DATV hurt/comfort short fic, most companions (spoilers)
The Caretaker floats about noiselessly as they tidy up the towels and rags, sweeping the broken shards of a too-close-at-hand lamp into their cloak. Although they’ve never put to voice a true personality, Rook swears the Caretaker is humming with joy. They float out the door of the infirmary just as Emmrich enters, a fresh bowl of cool water and rag in hand and sits back down next to Neve. He soaks the rag and places it on her forehead, gentle as always.
“Well done, dear Neve,” he beams at her as he wipes away sweat and smooths down her hair.
Neve laughs, weak but full of relief, “I think killing the Gods was easier,” and as she looks to her side, where Lucanis sits rocking a small bundle, she adds, “but nowhere near as satisfying.”
Small coo’s escape the swaddle of blankets, barely heard over the soft lullaby Lucanis sings while the softest outline of a purple wing extends into the bundle. Rook can see the shimmer of tears in his eyes and quickly wipes away his own.
Neve holds out her arms to Lucanis and he sets the baby, just barely an hour old, on her chest, his hands never leaving the two of them. Emmrich sets the bowl of water aside and motions to Rook, the two of them quietly stepping out of the room to give the new parents space.
As the door closes, Emmrich beams, “What an extraordinary day. I can’t begin to explain how honored I am that they trusted me to oversee the birth.” His hand finds Rooks, by instinct more than design, and leans into the wall, “Although it is a rather exhausting ordeal. Even with the midwife classes and the immense ambient magic of the Lighthouse I was rather worried my skills would be inadequate.”
“You did amazing, Em. Both of you.” Rook kisses Emmrich’s hand and can’t hold back a conspiratorial smile, “You even dodged the lamp.”
“Oh that part was actually also part of the classes,” he smiles back with a wink.
“Assan, no! Sit!” Thunderous gallops fall on the stairs as a not-so-small griffon hurtles towards the couple, squawking and whining, with Manfred and Davrin in pursuit.
“Hey! If Davrin’s going up I’m going too!”
“Oh! Oh wait for me, Taash!”
With Taash and Bellara ascending the stairs Assan began to whine louder, his talons digging into the wood of the landing.
Davrin straddles his back and holds his head in a fake choke-hold, “Alright feather butt, hold on. His majesty gets to meet the baby with everyone else.” His tone is scolding but he can’t hide his smile, the same one that beams from Taash and Bellara.
“Can we? Are they ready? We can go back downstairs, I don’t want to bother them, I’m just, I’m so excited!” Bellara rattles off without pause.
“Breathe,” Taash chuckles, their outward calm betrayed by their fingers tapping on the banister.
Emmrich holds up his hands, “Let’s settle down, please. I know we’re all excited but-” He’s cut off by the infirmary doors slowly swinging open, revealing Lucanis and the baby.
“It’s alright, everyone. Neve wants to rest, so I think it’s time for the little one to meet her family.” Emmrich moves to step out of the way, but Lucanis stops him, “And first on that list is Uncle Emmrich.”
He holds out the bundle, and for a moment Emmrich is too stunned to move. Lucanis looks to Rook, who moves next to the stunned professor.
“Why don’t you take her downstairs with everyone, get comfortable. I’ll go in and sit with Neve for a bit.”
“Uncle…” Emmrich breaths, and his eyes begin to sparkle with tears, as he gently takes the baby from Lucanis. “Yes. Yes, hello dear, I’m your Uncle Emmrich.” The last words hitch. He clears his throat and announces that yes, they should all go back downstairs where they can all take turns introducing themselves. Assan squawks and jumps over the railing, landing in the parlor and whining impatiently for the group as they descend the stairs.
Rook returns to the room where Neve lays, eyes closed, on the infirmary bed.
“Well, I figure Em and Lucanis have it handled, and yes I’m checking on you,” Rook sits next to the tired mage and places his head next to hers. “Big day for the Gallus-Dellamorte family.”
Neve takes Rooks hand and squeezes, “Big day for the Lighthouse family. Two years since we saved the world and it all still feels like a dream.”
Rooks laughs softly, “It’s a good dream, then.” He pauses, his eyes drifting down, then, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Emmrich so happy. He’s always wanted a family, marriage and kids, I think holding her means so much to him.”
Neve squeezes Rooks hand tight, once, “Oh no you don’t. No moping on my big day.” She’s teasing, but her tone is half serious. “Rook, you know Emmrich loves you. He always wanted kids, yeah, but he also wants you, and everything that comes with that. For better or worse.”
“We aren’t married yet, Neve.”
“Yes, because a certain moody elf keeps beating himself up about what he thinks his partner wants, instead of seeing what’s right in front of him.”
They lay in silence, minutes passing, as Rook contemplates a future where he accepts that Emmrich is willing to give up having children of his own, and be happy with that future.
“Ok, I can hear you thinking yourself into a spiral, so it’s time for us to join the others,” Neve announces as she slowly sits up.
“Uh, Neve, I don’t think you should be moving this soon after-”
“My husband and baby are downstairs and I’m sick of laying in this awful bed, so are you going to help me put my leg on or not?” There’s no arguing with Neve when she’s decided on a course of action, so Rook helps her into her clothes and prosthetic and holds her arm as they make their way out to the banister and down the stairs.
When they reach the bottom Taash is holding the baby, sitting on the couch with Assan practically drooling over their shoulder to see the child. The rest are gathered as tight as they can, all cooing and smiling, and Emmrich stands to give Neve a spot on the couch. Taash, somewhat reluctantly, hands over the baby, their finger caught in a tiny fist.
“Lucanis wouldn’t tell us her name,” Taash teases, and Lucanis laughs as he leans down to kiss Neve’s cheek.
“I thought it would be better if we were all together first,” his tone turns somber, his shimmering wings returning, Spite making sure they all remember he’s there, too.
Neve clears her throat, and when she speaks the group can hear the slight strain, “We thought a lot about what to name her, but only one felt right. It’s a name she’ll have to grow into, but I know she’ll wear it well.”
The group leans in, tears and smiles and soft squawks.
“Everyone, say hello to Lace Gallus-Dellamorte.”
jbbartram-illu
germansingergirl
jacobvanloon
stormborns
tangentwithtanner
