"Just make it stop!" Keith cried with his hands over his ears.
"Hey, guys-"
"Don't look at me," Pidge said shaking her head and also covering her ears, "Just cause I'm a girl doesn't mean I know anything!"
"Guys-"
"Neither do I," Allura said apologetically, "Coran was better behaved."
Shiro held the small babe awkwardly as it squirmed and screamed at the top of its lungs. It was humanoid with bee like eyes and a flat nose. Little antenna twitched on the top of its head and its skin was a redish color.
They had touched down on a planet one day for a little R and R. It was supposed to have been an unoccupied planet with a lake and a small beach. After having a day of fun and goofing off, they had come back to this.
Hunk took the baby and tried to bounce it.
It screamed louder.
"I'm doing the best I can!" Hunk cried, getting a little teary eyed as well. Coran had left the room ages ago. Babies were something he took little part in. Toddlers you could actually do stuff with, he'd come back when the baby could walk.
"If this doesn't stop, I'm going to-" Keith froze when he realized he'd been shouting in a quiet room. Looking around they all looked at Lance who had grabbed the baby from Hunk. He cradled the child in one arm and held his other hand in front of the baby. The baby had grabbed his hand and was now munching quietly on his pinky knuckle.
"How…"
"He doesn't smell so he's not messy," Lance said, "he had been sleeping when we found him, so he's not tired. He's most likely hungry and judging by what I'm feeling in his mouth, he's teething; he's going to be cranky no matter what. Hunk, do you think you could water down some milk and warm it up a little? Allura, is there a bottle of some sort in this castle? One of your old ones we could clean and use?"
"I'll go look," she said and left the room with Hunk.
"I'm in shock," Pidge said.
"You forget I have little kids to take care of at home," Lance said blushing a little in embarrassment, "I also would babysit for a little pocket cash. Babies are simple once you know what to look for."
"so perfect for you," Keith said and Lance stuck his tongue out at him.
"Until we can find which planet he came from, do you think you can take care of him?" Shiro asked, "I mean, we can help…but I don't know how much help we'll be."
"Yeah, I think I got this," Lance shrugged, "might have to make a trip to the space mall, but.."
Lance smiled down at the baby who was slobbering all over his hand. This was a piece of home.
"Yeah, I got this."
()
"LANCE!" Allura marched into the blue hangar after he touched down. They'd just gotten back off of a mission. He'd left the baby with Allura.
"What's wrong- oh…"
Smeared all down the front of her outfit was a milky and very sticky substance. His initial laugh turned into a cough as Allura continued to glare.
"It comes out just fine," he said, "I'll wash it for you."
"That's only half of it," she snapped, "he hasn't stopped crying."
"He's teething, Allura," Lance sighed, "I bet you were a bundle of joy when you were cutting your gums."
She stopped as watching him walk ahead of her. Lance had become increasingly protective of the baby. He had bought a large bag he carried all the supplies he used. If she or the other paladins forgot to use the 'diaper cream' after changing him he made them sit down while he demonstrated the proper way to change a diaper.
It was getting annoying.
Following the sound of crying Lance walked onto the bridge.
"How is mihijo," Lance cooed as he took him from Coran. The baby didn't stop crying, but Lance didn't look too bothered as he took off his gloves and rubbed the babies gums with his finger, "Aw, is your mouth one big owie? Let's see if the chewie ring in the freezer is cold enough yet."
He walked back out of the room without even acknowledging any of the others.
"Does anyone get the feeling like we should find someone to adopt the kid before Lance names him?"
"Is 'mihijo' not a name?" Coran asked.
"No," Keith said rolling his eyes, "he's basically already calling the kid 'my son', so I think its already too late."
()
Pidge gave a large yawn as she headed to bed. Her and hunk were working on a large project and she hadn't felt right without perfecting the program she'd started that day.
Turning the corner to the hall where their bedrooms were at she picked up on the baby crying. Lances door was partway open.
Again.
She thanked Corans grandfather for making the bedrooms sound proof. She'd have killed that kid if she had to wake up to that noise.
"Shhhhh, you're ok," Lances voice could barely be heard over the screaming. Pidge got down on all fours and crawled to his door. She peaked into his room and froze. Where her ears were practically bleeding, she didn't expect to see what she did.
He was smiling. Not just any smile, definitely not his usual grin, but it was small, and…soft. It was clear that he really loved this baby and even though it was screaming in his face he seemed more amused than tired; and boy did he look tired. He swayed as he walked around the room, holding a makeshift pacifier inside the screaming mouth.
"Hush now, my Storeen
Close your eyes and sleep
Waltzing the waves
Diving the deep
Stars are shining bright
The wind is on the rise
Whispering words of long lost lullabies"
The baby began to quiet and Pidge leaned back against the door. She didn't know Lance could sing, but with all those siblings it made sense that he'd know a few lullaby's.
"I had a dream last night
And heard the sweetest sound
I saw a great white light and dancers in the round
Castles in the sand
Cradles in the trees
Don't cry, I'll see you by and by"
"Oh, won't you come with me?
Where the moon is made of gold
And in the morning sun
We'll be sailing
Oh, won't you come with me?
Where the ocean meets the sky
And as the clouds roll by
We'll sing the song of the sea"
"Oh, won't you come with me?
Where the moon is made of gold
And in the morning sun
We'll be sailing free
Oh, won't you come with me?
Where the ocean meets the sky
And as the clouds roll by
We'll sing the song of the sea"
()
Lance repeated the chorus as many times as he needed to until the baby fell asleep. He put the little one down into the bed/retro-crib Hunk had made and let out a sigh of satisfaction. He found the little guy responded to the sounds and vibrations he made when he spoke or made noises. The baby loved and was fond of putting his head to the persons chest, whoever was holding him.
He turned to go back to bed and notice the door was open. Grimacing, he went over to shut it. He didn't expect to find Pidge, fast asleep outside by his door.
Blushing a little, he picked her up and carried her to her room.
(((((((((()))))))))))))
AN)
Song of the Sea is a lullaby by Nolwenn Leroy. I just think of Lance every time I hear it so I really couldn't resist this.
Please comment a "yea" or "nea" if you want more to this story.
