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“Don’t forget your lunch boxes!”
“We’re having cookies at school today anyway, Mama!”
“I put chocolates in them,” Max called after the triplets and watched as Jakob and Evie almost fell over each other trying to get back to pick them up. Jasper, dutifully sitting on the counter, handed Evie hers with a serious expression.
“Bye!” he cooed, reaching out his arms to give her a hug. She indulged him, pulling him off the counter in the process, swinging him around until they were both laughing.
“Careful,” Max said automatically. “Go on, Isabel’s waiting in the car to drive you to school.”
“Can’t Dad drive us? Or Papa?” Evie asked with a very teenage-y sigh. “Isa always drives so slowly.”
“No,” Daniel said from where he was putting on his boots by the screen door to go outside. Blizzard, his German shepherd dog, was already sitting outside in the snow, wagging his tail expectantly, impatiently waiting for his master. “We have to get everything ready for Christmas. Besides, Isa needs practice driving.”
“And we are her guinea pigs,” Jakob said in his quiet voice, looking over to his sister. “Did you know that guinea pigs eat their own poo?”
“Ew!” Evie exclaimed in delight.
“Out, now, you two guinea pigs.” Max ushered them towards the hallway that led to the front door, “Don’t forget your hat! Flynn! Gloves!” He grabbed them from the shelf and handed them to Jakob, “Give those to Flynn.”
From behind the steering wheel of Lando’s old Polo, Isabel waved sheepishly. Flynn was in the passenger seat because he was starting not to fit into the backseat anymore. Luna sat in the middle back seat, small enough to be squeezed between her packlings. They were talking, Flynn half-turned in his seat, laughing, while Luna was telling a story and gesturing. She was wearing a cute little Santa hat.
“Drive carefully!” Max called out to Isabel; she gave him thumbs up.
From behind him, he heard footsteps, and then Evie said, “Ewww, it stinks in here!”
“Shut up,” Riley said half-heartedly. When Max turned around, he saw his oldest son stand on the staircase, holding on to the railing, his curls sticking off in all directions. He was still in his pajamas, one of Daniel’s huge sweaters thrown on over it, feet in fuzzy socks. The heavy, sweet scent of post-heat and a newly presented omega still clung to him. He had had a rough time lately, had presented just over two weeks ago and was still not fully okay again, which was why he wasn’t going to school with the others today. Max still felt very emotional about it; Daniel even moreso. Isabel was way more independent than Riley, Riley still felt like their baby most of the time.
Max ushered the triplets out of the door, quickly scenting both of them before they left, and then closed the door behind them with a sigh. This morning hour before everyone was out of the house was always the most stressful. Especially when there was still so much to do in terms of christmas preparations.
Riley, meanwhile, had sat down on the stairs, looking slightly bleary. “How do you feel?” Max asked, reaching out and petting Riley’s hair, smoothing the curls down. Riley leaned into the touch with a little purr. It was a real purr, not a baby purr. Max felt his heart soften once again.
„Come on, I’ll make you a smoothie? Or some porridge?“
„Yes,“ Riley sighed and let Max pull him up. He was still smaller than Max, but only barely.
In the kitchen, they found Jasper and Daniel working the coffeemaker, Daniel with only one boot on.
„Mama!“ Jasper exclaimed when he noticed them, „We’re making you coffee! Dad said you need a pick-up!“
„A pick-me-up,“ Daniel corrected, then pressed the button and turned back to them with a big smile. The moment he noticed Riley there next to Max, his face softened. Riley let out a quiet noise and dashed over to Daniel, who wrapped his arms around him and held him. Jasper clung to Riley’s leg, never wanting to be excluded from a cuddle.
„Mama…“ Riley whined into Daniel’s shoulder, half-reaching out for Max. With a sigh, Max joined the impromptu cuddle pile; this was very important for Riley’s development right now.
Jasper immediately clambered up his leg, and Max lifted him into his arms so he could wrap his little hands around Riley’s shoulders and kiss his cheeks until Riley was giggling.
Daniel rumbled, giving them all one last squeeze before letting go. „I need to go feed the sheep.“ It was evident in his voice that he’d rather stay with them. „Come out to help me later?“ he offered to Riley, tucking a curl back behind his ear. „I need someone to help me with Momo and Tinkerbell.“
Momo in his old age still wasn’t fond of Alphas, and Luna and Lucía’s pony had learned from him.
„Okay,“ Riley whispered. Daniel scented him one last time, before giving Max a kiss and poking Jasper’s belly to make him giggle.
“Come back in time for lunch,” Max said against Daniel’s lips, and Daniel replied with a rumble.
~*🎄*~
“Wiley, do Rudolph again!”
“Again?” Riley asked, hoisting Jasper into his arms. Jasper wrapped his little arms around his big brother’s shoulders, holding on to him with a cheerful “Yes!”
Riley let out a fake world-weary sigh. “Just one more time, for you!” He swung Jasper around in his arms, starting to sing the song about the red-nosed reindeer. Jasper giggled and squealed along. He had very poor volume control but it was cute anyway. Max was somewhat glad that Riley was keeping Jasper busy because that gave him some much needed quiet time in the kitchen without tiny hands getting into all of his ingredients.
Riley was still recovering from his first heat (“Better before Christmas than on Christmas,” Daniel said) and keeping Max and Jasper company at home. If this was any of his other kids, Max would be worried about their grades, but it was Riley, so he’d be fine. Today was the last day of school before the break, anyway.
“...you’ll go down in historyyyyy!” Jasper exclaimed, sticking his little fists up in the air, laughing. Riley, who was still holding him, was laughing too, his cheeks red and rosy. Max caught himself smiling at them with love, the cookie dough ingredients forgotten on the counter. Christmas with kids would never not feel both chaotic and wonderful.
“Mama? Can we watch Rudolph on TV?”
Jassy gave him his best puppy dog eyes, which were, admittedly, very good.
Max gave up on controlling screen time two kids in, so he allowed Riley to turn on the TV for Jasper. Riley returned a minute later, giving Max a smile.
“Do you need help with anything, Mama?”
When Max gave him a smile, Riley came around the kitchen island and rubbed his cheek against Max’s shoulder to scent him. Max pressed a kiss to the top of his head. “Do you feel up to helping?”
“Yes,” Riley said emphatically. He always wanted to help, didn't like it when Max was working too hard.
“You could cut up the veggies for christmas dinner, we’ll put them in the tupperware and they’ll keep fresh,” Max told him, “It needs to be small, even pieces.”
Riley nodded with determination.
Things hadn’t been easy for him lately. Riley was always a sensitive kid, and presenting has made it worse, giving him nightmares, trouble eating at school and occasionally, panic attacks, and an array of physical illnesses.
So, anything Max could do to make his baby feel more comfortable, he did.
Michael came home at eleven from his shift of early clients, and joined them in the kitchen, helping with the food preparation. Max could sense he was nervously happy; Pierre and Charles had gone to France for a pre-christmas family visit, and they would be returning tonight. It had pained Michael that he couldn’t come in the first place. Max had been witness to many a tantrum on Charles’ side about the fact that their extended families still had trouble dealing with the fact that they were in a three-way bond. In the end, they had decided that it would be less stressful and triggering for Michael if he stayed here with the pack instead of coming with them and being scrutinized by their families.
Eventually, Jasper came toddling back into the kitchen, happy to see Michael, and immediately proceeded to tell him about the entire plot to Rudolph.
“...do you think Rudolph should be proud of his red nose, then? Even though it makes him different?” Michael asked, ever the thoughtful father figure for the kids. Jasper thought about it for a second, then said “Yes! It’s really special about him!”
Next to Max, Riley immediately burst into tears. Hormones were a bitch.
“Oh, darling-” Max dried off his hands, and gave Michael a meaningful look before wrapping his arms around Riley. Michael quickly scooped Jasper up into his arms. “What do you think about paying your Dad a visit?
Max tried taking slow breaths while Riley cried into his shoulder.
Never a dull moment, not even on christmas.
~*🎄*~
The other kids came home in the early afternoon, spilling into the house in a whirlwind of chaos. Carlos had meanwhile joined Max in the kitchen after picking Lucía up from school, old Piñon trotting after him and immediately curling up on the carpet, while Lando was trying to distract Jasper and Lucía unsuccessfully.
Michael was getting ready to pick up Pierre and Charles, while Daniel was still working outside, making sure the animals were fed and safe from the cold.
Max’s Christmas meal preparations were interrupted by five children needing an after-school snack, so he left Carlos behind in the kitchen and quickly threw together some crackers and veggies.
Riley had calmed down a little bit now, obviously content about the fact that his family was almost fully reunited. Isabel, constantly concerned and protective about him, scented him for five full minutes before she started eating. One of the perks of being the oldest and strongest was that none of her siblings were even thinking about stealing her food.
When they were all sitting on the couches, munching away, Max presented his battle plan.
“Isabel and Evie, you’ll go and help your Dad with the tree, and Evie maybe you can help feed the horses.” Evie stuck her tongue out at Luna, who just rolled her eyes. “Stupid horses,” Evie hissed, and then dodged Luna’s hand that almost pinched her. Max ignored it. “Flynn, kitchen.” Flynn quickly pulled away the hand that had been about to hit Evie upside the head from behind for being mean to Luna. “Jakob and Luna, please sort through that big box of tree decorations, make sure they’re ready to be used.” “Okay!” Luna agreed cheerfully and gave Jakob a big smile. Jake smiled back at her, avoiding eye contact, but clearly happy to be paired with her. At least with these two together, Max could be sure things would get done. “Jassy and Lucía will craft some cards for the grandparents with Lando, everybody who is done with their task can help them afterwards.”
“What about me?” Riley asked quietly from where he sat wrapped in a blanket and cuddled against Isabel.
“You’ll come pick up your maman and Pierre with me.” Michael, fully dressed, had appeared in the living room doorway, carrying his tiny, grumpy pomeranian Harvey in one arm. He reached out and ruffled Riley’s curls. Riley’s face lit up. “Okay!”
The kids swarmed out like bees, more chaos as they put on their boots, or grabbed whatever they needed. It was nice, though, now that they were old enough to actually help.
Max picked up all their abandoned plates, and carried them back into the kitchen.
“Hóla, mi hijo,” Carlos smiled at Flynn, who gave him a little grin and bumped his head against Carlos’ shoulder. They had a lovely connection to each other, Carlos another role model for Flynn, and Flynn almost like a son for Carlos between his two daughters. “Are you helping us in the kitchen today?”
“Yes,” Flynn confirmed, and gave Max an excited smile.
“I was thinking you could make the dessert,” Max said casually, and watched Flynn’s eyes light up.
“Really? All by myself?”
“Yeah!” Carlos wrapped his arm around Flynn and gave him a little shake, “Are you ready for this great responsibility?”
“The great responsibility of sticky toffee pudding?” Flynn laughed, “Yeah.”
“Well, then,” Max smiled, plucking the printed-out recipe off the fridge and handing it to Flynn with a great gesture, “Here you go.”
Flynn took the paper with a solemn expression. “I will not disappoint you.”
~*🎄*~
“-it’s unfair that he gets to sit in a car for an hour and we all have to do chores!” Evie complained, lacing up her boots.
“We’ll see how you feel about that when you present,” Isabel told her before whistling for Piñon to come outside with them.
“I’ll never do that,” Evie declared, “Ew.”
Isabel just laughed. “Sure, bug.”
They trekked through the snow, kicking it at each other, throwing snowballs for Piñon to catch. Halfway to the barn, they ran into Elfie Cat who was carrying a huge mouse in her mouth. She trotted over to them and presented them with her catch. When she realized where they were going, she started following them.
Dad was in the big barn, finishing up with the sheep. It was nice and warm inside, the animals heating up the space. Blizz announced their arrival by barking, running over to them and sniffing their hands, checking them over, making sure they were fine. With the growing herd of sheep, Daniel had been in need of support, and one more pet really didn’t matter anymore. Isabel scratched Blizz’s ear until he gave a happy groan and tried to lick her palm.
“Blizzy,” Daniel called him back, and a moment later, his graying curls appeared somewhere between the sheep. “Ah, girls!” Isabel could smell the metallic tang of sheep blood.
“A lamb?!” she asked, and Dad’s grin broadened. Evie let out a little “Oh!” before she climbed the fence and hurried over to Daniel, the ewe and her little lamb.
“Yes! A little surprise Christmas lamb! Didn’t think she was ready to pop just yet, but here we are!”
As if to confirm, the lamb bleated, a high-pitched but strong sound.
“It’s a little ram,” Daniel said, holding the bloody, pink bundle of legs and fur out to his daughters. “What do you want to name him?”
“Mistletoe!” Evie said without hesitation, holding out her fingers to the lamb who sniffed them.
“Mistletoe the lamb,” Daniel repeated, rubbing straw over the lambs back while the mother sniffed on curiously, licking her baby’s face clean.
While Isabel and Daniel took care of the ewe and her baby, Evie dashed off to feed the horses.
In her opinion, they were stupid- after all, Dad took care of them all year, and Momo still didn’t like him.
The horse barn was to the side of the sheep barn. When Evie entered, both of them whinnied quietly, Momo trotting to the gate of his box, wide-eyed, ears pointing forward. Tinkerbell, Luna’s and Lucía’s Shetland pony, was craning his neck to catch a look at who was coming.
“Hello, idiots,” Evie greeted them. They didn’t seem to care.
Evie wasn’t a horse girl. Luna was, of course. A horse girl, a flower girl, a butterfly girl, a girl who painted and sang and danced and recited poetry at christmas.
Evie was a bug girl, with dirty hands, who liked to collect snails and spiders and wanted to read about frogs all day.
“Frogs are cooler than you,” she told Momo while preparing their food.
Momo whinnied quietly as if to say I accept this .
Evie cut up an apple for both of them, putting it on top of their feed. When she brought it into Momo’s box, he nudged her, politely waiting until she put it down.
Tinkerbell was a bit more impatient, clopping his hooves in excitement. He horfed down his food. Evie watched him make a mess of himself, and had to smile beside herself. When he was done, he sniffed around in his box, and eventually came trotting over to her, gratefully nuzzling her hand. His nose was soft against her palm.
“You suck,” she told him gently, and then scratched his chin.
She fed them both an additional carrot before leaving to go back to Dad.
~*🎄*~
Luna looked down at the pile of Christmas decorations in satisfaction. They were now sorted by both color and size. Jakob was still detangling the last string of lights, patiently picking apart the cable and the little LEDs.
“Looks great,” she told him, “I’m happy with our progress.”
Jakob smiled at the Christmas lights in his lap. “Me, too.” He looked up, eyes gazing just past her, and his smile became a serious expression behind his glasses. “But I won’t help put them on the tree.”
“I know,” Luna replied, folding herself down onto the carpet. “Like every year.”
“Yes, like every year. It’s too… much.” He neatly picked apart two lights that were tangled around each other. “I never know where Mama wants things to go.”
“I’ll help, then you can do something else.” Luna reached out and took a pickle-shaped ornament into her hand. Something else for Jakob often meant reading quietly in his room, especially around times when a lot of social interaction was required from him.
“Yes, you are really good at it,” Jakob nodded. It made Luna smile with how much sincerity he said it; with Jakob, there was never any hidden meaning. A compliment was never flattery or a hidden jab, it was only ever the sheer stating of facts.
A small ping of closeness in the back of her head via the pack bond alerted Luna that their pack Alpha was close, as were Evie and Isabel, Isabel’s signal through the bond almost as strong as Daniel’s by now. They’re coming with the tree I think!”
Jakob and her hurried to the screen door just in time to see Danny and Isabel carry a huge tree up the porch stairs. Evie was straddling the trunk like an empress being carried out of her palace; it made Luna laugh. The dogs were running around the tree in excitement, sniffing it. Luna watched with a giggle when Danny pushed Blizz away from it before he could lift his leg against it.
Isabel pushed open the screen door, laughing. “Quick, before there’s dog pee on it!”
Evie dismounted and they shoved the massive tree into the living room, dropping snow all over the carpet.
“Boots off!” Max yelled from the kitchen.
Flynn came dashing out through the doorway, wearing an apron. There was flour in his hair. “That’s huge!”
Daniel gave him a smirk. “D’you think so? I think it looks quite tiny.”
Flynn laughed and blushed at this stupid joke that probably had something to do with dicks.
“Come help!” Luna told him, and he hurried over to them, wiping his hands on the apron. A second later, Max and Papá followed Flynn out of the kitchen.
“Papá, help!” Luna told him, jumping up and down in excitement. He quickly wiped his hands on his thighs and came over to help.
Together, they hoisted the tree up. Jakob shoved the Christmas tree stand in place, and then, the tree was up. Luckily, the farmhouse ceiling was so high that the tip of the tree only scraped against it a little bit. The room was immediately filled with the scent of pine needles and Christmas, and Luna felt a wave of happiness sweep through the pack bond, so sweet that it gave her a pleasant shiver.
“That’s a bit big, hm?” Max commented with a half-smile, going over to wrap his arms around Daniel’s middle.
“I thought you liked big things,” Daniel said, immediately eliciting a collective disgusted groan from all the children.
~*🎄*~
“...and pink for Grandma Reyes.”
With a highly concentrated face, Lucía stuck a glittery star-shaped sticker on her christmas card. There was a pile next to her already.
Jasper was doodling on a scrap piece of paper, tongue stuck out between his teeth. He looked so much like a mini version of Max from this angle.
“Jassy, do you want to put some glitter on the card for Christian and Toto?”
His eyes lit up. “Yes, glitter!”
Lando wondered internally what he had been thinking when Jasper proceeded to cover himself, the table and least of all, the card in silver biodegradable glitter.
“Mummy?” Lucía asked as she critically watched Jasper cause a natural crafting disaster at her painting table, “Who gets to put out the cookies for Santa this year?”
It was their tradition that the youngest child got to assemble the plate of cookies, carrots and some sort of alcoholic beverage for Santa. Since Jasper had been too small the past few years, this responsibility had fallen to Lucía. She was evidently hesitant to give it up.
“Well, Lucie,” Lando started, but her big puppy eyes made it hard to tell her no. Thankfully, the front door went, announcing Carlos. Great- he was much better at not giving the girls exactly what they wanted. …well, unless Luna asked more than twice. They were spoiling their daughters. Anyway.
“Papá!”
Lucía jumped up and dashed off, and a moment later, Lando could hear Carlos talk in Spanish to her while she babbled back at him in English.
Carlos carried her back to them. When Jasper saw him, he jumped up with a happy “Oso!” and ran towards Carlos, who picked him up with the other arm. There was a little bit of groaning- the kids were getting heavy.
Lando had to stand up to kiss him.
“Hi,” Carlos said against his lips.
“Hi,” Lando said back, feeling warmth flood him. “We’re making christmas cards for your parents.”
“You have glitter in your hair,” Carlos noticed, pulling back with an amused grin.
“We are using a lot of glitter!” Jasper declared excitedly from where he was pressing his little round head against Carlos’ neck to scent.
“And stickers,” Lucía added, like it was serious business. Couldn’t forget the stickers.
“Ah of course, I see.” Carlos set them both down and was subsequently subjected to a five minute explanation about which card was for which grandparent or auntie or uncle. He listened patiently while gently kneading Lando’s shoulder until Lando felt like he was going to melt into a puddle.
“Your hands smell like food,” he purred, leaning against his mate.
Carlos gave him a little apologetic grin. “Sorry, I’ll wash them well before bed tonight.” It made Lando giggle.
Meanwhile, the kids, unsuspecting of their parents flirting, were still babbling on.
“Papá?” Lucía said, dragging out the last syllable. “Who gets to put out the cookies for Santa this year?”
Lando was glad Carlos was here now.
“Well,” Carlos said, kneeling down to their height, “Jasper is old enough to do it, I think.” This topic had been the reason for many-a tear and fight, especially between the triplets. They had alternated in the end.
“Oh,” Lucía said, immediately going for the sad puppy eye expression.
“You did it for so long now, mi pequeña.” He pulled her into his arms. She nodded, a little sad but accepting.
Jasper watched the exchange, hands still covered in glitter.
“We can do it together,” he said after a moment, reminding Lando so much of Max. “I will put the cookies and you can do the carrot!”
Lucía’s face lit up. “Really?”
“Yes!” Jasper’s smile broadened as well as he saw how happy this made her.
“That’s very kind of you, Jassy,” Lando told him. Lucía skipped around the crafting table to hug Jasper and kiss his forehead until he giggled.
Carlos gave Lando a grin. Parenting crisis averted.
“I was actually coming to tell you,” he said, directed at the kids, “that the tree is up.”
Jasper and Lucía’s screams of joy drowned out Lando’s laughter.
~*🎄*~
“Oh!” Charles exclaimed when he saw Riley waiting with Michael behind the barriers at the Arrivals. Riley started to giggle when Charles simply dropped his luggage and ran out to hug him, his heels clicking on the tile floor.
“Ohhh, bébé, I missed you, let me look at you, I’m so sorry we weren’t there-”
Riley melted into Charles’ arms, inhaling his scent deeply, the scent that had been familiar to him since his childhood now deeper and more refined to Riley’s post-presentation nose. Charles scented him, hugging him tightly and holding him.
“Look at you, you all grown up-”
When Charles pulled back to get a good look at Riley, there were tears swimming in his eyes.
“Maman, don’t cry, you’ll make me cry-”
“Ohh,” Charles exclaimed again and hugged Riley against him yet again.
Meanwhile, Pierre had picked up Charles’ dropped luggage and joined them, letting Michael scent him, giving him a kiss.
“How are you doing?” he asked in french, prying Riley out of Charles’ arms to give him a hug. His calm, neutral beta scent made Riley feel incredibly safe and comfortable, especially in the onslaught of scents in the airport building.
“Okay,” Riley replied, voice muffled by Pierre’s jacket.
Meanwhile, Charles and Michael were entangled, arms wrapped around each other, Harvey squished between them. Riley refused to look at them; he could hear the kissing noises.
And smell the-
He quickly shook his head, wrinkling his nose; this would get a lot of time to get used to. Pierre laughed quietly, pulling Riley’s head against his shoulder once more.
“You won’t smell it anymore after a while.”
Riley groaned.
They all piled into the car; Charles insisted on sitting in the back with Riley. Riley appreciated the car cuddles.
He could feel his body and mind stabilizing at the knowledge that his entire family pack was back together now. Maybe he could finally start enjoying Christmas now.
~*🎄*~
When they arrived at home, Riley could immediately tell that everyone was there, which made something tender inside him feel even more content.
Isabel immediately dashed outside to greet Charles and Pierre, and then grabbed Riley’s hand. “We have friends over!”
Riley could smell them, even, if he concentrated on it really hard, and his heart skipped a beat, happiness washing over him.
He hadn’t really seen his friends for a while now, with his heat and all.
Isabell tugged him upstairs to her room, revealing Leah and Riley’s best friend (... best friend ) Noah, both of them dressed in Christmas jumpers, holding mugs of hot chocolate. Leah screeched in joy when she saw him, jumping up to hug him. Noah followed right after. When Leah let go of him and Noah hugged Riley, Riley could feel his cheeks flush.
“Ohhh, you smell so good!” Noah buried his face in Riley’s neck, inhaling deeply. “I missed you so much at school!”
“I missed you too,” Riley mumbled into the fabric of Noah’s jumper.
“We brought gifts!” Leah exclaimed, making the two of them shy apart. Riley could feel Isabel’s smirk. She had no grounds for this, though, seeing how she behaved around Leah.
They exchanged gifts, laughing and ripping the paper open until Isabel’s room was covered in glittery wrapping paper and ribbons.
They had gotten Riley a nesting blanket, huge and soft and warm, with a photo of them all printed on it. It was equally silly and sweet, and maybe Riley cried a little bit, thankful for his wonderful friends.
~*🎄*~
Eventually, the tree was decorated, dinner was fully prepared, the plate with cookies and carrots was put out (together), and grandparents were called in excitement.
Like every year, the kids were banished into a massive nest in the new house, with cookies and christmas movies, so “Santa can work in peace”. Even now, when the only ones believing in Santa were Lucía and Jasper, nobody questioned this tradition.
Home Alone was on, Jasper trying so hard to watch while half-asleep cuddled in between Isabel and Evie, who were the only ones watching the movie.
Riley was texting someone, Flynn could see a bunch of hearts on his screen. Jakob was reading, the low light of his e-reader lighting up his glasses. Flynn found it fascinating how he could concentrate on his book while something was on in the background. Lucía was sleeping on top of Luna, her face squished against her big sister’s chest, making her look really cute. Luna had one hand in her hair, stroking it, and the other one on her phone, trying to beat Flynn in Draw Something one-handed.
“What is that?!” she whispered, showing him the screen with his drawing on it. He wasn’t a bad artist usually, but some of these words were simply impossible to draw.
“Baubles!” Flynn whisper-screamed back at her, making them both laugh.
“It looks like… a pumpkin or something!” she giggled, turning her phone as if that would make it easier to see.
“Hey, I have big hands and the phone screen is little, don’t bully me-”
She shoved his side with one elbow, he poked her, and soon, they were having a laughing fit, trying to keep quiet as to not wake the little packlings.
~*🎄*~
“My everything hurts.”
Max dropped into the living room nest, letting the scents of it wash over him, eyes closed. His hands smelled like onion.
“You can rest now,” Daniel said from the tree where he was putting down the last few presents. Everyone else was already half-asleep in the nest. Ten years ago, they would probably stay up and fuck now, but they’d all gotten a bit older, and sometimes, sleep was worth more than sex. The kids would be staying with their grandparents in a few days, anyway.
“I will,” Max mumbled. Charles was stroking his hair and started scratching his scalp, and Max accidentally let out a loud purr.
They all snuggled together, the whole pack. Somewhere in the near distance, Max could feel the heartbeats of all of his kids through the bond, little pings of joy and excitement and sleepiness.
Max turned over, pressing his face into Daniel’s chest, inhaling the calming, familiar scent of his mate. Daniel pressed a kiss to his hair. “Merry Christmas, babe.”
“Merry Christmas,” Max mumbled into Daniel’s shirt, and then drifted off to the noise of his packmates talking quietly.