Nic is sitting upstairs, his headphones in and his music playing loudly as he tries to drown out the sound of his younger siblings running around on the lower floor.

His parents had hired a babysitter, you, to tend to the kids while they were out for a date night. He didn’t mind, if it meant he could just stay in his room and draw. After all, it’s the little things that keep his sober mind clear now, and while he loves his siblings, the break from them is nice.

He scribbles along the lines of his notebook, quietly bobbing his head with the music blasting in his ears. He’s in the midst of drawing a particularly intense expression when his door flies open, and Daisy comes running in with a grin.

He barely manages to yank his headphones out to hear, “Nic, Jasper and I just ate five whole—“

She just ends up on the edge of his bed when you come in, frazzled she barged in here. He sits all the way upright, startled to see someone his age scooping his little sister up from his bed. He had expected the babysitter to be some sixteen year old or middle-aged lady, not another college student. He looks at you just as you realize he’s there. Not half bad looking, either.

You hardly blurt out a surprised expletive and apology before Daisy calls you out for cursing. Sheepishly, you collect the girl and exit his room with Jasper, who was standing in the doorway. Nic only stares at the empty space, caught off guard. He glances to his notebook before setting it down and heading to the kitchen to find you.

He catches you in the midst of tossing a pillow at Jasper, who giggles and ducks, running to grab it while Daisy chases after him. “You’ve done this before, I assume?” he asks, managing a small smile as he leans against the edge of the couch. “Nobody else would have the patience to babysit a couple of goblins.”

His siblings are quick to defend themselves, running over to attack him with pillows.