#but it probs wouldn’t be Darklina unless someone specifically asked for it

[vanilla-vivillon]

Dedicating this to @infernigf for giving me the idea

When the Darkling built the little palace for Grisha there was one thing he wasn’t expecting he’d enjoy

Children

The Darkling didn’t have a lot of experience with kids

Whitch was rather suprising seeing how long he lived

It started off as visits to the younger kids classrooms to check on them every once in a while

Then it became talking with instructors about specific talented children

Then the Darkling started to sit in on lessons

Children were one of the only people who treated him like he was a person

“So your the leader?” A child would ask

“Yes. I’m a shadow and summoner and The other countries fear me”

“Ok cool, what’s you fourth favorite lizard?” Lizard Girl would answer

Children were simple

Sometimes Aleksander found himself talking to Young Corporalki torn between becoming a healer or Heartrender

Or helping an Inferni not scorch there eyebrows

Or listen to that odd Fabrikator Davis go on about his inventions

One day an etherealki instructor says there going to the lake for a beach day

It was educational for the summoners

Tidemakers to mess with the water

Infernis to start bonfires

Squallers to estinguish the bonfires

And he decides to join them

By now the kids were comfortable with him

And so our Daddy Darkles adorned his best khaki pants and socks and sandals and went to the lake

It started off fun and great

Children were tame

Fun was happening

It was a nice time

He scanned the faces of the children

He felt a small twinge in his chest

He wished for that childhood

As a child he spent many of his youth training with Baghra

He couldn’t often goof off

Looking at a Squaller chase sand at a tidemaker running into the water he felt jealous

While brooding he felt something on his leg

Looking down he found that Inferni clutching his beige clad calf

Lizard Girl

“Mr. The Darkling Can you help me look for lizards?” She innocently inquired

With a small smile bending down Aleksander says “Sure Manya”

The Darkling loved his Grisha

So much

But he couldn’t weep

He couldn’t weep for his people

He couldn’t weep when that promising Fabrikator never came back on his expedition to the Shu Mountains

He couldn’t weep when the healer who had tended to his wounds for years was struck down by druskelle

He couldn’t weep when Manya, sweet Manya. Lizard Girl. Died on the fold

Nevermind that He would think I’ve got a Sun Summoner now

Hey y’all A short sweet Daddy Darkling. Ended up a little angsty. But some soft Darkling was fun to write. Give this a reblog if you made it this far.

My ask box is open and I take any Grishaverse requests