Nolan Thair did not believe in love at first sight. Of course, before Ricou, it had never been an option for him anyway. But even if it had been, Nolan had always been convinced that love—actual, true love—took more time and effort than that, that love was not just a feeling, but a choice you made every day, over and over again.
But when he held the baby—their baby—in his arms for the first time, looking up at him with wide, curious eyes, he was beginning to rethink this belief.
"Hi, little one," he whispered with a teary smile. "I'm Nolan, and this is my boyfriend Ricou. I guess we're your dads now, huh?"
The baby squeaked happily at him and tried to grab the thick golden ring on his finger. "Oh, you're right," Nolan chuckled. "My fiance Ricou. I'm still not used to it. Ricou, darling, look how clever our baby is! Do you want to hold them?"
Ricou didn't answer, and when Nolan turned around to look at him, his eyes were wide with fear.
"Ricou?" Nolan asked, frowning. "Hey, are you alright?"
Ricou just shook his head, taking shallow, shaky breaths.
"Talk to me, darling. What's wrong? Did—" Nolan's heart sank. "Did you change your mind? About us having a child?"
"No!" Ricou answered, a little too loudly. "No, of course not. Never, my love."
Nolan smiled gently. "Then what is it?"
Ricou went quiet, and for a moment, Nolan worried he wouldn't answer. But then, Ricou took a deep breath, seeming to steel himself. "Look at them," he finally whispered, voice trembling. "They're so small. What if I scare them? What if I hurt them?"
Nolan reached for Ricou's hand. "Darling, we've talked about this. You're not some scary monster, Ricou. You're sweet, and gentle, and so full of love." He shifted the baby in his arms so Ricou could take them from him. "And you'll be a wonderful dad."
"But—"
"Ricou," Nolan interrupted gently. "Go meet our child."
Ricou hesitated for a moment, then took the baby from him very carefully and cradled them closely in his arms.
"Hello," he whispered. "I am Ricou."
The baby cooed happily at him, and Nolan watched as Ricou's eyes filled with tears. "They're not scared. Why are they not scared?"
"See?" Nolan beamed. "They adored you from the moment they met you. I guess they got that from me."
Ricou laughed softly and kissed both Nolan and the baby on the forehead.
"I love you. Both of you," Ricou whispered, pure adoration in his eyes. "How did we get so lucky?"
Nolan looked at his family and smiled. Maybe there was such a thing as love at first sight after all.