Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Who is this handsome man at my stove?” Misha asked, sultry as he approached Noel from behind. 

He’d just gotten dressed for the day, shirt not even fully buttoned, when he smelled bacon. He loved bacon. And he knew it was his husband, who’d taken a shower before hi,m who was starting the bacon for the whole family. 

He loved flirting with his husband. Even early in the morning. Especially when the kids weren’t at the table yet, and he could be as cheeky as he wanted. 

The view was great. Noel’s ass in his work pants, his cheeks all blushing now from the side view he had over the comments, and the cute little red apron around him as he stirred some eggs in the next pan over, too. 

“You know exactly who I am, honeybee.” 

Honeybee. 

A sweet nickname that he’d given him all those years back in senior year of high school when they first (died and) got together. All those years ago. Coming up to the very date that Friday. Very much on Misha’s mind. 

“You are so cute, Gruber.” 

“Gruber?” Noel gawked as Misha’s arms snaked around his waist, and Misha’s head fit like a glove into the curve of his neck. “That’s an oldie.” 

Misha shrugged, not letting go of his hold. The smell of bacon and eggs filled his nose even more heavily now. This was the life. 

“Been thinking about the old days a lot.” Something he also loved.

“Because of Friday?” 

Misha smiled widely. “You remembered.” 

Noel turned his head a bit and scoffed, playfully hitting Misha in the chest with a dishrag. “Of course I did!” 

He sighed sweetly, smiling with him as the pair laughed at their interaction, happy as a clam to be pressed together in their home, with their family, and their love. All theirs. For the rest of their precious lives and hopefully one day, if the world had a heart, beyond it. 

Misha was so happy, everyday, but especially in this moment, he had nothing he could do but pick Noel right off the ground and spin him, making him drop his spatula. 

“Put me down!” Noel squealed like he was a teenager again, not the father to one. 

Speaking of which, the kids were coming down just asb their lips touched. 

“Morning lovebirds!” Ava, their eldest daughter at the age of 17 spoke first as she sat at the breakfast table. “What’s got you all lovey-dovey this morning.” 

“Love is in air…” Misha shrugged, moving into to nuzzle Noel’s nose as he placed him back on his feet. 

Ava laughed. She loved how much her dads loved. She just wanted it for herself too. 

She had had some love, a few months ago. Her first real boyfriend in high school dumped her over the summer. Bobby. She swore she’d never admit she missed him, even in October, but she did. Badly. And while she loved seeing her dads, there was always a pang of ‘what if’ where she pictured her and Bobby in their place. 

Or anyone really. She wasn’t too picky. Just nice… and cute. And smart. And maybe- Okay… maybe she was picky. But she was a teen who’d seen a ton of movies and had the unrealistic expectation that everyone loved like her dads her whole life. 

“Where are your siblings?” Noel asked as he turned back to the stove, using a wooden spoon instead of his spatula; Misha bending down with creaky knees to get it and wash it off in the sink. 

Ava hummed, she had no clue. 

But then they heard it. 

“Shut up, Greyson!” Teagan raced down the stairs. “They do too like me!” 

“They’re using you!” Greyson screeched back, like he couldn’t understand what she couldn’t see about this situation they were arguing on.

“Nuh-uh!” 

“Uh-huh!” 

“Nuh-” 

“Stop it!” Misha yelled at them as they reached the bottom of the stairs. 

What were they arguing about? Nobody had an idea, but they were the drama queens. They were drama on wheels. pre-teenagers; 13 in the spring. They were also in the same grade seeing as they were twins. Three was always something. 

“Sorry dad…” Teagan, the good girl she was, surrendered with a say. 

Greyson hung his head and moved to sit down at the table with her, like he was sorry too. But then, just when everyone turned around, they heard it. 

“Uh-huh…” He muttered. Having to have the last word. Of course. Stubborn as a bull. 

Noel looked over at Misha. 

Then he sighed. 

“Misha, there’s no way we can go out for our anniversary, we have three kids.” 

“So?” Ava chirped up. “We’re not babies!” 

Noel looked over to the twins. 

“We’re twelve!” Greyson uttered. “We don’t need a babysitter!” 

Misha looked at the kids, then Noel. He really did wanna go on this date. They could find someone to watch them if Noel didn’t feel he could, even if it was just two days away. 

“Come on, Noel,” Misha said as he walked back over to help his husband plate the food that he made. “Ava can watch them!” 

Ava blinked, looking up from her phone again.

“Wait… what?” 

“You’re seventeen! You can watch two twelve year olds for a few hours so me and my ангел can have nice anniversary for first time in years, can you nott you, lil egg?” 

She groaned the most dramatic groan, hands on the table, head on it too. Her kryptonite was that she loved her dads. Even when it was uncool to at her age. 

“When?” 

“Friday.” 

“I can’t…” She sighed. “I’m going to a movie with the girls.” 

“Can’t you reschedule?” Misha asked her, pleading with his eyes. 

“I-” 

“Wait, Friday?” Greyson asked with a scoff. “Isn’t that the day of your party, Teagan?” He mocked her. 

Her face went red in the face. She crossed her arms too. “Shut up.” 

“Oh now you have nothing to say?” He poked her. 

“Knock it off!” She hit his hand away. 

“Yeah, do not touch your sister,” Misha told him as he walked over, then he looked down at Teagan. “Tea, baby, what party?” 

“Yeah, what party?” Noel said as he walked over too, food in hand. 

“Well, I got invited to a birthday party, and-” 

“And it’s the popular kids!” Greyson interrupted. 

“Shut up!” Teagan said. “They like me!” 

“They’re mocking you!” 

“They-” 

“Whoa!” Noel said, knowing what it was liked to be mocked. “Are you sure they’re your friends, Teagan? I’ve never heard of these kids before.” 

“You don’t think popular kids could like me Papa?” She feigned hurt, sure to get her way with it. 

“No, I-! I just wanna make sure you’re safe!” He sputtered as he took a seat next to her on the end of the table. 

“And I will be!” She insisted. “I want you to be safe too! And have fun! On your anniversary!”

Noel sighed. He wanted this. But this was his family, and nothing was more precious than his family and keeping them safe. It felt like a million reasons not to. But there was always going to be one. 

Still, one thing stuck in his mind. 

“Greyson, were you invited?” 

He scoffed. “No! I wouldn’t go anyway.” 

“Well then, we still have Greyson to deal with,” Noel said as he looked over at Misha. 

“Pshh, thanks dad.” Greyson said as he took some of the eggs off the center of the table and put it onto his individual plate. 

“I didn’t mean it like-” Noel groaned just like Ava had; truly his kid, biology or not. “I just don’t wanna forget about anyone. If we’re doing this, everyone needs to be accounted for!” 

“Well I will be,” Greyson stabbed at his eggs. “I’m gonna go to the skate park with the boys.”

Misha smiled. He never skated, but he always thought it was cool. A true poser he was sometimes even over it. He was proud his son was so good at it already. 

“That’s dope!” 

“It is dope,” he nodded, his dark hair falling into his face for a second. 

“So everyone is busy on Friday?” 

Noel looked around all over the table. Everyone was nodding. It seemed simple after such complications, it was almost hard to believe.

“So me and your Papa are going to anniversary dinner?” Misha asked the room with a smirk. 

Ava nodded. 

Teagan nodded. 

Greyson nodded. 

And finally, with the cutest little smile on his face, nodded. 

“Yes!” Misha pumped the air like one of the kids at the table might have done, never growing up much, despite his age. 

“You’re crazy,” Noel laughed as he sipped his coffee. 

“Crazy for you.” Misha just waggled his eyebrows back, making Noel laugh and almost spew his coffee out his nose. 

They never felt tired of each other. And that? That was love. 

The next day went quickly, and Friday went by in a flash until it was after work and school time and the whole family was back in the house. The kids were off doing whatever they needed to in order to get ready for their various events, and Noel and Misha were in their room getting redy too. 

“What do I need to wear?” Noel petted their cat, who laid on their bed as he stood there in just his briefs. 

Misha told him they were going to dinner, but not where or what kind of dinner. 

“Is it fancy?” He asked, half excited at the idea and half mortified to see if his suit would look right if so. 

“It is sorta fancy.” 

“How fancy?” 

Misha knew what that meant to Noel, and articulated it clearly, so there was no issues later. Noel certainly cared about his looks, so it mattered. “No jacket, but tie.” 

Noel nodded. “Got it.” 

Noel moved through the room as he got ready, grabbing everything he needed to pretty-ify himself. He got his shirt, a crisp matte black, and his tie, a nice red tie, and black pants. He sprayed his cologne and did up his makeup a bit. 

He felt pretty. Misha agreed. 

Misha, in his white shirt and his black tie, complimented him nicely. He came over and gave him the longest kiss he could before he needed air, running his hands along his shoulder blades. 

“You look even more gorgeous than you did first anniversary somehow, моя любов,” he told him, taking in his scent and his breathtaking features, even aged a bit. 

“And you’re still a dream.” 

“I was not always your dream, Little Miss Monqiue….” he joked about the boozy floozy flashing lights in his eyes, once upon a time. 

“Yeah, but you were my best.” The Canadian smiled.

Misha smiled back. “Best for last.” He knew that’s what mattered most. 

Noel smiled back with a smile, stars hidden in the shine of his pearly whites. He loved this man. If the years were not a testament to that, let every note of his smile be one.

They got out of their room, said goodbye to their cat, and made their way to the car. 

The drive wasn’t too long, and Noel was giddy the entire way. Misha loved to see it. It's what he lived for. And he missed seeing it beyond their little everyday things. 

Noel reached across the armrest and took his hand. “It's been too long.” 

Misha looked over at the red light and smiled. “Far too long.” he squeezed his hand back.

The pair leaned in for a kiss, taking it and making it every shape of their love imaginable. Lost in the kiss for a while, the person behind them honked, the light above turning green while they were still in each other's lips. Noel and Misha just laughed and continued on their way. 

The next light took them right onto the street they needed. Right up to the restaurant. A nice little steak house that had Noel giddy again, squeezing Misha’s hand and gushing over it. 

“Oh this is perfect!” 

Misha looked at him. All he could think was, yes, Noel is. 

“Anything for you, my angel.” 

Misha leaned over for another kiss as he parked the car in a close by spot. He could kiss him the whole night, his whole rest of his life, and never get tired. Hadn’t even come close to it yet all these decades later. 

Williamson’s Steakhouse was well and alive tonight, with lots and lots of people there, ready to get the top choice of meats to eat. Misha and Noel, thanks to Misha’s reservations, were lucky to be some of those people. They were hand in hand, walking inside the building, looking as in love as ever amongst the people who were simply just in love with their meals.

Big lights from the ceiling like modern chandeliers lit up the room, big booths, pure white tablecloths, and all the other things you’d expect from something so grand and fancy. There were even candle lights all around them. Romantic like that. 

“Gentlemen,” The maitre de assisted them to their table after Misha approached and gave their name. The Bahcynskyi’s. Always. “This way.” 

The man directed them over to a booth, one decorated nicely with the candle and the tablecloth, just like all the others, but with a twist. There were a dozen red roses in a vase in the center. 

“What is this?” Noel asked as Misha helped him into his side of the booth. 

“Special order,” Misha told him. “Not on the menu.” 

“For me?” 

“Of course,” Misha smiled down at his lover. “Who else?” 

“They’re just…” Noel leaned in to smell them. “So nice.” 

“Then they are perfect for someone as nice as you, my love.” 

Misha was such a romantic, it took Noel’s breath away. Even to this day. He couldn’t have ever imagined wanting to be with someone this long, let alone not growing tired of it. But everyday was like another petal on the rose of their love bloomed. That they became an even better version of themselves with even better love to give and share. 

“God, I love you…” Noel told Misha, reaching right over the table for his collar and pulling him in for the biggest kiss yet. 

Misha leaned halfway over the table, surely about to singe his tie, but he didn’t care. He loved him too. 

The kiss took his breath away, and as he sat back down, he knew this night would be the best night of his life in a long time. Just the two of them, and one thing between them. Not the steaks. But their burning passion. 

The waiter came over while they were just starting to flirt again. 

“Hello, I’m Sierra, I’ll be your server tonight,” The waitress smiled. “Are we celebrating anything?” 

“Our anniversary.” Misha said proudly, hands on Noel’s hand and feet tangled with Noel’s under the table like a footsie hug. 

Sierra looked at the two, a bit shocked. And Noel’s face dropped. 

“That’s not a problem is it?” He asked, nervous, almost ready to drop Misha’s hand. 

“No!” Sierra made clear quickly. “I just, this is a bit embarrassing, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a gay couple in Uranium before.” 

“But it’s not a problem-” 

“No!” Sierra shook her head. “Not at all, I’m a huge ally! I’m actually aro-ace!” 

“Oh,” Noel sighed in a bit of relief, not ready for their night to be ruined yet, let alone ever. “Good to know then.” 

“This town's not the nicest, and I’m honestly just impressed with how open you are here!” She complimented. “Do you do this often?” 

“Not with three kids we can’t.” Misha joked. 

“Three kids?” She smiled. “Wow, that’s incredible! So you’ll be wanting the biggest glass of wine then?” 

The pair laughed. 

“Champagne.” Misha answered. “Best you have on ice, please.”

“Romantic,” Sierra nodded approvingly as she wrote the order down on her pad. 

“Very….” Noel smirked at Misha across the way. “Like he always is.” 

Sierra smiled as she put the pad away. “I’ll be right back with that.” 

The pair nodded and watched her walk away, turning back to each other in the close booth, ready to ravage each other's eyes before any dish they might order. 

“So, my lovely husband, it’s been how many years, now?” Noel asked him, even though he knew the answer like the back of his hand. 

“Feels like we just met yesterday, or at least, fell in love.” 

“I fell in love with you the moment I met you,” Noel sighed, dreamily. “I know you didn’t-” 

“I-”

“It’s okay,” Noel promised him, watching his face make waves like the ocean. “I love how we fell in love, I wouldn’t change a thing, I just want you to know, that feeling? It’s never left me.” 

“Mine only grows every day I watch our lives go by.” Misha squeezed his hand. “We’re so lucky we got this chance.” 

“We got this chance, and we got this life, and we got our kids, and… oh, Misha, I’m getting emotional…” Noel blinked his eyes fast, laughing so he wouldn’t cry. 

He was so passionate too, in his own way. And he loved their life so much, after hating his very existence for so long. It was overwhelming to just sit back and think about how far they had come. They had years of loving each other, of building a home, a family, blood and otherwise, and they were living everyday with the other. That’s what mattered most. What this night was about. Being together. 

If Noel would have been told when he first met Misha this would be their future, he would have cried then too. The good kind. Just like now. 

“God, I love you.” Misha felt misty-eyed too. 

Noel smiled, wavy but still sincere. “I love you more.” 

Noel reached up to get the tears out of his eyes with the perfect time for the wine to be delivered to the table. Very fancy, very French, exactly what Misha knew he’d adore. Noel loved anything French.

“Looks lovely,” Noel complimented. 

Sierra put the tub of ice with the champagne chilling in it down on the table, right to the left of the roses so they could open it together, and then placed two champagne flutes next to it as well so they could pour their own glasses to their hearts content. 

“Enjoy.” She told them. “And let me know when you've decided on what you’ll be starting with.” 

Misha wanted to take his time with Noel tonight, so he’d be doing the opposite of rushing to figure out what kind of salad he wanted. 

“So, should we talk about the memories?” Noel asked as he ran his foot up Misha’s leg. “Or make some more?” he winked. 

“Both.” Misha decided instantly. 

“Okay, Bachynskyi,” Noel giggled a bit. “What’s your favorite Noel moment.” 

“Our first kiss,” Misha admitted with rosy colored cheeks. 

“Living or dead?” Noel joked as he grabbed for the champagne. 

“Either,” Misha said. “But honestly? Alive. When I knew how much I wanted to kiss you.” 

Noel laughed at the memory, even though it wasn’t a funny one. He just couldn’t help but think of his inexperience. 

“I was probably the worst kisser.” 

“No,” Misha assured him. “Was perfect mix of tongue and teeth.” 

Noel’s shocked face at his joke was all it took for Misha to laugh out loud. 

“You jerk!” If they had their rolls out yet, he’d have thrown one at his stupid, cute head. 

“You asked for it!” 

“Well you-” Before he could finish his banter, or even finish pouring the first glass of champagne, his phone was ringing. 

He made sure the kids promised not to call unless it was an emergency, so he had to think this was one. And he instantly put the drink down to check on whichever one of his babies needed them. Hopefully, momentarily. 

Or it could be a scam caller. Praise be the scam caller he could hang up on and forget about. 

But alas, it was Ava. 

“It’s Ava,” Noel said, brow creased in worry as he picked it up. 

She was crying. 

That really worried him. He put the champagne down and focused on the phone. 

“Ava?” Noel asked. “What’s wrong.” 

“It’s the car!” She cried. 

“The car?” Noel’s blood ran cold at the possibilties. “Did you get into an accident? Are you hurt? Ava, honey, tell me you’re okay.” 

Misha’s face across the table was equally worried as Noel’s was. He knew he needed to talk in a way that filled the Ukrainian in on their daughter too. 

“I’m okay, papa, I’m okay!” She promised him. 

“So you’re just shaken up?” Noel breathed. “You’re fine?” 

“I didn’t even get into an accident,” She sniffled. “It’s a flat tire.” 

“Oh, thank god,” He sighed out again, covering the phone a bit before turning to talk directly to Misha. “She got a flat tire.” 

“Where is she?” 

Noel nodded, agreeing it was a good question. “Sweetheart, wher are you?” 

“A few miles from the megamall, where I was supposed to go see this movie and-” She groaned. “It’s so stupid.” 

“No, tell me.” 

“It’s nothing, it’s just… boy stuff.” 

Noel knew what that could be like. But he still wanted to be there for her. “Is that why you’re crying?” 

A guilty sniffle. “Yeah…” 

He wanted to curse at her for calling him crying like that, talking about the car, sacring the bejesus out of him. But he wasn’t ruining his night. Even with this hiccup in the way. Not even if she deserved it and he nearly died thinking his daughter was half-dead on the line with him. 

“Should I not have called?” She asked after a moment of silence. 

“No, sweetie, it’s good you called,” Noel told her. “I’ll be there soon okay?” 

“But what about-” 

“But nothing,” Noel interrupted the brunette girl. “I love you, okay?” 

“Okay, papa, love you too.” 

Noel hung the phone up and looked sadly at Misha. 

“There goes the night.” 

“No!” Misha reached out for Noel’s hand before he could go and leave the booth. “I will go get her.” 

“And me?” 

“You stay, and drink, and enjoy, and I will be back!” Misha promised, leaning over to kiss at the very hand he grabbed. “Will still be perfect night!” 

“With Ava here?” 

Misha pleaded with his eyes alone, and that was Noel’s hazel colored kryptonite. 

“Okay, okay, go!” Noel told him, shooing his off. “I’ll be enjoying the champagne.” 

“That was always the goal.” 

Misha was off like a light, racing to his car with his keys in his hand. The sooner he got to Ava, the sooner that he would be able to get back to Noel and their dinner for two… or three now. He couldn’t be picky. 

Once he got to the car he looked at his phone and saw that Noel had sent him the ping that Ava had sent him of her location. It wasn't too far but it was at least another 5 minute drive both ways.  That was 10 whole minutes away from the date. 10 whole precious minutes. Ones he'd love to feel bad about but would only take more time out of his date to do so. 

He drove up the street past their house and into the other part of Uranium City where the highway started. Right at the exit was their spare car that he had lent to Ava for the night. There was indeed a flat tire attached to it too, the front right one. 

Misha would have loved to have just fixed it and sent her on her way, but they had a flat tire last month too and a replacement tire was not in the car.  He'd called AAA, and after a long wait they'd handle it, and he'd have it towed; he didn't care what it cost. it wasn't costing him his night. 

“Ava!”  He called as he got out of the car, slamming the door shut. 

“Dad?” She asked, calling back out to him. “I thought Papa was coming?” 

“Dissapointed to see me?” He joked as he approached her. 

“No, I just…” She sniffed. “He’s better at the girl talk.” 

Misha frowned. He remembered hearing her crying through the phone. He saw her frown now.

“We can talk in car, after I call for the car peoples.” 

He grabbed around her shoulders walking her back over to the car around all sorts of different litter on the road's edge. She leaned against him. 

“Okay… but where are we going?” 

“To date.” 

“Your date with Papa?” She asked, wide eyed. “I didn’t mean to interrupt or be a burden or-” 

“Ava,” He looked at her, right outside the passenger door. “You are not burden, you just had a small accident with tire, just please get in car, and we will got to restaurant, okay?” 

She sighed, reaching for the handle. “Okay…” She wasn’t sure that she truly felt like she wasn’t ruining her dads big night, but what could she do but argue with him? 

Her mascara was running as she looked in the passenger seat mirror and that’s when he dad hopped in his side of the car. She looked at him. He frowned. 

“Do not let boy do this to you, angel.” he told her, reaching over to kiss her forehead and then do up his seatbelt. She did hers too. 

They drove off, with Misha calling AAA part of the way and asking about Ava’s problem the other half. 

“So what happened?” He asked her with a sigh, not sure how they ended up this way tonight. 

“The movie I'm going to? I saw on social media that Bobby is taking Adrienne there tonight!” She cried, feeling more of the emotions. “He told me he didn’t like her! That stupid liar!” 

Ava reached her foot out and kicked the car’s front. 

“Hey!” Misha scolded his daughter. “Don’t do that.” 

She sniffed and ran a sleeve across her face. “Sorry.” 

“Use your words.” He looked forward at the roads as they came closer and closer to the steakhouse. 

“I hate him, daddy.” 

The stoplight came again and he looked at her, a little bit of pity. 

“No you don’t,” he frowned. “That’s why it hurts.” 

Maybe he shouldn’t have been so blunt and sugar coated it. But she was seventeen, she didn’t deserve that. Even if she started to sob right after. And he had to take her into the restaurant like that. 

“What the?!” Noel got out of the booth to make room for Ava, who was covering her face in her hands, ugly crying to her hearts content. “Ava, what’s wrong?” 

She scooted into the booth and grabbed her papa’s napkin, using it to blow her nose, loud and wet. The boys grimaced, and Noel scooted inside to pat her on the back. 

“Lay down on papa’s shoulder, sweetie.” Noel told her, picking his second glass of champagne up and scooting the first one of Misha’s to him. 

She sniffed as she did so, very sniffy that night. 

After a beat, she spoke again. 

“You know what might make me feel better?” 

“You’re not having champagne in public.” Misha beat her to it. 

She sighed into her papa’s shoulder and then groaned a bit. She’d just sit there. Let them have their moment as she dug herself a grave for her heart in her head. 

And now they were back to the date. Their… three people date. Charming.

“I ordered us some salads and bread.” 

“Oh, you get me my favorite?” Misha asked as he placed his napkin back nicely on his lap. 

“Cesar?” Noel knew his husband well. “Of course.” 

“Yes!” Misha cheered before making up for lost time and downing a flute of champagne. 

“Cesar?” Ava’s head came out of his neck as she looked around to see there was none on the table. 

“You can’t have my salad, Ava.” 

“No it’s just… that was Bobby’s favorite salad too!” She cried. 

Noel winced as she cried into his ear, trying to pat her on the shoulder and calm her. This was going to be a long date. And clearly not for the reasons they wanted. 

In only a few more seconds, their waitress was back at their table. She held two plates and balanced a bowl of bread in the crook of her arm. Her eyes found that not only was Misha back, but there was a new friend too. 

“Hi,” She said. “Who’s this?” 

“Our daughter.” Misha answered for them all, watching as she put down their food. 

“Do you want something to start with too, dear?” 

Ava shook her head. 

“She’ll just have some bread.” 

Ava nodded. She loved bread. And she could stuff buttered rolls down inside her better than her feelings. 

The date was beyond unromantic now, but maybe that was better. Less for Ava to mourn. Even if she saw him in everything. 

She wouldn’t stop, all throughout the salad.

“Roses? Red roses? I know it’s dad’s favorite flower, but Bobby’s jersey was red!” As was the rest of Saint Cassians. 

Tears ended up in Noel’s salad before he could even enjoy half of it. 

Sierra came back to the table, ready to take their order. But the same time Sierra was opening her mouth, the song of Misha’s ringtone blared, loud bad eggs over the classical of the steakhouse’s stereo.  

“Hello?” He asked, picking it up instantly, seeing it was Teagan. 

“Dad!” She whisper-yelled into the phone, sending an instant panic through Misha. “ You-you have to pick me up right now!”

“ Why?” he asked her, listening  intently. “ What has happened?”

She looked behind her to make sure she was out of hearing range from any of he rpopular peers. “Someone brought alcohol!” 

That wasn't the biggest deal, especially for a teenage party, but his daughter was a preteen and at the age of 12 he did not need her getting his bad habits of drinking. He knew he drank at 12 but he wasn't going to let his daughter, he learned better. Even Ava could only drink limited amounts at home. 

“What?!” he exclaimed. 

“ I don't feel comfortable,” She explained to him,  hiding in a little corner of the basement  she'd found herself in, as people party around her. “ I think I drank some of it too!” 

“What?!”  he exclaimed even louder this time. 

“I feel fuzzy…”  she began to slur, slowing down as her own panic decreased, sure she had a superhero of a dad to save the day. “Come get me, please!” 

The world had blessed them with a daughter who was very much like Ocean O'Connell Rosenberg, even if some say it was a curse. Ocean called it karma. But if that meant anything, it meant that she was more opposed to the alcohol being there and in her system than anyone else would have been. It was probably even seen as uncool by her peers to have such a reaction. 

Their poor baby. Ocean-coded or not, they loved her to death. Like all their kids.

Misha wanted to say he was just going to go get her and be back, but he knew once Noel heard their twelve-year-old had booze in her system, Noel would want to come and rescue her, too. For all their sakes. 

Their date was going to be over. And he could care about it later. Right now, he had to care about his daughter.

He hung up the phone and turned to his husband.

“Noel, it is Teagan,” he was breathing a bit heavier now. “That party she went to? It had alcohol.”

“Well, how did-” 

“She thinks she took some by accident,” Misha stated. “She sounded really, really scared, between all the slurring of course.” 

“Oh my God, our baby!”  Noel cried, already getting up from his chair, thinking the same thing as Misha did. 

Misha was right on his tail, with a not-so-present Ava being dragged along. 

Anniversaries come every year. What was one more crappy one? 

They raced to the car, Ava still being dragged as she muttered something about Bobby and how he threw a party with alcohol once, and how she had- she stopped herself before she got too far. Her dads were glad for that. 

They pushed Ava into the car and headed towards the house's address they had already demanded to be given before she was ever allowed to go to the party in the first place. It wasn’t far. 

Somehow, though, in the midst of things, Ava had gotten her phone back out and was checking her texts. One of her friends who was at the movie had been texting her details. 

“Goddammit!” Ava cried. “He’s so over me!” 

“That has nothing to do with how special you are, Ava.” Misha told her as he tried to focus more on his driving. Ava was upset, but she was safe. They needed to find Teagan now. 

“Oh that’s such a dad thing to say!” She expelled air from her mouth like it was offending her personally. 

Misha couldn’t help, so he let it go for the time. 

“Are you guys really going to be lame and pick her up from the popular kids party?” 

“She asked us to!” Noel whipped his head around. 

“Yeah but she's gonna look like a loser!” Ava cried, caring about her sister while simultaneously scrolling. 

Noel sat back in his seat and let the words hit him. She was right. Teagan would look like a total wuss for needing her dads to come pick her up by request early from some popular party, especially after only one drink. 

Noel gave Misha a look that said they needed a plan. 

Misha gave one back that said he had one. 

“You stay in the car with Ava.” Misha said as he pulled onto the street. “I’m going to get Tea-baby.” 

Misha raced into the house and opened the door wide open. It was a party after all, and it had been cracked ajar. Then he went right to where the loud music was coming from and found the door to the basement.

He threw that open and stepped down the stairs in the visual equivalent of fe-fi-fo-fum. Intimidating to the maximum. His rage face on him for the sake of performance. 

“Teagan?!” He yelled out in a deep voice. “Tegan Bahcysnkyi?!” 

Everyone in the room turned to face him, astonished one of the parents had come here, let alone looked so angry. The music stopped and empty drinks were thrown out of the hands of suspiosu kids. 

Misha didn’t care about them though, he just cared about the girl in the corner with the light brown hair and the eyes of fear. 

“Teagan, did you sneak out of the house and come to this party after we said you could not go?!” He bellowed. 

“Wh-what?!” She somehow made her wide eyes even wider. “But I ca-”

“Hey!” He interrupted her, giving her a look she hoped she could catch on with. 

This was his plan. Make her look like the cool kid who got caught. Who didn’t wanna leave. Who wasn’t a total spielverderber.

“But-” 

“Watch your mouth young lady,” Misha still gave her the look, only for her now to catch on. 

“Oh… right,” She whispered, giving him a small wink nobody else in the room could see. He just hoped she kept playing it cool now that she noticed. “Dang it, daddy! How could you ruin this for me! It’s so embarrassing.” 

“Yes, well you will think more before you climb out bedroom window now, won’t you?” He told her, moving her closer to the stairs. “You are grounded, so say goodbye to friends for while.” 

“Ugh!” She stomped, playing it up maybe a little too much. “Sorry guys!” 

Then she was led upstairs, like nothing happened. But to her it did. She was saved. And she was feeling more and more sober by the second. Maybe it was a placebo. Maybe she had drunk it before it was spiked. She couldn’t know now. She just knew her superhero dad did indeed come and rescue her. 

The music started playing back downstairs, and once they were out the door it was almost all muffled. 

She looked at her dad, like she was going to hug him, but then, in a last minute movement before he could wrap her up in his arms, she puked on his shoes.

“Oh my….” 

“I’m sorry daddy!” She cried, holding herself up with her hands on her knees. “I… I don’t know if it’s my anxiety, or the booze, or-” 

“You only had one drink didn’t you?” 

“I don’t-” she puked again without missing a beat. 

Misha’s nice shoes. Ruined. Completely. But still, she was more important. Always. And he tried to help hold her up as she wretched. 

He got her to the car, shaking his shoes off in the driveway and let her get into the backseat with her sister. 

Ava’s nose crinkled. “What’s on your pants?” 

“Vomit.” 

“What?!” Ava moved closest to the door as she could. She hated germs. That was gross! 

“Baby, what happened?” Noel frowned, concerned, but also noticing the smell of pure vomit fill the car. 

Misha went to the back of the car and grabbed a bag from their trunk. He was hopeful she could puke into this if she needed to, and handed it to her thusly. She held it tightly. 

“I..I’m justs so anxious.” 

“Maybe because you puked at a party?” 

“Ava!” Noel chastised her sister.

“Oh god, did anyone see?!” She looked horrified, Misha noted it, sliding into the drivers seat. 

“No!” Misha assured her, even if he had no clue. He didn’t need her worked up, or making more of a mess in the car. 

“Oh god what if they saw-” 

“At least you were at the social gathering and not stuck on the roadside-”

Misha tuned them out as she and her sister began arguing about what was more important: Bobby or Boozegate. 

He grabbed Noel’s hand as he could tell the other was starting to get overwhelmed. He could still do those trusty little things he talked about for him. He’d always be there to give him that, even if fancy dinners were far and few between now. 

They were about to drive home, hopeful to salvage the night with some time alone in their room, maybe a chocolate lava cake cooked up in the oven, but another call came through.

“What is it?” Noel huffed, not realizing how upset he sounded. 

“Papa?” A scrunched-up sound came from the phone. “I got hurt.” 

Noel sighed. He knew Greyson was at the skatepark, so he probably just hurt himself skating. Still, they needed to go get him and check, but he was talking, so he was breathing. It was the least of their night's worries, it seemed. 

“We’re coming, Grey,” Noel told him, already motioning for Misha to take a turn down the next street to get to the skate park. 

It only took an extra minute. The girls were full-on arguing again, and both were crying. They had no time to tell them to calm down before they could see red staining the front of Greyson’s shirt as they pulled into the parking lot, Greyson waiting for them there. 

Noel hung up the second he saw him, jumping out of the car before Misha even had it in park, giving him a small heart attack that he too would get hurt. 

“Greyson! Papa’s here!” he cried, walking right over. 

Some of Greyson’s friends laughed at how babyish it seemed, but Greyson was too confused to care. 

“Everything’s dizzy, Papa, and my nose is all gushy.” 

“Oh, poor baby,” Noel helped him stand up. Misha was now parked and coming to his side. “You’re concussed.” 

They officially had the craziest crew of kids. One crying. One puking. One bleeding. 

And as they walked them back over to the car, the sound of Ava sobbing, the girls arguing, and some dry heaving, they looked at each other. 

They agreed, even with their anniversary date in shambles, that no. All these years, and they still wouldn’t change a damn thing.