Suitors with a child MC following Comte into the 19th century and they are around 6-7 years old. Also, I tried to make this as gender neutral as possible, but it does lean towards them being more of a girl. Enjoy.
When they had accidentally bumped into him, he had expected to come fact to face with an adult, not an apologetic child who looked to be no older than seven or eight years of age.
They stared up at him with round eyes as he slowly crept down to match their height, gently patting their hair down.
“There’s no need for apologies, young one. C’est quite alright.”
Alarm bells sounded in his head as he realised the child was wandering the Louvre alone with no evident parents or guardian present, but chose to trust the parental instincts of the human’s around him to intervene if they were alone for too long, if someone noticed.
Despite not wanting to, he had to leave them as he needed to get back to the mansion before the door closed, once more, for another month.
In his rush and worries for the child, Comte hadn’t noticed the loose strap of his watch fall, something the child noticed and grabbed.
Understanding it had been dropped by the kind man they’d bumped into, the followed him down a darker corridor lined with unfamiliar objects and through a large, wooden door.
When their appearance came to light, Comte felt a twinge of pain for leading them to him, though immediately took to caring for them and, inevitably, spoiling them rotten.
“You’re safe with me, ma petit chérie (my little love). How do you like your stay here?”
“It’s the best, Mama Comte. I wish I could stay here forever!”
Pride fizzled in his chest at their words, though they also pained him.
They couldn’t stay with him, no matter how much either of them wanted them to.
Despite, at first, feeling guilty for leading someone so young into an unfamiliar world, he couldn’t help but also feel slightly relieved that the child had someone who would look after and protect them.
He moved her into an empty room directly across from his so they could easily find him if they suffered from a nightmare or wanted the comfort of an adult.
“Don’t worry, ma petit chérie. Mama Comte will scare all the bad monsters away.”
Comte would spoil them rotten, always taking them to visit various shops to buy them more clothes and toys, playing into their little kid fantasies and ensuring they never went a day without a big grin on their face.
During balls, he would dress them in the most extravagant dresses he could get for a child and show them off to all of his noble friends who would gain over them, MC hiding shyly behind his leg as he smiled on in pride.
“You have such a beautiful child, Monsieur. I’m sure they’ll grow to be a most splendid courtier.”
MC would always ask him to read them bedtime stories every night and drag Comte along to play dress up or act out miniature versions of balls and dances.
“Come on, Mama Comte, Horsie says it’s time to dance!”
When MC met Time, a large grin covered their face as a high pitched squeal escaped their lips, instantly stroking him as gently as a child could as the snow white ferret squeaked with joy and leaned into their touch while Comte smiled, watching the two play.
“You’re so cute, Time. Why is he called a clock?”
“Just a random name. He’s beautiful, isn’t he? And, incredibly friendly.”
When it was time for them to leave, Comte felt a sharp pain tug at his chest as he spoke his last goodbyes, later realising he felt like he was losing a child.
“Au revoir (goodbye), mon petite chérie. My child.”
Aside from Napoleon and Arthur, Comte took his new ward to meet their first resident.
At first, Leo was taken aback by the small, light figure peeking out from behind Comte’s legs, wondering whether he was still dreaming.
Seeing the other pureblood’s eyes grow heavy with sleep, Comte poked his arms in an attempt to wake him and keep him awake, slightly chuckling at his friends sleepy confusion.
Arising from slumber, the Italian stretched out before sitting up, blinking at the child’s curious gaze.
Multiple questions filtered through his mind as he and the short newcomer stared at one another absently: Leo unsure of what to say; the child seeming shy in the presence of this unknown stranger.
“‘Comte,’ why do you have a child?”
Leo’s gold eyes flickered between them, lingering on Comte as the noble gently ushered the child forth, their bright eyes shining with the innocent wonder only a child could hold.
“Leonardo, this is MC, our new resident. They came through the door. MC, this is my friend, Leonardo.”
No. He would never do that to a child.
Inquisitive eyes turned on Comte as the artist gave him a purposeful glance, questioning him.
Before his old friend could answer, a small voice piped up.
“Hello, Mr Leonardo. Mama Comte is letting me stay here. Do you live here too?”
Leo’s brows rose in amusement at the child’s name for Comte, glancing over at the man in question who merely shrugged with a small smile.
“Yes, I do, little MC. I’ll be here for you as well.”
If anything, the Renaissance Man could tell he was in for a ride. A childish ride.
Despite being both confused and curious at the sudden presence of the child, he couldn’t deny the growing urge he felt to comfort and protect them as they were unsure of what to do in their new home.
Since his room was beside Comte’s, the closest to MC’s, Leo assured them he was in easy reach to get to if they wanted to be beside him during the night.
“I’m right here, Tesoro, (treasure), whenever you need.”
During his outings to people’s houses to fix objects that were broken, they would tag along, gazing in awe as he effortlessly mended the items with an array of unidentifiable objects, teaching them how to use the tools safely and their names, ending up asking them for the right tools as he worked.
Leo would spoil them, not as much or as grand as Comte, but would make them little gifts and ornaments out of woodwork materials which they relished in getting, showing them off to the other residents.
They’d play games like catch and work together to build small models of animals which MC would then use during games with Comte.
MC wandered into his room one day, searching for him, and was surprised, yet delighted, at seeing the black cat lounging on his bed, eagerly petting him as Lumiere first bristled before leaning into their touch, his soft purrs echoing around the room.
“You’re so handsome, Lumiere. I wish I had a kitty as cute as you. Leo, can I take him home?”
When it was time for them to leave, Leo refused to show any signs of sadness and gently ruffled MC’s hair as he spoke goodbye, losing both a young friend and a child.
“Arrivederci (goodbye), Tesoro.”
Walking down the torch lit corridor, the soldier didn’t quite expect to see a figure much shorter than him walk towards him, not long after Comte returned.
Intrigued, he slowly met them at a distance, reeling back in shock as he saw the short person was a child.
Their eyes glanced about themselves in a mix of both curiosity and fear.
Napoleon walked up to them cautiously, wanting to appear friendly so he didn’t frighten them further. His boots clicking against the smooth flooring caught their attention as the child stared straight ahead, holding something close in their grasp, their curious eyes meeting Napoleon’s concerned ones.
He came to an abrupt stop as the two stood in front of each other, bending low to match their height.
“Hello, young one. What is your name?”
“Mummy said not to talk to strangers, but I already have. I’m MC.”
After a brief introduction, he felt inclined to take them back with him so extended a hand which the child hesitantly took hold of.
“Don’t worry, you’re safe with me.”
They slightly flinched as an excited voice joined them.
“Aye, ‘Leon. Who’s this?”
The child hid slightly behind Napoleon’s cape as a blue haired man walked up to them, a bright smile on his face, confusion evident as he noticed the younger.
Napoleon waved a hand, telling the author he would explain later, focusing on sending the child to Comte who would finalise the situation.
Idly walking with them, Arthur glanced down at the young child who was peering up at him, their eyes focused on his lightly coloured hair as he softly smiled down at them, noticing their other hand being taken up by an object they were clutching tightly.
Napoleon directed them into the main hallway where Comte was standing expectantly as though he already knew about the child’s appearance.
The emperor lightly ruffled MC’s hair as he often had to his own son’s when he was the same age before letting them go.
“Thank you, big brother Nap!”
They wrapped their arms around him in a hug before walking up to Comte.
Napoleon had been shocked and worried when we saw the new figure walking down the hall was a child who seemed to be no older than 7 as he swore to himself he would protect them from harm.
“You’re under my protection. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Since he had a king sized bed, he allowed MC to join him at any time, the child peacefully settling in his arms as the soldier was reminded of his son, telling her stories about the happier days of his empire.
MC would become one of his and Isaac’s students, giving them both a decent education and a chance to interact with kids of their own age, prioritising their young life and ensuring they only had happy memories of them.
“School’s so fun! ‘Leon, I made four more friends - Joseph and Samuel and Leila and Rose!”
“That’s good of you, mon ange (my angel). Do you want to come again tomorrow?”
Napoleon would buy them small gifts of fortune and let them choose what they wanted to do for the day, guiding them around the streets of Paris and keeping them safe from any wandering monsters.
MC would act out small plays of emperors and empresses with him, them being the empress who would be saved by the brave emperor and live happily ever after.
“I’m a pretty princess and big brother is my prince!”
Napoleon had invited MC out to the gardens so they could meet his second best friend, Jupiter, who landed gracefully on his arm. MC gazed up at the eagle in wonder, reaching out to pet his feathers as Jupiter stretched out his wings, making the child laugh with joy.
“You’re so big and strong Jup’ter. I love you.”
“Jupiter says he loves you too, and you’re going to be just as strong and big when you’re older.”
When it was time for them to leave, Napoleon hurt to see them go, but knew it was for the best as MC had a whole life ahead of them.
“Au revior, mon ange. My little sibling.”
He had assumed Napoleon would be walking around alone, not with a small child holding onto his hand.
Arthur tilted his head curiously, glancing at Napoleon with a questioning gaze as the former waved a single hand through the air.
Right. He would be informed later as to how a child as young as them appeared in the mansions hallway, seemingly by accident, seeing their eyes staring up at them in wonder and apprehension.
Tightly clutched in their free hand was something he couldn’t quite make out, but it thwarted his ability to hold their other hand in extra reassurance.
So, he settled for traipsing beside MC, noticing their wandering eyes flicker to his coloured hair.
A small grin graced his lips as he glanced down at them, causing the youngest to slink closer to Napoleon’s side from timidness.
“So, little love, you’re joining us, eh?”
MC gave a a shy smile at Arthur’s playful remark before mustering up the courage to respond.
“You’re funny with blue hair.”
A hand pressed against against his chest in mock offence, his bright smile giving his true feelings away as they walked into the mansions main area, seeing their father figure pacing the floor.
“Go on, little love. I’ll be around to play and tell you stories later.”
The author gently patted their head gently before he and the emperor saw them off.
Although he was surprised at the unexpected appearance of the small child, he soon became pleasantly surprised and instantly took them under his wing, protecting them and becoming their self-proclaimed older brother.
“Come on, kiddo. I’ll make sure you’re safe here.”
Since MC’s room was further down from his, he set up a little camp beside his bed of a mattress, pillows and a thick duvet for them to sleep in if they ever wanted to sleep with him or hear his next Holmes story which he simplified for them to understand better.
“Tell it again! I wanna know moreee.”
“I’ll read it to you again and again as much as you want, I promise, but you need to sleep for now.”
Arthur would take them with him to investigate various mysteries and MC would try to help as best they could, mimicking Arthur’s professional stance and asking questions that they’d heard from the people at the crime scene, shocking the opposing people who hadn’t expected both someone so young to be there and to hear words like that escaping their mouth.
“So, big brother Arthur, what was her relationship with him? Roman’ic or pla’onic or something else?”
After each mystery they solved, the author would take MC to a nearby shop and treat them to a sweet treat as a reward for their effort, which MC accepted happily.
“And, here’s a treat for our little detective.”
“Thank you so much, Artie, I love you!”
The arrival of MC would temporarily stop Arthur’s playboy nature and cause him to concentrate more on the people he considered family, always keeping his newfound sibling away from his past one-time loves and choosing to spend more time with them.
MC had been playing by themself in the gardens by Dazai’s koi pond when they heard a dogs excited bark come closer and closer, catching their attention as they spotted a caramel coloured dog run across the grass to where they stood, MC instantly becoming smitten with Vic.
“Vic, here boy, you’re the bestest puppy!”
He is, isn’t he? That’s my Victoria.”
“But, Arthur, why does he have a girls name if he’s a boy?”
When it was time for them to leave, Arthur took the child out on one last case before giving them a detectives hat that was overgrown for their small head, but still wore as they stepped through the door, giving Arthur a cheeky grin as they disappeared.
“Bye, my little detective.”
Upon hearing a high pitched squeal followed by the teasing laugh of his so-called best friend, Theo’s brows tugged down as he wandered into the living room where the sounds were coming from.
His light eyes widened as he took in the sight before him: Arthur spinning a small child in a mock dance, grins plastered on both of their faces. He froze for a moment, eyes flickering between them.
They weren’t his, right? This young newcomer who had seemingly come out of nowhere wasn’t a product of one of the authors one night stands, were they? He hoped not.
Adding a child to the mix would only mean more chaos and headaches than any of them needed, and he wasn’t really up for taking care of a smaller being.
Noticing the art dealers presence, Arthur turned and sent a playful grin to him as the child immediately hid behind his leg, peeking up at the brunette shyly.
“Why is there a child here, Arthur? Are they yours from a fling?”
The kid stared at both adults curiously, not knowing what the unfamiliar word Theo had said meant.
“Theo, don’t use those words around them.”
Now that he could see the two side by side more clearly, Theo could tell they bore no resemblance to the author, relieving him, but also confusing him.
Who were they and why was a child in the vampiric mansion?
As Arthur briefly explained MC’s situation, Theo exhaled, already seeing how much more chaotic the mansion would become - especially if they connected with the mischievous man they stood beside.
He slowly stepped forward, awkwardly patting the child’s head as a small pout appeared on their lips.
“MC, this is Theo, another guest of Mama Comte’s. Theo, meet MC, our new, little resident.”
As the child gradually left Arthur’s side, he abruptly left them with Theo, to the businessman’s dismay.
He was unsure of how to react and how to talk to a child as they stared at one another in silence.
Raising a hand, Theo gently flicked the edges of their hair, sparking another pout.
The older chuckled at their non-threatening words as his lips twitched, a smile wanting to form.
“And, you’re cute and young, Miss MC.”
Theo didn’t like it, but he couldn’t deny the feeling of brotherliness that settled in him at their presence, the feeling of being an older brother.
His annoyance at having to look after a child much younger than most people he interacted with had melted after an hour with MC, though he would never admit it aloud.
Like Arthur, Theo decided to set up a temporary bed beside his own for the child to clamber into on nights they wanted his company, Theo telling them stories about Vincent and their childhood to help them sleep.
“If Vinnie’s your big brother, and you’re my big brother, does that make him my great-big brother?”
“Of course not, hondje (little puppy). We’re both your big brothers, now go to sleep.”
At first, he’d been reluctant to take MC with him on his business outings as he’d thought it would’ve been too busy and serious for a child of their age, though after seeing MC’s pleading puppy face, he gave in. They’d watch him quietly as he spoke with prospective clients and the like, gazing in awe at the immaculate paintings.
“That one’s like big brother Vinnie’s!”
Theo would often receive compliments from clients on behalf of MC, his collectors fawning over the younger’s cuteness, which made them shy away with a timid smile on their face, receiving colourful paintings from them which Theo helped to hang on their bedroom wall.
MC would ask him to help them paint and draw, pretending they were one of the brunettes clients and Theo was their judge, deciding whether or not he wanted to buy and sell them - always saying yes, of course.
“I think this one’s a very good one.”
“I know, it’s perfect, my good brother. I drew it all by myself.”
MC had met King by being introduced to him soon after becoming a close sister to Theo, him holding onto the golden retriever’s collar as the child crept forward, gently ruffling his fur as the cabin tapped playfully with MC declaring him to be the cutest dog ever.
“You’re so cute and pretty, King. You’re like big brother Napo, a king, and that’s your name. Theo, can I take him home?”
“He suits his name, right? I’m afraid you can’t, hondje, he has to stay here with me.”
When it was time for them to leave, Theo stood by them silently as they bade him goodbye, wrapping their arms around his torso as the art dealer returned the embrace, blinking back tears.
“Vaarwel (goodbye), hondje.”
