If the infant monster had any notion of the vitriol that was aimed in their direction, they gave no indication of it, the tail wags only getting faster when the hissing scientist looked their direction, the flopped over pawing at the blanket getting slightly more frantic when they were addressed.
They didn’t move any closer however, just raised their head and gave a tiny yip of a bark, tongue lolling out in a pant, even such slight motions exhausting for the tired, hungry pup.
Their head dropped back onto the blanket, tail still wagging, but quiet aside from the occasional impatient whine, lids closing slowly over glazing amber eyes, soon falling into a light doze, front paws twitching.
It wasn’t long after the pup had fallen asleep that the captain made his return, this time not bothering to give his signature knock, as he knew he was expected back, pushing the heavy wood door open and shutting it against the snow flurries that whirled their way inside, powdering the floor white.
In his arms was a box of formula and a stacked bundle of blankets, dusted over with snow. Noticing the baby was fitfully sleeping, he gave his soulmate an acknowledging two finger salute before pulling off his boots to quiet his steps, setting them beside the doorway.
Quietly making his way into the living area, he carefully pulled the grate over the hearth and added a few logs to the waning fire, along with some kindling to entice it to grow large enough to consume its main fuel source. Replacing the grate, he hung the frosted blankets up on the empty laundry pole to dry and warm them by the fire.
With that done, he took the box of formula into the adjoining kitchen, adding water and a sizable amount of magic to it before utilizing the beaker in his inventory, pouring the mixture into it from the mixing cup with a hearty shake, and letting it sit atop a lit burner to warm.
Once he was sure the milk was warmed sufficiently, he affixed the bottle topper to it with some difficultly, testing both the temperature, and the topper’s ease of yield before shutting off the burner and returning to the bedroom, grabbing one of the warmed blankets on his way.
Pressing a consolatory kiss atop his scrunched up partner’s head, he lowered himself onto the bed and scooped up the drowsy kit, quickly burrito-ing it in the warm blanket and smoothly slipping the topper into its mouth when it opened to admit a grumpy whine.
It wasn’t long before the baby had latched and was contently suckling, Erebus letting out a sigh as he carefully cradled it in one arm, holding the beaker slightly aloft with the other hand so the formula could be easily accessed pooled at the top.
“Lucky we sorted out the bottle. The formula came with a topper, but nothing else.. there were some baby blankets that came with the donation though, so at least I can get my scarf back.”
He glanced up to his grouchy soulmate with a playful smirk.
“Seems you handled things just fine. Wasn’t gone too long, was I?”
She felt utterly ridiculous hissing at a pathetic whelp of a creature on her chair, like some spooked housewife over a mouse! Raising her head upward in a prideful motion, she crossed her arms over her chest.
“Don’t expect me to having a single thing to do with you, snow runt! Put that tongue away and roll over.” she made a shooing motion with her hand. Desperately wanting to go back to her book and tinkering, to forget the frozen overgrown rat even existed.
She’d have to wash her bedding AND his scarf. The creature could be a carrier of some sort of disease or something else that was horrid. She pulls her gloves up more out of habit and considers retrieving the scarf from the little heathen, when he mate returns from his expedition.
Again, there are times where he is far too quiet. She shifts back into a comfortable position, hugging her knees to her chest and continuing to glare at the small creature.
Though she gets distracted quickly by the ease and grace of the motions of her mate. Being reminded that infant care was something only she was a stranger to. Out of the two of them.
Something that maybe under different circumstances...she would’ve known quite well. Not maybe. She knew the other circumstances, and it made her blood boil over every time she even thought about it.
She’d gotten a little too caught up in her thoughts, so much so that at first she hadn’t processed that she was being directly spoken to for a moment.
“I’m sure your length of absence was fine. I don’t have specifics, I was busy watching that thing.” she grumbles, fins folding against the sides of her head.
“OF COURSE I MANAGED!” she barked, letting out a huff. “I was a highly regarded royal scientist! I can handle watching a mere infant!” Despite her scoffing, she’s more tucked into herself than before. “That being said...I don’t think it enjoyed your absence very much. It started getting...antsy.” she replied before haughtily spinning her chair around. Glad to have gotten the upgrade for this very purpose.
“We’ll need to wash everything tomorrow and that thing probably needs a bath as well. Considering you’ve been out this long, You’re most likely due one as well.” she states firmly, putting things on her desk away and disposing of her gloves into their washing bin.
Instead choosing something that required less focus and caution. Shuffling the deck of cards in her hands absent mindedly.
“And don’t even think for a moment that I am sleeping near that thing. If you want a tiny cuddle buddy then it’s all yours.” She’d sleep on the damn floor if she had to. Thankfully, it was not required. The cabin had a pullout bed. She just hadn’t needed use of it.
Until now.
