Sibling Rivalry

Covert Bonding

***Expect more frequent posts! I plan on posting every couple days for the next two months***

"Liam no, my answer hasn't changed since lunch." Alex states, scolding his youngest son as he bounced his vociferous daughter at his side.

Liam wore a red, white, and dark navy blue striped, long sleeve button up shirt. He also wore black pants, and green socks. His hair was in its trademark messy state.

"Jacob's mom and dad are letting him do it!" Liam retaliates. Feeling his dad was being the strictest parent in the world at the moment.

The seasoned father simply rolls his eyes, if he had a nickel for every time he'd had this argument with one of his sons..

Alex was dressed in a white long sleeve t-shirt, the pocket of the shirt was filled with rainbow beads (his daughter had been playing with them) and grey pants. Since he hadn't been to the office in a couple days, his beard was coming in.

"I said no cub. You just got your cast off. You're supposed to be 'taking it easy' remember? Dirt bikes are not taking it easy."

"I bet mom would have let me go.." Liam mumbles, seating himself on the floor in the living room with his tablet.

Alex frowns but lets it roll off his shoulders. His son was at that age where expressing his feelings would mean.. A lot of crankiness. Besides, he was only upset over being potentially left out of an activity. What 8 year old would be thrilled at the idea of staying home while his friend is off riding dirt bikes with other children? Instead he shifts his attention to his still shrill crying child.

"Brianna." Alex grumbles, lifting her higher as she had begun to sink due to her squirms "That is enough. You need to calm down sweetie."

Brianna, had spent the morning at the dentist's office.. It had not been good news. The little girl had a filling done, and had been a cranky ball of tears since returning home. Alex couldn't get her to nap, but hoped her being so worked up would lead to its own nap. The tot was dressed in blue overalls, a white and black striped shirt, her hair braided.

"Da-daddy I wanna visit nana!" Brianna whined. At the dentist while in the waiting room, he had received a phone call from his mother, who said hi to his daughter over the phone, along with promises of fresh baked cookies and kisses from her little rat terrier thing of a dog. So of course, his little girl was kicking off to see the woman.

"Grandma can't watch you today boo, you're with daddy at home today." He frowns watching Mason and Rustin enter the living room from the garage.. Together. "What are you two doing?"

"Nothing." The two retort in unison.

Mason leaned back into the couch, dressed in a faded green hoodie and charcoal colored joggers, his hair spiked up. The teen watched tv, looking innocent enough. At least more so in comparison to his brother. Rustin was looking slightly uneasy, his cheeks had a slight rose tint to them. Rustin wore a white shirt with red sleeves, and torn black jeans. His mussed hair mostly hidden under his grey beanie.

All day the brothers seemed.. Off. But they weren't fighting.. So Alex took it as a win. Maybe they were just being weird because teenagers are weird. Hey, it made sense.

"Well." Alex sighs "If you are doing nothing then you won't mind keeping things quiet while I bring this one upstairs for a-"

"No nap!!" Bri wails, pressing against Alex's side, kicking her feet in protest,

"For some story time." Alex sighs rolling his eyes again as he bounced her in a lame attempt to calm her down.

"Yeah, sure." Mason grins nodding,