The more Elijah cried, the angrier Aspen got, but it wasn't like he could vent on the child and toss him back to Berry. He stiffly held Elijah, thinking he could patiently wait for the kid to calm down and stop crying, but if he did that, then they would spend the whole day in this position. With one hand positioned under Elijah's knees to keep him in place, his other hand went to the boy's back, gripping a fist full of Elijah's shirt and not so gently pulled the boy back.
Elijah, who had just been pulled away from the warmth of his brother's shoulder, sniffled and wiped his little face with his hands, smearing tears and snot all over his face. A nerve popped in Aspen's forehead when he saw Elijah's face. He took a peek at his shoulder, and sure enough, Elijah had ruined his shirt.