So i was again thinking about Arle and family, then i remembered one of you last fics.... So how do you think Arlecchino and the Reader would introduce the newborn to Lyney, Lynnette and Freminet???
˚⁺‧ 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴: ushsuahjhhhh thank you anonn!!🙏 dw i got ur ask back in November, it really made me smile) i really liked this idea and i didn't want to rush it so i held onto it for a bit (pls pretend that 1,5 month is a bit). back then it was also freminet's event, and I got so attached to him (even more than i was), so i wanted to try something new and started writing in his POV. buuut i was really busy with another fic and also with other things. and now im busy with updating my working space 😵💫 i also think this will be it, no more baby fics, this one's the last one. so anyway, I hope you don't mind the wait. happy Orthodox Christmas 🎄
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There wasn't really any reason for the two of them to visit Snezhnaya. Lyney was widely known among the higher ranks of Fatui as the Knave's future successor, sure, but Lynette and Freminet?
The boy sighed as their carriage reached the House of the Hearth's main building. Don't think anything, Freminet was very happy to meet with "Father" of course, but the whole trip still felt somewhat meaningless considering she already visited them as often as her job could allow. Although she and "Mother" were absent lately...
Lyney, Lynette and Freminet entered the building; lots of children surrounded them immediately. Some very young, some older, and some almost the same age as them, -- all of them were, technically, their siblings. Although Freminet still couldn't shake the feeling of being surrounded by strangers off. But, weren't they actually strangers? They were siblings in name, but the three of them met almost all of these children for the first time. It was too much to bear, too many unknown people, looking so expecting at them, at him...
The servants showed the siblings where their room (Lyney insisted on having one for all of them, sensing Freminet's subtle discomfort, as well as being too used to sharing everything with Lynette), and after they unpacked their things, Lynette asked:
"I heard from the maids that "Father" has been staying at the House for a while now.. you two want to go see her now, or wait for dinner?"
Both boys remained silent for a few moments. Lynette really was on a more casual terms with "Father"... so much so that it sometimes scared them. She really missed her, even if she was usually the one who was getting scolded the most... Lyney looked quite nervous, and Freminet wasn't sure. He wanted to meet "Father", but he felt overwhelmed right now, even though the process of unpacking his stuff eased some of his stress.
But if he didn't go search for "Father" with Lynette right now, his next chance would be dinner. Dinner with other children. With a bunch of strangers who would definitely cast their curious glances at him, dissecting his every little movement in their childish curiosity...
"I'll go with you, Lynette. Just give me a moment..." Freminet finally mustered the will to answer. He was happy that Lynette actually waited for him to answer. As for Lyney...
"Sorry, Lynette, but I have to run some arrangements before delivering intel that we gathered..."
Oh, right. Important intel. The reason why they have arrived in Snezhnaya in the first place...
Freminet didn't know what the intel actually was, but Lyney insisted they deliver it personally, and from his words Freminet knew instantly that this information was so important that it couldn't have been handed to an agent. "Father" had also sent a letter, requesting their arrival.
This was also the holiday season. Freminet noticed all the decorations all around the House. This all felt very similar to how they celebrate New Year in Fontaine, although different.
A part of him wanted to think that the "important intel" was just an excuse to gather together as a family for the holiday.
And so, the younger siblings went searching for their "Father", leaving their older brother to join them later.
They easily found out that "Father" has been staying in her room for some time now. Why -- they weren't sure.
Though the siblings did find out why when they actually approached "Father's" room. Sounds of commotion behind the door, as well as the faint scent of milk that Freminet remembers from his childhood.
Lynette knocked on the door. ""Father"?"
The door opened some time after, when Lynette looked at Freminet and almost wanted to knock a second time. The sight they saw was almost scary in a way: "Father" looked very tired, her hair and makeup a mess, and Freminet was afraid to even begin imagining what happened to her.
"Children," "Father" greeted, her voice slightly more quiet than usual. The siblings bowed their heads in a greeting as well. "I wasn't expecting you to go searching for me right now.."
"Did we interrupt you?" Freminet asked, worry visible on his face.
"It wasn't anything too big," "Father" answered.
Oh, so we did interrupt, the thought instantly appeared in Freminet's mind.
"And where's your older brother?"
Lynette was about to reply when suddenly the said older brother appeared next to them. Lyney took his hat and held it next to his chest, bowing his head. "Father" reciprocated the greeting. Wait, did Freminet and Lynette really take so much time to look where "Father" was that Lyney has already finished.. whatever he was doing? Well that's a little embarrassing...
Though Freminet could swear that throughout the whole conversation the commotion behind the door never stopped. He could occasionally see "Mother" running around behind "Father".
"You look very troubled, "Father"," Lyney said. "If there's at least anything we could--"
He was abruptly interrupted by a sound that came from inside "Father's" chambers. "Father" took a few short moments to look at the kids before turning her attention to the sound source inside the room. The siblings exchanged glances.
After some time, "Father" returned, inviting them inside. And inside her shared bedroom with "Mother" they discovered...
... A cradle, with a newborn baby sleeping in it.
Now it makes sense, Freminet thought. "Father" and "Mother's" absence in past few months, their tired look, the sounds, the scent of milk... It was because they were taking care of... their (?) child.
"This is your little sister," "Mother" said quietly. She told the siblings the name that she and "Father" chose for the little girl. Freminet didn't know what to think even... He sat on the bed to have a better look and the baby. She looked just like any other newborn, but somehow, he felt like she was different from any other. Something about her felt special, and Freminet couldn't understand what and why he felt this way about her.
"Father" smiled: "Happy you're not the youngest one anymore?"
Freminet met her eyes, but quickly averted his gaze. "I.. don't know."
"I don't really understand something, though," Lyney rested his hand on his chin. "Why adopting such a young baby? Wouldn't it be easier to take care of one at least a little older?" He soundes very unsure of dhis words, as if "Father" would scold him for asking.
She didn't though, and only gave Lyney a tired smile: "She's not adopted. Y/N gave birth recently."
The siblings looked at "Father" and "Mother" in shock.
"Wait, but who's the father then?"
Lynette! What are you doing!!!
She probably meant biological, but both brothers still got scared for their sister's safety.
But it was Lynette's turn to get a smile from "Father".
"Lynette, you're offending me," she said.
...
"How the hell did you two do this." Lynette's expression was priceless, deadpan yet with easily readable, almost comical shock. ""Father", what else do we not know about you."
But "Mother", barely holding back her laugh, came to Lynette:
"No-no, not like that, Lynette!" She hugged the girl who still looked like her whole world has turned upside down.
"Then how?.."
"Science," answered "Mother". Now everything seemed logical to Freminet, how else would two women be able to have children together?
"Why did you say it? I wanted to tease her for a little longer," "Father" said.
"Please don't, you scared the poor girl enough already."
This whole time Freminet was sitting next to his newborn sister. Lyney then came to them, sat next to his brother and asked:
"Was this why you called for us? To tell us about the baby?"
"Father" nodded: "Partially. Your mother couldn't go to Fontaine due to pregnancy. She really missed you three, so I thought we could spend the holidays together as a family."
Lyney looked a bit down after hearing this. "But aren't holidays over already?.."
"Father" sat next to the boys, and hugged "Mother" closer to herself.
"In Mondstadt and Fontaine -- yes, but in Snezhnaya, the holiday week is after the new year, not before." She exchanged glances with "Mother".
"We wanted to let you spend the holidays with your friends first."
There was now no space left on the bed's edge when Lynette joined the rest of the family there. "When she grows old enough to make it through the travel, will you be taking her to Fontaine with you?"
"I actually thought we could use you three as free babysitters," "Father" said. Freminet recognized it as a joke, but he was still scared of the possible future where he'd have to take care of a little kid.
"Mother" was visibly exhausted, and rested on "Father's" shoulder. Mother... Freminet still felt weird calling someone else like this. Even more since the title of Mother belonged to Her Majesty. She was considered the orphans' mother, and Freminet could make peace with it, but actually referring to someone as mother, even though she was the wife of his "Father"?...
He shook the unpleasant thoughts away. This wasn't the time.
Instead, he extended his hand to the baby and gently stroked her head.
"Father" sighed, resting her hand on Lyney's shoulder.
"I've been neglecting the three of you lately," she said with a slightly sad smile. "I'm sorry." The words felt like they were said in a foreign language. Freminet very rarely heard "Father" apologize, in fact, when he thought about it, there were barely any cases.
"Oh, "Father"".. it's not like we're young kids who need attention all the time," Lynette answered, and Lyney smiled. Then, both twins looked expectingly at Freminet.
"Oh, um, yes.. We can take of ourselves," he said. He then looked at his newborn sister again. "And we understand that there's someone who needs your care and attention more than we do."
"Glad to hear you're not mad at us," "Mother" said.
"Father":
"It's late. Head to your room and rest for now. We'll have a family banquet on seventh, could I expect you to prepare a little show though?"
Lyney smiled as he got up: "Of course, "Father"! Will be done."
And so they wished each other good night.
When Freminet was falling asleep, he thought to himself: maybe he is a little excited he's not the youngest one anymore.
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