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When Luke had first met Assad, he was immediately fascinated by him. From the way he smiled shyly with his top gum showing, or the way that every time he walked in, everything suddenly felt livelier, even the way he spoke when the cast would go out to eat put Luke in a trance. Assad had so many qualities that made him stand out! But what really makes him special from the rest is that Assad is his little brother and only his. Not that Assad knew this and maybe Luke would never admit it but Assad is only Luke’s little baby brother and Luke is Assad’s only big strong brother— absolutely no one else’s.
Now, Luke knew about the whole Devil’s Minion arc that would primarily be between Assad and Eric but he’d never imagined them getting so close as they were because of it! He wouldn’t tell a soul this.. but he was starting to get jealous…
Filming season 2 was hell for him, he always caught them sitting just a bit too close to each other on the couch of the Dubai Penthouse set to be just castmates-turned-close-friends or when filming days ran longer than expected, Eric would be caught taking just a bit more snacks than needed for only him, and would give it to a sleepy Assad who’d be curled up in a chair like a kitten! Don’t even get Luke started on the countless times he’s seen Eric and Assad sneak to one of their trailers for lunch.
What bothered Luke the most was that it wasn’t Eric’s responsibility to take care of Assad, that was Luke's! Luke should be doing that, he should be the one bringing food and snacks to his little brother whenever there was a break to ensure his baby was well-fed and happy! He should be the one bringing Assad a blankie when the set gets cold! It shouldn’t be Eric, Eric wasn’t Assad’s daddy afterall.. At least that’s what Luke thought until him and Assad hung out in Assad’s hotel room a couple days before
That day, with the Jamaican food and light air with a tinge of tension between them, Assad admitted to who his mysterious forehead kiss man was. It was Eric. Of course it was Eric! It just had to be Eric, how could Luke be so blind? Luke was curious about the arrangement, Eric was a married man after all. Assad explained the daddy and son dynamic, which only made Luke silently yearn even more. He buys Assad food just like Eric does and usually doesn’t expect anything back, he could spank Assad just as good as Eric could (which at the time they’d spoken he hadn’t even done yet).
Luke had to do something, and quickly! He needs to show his baby boy that he has a big brother to go to and can rely on for treats and the occasional snuggle (only if Assad wants of course but Luke would enjoy anything Assad gives to him). He would even help Assad go to the bathroom if he needed (or wanted)! Overall, if Assad needed someone, he could go to Luke— whether it be for attention, affection, or a shoulder to cry on (and maybe even sexually, please give Luke a chance)— he could always go to Luke.
While filming was due for only two more weeks, of course today’s shooting wanted to run longer than usual, with technical difficulties like clogged mics and glitched cameras—the day had already been running for at least 10 hours by now. Which includes only two 30-minute breaks and a couple of 5-minute ones scattered throughout. But even the complimentary cheap coffee with snacks like fruits and chips, wasn't enough to fuel the cast to keep them at their best.
So now, when Rolin had yelled
“Cut! Everybody take a breather, we’ll start again in an hour”
It left everyone dispersed throughout the filming scene. Jacob and Sam at the craft services tent sharing a bowl of blueberries between them, with Jacob mostly eating from it of course. The film crew arguing over whether or not to replace the ssd card of a camera and Rolin with a couple other people sitting down either on their phones or simply just closing their eyes trying to squeeze in a sliver of rest. Luke spotted everyone but Assad and Eric, of course.
‘What the hell.. I leave for the bathroom and they're already gone…’ Luke thinks to himself, jealousy bubbling throughout him. He figured they’d be in either one of their trailers as there wasn’t really anywhere else to go at this hour. He checked Eric’s trailer first.
As he was nearing it, he saw that the curtain for the window was open but the lights were off. He knocked, a soft tap one-two
knock-knock
…Nothing…
With a sigh, he traveled his way to Assad’s trailer where he saw the warm cozy lighting, something that contradicted the usual eye blinding fluorescents. Which meant Assad had to have definitely brought in a lamp or light that created such soft lighting, cute.
Walking up the steps, he catches a couple of sounds bleeding through the crack underneath the door. Hushed whispers and what sounds like.. shushes? The same as you would create when soothing a baby? But at least they’re definitely both in there. He raises his hand to knock but freezes when he hears
“Oh baby come here..” followed by a sob
It’s too late to stop once his fist makes contact with the door, but Luke wasn’t going to anyway, his baby needed him!
knock-knock-knock!
3 quick raps with only a gasp in immediate response. Some shuffling and more shushing played out, the door clicked open to reveal Eric. His face contorted to barely hide a look of annoyance but quickly calmed as he realized it was Luke at the door, only leaving a slight worry in his brow. Luke suddenly couldn’t find his words, Eric radiated authority and now it was like Luke’s words ran out on him!
“Uh-“ He tried squeaking out until Eric cocked a brow
“Do you need something Luke?” Eric asked, his body blocking the door way— concealing Assad
“I just wanted to.. talk to Assad, see if he wants to play games or hangout or something..” Luke drew out, zoning in on the little sniffles he heard inside, there was a feeling of pulling and tugging that made him want to push past Eric and see what was going on, manners be damned!
As he finished his sentence a sudden wail rang out, causing Eric to rush back inside and leaving the doorway completely open. Peeking in, his eyes were drawn to the body covered in a pastel yellow blankie with matching pastel rainbow stars shooting across. Encased in said fabric was Assad, a crying, sobbing, hiccuping, Assad. Luke rushed in and closed the door softly, not wanting to make any loud noises to disturb the boy. He watched as Eric crouched down in front of his baby with wrinkled hands caressing Assad’s face.
“Shhhh… Shhh.. Sweetie, it's alright.. I’m here.. Daddy’s right here..” Eric cooed, peppering baby’s face with kisses
So this is a glimpse of what Assad was talking about
The invisible rope that had pulled Luke inside the first place yanked harder until he was kneeling right next to Eric
“Hey buddy..” Luke said, placing a hand gently on Assad’s knee, he gasped at the touch and his eyes snapped to Luke
“What’s the matter huh…? What’s got my little brother crying like this?” He asks while rubbing circles onto Assad’s knee, trying to get his focus on him. Eric wipes Assad’s tears with his thumb and rubs his cheeks, placing a kiss on each one
After, Eric gets up slowly— not just because of his knees but also because he knows sudden movements would make the situation worse— and goes to his jacket hanging on the back of a chair. Picking it up, he rifles through the pockets while Assad whimpers with tears continuing to streak down his face.
Fingers meet plastic as he pulls out what he was looking for and sets back the leather jacket. Barely two steps later, he’s in front of Assad once more, this time standing. Placing his hand underneath his baby boy’s chin, he guides Assad’s face to look at his Daddy. Eric’s thumb presses against Assad’s bottom lip, dragging it down to urge him to open his mouth.
Luke watches this interaction and his mouth gapes at the sight. Eric pushing a cotton candy pink pacifier between plush lips and pressing a kiss on the front of it when he does. Making Luke’s little brother look even more adorably feminine than before.
Assad’s balled up fist rubs his eye as he whines once more, queuing a soft kiss to be pressed on his knee from Luke and massages in his calf from the same man. The blanket slides down as brown arms reach up for Daddy with wiggling fingers and grabby hands. Eric immediately complies and picks up his sweet boy, biceps flexing and showing the hidden muscles underneath. Pulling Assad up to his chest, the boy’s body curls up like a newborn kitten, mewls even accompanying it.
Eric slides his arm underneath Assad’s bottom to keep his legs wrapped around Daddy’s waist, settling him on Daddy’s hip. The other arm snaking around his back and sliding up and down, up and down. A couple of bounces and back rubs still aren’t enough to fully relax the fussy baby as he still lets out a couple of disturbed noises.
“Sorry you had to meet the baby like this, he’s just feeling too much right now” Eric says, looking down at Luke while he’s still kneeling and places his aged hand in Luke's curls, ruffling them
“It’s no problem is there anythin-“
A whine and hiccup tear through the little boy and understanding that his baby needs more pampering, Eric moves to sit down on the couch as long arms surround Eric’s neck. Now, with the baby straddling his lap, Assad dives in to bury his face in between shoulder and neck, a little tension from his body smoothing out.
Luke feels as though he’s glued onto the floor, it’s only when he feels the ache from staying in his position for so long is he snapped out of the trance. He watches as the pacifier bobs in Assad's mouth, little clicks and suckles filling the room but of course he still sniffles. Without even thinking about it, Luke pulls out a tissue from his pant pocket and stands up. He rubs his little brother’s shoulder and holds the tissue up to his runny red nose
“Blow” he softly commands and nudges the tissue closer, the noises that follow can be compared to a baby elephant or a squeaky mouse as Luke helps Assad blow his nose. When Assad finishes, Luke folds the tissue to wipe his nose, making sure to get rid of any extra boogie. Once done, he bends down and kisses Assad’s nose
“Muwa” He verbalizes the smooch and ruffles his little brother’s hair
“Here kid, why don’t you hold onto your little brother for a moment while I make his bottle” Eric offers, patting the free space next to him on the couch.
Luke takes a deep breath as he sits himself down, arms already spread and awaiting to be fulfilled by his sweet fussy boy. Assad does protest a bit, not knowing if Luke was going to be as warm or as comfortable as Daddy is
“C’mon sweetheart.. You know him, it’s your older brother” Eric says, his voice slow and gravelly creating a nice rumble in his chest when he talks, the same one that Assad adores, “Just for a bit, baby boy. Don’t you want your bottle?” He continues to persuade the kid in his lap and at the mention of his bottle, the arms around Daddy’s neck loosen and move to crawl off.
“Ah, ah” Daddy tuts, stopping the boy instantly “I’ll move you kiddo” He says, his hands now underneath Assad’s armpits and transferring him into Luke's hold.
The sudden weight drags out an exhale from Luke but he quickly steadies as he realizes that his dream was coming true! All this time wishing to coddle his baby brother was here and It’s finally his turn to cuddle and snuggle Assad! Settling Assad in his lap sideways, Luke rocks him and the boy side to side a bit, a smile dusting itself on his face. He shushes and kisses his little brother’s shoulder as he reaches over for the forgotten blankie. Lifting it up reveals a smooshed chubby lion, worn soft from being held tightly one too many times
With a gasp, Luke reaches over and grabs it, surprised by how heavy it felt in his hands
‘Oh— it’s weighted.. One of those stuffed animals meant to help with anxiety? Poor kid… Never knew Assad’s worries got the better of him.’ Luke says to himself in his head, carrying over the lion and placing it between him and Assad. His little brother’s fingers creep up to pet the stuffie as Luke drapes the blankie over him
“There we go sweetie, all wrapped up again. Wanna tell me your friend’s name?” Luke asks, pushing an inky curl behind his little brother’s ear. He hears a little hum as all the boy does is twirl his fingers into the lion’s mane, hearing but choosing to ignore his older brother’s question
“Don’t be shy honey, it’s me, Luke! Your older brother!” Luke says, wanting to hear his baby speak
Saying this causes Assad to look up at Luke through his lashes, big brown eyes still glassy with leftover tears threatening to spill. He turns his head to press his cheek into Luke’s shoulder, too timid to speak but not enough to hold back from touch. He feels lips pressing his temple as he listens to Daddy shuffle around in the kitchen, he nuzzles and says softly
“Simba…”
How much cuter can my little brother get?
Before Luke can respond Daddy chimes in,
“Why don’t you also tell him about the little lion, darling? You can’t forget about her you know” Daddy teased
Luke’s attention goes back to Assad with a questioning look on his face
“Simba has a baby?” He asks with a smile, Assad nods bashfully, his cheeks becoming rosy and the suckles of the paci get stronger
“Simba has a baby just like how me and Daddy have you as our baby” Luke points out lovingly, rocking Assad again. Saying this makes the boy in his lap squeak and squirm
“Her name is Lily..” Assad said, the pacifier slurring his words causing every ‘L’ sounded like a ‘W’
“That’s such a pretty name honey,” Luke pets the head on his chest “Where’s she?” He asks, not seeing a lion cub stuffie anywhere
“At da woom.. wif Mister..” Assad answers, squishing and rubbing Simba’s light yellow body. Not knowing who ‘Mister’ is, Luke asks with a slight tilt in his head like a puppy
“Mister? Another friend?”
“Yuh huh..”
’I should get him a stuffie, it’s a big brother's job to spoil his brother! Inwonder what he’d name it…
Eric then comes back, a baby bottle in hand. It’s clear but with pink accents and has hearts and sparkles decorating it.
’So girly… So enchanting..’
“You wanna try feeding your little brother?” The man asks, surprising Luke
“Really…? You’d let me?” The boy asks, looking up at Eric with stars in his eyes
“Sure bud, don’t see why not. Just be gentle, the little one is still adjusting to it” Eric responds, passing the bottle to Luke. It’s temperature warm and cozy, perfectly heated for a baby’s tongue
“Open your mouth honey, give Daddy the paci” Eric urges, knowing his baby could be stubborn about this. He gets a huff and murmur in return, but never a paci.
“Babyboy.. Don’t be bratty now” Eric continues his palm open and waiting. Assad lets up, and opens his mouth, allowing Daddy to take the pacifier out— a sticky string of drool connected to his lips and paci, it makes Luke gulp.
“Good boy” and with that Eric kisses the baby’s forehead and sits down.
Luke maneuvers Assad (and in turn Simba) to lean back into his arm more, putting him in an optimum position for bottle feeding. Very big brother and daddy approved
“Alright sweetheart, open up” Luke says, looking into Assad’s pure-doe brown eyes and holding the bottle up to his face. As Assad does so, plush lips spreading apart and creating an opening, Luke pushes the nipple in. Delicate and precious suckling now filling the cozy space they’ve created. Just Luke, his little baby brother, and Daddy Eric.