Here’s a prompt if you’re up for it! Crimeboys go fishing/catching fireflies ❤️
"Tommy," Wilbur says fondly, "is that dad's fishing net?"
It's dark, but not dark enough for Wilbur to miss Tommy's feral, wide, toothy grin. It's quite the picture; his little eight year old brother all decked out in bright red rubber rain boots, a coat that is two sizes too big for him, and the red ladybug hat that Kristin bought for him (that he has been wearing for four days straight). Oh yeah, and the fishing net clenched tightly in his hands.
"I'm gonna catch those fire faries!" Tommy says, then tries to run right past Wilbur and down the porch, into the front yard. Thankfully, Wilbur's got sharp reflexes by now and catches him easily, winding his arms gently around his middle and using his momentum to swing him right back into place. Once his red rubber soles are back on the wood of the porch, he pouts. "But Wilby!"
"Tommy!" Wilbur mocks, teasing back, and kneeling to pinch one of his cheeks. Tommy's pout deepens and Wilbur's heart pangs. "You can catch the fire-flies -"
"Faries," he says resolutely.
"Fairies," Wilbur corrects smoothly. "You can catch them all you want, but not with this." He holds out his hands. Tommy hesitates, and Wilbur nods encouragingly, and he carefully puts the net into Wilbur's hands. "I know a much better way you can catch the faries, Tommy. Do you want me to teach you?"
"Yes please," Tommy beams, bouncing once. Wilbur chuckles, then stands, tossing the net to the side. He reaches out a hand. Tommy takes it instantly.
They leave the porch and head out into the grass, where a lot of the little fireflies are blinking and buzzing around. Tommy's eyes are wide when Wilbur lets go of his hand and steps away to face him.
"Watch me," he says, then focuses on one fire fly that is coming close to his face. He carefully reaches up and cups his hands around it gently. And once he's gotten it, he steps closer to Tommy and kneels again, opening his palms just enough for them to both peek at the creature. "See? I've captured him."
Tommy's gasp is full of wonder and joy, and Wilbur wishes he could hold that sound inside of him until the end of time. Unfortunately, he can't, but he lets go of that disappointment along with the little bug and lets it fly away.
"I want to do it," Tommy says determinedly. "I can!"
"Okay, but you need to be gentle, okay? The faries are very delicate."
Tommy nods seriously, and then clumsily steps away to go hunting. Wilbur watches as he races around, trying to catch them. Eventually, he turns back to Wilbur with a frown.
"They're too high," he says, and Wilbur's smile grows.
"Well, that's no problem for us, is it?" Wilbur scoops him up, and Tommy scrambles the rest of the way onto his back. He teeters precariously, but Wilbur holds on tight. "Do you see one?"
"I do," Tommy says, then leans forward, and Wilbur tips too, so he can reach. Wilbur gets the privilege of watching Tommy's tiny hands cup gingerly around a blinking light. There's a moment of pause, and then he's gasping in happiness. "Wil! Wilby, I did it! I caught one!"
"Good job!" Wilbur says. "Now, you make a wish, then let it go."
There's a beat of silence, and then Tommy is letting the little bug fly away. Wilbur feels warm with pride.
"I caught it," Tommy whispers to himself, still awed and amazed, and Wilbur shakes, flipping Tommy around until he's squealing and nestled safely in his arms.
"You did," Wilbur says as Tommy laughs. "And I caught you, my brilliant little firefly."
