Miraclebound | Miraculous Guardians Book 2

Chapter 12: Keep Your Enemies Closer

"Aaaaakhi! Where aaaarrreee you? Are you hiding from me, Akhi?"

Nino pressed himself further against the floor, a hand over his mouth to stifle his giggles as the big clopping shoes of his brother passed in front of his current secret location and disappeared around the corner.

"Niiiinnnoooo!"

Snickering, the boy kicked his feet happily as he watched his sibling move further and further away, entirely clueless of his location. He had done it again! He was the ultimate champion at hide-and-seek! No one could beat him!

A moment later, he yelped as a large snout stuck its way underneath the chair and a large pink tongue lapped at his face. "Ew! Ew! Ew!" he protested, lunging back and whacking his head on the top of the chair. "Dozer, get off! Get off! Ack!"

The german shepherd yipped excitedly, dark eyes shining lovingly as Nino backed out from underneath the chair, rubbing his head sourly.

"And...gotcha!"

Strong arms wrapped around Nino, lifting him up into the air. Nino squealed in surprise. Amid his startled protests, he could hear Nicholas's bellowing laughter and his yelps diminished to soft sniffles as his brother held him close and Dozer looked up at him with a happy thumping tail.

"Betrayed by the kalb, Akhi," Nicholas teased.

"He's a dog, Nickie," Nino protested, rubbing away his tears and blinking large hazel eyes at his sibling. "Not a..ka...babl..."

"Kalb," Nicholas corrected with a chuckle. "That's Arabic, little brother. But, yes, dog is fine too."

Dozer barked in agreement.

"Traitor," Nino huffed as he was carried away from the chair and set down on the couch. He squealed happily as Nicholas plopped down next to him and immediately pulled him in close. "Dozer's a party pooper!"

Said dog whined and continued wagging his tail.

Nicholas raised an eyebrow at the canine and grunted something incoherent before settling back and letting his brother wrap his arms around his neck. "You're getting really good at this game, N," he said gently. "Have you been practicing?"

Nino blinked. "I have! I remembered what you showed me!" he said proudly, puffing out his chest and trying not to jump as his dog leaped onto the cushion next to them, pouncing on the two boys excitedly and hopping up and down.

"Ah, Dozer!"

"Down boy! Down! Oh...okay, so we're slobbering now..."

The shepherd only barked and burrowed beneath his arm contentedly, paws thudding against Nino's chest as he settled across the both of them and dropped his head across Nicholas's chest with a happy growl.

"Nickie?"

"Yeah, Nino?"

"Why are you so scared?"

Nicholas paused, glancing down at him. "What do you mean? I'm not scared."

"Yes, you are!" Nino protested. "I know! I've seen you with that old man! You're scared of him!"

The older boy chuckled, though his tone was not completely convincing. "I'm not scared of anyone, Akhi."

Nino frowned up at him but didn't argue. He didn't know how. Besides, if Nicholas said he wasn't afraid of anything, then who was the six-year-old to argue? This was his big brother he was talking about here! Of course, he wouldn't be afraid of anything!