Slipping Through my Fingers
AN: ya'll have been getting too much fluffy girldad Ominis
“Remember what your mother said- Chandra, pay attention.”
“-will not leave without you.” Ominis completed his sentence as firmly as he could, pushing down hard on the waver in his voice. “They know your baba would have something to say about that.”
“Fine, I’ll listen- amma, you’re squashing me.”
Princess Miradevi’s graceful exterior had cracked like an egg as her arms tightened around her daughter. Hot tears welled in her honey-brown eyes, her lower lip quivering. Ominis did not need to be able to see his wife to know that she was inconsolable. Her soft sniffle and the ache in his heart were a dead giveaway that the love of his life was unhappy. And, in a cruel twist, there was nothing he could do to fix it.
“Right.“ Mira spoke, her voice watery. She let go of Chandra will a monumental effort, quickly wiping at her kajal-lined eyes. “Chandra, baby, enjoy yourself, alright? Be safe, be kind, and stay happy. Nothing is more important than that. And if you ever want to come home for a visit-“
She was cut off by the whistle of the train, a plume of white smoke billowing over the platform. The throng of parents and students flurried into action, sending their children off, pressing trunks and cages of fluttering owls into waiting hands.
Mira barely registered the voice of one of their security calling her. Her little girl was gazing up at her, excitement and a hint of nervousness shining in her eyes. When had she gotten so big? It was just yesterday that she’d been welcomed into the world, sitting so small in her arms, being lulled to sleep by Ominis singing softly to her.
A sudden panic gripped Mira, her chest tightening.
“Ominis-“ she turned, trying to find the one person in her life who’d grounded her. “Ominis, she’s too young, she’s so small, she can’t-“
Another sharp blast of the whistle and Chandra grinned, flashing a gap-toothed grin at her mother. Aurors levitated the younger princess's trunks, leading her into the train. Mira restrained herself, a fresh surge of tears spilling down her face.
“I love you, amma.” Chandra hugged her tight, before turning to her father. “Love you, baba. I’ll write a lot, and I’ll tell you which House I’m in.”
“I love you, Chandra. So much.” Ominis held back from saying anything else, knowing that he was hanging on by a rapidly fraying thread. The Prince Consort knelt down, brushing his hand over her cheek. Opting to press a kiss to the crown of her head, Ominis gently nudged her forwards.
“Go on.” Mira managed. “You don’t want your baba to start throwing his title around if the train leaves you behind.”
Chandra laughed, before beginning to rush off. Miradevi pressed close to Ominis, his arms wrapped firmly around her. “Wait-“ she said, softly, as Chandra stopped suddenly.
Ominis frowned. "What? What is she-"
But his ears caught the patter of her feet as she turned quickly on her heel, and darted back to them.
Parental instinct kicked in, and both of them rushed forward as well, tangling with their daughter in a last, messy hug.
“Don’t be sad, I’ll write so much you’ll be sick of me.” Chandra pressed her face into her mother’s shoulder, and Mira gave a watery laugh.
“You could never. We love you, and we’ll wait for every word.”
Chandra peeled herself away, exhaled, and turned away.
This time, she did not look back.
As the train pulled away, Mira finally dissolved into soft sobs. Ominis tucked her close to his side, murmuring soft, nonsense words of comfort, of love, his own voice beginning to crack and break.
Ominis’ voice was quiet, almost awestruck as he held his baby daughter. Gentle as a feather, his fingertips brushed over her features- her nose, her soft curls of hair.
“Congratulations, your Highnesses. She is perfectly healthy, and if you’ll allow me to weigh her-“
For a single, wild second, Ominis felt his hackles rise faster than they ever had, something burning, something protective as a wildfire making him tighten his grip, and angle his body away. Then, sense melted back into his brain and he nodded.
“Of course. My apologies.”
He has to force his fingers to release, to let go of his baby.
The healer spoke with a note of knowing in her voice. “It’s nothing to worry about, your highness. We often see this with new parents.”
“I think I almost tried to hex them when they tried to make her cry.” Mira’s voice was surprisingly chipper, and Ominis barely registered that he had walked over to her till she felt his hand grip hers. Sweaty, but alive, healthy, and well.
“You did wonderfully, my love.” He murmured, pressing a kiss to her knuckles.
“Mmhm. And you benefited greatly from not having to see any of it.”
“Hearing it was enough. And I’m fairly certain you broke one of my fingers.”
Ominis laughed at the horrified tone of her voice and soothed her softly.“No. But I think I’ve been bruised beyond repair.”
“Oh, poor you,” Miradevi said drily. “A bruise. Do you want to know what I’ve endured this past handful of hours?”
Ominis laughed, tears pricking at his eyes as they spilled over his face. He knelt down at her bedside, pressing her palm against his face.“I love you.” His voice was soft, reverent. “My Mira. My beloved.”
“She’s so beautiful.” His wife’s voice wavered slightly. “Ominis, will we- will everything be alright? She’ll be safe, right?”
“Yes. I’ll ensure it, I promise. Every ounce of magic in my soul is dedicated to the two of you. Nothing will hurt her, I swear.”
Ominis looked up at the sharp knock at the doors to his office, eyes narrowed. The prince consort sighed, pressing his fingers to the bridge of his nose.
“I’m busy.” He wasn’t in the mood to deal with anything but work right now, and he certainly did not want anyone seeing him in this state.
The doors swung open anyway, and irritation flared inside him as he stood, chair scraping back.
“His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Bharat Surya Lakshmi.”
Ominis stepped out behind his ornate desk and bowed, albeit a little stiffly.
He adored his family, and his brothers-in-law were a wonderful change from what he was used to, though Marvolo was a low bar. But right now, he just needed a moment.
“Why is my sister moping in her rooms?” The crown prince cut to the chase, and Ominis lifted his chin slightly.
“We dropped Chandra off on her first day of school a few days ago. I’m assuming she’s still feeling upset.”
A rustle of fabric gave away Bharat leaning against his desk. “And you’re not with her because…?”
“Because I have work to do, Bharat. I cannot- I cannot be with her, not now.”
There was silence for a few moments, and Ominis thought for a moment the Bharat had simply left, but he’d never heard any receding footsteps.
“I’m looking for a newspaper to hit you over the head with.”
Ominis gave a dry laugh. “Very mature, Your Highness.”
“She needs you right now. She needs her husband, and the one other person on this planet who knows what she is going through.”
“She needs strength and support, neither of which I can provide right now.” Ominis frowned, already feeling the tightness in his throat welling up again.
“You don’t have to be strong for her all the time, Ominis, She does not expect that, nor does she want it. Be vulnerable, be heartbroken, but do it together.” Bharat gently nudged his shoulder. “Ease her burden by sharing it, not carrying it.”
“I wasn’t aware you gave such stellar advice.” Ominis looked away. “I know I left her alone.” He murmured. “I didn’t- I didn’t mean to-“
“No. But I’d suggest you go find your wife before her sadness becomes anger.”
Ominis winced and nodded. “Thank you. Bharat.” He dipped his head in a quick bow. “I.. appreciate you seeking me out.”
“Anytime. You’re my little brother, are you not? Now go and cheer Mira up. You have three minutes before her mood changes, I believe.”
Silence hung over the prince and princess’ rooms. Ominis gently closed the door behind him, and wand out, seeking Mira. A cold gust of wind swept past him, betraying the open balcony doors. The princess was looking out over the little lights of the provinces, the hills and mountains in the distance.
He sighed softly, walking out into the frigid desert air. Mira was silent, and his hands settled at her hips, his head ducking to press his lips to her neck.
“Mira-“ He kissed her jawline, tasting the saltiness of tears. “My starlight, my heart, I am- so sorry.”
Silence.
“Please, my love.” His voice grew rougher. “Say something.”
She didn’t speak, but moved slightly, pressing herself closer into his arms.
“I miss her so much.” Ominis finally whispered. “I want our baby girl back, I want to hear her laughter and hold her in my arms. But she’ll come home soon, love. I promise.”
“She’s only growing older.” Mira’s voice broke, and Ominis didn’t bother holding back his tears. “When did she grow up, Ominis? All that time- I’m never going to get it back. And she’ll just keep getting older, and she’ll never be small enough for me to hold in my arms again.”
For a moment, Ominis wondered whether his heart was cracking and splitting in two. All those occasions he’d braided her hair sang lullabies to her, held his daughter on his lap as her tiny fingers roved over his face, and reached for his wand- gone.
And he didn’t know what to say.
“Mira.” His voice shook and he tried to pull himself together. “Mira-“
“It’s okay.” She whispered. “Just- feel this with me. Please. I can’t feel all this alone.”
“I’m here.” Ominis tightened his grip around her waist. “I know, my love. I know.”
The princess leaned against her husband, shaking slightly as she finally dissolved into soft sobs. Ominis held her, making no move to try and hold back his own tears.
Far away, in a little dorm room in Ravenclaw Tower, Princess Chandra Surya Lakshmi was feeling a strange, clawing pang of awful, aching homesickness.
AN: Omi and Mira's bb officially has a house now! (I teared up when writing this lowkey. It's not even that sad lmao, but the Mamma Mia soundtrack gets me messed up)
