Last time I ever let my wife drag me along for girls night.

I still can’t believe my wife volunteered my services.

“Isn’t it always…? Can’t ever just lie back and relax. Not anymore, at least.”

Yawwwnnn… what a borrreeee.

“Want to go out and get something to eat, dearest? I’m pretty sure I know of a few good places.”

“Hey, honey. My love.”

That’s just it. To be looked at like you were some… pawn. I never really understood that. Though maybe I’m used to a more… affectionate way of going about marriage. [Sigh.] To think that you could have been forced to marry a man you couldn’t quite see yourself being with…

… I see. [Perhaps that was something he never even paid attention to. It was always about love, never crests.] That’s not what we have.

If it helps any, I can’t say I thought you’d ever do anything like that between us. I truly do love you. This was without any arrangements or the sort. [Though, an outsider would think it was because of their kid.] I’m truly glad I get to have you at my side.

[There it is.] Hey, add Shahid to the list, and you won’t hear from me for a week and a half. [He wasn’t joking either. But he knows they can’t do that.]

Yeesh. [Glad he actually loves her, because this would’ve looked TERRIBLE.] You know, in your defense, some of those noblemen actually need to be brought down a peg or two. They’d deserve that.

Honey, you’ve REALKY got to raise your standards. What if I were some stuck up noble with no other reason of being with you than having a kid? [Damn. He’s aware of what other nobles do, huh…?]

… what? Now, why would I ever do that? [Shahid keeps getting close to being on the receiving end.]

Just know that when it comes to battle, I don’t always tell him what to do. Some of it he does on his own accord.

… I knew that.

Habibti, I know he’s soft, but he’s certainly no pretty pony. He hardly even bites anyone. [Lol, lmao. Refer to addendum 1, chapter 3, where he mauled that rich jerk on a whim.]

[Looking at her. Wait, she was… she’s was SERIOUS?] Dimitri? Softie? Yeah. And Omar is a pretty pony.

I’d want nothing more, my love. Though? I’d hate to think of what Dimitri would do if he found out…

… well, maybe I want people to know. What then?

Hey, hey. Heyyyyyy. Babe. We weren’t SUPPOSED to say that bit out loud. [Yeah, because what he said was better.]

I love my wife and kid.

[Looking her up and down.] Oh, I don’t know. Humoring me, helping me when I needed it the most… Probably why Dimitri and the rest hate me so much.

What did I do? What did I do to deserve someone like you? [To this day, he can hardly believe it.]

It’s actually… perfect. [He’s in shock. Can they blame him?] I wouldn’t wish for this to be with anyone else, either. Just you and I, together forever.

Oh, so Ashe can do it, but when I do it with Ingrid, it’s an issue?

//My issue is, my Arabic is Moroccan Arabic, which means I can’t COMPLETELY adapt that to my Claude.

That’s EXACTLY what I said, Ing, but I just… … Huh. [If he were a puppy, his tail would be wagging.]

It’s such a great idea, I’m glad I had it.

Perfect. Next feeding with Omar, I’ll bring extras for Achilles. [Surely he’ll like him then.]

(Wait. What?) … say that again?

Maybe I should bring him some food. Don’t know if he’ll eat like Omar does, but I can pull a few strings.

[Pulling her in for a kiss without hesitation. Why would he?]

If it helps, he hasn’t tried to bite me as of late. That’s good, right?

See! So clearly, it’s not MYYYYY fault.

I thought he liked me, too.

[Breaking the fourth wall.] Someone’s been busy, so now /I’ve/ been busy. It’s a whole thing, babe.

Achilles said this to me once before. [Source: it came to him in a dream.]

Wait wait wait Let me tell you something. LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING.

Haha, heyyyyyyy.~ [Totally normal. He wasn’t gone or anything.]

Mhhh…

… I’m sure I can manage that. I’ve made tighter schedules, and all of them with plenty of time to spend with you and Aliah. An hour is hardly enough, but it’ll be a great start.

[Head resting atop of hers, keeping her close.] I did, too. It’s been.. a good while since we’ve last got to relax like this.

[It’s not that he doubts them. They are, after all, talking about their own kid. But cuddling with Ingrid for a good while doesn’t sound half bad.]

[Ah. He was going to give her a break.] Of course, babe. [Hugging her, dragging her to bed.]

You can head to bed. I’ll babysit. You need all the rest you can get, honey.

I miss my wife. And kids.

I still have the chance to spend the day hoppin’ around. [Proud of himself.]

Omar has also been rather restless, but that — I couldn’t tell you what that’s about.

[His hair is a mess, and he hasn’t slept well in the last week. Haha. Parenthood.]

Omar narrowed his eyes, almost as if angry. She already tested him with the hatchling, and now she’s saying he can’t behave?!