II - The Happiness

Every so often, the Watterson siblings would miraculously find something that they all agreed to watch, despite their clashing tastes in movies. This often resulted in an evening of the three of them spread over the couch, their legs in a perpetual fight to be on top of someone else's as the movie played in the background.

Tonight was one such night, with the three children spread as widely as possible as an action-comedy kept them entertained. Darwin was the proud winner of the leg war, his legs longer than his siblings', allowing him to triumphantly sit to the far left and spread them across both of their laps.

"Hey, can you pass the popcorn?" he asked Gumball, who was in charge of holding it because he was in the middle. Gumball rolled his eyes, but held the bowl out for Darwin to rummage through. "Thanks, dude!" said Darwin happily, stuffing his mouth with popcorn as the movie kept playing.

"Move your feet, Darwin!" exclaimed Anais, attempting to shove at them. Being four years old, she wasn't strong enough, and Darwin's feet remained happily in her lap. "They stink, ew!"

"Hey!" frowned Darwin, his attention shifting to her. "I take very good care of my feet! They don't stink!"

"Yeah they do," countered Anais, her nose scrunching up.

"Yeah, they kinda do, man," interrupted Gumball, grinning at Darwin.

"Hmph! Exclaimed Darwin, turning back to the movie, and spreading his legs further just to annoy them.

Darwin made sure to very stubbornly keep his legs over their laps the whole time, even when he started feeling tired as it got later and later.

It had taken them too long to pick a movie they all agreed on, so by the time the two hour run time was over, Anais was asleep and breathing softly. Darwin smiled as he noticed that she had fallen asleep leaning against Gumball's side, and Gumball had rested a soft hand atop her head protectively.

Gumball was also being unusually quiet, especially since the movie had ended already. Glancing at his brother's face, Darwin saw that he had also fallen asleep, his head nearly but not quite leaning against Darwin's in turn. Darwin couldn't blame them honestly – the only reason he himself hadn't fallen asleep was because he was so determined to keep his legs on their laps.

Since he was the only one left awake, it was his job to pack up and wake them up to get to bed. He smoothly removed his legs from their extended position, only jostling his siblings slightly, and removed the empty popcorn bowl from Gumball's loose grip. He deposited it in the kitchen, before turning off the streaming service and then the TV.

Before waking them up, Darwin eagerly took in the adorable sight of his siblings asleep on the couch. Gumball's mouth was hanging open, a string of drool threatening to wet the top of Anais' head.

Darwin figured he should wake them up before that happened, so quietly made his way back over to them.

"Gumball," he whispered loudly, moving to shake his shoulder.

His hand made contact, causing Gumball to twitch upwards and a very peculiar sound to emit from his throat.

"Mmrrrp?"

Darwin's eyes widened, and he quickly withdrew his hand. Contemplating for a second, he leaned his head in closer, towards his brother's throat.

Sure enough, Darwin could hear a soft rumbling noise emitting from Gumball, rhythmic and soothing. Darwin lifted his head and slowly placed his hand back on Gumball's shoulder, feeling gentle vibrations coming through in the pattern of his steady breaths.

Darwin's face broke out into a massive smile and he let out a very quiet squeal. Gumball was usually too prideful to let himself purr while they were at school or during the day, so Darwin was always very excited when it happened to slip out. He loved seeing his brother so happy.

But this put him in a dilemma – he now had to move Gumball and Anais, lest they get terrible cricks in their necks the next morning, but he didn't want to ruin such an adorable scene.

Luckily, Darwin was saved from having to make such a taxing decision when their mother suddenly poked her head around the corner from her and their father's bedroom.

"Alright kids, it's bedtime," she said in a low voice.

Darwin motioned for her to come over, putting a fin up to gesture for her to be quiet. Raising an eyebrow, Nicole stepped all the way out of the doorframe and over to join Darwin. She quickly noticed what Darwin had noticed, and an adoring smile broke over her face.

"I don't have the heart to wake them up!" Whispered Darwin frantically.

"Aww, look at them," cooed Nicole. She quickly and silently withdrew her phone and snapped a few pictures, putting it back just as quickly.

"And… do you hear that?!" Asked Darwin, leaning in closer to Gumball. "He's purring!"

"He is?!" Asked Nicole with a gasp, her eyes shining. The scene was already adorable – but Nicole had a special soft spot for purring, as it had often been a way to comfort herself during her lonelier childhood years, and later on for when she was feeling truly content.

Nicole silently stepped over and replaced herself on the couch where Darwin had been sitting. She leaned in – and sure enough, a light purr was emitting from her son.

An adoring smile split Nicole's face. If only Darwin had fallen asleep too – then the picture would have been even more perfect. Distracted by the mental image that lovely thought gave her, Nicole absently leaned her hand over to the back of Gumball's head. It came to rest behind his ears, and she began to scratch lightly, like she remembered her parents doing with her when she was very very young.

Gumball let out a little whirring noise, before his purr deepened and he shifted slightly, also closing his mouth. The movement jostled Anais, who let out a small sigh and furrowed her brow.

Surprised by the sudden movement, Nicole quickly withdrew her hand.

"Aww, why'd you stop?" Pouted Darwin, who had moved in as close as he was able.

Nicole smiled. "I think we'd better wake them up before Gumball opens his mouth again, or either of them wake up and get really embarrassed," she said fondly.

"Yeah…" yawned Darwin. He was looking incredibly tired, and Nicole was hit with another surge of affection.

"Come on, you," she said. "I'll get you up to bed then come back down to sort out these two, okay?"

Darwin only nodded tiredly, his eyes already drooping. Nicole quickly gathered him into her arms – he had always been light enough to carry – and made her way up to the children's bedroom. She set him down next to his fishbowl, which he sluggishly got into.

"Goodnight, sweetheart," she whispered.

By the time she was leaving and closing the door, he was already asleep, blowing soft bubbles through the water.

She once again descended the stairs and approached Gumball and Anais – Gumball was still purring, and Nicole couldn't resist reaching over and giving him another scratch just to hear it deepen.