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]

"Did you have a good nap?" Sigma asks Eta. She nods against his chest. "I'm glad Samson protected you."

[depthlesslock]

'What's the lion called?' York asks and gets a mumbled "Ryan" from both of them in response.

[ambitious_muse]

"They're good protectors," he says to Eta. "Did you know they used to take naps with me, too? And Ep, and D, and Meg, and even Alpha."

[depthlesslock]

'Handed down through the family, huh?. Cute.' ...Oh god. Image of small Tex with the stuffed bear and lion. Why?

[ambitious_muse]

"They have endured quite a lot," Sigma admits. "But they're good at what they do, so why retire them?"

[depthlesslock]

'Why indeed.' York has been known to wear things down to shreds before admitting he might need to replace it.

[ambitious_muse]

It helps when they don't have enough money to replace them, either. "Do you artists want to draw more pictures for Delta?" he asks. "Or do you still need cuddles?"

He is perfectly content with the latter, especially with his legs still spread across York's lap.

[depthlesslock]

Iota curls more into York's side in answer and Eta does the same to Sigma.

York chuckles and ruffles the boy's hair.

[ambitious_muse]

He rests his cheek against Eta's head. They must have woken up early. Sigma knows he and York weren't nearly loud enough to disturb them. Maybe they're worried about Delta.

They aren't the only ones.

[depthlesslock]

York starts humming. The quiet might have been nice earlier with Sigma, but he can only take so much silence before he has to fill it. At least he's humming a fairly smooth song.

[ambitious_muse]

Sigma exhales slowly. At this rate, York's likely to put him to sleep with Eta in his arms. Maybe the little monsters weren't done with their nap after all. "Are naps contagious?" he whispers.

[depthlesslock]

'Yes. Especially between closely related people, I'm afraid there is no escaping it,' he teases. Iota squirms and makes a disappointed sound, looking up at him expectantly until he starts humming again.

[ambitious_muse]

"Does that mean you're immune? No fair," he says. "You're snuggling Io and not me."

[depthlesslock]

'I'm providing the hums,' he points out, smiling. 'And you've had your snuggles.'

[ambitious_muse]

"Don't listen to him, Eta," he says. "You can never have too many snuggles."

[depthlesslock]

Eta giggles and curls into her brother's arms while York sticks his tongue out at his boyfriend.

[ambitious_muse]

"See?" he tells his sister, giving her a quick squeeze. "You can have all the snuggles you want. It's not my fault York doesn't want any."

[depthlesslock]

'Hey, I'm over here snuggling Iota. Isn't that right, Io?'

The twin mumbles in agreement, looking half asleep again.

[ambitious_muse]

"He doesn't know that I give the best cuddles," Sigma stage-whispers. Eta giggles again. "Even in cuddle piles."

[depthlesslock]

'An Ai cuddle pile?' He chuckles. 'I'd love to see that.'

[ambitious_muse]

"They usually require blanket forts," he says. "We can get everyone together, except maybe Delta, or Epsilon if he's gone, and we watch movies on the floor. it's wonderful."

[depthlesslock]

'That sounds awesome. Wash and I have made blanket forts in the rec room a few times. We should do that again.'

[ambitious_muse]

"I'm intrigued," he says, smiling.

[depthlesslock]

'Sometimes they work great and sometimes... not so much.' It's always fun though.

[ambitious_muse]

"Do you ever get chased out?" he asks. "Louisiana has mentioned some shenanigans. One involved Maine and a cupcake heist."