylla for this matter as well,” Aurelius added, his eyes settling on the vishap. “Prince Scylla, you must accompany the Imperator to the scene and inspect the surrounding sea with him.”
“Well, there goes my morning,” Scylla grumbled. He bounced Wriothesley on his lap for a moment before speaking to him. “Sorry, kiddo. Daddy and Mommy have work to do.”
“Your Highness, may I suggest leaving Wriothesley with Lady Euergetia? She would be ecstatic to watch over him,” Aurelius offered with an amused smile.
“Hmm… sounds good,” Remus agreed, already donning his outer coat. “Auri, how long will we be required there?”
“An hour should suffice, sir.”
“That’ll be enough,” Scylla replied, placing a big kiss on his son’s cheek before handing him to Aurelius. “Now don’t cause trouble for Auntie Eugie, okay, kiddo?”
Remus kissed the other cheek. “Be good, little dove.”
With a quick spell, Remus transformed his booty shorts into trousers, his outer coat into a semi-official regalia and his golden laurel bloomed to life.
“Let’s get to work,” Remus declared confidently.
As the married couple set off, Aurelius waved Wriothesley’s pudgy arm, and the infant babbled his version of “bye-bye.”
At the location, Scylla played the overprotective husband role because those Sumeru architects shamelessly ogled his mate, which didn’t sit well with him.
Well duh, his lover was more than gorgeous, but don't stare at his ass so much thank you very much!
He had to hold back a growl because that would be unbecoming of him, but his grip on his trident tightened until his knuckles turned white. Things only worsened when he caught another guy subtly flirting with Remus. Though, as expected, Remus ignored the advances and focused on the task at hand.
Thankfully, it didn’t take long before they finally dove into the sea to investigate the seafloor.
Underwater, Scylla took on his whale form and he swam beside Remus as near as possible which made the Sebastos laugh.
“Do I smell jealousy from you, husband?” Remus teased with a playful grin.
Scylla huffed—or at least, the whale version of a huff. “They’re staring at you too much,” he grumbled, “Should’ve publicized our wedding more to make them know their place.”
Remus bit the inside of his cheek to stifle a response, choosing instead to swim ahead. Facing his whale husband, he gently stroked the horns on Scylla’s head and said fondly, “I love that about you. Thanks”
If Remus had to guess, Scylla would be beaming with pride right now. “Damn right,” Scylla responded with a smug tone.
The couple didn't overstay, they had a baby to take care of after all.
And after the bedroom door closed behind them, Scylla tackled Remus to their bed and it's best to leave them be.
🎼
“Oh my Wriothesley~” Remus sing-songed with Wriothesley lifted in his hands, “did you miss me darling? Mama does!”
If the Harmosts spotted bruises on his neck and a semi permanent blush, they decided to ignore it.
Wriothesley, however, was instantly beaming. Happy squeals erupted from him as he stretched out both arms toward his mother with his little tail wagging excitedly. Remus immediately tucked his son under his chin, his elemental powers humming pleasantly as they resonated with Wriothesley’s.
But then, Wriothesley's tail gradually stopped moving. The baby sniffed his mother's neck before frowning unhappily, he even grumbled which was shocking because Wriothesley never grumbled.
“Eh? What’s wrong, my dove?” Remus asked, concerned.
Cassiodor quirked an eyebrow, he tentatively stepped to Remus’ personal space for a moment and lightly sniffed the air. His expression soured almost instantly.
“Imperator— forgive me for being crude, but your husband's scent is thick on you.”
Remus had the gall to chuckle sheepishly, while Cassiodor’s face twisted even more in disbelief.
🎼
Like any other day, time seemed to blur until night finally fell.
After giving his darling boy a bubble bath, Remus noticed Wriothesley growing sleepy. The little one clung to his mother’s robe, listening intently to the soothing voice telling a bedtime story. Remus held the baby securely in one arm, a storybook in the other, using just a touch of elemental power to flip the pages.
“The little vishap finally fulfilled the prophecy and saved his family! In the end, everyone— vishaps and humans alike— lived happily ever after.”
“Telling a bedtime story?” Scylla asked, climbing into bed and immediately taking his usual place beside Remus. He draped an arm across his mate’s waist and his tail flicking lazily behind him, “look at him, that’s the face he makes when he has a full belly.”
It was true. Wriothesley’s half-open eyes gazed at Remus with faint interest accompanied by soft purrs rumbling in his chest. They were still weak compared to his father’s steady, comforting thrum, but they held their own charm.
Remus smiled fondly. After setting the book aside, he gently rocked his baby to sleep, humming a soft tune until Wriothesley’s eyes finally droop shut. His tail coiled snugly around Remus’ wrist in his sleep.
Remus yawned, his own exhaustion catching up to him.
“All right, sweetheart, tuck yourself in,” Scylla murmured, carefully taking Wriothesley from Remus’ arms and placing the sleeping babe in his crib. “We need all the rest we can get before this lil’ lizard wakes us up at some random 2 AM.”
“Mm, you’re right,” Remus mumbled, his face sinking into the pillow. He let out a contented sigh as he settled into a sweet, comfortable position, “probably I’ll wake up first before Wrio … my tits refill fast…”
“Want me to help relieve you?” Scylla teased with that all knowing smirk before flicking the bedside lamp off.
Remus snorted as he turned away, “I’d like to see you try.”
He felt the bed dip behind him as Scylla climbed in. A strong arm wrapped around his torso, a nose nuzzled into the nape of his neck, and a broad chest pressed against his back.
“Good night, Rem,” Scylla murmured, his steady purrs reverberating like a soothing lullaby.
Remus pressed closer to his husband, basking in the coolness of Scylla’s body and the comfort of their closeness. “Night, too, Sill,” he replied softly before letting sleep take him too.