I love how more people were upset over Alex saying no to that than Henry literally lighting John on fire.

-Alex POV-

"Not this fucking shit again!"

I attempt to kick Lafayette as I'm dragged out of bed, but it's no use. 

I land on the floor, same as every other morning. The only difference is that John joins me down here. Hercules is still sleeping, and Laff slides back beside him.

"Why don't you harass your boyfriend for once?"

"Because Hercules is a precious child and not to be disturbed. How heartless would you have to be to wake this adorable man?"

"Not very, now kick him."

"Nope."

"Then I'll do it."

Laff and I jump up at the same time, and I'm shoved into the closet.

"John, man down! Avenge me!"

I hear a thud from outside before John is thrust in here with me. 

"I tried."

The two of us bang on the door until it opens. Lafayette glares at us as he peeks his head inside.

"I swear to all things holy, if you wake my boyfriend I will not hesitate to remove your kneecaps."

I give a defeated sigh and slide to the floor. My head hurts. John lets out a yawn and sits down as well.

"What happened last night?"

"From what I remember you rejected my proposal, threatened Jefferson, and cried because Peggy told you swans can be gay."

"John, listen. I'm sorry about the proposal. But it's been five months. I'm just not ready for that."

"It's fine. I got my hoodie, so we're even."

I look down to see my 'nonstop' hoodie on. Aw, shit, I lost my trophy. I'll get it back.

John has been handling this entire situation very well, I'm just glad I didn't hurt him too much. 

But when I saw him on his knees, the only emotion I felt was panic. Marriage is so far off in my mind. I want to enjoy this relationship as long as I can, without the extra pressure.

"Laff, open the goddamn door, it's Christmas! Everyone else is probably waiting."

"No, they aren't. It's too early anyways."

"What do you mean it's too early?"

"Nothing! Nothing, John. I just figured people would be sleeping in today."

"Laff, I swear. What are the fucking numbers on that clock?"

"Um... 4:12 AM."

"Once I get out of here, I'm stuffing one of your precious baguette's so far up your ass-"

"John, I knew you were kinky, but save that stuff for Alex."

Johns response is an ungodly shriek as he kicks the door. I go to grab my phone but, oh wait, I left it in Johns hoodie. Of course I fucking did. I don't suppose John has his either.

Whatever. At least it's quiet in here. And I have John with me.

"I haven't been in the closet for years."

All I receive is a slap from my boyfriend.

"Fine then. If you don't think I'm funny, you can go fuck yourself."

"Do it yourself you coward."

I kick Johns shins, causing him to let out a small grunt. Smirking, I chuckle to myself as he rubs his leg. My laugh is cut short as he sits on top of my chest, pinning me to the floor.

I try to push him off as he smiles at me. After that proves unsuccessful, I grab his collar, and he stumbles slightly as I yank him to me. He nods, and I press my lips to his. Our mouths move together, kissing passionately. Who knows when we'll have a chance to do this without interruption again?

With that thought in mind, I grab his hips and squeeze him to me tighter. John sighs before running his fingers through my hair.

That's the nice thing about being stuck in the closet. 

There's normally some other gay hanging out in there as well.

-Laff POV-

I bet they're fucking in that closet.

-John POV-

There's a knock on the door, and I push Alex off of me.

"What do you want now?"

"Just checking to see if you're still alive."

"Can we come out yet?"

I help Alex fix his pony, it's a hot mess right now. All of him is a hot mess, emphasis on the hot.

Lafayette giggles from the other side of the door, and I nod at Alex. I go to slam into the door at the same time he goes to kiss me again.

We aren't nearly as in sync as Herc and Laff.

The door opens and we fall through, Alex landing on top of me. Laff just grins from the edge of the bed where he's perched.

"You don't get to say one word about Alex and I kissing, we both saw you and Herc cuddling last night. And him wearing your pants."

"What you just did in the closet... it was only a kiss?"

"It was only a kiss."

"Then how did it end up like this?"

Lafayette wiggles his eyebrows as he motions to the man who's still lying on top of me.

"Nothing bad happened. It's not what it looks like."

"You say that a lot Alex. It's almost as though... something did happen."

"Lafayette, I will wake up Hercules if you don't stop."

"John, I will snap every bone in your body if you touch my boyfriend."

Lafayette mocks my tone, and Alex laughs as we bicker.

He can think what he wants, Alex and I know it was just a kiss. A long, pleasant kiss. Without shirts. But that's as far as it went, two dudes cuddling in the closet. Unfortunately.

Alex grabs my hand and I pull him in front of me, resting my chin on top of his head.

"When are we meeting the others?"

"Whenever my boyfriend wakes up."

I stare into the distance with a serious expression, 'breaking the fourth wall' as I look at the camera. This has become my go to, instead of flipping people off. 

Maybe I should stop watching the office.

It's 5AM. That means we were snuggling in that closet for almost an hour.

What does Lafayette do during that time? 

-Lafayette POV-

There's a crash, and I look up from Herc's ass to see John and Alex topple out of the closet.

Definitely fucking.

We debate over what was going on in that closet until I hear something shift from beside me.

"If Herc says you two woke him, I'm going to tear off your limbs and smack you with them."

My boyfriend rolls over and lets out a groan.

"Hey babe, how you doing?"

He just groans again, and I hand him a glass of water and some pills. Herc'll be completely fine in a half hour, but until then I'm staying with him.

I slip back into the blankets and pull his head so it leans against my chest.

"You two can leave if you want now. Adrianna is awake for sure, she was in here with Oliver before."

"But-"

"I'm sure it's late enough for you guys to go."

"Why-"

"Get the fuck out of here and go harass your sisters."

I smile as the two men leave, and Herc rolls to face me.

"What the hell was that all about?"

"I want to talk. To you. I've been up for two hours waiting for you to get up."

"Then why didn't you wake me up?"

"Because you're cute and it would be cruel to disturb you in such a peaceful state."

"Fine. What do you want to talk about?"

"I don't know. I just missed you."

I press our noses together and smile, staring into Herc's eyes. He goes to kiss me, and I put my hand between us.

"Sober test, what's 4x5?"

"20."

"Hotel?"

"Trivago."

"Capital of Canada?"

"Why the fuck would I know that? The letter C."

"You're good."

Herc gently presses his lips to mine. I smile as I close my eyes, turning and pulling him on top of me.

"Do you remember what happened last night?"

"Nope, not at all. Why?"

"It's better if you don't."

Herc's eyes go wide as he sits up.

"No, not like that. You're fine. Nothing happened."

He nods, and I pull him back to lie on my chest.

"It was cute. You said some things... did some things... I was careful though. I'll never do anything to hurt you."

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Keeping me safe."

He pulls himself back to me. I melt into his arms, allowing him to toy with my hair.

"Merry Christmas Laff."

"Merry Christmas Herc."

"And a happy new year, lets go!"

John once again barges into the room. I don't bother pushing Herc off. We can sit however we want, if they don't like it they can leave.

Alex is on his back, Jordan carrying Ellie behind them.

I pull Adrianna onto the bed, allowing her to take Herc's place on my chest. Oliver pops up beside her, and Herc gives me a pouty look.

He gets a boop on the nose.

I sing a little song with the two kids, smiling when Lily joins us. I haven't heard her sing for a long time. Or speak very much, for that matter.

She's always been distant. But that's fair, she's been through a lot.

Once Lily is excited though, she's the same kid that would pester John, Herc, and I to take her with us. Laughing and fooling around.

But Lily has grown up. She doesn't need her uncle Laff anymore.

I start to cry, realizing just how much we've all changed.

I have a real job. Herc and I have, in our eyes, 'adopted' John. John is dating. Ellie is dating. Lily is a moody teen. Olivia has transitioned to Oliver.

"Baguette? Are you okay?"

"Oui, mon amie. More than."

At least Adrianna has stayed the same. Eyes full of wonder as she views the world. As she looks at me.

Why must everyone change?

Lily leaves the room in a rush, whatever magic transforming her into a child gone.

I place the kids on Hercules, wanting to check if she's alright. I follow her, hearing a door slam as I enter the room.

"Lily? You okay, mon fille?"

"No. I'm really not. Please leave."

There's a soft crying from the bathroom. I don't know what is going on, but I intend to help.

"Can I help?"

"Not unless you have something to stop all this blood."

Blood? Oh. Oooh, Blood-blood. Monthly werewolf blood. Shit.

"I'll find something. Uncle Laff to the rescue!"

There's a soft giggle from the bathroom before I run out of the room, not bothering to put on a jacket. What's open on Christmas?

I look around, trying to locate somewhere with lights. Walmart it is.

Still sprinting, I make my way to the toiletries.

I forgot to ask what she needs. Tampons, liners, pads. Heavy flow? What the hell is this?

I grab one of each, sizing them somewhere in the middle. The pads have little hearts on them. Perfect.

Advil joins the pile of boxes in my arms as I race to the other side of the store. Lily likes chocolate. Chocolate solves all your problems. After grabbing a box of Dairy Milks, I grab some extra pj pants just to be safe.

The man at the counter looks slightly uncomfortable as I place the three boxes of feminine products on his register.

Some people need to grow up.

I run back to the hotel with the bags. I'm feeling proud of myself as I head into Lily's room.

"Stuff is out here. Text me if you need anything."

There's a mumbled "thanks" from the other door, and I head over to my room.

My phone pings a few minutes later.

TheatreTrash: appreciate it.

SexyBaguette: Yeah, anytime! Anything for you, mon fille.

TheatreTrash: thanks for the chocolate too, uncle Laff.

"Aww, yiss!"

Everyone stares at me as I jump back to my boyfriend. But I don't care.

I'm uncle Laff again.

-Herc POV-

I roll over, the kids laughing as they fall off my back. I pull my boyfriend onto me.

He's wearing a stupid grin as he bounces around excitedly. He does this every Christmas morning. Lafayette can be more of a child than Adrianna when he's excited. It's cute, watching him giggle to himself at the smallest thing.

Oliver and Adrianna climb onto Laff's back as he finally lays across my chest.

I kiss him quickly, smiling as his grin grows wider before pulling me back. My fingers weave their way into his hair, knowing it's a rarity that I get to touch it.

I love Lafayette so much.

I wish I could freeze this moment, Laff and I snuggling on Christmas morning. Keep it for when I need it. Allowed to replay my favourite times whenever I want.

But life doesn't work like that, and soon Laff pulls away from the kiss and goes back to lying on my chest.

I run my hands along his sides, ignoring the children still on his back. He lets out a soft sigh as he squishes against me.

That's the thing with freezing time, I suppose. If you get too lost in one minute, you'll lose the next.

The next moment being the one where John decides it's time to get ready.

"Already?"

"John, Herc just woke up. We can wait."

"Well, some of us didn't have the pleasure of sleeping in, Laff!"

"Well, some of us didn't have the pleasure of making out in the closet for an hour, John!"

"It was PG tops Laff. Nothing happened."

There's a sassy "mmmhm" from the man on my chest as Alex rolls his eyes.

I push the three kids off of me, heading to get dressed. I stop when I see my pyjama pants and throw a questioning look at the oldest child. Laff just shrugs before tagging on a wink.

Maybe he's right. I don't want to know what happened last night.

I push the thoughts of potential situations out of my head and search for a pair of jeans. Laff would never hurt me. He's not like that. He wouldn't take advantage of me.

I run into the washroom, bringing the Christmas sweater Philip found with. Laff and I have the same one, colours inverted.

It's very cozy, the knit fabric soft.

I head out of the bathroom and back to my boyfriend. We each put a younger child on our laps before squishing together. This is great.

"I want a family like this some day. You and I and our kids."

"Snuggled together around the fireplace before we tear into the tree."

"And John can be the crackpot uncle that brings weird gifts."

"And Peggy will be the extravagant aunt that brings candy despite us telling her no."

"It's going to be beautiful. Just like you."

Laff giggles, and I turn to kiss him. I don't know why I ever doubted this man.

This is the life I want.

My beautiful husband and I living together. But we'll have to get married first.

 And that's scary.

This will be enough for now. Holding each other close for forever.

"Now can we go, uncle Herc?"

"Ask Alex."

The tiny man gives me a glare from the suitcase he's sorting through. Shifting questions I don't care to answer to someone else is a great thing to do.

Alex just shrugs before excitedly yanking out an oversized sweater and shrugging it on.

John is to busy staring at the backs of Jordan and Ellie to notice.

I don't know what his issue is with the two of them. Jordan is a great person. I don't believe that they would intentionally hurt anyone.

And Ellie is a badass, if anything were to happen she could drop kick the poor person who dared cross her. I've seen it happen.

Hopefully the man at the beach learned some etiquette after that.

Lily comes back into the room. Laff smiles widely up at her, causing her to smile back.

Okay then. I don't know why Lily showing up has got my boyfriend freaking out, but I'll roll with it if it makes the two of them happy.

"'Kay, I'm good to go!"

We all file out of the room behind Lily, ready to go to the party at Philip's.

"Mistletoe!" Laff and I chorus in unison before giving each other a quick kiss.

This is perfect. Everyone is having a good time, excited for Christmas.

But then Ellie points to the plant above the door.

And she pulls Jordan to meet her.