Warning: Lot's of fluff

Candlelight

A child's cry pierced the air, making Dorian breathe out tiredly. Because of their busy schedule, the King and Queen remained in bed, but even though someone hushed the child, the wails only became louder. It was clear that the baby did not want her caretaker.

Smiling despite the time of night, Dorian opened his eyes, declaring an "I'll get her," his companion didn't outwardly react to.

It took a few tries, but the blue-eyed man finally stood up and headed for the adjoined bedroom where the flustered caretaker stood. "Your majesty-"

"It's fine, I'll take her. Take the night off."

Ignoring the apology and reassuring the caretaker once more, Dorian cringed as the cries became more insistent. "Hey, it's okay, there's no catastrophe, Sorrin." The baby fisted a hand on his shirt, pulling as the tears continued. Despite the permanent damage to his eardrum, Dorian chuckled. "I think I know what you want."

Manon was awake, sitting up in bed with a hand rubbing at her face. Dorian grinned in her direction even though the baby pushed at his face in an effort to get away. "She is too dependable," he heard Manon mutter while Sorrin took a breath before wailing again.

"She's ten months old."

The witch shrugged. "Leave her at the edge of the bed."

"What? Why?"

"If she wishes to be held, she must earn it."

Even though he frowned in disapproval, Dorian placed Sorrin on the far end of the sheets. The bed looked enormous all of a sudden. "She's a baby," he countered.

"She is lucky. Most witches grow up without their mother."

The King breathed out. They had already talked about Sorrin's upbringing in detail before, but it was hard for Dorian to accept the strictness. Sorrin couldn't even talk yet.

Still, he took a step back and watched as the baby sniffed, sitting up on her behind, her lower lip jutting out in a pout that could melt the coldest glaciers. It did nothing to move Manon however. A cry that sounded suspiciously close to 'mama' left her lips and Dorian itched to pick her up and give her to the witch, who was merely staring at her daughter closely.

"If you want mama," the witch said slowly, "you crawl to mama."

'She's a baby, Manon,' he thought, 'just pick her up.'

But to his surprise, Sorrin quieted, sniffing again as she blinked at her mother. She gave a little whine which caused Manon to cross her arms.

Because of it, slowly, impossibly, Sorrin got on her little legs...and crawled the large expanse of the bed. The smile on Manon was short of breathtaking and the resounding cry of joy from Sorrin made Dorian's eyes water.

"Strong girl," Manon whispered as she picked up Sorrin, who cooed as she wrapped her arms around her mother's neck.

Dorian circled the bed and even let out a chuckle as Sorrin lay her head on Manon's shoulder.

"Tomorrow," the witch said as they got comfortable, "I'm taking Sorrin with me."

Alarm bells rang all around Dorian's brain. "Tomorrow? Aren't you going hunting with your Thirteen tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"And you want to take Sorrin?"

"I am taking her."

His mouth dropped. "Absolutely not."

Manon's face was impassive. "Contrary to popular belief, some witches are not born with love for the wind. We must learn to enjoy it."

"No way! I understand your training and everything else, but you are not taking our daughter on Abraxos to hunt!"

"Kaya designed a carrier for her. She will be fine-"

"No, Manon."

"I'm not asking for your permission nor your opinion."

Dorian stopped himself before he upset the drowsy child. It was an effort to lower his voice. "That is not fair, she is my daughter too."

The witch rubbed Sorrin's back. "Your concern is noted, but this is necessary. The first flight is important and the earlier the better. Some witchlings are taken to the air days after their birth. I waited because of you."

Dorian was touched, but his worry did not lessen. "Then fly with her here in the castle grounds, not for a hunt."

They stared at each other for a bit, their expressions strikingly similar. Manon let out a breath as she lay the back of her head against the headboard. "You can come too, if you're so worried."

Dorian balked. Hunting within the Thirteen was sacred. Their wyverns could get their food from the castle if they wished, but they insisted on hunting to maintain bonds and forge their strength. It had become such a big deal, there was talk of the forming of a holiday around the sport. People would even come up to the castle walls and see them off sometimes.

That Manon was offering Dorian a chance to go for the sake of their child was touching, but heavily alarming. Her sentries would follow her orders and let him join, but that bond that had been formed over years and years would be broken if they let an outsider in, even if it was him.

"You can't expect me to say yes."

She blinked. "It's only fair."

Fair, yes. Plausible? No. "If something happened to her-"

"Abraxos will stay behind. We will watch the hunt from the sky."

Dorian nodded to himself, drinking in the way Sorrin reached for her mother's hair, her tiny hand fisting around the locks. "I trust you, okay? With my life," he clarified, "but I still worry."

"This hunt will be short." Manon's voice was soft, careful, but deliberate. "We will be back within a few hours."

The King had the urge to groan out, but he kept the sound down because the baby had fallen asleep. "Promise me."

Manon's eyes narrowed. "This is my child too, do not forget that." He knew what she meant. Witchlings were rarities. Treasured and loved. Assuming Manon would not take care of their child was ludicrous. "But I promise."

A smile shown through his worried features as he leaned in close. "I love you, you know that, right?"

Manon shrugged, though her movement was minute. "If you truly loved me," she began in that bedroom-soft voice he was obsessed with, "you would turn off the lights."

A bit of the laugh he had to contain escaped and he got off the bed to sputter out a few chuckles. Shaking his head while keeping a hand to his mouth, Dorian blew away the candles, but not before catching the sly grin on Manon's face as she watched him struggle.

What can I say except for acknowledging the fact that this is really cute?

Lady Elvira - I PM'd you!

Guest - Dorian definitely got some help, but he did most of the work.

Guest - I would be honored if you drew and posted a scene from any of my fics! If you do end up posting it somewhere I implore you make an account and message me the link or leave me a way to contact you. I would love to feature the art on my profile if you wish!

fandomsareforever15 - Your reviews always bring a smile to my face!

Thanks for everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited!

I have a special treat for the next update! Dorian and Manon might go on a little date~