Two little rascals were clinging to a tree branch, gazing down at him with eyes as clear and sparkling as dewdrops, their faces soft and plump like freshly baked buns. They were the very picture of cuteness, small and adorably chubby.


    With every flutter of their long, dense eyshes, it felt like a direct nudge to Tarquin''s heart. He was utterly charmed.


    There they were, the trio, in a silent standoff between the branch and the ground. Tarquin, with a heart full of warmth, felt a twinge of envy for theirte father and softly called out, "Come on down, be careful."


    Evan panicked a bit, "What do we do, bro? He spotted us!"


    Elliot, ever the cool one, replied, "No worries, I actually wanted to ask him something. Let''s go down."


    Under Tarquin''s watchful eyes, the boys began their descent.


    Evan led the way, jumping down from a height of about ten feet, aiming to impress Tarquin with a coolnding. Instead, he found himself caught in Tarquin''s arms, his attempt at looking suavepletely thwarted and now enveloped in an embrace!


    Frustrated and slightly embarrassed, Evan''s face turned a shade of red, kicking his legs and protesting like a feisty little animal, "Let me down, you jerk, Tarquin!"


    Tarquin, with a smirk, teased, "Jerk, Tarquin, huh? Is that for me?"


    Huffing, Evan threatened, "Don''t you dare hold me like I''m some kid. I''m way too precious for you... Ah!"


    A gentle flick on the forehead from Tarquin, followed by a cheek pinch, left Evan both angry and embarrassed, his pride slightly wounded by the unsolicited affection.


    Fuming, Evan blurted out, "Let go of me, or I''ll have all your points deducted, every single one!"


    Tarquin, puzzled, asked, "What points?"


    "Not telling you!" Evan retorted with a pout.


    "If you won''t tell, guess I''ll just have to keep holding you," Tarquin yed along.


    This only worked Evan up more, his eyes brimming with tears, "Let go! I''m going to tell my mommy on you!"


    Hearing this, Tarquin quickly set him down, "You can''t just say things like that.”


    Knowing how fiercely protective Elysia was, if she heard Tarquin had been rough with her son, there''d be hell to pay.


    Seizing on this newfound leverage, Evan''s pride swelled, turning away with a huff.


    Tarquin, caught between frustration and fondness, turned to Elliot, "Need a handing down?"


    "I''m good," Elliot replied, descending gracefully.


    Though not as agile as Evan, Elliot had his basics covered and managed the tree with no issue. Once on the ground, he dusted off his clothes and cleaned his hands with a tissue, every bit the little gentleman, in stark contrast to Evan''s wild antics.


    Evan, who had wiped his hands on his clothes the moment his feet touched the ground, scoffed at the idea of using a tissue. Why waste a tissue when your clothes did the job just fine?


    As Tarquin moved to help clean him up, Evan shot back, "Don''t touch me! Touch me and I''ll tell my mom you''ve been bullying me!"


    Tarquin, with a hint of sarcasm, retorted, "And here I was, covering for you, or you''d be in for it when you got home."


    Evan scowled, "What do you mean?"


    Tarquin, with a yful smirk, revealed, “Elysia''s been looking for you two. She even called me.”


    At that, both boys'' eyes widened in rm, and they hastily checked their smartwatches.