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Cynlaef tugs at his pajama shirt. It feels a little tight and he kind of wants to take it off. It’s just a little uncomfortable. But he also never wants to take the silly shirt off because the red, white, and green holiday pattern is the same as his mates. Their parents got them matching holiday pajamas and he secretly loves them. He loves matching his mates. He knows Athelstan likes them too. The boy had squealed loudly and hugged each of their parents. Osbert acted like it was a silly gift, like matching his mates was ridiculous. But still, he put them on just as Cynlaef and Athelstan had.
“Stop pulling at it!” Athelstan says, reaching for Cynlaef’s hand.
“It’s too small.” Cynlaef whines.
Osbert leans closer to Athelstan and tugs at his shirt. “Yours looks too big.” He says. “I think you two mixed them up. Take them off.” He says and doesn’t wait for Athelstan to react. He simply stands and starts tugging Athelstan’s shirt off.
Athelstan’s face flushes and he crosses his arms, covering himself. “Os!”
Osbert smirks and shrugs as he holds the shirt out to Cynlaef. “Take that off and try this one.”
Cynlaef is staring at Athelstan. He sees the blush on his mate’s face and he can feel his own heat up as well. And then Osbert looking at him and stepping closer and Cynlaef squeaks. Osbert rolls his eyes as he drapes the shirt over his shoulder and starts tugging on Cynlaef’s. “Osbert!”
“Just change shirts!” Osbert hisses as he wrestles Cynlaef’s shirt off. He huffs out and shakes his head as he switches them and hands each of them the right shirts.
Athelstan glares at Osbert, his face still flushed, as he quickly pulls the shirt on. “Brat.” He says and falls back on the couch.
Cynlaef stares down at the floor as he quickly pulls the shirt on. But Osbert is right. It fits him better and Athelstan’s looks like it fits him better as well. And he can’t help liking the way Athelstan’s scent clings to the shirt against his skin. He really likes it and bites his bottom lip.
Osbert plops down on the couch beside Athelstan and holds his hands out to Cynlaef. “Just come sit with us, Laef.” He says, wiggling his fingers. Cynlaef sucks in a sharp breath and takes Osbert’s hand. He lets himself be pulled closer and sighs, sinking on the couch beside him.
Sihtric, Uhtred, and Finan stand in the hall, watching their kids silently. Sihtric tilts his head and leans against Finan. “That’s so adorable!” He says and sighs. “I just can’t.” He shakes his head. “It’s so cute.”
Uhtred nods with a wide smile. “It is. Where’s my phone? I need like a dozen pictures.”
Sihtric frowns and grabs Uhtred’s hand. “Wait… don’t disturb them!” He hisses, keeping his voice low.
Uhtred raises an eyebrow. “Are you saying you don’t want pictures to embarrass them later?”
Sihtric blinks and clenches his jaw. “Okay… maybe.” He says softly. “But just do it quickly!”
“What are we looking at?”
Finan grunts and nods as their missing counterpart walks up behind them. “The kids.” He says.
Leofric squints a little and then his eyes widen. “Hey!” He snaps, stepping into the room. “Boys!” All three of the kids turn to look at them, their eyes widening.
“Oi!” Uhtred hisses and grabs the older man’s hand. “Leo!” He tugs Leofric back into the hall and shakes his head. “Stop it!”
Leofric glares down at the shorter man. “I’m not ready to be a grandpa!” He snaps back.
Uhtred rolls his eyes. “They’re kids.”
Leofric glares at Uhtred. “They’re your kids!”
Uhtred snorts and crosses his arms. “They’re adopted, Leo.”
Osbert leans over the back of the couch. “I’m not, mom.” He calls loudly.
Athelstan gasps and Cynlaef grabs him, yanking the other boy back down onto the couch between them. “Shut up!” He hisses. “You’ll get us in trouble!” Cynlaef says and Osbert just laughs.