The adventures of River and Zayne

Zayne buries his face into his hands, groaning in frustration. He just returned from a long, tiring day at work and now he has to start working on a project again. His fingers glide across the keyboard, but nothing comes out. Blank. Everything was blank in his head. He couldn't think of anything to add to the document. He was worn out and couldn't concentrate, but he forced himself to stay there and think of something. It was partially done, but it wasn't complete. There was stuff to do and write but he didn't know what to add. He desperately wrecked his brain for things to write down, but nothing came up. And completely focused on working on that project, he had forgotten about his baby boy. River had been patiently waiting for his Daddy after school ended, anticipating cuddles and kisses, wanting to be pampered after a long school day. He had so much he wanted to tell his Daddy about, like the flower he colored for him and how the teacher said his writing was getting better. But River was smart and knew not to disturb his Daddy when he was busy with work or tired. He had seen Zayne come into the house and go straight to his study room. He looked tired but he was very focused on his work, so he didn't want to bother him. However, River missed him so much that he decided to go find him. Upon entering the room, River sees Zayne looking very exasperated and worn out, so he worriedly goes over to him. He tiptoes and gently places his small hand on Zayne's forehead, checking his temperature. "Daddy, are you okay?" He asks, concerned. "I'm fine," Zayne gruffly replies, quickly shifting away River's hand. "I just need to finish this project but it's so- ugh." He runs a hand through his hair, exhaling in frustration. "Daddy, do you need me to get you some medicine? Do you need a thermometer?" River asks, starting to fire questions at him. "Do you think you have a fever? Should I get you a wet towel?" "Riv, can you quiet down for a second? I have a headache." Zayne tries to explain, but to no avail. "What? A headache? Should I get you some medicine and water? You'll get better if you-" "CAN YOU JUST SHUT UP?!" Zayne growls, glaring at the smaller boy angrily. He ignores how River whimpers and backs away in fear, going back to clutch at his head, closing his eyes to calm down. Finally the annoying questions die down into whimpers and disappear altogether. His head is pounding, his thoughts swimming messily in his mind. He's frustrated, dizzy, and upset, and River's continuous questions are making it worse. He rubs his face, breathing deeply and trying to calm himself down. It works, and he starts to relax slightly, the headache slowly subsiding. But he suddenly realizes what had just happened. Medicine, questions, headache, River... RIVER. "Oh, f*ck." Zayne's eyes widen quickly and he immediately stands up, slamming the desk as he races out in search of his baby. River is a precious, sensitive little baby, and tends to blame himself for everything when something goes wrong. If he's not assured quickly, he'll blame himself over the matter for ages. Not long later, he finds River at the corner of the couch, curled up with his knees up to his chest in a ball and surrounded by his little soft toys. He's sniffling softly, his small hands wiping at his eyes. He goes over to River, scooting over beside him quietly. He waits for River to look up at him, but after a while River stays unmoving from his current position. Zayne would normally continue to wait for River to make the first move at his own, comfortable pace, but he can't stand the soft sobbing sounds he hears and decides f*ck it, going over and scooping up his precious baby boy. He lifts him up and places him on his lap so that his back is on his chest, and wraps his arms around his slim waist in a warm, comforting hug. He presses soft, feather-light kisses on River's fluffy brown hair, rubbing his back comfortingly, muttering quiet apologies to the crying boy. Then he reluctantly pulls away, setting one hand on River's hips while the other gently wipes away the tears sliding down his cheeks with his thumb. "Baby, I'm sorry, okay?.. Daddy didn't mea-" "I'm sorry, Daddy!" River wails, more tears starting to spill out uncontrollably. "It's my fault, you were having a headache already and I kept bothering you. You can punish me, I'm sorry Daddy I-" Zayne interrupts him, turning him around and cupping his face in his big, warm hands and makes him look at him. "No, Riv, don't say that. I didn't mean to shout at you, and I'm really sorry. Daddy was tired and grumpy, and you were just trying to help. I'm sorry I was being mean, I wasn't thinking straight. Don't say it's your fault, it's Daddy's okay? Daddy was being a meanie when River was trying to help." "Yeah, Daddy was being a big meanie to poor Rivew!" River pouts, looking up at him with big, watery eyes. Zayne laughs, lying back and pulling River down to his chest. He knows he's already forgiven, but he still wants to make it up to his baby. "Okay, baby, what do you think about this? Daddy will take some medicine and then watch a movie with you. Or we can play with your toys." He suggests, and smiles at how River's eyes light up with excitement. "Movie! I wanna watch a movie! Can we eat popcorn too? I'll bring Mr Snuggles and my blankie!" River beams, and his eyes turn into those adorable little crescent moons that Zayne adores. "Of course, baby." Zayne laughs, but River suddenly grabs him by the sleeve and tugs him towards the kitchen. "But Daddy has to eat medicine first, so he'll become better." River says, going to get some water and get some pills. As always, his poor baby is too short to reach the glasses which rest on the top shelf, so Zayne laughs and gets it for him, letting him pour the water into it. After Zayne swallows a pill or two and River is satisfied, they start preparing the popcorn and movie, and they move to the living room. Halfway through the movie, in the darkness with the soft flickering light of the television, River falls asleep in his Daddy's embrace, cuddling Mr Snuggles with his little blankie.