Big, Little and Tiny Sef <3

Parents?

A/N: Would people be interested in a fanfic more centred around Nathan and Youssef's relationship? It's not an agere fanfic, but Dad Youssef is very much still alive because I can't let him go. I've wrote the first few chapters but will no doubt make edits throughout.

Youssef's POV:

Yusuf came downstairs within thirty seconds of Nathan racing upstairs. I thought the two might be correlated.

"Is Asher okay?"

"No. He's...angry? Upset that we have to go back to dad at some point."

"Oh. If it's any consolation to either of you, tell him that won't happen for a good while. At least a year. He'd need to attend parenting classes, strict supervision when he does see you and a lot of paperwork to say he's alright again. I'm not planning on letting you go anywhere else for a while. At least until next summer holidays." I nodded, moving the blanket next to me so he could sit down.

"But we have to go back. You can't keep us forever, Dad hasn't had his parental rights taken. He won't give them up either."

"At some point, he doesn't get a choice. He'll probably be offered a shorter sentence if he terminates his parental rights for you and Asher, possibly even Amir, Dina and Yas too."

I saw his face. He wasn't satisfied. I'd applied for this document that states he abused Asher and Yusuf both physically and emotionally, and due to that, would forcibly remove his parental rights. I shouldn't tell him that though. Don't want to get his hopes up.

"Look, I love you, hm? I won't let anything bad happen to you. I promise."

Yusuf wrapped his arms round my waist and I moved him so he was sat on my lap.

"I promise you. Nothing bad will happen. I'm invested now. I couldn't let anyone hurt you without it hurting my heart." I held his hands in mine and watched as his face shifted to a less stressed expression.

"You confuse me."

"Why?"

"You don't like kids. You always say you picked the wrong job, that being a teacher sucks."

"Being a teacher does suck, sometimes, mostly because of marking and terrible pay. I enjoy teaching though. I like some of the kids, the funny ones and the ones that try."

"I fall into funny?"

"The funniest. You try for me too, every day. I'm proud of you."

"I'm proud of you. Must be hard looking after me and Ash and yourself."

"I've got Nathan. He takes care of me, and you two. He's doing it right now." I smiled.

As if by magic, Nathan and Asher appeared in the doorway.

"I'm not talking about it, just...fucking hug?" Asher had tear stained cheeks.

He walked over and sat next to me. I put my arm round Ash and kissed his head.

"I'm gonna tell you the same thing I told your brother, I will not let anything happen to you, either of you. I want to protect the shit out of both of you, and I'm ready."

Asher held my hand and rubbed his cheek on it. It made me feel special, like I'd helped by being there.

Nathan smiled at us.

"Come on. Family hug?" I tried. Nobody objected. That made me strangely happy.

Nate sat on my other side and played with my hair. Asher appeared to have cheered up quite quickly. I decided against talking about before and hoping his happiness would continue. Yusuf had gotten comfortable and I presumed that he had slipped due to his quiet babbling. I thought that he was happy enough for now and I would move when I had to.

Nathan had caught on too, and was tracing shapes on Yusuf's palms. It entertained him for a while, until Asher felt better and decided he wanted some space. I love Asher, but Yusuf is a slight attention seeker and it was probably for the best.

"Hey, bug, are you comfy?"

"Yeah." He whispered, looking up at me with a little smile.

"That's good. Do you need anything? Momma?"

He shook his head and bunched up my shirt in his hand. I kissed his forehead, squishing his little cheeks as I did so.

"I know it's sick to hope for, but I hope he is never allowed near them again." Nathan whispered to me.

"I guess we're both sick then." I whispered back, squeezing his arm gently.

Yusuf was rightfully tired after today, and fell asleep within ten minutes. I took him upstairs and tucked him and Momma into bed. I said goodnight to Ash, and he said it back. Nathan and I spoke a lot in bed, about Asher mainly. I'm worried about him. I'm worried that we can't help him, as much as he needs us to anyways. His mood swings go beyond teenage hormones, and his emotions are so intense. I'm always going to be there, but I worry he won't. At least not the Ash we know.