Chapter Text
“Usnavi, we’re going to let a family member stay with us from now on. He’s much younger than you so it’s your job to keep an eye on him, entiendes?”
Usnavi wasn’t sure what to think when his mother told him the news. He nodded regardless, his father helping aid the situation by saying that Usnavi was basically going to be a big brother.
His younger cousin, who he never met, had just lost his parents, so his parents were taking him in. It made sense. His parents were nice people and since this kid was his cousin he guessed that was okay. He had never really cared about having siblings, never asked his parents for any. He had Nina and Benny after all; they were practically family already. So,
Usnavi heeded the warning, forgot about it for a day, and finally remembered when Papi brought home a new bed and began setting it up in Usnavi’s room. Usnavi’s room was big enough for two single beds, but it kinda rubbed him the wrong way that he would never get his room to himself anymore.
And soon, the day came, and Mama walked in with a small three-year-old boy in tow. His thumb was in his mouth and he was clinging to a large baseball cap that was clearly too big for him. He had curly hair, dark eyes and wore a red t-shirt covered by some overalls.
“Usnavi, this is your cousin, Sonny.” Mama said. “Sonny, this is Usnavi.”
Sonny looked up at Usnavi with big eyes, not answering or taking his thumb out of his mouth.
“Hi.” Usnavi said simply with a wave. He really wasn’t sure what to make of this kid. He was practically still a baby; could he even talk? Could he even speak English? Sonny was silent.
“Why don’t we go get Sonny all set up in his room?” Mama asked. She led Sonny away and Usnavi watched them disappear into his room; or he guessed it was their room now. He slowly entered the bedroom as Mama began unpacking Sonny’s clothes which Usnavi noticed he didn’t have very many of. Papi told him that when he and Mama immigrated here they couldn’t bring much either.
He watched as Sonny sat on the floor, chewing on the rim of the baseball cap until Mama placed two toys near him, a ratty looking teddy bear and a small rickety toy car. Sonny picked up the teddy bear and started waving it around when his eyes fell on Usnavi. “Juega conmigo!” He said, beaming up at him.
Usnavi didn’t move for a moment; he had never really interacted with kids this young before, let alone played with them. Not knowing what else to do, the older boy sat down in front of Sonny and picked up the toy car. Usnavi let a small smile come to his face as Mama nodded in approval. Usnavi rolled the little toy car around on the ground, attempting to go along with what Sonny considered ‘playing’.
Turns out Sonny was very loud. The kid found screaming at the top of his lungs hilarious as he burst into laughter after every scream. Usnavi was shocked that Abuela hadn’t come in thinking they were being robbed. But Usnavi wasn’t prepared for, was how physical Sonny got. Before he knew it, Sonny had latched himself to Usnavi’s back, jumping onto him from the bed, and refusing to let go, screaming “Caballo” in his ear. Thankfully that only lasted for a few minutes before they were called to dinner and Mama was able to pry Sonny off him.
“You two seem to be getting along.” Papi commented as they sat down to eat.
Usnavi looked at Sonny who pulled a face at him, “Kinda…” He said. What on earth had he gotten into?