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“Willlllllll I’m colddddddd!”
Wilbur scoffed at his little brother, who had his knees pulled up with a cute little pouty face. The mug of hot chocolate borderline burning in Wilbur’s hands as his legs dangled off the couch, steam bringing a cozy aroma of milky sweetness.
“Go get a blanket yourself you rat.”
“You’re the host,” Tommy spat back. “You do it.”
Wilbur rolled his eyes fondly as he got up, laying the hot chocolate down on the table as he walked to his closet to grab a blanket. He soon returned, throwing the blanket at Tommy and plopping back down on the couch beside him.
Tommy’s eyes grew wide as soon as he touched the blanket, mouth gaped open as he half squawked, half gasped.
“Oh Wil, it’s so.. so soft.” His “annoying TommyInnit” voice quickly melted into his “soft TommyInnit” voice, eyes fluttering shut as he buried the lower half of his face in the blanket.
“Yeah?” Wilbur quietly replied. “I know you like soft blankets. I bought this a while ago when I found it in the store.”
“Soffffffft,” Tommy slurred as he slowly leaned towards Wilbur, eventually falling on top of him.
Wilbur let out an “oof” at the sudden weight, but quickly adjusted his arms around the boy. Easy routine, he let himself bury his face in Tommy’s golden curls. Breathe in, breathe out.
Wilbur felt the soft material of the blanket, chuckling. Everything around him, soft. From the blanket to Tommy’s hair, it was like being completely covered in silk and fluff.
Tommy shifted around in Wilbur’s arms, turning so they were facing each other. He nuzzled into Wilbur’s neck, humming happily. Wilbur let his eyes close, because now his brother was perfectly safe in his arms. He can rest now.
Then the unexpected.
“Achoo!”
Tommy’s head knocked Wilbur at his chin, wet sprays at his neck.
“Agh you grimy gremlin,” Wilbur sleepily groaned, opening his eyes to the bright light from the window.
Panic flew over Tommy’s barely visible face, red cheeks just peeking out of the blanket.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
Wilbur cupped Tommy’s face. “What are you sorry about? I’m just kidding, you know.”
Tommy didn’t seem to be listening after that. It seemed that the exact moment Wilbur cupped his face, Tommy melted and went back into his soft, peaceful state.
“Tommy?”
“Warm,” was the simple reply.
“My hands are warm?”
“Hmmm mhmmm.”
A small smile grew on Wilbur’s lips. “Must be the hot chocolate mug.”
“And the blanket,” Tommy added, accent thick with sleep. “S’nice. Everything.”
“You, me, the blanket,” Wilbur pondered aloud.
“You, me, the blanket,” Tommy repeated, slipping back to sleep.
Wilbur let his hands fall as one held Tommy’s back so the child wouldn’t fall, the other pulling the blanket over their heads. He smiled, as they were now completely sheltered and safe. Their own cave, where the world couldn’t find them or hurt them. Where the world couldn’t find or hurt Tommy.
If Wilbur could make any wish and let it come true, it would have been for them to stay right there for the rest of eternity.
Joy, happiness, and peace were in every twist and twirl he made in Tommy’s hair, drawing hearts and stars against his scalp. He pressed a quick kiss to Tommy’s hair.
Tommy snuggled impossibly closer, barely whispering “warm..” before his breathing grew deep. Wilbur chuckled, pressing a kiss to Tommy’s forehead, lingering. “Warm,” he echoed.
He didn’t care anymore about his hot chocolate sitting on the table. If there was any place to be during the chilly fall, it was right there cuddled with Tommy.
Then, half-asleep, Tommy’s socked foot kicked Wilbur slightly. It came to Wilbur’s attention that sunshine’s toes were cold, and that he needed to provide warmth. Wilbur tangled his ankle around Tommy’s to solve the issue.
Tommy hummed contently, as if he could tell in his sleep at which point he was completely and wholly warm.
Wilbur huffed fondly at the child, burying his nose in his hair again. Wilbur ran a quick warmth check one more time in his mind before falling back to sleep, making sure he didn’t fall unconscious while Tommy was even 1% cold.
But by the way Tommy’s warm nose was imprinted on his neck, head tucked under his chin, hands and arms tucked between them so that Wilbur was just holding a curled up baby, he knew Tommy was warm.
Tommy was warm because of him, because big brother Wilby was here. He held that title proudly in his heart, knowing Tommy would always go to him if he needed anything.
He did a final check for Tommy’s contentment. He listened as Tommy’s heart beat against his own chest, slow, but also strong, as if swelling with happiness. He felt Tommy breathe deeply, a rare sight to see for the energetic child. Tommy’s heartbeat was always fluttery and fast, trying to keep up with everything and always be excited. He told Tommy before that sometimes he can just sit down, relax, and watch the meander water slowly move along with the wind rustling in the reeds. But the boy just doesn’t get it. Not yet anyway. He’s too young to understand, but that’s what makes him all the more endearing to Wilbur. Such an innocent boy full of life.
As for now, all the checkpoints have been fulfilled. Tommy was probably already in a deep sleep now, despite it being the middle of the day. Wilbur let his sleep-deprived eyes close, Tommy’s golden hair covering his view.