☂ four (i've seen the flare so i know it's there)
[ Zeus was concerned, naturally. He didn't like it when his children were upset, injured or otherwise inconvenienced. Whether it was a true paternal anxiety or a possessive, petulant displeasure (of the sort experienced by youngsters when their favourite toy was broken) remained open to interpretation. Nevertheless, he made his way to the hospital in which his twin son was currently an inpatient.
Zeus didn't pay much heed to visiting hours. He walked like someone who belonged in those corridors - or like someone who owned them. This was not a side of him that his Blackwell siblings were used to seeing. Patrick Blackwell was of the more retiring type. Zeus, on the other hand, could be demanding and superior, as and when the occasion called for it.
Having told the nurse in charge that he was a relative (he saw no reason to complicate the issue), he was directed to the room in which Pollux was staying. He stepped in, regarding the set-up with cool assessment (ensuring that it was suited to his son's needs).
Upon entering, he would've been able to spot not one twin, but two in the hospital bed. It was clear which one was Pollux, judging from the blue cast, though the two did have their differences had there not been such an obvious distinction.
Castor, as pointed out by both his brother and Minos, was the prettier of the two, but in a subtle sort of way. His hair was longer and darker, a product of hair dye rather than some bizarre mutation where he didn't share his brother's hair colour, and he, naturally, didn't look as high as a kite.
The other half of the Dioscuri, on the other hand, erupted into a grin and smacked Castor on the thigh to alert him of the presence of his father just in case he hadn't seen.
"It's-- oh, I don't know how to call you. Dad? I've never called anyone 'father' in my life."
Zeus raised his eyebrows and smiled. "You may call me whatever you choose, son," he said, noting Pollux's somewhat dilated eyes and easy smile. "So long as you promise me you are on the mend. Rescuing cats, indeed."
He walked over to the bed and stooped down to kiss Pollux's forehead and Castor's lips before he sat on the chair next to the bed. He resumed his study of the room and supposed that he was satisfied with it.
"How long do they expect you to stay in?" he asked. The question was directed at Pollux but open to Castor in the event that Pollux wasn't quite focused enough to deal with such incisive interrogation.
The only response to that first part had been a silly smile from Pollux, and the shadow of a smirk from Castor. Who else would have climbed a tree for a complete stranger? They were Argonauts, but most importantly, they were adventurer's. Wherever they saw adventure and risk, they would go for it. And evidently climbing trees to save a cat fit that criteria.
Castor figured his brother wouldn't be aware of the answer (if he'd even understood it), so following a brush of his lips to the other boy's shoulder to hide his smile, he directed his attention to Zeus. "They still have some X-rays to do, and then I suppose it's home in a few days. Whatever they're doing, it's going to be bloody expensive by the time they're done."
Rather dismissively, Zeus shook his head. "Don't worry about the expense. I'll take care of it. They've likely already got me pegged as the queer uncle or something. I'm sure if I write a cheque, it'll just confirm it but not to worry."
He lifted his feet up, resting them on the side of the bed. He tilted his head to the side and grinned at Pollux. Adorable boy. "You boys okay at home or do you want to stay at mine for a spell? I've a disgustingly large apartment on the Upper East Side so there'd be room, as well as maid service."
The boy in the cast snorted at the 'queer uncle' line, which prompted a smile from Castor at his side. "We've got Morticia, and he's got lotssss of drinks, doesn't he, Cats? Catster."
A hand shot out to cover Pollux's mouth to prevent him from revealing any more stupid names. "What your son means to say," the darker-haired one began, "is that we've got our brother around to be a smug little prick, but if you're offering, we can't possibly say no, can we, Sydney?"
Pollux nodded his head fervently.
The corner of Zeus' mouth quirked up into an entirely amused smile.
"Naturally, I'm not offering. I'm insisting. Of course, your brother is more than welcome to visit." Zeus reached out and caught hold of the fingers of Pollux's uninjured hand. He was fascinated, in truth, to find himself immersed in so many of his family and he was just greedy enough to want them close. "Is this brother of yours one of our kind, so to speak? I assume he's not Greek or I'd know about him by now."
Whatever Pollux decided to respond with was muffled by Castor's hand, and so his brother gave the answer instead. "Yeah, he's one of us. He's Mordred, the famous illegitimate son of King Arthur and his sister. But he's a decent bloke. He's our brother through our dad, and he let us stay with him in his flat." When his twin began to tug at his wrist, he allowed him to speak.
"Morticia's a bastard, but he's still our brother. Right, Catssss?"
Unable to help himself, Castor smothered a laugh into his brother's shoulder.
Zeus laughed, at that. He shook his head with complete fondness. "Well, I'm sure he's able to handle you both."
He got to his feet again and gently touched Pollux's cheek. "I think you're a little overwrought, my darling. Should I leave you both in peace? I'd best sort out the bill, at any rate." He smiled at Castor. "You'll have your hands full, I reckon."
The younger twin rubbed a soothing hand up and down the other boy's leg. "This one always has both of my hands full, and I wouldn't have it any other way." He canted his head up at Zeus, dark hair tumbling into his eyes.
"But you don't have to leave. Pol would want you to stay."
As if on cue, Pollux angled his hazy gaze upward (with a smile), so that two pair of identical blue eyes were on the older man.
Zeus moved his hand to cup Pollux's face. "Very well," he said, rolling his eyes in a long-suffering way. "I'll stay. Let me just find out who to talk to about the bill. Don't want them kicking you out because you couldn't pay, right?"
He bit his lip, looking down at the two beautiful boys and there was a certain ache; possessiveness, mostly, and pleasure. "Stay put," he said, as though Pollux was in any fit state to go anywhere. "I'll be right back."
With that, he left the room, intent on finding a nurse or anyone who'd be susceptible enough to his charms to rustle up some coffee. It'd likely be a long night and he didn't regret it in the least. ]