-You seem to know your way around here, Tony commented with a small smile when the two boys later that night made their way upstairs to Tony's bedroom while the grownups stayed downstairs talking.

-I've been here a couple of times with Nate, Donnie explained. It was when I was younger though so a few things have changed. He tried to keep the bitterness out of his voice.

-That's understandable. This here is my room right now.

-The old guestroom where Nate used to stay. Donnie didn't know how he felt about that but guessed he'd have to live with it. His brother wouldn't mind so why should he.

-He stayed overnight?

-Yeah more than a couple of times. The time Nate told us about wasn't the last time dad had to go away. Seems there is one type of mission he and a couple of others are the only one that can do.

-That must be hard.

-At times. Donnie didn't tell him just how hard life was when his dad wasn't around.

-Does he still leave for assignments?

-They are usually short, but yeah, every now and then.

-So you grew up with my uncle around? Tony asked after a few minutes of silence.

-My brother did, I just happened to be close by at times. It got harder and harder not to let Tony know how much he wished that King had been around even after Nate got deployed.

-Was he nice to you though?

-It's your uncle shouldn't you know him well enough to know that he always is nice to others. Donnie grimaced at the hardness of his voice and saw Tony flinch a bit.

-Well most of the time. Unless you do something.

-He can be angry? He wasn't even mad at my brother back then. He had actually never seen or heard King really angry. Another thing he'd missed out on. He felt stupid but he was jealous. Jealous of Tony and his brother who got to hang out with King. All he was to King was Nate's stupid younger brother. Somebody he hadn't bothered coming around for when Nate deployed. He didn't know why but in a way it made him feel worthless. And stupid for even caring. King had no obligation against him. They had no real history.

-He usually is pretty calm, but anger isn't the worst thing. Disappointment is.

-Tell me about it. No matter how many times everybody reassures me that we are fine I still seem to have this big cloud of disappointment hanging over me.

-Are you sure that it isn't just your imagination. I mean I heard my dad and uncle downstairs, they have forgiven you and I've seen your parents the whole night and I just don't see the disappointment there.

Donnie didn't answer him. They may have forgiven him but he still didn't feel comfortable hanging out around them. Especially King who'd he swore he would stop hanging around like some lost puppy. He'd just have to avoid him from now on.

-Your dad seems nice.

-Yeah he is when he is home.

-You sound just like your brother, Tony chuckled softly.

-He taught me most of his tricks. And words.

-Did he ever teach you how to climb out of this window?

-Don't think that is the best idea, and no I don't think he ever did it. Now Donnie was laughing a bit too. Tony clearly tried to lighten up the mood and it worked.

-Okay, how about we do something less dangerous instead.

-Like what?

-Like mess with Chris' drink or something. Spice it up a bit.

-Prank Christopher Lasalle? Chris wasn't King, he could live with that. Sure he'd seen his fair share of Chris too when he grew up but it wasn't him he wished he'd had the chance to hang out with.

-Yeah. That's what big brothers are for I guess.

-Well partly. And partly to chew you out.

-Tell me about it.

-Has Chris ever...? Donnie asked surprised.

-Chewed me out? I wish I could answer no, but yeah he has. More than once. Donnie gaped at that.

-Okay, if you are sure of what you are doing I am in. As revenge.

-Yes! Let's head down to the kitchen, we'll ask them if they want coffee yet with the excuse that we want some dessert. They are gonna make us do all the hard work though, but that will work out perfectly. After indeed being told that the only way to get dessert was to cook them coffee, Tony started rummaging around in the cupboards making a bit of a mess in his search for the right things.

-Hmmm not to judge you or anything but from what I can remember King was a freak when it came to his kitchen.

-Yeah, well you haven't thrown your best puppy dog eyes at him yet. Do you want to fix one for your brother as well?

-Yeah, I guess, why not. Tony smiled brightly at him and added pepper and a bit of hot sauce into their brothers' cups of coffee before handing everybody a cup and sitting down.

-Are you sure you know how to use the coffee maker? Chris asked suspicious. This smells kind of funny.

-Mine smells like coffee, King stated and when even Gibbs took a sip of it and didn't say anything Chris seemed to give up.

-See, what did I telltell you? Don't you think I've been living long enough with that coffee addict to know how to make a decent cup of coffee?! Donnie could keep the smile off of his face but not from his eyes.

The next second both Nate and Chris got up from the table and rushed over to the kitchen sink. Uncle Pride reached over and sniffed at Chris's cup without a word before passing it over to his dad.

-What did you spike it with? Agent Gibbs asked raising his eyebrows.

-Me? Tony laughed. Nothing. I can't help it if uncle Pride leaves hot sauce and pepper in his cups…guess he really could need a dishwasher.

-Tony.

-It was a prank dad. Neither Tony nor Agent Gibbs seemed really upset and Tony watched the exchange curiously.

-And judging from Donnie's reaction I'm guessing you were in on it too son, James said turning to Donnie.

-It was harmless, Donnie immediately defended them.

-Yeah so harmless that you aren't gonna laugh anymore when I catch you, Chris warned from the doorway. Behind him Nate stood with the same murderous glare on his face and Donnie grimaced.

-Now come on Chris, Nate, don't work yourselves up, Tony said backing away from the table. Donnie followed suit and when their big brothers advanced on them they rushed upstairs side by side to hide in Tony´s bedroom.