Touch

77.

While Eddy loved seeing Brett helping Aiden out with his homework, let Elise try his violin and play with Jack it only made him feel bad. How much easier wouldn't it have been if Brett was with someone else?

It wasn't that Eddy didn't want kids, really. Maybe not right now, but in the future he could see that happening for him. What made him hesitate was the horror stories he'd read online about the options they did have. Stories about couples falling apart waiting, about biological parents regretting, stories about traumatized children.

Watching how incredible Brett were with the kids almost made him think it would be worth it. Almost.

That was until Jack cried through the night, leaving mostly Eddy exhausted. He didn't understand where Brett got all his energy and patience from, but Eddy was constantly only millimeters from crying or lashing out. He always caught himself before, but it left a doubt that he could handle this full time.

He didn't notice he was crying before Brett stood up from helping Aiden with his homework to come hug him.
"Go relax a bit, love. Take half an hour or something," Brett whispered, quiet to not disturb the peaceful setting around the table. The kids were all doing their own thing, Aiden did his homework, Elise was drawing quietly and Jack was fiddling with Brett's phone case.

"D... Don't you need me here, I mean... I was the one who were supposed to watch them..?" Eddy sniffled, not letting the hug go. Brett snorted.
"I think I can manage for half an hour, sweetie. Go rest, and we'll talk about what's on your mind later tonight, okay?"

When Brett kissed his cheek gently, wiped away a tear from his face and smiled comforting up at him Eddy was sold and went quietly to their bedroom for a quick nap. He felt like he was already sleepwalking when he bellyflopped onto the bed. Stupid kids for coming around and give him stupid feelings. Why wasn't there a way for men to have kids together, anyway? It's the 21st century for fucks sake!

Around an hour later he woke up to a small hand on his forearm. He opened his eyes to see Elise sit next to him on the bed.
"Hey kiddo," he mumbled, smiling a bit. "Where's Brett at?"
"He said to wake you 'cause it's dinner," the little girl said, flashing an adorable smile. He couldn't help but smile back.

"Alright, thank you Elise," Eddy said softly, sitting up in bed and rubbing his eyes. "Let's go have dinner, then."

Brett quickly looked away when he saw Eddy and Elise enter the kitchen hand in hand. The sight was beautiful, but the ideas that sprung from it only made him sad.

"Dinner's ready," Brett mumbled, setting the serving dish of fried vegetables with rice on the table. He watched Eddy help Elise onto the chair and went to pick up Jack. He had prepared some baby food for him too, and as he spoon fed the little giggling boy in his lap he realized this was something he really wanted.

Too bad he was the only one, he added in his head while peeking sadly over at Eddy.