[color=lightgray][center][right][sub][@LovelyComplex] & [@Aces Away][/sub][/right] ____________________________________________________________________ [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220518/7f39f30ab4c4962580185ceac1bae439.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/fsIdD7n.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220518/0979928fa66c9f8f00dff3367c244b9b.png[/img] ____________________________________________________________________ [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220518/da94ace7418350c0de95cc42adf2bc3c.png[/img] [/center] [indent][indent] Before the boys could dive into that conversation, the dynamite of the serpent trio noticed something odd and his eyes widened all of a sudden, [color=7fff00]“What are we doing at the doctor’s house?”[/color] [color=9dc18a]“I guess I never did introduce myself.”[/color] Putting the car in park, the girl gave a charming and prideful grin. Her calculative stare went from Ransom then to the two brothers in a matter of seconds. Though… those seconds felt much longer with how mischievous her eyes were. [color=9dc18a]“I’m Autumn. Autumn Sinclair.”[/color] For the second time this night, Ransom’s face paled. They’d run from the scene of a crime with the Doctor’s daughter. He turned harshly in his seat to stare at Molotov, aware that the private moment was over with the arrival of this new information. His soul brother’s face had likewise drained of all color in surprise, and he looked from Ransom to TNT and then let his eyes land on the house. [color=45ddfb]“You’re…the Doctor’s daughter,”[/color] Ransom laughed humorlessly. [color=45ddfb]“Well shit, okay. At least he can take care’a yer wrist. I’m Ransom, that Molotov ‘n’ TNT in the back,”[/color] he gave in to the flow of the night, utterly exhausted with the fast paced chain of events and just wishing they had brought Dutchess along with them, despite how much she bitches when they drink hard. He thought about eating pie in the Doctor’s kitchen and almost giggled hysterically. [color=45ddfb]“Is yer dad home?”[/color] [color=9dc18a]“Oh no. Daddy’s rarely home around this time. But my bro is… and hopefully he’s sleeping.”[/color] Hoping out of the car, twirling TNT’s keys around her finger, she waited for the boys expectantly, [color=9dc18a]“There’s two pies calling your names. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Carrie bakes amazing. I’m surprised I’m not fat.”[/color] Chase had visited this house for a variety of deliveries and now that he thought about it, he even visited this house for R2… well, the Doc did have an operation going on for the serpents so maybe it was payment or something. It wasn’t like the Doc was one of them. He was a good guy. He wanted to offer those who couldn’t afford health insurance free care. It was admirable, really. [color=7fff00]“I fucking did that shit. I saved Doc’s daughter. I need a medal for that. Don't get any luckier than that.”[/color] [color=a23019]“Yes you did, we’re very proud. You’re gettin’ pie and an iced face as a reward,”[/color] Molotov praised. [color=9dc18a]“Soooooo… you guys coming?”[/color] [color=45ddfb]“Yeah, yeah we’re comin’,”[/color] Ransom answered, throwing the door open and following behind her as the two in the back seat moved to follow. [color=45ddfb]“‘S a nice place,”[/color] He commented idly as they arrived at the door, hands stuffed in his pockets. [color=9dc18a]“I mean yeah, my dad’s a doctor. I’d hope he’d own something decent,”[/color] Little did Autumn know her father owned other assets throughout the town. Little did anyone know. After unlocking the door, she tossed her clutch on the console in the hallway, similar to how her mother used to, right in the large porcelain white bowl. Looking over her shoulder, making sure the three stooges were following her, she smiled. Good. Following the young girl, while being coddled by his brother, TNT observed his surroundings. It was minimalist in decor, modern, and white. Extremely white. It was airy and tranquil, but pretty simple in style. Jeez, even at night this place looked hella’ spacious and bright. Everything was freakishly organized, clean, and clear. Did anyone actually live here? When they reached the kitchen there was a sigh of relief from TNT. Finally some life and color. While still inspired by a clean aesthetic, it was obvious one of the children took over, adding Disney appliances and some. Hell, there was a Mickey Popcorn Machine and a Mickey Waffle Iron. Someone in this house must really like Disney. [color=7fff00]“Hey Ratatouille hand towels… cute.”[/color] [color=9dc18a]“Yeah, Carrie loves Disney and she spends the most time here so dad kind of lets her do what she wants,”[/color] Once she observed the boys for a moment or two she gestured to an archway that led to the living room. [color=9dc18a]“Go through there and take a right. The bathroom should be the last door to the left.”[/color] [color=45ddfb]“Did he just call [i]cartoon rat rags[/i] cute?”[/color] Ransom asked, flinching when Tov punched him in the arm. [color=a23019]“They are cute,”[/color] he replied with a bit of forced cheer as he looked around the kitchen curiously. Tonight’s events had him worn out and ready for a nap, but the promise of putting something sweet into his stomach had him willing to extend the night a little, especially if he could take care of Chase faster than the time it would have taken them to get home. He grabbed his brother’s hand and led him to the bathroom while Ransom stayed behind with Autumn. While Tov took TNT away to fix him up, Ransom hopped up to sit on an empty part of the counter, feeling like a bull in a china shop as he looked around the clean and organized kitchen. He never understood how people could live in houses that were kept so meticulously clean. Him and Dolce were rarely home, always out running errands, collections, or repos for the Serpents. Their apartment wasn’t messy, but it definitely showed that people actually [i]lived[/i] there; there were always a couple dishes in the sink, their carpet was threadbare from years of activity and the curtains hung at an angle from all the times their two pitbulls [url=https://64.media.tumblr.com/ea5f8ffdc2dce34907d9dddf03653a86/ad749c46e9eec6d0-7b/s400x600/51bae9dfdad38c7fbcaac937c8884f90fce78a7c.gif] Loki[/url] and [url=https://media2.giphy.com/media/5zxC9dWyitTHOvJsuW/giphy.gif?cid=ecf05e47ahgw6y78s2bjs9alccl2bovfd6luvu9hlmelx4z5&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g] Boomer[/url] had torn it down while playing. This place seemed…devoid of life aside from the kitchen, which was only saved from the rest of the house’s fate due to the Disney shit. What the fuck even was a Rat-a-twoie? [color=45ddfb]“So,”[/color] He started casually, trying to think of something to say to the girl that got caught up in the whirlwind of the three serpents activity. [color=45ddfb]“Yer a helluva getaway driver.”[/color] [color=9dc18a]“My brother’s better,”[/color] Autumn shrugged as she took two pies out of the fridge. [color=9dc18a]“He’s the reason I know how to drive. Our whole mom’s side are gearheads. Live and breathe cars.”[/color] Once she placed the two pies on the island, she fetched plates and utensils, [color=9dc18a]“Been to a race before? Whenever we visit my cousin AJ, he always knows where they’re happening. They’re really fun. Niles raced a few a couple of times.”[/color] Returning to Ransom’s side, placing the things she’s gathered down, she pointed to the first pie with a fork, [color=9dc18a]“That’s Banoffee. Some Brit pie. Think - a better version of banana cream but with toffee, coffee, and chocolate. It also has a biscuit base.”[/color] From there she gestured to the next pie, [color=9dc18a]“And that’s Mississippi Mud Pie. Chocolate cake, whipped cream, buttery chocolate graham crackers. Both: delicious.”[/color] [color=45ddfb]“Well shit, those look fuckin’ amazin’,”[/color] Ransom replied, using his less bloody hand to pick up a fork and go for the more familiar of the two. He could wash his hands later, food was calling him. He’d just taken his first bite when the first part of her response registered and he almost choked on the fork. Covering it up with a small cough, he looked over to the brunette and asked. [color=45ddfb]“Did’ya just say Niles Sinclair has gone drag racin’? Rye’s Niles? Puff’s Niles?”[/color] [color=9dc18a]“There’s a lot about my brother that you don’t know,”[/color] Autumn mused as she cut her own piece of pie. [color=9dc18a]“Like the fact that he is a dumbass and still very much into Natalia. I’m assuming that’s Puff, right? I feel like I’ve heard someone say that to her once.”[/color] Leaning against the island, she took a piece of the Banoffee and savored it in her mouth. [color=9dc18a]“He was a fucking vandal growing up. He did some stupid shit that he made me swore to never tell dad. When our mom died, a lot changed. Like this house. Used to have a lot more life and color. Like blue. She loved blue. Town seemed to forget she even fucking existed and Niles was in the hospital at least every six months.”[/color] [color=e85546]“Autie…”[/color] Carolyn peeped her head from the door in her Monsters Inc Sulley shirt and matching shorts. Her eyes widened when she saw a stranger sitting there eating her pie. [color=e85546]“Oh sorry! You have company. I’ll just…”[/color] She tried to scurry away before Autumn clicked her tongue, which was her way of telling her sister it was okay. That Ransom wasn’t bad. The naive one of the two shuffled with her Mike Wazowski slippers, wondering if she was even appropriately dressed for this boy she did not know, [color=e85546]“Hello…”[/color] She took a seat across from the boy and began fiddling with her fingers, [color=e85546]“Do you like it?”[/color] Her eyes went from the pie to him. Ransom was well aware that the information he just received was [i]not[/i] common knowledge. Nothing about tonight was common though, aside from his and Tov’s drinking of course. If you’d told him yesterday that he would be sitting on some counter in bougie Northie at four in the morning, eating pie while talking to the daughters of the Doctor, he would have laughed and told you to fuck off, he wasn’t drunk enough to believe that. Yet here he was, learning things he shouldn’t be and put in the position of conversationalist while his brothers had their moment alone. The innocent blue eyes staring at him, waiting for an answer, had him swallowing nervously as he thought of trying to explain tonight’s events to Dutchess. He was definitely crashing with Tov and TNT tonight. Absently. He remembered the blood on his hands and in his hair and wondered what it was about the children of the doctors that helped the serpents, that they just act like it’s an every day occurrence to have a bloody man sitting in your kitchen. Rye being that way when they first met, so blase in the face of blood or injury, had been one of the reasons most of the crew became fond of him, as they felt they could relax no matter their banged-up appearances. He got a similar vibe from these two, though their attitudes were completely different. [color=45ddfb]“Shit’s delicious,”[/color] He complimented, keeping his voice steady and thoughts to himself. Unlike her sister, the girl that walked in seemed...softer, more nervous. He shifted uncomfortably from his spot on the counter and looked away from the girl’s gaze. God, he sucked at delicate situations, and despite ignoring his current state the girl still looked like the type that would cry at one wrong word. [color=45ddfb]“I think the last time I had a homemade pie was when my buddy Jokes got bored last year and took a week ta realize he was a shitty chef,”[/color] He took another bite and hummed. [color=45ddfb]“Ya shoulda been ‘is teacher.”[/color] [color=e85546]“I can be, if he wants!”[/color] Carrie’s demeanor changed at the prospect of having something more to look forward to this lovely, long summer. Aside from dance classes with Danny Belmonte, she had already read all her books that were on her summer reading list and she kept up with cheer routines so she wouldn’t forget, since she and her sister would be senior Clovers this coming year. Occasionally, she went and spent time with Autumn and her friends but other than that, she was home most of the time. Baking. Painting. Stitching. Taking naps on the hammock! There was a moment when Carolyn went in a daze realizing she didn’t have many friends. All her friends were Autumn’s. There was Winnie and Mallorie Phillips-Shomers but even then, Mallorie was busy dating Amaya Patel and a couple years younger than her and Winnie was constantly searching for ways to find herself. Usually that meant sleeping around and spending time with boys that didn’t give a damn about her. Bringing herself back, Carrie’s blank stare lit up once more and she had returned to a beaming smile, [color=e85546]“I’d love for this house to have people again! It’s been so long. Maybe you guys could hit it off with Niles? He’s never had many friends.”[/color] [color=9dc18a]“Yeah, all he has is Rye right now. Is he asleep?”[/color] Autumn stuffed another piece of pie in her mouth. [color=e85546]“No, he never came home. Probably with Cece.”[/color] [color=9dc18a]“Yeah, shame. I thought giving Natalia an opportunity to sneak in not too long ago would help them rekindle what they had. I guess fucking not,”[/color] Autumn grumbled, dropping her fork on her plate. Turning around, she went to get herself a glass of milk, [color=9dc18a]“Do you want some, Ransom?”[/color] [color=e85546]“Ransom? That’s your name?”[/color] Carrie confusingly blinked. Was that rude? Oh that was definitely rude. [color=e85546]“It’s not a bad name! It’s different. Unique. Makes me think of Beauty and the Beast where the furniture people are named literally what they are. Cogsworth the clock. Mrs. Potts the tea pot. Chip the little tea cup with a chip on his rim. Lumière —”[/color] [color=9dc18a]“He gets it, Carrie.”[/color] Ransom did indeed get it, despite having never watched the movie. He nodded to Autumn to indicate that he would appreciate a glass as well before turning his attention back to the suddenly energized girl. He tried not to think about next time he sees Jokes that he'll be bringing up Natalia's little visit to Niles. He didn't want to see that damned kicked puppy look he gets. [color=45ddfb]"I'll get you an' Jokes connected, you'll be savin' all the Serpents from burned cookies an' dry cakes. He gets in the mood ta try again every once in a while an' we all dread it."[/color] He took another bite of the pie, using the amazing flavor to wash away the memories of the monstrosities Jokes would make. The dude really should have stuck with making music instead of food. [color=45ddfb]"While it'd be cool if my parents named me Ransom, that ain't my government name. Rye wasn't the only one that Boa slapped with a street name, him an' Sunshine got a hold of all of us 'fore we could choose our own. They just stuck. Molotov an' TNT are cleanin' up in the bathroom right now,"[/color] he looked down at his almost empty plate and frowned, looking in the direction of the bathroom door. [color=45ddfb]"Actually, they've been in there for a minute now…"[/color] Molotov sat his little brother on the closed toilet seat and put his hands on either side of his bloodied face, thumbs resting near the broken part of his nose. [color=a23019] “So,”[/color] He started before setting his nose quickly and without warning and casually carrying on with his sentence. [color=a23019]“This girl, this Princess Peach, you been talkin’ to her long?”[/color] he asked, turning to rustle around under the sink for the first aid kit. Opening up, he gave an impressed hum at the fully stocked selections and pulled out few alcohol pads, a single use ice pack, a gauze pad and tape, and a few acetaminophen tablets. He set everything but the alcohol swabs on the sink counter before getting to work cleaning up his brother. [color=7fff00]“‘Bout a month. I met her that night when buncha’ Boaz’s year was going to the old school’s gym.”[/color] The year right under his, Tov’s, and Ransom’s. Still, did it even count if they didn’t graduate? [color=7fff00]“I had picked her up with the Mayor’s favorite and well, it didn’t end well because I was already pissed and the way they talked pissed me off… Fin gave me a good slap in the head when I told her about it.”[/color] Chase let his brother ‘mother-hen’ him as he sat down on the lid of the toilet. Carefully watching Tov, TNT deeply sighed, [color=7fff00]“So yeah, I felt like shit and whether it was dumb luck or some kind of fate, she needed a ride the next day. Took her to Dolly’s to apologize. It went… well. It was weird.”[/color] He still didn’t understand how their friendship went from that to him talking to her every single day, [color=7fff00]“Since then she’s like… always there? I don’t know how to explain it.”[/color] Tov knew how to explain it. It had never been something he’d thought Chase would be interested in, but he was secretly ecstatic to see his brother falling for someone. Sure, it was sad as fuck that he couldn’t identify the feeling himself but that didn’t stop him from growing from it. He wasn’t going to bring it up-- he didn’t want to trigger his brother again by telling him that he was falling, and [i]hard[/i], harder than Tov off of the Lyon Park swings after his second bottle of liquor. The thought had his mind wandering to his own experience with a bright blonde at The Afterlife back in June, before the chaos of the letters reached its peak. Or at least its first peak, as he doubted that shit was over. He’d finally felt something too, something other than the insatiable need to drown his history before it could pull him under first. Then he’d lost her, too drunk to remember to ask for her number before she disappeared beneath the strobing lights and he got thrown out. He huffed out a soft laugh as he finished cleaning his brother’s face and grabbed the gauze and tape next, placing it gently over the bridge of TNT’s sluggishly bleeding nose. [color=a23019]“I like how you’ve been with her around,”[/color] Tov admitted, taping down each side of gauze before going to work on his busted lip. [color=a23019]“I’ve caught you smilin’ a few times, and you seem like you’re [i]here[/i] more often, y’know?”[/color] he asked. [color=a23019]“It’s…been a while. I’m proud’a you.”[/color] Chase didn’t know how to respond to that. Like sorry? Or that’s good, right? So instead he gave his brother an awkward thumbs up acknowledging that he did hear what he said before turning the conversation around, [color=7fff00]“What about you? When are you going to chill with the bottle? Does it actually make you feel better about yourself?” [/color] Tov hesitated, bloody alcohol pad held aloft in the space between them as he looked to the side in shame, especially when the question itself made him want to grab the nearest bottle. Quietly, he answered, [color=a23019]“‘S not about feelin’ better, T, it’s about forgetting what makes me feel like shit in the first place. I don’t like my memories, I wanna live in the moment and forget that everything’s fucked while I got no way to fix it.”[/color] [color=7fff00]“Just don’t get stuck,”[/color] TNT advised, as he thought about Tiffannie and their conversation at the diner. [color=7fff00]“Don’t want dad to lose another one of us.”[/color] Conan wasn’t someone Chase brought up AT ALL but there he was looking at his big brother fiercely, his heart hanging on his neck in the form of a blue guitar pick, as if his little brother was there guiding him to do better. [color=7fff00]“We deserve to live, you hear? And I don’t mean in the moment. We have a future. We just gotta’ believe we do.”[/color] Tov was frozen as he stared at the guitar pick, unable to look his brother in the eyes while tears sprung to his own. What the hell was happening? Hadn’t he just been trying to be positive for Chase? Wasn’t he the one doing the caring right now? How had his brother matured so much right under his nose? What was he doing that he was missing all of this? [i]’You know exactly what you’ve been doing,’[/i] he thought to himself sounding too much like his late adoptive mother, Zippo. It reminded him of what she told him the first time he got drunk and Dolce and Shale got him back home. [color=a4d48c][i]’Ya always have time ta fix it, but only you can stop yourself. Yer hurtin’ yourself because ya think ya deserve it. You’ve gotta be the one ta decide ya don’t.’[/i][/color] He tossed the bloody swab into the trash bin and rested his arms across Chase’s knees, dropping his forehead across them as he hid his face in his brother’s lap. Unable to hold them back like he’d tried, Tov let the tears fall and soak into TNT’s jeans while he hid his face in shame. This wasn’t what he wanted. TNT didn’t want to make his brother cry but it looked like he really needed it and ever since he got involved with Peach, well, tears became an everyday occurrence for him. Instead of saying anything, he let his brother use his lap as a tissue and placed his right hand on his head to comfort him. Sometimes silence was the best answer and it looked like they both needed this time together. It’s been too long. [/indent][/indent][/color]