Note: It was all sweet and innocent family fluff... until the bonus scene started to write itself at the end.
"Did you put a baby in Jaxx's tummy yet?"
John immediately spit out his juice, barely noticing when it flew all the way across the table to splatter against the wall. Instead, his dark eyes turned to focus on his angelic-looking son who had just taken another spoonful of cereal. Big blue eyes gazed up at him, calmly waiting for an answer.
After exchanging an uncertain look with his soulmate, who had come to a full stop in the middle of making pancakes, he took in a deep breath and said, "Why would you ask that, Gary?"
The little boy chewed quickly, and swallowed his mouthful of cereal, before announcing, "Cause my friend, Quinn, said that when her daddy met his soulmate, he put a baby in her belly. That's how her little brother was born. I think I'd like a little sister, instead. Can you put a girl into Jaxx's belly? Or a puppy! I really want a puppy."
John shook his head, his lips quirking into an amused smile. Placing a firm hand on his son's shoulder, he told the boy, "I'm pretty sure that even if Jaxx could have a baby in his belly, he wouldn't give birth to a puppy. Sorry, sport."
"Gary, humans and Greytrexians have girls and boys," the pilot said, shuffling up to Gary's other side with a plate of pancakes. "Only girl Greytrexians… or humans, can have babies in their bellies. Daddies, like your father and I, would have to adopt."
"What is 'adopt?'" the child asked, his eyes fixed on his Greytrexian parent.
"Uh, well, adopt is when we find a child without parents, and decide to make them part of our family," Jaxx explained, setting the pancakes on the table.
"Can we go find one right now?" Gary nearly shouted, standing up on his seat.
"Maybe later, sport," John said, encouraging his son to sit back down. "Jaxx and I are still getting used to being together, after all. But we'll talk about it."
"YAY! I'm gonna get a baby sister! Or a puppy!"
They spent the rest of the day bonding as a family, and in the evening, they finally settled down in the living room to watch a movie. With Gary laying on the carpet, his head propped up in his hands, the adults found themselves sitting awkwardly on opposite sides of the couch. After a number of uncertain glances, Jaxx finally grabbed the soft throw blanket folded next to him, and crawled across the couch until he was next to his soulmate. Opening the blanket, he draped it over both their laps, and smiled up at his soulmar. "It's a little chilly tonight."
John blinked down at him, startled. "So it is. Whatever shall we do?" the captain purred, settling an arm around his soulmate's shoulders.
"We could snuggle for warmth," Jaxx flirted back, ignoring his slightly-heated cheeks. Tucking his legs under him, he rested his head on the taller man's side.
"If you insist."
John woke up with a start, wincing as he felt a little knee pressing firmly down on his… sensitive area. "Gary, what are you doing?"
The little boy had managed to crawl under the covers, and up onto the couch, right into the captain's lap. Twisting, he sat down firmly on John's lap, and then peered up at him with innocent blue eyes. "I wanna cuddle, too."
John bit his lip to avoid laughing aloud. "Actually, kiddo, we should get to bed. Jaxx is all tuckered out." The petite pilot was still sound asleep, nestled into the captain's side.
"Ugh, fine," Gary grumbled, twisting around and crawling back down the way he came.
Once the child was clear, John adjusted his hold on his partner until he was cradling the little Greytrexian, bridal-style, blankets and all, in his arms. He looked so adorable in his embrace.
"Is Jaxx going to stay with us forever now?" Gary asked, peering up at his father.
"I hope so, kiddo. I hope so," John sighed. "Turn off the TV, and let's get Jaxx to bed. After that, I'll tuck you in, and read you a bedtime story."
"Okay!" Gary whispered loudly.
Making his way up the stairs with his soulmate in his arms, and his son already two steps ahead of him, John could only feel an overwhelming mixture of adoration and gratitude for his family. They were his everything, and always would be.
Bonus
"So, wanna practice making a baby?" John purred, wiggling his eyebrows at his bedmate.
"JOHN! We haven't even gone that far yet," Jaxx said, his cheeks flushing a deep pink. Dragging the covers up, he buried his face into them.
"Joking! I'm only joking," the captain laughed, turning his gaze to the ceiling. After a moment of silence, he added, "I mean, we are already sharing a bed. We could experiment, or whatever… If you want to. We don't have to. This is fine, too. I just, you know…"
"John," the Greytrexian grumbled, his voice suddenly much closer.
The captain nearly jumped when his alien soulmate leaned over him, staring down at him with unreadable golden eyes. "When did you move? I didn't even hear…" Green lips pressed against his, even as a soft little tongue swept into his astonished mouth. Their faces were at an awkward angle, but John was quick to wrap his arms around his smaller partner's waist, dragging him onto his chest.
Jaxx drew back sharply, blinking down at him. Pouting, he rearranged himself into a more comfortable position, before stating, "Humans talk too much. If you want something, you should make a move before it's too late."
"Make a move? Like this?" the captain purred, sliding his hands down to cup his soulmate's adorable behind through his night-robe. Kneading gently, he felt himself hardening under the blankets as his partner let out a breathy moan.
"Gary's in the other room, you know," Jaxx suddenly informed him, his gaze darting over his shoulder at the closed bedroom door.
"I put him to bed an hour ago. He's sleep…"
"DADDY! There's a monster in my closet!"
John's hands dropped to the bed on either side as he let out his own muffled groan. Jaxx slid off his chest, shuffling until he was comfortably settled against his pillow, facing the human.
"Gary wants you," the Greytrexian chuckled, clearly amused at the situation.
"Fine," John sighed, sitting up and making his way to the door. Pausing in the doorway, he threw a saucy wink over his shoulder. "Stay right there," he informed his soulmate. "When I get back, we can pick up where we left off. I've been wanting to ravish you for a while now."
Jaxx's green cheeks immediately lit up in a blaze of pink. "JOHN!"