"No!"
"Bee, love, we have a guest among us. Let's not traumatize the kid further. The boys have already done a good job of it!"
"That's cuz those stupid, good-for-nothing boys need a good old smacking!"
"Eh, yes, they do! I'll smack them both! But let's eat first! The food's getting cold!" Forth went to hug his husband from behind and kissed his temple in an attempt to cool down his anger. "Come on... and you two! Behave!" he snapped at Nuer and the little rugrat clinging to Nuer's legs who were both quick to nod and show puppy eyes.
"Come on, sweetheart, let's settle down" Beam went to pat Syn's shoulder and smiled at the boy gently. "Come on, don't be shy! Forget those idiots!"
Syn looked around the table, feeling overwhelmed but settled down nonetheless. He bit on his lower lip and glanced at Nuer, only to find the guy staring back at him with a soft smile.
"Don't worry, this is the usual show at the madhouse" Nuer whispered as he gently took Syn's hand in his own. "Trust me, you'd love P'Beam. And I told you my demon cousin will find you cute" he said and Syn smiled that sweet smile of his that strung Nuer's heart in a deliciously painful way.
Syn smiled and politely took his hand back to turn to the table, thanking his hosts for the food, and saying a prayer before eating.
"So, you're Syn. It's great to finally meet you. Nuer never shuts up about you" Forth spoke to the boy, winking teasingly at Nuer who choked on his water, turning crimson.
"W-well, you're the closest friend I've made after Kim so..." he shrugged, acting nonchalant. "And they wanted to know all about you after I visited your home" he said and Syn smiled sweetly, grateful for Nuer to be kind enough to call his foster home his home.
"Oh, yeah!" Beam, who was still pouting till now, perked up at that. "Nuer told me all about your family and the place! I'm actually curious to get to visit and look around! And thanks a lot for letting him crash unannounced!"
Syn smiled at Beam. "Oh, no! It wasn't a problem at all! We were happy to have him. The adults all liked Nuer and the kids loved him. And I can see why" he looked at the little boy in his high chair between Forth and Nuer, already picking up his pasta strands in his hands and then having both Forth taking it out of his hands and Nuer wiping them before handing him his fork.
"Use this, little demon!" Nuer fake huffed at the toddler who cackled.
Beam smiled. "Yeah. Nuer isn't like the happy, cuddly, all lovey and kissy kinda guy with Oon but he is a great big brother, despite their age gap and despite the scene you witnessed tonight" he rolled his eyes playfully. "And Oon loves him. Well, mostly"
Syn chuckled. "I can see that" he said. "He was great with the kids back home too. You could just tell he had experience handling them"
"Sure, the little demon is one hell of an experience" Nuer grinned and made a playful face at the toddler who scrunched his face back at him, growling lightly and trying to reach and bite him.
"Arthit!" His fathers called him together and the boy was quick to pout his way out.
"Nonuayyy iz rwud to Athit!" The toddler justified and Beam huffed and puffed while Forth shook his head. Nuer just laughed.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm rude! And you're an angel!" He said sarcastically and the baby actually agreed.
Syn chuckled at their antics. He looked around the table, watching the rich yet humble family talk and joke away with such ease and he sat there thinking how lucky Nuer was to have them and even more so, how lucky they all were that Nuer appreciated them as a family. Not many kids would be that grateful for that love.
