(DISCONTINUED) Love & Deceit (!Good! Belos x OC Reader)

Chapter 5

Riven's POV:

"Where's the birthday boy?" I sang, Hunter squealing and bouncing in his crib.
"Rye-Rye! Rye-Rye!" He cheered, clapping his hands as I picked him up and spun around, hearing his laugh as I brought his cheek to my lips and blew a raspberry.

"Happy Birthday, Birdie" I gave his chubby cheeks more kisses as he squealed in laughter. I quickly got him dressed in a cute prince-like outfit. Casual, but regal. 
"Who's my little prince?" he smiled, hugging me as I squished him. I love him so much.

"Alright, we've got quite the day. I gotta check on the trees, then you and I are gonna go see your Uncle-"
"Buh-Buh!"
"Yes! We'll see Buh-Buh" I laughed, walking from his room and beginning our treck to my garden, where we were keeping 4 of the trees. 

I walked in, setting Hunter down as he began to waddle around the garden, I made sure all of the plants in here were 100% safe for him to be around, otherwise I wouldn't bring him in. I walked to the back, keeping Hunter in my sight as I looked at the small little sapplings. I've been getting some help from Vitimir to make a kind of plant-growth potion for trees, and it's been working so far! I already had them growing leaves and tiny little twig branches. 
I hummed, plucking any unhealthy leaves before quickly watering the plants, and spraying the tree's with the potion. I turned back to Hunter, seeing him happily playing with the hugging ferns. 

"Birdie! Birdie!" he cheered, pointing up to the crawling Ivy as I looked up to see the cardinal from the Bat Queens forest.
"It's you! I'm so sorry, I've forgotten your name" I apologized, the bird flying down and landing on my now outstretched arm.

"Birdie!" Hunter giggled as I leaned down to pick him up. He was smiling ear to ear as he reached to pet the bird, watching it's feather's puff up and out as he chittered in delight. 
"Does Belos know you're here? I'm not sure he's ready for you to be here, little one. He's still mourning his brother" the cardinal shook it's head, hopping into Hunter's hands as the infant giggled.
Hunter is just a ball of giggles and smiles, he rarely gets upset. 

"Alright- uhm... I suppose you can come, but if Belos needs you to leave, go back to the Bat Queen. He wants you here, he does... he's just having trouble coming to terms with everything" I recieved an affirmative chirp in response, causing me to smile and begin to walk out. I walked down the hall, Hunter petting the bird as I approached Belos' study. It's 10am, so he should be there by now, he gets up early. He's so dedicated to his work, it's inspiring. I want to help him, and I am with the Palistrum Project, but I wish I could do more.

I opened the study door, shushing Hunter as he giggled and the bird went onto my shoulder. Hunter loves 'sneaking up' on Belos. I set him down, seeing Belos sitting at his desk with a quill in hand. Hunter waddled over, giggling as quietly as he could, I saw Belos tense, meaning he knew Hunter was coming. I watched as Hunter waddled over and stand beside Belos, crouching down before jumping up.

"BOO!" Belos pretended to be startled, laughing as he set the quill down and stood up, scooping Hunter up and tossing him in the air.

"Hello Mr Birthday Boy!" his smile made my chest tighten, seeing the love and care he has for Hunter made me so happy. 
"Buh-Buh! Birdie!" Hunter pointed to me, Belos smiling before he saw the cardinal.
"Flapjack..." he held Hunter close, walking over as the bird- Flapjack, chirped and flew over, Belos letting him land in his hand.

"If you're not ready, he'll go back to the Bat Queen until you are" I muttered, walking over and scratching his Flapjack's head.
"Flapjack... if it's alright, could you wait until he's of age? I'll be ready by then" Flapjack chirped, nodding his head as he nuzzled his beak to Belos' nose.

"Say goodbye, Hunter"
"Buh-Bye Birdie!" Hunter squealed as Flapjack then flew out the window. 

"I'll leave him with you, I'll head back to my room" I gave a smile, turning around and getting to the door before Belos spoke up.
"You're not going to celebrate with us?" I turned my head back, glancing at him.
"You're his Uncle, he should celebrate with you" he shook his head at my statement, walking over and taking my hand off the doorknob, pulling me close.
"I would rather you stay. You're his family too" I cocked an eyebrow, confused by this as Belos seemed to look everywhere but at me. 

"Rye-Rye Stay!" Hunter pulled his puppy eyes, making me smile.
"See? Hunter wants you to stay" he finally looked to me, but still refused to make eye contact.
"But do YOU want me to stay?" my question prompted Belos to swallow a lump in his throat, clearing it before finally making eye contact.

"Yes, I do" I smiled, nodding my head and kissing Hunter's head.
"Well then, what did you have planned for the day?" he returned the smile, guiding me out of his study and walking through the halls.

The rest of the day was spent playing with Hunter, cleaning up any messes when he took his nap, then doing little activities after dinner and tucking him into bed. I got him changed and dressed, kissing his little head before I put him in his crib, letting him lay down before I tucked him in and smiled, Belos coming over and kissing his head before starting up the music box and spinning the mobile above him. We turned the lights off, exiting the room before we turned to eachother.