The Bad Boy Who Isn't Bad

Seven

"Millie!" Blake gurgled while trudging towards me.

A bright smile adorned my lips at the sight of him and I opened my arms wide. He staggered unsteadily into my embrace, nestling his head in the crook of my neck as his little arms wrapped around my neck.

Pulling away with my arms still around him, he spotted Jake sitting on the sofa.

He pointed a chubby finger at Jake, his brown eyes wide with curiosity. "Who...are you?" he tilted his head and a slight pout appeared.

Jake's lips lifted up to form a smile as he looked at the boy lovingly.

"I'm Jake, nice to meet you little guy."

"He's Blake, my little brother. He's three. Wanna hold him?" I asked, unable to suppress a giggle at how excited Jake looked.

He nodded eagerly, his eyes bright with anticipation.

I gingerly picked the toddler up and placed him on Jake's lap. Jake snaked his arms around Blake's waist protectively as the latter looked up at him with wonder. Staring down at the child, there were fondness and tenderness in Jake's eyes.

"Jake!" Blake squealed happily, waving his arms around.

"Yep, that's me." Jake lightly tapped Blake on his nose, the smile on his face growing to become an ear-splitting grin.

Blake scrambled to his feet on Jake's lap and reached out a tiny hand to squeeze Jake's nose. He was trying to imitate what Jake just did.

"You are one smart little guy." Jake let loose a chuckle, tightening his arms around Blake so as to pull him closer.

Looking at them, I couldn't help but crack a wide grin of my own. Jake seemed to adore kids, and he was good with them too. Because of a baby, the so called "bad boy" in our form was now grinning excitedly like a kid on Christmas day.

How cute.

He would be a good dad. When we have our own kids.

Warmth started creeping onto my cheeks at that thought. Before I could get caught up in my own imagination and never return to reality, I lightly slapped my cheeks, willing myself to focus on what was happening with the two in front of me.

"You...hurt!" Blake exclaimed with worried eyes and a small frown as he caught sight of the bandages on Jake's face.

"Yes, something bad happened, but I'll be okay if you give me a kiss on the cheek." Jake leaned down, pointing to his cheek. A gleeful smile present on his face.

Blake grabbed Jake's cheek and planted a sloppy kiss on it.

"Ahh thank you! I'm all good now." Jake laughed as he hoisted his hands firmly under Blake's armpits and raised him high up in the air.

With his legs dangling freely, Blake giggled merrily while flapping his arms like a bird. He was definitely enjoying the thrill and excitement of being so high up.

"Oh, are you a birdie?" Jake asked affectionately with a chuckle.

"Good morning." my dad yawned as he walked into the living room wearing a suit, interrupting this heartwarming moment. He had to work today even though it was Saturday so as to make ends meet. He looked exhausted with bags under his eyes and his face sallow. It must be due to what happened last night. He already had to work extremely long hours. After work, when he could finally have some rest, he was kept awake way past midnight busy treating Jake's injuries, cutting a few solid hours of his precious sleep.

When dad neared the sofa and spotted Jake, his eyes widened in surprise as recognition flitted across his features, and he stopped dead in his tracks. Putting Blake down on his lap, Jake craned his neck to look at dad. When their gazes met, Jake's mouth fell open and his eyes showed a mixture of shock and...was that shame?

Something shifted in the air as a tense silence blanketed the room which was filled with warmth and laughter mere seconds ago.

I whipped my head between the both of them staring at each other with stunned expressions, trying to figure what was going on. A million questions raced in my head. Did they know each other? From the way they were looking at each other, it seemed that this was highly possible. However, if dad knew Jake, then why didn't he bring this up last night? Was it because Jake was covered in too much dirt and blood to be recognizable, or was it because dad was too focused on saving Jake that he didn't notice?

"Jake, we need to have a talk." recovering his composure, dad cleared his throat and gestured to his study.

Jake nodded without saying anything. He handed Blake to me and stood up to follow dad. When he was walking, I noticed that the muscles on his back were tense and his hands were balled into tight fists. His gait was also abnormally rigid and deliberate. Blake was being unusually quiet as he stared at their interaction, as if he knew too, that something was up. Cradling Blake in my arms again, he blinked at me and asked timidly, "Is daddy mad at Jake?"

"I don't know, Blakey. I'm sure he'll be fine." I said as I forced a light-hearted smile. However, deep within, a feeling of unease and worry consumed me.

What was up with them?

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Hi guys! Isn't Blake adorable? I loved writing about him and his interaction with Jake, I hope you enjoyed this chapter too!

Please vote and comment if you like this, thank you! <3