"Who's that man?" Gwen chants, bouncing her daughter with each syllable. "Who's that man? Is that your uncle?"

Her daughter merely stares at Elyan with detached curiosity, chubby fingers shoved in her mouth.

"El, come here, you have to hold her or she's going to think you're weird."

"Uh, maybe later we could—" Elyan is visibly uncomfortable. He thinks his niece is adorable, but he has almost no experience holding children. Especially small children.

"Get over here now and hold my daughter," Gwen commands, and Arthur snickers.

Elyan throws a glare in Arthur's direction, but the latter merely raises his eyebrows. They're both familiar with this side of Gwen, and how impossible she is to refuse.

"Okay, jeez," he says, inching forward until he's hovering close by.

Gwen stands slowly, eyes fixed on her daughter's face with a smile. "Scout, this is your uncle Elyan. You remember him?"

"Of course she doesn't! She was barely two weeks old last time I saw her," Elyan says.

Gwen gives him another threatening look before transferring Scout carefully into his awkward hold.

"Support her head," she instructs him, and Elyan rolls his eyes.

"I know that much."

He looks down at the infant in his hands and she's staring up at him with a new fascination, still chewing on her fingers and drooling down her cheek. It dribbles onto his arm but he dares not say anything or make a move in protest at the risk of incurring his sister's wrath.

"There," Gwen says proudly. "See? She loves you. Even if you are a terrible uncle that only visits once every six months."

Arthur chuckles from across the room, observing the scene with amusement. He knows better than to get involved, but it doesn't stop him from enjoying it.

Elyan shifts her slightly to readjust his arms, and she suddenly starts to cry. "Oh god," he panics, "What did I do? What do I—?"

It becomes a full blown wail, and Gwen tries to shush her.

"Oh, who's a little princess?" Percival's voice gives them a start as he returns from the toilet. He comes straight to Elyan to take Scout, cradling her expertly against his shoulder with his gigantic arms.

He bounces and shushes softly, and within moments she's making small grunting sounds as she settles contentedly against him.

"How the hell did you do that?" Elyan asks, agape.

Percival scowls. "I held her like you're supposed to," he answers as if Elyan had asked the most inane question he's ever heard.

Elyan shakes his head. "That's it, I'm hopeless. I've got no instinct for this."

Gwen laughs. "Nonsense, Elyan, you just need practice."

"How am I supposed to practice if she hates for me to even hold her?"

"You're gonna to have to," Percival says. "You know I want kids one day. You'll get the hang of it quickly enough."

Elyan sighs. "The things I'll do for you," he casts his glance around to find a sympathetic face, but the closest he can find is Arthur.

Arthur merely snorts and flaps his hand at his brother-in-law. "Don't look at me, I love my kid. And I know how to hold her."

"Arthur, really? Need I remind you that you were not exactly a natural at this when she was born?" Gwen retorts to Elyan's great surprise and delight.

Arthur coughs and averts his attention back to the newspaper he's holding.

"That's what I thought," Gwen smirks, then turns to pat her brother on the arm. "You'll get the hang of it, I promise. And I know it's hard for you two to get out here often to visit, but I really appreciate that you do. You and Percival are going to make wonderful fathers one day."

Elyan smiles at her confidence, though he isn't so sure of himself.

"She's beautiful, Gwen," Percival says as he carefully passes Scout back to her.

"Bring her here, love," Arthur says eagerly, and Gwen smiles as she brings her daughter over to her father's waiting arms.

"Speaking of visiting," Percival says, "I was thinking – we were thinking," he rests his hands on Elyan's shoulders possessively, "we would move out here to be closer to you guys when we eventually settle down."

Gwen's jaw drops and she looks so delighted, her brother feels slightly guilty for never having mentioned the idea before.

"Perc—oh, Elyan, that would be so lovely!"

Even Arthur stands with a surprised grin to clap his mate and brother-in-law on the back, Scout braced in the crook of his elbow.

"Cheers, lads, we'd really love to have you closer."

"Sorry," Percival speaks quietly to Elyan. "I know you wanted to wait to talk about it but I thought maybe they could help us figure out the logistics."

"No, you're right," Elyan replies, squeezing Percival's hand under his. Then, addressing the whole room, he says, "I guess she'll have to get used to her uncles whether she likes it or not."

They're all laughing as Gwen sneaks to the kitchen to find something suitable for a celebration.