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Lance had grown used to a morning routine: Wake up, refresh and get dressed, feed his dragons, cook breakfast, wake Silver, grab cape. He could count on one hand how many times this routine went different since his adoption of the red-head.
He could also count on one hand how often the teen actually let himself act like a kid.
So when the champion saw a mound of blankets on the living room floor that morning, he'd initially assumed one of their Pokémon was the cause. And the distinctly dark blue tail poking from underneath almost proved him right until he heard the sound of shushed giggling.
'Seems like today is going to be one of the especially rare days'
Lance couldn't help the warm smile that formed. Not only did it sound like Silver was having fun, but he was having fun with one of his Pokémon. A memory came to him, of himself acting much the same way when he was a kid, often getting into antics with his and his parents' Pokémon. Many times his father, and sometimes his mother, would even join in, playing along with whatever silly game he'd come up with.
That gave him an idea.
Keeping his steps even and his voice light, the champion approached the blanket pile. "What's all this? I could've sworn I had all these blankets folded and put away." He heard a soft gasp in response and saw the Druddigon's tail start to thump against the floor. "I wonder just who could've done all this..."
Reaching out, he gripped the edge of the top most blanket, and pulled it away with one swift movement. "Ah ha!-"
He'd expected a laugh, or even a jump. But when instead of a bright smile he was met with eyes wide with fear, Lance realized the mistake he'd made.
'Of course a formerly abused child is gonna be afraid when he thinks he's been caught misbehaving.'
The champion made sure to school his expression, being careful not to let the anger at his son's birth father and disappointment in himself show, lest the boy think it was aimed toward him.
Instead, he kept his smile light and calm as he attempted to salvage the situation before Silver either had a panic attack or ended up withdrawn the rest of the day. Or both.
"Now I could've sworn we only had one Druddigon, where did this second hatchling come from?" When he saw a twitch of a watery smile, he knew this was the right track. "I don't think I have enough baby Poké food for the both of you, so one of you little dragons is going to have to have pancakes instead"
That earned him a light giggle. "M'not a dragon"
Lance's eyebrows rose in mock confusion. "Oh? Are you sure about that? You both have the same spiky red heads, and you're both building a blanket nest. I swear I'm seeing double!" The dragon master reached forward to ruffle the teen's bed head and pet the actual Druddigon that was still thumping its tail against the floor.
One hand was swatted away. "Da-ad!" And if he didn't feel a surge of warmth at that. Sounds like he was already forgiven if Silver was using the 'Dad' word. "Knock it off!"
Lance barely held back a laugh. "Alright kiddo, I'll stop teasing you. Let me go feed the dragons and then I'll get started on those pancakes... unless you want the Poké food-" This time he couldn't stop the laugh as he ducked to avoid a cushion thrown at him by the teen. "Ok ok I'm going!"
Lance was used to a morning routine. He could count on one hand how many times the routine went different than usual. But he'd never complain when it did.