novacane | griezmann

29 // ELLIOTT

"How are you two doing back there?" I glanced back at Antoine and Luca as I drove the car, slightly rolling my eyes when I realized that Antoine was already fooling around with his son.

"Never better." Antoine responded, with a grin. His eyes were still glossy, the aftermath of having teared up upon finally meeting the three month old.

It would be an understatement to say that Luca was the most precious thing ever, easily surpassing Antoine—maybe it was because he looked so much like Antoine anyways, with big shiny blue eyes and a head covered in soft blonde hair. With that being said, he was a lucky boy, almost certified to look like Antoine when he grew up.

I parked the car in front of Antoine's apartment before stepping out, watching Antoine do the same but with caution—Luca was in his arms, and he'd already nearly dropped the baby once. "You take Luca, and I'll handle the luggage."

"Okay." I held my arms out and smiled at Luca. "Come here, you." I cooed, softly. Antoine beamed and walked into my arms, leaving me to roll my eyes as he wrapped his free hand around my waist. "Not you, Antoine. The baby."

"Oh." Antoine pouted, stepped back, and handed Luca over to me. "Alright, then. I see how it is."

"Sorry, Anto. I'm in love with Luca now—just look at those eyes!" Carefully, I took him into my arms.

Antoine smiled and went to the trunk, hauling out my suitcase before mocking me. "Look at the man who gave him those eyes!"

"Now, now." I began to sway Luca around. "Don't be jealous of your own son, Antoine."

Laughing, Antoine followed after me as we went into the apartment. "So, are you moving in here?" I inquired, sitting on the couch. Luca was squirming around in my arms, probably desperate to break free of my hold. Feeling guilty, I let him go; Antoine and I watched him crawl around the couch for a few moments before he realized there wasn't much to it and he returned to my lap.

"Honestly? I have no clue. I mean, where will Luca be during the day? I know that the university has childcare, but I think he's even too young for that. Of course, the guys in the house have volunteered to watch him when I can't, but I don't think I trust them that much."

I chewed on my lip. "Well, I'm sure we'll figure it out before the break ends." I stood up and handed Luca to Antoine. "I need to use the restroom, I'll be right back."

Halfway to the bathroom, I heard the unmistakable sounds of a wailing baby—followed my a frantic Antoine. "Elliott, help me!"

"What did you do?" I rushed back to the living room, thinking he'd dropped Luca on the floor or something.

"I don't know, exist? I took Luca into my arms and he bursted into tears—I think he loves you more."

"Well," I spoke over the baby's loud cries, "Calm him down!"

"What do you think I'm trying to do?"

"Something that clearly isn't working. As much as I wish it did, I don't think panicking will silence your son. Maybe he's hungry or thirsty, or something."

Antoine groaned and looked down at Luca. "Can you please be quiet?"

"Not so sure he understands that, Antoine. Why don't you try swaying him around, or singing to him? Or—"

"Isn't there something we can put in his mouth? A bottle, a pacifier?"

"Stopping by the baby store on the way here probably was a good idea," I spoke. "But until we get a those things, Antoine, we'll have to try and relax him ourselves."