dragon_twin | (no subject)

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Melou hasn't slept well the past few nights. It's nothing to do with his dreams, for once, and nothing to do with not sleeping in his own bed. He's used to that by now.

No, it's the baby.

Bri explained, apologetically, that she wasn't normally this noisy, she just wasn't used to strangers in the house. He isn't a stranger, he'd answered, but supposed it made sense. Sort of.

So this afternoon, he makes his way to the little cottage again, if only to tell Bri he'll be in his own room tonight. He doesn't knock this time.

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Briallen smiles over at him from where she's feeding Rhoslyn, looking actually rather relieved.

"'m glad yer here. No one's home next door an' I need to run to the keep for just a minute."

He stares at her warily.

"What does that have to do with me?"

"Ye don't have to do anythin'." She rolls her eyes. "Just... sit. I'll be righ' back."

Briallen gives Rhoslyn an applesauce-covered spoon and then grabs her shawl.

"Promise." She rises on her tiptoes to kiss Melou's cheek, then hurries out the door, before he can stop her.

Melou stares at the door. Eventually, he turns his worried gaze to the baby, who is happliy chewing on her spoon.

"She left."

The chewing stops and Rhoslyn blinks at the big, strange person. Is he talking to her?

This was so not in his plans today.

Melou sighs and sits. Not exactly beside her chair, but close enough. "You know, I've been thinking we should have a talk, anyway."

He is.

Cue wide,golden eyes and wary expression.

"Look." He starts, realizing exactly how stupid this probably is. "Your Mama and I, we're gonna be spending a lot of time together. So, you're gonna have to not make so much noise, 'cause I have to sleep. All right?"

There's one word in there Rhoslyn recognizes.

"Mama." She repeats and grins.

"Yeah. Mama." Another sigh and he leans forward, resting one elbow on the table.

"So, quiet, aye? Good girls are quiet."

"Afal." She answers, very seriously.

And then dips her spoon in the bowl of applesauce and flings it at him.

Everyone, in her opinion, looks better with mushy apple on their face.

There are not enough sighs in the world for this. A literal headdeask will have to do.

"Apple, great. Thanks." Melou is suddenly so very tired.

Rhoslyn grins again and then proceeds to smear her own face with it.

"Afal afal afal afal afal!" She exclaims, in a not so quiet voice.

Which, really, is starting to annoy him.

"See, this is the kind of thing that's gotta stop. It's bad."

Instant silence. She's not bad!

"Mama." She whimpers, eyes welling up with tears.

"Oh, don't you dare start to cry." Melou warns tiredly, reaching for a cloth to wipe himself off with. "I'm the one who'll get in shit for it."

She sniffles quietly, but he hasn't actually yelled at her.

So she spits mushy bubbles at him instead.

"Phhbbbtt."

"See, not long at all!"

Briallen breezes through the door and stops short when she gets a look at them.

"Oh."

Melou snorts.

"She's real charming, Bri."

Rhoslyn grins at her mother briefly, before returning to her new game of drawing with her spoon on the table.

"She's just a babe, Melou." Briallen discards her shawl and takes the cloth from him to wipe off Rhoslyn's face.

"Ye could've at least cleaned her up."

"You said I didn't have to do anything." He reminds her. "I wasn't gonna be here this long anyway."

The cloth tickles!

Rhoslyn giggles and tries to squirm away.

"Ye don't have to stay." Briallen smiles back at her daughter.

"What were ye here for, anyway?"

It's a scene that just makes him want to get out as soon as possible.

"Wanted to let you know I won't be here tonight. You can come up to my room, if you want, but I need to get some real sleep."

Pause.

"Especially now."

Briallen nods.

"I'll have to wait an' see. Migh', migh' not." The now clean baby is picked up from her chair. "Depends on her, really."

"Yeah, I know. Well, whatever." Melou shrugs and heads for the door. "You know where it is."

"Aye, I do." She replies softly, then bounces Rhoslyn gently. "Can ye say g'bye?"

There are more spit bubbles in response.

Melou gives them both a ghost of a smile and then exits the cottage, fully intending on a nice, long, uninterrupted nap in his own bed.

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