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Rings & Rations

Monday. May 2nd, 2044 - 8:15 PM.

"Cedar - Bug! I'm home!". Owen called out, his voice slightly muffled since he was at the front end of the house.

"I'm in the kids room!". Cedar called back from where he was sitting criss cross in the nursery with five and a half year old Connor and six month old Juniper.

"How's my Cedar - Bug doing?". Owen asked as he walked into the bedroom, bending down to give his boyfriend a kiss before sitting down next to him.

"These little gremlins slept in until 8 AM today so I'm feeling pretty well rested". Cedar replied, reaching out and tickling Connor and Juniper. "How was patrol with Tommy?".

"Boring". Owen replied. "After forty minutes of not seeing any infected I suggested we call it quits for the day but Tommy wouldn't allow it".

"Well at least you have the rest of the week off". Cedar replied, leaning in to press another kiss against Owen's lips.

Owen smiled a bit and turned his attention to the kids. "And how are Coco and Junie doing? Did you guys behave for papa?".

"Junie started walking today!". Connor proudly blurted out despite Cedar's attempts to hush him.

"Is that so?". Owen asked with a proud look at his youngest child.

"C'mon Junes, let's show daddy what you can do!". Cedar said, balancing the infant out on their chubby legs.

Juniper took half a step with their left foot before promptly falling onto the plush beige carpet with a delighted giggle.

"Stubborn". Cedar mumbled, scooping them back up and kissing the side of their head.

"I wonder where they get it from". Owen remarked with a smirk, laughing when Cedar punched his arm.

"Tio Tommy said he's gonna teach me how to use a bow and arrow today!". Connor suddenly piped up.

"Oh really? Did he tell you that?". Cedar asked, evidently trying to keep his cool.

"Nope, I heard daddy ask him to teach me!". Connor revealed with a grin.

"Owen Patrick Baker Moore, Are you kidding me?!". Cedar scolded, looking over at his boyfriend with a murderous glare.

"Sweetheart, he needs to learn how to defend himself eventually". Owen replied calmly. "It's just a bow and arrow, he won't hurt himself with it".

"Alright, fine". Cedar relented with a sigh. "But I'm supervising the whole time".

"He'll be fine, If he's anything like you, he'll be a natural at it in no time". Owen said, obviously trying to be reassuring as he pressed another kiss to Cedar's lips.

"For Tommy's sake, I hope that's true". Cedar mumbled as he pulled back from the kiss.

"Owen? Is it safe to come over?". Tommy's muffled suddenly said from the walkie talkie hooked on Owen's jeans.

"Yeah he knows, come on over". Owen replied, trying to ignore the death glare that Cedar was still shooting him.

"Hey guys!". Tommy greeted cheerfully as he walked into the bedroom not even five minutes later.

"C'mon Coco, let's go practice with your bow". Owen suggested, clearly trying to give Cedar and Tommy some privacy as he picked Connor up and headed downstairs.

Both men were silent for a moment before Tommy decided to speak up. "I'm sorry for going behind your back like that, It wasn't right".

"You were just trying to help out, that's all". Cedar replied as his anger started to fade.