"So uh not to ruin this moment or anything but little man here isn't exactly roses fresh" Dean muttered ruffling Rhys's short brown hair grimacing at the slight flinch beneath his hand. Seth stared at his toddler son as he rolled the car back and forth against the plush carpet. "Yeah no I know he doesn't but I'm not sure how to bath a kid man" Roman chuckled watching Seth's eyes dart between Rhys and the bathroom he remembered those days. "Come on man I'll show you all you'll need." Slowly Seth leaned forward and gripped Rhys under the arms gently lifting him into his arms wincing as he began to whimper and squirm. "Hey it's okay little man sshh daddy's going to give a bath" He whispered bouncing the small boy gently on his hip. Entering the bathroom Seth glanced at the bottles, wash clothes and hooded towel Roman had lain on the counter. "Bubble bath, body wash, and shampoo it's just like having a shower except you're washing him instead man. Pretty easy stuff but I'm going to go out with Dean I don't think both of us in here is a good plan. Might overwhelm the poor guy"
Nodding Seth lifted Rhys onto the counter watching his eyes flash from the tub to the bottles and back to Seth's face. "Okay bud we're going to go have a bubble bath okay?" He lifted the bottom of the tight dirty pyjama shirt "It's okay no one's going to hurt you" He said softly as he tossed the shirt into the garbage can he then lifted him down onto the floor standing him up as he began to pull the bottoms off. Rhys began to whimper and shake against Seth's chest his eyes going wide and his lip trembling. "It's okay it's okay" As he pulled them down his breathe caught at the scars and marks all across the toddlers legs and found more as he pulled off the diaper. "Rome" Seth called out holding Rhys against his chest trying to calm his shaking. Roman stuck his head around the corner moving slowly careful not to frighten Rhys.
"Man look at this" He mumbled turning Rhys against his chest so Roman could see the scars. He could see the blood boil behind the Samoans eyes Roman shook his head and pointed to the other room gesturing that he needed air. Lifting Rhys he moved towards the tub sighing as Rhys gripped his shirt and whimpered. "It's just water and bubbles bud nothing to fear. Daddy will stay here with you the whole time I promise" He said softly as he lowered the toddlers' feet into the warm water. Rhys flinched and his eyes went wide at the feeling of the water around his feet. Taking the distraction Seth lowered him completely into the water. "Yeah! Good boy see that's all it is a nice warm bath" He soothed. Taking the wash cloth he cleaned Rhys and washed his hair with the shampoo laughing quietly as Rhys batted at the bubbles in front of him. "All done little man you did a good job" He murmured lifting Rhys in the hooded towel and taking him into the room. Roman sat on the couch face timing with JoJo while Dean lay sprawled out on his bed watching TV.
"Okay time to get dressed" Seth said softly pulling on a diaper and the clean set of paw patrol pyjamas he had bought. Placing the stuffed moose in Rhys's hands Seth lay on the bed with him stroking his hair as he watched the pictures flash on the TV screen. A few minutes later Seth watched as Rhys pushed his fingers into his mouth and whined softly his eyes gazing up at him. Seth lifted him into his arms cradling him against his chest trying to calm him only for Rhys to get fussier. "Rome man I don't know what's happening here man" Seth gulped as Rhys began to wail in his arms little legs kicking wildly. Roman crossed the room lifting the toddler into his arms bouncing him lightly watching his face as he shoved his fist into his mouth. "Ah" Roman grinned brushing his hand up and down his back. "Supper time, there's formula and bottles in the cupboard over there man" Seth blinked a few times he knew little about kids but formula was for babies "By the way I read little mans file that lady is full of it he's not even 2 not 3 bring the stuff here man I'll show you" Placing the formula and bottles on the counter Roman showed Seth how to measure and mix the bottle. "There now lay him in your arms and give him the bottle" Roman pointed to the couch passing off the bottle. Rhys whimpered in Seth's arms pushing his legs against his forearm impatiently. "Okay settle down" He murmured before putting the bottle in his mouth and watching as his hands gripped his around the bottle.
"You almost look maternal Rollins" Dean laughed watching Seth's gaze at the child curled into his arms. He glanced up at Dean flipping him off with the hand holding the bottle. With a quarter of the bottle left Rhys's eyes began to slowly close and his breathing even out. Seth had to admit the curve of his nose, his big brown eyes and soft dark hair he was his mini me. Taking the bottle from his mouth Seth placed Rhys in the play pen wrapping him in the new blanket they'd bought for him with his stuffed moose. "Night buddy" He said softly kissing his forehead.
"Not bad Rollins" Dean grinned looking over the into the play pen as Rhys slept soundly. Seth smirked shaking his head and slapping his hand on Roman's back. "Without you guys I'd be screwed so thank you" Lifting his beer up Dean smirked "Believe in the shield! Haha" Roman shook his head at his brothers "Bed you two before that baby wakes up and wants more to eat"
The clocks flash 4:40 am as whimpers pulled Seth from his sleep. Groaning he slid from the bed and stumbled to the play pen flicking the small lap on and lifting Rhys into his arms. "Hey champ what's the matter huh?" Seth whispered as he rocked the toddler in his arms taking him into the bathroom he changed his diaper and quietly made a bottle. Dropping back on the bed Seth held Rhys against his chest as he hungrily took the bottle both boys relaxing against each other.
Dean chuckled nodding his head towards Seth and Rhys curled into each other on the bed fast asleep. "He's going to be just fine" Roman murmured "Hey Seth come on man wake up we have to get ready got a long drive ahead of us" Seth blinked against the bright lights going to sit up before he felt the weight against his chest. His hands rubbed against Rhys's back "Guess we fell asleep after he fed last night. I'll get us both ready" Letting Rhys sleep a little longer Seth jumped through the shower and packed their bags. Dean picked up the toddler when he whimpered and rocked him backed and forth. "Hey Uncle Deano's got ya" He cooed. After feeding Rhys and having a quick breakfast the crew loaded up and headed for Monday night raw in Seattle.
The drive was long especially with a toddler in the back seat. When they stopped for gas Dean and Seth went in for food while Roman filled up the SUV. While they were gone Rhys woke to the empty SUV. Startled his bottom lip began to tremble as he whimpered pressing his moose against his face. He could see his Uncle Roman on the outside of the car so he whimpered louder in an attempt to get his attention. When that failed Rhys began to panic that he had been abandoned again his whimpers becoming wails that shook his entire frame. Roman heard the cries from outside the car and swung the door open reaching into the seat to lift Rhys out. "Whoa baby boy hey now its okay" He soothed but his cries only became louder. As Seth and Dean made their way out Seth heard Rhys screaming and ran to the car. "What happened?" He demanded lifting Rhys into his arms cradling him against his chest. At this point his face was red and blotchy and tears poured down his face as his body shook against his chest. "It's okay champ daddy's here I'm sorry I got you" He cooed bouncing him against his chest guilt radiating through him. Dean paced nervously the cries of the toddler making him uneasy. It wasn't a cry for food or a diaper change it was one of pure fear. After a few more minutes Seth managed to calm him and rock him back to sleep. Once back into the car Roman glanced back in the mirror at Seth "Alright man few more hours" Dean grinned "Road trip!"