Author's Notes: Well, this was an interesting development. Let's just say I'm really bad at ignoring inspiration. And after I had to write a report, I was in the mood to write something actually enjoyable. Though I suppose it's questionable why I chose this, and to that I don't know. Just wanted to write some mostly plotless, drabble-style fluff. Because that's always relaxing to write. This will probably end up being a two or three-parter, so I've got a chance to highlight a few stages of his life. Not saying which. Either way, on with the story- and remember, I love reviews! Constructive criticism would be nice.
"Let it go.. Let it roll right off your shoulder.
Don't you know, the hardest part is over?"
Nearby a fire crackled, and somewhere an owl softly hooted as the night drew near. Shadows leapt and the moon's pale light slowly slunk its way into the room, its soft illumination a direct contrast to the fire's hard orange glare.
It'd only been a couple of days since I'd given birth to our little one, Snow. But so much had happened in those few days. Already the young one's personality was showing in bits and pieces. Sometimes he'd hide from a sudden shadow falling over him, covering his head with his tiny hands and curling up into a little ball, or he'd try as best he could to mimic his father's actions, mostly the gentlemanly ones- the ones I most often reacted positively to.
Sometimes he'd get so adventurous as to try and walk or crawl after us, but wouldn't be able to make it and would tumble over, and we'd have to comfort him. He wasn't quite old enough to crawl much further than an inch or so, and his tiny body didn't help matters, but he'd sure try.
He seemed like the shy but often hopelessly determined type. When he'd curl up beside us to sleep, if one of us moved just a bit away so he had a little less warmth on that side, he'd do all he could to get us back in place, even if it took several bouts of whimpering and giving us that kicked puppy dog look before we'd do so.
Currently, 9 was sitting up with his legs stretched out ahead of him, and my head was on his lap, while I stretched out on my back. On my chest was little Snow, curled up and contentedly suckling his thumb. Every so often he'd give a little hiccup and I'd rub his back in a comforting manner, and he'd go right back to daydreaming. About what, I could only guess, but he sure seemed happy.
Soon, however, his optics flickered open and he peered up at me and 9, whom were nearly on the brink of sleep ourselves. He gave a little noise of contentment and reached out to touch my face, to which I could only give a bit of a grin.
"Hello there, little Snow.. Do you know what time it is?"
He looked at me almost quizzically and made a bit of a mumbled noise that, with some imagination, almost sounded like 'bed time.' Obviously he couldn't talk yet, but we were being sure to encourage him to.
"That's right, little Snowflake.. You don't seem tired, but at this point I know your energy levels change in no more than a few seconds."
He watched me, intrigued by my voice despite not knowing what I was saying. Soon, however, he gave a bit of a yawn, and I heard 9 speak up.
"Looks like he's tired now.. Why don't we go ahead and all sleep together again, like we have been?"
Smiling, I nodded. I was still tired from the delivery and my body needed time to recuperate, and tending to Snow several times a night didn't exactly give me the chance to. Of course, 9 was always the one to wake up and tend to Snow, as he didn't want to burden me, but when he cried at night, I'd wake up in minor panic, thinking something was attacking.
Of course nothing ever was, but I was still paranoid that some machine would sneak in at night and steal him away.
Shaking my head to clear these thoughts, I let 9 lift Snow into his arms so I could get onto my feet. Then, after we'd climbed the stairs and had arrived at the second floor, I followed 9 into our room, where we used another staircase, this time a makeshift one that 9 used so we could get up and down from the bed easily. It'd come in handy when I'd been carrying, that was for sure.
Peering down at the contraption for a moment, I smiled and glanced towards 9. "I wonder if he'll have your knack for building things? I mean, considering you've learned everything you know just from experimenting, and he seems to be quite a lot like you.."
"Perhaps he will.. Or maybe he'll want to be like his mother and be a fighter. I have a feeling he'll grow out of being shy when he's a bit older.." He glanced down to watch the newborn, and I saw Snow contentedly chewing on 9's zipper tab.
"Or, even better, maybe he'll just be him. Unique.. Because that's certainly what he is."
9 nodded, seeming content with this thought. "I'd like that, too… I suppose he doesn't seem much like a fighter, though he sure does have determination to do things that are generally impossible for him…"
As we settled down into bed, I curled myself up partway, resting my head on 9's chest, while I left a small opening between my stomach and 9's side, just big enough so that Snow could stay there and be warm. 9 wrapped his arm around my back and draped it over my side once he'd settled Snow in.
"Good night, little Snowflake.. Try not to wake up too early for mommy, okay?" I gave a soft chuckle, then began to softly hum, as was our nightly ritual.
Once Snow was fast asleep, I turned my gaze back to my mate, and I gave a contented sigh.
"Who would've thought the Scientist wanted us to continue life in this way? I mean, I highly doubt many would think this possible.. I still don't really get it, to be honest."
"I don't get it, either. But it doesn't really matter to me. Sometimes, you've just got to trust what you don't know, and know not to question it.. And this is one of them." 9 had that thoughtful look about him, his optics directed up towards the ceiling.
"I suppose… Still, sometimes I wonder if it's even real. But… I guess now's not the time to think about it. Good night, my shining star.."
"Good night, my love."
With that, I let my optics close, and drifted off to the sound of his humming, my body curled tightly around my son and my dreams accompanied by the soft ticking of 9's mechanical heart.