Unflirty Simmer

| Bayleigh, 24 || wcif friendly |

[unflirtysimmer]

Just as Blaze reached for a fresh wipe, a sudden spritz of pee shot up like a little fountain, catching Blaze square in the shirt and startling a squeal of laughter from Zoozve.

“Oh come on!” Blaze groaned, half laughing, half exasperated as he dodged backwards too late. “You little menace! I thought we had a truce!”

Zoozve just giggled, legs kicking in triumph while Blaze reached for another wipe, muttering under his breath, “I swear you’ve got better aim than a water gun.”

[unflirtysimmer]

Eventually, Blaze came in to retrieve the baby—a routine that had become more frequent lately, with Mercury battling extreme fatigue and relentless nausea. He greeted Zoozve with a soft smile and a playful, “Hey there, stink bug,” scooping the baby up from the crib.

“Time for a cleanup, huh?” Blaze added, wrinkling his nose as he caught a whiff.

He carried Zoozve over to the changing table, expertly laying him down and unfastening the soiled diaper. “Alright, let’s see what you’ve cooked up today.”

[unflirtysimmer]

Time passed, and Zoozve hardly noticed anything had changed. Life still moved at its own slow, curious pace. He sensed that his mommy was going through something—she didn’t cuddle quite as long, and sometimes tummy time ended a little sooner than it used to. But he didn’t mind. She still smiled at him, still made silly faces, still sang softly when she rocked him. That was enough.

And honestly, the extra solo time had done him some good. His neck was a little stronger now, his arms less floppy, and he was discovering all sorts of amazing things about himself—like the fact that toes were, apparently, delicious.

At this very moment, he was lying in his crib, rolling slightly from side to side as he worked determinedly to get one chubby foot to his mouth. His brows furrowed with effort, his fingers gripping his ankle as he gave it another try.

A satisfied gurgle escaped him when he finally succeeded, gnawing happily on his toes like they were the best snack he'd ever had.

[unflirtysimmer]

Mercury took a shaky breath and finally reached for the test. Her hand hovered for a moment before she picked it up and turned it over.

Positive.

Her stomach dropped. It was like the air had been knocked out of her.

She stared at it, unblinking, for what felt like forever. Then, slowly, she lowered herself down onto the toilet lid, still clutching the test in her hand. Her vision started to blur with the threat of tears.

“No, no, no,” she whispered. “We just got through the hardest part. I just got sleep again. Zoozve isn’t even walking yet. What if this ruins everything?”

Her thoughts spiraled. What if the stress made her a bad mom? What if she couldn’t connect with the new baby like she had with Zoozve? What if Blaze grew distant? What if her body didn’t bounce back this time?

Blaze stepped forward gently and knelt in front of her, placing his hands softly on her knees. He didn’t say anything right away—just reached up and carefully took the test from her trembling hands.

“Hey,” he said softly. “Look at me.”

She met his eyes, her expression full of fear.

He looked down at the test and then back at her. “Okay. Worst-case scenario—we survive another tiny alien being who screams like a malfunctioning siren and poops with the force of a dying star.”

Mercury blinked.

“And best-case scenario,” he continued, “this baby comes out calm and chill because all the chaos got baked into Zoozve.”

That got a small snort out of her, but Blaze wasn’t done.

“I mean, at least this time we know not to try the lavender baby lotion that made Zoozve smell like a haunted flower shop. And I’ll finally have an excuse to buy that double stroller that looks like a moon rover.”

Mercury burst out laughing, her face crumpling with relief as the tension finally cracked. She covered her face with her hands, half-laughing, half-crying.

“You are such an idiot,” she said through her laughter.

Blaze grinned. “But I’m your idiot. And I’ve already accepted that I’m going to be covered in spit-up for the next three years, so bring it on.”

Mercury reached forward and cupped his cheek, wiping away a tear with her thumb as she did.

“You always know how to pull me back,” she whispered.

“It’s a gift,” he said with mock arrogance. “And also possibly mild delusion.”

Mercury leaned forward, resting her forehead against his, her laughter slowly fading into a quiet, affectionate hum. The test sat forgotten on the counter—but for now, they had each other.

[unflirtysimmer]

The moment Mercury closed the bathroom door behind her, the quiet hit her like a wall. Her heart was pounding so loudly in her chest it nearly drowned out the hum of the bathroom fan. She went to the cabinet under the sink and dug toward the back, her fingers brushing past lotions and cotton balls until they landed on a slim box—one of the few pregnancy tests they still had left.

She sat on the closed toilet lid, staring at it. Her palms were damp.

“This is too soon,” she murmured to herself. “It’s way too soon.”

Still, she opened it with shaky hands and went through the motions like she had done before. Familiar, but heavier now. More complicated.

After taking the test, she set it on the counter and stood up, pacing slowly around the small room. Her mind raced with possibilities. Another baby? She loved Zoozve more than anything—but they were just getting the hang of this. She was only just feeling like herself again.

Her eyes flicked to the test, willing the time to pass faster, then quickly away again. She couldn’t look. Not yet.

A soft knock came at the door.

“Merc?” Blaze’s voice was tentative. “Is everything okay? Can I come in?”

She hesitated, her hands trembling as they gripped the counter. Then she unlocked the door. “Yeah. Come in.”

Blaze entered slowly, now changed into a loose t-shirt and joggers. He closed the door behind him and turned to face her, his brow furrowed with concern.

“What’s going on?” he asked softly.

Mercury didn’t answer right away. She looked down at the pregnancy test still waiting on the counter and then up at him, her voice small. “I think I might be pregnant again.”

Blaze blinked, visibly taken aback. “Wait, really?”

“I haven’t had my period since before Zoozve,” she said, her voice shaking slightly. “And I just… I’ve been feeling off. Weird. Not sick, just… not right. I thought it was just exhaustion but… it’s starting to make sense.”

She gestured to the test on the counter but didn’t dare look at it yet.

Blaze stepped forward and gently took her hand. “Merc… whatever it says, we’ll be okay. I mean, yeah, it’s fast—but we’ve handled crazy before.”

She gave him a tight-lipped smile, not quite convinced.

He leaned down a bit to look her in the eyes. “Look, you’re the strongest person I know. You carried Zoozve while hiding literal glowing blue skin from the public. You gave birth in a tub with no meds like some kind of alien goddess. If this is happening again, we’ll roll with it. We’ll make it work.”

Mercury let out a slow breath, her eyes beginning to sting. “But I’m tired, Blaze. I don’t know if I’m ready for another baby.”

He squeezed her hand. “Then if you are pregnant, we’ll take it slow. We’ll figure out how to support you better. I’ll do more, we’ll plan better, we’ll survive it—together.”

She looked at him, then at the test. It was time.

[unflirtysimmer]

More time passed, and Mercury still couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling that something was off.

She tried to write it off as the typical new mom exhaustion. The late nights, the constant attention Zoozve needed, the occasional skipped meal—all of it made sense. But there was a deeper unease humming just under the surface, and it only seemed to be growing louder.

One morning, after changing Zoozve and watching him crawl clumsily around the living room, Mercury found herself staring at the calendar app on her phone. She scrolled back—month after month—and frowned. The realization hit her slowly, then all at once.

Had it… really been that long since she’d had her period?

Sure, things were weird after giving birth, and she had read that cycles could take time to return to normal. Hormones, sleep deprivation, breastfeeding—it all played a part, didn’t it?

But this long?

She chewed the inside of her cheek, glancing over at Zoozve, who was now happily babbling to himself and trying to climb the chair. Her stomach flipped—not in the same uneasy way it had been lately, but in a way that felt… ominously familiar.

“Maybe I’m just going crazy,” she muttered aloud, running a hand through her hair. “Or maybe… not.”

Right as the thought of pregnancy crossed her mind, the front door creaked open.

“Merc?” Blaze called out, his voice warm but tired. The sound of keys hitting the bowl by the door followed, along with the quiet rustle of a suit jacket being shrugged off.

Mercury stood frozen in place for a second before stepping toward the hall. Blaze appeared around the corner in his usual post-work look—black slacks, light button-up still crisp beneath the deep grey suit jacket, his tie already loosened. He smiled at her, but it faltered as soon as he saw her expression.

“You okay?” he asked, already stepping closer.

“I—” Mercury hesitated, her eyes darting toward Zoozve, who was now gnawing on a stuffed alien toy. “Can you watch him? Just for a bit. I need to… check something.”

Blaze’s brow furrowed. “Of course. What’s wrong?”

“I’ll explain in a minute,” she said, placing a hand gently on his chest. “Just… get changed and meet me in the bathroom in five, okay?”

He blinked at her, concern rising in his features, but he nodded. “Alright.”

Mercury gave him a tight smile and quickly ducked down the hall, heart thudding as she slipped into the bathroom and shut the door.

[unflirtysimmer]

Steam still clung to Mercury’s skin as she stepped out of the shower, toweling off quickly and sliding back into her comfy pajamas. The brief moment of warmth and quiet had helped, but a lingering heaviness still tugged at her chest and stomach. She couldn't quite put her finger on it—maybe it was the exhaustion, the stress of parenting, or her weird postpartum appetite—but she hadn’t felt completely herself in weeks.

Pushing the thought aside, she returned to the living room where Blaze was sitting cross-legged on the rug, Zoozve nestled comfortably in his lap. The baby was babbling contentedly, his little fingers tugging at the strings on Blaze’s hoodie. Blaze looked up as Mercury entered and smiled, but there was concern in his eyes—he could see her weariness even if she wasn’t saying anything.

Mercury gave him a reassuring nod and leaned down to scoop up their son. “Thanks, love,” she murmured, cradling Zoozve in her arms. “Mama missed you, starlight.”

She knelt down onto the floor again, settling Zoozve on a soft blanket and laying beside him. His big eyes sparkled, and a gummy grin spread across his face as Mercury covered her face with her hands.

“Where’s mommy?” she whispered dramatically.

Then she popped her hands away. “Peek-a-boo!”

Zoozve shrieked with joy, flailing his little arms and giggling uncontrollably. Mercury smiled, though her chest still felt tight.

Again. “Peek-a—”

“BOO!”

Laughter echoed in the room, filling it with warmth and love. Blaze leaned in the doorway, watching them, his expression soft. Even if Mercury wasn’t feeling right, she was still giving their son everything.

But he made a note to keep a closer eye on her. Something in her voice—something beneath that smile—felt off.

[unflirtysimmer]

The sun had started to dip below the horizon by the time Mercury and Zoozve returned from the park, the last rays of light catching the shimmer of sand still clinging to the little boy’s arms and face. He babbled happily in her arms, utterly oblivious to how much dirt and sand was now packed into his hair, clothes, and every fold of his soft little skin.

Mercury laughed to herself as she opened the front door. “You’re basically a walking sandbox,” she said, brushing some grit from his cheek. “Let’s fix that."

She carried him upstairs, gently humming a tune as she settled him in the nursery for a moment. Changing out of her outdoor clothes, Mercury tossed on a pair of soft shorts and an oversized tank top before scooping Zoozve back up and heading to the bathroom.

The water ran warm and bubbly, the scent of sweet alien lavender filling the air—something native to her home planet but now lovingly grown in a pot by the kitchen window. She lowered Zoozve into the tub, and he squealed with delight, kicking and splashing immediately.

Mercury sat on the floor beside the tub with a towel draped across her legs, watching as her son splashed and played. His giggles echoed off the tiled walls while she gently scrubbed him clean. “You’re a total mess, little star,” she said affectionately, rinsing the suds from his tiny shoulders. “But you’re my mess.”

After a good soak and a thorough rinse, she pulled him out, wrapping him in a thick, fluffy towel. He yawned against her shoulder, already winding down.

“Let’s get you dry and in pajamas, okay?” she whispered, planting a kiss on his damp forehead. “Then maybe mommy gets a bath next.”

With Zoozve cuddled close and clean at last, they padded out of the bathroom and into the calm of the evening.

[unflirtysimmer]

Their kisses grew heavier, hands tracing familiar paths as the heat between them rose. Blaze gently guided Mercury downward until they were on the padded gym floor, his body hovering over hers. Her breath hitched as he looked down at her with fire in his eyes, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.

"You’re really trying to distract me from leg day, huh?" he murmured against her lips, his hand gliding along her thigh.

Mercury let out a laugh that melted into a soft moan as he settled between her legs, her body instinctively pulling him closer. The room fell quiet except for the quiet rhythm of their breathing and the subtle rustling of movement.

Their bodies moved together in quiet synchrony, the space around them melting away. Blaze whispered her name between kisses, holding her like she was the only thing anchoring him to the world. Mercury gripped his back, breathless but smiling, their laughter spilling into kisses between gasps.

Eventually, they lay tangled on the floor, the padded mat beneath them softening the crash of their exhaustion. Blaze brushed his fingers along her side, still catching his breath. Mercury tilted her head toward him, flushed and content.

“Well,” she teased, “guess that counts as your cooldown.”

Blaze chuckled and kissed her shoulder. “Best workout of the week.”

They stayed like that a little longer before pulling themselves up, exchanging a few more kisses and stretching out sore muscles. It was time to shower and check on Zoozve—but not before Mercury stole one last kiss, smirking as she walked out of the room in nothing but a towel, hips swaying purposefully.

[unflirtysimmer]

Blaze jumped off the treadmill, his muscles still warm from the workout. He tossed the towel aside and walked over to Mercury, wrapping his arms around her waist. “You come in here dressed like that and expect me to focus?” he teased, his hands wandering with a playful squeeze to her side and lower back.

Mercury smirked, cocking an eyebrow. “Didn’t know I needed a gym pass to check on my husband.”

“Mm, no complaints,” Blaze murmured, pressing a kiss to her neck, his hands roaming with growing boldness. “But I’m starting to think you’re trying to get me worked up.”

She laughed softly, tilting her head back as their lips met. One kiss deepened into another, and before long, the gym was filled with more than the sound of treadmill whirring. The tension of the day melted between their touches, their connection reigniting in the soft glow of the workout room.

[unflirtysimmer]

After finishing her painting, Mercury wiped her hands on a rag and quietly wandered through the house in search of Blaze. She passed through the living room, peeked into the kitchen—empty. Eventually, the steady rhythm of footfalls and the low hum of machinery led her to the gym room.

There he was, shirt slightly damp with sweat, hoodie tossed in a corner, pounding steadily on the treadmill. Blaze glanced over and smiled when he saw her. “Hey,” he puffed between breaths. “How’s our little alien?”

Mercury leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, a tired smile on her face. “Sleeping. Finally. He cried himself out again after tummy time.”

Blaze slowed the treadmill, eventually coming to a stop. He grabbed a towel and wiped his face. “Still not getting the hang of it, huh?”

Mercury shook her head. “I don’t know what to do, Blaze. I don’t want to push him too hard, but I’m starting to worry. What if something’s wrong?”

Blaze stepped down and walked over, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Hey. He’s trying, right? He flipped over today, didn’t he?”

“Barely,” she murmured.

“But he did. That’s something. And you’re doing everything right, Merc. He’s not behind—he’s just figuring things out at his own pace.”

She let out a soft sigh, leaning into him. “I just want him to be okay. To thrive.”

“He will. He’s got you,” Blaze said, pressing a kiss to her temple. “And me. And a whole house full of love and paint and weird alien genetics.”

Mercury gave a tired laugh, then looked up at him. “And a dad who runs just so he can chase him around when he starts walking.”

Blaze smirked. “Gotta be ready. That kid’s gonna be fast.”

They stood like that for a few moments, quiet and close, letting their worries settle for the night.

[unflirtysimmer]

After gently laying Zoozve down to rest, Mercury lingered by the crib for a moment, watching his little face relax into sleep. The struggle of tummy time had left them both exhausted—him from frustration, and her from worry. She pressed a kiss to his forehead and quietly stepped out.

Downstairs, she needed something to take her mind off everything. The paint-streaked easel in the office called to her, a familiar comfort in the middle of chaos. She grabbed a fresh canvas and her favorite brush, letting her hands move before her thoughts could catch up.

Colors bloomed with every stroke—deep blues, rich purples, and gentle whites. She didn’t think too hard about what she was creating. She just let it happen.

Hours slipped by as she worked, completely immersed. When she finally stepped back, she realized she had painted something beautiful. Something powerful. A galaxy swirling with movement and emotion, almost alive.

Mercury stared at it, then smiled. It wasn’t just a painting. It was her heart on canvas. A reminder that even when things felt overwhelming, there was still beauty to be made.

[unflirtysimmer]

More time passed, and despite Mercury’s best efforts, Zoozve still couldn’t get the hang of tummy time. Every session ended the same way: with his little fists clenched, legs flailing, and high-pitched wails echoing through the house. Mercury tried everything—cheerful encouragement, singing, toys, even laying on the floor with him to demonstrate—but nothing seemed to click.

She hated seeing him so frustrated. It tugged at her heart every time his eyes welled up and he gave that pitiful, pleading look that said he just wanted to be picked up and held. She didn’t want to push him too hard. He was still so little. But at the same time, a part of her worried—what if he was falling behind?

Today had been particularly tough. After a long stretch of crying and squirming, Zoozve finally managed to roll himself over onto his back. It was a small win, but it didn’t feel like much when it came with so many tears. Mercury sighed, scooping him up gently and holding him to her chest, rocking him back and forth.

“You did your best, little guy,” she murmured into his ear, pressing a kiss to his temple. “Mama’s proud of you.”

He was still sniffling when she carried him upstairs and tucked him into his crib, but his eyes were already drooping. Mercury smoothed the blanket over him and lingered by his side until his breathing grew soft and steady.

She turned out the light and whispered, “We’ll try again tomorrow.”

[unflirtysimmer]

After a few more minutes of gentle rocking, Zoozve’s breathing began to slow. His tiny body grew heavier in Mercury’s arms as his eyes fluttered shut, still red from crying but peaceful now.

Mercury hummed softly as she carried him to his crib, the familiar alien lullaby her own mother used to sing to her echoing quietly through the room. She carefully laid him down on the soft blanket, adjusting the corners around his tiny frame. For a moment, she just stood there watching him—this tiny miracle that had changed everything.

She brushed a strand of his orange hair from his forehead and whispered, “Sleep well, my little comet.”

With one last glance, Mercury turned off the light, leaving the nightlight’s soft glow behind her as she stepped quietly out of the room.

[unflirtysimmer]

Eventually, Zoozve's tiny grunts turned into whimpers, and then full-on wails. His little fists curled, cheeks flushed blue, and his eyes filled with fat, shimmering tears. Mercury’s heart melted instantly.

“Oh no, starlight,” she whispered, scooping him up into her arms. “You gave it your all.”

He nuzzled into her shoulder, still sniffling, his little body trembling from effort and frustration. Mercury gently rocked him back and forth, running her hand along his soft orange hair. “We’ll try again another day. Right now, you just need cuddles.”

Zoozve hiccuped once, his cries already fading as he nestled against her chest. Looking down at his tired, watery eyes, Mercury pressed a kiss to his forehead. “You don’t have to be amazing all at once. Just being you is already enough.”

[unflirtysimmer]

Laying Zoozve gently on his tummy on the soft play mat, Mercury knelt beside him, propped up on her elbows. “Okay, little starlight, show me those strong arms!”

Zoozve gave a valiant grunt, pushing with his tiny hands. His butt wiggled slightly—then plop—his face landed right on the mat with a dramatic sigh.

Mercury winced. “Oof… that was a good try!” she said, keeping her voice bright and encouraging.

He tried again. And again. And each time, he flopped face-first like a tiny pancake.

Mercury gave a little laugh, brushing some hair from her eyes. “You’re really committed to the faceplant technique, huh?”

She reached out and rubbed his back gently. “It’s okay, Zo. Not every alien baby is a tummy time prodigy.” Still, she could tell her words weren’t really doing much—he looked frustrated, his little brows furrowed as he grunted in determination.

Mercury offered a soft sigh and laid down beside him. “Alright. I’m here for moral support. If you’re gonna stubborn your way through this, you definitely got that from your father.”

[unflirtysimmer]

Mercury scooped Zoozve into her arms, peppering his now-human forehead with kisses. “Look at you,” she cooed, “my clever little chameleon.”

Zoozve giggled, squirming happily in her grasp. Blaze leaned against the doorway, arms crossed and a grin stretched across his face. “You two are ridiculous,” he said, chuckling.

Mercury turned her head and stuck out her tongue at him playfully. “He gets it from me.”

She looked down at Zoozve, bouncing him lightly. “Do you want to do tummy time with mama? Huh? Tummy time?”

The toddler squealed and babbled something enthusiastic in response.

Blaze walked over and gave Mercury a quick kiss, then gently tapped Zoozve on the back. “I’m gonna hop into the office for a bit. Just a few things I need to finish while he’s still not crawling up walls.”

Mercury smirked. “Yeah yeah, Mr. Day Off.”

“I’ll make it up to you later,” Blaze said, winking, before heading off.

As he disappeared down the hallway, Mercury turned her full attention back to her son. “Alright, you magical little squish. Let’s get you moving.”