Log: Tending the Twins

[ambitious_muse]

Who: Sigma Ai, Agent York (Native), any Ai siblings who are at home
What: Babysitting the little siblings during Delta's appointment
Where: Ai household
When: Friday morning (8 May)
Warnings: none

Before he picks up the twins from school, Sigma finds everything he should need. Paper, pencils, crayons, and even a few stickers, so they can decorate the room with "Get Well Delta" cards. Dishes, cups, and favorite juices. A rogue ball of string in case York wants to help the twins play the "secret agent" game that he proposed on their second date.

It's a lot for one morning of babysitting, but Sigma really wants this to go well. Delta needs it, and more importantly, he hasn't seen York since before finals. It's time to sit back, have fun, and pretend that nothing is wrong.

Thankfully, the twins are pretty docile by the time they get home. Both of them have been cranky in Delta's absence. Now, they just seem resigned. Sigma hopes York will help him cheer them up.

Comments

[ambitious_muse]

Sigma makes eye contact with the twins. Eta jumps, excited.

It's all for nothing if he messes up here. Ducking between strands, he climbs down from the table and wastes precious seconds stabilizing himself.

[depthlesslock]

York uses that time toshrink the gap between him and the crayon. He can hear the twins cheering, but is focused on getting the crayon, only occasionally glancing back to check Sigma's position.

[ambitious_muse]

Sigma can't reach the crayon in time, but he can reach York. The question is how clean he wants to play, especially because he's on York's blind side.

Extending an arm through the threads, he nudges York's shoulder just so, trying to spin him into the web and disqualify him.

[depthlesslock]

York doesn't so much spin as snap. It's instinctual, something's on his blind side, get it in line of sight now. He whips round, snatching Sigma's hand and twisting just hard enough that he won't be able to pull away without it hurting more.

At the same time, he moves back, trying to get away from the potential threat, but his foot catches on a thread and he unbalances, pulling Sigma after him as he falls.

[ambitious_muse]

"Oh no!" Sigma calls out. "Security breach! Quick, isolate the intruders!"

York is pulling them down and he feels himself crash through the web, but it's worth it to see the twins come running, giggling and jumping at them.

[depthlesslock]

York blinks, staring up at the ceiling and Sigma's looming face. Did that just happen? He's half annoyed, half amused and when the kids come and tackle them, he starts laughing. But he'll have to tell Sigma not to do that again.

[ambitious_muse]

"I guess we both lose," Sigma says. His gambit almost didn't work. He'll have to avoid coming around York's left in the future. For now, though, he accepts Iota's tackle and falls back to the carpet, laughing.

[depthlesslock]

York sneaks the crayon Sigma had gathered while he's preoccupied with his younger brother. Then he reaches across the floor and is just able to snag the third crayon. 'Oh, I wouldn't say that,' he says easily, holding them up while Eta sits on him and makes siren noises.

[ambitious_muse]

Sigma sighs melodramatically. "After all that, I still lose? You'll have to figure out your prize them."

"But you did touch a thread," Sigma says. "That means you'll have to sit in the prison with me after we fix this for the twins."

The prison being the couch, of course.

[depthlesslock]

He grins. 'Oh, I'm sure I'll be able to think of something,' he says.

'Pretty sure you touched one on the way down as well. Also penalty for dirty play.' He's being arrested by five year olds. Iota's hands don't even fit around his wrists.

[ambitious_muse]

"A penalty too? Whatever will you do with me?" he asks.

"To the couch!" Eta cheers.

Iota shakes his head. "Fix it please?"

[depthlesslock]

'That's for me to know and you to find out once the kids are gone,' he says, dropping his voice.

'How about I fix it and then you take us to the couch?' he offers.

[ambitious_muse]

Sigma grins and hopes he isn't blushing. "Where are my brothers when I need them?" he asks.

"Do I get to help fix it, or do I have to go to the prison?" he asks the twins. They look at each other, considering.

[depthlesslock]

'Exactly where you want them. Not where we are.' He is blushing slightly and the color only encourages York.

'Do what you want with Sig, but Eta, you're gonna have to get off me if you want me to fix the web.' He could get her off easily, but let her think she has him pinned.

[ambitious_muse]

He can't help but laugh. York's right. He doesn't want any of his siblings around for what happens next. . . . Whatever that will be.

"I wanna help," Iota says. Eta nods and sits on Sigma instead of York.

"All right," she says sternly, "but you gotta sit on the couch after you fix it."

[depthlesslock]

York grins at Sigma's laugh. Oh yeah, he's going to enjoy this.

Eta gets up to pin her older brother and York pushes himself up, rubbing his arms. 'Got a strong grip there, Eta,' he says as he stands and starts to repair the fallen strings.

[ambitious_muse]

"Thanks." Eta grins and starts picking up threads to hand to York.

Sigma smiles up at them, shifting so Iota isn't sitting on his sternum.

[depthlesslock]

York smiles down at her and takes the offered threada, sticking them back to the wall in different places so the web changes.

[ambitious_muse]

By the time York and Eta are done, Iota isn't so much guarding as he is cuddling. Sigma's okay with that. Maybe the twins will take a nap soon.

"Done!" Eta announces.

Iota perks up at this. "To the couch!"

"All right," Sigma says, tipping his brother off his chest and into his lap. "I'm going."

[depthlesslock]

York sticks the last thread up and Eta tackles him around the waist, trying to push him towards the couch. He lets her, grinning as he spots Sigma and Iota.

'Having fun there?' he asks, even as Sigma sits up, making Iota slide down to his legs.

They make their way through the threads to the couch where Eta pushes him down and pretends to lock him in.

[ambitious_muse]

"I wouldn't dare," Sigma says. He lets Iota lead him to the couch by the hand. He flops down perpendicular to York, back against the armrest and legs across his lap. "Don't worry, E. I won't let him get away."

[depthlesslock]

'Really?' York gives Sigma a look as he's restrained to the couch by his legs. Oh well, he can have fun with this.

'You're both locked in!' Eta declares. 'You can't get out.'

[ambitious_muse]

"I'm on to you," Sigma teases. "You'll steal away if they're not careful."

"We won't," he promises. "You two go ahead and sneak. We'll stay right here."

[depthlesslock]

He presses one hand to his chest. 'You burn me with your words,' he shoots back.

'Have fun. Feel free to ask for challenges.'

[ambitious_muse]

Laughing, Sigma leans back in satisfaction. It's not much, but he has bought them some time together after all.