"Pickle, I wants a wolf."

"Ya want a waht now?"

Toki blinked. "The wolves outsides. I wants one. I can tames it."

Pickles stared. "Yer fuckin' jokin'."

The rhythm guitarist shook his head, not even noticing that Alex had walked in - the little boy was still getting used to his surroundings. "It can bes a birthday present for Alex!"

Toki didn't understand why Pickles was giggling so much.

Pickles was drunk - and it was very late. He'd stumbled into Mordhaus at a ridiculous hour, coercing shrieks from Nathan and groans from Skwisgaar as the drummer wandered the corridors, singing a very repetitive song that consisted of one line. Alex slept in Toki's room, being far too little to have his own room, even though the Klokateers would fiercely guard it. The rhythm guitarist and the little boy heard the sound of someone staggering down the long corridor, and they poked their heads from the doorway, giggling at the sound.

"The old grey mare, she ain't waht she used ta be, ain't waht she used ta be, ain't waht she used ta be!"

"PICKLESCH, SCHUT THE FUCK UP OR I'M GONNA ROASCHT YOUR ASCH FOR BREAKFASCHT!"

"This ams dildos...I has a bunch of my favourites womens in heres...please shuts up!"

Nathan roared, for as loud and as long as possible, prompting Pickles to hum his song rather quietly, and for Skwisgaar to march down the hallway, oblivious to the fact he was naked, and attempt to punch Nathan in the face. From behind Toki, Alex watched, a little taken aback by the outrageous events. The rhythm guitarist smiled caringly, ruffling the boy's hair, assuring him it was nothing to be afraid of.

Here Pickles was, holding the man he'd married, trying to assure him that he did love him. Hell, Pickles couldn't even comprehend the feelings that rushed through his veins, heart and mind whenever he saw Toki. The shivers whenever the younger man spoke. The adrenalin rush he had whenever they decided to make love instead of fuck, knowing that he was the reason Toki was making all those sounds...

Especially this time. It was his fault Toki was crying.

"I l-loves you...w-why-"

"Ya can't ask yersel' why ya love someone," Pickles firmly said, pushing Toki away, but holding onto his shoulders. "Ya love someone because ya jest do. I love you and I don't know why, either...there could be shitlahds of reasons, but nahn of 'em will be the right one...I love you, alright? I'm sahhry if I don't say it enough, babe...but ye jest have ta know it."

Toki blinked, sniffled, and cuddled into Pickles, who simply welcomed him there, knowing he would just have to wait for the younger one to calm down.

"Everybodies, this is my moms...Moms, this is...well, everybodies..."

Skwisgaar was having a hard time introducing his mother to the band. All of their mothers were in Mordhaus at that moment, much to their displeasure. Serveta wished to be known to those "attractive young mens" and Skwisgaar simply turned back to his guitar. Murderface was completely taken with her; Toki looked a little nervous; Nathan just looked pissed off with the universe, and Pickles made a mental note to get drunk later. Once Skwisgaar had shied away in total embarassment, Pickles took the move.

"I'm Pickles, sahhry that Skwisgaar is so rude sometimes," he grinned, taking Serveta's right hand. "Oh my gahd, you have lahvely soft hands."

Toki tried to force a smile, as did Nathan, but the rhythm guitarist couldn't help feel the fright in him surface again, the same feeling he had when Pickles left for the Snakes n' Barrels tour. He tried not to feel a sense of loss or jealousy, this was Skwisgaar's mother, but it must have been evident - Nathan shoved him. Toki's hands balled into clenched fists, telling himself Pickles was allowed to do this, he was allowed to have a bit of fun, completely joking like the typical prankster he was...

Alex was still getting used to calling Pickles by his name. It sounded so silly. He'd called him 'daddy' a few times, which made the drummer smile in a way he was sure he'd never smiled before. He'd lost sleep thinking about it, how much he loved Toki and Alex. When he had both of them in his arms together, he was certain what he wanted to do. Toki was his husband. Pickles was proud to be able to say that. Everybody had told him that they'd never last, never make it...he smiled to himself. He'd proved them wrong. Reaching down to the rhythm guitarist in his arms, he kissed Toki gently on the forehead - he loved sex and he was still a little nervous doing the smaller gestures of affection. Toki smiled in his sleep, curling up tighter. Pickles didn't shove him away.