Day 10: Hold/Bagels

Turquoise eyes lit up at the sight before him.

A toasted cream cheese bagel. A rare treat indeed. And, miracle of miracles, he was in a position to actually fully enjoy it. John had taken his treat out poolside, knowing Gordon had already finished his morning routine. He was all alone to enjoy this.

Scott had insisted he take a full 48-hour break dirtside, and Grandma had backed him up, and while John had initially grumbled at the enforced break from Five, a good 12-hour sleep had restored his good nature, and with everyone currently not here, John was going to make the most of the day.

Starting with his favourite breakfast.

He'd put the two halves together and lifted it halfway to his mouth when…

'John!'

His name was squealed and he suddenly found himself almost knocked off his feet. It was all he could manage to do to keep a tight hold on his bagel as a small blonde head tucked under his left arm and clung to him.

'Hey, Al.'

John relaxed into the hug, lowering his arms – and his guard. Before he knew it a bite had been taken out of his bagel.

'Al! That was mine!' John huffed, but Alan just looked up at him with impish eyes and grinned. John rolled his eyes, switched the bagel to his right hand and squeezed back with his left arm.

He went to take a bite when…

'John!'

Knowing what to expect, John immediately raised his right arm into the air as Gordon collided with his right side, clinging on even tighter than Alan had. The was muffled words as one or both his youngest brothers spoke, but he couldn't make them out.

Wondering how he was going to manage this, he lowered his right arm enough that the crook of his elbow was hugging the squid's head and went to take a bite. Suddenly, strong flannel arms enveloped the three of them, forcing his arm down where Gordon took immediate advantage.

'Gordon! Virgil! That's my breakfast!'

No one was listening to him and he mumbled bitterly to himself. No way was he in a position to even get the remains of his bagel to his mouth.

A hoot of laughter from the doorway told him that Scott had also decided to show up, and the click indicated that a picture had been taken. His eldest brother sauntered over and ruffled his hair. John shot him daggers.

'Hey, Johnny. Nice of you to join us.'

'Don't call me Johnny!'

But Scott grinned and suddenly John knew he had lost. Virgil gave a tight squeeze, causing all three ensconced brothers to squeal and…sure enough, Scott took the remains of the bagel from him, breaking it in two and placing one half in Virgil's mouth while he finished the other.

John's shoulders sagged. He knew it had been too good to be true. Virgil chuckled in his ear and released his hold on them, and the cuddle pile broke apart.

'Thanks for breakfast, John!' four voices chorused and he couldn't help himself. He smiled and they all fell about laughing.

'I meant it, John. It's good to see you home.' Scott clasped his shoulder and the sentiment was echoed around. 'And anyway, what kind of breakfast is that? You need a Tracy breakfast.'

And before John could answer he found himself being propelled back into the villa and into the kitchen, where piles of pancakes and waffles and bacon and eggs were waiting.

'Now you're talking! John, you need to come home more often if it means breakfast like this!'

A soft elbow hit him in the ribs, and John looked around the table at his brothers. Yeah. Maybe he should come down a little more often if it meant getting together like this.