Page 54 of Night Shift

"We might have confused a few historical events," Tobi muttered, avoiding Antonio's gaze.

Antonio pinched the bridge of his nose, a gesture Tyr had witnessed countless times over the ages.

"Seven centuries," Antonio muttered. "Seven! And you two still manage to create chaos wherever you go."

Tyr exchanged a knowing look with his twin. They could practically mouth the words along with their sire - they'd heard variations of this speech since the Black Death.

"In my defense," Tobi offered, "the volcano part went perfectly."

"Yeah!" Yousuf piped up, bouncing on his toes. "It was awesome! Want to see it again?"

Antonio held up one elegant hand, warding off the suggestion. "Clean." He gestured at the disaster zone formerly known as the kitchen. "All of it. Now."

His gaze swept over the scattered brownie mix, the dried "lava" trails, and the liberal coating of glitter that seemed to havemultiplied since its release. A particularly sparkly patch caught the light on his ruined trousers.

Without another word, Antonio turned and stalked toward the door, his usual fluid grace somewhat diminished by the way he tried to brush glitter from his clothing. His muttering carried back to them - something about "children" and "eternal teenagers" - before he disappeared into the snowy night.

"I think he likes us," Tobi stage-whispered to Yousuf, who giggled.

"He didn't even yell," Tyr agreed, surveying the chaos around them. "Must be getting soft in his old age."

Tyr caught his brother's eye across the disaster zone of the kitchen. Despite the chaos - or maybe because of it - he couldn't stop the grin spreading across his face. Tobi's answering smile was equally wide as they reached across the counter to high-five.

"Best babysitting night ever," Tobi declared, ruffling Yousuf's hair.

"Even with the brownie disaster?" Tyr asked, already grabbing paper towels to start cleaning.

"Especially with the brownie disaster." Tobi lifted Yousuf onto the counter, safely away from the mess. "Though maybe next time we stick to cold snacks."

"And more volcanoes!" Yousuf added, swinging his feet happily.

Tyr smiled, watching his brother and the young shifter start planning their next scientific adventure.

Tyr felt a surge of pride watching his brother, and he shook his head. In all their long existence, he'd rarely seen Tobi so enthusiastic about anything beyond motorcycles and mayhem.

His eyes drifted to the stove's digital display and he jerked upright. "Shi- shoot!" He caught himself just in time. "It's nine o'clock!"

Tobi's head snapped up. "What? Already?" He lifted Yousuf down from his perch on the counter and grimaced. "We can't put him to bed looking like this. He's covered in... everything."

Yousuf beamed up at them, his pajamas dusted with brownie mix and glitter. "I can take a bath by myself! I do it all the time."

"Right." Tyr headed for the bathroom. "I'll get the water started."

While he adjusted the temperature and filled the tub, he heard Tobi and Yousuf in the bedroom, rummaging for clean pajamas. Their voices drifted through the walls, Yousuf explaining his precise bedtime routine with the authority of a seasoned professional.

The twins stationed themselves in the hallway while Yousuf bathed, listening intently for any signs of trouble. Tobi paced, pausing every few steps to press his ear against the door.

"He said he does this all the time," Tyr reminded him.

"I know, but..." Tobi resumed his pacing. "What if he slips?"

"You're going to make a great dad," Tyr told him, then ducked, snickering, as his brother swung a fist at him.

Finally, the bathroom door opened. Yousuf emerged in fresh dinosaur pajamas, his hair damp and his eyes heavy with sleep. He yawned widely as they tucked him into bed, barely managing a sleepy "g'night" before drifting off.

Back in the kitchen, Tyr wrinkled his nose at the devastation before them. Dried "lava" trails decorated the counter, sparkles covered every surface, and a fine layer of brownie mix coated everything like volcanic ash. The ruined brownies sat in their pan, a blackened testament to their culinary disaster.

"This place sure looks like Pompeii after the eruption," he muttered. "Complete with fossilized remains." He poked at the charred brownie pan.