"This was totally not part of our deal!" I hissed, entering his place with Grumpy walking beside me.

Aron rolled his green eyes, closing the door."My friends are basically non-existent Zoe and you're the only help I could think off."

I placed my bag on the couch and paper bag with it, bending down to take Grumpy's leash of and placing it on the table.

My eyes glanced around the place that Aron's been temporarily staying since then, the address he gave me was near the sketchy place in town but his place wasn't that half bad.

There weren't any pictures on the wall and the house seemed bared. The small couch where I placed my things on looked old but still sturdy, the small tv was placed on a table with a trashcan near it.

I walked around and was greeted by a small foyer that led to the kitchen where a medium size dining table was there with a countertop that had a few spoons and fork littering on it.

Across the foyer was a small hallway and I'm guessing it was where the rooms was located and bathroom

Grumpy was sniffing around Aron who was now kneeling to his small frame, going completely still as he let my baby become familiar with him.

When Grumpy started wagging his tail and licked his hand, Aron gave him a smile and started giving him a head rub.

"Where's your little brother? Did his fever go down?" I asked, making my way to the paper bag.

When Aron told texted me that he needed help, imagined my panicked state because I thought he was once again stab.

It turns out that his little brother got sick and his nanny was out of town to take care of him. Aron himself didn't know how to deal with a sick child and so he called me.

I went to the pharmacy and got his brother some syrup for his high fever and cough, even got him some cold packs to help it cool down.

"I checked before you came in and it was 37.8C. I'm having trouble in making him eat. He's in his room, come." He nodded his head for me to follow.

"He isn't allergic to dogs right? Is it okay for Grumpy to come near him?" I asked, glancing at the little guy walking with us.

Aron nodded, glancing at him briefly."Casper isn't allergic to dogs. He loves animals." He answered, opening a door that had chipped painting on it.

I couldn't help but feel bad for them. I knew they weren't used to living in this kind of place and it saddens me that it was because of their selfish father that they had to go through this.

The room was smaller than my own, a small bed was pushed in the corner with a child not older then five was sleeping soundly with a teddy bear hugging to his chest.

The ceiling fan was doing a small sound while it spin and there were a few toys that were littered on the ground. A cabinet was in the corner and a small desk that had crayons sprawled on top of a paper next to it.

Aron walked up to the little boy, his body somehow looking crowded in the small room.

I left the door opened and Grumpy sat near the door, his tongue out while he panted.

"Hey bud, how are you feeling? I have someone I want you to meet." Aron softly said, pushing a blonde lock away from his face.

The child stirred gently before letting out a yawn, sitting up and opening his eyes. I suck in a sharp breath of intake, finding beautiful pale green eyes meeting my own.

"Hi Casper, I'm Zoe. I'm gonna be nursing you back to health, yey!" I nervously said, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

Casper was adorable with his tuffs of curly blonde hair, his cheeks were slightly red from his fever and his doe eyes were framed in thick lashes.

He seemed shy from the way he leaned in closer to his brother, Aron rubbing a hand reassuringly on his back.

He hugged his lion teddy bear tighter before hesitating, glancing at his brother."Hi, nice to meet you." He offered me his small hand and I couldn't help but smile.

Manners.

I gently shook it, placing it back to his lap."It's nice to meet you. Now, your brother told me that you aren't eating well and I was hoping that you'll try one of my chicken noodle soup." I asked, glancing at Aron briefly.

He perked up."Soup? I-it doesn't have any oatmeal to it right?"

I nodded eagerly, somehow happy that he'll eat."Yes soup, it'll have chicken and other yummy things in it that'll help you get rid of that cold." I smiled at him.

He gulped before nodding at me."T-Thank you. A-Bear made me e-eat porridge and I hate porridge." Casper pouted, making Aron rubbed the back of his neck.

I threw a slight glare at Aron."It seems that your cooking skills was the problem here Aron. Not your little brother's appetite." I said, making him blush.

"I don't know how to cook and you told me that it was okay Casp!" He grumbled, pressing soft kiss on his crown.

Casper giggled and it was so cute!"I d-didn't want to h-hurt your feelings." He defended, making Aron smile.

I couldn't help but gush at their bond. It's obvious they found solace against one another and Aron looked at his brother with such a soft look its pulling on my heart string.

"You brought a dog!" Casper exclaimed, seeming to take notice of Grumpy on his doorway.

He pulled away from Aron's hold and moved out of the bed, running towards Grumpy and sitting in front of him.

"Casp! He might bite you if you attack his personal space like that." Aron scolded softly, making his way towards him.

Grumpy totally proved wrong and didn't even snarled when Casper started petting him, he rolled on his stomach making him giggle.

"If you give grumpy massages, he's automatically your friend and he's soft hearted just like his rolls." I snorted, standing in front of them.

Grumpy's tail was wagging happily, his tongue out while Casper rubbed his stomach and neck.

"Woah, he's completely chill." Aron commented, growing amused.

I giggled."You have no idea. Can you go to the grocery store for me? Here's a list of the ingredients for the soup." I took a piece of paper on my pocket, handing it to him.

Casper was completely focused on Grumpy, a wide smile on his lips that somehow exposed a one tooth gap on his upper set of teeth.

Aron stood up, taking a hold of it."Of course." He turned to Casper."Buddy, how about we move to the living room?" He asks, one of his hand ruffling his curly hair gently.

Casper nodded before pausing."C-Can I carry him Z-Zoe?" He asks, standing up and staring at me with his doe eyes.

I smiled at this."Of course Casper. He can sit beside you while you watch TV." I told him, earning a beam from him.

Casper gently picked up grumpy, resting his front paws on his shoulder and his body flat on his chest before dashing out of the room.

"I told you he loves animals. He had a complete set of animal teddy bears back at our old place." Aron smiled, walking up to fix the comforter on his bed.

"Who'll take care of him when you're both gone?" The question weighing on me for days now.

Aron didn't mention any relatives and I'm assuming their bonds aren't exactly steady with them. He only mentioned the nanny from earlier.

He faltered."I'm still not sure about that. I-I'm working on it, I don't want him to go into the system." He muttered, walking out of the room with me in tow.

A frown nestled on my lips at this, if no one was willing to take care of Casper then the authorities would have no choice but to put him in the system.

I didn't what it was like to live in a foster place but I know it was hard especially knowing that he's family was out there, it would break his heart.

Shit.

The TV was on and fairy odd parents were played on the screen, Casper had a blanket on him and his feet that were covered in socks peeking out.

Aron walked up to him, pressing a soft kiss on his head."I'll just have to go to the store real quick buddy. You stay here with Zoe okay?" He murmured, making him nod.

"Okay, be safe A-Bear. I-I love you." He replied, offering him a shy smile.

Aron ruffled his hair, making him giggle."I love you too bud, be a good boy."

I felt my heart constrict painfully at what I just saw, the thought of Casper losing his older brother that he adored so much and dad at the same day would take a toll on him.

"Be safe asshole." I followed him to the front door, staring at him as he took his jacket from the coat hanger.

He grinned, his pealy whites peaking."I will bitch. Lock the door." Then he was out and closing the door behind him. I shook my head, locking the door.

"Casper, can I check on your temperature again?" I ask, making my towards him.

He nodded, raising his arm and pushing the sleeve up. I took the thermometer that I brought and turned it on, placing it on his armpit before pulling his arm down.

"Call me when it beeps okay? I'll be in the kitchen." I smiled, fixing his hair briefly before walking to the kitchen.

I opened their fridge and frowned when I saw there wasn't any stock of food. They have been probably eating whatever Aron could come up with, good thing I made that grocery list long.

I started to collect the dirty plates and utensil, placing them on the sink before wiping the countertop with a rag. I tied my hair in a ponytail before starting to wash the dishes.

"It's 37.9C Zoe!" Casper called out, followed by a series of cough after. I quickly turned the faucet off and wiped my wet hands at the back of my jeans.

I brought him a glass of water, frowning at how hard he was coughing. Did he have asthma? Fuck, I should've ask Aron first. I gently rubbed his back, waiting for him to finish coughing before placing the rim of the glass on his mouth.

Thankfully, he gulped the water down until the last drop. It made me reassured because it meant he wasn't rejecting water as well. He'll be fine.

He mumbled a small thank you before I made my way back to the kitchen and finished washing the dishes. I took another glass of water and brought it to the living room, placing it on the table this time.

Casper glanced from the TV to offer me a small smile, he move slightly and pat the seat next to him. Grumpy was on his left, his head on Casper's lap with his finger gently brushing against his head while I sat on his right.

"A-Are you A-Bear's girlfriend?" Casper softly asked, making me widen my eyes.

I shook my head, feeling my ponytail hit me slightly."No, I'm not. He's my new friend." I answered him, his bobbing at my answer.

"W-Well, you're a good friend. H-His old girlfriends g-get mad at me because of m-my stutter." He looked down, fiddling with his finger.

I couldn't help but frown at this, I wrapped an arm around him pulling him to my side."I think your stutter is cool, don't mind them Cas. They aren't cool enough to understand it."

Casper looked up, his expression surprise."Y-You think i-it's cool? No one said t-that to me before b-but A-Bear."

I couldn't help but curse at Aron's ex-girlfriends. This poor child is probably beating himself up for his stuttering and think its his fault.

"Well now you have the three of us, Grumpy doesn't talk but I could tell that he find its cute how you stutter." I nodded my head towards my baby who was listening on us, his dark eyes staring at Casper.

Casper let out a wide smile, his eyes twinkling with happiness."T-Thank you G-grumpy and Zoe! I-I'm working on it, I promise!" He beamed, earning a smile of my own.

Casper snuggled to my side and I couldn't help but feel warm at the action. We continued watching the cartoon occasionally laughing and before I knew it, the three of us fell asleep.

*Aron's P.O.V*

I glanced back one more time and did a short sweep of the surroundings before walking up to the small house that I rented. It wasn't that big, just enough for the both us and a perfect spot to hide from my dad's radar.

I could've rented a condo but I knew the moment I swiped one of my cards then our location would be pin pointed by one of my dad's goon. Thankfully, I had one card that wasn't connected to his accounts but the money there wasn't enough to rent it out and was only limited.

Inserting the key and opening the door was quite a struggle, I let the groceries hang on my wrist and I opened the door making sure to lock it and flick the small lock in that I had attached.

The TV was on and the sound of spongebob voice met my ears, I was greeted by Zoe, Casper, and Grumpy completely asleep on the couch. Grumpy was on the far end of the couch, sleeping on his back with his stomach on view and paws up.

Zoe had her neck in an odd angle, her arms enclosing on Casper's small body who was snuggled on her. Casper looked completely adorable while Zoe looked like Mrs. Potato with her mouth open and soft snores leaving her mouth.

I couldn't help but smile though, not surprised that Zoe managed to earn my little brother's trust. The first time I saw Zoe, she intrigued me but not in a way that could lead to attraction.

It was more like something about her made me trust her and the fact that she earned Tyrone's trust was a bonus. Even before the cheating incident, Tyrone was picky of his friends and was careful on spilling his secrets.

Damn, I miss that motherfucker so bad.

I gently shook her awake, pressing a finger on my mouth when she groggily gave me a 'what the fvck' look before I nodded my head towards the kitchen.

Walking my way towards the kitchen, I placed the groceries on the countertop. I let out a small hiss at the sudden pain when I twisted, Zoe walking into the kitchen with a small yawn on her mouth.

I walked up to the cabinets, pulling it open and taking the first aid kit. A scowl settled on my lips and I quickly took my jacket off earning a soft gasp from Zoe.

"Why the fuck are you bleeding? I remembered telling you to be carefuly, asshole." Zoe grumbled, walking up to me.

I pulled the shirt off, craning my neck around to see my the back. Placing a hand on the small gash where the knife managed to swipe, it wasn't big but it needed to be clean.

"One of my dad's goon managed to recognize me. Don't worry, he's already taken care off. Can you clean the wound up? I can't reach it." I huffed, turning around and to show her the wound.

Zoe muttered profanities under her breath making me smile. She's like an annoying sister that I never had, she's perfect for Tyrone. Audrey was too much of a bitch for him anyway, always trying to hog his attention.

A comfortable silence greeted us while she cleaned my wound."Can I ask a question?" She said, making me glance at her briefly.

"You already are," I mused out, letting out a curse when she pressed the cotton pad quite harshly on the wound.

"Yes Zoe, damn it. That hurt's like shit." I grumbled, earning an amused smile from her.

"Is Casper's stuttering a brain problem?" She asks, her voice hesistant and soft.

I ran a hand through my hair."No, he had this shit teacher that would hurt him when we he spelled the word wrong. It's from the trauma but his therapist say it dependes on him when he'll outgrown that."

Remembering that woman made me angry, thankfully she's gonna rot in prison for the rest of her life.

I could feel the frown that nestled on Zoe's lip at my words."Isn't Casper too young to attend school?" She wonders out, placing the cotton pad on the countertop.

"He is but he was smart and was immediately accepted in." I told her, biting the inside of my cheek at the pain that zapped in me.

"She's already dealt, right? because I'd totally smack her if I see her." Zoe grumbled, making me chuckle.

"Don't worry, she's in prison Zoe." I felt her place the bandage on before I turned to her fully.

"Thank you for doing this, not just this fix me up thing but for helping with Casper. He's really shy and he's just him, some people can't just understand that about him." I explained, glancing at where the living room was briefly.

"I can tell Aron. He's a precious gem and people are blinded by common things to notice it."

Zoe smiled, her features lighting up completely. I tilted my head and stared at her.

"Huh, you look less bitchy when you smile like that." I grinned cheekily, a scowl sliding on her lips.

She slapped me on the arm, making me laugh."You're an asshole."

"And that's just being me, bitch."

Hi cardishes!

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