Work Text:
The three boys ran as quickly as they could, the oldest dragging the baby along to get them to their destination as fast as they could. The two oldest looked at each other as another booming crack of thunder ripped through the darkness of night, frightening the two. The youngest whimpered softly, sensing his brothers’ fear at the loud noise. Bending down slightly, Peter picked baby Pete up, helping them get to their parents' room as fast as they could. They quickly made it to the room, the door slamming open.
The two occupants in the room jolted awake as the door burst open, the bigger of the two getting up out of the bed as he noticed his three boys coming into the room.
Otto smiled softly as he saw the three boys, frowning once he realized the two youngest had tears in their eyes, with his oldest putting on a brave face. He walked closer to the trio, softly nudging them to come into the room. He walked towards Peter, lifting the baby into his arms. He rubbed at the 2-year old’s back, calming his whimpers slightly. Otto looked down as the other two boys latched onto his sides. He bent down, helping the middle child, his little sunshine, climb in his free arm, lastly, leaning down so the eldest child could climb on his back.
Walking back towards the bed, Otto placed his two oldest Peters on the king-sized bed, watching amused as they all got comfortable. He looked at his wife and smiled softly, watching as she turned towards the three boys. She looked at her husband, smiling softly as they made eye contact. She snuggled closer towards the boys, one arm covering Peter and Petey. The 9- and 5-year-old cuddled as much as they could with their mama, knowing they were safe as long as they were near their parents. Otto climbed into bed, Pete never letting go of his daddy. The baby was clingy like a koala regularly but when he was upset, it worsened in the best way. The physicist laid on his back, smiling as the baby nuzzled into his chest, eyes drooping as he got comfortable.
Running his fingers through the soft curls of their youngest, Otto looked at the other two.
“What has you three so scared?” the man asked gently.
Peter’s lip wobbled slightly, remembering the loud crack of thunder that scared him out of his sleep. “The noise.” the boy said softly. “I tried not to be scared but then”
“But then the light flashed, and I got scared and I went to Peter’s room and then we got the baby and came here and then-”
“Petey, baby, slow down.” Otto teased, pulling the boy into his side, trying not to jostle the baby sleeping on his chest. Glancing at his oldest, the doctor pulled the covers over the five of them, "It's okay to be scared Peter. Being scared is a part of being brave, I'm proud of you."
"You are? Even if I was scared?" Peter asked, scooting closer to his mother, watching the baby's body rise with each deep breath he took.
Otto nodded, a serious look on his face. "Of course, Peter, baby, you got scared and you still protected your brothers, your mother and I couldn't be prouder."
Rosie smiled as Peter cuddled into her side, turning away from his father, an embarrassed flush in his cheeks. Rubbing his face in her shoulder as he got comfortable, she smiled softly as the nine-year-old cuddled closer. Normally the three boys were attached to their father’s hip, but when it came to moments like these, being sandwiched between both parents brought them so much peace and comfort. Glancing at her husband, she smiled softly as they made eye contact, their two boys in between them, the baby on Otto’s chest.
Soon both boys fell asleep, the warmth of their parents’ body heat, and their heartbeats lulling the boys to sleep.
"Otto, my love, they're asleep now." Rosie whispered, knowing her husband would wake up with a kink in his back from sleeping on his back with the baby on his chest. She frowned slightly at the lack of response from her husband. "Otto?" She lifted her upper body up, chuckling at her four boys, deeply sleeping.