Work Text:
Fatherhood had come more naturally to Pantalone than it had to Dottore, though the man was quick to learn through trial and error.
Little Anaya was the most perfect baby, cute round face, button nose, quiet as a mouse throughout the day and only crying briefly when she was hungry. The bottle quickly shut her up though and she would promptly be back to her cute, quiet self. However, the second night fell all hell would break loose.
Pantalone paced the office up and down, bouncing a wailing Anaya in his arms as Dottore lay conked out on the sofa. Pantalone could only be described as rugged in that moment, his usually pristine hair was unkempt, heavy bags sat beneath his eyes, clothes were not the usual expensive furs and tailored suit but instead baggy shirts and whatever pants he found comfiest. Dottore himself was facing the same situation, but that man couldn't be described as a neat freak like Pantalone, so suffice it to say that fatherhood was most certainly changing him.
Pantalone looked down upon his tear-stained shirt and sighed, his eyes drifting over to where Dottore now slept undisturbed. He felt a vein in his forehead vaguely throb at the mere sight of the man happily snoozing away.
It was only fair that he had his darling partner to be awake and conscious to wallow in his misery also, and so the next time Pantalone passed the sleeping doctor he kicked the man's drooping leg jolting him awake.
"Did you programme her to be nocturnal? Or perhaps give her the lungs of a banshee?" Pantalone hissed quietly, a futile attempt not to disturb Anaya as though raising his voice would make her wail even louder. Watching Dottore topple gracelessly onto the floor did temporarily lift his spirits, a smirk threatening to take shape, though that joy was short-lived as Anaya decided it was time to start thrashing around.
"Huh? Is it my time to take over now?" The doctor mumbled groggily as he slowly pushed himself off the floor. He made a grabbing gesture once he stood, a yawn tearing its way out of his mouth.
Pantalone turned swiftly to the side, holding Anaya closer to his chest," It is not, but if I have to bear this ear-piercing noise so do you." He swiftly returned to his pacing and bouncing, Anaya showing no sign of calming down.
"Perhaps I can make some noise-cancelling earplugs for us both?" Dottore asked as he sat back down onto the sofa, tracking Pantalone's movements with half-closed eyes. His eyelids would flutter closed every few seconds before snapping right back open, the doctor then switched to the tried and true method of staying awake - needlessly bouncing his leg.
The sound of the crying and the additional thudding on the floor began to stretch Pantalone's patience thin. He could feel his eye twitching from both irritation and a lack of sleep.
"Moron! We can't just ignore her cries, she may actually need something!" Pantalone all but squawked, he moved swiftly towards Dottore's slumping figure and swiftly stomped down onto the doctor's foot with his heeled boot.
Dottore let out an undignified yelp, body jolting up as he did so, to which Anaya started to make a small high-pitched giggle, ceasing her piercing cries.
The pair stared bewildered at their daughter, who had now calmed down. Once again the picture-perfect image of an innocent little angel.
"Did she just...?" Pantalone started, staring as Anaya slowly closed her eyes, breaths getting quieter and quieter. They stood in complete silence as they watched her fall asleep scared to make any noise or movement that would startle her awake. It took a lot for Pantalone not to laugh at the situation but luckily his lack of sleep and borderline delirium aided him in keeping silent. After a couple of minutes, Pantalone crept his way into the adjoining bedroom, delicately laying her down in her cot before all but collapsing onto the bed.
Dottore followed close behind. They didn't say anything as they crawled into each other's embrace, they simply didn't have the energy to. Shortly afterwards the pair completely passed out.
--
Returning to the palace with Anaya had been an ordeal. It was their daughter's first time being outside, and though she was bundled up with layers upon layers of fur she still experienced her first ever biting chill of Snezhaya's climate. The second she went outside she had started crying hysterically, to which an exhausted Pantalone and Dottore internally wept at.
"Shhh Anaya darling, I'm afraid this is something you simply must get used to." Pantalone cooed, fingers moving to thumb at the tears spilling down her cheek. Dottore was the one currently carrying her, arms bouncing her up and down in a useless attempt at quelling her.
Not long afterwards a snowflake had drifted down onto her nose, her cries quietening as she tried to stare at this unknown object that landed on her.
Pantalone and Dottore let out a sigh of relief, using this moment of respite to quickly drag out the rest of their belongings and prepare for their journey ahead.
Unfortunately, the concept of paternity leave was a foreign thing to Harbingers and didn't quite apply to Dottore and Pantalone. They had indeed managed to spend the first few months of Anaya's life isolated together, but they had work sent regularly to them that they were still expected to complete. The moment they returned to the Palace they were expected to return to their regular duties and responsibilities, no grace was given - that brief time of togetherness was all the grace they could be afforded.
It just so happened that their return coincided with the quarterly Harbinger required meeting, and so after unpacking their belongings and cleaning themselves up they headed towards the meeting room. No longer did Dottore and Pantalone look like dishevelled new fathers, now they wore that cold demeanour and pristine elegance of a Harbinger. Though that initial coldness was contrasted by the gently swaddled baby that lay in Pantalone's arms.
They were the last to arrive, heads turning as they made their entrance. Very reluctantly Dottore had moved away from Pantalone's side, casting a conflicted look towards Anaya before heading to his seat.
The hall was silent, and all eyes lay on Anaya. Even the ever unphased Pierro stared unblinkingly at the child. Eventually, he snapped out of it, coughing lightly for everyone's attention before beginning the meeting.
The whole thing passed in a blur, Anaya had spent the majority of it asleep and the small remainder for which she was awake she remained silent. This worked out perfectly for Pantalone as he could divert his full attention to pretending he knew all about the current projects and events that had occurred and make a few snide remarks when possible. It was truly his favourite thing to do at these meetings.
"Meeting adjourned," Pierro spoke gruffly hours later, all Harbingers rising at his words.
"Ah, one moment." A quiet but commanding voice spoke out from behind Pierro. All heads snapped towards that sound.
"Your majesty!" Pierro exclaimed, quickly bowing towards her.
"Please stand at ease, I simply came to wish Pantalone and Dottore congratulations." The Tsarista smiled, "Come, let me see the child."
Pantalone internally frowned, he truly wished for Anaya to have nothing to do with the gods, a glance towards Dottore's irritated expression told him his husband felt the same. But still, he approached steadily, Dottore by his side as they stood before the Tsarista. Almost reluctantly he presented Anaya to the god.
The Tsarista smiled, finger outstretched as Anaya raised her tiny hand up towards it. With a wave of her hand, beautiful crystals and ice particles danced around Anaya, the baby laughing in joy at the spectacle.
"Oh, she is beautiful, do tell me her name?" The Tsarista asked, a rare sparkle of joy tainting her usual icy visage.
"Her name is Anaya, your majesty," Dottore spoke eyes fixated on the archon in front of him, a weary look as though he was tensed ready to spring into action, as though the woman before him was a threat.
"What a darling name." She mumbled, she waved her hand once more, the shimmering crystals and sparkling snowflake dissipating as she did so. "May she carry my blessings from this day forth, she shall live here in this palace and may nobody-" she raised her gaze towards the other partially bewildered Harbingers who stared at the spectacle unfolding,"-harm this child, for they shall face my wrath."
She then turned and left, sparing only one more glance towards Anaya before departing.
Silence filled the room for a moment after she left, only to be broken by Sandrone.
"Why on Teyvat do you two have a child?" She spoke haughtily, Pulonia turning to face towards the pair so she could get a better view of Anaya.
Dottore grinned.
"Well you see, when two people love each other ver-" he started, arm moving to wrap itself around Pantalone's waist. Pantalone smirked, hiding a chuckle behind a well-placed cough.
Sandrone gagged.
"Actually no, I don't want to know." She mumbled, quickly ordering Pulonia to leave. Scaramouche saw Sandrone's departure as his own sign to leave, the puppet walking out without sparing a glance at the others.
Columbina giggled from where she stood before prancing her way over to the couple, she had (surprisingly) opened her eyes to glance down at Anaya before humming a little tune.
"What a strange sight to see, a new life in this cold place." She spoke eerily. Her approach seemed to inspire confidence in the rest of their colleagues, Signora and Arlecchino all but cooing at the sight of the baby and Pulcinella and Capitano staring down curiously.
Pantalone watched on in mild annoyance, contrasting Dottore who completely basked in the attention, chest puffed out as he proudly spoke about his little girl.
Pantalone sighed, letting his colleagues ogle at Anaya for a bit before turning on his heel and heading for the exit. He grabbed onto Dottore's arm with his free hand as he did so, all but dragging the man out of the room.
"My apologies but it's nearly feeding time you'll have to forgive our departure," Pantalone spoke evenly, an obviously fake smile etched onto his face.
Dottore quickly fell into step with him, arm returning to settle at Pantalone's waist as he took over the task of guiding them away.
After putting substantial distance between themselves and their colleagues Pantalone sighed and slumped his shoulders, shedding the mask of stoicism expected of a Harbinger revealing the tiredness that haunted his eyes.
"I think she's going back to sleep now, shall we take a nap before returning to work?" Pantalone muttered tiredly, staring down at Anaya who had let out a little yawn.
Dottore yawned in turn, lazily nodding as he strode towards their chambers, the trio ready to settle down after such a hectic day.