AN: So this random bit I wrote when I was still considering making Xochitl overly hesitant about making up w/ Byakuya after the agreement with the Elders was receded.
A Kiss for Shelter: Extra
Stay With Me
While she had conceded to stay with him, she had still refused to relocate to his chambers. She insisted that the nightly feedings would disturb his rest. He had rather thought this simply an excuse for continual distance, but he had not argued. He was much too contented by her concession to stay and the new arrival of his son to brook any protest to her stubbornness.
But just when he had resigned himself to partially sleepless nights in which he mused on the two beings just rooms away, she surprised him.
Perhaps a month had passed, and while they seemed to coordinate well during the day- she had yet to relinquish some control over their son's nights. When the quiet sound of her footsteps reached his ears, he thought it only his imagination due to being on the edge of wakefulness and dreams. Yet the shoji slid back and his eyes flew open, completely aware that she was approaching with the child in her arms.
His heart suddenly ached due to the speed that it thumped against his ribs. Only a second passed and he sat up. He was forced to swallow hard before he might even speak, fearing the worst, "What is it?"
"Shh." She chided softly. The boy was latched to her breast, quietly suckling, nestled in the woven blanket marked with the crest of his clan.
He watched as she paced toward him, eyes steady upon the feeding child's face, seemingly oblivious to his anxious gaze upon her.
She said nothing as she paused to toe off her silk flats at the edge of his futon. Slowly she lowered herself to her knees and then sat seiza, still paying him no mind. She let the boy drink his fill and when she gently nudged him from her breast the baby gave no protest, his belly full.
Takuma was instantly in deep sleep and she carefully readjusted her yukata. Byakuya watched, rapt by how effortless it all seemed, awed by the fact that she had moved with utter grace, not jostling the child in the slightest.
When she outstretched the bundle toward him he was shocked to say the least, but did not hesitate to take his son from her hands.
The boy still seemed rather small, easily cradled in his father's palms. He stirred, making the softest mew, missing the warmth of his mother. But he soon settled as Byakuya drew him close, the smallest of smiles touching his lips.
He was enthralled once more by the soft cherubic cheeks and the milky skin that resembled his own. The full head of dark hair still smelled distinctly new, fresh and pure.
He was jolted from his reverie when Xochitl placed a folded blanket at his side. He had barely realized that she had moved to fetch it.
Soon enough she was reaching for Ren and settling him into the nest she'd made of the blanket at his side.
Again he could only stare as she nestled herself on the futon on the child's other side, pillowing her head with one arm as she lay on her side.
His heart clenched again in that strangely warm sensation like pain. He realized it was joy- pride swelling in his breast to see his woman and his son sharing his bed.
Xochitl said nothing. Only closed her eyes and sighed contentedly. She had not once met his eyes.
Weeks passed and this became their nightly ritual. After only two nights however, the woman found the noble waiting for her, blanket already shaped into a cradle for their child to snuggle into between them.
While Byakuya found himself quite pleased by the sudden and unexpected turn of events after three weeks of this he could not help but pose the one question he had not dared ask.
He lied on his back, eyes closed when she slid back the shoji. He waited in silence as she put Takuma into his makeshift bassinette and laid down.
"Will you not now, take my name?"
When she did not reply he turned his head only to find her staring at him.
"Yes." She finally said and then she smiled softly at him, "Gladly."