Work Text:
It’s 96° outside. There’s a sticky, bubblegum pink plastic bottle of soapy water between them. It cost Eren $2.99 and bought Zeke’s entertainment for the rest of the afternoon. It’s amazing what corporations can get people to buy. Especially for dumb kids like Zeke. But Eren supposes he’s a sucker for Zeke’s smile. And those big blue eyes at the checkout lane where Eren’s buying cigarettes and booze really sold him.
“Fine. But no candy for the rest of the week.”
Zeke nodded enthusiastically and held the bubbles to his chest.
They walked to the park where Eren could consume his purchases- not for kids - and Zeke could blow his stupid bubbles.
Eren cracks open a bottle and takes a swig. He feels his beer right away, he hasn’t bothered to eat anything today. It’s hot as balls out but he still lights his cigarette too close to his face and beads of sweat drip down his forehead.
“Eren! Eren look! Eren you aren’t watching! ” Zeke dips the neon piss-colored plastic wand into the bottle and then spins around with his arm outstretched. The wind catches the bubbles and sends them flying out, hundreds of tiny soap orbs encircling the kid. He’s giggling like a maniac and Eren shakes his head disapprovingly, but he can’t fight the smile on his lips.
“Nice one, Monkey.”
The praise from his older brother has Zeke dipping the wand fervently into the bottle to blow more bubbles for Eren’s approval. It’s always been like this.
Zeke takes a deep breath in and tries to blow a big one, just for his breath to come out too harsh, lips sputtering and blowing spit into the bubble. Pop.
“Aw man.”
“That’s okay, try again.” Eren puts his cigarette out in the dirt and lays back on the hill, still propped up enough to see Zeke and his stupid bubbles.
Zeke repeats the process, this time correcting his air output and blowing a massive bubble that wobbles into the air. A rainbow sheen reflects off the surface of it and Eren isn’t looking at the bubble because he can see the same rainbows in Zeke’s wonderstruck puppy eyes.
When the bubble pops, Zeke spins in circles with glee and then flops down next to Eren in the soft grass, curling into him.
“Agh, Zeke, no, it’s way too fuckin’ hot to cuddle.” Eren protests and turns his face away, but doesn’t make any other efforts to get up or move his little brother.
Zeke hums, ignores him, lays his sweet head on Eren’s chest. Eren puts an arm around him. He’s sweating and he probably smells like shit but Zeke doesn’t seem to mind. Zeke smells like grass and dirt. The innocent childlike scent untainted yet by puberty. Eren can’t picture Zeke ever being a grownup. If he stays bright eyed and bushy tailed, Eren vows to take care of him for the rest of their lives.
“Eren?”
Eren just closed his eyes. He sighs and opens them back up, squinting as his pupils adjust to the incoming sunlight.
“Yeah?”
“Nothing…”
Eren shakes his head and closes his eyes again. They rest together, except for Zeke’s spastic fidgeting. He’s nine, he really can’t help it. Eren holds him tighter to try to stop the nudging against his ribs though. Those tiny knees do more damage than expected.
“Eren?”
A heavy sigh. “What?” It comes out irritated.
“Can we get candy on the way home?”
Eren can’t be pissed. Never with Zeke. Even though he explicitly said no when they bought the bubbles. But… he’s a sucker for Zeke’s smile.
“Yeah, sure, Monkey.”