#And no...war is definitely not the answer

[norcigs]

TEACH YOU

synop: rough jealous sex! very little plot, mostly just p0rn

warnings: charles is pretty mean, pnv, creampie, face fucking, use of slut, bitch, whore, toy and more.. dom charels, sub reader, spankings!, lot of degrading, some praise, aftercare!!!!

🛁: 4.8K words

you were being bratty. you knew that, you saw the way his jaw locked in place and eyes cut over you. you were pushing the line, and not letting up. charles hooked his pointer fingers in your belt loops on either side, pulling you flush against him. whispering something before he kissed the top of your head. 

“if you keep acting like a whore, i'm gonna start treating you like one” he leaned into your ear, before he planted a punctuated kiss to your head, for any onlookers to be fooled by the intimacy. 

did he think purring in your ear like that was gonna have you backing off?.. it only made you want it more. thighs clenching as you looked up at him with big wet eyes. 

“what do you mean baby” you asked, as your voice towed the line between peace and war. batting your eyelashes, begging him to crack, to show a hint of the blaze behind his sugarsweet exterior. 

unfortunately for you, charles didn't need much convincing. hand reaching around your jaw, gently, but demanding. jerking your gaze back onto him, as he pulled you in closer. 

“dont act fucking dumb with me” his tone was laced with venom, as warmth spread from your crotch. he moved his hand to rest at the small of your back. not speaking, but still telling you, stay. 

the party roared around you, your short red dress, floating against you. charlie's white shirt, wrinkled and top button undone now. people danced and shouted, but there was a stillness around you both. charles, all but twitching, as he waited for you to place the final straw. he could tell you whatever he wanted, praise you, degrade you, anything to make you act right. but both of you knew your mind was made up. you wanted to be taught a lesson, and he was just the guy to teach it. a guy walked toward you, definitely drunk, but carrying a cockiness that made him insufferable. 

“hey pretty lady, is this guy your boyfriend” he slurred. charles' hand was still resting on your back. you leaned into him like he was familiar. his hand locked around your side, claiming. eyes darting to you, knowing before you responded, that you were not going to pass up an opportunity to piss him off.

“depends who’s asking” you responded, more for charles than anyone else. the answer was a resounding yes. the hickey he left on your ribcage last night, and the thin silver 16 necklace around your neck was proof enough. charles was your boyfriend, you belonged to him. no amount of teasing or flirting would change that. 

the drunk guy took your response as an invitation. his hand raised towards yours, in an act to maybe pull you away. your hand didn't move to him. that wasn’t the game you were playing. charles’ hands dragged from behind you, around to rest on your stomach, encapsulating you. he leaned over your shoulder to speak to the man. hands only keeping you more flush to him. you rolled your hips against him, just in case you weren't already in enough trouble. 

“trust me mate, you couldn't handle her” he told the guy, smirking like he had already won. really, he had. you two had an unspoken understanding of what it meant when you acted like this. it was never a betrayal of trust, nor an excuse for you to stray from him. sometimes, you just wanted him to fuck you with the possesion and boiled-blood only this behavior gave him. as the drunk walked away, not daring to tempt your boyfriend again, he dropped his head to your ear, kissing behind it.

“follow me to the car, dont say a fucking word until i ask you too,” he seperated from you, quickly spinning on his heels and walking out. his weight against your back missing made you feel hollow, and gave you an itch only he could scratch. 

he didn't turn around, didn't wait for you, didn't slow a step. he walked to the car and sat in the driver’s seat. your heels clicked behind him as you tried to match his longer stride. he started the car without opening your door, or even glancing towards you. for a split second, you thought he might drive off and leave you there, wet and wanting.

when you sat down, dress riding to just below your crotch, you leaned toward him. warm hands wrapping around his bicep, needing to touch him. you pulled your face to his arm, kissing the top of it, sweetly. eyes staring up at him like he was heaven.

“sit still and dont touch me” he said, short, as he peeled your hands off himself. dropping your hands back to your lap, he finished “bad girls like you have to be punished”. his hand snaked around the back of your neck, as he found a grip that made you complacent to how he turned you. twisting you to look right up at him

“do you understand that, slut?” his eyes were dark as he searched your entire face for any glimpse of hesitation. unsurprisingly, he was met with your mouth parting, eager, and your head nodding hard enough to bounce your breasts. 

the ride home consisted of you pushing your hips into the seat, and doing anything for charles' attention. pouting and whining when his gazed stayed straight forward, unimpressed by your begging. 

parking the car in your driveway, he got out and muttered a quick “follow” to you. you listened, desperate to get inside so maybe he would finally touch you. he continued up the stairs toward your bedroom, as you turned to lock the front door and scurry up with him.

“baby, are you upset with me, i didn't mean–” regret pooled in your throat as charles had never used the silent treatment after you teased him. usually, he would take you to the club bathroom and turn you into mush as he ruined you. ruthless, fast, and mean. but this was different, this was calculated.

“didn't mean to what?” he cut you off as you stepped into the bedroom behind him. “didnt mean to act like some cheap fuck for any guy who stared at you?” he scoffed. “it seemed pretty intentional to me baby, and now you have some apologizing to do” he finished as he stepped towards you, closing the door behind you and keeping you surrounded against the wall.

he put both his hands around your neck and pulled you into a kiss. controlled by your throat, you had no say in how he kissed you. taking whatever he gave you, as your head had already started to go a little fuzzy. one hand moved to the back of your head, hand fisting your hair before he was pulling you down. he leaned over as you landed on your knees. 

“been running this fucking mouth all night, gonna show you what it’s really good for” he told you, hand reaching to his belt, unbuckling himself. ripping down his black slacks, and pulling you up enough to be level with his cock. 

he kept one hand in your hair, and used the other to free himself. moaning as you made eye contact with his cock. his grip hurt, but your mouth was watering. it was big, and heavy, and he popped it against your chin with force. 

“open bitch,” your jaw slacked as he didn't waste a second before filling your throat with his length. your throat was wet and greedy, sucking instantly. he grunted as he angled his hips to fit fully inside you. you were gagging around him, tears already stinging your waterline.

“is this what you wanted? wanted my dick as close to your brain as possible? so it could teach you your fucking place?” he mocked you, as he used his hands to pull your head on and off his cock– using you like a toy. 

he laid the back of your head against the edge of the bed, lifting a foot to be level so he could pump himself down you with more force. hips snapping back and forth, his tip bruising a place in your throat you didn't know existed. 

you clenched your hands and thighs together. staring up at him as he took what he wanted from you. tall and strong, head tilted back like he was in another world. his hands wrapped around your head, guiding you, felt oddly gentle now. your cunt leaking as you thought about how safe you were. he could be as rough as he wanted, you could fall apart for him completely, and the whole time you would never have to worry, it was still your charlie. your throat relaxed as you thought about how much you loved him.

“thats my girl, just let me use you” his head was still tipped back, but the way his dick was twitching you knew he was close. your tongue started doing what little it could to make it feel better for him. licking and suctioning anytime you could while he fucked your throat for just his pleasure. his mouth parted as noises fell softly from him. 

your hands raised to his, his eyes shot back down to you at the softer touch. your doe eyes looking up at him like he was everything. he let his hands go from where he was using them to fuck your face, as you gently guided them back. you continued sucking him at the pace he had set. too hard, and too deep for how you usually liked it. but it was driving him crazy so you weren't going to stop now.

“fucking slut-” his words were long, drawn out like moans. “my fucking slut– all mine, you belong to me” his hands clasped behind his back as he only bucked softly into your begging throat, while you did the rest of the work for him. stood towering above you, like a statue, as you knelt before him, like something to be owned. 

he grunted and bit his lip as hard as he could. his hips snapped forward as he kept his eyes trained down onto yours. you felt his whole length twitch before wet hot spurts were coating your throat. his hand reached back around to rest on the top of your head. he slowed your pace, only letting you bob gently, as he worked through his high. eyes shutting, lost in the moment. he blinked them back open to see you still staring at him wide-eyed, with your hands on his thighs keeping his cock as deep as possible. lips puckered perfectly around his length like you were made for it. pleasure surged back through him, sending a shiver down his spine. one last rope hit the roof of your mouth, before he was pulling you off completely.

spit connected his cock to your mouth until you pulled away far enough for the strands to break. you sat back on your ankles, gazing up at him, drunk in love and lust. he sat on the edge of the bed, and used the back of your head to guide your mouth to his. kissing you gently, like even after that, he could break you. the kiss held an unspoken tenderness, one that said, i love you and i trust you. 

he grabbed your arms and guided you to crawl up to him, then adjusting to pull on your waist to help you up higher. the kiss began to blur from sweet promises to heated passion. he held your weight as you sat above him, straddling his waist. the kiss was messy now, teeth clacking and spit still resting on your chin. his hand found its way back to your scalp, clenching a fistful and pulling your head down. breaking your lips apart, and exposing your neck. his lips found your sensitive spots instantly. 

“should leave dark marks on you hm?” he questioned between kisses, “so people can see what a nasty girl you are?” he continued as his fingers found their way to your still covered core. “parade you around the paddock? my pretty little girlfriend, who just lets me use her like a fleshlight? is that what you want, baby?” he finished, mocking, looking at you with the same stupid innocence you gave him earlier tonight. 

you were whining into him now. the need to be fucked out weighing any attitude you had left. 

“tell me what you want” he whispered against your skin, taunting you. you curled into him, getting any amount of closeness and friction you could. 

“you charli, want you” you pouted and looked at him with gentle desperation. his hand wrapped back around your throat and pulled your lips just millimeters from his.

“dont use that sweet little name, i told you what happens to whores like you. you wanted this” his voice was sharp, hands rough against you. but somehow, his eyes were still so caring. you nodded pathetically as you dropped your head to his shoulder. he pulled the thin straps of your dress off your shoulders. letting it drape around you and lifting your tits out from behind the fabric. he pulled the bottom of the dress up to rest around your waist. your garment bunched into a belt now, he didnt bother pulling it all the way off of you.

your panties showed as he exposed you to him, red lace, breath leaving his mouth before he could catch it at the sight of you. pulling them to the side, he ran his fingers through your folds, never filling the emptiness. 

“soaking fucking wet and i havent even touched you yet” he told you as your cheeks flushed. “does sucking my dick really get you this hot, bitch? or do you just like pissing me off?” you wanted to respond, wanted to shave a little cockiness off of him. but as you opened your mouth to retort, he dipped his fingers inside you. all that fell from your plush lips was an uncontrolled moan. 

“yeah? you got something to say?” your hips were rolling, shaking your head no, as you didn't dare do anything to make him want to take his fingers out. riding him, leaking on his fingers, as he was barely one knuckle deep inside of you. 

“all fours” was all he said as he lifted you to the spot of the bed next to him. knees resting right on the edge of the bed, back arching as you rested on your elbows. he stood behind you, feeling his warmth and stature radiating against your skin with the close proximity. he stared at your heat as you clenched around nothing, waiting. pushing your hips back as it ached to be so empty. 

he slapped your ass, the sharp sting shooting through you as his hand soothed the red mark. you bit your lip, trying to keep yourself quiet, failing. the flash of pain returning as he reddened the other cheek.

“how many do you think you deserve, baby?” he stepped closer to you, dick standing straight up and bumping against your clit. his voice was tempting you, basking in the pleasure he got from making you choose your punishment.

“five, five charles please” you said as you struggled to even keep yourself on your elbows. fists clenching around any bedding they could as you desperately tried to keep yourself from falling apart. the slapping noise was louder this time, so was the strangled moan it pulled from you. it hurt more, longer, hitting the same spot he had before. his hand did what it could to soothe you, rub the pain away. but as his left hand connected harshly with the opposite side of your ass again, your moan was unmistakably pained. stinging and sharp, a softer moan following as he gripped the skin of your butt tight. 

“taking your spankings so well, being so good for me” he praised you, knowing just when you needed it. keeping you stupid, and rutting against his dick. “can you take your last one honey?” he asked you, voice tender now. he was really asking, you could say no, you knew you could. beg for mercy and he would give it to you, no further questions. he would continue passed it, not letting it ruin the moment if you couldn't. never wanting to hurt you anymore than you asked him to. 

“please” was all you muttered as you arched your butt further up to him. the cutting sound and pain followed, softer this time. not noticeably, not unless you really knew charles. 

“thats my girl, shh, i know baby” he coaxed you. his hands rubbed at your skin gently. your moans were more sobbish now as the pain slowly weakened against your burning ass. 

he grabbed your waist, demanding, controlling, pulling you flush against his front. your cunt parted as his dick made room for itself. separating you, but not filling you. raising your hips ever so slightly so your clit would grind against the veins of his length. 

“tell me what you need, tell me who you need, slut” his voice was a ragged whisper. your whole body burned. heat radiating off of you from the inside out. the rush of dopamine feeling overwhelming. your head was spinning as you kept wrecked cries from leaving your mouth. you felt it start to hurt. the emptiness, the need, the want, the itch that covered every part of your skin he didn't touch. 

“you– ple– please fuck me” tears streamed down your face as you lost control. it was overpowering. you wanted to turn around, fall to your knees, and cry for his dick. you wanted to tell him you couldn't live without it for one more second. every nerve in your body alight as he hummed softly to you. 

he pulled back from you, separating just barely. you felt your throat open, ready to sob, before you could he plunged his cock into you, bottoming out immediately. the noise that was pushed from you was one of pleasure, or relief. they were so blurred together you couldn't tell the difference. he stayed still, for just a moment. a breath long enough for you to adjust, prepare. then he pulled halfway out and snapped his hips back against you with force. 

you extended your arms, not capable of staying stable on your elbows. pushing your own face down into the mattress. this time, he used his hands to push your form forward, his tip just barely feeling the cold air before he pulled you back, rough.

the noises were perfectly disgusting. the wetness of your cunt squelching around him. the clap of your hips reconnecting. the way you moaned, charles would describe it as fucking angelic. him grunting behind you as your pussy sucked his cock like it needed it. 

completely arched down, charles moved his hands to rest more on your lower back and hips. he used you for leverage. you held a majority of his weight as he pulled his cock and bottomed out with speed and strength. the rhythm was blistering. fast, hard, fucking, not making love. it would hurt tomorrow, but it felt too good to think about that right now. hell, you wanted it to hurt tomorrow. 

“who’s pussy is this” he asked you, trying to hold back the purrs that threatened to fall from his own mouth. he moved his hand to the back of your head, turning you to look sideways. you could see him now, just out of the corner of your eye. he could see your face, see just how gone you were. smiling as you faded in and out of reality, thinking solely about his cock pumping in and out of you. his words finally made their way into your fuzzy head.

“is y-yours, always yu-rs” you slurred, eyes rolling gently as you let it all go. charlie wasn't sure if that went more to his dick or his heart. either way, he was now completely focused on making you cum around him. still using your arched back as leverage, he kept rutting into you relentlessly.

he angled his hips just slightly, perfectly adjusting for his tip to land right on the spot that makes you– you were screaming into the mattress. walls fluttering around him like his dick was made to fill you. knocking against the spot that drove you crazy, he watched as everything else left. all that was in your pretty little head was him, his dick, and pleasure. 

you clenched around him so tight, it was making it hard to pull out. your cunt was pulling him in, and keeping him held there. he used his hold on your hips to pull and push you onto him. it helped with the movement, but the suction your hole had around him was maddening. 

you bounced back and forth at charles’ mercy now. your body was limp, moldable to whatever he wanted. like the only muscle you had left was your tight fucking cunt. every part of you shook as he all but ragdolled you against him.

you opened your mouth to speak, to warn him. but the way you were gushing and clenching around him– he knew you all too well. his tip punished your sweetest spot. a bundle of nerves so deep inside you, somewhere only he could touch. 

“i know baby, cum for me, show me how pretty you are when you fall apart” he told you. not needing you to waste any amount of thought on telling him what he already knew. 

you tipped over the edge, as he collided with you again, deep and hard, he watched as you found the top of the climax. he couldn't help himself. pulling his hand back and spanking you one more time. the noise was harsh as the sweat on you and his hand aided it. the pain sent you tumbling off the peak before you had any say in it.

your eyes squeezed shut as every muscle in your body lit on fire, clenching up and relaxing entirely. your vision went hot and white behind your eyelids. your ears rang and your mouth dried up. like all of your other senses had shut off completely. like you were controlled entirely by your cunt, and by charles fucking in and out of you. 

his thrusts were shallower now, gentler. he worked you through it. feeling the pleasure pour through you when he brushed against the spot he had been bruising. he tried– really tried, not to finish until he milked every drop of pleasure out of your orgasm. but the way your pussy was begging him to fill you, he couldn't deny it any longer. 

you felt the surge of warm, stickiness coat your insides. another wave of pleasure washing over you without warning. like charles finishing sent an entire other orgasm crashing through you. you shouted his name like it was the only thing you could remember.

as euphoria drenched all of him, he kept rocking you back on him, coaxing you both. skin buzzing, brain fuzzy, you lazily fucked against him to take everything he had to give you. slowly, you both came down, as charles pumped into you a few more times. the remaining pieces of your orgasm raked through you, sending shivers to different parts of you, until his cock had rubbed every itching nerve satisfied. 

your walls squeezed him barely as he left his length inside you while you both caught your breath. his hands were soft now, distinctly different from just moments ago. he leaned over you fully, letting his weight comfort you, ground you, pull you back to reality. brushing your hair to the side and kissing your shoulder so sweetly you could taste it. 

“that’s it pretty girl, did so good for me” he whispered in your ear from behind you. hand rubbing and squeezing your sides. “took me so well, made me so proud” he continued as you finally found the strength to raise your eyelids. you blinked, heavy and slow, as a whine escaped you. his cock resting against bundles of nerves that felt overstimulated now. even as he was softening, he was still too big for your aching pussy. 

“you ready?” he asked you. genuine, eyes searching. he didn't want to pull out abruptly, didn't want to empty you until you were ready. until you had come down enough to decide when his missing member wouldn't hurt more than it filling you.

“mhm” was all you had in you, as your tight suction relaxed and loosened around him. he dragged out gently, both of you mushy and softening. he rolled you over on your back, as delicate as you imagined an angel might. he returned to laying on you, giving just the right amount of weight to ground you but not overwhelm you.

he tucked his head into your neck, smiling against your soft skin. light kisses scattered across the area and trailing to your collar bones. you watched him, lazy. eyes full of love, admiration, and most importantly, trust. 

“i love you” you told him, dreamy and blurred. his heart swelled as he pulled back to look at you. how beautiful you looked now, messy and taken. every inch of you was soft and longing to be held. an ache opened in his chest as he watched you. his beautiful girl. 

“i love you, doll” he responded, accent heavy as the tiredness set in. “wanna shower? or just wipe off?” he questioned, not wanting to push you past where you wanted to be. 

“jus sleep” you said as he smiled at you, so in love. he wanted you to be relaxed and comfortable. but he cared too much about you to let you go to sleep like this. he kissed you once more, soft, spit connecting you both as he pulled away.

deciding for you, he stumbled to the bathroom and ran a washcloth under cool water. grabbing a dry towel as well. he returned to you, pouty, missing him. he grabbed your pjs, something comfy, light and loose. 

something between protective, nurturing, and caring flushed charles skin as he knelt down to clean you up. you were exhausted, half asleep as he pulled you to sit up. using the dry towel to wipe your skin down, taking precaution not to be too harsh with the rough towel. he knelt down to your most intimate area, still radiating heat. 

“this is gonna be a little cold, bubba, ill be quick” he said as he separated your knees and kissed the inside of your thigh. hissing as he used the wet rag to wipe your leaking and sore pussy. wiping you clean like you were a piece of fine art. detailed and delicate.

he pulled your panties up, cute pink ones with a little bow on the front, soft and silky as to not irritate your skin anymore. pulling his tshirt over your head, you giggled to each other as your arm got caught in the wrong hole. 

throwing on a pair of shorts and using the dry towel to wipe himself down, not at all minding your sweat mixing with his. he was finally able to crawl into bed with you. you were very sleepy, lulling into a drowsy state each time charlie looked away from you. 

he pulled your form up to his, laying your head on his chest and pulling your knee to have your leg over him as well. his thumbs drew light patterns and shapes on your thigh, as he pulled the covers over you and let you sink into his comfort.

“you okay baby?” he asked you, you didn't need to talk much. he just wanted to be extra sure you were as happy with tonight as he was.

“better than okay, you're pretty good in bed” you joked, tired, but cheeky. he laughed, honestly. mainly it was air escaping his nose, but his smile was big and you could see the white flash through the dark.

“i love you baby” he told you as your breathing slowed. he repeated it a few more times as you fell softly into the embrace of sleep. when you were drifted off entirely, he allowed himself to follow you. eyes heavy as the sound of your heartbeat was echoing around his head, as if it were his own.

[mcrdvcks]

i love you, always and forever ࿐‧₊ we survived the great war

chapter summary: Happy kids means a happy life.

word count: 14.7k+ (30.6k total)

pairing: Logan Howlett x fem!reader

notes: this spans from where we left off in the last chapter to the day before logan wakes up in dofp/nothing matters but you

(pls excuse the summary i didn't know what to put, lol)

i'll have a notes post on the second part, but for now, enjoy!

warnings/tags: reader wears glasses, fluff, mentions of star wars, excessive use of the words 'lucky' and 'magic', soft!logan, soft!laura, mentions of sex, thanksgiving and christmas, pregnancy/giving birth (you're gonna have to read to find out😏), did i mention fluff?

series masterlist - chapter 17, chapter 17.5 → chapter 18.5

“Daddy! Wha’s this?” Gabby asked, holding up a Rubik’s Cube from the toy aisle.

Logan barely glanced at it, one hand resting on the cart handle while the other fished out the shopping list from his pocket. "It’s a puzzle, kid."

Gabby turned the cube over in her small hands, frowning at the bright, jumbled squares. “How?”

Before Logan could answer, you stepped up beside them, looking down at the cube. “It’s a logic puzzle,” you explained, adjusting your glasses. “You have to twist the sides so that all the colors match.”

Gabby gasped, eyes wide. “Magic?”

Laura, who had been skimming the snacks on the opposite shelf, snorted. “Not magic, Gabby. Just math.”

Gabby scrunched up her nose. “No fair.”

You smiled, reaching out to take the cube from her hands. “It’s not that hard once you understand the patterns.” You gave it a quick turn, showing her how the pieces moved. “There are algorithms—ways to move the pieces in a sequence—to solve it.”

Gabby’s brows furrowed in deep concentration. She looked between you and the cube, then back again. “So… science magic?”

You hummed, pretending to think about it before nodding. “Basically.”

Gabby turned to Logan. “Can we get it?”

Logan sighed, glancing at the growing pile of supplies already in the cart. “You even gonna play with it, or you just gonna chew on it like you do Nova?”

Gabby gasped, utterly offended. “No chew! Science magic!”

Laura smirked, tossing a bag of chips into the cart. “You should let her have it. Maybe she’ll be the first person in history to solve it by accident.”

Gabby’s eyes lit up. “I win?”

You smiled. “If you solve it, I’ll even teach you a new science fact.”

Gabby gasped dramatically, clutching the cube to her chest. “Okay!”

Logan grumbled something under his breath before nudging the cart forward. “Fine. Put it in the cart, princess.”

Gabby cheered, plopping the cube into the basket before skipping ahead to the next aisle. “Laura! More science magic!” Laura rolled her eyes but followed, her hands tucked into her hoodie pockets.

You reached over and straightened the items in the cart, giving Logan an amused look. “You know she’s going to expect you to help her solve it, right?”

Logan huffed, pushing the cart forward. “Yeah, well, you’re the science teacher. You deal with it.”

You smirked, brushing your fingers against his arm as you walked beside him. “I don’t know, Logan. You might have to start brushing up on your quantum mechanics.”

Logan shot you a deadpan look. “Yeah, that ain’t happenin’, sweetheart.”

You laughed softly, nudging him lightly with your elbow. “We’ll see.”

A few aisles over, Gabby’s excited voice rang out. “Laura! Look! Froggies!”

Logan sighed, already bracing himself. “She’s found the cereal, hasn’t she?”

You smiled. “Definitely.”

Logan groaned but didn’t bother changing course. Gabby had won that battle long before they even stepped into the store.

---

“Care to explain why I just unpacked four boxes of a frog themed cereal?” Ororo asked, hands on her hips.

Gabby was focused on her Rubik’s Cube, after Logan had taken off the tag. She turned it over in her small hands, twisting one of the rows experimentally before frowning. "It broke."

You hid a smile behind your hand. "It’s not broken, sweetheart. That’s how you solve it."

Gabby squinted at the jumbled colors like they had personally offended her. "I fix."

Ororo, still waiting for an explanation about the cereal, sighed. "So no one's gonna answer me, huh?"

Gabby, now twisting the cube more aggressively, was unbothered by the conversation happening above her head. "Froggies," she mumbled, not looking up.

"Yeah, I got that much," Ororo said, raising an eyebrow at the four identical boxes now sitting on the counter. "But four? I don’t even think she can eat this much before it goes stale."

Gabby finally looked up, her expression scandalized. "No stale! Eat fast!"

Laura, leaning against the counter with an apple in hand, smirked. "Yeah, she’s got a plan."

Logan, who had been mostly quiet while putting away the groceries, exhaled through his nose and muttered, "She’s been runnin’ this house since she could talk."

Gabby beamed at him. "Daddy, do colors."

Logan looked down at the cube in her hands. "Kid, I ain’t got the patience for that thing."

Gabby gasped dramatically. "But science magic!"

You smiled, stepping in before she could start listing all the reasons he should care. "How about this—if you work on it for a little bit, I’ll give you a hint."

Gabby’s eyes narrowed. "Secret hint?"

"A very special hint," you confirmed.

That seemed to satisfy her. She went right back to twisting the cube, muttering under her breath as if she were casting some kind of spell on it. "Match, match, match…"

Ororo, watching the scene unfold, shook her head. "And yet, I still don’t have an answer about the cereal."

"She saw it, she wanted it, she got it," Laura said simply, tossing her apple core in the trash.

Ororo looked at Logan, who was finishing off his coffee like he wanted no part of this discussion. "And you just… let her?"

Logan shrugged. "Pickin’ my battles, Ro."

Ororo sighed, shaking her head as she finished putting away the rest of the food. "At this rate, she’s gonna be bouncing off the walls from all the sugar."

Gabby, still focused on the cube, muttered, "Energy."

Ororo let out a sharp laugh. "That’s one way to put it."

Jean walked in just as Ororo was closing the cabinet, glancing between all of you. "What’s going on in here?"

Ororo gestured to the pile of groceries, then the cereal, then Gabby. "Apparently, we’re stocking up for the apocalypse."

Jean raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so a normal day, then?"

"Pretty much," Logan muttered, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed.

Gabby, still focused on her Rubik’s Cube, twisted it aggressively before letting out an exasperated huff. "Ugh! Not working!" She turned to you, her expression both expectant and deeply frustrated. "Mommy, hint!"

You crouched down beside her, adjusting your glasses. "Alright, sweetheart, here’s your hint—you don’t have to solve the whole thing at once. Start by making a white cross."

Gabby’s little brows furrowed in concentration. She turned the cube over in her hands, inspecting the colors. "White cross?"

"Mm-hmm," you said, tapping the cube. "Match these white stickers to the center piece."

Gabby pursed her lips, nodding determinedly before going back to twisting. Laura, sitting on the counter, watched her for a second before muttering, "She’s gonna throw that thing at the wall in five minutes."

Jean smirked, sipping her coffee. "Five? You’re giving her a lot of credit."

"Unfair," Gabby grumbled, still twisting. "Science magic is hard."

Logan huffed a quiet laugh. "Told ya, kid."

Gabby shot him a sharp look. "No quit!"

That got a chuckle out of Jean. "Oh, you’re in trouble, Logan. She’s not letting this go."

"Yeah, yeah," Logan muttered, watching as Gabby continued fiddling with the cube, her tiny hands twisting the sides with intense focus.

Ororo, still not over the sheer amount of frog-themed cereal they now had in the house, shook her head before turning to you. "You’re okay with this? Four boxes?"

You smiled, shrugging. "It’s easier to just let her have them than listen to her list every reason why she should."

Ororo sighed, but there was amusement in her eyes as she muttered, "She’s exhausting."

Jean smirked. "Tell me about it. I had her in my office the other day, making her practice her reading, and she spent ten minutes explaining why frogs are better than birds."

"Birds fly," Laura pointed out.

Gabby looked up from her Rubik’s Cube just long enough to declare, "Frogs jump!" before returning to twisting the pieces.

Jean shook her head, laughing as she leaned against the counter. "I don’t know how you two keep up with her."

"Easy," Logan muttered, taking another sip of his coffee. "I don’t."

Gabby gasped dramatically. "Daddy!"

Logan smirked down at her. "What?"

Gabby huffed, crossing her arms. "You help me with colors."

Logan sighed, rubbing a hand down his face before crouching beside her. "Alright, let’s see it."

Gabby immediately shoved the cube toward him. "Fix."

Logan arched an eyebrow. "Thought you wanted to do it yourself?"

Gabby’s lips pressed together. "Help a little?"

Logan exhaled, reaching out to turn the cube in his hands. "White cross, huh?"

Gabby nodded eagerly. "Mommy say so!"

Jean smirked at you. "Congratulations, you’re now the official authority on Rubik’s Cubes."

You chuckled, leaning against the counter. "Could be worse."

Laura, watching as Logan started turning the cube in slow, deliberate movements, muttered, "This is a bad idea."

Ororo raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Laura smirked. "Because now neither of them are gonna let it go."

Logan twisted the cube one last time before handing it back to Gabby. "Alright, kid. There’s your cross."

Gabby gasped, her eyes going wide. "You did it!"

Logan smirked, ruffling her hair. "Yeah, yeah. Your turn now."

Gabby immediately started twisting again, her frustration momentarily forgotten as she focused on the next step.

Jean nudged your arm, her voice low with amusement. "So, how long before she drags you into this?"

You smiled, watching Gabby as she worked. "Oh, she’s already got a plan."

Jean chuckled. "Yeah. And I’m guessing it involves you solving most of it."

"Probably," you admitted.

Logan glanced up at you, smirking. "You started this, darlin’. Now you’re stuck with it."

You rolled your eyes, adjusting your glasses. "It’s fine. At least she’s interested in something other than frogs for a little while."

Gabby’s head snapped up. "Frogs are best."

You smiled, reaching over to smooth down her curls. "Of course they are, sweetheart." Gabby nodded, satisfied, before turning back to her cube.

---

You walked into Gabby’s room with her clean laundry, only to find her sitting on the floor in front of her dresser, throwing all her frog-themed clothes into a growing pile beside her.

You paused in the doorway, adjusting your glasses as you took in the scene. “…Gabby?”

She barely glanced up, her little brows furrowed as she grabbed another frog-printed shirt and tossed it aside. “No more froggies.”

That got your full attention. You stepped into the room, setting the laundry basket on her bed. “No more frogs?” you repeated, like you hadn’t heard her right.

Gabby shook her head firmly, reaching for a pair of frog pajamas and adding them to the pile with a dramatic huff.

You crouched down beside her. “Sweetheart, you love frogs.”

Gabby finally looked up, her face serious. “I love axo-lottles now.”

You blinked. “Axolotls?”

Gabby nodded, grabbing Nova from beside her and squeezing him tightly. “Pink ones. And white ones. And black ones. With gills.” She placed both hands on either side of her head, wiggling her fingers.

You exhaled slowly, rubbing your temple as realization set in. “You watched the ocean documentary, didn’t you?”

Gabby beamed. “Yes! It had sharks, and big whales, and fish with lights on their heads—”

“Anglerfish,” you supplied.

“Yeah!” Gabby bounced excitedly before gasping, like she’d just remembered something critical. “And axo-lottles! They live in the water and on land, and they never grow up, and they can regrow arms!”

That explained a lot.

Laura, who had been standing in the hallway listening, leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “Told you it would happen eventually.”

You shot her a look. “I thought we had at least another year before she moved on from frogs.”

Laura smirked. “You underestimated her.”

Gabby, still holding Nova tightly, turned back to the discarded pile of frog clothes. She picked up one of her shirts, frowning at it before looking up at you. “Mommy, I need axo-lottle clothes.”

You sighed, pushing your glasses up your nose. “Sweetheart, you have a lot of clothes already.”

Gabby pouted. “No axo-lottles.”

Laura shrugged. “She’s not wrong.”

You sighed again, rubbing your forehead. “So, just to be clear—you’re done with frogs?”

Gabby hesitated, her tiny fingers curling around Nova’s fuzzy paw. “I still like froggies,” she admitted. “But axo-lottles are better.”

You exchanged a look with Laura, who just shook her head. “Called it.”

Gabby tugged at your sleeve. “Mommy? Can we see one?”

You blinked. “See one?”

Gabby nodded, her eyes wide. “A real axo-lottle! Please?”

You hesitated. You didn’t even know where the closest place was that had axolotls. A pet store? An aquarium? “I’ll check,” you promised. “But no guarantees.”

Gabby gasped, clapping her hands together. “Lucky magic!”

Laura arched an eyebrow. “She’s still saying that?”

You sighed, standing up and stretching. “Apparently.”

Gabby, still sitting on the floor, grabbed another frog shirt and held it up to Nova. “Nova, do you want froggies?” She paused, nodding seriously at whatever imaginary answer she’d just received. “Okay. Nova has froggies now.”

Laura smirked. “Guess that solves the problem.”

You pinched the bridge of your nose. “I’m too tired for this.”

Gabby reached up, tugging at your hand. “Mommy, come see my axo-lottle book!”

You let her drag you toward her bookshelf, already bracing yourself for what was undoubtedly going to be a deep dive into her latest obsession.

Laura shook her head, arms still crossed. “Frogs had a good run.”

You sighed, watching as Gabby flipped excitedly through one of her books. “Yeah,” you muttered. “They really did.”

---

Later that day, while Logan took a shower, you sat at your desk, looking at nearby aquariums to see if any of them had axolotls. You scrolled through listings, skimming through exhibits at local science centers and pet stores.

Most places had the usual—sharks, sea turtles, stingrays—but axolotls? Apparently, they weren’t as easy to come by as frogs.

You sighed, adjusting your glasses before clicking on another website. This one looked promising—an aquarium about an hour away had a "Weird and Wonderful Creatures" exhibit, which featured bioluminescent jellyfish, leafy sea dragons, and, thankfully, axolotls.

You glanced over your shoulder, making sure Gabby wasn’t sneaking up behind you. The last thing you needed was her catching sight of the screen and launching into a high-speed interrogation about when, how, and why you were going to take her there.

Satisfied that she was still in her bedroom—you bookmarked the page and stretched.

Right on cue, Logan stepped into the room, toweling off his damp hair. "You’ve been sittin’ there a while," he muttered, glancing at the screen. "What’re you lookin’ at?"

You smirked. "Axolotls."

Logan froze mid-motion, his brow furrowing. "The hell is an axolotl?"

You sighed, already bracing yourself. "It’s a type of salamander."

Logan tossed the towel onto a chair before stepping closer, peering at the screen. "That thing looks like a science experiment gone wrong."

You swatted his arm. "They’re cute."

Logan gave you a look, unimpressed. "They got feathery gills stickin’ outta their heads."

"That’s what makes them cute," you countered. "And Gabby loves them now, so…" You gestured toward the screen. "I was seeing if there was anywhere we could take her to see one."

Logan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "So, we’re done with frogs, huh?"

"Not done," you corrected. "Just… expanded."

Logan muttered something under his breath before leaning against the desk. "Alright. Where we takin’ her?"

You clicked on the bookmarked page. "This place has them."

Logan leaned over your shoulder, scanning the screen. His damp hair was still tousled from his shower, the scent of his soap lingering as he propped a hand against the desk.

"Aquarium, huh?" he muttered.

You nodded, adjusting your glasses. "Yeah. They have a special exhibit with different amphibians and weird deep-sea creatures." You scrolled down, reading aloud. "It says here they have axolotls in multiple colors, including leucistic, wild-type, and melanistic."

Logan blinked. "What the hell does that mean?"

You smirked, glancing up at him. "Leucistic ones are pink with feathery gills, wild-types are speckled brown, and melanistic are black. Gabby will lose her mind."

Logan exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face. "Kid just spent three years obsessed with frogs. Now it's these—what are they called again? Axo-whatevers?"

"Axolotls," you corrected, fighting back a smile. "And to be fair, she still likes frogs. She’s just… expanding her interests."

Logan muttered something under his breath before straightening. "So, when you plannin’ on takin’ her?"

You leaned back in your chair, stretching. "Not sure yet. Maybe this weekend? If we tell her now, she won’t talk about anything else until we go."

Logan smirked. "And that’d be different from usual how?"

You sighed, resting your elbow on the desk. "True."

Logan rolled his shoulders, stepping back. "She in bed?"

"Out like a light," you confirmed. "She spent half an hour trying to make a ‘white cross’ on that Rubik’s Cube before she knocked out."

Logan snorted. "Kid's determined, I’ll give her that."

You closed the laptop, turning in your chair to face him fully. "Laura, too. She’s asleep."

Logan hummed, running a hand through his hair. "Good. I feel like she’s been stayin’ up too late readin’ those comics."

"She reads them with a flashlight under the blanket like she thinks we don’t know," you said, smirking.

Logan chuckled. "Let her have that one. Long as she’s gettin’ up in the morning, it ain’t hurtin’ anyone."

You exhaled, watching as he stepped over to the bed, sitting on the edge as he dried his hair off with a towel. Even after all these years, there was something grounding about seeing him in these quiet moments—comfortable, familiar.

"Are you gonna complain about the axolotls the whole time we’re there?" you teased, standing up.

Logan tossed the towel onto the chair, smirking as he leaned back on his palms. "Nah. If it makes her happy, I’ll deal with it." He tilted his head. "But if she asks me to buy her an axo-whatever, you’re tellin’ her no."

You raised an eyebrow, walking over to him. "Oh, so I have to be the bad guy?"

Logan huffed a quiet laugh. "Damn right."

You rolled your eyes but didn’t argue, stepping between his legs. His hands found your waist easily, fingers pressing into the fabric of your pajama pants.

"Long day?" you murmured.

Logan sighed, his thumbs brushing slow circles against your sides. "Yeah. Not bad, just… long."

You reached up, running your fingers through his hair, still slightly damp. He leaned into your touch, his hands tightening slightly on your waist.

"Go to bed, then," you said softly.

Logan exhaled through his nose. "In a minute."

You smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair from his face. "Waiting on something?"

His grip on your waist tightened just enough to pull you a little closer. "Yeah," he muttered, eyes flicking to your lips.

You didn’t make him wait any longer. Leaning down, you kissed him, slow and unhurried. Logan hummed against your mouth, his hands sliding up your back, holding you there like he had no plans to let you go anytime soon.

When you finally pulled away, Logan smirked up at you. "Guess that was worth stayin’ up for."

You rolled your eyes, but the warmth in your chest lingered as you nudged his shoulder. "Come on. Bed." Logan didn’t argue this time, letting you pull him up as he flipped off the light. The axolotl talk could wait until morning.

---

Sure enough, a few days later on Saturday, the four of you hopped into the truck for a “surprise outing.” Gabby held Nova in her lap as she and Laura sat in the back of the car, her little legs kicking against the seat. “Where we go?” Gabby asked, her wide eyes bouncing between you and Logan in the front.

“It’s a surprise, kid,” Logan said, keeping his eyes on the road.

Gabby huffed, her arms tightening around Nova. “No fair.”

Laura smirked, stretching out her legs. “You’ll live.”

Gabby pouted but didn’t argue, her fingers absentmindedly toying with Nova’s fuzzy ear. She twisted around in her seat as the trees blurred past the window. “Is it the zoo?”

You adjusted your glasses, turning slightly to glance at her. “Nope.”

Gabby’s brow furrowed. “Movie?”

“Nope.”

Gabby considered that for a moment, then gasped. “A castle?”

You laughed softly. “No castles today, sweetheart.”

Gabby slumped back in her seat, sighing dramatically. “No fair.”

Laura, flipping through one of her comics, didn’t even look up as she said, “You already said that.”

Gabby’s little face scrunched up, but before she could retort, Logan cut in. “You’ll like it, princess. Just sit tight.”

Gabby crossed her arms, clearly still trying to puzzle it out. After a few moments of silence, she turned to Laura and whispered, “I think it’s space.”

Laura snorted. “It’s not space.”

Gabby frowned. “Mommy likes space.”

You smiled. “I do, but that’s not where we’re going.”

Gabby exhaled loudly. “Too many secrets.”

Logan smirked. “You’ll survive, kid.”

Gabby flopped against Laura’s side, sighing dramatically. “I don’t like surprises.”

Laura pushed her back upright. “You love surprises.”

Gabby gasped, twisting to face her. “No, you love surprises.”

Laura arched an eyebrow. “Gabby, you literally asked for a surprise yesterday.”

Gabby blinked. “Oh.” Then, after a pause, she grinned. “Okay, I like surprises.”

Logan huffed a laugh, shaking his head as he pulled off the highway toward the aquarium.

Gabby, still chattering with Laura about what the surprise could be, suddenly perked up as the sign came into view. She squinted at it, trying to read. “A… qua…”

“Aquarium,” you supplied gently.

Gabby gasped, practically vibrating in her seat. “Fishies!”

Laura smirked. “There it is.”

Gabby bounced in her seat. “Fishies! Fishies! Daddy, faster!”

“Hey, I ain’t gettin’ a ticket ‘cause you wanna see some damn fish,” Logan muttered, though he didn’t seem too bothered by her excitement.

Gabby turned back to you. “Mommy, do fishies have bones?”

You nodded. “Most do, but some, like sharks and rays, have cartilage instead of bones.”

Gabby’s mouth formed a small o before she gasped again. “And axo-lottles?”

You smiled. “They have bones, sweetheart.”

Gabby turned back to the window, her excitement only growing as Logan parked the truck. The moment he shut off the engine, she reached for the door handle, but Laura grabbed the back of her shirt. “Wait.”

Gabby whined, wiggling. “But—”

“Hold hands,” you reminded her as you stepped out. “Parking lots aren’t safe.”

Gabby huffed but grabbed Laura’s hand as they climbed out of the car. You and Logan followed, and as soon as you reached the entrance, Gabby let out another excited gasp.

“Mommy, look! Big fishies!” She pointed to the giant mural on the side of the building, where different sea creatures were painted in vivid blues and greens.

You smiled, adjusting your glasses. “That’s a whale shark.”

Gabby’s eyes widened. “Big.”

Logan chuckled. “Yeah, kid. Real big.”

Inside, the aquarium was buzzing with families and kids darting between exhibits. Gabby clung to your hand, her little feet tapping excitedly as she looked around. “Where axo-lottles?”

You checked the map. “They’re in the ‘Weird and Wonderful Creatures’ exhibit. We’ll get there soon.”

Gabby pouted but let you lead her toward the first tank, where vibrant jellyfish floated in glowing blue water. “Oooh,” she murmured, pressing her hands against the glass. “They squish.”

Laura smirked. “Yeah, that’s kind of their thing.”

Gabby turned back to you. “No bones?”

You nodded. “That’s right. Jellyfish don’t have bones.”

Gabby’s little face scrunched in thought. “So… no bones, but fishies do?”

“Most fish do,” you confirmed. “But some don’t, like sharks.”

Gabby turned back to the jellyfish, tapping a tiny finger against the glass. “You weird.”

Logan huffed a quiet laugh. “Yeah, kid. They are.”

From there, you wandered through the different exhibits—shimmering schools of fish, deep-sea creatures, and even a touch pool where Gabby hesitated before finally sticking a single finger into the water to poke a sea cucumber.

When you finally reached the “Weird and Wonderful Creatures” section, Gabby gasped so loudly that a passing couple actually turned to look.

“Axo-lottles!” She practically dragged you forward, her little hands pressed against the glass. Inside, a few axolotls swam lazily, their feathery gills waving in the water. “Pink one! And a brown one! And a black one!” Gabby twisted to face Logan, her excitement impossible to contain. “Daddy, look, look, look!”

Logan smirked, crouching beside her. “Yeah, I see ‘em, princess.”

Gabby turned back to the tank, her eyes practically sparkling. “They so little!”

You smiled, crouching on her other side. “They are, but they can regrow parts of their bodies if they get hurt. Even their hearts.”

Gabby gasped, turning wide eyes to you. “Hearts?”

You nodded. “And even parts of their brains.”

Gabby whipped her head back to the tank, clearly in awe. “Magic,” she whispered.

Laura, standing beside Logan, smirked. “You’re really sticking with that, huh?”

Gabby nodded. “Science magic.”

Logan shook his head, amused. “You got her sayin’ that, darlin’.”

You smiled, adjusting your glasses. “I don’t see a problem with it.”

Gabby pressed closer to the glass, watching the axolotls drift around their tank. After a long moment, she turned to you, eyes hopeful. “Mommy, can we get one?”

Logan groaned. “Here we go.”

You sighed, brushing a stray curl from her forehead. “Sweetheart, axolotls need a lot of care. They’re not like fish.”

Gabby pouted. “But… science magic.”

You bit back a smile. “That doesn’t mean we can bring one home.”

Gabby turned to Logan. “Daddy?”

Logan exhaled. “Ain’t happenin’, kid.”

Gabby whined dramatically before slumping against your leg. “No fair.”

Laura, shaking her head, muttered, “You saw this coming.”

You sighed. “I did.”

Gabby, despite her dramatic slump, kept her eyes locked on the tank, watching the axolotls swim. Then, suddenly, she perked up.

“Mommy, fact?”

You smiled. “Sure, sweetheart. What do you want to know?”

Gabby thought for a moment before pointing at the tank. “Axolotls have bones?”

You nodded. “They do.”

Gabby beamed, satisfied. “Okay.”

Logan huffed a quiet laugh. “That all you needed, kid?”

Gabby grinned. “For now.”

Next stop was a shark tunnel. Gabby’s tiny hands were pressed against the glass as she tilted her head all the way back, eyes wide. “Big,” she breathed, completely mesmerized as a massive shark swam overhead.

Logan smirked, standing just behind her. “Yeah, kid. Real big.”

Gabby turned back to you, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Bigger than Daddy?”

You smiled, adjusting your glasses. “Much bigger.”

Gabby gasped, clearly astounded, then pressed her face back to the glass, watching the shark glide effortlessly through the water. “Fast, too.”

Laura, standing beside her with her hands in her hoodie pockets, arched an eyebrow. “Not really. Most sharks just look fast ‘cause of how they move.”

Gabby blinked up at her. “They not fast?”

“They can be,” you cut in gently. “But most of the time, they’re just efficient. Their bodies are built to move through the water with as little resistance as possible.”

Gabby frowned, considering this. “So… they fast but not fast?”

Laura smirked. “Yeah. They’re like Dad.”

Logan huffed. “What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”

Laura shrugged, shifting her weight to one foot. “You don’t run unless you have to.”

Gabby, still staring at the tank, nodded seriously. “Shark Daddy.”

Logan ran a hand down his face. “Christ.”

You pressed your lips together, trying—and failing—not to laugh. “I mean… she’s not wrong.”

Logan shot you a look. “You’re supposed to be the reasonable one.”

You shrugged, nudging your glasses back up. “I’m just saying, you do have a similar energy.”

Gabby, completely oblivious to Logan’s suffering, kept her focus on the shark. “Do they have bones?”

You nodded. “Most fish do, but sharks have cartilage instead. It makes them more flexible in the water.”

Gabby gasped like this was the most incredible thing she’d ever heard. “No bones?!”

Laura snorted. “You already knew that, Gabby.”

Gabby blinked. “Oh. Yeah.” Then, after a beat, she turned back to the tank and whispered, “Still cool.”

Logan exhaled, watching her press her nose against the glass. “We gonna be stuck here all day?”

You smirked, leaning slightly toward him. “She’s been waiting for this all week. Let her have her moment.”

Logan sighed, crossing his arms. “Yeah, yeah.”

Gabby stayed glued to the glass for another solid minute, watching as the shark glided away, disappearing into the deeper part of the tank. When it was finally out of sight, she twisted around and grabbed your hand. “Mommy, more?”

You glanced at the map. “The next part of the exhibit has stingrays, then the tide pool where you can touch some of the animals.”

Gabby gasped, immediately tugging at your arm. “Touch?!”

You laughed softly, letting her pull you along. “Touch gently, sweetheart.”

Laura trailed after you, hands still stuffed in her hoodie pockets. “This is gonna be interesting.”

Logan sighed but followed. “She better not try to take one home.”

Gabby perked up. “We can?!”

“No,” Logan said immediately.

Gabby pouted. “No fair.”

Laura smirked. “She’s not gonna let that go.”

Logan exhaled sharply. “Yeah. Figured.”

Gabby continued tugging you along, her excitement only growing as you rounded the corner to the stingray exhibit. She gasped, letting go of your hand so she could press herself up against the railing. “Flat fishies!”

You smiled, stepping up beside her. “They’re stingrays.”

Gabby’s eyes widened as one glided through the water, its smooth body undulating as it moved. “They fly!”

Laura leaned against the railing. “They swim.”

Gabby shook her head. “Swim like fly.”

You adjusted your glasses, nodding. “She’s not wrong. Their movement does look a little like flying.”

Gabby looked very pleased with herself. She turned back to the stingrays, bouncing slightly on her feet. “Can I touch ‘em?”

You gestured toward the nearby touch pool. “We can try, but you have to be very gentle.”

Gabby practically vibrated with excitement as you led her to the shallow pool, where a few stingrays skimmed just beneath the surface. She stretched up on her tiptoes, her little fingers hovering just above the water.

“Slow and gentle,” you reminded her.

Gabby nodded quickly, her tongue poking out in concentration as she reached forward. A stingray glided just close enough, and for a split second, her fingers brushed against its smooth, velvety skin.

She gasped so loudly that the couple next to you jumped. “Soft!” she squealed, yanking her hand back like she’d just touched something magical.

Laura smirked. “You act like you didn’t just touch it.”

Gabby ignored her, turning to Logan. “Daddy, you try!”

Logan gave her an unimpressed look. “I’m good, princess.”

Gabby frowned. “Why?”

Logan crossed his arms. “Ain’t my thing.”

Gabby pouted, but before she could start an argument, another stingray swam by, pulling her attention right back to the water.

You smirked, nudging Logan lightly. “You’re no fun.”

Logan huffed. “Don’t start with me, sweetheart.”

You smiled, turning back just as Gabby gasped again, her whole body wriggling with excitement. “Mommy, Mommy, more!”

You chuckled, adjusting your glasses. “Go ahead, sweetheart.”

Gabby grinned, immediately reaching for the water again. Logan sighed beside you, arms still crossed, but there was the barest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips.

Yeah. You were definitely going to be here for a while.

---

Finally, after three hours, the four of you were back in the truck, Gabby now holding an axolotl plush in one arm, and Nova in the other. Both her and Laura were asleep, the sound of the radio playing in the background.

Logan finally spoke up, “sure know a lot about animals, sweetheart. Got somethin’ you wanna tell me?”

You snorted. “What? You think I have a secret marine biology degree?”

Logan smirked, one hand on the wheel, the other resting lazily on the gear shift. "Wouldn’t surprise me. Feels like every time the kid asks a question, you already got the answer."

You shrugged, adjusting your glasses as you leaned back against the seat. "I just read a lot. I’m not a genius or anythin’.”

Logan huffed. "Yeah? Could’ve fooled me."

You shot him a look. "Knowing random facts about sharks and salamanders doesn’t make me a genius, Logan."

Logan smirked, keeping his eyes on the road. "Sure as hell makes you somethin’."

You rolled your eyes, grabbing his hand that rested on the gear shift and pressed a kiss to his knuckles. “You’re smart too.”

Logan smirked, giving your hand a light squeeze. “Yeah, but you’re the one rattlin’ off facts about every fish, lizard, and squishy thing in that damn place.”

You hummed, tapping your fingers lightly against the back of his hand. “You paid attention, though.”

Logan scoffed. “Hard not to when you and Gabby keep quizzin’ me.”

“You could’ve just said you don’t know,” you pointed out, watching him out of the corner of your eye.

He huffed, turning onto the road leading back to the mansion. “Yeah, but then you’d just tell me anyway.”

You smiled, shifting slightly in your seat. “That’s true.”

From the backseat, there was a soft shuffle of movement, and then Gabby mumbled, “Mommy?”

You twisted around, catching sight of her blinking up at you, still half-asleep, her new axolotl plush clutched tightly in one arm while her other hand rested against Nova’s fuzzy ear.

“Yeah, sweetheart?” you asked softly.

Gabby yawned, rubbing her eyes. “Can we go ‘gain ‘morrow?”

Logan let out a low chuckle. “Kid, we were there all day.”

Gabby frowned, her voice still thick with sleep. “But… axo-lottles…”

You smiled, reaching back to brush her curls from her forehead. “Maybe another day, baby. You need rest.”

Gabby made a tiny noise of protest before flopping back against her car seat. “No fair…” she muttered sleepily, already dozing off again.

Laura, who had been asleep, shifted slightly, glancing over at Gabby before smirking. “She’s gonna dream about axolotls.”

You chuckled, settling back into your seat. “Wouldn’t surprise me.”

Logan shook his head, his grip steady on the wheel. “First frogs, now these things. What’s next?”

You nudged him lightly with your knee. “Guess we’ll find out.”

He exhaled, his fingers flexing briefly around yours before relaxing again. “Yeah. Guess we will.”

The road stretched ahead, the soft hum of the tires against the pavement filling the quiet between you. Gabby shifted again in the back, letting out a tiny sigh in her sleep, Nova and her axolotl plush still tucked tightly in her arms.

---

"For some reason, I thought it’d be Y/N who had the long list of rules," Jean sighed dramatically, waving a piece of paper around. "But I was wrong." She shook her head, her lips twitching with amusement as she read over the neat, slightly scrawled handwriting.

Logan, sitting on the couch with his arms crossed, exhaled sharply. "You act like this is unreasonable."

Jean arched an eyebrow. "No sugary snacks before bed, no running in the halls, no talking about space at bedtime—" She looked up, smirking. "What is this, a federal mandate?"

"You wanna be the one dealin’ with her bouncing off the damn walls at midnight?" Logan shot back, his expression flat.

Jean hummed, tapping the paper. "And this one—‘no takin’ advantage of Jean’s weak spots.’" She raised an eyebrow. "What exactly does that mean?"

"It means don’t let her trick you into readin’ six bedtime stories ‘cause she gives you the big eyes," Logan muttered, rubbing his temple.

Jean groaned, rubbing her forehead. "Okay, so she’s a little mastermind. Got it. I’ll keep an eye on her. You two just go."

You hesitated, glancing toward the hallway. "You’re sure?"

Jean shot you a look. "Y/N, I can handle one night with Gabby and Laura. Go enjoy your date."

You bit your lip, still unsure.

Logan stood, grabbing his jacket off the back of the couch. "C’mon, sweetheart. You’re wastin’ time worryin’."

Jean waved the paper. "And I have my government-issued Logan Rules, so we’re all set."

You sighed, adjusting your glasses one last time before stepping forward. "Alright. If she asks for an axolotl, tell her no."

Jean smirked. "Oh, trust me, that one’s already at the top of the list."

Logan placed a hand on your lower back, nudging you toward the door. "Let’s go before you start givin’ her a damn PowerPoint presentation on bedtime routines."

You rolled your eyes but let him guide you outside.

As the door shut behind you, Jean exhaled, turning toward the hallway. "Alright, girls, your parents are gone—who wants to make bad decisions?"

Laura looked up from the couch, unimpressed. "You’re not that fun."

Gabby, who had been quietly flipping through her axolotl book, perked up. "Can we have ice cream?"

Jean grinned. "Now that I can do."

---

Logan took you to a quiet bar outside of town, one that wasn’t completely overrun with rowdy patrons but still had enough life to not feel empty. The two of you sat in a corner booth, drinks in hand, the low hum of conversation filling the space around you. "Feels like it’s been forever since we actually did this," you murmured, stirring your drink.

Logan smirked, leaning back against the booth. "Yeah, ‘cause you’re always worried ‘bout leavin’ Gabby for more than five minutes."

You shot him a look. "Excuse me for being a responsible parent."

He huffed a quiet laugh. "I ain’t complainin’, darlin’. Just sayin’, you gotta let Jean take over sometimes."

You sighed, but he wasn’t wrong. As much as you trusted Jean—and you did—it was hard not to feel like you needed to be there.

Logan reached over, squeezing your hand. "She’s fine. Relax."

You exhaled, allowing yourself to let go of that tension. "I know. I just… haven’t been able to turn my brain off lately."

Logan smirked. "That’s new."

You kicked him lightly under the table, making him chuckle.

The night passed in easy conversation, drinks disappearing as the two of you settled into the rare calm of just being. Logan teased you about your never-ending library of science facts, you challenged him to solve a basic physics equation on a napkin and—he refused—and for a little while, everything was simple.

Until someone had to go and ruin it.

It started when a guy at the bar got a little too loud. Not unusual, given the setting, but Logan’s hand tightened around his drink, his shoulders tensing ever so slightly.

You glanced at him. "Logan—"

"I ain’t doin’ anything," he muttered, taking another sip.

The guy at the bar, already drunk off his ass, laughed obnoxiously at something his friend said before turning his attention to your booth. His bleary eyes scanned over you before settling on Logan.

"Hey," the guy slurred, grinning. "Ain’t you that guy who used to tear up cage fights?"

Logan’s jaw twitched. "No idea what you’re talkin’ about."

The guy laughed again, nudging his friend. "Oh, come on, I know you. You’re that guy—Wolverine, right? Used to be a real tough son of a bitch in the ring."

Logan didn’t answer.

The guy leaned against the bar, still grinning like he thought this was some kind of friendly conversation. "Bet you’re still a real badass, huh?"

You could feel it—Logan’s patience wearing thin. "Not interested," Logan said, voice flat.

The guy scoffed. "What, too good for it now?" His gaze flicked to you, and you immediately didn’t like the way he looked at you. "Ohhh, I get it. You settled down. Went soft."

Logan exhaled slowly through his nose, but he didn’t move.

The guy’s grin widened, like he thought he was onto something. "Bet you used to be real fun before you got tied down, huh?"

Your fingers tightened around your glass.

Logan, still sitting perfectly still, finally looked at him. "You got somethin’ you wanna say?"

The guy shrugged, clearly not picking up on how close he was to getting his teeth knocked in. "Just sayin’, shame to see a guy like you all leashed up."

That was it.

Logan stood, his chair scraping against the floor as he stalked toward the bar. You barely had time to sigh before the first punch was thrown.

The guy yelped as Logan slammed him into the bar, his glass shattering on impact. A few people scrambled out of the way, but no one stepped in—this was the kind of bar where fights happened, and no one was dumb enough to interrupt.

The guy’s friend tried to pull Logan back, but Logan didn’t even budge. You groaned, rubbing your temple.

Logan landed one more solid punch before stepping back, shaking out his hand like he was just done with it. The guy slumped to the floor, groaning. Logan exhaled, rolling his shoulders before turning back to you.

You gave him a flat look. "Feel better?"

Logan smirked. "Little bit."

The bartender, barely fazed, tossed a towel over his shoulder. "You done?"

Logan grunted. "Yeah."

The bartender nodded toward the door. "Then get out."

You sighed, standing up. "Yeah, we’re going."

Logan grabbed his jacket, and the two of you walked out. You pulled a fifty dollar bill from your purse, putting it down on the counter in front of the bartender. “Sorry.” You said quickly, hurrying outside to Logan.

You caught up with Logan just as he reached the truck, his jacket slung over his shoulder, the cool night air ruffling his still-wild hair. He looked entirely unbothered, like he hadn’t just gotten kicked out of a bar for knocking a guy’s teeth in.

"Really?" you huffed, crossing your arms as you stopped a few feet away. "You couldn't just ignore him?"

Logan turned slightly, giving you a smirk. "I did ignore him. He just kept talkin’."

You sighed, rubbing your temple. "So your solution was to rearrange his face?"

Logan scoffed, tossing his jacket into the truck bed before turning back to you. "C’mon, sweetheart. You really think I was just gonna sit there while some asshole ran his mouth?"

You frowned, adjusting your glasses. "Logan, you’ve sat through worse. Hell, you’ve ignored worse."

"Yeah, well, he was askin’ for it," Logan muttered, leaning back against the truck. "Shoulda kept his damn mouth shut."

You exhaled, running a hand through your hair. "I was having a good time."

Logan's expression softened slightly. "I know."

You shot him a look, unimpressed. "You owe me for cutting the night short."

That got a smirk out of him. "That so?"

"Yes," you deadpanned, walking up to him, your arms still crossed. "We don’t get nights like this often, Logan. And the one time we do, you decide to throw hands with some drunk idiot."

Logan chuckled, reaching for your waist. "Didn’t realize you liked the place that much, darlin’."

You huffed but didn’t pull away as his hands settled against your hips. "I liked spending time with you without someone needing their face reconstructed."

Logan hummed, his thumbs brushing small circles against your waist. "You got somethin’ else in mind, then?"

You raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to bribe me?"

"Bribe’s a strong word," he muttered, smirking. "Call it a compromise."

You considered for a moment, glancing back toward the main road. The night wasn’t over yet. "Fine," you muttered, adjusting your glasses. "Drive somewhere quiet. Somewhere we won’t get thrown out of."

Logan chuckled, dropping a quick kiss to your forehead before pulling away. "Yes, ma’am."

---

Twenty minutes later, Logan pulled the truck into a secluded spot overlooking the water, a quiet little stretch far from the city’s noise. It wasn’t fancy, but it was peaceful—the kind of place he knew you’d like.

You leaned against the passenger door, the night breeze cool against your skin as you gazed out at the water. Logan leaned beside you, arms crossed, his eyes flicking to you every so often.

"Better?" he asked.

You exhaled, letting yourself relax. "Better."

Silence settled between you, the kind that didn’t need filling. The soft lap of the waves, the distant chirp of insects—this was the quiet you needed.

"You didn’t have to hit him," you murmured after a moment.

Logan huffed. "Yeah, I did."

You glanced up at him. "Because of what he said about you, or what he said about me?"

Logan’s jaw tightened. "Both."

You sighed, shaking your head. "Logan, I don’t care what some drunk idiot thinks."

"Yeah, well, I do," he muttered.

You studied him, the way his hands flexed slightly, his knuckles still faintly red. Logan didn’t get like this over just anything. The guy at the bar had struck a nerve. "Are you worried about that?" you asked softly.

Logan frowned. "About what?"

"That you’ve changed," you said, turning fully to face him. "That you’ve ‘gone soft’ or whatever else he said."

Logan exhaled sharply, looking away. "Ain’t about that."

You waited.

After a long moment, he shook his head. "Spent too long fightin’ for nothin’. Every time I threw a punch, it was just one more reason to keep goin’ down the same road. Thought maybe one day, I’d just stop caring." He looked at you then, his expression unreadable. "But you? I do care. And I ain’t about to let some asshole talk about you like you’re a damn leash around my neck."

Your chest tightened, warmth blooming under your ribs. You reached for his hand, threading your fingers through his. "You don’t have to prove anything, Logan. Not to me."

He held your gaze for a long moment before squeezing your hand. "Yeah. I know."

The quiet stretched between you again, but this time, it felt different—warmer, steadier. Logan turned back toward the water, his thumb tracing slow circles against your skin.

"You still mad?" he asked after a moment.

You smirked, leaning your head against his shoulder. "A little."

Logan chuckled. "Guess I still owe you, then."

You sighed, closing your eyes briefly as the breeze picked up. "Yeah, you do."

He exhaled, tilting his head slightly to press a kiss against your hair. "I’ll make it up to you, darlin’."

You smiled, squeezing his hand. "You better."

And as the night stretched on, the fight at the bar didn’t seem to matter much anymore.

---

“You’re bad at this.” Gabby announced, as she sat on her bright pink bike, finished with tassels on the handlebars and training wheels. “Why can’t Mommy teach me?”

“’Cause your mom doesn’t know how to ride a damn bike.”

Gabby blinked up at Logan, her tiny hands gripping the handlebars of her bright pink bike. Tassels swayed slightly in the breeze, and the training wheels sat firmly on the ground. She tilted her head. "What?"

Logan sighed, shifting his weight. "She never learned."

Gabby’s little face scrunched in disbelief. "But Mommy knows everything."

Logan huffed a quiet laugh. "Not everything, kid."

Gabby frowned, processing this. "But… why?"

Logan exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Didn’t have a bike growin’ up. Ain’t somethin’ she got to do."

Gabby’s brows furrowed even deeper, her little mind clearly working through this new, baffling information. Finally, she looked up at him, eyes wide. "Can we get her one?"

Logan smirked. "Not sure she’d go for that, princess."

Gabby pursed her lips, clearly not satisfied with that answer, but after a long moment, she shook her head and refocused. "Okay. I learn first."

Logan chuckled, crouching beside her. "That’s the spirit, kid. Alright, you remember what I told you?"

Gabby nodded, her curls bouncing. "Feet go here." She pointed at the pedals. "Hands here." She gripped the handlebars tightly. Then, after a pause, she wiggled her butt against the seat. "Sit here."

Logan smirked. "Yeah, good start."

Gabby beamed. "Go now?"

"Almost." Logan placed a steadying hand on the back of the seat. "Now, you gotta keep your feet moving. You stop pedalin’, you stop movin’."

Gabby hummed in understanding, then nodded seriously. "Okay."

Logan exhaled, bracing her bike. "Alright, kid. Let’s go."

He gave her a gentle push, just enough to get her moving. Gabby’s little legs pumped furiously, the training wheels keeping her steady as she wobbled forward down the driveway.

For a moment, she was silent—completely focused. Then, as she picked up speed, a delighted squeal broke from her lips. "Daddy, look! I do it!"

Logan walked alongside her, arms crossed. "Told ya you could."

Gabby grinned, clearly pleased with herself. She kept pedaling, tassels fluttering, her face full of determination. "Fast?"

Logan smirked. "Go for it."

She pressed her feet harder against the pedals, and though the training wheels kept her stable, she still wobbled slightly as she went. Logan kept pace beside her, watching as she got more confident, more excited.

Then, out of nowhere—

Thump.

Gabby’s foot slipped, and the bike jerked to one side, throwing her off balance. She yelped as she toppled, landing on the grass with a soft oof.

Logan sighed, already walking over. "You alright, kid?"

Gabby groaned dramatically, rolling onto her back. "Nooooooo."

Logan crouched beside her, resting his forearm on his knee. "Ain’t even been two minutes, and you’re already takin’ a nosedive."

Gabby huffed, sitting up with an exaggerated pout. "Bike rude."

Logan smirked. "Nah, kid. You just gotta get used to it." He patted her helmet. "You’re fine. Shake it off."

Gabby crossed her arms, clearly not convinced. "Maybe I need Mommy’s science magic."

Logan chuckled, shaking his head. "Ain’t got nothin’ to do with science, princess. You just gotta keep tryin’."

“Do or do not, there is no try!” Gabby exclaimed.

Logan huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he crouched beside her. "Your mom’s been lettin’ you watch Star Wars again, huh?"

Gabby nodded furiously, gripping the handlebars of her pink bike like she was about to take on the entire Empire. "Uh-huh! Mommy says Yoda’s real smart. And he talks like this!" She scrunched up her little face, lowering her voice into a serious attempt at an impression. "Patience, you must have, my young Padawan."

Logan smirked, resting his arm on his knee. "That what she tells you when you get all wound up?"

Gabby nodded. "And when I say ‘are we there yet?’ too much."

Logan exhaled through his nose, amused. "Figures." He tapped the handlebars lightly. "Alright, Yoda. You gonna try again, or are you givin’ up already?"

Gabby gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. "No give up! Only do!"

"Then get back on the damn bike."

Gabby puffed up her little chest, gripping the handlebars with renewed determination. "Okay!" She scrambled back onto the seat, wiggling into place. "Feet go here. Hands here. Sit here."

Logan arched an eyebrow. "Yeah, kid. We covered that part already."

Gabby ignored him, her tongue poking out slightly in concentration as she started pedaling again. Logan jogged alongside her, keeping a steady hand on the back of the seat as she wobbled down the driveway.

"You’re doin’ good," he muttered, watching as she gained a little more control. "Keep goin’—"

Gabby suddenly veered too far left, nearly toppling over again. Logan grabbed the seat just in time, keeping her upright.

Gabby let out a little huff, gripping the handlebars tighter. "Dumb bike."

Logan smirked. "Ain’t the bike’s fault, princess."

Gabby pouted, looking down at the pedals. "Maybe I need a speeder bike."

Logan sighed, straightening up. "Kid."

Gabby twisted around to look at him, her curls bouncing. "Can we get one?"

Logan shook his head. "Not happenin’."

Gabby let out a dramatic sigh before turning back to her bike. She took a deep breath, her little hands tightening on the handlebars before she pushed forward again. This time, she didn’t wobble as much. She kept going, focused, her face scrunched in pure determination.

Logan kept pace beside her, watching as she gained speed. "Yeah, that’s it. Keep your feet movin’."

Gabby’s tassels fluttered as she rode down the driveway, her grin growing wider with every push of the pedals. "I do it! I do it!"

Logan smirked, finally letting go of the seat. "Told ya."

Gabby gasped, realizing he wasn’t holding on anymore. "I do it alone!"

"You did," Logan muttered, crossing his arms as he watched her ride in a small circle before coming to a wobbly stop near the porch.

Gabby jumped off the bike, arms shooting into the air like she just blew up the Death Star. "I did it!"

Logan smirked, walking over. "Yeah, you did good, kid."

Gabby beamed up at him before turning toward the house. "Mommy! Mommy, I did it!"

Logan exhaled, shaking his head. "She’s inside, Gabby. You can tell her when she comes out."

Gabby frowned for half a second, then seemed to remember something even more important. She gasped dramatically, turning back to Logan with wide, serious eyes. "Daddy."

Logan arched an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

Gabby pressed her hands against his leg, looking up at him with the utmost urgency. "It’s Star Wars night with Mommy!"

Logan sighed, already knowing where this was going. "Yeah? What’re you two watchin’ this time?"

Gabby practically vibrated with excitement. "Revenge of the Sith!"

Logan huffed a quiet laugh, rubbing a hand down his face. "Again?"

Gabby nodded furiously. "Uh-huh! It’s so cool!" She started bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Lightsabers! And space battles! And Obi-Wan and Anakin go whoosh! And Padmé is pretty! And R2 is so funny!"

Logan smirked, crouching down again. "Yeah? That your favorite part?"

Gabby nodded, but then she paused, her little mouth pulling into a mischievous grin. "Mommy likes Anakin."

Logan’s smirk faltered slightly. "That so?"

Gabby giggled, covering her mouth like she was telling the biggest secret in the world. "She thinks he’s good lookin’."

Logan blinked. Then he exhaled, shaking his head. "Yeah, well, your mom’s got real questionable taste."

Gabby gasped, scandalized. "Nuh-uh! Mommy’s smart!"

Logan snorted, ruffling her curls. "Yeah, kid. She is."

Gabby giggled, grabbing onto his arm. "You watch with us?"

Logan exhaled, shaking his head. "Ain’t my thing, princess."

Gabby pouted. "Why not?"

Logan sighed, standing up. "Because I ain’t into all that space crap."

Gabby frowned, clearly unimpressed with this answer. "But space is cool!"

"Yeah, yeah," Logan muttered, picking up her bike and propping it against the porch. "Go tell your mom ‘bout your bike. She’ll wanna hear all about it."

Gabby gasped, like she had just remembered the greatest news in the world. "Oh! Mommy!" She took off running toward the house, her little legs pumping as fast as they could go.

Logan shook his head as he watched Gabby disappear into the house, already yelling at the top of her lungs about how she rode her bike all by herself. He could hear her little feet thudding against the floor, her excited voice carrying down the hall.

He sighed, rolling his shoulders before heading toward the porch. By the time he stepped inside, you were crouched in the hallway, brushing Gabby’s curls back as she babbled excitedly.

"Mommy! I did it!" Gabby practically bounced in place, her hands flailing as she explained. "I pedaled so fast and didn’t even fall! Well—only once, but that doesn’t count! And then I went whoosh and Daddy didn’t even hold on!"

You smiled, adjusting your glasses. "That’s amazing, sweetheart! I knew you could do it."

Gabby beamed, hugging Nova tightly to her chest before her eyes lit up with another thought. "And it’s Star Wars night!"

You chuckled, standing up as she tugged insistently on your sleeve. "I know, baby. I remember."

Gabby turned toward Logan, her expression full of mischief. "Daddy says space is boring."

Logan exhaled sharply, rolling his eyes as he hung his jacket on the hook. "Ain’t what I said."

Gabby gasped dramatically, clutching Nova like he had just personally offended her. "But space is cool!"

Logan smirked, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. "Maybe for you and your mom." Gabby huffed, clearly not satisfied with that answer. Logan continued, “y’know, Gabby told me somethin’ very interestin’ just a few minutes ago.”

You raised an eyebrow, “oh?”

Logan smirked, crossing his arms. “Yeah. Gabby was just tellin’ me how much you like Anakin Skywalker.”

Your eyes widened slightly, then flicked to Gabby, who was now hugging Nova tightly to her chest, looking suspiciously pleased with herself.

“You ratted me out?” you asked, lips twitching.

Gabby gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. “No! I just told Daddy the truth.”

Laura, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, smirked. “It was bound to come out eventually.”

You sighed, rubbing your temple. “I never said I liked him like that.”

Gabby turned to Logan, beaming. “Mommy thinks he’s good lookin’.”

Logan huffed, shaking his head. “Yeah, kid, she’s got real questionable taste.”

Gabby gasped. “No! Mommy is smart!”

Laura snorted. “She’s got a point.”

You rolled your eyes, adjusting your glasses. “Alright, that’s enough. We’re supposed to be watching the movie, not holding a Senate hearing on my Star Wars opinions.”

Gabby, still grinning, skipped toward the living room. “Come on! Movie time!”

Laura followed, but not before muttering under her breath, “At least she didn’t say Kylo Ren.”

You shot her a glare, but she just smirked and walked off.

Logan leaned in slightly, his voice low with amusement. “You could’ve at least picked Obi-Wan. The guy’s got a better track record.”

You sighed, brushing past him toward the living room. “I didn’t pick anyone. I just said he’s—ugh, never mind.”

Logan chuckled, grabbing your arm to pull you to him. “Nah, you already admitted it, sweetheart. No backin’ out now.”

“Well, if I admit it, will you admit you like Leia in Return of the Jedi?”

Logan scoffed, arms still crossed, leaning against the wall. "Ain’t the same thing, sweetheart."

You smirked, adjusting your glasses. "How is it not the same thing?"

Logan shrugged, like the answer was obvious. "You got a thing for a guy who wipes out an entire Jedi temple. Leia ain’t never done nothin’ like that."

You sighed, pinching the bridge of your nose. "I never said I had a ‘thing’ for Anakin. I just said he’s good looking."

Gabby, still clutching Nova, beamed up at Logan. "Daddy, do you think Leia’s pretty?"

Logan exhaled sharply, shooting you a look. "This what we’re doin’ now?"

You smiled, not backing down. "Answer the question."

Logan rolled his shoulders like he was shaking off an interrogation. "Yeah, kid. Leia’s pretty."

Gabby gasped dramatically, like this was the most scandalous thing she’d ever heard. "Mommy, Daddy likes Leia!"

Laura, who had been silently observing with her arms crossed, muttered, "I can’t believe I’m witnessing this conversation."

You smirked at Logan. "See? Not so different after all."

Logan huffed. "Still ain’t the same."

You rolled your eyes. "Alright, whatever you say."

Gabby, practically vibrating with excitement, started tugging at your hand. "Come on, Mommy! Star Wars time!"

You let her pull you toward the living room, where the TV was already on, paused at the Revenge of the Sith menu. Laura flopped onto the couch, arms behind her head, while Gabby scrambled onto the floor with Nova in her lap, eyes wide with anticipation.

Logan sat beside you on the couch, arm draped over the back of it, completely relaxed—at least until the 20th Century Fox logo flashed on-screen, and Gabby twisted around to face him.

"Daddy," she said, her expression serious. "No talking during Star Wars."

Logan smirked. "Yeah? Who made that rule?"

Gabby straightened her spine. "Me."

Laura smirked. "And she enforces it, too."

You nodded solemnly. "She really does."

Logan sighed, shaking his head. "Fine, princess. No talkin’."

Gabby beamed and turned back toward the screen, hugging Nova tightly.

The movie started, the Star Wars theme blasting through the room, and for the first few minutes, everything was peaceful. Gabby was completely enraptured, Laura casually flipping through her comic in the corner, Logan beside you, warm and solid.

---

Your chin was propped up on your hand as you stared at your computer screen. According to Hank and Charles and their ‘inside sources,’ there was a small asteroid heading for a remote piece of land close by. You had been keeping an eye on it for the past few days and according to your calculations, it should be hitting land in 6 days.

The soft glow of your computer screen cast a faint light across your desk as you absentmindedly tapped your pen against the open notebook beside you. Your calculations were solid—unless something changed drastically, the asteroid would make impact in six days. Remote area, minimal risk to human life, but still worth monitoring. Hank and Charles had their sources, but you liked running your own numbers. It gave you something concrete to work with.

You pushed your glasses up your nose and rubbed at your eyes, stretching your neck slightly. The mansion was quiet for now—classes were over, Gabby was with Jean, and Laura had disappeared somewhere with her latest comic. That meant you had a rare moment to yourself.

Or at least, you thought you did.

The familiar scent of cigars and worn leather crept into the room before the door even opened. You barely had time to glance up before Logan stepped inside, shutting the door behind him with a quiet click.

"Didn’t hear you knock," you murmured, still scanning over your notes.

"Didn’t," he muttered, moving toward you.

You smirked, shaking your head as you jotted down a few final numbers. "You’re supposed to set a good example for the kids, you know."

Logan snorted, coming to a stop behind your chair. "Yeah, ‘cause I’m real good at that."

His hands found your shoulders, warm and solid as he kneaded at the tension there. You exhaled, letting your head tip forward slightly. "Been in here all day?" he asked, his voice lower now, rougher.

You hummed. "Classes, then lab time. You know how it is."

Logan leaned down slightly, his breath warm against the side of your neck. "Think maybe you’ve been in here long enough, sweetheart."

You paused, glancing over your shoulder. "I was just finishing up."

He smirked, his grip on your shoulders tightening just enough to make you shiver. "Good. Then you’re free."

You arched an eyebrow. "Free for what?"

Logan didn’t answer—not verbally, anyway. Instead, his hands slid down your arms, fingers brushing over your wrists before gripping the sides of your chair. With barely any effort, he spun you to face him, his smirk deepening at your startled expression.

"Logan," you sighed, trying to sound exasperated, but the warmth in your chest betrayed you.

"Been waitin’ all damn day," he muttered, stepping between your legs. His hands found your waist, pulling you closer. "You know how hard it is to sit through a whole afternoon while you’re buried in numbers and asteroid shit?"

You bit your lip, tilting your head up at him. "You could’ve found something to do."

"I did." His grip on your waist tightened slightly. "Waited for this."

Your breath hitched as his fingers brushed under the hem of your shirt, teasing against your skin. "Logan, we’re at work," you reminded him, though your voice lacked any real conviction.

He smirked, leaning in. "Then be real quiet, darlin’."

His lips brushed over yours, slow and deliberate, and you knew damn well you weren’t getting any more work done today.

But then he leaned in just a little too much, and suddenly, you felt the chair tip.

Your stomach flipped as gravity took over, the wheels of your office chair catching awkwardly on the floor. There was barely a second to react before the entire thing gave out, sending both of you crashing to the ground.

He quickly spun you two around, grunting as he hit the floor, and you let out a startled gasp, your glasses slipping down your nose. For a moment, you just lay there, sprawled half on top of him, the chair lying on its side beside you.

Silence.

Then—

“Son of a—” Logan groaned, shifting beneath you. “What the hell was that?”

You blinked, adjusting your glasses before pushing yourself up slightly. “My chair.”

Logan frowned, looking over at the broken mess beside you. “The hell’s wrong with it?”

You sighed, rubbing your temple. “The back part broke last week. I ordered a replacement piece, but it hasn’t come in yet.”

Logan exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. “And you didn’t think to maybe—I dunno—fix it before sittin’ in it?”

“I was fixing it,” you muttered, shifting your weight. “I was just waiting for the part to come in.”

Logan groaned again, dropping his head back against the floor. “Unbelievable.”

You huffed, pushing yourself up further, but Logan’s hands found your waist before you could move too far.

“Where do you think you’re goin’?” His voice was low, rough—too casual for someone who had just fallen.

You raised an eyebrow. “Off the floor?”

Logan smirked. “Ain’t in a rush, are ya?”

You shot him a look, but before you could argue, he rolled, flipping the two of you over so that you were pinned beneath him. You let out a small gasp, the weight of him pressing you into the floor.

“Logan—”

He dipped down, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to your neck. “Been waitin’ all damn day, sweetheart.”

Your breath hitched. “We’re at work—”

“Door’s locked,” he muttered, his lips brushing against your jaw.

You exhaled sharply, your fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. “You planned this?”

“Planned what?” Logan smirked against your skin. “You’re the one who fell first, darlin’.”

You groaned, shaking your head. “We are not doing this on the floor.”

Logan pulled back just enough to meet your gaze, his eyes dark with amusement. “You got a better idea?”

You shot him a pointed look. “Bed.”

His smirk widened. “Yeah?”

You huffed, pushing at his chest. “Yes.”

Logan chuckled but didn’t argue. With ease, he pushed himself up, hauling you with him. You barely had time to straighten your glasses before he scooped you up, tossing you over his shoulder like you weighed nothing.

“Logan!”

“Yeah, yeah,” he muttered, completely unbothered. “Quit squirming.”

“I thought we agreed you weren’t gonna carry me like this anymore!”

Logan let out a low chuckle, completely unfazed by your squirming as he adjusted his grip on the back of your thighs. “Yeah, well, I lied,” he muttered, his voice rumbling against your stomach.

You sighed, adjusting your slipping glasses. “Logan, put me down.”

He hummed, the sound vibrating through his chest as he carried you effortlessly down the hall. “Nope.”

“Logan.”

“Nuh-uh.”

You groaned, pressing your forehead against his back. “This is undignified.”

Logan snorted. “You’ll live.”

The trip was short—too short for you to come up with a decent counterargument. Before you could protest further, Logan pushed open the bedroom door and stepped inside.

And then, just as abruptly as he’d scooped you up, he set you down. Well, ‘set you down’ wasn’t exactly right. Because instead of gently placing you on the bed like a normal person, he pressed you up against the nearest wall, his hands bracketing your hips as he leaned in.

You inhaled sharply, your back hitting the cool surface, the contrast making you shiver. Logan’s smirk deepened at your reaction, his eyes darkening as he dragged his hands up your sides, his thumbs teasing at the hem of your shirt.

“Told you I’ve been waitin’ all damn day,” he murmured, his voice lower now, rougher.

You swallowed hard, your fingers curling into the front of his shirt as warmth pooled in your stomach. “Logan—”

“Mm.” His nose brushed against your jaw as he inhaled, the heat of his breath sending a shiver down your spine. “Y’got no idea how hard it is, sittin’ around while you’re holed up in that damn lab.”

“You could’ve distracted yourself,” you managed, but your voice came out weaker than you intended.

“Oh, I tried.” Logan smirked, pressing closer, his hips slotting against yours. “Didn’t work.”

Your breath hitched, your fingers gripping his shirt tighter. “We—”

“The door’s locked,” he muttered, his lips ghosting over your neck. “Ain’t nobody gonna bother us.”

Your head tipped back against the wall as Logan kissed along your jaw, his stubble scratching against your skin in a way that sent warmth pooling low in your belly. His hands slid under your shirt, calloused fingers tracing the curve of your waist before gripping firmly.

“Y’know how long I’ve been puttin’ this off?” His voice was a low drawl, thick with heat. “Too damn long.”

You shivered, your glasses slipping down your nose again. Logan huffed out a quiet chuckle, reaching up to push them back up with one finger. “Gotta get these tightened, sweetheart,” he teased.

You swallowed hard, tilting your head to meet his gaze. “You gonna do that for me?”

Logan smirked. “I got somethin’ else in mind.”

His lips crashed against yours before you could respond. The kiss was rough, heated, like he’d been starving for this—like he was making up for lost time. You melted into him, your hands sliding up his chest, curling into the fabric of his shirt.

Logan groaned against your mouth, his grip tightening on your waist as he pressed you harder against the wall. His fingers flexed, his thumbs stroking slow, teasing circles against your ribs as he deepened the kiss, his tongue brushing against yours in a slow, deliberate stroke.

You exhaled sharply, your head spinning, warmth curling through your veins like fire. Logan’s hands roamed lower, his touch possessive, insistent, like he was mapping out every inch of you.

You barely registered when one of his hands moved to grip your thigh, hitching it up against his hip. The shift pressed you even closer together, and you gasped softly at the sensation, your nails digging into his shoulders.

Logan pulled back slightly, his breathing heavy, his eyes dark and hooded as he studied you. “Still think this is a bad idea?”

Your head was spinning, your body thrumming with heat, and you knew there was no going back now. Which is why when you threaded your fingers through his hair and pulled him back to you, he hummed against your lips.

---

You barely had time to turn around before Gabby was practically vibrating in place, holding up the biggest axolotl Squishmallow you had ever seen. It was nearly half her size, a soft pink with little embroidered gills and stubby arms. Her eyes were wide, hopeful, practically pleading before she even said a word.

"Mommy!" Gabby exclaimed, gripping the plush with both hands. "Can I get it?"

You adjusted your glasses, glancing at Logan beside you. He was already watching Gabby, his expression unreadable—but you had a feeling you knew exactly how this was going to play out. "Sweetheart," you said gently, "you already have Nova."

Gabby clutched the Squishmallow tighter, undeterred. "But Nova needs a friend."

Laura snorted from where she stood near the shelf, flipping through a comic. "Nova has, like, twenty friends."

Gabby gasped dramatically, twisting around. "No, he doesn't!"

Laura barely looked up. "What about all the other plushies in your room?"

Gabby frowned, her little brows furrowing. "Those are his friends. This is his best friend." She spun back toward you, her curls bouncing. "Please?"

You hesitated, giving Logan another glance. He still hadn’t said anything, just watching Gabby with the same unreadable look, his arms crossed.

"We don’t have a cart, sweetheart," you pointed out, trying for reason. "That’s really big. How are you going to carry it around the mall?"

Gabby immediately hugged the plush to her chest, resting her chin on top. "Like this."

Laura snorted again. "You’ll drop it in five minutes."

Gabby gasped, clearly offended. "No, I won’t!" She turned back to Logan, her eyes shining. "Daddy?"

Logan exhaled through his nose, finally speaking. "You got a lot of these things already, kid."

Gabby nodded earnestly. "But not this one."

You watched as Logan glanced between Gabby, the Squishmallow, then you. There was a beat of silence, and you knew right then that this was already over.

Logan sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. "Alright, princess. Get your damn axo-whatever."

Gabby squealed, hugging the plush so tight it nearly swallowed her. "Thank you, Daddy!"

Laura groaned. "Seriously?"

"You’re the one who told her she’d drop it," you muttered.

Laura rolled her eyes but didn’t argue.

Gabby bounced excitedly in place, her little hands gripping the Squishmallow. "His name is Bubbles."

Logan arched an eyebrow. "Already got a name for it, huh?"

Gabby nodded. "Uh-huh. Nova told me."

You sighed, shaking your head as Logan grabbed his wallet. This was how it always went. Not that you were surprised. With Bubbles secured in Gabby’s arms, you headed toward the register, Logan already pulling out his card. You glanced at him as he paid, lowering your voice. "You caved fast."

Logan smirked, handing the cashier his card. "Yeah, well. Kid’s persistent."

You smiled, nudging him lightly. "Understatement of the year."

Gabby hummed happily beside you, still hugging Bubbles. "Lucky magic."

Laura sighed. "More like ‘lucky Daddy.’"

Logan shot her a look, but before he could say anything, Gabby grabbed his hand, her tiny fingers gripping tight. "Thank you, Daddy," she said again, her voice softer this time.

Logan exhaled, squeezing her hand. "Yeah, yeah, princess."

You smiled, watching as Gabby turned back to Bubbles, completely content.

Well, at least until she spotted another store up ahead. "Mommy!" Gabby gasped. "Can we go in there next?"

---

“Alright, you hook it—no Gabby, careful.” Logan’s voice was firm but patient as he watched Gabby fumble with the fishing line, her little fingers gripping the rod too tightly. She huffed, her brows furrowed in frustration.

“I am careful,” Gabby insisted, though the way she was handling the hook suggested otherwise.

Laura, already sitting on the edge of the dock with her own rod in hand, snorted. “No, you’re not.”

Gabby shot her a glare before turning back to Logan, pouting. “Daddy, it’s not working.”

Logan exhaled, kneeling beside her. “That’s ‘cause you’re holdin’ it like you’re tryin’ to fight it, kid. Loosen up.” He reached over, adjusting her grip. “You gotta be patient.”

Gabby groaned dramatically. “No fair. Laura’s already fishing.”

Laura smirked, reeling her line in slightly. “Because I listened.”

Gabby gasped, scandalized. “I listen! I listen good!”

You, sitting in a fold-out chair a few feet away, hid a smile behind your hand. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the lake, the water rippling gently in the breeze. You’d been content just watching—Logan with his steady patience, Laura with her effortless competence, and Gabby with her boundless energy.

Gabby turned to you suddenly. “Mommy, tell Daddy I listen good.”

You adjusted your glasses, glancing at Logan, who just arched an eyebrow at you. “Sweetheart, maybe listen a little more before making Daddy do all the work.”

Gabby huffed, but she let Logan guide her hands properly this time. He helped her cast the line into the water, watching as it plopped beneath the surface.

“There,” he muttered. “Now you wait.”

Gabby frowned, staring at the still water. “How long?”

Logan smirked. “As long as it takes.”

Gabby’s face scrunched up. “That’s so long.”

Laura, barely looking up from her own fishing rod, muttered, “It’s been five seconds.”

Gabby groaned dramatically, letting her head flop against Logan’s arm. “No fair. Fishies should be faster.”

Logan chuckled, ruffling her hair. “Ain’t how it works, princess.”

Gabby sighed, resting her chin on the handle of her fishing rod. “Maybe if I ask nicely.”

You smirked, tilting your head. “You think fish take requests?”

Gabby nodded seriously, gripping the rod tighter. “Maybe.”

Laura snorted. “Yeah, good luck with that.”

Gabby ignored her, straightening up and puffing out her chest. She cleared her throat, then leaned over slightly toward the water. “Fishies!” she called, voice bright and expectant. “Come here, please!”

Silence. The lake remained perfectly still.

Gabby blinked. “Hello?” She tapped the water with the tip of her rod like she was knocking on a door. “Fishies? Anybody home?”

Logan pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply. “Kid—”

Gabby turned back to him, completely serious. “Maybe they’re sleeping.”

Laura, shaking her head, reeled her line in slightly. “Or maybe they’re avoiding you.”

Gabby gasped, horrified. “Why would they do that?”

Laura smirked. “Because you’re loud.”

Gabby crossed her arms, glaring at the water. “Fishies are rude.”

You let out a quiet laugh, watching as Logan just shook his head. He turned to Laura. “You catch anything yet?”

Laura shrugged. “Not yet.”

“Probably ‘cause your sister’s scarin’ ‘em off.”

Gabby gasped even louder, twisting to face Logan. “Daddy!” She pointed an accusing finger at him. “No fair!”

Logan smirked. “Ain’t my fault.”

Gabby turned back toward you, her expression full of betrayal. “Mommy.”

You bit your lip, adjusting your glasses. “Sweetheart, maybe try being a little quieter.”

Gabby frowned deeply, gripping her rod. “Fine.” She puffed out her cheeks like she was physically holding in her voice, then whispered, “Fishies. Please come out.”

Laura sighed. “That’s not how it—” But before she could finish, her own fishing rod jerked suddenly. “Oh—wait.”

Logan straightened. “Got one?”

Laura nodded, focused, reeling it in carefully. Logan stepped closer, watching over her shoulder as she worked.

Gabby, however, was not happy. “No fair!” she whined, gripping her rod tighter. “I was talking to the fishies first!”

You chuckled, shaking your head. “Maybe you just need to be patient, sweetheart.”

Gabby grumbled under her breath, but she didn’t let go of her fishing rod. Instead, she turned back to the water, her lips pursed in deep thought.

Then, slowly, she reached into her backpack and pulled something out. Nova.

You tilted your head, curious as she lifted the well-loved plush bear up toward the lake. “Fishies,” Gabby whispered. “Nova says hi.”

Logan exhaled sharply. “Kid—”

Gabby turned to him, completely serious. “Maybe they like him.”

Laura, now pulling a small fish from the water with Logan’s help, looked over and snorted. “You think fish like stuffed animals?”

Gabby nodded sagely. “Maybe.”

Logan just rubbed his face with one hand. “Christ.”

You bit back another laugh, watching as Gabby continued her impromptu diplomatic relations with the fish. “Maybe they’re shy,” Gabby whispered to Nova, pressing his fuzzy face close to her ear. “Like Mommy.”

You raised an eyebrow. “I’m not that shy.”

Gabby nodded solemnly. “But fish are extra shy.”

Laura shook her head, dropping her caught fish back into the water. “You’re talking to a bear, Gabby.”

Gabby ignored her, still whispering to Nova like she was negotiating an international peace treaty.

Logan sighed, standing back up. “This kid’s gonna give me a damn headache.”

You smiled, reaching out to squeeze his hand. “You’re doing great.”

He gave you a flat look. “You gonna help?”

You smirked. “I am helping.”

“How?”

You squeezed his hand again. “By watching.”

Logan exhaled, shaking his head with a small smirk. “Unbelievable.”

Gabby, still holding Nova, suddenly gasped. “Daddy! Mommy! Look!”

You and Logan turned just in time to see her fishing rod twitch. Logan’s brows lifted. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

Gabby squealed, gripping the handle tightly. “Fishy!”

“Alright, kid, easy,” Logan muttered, kneeling beside her again. “Reel it in slow.”

Gabby nodded furiously, her little hands twisting the reel as best as she could. “It worked! Nova’s magic!”

Laura groaned. “Oh my God.”

Logan sighed. “Yeah, yeah, kid. Lucky magic.”

Gabby beamed, her excitement radiating as she reeled in her catch.

And even though you weren’t fishing, even though you were just sitting there watching, you felt something warm settle in your chest. A quiet kind of happiness.

---

"Quiet." You whispered to Gabby, holding a finger to your lips. "You don’t want to wake Daddy and ruin the surprise, do you?"

Gabby, standing on a chair beside you, immediately clasped both hands over her mouth, her wide eyes peeking up at you over the edge of the mixing bowl. She shook her head furiously, her curls bouncing.

Laura, already sitting on the counter with a glass of milk, smirked. "She’s gonna last, like, two minutes."

Gabby gasped, scandalized, and pointed her tiny wooden spoon at Laura. "No! I’m good at secrets!"

Laura just raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

You smiled, adjusting your glasses before reaching for the cinnamon-sugar mixture. "Alright, Gabby, you ready to help me roll these up?"

Gabby nodded excitedly, shifting her focus back to the dough in front of her. You had already spread the filling across it, and now came the fun part—rolling it into a perfect swirl.

Gabby placed both hands on the dough and started rolling, her tongue poking out slightly in concentration. She got about halfway before it started looking more like a squished tube than a neat roll. "Mommy, it’s wobbly," she whispered, worried.

You chuckled, steadying her hands. "Here, let me help." You guided her little fingers, rolling it evenly. "See? Nice and tight."

Gabby beamed, watching as the cinnamon roll took shape. "Pretty!"

Laura took another sip of her milk. "Is it gonna taste as good as it looks?"

Gabby gasped again, eyes wide. "Mommy’s cinnamon rolls are the best."

You huffed a soft laugh, brushing some flour off your fingers. "Thank you, sweetheart."

From the hallway, you heard a faint floorboard creak. Gabby immediately froze, her eyes snapping toward the door. "Daddy?" she whispered, her hands gripping the counter.

Laura sighed. "It’s probably just the house settlin’."

Gabby narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the doorway. "Maybe."

You shook your head, reaching for the knife to start slicing the dough into rolls. "We still have time. Laura, can you grab the pan?"

Laura hopped off the counter, opening a cabinet and pulling out the baking dish. "So, are we bringing this to him, or are we making him come out here?"

Gabby gasped dramatically. "Breakfast in bed!"

You smiled. "I think he’d like that."

Gabby clapped her flour-covered hands together, sending a small puff of white into the air. "Lucky magic!"

Laura muttered, "That’s not how that works."

Gabby ignored her, already helping you place the sliced rolls into the pan. You worked quickly, arranging them neatly before grabbing a dish towel to cover them while they rose. "Now we wait," you said, wiping your hands on a kitchen towel.

Gabby frowned. "How long?"

"Not too long," you reassured her. "Just long enough for the dough to get puffy before we bake them."

Gabby pouted, clearly not thrilled about the waiting part. She turned to Laura. "Wanna play a game?"

Laura shrugged. "Depends. Are you gonna cheat?"

Gabby gasped. "I don’t cheat!"

Laura smirked. "Uh-huh."

Gabby stomped her foot. "No fair!"

You chuckled, shaking your head. "Alright, you two, let’s keep the peace. We still need to make the icing."

Gabby immediately perked up. "Icing!"

Laura rolled her eyes but grabbed another stool, watching as you measured out powdered sugar.

As you mixed the ingredients, Gabby leaned in close, eyes locked on the bowl. "Mommy, can I lick the spoon?"

"After we’re done," you said, handing her a smaller spoon to stir with.

Gabby hummed happily, stirring with exaggerated care, while Laura watched, arms crossed. "You know he’s gonna know something’s up, right?" Laura muttered.

You exhaled, shaking your head. "Yeah, probably."

Gabby, still stirring, grinned. "Surprise anyway!"

---

By the time the cinnamon rolls were out of the oven, golden brown and smelling absolutely perfect, Gabby was practically vibrating with excitement. "Plate, plate, plate!" she chanted quietly, holding onto the edge of the counter as you drizzled icing over the warm rolls.

“Alright, alright. How ‘bout you and your sister go wake up Daddy? I’ll be right behind with the cinnamon rolls, okay?”

Gabby gasped, clutching Nova tight to her chest. “Laura! Mission go!”

Laura smirked, already a step ahead. She snatched a small air horn from her dresser—something she had swiped from Kitty before heading to the bedroom where Logan was still sleeping. Holding up the tiny canister, she nodded at Gabby. “Ready?”

Gabby nodded so hard her curls bounced. “Ready!”

With a wicked grin, Laura pressed the button.

The air horn blared through the room, loud enough to shake the walls. Logan shot upright, his hand already halfway to his nightstand like he was expecting an attack. His hair was even more of a mess than usual, sticking up at odd angles, and his eyes were still half-closed from sleep. “What the—” His voice was a deep, gravelly growl, rough with sleep.

Gabby immediately launched herself onto the bed, giggling wildly. “Daddy! Wake up!”

Logan exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face. “Yeah, kid, I noticed.”

Laura crossed her arms, satisfied. “Mission success.”

Logan narrowed his eyes at her. “Yeah? You think so?”

Before Laura could react, Logan moved fast—one second he was lying down, the next, he had Gabby tossed over his shoulder and Laura pinned down in a playful headlock. Gabby squealed, kicking her legs as she wiggled in his grasp. “Daddy, noooo!”

Laura grunted, trying to squirm free. “You can’t just—ugh—use brute force!”

Logan smirked. “Sweetheart, that’s all I ever use.”

Gabby was laughing too hard to argue, her tiny hands smacking at Logan’s back. “Put me down! Put me down!”

“You sure?” Logan adjusted his grip, lifting her a little higher. “I dunno, kid. You woke me up, seems only fair I get to throw you around a little.”

Gabby gasped, gripping onto his shirt like she was suddenly questioning her life choices. “Wait, wait, wait—”

Before Logan could make good on his fake threat, you stepped into the room, balancing a tray carefully in both hands.

“Alright, I leave you three alone for two minutes, and you’re already wrestling?” You arched an eyebrow, adjusting your glasses as you took in the sight—Gabby dangling from Logan’s shoulder, Laura still caught in a half-playful, half-serious struggle, and Logan looking entirely too pleased with himself.

Gabby immediately turned toward you, her eyes wide and pleading. “Mommy! Help!”

You sighed, setting the tray down on the nightstand. “Logan, put her down.”

Logan smirked. “She started it.”

“She’s four.”

“She knew what she was doin’.”

Laura grunted, finally managing to twist out of his grip. “Yeah, yeah, we did. Worth it.”

With a dramatic sigh, Logan finally set Gabby back onto the bed. She flopped onto the blankets, arms spread out like she’d just survived the battle of a lifetime. “So mean,” she mumbled.

You shook your head, sitting down beside them. “Well, since you’re all awake now, we made you breakfast.”

Gabby gasped, immediately sitting up. “Oh! Daddy, it’s a surprise breakfast!”

Logan raised an eyebrow, finally noticing the tray. “That so?”

Laura huffed, stretching. “Was supposed to be a peaceful wake-up, but someone got carried away.”

Gabby stuck her tongue out at her. “You used the horn.”

“You agreed to it.”

Logan smirked. “You two are a real dangerous team, y’know that?”

Gabby beamed. “Lucky magic.”

You smiled, handing Logan his coffee. “Happy surprise breakfast.”

Logan took the cup, his fingers brushing against yours for just a second longer than necessary. His smirk softened, something warm settling in his expression as he looked at you. “Yeah. Happy surprise breakfast, darlin’.”

Gabby immediately reached for a cinnamon roll, already beaming as she stuffed a too-big bite into her mouth. “Mmmmph. So good.”

Laura grabbed one too, leaning back against the headboard. “You’re lucky Mom’s good at baking.”

Gabby nodded furiously. “Lucky magic!”

Logan chuckled, finally taking a bite of his own. His eyes closed briefly, a quiet hum of approval rumbling from his chest.

You watched him, waiting.

After a long, deliberate moment, Logan finally cracked one eye open. “Alright, yeah. These are damn good.”

Gabby cheered. Laura smirked. You just smiled, nudging your glasses back up.

go read part 2!

[herbirdglitter]

Bestie I’m already on my first rewatch of the whole show.

I think you’re right. I think that’s what makes it feels so good, that they write real people vs characters. I like how they’re not afraid to make people gay if the plot requires it.

Like if they’re all sitting round in the writers room and someone says “guys we need a reason why he definitely doesn’t want her” no one seems to be worried about the audience or the ratings or anything, they just make them gay. It’s rather refreshing.

The gaslighting ghost in church gay is great, but as I saw that actor first as the German spy priest in Foyle’s War, that is who he’ll be forever in my brain. However I’m willing to be believe he was gay too.

THE DRAG BOOKCLUB MUMMIFIED BROTHER, HOWEVER.

CHILLING. On the second time through, I apparently forgot about the mummified brother part but as soon as they’re doing those mysterious shots over the headboard where you can just see his feet… it’s so so good.

Does he count as good queer representation if he’s dead the whole time? Idk but he’s so present in the story that I feel like the answered yes. And the drag guy. I mean does every gay in the episode die? Sure. Besides the owner of the gay bar. And Troy (because he gives off such major closeted bi vibes) but like, you never get the sense that they got killed of because they’re gay, even if that’s literally what happened in the story.

It never feels like bury your gays, and I do love that.

I'm watching Midsomer Murders for the first time and the vibe of the queer representation is so confusing that it's amusing.

like I am four episodes in to this show, and this season aired in 1998, and there have been canonical queer characters in ever episode so far. Every one. in 1998. But they also fall into some interesting stereotypes. spoilers btw

we have one very creepy weird slimy dude, who has a weird relationship with his mother, he's gay.

Then we have a trans icon, or a gay person who liked doing drag, they just see women's clothing and jump to conclusions and then constantly call them by the wrong pronouns which, I mean it's the 90s. they're the victim, because we can't have nice things

then we have a nice couple, one of whom I took one look at and said "he's going to be gay because they've put him in a floral waistcoat" and I was right, because that's the type of show it is, and then his concerning partner, who was most likely bisexual, but they act like he just hasn't gotten over women yet or something, and of course he cheats

and then there's a lesbian couple. and to no one's surprise, they are the murderers. or both played a part in it anyway. but, there love is treated like it's very real, which is nice.

but the bit that's absolutely sending me is the different attitudes of Barnaby and Troy. The decision to make Barnaby, the older more experienced one perfectly ok with it all? spectacular. And the way he keeps sending Troy to talk to the queer people specifically because he knows it makes him uncomfortable??? unparalleled. Except when it really matters and he goes and talks to the one lesbian about the well being of her partner.

I am in love with this man. This show is so fun and now I have 24 seasons to watch. and it's still airing. Now I have something to fill the hole law and order left in my heart.

[citruscloudsandmoon]

I am perturbed and somewhat fascinated by bhakts way of thinking. Who in the right mind would name the project 'Operation Sindoor'? 👀...do you honestly see Pakistan as some kind of a bride who you are planning to claim? Or there's actually more to it?

Also so very brave of Modi government to strike in the middle of the night in the civilian areas, where innocent people were residing.

Kaisa aadmi hai, aurat aur bacho mein warr karta hai, Raat Kay andhere mein

[bugwolfsstuff]

Percy (and maybe the other big three kids) being sent back in time to the Titanomachy by the Fates.

Percy expecting to see adult gods fighting, the gods he knows.

Percy seeing kid-gods barely older than him, some younger. The myths were wrong.

Percy seeing kid-gods huddled around a fire, eyes so unused to so much light and awkward, flailing, scarred limbs unused to being used other than to hold each other up (stomach acid can dissolve metal. How painful was it for beings who cant properly die?)

Percy seeing god-kids who cant even sleep alone let alone fight adults that have killed before and is fine with killing them. Blood only matters when it is spilled here.

Percy seeing kids go to war regardless.

Percy seeing kids go to war against the same monster he fought 1000s of years later. He sees his friends in these kids.

Percy realizing that this is a cycle. Since the beginning its always been kids going to war for their parents. It probably will be that in the end.

...

And that's why you should always age-down the elder Olympians (Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon and Zeus) for the Titanomachy. For the parallels, for the angst and for the lolz.

[fever-project]

With Ur undertale x linked universe au it's now making me think about the scene where sans stacks hot dogs in frisks head and now it's making me think about warriors just stacking hot dogs in winds head like janga

I’m taking this as a request >;)

Also, @hyruledwarriorr you’d like this

[olenvasynyt]

I’m actually going to answer these

- Eris smells like cloves, pine, and vanilla

- Rhys’s mom definitely slept with Stryga but for the alive people I wanna say Azriel or Nesta

- They gotta have earth powers like vines and rocks and stuff though I’m amazed Spring or Autumn don’t have those powers. I would also say metal magic where they can form metal like Toph in ATLA! They could be essential to making weapons during the human war.

- LOA had a sapphic tryst but it was when she was younger and not yet living in the Forest House yet

- Rhys’s mom having seer powers is one of my favorite headcanons and it makes the dresses she had fitted for Feyre so much more interesting! You did that amazing fic Beneath The Stars ugh I think about it all the time!

- For Day Court I wanna say Rhys actually that’s why him and Helion are buddy buddies

- Eris presides over the east / south-east province that spreads down the coast. I headcanon that his secret cottage (with his secret lover) is on the coast

- Eris 😚

pro this anti that ship war blegh meanwhile all I want to talk about is:

what does eris smell like?

who is most likely to sleep with stryga?

what kinda magic do they have going on on the continent?

has the lady of autumn had a sapphic tryst with one of her handmaidens?

did eris find out?

was rhys’s mom prescient?

which bat boy has attended the most day court orgies? (azriel duh)

which autumn court province does eris preside over?

eris eris eris?

[cinerins]

The ever-elusive Jaster Mereel I know in my heart actually wouldn't be particularly happy about being assigned "King of Mandalore" or something like that. I think he'd rather skip over to the other end of the galaxy to keep doing his mercenary thing, than trying to run an entire sector indefinitely.

He feels confident enough in leading his own group, and I do think he'd be willing to step up as a military commander or even just tactical advisor in times of crisis, but not as a Political Leader. That's not who the Mand'alor is supposed to be, anyway, according to his own reformations.

I see it as less of a ruler and more of a guide—a role meant for emergency purposes only, so all the different clans don't fall over each other while making important decisions or surviving a war. A respected individual with the necessary skill would be assigned by the greater majority for that specific crisis, they don't necessarily keep the title forever.

That's what a "Reform" is: changing outdated or even harmful notions to fit contemporary ideals and needs. Jaster didn't want to restore the Mandalorian Empire and start up another line of One True Kings—that was Death Watch rhetoric.

From a modern perspective, the actual governmental structure(s) could be anything. I honestly don't think he would've cared that much whether some planets wanted to run a monarchy or just vibe. To him, being Mandalorian wasn't about nationality or being part of a specific system, but a code of conduct—something you chose to do.

It's funny how similar this concept is to the Jedi; you could be born force-sensitive and hone your skill, maybe even master your powers, but it's the active devotion to a duty and code of ethics that actually makes one a Jedi.

That said, I believe Jaster Mereel would probably find people fighting over a laser sword as a "right to rule" pretty fucking stupid.

[vaguely-concerned]

I don't know what I love more, the fact that as rook you can make a statement in NO uncertain terms that you are NOT responsible one way or the other for the theological implications of the shit you're discovering in the 'regrets of the dread wolf' memories. not my jurisdiction. quite simply none of my business. not my chantry circus not my chantry monkeys. irrelevant to the matter at hand here we'll kill that god if we get to him he can get in line. or if the best thing about it is seeing the lone little 'lucanis approves' that pops up right after choosing it. corvid with a knife about to commit deicide keeping it real and sensibly, pragmatically, wilfully agnostic with me here in this magical lighthouse today

[anarcho-astromech]

i need fic about perrin and or leida’s immediate reaction following ep9 and there’s nothing. i cant find anything please i cant be the only one who wants this

[skyloftian-nutcase]

All right, here's my ask for the prompt event

"Link, you are loved."

Your choice of which one and how to show them that but it's one of my favorite things in your writing so here we go. ❤️

Congratulations on the milestone

The wind chimes hummed gently, their song carried in the breeze that generated it, warm and gentle and comforting. Crickets accompanied it softly, a lullaby to the world as night swaddled the sky in its midnight blue embrace.

Two figures moved silently in the grass, their footsteps lost in the symphony of the night, quiet with trained precision.

Impa inhaled slowly, taking in the scent of honeysuckle, guiding her ward along. Link’s hand was warm in her own, callouses a rough reminder of all the times he’d held a blade, making her stomach churn a moment as she redirected her mind from—

Link, staring at her, covered in blood, knife slipping out of his slack fingers as he collapsed—

Impa paused a moment, and Link stopped with her. He glanced at her, just barely moving his head, eyes tired, a glimpse of how worn thin his spirit truly was. Impa took a breath, asked for strength from Din, and walked ahead.

It had been a few days since everything. Link hadn’t been outside that entire time, and Impa had decided that needed to change. The boy needed fresh air. They both did.

Eventually, Impa found one of the many benches scattered across the castle gardens. It was one with a backing, which was nice, dark metalwork intricate in how each strand interwove with the other to form a patterned design. Impa guided Link gently, and the pair sat down.

Impa waited a moment before speaking, eyes roaming across the garden. She was looking for something specific - Link was quiet in his tastes, but she knew for certain that he loved a certain summer bug that came out at night. There didn’t seem to be any here quite yet, though. She half wondered if they should keep wandering in search of a better spot, but at this moment this seemed the best place to settle. Link didn’t have much energy to walk around a lot.

Pulling out cloth from the bag she’d brought along, she gently wrapped it around Link’s shoulders. It was light blue, soft, with frayed edges and different stitches mending bits and pieces of it. It was well worn, cared for with love and bloodied hands, treasured since it had been first gifted to the young Hero many years ago.

His mother’s scarf. Link had worn it into battle time and again during the war. He hadn’t touched it since the royal wedding. He’d grown into it over the years, using it more as a shawl when he’d been younger. It was still a bit wider than a scarf for his size, but it made it a great little blanket on an evening like this one when unfolded entirely.

Link tugged sluggishly at the ends, staring down at the cloth between his fingers. He bit his lip, the distance between his eyebrows closing.

“I remember when you were born,” Impa said quietly. “Your mother had been so excited to meet you. She told your father while she was in labor that she couldn’t wait to tell you how much she loved you.”

Link swallowed thickly, turning his face away from her.

“I’m sorry she never got the chance,” Impa continued, slowly resting her hand on his back. “And I am certainly no substitute for her. I haven’t been there for you when I had promised you I would be. But Link…”

Impa faltered here, her own voice getting caught in her tightening throat. It wobbled as she said his name, displaying a vulnerability she rarely showed anyone.

She remembered painfully during the war when Link had joked around, inebriated as he’d been, calling her “mother.” She remembered the way the little one always looked up to her when he’d been growing up in Kakariko, the way his eyes had immediately sought hers out after he’d completed his trial, seeking approval. She remembered the faith he’d placed in her during the war, the way he’d smiled at her when she’d hugged him at its end, just before everything had fallen apart.

She remembered the look on his face, broken and pleading and terrified, as he’d fallen to the ground, blood pouring from his throat.

Impa took a shaky breath, closing her eyes and grabbing firmly to her resolve. “Link, you are loved. By so many. The people of Hyrule adore you, the Sheikah are proud of you, and I…”

A hiccup threatened to escape, and she held her breath to stop it, eventually looking at the teenager as he slowly returned his attention to her. Whatever tears that had been trying to leave him before had dried, emotions buried under a blanket of bone deep exhaustion. His lip no longer trembled, eyebrows heavy over his eyes, red eyes dull and seeming to look beyond her.

Impa felt her heart break once more, but it also spurred her to speak again, and she moved her hand from his back to his cheek, making him look at her. “I love you dearly, Link. And I… I will take care of you. All I ask is that you… you live. Please, love. If for nothing or no one else, for me. Just… just live.”

Link’s eyes roamed from whatever void they were lost in, looking at her, questioning her words, debating them. He looked worn thin all of a sudden, empty at the mere thought of listening to her words, and for a heart stopping moment, she was afraid she couldn’t reach him anymore.

But then his eyes watered, and he looked down to avoid her gaze, leaning towards her just a hair, a subtle, pleading request.

Impa pulled him to her in an instant, holding him tightly. She felt him go boneless under her touch, trembling, her shirt steadily staining with warm tears. He didn’t have the energy for outright sobs, spirit utterly depleted, but occasionally she’d feel a little sniffle shake his body. She ran her hand through his hair, detangling little knots as she went, disregarding the brittleness of it, the split ends that indicated how little he’d been taking care of himself lately.

The wind chimes continued their gentle serenade. As Impa continued to soothe the teenager, light caught her eye, and she finally saw what she’d been hoping to find by bringing him out here.

Impa shifted, repositioning Link with her, letting him scoot closer but turn his head so he could look out at the garden. Slowly, the environment started to glow gently, fireflies filling the space like silent fairies. Link’s eyes never left the sight, tears quietly falling down his cheeks, bathed in the warm light of the little creatures he used to seek out at night.

Impa kissed his head, closing her eyes and saying a prayer, begging for blessing and mercy on the poor child. She felt her resolve strengthen as Link let her hold him, as he weakly lifted a hand to grip her wrist in return.

The Sheikah chief took a deep breath. It would get better. He would get better. She’d make sure of it.

[therebelcaptain]

The posters have nothing in common

As a graphic design major with a good understanding of visual language, I completely disagree with your assessment and here's why:

First there's the most obvious element: the use of the Death Star as the backdrop. Then there's the respective leads Cassian and Jyn featured as the most prominent of the main cast. The title is surrounded by various ships as the sky of the planet comes into view. The effect used to blend the image of the Death Star into the landscape imagery, as if it is emerging from the smoke/clouds. There are also stormtroopers wading through the field (Andor) / the sea (Rogue One) in the featured landscape.

The overall composition of both posters are very similar and I would guess that the reason certain elements are different (i.e. the positioning of cast members vertically alongside Cassian vs horizontally beneath Jyn) is because of the different aspect ratios. The Andor poster has been made for online use and looks to be 4:5 while the Rogue One poster was made for print and is likely 2:3, making the latter narrower than the former. Regardless, both posters were made by the team at Bond so it's likely that they intentionally referenced the Rogue One poster or were at the very least briefed to do so given Andor is leading directly into the film.

Anyway, I'm assuming that you're just reflexively disagreeing with me because I had the gall to put the two posters side by side and point out that Cassian is looking toward Jyn (who you most likely hate for... Reasons) thus making it about rebelcaptain/jyncassian. Given the name of this blog that was always going to happen, regardless of which direction Cassian was looking in the Andor poster. I mean, I literally spent the entirety of S1 making everything about this ship. But I have the Rogue One poster on my wall and look at it every single day, so when I saw the new Andor poster this morning, I clocked the above visual similarities immediately. So, no, it wasn't purely about Jyn and Cassian—I just framed it that way because I am who I am.

Would you like me to make a diagram of the similarities, or is this a sufficient enough explanation for you?

[namiisei]

Fuck, Marry, Kill. PJO characters are playing but it's EVERY DEMIGOD (Apollo included). DEAD OR ALIVE, because Nico, somehow, can temporarily project them all just for this instance.

They sit in a large circle with the hearth in the middle to promise to their darling aunt Hestia not to kill, maime, or start a war that night. They all should be civil but insults and threats are welcome!!! Just don't do anything about it.

Everyone has a collective agreement to either Marry or Fuck Nico, apart from his sisters, Bianca, Hazel and Reyna then there's Ocatvian who has an anthology of how he'll kill Nico.

As the night goes on, the choices get more unhinged to the point they're all debating if its necessary to throw in your dead body to the mix.

[specterthief]

The "just not the dub" in your tags, thanks 🙏. (I do think the dub has its place and it's got some stuff but it's not necessarily the same show. And the original is just superior when it comes to the emotional beats. The dub I think tried too hard to be "funny" and it kinda took away some of the characters' good qualities (esp Reki imo).)

tbh ironically reki is the one character who i think suffers least from the dub because when the script is good his performance is generally really good on a technical level and pretty fitting to the character's original tone, and he seems to have suffered from the least like... active material changes to his characterization, i guess because no one really had any problems with reki lol

but saying "when the script is good" is kind of fraught in the first place, because untangling the absolute mess of the general scriptwriting from the intentional character changes from the actors improvising with no oversight is such an overwhelming task i've tried to break it down and given up multiple times already, so even generally feeling like reki was the character who had the best transition to dub he's still held down by being in this dub

i do think it can have some entertainment value just to watch a bit here and there to hear the characters speaking english but the fact that they self-admittedly completely rewrote characters and altered the script to the point of changing the actual plot and themes of the show just kind of supersedes the few praiseworthy things it's got, because it's treated as an equal and equivalent way of enjoying the story and it's just... really functionally not the same story. and now the fandom is full of people going solely off the dub and thinking it's the same story and projecting that back on the original text or gleefully praising the dub's (again, admitted) efforts to "improve" the source material and "make it gayer" by adding fanservice while censoring the actual text. it doesn't even hold up for a theoretical accessibility use case, before you even get to the story changes, because important information in the visuals that's conveyed in characters' dialog and tone in japanese gets completely cut or lost in english.

i can't stop people from enjoying it obviously but i wish there could at least be an understanding that it's not the same show and shouldn't be discussed as if they're interchangeable, and i'm always going to put disclaimers like that on any kind of recommendation because the original story is what i'm recommending and the dub isn't that. i love the original show and i want people to experience that as nearly as they possibly can, not someone's smug fanfiction pasted over the original animation.

[mystical-salamander]

kit! Zeb idea you say? 👀👀👀

Yeee!! 👀👀👏

So I talked about this briefly on the discord, but basically! It's an old concept that I'm finally working on of Zeb getting temporarily turned back into a kit through some Force shenanigans.

He, unfortunately, has no memory of his present and is understandably confused and scared. He's somehow far away from home with no memory of how he got there– all he remembers is telling his parents goodnight before suddenly waking up on an unfamiliar ship!

So it's a mix of slice of life and angst– with the Specters and Kallus having to deal with a rambunctious kit running around the Rebellion base. Doesn't help that they have no idea how to take care of a kit and can't communicate clearly with him because he really only speaks Lasana. Thankfully we have Kallus who was learning a bit of Lasana (along with maybe Sabine? Haven't made up my mind) who can somewhat translate.

I also wanted baby Zeb to keep asking to go home– he misses his parents and siblings. But for some reason whenever he asks these strangers who call themselves his friends, they just sadly smile and keep telling him that "he'll go home soon they promise." :) Kallus especially looks distraught whenever he mentions it :)

[skyloftian-nutcase]

How about Wild showing a curious member of the chain some torture/interrogation resistance he was taught in Hyrule’s army? Asking for some more lighthearted whump.

Wild smacked his fist into his palm. "Wait, I actually remembered something fun this time!"

Sky, Twilight, and Legend glanced at him curiously from where they were lounging in the den.

"Okay, so back in the war there was this one drug--I can't remember what it's called--but it basically made you drunk and loose lipped and stuff," Wild explained hastily. "And the way we were taught--I think, I don't remember the training that well--but anyway, the point--the point is that the way we were taught was to basically just take a question and flip it."

"Wait, wait, wait," Legend interrupted, dropping his book onto his lap. "You're excited because you remembered a torture technique?"

"Told you he needs therapy," Twilight muttered as Sky snorted back a laugh.

"It can't be that bad if he's excited," Sky whispered before prompting their friend, "Go on, Wild."

"Exactly what Sky said, it's funny!" Wild emphasized. "Anyway! So this one guy was like tell us... tell us something. I don't rememeber what he was asking about--"

"Wait, he remembered being interrogated and tortured?" Legend hissed to the other two while Wild babbled.

The other two remained uncomfortably quiet, listening with unease.

"And so he finished his question and was all glaring and doing the bad cop vibe and I just said I hate bananas and when I tell you he went apeshit--"

"He has issues," Twilight sighed heavily.

"Agreed," Legend chimed in.

Sky just smiled. "Annoying them is always the best technique."

Wild laughed. "His face was so red! I'm glad you get it."

Legend gawked at the pilot. "Sky, what the hell. This isn't okay!"

Sky just glanced at his friend and cocked his head to the side, as if to a child who didn't know any better.