Chapter Text
A dark shadowy figure creeps through the snow dusted camp and up to the big house, the outside lights illuminating the porch. They sneak up to the door, a basket woven out of living vines and a bundle of blankets held close. Quiet and gentle breaths mixed with snoring echoing from the blankets. The basket gets placed at the foot of the door, the figure knocks hard on the door before disappearing back into the night.
“What?” A very tired Chiron answers the door and looks around, his eyes falling to the basket. He kneels down and brushes the ashy silver blanket to the side, a tiny sleeping face revealing itself. “Where did you come from little one?” He scoops up the basket and brings it inside into the warmth of the big house.
Tenderly he pulls the tiny baby from the basket, keeping her swaddled tightly as he walks over to the fireplace and sits down. Gently he brushes his finger through her thin ashy brown hair as she continues to squeak and snore softly in his arms. The fire crackles warmly next to them, who would leave a tiny baby in the middle of the winter outside a door?
“Who is your parent small child?” He sighs deeply and looks off at the hearth, inching a little closer making sure the little baby he holds stays warm.
Her tiny eyes flutter open with a wide yawn, irises the color of deep mahogany. The baby’s little hand weaves itself from the blanket and reaches for the fire curiously, pudgy baby fingers splayed towards the warmth. A hand reaches from the fire and gently grabs the infants in return, a tiny giggle emanates from the swaddled baby at the contact.
“Hestia.” Chiron bows his head down in respect as she walks from the fireplace and sits down next to him.
She puts her hands out and scoops the infant up and cradles her closely. “Where did this little bundle come from?” she asks softly, still tenderly holding the baby’s hand.
He takes in a breath, “I’m not completely sure. She just appeared on the doorstep a few minutes ago with no sign of who left her here.” He reaches up and grabs the basket from the table to show her.
“Hmm.” She hums quietly, lifting the little one close to her face and quickly finding a little hand reaching for her nose. "She has to be a half-blood because she made it through the barrier.”
Chiron looks back up at Hestia, a warm fire glowing in her eyes as she cuddles the baby a little closer to her chest, “I know this is a very odd thing to suggest but, maybe she’s yours.”
“What do you mean? You know I’ve never been in a relationship with anyone.” She turns to him, her brow furrowed in confusion.
“Well, she was immediately reaching for the fire and woke up once I sat down next to the hearth, and she seems to really like you.” He says, playfully nudging his half-sister and old friend.
She nudges his side in retaliation, “There is an easy way to find out.” She snaps her fingers and a small candle-like flame appears on her finger.
The baby reaches for it, freeing her other hand just to do so. The flame jumps to her tiny hand prompting a little giggle from her before she sticks her hand in her mouth. Hestia laughs softly as Chiron looks on worriedly.
“Did you like it?” Hestia coos, softly kissing the infant on the head.
Over her tiny head a small hologram of a fireplace hovers silently, the first and only ever child of Hestia.