boner // luke hemmings

babysitting blues

"i need your help," he asks. in the background elle can hear the not-so-faint sound of a high pitched screech. "i can't control him, he's just-" he takes a deep breath. "he keeps throwing legos when I come near. and those little shits hurt."

elle manages to stiffle her snicker at the image. "put on his favourite show or something. distract him."

"i tried that!" luke sounds exasperated. she can image his long fingers tugging through his hair, luke's go to move for when he's stressed. elle bit her lip at the thought. "please come and help me. look, I'll even pay you."

elle sits up straighter, having decided that maybe it would be worth while to help. "how much?"

"um...not too much," he says, suddenly regretting ever bringing up the topic of payment. "you know i only make $7.75 at the movie theater."

"kill joy," she says. "just treat me to lunch at that new cafe. deal?"

"that hipster one?"

"hmm, that one. that hot barista works there."

"ugh, fine."

•

she knocks once and hears only the wails of his nephew. taking a chance, elle pushes the door open slowly, her breath hitching in her throat.

she can barely contain a laugh at the sight that greets her. noah, luke's four year old nephew, sits on the sofa, facing the wall, small cheeks red and wet with tears as luke lies on the floor, clearly at his last straw.

"i can't do it anymore," he mutters. "i really need your help, ellie."

she shakes her head and moves to the sofa, the creak of the floor board causes noah's head to whip around. noah is an almost exact replica of luke. the deep, bright blue eyes, the blonde hair and a lanky figure, elle felt like she was staring at luke. the young boy narrows his eyes at her suspiciously.

"hi noah," elle flashes a beautiful smile.

he stops his sob for moment and sniffles, "hi."

"what's with all the crying? i thought you were a big boy," she says, her eyes playfully squinting.

he points to luke. "it's him! he's mean!"
a cry quickly follows his words.

"oh no! what did that long monster do-"

"hey!" luke yells.

"shh," she throws a lego at him and it hits his forehead. that earns her a giggle from noah.

noah moves closer and seats himself in elle's lap. he rests his head on her chest and glowers at luke, as though rubbing it in his face. "he won't let me play outside."

the older boy rolls his eyes and sits up. "he wanted to play with dirt and bugs and get all muddy. then i'd have to clean it up."

"so what?" noah bit back.

"noah, you shouldn't play with dirt. you'll get your clothes all messy and I don't think your parents would like that," elle gently says. "how about in the mean time, you and me play in here. we could do anything you want, even throw legos at uncle lukey."