Chapter Text
The sound of the birds in the nest drifted softly through the room, low enough to be background noise but still persistent enough to be heard. It was a good way to wake up, if only Matheo weren't such a sleepyhead. Enzo was a little worried about his baby's ability to sleep. He didn't know if it was the side effects of the drug he'd used in the past or if his baby was just acting like a real baby.
Enzo's hands touched his baby's back, trying not to wake him. His baby would get grumpy if he did, but he couldn't help worrying. He hoped nothing bad would happen to him and regretted using such strong sleeping pills so often. His hand went to his diaper; he could feel it was wet. He couldn't leave him like that. He didn't want him to get any chafing or a rash from sleeping like that.
—C'me on, baby.— Enzo murmured before picking Matheo up in his arms, rocking him gently so the baby wouldn't wake up in a fuss. He could feel Matheo's soft grunt, his body shifting in his arms as he tried to fall back asleep. Enzo adjusted his grip so his baby couldn't escape as he carried him to the changing table.
—Sorry for waking you, Theo. But your diaper's full, and I can't leave you like this.— He kissed Matheo's temple before placing him on the changing table. He got a good look at his baby, his lips pursed, his face showing his discomfort, and the way his eyes were still tightly closed, still wanting to sleep. It was such an adorable sight. He felt like bothering his baby every morning, even though Matheo would surely repay him with a huge tantrum for doing so.
Enzo began to unfasten the diaper. In this warm weather, he let him sleep in just his little diaper and a t-shirt with a cute animal print, like a real baby. He took off the diaper, only to realize his baby hadn't pooped. This was the second day his baby hadn't gone, which made him frown and ruin his morning. He wrapped the diaper up to throw it away, grabbed some wipes to dry his baby's bottom, checking for any rashes or chafing, but it was smooth and clean.
He put on some talcum powder and a fresh diaper before seeing his baby looking at him with that innocent look that always melted his heart. He couldn't understand why this little one was so delicate; he always had to worry because the baby was sick or just wasn't behaving like usual.
—You haven't poo-poo, pumpkin. Does your tummy hurt? You have to tell Daddy when that happens.— Enzo murmured softly before placing one of his hands on his baby's flat tummy, pressing firmly to check for any problems. Perhaps there was a buildup, and his baby needed a laxative, like in the old days. He could hear a whimper of pain from his baby. He knew it hurt, but he had to do it to make sure everything was alright.
—N-No, Daddy.— his baby's voice came out desperately. He knew that trembling and the way he begged to be left alone. It always appeared when he was about to punish him, but this wasn't the case. He was just checking. He stopped pressing on his baby's tummy but began to gently stroke it, easing the pain he had caused. He didn't know why his baby had stopped pooping and was sleeping longer than usual. Did he have some illness? That thought was worrying. He didn't want his baby to get sick; he couldn't bear to see him suffer.
He picked up his baby again, pressing his body against his chest to feel his warmth. He needed to know the reason for these tiny but still worrying changes affecting his poor baby. He felt his baby's hands cling to him—or at least the baby's attempt to cling through those mittens—that sensation was all it took for him to realize he was being overly paranoid. A day or two lateness was normal, especially since he'd given him some cooked chicken the day before yesterday; his tummy was probably processing it.
—Sorry, Pumpkin. Daddy hurt you. He hurt your tummy by accident.— One of Enzo's hands stroked Matheo's back, calming him. He'd acted without thinking and could have caused his baby more pain. In return for his apology, his baby gave him a soft whimper, which meant he forgave him. —You can watch TV while you eat breakfast today. You earned it for being so brave.—