Boys Will Be Boys (v.2)

chapter fourteen - baby king

chapter fourteen — baby king

<Lukas' POV>

"I THINK HE LIKES ME"

Roger studied the lump curiously, a cautious smile spread on his features. His shallow dimples creased and smoothed over as his mouth shifted into different silly faces. He was wearing his glasses today, round things with thin metal frames. They suited him, though Kieran insisted it made him look soft. Roger and I were trying to convince him soft wasn't bad, but when Kieran's mind was made up, it was really hard to change.

"It's a fucking baby, it's doesn't like anyone," Kieran hissed, safely on the other side of the couch. His feet were drawn up onto the cushion, arms wrapped around his knees securely trying his very best to look unfazed. He was anything but.

Roger rolled his eyes, leaning forward on to meet the baby's gaze. His eyes took up far too much space on his small, smiling face, and they met Roger's stare unblinkingly. I laughed, grinning when the baby's attention fell on me. He laughed when I grinned, copying me when I started chuckling. His eyes squinted nearly shut in joy, tiny hands clamping into fists and waving in the air triumphantly.

"What happened? Is it okay?" Kieran shuffled next to me on his knees. His hand grabbed my shoulder, concerned. My neck strained as I tried not to spasm from joy like a weirdo.

"Yeah, he's fine," My voice came out pitchy and I coughed, Kieran's hand sliding off me as I moved. No, come back.  

Roger looked at me knowingly and I flushed, letting my head hang with a sheepish smile. Roger snickered, punching my shoulder before resuming his game of peek-a-boo. The baby cackled, clapping its pudgy hands together. I smiled as it kept sneaking looks at Kieran, completely curious about the scowling boy next to me.

"Why's it looking at me like that?" Kieran whispered breath fanning across my neck. I completely flinched, not ready for my neck to break out in a colony of goosebumps. Fuck.

Kieran looked at me weirdly, moving back from me with a jerk. I rubbed my neck anxiously.

"He's curi–"

"–you okay?" Kieran interrupted me, head tilting roughly. His eyes were narrowed and I cleared my throat, my heart fluttering when I met his gaze. Stop blushing, you're not fourteen anymore.

"Yeah, all good" I shook my head, grinning shyly. Kieran grimaced in response, nodding before shuffling back to his protective position on the couch.

"Guys, how's Baby King doing?" DJ burst into the room. His arms were filled to the brim with snacks, his balance off as he staggered around, almost dropping everything on Kieran. Kieran scowled, jumping closer to me so DJ could sit down without dropping everything.

I smiled, pleased.

"He's good. Living his best baby life" Roger chuckled, tickling the bottom of the baby's feet. DJ grinned, gently putting the snacks on the table before crawling over to where Roger was sitting. Baby King tried turning to see the giant man crawling towards him, falling on his back in the process. We all froze.

"Is he broken?" Kieran whispered, hurriedly sliding off the couch to look at the baby.

Baby King gooed, grabbing at his feet and rolling around with a smile. Babies are fucking indestructible. DJ laughed, scooping him up and blowing a raspberry on his stomach. Baby King squealed, kicking out his chubby legs as we all laughed (except for Kieran, who looked thoroughly concerned that a baby could make that noise and not be dying). DJ grinned fondly, cradling Baby King as he looked at me knowingly.