D&B5

48

Time passed.

Anda is now three months old.  The little one is loved by everyone, just like his older brother, Ob. Anda is well-cared for, although he tends to fuss more than his brother. He's also more attached to his Daddy Day, than anyone else, but that doesn't mean others can't hold him.

"Day, look at that," Brick gestured towards the playpen where Anda was sleeping in the afternoon. Ob was also sleeping there, but now he's sitting next to Anda, repeatedly kissing his cheek.  Anda is moving around because his sleep is being disturbed.

"Ob, your brother is sleeping," Day said to his older son. Ob looked up at Day and pointed at his younger sibling.

"Let Anda wake up," Ob said, his pronunciation still a little unclear.

"Let him sleep a little longer, son. Let's go wash our faces," Day replied. Ob looked hesitantly at his brother before leaning down and kissing his cheek again.

"Uuhhh," Anda stirred, making a disgruntled sound.  Finally...

"Hic...Aeei...." Anda burst into tears, disturbed from his nap.

"There we go, little troublemaker," Brick sighed, resigned. He was preparing milk for Anda. But instead of being alarmed by his crying, Ob grinned widely.

"Awake!" Ob exclaimed happily that his brother was finally up.

"Brick, take Ob to wash his face. I'll take care of Anda," Day told his lover. Brick went to get Ob. Ob quickly stood up and opened his arms to be carried by Brick, even though he could easily climb in and out of the playpen himself; he just preferred being carried by Brick. Brick carried him, but they walked to the bathroom together.  Meanwhile, Day picked up Anda, now awake, and soothed him. The little boy's sobs subsided quickly.

"Ob bothered you while you were sleeping, didn't he?" Day asked Anda, whose eyelashes were still wet with tears.

"Uuh...ah," Anda responded with a sound and furrowed brows. Day chuckled, sensing Anda was tattling on his brother.

"He was just playing with you.  I'll tell Ob not to bother you when you're sleeping," Day continued chatting with him until Ob and Brick returned. Ob climbed back into the playpen to watch his brother.

"Anda," Ob called to his brother and smiled.

"Uuh ah uuh ah," Anda responded to his brother.

"Ob, give your brother his milk," Brick said, handing Ob the prepared bottle. Ob took the bottle and put it to his own mouth.

"Hey! That's your brother's!" Brick exclaimed in surprise.  Ob laughed heartily before giving the bottle to Anda, who immediately began to drink.

"Wow, you're getting quite the prankster," Brick said, grinning, before entering the playpen and playfully tickling Ob's belly.

"Papa! Hee hee...ha ha! Tickle!" Ob laughed with delight, but Brick didn't tickle him too much. Day watched both of them and smiled gently.

"What's all the noise?" Gear's voice boomed, as he entered with Night.

"Oh, look who's here," Brick said, releasing Ob. Ob sat up and quickly climbed out of the playpen.

"My nephew!" Gear said to Ob with a smile, crouching down and extending his arms. Ob toddled towards him.

"Uncle!" Ob shouted.  Instead of going into Gear's arms, however, he ran past him and clung to Night's leg.

Brick burst out laughing at Gear's surprised expression.

"That kid always pulls pranks on his uncle," Gear grumbled, but his lips curved into a smile; he wasn't at all upset with his nephew. Ob giggled. Night bent down, picked up his nephew, and kissed his cheek. Ob returned the kiss.