Ficticious Chaos - Primordial of Motherhood

It was their usual spot in Fellgrand, the small, cozy shop that served ice cream. And as Ichigo sat there with his cheek resting against his fist, he watched with much amusement as Tiamat calmly tore through her vanilla sundae with hot fudge and sprinkles. It was downright endearing how focused the ancient Dragon King was on her dessert.

It was always in these mundane moments where Ichigo felt she was at her cutest; those rare moments where the primeval arrogance and regal austerity of an ancient queen fell away. However, amidst his musings and admiration, he suddenly heard the cry of a small infant, and he slowly turned around to see a young couple looking both embarrassed and concerned as they took their seats.

The young mother reached into the stroller and tried to hush her crying baby. Ichigo felt a moment of sympathy - while he hadn't faced that hurdle himself, he had heard, anecdotally, that keeping the romance alive and the dates going when a couple has young children is quite arduous.

Still, he felt respect for the young pair - at least they were trying .

Feeling he had stared rudely long enough, he returned his attention to his own date. However, much to his surprise, he found that Tiamat had her ocean blue eyes affixed on the young couple as well. Her expression was blank, but there was something there within her gaze. Something deep and profound, one of those few things that even he - privy that he was to her mind - couldn't fully recognize.

But after a moment, Tiamat's gaze fell back to her dessert, but he could still feel a solemn weight within her soul. Slowly, he reached out and delicately grasped her fingers, brushing his thumb across the back of her knuckles.

She said nothing, nor did she even look his way, but he felt her fingers tighten around his own, and from their shared mindscape he felt the cool currents of the deep sea press comforting over him. It was always a humbling reminder - no matter how she looked or acted - the mind of a Primordial was different and alien.

There were times where her thoughts weren't thoughts, but more impressions and notions: of things before language, before names.

She really was that old.

But he fell out of those thoughts as the noise behind him increased, and the infant's cries became outright wails. This time, he did not turn around, but, nevertheless, his senses embedded through Infernity mapped everything for him in his mind's eye. The young mother looked increasingly worried for her child as she tried to soothe him. And the young father was torn between trying to futilely help his wife and sending embarrassed and apologetic glances towards the other patrons. Some of whom who were starting to grow discontent and quietly grumbled with the baby's loud cries.

His mouth twisted sourly, there were always jerks no matter where one went, and briefly he considered using his powers to put a privacy shroud around the family of three. But, quite suddenly, Tiamat stood from her seat. Ichigo stared up at her in wonder and question, and as her fingers slipped from his, he was suddenly overcome with the immensity of her presence and power. It came out of her in titanic waves, but not violent nor threatening, but rather assured and powerful in a way left no question of her authority.

And with each step she took, she seemed to drag all of space and time with her, the very ebb and flow of reality tearing - no, not tearing - happily following at her feet.

His mouth briefly parted, because not just him, but everyone was looking at her. Which wasn't unusual, she always turned heads; whether it be in the mortal world or the supernatural. But this was different, it wasn't her beauty that had mesmerized everyone in that small shop... it was something more, primal.

Slowly, Tiamat reached forward, and the young mother could only watch with wide eyes as Tiamat gently took her baby into her own arms. And within the next second, the baby boy quieted down. And the young boy turned his own wide eyes filled with tears to look on with wonder and curiosity at this new woman who was holding him. Tiamat then gently pressed him to the crook of her neck, bouncing him lovingly as she patted his back soothingly.

"There, there, little one." And it was the quality of her voice, the rich tenderness that had Ichigo's throat suddenly catch tight with emotions. She then smiled - smiled - in a way Ichigo had never seen before.

No.

He had seen that smile before. Just not from her... and not since he was nine years old. Not since... His breath caught, even as the baby's eyes drooped, and he rested his peach-fuzzed head against Tiamat's cheek.

The tightness in his throat only grew as she saw him continue to rock the little boy in her arms, swaying side to side as she muttered in soft and long forgotten languages. And her ancient softness flooded through their bond... and so with many memories and long forgotten and sorely missed emotions came back rushing to him.

Ichigo blinked a few times, fighting the wetness away.

Quiet and tranquil minutes passed, and Tiamat finally handed the little boy back to his mother, but not before she softly said some encouraging words and sage advice. Though Ichigo only vaguely heard the words - too caught up in his own memories and emotions that he was.

A few seconds later, she was seated next to him again, and Ichigo looked into those profound sapphire blues. A hint of sorrow and melancholy entered her gaze, and gently she reached out and cupped his cheek, even as she gave him a sad smile. "Are you alright, beloved?"

He opened his mouth to answer, but he quickly closed it, not trusting himself in that moment. So, instead, he just nodded heavily.

She gave him a knowing look, because she knew, of course she knew, and slowly she reached out with both arms and drew him into her. No different than how she had done with the baby.

"I love you, little one," Tiamat said softly. "I will always love you."

And Ichigo hugged her back desperately.