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Arthur hadn’t realized Charles was serious.
When his big brother had whispered that promise — I’ll spoil you, petit trésor — Arthur thought it had just been something nice to calm him down. Sweet words to make him feel safe. But two mornings later, Charles had walked into his room with that determined look in his eyes and said:
“Get dressed, bébé. We’re going out.”
Arthur blinked up from his cocoon of blankets, the corner piece of the blanket bobbing in his mouth. “Out?” he mumbled around it, cheeks warming.
“Yes,” Charles said firmly, kneeling down beside the bed. “I want to get you some things. Things just for you. You deserve it.”
Arthur whimpered softly, hiding behind his blanket. “But… people’ll see.”
Charles’ gaze softened. He brushed his brother’s hair back. “We’ll be careful. No one will know. Just us, hm?”
Arthur hesitated, gnawing nervously at the edge of his blanket shield. Charles kissed his forehead.
“You trust me, don’t you?”
Arthur’s voice was a whisper. “Y-yeah…”
“Then let me take care of you.”
—
The Store
The niche little shop Charles chose wasn’t flashy — tucked away on a quiet street in Monaco, small but cozy. Arthur clung to Charles’ sleeve as they stepped inside, heart pounding. The shelves were lined with plushies, pacifiers, bottles, coloring books, blankets, and all sorts of comforting little things.
Arthur’s cheeks flushed bright red. “Charles…” he whined softly, burying his face against his brother’s shoulder.
Charles chuckled, ruffling his hair. “Don’t hide, petit trésor. Look around. This is for you.”
Arthur peeked out, wide-eyed. He lingered near the plushie section, fingers twitching like he wanted to touch but didn’t dare.
“Go on,” Charles encouraged.
Arthur reached out, shyly pressing his hand into the soft fur of a tiger plush. His lips curved into the tiniest smile.
“You like that one?” Charles asked.
Arthur nodded quickly, cheeks burning.
“Then it’s yours.”
Arthur gasped. “W-what? No! You don’t have to—”
“I told you I’d spoil you,” Charles interrupted, lifting the plush into the basket. “This is only the beginning.”
Arthur made a tiny squeak of protest, but Charles only kissed his temple and steered him toward the next aisle.
—
Pacifier Section
Arthur froze when they reached it. His cheeks burned hotter than ever as his gaze flicked to the row of adult pacifiers in a few colors and styles. He immediately ducked behind Charles, whining softly.
“Shhh,” Charles soothed, reaching back to stroke his arm. “It’s okay. Just us here.”
Arthur peeked over his shoulder, lip wobbling. “Too baby…” he whispered.
Charles turned and crouched so they were eye-level. He cupped Arthur’s cheek. “You are my baby. That’s not bad. That’s beautiful. And you need one, don’t you?”
Arthur squirmed, embarrassed, but nodded shyly.
“Then let’s pick together.”
Charles held up a pale blue pacifier, then a white one with little stars. “Which one, mon bébé?”
Arthur reached out timidly, tapping the starry one with his finger.
Charles smiled, slipping it into the basket. “Good choice.”
Arthur buried his face in Charles’ chest immediately after, whining muffledly.
Charles chuckled, hugging him tight. “So shy, but so cute.”
—
Coloring Supplies
By the time they reached the coloring aisle, Arthur had relaxed a little. His pacifier was in his mouth now, soothing him as he clung to Charles’ hand.
When Charles pointed to a big box of crayons, Arthur’s eyes lit up. “So many colors…” he mumbled around the paci.
Charles grinned. “All for you, petit trésor.” He added coloring books too — cars, animals, and even a baby dinosaur one that made Arthur giggle softly.
—
Checkout
Arthur stayed tucked close to Charles the whole time, pacifier bobbing gently as the cashier rang everything up. He hid his face in Charles’ arm, cheeks burning, but Charles kept one protective hand on his back, calm and steady.
When they stepped outside, bags in hand, Charles leaned down and whispered: “See? Easy. And now you have everything you need.”
Arthur peeked up at him, cheeks still pink but eyes shining. “…Thank you, Char.”
Charles kissed his hair, hugging him close. “Anything for you, bébé. Always.”
—
Back Home
They spread everything out on the living room floor — the tiger plush, the starry pacifier, the crayons, the coloring books. Arthur stared at it all in awe, hands trembling.
“All mine?” he asked softly, pacifier slipping from his lips.
“All yours,” Charles confirmed, settling down beside him. “Because you deserve it.”
Arthur whimpered, then threw himself into Charles’ arms, hugging him tightly. “Love you,” he mumbled into his brother’s chest.
Charles held him just as tightly, kissing the crown of his head. “I love you more, mon trésor.”
Arthur’s pacifier found its way back into his mouth as he curled into Charles’ lap, tiger plush hugged to his chest. Safe. Loved. Spoiled.
And Charles knew he’d keep spoiling him forever.