Chapter Text
“Will you…” he cleared his throat, shifting from foot to foot. He looked back up at his reflection. He drew a serious face, then burst out laughing a little. He was never going to keep a straight face doing this.
The baby in his arms fussed slightly, moved by the sound of his laughter. Pres melted all over again, staring down at this precious little bundle in his arms.
“Can’t you just ask him. There’s no way he would say no to you.”
The baby gurgled, opening his mouth slowly and closing it as if in imitation of speaking.
“No, you don’t have to worry about what to say. I’ll tell you all the words, you can just repeat them. It’ll be super easy. Here, let’s try… before they all arrive!”
Pres tucked Baby neatly into the crook of his arm, arranging his already neat clothes and tried his speech-request again.
“Julian…Jules…my Drax! I would be honoured, if you would be the Godfather to Baby. Would you do me the honour of being a Godparent to my son?”
Pres exhaled a steady breath. Simple enough. He could muster all that, once more. “Did I sound all right?” he gently tickled Baby’s tummy, whose response was a wide gummy smile and bubbling coos. ”Yeah, I think that sounded perfect too.”
Drax walked in, looking relaxed in jeans and a t-shirt. His arms were laden with gifts and balloons tied to his wrists. His smile stretched across his whole face – he was radiant in joy.
“You made it!” Pres was so glad to see him.
Jules looked around, curious as to the lack of other guests. “Where is everyone? I thought today was the first meet and greet day. Or did I get the dates wrong?!” Jules eyes widened, he suddenly felt so very foolish. He could have sworn the invite said it was today…
“Relax! I asked you to come a little early. I wanted you to meet him first. Talk a bit. We haven’t… it’s been… I haven’t seen much of you in a while.
How… how are you Drax?”
Jules looked around as if perhaps this was another trick, and he was about to be surprised on candid camera or something. So he set down the gifts slowly, untying the balloons from his wrists as he answered casually, “I’m ok. Fine. All is good. Where is Baby 1? I got gifts from him too.”
Toussaint came bolting into the room, high energy and lots of giggles.
“Jjjjuuulllleeeeeeesssss” he cooed happily, throwing himself with childish confidence into Jules’ arms, confident and sure he would be caught. “I have baby brother now!” Julian managed to decipher.
“Yeah, you do. You’re someone’s big brother now. And I still love you so much!” A thousand light kisses were sprinkled across Toussaint’s face as he erupted into more peals of laughter and joy. “I bought you that book we started reading. Now, you’re going to have to read it to Baby. Promise me you’ll read him the book?!”
“I promise I’ll read it to him.” Toussaint settled into Jules arms contentedly, his baby lisp still sounding so childish and adorable.
“How are you Pres? Barely getting any sleep I guess, looking at these beautiful little faces!” Julian pressed another kiss to Toussaint’s hair. He was so besotted with this little guy. “And is this the new little one!” Jules eyes were big and so tender, softness and delicate care wafting off him in waves.
He held Toussaint closely, peering over Pres to take a peek at Baby’s face. “He is so beautiful. Well done Pres, you make beautiful babies.” Jules leaned over, kissing Pres on both cheeks. He pulled back and stilled, Pres still closely within his space, only the quietly assessing new infant between them.
Jules leaned forward and kissed Pres on the mouth. Brief, chaste and entirely without agenda. “Beautiful…” he whispered, taking a step back.
“Will you be the Father of my sons? I’d be honoured if… I invited you early to ask you. I want you in their lives. Would you?” Pres rattled that off in one breath. He clutched Baby to him, slowing his racing heart and finding comfort in the warm softness in his arms.
“You want me to be their Father?! Are you proposing to me Pres?!” Julian laughed briefly, forcing out the sound after being taken aback by the words. “I assume you mean GodFather.” He paused a moment to allow Pres to confirm his slip of the tongue.
Press stood, watching Jules, wondering if he would be brave. He leaned forward, kissing Jules on the lips briefly, an imitation of the kiss Jules had given him. “I know what I asked you.”
Toussaint stretched languidly, lolling carelessly, reaching out for a peek of his brother.
“Closer, wanna see the baby.”
Jules stepped closer into Pres space, holding Toussaint so he was hovering over his brother.
“So small. And cute. Love him.” He turned to Jules and kissed his cheek. “Love you too.”
Jules looked up at Pres, still warring with himself over what he was going to reply. Pres had been brave. He could be brave too.
“I…” Jules was acutely aware of the baby in his arms; the cool air, fragrant of flowers and sunshine circulating around the room and this man, this man standing before him. “Yes Pres. Yes I will. I want that too…”
Pres knew Julian to be reserved and quiet, occasionally erupting in effervescent joy around close friends. Jules had whispered that response, his eyes clear and his voice firm. A small smile crinkled the edges of his mouth. “Yes Pres,” he repeated again, “Yes.”