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“Okay, just a reminder that Tim and I are going to be gone for most of the rest of the day today. So are you two absolutely certain that you’ll be fine on your own?” Sasha asked, anxiously glancing at the clock which showed just past 11:45 AM. “Because if not it’s totally fine! Tim and I could just reschedule the whole thing and stay home if-”
“Sasha.” Tim placed a gentle hand on her shoulder in an attempt to get her to relax for one second before she ended up cancelling their plans for that day, “They’re gonna be fine. Besides, it’s not like we’re leaving them alone while they’re in headspace. These two are more than capable of looking after themselves for a day, right guys?”
His gaze shifted from Sasha’s reluctant expression to the small cuddle pile on the couch, which was more of Martin reclined as much as he could while Jon and his mess of limbs were sprawled out on top of him. The two grown men smiled and nodded in response.
“Yeah, don’t worry, Sasha!” Martin chirped, readjusting himself and Jon until they were both sat up and looking toward their friends. “We’ve both lived alone before moving in here so we can look after ourselves. We’ll be just fine… Or at least we have each other if anything happens.”
“And we regressed the other day and don’t plan on doing so again anytime soon. Let alone while you two are out,” Jon added helpfully.
“Well…” Sasha shuffled from foot to foot, her eyes flickering from the boys then Tim then the clock and back again before finally she let out a sigh. “Ugh, you’re right. All of you. Sorry it’s just that we haven’t been separated much since… the whole Prentiss incident and I’m just… anxious is all. Are you two really sure you’ll be alright?”
“Yes, Sasha.” Jon replied as he wormed his way back into Martin’s arms. Even though he wasn’t regressed, Martin cuddles were the best and he’d learned to appreciate them in the time they’d all been living together. “And we’ll text you if anything comes up.”
“But don’t use that as an excuse to keep checking on your phone all day!” Sasha blushed slightly at Martin’s scolding tone. “You and Tim haven’t been able to spend much time together since I moved in and you two deserve this day to yourselves.”
The room fell quiet as everyone let Martin’s words sink in. He was right after all. Sasha and Tim hardly got any quality time as a couple anymore, most of their days spent at work and taking care of Jon and Martin at home. Hell, even at night one or both of the boys ended up sleeping in between them in bed so they couldn’t even snuggle up together after dark. But none of them ever complained, it was nice having this new small family of theirs. But once again, Martin was right and Tim had gone through so much trouble planning out a whole day for him and Sasha that they couldn’t just drop it all just because Sasha wanted to look after two men who didn’t even need looking after… at the moment at least.
After a few more seconds of contemplative silence, Sasha sighed and nodded curtly. “Okay. Okay okay, alright,” she psyched herself up as she grabbed her bag and Tim’s hand, “You’re right. I’m just a bit paranoid so we’re gonna go now before I change my mind-”
“Or before we miss our reservation at that Italian place you really like.”
“Yes, that too.” Sasha scoffed at Tim’s goofy smile but still pressed a chaste kiss against his cheek. “You two better behave while we’re gone, we’ll be back around 9:00. And remember to text one of us if you need anything!”
“Yes, mum.” The two still lazing on the couch mockingly called out in unison. They waved the couple away as they quickly slinked out the front door and slumped back into their seats once the flat was minus two occupants.
“God, for a second I thought Sasha was actually gonna cancel the whole thing.” Martin chuckled.
“I wouldn’t put it past her honestly,” Jon replied. “Once she has her mind set on something, she’ll do just about anything to see it through. But luckily Tim was able to be leveled headed for once and convince her that we’ll be fine. Which we will be.”
Martin hummed in agreement, staring at the television which played some inane daytime game show that neither he nor Jon were really paying attention to. “Yeah, absolutely. I mean we already had breakfast earlier and we have lunch and dinner planned out for us. And I don’t even feel close to headspace right now. Do you?”
Jon scrunched his eyebrows and thought for a second before shaking his head. “No, not really.”
“See? We are two adults who are more than capable of not regressing for a single day while our friends are out living their own lives.” Martin said triumphantly as he stood and stretched his back. “So, what do you say about an early lunch? I can start making pasta while you work on some garlic bread.”
Just the idea of food made Jon’s mouth water and he nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, please. I was honestly jealous when Tim mentioned Italian so sounds like a plan.”
In all fairness, Jon and Martin’s lunch went really well. The pasta was a bit undercooked while the garlic bread was a bit overbaked but overall it was all really delicious. Afterward they had fought a little over what to watch, Jon suggesting a movie he’d been meaning to watch for some time while Martin wanted to do yet another rewatch of Good Omens, but they ended up on a calming documentary on the history of Scottish castles… Which was probably their first mistake.
A combination of a belly full of nice, warm home made food and a documentary with a narrator’s calm, soothing voice would put just about anyone to sleep. But if you were as sleep deprived as Jonathan Sims or Martin K. Blackwood normally were, then it wouldn’t take that long before you were out faster than the speed of light.
And though a midday nap would normally be a good thing to do on a slow Saturday, it wasn’t the best idea if the ones napping were prone to regressing.
Jon didn’t really know where he was as the tendrils of sleep began to release their grasp and he was lulled into the waking world. But wherever he was it was cozy and warm and he could stay there all day, if it wasn’t for the fact that his really nice soft pillow was starting to snuffle and shift around beneath him… oh, that probably meant he fell asleep cuddled up with Martin again. Silly Jon.
Finally opening his eyes, Jon took in the bright afternoon light that filled the living room and his current position on the couch. He was curled up into a ball on the couch pressed right up against Martin’s side meaning his suspicions were correct. Hmm, Jon didn’t remember falling asleep but it was a nice nap regardless.
“Hi, Martin,” Jon whispered, his voice coming out a few octaves higher than normal which would help to explain the fuzziness in his head. Huh, he must’ve regressed during his impromptu nap.
“Jon?” Martin replied with a yawn and a similar cadence in his tone. He must’ve regressed too. After a few moments of sleepy mumbles, Martin sat up and looked around the room with half lidded eyes. “Mama? Papa?” he called out.
“Huh?” Jon widened his eyes and looked around the room in panic before slumping back into the couch. “Oh, they went out. An’ we were suppose to be big so Mama wouldn’t worry.”
Oh no, what were they gonna do? Papa worked really really hard so that he and Mama could spend the day together. And Jon and Martin promised that they would be fine on their own but now both of them were little! Jon should probably let Mama and Papa know… or…
“But that’s okay!” Jon exclaimed, bounding off the couch and placing his hands triumphantly on his hips. “I can look after us until they come back!”
Martin looked up at Jon curiously before breaking out in a huge grin and nodding along with Jon’s every word, his red curls bouncing in response. “Big brother Jon! Big brother Jon!”
At that, Jon beamed and jumped up and down on the spot. “Yup! Your big brother’s gonna take care of you so Mama and Papa don’t gotta worry. Oh! And maybe if I do good then they can go out more often ‘cause we’re so ‘sponsible!”
Papa always let Jon help him whenever he was helping Martin with something like feeding or dressing. And sometimes Jon even cleaned up his toys without being asked to so that meant he was more than capable of looking after himself and Martin until their caretakers came home… Which was probably their second mistake.
After a few seconds of proud celebration, Jon slowed his jumping and began to wince. He looked down and took in his outfit: a nice big t-shirt which was either Mama’s or Papa’s (he couldn’t really remember) and an icky pair of blue jeans. Jon squirmed and kicked his legs, whining a bit at the feeling of rough denim on his skin. He always hated wearing jeans while in headspace, much preferring a pair of his caretakers sweats or pajama bottoms.
A quiet whimper temporarily pulled Jon’s attention from his unfortunate clothing situation to Martin, still sitting on the couch and pulling at the button up shirt he was currently wearing. Well, it looked like they were on the same boat right now.
“Are you uncomfy, Martin?” Jon asked to which Martin, teary eyed and bottom lip sticking out, nodded and made grabby hands. Jon giggled and helped Martin stand up, taking his hands and beginning to walk them over to their shared room. “Me too. I think we should change into something better!” Martin hummed and brought his free hand up to his face, sticking his thumb in his mouth as Jon led the two of them over to their wardrobe.
Opening the door, Jon was immediately overwhelmed with a plethora of clothing options. He hummed and shuffled on the spot as his hands roamed over the various pieces of clothing that he and Martin owned. Maybe he could wear that onesie Mama bought for him last week and Martin could wear that really cute jumper with a teddy bear on it that he really likes. Oh! Or maybe he could wear the jumper because it’s super soft and warm and it smells nice because Papa washes it with something that smells like lavender. Then Martin could wear the t-shirt he has that he got for his birthday and he really likes because it has a picture of a fluffy cow on it. Oh! Maybe he could choose something so that the two of them were matching, it was always fun whenever they did that. Or maybe-
“Jon?” Martin tugged at Jon’s shirt and tilted his head, “Jon ‘kay?”
“O-oh. Sorry, Martin. I’m okay.” Jon smiled sheepishly and looked back to the closet, “It’s jus’ that there’s a lot of things that we could wear but it’s hard to choose.”
At that, Martin pat Jon on the head and moved forward, grabbing a frilly pink dress for Jon and a yellow shirt with a picture of a bee on it for himself. He held up the options and looked to Jon for approval.
Jon gasped and flapped his hands in excitement as he grabbed the dress and twirled in a circle. “Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you, Martin, this is perfect. Hmm. Well, almost perfect.” He looked up to Martin and giggled as he watched his friend struggle to pull the shirt over his head without even taking off his button up.
Jon moved closer and helped take off the button up and pop on the t-shirt as his mind raced. This dress was very very cute, and it got rid of his need for trousers all together. But the dress alone seemed too plain, as did Martin’s shirt. Maybe a few accessories would help.
The small hand on the clock was on the number 3 by the time Jon and Martin were done getting dressed. Didn’t Mama mention that she and Papa would be home at 9? So that meant that they’d be home in… still a long time from now.
“What to do? What to do?” Jon pondered as he led Martin back into the living room. They luckily had enough insight to eat lunch before their nap so they didn’t have to worry about feeding themselves a full meal. So much time and so much opportunity. “What to do? What to do?”
Martin, one hand holding Winnie and the other holding onto Jon, tugged Jon toward the small toy chest nestled in the corner of the living room and plopped down in front of it. “Play?” He asked, his voice muffled by the light blue paci in his mouth.
“Huh?” Jon was so engrossed in all of the different things he and Martin could do that he didn’t even notice that they had moved. But now that Jon realized where he was, he smiled and nodded. “Great idea, Martin! We can play for a bit while we wait for Mama and Papa!” His beaming smile fell momentarily then morphed into a somewhat stern expression, “But we gotta remember to clean up after ourselves. Okay, Martin?”
“Play!” Martin exclaimed, digging into the toy box and grabbing the plastic container full of his favorite building blocks then scattering them onto the floor.
“Mah-tin.” Jon mock scolded. “Yes we can play right now, but afterward...”
The gears visibly turned in Martin’s head as he looked from the blocks then up at Jon, furrowing his brows in quiet contemplation. “Play…?” And suddenly the gears in his brain were replaced by a single lit up light bulb. “Play, then c’ean!”
“Yup! Good job, Martin!” Jon praised, pulling out his own toy cars to play with. “We can play as much as we want but we gotta clean up so that Mama and Papa won’t have to worry ‘bout cleanin’ when they come home.”
The two boys giggled in glee and turned to their toys, occasionally sharing and playing with one another as they always did.
The time passed in relative silent peace apart from the still running television which was now playing a documentary on the different planets, much to the excitement of the two boys. But eventually, the quiet was interrupted by a certain tummy grumbling.
“Snack?” Martin asked timidly, his blocks stacked up as high as he was able to make them.
“Huh? Are you hungry, Martin? Hmm.” Now the little hand on the clock was just past the number 4, which normally meant a quick snack break for the two. Normally either Mama or Papa would have it ready for them by now so Jon never had to worry about what he wanted to eat. But ever since Martin moved in, Jon’s been able to help with plating certain foods. Mainly it was placing fruits and crackers on their colorful plastic dishes but this was enough experience to do it all by himself.
Jon stood up and wandered over to the kitchen, glancing around at what foods he could see just by standing in the middle of the room. He can see the bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter, but normally they’re cut up and he’s not supposed to use anything sharp when he’s little. He knew that there was a box of yoghurt in the fridge that he and Martin really liked, but they always made a big mess whenever they ate it and he didn’t feel like cleaning up more.
His eyes wandered more and more, almost enough to make himself dizzy, until they finally landed on a certain metallic tin up on top of the fridge. “Biscuits!” Jon gasped.
That’s right, Papa bought new biscuits a few days ago on the way home from work and filled up the biscuit tin. Oh, but he and Mama never let them have biscuits before dinner. Plus they were really high up and Jon didn’t think he could reach it… However, Mama and Papa weren’t home right now so they couldn't tell them not to have biscuits as a snack. And Martin was much taller than Jon so he could reach the biscuits for them.
Bouncing on his heels, Jon turned around and dashed back out into the living room where Martin was still playing with his blocks. “Martin! Come on!” Jon excitedly grabbed Martin by his shirt sleeve and pulled him up off the block covered ground and over to the kitchen. They stood before the fridge where Jon excitedly pointed up at their treasure, “We can have biscuits for a snack! You, uh, you just gotta get it ‘cause ‘m too short to reach it.”
Martin’s eyes grew to the size of dinner plates and his pacifier would’ve fallen to the floor if it weren’t for the fact that it was clipped to his shirt. “Biscuits!!” Martin screeched as he easily reached for the tin of biscuits and unceremoniously plopped it and himself on the floor.
Once the tin was secured, Jon did not hesitate to fling off the lid and dig in, Martin following suit immediately after. Barely five minutes later, the tin was nearly empty save for the ones with gross yucky dried fruits in it. When Jon was big those were the only biscuits he’d go for, but when regressed he wouldn’t even think of eating them.
Content with their bountiful snack time, Martin and Jon closed the tin and placed it back where it belonged then went back out into the living room, the light dusting of biscuit crumbs on the floor going completely forgotten.
“Biscuits good,” Martin mumbled, happily patting his tummy.
“Yeah, biscuits are really good aren’t they?” Jon replied, yawning loudly as he made his way over to his toy cars. They were scattered all over the floor next to the toy box which was now overflowing with toys that he and Martin occasionally grabbed then put back. Looking over to Martin, it looked like he was in a similar situation, his tower of blocks having been knocked down in their haste to get the biscuit tin. “We should *yawn* probably clean up the toys *yaawwwn* before Mama and Papa get home.”
The small hand on the clock was almost at 5, or did it look like it was close to 6, Jon couldn’t tell as he rubbed at his eyes. Why were they so hard to keep open?
“C’ean?” Martin’s voice sounded about as tired as Jon felt. Hmm, it was still a long time until Mama and Papa were supposed to come home so maybe they can take another nap before cleaning. Yeah, that way they would have more energy and clean up better than they would right now.
“How about nap time first?” Jon took Martin’s hand and led them back to the couch where they instantly settled down and clung to each other. “We can nap an’ then we’ll clean up. *yawn* And Mama and Papa will think we’re super duper ‘sponsible.”
“Mhmm,” Jon felt more than saw Martin nod against his shoulder and soon, naptime part two was underway.
“See? This is exactly why I wanted to come home early. God, I knew we should’ve just stayed home.”
“Maybe you were right,” Tim sighed as he and Sasha looked at the two sleeping forms on the couch. “But hey, at least we had fun and they didn’t completely destroy the flat.”
“Did you see the mess in the kitchen? Looks like you need to buy more biscuits and hide them better,” Sasha laughed, “And it looks like I should probably change them out of, heh, that.”
Tim quietly chuckled as he looked over the rather extravagant outfits laid out before them. Jon was wearing the pink dress he’d gotten last month along with a pair of mismatched socks, one red and white striped knee high and a simple black ankle sock, his green rain boots, a straw sunhat, and a white feather boa to top it all off. Martin’s outfit was a tad simpler consisting of a yellow shirt, orange dungarees, and his blue winter beanie. “Yeah. And I'll cook up some dinner for all four of us since we skipped our dinner reservation to come home and I doubt these two were able to eat anything other than the forbidden snacks. Also, remind me to never let them choose their own outfits. Ever.”
“Noted.” Sasha replied, scooping up Martin and heading further into the flat. “And you, my sleeping cub, remind me to never let you two out of my sight for even a second. Got it?”
Martin snuffled and pressed his face further into Sasha’s neck. Which was enough of an answer for her.