Chapter Text
Booker had hoped, Nicky would change his mind about the roller coaster after a night's sleep, but it didn’t happen. From the moment, Nicky got up he followed Booker like a shadow asking constantly when they were leaving.
“When are we going?” Nicky wanted to know while he tripped on the spot.
“After we’ve found a new fridge,” Booker replied. “Andy will meet us there since she got a car.”
Nicky giggled.
“What Mr. Funny?” Booker asked.
“I just wonder how much you had to bribe Andy to let you near her car again,” Nicky smirked. “Especially after the parking lot episode.”
“It wasn’t my fault that someone hadn’t learned how to park,” Booker pointed out. “Something the security guard agreed with me on.”
“Who you’re now going to the pub and watch football with,” Nicky said as he bumped into Booker. "Why are we stopping?"
Booker opened the door to the bathroom
"Because I prefer to be in the bathroom alone without an audience," Booker said and Nicky leaned up against the wall with his arms crossed. "And about me and Gus. You got Lykon, who you’re watching Star Wars with, so I really don’t see the difference.”
“Neither do I. Friends are important,” Nicky replied. “When are we going?”
"In 1 hour and 10 minutes," Booker replied. "Could you not use the time on something else than following after me?"
"Like what?" Nicky wanted to know. "They're showing cricket on the telly which is possible even worse than football."
"You're a bright young man," Booker said. "I know you can come up with something."
Booker closed the door to the bathroom, living Nicky alone with his thoughts. When Booker came out of the bathroom 10 minutes later, Nicky sat with his Ipad and was listing to music on Youtube.
They had agreed to meet with Andy outside Sub-Zero & Wolf.
“So, what are you and your wife looking for?” The sales clerk wanted to know.
"If you were married to Andy," Nicky smirked. "She would eat you alive."
Nicky actually had to hold around his ribs, because he couldn’t stop laughing which also made Andy laugh, while Booker just shook his head as he smiled.
“Andy, do you mind taking Nicky with you?” Booker wanted to know.
“Yes hubby,” Andy smirked. “Come Nicky. Let’s look at the tellies.”
"Remember," Nicky said still laughing. "We need a big fridge."
Suddenly Nicky stopped in front of a display.
“What have you found?” Andy wanted to know.
“A dog or I think so,” Nicky replied. “I’ve never felt fur like that before.”
“It’s because it’s a robot dog,” Andy replied. “Let me show you.”
Andy placed the robot dog on the floor before she took the controller. Then she kneeled next to Nicky and placed the controller between his hands.
“Press a button,” Andy said.
When Nicky did it, the robot dog barked.
“Funny,” Nicky said. “What else can it do?”
“Let’s find out,” Andy replied.
They pressed the different buttons and got the dog to walk, bark, and wag its tail.
“We’ll have a new fridge tomorrow,” Booker said.
“Sounds good,” Nicky replied. “Do you want to see what the robot dog can do?”
“Sure,” Booker replied. “Show me.”
Nicky showed Booker, what he had figured out.
“Do you want one?” Booker offered.
“No thanks,” Nicky replied. “But a real puppy would be nice.”
“I wish I could give you one, Nicky,” Booker replied. “But they don’t allow dogs where we live.”
“I understand,” Nicky replied as he gave Andy the controller. “Thanks for showing me, Andy.”
“Don’t mention it, kiddo,” Andy replied. “Anytime.”
“Are we going now?” Nicky wanted to know.
“Yes we’re,” Booker replied. “Let's get this over."
When they stood in front of the roller coaster, Booker turned white as a sheet.
“Are you scared, Le Livre?” Andy teased.
“My brother isn’t scared of anything,” Nicky said.
“Thanks little brother,” Booker replied. “Ok, one trip as we agreed on.”
“What if I want more than one trip?” Nicky wanted to know.
“Let’s see what you think once you have tried it,” Booker replied. “This way.”
As the queue moved, Booker could feel his heart beat even faster, but he soon forgot all about his nerves, when he got one of the questions that annoyed him the most in the world.
"Is there something wrong with the boy?" One of the young men asked who was helping people into the carts.
"No there isn't," Booker replied as he placed a hand on Nicky's shoulder. "And I can guarantee that."
"And so can I," Andy added.
The young man pointed at the front cart, where Andy jumped in first and helped Nicky down before Booker got in as the last one, where he regretted saying yes to do this.
"Why does he think there is something wrong with me?" Nicky wanted to know.
"Because he doesn't know you," Booker replied. "Remember what Andy and I keep on telling you, that there isn't something wrong with you. If people don't want to take the time to get to know you, they don't know you at all."
"And that it's their loss, not yours," Andy added. "Because they'll never know how funny, kind, and amazing you're."
"I remember that," Nicky said. "Look like we're moving."
Booker could feel his heart beating faster again and how sweaty his hand palms were.
“You can hold my hand,” Nicky offered. “And so can you, Andy.”
Both Andy and Booker took Nicky’s hands in theirs. During the roller coaster ride, Booker’s stomach started to protest and when they reached the first swing, Booker felt like he shouldn’t have eaten all the pancakes for breakfast.
“That was so awesome,” Nicky said with a big smile. “I want another ten more trips.”
“Then you need to ask Andy,” Booker replied. “Because my stomach can’t handle another ride.”
“Fine with me,” Andy said. “Shall we, Nicky.”
Nicky gave Booker a hug.
“Thanks for my reward,” Nicky said. “I love it.”
After ten rides on the roller coaster, they found a place to eat dinner.
“And when it turned left,” Nicky moved his fork to illustrate how the roller coaster moved. “And then right. It was so fun.”
“What if I look for an even bigger one for the next time,” Andy offered.
“Oh, I would love that,” Nicky replied. “Can I, Seb?”
“It can be your next reward,” Booker replied. “Deal?”
“Deal,” Nicky replied. “Can I get another portion?”
“You know what to do,” Booker replied. “Ask the woman at the counter for more.”
Nicky jumped down from the chair and took his plate before he took his white cane.
“You said you got something you wanted to tell me,” Booker said.
“It’s getting serious between Quynh and me,” Andy replied. “Is that going to be a problem? Given Quynh is still helping you with Nicky.”
“I don’t think so,” Booker replied. “But we need to talk with Nicky about that there’s a difference between Quynh at work and Quynh not working.”
“I can only agree and so does Quynh,” Andy replied. “We’re going away in a couple of weeks. If we still are together after that, then we all have a talk with Nicky.”
“More than fine,” Booker replied. “Have fun.”
"And you?" Andy asked. "How is your dating life?"
"I've put it on a pause for now," Booker replied. "Most of all because those I meet can be divided into 3 groups: those who won't meet because I got a blind brother and has the responsibility for him, those who keep on asking stupid questions, and then there is those.."
Booker saw Nicky had reached the counter and was out of hearing distance.
"Those who more or less directly ask if Nicky is an imbecile," Booker said. "It's there I keep on reminding myself about, what we always tell Nicky."
"Their loss," Andy said as she gave Booker's hand a friendly squeeze. "They'll never know, what an amazing young man you're raising."
"Nicky has started to become a daredevil," Booker said. "I blame that on you."
"Well, one day you'll thank me," Andy replied. "Because the last thing you don't want is Nicky scared of the world again."
"True," Booker replied. "But all the crazy stuff he wants to try at the moment. Well, I just hope it won't end with a broken arm or leg."
"Most children break an arm or leg. It's a part of being a child," Andy replied. "And what has Nicky been doing, that makes you nervous?"
"Last week," Booker replied. "Nicky and Lykon went rollerskating. Nicky held onto Lykon's wheelchair, while he skated around. They had a fun time, but it still made me a bit nervous."
Andy laughed.
"Please tell me," Andy said. "You got photos or a video of that."
Booker found his phone and showed Andy the video.
When Nicky reached the counter, he placed a hand on it until he reached the cash register.
“What can I do for you, young man?” A woman asked in a friendly voice.
“Could I please get another portion of spaghetti with meatballs and a glass of milk?” Nicky wanted to know. “We're sitting at table 9.”
“Of course you can,” The woman replied. “Anything else?”
"Do you have desserts?" Nicky wanted to know.
"We have a big selection," The woman replied. "May I suggest our dessert plate? There you'll get a selection of five desserts."
"That sounds good," Nicky replied. "I would like to have one of those."
"If you go back to your table," The woman replied. "I’ll bring you the food."
“Thanks for the help,” Nicky replied with a smile. "It's very kind of you."
Nicky walked back to the table.
"Got what you want?" Booker asked.
"Yep," Nicky replied. "Together with a dessert plate."
"What's that?" Andy wanted to know.
"Don't know," Nicky replied. "But it sounded good."
When both plates were placed in front of Nicky, Andy also ordered a dessert plate.
"Seb?" Nicky asked eating his spaghetti. "Could you tell me what's on the plate?"
"Sure," Booker replied as he took Nicky's finger to show him it. "You got a chocolate mousse, a cake, cream Brulee, a strawberry dipped in chocolate with sprinkles, and what is the last one, Andy?"
"Banoffee pie," Andy replied with her mouth filled with cake. "It's banana and caramel. You'll love it, Nicky."
"I'll save that for last," Nicky said as he placed the Banoffee pie on the table before eating the others.
By the time they got home, Nicky had fallen asleep so Booker decided it was easier to carry him and put him straight to bed. They could always brush Nicky's teeth twice tomorrow.
"Thanks for today, Andy," Booker said. "I'm sure Nicky will call you tomorrow as usual."
"I've no doubts," Andy replied. "We got our plans."
"I really don't want to know more," Booker replied. "Just bring back my little brother intact."
"I promise," Andy replied. "Night Booker."
"Night Andy," Booker said before walking over to the building.
Booker placed Nicky in his bed, before getting him out of the clothes.
"Seb?" Nicky muttered.
"Yes?" Booker replied.
"Can we go back and have another dessert plate?" Nicky muttered.
"Why not," Booker replied before placing a kiss on Nicky's forehead. "Night little brother."
"Night," Nicky muttered as he rolled over on his stomach.
Booker chuckled to himself before leaving the door ajar. Then he decided to use a couple of hours on his MBA, because he was hopeless behind as always.