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They're almost a month in when Bdubs finally breaks.
It wasn't even that late into the day, roughly afternoon, but Laika's cry was so piercing and she wouldn't stop.
In their heart of hearts, they love her. Adore her, even.
But gods was she loud and angry. Eating them out of house and home.
Frustrated tears streak down their cheeks as they lay in bed. It was their turn to look after her. It was their job now. They're every waking moment dedicated to her.
Not even a heartbeat to themselves before Laika was crying again.
It made them almost jealous of Impulse with Leo. The little boy was an angel, easily sleeping and rarely crying. He was perfect and Laika…
She only calmed around Tango…
Someone playing with their hair snaps them back to reality, eyes unfuzzing to see their friend.
“Need a break, buddy?”
Despite Bdubs' best attempts, Tango's kindness only makes them want to cry more.
But their beloved was soft to them, easily picking them up.
Their mind quickly fades into Tango's warmth, only taken out again when they're placed into grass.
A head rests against theirs, arm draped over their chest as Tango purrs.
“Want to talk about it, buddy?’ He presses softly.
Part of them doesn't want to, but the other part easily gives in.
“Is it weird to say I'm jealous over a baby?” Bdubs blurts before adding “Jealous isn't the right word, is it…”
Tango's laugh is sudden and sharp, but not out of mockery. “Probably not, but we'll go with it.”
“It's just that— You. You get to bond with her so much and I— all I do is make her cry, Tango! I've tried so hard to get her affection—”
A warm, claw tipped hand is on their shoulder, spooking them for a moment before they settle.
“Sorry to tell you this, but parenting isn't always equal.” It's soft but sharp in the way Tango always is. “I'm sure she'll come around when she's older.”
“But I—” Bdubs cuts themself off, holding a hand to their throbbing head.
When did their headache get so bad? When did they even get one?
“Snookums, are you okay?” Tango asks softly.
“I'm— I'm fine, Tango. Just haven't— I haven't slept well recently.” They reluctantly confess.
“I think we found our problem…” Tango murmurs.
Their head is easily held in Tango's claws, the netherborn purring with worry as he holds them.
“I— I didn't want you to overwork yourself or worry about her, so I took on a few ‘shifts’ and—”
“And you haven't slept all week.” Tango finishes. “Buddy, you know what that does. Your head is all messificated because of it.”
“I know…” Bdubs groans. “I wanted to bond with her. I wanted you to rest. I wanted so many things and I— I forgot my health.”
Tango kisses them softly, dragging them from their thoughts.
“Why don't we ask Etho over? It seemed pretty good with Laika, right?”
“I doubt it’d want to look after her again so soon.”
“C'mon, you know you can drag it into doing anything for you.”
“It probably means an IOU for next season…”
“And?” Tango laughs softly.
Bdubs sighs. “And you're right, Etho’d do anything for me.”
Tango presses their comm into their hands, his smile soft.
“After this we can hang out in another house here, alright? Zed and your brother can look after the kids if Etho won't.”
“If my brother doesn't turn flaky.” Bdubs scoffs.
“If he does, I'm banning him from seeing Laika ever again.” Tango states suddenly.
“Are you sure?”
“More than sure.”
Bdubs rests against his shoulder, switching their position in the grass.
“I think Laika hatching made us both stir crazy.”
“I hate that you're right…”
They're left to bask in Tango's light for a moment, the netherborn lazily wrapped around them.
Soft kisses are pressed to their head, the chest under them rises and falls as he purrs.
It's comfortable, it's warm, it's home.
“Everything alright out here?”
Impulse stands just outside the door, one hand over the little fabric bundle strapped to his chest. Leo’s head peaks out from the top of the cloth, his eyes wide open as he takes in the vibrant colors.
“Just Bdubs' overthinking and not sleeping.” Tango replies easily. “You two make a perfect couple.”
The demon groans as he rolls his eyes, but they quickly turn to worry. “Bdubs hasn't slept? Are you alright, buddy?”
“I just wanted to help…” They murmur.
Impulse sits next to them in the grass, his free hand placed behind him.
“Laika causing you trouble?”
“She won't sleep, she won't eat, she keeps crying—”
“Sounds kinda like colic.” Impulse says gently.
Bdubs sits up quickly as they glare at him. “But it's too early for that, Impulse! She's—”
“Two weeks old, which means she might've started colicificating.” Tango groans.
Impulse wraps his tail around Bdubs' waist, pulling them closer.
“Hey, it's gonna be alright, I'm sure you two will find a way to calm her down.”
“If you say so…” Bdubs sighs before turning to look at Leo. “Why are you even out here with him?”
“I was trying to put Leo down for a nap, but he only really does that when we walk.” He idly rubs his son's back. “I think it's because Skizz did something similar when he was pregnant and Leo wouldn't settle down.”
Something clicks then in Bdubs' brain, echoing through their tired thoughts.
“Wait, repeat that again? He only does what because what?”
“Skizz used to go on walks when we couldn't get Leo to settle during his pregnancy. I think it kinda formed a habit for Leo before he was even born.” Impulse re-explained.
Bdubs slaps their palm against their forehead, groaning loudly.
“No wonder Laika doesn't like me, she barely knows me!” Bdubs exclaims. “I— she knows Tango's heartbeat and his habits, of course it's easier to be calmed by him!”
“I mean yeah, but it isn't a big deal.” Tango says quickly. “She still knows your voice from when she was in her egg. She still knows you.”
“I think what Bdubs means is that she got used to how you lived? Like when you ate, when you slept, what your daily pattern was like.” Impulse says before adding, “She's used to how you worked, not how everyone else and the world works.”
Tango blinks slowly before slumping over. “Huh. I never really thought about that…”
Bdubs sighs, slumping against Impulse's side.
“I'm so tired, Impulse.”
Their husband kisses them as he holds their hand, purring softly.
Tango crawls over before slumping against Impulse’s other side, holding Bdubs' free hand as he loudly yawns.
“Anyone want to pass out here?”
“I'd love to…” Bdubs murmurs.
Impulse sighs, seeming to accept his fate as he steadily lays on his back.
Bdubs easily follows, moving Impulse's arm to hold them around their middle as they yawn.
It's welcome being out here. Nothing to worry about, no crying to hear. Just the wind rushing, the grass dancing, the trees—
“Tango! Laika's still crying!” Zedaph calls from the house.
With a groan, Tango abandons them and only looks back for a moment before taking off.
“I really need to call Etho…”