A/N Heeeyyy. I don't think you guys quite understand how much I love your feedback, be it encouragement or constructive criticisms. I love them all! And after reading them, I always get this rush to write more, and then it tapers off, haha. Also, I am always open for suggestions for story plots.
Keep in mind however, I am entirely new to writing fan fics. To go over some of the general topics discussed in the reviews- I am not and probably won't be able to keep them in character despite my best efforts. Peter and Neal always have such witty conversations, but I am not a very witty person. Also, I have no experience in raising or dealing with young children, only in my occasional babysitting roles. I was asked to make them more childish, which I enjoy when reading these types of I am sorry if I disappoint in your guys expectations, but ultimately I am writing for myself to see how well I can do. This is not to say I will not keep all of your opinions and suggestions in mind.
Side note about Peter. I can easily picture Elizabeth falling into the role as a mother and Peter a father. For him though, I think it would be a process. I understand this, but I can't for the life of me write about that process, nor do I really want to try. If it something that the majority of you guys want me to write about, I will reconsider my position on this and attempt to write it in. Let me know please. I have been made aware that it might be hard to accept that they became de-aged, and if I get the time I will rewrite it in the last chapter. For now, I am more concerned with the continuation of this story.
Now for the fun writings of this story! Enjoy!
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Breakfast went relatively well considering the fact they had pancakes with syrup and Neal was trying hard to fight with his four year old instincts to just grab the offending pancakes that were hard to cut up. Even Mozzie who was in the body of seven year old managed to get syrup over himself, the table and the glass he was using for juice. Seeing they were finished eating and the state of both boys, Elizabeth spoke up.
"How about the three of you head upstairs to clean up while I put things away down here and make a list for you guys to shop for while I gone?"
"Gone?" Mozzie finally spoke, if not slightly nervous.
"Yup, I have an event I have to be at tonight." Seeing the three men looking nervous, she tried to soothe their nerves. "You guys will be fine. You can go shopping, start dinner, and before you know it, I will be back. Now upstairs! I will bring up clothes for the both of you."
Still not completely convinced, the three of them headed up the stairs, Peter looking wary. He had some experience with children having helped babysit El's nephews while her sister was away for a business trip on a few occasions, but El had done most of the heavy lifting. And neither of them had experience caring for kids who were previously adults. Peter was still hoping he was trapped in some odd dream. For the moment, he had to deal with it.
"P'ter, I am all sticky" Neal said, looking despondently at his hands.
"I know kiddo, which is why El sent us up here. I will set Mozzie up with his shower in our room after I get your bath ready."
"Bath! P'ter, I don't take baths. You can't seriously expect me to sit in my own filth, do you?" Neal asked with indignation.
"Neal, you don't seriously expect me to let a four year take a shower by himself, do you?" Peter returned, while turning the tap to an appropriate temperature.
Neal responded by crossing his arms and glaring at Peter. It was not fair. He was still Neal, just in a smaller body. And sure, logically he knew a four year old probably should not be showering by himself for safety purposes, but he was not an average four year old and he wanted Peter to realize this. Besides, Mozzie was allowed to shower and so should he.
"How come Moz gets to shower and I have to take a bath?" Neal pouted.
"Eh tu, Neal. Just because you are a shrimp and can't shower yourself, doesn't mean I can't. Go on, Neal ba-by some-won needs his bath."
By this time Neal was becoming red with anger. He was tired of the three of them thinking he could not take care of himself. He was tired of being carried all the time, he missed his regular clothes and home, and he was tired of constantly being told off because he was too little. Most of all though, he was physically tired. He may have conked out last night, but it was around two a.m. and he woke up around 7 as his body had become accustomed to it while working for the FBI. Normally he would have had a cup of French roast and been fine, but as he had been refused a cup this morning he was running on empty and it was starting to show.
The once difficult face for Peter to read had become an open book and he could see clear as day the emotions running across young Neal's face. Peter could not understand why Mozzie was being so cruel, but he knew now was not the time to address it, and he had to calm Neal down before a tantrum could begin.
"Mozzie, you can use my shower. There are clean towels in the closet, now go please." Peter demanded softly. Once Mozzie had left, he turned and addressed young Neal.
"Hey Kiddo, I know this isn't easy for you and Mozzie. Tempers are high right now, which is why I think he was being so short with you. Now, how about we get you de-stickyfied?" He finished with a smile.
Neal looked to the tub which was now filled, to his shirt which was practically a dress and back up to Peter. "Well aren't you going to leave? I am going to take a bath." He asked.
Peter let out a breath knowing what he was about to say would not go over well with Neal.
"I meant what I said about safety earlier Neal. I need to be here to help you."
"No! No way. I think you are taking this thing a little too seriously. I draw the line at you giving me a bath. I don't care how small I am, there are things a man needs to do by himself. Besides, I was more than capable of taking care of myself when I was actually a kid!"
Peter sighed softly at how true Neal's words were. The debacle with Neal's father gave him the knowledge that Neal probably did have to care for himself at a very young age. Putting these thoughts aside, and not wanting to put up with any more arguments, Peter simply lifted Neal's shirt and then placed him unceremoniously in the tub.
Neal was beyond furious, but did not know how to respond. Every time he tried to stand up and get out of the bathtub, Peter was always there to gently push him back down. And yelling at Peter would be undignified even in his current state, but pleading with Peter to leave was not getting him anywhere either. He ended up crossing his arms and not moving.
"Neal, if you continue to sit there and sulk and not actually wash yourself I will do it for you." This immediately snapped Neal out of his funk. Seeing Peter's face he knew he was not going to go anywhere unless he began to wash and he was getting uncomfortable just sitting there.
"Turn around please?" Neal asked meekly.
"Sure thing kid. Sure thing."
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A/N Still looking for a beta =) Also, I was truly struggling with a plot line. I have a lot of one-shot ideas that are all inter related, but I am working on making the connections. So I figure something is better than nothing! I hope it was okay.