Little Lux

19

25th October, 2022 - Los Angeles, California

"Arms out, babe" Vincent says, grabbing the pair of white feathery wings that came with the costume.

It was a few days before the little Halloween gathering but the costumes got delivered this morning so the men had the little ones try everything on just to make sure that it fit correctly.

Lux reluctantly held out her arms, watching as Vincent carefully attached the feathery wings to the straps on the back of her angel costume. She squirmed slightly as the soft feathers brushed against her skin, the sensation unfamiliar. "They're kinda itchy," she mumbled.

Vincent chuckled. "That just means they're real angel wings," he teased, stepping back to admire his handiwork. "How does it feel? Comfortable enough?"

Lux shrugged, tugging slightly at the hem of the costume's soft white dress. "I guess..."

Sebastian entered the room, holding August by the hand. The little boy was already fully suited up in his dinosaur costume, the hood covering his head and the tail swaying behind him as he walked. "Look at this ferocious beast!" Sebastian announced with mock fear, prompting August to let out a playful roar that sounded more like a squeaky growl.

Lux watches August stomps around the room, pretending to chase Sebastian with a toothy grin plastered all over his face.

"Let me see," Sebastian said, turning his attention to Lux. His expression softened as he took in the sight of her in the angel costume. "Oh, sweetheart, you look beautiful."

Lux blushes, looking down at herself. It was cute but she couldn't deny feeling a little bit silly for being dressed up like a little kid again.

Vincent stepped beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You look perfect, Luxie," he said softly. "Like you belong on the top of a Christmas tree."

Sebastian snorted. "Wrong holiday, V."

Vincent shrugged, still grinning. "Still true."

V, Lux thinks. So there was a Seb and there was a V.

August stomped over to her, his dinosaur tail dragging along the floor. "Angel!" he declared, reaching out his little hands to touch the soft feathers of her wings. "Pretty angel!"

"Thanks" She whispers shyly. "You make a pretty cool dinosaur."

"Alright," Sebastian said, clapping his hands together. "Costumes fit, no disasters. I'd call this a win. Now, let's get you two out of those before someone spills juice on the angel dress or tears a dino tail."

Lux nods, happy to get out of the costume. It was pretty but it made her feel silly.  Like a little kid again.

"Wanna stay a dinosaur daddy!" August says, continuing to enthusiastically stomp around the room.

Sebastian chuckles, gently grabbing ahold of the boys shoulders to keep him still. "I'm sorry baby, but you don't want to get this dirty or broken before the party, do you?"

"I be careful!" He declares, trying to stomp away from him.

Sebastian crouched down to August's level, his hands still lightly resting on the little boy's shoulders. "I know you'd try to be careful, baby boy," he said gently, "but accidents happen, even to the best little dinosaurs. And we need your costume to be in tip-top shape for the party, don't we?"

August hesitated, his little face scrunching up as he processed Sebastian's words. His tiny hands balled into fists, and his lower lip trembled - a clear warning sign of an impending meltdown. "No!" he says loudly, stomping one foot. "Wanna be a dinosaur now!"