Chapter Text
"I'll be back soon!" Raiden chuckled, ruffling Kung Lao's head. "You won't even notice me gone!"
"Lier," Kung Lao huffed, crossing his arms. "You're gonna be gone for so long!!"
"Just a few hours," Raiden kissed his forehead. "But you can call me whenever you want. And Bi-Han's and you are gonna have so much fun!"
Kung Lao eyed Bi-Han, who raised an eyebrow in response. Bi-Han had never watched Kung Lao before. Raiden had tried others, of course. Johnny wasn't in the country right now. Kuai Liang was on a date. And Tomas himself was small right now. He and Kenshi were supposed go see the movies tonight. Kung Lao had slipped a little bit ago.
He swore he could watch himself. But after the vase incident, Raiden didn't want to chance it.
Kuai Liang had actually suggested Bi-Han to help watch him. Bi-Han didn't often watch regressors, but he had apparently helped watch his brother thousands of times. There was also the fact he helped raise them. Kuai Liang warned Raiden that Bi-Han might get a bit too . . . strict at times. But he was a pretty decent caregiver!
Bi-Han liked watching littles. Even if he'd never admit it, he happily accepted the request to watch over Kung Lao. He also wouldn't admit it, but it had been some time since watching someone little. He wasn't nervous . . . But he was a bit nervous. Kuai Liang had Harumi now, and Tomas, for some reason, had been regressing by himself again.
It had also been some time since he had babysat an actual child. Unless he counted Hanzo, who was annoying . . . And promising in his skills. But Bi-Han wouldn't admit that either.
Kung Lao didn't seem convinced by Raiden's words.
"No we're not," he pouted, kicking the ground.
"We're not?" Bi-Han asked. Kung Lao looked squeamish.
"Well . . . we could," Kung Lao admitted before hugging Raiden, hiding in his shoulder. "But you're gonna be gone for so long! . . . What if I miss you?"
"You can call me, silly," Raiden reminded him. "Is something wrong, Kung Lao? You seemed to excited to have a playdate earlier."
Kung Lao puffed out his cheeks. He was excited to have Bi-Han watch over him, but that didn't mean he wasn't nervous. Bi-Han looked so intimidating, and his scowl wasn't helping.
"No, nothings wrong," Kung Lao shook his head.
"Just feeling a bit shy?" Raiden asked, rubbing Kung Lao's back. "It's alright, Lao. I'll be back soon! And you can call me whenever you want, okay?"
"Fine," Kung Lao grumbled. "You have my 'mermission to leave."
"I have your permission to leave?" Raiden asked, which Kung Lao proudly nodded to. "Well I'm glad. I'll be back in a few hours, why don't you go get some toys for you and Bi-Han to play with?"
"I show him all my toys!" Kung Lao gasped, rushing out of the room.
"Your sure you'll be okay with me watching him?" Bi-Han asked, uncrossing his arms.
"If anything happens you can always call me, I'll keep my phone on sound," Raiden said, grabbing his bag. "And if you need help with dialing me, Kung Lao knows how to call me."
"I know how to dial someone," Bi-Han grumbled. It wasn't a complete lie . . . Earthrealm technology was confusing at times. He's rather just text instead. "Does he have a bedtime or any type of schedule?"
"Uuuuh, I'll text you the rule list! We still need to make an actual physical list," Raiden said, quickly texting Bi-Han. "I'd recommend making him something easy for dinner, like Mac and Cheese! There are some Paw Patrols shaped ones in the cabinet. Your sure you're okay with watching him?"
"I've watched an energetic puppy who accidentally tore off his favorite stuffed bear's ear," Bi-Han said. "I'm sure an energetic toddler won't be much different."
"Was the stuffy okay?" Raiden asked, looking concern. A torn stuffie was never a fun situation. He had experience from both sides.
"Make it out of surgery just fine," Bi-Han nodded. He was proud in his sewing skills.
"Was that a . . . joke?" Raiden asked. Bi-Han shot him an icy glare. "No! No, it was funny! I just wasn't expecting you to say surgery. Maybe to Kung Lao, since he's small right now, but . . . I'm sorry."
"It's whatever," Bi-Han uncrossed his arms.
His tone didn't make it seem fine. But Raiden understood that Bi-Han wasn't upset with him or anything. He would have insulted him if he was. Or glared at him and stayed silent.
"Papa?" Kung Lao frowned as he stared past Bi-Han, towards the hallway.
"He went bye-bye. It you and me now, kid," Bi-Han said, sitting on the couch. Like a normal person, not like his brothers. Sitting on the rest or sprawling out across it was unprofessional, un Lin Kuei like. "He'll be back in a few hours."
"How many?" Kung Lao asked.
"About four-"
"Four!" Kung Lao cut him off with a gasped whine. "That's too long!"
"Do you want to call him?" Bi-Han asked.
Kung Lao looked conflicted. He didn't want Bi-Han to feel unwelcome. But he also really wanted Papa back. But Papa hadn't even left yet! He had probably just gotten into the car! And what if Bi-Han got upset by how clingy he was being? He shouldn't be this clingy. He was so excited about this playdate too!!
And Bi-Han's facial expression and tensed body didn't help. He looked upset. Was he upset? No, that was just Bi-Han's normal face. He was just being silly, overthinking like this. What would Papa tell him right now?
". . . . Can we?" Kung Lao finally whispered.
Bi-Han sighed and pulled out his phone. Kung Lao tensed at his sigh, but Bi-han patted the seat next to him. Kung Lao shuffled over, helping him call his Papa.
Bi-Han had already decided this was going to be a long night.