#upfromashesintolight

[sonofthexking]

+8 People Entered Teller-Morrow Autoshop

Abel noticed someone outside of the garage that he was working in. There weren't any cars so he decided to fix up his bike a little until noticing them then he decided to walk over, "Hey."

[tiggerdontchangestripes]

✺

Tig had been out all night with Kozik. Didn't think much of it, until he came back and little Kozik was on him. His face was still mostly numb from last night's high, but he blinked against the kid's hand and grunted. "G'morning to you too, kid."

[tiggerdontchangestripes]

"It is me, Uncle Tiggy!" The child ignored the disapproving looks from her mother as she was carried inside, more interested in the fact that she had her favorite "uncle" around.

Tig swung her lightly from her arms, because if he knew anything about kids, it was that they were surprisingly durable. Once inside, he squinted, dropped Zeppelin down, then said, “Nah, you kidding? You were, like…half your size last timeI came ‘round…whadda you feeding this kid?” He greeted her mother with a simple, “Hey,” and a kiss on the side of her stern face. “Kozik’s out…uh—” Coming down from a really strong high, ”—grabbing somethin’ for dinner. He’ll be back soon.”

Half-lies, but it was for her own good. He turned back to Zeppelin, quickly peeling his attention away from Mama Kozik, and said, “Didn’t you learn any new tricks or nothing?”

[tiggerdontchangestripes]

"Don't toss me by the mailbox!" She giggled, wriggling around in his grip like a worm, completely trusting the Marine not to let her fall. "I not a Pippi Longstockering, I a little girl!"

"What little girl?" Tig let her wiggle—she was still light, easy to carry—and he held her up as he walked her inside the house. "The only girl I know who lives here is Zeppelin, and she’s about half your size."

[tiggerdontchangestripes]

"Uncle Tiggy!" The five year old squealed, running towards him as fast as her short little legs would carry her, braids bouncing against her shoulders. It had been almost two years since the last time her brother and Tig had been on shore leave, but Zeppelin never forgot a face.

Tig and Kozik came back together this time. Got off leave at the same time and went on a road trip to Tacoma. Tig would stop by and see Colleen and the kids. Y’know. Eventually. 

But he couldn’t outrun the kids. This one, though, was alright. Cute. Bouncy. Not his to break. He could deal with her. He couldn’t help but grin at that. Once she got to him, he grabbed her little arms and lifted her up so her feet were off the ground. “Hey, who’s little brat is this?” He teased. “Someone left their Pippi Longstocking here—I gonna go toss her by the mailbox, see if the mailman takes her back…Anyone got any objections?” 

[tiggerdontchangestripes]

"Don't get smart with me, you little shit."

"Who you calling little shit, kiddo? Do I gotta remind you I babysat you at your most frustrating age?"

[tiggerdontchangestripes]

"You think I actually get any sleep living with Chibs as it is?" Okay, now she's just toying with him, reverting back to the bratty teenage girl with a sly smirk slipping across her features.

"Don’t tempt my fist, kid. I’ll hit you right in the baby." Sure, maybe Tig is all bark, but barking satisfies something all the same.

[tiggerdontchangestripes]

"Babies, Tig. Two babies."

"You're lying."