Welcome to the LOAC ficlets! These short stories are basically so I can write things I wasn't able to write/fit into LOAC. I highly suggest you read the main story The Love of a Child before reading this so you can understand this world/plot better!

These ficlets will not follow any timeline. Think of these stories as a look into a specific moment/time.I will make it clear when the ficlet takes place through the summary to avoid any confusion :D

warnings: mpreg, jealousy, cute babies

"Ma-kun." Soren ducked his head into the nursery room. He knew he wasn't allowed inside the nursery when Souta was sleeping. But the annoying thing was Souta was always sleeping. No matter day or night there was an eighty percent chance that Souta was asleep. Soren never got to see his Ma-kun anymore because he was always in the nursery too. Most times when Soren couldn't handle waiting any longer his curiosity would get the best of him and he'd sneak a look inside. If Soren was lucky his Ma-kun would be giving Souta milk and Soren would be able to stay and watch until Souta was done.

Soren had come at a good time today. Neither his Ma-kun or Souta were asleep which meant he could go inside the nursery. He dropped his school bag by the front of the door then tiptoed inside. The number one rule when he was inside the nursery was that he had to be extra quiet and not make too much noise. One time, Soren has gotten too excited when Souta had gurgled really loud at a funny face Soren had made. The loud laugh had scared Souta and he ended up making his baby brother cry. Soren had learned that day that it was super duper important to follow the rules.

"Hi, Ma-kun. I'm back from school." Soren announced his presence. "Neji-san left already. He had to leave fast cause Mina-chan was fussy. He told me to tell you he'd call you later." Ever since Souta had been born Ma-kun hadn't been able to take Soren to school or pick him up so Neji-san was doing it for now. Ma-kun had said the setup was only temporary until he and daddy were able to hire a trustworthy nanny. That didn't seem like it would happen anytime soon though.

"Okay, thank you for letting me know." Naruto looked up from Souta's face. His little brother was happily sucking on his Ma-kun's nipple. Tsunade-san had told him that very important milk filled with vitamins was stored in there. Souta had to drink as much milk as he could so that he could grow and be healthy. "How was your day?"

Soren fidgeted with the long sleeve of his school uniform. "It was okay. We watched a very boring movie and then we had to write our thoughts about it. Then at lunch, Yuta-kun spilled his juice everywhere. He had to go home because his uniform was a mess." Soren listed off other mundane things that had happened during his day. He missed his Ma-kun so much he was talking just to extend the amount of time he could be inside the nursery. Right after Souta drank his milk he always got sleepy. Once Souta's eyes closed Soren would have to leave, so he kept talking. He talked about the math quiz he had. The big ugly bug he found during break time. The delicious lunch he ate despite Yuta-kun's embarrassing blunder. Soren kept talking until there was nothing left to report.

"Sounds like you had a fun day, my love." Naruto adjusted Souta so that he was propped up higher. His little hands were covered by mittens. Soren thought they were funny looking, they were so big on Souta's small hands. As funny as he found them Soren knew they were important. His Ma-kun had explained that the mittens were so that Souta didn't scratch his sensitive skin by accident or hurt himself. Souta was very delicate. He was so small that being around him made Soren nervous. He fidgeted again.

Soren looked on as his mother gently rubbed Souta's little back. He gently patted it until Souta spat up some milk. Naruto wiped Souta's lips and chin then set him back down.

"How was your day, Ma-kun?"

"Hmm?" Naruto was distracted as he rocked Souta, humming very softly. Soren knew he shouldn't feel jealous, but he did. Every single day his Ma-kun spent hours and hours with Souta while he only spent a fraction of that time with him. Soren had thought he was ready to be a big brother but in reality he hadn't been prepared for how difficult it was. Sharing his Ma-kun was hard.

"Ma-kun,"

"Hmm?" Naruto kept humming, he caressed Souta's chubby red cheek then kissed the top of his head. Like usual his Ma-kun was completely absorbed in Souta.

"Do you love Souta more than me?"

Naruto looked up, his eyes became wide as he stared at Soren. Soren could tell his words had hurt his Ma-kun. "Of course I don't. I love you both the same." Naruto got up from his cushioned rocking chair. He put Souta in his bassinet then turned to Soren.

"Why do you think I love your brother more than you?" Naruto asked in a calm voice. No matter how calm of a voice his Ma-kun used Soren could hear the hurt in it. He hadn't meant to hurt his Ma-Kun's feelings. Soren felt stupid. He had managed to hurt his mother in the little bit of time he had gotten with him today. He should've just kept his thoughts to himself. But now everything was ruined. Soren began to cry.

"Why are you crying, oh baby," Naruto wrapped his arms around Soren's shoulders. Soren instinctively snuggled into his mother's arms, inhaling the calming scent in shaky gulps of breath.

"B-because I made Ma-kun sad!" Soren couldn't keep quiet any longer. The rule of keeping silent was no longer possible for him to follow. He had too many thoughts clogging his mind, they had been building up for weeks and finally they were spilling forth. "Ma-kun spends all day with Souta but never spends any time with me! I know I shouldn't be jealous but I am!" Soren's tears continued to fall, "Sometimes I feel like Ma-kun loves Souta more than he loves me!"

"No, baby, no," Naruto tightened his embrace, he rocked them slowly and rubbed Soren's back until he calmed down enough to be able to speak and listen. "Thank you for sharing how you feel with me. I didn't know you were feeling that way." He wiped at Soren's cheeks, "I love you both the same. You're both my special babies. But right now Souta is very weak. Without me he can't do much. The reason I spend so much time with Souta is because he needs my scent. If I go too far he gets cranky and he'll start to cry,"

Soren knew all this. He had sat through the lecture by Tsunade. He had watched the videos as well. He knew this and yet it was still so hard.

"But," Naruto took Soren's hand in his own, "I promise you this is only temporary. I know it's hard but you're so strong Soren. My little alpha." Naruto squeezed Soren's hands. "Never ever doubt my love for you, okay? I love you with all my heart." Naruto kissed the top of Soren's head.

The next day when Soren arrived home from school he had no interest in going to the nursery. Not even the slightest tiniest bit.

He dropped his backpack by the door and placed his shoes neatly in the corner. At least today had been a fast one. Neji-san hadn't been able to pick him up because Mina-chan had a doctors appointment. Kou-san had dropped him off and walked him to the door. He never came inside the house unless daddy was home.

Soren yawned. Maybe he'd make himself a snack then take a nap. He didn't have too much homework so he could afford some naptime. He padded over to the kitchen, thinking of what he could make himself. Maybe a sandwich? Or some cereal? He couldn't cook himself anything since he wasn't allowed to use heat without his Ma-kun or daddy to watch over him. Before Souta came, Ma-kun would make him snacks every day after school. With a frown Soren got rid of the memory. Ma-kun had said he just needed to be patient and wait until Souta was a little bit stronger. Soren had to stop thinking so negatively. But still...Soren pouted, he wished time would go by faster.

"Welcome home, Soren."

Soren blinked. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things. His Ma-kun was not only out of the nursery but he was in the kitchen cooking what looked like Soren's favorite after school snacks.

"Surprise!" Naruto smiled as he walked over and kissed Soren's cheek.

"Ma-kun..." Soren's was at a loss for words. It had been a long time since he had seen his mom outside the nursery at this time of day. "What are you doing?"

"Making you a snack, silly."

"What about Souta?"

"Your brother is right over there." Naruto pointed to the living room where Souta was being gently swayed back and forth by a padded baby rocker. The machine was shaped like a swing and elevated off the carpeted floor. Souta was strapped in, safely secured inside. He was fast asleep.

"I had Kou-san do some shopping for me while you were at school today. Now that we have a rocker me and Souta-kun will be spending lots more time out here with you. How does that sound, hmm?"

Soren burst into a big smile. He ran over and hugged his Ma-kun tight.

"It sounds good." Soren was so happy he couldn't stop smiling. He loved his Ma-kun so much.

"Ah, look your brothers awake. I think your scent woke him up."

Soren twisted back, still in his mother's arms. Souta was indeed awake. His bright blue eyes were watching them from the living room. He couldn't speak but if he could Soren would bet Souta would be saying something along the lines of 'give me love too'. Soren laughed.

"Why don't you go play with your brother a bit while I finish up your snacks?"

"Nee, Ma-kun!" Soren took one more inhale of his mother's scent then ran off to Souta. He kneeled by the strange rocker. He picked up one of the many plush toys around Souta and then jiggled it in front of Souta's face. Souta immediately gurgled and smiled. His eyes watched the plushie intently. He reached out for it with his mitten-covered fingers.

"Sorry, Sou-kun." Soren whispered as he set the plushie in Souta's reaching arms. "I was mad at our Ma-kun because of you. But I promise I'll be patient and wait." Soren leaned into the rocker and quickly kissed the top of Souta's head. He had a fluffy beanie on but Soren could still smell his scent through it.

Soren loved him his baby brother. He made Ma-kun and daddy so happy. And sometimes, like now, he made Soren happy too.

Soren smiled, "just grow up fast, kay!"

What did you guys think? Should I continue with these ficlets? Also if there's any particular moment you want to see PLEASE let me know by making a request. I've already had a request for pregnant mommy Naruto getting protective as well as a request for daddy Sasuke bonding with his new baby. If you want to see ItaHaku, GaaNej, or any other pairing moments please leave a request with the moment you want to see with them too ^3^