Little Space Reader ♡

~~Shane~~

Y/N looks sick. Badly sick. She skates around on the ice but unlike her usual flowy and flexible movement, she’s stiff and careful. Her skin is unusually pale, she had dark circles under her eyes with her eyes themselves looking glassy.

Ilya joins Shane side and suddenly freezes himself when his eyes land upon Y/N. The ice girl’s coaches call the end of practice, and ice girls start to skate towards the exit.

Shane doesn’t know when his body decides it needs to stop Y/N. One moment he’s standing with the team, the next he’s skating across the ice. “Y/N,” he calls from the rinks exit, gesturing for her to come back to the ice.

Y/N immediately stops and looks to Shane. Her face breaks out in a blush as the other ice girls laugh, talk and whisper around her as she walks back. Luckily the coaches push everyone towards the locker room.

As Y/N get closer she looked embarrassed and exhausted, “Shane-.”

“Listen, after practice Ilya and I are driving you home.”

“What?” She froze, “No we have the game-.”

“You’re too sick for tonight’s game. I’m telling you-.”

“I’m fine Shane,” she quickly cuts him off, “It’s-it’s just a 24 hour thing. I’m fine! You saw me skating.”

“We did,” Shane turns to see Ilya join his side looking as concerned as he feels, “And we do not like what we are seeing. You do not look good Y/N. We are taking you home.”

“Ilya I’m fine-.”

“I’d have to agree with them.” The three turn to look to Coach Grace.

“Coach-,”

“No. You’re not doing well Y/N. I can’t have you fainting on the ice. You’re off this game.”

“But…But I’m okay…I…I’m okay.” She sounds so defeated as she looks between Shane, Ilya and her Coach. She looked on the verge of tears.

“It’s okay,” Shane takes her hand immediately. The Caregiver in him screaming, “Just one game of rest. Then next game you’ll be stronger than before.”

He squeezes her hand, “Get packed up and after we’re done with practice Ilya and I will drive you home.”

She looks down but nods her head.

“Great,” Coach Grace puts a hand on her shoulder, “You need to rest. We can’t have one of our top skaters out for the season.” She puts her arm around Y/N and guides her to the lockers.

Ilya skates and gets the team ready for practice but Shane can’t pull himself away from watching Y/N and Coach Grace walk toward the lockers, Before they disappear the Coach winks to Shane.

Maybe the Coach senses it too? Shane shakes his head and joins Ilya and the rest of the team. Whatever going on…it’s not good…

Read the rest of the chapter here!

Then I try another run and…I LAND IT. I gasp and come to a stop after it. I did it…I DID IT! I don’t even think I could replicate it without a few more fall in between but that doesn’t matter because I did it!

Suddenly there’s clapping in the crowd. I look over to find one of the Centaurs players in the crowd clapping for me. I laugh, smiling to the player as he walks down to the sidelines.

“Impressive,” he says leaning against the railing.

His accent is STRONG. Wait…isn’t he’s the fucking captain of the Centaurs?! I remember him from yesterday! Rozen…Roz…what’s his name? Why can’t I ever remember someone’s name but I can recognize their face.

“Thank you,” I say a bit shy. “It’s been a pain in the ass to learn that move.”

He laughs, “Looks difficult.”

“It is! You have to spin very fast and it has to be very tight and it’s all landing on one foot…” I look back to him as I’m rambling away, “Sorry, you probably don’t care-.”

“Nonono! I care! Do not apologize, you have nothing to apologize for.” Wow…that’s a first. Someone actually cares and doesn’t mind my rambling. It’s really kind.

“I’m Y/N. I’m one of the ice girls. I just started this season.”

He holds his hand out, “Ilya Rozanov. I’m the Centaurs captain.”

I shake his hand, “Nice to meet you Ilya.” I smile back to him, “So what’s got you at the arena this early in the morning?”

He rolls his eyes, “Boring meeting stuff.” He sticks his tongue out and makes a fart noise with it.

I giggle. Then I catch myself and blush. I try to recover it while he lights up, “Boring meeting stuff? This early?”

“Unfortunately. And my husband cannot join me so it makes it even more boring.”

His husband? That’s right! My jersey! Wait…my jersey…

“Hollander right?”

“That’s right. Shane Hollander is my beautiful husband.” He lights up as he talks about Shane.

“I have his jersey…” I admit sheepishly, “They handed out all your jersey’s last night after training. I picked at random and got Hollander.”

“Oh! For the halftime competition!” He lights up saying.

I look at him totally confused, “The halftime competition?”

“Yes, there will be a competition between ice girls and Centaurs. It’s a…a…course?” He waves his hand in the air as he tries to find the right word.

I try to pick up the pieces, “Like an obstacle course?”

“Yes! Obstacle course! You will be against my husband.” He smiles with excitement.

I laugh, “Well I plan on giving him a run for his money.”

He laughs, “He will give you a run for yours. Shane is not easily beaten. You will see.” His smile fades the moment he checks his watch.

He curses in Russian, “I have to go to boring meeting.” He pats my shoulder before he starts to walk off.

He stops in his tracks, “Oh! I forget. I apologize for Haas banging on the shielding yesterday. He is rookie and idiot. But he is good guy.”

“It’s okay,” I shake my head, “I would’ve fallen either way.”

“But not anymore because you are expert now.”

“Successfully doing the trick one time doesn’t mean I’m-.”

“No. You are expert. And that is that.” He starts to walk away again, “Good luck at the game tonight.”

“You too! Good luck against Baltimore!”

Before he leaves he smirks, “They do not stand a chance.” With a quick wave he heads off to his boring meeting.

*****

Read the full chapter on AO3!

With the last firework gone, the day at Disney World has come to an end. Y/N stands there, looking to the sky, hoping one last one will go off. It can’t be over? Right?

“I think that’s it Y/N,” Will places a hand on her back, “Time to head back to the hotel.”

“But…” she turns to her Caregivers teary eyed. In her arms she clings to her Bullseye plush she got that day.

“We’ll be back again,” Will is quick to say.

Hannibal leans down and kisses her forehead, “Why don’t we say goodbye to the castle and head back to our hotel for the night?”

Y/N sniffles then nods. With a turn she looks back to the castle, “Goodbye castle! I’ll miss you!”

The two Caregivers can’t help but smile.

~~~

After the fireworks everyone has the same idea as us to go back to their hotels or cars, so the line to get out is long. We walk along the bright lights on Main Street.

I hold onto Hannibal’s hand as we walk, my other arm holding my Bullseye tight. We take a couple of steps closer to the exit every couple of seconds. As this goes on, the day starts to catch up with me.

“Papa,” I tug Hannibal’s hand, “Tired…”

I hear him hum before he stops. Next thing I know he lifts me up into his arms and settles me on his hip. Immediately I cuddle close, resting my head on his shoulder and an arm around him,

“Rest little one, we’ll be back in the hotel soon.”

I nod, snuggling in his arms before drifting off to sleep.

~~~

Will and Hannibal finally make it to the line for the Monorail. Hannibal would not be recognized at this park. Because of Florida’s heat and humidity there is no possible way he could wear his usual attire.

So instead, he had to borrow a shirt from Will which made him look completely different. It’s completely out of his element, but Will and Y/N absolutely love it!

Will also looked different from his norm. His curly hair fanned out around a baseball cap. He wore a Disney themed t-shirt and shorts with what can only be described as dad sandals. Hannibal commented that he played the perfect part of a tourist.

Y/N, on the other hand, has her hair in a braid. Around her neck is a string attached to a hat. Her outfit is a Jesse costume from her favorite film Toy Story.

Hannibal shifted Y/N in his arms, as they head closer to the Monorail. They stand by the gate, waiting for the next one to arrive at the station.

“Enjoy your day?” Will smiles to his husband.

“Very much,” Hannibal smiles back, “It was wonderful to see how much fun Y/N was having. She really likes it here.”

“She does,” Will moves her hair to behind her ear, “She’s been talking about it for weeks. I’m happy we could find the time to come.”

The Monorail finally arrives. The blue Monorail’s doors open and the two are able to snag a seat. Hannibal settles Y/N in his lap. The Caregiver share the same relief of relaxing till their stop. Y/N doesn’t even stir.

The Monorail was filled with Caregivers, Middles and Littles alike. Most are like Y/N, sleeping in their Caregivers arms.

“We won’t have to worry about getting her to fall asleep tonight,” Will jokes.

“She wore herself out with all the excitement,” Hannibal chuckles to himself.

“We wore ourselves out too,” Will leans back and joins Hannibal chuckling, “Tomorrow is definitely a relax day at the resort. Maybe some pool time.” Hannibal nods along.

The Monorail stops first at the Contemporary resort, unloading the guest staying there before heading next to the Transportation and Ticket Center. When it stops there, Y/N begins to stir.

Hannibal shushes and rubs her back, “It’s okay, almost back to our room.”

The soothing combo puts her right back to sleep. She brings her Bullseye close and snuggles back against Hannibal relaxing, maybe a little too much.

Will notices the shift in her, “Changing time?” He looks up to Hannibal who nods.

“I thought she would soon enough,” he adjust her again, “We’ll wait till we’re back in the room.”

Luckily for the two the next stop is their hotel, the Polynesian Resort. Will lifts the backpack onto his back and Hannibal gently lifts Y/N back into his arms as they depart the Monorail.

The walk from the lobby to the hotel room feels like ages to the two tired Caregivers. But the long awaited hotel room’s door finally arrived.

The two walked in and both shared a sigh of relief. While the day had been a very fun filled day…they are exhausted from it.

They share eye contact.

“I’ll get her set up and you can get yourself ready for bed,” Will pats Hannibal’s back.

Hannibal shares a tired smile with Will has he sets Y/N down on the room’s changing table before heading into the bathroom.

Will, careful not to wake Y/N, helps change her out of her costume, taking her hair out of the braid and changing her into a fresh pull-up and pajamas.

The shower runs in the background as Will lifts Y/N and lays her in the twin bed. He makes sure to tuck Bullseye in next to her before he pulls the rails up and kisses her forehead.

“Good night Y/N, love you,” he whispers before he gets himself ready for bed.

He chooses to opt out of taking a shower tonight and instead sleep. He throws his clothes into the floor and stops, then picks them up because he just knows his husband.

By the time Hannibal emerges from the bathroom Will is half asleep in bed. “Hey,” he says sleepily, “Y/N all set for the night.”

“Good,” Hannibal can’t help but smile as his sleepy husband, “The bathroom is all yours.”

Will hums as he tries to find the energy to get up. Eventually he does, dragging himself up and into the bathroom to brush his teeth.

Soon he’s back in bed next to his very sleep husband. “Hopefully she sleeps nice and late tomorrow,” Will yawns.

“We can only hope,” Hannibal turns and kisses Will, “Good night my love.”

“Good night Handsome,” Will breaks apart and pulls himself closer to Hannibal.

The two cuddle close, falling asleep quickly as the long but exciting day finally catches up with the two of them.

Rain lightly hits the window panels of Hannibal’s house, a light summer storm that wraps up the day.

But inside his house? Warm, cozy and peaceful. Hannibal relaxes on his couch, sketchbook in hand, watching his Little one play on the carpet in front of him.

The fireplace gently crackles as his Little one plays with their train set, gently placing each track down and pushing the trains along them. Their favorite stuffed animal sits beside them, conductor hat on and all.

Hannibal watches them with adoring eyes, sketching their likeness and carefree nature into his book. There’s simply nothing in the world he loves more than this, a peaceful evening with his Little one and no inter-.

His cellphone rings from inside the kitchen turning both of their heads. There’s only one person who calls this late at night. He sighs, setting his sketchbook on the couch and heading to the phone.

“Hello Jack,” He answers, calm and collected as always but inside furious at his evening interrupted.

He listens to the call, another crime has taken place and he wants his opinion on the situation. Strange…it’s not one of his…who could it be?

Jack goes on and on about sending files over to his email and for him to come to his office the next day.

He turns as he listens and catches his Little one peaking around the corner then hiding back. A smirk appears on his face, “I’m afraid I’ll have to get back to you about an office visit. You see, I have company over at the moment and I find it rude to leave them, even for business. But I’ll take a look at your files tonight.”

He puts his phone down and sneaks around the corner. When they look back into the kitchen he’s gone. Instead he wraps his arms around them and lifts them up. “My sneaky sneaky Little faun. Trying to listening Papa’s work calls?”

They giggle wrapping their arms around him, “I was curious!”

“Curious killed the cat,” he smirks.

They gasp, “Really?”

“No no,” he smiles, setting them back down, “It’s just a phrase. All the cats in the world are okay.”

He looks at the time and cards a hand through their hair, “It’s time for bed. Clean up your trains and we’ll go upstairs.”

“But it’s not that late.”

“It’s your bedtime Y/n.”

“Are you going to bed too?”

“No. Papa has to work on something. But that doesn’t mean you will stay up with Papa. You need your sleep.”

But as they go to clean their toys up, Hannibal can sense they’re on to him. They clean their trains up very slowly then go back over to him. He can already tell this is going to be a tough night.

Despite the fact he has to work late, Hannibal tends to their usual nighttime routine together. He helps them brush their teeth, get changed into pajamas then it’s into Papa’s bed…he isn’t going to try it with their bed tonight. That’s a battle for another night.

He reads them not one but two bedtime stories. But as he wraps up the second picture book, he can sense their uneasiness. “Papa another one.”

Hannibal sighs, “We just read two.”

“Anotheeeerrrrr.” They whine.

“It’s just two tonight. Papa has to work.”

“Why?” They throw their head back onto their pillow dramatically.

“Because Jack needs Papa’s help.”

“Why?”

“Because Papa is a specialist of sorts.”

“Whyyyyyyyyyyy,” they lean their head against his side.

Hannibal sighs, “It’s alright. Papa will not be up long. Before you know it I’ll be right here to cuddle you close. You go to bed. I’ll be right around the corner in my office.”

With a kiss to their forehead, he tucks them in and turns off the lights and the nightlights on. “Love you my sweet faun. Sleep well.”

“Good night Papa…” They say, less than thrilled.

“Good night Y/N,” he goes to leave.

“Love you!” They add.

Hannibal chuckles in the doorway, “Love you too.”

“Love you more!”

Hannibal shoots them a look, “Impossible. Now get some rest.” With that he closes the door just slightly, keeping it slightly open just incase.

~~~

Hannibal sits back as he logs onto his computer. The study feels cold and quiet. Usually when he works on client reports and paperwork his Little one would read or play around the room. Wherever he was, his Little one always seemed to be near.

But tonight is different. Tonight he would be reading crime scene reports, seeing pictures from the scene, things that his Little one should not be around. It also helped it’s their bedtime.

It didn’t mean he didn’t miss them. But he has a job to do. Who was committing terrible crimes in his city? Didn’t they know there could only be one killer? He opens Jack’s email and stats to go through the report.

Maybe ten minutes later he hears pitter patter down the hallway stopping outside his study’s doorway.

He doesn’t have to turn around to know they’re hiding against the wall, leaning sideways to see what he’s doing. Thankfully the moment he hear their feet he clicked the crime scene photos again.

“Y/N,” he turns around seeing them try to duck back behind the wall, “You shouldn’t be sleep.”

Silence.

“Y/N I know you’re there.”

They sigh and come out and into the study, “Papa come to beeeeeeeeed.” They walk over and flop across his lap.

Hannibal can’t help but smirk. He lifts his little one up into his arms as he stands, “I will as soon as I’m finished.”

“But Papaaaaaaaaaa,” they whine as Hannibal carries them down the hallway, “Want you!”

“I know you do but you need your sleep and I need to work,” he sets them back down into his bed, tucks them in with their stuffie and kisses their head. “Try to rest.”

They whine and flop onto their side with a huff.

But this? This is just the start of his night.

“Papaaaaaaaaaaaa.” They show up ten minutes later and just lay in the middle of the study’s floor, “I’ll sleep here till you’re done.”

“Y/N you can’t sleep on the floor,” Hannibal sighs.

“Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?”

The next time they run in and shut the door, “Papa I saw a monster.”

Hannibal sighs as he turns around, “A monster?”

“…yeah.”

“Where?”

“In the bedroom.”

“And you walked past it to come here?”

“……….yeah.”

The next time they walk right in and up to his desk and computer, “What are you working on?”

“Y/N…” he gives them a stern look, “Papa needs to focus and you need to be sleeping.”

“But-.”

“No buts,” he stands and takes their hand and walks with them down the hallway back to the bedroom.

The last time? They walk in, tired and teary eyed. “Papa I…I…”

Hannibal immediately stops and turns around to find his Little one start to cry, “Y/N come here,” he closes all the files and opens his arms.

Immediately they run forward and cling to him. He stands, rocking them to try and soothe their tears. This is not a tired or frustrated cry, no, this is something more deep down.

“It’s okay,” he kisses their temple, “Papa is here.”

He looks over at the computer and turns it off. Jack, the FBI, everyone will have to wait. His Little one needs him tonight.

“That’s enough work. Let’s go to bed.” With another kiss to their temple he walks to the bedroom.

He sets them down on the bed, tucking them in and handing them their stuffie. “Papa is going to get changed but I am not leaving you here to sleep alone, okay?”

They sniffle and nod.

So with his teeth brushed and a quick change he’s back. He crosses the room and gets into bed and immediately his Little one curls up close.

“What’s got you so upset tonight little faun?”

“Scared without you Papa,” they look up at him, “You scare all the bad guys and bad dreams away.”

His heart leaps at the innocent answer. A warmth fill him. “I’m honored,” he smiles warmly. “But I want you to know no one will ever harm you whether I’m near or far away.”

“But I’m here now, you can rest easy,” he kisses their forehead, “Good night Y/N.”

They snuggle closer, “Good night Papa.”

While Jack’s email may have been abandoned, Y/N never will. Not as long as their Caregiver is around.

Bonus:

The next morning Will rings the doorbell of Hannibal’s. When he arrives as the door Will see his boyfriend unkept for the first time ever.

His hair tousled, instead of his usual suit he’s wearing a sweater and sleep pajamas and in his hand a cup of coffee.

Will can’t help but chuckle, “Rough night?”

Hannibal shakes his head with a knowing smirk and lets Will in. “I learned a valuable lesson last night.”

“What’s that?” Will asks.

“No one gets between Y/N and their cuddles at night with Papa.”

The smell of pancakes grows with each step down the stairs and into the kitchen. There at the stove stood Billy adding another pancake to the pile.

The funny thing was what he was wearing. His usually skinny jeans and tight shirt, but with a pink apron from my kitchen drawer. I couldn’t help but giggle the moment I walk into the kitchen.

Billy turned around with big smirk on his face, “You like the chef’s outfit?”

“There’s no chef in the world that dresses like that.”

“Really? Well now you get one less pancake.”

“Wait! No! I take it back please,” I couldn’t help but laugh again. This time Billy joined me.

“Oh my God those smell amazing.” I join him by the stove, “They look so fluffy. How do you make them so fluffy?”

I lean my hand forward towards the hot pan without realizing. Billy grabbed my wrist before I could burn myself. All at once the two of us stopped for a moment.

I was trying to figure out just how big I actually feel, and I could see as Billy’s eyes scan over me as he was doing the same.

“It’s a secret family recipe, I can’t tell you.” He lets go of my wrist and gestures to the kitchen table, “Have a seat, they’re almost ready.”

I nod my head and go to sit as my mind tries to get an idea of my headspace. But everything felt so fuzzy, it was hard to fully understand what’s happening.

“Why can’t I know the recipe?” I call from my chair.

“I told you, it’s a secret family recipe,” Billy smiles back.

“That’s not fair!”

“How so?”

“Well I’m your Little. So I have a right to know.” Saying the words out loud felt weird, but only for a second. After that second it just felt…nice. Like a nice hug of comfort. I’m his Little.

I think it felt the same way for Billy because he turned back with the biggest smirk on his face. “I can tell you but…I’ll have to kill you.”

I give him a fake gasp and try my hardest to look shock. “What?!”

“That’s the rules, I don’t make them.” He turns back to the stove.

“Yes you do, you literally make the rules.”

He completely avoided that argument as he set down a plate of pancakes infront of me. The top pancake got a nice helping of syrup plus a strawberry cut in half as two eyes and some blueberries spread around as a smile.

I looked up at Billy, this time genuinely surprised by the cute dish. He smiled back genuinely, “You had a rough night last night. You deserve it kiddo.” He winks.

Kiddo…God that made my heart leap. Why was it so nice? Like a warm blanket? First princess, then sweetheart and now kiddo? I wasn’t a nickname person before, but now?

“I love it, thank you!” I smile back just as genuine. It was so cute I almost didn’t want to eat it…almost.

After a literal second I began digging in like my life depended on it. Billy took a seat next to mine. He places a cup of orange juice for me and coffee for himself. But once he sees how fast I’m eating he nudges me. “The food’s not going anywhere. Slow down.”

I roll my eyes before slowly down, eating one piece at a time and taking sips of orange juice in between. We sit in comfortable silence with each other, eating our pancakes next to one another.

But I can tell with the stolen glance Billy is giving me that the comfortable silence isn’t going to be comfortable or silent anymore.

“Y/N,” he starts out saying, “We need to talk about last night.”

I froze mid bite. We probably do, he’s probably right. But my heart sinks when he mentions it. “Whyyyyyy?” I almost whine, almost.

“Because we’re not going to act like all of that didn’t happen or that it’s not going to happen again. We both know it is.” I watch Billy put his silverware down.

Want to read the rest? Head over to Ao3 :)

There could be no better Caregiver than Matt Murdock. His heightened senses is not only a super power, but it’s also a super Caregiver power!

Feeling anxious in a large crowd? Someone’s making you uncomfortable? Have to go to the potty but you’re too busy to know it? Can’t find the crayon that rolled away?

He knows immediately just by his heightened sound alone! It’s nice and especially helpful. But sometimes when you’re trying to pull one over, or in this case trying to hide something from them impossible.

Recently I’ve been regressing deeper and deeper which has been such a relief. With a stressful work life coming home to Matt and just letting go and regressing with him has been the biggest gift.

But with it, a new problem started to arise.

Accidents. What starts out as bed wetting moves to wetting whenever regression takes hold. Matt had NEVER treated me any different, in fact he’s been nothing but caring and compassionate about it.

He always comforts me through every accident, helping clean me up and taking care of everything. Then he showers me with affection, making sure all the negative and bad thoughts stay away.

But as my regression goes on, so have the accidents…

One day the the two of us went out for lunch to our favorite local diner to talk. Not regressed or in caregiver mode, but as adults. He talked about what he was comfortable with and I did the same. The two of us agreed that while the accidents didn’t happen often, they happened enough that maybe I should get some pull-ups.

I didn’t mind at all. In fact I’m excited for the idea. I’m someone who find diapers and pull-ups as a comfort item to my regression. Matt felt the same way, always encouraging me to get whatever I need or want for my regression with him.

And in the past I’ve wore them before around him. But this…would be different.

With his enhanced senses he can hear a fire truck ten blocks away, someone sneezing seven floors from us. He’d immediately know if I was in the living room having an accident.

And what if the smell was too much with his enhanced sense of scent. What if-.

“Y/N?” He breaks me out of my thoughts and takes my hand in his across the table, “What’s making you so anxious. Because you don’t have to if you’re not-.”

“No, no, no,” I shake my head, swallowing what feels like a rock. “It’s not that Matt.”

I take a breath and look back to him, “What if this is too much for you?”

“Too much for me? I told you. I never mind the pull-up. You’ve worn them before and I’ve always found it adorable,” he smile and squeezes her hand, “What would be the difference?”

“You’re…your senses. You’d hear me…going. And it probably gross you out of you could smell it.”

“Y/N,” he chuckles, “I promise you I could never be grossed out by you. My sense of smell isn’t as good as you give it credit for. It’s mostly my hearing that’s more sensitive than others.” He starts to explain.

“But I understand your anxiety with it. Maybe we could have the tv play or better yet, I can put a record on my record player and have some music playing in the apartment. That way it isn’t totally silent if an accident occurs.”

That brought me some sense of ease. It wouldn’t be a totally quiet apartment, there would be music playing and maybe that would drown out the sound of an accident to Matt.

“But,” he breaks me from my thoughts, “My only worry is, sometimes when your in that headspace you don’t know when an accident is happening or happened because you’re too zoned into what you’re doing.”

A blush spreads across my face, “That was just one time…”

He raises an eyebrow, “One time?”

“…twice.” I sigh remembering each time like it was yesterday. Well one was yesterday…

Matt sighs, “I’m only asking because if I do hear an accident and you haven’t come to see me about it, I worry you won’t notice and could get a rash from it.”

I sigh as well but agree with him. I wasn’t the best at noticing sometimes. “What if we had a system. If I don’t come to you and you notice, maybe you wait ten minutes then ask me?”

Matt smiles and nods, “That sounds far to me.”

He leans forward and takes my hands in his, “This is going to be new for both of us so there will be a bit of learning in the beginning. But, I’m very excited about this and I’m very honored you trust me with something this vulnerable.”

I squeeze his hands back, “There’s no one I trust more with this than you. You’re not just New York’s hero but mine too.” I smile, “It’s going to be difficult at first but…I trust you. We’ll just take it one step at a time.”

He smiles back, “One step at a time.”

Music fills the apartment as Matt works on dinner. He hums along to the music as Y/N sits on the floor in the living room, coloring in their coloring book.

The music is relaxing for the both of them, the two swaying occasionally dancing in their spots to certain songs.

Matt starts plating their food when he hears his little one puttering over. “Hey sweetheart,” he ruffles their hair. “Wanna help Dadee and grab your sippy cup from the dishwasher?”

They nod but stay in their spot, unmoving. They take his hand in theirs, “I…ummm. I need help…” they start to say.

Matt picks up on their shyness and heart racing. He knows what they need help with but he make it like he’s not sure to help lessen their shyness. “With what little one?”

They fidget a bit, holding onto his hand a little tighter, “I need help…with getting changed. I hadda accident.”

Matt squeeze their hand back, “Sure, of course. Thank you for letting me know.” He wraps an arm around them and start guiding them to their shared bed room. “Let’s get you changed and then we can have a nice dinner together okay?”

Y/N nods, clinging to his side. Math can hear their sigh of relief and heart beat slowing down as they start to relax with him. Gone is the anxiety and the worries and in its place comfort and reassurance.

Matt helps them get changed into a fresh pull-up. The process is simple yet comforting and first and foremost trusting.

Then their night returns back on track with a wonderful dinner, a movie and some cuddles on the couch. Both Caregiver and Little content as ever.

Matt leans forward and kisses their forehead, “I love you munchkin.”

They look up and smile back to Matt, “Love you too Dadee.”

Sam told him he’d get sick. Dean kept sneezing while they were looking over the evidence in the cooler of the police station. The cold atmosphere for long hours was not a good combo for a cold already brewing inside of Dean.

Days later, back in the bunker Sam could hear Dean’s coughs down the hall. But why wasn’t Cas taking care of it? He just wanted to sleeeeeeepppppppp.

With Crowley busy in hell. He’s been trying not regress, wanting to wait till his Papa to come back home. But with Dean coughing once more, he felt himself slip into his regression the moment he was out the door. The big brother in him kicking in.

“Dean?” He bursts into his room to find Dean laying in bed, correction a wet bed clutching his blanet.

Sam looks to his desk. A small note sits on top. Castiel had to make an emergency visit to one of his Angel brothers so he left early this morning.

Sam’s heart sank. Now Dean’s sick and there’s no one but him. Wait a minute…there’s no one but him! That means he could be the big brother he needs! It’s up to Sam to take care of his very regressed Little brother!

First things first, he needs to get Dean out of bed, out of his pajamas and into a nice warm bath. He pulled the blanket back, picked up/dragged Dean to the bathroom and started running a bath.

The only problem? Dean is the fussiest baby when he’s sick, regressed or not. “M’fine!” He whines, “I’m not sick…I didn’t even have an accident!”

Sam takes a breath knowing his brother is just cranky and fussy from the sickness. “No you’re not fine. Yes you had an accident. And I know you feel sick. Your eyes are glassy, your face is flush and your coughing. We’re going to have a fast bath, then it’s pajamas with some medicine.”

Dean doesn’t reply back, just some whining. Once in the tub he weakly pushes his duck around the bathtub as Sam stands, going to change the wet bed. When he returns, Dean is half asleep in the bath cuddling the small duck.

“Come on Dean, we gotta get you back in bed.” He lightly shakes his shoulder and helps him out of the bath. All with a fussy and whinny Dean.

“Sammy I don’t wanna sleep. Wanna watch Scoobbbbbyyyyyyy…” he drags out as Sam helps him into a diaper and some pajamas.

Sam sighs for what feels like the first of many to come. This is going to be a long day.

~~~

He gets him onto the couch and set up with his stuffed animal dogs and a fluffy blanket. Before Dean can swat his hand away Sam takes his temperature.

“It’s just a cold!” Dean whines.

“102 is a fever Dean. You’re sick.”

He huffs, crossing his arms and laying back against the couch. “Where’s Dadee and Uncle Crowley?”

“Papa’s been in hell but he said he’d be home tonight. And Uncle Cas left a note saying he had to go check on one of his brothers today. He said it was an emergency.”

Dean pauses, looking to Sam worried, “One of his brothers? Who do you think it is?”

Sam shrugs, “I don’t know. He’s not friends with most of them and the ones he was friendly with are dead. But…maybe they aren’t?” Sam suggests, trying to take Dean’s mind off his sickness.

That peaks Dean interest, “You think…you think Gabriel is still alive?”

“Possibly. But I hope not.”

“He was obsessed with you.” Dean giggles.

Sam rolls his eyes and ignores the comment, “Maybe it’s Balthazar.”

“He’s the cocky one with the funny accent.” Dean giggles some more.

“Yeah, I don’t know about that guy.” Sam joins in laughing.

Sam turns on Scooby for Dean and grabs his coloring book, “But for now you don’t have to worry because I’m going to take care of you.”

Sam could see the argument on the edge of Dean’s tongue, but resigns and lays back. “Thank you Sammy.”

Sam smiles back, “Always.”

~~~

With some medicine taken, Dean naps on the couch while Scooby-Doo plays on the tv in their family room. He’s curled up in a blanket with his stuffies under his arm and Scooby-Doo pacifier in mouth.

Sam thought about turning it off but he knows his brother, he sleeps better hearing the noise than he does in a quiet room.

Sam colors while half watching the tv. Suddenly he sneezes. Then he sneezes again. Then again. And again.

He whines, holding his head. When did this come onto him? He’s been watching his hands while he’s been taking care of Dean. He shouldn’t be sick!

He ignores it as Dean starts to stir. He looks to his brother worried. “‘ammy,” he says groggy and with a hoarse voice. “You don’t haveta stay…I’m okay.”

Sam shakes his head, moving to sit with his back against the couch, “Shut up it’s fine. I don’t mind taking care of you. After all I’m the oldest.”

That earns another whine from Dean and his foot hitting Sam’s back. “Hey! You’re just mad I am.”

Dean sits up on the couch, half watching Scooby when his stomach growls, “Hungry…”

“Me too.” Sam stands, patting Dean’s head, “I’ll see what I can make. Not allowed to use the stove.”

“Or the microwave after the last time.” Dean reminds him.

Sam chuckles at the memory of the soap bar exploding in the microwave. “Haha, yeah...”

Later Sam returns having made them some sandwiches then it’s another nap for Dean. But Sam was feeling sleepy too. Wait, why did his head hurt so much?

He rest in one of the lounger chair and tries to focus on his book but with his tummy full and his head hurting. Maybe he could close his eyes for a minute? Just ten minutes and then he’d wake up and check on Dean….

~~~

His head is pounding when he starts to come to again, but then he feels someone carding their fingers through his hair and sighs content. It feels sooooooooooo good.

“Fergus! How did you not know my grandson was sick? Look at him? He’s paler than a sheet and running a fever. Not to mention Castiel left his baby here sick too. Some Caregiver you two are! Leave it to Nana to have to make everything better.”

Sam pushes himself to opening his eyes hearing her Rowena above him. “Nana…” he whines already done with being sick.

“Awwwww my sweet boy! What on earth did you catch? You’re burning up.” She leans down and kisses his forehead.

“Missed you,” he mumbles.

“Oh I missed you more my sweet boy. I decided to join your Papa when I heard he was coming to see you only to discover you and Dean both asleep and sick as a dog! Why did you call Papa sweetheart?”

Sam sits up and looks over to a very worried Crowley, “I wanted to take care of Dean myself. Just like he used to for me. But I didn’t think I’d get sick too Nana! Promise!” He turns back to Rowena who smiles and runs her fingers through his hair again.

“I know you didn’t sweet boy. I know you didn’t. But next time, even if you want to help take care of your little brother, you at least let an adult know, okay?”

Sam nods, closing his eyes and leaning into her touch.

“Fergus, you gonna stand around or are you gonna-.”

Suddenly the sound of wings makes itself knows as Castiel runs over to the couch where Dean is sleeping. He places a hand to his forehead and sighs. “When did this start?” He looks to Crowley before noticing Rowena there.

“When the hell did you get here? And where have you been?” Crowley throws back to him.

“Enough arguing! You’re disturbing the babies.” Rowena interjects, getting a whine from both Littles in support, “Just heal them so they can stop feeling so miserable.”

Cas and Crowley exchange a look before nodding. Crowley walks over and kisses his boy’s forehead. Suddenly the pain and fire inside extinguishes.

Sam looks up and smiles, “Thank you Papa.”

“You’re welcome my little trouble maker. Just next time try not to give your Papa a heart attack will you?” He teases rubbing Sam’s arm.

Cas places two fingers to Dean’s head and suddenly the fever and cold disappears. The Little’s eyes starts to flutter open and his pacifer falls out of his mouth, saved by the clip on his shirt. “Dadee?”

“I’m here my little bug,” he kneels down next to the couch. “I’m so sorry I left and didn’t realize you weren’t feeling well. But I’m here and I’ve got you.”

“Don’t you mean I’ve got them.” Rowena corrects, “After all they’re my grandsons.”

Dean stares bewildered at her for a moment before turning to Cas. “I have a grandma?”

“Looks like…you do,” he looks at Rowena just as shock. He smiles to Dean, kisses his forehead. “Just take it at your pace my little bee. You don’t have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.”

Dean peels his eyes from Rowena to Castiel and nods, turning and hugging him. “Missed you!”

Castiel smiles holding his boy close, “I miss you too.”

~~~

Rowena insists the boys have a hearty soup to keep the colds from coming back. So there the two Littles sit, waiting for their soup at the kitchen table.

Sam sits at ease, beaming with happiness in the presence of his Nana while Dean was more suspicious and guarded. He keeps looking to Castiel who stood in the doorway with Crowley.

“Are you she isn’t going to poison them?” Castiel asks.

“No! No. She’s let that all go. After she found out Sam and now Dean regresses, it’s like she’s a changed woman.”

Castiel and Crowley watch as Rowena effortlessly interacts with the two. She sets a bowl of soup in front of each of them, encouraging them to eat.

Sam digs in while Dean looks suspiciously. “Sammy are you sure-.” He tries to whispers.

“Nana this is soooooo good!” Sam right away compliments.

“Thank you Samuel,” She smiles,squeezes his shoulder. She turns her attention to Dean. “Sweet boy, have you tried yours yet?”

Dean looks like a deer in headlights. He turns his gaze to Castiel who gives a smile and a small nod. Then hesitantly he tries the soup.

“Wait…this is really good!” He smiles to her.

“I knew you’d love it,” she places a hand on his shoulder next, squeezing it.

“Wow…she’s a natural.” Cas says to Crowley.

“You think this is good, you should’ve seen once when Sam threw a tantrum how well she handled it.”

“You think she could handle Dean’s?”

Crowley laughs, “Like it’s nothing. I guess we found our new babysitter.”

“I guess we did.” Cas stares on, watching Dean start to melt under the praise and attention.

Crowley turns to Castiel, “Where were you today?”

“I had to visit my brother.”

“Your brother?”

“Yeah,” Castiel chuckles to himself before turning to Crowley, “I have a feeling he’s going to be their backup babysitter.”

“We make it a point to do family dinner every week. Sunday at 7, on the dot, no matter what.”

I run off the bus and towards the Baxter building, one hand clutching my stuffed animal, the other holding onto my backpack strap.

Another glance to my watch sends my heart sinking. 7:30pm. I’m thirty minutes late! I try to hold back the tears inside of me. It’s okay, just thirty minutes. Maybe I could make you really good excuse? Maybe they would buy it?

Who am I kidding? Papa would see right through it. He’s super smart. Maybe Mama would have pity on me?

I run up the front steps of the Baxter building and right into the lobby. There Herbie the robot is waiting for me. “There you are Y/N, Mister Richards and Miss Storm have been worried about you.”

“Are they mad?” I ask, walking with the robot to the elevators.

“No, they are disappointed you missed dinner but they have been mostly worried.”

I missed dinner?!?!

It’s as if the world was crashing around me. I try to catch my racing heart, guilt filling me. “Okay…okay I’m heading up to see them.”

“Good idea. I will be waiting here for Johnny’s arrival.”

The elevator arrives and I quickly run in. I press the button to the top floor and wait. My heart and body fill with anxiety as we go floor by floor.

My thoughts go from Herbie who probably announced my arrival up stairs already to Johnny…the whole reason I’m in this mess.

My older brother Little was supposed to stick with me at the fair today….but he left me and said we’d meet up at the bus at 5. I waited an hour, two hours. I looked for him but I couldn’t wait any longer

I knew he just forgot. It isn’t the first time, certainly won’t be the last…But now, I had to cover for him while also trying to get myself out of trouble.

The elevator dings, pulling me from my thoughts as the doors open.

I step out and cautiously walk out and into our shared apartment floor. It’s quiet, too quiet. I walk into the kitchen to find the table cleaned from dinner. I sigh to myself, gripping my stuffed animal a little tighter.

“You’re late.” Papa’s stern voice breaks the silence causing me to jump.

“Papa-.” I turn to look at his and Mama’s disappointed expressions.

“What do I always say? We have dinner every Sunday at 7 together as a family. And neither you nor Johnny was here for it. Can you tell me why that was?” He crosses his arms, raising an eyebrow to me.

I look between the two, “I was at the fair today…”

“And?” Mama encouraged me to go on.

“And I had fun. I won this Teddy! See?” I hold it up.

“It’s a lovely Teddy but it still doesn’t explain why you’re late.” Mama’s gentle voice reminds me.

“Yeah…so I…” I try to think of a good enough lie, “I…I lost track of time…and my bus driver was super slow so I got here after dinner.” I quickly rush to say.

The two Caregivers share a look that communicates everything without saying a word.

“Un huh…and you went to the fair, regressed, by yourself?” Papa asks.

“No! I was with Johnny. I told Mama before I left.” I say without realizing…damnit….

“Johnny kept an eye on you all day?” Mama asks.

“Yeah! We had fun.”

“So where is he?”

“He’s…you know him…he’s…”

“I’m right here.” Johnny strides into the kitchen with Herbie behind, “Someone didn’t hold the elevator for me while I was talking to Herbie downstairs.” He pats my back before going to the fridge. “Please tell me Uncle Ben saved some pasta for us.”

“You’re lucky he loves you kids.” Papa replies, clearly not done with the conversation. “Sit at the table. We’ll warm dinner up for you.”

And so while Papa and Mama went into the kitchen to talk a game plan of how they were going to get the truth out of us, Johnny and I say across from each other at the table, whisper arguing.

“WHERE WERE YOU?!?” I whisper yelled to him.

“I got caught up…”

“Caught up?! Seriously?! I was waiting there for two hours!!”

“Come on, it wasn’t that long…”

“It was!! I knew I should’ve taken Uncle Ben instead.” I sit back and cross my arms.

“Look, I’m sorry okay. I lost track of time myself. I was on that spinning top ride over and over again. And when my head stopped spinning I realized what time it was I rushed over but you had left.”

“Johnny, I don’t like getting in trouble with Papa and Mama.”

He scoffs, “Come on, they’re softies.”

“You’re older so you’re not as afraid. I don’t like it…all this lying and make believe and getting in trouble and-.”

Mama sets a plate of pasta in front of me cutting my conversation off. I blush looking up to her before casting my eyes to the ground. “Thank you.” I say softly.

She smiles and kisses my forehead. “You’re welcome my polite little one.” She says, putting Johnny’s bowl down next infront of him. “I just gotta grab our drinks and then we’ll all sit together.”

The moment she’s out of earshot Johnny looks to me, “You better not crack under their pressure.”

“I can’t do this.” I whine, “I don’t like them to be mad at me!!”

“They’re going to put the pressure on you because they know you’re an easy target. They butter you up and you crack on your own.”

“Because I feel guilt to lie to them?! I can’t. When they come over and they’re so nice to me and I’m lying to them, it eats at me…”

“Yeah but if you tell them the truth I’m in trouble.”

“You should be!”

“He should be what?” Papa appears out of no where, putting a sippy cup of juice in front of me.

“He should be…happy…that Uncle Ben saved us all this food.” I lie, blushing under his gaze.

“You both should be. Uncle Ben was very kind enough to make sure there was enough leftovers so you could eat.”

“Where is Uncle Ben?” Johnny ask, taking his plastic cup from Mama before she sat down at one end of the table, Papa sitting at the other.

“He should be around here.” Papa looks around.

“Would you like your Teddy have a chair?” Mama asks me so nicely. It makes the guilt inside of me swirl. I nod my head yes.

Mama smiles warmly, standing. She walks into Johnny and I’s playroom and grabs a small play chair. She brings it to my side, putting my newly won fair teddy in it.

Turmoil swirls inside me. I look back up to her as she takes her seat again. I can’t take it…I can’t take lying to her when she’s being so nice to me and Teddy.

“M-Mama…” I say a bit strain, “We-.”

“Had some much fun at the fair today.” Johnny interrupts.

“Really?” Mama smiles, “What did you guys do together?”

“Everything.” Johnny says vaguely. “Rides, carnival games…”

“Did you win this Teddy all by yourself sweetheart?” Papa asks me.

“I did! Second try and I won.”

“Wow!” He looks so genuinely impressed, “Im so proud of you.”

And all at once my heart sank again. Tears start to form in my eyes as I look at Papa. “I…I CAN’T DO THIS…” I start to cry.

I can hear Johnny sigh and put his fork down, mumbling “for the love of…”

“I wasn’t late because I didn’t realize what time it was! I knew I was going to be late but it was because Johnny left me to go do something else in the fair. I know you told him to keep an eye on me but I wanted to go back to the carnival games and he wanted to go back to the rides-.”

“Y/N, stooooooppppppp.” Johnny whines.

“So we split and promised to meet by the busses at 5 but I kept waiting and he never showed up so I went looking for him but I couldn’t find him so I home without him and was still late.” I cry, trying to explain.

“And I kept lying to cover for him because I didn’t want him to get in trouble but I don’t wanna lie to you Papa, or Mama. I…I…I’m sorry!!” I cry and explain through breaths before crumbling into tears.

“Awwwww sweetheart,” Papa pushes his chair back and pulls me to sit in his lap, holding me into a hug. “It’s okay, let it out.” He rubs my back, holding me close as I sob into his shirt.

“Johnny, you left them alone? Johnny I put you in charge because you said felt big enough for the responsibility.” Mama starts to scold.

“I did! I really did! But they’re just lying!” Johnny whines.

“They wouldn’t be upset if they were lying.” She raises an eyebrow to his defense.

“You don’t know that, maybe they’re a really good liar.”

“Johnny I know you’re not telling the truth and Y/N is.” Papa scolds.

“No you don’t!” Johnny adds, crosses his arms pouting.

“Really? Because while you and Y/N were arguing at the table, Mama and I reviewed Herbie’s footage which shows Y/N running in from the bus into the building and you flying to the building.”

Johnny freezes, rubbing his arm and looking down. “Oh…well that…”

“That, lines up better with the truth than your fake story,” Papa sighs, “I’m disappointed in both of you. I don’t expect you two to be liars.”

Now we both look upset. Johnny tries desperately to hide his tears while I hold Papa as my tears continue to fall.

“Come on Reed, let’s the kids off the hook,” Ben walks into the kitchen. “So they lied, not the end of the world.”

“Ben!” Johnny jumps from the table and hugs him, hiding away against him.

“Awww. Come on, what could the kid have possibly done?” He ask rubbing Johnny’s back to soothe him.

“Ben…” Mama shoots him a look that reads: stay out of it.

Ben gets the message quickly, “Alright, alright.” He holds a hand up in surrender.

“Johnny,” Mama starts to say, “can you look at me sweetie?”

Johnny reluctantly pulls himself away from Ben to look to her. His eyes red with tears.

“I’m not happy with that happened today. We left you in charge of Y/N and you left them alone. They’re younger than you. They could’ve gotten hurt while you were gone or lost. I know you wouldn’t want that to happen.” Johnny shakes his head no her.

“And Y/N,” she turns and looks to them still sitting in Papa’s lap. “I know you just wanted to protect Johnny, but lying isn’t the answer. If he does something wrong, you can’t always cover for him. Understand?”

I nod looking down again.

“I’m sorry…” Johnny breaks the silence saying.

“Me too…” I adds.

“We accept your apologies.” Mama opens her arms and Johnny happily accepts, sitting with her similar to how I’m sitting with Papa.

Speaking of him, “No more trips just the two of you. From now on if you want to go to the park or the fair, you have to take Mama or myself.”

“Or your crazy fun Uncle,” Ben jokes taking a seat at the table. “I’ll happily take you were ever you need to.”

“You’re not helping Ben.” Mama chuckles.

“What? I can’t stay mad at these rascals too long.” He teases.

“Neither can we,” Papa leans down places a kiss to my forehead.

After dinner it’s movie night with comfort and cuddles. We all gather in the living room and cuddle on the couch. Uncle Ben gets the lounger while Papa sits on one end and Mama on the other.

Johnny and I can’t sit still. I sit with Papa at the beginning of the film, then switch to cuddling with Mama where I fall asleep for the night. Johnny follows suit sitting cuddled to Mama, then Papa then falls asleep beside Uncle Ben.

Then all at once everything is calm again in the Baxter Building, having a Fantastic end to the day.