𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

meet the little lion

Word had spread like wildfire.

The moment the announcement was made — Bea had given birth — the base had practically shaken with excitement. 

But out of respect (and a mild threat from Nico), everyone had waited a few days before crowding their door.

Today, the doors were open. And they came in droves.

The common room had been gently cleared, a couch and armchairs pulled close together. Brenda and Frypan had even baked something — the smell of chocolate and cinnamon wafting around the room. 

Matt stood near the back, bouncing little Isabelle in his arms while Vicky leaned on his shoulder, her fiery red hair braided down her back, a smug I've done this before look on her face.

And then, the doors creaked.

All heads turned.

Nico stepped in first, eyes narrowed like a knight entering battle, except this time, he was guarding something far more precious than any treasure.

"Back up," he warned instinctively. "Don't crowd."

Behind him, Bea stepped into the room, wrapped in a soft knitted shawl, cheeks flushed, curls pulled back loosely. In her arms, swaddled in a warm blanket, was Hiro Marrow — tiny, peaceful, unaware he was about to be the center of an entire rebellion's attention.

A collective gasp rippled through the room.

"Oh my god," Sonya whispered, eyes wide. "He's tiny."

"Is that a dimple?" Brenda gasped, leaning over Vicky's shoulder.

Bea smiled softly, her arms adjusting automatically around the baby. "He just woke up."

"Can I see? Please? I didn't even breathe when Isabelle was that small," Matt said, bouncing his daughter with wide eyes. Vicky rolled hers.

"You did breathe, Matt. You almost passed out."

Bea sat down slowly, and the girls clustered close but not too close watching with awe as Hiro blinked up at the world, completely unfazed.

Gally peered over Thomas's shoulder. "Does he have Nico's eyebrows or...?"

"No, thank the skies," Aris muttered. "Imagine a baby glaring like that."

"Hey," Nico barked, hand protectively on the couch behind Bea.

Bea just laughed softly, eyes never leaving Hiro. "He has your scowl when he's hungry."

"And your sleepy face," Nico murmured, crouching beside her, one finger brushing Hiro's tiny hand.

Suddenly, Frypan came forward with a tray. "Alright, everyone back off. Chocolate cake for the new mama and tea for hydration. The rest of you animals can wait your turn."

Bea blinked. "Did you bake again?"

Frypan winked. "Only for you. My favorite girl just had my second favorite boy."

Minho leaned over the arm of the couch. "He's gonna grow up here. In the base. With all of us."

"Surrounded by rebels," Luke smirked.

"And scientists," Thèrèse added with a dry smile.

"And sarcasm," Nancy said, eyeing Thomas.

Bea looked down at Hiro, then up at all of them — her friends, her family — and the lump in her throat formed before she could stop it.

"This is his family," she whispered. "He's safe."

Nico placed his hand over hers, threading their fingers together over Hiro's chest.

"Welcome to the Iron Lion, little one," Nico said, voice rough. "You've already stolen the whole base."

And from somewhere in the back, Hugo muttered, "Don't tell Vicky, but I think I like this baby better."

"You traitor," Vicky hissed, hurling a cushion at him while Isabelle giggled in Matt's arms.

Hiro blinked, yawned, and gave a small grunt.

And just like that, the Iron Lion base wasn't just a stronghold anymore.

It was a home.

A loud, chaotic, fiercely loving home.