Elemental brothers oneshot story

Tummy time!

The Elemental House was rarely quiet, even in its calmest hours, there was always a hum, wind brushing against the rafters, the creak of old wooden floors, or the faint echo of laughter lingering in the walls.

But today, the noise was softer, gentler.

Seventeen year old Halilintar stood with his arms crossed, watching the living room floor like a general surveying a battlefield.

Beside him, Taufan leaned against the armrest of the couch, grinning from ear to ear, while Gempa knelt on the carpet, eyes sparkling with excitement.

Spread out before them were four tiny mats lined neatly side by side, and on those mats lay their baby brothers, barely four months old, each bundled in blankets that could hardly contain their flailing arms and legs.

"They are ready" Gempa announced with a seriousness only he could give to something this small.

Halilintar arched a brow.

"Ready? For what? They can't even roll over yet"

"Tummy time!" Taufan declared proudly, as though it were some great, heroic mission.

The babies blinked up at them, wide eyed, as if they understood the weight of the moment.

Blaze let out a defiant coo, Ice yawned like the whole affair was too much trouble, Thorn gurgled happily at the sight of Gempa's face, and Solar stared intently at the carpet as though it held the secrets of the universe.

The triplets exchanged looks.

"This is it" Taufan whispered dramatically.

"The first step for their great battle of the galaxy!"

Halilintar rolled his eyes, though he couldn't hide the tiny smile tugging at his lips.

"It's just exercise, Fan"

"Same thing" Taufan muttered, leaning closer as if expecting Blaze to suddenly roll over.

And so it began, the mighty tummy time of the four youngest brothers, with their three older guardians watching over them like keepers of some sacred ritual.

Gempa clapped his hands once, like a coach before a big game.

"Alright, let's start shall we?"

Carefully, he slipped his hands under Thorn's sides and rolled him onto his stomach.

Thorn's eyes went wide, his tiny mouth forming an 'O' as if the very concept of being face down was the most shocking thing he had ever experienced.

After a pause, he wiggled his arms uncertainly, then let out a delighted squeal, clearly deciding this was the best thing that had ever happened.

"Awww, he loves it already" Gempa said proudly, beaming down at Thorn like he had just won a medal.

Next was Blaze, Taufan scooped him up and gently turned him onto his stomach. Blaze immediately scrunched up his face, gave a sharp kick, and let out a loud, indignant cry that echoed through the living room.

"Whoa, whoa!" Taufan laughed nervously, rubbing his brother's back.

"Okay okay, not a fan, got it" He lowered his voice dramatically.

"Our fiery warrior rejects the battlefield!"

Halilintar rolled his eyes, though his hand twitched like he wanted to reach out and soothe Blaze too.

Then came Ice, Halilintar crouched down, hands surprisingly steady as he rolled the little one onto his stomach.

Ice blinked once… twice… then buried his face against the mat with a long sigh, as if this was all far too exhausting to bother with.