One week into quarantine and the Beaulieu household were a little at loose ends with how to fill their time. There had of course been all the serious legal preparations but in the down times … they had done all their home repairs, built a firepit in the backyard, planted a small garden from flowers on sale from the garden centre that they ordered online for contact free delivery. Made every fun recipe they could think of with rotating cooks, with the exception of Rene who was put on salad duty, watched all their DVDs and played all their video games. Short of now forming some kind of Brady bunch-esque family band, they needed an activity tonight.
Amelie turned to Rene “What about that little game you play with your friends cherie? You were on the computer last night and you guys sounded like you were having fun? Teach us?” She was glad for any distraction that might help Gen process all the horrible things that were surely still haunting her so she had been encouraging anything that gave that option.
Sasha was hanging off the couch upside down letting Tatty lick his forehead “Yeah anything….just don’t make me watch Batman V Superman ever again…..I felt my life force leaving me…..” But the solidarity of their hatred for the film he hoped had given Gen something else to think about other than her surviving Brett.
Cath groaned “Ugh...yeah I’ll play D&D. Teach us Rene!” She was on the floor brushing Taffy while he licked Sasha.
Dante was on cam with Gen and laughed “I’m up for whatever. But not that fuckin movie again.” He was on screen with Gen as often as he could be, watching her, worried, hoping to god she was ok.
Gen is in a chair in the living room. She’s feeling a bit better. At least around her family. How it would be when she was out with the world, she did not know. She talked to Mary Henry several times already and it helped. Now … game night. “Sure. How bad can it be?”
Felix sat at the dining room table. “Sounds like a plan.”
Rene was standing in the kitchen, but heard the request and turned around quickly. He looked stunned for a minute and then he nodded. “Sure! I’ll get my bag!” he had a bag specifically for his D&D things. He took off running up the stairs.
Sasha let himself slide all the way to the floor and then sat up. “Eeww I’ve been slimed.” He laughs. Then he waits for Rene. He actually had a vague clue about the game from overhearing his brother play but had never played himself “We get to make characters right? I want to be an old gnarly dude with an eyepatch and an epic beard. A wizard…..”
Cath rolled her eyes at Sasha “I want to be a warrior woman who can charm animals.” She pets Taffy and smiles. She looks at her sister and Dante linked by screen. She didn’t know how to help Gen but she had been extra nice and kept her side of their room clean as much as she could.
Dante looks at Gen through the screen with love but then makes a face as Sasha and Cath get all out there. “Do we have to make up a bunch of weird stuff like that?”
Amelie tries to look encouraging “I will wait for Rene to instruct us. It all sounds very interesting.” She has that mom tone where it’s possible she’s humouring her children.
Gen looks at Dante’s loving face. “Probably.” she warns him. “This is Rene. He likes all things drama. Well and reptiles.” she rolls her eyes.
Felix looks curious. “Dressing characters? Like dolls?” he sounds curious.
Rene only took about 30 seconds to grab his bag and bring it downstairs. He went straight to the dining room table. Gather round, Family!” he calls. “We will begin by creating character sheets for all of you.” he hands out copies of blank character sheets detailing name, agem race, abilities and 50 other things. He sets out several dice ranging from the 4 sided to 100 sided and then hands out pens. “Gen you can fill out for Dante and yourself.” he announces. If it makes Gen better, he’s all for it.
Sasha jumps up and goes to the table, eager to start creating. He starts muttering names “Bastian…..Balthazar….too pretentious….I need to do some research…” He pulls out his phone and starts tapping and scrolling.
Dante sighs on the screen at Gen “Oh my god Sasha….Gen can we team up? This could take awhile.”
Cath plunks down in a chair “Cathrena…..easy peasy.” she looks at the sheet in confusion and then slides it to Rene “Can you just make me all powerful?”
Amelie sits and takes a sheet “Felix I don’t think we get dolls. Goodness you have so many different dice.” She starts to read the sheet and her eyes glaze over “Weapons? Fighting? I think I’d like my character to use kindness.” She writes down the character name as Mom.
Sasha calls out “Raban...it means raven. He has a pet raven on his shoulder so that’s perfect. I feel like I know him. Should I name his family? There’s so much there…” He starts scribbling side notes.
Gen blinks at the sheet as she looks at it front and back. “Yes. Let’s be one. GenTe or Dangen or something?” she looks at Sasha, who seems to be going a little overboard. But it is intriguing and she and Dante are one.
Felix grins at his wife. “I’m not sure that’s how the game works, Ame…” he looks at his character’s name line and writes Xilef. “Now what are these races? It’s not some divisive thing, is it, Rene?”
Rene sighs at Cath. “No, Cath. You will roll for all of it to make it fair.” he blinks a bit at his mother. “I … guess .. you can try, Mom.” he looks at Sasha, half admiring and half exasperated. “Normally I would encourage you, but I think the family is in a hurry, Sasha so let's make this short, sweet and quick.”
He set his family up as fast as he could. Gen and Dante splitting a character worked to save a lot of time. In the end it only took about 90 minutes to create everyone's characters. Rene tried to get them out of the tavern as fast as possible, but Sasha kept emoting everything his character was doing in the most minute detail. Again .. Rene thought it was cool, but others were showing signs of impatience. At last three hours into playing, his company faced the dragon.
Rene looks around the room as if he were a magician. “The dragon speaks to your Party, smoke pouring from his nose and offering the treasure should you get the answer right ...but death should you fail. He asks - The more you take, the more you leave behind…What am I?”
Dante just wants to get it over with now and chat with Gen without this game. But he’s politely playing along. “Can we just punch him out and skip the damned riddle?”
Sasha thinks hard “Raban sends his raven back to the old woman in the hut in the woods with a note and this question. I think her wisdom would help us now….it might take a few turns though since I reunited her with her long lost granddaughter…..I think they said they were going to pick hawthorn berries by the river…being the season and all....”
Cath slaps the table in front of Sasha “Are you kidding me? I murder Raban and shoot down the stupid messanger bird so we can be done with this nattering!”
Amelie gives a little gasp “Oh this is too violent for me. Mom will pass on her turn. I’m going to bake something….” She starts to get up and leave the table.
Gen puts her fingers to her temples. “What Dante said. We punch him in his stupid smoking nose and run with as much as we can carry.” she nods. “Can we go now?”
Felix’s eyes grow wide. “I … um … tell him he has lovely teeth. Where does he have his work done?”
Rene groans. “You can’t punch a dragon! He’d break your hand before he ate you!” he looks at Sasha in admiration. “Sure ….” and then he looks at his mother. “Maman!” he cries before he looks at his father. “Really, Papa? Are you gonna pull out floss in the next turn?” He looks at Cath and simply gives her the finger.
Sasha gives Cath a dirty look after having smiled with satisfaction at Rene “You’re just jealous because the DM likes me best.” He teases her and then looks at his mother leaving “It’s all pretend. She can’t really kill me or the raven.” He shakes his head at Gen and Dante “Patience fair Gente Dangen. We are in a place of mystery. Revere the beast.” He laughs hard at his father about the teeth and then at Rene about the floss comment.
Dante snorts and then pretends to be upset but weakly “Oh no Gen, he ate us…..we’re dragon chow now….” Then he totally loses it as Felix plays at being a dragon dentist. “Oh no that’s the game we should be playing. Brush his teeth Felix!” He calls out.
Cath scoffs at Rene and Sasha now “Fine! But I’m bored…….” Then she sniffs a few times and makes a face, looking around.
Amelie takes a few steps into the kitchen and sniffs at the air. Then she breaks into a run “Oh mon dieu! Fire!” The smoke detector goes off and there’s smoke now pouring from the oven as she scrambles to turn it off. She goes running for the fire extinguisher but since they replaced it after the last time it’s been moved from under the sink. She looks madly around “Felix!!”
Gen beams at Dante, her first genuine smile since … it happened. And then she hears her mother and looks at Rene, abandoning English for French, tightening her grip on her phone and walking quickly out the back door.
Rene snorts at Cath and nods. “He’s right, you know.” and then his mother is yelling and Gen is snapping at him in French. While he is glad to hear her more like her old self, he also knows that right now, he needs to be someplace else. He and his phone also leave the house by the back door, but he moves closer to the water, seriously considering breaking quarantine to go and join the circus or the French Foreign Legion or something.
Felix starts moving when Amelie yells ‘fire’. He remembers where he put the fire extinguisher and gets it, pointing it towards the oven and putting out the fire. It takes almost a minute for the chemical retardant to settle and he peers through the smoke at the stove, as the alarm blares around him. It doesn’t look good … not at all. “Rene!” he yells. He is not a man who usually yells at all, never mind at his children. It’s been one of those weeks, to be sure.
Amelie coughs and waves at the smoke with her arms, thankful for Felix and his quick action. She peers into the stove at 3 charred black ...what might have once been pizzas “Fuck….” She says through a throat clearing “We said salads!!”
Sasha saw that his father was putting out the fire and then ran to open the windows and doors around and turned on the fan. Rene’s cooking...again. Then he too walked outside to the back deck.
Dante had been picking up more French since being with Gen and around her family, even lately through a screen but he was far from fluent and when she was annoyed she talked faster. He looked at her awkwardly “Baby I got about half of that...but I’m guessing at the rest.” He chuckles.
Cath ran and scooped up Taffy before going outside and staring at Rene “Did you do this?” Her eyes were accusatory.
Gen sighs and moves to the treeline that begins the gap between her house and Lydia Alvin’s. It’s as close to Dante as she can get. “Rene!” she explains. “Where does he think we can quarantine when he burns the house down?” she blows out a breath and looks at him. “I miss you.” it’s the first time she’s really said that, even though not a day has gone by they havent talked. “I love you and I’m sorry I’ve been such a fucking mess. It’s not you. I swear. I want you with me to keep me safe.” she sniffs and tries not to cry. It’s not that she thinks she isnt safe with her family, but Dante … it was different.
Rene cringes at the sound of both of his parents and Cath. “I thought I should pull my weight and salads didn't feel like pulling my weight.” He defends himself. “No more! I promise!” he nearly wails. He pulls out his phone and opens his Discord, sending a private message to Tristan.
D&D with the family. Ended with a fire! I’m really sticking to salads now!
Felix goes to press the button on the smoke detector after Sasha starts opening the windows, but it’s a few tries before it finally stops. “Are you alright, Amelie?” he moves to her and will try and gather her in his arms. If he can, he’ll hug her tight and murmur into her hair. “Mon Dieu what a week, eh?”
Amelie exhales and leans into Felix hugging him tightly “I’m fine. Are you ok?” She looks around “The kids got out….the house hasn’t burned down...but yes…” She doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry “God is testing our family.”
Sasha sat out on the deck and looked down at his siblings sort of spread out around the yard. He looks sympathetically at Rene. Rene meant well he was sure, but cooking…..
Cath huffs at Rene at first but then feels a little bad for him when he defends himself and seems upset. He probably does feel terrible. She’s about to try to say something nice but then he’s texting someone so she waits, watching Gen further down for a minute and looking worried. But Gen is talking to Dante and that’s good. She leaves them each to their moments and walks back towards the house, past Sasha and inside where she sees her parents embraced. She smiles a bit. Taffy, as usual, is at her heels.
Dante was smiling a bit when she talked about Rene “He’s a dangerous little man with cooking.” He looks pained when she talks more “I miss you too. So much.” He swallows “Gen you never have to apologize for this….anything you feel or say or whatever. This is not your fault. It’s that fucking asshole. I love you too. I want to be with you too.” He sits up a bit as he’d been sort of lying back on the couch in the Alvin garage “Where are you?” He looks on either side of her head around her and sees a glimpse of water and grins a little “Meet me at the water...I’m going to try and sneak out. Give me 2 minutes?”
Tristan was just leaving his Uncle Ryan and Aunt India’s where he’d been babysitting Jayla for a few hours so they could have a bit of a night out. His Grandmother had already made plans with Kaitlin, Yuki and Uilick that evening. As he stepped out onto the sidewalk his Discord chimed and he read Rene’s message and chuckled. He replied as he slowly walked:
Shit. Cooking fail. Sorry to hear. How was the D&D at least? You’re brave. I don’t know how that would go over with my family.
Gen almost smiles when Dante jokes about Rene … well it isn’t a joke, its the truth. Then his words comfort her and she nods. Finally, he tells her to meet him at the water and she opens her mouth to say no. That they shouldn’t. But she needs to see him alive and in person. It might mean resetting the clock on their quarantine, but she needs this more. After all, they had been exposed at the same time in the same place. “OK…” she replies and steps into the small copse of trees, turns right and heads carefully to the embankment and down towards the waters edge.
Rene turns and heads back to the house, since it looks like it's safe, and he doesn’t hear any sirens. He stops on the porch by Sasha and shrugs, sheepishly. He then hears the Discord notification chime and looks at the message. Snorting, he replies;
I should just stick to salads or anything I can make that doesn’t require heat @@. D&D was OK … but only Sasha gets it. He makes these detailed backstories … I might ask him to play again, just me and him. My family requires bravery LOL
Felix snorts. “God has given us enough tests. I’m ready to be bored.” he announces and chuckles. He looks at the stove and groans. “I think our son can now take over making dinner … until I can buy and install a new stove. Mon Dieu. Thank goddess for Alexandra’s bad teeth.”
Dante checks out the windows of the back door and sees no one on the trampoline. He silently creeps out closing the door carefully and then glances at the kitchen window before going around the trampoline to use it as cover before he makes a run for the treeline. He’s no longer wearing his sling but he holds his left arm while he runs because he can sure still feel pain on any impact. He’s in shorts and a shirt with his high tops shoved on but undone. When he gets to the water and sees Gen he bursts into tears at the sight of her in person and walks up to her lamost in slow motion, unsure how careful or distant she’s going to want him to be. But then he caves and just suddenly reaches for her to try to pull her into his arms “Gen….” He breathes out as he completely sobs. It’s the first time he’s been anywhere near her since the night Brett tried to rape her.
Cath had moved back to the living room with Taffy and turned on the TV.
Sasha watches Rene texting and looking amused by something and smiles at him “Hey….you ok? I know you didn’t mean to start a fire. That was a fun game. Thanks.”.
Amelie puts on an oven mitt and pulls out one of the charred racks “Salads for a few days to a week? Maybe we could cook over the fire pit like camping?” She places the rack back into the stove because there’s no place else that makes sense “This is…..done. I would love to be bored too….”
Tristan walks in his front door and gets halted by his mother before he can get his shoes off with ehr demand that he take out the garbage and recycling. He heard his chime go off for Discord and grumbled a bit at the redirect but then did his chores so took a few minutes to reply. When he did reply he was in his room flopped on his bed on his stomach:
Detail is good, really good. I think I hold back because I don’t want people to get too bored...LOL. I know all about that bravery thing with family. The Reinhardt dudes have a bizarre ritual I’m not even sure how to explain. Like some sort of Irish initiation…..
Gen cries as she sees Dante and, even as he reaches for her, she moves into his arms and clings to him. “Dante .. thank you. You and Sasha saved me.” she hugs him around the middle. At this moment she feels nothing can hurt her. Not in Dante’s arms.
Rene sighs at Sasha. “I never mean to start a fire. But thanks for the compliment. Maybe me and you can play upstairs with our characters or something? We still have a week to go … before you vanish for God knows how long to make it all up with Paige.” he laughs. Then he sighs. “I think I better go to my room before I’m sent.” he heads in the house.
Felix snorts. “Yes salads. He can pick new recipes with canned goods and lettuce or whatever.” he sees Rene come in. “You’re making salads for the family until I can get a new stove, young man. And I will find a way for you to pay me and the whole family back for it. Now up to your room.”
Rene sighs deeply, but doesn’t argue. It was fair enough. “Oui, Papa.” he heads up to his room and flops on his bed. Taking out his phone, he reads Tristan’s reply and arches both of his brows before replying;
I love the detailed stories. We should try it sometime. What initiation? Does it involve kilts? Are kilts Irish or just Scottish? Mon Dieu that could be interesting!
Dante’s not a hugely tall guy at all but he’s taller than Gen and as her arms go around his middle his go over her from her shoulder and around her arms down her back. He’s holding her noticeably tighter with his right arm as he rest the left more on her shoulder but his left hand runs through the back of her hair. “I’m sorry it ever had to happen.” He kisses the side of her head, still shaking a bit and then noses over to her cheek and kisses that if he can and finally pulls back and looks at her “I love you. I’ll never let anyone hurt you if I can help it…” He moves in trying to kiss her on the lips gently.
Sasha looks honoured at the invitation “I would love to play. Then he deflates and whimpers when Paige’s name comes up “Yeah we might need a...while…..” He admits but then laughs. He listens as Rene goes in and then hears their dad send him to his room and sighs. Not shocking. Bummer for Rene though. He stays outside a few minutes longer letting that scene air out and then looks between inside and out in the yard. It’s a nice evening. Maybe he’ll face time Paige from further down the yard where it’s quiet. Gen must have gone back in because she was over there a few minutes ago. He starts walking barefoot across the back lawn.
Amelie had folded her arms but let Felix read the riot act. He did a fair job of it. It was refreshing to not always be the discipline parent lately. They had a better balance. When Rene passed she nodded at him and then when he was out of sight she said “Well he’s too young for a job...maybe we can figure out how many chores equal a stove?” She gives Felix a little grin and whispers “You’re kind of sexy when you get tough.”
Cath and Taffy were sprawled and fully into a program that was a sort of travelling food documentary series.
Tristan grins at Rene’s reply and texts back immediately since he’s just chilling:
Yes please. Kilts can be Irish or Scottish but it’s not kilts. I’m not old enough to drink or to be deemed someone will pass me a beer at a family party yet so I haven't been dragged into it. But it’s...basically it’s a bunch of my older male relatives on Dad’s side...once they’re drunk enough they go in a sort of procession and line up and take a piss and sing this song. I shit you not this is a thing that happens at family dinners.
Gen closes her eyes and just breathes in the Dante as his voice washes over her. "I know ... I know you won't." He goes to kiss her and she doesn't hesitate to kiss him back.
Rene looks up at the ceiling as he waits for a reply. It could be worse. They didn't take anything from him. How could they ... he was in isolation with the family so ... his room it was. At least he had his phone. And Discord. Tristan's reply comes by and he reads it and starts laughing. He immediately reaches for his pillow to stifle the sound. It takes a couple of minutes, but he is finally able to reply;
OMFG! I love that! Pissing and singing! My family doesn’t drink all that much but nothing that exciting happens. Well let me cook at one and they can piss out the fire I start JUST KIDDING!
Felix looks at Amelie as she wonders how many chores equal a stove. "Maybe he can paint the kitchen. Get rid of the smoke. He can also help me instal the stove. And after that we'll see." she calls him sexy and touch and he chuckles. "When I do." he caresses her face and kisses her softly.
Dante gets lost in kissing Gen. He’s needed this connection to her so badly his entire being ached. His hands go through her hair and up and down her back. He’s not pushing for anything more given what she’s gone through but his passion is both loving and intense. As they go one for a while he moans involuntarily at how good it all feels.
Sasha was just heading through the trees, thinking he might sit by the water when he hears a male sounding voice moan and then the unmistakable sound of two people kissing. He’s trying to figure out which direction it’s coming from so he doesn’t stumble on anyone when he guesses wrong and bursts through the trees upon Gen and Dante “Ah…..sorry…..shit you guys suck at quarantine…” He laughs.
Dante pulls back but doesn’t let go of Gen as they get busted by Sasha “Aw fuck,,,,don’t tell ok?”
Amelie kisses Felix back and then grins into it before she breaks the kiss “Well it’s all the time….but I just don’t point it out constantly or it might get unbearable.” She whispers. Then she nods about his ideas on how Rene can earn a stove “Yes logical consequences...the painting and helping you. Maybe he should go volunteer with the fire department…” She laughs lightly.
Tristan is delighted Rene finds it funny and not just weird and gross and then cracks up at Rene’s suggestion and replies:
Way to take it to the next level. They get pretty crazy. Fall through windows….You’d fit right in with your cooking plan XD
Gen doesn't mind the kisses. That hasn't been ruined for her. It's Dante. It's alright. And then Sasha busts them and they pull apart. She turns in his arms to face her brother. "I needed to see him, Sasha. Please ... don't tell?" she pulls Dantes arms a bit tighter around her, as if he was a blanket and it was freezing.
Felix chuckles. "You know I love it when you stroke my ego, Amlie." he snorts. "He needs to do something ... Well, if he keeps up with his acting, maybe he will become famous and can hire his own personal chef. And one for us, too.”
Rene chuckles as he reads the reply and responds quickly.
Windows? Are they all like your Dad and built like houses with feet? Is there a family firebug?
Cath’s show finishes and she clicks off the TV. As Sasha moved rooms and sorted his books he passed a series onto her she was quite hooked on; His Dark Material by Phillip Pullman. She was just about to start the second book tonight and it called to her. They were a harder read for her with some of her struggles with reading but compelling enough to make her try. She looked into the kitchen and saw her parents being all mushy again so she just yelled “Night…” and headed upstairs with Taffy. Rene was in his room and she chose not to bug him. She’d heard him getting in trouble and she knew she hated to talk after it was her so she disappeared into her next adventure.
Amelie giggles and whispers “Among other things, cherie.” She was more comfortable flirting and joking with Felix now than she had been when they were first dating even. Then she hears Cath call out Night and calls back to her “Oh sleep well Cath….and Taffy..”
Sasha holds up his hands “Hey I’m not going to tell anyone. I swear. I will leave you to it..I get it.” He gives a little wave and disappears back through the trees letting them have their privacy back.
Dante holds Gen tighter again and nods at Sasha “Thanks man…” Then as soon as Sasha turns and walks he kisses Gen again, this time slowly like he’s savoring every second “Come home with me…” He murmurs between kisses “No pressure…” He kisses her again “Just sleep in my arms.” He goes in for another kiss and his hands are back in her hair.
Tristan snickers and types back:
Two types of Reinhardts. Type one house with feet. Dad, John, Seamus, Uilick although he’s a Fitzpatrick but same body just older and louder. Then type 2 the skinnier ones, still redheaded; Logan, Owen, I guess Fiona even through she’s a girl. I suppose I could dye my hair red and try and hide among them. Then there’s Jude who is just another bizarre huge creature. Sorta like wild man of the woods. I swear they’re all real. No firebugs but Owen apparently used to almost poison people. So the arsonist position would be vacant if you’re applying. We have a paramedic so it should all work out. Plus the pissing option. If you drink a bunch of booze though would that be like pouring fuel on the fire when it’s through you? A question for SCIENCE!
Gen breathes a grateful "Thank you." to her brother and turns in Dante's arms justin time for more kisses. He asks her to come home with him and she considers it. No pressure. But he'd never pressured her. And she needed to feel the sort of safe he made her feel. She nods. "I ... I'd like that. Let's go..."
Felix calls out to Cath. "Good night." and le grins at his wife, loving this new dynamic they had. It was better than ever it had been between them. “Let’s go upstairs and watch a movie.” he suggests. “Just the two of us.”
Rene sees Cath and Taffy out of the corner of his eye and then reads the reply. He chuckles softly, as people are starting to go to bed. He replies to Tristan;
I can’t imagine you as a redhead. The dark hair is perfect on you. One day we’ll have to try out the pissing on fire option. I’m not sure I’m ready to get drunk … maybe a few years from now when my parents are done being mad at me over that little kitchen fire. My brother is still out .. not out out .. out back. He’s probably going to talk to his girlfriend. I know he won’t go to see her, but I know he misses her. My fire wasn’t enough to keep his mind occupied LOL
Amelie grins and quietly heads upstairs with Felix, happily to cocoon in their bedroom with a movie on. She closes the door on all the things that have tested them and retreats into Felix’s welcoming arms.
Dante sneaks Gen into his quarantine den and into his garage bedroom. He all but tucks them and and wraps his arms around her and begins to tell her some of the things that might come up in his trial so there are no secrets or surprises. He tells her what he told Sasha, Felix, Lydia and Levi Samuels about working with Brett, stealing for Brett, admitting all details. Then he tells her about Brett threatening him and the compromising black out picture with Brooke Martin. And toughest of all he tells her that he thinks Brett tried to rape her to get to him again. After all is raw and revealed he’s in tears “So if you wanna just tell me to go fuck myself….now’s your chance Gen. I’d understand.”
Tristan felt himself blush a bit at the compliment on his hair. He wasn’t particularly vain but it felt nice to read. He smirks slightly;y at the fire pissing, the musings on drunkenness and Sasha. Then he typed back:
Thanks Rene. You’re quite perfect as a blonde. I’ve never drank booze yet either. I don’t like the smell of it. I’m baffled how people drink so much of something that smells to me like cleaning fluid. Maybe don’t try for bigger fires just to mess with your brother….let him have his chat.
Sasha went in and found he had the main floor of the house all to himself so he stretched out on the couch and face time called Paige. She would answer to a close up of his face looking longingly at her through the screen
Gen lays with Dante and listens to what he has to say. It means there will be no surprises coming out to slap her in the face. And at least he tells her his theory that Brett had targeted her to get to Dante. She is also in tears when he's dont speaking and holds him. "That fucker. I hope we never see him again." she moves a bit closer. "I don't want you to go anywhere, Dante." she places her hand on her bare chest. "I didn't have you put this on me for no reason. We'll handle all of this together, even if they separate us." she knows he could go to a detention facility for a long time. "I'll be here when you get out."
Rene grins. Perfect as a blonde? Really? He considers that as he replies;
Wine isn't so bad I guess? No idea. Sasha can have his chat. I'll hang out here for a bit.
Paige was laying on her belly on her bed looking at sewing websites. Nothing really new, but it gave her something to do. For not being quarantined, she felt a bit liek she was quarantined. Especially at night. She looks at the name and smiles, answering. “Hey there, handsome. One week down and one to go!”
Dante sniffs and lays his hand over her hand on the tattoo, but holds onto her with his right arm like he’s holding on for dear life “I don’t want to go away from you either….I love you. I never meant to put you in harm’s way….ever.” He pulls back and looks at her and then at the tattoo again “I need to get that on me too….a version of it. You’re it for me Gen. However long they lock me up. I’ll come back to you.” He kisses her tenderly and emotionally. He has no idea how fast the wheels of justice will turn that he’s afraid will drive them apart for awhile.
Tristan reads the reply curiously and then has to ask:
Have you had wine? My mom drinks a lot of it. I don’t think she’s an alcoholic. She just really likes it. I’m not saying we should but I could probably nick a bottle from one of her cases one day. No pressure. It does smell better than beer or the other stuff.
Sasha sighs “You look like you’re doing better with this than I am. And you’re beautiful. And I fucking miss you and love you.” He looks at Paige with absolute love and then sighs again “What did you do today? I played D&D. It was actually cool. Then Rene tried to cook and now we have no stove…”
Gen looks him in the eyes. "I love you, too." he looks at her tattoo and she smiles when he talks about getting one on him as well. "Not with my name. Just because ... I think it could become a target, if that makes sense. I've been used against you enough. More than enough." she kisses him back and presses closer to him. These arms would never hurt her.
Rene chuckles as he reads Tristan's reply. Then he answers;
I'm French. Wine is supposed to be in our blood but I haven't had any. You sure she wouldn't miss it? I'd try it with you someday.
Paige giggles. "Not really. I'm keeping up the happy face for you." she rolls over into her back. "Iris and Seamus are out. Getting the free time in before his daughter comes. It's hard to believe they are already on the road. She sho… and she suddenly stops at the news Rene cooked. “Have no stove as in until he cleans it? Or .. is it dead?” she covers her mouth and tries not to laugh, but it’s a lost cause.
Dante pulls back after the kiss but still nuzzles her neck “I agree, for both our sakes. I might put your or our initials in it but no names. I have an idea. I just need to draw it out….tomorrow….” He kisses her again, this time endlessly as he rolls on top of her and casually turns out the bedside lamp.
Tristan feels like a bit of a rebel making a wine stealing plan with Rene and he grins, typing back:
Someday, you’re on. I need to work up my nerve. LOL. Maybe being French with it in your blood you’ll be better at it. Part of me is just afraid I’ll throw up. I hate throwing up.
Sasha frowns a little that Paige is keeping on a happy face for him. Then as she rolls on her back, he rolls on his stomach so he’s looking down at her on the screen. It’s instinct to move with her even from afar. “Mon dieu that’s right. A little girl Seamus. That’s going to be so strange…” Then he laughs with her about the stove and can’t help himself “Wanna see?” He gets up and takes his phone into the kitchen and flicks on the light. Then he quietly opens the oven door and turns the phone so she has a full view of the burnt out stove.
Rene leans back in the bed, reads and replies;
UGH .. we can watch each other and make sure we don't puke, cause that IS awful. I'm scared of hangovers. Can you get those with wine?
Paige nods. "It is, but I think Seamus will do fine. And Iris will help .. oh we will all help." she nods as she's taken into the kitchen. When she sees the stove and inside of the oven she gasps. "Oh my god! Is everyone alright? What happened. I thought he wasn't allowed to cook anymore!"
Tristan bolsters up his pillow under him and then types right back:
I think if we don’t drink too much too fast we’ll be ok. I’m going to do some research. Is that a buzzkill? How to optimally get just a little drunk without puking or getting hungover. And yeah you can get a hangover from wine. If my mother wearing sunglasses on the couch the day after and asking us to be quiet is any indicator. Again, not often, but my parents drink enough for me to observe a few things. Should we invite the guys in? I’m a little concerned about Mason drunk. Tony would likely just sing….
Sasha turns the phone back on himself and nods “Yeah we’ll totally help them….” He sighs “Rene was told only salads but he wanted to he said pull his weight?” He laughs a bit and cringes “He meant well and he got in so much trouble. We’re all fine. It didn’t spread from the stove and Papa got it put out quickly. I can still smell a bit of smoke in the kitchen mostly.”
Rene chuckles. Tristan was so cute and he didn't even know it, probably.
Research sounds good .. keeps us from getting sick or having a lot of pain. OUCH yea ... I'm kind of curious what you'll be like drunk. I'm a little scared cause I'm such a control freak. Tony WOULD sing. What would Mason do? hack something?
Paige looks a little melty. "Oh poor Rene." she places her hand over her heart. “Oh, you should find him different salad recipes.” she encourages. “Nothing that requires cooking but like with Tuna or salmon or … something in it. So he feels like he’s doing something making salads!”
Tristan titles his head as he reads and types back with a curious smile:
OK now I’m curious. How are you a control freak? I always thought I was but what are you controlling about? I’m a neat freak and I don’t like surprises. Those are mine….I’m sure there’s more.
Sasha gives a little “Mmmm” at Paige’s melty look “How can you look so sweet and sexy when we’re talking about my BROTHER. Damn….” He laughs “Yes salads. I guess canned fish so he doesn’t have to cook it. I mean I’m sure there are a lot of salads in the world...maybe I’ll ask Iris if she has salad cookbooks on the bookmobile.”
Rene looks at the message and blows out his breath.
I'm afraid I'll lose control and say something that I have to explain. you know. That's why I don't usually choose Truth in truth or dare. Secrets.
Paige giggles. "Apparently you aren't taking enough cold showers." she teases him. "Yes. And maybe like no cooking cookbooks. I'd suggest a grill, but I just get this fear of the whole island in flames...."
Tristan nods at the reply knowingly and types back:
OK I totally get that. Dare can be scary too though...lol. See there’s my control freak again. One time at my old school we played at lunch. And I got dared to run through the hallway yelling I have lice. The school secretary heard me and called my mom. She showed up to take me home with one of those kits to delouse and she freaked on me when I told her it was something I did on a dare. For the record I have never had lice.
Sasha pouts “Cold showers? No I keep trying to take the warm ones where I think about you and then inevitably someone pounds on the door. I’ll be so glad when that second bathroom is done. Holy shit no girls….” He laughs.
Rene snorts as he reads and then replies;
Not as scary as truth. HAHA on the lice dare. No lice here either but STILL ... I think I'd rather streak naked through town with a hard on than tell people stuff I'm not ready to.
Paige laughs. "So no need for cold showers when the best you can hope is to finish a regular one?" she giggles. "Is Rene looking forward to having his own room?"
Tristan was smiling and then blinked at Rene’s reply and had to work for a few moments to find his focus to reply:
I’ll remember that one when I have to dare you someday…..LOL
Sasha groaned a bit “Eyep….” Then he shrugs “Probably. I mean he’s 13...I’m sure he wants privacy too as well as more space. It just dawned on me….this apartment...your room. Have you ever had your own before? I mean I know Aislin and Thea are quite a lot younger….”
Rene bites his lip as he reads Tristan's reply.
I might look forward to that one then. LOL
Paige grinned. “No. We’ve always had three bedroom places. So when Aislin came along she got her room and me and Iris keps on sharing. Even before we just sort of … didn’t. We weren't thinking of privacy until AIslin. And then Thea came and Aislin had to share her room.” she bites her lip. “Thats where I learned to be so quiet .. trying not to be heard…”
Tristan tightens his jaw at Rene’s words and then shakes his head around and laughs “Damn you…” He mutters and then sighs. Rene probably had no clue how much he affected him sometimes. Now Tristan gets a cheeky look and does a little google image search before sending Rene a shirtless picture of Tom Holland with the text:
With great power comes great responsibility.
Sasha listens with interest and nods. And then Paige says something way too compelling “Paige...not fair…” He exhales “You’re going to send me to the shower if you keep talking like that my love.”
Rene wasn't expecting a picture ... or the text. He bites his lip, smirks and replies.
That makes me really hope Sasha falls asleep downstairs. I can't WAIT to have my own room!
Paige giggles. “Well … I wasn’t going to lie, even if I should for another week.” she bites her lip. “So … July 31 … My place. Dinner and a night still isolated. Just with me?”
Tristan turns beet red at Rene’s answer and sighs as he types:
Wow. Glad to be of service. Shall I leave you and Tom to your business? LOL
Sasha moves back to the couch. She’s still lying down looking up at her phone so he rolls back onto his stomach to look down at her through his screen again. This time looking at her with complete desire “Fuck dinner, maybe just snacks to keep out energy up…..gatorade...just with you….all night. I can save it up if you can baby. Oh fuck I love you so much…”
Rene reads and blushes a little bit before he replies.
I might need to practice. Feel like reading me lines .. well if the school has Drama that is.
Paige smiles and bites her lip. "Basket of snacks by the bed it is." she tells him. She moans softly and squirms. “No saving up or it’ll be over for both of us before you get halfway here.” she laughs. “I love you, too … race you to the late night shower?” and she giggles again.
Tristan coughs and sputters a bit and then is at a loss for how to come back on that one. He just throws up his hands and then types back:
It’s possible we’re having two different conversations here and perhaps best not to overanalyze. Because I’d happily read you more Spiderman lines while you “practice”.
Tristan debates deleting the second sentence before going on but then lets it ride. He was flirting and he knew it but Rene would probably take it as a joke. He could live with that. He goes on:
Yeah we have drama although this will be the first year with a proper teacher. The plays have been pretty half assed with volunteers and substitutes. But this new guy is already here, living here and writing some kind of play based on the town. It sounds interesting.
Sasha grunts at Paige. He hears her moan and sees the squirming and then laughs as she calls him out on what would be a very likely possibility. “OK deal…..Oh god Paige….you better be a fast runner.” He says with a grin and then kisses his phone’s screen and whispers “I’ll text you after..” Before clicking off and quietly fast walking upstairs, turning on the shower and closing and locking the bathroom door.
Rene reads the reply and gets a vision in his head. And he feels the heat on his cheeks, but inhales deeply and replies to the whole thing anyway
Upside down and everything. OOO Drama! Proper plays! Sign me up! Maybe I will try out for the lead in that play.
Paige giggles and blows a kiss back before the call is ended. She heads for the bathroom and a nice long shower of her own.
Tristan has to laugh at the upside down comment and then he cringes and says out loud to himself “Oh fuck I’m THAT Mary Jane then…” He snorts and replies.
Personally more partial to being typecast as the Zendaya MJ if you’re the friendly neighbourhood Rene. But yeah you should totally try out. Break a spiderleg?
Rene reads and smiles. He chuckles at the spiderleg part and replies.
You got yourself a deal. And I will try out. My brother just went in the shower. He’ll either be out in a minute or take half an hour @@
Tristan sighs happily as he rolls onto his side and then snickers as he types a bit of a taunt:
So I shouldn’t start talking about rushing waterfalls, or super big gulps or the ebb and flow of the ocean waves? XD
Rene casually reads the text and then mutters .. goddamnit. He starts with a short message;
Fuck U
And then runs downstairs and out to the back. He pees off of the back porch and then comes in and washes his hands in the sink. Once his hands are dry he comes back, lays on his bed and replies a bit more fully.
I’ll get you for that someday LOL Had to go pee off of the back porch. The bathroom downstairs will be finished like Tuesday i think. Then Sasha moves out and I am a man living alone!!
Tristan laughed hard at the Fuck U and had replied with a simple:
LOL
Right after it. Then he noted that Rene stopped texting and figured out he had gone to pee and laughed all the harder. When Rene finally texted back he chuckled all through the first part of his reply:
Figured. LOL sorry, not sorry. Tuesday? Cool. I know I’m a spoiled only child. But I love having my own room.
It dawns on him that he and Rene are bedtime texting a lot lately. And just the two of them, not the group chat. He likes it though, Rene being the last person he says goodnight to when they do this.
Rene looks at the text and laughs.
Now you’re just showing off only child LOL. But at least its Sasha getting the new room, not Gen Cause I won’t be the last one with privacy! But you shared nice with me, so …
He doesn’t know exactly how to finish that, so he doesn’t.
Tristan smirks and reads and then his smile shifts sideways as he ponders how to answer. Then he begins:
Totally showing off. I admit it. LOL. Poor Gen and Cath. I am capable of sharing with the right person. I mean you’re Spiderman right? I was just waiting for you to reveal your secret identity.
The Spiderman comment was a fast typed cover for his heart jumping to his sleeve a bit.
Just then Sasha comes out of the bathroom, dressed again in what he went in in. He walks into the room he shares with Rene and casually says “Oh you’re awake still.” And then strips down to his underwear and crawls into bed, turning away from Rene and rapidly texting, the light from his phone showing on the edge of his quilt. He texts Page a brief and sweet goodnight “All better now, and even clean. Dream of me, my beautiful Otter. I love you. Goodnight.”
Rene looked at the text and inhaled deeply before bowing out a breath. Just before he replies Sasha walks in, but Rene doesn’t reply to him as he strips and gets into bed. He gives his attention to Tristan.
You know my biggest secret. Who I really am. No one else knows Only you. Sasha is out of the shower. Another long one. @@ He’s gonna explode in another week @@
Tristan gulps and nods at Rene’s affirmation of what they’ve already shared, what he’s shared. He was still so honoured to be trusted for many reasons. He snickers at Sasha and the long shower and the explode comment but replies:
I know and I am always here for you. Touched that you trusted me. Your brother and his long showers and explosions. Way too much set up for all the dirty jokes. But he’s your brother so I’ll spare you. LOL. Starting to get the sleepies here. But always fun to chat with you.
Sasha still had his phone in his hand but as he drifted off it softly dropped onto the quilt and his body did that sudden jerk thing that sometimes happens to people as they fall into sleep followed by longer deeper audible breaths.
Rene reads the reply and swallows hard. He blinks several times and then laughs. There were a few set ups there. He finally replies with a slight yawn.
Thanks for sparing me. @@ I’m kinda tired too. You’re a blast and I love these chats. They mean the world to me. Good night. Sleep tight.
Tristan smiles and lets out a yawn as he kicks his covers down and then climbs under them and pulls them up. As he reads more he cradles his phone on it’s side, pausing and rereading Rene’s words a few times. He feels a warmth in his heart radiate up to his throat and bravely meets the sentiment head on:
They mean the world to me too. Good night Rene. You sleep well too Spiderman.
Sasha’s sleep becomes restless and he talks in his sleep as he thrashes to one side “Raban we must hurry to the forge and save our party from the pizzas! The pizzas burn Raban! It is a curse on the woodland realms…” And with that he’s out cold again and softly snoring.
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