guffawsungraciously | psl time: single dad au edition

...

[Jasper kind of... squints...]

You... are feeling well, are you not, Hendrik? You look a bit flushed.

[........or did he..............]

[He shifts, just barely stopping himself from rocking backwards at that accusatory (accusatory??) stare.]

I am-- I am perfectly well, thank you.

[His fingers twist at his sides, begging to curl into stressed fists. Can he deflect this?]

The only one not feeling well here is you, Jasper.

[Yes. Amazing.]

...you were presumably up all night, Hendrik. If you are not feeling well, you should just talk to the doctor before things get particularly bad.

[...........]

Unless you want the two of us looking after you as well...?

[Hendrik doesn't answer right away. It's ridiculous, but somehow it is appealing to imagine being looked after like that.]

I will talk to a doctor should I start feeling unwell. But, as I said, I am fine. Truly.

[... ... ...]

You could not look after me while you are sick, in any case. So Celestine would be left in charge.

Hm... that would be a bit beyond her, even if she would make quite the adorable little nurse.

[He tickles Celestine beneath the chin, and she giggles and wiggles.]

So you will at the very least have to keep yourself well until I am in good health.

[Some of the nervousness drains away when he hears Celestine giggle; it's remarkable to think about how much she's grown and how expressive she's become.]

...I can do that. You will be back on your feet in two days or so. That is not long at all.

[He doesn't mean to make it sound like he's promising to get sick, but it sure does sound like it.]

[...yeah you know it kind of...]

Do not go out of your way to fall ill, though. I have enough to worry about without you catching your death.

[...he’s already feeling kind of tired from the conversation...]

Ah... Of course not. I would hate to take you away from your priorities.

[His eyes flit from Jasper's face to Celestine, who wiggles and looks up at her father with her limited vision.]

In any case, you are right. I should rest -- and so should you.

Yes, I believe we all should.

[Jasper pushes the tray away a bit, then moves Celestine to his lap so he can face her more directly towards Hendrik.]

Say goodnight to Sir Hendrik, Celestine, and tell him you also wish for him to get a good rest.

[She makes a few burbles before sticking her hand back in her mouth.]

...I am sure you got your intentions across, my dear.

[Hendrik smiles at Celestine and her father, charmed by how they interact. Jasper had really become a wonderful parent, stepping up in ways he wouldn't have expected in their shared youth. He's happy for him. Truly.

Maybe he'll be able to have a family of his own after they eliminate the Darkspawn and get the monster populations under control again.]

Goodnight to both of you. Rest well.

[He steps back until he clears the foot of the bed before turning around to leave.]

[Despite otherwise feeling otherwise... not very good, Jasper does feel his mood lightened by the end of things, even if he does have... questions.

...

He’ll deal with those when he is well. For now, he will just give one last goodbye.]

I hope to see you in good health tomorrow, Hendrik.

[...oh, he probably should get up and arrange things so Celestine can go back to her bassinet while he sleeps... eh, he’ll do that in a second. He likes spending time with his kid, so sue him!!!]

[There are no further words said in farewell as Hendrik slips out the door, a sigh escaping as he carefully shuts the door so it makes no noise.

He blinks when he looks down the corridor to see King Carnelian standing there. It's an automatic gesture to lift a hand to his chest in salute, head bowed as the king approaches.

"Spending more time with Jasper and his child, I see." Considering his lofty tone while on the throne, Carnelian's voice could be considered mild now.]

Ah. Yes, sire. I wanted to check on their well-being, with the current weather.

["Your dedication to them is admirable. You only recently rekindled your friendship with Jasper, correct?" Carnelian nods slowly when Hendrik nods in the affirmative. "Do be sure you are not doing so for the wrong reasons. 'twould be terrible if you felt beholden for reasons of guilt."

Hendrik shakes his head.]

Not at all, sire. I genuinely enjoy my time with them.

[The look that Carnelian gives his general is strange and unreadable. It makes Hendrik vaguely uncomfortable. "In any case, you just returned from your expedition, Hendrik. Be sure to get some rest."]

...Of course, Your Majesty.

[Hendrik bows his head as the king departs, another sigh passing his lips as soon as he is outside of earshot.]

psl time: single dad au edition

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