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Knock, knock, knock.
“I’ll get it!”
Rocket sprung from his father’s lap before either of his fathers could say anything and rushed to the door. He swung it open happily, but the enthusiasm quickly switched to confusion.
“…Mic? Mega?” Rocket tilted his head. Firebrand sat up quickly at the mention of his grandsons.
“Rocket,” Megaphone whimpered.
The brothers stood at the door, both sniffling and teary-eyed. Microphone clung to Megaphone’s arm and bit his lip to quiet his sobs while the taller child kept wiping at their face with their sleeve to clear some of their tears and snot.
“Why are you guys here? Why are you, like, all sad and stuff?” The blue-horned boy questioned. “Where’s your mom and dad?”
Mega let out a loud sob at the mention of their parents. Firebrand was up from the couch and at the door in a flash. He knelt down to his grandsons and looked at them with worry in his golden eye, and Mega leapt into his arms, sobbing into their grandfather’s shoulder. Mic looked at Firebrand hesitantly and joined the hug when he received a nod from the deity. Rocket stared in confusion, and Zuka joined his kid in doing so. Firebrand wrapped his arms and wings around the crying kids.
“Oh, dear, why are you two here alone? What’s wrong?” Firebrand cooed softly.
“M-Mom and Dad are f-fighting again! They kee-p fighting, Paw!” Mic sobbed. “It’s sc-cary!”
“They y-yell s-so much,” Mega cried.
Zuka grabbed Rocket’s hand and led him back to the couch.
“Oh, kids,” Firebrand rubbed circles into their backs. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay? Do you want to stay here tonight?”
“We’re o-okay,” Mic sniffled. “I wa-wanna stay with you f-forever, Paw.”
“C’mere,”
Firebrand lifted the children and brought them to the couch to join Rocket and Zuka. The brothers sat in their grandfather’s lap, each gradually calming down.
“Hey there,” Zuka hummed, his voice soft and gentle.
“Hi, Zooba.” Mega, once again, sniffled grossly, but they also giggled.
“I thought you grew out of that.” Zuka smiled and rolled his eyes, and he ruffled Mega’s hair.
“Zooba!” Mic grinned, wiping his tears. He stuck his head over Mega’s. “Hi Zooba!”
“It’s Zuka,” Zuka huffed.
Mic didn’t listen and climbed over Mega to give Zuka a hug. He wrapped his little arms around the father. Zuka returned the embrace. After a moment, Mic moved to squeeze Rocket as well. Rocket giggled and hugged the other boy back. Mega stayed with Firebrand comfortably and leaned onto his chest, their tail wrapping around his wrist.
“Why do they fight, Paw?” Mega asked softly. “Aren’t Mom and Dad supposed to love each other?”
Firebrand and Zuka looked at each other sadly. Knowingly.
“Megaphone, have you ever lost a friend? Maybe you grew apart and lost interest, or maybe they changed. Perhaps they weren’t the kind of person you thought they were?” Firebrand asked with all eyes on him.
“Yeah…?”
“Well, that happens… to grown-ups, too. Your parents might…” Firebrand trailed off, hesitant.
“They might break up, kid.” Zuka finished.
“Or need some time apart.”
Mega and Mic burst back into tears. Firebrand sighed and looked at Zuka with a gaze of pity which Zuka returned, and Firebrand held Mega close and stroked their back. Rocket pat Mic’s back awkwardly as the older boy sobbed into the younger’s shoulder.
“Dad, you won’t break up with Firebrand, right?” Rocket questioned.
“What makes you think that?”
“I dunno.”
“No, we’re not gonna break up, buddy.”
Zuka gently pulled Mic onto himself and off of Rocket. He held Mic carefully.
“Hey, hey… I know, kid. Did you know my parents broke up, too?” Zuka patted Mic’s back.
“Th-they did?” Mic looked up at Zuka, fat tears rolling down his cheeks.
“Mhm. It’s sad, but it won’t be sad forever. They still love you.”
“Sometimes I d-don’t think they love us.”
Aside from the sobs, the room quieted, and a thick, uncomfortable silence fell into the air.
“…Why is that, Microphone..?” Firebrand asked.
“Th-They’re mean! They yell a-at us all the time!” Mic whined, and Zuka shut his eyes tight as the kid’s high voice penetrated his ears.
“Mommy c-called me stupid,” Mega sobbed. “And they a-a-always say we have to do th-things ‘cause they s-said so! For no reas-son!”
“They tell us t-to shut up when w-we wanna play and their stupid show is on! Dad loves h-his phone more than u-us!”
Firebrand looked at Zuka with a pale face.
“I… I never thought… your dad would be like that. I didn’t raise him to be like that. Your mom… I… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Firebrand’s voice shook slightly.
“It’s ok-kay, Paw. I love you.” Mega whimpered. “You’re nicer…”
“Your parents sound like um… m-… motherfuckers!” Rocket yelped out. It caused the brothers to giggle through their tears.
“Rocket! Language!” Zuka scolded.
“Why? You call people you really don’t like that!”
“I try not to. You can say it when you’re older. Watch your mouth.”
“I think you’re right,” Mic whispered to Rocket. “They’re m-motherfuckers,”
“I can hear you!” Zuka lightly bonked Mic’s head.
The kids burst into laughter. At least the brothers were distracted from their parents, Zuka thought.
“If you don’t quit swearing, the tickle monster’s gonna get you.” Firebrand threatened.
“Pawww, we’re too old for tickle monster!” Mega whined.
“Are you? I guess you won’t care if I let you get him then.”
“NO!!!”
All three kids scattered off of the couch. Megaphone ran upstairs while Rocket and Microphone booked it to the kitchen. Firebrand leapt up and chased after Mega. Zuka laughed and stayed on the couch, resting his eyes and letting himself enjoy his short and rare moment alone. He heard Mega shriek from upstairs.
As soon as he found them, Firebrand pounced onto Megaphone and immediately began tickling the child. Megaphone screamed and giggled and pushed at Firebrand’s arms, desperately trying- and failing- to get him to stop.
“Are you still too old for the tickle monster?” Firebrand laughed in a funny, lower-than-usual voice.
“N-No! No!!” Mega laughed.
“Okay, you can be safe from him then.” Firebrand smiled, his voice returning to normal for a moment. “Do you wanna be my assistant monster? You can help me get Rocket and Microphone.”
“Yeah!” Megaphone smiled evilly.
“Okay, let’s go.” Firebrand flashed his sharp teeth to Mega in a toothy grin. His voice was low and silly again.
Firebrand scooped Mega up and into his arms and began making his way back down the stairs, through the living room and towards the kitchen. Zuka glanced at the newly formed alliance in amusement, and he smiled and shook his head. Oh, how he loved that deity. That tall, dragon-like man with a beautiful yellow eye that shined vibrantly like beautiful gold riches. The man that lit up a room and even seemed to light up himself when he saw Zuka. Zuka felt his face heat up, and his tail thumped softly on the couch beneath him. By the Gods, he loved that man. He threw his arm over his face that’d begun to turn red to partially hide it.
Meanwhile, the king in question had no clue that he resided in his partner’s thoughts, too preoccupied with trying to find Rocket and Microphone. Megaphone opened the cupboard under the sink and gasped.
“ROCKET!”
Mega tackled the younger boy as he tried to escape. Rocket screeched and laughed as he was held down by Mega and tickled by Firebrand, and he kicked Firebrand several times while he struggled to get away. Tears formed in his eyes as he laughed, and his chest began to hurt, and his little tail wagged beneath him.
“Stop! EHEAHAUHA, R-really! I can’t- b-brea-HEHEHAHAH-“ Rocket laughed and squirmed and gasped for air.
Firebrand finally began to let down. The child under him began to catch his breath, smiling so big that it hurt his cheeks.
“Do you wanna help us find Microphone?” Firebrand whispered.
“Oh- yeah!” Rocket loudly whispered back. “He’s in the closet.”
“I already looked in there, though?” Mega murmured.
“At the top!”
The three turned to the open closet and saw little golden eyes staring back at them from the highest shelf. Mic yelped and pulled his head back, and Firebrand was about to get up and grab him from the shelf, but before he could, the little child launched himself off of it with a scream. Mic flapped his little wings desperately and was able to glide for a few seconds before tumbling to the ground, recovering quickly, and sprinting away. He didn’t stop squealing. Firebrand watched Mega and Rocket spring up and run after Mic.
“Catch him for me, yeah? I’m tired.” Firebrand requested as he stood and strode back to the couch.
He sat beside Zuka. Zuka looked up at Firebrand, pink-faced and smitten. All for that stupid deity. Zuka sat up with a soft trill and crawled into Firebrand’s lap, facing the taller, and Firebrand smiled and tilted his head, and Zuka kissed him. Firebrand leaned into it with a hum.
“EWWWWW!”
It took almost no time for them to be interrupted by grossed-out kids. All three made noises of disgust, and Firebrand laughed at it. Zuka huffed, somewhat annoyed, but… no, it was pretty funny, wasn’t it?
“Why were you kissing?! That’s SO gross!” Mic yelled.
“Kisses are gross?” Firebrand asked softly, a smile making its way to his face.
“Yeah!”
A mischievous look painted Firebrand’s face before he pounced on the kids again, making sure to be gentle, and he gave all three kisses all over their foreheads and cheeks as they squealed and scrambled and struggled to get away. Zuka laughed at the sight and decided to steal Rocket from Firebrand, giving the boy several kisses on the forehead while he screamed. It hurt Zuka’s ears, but he couldn’t bring himself to care all that much. It eventually turned into the tickle monster finally getting ahold of Mic, and the child was given no mercy as he shrieked and shook with laughter, and Firebrand laughed with him.
Though, it eventually did come to an end. Firebrand finally decided Mic had enough. His grandson clutched his stomach and caught his breath, tears running down his face. Firebrand trilled and let Mic be, pulling Mega over to himself and laying down. Mega made a confused noise.
“Do you want to ‘airplane’, Megaphone?” Firebrand offered with a grin.
“Yeah!” Mega nodded enthusiastically.
Firebrand laid on his back, and Mega stood over him. Firebrand maneuvered so that his feet pressed against Mega’s stomach, and Mega leaned forward, reaching for Firebrand’s paws. Firebrand interlaced his fingers with the child’s. He extended his legs, and Mega giggled as they were lifted off of the ground. Mega’s little wings flapped while their tail whipped around excitedly.
“I’m flying, Paw! Like you!” Mega shouted. “Zooba, look! Look!”
“Wow! You are!” Zuka grinned tiredly.
“What?! I want a turn!” Rocket yelled, wiggling from Zuka’s lap and over to Firebrand’s side.
“Be patient, Rocky. You can have a turn in a few minutes, okay?” Firebrand looked at the kid.
Rocket sighed and nodded. Mic stole Rocket’s previous place in Zuka’s lap, sitting and watching while leaning against the man.
“Hi there.” Zuka looked down at Mic.
“Hi, Zooba.” Mic looked back up, his thumb in his mouth.
“You’re too old to be suckin’ your thumb, kid.”
“Why? No I’m not!”
“It’ll screw- er, mess up your teeth. Quit it.”
“…It will?” Mic asked quietly, spitting out his thumb.
“Mhm,” Zuka answered.
“Mom and Dad never tell me why I can’t do stuff.” Mic huffed. “I didn’t know it’d hurt my teeth.”
“Well, you know now.”
Microphone relaxed on Zuka, and Zuka wrapped his arm around the smaller of the two. They watched as Firebrand put Megaphone down and let Rocket have a turn ‘airplaning’, as Firebrand called it. Mega skittered over to Zuka and joined Mic on him. Zuka rested his head on top of Mega’s with a sigh. Rocket squealed and laughed as Firebrand raised him from the ground, his tiny tail wagging. Firebrand played with him for a few more minutes before letting him down. Rocket laid on top of Firebrand with a little sigh.
“Hmm,” Firebrand glanced at his watch. “I think it’s time for bed, you three.”
“Nooo!” All three whined in unison.
“Firebrand’s right.” Zuka agreed.
“No! I don’t wanna leave Paw!” Mega whimpered whilst crawling back over to their Paw.
Zuka and Firebrand looked at each other.
“You think your bed’s big enough…?” Zuka asked.
“I don’t think so.”
“Sleepover!” Rocket exclaimed. “Out here! We can have a sleepover!”
“Yeah!” Mic agreed.
“Sounds good to me!” Firebrand trilled. “I’ll go get blankets and pillows.”
“I wanna come with!” Mega sprung up as Firebrand began to stand, Rocket crawling off of the deity.
Firebrand led Mega upstairs to grab the aforementioned blankets and pillows. Zuka said that he’d be right back and followed them to go take his medicine that usually sat on the coffee table beside the bed he shared with Firebrand. Rocket and Mic stayed in the living room.
It didn’t take long for Zuka to return, then Firebrand, the latter holding an absurd amount of pillows and blankets in his arms. He even held a few with his wings and tail and balanced a pillow on his head. Mega followed with as many stuffed animals as he could carry in their little arms. Zuka gently scolded Mic and Rocket for roughhousing while the others were upstairs, but the children didn’t seem to listen, too excited to begin working on their little sleeping area. And that’s what they did.
They began by covering the floor with several large and thick blankets. Then, Firebrand set pillows along the edges of the blankets and tossed a few more in the middle. The stuffed animals were carefully scattered around as well. Firebrand told the kids to lay down where they wanted to sleep. Rocket curled up and rested his head on one of the pillows at the edge with his favorite plush bear in his arms, and Mic and Mega snuggled up together toward the middle, Mega holding a rabbit plush. Zuka tucked Rocket in with another blanket while Firebrand did the same to his grandchildren, and Zuka laid between Rocket and Mic while Firebrand went to go turn off the lights- aside from a nightlight that was left on. He returned and cuddled up to Mega’s side. He also tossed Zuka a blanket. The younger man thanked him.
“Psst.” Mic whispered.
“What?” Rocket whispered back.
“I wanna live with you guys forever.”
“You should! I’ve always wanted siblings.”
“Shh. Talk in the morning. Bedtime.” Zuka mumbled in annoyance.
“Sorry!”
“Night Paw and Mega and Zuka and Rocket!” Mic whispered loudly.
“Night,” Firebrand rumbled. “I love you all.”
There were several more ‘night’s and ‘I love you (too)’s and ‘stop talking and sleep’s before everyone finally sunk into a warm slumber, all snuggled up against each other and, most importantly, happy.