The kids are loud, playing around them, and Matt rolls his eyes fondly, looking pointedly over at Mike. "What?" his significant other asks. "They're kids, it's December 1st, we're putting a tree up. Of course they're going to be kind of wild."
"There's wild," Matt says, leaning over to gently pluck a bulb out of Mars' reach. "And then there's whatever this is." He stands as tall as he can, placing it securely on the highest branch possible. He eases back down onto his heels and examines Mike, feeling like some kind of foreboding housewife as he crosses his arms and shakes his head. "I just don't want anyone to get hurt while the tree is still being put together, you know?"
"You worry too much," Mike says cheerfully, using his foot to gently nudge Moon out of the way as he walks around the general mess to stand next to Matt. "These kids are durable, and they're smart. They won't do anything too horrible."
"You say that now," Matt grouses, watching as Mars stands up and grabs for his sister, sending them both toppling down into a pile of garland, shrieking and laughing.
Mike considers as he watches the siblings writhe and roll around, arguing with each other in little more than highpitched, childish squeals and laughter. "Would you feel better if I waited to continue decorating until they were in bed for the night?"
"Yes," Matt says emphatically, throwing his arms up when Mike finally steps forward and scoops both kids up under his arms, holding them snug and safe until they calm down, pouting up at him.
"Sorry, kiddos, it's time for a bath, and then bed," Mike says, twisting around to hand Mars over to Matt. "We've ignored your bedtimes for long enough."
"But- but, daddy," Moon whines, Mike shaking his head at her.
"Sorry, baby girl. Uncle Matt and I have a lot of work to do, and it's easier if we're not worried about you guys breaking something or hurting yourselves."
"We won't," Mars says, huffing out his displeasure against Matt's shoulder as he's walked back towards the bathrooms.
"You're right," Taven says. "You won't because you'll be nice and snug in bed, fast asleep and waiting for the morning to see what everything looks like," he says, bouncing the boy against his arm to distract him from his and his sister's protests.
"B- but-" he still tries until Bennett takes him, swapping kids with Matt.
"Come on, kiddo, bath time," he says. "Pick a duckie out, and we'll get started." This distracts Mars and he grabs for the sailor duckie, Mike smiling. "Good choice. C'mon."
They disappear into the bathroom and Taven quirks an eyebrow at the lingering pout on Moon's face. "You wanna pick out what PJs you wear tonight?"
"I wanna help with the tree," she mumbles. "I'm old enough to help! Look, I can even reach up to here!" She stretches and just about touches the top of her bed, Matt chuckling as she stumbles and leans into his waiting arms, huffing.
"I know, you're a big girl. And soon you can help us with all of this. But for now, just enjoy getting to rest while the grown ups handle all the boring, tedious stuff, huh?"
"I wanna see the lights when they're first turned on," she huffs, crossing her arms over her chest and dropping back dramatically against her bed.
"If Daddy and I promise not to turn them on until you're awake to see them, will you get some sleep? Hmm?"
Moon blinks up at him. "You'd do that?"
"To make you happy? Of course," he says, tousling her hair gently. "What do you say?"
"I guess," she sighs.
"Great," he says. "Now come on, maybe we can even beat Daddy and Mars, huh?"
This really gets Moon's attention and she's scrambling to change into her PJs, eager to be asleep before her brother even gets close to his own bed. Matt chuckles and helps her out, keeping her from tangling herself up horribly.
Once she's settled, he heads for the door and peeks out. "Did we win?" she asks sleepily.
"I think so," he says. "Sounds like they're just finishing up in the bathroom." When he turns back around, Moon is out, her delicate lashes fluttering only once or twice more before stilling. He smiles at her and murmurs, "G'night," before slipping into the hall and shutting the door behind him.
Mike meets him down the hall, and they exchange amused glances. "Kids are so easy sometimes," he sighs.
"Yeah," Matt says. "We're not allowed to check the lights until Moon is away again, by the way."
Mike chuckles. "C'mon, let's get this over with, then we can go to bed too."
Matt sighs, looking around the mess of a room before nodding. "Aye, aye, captain," he murmurs, following Mike in to wade through the mess and start to make sense of it all.