Prompt Post: ROUND FOUR

[oakenshields13]

ROUND FOUR IS CLOSED

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[Fill] Fatherhood (7c/?)

[anonymous]

He finally caught up to David and after a quiet, but firm discussion about the dangers of running in enclosed spaces, they continued walking at a more sedate pace for a little bit longer. A quick word with the head stewardess gave him the chance to bring David up to see the pilot and copilots. David was initially nervous and stuck close to Charles’ side like glue, but one look at the many flashing lights of the cockpit had the boy captivated. David hovered near the door, bouncing on the balls of his feet, asking question after question to the bemused pilot and copilots.

The men grinned at Charles over the boy’s head.

“All these questions! Seems your son’s got a thing for planes,” the copilot with red hair said playfully. “We’d better be careful or we’ll be out of a job.”

“Don’t worry,” David said seriously. “I won’t take your job.”

The redhead chuckled. “Well then, what are you going to do with yourself, kiddo?”

“I’m gonna be a brave scientist like my Dad,” David said matter-of-factly.

Charles forgot all about the press of agitated minds, his burgeoning headache, the exhausting effort it took to keep up with his son and just melted.

“Quite a son you got there,” the pilot said over his shoulder.

Charles blinked back tears. “Yes,” he said. “Yes, he is.”

The dark-haired copilot gave David his very own badge and let the delighted child wear his hat for a few moments before a bit of turbulence forced Charles to usher David back to their seats. The shaking of the plane reminded David how high up they were and Charles had to spend half an hour soothing the boy by quietly humming that same half-remembered lullaby.

David eventually drifted off to sleep, his head tucked up against Charles’ arm. Charles looked fondly at his son for a long while and then leaned contentedly back in his seat. He decided to close his eyes for a minute before he got out that genetics text he had been meaning to read…

He awoke to David’s cry of confused displeasure several hours later. All of his senses seemed to expand with alarming speed. His sense of smell and hearing sharpened. His mind filled the entire plane searching for threats and his eyes swept across the sea of heads in front of him before turning to look at his son. Taking in the worried expression on his son’s young face and the two small hands clutching at equally small ears, Charles relaxed minutely enough that he was no longer prepared to freeze every single person on the plane. There was no external threat, he realized. David’s ears had simply popped during the airplane’s gradual decent.