CLIPPED

FLIGHT (HIM)

RJ is awakened by the sound of tiny footsteps in the hallway.

With a smile, he turns on his stomach and buries his face on his pillow, waiting for the intruders to come barging in, disturbing what's probably his only break for the week—his Sunday morning.

The ceasing of the steps alerts him that the intruders are already right outside his door. He hears whispers, causing his smile to widen. The intruders are probably having a fight as to who should do the disturbing.

These fights. They usually do not last very long. And he's sure it's the older one who'll win again— she's a bit cunning.

True enough, after a couple of seconds, he can hear his doorknob turn. The footsteps are quieter than before, but anyone with an average hearing can still hear them.

The intruders are now inside his bedroom.

"We should wake him up now," whispers a voice, which belongs to the older one.

"Won't he get angry at us? It's Sunday," the younger one replies, the tone of his voice showing his doubt. He's always been more sensitive that his older counterpart.

"He won't," the older answers, stubbornness showing. "I'm hungry and Bow's not opening his door."

Bow, RJ thinks with a sigh. It's been years since the accident, but his younger brother's ice hasn't melted yet. RJ fears that--

His thoughts are disturbed by the dipping of his bed, and the not-so-soft whispers of two little voices fighting as to who will poke him.

RJ waits.

"Fine, I will do it," he hears the older one finally relenting. She will not admit it, but her younger brother's puppy eyes always work on her.

RJ hears her take a deep breath. He almost, almost laughs, but he stops himself at the last minute. "Okay. Here it goes," she whispers. "One... two...thr—AHH!!!!"

RJ completely turns around, snatching the little girl on the waist.

"PAPA! PAPA! STOP!!!!" she giggles while struggling in his arms. RJ continues to tickle her, earning him gasps, kicks, and claws.

"You are so sneaky, huh," he says, his fingers merciless. The tickle fight continues until RJ feels another poke on the shoulder.

He stops and turns his head to see the younger one standing at the foot of the bed, staring at them and looking lost.

RJ narrows his eyes at the younger one. "Daniel... don't just stand there."

Daniel looks surprised at the full use of his name. But a slow smile starts to appear on his adorable chubby face. And before RJ can call on him again, Daniel has jumped at both of them and has joined the tickle fight.

Laughter ensues, and the sound reverberates inside the four walls of RJ's usually silent haven.

"Breakfast?" he asks, breathless, as they finally stop. Mia is tucked in on his side while Daniel is lying face first on his stomach.

"Am hungry," Daniel mumbles.

"Me too," Mia echoes, lightly pinching RJ's side.

"All right, all right," RJ declares. He sits properly, carefully putting Daniel down, and looks at them both with a softness that no one outside of this family has seen. "You will help me, yes? Do pancakes sound good? Chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream and berries?"

"YES!" were the simultaneous answers from the two bubbly children, who both start jumping in celebration. RJ's pancakes are the best. He can't blame them.