spamalot } { of dinosaurs and batman marathons

[arbalete]

Stiles: [He was really making up those babysitting IOU's these days, and today was no exception. Scott had called last night because Ryan was running a fever and wasn't going to school, Noah was sniffly so daycare was out, Malia and Cora both had babies to care for, and Allison was heading the end of her pregnancy. With Scott having an out of town track meet he was worried about leaving Allison all alone with the kids, so Stiles went over just before lunchtime and having picked up McDonald's on the way so that Allison didn't have to worry about feeding the small tribe of baby McCalls. He let himself in, smiling] Anyone home?

Noah: RAAAAAAAAAAAAR. [tiny McCall goes running into the entryway arms held out in front of him like claws] I'm a dinosaur!

Stiles: [jumps, pretending to be afraid] You're a very scary dinosaur. Are you going to eat me?

Noah: [gives him a look like don't be silly] No. I only eat other dinosaurs. You're a person. [two year-old logic get.]

Stiles: Well then, you're in luck. I actually picked up special dinosaur burgers for you for lunch.

Noah: YEAH! [and with that he will run back further into the house] MOM Uncle Stiles brought dinosaur burgers.

Allison: Did he? That's perfect! [and that's in her dramatic playing along voice as she rounds the corner] Thanks, Uncle Stiles.

Stiles: Well, every growing dinosaur needs a fattening diet otherwise the other dinosaurs will try and eat them. [he pulls out a happy meal box and hands it to Noah] Of course, they do need to eat it in the kitchen.

Noah: [reaches up with grabby hands for his box and when he takes it he dashes back into the kitchen]

Allison: [grins back at him before reaching for the other box] Ryan's sleeping. I'll put his in the fridge for him.

Stiles: That works. I got him the dinosaur nuggets since I know he likes those more. And then i have an assortment of things for us.

Allison: Perfect. [gestures ahead of her] You know where the kitchen is.

Stiles: Sure thing. I'll get us drinks too. You just sit down and relax.

Allison: [nods as she follows him back, sitting down next to Noah who is sitting on his knees at one of the chairs next to the table as he digs into his burger] Easy, Noah, you're getting ketchup everywhere.

Noah: But Mommy I'm a dinosaur. [and he goes back to eating with relish and now growling noises]

Stiles: Yes, but all good dinosaurs eat carefully. If they spill things, other dinosaurs will come along and try to steal their food because they can smell it.

Noah: [looks up at him, confused] Why would they do that?

Stiles: Because they're dinosaurs and they get hungry and they may not have an Uncle Stiles to bring them dino burgers.

Noah: But I've already eated it. You're not supposed to have food that someone's already eated.

Stiles: No, but if you're messy, you're gonna get stuff all over and you didn't eat all of it. And they may smell the ketchup and think it would taste good on you.

Noah: [surprised shock face!] They'd try and eat me?!?!

Stiles: Well, you're eating someone else! Of course they would.

Noah: [vehement protesting get] But ... but I'm the big dinosaur that eats everybody else.

Allison: A t-rex?

Noah: Yeah, that one. [then giggles] They have big heads.

Stiles: Big heads... and little arms. [he tucked his arms to his chest and waved them around]

Noah: [giggles some more before nodding] Yeah, they have really little arms. [the argument about the food chain is already forgotten]

Stiles: If I was going to be a dinosaur, I'd be a velociraptor.

Noah: What's a ... will ... willocicaptor?

Stiles: Vel-os-a-rap-ter. They are like mini T-rexes and are very fast. [he pulls out his phone and pulls up a picture, showing it to Noah]

Noah: [and he will inch over on his knees so that he can peer at Stiles' phone] They have big claws.

Stiles: They do. That's what makes them dangerous. They can claw their way through anything.

Noah: Anything?

Stiles: Pretty much. [and he's going to nibble on a fry and take his phone back]

Noah: Whoa.

Stiles: But T-Rexes are pretty awesome too. No one messes with a healthy, clean T-Rex.

Noah: [he grins] They're good at smashing stuff.

Stiles: They are the KINGS at smashing stuff.

Noah: [grins] Yeah!

Allison: And this is why they're his favorite.

Stiles: Well, we can see what there is to smash later, ok?

Noah: [grins] Okay. [he finishes the rest of his burger before holding up his hands] I'm done!

Allison: Yes you are. [reaches out with a napkin to catch some of the stray ketchup] Go wash your hands before you play okay?

Noah: Okay! [and off he goes]

Stiles: [grins and sits back in his chair] I take it you've t-rex proofed the living room at this point?

Allison: Oh yeah. Nothing breakable at Noah-level or in things that can be jostled. It seems to be working out well so far.

Stiles: Did he like the huge foam blocks we got him for his birthday?

Allison: Oh yeah. He stacks 'em up and knocks 'em down.

Stiles: Good. I had hoped they would keep him from knocking down things that would hurt someone.

Allison: They do. The only snag is when he tries to get his brother to play with him.

Stiles: Oh? What happens then?

Allison: Ryan wants to leave it up to show Scott when he gets home. Noah wants to tear it all down.

Stiles: Photographs won't cut it?

Allison: [shakes her head] Ryan likes the things he builds to stay up. His room is full of Lego things he's built.

Stiles: Yeah, I don't think I have any helpful suggestions. Beyond teaching him how to play Minecraft.

Allison: We're doing our best to teach Noah to ask before he smashes.

Stiles: Well, that's always a good thing. How's that working?

Allison: [she shrugs] It's a work in progress. He's better at it when they're things that weren't built with his blocks.

Stiles: Does Dina get involved in any of this when she's with them?

Allison: [she shakes her head] Ryan doesn't really build when she's around unless she asks him to. When he's building stuff he wants to keep he usually shuts himself in his room.

Stiles: Smart kid.

Allison: [she nods] I think he's going to get into building stuff, though. He's always really proud of it.

Stiles: Well, I'm sure Peter will enjoy fostering that with him. He really helped me a lot with designing the loft.

Allison: [nods] I hope so. Right now it's mostly just following the directions and building things with Legos but he gets creative sometimes.

Stiles: Hey, I'm all about breaking the rules when it comes to Legos. That's what lets your imagination run free.

Allison: Me too. But I think he's still figuring the creative part out. He is only four.

Stiles: Yeah, and he should be out getting a job already. Four is way too old to still be living at home.

Ryan: [whine] Uncle Stiles, that's mean.

Allison: [glances over] Hey, sweetie. How're you feeling?

Ryan: My throat still hurts and I feel all fuzzy.

Allison: [frowns softly as he comes closer] Poor guy.

Stiles: [looks over and smiles] I was just kidding, Ry. I got you a happy meal - think that will help you feel better?

Ryan: [frowns as he climbs up into the chair his brother left behind] What kind of happy meal?

Stiles: Nuggets, just how you like it. [leans in and whispers] I may have even gotten you a double order of nuggets since you're sick, but don't tell your mother.

Ryan: [big bright grin] Thanks, Uncle Stiles.

Stiles: You're welcome kiddo. [there may also be a tiny pack of Legos that Stiles slipped in as the toy and put both dinosaurs into Noah's]

Ryan: [which he will be thrilled with. best uncle]

Stiles: [of course he is. and he's going to reach into the adult bag and pull out another cheeseburger]

Allison: [working on her own from the adult bag] So how's Ben doing?

Stiles: He's doing well. I think Cora's getting more in a routine and that's helping him settle more. Which is great for both of them, honestly.

Allison: And everything's working out with her back at school?

Stiles: Oh yeah. The baby rotation is working great when everyone is healthy. [he's looking at you, Allison] but otherwise it's working out well. I even have a little nursery corner in my office now so if I have to bring Ben in, he's got a corner that will work for him to relax in.

Allison: That's good. [hey, don't give her that look] He's sitting up by now right? He's about six months old?

Stiles: A week short, but yeah. We were worried for a moment he was going to skip that and start crawling.

Allison: I take it he's a sneaky one.

Stiles: Just a bit. And taking after the Hales in skipping growth steps.

Allison: I think that's common with all the children in this pack.

Stiles: Yeah, but they're all adorable so we can forgive them.

Allison: Sometimes.

Stiles: Sometimes. [he finished with the burger and wipes his hands on a napkin] So, I'm here to pretty much be your personal valet. What do you need done?

Allison: [sighs as she looks around, rubbing at her forehead] I don't know. I was going to let the kids watch a movie while I take a quick nap.

Stiles: Then you go do that. I'll hit up the Netflix with my two favorite nephews and you can sleep.

Allison: [nods as she slowly gets up to her feet and makes her way closer, kissing the top of Ryan's head] Be nice to your brother for Uncle Stiles, okay?

Ryan: [sighs] Okay.

Stiles: You almost done with your nuggets, kiddo?

Ryan: [nods] I have two left.

Stiles: Well, let me clean up the table, and when you're done we will go and pick a movie out. Anything you have in mind to watch?

Ryan: [thinks on it ... thinks on it ...] Can we watch Batman?

Stiles: We can totally watch Batman. [and it's going to be the right Batman, the 90's animated series]

Ryan: [yes, that's exactly what he meant, he's not big enough for anything else yet] Yes! [shouting back into the living room] NOAH WE'RE GONNA WATCH BATMAN.

Noah: [shouting back] DUH NUH NUH NUH BATMAN.

Stiles: [grins. Yes, Scott is raising the kids right] Finish up those nuggets then. [and he will grab drinks for them all and head into the living room to work the Netflix]

Ryan: [does as he's told before scrambling off his chair and going to grab his blanket from his room first so that he can curl up on the couch]

Noah: [is on the floor bouncing up and down singing the song] DUH NUH NUH BATMAN.

Stiles: [is in the middle of the couch and reaches over to pull Noah on the other side of him while Ryan settles in] So where are we going to start? Any particular villain?

Noah: Mr. Fees!

Stiles: [thinks a moment, and then grins] Alright, I can do that. [and he will skip to his favorite freeze episode and sit back]

Noah: [and the boys will be quiet for the most part unless they're singing along with the theme]

Stiles: [yup, this is why he has no problems visiting these kids]

Ryan: [and eventually Ryan will pass out from his fever and Noah from just sheer exertion and he will have two sleeping boys]

Stiles: [make that 3, because he will pretty much be the bottom of the puppy pile on the couch]

Allison: [and she will eventually return from her nap to see the pile on the couch and smile to herself for a moment. She then snaps a picture to send to her husband and Cora before going and scooping up her children to put them to bed]

Scott: [yup, totally going to use this eventually in like, a calendar for Stiles' office]

Stiles: [and he will slowly expand to take up the whole couch, snoring slightly]

Allison: [and she will let him sleep because new dad and all that]

Stiles: [and eventually he will snort himself awake, and then look around in fear] Noah? Ryan?!

Allison: [laughs softly as she comes around the corner with a cup of tea] Don't worry. I put them to bed.

Stiles: [rubs at his face] Good, because I'd hate to have lost them.

Allison: No, don't worry. I just figured it was a good idea to let you sleep.

Stiles: I appreciate it.

Allison: No problem. Would you like some tea?

Stiles: Sure. What are we having?

Allison: I have mint and I have chamomile.

Stiles: Ooo, mint.

Allison: Mint it is. [and she will go to put on the water]

Stiles: [and he will go and help her]

Allison: So how much Batman did you make it through before you passed out?

Stiles: About two hours?

Allison: That is better than I do.

Stiles: Well, I've watched those cartoons at least a million times. I can recite them.

Allison: I'm just not really a superhero person. I watched them with Scott because he loved them.

Stiles: No, I get it. We need to get you a little girl soon.

Allison: [holds up her hands, fingers crossed] Here's hoping with this one.

Stiles: [he holds up his fingers crossed as well]

Allison: [goes to grab the tea from the closet] How is Dina doing with Ben? Is she getting used to having to share the attention?

Stiles: She's doing better. We do a daddy-daughter thing every week - something just for us. And now that Ben is more interactive she's doing better.

Allison: That's good. Cora says that you guys managed to avoid any massive tantrums but she could get a little down sometimes.

Stiles: Yeah, and it was something I was afraid of.

Allison: I think it helped that she was a little older and had some time to get used to other kids.

Stiles: Yeah, that did help. It taught her better social skills, that's for sure.

Allison: She's really blossomed from that shy little girl she was when she first got here.

Stiles: Amazing what a little bit of McCall and Hale exposure does to a Stilinski.

Allison: Yep. They're miracle workers.

Stiles: Especially when you swirl in this Argent secret ingredient.

Allison: [she grins] Well, someone's gotta keep all of you in line.

Stiles: We would just run around like wild dogs if it wasn't for you.

Allison: Can't have that.

Stiles: Running around the streets howling at the moon.

Allison: Causing all [kinds] of trouble.

Stiles: Good thing my dad's the sheriff.

Allison: How much trouble did you actually squeak by on?

Stiles: ........ I plead the fifth.

Allison: [laughs] If the statute of limitations has expired, I think it's safe to speak.

Stiles: I lost count of the speeding and parking tickets. I think it filled a filing cabinet drawer? [innocent grin]

Allison: [laughs] Lucky you.

Stiles: well, you gotta use the resources you have.

Allison: You'd be a fool if you didn't.

Stiles: You know if you have any outstanding warrants, you should totally ask him to help with those. Could be your birthday gift.

Allison: I would, but unlike you, my record is clean.

Stiles: Show off.

Allison: [she shrugs] One of us had to behave.

Stiles: You dating a werewolf I think is not your father's idea of you behaving.

Allison: Dating a werewolf is not illegal.

Stiles: You were a hunter's daughter. Pretty sure in his head, that was worse than breaking the law.

Allison: Yeah, well, he got over it.

Stiles: But still, you were so not the behaving one.

Allison: If it wasn't me, then which one of us?

Stiles: Cora.

Allison: Really?

Stiles: Yeah, trust me, any trouble she got in? Totally was my fault.

Allison: So she was the boring Hale?

Stiles: Oh god yes. She tried to hide in books.

Allison: I didn't know that.

Stiles: Oh yeah. Complete introvert geek. I had to work a lot of magic on her.

Allison: So why did you?

Stiles: [shrugs] just felt like the right thing to do. Lydia didn't want anything to do with me - hell I don't think she knew my name - and Scott was hanging out with the Hales and she was there and quiet and needed to get a life. I didn't think we'd be making one together.

Allison: But you fell for her.

Stiles: Head over heels.

Allison: Guess it all worked out the way it was supposed to.

Stiles: Just a very long roundabout way.

Allison: You have her now. That's the important thing.

Stiles: Yeah. It is.