A/N: set in lothering, a few years after da2.

"Milo, don't chase the–" Marian broke off as Sadie tackled their new mabari. "Play gentle! What did I tell you about–"

She gave up as Milo joined them, taking a few wary steps before tripping and landing atop the copper-furred puppy. Sadie was on the ground beside them, the puppy giving her face a thorough licking.

But before Sadie had the chance to try and lick the mabari back – it wouldn't have been her first attempt, either – Fenris bent down and scooped her up in his arms. "The mabari is a war dog," he told her, "and not for cuddling."

Suppressing a laugh, Marian picked Milo up off the mabari. "The puppy is for cuddling," she smiled, "just inside, not on the dirt." She leaned forward to plant a kiss on Milo's forehead. "Isn't that right? We don't want to get dirty, do we?"

Milo stuck his fingers in his mouth – which Marian promptly tugged free – and shook his head.

Sadie, on the other hand, leaned towards the ground in an attempt to break free from Fenris, whining about not being able to play with the puppy.

"It's a war dog," Fenris insisted, shooting an almost desperate look at Marian. "It could… what if it bites?"

The mabari made an excited circle, tripping over its own paws and tumbling to the ground. Marian couldn't help but laugh. "I grew up with a mabari, Fenris," she reminded him, "they're remarkably well behaved around children."

Fenris didn't look convinced; he held Sadie even tighter, glaring down at the mabari.

"Honestly, I'm more concerned about the mabari than I am the twins," Marian sighed, wondering how long it was going to take to convince Fenris. Pulling Milo's fingers back out of his mouth, Marian asked slowly, "Can you play nice with the puppy?" When he nodded, she set him back on the ground.

With a quiet groan, Fenris asked Sadie, "You remember what we spoke about? Mabaris are dangerous. They–"

Marian shook her head when Fenris trailed off. "Sadie," she continued, voice firm, "we do not bite the puppy, or lick the puppy, or pull the puppy's ears."

She deflated, but agreed, and Fenris warily set her down. As the twins played with the mabari – this time doing little more than squatting near it and petting it with exaggerated care – Marian wrapped her arms around Fenris, letting her head rest on his shoulder.

"You'll get the hang of it," she promised.

He said nothing, only pulling her tightly against him, and Marian knew he hadn't taken his eyes off the twins. "I… worry about them," he admitted finally.

"You think you're worried now," Marian joked, hoping to ease some of his tension. "Just wait until you catch Sadie with some farm boy from in town."

Again, Fenris was quiet for several moments before he responded. "Why… why would you say that?" he scoffed.

"Because it's going to happen," Marian sighed happily. "And I have a feeling you're going to need ten years or so to get used to the idea. We can't have you ripping out the heart of her first lover."

"I wouldn't – at least not…" Fenris grumbled something under his breath. "You're not helping," he informed her curtly.

"Maybe it'll be a cute farm girl," Marian amended, now thinking aloud. "That old barn near the inn? I caught Carver with a farm girl back there once."

Fenris tensed. "Marian…"

"I'll stop," she promised, "if you won't overreact the first time she brings someone home."

"…we'll see."