Chapter Text
-Hey Al,please don't forget to buy those drumsticks too!It's really important,mate-he could hear Matt talking on the phone.-And Breana needs napkins,something lovely she says...
God,how he hated shopping...Especially in big shopping centres like this one,filled with people and noise,everyone in a hurry,stupid girls shoting him flirty looks...he could feel himself shiver due to the annoyance and discomfort he felt.He only came to check the music store and now...
Heading out of the girliest store he had ever been to just to find some pretty napkins,another typical plaza-sound filled his ears.A kid was crying.How annoying!It was loud and as he continued to walk he spotted a little boy sitting on the edge of the huge indoor fountain,weeping desperately.Alex couldn't help but notice that the child was totally alone,his parents nowhere to be seen...And all those so-busy people kept on passing by next to him without giving a damn.He couldn't resist it anymore so slowly walked to the little boy.
-Hey...-he started,a bit nervous because he never needed to talk to a kid before.-What's wrong,buddy?
The boy's head snapped up at him and he stopped weeping for a moment,his big teary hazel brown eyes examining him, and Alex was afraid he might have scared the kid.But no,he didn't, since as that got over the suprise,started to cry again.
-I-I lost me daddeh...-he mewled.
It was a bad idea.He had no clue what to do.He couldn't handle crying kids...
-NO!Don't cry!I...I'll help you!We'll find him!-Alex said quickly without thinking it through because he couldn't bare the noise any longer.
-R-realleh?-the child asked,a bit unsure,looking up with his sad puppy eyes,sobbing as he wiped his face with his small fists.
-Yeah,come!-Alex smiled at him,sure about that he looked like a kidnapper.Definetly a bad idea.
The boy hopped in front of him,fidgeting with his hands.-I'm Johnny.
-It's really nice to meet you,I'm Alex!-he said.-So,where did you see your dad for the last time?
-Um...-the boy looked around,his face expression was a bit confused.-Oh!In that shop-he pointed in the direction of a lot of people and maybe there was really a shop...maybe not...-we came out and...dunno...um...
-Okay...Well...let's go that way then...-Aex advised and Johnny had no problems with that.
It was really hard to keep an eye on him,Alex kind of understood why he got lost...he was small and in the rushing crowd it was even more complicated to follow his moves...after 5 steps Alex already couldn't see him.Damn...It seemed to be harder than he thought...
-ALEX!-he heared a tiny scream and he rushed though all people.
When the little boy saw him he runned to his direction,hiding behind him.Okay,maybe he was cute...
-What's wong?-Alex asked,petting his hair.He was too adorable.
-I don't like 'em dogs...-Johnny mumbled,hugging his leg tightly as the dog tried to approach him again,but the animal didn't stop so he went for another strategy and let out a high-pitched whine.
Alex quickly picked him up,not even thinking about it and the toddler wrapped his arms around his neck.
-Why is it allowed to bring dogs in?!-he sighed.-Whatever...let's go and find your dad.
Fortunately or not Johnny didn't mind being carried at all,what's more he really enjoyed being higher and seeing more stuff than people's legs and shopping bags.
-Do you live here Alex?-he asked playing with the zipper of Alex's leather jacket.
-I do,yeah.-he answered looking around even though he didn't know for sure how the kid's dad looked like.
-Me too,with daddeh.And you work?-he asked curious about everything.
-Yeah,I'm a teacher at the univeristy.-Alex smiled,strangely happy to chat with the child.-What's your dad like?
-Hmm...He's not tha' tall,maybeh a bit taller than ya...He has shortish hair now and...-Johnny seemed to be out of ideas.-I'll tell ya when I see him!-he grinned at Alex, statisfied with his idea.
-Okay.-the man laughed.-How old are you?
-I'm three...almost four.-came the answer.-You?
-32...a bit older.
-Daddeh too!I know this!OOOH!ALEX!Look!Pancakesss!!!-he shouted,making Alex giggle.
-You want some?
-YES!
After standing in a queue for longer than he planned and waiting for chocholate pancakes with gummy bears Alex felt oddly glad to see how happily Johnny ate the sugary dessert,already covering most of his hands and face with it.He was the cutest kid ever with his dark brown fuffy hair and big eyes and he had a really amazing Beatles T-shirt which was also adorable in this size.His parents had a good taste...and they were lucky to have him...
Alex got into his thoughts about not having a family but luckily he got pulled put of it soon...
-'s a bit too...sticky...-Johhny said with his mouth full and Alex laughed,grabbing a tissue before he started to clean his hands.
In the end it was not only too sticky but too much as well so it was Alex who finished the pancake and then they could continue their journey.Johnny instantly reached for Alex to pick him up and it made him fall for the kid even more.He was angry at himself for enjoying it...
-Alex!Bunnies!-Johnny pointed at the pet store or more exactly at the small garden with rabbits in front of it.
-Yeah,they're cute...
-Let's pet theeeem!Pleassseee!-he whined.
-No...We should really find your dad,you know...And then he'll come back with you to pet bunnies,I'm sure...-he said but the kid just huffed.
-Aleeeex!PLEASEEE!-he tried a bit louder,pulling his hair softly and giving him the best puppy eyes ever.
-Later?After we find you dad?-his heart was aching but unfortunatelly he couldn't spend more time with Johnny...not while the child was lost...his parents must had been worried and searching...
-'kay...-he pouted.-But I wan'ed to do it wif you...
Maybe he should give in...
-JOHNNY!-someone shouted.
-Daddeh?-the toddler asked,looking around but they couldn't see who yelled.
-JOHNNYYY!-came the voice again and the kid jumped out of Alex's arms immediately as he spotted his dad.
The sight of the man falling into his knees and hugging his tiny body was really heart wrenching and touching...
-Oh God...Never do that to me again...-the boy's dad whispered not even scolding him.-How the hell did you manage,puppet?-he asked with disbelief and picked the kid up just like Alex did,kissing his cheek.
-I was wif Alex!-Johnny told his dad happily but he didn't seem to understand until his son pointed at the man standing nearby and Alex waved awkwardly.
-Oh Sorry I...I'm Miles!-he quickly put the child down,grabbing his little hand thightly.Alex noticed that he had the same accent as Johnny.Obviously.He wanted to slap himself for thinking about it and how he liked it...-Thank you so much for taking care of him and sorry if he was bothering you...
Alex wasn't suprised to see that the boy's dad was embarrassed too but couldn't prescind from how good the man looked like...normally he would have think that he was just his type but now it was Johnny's long lost dad...
-No,I...I really enjoyed spending time with him...he's great, really...-he said,smiling fondly at the little boy.-Um...I-I'm not a creep or something...
Miles laughed.
-And believe me I don't tend to loose my child...It's just...he needs to learn not to wander around especially in places like this...He's a way too young to run away with good-looking strangers...-he grinned and ruffled his son's hair while Alex blushed.
-Daddeh...-Johnny tugged his dad's hand.
Miles looked down but the toddler waved him closer to whisper into his ears so he bent down.Never expecting that his son will ask if he can go pet bunnies with Alex...
-If you want to,buddy...
-Yeeey!-he screamed running to Alex,stretching until the other man picked him up.Of course Alex did and it made Miles looking at them with wide eyes like he had seen a ghost.
-Oh,Sorry,I haven't asked if I can...-Alex stuttered not sure if it's polite to act like this with someone's kid.
-No it's...nothing...I'm just...shocked!-Miles laughed,still not believing what he was seeing.-I don't know what you've done to him...He usually doesn't like strangers and acts rude...
-Really?-now it was Alex's turn to get suprised.-He was acting totally fine and asked me a thousands of questions...-he chuckled.-So,you want to pet the bunnies now?-he asked Johnny witha smile and the boy nodded.
Johnny only left Alex when he ran to touch all the soft pets,trying to convince Miles to take one home but it was his dad who won the fight so the rabbits stayed where they were.After half an hour of running and hopping and chasing bunnies Johnny decided to head back to them,reaching for Alex again.Miles was almost offended but he was too amazed.Alex offered to carry him and walk them home since they lived close,as he got informed by Miles...As they were walking the little boy leaned his head on Alex's shoulder,playing with his chin-lenght hair,making him smile lovingly.
-You really like his hair,don't you,baby?-Miles asked,adoring them and the toddler nodded,pulling a curl of the long,wavy hair and watched as it straightened and then curled again as he let it go.Miles just giggled.
-Sorry,it's time for him to sleep and I guess he'll be out in any minute...We had a long day...-he explained but Alex didn't mind at all.
-Daddeeh...-came a muffled whine and the kid reached out for Miles who carefully took him away from Alex.
Johnny nuzzled his face into Miles' neck and fell asleep in no time.
-I really thought he'll betray me by falling asleep with you.-Miles laughed softly and pressed a kiss on the top of his baby's head.-He really likes you...I couldn't be more thankful...This lucky kid...getting lost but ending up like this...
Alex smiled too.
-Maybe it's because I bought him pancakes...with gummy bears.To be honest I didn't even know such a thing exsisted...
Miles chuckled.-It must be something to do with that...and thank you for buying him food.Even though I would have never let him eat something like that...
-If it makes it better I needed to eat more than a half of it,I guess he only like the topping...
The two of them shared a laugh and Miles stopped.They reached the house.
-Well...Thank you once again...
-It's nothing,really.I enjoyed spending time with him.He's the best kid ever.You and your wife are having a great luck.
Miles let out a nervous giggle.
-Well...It's just me who is...parenting him.But thanks,it means a lot...I... probably worry a bit too much since it's only the two of us and I let him disappear in a plaza...but I guess he's doing fine.Hope so...
-He definetly is.Most adorable and amazing kid ever.With a great style of clothes and music...-Alex grinned,making Miles laugh.He hadn't laughed this much for a long time...
-You know...I would like to thank you everything...maybe...if it's fine by you...we could have dinner or a coffee...Or I can take you two to a pet store to play with bunnies and eat crappy pancakes...
-Yeah,It'd be great!-Alex giggled,blushing slightly because it sounded a lot like a date...well,not the last one but the rest.-I'll give you my number...-and he did so.
-I'll call you then...-the other grinned.-Goodnight Alex.
-Goodnight Miles...
They headed into the house and Alex started his way home,finding himself smiling.Maybe helping that little boy out wasn't a bad idea at all but his best one ever.