gwenchan

Fandom: Iliade
Prompt: Antica Grecia
Characters: Menelaus, Helen, Hermione
Tag: Pre-canon, family fluff

Sometimes Menelaus still can't believe his luck. Him, a second born with no particular qualities about him, without a kingdom or immense riches and the most gorgeous woman in the world is sleeping at his side.
"I love you," he whispers in awe, propping himself further onto his elbow. Below him, in the faint candlelight and the silvery of the moon pouring from the open window, Helen smiles.
"I love you too.”
She stretches out a hand to caress him on the cheek. He immediately leans into the touch. Then, he delicately takes her pale wrist to kiss the inside. He can feel her heartbeat there.

“You could kiss my lips too, you know. I like how you kiss.”

Menelaus obliges. Helen’s lips are tender, warm and sweet. They’re perfect, just as everything else in her. Menelaus would never want for this to stop. He thinks he may go crazy if she ever decides to abandon him.

He moves lower, delicately licking at the hollow of her throat, and inhales her perfume. She hums, contently, as her hands clasp behind Menelaus’ nape to drag him closer.

It’s paradise. It’s -

"Mom? Dad?”

Menelaus snaps up. From the darkness, in the direction of the door, a tiny voice calls. In nightgown and a bed-head, Hermione, their blessed daughter, stands at the foot of their bed. She’s holding a doll, her favourite, by the hand.

"Your majesties," the handmaid comes rushing after, face pink for the run. She falls into a deep bow. "Please forgive me, I couldn't stop the princess."

All the reproach is for her. If the little princess ran away it's her to blame for not having been able to keep the kid under control.

"It's fine," Menelaus reassures . "We know how vivacious our Hermione can be. What's the matter, child?"

“I had a bad dream,” Hermione mutters, hugging the doll to her chest.

“What kind of dream?” Helen asks, gently.

“I dreamt mom left. And then dad left too.”

She rubs one tiny foot against her other calf, as her voice begins to crack on the verge of crying. For a child so young that must have been a true nightmare.

“Oh, child,” Helen opens her arms to welcome her daughter against her chest. “We’re not going anywhere.” She rubs Hermione’s back in soothing circles as the kid snuggle in the safe cradle of her embrace.

“Promise?” the child lazes and sniffs. Menelaus ruffles her hair. “We swear.”

Hermione relaxes a bit. Clutch Helen’s tunic, she articulates her request. "Can I sleep with you tonight?"

A hand on Hermione’s shoulders, Menelaus glances up at Helen above the child cuddled between them. She nods, though the ultimate decision is his. But they both know Hermione is a terrible weak point for him. People rumour it was a pity their firstborn wasn't a male, but the truth is Menelaus wouldn't change his daughter for anyone else.

"Sure you can," he says and orders the maid to leave. The princess will sleep with her parents tonight. Calmed down in her mother's arms, Hermione yawns. Lifting her legs to free the covers underneath, Helen kisses the top of her head

"Sleep well child," she murmurs into a lullaby. Hermione does, sure in the certainty her parents aren’t going to leave her for a long time.