#ooh this one was actually so yummy though THANK YOU ANONNN

[luminique]

You don't have to do this but I NEED me some Lighter as an adopted older brother or has a baby with the reader. I'm a sucker for big brother or fatherly things!!

‘it’s a rough life out here in the outer ring.’ those words echoed through his head as he scooped up the little baby wrapped up in a blanket. it’s face was all red, seemed to be a few weeks old at most, but he didn’t recall seeing this small package here before. its cries were quiet, due to it being muffled by its own blanket.

the hatred he had in his heart could not overtake how much it throbbed at the sight of such a small bundle of joy, pressed up into his chest as he cradled it to sleep. how was he going to explain this to the rest of the girls? how was he going to explain this to you? but more importantly, how was he going to bring it back without waking it from the loud roar of his bike? piper’s driving was out of the question and calling all of the girls over would just scare it even more.

as he made his way back to his bike, the baby’s little fingers had found its way to his scarf, tugging at it gently. once he had sat down on his bike, he carefully removed his scarf and used it to cover up the precious baby. it was preoccupied enough to not notice him turn on the engine but now was the difficult part; driving back one handed while ensuring it doesn’t wake up.

slowly, he was able to arrive back, a lot later than usual however. he was carefully shushing the baby, stroking its cheek so gently as he made his way to the fire pit. he paid no mind to lucy questioning his absence, nor did he try to entertain caesar’s invitation for a spar. he flopped down on the couch, the warm fire reflecting off of his shades. he looked around for you, desperately wanting some sort of reassurance in this situation.

of course the girls had immediately swarmed him but the moment their eyes landed on the little bundle of joy in his arms, they immediately softened up. awww’s and ooh’s could be heard, like a weirdly harmonized symphony. not before long, your head popped through the crowd and it felt like he had let out a breath he didn’t even know he was holding.

the baby was so good, barely making a noise as he carefully handed it to you, albeit a little clumsily. however, it’s little hand was wrapped around lighter’s finger, gripping it like it’s life depend on it. “this little one really likes you, huh?” you’d try teasing him but he was using all of his power to not just melt at the sight.

he didn’t know he was such a softie. yeah, the Sons of Calydon have made fun of him for being soft once in a while, especially when it came to you, and he knew it but constantly denied it. now seeing you cradling this baby, cooing at it, something in his chest felt warm and it was definitely not from the fire.

after a few minutes, the baby started crying and of course everyone went into a panic. they scrambled around, trying to figure out what had occurred and it turned out that the baby just needed a change of diapers. a kind mother nearby living nearby was more than happy to assist, teaching how to clean and feed. no one ever told you about how stressful it is to handle a crying, squirming baby but after changing it’s diapers and giving it some milk, this was when you realized that the little baby was a girl.

everyone was exhausted and the girls had gone to rest in their rooms. it was fun nonetheless but taking care of a baby is a lot more work than you thought. you flopped back on to the couch, baby still in hand, slowly patting her to sleep. lighter followed you around, wanting to keep the baby close in his sight.

“what should we do with her?” you quietly asked, eyes slowly closing as the baby’s beathing could be felt on your chest.

‘it’s a rough life out here in the outer ring’ there it was again. that same voice in his head. was it telling him to keep the baby? or was it telling him that staying here isn’t the best option? the proxies down in sixth street might know an adoption pla-

he felt your head resting on his shoulder, the slow rise and fall of your chest. a bundle of joy, all wrapped up in his scarf, gripping it tightly like how she did with his finger. as long as he had you, he was sure she would be brought up well. the other members of the Sons of Calydon would also not reject because that’s another girl for them to adore.

he removed his sunglasses, taking one last look at her small face before resting himself. then he looked at you, clearly exhausted yet keeping still for the baby. they say it takes a village to raise a child, he’ll come to understand if it’s true. the start of a new life, for not just this abandoned baby, but for him too.