guffawsungraciously | psl time: single dad au edition

Yes, of course. Dinner would be fine, at the very least.

[...hopefully the king doesn’t decide to show up again for dinner. Holy fuck, man, he doesn’t want to deal with the “king” more than he has to.]

I feel like I want to try it regardless, just for the sake of it.

[He takes a bite and thinks about it...]

No, not quite. I do not hate it, but I would not eat more.

[A faint chuckle escapes at that food critique.]

I do not think you could possibly truly hate a sweet dessert, my friend.

[He leans back in his chair a bit, fingers drumming on the table.]

If you are finished, I can walk you back to your room. So you do not have to worry about the doors.

[He feels the need to explain, as if he's somehow insulting Jasper with the implication of escorting him.]

Doing things one-handed is not too difficult... but I would rather not take any risks I do not have to with the little one.

[doing things for the sake of baby is more dignified. He sips the last of his tea and smiles.]

You know, I almost wish to put on some sort of challenge wherein contestants attempt to make a sweet dessert I actively dislike.

A contest where everyone has to meet your high standards? One that involves food? That seems like something you might enjoy to the point of overindulgence.

[That is to say, it sounds perfectly ridiculous and he wonders if he might end up roped into it somehow.

He stands up with a slight stretch, rounding his chair to walk to the other side of Jasper to peek at Celestine. She still seems rather awake considering her earlier yawn, but looks can be deceiving.]

Ready to head back, little one? Time to head home.

[It's a little silly, considering they live in the castle, but he's talking to a baby who really can't understand him, so...]

You say that as though it is a bad idea that I will regret.

[He won’t, is what he’s saying.

Celestine is at least still looking around in that kind of dazed way that very young babies do, but she could nod off at a moment’s notice on account of being baby. He stands up and picks her bassinet up and slings it under one arm. Once that's secure, he picks up the bottle with his free hand since Hendrik is offering to handle doors anyway, then smiles at Hendrik’s statement before looking down to talk to her.]

Do not fret, my dear. Though the road home may be perilous, we have an accomplished escort guiding us there.

[...it’s fun talking to a baby who has no fucking idea what he’s saying, alright.]

I feel this one will grow up with a flair for the dramatic, under your care.

[It's a clear tease following the way Jasper speaks to his daughter, Hendrik's mood light enough to be able to enjoy his own (non-pun) joke. He strides to the large double doors to hold one open.]

What perils may there be on the way? An unlit patch of corridor, a slightly wet floor?

The most likely seems to be that we will encounter more admirers at a point where she may prefer to take a nap, which is also the most horrible outcome of all.

[He's going to keep up the bit because hell, he's having fun! He also sounds more proud than irritated by the idea, because Celestine doesn't seem that sleepy just yet. And it's nice to see that everyone loves her...!]

Ah, of course. The random encounters on the path home. Always a trial when you are not at your best.

[He walks beside Jasper in the broad width of the corridor, looking at Celestine in her pleasant oblivion to their fanciful talk.]

Ugh, they truly are. Do you remember that time we were about three feet away from camp and we got ambushed by disgruntled hammerhoods...

[...huh. he's got a kid to tell dumb stories to, now, doesn't he.

...

He never thought that'd happen, honestly...]

How could I forget? We were so tired returning to camp. I am not sure who was more annoyed by the encounter, truthfully -- the hammerhoods or us.

[Frustrated. Exhausted from a long day. It had been one of those nights where he snored and had little care who had to deal with it.]

The hammerhoods did not have to listen to you snoring afterwards, so I would say they had the better time of it.

[...he's not a man who can resist the occasional dig.]

I would think you immune to it by now, but I suppose that is just hopeful thinking on my part. I must have disturbed your sleep no less than a hundred times in our lives so far.

[Between his nightmares as a child and his snoring as a young knight, he might as well have come with a warning label of some kind for anyone sharing a tent or room with him.]

Perhaps I would have if you were consistent about it, but you are not really an issue if you have not been working the whole day. I suppose at the very least, I knew that if we were having a tiring day, I would not get any rest at the end of it...

Unfortunately not. But you never failed to look impressive come morning. Like you actually managed to sleep.

[Which is, you know, pretty impressive unto itself while traveling around the countryside.]

I usually managed to get at least a bit of sleep in, in fairness, though you can chalk most of it up to my wonderful complexion.

[...his hands are too occupied for him to preen.]

[Unsurprisingly, Hendrik is familiar enough with Jasper's mannerisms to know this is a moment during which he would likely be flicking back his hair.]

Mm. Yes, you are quite blessed with your looks. There were days on the road where I questioned if blood and grime could even stick to your skin.

[Was that too blatant? Hopefully not. He's not even sure he can walk back that comment in any way.]

[Jasper doesn't actually see that as anything... flirty... because it's kind of just a statement of fact...]

Well, I take steps to remain fastidious in my appearance even in the depths of the wilderness. It is not too difficult so long as you are prepared; why, I dare say even you may be able to do it if only you learned how.

It seems each new rank comes with a new level of fastidiousness... I was told by Sir Lazarite to give myself an additional 25 minutes to prepare in the mornings once I became general.

[Not that he used all that time, especially while traveling.

They soon enough reach Jasper's room, without any delays along the way.]

You have some kind of daily care regimen, I imagine?

I suppose you have started looking slightly less scruffy when I have seen you around, now that you mention it...

[Hendrik was never too unkempt, granted, but he was definitely more prone to looking a touch rough.

But anyhow, he may as well give out some self care tips!]

Ah, of course. It is not necessarily something you have to do right before waking up, either, so you can get away with sleeping a bit late.

I understand it is all a matter of looking professional and showing confidence, but it also seems rather troublesome.

[But. Well. He's not going to say no to advice on something he is not particularly skilled with.]

I welcome the advice, regardless.

There are various lotions you can rub on your face before bed that will leave you with better looks in the morning than you would have otherwise.

[He'll wait for Hendrik to open the door, then.]

At the very least, if you are tired, it will leave you without dark circles under your eyes.

[Hendrik frowns as he listens, reaching for the door handle and positioning himself so he won't bump into Jasper while pulling the door open.]

Lotion? Is that all? That is much simpler than I was expecting.

Well, it is one of many things, and you have to be certain you are choosing the right kind of lotion lest you end up with some sort of breakout. But it is a good place to start.

[He walks on into his room and heads over to his desk, where he sets down the milk and the bassinet just for a rest and so he can look and see how she’s doing.

She’s doing good! Just kind of vibing, really.]

I generally thought that lotion is to ... keep your skin from drying out. To soften it. That is the same idea with using it before you sleep?

[Well, that help would explain why Jasper's face looks so soft and youthful. He would be tempted to say pretty if he didn't think it would be construed as odd and possibly insulting.

Jasper may be a pretty man, but Hendrik finds it difficult to think he wants to simply be known as a pretty man.]

Yes, exactly. Keeping your skin from drying out overnight keeps it looking healthier in the morning. Of course, it generally feels better as well, so it is worth doing for more than just aesthetics.

[...actually, he should check and see how Celestine’s doing on that front, since it is probably terrible to be itchy when you don’t have enough control over your limbs to scratch. He pats her head and her cheeks and... ah, nothing to worry about so far. She is very soft.]

psl time: single dad au edition

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