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Simon sat on the couch fidgeting with his hands gently. He had woken up in little space, not something that was common for him, but it was agreed between them that Simon would never force himself to feel big if unnecessary.
Subsequently because he was little and Ryland had class to teach this morning Rocky and Adrian were coming to babysit. Simon loved being around the two Eridians when big, but he had only briefly been around them while little. This was the first time he was fully going to be taken care of by them, and he was nervous.
Ryland of course was able to sense this as he finished getting himself ready for class. He sat down next to Simon on the couch and leaned over to pull Simon into a side hug. Simon melted into Ryland’s side at once with a small sigh, wrapping his own arms around Ryland’s waist.
“What’s on your mind Si?” Ryland asked softly and Simon shrugged.
“I don’t gotta be little, don’t gotta be babysat.” Simon mumbled as he laid his head against Ryland’s chest. Ryland rolled his eyes as he began to run his hand through Simon’s hair.
“We already agreed on not forcing yourself to be big, you don’t go little a lot so when you do it helps you a lot. And Rocky and Adrian are so excited to babysit you.” Ryland reminded him and Simon just hummed a little. “How old are you feeling?” Simon held up two fingers, then a third, then put it back down, he whined a bit. “Hey it’s okay if you don’t know for sure love.”
“I just dunno and I wanna.” Simon continued to whine out of frustration. Ryland ran his hand through Simon’s hair some more.
“Shhhh, it’s okay. You’re young and that’s all we gotta know Si. You’re okay love bug.” Ryland reassured and Simon let out a large sigh. They just continued to cuddle until there was a knock at the door. “Come in!” Rylan called.
Rocky and Adrian walked through the front door, Adrian towering over Rocky as per usual. Simon, who had closed his eyes at some point, opened them when he heard the familiar taps on the floor. His face blushed slightly and he turned his face more inward towards Ryland. Ryland chuckled at the action.
“Why pebble Simon turn away, question?” Rocky asked as he sensed the motion.
“Oh he’s just a bit shy I guess, little on edge since he can’t pinpoint how old he is exactly.” Ryland explained and Simon whined again at the mention of it. Ryland ran his hand up and down Simon’s side for a bit of soothing pressure.
“No need to know, Rocky and Adrian know how to take care of pebbles at any age.” Adrian dismissed the littles concern. Ryland chuckled and pressed a small kiss to Simon’s forehead.
“See baby, doesn’t matter. They’ll take good care of you till I’m back from class.” Ryland confirmed and Simon nodded. “Okay but that means I gotta get up now so I can go to class.”
“Noooooooo.” Simon whined as he gripped onto Ryland tighter. Ryland was trying not to upset Simon, but also knew he was going to be late soon if he didn’t start leaving.
“Come on baby, the quicker I go the quicker I come back.” Ryland tried but Simon just gripped on tighter.
“Pebble Simon want to build nest question?” Rocky asked as Simon peaked over towards Rocky. He had told Ryland months ago he wanted trying to make a nest like Eridian’s did, and Ryland must have mentioned it to Rocky. Slowly Simon nodded.
“Pebble Simon let go of Grace so Grace can go teach, then we build nest.” Adrian offered and after thinking about it for a moment Simon nodded again. He slowly released his grip on Ryland and pulled back slightly.
“Thank you baby, now there’s a couple of bottles already made in the fridge, his pacifier is in the case on the nightstand, and his favorite blanket and stuffed animal are already on the bed.” Ryland instructed.
“Yes yes yes, Rocky and Adrian smart enough to figure out.” Rocky said and Ryland laughed.
“Alright alright, you have fun building your nest okay love bug? I’ll be back later.” Ryland said with another kiss to Simon’s forehead. Simon leaned into the last touch before Ryland pulled away and he stood up. “Have fun you guys.” Ryland said as he gently pat Rocky and Adrian as he walked by to the front door.
“Bye bye bye friend Grace.” Rocky said as Ryland waved from the door, Simon was waving back. The door closed behind him and the three of them were left together.
“Pebble Simon go to room with bed.” Adrian said after a moment and Simon scrambled off the couch, suddenly very excited about the idea of making a nest. He carefully got his balance on the ground before he took off.
Simon ran down the hall to the bedroom and flopped down on the bed, giggling lightly. Rocky came running down after him while Adrian just took their time. Rocky already knew where they kept the extra blankets and pillows in the closet, so he began to grab those out.
“Pebble Simon ever make nest before question?” Rocky asked.
“No we didn’t got blankets like these on E-Eden.” Simon explained, stumbling over the small word. Adrian entered the room and trilled slightly.
“Rocky made blanket nest with pebble Grace before, do again with pebble Simon.” Rocky said as he began pulling blankets and pillows up onto the bed.
“I wanna help!” Simon demanded at once.
“Of course pebble Simon help. Pebble Simon grab human pillows and put round edges of bed statement.” Adrian said and Simon at once began to do that.
For a while they worked in silence, something Simon preferred as words were harder for him when regressed. Simon laid out all the pillows with Rocky helping, then they started laying blankets on top.
“Adrian?” Simon asked after a bit.
“Yes pebble Simon?” Adrain asked in return. Simon began fidgeting with his hands again, like he was second guessing himself. “What need question?”
“I dunno.” Simon mumbled. After another moment he reached over and tried his best to wrap his arms around them to give them a hug. Adrian returned the hug and it made Simon smile and lean in more.
“Rocky want human hug from pebble Simon too!” Rocky said after a while. Simon actually giggled as he pulled away from Adrian and turned around to give Rocky a hug. After about the same amount of time Simon felt Adrian join back in the hug, their arms wrapping around him and Rocky both.
“Silly.” Simon giggled again.
“Pebble Simon is silly agreement.” Adrian said and Simon hummed. Eventually they all pulled away sit they could continue with the nest.
After a while, with a bit of help from Adrian on shaping it, the nest was complete. Simon sat in the middle of it looking around.
“What pebble Simon need question?” Rocky asked and Simon’s face blushed bright red.
“Nothin.” Simon mumbled as he looked down at his lap. Rocky came up and settled next to Simon in the nest, just a few inches away. Adrian had the front half of their body in the nest, their back half just hanging over the side as they couldn’t fully fit.
“Pebble Simon no need to lie lie lie.” Adrian corrected and Simon started to half whine again. Adrian lifted a claw and gently ran it up and down Simon’s side like they had seen Ryland do.
“It’s embarrassin’.” Simon grumbled as he put his head in his hands. He still wasn’t used to being around these two while small, let alone telling them his honest needs.
“Pebble Simon no worry, Rocky and Adrian here to help.” Rocky soothed and Simon took a deep breath.
“Paci?” Simon asked softly and Rocky made some sort of cooing noise. Ryland always looked cute when using a pacifier, Simon would too. Rocky reached over to the nightstand and grabbed the pacifier from the case with Simon’s name on it.
Simon took the pacifier in his mouth and began to suck on it slightly, making Rocky make the same cooing noise. Simon put a hand over his face for a moment.
“Pebble Simon cute cute cute.” Adrian cooed as well and Simon felt his face heat up again. The care and attention felt nice but something he still wasn’t fully used to, well other than from Ryland.
Simon settled himself down in the nest once more and Adrian pulled his favorite blanket over him. He was slipping a little bit further down in age, closer to one year old, but he wasn’t complaining. Somehow it was like both Rocky and Adrian were able to tell this too.
“Rocky go get a bottle and portable thinking machine, pebble Simon pick movie!” Rocky declared before he clambered out of the nest once more. Adrian leaned further into the nest and in turn Simon leaned into them, their warmth welcoming and gentle.
By the time Rocky came back Simon was already half asleep, so comforted by the environment and Adrian’s heat already. Rocky got back into his spot next to Simon and passed the bottle to Adrian.
Adrian pulled the pacifier out of Simon’s mouth but before he could complain they replaced it with the bottle. Simon began to drink the bottle as Rocky pulled up the selection of movies Ryland had organized as “little appropriate.”
“What pebble Simon want to watch question?” Rocky asked but Simon was too busy, and too little at this point, to answer.
“Pebble Simon too small, Rocky pick human movie.” Adrian answered softly and Rocky just went to picking a movie, settling on the SpongeBob Movie.
Not even halfway through the movie, but about two thirds through the bottle, Simon fell asleep. Rocky and Adrian made sure to stay put and watch him sleep. Each time Simon twitched lightly they trilled back and forth to one another softly, ensuring Simon was still relaxed and asleep.
Simon was still asleep by the time Ryland got back. Ryland entered the bedroom and found all of them cuddled in the nest.
“Awww, looks like he had a good time with you guys.” Ryland smiled, he was glad it went well.
“Grace shush, pebble Simon still sleeping.” Rocky snapped at once and Ryland had to hold back a laugh. Carefully he slid his way into the nest between Simon and Rocky. “Grace lucky Rocky willing to move.”
“What, you wanted to stay cuddled next to him?” Ryland teased, knowing Rocky had a soft side for pebbles, Eridian or human.
“Grace shush, Rocky not tell again.” Rocky threatened.