October 17th, 2022 - Los Angeles, California.
"Let's see, they've got vampires, princesses, a silly clown..." Vincent says, scrolling through the home page of a halloween costume website. He was sat on the couch, Lux on his left and August to his right with his laptop in his lap.
"...and even dinosaurs," Vincent added with a playful lilt to his voice as he glanced at August, who perked up slightly at the mention of his favorite creatures.
Vincent smiled, tilting the laptop slightly so August could get a better look. "Did you spot something you like, buddy?"
August nodded vigorously, his eyes wide with excitement. He reached out, tapping at the screen with his finger - his tiny hand leaving faint smudges on the glass. "Dino," he mumbled, a spark of enthusiasm creeping into his voice.
The costume was built like a one piece onesie - with the hood being the head of the dinosaur, lined with pointy white triangles as teeth. It was dark green with a light green patch over the stomach area of the costume for added detail and it even had a tail coming out the back with thegamizers along the top of it. It was impressive - especially for a dinosaur.
Vincent beamed at her, clearly pleased. "Good choice. Let's add it to the cart, then." He clicked the button, and a little confetti animation popped up on the screen, signaling the addition. August clapped his hands at the visual, giggling softly.
"And what about you, sweetheart?" Vincent turned his attention back to Lux, his tone gentle but encouraging. "What kind of costume are you thinking about?"
Lux hesitated, shifting against Vincent so she could get a better look at the screen. "I don't know," she mumbled, shrugging. "It's not really my thing, I guess."
Vincent raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Not your thing? I think we can find something fun. Come on, take a look." He shifted the laptop closer to her, scrolling slowly through the options.
She glanced back at the screen, her expression a mix of uncertainty and curiosity. The costumes ranged from classic witches and pirates to more elaborate outfits like fairies, superheroes, and storybook characters. One caught her eye - a simple yet elegant angel costume, complete with soft feathery wings and a delicate silver halo.
Vincent noticed the way her gaze lingered on the angel costume and paused scrolling. "Hmm," he murmured with a warm smile. "You like that one, don't you?"
Lux's cheeks flushed, and she quickly shook her head, pulling back slightly. "It's okay, I guess," she mumbled, trying to sound indifferent.
August peeked over Vincent's arm, his little fingers reaching out to touch the screen again. "Angel," he said softly, his voice tinged with awe.
Vincent chuckled, giving Lux a knowing look. "I think August approves. And I think you'd look beautiful in it." He murmurs, leaning down to kiss the top of her head, "But it's your choice, sweetheart. If you don't want it, we can keep looking."
Lux hesitated, her eyes flickering back to the screen. The idea of dressing up as something so pure and radiant felt foreign to her. She didn't feel like an angel, not after everything that had happened. But at the same time, the costume itself was appealing - soft, simple, and maybe a way to start feeling a little better about herself
"Maybe that one," she said quietly, her voice barely audible.
Vincent's smile widened as he clicked to add the costume to the cart. "Good choice, angel," he said softly, his words carrying a hint of pride.
Lux wasn't too sure why they were buying halloween costumes. She'd never celebrated it once in her life - apart from the occasional halloween activity they'd do at school - and she was sure she was much too old to start now. But seeing how happy it made August, Lux went along with it.
Vincent reaches over to the coffee table, grabbing his wallet so that he can pay. He finalises their selections, making sure they have the correct sizes before quickly typing the numbers of his debit card into the checkout page. When the purchase was confirmed, another animation popped upâa cheerful little pumpkin bouncing across the screen. August giggled again, clapping his hands in delight.
Sebastian walks into the lounge, two juice boxes in hand. "Find anything nice?"
"Well, we have one ferocious dinosaur and one cute little angel." Vincent grins, setting the laptop aside onto the coffee table.
Sebastian chuckled warmly, handing one of the juice boxes to August, who eagerly grabbed it with both hands. The boy immediately began sipping, his small, delighted noises making everyone in the room smile. "A dinosaur and an angel, huh? Sounds like we're in for an adorable Halloween,"
He handed the second jukebox over to Lux, punching the straw through the foil top for her as he did.
"Thanks." she murmured.
Vincent leaned back, his arm draping casually along the back of the couch. "You should've seen her face when she picked the angel costume," he teased lightly, winking at Lux. "She's going to look absolutely perfect in it."
Lux's eyes widened slightly at his comment. "Stop," she muttered, taking a sip of her juice as if to hide her face. She wasn't used to compliments, and the idea of being seen as "perfect" felt almost too much to handle.
"He's right Luxie, you're gonna be the sweetest little angel." Sebastian smiles. "And besides, Halloween is all about having fun, right? No rules, no expectations - just a chance to be whatever you want to be for a day."
Lux looked down at her juice box, her fingers lightly tracing the edges. "I've never really done Halloween before," she admitted softly. "Never had costumes or went trick-or-treating. My mom said it was a waste of time."
Vincent and Sebastian exchanged a quick glance, their expressions softening. It wasn't the first time Lux had casually revealed pieces of her past, and each time it left them more determined to give her the experiences she'd missed out on.
"Well," Vincent said after a moment, his tone warm and playful, "this year's going to be different. You're with us now, and we take Halloween very seriously in this house."
"Yeah." Sebastian agrees. "We do a bit of trick or treating, watch some spooky movies. There's even a small halloween party we attend with some close friends."
August, who had been listening quietly, nodded solemnly around his juice box, his enthusiasm clear in his wide eyes. "Candy," he mumbled through the straw, his tone serious as if it was the most important part of the entire holiday.
"...and plenty of candy," Sebastian added with a wink. "Trust me, it's one of the best parts of the year."
"A party?" Lux asks quietly. The idea made her a little nervous.
Sebastian smiled gently, sensing the hesitation in Lux's voice. "Yes, a party. It's nothing too big - just a few close friends, a little music, maybe some games. It's meant to be fun, not stressful."
"Joshy gon' be there?" August asks, excited about the idea of seeing his friend again.
"I think so babe" Vincent mumbles, brushing the boys fringe out of his face. "I'll have to check with his daddy."
August nods, content. This was a good day for him. He got to pick out a cool halloween costume, he had his favourite type of juice box and his sister was being nice to him again.
"It's nothing to worry about, Luxie." Sebastian says, noticing the slight tension in the small girl. "Just a fun little gathering and it's not for a while anyways. No need to stress."
Lux nods, trusting the words of her daddy.
"Right," Vincent sighs, standing up from the couch and stretching his limbs out. "I think one little boy is in need of a nice little nap." He says, glancing over at August causing Lux to blink in confusion.
They had only just had breakfast, why was he having a nap now? Usually naps were for after lunch.
Vincent smiled as he watched August's sleepy little face, the boy's eyes half-closed and his small frame curled up against the cushion. "He had a bit of a rough night. Was up a lot." Vincent said softly, noticing Lux's confused look.
Lux instantly feels guilty. Was it because of yesterday?
"It wasn't your fault, Luxie." Vincent reassures. "Sometimes he just gets a little more sensitive than usual, and that's okay. He's a little guy, and he's still figuring out how to manage big feelings."
She nods slowly, watching as Sebastian picks August up and holds him to his chest. She still felt a bit bad but Vincent's words were soothing.
"How about you help us to settle him down, hm? I'm sure he would love that." Sebastian says, gently bouncing the boy in a soothing manner.
"Help?" She asks quietly.
"Yeah, sweetheart," Vincent said with a soft smile, reaching out his hand for Lux to take. "We'd love a happy little helper. Why don't you come and help me warm his bottle up, hm?"
Lux thinks for a second, pondering the situation. Something about helping set August down for a nap felt oddly intimate. She was helping a person - a little person, more so - in their most vulnerable state. After what happened yesterday, she couldn't believe the men were even trusting her with such a delicate task so soon. Yet she also felt a small sense of pride that she was being trusted. She felt like she had gained a small amount of independence - even if it was just helping to set the boy down for a nap.
She wasn't just a person being taken care of, but someone trusted to help take care of another. The thought made her feel more grown-up yet more little at the same time.
"Okay." She agrees, taking the mans hand.
"Great." Sebastian smiled. "I'll take him upstairs."
Vincent nods, gently tugging Lux in the direction of the kitchen to heat up the bottle. He hoped that letting Lux help out a little bit would ease her mind into perhaps a slightly younger headspace - even if it was just by a few years. It sounded silly but he knew that sometimes nurturing those small moments could help her ease into the more vulnerable side of herself. He wasn't trying to make her regress too much, but he understood that being trusted with caring for someone else, especially August, might give Lux a sense of purpose and connection she hadn't felt before.
"Right" He begins as they enter the kitchen. "Can you get the milk out from the from the fridge for me, sweet girl?"
Lux nods slowly, straying away from Vincent and over to the fridge. She pulls on the handle, gently tugging to door open before looking around for the milk. Spotting a medium sized carton of milk, she lifts it out from the fridge, standing on her tippy toes so she can reach it. She brings it over to Vincent - who's ready and waiting with a plastic bottle -, making sure not to spill any.
"Good job." He coos as she nears. "Such a good little helper today."
Lux's cheeks flushed at his praise, but she couldn't help the small, satisfied smile that tugged at her lips. But it wasn't just the praise; it was the attention, the care, the fact that she was being included in something important, no matter how small.
She carefully poured the milk into the bottle as Vincent guided her, his large hands steadying hers as she held the bottle.
"Perfect," Vincent murmured, adding a few drops of vanilla extract into the milk-filled bottle.
"What's that for?" Lux asks curiously, watching as the drops slowly fall into the milk.
"It just makes it taste a little sweeter," Vincent explained, smiling warmly at her as she watched in fascination. "When he's a little fussy or upset, a bit of sweetness can calm him down."
Lux nodded, watching as he screwed the lid on the bottle and set it in the microwave. For a moment, she thought about what it must feel like for Augustâbeing little and needing all these little comforts, like warm milk with a hint of sweetness. She hadn't really had anyone take care of her like this, not in a long time, but she was starting to understand how it must feel.
After a short while, the microwave makes a beeping noise and Vincent opens the door, taking the now warm milk out. "Can you help check the temperature for me, baby?" He demonstrated by dropping a few drops of the liquid onto the inside of his own wrist, showing her how to test if it was warm enough for August.
Lux nods, reaching out for the bottle, eager to help. She copied him, carefully dropping a few drops of the liquid against her own wrist. It felt just right, not too hot, not too cold. She nodded, handing it back to him with a small smile. "It's good."
"Let's get this to August then." Vincent said, his voice light, like he was letting her lead the way. Lux nodded and followed him as he carried the bottle over to the stairs.
They ascend the stairs together, Vincent making sure to keep at Lux's pace. They walk down the hallways into August's room where Sebastian was already sitting in the rocking chair with the boy nestled against him. August's eyes were half-lidded, his face soft and relaxed as he clung to the warmth of Sebastian's chest.
Lux's gaze travels around Augusts room. She's never been in here before. The room was soft and cozy, filled with muted colours that made it feel safe and comforting. A small bed with fluffy blankets sat in one corner, and a stuffed animal collection sprawled across a nearby shelf. There were whimsical light fixtures shaped like clouds, and a few colorful drawings taped to the walls, clearly made by August himself. A gentle nightlight shaped like a star (just like the one she has) cast a soft glow over the room, and there was a sense of peacefulness to it all.
"Here we go," Vincent said quietly, handing Lux the bottle. "You're going to be a big help, okay? Just offer it to him gently."
She looks over at Sebastian, checking to see if that was okay - seeking reassurance.
Sebastian nodded at her, gently shifting the boy in his arms so that Lux could have easier access and his face wasn't completely hidden in his chest. "Go ahead, little one," he encouraged her gently.
She stepped closer, holding the bottle carefully in her hands, the warmth of it spreading through her fingers. August was still mostly asleep but he would occasionally shift or twitch as he waited for his milk.
She steps up right next to the rocking chair, her fingers wrapped around the neck the bottle as she offers it to him.
Slowly, his eyes flutter open, his lips instinctively parting when he sees the milk. It doesn't take long before he latches onto the little rubber nipple, starting to drink.
Lux watched as August drank, his small hands reaching up to hold the bottle with his little fingers. She had never been the one to take care of someone else like this before. It felt different, but in a way, it felt good. She wanted to do right by him, to make up for all the things she had done wrong.
Sebastian's free hand comes up, gently cupping the back of her head and rubbing his thumb up and down in a soothing motion. "Good girl." He coos, watching Lux as she watches August.
"He's drinking lots." She mumbles, her hands now dropping to her sides since August his happily holding the bottle by himself.
Sebastian, noticing the shift in her demeanor, smiles quietly to himself. He had hoped this would happen. Her headspace was starting to change - not yet regressing but shifting slightly to the point where she was no longer thinking about the situation with the same maturity as the men were.
"He is, isn't he?" Vincent chuckles, his hand resting on her lower back.
The quiet suckling continues for a few minuets before August de-latches - deciding he's had enough.
"There we go." Sebastian murmurs, setting the bottle to the side and standing up.
"Is he sleeping?" Lux asks quietly, watching as Sebastian carries him over to his bed.
"Almost, sweet girl. He's just resting now," he murmurs, his hand gently brushing through August's soft hair as he tucks the boy into his bed.
Lux looks on, her eyes still wide and filled with curiosity. She continues watching as Sebastian leans down, murmuring something in the boys ear before straightening back up to his full height.
"There we go, he's fast asleep now." Sebastian smiles, taking a step back.
Lux nodded softly, her gaze still fixed on August. She felt an odd sense of accomplishment, even though all she had done was help with something small.
Vincent crouched down next to her, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "You did really well, Luxie, being such a good helper today." he whispered, his voice low to match the tranquil atmosphere of the room.
Her cheeks flushed again, but it wasn't embarrassment - it was something softer, a feeling of pride mixed with the comforting sensation of being acknowledged.
Sebastian stepped quietly to her other side, his large frame towering but not looming. He knelt as well, keeping his voice soft. "I think August would be so proud of you if he was awake enough to notice." He chuckles.
Lux nods slowly, watching his sleeping figure underneath the covers. It felt strange to be praised so much for something so simple. But it also felt nice.
"Now how about we head downstairs for some quiet time. Maybe a movie and a little snack?" Vincent suggests.
"Movie?" Lux perked up slightly.
"Yeah, sweetheart," Sebastian chimed in, his tone warm. "Something easy and fun, just to relax for a bit. You've earned it after being such a great helper."
"Okay," she nodded in agreement.
The men smile down at her and Vincent places his arms underneath her armpits, swiftly lifting her up and placing her on his hip.
It amazed her that even though she was 15, the men could still carry her around as if she was 3.
Vincent carried her down the stairs, Sebastian following close behind. Lux nestled her head against his shoulder, the soft fabric of his shirt brushing her cheek.
When they reached the living room, Vincent sat down on the couch with her still on his hip. He shifted her onto his lap, positioning her so she was tucked close against him. Sebastian, meanwhile, busied himself in the kitchen, rummaging through the pantry to find a little snack for the small girl.
Vincent turns on the TV, scrolling through the different streaming platforms that they have subscription for before clicking on Disney+. There are plenty of categories ranging from 'Comedies', 'Trending' and 'Medical Dramas' all the way to more age appropriate categories like 'Disney Junior' and 'Family Favourites'. But Lux gets a bit of a surprise when the man clicks on the 'Marvel' section at the top of the page.
"Marvel?" Lux asked, tilting her head up to look at Vincent with wide, curious eyes. She had expected something more... little, like cartoons or a princess movie. Not superheroes.
"I thought you might enjoy something a little bit.." He pauses trying to find the right word. "mature."
Vincent knew that watching something more age-appropriate for her actual age might be a gentle way to keep her grounded, even while she slowly eased into a more dependent and vulnerable headspace. He didn't want to push her too far in either direction but rather find a balance where she felt safe and cared for without losing her sense of self entirely.
Lux was teetering between two world right now and he didn't want her to feel overwhelmed by either one.
They had learnt a lot from her in regards to her earlier meltdowns or incidents and they were trying a different approach with her. She wasn't going to dive as head first into this as August had and that was okay. It was important to let her explore both sides - her more grown-up tendencies and the little moments of regression - in a way that felt natural and supportive.
"Marvel's fun, but it's also got heart. It's not just about the action," Vincent added, scrolling through the options.
Lux had never been one to get excited about superhero movie - in fact she doesn't think she's ever even watched a Marvel film - but the covers for the movies and the way Vincent was describing them made it seem so intriguing.
"Is it... like, real-life heroes?" she asked cautiously, trying to understand the appeal. "Or is it like... cartoons?"
Vincent chuckled softly, sensing her hesitance. "Well, it's a bit of both. It's live-action, but with lots of fantastical elements. People who have superpowers, but they're also just like us in a lot of ways. They struggle, they make mistakes, they have to work together."
Lux nods, watching as Vincent clicks on a movie called 'Avengers'.
"You know, when me and daddy had our first date, it was to see this movie in the Cinemas." Vincent says, running a hand through her blond hair.
"You... you went to the movies together?" Lux asks, a bit of surprise in her voice. The idea of Vincent and Sebastian having their own history, their own experiences before she came into the picture, was something Lux hadn't really considered until now.
Vincent smiles softly at Lux's surprised expression. "Yeah, sweetheart," he says, his voice almost nostalgic. "We've been together a long time. Before we got you and Auggi, it was just the two of us for a while."
"Just the two of you?" Lux asks. It was almost hard to imagine Sebastian and Vincent alone. "What did you guys do?"
Vincent chuckles softly, leaning back on the couch as he adjusts Lux so she's more comfortable in his lap. "Oh, we did a lot of things." He murmurs, stroking her hair. "Mostly, we just enjoyed each other's company. We did some travelling, explored now interests, went out on datas. All that mushy stuff couples do."
"How did you meet?"
Vincent's smile widens as he looks down at Lux, still absently stroking her hair. He was glad she was taking an interest in their personal lives. "Well, it was mainly just mutual friends but we did share the same economics class in university."
Lux listens intently, her curiosity piqued by the idea of Vincent and Sebastian as young, single individuals. She had never thought about them in that context before.
Vincent chuckles softly at her wide-eyed interest, clearly enjoying the attention. "We weren't always the perfect pair. Took us a while to figure out what we wanted. But we got there," he says, a fond smile tugging at his lips as he looks over at Sebastian, who's now returning to the living room with a bowl of popcorn for Lux.
"That sounds nice," Lux murmurs, feeling a strange warmth bubble in her chest. "Do you think... do you think we'll be like that one day?" She asks quietly, her voice softening as she clutches the soft edge of Vincent's shirt.
"Like what, sweetheart?" Vincent asks, raising an eyebrow.
"You know... together for a long time, like you and daddy," she says quietly. "What happens we me and August get... to old for this?"
Vincent looks down at Lux with a thoughtful expression, his hand still gently rubbing her back. He's not entirely sure how to answer, but the question seems to have sparked a deeper reflection in him.
"Well, sweetheart," he begins slowly, his voice soft and reassuring, "the thing about family is that it's not just about how old you are. It's about what we share and how we care for each other. You and August, you'll always have a place with us, no matter how old you get." He pauses, looking over at Sebastian, who has now seated himself next to them on the couch, popping a few pieces of popcorn into his mouth as he listens closely.
"But what about when me and August get to be like... your age? Will we still be doing this?" She asks, referring to the way that the men are constantly babying them - especially August - into a younger frame of mind.
"Even when you and August grow older, you'll still be part of our family. The love and care we share won't change because you've grown. It's just... maybe it'll look a little different." Vincent explains softly.
"But..." she begins, hesitating for just a moment. "What happens if I don't need this anymore? Or if I want to be more... grown-up?"
Vincent nods thoughtfully, his gaze kind and steady. "You will, sweetheart. You'll grow, and you'll want to experience things on your own. But growing up doesn't mean we stop being here for you. It just means the way we help might change, too."
"Yeah baby," Sebastian adds, his voice warm. "We'll be here for you, Lux, no matter how big or small you feel. It's about knowing you always have a place where you're loved and taken care of."
"But we're not going to worry about the future too much, okay?" Vincent says, his hand still stroking her hair. "What's important is focusing on how you feel right now, not how you'll feel in 10 years."
"Okay," she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think I get it."
Vincent smiles and gives her a gentle squeeze. "Good girl."
Sebastian chuckles, handing her the bowl of popcorn. "Now, how about we enjoy this movie? Avengers is a classic."
Lux nods, settling further into Vincent as Sebastian presses play and the movie begins.
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Didn't proof read, lmk if there's any mistakes ðð