Gavin Alexander

"Yes, that is up, but I mean with you," Lucas said, watching as the boy leaned farther and father out from the bed, his hands twitching to pick him up until he finally conceded, once again hoisting the small boy to his hip. Holding him with one arm he tapped Gavin on the nose. "You really don’t want to talk about it, huh?"

He didn't want to talk about it. Gavin didn't want to stop moving and playing, because truth be told, being in the Alexander household hurt more than he could explain. And nothing about it brought him any sort of comfort, not even Lucas. Again, he didn't answer. Biting onto Lucas' shirt and pulling, Gavin dramatically shook his head like a dog. Between playing tug of war with his uncle clothing, Gavin growled and laughed, trying hard to cover his laughing with more growls.

Lucas raised his eyebrows at the little boys pleas. “Not until you tell me what’s up.” Lucas loved his nephew, he had taken him under his wing when Daniel had been withdrawing, but he knew he hadn’t been there when Daniel had left, and he couldn’t expect Gavin to feel the exact same way he had before he had taken off. “Come on little man, you can talk to me.”

"The ceiling." Gavin playfully growled out the words, leaning more and more off the bed with his arms out. He had no fear, the thought of actually falling and getting hurt never crossed his mind. Lucas could either catch him or let him drop, either way, Gavin basically got what he wanted by leaning until he fell off.

Smelling the lie on Gavin was easy but he still tossed the boy, moving to the side of the bed to pick him up or catch him if he went off. "I mean it Gavin, I won't throw you again if you don't come clean to me." Lucas crossed his arms, his face still neutral, the hint of a smile playing around his lips

Gavin cracked up when he was tossed and continued even as he sat up, "Tha's fun." Predictably, Gavin stood on the bed and bounced a few times before moving over to the edge with his arms out, "Again! Again!"

Moving towards the stairs Lucas moved up them, holding Gavin securely. “Alright little man, but we’re going to make a deal, OK?” Walking into his bedroom he stood at the foot of his king sized be, big enough that Gavin wouldn’t bounce off after he tossed him. “If I toss you, you have to tell me what’s the matter, OK?”

"Okay." Gavin lightly kicked Lucas' side as they headed for his room, only stopping as the pair reached the bed. "Okay." He lied, as soon as Lucas threw him, Gavin was just going to ask for him to do it again until his uncle absolutely refused. Which, if he had his way, would be after a couple dozens of throws.

Rubbing his face with his hands he once again raised his eyebrows. “Throw you?” Lifting the little boy he held him so he was perched on his hip. “Are you sure the couch is the best place? Maybe the bed would be a better idea.”

"Throw me." Gavin repeated, feeling as though he'd successfully distracted Lucas while simultaneously starting a game. Putting his head on Lucas' shoulder as he thought, the boy eventually nodded. "Yeah, bed better idea."

Watching the little boy he resisted the urge to sigh. Gavin had been more withdrawn, less willing to talk to him lately and he hated it. “Gavin? What’s the matter?” Lucas asked patiently.

Again, he didn't answer. Holding himself up as high as he could, Gavin dropped and immediately held his arms up, "Throw me, uncle Lucas. On the couch."

"Hey what’s the matter?" Lucas crouched down in front of the boy looking at him. "I’m not sure, soon enough though. He’s off work pretty soon."

Rather than answering, Gavin put his hands on his uncle's knees and lifted his feet briefly to hang. His arm quickly buckled but he caught himself just to do it all over again, clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth as he did.

"… Nothing." Lucas rolled his eyes at the little boy. "I just want a new jacket." Which was almost the truth, but not really.

"Oh..." Gavin dropped his shoulders a bit and no longer pointed, "Is Declan getting me soon?"

Lucas tilted his head, his eyebrows raising as he looked down at his nephew. “Barf on what exactly?”

"... How much stuff do you barf on?" Gavin pointed up at Lucas gesturing to nothing in particular since he was trying to acknowledge the assumed barfy jacket. "Pick up a new jacket. Did you barf on the old one an' get a new one an' drop it?"

Because those things need to get done.

He scrunched his nose some before raising an eyebrow, "Did you barf on it?"

"Why?"