#sunraywrites

Moon hisses under his breath, taking in big gulps of air in the way Sunny told him to. It takes his all not to snap

Before him is Solar, still a child, and the tiny thing is currently refusing to even look at him. He's also dramatically sniffing, holding his currently chubby little arms to himself in the universal angry expression. He kind of wonders how he got here.

"I can't give you coffee kid"

KC might actually murder him for it. He might think his brother is a sentimental fool, but he's always been ferocious when it came to his children. Perhaps it's the only respectable trait of him.

Solar just pouts even more, and he can feel his claws threatening to unsheathe as what Lunar described as cuteness aggression floods him suddenly. He almost smiles too as his beloved nephew puffs his little cheeks, the pink dots on them making them look especially pinchable. He knows right now he'd be too rough, and he can't have that with a child.

"It's your papa you have to take that up with, not me."

The child just whines, and this time he can't help it, he grins and shakes his head.

The little tot is precious. He must be protected at all costs. But that's true for his normal version too, so really, it's Solar who earns that.

Still, he can't have his nephew not paying attention to him. It makes something beneath his casing itch.

"Buuut, I made be able to get you something else."

It's amusing really, how fast the small head snaps to him, tiny, rounded rays wobbling in excitement, drawing his optics. He's always loved rays.

"But I need you to promise me not to tell your dad."

Precious little pink-red optics blink up at him, and the child considers it real hard. He's a really good kid actually, except for the occasional sulking and pouting.

"Kay!"

And gratifyingly, small hands begin reaching for him. The deep, possessive part of him purrs in pleasure.

He's careful as he slides his hands underneath the rounder little thighs, taking care not to brush up against his currently hurting knees, even if the child does wince in discomfort when they begin dangling in the air. He's quick to press his dear nephew to himself, using just a pinch of magic to make his chest area warmer. The effect is instantaneous, and the child relaxes as the pain passes. He also snuggles deeper into him, which was his second goal.

It's important to show children when they're young and impressionable that you care for them. It gets them to trust you, which is real important.

He can't protect his sweet nephew if he doesn't trust his uncle Moony, after all.

"We're going to be a little sneaky, and open that chewy caramel candy with the chocolate coating that you like so much."

"Yay!"

It's quiet, but the little cheer, accompanied by little arms raising into the air only to fall onto Moon's chest, is adorable. He really loves his nephew.

"And after that we're going to get some juice! You like homemade grape juice right?"

A big innocent face smiles up at him, and the tiny Solar nods happily. His face is entirely open. Trusting.

Good. As it should be

"We'll even put some flavoured ice in there okay? Want the honey or the lemon one?"

"Lemo! Lemo!"

"It's lemon Sol"

He pokes the small nose reproachfully, just because he can, and he snorts as that tiny face scrunches up in displeasure. Big optics look at him almost betrayed.

"It's important you speak correctly. No nephew of mine is going to struggle with things if I can help it."

He's too young for real punishments like this Moon. He also didn't do anything bad. He's just struggling a little. You just have to teach him.

It's tempting to sink his claws into the soft silicone anyway. He misses knowing his nephew inside-out.

But just to pacify the child, he puts on a show of looking around and sneaking inside. The quiet giggles are music to him.

"Alright, where does your dad keep the treats? Does he keep them with the fruit?"

"No!"

It's not in his nature to act silly like this. But from the corner of his optics, he can see the big wide grin and hear the precious little giggles.

"The veggies?"

"Nuh uh!"

"Hmm, then it must be his ingredients!"

"No silly!"

The child is openly laughing now, which pleases him. It makes something hostile within him calm.

"Then where could it be?"

"The snackies!"

"Really? Well, if you say so."

The child is so eager he almost falls out of his hold with how much he's squirming towards the pack of sweets in his hand. It makes him tighten his grip with his remaining hand.

"Behave, or you're not getting your big sippy glass for the juice."

"Nooo!"

The quiet whine makes him twitch, fully ready to draw the sound out again so he can memorise it. He pushes the urge down, and instead wonders how can Solar be such a quiet child.

He puts the baby into the newly acquired highchair, putting his favourite pillow in grabbing distance so he can snuggle it. Then he tears himself away from his beloved nephew to prepare the snacks.

He's not entirely ready to have KC walk in and murder him for giving his child nothing but candy, so he cuts up some extra fruit too, like the grapes he doesn't crush for their juice or doesn't put in the drink as decoration and extra snacks, a single orange, some strawberries and half a banana. After thinking a bit, he tries making them into sillier shapes like squares and hearts and bunnies.

No one can argue he's not a good uncle now

Solar is gratifyingly ecstatic to have his snacks presented to him, even if he predictably begins to wolf down the candy first, only to remember he doesn't have an infinite amount of them. So, he stops abruptly, with a sad little expression on his face that burns into Moon's memory, and with a bit less gusto, begins snacking on his fruit, leaving the remaining candy for last.

So, he pats him on the head, rubbing and scratching lightly at those wonderful little rays.

He's really happy his softest nephew is a more traditional solar model. Solar Flare is absolutely wonderful, but its lack of moveable rays is depressing.

"Smart kid. Now remember, don't tell papa your uncle snuck you candy or I'll never do it again."

Solar nods, because he's smart and realises his uncle Moony means it. But being the young child he is, he goes back to his snacks, because those are much more important. Moon just smiles.

When it's only his juice left he takes the plastic bowls, washing them so there's no real evidence. KC can't be mad at him if he doesn't know who ate everything, after all.

He carefully picks the child back up, barely stopping himself from squeezing when Solar blinks at him while still sipping his juice. Instead, he just smiles, gritting his teeth to stop himself.

Don't hurt the baby Moon, he can't withstand it. He's not strong yet. And while Solar's strong may be weak to them, he's even more fragile like this.

He decides after snack time is naptime, and Solar doesn't argue with him, even when they lay down on the couch instead of going to the nest, and he cradles the baby to his chest like how his dad does to him.

The child is easy to put to sleep, easier than his normal version at least, especially when he begins massaging his back lightly, earning a happy shimmy and a sleepy sigh. That turns quickly into a big yawn, then to sleepy mumbling.

All the while, Moon wishes he could wrap his hands around a familiar throat, and look lovingly in on as his beloved nephew struggles. He really wishes he could see him as the life begins to leave his optics, only to stop then and nurse him back up.

He'll just have to protect this child until his nephew is fixed. Then he can have aaall that and much more