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[rexthebuilder]

I can't come to the phone right now because I'm either kicking EVO butt or hanging out with friends. Leave a message after the beep, and I'll get back to you pronto!

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[rexthebuilder]

"... Huh." Rex absorbs that. "You just said that in the least gross way possible. Thanks, I think? So I wasn't planned but wanted."

[pineapplesalmon]

"You're welcome. And you were very wanted." César's voice is full of love. "There was some risk with you being a geriatric pregnancy and all, but Geneva has world class healthcare. Our parents hadn't started new jobs yet, so it was kind of just perfect timing. Both took a couple years off to spend time with you. And I got to spend quite a bit of time with you, too."

[rexthebuilder]

"That... sounds really nice. Wish I could remember that." Once again, amnesia sucks; Rex sighs softly.

[pineapplesalmon]

"People rarely remember their baby or toddler years. You were the same way." César reassures him, free hand smoothing down his hair.

[rexthebuilder]

Rex won't admit his relief that the amnesia couldn't have taken that away from him in the first place. "Oh. Right. Baby. ... weren't you like, annoyed that you were helping with me? Or that I woke everyone up crying at night?"

César's told him about their parents before, but he's never been this open and relaxed about it. ... huh. It's probably because they know their parents are alive now, isn't it? He did say he had been grieving—

oh. It's easier to talk about when your family isn't dead, isn't it?

[pineapplesalmon]

"Quite the opposite. 1. I offered to help. Literal babysitting, and when you were older, occasional adventures. Wanted to help our parents. Wanted to spend time with you. Wanted to see if I wanted kids."

[rexthebuilder]

Rex decides he wants to breathe easier and shifts so his cheek instead of his face is against his brother's chest. It's an awkward position and a little uncomfortable, but his nanites don't let him get too sore. There's a soft smile on his face. Brother's don't usually lay on each other like this, but... if César helped with him, he probably likes that. Kids like to crawl all over their adults without any understanding of personal space.

"And? Do you?"

[pineapplesalmon]

A warm laugh. "I do. Magne's pretty sure she does, too. At least two, I think. I didn't realize how important siblings were until I met you."

[rexthebuilder]

A light groan, but he's smiling through it. "Gross. That's so corny. Thanks. So I get to be the cool uncle about the same age you were when our parents had me?"

[pineapplesalmon]

"Something like that, yeah. Magne might even let you babysit sometime if I can pry the kid out of her arms. Although I'll have to warn you, babysitting can pretty hard work." César is baiting him.

[rexthebuilder]

Rex knows he's being baited and gleefully takes the bait. "Aw, come on, little kids are tiny. How hard can they be?"

[pineapplesalmon]

"First off, they're escape artists that try to kill themselves constantly if you even look away for a second. Secondly, they need constant stimulation and attention if you want them to be happy and their brains to be grow. Thirdly—" And this is when César springs his trap with a widening grin. "—they can't make their own meals and aren't potty-trained, so you gotta change their diapers."

[rexthebuilder]

"NO!" Rex rolls right off his brother onto the other side and onto the rug, extremely dramatically.

[pineapplesalmon]

"Yup!" Oh, this is 'revenge' for something.

[rexthebuilder]

"You did not change my diapers!" The neighbors probably heard that, Rex, good job.

[pineapplesalmon]

César just barks out a laugh and grins over to him.

[rexthebuilder]

That's all the horrible confirmation that Rex needs, and he buries his face in his hands, moaning. "NoooooOOOOOOOOooooooOOOOOOOoooooo."

[pineapplesalmon]

And César just laughs at him. "Maybe you can do the same for my kids."

[rexthebuilder]

Rex goes silent and shifts his hands so that one is free to point at César, which is close enough that it just becomes prodding between his ribs. "I'm absolutely traumatizing your kids in sixteen years, and then you'll have to pay for their therapy, too."

[pineapplesalmon]

César gives a little 'ow!' at the rib prodding. "Deal."

[rexthebuilder]

"Cool. Hold on, need to die for a minute." And Rex just goes limp, hand sliding off his face and the other one thudding down as he bends his elbow.

[pineapplesalmon]

César sits up and gets out his pocket watch for affect; he can time a minute himself, but this is funnier. After a minute, he speaks up.

"So, think you're about ready to go? Anything else we need to speak about privately?"

[rexthebuilder]

Rex opens one eye to look at him. "Nope, think I'm cool." He sits up with both eyes open. "Learned enough of the deep Salazar lore for one day. If I learn anymore, my brain's going to explode all over your itchy rug."

[pineapplesalmon]

César pats him on the shoulder affectionately, then stands and offers Rex his hand. "I'll make it up to you tomorrow by making one of Mama's best recipes."

[rexthebuilder]

Rex grabs that hand so fast and yanks himself up so forcefully that César almost falls over. "Heck yeah, heal my trauma and buy my silence with good food every day of the week for a month, and then maybe I'll forgive you!"