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"No!"
Normally, Four was quite the sweet kid.
"I don't want to give it!!"
Today, not so much.
What Sky had hoped to be a calm, quiet afternoon, was anything but- Especially when Four was currently wailing into their hands.
Four's tension waned with each instance of their regressions, with each little time Sky had taken care of them, watched over them and comforted them, with but a single word uttered afterwards. It was how everything went, how everything was balanced.
When upset, Four would go over to Sky, and would be given all the reigns to better care for Four. But with time, and with patience, Sky was also given the opportunity to learn what Four liked, and hated.
Warriors, was unfortunately part of that very little, yet critical list, alongside vegetables and bed-time.
Hearing of Four's and Wars' fragile relationship, Sky, more than anything, wanted to mend all and witness the two getting along. He wanted this to be a comfortable and safe experience for Four, but Sky couldn't bare with the wrenching out of his own heart as Four flinched and froze whenever Warriors passed by.
It was clear they weren't comfortable, too tense and scared around Warriors- Warriors scared them, and Sky hated that it was the truth.
However, Sky can't help but feed the lingering thought in the back of his mind that he may have made the mistake of rushing a little too much.
"I don't like him!!"
He's definitely made a big mistake.
Papers littered across the table and carpet, pencils and crayons splayed quite nearly wherever Sky placed his hand, and the incriminating blue crayon Four held against their chest protectively, color fleeing their knuckles.
Sky wondered how it happened so quickly, how Warriors was able to accidentally rile up Four, who was so quiet and calm, with such little effort.
How his little trying had sent Four beyond the break of a meltdown- How quickly it all happened.
Warriors frowned, a faint, fickle thing as he leaned back, pressing the color pencil back on the table with pressed lips.
Sky could approach Four later, mainly because he'd need to spent longer and pour more effort into calming the boy back down- And seeing the way they panicked and screamed, Sky was likely to give his undivided attention into that.
Worse than all, he couldn't bare leaving Warriors likely guilty and upset over causing all this. It just wouldn't work like that, Sky doesn't want it to work like that.
Sky opened his mouth, wanting to deal with the much older's upset before Four broke into a cross little shriek.
Warriors winced, hands flying to his ears.
Maybe little wasn't the right word for this.
Kicking petulantly, Four helplessly shook their head and stomped their feet against the carpeted floor.
Definitely a tantrum, maybe even a bit of a breakdown, judging by their tears which looked far more than from just jealousy and upset. Not the first time Sky's dealt with any of the two, certainly not from their little one, of from anybody else.
However, guilt was just as troublesome, and seeing how Warriors watched, clearly kicking himself for his brash thinking, Sky didn't think this would be as easy a fix as he thought it would be.
"Wars, are you-"
"Fine. It's fine." Warriors muttered the truth, really. "Let's worry about this later- Four isn't looking too good."
And honestly, as much as Sky wanted to press on and ensure Warriors was feeling stable enough to be left alone, for Sky to fuss over Four, he also knew that Warriors had a point.
Right now, Four seemed to cough and hyperventilate more than they cried, helpless little, spluttering sobs wrenching out of their throat. They needed to settle, to breathe, and while Sky hoped he could have done better for Warriros, it was clear that Four was in need of greater support, however conflicted he felt.
"No, Four-" Sky soothed, ducking past a flying colored pencil. "Let's not do that," They winced, while Warriors watched in what appeared to be wide-eyed fascination.
It's no wonder, really. Sky knew that Warriors wasn't very well off, that he didn't respond well to comfort as others did- That it instead made him feel uncomfortable.
That he was practically useless as of now, and couldn't do much to help Four, or at all for that matter. That all he could do was watch Sky be the better, and more-equipped of the two to be with Four. The one who could speak to children better, who was more soothing and comfortable than Warriors would even wish to be. That he was reliable and perfect, drawing Four into his arms.
"Let's not throw anything, alright? We don't wanna hurt anyone, do we." Sky quickly mumbled, bringing Four's hands down lest they grew any more upset.
"But I don't want to share!" They cried, breath hitching and leaping as they sobbed, hands curling over the material of Sky's shirt.
"Settle down now, Four." Sky hushed. "Don't fuss, you're alright."
Normally, Sky would lightly tell Four to be a little more kind, or that throwing things weren't right, and neither was not sharing. But as of now, with the way Four wrapped their arms around Sky's neck and cried into their shoulder, he didn't think it would be very well received.
But then again, it wasn't Four's fault he was like this. Sky forced Warriors to be with them, to talk to them as though everything was fine and they got along just perfectly- It's truly no wonder Four broke.
"I'll-" Warriors forced himself up. "I'll leave."
Sky's frown went unseen, and their calls went unheard as Warriors quickly turned around and left elsewhere.
However much he wanted to go after Warriors and gather him too in his arms, Four was finally beginning to calm a little, wiping their tears with a shuddered exhale.
"No… I don't like him." Four shook their head, whining. "I don't wanna share. No, nonono, no!"
"It's alright Four, it's just us now, it's just us." He rocked the boy gently, wishing they weren't alone. Wishing that his comforts were lies, that Warriors was still here.
The more he soothed, the more Sky comforted, the less Four seemed to fuss, instead going lax and tired in Sky's gentle hold.
Four sniffled, pressing their head against Sky's warm collarbone, and Sky leaned down, allowing Four to nuzzle into their main source of comfort.
A hand stroked through Four's hair, mumbling apologies of I'm sorry, and I didn't mean to, and you weren't ready, I'm sorry for not noticing. Mostly to Sky's self, but still muttered aloud alas.
Four sniffled, accepting the bravely offered pacifier, tension escaping their shoulders as they seemed to melt tentatively. They didn't question it now, not especially when they struggled to keep their eyes open, and Sky's warm palm ran circles on Four's frail-feeling back.
"You're safe here, just rest now, Four." Sky wiped Four's tears, the boy staring expectantly up at Sky with watery eyes.
"What is it, little one?" He asked, pressing a kiss to their forehead. "Do you want to go somewhere?"
Four whined, shaking their head before making little grabby motions with their hands.
Sky obliged, giving his free arm for Four to cuddle into while the other supported their back. "Looks like it's sleepy-time." He smiled when Four broke into a sudden, stifled yawn, hand hovering carefully lest the soother fell out of place and Four started crying again.
Sky could speak to Warriors later, he'd hug and comfort him too, ensuring that none of this was his fault, and Sky should have been a bit more careful. But as of now, Sky needed to make amends to Four, even if it meant having the little one nap in their arms.
"It's okay, I'll be right here. It'll just me." Were the last words Four registered before falling into a gentle slumber, lulled by Sky's soft humming.