[open] you're like a mirror, reflecting me

[qunari]

WHO: Iron Bull and all comers. That means you. Yes, you.
WHAT: Keeping the fort down at Skyhold.
WHEN: End of Kingsway (August)
WHERE: Sparring Ring, Tavern, and other varied locations around Skyhold.
NOTES: n/a, will add as needed.

He was going to need to find something to fight, soon.

Not that a break wasn't nice and all, but after being laid up months ago with that shit that had happened in the Fade, and sitting out all the bullshit going on in Halamshiral, Bull was getting restless. An itch was building that was hard pressed to find a good outlet for scratching. Next big fight that came rolling around? You weren't going to be able to keep him from going.

Some of the newer recruits could use some breaking in, so Bull would occasionally take a break from the training of his own Chargers to take on anyone who thought they might be able to handle themselves in the ring against him. And of course, any sore feelings would find a balm in quickly being offered a jovial pat on the arm and a drink in the Herald's Rest, where Bull occupied his usual corner.

But that restlessness saw him wandering a little more than he was generally prone to. Taking in the battlements, straying towards the garden in the keep's courtyard, poking his head into the library or the rookery, or stealing into the kitchen for a few midday snacks. And hey, if they needed anything heavy moved around the larder, fair was fair.

Comments

[ombranera]

"I was feeling a touch homesick and while we do have Antivan Chefs, sometimes you wish to make something from home yourself, yes?." It is not quite the same as the traditional lentil and sausage stew, but it is as close as he might come without finding an Antivan butcher. "Grazie."

Into the pot went the sausage and up, again, went the hands of Lucci, grabbing in the direction of those wiggling fingers. "If you do not mind that he will likely attempt to grab your horns or eyepatch? Having you handle Lucci while I finish this would be most appreciated."

[qunari]

"Yeah, no problem."

That's an insane amount of trust Zevran's showing, but they've been through enough by now. He's not about to drop the kid in the pot, or anything like that. Still, he's tiny enough to sit on Bull's palm, if he were so inclined.

Instead he crooks him into one arm, wiggling a finger stump at him. "I know, I know. I'm a looker," he chuckles, smirking down at the infant and letting him grasp hold if he wants. Whatever keeps him occupied.

[ombranera]

There is, for a moment, the usual strange twist of both anxious fear and relief in Zevran's gut to hand his child off. Today is one of the days when he does not mind being a parent, when it is not quite so strange and jarring. A good day to say the least. But there is still a large part of him that remains uncertain.

And a large part that knows full well how easily an infant can find its death in capable hands.

He gives himself a moment to simply observe them, stirring the bot, good eye warm albeit critical before he resumes his task. Bull knows what would befall him should he do harm to anyone Zevran cares for. His son is no exception. Lucci, oblivious, squeals happily and reaches up to grasp that large finger with both hands, babbling nonsensically.

"He is figuring out words little by little. I am half certain he said 'papa' yesterday but I cannot tell."

[qunari]

Nothing to fear here, Zevran. The babe gets his absolute attention, and he's more than aware of his own strength. There's a hum, but he doesn't look up quite yet. "Soon as he figures out what noises get him attention, he'll put it together. Got a feeling this one's gonna be a talker."

Bull grunts, wiggling his finger in the baby's grasp, letting him paw at him for a while before ducking his hand lower to gently tickle his belly.

"Aha! Let your guard down, didn't you? Yeah, I'm onto you..."

[ombranera]

"Take after me, you mean?" Zevran crackles a soft laugh, stirring in the spices, parsnips, and lentils with a steady hand. Truly he has given up on looking too far ahead. Taking this one day at a time? Seems to be working for them. Especially since Lucci's first tooth finally cut free of his gums, giving his smile a lone shine of white.

The boy's babbling cracks upward into bright burbles of laughter, fat hands flailing. "I am fortunate that he is such a friendly child. He likes people."

[qunari]

"Yeah. Be nice if that lasts while it can."

Not gonna be long before he gets old enough and he stops being 'a baby' and starts being 'an elf'. Shit gets complicated after that, and not everyone's gonna be so friendly. But that's years off yet.

Right now, Lucci's just happy for the attention, it looks like. Bull huffs, nostrils flaring, as he relinquishes his scarred hand for the baby to grab at yet again, before glancing back up at Zevran. "You holding out alright? Even the happy babies are a handful."

[ombranera]

"Here, at least, it will last awhile longer than it might in Antiva." Even if the boy might have been royalty of a sort. Were he not so obviously Zevran's child. But these are the cards they have been dealt and Zevran chooses to put those quiet fears aside in favor of stirring a measure of dry sherry into the pot.

Lucci grasps at and squeezes those massive fingers- needing two hands for just the one! But the size does not give him cause to fear. Such a brave child. Aren't they all when they are young?

"Truly? I am taking it one day at a time. Mia is of great help, my family- and how strange it is to be able to say such a thing and mean it- takes turns minding him when they can. He will be spoilt in short order I am certain. Now that at least one tooth has cut through we've hope that the rest will be swift and he will stop crying quite so much over that." Then there will be something else. But for now? Little steps.

[qunari]

That finger tugs to one side, then to the other, letting Lucci grapple with it like a playful cat. There's too much unknown to really be afraid, and he wouldn't be surprised if he's taking cues from Zevran without realizing it. If Daddy over there had been wary, tense, the baby would have noticed.

They're clever little shits, for all the trouble they can be.

"Family, huh?" Bull smirks, one hand reaching to idly scratch the scruff of his chin.

[ombranera]

"Not something I expected to have and yet find myself grateful for." Alistair, Leliana, Morrigan, Keiran. Not names he's about to list but if one kept tabs on who was permitted the care and minding of his son? It wouldn't be all that difficult to sort out. "What would they think in Antiva? Ombra Nera, master assassin, scourge of the crows- father and family man."

He has to laugh, honestly. It is laughable to think back to the beginning of the year and think that he'd end up where he was. To think back a decade and look forward to see this. He never would've imagined. "Perhaps this might be your fate as well one day Toro."

[qunari]

The coughing noise that results is almost comedic, before he squints down at the wriggling child in his arms...well. Arm.

"Yeah, no. Pretty sure kids are not in the picture," he manages quickly, shaking his head. "Well. None I know about. Could have happened, I suppose. The Tamassrans have their breeding programs and it's not like I never visited."

He gives a shrug of those massive shoulders. "Families work different for Qunari, though."

[ombranera]

"Ah, yes. Making certain the bloodlines are as they ought to be, mm?" A terribly strange sentiment but-

It did mean any child that happened would have a purpose. Would be wanted and cared for in their strange, Qunari way. "Raise communally by the Tamassrans rather than by individual parents, yes? It is not so poor a way of doing things. The whores in the brothel where I lived did much the same, taking turns minding the children, teaching us language and letters- well. Those of us that were quick enough to learn them. There certainly is something to be said for being able to hand him off when I simply cannot muster the energy to care for him as he deserves."

[qunari]

"Pretty much that. If you're devoted to a role as a caregiver, then it's not like you're going to get thrown any curveballs. Most of the time, anyway. The parents do their job, the Tamassrans do theirs, the kid gets evaluated for whatever role they'd be best at, and everyone gets what they need."

None of this political bullshit where kids wind up murdered just so money gets inherited in the right direction, or they get foisted off onto people who aren't ready to care for them. That said? Zevran isn't doing that terribly. Maybe looking after the Kestrels warmed him up for this.

[ombranera]

"It likely works better than most arrangements in Antiva. Oh there are communities that raise their young in a group but it is always with some fear for a political by blow or debt that lingers over their heads. Even noble children are not safe. One of the Crows in my cell was a legitimate heir of a Merchant Prince- simply the second son." Prince or pauper, none were above the Crows.

"...all the more reason I am glad Serena brought Lucci to me. At first it was a shock but- knowing what his fate might have been?" There are worse things.

[qunari]

"Can't blame her for wanting to move up in her station. She cared enough to see he was taken care of, at least." Some would have been more ruthless. He's seen it. Some would have dashed their own children against the stones if it meant crawling up the social ladder. It's a nasty way of living, chaotic, selfish.

But the kid's gonna be alright, probably. He could do worse for dads, and definitely worse for places to grow up. "Bet he's a Hell of a lure for the ladies," Bull chuckles, before rubbing gently at the child's belly.

[ombranera]

"I have found myself swarmed by their attentions more often as of late." Lucci giggles, patting at Bull's hand without a care in the world. Zevran continues to stir the pot, checking the lentils for proper plumping. "Something about the curls, I imagine. Or the laughter. And of course I find myself in possession of the best means to meet women when I myself no longer truly wish to find one."

Being content with what he has is...new. And deeply pleasing.

[qunari]

There's a deep, rumbling chuckle. "Yeah. Tends to be the way."

He's not gonna pry. Not like he can't suss out what's going on from any number of directions. Good for him. Bull's found himself in a similarly comfortable situation, and it's enough that they've found something good, something that works for them.

The difference it's made in Zevran is clear enough, even for someone who wasn't trained to look for those cues in people.