Heroes and Villains Never go well together

Pre- Christmas chapter

Ira makes a curious expression “Why?”

“Because those are the instructions.”

“Why?”

“Because the dough needs it.”

“Why?”

“Because that's what mum taught me.”

“Why?”

“Because–” he sighs, before continuing “I wanted to learn how to bake ‘em cookies like you. Ma taught me and told me we needed to cool the dough first before we bake it.”

“Why?” Jedediah sighs once more before chuckling, Ira lets go of his leg and sits down on the floor, the older man sits down as well. “I don't know either if I'm bein’ honest, she just told me it needed to cool down an’ I went with it.”

“Why?” Ira asks again, “Because I didn't really think much of it when I was your age.”

“Why?”

“Because I was just a lil’ kid like you!” he laughs, Ira laughs as well, the little orange hugs his older brother and Jed hugs him back, embracing his little brother tenderly, their laughter slowly dies down.

“What in the Sam Hill are you two doin’ up?” they hear Austin's voice call out, as he walks in to the kitchen. Ira smiles whilst Jed smiles sheepishly.

Appearing behind Austin was Peter, the teenager sleepily rubs his eyes as he stretches his arms in an attempt to wake himself up more. “The fudge are y'all doing up?” he asks, Austin shrugs before yawning “I just heard these two laughin’ and it woke me up.”

Peter makes an annoyed expression but Ira stands up and hugs his legs “C'mon Petey an’ Aussie! Let's make cookies together.”

Peter looks down at Ira and back to Jedediah before snickering “He didn't wanna wait ‘till they got cool?” he asks, still snickering. Jedediah slowly nods and Austin inhales deeply before exhaling exaggeratedly.

He turns down to Ira and smiles softly “So that's why y'all are makin’ so much noise. C'mon, we'll finish those cookies.” he said as he rolled up the sleeves of his pajama top, revealing his strong and big muscles. The eldest Smith brother walks to the sink to wash his hands.

“C'mon, if it'll get Ira to go to sleep, I'll join ya.” Peter said, scratching the back of his neck as he walks to the sink as well.

In the midst of all this, Jedediah's attention was on his two other brothers, before he slowly turned his head to the youngest who has a cheeky smile on his face. The blonde couldn't help but smile cheekily as well.

“Alright, c'mere let's bake ‘em cookies!” he happily exclaims. Jed stands up and picks Ira to carry him in his arms.

Jedediah gently places Ira back on the counter and slowly creeps next to Austin by the sink.

They don't say anything to each other for a while– they've been like this since the accident on the docks that Halloween night.

Austin sighs to himself before whispering “I'm still mad at ya, but just know that I won't be mad at you forever, yer still my baby brother.” Jed looks at him, guilt suddenly filling his eyes. It takes him a while, but he manages to hug Austin.

The eldest hesitates before hugging his younger brother back, they both hold each other in a tender and warm way “...Makin’ cookies makes me miss ma..and how we were always complete durin’ Christmas.” Jedediah couldn't help but say, Austin just hums in response. “I miss ‘em too..but I'm still glad my baby brothers are still here.”

Ira giggles as he and Peter hug their older brothers, the youngest being held by the teenager “Why ain't y'all hugging me and Petey? How rude!” he jokingly says before the four of them start laughing together.

Their laughter soon dies down as they hug one another silently, taking in the finally peaceful night they so desperately want for weeks now.

“I thought we were gonna bake cookies?” Peter asks, Ira giggles once more and holds up a spoon “C'mon, let's fet baking!”

––––
Ira holds up a little box decorated with red and green ribbons, Sacajawea smiles happily “What is that Ira?” she asks, as she cups her hands to let Ira give it to her himself.

The orange puts the little bag onto Sacajawea's hands and she inspects it “Oh! Did you and your brother bake Christmas cookies?” Ira's face lights up and he nods excitedly.

“Me and bubbas stayed late last night to make ‘em for you!” the ginger said, raising his arms up in the air from excitement. Sacajawea smiles gently “Thank you Ira! I really appreciate it, I'm sure me and my baby will enjoy these cookies.” she said, ruffling Ira's red hair.

At the front desk, Jed couldn't help but smile at his friend and his little brother.

––––

A knock on the door to Octavius’ hospital room was heard, and that makes the brunette think that someone had visited him “Come on in!” he said, the door opens to reveal Jedediah with a sleeping Ira over his shoulders, a big sage green jacket being used as a blanket for the child.

Octavius chuckles to himself “How cute, what brings you both here by the way?” he asks, as Jedediah sits down on the chair next to his hospital bed. The Texan tries to fix his now wet and messy hair, a strand of blonde hair somehow gets in the middle of his face. Octavius gently sets the strand of blonde hair behind the Texan's ear.

“Thanks, anyways, I'm only here to drop this off for you.” the blonde gulps and searches the pockets on the jacket for a small little box. He finally finds the pocket wich contains the little bag and takes it out.

The box was decorated with red and green ribbons, a bunch of hearts and stars were also decorated on the bag. Octavius cups his hands and puts on a confused expression “What is this?” he asks, once the Italian gets ahold of the small box, he immediately opens it and it reveals some plastic keeping little cookies in it.

He turns back to Jedediah, confused. The other man smiles sheepishly and blushes bashfully “Me an’ my brothers made y'all some cookies last night. Hope you like ‘em..” he mumbled.

Octavius then smiles genuinely “That is so nice of you! Thank you Jed, tell your brothers I said thank you.” he requested, Jedediah nods and stands up.

“You're leaving so soon? But you just got here.” the brunette says, slightly disappointed. Jed reconsiders leaving so soon, “I..I really need to put this lil’ tucker on his bed so he can sleep peacefully..”

The blonde man looks back at Octavius and the brunette couldn't help but nod in understanding “It's alright, you go home now.. I'll see you again at work soon anyways.” the brunette smiles and this makes Jed's curiosity spark.

“Yer coming back to work?” he asks, looking at his friend with hopeful eyes. Octavius nods “Yes, I don't have to muss your company on the weekdays now.” he said before winking then smiling.

Jed smiles happily before nodding once more, “Well alright then, that's good. I'll see you soo Tavi, Merry Christmas.” he makes it out the door, but before he continues, he looks back at Octavius who was sitting in his bed with the box still in his hands.

The brunette switches the box to his left hand and uses his right hand to wave goodbye at Jed “Bye Jed, see you soon. And Merry Christmas.” with that, Jedediah smiles and walks to the exit of the hospital.