"Hey, look who it is!"
The blush that danced on Aaron's cheeks roared into a full-blown flame when he turned to see Stephen and John - the two guys he had planned on moving in with - approaching from the other direction. Though initially embarrassed at his closest friends seeing him in such a tiny and adorable state, he was quickly reminded of the fact that, in this new reality, everyone knew him as a precious little toddler. Indeed, when the young men approached they playfully tickled the tyke under his chin and ruffled his soft blonde hair.
"You taking your daddy out to the park, big guy?" Stephen cooed. "Maybe he's a little jealous of all the time John and I have been spending with you lately."
"Maybe a little." Dave chuckled. "But you know how much he loves the two of you, he cries his little eyes out whenever you're not available to babysit."
Aaron's big bright eyes widened at the realization that, in this new world, Stephen and John were not his best friends but instead his favorite babysitters. This did nothing to lessen his blush, as the boy couldn't help but imagine being cared for by John and Stephen - who were not only his buddies but also the subjects of a secret crush that Aaron didn't dare reveal.
"You guys on your way to the park?" John asked. "Stephen and I are free for a bit if you'd like us to come and play with the little monster for a few minutes."
"Of course - I'm surprised Aaron hasn't insisted on it, but for whatever reason he's being a little shy today." Dave mused as he looked up at his blushing baby boy. "C'mon, you guys can tell me how your classes are going while we walk."
A few minutes later Aaron found himself red-faced once more, though this time it was from the exertion of excitedly toddle-running between John, Stephen and Dave. The trio arranged themselves in a small circle around Aaron, each encouraging the boy to run to a new set of big strong arms - where he would be cuddled and tickled and kissed until his giggling little self was sent with a pat on his crinkly butt to another adoring adult. Aaron had never felt so loved in his entire life, and it was no small disappointment when his dad sent him off to play by himself while the grown-ups talked amongst themselves for a bit.
"Don't whine, sweetie, you can entertain yourself for a few minutes." Dave gently reproached his son, who hadn't even realized he'd been whining. "Go on now, we'll be right here watching."
Aaron pouted but did as he was told, not wanting to give in to his more petulant and childish instincts. The tyke was considering whether he should explore the sandbox or brave the stairs to the curvy plastic slide when he caught a glint of silver out of the corner of his eye - when he saw the Chronivac poking out the back of his dad's pocket. The adults were already talking amongst themselves and not paying him much mind, so it was easy for Aaron to slip behind Dave - to pluck the tablet from his pocket and then scamper away with his prize clutched in his pudgy little hands. He put a few feet of distance between himself and the trio before plopping onto his diapered tush to examine the device, lighting up upon seeing that scans of Stephen and John had joined those of himself and his father. Playing with his friends as grown-ups was tons of fun, but maybe it'd be even more so if they were his size...