[right][code]Friday Nov 24th -> Mon Nov 28th.[/code][/right]
The next few days were a consistent struggle, filled with a lot of pain for Cass and far too much time hooked up to the dialysis machine. But it was working, getting all the toxin out of her blood at the same rate as her Lux started to replenish. By Saturday evening she had use of all her limbs back, even if a trip to the bathroom ended in exhaustion.

But after the overnight dialysis, Sunday was looking much better. She could move, the pain was beginning to ease. She could even feel her magic coming back- though she couldn’t quite access it. But it looked like there was just one more dialysis to go.

Then she was back to herself. It honestly felt like a fucking miracle. Sure, she’d lost four days to it, but it wasn’t forever! There was still some lingering pain in her joints, and a slight headache, but that didn’t stop her… From immediately jumping Leon now that she was back to fully functioning. How was she supposed to stop herself? And they deserved to celebrate after a shit few days!

So the evening and night were spent enjoying each other again before falling asleep curled up together in the early hours of the morning. 

It wasn’t until the sun was fully up, as morning crept into afternoon, that Cass started to rouse on Monday. She had all of her magic back, of course- that insane amount of Lux flowing through her veins- but using it to stay awake constantly would just have knock on effects. And it was the first night she’d slept with very little pain and no tubes attached to her… Of course her body was reluctant to leave it… 

But when her mind fully woke up, any restfulness was over. Her legs flailed out, accidentally kicking Leon as she tried to wriggle herself into a sitting position. 
[color=629c3f]”Rise and shine, Baby! I ain’t staying lying in a bed any longer than I gotta!”[/color] 

They’d ended up in her apartment, since it was the closest to the one being used when she was sick. It was good it was so close, because Cass had been so impatient and excited that she would’ve had her way with Leon in the corridor if they had to walk much further. 

This morning- well, afternoon- her thoughts weren’t immediately horny, though. Not after the hours spent together last night. 
[color=629c3f]”Oh, oh, we gotta celebrate today! Well, we celebrated all night, but different kinda celebrating! Cause I can actually move! I could totally punch through a wall right now!”[/color] 

Leon’s canine circadian rhythm meant sleep wasn’t ever as deep. Only when he was truly exhausted or feeling secure did he let himself slip into the deepest parts of his half-consciousness. Her rousting was enough to wake him, but kicking him by accident was basically the sun shining through the window. It was just like her, which was a great sign, and made him even more enthusiastic to wake up than he had been before. It felt great to know that  she was feeling good, even if last night was probably the single best indicator he could ask for.

It didn’t make it feel like it wasn’t unstable. Like she wasn’t just going to collapse again in a couple of days. It was a creeping anxiety that he presumed would only last as long as he was uncomfortable with it. Once this cycle of Cass’ life stopped being new and started being routine, he’d not worry. Because, obviously, in that ideal scenario everything is regulated. Flareups have predictable intervals. Life isn’t scary with routine.

But she could have fun now. She could endure, and live as she pleased, and life would go on like that. And everything would be [i]fine.[/i] Not wasting more time than was necessary, Leon practically launched himself out of bed.

[color=C67C12]”Fight check!”[/color] he barked loudly, spearing Cass in the side with the intent to wrestle her to the floor. 

This is, after all, the kind of entertainment she was craving, wasn’t it?

[color=629c3f]"Hey, unfair, attacking right away!"[/color] Cass shouted back, letting Leon grab her like she really was taken by surprise. 

Because rolling out of the way just wasn't fun, was it? Green Lux flowed through her body, enhancing it as easily as she breathed. Her body shifted unnaturally, stretching out so he lost his hold and twisting around so she was upside down. Her legs wrapped around his neck, trying to get [I]him[/I] onto the floor while having the upper hand.

While he was big and strong, there was no panic, and thus no magic. Nothing that would tip Mia off to get up and do her job… Rather intentional after Saturday’s debacle. Besides, he didn’t want to hurt Cass! But, she loved her roughhousing, and Leon wasn’t above a good morning wrestle being the same as a good morning hug. 


He felt her strength overpowering his base level, but kept struggling even though he knew it was futile. Odd as it was to say in his head, he knew she liked a struggle. Only problem was, physically speaking, strange things were happening. 

The pure brute force she was capable of regardless of her size created an incredible sense of cognitive dissonance as he struggled and failed to not just… Start walking around. She was strong, sure. She was capable of choking him out, and of tugging his limbs around, but she’d need technique if she wanted to actually make a pin.


But he made it look real good. The world of Professional Wrestling came to mind, and the few superstars he knew had given him a basic understanding of how to impress weight upon the weightless. Rather than just saunter, he struggle-stepped once, then buckled his knee and tried to step again, then ultimately fell to the floor while never really giving up the struggle for his upper body.

It was, after all, a real struggle there. She was just [i]so[/i] strong. It felt like wrestling anacondas.

[color=C67C12]”Aaaah… [b]AAAAAH![/b] My n-neck! Not-too-ha-a-ard…”[/color] he started to tap her leg, a massive smile forming on his face. 

[color=C67C12][i]She’s fucking back, Baby…[/i][/color]

Cass started cackling. She loosened her legs around his neck, hooking them over his shoulders instead. In an impressive demonstration of strength she pulled her upper body right up from dangling upside down to upright. Then her hands pressed into his shoulders to let her swing off him entirely, feet landing on the ground. 

With him kneeling, it was easy for her to go in for a passionate kiss. As she pulled back, she was grinning from ear to ear. 

[color=629c3f]"[I]Sooorrryy[/I], I'm getting used to having my strength back!"[/color] She half sang, practically beaming at him. She knew she hadn't actually hurt him at least… Even after days without her magic she'd gotten to a pretty decent point of control. At least when she wasn't emotional. 

She then threw her arms up, whole body vibrating with energy.
[color=629c3f]"Fuck, I'm so excited! I'm gonna… have a fucking shower! No more baths for me!"[/color] It was a strange thing to be excited about… And she was grateful that Leon had been willing to help her bathe in the first place. But she hadn't properly dealt with her hair since, cause it was just so much hassle with the fucking curls! Such a specific regime she couldn't be bothered stepping him through… but they were starting to get really frizzy now, poofing out all over the place. Plus, she couldn't exactly dance in the bath, could she? 

[color=629c3f]"You ain't gotta babysit today, do you? If you do I'll… well I'll be a bit sad but it's fine! I'll go fucking pester Trisha now I got all my energy back!"[/color]

She asked a good question. He didn’t actually know what was going on with Layla now, especially since she’d essentially been given an out: Once they had knowledge of Father Wolf, Dollhouse, and the intentions surrounding them all, it was easy to clarify things with Andrade… That Layla, once she’d departed from Void Heart, essentially became a non-target. After all, she’d never seen the Tree. She’d been too little… 

By the time the group got there, Leon remembered her sleeping. That Greyson had to do something different to scrub her brain, if he remembered that far… For a second, he got a flash of a little wooden platform or something. A cot, with little Layla sleeping peacefully. They’d done [i]something[/i] about the Rhil in those days, but it was all so foggy…

Never the less, she wasn’t important. Neither of them were, ultimately. Casey said he was going to cut her loose somehow. Not that he knew what that meant either…

[color=C67C12]”Chances are, Lynette’s not worried about Layla being covered anymore. She’s adjusted well enough to being ‘one of the girls’, y’know? Just… Another face in the crowd of Adjoined now.”[/color] he smiled, ultimately relinquishing his duties in his own mind.

After all, who was going to get him in trouble? Between Andy and Andrade, then Casey… The power seats were no longer playing the game the way it’d been played for twenty five years.

[color=C67C12]”So, nah… I think, even if I was supposed to, I don’t have to. She’s a big girl: She’s got friends. Andrade’s got most of the Void Heart still locked up. And, stupidly enough, I think I trust that guy more now than I did a few days ago.”[/color] Leon admitted. 
[color=C67C12]”Maybe… You wanna hang out with people? Want me to see what the girls are up to? We can head upstairs, bother Casey and Trisha…”[/color] he offered with a smile, trying to avoid returning to the grim place he’d been in a couple of days before.

[color=629c3f]"Fucking hell yeah! Sounds like an amazing plan!"[/color] Cass immediately latched onto it, bouncing on the spot. She wrapped her arms around Leon's neck, much more gentle than before, and swung herself to wrap her legs around him too. 

[color=629c3f]"I, uh, really gotta apologise to Mia… And tell Trisha. Maybe we can ask the girls to come up a lil later? Like just thirty minutes, that'll be enough to tell Trisha and get her through whatever reaction it is. Then… we can have a fucking party! Well maybe not a party party, but a good time! With people! And no risk of me exploding cause of pain!"[/color] She got her face real close to Leon's, shining eyes staring right into his. 
[color=629c3f]"Fucking amazing suggestion, Babe. A thousand points to you."[/color]

Leon was never sure what to do about the barnacle. He liked her clinging, but the whole entire hanging thing? He could take it, at least…

[color=C67C12]”Oh, I’m getting points now? Come on, go take your shower, ‘cuz if I’ve gotta bring you in there, we’re stuck here for a few more hours. If you think I’m done with you, you’ve got another thing coming.”[/color] he implied with a devious grin, only half holding onto her so she could scramble down easily.

[color=629c3f]"Oh [I]don't[/I] tempt me. Fuckkk- No, I ain't giving in and fucking the day away again!"[/color] She laughed, leaning in to kiss him again quickly. She swung her legs down and let go, letting her feet hit the ground. Then she was off, bouncing out of the room. 
[hr]
After getting home from their wonderful date in the late morning, Trisha and Casey had been able to continue relaxing for a bit. Even with Thanksgiving just around the corner, there were no urgent matters requiring their attention. That meant Casey was still in their home rather than having to head down to the office as soon as they got back. 

Which Trisha was happy about, obviously. She was more relaxed than she'd been all week. Able to push down the impending sense of doom about what was to come in just a couple of days… Perhaps not a couple of steps away from a panic attack triggered by the mention of any of her family members. Because of all they'd talked about yesterday and all the time they'd spent together. 

Casey was making them something for lunch. Which meant Trisha was out in the main area of the house, watching him like there was absolutely nothing else for her to be doing. But he was her favourite thing to look at. She didn't want to have her attention split with anything else. 

Though, she had no choice, when a group of bees were crawling over her begging for some attention. Well, not really attention… They wanted the fruit that had been so readily on offer. Were upset they hadn't gotten any the night before because they were out. 

[color=d1b300]"Babe? Is there any fruit already cut up in the fridge?"[/color] Trisha broke the comfortable silence softly, already slipping off her chair and making her way towards the fridge.

Casey was still getting used to the different techniques Andrade had allowed him to pull psychically. Knife work felt natural, but it was such an odd thing to do when you’d never spent a day in your life actually working a kitchen. Imposter syndrome, maybe… But he was dicing the garlic by hand rather than doing it in a food processor because it turned to mush in there. He didn’t want mush, he wanted little bites of garlic. 

Otherwise, the fish was sizzling in the pan skin side down; one whole fillet that he figured they’d split down however Trisha was comfortable. The honey and szechuan pepper glaze he’d snagged from Andrade’s house after he and Leon left the other day was a perfect fit for the beautiful pink salmon’s mild taste. 

[color=577d06]”Yep! Left hand top shelf; I asked Theo to get some ready and put up here for when we got home, figuring the bees would want it. It’s all technically for them, so go crazy.”[/color] he grinned, sliding the garlic out of the way and into a little bowl from the cutting board.

He’d long ago taken to keeping his glove tucked somewhere close that pressed it to his flesh. Now, it was between his belt and his waist, tucked to the point it wasn’t going anywhere. It let Casey use his White Lux at a low rate pretty much consistently, and gave him a bead on the little triplines that dotted the hall and stairs leading up to the roof. Which said nothing of the actual cone of triplines pointing in all directions at the sky and forming something of a teepee shape to cover their most vulnerable defensive vector.

Enough of a connection, at least, to know that feet were coming up. Not ringing, either, which meant they were family of some kind. He tuned into his projection just long enough to see Leon’s big dumb ass waddling up the stairs. He smiled.

[color=577d06]”Oh… No peace. Your girlfriend’s here…”[/color] he said with a smirk.

[color=d1b300]“My… what?"[/color] Trisha was primed for a drive by cheek smooch when Casey said that, pausing to look a little confused. In the end she still followed through with the cute little kiss to his cheek before shuffling to the fridge and pulling out some fridge. The bees were swarming around her now, a thick cloud ready to descend as soon as she let them. 

[color=d1b300]“But you're already in here?"[/color] She teased after a pause, still not entirely sure what he was talking about. She was still looking intently at the plates, spreading out the fruit in a way that'd let as many bees eat at the same time as possible.

By then, Cass had crossed the roof with a little magical speed boost. She assumed Casey would sense em, knowing about his whole spying shit now… But she still pressed her face right up to the glass and just [I]stared[/I] at Trisha's back.

Casey had already wiped his hands and was headed to the door. Rather than letting her wait, or bothering to worry about permissions, he simply swung the door open and stepped aside. After all, he was on a [i]tiny, little time crunch.[/i] He wanted the salad to be ready for when the fish was done cooking, and the fish was probably just about done cooking in the pan. There was a plate already set up to let the salmon rest.

[color=577d06]”No, Babe… Not me this time. Hey guys!”[/color] Casey smiled half-way at the both of them, not entirely in love with having to come home and entertain already. Of course, their lives would never truly be private, but this timing shit had to be worked out.


[color=629c3f]"Hey! Y'know how fucking amazing it felt to climb up those stairs?!"[/color] Cass bounced in with a bright grin towards Casey. She raised a hand to give him a friendly shoulder pat.
[color=629c3f]"[I]Trrriiishhhaa![/I] I fucking missed you!"[/color]

She made a beeline for Trisha, who'd just turned around and let the bees go for the fruit. She didn't have time to avoid the hug that was coming her way, Cass wrapping her arms around Trisha and lifting her right off the ground. She would've spun her around if Trisha wasn't hitting her with a reactive death glare. 

[color=d1b300]“Put me down, Cass."[/color] Trisha wasn't particularly happy about their peace being interrupted either. She loved Cass, but she definitely didn't love people just appearing without any kind of advance warning. Or asking?! What happened to that courtesy?!
[color=d1b300]“Why would… climbing stairs be so exciting?"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Uh, well, I'll explain that in a moment! And why we're here to celebrate! Didn't realise you were just having lunch though, sorry!"[/color] Cass shouted brightly, not sounding sorry at all. She wasn't really… From what she'd heard the two of them had plenty of time just for them. And would do in the future! So it was only fair Cass intruded on a bit of that time. 

[color=629c3f]"We ate before we came up, cause I ain't so rude to steal food outta your mouths and shit!"[/color]

Casey only laughed, half-sad that she hadn’t given him a real hug. Why? Was it something Leon had said? She was never worried about it before…

[color=577d06]”Pretty hard to do when there’s not that much. If you did, I think we’d all end up having to order a pizza.”[/color] he giggled, moving back to the counter to start actually putting together his homemade caesar dressing. Anchovies, oil, seasonings… It was delicious, and Casey was working straight from someone else’s memories to make it.

Leon, unaware of his brother’s sudden panic, made way for the counter where the fish was now resting on a plate.

[color=C67C12]”Jesus, Man… You’re not wasting any time, huh?”[/color] he asked, referring to the fact that he’d essentially watched Casey suck [i]everything[/i] out of Andrade’s head. A necessity, of course, but Leon assumed Casey would be more coy about using what was essentially coerced knowledge.

[color=577d06]”Well, I always [i]liked[/i] cooking. I just… Practiced other things.”[/color] Casey admitted, feeling his brother's vague judgement through what was probably a veiled question.

[color=C67C12]”You’ve got Orange… Why-”[/color]

[color=577d06]”I like being able to do it. That’s all.”[/color]

Leon took a sharp breath through his nose, then moved to dip his finger into the dressing… [i]Fantastic.[/i]

He shrugged, smiling and patting his brother on the head.
[color=C67C12]”Well, then… You starting a restaurant?”[/color]

Casey shook his head, doing his best to laugh it off.

[color=577d06]”Cass? Rip the bandaid off, dude!”[/color] he intoned back across the room, hoping to redirect Leon’s focus toward Cass. Successfully, thankfully.

The large man moved closer to Cass to make sure he was there to support her, though the look on his face toward Trisha was a little regretful.

Trisha slipped into the empty spot at Casey's side, not quite pressing into him like she wanted to- he was still making their food, after all, and she didn't want to get in the way. Her head tilted slightly, shooting a confused look at Casey and then Cass and Leon. 

Rip what bandaid off? What… did they all know that she didn't? Had Leon done something? Was that why he was giving her that look? Her lips pursed together, trying not to react before she'd even been told anything. 

Cass took a deep breath, hopping from foot to foot. How did she say this in a way that didn't make Trisha immediately freak out. 
[color=629c3f]"I assume you dunno much about magical genetic diseases, Trish?"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Uh, no? That's… A thing?"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Yup! Unfortunately!"[/color] Wait, shit, this definitely wasn't the right way to go about it. Just fucking get it all out! 
[color=629c3f]"I've got a genetic curse called the Shame! It means the bit of my DNA that's meant to regulate Lux is pathetic as fuck [I]and[/I] my skeleton is my fucking channeler [I]and[/I] I got way to much Lux in my system! So I gotta use it continuously and fucking drop when I ain't got it anymore, and it's also poisoning my blood so I'm gonna be bedbound every few months! I actually just recovered from my first burnout… I ain't been able to move for the past four days! Not till yesterday after a shit ton of dialysis… Basically there's no cure and this is gonna keep hitting me for the rest of my life."[/color]

[color=d1b300]“W- What?!"[/color] Trisha was absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of information thrown at her by Cass, all jumbled up. But she picked out the most important thing. Genetic curse… Regular burnouts… Blood poisoning… 

[color=d1b300]“Is- Is your own magic poisoning you?! And- And you've been… sick for days… and nobody told me?"[/color] She looked from Cass to Leon, then up at Casey. 

[color=629c3f]"Well yeah that's on me cause I wanted to tell you myself and couldn't figure out how- obviously still hadn't! And to be fair I didn't tell Casey either, just everything goes through him so y'know… He found out!"[/color] Cass threw her arms into the air, much more erratic and just a tad [I]nervous[/I]. Because what if dealing with something like that was too much for her friend? And she hadn't exactly explained it well, had she?

Casey wasn’t thrilled about the fact that he’d been implicated as well, but he probably wasn’t going to avoid it if Trisha asked any questions whatsoever. Even the most cursory investigation would throw him right back into the interconnected ring of people who, ultimately, want to keep [i]Trisha[/i] safe. Safe from herself, mostly.

[color=577d06]”Almost got away with it too, if Andy hadn’t brought that massive fucking machine in downstairs. She was trying to falsify the fucking bill too, if you guys had brought that all the way downstairs, I maybe wouldn’t have even thought about it.”[/color] Casey admitted openly, hoping to pad out the argument later. 

It wasn’t going to work, obviously. He could already feel the tension in her body ramping up for the crescendo. 

[color=629c3f]"Heh, it really ain't subtle, is it? I didn't even think ‘bout how they got it in! Or me, for that matter, since I was out when I got brought back!"[/color] Cass laughed slightly, caught up in her own flustered energy and not noticing the storm brewing just across from her. 

[color=d1b300]“There’s- There's massive machines involved? You… were in the Cannery the whole time?"[/color] Trisha's face scrunched up, shoulders lifting towards her ears. So Cass hadn't wanted to see her while she was sick. Everyone else had kept it from her because they thought she'd be shit about it. Of course. That made sense. 
[color=d1b300]“I get it. None of you-"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Whoooaaa, hey! I told Casey not to tell you!"[/color] Cass interrupted, attention snapping over to Trisha. It wasn't entirely true, more like the two of them were on the same wavelength with that… but her whole plan had been neither of them found out until she said. She kinda figured even if Casey did with his position or magic, like had happened, that Trisha wouldn't be too upset because, well… Cass had wanted to keep it from both of them. 

That hadn't really worked out, though. 
[color=629c3f]"If you're gonna get upset at anyone, get upset at me! I just… wasn't ready to tell you! I couldn't figure out how to. Honestly, I ain't told anyone, people've just barged in and found out."[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Other… People knew too?"[/color]

[color=629c3f]Oh shit.
"Trisha… I really wasn't keeping it from just you. Not on purpose. I couldn't even move till yesterday, so how could I tell you?"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“By text? By letting my boyfriend tell me? By-"[/color] Trisha took in a sharp inhale, mind coming up with even more crazy worries. 
[color=d1b300]“Is it cause I didn't try visit? You think I'm not a good friend? You- You all do, don't you, because none of you thought I'd help by being around."[/color]

Casey tucked his face into Trisha’s hair, not really sure what to do about this reaction. 

[color=577d06]”Trisha Bee… Think. Think real hard about how you feel right now. Live in the moment with me here, and now.”[/color] He spoke softly to her, his hand around her tightening into a clutch.
[color=577d06]”I know, maybe it’s hard to consider… But if you feel this way right now? How would you have felt knowing Cass was sick, and we maybe didn’t have any way to stop her from dying. You’d have been miserable. And the beautiful day we had yesterday? Never would’ve happened.”[/color] 

In truth, it had nothing to do with whether or not she would’ve been miserable. She was going to be miserable now. He already accepted that. In reality, it was for Cass. To spare [i]her[/i] the need of dealing with emotional Trisha while her bones tried to melt through her muscle tissue. And now, he’d hopefully spare her the further  need to engage this sort of pain. The kind of thing that made Trisha truly difficult to deal with.

Leon was doing his best [i]not[/i] to interject. To say the exact thing that Casey was thinking… But he knew the implication would only confirm her suspicions… That she really wasn’t an [i]easy[/i] friend to have. He felt she was good, at least. Knew, even, that she could be a good companion. From what Casey said, and what Cass said, she had plenty of great moments.

But fuck if he saw them. He always seemed to get the worst Trisha. It made all those feelings of her being a shitty brat flood back into his brain.

[color=C67C12]”Cass wasn’t any fun to deal with either. You think, maybe with how you react to things, we may have a policy to preserve your good mood around here? You and her getting into an argument because she’s in pain and you’re unstable wouldn’t be good for any party involved.”[/color] he said firmly, trying not to let his voice climb.

Cass reactively winced, knowing that even if Leon wasn't [I]shouting[/I] at Trisha in any way, it wouldn't dampen her reaction. He was right. Trisha could be difficult to be around, and they probably would've gotten into an argument. That didn't mean she didn't want her there in the future. Honestly? She hadn't wanted anyone to know! Because she hated being fucking stuck like that. 

[color=629c3f]"Leon, that-"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“You think I can't prioritise a suffering friend over myself?"[/color] Trisha interrupted, though it wasn't entirely on purpose. She'd been trying to think about what Casey was saying. She would've been miserable. He was right. Just the thought of her normally energetic friend being sick was enough for her to panic. She wasn't sure if she [I]wanted[/I] to deal with seeing Cass like that. 

But wanting to and being able to were different. She absolutely could! She wasn't squeamish in that way. 

And she knew she was reactive. But she was trying to get better! How was she supposed to when they treated her like some dangerous bomb… Like she was so self centred she'd take things out on someone in pain. 

Her hands grasped onto Casey's arms, trying her best to not completely fall over the edge. She'd just be proving them right… but it was so hard. Because she knew she could be a bad friend! She knew Leon was probably right that she'd just fuck everything-

[color=d1b300]“I- Maybe I'm unstable. And it would've upset me… Because I love Cass! But you wouldn't even let me help? I'm… not that fucking bad…"[/color] She trembled slightly, struggling to keep her breathing steady. 

[color=629c3f]"It's not like that. Quite frankly, I didn't want anyone aside from Leon around! Because [I]I'm[/I] still accepting it… But-"[/color] Cass paused, glancing between Leon and Trisha. Trying to find the balance. 
[color=629c3f]"In the future… I think everyone will need to help. But at times when you're [I]stressed[/I] and more reactive? Leon's right that it won't be good for either of us. Because either you'll snap, Trish, or you'll withdraw and pretend to keep me happy. I don't want either of those things, because I love [I]you[/I]. You know you can be touchy sometimes. That doesn't mean you're any less of my friend, or I want you around any less. And I ain't treading on eggshells around you or any shit like that- but I just wasn't myself. It ain't fair to put our friendship through that."[/color]

Trisha pressed her lips together, practically shrinking against Casey. Her face turned downward to look at the floor instead of anyone else. Cass was right, it was all right, it just made her feel… so useless. Like a friend that may as well not be there. It made her feel inadequate, and then that fear was creeping in. That Cass would realise she really didn't want her as a friend at all. 

[color=d1b300]“I don't want to only be allowed around when things are [I]good[/I] and [i]fun[/I]."[/color]

Leon couldn’t quite deal with it.
[color=C67C12]”I’m going to walk outside and let you guys do this. I don’t think I’ve got anything good to say, and I really [i]really[/i] don’t want you thinking that I’m here to attack you, Trisha. All I’ll say, is maybe it’s hard to believe that I feel like this? But frankly, I do like you, and the decisions that were made here were made with your best interests at heart. At least, that’s my perception.”[/color]

He threw up his hands slightly, rubbing Cass’ back and giving her a kiss on the head before walking away fully to the door, then outside into the cold to go around the side of the house that wasn’t all glass. He didn’t even want to see. Tuned both his ears out completely, even.

Which left Cass and Casey to deal with her, just like Leon said. Casey had a question for her, but was trying to consider a way to ask it that wouldn’t trigger her further.

[color=577d06]”What… What about what we talked about? How, y’know, things are crazy right now, and that life wasn’t always going to be this game of secrets and omissions for the sake of safety. Like, I mean… Okay… Let’s get this out of the way right now: It was wrong of us to hide this. It’s wrong of us to hide anything, and when it does, it breaches our pact of trust. Cass? Agree?”[/color] he asked, doing his best to bring it back to reassuring Trisha… 

Which, ironically, was exactly the kind of thing they were hoping to avoid by not telling her!

[color=629c3f]"Uh- Yeah! Trust is super important, and sorry I didn't tell you earlier!"[/color] Cass nodded vigorously. She really, genuinely, hadn’t meant to hurt Trisha by keeping it from her. She was just grappling with it herself. Maybe a little part of her hoped it wouldn't be true before the burnout…

[color=d1b300]“But… The fact you do [I]want[/I] to hide it from me…"[/color] She paused to take a deep breath, leaning into Casey more. She was closer to panicking than she was to having an angry outburst, at least. 
[color=d1b300]“Means I'm a bad friend. And nobody trusts me around someone sick."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Hey, whoa, that ain't the case!"[/color] Cass bounded forward so she was right in front of them, reaching out for one of Trisha's hands. 
[color=629c3f]"I really ain't! I know you can handle a lotta shit! I remember that time Diyah got real sick and you ‘n me did shifts of looking after her! It really ain't cause we don't trust you. It's cause… Like Casey said about things being crazy? Why stress the people out more that don't need it. Like…"[/color]

She grimaced, not sure if this would push Trisha towards feeling worse or not. 
[color=629c3f]“Mia found out cause she felt Leon's pain through the leash and came over. I… Also wanted to wait to tell her- I wanted to wait to tell everyone!- because I knew the first one was gonna be bad! And I ended up snapping at her… I didn't want that. And I didn't want to put more on you either, because I know you're dealing with so much of your own stuff! But there'll be a time when, like… Leon's got shit going on and you don't! So you'll be the one I need help from!"[/color]

Sure, that was a highly unlikely scenario, but it was true that she'd trust Trisha to help when she wasn't already so incredibly [I]touchy[/I]. Cass didn't know everything going on, but her reaction right now was more extreme than she'd expected- visibly closer to the panic attacks Trisha tried to hide and pretend she didn't have. So it was obviously bad. 

[color=d1b300]“I…"[/color] Trisha frowned. 
[color=d1b300]“It’s really not because you don't trust me and never want me there?"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Not at all!"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“And… You… Didn't tell me because of all the other things going on?"[/color] She asked Casey, trying her best to force herself to reason through it.


Casey cleared his throat.

[color=577d06]”There’s a [i]lot[/i] happening at this point asking for our attention. I hear what you’re saying, and I recognize it. You don’t feel adequate. But, all we can do is sit here and look at you as two people who desperately love you. Like, I’m *madly in love.* Like, absolutely nutty about you. I don’t want you dealing with Father Wolf, [i]and[/i] Lynette… [i]And then[/i] Thanksgiving stuff, and, y’know… Now this? Especially when her being sick is kinda gonna be for the rest of her life. So, yeah, we’re just gonna sit here and try to convince you about the truth until we pass out! Because we love you!”[/color]

Not to mention the creeping selfishness. Why would he want her upset when he had tremendous things to deal with mounting higher and higher on his shoulders? The last thing he wanted to come home to was despondent Trisha, and he still got that thirty percent of the time. All it took was an errant text, or even the vague idea of [i]not being texted[/i], for her to spiral quietly into a ball of anxiety. Sure, she cuddled and pretended to be there, but he could always tell.

The White Lux didn’t help… He could see the subtle wrinkles in her face, the stress lines [i]barely[/i] creased, but wrinkled from subconscious tension of the anxious kind. Even if the outward response was sorrow, or some other form of mental wounding, the root had tension all the same. Terrible tension.

Was he really a bad guy for wanting that to not be the case? To not have her face scrunched up in frustration all the time, even if she wasn’t actively doing it? He didn’t think it was bad.

[color=577d06]”And, even Leon said he… Well… I’m sure he would’ve used love if he thought you’d be receptive to it. I know maybe they don’t mean the same things to you, but Leon still really values the days where you were Covenmates. He does, uh… Y’know, hold that in a really high regard! You probably don’t feel like you have a lot of reasons to believe us, but at least believe Cass… I’m certain she’s never lied to you, and certainly hasn’t ever kept anything from you with a malicious heart!”[/color] he pleaded to his near-fiance practically with tears in his eyes, hoping to God this would be enough that things didn’t end in a massive explosion later.

Trisha found it hard to believe that Leon felt anything but dislike towards her… But she couldn't deny that Casey and Cass loved her. Even though she was so worried that love wouldn't last, she knew it was there. It'd be unfair on them and herself to not accept that. Casey had proposed a few days ago! Cass was still… choosing to spend time with her when she could spend it all with Leon instead. 

It didn't stop her from feeling like she just wasn't worth it. That she'd never really be good enough, because she never had. It was all those deep seated feelings… and she struggled to see this as anything but her not being good enough. It was hard to see past her assumption that they thought she'd fuck everything up and see it coming from a place of care… 

[color=629c3f]"Yeah, I ain't ever done that! I didn't say cause I love you Trish… and I wanted to tell you [I]myself[/I]. Honestly, I hoped it wouldn't be the case! But I'm going to be dealing with this forever and I'll… really need you around when you can be. It really ain't cause I don't trust you or some bullshit you're thinking bout not being a good friend. You are! You're my best friend, and I'ma keep yelling that at you until you believe me!"[/color]

Trisha looked at Cass for a moment, then back up at Casey. He looked so desperate for her to believe him… And she couldn't keep spiralling when both of them were throwing so much verbal love at her. She [I]was[/I] trying to do better, and to believe what people told her. At least in the moment. 

[color=d1b300]“Alright… I… I know you both love me. I'll try to believe you and trust that it isn't because… I'm not good enough."[/color] her voice got quieter as she spoke. It wasn't much, but she was at least accepting what they said as much as she could. She shuffled her feet to turn around towards Casey, hiding her face against his chest and hugging into him for a moment. Trying her best to calm down… She really didn't want to get upset, or ruin the rest of their day. Not after they'd had such a nice one yesterday, and it was only going to get more difficult over the next few days. 

Cass waited until Trisha seemed calm enough and was starting to withdraw from hiding herself in Casey's arms to [I]join[/I] in. She came from the side, one arm wrapping around Trisha and the other around Casey. Of course she couldn't get much around both unless she stretched herself- but it was a strong hug nonetheless. There was much more strength on Casey's side, like she was trying to squeeze him so her arms could encompass them both- cause she assumed he could take it where Trisha couldn't.

[color=629c3f]"Good! Cause we fucking love you!"[/color] 

Trisha nodded, squished back against Casey by Cass' bear hug. 
[color=d1b300]“Sorry… I know I'm not doing a good job at being better…"[/color] Her voice was so quiet it was almost impossible to hear… But not a problem when the two people listening had super senses.

The vague buckling noise of Casey's massive spinal cord readjusting under the pressure of Cass’ squeezing. 

[color=577d06]”I th-think you have a ske- Cass!? Too much!”[/color] he said, the arm wrapped around her starting to flail as he tapped at her.

[color=629c3f]"Oh, shit, sorry! Still getting used to having shit back!"[/color] Cass shouted, immediately loosening her grip.

As she released her grip, Casey cleared his throat and adjusted himself at the neck.

[color=577d06]”God… Those casting bones… [i]Anyway![/i]-”[/color] he turned his head and full attention back to Trisha.

[color=577d06]”Ehem- You have a skewed vision of what's progress and what isn't, Baby… Your whole life, you were expected to just pick things up the first time! You think progress is all vertical climbs and plateaus, when in reality you've been walking up a gradual slope your whole life! You are already [i]so much better[/i] than you were a few weeks ago! A few weeks ago, I think if this happened, you would've been inconsolable!”[/color] he admitted, rubbing her shoulders and looking at Cass.

[color=577d06]”Am I wrong?”[/color] he asked the curly-haired bruiser.

[color=629c3f]"Not at all! You're doing so much better, Trish, honestly! And you don't try to fucking hide it so much… As if it wasn't the most fucking obvious thing in the world when you were upset!"[/color] Cass nodded enthusiastically. It had been so hard to help Trisha before because she refused to admit anything was wrong. Like the world would collapse if she did. She just suffered in silence alone… Cass was so fucking glad that was getting better. 

[color=d1b300]“Am I really better?"[/color] Trisha peered up at Casey, eyes widening slightly. It didn't seem like it to her. But he was right that she never saw the gradual change… it didn't seem to be enough unless she rapidly climbed upwards. That was what everyone else always expected. 

[color=d1b300]“Nobody’s ever been alright with things being gradual. They've always just expected me to change immediately."[/color] She admitted quietly, like it was some big admittance- and not essentially what Casey said anyway. 
[color=d1b300]“Because I really don't want to react badly, but it's hard to change."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"And that's fine! Cause you know it's a problem you gotta work on! And the Trisha I knew a month ago? She wouldn't have said that! And she would've just exploded or withdrawn completely earlier!"[/color] Cass shouted enthusiastically.

Trisha slowly nodded, before glancing between them. She was managing to wind down again, the tension held in her frame loosening. 
[color=d1b300]“I… Thank you both… and sorry again…"[/color]

Casey held her close and tight now, rubbing both her shoulders and planting a big kiss on her head.

[color=577d06]”You have nothing to be sorry for. [i]I[/i] am sorry, for making things harder by keeping you in the dark about another thing. I said before, and I'll have to say again by the time this year is done: This situation isn't permanent. Our lives will never be this shadowed again, Trish. We'll make it better together. You, me, and anyone else you want in our lives.”[/color] he confidently nodded at Cass, a smile finally crossing his face.

[color=577d06]”You've got an amazing friend, Honey… She'll be fighting for you in the end, no matter what.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I know…"[/color] Trisha replied softly, shuffling in Casey's arms to look over at Cass. She did know, even if she worried that one day Cass would decide she'd had enough. Because she was too good for Trisha… But she didn't want to dwell on it right now. 

And she knew the situation wasn't permanent. Truly hoped it would be better when they came out the other end.

[color=629c3f]"Good! Cause he's so right!"[/color] Cass nodded vigorously, hopping up to slap Casey on the shoulder- making sure to not use too much strength in it. 

She hopped back a few steps, grinning.
[color=629c3f]"[I]I'm[/I] sorry shit got so fucking low so quickly! I planned to tell you when I came up, but most of all, I wanted to fucking celebrate that I was better! With both of you! But, uh, if you ain't up for it I can go grab the grumpy dog outside and go?"[/color]

Trisha tilted her head up towards Casey, before shaking her head. She wasn't sure how much she wanted people over right now, but she didn't want Leon thinking even worse of her. And it would be nice to spend some time with Cass… to actually prioritise her like she said she could. 
[color=d1b300]“It’s ok."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Really? So I can go drag Leon back in?"[/color]

Casey’s brow furrowed, and he took a few seconds of staring at Trisha. He was wondering deeply whether or not he should reassess her feelings and make a different choice. Every bit of him wanted to [i]make sure.[/i] Otherwise, what kind of man would he be? Knowing that she didn’t really want people… He could sense it. Felt it in the vague tension of her arms and the way she looked at him with her head shaking. That was clear enough.

She’d never been good at hiding that sort of stuff. Cass confirmed that without any kind of trouble. And, ultimately, was it fair for them to faust this upon her without any real warning? Not to mention, she didn’t [i]see[/i] Cass when she was sick. What the fuck was she actually celebrating? Nothing she had personal context for. It was Cass who wanted to be around people she loved…

And, like most of the time, he came to the same conclusion: The right thing is not always the thing we want to do. And, sometimes, it was okay to just submit.

[color=577d06]”Well, I think he’ll probably walk in here on his own, but yeah! I’ll uh… Call other people? You want me to see what the girls are doing? I’m pretty sure they’re downstairs, I-”[/color]
He stopped, withholding the fact that he had all the doors marked off with a [i]far more subtle spell[/i] than Lynette would ever bother with. He knew when people came in or out of [i]every single apartment in the entire building.[/i] Even the gym and the laundry room, all the way down to the individual washers and dryer doors.

[color=577d06]”-haven’t heard anything from them suggesting they’d be gone. Today is their shared day off, after all, and if Leon’s home there’s no way they’re getting high.”[/color] he offered.

[color=577d06]”I can call some of the others too? Theo would probably hang out, y’know the uh… The soft looking one? With the dark hair?”[/color] he mentioned Theo, knowing that he’d had a shift keeping track of her in case she needed anything. He wondered if they’d actually met, or if she’d just seen him cursorily..

[color=629c3f]"Uh…"[/color] Cass scratched her cheek, tryna remember if she'd met him. The last few days were a bit foggy because of all the pain… And she'd met a fair few people, both medical or not. 
[color=629c3f]"Oh- Oh yeah! I remember him! He was real nice when I was kinda extra fussy with shit I needed, heh. Feel free to invite him! The more the merrier, though it ain't my house!"[/color]

Trisha pursed her lips, looking up at Casey. She didn't mind having Cass and Leon round, or the girls. Even Theo. He was easy company, someone she'd become surprisingly comfortable around… Because he wasn't intrusive like so much of the rest of them. Or loud. But if the number increased much more? She'd struggled. 

[color=d1b300]“Can we eat before we invite anyone else round?"[/color] She asked him softly. If they didn't, she just wouldn't eat. Casey probably knew that too, since he'd know her eating habits well enough. 

[color=629c3f]"Oh yeah, don't risk more people tryna steal it!"[/color] Cass joked. She moved towards the door, pushing it open and poking her head out to shout- though not quite as loudly as she wanted to, out of respect for Trisha and Casey. 
[color=629c3f]"[I]Lee-on[/I], get your sexy ass back in here!"[/color]

[color=577d06]”Wait, Cass…-”[/color]
Casey stepped forward, clearing his throat.
[color=577d06]”-Maybe… Give us twenty minutes? Just so we can, y’know, eat and put the dishes in the washer? Is that something we can, y’know, make happen?”[/color] he asked pretty calmly, knowing full well that Trisha was asking him about the food to begin with.

After all, the more people, the less likely she was to eat. A habitual trait he still disliked, but wasn’t exactly sure how to break her of. He presumed that she’d get over it eventually, once the ownness and power of the situation became hers rather than something she was still relinquishing to past traumas. How long would that take? Would she ever get used to being in a big family that actually wanted to be around one another? He didn’t know. But he knew he loved her, and it was all he needed to know to make sure she was taken care of in the best ways he knew how.

Trisha tilted her head up to smile at Casey, her thankfulness visible where she didn't verbalise it. If it was just the two of them it was so much easier for her to eat a full meal… especially when she was going to be struggling to get up her appetite anyway after that talk. 

[color=629c3f]"Oh, yeah, of course! We can entertain ourselves!"[/color] Cass grinned, winking jokingly. 
[color=629c3f]"Maybe we can go collect the girls… Save you from calling ‘em or whatever!"[/color]

[color=577d06]”Yeah tha-”[/color]

She didn't wait for an answer one way or another, bouncing outside and pushing the door closed behind her. She bounded a few steps forward before sniffing the air, trying to figure out where the fuck Leon had gone. It wasn't that difficult, of course… but he wasn't exactly on the way to the door off the roof. Not that she was going to leave him or anything. 

[color=629c3f]"Babe?! You ain't moping round the corner or some shit?"[/color]

Leon was doing his best acrobat impression. He was on the raised wall guarding the edges of the roof, one leg in the air and the other making long, striding hops as he hopscotched his way from one support pillar to the next. She’d inspired him to start doing [i]silly[/i] things again. Of course, he’d maybe get hurt falling from this height without the seals being primed beforehand. But, the wall was thick, and he had confidence that with the way he was jumping, he’d be able to tuck all his weight back toward the roof rather than the ground eleven stories below.

[color=C67C12]”When have you known me to be a long-term moper? I’d like to think I’m pretty good at getting past little shit like that.”[/color] he smiled, pushing himself forward and back down onto the roof with both feet.
[color=C67C12]”What’s the deal, we not welcome?”[/color] he asked simply, assuming the worst but hoping for the best internally.

[color=629c3f]"Mr not a big moper assuming I got kicked out right away? Damn! Y'think they'd do that? To me? With this adorable face?!"[/color] Cass laughed, puffing up her cheeks. She wouldn't have been that upset if they weren't… but it wasn't the case. 

[color=629c3f]"Nah! They just wanted some time alone to eat. Y'know how Trish is."[/color] She commented. Trisha thought it was something she hid well… but all it took was one meal to realise how poor her eating habits were, and how affected by other people around her she was. 

Cass was happy to accommodate in this way, anyway. They had interrupted their lunch, after all. With a goofy grin, she pulled up one leg, imitating what Leon had been doing while hopping towards him. 
[color=629c3f]"Twenty mins is what Casey said… I figured we could go get the girls? Then I can properly apologise to Mia where she's comfortable, instead've causing those two-"[/color] she jerked her head behind her- [color=629c3f]"more trouble."[/color]

Leon nodded happily.
[color=C67C12]”Sounds reasonable. Did you… Like…-”[/color] he paused, letting his mental hang out for a second as he tried to figure out what question he was trying to ask.
[color=C67C12]”-well, did you have anything you wanted to actually [i]do[/i] in mind? Is there, like, an activity you had in mind? Or, are we just expecting to stand around up here and appreciate you?”[/color]

He held out his hand to her with a smile, orienting himself toward the door back downstairs. 

[color=629c3f]"Ooo, you caught me! I want it to be a massive circle jerk where everyone's gotta tell me how awesome I am one by one. Gotta boost my ego back up!"[/color] Cass cackled, slapping her hand into his and holding onto it tight. It was nice with how [I]tall[/I] Leon was- it meant he had arms long enough to hold hands even with her bouncing all over the place. 

[color=629c3f]"Nah… I mean, I hadn't really thought bout it. Maybe we can grab one of my consoles on the way up, plug it into their TV and play some kind games? I ain't been able to do any of that shit either cause my hands were as bad as the rest of my body!"[/color] Cass suggested as she hopped down the stairs to the floor with all the offices. When she said consoles, she didn't mean… actual consoles. Instead, it was old computers and laptops she'd played around with herself to emulate various consoles. Just a bit of fun, really, but came in handy. 

[color=629c3f]"I bet Trisha'll be happy to do something like that too- she ain't a pro gamer or any shit, but she ain't as bad as she thinks she is. It'd be fun!"[/color]

Leon knew they had a massive couch… As long as that little living room wasn’t some kind of strange inner sanctum that nobody else was allowed in, there’d probably be plenty of room.

[color=C67C12]”I don’t know, she seems like a pro to me! She’s playing all of you like she’s multiboxing.”[/color] he giggled, happy to whip out a little vocab he’d picked up from Ginara.
[color=C67C12]”Do you want me to get it all gathered? You head downstairs from the elevator, just knock on the front door down there?”[/color] he half-explained and half-asked.

[color=629c3f]"Do y'know which ones it is?"[/color] Cass asked back, before scratching her cheek. 
[color=629c3f]"Best one's probably the Xbox one- it's still in a box with all the shit I need, labeled on the side with xbone… Heh. Though it's, like, all xboxes- anyway! That box has the laptop and all the controllers and shit in it so you can just grab it? Unless you think I should bring up the fucking playstation shit too?! Or nintendo- fuck, no, bring that one, cause it's got a bunch've other multiplayer computer games on it! The fucking storage I installed on that thing, Babe, it's massive."[/color]

She couldn't hold back babbling, taking them right down to the elevator. 
[color=629c3f]"Y'know I still got a key to your place, right? But I guess knocking is nicer since it ain't so intrusive!"[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Front door’s a different lock!”[/color] he smiled.
[color=C67C12]”When they took that side of the apartment, I had the locksmith come and do it. Normal guy, normal locks. The goal was to give them a sense of normalcy, since we’d dealt with magic locks our whole lives.”[/color] he smiled.

[color=C67C12]”Granted, it’s probably unlocked regardless, but you should probably at least knock to let them know you’re coming in. Lord knows what state of dressed or undressed they’re in.”[/color] he grimaced knowing the amount of times he’d walked face first into an accidental flashing.

As they got into the elevator and made it down to Cass’ floor, Leon got out with a kiss before making way toward her apartment. Now alone for a moment, the elevator continued down to floor “B”. When the door opened up, Cass would be hit with the immediate sensation of heat and stench of skunk as the walls were utterly lined with lights and scaffoldings with mechanisms that trickled water into feeders. The lights were bright, with a deep purple hue… 

And the marijuana plants stood half-way up Cass’ body, or rather half way down as they seemed to be growing entirely upside down from hanging hydroponics. This entire front entry way was a small pot farm, with maybe fifty plants lining the walls entirely. Through the vaguely packed jungle was the big black wooden door leading into the other side of the apartment. But, it was also wide open on one side, with music blaring out from within.

[color=ed145b][i]”And lets start piiiiiiiickiiiiiing up the little eeeeeeeextraaaaaaas”[/i][/color]

[color=66bb6a][b]”OF LIFE, OH HALLELUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUJ AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”[/b][/color]

Mia was singing, but Ed dropped a quietly hidden talent: A deep, wretched and painfully high quality metal vocalization. Her throat sounded like it was caved in completely, and the way she held the note was more than impressive through the raspy and aggressive growling.

Walking in, Cass would probably almost walk into Hari, who was grinning from ear to ear and bobbing her head while she had a wash cloth in her hands. She was scrubbing the walls, all the pictures having occupied it now leaning against the door between Leon’s side and their’s down the hall.

[color=0072bc]”Oooooh, look at you Babe! Shit!”[/color]
She dropped the cloth, immediately wrapping her arms around Cass. She was in a t-shirt with a big pumpkin against a black background, with a white witch’s hat on top of it and some yoga pants.

[color=0072bc]”Fuck! Standing, walking, what are you doing!?”[/color] she asked with a wide grin.

Mia and Ed popped around the corner from the old dining room, and Mia was the first one to make it to Cass and Hari with her long arms collapsing around the both of them. Ed started laughing, slowly closing the last gap and consuming Cass in hugs.

[color=66bb6a]”This bitch is [i]aliiiiiiiiive![/i]”[/color] Ed goofily yelled.

[color=ed145b]”The Mobile AAAAAAAAASS!”[/color] they all started laughing.

[color=629c3f]"What- I wasn't fucking dead!"[/color] Cass cackled, hugging them all back as best she could. It was a bit more difficult when they piled on one after the other, but she managed to stretch her arms a bit to hold them all tightly and lift them off the ground for a moment. Just to prove how much she was back to normal. 

[color=629c3f]"Oh yeah, I'm back, fucking mobile as ever! Have been since last night, honestly- but Leon get's first dibs on this mobile ass, y'know."[/color] She snickered, eyebrows raising up and down as she set the three back down. 
[color=629c3f]"Did I interrupt some winter cleaning, huh? Though I'm here to invite you to a super awesome gaming party that may involve telling me how awesome I am- kidding! Well not about the gaming party. Location: Trisha and Casey's flat. Time: like, twenty minutes, long enough for Trisha to eat in peace. You're all expected. Oh, and…"[/color]

She trailed off, looking at Mia specifically- the brightness of her smile didn't dim, but it did get… more gentle? 
[color=629c3f]"Can we talk? I mean, it ain't anything private, it can be right here if you're more comfortable with that! Ain't anything bad- on your part- anyway! I just don't wanna force it on you, y'know?"[/color]

Mia nodded bravely, knowing the probability of avoiding this was slim to none. Whether or not she’d talked to Leon about things already was irrelevant: The way they’d left off wasn’t the way Mia wanted Cass to think of her.

[color=ed145b]”Of course. Uhhh-”[/color] she looked at Hari as the group spread apart just enough to not be in a hug anymore.

[color=0072bc]”We’ll get it all later. Do you want to wear something else? Or, you just-”[/color]

Mia shook her head.

[color=ed145b]”Just, uh… Clean shirt. This one’s got all cat hair and stuff from the vacuum debacle.”[/color] she giggled slightly, causing Ed to laugh aloud.

[color=66bb6a]”Alright, well… Maybe make it quick and wash your hair too then, or get it brushed, Mimi. You’ve got dust and stuff all in it.”[/color] she playfully ruffled Mia’s hair, causing a dust bunny to leap down in turn.

Mia smiled, nodded, then took Cass’ hand to bring her back to the other side of the wall in Leon’s apartment. She closed the door behind them, then made for the coffee machine.

[color=ed145b]”Coffee, love?”[/color] she asked, figuring Cass wouldn’t hesitate if there was a problem.

[color=629c3f]"Nah, it'll only make me more buzzed! I ain't gonna make anyone deal with that."[/color] Cass laughed lightly, waving a hand. She waited a moment for Mia to sort herself, before moving back forward to grab the younger woman's hands. 

[color=629c3f]"I am… so fucking sorry, Mia! I did [I]not[/I] mean any of the shit I said while sick! Well I meant the shit about it not being what Leon wants and him becoming a monster being a real shit possibility- but fucking hell, not about the fucking listening and panicking. I don't want you thinking that was me being actually honest cause I was in pain… absolutely not! That was me being a big fucking grouch that would've snapped at a plant that moved wrong! It ain't who I am or what I think at all… and I'm seriously fucking sorry I snapped at you like that!"[/color]

At least she had an immediate sense of tension diffusal. Anything involving Trisha felt like a never-ending anxiety attack that faded and strengthened based on proximity. But, ultimately, it never felt resolved. Like the distance would always be there…
But this? She was apologizing for saying things when, ultimately, she wasn’t in the wrong. Like her brothers and sisters, Mia understood what a strong moral position was. She was acutely aware that she’d abused her brother’s emotions in order to hurt him into making the decision she wanted. She lauded a threat in a man’s face using her own body as a hostage, and for what?

To look like an ass in front of her own girlfriend as well as her brother’s girlfriend? Who, mind, was at the time quite literally crippled by a magical curse condition. Yet, here she was apologizing. [i]That[/i] was a strong moral position if Mia’d ever seen one. 

But she couldn’t stop herself from cracking up as Cass went on just a little longer than she needed to. 

[color=ed145b]”Cass! Cass… Jesus…-”[/color]
She put her coffee cup down on the counter nearby and embraced Cass again, this time tighter. Her laughter turned into a little weepiness as she considered how unworthy she was of being around another person in her life like this. Like all of her mistakes made her worthless.

[color=ed145b]”-I accept… But please, please… Tell me how you feel? How you really feel… Do you, uh, like… Even really remember what I said? You [i]were[/i] in a lot of pain. But, everything I said? To Leon? In front of you? Do you really feel like your reaction to that was out of line?”[/color] she asked, pulling back just enough to look Cass in the eyes for her answer.

[color=629c3f]"Yes, absolutely! And I remember it all!"[/color] Cass didn't even hesitate, hugging Mia back. One hand rubbed her back comfortingly. While there were a lot of fuzzy periods from the last few days, that was one she remembered very clearly. It was easier to remember the times in between the dialysis, or after she'd actually managed to sleep. 

[color=629c3f]"I [I]don't[/I] think you threatening Leon like that was ok at all. But you were distressed… Shouting at someone is never the solution! I should've been sympathetic, or just let him handle it. Me adding more stress isn't fair. There can be two wrongs, y'know? What you said can be wrong and my reaction can also be wrong."[/color] She spoke more evenly now, though there was still that normal Cass energy in it. The energy that had been missing when she was sick. 

[color=629c3f]"If you wanna know how I feel? I feel the whole things unfair on both of you… but it's what it is. You're allowed to struggle with it, but it ain't alright to threaten to [I]hurt[/I] yourself to someone who loves you that much. And… I know it's really hard right now, Mimi, but I think it'll be good for you! When you get more used to it cause it's like… Leon needs [I]your[/I] support. It's giving you the chance to take that role!"[/color] She nodded, smiling brightly at Mia. 
[color=629c3f]"But it's ok if you don't want that! Either way, I'ma be completely honest with you- about whether you do something wrong, or don't. But I ain't gonna shout at you like that again… At least I'm gonna try not to. And I'll help you however I can!"[/color]

Mia took a deep breath, clearing her throat.

[color=ed145b]”I’m… Not. I’m not a good fit. Leon doesn’t think so now, or, at least he’s acting that way. Whether it’s because of what I did, or if he’s had reservations for a while, I don’t know. Even, uh… When I recanted, and tried to apologize and… Y’know, I told him I’d give it another shot, he shut it down. Said he’d rather, uh… Deal with Lelou like he had been. Said he was getting used to it, and that maybe Lelou ain’t so bad. He said she even mentioned the treatment you’re taking now. That she’d predicted it, and that uh…-”[/color]

She stopped, shrugging.

[color=ed145b]”Maybe it’s for the best. Nobody else can possibly control him if there’s no leash and collar. We were thinking of destroying them, honestly. Maybe, y’know, so that Lelou would be more willing to trust him overall.”[/color]

Her frown was downturned and despondent.

[color=ed145b]”It’s better off I’m not an accidental burden, or worse a hindrance. Obviously, if he and I had that discussion, you’ve gotta know I already apologized to him directly. A thousand times by now. But, now I can tell you that I’m sorry too. And, that if I’m relinquishing this responsibility, maybe I’ll be able to take up a new one. Like, y’know… Running your treatments. Maintaining the machine. Being your nurse! I’m not uh, y’know, trained or nothin’. But, White Lux is nice for that. I don’t need to train. I can ask, and someone will let me learn in a few minutes. I just, y’know… Wanted to ask about how you feel about that.”[/color]

Cass hadn't heard anything about Mia stepping down, or Leon considering just not using the collar at all. Nevermind straight up [I]destroying[/I] it. It made sense if he wanted to work with Lelou, since she hated that thing so much… but it didn't quite sit right with her. He'd been so happy to be rid of the voice in his head, and now he wanted to go back to that. Because Lelou had predicted the beans? Obviously, there was more to it than that… She could understand the reasons for it, but she wasn't entirely comfortable with it. 

But she wasn't going to dwell on it right now. Not when Mia had moved on to something else she could do, and get excited with. She'd just have to talk to Leon about it later. 

[color=629c3f]"Of course! I'd love to have you as my nurse, so long as you don't mind dealing with me at my grouchiest? You only got it once, poor Leon got yelled at a fair few times! But aside from that, of course! More time with Mia? I ain't gonna say no to that, am I?"[/color] Cass grinned, hugging Mia tighter before letting her arms loosen so Mia could escape if she wanted to. 

[color=629c3f]"You gonna get to hook up the dialysis machine and shit? It's pretty fucking cool, honestly- ‘course I'm sick of it, but there's something real fascinating about all those tubes circulating my blood. And I don't gotta sleep with it anymore cause of the beans, at least!"[/color]

Mia nodded her head wildly, smiling and giggling.

[color=ed145b]”I… Wanted to be a nurse when I was little. Very little. I used to hang around Doctor Andy and stuff, and she’d show me weird medical shit. Probably testing me, to see if I’d shy away from that kind of thing. Never had a problem with body stuff. Even when I saw my first Fleshbane Ghoul, I wasn’t really scared or grossed out. Mostly just curious to see the way muscles look without the skin.”[/color]

She said this all so casually, as if those sorts of things weren’t what would stick with a Blind person. 

[color=ed145b]”Then Grandpa taught me how to make toys. I… I think I’m at a point in my life where I should really be thinking less about the drugs I want to do, and more about the activities I always [i]wanted[/i] to do. Nothing says I can’t make toys [i]and[/i] help you. I’m only afraid of… Well… This being a manic episode, and not a shifting in my mindset. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve felt this tug, but then wind up not strong enough to do anything with it.”[/color] she admitted.

[color=ed145b]”It really scares me. And, honestly, that’s what scares me about the leash too. It’s… It’s the dedication. I’m really fucking scared, Cass… And nobody at all makes me feel safer about it. It’s not their fault, or yours, or anyones. Just… I can’t find a reason to believe it won’t happen again. So, uh… There’s your… Disclaimer, I guess.”[/color] she shrugged, suddenly looking downtrodden again. Her mood swings seemed tremendous…

Kind of like someone else Cass knew.

[color=629c3f]"Hey, look-"[/color] Cass' hands went to Mia's cheeks, squishing them slightly before trying to make sure she was properly looking at her. So she could see there was no judgement on Cass' face, no kind of negative shit. 

[color=629c3f]"Recovery ain't linear, and it ain't gonna happen all at once! Does it suck if you fall back down? Yeah, of course! But it doesn't mean you've failed so long as you pick yourself back up… the fact you keep trying means you ain't failed. You've already taken the first step… you [I]want[/i] to get better. That ain't easy. Nothing that follows is either. So it's ok if you struggle, or the mindset doesn't entirely shift. Cause while you gotta be the one to do it, it doesn't mean you're alone! You've got your girlfriends, but you also have [I]me[/I] and Leon and Casey. I'd say Trisha too, but she's got her own issues with self belief… Anyway! What I mean is, it's fine if it happens again, cause I'll still be there! And I'm happy to help you pick yourself back up. You can try again and again till it sticks! Each step forward is a victory, y'know? You ain't just gonna wake up one day and be perfect."[/color]

Mia wanted to imagine that the first sign of her using would turn Cass off completely. That she wouldn’t bother trying, because Leon would be there to tell her about all the times she’d fallen before. About how it was just a pattern, and the only reason Hari and Ed put up with it is because of guilt and loyalty. How Hari was the addict first, and had gotten Mia into it, and how Ed only stayed because she was to Mia what Auntie Rissa was to her Mother. 
But she’d been down that cycle to. Expecting the behavior and treatment she got from a few to be the norm from everyone…

But really, it was her own problem. The problem that… Maybe she could get help with where others may not be so strong. After all, she was the only one incapable of actually handling herself. Hari had Pink Lux: She could set a timer on her high, and wake up out of it refreshed and renewed. And for Ed, the differences between Serenity’s high and the actual stuff were so negligible that she easily tanked any side effects like they were just part of her Abstraction.

It was only Mia, who was being told that the way she handled herself was wrong… When in reality? She didn’t really want to give up that part of her life. It wasn’t something she felt was actually detrimental until people started putting their own wants and needs upon her. Until they made her feel like she had to cater to them. It built immediate resentment, which in turn became spite.
Thus, the bad habit of intentionally using when she was actively told not to became more than a bad habit. It became her modus operandi, and suddenly nobody trusted her with anything. They couldn’t know if or when she was high, so they just wouldn’t bother.

She looked at Cass with moisture pooling at the corners of her eyes.
[color=ed145b]”Am… I setting myself up for failure with this? I… I really need to want to do something other than shooting up, Cass… But, I’m scared that I don’t really [i]want[/i] to move on yet. Obviously, I’m stupid for that… But…”[/color]

Hesitating, Mia cleared her throat and looked down at her left foot. She could feel the throbbing pain under the nail of her big toe where the scar tissue was building up.

[color=ed145b]”Well, I feel like I can’t. And I know I shouldn’t. But, that… Fuck! Fuck, this is so [i]wrong![/i] What the fuck is wrong with me? I have a thought, then I immediately think about it again and fuck right off! Like, fuck, I… [i]Why don’t I wanna stop, Cass!?[/i]”[/color]

She started sobbing right then and there, tucking into Cass with a great big hug. She figured, if Cass really was who she said she was, and wasn’t just acting like she felt they all wanted her to, maybe she’d have some kind of [i]solution[/i] rather than just hollow words of vague support. 

Cass held Mia tightly, rubbing her back comfortingly as she tried to figure out what the fuck to say. It wasn't like she could fix it. If Mia really didn't want to stop yet, what could anyone else do but be there for her and make sure she didn't really hurt herself? But saying shit like that wasn't going to help.

[color=629c3f]"Because nothing's changed around you."[/color] Cass said bluntly. 
[color=629c3f]"The shit that made you start using is still there, ain't it? So you're fighting an uphill battle at the moment! And when you fail you blame yourself, like it's something easy to just fix. But I don't think you're setting yourself up for failure just cause you wanna try. Like I said… Even a step forward is good!"[/color]

It wasn't really a solid solution… She didn't have anything she knew could work, but why not throw some shit out there anyway? 
[color=629c3f]"Look, I'm only gonna be that bad every three months. So… Try to be there next time. And if you can't? The time after! But… if in between you feel like using? Fucking… Call me! Especially if you're alone! I'll come and be with you, maybe talking will help- and even if that doesn't, it's ok! But I'll try to actually help. I ain't gonna judge or any of that shit, I [I]genuinely[/I] want to help you, no matter how long it takes!"[/color]

Maybe judgement wouldn’t come. Sure. But, if not judgement, then what? It certainly wouldn’t be fucking support…

Unless…

[color=ed145b]”Well… What if you could help [i]me[/i] in a very direct way in return! Like, well… Uh… Well, when I ask most people who can help like you can, they turn their noses up! Like, y’know, using magic to help the problem would suddenly ruin their lives! But, I figure if you’re so strong, maybe… Maybe you can give me a scrubbing! Like, y’know, some… Freebies. Where I can sleep! Actually drift off, not get all nervous and have a bad trip, then sleep longer ‘cuz I’m embarrassed and exhausted!”[/color]

She wasn’t being very direct. She was afraid to ask, but she was equally afraid of herself acting squirrely. This was… Well… Morally speaking, this was actual addict behavior. Bargaining and the like. But, if this could all be handled with a little more openness and a little less morality, maybe everyone could get what they wanted!

[color=ed145b]”I mean, like, Doctor Andy won’t help. She refuses to do [i]anything[/i] that may let me enjoy what I enjoy [i]and[/i] function! But, I always imagined she’d be able to, like, cleanse my body of the toxin with her magic! And, y’know, reset my chemistry so I don’t deal with shitty withdrawals! Because, essentially she figured if she let me just use, and then fixed it every time I did, I’d never appreciate bein’ sober! But I do! I really do, I just… Y’can’t use that shit [i]recreationally![/i] And, I don’t [i]want[/i] to do shit like that in front of Serenity… She’s a little girl, she shouldn’t see her moms… Doing that shit. But, I wasn’t fucking ready to be a parent either!”[/color]

She was rambling slightly, frustrated tears still falling. She wasn’t sure whether or not the other girls could hear her, but at this point it was just nice to have someone she felt she could speak her mind to completely.

[color=629c3f]"Most people ain't- but you are real young to be one."[/color] Weird ghost situation aside, it was still three girls barely in their twenties handed a… Heroin baby, really. Extra tough.

Cass had to actually think about what Mia was asking. She wasn't a doctor or anything, so she couldn't know all the reasons Andy would say no. She assumed a busy doctor didn't have time to just cleanse Mia everytime she wanted to use either. She wasn't exactly comfortable with the idea of Mia still using, but that was going to happen anyway, wasn't it?

[color=629c3f]"If you really think that'll help? I'll try! I say try cause I don't really use my magic on other people much, so I'm kinda worried I'd maybe give you another limb… But! If it's just sleep you want, I can do that for you too! I know it probably ain't always, but the times it is? I can help. Well, I think I can help! I'll practice on Leon first."[/color] Cass said, though she wasn't entirely sure if it was the right decision. But… Sure, she had high morals, but with shit like this sometimes the ‘morally right' decision wasn't what actually helped people. 

She pulled back a bit, one hand moving away from around Mia to be held up in front of her. It curled into a fist aside from the pinky. 
[color=629c3f]"But you gotta promise me it ain't forever. I'm doing this to help you recover, not so you can keep using the rest of your life, ok? It don't matter if it takes years and years, cause I'll be there. Just promise you'll keep trying."[/color]

Well that just sounded like enabling behavior, even to Mia. She grinned, giggled, shook her head.
[color=ed145b]”I promise it ain’t gonna be forever… If… If we can come up with something else that gets the nightmares to stop, I’ll go for it. But… I think something else maybe needs to get taken care of before that part. Maybe the dreams’ll never go away, but the curse sure as fuck will when that asshole dies…”[/color]

She frowned slightly, then took a step back to pull her t-shirt up. Along her stomach, running up and over the center of her chest only to sink back into her breast, was what looked like the bite pattern of a massive predatory animal.

[color=ed145b]”I won’t show you where the binding link is, but I’ll say for a while it looked less like a fun place and more like someone shove raw-”[/color]
Mia closed her eyes in frustration, shaking her head before a grim smile came back for her to laugh it off.

[color=ed145b]”-He said, that if I didn’t want the dreams, he left me one option. And that I’d kill myself one way or another. That was uh… Right before our Emancipation Day. He said that none of us would, uh… Escape without him.”[/color]

Him… The wretched thing…

[color=ed145b]”But, I know the scrub works. Andy did it once, because I forced her to. Flushed it out of my system entirely. I even felt good for a couple days. But, fatigue’s an unstoppable monster. Other fucking drugs don’t keep me up, magic can’t. I’ve tried every funny little supplement. But, Wampus magic is like Pink and Blue Magic’s methhead child. Or, maybe it’s the father… I don’t know, I’m fucked. I know I liked the shit [i]before[/i] I needed it as an actual dependency. This was just the ironic ‘get away now’ that I’ve been left with.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]"The Wampus did [I]that[/I] to you?"[/color] Cass vaguely gestured towards Mia's stomach. Fucking hell. And their parents had just let that thing be around the whole time they were growing up… Leon had brought it back too… Fuck. 

[color=629c3f]"So first step gotta kill the fucking evil cat? Got it."[/color] She shook her head. The whole situation was fucked and it was tragic, really. She felt bad for thinking it, but what chance did Mia have? What chance did any of them have, really. Sure, the older few seemed to be somewhat alright… but Leon and Casey both clearly had their own fucking problems too. And sure, Cass herself hadn't had the best upbringing, but it was [I]this[/I]!

[color=629c3f]"For now, I'll try the scrub- [I]or[/I] we try my magic to put you to sleep for a bit. I ain't sure how either will work out… Like I said, I ain't using my magic on others. And mine is kinda like Green on steroids! We'll do that as a temporary situation till we can get rid of that thing- and we fucking will, I don't give a fuck what anyone else thinks. Then, we deal with what comes after. At least if you don't have some fucking crazy curse, maybe some shit like [I]therapy[/I] will actually work."[/color] Cass knew it wasn't the perfect solution, or even one others would approve of. What the fuck would Leon say… But if there was a chance it would actually help? Why not? 

Mia’s decision to accept the status of the agreement was enough to bring her baseline mood up to a point where, for the first time in a couple weeks, she felt naturally able to participate. There was no wolf energy, no daytime drinking, none of the blissful haze before torpor took her again. Just Cass. Just a smiling outsider welcomed into the deepest parts of a family whose proximity only exacerbated their constant anguish. It was all centered around those painful little moments where things became untenable and someone else had to step in and do the saving.

Would Cass be another cog in the machine? Or would her new shape among the other gears offset their world in the same way Trisha did? And then, would it be worse? Was Trisha making things better for anyone besides Casey? Would Cass make things better for [i]everyone?[/i]

[color=ed145b]”I’ve wanted to kill that cat since I Kindled. Did you ever [i]want[/i] to kill anything when you were six years old? Can you imagine what growing up with that hatred is like?”[/color]

She sighed and closed her eyes thinking about the first time anything had happened. How she didn’t understand. The track had been so much different, after all… Until she had magic, the cats had [i]protected[/i] her. Or, made it seem that way… She’d long since realized they were isolating her. Discouraging her siblings, even her parents, from getting [i]too[/i] close. Only her Father and Leon had ever had the impetus to push through that barrier. Casey was wonderful, but he’d been weak. Useless, practically, until he left and came back with incredible magics… 

But Cass wanted to just fucking kill it. And Mia wanted to just. Fucking. Kill it. 

[color=ed145b]”I’m gonna stuff it. I’m gonna turn that prick into a giant stuffed animal, and re-enchant it like a taxidermy idiot. I’m gonna make it do stupid dances, and stuff itself with lasagna until it turns fucking orange… I only hope we can lock its soul up somewhere and force it to watch.”[/color] she spoke with an incredibly monotone hatred belying the fury beneath.

[color=ed145b]”I can’t wait.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Normally I wouldn’t support that kinda revenge torture, but I think if anything deserves it, it’s that fucking cat.”[/color] Cass let out a slight laugh, patting Mia on the shoulder. Sure, it wouldn’t be healthy in the long run… But Cass was sure Mia wouldn’t turn into some creepy murderer otherwise. And hopefully killing the Wampus would be enough in the end. 

Its existence around them pissed her off. How many generations had suffered? Been fucking gaslit into thinking it was normal.
[color=629c3f]”I am… Gonna talk to Leon about all this, though. I don’t wanna have those kinda secrets between us. It just ain’t health… But it ain’t gonna change my plans to help! Or to kill that thing cause fucking hell, why he kept it around [i]ain’t[/i] worth the suffering its put you through.”[/color]

Sure, it knew what had happened to Gravity. Leon was close to his father. Cass understood… But he was almost definitely [i]dead[/i] if it had been this long. The still living shouldn’t have to suffer for that information. 

[color=629c3f]”I ain’t sure ‘bout how killing someone like it works, but I sure gave it a good beating last week.”[/color]

Mia took a deep breath.

[color=ed145b]”They’re gluttons. Across every single realm you find them in, apparently. Some are, like… Apparently nice? Or, at least… [i]God[/i], fuck that! Anyway, we [i]cram it to death.[/i] They have bad reactions to food they don’t like. I… I have a plan for that. There’s not a day I don’t think about the contingencies.”[/color]

She knocked back the rest of her coffee like it wasn’t still piping hot, letting the cup smack on the counter.

[color=ed145b]”Fuck it. For now, there’s a plan right? Sister?”[/color] she asked sincerely, her focus coming back to Cass entirely. She let her pinkie extend toward Cass: The beginning of a pact by returning the pinkie promise was in the air.

Cass grinned, her own pinkie coming back up to hook around Mia’s. 
[color=629c3f]”There is, little Sis! I swear I’ll [i]actually[/i] help you.”[/color]

She let her hand drop back down, still grinning. 
[color=629c3f]”So… How bout you go wash your face and get that clean shirt, then we can go upstairs? Assuming you want me to wait? Trisha’ll [i]definitely[/i] be done eating by now so I’m sure we’re good to head up.”[/color] She then tilted her head, scratching her cheek. 
[color=629c3f]”No idea where Leon’ll have ended up, though. He was grabbing shit from my place… Maybe he’s just standing up there like an abandoned puppy…”[/color]

Mia reached down into her pocket and pulled out her hat, letting a shot of White Lux climb the building in its entirety.

[color=ed145b]”He’s on your couch. Go get him, we’ll be upstairs in a few.”[/color]

Mia wrapped both arms around Cass, planting a kiss on her cheek before stepping away and back into her side of the apartment. She left the door open for Cass to pass back through to the elevator, and upon exiting, she’d be able to find Ed already dressed and checking on the plants.

[color=66bb6a]”Hey dude! Have you ever actually been in here? Like, before today? What do you think of the babies!?”[/color] she asked with a big grin.
[color=66bb6a]”Shit’s mint, ain’t it?”[/color]

Cass laughed, grinning right back. 
[color=629c3f]”I ain’t- And yeah, pretty fucking sound! Ain’t so sure ‘bout the smell, but that’s just the super sensitive nose, y’know?”[/color] She wrinkled her nose to make a point of it.

It wasn’t a smell she particularly minded, but when everything was enhanced it was overpowering. Sure, she could put her senses back to normal… But that was more difficult than keeping them as they were. It was one of the few easy, continual lux uses she’d figured out so far.

[color=629c3f]”You could supply the whole fucking building with this.”[/color] She continued as she made her way for the elevator, pressing the button and waiting for it to come back down.

[color=66bb6a]”We do! Gotta keep costs down, right? This building, and a couple others!”[/color] she laughed aloud.
[color=66bb6a]”I’ll wait for the other two. Uh, you and Mimi all good?”[/color] Ed asked very simply, not wanting to pry beyond what she’d heard. She wasn’t there that night, after all.

[color=629c3f]”Oh yeah, all good! I apologised, we talked ‘bout some other shit, so here’s hoping things get better.”[/color] Cass smiled, not going into too much detail. If Mia wanted to tell Ed, she would, after all. 

There was a ding as the elevator doors opened behind her. 
[color=629c3f]”I’ll see you in a lil bit! I gotta go pick up an abandoned dog on my way back up.”[/color] She laughed, waving to Ed before stepping in. It was only a couple of floors up to hers, a very brief period of time spent humming to herself and tapping her foot. The humming- to an indiscernible tune, just whatever was in her head- continued down the corridor and to her apartment. 

She practically flung her door open. 
[color=629c3f]”I heard there’s a [i]real[/i] hot guy waiting to be collected from my sofa!”[/color] A hand flew up to her forehead like she was searching, immediately honing in on and bounding towards Leon with a grin. 
[color=629c3f]”There. He. [i]Is[/i]! Why’d you wait?!”[/color]

Leon had both his legs up, and was laying back comfortably with his phone in his hands when she came in. He smiled up at her.

[color=C67C12]”Well, if I came down, I’d hear what you and Mia were talking about. Not cool. But, if I went upstairs, it’d just piss Trisha off. So, I brought the boxes up into the stairwell for the roof, then came back. Got into your dirty laundry, ate all the crotches of your panties. Y’know, it’s how dogs are.”[/color] he grinned almost evilly at her, shifting to stand up.

[color=629c3f]”Fucking [i]all[/i] of em?!”[/color] Cass cackled. She didn’t let him actually stand up, jumping up and onto his torso. She made sure her knees hit the couch first so she didn’t just slam her full weight onto him. They had a little bit of time, after all. 

She pressed her hands into his shoulders, leaning forward with a grin. 
[color=629c3f]”What am I supposed to wear, huh? You want me to go fucking commando the whole time? God, and I thought you couldn’t become more of a perve!”[/color]

Leon’s hands immediately grabbed around places that were overall detrimental to them getting anywhere besides stuck on that couch.

[color=C67C12]”Careful… There’s still fetishes to discover. Don’t leap before you look.”[/color] he growled lowly, craning his neck to kiss her collarbone before trying to pick her up wholesale in order to escape the rapidly mounting tension.

[color=C67C12]”If you were gonna do this to me, you should’ve waited for your party until tomorrow… Or a week from now…”[/color] he giggled.

[color=629c3f]”A week? You planning to skip Thanksgiving? No complaints here, I ain’t ‘murican.”[/color] Cass grinned, leaning forward to give his ear a proper bite. But thankfully for them both she could resist the allure of just staying there the rest of the day- or week. She let him pick her up, even if she very quickly wriggled her way out of his arms and hopped back down onto the floor.

[color=629c3f]”You brought it on yourself making comments like that, Babe!”[/color] She snickered, hopping a good distance away towards the door. 
[color=629c3f]”C’mon, we can start the sex marathon [i]after[/i] the party!”[/color]

Because Cass was so nice and caring, she kept a bit of a distance in the lift so he could cool off… Not her as well, of course, because she had amazing restraint. But she didn’t hesitate in grabbing his hand as they reached the top floor, tugging him along the corridor towards the stairwell to the roof. 

She let go as she went straight for her boxes, crouching down and carefully opening to the top one. A quick look over confirmed everything she thought was in it was in fact in there.
[color=629c3f]”Oh thank fuck- I was worried I’d put shit in the wrong boxes! Or I forgot to put something back last time I played around with this shit… Honestly, even if I label stuff it doesn’t mean shit when I just throw it fucking everywhere!”[/color]

Leon picked the other box up as well, showing her the xbone label on the side with a precocious “r” scrawled next to it where the word ended. He giggled to himself.

[color=C67C12]”I figured Casey would maybe like this one… I think we had one? Or, we knew someone who had one more likely. Unless, is this like, supposed to be a newer one?”[/color] he asked, unsure of whether or not these shell laptops could play the older games [i]and[/i] the newer ones or not.

Cass’ grin widened, a little ‘heh heh’ escaping her lips. She didn’t immediately answer, instead beginning to make her way towards the stairs with her own box. 

[color=629c3f]”It’s… All of them, Babe! I gotta bunch’ve emulators- and y’know, made one for the modern shit- and you can like… Boot into whichever you wanna. It ain’t really a normal laptop anymore cause’ve it. I replaced a bunch’ve parts, and it’s gotta real hefty external hard drive to it- that’s why the box you’ve got is so heavy. I spent like… A whole summer on that one! It’s really my baby, I didn’t bother getting all the newer stuff for the others. I did a playstation one and two cause I wanted to play some games on em, and I just grabbed a bunch’ve emulators that already existed for the nintendo stuff.”[/color] She absolutely over explained, babbling away as they got up onto the roof. 

[color=629c3f]”Any games you remember, I probably got!”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Man… Casey begged and begged. I figured Mom would relent, given the whole not expressing Lux and shit. But, I bet they both just assumed if they let him live like a Blind, he’d stay one. Joke was on the both of them, right? Should’ve gave the kid his game system, maybe he’d have had enough nostalgia in his life to kindle beforehand.”[/color] he shrugged, climbing the stairs after her and pushing out into the cold again.

He really thought about that kind of thing often. About how all of those Richoux techniques to get kids to kindle were just bullshit spitballs. How their whole childhood had been full of the whims of someone who didn’t know anything more about raising a child than the children did. Just… Bullshit rule and disciplinary action after bullshit rule and disciplinary action. 

[color=C67C12]”I hope I remember all the shit that happened to us as Kids when the time comes. I hope he does too.”[/color] Leon finally intoned, holding the box in his hands with a tender sense of care toward this machine he’d never even seen. 

At least she sounded incredibly proud of it. Hell, she’d practically made her own video game system; it sounded terribly interesting. He made a note to bring it up as pillowtalk for later, so she had all the time she wanted to dump the information.

Cass managed to hold her box in just one arm for a moment, reaching out to rub Leon’s arm. 
[color=629c3f]”I’m sure you both will.”[/color]