No Strings Attached (Bro/Cal)

Dave calmed down after a few minutes and started to play with his toys again. Jeff leaned back and closed his eyes. He really wished Jo would help take care of their younger brothers.

Dirk put his jammies on all by himself and crawled up into Dave's bed. He curled up with Dave's favorite stuffed toy, waiting for the younger twin to come join him for bed time.

Dave continued to play as his oldest brother washed his hair, face, and body. Their mother walked into the bathroom as they'd were finishing.
"How's my handsome, little man?"
Jeff grinned as he unplugged the drain and scooped Dave into his arms before. "He was a bit upset earlier but he's fine now.' Mrs Strider quickly snatched him from Jeff. "Come and sleep with mommy tonight." She was gone before her oldest could protest. He left the bathroom to look for Cal.

Cal had fallen asleep at the table, not knowing when Jeff would come back, and not being comfortable wandering the house by himself.

Jeff gently picked up the smaller Blondel then took him to the rain's bedroom.

Cal sighed softly, tilting his head against Jeff's chest.

Dirk was still waiting for Dave.

Jeff smiled at Dirk. "Gotta get into you own bed kiddo."

Dirk looked up at Jeff with big orange eyes and whined. He clutched Dave's stuffed animal tighter.

"Dave is sleeping with momma tonight. Cal is going to sleep in his bed."

Dirk made a distressed noise, hiding his face in the stuffed animal.

Jeff sighed. "I'll put him in your bed."

Dirk made an even louder noise of distress. He threw the stuffed animal down and got out of bed to shove at Jeff's shin.

"That's not gonna do any good kiddies." Jeff placed Cal in Dave's bed.

Dirk screamed, stomping his foot and shaking his little fists in a temper tantrum.

Jeff sighed again. Hopefully Dirk would tire himself out quickly. "Bed time."

Dirk screamed louder at him, flailing at Jeff's leg.

Cal shifted in the too small bed, his face screwed up in a little frown.

Jeff lifted Dirk, trying to shush him. "Dave is sleeping with momma tonight. You'll see him in the morning."

Dirk stated thrashing in Jeff's arms, screaming even louder. He beat at Jeff's forearms with his little fists.

Jeff took the older twin to his bed. "Throwing a tantrum won't change anything bud."

Dirk screamed and threw whatever he could get his hands on, crying and beating his fists on the mattress.

Cal sat up slowly, rubbing an eye.

Jeff sighed and shook his head. "Good night Dirk."

"What's wrong?" Cal asked drowsily.

Dirk continued to scream

Jeff went back to Dave's bed, lifting Cal back up. "Dave is sleeping with our mom tonight. Dirk is upset."

Cal clung to him. "Why? Why isn't Dirk with them?"

Jeff patted his head. "He came in here instead of taking a bath. Mom snatched Dave away from me before I could say no."