Baby Niece
Just a year and a half ago, Chris had been the center of D and Leon's worlds, in the family sense; almost as if he was their adopted child, each taking the role they felt the most comfortable with in his life. Yet, now…
"Oh, darling, don't put that in your mouth," D laughed lightly, taking the red crayon from his daughter's hold.
Pon-chan giggled and went back to her drawing, yet Chris hadn't been able to concentrate on his own for a while. He could only see the black-haired, blue-eyed baby girl that now earned his brother's fondest smiles and D's nearly undivided attention. He was jealous…
"Hey, Chris," Leon called from the couch as D served their afternoon tea. "Can we talk for a minute?" The blond child nodded and went over to sit with his brother.
Except Leon rose and headed for the back of the shop, guiding the way over to Chris's own room. They sat on the bed together, and the eldest of the Orcot siblings mussed the youngest's hair with one big hand, chuckling. 'What's wrong, Leon?' the child asked.
"We still love you, Chris," Leon said seriously. The child felt kind of guilty and shy all of a sudden; his brother knew… "Don't ever think we don't, ok? It's just that the baby needs our attention; she can't take care of herself yet. You understand that, right?"
'Yes…'
"Well… I guess that makes you more mature than I was back when you were born," Leon sighed. "Because, you know? I was jealous of you as well…"
'You were?' Chris asked, not bothered by the past, but curious over the fact that his brother had also been jealous at a time. It was an element they could strengthen their bond around.
"I was," Leon assured him. "Still, I was also old enough to understand… or so we all supposed. And I couldn't take care of you because of it, in the end," he whispered sadly.
'But you take care of me now!' Chris replied, taking his sibling's hand in both of his. 'And you're the best brother in the world for me as well!'
Leon smiled and mussed the child's hair some more. "Had to change the situation someday, right? Couldn't be jealous of you forever…"
Chris bit his lip and he frowned sadly. 'I can't be jealous of your baby forever either,' he muttered. 'And she needs us all to take care of her, just like you have done for me.'
"I'm glad to hear you say that, Chris," came a soft voice from the doorway. D had appeared there silently, and was watching the Orcot brothers with a kind smile. "Will you help us take care of her as well?"
'Yes, I will!' Chris exclaimed happily, deciding that he, as one privileged with D and Leon's care and affection, should try to be the best uncle for his little niece.
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