Housewife Zaney - A Core-Four Domestic Fic (Patreon)

Unbeta'd/Unedited. Let me know if you want to know what Avi/Zand and Asa/Felix get up to separately.

Zane

Zane stood in the kitchen, nursing his ice coffee and staring blankly into a pan of scrambled eggs. The smell of bacon, butter and maple syrup already clung to the warm morning air around him. Sunlight spilled through the windows over the sink, catching on appliances, water bottles and the endless collection of kid-related clutter that seemed to multiply on the countertops overnight. He wasn’t really looking at the food, he was mentally running through his mile-long checklist of things he needed to get done that day.

He had to get the raw footage to his podcast editor. He needed to pick up Asa and Avi’s suits from the dry cleaners for one of Thomas’s many, many awards dinners. He had to get Oscar and West off to preschool, then hit the grocery store across town to grab the very specific dessert Felix wanted to get for Jericho’s birthday party.

Oh and he’d also promised Adam that he could borrow one of his books on crime scene investigation, so he’d have to drop that off, too. Noah would probably be annoyed that Zane was catering to his and Atticus’s need to play Angela Lansbury but Zane thought their bonding was adorable.

“Ca’ I have ‘ore, ‘acon, Poppy,” Oscar said around a mouthful of food.

Zane turned to smile at the boy, only to find his cheeks stuffed with food making him look like an adorable little chipmunk. There was syrup on his chin and somehow blueberry on his forehead. Zane had long ago accepted that children somehow wore breakfast instead of simply eating it. That’s why they got dressed after breakfast now. It resulted in far less tears…Felix’s tears. He hated to see a designer outfit destroyed by food products.

“Sure, baby.” He looked at West sitting beside him. The boy was currently using his toddler knife to mangle the blueberry eyes out of one of his pancakes. The concentration on his face suggested the pancake was paying for a crime of some sort. “West, honey, do you want more, too?”

“No, thank you,” he said, too preoccupied with his uh…project to even look up.

“Okay, well we have to leave for school in an hour and you still have to get dressed so eat while you can cause we’re out of Zee bars and Baba doesn’t like you eating them in the car anyway.”

“Yes, Poppy,” they said in unison.

Zane snorted, turning back to the pan on the stove. He removed it from the burner, depositing more bacon on Oscar’s plate before divvying up the eggs for himself, Asa and Avi. He added bacon and toast with some sliced avocado, then started assembling Felix’s Acai bowl. Extra strawberries. One drizzle of honey. Any more and Felix claimed it was too sweet. Any less and he said it tasted healthy. When that was finished, he washed the dishes, loaded the dishwasher, then pulled everyone’s lunches from the fridge, lining them up on the counter.

He felt Asa’s presence before he saw him. Maybe it was habit. Maybe it was years of sharing a home, a bed and two children. Whatever it was, Zane always knew when Asa was nearby.

He wrapped his arms around Zane from behind, kissing his neck, then his ear. “Morning, sexy. How’d you sleep?”

“Morning,” he said, twisting to press a kiss to his mouth. “I must have slept pretty good. I woke up in the same position I fell asleep in.”

“You fell asleep drooling on my chest,” Asa said, mouthing at the back of Zane’s neck just above his t-shirt.

Zane had long given up on chastising him about groping him in front of the children. They were oblivious to the wandering hands of the four adults in the house. Or—more likely—they just didn’t care. The boys had grown up surrounded by affection. Random kisses, shameless flirting, somebody always curled up in somebody else’s lap. To them, it was just part of home.

Asa turned him in his arms to back him up against the counter, kissing him slow and deep. His mouth still tasted faintly of toothpaste, warm and familiar enough to make Zane’s knees soften despite the spatula still in his hand. When the kids giggled, Zane pushed him away gently, taking in his navy suit and pale pink button down shirt.

Zane looked his fill, running his hands along Asa’s chest. “You look too good in this. Go change,” he teased.

“You jealous, Lois?” Asa murmured, his hands sliding down to cup Zane’s ass, squeezing until Zane gasped. “What’s wrong? Hmm? Thought you said you could handle it? You swore that it wasn’t too much.”

“Shush,” Zane whispered, side-eyeing the children.

Asa had gotten a little overzealous with the belt last night. Well, Zane had begged Asa to ‘let go’ and stop being so cautious and he’d…listened. Not that Zane was complaining.

He loved the aftercare and the babying Asa did when he went a little too far. He loved the way he held him afterwards and the way he could feel the ache and sting of Asa’s love every time he sat down for days after. Loved the quiet morning-after tenderness even more, when Asa got this smug, soft look on his face every time Zane moved too carefully.

But now that they could no longer escape to the sex attic, they were having to find new and creative ways of keeping Zane quiet during his punishments.

“Addy, look,” West said, holding up his pancake for Asa to see.

It now looked like something out of a horror movie.

Asa nodded approvingly. “Sick.”

West beamed at him, making a show of jabbing his tongue through the hole he’d made in his pancake. The children were just as savage as any other Mulvaney. They just didn’t realize it yet. Unfortunately, their preschool was starting to take note. Luckily, they would be transferring soon and all the Mulvaneys would once again be the scourge of St. Aggies Prep.

Zane shook his head, giving Asa a chaste kiss and a pat on the butt before handing him his plate. “Your coffee’s on the table.”

“Thanks, Lois.”

“Mm,” Zane said, turning away from his husband before they got themselves in trouble. The problem with Asa was that even fully dressed and behaving badly in front of their children, he still looked like every bad decision Zane had ever happily made.

As soon as one brother was seated, the other arrived, dressed in a bright pink Gemini hoodie and joggers, part of his collaboration with FNM. He crowded up behind him. Zane, once again, found himself pressed into the counter. Avi wrapped his arms around his waist, sliding his hand up under his shirt as he kissed each of his cheeks.

Where Asa was all heat and pressure, Avi came with sleep-warm softness, smelling like expensive moisturizer and the vanilla protein shake he downed before hitting the gym every morning.

“Morning, Zaney,” he said in that sleepy rasp that always ran over Zane like a caress.

“Morning, Avi,” he murmured, handing him his plate.

“Looks good,” he said, not even looking at his plate.

“Don’t start,” Zane warned, pushing his hips back and bumping his ass against Avi. “You and your brother are both very handsy this morning.”

“It’s been a while since the four of us got to play,” he said just quietly enough for Zane to hear it. His thumb swept lazily over Zane’s stomach, affectionate and deliberately distracting.

“Hush,” Zane said, pushing him towards the table. “Soon enough.”

“Daddy, look,” West said.

Avi smiled at the mangled pancake, locking eyes with Asa for a moment before crowing, “Sick.”

Zane rolled his eyes at the bro speak.

“But how about you eat that pancake instead of playing with it since Poppy went through all the work of making that for you?”

“It’s his fourth one,” Zane admitted.

“Fourth?” Avi cried. “Hell yeah, brother. That’s what I’m talking about.”

He high-fived a giggling West.

The boys were eating them out of house and home lately. No matter how much breakfast Zane served them, they were begging for a snack before they even made it to the drop-off line. Their pediatrician said they were about to have another growth spurt. Considering Oscar had already inherited Asa and Avi’s endless appetite, Zane was slightly concerned they were going to eat him into bankruptcy before kindergarten.

“I ate five pieces of bacon,” Oscar said in a tone letting them know he, too, wanted praise for his accomplishment.

“Hell yeah, wild man. Good job,” Asa said.

“My boys can eat,” Avi shouted.

Oscar puffed his chest out proudly while West immediately held up four sticky fingers like he was keeping score.

Zane rolled his eyes. “Where’s Lix?”

Avi grinned, shaking his head. “He’s currently standing in the middle of our closet spiraling from decision paralysis.”

Felix had been invited to guest lecture at the Fashion Institute and had been spiraling about it ever since.

“Oh, should I…” Zane asked, pointing vaguely in the direction of the bedrooms.

Avi nodded. “Probably. He’s gonna be late for his talk if you don’t nudge him.”

Zane nodded, making his way down the hall, narrowly escaping the burping contest erupting in his wake.

The second he stepped out of the kitchen, the volume somehow doubled. Oscar cackled. West shouted something unintelligible. Asa and Avi immediately abandoned any pretense of responsible parenting and began not only judging the competition but participating.

Zane sighed. This was just a typical Wednesday morning since moving to Serenity Grove. It was taking some getting used to. He was used to the city where everything was open twenty-four hours a day and a ten minute walk. Now, they lived in the suburbs where their neighbors had all been classmates with the twelve disciples and they rolled up the sidewalks by nine PM.

He did like the quiet.

He liked having the family close.

Oscar and West were constantly playing with their cousins next door or one street over. There were sleepovers on weekends and family movie nights in Jericho and Freckles’ backyard now that they had a pool and a projector screen.

The kids moved through the neighborhood in little packs now, bouncing between houses like they all shared custody of one another. It was everything Zane had wanted as a kid but had never dared to dream of. A real home. A loud one. A chaotic one. One full of people who wanted him there.

He found Felix in the middle of what looked like a garment factory explosion.

Clothes covered every available surface. A sequined jacket hung from a lamp. Three pairs of shoes sat in the middle of the floor like they’d been abandoned during an evacuation.

He was frantically unbuttoning a white sleeveless shirt while glaring accusingly at his reflection in the closet’s full-length mirror.

“Lix, what’s happening?” Zane asked, stepping inside and closing the closet door, enjoying the brief pocket of silence.

The sudden quiet felt almost sacred after the breakfast chaos.

Felix huffed, sinking to the floor. “I have nothing to wear!”

Zane let his eyes scan the rows and rows of luxury goods.

The closet was the size of Zane’s old apartment, yet it was so stuffed full of clothes, bags and shoes that Felix had taken over the sixth bedroom as his overflow closet.

The whole room.

There were enough designer labels in here to bankrupt a small country…but not a Mulvaney.

“You cannot be serious,” Zane said, sinking down beside him.

Felix immediately scooted closer until their shoulders touched, seeking comfort without even seeming to realize he was doing it.

He gave Zane a bleak look. “This is the Fashion Institute. My alma mater. They hated me there. They probably still do. Most of the people who show up will just be haters who think I got where I was by sleeping with a Mulvaney. I can’t walk in wearing just anything.”

Felix fell back onto the mountain of clothing dramatically, one arm draped over his forehead like a tragic Victorian heroine, looking like a renaissance painting.

Zane briefly forgot what they were talking about, lying beside him and propping himself up on one arm to look down at Felix, picking up one dark curl. The soft strand wrapped around his finger easily. “You’re so pretty, Lixie.”

Felix’s brown eyes went wide, full lips parting. “I love you.”

Zane’s heart did a little dance behind his ribs. “I love you, too.”

He dipped his head, his mouth finding his. Felix made a soft little sound from his chest, hands coming up to wrap around Zane’s neck, pulling him in. They lay there like that for a few minutes, just kissing softly, the world narrowing down to warm mouths, tangled limbs, and the faint sounds of chaos drifting from the kitchen.

When Zane pulled back, Felix’s lips were swollen and his pupils blown.

Zane flopped onto his back. “What do you care what a bunch of students think? Or even the faculty. You’re Felix Navarro-Mulvaney. You’re a fucking legend in the fashion world. That’s why they invited you in the first place. No matter what you wear, they’re all going to try to emulate it. You’re always iconic.”

“You’re the only one who thinks that,” Felix said around a sigh.

Zane snorted. “Your fourteen million IG followers would beg to differ.”

“That’s the company, not me,” Felix said, waving a hand dismissively.

Zane threaded their fingers together. “You have just as many followers as Felix Navarro-Mulvaney as the FNM brand does. You just never bothered to look. You’re constantly on magazine covers. You’re a celebrity stylist on dozens of talk shows. Millions of people tune into your feed every day to see what you’re having for breakfast or what Oscar and West are wearing to preschool.”

“You have more to do with what they wear than me. You handle everything in the house,” Felix said, snuggling closer. “You do it all and manage a massive career as a journalist.”

“You’re the only one who thinks I’m a journalist and not a mediocre podcaster,” Zane said wistfully.

“Not true. You’re amazing. You take such good care of us. All of us. Including our babies.” Felix squeezed his hand. “We’d all fall apart without you.”

The words settled heavily in Zane’s chest.

It was easy to forget sometimes that the things he did mattered. The lunches packed every morning. The appointments scheduled. The birthdays remembered. The groceries magically appearing in the pantry. Most of it happened quietly, behind the scenes, while everyone else was busy living their lives.

“You would be just as good as me…probably better. But it just makes more sense for me to do it since I work from home all day,” Zane said. “Besides, I like taking care of all of you.”

He really did.

He liked knowing what everyone’s coffee order was. He liked making sure Oscar's favorite cereal never ran out. He liked reminding Asa where he left his keys and making Avi eat lunch before three in the afternoon. Taking care of them never felt like work. It felt like loving them.

Felix climbed on top of Zane, straddling his hips to pepper his face with kisses. “You’re so good to us, baby.”

Zane laughed, trying to dodge the assault. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Nope. Just correct.”

Zane giggled at Felix’s statement, then winced.

Felix’s face fell immediately. “Did I hurt you?”

The concern was instant and genuine, his hands already smoothing over Zane’s sides like he could somehow fix it.

Zane grimaced, then laughed. “No, Asa did. Last night. He got a new belt. I was…excited. I let him off his leash for a bit too long, I think.”

Felix’s eyes darkened, his expression softening into something warm and possessive all at once. He bit one long claw-like nail. “Can I see?”

Zane flushed, but nodded. “Sure.”

Felix went up on his knees so Zane could roll over without him having to get off him. Once on his belly, Felix tugged his pajama pants out of the way, then gasped as soon as he was exposed.

The reaction alone made heat creep up Zane’s neck.

Zane whimpered as Felix ran his fingertips over the thick stripes ribboning across his ass and thighs.

“Fuck, that’s so hot, Zaney. Did you like it? Did you cry? Did you beg?”

“You know the answer to that,” Zane managed, burying his face in his folded arms as embarrassment and fondness tangled together. The memories of the night before were still entirely too fresh.

He fought the urge to push back into Felix’s gentle touch. “Asa recorded it though. In case you wanted to watch.”

Felix groaned dramatically. “I miss you two so much. Maybe we should ask Jericho and Atticus if they can babysit tonight?”

“Should we?” Zane asked.

The idea alone sounded heavenly.

Felix’s weight disappeared, but then his tongue replaced his hands, licking over his abused skin. Zane moaned, kicking his hips back. 

Oscar and West were going through some kind of sleep regression where they were constantly crawling into bed with one set of parents or another. They’d been doing their best to alternate so every pairing got some alone time. No one was complaining about the boys wanting comfort, but four exhausted adults could only survive on stolen moments for so long.

But Zane missed the four of them having time together.

Felix licked closer to the fold between his ass cheek and his thigh. 

“Lixie, we can’t,” Zane whispered.

“I know, but I can’t help it. Why does Asa get all the fun?” Felix pouted, tongue trailing over another red welt. 

Zane moaned again, pressing his half-hard cock into the floor for some pressure. 

“Fuck it,” Felix declared.

Then he was gone. When Zane rolled over to see where he'd disappeared to, Felix already had his phone in hand. He pushed a button and a ringing filled the room.

“Lix?” A gruff voice said.

“Hey, Freckles,” Felix said with more enthusiasm than usual.

“What’s up? Something wrong?”

Felix shook his head like it was a video call. “No, but I was wondering if maybe you might be willing to let the boys stay with you tonight? They’re going through some kind of sleep thing—”

“Crawling into your bed every night?” Atticus asked.

“Yes!” Felix groaned.

“Yeah, Jet and Jagger went through it, too. They can stay here. They’ll stay put if they have their cousins in the room with them. I can drop them at school tomorrow morning on my way to take the boys. It’s only a few blocks from my office.”

“Really? You wouldn’t mind?” Felix asked.

“Why would I? We’re family,” Atticus said. “Besides, West and Oscar are angels compared to the two hellions we’re raising. At least with their cousins here, they’ll be too preoccupied to do anything too crazy.”

“Bless you,” Felix said. “We’re kind of sleep deprived here.”

“Do you want me to drop the boys off this morning, too? Give you a little break?” Freckles asked. “I’m heading out in about twenty minutes.”

Felix looked at Zane, who called out, “Are you sure?”

“I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t,” Atticus said prissily.

Zane sighed in relief. “I would appreciate it. I have eight million things to do.”

For the first time all morning, Zane found himself looking forward to the end of the day.

“Just drop some clothes by the house later and I’ll grab the boys when I go to pick up Jett, Jagger and the rest of the St. Aggie’s crew,” Atticus said.

“Wait, how are you going to fit seven kids in the Volvo?” Felix asked.

“Didn’t you hear?” Jericho called from somewhere in the room. “We broke down and bought a van.”

“You did not!” Felix cried.

“We did. It’s still a Mercedes but it seats nine so we can handle pickups and drop-offs no problem,” Jericho said, sounding very much like he was bragging.

He probably was.

If anyone would eventually have enough kids to fill a nine-seater van, it would be Jericho. If Freckles could get pregnant, they’d have had their own show on TLC. Though after that interesting conversation with Noah, it seemed the lack of ability to impregnate Freckles did not keep Jericho from trying.

“So you guys are serious about having another kid, huh?” Zane asked.

“We have one more meeting with the surrogate and then we’re going to implant the eggs and see what happens.”

“Eggs?” Felix echoed. “How many?” 

“Three,” Jericho called proudly. “All Freckles.” 

“What if they all implant?” Felix asked.

“Then we go from baby to babies,” Jericho said, like the answer was obvious. “It’s not like Mulvaney twins are a rarity. The more babies the better. Right, Freckles?” he asked, suddenly much closer to the receiver.

There was a smacking sound and Atticus grunted.

Zane shook his head.

Jericho was kind of a caveman. A loving caveman. A fiercely devoted caveman. But a caveman nonetheless. Maybe even more so than Asa. There was the distinct sound of kissing and then a soft gasp.

Atticus cleared his throat. “I’ll swing by and grab the boys in half an hour. Talk later.”

With that, he disconnected.

“They're so horny all the time,” Felix said, disgusted.

“So are we,” Zane reminded him. “We just don’t have a weird breeding kink.”

Felix shouted. “Hey. No. Ew.” He shoved his fingers in his ears. “I’m not listening to that. Gross. What is wrong with you? That’s my brother!”

Zane giggled and Felix dropped his hands, still glaring at him playfully. It lasted all of three seconds before Felix started smiling too. He was physically incapable of staying annoyed at Zane for long.

His face fell as he once more looked around, bewildered. “What am I going to wear?”

“Why don’t you wear that outfit Mizuki Takahashi gifted you when we were in Japan?” Zane asked. “You haven’t worn it yet and you look so hot in it.”

Felix’s face brightened. He clapped his hands together. “Oh, yes. You’re a genius.”

The transformation was immediate. One second he was spiraling. The next he'd latched onto a solution and was already mentally styling the entire outfit.

“And it shows off your sexy sternum tattoo.”

Felix preened. “I do have a very sexy sternum.”

“You absolutely do.”

Zane watched as Felix stripped down to his barely-there boxer briefs that showed off his flat belly and delicate musculature. Years later and the sight still distracted him. Felix moved through the world with a dancer’s grace, all elegant lines and effortless confidence.

Felix slipped on the plum-colored linen shirt with a deep V that plunged almost to his belly button, followed by the sand-colored balloon pants stitched with flowers in the same plum with turquoise and white accents. The belt was wide, cinching his slender waist. A kimono-style ankle-length jacket with the same stitching completed the outfit.

As Zane suspected, Felix looked stunning. Like he'd stepped out of a fashion editorial.

“Now pull your hair up and just leave a few pieces around your face and wear those Cavalli sandals.”

“Which of us is the fashionista here?” Felix teased. 

“I know what you like,” Zane said. “Besides, you look good in everything.” 

He grabbed the sandals, setting them on the center island. The look he gave Zane had butterflies taking flight in his belly. That look always got him. The one that appeared whenever Felix remembered, all over again, just how thoroughly loved he was.

“You really do take care of everybody, don’t you?”

The question hit harder than Zane expected. He smiled anyway. “I like taking care of my people.”

Felix crossed the room in three quick steps and wrapped his arms around him. “Good,” he murmured against Zane’s neck. “Because we really like being your people.”

Before Zane could process his words, Felix moved to his vanity to sweep his long dark hair back into a bun. 

Zane bent down, kissing the slender column of his exposed throat. “You’re so beautiful,” he said again, letting one of his hands slip into the plunging neckline to play with his nipple. 

Felix secured his hair, then let his head fall to the side, giving Zane better access. 

“I can’t wait for tonight,” Felix said, tangling his hand in Zane’s hair and dragging him into a much dirtier kiss. “I’m going to taste every bruise he left on you and then I’m going to fuck you until you scream.” 

“Fuck, Lix. Don’t get me worked up when you have to leave. Asa doesn’t have time to take care of me before his meeting.” 

“Avi does,” Felix said with a shrug. “He’s just gonna sit at his desk and play Stardew Valley while he pretends to listen to whatever poor sap tries to talk to him today.” 

“Really?” Zane asked. “You wouldn’t mind?” 

“Mi esposo, es tu esposo,” Felix said magnanimously. “You don’t have to take the boys to school anymore. You should let him fuck you and plug you up. That way Asa and I can fuck you as soon as we get home. It’ll be leaking out of you by the time we’re finished. You’ll be all sloppy for us.” 

Zane’s cock throbbed with every word. The idea of spending the morning in bed with Avi sounded delicious. 

“You should run this by our husbands,” Zane said, knowing neither would really care. 

“Okay,” Felix said. 

He pulled up the group chat. 

Kitten: @Golden Retriever Hubby Freckles is taking the kids to school. Play hookie and fuck Zaney. He’s horny and needs attention. Asa and I have big boy work today. 

Golden Retriever Hubby: Okay, Kitten. Get yourself ready @Lois. We’ve got all day. 

Rottweiler Hubby: Plug him up when you’re done. 

Kitten: Already five steps ahead of you. He’ll be good and ready for us by the time we get home. But that means you’re gonna have to drop me at the office this morning. 

They still didn’t let Felix drive. He’d gotten better over the years, but still not good enough. 

Rottweiler Hubby: Will you blow me in the car? 

Zane snorted out a laugh. “He never misses an opportunity.” 

Felix laughed. “Should I throw him a bone?” 

“Sounds like he wants to throw you one. But do not let him get jizz all over your outfit. Or his,” Zane warned. “And not while the car is moving. He gets too into it. Actually, if you have to lecture, maybe skip the head and just give him a handjob.” 

Felix nodded. “Good call. You’re so smart, baby.” 

Kitten: I have a lecture today. I can’t go in there all hoarse. I’ll give you a handjob or you can fuck me in the garage at the institute but only with a condom so I don’t get my clothes dirty. But if you wrinkle my outfit I’m skinning you to make a new one. 

Rottweiler Hubby: I love when you threaten me with violence. 

Kitten: Take it or leave it.

Rottweiler Hubby: Oh, I’m gonna take it. We all know that.

Felix met Zane’s gaze in the mirror.

“See, all set. Just know that you’re probably going to have to put Avi in front of the TV with his PlayStation and a snack like one of the boys if you plan to get literally any of your to-do list done today.”

“Its fine. I’ll put him to work. It will make things easier,” Zane said, hooking his arms around Felix’s waist and refusing to let go.

“Tonight,” Felix said. “Tonight the four of us will have all night together.”

“But I want you now,” Zane whined.

Felix’s smile softened. “I know, baby. But for now, go take a shower. I’ll finish getting the kids ready for Freckles. Want me to send Avi in to help with prep? You know the little freak would be ecstatic.”

Zane laughed. “I don’t think I’m quite there yet,” he admitted.

“Suit yourself,” Felix said, getting to his feet.

He pushed Zane against the full-length mirror, kissing him slowly, one hand cupping the back of his neck while the other slid down beneath the waistband of his pajama pants to give his ass another possessive squeeze. Felix groaned.

“Go get in the shower before I change my mind and look like the world’s biggest diva by flaking on my lecture last minute.”

“Okay, okay.”

He left Felix with one more longing glance, watching him immediately start tidying the disaster zone he'd created while simultaneously checking his phone and muttering to himself about accessories.

Zane went to his room to turn the shower on. Steam was already beginning to curl through the bathroom by the time he stripped. The sound of running water filled the room, warm and inviting after the chaos of the morning. 

He was naked when the door opened. Asa sauntered in. He didn’t say anything, just picked Zane up and sealed his mouth over his. Zane clung to him, feet dangling, kissing him back. Asa always kissed like he had somewhere important to be and had decided Zane was worth being late for.

“Bye, Lois. See you as soon as my meeting’s over,” he said, pressing quick kisses to Zane’s lips over and over.

“Okay,” he said. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Asa said easily. “Behave yourself.”

“Really?” Zane asked, gently biting Asa’s bottom lip.

“Nah, not really. Set up the camera though so I can watch later.”

Zane laughed. “Perv.” 

“You know it,” Asa said.

He tipped Zane’s head to the side and sank his teeth into his neck until he whimpered.  “I really want to stay and watch my brother fuck you stupid,” he growled. 

“Stop,” Zane whined. “I’m gonna come before we even get started. I’m already so horny.” 

Asa kissed him two more times before finally releasing him. “Go, get in the shower. I’ll text when I’m on the way home. I hope you’re ready.”

“I can’t wait,” Zane said, meaning it.

Asa pointed at him. “That attitude right there is why you keep getting yourself into trouble.”

Then he disappeared.

Zane stood there smiling like an idiot for a full ten seconds before stepping beneath the spray. Warm water cascaded over his skin, washing away the lingering chill of the morning.

Outside the bathroom he could still hear the muffled sounds of his family moving through the house. Oscar laughing. West asking a million questions. Felix shouting for someone to find his sunglasses. Avi loudly offering completely unhelpful suggestions.

The noise should have been overwhelming. Instead, it felt comforting.

His entire life, silence had been his default. Now, silence felt lonely. He tipped his face into the spray, a smile playing at his lips.

He never knew what life was going to throw at him, but with the three loves of his life, two chaotic little boys, and a house full of people who loved him every single day, he always knew he could handle it.