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Day with Four - Ranch Family AU story

Ranch Family AU story for @whumpril 2025! =D

Whumpril 2025, Day 24: Sensory Overload

Summary: Four, the newest adopted boy of Time’s, is in need of all kinds of essentials. Time takes him to the mall at the day after having adopted him. It’s nothing of unusual as he’s done the same with each of his boys so far. Things just end up going bit differently than what he had planned for the day…

CW: Anxiety, worry, nervousness, coping mechanism, teary, sorrow, slight talk about deaths of loved ones, hesitation

In AO3

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Day with Four

Click-click-click-click

Time tried not to scowl at the situation. It was early and in middle of the week. The place should not have been this full of people yet. The damn place hadn’t opened up than just couple of hours ago.

Click-click-click-click

Time knew he had tried to get them, which meant him and Four, to leave the ranch swiftly enough but things had taken longer than he had wanted to. At first it had been about what to eat for breakfast while turning out that Four was bit picky about his food. Eventually he had managed to get the kid to eat a granola bar of yoghurt and strawberries. Then it was about getting clothes on as the boy didn’t really have that many of change of clothes to wear. And that was one of the reasons they were up for going to the mall at the town.

Click-click-click-click

The drive into the town had gone well. Four was exited and looking around in the morning’s light. Time had felt like things would go just fine… Until he hit every red light on the streets and found the mall far more crowded than he had anticipated.

Click-click-click-click

Time glanced at the 11-year old boy by him. The kid was shorter than what his age gave out to be. He was holding onto to Time’s shirt tightly while looking around with bit wide eyes.

Click-click-click-click

Time carefully rounded his hand around Four’s shoulders to keep him close. He nearly glared after each of the people whom accidentally crashed into him. And each time his hold on the boy tightened just to make sure he was right there and no-one was trying to snatch him away from him.

Click-click-click-click

It took a while before Time recognized the swift four clicks. He felt like an absolute idiot for having not realized it earlier. His gaze fell right back into his boy.

Click-click-click-click

Time felt his heart crack as he noticed his newest adopted kid looking nervous and pressing the four small buttons of his necklace in swift move. Red, blue, violet, green. Red, blue, violet, green. Swift and anxious. The colors of his emotions going through quickly with one fast pressing.

Click-click-click-click

Time knew the color probably should’ve stayed red but pressing the buttons was a coping mechanism at the moment. The place was too much for his boy. Too much to see. Too much to hear. Too much of people around them.

Click-click-click-click

Time crouched down to be on his boy’s level. “Four.” He called gently and got those big and slightly bit watery eyes into him. He didn’t think as he pulled the kid into an embrace. “It’s okay. Everything’s okay.” He assured calmly while feeling tad grateful of that clicking having stopped. He pulled slightly bit off while still holding onto this boy and make sure he was safely and securely in his hold. “What do you think about getting out of here, hmm?” He queried and Four simply nodded. “Okay. Can I carry you or do you want to walk?” He asked while giving a swift check around since they still were right in middle of the hallway.

Four wrapped his arms around Time’s neck and held on tightly. Time smiled and wrapped his arms around his boy before carefully standing up. He made sure his hold was secure and comforting as he checked around before choosing his road.

“I know exactly the place where we can be at peace and still enjoy of the time.” Time told gently as he made his way out of the mall. “You want to climb up to my shoulders? I bet you’d get better view from there.” He offered with a slight smile once they got through the doors into the parking area.

Four blinked in surprise before tad blushing. Yet, he carefully, with Time’s aid, climbed upwards and soon was seated on his newest caretaker’s shoulders. “There we have it. Better?” Time mused while feeling his boy lean his hands against his head.

“Much.” Four replied while looking around from his place.

“Awesome!” Time exclaimed happily before starting to head towards his destination. He held onto his boy’s legs while making sure their roads were safe and sound. Luckily the park wasn’t far and the weather was getting warmer each day.

“Where are we going?” The boy Time had adopted only yesterday inquired while frowning.

“A place I’ve been to few times around your age.” Time replied with a grin. “Let’s hope it’s still open and working while still being as good as I remember it having been.” He mused calmly.

“How long ago is that?” Four queried with a slight frown.

Time chuckled and blushed slightly. “About sixteen years ago.” He replied almost nonchalantly.

Four frowned and tried to count with his fingers. “Twenty-seven!” He suddenly shouted and sat up straighter. “You’re twenty-seven!”

Time chuckled and grinned while nodding. “That’s right. I’ll be twenty-seven this summer.” He confirmed calmly before pointing to a cozy looking cabin by the pond with bushes on one side of the place. “There it is.”

“Looks nice.” Four commented as Time headed towards the place. “Looks small, though.” He frowned a bit.

Time chuckled and grinned slightly. “It’s far bigger from the inside.” He told before tad shrugging. “Or at least that’s the image I got when I was your age.”

“Everything’s big and spacious when you’re small.” Four grumbled a bit.

“At your age I was lot shorter and skinnier.” Time confessed bit sorrowfully.

“Don’t believe.” Four claimed bit defensively.

Time chuckled and carefully crouched down when they reached the place. “Wish I had proof along but all the pics Talon took of me are back at the ranch.” He told while letting Four pretty much to get to his feet and kinda walk off of him instead of being picked up again.

“Nice~!” Four mused at the much different way of being taken off of Time’s shoulders. “Thanks.” He beamed happily while waiting for his caretaker to get up those few steps to the same step where he was at. Time smiled and nodded before opening the door into the place.

The small café of sorts was entirely empty besides of the cashier. “Welcome to Pond’s Goods. You’re today’s first customers.” The woman called as the duo made their way to the desk.

“Thanks. Exactly what we’re needing.” Time told happily before crouching down to Four’s level. “Just take a good look of the list and pick whatever you wish. Don’t look at the prices. Just check the pictures and explanations and pick what piques your interest the most.” He told softly and Four nodded before already starting to go through the list of goods on sale.

“First time here?” The woman inquired while enjoying of the relationship between the clear father and his son.

Time shook his head while giving a swift check of the list too. “No, not really. But it’s been a small eternity since I last was here.” He replied before tad blushing when he found that the list hadn’t really changed since his last visit.

“Found what you want?” The woman asked with a knowing look.

Time blushed bit more and chuckled a bit. “I’ll let my boy choose first.” He replied nonchalantly.

“There’s so many to choose from.” Four nearly whined.

The cashier chuckled a bit. “We pretty certainly got all possible combinations created.” She told fondly.

“Not all.” Four pointed out suddenly while having unconsciously clicked the violet color into sight. “There’s few I could put up but that aren’t on the list.”

The woman partly laughed, partly chuckled. “Well spotted.” She nodded with a kind smile. “That’s why we have the ‘Special Order’ so everyone can create their own combinations. I guess the list only has the ones that sell the best.”

“Makes sense.” Four nodded while still going through the list. “Still, um…”

Time crouched back down to his boy’s level. “There’s no rush to anywhere. Take your time and choose whatever you want.”

Four nodded and bit calmed down. He unconsciously clicked the green color into sight. Time smiled fondly at him and stood up to lean against the desk a bit. “This place hasn’t changed. It’s as I recall it.” He mused with a slight smile.

“That’s good.” The woman nodded. “Why change something that’s not broken in any of way? Summer’s the best time for us with all the ice cream assortments while at winter the hot drinks sell well.”

Time nodded in agreement. “Sometimes the change is good.” He started and gently ran his fingers through Four’s hair while looking at his boy fondly. “But for place like this, change would make it lose its cozyness and what makes it popular.”

“Agreed.” The woman stated out firmly. “Whenever the place changes owners, the stability and keeping this place unchanged is marked into the contract. It’ll be a big thing if that’s broken.”

“That’s cool to hear. In place like this old means classics and that means people know what they get.” Time mused happily.

“I’ve chosen!” Four suddenly shouted firmly.

“OH!” Time crouched back down. “Okay, tell what you want.” He requested softly.

“The Hot Chocolate Dream!” Four beamed eagerly.

Time blushed a bit and chuckled slightly while standing up. “Two Hot Chocolate Dreams, thanks.” He ordered while clearly giving out that it had been in his mind too. “Anything else you want?” He queried while noticing his boy still checking the lists of hot chocolates, coffees, teas, ice creams, pancakes, cake pieces and all other goods the place was selling. Four blushed a bit and bit fidgeted with his necklace. “Whatever you want, you can pick.” Time assured softly.

“Plate of pancakes.” Four eventually told with bit of sheepish puppy-dog-eyes.

“Plate of pancakes sounds great. Whipped cream?” Time nodded while raising an eyebrow in question. Four simply nodded in agreement. “Any jams to go with them?”

“Strawberry and orange, please.” Four blushed.

“Sounds really good. Anything else?” Time queried and Four shook his head. “Okay, I guess that’s our order then.” He told while turning towards the cashier.

“That’ll do 18 rupees.” The woman told after having placed the orders in. Time just nodded and paid the price before already crouching back down to his boy’s level. “The goods will come out in a moment.” She promised before heading into the kitchen to give the orders in.

“So, pick a place to sit at.” Time advised while checking around the empty place. Four blushed a bit before leading the way right into middle of a long table. Time grinned slightly and nodded. “Perfect choice. No-one can blame us for taking the biggest spot in here.”

Four chuckled a bit and grinned. “’Cause there’s no-one else than us in here!” He beamed and Time chuckled while nodding.

“Exactly. This kind of spot is rarely plausible to be chosen.” Time mused happily while taking a seat across his boy. Once Four had calmed down, his caretaker sighed a bit. “About earlier… I’m sorry it took me so long to realize that you weren’t comfy at the mall. I should’ve paid more attention into you. I’m really sorry.”

Four shrugged a bit and looked out from the window into the pond. “It’s fine. Would think one’s used to lot of people and all when living in orphanage.” He whispered quietly.

“That’s a poor excuse.” Time told firmly. “Everyone’s different. Just because they’re forced to live with too many people around doesn’t give the rights to overlook things that make others feel uncomfortable.”

Four blinked bit surprised and turned his notion into the one eyed male. Time smiled fondly at him and reached his hand across the table towards the boy. Yet, he just left it there for him to accept. He smiled bit wider when the kid tentatively placed his hand into Time’s and the ranch’s keeper gently took hold of the smaller hand.

Time smiled assuring while giving a slight squeeze to Four’s hand. “Let me know when you feel overwhelmed and I’ll find a place for you to calm down safely. Everyone deserves a chance to decide if they wish to mingle with others or if they prefer to spend time by themselves. Neither of the choices is wrong. You need to listen to how you feel and go by that. That’s the only correct choice for you. No-one else can make that decision on your behalf.”

Four was bit startled of the promise but he soon smiled and relaxed. He actually felt like this finally was a place he wouldn’t be returned back into the orphanage anymore. Having met the other boys had been bit of a shock even though Time had talked about them and told a lot to get him aware of the situation. Yet, so far things had felt like going the right way.

When the goods were brought, Time finally let go of his boy and sat up straighter. He nodded his thanks to the woman before taking out his phone. “I’ll call Twilight real quick and let him know that we’ll come back only at the evening. Gotta do things right.” He told while already dialing Twilight’s number but placing the phone onto the table and having it on speaker.

“Hey, Time!”

Time smiled at the bit confused but still happy voice of his first brought boy’s. “Hey, Twilight! How’s it going? And you’re on speaker.”

“All’s fine at here. But….?”

Time chuckled and watched Four enjoy the drink while picking half of the pancakes and leaving the rest for him. “Just calling to inform that things will be taking longer than I anticipated. Gotta do things nice and slow. Which, obviously, means that we’ll be missing Wild’s cookings. Let him be aware of that one.” He explained calmly while starting to eat the pancakes too.

“Alright. Gotcha. Have a great day, you two!”

Time smiled and nodded even though that wasn’t seen through the phone. “Will do! You guys enjoy of the time too and don’t overdo yourselves. See you all at the evening.”

“I’ll make sure of that. Talk to you later!”

Time ended the call and put the phone to his pocket. “So, enjoying?” He inquired while watching the joyful look on his newest boy’s face. Four simply nodded while drinking the hot chocolate with whipped cream, small chocolate pieces and strawberry jam slowly. Time simply smiled and nodded back while enjoying of his own similar treat too.

They took their time at the small café before leaving the place. “You want to check around the park?” Time inquired but Four shook his head. “Up for giving a second try at the mall to get needed stuff?” Four slumped a bit and his hand rose up to his necklace.

Click-click-click-click

Time crouched down and swiftly pulled his boy into a hug. “No worries. It’s open late. We’ll go back to there once it’s less crowded.” He promised firmly before gently kissing the side of the kid’s head.

Four blinked few times in surprise at the affectionate action. Time just smiled while pulling off but his expression turned into worried one when he noticed the confused frown. “Sorry. Was that a bad action?” He inquired straight off while feeling like he shouldn’t have done that.

Four shook his head slowly while calming down. “It’s just… No-one’s done that since…” He explained before trailing off and ending up sorrowfully.

Time didn’t think as he pulled the boy right back into his arms. “Sshh, it’s okay. I’m just…” He shrugged with a slight sigh. “I’m just affectionate person. Sorry.” He half apologized but Four shook his head.

“It’s fine. I like it. Just…. Reminds me of my mom…” The young boy whispered quietly.

Time nodded and bit sighed. “I can understand. I think I picked it from my big brother.” He told bit sorrowfully.

“You got a big brother?” Four queried while perking up at that notion.

Time chucked a bit and shook his head. “Not exactly. He was the oldest kid in the orphanage and looked after me.” He told with bit of sad look on his face and slight fond smile.

“Oh…” Four half whispered while dropping his gaze down.

Time sighed bit heavily. “I’ve lost people too so I know how much it hurts.” He told quietly while looking at the pond. “I lost Wars, the big brother of sorts from the orphanage, to a fire. Lost a father figure of sorts, my wife’s father, to an accident. And I’ve lost my wife to a cancer.” He counted quietly. “All of those still hurt even though there’s been years from all of them.”

“Does it ever get better?” Four queried quietly with sorrowful voice.

Time sighed and bit shrugged. “Little by little.” He replied and smiled slightly. “But, it hurts because we loved them. And, eventually, someday we can remember all the good times without it hurting so much.” He told and returned his gaze into his boy while gently running his fingers through Four’s hair. “They wouldn’t want us to hurt. They’d want us to be happy and to keep living. That’s what we need to concentrate into.”

Four nodded firmly in understanding. “Now, would you be so kind that you’d tell me about this?” Time queried gently while gently touching the necklace Four had.

“OH!” The boy exclaimed while bringing the pendant of sorts into better check. “I made it myself.” He told proudly with a wide grin. “Created this forge of sorts by myself and found some scrap metal. It wasn’t easy but I planned it all and got it done.” He explained before going into the details of his work.

Time listened carefully to the explanation of how the necklace was created. “That’s really impressive. I’ve only done a scarf for Wars but…” He trailed off before shrugging a bit. “He said to give it back to him when we meet again but….” He sighed and turned his gaze off. “Sometimes I think about burning it in hopes of it going back to him but….” He shook his head with a sorrowful sigh. “It reminds me of him…”

Four felt even more sorrowful and he bit hesitated before deciding to change the topic a bit. “Um… There’s four colors inside the necklace… I-it’s where my nickname comes.” Four started bit shyly. “I kinda, like, got four main feelings, red the emotional, blue the anger, violet the curious and green the calm. I had hard time getting used to things at the orphanage and thought something like this could help others to realize what’s going on with me.”

Time smiled a bit at the change of topic and listened while having returned his gaze back into his newest adopted boy. “Well, I think I should get you four specific colored mats so you can tell off what’s the color you’ve gone to bed and woken up with.” He planned with a slight grin. Four was bit surprised but he smiled widely at the idea. “Now, you want me to carry you or do you wish to walk?”

“Carry.” Four half whispered with a blush.

“Gotcha.” Time nodded and lifted the small 11-year old up to his shoulders. Once he was certain the kid was securely in his hold and wouldn’t fall, he began to walk out of the park.

“Where we going?” Four queried when his caretaker took different pathway which led away from the mall.

“A street that’s certainly to your liking.” Time told with a slight mischievous grin. Four just nodded while bit frowning. Yet, he enjoyed of the higher place and the view he got.

After couple of blocks and a turn to right, Four read one simple name from a sign: “Smither Street.” He frowned in confusion before gasping as they turned to the new road. He stared wide-eyed at the different forges and smiths in their work. “Whoa…” He whispered before tad gasping when Time gently picked him off of his shoulders and set back onto his own feet.

The scents, the rough work and the sounds of smith’s work filled the street. Time took hold of Four’s hand and began to walk the street down slowly to let his boy see and take in all there was. Even though it all was quite a sensory overload, it clearly wasn’t too much as it was something the kid really enjoyed to see.

“How’d you know of this area?” Four queried awed of the sight.

Time chuckled a bit before tad sighing. “I’ve been interested of the old legends for as long as I can remember. Especially of the Hero of Time’s era. “He started with slight fondness in his voice. “I’ve always wanted the Biggoron Sword of his, to be honest.” He chuckled a bit and shook his head. Yet, he soon sighed bit sorrowfully. “But, it’s too expensive. Some say it’s too hard to make and others throw in such price that I’d be in debt even after I’d be over hundred years old.”

Four frowned and titled his head. “Ever thought about miniature version of it?” He inquired while already picturing the sword in its full glory in his mind.

“I’ve checked quite a few of such but there’s always something that’s off from the way I’d like to see it to be.” Time answered bit sorrowfully.

“You got something specific in mind for the sword or are you searching for how it’s in the legends?” Four asked while frowning and trying to figure out how to create such amazing weapon.

“Like in the legends.” Time told without second thought. “But everyone adds their own little thing into there. Some are cool, I won’t deny that, but it’s not original.” He explained while noticing one of such miniature swords in a glass cabinet at one of the stalls.

Once they reached the end of the street filled with forges and stalls selling their stuff, Time crouched down to Four’s level. “Anything that piqued your interest?” He inquired softly and Four frowned while thinking through all he had seen by now. “If there’s anything at all that you’d want from here, I’ll get it for you.” Four was tad startled and snapped his bit wide-eyed gaze into Time. “We can walk to the other end if you want another check on what’s on sale.” He offered gently.

Four nodded firmly and they began to walk back to the intersection of where they came to the street. The boy looked around closely while searching but he noticed his caretaker to be right. None of the replicas, real sized or miniature versions, were like in the legends. There were some small things that identified them as the specific smith’s work. Some had their sigil clearly in there while others had it better hidden. And yet, it was there unlike in the legendary weapons from the stories of old times.

Eventually, when they reached the end of the forges, Four shook his head. Time had crouched down again and frowned in worry. “Nothing? Really?” He queried and his boy just shrugged. Yet, the child frowned when his caretaker grinned. “Actually, I’m not surprised.” He started and his grin widened at Four’s startled gaze. “I bet you could do far better than any of them.” He stated out and glanced at the forges.

Four blushed brightly and swiftly hid his face against Time’s shirt while giving a slight whine. “Aww, no need to be embarrassed.” Time nearly cooed as he hugged his boy. “You should be proud of your ability. That necklace of yours is absolutely amazing. And you created it at such young age too. You certainly got a knack for their profession.”

Four frowned slightly while pulling tad off to look at the one eyed male. “You think I could be a smith when I’m grownup?”

Time smiled fondly at the kid. “You can be whatever you want to be as long as you put your heart, mind and abilities into it.” He swore softly before running his fingers through his boy’s hair until kissing the top of Four’s head. “As long as it’s what you want, that’s all that matters.”

Four smiled and relaxed fully. He blushed brightly when his stomach informed of food time. Time chuckled softly and lifted the boy back to his shoulders. “Okay, my little Smithy, let me know when you spot worthy food place.” He requested warmly while leaving the street of forges. Four nodded and leaned against Time’s head while looking around happily.

Eventually the newest adopted boy of the ranch’s keeper perked up and smiled widely. “There!” He shouted and pointed to right direction. Time glanced upwards to check on their destination’s road.

When the one eyed male searched for what Four had noticed, he already grinned. “That is a perfect choice.” He told while making his way to a simple stall with wheels that sold hot dogs. The boy beamed in happiness while already planning out his version of the simple street food.

Time put Four down from his shoulders after having ordered two hot dogs with all possible things the seller had. They took a bench at the park to enjoy of their simple dinner. After that, out of the boy’s request, they walked around the small pond.

From there they finally returned to the mall. Time kept Four close to him while keeping better eye on him this time around. Yet, since the newest kid of his was second youngest, he was certain of being capable of getting the boy’s notion away from being anxious of the still awfully crowded area.

Before Four could start to click on his necklace, Time had already picked the shopping cart and, with the boy’s startled shriek, placed him into the area where the products should’ve been put into. He grinned and glanced once around. “Hold on tight.” He told, checked that the kid was secure, and twirled the shopping cart around.

Four shrieked first in shock before already laughing when Time carefully stopped the spinning. “Again! Again!” The boy shouted eagerly. Time smiled widely at his boy’s happiness before making sure the kid was safely holding on while being ready for second round. This time he twirled them the opposite way.

The two of them ignored the looks they got since not all took it well for keeping the kid like that in the cart or for the spinning of the thing. Yet, all that mattered to Time was his boy’s happiness. “So, let’s hammer this down and get the needed things.”

“What?” Four queried while frowning as he turned his notion into the ranch’s keeper.

“Isn’t that what’s done in a forge? Hammering the steel?” Time queried with a raised eyebrow.

Four chuckled and nodded. “But first we need to choose the steel.” He pointed out.

“Ah, you’re correct. I was jumping over crucial parts.” Time replied while facepalming. The kid chuckled and grinned. “So, what are the ores you want to start with? The clothes, foods or other essentials?”

Four frowned and thought the question through. “Clothes. Those are tedious to handle.” He told while pouting and sticking his tongue out.

Time chuckled and nodded. “Sounds like a good place to start then.” He nodded and began to head towards the right section. Once at there, he picked Four up and out of the cart. “Check around and choose what you want.” He told calmly. “Just stay close so I know where you are.” He requested, nearly pleaded.

“Okay!” Four nodded eagerly and began to check around. Time stayed close to him right in arm’s reach in case he needed to pull the kid back from possible harm’s way. Yet, the boy was observant of his surroundings and bit picky on his choices on the clothes. Yet, when Time found the shirt with the text of “Legendary Smith” the boy was beyond thrilled.

Eventually they headed forward for the next things on the list. “So, heating things up, right?” Time inquired with a grin.

Four nodded eagerly. “Other accessories!” He half shouted while being careful of not getting the chosen clothes dirtied by his shoes. Time chuckled and nodded while heading off to find the right sections. A hairbrush, hair washing necessities, toothbrush and the mats were at least on the current list of needed things to find and buy.

“And now to the hammering!” The newest boy of Time’s exclaimed. “Food is much needed since the work of a smith is very hard work.” He explained happily while being eager of getting to choose quite well whatever he wanted from the needed sections.

Time smiled fondly at his boy while choosing the right road. The food part was more for possible breakfasts and snacks since Wild handled the main meals. Usually the third brought boy handled all meals which meant also for the breakfasts but that was only unless someone wanted differently.

From there, as cooling the work off, Time took the way to the section of phones. Wind was the youngest of his boys and fourth brought but he too had a phone. The phones were mainly for this kind of days when Time wasn’t at the ranch just to make sure each of his boys could get a hold of him if needed. Four was quite astonished of the selection which got Time to ask questions so they could figure out what kind of phone he wanted.

“So, do we need some other things to be done or are we up for the finishing touches?” Time inquired once the phone had been selected and along. He wasn’t too happy of not having the phone already in working but the kid wasn’t going to leave the ranch without him or one or few of his brothers along. Plus, all of the other five kids were certainly more than willing and eager to help and teach with getting the phone up and ready.

“Nope, I think we’re good to go.” Four mused happily and Time nodded before taking the road towards the cashiers. At there the kid eagerly went to pack things up while his caretaker placed the stuff onto the line until paying. After that Four was back in the cart as they made their way to the car.

Four did his best to help in getting things into the trunk. After that they took the cart away together. By the time the boy was in the car and ready to head back to the ranch, he was already falling asleep. “Just sleep, kiddo, it’ll take about an hour to get back to the ranch.” Time told gently when Four yawned for third time. The boy mumbled something before taking as good position as he could and soon fell asleep.

It was late by the time the ranch’s owner parked the car. And yet, Twilight and Legend were still awake and came outside. Time smiled at them while rounding the car to get Four. “I’d rather that you two were in the bed already too but if you’re willing to help, I’d highly appreciate you two getting the stuff from the trunk, thanks.”

“How’s Four?” Legend queried after he and Twilight had nodded and come to get the bought stuff.

“Tired.” Time mused fondly while gently picking the boy up from the seat. Four mumbled something which very much sounded like dad and the one eyed male blushed brightly at that after the first shock. Yet, his expression melted nearly instantly into fondness and he cradled the boy bit more in his arms. “I’m not your dad but I’ll love you all the same, kiddo.” He whispered gently while carefully carrying his boy inside.

“Where should we take the bought stuff? Food obviously is going to kitchen but the rest?” Twilight queried after having helped Time to get Four’s shoes and jacket off as well as Time’s since the ranch’s keeper wasn’t up for putting the boy down for doing the needed things.

“Four’s room. We’ll sort things out tomorrow.” Time replied quietly while making his way into the second floor. Twilight nodded and followed him with some of the bags.

“Stay… Please…” Four quite well mumbled in a beg after Time had put him down to the bed. Twilight left the room after having placed the bags down so he could fetch the rest of the bags as well as the shawl from downstairs to act as a blanket for the night for his newest little brother. Time simply nodded his thanks before turning his notion right back into the second youngest boy of his.

“I’m not going anywhere, little one. I’m right here.” Time whispered while kneeling down next to the bed and letting Four hold his hand. The boy smiled in his sleep and relaxed a bit more.

“Do you need anything?” Twilight asked after having put the shawl around Four.

“Just you and Legend getting to bed.” Time replied with a slight grin.

Twilight chuckled and grinned. “We’ll be in there in a moment.” He promised gently before bit tilting his head. “You gonna be good? I’m not sure your position’s going to be nice for the night.”

Time smiled fondly at the slight concern. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be just fine.” He promised softly. “You know where to find me if you need me for anything at all.”

Twilight nodded and came over to kiss the side of Time’s head. The one eyed male was bit surprised but he smiled and nodded. “Goodnight, Cub.” He whispered quietly.

“Goodnight, you two.” Twilight replied with a nod before leaving the room. He returned to the first floor to help Legend with the last groceries. “Time’s staying at Four’s room. Four asked for it.” He explained and Legend simply nodded.

“He stayed with me for the first few nights too.” Legend recalled softly and Twilight nodded.

“Surely would’ve done for me too if I had given him the chance.” Twilight mused bit sorrowfully. “Anyway, time to get some sleep.” He commented while checking that all was fine in the kitchen. Legend nodded and followed his adopted brother back to the second floor. “Sleep well. See you in the morning.”

“Goodnight, Twi.” Legend nodded before separating ways to get into his own room. He glanced at the newest boy’s door with a fond smile. After that he went to his room and to bed. He knew both Twilight and Time listened to the silence for a while longer just to make sure everything was safe and sound with their family. Once being certain everyone was sleeping peacefully, the second brought boy of the ranch drifted off into sleep.

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