Disclaimer: Varian Wrynn and all recognisable characters belong to Blizzard entertainment. Valerica Glenmore and characters not from Warcraft or it's associated games cannot be sold or used without express permission from the author.
Anduin's first eight months on Azeroth were a whirlwind for Varian, who felt as if he'd been shambling through them in a mess of sleepless nights, becoming overworked and putting himself through rigorous training when really, there was no need for it anymore, but something in both his mind and body told him he had to be ready.
The funniest thing about it all was that he wouldn't have changed any of it for the world, and was probably the most content he'd been since the beginning of the war, it was an odd feeling that he wasn't sure he deserved but would enjoy regardless, and today was no exception.
He was the first one awake, though that wasn't much of a surprise anymore since he had strangely attuned his body to wake up with Anduin automatically in the first few months of his life. What was surprising was how he couldn't hear a peep from the room next door where the boy and his mother resided nowadays, and from glancing at his watch he realised just how early he'd risen and felt rather foolish for it.
Any other man would have taken it as a sign to either go back to sleep or get on with his day, but Varian was ignoring both of those easily achievable instincts and choosing to merely lay here, listening to the soft breaths of the woman next to him and finding it the most relaxing thing in the world.
He had things to do today, of course he did, but they could wait, just for a few more minutes. It always fascinated him how much a human could shift their position no matter how deep their sleep, and Val was the perfect example of it this morning since he was sure she'd been snuggled to him when they'd finally cut their losses and come to bed last night, whereas now she was splayed on her stomach and had curled up with a serene look on her face, telling Varian that for at least one night her nightmares hadn't plagued her, something he was always grateful for.
He had no intentions on waking her; the past few nights had been rough on all of them now Anduin was in the full throes of teething, all taking turns to soothe the child until he eventually went to sleep on either Varian or Tiffin's chests. He couldn't berate Anduin for it or whine like an annoyed child, it couldn't be helped and they all knew that, but it didn't make it any easier when the whole house was up at three because of it.
Now he had to smile, reaching over and running his fingertips as lightly as he could muster over Val's forearm and finding it quite hilarious how she had gotten her way time and time again, this time it was the living situation they had briefly discussed at Winter Veil.
He had kept his promise and started making arrangements about six days after Anduin's birth, moving the three of them into Val's house a few weeks after and not regretting it at all. The privacy, intimacy and just all round homeliness of the situation was absolutely intoxicating to the King, who finally had a sanctuary to retreat to after his duties for the day were done, somewhere he could truly be himself, it was wonderful.
He supposed another positive effect his presence had brought was the council actually agreeing that a permanent Stormwind dwelling would be best for the monarch, with them surprising him even more by setting aside a good amount of gold from the crown coffers to furnish a house that by all accounts would've stayed relatively empty for a lot longer than it did by the time Varian had brought Tiffin and Anduin to permanently stay here.
Although he couldn't read her thoughts, he was under the impression that Val was enjoying having him here, and if she wasn't, he'd be damned if she'd said anything to that effect.
She start stirring and for a horrible second he thought his touches had woken her up, but all she did was grope for his pillow and pull it over to her like the little bed hog she was, overlapping it with her own and all but planting her face in it, leaving Varian the barest slither and making it rather difficult to stop himself laughing.
"Alright, I guess I'm getting up then." She shuffled again as he said it, letting out a small whine when his arm slid from under her head, but she settled once again and he felt it alright to carefully get out of bed, feeling along the wall for the back of the door and taking his robe down once his fingers caught the velvet trim, leaving it open and slowly bending to pick up his trousers from last night, choosing to go downstairs before putting them on so he didn't risk waking up up by slamming his thigh on the same damn cabinet that had been his sworn enemy since he got here, especially in the dark.
He couldn't resist a peek into Tiffin and Anduin's room, cringing a little at the squeaky hinges of the door, but it seemed to not faze either of bent over Anduin's cradle, smiling at how the boy's mouth was hanging agape and one little fist was lying next to his head, and the other arm was practically strangling a little frog that Minnie had knitted him and he surprisingly adored, refusing to sleep without it and making Val need to wash the thing about once a week where it was always covered in mud, dribble or dirt.
Anduin's long lashes didn't even flutter when Varian's knuckle ran down his cheek, looking huge against the soft, pale skin of his beautiful son, a boy that Varian would die or kill for in a heartbeat, without any hesitation or even a rational thought.
He didn't understand what Robin had told him about loving Anduin from the second he was born so damn fiercely until he'd seen him with his own eyes and realised just how much love he did harbour for the tiny human nestled safely in his bed without a care in world.
He would admit to anyone that being a father was one of the hardest things Varian had ever done in his life, but he would give himself a rare ounce of praise, since in his own mind he wasn't the worst at it by far.
Yes, there were things he was still clueless about, like this whole 'teething' business, but things like his feeds and other basic needs were second nature by this point, and he could trust the two women around him to know when he was doing something wrong and tell him about that thing in enough time in order to rectify it, which to their credit, they had been doing.
And of course, Minnie had insisted on staying for the first few weeks to get them in the swing of things, making parenting look as easy as taking a piss until Varian would actually try the things she showed him and panicked in fear of breaking his son's legs putting a pair of trousers on. They all got a good laugh out of it and Varian soon got over his absurd fear of hurting Anduin with every little touch, but at the time it had been a legitimate one, so he had no shame in it.
He left them both to sleep, grimacing at the door closing louder than he wanted it to, still holding his trousers and trying not to trip over the annoyance that was Val's new house-mate; a silver tabby had turned up allegedly 'out of the blue' about three months ago, a scraggly little thing that Val had taken a shine to (as she did with every damn feline that crossed her path) and without Varian or Carson's consent she had homed the thing, and the King had hated the furry nuisance ever since.
All it did was steal his food, get under his feet and generally infuriate him, and he knew it sounded ludicrous but he was more than sure the little shit was doing it on purpose. Val had laughed her head off when he'd voiced his suspicions to her, but he was convinced beyond measure that Esme (Val had named her in five minutes flat) hated him as much as he hated her.
He lamely kicked at her, attempting not to fall arse over face down the slanted ladder that counted as stairs in Val's eyes. "Get lost you little bi- go on, shoo." Of course she followed him, leaping onto the table and sitting with a hard stare as he pulled his trousers on, with him only realising once he was done. "What? What do you want?"
She licked her lips and once again he started his usual grumbling, passing the table she was perched on and pulling the doors to the pantry open, sniffing the milk in a lidded jug to make sure it wasn't sour because Light forbid the fucking cat no-one except Val wanted died, pouring it into a bowl he pulled from a shelf above the kitchen side and half heartedly pushing it towards her. "There, you little scrounger, now leave me be." He fought the smile tugging at his lips when her head pushed itself under his palm and a small purr filled the silence.
"Oh no, don't act cute, it won't work with me." He quickly patted her head regardless, filling the kettle from a pump in the corner of the room and hooking it onto the fire, searching through the drawers to find where the last person to come up last night had left the flint, stepping back when a flame took hold and letting the water boil, flopping down on the stool at his writing desk, taking one look at the stack of paperwork he'd put off last night and feeling his insides wither.
"I swear I have a damn Chamberlain for this." He did, but Gregor was in Westfall with the rest of his staff, and Varian would be damned if he was going to trudge all the way down there today, it was bad enough Val was doing it.
She had volunteered to meet members of the church down there to help hand out food and supplies to the citizens that had jumped the gun and come back to Stormwind with nothing to actually return to yet.
The Stonemasons' progress hadn't stalled per se, but the heatwave that had graced them as it did every year had slowed them down, making the houses that had been projected for that month not be finished on time, hence why Val had arranged with Benedictus to make sure those who didn't have dwellings yet were kept at least comfortable. She would be staying overnight, which he wasn't too happy about, but he couldn't stop her, it would be ridiculous to even try.
He whispered the tip of his quill over the list of things she was taking with her, signing the bottom of it and digging in his pocket for Val's lighter (she had borrowed his robe to stand outside last night) and melting the wax for his seal, pushing his stool back to swiftly take the kettle from the fire once that damned whistle started, spooning coffee grounds into a clay mug and inhaling as the water went in, feeling the fog clouding his mind already starting to lift with even the smell.
He took a long sip once it was ready, debating whether to take a cup of tea up to Val and deciding against it, choosing to give her a little bit longer in bed today since it was a rare day that she didn't have work. He knew she didn't enjoy being an apprentice blacksmith once again, but she had admitted she didn't have a choice; they needed gold and she had expertise, it was the easiest option by far.
She had very few days to herself because of it, and if anything it made Varian more determined to make sure she relaxed when she didn't have to work herself to the bone. Letting a yawn take over his face for a good few seconds he settled back at his desk, barely looking up when the front door opened and Carson shrugged his coat off, throwing it over the back of the chaise.
"Thought you'd be upstairs with Val." Varian shrugged, leaning an elbow on the back of his chair. "She's still asleep, and you know what she's like if you wake her up." Carson snickered, pouring himself a coffee and snatching a scone from the pantry, eyeing up Esme as she did the same thing to his food. "All too well unfortunately. We all knew to stay well clear of her when morning signal sounded." Varian got up, taking his mug to the bucket that housed their dirty dishes.
"How was work?" Carson had been an employee of the Nag's Head for a few months, doing nightshift after nightshift, using his size and strength to control the patrons better than any inn-man Varian had seen. "Same as usual, it's always quiet on a Monday." He ran a hand down his face. "Though that doesn't mean I'm not absolutely knackered." Varian sat down at the table this time, reluctantly stroking Esme's neck. "I won't insult you by saying I feel your pain."
Carson's eyebrow cocked. "Anduin up again?" Varian gave him a slow nod, pinching the bridge of his nose as he remembered another task he had to carry out today. "That reminds me, I need to get the rosehip syrup from the apothecary. Shit." Carson waved a hand, swallowing his over zealous gulp down. "I'll do it, I have to go over there for Val's ointment anyway." Varian frowned, picking at his nails.
"I didn't think her scars would be hurting this far down the line. Makes me feel a little ignorant." He got a reassuring smile but wasn't entirely placated by it. "Come on Varian, you heard Dr. Lineker, it'll get better the more time goes on. It's still early days yet, they're bound to pull a little." Varian's eyebrow rose. "Early days? Carson, it's been nearly two years."
He got a nonchalant shrug this time, getting slightly irritated by how casually the Kul Tiran was handling the subject of something that would affect Val for the rest of her life. "Compared to a lifetime, that's absolutely nothing." Thankfully the older man could see how annoyed Varian was becoming and swiftly changed the subject.
"The Stonemasons are already at work. I have to give them their due, they don't bloody stop." Varian made a noise of agreement marred with frustration, taking his hand away from Esme and sweeping his hair back with it.
"And yet they still don't get any respect from my councillors. Or anyone, for that matter." Carson's grimace told Varian exactly what he was about to say before his mouth even opened, but he let him get it off of his chest regardless. "Hard workers never do mate, it's just the way it is. Val put in all that work before Stormwind fell for the army and did anyone thank her for it? No. Just like we didn't get thanked for fighting the damn thing."
Varian wasn't entirely sure what he could or should say to that, so merely stood, putting a hand on the other man's shoulder. "But it doesn't go unnoticed my friend, nor will it ever. Gratitude is hardly spoken out-loud nowadays but that doesn't mean it's not present." Carson gave him a strained smile. "I appreciate that Varian, I really do." Varian quickly checked the time again, furrowing his brow. "You know what? I might go for a run, before everyone wakes up, Light knows I need to get back to form."
Carson looked rather thoughtful, putting his mug down and folding his arms. "Mind if I tag along? I've started getting a gut since we got home." Varian didn't see any harm in it, giving him a nod as they both started up the stairs. "I usually go on a circuit around the city, it'll be a good hour. Are you sure you can keep up?"
Carson gave him a middle finger, opening the door to his room. "Just make sure you leave a note for Val so we don't get castrated when we get back." Varian snorted, knowing full well that he was only being semi-serious and slowly opening the door to his own room, quickly peeking in and finding Val still asleep, so as quietly as a man his size and strength could manage he closed it behind him, thanking the light that their closet was merely a rail on the adjacent wall so he could easily locate and grab his sleeveless shirt, one he always kept back for training when it was too hot for gambesons, ducking under the bed and somehow holding both boots with two fingers.
And of course, the second he opened the door, Val woke up. He knew it had been too good to be true so far, and had wondered how exactly she'd slept through everything when really, she was just as light a sleeper as him nowadays. She didn't sit bolt upright or wake up straight away, but her eyes opened and gave him no choice but to put his boots down and kneel by her head, brushing her hair back and gently kissing her cheek.
"Apologies for waking you Sweetheart." Val's sleepy smile was one of his favourite things in the world, and today was no exception as her eyelids fluttered a little, appreciating the quiet he gave her while they opened fully. "Would you be insulted if I said you didn't?" Varian chuckled, choosing not to listen to his heart and smother her with affection, for all it would do was annoy her beyond reason, especially this early in the day, it was in no way something he wanted.
"Not a bit." She shimmied closer to the edge of the bed, stretching herself out not unlike the cat who was probably waiting patiently for her downstairs. "Any reason why you're up so early?" Varian shrugged, feeling his knees protest at this much bending and heaving himself up, sitting on the bed by hers instead. "You know me, once I'm up, I'm up." Her brow wrinkled. "Is Anduin awake then?" Varian shook his head, making her forehead relax in relief.
"No, he seems to have actually slept through for once. I just couldn't sleep, that's all." She lamely pointed to his boots, still looking half asleep. "Going somewhere?" Varian was harshly reminded that Carson was waiting for him and nodded. "Aye, Carson and I are going for a city run. You're more than welcome to join us." She shook her head, tapping her chin in thought. "No, but I might go to market and get the stuff for a full breakfast, I could just demolish one right now."
She turned onto her back, holding her hand out and squeezing his when he gave it to her. "I wouldn't say no to one either now you've said about it. We'll try not to be out too long then." Val wrinkled her nose, wiping her mouth. "No, take your time, I'll be a while getting ready." Varian linked their fingers, bringing her hand up to his mouth.
"Good deal. I'll see you soon love." She let him pull her up so she was sitting upright, putting his arms around her and feeling himself practically melt into her sleep warmed embrace. "You always make it near on impossible to leave, do you know that?" Val's laugh was barely a mumble, and she looked up at him from where her head was nestled in his shoulder.
"You make it sound like I'm doing it on purpose." Her hair had grown back a considerable amount since Anduin's birth, enough for him to run his fingers through it and brush the nape of her neck when he got to the ends, something he was always happy about. "I'm starting to think you are. It's been your plan all along, to keep me to yourself."
She shuffled back, poking him in the chest with her toe. "I have you to myself already Varian, I don't need to be sneaky about it. Now go on, you go run and I'll get ready to go. If Anduin's awake by that point I'll take him, get some sunshine on his face." Her brow furrowed as he pulled his boots over, having no qualms about getting noisily dressed now she was awake. "I'm not sure where I'll be when you get back but it'll be either here or the market, so try both."
Varian leant over and kissed her cheek, pulling his shirt over his head and feeling a strange, constricting heat already, only mildly cooled by the window she padded across the room to open. "I'll keep it in mind. What time are you leaving today?" She looked confused and he wasn't sure why. "Leaving , for what?…oh! Didn't I tell you? Tiffin's going instead."
Varian's face told her that she hadn't told him that. "When was this decided?" Val shrugged, lighting a cigar and hanging out of the window once she'd put her robe on. "About five minutes before we went to bed. She's going to visit her sister while she's there, and we both decided it would probably look better for the people if the Queen went instead."
She chuckled, taking a long drag. "We decided it so late in the evening that there was no time to tell anyone she's going, so they're in for a bit of a pleasant shock." Varian wasn't happy, she could tell just by looking at him. "And she's taking Anduin, I presume?" Val's face went blank. "I assume so." Varian's look darkened. "I don't want the Ellerians having anything to do with him, the two of you know that already."
Val put a hand up. "Varian, I can't control what Tiffin does, and you have to be a little bit lenient. Anduin barely takes the bottle, he needs to go with Tiffin. It's one night, he'll be fine." He obviously wasn't content about it but there wasn't much she could do about it. His frown relaxed after a good while, eventually turning into what was by all accounts a happy grin.
"So I'll have you all to myself tonight?" Val gave him a small but profound wink. "Indeed. I was thinking maybe we could go for dinner later?" He looked as eager about the idea as she did. "It has certainly been a while…when was the last time it was just us?" Val lamely shrugged, not even bothering to think about it. "Well before the bloody war, I should think. So is that a yes?"
Varian leant on one hand against the wall, clucking his tongue as he truly thought of what he had to do today and just how packed his schedule was. "It's a firm 'probably'. Ask me again at lunch and I'll give you a definite answer, but I promise even if we don't go somewhere, I'll make tonight special." She knew she was keeping him, so gestured to the door with an incline of her head. "Good deal. Go on, before Car leaves without you."
She gave the door a smile as he left, carrying on with her cigar and leaning out the window, already hearing the two of them laughing boisterously and catching a glimpse as they set off, making her smile turn to a grin as she realised just how settled Varian was now, it was refreshing to see. She figured she had time to get washed and dressed, knowing full well that Varian's runs were never under an hour long and choosing to take advantage of it.
Rolling her cigar out so she could light it later she flicked through her clothes, glancing at the window and seeing nothing but blazing sunshine, so clucking her tongue she tried to find a dress that wasn't too thick after spending all spring stocking up on wool dresses.
Thankfully she found what was possibly her only cotton dress, a white puffball sleeve that upon further inspection looked a little too see through, so she paired with with a red lace up overdress and slung them both on the bed, choosing to make it later since no one was really expected to just come into her room at any point today.
She snatched the towel that Varian had briefly used the night before and discarded on the chair in front of her vanity table, fully appreciating how the gnomes had given most houses plumbing and running a small bath.
Tiffin and Anduin were awake by the time she was tying her hair up, and the Queen felt no qualms on simply opening the door with a grin on her face. "Good morning. I wasn't expecting you to be actually up." Val held her hands out for an over excited Anduin, who'd clearly been given his feed and was kicking his little legs like it was to be the last thing he would ever do, chomping down on the wooden teething ring in his hand.
"Varian woke me up without meaning to, bless him." Tiffin sat on her bed, making Val regret not making it all of a sudden. "Where is he?" Val stopped popping her mouth at a a giggling Anduin, giving Tiffin her full attention. "Oh, he went for a run with Carson." She couldn't help her dopey smile. "He's actually starting to relax, I don't know whether you noticed?" Tiffin's eyes lit up as she stood, not being able to handle the messy room anymore and drawing a sigh from Val as she started to make the bed.
"I have indeed. He's started to look after himself again instead of putting it on the back-burner, it's a relief to see." Val tickled Anduin's belly, finding it hard to look away from his bright blue eyes, the eyes of his father and ones she'd loved for so many years that she didn't realise she could do it even more, yet here she was.
"We're getting the old Varian back, yes we are. You'll love him Little Lion, he's so much more fun when he's not worrying about nasty old politics or wars." She noticed Tiffin's muffled laughs and her brows drew down. "What?" The blonde ceased her badly disguised laughter, taking her hand from her mouth. "Nothing, it's just that tone you have with Anduin makes me laugh, that's all. You can hear the years of baby talk experience in it." Val shrugged, making Anduin chirp louder when it jostled him.
"That's what comes with having a cousin that doesn't know what sheaths are." Tiffin started pulling the pillow she was holding with a small grin on her face. "Do you though?" Val closed the window a little, putting Anduin on the now tidy bed and making his bear dance for him. "Do I what?" Tiffin's coy demeanour mostly intrigued Val, but at the same time worried her a little bit.
"Know what sheaths are?" Val didn't mean to look as shocked as she did, but that sort of question coming from someone who was normally considered far too dignified to even discuss sex caught her off guard a little before realising that Tiffin was still a woman despite her title, so it wasn't that out of the blue. "….what would you say if I said at some point I did, but not at all recently?"
Tiffin's eyebrows both rose. "So you and Varian are….right now?" Val shook her head, thankfully knowing what she was talking about. "Not actively. I think we just both have that mentality now that where I've been told our chances are slim, we have to take every one we can get, so it means we can be less cautious, does that make sense?"
Tiffin's concern was as plain as the nose on her face as she let Anduin climb up her chest. "But Val, if you do fall preg-" Val held a hand up to cut her off. "I know, it'll be a bastard. But in fairness Tiffin, I think Varian and I can accept that now and just feel lucky if it happens at all." The blonde knew that was to be the end of the conversation (both Val and Varian had a knack for making that point very clear) and changed the subject, patting Anduin's back as he put his little arms around her neck in a first attempt at a hug.
"Francesca knows I'm coming later, and has offered to house me for the night." Val's eyebrow cocked as she ducked under the bed to find her shoes. "Are you sure you want to after everything? Tiffin, she's barely got off of her arse to visit you or Anduin and you've been back in Stormwind for months now." Tiffin's dismay was written all over her features. "I know that, but she's all I have left Val, it's alot less hassle to lead the way and go to her instead of making the rift wider and ignoring her." Val didn't look convinced.
"Varian's not happy you're taking Anduin, just to warn you. I managed to placate him for now but you know what he's like." Tiffin barely managed a smile. "Thank you. I knew he wouldn't, but Anduin needs to know his family doesn't just consist of us and Minnie." Val wrinkled her nose, knowing she was right but not being able to help siding with Varian on this one.
If there was anything she hated most in the world it was family that expected her to do all the legwork when it came to keeping in touch, it showed no love or loyalty and quite frankly, insulted Val to her core. So when Francesca Ellerian had only come to Lordaeron Keep to see Anduin then refused to come to the house after simply because Val and Carson lived there, she washed her hands of the bitch and was trying to dissuade Tiffin from keep indulging her despite her lack of concern about anything to do with them. "I know, but it's just an annoying situation." Tiffin appreciated her toned down opinion on it, but hers wasn't budging.
"True as that may be, Anduin deserves to know his family." Her face contradicted her words. "Though it may be difficult should he want Varian like he does at night." She grimaced, an ugly expression for what was normally a gentle face. "You think I should leave Anduin here then? Be honest with me, I shan't become offended." Val leant back against her vanity, taking a long minute. "It's not up to me, but I think that Francesca doesn't deserve his company, that's all."
Now she smiled. "Besides, you could use a night off." Tiffin kissed the side of the boy's head with her own smile. "I'll admit, a full night's sleep does sound inviting…" She started rocking Anduin as he started to fuss, gently patting his backside. "But I would've thought you and Varian would want a night to yourselves?" Val waved a hand of dismissal, genuinely not fussed. "We were only going to go to dinner, Anduin can come with us." Tiffin gave her an over-exaggerated sigh.
"Alright, as long as you're sure that you don't mind him tagging along." Val held her hands out, kissing one of Anduin's round cheeks once Tiffin passed him to her and turning the tiny blonde to face his mother. "He won't be tagging along, he's Varian's son, it's a privilege to have him with us." She felt her stomach start to protest at how she hadn't filled it yet, tickling the sole of Anduin's foot. "Fancy coming to market with me to grab what we need for breakfast?"
Tiffin deliberated, shaking her head. "I would absolutely love to, but I haven't actually packed and I'm supposed to be leaving by lunchtime." She bit her bottom lip with a sweet smile on her face. "I don't suppose you could?…" Val gave her a wink. "I'll take Anduin with me. Jon can carry everything while I push." She kissed the blonde's cheek, happy that she'd already dressed the prince so she didn't have to wrestle with kicking legs and a baby who had learned that rolling was now one of his favourite past-times.
"Come on then squidge, let's go wake Jon up." Tiffin's laugh echoed a little bit as she came down the stairs after her, intent on getting some tea. "Wherever on Azeroth did you get that nickname Val? I asked Varian and even he doesn't know." Val flashed her a grin, only just resisting the urge to hop from the last step. "Because I can do this to his cheeks."
Tiffin couldn't help her laugh as Val squished Anduin's cheeks between a thumb and forefinger, gently enough to not hurt him but enough to make him rather annoyed at the gesture. "Ah, now I understand. If he starts to fuss Val, just bring him back, don't feel obliged to deal with it." Val waved a hand of dismissal, loudly singing to tell Tiffin in not so many words that she wasn't listening, enjoying the queen's laughter as she went outside, finding Jon in a short sleeved gambeson instead of his usual suit of armour, chatting animatedly with Tiffin's own guardsmen.
"Jon, can you hold the prince while I get the carriage please?" The curly haired man excused himself from the conversation and gladly obeyed, flashing a grin at Anduin and soothing him when Val ducked back inside, letting Tiffin help her navigate Anduin's baby carriage (Varian called it a wicker basket on wheels, but Val knew it was a little more fancy than that) over the step and out in front of the house, catching the toys she threw her and waving as the two of them finally set off.
"So where we off to this fine morning?" Val made sure Anduin was cushioned properly, giving him his squeaky rabbit and grinning at him. "We are going on a quest to get the things needed for the biggest, most satisfying breakfast we've had for a while. Varian and Car are out running, and they'll need a decent meal when they get back."
Jon was practically salivating, she could see it clear as day on his face. "Don't worry, you're invited as well." The wink that accompanied her confirmation only made him chortle in the gruff way of his, making Anduin laugh simply because the older man was.
Despite the fact that the heat had made plate armour impossible to wear, Val was a little glad that he had kept his sword and shield on his back, it did its job and made her feel alot safer wandering the streets with the Prince of Stormwind knowing someone with reflexes that weren't baby oriented was with them should Light forbid anything happen.
She had admitted (rather begrudgingly) to Varian that having a guard was increasingly becoming more and more the norm for her, and she wasn't sure how she felt about it. She could handle herself, she had proved that by merely living through the war and the battles that took place during, but now Anduin was here, it would be increasingly difficult to protect the both of them.
She knew more than anyone that once her concentration was on something it seldom left it, leaving her to shiver at the mere thought of what would happen and just make her more grateful for Jon's presence. Varian was in the process of hiring someone exclusively for her, but so far he hadn't been satisfied by any of the applicants, so the Westfall native was their sole line of defence for now, and on the surface at least he seemed content with that.
"I should bloody hope I am, since I'm presuming that I'm carrying it all back?" Val waved to those who recognised and greeted her, quickly arranging drinks with the fletcher before turning left and traversing what there was of the residential district so far. "Unless you'd rather push the carriage? He only tries to leap out once or twice, you'll be fine." Now he snickered. "No thanks, I'd rather cradle bacon in my arms than a baby." Val's eyebrow rose. "Oh hush, you enjoy Anduin's company as much as the rest of us." Jon snorted.
"I never said otherwise. I just can't imagine doing it every single day for the rest of my life." Val's laugh was quiet, telling Jon she was caught in the claws of remembrance. "My brother used to say after Papa died that he finally understood what he meant about eighteen not being when you stop being a parent." She grimaced, appreciating the small pat on her back.
"He would've made a great Father at some point." She sucked in a breath, squaring her shoulders and telling Jon without even opening her mouth that the conversation wasn't going anywhere. "So what about you? Are you sweet on anyone?" Jon scoffed, brushing his already slightly damp hair back and cursing how thick it was, something Val could relate to, so she silently passed him a hair tie she had on her wrist in case hers broke, getting a smile of gratitude and momentarily pausing so he could put his hair up.
"I don't have time to be sweet on anyone Milady, not until this new guard arrives and we can swap every now and then." Val frowned, knowing what he was talking about and feeling rather bad about it. "Well, what if we made it so whenever Varian's home you take the time off? I don't want you giving up your life for us Jon."
Now he chuckled, starting to walk again and hearing the noise of the morning rabble already, astounding them both once again with how quickly Stormwind had returned to its semi-normal state despite everything, with stalls being set up around a half built Trade District, vendors walking about with trays of bread or fish strapped around their necks, shouting over the throng of voices even though they can hardly be heard. "Milady, it's my job to give up my life for you and the prince, I wouldn't be much of a guard otherwise."
Val rolled her eyes, turning Anduin around so he could see everything, turning his head at all the sounds and colours of the resurrected city. "That's not what I meant and you know it. Everyone deserves a little time to themselves every once in a while." She waved over to Lizette, who she had to admit was a sight for sore eyes considering she was one of the few familiar faces Val could see nowadays.
"So, what's first on our list?" Val didn't actually have one, and apparently it was obvious. "Erm…I'm going to say eggs, because I'm really not sure if we have them." Jon folded his arms, looking around for the relevant stall and pointing her towards it. "Right then, let's get started before it becomes lunchtime."
She must have been out longer than she had expected to be, since before she knew it , a sweat covered Varian and Carson were waving and calling over, taking a steady stride over to her with the biggest smiles on their faces, something Val was very much glad to see. She handed over the silver and copper coins for the lushrooms and begrudgingly accepted Varian's salty kiss on her cheek with only the smallest of grimaces.
"You absolutely stink." She wasn't sure who was laughing more, the Kul Tiran stretching his calves out as he leant on the wall, or the king who bent and did the same thing to Anduin, ruffling what wisps of blonde hair the boy had. "Shows we've actually done something love." Val gladly let Varian push the carriage once he'd greeted Jon, trying to think in her head whether she'd gotten everything and cursing when she'd forgotten bacon of all things.
"Good run?" Varian snorted, looking worlds away from a clean cut king with his hair damp in its loose ponytail and carrying out what was by all accounts (to some at least) a woman's job, but to Val he just looked like a doting father who'd taken a few minutes to himself and was now eager to jump back on the saddle and be the parent again, cooing and pulling faces at his son, who had clearly noticed how happy his father was and was mimicking his large smile.
"It was until Mr. Big blouse over there needed to take a break." Carson unsubtly gave him the finger, earning a swat from Val. "It was all of thirty seconds! Apologies if I don't have the fucking stamina of a king! How the hells you can keep going after that long is beyond me!"
Val had truly thought it would be her laughing immaturely at what was probably an innocent sentence, but no, this time she was surprised to learn that Jon had much the same dirty humour as she did, getting to the point where he had to actually stop and bend over, covering his mouth as he tried in vain to maintain some dignity and stay the image of a disciplined guard.
Of course what made it worse was that his laughter had started Val off, starting a vicious cycle of immaturity that Varian and Carson could only roll their eyes at. "Light, it's like having three children." Val straightened, swatting him on the arm and huffing only semi-seriously. "Jon started it." The guard wiped his eyes, clearly doing his damnedest not to laugh again.
"Apologies Majesty, it's just…Light that sounded wrong." Carson rubbed both palms together, slinging an arm over Val's shoulders and making her fight not to gag. "Well come on then woman, where's this breakfast you promised?" Val's guilty look only made Varian smile more, since everyone in there little group knew that the two of them had been in no way expecting it and once again Carson was merely teasing the petite brunette. "I got chatting and ended up running a bit late, sorry. If it's any consolation, it's just bacon I have to get then we can go home and have it."
The Kul Tiran pretended to swoon, putting his weight on Val and making the squeaking woman push him away with an expression of pure annoyance. Varian stopped the carriage, noticing his son's eyelids start to droop and rubbing a knuckle on his cheek. "How long has he been up Val?" She took a few seconds to turn on the spot and find the square clock.
"He woke up not long after you left…but it could've been longer. So it makes sense that he's getting tired." Varian was already scooping him up in one arm and letting her arrange the small pillow that padded the wicker so he could lay Anduin down, kissing his head before he did and running a palm over it. "Typical. He's always asleep when I get back, no matter what time of day it is."
Val kissed his arm, not really caring about the state he was in and patting it after. "Don't moan about it Varian, it'll all change soon and then you'll be wishing he slept this long." Anduin had a vice like grip on Varian's finger, only letting go when Val stealthily slipped Mr. Froggy under his arm, making the king smile more dopily than he would've liked considering he was in public.
"I know, but I just feel like I'm missing everything." Val shrugged as if it were nothing, not really helping Varian's mood about the whole thing. "Well then you'll be happy to know we have him all to ourselves from lunchtime onwards, so you better get all your duties done as quickly as you can this morning."
Varian's brow furrowed, waving to those who acknowledged him now they were walking again, feeling a little disoriented and having no idea why. He figured it was because Vancleef had kept good on his plans to make Stormwind bigger than it was before, and Varian just wasn't used to the journey between shops taking this long; but maybe it was because he wasn't used to just going into the city anymore…he would admit that in the few years before Stormwind's fall he'd isolated himself in the Keep a little bit, so it did make sense.
It had been out of respect for the woman walking next to him that he'd done it, even if she would never believe him if he told her so. He knew he'd hurt her, and respected that the city market and places like it were her territory, places she visited frequently, he didn't want to mar the experience by appearing every day and making her remember everything when really, she had every right to carry on with her life as normally as she could.
So to say he felt a little alien in the city square now would be an understatement. "What's that supposed to mean exactly?" Val reached into the carriage and got her purse out, not listening when Carson tried to offer her his. "Tiffin has relented and decided that Anduin's staying at home while she visits her sister. So you can have as much time with him as you want, that's what it means."
The relief was as obvious as the nose on his face as she hopped up the step to the makeshift butchers. "Good, I'm glad she saw sense. Dragging an eight month old for four hours in a carriage to see a woman that doesn't even like him sounded ludicrous enough to make me worry for her health." Val leant on the doorframe since there wasn't anyone else looking for entry.
"And I told her that in a few nicer words. Don't berate her for it when we get back Varian, it's a complicated situation." She went in and Varian huffed, looking down at his sleeping son as he folded his arms and leant against the wall. "I thought Val was going to Westfall?" He shook his head, wondering how the boy slept through the overpowering noise of construction.
"No, she and Tiffin discussed it before we all went to bed apparently, and Tiffin thought it best she go." Jon clucked his tongue. "That explains why none of her men mentioned it this morning then." Varian thanked him for the reminder to brief Tiffin's retinue when they got home.
It was different with Val, she had a certain amount of battle skill, she could handle a small attack enough to warrant just having Jon with her, but Tiffin herself had admitted she had little to no combat prowess, so needed more than one man following her wherever she went, especially now the war was over and Varian was wary of the momentary peace.
"They'll soon know exactly what they're doing." Carson flashed him a grin, sweeping his hair back and attempting to blow on his forehead to cool it down. "Suppose I should make myself scarce tonight then?" Varian chuckled, inclining his head to Anduin. "I doubt anything amorous will occur with this one around." Carson's brows drew in and he took advantage of the good humour the king was in to tease him a little.
"When was the last time?" Varian hated to say it, but he honestly couldn't remember. Between caring for Anduin, cleaning up the Horde's mess and making sure everything was in order with the Alliance, all he'd wanted to do of a night was fall into bed and sleep, which to his annoyance, had been a regular occurrence.
"….Probably before Anduin was born, which is not something I'm proud of." Jon let out a low whistle before he could stop it, forgetting who he was talking to and biting of a sigh of relief when he didn't get berated for it. "That must be tough." Varian wasn't that comfortable with carrying this conversation on but he found it rude not to answer him.
"That's one way of putting it I suppose. I know she's as 'antsy' as I am, but hopefully she understands that it's nothing to do with her." Carson pulled a face. "Nah, Val's alot of things, but narcissistic isn't one of them. She knows you've got alot on." Jon couldn't help his chuckle.
"Makes you miss Minnie, doesn't it?" Varian made a noise of agreement, turning when he heard Val's voice getting louder and seeing her appear in the doorway chatting like she always was. "Aye, it does. That woman's been Light sent these past months." "Who's been Light sent?" Val took his arm briefly so she could stand on her toes and kiss his cheek.
"Minnie. I'm starting to think I should just force her by royal decree to live here again." Val snorted, dumping her prize on the bottom of the carriage and taking a second to gush as the sleeping boy within. "You know full well she still won't do it even if you begged her. She and Grand-da built that house together, she's never going to leave it now."
Jon shivered involuntarily. "I couldn't imagine living in Bloodstone, it sounds like a bloody horrible place." Val waved a hand of dismissal, not making a move yet and giving them the break they were all silently asking for. "You get used to it after a while."
Carson's brow furrowed. "Do you reckon you'll ever go there again?" Varian answered before she could, but she had half expected it and in a strange way found it a little sweet, so let him get on with it. "Over my dead, cold body. There's no way in every single one of the hells below us that I'm going to let you go to a town nefarious for robbers, murderers and rapists lurking around every damn corner, I'd rather bend over so an orc can have his merry green way with me."
Val was barely holding in her amusement at how angry he'd become and merely pointed at him. "What he said." Varian must've realised that he'd jumped the gun a little and his face straightened along with his shoulders. "I know it's more of a pain for the Glenmores, but thankfully they understand that now Val's station has changed that certain things have to change along with it. As much as I begrudge to say it-"
Somehow Val just knew the word 'Cillian' would be in the next string of the rant that she betted Carson regretted ever starting. "-But Cillian (she knew it) and I have come to an agreement that he ferry the Glenmores to and from Stormwind for a modest fee each time, along with safe passage." Jon was the one to chuckle now.
"A pirate that's been tamed, I'm surprised he allowed it." Val shrugged in nonchalance, taking Anduin's muslin from over his face where he'd pulled it in his sleep. "He's hardly 'tamed', Jon. Actually, if I remember rightly he got wind of a ship full of furs from the coast of Zuna and went to-" She noticed Varian's horrifically dirty look.
"You know what, never mind. Who wants breakfast?!" Varian put his arm over her shoulders, telling Jon and Carson that they'd meet them back at the house, and thankfully the two of them realised that he wanted some privacy with Val, waving to them as they sped up, merging with the crowd and letting Val slow her pace a little, wanting Anduin to sleep a bit longer.
"I'm sorry we have to change our plans." Val's eyebrow rose. "What, because of Anduin? Shut up Varian, I'd rather spend our time with him and you know it." A small but profound smile crept onto his face. "I do, and it fills me with such relief you can only begin to imagine it." His smile straightened, but she knew he was merely thinking, she could see the creases between his eyes get a little deeper. "I still think we should go somewhere for dinner. I haven't given you my full attention for too long, and I feel awful for it."
Val put a finger on the sole of Anduin's foot to check he wasn't getting too hot. "Ah Varian, you know you being busy is water off a ducks back at this point." Varian's grimace brought a small grin to her face. "I do, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. I tell you what, we'll go about six, let Johanna put Anduin down, go for dinner and spend the night up north. And I promise, all the time we're there it'll be no duties, no councillors, stonemasons, not one thing that has to do with Stormwind or the crown, for one whole night."
Val chewed her bottom lip as she thought about it. "It would be nice to have an evening with just us for once. And Tiffin's getting a break, so it stands to reason that we should get one too…" Varian was glad she wasn't just thinking that this was his excuse to palm Anduin off for one night. He prided himself on having cared for his son every day for the duration of his life so far, so nobody could ever accuse him of not mucking in when it came to taking control of Anduin's needs and wants. "Johanna needs to earn her wage somehow Val, she is his nanny."
Val chuckled. "That's also very true. Alright then, we'll go tonight." Varian bent down and lightly kissed her, well aware of how she didn't like over the to public displays of affection. "I'll have Gregor arrange it when I go down after breakfast." Val jerked like she'd been shocked. "Oh shit, I nearly forgot about breakfast! Come, before Jon and Car die of hunger."
