Author's Note: I think a lot of my trilogy fans will appreciate a collection of oneshots and drabbles dedicated to the sweet child that is Azula's son, Raiden. Since my trilogy will skip over pertinent parts of Raiden's babyhood, I decided to fill in some of those gaps; he is perhaps my favorite character to write about, after all (probably because he's my OC), besides Azula herself. Plus, I think it is a great way to see how Azula and Chan take to being first-time parents…
These, in total, should have a relatively low rating, 'K+' at best. There might be one particular oneshot that rates about a 'T,' or more, but this will come later.
I will still write the final installment of my trilogy while working on this compilation, so my patient fans won't have to worry about that at all.
For those who have not read my trilogy, I'll offer the warning that Azula is extremely OOC –extremely being the operative word here. If anyone is interested, read part two –'Beautiful Dawn' –for more information. However, you do not have to read it to enjoy these stories. I think these will all just be cute, fun, short tales that anyone can appreciate.
Oh, and these won't be in chronological order. These will be written as they come to my mind.
God Bless us all, and enjoy…
………
In this first oneshot, Raiden is about five months old, and I'm going to test him and see how he takes to talking for the first time.
There is a lesson to be learned here as well: babies cannot equate words with objects or people until they are at least a year old, so, don't take Raiden's comment offensively. It isn't like he means it.
I was inspired by watching my sister-in-law teach my nephew to talk –and now, my little nephew is a chatterbox… Just imagine what Raiden's going to become!
Welcome to Parenthood
By: Passionworks
Do As Your Mother Says
The royal family's pediatrician had warned the princess that her son would hit developmental milestones much later than other children of his age, being that he was born prematurely and that she was relatively malnourished during the difficult eight-month pregnancy.
"Raiden, in spite of being born just six weeks shy of his due date, will most assuredly be a slow-learner, due to poor prenatal care on your part," the doctor had said with a leisurely shake to the head and an expressionless stare to match. "Slow to walk, slow to talk. You might be extremely lucky to see him babble before his first birthday."
"And when do most children start babbling, doctor?" she had asked, cradling the then one-month-old baby at her breast.
"The spontaneous babbling stage begins at four months of age," he answered, "leaving an estimated gap of eight months between typical infants and your son."
Princess Azula had considered this heartrending hurdle for quite some time, even as her little one grew, defied the odds, and began curiously utilizing his tongue, gums, and palette –for purposes other than the simple need to eat –at a decent age. Despite the prognosis, Raiden hit additional milestones quickly as well. He rolled over from his back to his stomach early on, he sat upright on his own once or twice –but he still did not quite have the strength in his spine to maintain this pose yet, which was completely normal –and he gained decent head control right on schedule. He even sprouted his first milk tooth at the conclusion of his fourth month. Goodbye to that adorable toothless grin his proud mother adored so much…
In all actuality, Azula and her husband, Chan had no reason to doubt their son's learning capabilities. He was inquisitive, driven to impress, and above all, mightily intelligent. Certainly making tangible words from silly "oohs" and "ahhs" would prove easy for the clever infant.
As of recently, while playing in the parlor with his parents, Raiden found great amusement in showing off his knack at enunciating consonants, 'm' and 'n' sounds in particular. He practiced with intense, almost deliberate motions of his lips, smacking and compressing them together as if waiting for a kiss. He habitually pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth, encouraging other goofy pronunciations as well. He had a few gestures that he practiced more often than others. To date, the baby boy was fixated on a long stretch of the 'm' consonant, drawn out with no vowel attached to it.
The motherly Azula capitalized on the eagerness her son demonstrated, realizing that this was a perfect time to coax him into declaring his first words.
One morning, just like any other, she scooped Raiden into her arms after a round of childproof roughhousing on the spacious living room floor of the palace and sat him on his father's lap. The child made himself comfortable, lounging against Chan's torso and stretching his pudgy limbs until he felt contented enough to quit. Sitting there like a perfect picture, Raiden stared directly into his mother's warm eyes, similar to his, though his irises were still a lighter, hazier shade of gold. He opened his mouth to reveal an amorous, cheery smile, allowing that perfect little milk-white cap to protrude from his slightly swollen pink gums.
Azula crouched down in front of her giddy babe, leveling herself with his rosy face. She placed her left hand on her knee and her right in front of her heavy chest, the handle of a rattle tight in her clutches.
She shook it frivolously, a blissful grin outlining her countenance. "Raiden, look at me. Look at Mommy, sweetie."
Raiden intensified his focus as his mother's melodious voice filled his eardrums. He excitedly gurgled something ridiculous in baby lexicon and extended his arms toward the enticing rattle that continued to shake. In response, Chan wrapped his strong hands around his son's delicate frame and pulled him back before he tipped over from his efforts.
After Raiden was nestled back in Chan's lap, Azula scooted closer and continued, "Raiden, can you say, 'Mama?' Say, 'Mama,' darling."
The five-month-old opened his mouth slightly and cocked his head, his eyeballs dilating in interest. He placed his left thumb to his lips.
To Chan, "Honey, take his thumb out of his mouth."
With his own thumb and forefinger, Chan wriggled the child's digit away from his orifice. Raiden puckered his lip and complained with a few sudden gasps.
Azula lowered the rattle and pressed her palm to her son's cheek, her long fingers massaging just below his ear. With his rooting reflex in tow, he turned his head into her palm. He smiled shyly at her, and she lovingly returned the gesture.
So, seeing that he was subdued from his short outburst, she pursued her endeavor once again, "Say, 'Mama' for me, Raiden. Come on, sweetheart. Say, 'Mama.'"
The princess elevated the rattle again, and she slowly, tantalizingly mouthed her words a few more times.
"Come on, buddy," Chan chimed in, gently tickling the small of Raiden's back. "Say, 'Mama.'"
Raiden suddenly turned and peered up at his dad, his playful smile widening as he made another gurgle, which, as expected for the moment, had no relation to anything his parents were attempting to teach him.
The red rattle, like an alarm bell, jingled once more.
Azula placed her face within mere inches from her baby's, to the point where their noses almost touched.
"'Mama,'" the young mother stated, drawing it out like syrup. "Can you say that for Mommy, sweetie?"
"Mmm…" the infant caught on, delightfully humming the consonant in his endearing, high-pitched tone.
"Hey, I think he's getting it, Azula."
"Mmm…" the five-month-old purred once more, prolonging the sound.
"That's it, Raiden," Azula encouraged, gleefully grinning from ear-to-ear. "You can do it. Say, 'Mama.'"
"Mmmaaa…" was the squeaky response.
"You're almost there, buddy," Chan's optimistic voice filtered the room. "Say, 'Mama' for us, son."
The baby wiggled in his dad's lap and simply repeated what he had uttered before.
A resilient princess continued on. "Sweetie, watch Mommy," she said in a direct but pleasing tone of voice, but immediately slowed her speech pattern as the designated term left her lips.
"Ooh," Raiden squealed. "Mmmaaammm…"
Oh, he was so close. In astonishment, both parents sat completely still, as not to discourage their baby from finishing the statement…
He stopped short.
"Dada."
