[ There was a time Hermann had thought he would never be with anyone. Least of all with someone like Newton. He was a... difficult man to be around, he knew that. He didn't like most people and his attitude demonstrated that frequently. But somehow Newt had worked his way past all of his defenses and here they were, years after the Breach had been closed.
As he takes his coat off, relieved Lukas was able to be distracted, he hands Newt his cane for the moment. ]
That's because the babysitter doesn't do it. The caregiver does.
[ Newt takes the cane on reflex, keeping it held out for him when he's ready for it. Of course, the comment prompts a roll of his eyes. ]
Same thing, Hermann.
[ They don't have long alone before Lukas returns holding up a piece of paper full of crudely written numbers. ]
We did math today like Papa does! [ Lukas might not be ready for really complex things, but ] Daddy helped. [ He says finally lowering the paper to speak over it. ]
Tried to get him to dissect a frog. Wouldn't do it. [ Newt waves his hands, whether he has the cane or not. ] Had to do math.
"Caregiver" is a title that gleans more respect than something like "babysitter", Newton. A job that you just admitted was more draining than you realized.
[ But after he takes his cane back, Lukas is there and presenting him with the paper and Hermann smiles down at him, soft, warm. He ruffles his hair again before taking the paper to look at more closely. He doesn't even look at Newt as he speaks. ]
That's because math is far more interesting, and cleaner, than extracting the entrails of an amphibian.
[ He then presses his forehead to his son's and the child presses back, their version of a nuzzle before Hermann is straightening himself back up and moving past to get to the kitchen. ]
[ Newt is more than happy to watch that with an "aaw" for good measure. It's hilarious and awesome, still to this day, to watch Hermann get all mushy. He had been a little worried about that. Hermann? Not exactly the most affectionate man. Lukas, however, is a very loved child. By both of his dads.
Lukas is thrown over Newt's shoulder like a sack of flour. Doesn't seem to bother him one bit. Newt pats his back (or butt, whatever was easiest at that angle) and asks him to be super awesome and clean up the toys while the dads finish dinner.
The little one wiggles down and narrates each toy being put away as if it were a story. That leaves Newt free to go to the kitchen. ]
We worked on that for forever?
[ Newt's smile couldn't be wider or prouder. He approaches Hermann, determined to get a kiss after spending all day with a kid reminding him of how much they both miss Papa. Newt leans against the counter close to the kettle. ]
[ After realizing he wanted a child, Hermann had also worried if he would be affectionate in the way that was needed for one so young and dependent. But it turns out, it wasn't that hard. Lukas had been a beautiful baby, tiny and quiet for the first several weeks of his life. The rest simply followed.
He merely smirks at Newt, waiting for the kettle to boil. ]
[ Hermann leans in closer, as well, knowing what Newt is after. ]
Don't be a sore loser, Newton.
[ And then he beats him to the kiss by connecting their lips first. It's a small, simple kiss. The longer ones can wait until later.
After they part, he says, just as calmly, ]
And stop our son from eating pasta out of the Tupperware, please.
[ Because Lukas had indeed inherited silent feet and utilized them when he wanted to. Such as sneaking into the kitchen when his parents were distracted. ]
[ He doesn't mind losing this battle. Math over biology? That is one he is going to win.
Newt kisses back as best as he can with the soft peck. ]
Hey. [ Eyebrows raised. ] I don't think a combination lock could keep him out.
[ Newt finally turns away to start getting dinner ready. They eat mostly well. Gotta make sure Lukas learns good habits, but man. Sometimes bad food is great too.
Speaking of, Lukas comes and wants a cup of "tea" with his papa. He tugs at Hermann's pant leg. Of course, the tea that they usually fix is plain water in a mug like the tea. ]
[ Hermann smiles down at Lukas before speaking to him in German about sitting at the table while he prepares the "tea" for their son.
He brings it over to the child and then goes back for his own as Newt is in the process of cooking (one of those talents Hermann had never been aware of until they drifted). ]
[ Newt likes keeping Lukas fluent in German. Definitely makes visiting the grandparents a whole lot easier. Especially Grandpa Geiszler. Poor dad never could get the hang of English. For dinner they'll have something he's cooked a thousand times. He doesn't want to hear from Hermann about ~~his precious kitchen~~. Really, the dude acts like it can never be clean. ]
How was it without all the real scientists running around?
[ Lukas does as he's told. He's surprisingly a good listener. Definitely one of those moments where you know Hermann's DNA was involved. ]
[ Lukas is such a well behaved kid. He sits at the table, drinking at his tea very carefully like both dads had taught him. He's so focused, he manages to be quiet for a few seconds. Plus, Hermann's been getting better about slowly teaching him the importance of manners. Hey, he's a kid. It'll take time.
Newt, on the other hand, is rolling his eyes and continuing to talk. ]
Handle something a little more dangerous than chalk and you might understand, dude. [ And with a spatula flailing around in the process, ] WHY am I the one cooking if you think I'm going to spontaneously combust???
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
As he takes his coat off, relieved Lukas was able to be distracted, he hands Newt his cane for the moment. ]
That's because the babysitter doesn't do it. The caregiver does.
no subject
Same thing, Hermann.
[ They don't have long alone before Lukas returns holding up a piece of paper full of crudely written numbers. ]
We did math today like Papa does! [ Lukas might not be ready for really complex things, but ] Daddy helped. [ He says finally lowering the paper to speak over it. ]
Tried to get him to dissect a frog. Wouldn't do it. [ Newt waves his hands, whether he has the cane or not. ] Had to do math.
no subject
[ But after he takes his cane back, Lukas is there and presenting him with the paper and Hermann smiles down at him, soft, warm. He ruffles his hair again before taking the paper to look at more closely. He doesn't even look at Newt as he speaks. ]
That's because math is far more interesting, and cleaner, than extracting the entrails of an amphibian.
no subject
Oh yeah? You're gonna take his side? [ Newt dives down to pick Lukas up again and "bite" at his stomach, resulting in a fit of giggles.
And Lukas looking at Hermann upside down when the giggles calm. ]
Did I do good, Papa?
no subject
You did very good.
[ He then presses his forehead to his son's and the child presses back, their version of a nuzzle before Hermann is straightening himself back up and moving past to get to the kitchen. ]
Now, Papa is in desperate need of some tea.
no subject
Lukas is thrown over Newt's shoulder like a sack of flour. Doesn't seem to bother him one bit. Newt pats his back (or butt, whatever was easiest at that angle) and asks him to be super awesome and clean up the toys while the dads finish dinner.
The little one wiggles down and narrates each toy being put away as if it were a story. That leaves Newt free to go to the kitchen. ]
We worked on that for forever?
[ Newt's smile couldn't be wider or prouder. He approaches Hermann, determined to get a kiss after spending all day with a kid reminding him of how much they both miss Papa. Newt leans against the counter close to the kettle. ]
I think you've turned him to the Dark Side.
no subject
He merely smirks at Newt, waiting for the kettle to boil. ]
I believe you mean I have "shown him the Light".
no subject
Pft. [ Newt leans in a little closer, ] More like corrupted him, Vader.
[ Haha, get it? German? Well, Newt's smiling anyway. ]
no subject
Don't be a sore loser, Newton.
[ And then he beats him to the kiss by connecting their lips first. It's a small, simple kiss. The longer ones can wait until later.
After they part, he says, just as calmly, ]
And stop our son from eating pasta out of the Tupperware, please.
[ Because Lukas had indeed inherited silent feet and utilized them when he wanted to. Such as sneaking into the kitchen when his parents were distracted. ]
no subject
Newt kisses back as best as he can with the soft peck. ]
Hey. [ Eyebrows raised. ] I don't think a combination lock could keep him out.
[ Newt finally turns away to start getting dinner ready. They eat mostly well. Gotta make sure Lukas learns good habits, but man. Sometimes bad food is great too.
Speaking of, Lukas comes and wants a cup of "tea" with his papa. He tugs at Hermann's pant leg. Of course, the tea that they usually fix is plain water in a mug like the tea. ]
no subject
He brings it over to the child and then goes back for his own as Newt is in the process of cooking (one of those talents Hermann had never been aware of until they drifted). ]
no subject
How was it without all the real scientists running around?
[ Lukas does as he's told. He's surprisingly a good listener. Definitely one of those moments where you know Hermann's DNA was involved. ]
no subject
As he sits down at the table with Lukas, rubbing at his leg with one hand and picking up his tea with the other, ]
Blissfully quiet and lacking any threat of fire.
no subject
Newt, on the other hand, is rolling his eyes and continuing to talk. ]
Handle something a little more dangerous than chalk and you might understand, dude. [ And with a spatula flailing around in the process, ] WHY am I the one cooking if you think I'm going to spontaneously combust???
no subject
Because the spray isn't far away if you do.
[ He gives a wink to Lukas, who tries to smother his giggle with his hand. ]
no subject
[ He keeps focused on the task while griping at his other half. It's a skill. Newt does however pull away to point a spatula at their son. ]
Quit taking his side.
no subject
I didn't say you were. Just that I would hose you down if you catch fire.
no subject
[ Yeah, Newt's actually multi-tasking. Talking, chatting, cooking, breathing. He's a man of many many talents. ]