This is my gift for @dancyon​ as part of the @aftgexchange​ with the prompt “the twins bonding.” I had fun writing the scene with the twins before I realized that I needed to include some context, hence the super silly and kind of extraneous part with the Monsters + Matt in the beginning. I really hope you enjoy this – I haven’t written a lot about the twins before, so I’m kind of nervous about posting the fic,,,, I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s! 

****

Like many other mishaps in Aaron’s life, this one starts with Nicky exclaiming an “Oh!” like he’s received an epiphany.

Aaron doesn’t look up from his laptop. Matt does.

“How about we play something instead of watching a movie?”

“You mean like video games?” Matt asks.

“I mean like something we don’t normally do,” Nicky says, “like rock-climbing, or paintball.”

“You don’t like rock-climbing,” Aaron reminds him without tearing his gaze away from the physiology article he’s reading, “or anything that requires physical exertion.”

“Aaron Michael,” Nicky says, scandalized, “need I remind you that I am a collegiate athlete.”

“We played paintball last year, before the girls left,” Matt recalls, fondness coloring his voice and wistfulness filling his eyes, “it was a lot of fun.”

“Yeah, it was,” Nicky agrees. “Well, minus the part where Neil single-handedly shot and eliminated most of us. Remind me to never give the kid a real gun.”

“Any other ideas?” Matt asks, slurping on his can of beer.

Aaron groans. “Why are you encouraging him?”

“How about bowling? We did that a couple of times before.”

“You know I hate bowling,” Aaron asserts, unable to help himself.

“How about laser tag?” Matt suggests.

Nicky grimaces. “Let’s not play anything that requires shooting. Neil is going to kick all of our asses.”

“Why is he suddenly included in our plans?” Aaron asks, lips twisted like he ate something bad.

“Don’t be a spoilsport,” Matt chides, playfully kicking Aaron’s shin, “it’ll be fun to have all of us if we decide to do something.”

“Even Kevin and my brother?” Aaron asks dryly.

Matt winces.

Nicky sits up straighter, legs folded underneath him on the couch, his excitement rising. “How about roller blading?”

“I still have bruises from when we went last time,” Matt says sadly.

“Miniature golf?” Nicky tries.

“We’re banned from all three mini golf courses in the city,” Aaron states bluntly.

Nicky inhales sharply, like he just realized something.

“Oh no,” Aaron says.

“What is it?” Matt inquires, sitting sideways on his chair at the desk to look at Nicky.

“Don’t,” Aaron whispers.

“Badminton,” Nicky exhales.

Keep reading