(Might be long, sorry 😅)

The rain battered down on the foggy and humid streets as a 24-year-old British adult sped walked down the soaked sidewalk, holding a thin umbrella in one hand as he held a bag of groceries in a paper bag in the other arm. Feeling a shiver run down his spine, Laff let out a shuddered sigh as he kept walking.

Shopping late in the evening during a thunderstorm wasn’t his first idea, but with it raining so hard he thought he’d stock up on warm foods to keep him from freezing to death.

Shifting how he was holding the grocery bag, he fixed the leather jacket he normally wore during private investigations and while he played with his friends. It didn’t provide much cover, but his apartment wasn’t too far away by now. Of course, this jacket was synthetic since he didn’t approve of the idea of slaughtering animals for clothing or food; especially in cruel environments.

Stepping up to the main door to his apartment complex, he set the bag down in the one part of the sidewalk that looked dryer than any other part and struggled to close his umbrella.

-Mn, darn clasp! Spent a pretty penny on this umbrella and it’s still a piece of shet-!-

Without warning one of the rods in the umbrella snapped and tore through the vinyl. Letting out a frustrated sigh, he compressed the umbrella down with his hands and quickly moved to the side of the apartment complex to the dumpster to toss the umbrella.

Laff let out a soft sigh as he tossed the umbrella into the dumpster, letting the lid slam shut “Piece of a shit umbrella, cannot even close back up properly!” He fixed the collar of his jacket as he turned to leave when he was stopped by a noise from the pile of boxes beside the dumpster.

It sounded like a...baby, crying.

He quickly turned back around and walked over to the pile of boxes, moving a few small boxes to the side before opening the bigger box that was closed.

Inside was a small infant, around a few days to a week old; bare and dirty and crying his eyes out at the top of his lungs.

“Oh my-!” Laff was quick to remove his jacket and picked up the small infant, careful to shield him from the rain that was still pouring down. Holding the infant close to his chest, Laff ducked down to try and provide some shelter as he rushed inside; momentarily forgetting the groceries he had left by the front lobby door. He quickly ascended the staircase up to his fifth-floor apartment, as it seemed much quicker than taking the elevator that seemed to take 4 minutes to go up and down.

The infant had seemed to lessen his crying once he was held, but was still crying hysterically as Laff fumbled with his keys.

After a few failed attempts before Laff steadied his hand enough to unlock the door, he practically threw the door open as he rushed inside with the sobbing infant. Tossing his keys to who knows where Laff sat down on the faded burgundy armchair.

-Alright, Alright. Take a deep breath in and calm down before I harm the child any further.- Closing his eyes; Laff took in a small, slow breath in and out as he turned his attention back to the crying infant in his arms with the only source of warmth being his discarded leather jacket.

The infant was still crying hysterically, shaking as his skin felt cold to the touch as Laff looked him over. Thankfully, there weren't any cuts or any injuries that he could see or feel. But feeling how cold the poor boy was broke Laff's heart, this poor child was abandoned without anyone to turn to or anyone to take care of him.

Judging by how filthy the poor lad was, he was abandoned for a considerably long time.

A shrill cry from the infant snapped Laff back to attention instantly as he cradled the small baby in one of his arms, using his free hand to pull out his phone to call for some help. Pressing a number on the speed dial and placing it on speakerphone, he sets it down on the arm of the chair and turns his attention back to the sobbing form in his arms.

“U-Uh, erh um, c-christ almighty what do I do??” Laff questioned out loud as he started bouncing the small infant gently in his arms in an attempt to console him.

The phone connected through the call as a shrill-like voice spoke through the speaker.

“Laff?? Laff what is it!? I, Socks, and Woolfster were doing a Minecraft manhunt-What is all that noise!?!”

Laff cringed slightly at the high-pitched tones of the phone's speaker as he sat up a bit to reply to the Indian cookie monster. “Meme! I, Uhhhh, sorta have a situation!” he spoke a little louder than he intended to speak over the crying. “I found a wee lad in the trash outside of my house and I’m kinda at a loss at what to do!”

“W-What-How did you get a baby Laff!?” Meme spoke with the undertones of surprise, concern, and excitement all mixed.

“I already told you mate! Meme, I called you ‘cause you’re the only person I know that has the slightest idea of the medical profession and I need help this minute!”

The British lad didn’t mean to respond to Meme’s question in a harsh tone, but Laff was starting to internally panic from not knowing what to do and he didn’t want to waste any more time on asking for help. Shuffling noises came from the other end of the receiver as Meme was quickly getting out of his chair while trying not to get his headphone cord caught on anything. “O-Okay Laff! I’m on my way! J-Just make sure there are no injuries and keep the infant's head and neck supported!” The phone clicked and gave a dial tone as a sign that Meme had hung up.

Taking in a small; short breath, Laff adjusted how he was holding the sobbing baby in his arms while trying to mentally reel himself back in from the edge of a panic attack.

“Okay, Okay, t-this feels right, I-I think this is right..” He spoke softly to himself as he felt his mind racing a million miles an hour. Laff was honestly terrified in this situation, but not for any particularly bad reasons. He was downright terrified that he was going to do something wrong and accidentally hurt the child worse or might do something even worse. He was worried that he wasn’t going to be able to calm the little tyke down.

But, at the same time, Laff wanted to hold the nameless child close in his arms and cherish him and just be there for him. To take care of him, feed him, watch him grow up, and just love him.

And slowly...the crying softened slowly but significantly.

Laff widened his eyes a bit in surprise as he glanced down at the small form in his arms. He noticed that he was holding the child securely and close to his chest with such care as if he was made of fiberglass.

The baby felt safe, warm, and protected in Laff’s arms. Sniffling softly, the baby had started to cry softer and softer as his tiny hands opened and closed up into fists by reflex. Soon the crying softened into soft whimpers and harsh hiccups.

Feeling much more relaxed seeing the baby calm down by just being in his embrace, Laff looked down at the baby with a soft smile slowly creeping on his face. “Oh...there we go mate..” he spoke quietly, barely above a whisper. Gently moved his left hand up to smooth out the baby's frazzled wispy hair and carefully wiped the tears off his face and out of his eyes which remained shut. “Hello there little lad..” Laff felt a soft burning sensation in his chest as he stared down at this bab-...this miracle of a child in his arms. “Can you...open your eyes..?” He gently rubbed the baby’s eyes just to make sure they weren’t infected.

The baby fussed quietly as he shifted a bit, letting out quiet little coos. Laff almost instantly tensed up when he felt the baby move as if he moved he would cause harm without any intention.

As if the baby was listening to Laff, his eyes slowly blinked open to show big, dark pink eyes.

Laff stared into the baby's eyes as he felt his smile grow by the minute. “Oh mate,” he let out a soft chuckle, “such astonishing eyes for a little lad. Oh, and what lovely hair, tiny toes and hands and just…” He let out a quick sigh before chuckling softly “mate you are bloody adorable!” Laff suddenly froze a bit, partly at the voice crack and mostly from accidentally shouting. The baby didn’t seem startled from the shouting as he stared up silently at Laff, letting out soft coos every so often.

Laff slowly relaxed, feeling the smile on his face and the warm feeling in his chest return. He wasn’t sure exactly why, but he just wanted to hold the baby in his arms and never let him go, with an unwavering urge to protect the small child. This feeling burned in his chest as he kept his eyes on the child. He didn’t quite understand why he felt this way, but it just felt...right.

This feeling...felt like pride.

He was quickly brought out of his thoughts when someone started frantically knocking at his door. Quickly turning his attention to the door without getting up, Laff instantly responded to the knocking “The door is open mate!”

The knocking ceased as Meme quickly opened the door, letting himself in Laff’s apartment, and closed the door behind him.

“Okay, Laff I’m here! W-Where is the-”

“Right here Meme, in my arms.” Laff motioned Meme over while fixing the raincoat that was covering the baby to keep him covered. Meme quickly strode over with a small, black bag that had a piece of masking tape with the words “Medical Shit” on it as Meme didn’t have a proper medical tool bag. Setting the bag down, Meme took a knee beside the armchair and looked over at the baby “shit it is a baby. Um, you don’t mind uncovering it right?”

Laff obliged and gently moved the coat to the sides, exposing the baby to Meme as the doctor was carefully running his hands along the baby's ribs and sides, to ensure there were no broken bones that he could feel.

“Holy shit Laff this baby is incredibly lucky you found him..! I’m not sure how old he could be, but judging from how skinny he is he was out there for a worryingly long time..!” Meme gently ran his hands under the baby's arms, gently pressing down on his elbow to test his reflexes. “But...if I were to guess, he might be at least 8 days old...maybe less..”

This made Laff's heart sink, this baby was abandoned almost immediately after he was born. He could never imagine someone would be this cruel, especially to their child.

He slowly was tuning out Meme as he stared down at the baby, lost in thought. -This poor boy...he deserves all that anyone could give him. He didn’t deserve to be abandoned like this..! Like he was just a piece of trash! He is a small human being and he needed whoever abandoned him to love and care for him..!...I-I could be a better damn parent than the loathsome bastard or cunt that left him for dead! But...me being a parent..? Could I be good enough…?--

“Laff! Hey, earth to Laff!”

Laff quickly snapped out of his thoughts as he jumped softly, looking up at the concerned doctor in front of him “Huh-?”

Meme huffed “I’ve been trying to ask you if you had any idea where this child could have come from and you were zoned out! What are you thinking??”

Laff sighed softly “S-sorry, just...lost in thought I suppose..”

Meme tilted his head and got up, sitting on the arm of the armchair beside the British detective, “Well...What ARE you thinking about? Do you care to talk about it?” Laff didn’t respond to Meme as his attention was focused solely on the baby in his arms, not wanting to look away. Meme’s eyes went from Laff to the baby and back for Laff as he tried to think of why Laff was not responding.

He came to a conclusion as he smiled warmly “You want to keep the baby right?”

Laff jumped a bit as he looked up at Meme “h-huh-?”

Meme chuckled softly “I can see it in your eyes Laff. You look at that baby with a look filled with pride and love like you want to raise him as your own. Like you don’t want to let him go, even if he’s not yours.”

Laff looked at him before looking back at the baby, thinking about what Meme said. “...I-I mean...his parents didn’t even want him. H-He was left to die in the trash for christ’s sake..! I-I just feel...like I could be a better parent to this little bugger. But..” he sighed softly “..what if I’m not good enough?”

Meme let out a soft laugh with a warm smile “Are you kidding Laff? If anything you’re the most mature out of any of us and when things get rowdy you control the situation before it gets worse! And well you’re the oldest along with Oompa, honestly, we could look up to you if we needed it.” He tilted his head slightly as he looked at Laff with a heartfelt expression “You would be an amazing father.”

Hearing this, Laff looked over at Meme and smiled slightly “really mate..? No foolin’?”

Meme giggled and nodded “Of course!” He smiled softly. “If you need help I could take you both to the hospital to fill out a birth certificate.”

Laff looked back down at the baby as he smiled softly “huh…” He gently took one of the infant's hands and held it gently in his, not taking his eyes off him “maybe...I’ll take you up on that offer mate.”

Meme looked surprised “Wait really-!?”

Laff looked at him and nodded softly “Well, of course..” He looked back at the baby “This child needs a home, and I don’t feel right just...leaving him in an adoption home. He could end up never finding a home…” He gently rubbed the baby's hand “making friends that might end up leaving ‘em...mate, I can’t bear the thought of that.” He shook his head “I cannot.”

Meme looked at him with a shocked expression before it melted into one with a warm smile “Laff, that’s nice of you..”

Laff didn’t look away from the baby as he smiled softly “yeah…”

After a beat passed, Meme let out a stifled nervous laugh before rubbing his head.

“Ahhh, that’s good that you say that caught I miiiiiiight of already told everyone else that you now have a baby…”

Another moment of silence passed, Laff jumped and looked at Meme “Wait what did you-”

Someone started frantically knocking on the door. “LAFF! LAFF I WANT TO SEE THE BABY OPEN THE DOOR OPEN THE-” The door swung open from the knocking to reveal the blonde man with a monkey jacket who was holding a plastic bag. He looked down slightly at the open door as he let out a soft “oh”.

“Blaza mate I’ve told you not to shout that loud-”

“I know I know I should have kept my voice down but you have a baby and I want to see him Laff!!” Blaza quickly walked in, not bothering to close the door behind him as he walked over to the armchair. Smiling brightly, he dropped the bag as he knelt beside the armchair “Oh my god Oh my god!! You are so adorable!” Blaza was instantly gushing over the baby as Laff slightly tightened his hold on him, tense about what Blaza might do.

“You’re soooo tinyyyyy oh my goddddddd!!” Blaza cooed as he smiled brightly. “Ohhhhhhh! Unkie Blaza here is gonna just spoil you rotten with things daddy Laff won’t get you!” He took the baby’s other hand Laff wasn’t holding and gasped softly “Oh poor baby, you’re filthy!” He chuckled softly “Lucky for you Unkie Joocie and Oompa are getting you your furniture! A new crib, a changing table, and your own baby bath!”

Laff looked surprised “R-Really?? All that-??”

Blaza nodded and smiled “Of course! Dino read a baby book he got from the book store and that was on the list of things needed! Plus google backed that up so you know it's true!” He clapped his hands together “Oh that reminds me! I was in charge of getting some clothes and toys!”

Meme looked at him “W-what not diapers!? Blaza the group chat said you were in charge of that!”

A soft knock came to the open door as the wolf furry walked in with a couple of bags. “Well, that is why I got everything that I believed people would have forgotten.” Woolfster smiled softly as he walked over, setting the bags down. He noticed the baby in Laff’s arms and smiled warmly “Oh, is this the baby?”

Laff looked at Woolfster and nodded softly “Yeah...this is uhh…” He scratched his head with his free hand “I actually don't have a name for him…”

Woolfster smiled softly “Well, I’m sure we could help you figure out a name..” He walked closer and gently caressed the baby's head, smiling warmly “He is so tiny..” He tilted his head, making his ears sway a bit “Hello little one, I’m Woolfster. And uh..” He leaned a little closer “I’m not a furry, so don’t believe the dino furry if he says I am.”

Stifling a soft laugh, Laff smiled warmly as he watched Woolfster and Blaza fawn over the baby.

A loud curse came from the hallway as the four adults in the room looked over.

“Mother fuck my back! You’d think this shitty apartment complex would repair their elevator!”

“Oompa keep your voice down mate! You don’t want to cause another scene like last time, haha.”

Laff sighed a bit in relief when he realized the two the group in the apartment heard were their friends; Oompa and Joocie. Soon enough, Oompa was pushing two giant boxes stacked on top of each other into the apartment with Joocie following behind with a much smaller box.

Memes eyes widened “Holy SHIT is the crib and changing table really that big!?”

Oompa huffed “No it's just all the excess packaging in the box that makes the box big!”

Joocie chuckled as he set the box that had the baby tub down “Oompa insisted he carry both by himself; he just didn’t expect for the elevator to be slow.” Oompa stretched out his arm and grunted softly “Might have pulled a muscle, but hey I made it up here right?”

A dino furry came in after the two in a green dinosaur hoodie, carrying a couple of bags of clothes and toys and a parenthood book as he let out a soft chuckle “The two of you were so slow. Me and Socks caught up with the two of you easily and you weren’t even past the second-floor landing.” On cue, the man in a NASA jacket stepped into the room, carrying even more bags as he laughed heartily.

Laff looked between everyone in the room with wide eyes as he was surprised by all this support. He smiled nervously as he trembled softly “r-really? All this..?”

Oompa giggled “Aww Laff you sound like a mother during a baby shower!”

Meme rolled his eyes and smiled “Of course Laff. We know that since the number of cases you work you don’t have a lot of extra expenses to give this child the upbringing you want.” He giggled “We are more than happy to help pitch in!”

Laff sniffled softly and smiled “T-Thank you...R-Really..”

Blaza was quick to stand up and embrace Laff tightly with a bright smile “Ohhh Laff! Don’t cry! It’s okay!” Laughing quietly, Laff smiled softly and rubbed his eyes with his free hand “B-Blaza, I-I’m okay, I’m just really touched mate..”

The baby cooed softly as Blaza let go of Laff to look him in the eye and smile warmly.

(Jesus around 3500 words :0)