1.

Tommy lay on his back nibbling on his toes as best he could manage while his brothers were darting through the living room. Normally he would be trying to stand up and watch them, but today he had decided his feet were far more interesting.

"Eeew, Tommy, no!" Wilbur's voice sounded from above him.

Tommy didn't look up at the noise this time as he continue to struggle to reach his mouth properly. However, his efforts were made moot by Wil reaching in and tugging the chubby little leg back down where it belonged.

With a garbled sound of annoyance Tommy looked up at his brother, a disgusted look on the older boys face, and proceeded to babble heatedly at him.

"No feet in your mouth, Toms. They're gross." Wil stated at him with a frown as if his brother was going to understand him.

"Gbrrrraba digeege-aha Btha-btha-ba!/" Tommy huffed back at him as he rolled trying to get on his stomach now.

Wilbur paused at the sounds before rolling his eyes.

"Feet-" Wilbur started, pointing at Tommy's feet.

"Mouth-" He pointed to Tommy's mouth, "No-no."

Wil shook his head hoping the smaller words would help. Though at the last words Tommy merely looked over towards Techno, who was watching from Wil's far side at the two. Wilbur followed Tommy's eyes before looking back and shaking his head once more.

"That's Techno. Not 'No-no'. 'No' means-" Wil paused trying to think of how to explain 'no' to his brother, "It…it means 'no'."

"No-no." Tommy bubbled out as he now tried to pull himself up the wall of his playpen.

"Techno." Wilbur tried again, earning a look from the blond.

"No-no-no." Tommy repeated with a grin as Wilbur huffed and looked up at the ceiling with something like defeat.

"Btha-ba." Tommy giggled out next, reaching for one of Wil's hands and awkwardly gripping at his fingers.

Wilbur didn't bother correcting him this time as Tommy repeated his 'name' as well. Wil was almost startled when he felt Techno's hand suddenly hold over his fingers that Tommy was grabbing at, effectively hold both hands…somewhat.

"Wilbur." Techno said slowly to Tommy, who blew a raspberry at him for his effort.

Xx-xx-xx-xx

2.

Tommy was on the carpet crawling from toy to toy as his mother watched from her seat on the computer in the corner of the room. She was working on some work related matter but was in no rush to finish, enjoying watching Tommy play between pages.

Wilbur sat in the room as well on the sofa eating his snack while Techno finished his homework at the kitchen table. It was almost time for their favorite show to come on and Wil was getting anxious the longer Techno took to finish. He didn't want to start watching without him, but he also didn't want to have to help Techno with his homework again. The last time he tried to finish it for his brother in order to get to tv time he'd gotten scolded and he wasn't in a rush to repeat that mistake.

"Tech-" Wil started before his brother's voice cut him off.

"I'm almost done!" He called back, sounding just as anxious as Wil was.

Their mother chuckled as she looked over to the kitchen doorway, seeing her middle child squirming in his seat.

"Don't rush it. The tv will be there when your done regardless." She tried to assure him though she doubted in this case that it helped.

Kids would be kids.

"Btha-ba, Eieha buh-buh-buh-" Tommy babbled out as he jerkily crawled towards the couch.

Wilbur paid him no mind until he felt a small fist tugging at his foot which he left dangling. Looking down he made eye contact with his baby brother, who was still making sounds at him.

"What's up, Toms- Don't eat my feet." Wil quickly warned as he curled his toes instinctively when Tommy started to lean down a bit close for his comfort.

However, Tommy didn't pay his brother's feet any mind and instead had placed his head on the floor beside the couch. He made a few distressed noises before raising his head again to the other.

"Btha-ba a-bebe buh-buh-buh." Tommy stated once more, a few sounds Wilbur recognized around all the 'b's.

Wil tilted his head, watching as Tommy let out a huff and placed his head on the floor once more, staring under the couch. The small child made another distressed noise as his free hand dipped into the small space and coming back empty.

Kristin watched from her seat, smile on her face as she observed her children. It was one of the best things about being home with them. Seeing them grow and watching as they learned how to interact with each other. It was a part of parenthood no one really talked about. Watching ones children grow up, sure, but watching siblings specifically was like a special treat in and of itself.

Wilbur stared at his baby brother a moment longer before pulling his foot from the other's hold and moving to slide off the couch, careful not to step on said brother. Tommy had looked up at him and almost started to shout more gibbering before Wil was plopping down beside him.

Pressing his head to the floor Wilbur peeked under the sofa. It was dark and held more than a few 'lost' items under it, though Wil doubted Tommy cared much about most of it. Instead Wil's eyes landed on a small baby blue squeeze toy that seemed the most recent addition to the secret stash. It was one of the teething toys Tommy had recently been given and it was just outside the small babe's reach.

Twisting his head to look over at Tommy once more he was met with a growing look of distress, the bright blue eyes starting to mist over with tears of frustration.

"Btha-ba, Buh-buh-buh." Tommy mumbled out this time, his voice wavering.

Without another moment of thought Wilbur tucked his own hand under the sofa and tugged the small item free. Despite it's limited time under and short distance beneath the furniture the ball came out with a visible layer of dirt on it. As Tommy reached to take it from Wilbur the older boy instinctively pulled his hand back, earning a noise of betrayal from the smaller boy.

"Its dirty, Tommy. We have to wash it first." Wil tried to explained as he got to his feet.

"Give it to me, Wilbur. I'll take care of it." His mother stated with a light chuckle on her breath, now on her feet and reaching for the toy, "That way he wont be mad at you."

Wil hesitated only a moment before handing it over. He looked down at Tommy who was now staring at their mother with a dissatisfied pout. Giving his mother a furious set of 'uppy arms' Tommy pushed himself as high up as he could, refusing to be denied. With a chuckle Kristin leaned down and picked him up in her free arm.

As his mother and baby brother left the room Wilbur stared after them. He didn't understand the feeling of disappointment in his chest when he'd handed over the toy to his mother and not Tommy. However, with a small barely notable perk of a smile at the corner of his mouth Wilbur felt at least a warming of pride in his chest as well just under that.

He'd understood Tommy's baby talk.

Xx-xx-xx-xx

3.

Wilbur bushed his hand over Tommy's head once more, pressing down the fluff of golden curls that looked already like they were going to be a hassle to deal with later. It was so similar to Wil's own aside from the color, and if Wil cared to admit Tommy's hair felt a bit softer too.

Tommy was sitting on the floor of the living room with his back pressed to Wil's chest and the older boys legs drawn up on either side of him like guardrails. Tommy was playing with a few block toys while Wil opted to play with his hair. Tommy didn't mind, in fact, he rather enjoyed it.

The two had been left to play together while their father had to take a work call that came in out of the blue. The man had tried to ignore it at first seeing as it was his day off, until the person merely kept calling and calling until answered. That left Wil to watch Tommy until their father was finished. Wil didn't mind. He rather enjoyed being able to look after Tommy.

Or rather, he usually did.

Resting his hand on Tommy's head Wil looked anxiously to the living room door that lead to the hallway. A hallway that held the door to the bathroom.

Wiggling in place Wil kept the whine of desperation from leaving his mouth. He'd thought he'd be able to hold it easily enough, but as his father remained preoccupied the need grew bigger and bigger. He couldn't just leave Tommy alone, he'd promised his dad to keep an eye on him. But….

But…

Wil looked towards the small sliding door that lead outside to what passed as a backyard for their house. His father had taken the call outside and even from where he sat Wil could see the man's shadow pass by the door on occasion, voice muffled by the glass.

He didn't seem to be near ready to come back in.

Peering behind him Wil was met with, of course, a view of the sofa. However, he knew that on the other side of it, through the door across and in the kitchen his other younger brother sat. Techno was busy eating his cereal as he read the new book their mother had brought him recently, opting to eat it dry to protect said new book.

Wil didn't want to ask him to watch Tommy or anything. But…Techno was an older brother too. Surely he wouldn't let anything happen to Tommy while he used the bathroom…

A shiver traveled down Wil's body as the call of nature peaked.

He leaned forwards, making sure Tommy was safely upright and distracted with his toys before sliding from his spot behind his baby brother. Once on his feet Wil sprinted down the hallway and almost crashed into the door of the bathroom itself, hitting the frame of it with a small 'whump'.

Techno jumped a little at the sound of a collision, but when he didn't hear a shout of pain or the accidental cuss he shrugged it off. It wasn't the first time his older brother would have run into something. Like the time he tried to see how fast he could sock surf down the hall and ended up slamming into the wall, giving himself a bloody nose.

No, Techno wasn't concerned. Unless Wilbur called for help he'd assume the other was fine. Instead he turned back to his book. He was almost halfway through it already and had only found two words he didn't understand.

Reaching into his cereal bowl for a few more pieces Techno pressed on, the dancing of words on the page not as distracting as they had been the day before. However, before he reached the end of the page once more he was jumping in his seat.

Looking down Techno was met with a tiny chubby hand that was gripping onto his toes under the table. He'd been swinging his feet a bit and he was really lucky he'd managed to miss kicking Tommy in the face. Said boy's face was situated right near Techno's foot with an amused giggle escaping him, presumably from having caught the flying toes.

"Tommy, what are you doin under there?" Techno asked the younger with confusion.

Tommy reached a free hand up towards Techno with a fresh giggle on his lips.

"You're going to get all dirty." Techno stated before tugging his foot back so he could slide out of his seat.

Tommy shuffle-crawled the bit of space between them just as Techno was leaning down for him. With careful hands he tried to pick up Tommy like he'd seen Wilbur do before. Unfortunately, being a smaller than average six year old made the action less than successful. He managed to get Tommy hugged to his front, the smaller child hugging back with a sqee of delight, but Techno couldn't seem to get any further than that. Much to his annoyance of course.

"-ak" Tommy started to say, face half muffled in the awkward embrace.

With a sign Techno let his hold go, letting his brother slump back down to fully rest on his bottom. Tommy looked up at Techno, face beaming up at the other. Tommy's grip had slipped as Techno initially stood back up and so now his hands were out and forward with the usual 'grabby hands' going excitedly as he blew a few bubbles.

"Tak!" Tommy called out, a mostly toothless grin aimed directly at his brother.

Techno paused, his eyes widening a bit. A warm and jittery feeling swelled in his chest as he stared, mouth slightly agape. Tommy continued to wave his hands forward in demand, slowly scooting forwards on his butt as he repeated the 'tak' sound at the other.

"That's…that's me. That's me, Tommy." Techno breathed out as a smile overtook his own face.

He didn't bother looking around for anyone else to hear it. Techno just reached down and gave his baby brother a tight and true hug, just barely keeping in mind to be careful. Tommy let out a fresh squeal of delight at the action, holding on tightly back.

Upon pulling back once more Techno grinned at Tommy, the small blond smiling back. Without another word, aside from more 'tak's as Techno moved away from the smaller child, he darted over towards the fridge. Opening it and digging into the 'baby drawer' Techno pulled out a cup of sliced bananas that had been made earlier for his snack. Normally their father gave Tommy his snack, but Techno decided that today Tommy deserved to have it early.

X-xx-x

Phil let out an annoyed sigh as he turned towards the sliding door to re-enter his home. He didn't mind helping people, he actually quite enjoyed it. However, when something work related comes up and he's on his day off and he knows there are people in the office that could handle it, he gets a bit…salty about it. He himself is a work-from-home guy, he shouldn't be called about office issues at all really.

Still, he'd been able to help so…he guessed that was great. But now he just wanted to refocus on his kids and enjoy his day. His wife would even be home soon so they could have a full family dinner together a day earlier then planned. Which he hadn't told the boys yet to be a surprise.

The thought made him smile.

Sliding the yard door open and stepping back into the living room Phil's brows furrowed in confusion. Wilbur and Tommy had been left on the floor before the sofa to play while he took the call. Tommy's toys were still in place, but both boys were gone.

"Wiiiil?" Phil called out as he tried to assure himself that in the small house they couldn't be far or in much danger.

When the sound of a door swinging open met his ears and thundering feet a second later Phil felt a knot of anxiety nest in his gut. Wilbur popped into view looking both startled and alarmed…or was that guilt?

"Where is your brother, Wil?" Phil asked, hoping he'd be told his youngest was merely moved into the boys room to play something else.

Wilbur's face shifted into a confused one as he quickly darted over to the sofa to see better the spot where he and his younger brother had been earlier. His face paled as he looked up at his father with a now decidedly fearful look.

"I-I, I left him right here." He stated, his voice raised a few octaves.

"What do you mean you 'left him right here'? Wil, I asked you to look after him-"

"I needed to pee! I was quick!" Wil cut his father off trying to explain as the man started to move deeper into the room, head swiveling about to spot missing child.

"Wil, I-" Phil started again with frustration before he was interrupted a second time.

"I got him!" Techno's voice called from the kitchen, half distracted.

Both Phil and Wilbur paused before the pair moved towards the doorway. Without even making it the full way they could see Techno sitting on the floor with his back supported by a table leg. He was hugged around Tommy, who was contentedly mushing a bite of banana in his mouth as Techno tried to continue reading his book around the smaller childs head.

It was certainly a picture to see and had Phil fighting the urge to coo at them, least Techno frown and huff, ruining the comfy look of the two. The feeling of unease left him as Phil approached the younger pair.

"What are you doin all the way out here, mate?" Phil asked Tommy as he reached down to pat said child on the head.

Tommy looked up at his father, all smiles and raised what was left of another banana piece.

"Got your snack then?" Phil asked with some amusement, nodding to Tommy's showing off.

Tommy only beamed more before his banana mushy hands swung to bump Techno on the chest, to the other's mild annoyance at best.

"Tako bnm-nm-nm" Tommy replied, mostly in a hum.

Techno's annoyance melted away as a fresh smile spread over his face instantly.

Tommy was going to say his name right far before he'd get Wilbur's.

Xx-xx-xx-xx

4.

Kristin was sat beside the table feeding Tommy his lunch as her older boys were just finishing their own. It was a Saturday and Phil had unfortunately been required to go into the office at the last minute. It wasn't ideal for their family time, but there had been nothing they could do about it.

Unlike with Phil, however, the boys rarely caused a fuss with their mother in charge. At least, not often enough that she felt the need to be on her toes. A fact she liked to tease her husband on often. Even Tommy, small, itty bitty baby that he was, was currently seated in his high chair and eating his bowl of smashed peas and carrots. So long as he could squeeze it messily through his fingers first Tommy didn't mind it.

Kristin smiled down at her youngest child, watching him smear the green and orange goop across his cheek before finding his mouth. Out of all her boys Tommy was proving to truly be the messiest no matter what he got into. It was endearing as much as it was dreaded for his later years. She honestly couldn't wait despite the ever present want for him to stay tiny and young forever.

"He's all slimy now. Why do you let him do that?" Wilbur asked as he moved to place his plate in the sink, watching his brother with a slight wrinkle of his nose.

Wilbur wasn't exactly the cleanest eater when he was younger, but as he grew Kristin could see her husbands care in teaching their eldest the importance of keeping tidy. Something Wilbur liked to toss back at his father when the man was less than careful himself. A side effect of that being that Wilbur had started to take on a role of 'clean police' when it came to his brothers as well. Sometimes correcting or wiping Techno off before either parent could even mention it.

Kristin chuckled as she could see Wilbur gearing up to add Tommy to his 'keep clean' list.

"Because, Wil, sometimes babies need to play with their food before they are ready to try it." She replied as she picked up a spoon to help scrape some of it off her youngest child's face.

"How is rubbing food on his face making him want to eat it?" Wil pressed as he now walked a few steps closer to the pair.

"Its just how babies explore things. All this food is something new to Tommy. Touching it and playing in it is just…part of the learning process." His mother replied giving Wil a teasing smile, "You used to do the same with beans."

Wilbur's face instantly scrunched up at her words as he gave a frown.

"But, I don't like beans." He stated bluntly, "They feel weird."

"I know. But how do you think you realized that?" His mother countered with as she leaned back in her seat a bit, "You had time to discover that by messing around with them."

"Dad says its not good to play with your food." Techno stated from the table, part of his sandwich laying untouched before him.

"When you reach a certain age and have better ways to learn about your food then yes, its best not to play with it." His mother nodded with a small laugh on her breath, "Tommy has a few years of mess making in him before he reaches that point."

The frown didn't entirely leave Wil's face but he seemed to accept that his baby brother was going to be a slime monster during meals. Speaking of, Tommy was currently looking towards Wilbur with a large smile on his face. When Wil met his eyes the smaller child wiggled his feet and held out a messy clenched fist towards him.

"Bith-by! Ahm aum um mmmmm-" Tommy hummed out before opening his fist and dropping a smattering of pea goop to the floor.

Wilbur couldn't stop the wrinkling of his nose at first before he started to laugh.

"I think he's trying to share." Their mother commented with a laugh of her own, not bothering to wipe up the mess for now.

"You can keep it, Toms. I've already eaten." Wilbur informed his brother as his grin stretched across his face.