Chapter Text
Everything was going as usual, when one day Ike noticed that Luca was feeling a bit under the weather. Luca only complained about a bit of a sore throat and cough, though a low but consistent fever rode him. It wasn’t anything too serious, but after 2 weeks had passed and nothing had let up both Vox and Ike were getting quite worried, finally deciding that they should bring Luca to the doctor. The doctor had recommended that Luca gets bloodwork done to see if there was something underneath everything, but Luca wasn’t enthusiastic about the news. The reasoning - Luca hates needles. And blood draws mean getting poked by needles. That same evening his older brothers, knowing his fear tried comforting him, and lulled him to sleep with the warmth and comfort of his brothers Luca sleeps the night away.
The following day Luca was gently awoken by soft caresses from Ike, who couldn’t help but coo at the adorableness of his baby brother. Ike had woken Luca up later than usual since due to the needed blood draw Luca couldn’t eat breakfast.
Ike stayed and watched over the sleepy lion as he tried to get dressed since they had to leave soon for to doctor's office. Once Luca was dressed Ike started guiding him to the entrance of their home to get Luca to put on his outside clothes. Once all of the five brothers were ready, they head out to Vox’s car and started their journey to the hospital.
Arriving at the hospital Luca had woken up completely and was uneasy walking to the entrance of the hospital knowing what was awaiting him there. All of his brothers had come along for moral support, but since Luca was still so young he could have only one person in the hospital room with him. Vox who on the way to the hospital asked Luca who he wanted with him in the hospital room, couldn’t help but chuckle at him when he heard Luca think about his options for a while and in the end, choosing his second oldest brother Ike. All of his brothers were standing by Luca who was sitting on one of the chairs in the waiting room while he waited for his turn.
After a while of waiting came the time Luca dreaded, it was his turn to get his blood drawn. Ike seeing that it was Luca’s turn extended his arm to the visibly afraid Luca. He grabbed his brother's arm and slowly started walking to the office, as Ike opened the door for him, he slowly entered the office where he was greeted by the doctor. “Would you like your big brother to also be sitting or would you rather that he just stood right beside the chair you’re going to be sitting in for a little bit?’’ asked the doctor, to which Luca quietly responded with “Can he also be sitting in the chair?”. The doctor nodded and Ike quickly took a seat in the chair afterwards picking up Luca and sitting him in his lap. Within the next minute came the most dreaded moment for Luca, the moment he was about to be poked by the needle.
Luca couldn’t stop from tears welling up in his eyes and then slowly making their way down his round and rosy cheeks. Ike seeing this started trying to calm Luca down and distract him from the initial pain of the poke. Ike managed to get Luca distracted for long enough for him not to notice the poke, but just seconds later he realized what was happening and started to panic even more, to which Ike responded by trying to keep him still for long enough. The doctor quickly drew enough blood and removed to needle from Luca’s arm and put a bandaid with lions on it on his arm. Ike stood up with Luca in his arms, thanked the doctor and left the office to go back out to the waiting room where the rest of his brothers were.
Vox quickly helped Luca put on his winter jacket, and carefully cleaned off the tears on his cheeks. Walking out of the hospital Luca seemed relieved that that was now in the past. Once everyone was in the car, starting their way home Vox mentioned that he also wanted to stop by the grocery store since they were running low on some items. With everyone being ok with making an extra stop, Vox started driving toward the nearest grocery store. Arriving at the store, to make things faster Vox gave everyone the rundown of what they needed and then split up into sections everyone going in their direction with Luca still sticking to Ike.
Shu tasked with getting the snacks that they were low on made his way down the snack aisle and while looking for Mysta's favourite snack he noticed something in the corner of his eye. It was Luca’s favourite snack - Cheddar cheese Pringles. Shu knowing the already long day his youngest brother had decided on grabbing a can of those before returning to getting everyone else's snacks. Having found all of the snacks they needed Shu made his way back to where Vox was - the fruits and vegetables area and put the snack in the cart. Putting some more vegetables in the cart Vox noticed the can of pringles and chuckled knowing how excited Luca would be because of the rare treat. Shu having finished his task started helping out Vox with getting the fruits that he still hadn’t grabbed, and slowly both Mysta and Ike with Luca returned to the rest. Once they had everything they needed they made their way to the cash register to check out, bring the groceries to the car and once again start their journey home.
The journey from the grocery store wasn’t long. 15 minutes were spent laughing joking, talking and singing amidst of all Luca fell asleep. Arriving home everyone got off the car and started getting the groceries from the car to bring inside. Vox and Ike got most of the bags, Mysta carrying a bag as well they walk to the front food that’s being unlocked by Shu who is holding the sleeping Luca in his arms. Opening the door Shu steps aside letting the rest in first before walking in and closing the door behind them. Shu takes off his shoes and outside clothes before taking off Luca’s and bringing him to his room to let him sleep. Shu walks back to his room to change into a more comfortable outfit and heads to the kitchen to see if the rest need help to put groceries away. Seeing Ike put away the last item he sat down on the bar stool and started chatting with Ike.
Vox and Mysta having changed their clothes walked into the kitchen where Ike and Shu were chatting about their plans for the rest of the day. Mysta sat down on a bar stool next to Ike and Shu while Vox went into the kitchen to prepare a light snack for Luca when he woke up later and start working on lunch for the rest of them. While cutting up the now washed and dried fruits Vox asked his brothers: “What would you guys like for lunch?”. After a moment of discussion, the 3 brothers finally settled on a decision: “Salad would be great, Vox!”, “Thank you, big bro!” added Mysta. “Of course, I’m alright with that and no problem bud” replied Vox before putting the rest of the sliced fruit in a bowl and setting it aside for Luca later. “Hey, Vox, can I please help you make lunch?” suddenly asked Mysta, Vox with a smile on his face simply replied: “Of course, you can, Mysta! You can help me wash everything for now and the later with putting everything together, okay?” to which he got a happy “Okay!” from Mysta.
It didn’t take long for Vox to make lunch for everyone when there was an eager Mysta to help him do everything, besides cutting. By the time everyone finished their lunch Luca was still asleep. Taking his dish and putting it in the sink Mysta let out a yawn and decided to go to Luca’s room to join Luca for a nap. About 20 minutes passed since Mysta joined Luca in his room for a nap when Luca woke up. Luca was surprised that he was already in his room. Looking around he noticed that Augustus was out of place and after moving Augustus into his place, Luca noticed the sleeping Mysta who had snuck in beside him. Luca decided that there was nothing wrong with snuggling up with his older brother and sleeping for a little while longer.
Suddenly noticing that Mysta is missing and how eerily quiet is his room Shu went to check Mysta’s room to no luck not finding him there. On the way back to the kitchen Shu decided to check on Luca to see if the little lion is still sleeping. Quietly walking into Luca’s room, not wanting to wake Luca up in case he was still asleep he found not just Luca but Mysta as well sleeping. Shu couldn’t help but coo at the sight of both of his little brothers snuggled up asleep and taking a picture of them that he would send to both Ike and Vox in their family group chat.
While Shu returned to the living room where his older brothers were joining them in looking and cooing at the adorable picture Shu just sent them, Mysta had woken up from his nap and seeing that Luca was still asleep decided to stay there and play some games on his phone until Luca woke up. By the time Luca woke up another 10 - 15 minutes had passed. Mysta heard a sleepy hum and shuffling, put his phone down and waited for Luca to fully wake up. Once Luca had woken up completely Mysta softly nudged Luca. “Morning sleepyhead, I hope you had a nice dream, but how about we head to the living room, I’m sure that the others are there. Vox also prepared a snack for you before lunch, since you couldn’t have breakfast.” Mysta encouraged Luca as he slowly untangled himself from the blankets and stood up out of the bed.
Mysta received only a sleepy “okay…” from Luca before he also started untangling himself from the blankets and stood up. Luca slowly started walking out of his room and towards the living room and Mysta followed from behind. Luca walking into the room sees Vox and quickly runs up to him and hugs his leg, with Mysta slowly walking up behind him. Vox quickly notices the two youngest of his brothers, leans down and gives a hug to both Luca and Mysta. “I cut up some fruit for you Luca, it’s on the kitchen counter,” Vox says as he pats Luca's head. Luca cheerfully runs to the kitchen to get the bowl of fruit, but he is faced with a challenge. Luca can’t reach that far on the counter so he quickly runs back to Vox. “Vox! I can’t reach the bowl…” Luca sadly confesses. “That’s my fault for putting it so far back, I’m sorry Luca, come on, let’s go get your bowl of fruit,” Vox says as he stands up and starts making his way to the kitchen with Luca following behind him like a chick follows it’s mother.
In the kitchen, Vox gets the bowl of various fruits and gives it to Luca who carefully takes it and they both walk back and join Ike, Shu and Mysta on the couch. Vox being the doting brother he is helps Luca up on the couch so that he doesn’t accidentally drop his bowl of fruits and sits down next to him and watches his siblings' antics while playing video games and starts thinking about what to make for lunch and dinner.
An hour has passed and Luca, who finished his bowl of fruit earlier and left the bowl abandoned, has joined the rest of his brothers in their antics. Vox, happy to see that everyone is having fun and just being themselves, gets up, grabs Luca’s abandoned bowl and heads to the kitchen to start preparing lunch for everyone. What he didn’t notice, was Ike also getting up and following Vox to the kitchen. Once both of them were in the kitchen Ike tried getting Vox’s attention and accidentally scared Vox due to him being deep in thought. “Aaahh! Oh my God, Ike! You scared me half to death there!” Vox said as he turned around to face a sheepish-looking Ike. “I’m sorry, Vox. I didn’t mean to scare you like that, I followed you so I could help with preparing lunch.” “Oh, your fine Ike, you’re forgiven, and I won’t deny a willing helping hand in lunch…” Vox started and the conversation between the two shifted to the topic of lunch. More specifically what to make for lunch, as Vox wasn’t 100% sure about what to make. Although Vox did specify that he wanted to make something light for lunch to not upset Luca’s stomach even if he did have some fruit.
“I know it’s quite early to ask, but I was wondering about what you were thinking about for dinner,” Ike asks curiously, a question that Vox can answer, “Well, I was thinking about making some lasagna, since I do still have some of the homemade tomato sauce that I have to use up before it spoils.” Vox was pleased to hear an agreeing hum and a “Can’t wait for dinner then,” from Ike.
The thirsty little lion, also known as Luca, quietly came to the kitchen where his missing brothers were to ask for something to drink overheard them talking about having lasagna for dinner and got excited, “Vox, Vox, Vox! Can I help with making dinner?? Please??? Pleaseeeee???” Vox, appreciative of the offer from Luca wants to keep him happy, “There’s no help needed since there isn’t much you can do, Luca, but if you want to help then you can later help me with putting the lasagna together, alright?” Luca enthusiastically agrees and asks for something to drink. Ike fills up a glass with water and hands it to Luca who after thanking Ike happily left and went back to his other 2 brothers to continue watching them play Minecraft which they switched to a little while after Vox and Ike left the room.
By the time Luca had finished his glass of water about 10 minutes had passed. As Luca got up and started walking to the kitchen to give the now empty glass back he suddenly felt dizzy and unable to keep his balance, Luca fell. As Luca fell he dropped the glass and it shattered, in many both large and tiny shards of glass, and unfortunately, Luca ended up falling on one of the big shards that got stuck in his leg. Hearing the commotion everyone ran to the source of the sound, Ike reaching it first. Ike seeing what has happened quickly told everyone to stop to prevent another accident from happening. Vox quickly went to get the broom to clean up the glass shards before Ike picked up the crying and in-pain Luca and sat him on top of the counter in the kitchen to check if he had got cut by the glass anywhere. Ike winced when he found the reasonably large shard of glass stuck in Luca’s leg and asked for the first-aid kit that was handed to him by Shu and quickly got to work. Once Ike had carefully removed the glass shard and cleaned the wound, he bandaged Luca’s leg. Ike was about to put the rest of the stuff away before he was stopped by Shu, “I’ll put everything away, go calm down Luca.”
Once Ike picked up the now less but still crying Luca he walked back to the living room and sat down on the couch and tried calming him down. Once Luca had calmed down and now letting out a few hiccups here and there they were approached by Shu who had his hands behind his back. In an attempt to cheer up Luca Shu revealed the can of cheddar cheese pringles he was thankful he grabbed earlier at the store. Noticing his favourite snack Luca cheered up and even cracked a smile, about which everyone was happy, yet still sniffling due to the crying earlier and pain. Mysta who wanted to be a helpful older brother to Luca came up with the idea to go to Luca’s room and get Augustus for Luca so he can cuddle with him while enjoying his favourite snack. Making his way back to the living room Mysta presented Augustus to Luca who happily took the plush lion. After Luca thanked everyone he cuddled up with Augustus while holding his can of pringles, all while still sitting in Ike’s lap. Vox, having cleaned up the kitchen, walked into the living room to check on his little brothers saw the cuddles up Luca and couldn’t help but coo at the adorable sight as his heart swelled with affection.
A few hours passed since the accident and dinner time had arrived. Vox as promised let Luca help with putting everything together and not long after Vox called his brothers to the dinner table so that everyone could enjoy the combined efforts at dinner. Luca now cheered up, not in nearly as much pain and with a full belly of nice food, left the table after thanking Vox for the meal and went to look for Augustus. Once Luca had located Augustus he grabbed him and brought him back to his room.
In his room, Luca looked for his backpack and after finding it, he took his unfinished homework and returned to the dining room. Back in the dining room, he saw that the rest of his brothers had also finished eating and had returned with their respective work that needed to be completed. Luca went to his usual spot, sat down and started working on his homework, trying to do as much as he can by himself and only asking for help when he was stuck on something that he could answer for a while.
Slowly as it became later and later into the night, Luca started getting sleepier and at one point ended up falling asleep. Mysta noticed the little sleeping lion and got Ike’s attention - the brother who was sitting the nearest to him- letting him know about Luca who had fallen asleep. After listening to what Mysta told him, Ike quietly got up and walked around the table to Luca before carefully picking him up and walking to Luca’s room. Thankfully Luca had already changed into his pyjamas, so Ike wouldn’t risk waking him up, so all Ike had to do was put Luca in his bed and tuck him in. Tucking Luca in bed Ike took Luca’s favourite plush Augustus, which was gifted to Luca by the rest of Luca’s brothers when he was born, and put him right next to Luca. Ike quietly turned off the light and quickly left the room and let Luca sleep the night away.