The Flanders arrangement [ Private for PaddedCatBoy]

[Damian Wayne Al Ghul]

It was that time of day again, when school let out but his own boys were off doing one of the many after school activities that they had begged to be part of and that Flanders had reluctantly allowed them to partake in, after heavy convincing from non other than Marge Simpson herself. She had insisted that the boys would do well in broadening their horizons with activities alongside other children. This wasn’t the reason Ned was standing at the ready, no he was waiting patiently for his newest after school charge to arrive, Bart Simpson. It had been weeks since the spiky haired boy had come to him, on a particularly bad night when Homer, god bless him, had had a few too much to drink and was once more taking it out on his only son by way of berating him about any and every little bad thing he had ever done. This is where Ned came in having found the boy sulking outside and muttering to himself all of which Ned had a clear eyed view from his bedroom window. Ever since that night Ned had happily agreed to spend time with the boy after school, promising not to go too deeply into his own religious beliefs, as he had been known to do at times. It had become a nice little ritual, for the both of them, and in line with their new after school tradition Flanders had prepared all the ingredients for one of his signature Flanders homemade Cocos. Always the perfectionist Flanders had timed the entire thing to brew it a minute or so before Bart marched into his home, just to make sure it was fresh and delicious for him to enjoy. The entire little after school activity between the two had never even been brought up, by any in the Simpson, especially not by Homer. As per usual the only time Homer spoke to Ned it was to ask him for a favor or to throw an insult his way, which the mustached man always took in stride, of course.

Truthfully Flanders saw Bart as one of his own, even if he wasn’t like Rodd or Todd he was still an honorary Flanders in his eyes. This was something he’d of course never admit to Bart as he’d probably scoff at the idea or at least Flanders had assumed as much.

Bart smiled as he walked to Flanders house and finally spotted him. His worries began to go away as he got closer. As much of a brat as he was, Flanders had honestly tamed the spiky haired devil boy quite well. It got to the point where an outburst from Bart was very rare. Bart even did a little jog up Flanders walkway, more excited to see him. He hugged Flanders tight and smiled, looking up at him with love. "Hi da- I mean Hi Flanders!" He said, blushing. After gently taking the treat Flanders had for him, Bart sipped the hot coco and relaxed. He entered the house, still enjoying his treat. In all honesty Bart was a bit nervous about today. He was going to have a talk with Flanders and was worried about his reaction. "Could we talk?" He asked, putting his backpack down and sitting at the table. Truthfully as much as Ned had tamed Bart, he really didn't have much control over the boy. Bart looked up at Flanders and waited for his response.

[Damian Wayne Al Ghul]

Flanders had to admit that she enjoyed their little after school meetings and made his special coco with a bit of a pep in his step, wanting it to be perfect for the spiky haired boy’s arrival, just as he had every time Bart came to visit. It was right as he finished adding the last little whipped topping to it that Bart flew through the front door giving Flanders just enough time to set it down before being struck by the hug that came from the little heck-raiser. “Well Hi-Diddly-Ho, Bartorino.” Flanders smiled down at him using his signature catchphrase though taking note of his little slip-up but didn’t want to bring attention to it for fear of embarrassing him. Once Bart had his treat in hand Flanders gently lead the boy over to the couch to sit with him. In all honesty taking charge of Bart every day after school had mellowed Flanders out just as much as it had done for Barts heck-raising nature. So much do that he let him get away with a few things he’d never let his own two boys get away with, one being unbanning Itchy and Scratchy, even if he still disagreed heavily with its grotesque amounts of violence. “Of course we can talk, Bart. I might be your Neighborino but you can tell me anything. He reassured the boy giving him a gentle smile and a pat on his head. “Is the coco too hot for you?” He asked furrowing his brows wondering if maybe he hadn’t made it as perfect as he’d hoped.

Bart sat extra close to Flanders, enjoying his warmth as he finished his coco and set the mug down. "Its perfect as always." He said. Bart blushed as he looked up at Flanders, gulping loudly. "I have been... Doing a lot of thinking recently..." Bart began. "You really have sorta changed me for the better, and I've been having tons of fun with you and spending time over here." He added. Bart took a deep breath, as he was struggling to find the right words. "I was wondering if you could... Take more control of my life." He said. "Like.. how can I put it?.. decide what I wear every morning? M...maybe get some different clothes for me? Decide what I watch, play with, when my bedtime is, etc." He said, looking away. He wanted to be babied but wanted to wait to ask, as he wanted Flanders opinion on this first.

[Damian Wayne Al Ghul]

Flanders felt like he had a bond with the boy unlike that with his own kids. They were both good boys, no doubt about it, but they were easy. The challenge of taming the devil in blue shorts had made Bart hold a special place in his heart and he really wouldn’t change that for the world. Ned gave Bart his full attention Ned smiled softly as he began to speak, especially about how he had become a much different person since spending time together. “You know Bart.” He began adjusting his glasses. “I’ve felt the same way about you. You’ve changed the way I am for the better.” He commented before going back to listening to him and in listening Ned could see how he struggled to even get the words out so Ned offered another comforting pst to the boys shoulder. “You can do it. Nothing you say will ever make me think or feel any less about you.” He reassured him with a smile. When Bart finally stuttered out his request it had genuinely taken him by surprise but melted his heart all the same, the little heck raiser wanted stability, that much was clear. Ned sat back for a moment, contemplating what the boy had asked, even looking to him a few times while thinking it over.

When Ned finally did have something to say he turned back to part, turning his entire self so he was facing him fully only to crouch gently to be at eye level with him. “Bart Simpson.” He began. “I would be honored to welcome you into the Flanders clan. There’s always room for one more.” He finally told him opening his arms and offering the boy a hug. “So. Do you want to be like Rodd and Todd?” He asked with a roses brow, not that he had any problems with that but he was sure the little heck-raiser would take issue with the way Flanders micromanaged his boy lives. “Or maybe the same but different?” He questioned wanting to give him the option to decide his own place in the Flanders Family. “I’ll give you all the love and support you deserve.” He whispered to him with a genuinely loving smile.

Bart didn't hesitate and hugged Flanders tight, almost throwing himself at him. "I wanna be part of the Flanders clan! I...I wanna be a Flanders!" He admitted. Bart's grip on Flanders didn't loosen even for a second. "I had uhh...something else in mind for m..my uhh... Treatment compared to my new brothers.." Bart said, blushing. "Something along the lines of more... Infant like.. well not full infant, I do enjoy walking And talking so maybe more like... Toddler!" He said. Bart was hoping Flanders would understand what he meant, but he was willing to elaborate more if needed. "You uhh.. understand?" He asked.

[Damian Wayne Al Ghul]

Ned let out an “Oof” not expecting just how eager the boy was to hug him and tightly at that but Flanders truly didn’t mind and returned the hug embracing him fully and with one hundred percent acceptance. “Of course you can be a Flanders, son. Nothing would make happier.” Ned admitted back as he too had grown accustomed to their daily after school visits and this was just a larger extension of it as far as he was concerned. Ned didn’t mind the prolonged affectionate hug and didn’t feel the need to let go of his new son anytime soon anyway, silently vowing to love and accept him no matter what came. “Different? I don’t see why no-“ He began to say but once again was overtaken by silence as he contemplated the boys want to be more of the Flanders family infant, or toddler in this case. While it was a bit of an odd request and something Ned would need getting used to he looked down at the boy, noticing just how much he seemed to need this and that was enough for the Flanders man. “Well if that’s what you really want… I don’t see why we can’t make that work. You might have to get used to having Rodd and Todd as big brothers though.” He smiled giving a laugh at the thought of his boys dotting over their new baby brother. “So. How do you see toddler Bart talking to mom and dad about this?” He finally asked, never forgetting that while he could be totally accepted as a Flanders that The Simpsons just might have something to say about the little hell-raiser being the new toddler in the Flanders home.

"I can be your toddler? Really?! THANKS DAD I LOVE YOU!" Bart said. He hugged Flanders tight again, not even notice he called him dad due to his excitement. "My mother is always busy with my sister's so I don't even think she'll notice or care, and my father doesn't care regardless." Bart said. "Would it help if I like...explained what I mean by I wanna be your toddler?" Bart asked. His excitement was getting the best of him and he was bouncing gently with joy. "Maybe you'll like it! Who knows?" He said, giggling a bit.

[Damian Wayne Al Ghul]

“Well I’d course you can! I’d never deny my new sons request.” For his part Flanders had slipped up just the same but noticing that Bart seemingly felt the same way Ned chose not to say anything on it, silently accepting that Bart Simpson was now officially Bart Flanders, which Ned was truly happy about. It had been a while since he had a baby to spoil given how active in other things his two boys had become even if they still needed guiding every now and again, dotting on a little one was just different altogether. “Yeah I can see that they do seem to have their minds elsewhere and Homer, god bless him, he’s…. Different.” Ned chuckled nervously. For all the talk of Bart being a Flanders Ned still didn’t have it in him to badmouth his Neighborino no matter how poorly he seemed to treat his family, his son in particular. Ned smiled down at his son nodding at his question. “Sure Bart. Explain to me in your own words what you think being a Flanders bab- I mean toddler would be like.” Flanders coxed him having to correct himself for a moment as he almost referred to the boy as his baby.

Bart held Flanders hands firmly and looked up at him. "Well I was thinking a complete wardrobe change for me. All my pants would be replaced with ones that have crotch buttons. I would wear shortalls too! And really cute shirts with toddler designs on them. And I'll have snap crotch onesies that I'd sometimes wear, footie pajamas with the zipper on the back, Velcro shoes that might up and cute socks too!" Bart said, getting more excited as he described it. "And um...diapers. I'd wear diapers all the time." He added, blushing and looking down.