Attempted Teething
Author’s Note: This is the next part of the Raised on Terra AU! Masterlist is here. A big thank you to @undeaddream and @bleedingichorhearts for allowing me to borrow their OCs Almach, Tiny and Zedkiel!
Tagged: @egrets-not-regrets @the-pure-angel @sharenadraculea @i-am-a-dragon34 @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan @undeaddream @bleedingichorhearts
Warnings: none? Let me know if there is something I need to tag
Summary: Zedkiel feels a little conflicted as he cares for his charges, as his brothers have been deployed. Baby Konrad just wants to nibble on his brothers.
Zedkiel frowned as he walked into the primarchs’ nursery, immediately going to Nineteen and picking up the sleepy infant, rocking him back and forth a little. One of his hands running through the other’s night black hair.
Almach looked over at the Astartes, noting the subtle tension in the other’s spine and how closely he was holding the tiny Primarch and asked quietly “Is something bothering you, Zedkiel?”
“... Most of the Nineteenth Legion has been deployed, on some sort of secret mission. I don’t know what it is. I’m the only uninjured non-neophyte or aspirant who hasn’t been deployed. Most of the other legions have been deployed as well.” The Astartes answered, frowning a little as he held his tiny Primarch closer to his chest. He was torn between guilt at not being able to fight alongside his brothers… And yet more guilt about the thought that he did want to fight alongside them, as his duty was to protect and care for not only his own primarch, but three others while they were at their youngest and most vulnerable.
“... Yeah, most of the Blank Corps have been deployed as well. It’s all very hush-hush what they’re up to as well.” Almach sighed, shaking his head a little as he held the second Primarch up right, gently patting his back, to encourage any air to be burped up safely, before he set the little one back down to play amongst his brothers.
Tiny dropped down from the vents and chirped [Palace security tightened. Vent-access restricted across the complex.] before they made their way over to their charges, a low hum of satisfaction leaving them as Four and Ten were building a block tower with clumsy fingers as Seven and Eighteen slept tucked against it’s chest, blankets providing a comfortable padded layer between it’s metallic chassis and their soft baby skin. [Where Custodes Caretakers?]
“That’s an excellent question, Tiny. And not one I can answer.” Zedkiel responded with a shrug as he continued to hold one of his wards close to his chest, smiling as the infant sighed, pressing an ear to his chest, starting to fall asleep once again to the sound of the double heart-beats thrumming in his chest.
“Maybe they’re getting briefed on whatever is going on?” Almach offered, setting Two down, as the little one had finished burping and was squirming to get down. As soon as Two was on the carpeted floor, he made a beeline to where Thirteen and Sixteen were. The latter to were pushing a ball between them.
Two babbled excitedly and flopped on Sixteen, giggling happily.
Sixteen, who seemed to be one of the most gregarious of the brothers, just giggled and patted his brother on the back.
Thirteen let out a small whine and crawled over to the pair of babies and leaned against them, bright blue eyes slowly closing.
Fourteen, upon seeing the burgeoning pile of brothers, whined and fussed, psychic energy gathering around him until with a soft pop of displaced air, teleported directly on top of Sixteen and Two. He gently rolled off of them with another whimper, exhausted from his efforts.
Eight giggled in delight and crawled his way over to Fourteen,, grabbing one of the other’s fingers, opening his mouth, revealing the three (sharp) teeth he was growing in and was about to shove his brother’s fingers in his mouth when Amach scooped Eight up.
“Oh no you don’t! No biting your brothers. Here, a teething toy.” The Blank gently scolded, placing one of Eight’s favorite teething toys in the baby’s hands, to avoid any small injuries.
All of the little primarchs were prone to biting, if they weren’t strictly watched over as their teeth came in. However One, Six, Eight and Nine needed to be watched particularly closely as three of them were growing in fangs, and Eight was growing a mouthful of sharp teeth. Sharp enough to draw blood, if they weren’t vigilant.
Eight peered up at Almach and seemed to pout, his endlessly dark eyes trying to pierce through his soul, before the little primarch huffed and began to nibble on the teething toy offered to him.
“I know. I’m so mean for not letting you chew on your brothers. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so when you start learning how to fight.” Almach sighed, patting the disgruntled infant, a small smile playing on his lips… Even as his heart ached. The primarchs were growing faster than baseline humans. He hoped that he would have the honor of helping train them on how to fight… At least, how to train the young Blank Primarch on how best to use his abilities on the battlefield.
