Little Lux

31

17th November, 2022 - Los Angeles, California

*5 minuets earlier*

The gym was filled with the rhythmic clinks of weights and the faint hum of music coming from the speaker in the corner. Sebastian stood by the bench press, his brow glistening with sweat as he pushed the barbell back onto its rack. Vincent was across the room at the cable machine, his movements fluid and precise, a focused look on his face.

"You're getting slower, Seb," Vincent teased, grabbing a towel and tossing it toward him. "You used to finish sets faster than me."

Sebastian caught the towel with a smirk, using it to wipe his face. "That's because I wasn't distracted by my favorite gym partner back then," he quipped, his tone warm and teasing. "Besides, someone has to keep an eye on you so you don't injure yourself showing off."

Vincent chuckled, stepping away from the machine to grab a water bottle. "Fair point. But don't forget, the kids are napping, so let's try to wrap this up soon. Lux was extra squirrely this morning, and I don't trust her to stay down for long."

"Speaking about Lux, I was on the phone with the tutor earlier this morning. He said he'd be willing to meet up and have a little chat with her later this week if we're interested. Just to get to know her a little, you know?" Sebastian explained, taking a seat on the bench and stretching out his aching muscles.

Vincent nodded, twisting the cap off his water bottle and taking a long sip. "That's a good idea."

They continued through their workout, Sebastian switched over to the treadmill whilst Vincent moves over to the bench press. The sounds of weights clinking together and the upbeat tempo of the music masked the distant noises of the house.

But then, amidst the flow of their routine, something broke the rhythm. A faint crash.

Vincent froze mid-rep, his ears straining. "Did you hear that?"

They exchanged a look. A single crash in a house with two little ones was never a good sign.

Sebastian was off the treadmill in an instant. "That didn't sound good," he said, his voice low but tense. Vincent set the barbell back onto its rack and grabbed a towel, wiping his hands hastily as he followed Sebastian out of the gym.

The hallway stretched out before them, quiet and still, but the faint echo of the crash still lingered in the air. Vincent's jaw tightened as they moved quickly toward the source of the sound. "Kitchen," he said firmly, already picking up his pace.

Sebastian nodded, his heart pounding. "Stay calm," he muttered to himself more than to Vincent. "They might've just knocked something over."

"Well whoever it was, is meant to be napping." Vincent murmured. This wasn't the first time they'd caught a little one out of their bed when they're not meant to be.

They continued down the hall, glancing in rooms as they tried to find the source of the noise but the little sniffles and hushed voiced lead them right into the kitchen where August was crouched down next to Lux who clutched her arm against her chest.

The sight made their stomachs drop.

"Lux!" Sebastian said, his voice sharp with worry as he hurried to her side. Vincent was right behind him.

Lux's cheeks were streaked with tears, her breath coming in hiccupping gasps as she cradled her arm protectively. Auggie sat beside her, his wide, frightened eyes darting between the two men and Lux, his small hands trembling where they rested on the edge of her knee.

"I didn't mean—" Lux sobbed, her voice trembling as she tried to explain.

"Shh, sweetheart, it's okay," Sebastian said quickly, dropping to one knee beside her and gently brushing a strand of hair out of her tear-soaked face. "Let daddy see."