Old Book, New Chapter. - ReddNook

Chapter thirteen.

Two days had passed since Redd moved into Tom's household.
Timmy and Tommy were happy to have someone with them, when their uncle was at work.

And Redd was happy to spend his time with the twins too. But he wasn't ready to his next task.

"What? Are you serious?"
"Yes, I am."
"But, I don't know shit 'bout kids." Redd said, as he took his pack of cigarettes from his pocket, trying to find his lighter too.

"No cursing, and no smoking." Tom said snatching cigarette pack from Redd. "You can start with that."
"Hey, those are my only ones I have right now."

"You can have them back after I come back home. Do you understand?" Tom asked, he just got scoff from the kitsune.

He let out sigh. "Listen, I will pay you. Just, make sure they have rest, and remember feed them." he told as he pocketed Redd's cigarettes. "But I need to go now, my break is over."
"But-"

"Redd, I know, but they like you, and they don't, usually get in trouble. And if something comes up, you can call me." Tom said.

"I, feel like I shouldn't watch 'em. What if I mess somethin' up? Or what if somethin' happens?" the kitsune told.
"Hey, you'll be fine. Don't worry, and I told you that you can call me."

"Fine, I'll do what I can." Redd muttered. He was quiet, he twitched his tail slightly. "But, when you'll be comin' back?" he asked.

"Hm... I'll try to come back before ten, but it might take longer. But seriously, I need to go now." the tanuki said, before he left.

Redd watched after the tanuki. He ran his hand through his hair with sigh.
Fuck, can I really do this?

He took deep breath, before he went back inside the house. "Boys?" he called out. He twitched his ears, silence.

Redd climbed up the stairs, and went over to the twins door. He knocked, no answer. He cracked the door open, and peeked inside the room.

He looked over to the kids, they both were in one bed- watching some movie. "Hey? How you two are feelin'?" he asked opening door fully.

The twins looked up to the kitsune. "Fine, Tommy?" Timmy answered, looking over to his brother. He was quiet, just giving a little nod. "We are fine, uncle Redd." he said giving smile.

"Well, that's great." kitsune said. He was quiet for a while before he asked, "Are you two hungry?"

"Nope, I'm not hungry." Timmy said pulling his blanket better around himself, and his brother. "I am little bit..." Tommy mumbled, as he peeked behind the blanket.

"Hm, I can chop some fruits enough for both of you, is that okay?" Redd asked, he got nods from the twins.
Soon he came back in the room. "Here ya go." he said giving plate of fruits to the twins.

"Thank you!" Timmy hummed, taking apple slice, and giving it to Tommy. Tommy took slice of apple from his brother. "Thank you."

"Uncle Redd, do you like uncle Tom?" Timmy asked, as he took peach slice for himself.

The kitsune took back a little. "I, don't hate him, I know that for sure. So I guess I do?" he said, giving little flick to his tail.

"But, let's check two of yours temperature." he told. "I'll be back soon." Once again he stepped out of the room.

The younglings snuggled closer to against each other. "Why you asked that..?" Tommy asked. "I don't know, I felt like asking?" his brother answered.

"What if he starts to hate us, because you can't keep your mouth shut?" he asked. Timmy rolled his eyes little bit.

"Come on, he won't hate us. I hope. And why you always think everyone is just going to hate you, or us?" he asked.
"I... don't know..."
"Do, you think I would start to hate you?"
"Sometimes..."

Timmy blinked. "I would never hate you." he said pulling his brother to hug. Tommy flinched little bit, before he hugged him back.

"Hey kiddos, I can't find-" The kitsune stopped at the doorway, as he looked over to the twins. "Hey, is somethin' wrong?"
"Tommy thinks you would hate him, or us." Timmy told, letting the hug go.

"Wha- No, I like you two, and nothin' would change that. I would never lie to you two." Redd told as he sat down to edge of the bed. "Do, you wanna talk?" he asked, as moved Tommy's hair from his face.

"No, I don't. But I, want a hug." boy told quietly. "A hug?" the kitsune asked, getting nod from the little tanuki. He sighed a little, and pulled him to hug.

"Can your brother join our hug?" Redd asked, he got another nod from the boy. Timmy joined the hug.

"I, know I'm not Tom, but you two can always tell me if somethin' is wrong, 'kay?" he told as he wrapped his tail around them. He gave gentle squeeze to boys.
I, want to be better than him...

"Uncle Redd, are you okay?" Timmy asked. "I'm fine, no need to worry," the kitsune chuckled as he let the hug go. "But you two are okay too, right?" he asked as he ruffled their hair.

"I am." Timmy said with nod. "Tommy?" "Yeh, I'm fine too." he said.
"Good, now, do you know where that thermometer is?" Redd asked as he got up. "I couldn't find it from bathroom."

"Oh, we keep it in utility room. I think uncle Tom put it back there, left drawer." Timmy told.

"Right, and if it's not there I think I should call him. I'll be back." the kitsune told as he left the room once again.