#Joys and challenges of parenting

[tanuandthetriplets]

Triplet Trouble at the World's Longest Dam: A Thrilling Toddler Adventure!

[matchalovertrait]

Ohhh, Dulce smells a promposal coming her way!

[bloomingkyras]

Rosé left her sister playing alone, after she saw Juan came in her room 😂

Transcript under the cut

Rose': Papa home!! I miss u..

Juan: Miss u more,sissy..U good girl at home? How schools?

Rose':Yes Papa. I got good teacher.She brings sandwich to school and give some but I love mama's more.

Juan: Really. I'm happy that u like the school and teacher..

Rose': U come to sleep with me today,papa? Can we go see dolphin, I saw at school today, teacher show us.

Juan: U want to see Dolphin?Let me ask Mama first ok,sissy?

Rose': Ok Papa. U stay here tonight?

Juan: I'm sorry..I have work tomorrow.How about this weekend we go picnic with Olive?

Rose':Urmm.ok Papa.

[safyresky]

Scrimbly Jacqueline 37/52: Diteline Donniline family portrait!

BOOM BABY! DITELINE KIDS! AKA DONNILINE KIDS! Because when Jacqueline and Dite have their kiddos, Dite has had her whole arc and goes by her true name, Hedone! (Which I know I have said a bunch of times already lol but since this is THE Donnieline fam post, it's here for posterity).

This one was by FAR my most intensive scrimble YET. Joy's wings nearly took me OUT. I have NO IDEA how to alt ID this as of yet, oh my GOD. The sketch was finished Friday, the lines Saturday, and the colours took all day Sunday on and off between Year 9 edits (and then drafting this post took most of my evening between episodes of Face Off lol :)

In terms of designs, Milfline is in her usual fit, Milfdone is in a casual fit based on this dress here. And as for the kids...well. I think it's time we officially meet them, shall we? I'll go oldest to youngest!

JOY

Meet Joy! She's the oldest of the bunch! Is about 8 (hundred) in this scrimble :) (on the right (our right), with the wings)

Was "born" on accident due to the HUGE amount of joy Jacqueline and Dite felt after being reunited when Venus did some BULLSHIT

(Including, but not limited to, misnaming Hedone for THOUSANDS of years, cursing Jacqueline into an eternal sleep and casting her into the underworld, and setting Hedone on the same journey Psyche went on for Cupid just before Dite was born)

She is the literal embodiment of Joy. Literally.

She has ALL the celestial/god powers!

She can do a little bit of fire and a bit of frost but not as much as her mom, her mom's fam, or her siblings

So she can conjure some flame and some snow/frost but that's about it sprite wise!

Is as talented a weapons master as her Mater

Has 0 (zero) castor magic abilities

Is the Cupid after Donnie (The Third Cupid. Cupid the Third).

Has butterfly wings like Psyche, her grandma!

They start small and grow with her. I based the pattern on monarch patterns and the shape on this clip art lol

The tips are vaguely heart shaped lmao (emphasis on VAGUELY)

In terms of wing pattern itself, it's not final? But the vibe/idea I was going for was a snowflake-esque motif for the top wings, and a combo of hearts and sparks/stars for the bottom wings! Also not sure about colours—I'm deffs gonna use her wings as like, a blank canvas every time!

Joy is just a bundle of Joy. She's an absolute sweetheart. Not a SINGLE PERSON dislikes her, she's just so sweet it's so hard to DISlike her

Seems kind of like a bit of an airhead because she's so full of joy and whimsy and such but she knows when to smarten up and is ALWAYS looking out for her siblings (despite what Bianca thinks)

Her heart pochette was so last minute but I LOVED IT SO MUCH!!

Hair I've always pictured strawberry blonde, but I think it's more orangey thanks to her summer sprite relatives!

Has Jacqueline's eyes!

Hair is fairly curly! Turns out when you constantly freeze your hair into curls, the curls become genetic ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

BIANCA

Meet Bianca! She's the middlest, and is about 7 (hundred) in this scrimble :) (on the left, with the C: face)

Joy really wanted a sibling and so, for funsies, Dite and Jacquie are like "Oh? What would they be like?" and build a snowman with her, to her specifications lol

They have a very fun time together but then things get...weird

The snowman seems to have a mind of its own. It moves around on them. It doesn't melt. Joy claims it talks to her.

It starts to look more little girl like. Knowing how sprites were originally made, Jacqueline's like hmm...

She talks to MN, who tells her to go to this very sacred section of the Springs and she does and she gets a life light and goes DAMN. OKAY. GUESS WE'VE GOT KID NUMBER TWO ON THE WAY!

She gets home that day, and finds the snowman, and gives it the light life and POOF! Suddenly, Bianca!

She's named after Winter's bio Mom :)

Bianca is FULL Winter sprite; she has 0 god things going on.

She CAN do some castor stuff! Dips into warlock lineage but I'm not sure she has a staff—she Blaises it: wandless magic FTW babieeeeee!

Is the Jack Frost after Jacqueline (The Third Jack Frost. Jack Frost the Third. As you can see I am workshopping how they refer to the latter Legendary Figures lmao)

She has this really cool talent where she can pull the most GORGEOUS colours out of the snow and ice

When she freeze dries, it is more icy looking like her Uncle Jack and she is CONSTANTLY changing the shades. Blues! Pinks! Purples! Sometimes she gets some ORANGE going! She's like YEAH BABY! FUCKIN. COLOURS!

She is a bookworm; of the 3 Donniline kids deffs the more sensible/down to earth/serious one

Which is saying something as she and Robyn do all sorts of shenanigans together lol. Wait until you see the VDay oneshot >:)

When THAWED, her hair is as dark as Jacqueline's and she tends to also put lil colourful streaks in that lol. I keep picturing it as a bit of a poofball? Idk where she got the poofball gene from. Humidity is her enemy lol

Has Dite's eyes!

She likes sweater vests a normal amount, she swears

ROBYN

It's ROBYN! They are the youngest, most hyper active, and the future governor of Crystal Springs (I am not joking. I am so serious. He is the person who finally defeats Blaise in an election)

They are about 6 (hundred) here and are smack dab in the middle of the scrimble

He was gonna give Joy bunny ears but then she got too excited and started hovering and now he's trying to save it with a wave lol

Robyn is genderfluid! Usually goes by he/they but has been known to have some she/her days and has dabbled in neopronouns, I'm sure

Robyn has the most chaotic birth story, because of COURSE he does

Gods started bragging one day and somehow. SOMEHOW Donnie got into it with Jupiter about how HE birthed Minerva from his HEAD, to which Donnie replied "YOU ATE HER MOM AND THEN ASKED VULCAN TO SMASH YOU WITH A HAMMER BECAUSE OF THE HEADACHE SHE GAVE YOU AND BOOM. AUNT MINERVA. THAT'S NOT THE SAME AS GIVING BIRTH. I'LL PROVE IT!"

And then she does. Well, sorta! She doesn't. Y'know. Eat Jacqueline after fucking her or anything like that, and I don't think they conceive traditionally. There's DEFFS some god magic involved.

But anyway, they have a spot of fun, and Dite takes care of the "pregnancy" bit, and Robyn bursts out of her BICEP nine months later lol.

He's always like FULLY FORMED AND READY TO SLAY and then Bianca goes NO YOU WERE A BABY. BABY SHAPED. I WAS THERE AND SAW to which they reply YOU WERE TWO (hundred), FUCK OFF

And then fisticuffs happen as Joy yells about the swear jar

It's deffs still a wip lol but tl;dr: Robyn comes out of Dite's bicep :)

He is full Summer sprite! Loves them some arson and fire. ALSO fully warlockian! Can cast like nobody's bizz! Has his Uncle Fino AND Grunkle Pyros AND Gramps AND Uncle Jack teaching him

Needless to say, he's a force to be reckoned with

Either wears a blazer or denim vest COVERED in buttons and pins. Depends on the plans they've got for the day! Business, or party?

Would probably wear the vest OVER the blazer if they felt so inclined lol

His satchel is bottomless. Got it from B-Man :) It is great for tomfoolery, shenanigans, snacks, and storage!

Has a trans bestie and I think the pair of them accidentally bring back PRE MONARCHY fae. It gets weird.

Was born with fully white hair; he looks full winter sprite but is a summer sprite

When his hair on fire it stays white. Very cool >:)

Also playing with the idea of his flames being blue and white or one or the other! Still thinking about it lol

I tried to see how I liked him with the summer sprite eyes and decided I don't!! So he'll also have the Jacqueline eyes :) Make people assume he's a winter sprite SO FAST until he sets something on fire with their bare hands

He is very proud that he is an enigma ALL OVER THE DAMN PLACE lol

And I think that about covers it for these goobers, for now! Bianca's hair is DEFFS very different in my head so I will DEFFS have to do proper doodles of them all to give you guys the full vibe. These guys have been CARTWHEELING in my head, let me tell you. I love them dearly. Have a snippet of their shenanigans:

“How do I look?” “Stunning, jaw-dropping, gorgeous—ready to kick ass, even!” “Oh, stop it,” Donnie said, playfully waving a hand. “Never.” Jacqueline fell back, her head hitting the pillow. “Check on the kids on your way out? Bianca was still awake when I got in.” “Still?!” “One more chapter, she said. You know. Like a liar,” Jacqueline huffed, snuggling into the covers. “Oh, boo! It’s already cold.” Donnie laughed, clipping her charm bracelet onto her wrist. “It’ll warm up. And if not, we’ll make short work of that later.” Donnie did not need to turn around to know that her wife had turned very red. The squeak that came out of the blankets was enough of a tell. Laughing quietly to herself she left the room, keeping the door slightly ajar. Across the hall, another door opened. “Did someone say they needed some WARM?!” Robyn asked, popping out of their room. He wore a throw blanket over his head, clasping it around their neck like a cape. “You know how your Mom is.” Donnie swooped over, giving Robyn a big old hug. “The moment I leave the bed she freezes.” “DUTY CALLS!” Robyn saluted, rushing across the hall and bursting through the door. “CHARGE!” “AH!” There was a poof, pillows hitting the ground as both Jacqueline and Robyn laughed. “Get over here you, I’m fucking freezing.” “MOM! SWEAR JAR!” The door beside Robyn’s burst open, Joy’s head popping out with a small frown. “PUT IT ON MY TAB!” Joy huffed, the stray hairs on her forehead briefly lifting. Donnie tilted her head. She frowned. “Joy.” “Mmmmyes?” “Are you dressed for work?” “Oh, this old thing?” she popped out of her room fully, clothed in Donnie’s old chiton from her Legate days. “YES. Absolutely I am! You said so yourself! Duty calls!” her eyes were wide, with a big old smile to match. She clasped her hands together excitedly, hovering off the ground, her wings fluttering rapidly. “I was just thinking, you know, it being THE day and all, that we’d better be ready to help you however we need!” “SHE DOESN’T SPEAK FOR ME!” Robyn shouted, Jacqueline laughing loudly. “Well, Bianca and I will—” “NO!”

There was a clatter from the room beside the main. Something fell with a hefty thunk; there was a scramble as Bianca’s door burst open. “FIRST of all, I don’t do the Cupid thing! I do the Jack Frost thing! SECONDLY, I’m not going ANYWHERE this morning cuz I’m almost done my book, and it’s a slow burn, and they only JUST admitted their love and I am like. Only one fifty pages in!! THERE’S STILL ONE HUNDRED MORE PAGES! So I’m booked today. Literally.” “Bianca! You should have been asleep hours ago.” “Okay, one more chapter, Mater, then I’ll sleep." “YOU SAID THAT AN HOUR AGO,” Jacqueline shouted from the bedroom. “I’M A SLOW READER,” Bianca shouted back. “THE FUCK YOU ARE!” “SWEAR JAR!” Joy shouted. “I saw her tank that really thick romance last week in like, an hour. It was fascinating,” Robyn continued unabashed, volume as normal as it got with the kids (which was still pretty loud). “It was really good! I was HOOKED! Their magic system was stupid but I couldn’t stop reading. I was like, enthralled with how unreal the mechanics are—HOLD UP. ROBYN.” “WHAT.” “DID YOU START A CUDDLE PUDDLE AND NOT TELL ME?” “…” “YOU BITCH!” "SWEAR JAR!"

From the Valentine's Day Donniline Special, Bedtime Stories, coming to a platform near you in February!

This is 4/5 of the @kscribbs suggestions! It was a simple prompt: a family portrait of Jacquie, Donnie and the kiddos. Did I go overboard? (squints at colours, bios, birth stories, AND the oneshot snippet) very much yes. But hey! Now's a good time as any to show you the lil' guys!!! AND I AM FINALLY CAUGHT UP ON THE SCRIMBLES! AH!

This week's scrimble will be ANOTHER cute one (I TOLD YA I'd have cute to compensate for the angst of #36) and then the week AFTER is an EVEN CUTER ONE I've been DYING to do—topical since that'll be my BIRTHDAY WEEK! YEAH!

Right! I think I've uh. Said enough. Too much, even. Oy vey. These tags are gonna be WILDIN. See y'all with the next scrimble Friday, and Frostmas Y9 before that! :D

[duusheen]

Simon and Journey, guys, Simon and Journey will have my heart forever 😭💖

[cvriosities]

indi is now an elder and...apparently, that hasn't stopped her from throwing them around and melody grew up

[ghadanabil2]

Ghada's Journey from Gaza:

A Plea to Save My Family from the Horrors of War

Hello, my name is Ghada, I am 32 years old,

and I once lived a life full of hope and ambition.

I studied Information Technology and earned my bachelor’s degree, working for a private company for some time. But when the war in Gaza erupted, the company stopped operating and was completely destroyed, leaving me without a job and no place to work 💔.

As the bombing intensified and the violence escalated, we were forced to flee our beautiful home, which was completely destroyed, to the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. We lived in a small tent barely a few meters wide, but even that was not enough. We were forced to flee again to central Gaza, where we now live in a school for displaced people, moving from one place to another without knowing when this tragic journey will end 💔🏚️.

My father, Nabil, who is 62 years old, used to own an aluminum workshop, but it was destroyed during the war. My mother, Fatima, 57 years old, faces daily struggles with the lack of electricity and the closure of bakeries. At their age, my parents suffer greatly from the constant displacement and the challenges of moving from place to place 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️.

My younger brother, Khaled, 23 years old, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and worked at a contracting company before the war took away his job and shattered his dreams. Despite this, Khaled now bears the responsibility of providing for our basic needs like food and water, trying to keep our family afloat under these harsh conditions 🍞💧.

I also have two married brothers, Mohamed and Ahed, who live with us in the same displacement location with their children (Lama, Nabil, and Amir) and (Fatima, Eman, and Noor). The children, having lost their toys and games, have found some joy playing with the pets 🐾, trying to find happiness in the darkest of times.

But the bitter reality is that we are living in an uninhabitable environment. Diseases and insects are widespread, and sewage water floods the area around us. The children, who should be focused on learning and playing, now suffer from malnutrition and disease. Recently, the spread of the polio virus among them has only added to their pain and suffering 🦠😔.

Life here no longer meets basic human dignity. We live without clean water, without a home, without even the basics of survival. Our children have no education, no toys, no new clothes, not even shoes to protect their feet. Skin diseases, malnutrition, and polluted water and food are our daily reality. We are living in inhumane conditions in every sense of the word, and we beg you not to forget us 🙏.

All we hope for now is to find safety, to not die before we can escape or move to a safer place. But even that simple right seems impossible. We need your help to raise the money needed to cross the Rafah border between Gaza and Egypt, where the coordination cost for one person ranges between $5,000 and $7,000.

We are trying to hold on to hope 🌟, trying our best to find safety for ourselves and our children. With your support, we might just achieve that. Every share of this story, every donation, every bit of help can make a huge difference.

Please, help us raise our voices, and help us save our family 🙏💙.

GoFundMe campaign link 💔❤️ >>>

My campaign Vetted by @gazavetters

on their verified list, number 6.

currently at €3,105/€20,000.

only € 395 till €3,500 !!!!

Please help me and my family get there. 🙏🙏

[thepanvelite]

Reverse Parenting: Embracing the Role of Caring for Aging Parents

Children become caregivers for aging parents in reverse parenting dynamics.

A mother has to break the umbilical cord twice: once at birth and once when the child becomes an adult. As we grow older, the dynamics between parents and children evolve. We often find ourselves taking on more responsibilities towards our parents. This shift, known as reverse parenting, is a natural progression where children become the caregivers for their aging parents. Understanding Reverse…

[digicloudm]

Strength in Solitude: The Journey of Single Motherhood

In the realm of parenting, single mothers stand out as unsung heroes, navigating the intricate balance of raising their children solo while juggling the demands of work and life. The journey of single motherhood is one filled with challenges, triumphs, and a deep well of strength that is often underestimated. In this blog post, we delve into the world of single mothers and explore how they not…

[hsmagazine254]

Celebrating Eid al-Fitr: Fostering Joyful Traditions In Parenting - H&S Education & Parenting

Nurturing Family Bonds & Cultural Roots During The Festive Season As families around the world prepare to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the joyous occasion marking the end of Ramadan, parents have a unique opportunity to create lasting memories and instil meaningful values in their children. Eid al-Fitr is not only a time of feasting and festivities but also a time for reflection, gratitude, and acts…

[whiskerandsprig]

Embracing 30: A Journey of Self-Discovery, Serenity, and Feline Companionship

As I stand on the precipice of a new decade, the big 3-0, I find myself reflecting on the journey that has led me to this moment. Turning 30 is often heralded as a significant milestone, a time when the frivolities of youth gently give way to the deeper, more introspective pursuits of adulthood. For me, this transition is not just about celebrating another year around the sun but about embracing a period of profound self-discovery and growth.

My twenties were a vibrant tapestry of experiences, woven with threads of joy, challenges, and the occasional bout of anxiety. Yes, anxiety — my unwelcome companion that has a knack for turning serene moments into storms of worry. It was this very struggle with anxiety that inspired me to start “Whisker and Sprig,” a sanctuary not just for myself but for anyone seeking a respite from the clamor of daily life.

I am a proud cat mom to three delightful felines, each with their unique personality and quirks. They’ve taught me the art of living in the moment, the joy of a spontaneous nap in the sun, and the importance of patience and unconditional love. My cats are more than pets; they are my gentle guides through the tumultuous seas of anxiety, reminding me to find joy in the simple things. Much like the unexpected delight found in the unfolding story of a cozy indie game or the peaceful routine of a virtual farm in Stardew Valley, my feline friends anchor me to the present.

“Whisker and Sprig” is a reflection of my world — a world where life hacks simplify the daily dance, where cleaning becomes a meditative practice rather than a chore, where plants add not just oxygen but life to every corner, and where the lo-fi beats in the background score my attempts at crafting a serene existence. This space is also a nod to my love for gaming, particularly those indie titles that offer a slice of tranquility and creativity, serving as a gentle reminder of the joys and simplicities of life.

Starting this blog is my way of stepping out of my shell, of transforming my anxiety into something tangible that I can share with the world. It’s about connecting with others who, like me, find solace in the gentle care of plants, the satisfaction of a decluttered space, the quiet companionship of pets, and the immersive worlds of video games that provide a comforting escape from reality.

As I embrace the journey into my thirties, “Whisker and Sprig” stands as a testament to growth, to finding peace amidst chaos, and to the beauty of forging connections through shared experiences. This blog is not just about my passions; it’s an invitation to you, the reader, to join me in exploring the myriad ways we can infuse our lives with serenity, purpose, and a bit of plant magic.

So here’s to turning 30 — to more life hacks, cleaner spaces, thriving plants, unwavering love of cats, and the sweet escape into gaming. Together, let’s discover the tranquility that comes from creating a home and a life filled with joy, simplicity, and mindfulness.

Welcome to “Whisker and Sprig,” where every post is a step toward a calmer, more fulfilled self.

[matchalovertrait]

Yes, my sweet child ♡ But like your brother said, don't you worry about that. Have fun when you go help, it's not supposed to be laborious for you.

Translations:

Amá = Simply a shortened version of mamá (mom); so, he's talking about Noemí. It technically needs a tilde (accent mark) but it's fine like that.

[loveanddeepthroat]

Baby Blues

Pairing - Sylus x f!MC

Summary - In the first two weeks of being new parents, the dynamic hasn’t been quite what you and Sylus expected. He’s eager to be involved, but your daughter doesn’t seem to have warmed to him.

Word count - 2.7k

⚠️Warning⚠️ - Mentions of pregnancy and childbirth. Hurt/comfort, fluff, and a little sprinkle of angst.

Your newborn didn’t like Sylus.

It sounded ridiculous, but you know he was thinking it too. You didn’t have the gall to say it out loud—not that it even needed to be said. The fact was definitely lingering between you both.

You never thought much of why she would wriggle and kick up a storm in your stomach whenever he touched the swell of your belly, but you now had an inclination that it was because she didn’t like his hands there.

It was strange and upsetting, but he didn’t seem too hurt by it so far, only silently helpless as he watched you do everything. You were two weeks postpartum, so your emotions were already all over the place. It seemed as though Sylus was holding his own feelings back to make room for yours, and when you had asked him about it, he simply kissed your forehead and reassured you that he was fine. All while your screaming daughter cried for you against his chest.

Not that he opened up to you all that often. You did manage to get things out of him with a push sometimes, but he was like an unyielding gate, refusing to open to anyone.

Your exhaustion was only adding to the toll on your fragile emotions. The baby only wanted your touch, and sleep was almost impossible for you because of that very reason. Only you could feed her. Only you could soothe her. Only you could touch her.

That was one thing that was really getting to Sylus. The bloodshot whites of your eyes as you rocked the fussy newborn to sleep and fed her at all hours of the morning. The barely touched plates of food that ended up stone cold and in the bin. Not to mention the completely non-existent ten minutes you needed to at least have a wash without having to run out of the shower to her aid.

He must have felt quite useless in the weeks where you should be recovering, but he didn’t want you to worry about his feelings by indulging you in his thoughts. 

Your pregnancy had been smooth, ending with a good twenty-seven hours of rather torturous labour, and pushing that went on for an agonising two hours. It had all been worth it, though. Your little bundle of joy with tufts of platinum hair had finally greeted you both with a piercing wail, but eased her protests once placed against your heaving chest.

You just wished she would settle with both parents.

It was another day of desperate wailing, your arms becoming so heavy with the exertion of having no option but to hold her. You tried to put her in her pram for Sylus to push her around for a while, but her cries only increased to the point of her little face turning purple. You couldn’t sit and just listen to it, and you absolutely would not ignore her—no matter how much Sylus pushed for you to go and get some sleep.

“She wants me,” you say for what felt like the millionth time that week.

Sylus was evidently reluctant to stop trying, but he wouldn’t keep you from her. He conceded with a defeated huff, watching your every move as you gently lifted your screeching daughter out of the plush pram. Her screams died down quickly as you placed her against your chest, her ear-piercing wails whittling down to soft whimpers.

“Of all the dangerous paths I’ve crossed and violent challenges I’ve encountered, it’s our newborn daughter who finally defeats me,” he mumbles quietly, trying to make a lighthearted joke about it.

You tried to smile at his attempt to add a bit of humour to the situation, but the comment only made you cry. Hard.

“Hey.” He immediately stepped toward you, rubbing a large hand up and down your back soothingly. You had to give it to him, his patience with you in the last two weeks had been immaculate. “Don’t cry, sweetie.”

You couldn’t stop, your ragged breaths and shaking shoulders refusing to relent. “I d-don’t get it,” you bawl. “What are we doing d-differently?”

Sylus sighed, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. His hand continued to rub soothing circles against your back to ease your upset. “Well, she did live inside you for nine months. Besides, you didn’t exactly like me either when we first met.”

He smiled faintly, tilting his head down to capture your gaze. Despite the obvious tease, he still seemed to be holding himself back. It was frustrating him more than he wanted to admit to you. You knew he was protecting your feelings, but you wished he would just show some sense of vulnerability.

You don’t dare set your sleeping daughter down in her moses basket, knowing full well that she would just wake straight back up. So the rest of the afternoon is spent with your tiny newborn curled up against your chest, a few feeding and changing breaks in between.

Once the day turned into night, nothing in the world sounded more appealing to you than a hot shower, a hot meal, and a hot cup of tea. But letting her scream and cry while you did that was not an option. It wasn’t fair on her, and it wasn’t fair on Sylus.

He didn’t leave you unless he absolutely had to throughout the day. You watched him every time he heard a little whimper from the baby, his hands flexing and twitching. Every time you had to get up to do something for her, he was either at your back or side.

He wanted to help.

The chef brought through a very large bowl of marinated chicken and pasta for you, upon Sylus’s instruction. As soon as the bowl was set on the little table beside your recliner chair, you almost began drooling. You hadn’t managed to eat much at all in the chaos, and Sylus wasn’t amused when you didn’t even get the chance to finish the two biscuits he’d brought you earlier in the day.

You reached a careful hand over to the fork, not even lifting it before your daughter began to wriggle and whine in your other arm. Dropping it immediately, you retract your hand, only making it halfway back to the fussy newborn before long, slender fingers wrapped themselves around your wrist.

“No,” Sylus says firmly. “Absolutely not.”

Your initial response is to immediately go on the defence. “She’s cry—”

“I know she’s crying,” he interrupted tightly. “I know. But you’re going to eat while your food is hot, and you’re going to do it without our screaming daughter on your chest.”

“But—” 

“No buts.”

He had that commanding look in his eye, the one that would intimidate most, but was only used on you when he was especially adamant on you doing something necessary for yourself. 

You were a little relieved to see him so passionate, if you were being honest. He had been treading on eggshells to not upset you or the baby for fourteen whole days, and it wasn’t good for anyone. You felt the tension on him every time you both managed to get into bed together for more than five minutes. He needed this little outburst.

“This needs to stop now. I’m going to figure her out, and you are going to eat. Alright?” His tone left no room for argument, and the more your daughter protested against your intention to eat, the more hungry and tired you felt.

It wasn’t easy, but you handed her off to him carefully, swallowing a lump in your throat. You couldn’t take your eyes off of her distressed little face as Sylus attempted to cradle her.

You were practically twitching, your legs about to push the footrest of the recliner down to retrieve her in the first thirty seconds she was away from you. Sylus noticed immediately, and pushed it back up with his foot before you could close it down fully.

“She’s not in any danger,” he said calmly, but his whole body was visibly tense. “She’s right here, I won’t leave the room. Just eat, sweetie.”

You wanted to protest further, but he wasn’t going to yield this time. His eyes remained trained on you until you finally sagged back into the chair, and it wasn’t until you picked up your fork that he finally turned away, focusing on the distraught newborn kicking up a storm against his chest.

He held her the way you did, one hand cupped over her head to keep it steady while the other hand softly patted her back. Why she didn’t want to be near him was an utter mystery to you, he wasn’t doing anything incorrectly. 

You couldn’t eat while the two most important people in your life were quite clearly in a distressing situation before you. “Are you alright?” You asked him gently, hoping that he would answer you.

“I will be if you eat,” he quickly responded, not looking at you.

Sighing, you stab a slice of the chicken onto your fork, just looking at it for a moment. Your brain had managed to kick itself into gear as you forged a new approach to his silence. 

This was an opportunity to head in the right direction.

“I’ll eat if you speak to me.”

Blood red eyes shot in your direction, an eyebrow raised. “Blackmail?”

You quickly shook your head. “You were right, this does need to stop. Starting with you shutting yourself off from me.” 

“Eat.”

The forked piece of chicken points straight at his unamused face. “Talk.”

He shook his head a little in clear annoyance, the stress consuming him. Your daughter continued to wail, immune to the warmth and safety of his arms. He was basically trapped after promising to remain in the room with you.

Your bleary eyes held his irises of rubies, neither of you conceding. It was a mental challenge to ignore the fragrant aroma of garlic and fresh basil beneath your nose, but you were not eating until at least one of the two beautiful people before you had calmed down.

Sylus visibly swallowed, finally giving in as he noticed your lack of a bluff. “Do you think she knows?” His voice was quiet, barely heard over your newborn’s cries.

“Knows what?”

He opened his mouth to speak, but shut it again, nodding his head towards the piece of chicken on your fork. You shovel it into your gob, eager for him to continue.

His eyes flicker down to your daughter before he speaks again. “Do you think she knows that I’ve done terrible things? Do you think that’s why she doesn’t like me?”

“I—” you grumble and roll your eyes as he nods to your plate of food again, waiting for you to take another mouthful that you end up having to speak through, “I don’t see how she could. Is that why you’ve been so quiet?”

The corner of his mouth curled upward ever-so-slightly. “Missing my tongue, kitten?”

You couldn’t help your own smile as his shoulders sagged a little from where they were practically touching his ears. It wasn’t often that he opened up to you like this. You almost always had to pry or throw in a proposition to coax him into speaking.

You took another bite of your food, moving the plate from the small table to your lap. “Do you really think she doesn’t like you?”

His smirk faded away quickly, a gentle thumb brushing over your daughter's head. She continued to cry, but the volume had dropped a little. “Do you not think that?” He asked.

You didn’t know how to answer that question. To tell the truth, you did think that, but not for the same reason he was thinking.

“I think she may be a little attached at the moment. We’re very different shapes and sizes. Maybe she feels—”

“Unsafe?” 

His tone had dropped an octave—something you didn’t think was possible considering the already bone-chilling vibrations of his voice. Never before had you witnessed him in a state of such vulnerability. He was insecure about this, and it was finally starting to show.

You went to stand up to be near him, but he immediately stepped forward to halt your movement.

“Eat.”

Not wanting to lose this free-speaking Sylus you had barely met before, you did as he said, twirling a fat mouthful of pasta onto your fork for extra brownie points.

You both remained in silence for a few moments, only your fork scraping against the bowl in your lap marrying with the sounds of your baby’s cries surrounding the small sitting room.

Sylus’s gaze didn’t leave the newborn cradled in his arms, a gentle sway in his hips as he tried to keep her moving. All you could do was study his composure, seeing it as it cracked.

After a moment, he looked back at you. “I don’t want to keep failing you.”

You coughed on the mouthful of the creamy pasta at his words, completely in awe of his confession.

Failing you? How did he get to that conclusion?

“You’ve done everything for her,” he continued, not allowing you to immediately reassure him. “I want to be able to do everything, too. For both of you.”

The all too familiar sting in your wet eyes built in intensity by the second, and you quickly found yourself sniffling.

Not only was he insecure about your daughter not feeling safe in his arms, but he felt that he’d failed you both in the past two weeks. It was heartbreaking for you to hear.

“Don’t cry—”

“You’re…fuck, Sylus. You’re not failing anyone,” you tuck your fork back into the pasta with a loud sniffle, ignoring his glare that silently demanded that you continue to eat. “How the hell did you come to that conclusion?”

He looked entirely reluctant to answer, his head dropping back down to stare at his tiny twin. You didn’t want him to stop speaking again, so you quietly picked your fork back up, hoping it would capture his attention.

The silence stretched between you as you made the effort to eat for his sake. Even your daughter's cries became a little weaker—like she was pitying him.

He didn’t look at you as he said, “I’m the bad guy. The boogie man. The kind of monster that parents threaten their kids with visits from in the middle of the night if they don’t brush their teeth before bed.”

“Not in our story, you’re not,” you quickly reassured him earnestly. “You’re the husband and father who keeps the monsters away from your family. That’s the only Sylus she will ever know. The real one.”

He still didn’t look up from the newborn, now almost completely silent in his arms, but you catch a subtle bob in his throat. You didn’t need him to respond to you. You knew you had said the right words to soothe that self-deprecating thought in his complicated mind. You could see it.

“Have I told you how perfect you were two weeks ago,” he asked, knowing full well that he’d told her every day since then.

Your mouth curled into a soft smile. Even after all these years together—after welcoming your first child into this scary, yet beautiful world—Sylus had no trouble giving you butterflies.

“I think you might’ve mentioned it,” you hummed softly.

And on that very note, the baby was fast asleep in his hold for the very first time in two whole weeks. His face didn’t reveal anything, but you knew he was relieved. All he wanted to do was make this easier for the both of you.

Finally, you had managed to figure out what the problem had been all this time.

“You were too tense,” you point out quietly, noticing how openly at ease he now was. “That’s what she didn’t like.”

He hummed in response, unable to tear his gaze away from the sleeping babe in his arms. You didn’t say anything further, letting him enjoy that special moment in peace while you proceeded to enjoy the rest of your meal.

Despite the challenges of becoming new parents, things were going to be alright from that point onwards.

A/N - Hello! I hope you enjoyed this oneshot, thank you so much for reading. Just to let you know, I do take requests ❤️

[tanuandthetriplets]

Ek Vlog AIsa Bhi - Triplet Version | Ghar Hai Ya Chidiyaghar | Triplets Vlog - 9th Dec’23

[alpha-mag-media]

Prince Harry gushes about the ‘joy and challenges’ of being a parent to Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, during speech | In Trend Today

Prince Harry gushes about the ‘joy and challenges’ of being a parent to Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, during speech Read Full Text or Full Article on MAG NEWS

[ur-mag]

Prince Harry gushes about the ‘joy and challenges’ of being a parent to Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, during speech | In Trend Today

Prince Harry gushes about the ‘joy and challenges’ of being a parent to Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, during speech Read Full Text or Full Article on MAG NEWS