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Yakko grabbed a skittle and leaned back on the couch, mostly watching the movie. Pinky had made a little whimper, but was powering through the movie like a champ. He couldn’t help himself, and leaned over across Brain to poke Pinky’s opposite shoulder. The other boy yelped and clung onto Brain, making Yakko laugh.
“Aw, Yakko, I was doing so good.” Pinky pouted, Yakko trying to stifle his giggles at his sad face.
“I know, I’m sorry.”
“No you’re not.”
“I’m a little bit sorry.” He amended, Pinky huffing at him. He giggled and passed over the bag of skittles in apology.
“Hey boys, I’m heading out to grab pizza for dinner. I shouldn’t be longer than half an hour, but call if you need anything.” Brain’s dad poked his head in.
“Thank you, dad.”
“Thanks Mr Rob.”
Once Mr Rob had left, Brain looked up at Pinky and then paused the movie.
“Yakko, we would like to talk to you.” Brain said. Yakko blinked, crossing his legs and turning to face them.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, everything’s good. We just- we wanted to talk without anyone being able to overhear us.” Pinky tried to assure, but he was so nervous he couldn’t meet Yakko’s eyes.
“That is why I pushed so hard for the sleepover, normally I would always respect your answer but this was quite important to us.” Brain continued.
“Guys, whatever’s going on, I’m always gonna be here for you. You’re my best friends.” Yakko said, though his heart was beating fast. What could be so bad for all this secrecy? Pinky and Brain shared another look, and then took each others hands.
“Pinky and I are dating.” Brain said quietly.
“And- and we don’t wanna tell anyone yet- except you.”
“We will understand if you need some time to process th-“
Yakko cut Brain off by jumping into his friends arms and pulling them in for tight hugs.
“If you two bozos ever scare me like that again I’m gonna murder you guys. I’m so happy for you both.” He laughed, letting out a small breath as he felt them both hug him back. “I mean it, you’re my best friends. I would do anything for you guys, I love you both so much.”
“We love you too.” Pinky choked out. Yakko pulled back and started scrubbing at his face.
“Aw, come on, Pinks. You don’t gotta cry over little ol’ me, huh?” He smiled, erratically moving his sleeve all over the other boys face until he giggled. “Though, thinking about it, there is one problem…” he frowned.
“And what would that be?” Brain said, going stiff again.
“How am I gonna be the best man for both of you?”
Pinky pushed him so he fell to the floor, Yakko laughing until Pinky tackled him too. The two rough housed for a bit until Pinky was also laughing too hard to properly fight, both of them just laying on the floor while Brain looked at them like they were stupid. Yakko helped pull Pinky up once they calmed down, climbing back onto the couch and cuddling in with them.
—
Yakko smashed his friends in Mario Party, Brain beat their asses in Mario Kart, and Pinky dominated in Super Smash Bros. Pizza was consumed, candy was had, and soon enough they were setting up beds on the living room floor. Brain turned a lamp on in the corner without Yakko having to ask, and he felt all warm and fuzzy inside at being thought of.
“What do you guys want to watch to fall asleep to?” Brain asked.
“Phineas and Ferb?” Yakko suggested.
“Ooh, yeah, I love that one!” Pinky grinned.
“Very well.” Brain put the show on and settled down on his mattress. “This was… fun.”
“This was fun… would you guys wanna do it again?” Yakko asked.
“You want to? You’ve always said no before.”
Yakko busied himself with fluffing up the pillow.
“I… thought I wouldn’t be allowed, but that’s not one of Doc’s and Roadies rules, it was… one of theirs.” He tried to smile over at his friends, not sure if his expression landed.
“Yakko, I wanna have so many sleep overs with you! We could have one every night and I’d be so happy!” Pinky beamed, Yakko chuckled and threw a cushion at him.
“Dude, I don’t want a sleepover every night. I got sibs to look after.” He pointed out. Pinky threw the cushion back at him.
“Whatever. But we can have more?”
“Yeah… yeah more sounds like fun.” He smiled, Pinky squealing joyfully.
Yakko snuggled down into his mattress, talking about stupid nothings with his friends and half paying attention to the cartoon playing. Slowly, Pinky, and then Brain fell asleep, and he simply… couldn’t. He lay there, watching Phineas and Ferb build things, watching Perry beat up Dr Doof, and Candace run around trying to find her mum, over and over and over. He was tired, he could feel it, but he just… couldn’t sleep. He tried scrolling on his phone, reading fan fiction, putting his headphones on and listening to music. Still, the hours ticked forward and he Just. Couldn’t. Sleep.
He picked up his phone again, the time showing 1:58. Part of him was terrified to call. What if they were annoyed he was calling? What if they thought he was stupid, unable to sleep at a sleepover? What if they didn’t keep their promise…?
But what if they did?
He pressed call before he could doubt himself again, his heart in his throat. Ring… ring… ring… ring… ri-
“Meep?”
“Hey Rhodes.” He murmured quietly, trying not to wake his friends.
“Meep-meep… meep. Ugh.” There were some rustling sounds, some dull thuds, a couple more chirps, and then,
“Yakko, are you alright, hon?” Wile asked.
“Um. I dunno.” He admitted. “I can’t sleep.”
“That’s okay, you haven’t slept away from home since you came to us. It’s normal for people to be nervous sometimes when they’re not in their normal place.” Wile said gently. “Did you guys have fun tonight?”
“Yeah… yeah it was fun. We wrestled a bit, and we played games and watched movies. It was just… fun.” Yakko finished lamely.
“We’re glad you had a good time. What did you guys do for dinner?”
“Mr Rob got pizza.”
“Wakko’s gonna be jealous.” Wile chuckled, and Yakko’s heart twisted.
“Um- could you-“ he cut himself off. He was already calling them at 2am when they wanted to be asleep…
“What do you need, sweetheart? It’s okay.”
“Can you check on Wakko and Dot? They’re okay?” He whispered. He hadn’t been apart from his siblings since… since he ran away from them. Wile and Rhodes had gotten the other two out of there soon after, but it had still been the worst time of his whole life.
“Sure thing, give me just a minute. I’ll check on them for you.”
Yakko listened to the faint rustling of Wile getting out of bed, and then walking down the hall. There was a few moments of silence, and then the sound of a door quietly closing.
“They’re sound asleep, honey. I’m sending a picture to you now, okay?”
“Okay.” He mumbled, letting out a little sigh as he got the photo. Wakko and Dot were each in their own beds with their plushies, the nightlight illuminating the room enough to see that they were sleeping peacefully.
He was hit with a wave of exhaustion. His little sibs were safe, Wile and Rhodes kept their promise, the sleepover had been fun, and his friends had kept a light on just for him. Everything he’d been worried about had been resolved. He yawned, curling deeper into the covers.
“Thank you… I think I can sleep now.”
“Of course, baby. Goodnight, we love you.”
“Meep-meep.”
“Love you too… g’night dads.” He said, feeling warm and safe and sleepy.
Yakko hung up the phone and fell asleep in moments.
—
Wile’s jaw dropped as the phone hung up, his face feeling warm and his heart leaping out of his chest. His voice closed up on him, but Rhodes knew how to interpret his looks, and he knew how to interpret his chirps.
Did he just…
“Meep-meep!” He just called us dad!
Holy shit!
“Meep-meep!” Holy shit!
He called us dad!
“Meep-meep!” He said he loved us!!
I know!! I knew he did but he actually felt comfortable enough to say it!!
“Meep-meep!” He’s come so far, I’m so proud of him! Our sweet baby…
Oh my god I love him so much I can’t believe this…
“Meep-meep!” I’m gonna cry, our baby!!
Dad!
“Meep!” Dad!