bri *☾ ⋆*･ﾟ@starsforxavi
Noise is muffled from where you sit. You can't hear much besides the distant thunder and the soft pitter-patter of rain against the window. In a way, it's comforting to feel the plush comforter under your legs and smell the remnants of the dinner you ate just an hour ago.
"I'm here for the Queen!" A voice booms from outside the blanket fort built draped over a small bed. It's just enough space for you to sit criss-cross on, watching the light from the room make the shadow even scarier.
Your heart speeds up in your chest, a look of fear scrunching your eyebrows together. Looking around in the dim light of the fort, you catch a familiar pair of blue eyes.
"You'll have to get through me!" Ripping open the fort, a small figure with a styrofoam sword jumps out to face the nasty enemy looking for you.
All you can see is the large shadow being quickly overtaken by the tiny one, with quick jabs of the sword and rough grunts from the invader. In all but a moment, you hear that same cute voice call out.
"Mommy! I saved you from the dragon!" Your son pokes his head back inside the fort, his smile beaming in the same way as someone else.
It takes you a second to climb out from beneath the blanket fort built on your son's bed, but the moment your feet hit the ground, you see Xavier lying flat on his back. His arms are spread, and his eyes stay closed.
"Hmmm," you kneel down to your son's height, sneaking a glance at Xavier. "What should we do with the dragon?" You pause. "Maybe, tickle him?"
You don't have to say it twice. In an instant, your son is pouncing on his father, tiny arms flailing to tickle Xavier's ribs and giggle when he's enveloped by muscled biceps.
A sharp squeal comes. "The dragon is alive!"
"Actually, Aster, once you slay the dragon, he turns back into dad." Xavier kisses his son's cheek, lifting him up until he's suspended in the air like a rocket ship.
"Daddy's back!" Aster's legs kick as he wraps Xavier up in a hug. "Was I a good knight for mommy?"
Something flashes in Xavier's eyes, a memory of what being a knight means to a beloved Queen. He nods. "Of course, little star." He ruffles Aster's hair, melting into his son's arms. "And you know what good knights get for a reward?"
You meet Xavier's eyes over Aster's shoulder, raising an eyebrow because you know what he's going to say. "What?" Your son asks, eyes wide and lips parted in curiosity.
"They get one wish granted from the Queen."
Aster looks to you, and you can see the cogs running in his tiny head. "I want..." He pauses. "A hug!" He launches himself at you, hugging you with soft giggles. After a moment of silence, he speaks again. "Can you read me a bedtime story of a knight?"
Xavier thinks about it, sitting on the floor of your son's bedroom and watching the pure love in Aster's eyes as he looks between him and you. "I think that can be arranged, if a certain Queen agrees to help?"
With little arms still clutching around your neck, you hold Aster close. "Anything for the brave little knight."
