Chapter Text
When a Lukas baby is born,they’re taken from the room by servants as soon as possible.They are not held or cuddled or cooed at.It’s a simple fact,really- millions of studies have shown that skin to skin contact encourages bonding,especially so soon after birth.Quite frankly.Aurélie Lukas had no problem with this.She had no desire to hold the screaming,squirming,slimy things that had spent hours pulling her body apart.Whenever she ended up having to give birth,as soon as the wretched thing was out the cord would be cut,the newborn taken,and she would finally get to sleep.She didn’t even hold Peter,and she had to admit that he was her favourite out of the 5 children she’d delivered in her life.
Here’s where it was strange,though;Peter felt seemingly no desire to be held.He didn’t squall and writhe like the others,no - he laid there silently,his deep blue eyes either closed or looking contentedly up at the ceiling of whatever room he was left in.He hadn’t even cried when he was born;he’d simply laid in the doctor’s arms,and then a maid’s,quiet and pale as a corpse.
He was quiet.It was as though he revelled in the silence,in the Loneliness of his home.He seemed almost as relieved to be out of his mother’s body as she was to have him out.
And so it was that Peter learned his first lesson before his first word.That no one - not even his own mother,who grew him within herself and was meant to love him beyond all love - wanted him if he was not quiet,and polite,and drowning in Solitude.It was a lesson learned to survive,and one that would never leave him.
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There was a series of knocks at his door,then a firm,familiar voice;
“Captain,there’s a letter for you.I’ve left it with your dinner.If you need me,just ring or,if I’m already in bed,come to my quarters.Enjoy your meal.”
Peter stood and hurried to the door,opening it before Tadeas could walk away.His first mate stopped,but did not turn around nor say a word - he hadn’t been given permission.
“…..Tadeas..?”
“Yes,Captain?”
Peter hesitated,then;
“….thank you.For the food.A-and…everything else,all these years.”
Tadeas startled.
“It….it’s my pleasure,Capt-“
“Peter.Please.We’ve known each other long enough.”
“….It’s my pleasure,Peter.”
And with that,Peter snatched up his plate and vanished back into his quarters.