Fatherhood
characters: Ignis Scientia FF15. Reno and Rude FF7.
Ignis cradled the tiny bundle in his arms, his breath shallow with wonder. "You're so... small," he whispered, voice trembling from emotion. "I can't believe you're actually here, my little Leilia."
His thumb gently brushed her soft cheek, and when she made the tiniest sighing sound as she slept, his heart cracked open completely.
Ignis sat perfectly still, afraid that any movement might disturb her. His green eyes, softened into something tender, almost reverent. He leaned down slowly and pressed the lightest kiss to her forehead.
"You're perfect," he breathed against her skin. "Absolutely perfect." A single tear slipped down his cheek before he could stop it, but for once, Ignis didn't care about composure. Not right now.
(Y/n) sat silently in the hospital bed, her eyes watching Ignis cradle their daughter with a tender awe. A small smile graced her lips, seeing how gentle Ignis was with their child. "Fatherhood looks good on you," (Y/n) whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of joy and amusement.
Ignis looked up at the sound of (Y/n)'s voice, his expression shifting instantly, love flooding his features like sunlight breaking through clouds.
He didn't say anything at first. Just gazed at her, eyes glistening with emotion. Then slowly, carefully, he got up and walked toward her.
Without a word, he sat down, and pulled (Y/n) close and kissed her softly on the lips, a quiet, deep kiss full of gratitude and overwhelming happiness.
When they parted, he rested his forehead against hers for a second before whispering back.
"Motherhood looks even more beautiful on you."
"Smooth talker," (Y/n) teased, her voice light with fond amusement.
Ignis smiled at (Y/n)'s teasing. She always had this effect on him, melting his usual reserve into something warm and openly affectionate.
"I still can't believe she's here... Our little girl," (Y/n) murmured as she gazed down at Leilia again, marveling at every tiny feature, from her button nose to the faint tufts of blonde hair on her head.
Ignis gently shifted Leilia in his arms so (Y/n) could see her better, adjusting the blanket with careful precision.
"She has your nose," he said softly, studying their daughter's face. "And your eyes."
A quiet chuckle escaped him. "Noctis is going to lose it when he sees her."
(Y/n) chuckled at the thought, imagining her brother's reaction. "He might try to steal her and keep her all for himself," she said, gently stroking her daughter's soft cheek.
(Y/n)'s heart swelled with love and protectiveness as she watched Leilia sleep, completely oblivious to the world around her. "She's perfect."
Ignis hummed in agreement, his thumb tracing the curve of Leilia's tiny ear, so delicate, so new.
"She'll have half the kingdom doting on her by tomorrow," he said dryly. "Noctis will probably show up with a stuffed animal before breakfast."
He glanced at (Y/n) again, that softness never leaving his eyes. The woman who had just given birth to their child, his wife, looked exhausted yet radiant.
Without thinking, Ignis leaned over and kissed her temple tenderly. "You did beautifully."
(Y/n)'s expression softened even further at Ignis' words, and she leaned into his touch, her weary head resting against his shoulder.
"And you were great support," she murmured, a hint of teasing still in her voice. "Though I still feel bad for having crushed your hand in the process." She reached up with her own hand and squeezed Ignis' lightly, the gesture both an apology and thank you.
Ignis flexed his hand slightly, still a little stiff from (Y/n)'s death grip during labor, but he didn't care. Not one bit.
He turned his head and pressed a kiss to the top of her hair, inhaling her scent, familiar, safe, home.
"Worth it," he said simply. "I'd let you crush every bone in my body if it meant keeping you and Leilia okay."
"The pain was temporary. The joy is eternal." He whispered, before kissing her cheek. "My hand will recover."
"Your hand might recover," (Y/n) said with a small laugh, "but I'm afraid my body won't be forgiving me anytime soon." She shifted slightly where she sat, testing the soreness in her body. The exhaustion was creeping up on her now that the adrenaline had faded.
Ignis noticed the subtle wince in (Y/n)'s face, the slight tension in her posture, and his protective instincts surged.
Without a word, he carefully shifted Leilia into one arm and reached out with his free hand to gently guide (Y/n) back onto the pillows.
"Lie down," he murmured, voice low and soothing. "You need rest. Real rest." He adjusted their daughter against his chest, and pulled an extra blanket over (Y/n)'s once she was settled.
"Thank you," (Y/n) murmured, sinking gratefully into the softness of the pillows. The warmth of the blanket was comforting.
(Y/n)'s eyelids grew heavy as she listened to their daughter's quiet breathing, slow and steady in sleep.
Ignis stayed perfectly still, watching (Y/n)'s eyes grow heavier with each breath. Her chest rose and fell in rhythm, exhausted but peaceful, and he knew she was moments from sleep.
He smiled faintly, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders with quiet care. Leilia slept soundly against his chest, a tiny warmth nestled in the curve of his arm.
The room was silent except for their soft breathing, the two most important people in Ignis' world resting safely before him.
And for once… everything in the world felt right.
Reno held his newborn daughter in his arms, gently and lovingly cradling the tiny bundle of joy in his embrace. The soft breathing of his sleeping wife, (Y/n), filled the room, the only sounds in the otherwise quiet night. As he looked down at his daughter's peaceful face, he was still in disbelief. How'd a guy like him get lucky enough to have a wife and child.
"Do I even deserve you guys," he whispered, his voice overflowing with emotion.
"I used to think being a Turk was all I needed," he murmured, thumb brushing over her tiny cheek. "All that mattered was missions, and the pay wasn't bad either."
A quiet laugh escaped him, uncharacteristically soft for someone usually so sarcastic.
"And now here I am... scared stiff just holding my own kid. What a mess I am."
The baby's fingers twitched slightly in his hold. Reno instinctively lifted her tiny hand, letting it grasp his finger. The strength with which she held on was staggering given her size.
The baby stirred, her little face scrunching up as she began to wake. A soft whimper escaped her lips, followed by a series of small grunts and squeaks. She blinked slowly with those big turquoise eyes, so much like Reno's, before letting out a small yawn.
Reno's heart melted, his expression softening even more than he thought possible. He gently traced a finger along her tiny, perfect features, his touch unbelievably gentle.
"You've got my eyes, don't you, princess?" he mumbled, the term of endearment slipping out before he could stop himself.
The baby's face lit up with the most innocent, gummy smile, her first one. It was wobbly and lopsided, but absolutely radiant.
Reno felt his breath catch in his throat at that first smile, it hit him like a bullet to the chest.
"Holy shit," he whispered, voice cracking slightly. "You're smiling at me? Seriously?"
His usual cool demeanor was completely shattered as tears pricked the corners of his eyes. This tiny human had him utterly wrecked with just one expression.
"Mmm..."
A groggy sound came from beneath the mound of covers where (Y/n) had been sleeping. With a little more stirring, her messy (h/c) hair appeared as she slowly propped herself up on her elbows. Her eyes were bleary with sleep, but the corners of her mouth tugged up into a knowing smile. She stifled a yawn as she looked over at Reno, taking in the sight of him cradling their baby.
Reno glanced up at (Y/n), he couldn't help but smile back at her, soft and unguarded in a way few ever saw.
"Look," he said softly, voice tender as he turned slightly toward (Y/n). "She smiled."
There was a rare vulnerability in his turquoise eyes, the cocky Turk completely undone by fatherhood.
(Y/n)'s smile deepened, warmth filling her chest. She pushed back the covers and slowly sat up in bed. Her gaze softened as she looked at their baby girl and Reno.
"Did she?" she asked softly, voice hoarse from sleep.
(Y/n) scooted herself closer to where Reno was sitting, leaning her head against his shoulder gently. Her eyes traced their daughter's features, so similar to her husband's, and her heart swelled with affection.
Reno shifted carefully so (Y/n) could get a better look at their daughter. "Yeah," he murmured, as he leaned into (Y/n)'s touch.
"Tiny little thing finally figured out how to smile," he murmured, not taking his eyes off their baby. "She looked right at me and just... smiled. Like she's happy to see me or something."
There was a hint of awe in his voice, as if he still couldn't believe the reality of it all.
(Y/n)'s free hand reached out to gently caress their baby's delicate cheek, her fingers moving in feather-light strokes.
"Of course she's happy to see you," she said softly, her tone was filled with affection, as she pressed a tender kiss to Reno's shoulder. "You're her daddy."
Reno felt a lump in his throat at (Y/n)'s words, his heart melting further. He'd been through the worst the world had to offer, death, violence, loss. But holding his daughter in his arms, hearing his wife's soft words... damn if it didn't feel like he was exactly where he was meant to be.
"Think I'm deserving of that title?" he asked, he looked up at (Y/n), his gaze filled with uncertainty.
(Y/n) immediately cupped Reno's face in both hands, her thumbs brushing over his cheeks with overwhelming tenderness. Her (e/c) eyes locked onto his turquoise ones, serious and unwavering.
"Are you kidding me?" she said, voice thick with emotion. "You're the best damn father anyone could ask for."
She leaned forward suddenly and kissed him, a long, slow kiss full of all the love she felt for this man before her.
Reno melted into the kiss, careful not to jostle their sleeping baby between them. When (Y/n) finally pulled back, he chased her lips for just a second before remembering they had an audience, their tiny daughter who was now blinking up at them with wide turquoise eyes.
"Damn," Reno whispered against (Y/n)'s mouth. "You always know how to knock me sideways."
He was completely smitten, by his wife and this perfect little family they'd made together.
(Y/n) couldn't help but laugh softly at the sight of their baby girl blinking up at them before the little girl let out a small cry, that soon turned into fussing.
"Looks like someone's awake and wanting attention," she teased gently, giving Reno one final lingering kiss before reaching over and carefully transferring the fusdy baby to her arms.
Naru immediately squirmed in (Y/n)'s arms, little hands flailing in the air, as she cried.
"Someone's hungry," (Y/n) said with a grin, before glancing over at the clock on the bedside table. "At 4 am. Of course."
Reno exhaled a quiet laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Classic newborn timing," he muttered.
He watched as (Y/n) adjusted their daughter in her arms, preparing to feed her. The sight was so domestic, so normal for other people but still surreal for him.
"Need anything?" Reno asked softly, already shifting like he might get up to grab something if needed.
"Just stay here with us," (Y/n) said warmly, patting the spot next to her on the bed.
Reno leaned his head against hers, watching the tender moment between his wife and child. This peaceful domesticity was foreign to him, something he'd never dared to dream he might have.
"It's kinda perfect," he mumbled after a moment, voice uncharacteristically soft.
"You, me, and our baby."
Rude stood frozen in the hospital room, his large frame casting a shadow over the tiny bassinet. The baby girl stirred slightly, her tiny fingers curling as she slept peacefully.
He swallowed hard, staring down at her like she was some fragile thing he wasn't sure how to touch. His hands hovered awkwardly near the blanket but didn't reach out.
(Y/n) sat in her hospital bed, worn out from labor, watching Rude with a mixture of concern and amusement. She knew he had no idea how to handle a newborn, and his awkwardness was quite endearing.
"You can touch her, you know," she said gently. "She won't break."
Rude finally glanced at (Y/n), his hazel eyes wide behind those ever-present sunglasses. He hesitated a second longer before slowly removing them and placing them on the side table.
"Right.."
He leaned down carefully. One hand reached out with surprising gentleness, fingers barely brushing against the baby's delicate cheek.
Then, almost instinctively… he smiled. A real one. Rare as hell to see from him outside of home.
(Y/n)'s heart melted at the sight of Rude smiling down at their daughter. It was a rare expression on his usually stoic face, one reserved only for her and now their daughter.
The baby let out a tiny sigh in her sleep, completely unafraid of the intimidating man looming over her crib.
"See? She likes you," (Y/n) whispered, watching the exchange.
Rude's voice, usually deep and gruff, came out softer than (Y/n) had ever heard it. "She's… so small," he murmured, more to himself than to her. His thumb gently traced the curve of the baby's ear before pausing near a wisp of (h/c) hair that looked exactly like (Y/n)'s.
Then he carefully scooped the tiny bundle into his arms, supporting her head like he’d seen the nurses do. The baby girl shifted slightly but stayed asleep, completely trusting the strong embrace of the man who was her father.
(Y/n)'s heart swelled as she watched Rude gently scoop up their daughter. She had seen him in action, fighting with brutal efficiency, but now he was cradling their precious child with the delicate touch of a father.
"You look like a natural," she teased, a smirk playing at her lips.
Rude kept his eyes locked on the baby's sleeping face, but he still acknowledged (Y/n)'s words. "I've.. never held a baby before," he admitted quietly. His arms adjusted slightly, rocking her almost unconsciously in that small way fathers seem to do without thinking.
"She has your face."
"Oh, does she?" (Y/n) asked, smiling. "I think she looks more like you."
Rude finally lifted his gaze to (Y/n)'s, studying her face like he was memorizing it. "It's definitely your features," he repeated, his voice firm, but not unkind. "Maybe my eyes."
A moment of silence passed before the baby made the tiniest squeak in her sleep. Rude immediately tensed again, glancing down at her with mild panic in his expression.
(Y/n) couldn't help the quiet laugh that escaped her lips at his reaction. "She's just adjusting," she reassured him gently.
"Oh," Rude said, exhaling slowly. He relaxed his shoulders again and continued cradling his daughter with careful focus. After another quiet moment, he glanced toward the window where sunlight was streaming in. "…We should name her."
(Y/n) shifted against her pillows, still weary from giving birth but determined to make this decision together. "You're right. We've been calling her 'sweetheart' and 'baby' for long enough," she replied. "Do you have any ideas, my love?"
Rude glanced back at their daughter, his eyes running over her tiny form. Something softened in his expression that was hard to pin down. It might have been pride, or even protectiveness. "She looks strong. And stubborn. Like a fighter." He paused, one hand gently tracing her cheek again as if he couldn't help himself.
"How about Meara?" he finally said quietly.
"Meara?" (Y/n) tested the name on her tongue, rolling it gently. It suited their daughter perfectly, strong yet delicate, just like Rude had described. "I love that," she said sincerely.
Rude nodded, his gaze still fixed on Meara. She stirred slightly in his arms, her tiny fists flexing. He shifted her, rocking her a bit more as she made another sleepy noise. It was strange… he didn't even question the natural rhythm of it, even though he'd literally never held a baby before.
"She's gonna be trouble," he murmured, half to himself and half to (Y/n).
(Y/n) chuckled. "With Reno as her uncle? She's absolutely going to be trouble."
Reno would spoil Meara rotten, teach her all the wrong things first, how to pick locks, show her how to throw a punch before she could walk properly, probably even teach her a few cuss words.
Rude exhaled sharply through his nose, already picturing Reno holding Meara upside down like a sack of potatoes.
"Gonna have to put my foot down," he grumbled. "Or we're screwed.."
(Y/n) could only laugh.