-Herc POV-

"What the fuck? Why are y'all in my bed?"

"Herc, we've been married for months."

"You know what I mean."

I sit up, looking at the Alex sleeping between my husband and I. John is resting comfortably on Laff, the lucky shit.

The four of us in cuddled up in bed together can only mean one thing.

"Another year over. Together."

"We all made it."

Laff offers a small smile, gently stroking Johns hair and conveniently ignoring the small amount of drool coming from Johns mouth.

"Now, I need to make breakfast. But look at John."

"I see him."

John can sleep through anything. I hop out of my side of the bed, carefully shifting John against Alex. Laff gives me a smirk as I lay myself where John just was.

"Someone jealous?"

"No!" That came out faster than I meant it. "No, you and John just have a closer connection than I do with Alex. Or John and I, for that matter."

"You and I are closest though. I just need him to feel loved, and I do that with hugs."

"I know you do. So please make me feel loved."

I giggle as I'm swept into his arms, receiving a nice kiss before I'm carried to the kitchen. I'm put to work on making ferret breakfast. Because that's all I'm good for, keeping care of furry children. 

If even.

A wave of sadness washes over me, but I ignore Bonbons memory and get the eggs out. Something catches my eye as I set the dishes down on the floor.

"Laff. Babe, look."

I point excitedly to the couch where all four of them are lying. Laff rushes away from his mixing bowl and takes a dozen photos of his kids and Mr. Fayette.

"They're adorable."

"I'm happy Herc. So happy and I don't know, there's just this feeling that it's all perfect and it's going to be a great day."

"I feel it too."

I place my hands firmly on his waist, looking up at him with a smile. He grants me my kiss, placing me on top of the counter so I can kneel. I shiver slightly as his hands reach under the hoodie I'm in, deepening the kiss as I feel him trail his fingers down my chest.

"You were snacking. I taste chocolate, pass me some."

Laff giggles before passing me the bag of chocolate chips. I quickly eat twelve before guiding him back to me. 

Our lips press together once again, and I pull his hair-tie out so I can run my fingers through it. His response is snatching off my beanie. 

How fucking dare he.

I pull away, smiling at his frown.

"What was that for?"

"You stole my hat, you thief."

"And you touched my hair. We're even. Please can we keep kissing?"

I twist my hands back into his afro and pull him back once again. I'm gentle as I connect us. My lips part, and then-

"Mornin' bitches. I'm ready for decaf."

"No. No coffee at our house. John will get mad. And language, there are children present!"

"Fuck you."

"Only Laff will ever get that privilege. Free to use whenever he wants."

Laff stares at me, mouth still open slightly as I turn away from Alex.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, yeah of course I'm fine. You just don't normally say stuff like that."

"I'm sorry. I'll stop."

I pull him up to the counter with me, letting him straddle my waist as I lean his head on my shoulder. He lets out a small sigh as I kiss his forehead. I hold his face in my hands, looking into his eyes.

"I didn't mean anything like that, I promise. Just tell me if that makes you uncomfortable, okay?"

He nods, popping off of me so he can resume cooking.

I know it's stupid, feeling bad like this. Laff says stuff like that all the time. I'm just worried he'll feel pressured to do things he may not ever be ready for. 

"Can I help?"

"No, you'll just fuck up the toaster again. Let your husband cook, Herc. He makes the best food I've ever had."

"Thanks Alex. Appreciate the morning confidence boost."

"Yup, I'm one giant ray of sunshine. Now I'm going to go harass John."

"Good."

I lean over to face Laff. There's something satisfying about watching Laff cook, him knowing exactly how much water will fill the cup before he measures it. Just throwing things together, knowing exactly what will taste right.

"You sure you're okay?"

"You just caught me off guard Herc. No harm done. Say what you want, I don't care."

"I'll only say what I want if what I want to say is what you want to hear. Nothing I do has the intention of hurting you, so you gotta tell me if it does."

"Just be honest with me Herc. Do you want that type of physical relationship with me?"

"I do. Someday, when we're both ready, I would want a sexual relationship. Now that we're married, that was always our plan. But I don't need one, and I don't want it until you do as well. And if you never do, that's okay too. We have a good relationship now. And our relationship has never been focused on sex. Anything further than our cuddles is unnecessary unless we both want it."

I hop off of the counter as well, wrapping my arms around his waist. 

"I'm not giving up our cuddles though. I need those."

I would rest my chin on his shoulder if I could reach, but of course I can't. I settle for peering around him. It appears to be pancakes. 

My favourite.

I'm bopped in the nose with the spatula as I attempt to pour more chocolate into his mixing bowl.

"Someday. I'm getting there Herc. I'm just worried about the risk now, that something could go wrong and it'd be my fault you got hurt."

"It's never going to be your fault, okay? You are so strong and you are doing amazing. Whatever pace you need, whatever type of contact you're comfortable with, I'm here for you. I love you Laff, wherever you're at. That's never going to change."

"I love you too, mon fleur. I just wish I were able to provide everything you want. If you ever need more-"

"You already provide everything I could ever want, and so much more. This is perfect."

He smiles softly as he flips a pancake onto the plate. I tighten my grip around his hips, enjoying the smell of his lavender mixing with the breakfast cooking. Laff gives my forehead a quick kiss before taking two plates to the bedroom.

"Breakfast time, bishes."

He kicks the door open with a high heel. A tired looking John gleefully accepting the food, scooping one of Alex's cakes onto his plate. Laff rolls his eyes as John retreats with his food.

I don't know how everyone on the couch is still asleep.

 In retrospect, maybe we shouldn't have had such a deep conversation twenty feet from my father in law and kids. 

Whatever. 

Madison is just stirring, and they give a confused look around before heading to their room.

I pull Lafayette into my arms, wearing him on my front like a backpack. He clings on so I can let go and get our breakfast plates to the couch. The food is nice, us each trying to steal as much of the others as we can. 

It goes by quickly, and I hop onto Laff and lean against him. He allows me to touch his hair again, allowing me to keep my hat as his hands trail in circles down my hips.

Damn, I love mornings like this.

Madison joins us after awhile, blue bracelet and a hoodie.

"So. Today's a son-day, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Weird, I thought it was a Saturday."

My son rolls his eyes before flopping down next to me, breakfast in hand. 

"Can I wake them? Food'll get cold."

"Go for it, Mads."

He smirks up at me before smacking Mr. Fayette in the face with a pillow. Some words are said as he sits up, looking both pissed and slightly amused at the same time. Madison just laughs as the two other kids stir as well.

"I'll go get John and Alex, then. Watch these guys and make sure they all behave."

"Okay Laff. I'll babysit your father while you head down the hallway."

"Glad you understand."

-Laff POV-

"Y'all better not be fucking in there."

"We are actually. We've mastered the art of doing it in complete silence."

"Tres bien. I'm coming in."

I kick my door open to find exactly what I expected. 

John has the food dangled over Alex's head as his boyfriend attempts to scale him.

"Family breakfast. Get to the living room. And Madison is using he/him. Respect that, or else."

There's a nod and a loud wailing as Alex is able to snatch a pancake from Johns plate.

"You evil man! That was the last one and you know it!"

"I know. You were going to do the same. I'm surprised you didn't just cram the entire thing into your face to start."

"That's considered impolite."

"Just get to the damn living room. I'll be making a second batch anyways."

With that, the pair races out. John jumping over the headrest to his usual spot on the couch. 

There's a loud thump from the other side. 

Apparently my father happened to be lying in his signature spot.

"I've been smacked in the face three times this morning. I really didn't need John jumping on me as well."

I laugh as John sits up. He's on my fathers chest, and they just kind of look at each other.

"Mornin' sir."

"Good morning John. Why are you still on me?"

"You see, this is my spot. It has been ever since Laff and Herc got this place. So one of us is moving. And it's not me."

"Yes it is, casse toi."

There's a grumble as John is pushed towards my husband, who pulls him into his lap and restrains him.

"You. You spot stealing bitch. I've been friends with these two dorks since I was eleven, and in those following twelve years I have never seen anyone with the audacity to-"

"Pancakes are ready."

"Oi, finally some good fucking food!"

"What's fucking mean?"

"John said the wrong word. That doesn't make any sense, he meant trucking. Johnathon, control your lisp."

"That's not how my lisp works. And I grew out of it a long time ago."

"Th-ure you did."

"I'm going to-"

"Breakfast. Time. Now."

I smack both John and Herc with the spatula as I usher them back to the kitchen.

"There's no food here!"

"Nope, because you two can help."

There's some complaining from John as I send him to cut fruit. Herc gets placed on plating duty.

I love mornings like this. The satisfaction of watching the pancakes bubble up before you flip them. The smell of the chocolate melting. The taste of the chocolate.

It's hard to cook when Hercules keeps grabbing onto me though.

I pull my husband to the front, resting my head on his as I put the food on the plate he holds out.

"Love you Herc."

"Love you too Laff."

"Isn't this nice? John's back home for today. My father is with us, our kids are with us. The ferrets are here."

"I'm here too!"

"Alex is here too."

"And we're together."

"That's what matters most."

Someone else comes over, and I stumble as a weight hops onto my back. I pull his arms off my neck, laughing as he hits the floor with a thud. Something grabs my ankle. So I kick it.

John, you reckless child.

I'm going to need to get the 'kitchen safety' slideshow back out.

He hops back to his feet, gesturing to his abandoned cutting board.

"Yo, dads, the strawberries are done."

"Thanks John. Now put the ones you haven't eaten already in a dish and go have a civil conversation with my father."

"I will if he moves."

"He just moved all the way over the ocean, you can move a foot to the left for today. For me?"

"Fine! The things I do for you people."

"Love you Johnny."

"Sure ya do."

Herc rolls his eyes at John as I take the frying pan off the burner. I give him a quick kiss, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and leading us to the living room. I lift the plate over Alex's head so I can set it on the table for all of us.

"Hot stuff coming through! And some pancakes as well."

Cue dramatic twirl before flopping elegantly onto the couch. Herc is placed in his rightful spot, directly in my lap.

 I zone out a bit as I stare at him.

Could I handle a sexual relationship now? That was the plan, but so much has changed. I'm worried I'll say yes just to be overwhelmed. That he'll be ready and I'll have to disappoint him halfway. 

Herc said he was fine without it. And I like this. 

I like getting to hold him and kiss him. I like getting to curl up in his arms at the end of the day and know I'm safe. I like not having to constantly shoulder check or question the feeling I'm being watched, because I have Herc to protect me. I like just relaxing around him. Being able to trust him with me.

But would more be better?

I'm just not sure if I could be touched like that without feeling Alejandro. He's the only one who I've ever had sex with.

 And Herc is the only one I've ever wanted too.

If Herc still wants it, sooner or later I plan on it. But there's that added worry now that something could go wrong.

I hate Alejandro. I hate him for ruining this part of me. For infecting me. For raping me. 

After I trusted him. 

My relationship with my husband might not ever be the same because he saw something he wanted and he took it.

But I need to accept that and move on. Just because terrible things happen doesn't mean they need to control my life. 

Alejandro doesn't get to control my relationship anymore.

I won't let him.

If Herc is comfortable with me, even like this, I can be completely comfortable with him. I can give him everything he needs, everything he wants.

Right?

I pull him tighter against me, resting my head on his shoulder. He turns towards me and I give him a quick peck on the cheek.

Because, no matter what happens, I love this man.