Hi gina, hope you’re well! Do you know any fics where one is the other’s kid’s au pair? But without much age difference. Thank you!!
Hi sweetheart. I only have three I really like, the first has Harry as Louis’ au pair, the second has Louis as a nanny for Harry’s neighbors and the third is, once again, Harry as a nanny for Louis.
Barefoot in Blue Jeans by @indiaalphawhiskey (E, 24K) Pro football player Louis. I love the single parent/nanny trope and it works so well here, plus….football player!louis. Can’t go wrong with that! And this writer is always a favorite. I’ve actually read this one twice and loved it both times.
Speaking of Marvels by navigator, quitter (E, 101K) This was one of the first fics I read in this fandom, but I read it again recently and had forgotten how really wonderful it is. The writing is so lovely and the characters feel so well developed. I especially loved how the authors explored how differently the two of them would respond to their relationship given the different stages of life they were in. It made the romance and the attraction and the angst feel really real.
we are honey and the bee by soleilouis (M, 41K) I read this one ages ago and my notes only say that I loved the flirting and pining. So, I can’t 100% vouch for this, but since I have so few to suggest, I’m hoping old me knows what she was talking about.
Will goes to bed one night a husband and wakes up a widower.
A cardiac arrhythmia, they tell him.
Her heart just went haywire.
There was nothing he could do.
He struggles through the first few months after, watching Ben look around for ‘Mommy’ and trying to keep his emotions in check when he tries to explain.
‘Mommy is gone.’
Ben doesn’t quite understand and often Will has to deal with tantrums but he manages.
Mostly because of the sitters.
He only has so much vacation time for a teacher and really he needs the distraction of work to not fade away. The sitters are often the same but it’s a shuffle, some friends and family others recommended by both.
Will knows he can’t last long this way, neither of them can, and that’s why he lets Bev talk him into placing an ad online.
NANNY WANTED - 5 year old boy, recently lost parent. Looking for childcare from 7:00 am- 7:00 pm. Must be able to start immediately. Non smokers only. Experience with childcare required. Contact [email protected]
The email he creates for the whole thing fills up almost overnight and he finds himself with another distraction as he looks for anyone with potential.
It takes another day for him to get the message that changes his life.
Hello Mr. Graham.
My name is Hannibal Lecter. I have been working as a childcare professional for the past ten years, though I was in emergency pediatric medicine for most of them. I would like to offer my condolences on the loss of your partner and tell you that though the pain will not go away it will get less difficult to manage. I lost most of my family as a young boy and know the pain of separating from someone you love.
I am unclear as to if the position is live in, which I am perfectly able to do if asked. I am an accomplished cook, enjoy housekeeping, and would be more then happy to help out with those things if you so desire.
Your response would be appreciated promptly, though I know you are more than likely struggling through many other applicants I can wait.
Yours,
Hannibal Lecter
Will messages him back before all the others and just....talks.
They talk about life, love, loss, and the joy of children. He talks about things he hates, things he can’t live without, and his favorite foods. Hannibal talks about growing up with his strict Uncle who pushed him into medicine. He talks about his favorite things to eat, to cook, and instruments he plays. Before long it’s been two weeks and Will realizes he never responded to anyone else.
He texts Bev at almost two a.m, shaking and in tears.
I think I found my nanny.
She doesn’t answer until the next day and he’s already asked Hannibal to come interview in person.
“You talked to him for two weeks?”
Will wipes down the counter and looks over at Ben who is crashing two cars together. “Yeah.”
“And that’s...not weird? I mean you didn’t know him. Did you talk on the phone?”
He pushes the napkin holder into the middle of the table, then to the side, and again to the middle. “No.”
“Will....”
The doorbell rings. “I gotta go.”
“Will, maybe you--!”
He ends the call and tries not to be too eager in answering the door, though when he does he’s pleasantly surprised by Hannibal’s appearance. He’s wearing what looks like an expensive blue suit, no tie, and carrying a small bag.
“Hello, Will.”
Will feels oddly self conscious. “Hey. You’re right on time.”
Hannibal smiles. “Eleven o’clock, as discussed.”
“Come in.”
He leads Hannibal into the kitchen. “I---”
“Hello there.”
Will turns and sees Hannibal on one knee beside Ben, who stops to observe this new person.
“Hi.”
“What do you have here?”
“Cars. Watch!”
He crashes the cars together and laughs.
“Good job, Benjamin. I am sure there were no casualties involved.”
Will laughs and Hannibal looks up. “He’s not usually so good with strangers.”
Hannibal moves to stand but Will shakes his head. “I apologize if you didn’t wish for me to interact so soon.”
“No, it’s good. I think he likes you.”
“I like him as well. It’s always nice to see reckless driving at such an early age.”
Will laughs again. “Our fault, I think. Molly and I used---”
He stops himself and swallows back tears.
“Will...”
“I’m fine,” he whispers, “I...when can you start?”
Hannibal blinks. “I’m sorry?”
“We can just skip the formalities, I think. Do you want the job?”
Hannibal stands and turns just as Will comes around the counter again.
“Yes.”
Will lets out a long sigh and smiles. “Then I guess....welcome home?”
Hannibal looks down at Ben. “Would you be averse to me interacting with Benjamin some more?”
“No, that’s...I think it’s a good idea.”
He watches Hannibal bend down again and leaves the kitchen in a rush as tears fall down his cheeks.
Fuck, he misses his wife.
Will sighs and wipes hie eyes.
He can do this.
He can.
Christmas is in three months.
Ben is going to finally understand the presents and not just suck on them.
He’s gonna make this work.
He’s got to.
When he heads back out into the kitchen he finds Hannibal holding Ben on his lap and reading from a storybook.
It’s not one Will has seen before but when he hears one of the lines he knows why Hannibal brought it for them.
“You see, Leo. Sometimes we can’t be together forever. But we will be together soon. Someday.”
He looks up and Will wipes his eyes. “Coffee?”
Hannibal smiles and looks at Ben, who’s slumped over his arm napping at exactly the time he should be. “Please.”
Will feels somewhat lighter as he goes to the coffee maker and feels almost as if Molly is whispering in his ear.
‘I think he’s the one.’
He thinks so too.
After all, a nanny they both like just in time for Christmas is exactly what they need.
He deserves after the incident with the Queen, heaven knows he does, but the fallout from it makes him the last person any proper news outlet will hire.
He tries everywhere down to freelance conspiracy websites for almost a month but no one wants to be associated with ‘Adam Towers.’
So he demeans himself to check online job sites, scrolling through the newest in hopes that something not horrible might catch his eye.
Adam stares at the ad and wonders just what type of person might leave such a completely boring ad in hopes that someone might answer. Really, it doesn’t even have how much they’re paying.
He scoffs and moves on, circling phone jobs that might not be too horrible, and thinks that perhaps he’ll be all right after all.
Really, answering phones might not be all that bad.
It’s not bad, it’s TERRIBLE.
Adam goes on seven interviews and receives no call backs.
Not one.
His resume had been superb but almost all seven recognize him from the Queen incident and act awkwardly until they rush him out the door.
He goes home, dead tired, and opens the online ads again.
There it is.
Chip’s father is still looking for a sitter.
He sighs and answers in the way he assumes someone with a brat would want to hear.
Hello Mr. Thanatos,
My name is Adam Towers.
You may have heard of me, since most have, and I assure you the things you’ve read do not reflect on my abilities. I am quite adept at looking after little ones, and would love to meet you and Chip to show you just how perfect I am for the position.
Yours,
Adam Towers
Adam goes to bed after quite a bit too much drinking, and wakes up to a rather odd reply.
Mr. Towers,
I do not know you, but I am looking for a sitter for my Henrietta. It is very important I find one soon as I cannot keep bringing her to work with me. You can come to our apartment in Fullerton Palms at one thirty.
Thank you,
Elias
He frowns.
If the child’s name is Henrietta, why did the ad say Chip?
Adam stares at the email and contemplates not going. After all, he very much despises children, but he needs money and it may not be so bad. He can ply the little one with some candy and watch the telly while it sleeps.
He sighs, showers, and does himself up rather nice he thinks before leaving to head for Fullerton Palms.
The Palms is in a middle class area, not too posh but not too run down, and when he comes up to the door he sees the name THANATOS in bright blue marker. He presses and waits for the buzz.
It doesn’t come.
Adam taps his foot for several minutes before he tries again.
And again.
And again.
He’s just about to leave when someone comes running at the door, throwing it open.
The man’s face is bright red, sweaty, and his pants are half open. He also has a horrid hairstyle with facial hair and a deformity to match.
He tries not to look at the man’s clothes that seem out of a bad seventies pornographic film.
“THE DOOR IS BROKEN! Please, please, come in!”
Adam fakes a smile and starts to talk about his enthusiasm to meet little Henrietta, which seems to make Elias happy, and when they come to the apartment door he readies himself for the child inside.
Except there’s no one.
He walks in and sees no toys, no mess, and nothing to suggest Elias has a child at all.
Adam sits down and watches the man rush to the kitchen.
“It is rather....immaculate for someone with a little one.”
“HENNY DOES NOT MAKE MESSES!” Elias yells from the kitchen, which is rather close enough he does need to, “SHE’S A GOOD GIRL!”
Adam takes off his coat when it starts to get rather hot in the place.
“You sure seem to like it warm.”
Elias comes over with fresh squeezed lemonade that he sits in front of Adam.
“Henny likes it warm,” Elias says, smiling, “So would you like to meet her?”
Adam smiles wider and tries not to image the man coming out of his bedroom with a stuffed doll or something even more terrifying. “Of course.”
Elias stands up and walks into the next room as Adam tries to make sense of why he’s here at all.
He scans the room and stops on a strange sight.
There is a bag of what looks like pellets sitting against the kitchen counter.
On them is a picture of a....hen.
“Here she is.”
Adam turns and stares wide eyed at Elias, who is holding a tiny baby chick. It’s bright yellow, fuzzy by the looks of it, and not a child.
“She is...quite yellow.”
He smiles. “She’s very big for her age. When I saw her at the store I....”
Adam tries to keep smiling and hold in the laughter at the whole situation but cannot help but let it out.
He laughs, loudly, and feels tears running down his cheeks.
It’s a bloody CHICK.
Not a CHIP.
He shakes his head, covers his mouth, and turns around again to face Elias.
Who looks devastated.
The man’s face is bright red and tears are falling down his face.
“YOU ARE A HORRIBLE MAN! GO AWAY! GO AWAY NOW!”
Adam tries to catch his breath, shaking his head. “No, I’m sorry I--”
Elias stomps out of the room and Adam wipes his eyes, letting out a long breath.
“Bloody hell.”
He takes a sip of the lemonade, which is delicious, and sets it down on the table just as Elias returns.
“WHY ARE YOU HERE! YOU--”
“I’m sorry!” Adam says, grabbing his hands, “I was just rather surprised! I...you have to admit it’s strange!”
Elias sniffles and Adam feels like an asshole. “Henny is not strange! I am not strange! She is beautiful!”
Adam smiles. “Yes, she’s...quite yellow. I apologize for my rudeness. Honestly. I think she’s a fine chick. I just don’t think this job...”
“I am paying forty dollars every hour, I don’t know why no one wants to look after her. She’s a very good girl.”
Adam blinks.
“Forty dollars? That’s....for how many hours?”
Elias sniffles and wipes a hand across his eyes. “Seven.”
He tries not to kiss Elias on the mouth for saying that number. “I would love to watch Henrietta, Elias. Very much.”
Elias glares at him. “You laughed at me. At her. She was very upset.”
“Can I apologize?”
“She’s sleeping.”
“Then perhaps I can bring her something when I come to work? Is there something she likes?”
Elias sits down on the chair. “Worms.”
Adam tries not to let it show on his face how disgusting that sounds.
“Worms it is. Will you let me try looking after her for a week? Just to start? I promise I will be the best chick sitter you can find. Or rather, I would be like a nanny wouldn’t I?”
Elias sniffles again. “You won’t laugh anymore?”
“No, not ever again.”
He holds out his hand for Elias to shake.
A moment later, he feels the rough warmth of Elias’s hand in his.
“Just one week.”
Adam is going to be the world’s best bloody chick nanny there ever was.
