My eyes slowly fluttered open as I exited the vast cosmic sea of my mindscape, the stars fading into the soft ceiling of our living room. I blinked a few times, taking in the familiar surroundings—the play mat, the plush Dratini, the PokeBlock-stacking toy set, and the gentle afternoon light spilling through the window.
My little body was sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by toys. My subconscious had been doing a decent job pretending to be a normal, overly happy toddler while I was off digesting literal god-tier information dumps courtesy of my ever-sassy system.
"Seriously..." I muttered under my breath, keeping my voice low in case Mama was nearby. "I swear that system's going to give me a mental sugar crash one day..."
As if summoned by the thought of food, the sound of footsteps padded across the wooden floor.
"Mama!" I chirped automatically, breaking from internal grumbling.
My mother walked in, wiping her hands on a towel, her long black hair tied in a loose bun behind her head. Her crimson eyes sparkled when they landed on me—instantly softening into that warm, bright light that made my little chest fill with warmth.
"There you are, little star~" she beamed, kneeling down beside me and booping my nose. "Dinner's almost ready for Mama... but now I need to know what my growing little genius wants for his dinner!"
She tilted her head and lifted a hand with a dramatic little flourish.
"Your highness," she said playfully, "would you prefer a Berry Bowl made with..."
She held up one finger, smiling:
"One: Banana Berry?"
A second finger joined it:
"Two: Apple Berry?"
Then three:
"Three: Oran Berry?"
"And four: a surprise mix of other berries~?"
I paused for a moment. Choices, choices.
"Hmm..." I tapped my chin with a chubby finger and gave her my most serious face. "Oran Berry!"
"Oran Berry it is!" she cheered, standing up with the grace of a Gardevoir. "A classic. Sweet, juicy, full of nutrients... good for the brain and bones~"
Then she turned back toward the kitchen, but paused at the doorway and winked.
"Oh, and you're getting a fresh bottle of Moomoo Milk with it too. No skipping out. I want my little gentleman to grow up big and strong, okay?"
I nodded obediently, a slight blush creeping onto my cheeks.
"Mama's little gentleman..." I whispered to myself with a small grin.
Even after all the divine knowledge, void power, and promises of ascension... something about hearing her call me that just hit different.
For her, this wasn't about me becoming some champion, monster, or future god.
It was about love. Care. Raising her son to be someone good—even if that son happened to have Void-tier potential and a dragon goddess for a mother.
While she went to finish her dinner—probably some grilled veggies and rice with a spicy sauce like always—I got comfortable and waited for my Oran Berry and Moomoo Milk combo.
Simple.
Warm.
Happy.
And for now... that was all I needed.
A few minutes later, Mama returned, holding a little tray with a neatly cut Oran Berry and a warm bottle of Moomoo Milk cradled beside it. Her face lit up the moment she saw me still sitting patiently on my playmat, back straight, arms crossed like a very serious gentleman in a very tiny body.
"Okay, my little star, your feast is ready~!" she sang, setting the tray on the small table beside me.
I immediately leaned forward, puffing my cheeks with determination. "I can eat. Me do it."
She blinked, placing a hand on her hip. "Ohhh? Is that so?"
I nodded with all the resolve my one-and-a-half-year-old face could muster. "I big."
She knelt down in front of me, dramatically narrowing her crimson eyes.
"You wanna challenge Mama's sacred right to feed her baby?" she teased, her voice low and playful.
"Mama..." I warned, reaching out toward the tray.
But I didn't see her hand coming.
In one smooth movement, she reached out and ruffled my hair, combing through the purple-streaked strands with slow, practiced motions.
"No fair..." I muttered under my breath as her fingers danced across my scalp.
The purring started before I could stop it.
A low, involuntary rumble escaped me as I leaned into her touch, my shoulders sagging in blissful surrender.
"...Only Mama allowed," I mumbled mentally. "Only she can do this..."
Then—
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[Awwww~ The little hatchling purrs for head pats! How adorable! Who's Mama's softest, most precious Void-baby~?]
I didn't even react.
Not this time.
Not even a mental glare.
My entire being was focused on the affection of my mother as she gently massaged my scalp and toyed with my soft strands like she was braiding clouds.
This peace?
It was sacred.
The system could bark all it wanted.
But nothing—not divine potential, not dragon ascension, not even godhood—compared to this.
Eventually, her hands slowed. One last sweep through my hair, one final head rub...
And she pulled away.
My bottom lip wobbled dangerously.
No. No.
I caught the whimper just before it escaped.
A warrior of the void does not whine for more cuddles.
(...But he might mourn silently.)
"Alright, you little fluff ball," she said, her voice full of affection. "Time to eat! You ready for the Pidgeotto?"
I sighed internally but nodded.
"Let's go," I said quietly, submitting to fate.
She picked up a tiny piece of Oran Berry with a fork and lifted it into the air.
"Pidgeotto incoming!" she chirped, moving it side to side like a plane. "Wooooosh—!"
I opened my mouth, let it in, and chewed obediently.
Was I slightly embarrassed?
Absolutely.
But could I really complain?
...Not really. After all, I was technically just a year and a half old.
And besides... if this is what it meant to be her little gentleman?
Then I'd let her feed me with Pidgeotto planes all day.