#( i just flipped a coin for babe dsflkjgds LITTLE THING IM SOO )

[rookfang]

Laika had spent the past few days working herself up - imagining what Zahav might say, how he might say it. They were not exactly people with ' stable ' life professions. Death at the hands of the Venatori was not, wholly, an unlikely fate for Laika. The Lords of Fortune, too, encountered constant danger and horrible threats on the open sea. The fear that Zahav might see the more practical side had weighed on her; that he knew they were not ready for this. Nor would they ever be.

Then, she watches warm fingers trace the round cheek; the same gentleness she knows so well, loves so well. He says, I guess we do.

It feels as though her heart may stop.

He called her better, too; but some part of Laika knows it is selfish to take the babe in. There are better people out there, even within the blooded stones of Minrathous! Would they even be good parents? But Laika was not immune to the tiny face; yes, the little thing had her wrapped around its fingers, squeezing her heart with such infant ferocity.

“ Can't say I'd blame you for that, though. ” Laika speaks to soothe his anxieties, “Not like either of us exactly know what a good parent is. At least, for this one's stage of life. ” But, who would she even trust, for some hypothetical hand off? Another of her ranks would be safe.... And face the same dangers as she.

The little baby is... just so much like the two of them. Alone at so young, with the cruel world's knife at the ready.

“ It- ” Bad, Laika. Her smile, colored by her nerves and a worried laugh, reaches the corners of green eyes, crinkling content, “ For now, the babe is a boy. ”

Being apart weeks at a time was no odd occurrence ( absence makes the heart grow fonder, or so they say ) . Laika had her duties to uphold and see through with the Shadows Dragons, now more than ever given the state of the city and the roaches that still crawled about it dark corners. Just as Zahav had his business to see too within the Lords of Fortune. Taking up an array of jobs and expeditions along side his fellow Lords. However, Laika traveled with more than she typically did. Cradled it close to her body. As though she carried something fragile. And she did. Far more delicate than anything he could have imagined.

Zahav peered down at the tiniest little babe he's ever laid eyes on ( which weren't many at all ) . There was a temptation to reach out, too caress a tubby little cheek, but he yielded. Hands nailed to his hips. Opting to merely listen to his partner's tale first. Nod of remembrance here and a hum of affirmation there. Unfortunate. Too loose everything so young. Or perhaps it was best to loose something you won't remember. Rather than grieving what you grew to know and love and lost.

"I can't say I don't blame the man. I would not trust the babe with anyone but another elf. Around those parts, at least." Which was a shame, but the truth all the same. There was too much twisted cruelty in the world. "You're braver than me. Better than me. I... would have found someone else to take it. Anyone." Something he wasn't proud to admit aloud. He knew he could speak honestly with Laika. Even about his uncertainties.

We have a baby now, he silently echoed. Sights meet her own. Studying the features he's grown to know so intimately. Zahav offered a small smile back. Mustering a bit more confidence than Laika's own. They were in this together. Finally he allowed himself to reach out and stroke the infant's cheek. Velvety soft and so, so warm. "I guess we do."

"What, uh--- what is it?" A pause, throat cleared. He tried again. "I mean. Are they a... boy or girl?"