Chapter Text
Dunstan ran over to Monday and Sons to pick up a few items he needed for tonight. As he ran through the village streets he noticed he wasn’t getting as many stares and glances towards his way as usual. I guess people are starting to accept it more. He thought as he walked through the snow.
As he walked put to the grocers he began running through the checklist in his head.
“I’ll need eggs, sugar, flour…” He muttered as he was walking in.
“Hello Dunstan,” said Mr. Monday.
“Morning sir,” he replied back.
“How’s everything going for you today?”
“Very good. Hopefully great if things go to plan today.”
“What can I get for you today?”
“Oh, right. That’s why I’m here,” Dunstan said nervously as he told the man what he was shopping for. The clerk seemed a little surprised at Dunstan’s list as this was normally far beyond what he and his family would usually get, but Dunstan had saved of for this and he wanted to make this day special. As Mr. Monday collected his items together and calculated his total, he continued to talk to Dunstan.
“So how’s life been treating you?”
“Life’s good. It could be better but I’m happy where I am.”
“How’s your father doing?”
“He’s doing fine. Getting on in years but he should still be around for a while.”
“And Tristan?”
Ah, yes. The elephant in the room.
“Tristan’s doing great. Father’s actually watching him while I run these errands.”
“Well that’s…good,” Monday said hesitantly.
“Tristan’s actually the reason I’m getting some of these ingredients. I’m gonna do something special for him today.”
“I see,” Monday said hesitantly before handing Dunstan his items. “Well you take care now.”
“Thank you Mr. Monday.” And with that Dunstan exited the shop and sped off on his way home.
Two minutes before bringing up Tristan, he thought. That’s got to be a new record. And he didn’t even question if I was the father or not this time.
Ever since Tristan was left on his doorstep that cold winter’s night, Dunstan Thorn was getting looks and comments from everyone in the village. At first everyone thought it was a mistake or that someone did it as a practical joke. But when Dunstan showed them the note and then explained to them that he did have sex with a woman nine months before hand, people started wondering if Dunstan was being played for a fool. Dunstan was never lucky with women. His shyness guaranteed that. The fact that he was able to woo the mother of his child was considered a miracle in his books. The folks in town wondered if the mother just pawned him off to him because he was a better candidate that the supposed real father or that the mother just dumped the baby on him because she didn’t want to deal with it. Dunstan did briefly entertain those thoughts before realizing they were all preposterous. She was a slave, of course she wouldn’t be able total care of him. Plus everyday that passed Tristan began to look more and more like him. And he doubted her mistress had used her for those kinds of services so the possibility of him not being the father was out.
Dunstan came home and started preparing his his little surprise for Tristan. Usually he wouldn’t have done this type of thing years ago. But ever since the passing of his mother and gaining Tristan, he started taking it upon himself to do these things. It wasn’t something he did a lot. It definitely wasn’t a strong suit of his but when it came to Tristan, he would do his best to make sure it came out perfect.
Dunstan was putting together the final preparations for the surprise when his father came over to talk to him.
“What on earth are you doing?” His father questioned.
“I’m making something for Tristan tonight,” Dunstan answered. “You’re welcome to have some of it when its ready.”
“I don’t understand why you are doing this. Since when have you ever cared about emulating the upperclass?”
“Its not about that. I just wanted Tristan to have something nice for today.”
Dunstan’s father sighed. “I know you’re trying to be a good father, but you don’t have to do these frivolous things to make him happy.”
“I know but I think stuff like this is okay once in a while. I’m not gonna make this a regular thing.” Dunstan sighed. “I just want to do something special for him.”
Special was often the word he used to describe Tristan. Because to him everything about him was special. Not just the fact that he came from a world far beyond the wall, but just the fact that he was his son.
If you asked anyone what they thought of Tristan at first glance, they probably would think he was like any normal baby. If you asked Dunstan however, he would tell you that Tristan was most wonderful boy anyone could have ever asked for. Sure he kept him up most nights to the point of exhaustion and would throw a tantrum anytime he didn’t get his way (which was the normal amount for a child his age), but if you asked any good parent how they thought of their child, they would tell you that their child was the most special being to grace this side of the earth.
And for Dunstan that fact could not be more true. Before Tristan entered his life (before he even crossed the wall) Dunstan was a very solitary person. His shyness often secluded him from his peers, and even then none of them ever thought he was good enough to grace with their presence. Tristan, however, was proof that he could be loved and was not alone. He realized how much of a treasure his son was and would do anything to make his boy happy.
“Well in any case,” his father continued, “your son is down for his nap and should be asleep for a while.”
“Great,” Dunstan replied. “Thanks for doing this. And,” he paused, “thank you for everything.”
Despite his vow to take care of Tristan, Dunstan didn’t know the first thing about parenthood. He had to rely on the help of his father a lot during the first few months. Now he was able to care for Tristan completely on his own, but still enlisted the help of his father from time to time.
“I would do the same for anyone in need,” his father replied. “It’s getting late and I still have some business to do myself.”
“You sure you don’t want to stay for a slice?”
“No, no. I think Tristan deserves his special treat all to himself.” And with that he left to go fulfill his own chores. Dunstan was somewhat sad but knew that deep down his father cared. He just did it in a different way.
Dunstan inevitably finished up his little project just in time to wake Tristan from his nap. He scooped up the bleary eyed child and brought him downstairs to see what all the fuss was about.
“I’ve got a surprise for you,” he said as they made their way to the table. In the middle sat a small, simple, and overall unextraordinary cake that to most people would be considered a disappointment. But to Dunstan was his crowning achievement.
“Happy Birthday Tristan!” He said calmly as he sat down with his son in his lap. Dunstan had thought of the idea when he heard about the Forester family’s plan for celebrating their eldest son’s birthday. Grated he couldn’t throw a full blown ball like he heard many other affluent families did but he thought giving Tristan something nice to celebrate turning one year old. He thought next year he could probably get him an actual present like a new toy he could play with but he only just recently came up with the idea and needed to start saving up again. For now, a plain old cake would do. And Tristan seemed entranced by it so he felt he made the right call.
“Well its all yours buddy. Go on and have a piece.”
Tristan then proceeded to grab a small fistful of the cake and began tearing it up, eating small chunks of it here and there. Well maybe wait till he’s older before offering up stuff like that again, Dunstan thought as he saw the carnage Tristan lay waste to. But his son was happy so he couldn’t complain too much. Plus there was still some cake left for him to enjoy. For now he just sat there with his son as he continued to enjoy his father’s gift to him. And Dunstan never felt happier.