Borrower GT 21

When Colin awoke, he was the only one in the bed. He rubbed his eyes and looked around in confusion, he slowly got out of bed and went to the kitchen.

There he saw Jax passed out with his head resting on the table, a cup of forgotten coffee next to him and in his hair was Oliver. Curled up in the locks around him, seemingly comfortable.

Gently Colin shook Jax's shoulder, his brother's eyes slowly opened. He went to move his head but Colin quickly stopped him, "Oliver's in your hair," Colin chuckled.

Jax gently combed through his hair until he found the tiny borrower, he smiled and picked him up. "Crap! I'm late!" Jax gasped as his eyes found the kitchen clock.

He placed Oliver in Colin's hands and ran to his bedroom, the borrower mumbled something incoherent and rolled over. Jax ruffled Colin's hair and rushed out the door, "I'll be back at four!" He yelled as he slammed the door shut.

Colin flinched at the noise and Oliver jumped awake, he panicked for a moment before realizing it was Colin. Oliver let out an adorable yawn and looked around, "Where's Jax?" He asked, rubbing his eyes.

"He just left for work," Colin replied, letting Oliver rest against his neck on his shoulder.

He made Oliver and himself a bowl of cereal, he sat down at the table and set Oliver next to him. The borrower leaned over he side of the bowl, reaching for cereal.

Oliver barely caught Oliver before he fell in, "Careful Oliver, let me help you," he chuckled, handing the tiny boy a piece of cereal.

"Thank you!" Oliver called politely, Colin just smiled. As the two boys ate Oliver found himself gravitating towards Colin, finally giving into his warmth as he leaned against the giant's abdomen.

"So what do you want to do today?" Colin rumbled behind Oliver, he shrugged.

"Could we read some more of that book? The one with the superheroes?" Oliver asked hopefully, looking up at Colin using his puppy dog eyes.

"Demigods," Colin corrected, "And of course we can," Oliver pumped his fist into the air in success.

They settled in the den, Colin wrapped tightly in a blanket with now-dressed-Oliver, who was cuddled next to Colin's neck. Instrumental music was softly playing behind Colin's soft, smooth voice, slowing lulling Oliver towards sleep but he swore himself that he would stay awake.

A knock came from the door, Oliver flinched and Colin looked up in confusion. He hesitantly made his way to the kitchen, he set Oliver on the counter and looked through the peephole.

It was a girl with auburn hair, she had brown eyes, and freckles covering her whole face, Colin opened the door but left the chain lock shut.

"Hi!" She greeted cheerfully, "Oh you must be Colin! It's a pleasure to meet you."

Colin nodded slowly, "And you are?"

"Oh, I'm Aubrey, I'm Jax's friend."

"Oh well, he's not home right now. I'll let him know you stopped by." Colin said quickly, before shutting the door and locking it.

Oliver looked at him in confusion as he was scooped up. "That wasn't very nice," he murmured quietly.

Oliver looked down, "It's okay, I didn't know her. She's fine." Oliver nodded.

They got back to the couch and continued to read, it was a very relaxed day filled with reading, watching movies, and taking small car naps.

Oliver seemed to be sleeping more and more, Colin had to wake him from nightmares twice. That scared him.

He also didn't like how the borrower sucked his thumb, that's what Colin did for a while after his mom died. He didn't have anyone to comfort him so he found his own way to do so.

Colin wanted to help Oliver but he didn't know how without scaring him or making him uncomfortable. He'd talk to Jax later, he always knows what to do.