Chapter Text
“Hahhhh….”
A sigh escaped his lips as Nebula held the small 3 year old lizardmen in his tight embrace. He tried his best not to move, afraid it might wake the small child. What didn't help was the screaming and laughter of another child somewhere outside, more specifically Salkait giggling and laughing his tiny baby heart out as hegemonia spun him round and round by the arms. it didn't look quite safe to Nebula.
Nebula stroked the head of Lakrak , the lizardmen in his arms. The child slept contently in the arms of his former God and it slightly shifted its tiny body to further bury into the neck and chest for further comfort.
It felt weird, but not unwelcomed, it was actually quite comfortable and serene. Just Nebula wasn't quite used to this.
He remembered holding his sister in his arms in a similar way, but that was a memory from so long ago he couldn't fully remember, but he remembered the contentment and warmth, he remembered being annoyed that he couldn't move or game, but also remembered the fact he also liked it and soon fell asleep with her.
He was lost in thought, and completely forgot about the outside noises and also didn't notice three figures by the door, peeking in slightly.
~~~
Jang wang slowly closed the door quietly, and stepped away. Turning to Eldar and Aldin behind her, with a small huff she spoke quietly “See? I told you it'll work.”
Eldar was covering his mouth, the sight was so cute he could barely hold back an aww and Aldin was awkwardly fidgeting her hands that were clasped behind her back.
“I never doubted you.” another voice spoke, it came from behind Jang wang and she knew the owner of said voice really well.
“You were quite skeptical about it, weren't you?” Jang wang turned her head slightly to meet the gaze of…to meet the face of Wisdom or atleast the star or…what was it called again??? Jang wang wasn't interested in what it was.
“I was, but I was only hesitating because of Nebula and Hegemonia’s personality, and was wondering if the sanctuary would actually help.” Wisdom crossed his arms, “the sanctuary is quite accommodating, more so then I thought.”
At that, Jang wang let out another huff. She didn't want to argue anymore, plus she had to arrange the betting pool so she could get money to bring Aldin’s life of being a demerit point labourer to a sooner end.
The subject of the bet this sabbatical was [Who would be the better babysitter]
~~~
A few days ago.
Nebula nodded “Hm, that i–”
“NEBULAAAAA!!!!!” a figure bursted through the banquet hall double doors. None needed to turn their head to see who it was. They didn't even need to hear the voice, the thundering footsteps and door being violently thrown open. Given the fact this place was made for constellations, beings of immeasurable strength, for the door to nearly fall of it's hinges. Formidable strength indeed but utterly unnecessary.
Nebula ignored Hegemonia’s call and nonchalantly continued talking to Eldar calmly as if he didn't hear “as I said, I think it would be a good ide–”
His voice was barely audible with the sound of metal boots on the hard marble floor of the hall.
Hegemonia started “I challenge you–”
“To a duel? To a game? To go to war? To debate about a new strategy? Win victor this sabbatical?” He cut her off abruptly and blankly, not even bothering to turn around to look at her directly.
She huffed loudly, a puff of smoke escaping from her blazing red helmet. “If you're not scared, then we can do all of that.”
“No–”
“Scared?”
“No–”
“Liar.”
“...”
“...” Eldar watched as the two were silent for a moment, only the sound of flames licking metal remained. He quietly stepped away.
“why are you so persistent? Are you an immature child?” Nebula clicked his tongue, crossing his arms, back still towards Hegemonia.
“Immature? You act like you're any better! You can't even talk properly.”
“What you do mean? I'm talking right now.”
“No you fool, why do you have your back to me?”
“What? Is it illegal?”
“Huff, you are such a headache.”
“Try talking to a oversized child that keeps screaming at you all day.”
“...”
“...”
A loud laughter errupted and echoed off the walls, some of the constellations previously in the hall moved out quietly.
Hegemonia roared “YOU!? YOU!? Someone like YOU is claiming I'm an oversized child?!”
“Aren't you?” Nebula responded coldly
“HOW DARE YOU? You can barely care for another person and you dare imply that I'm an immature child?”
“Ofcourse I can care for another person.”
“Prove it.”
“...wanna bet?”
~~~
And that was how things got this way, Nebula knew Jang Wang's plan to exchange money with merit points so Aldin could cease being a labourer in the hall of myriad stars sooner. So using this as an excuse, he could create a betting ring and give the money to Jang wang.
He planned to do it indirectly, he knew Jang wang didn't want him to know. Though their relationship was strained, Jang wang seemed considerably happier with Aldin. It didn't matter to him much but that was the least he could do as blood-related cousins.
He stroked lakrak’s scaly head. When it came to picking a child to care for, they knew that a regular child wouldn't be up for the job. So Lakrak and Salkait volunteered to be turned into 3 year olds for a brief few days.
~~~
Lakrak nuzzled his snout deeper and hugged Nebula even tighter. The sound of Salkait’s laughter was still heard in the quiet room. Neither Nebula or Hegemonia were aware that both still had a mature mind, both constellations were told that their ‘child’ are now with the minds of children and thus doesn't remember much other then a positivity towards their former gods.
Lakrak knew that his God well…former God was only this comfortable with him because he thought Lakrak would forget.
Lakrak wouldn't tell him that he remembers or that he was mature internally either. With a small blissful smirk, lakrak boldly whined causing Nebula to hold him even more firmly and gently, soothingly stroking his head as he fell asleep.