20th October, 2022 - Los Angeles, California
Lux's eyes flutter open as the morning light begins to seep into her room through the gaps in her curtains. The room was still wrapped in the soft glow of her nightlight, the stars projecting faint patterns on the walls. Lux blinked, momentarily disoriented by the weight and warmth surrounding her. Then she remembered - Daddy.
She tilted her head slightly, peeking up at Sebastian's still-sleeping face. His features were soft in repose, a stark contrast to the usually composed and sometimes stern expression he wore during the day. His arm was draped protectively around her, his chest rising and falling steadily beneath her. For a moment, she just watched him, her fingers absently clutching the fabric of his robe.
She wondered what he was dreaming about.
She shuts her eyes again, willing herself to go back to sleep. She wasn't sure what time it was but she knew it had to be early seeing as Sebastian was still asleep.
Her mind wandered as she lay there, thinking about the past few days. Life before Sebastian and Vincent was a blur of coldness and confusion, but now everything was different. Here, she didn't have to act tough all the time.
Slowly, she shifted, careful not to wake him as she got into a more comfortable position. But as she moved, Sebastian stirred, his hand instinctively tightening around her, as though he feared she might slip away.
"Mm," he mumbled, his voice groggy. "Morning, little one."
Lux glances up at him, watching as his eyes slowly open and adjust to his surroundings. "Morning," she whispered shyly.
Sebastian gave her a small smile, his hand gently rubbing her back. "You're up early," he said, his voice still thick with sleep.
"I woke up," she replied simply, her tone innocent and unbothered.
Sebastian chuckled softly, his voice rumbling in his chest. "Well, you're not the only one, it seems." He tightened his arm around her for a brief moment before gently shifting her to the side so he could stretch. Lux clung to his robe instinctively, and he smiled, brushing her hair back from her face.
"Sleep okay, baby?"
She nods softly as the man repositions her.
Sebastian felt a swell of relief at her answer, her simple nod carrying more meaning than words ever could. He knew how hard it could be for her to find peace, to feel safe enough to let her guard down completely. That she was able to sleep so soundly in his arms meant everything to him.
"Good," he murmured, his voice tender. "Daddy's glad."
Lux rested her cheek against his chest again, her small fingers absently fiddling with the edge of his robe. She felt a warmth in her heart that she couldn't quite put into words. The comfort of being held, of being cared for so deeply and in such an intimate way, was still new to her, but it was starting to feel weirdly nice.
Sebastian's hand rubbed slow circles on her back as he let himself relax fully into the moment. He could tell Lux wasn't ready to leave the cocoon of warmth they'd created, and he was in no rush to push her away.
"Do you want to get up yet, or stay like this a little longer?" he asked softly.
"Stay," Lux whispered, her voice barely audible.
Sebastian chuckled lightly, the sound rumbling through his chest. "Okay, baby girl. We'll stay." He kissed the top of her head, letting her settle comfortably against him. "We've got all the time in the world."
They stayed like that for a while, the soft morning light gradually filling the room. Eventually, a quiet knock at the door broke the peaceful silence.
"Seb?" Vincent's voice called softly. "You two awake?"
Seb, Lux thinks, repeating the name over again in her head. Was that his name, or was it just a nickname? She had always know him as "Daddy," and hearing someone else call him something different felt almost strange, like it peeled back a layer and revealing a bit about the man he really was.
Sebastian smiled, his hand resting on Lux's back as he answered. "Yeah, come in."
The door creaked open, and Vincent poked his head in, his dark hair slightly tousled from sleep. His expression softened when he saw the two of them curled up together. "Well, isn't this a cozy sight," he teased lightly, stepping inside.
Lux peeked up at him, her cheeks pink with embarrassment. But Vincent only smiled warmly at her. "Good morning, sunshine," he said, sitting down on the edge of the bed and ruffling her hair.
"Morning," she mumbled, hiding her face against Sebastian's chest.
Sebastian smirked faintly, his hand still resting protectively on her back. "We had a bit of a restless night," he explained. "Decided to spend it together."
Vincent's gaze softened as he took in the scene. He crouched down by the bed, his free hand brushing over Lux's head in a gesture of affection. "How're you feeling, sweetheart?" he asked gently.
Lux peeked out from her hiding spot, her voice small. "Okay..."
"Just okay?" Vincent teased lightly, his smile warm. "It's still pretty early Luxie, you can go back to sleep if you want" He added, glancing at his watch which read 6:07am.
Usually, Sebastian and Vincent wouldn't wake the little ones up until 8:30 or 9.
Lux hesitated for a moment, her small fingers still clinging to the edge of Sebastian's robe, unsure of what she wanted. The warmth of the bed and the feeling of being cradled against Sebastian made it hard to think about anything else.
"I'm okay." She mumbles. "Just... want to stay close."
Sebastian smiled, understanding what she meant. "Of course, sweetheart," he murmured.
"You don't have to go anywhere just yet."
Vincent watched them for a moment, his expression softening. "I'll leave you two alone." He says with a warm smile. "Gonna hit the gym for a bit."
Vincent leaves the room again and a peaceful silence settles back in. Lux nestled deeper into Sebastian's chest, her small body molded perfectly against his. She felt the weight of his arm around her, the steady rhythm of his breathing, and the comforting warmth that radiated from him.
"Is Seb your name?" She asks quietly, breaking the silence.
Sebastian blinked, caught off guard by the question. "It's more of a nickname, sweetheart. Papa calls me that sometimes. But to you..." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I'll always be daddy."
"A nickname?" Lux asks curiously. "What's your real name?"
Sebastian chuckles, running his fingers through her messy hair. "Not something you should be worrying about right now."
Whilst he wasn't at all opposed to Lux knowing his real name, he relished in the fact that right now, she only really knew him as 'daddy' and he didn't want to spoil that so early on. He knew that she'd eventually find out, but for now, he enjoyed the simplicity of their bondâjust a father and his little girl, no complications, no complexities.
Lux didn't press the matter further, sensing that 'Seb' was the most she'd get for now.
The morning wore on and Lux stayed nestled against the comfort of Sebastian's chest, her small body rising and falling in rhythm with his slow, steady breaths. She didn't feel the need to rush anything today. Not today at least.
---
"Okay, next we've got to measure out 3 cups of flour." Vincent explains, passing the measuring cups over to the small girl.
It was currently 8:03am and after a little more snuggling with Sebastian, Lux was ready to get up. She blinked in the soft light of the kitchen, the comforting scent of something baking already in the air. She was helping Vincent make pancakes for breakfast.
"Three cups of flour," she repeated softly, looking at the measuring cup in her hands.
She carefully scooped the flour into the measuring cup, the soft powder spilling out a bit over the edges. She gently patted it down to get an even level.
"That's it, baby," Vincent encouraged as he watched her. "Now, carefully pour it into the bowl."
From the past days, Vincent had realised that being able to help out was a huge part of Lux's regression. She needed to feel a sense of purpose and a chance to feel like she was contributing - no matter how small. She wasn't going to be like August who was content to just be carried along by the flow of things. Lux needed to feel like she mattered, like she had a role in the world, even if it was something as simple as measuring flour for pancakes. Vincent understood this. He could see how her whole demeanor brightened whenever she was given something to do, even if it was just a small task.
Lux carefully tipped the flour into the bowl, her small hands steady as she poured.
"There we go" Vincent coos as Lux tips the final cup of flour into the bowl.
"I did it," she said, her voice a mix of quiet pride and excitement.
Vincent smiled warmly, his eyes softening as he ruffled her hair. "You sure did, sweetheart. You're doing great."
Lux beamed, a feeling of warmth spreading through her chest. For a long time, she hadn't felt like she could do anything right. But here, with Vincent, she was learning that she was capable. She felt a sense of accomplishment that was entirely new to her.
"Now, we need two teaspoons of baking powder," Vincent continued, handing her a small spoon. "Can you measure that for me?"
Lux nods, reaching for the teaspoons. She carefully scooped the baking powder into the spoon, making sure to level it off just like Vincent had shown her.
"Like this?" she asked, holding the spoon up to Vincent.
Vincent glanced over, his smile widening when he saw how well she had done. "Perfect, baby girl," he said with a softness that made Lux's heart flutter. "Now, pour it into the bowl."
Lux did so, the powder lightly dusting the air as it fell into the mixture.
"Alright," Vincent continued, his voice full of approval. They had all the ingredients in the bowl now; eggs, a dash of milk, flour and baking powder. "now we mix it all up, sweetheart."
He grabs the electric whisk, and hands it to Lux. Her small fingers wrap around the handle and she gives it a small twist, inspecting the little machine.
"Just press the button gently, sweetheart," Vincent says, his tone encouraging.
Lux hesitates for a moment, preparing for the hum of the whisk to sound loud in the otherwise quiet kitchen. She presses the button slowly, the electric whisk spinning to life. She jumps slightly at the noise but quickly settles into the rhythm, her hands steady as she stirs the mixture. The batter starts to come together, the texture becoming smoother with every turn of the whisk.
"Good job, Luxie," Vincent praises her, his eyes full of pride. "You're a natural."
Lux smiles at the compliment. For once, she wasn't just a passive participant, but someone who was actively helping. It felt good - so good that she didn't want the moment to end.
When the batter is ready, Vincent takes over for a moment to cook the pancakes, but Lux stays by his side, watching intently as he pours the batter onto the pan. Once cooked on the bottom, Vincent flips the pancakes, making sure they're cooked on the top too.
Sebastian enters, holding a very sleepy looking August on his hip.
"Good morning," He greets, adjusting August in his arms. The small boys head was resting on his shoulder and he was obviously still half-asleep.
Lux glances up from her place beside Vincent. "Morning" She whispers shyly.
Sebastian smiled warmly at her as he approached, his voice soft as to not disturb August too much. "Look at you, helping papa cook."
Lux nodded, her cheeks tinged pink.
"She's been amazing," Vincent added, flipping another pancake onto a growing stack. "Our little chef here might just take over the kitchen one day."
Lux's blush deepened, but a small smile tugged at her lips. The warmth of their praise felt like sunshine soaking into her skin.
"Is August okay?" she asked softly, eyeing the drowsy boy.
"He's just sleepy," Sebastian replied, his voice gentle as he kissed the top of August's head. "It takes him a little while to wake up in the mornings, but he'll perk up once he smells these pancakes."
Lux nods, turning her attention back to the ever growing stack of pancakes.
The morning settled into a warm rhythm as the smell of freshly cooked pancakes filled the kitchen. Vincent plated the last of them, stacking them neatly before adding a pat of butter on top. Lux watched him closely, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her shirt.
"All done, sweetheart," Vincent said, handing her the plate. "Want to set places for you and Auggie at the highchairs?"
She nods shyly, carrying two plates over and placing them on the little trays attached to the highchairs. Next, she grabs their sippy cups which have already been filled with juice and places them on the trays too.
The morning continued to unfold with a comforting sense of routine. Lux watched as Vincent and Sebastian moved seamlessly through the kitchen, working together like they had done this a thousand times before. It made her feel safe.
And soon enough, she's lifted into her highchair and being fed by Vincent. One bite for her, one bite for him.
"Good girl," Vincent said as he offered her another forkful, his tone light and affectionate. "You're eating so well this morning."
Lux nodded, her heart fluttering as she accepted the next bite. The sweet taste of syrup coated her tongue, and she couldn't help the small smile that spread across her face. Across the table, Sebastian sat with August, coaxing the sleepy boy into eating. August was still groggy, his head occasionally resting against Sebastian's shoulder, but he perked up little by little with each bite.
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the kitchen. The sense of normalcy was almost overwhelming for Lux. It was a stark contrast to the chaos and uncertainty she had known before coming here. She hoped the rest of the day would be as good as this morning was.
---
Lux sat cross legged on the patio, a large orange pumpkin in front of her. Vincent knelt beside her with a sharp knife, carefully cutting the top off her pumpkin. Sebastian sat nearby, his sleeves rolled up, guiding August's small hands as the boy clumsily scooped out seeds with a plastic spoon.
"Alright angel," Vincent says, pulling the sleeves of Lux's sweater up past her elbows. "ready to get your hands dirty?"
Lux nods, staring at the pumpkin. The smooth surface had already been marked with a simple design Sebastian had drawn earlier: a smiling face with triangle eyes and a crooked tooth. Lux wasn't sure how she felt about sticking her hands into the slimy mess inside but she'd never carved a pumpkin before and wanted to at least experience it.
Vincent gives her a small spoon and an encouraging smile before positioning himself behind her on the floor so that he can help with any potential mess.
Lux had never liked her hands getting dirty but she wanted to be brave. Especially now. Slowly, she plunged the spoon into the pumpkin and started scooping. The cold, squishy texture made her wrinkle up her nose, but she pushed through, watching the seeds and stringy bits pile up in the bowl.
"Good job, Luxie" Vincent coos, tying her hair back with a hairband once he realises this was getting a little more messy than he anticipated. "You're gonna need a bath after this." He chuckles.
She wrinkles her nose up more at his comment as she continues to scoop out the innards. She couldn't help but grimace a little as her fingers brushed against the gooey strings and seeds. Still, she pressed on, determined to finish what she started.
"How are you doing, Auggie?" Sebastian's voice cut through the moment, and Lux looked up to see him guiding August's little hands as he scooped out seeds. The boy was still groggy but was beginning to wake up, clearly intrigued by the pumpkin's texture.
"Good," August mumbled sleepily, a tiny seed stuck to his cheek as he clumsily pushed another handful of pumpkin goo into the bowl. His movements were slow and unsure, but he seemed content, and Sebastian smiled warmly, brushing his messy hair back.
"Great job, Auggie," Sebastian praised him, adjusting his position so August could reach the next part of the pumpkin. "You're getting the hang of it."
As Lux scoops out the last bits of goo from the pumpkin, Vincent wipes her hands off with a towel before reaching over and grabbing a pumpkin carving kit made for kids.
He handed Lux the small carving knife. Its blade was dull and safe for little hands but Vincent still made sure that he was within arms reach whilst she held it.
"Ready to carve?" He asks, rubbing her back encouragingly.
Lux stared at the small knife for a moment, her brow furrowing as she thought about the next step. The pumpkin was hollow now, the interior clean and smooth. The design Sebastian had drawn was waiting to be brought to life.
"Okay"
"Just follow the lines, sweetheart, nice and slow," Vincent instructed, guiding her small hand as she began to cut along the outline of the pumpkin's face.
The knife wasn't sharp making rather difficult for her to easily cut through, but with a little elbow grease and help from Vincent, the pumpkin slowly began to come to life. She concentrated hard, her little brows furrowed in focus. The blade moved slowly but surely through the pumpkin, creating the outline of the triangular eyes.
Once the eyes were cut, Vincent pops out the triangular pieces leaving two hollow holes. They more onto the mouth, moving with the same deliberate pace. Lux's hands trembled slightly as she carefully cut along the lines, the blade making a soft, satisfying sound as it sliced through the pumpkin's flesh. Her focus was absolute, and she was determined to get it right.
Vincent watched her with pride, his voice gentle and encouraging. "You're doing so well, Luxie. Almost there."
"It's fun" She whispers shyly, angling the blade to cut around the jagged teeth.
"Good. Papa's glad you're enjoying it," he replied, his eyes softening as he saw the transformation in her. She had come so far in the time she'd been with them.
Once the mouth was complete, Lux leaned back, satisfied with her work. The pumpkin's face was a simple, crooked grinânothing fancy, but it felt like a little triumph for her. She couldn't remember the last time she'd done something creative and felt so proud of herself.
Vincent wiped his hands on the towel and placed his arm around her shoulders. "That's perfect, Lux. Now we just need to clean up the edges and put a candle inside."
"Do we light it tonight?" She asks, also wiping her hands.
Vincent smiled, ruffling her hair. "Mhm" He hums. "We can light it every night till halloween if you'd like."
Lux smiles, nodding her head.
She looked over at Sebastian who was justing finishing up with August too - helping the boy to put the lid back onto the Jack'O'Lantern.
"Looks like we're done with this one, too," Sebastian said, holding up August, who was now giggling as he admired the finished pumpkin.
Lux grinned shyly, still trying to process the fact that she was now actively participating in things she'd once considered foreign. From the snuggling with Sebastian, to cooking pancakes, to carving pumpkins, it was all so different, so new. But not a bad kind of different.
"Well I think little Luxie here might need a bath." Vincent chuckles, glancing down at Lux who was wiping her hands on her pants and trying to brush off the remnants of pumpkin gunk from her sweater. She'd certainly got more messy than he'd anticipated.
"Come on, pumpkin carver," he said, his tone warm and teasing. "Let's get you cleaned up before you start sticking to everything."
Lux sighed, her face still flushed from the attention, but she didn't fight as Vincent carried her inside.
---
"There we go" Vincent coos as he eases Lux down into the warm water. She shifts uncomfortably, still not 100% to being naked around him. Luckily, the bubbles in the bath quickly begin to cover her, making her feel more comfortable.
"Is the water too hot"
Lux shakes her head. It was just right actually - just as every other bath she's had here. The men certainly knew what they were doing.
As Lux absentmindedly played with the bubbles, Vincent settled next to the edge of the tub, his expression soft and thoughtful. He had been observing her carefully for the last few days, noticing the small things. It was clear she was still working through the layers of trauma that had built up over the years, but he saw the light slowly returning in her eyes, the spark of trust beginning to form.
He gently began to wash Lux's hair, starting with the shampoo; lathering it up in her soft blonde locks before gently rinsing it out. The peaceful quiet of the bathroom was broken only by the faint sound of water splashing. Vincent took a breath, and it seemed like he was considering something important.
"You know, baby..." Vincent began, his voice low and gentle.
"Yeah?"
"I just wanted to make sure you understood something," he continued, his voice still soft, but there was a hint of something serious in it. "When it comes to, well... your period"
Lux's face flushed instantly, a mixture of embarrassment and discomfort rising in her chest. She quickly glanced down at the water, her fingers trailing through the bubbles nervously. In all honesty, the topic had been gnawing on her mind since she arrived here but she was too embarrassed to ask.
Vincent softened, sensing her unease. He leaned forward slightly, resting his hand on the side of the tub, his voice steady and reassuring. "I know, sweetheart, it might feel a little awkward, but it's important that we're all on the same page, especially since you're here with us now." He paused for a moment, watching her reaction carefully.
"You're still growing, Lux. You're still a teenager, even if sometimes we treat you like you're a bit younger. That doesn't change things like your period. And I want you to know that if you ever need anything for it, or if you're feeling uncomfortable or need help, you can come to us. You're not alone in this, okay?"
Lux nods slowly, keeping her gaze on the bath water. She couldn't believe she was having this conversation with the man who kidnapped her.
"But..." She pauses, building up the courage to ask her question. "Will I still be in... diapers when it happens?"
Vincent was quiet for a moment, processing Lux's question carefully. He could see the uncertainty and a hint of vulnerability in her eyes, and he understood that this was an important moment for her. She was an incredibly shy girl and he was so proud of her for asking.
"Lux, no," he said softly, his voice gentle but firm. "You won't need to wear diapers for that. We'll make sure you're comfortable with what you need when the time comes. There are other options for that, things like pads or other things you might prefer. You won't have to worry about it like you do with the diapers."
He noticed Lux's small sigh of relief and continued, speaking with quiet assurance. "I know it's been a lot of changes for you, and I know it's all new and maybe even a little strange. But we want to take care of you, all of you, even in the awkward or uncomfortable parts."
Lux slowly nodded, feeling both comforted and still a little awkward. It was hard to picture herself in a place where she felt fully comfortable with such intimate aspects of her life.
"Thank you papa" She whispers shyly.
He smiled, brushing her wet hair out of her face as he continued washing her gently. "You're welcome, baby girl. I'm always here for you."
For a while, the room was quiet again, save for the soft sound of water splashing and the distant hum of the house around them. Lux felt her body relax further into the warmth of the bath, her worries slipping away for a little while. She wasn't sure what the future held, or what her life would look like even in the next few weeks, but for now - in this moment - she was content.
---
HALLOWEEN PARTY COMING SOON :)
- finally touched on the period topic too.