After Isabel knocks up Leah at graduation and the Luna / Flynn drama, do Max and Daniel sit the other 4 down like “right, just think carefully about your partners please?”
Riley: *sweating because he hasn’t told his Dad yet that he is seeing a guy who’s 8 years older than him and technically his teacher*
Evie: „sure thing Dad“ (has never had a normal relationship in her life, comittment issues are hereditary it seems, met her last boyfriend at a rave while wearing cat ears and being on drugs)
Jakob: ?? (his girlfriend is a girl whom he has been friends with since they were like, 8 years old)
Jasper: „Okay Dad!“ *is a literal child*
Yeah, they are giving Daniel a few grey hairs. Some more than others.
This is the final oneshot I managed for the VV summer event, and was inspired by many a conversations with @33max 🩵
fluff with light angst//pack/family feels//tw: mentions of drug use, mentions of fights with parents
— 🌳 —
Daniel meant to cut the tree down. It was old and knobbly and the placement wasn’t ideal, right on the edge of the cow pasture.
He didn’t get that far, because Isabel begged him, with tears in her eyes, to leave it be because it was her “favorite tree”.
“You never said that it was your favorite!”
“You never asked!” she sniffled dramatically, sounding a lot like Charles.
“What else am I supposed to do with it? It doesn’t even carry apples anymore.”
“We could build a treehouse in it?” Riley suggested quietly from the side. “Like the kind the kids in my book have. A magic one.” Of course, Isabel immediately agreed.
And so, Daniel, with the help of Michael and two very eager six year olds, spent the next few weeks gathering wood and supplies, and constructing a treehouse out of it.
It didn’t take long for the adults to become just as invested in the project. It was fun teaching the kids how to hammer in nails, how to sand, how to put in the little windows they had ordered online and how to roof it with tarp.
To make sure the treehouse really was magic, Lando helped Riley paint it, purple with little stars on it. Sophie got the pups small furniture, a little sofa to sit on, an old, colorful rug, a kid-sized table, some blankets.
When it was done, they all felt very accomplished.
“Daddy, I love it!” Isabel wrapped her arms around Daniel’s leg, looking up at him with a big, big smile and shining brown eyes. “It’s so cool!”
“It really is,” Daniel agreed, giving her a grin, rubbing her back. “And the paint job is what really pulls it together.”
On Michael’s arm, Riley beamed. There was still some purple paint on his cheek.
That night, the twins celebrated by inviting Leah and having juice and cookies in their new treehouse.
-
For a while, Riley and Isabel got to enjoy the treehouse for themselves.
The triplets and Luna were too small to climb up the ladder on their own for a while, but that only made them want to get up there even more. When the triplets got too much for them, it was easy for the twins to escape into their sacred little space, rolling up the ladder and ignoring the wailing downstairs.
However, this was the best motivator for the younger kids to learn how to climb, and soon, the treehouse war was on.
Eventually, via the means of a packling tribunal, they decided on fair rules for everyone to use the tree house.
“No pushing people off” was priority number one, thankfully.
-
The years passed, and the treehouse saw many additions: a rope swing, new curtains, a radio, flower pots, and a new paint job, courtesy of Luna and Lucía.
Jasper was born, and being the baby of the family, he got the privilege of being lifted up there before he could ever climb by himself, always just wanting to be included.
Eventually, the twins grew out of wanting to play-pretend with their siblings.
“Isa, will you play superheroes with us in the treehouse?” Evie tugged on her older sister’s sleeve. “Pleeeease?” She put all of her force into that please to convince Isabel. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, because Isabel’s eyes were stuck on her phone screen.
“No, I’m calling Leah in a minute.”
“Ughhhh,” Evie exclaimed, slinking off, not even in a mood to make kissy noises at her sister for mentioning Leah. “Riley?” she asked hopefully, even though she knew it was no use. Riley sometimes still played dolls with them, but not superheroes.
“No, Evie,” Riley told her, looking at least somewhat sorry, “I need to finish my homework.”
“You’re always spending way too much time on your homework,” Evie grumbled, leaving her two boring older siblings alone in the living room, but not without a “You’re both stupid!”
She found Michael in the kitchen, reading a recipe off his iPad, cracking open eggs.
“Papa,” she whined, climbing one of the stools, “Isa and Riley never wanna play with us anymore!”
He looked up from his cooking, giving her a half-smile that usually meant he was about to say something wise. “That’s just how it is when you get older, bug. They’re proper teenagers now, they’re interested in other things.”
“Ugh,” Evie grumbled again, laying her arms flat on the countertop and her head on top of them. “Being a teenager must suck then, if they don’t want to play cool games in the cool treehouse with us anymore.”
Michael chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her hair. “You have no idea.”
Later that night, Evie snuck her way in between Riley and Isabel in the pup nest.
“Sorry I said you were stupid.”
She watched her older siblings exchange an amused glance over her head, which kind of made her want to pinch them both, but she controlled herself. “I talked to Papa and he said being a teenager sucks ass.” She paused, then added, “Well, he didn’t say it like that but it’s what he meant. So I forgive you.”
“Wow, thank you for your apology,” Riley said, clearly trying not to laugh.
“It does suck ass sometimes,” Isa shrugged, wrapping her arms around Evie to tickle her, but Evie quickly kicked her (lightly). She had one more thing to say. “Wait! Will you- …will you still do the sleepover with us?”
The treehouse sleepover was a tradition. Once a year, on the last day of school before summer break, all of them slept outside in the treehouse. It was a tight fit, but Evie desperately wanted her big brother and sister there, even if they were stinky boring teenagers now.
“Of course!” Isa gasped, shocked by the assumption, “Why not?!”
“It’s the law,” Riley said, matter-of-factly, “Treehouse sleepover on the last day of school is required.”
“Okay.” Evie let out a breath. “...you can tickle me now.”
-
The treehouse changed over time, got bigger, a little more crooked, saw different paint jobs and ladders and furniture.
It always stayed a place for the kids to have their own space, away from the parents and sometimes, the world. Even as they got older, it still saw use, albeit not as much as it used to.
It was good for hiding after a bad day, for reading undisturbed, for sleepovers with friends, for games that were otherwise deemed “too childish”, for secret phone calls nobody else was supposed to hear, and for many other things.
“I can’t believe we used to be able to stand up in here,” Leah laughed, reaching over her head to touch the ceiling with her palms.
Isabel tried to look anywhere but at her. “Yeah, crazy, right?”
“Do you remember when we played princess and knight?” Leah smiled. Her teeth were so white, and Isabel couldn’t believe how long it had taken her to notice that. She was noticing a lot of new things about Leah lately.
“Yeah, I remember. You stole one of your mom’s dresses for it.” Isa had to duck her head to even sit up in here; she was leaning forward at an awkward angle.
“I did!” Leah giggled, “He was sooooo mad at me for it.” She paused, and Isabel watched her run her fingers over the edge of the ratty little carpet Lucía had weaved for the treehouse a few years ago.
“Do you remember when I said the princess should give the knight a kiss?”
Isabel snorted, “You mean when I said that princesses kiss princes, not knights?”
“Yeah,” Leah giggled.
Silence fell over them for a moment. It was a new, heavy, exhilarating kind of silence as the enclosed space of the treehouse filled with a warm, sweet scent.
“...do you want to kiss the princess now?” Leah asked into the silence, her voice soft and pretty. Her fingertips were inching towards Isabel’s on the wood floor.
“...I… would like that, yeah,” Isa said, barely managing a whisper.
-
“Lunie?”
Lucía peeked over the edge of the treehouse, her eyes wide and still a little wet.
Luna wanted her to leave, but she couldn’t get herself to actually say it.
“Are you gonna come down for dinner?” Lucía asked hopefully.
Luna sat up, wiping her eyes dry. Her throat hurt from crying. “Is Papá still angry at me?”
Lucía scrunched up her nose as she pulled herself all the way up onto the platform with Luna. “A little bit I think. But he’s not yelling anymore. He’s just looking around all grumpy, you know how.” Her imitation of their Dad made Luna laugh.
Lucía leaned into Luna, putting her head on her sister’s shoulder. “...they’re just worried about you, I think.”
Luna hummed quietly, her throat filling up again. “They can’t get mad at me everytime I have a boyfriend!” she mumbled, “That’s not fair!”
Lucía said nothing for a second, and then carefully looked up at her. “...no offense, Lunie, but I think it’s the kind of boys you date.” Luna couldn’t really argue with that, to be honest. “You knew he does drugs. Everyone knew he does drugs.” Sometimes, Lucía sounded more mature than Luna even felt, even though she was the older sister.
“Maybe you’ll get it when you’re older, love makes you blind,” Luna shrugged, feeling silly and defensive.
“...I don’t think I will,” Lucía said, putting her head back on Luna’s shoulder.
“...it’s over with him now, anyway.”
“Sorry.”
They sat in silence for a minute or two before Lucía said, “...come down for dinner, Lunie, please. I think maybe we’ll have ice cream for dessert.”
Luna sighed deeply.
“...yeah, okay.”
-
On the last night of school, thirteen years after the treehouse was built, they had their last summer sleepover.
All of them felt the finality.
Riley was going away for college, and Isabel was having a baby with Leah, and nothing would ever be the same after tonight.
Together, they had spent the last few days expanding the treehouse, adding more flooring to the platform. Flynn built stilts to hold it up until the treehouse had a massive front porch.
It was a total overkill for this one night, but nobody questioned it.
They squeezed up there together, a mess of sleeping bags and blankets and cookie crumbs. Jasper insisted on sleeping right next to Riley, holding on to him all night as if he could keep him from leaving if he just tried hard enough.
Wrapped in his sleeping bag and his little brother’s arms, Riley couldn’t fall asleep, staring at the stars above them instead. He could tell through their bond that Isa wasn’t asleep either. When he turned his head to look at her, he saw a slow tear run down from the corner of her eye into her blond hair.
In silence, he reached over, grabbing her hand, squeezing it three times. I love you. She squeezed back thankfully, looking at him with a wobbly smile.
A lot was about to change now, and both of them were scared.
“I’m so glad you convinced Dad that this was your favorite tree,” Riley whispered.
“Me too,” Isa whispered back. Next to her, Evie stirred, snuggling into her side.
For a moment, the twins just smiled at each other. Riley felt tears well up as well; just seeing her cry was enough.
“Being a teenager sucks ass,” Isa whispered, and then they both had to clutch their hands over their mouths to stop themselves from waking up their packlings with their laughter, making their tears less salty.
Eventually, they calmed down and Riley reached for Isa’s hand again.
I imagine Daniel and Charles sometimes have some pretty explosive arguments (and then sex), especially when Charles first joins the pack. Giving up authority and trusting his pack alpha would be hard for him - and later, it’s just because Charles likes it when Daniel puts him in his place.
They had (and still have) very explosive arguments; they can both handle it because they know they don't really mean it when they're heated. Charles can be very hot-blooded (especially with Daniel) and Daniel doesn't give in just for Charles' sake.
Meanwhile Max and Michael who both grew up in abusive households and have learned that arguing means people don't love each other are both like 🥺🥺...
Meanwhile Charles is like "Fuck you!", hissing at Daniel who growls back at him like "Bend over and I'll do it!"
(Daniel would never talk to max like that; imo they have an old married couple style of squabbling at most. Max is like "no this is stupid." And Daniel just goes "yes sir" 🫡)
I’m dying over here all of this daddy talk is making me🥵 let me add my contribution to it,, the pack are all out for the day, Charlos are on a work trip, Pierre and Michael are at work so Lando Danny and Max have the house all to themselves. Lando slept in their room so immediately the vibes are set as they wake up, Lando is super needy and begs them (not that he has to try) to fuck him. Throwing in mommy and daddy to really get the mood going. Then during breakfast, Daniel’s cooking eggs or something and Lando asks if there’s anything he can help with and Daniel goes “daddy’s got it baby don’t worry,” and it takes everything in lando not to fall down to his knees. Empty house means they can lean into it more and Lando can spend all day being the favourite pack pup, and Daniel can live out his dirty fantasies about Lando being his and only his little boy, and Max is just the most supportive getting off on how much his boys love it
they’re soooooo into it <3
Lando absolutely loving being fully spoiled by them, he basks in the attention and feels soooooo loved and wanted… he definitely teases Daniel with it sometimes, like in public or with other people around he calls him Daddy under his breath because he knows Daniel can barely resist but also that it will get him a lovely spanking and some other attention later! But he also knows how to be sweet with it, especially with Max too, being all sweet and cuddly and 🥺.
However what he didn’t expect was Daniel getting in on it and referring to himself as Daddy, calling Lando baby boy, baby etc. because FUCK it makes Lando soooooo weak!!! Daniel just needs to say the word and Lando is dripping wet! Which of course he gets praised for <3
Is there a time when Daniel almost misses the birth of a pup/pups, because he is doing work at the farm/ outside the pack home without his phone? Max on the bed being grateful for having Charles by his side but, screaming for Dan. Meanwhile Charles trying to distract him, getting everyone else to look for Daniel.
maybe with Jasper?
Max only just went into labor and (with the calm of a Dad who already has 5 (+2) kids), Daniel was like „oh this will take a while, I’ll just get my work done now before things get serious“, and also in the manner of a Dad of 5 (+2) kids, he of course forgets his phone.
However what he/they all underestimated was 1. Max’s body is a pro at giving birth by now and 2. this is one single baby, basically a walk in the park compared to twins and triplets.
So the birth progresses much quicker than anyone anticipated, Max is yelling for Daniel to fucking come home right now, Charles is panicking because he knows Max will be so mad if the baby comes without Daniel there, everyone is trying to keep the kids calm… eventually, Michael sends Isabel to run out to the barns as quick as she can to get her Dad… thankfully, Daniel took the quad out there so they get back quickly, Daniel has just enough time to wash his hands and change his shirt before Jasper basically drops into his hands lol
so i'm very much a playlist girlie, I love making musical associations. i was re-listening to troye sivan's blue neighborhood (a staple album for me in high school), and fools sends off major vv!maxiel vibes for me. them vaguely wanting stable, domestic things like owning a house with a pool and having children and quiet evenings together, maybe not explicitly with each other initially but reaching that point eventually. thinking "deep down i know i want these things, but there are so many extraneous factors (arranged mating and expectations and commitment issues) that would keep us from ever having that with each other--so that must make me a fool for not only wanting those things in the first place but also for wanting them *with you*. so even though it hurts, i need to keep these things locked away in my heart and maybe one day i'll be okay with never getting it."
plus it just has that poppy, teen nostalgia feel that doesn't quite feel right to try and apply anywhere outside of high school. i think about it every time i hear it.
thank you for this anon because my own music taste is, in fact, a mess lmao
but I do love Troye Sivan!
I think especially for Daniel, this is a major theme. Deep down, he knows Max is The One, he knows Max is his true mate… but he has these major committment issues that keep him at a distance even though his heart wants Max.
Max, from another standpoint, wants these things with Daniel so bad but has no idea if he can allow himself to even think it because he feels like those dreams will never become reality.
