Our favorite white and red couple has to work the nightshift and come home by 4am.
So they tell their 4 year old son that his four uncle's will be watching him.
Enjoy my white and red cell son.
There was always those days.
When parents can't be home on time because working late at night tends to just happen out of nowhere. Especially if people are married to their jobs.
The mother was a delivery woman for food packaging company who delivers groceries to homes.
The father was a top investigator in the crime department, always on the crime scenes the second they happen.
Life was hectic and busy but both parents had time for their married life. Mostly the mother had the easy schedule on being home most of the time. The father would stroll in at night and if he was lucky the early afternoons.
And when it came to their son, they managed to spoil their time to be with just him during the day.
But most days, during the nights, he would spend time alone without their company.
Except he would be accompanied with the strangest but caring uncles he could ask for.
"….You're gonna go today?" The young boy asked, looking at his mother putting on her shoes.
Ai sighed and smiled sweetly at her son, Hiro.
"I'm sorry, papa and I are going to be back late but we're going to be here when you wake up, okay?"
The white and red haired boy nodded. "Okay."
He's gone through this many times before.
Today was one of those days where she and her husband had to work late again. The 29 year old was dressed in her usual red uniform that matched her short red hair with a black coat over her shoulders. The company had people deliver groceries until 9pm. But she also was assigned to help at headquarters with the actual packaging process. She was friends with the manager and decided to help her out with the new recruits that they were recently given.
She loved her job, and the people working, but sometimes she was quick to please. Remembering the words her husband would say, who was still upstairs preparing whatever he needed to bring to police station.
They would leave at the moment if they could, but they had to wait on the babysitters.
She checked the clock on the wall. It was 5:56. Her and her husband has to leave at 6:10.
Glancing back upstairs, Ichiro was still out of sight. Did he forget something? Wondering if her husband needs help, she turned towards her son. "Hiro, mama has to go check up on papa, I'll be right back!" She took off upstairs to see what her husband needed as she heard Hiro say "I'll guard the door!"
Running up the stairs, she smiled.
"He's four now guys! Can't you believe it? Like, where did the time go by?" Haku(4989) beamed. He was so impressed that their friend's son was growing so old now. Even if he was just four.
"Already a growing boy. I can still remember him barely walking." Futaro(2626) grinned, "The little tyke."
"Hopefully, he turns out to be like his old man than be influenced by the both of you." Shiba(2048), who preferred to keep the kid in check but didn't want the kid to be exactly like their oldest friend.
Except for him, who wished the kid actual luck in growing up. Tadashi(2001) noticed they were getting closer to the house as the Haku and Futaro were bickering against Shiba. He sighed.
They were walking to the house this time. Usually, they'd drive to the apartment estate but they had coincidentally came together after work. So they decided, much to his disapproval, to walk. He didn't have anything against it, but he wanted to make sure they'd make it on time since the group had stopped at three gas stations to buy snacks.
Blame Haku's stomach and Futaro going in with him.
They thought they should bring snacks for Hiro when Tadashi mentioned his mother wouldn't like it and Ishiro wouldn't want his son to eat too many sweets at night.
Ah, but still they got him something. The idiots.
If there's one thing he doesn't not want to face is the demon inside the parents love for their child.
The 31 year old wanted to live a bit longer.
"Finally here," Shiba sighed from the long walk. They could see the building from across the street.
"What's wrong? Need your beauty rest?," Futaro joked.
"I actually take care of my body and my flawless beauty unlike the rest of you." He flicked his undercut hair back purposeful with one flaunty wave of his head.
"You kept the same hair style for years now. Get something new drag queen." Futaro teased.
Oh god it's happening.
"That's real talk coming from someone who can't even show their eyes or much less even change their bangs." Shiba retorts.
His head is going to hurt.
"Oh ho! Afraid you can't handle my gorgeous eyes?" His hands flicker against his bangs, teasing a show but it's actually nothing.
"GUYS! I think we all know whose got the best eyes around here!" Haku jumps up and shouts.
Right in his ear.
In their god damn high 20s and they still act like this.
Before the frenzy of fights happen, he points, "We're here." They stood at the door of the apartment building at their friend's door. "If you all don't shut up I'm locking you outside."
He hears the mock gasp from the three when he rings the door bell.
"Who is it!" A child like voice comes from the other side. Hiro was already by the door.
"Hey Hiro, it's us!" called out Haku.
After the rest called out their hellos, Tadashi asked if he could get his mom or dad to open the door. He didn't get a reply back but the knob started twitching on their end.
"Aww look at that he's trying to open the door!" Futaro points out. They waited for a moment and Tadashi wondered where was Ai and Ichiro to help-
The door clicked and opened back, revealing a smiling yellowed eyed white haired boy with red strips. "I did it! It's open now." He gestures with his hands for them to come in and runs back up the stairs leading to the floor level.
"That's precious." Futaro grins.
They stroll into the hallway and into the small living room, where Hiro sits on a main maroon couch with a pink pillow he's hugging to his chest. The boy was dressed in a red hoodie and white shorts. He had polka dots socks on when he's turning on the TV.
"Already know how to the TV works, Hiro?" Futaro sits on the couch right besides him.
"Yup. I know how to put on the channel." He shows his uncles by pressing some buttons on the remote.
"Really? So what are we watching?" Haku comes in and jumps next to Hiro on his left. Shiba sits on the red arms chair adjacent to the couch. He slumps, probably tired from all the walking. Tadashi just stands and eyes the top of the stairs waiting for his friends to come down.
He hears Ai's voice from above. And looks up hearing the rapid steps coming from a red hair woman. Ai looks up, "Oh you're here already. You took a bit longer." She smiles at him and he tilts his head in greeting. She comes in total view once she's down the stairs and greets her husband's band of brothers around her son.
"Well looks who's here!
"Hey Ai!"
"Afternoon Ai."
They greet her with quick hugs where Ai hugs with more passion in each. She's still a lovable charming woman since the day they met her. Her charming personality had drew each of them closer to her as she became like family when Ichiro decided she would be the woman he'd be with. He observed their welcoming touches as he appreciated Ai's valuable mannerisms. He wasn't a touchy person so she knew to greet him professionally even if there friends. There were moments though where he'd allow a light hug. Only when it's not in front of everyone.
The three will never let him live it down.
"Hiro, did you open the door?" She peered down on her son.
He nods, "I'm old enough to reach now." Ai smiles.
"The little champ!" Haku claps the boy's back lightly.
A few footsteps are heard when a voice rings out, "That is good. However, do be careful on who you open the door for, Hiro."
Ichiro steps into the living room dressed in a white shirt and black pants as Tadashi silently agrees the boy needs to be more careful.
The whole group is here, he thinks. Ichiro was the main detective and leader of the 7th criminal investigation division squad. His oldest friend was the main investigator. Futaro was the squad's forensic scientist, checking the post mortem and inspections of the victims. Shiba was the analyst expert and CSI technician: checking for reports, tracing evidence, creating wound charts, keeping evidence logs and the like. Haku was the crime scene photographer and evidence collector, taking high quality pictures of the scene for evidence and storing pieces of proof against suspects. And he was the group's Pathologist, working alongside Futaro with inspecting post mortem stages in the deceased. He was also the second investigator if Ichiro was unavailable.
Outside of the work place, everyone was just the opposite of their serious nature. Except for Ichiro and himself.
His partner nods at him and he returns the favor. Ichiro heads into the living room to greet the rest of his partners.
"Ready to leave?" He hears him address his wife.
"Ah, yes. You have everything you need?" She makes sure he's doesn't forget anything.
"Yes. It was just a few documents I needed earlier. Thank you for finding them for me." He gently smiles, the one thing that had everyone shocked to the core was when his friend started showing more emotion than usual.
"Your welcome. But you know I did it because we were running out of time-Oh god," She checks the clock. "We need to leave now!" She tells him to put on his coat as she grabs her purse and pulls out the note she usually gives to the babysitters.
"Right." Ichiro heads to wait by the door.
Tadashi takes the note of the scribbles down lists of what he eats and what he likes to do. He holds onto it even if he's memorized it by now. Ai heads with her husband as a little boy zooms past him to see them off.
Hiro waves, "Bye bye!"
Ai comes down to kiss to his cheek and Ichiro pets his son's head as they say their goodbyes. The investigation squad is at the door waving goodbye at the couple as the door closes.
"Hiro! Let's hang out outside!" Haku suggests, leading the 4 year old boy with him followed by Futaro outside into the backyard. Before they left, the parents gave them the keys to open the garage door if Hiro wanted to play outside. The apartment complex had a balcony where Tadashi and Shiba were watching over them with a first aid kit nearby.
A fresh breeze flew past him as Hiro looks ready to take off.
Ready to run.
Alright then! Let's track race!
"Hiro wanna run?" He could see the boys eyes light up.
And feel the stern gaze of Tadashi and Shiba behind him.
Futaro's at the end of the fence. The yard was small but big for a little boy who loves to run. "Three laps. Back and forth. If you beat Haku, we go out for ice cream!" Futaro shouts, wanting Haku to probably lose on purpose just for the fun of it.
Haku grinned. If he lost, especially to Hiro, it wouldn't be so bad. I mean we get ice cream after all-
"No desert before dinner!" Tadashi yells from afar. The buzzkill.
Haku kneels down to the boy and whispers, "Well still get some. Don't worry."
Hiro giggles. "That's after I beat you!" He takes his starter up stance. "C'mon!" Looking ahead, ready to take off.
Haku chuckles "Your on!" Taking his stance, he and Hiro look up to see Futaro with mock up flag waving it in the air.
"Ready,…set…..go!"
The two take off. Haku's in the front and Hiro is 10 inches away. He's jogging, not wanting to get too far but far enough to keep an eye on him. Hiro's giving it his all breathing heavily as they make it to the fence. He hears Futaro cheer for the kid to take him down.
They reach the fence, Haku touches it first and as he heads back, he halts to glance back.
A fury of white and red files past him.
Holy crap-he thought he needed a break! He was going to slow down for him to let him catch up.
Futaro is laughing at him now.
Great. He actually runs this time. Going back to the starting place.
Hiro's growing up fast, he thinks.
When he was two years old, they would run with each other but he had to stop from time to time to let him keep up. At that time, Tadashi and Shiba would be on standby outside in case he trips. Which he did multiple times as a 2 year old. But he was never seriously injured, just a light bruise on his knees.
He would always get up saying he's okay.
He slows down when he sees Hiro reach the starting line and turns to run in his direction, back to the fence. The look of determination reminds him of his mom. But the ferocity of never stopping comes from his dad. As Hiro looks up to see him, Haku gives him a thumbs up. Hiro tries does the same, hands in the air until Haku sees a rock and his foot being misplaced-
Haku's running and before he knows it he's sliding on the ground as Hiro trips over the rock and lands on him like a cushion.
Hiro didn't weigh that much but the impact took his breath. He hears Futaro and other two coming close. Futaro and his grin is all he sees when Tadashi's look of disapproval pops up.
The boy squirms on top of his chest and looks up.
There's tears in his eyes.
"I'm sorry Uncle Haku..." The boy was so sad that he tripped over him. He placed a hand on his head and ruffled softly. "Its okay. Uncle Haku is always here for the rescue!" Hiro giggles and squirms as he keeps ruffling his hair.
"Hiro, are you hurt?" Shiba peers over. The first aid kit is in his hand.
"No." He gets off Haku and raised his hands, "No hurts. See?"
The group smiles but Tadashi just sighs.
The actual parent of the group tells them it's time to go inside. Hiro runs to the garage with Shiba on his trail. Tadashi walks away but looks at Haku still on the ground.
"I'm alright. Just give me a sec!" With that, Tadashi keeps moving.
As Haku gets up, He sees Futaro smirking. "Guess you been demoted from uncle to body bag. Congrats!" He mockingly claps as Haku swipes at him.
Once inside, they prepare dinner and head to kitchen where Shiba heats up food from the lists of things Hiro likes to eat. They're all having a conversation when Hiro asks if they can eat while watching TV in the living room.
"Pleeease! I won't make a mess…" He pleads with those golden puppy dog eyes of his.
Shiba looks to his investigation squad members falling for the boy's request. Tadashi's gaze softens and tells him to be careful. The boy happily jumps from his chair announcing that he'll set up his favorite channel.
Shiba laughs. "You really can't say no to him can't you?"
"As far as I know no one says no to him." Grumbled Tadashi.
"C'mon it's just a kids show, just gotta take care of him on the couch." Haku looks back to the living room. "I wonder what he likes to watch…"
"We can watch whatever we like when he falls asleep." Futaro suggested.
Hearing his teammates, Shiba decided they should move their asses. "Yo someone cut up some fruits for Hiro, also you guys should get blankets from his room if he really falls asleep."
And just like that Haku and Futaro get to cutting up fruit, entering in an who-can-do-faster-competition as Tadashi goes up to retrieve the blankets.
He's almost done heating up slices of ham for the sandwiches he wants to serve. Hiro really likes handmade food, from what Ai tells him. The family rarely go out to eat fast food unless their son really asks for it.
"Your making sanwiches?" Shiba turns around startled to see Hiro staring at the slices of ham now being put on a plate.
"Y-Yeah." When did he get here? He notices Haku and Futaro look at Hiro and the living room multiple times to know they were just as confused as him.
He's really fast.
He really is growing. When Hiro was 2 years old, they had to watch his every step. Though at that age, he was slower and they watched him like a hawk. As he got older, migrating from one place to the other smoothly, they eased down their high tracking modes to simpy peering over to the next room.
"Can I help?" Those puppy dog eyes again. Shiba feels his lips curve.
"Alright. You can get the bread and cheese. Then go tell your lazy uncles over there to take out the lettuce and tomatoes."
"Kay uncle Shiva!" He hears a snort from Haku and Futaro.
At least the kid can almost pronounce his name correctly. Unlike a certain other name…
"Yo, Futao, go get the lettuce from the fridge." He smirks as he points to fridge. Haku chuckles.
"How dare- Futaro starts but Hiro cuts him off-
"I'll get it uncle Furo!" Shiva barks out a laugh. Each time the kid always gets his name wrong. Hiro heads to the fridge to grab the lettuce when Futaro mentions that Hiro can't pronounce Tadashi's name either.
Which was true.
But it wasn't too ridiculous.
"I'm back with the blankets. You almost done?" Tadashi comes in with a couple long red blankets and a little white one for Hiro.
Shiba replied, "yeah, we just have to put everything together-" And Hiro jumps up and says "and we get sanwiches!," clapping two loaves of bread together.
The group breaks into laughter and smiles. Tadashi just sighs.
There in the living room watching a cartoon show about dogs being firefighters. Hiro is in the middle of the couch, in between Futaro and Haku. Tadashi's on the end of the right side as Shiba on the left end next to Haku. The sandwiches are on the coffee table in from of them. Hiro managed to eat half of his sandwich and all of this fruit, which gives Futaro a proud sense of fulfillment since he was responsible for preparing the slices.
Alongside Haku, of course. But he's pretty sure he cut most of them anyways.
Hiro is eyeing each characters, calling out their names, and telling Futaro and everyone else about the amazing work they do.
He really is into it.
He starts naming the kinds of dogs that appear in the show. Which surprises him because that's dedication.
"There's Mr. Husky, Misses Shepher, Mayor Bulldoggy, Mr. Boxer…"
Going through the lines of the kinds of dogs there are, Futaro seizes the opportunity to call out a certain dog that did him wrong in the kitchen just now.
"Hey Hiro, What about a Shiba dog?"
The utter confusion on the boys face is hilarious right next to Shiba's try me right now face.
With the long sigh coming from Tadashi.
"A shiva? Uncle Shiva's not a dog!" He exclaims with pure confusion. He grins as Haku barks out a laugh.
Shiba's your going to get it look does look promising.
And then Hiro cuts tide. "But I want one! I wanna get a dog."
The group goes silent except for the TV still buzzing in front of them.
"Papa and mama say maybe. I gotta wait till I'm five! " He beams, raising up his hand for 5 fingers, "I'm almost five so I'm gonna to get one soon! And I'm gonna take care of it like Papa says because it called being reponsble!"
He's the first one to say something, "Yeah, you think you can do it?" He challenges him.
Hiro nods his head vigorously. "Hm hm! I got this!" His determination of taking care of puppy is kinda impressive. Especially for the fact that he wants to follow Ishiro's advice on taking the job seriously.
He really is his son.
"Good for you kiddo but you got to prove it." He ruffles Hiro's frosty red tipped hair.
"Uncle Futao no!" He's trying to stop his hand from ruffling his bizarre two colored hair. Out of the corner of his hidden eye, Shiba smirks.
Dammit.
"So, what kind of dog do you want?" Haku questions.
And whether that's Intentional or a genuine question, it gives him more ammo to fire at Shiba. The poor boy is thinking about his answer as he's ready to spit some fire.
Tadashi allows Hiro some ice cream. Since he was promised by Haku and Futaro, it'll be mean to simply turn him down. Thankfully, there was popsicles in the fridge for him to enjoy.
He had to get up after the whole fiasco with Shiba and Futaro. Honestly, the pride war between is enough as it is. But he had to stay when they decided to cover up Hiro's ears to throw profanities at each other.
Yeah, he made sure it stopped right there.
It was about to be 10pm and Hiro still wasn't tired. Or he was almost getting there. Standing right behind couch he inspected the little conversation with Hiro and Haku.
"Aren't you tired, Hiro?," Haku saw Hiro's lidded eyes droop from time to time.
Reluctantly the little boy yawns a soft "no" as he adjusted himself snuggling next to Haku's arm.
It was nap time.
But knowing Hiro, he was going to be stubborn till the end.
When he was much younger, getting him to sleep was really hard. He would insist he wasn't tired if you'd ask him. And if you'd asked, it was like he suddenly gained energy to keep moving just so he couldn't go the bed. The boy didn't like sleeping in his room unless it was his mother or father who brought him to sleep.
Now Hiro isn't too against the idea but regardless it's still there. He would sleep unconsciously if someone was right besides him.
But that wasn't enough most of the times.
Since the first sitting, he read to Hiro from the bundle of picture books Ai bought for nighttime reading for her son. But some nights, like this, Ai couldn't be able to share stories with her son. It was a task his parents only fulfilled until he decided to read to him one day in hopes of him going to sleep.
Looking back at the group, everyone except for Hiro is looking back at him with knowing smiles.
He sighed with his lips slightly curving. It was time for bedtime stories.
He brought down a few new pictures books from Hiro's room. Ai, ever since finding out about her son enjoyed his uncle Tadashi reading to him, kept a stack of unopened picture books for him to enjoy if she was ever out of the house . Tadashi held a new one in his hand as he sat where Futaro once was next to Hiro.
The boy, who head was leaning against Haku, slowly gets up from his spot.
"Story time?" He asks.
Tadashi nods and the boy inches closer to him.
He opens the book, spilling out all the brilliant colors of life for Hiro to see as he waits for Tadashi to start reading. Tadashi says the first few words as Haku and Futaro make themselves comfortable along with the blankets as Shiba lowers the volume of the TV…..
He feels a tap on his shoulder and he's awake in an instant.
Ichiro's in front of him whispering that he'll be taking his son to his room. Tadashi automatically helps, half carrying the sleeping boy into his father's arms.
He whispers, "What time is it?"
"It's 3 in the morning."
Ah, so they managed to come back a little early.
His team members are in deep sleep. Shiba's on the left side with his face drowned in a pillow and Haku and Futaro are leaning towards another wrapped in cocoons of blankets. He groggily tries to get up.
"You can take the guest room if your prefer." Ishiro suggests as he leaves to carry his son up the stairs to his bedroom.
Tadashi yawns, shaking his head a little.
"Water?" He looks up to see Ai holding a cup. She's already in pajamas.
"Thank you." He gulps it down, feeling more refreshed. He's sees her take off upstairs to check on her family.
He tried to remember last night and how it went down. Halfway through the book Hiro began snoring softly. Shiba was on his phone and Haku went to get himself a drink, slowly getting up trying to not disturb the sleeping boy. Futaro was browsing the TV, still on a low volume.
Tadashi leaned back on the couch. "That went well."
"Ah, its getting much better over the years." Futaro sets down the remote and snuggled up with the blankets.
"Sooner or later he won't need us anymore." Shiba smiled placing phone back in his pocket and grabbing a pillow near him.
Haku comes in with a glasses of water for him and gives the other to Tadashi.
"But no matter what were still his uncles, ya know?" He sits over next to Futaro, Tadashi moves over to the left near Shiba to give him space.
"You're sharing those blankets." Haku demanded. Futaro grumbled and threw them over Haku for disturbing him. They wrestled a bit over control and soon just slept peacefully inches away from each other, unconsciously moving closer in their sleep.
Those two, he swears.
Shiba next to him is asleep with a pillow holding his head in place.
He carefully leaned back.
Hiro was asleep leaning against his arm now. He snatched a white blanket from the bundle Futaro and Haku had and carefully placed it over Hiro. His eyes started to flutter, even if he didn't have a blanket, he was warm with the boy snuggled next to him.
Now he was cold.
Not entirely, but he felt the absence of the 4 year old that was besides him just now. He didn't think too much about it as he snatched a blanket from his teammates and draped it over himself.
Because there was always next time.
The next day, Ai and Ishiro are looking over the group of uncles sleeping soundly on their large maroon couch. They chuckle and smile at the sight as they head to the kitchen to wake them up by the smell of breakfast in the morning.
Welcome to my little series of everyone(mostly the WBC squad) babysitting 1146 and 3803's son!
Here are the notes:
Ai- AE3803 (not sure who came up with it I believe it here or on ao3)
Ishiro –1146(by lunchtimerushin on Tumblr)
Hiro (my son/ name influenced by Big hero 6.) A hair reference for Hiro would be alike to Fuyumi Todoroki's hair color (but shorter of course) from My hero Academia if anyone needs an image)
Haku-(4989)(by lunchtimerushin on Tumblr) The fun uncle.
Shiba-(2048) (by lunchtimerushin on Tumblr) The mother/sassy like uncle.
Futaro-(2626) (by lunchtimerushin on Tumblr) The joking teasing uncle.
Tadashi-(2001) (someone on Tumblr decided to give the Cells at Work cast English names and his was the only name was in Japanese and I loved it.) Also that Big hero 6 reference/
And the only normal stern uncle.
[The WBC's occupations here is just hindsight on my next work to come. Don't take it too serious here.]
Hiro was a bit mature here for his age, him being the son of 1146 but he's still an energetic helpful little boy like 3803. He's four, and I'd like to believe the two of them would help him grow steady by placing him into school early but will still let him have his silliness.
Next chapter he'll be younger and more problematic for our overly protective WBC squad to handle. This fic is mostly just exploring my take on personalities of the WBC squad and others around their nephew at his young age. Followed by some white and red sweetness.
This was in 2001's perspective mostly. Later chapters will change the balance of perspectives with the other white blood cells and other very special guests.
Everyone is just one big happy family. XD
Apologies for the grammar mistakes(unless it's Hiro trying to pronounce words and names.) Critique is appreciated. Thanks for reading!