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Caleb spoiled Philip. He's more than willing to admit that now—he's proud of it, even.
Growing up had been…difficult, to say the least. Looking now at the Boiling Isles and the way children are raised here, Caleb is beginning to feel less and less guilty about shielding Pip from the worst of Gravesfield's terror. The community they'd lived in was cruel. He knows that now. He lives with the shadow of it always clinging to his back, making him jump, making him wake in the night beside his wife to hope she doesn't wake to find him weeping. More than anyone, sans maybe his brother, he knows.
At least, thanks to his hard work, Philip got to have a real childhood. Sometimes, anyways.
The days were still long and full of work and the punishments Pip received for not eating or for going nonverbal were still severe. Whippings are a hard thing to consider a staple of childhood anymore.
And so, haunted by the crack of the belt and the tears his little brother had shed, he'd spoiled Philip terribly, wonderfully. And he spoils him still.
When Eve looks over to him with a raised eyebrow, he doesn't give in. He just smiles up at her and says, "We'll be in soon, love. I know it's late."
They're both on the porch, Caleb sitting on the stoop and Eve standing just beside him. There's been no sign of rain since the last clouds passed a day or so ago, and so they're enjoying the outside air, all three of their small family. Eve has only been out for a moment and will be leaving back inside soon, but the fresh air always catches her and keeps her for a moment.
Evelyn glances at Philip, off in the yard, then meets her husband's eyes again. "Are you sure this is wise?"
Caleb looks out at his brother. Philip is playing in the mud that's taken the dirt after that recent rain. His brown hair is pulled back away from his face with a mighty ribbon and he's dressed in matching oversized play clothes, which are now magnificently stained.
"One of the wiser things I've done, eh?" he says, and the sound she makes is almost a laugh. "Thank you for accommodating this. We'll be in for supper and a bath before too long."
"Alright…" Eve sighs, low and heavy, but she still leans down to kiss his forehead. "Soup's where it always is. I tried to use only human-friendly ingredients, so hopefully it sits well for you both."
"Thank you, love—"
Before the conversation can be ended with a kiss, Philip runs up to them, his feet pounding against the dirt. "Look! Look!" he's shouting. His grin is easier to see now that the gnarled beard has been shaved from his face. "It's a really long one!" And then he holds out a bright orange centipede that's as long as a snake.
"Dear God!" Caleb rises to his feet, smacking the creature from Philip's hands. The gasp that leaves Philip makes his heart twinge, but watching the insect slither away soothes it quickly.
Eve tuts. "Now, Philip, what have we said about the brightly-colored ones?"
Philip glares at her, but a stern look from Caleb has his face relaxing. "Not to touch it, Mx. Clawthorne," he answers mulishly.
"Very good. Now all you have to do is behave as well as you remember, hm?"
Philip sighs but nods. "Fine. I'll do it."
"Thank you, Pip," Caleb says, his voice as cheery as he can make it. It's best to encourage good behavior like this with praise—Philip has always reacted wonderfully to praise. "Are you feeling hungry?"
Philip goes to chew on his fingers, but Caleb quickly moves his hands away from his mouth by taking them into his own. His hands are grimey, filthy, and Caleb wrinkles his nose at the feeling.
Brattish as ever, Philip laughs at the sight of him. "No," he answers dishonestly. Caleb knows he hasn't eaten almost all day. Then he says more truthfully, "I don't like to eat."
"I know, pumpkin." Caleb pulls Philip down into his lap. Mud is no doubt staining his own shirt and trousers, but Pip is worth the extra half-hour of scrubbing laundry. "Still, food is good for you. Sometimes we have to do things we don't like because it's healthy."
Philip nods sagely, at least.
Caleb continues, "How about you go with Mrs—er, with Mx. Clawthorne and she'll get you something yummy to eat."
"I made soup for you," Eve confirms with a smile.
There's no further argument; Pip loves soup. Still, Philip leans his cheek against Caleb's chest with a pout. "Why can't Cay-Cay come too?"
The words are so sad, Caleb can't help but kiss his sweaty forehead. "I need to get the bath ready for us. You're filthy, little boy!" He tickles Pip under the arm just to hear him laugh before pulling him back in for a bone-crushing hug. When he lets go, Philip takes a deep breath, and they both laugh. "Eve will help you wash your hands and give you some soup. Go. Shoo."
Philip giggles. "Alright! Eve is nice." Shocking both Caleb and Eve, Philip grabs her hand and stands to follow her. Although Eve is shorter by at least a head, Pip still looks small beside her, his eyes as wide and expectant as they are.
Eve glances at Caleb, face unreadable, before turning to Philip with a smile. "Come, then, Pippins. We'll wash those hands and get you something to eat."
Caleb watches them leave together, his chest warm and full. To see the two people he loves most getting along, at least for a moment, makes something wistful and strange twist in his chest. His eyes aren't quite misty, but they are wrinkled at the corners with the honesty of his smile.
Another warm feeling is upon him too, though he avoided thinking on it while he was keeping an eye on Little Pip. Although he sometimes failed to give Philip the childhood he'd wanted to when they were young, he's succeeding now. They're free in this strange, Godless wasteland, and they're happy.
Philip is happy.
Caleb stands and goes to fill the bath.