Happy new year, everyone!

Thank you for your patience and encouraging words. I love all your comments and reviews. It helps me to review the story direction from a fresh point of view: yours. So, don't hold back. Let me know what you think, either good or bad. In fact, the more detailed it is, the better. :D

My deepest appreciation for Capricorn989, Minak0003, Finder lover, Davien Rosa, Vic, and Cairlit07. You push me to keep going!

I was planning to release a holiday special for Christmas, but I couldn't manage to finish it before I needed to go for my end year holiday. This chapter was also slow to materialised because I kept rewriting it. It's one of those chapter that seems clear in my head, but is somehow hard to write. I almost gave this chapter up a few times, which won't affect the story anyway because this is just a holiday special. Plus, Christmas is already way over.

But, better late than never, I suppose. So, here it is. I hope you enjoy it. ( ꒦ິ〰 ꒦ິ )

Disclaimer: VF belongs to YA.

Warnings: Smut. Threesome. Typos and grammatical errors, as usual.

Chapter 24. HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Wishing you all a magical Christmas!

"She doesn't believe in Santa anymore! She said magic isn't real!" I whined in a whisper as I entered my bedroom.

It was a day before Christmas and it had been snowing relentlessly since morning. Mother nature apparently wanted to give Tokyo a white Christmas. Usually, I would really look forward to it. There was just something enchanting in seeing a landscape that had looked dark and gloomy yesterday suddenly covered in pure white after a night of snow. But, tonight, I was too shaken with what my daughter had told me that I couldn't even be bothered about Christmas, white or otherwise.

Just now, Mizuki-chan had told me —in a dull tone and with a flat look on her face— that she was now old enough to know that Santa wasn't real, that magic didn't exist, and that gifts didn't come from the North Pole. She had claimed that she had known since last Christmas that it had been me who sneaked in the middle of the night to put those gifts under the tree and that I wouldn't need to do it anymore this year. "Just pass me the gifts tomorrow morning, Dad," she had said with a yawn. Needless to say, I was heartbroken.

"We need to do something!" I demanded when my announcement was met with utter silence.

Two pairs of eyes —golden and black ones— landed their gazes on me. When I stared back at them, gesturing with my hands that I would appreciate any suggestion to solve this problem, both men turned at each other instead. It was still a mystery to me how they could communicate to one another without any word required, either they had telepathic superpower or they could somehow talk by using their eyes alone. And after a brief moment of that annoying silent communication, they both let out a resigned sigh, seemingly deciding that this was one of those 'handle-Akihito-with-care' moments.

Sometimes, having two lovers sucked.

"You will need to explain why we need to do anything about that, Akihito," Asami asked as he continued towelling his hair dry.

He had just gotten out from shower, wearing only black silk pants that hung low on his hips. The fabric was now soaked with water dripping down his torso, highlighting the sizeable bulge straining against the soft fabric. My gaze automatically followed the ripple of his muscles as he rubbed his raven locks against the bath towel. It was literally impossible not to admire his gorgeous body —the broad shoulders, the thick arms, the ripped abdomen, and the strong legs that seemed to be carved by the angels themselves.

People often said that physical attraction would eventually fade over the years. As couple spend years together, that initial carnal desire would dissipate, leaving only intimate friendship between two people who loved and cared for each other. I had once believed that too, thinking that one day my heart would stop racing whenever I saw him. That my eyes would no longer follow his movement. That this lust would dull over time. So far, none had ever happened.

Instead, my breath was caught at the sight of his barely covered body and desire began to pool in my groin. Asami was a sight to behold when he was wearing a bespoke business attire and ruling his empire with iron fists. But, being in his own bedroom, standing half-naked and looking so relax without a care in the world like this? He was literally sex incarnate. I'd love to meet anyone —male or female— who wouldn't drool over this very man.

I tried to be discreet when I steadied my breathing back to its regular pace. I wasn't an animal, damnit, I could control myself! Still, it took a moment before I could school my body. And from the knowing smile on his face, the bastard knew perfectly how his presence had affected me.

I argued loudly to cover my embarrassment, "She is only 10, Ryu!"

Looking even more confused, Asami tilted his head and cocked an eyebrow. "So?"

Frustrated, I snapped, "Shouldn't a 10 years-old still believe in magic and whatnot? She is just a kid!"

Without missing a beat, Asami answered with a shrug, "I didn't."

I stared at him in surprise. Asami rarely talked about his past, moreover his childhood. So, every little information was priceless. He had opened a pandora box in my heart and now I wanted to know more.

"What?" he asked when he noticed my suddenly unwavering attention on him.

I decided to try my luck, keeping my tone as light as possible, "Then, what were you like when you were 10-years old, Ryu?"

And just like that, Asami's expression turned carefully neutral. When he responded, his voice sounded too casual for his words to be the truth. "Can't remember. It's too long ago."

Translation: 'You wouldn't like to hear my answer.'

I was getting better and better at translating his cryptic answers.

Before I could grill my husband for more explanation, Tao jumped in, "I didn't believe in magic either when I was a kid. I've known from as early as I can remember that it doesn't exists."

I turned my attention to him. He was sitting in our Alaskan king-sized bed, his back resting comfortably against the wooden headboard. With one arm resting on a raised knee, Tao looked completely at home. He had taken his shower earlier, but his shoulder-length black hair was still a little damp, sticking to his golden skin and highlighting the sharpness of his cheek bones. Just like Asami, he had never bothered to wear any shirt to sleep and it was hard not to feel a little jealous over the solid muscles that covered his torso. I'd kill to have that eight-pack but I had accepted long ago that my lean body was just not built for muscles like these two men.

Barely a month ago, the thought of having Tao lounging half-naked in our bed would have freaked me out. First of all, it didn't matter whether the relationship was involving straight couple, gay couple, or anything in between, a ménage à trois still wasn't the norm. Culturally, adultery and infidelity was frowned upon by society and considered immoral. So, I had often felt this irrational urge to question my own sanity for agreeing with Asami's deranged idea to bring a Tao into our relationship.

Then, there was the fact that my own husband had proposed this arrangement out of necessity. Tao was nothing more than Asami's safety measure. If something were to happen to Asami, Tao was supposed to protect me and my children in exchange for his position as my lover. Simply put, Tao was Asami's insurance policy. Wasn't my husband a romantic?

In the beginning, the entire idea had felt wrong in so many layers. Surely there would be a special place in hell for for those who desecrated the traditional rules of love and romance like us. But, thanks to human's amazing ability to adapt to the strangest situation, my brain had somehow accepted this as my new normal. It actually felt pretty good to snuggle between Asami and Tao, sleeping in a puppy pile, surrounded by their warm bodies. Honestly, it wasn't long before I started to simply enjoy the endless love that they showered me with.

Oh yeah, I would definitely go straight to hell.

"How come?" I asked Tao with a frown. "I thought Feilong has more imagination than that heartlessly utilitarian man over there."

I pointed at my husband, ignoring how he rolled his eyes at my accusation.

Tao simply laughed. "It has nothing to do with my father. Growing up in an orphanage just didn't give me the opportunity to believe in Santa, Tooth Fairy, or whatever fairytale you tell your kids, Akihito."

I had completely forgotten that before Feilong had adopted him, Tao'd had a hard childhood. Feeling guilty, I joined him in bed, curling into his side.

"God, Tao, I'm so sorry for being so insensitive."

He merely shrugged. "It's fine, Akihito. I didn't say that to make you feel bad about it. I just can't see why it is an issue that the little moon doesn't believe in such things anymore. I can understand that you want to shelter all your children from the harsh reality of the world. I can even support that, but you also can't keep them believing in magic forever."

I sighed and reluctantly admitted, "I know. But, I still wish that I can keep my baby believing in magic for just a little longer. She grows up too fast. They all do, really."

I didn't even notice that Asami had sat behind me. But, his strong arms suddenly surrounded me with its warmth. His steely chest against my back grounded me, like an anchor that would steady me even in the darkest stormy night. The scent of his fresh masculine scent filled my nostril and I could feel my body begin to relax.

"Aww, is this an early case of the empty nest syndrome?" Asami teased me, although not unkindly.

I blushed and looked away, unwilling to admit openly that he might be right. But, he only needed to read my expression. The bastard instantly knew that he had hit a sensitive spot.

If I was looking for comforting words, however, I was sorely disappointed. Asami merely chuckled. Nuzzling my neck and sounding completely amused, he made me an incorrigible offer, "Hmm, then should we have another baby, Akihito?"

I almost choked on my own saliva. As much as I loved my children, I didn't think I had the energy to take care of a new baby. Remembering all those sleepless nights when the twins had gone through a colic phase was enough to give me a shudder. Thanks, but no thanks.

I hit his stomach with the sharp edge of my elbow. It felt like punching a concrete wall. Damn those hard muscles!

"Bring another baby, Asami Ryuichi, and I will castrate you in your sleep!"

He bursted into laughter, as he always did whenever I started throwing threats. Even Tao smiled at my threat as if he was indulging a little kid who had claimed that he could kill a giant with a mere stick. They thought that it was just a bluff. Like I was a dog who would bark but would never bite. Seriously, they underestimated what a sleep-deprived parent with a newborn baby could do.

Annoyed, I gave him a glare, "I am fucking serious, Ryu. Taking care of a baby is not easy and you are always away in fucking business trips most of the time! Who do you think will do the hard work, huh?! Kirishima?!"

"Heyyy! Why Kirishima? What about me? I'm always happy to help you whenever Asami-sama isn't around, am I not?" Tao protested, feigning hurt. But, the asshole still couldn't stop from grinning at the idea.

I stabbed his chest with my forefinger and growled, "Don't you fucking dare encourage him, Liu Tao!"

Asami only laughed harder. "If that's your concern, Akihito, I'm pretty sure we can find a good nanny to assist you 24/7."

"A top-notch nanny, graduated from a good university, with knowledge in child nutrition, perhaps can even speak multiple languages so that the baby can be multilingual from a young age. With a generous incentive, it won't be hard to hire one," Tao rubbed his chin with a mocking seriousness on his face.

"Money is not a problem," Asami agreed with a smug smirk.

"You both can keep your fucking money because I DON'T want another baby!" I insisted through gritted teeth.

Asami let out a sigh, his face had the expression of a saint who knew he could do no more to persuade humankind to leave the path of destruction.

"Oh well, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink, I suppose," he told Tao solemnly, but the amusement in his golden eyes was unmistakeable.

Without wasting another breath, I walked away and locked myself inside the attached bathroom before I made a terrible decision I couldn't undo. Like, brutally murdering both my husband and my lover.

When I finally felt sane enough to face those idiots without stabbing them in the eye, I went out of the bathroom only to find the two of them waiting for me right outside the door.

Tao intertwined his fingers with mine and said apologetically, "We were just joking, Akihito."

I rolled my eyes. Now that I felt less homicidal, I could see that they had just tried to distract me from my sudden bout of blues. After all, it was hard to be both frustrated and melancholic at the same time. But, the good intention didn't make their poking any less annoying.

"Ha ha ha, your joke was so funny," I grumbled sarcastically.

Asami took me into his embrace and my own body betrayed myself by fitting into his so easily. Burying his face in the nook between my shoulder and my neck, he offered suggestively, "Well, if jokes don't work, I'm certain there're other things we can do to comfort you."

My prideful heart told me to reject his suggestion right there and then. My rational brain agreed with my heart since it wanted to teach my husband a lesson of humility. But, my cock clearly didn't get the memo because that rebellious part of my body quickly stood to attention, eager for some actions.

And, of course, Asami didn't miss the hardness pressing into his thigh.

"Ohh, someone likes the idea," he hummed smugly, pleased with how fast he could turn me into a wanton creature craving for his touch.

Trying to maintain the last shred of my dignity, I started, "I don't—"

My protest was cut off as he pulled my body down onto the bed, the strong arms around my torso preventing me from escaping. To be fair, I was too surprised to even make any sound, moreover to try escape. We tumbled into the mattress and rolled a little. I was still dazed when he settled me into the empty space between his legs, until finally my back rested on his muscular chest, my head nestling comfortably on his shoulder.

"What—"

Asami tilted my head to one side before devouring my lips like a bloodthirsty conqueror, literally swallowing any word I was about to say next. His kiss showed no mercy. And yet, I craved for more.

I hadn't even noticed when Tao took off my sweat pants, along with what little I had worn beneath it, or when he retrieved the lube from the bedside table. At that moment, the rest of the world ceased to exist, leaving only Asami and I drowning in the haze of our desire. His ruthless lips felt surprisingly soft against mine. His tongue explored the inside of my mouth as if it had a mind of its own. His arms around me felt solid and unbreakable, not to cage and disable me from spreading my wings, but to shelter me from the dangerous world outside.

I had no doubt that this formidable man could be brutal and cruel at times. There was ferocious darkness hidden within him, one that could never be sated even after all the blood that had stained his hands. Yet, I knew for a fact that he was willing to lay down his life for me. That humbling knowledge alone was an intoxicating aphrodisiac that lit an unquenchable fire deep inside my body.

It was only when I felt a warmth mouth enveloping my full length that I remembered Tao was still with us. Glancing his way, I found his head between my legs. His solid grips around my ankles kept my legs spread apart, displaying the most private part of my body for him to play with as he pleased.

And fuck the gods in high heaven, but he played my body with the expertise of an experienced conductor controlling an entire orchestra.

"Bite this," Asami commanded as he shoved the bottom of my tank top into my mouth, baring the upper part of my body for his indecent touches.

A part of my mind —the part which could still think logically— wanted to refuse his command. Who did he think he was that he could order me around like this? He saw the defiance in my eyes and grinned. There was a mad glee in his voice —as if he actually hoped for me to defy his command just so he could punish me for it— when he threatened me with an evil smirk on his face, "Go on. Spit it out, Akihito. I'd love to paddle your ass for it."

It wasn't his threat that stopped me from disobeying him. Nor the terrifying tone with which he had delivered his warning.

What stopped me was the dangerous glints in his golden eyes, a hint of depraved desire and wicked hunger that he didn't bother to conceal from me tonight. It made his gaze more predatory, like a mindless beast craving for blood. I swallowed, captivated by the animalistic sight of his manic obsession.

He wouldn't let me fight him tonight. Oh, no, he wouldn't. He would wrestled me until I yielded if he had to. Because, tonight, he clearly had a plan and he wanted my blind obedience.

Over the years, I had learnt that there was a comfort in simply obeying commands. It was actually a gift to be able to turn off your busy brain and to surrender yourself to another's will. Sometimes, one just needed that kind of mental break.

And perhaps, that was exactly what I needed tonight.

So, blushing furiously, slowly, almost reverently, I lowered my gaze and nodded.

I could no longer see his face then, but I could hear his victorious growl. He knew he would get his way and he revelled in his triumph. As if he wanted to claim my body as his, Asami bit into my shoulder, sucking and bruising the skin almost painfully. His fingers played with my nipples, pinching, pulling, twisting, leaving me moaning and begging and pleading. For what, I couldn't be sure.

There was not an inch of my skin that these two men hadn't conquered. They knew my body like the back of their own hands and I enjoyed the confident way their hands and lips roamed around. Soon, I was covered with their marks of their ownership. The love bites would be hard to hide but at that moment, I couldn't even think why I needed to care. My brain couldn't focus on anything else but the pleasure they gave me. I writhed and squirmed between their hard bodies, sobbing from their torturous touches, and yet, yearning for more.

When I started to beg him for more, Asami lifted my body to position his cock at my entrance. I could feel the dull pressure of the thick head against my ring muscle. I was familiar with how good it felt rubbing against my prostrate and after years of conditioning, the simple touch of the tip of his cock was enough to send me into a frenzy. I wanted it inside me, needing it like I needed air to breath.

"Please, Ryu," I sobbed. "Oh, please."

"You're so beautiful, Akihito," Tao whispered as he cupped my face with his hands, peppering my damp cheeks with kisses. "You always take my breath away."

He tangled our fingers together and I held tightly onto him as Asami slowly entered my body, inch by excruciating inch, like he had all the time in the world. After a moment of pause to let my body adjust to his thickness, my husband began to move our bodies together. I whimpered from how right it felt to have him inside of me, our bodies joined together in a perfect harmony as if it was purposely made for each other.

When Tao leaned forward to capture my lips, I was eager to respond. As always, his kiss had a much gentler touch than Asami, like he wasn't sure whether I was real and he was afraid I would suddenly evaporate into thin air. His soft lips touched mine gingerly before he pressed deeper. I let out a pleased sound when his tongue finally teased mine. And when he started to rub our cocks together with one hand, I closed my eyes and happily moaned my approval.

At least, until I felt a slippery finger probing my entrance, attempting to join Asami's cock which was already buried deep inside me.

I quickly opened my eyes in panic. "What the fuck—"

"Shhh," Asami said as he nuzzled my neck. "Just relax and enjoy it, Akihito. It'll be fine."

"Fine, my ass!" I yelled as my body instinctively clenched to stop the unwanted intruder. "You try having that monster cock up your ass! Nothing else can fit in, you bastard!"

"As flattered as I am with that compliment," Asami let out a wicked chuckle, "don't underestimate yourself, Akihito."

"Oh, fuck you, Ryu!"

Tao's finger didn't even stopped its attempt to enter my already tight orifice. It circled my ring muscle gently, trying to persuade it to relax. But, it was impossible for me to relax. My body sensed the impending invader and instinctively fought to break free. I pushed and pulled with all my might. However, with Asami's strong arms around my chest, his cock impaling me so deep, and Tao's hand holding my waist down, my attempt to escape was futile.

"Hey, hey. Akihito, calm down. It's okay," Tao tried to comfort me with gentle kisses on my eyelids, his voice calm and soothing. "Shhh, it's okay. You're okay. We got you."

"Come on, Akihito, take a deep breath," Asami commanded in a steady, reassuring tone. "It's fine. You're safe. Deep breath. Inhale. Exhale."

They repeated it over and over like a mantra as they waited patiently until I calmed down. And it somehow worked. Either that, or I was just a pervert who secretly enjoyed being dominated by these two alpha men. If the latter was the truth, have no doubt that I would bring that knowledge to my grave.

"If you really can't take it anymore, you just need to tell us and I will stop," Tao promised once I gave up struggling. As prideful as I was, I could recognise when a fight was already lost.

I looked up at him with teary eyes, still feeling uncertain. His hand begun caressing my cock with a tenderness that contrasted the persistent finger demanding entrance into my tight channel. Gently, he kissed me, my lips, my eyelids, my neck, the space below my ears. And my traitorous cock, which had wilted a little in my panic, slowly hardened again under his expert manipulation. Noticing it, Tao cocked an eyebrow and gave me a sly smile.

"We will take our time and use a lot of lube," Tao murmured in my ear. "It's perfectly safe."

"You will love it, kitten," Asami whispered seductively in my other ear. "Trust me, you will mewl for more."

"How do you know I will love it?! It's not your asses that are at stake here!" I scowled in disbelief. "Do you just expect me to trust the promises of two fucking tops who have never even bottomed?!"

Asami laughed, "Oh, you of little faith!"

"Don't worry, you're in perfectly capable hands, Akihito," Tao said with a smug smirk.

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. "This is not your first rodeo, isn't it?"

Tao tilted his head and grinned, "You know I don't kiss and tell."

That statement was answer enough. I turned my head toward Asami, trying to see the bastard who had been holding me from behind. "And you?"

Rather than see, I could hear the broad smile in his voice, "Let's just say, I had a wild youth."

With a confident look in his face, Tao assured me, "You're with the best out there, Akihito. There's nothing to worry."

"Besides, you are curious, aren't you?" Asami's deep voice sounded like the devil's temptation, intriguing and irresistible. "Your mouth said no but I can smell your curiosity in the air."

What he meant was that he could smell my scent of arousal. My face turned crimson red. Because, once I was calmer, I had to admit that, yes, I did feel a little curious. How could I not when these two evil creatures kept chanting sweet seductions in my ears? My imagination started running untamed, showing vivid images of our bodies joining together. I wondered how it would feel, to be united in the most intimate way possible with the two most important men in my life.

"You'll do it slow," I demanded firmly.

Tao's lips curled into a pleased smiled. "Of course, Akihito. We'll do it real slow."

"And you will stop the moment I ask you to," I clarified my condition.

"I will pause," he promised with a peck on my lips. "And if after a little break, you still want me to stop, I will do so without question. If you really want to stop right away, you know you have your safe words."

That was good enough for me. I swallowed and nodded. My heart began to race, both from arousal and apprehension. I wondered whether I would regret this decision in the morning. But, whenever these two men were involved, my brain often organised a labor strike, bringing my reasoning ability to its knee.

Asami graciously stayed still as Tao worked his finger inside of me, stretching me like I had never been stretched before. I began to feel intensely full. For a few seconds, it seemed impossible for my body to accommodate any more expansion. But, the moment I winced, Tao paused until the discomfort gradually dissipated.

Meanwhile, Asami busied himself by kissing, licking, and sucking the skin on my shoulders, stamping my body with even more love bites. His right hand leisurely stroking my cock, keeping me constantly aroused, although never enough to reach an orgasm. His flattering praises and words of encouragement kept filling my ear. He was trying to distract me from what was happening in my nether region and I found the unusual gentleness amazingly sweet.

That was how we kept going, slowly and steadily, beginning with a single extra finger inside me, all the way until my body was ready to take in something bigger and wider. When Tao's generously-lubed cock finally slid in alongside Asami's, the sensation caught my breath away. There was no pain, just an overwhelming feeling of being full.

I gasped and moaned. My body was now connecting the two of them. There was something empowering in that knowledge.

For a moment, they only held onto me, sandwiching me between their hard bodies, letting me to fully adjust with the new girth. I could sense how difficult it was for two of them to hold back, that it took all their willpower to not just ravage my body and take what they obviously wanted. Their breathings were uncharacteristically erratic. A layer of glistening sweat dampened their skin as their bodies stayed completely rigid. As if they were in pain, Tao gritted his teeth to control his arousal.

"Fuck," Asami cursed in his frustration to stay still. "So tight."

"God, Akihito, you feel damn good," Tao added with a groan.

I shut my eyes to savour this new sensation, hoping to enjoy this new level of intimacy. But, before long, Asami began to move. He pulled out slowly in an extremely controlled pace. Then he slid back in, just as Tao slid his cock out. And that, my friends, was when the real magic truly happened. My brain exploded from the sensual stimulation. My eyes literally rolled back in its sockets.

They continued moving in the opposite direction from each other, perfectly in sync and accurately hitting that spot deep hidden within me with each stroke. I forgot to breath. My heart felt like it had stopped beating. I might have died and gone to heaven. The only thing that stopped me from screaming my heart out was Asami's hand covering my mouth.

"Shh," Tao reminded me with a grin, his black eyes glazing with pure lust. "Not so loud, Akihito. Kids, remember?"

He was right, of course. But, the intense stimulation wrecked any remaining inhabitation I still had left. At that moment, nothing else mattered. The only thing that I could focus on was the potent pleasure I was now sharing with these two men. I cried and sobbed, overwhelmed by this fierce need to reach a climax. My hips began to move on its own, silently being them to give me their all.

"That amazing, huh?" Asami's voice had a good dose of amusement, even when his breaths sounded unusually uneven. His skin against mine felt slippery from our perspiration. Dutifully, they both picked up the pace, setting up a hard rhythm for our sensual dance.

Then, still covering my mouth, Asami pressed his lips against my ear and ruthlessly demanded, "Come for me, Akihito."

My throat felt raw from the inhuman sound that I made as I spilled my load like I had never done before, wave after wave of my cum staining Tao's ripped abs. My ring muscle automatically clenched around their cocks and it triggered a chain reaction that sent the both of them over the edge of orgasm. Asami growled when he came. Tao bit his bottom lips so hard that I wondered if he could taste his own blood.

Their warm seeds filled me, so much that it leaked out the moment they withdrew their cocks. I suddenly felt empty but their arms around my body lessened my disappointment. Completely drained and sated, my body seemed to melt into liquid. My brain was shutting down quickly. I was already unconscious when they cleaned my body and the bed.

It was the sound of Mizuki-chan screaming at the top of her lungs that woke me up.

As I opened my eyes, I felt disoriented when I was met with total darkness. It took me a moment to realise that I was in my own bed. Outside, the little snow had turned into a snowstorm. I could hear the icy wind howled furiously, like a banshee, whose wailing warned of a death in a house.

Trying to blink sleep away from my eyes, I called out, "Mizuki-chan!"

I was jumping out of my bed, ready to run towards my daughter come hell and high water, when a pair of strong arms caught my waist. My first instinct was to fight this unknown enemy. Shouting curses, I kicked and punched with all my strength. But, with my back against my captor's chest, I merely hit empty air.

"Akihito!" Tao shouted. "Calm down!"

I stilled when the sound of his voice finally registered in my brain. Although my heart was still beating like mad inside my ribcage, fast and frantic as if it wanted to tear my chest apart, the familiar voice pacified my terror a little.

"T—tao?"

Without loosening his embrace, Tao said quietly, "Deep breath, Akihito. All is well. Mizuki-chan is unharmed."

His calmness soothed my nerve a little. I forced myself to take a deep breath, trying to keep my spiralling emotions under control. With every inhalation and exhalation, my body began to relax and my ability to reason returned. I realised then that the house had turned quiet. No more screaming. Only the sound of the wind roaring outside filled the silence.

"What—what's happening?"

Without so much as a grunt, Tao lifted my body and carried me back to bed. He sat me down. He held his phone in his other hand, using the flashlight mode to provide a little illumination amidst the complete darkness. The dimmed light created a little spotlight on my body. Following its direction, I looked down only to find that I was still completely naked, not a shred of fabric covering my body. I cringed when I realised that I almost run to my daughter's bedroom without any clothes on. Thank goodness Tao had stopped me.

"Electricity outage," Tao explained as he went to look for fresh clothes for me. "There's a power grid accident caused by the snow. Ours isn't the only house affected."

He returned with a tank-top and a sweatpants. I took it from him with a grateful smile.

"Asami-sama immediately went to find Mizuki-chan. But, she was already in panic," Tao continued as he watched me slipping into the clothes he had given me.

Everyone in the family knew that Mizuki-chan had a nyctophobia, an extreme fear of the dark. It came from the trauma she had experienced during her slavery. The syndicate had kept her and two dozens of other underage kids inside a dark cargo box for weeks. They hadn't even been allowed to go out for toilet. In that complete darkness, the 5-years-old Mizuki-chan had witnessed many of the other captives succumbed to death because of the inhumane treatment.

I had been filled with rage when she had told me her story. The hatred I felt for her captors were beyond reason. The idea that anyone could be so heartless to a defenceless child made me feel sick to the core. Asami had resorted to drastic measures just to calm me down. But, that was a story for another day.

"Calmer now?" Tao asked gently once I was appropriately clothed again.

I let out a sigh. I still had the urge to find Mizuki-chan, but I knew that I needed to cool down first. It would only terrified her even more if I appeared looking upset.

"Yeah," I answered as I wiped my face in an attempt to fully calm myself. Suddenly remembering how I had reacted, I looked up at him and asked, "I didn't hurt you just now, right?"

He shook his head with a small smile. "I think I was more worried that you would accidentally kick yourself."

I wanted to be annoyed at his comment about my fighting skill. But to be honest, his teasing did make me feel a little better. And it had even given me an idea, although now wasn't the best time to voice it out. There was more important matter to take care of tonight. As if on cue, a soft knock on my bedroom door broke my thought.

"Can we come in?" Asami asked from the other side of the door, most likely assessing whether I was in an appropriate state for innocent company.

"Yes," I said quickly. "Come in."

Asami was carrying Mizuki-chan in his arms. Still shaken, our little girl held onto her father's torso, so tightly as if her safety depended on Asami's presence. Her face was buried in Asami's embrace, her shoulders trembling with her effort to contain her cry. Behind them, the twins were following closely, watching their sister with worried expressions on their face. They looked as if they would murder someone if only it would make her smile again.

With Mizuki-chan clinging onto him like a terrified baby koala, my husband sat beside me. I rubbed her back slowly, trying to comfort her just as I had always done whenever she had a nightmare about what had happened in the dark.

"You are safe, sweetheart," I told her as gentle as I could, keeping my voice low and quiet so I wouldn't spook her. "We're here and we won't leave you."

For a moment, there was only the sound of her soft sobs. Then, a small voice whispered, "I'm sorry."

"Oh, sweetheart," I quickly said as I put my arms around the two of them. "There's nothing to apologise. You did nothing wrong."

Nao joined the group hugs, declaring, "We love you very much, Mizuki-chan."

"We will always be here for you," Rikiya added softly.

After a few seconds, she asked, "P—promise?"

"Promise," Asami answered steadily with a peck on her forehead. "We are family, aren't we? Family sticks together."

She finally looked up. Trails of tears marked her flushed cheeks. With trembling voice and little hiccups, she asked, "Then, can—can we all s—sleep here together? Just u—until the lighting is back on. Maybe that way, I won't get nightmares."

Without any hesitation, I told her, "Of course we can, little moon."

It didn't cross my mind that when she requested for 'all', she truly meant it.

"Are you sure, Mizuki-chan?" I repeated for the third time, staring at the ceiling of my bedroom and questioning all the decisions which had led me to this strange situation.

If someone had told me a year ago that one day, I would find myself, my daughter, and my husband sleeping WITH MY YOUNGER LOVER WHO HAD JUST FUCKED ME IN THE SAME FUCKING BED —and yes, I must capitalise it, just to emphasise how utterly bizarre this entire situation was— I would have thought that they were crazy.

Now, as I laid on my back, with my little girl snuggling between me and my husband, I was wondering whether we had ruined the ideal concept of love in her innocent mind. It felt wrong that she thought it was perfectly normal for her parents to be romantically involved in a threesome relationship with her cousin. Or for said cousin to sleep in the same bed with her parents every night. Surely we couldn't encourage her to believe that.

For the third time tonight, Tao offered, "I'm really fine with sleeping in my own room."

And, for the third time, my daughter jumped to grab Tao like he was her lifeline. "NO! YOU CAN'T, TAO-NIISAN!"

I tried to reason with her. Again.

"Mizuki-chan, there're too many people in this small bed—"

I could hear snorts coming from the floor beside my bed. Obliging their sister, my sons had decided to drag some spare futons into our bedroom. They had claimed that a grown man —yeah, right, a grown man my ass— wouldn't sleep in the same bed with their parents. Even Mizuki-chan had rolled her eyes at that self-claim. But, she had generously allowed them to sleep on the futons instead.

"It's an Alaskan king-sized bed, Dad. It can easily fit four to five adults," Rikiya said in a flat tone, clearly unimpressed with my latest excuse to persuade his sister that this was all a horrible idea.

"But, nice try," Nao added dully.

I reminded myself that if I wanted to save my daughter from more trauma, murdering my sons in front of her would be extremely counterproductive.

"Still," I continued after sending a glare in their direction, not that they would see it in this dimmed lighting, "Tao may prefer to sleep alone, Mizuki-chan."

Mizuki-chan's voice sounded genuinely curious when she asked, "Do you prefer to sleep alone, Tao-niisan?"

Tao glanced between the two of us, before answering hesitantly, "If that makes your dad feel more comfortable."

She finally turned towards me, sighing like she couldn't believe that she needed to deal with my stupidity. "Dad, you do remember that Tao-niisan is family, right?"

"Yes, I remember…"

"Then, why can't he sleep here tonight? Haven't he slept here with you and father for the past few weeks? Is it because of me?"

"No!" I quickly reassured her. "Of course it's not because you."

"Then, what's the difference? Why do you suddenly want to kick him out? I want him here with us."

I bit my lips uncertainly, knowing that she had beaten every single one of my excuses. But, unwilling to give up, I tried again, "Mizuki-chan, I—"

From behind Mizuki-chan, Asami sent me a warning glare. In the darkness, his eyes reflected the light from the emergency lamp that we had placed at the corner of the room, making his silent warning even more terrifying. If we were alone, he might have shouted at me. With the kids around, he had thankfully kept his comment to himself, remembering his promise to keep a united parental front.

But, Asami's warning glare was enough to give me a pause. Asami had taken Mizuki-chan's request in a stride. I had initially thought that it was because of his twisted sense of moral. But, I suddenly realised that my assumption was wrong.

Asami understood that Mizuki-chan needed this. For him, it didn't matter whether this situation fit into whatever concept of love the society believed in. He also didn't care whether we felt comfortable about it or not. His priority now was to help Mizuki-chan get passed her fear. If this stopped her usual nightmares, Asami would do it without hesitation.

Sometimes, I envied how his brain worked. Unlike me, my husband had the ability to focus on his goal without overthinking it, like a predator chasing after its target while ignoring the rest of the herd. Although, if Mizuki-chan ever accidentally told her teacher about what a pervert her parents were, I could only hope that Asami had an army of good lawyers because the school would surely inform the child safety services.

"!—I'm sorry, Mizuki-chan. I didn't realise how important this is for you. But, I get it now. If it helps you, then we will all sleep together tonight."

She stared at me for a few seconds before beaming at me. She squealed in delight, "Thank you, Dad!"

From the floor, Rikiya grumbled, "Oh, finally. Now, can we all sleep?"

Mizuki-chan returned to her previous position, snuggled between me and her father. We both were patting her back, trying to settle her to sleep just like when she had been younger, when she suddenly asked, "Tao-niisan, could you pat me too? Please?"

So, Tao turned to his side, practically spooning me as he reached out an arm to pat her back. Feeling his body plastered against mine, my face was warm from embarrassment. But, I said nothing.

Around fifteen minutes later, when I could barely keep my eyes open, Mizuki-chan muttered sleepily, "I was wrong, Dad."

"Hmmm, about?" I asked with my eyes closed, ready to succumb into a deep slumber after all the emotional roller coaster tonight.

"'bout magic," she slurred, only half-awake now. "It exists."

Stunned, I quickly opened my eyes, suddenly feeling very clear-headed. "Oh, yeah?"

She mumbled, barely coherent, "'cause love 's magical. Y'all love each other…father you Tao-niisan…and 'e twins…and me…it makes me feel safe…'u 're right…magic exists…"

And without another word, my little girl finally fell asleep, leaving me slowly grinning from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat.