AN: I had a wonderful request for "holy land love triangle engages in exhausted parental cuddling after finally getting their babbies to sleep." And let me tell you that is hard to say no to.

It was, by all accounts, Malik's fault this time around when the three of them finally collapsed into bed. Altair managed to throw one of the heavier cushions at the door to close it, though the argument for one of them to get back up and lock it could only be put off for so long. At the moment, Malik seemed to have lost favor with the both of them as Altair and Maria curled up against each other in righteous retribution, leaving him to lay on his corner of the blanket by himself.

Eventually sense and guilt got the better of him and Malik rolled onto his feet, stumbling to the door and bolting it. He came back to the bed and since there was no use in being tentative and meek just because he was sorry, he slid next to Maria, watching her warily while Altair peered over her shoulder.

By some silent count, Malik was promptly booted to the side with three feet (two from Maria, one from Altair).

"Now thatwas uncalled for," Malik said, muffled because he was too exhausted to turn from the pillow he landed his face on.

"As was feeding Darim and Sef sweets before and after dinner," Maria said, arching her back in a pained stretch. "They were literally climbing the walls, did you not see? We warned you, Malik, why didn't you listen?"

Malik groaned at the memory. It had taken hours for the children to burn off all the sugar-induced energy and by then Altair and Maria were half-asleep themselves, to say nothing of Malik who took up most of Darim and Sef's demands to play at the rather forceful insistence of their parents.

"Never would have thought you were the doting parent type," Altair mumbled sleepily, and let his hand drop from where he had been rubbing the back of Maria's neck.

Malik snorted. "That might change."

"Oh, I doubt it," Altair said with a yawn.

"Malik hardly spoils us, so he must be saving it all for our sons," Maria added and Altair laughed quietly.

Ignoring his protesting muscles, Malik sat up on his knees and shuffled towards them. Maria looked up, her grin visible even in the darkened room, and snuggled more closely against her husband behind her. Altair pressed his face to the curve of her shoulder.

"You two don't deserve to be spoiled," Malik said, glancing back down at the smug couple.

"And yet here you are," Altair sighed and, without looking, reached out his hand to beckon him over.

Malik raised an eyebrow – a look only Maria saw – and drew up higher on his knees.

"Don't you dare," she hissed, jolting Altair as she scrunched her shoulders to brace herself.

Ignoring her, Malik tumbled over them in a graceless sprawl, not making an effort to shift his weight. He heard Altair let out a startled, breathless yelp, and Maria was wriggling beneath him, each kick lovingly given until she had at least an arm around his chest and her head tucked beneath his chin. Altair was no better, pressing against Malik's back with a leg thrown carelessly over Malik's own.

"Perhaps you have a point. Perhaps I spoil you too often," Malik grumbled, trying to give himself a little more breathing room, but he felt Altair's lips at the nape of his neck and when he attempted to twist around, Maria claimed her own kiss with only a peck at the corner of his mouth.

Altair hummed. "Ah, but who's to say that we do not spoil you in return?"

And that was apparently enough for Malik to settle back down.