For MomQuistor and spawn: 2, 21, or 35.
Prompt List here, face claim for Momquisitor spawn AKA Haleni Raleferin-Lavellan here. #2 really spoke to me, so here’s “Snuggling into my chest, refusing to let my hand go” from “The Modern AU That Totally Got Away from Me”
“Is your suitcase packed?”
The blanket-wrapped lump on Ladwyn’s lap nodded. Haleni had her back pressed into Ladwyn’s stomach, legs flung over the side of her recliner, head pillowed on her hand. Ladwyn brushed a pill of fuzz off Haleni’s blanket with her free hand, and ignored how all of her limbs were falling asleep under her daughter’s weight. “Did you... pack extra underwear?” Another nod. “Summer reading?” Nod. Ladwyn brushed through Haleni’s curls. “Oh, did you-”Haleni let out a long sigh.
Ladwyn grinned. “What, you don’t want to go through the checklist again?”
“Moooom.”“Oh, my baby’s all grown up,” Ladwyn teased, “Ten years old and she’s packing bags with the best of them. She’s got her clothes,” Ladwyn inched her fingers along Haleni’s scalp, “and her books,” closer still, getting ready to strike, “and her tickle monster!” Ladwyn tickled the side of Haleni’s neck, right under her ear. Haleni shrieked with laughter and ducked out of the way, driving her sharp little elbow into the inside of Ladwyn’s thigh. Ladwyn winced, and grabbed Haleni to make sure she didn’t topple over. “Oh, oh, ow Creators ow.” Haleni readjusted herself on Ladwyn’s lap and gave her a smug look. “Well that’s what you get.” She poked her finger into Ladwyn’s stomach. “The tickle monster is staying home.” Ladwyn’s chest tightened. “You’ll call when you get off the plane, right?”“Yeah, and again when I get to Dad’s house.” Haleni looked at her solemnly. “Promise.”“Good.” Ladwyn tried for a smile, but it was a watery imitation. “I’m sure your dad has lots of things planned for the two of you. You’re gonna have fun.”
“Mom?” Haleni was giving Ladwyn the serious eyes now, the same ones she had when she asked about the laundry, or the unfinished manuscripts in the study, or if she was getting up yet, already. Ladwyn wanted to tell her not to mother her mother, but not tonight. Haleni’s flight was in the morning and Ladwyn wanted her here, not shut in her room because they had a stupid fight again. “Yes, Bean?”
Haleni scrunched up her nose at the nickname, before her eyes wandered to a point past Ladwyn’s shoulder. “What’re- what are you doing for the summer?”
“Well, your uncle Dorian needs help editing, and I was going to get some new shrubs for the back yard and- y’know. Boring adult stuff I can only do without my kid running around underfoot.” It was flimsy and Haleni saw right through it. “Just have fun, okay?” “I will. Promise.” Ladwyn held out her pinky and Haleni did the same, clenching her pinky tightly around Ladwyn’s.
“ ’kay.” Haleni inched closer, careful to keep her elbows to herself this time, and curled into Ladwyn’s side. She dropped her head on Ladwyn’s shoulder. “Hey mom? Can we sleep out here?”
Ladwyn rested her head against Haleni’s, and exhaled through a riot of curls.“Of course we can.”