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“Dad, Zoha can’t play with us?”
Urami looks down to his youngest of the 4 older children he has. A small frown was on his little face as he pulled on his dad’s shirt.
“No Urogi. Zohakuten can’t play with y’all today. He has a fever. And besides, he’s too little to play outside for long.”
“Aww…but I want him to play with me and Kara!”
Even though his kids have about a 10 year age gap between Zohakuten, they were still little. Urogi was only 8 years old, so it isn’t surprising how he doesn’t really understand his baby brother’s circumstances and why he can’t play with them.
Urami sighs, rubbing his son’s head with his big hand. “I know. But Zohakuten has to get rest, and he’s only a baby. You understand?”
A pout grew on the little one’s face, looking down and nodding his head. “Yes dad…”
He didn’t like telling his kids to keep away from Zohakuten even if it was just for a little. But he didn’t want them to get sick as well, and even just staying in the same room with Zohakuten would probably make them feel even sadder.
Zohakuten had always been feeble. He’s only a year old, but all Urami can remember is how easily his poor baby gets sick. They’ve gone to the doctor many times, yet they all say the same thing every time. “He’s still just a baby. Give his immune system some time to build itself up.” He hates hearing them say that. And they never give Zohakuten any real treatment. It’s not like Benadryl can fix everything you know.
After Urogi hurries off to go play with Karaku again (and try to bother Aizetsu to play with them instead) Urami walks upstairs to his bedroom where Zohakuten is resting.
When he opened the door he didn’t expect to see Sekido standing over Zohakuten’s crib, carefully watching him. He smiles, walking over to him.
“Sekido, what are you doing here?”
Upon hearing his dad’s deep voice (despite it being softer than usual) he flinches and whips his head over to him in surprise. “I–I heard Zo whining again.”
Urami stands next to his son, wrapping his arm around him gently as he looks down to Zohakuten. The baby was making small noises in his sleep. His breathing was slow, and his face had been flushed with the fever that his little body was trying to fight off.
“You did huh? You’re always two steps ahead of me.” He ruffles Sekido’s hair lovingly, causing his oldest to lean into his hand.
“You’re such a good big brother. No matter what, you always make sure your baby siblings are ok.”
Sekido’s face warmed up as he heard his dad praise him. He always tried his best to make him proud, but he’d never admit how happy his dad’s words truly made him.
“...Thanks dad.” His voice was quiet as he continued to watch Zohakuten begin squirming in his sleep.
Zohakuten started to whine again and Urami could tell he was about to cry. But before he could reach for the baby, Sekido was already holding him and comforting him, just like he taught him to.
Urami smiles warmly as he watches him.
“Shhh… it’s okay Zoha… it’s okay. Me and dad are right here with you.”
Sekido can’t imagine how lonely Zohakuten must have felt. Just two days ago he was playing happily with them, but now he has to stay in his crib all day other than being taken out just to drink his medicine.
He feels his dad’s gaze on them, and he looks up to him. “Dad, does he have to take his medicine?”
“No. Not for another 3 hours. Don’t worry.” Urami reassures Sekido, knowing how much he hates when Zohakuten has to take it.
After a little while Zohakuten fell right back asleep in his brother's arms. Urami places the back of his hand on the baby’s warm cheek. He tries not to show his worry on his face when he’s around his other kids, but he knows that his expression drops as he hears Zohakuten’s labored breaths.
It seems that Sekido noticed, because he looked up to him as he still held Zohakuten in his arms. He doesn’t say anything. All he does is leans his head onto his dad’s chest trying to comfort him.
Urami was surprised for a moment at the weight on his chest, before he chuckled softly and rubbed his oldest son’s head gently.
“Thank you, Sekido.”
Sekido lifted his head, gently laying Zohakuten into his crib before turning back to his dad.
“... Dad, I'm going to stay here for a bit with Zoha so he doesn’t feel lonely.”
“You sure? I know you have schoolwork to be doing.”
He shook his head. “Nah, I already did it. And even then… Zoha’s more important. I wanna stay.”
Urami smiles as he hears his son’s words. Yeah, he expected that he would say that.
“Alright. If you need anything I'll be downstairs, okay?”
Sekido nods his head, and his dad gives him a kiss on his head before leaving the room to prepare dinner.
He hovers over the crib again watching his baby brother. It doesn’t matter if he had to stay here for hours on end, he would. He’ll never let Zohakuten feel lonely. Even if he got sick and couldn’t play with everyone else, he’ll always have his big brother staying with him.