AN/ So, it's been a minute, hasn't it. To make up for my absence, I wrote a 4,400 word story. This might be absolute shit, but I dunno. The prompt was given by the wonderful @irishroadie. ENJOY!

"Guys come on we are going to be late!" Andy yelled from the front room. Andy had his suitcase in hand and was wearing his backpack. Jack stood beside him in a similar suit.

"Babe, calm down, we are not going to be late."

"The flight, Jack, we are getting on a flight and these numskulls won't come downstairs. I told them to pack last night and to set their alarms. What do they do? None of it."
"We will be fine, we blag things here at Roadtrip," Jack said giving me a quick kiss. Sonny hurried down the stairs with his things.
"Hey babes," Sonny said giving both of us a kiss on the forehead.

"You're late. Go with Jack and put your stuff in the car."

"Do you know how cute you are when you are annoyed."
"Be gone!"

So, Jack and Sonny made their way out, but not before Sonny grabbed Andy's suitcase.

Andy walked upstairs to get Brook and Rye. Alex was already waiting in the car. Currently, he was Andy's favorite boyfriend along with Jack.

He walked into Rye's bedroom to see him stuffing loads of stuff into a suitcase.

"Really Ryan?" Andy said.

"Um hi Ands."

"Shut up and pack, I will grab your toiletries and pack your hand luggage.
"I love youuuu," Rye said.

"Yeah, I am sure you do."

After about another five minutes, Rye was packed and Andy practically shoved him down the stairs. Andy finally went into Brook's room, and he heard sniffling. There was a fully packed backpack and suitcase lying on the floor. Andy sighed in relief for that.

"Hey, Brookie, what's wrong?" I said, sliding next to him, and gesturing for him to climb into my lap. He did just that, and he hid his face in my neck.

"A-ands, what if they don't like me this time?"

"Who, babe?"
"Jack's family."

"Brooklyn everyone loves you. Sonny fell in love with you the minute he got here. No one beats the Brook smile. Babe, you make everyone happy. I can understand your concern, bub, but I promise it will be fine. And last time we saw them, they adored you."

"O-okay," Brook said, not sounding entirely convinced.

"Come on," Andy said, "Wanna piggy back."

"Yeah," Brook smiled. He grabbed his backpack and climbed on to Andy's back. Once secure, Andy grabbed Brook's suitcase.

The boys settled into the car. Rye was sat next to Jack, the two cuddle up and watching Lucifer together while Sonny and Alex, Alex driving and Sonny in the passenger seat, chatted quietly. Sonny and Alex had their hands intertwined. Finally, Brook had fallen asleep in Andy's lap and Andy soon, too, fell into a slumber.

AN/ TIME SKIPPPPPPPP SPONCEREDDD BYYYYY MEEE NOT POSTING FOR A WEEKKKKK

After getting out of the airport the boys had jumped in a cab and made their way to Jack's home. The main reason the boys were there is because Jack's parents were taking a work trip for a night and the bit of a day, and they could not take to take two six year olds, a three year old, and a one year old. Jack offered for the boys to come and babysit. The parents had known about their relationship for a while, and though it took some time, they were accepting.

So, the boys entered the home, and were greeted by Jack's mum and dad. After some tea and chatting, Jack's parents had to leave. The kids were at their grandparents at the time, but were due home any minute. There were some more goodbyes and Jack's parents left. Soon, there was a ring at the doorbell, and three kids scurried in followed by Jack's grandparents. Jack gave both of them a big hug.

"So these are my friends, Rye, Andy, Sonny, Brook, and Alex."
A few murmurs of hello were heard before everyone shook hands.

"Okay, Jack, we better be off."

Then, it was just the kids and the boys.

Ayden and Harris, the two six year olds, were already playing with Brook and Sonny, whilst, the quiet and shy, Ben, had taken a liking to Andy. Rye had picked up Lily, the little one year old, and began to play rocket ship with her. Alex stood next to me. He gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"You look worried, babe."

"Yeah I just hope everything goes well," Jack replied.

"It will," Alex said interlocking hands with Jack.

"Come, let's make some lunch," Jack lead Alex into the kitchen room. The two then proceeded to make lunch.

Andy's POV

Three kids ran into the house. I saw Ayden and Harris run to Rye and Brook, clearly remembering them from the last visit four months ago. We had come for Emiliy's wedding and came to know the kids quite well, aside from Lily, who was too young.

"Andy?" Ben whispered. See, I quite loved Ben to be honest. Ben was smart, like he was genius level smart, yet he was quite. He could talk with you about things no three year old should really be able to talk about, yet he also could just be a kid.

"Hi, bub, you remember me?"
"Yes"

"Nice," I said, pulling him onto my lap.

"So, how has life been?"
"Fun! I play, eat, I study now"
"Study what, Ben?" I asked, confused about what a three year old could study.

"Geography, times tables."
"You can do times tables?"
"Yes."
"Cool."
"Yeah"
"Hair changed, why?"

"Do you not like it?"

"I like. Why?"
"I just thought it would be cool."

"Look like me now."

"Yeah, Ben."
"Nickname?"
"What?"
"You no call me Bear."
"Sorry, Bear," I said, stunned he remembered.

"Is okay, Andy," he changed the topic, "my broders is annoying."
"Really?" I smirked, "why?"
"They loud and dumb, they no understand etiquette."

"Etiquette? Did a three year old just use the word etiquette?"
"Yes, means ways persons should be nice."

"Yeah, Ben, it does."

"I am reading book, it is good. Wanna read?"
"Yeah, Ben, I do, where shall we read?"
"Shall? What mean?"

"Like should."
"Synonym?"
"Yes Ben, Synonym. What does synonym mean?"
"Means two words same thing. Kind and nice is synonyms."
"Yeah," I said as I picked him up. I placed him on my hip, and I we walked upstairs into his room.

"Wanted a big kid bed," he said.

"It's really cool Bear."

I placed him on the bed, and he grabbed the book from under his pillow.

"Read to me?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said.

He handed me Charlotte's web. This child is reading Charlotte's Web, WHAT?

"You like the book?"

"Love no like. Charlot has real friend, no fake, they love each other."
"Yeah, yeah they do."

I read him the book as he listened contently. He leaned on his body weight on me, and snuggled into my chest. Jack entered the room, and Ben began to yell.

"PUT BOOK AWAY ANDY! PUT BOOK BACK! UNDER PILLOW!" I hastily looked at the page number before shutting it, and hiding it under his pillow. I put Ben back on my hip, and gave Jack a kiss.

"Why kiss?" Ben asked.
"Cause I love him, Bear. Like Charlotte and Wilbur, but less friendship and more boyfriend."

"Real Ands?" he asked.

"Yeah."
"What just happened?" Jack asked.
"Your brother is a genius, and we had a conversation."
"No, no he was reading with you."

"Yes, we were. He freaked out when you came in, but we were quite peaceful before."
Jack looked stunned, "H-he never lets anyone read with him, nor lets anyone pick him up unless completely necessary."
"Really?" I asked. This kid seemed like the most chill person ever.

"Has anyone asked him why?"

"No, no, he wouldn't know. He is only three."

"Ah, I see. Well is everyone, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, good. I'll leave you to it, then?"
"Yeah, love you."

"Love you, too."

I gave Jack another quick kiss.
"Bear, you understood every word of that?"

"Yeah Ands."
"So, no one respects you intelligence nor understands you?"
"What mean?"
"No one thinks you are smart enough," I said.

"For?"

"Saying what you want."

"I tink so, mum and dad no ask what I want study," he said "but I told them maps and numbers."
"Then they listened?"
"Yes,"

"Why do you not let people read with you?" I asked.

"My world, no theirs. They have theirs. I no need help read either, they think I do, but no. I know words."
"Yeah, Bear, I know," I said, "Why did you share it with me?"

"You be part of my world I like, you know I no dumb. You read fast, and you no stop."

"O-okay, Ben."
"BEAR, I BEAR!" He yelled.

"Okay, Bear."

"Bear," he confirmed.

"You want to read again?"

"Yes."

So, we read a bit more, but then I heard him start to sob.

"Charlotte die? Why Charlotte gone, I like Charlotte."

"Sorry, Bear. People go but it's okay."

"I know what die is, Andy, I know."

"Okay, bear."

"I just cry now because I sad," he said sobbing some more.

I picked him up and he cried into my neck.
"Andy no go please. You real."

"Mum, Dad, Ayden, Lily, Harris real."
"No, no like you."
I had no words to that, he kinda just fell asleep, head on my shoulder. I walked downstairs, and saw Lily in Sonny's lap. The two were playing with some toy.

"Hey Suns," I said.

"Hey babe," he said as I sat next to him. I cuddled into his side, and he wrapped his arm around me.

"Where are Rye, Alex, Harris, Ayden, Brook, and Jack?" I was quite in order to not awaken Ben.

"Playing footy in the garden. We ate, there are some extra sandwiches in the fridge."

"Not hungry thanks babe."
"How's it been with Ben?" Sonny asked.

"Interesting. How's Lily been? She is a little diva, isn't she?"

"Yeah she is, super cute though," Sonny averted his eyes to Lily, "You are a cutie, arn't you."

Sonny began to tickle her, and she let out a laugh.

"I think she is tired now. Jack's mum said she naps at three, and it is currently, 2:51, so I am going to put her down in a second."
I smirked at him, "Look at you being a good fake parent."

"Innit. I think if we had a daughter, she would like me best."
"Please, I can braid her hair and paint her nails."
"Excuse you, gender stereotypes much? She may not like that stuff."

"You're annoyingly smart," I said looking off to the side. I could not get what Ben said out of my head.

"Andy, you look in thought I guess. Whatcha thinkin bout?"
"Ben, he, he I dunno. He said Charlotte and Wilbur had real love, and then said that I was real. I then said his family was real, too, but he said not in the same way. Then when Jack came in he wanted his book put away, and Jack told me he allows no one to read with him. No one asked the poor kid why. He said it was his world, and that everyone else has their own worlds. His mind, I don't think even he understands it. He must find it tough, everyone not respecting his intelligence and independence. He said he didn't mind me reading to him because he like me in his world. He also said I didn't stop every sentence to make sure he knew because he knew I knew he is smart enough. He clearly appreciated that."

"Wow, um okay?"

"Trust me I know," I said, closing me eyes as I leaned on Sonny's shoulder, "To make it worse, he told me to stay after crying about Charlotte dying."
"Babe, you have some shit to figure out."

"Right?"

Lily yawned in Sonny's lap.

"I wanna start a family," Sonny said, "Sorry I was thinking out loud."
"No, no, I want to as well. Ben is one of my favorite people on this planet."

"Yeah, I mean just look at Lily. Right, I got to take her for a nap."

"Yeah, go on. I'll be here."
A few minutes after Sonny left, Ben stired in my arms.

"I am favorite human?"
"You cheeky monkey, you were listening?" I smirked at him. He started to smile and laugh as well.

"Did not get all."
"Good, you were supposed to be asleep."
"Want to play football with your brothers and Rye, Jack, Brook, and Alex."
"No, stupid. It stupid. You just let me score and make up I good. I cant control my limbs with precision."
"Two new vocab words, precision and limbs. What do they mean?"
"Precision mean with control. Limb are arms and legs."

"Nice," I said, giving him a high five.
"Hungry?"

"No"

Ben and I sat in comfortable silence. It was broken when Rye came in with Harris slung over his shoulder, and Jack playfully hitting Ayden.

"We won," Harris claimed, "Put me down Rye!"

The two were giggling.

"NEVER!" Rye yelled back.

"Alex and I played best, so we won," Ayden claimed giving Alex a high five.
"Do I not get told I am the best player!" Brook said, faking upset.

"You are my best player," Jack said winking at Brook. Brook blushed, and Jack kissed his cheeks.

Ben whispered to me, "Dumb and loud."

"Hey, don't be mean. You love them, right?"
"Yes I love. Love no mean I no get annoyed with them."

"Fair enough."

"You get annoyed with Jack?"

"Sometimes, but not often."
"I love Jack, too. Also Mummy and Daddy. Daddy brings me new books every week, and Mummy makes me best food."
"Yeah, good Bear, good."

"You are all dirty!" I exclaimed.

"Yes, yes we are," Brook said, "Where are Sonny and Lily?"
"Lily nap and Sonny help. Happens everyday near three, no ask again or else stupid," Ben replied, harshly.

"Ben, bub, that was a bit harsh. Apologize to Brook," I told him.
"But he was being stupid," Ben replied.

"No, he has never experienced it before."

"Four month, one week, and 3 days ago when you came he did."
"He did not remember, apologize."

"Sorry for being mean, Brook. I love you."

"It's okay, Ben. Love you, too."

Brook came over to Ben and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Rye's POV

I just had the time of my life playing footy with four of my boyfriends and two cute six year olds. We laughed so much, and they were so cute. It reminded me off the twins. It was easy to know what to say around them as I had the experience with the twins. I was just enjoying being a kind of parent.

In the middle of a play, Harris came over to me.
"I'm tired, Rye."

"Yeah, it's getting late. Let's go head in and get some dinner."

"Yes please."

"Only if you say I can win," I added.

"NO!!!!"

"YES! Boys we are heading in now," I said.

I swung him over my shoulder and walked across the garden before entering and claiming I had won.

Jack's POV

All of us were sitting down at dinner, and eating some pasta Rye had cook while we got the kids all showered up. Easier said than done. The boys hated showers, and I knew that. I managed to get Harris in the shower, and turned on the water. It was the perfect temperature, I checked. I put some body wash on Harris hand. He started to wash. After washing, I have him some shampoo. He then started to cry hysterically. I ended up washing his hair as he cried. I just told him it was fine and it would be over soon. I turned off the water and wrapped him in a towel he said he was never speaking to be again. I hoped it had gone better in the opposite room with Ayden.

At least now we were settled and eating.

Alex perked up, "So, the boys and I do this thing where we say the good thing of the day, the bad thing, and a funny thing. Do you wanna do it?"
Ben stayed quiet, but both Harris and Ayden seemed excited.

Ayden said, "I will go first! Good you boys being here, bad mum and dad not being here, and funny when Rye fell over when he tried to kick the ball."

"Heyyy, we agreed not to talk about that," Rye said.

"Oh um, oops." He smiled cheekily.

"My turn!" said Harris, "Good playing football, bad uhm none, and funny when we all piled on Alex." The older boys smiled fondly at the memory.

Slowly we had all gone through our days. It was interesting when it came to Lily's turn.
Sonny said, in a high pitched voice, "Hi, I am lily. My good was this handsome and amazing young man taking care of me and playing with me. My bad was this person put me into a nap, and my funny was when this person imitated me."
We all broke out into laughter, and Brook, the following person, claimed that was his funny.

After dinner had been cleaned up, we settled on watching Frozen.

Andy's POV

Ben was sitting in my lap, and he was so cute. To my left, Lily was in Brook's arms as Brook on cuddled up to Rye. On the floor, Harris was snuggled with Alex and Sonny was doing the same with Ayden. Jack was sitting on Sonny's lap, and he looked equally as cute as Lily. The five of them were sharing a blanket.

I quickly snapped a video of the cute scene.

Someone had clicked play on the movie.

Ben whispered to me, "Movie stupid. Girl's have to go school and leave castle. Maybe have private tutor but still play with people. Also grandparents and others would live with them, no?"

"Yeah Bear but it's a movie, bub."
"So?"
"They make it dramatic."

"Sure, fine."

Throughout the entirety of the movie, Ben made similarly skeptical comments and incites. The kid was just so smart. By the end of the movie, him, and all the other kids, had fallen asleep. We carefully lifted them into their beds. Once the kids were all secure, we went into the kitchen and sat at the breakfast bar.

"What a day!" Rye smiled.

"Tell me about it," Brook said.

"I love these kids," Sonny said.

"Agreed," Alex replied.

"You and Ben have such a bromance," Jack pointed out.

'Yeah, I guess we both get each other. He is so smart, though, he must be a genius.

"He is, apparently his IQ is off the charts," Jack explained.

"He is also so cute though. Get this, so I call him Bear, and he wanted to call me an animal. He decided to call me Aye Aye because Aye Aye's are nocturnal and he said I am so powerful, it would be easy for me to stay up all night. Then he said that the Aye Aye are said to be an omen of goodluck by the natives in Madagascar, and he said I am lucky. Then he ended by saying they are endangers which means there are less of them, hence they are special, and he said I am special. This kid, I tell you."

"Wow," Brook said.

"Yeah, how does this kid know so much about a random animal."

"Ben is like that," Jack said, "He reads about many things and remembers them all. I am sure he read a book with an Aye Aye in it and remembered some facts. He is amazing."
"He sure is, I mean they all are. Harris is hilarious I must say," Rye said.
"Ayden is a special kid, too. He told me he hated shoes cause they made him feel claustrophobic," Alex aggred. We all lightly chuckled at this.
"Through this day I just keep thinking, 'If this is what it is going to be like to have kids, I want one hundred," Sonny said.
"Agreed. This makes me want a family so bad," Alex said.

"And we will soon," I said.

After a while longer of banter, everyone slowly went to the shared bedroom to sleep. It was only Jack and I left talking over a hot toddy (type of evening drink, it is hot whiskey) each.

"So, is there any story with Ben?"
"Yes, actually. He was adopted. One of my mother's friends called and said there was a child that needed help. She works in foster care. Ben's mum had died in the car crash Ben was found it. Of course Mum and Dad said they would take him in. He settled in well. He doesn't get attached quickly, and psychologist that played with him for a while said that it was probably his subconscious thinking if he gets attached they will disappear like his mum did. That must have been why he asked you to stay. We have yet to adoptive because there are a lack of legal documents." I had told Jack earlier about what Ben said.

"Oh, wow. But Jack we are leaving?"

"I know, I suspect it is going to be ruff. He has clearly connected with you more this trip."

Jack had suspected right. The following day it was time to say goodbye. Ben and I had shared the day together doing things he loved. This included legos, reading, him showing me his studies, and other things. Jack's parents had come home, and I was sitting on the sofa with Ben on my lap, Harris to my left and Brook to my right. Brook was sat next to Jack and Harris next to Rye. Alex and Sonny were putting Lily down for a nap. Ayden was in the arm chair to the left of me. The four of us, Rye, Harris, Ayden, and I were all playing Mario Kart on their Wii. We were all taking turns though.

"I have a red shell coming for you Harris," I said.

"I GOT BANANAS TO BLOCK YOU!" he said.
"DAMN!" I YELLED.

"I am going to win, I am going to win," Harris said.

I saw someone in bullet pass me.

"I GOT A BULLET BILLLLL," exclaimed Rye.

"How? You were in third place!" Ayden said.

"Cause I'm a god," Rye said, fake flipping his hair.

"This is so unfair," said Ayden who was now in fourth.

"Hey, I feel ya, I am in third now."

"Actually, fourth," Ayden said as he passed me as we crossed the finish line.

"THIS IS A STUPID GAME," I said throwing a fake tantrum, "THAT WAS BAIT!"

"What does bait mean?" Harris asked.

"It means anything you want it to mean. I could me annoyed or sad or happy, it's an all usage word. I just made it up

"Bait," Ayden responded.

"Well used," Rye said, giving Ayden a high five.

We all burst into laughter as Ayden and Harris continuously yelled, "BAIT BAIT BAIT."

This is when Jack's parents stepped through the door.

"Hey boys, looked like you had fun," Jack's mum said.

Harris and Ayden both ran and gave their parents hugs. I stood up, Ben on my hip, and walked over to his parents.

"Hey," I smiled, giving them both a quick hug. I then handed Ben over to his father.

"Hey Ben! How are you?"

"Well, thank you. Put I down."

His father looked shocked.

"Sorry, I taught him that one. He said he likes it when he talks fancy."
Both his mother and father laughed. I noticed the boys had gone back to playing the Wii.

"Where are Lily, Sonny, and Alex?"

"Putting Lily down for a nap."

"They are?"

"Yeah, three O'clock, right."

"Yeah," the parents said, skeptically.

"Aye Aye up," Ben said, so I picked him up and played him on my hip.

"So how was the day?" Jack's mum asked me.

"It was really good. All of us had such a fun time playing with the kids," I said, following her into the kitchen. Jack's dad had sat on the sofa.

"That's really nice," she said.

"Ask," Ben said.

"What?"

"You think of question, ask."

She smiled at Ben, "Okay then Benjamin."
"No call me Benjamin."

"Yes, right."

"Ask."

"Andy, how are you so good with Ben? He does not go into anyone's arms."
"Nor does he read with anyone. He did both of those with me."
"So how?'
"I just talked to him like an adult. I asked him what he wanted to do, and what he wanted in general. Then we chilled together. He is pretty awesome to talk to."

"O-okay."

"See, Bear, you understood this whole conversation, yes?"

"Affirmative."

"Nice usage," I said, giving him a high five.

"Thanks Aye Aye."

"Definition?'
"Like confirm, I confirm,'

"Yep."

"W-what?"

"Ohh, sorry," I blushed because I completely forgot she was in the room, "When Bear uses a vocab word I ask him what it means."

"Okay," she said, "Wow Andy, this, wow."
I heard Rye yell, "WE HAVE TO LEAVE NOW."

Ben hid his face in my neck, "No leave Aye Aye."

"I have to. Remember how I sing, Bear, I have a show."

"Sing in front of people after people pay," Ben said.

"Yeah, Bear."

"Back after?"

"No bear, I have to go home."

Ben did not respond, he just hid his face in my neck and started crying.

"REAL AYE AYE, NO GO," Ben yelled.

"Bear, your family's real, bub," I said quietly to him.
"Aye Aye no, just no, no leave me, unfair Aye Aye."

"I have an idea, I will call you every night, and we can do anything you want. I can also send you a book every week like your dad," I said. He had told me he's always finished his book before the end of the week.

"Andy, I do not know if that is a good idea. His father and him bond over this-"

"He finished them before the end of the week. They take him three days to read. He also told me they were easy except a few."

"Ohh I didn't know."

"Yeah, um, yea."
Ben was still crying in my arms.

"Bear, did you hear what I said?'

"Yes, you call before bedtime," he said, "I no get hugs with call."

"I know, I know, but we still talk, Bear."

Ben violently started sobbing. His tears made me upset, and a few tears rolled down my cheek.

"Aye Aye, Aye Aye," he said repeatedly.

"Bye Bear, see you later," I said, handing him to his mother.

I saw all the boys waiting by the door ready to go.

Harris and Ayden tackled me into a hug.
"Bye Andy!" they said.

"Bye boys, see you later."

"Bye love you!"

I chucked with a fond smile, "Love you, too."

I walked straight out the door not acknowledging my boyfriends or my bags. One of them would bring it. I sat in the back of the van, and plugged my headphones into it. I blasted my music, and I closed my eyes. Some time passed, and my phone began to ring. I picked up the unknown number.

"AYE AYE," I heard Ben's voice.

"Hey Bear. Why you call?"

"Make sure work?" he said, "Bye."

And then he hung up.

I smiled and pulled my headphones, joining the conversation.

"I wanna be a dad, like now," I said.

"Same," Sonny commented.

"Same," Rye agreed.

"Me three," said Brook.

"Me four," Alex added.

"Honestly, same.

AN/ Part 2 coming soon...