The stepson (private with Danger Noodles)

[DangerNoodles]

Mike tutted. “Ricky please keep it on its to stop you getting messy, you already got messy this morning and we had to give you a bath. Remember?”  

[jmg1217]

Rick huffed “But But But... I do t need... fine, whatever. He went to cut up his food. “This stupid knife is weird it do est cut good.” He struggled with the toddler cutlery

[DangerNoodles]

Mike decided to take over and cut the pancakes into bite sizes for him   ”let me handle it buddy knives and forks can be tricky”, he gave the fork back but kept the small knife. 

[jmg1217]

Rick frowned “no I do t need you to do it...” he watched as Mike cut the food then picked up the food “you know I’m a big boy... I mean adult I’ve used knives I even used one at the job where I met you mom well... until I cut myself” he huffed

[DangerNoodles]

“Well you don’t seem very big to me, and I’m definitely not giving you any sharp knives, you might hurt yourself again. Mom would be so upset if that happened and she told me to keep you safe ” Mike  reasoned and ruffled his hair gently 

[jmg1217]

Rick huffed shaking his head “no one ever thinks I’m big nough...” he ate his breakfast smearing syrup on his mouth and hand and getting foot on his bib. He even dropped some pieces off his fork and they land with sticky splats on the floor and his feet. Rick didn’t seem to notice these things. “I’m done now... can we leave soon

[DangerNoodles]

Mike quickly cleaned up the mess, wiping Ricks mouth, getting the splats off the floor and removing his bin. Once things were clean he carried Rick toward the front door he’d packed everything before Rick woke up including his flip flops “Okay munchkin it’s time to go see the nice animals!” 

[jmg1217]

Rick couldn’t help but smile at the idea of the zoo but he felt the need to put up a small struggle “I...I can walk you know. I’m a big boy and, hey how are we gonna get to the Zoo I can’t drive, I mean I dont drive”

[DangerNoodles]

Mike ignored his protests. “Don’t worry Ricky, I know how to drive and mommy is letting me borrow the spare car”, he left the house and locked the door. The bags were in the trunk, he opened the back and strapped Rick in. 

“What animals to you wanna see first?” He asked smiling excited to that his little one to the zoo 

[jmg1217]

“Stop no I wanna sit up front... I’m big and and mommy let’s me I mean your mommy, I mean Angela my wife... I’m a grown up...

[DangerNoodles]

“You can’t sit in the front honey it’s not safe, I can keep an eye on you when you’re in the back much better.” He said firmly concentrating on getting to the zoo

[jmg1217]

Rick flushed red when he was called honey “but but but... you don’t need to keep an eye on me” he quickly got distracted by the scenery outside the wi dow

[DangerNoodles]

Mike grinned Rick was the perfect little boy. They arrived at the zoo and he got out to lift Rick out the car “we’re here darling!” He announced carrying Rick on his hip as he went to the trunk to get the bag

[jmg1217]

Rick flushed pink but otherwise ignored the endearment “he allowed himself to be picked up but then squirmed “wait put me down what if people think I’m a baby or something”

[DangerNoodles]

“I’m just getting your flip flops wait a second kiddo” he got the flip flops out the bag and lowered Alex down so his feet went in them “please don’t lose them we don’t have any more”

[jmg1217]

Rick bit his lip “bit ummm I’m real bad at that... I told you I’m not good at shoes that why I only have these you mom said she wouldn’t buy me any more shoes I loos so many, but it’s like they bug me and I have adhd so I just...” the boy shrugged embarrassedly

[DangerNoodles]

“Well if you lose them we’ll have to carry you or maybe I can get you some crocs another time” Mike rubbed the boys back “it’s ok munchkin some people just need special help” he held ricks hand and walked toward the zoo entrance 

[jmg1217]

Rick just shrugged he’d try his best but he wasn’t hopeful “they’ll probably end up with a tiger or something “ he jumped ahead practically skipping to the entrance 

[DangerNoodles]

Mike followed Rick until they were at the entrance, he bought two tickets and got Ricky a kids pack “here you go munchkin it’ll tell you all about the animals and it’s got crayons too! What do you wanna see first? 

[jmg1217]

Rick practically tugged Mike arm off but his hand slipped unconsciously into Mikes can we go  see the monkeys and umm the lions and tigers”

[DangerNoodles]

Mike lead Rick to the monkey area there were lots of different kinds and they were playing. Mike brought Rick onto his shoulders so he could see better “Can you make the noises monkeys make?” He asked 

[jmg1217]

Rick giggled and nodded excitedly. He began moving his arms like a monkey making what he thought were monkey noises and jumping up and down. He laughed and laughed.

of course this had  a disastrous effect on his shoes one flip flop went flying in the air the other went skidding across the enclosure. When Rick realized he froze “sorry, I... I was.being a monkey and I got cited” he had tears in his eyes

[DangerNoodles]

“It’s ok silly monkey we can just carry you for now I’m not angry with you at all” Mike cooed and gave him a hug. “Are you hungry?” He asked Rick smiling at him he just loved how cute he was 

[jmg1217]

Rick took a deep breath and smiled at the nick name. He scuffed his now bare toe on the ground “but what if everybody thinks I’m a baby or something” he looked worried 

[DangerNoodles]

“What’s wrong with that? Hmm?” Mike asked carrying Rick toward the zoo cafe there were lots of families around it was busy