Time Lapse

Butcher mumbled his agreement into the kiss and brought a hand to the back of Mikey's hair to run his fingers through it. Thought it wasn't quite the same as before Ryland chopped it off he still liked it.

A bowl fell to the floor with a clatter followed by a happy giggle.

"Little monsters," Butcher mumbled and chuckled, leaning in to hide his face agaisnt Mikey's neck for a moment.

"Yeah," Butcher smiled sheepishly. Chase squawked and movement caught his attention in the corner of his eye. He squeaked as a spoon smacked him in the ear.

"Heeey," Butcher held Mikey up and looked to see who had hit him. Chase had a red spot on his forehead and Reve was sitting next to him looking dazed.

Chase sniffed tearfully and Reve looked around trying to find the spoon.

Butcher rubbed his ear and moved closer. "Reve's a little troublemaker."

"What did you do?" Butcher asked Reve gently.

"BAD!" She squealed and hugged his face.

"Yes, you are," Butcher mumbled. "Please let go of Papa's face."

Reve clung tightly and Adelaide clucked a scolding at her.

Chase smiled at Mikey shyly.

"I don't have tattoos on my face," Butcher gently pried Reve off and she immediately blew a raspberry at her sister. Adelaide squeaked in shock.

Chase snuggled into Mikey with a small, happy sound.

"Bad!" Reve cackled at Adelaide's surprise until the other little girl hid her face against Tamsin's shoulder.

"No, Reve." Butcher sighed. "She's becoming a bully. And these two won't acknowledge anyone." He gestured to Zeke and Chester.

Butcher scooped Reve up and carried her over to the corner. He hooked a chair with his foot and pulled it closer to put Reve on it. "Okay," he knelt in front of the chair out of reach. "The things you do affect people, Reve. You made Adelaide sad and that's not a good thing. Papa and Daddy don't like bad."

"Bad?" Reve bit her finger.

Butcher stayed kneeling near Reve so she wouldn't get scared. "We like it when people smile, Revey." He grinned as wide as he could for emphasis and she giggled. "See? Happy. Good. You should be nice. Do you want to try?"

Reve chewed on her finger and stared up at the Butcher meekly so he picked her back up. "Be nice, Reve." He set her back down on the table.

Chester yawned and curled up against Zeke, valiantly trying to ignore Butcher as much as possible. Reve sat quietly and patted the table, and Chase snuggled into Mike sleepily.

"Good," Butcher smiled.