Chapter Text
There he was, sitting in the middle of their enormous garden, his son. Max was sitting next to a puddle, playing with two race cars, well, it looked more like he was trying to drown the cars, but Nico was sure that wasn't what the boy's intentions were.
He ran outside, not thinking about how the rain and the stone floor will totally ruin his new cashmere socks.
He knelt down to meet Max at eye level. "Max, Liebling, what are you doing out here all by yourself? You’re going to catch a cold!" he said, a hint of worry lacing his tone. Max's face broke into a wide grin at the sound of his father's voice and Nico grabbed him up into his arms.
“Papa, look! Rain!” Max exclaimed gleefully, his tiny finger pointing towards the droplets splattering against his arms.
Nico nods with a smile, walking them both inside, "I see. You need to be dressed in a coat and boots if you want to be in the rain. You will get sick, Löwe. " he said and bopped the little nose, making Max giggle again. Nico was sure it was his favorite sound. Maybe his husband mo-, well that is a story for a different time.
“I want to play in the rain! I like the rain!” Max suddenly declared, clapping his little hands enthusiastically, though a frown soon creased his forehead when he realized they were headed inside. Nico couldn't be angry at that face for long.
"I know, but we won't want you to be sick for the next week. When you go outside, let us know, we dress you in clothes to keep you warm, not a thin shirt." Nico explained as he pointed to the orange shirt with little lions Max was wearing. It was a bit small, but it is Max's favorite and he wants to wear it. Lewis had been trying to see if they had it in a bigger size, unfortunately, without much success.
The little boy’s face brightened momentarily, and he sniffed in resolve. “Okay, can we do that now?” he asked hopefully, flashing his father the biggest, most irresistible puppy eyes that anyone could ever imagine.
Nico felt a familiar tug at his heartstrings, a temptation to give in. However, he managed to muster the strength to resist. “I’m sorry, my dear Löwe, but not today. Instead, I’ll give you a nice bath so you can warm up.”
“But what about my cars?”
“I’ll clean them for you, and then you can play with them in the bath. How does that sound?” Nico offered, trying to negotiate.
“Yeeeh!” Max squealed in delight, his small face lighting up with joy again. Nico couldn't help but lean down to plant a kiss on the crown of his head.
Some time later, Nico had pulled Max out of the bath and Max had insisted on playing in his room while his papa would make diner.
Nico was in the kitchen, deftly chopping vegetables and humming softly, when Lewis emerged from his office, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement. “Nico, Darling, why is our son moving water from his bath into his bedroom?”
He let the knife fall as his eyes widened, "He is what? Why don't you stop him?"
“Max looks so happy! I thought you had given him permission to play."
Nico raised his eyebrows at his husband. He knew Lewis had a long day of meetings and was probably exhausted, but surely there were still a few brain cells left in that handsome head of his. “Yeah, permission to move water into his room? Really, Lewis?”
They looked up at the sound of little footsteps and something scratching against the floor. There he stood, Max Hamilton Rosberg, with a bucket full water and a look on his face that told both of the men he was going to do something stupid.
“Papa, Dada, look! A waterfall!” he shouted gleefully, and without a moment of hesitation, he tipped the bucket over, spilling water all over their carpet.