Work Text:
The fire was blazing orange. The warmth filled the entire room. You were sitting on the large couch with your lover and a few of his family members, a book in your grasp as you enjoyed having Ajax’s arm around your shoulders. The ginger’s mother and older brother accompanied them, making light conversation with Ajax since you were too enthralled with your book.
Though the sound of small feet thumping on the wooden floor boards drew you out of the book. You glanced at the top of the staircase, the two small children standing there. Tonia and Teucer made their way down the stairs, still wrapped up in their warm pyjamas provided by their older, Fatui Harbinger brother. Your head spun towards the two children, curious as to what they might be up to.
“Are you two not sleeping tonight?” you joked as the children reached the bottom of the stairs. They perked up, a small look of shock flashing onto their face. Though Tonia quickly quipped back to your attempt at a joke. “Teucer couldn’t fall asleep, he said he wanted you to sing him a lullaby.”
At this point the other three members of this family focused on your discussion with the young siblings. You could also sense Ajax’s smirk at the mention of you singing.
“Please (Y/N). Big brother Ajax told me that you’re really good at singing and that you would sing him to sleep when he couldn’t sleep.” Teucer pouted, hoping you’ll take the bait. You cheeks flushed bright red as you heard the older family members chuckle at Teucer’s statement. You let out a sigh before you responded to the little boy. “I’ll be there in a minute. You better be all tucked in by the time I get there.” you playfully threatened.
Teucer ran back up the stairs and into his room, dragging poor Tonia behind him. You giggled at the sight, placing a bookmark in between the pages of your book and slammed it shut. You placed the book on Ajax’s lap, giving him a quick kiss on the lips before making your way up the stairs.
Taking your sweet time, you arrived at Teucer’s room. Pushing the door open, you see the young boy tucked into his bed. The thick blankets drawn up to his chin to keep him warm through the cold Snezhnayan night. Tonia was also there, sitting on the mattress next to her brother, waiting for you to arrive. When the two children saw you enter the room, their faces lit up, no longer holding back their excitement to hear their soon-to-be sibling-in-law singing.
“Finally!” Tonia sighed out dramatically as you dragged a small wooden chair closer to the bed.
“You want a lullaby, right Teucer?” you questioned, getting an eager nod from the boy as you sat down. “There’s this one song my mother used to sing for me when I was about your age. She’d sing it if I needed to calm down or I couldn’t sleep or something like that,” you trailed off, the two children still highly interested. “Now,” you chuckled, “I sing it for your brother when he can’t sleep. Or when he asks me to sing something for him.”
“What’s it called?” asked Teucer. “Well, I actually don’t really know. My mother never told me, I just called it the lullaby,” you muttered.
“Well that’s enough talking guys! I’m here to sing, not tell you a story. That’s Ajax’s job.” the kids let out a small laugh.
And as the room quietened down, your eyes closed as you began singing.
“Let’s go in the garden, you’ll find something waiting
Right there where you left it lying upside-down.
When you finally find it, you’ll see how it’s faded.
The underside is lighter when you turn it around.
Everything stays right where you left it,
Everything stays, but it still changes.
Ever so slightly, daily and nightly
In little ways, when everything stays.”
You let your eyes peel open, seeing that the young boy has fallen asleep in his cosy bed. A small smile graced your face at the site. Tonia was still sitting on the mattress, but her eyes were drowsy. On the brink of sleep.
You stood up and walked over to the children, giving Teucer a small peck on the forehead and picking up Tonia to carry her back to her room. And right as you were about to leave the room, you meet a familiar looking ginger leaning on the doorframe.
“I swear your voice is magical. No matter who hears it they immediately fall asleep.” he joked. You pushed past him, carrying Tonia back to her bedroom and tucking her in for the night, giving her a small peck on the forehead too.
“And where’s my kiss?” Ajax questioned, an exaggerated pout forming on his face. “If you can wait patiently, you’ll get your own kiss. Thought you might like it a bit better in private.” Ajax wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you close to his figure.
“You know me so well, darling,” he muttered into your already hickey ladened neck.