Nurturing by Nature

Wolfram raised an irritated eyebrow at the big wail coming from the small Eru. "Can't you train him not to do that?"

"He's a baby, Wolfram, not a pet." Huber rocked the crying child in his arms. He looked surprisingly gentle for a man who had made a name for himself on the battlefield. Of course that was before he tainted that name with his questionable politics later.

"I wasn't comparing him to a pet," said the sulking blond. "More like a new recruit…"

"Do the men in your command often cry?"

Huber's voice sounded neutral, but Wolfram was sure his older brother's cousin was being smug, so he replied with only a glare.

The older man dismissed the look and continued to sooth Eru. He wished Nicola was there. She had a way of making the child smile with just a look. She had the same effect on him. "You don't need to help if the crying bothers you."

"I am not bothered! I just think he should be under better control." The young mazoku crossed his arms defensively. He had to stay and help. Yuuri didn't think he was nurturing. He was nurturing, damnit!

"It might help if you kept your voice calm and gentle," Huber suggested.

"It is calm and…" Wolfram's voice dropped, but it sounded more like a growl than a soothing tone. "Fine. Then what?"

Huber looked somewhat amused at his cousin's youngest brother. "Well, you could try holding him."

Wolfram paused, looking skeptically at the angry baby. He was not afraid of something so tiny. Not really. He reached out toward Eru, waiting for the transfer.

Huber carefully moved Eru into the younger man's arms, and to his surprise, the child quieted. He wasn't exactly smiling, but he did look up curiously at the blond. Wolfram stared back with the same surprised, curious expression.

"You're good with children," Huber observed. He was a bit surprised, but relieved too.

"Well, of course!" The prince made sure to sound appropriately offended, but his heart wasn't really in it. "What's it like?"

The older man's one good eye narrowed quizzically. "What is what like?"

"Having a family."

"You have a family, Wolfram."

But he didn't. Not like this. Not with a partner who loved him and was proud to show that love and a child of their own who depended on them. Greta was wonderful, but he wasn't blind to the fact that Anissina, Cheri, and even Gwendal were taking care of her more than he and Yuuri were. She was also already more mature than either of her fathers. "Sure. Just forget it."

Huber brushed some baby leftovers from his jacket. "It's more than I ever thought I'd have and much more than I deserve. They changed my life. I'm a better man because of them." It was more open and honest than he preferred to be, but Wolfram seemed troubled and Nicola had that kind of effect on him. "You never know what can happen. I certainly never planned for anything like this."

"Oh." The blond looked almost embarrassed by Huber's heartfelt admission. He turned his eyes down to Eru who smiled back at him. It turned out the smile was infectious. "He's not so bad. I mean, now that I've trained him."

"Nicola will be so happy to hear that."

"Good. Well, I should probably go see what Yuuri is up to. If I leave him alone for too long he's likely to sell the castle for some magic beans or whatever it is he was talking about with Greta."

Huber smiled as he took Eru back. "It sounds like you have your hands full, but if you ever want to babysit, we'd appreciate it."

"Yeah, maybe." Wolfram gave Eru's hand a little pat before walking away. He wondered how Huber could see through him so easily with only one functioning eye. And then his thoughts quickly drifted to finding the best way of rubbing Yuuri's nose in the fact that he was nurturing!