Under Pressure - Septiplier

Chapter Six

As the gurgle of water swirling down the drain fills the bathroom, a small boy giggles and grins, trying to dodge the blue towel his dad holds in his hands.

"Papa! No! Like my hair like this!" Sean squeals, just managing to duck underneath his father's outstretched arms and scrambling to the other side of the tiny bathroom. This wasn't particularly strenuous for his father, as the man was putting in minimal effort. He relishes chasing Sean around just as much as Sean loves running about. However, he has to at least act like he cares, if not solely for the sake of watching his son squeal with the exhilaration of evading the inevitable doom of drying off.

"Gargh, we've got to get you all dry, so you don't get sick!" he declares, leaning forward to scoop up the boy. Sean wriggles out of his grasp, squealing and clambering around to the other side of him as he giggles happily.

"Papa! No!" he shrieks in his laughter as Connor inches closer. Before Sean can squirm away again, his father pulls an unexpected move. Connor smirks and tosses the towel at Sean, covering his head and torso with the big towel like a gladiator net in the Roman Coliseum. The little boy doesn't react fast enough, and suddenly he is entangled in the cloth, his plans foiled!

"I've got you now!" Connor trumpets with over-the-top pride, though the loving tenderness in his voice is always evident. He scoops up Sean, making sure the towel is still pinned well over the boy's head, before toting him off to the bedroom. Sean giggles in his arms, squirming around and attempting to wriggle away, but he knows the jig is up.

"Papa, want the pirate jammies," Sean proclaims through the towel, ultimately coming to a halt in his father's arms. Connor hums in acknowledgment and deposits Sean on the edge of the mattress. He thoroughly dries of the little boy with a soft smile on his thin lips.

"Were you good enough today to get the pirate jammies?" he queries lightly, teasing Sean.

"What? Yes! I did good today!" Sean exclaims in outrage before squealing and squirming about as his father makes a monster sound and gives him a tummy raspberry. His blue eyes twinkle with affection as he finally yanks the towel off with a flourish. Sean giggles breathlessly, hugging his arms around himself and shivering. He hates to admit it, but Papa is right- it's cold when he's a wee bit wet.

"Get your undies on Sean," Connor hums, tossing a pair of kid's underwear over to Sean before digging through the dresser for the infamous pirate jammies. The boy executes the order as told before standing, jumping about on the bed in anticipation of his favorite jammies. Connor rises with a flourish, brandishing the beloved night-time clothing item, and Sean hollers with excitement, giving his best pirate imitation. Connor helps make sure Sean gets dressed properly, giving his hair another glance over, guiding him through brushing his teeth, and then finally settling the boy in the for the night. The tiny twin bed isn't large by any means, but Connor manages to squeeze on to sit on the side of it, softly smiling down at his son.

"No bedtime story?" Sean asks, his brows furrowing in confusion over his blue eyes. They seem stormy at the moment, a flurry of misunderstanding and disappointment.

"Well, Mama got a new job working right now, so she won't be around to read your bedtime story anymore. Since she's not around, I've got to keep an eye on all three of you buggers, Alli, Simon, and you," Connor says, tapping the tip of Sean's nose lovingly.

"But bedtime story," Sean replies, gazing up at his father with big, blank, expectant eyes.

"I can't read to you right now, Sean. I still have to get Simon all set and ready for bed, and you know he's still a lot of work. It's Simon's bath day, so it's even more work. I'll try to read to you tomorrow, alright?" Connor replies with a soft smile to his son, but he can't hide how his blue eyes seem to turn more stormy with sadness, just like his son's. He wishes so profoundly that he could have the wonderful bonding time reading gives them.

"Pinky promise?" Sean asks, holding up a pinky. Connor chuckles a bit and leans forward, pressing a kiss to the little boy's forehead as his hand gently puts Sean's down.

"I won't make a guarantee, but I can promise that I will try my best to make time to read you a story. Though it might come out of bathtime with Pirate Ducky," he warns, carding a hand through his son's hair.

"Not Pirate Ducky!" Sean exclaims, a mortified expression on his small features.

"We'll just have to see, hm?" Connor hums, carefully ensuring the blankets were all tucked up to Sean's liking. The man leans over, snatching something from the floor and then offering it out to Sean. The little boy gasps in shock as he stretches forward, seizing his favorite plushy. The red fur is perfectly fine, and those big eyes are still intact.

"He was on the ground?!" he almost shrieks.

"Hush Sean, relax, it's bedtime, so we use our night-time, inside voices," Connor gently reprimands before adding, "He fell off when you were bouncing around in your jammies. But don't worry, he's still in tip-top shape," his father reassures. Sean nods, and his blue eyes scan over the Elmo plush. Nothing seems out of place, just the usual loose threads at the seams.

"Thank you, Papa," he murmurs, hugging the plushy tight and tucking Elmo to his chest beneath his chin protectively.

"Of course, kiddo. Have a good night," his dad replies softly, smiling lovingly, albeit tiredly at his eldest son.

"G'night Papa," Sean yawns, slanting into his blankets as he relaxes. His father leans over, pressing another gentle kiss to his forehead, patting the boy's shoulder, and standing. He turns and walks to the door, checking on Sean one last time before reaching out and turning off the lights.

Click.