It was never quite clear which child belonged to the mysterious dark-haired Master, or the handsome blonde servant. At times, the nursemaids concluded that Tao was Raizel's because of the black tufts of hair. Takeo, they assumed, had to be Frankenstein's because of his brilliant blue eyes. Though, they could not for the life of them figure out who was the father of the unnamed grey-haired toddler. He was never called a name in the presence of the nursemaids or the servants. Just an affectionate 'M.' But the way both men treated the three boys, one would be left confused and wondering which son belonged to which father.
"He may just be a baby, but you can clearly see the resemblance between Sir Raizel and little Tao!" one maid gushed. "The way Tao cries, and how Sir Raizel frets over him...ah! Such fatherly affection!"
"Yes, but Master Lee seems to be just as affectionate towards Tao," another commented. "And I can see a resemblance between him and the young toddler."
"Which one? The blue-eyed one?"
"No, the other one with the grey hair. What was his name again?"
"Now that I think about it, I do not know. We've never heard his name before."
"Hm. Well regardless, Master Lee is the obvious father of Tao and the other one."
"Are you blind? Master Raizel is clearly the father of Tao and the other toddler. Master Lee is the parent of Takeo. And what blue eyes he has!" The maid sighed dreamily.
Her companion smiled knowingly. "Which one? The baby, or the father?"
"Both! What a beautiful baby from a beautiful man! His wife must have been a lucky woman indeed." That caused a round of amused giggles to erupt from the women. Blushes intensified as their fantasies took them places they did not feel inclined to share.
"Can you imagine what kind of a husband those two would make? If they are this affectionate with their children, imagine how they would be towards their wives."
This time, shrieks and giggles could be heard as the idea of anyone winning the hearts of the two masters entered every girls mind.
It was official. Raizel had concluded that Frankenstein must have placed a spell on Tao. Based on his observations, whenever Frankenstein walked by, Tao would follow him with his gaze, his eyes keeping track of his 'daddy.' His tiny feet would kick up in amusement whenever he tried to get Frankenstein's attention.
It was not just with Tao. Both Takeo and M21 seemed to exhibit the same behavior as their baby 'brother.' But it was at a lesser extent. Still, Raizel could not help but wonder if he was bringing that same fascination to the children as his bonded was. Frankenstein certainly seemed to touch the children a lot more than he did, even though Raizel was trying, he really was, to pick up and hold the children. Did he need to make those odd, undecipherable noises that Frankenstein made when he played with Tao? Was it some sort of a language? If so, then he would have to enquire from Frankenstein what it was and ask him to teach the odd language to him.
Raizel's gaze flickered to M21, who was trying to stabilize himself by holding onto the small coffee table. The toddler's hands were already busy with clutching the piece of furniture and the small blue blanket he was strongly attached to. His grey eyes were narrowed in concentration, his hand gripping at the white lace that decorated the coffee table. On the table was the tea tray with many glass dishes and breakable things.
The fact that the breakable, possibly expensive, glassware on the table was in danger did not concern him in the slightest. What was the very cause of his alarm was the fact that M21 fell backward as he tried to adjust his footing. M21's grey eyes widened, a small gasp emerging from his mouth as he fell back, his hand gripping the white lace. The tray began to move in response to the toddler pulling on the fabric that it was currently situated on.
Raizel reacted instantly. Rushing forward, he caught M21 before the child could hit the floor. M21 whimpered, clutching Raizel's shirt as he was grabbed. In his alarm, he pulled M21 close to him, caressing the child as he stretched out senses. Was M21 hurt? Had Raizel not acted fast enough to protect him?
Raizel glared at the coffee table, as if it was the source of M21's near experience with danger. Why did they have that here in the first place?
But M21 only let out a disgruntled huff at being pressed up against someone so quickly. The brief and fearful moment of his near fall quickly vanished as he became increasingly interested in his blanket. Worming out of Raizel's hold, he toddled forward, nearly tripping on his blanket in the process. Raizel barely managed to resist reaching out once more to stabilize the child.
He blinked, watching M21. Looking down at his hands, he stared. He had felt how small and warm M21's body had felt when he had held the child close. M21 had even reached out to him for comfort!
He...he liked that.
Still staring at his hands, he barely looked up when Frankenstein silently entered the room. Frankenstein paused for a moment, his gaze focused on the sight of his Master kneeling on the ground and staring intently at M21. With a knowing smile, Frankenstein quietly closed the door. His footsteps were silent as he sat down near the cushions, holding Takeo. Placing the wiggling infant on his lap, he held up a small blanket for him. Takeo took the blanket eagerly, chewing on the edges.
Frankenstein tried to suppress a frown. He knew that babies would go through a phase called 'teething,' though he could not remember at what age it occurred. Obviously, M21 had already passed that phase, for which Frankenstein was grateful. He had heard that teething was a painful process for a baby. Chew toys, ice and pressure could only help a baby so much as the pain in their gums intensified. Some babies even got sick during the process as they teethed.
No, Frankenstein was not looking forward to the teething phase. But judging by how quickly and eagerly Takeo was chewing on anything in sight, he wondered if they would be experiencing it sooner than later. If that was the case, how could they help Takeo when the time came for the painful event?
Takeo wiggled around, and Frankenstein placed him down on the cushions. On his belly, Takeo's eyes drifted over to watch M21. With a wide, open smile, Takeo twisted and turned until he finally managed to roll over on his back. Kicking his feet, Takeo smiled up at Frankenstein, giggling.
It was then Frankenstein got an idea. "Master, watch this." The Noblesse looked up with interest as Frankenstein adjusted Takeo. With a grin, Frankenstein began to tickle Takeo's belly, cooing. "Come on, get up."
Takeo burbled, kicking his feet energetically. "Ah ooh!" he squeaked.
"Come on," Frankenstein encouraged. He was now wiggling his fingers over Takeo's head, the action somehow fascinating the infant. Out of the corner of his eye, Frankenstein saw Raizel get up and move around to hover over Frankenstein's shoulder.
"Come on little one," Frankenstein continued. "Get up! That's a good boy, there you go!"
Takeo continued kicking his feet, his face pinched in concentration as he strained, trying to pick himself up. For a moment, it looked as if Takeo was trying, and failing, to perform a sit-up.
Raizel moved closer before sitting next to Frankenstein. Though the Noblesse showed no outward emotion, aside from his eyes lighting up with interest and a small tilt of his head, Frankenstein could feel his excitement through the bond as Takeo tried his best to sit up.
"Almost," Frankenstein cooed. Finally, he reached over and gently propped Takeo up, steadying the infant. Takeo blinked deliriously, looking around at the new vantage point he was given. Frankenstein smiled, slowly pulling his hands away from Takeo's side.
Takeo lasted only a second sitting up before his body sagged and he nearly toppled over. But Frankenstein was expecting that, and propped Takeo back up again before he could fall. Clucking his tongue, Frankenstein laid Takeo back down. "Guess you're not ready yet," he sighed.
Takeo, however, had liked that new vantage point! So, with a squeaky huff, Takeo strained to sit up again, kicking his legs and flailing his arms. "Aya!" Takeo protested, pumping his arms. "Haya!" Another huff later, and Takeo was staring up at Frankenstein, as if waiting for help. A giggle emerged from Takeo as Frankenstein continued to help Takeo sit up, before setting him back down on his back. The process repeated itself, much like a self-help sit up.
"Can you teach me?"
Frankenstein looked at his Master, startled. He paused in his playing with Takeo, but the infant squeaked in protest as he was ignored. "Teach?" Frankenstein repeated.
The Noblesse looked away, slightly embarrassed. Even sitting on the floor, he remained as regal as ever. Posture straight and hands folded on his lap, he maintained his dignity. "Teach me...to get them to laugh."
Frankenstein blinked, trying to comprehend his Master's words. He could not detect any hidden message through the bond, only sincerity.
He inwardly smiled. Of course. His Master was always blunt when he spoke. Whenever he had something to say, he would say it as clearly as he could.
It was endearing, and it brought a smile to Frankenstein's face. The great Noblesse himself seemed a bit shy with the request, but his interest with the children pushed him to seek assistance.
Frankenstein looked back at Takeo, still smiling as he helped the infant sit up again. "You want to make them laugh?"
Raizel nodded. "Like you do. You have a hidden technique, a spell, that makes Tao laugh and display interest in you."
Frankenstein chuckled. Did the Noblesse really think it was a spell? Oh Master. "It's hardly a spell," he assured. Picking Takeo up, he placed the infant in front of his Master. "Here," he said. "It's a matter of touching and talking." Aspects, that Frankenstein was slowly beginning to remember, his Master struggled with.
Frankenstein cleared his throat, racking his brain for an easy way to assist his Master. The Noblesse merely watched his bonded curiously, waiting patiently. Frankenstein was silent for several moments before he brightened up. "Oh!" He quickly got back up, waving his hand. "One moment Master."
Raizel merely watched as Frankenstein picked up a sleepy Tao from the small crib placed in the room. Settling down right next to the Noblesse once more, Frankenstein set Tao on his own lap. "Watch me sir," he said. He tickled Tao's side, causing the baby to squeal with laughter.
"Tickle tickle," Frankenstein cooed. "Tickle tickle!"
Raizel continued to watch Frankenstein, his eyes flickering between his bonded and the baby on his lap. Closing his eyes, he breathed in deeply. Focusing his stare on the disinterested Takeo, he wiggled his fingers and began to poke Takeo's side.
The baby did not so much as blink.
Raizel frowned, determined to get this right. He continued to poke at Takeo, but the baby only squirmed in discomfort. Raizel paused, feeling a small pang of disappointment.
Raizel blinked as Frankenstein reached over and gently guided his hand to Takeo's chin. Raizel glanced at Frankenstein curiously, only for his bonded to give him an encouraging nod as he released his hand.
Looking back at Takeo, he took in a deep breath before tickling Takeo's chin. "Tickle, tickle," he said, attempting to mimic Frankenstein's voice.
Takeo's eyes widened before he sneezed. Next came the sound of a pure and clear giggle that only a baby could produce. Raizel felt exhilarated as Takeo squealed in response to his tickling.
M21 toddled over at the sound of Takeo's laughter, cocking his head curiously. His grey eyes were inquisitive as he clutched his blanket. Stepping closer, he was unaware of how close he was standing next to Frankenstein, and therefore within grabbing distance.
"Got you!" Frankenstein declared, grabbing a startled M21. Lifting M21 off his feet, Frankenstein began to tickle the toddler relentlessly.
M21's eyes widened. "Nooooo!" he squealed, giggling. Hysterical laughter escaped M21 as he tried to squirm away from the tickle attack. Tao let out a protesting cry as he was ignored. Raizel used that as his opportunity to carefully pick up Tao from Frankenstein's lap. He watched with amusement as M21 escaped from Frankenstein's grasp. Stumbling, M21 crawled on his hands and knees before standing up unsteadily. His bright eyes glanced at Frankenstein, a wide smile on his face as he waited.
Frankenstein crouched down, grinning. "I'm going to get you," he teased.
M21 shrieked, running off as best as he could as Frankenstein chased after him. The young werewolf hid behind the couch. In two strides, Frankenstein was directly behind the infant, grinning. "Found you," Frankenstein exclaimed. M21's startled shriek rang out as he tried to run, only for Frankenstein to grab him and lift him up. M21's breathless laughter only increased as Frankenstein proceeded to teasingly poke the infant's belly.
Raizel smiled, looking back at Tao. "Tickle, tickle," he cooed, poking Tao's side.
A small, light giggle emerged from Tao. But the infant's joy could not be compared to the exuberance the Noblesse was feeling at the success of making a baby laugh.