geekystudmuffin | Puddle Wonderful, Hotch/Reid (w/Jack), briefly NC-17

Title: Puddle Wonderful
Authors:

severity_softly
Pairing/characters: Hotch/Reid, and Jack Hotchner
Rating: briefly NC-17
Summary: After agreeing to spend the day with Aaron and Jack, Spencer finds himself in for more than he expected.
Word count: ~6,500
Notes: This is a sequel to Fathers Are Not Born, though it can be read independently of that fic. In fact, Fathers Are Not Born has evolved into a series, and we're currently working on part three, though each part will be stand-alone and will be able to be read independently of the others; this is NOT a WIP. Self-beta'd, so feel free to point out any errors.

This is part of the "Fathers Are Not Born" universe, all of which can be found at this tag. This is part TWO, though each installment may also be read as a stand alone fic. :)

"The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful."
~ E. E. Cummings

It was raining. It was raining, and cold (to Spencer, anyway), and Spencer had already commandeered Aaron's jacket, but it hadn't really helped.

Spencer told Aaron that it was likely to rain when they left the house--about a 65% chance, actually--but Aaron was insistent that they walk to the park anyway. He was smiling too, even as the droplets sprinkled down on them. He suspected Aaron's smile had a lot more to do with watching Jack splash from tiny puddle to tiny puddle, than it did anything else, though.

God, Jack was going to be a mess. How could Aaron, self-confessed control freak, not be bothered by the idea of a muddy toddler running around his house later?

Spencer was staring at Aaron, trying to figure it out, when Jack growled and leaped toward him, splashing mud up the side of Spencer's pants.

Spencer jumped back automatically, bumping into Aaron, who steadied him and laughed. Then Spencer just stared as Aaron growled back at Jack and swooped Jack into his arms. Jack was shrieking with laughter as Aaron spun him around and then set him back down. The minute Jack was on his feet again he took off running, still shrieking at the top of his lungs, and Aaron growled again and gave chase.

"Oh my God," Spencer breathed, torn between amusement and mild shock. It wasn't as if he expected Aaron to be like he always was at work around Jack; he had heard Jack and Aaron talk on the phone, after all. It was just that... Aaron Hotchner was running around in the mud.

And growling.

Spencer did as much as he could to make Aaron play, but this was something completely new.

Spencer cleared his throat and swallowed the only thing that he could think of to say--that, with the rise of starvation rates in Haiti, people there sometimes consume mud to stave of hunger--because he sincerely doubted that would be an appropriate conversation to have with a child.

As he watched, Aaron caught Jack again and tossed him over his shoulder. Then he carried Jack over to Spencer, where Jack announced, "I'm a monster!" and tried to climb from Aaron's arms onto Spencer's back.

"You're a wiggle monster," Aaron said, trying to keep a hold on the squirming toddler.

"RAAAAR!" Jack answered, and pulled Spencer's hair.

"Ow!" Spencer gasped, and he hadn't been able to stop the reaction from coming out, but he bit the sound off as soon as he started. Jack seemed to understand, though, because he stopped tugging, even if he didn't let go of Spencer's hair. Spencer had to fight the impulse to pull away, not only because Jack's fingers were muddy, but because Jack was very, very close now.

"You're wearing Daddy's jacket," Jack said, and Spencer just blinked at him for a moment. Kids were confusing.

"Your observation skills are, ah, very highly evolved for a monster," Spencer said, holding his gaze.

Jack stared at Spencer then, seeming to be trying to figure Spencer out just as much as Spencer was him, and then Jack laughed and let go of Spencer's hair. "You're silly," Jack pronounced.

Spencer's eyebrows lifted as he straightened up. "I'm not the one covered in mud," he retorted.

Aaron laughed and kissed Jack's wet hair. "Who's silly?" he said, glancing at Spencer.

"Daddy's silly!" Jack pointed at Aaron and hit him in the face, smearing mud on his cheek.

Aaron recoiled a little, but he was grinning. He leaned in and whispered something to Jack, who started laughing in a high-pitched giggle. Still grinning, Aaron looked at Spencer again, then turned around, shoving a very muddy toddler into Spencer's arms. Giggling in Spencer's ear, Jack wrapped his arms around Spencer's neck, clinging like a limpet.

Spencer wasn't really expecting Jack to be so heavy... but then, he wasn't really prepared to be holding Jack at all. And he really wasn't sure how he was supposed to be doing it, because all he could think of at the moment was that he was suddenly just as filthy as Aaron and Jack both.

After a moment, he got his bearings enough to wrap his arms around Jack to support him, but he was glaring at Aaron behind Jack's back. "Ha. Ha. Very funny," he said, and that just made Jack laugh louder, and he couldn't help but relax a little at the way Aaron was looking at him.

God, I'm somebody's Godfather, he thought suddenly, and hoped furiously Henry would stay as little and quiet as he was now.

"You're silly," Aaron told him, his gaze warm on Spencer's face. His hand was touching Spencer's hip, and the look on his face said clearly that he wanted to kiss Spencer.

He wouldn't, of course. Jack knew that Daddy and Spencer were close, but Spencer wasn't sure that Jack really understood that. For that matter, Spencer wasn't a hundred percent sure that Haley knew about their relationship.

"Is there an echo?" Spencer asked, returning Aaron's smile. He adjusted Jack in his arms to brush his fingers against Aaron's quickly, and then Jack was practically shouting in his ear.

"CAN WE PLAY HIDE AND SEEK?!"

Spencer flinched and turned his ear out of direct line with Jack's mouth. "It's cold."

"You're cold," Jack replied. Which was probably true, since Jack and Aaron didn't seem to have any problem with the weather.

"It's wet," Spencer returned. He'd been muddy for about a minute now, and he was already craving a steaming shower. With Aaron, preferably.

"You're wet." Also true. Spencer could see this routine getting old fast, though.

He gestured out at the park. "There's no place to properly hide."

"You're a properly place to hide!"

Spencer's brows drew together in confusion. "That doesn't even make sense!" But Jack looked like he was barely holding in another fit of laughter.

Aaron looked like he was about to laugh, too. "Okay, Daddy and Jack will hide, and Spencer can come find us," he said, reaching out for Jack. But Jack just tightened his arms around Spencer's neck. It was amazing how strong a three-and-a-half-year-old could be.

"Urk," Spencer managed.

"Spencer hides with me!" Jack said.

"Come on, Jack. Daddy needs you to help me hide."

"SPENCER!" Jack hollered, and Aaron held his hands up in surrender.

"All right, Spence, you'd better get going. You have to the count of fifty." And Aaron covered his eyes and started counting out loud.

Spencer just stood there a moment, and then Jack started squirming to be let down, which was awkward to do without dropping him. Jack ran off shrieking once he was down, and Spencer watched him. "Well, that's discreet," he murmured, and Aaron snorted between numbers, but continued to count as Spencer set off on a jog after the kid. This was really not what he'd signed up for at all.

He thought he'd found a decent hiding place for them, between a huge boulder and a tree, by the time he heard Aaron quit counting. He wasn't sure they were going to stay hidden long, though, considering Jack was barely muffling his giggles. He kept burying his face against Spencer's leg, which was probably just getting him muddier and wetter than he already was.

"Where could that monster have gone with my Spencer?" Aaron called loudly.

Jack's giggles stopped and he muttered, "Daddy's monster."

Spencer's eyebrows lifted, and he looked down at Jack, who wasn't smiling at him anymore. In fact, he was frowning. Uh-oh. "What?" he whispered, and then suddenly realized Aaron had called him 'my Spencer' and not used the possessive 'my' with Jack. "You are daddy's monster," he said quickly, nodding, but Jack was pouting now.

"I don't want to play anymore."

I didn't want to play at all, Spencer thought, but then just nodded again. "That's fine."

"Where is that scary monster?" Aaron was saying. He was getting a little closer, but apparently their hiding place wasn't as obvious as Spencer had thought. "I don't want him to eat Spencer. I have to find them!"

Jack's expression was darkening, and Spencer was starting to panic. He thought maybe they should just tell Aaron they didn't want to play anymore before Aaron kept talking, but Spencer really didn't want to make Jack mad. God, it was pathetic. He could face serial killers, but he was afraid of a kid! "Should we surrender so we don't have to play any more?" he whispered.

"No!" Jack pushed his face against Spencer's leg again and then kicked him. There wasn't much force behind it, but it was a shock. Spencer fell over and wound up sitting in the mud, glowering at Jack.

"I hope I don't have to call the monster-catchers," Aaron said loudly. He was on the wrong side of the park. "Where did that monster take my Spencer?"

Spencer was mentally willing Aaron to shut up. He couldn't be this bad at hide and seek. There weren't very many places to hide, and Aaron was a profiler who knew his two hiders very well. He had to be doing this on purpose.

Spencer gave Jack a pleading look. "What do you want to do then?"

Jack bared his teeth and growled. "I'm gonna eat you!" he proclaimed, and shoved at Spencer's knees.

Spencer's first thought as Jack pounced--Haley's raising him to be a serial killer!--disappeared the instant he heard Aaron calling out again.

"Spencer?!"

Spencer cringed.

Three-and-a-half-year-old boys could roar very loud. Especially when they were on one's chest roaring in one's face. When Aaron pulled Jack off of Spencer, his expression was one Spencer had never seen on his face before--torn between concern and laughter.

"What happened?"

Spencer coughed and sat up, ignoring the heavy feeling of Aaron's jacket where it was now slicked in mud all down the back. He ran his fingers through his hair, thinking there was no use worrying about the fact that he was dragging mud through it anymore. "Ah." He cleared his throat again. "Apparently there's only room for one of us in your life."

"I eated your Spencer!" Jack announced, squirming in Aaron's hands. "No more Spencer."

Aaron's eyebrows went up. "I thought you wanted to play hide and seek with Spencer," he said, sitting down on the rock and settling Jack in his lap.

"It was a subtle plot to off me," Spencer grumbled, pushing himself up to his feet and feeling generally disgusting. "Blitz attack. Personal motive."

Aaron laughed and caught at Spencer's wrist, pulling him over to them. "Are you all right?"

Before Spencer could answer, Jack pushed out at him. "Daddy's monster!" he said, and his face was screwing up again.

Spencer didn't respond to Jack and didn't protest Jack trying to shove him away. Instead, he leaned into it and didn't let Jack budge him this time. "I'm dirtier than both of you now, but... he's three. He's not going to really hurt me," he said. Then, as if on cue, Jack gave Spencer's chest a good thump. "Ow!" Spencer said, frowning at Jack.

Aaron quickly grabbed Jack's wrist and held it. "We do not hit people," he scolded, his voice quiet but firm. The tense lines that Jack's body had been in a second ago started to slump, his expression flitting somewhere between guilt and being utterly crushed that he couldn't continue to pummel Spencer with all his little might.

"What do you say?" Aaron prompted, and Jack looked up at his father, eyes pleading.

"Daddy's monster," he said again, but Aaron didn't waver. Jack's eyes welled up with tears, but he mumbled, "Sorry, Spencer." Aaron looked up at Spencer.

Spencer met his gaze, then looked back at Jack. "It's okay. Thanks," he murmured, giving Jack a thin smile.

"There's my Jack back," Aaron said. "Daddy wants Jack, not a monster." He kissed his son's wet, muddy cheek and snuggled him a little.

"Daddy's Jack?" Jack said, looking up at Aaron, then at Spencer. "My Spencer."

Aaron looked back up from his son to his lover, amusement glittering in his eyes. He was obviously waiting for Spencer's reaction. Spencer knew his eyes had widened a little. A moment ago, Jack was trying to eat him, and now Jack was staking his claim on Spencer. "Ah," he said, unsure how to reply. "Sure," he said lightly, bouncing his legs a little where he sat.

"Daddy would be really happy if you would share your Spencer, though," Aaron said, ducking his head to meet Jack's eyes.

Jack looked between Aaron and Spencer, seeming to work that out in his head. He frowned. "My Spencer." He poked Aaron in the chest with one tiny index finger. "You can share him."

Aaron smiled and kissed Jack's forehead, cradling Jack against his chest a little more. "Thank you," he said. "You're very generous."

Spencer was fighting shivers, but the wetness was really starting to get to him. Aaron had obviously noticed, because he smiled and stood up. He curled his fingers around Spencer's and tugged him back in the direction of the house. "Come on, Jack, I think our Spencer is cold. It must be time for hot chocolate and a bubble bath."

As Jack cheered, Aaron met Spencer's gaze over the top of the little boy's head, and Spencer knew Aaron was thinking about the idea of a different sort of bubble bath than the type Jack would be getting. It was nice to know Aaron didn't just turn off their relationship just because Jack was around.

The walk back to the house wasn't very long, and since Jack had decided that he would graciously allow Spencer to be near his father, Spencer huddled as close to Aaron as he could as the walked. Aaron gave him a little look once that said he was very aware he was being used as a windbreaker, but he just moved closer anyway.

When they got back, Jack was out of his shoes and most of his outer clothes in the laundry room before he was released into the house. His underclothes were wet, but not filthy, unlike his hands and hair and face.

"Hot chocolate!"

"Bath first!" Aaron called, and they watched as Jack reluctantly slowed down and turned off his course to the kitchen to head towards the bathroom.

"You're filthy. I'm telling everyone," Spencer murmured, still shivering a bit as he kicked his shoes off.

"So are you," Aaron said, and stole a kiss, sliding his arm around Spencer's waist and pulling him close despite how dirty they both were. "You know, there are two bathrooms; you could warm up in the shower while I get Jack cleaned up." His voice was soft as his lips pressed against Spencer's muddy cheek. "Since I unfortunately won't be able to join you until he's worn himself out."

"He won't be worn out after his bath?" Spencer asked, looking put out. He was hoping the warm bath would relax Jack and make him sleepy after all that running around.

"Well, that's the idea, but there are no guarantees with a toddler," Aaron said, smiling. He started down the hallway. "Just wait, in three years, Henry will be at this stage." He disappeared into the bathroom and Spencer could hear the sound of Jack giggling as the water turned on.

Aaron's voice became just a murmur with occasional words discernible, interspersed with Jack's high-pitched voice asking questions Spencer didn't quite catch. "You want bubbles...Daddy can take a bath later...Spencer is..."

Spencer drew a deep breath. He headed upstairs to the second bathroom and carefully stripped off his muddy clothes, trying not to drop mud everywhere, and climbed into the shower, groaning as the hot water hit him. Once he was warm and getting clean, he started to wonder if he might need a nap too. He used Aaron's shampoo (his own was in the bathroom that Aaron was in with Jack), and when he got out of the shower, he took a careful look down the hallway to check for anyone in it, before he darted across it in a towel to get to the master bedroom where he had clean clothes in a drawer Aaron had cleared for him.

When he wandered downstairs into the main part of the house, he realized Aaron had obviously gotten into the tub with Jack, because the bathroom had Aaron's clothes strewn on the floor along with several towels. Jack and Aaron weren't there, but he could hear voices from the kitchen. He went out there and found Aaron in FBI sweats, sharing hot chocolate with Jack, who was sitting on the kitchen counter.

Jack was leaning against Aaron's chest, but he smiled when Spencer came in. "Spencer," he mumbled, and Aaron glanced over his shoulder, smiling.

Spencer smiled back. He wanted to walk over and press himself up behind Aaron, kiss the back of his neck. Instead, he just ran his fingers through his damp hair and walked over to them. "Did you guys save some for me?" he asked.

"Yes!" Jack said, sitting up and reaching for a third mug that was sitting near him. He pushed it across the counter towards Spencer, and though the frothy liquid sloshed a little, it miraculously didn't spill out.

"Jack insisted on giving you his Scooby Doo mug," Aaron said, smiling. He himself was drinking out of a mug shaped like the teapot character from Beauty and the Beast, so Spencer didn't feel quite so weird.

"Thanks," Spencer said, and took it, then leaned his hip against the counter to stand next to them. He took a sip.

"I made it," Jack insisted, and Spencer darted a glance at Aaron, whose face clearly said that Jack didn't, in fact, make the hot chocolate.

"It's good," Spencer said anyway, and Jack smiled and rested his head on Aaron's shoulder. "Do you know that hot chocolate is actually really good for you?" he asked Jack after a minute.

Jack lifted his head again.

Spencer nodded. "It contains, ah, antioxidants," he said, forcing himself talk a little slower than he normally would, even though Jack wasn't really going to understand anyway. "A lot of them. They protect your cells."

"Cells?"

"Yeah, your whole body is made up of cells." Jack still looked confused. Spencer shook his head. "Don't worry about it. It's a good thing. Anyway, these antioxidants keep your cells and your heart healthy, though, so you should tell your mother she should be giving you more hot chocolate," he said, enjoying the thought of Jack pleading with Haley for hot chocolate on grounds that it was good for him. "A lot of it. All the time, really."

Jack didn't see the look Aaron was giving Spencer, one that said that if Haley tried to have Aaron's head for that, he and Spencer wouldn't be having sex for a month. Instead, Jack just stared at Spencer for a long moment, and then a little grin broke across his face. He let out a badly concealed giggle, and leaned up to whisper in Aaron's ear, loud enough for Spencer to hear. "He's silly, daddy."

Aaron grinned back at his son and whispered, "I know, but we'll keep him anyway." Jack giggled again and sipped at his hot chocolate, leaning against Aaron's chest. The way Aaron was looking down at his son made Spencer's chest ache a little bit, but in a good way. After a while Aaron glanced up at Spencer, and a smile slid across his face. He glanced back down, and when Spencer followed Aaron's gaze, he could see that Jack's eyelids were drooping so heavily they were almost closed.

Spencer's lips tugged to the side, and he couldn't deny that he was relieved that Jack was falling asleep. The day had ended well, but it hadn't been easy. Aaron waited for a little while, until Jack was definitely asleep, and then carefully carried him down the hallway to Jack's room. Spencer sighed and went to turn the gas fireplace on, then slumped on the couch. His fingers were still curled around the mug in his hand, but he dropped his head back against the couch and let his eyes drop shut.

After a while he heard footsteps. "Hey," Aaron murmured. Spencer didn't open his eyes as he felt Aaron settle down next to him. Then warm lips brushed against his cheek. "I think that went well."

Spencer smiled and turned his face toward Aaron. "You missed," he murmured, smiling, and Aaron hummed an amused noise and kissed his lips. Spencer sucked in a breath at the slow tenderness in it, and then his smile went wider when Aaron pulled away. "You so owe me for letting your son beat me up."

"Excuse me? You let the Jack-monster beat you up, not me," Aaron said, sliding his arms around Spencer and pulling him close. "I was seeking, remember?" He kissed Spencer again, then lowered his head to nuzzle Spencer's neck.

Spencer laughed softly. "That's what I meant. I let Jack beat me up, but I did it for you, which is why you owe me." He put his hot chocolate on the coffee table and slid his arms around Aaron's shoulders, pulling him closer.

"Mmmm." Aaron kissed Spencer's neck. "When Jack hits, we tell him that 'We don't hit people', in a very firm tone of voice." Aaron's entire body was relaxing against Spencer's, the heavy warmth comforting. "He needs to learn to listen to you, too."

Spencer wasn't really sure what to say to that. He doubted he would see Jack all that often, but that certainly wasn't something to bring up. 'I'm not his father' didn't sound right either. "In all fairness, he didn't hit me before you showed up," he said finally, and then let the pause draw out for a moment, before adding, "He shoved and kicked."

Aaron laughed, then tried to stifle it. "We don't let him do that, either," he said. "The roaring is fine, when it's appropriate. The eating my Spencer is not fine." He nibbled at Spencer's jaw, which made Spencer laugh.

Spencer leaned into Aaron's touch. "Daddy's allowed to break that rule, if he wants. Jack's Spencer says it's okay."

Aaron chuckled. "I didn't mean to make him jealous," he murmured. "I've told Jack that you're very special to me, but I'm never sure quite how much he understands that. I don't want to tell him you've replaced his mom." He lifted his head and kissed Spencer slowly. "I love you," he whispered.

"I think I still have dirt in my ear," Spencer returned, but he pulled Aaron in for another slow kiss, his fingers sliding into Aaron's hair. "I love you, too."

"Mmm. What was that you said?" Aaron asked, his lips brushing Spencer's. "I owe you?" He shifted closer, one hand stroking down Spencer's side to rest at his hip.

Spencer licked his lips, then nibbled Aaron's for a moment. "Mm-hmm. You should take me to bed."

"Mmm, I don't know, I like the fire," Aaron murmured, trailing kisses down Spencer's neck. He reached the collar of Spencer's shirt and started working the buttons open.

A little thrill shot through Spencer, that was quickly replaced by a wash of nerves. "Aaron," he whispered. "What about Jack? We should move."

"Mmm, he's sound asleep." Aaron sucked lightly at Spencer's chest. "It's fine." He slipped his hands down to press lightly against Spencer's stomach. "You're so beautiful," he murmured, kissing his way over to one nipple. "Spencer. My Spencer."

"Yeah, I know," Spencer said, not really able to hide the tension in his voice. There was no way this could be a good idea. He still sucked in a little breath when Aaron's tongue smoothed over his nipple though, and he bit his lips for a moment before asking, "What if he wakes up?"

"He won't," Aaron murmured. "He wore himself out." He sucked lightly at Spencer's nipple, then kissed his way down to Spencer's stomach, one hand trailing down the skin to work at unfastening Spencer's pants. "Relax, Spence."

Spencer made a quiet noise of pleasure, though he was trying to keep from making any noise at all, actually. He didn't want to give any extra reason for Jack to wake up. "Aaron."

Aaron chuckled and opened Spencer's pants, licking and nipping lightly at Spencer's skin. "God, you're addictive. Mmm, need you." He palmed Spencer's cock, massaging lightly through his underwear.

"I'm serious," Spencer hissed, but he let himself be guided off the couch anyway.

"Mmm," Aaron murmured against Spencer's skin. "So am I." He tugged Spencer's pants and underwear down just enough, then dropped a light kiss at the tip of Spencer's cock. "Love you."

Spencer sucked in a breath as Aaron's lips slid around his cock, and then Aaron was sucking enthusiastically without any further foreplay.

"Oh, God," he whispered, automatically relaxing against the carpet. There was nothing else to do when Aaron's tongue was working over him like that, sending shivers through him that broke down all of Spencer's arguments in about ten seconds flat. "So not fair," he whispered, knowing he couldn't quite manage to sound anything but pleased.

Aaron chuckled, the sound sending licks of pleasure through Spencer's entire body. Then Aaron's hand was cupping Spencer's balls, rolling and squeezing gently as he bobbed his head.

God, this was already incredible. He wasn't going to last long. Aaron knew exactly how to get Spencer's body humming, every button to push, and he suspected by this treatment that Aaron was working quickly for a reason, in spite of his arguments that doing this here was fine.

"Nngh," Spencer managed as Aaron settled between his legs a little more. Spencer shifted into the warmth, draping his leg over Aaron's shoulder as he sucked. He sifted his fingers into Aaron's hair and arched against the floor, panting.

Aaron gave a low moan, working his tongue against Spencer's length. He pulled back to flick across the head, working at Spencer's slit, then took him deep again.

"You're amazing," Spencer breathed, because it was the only thought that could manage to form fully in his head through the haze that was clouding his mind. His body was tensing, tightening. He couldn't stop squirming against the carpet. Hotch didn't hold him still, either, his thumb just stroking over Spencer's hip as Spencer bucked.

Aaron laughed around Spencer's cock, then took him deep and swallowed around him. Spencer couldn't fight the loud moan that tore from him as he came. Aaron only pulled back when he was done, licking him clean and then lifting his head, laughing quietly, to smile at Spencer.

"Oh, God," Spencer panted, and opened his eyes to glare at Aaron, though he suspected he looked a little to sated and disheveled to pull it off. "Don't look so smug," he grumbled, but as soon as he said it, his lips were curving up a bit.

He slumped back against the carpet and gave Aaron a little tug, waiting for Aaron to come up and kiss him. When Aaron complied, Spencer wrapped his arms around Aaron and pulled him close.

"You are so sexy," Aaron whispered, giving Spencer several slow, deep kisses. "Have I mentioned how happy I am with you?" Those words never failed to bring a smile to Spencer's face, despite how often Aaron said things like that. Aaron was definitely a closet romantic.

"All the time," Spencer breathed, sliding his hand down Aaron's side to his hip, and then across the top of Aaron's pants. Aaron was still far too clothed for Spencer to reciprocate. "I always like hearing it, though."

"Mmm." Aaron caught at Spencer's hand, lacing their fingers together. "That was me starting to repay what I owe you," he murmured, lifting Spencer's hand to his lips. "Relax."

Spencer smiled. "Yeah, but you don't actually owe me anything," he whispered, but Aaron's fingers didn't loosen on his own.

"Just let me give tonight," Aaron murmured. "To thank you for spending time with Jack." He kissed Spencer's fingers again, then leaned in to kiss his lips. Spencer loved it when Aaron was feeling particularly affectionate. He smiled and pulled Aaron closer, and Aaron snuggled against him with a sigh of contentment.

"Three year olds are terrifying," Spencer admitted.

"I know," Aaron said, smiling and kissing Spencer again.

Spencer laughed against Aaron's mouth and shifted a little. Now that blood was starting to return to his brain, he was remembering why he should just be lying around Aaron's living room with his cock out. God, that could have all gone very badly. "Daddy's naughty," Spencer murmured, stuffing himself back in his pants and pulling his zipper up.
"Only when he thinks he can get away with it," Aaron said. Spencer could hear the smile in his voice. "Mmm, this fire feels good. But let's move up on the couch. My bones can only take the floor for so long." He pulled Spencer up onto the couch, settling in the corner and wrapping his arms tightly around Spencer.

Spencer glanced at his forgotten hot chocolate, but just settled without it. His mind kept playing their trip to the park over and over, and he couldn't help but smile. "You're an amazing dad," he murmured after a while, closing his eyes and melting into Aaron's warmth.

"You're biased," Aaron replied, nuzzling Spencer's hair. After a moment, he chuckled. "You're going to be pretty good at it, too. Once you learn how to discipline effectively."

Spencer snorted. "I'm not disciplining your son."

"You know, he's your son, too," Aaron murmured. His voice was very quiet, and as soon as he said the words, his arms tightened a little around Spencer, almost as if he were afraid of Spencer's rejection.

Spencer wasn't sure how to respond. Frankly, that thought was as terrifying as the thought of spending time with Jack had been when Aaron had first brought it up. Spencer swallowed hard, but tried not to tense, going over what he should say. I have no biological connection to Jack. We're not married; I'm just daddy's lover. Finally, he settled on, "I highly doubt Jack thinks that, and I'd bet good money the idea would really piss Haley off."

Aaron hummed, sounding a little unhappy. "I'm sure that's true now," he said after a moment. "But Jack will come to see you that way, as he gets older. And we've already discussed Haley. My romantic life isn't her business any more." His lips pressed against Spencer's temple. "I am in love with you, and you aren't going anywhere. This may be a strange family, but it's the one I want."

Spencer drew a deep breath and nodded. "I can't just... I barely know Jack," Spencer whispered. He hoped Aaron would understand without him actually having to say the words. He didn't feel like a father, and didn't think he ever would. But if he ever did, it wasn't going to happen this fast.

"I know. It takes time." Aaron ran his fingers through Spencer's hair. "It took me time to feel like a dad after we first had Jack. I would look down at this tiny squirming person in my arms and think, What if I don't like him? What if I drop him? What if he doesn't like to read?" Aaron laughed, then drew in a long breath. "What if I'm like my father?" he whispered.

Spencer was grinning, until Aaron finished, and then he pulled back to look at Aaron. "Impossible," he murmured, and kissed Aaron, then settled again and pressed his face to Aaron's neck. "I want you to have your family, I just... don't know..." He sighed. "I hope I can be what you want me to be."

"Daddy?"

The tiny voice was too close, and Spencer froze, wondering if he should jerk away from Aaron or stay put. He started to do the first, but Aaron's hand held him in place.

"What's wrong, buddy?" Aaron asked, and Spencer felt a tiny person climbing up between them.

"I hadda bad dream. Is Spencer sad?"

"What? No, buddy, he's not sad."

Jack pushed in between them a little more, so he was sitting half on Aaron and half on Spencer. "Is he sleeping?"

Spencer shifted away enough to make more room, and cleared his throat. "I'm awake," he said, and looked down at Jack, who seemed a little confused now.

"What was your dream?" Aaron asked, pulling Jack a little closer and then sliding his arm around Spencer, too.

Jack looked up at Spencer, then turned to Aaron, frowning. "I dreamed I eated Spencer in the park, and then you couldn't find me and a monster eated me."

Spencer glanced at Aaron, who looked like he was fighting a smile. "That sounds terrible," Aaron said, snuggling Jack close. "Do you want to stay out here with Daddy and Spencer for a while?"

Jack nodded and reached one little hand over to cling to Spencer's hand. "Was Spencer kissing you?"

Spencer felt his face go hot, and he could see Aaron glance at him out of the corner of his eyes, but he didn't look back. After a moment, Aaron nodded. "Yes, he was."

Jack was quiet for a moment, but Spencer still wasn't looking at either of them. Any minute Jack was going to start hitting him again.

"But he's a boy," Jack said finally, sounding more confused than upset.

Aaron nodded and ducked his head to look at Jack. "You remember I told you that Spencer is Daddy's very special friend?"

Jack nodded quickly.

"Sometimes boys like each other," Aaron said. He glanced at Spencer, then back down at Jack. "A lot. Spencer and I really like each other."

Jack's brows drew together. "Does Spencer sleep in your room?"

Oh, God, a three-and-a-half-year-old was going to kill him with embarrassment.

"Yes," Aaron said. "You know how Daddy snuggles you because he loves you so much? Daddy snuggles Spencer, too."

Jack's expression didn't clear. His little lips were pursed, working like he was chewing on words trying to get them out. "But you still love me?"

"Oh, buddy, of course I still love you!" Aaron said, pulling Jack up into his arms. "Nothing could ever make me stop loving you. You're my little boy. You're my Jack."

Spencer shifted a little, but finally looked back at them. Jack had wrapped his arms around Aaron's neck, looking a little clingy and possessive, but the anger that had been on his face at the park was missing. That was a good sign.

"He's always going to be your daddy. I'm not going to steal that," Spencer said. "I already have one of my own." Of course, Aaron and Spencer both knew how much Spencer having a dad really meant to him, but that didn't do anything to help Spencer's point now, so he didn't say that.

Jack watched him a long moment, and then looked back at Aaron seriously. "Is Spencer your girlfriend, daddy?"

Spencer wasn't sure how Aaron managed to keep a straight face, but he did, mostly. "Well...he's my boyfriend. He can't be my girlfriend if he's a boy." Aaron glanced up at Spencer, amusement flickering in his eyes.

Spencer still felt awkward about this, but he couldn't help but smile now, mostly because Aaron had just said 'boyfriend', which was... weird. Neither of them had really assigned titles like that too each other, titles that were appropriate to be spoken outside of closed doors, and that one felt strange, but nice too.

"Any more questions?" Aaron said quietly during a lull in the conversation, during which Jack had simply stared at Spencer.

"Do you kiss Spencer?"

Aaron's eyebrows went up. "Yes," he said simply.

Jack blinked at Spencer, then looked over at Aaron. "Can I stay here?"

"If you promise to try to sleep," Aaron said, smiling.

Jack seemed to consider it, and then he nodded. Spencer heard Aaron holding in a groan as Jack adjusted himself in his lap, and then got back up to tug at Spencer's pant leg. It took a moment to realize that Jack was trying to arrange his "pillow" for the moment, and Spencer moved closer to Aaron, where Jack wanted him. After Aaron and Spencer were sitting in a configuration to Jack's satisfaction, he lay back down in Aaron's lap, his legs draping over onto Spencer's.

Aaron stroked his fingers over his son's hair, the warmth on his face a different sort of warmth than what he reserved for Spencer, but utterly entrancing. Spencer found himself wondering if his own father had ever looked at him that way...but he shoved the thought away. His father had left. Aaron might feel like he was a failure, but at least he spent as much time as possible with his son.

After a while, Aaron looked up at Spencer. "I want you to be exactly who you are," he said quietly, as if he were continuing a conversation. After a moment of searching his memory, Spencer realized he was. "So you're always what I want you to be," Aaron finished.

Spencer smiled and shook his head. "You know what I meant," he said, turning to kiss the hand that was still draped over his shoulder.

Aaron smiled back. "And I just want you to know that I'm not trying to pressure you. You are what I want." He stroked his thumb over Spencer's cheekbone.

Jack shifted, accidentally poking his knee into Spencer's stomach, but when he was done moving and the pain had faded, Jack had one hand curled in Spencer's shirt and the other thumb in his mouth. It was sort of cute, even if he looked deceptively quiet that way.

Spencer nodded. "Okay." He tried to relax again. It was amazing how quickly that post-orgasmic high could disappear when a toddler walked in the room as started asking awkward questions. "I told you he'd come out," Spencer grumbled softly.

Aaron's smile turned wicked. "And I told you we'd be fine. He didn't come out too soon." He leaned over and kissed Spencer softly.

Spencer returned the kiss, but frowned at Aaron. "There was no way you could have known that. Sharing DNA doesn't give you a psychic connection."

"No, that's from being a father," Aaron whispered.

Jack squirmed. "Shh! I am sleeping!"

Spencer had to press his lips together to keep from laughing, then he managed to turn an affectionate look on Aaron. "Yeah, Aaron, he's sleeping."

Jack giggled quietly and shifted again, and when he did, Spencer shifted too, to relax against Aaron's side and drop his head to Aaron's shoulder. He wasn't sure where to put his hand after he moved, and after some hesitation, he let it rest on top of one tiny foot. God, what am I doing? he thought, but then had to smile to himself remembering Aaron's words, and agreeing wholeheartedly with the fear: What if I don't like him? What if I drop him? What if he doesn't like to read?...What if I'm like my father?

Aaron laughed softly and leaned his head against Spencer's. "All right," he murmured. "We'll all be quiet so our Jack can sleep."

Our Jack. Spencer smiled and closed his eyes.

It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons.
~Johann Schiller

The next installment in the series: The Wizard in Daddy's Bed