Hey guys! :D This is the 3rd story I was working on!
I had this idea since way back, and finally I put it down 'on paper', so to say XD
This will be a collection of little stories (some connected to others while some will be a stand alone) about baby Escanor and baby Merlin!
I'll try to make it easy for you to understand which one will be about who and to which other story/stories will be connected to (I'll probably name the chapters depending on the baby protagonist! XD).
I hope you'll like this idea! ^^
(They are so sweeeeet and precious as children! *.*)
Obviously all characters belong to Nakaba Suzuki, etc...
Please, follow me on twitter if you like! I'll appreciate it ^^
( /RoryWild4)
And Bertaz too! (She draws Escalin sooooo well! She's an inspiration and a huge help every time!)
( /BertazHead)
CHAPTER 1: Baby Escanor 1
"What happened here?"
The Mage had been busy with one of her experiments when she had heard a commotion coming from the main floor of the bar, curious and irritated by the distraction she had gone down to see what was it all about, but what she found was the last thing she had expected.
"One of the monsters we were fighting had an uncanny way of self-protecting itself."
Gowther explained matter of factly, while the Boar was still trying to overcome her shock.
Four of the Sins had had a mission to accomplish for King Barthra, and were gone for a couple of days.
Now two rambunctious children, who were none other than Meliodas and Ban, were running all over the place with King desperately trying to catch them to put some clothes on the two naked pests, she had to admit that it was a very comic sight. Right after that she began looking around searching for someone.
"Gowther, where is Escanor?"
She knew that he had gone with them and was curious to see if he had been changed too, as of now the only normal one was the Goat Sin. The doll pointed towards a table, where there was Diane kneeling down and looking under it, she couldn't see what was happening so she walked towards the giant girl.
"Come on, everything's fine, Ban and Meliodas are funny and we are your friends."
She heard the Serpent Sin trying to persuade someone hidden under there.
Hearing her approach the girl turned towards her, smiling, and moved so that the Mage could take her spot. She kneeled down, looked under the table and felt her chest warming up and a fond and gentle smile sprout out on her lips.
"Escanor."
At that voice the little child, who was curled up with his head on his knees and his arms around his legs, turned his head looking at her with tears running down his cheeks, he was obviously confused and scared.
"You are safe, we will help you."
She was using a very gentle tone, trying to reassure him and make him trust her. They seemed to be studying each other, she was very curious about Escanor as a child, how he would behave, if he had maintained his powers, and she was secretly amazed to see him in this form, he seemed cute; while the little Lion was astonished by the sight of that beautiful woman, he didn't know her but felt that he could trust her, that she was good and safe.
"Won't you come out from there?"
She offered him a hand, waiting patiently.
Escanor looked from her face to her hand a couple of times, then slowly he moved and reached for her, she smiled wider and when he took her hand helped him come out from there.
He seemed to have regressed more than the other two, they were about six or seven years old, while he seemed to be just four. He was wearing a very oversized undershirt, his eyes big and blue were shining with so many feelings, and she spied even two little dimples forming on his cheeks when he tried to smile uncomfortably at her.
She was right, he was incredibly cute!
The Mage smiled affectionately at him, noticing how unsure he was, and on instinct she opened her arms towards him, the gesture was unmistakable even for a small child, and the little Lion dashed immediately in the safety of her arms, searching for the comfort that he needed at the moment. Merlin smiled more, hugging him, caressing his head to try and reassure him.
After a moment she lifted up, taking him in her arms, Escanor's arms were wound tightly around her neck, it was obvious that he felt safer with her.
"Oh wow."
At that instant she remembered that they weren't alone, and the others were now looking at them with surprised eyes.
"What?"
She asked in a defensive tone, blushing lightly.
"You know your way with children!"
Diane was looking at them with a strange stare.
"Yeah, but seeing as this is Escanor it's not really surprising!"
King teased, chuckling slightly, receiving a frown from the Mage.
"Then I will take care of him while researching a way to turn them back to their normal selves, you can take care of those two."
At the horrified expression on the fairy's face she responded with a sly smile, she knew she was taking the best part of that deal.
"Shouldn't you be the one in charge of the children?"
She raised an eyebrow at that.
"And why would I be?"
She asked the semi panicking Sin.
"Well you're the only one with experience about raising a child."
Merlin looked at him in surprise and confusion.
"What? Didn't you raise Arthur?"
He asked matter of factly, while Diane and Gowther nodded their assent.
"I did, in a way, but he was older than them and already self-sufficient. By taking care of the younger of the three while also searching for a solution I am already taking care of a fair share of the problem here."
The others couldn't very well say anything at that, she was right, but she was also leaving them to take care of the two big pests that were Meliodas and Ban, and they all knew that.
Unluckily today Elizabeth wouldn't come over until evening, she was with her father and sisters today, with her at least Meliodas would have been manageable.
"Okay, okay, we'll find a way to take care of those two."
Accepted King finally, they didn't really have another option.
"I'll be in my lab or room."
She nodded to her companions and teleported to her room, with the little child still gripping her for dear life, he was really strong for a baby of that age.
The Mage tried to coax him to lessen his grasp, caressing his back in a circle to comfort him, and gradually she succeeded. The child backed away slightly to look her in the eyes, he was calmer but wasn't completely okay still.
"Hi, I am Merlin, do you remember me?"
She smiled gently, while he was looking at her with fascination, and slowly shook his head, looking down almost ashamed by his lack of recognition.
"It's okay, I'll find a solution to this. In the meantime we need to make you comfortable and presentable."
She was grinning and her smile was infectious, because little Escanor smiled in answer, those cute dimples appearing again.
"Can you talk? It would be easier to understand each other."
He seemed a bit unsure, but quickly it was replaced by determination.
"Yes."
He wasn't completely satisfied with that, and tried searching for something else to say. The best thing was to stick to the basis.
"Hi, I am Escanor, I am pleased to meet you."
He said politely, earning her approval and surprise, he was a very well behaved child.
"Hi Escanor. What do you say if we take a bath and then I'll find you some clothes?"
The child nodded enthusiastically, but then remembered what she had said before.
"Yes, I would like that, please."
He was trying hard to do his best.
"You don't have to be so formal with me, we are friends."
She winked at him, making him giggle.
She then smiled and held him on her hip with one arm, while she gestured with her other hand and made a bathtub appear in the center of the room, ready with warm water and bubbles. The young child was gleefully surprised, open mouthed, his big blue eyes turning from the tub to her.
"You are magical!"
He exclaimed in an excited voice, making her laugh slightly.
"I'm a mage."
"Wow!"
He was completely fascinated by her, his open stare almost making her blush.
"Well then, off these clothes and in it we go."
She gestured again and they were both naked in the tub, she was leaning with her back on it, and was holding the kid in front of her, sitting on her bent legs so that he had his head out of the water. Little Escanor began immediately playing with the water, laughing in delight at all the bubbles around him.
Merlin was watching him, a warm feeling diffusing through her chest at the sight, and decided to help him have fun. She began gesturing with one hand, the other supporting the child, and water and bubbles figures began appearing out of the tub and float in front of them: there were all kinds of animals, running, flying or splashing around, there were also a ship venturing in the air, some knights battling with one another, and other figures that a little child could like.
Escanor was enraptured by the show, smiling, giggling, clapping his hands and laughing non stop, Merlin was very proud of this accomplishment, watching with an affectionate smile the little one having fun.
Suddenly he turned around looking straight at her with a big sweet smile.
"Thank you Merlin!"
He hugged her around the neck, snuggling against her. She was still for a moment, shocked by the affectionate gesture, her heart jumping lightly in her chest, but then melted and hugged him in turn, caressing his hair.
"You are very welcome Escanor."
After a moment he moved back, a big smile on his face, and turned towards the magic water show, playing around in the water, while the Mage made sure he was safe.
Finishing the bath, she then dried off herself and the child, and made some clothes for him, that were received with those cute dimples showing themselves at his big smile of thanks. She unconsciously dressed herself less showing than usual.
"Now that we are both dressed, are you hungry?"
Escanor seemed to think seriously on that question.
"Not right now."
He was a little unsure but her smile encouraged him to go on.
"I'm tired."
He tried to stifle a yawn but was visible nonetheless.
"It isn't surprising, you had a very eventful day."
She said while caressing his hair.
"You can sleep on the bed in the other room… or you could stay here on the couch, what would you prefer?"
He had made an uncomfortable face hearing that he would have to go into another room.
"Where are you staying?"
He asked in a bashful tone, playing with his hands.
"I'll be staying here, I need to research some things."
Her answer made up his mind in a second.
"I'll sleep on the couch."
He smiled and she chuckled at that, it seemed that he didn't want to be alone, it was understandable. She summoned a fluffy pillow and a soft blanket, and led him to the couch, waiting for him to lay down to tuck him in. Once he was comfortable he stared at her, as if expecting something.
"What?"
She lifted an eyebrow, his gaze didn't go unnoticed. He blushed, embarrassed.
"What is it Escanor?"
She sat at his side waiting for him to find his words with patience.
"Uhm...can you...read something to me, please?"
He wasn't looking at her, too timid.
She was surprised but really shouldn't, it was common for children to have a goodnight story before sleeping. Not that she had ever had something like that, but it was common knowledge and a common practice in normal families, even royal families it seems.
"I don't have books that would suit you, I'm afraid."
He seemed to visibly deflate, a little pout on his lips.
"It's okay."
She didn't know what it was but she couldn't resist that pout, and she didn't want him to be sad.
"Although I can tell you a story."
At her words he immediately lightened up, looking at her excitedly, and she smiled warmly at him.
"What kind of story do you like?"
"The ones with brave knights who battle the monsters to save the beautiful ladies!"
She chuckled slightly at that, of course he would like that kind of story.
"Ok then. Once upon a time…"
She began narrating, and for Escanor's absolute delight, used her magic to make the characters come to life as a mix of colored shapes and lights, and act accordingly to her tale.
She used some of their missions as reference, maybe something familiar could make him remember something, but soon she lost herself in her tale and in his big, blue, awed eyes.
When finally he fell asleep she kissed him lightly on his forehead, tucked him in again, and then went to one of her desks, making sure that she could see him from her position.
She occupied herself reading and researching a way to make the three Sins go back to their true age, some hours passed like that, when suddenly she began hearing distressful sounds coming from her couch. She put down her books, some were hovering around her, and walked towards the sleeping child, finding him tossing around, his brow furrowed and he was moaning in distress, he was clearly having a nightmare. The Mage was at his side in the blink of an eye, she was worried, what could scare him so badly that he was having nightmares about? She thought that a normal child didn't usually have many concerns, although she didn't know Escanor's situation as a child, she only knew that he had been a prince, and as a prince she didn't think he had many worries at that age.
Turning back in the present she put a hand gently on his shoulder trying to wake him up, calling his name in a hushed tone so as not to startle him. His eyes shot open, he was obviously afraid and for a moment didn't seem to recognize his surroundings, but when he saw her he immediately launched himself in her arms, gripping her clothes tight and snuggling against her as if to hide himself. Merlin on instinct hugged him, trying to comfort and reassure him, rocking back and forth slowly.
"Shhh, it's okay, it was only a bad dream, you're safe, everything's fine."
She continued talking to him in a gentle and calming tone and after some time he quieted down and stopped trembling.
"Escanor, are you feeling better?"
He stayed silent for a few more moments, his face hidden against her neck, then slowly he moved back a little, and she could see his eyes full of tears regarding her with uncertainty.
"You seem still tired, you should sleep some more, you're safe, nothing happened."
The child was visibly exhausted and the nightmare hadn't helped at all, he wanted to sleep but his grip on her didn't loosen even a little bit.
"Do you want me to stay with you?"
He nodded immediately, he didn't want to leave the safety of her arms. The Mage sighed amused and smiled gently.
"Ok then."
She took him in her arms, laying on her couch with him against her, she positioned herself so that he would be more comfortable, and sure enough the child immediately curled up on her, laying on her chest and snuggling against her breasts. He seemed very comfortable, and she suppressed a laugh, amused at the sight, and took note to tease him for that once he was back at his right age.
For now he was allowed this freedom, later who knows…
The Boar began caressing him, lulling him to sleep, and once she was sure that he was asleep, she summoned a book to continue her research.
This was obviously about baby Escanor! XD I hope you liked it! I had fun thinking and writing this one, and also a field trip in adorable-land! *.* He's so cute! 3
I also intend to have an end for at least some of the stories, in which they will go back to adult form, but I think I'll be writing it randomly, not in story order.
Also, the rate could change depending on what I'll write as an ending, but for once I'll try to stay on the safe side! ;)
I hope this won't be too complicated to understand "^^
Please, give me your input! :)