Jameson was all too excited to help clean out the storage room. In fact, everyone else managed to get roped into it as well.

Not willingly of course but they didn't want to just sit by while Jackie, James and Anti did it all by themselves. The other's things were in there, too, after all.

But of course it wasn't that simple, either. Chase had an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach. Like something wasn't right. It had to do with why Anti was so fearful now. Why did he flinch away from him? He knew WHY but he wasn't threatening, was he?

He knew why he was stuck to Jackie now but it was dramatic attachment even for those two. They went from enemies to brothers in an instant and . . . well . . Chase didn't like it.

While Chase moved boxes out of the room, his thoughts were plagued 'What will Jackie do once Anti turns back to normal? What if Anti's attitude changes back to the way it was before, too? He's gone considerably childlike during the last couple of weeks but what if the spell changes that when it wears off? And how will Jackie react? Will he automatically go back to hating him or try and befriend him again?'

Chase couldn't stop thinking about it and it was driving him nuts, 'I don't want either of them getting hurt but IF Anti DOES go back to his asshole adult self, then we'll have no choice but to be enemies again.'

He looked over to see Jameson handing Anti a small Capri Sun juice pouch and the little child-Anti bounced excitedly on the balls of his feet, getting his hair playfully ruffled by Jackie.

'I hope that's not the case, though'

Marvin COULD have just spelled the boxes out of the room and elsewhere . . . and it seemed like the others had forgotten that as well.

But Marvin didn't mind NOT using his magic. He just made things lighter to carry for himself. It gave him time for a break with the family.

Contrary to everyone else's belief, Marvin had been working tirelessly on trying to find a reverse spell to help Anti change back to normal.

You see. . . there was a little white lie all this time.

One that he'd stretch out until they indefinitely caught on.

But he was so guilty. He just wanted to help Anti, especially after what happened to him just last night.

'If I hadn't studied that stupid curse, none of this would have ever happened and Anti wouldn't have the trauma he does now'

The utter fear in his eyes he had seen. He wished he were in front of those men now to curse them with unimaginable pain.

And to think just a couple of weeks ago, he yeeted the child into the bushes like a rag doll.

Not to say he wasn't concerned about the reverse effects as well just as Chase was. There was a lot about the curse even HE didn't understand. He was a fool to have practiced anything in the Black Magic book at all!

And yet even through all of Marvin's worries and doubts and even the strange happy family moments, he could feel something else. A danger.

He didn't know what it was but . . .

Well this was his only day off that he'd take. It was back to the grind tomorrow and he would keep researching.

He saw Jackie pat Anti's head as well, 'Hopefully whatever comes next doesn't tear us all apart again'

"Alright!" Jackie clapped his hands, "Looks like this room is shaping up pretty well! What you think, Anti?"

The kid grinned, sipping his drink, "M-hmm"

"I know it's small compared to the other rooms but you're small, too, so it shouldn't be too bad-"

Anti smacked his leg, "I'M NOT THAT SMALL!"

Jackie shoved him away easily by his head, "Yeah, yeah, you ferocious demon, you"

He stuck his tongue out at Jackie

"Ready to go to the mall now?"

Anti sucked his tongue back in his mouth. He remembered yesterday when he was at the mall. The creepy older lady that was there. . . .

"No."

"No?"

"No. What if that old lady tries to kidnap me again!?"

Henrik snorted, "No need to vorry there, Anti. I am sure Jackie vill not let anyone near you"

"Well actually, we're all going, aren't we?" Marvin chuckled, "Anti, I assure you, you'll be the safest kid at the mall with all of us at your side"

Chase grunted, "I'll go grab my gun just in case"

Jackie rolled his eyes, "Doubt you have to go to that extent. If a security guard catches you with that thing, you might be going to jail, Chase"

"Then I'll just make sure no one sees it!" he snorted.

"Well?" Jackie nudged Anti, "What you think?"

Honestly Anti didn't know what to think. But it seemed that he wasn't going to be allowed to stay home. No matter how much he wanted to.

". . . .okay"

He was still scared, not that he'd tell Jackie that outright. He didn't want him thinking he was a coward.

Henrik was driving. Of course he was. No one else besides maybe Chase was trusted to. Jackie didn't have a license and preferred hopping roof tops, Jameson didn't know how to work modern day cars, Marvin preferred either walking or teleporting and for the purpose of driving all of them, they had to take Henrik's minivan anyway. Chase's car was too small and his air and radio were broken.

Not that Henrik had his radio on at all. It was loud enough with all of them talking without music playing, too.

"We should stop at the clothing shop, too, to get Anti more clothes that fit him" Chase though out loud.

"Yeah, but you're SO not picking the clothes, Chase" Marvin argued, "Last time, you wanted to put him in Sammy's clothes and not to be rude but it was kinda weird. I think I should be in charge of where to get his clothes"

"Whatever, dude" Chase scoffed, "Just don't go in that one crazy store, alright? The one with the extreme goth stuff and sex toys? Not kid appropriate"

Marvin mumbled under his breathe, "You liked the clothes I got there before"

"WHAT?"

All the while since they didn't have a kid's car seat, Anti was forced to sit in Jackie's lap. And it was nearly going too far. Anti wanted to just sit by himself like a big boy and listen to the adults talk. But what did he get? He got Jackie covering his ears as Marvin and Chase argued about the sex shop/clothing shop, keeping him in his lap with the seatbelt on the both of them so he wouldn't get hurt.

'I really fucking hate being a kid'

As they drove up to the parking lot, Henrik sighed heavily in relief, parking, "You guys are insufferable sometimes"

"HE'S THE ONE THAT-"

"BUT I WASN'T-"

"SHUT UP!" Henrik shouted, "I swear you two are more of children than Anti is right now!"

Marvin just rolled his eyes and scoffed dramatically.

As they got out of the van, Jackie helped him down but he didn't move.

"Come on, Anti. Let's go"

"I don't wanna"

The others stopped, not sure what to do. They were already there.

But Jackie had an idea, "You're afraid someone will grab you and kidnap you? Take you away and you'll be defenseless?"

Anti gulped.

"Good thing I came prepared" Jackie smirked and pulled out a children's harness from his belt, "We'll put THIS on you . . . and attach the other end to my belt. That way, anyone that tries to take you, I'll know and I'll kick their ass"

Anti didn't like the idea of a harness. It was borderline a dog leash. Scratch that. It WAS basically a dog leash.

But he couldn't argue with Jackie's logic. It DID sound safe. And this way, he'd be attached to Jackie. And the harness did seem pretty durable.

Relenting, Anti allowed the hero to put the harness on him, glaring at the others that were 'discreetly' making fun of it. They thought they were so slick with their phones out pretending to be looking at something when Anti KNEW they were taking pictures of him.

He pouted but before he could tell them off, Jackie attached the other end to his belt and took Anti's hand, "Alright, let's go. You want to look at clothes first or furniture for your new room?"

Anti stared at Jackie's hand holding his and for a moment, he couldn't say anything.

"Um . . . .. you pick"

"The clothes are closer. That way we can save the best for last!" Marvin at least seemed excited, "Furniture shopping is my THING, boys!" he snapped his fingers.

"I don't doubt it" Chase snickered, "I would think fashion would be your thing, too, though"

"Oh, it IS! And don't you dare think otherwise, 'bro'" Marvin mocked him.

Anti smiled at little at their interaction, not realizing he was squeezing Jackie's hand the closer they got to the mall doors.

It was just as big as he remembered from yesterday. But now it seemed as if there were less people which was relieving. It was a Monday after all. The only reason Henrik wasn't at work was because he requested a day off for family reasons not that anyone knew that.

Anti suddenly wondered, though, about Jackie. Wasn't he usually out on patrols to stop crime and all that stuff? Why was he suddenly helping and taking care of Anti when he could be out saving lives?

'I hope I'm not being a burden' he thought for a moment but shook his head, 'What are you thinking, Anti? Of course you are. You've always been a burden to them from day one.'

Usually that thought would make him laugh but now . . . he didn't like it.

There wasn't much time to dwell on his thoughts, though as they got to the clothing shop. At first Anti couldn't stop looking around him, making sure strangers didn't get too close.

But with Jackie holding his hand and the others constantly asking him questions on what kind of clothes he liked to wear, he was starting to get more relaxed.

Until some lady walked up to them and Anti hid behind Jackie for protection.

"Hi, there! Welcome to Hot Topic! Are you needing any help today? I'm afraid we don't have much of a selection on kids clothes" she laughed, "We have a bigger selection online though if you'd like to order any? What's your name, sweety?" she addressed him suddenly.

Anti didn't like that word. He covered his eyes in Jackie's leg.

"Uh . . " Jackie wasn't used to dealing with kids, obviously but tried to handle it as best he could, remembering what he had been through the night before, "Sorry. He's shy . . . Um . . We'll just look somewhere else."

"Aw, poor little guy" she cooed, "I got some candy at the front desk if that'll cheer ya up?"

Anti didn't like her one bit and shuddered, looking up at Jackie, pleading with his eyes for him to pick him up and make him feel safe.

"Hey, it's okay, Andy" the hero used his 'normal' name, "She's not gonna hurt you." he spoke to the woman, "Sorry. He's got trust issues ever since his abusive mother"

She looked shocked, "Oh my god! I'm so sorry! Poor thing. You're such a good dad. He looks like he loves you a lot"

"Oh . . . I uh" he gave in, picking Anti up in his arms, freezing slightly as he hugged him around his neck, "Y-yeah . . . we stick together"

This was a lot more than Jackie was used to. Helping and protecting Anti was one thing. Loving him? He didn't think he was at that stage just yet.

Chase cut in, "We're the uncles just in case you were wondering by the way. So about those clothes online?"

"Let's go somewhere else" Jackie argued, "I think he's getting claustrophobic in here. You and Marvin can stay and pick some things out but I'm gonna take Andy to the furniture stop. Hen, James, ya coming?"

Chase wasn't happy with his decision. They needed clothes that Anti would wear and that he liked and that meant Anti would have to buck up and be a little uncomfortable for a few more minutes.

But as he watched Jackie walk out with Anti in his arms, he couldn't help but be painfully reminded of his own kids. He didn't get to spend enough time with them this weekend and then he had to worry about Anti for a whole day yesterday which also put his kids on edge.

Chase tried to push the thoughts away. He was jealous and he knew it.

Right now, Anti's comfort is what mattered. Jackie was right and Chase had to accept that.

He'd just judge his parenting in silence.

"We'll join ya in a bit!" Marvin shouted after them, "So you think Anti would mind a black shirt with glitter?" he asked Chase.

"We are NOT getting ANYTHING with glitter, Marv! You already douse the house in it as it is!" Chase argued.

"UH! It's not that bad! I'm the one who cleans the house anyway and gets rid of it all! You just cook!"

"I clean when you're being a lazy arse! Which is practically all the time unless I yell at you!"

"Which is ALL the time" Marvin snorted.

"MY POINT EXACTLY!"

This was going to be a long shopping trip.