Casey’s eye twitched rapidly, his hand screwed tight to the glove in his sweater pocket as he drilled his mind through the building in order to sit in the kitchen of Leon’s apartment like a termite in the wall with a laser microphone. Of course, they had to be the topic. It’d been nice of Leon to think about them, but the whole thing was starting to get a bit out of control. Casey ultimately had to do some logistical work involving the party late that night, and so a bit of juice ended up being used in order to make sure he’d keep from rotting away another few nights.

It didn’t replace sleep, just amped the focus back up to eleven. Not so different from speed, he figured. -But, whatever Trisha didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.- Point being that Leon had decided that hour was a great time to have a big brother sit down. Because of course he had to ask about what the call was for. Casey figured he’d get off his back with some honesty, and told him exactly how he felt about being looked after like that. It was incredibly considerate! And in a lot of ways, [i]it made Casey feel like dogshit.[/i] 

He hated nothing more than being doted on and cause of concern. As soon as it started, the first thing everyone did was start locking their lockers tighter, or [i]just checking on him.[/i] Like he wasn’t just another person. Like he was some gun that had to be kept in the safe with the bullets in a separate safe. Like he was nuclear.
[i]It certainly made him feel that way.[/i] And, call him paranoid, but here they were. Reyna was fussing over Trisha, Leon had to say the words [i]he would never hurt her physically[/i]. Like the distinction needed to be made. Like he didn’t love her. Like it was all bullshit and Trisha needed to be protected by her [i]fucking ex.[/i] 

They didn’t need people [i]that concerned[/i] about them. They were [b]fine![/b]

[color=577d06]”Honey Bee?”[/color] he questioned, looking down at Trisha with a grim expression on his face.
[color=577d06]”We need to be extra good today. Like, stellar. We… Can’t show weakness. Right? We’re gonna be the fucking best, it’s gonna be great, and we’re gonna prove these assholes wrong, right!?”[/color]

He was asking her questions from a conversation he already had. Only, it hadn’t been out loud. So, saying something like [i]prove these assholes wrong[/i] should’ve been an immediate cause for concern.

[color=d1b300]“Huh?"[/color] Trisha looked up at him, eyes going slightly wide. She didn't want to show weakness, obviously. She wanted everything to appear perfect so she didn't have people asking questions or starting to tell her Casey was just another bad decision she'd made. He [I]wasn't[/I]. Things got difficult in relationships, what mattered was that they got through it. 

She was already anxious about it all. Her anxiety had peaked again last night, nothing to stop her spiralling when Casey had to go work. She hadn't really slept, with carefully applied makeup doing some heavy lifting when it came to covering the dark bags under her eyes. How could she sleep without him there? But it was difficult when he was there too, because Casey wasn't sleeping either. 

So why was he saying this, when she was clearly prepared to do just that? Like she needed to be reminded? But she didn't. She knew she had to act like everything was great, because she didn't want to deal with her friends prodding her, and she didn't want to set Casey off. The only silver lining of the time alone last night was that it let her get some of it out. A breakdown and panic attack before she suppressed it all again. She was absolutely ready to push down all of her feelings. 

Apart from the anxiety, obviously. It was every present and the paranoia with it was what let her cover everything else up. 

But in the moment leading up to seeing other people, she was more on edge. Now Casey was asking her strange questions. What assholes did they have to prove wrong? What-

[color=d1b300]“Are you spying on them, Casey?"[/color] She asked back, voice pitching up as her panic rose to the surface. 
[color=d1b300]“You said you wouldn't do stuff like that… And it's not helping me. Knowing they're talking behind my back just makes me more anxious."[/color]

[color=577d06]”But they are! They are! And Reyna thinks I [i]hit you![/i]-”[/color]
He paused briefly, sorting his thoughts out and holding up his hands.
[color=577d06]”-Or, it was implied! Leon had to say[/color] [color=C67C12][i]’Uh, he’d never [b]physically[/b] hurt her![/i]’[/color] [color=577d06]”Can you believe this!? He’s expecting me to just sit there and accept what he’s saying to me when things like that are getting said behind my back!? I’m paranoid for a [i]fucking reason.[/i] I’m sorry! But when I’m right, I know I’m right. That feeling saved me way more than fucking once.”[/color]

He wasn’t talking loudly, but he was certainly animated, and very clearly frustrated. It wasn’t easy dealing with this sensation at the moment. He was going to be high- That’s simply what the magical drug did. Another forty-eight hours of circadian free living. All at the cost of your sanity. Even if he wanted to go and get his memories scrubbed by a Pink Adept, he couldn’t. The substance in question was Apparitionally sound, and it trapped everything at the direct front of the brain, where you had to keep living in it. Last night was the first night. He hoped it was the only one he needed. Natural sleep deprivation was hard enough, even with his pedigree and previous training. It was a difficult thing to stave off.

This was simply the manifestation of all of the memories being there still. Everything was so fresh. It was all being crammed into the same space. 

He didn’t have time to wonder if there was a connection between his frequent lack of sleep in previous years, and a correlation with his sleeping patterns.

He had an argument to start.

[color=577d06]”Listen, that type of talk is just how we used to do shit! You can’t just go risk your life in the fucking cold, you need a moment of warmth before it. You need to muster, I thought we would just do that! We can’t do that!?”[/color] he asked rather sharply.

Trisha clasped her hands tightly in front of her to hide their trembling. She shook her head, eyes narrowing as she stared up at him. Frustration and panic mixed together in her chest. None of this was helping her. It was only confirming the paranoia she felt about everyone in her life showing her a nice face while talking shit about her behind her back. Of course they did, of course they thought she'd landed herself in a bad situation again. 

But surely Cass and Leon knew better?! 

[color=d1b300]“Spying on people isn't mustering! It's not helping! They're not going to kill us… But how does any of this help? It's just going to make us worse when we go in."[/color] She argued back, breathing quickening. She wasn't shouting either, but it would be impossible to miss her own frustration and panic over the situation. She'd been doing her best to keep a lid on things, but it was impossible when Casey was acting like this. He was practically forcing her into an argument. 

This time, it made her want to run away and curl up into a ball. But she couldn't. They were trapped in the elevator, and had to get out and pretend everything was perfect again. And they were [I]fine[/I] when he wasn't listening into conversations he shouldn't be.

[color=d1b300]“Even if Reyna thinks that, what- What difference does it make? Are you going to go in and shout at her about it? Because now I'm going to be worrying the whole time about what they think… And I was already anxious."[/color]

[color=577d06]”No, I won’t! I didn’t shout at Leon yesterday morning. I didn’t shout at him last night when he [i]trapped me in my office.[/i]-”[/color]

In the strictest sense, that he’d taken a seat in front of the desk.

[color=577d06]”-And I’m [i]not[/i] going to shout at anyone else. I’m [i]sorry.[/i] Just… I’m… Fuck. Can… We hug it out, Trish, I’m sorry.”[/color]

He really [i]had[/i] just wanted to know what they were up against. It was only then that he had the clarity to not think about it like it was an engagement to examine. He wondered if Leon or Reyna knew that they were being watched. He’d cut the spell the moment he couldn’t stand it anymore, and hadn’t looked back.

[color=577d06]”Leon came in last night, and he just started talking like he used to, like I’m… Sick or something. I am, but he doesn’t have to treat me like it. I know I am. I can feel it right now. But you’re the love of my life, and on my fucking body and soul I just knew he was gonna act like this. And it makes me sad! That’s all. I wanted some comfort. I didn’t vocalize that. It’s not your fault, so [i]please[/i] don’t think it is. I know I’m the asshole. Several times.”[/color]

What was, to him, a proper, if not informal, explanation of himself. The truth, just like she’d asked. He gave it freely, and she’d never be able to tell him he wasn’t being honest again.

So long as she didn’t know what she didn’t know.

Trisha took a deep, shaky breath, and gave a slight nod. She shuffled towards him, tearing her hands away from the tight ball they were clasped in to stretch her arms out towards him. To hug it out, like he'd asked for. 

She didn't want to argue with him. She was trying not to, trying to just push down her own reactivity so she could help him get through this. But it was so hard when his mood changed so much. She was constantly waiting for an escalation. Then it seemed like it was coming, and he'd dropped back down. It was like she was on a rollercoaster. Her anxiety didn't just calm down like that. It just got worse every time. 

Maybe it would be easier if he just went for that alone time he'd wanted when this first start. No… No, she didn't want that. That would be worse, she could handle this. 

[color=d1b300]“I’m sorry too, I just… You know what I think people think about me. So hearing that they're talking behind my- our backs just made me panic. Because now I need to deal with that anxiety, and I know it's real."[/color] She bit her lip. It was probably an overreaction on her part, when he was the one being talked about more negatively. At least, Reyna was worried about him hitting her… Which would never happen. 

[color=d1b300]“I understand. He's acting like he knows better than you, and like… We both need to be looked after. But we don't. And I don't like my friends sticking their nose into it either, just because they don't trust me. You don't deserve to be talked about like that… Not when you love me. And I love you."[/color]

[color=577d06]”I at least appreciate Rey’s position. Please, don’t misunderstand. She’s got plenty of reasons to be protective of you, and she never said anything about you or us really. Leon overexplained shit. But, I also don’t want you to go and blame him, because I’m sure deep down he’s stressed about things too. It’s keeping us all up.”[/color]

The sex kept those two perverts up.

Something else he couldn’t say, but desperately wanted to, was that he now felt terribly inadequate compared to last time. He felt like a slathering mess. He was, but even in the paranoia he was a cobbled golem. A great deal of the time he could crack his mouth open just wide enough to appear pleased, and focus his eyes incredibly tight on theirs. Which, if they noticed he wasn’t blinking, may end up being a dead giveaway that something was wrong.

[color=577d06][i]Nothing. Is. Wrong.[/i][/color]

And nothing was. Casey’s jaw clenched slightly, and he looked down at Trisha. And he mustered the last moment he could. It was recent, which was nice. If he could string these small, good moments together and keep them tight in a chain at the forefront of his brain, he’d be able to wrangle all the pain in between. He’d be able to stretch. Thanks to her. So he looked down at her, and one arm turned into both arms as the elevator doors slid open into the makeshift garden.

It smelled terribly like weed.
Because it was.

And it made him laugh.

[color=577d06]”Holy shit, maybe we should take some of this. I’ll break their room open, that’s where they keep the jars that are done.”[/color] he grinned down at her as if offering.

Trisha managed a soft laugh, lips pulling up into something closer to a smile as she did her best to calm down. It was still easier with him there. She still felt safe with him. She was sure she always would, even when things were difficult. 

She wasn't entirely sure if he was joking or not. It was a nice thought, though she knew she definitely couldn’t smoke weed right now. If her anxiety was low enough, it helped her relax… But if it was too high, it just made it worse. 

[color=d1b300]“And risk them being in there when you don’t? I don’t think I can handle seeing that.”[/color] She giggled. It felt like breaking into the girls’ room was just as risky as breaking into Leon and Cass’... But at least it gave her something else to think about, and talk about. She was calming down now. Back to that paranoid state of normal, where she could act like normal.

[color=d1b300]“Maybe I should grow some in the Greenhouse. I wonder if it would be any different pollinated by my bees.”[/color] 

Deep breath one, two, three, and Casey reestablished some baseline normalcy in his brain. Everything started to work again in slow enough motion that it wasn’t like watching eight movies at the same time. He giggled about the thought of pot bees, but he was certain if they had pollen of some kind, it’d be the way the plant flowers. 

[color=577d06]”Someone in this room’s gotta know. I bet Cass knows. Leon doesn’t seem- Shit, did Reyna get into bees when you guys dated?”[/color]

He was taking his time getting through the hall around the little L shaped hall. But the door was already being cracked open. Casey couldn’t tell by whom, but he had to clamp down and stay in that moment. And in the desperate struggle itself, he was somewhat taken out of it. Losing grasp again. It was just like that. A little hook to cast the fish back into a raging river. 
What the fuck else could he do? If he noticed the door was opened, he noticed the door was opened. It was simple math!


So he stopped. And as playfully as he could, though his face almost looked wrought with pain, he threw his fingers up to his lips and pressed it between them. After a moment, he let the finger drop, and gave her a conspiratorial look.
[color=577d06]”Don’t look now, Queen Bee… They’ve found us.”[/color]

Eyes of interest implored her to play with him not just for the sake of their happiness. But for the sake of the collective faces to save. It would all be worth it if everything between them was fine, and what would display that more than being nonchalant and goofy about something that [i]nobody else but your half-wolf brother with crazy ears and his proto-wolf girlfriend with equally freaky hearing[/i] would even notice!? 

It wasn’t like Trisha was-

[color=577d06][i]God, I love you… Please just go with it![/i][/color]

Leon pushed the door open without much effort. He didn’t really look like he was trying to hide, so much as he’d just begun opening the door as they were approaching the end of the hallway. This kind of erratic behavior was something Leon chose to ignore, as he realized a little too late that his little brother’s powers were working against him today. He’d simply reacted too quickly to the door being open. A reason to be worried, but he put on a brave face.

[color=C67C12]”Just heard the elevator, man. Figured I’d check to see if the door was locked, and when it wasn’t I just figured, ‘fuck it, I’ll open it for you’.”[/color]

He casually waved at Trisha, giving her a grin that read pretty genuine. He was still happy to see them [i]trying.[/i] He’d done his best to keep to his and Casey’s agreement about not spying or watching one another too closely. And, had only approached his brother after seeing that a sample of Solution 9 was signed out by him for consumption. He was worried about Casey’s workload, and genuinely wanted him to make for their vacation sooner rather than later.

But Casey’s pride wouldn’t let him cope like that. It had to be on his [i]and Trisha’s[/i] terms. Nobody else’s. So, now, thanks to his personal strength, Leon was totally unaware of the conversation that had taken place in the elevator or behind the door, only letting himself hear them once they were within comfortable earshot. No knowledge of their knowledge, or that they’d had a near nuclear meltdown [i]again[/i]. Several in the last twenty-four hours.

Only what they felt comfortable giving him.

Trisha looked up at Casey, tilting her head with slight confusion. She wasn’t sure what he wanted her to do, and she assumed the moment was lost now that Leon had just walked out. Had he wanted to play out pretending they didn’t know Leon was there, and joke about something silly? What he said and how he looked at her wasn’t enough for her to go off.

But she still did her best, under the circumstances, turning from Casey to Leon with some playful surprise that turned into a smile.
[color=d1b300]“Oh! Leon! I didn’t even know you were there.”[/color] 

Then she looked up at Casey with a wider smile, the lingering anxiety disappearing from her gaze. She really could cover it up if she wanted to. No… When she had to. It just wasn’t sustainable. 
[color=d1b300]“I think he wants to steal our bee weed idea. Do-”[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”[i]Leeeeooonnn[/i], what’s taking so long, are they-”[/color] Cass’ shouted words interrupted Trisha as she practically sprinted out of the door and right into Leon, using his body like a crash mat to stop her momentum. She hadn’t actually been waiting at the door with Leon… Cause it would overwhelm them, and seem like they were actually listening and waiting. Which they weren’t!

Just, Cass had no patience, so such a short time became too long for her. She spun herself around, giving Casey and Trisha a big wave and grin.
[color=629c3f]”Ohhhh, I see… You were just hogging them! Tsk tsk, I knew that was the real reason you wanted to open the door.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“We just got here. You’re the impatient one, Cass.”[/color] Trisha chided, like she always did when Cass acted silly. Subtly playful, covering up how it was all immediately overwhelming. At least Reyna didn’t seem to have followed. She was actually patient, unlike Cass. 

[color=629c3f]”Heh, guilty. What can I say, I love you [i]sooo[/i] much that I just can’t bear to spend any time apart!”[/color]

Trisha rolled her eyes, small smile staying on her lips. She shuffled closer to Casey, taking his hand and looking up at him. Her smile widened, gaze softening and filling with love. The feelings shown weren’t fake. It wasn’t something she was putting on for the audience, because she still looked at him like this when it was just them. She still loved him more than anything, and the tenderness was there unless they were arguing.

It was just that in the last few days, she’d been more hesitant. More muted, sometimes. A bundle of nerves, trying not to make the wrong move. Her anxiety was constantly there and constantly visible in her expression, because she just couldn't completely hide it around him. But that was pushed down now so the love really shone through. [i]To be the best and prove them wrong.[/i] 

[color=d1b300]“Sorry, Cass, but Casey’s all I need. I get plenty of love from him, so… Save it for Leon.”[/color] She said teasingly, still smiling up at Casey.

Casey used both hands to express gratitude and pride. One hit her shoulder, resting on the muscle and rubbing his thumb affectionately into the surrounding flesh in a calm, circular massaging pattern. Being behind her, it was easy for the other to swing around her front, tucking her in around the belly and squeezing her close. He even planted a kiss on the back of her head, pulling up and nodding in agreement with her previous statement.

[color=577d06]”I was just mentioning to Trisha how I maybe wanted to smoke a bit.”[/color] Casey calmly explained, trying to shake off the fact that he’d magically seen Leon opening the door thanks to some nascent foresight kicking in.

This drug was fucking dangerous. But it didn’t have to be. He just had to make himself calm, and he hoped that getting high in a different direction would balance things out. After all, he didn’t have much else to try. If worst came, he’d just have to level with Leon and spill the beans. But, for now? Operate. Smoothly.

[color=C67C12]”We can make that happen. Come on! We just broke the fruit plate out.”[/color] Leon enthusiastically expressed.
[color=577d06]”Oh, did you?”[/color] was all Casey could muster in return.

He was too busy attempting to physically bolster Trisha by touch, hoping his clingy affection would translate into confidence for her to feast on. 

[color=C67C12]”Yeah! And? Bread! Sandwiches! Whatever you guys want. Casey, I got a fuckton of that pale watermelon from Lab Three!”[/color]

Lab Three was a trek. An annoying slog downtown into a spot where you couldn’t bring cars. They had grow beds in a warehouse, where they made all kinds of transdimensional fruit growing conditions. The pale watermelon in question was from a universe designated “Twinkle”, where the color Red had been completely destroyed by a magical war long ago. Thus, the fruits were all ghastly pale, making them far easier to look at.

Just another instance of Big Brother being “overly” considerate. Of course, he was just being accomodating, but Casey took everything to heart right now. Knowing how annoyed he’d be over getting such a thing from a relatively remote place, it was easy to project the feeling and assume it’d be equally annoying. 

Not thinking that Leon just asked someone else to go get it and had it delivered. So, Casey felt doted on again. Made exceptions for.

[color=577d06]”You didn’t have to go through the trouble. I would’ve eaten the red stuff.”[/color] he replied, shuffling through the door and down the hall to Leon’s side, where Rey was waiting.

He kept Trisha close, like a safety blanket.

Casey's clinginess didn't bolster Trisha's confidence, because very little would right now. But it distracted her and gave her enough comfort to feel like she could get through this. [I]They[/i] could get through this. She leaned back against him as much as she could while they were moving. 

It was easier when they got through into the main room. Easier, except Reyna was there. 

[color=d1b300]“Hey, Rey. Glad you made it- Wow, Leon wasn't joking about all the food."[/color] Trisha struggled with what to say to start, with the words coming out awkwardly. How did she normally talk to Reyna? Or anyone else, for that matter? It was easy with Cass, because she never shut up. And she felt like she had to keep peace between everyone, so that nobody got upset at Casey and he didn't get upset in turn. 

Reyna was still leaning against the back of the couch, one hand on her jacket. She smiled at them both, other hand raising in a wave. She would have gone in for a hug, like normal, if Casey wasn't clinging to Trisha like a guard dog. Though Trisha probably wouldn't want the hug, Rey knew that acting normal was the best course of action. Taking what Leon said and using it to understand, rather than bringing anything up.

[color=75a8ff]"Hey, nice to see you both. I wasn't sure if I would… Cass made it seem like you're so in love that you wouldn't want to leave the love nest."[/color] Reyna joked easily. 

[color=629c3f]"I did [I]noooottt[/I]!"[/color] Cass had taken a moment to try to communicate with Leon via interpretive eyebrow movements over how Casey and Trisha were acting. But as soon as she was mentioned, she was jumping right back in. 
[color=629c3f]"I said you'd definitely be here cause no matter what you say you really love me- you want any of these sandwiches?! I can heat em up!"[/color]

Cass bounced past Trisha and Casey towards the counter, gesturing to the breakfast sandwiches with a sweeping hand. 

Trisha immediately shook her head. The last thing she wanted to do right now was eat. Without Casey to cook and push her towards eating regularly, she'd quickly slipped back into bad habits. No appetite, not bothering to push through it or just forgetting to eat. 

[color=629c3f]"What about one of my birthday beers? Lee already drank the chilli one, so that ain't available I'm afraid."[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"Saving us all from watching Cass savour it, I think."[/color] Reyna laughed.

Casey grimaced at the concept that was just inserted into his head. [i]Chilli beer?[/i]
[color=577d06]”Ew, fuck… Was it just fucking bean flavored?”[/color]

He only let go of Trisha enough to circulate to the food, which he began to inhale rapidly. Watermelon, watermelon, watermelon- Cold sandwich, unwrapped and devoured in three bites- Watermelon watermelon watermelon [i]again.[/i] 

[color=C67C12]”No, like spicy cayenne.”[/color] Leon replied, doing his best to mentally translate Cass’ interpretive eye movements while still interacting as normally as possible. Lelou had theories, but they were just theories. Mostly surrounding the robotic motions and actions of the duo of the hour. 

It was a little frustrating that Trisha and Casey seemed to still be taking some level of center stage. But, Leon could recognize just as easily that he was just being selfish for Cass’ sake. She wanted Trisha here, and if that was the case, it meant dealing with the two of them acting like this. Which was fine… 

Casey, in turn, nodded emphatically.

[color=577d06]”That sounds worse, actually. Chipotle beans though? Maybe-”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”-Oh God, don’t tempt the box of wonders. We haven’t looked through all the bottles yet.”[/color] Leon shook his head.

[color=577d06]”Let’s fuckin’ crack ‘em open then! Cass? Trish? Oh, fuck, sorry Rey- I’m real fuckin’ hungry, how are you?”[/color] he paused, licking his fingers and wiping them on his pants before moving over to Rey and giving her a hug. It seemed friendly, at least. And it was; Casey had no ill will against Reyna. He knew she had a reason to worry. It was on him to impress.

Though, he did dangle a strawberry in front of Trisha’s face slightly.

[color=577d06]”Y’gotta eat somethin’ Baby.”[/color] he cooed.

Trisha pouted, though she reached up to take the strawberry and nibbled on it. She really wasn’t hungry, but if she said no then everyone would worry. Though Cass and Reyna did know that her poor eating wasn’t solely tied to lower periods… It was a fairly consistent issue for her. 
[color=d1b300]“I guess I can have some fruit.”[/color]

Reyna watched with a calm smile. At least he still seemed attentive- though there was a chance it was performative, she trusted what Leon had said about Casey not being a [i]bad person[/i] just someone struggling. It was something she could easily read if she went back to holding her channeler, but decided not to. Partly because of the blinding light that was Leon, partly to not poke the hive that was Trisha. She’d never liked Reyna doing that. 

[color=75a8ff]"I’m good- and don’t worry about it. I’m beginning to get used to this kind of hunger, with how much Cass has already gotten through."[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”I only had four pastries while we were waiting!”[/color] Cass defended herself, rummaging through the box of beers after not so subtly pushing a tray of sandwiches towards Leon for him to put on and heat up. She was searching for a bean beer, just in case there actually was one… Unfortunately not! But there were plenty of flavours, ranging from more normal to interesting. 

She pulled out a few, stretching her hands a bit so she could hold three up to Casey and Trisha for them to choose from. A maple pecan stout beer, a raspberry and watermelon pale ale, and a normal looking IPA.
[color=629c3f]”No bean beer, unfortunately, but these ones look good!”[/color] 

[color=d1b300]“I don’t want to start drinking this early.”[/color] Trisha declined the offer with a shake of her head.
[color=d1b300]“If I do, I’ll spend the whole day drunk.”[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"That’s what Cass is going to do, so why not join her?"[/color]

[color=629c3f]”I ain’t! Cause I can’t!”[/color]

Reyna laughed, looking over at Casey.
[color=75a8ff]"Don’t worry, next time I’ll bring some Chipotle Bean beer. I’m sure the moment I mention it around the brewer he’ll jump on the idea."[/color]

Casey’s eyes lit up instantly. Andrade’s voice echoed in his head for an uncomfortable amount of time, and he finally had a big grin crack across his face. Taking the stout, he gave Cass a little bow.
[color=577d06]”Thank you birthday girl!”[/color] he smiled. 

Unsettlingly, he let the bottle rise up to his mouth, where he hooked the metal cap over his canine tooth and used his free hand to pry the metal open with the tooth as leverage. It was probably going to be a terrible influence on Cass if she caught what happened. Unfortunately, Leon missed it, having twisted himself down to stuff the tray into the oven for ten minutes.

Then he looked at Trisha, pocketing the twisted cap and making way for a glass to pour the heady beer into.
[color=577d06]”Babe… We were thinking about mead when Andrade was around. Maybe getting in touch with a brewery like this wouldn’t be a bad idea? When all’s said and done, obviously. Lee, we’re on time with that, right?”[/color]

He jumped between conversations, but only because [i]he[/i] knew he could have all of them at once. That didn’t make it any less confusing or rude, which Leon [i]could[/i] perceive. He picked his torso back up, making a funny face at Casey.

[color=C67C12]”Yeah… Everything’s fine on our end. What about the mead?”[/color] he looked back at Trisha subtly, trying to give her an encouraging smile.

[color=577d06]”Just, y’know, different ways to use the honey! It was one of the first conversations she and I had when we met. About, y’know, how much honey she’s always got. Now, we’ve barely got any! The vintage is practically dry, right Honey?”[/color] he smiled at her, pouring the beer slow and steady into the glass.


Trisha nodded with her own smile back, managing to not look horrendously anxious as he jumped about topics. Even if she was getting used to his erraticness- in that she expected it- she still struggled with it. Especially something like that, where one moment it felt like his attention was on her and the next it wasn’t. But it was fine. It’d been brought back round.

[color=d1b300]“It is, but I’ll have more bees soon. So production will go up, and there’ll be more to work with again. Using some for mead or something would be nice.”[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"Well, the owner of this brewery would probably be open to collaboration in the future. It’s his passion as much as it’s his job. You don’t specialise all your mundane and magical skills into one thing without that being the case."[/color] Reyna smiled, though she was watching Trisha carefully for any signs of being upset. Not at her, but at the topic switch. Though what she could do if her friend did get upset, she wasn’t sure.

[color=629c3f]”If it’ll get me some awesome mead outta it, I’ll donate even more limbs to the cause! Just ask!”[/color] Cass grinned, pulling out a completely different beer for herself. She held up it to purposefully show it off - Birthday Cake flavour it proudly proclaimed. 

Trisha’s face scrunched up. That sounded disgusting in a beer to her. 

[color=75a8ff]"Why would you have to donate your limbs?"[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Oh! Right! Cause the best way for Trisha to get more bees is to grow ‘em in human flesh. Obviously she ain’t gonna go get a bunch’ve corpses, [i]so[/i] I’m providing that flesh! Cause it ain’t so hard for me. It’s good practice, really, so it’s a win-win!”[/color] Cass grinned, lifting her beer up to crack open the beer with her teeth alone. It had looked way cooler when Casey did it with his teeth, rather than just flicking it off subtly with strengthened thumbs!

[color=d1b300]“She volunteered.”[/color] Trisha felt the need to explain. She didn’t want Reyna thinking anyone but Cass made the decision. 
[color=d1b300]“But it means I can grow my hive more… I have to make up for lost bees first, but then there’ll be a boost in honey production. It’ll be good for me. I’m trying to get better with my magic. Casey’s been helping me with that… Leon helped me communicate with my Apparition better too.”[/color]

Casey was laughing at Cass’ instant pick-up on the tooth popping.
[color=577d06]”We all opened ‘em like that. Y’know, sometimes you get a few in a shipment, or a supply. Or you find ‘em in some rubble, miraculously saved.”[/color]

Though, he wasn’t wholly distracted by the little story. It was all fresh in the moment, and his social battery was as high as it was going to get. He had to function. [i]Had to.[/i] Leon was nodding his head in response to Trisha’s acknowledgement, and he did have something to add, were he not swept off his feet mentally.

[color=577d06]”Did you mention [i]magical skills?[/i] This is Adeptal brew?”[/color] his head pivoted to ask Reyna, half coming out before he fully turned to her.

[color=75a8ff]"I suppose it is. From what I understand, he uses a mixture of traditional methods and Red Lux to brew them. Some are fully magically made, some fully non-magically, most a mixture of both to speed up the process."[/color] Reyna explained easily. The owner was essentially a family friend, so she knew a fair amount. He was one of the people who helped them when they first moved to the states, after all. 

[color=75a8ff]"So if Trisha worked with him with her honey, you wouldn’t have to hide its magical source. I’m glad you’re able to work on it more, Trisha."[/color]

Though Reyna also tried to redirect it back to what else was being said, Trisha just nodded without saying anything. To cover it up, pretending she wasn’t upset at what felt like constant ignoring from Casey, she moved over to pick up and nibble on some fruit. Her mouth was full, so she couldn’t say anything! Not that there was much point, anyway… Casey wouldn’t just ignore her, he’d change the topic to something else. That was fine. She didn’t really want to talk anyway.

As she began to lift pieces of fruit to her mouth, Reyna’s searching gaze caught sight of the ring on her left hand. Normally a more intricate ring wouldn’t cause any reaction, but it was on her [i]ring finger[/i]. Perhaps it was a mistake? No, that wasn’t a mistake Trisha would make. She dropped her eyes to look at Casey’s left hand, the matching ring confirming what she already suspected.

[color=75a8ff]"Are you two engaged?"[/color] Reyna raised her eyebrows, calm smile not fading. She didn’t sound accusatory or upset, just gently questioning. 

Trisha had a bit of watermelon in her mouth, so she just nodded again. She didn’t know if she could answer, as her anxiety started to crawl back out. She’d meant to tell Reyna. She was going to tell all her friends after, but then everything got so busy and she was too depressed to consider it. But now they had to explain [i]in person[/i]. What if Reyna disapproved? What if Casey reacted badly to that? What could she even say? She stuffed another piece of fruit in her mouth so she still couldn’t answer.

Casey’s eyes shot back up, then over to Trisha. His grin, cold and somewhat blank until now, suddenly softened in a way that Trisha would be able to recognize immediately. He raised both his hands up playfully after putting his glass down, and slid forward to clasp her face. Planting a kiss on her forehead, he looked down and giggled.

[color=577d06]”Yes ma’am! How could I live without this?”[/color] he said, tucking his arms around Trisha and waggling back and forth. His head twisted back up to Reyna fully, patting Trisha’s back slowly and gently.

[color=577d06]”I know she was keeping a lid on it, but I figured maybe you guys would’ve heard.”[/color]

There were magic topics, like a magical brewer to link up with… It was great news, because it meant a solid pipeline for money which Trisha would be able to be in charge of. She’d have independence, and the option to never settle for less. [i]Or,[/i] the option to contribute, and do whatever she wanted within the framework of their loving and trusting relationship.

But then there was the relationship itself… Their true connection, which he still had the utmost faith in. And that was the thing he wanted to connect with most. It was the golden link in the chain.

Looking back down at Trisha, he kept that smile burning bright, nuzzling into her. Leon nodded in the background, a laugh escaping from his nose as a simple huff of air. His head turned toward Cass, giving her a knowing wink. He wasn’t sure if Reyna was reading them, or if she was just good at moving things toward a place where Casey would focus.  He was hoping at some point that Casey would impose the question; if Reyna was even able to help in the first place, and whether or not she would then be [i]willing[/i] to scrub his memories for him.

Because if the blockage didn’t get processed soon? He’d turn into a slathering animal. Leon was sure of that, and didn’t want it getting to that point. Not at all. That’s why he appreciated this singular moment of tenderness, where he clearly found himself able to slow down. There was no question Casey [i]could[/i] push himself into moments like that; only whether or not he could do it consistently and not lose the plot in between. 

[color=577d06]”Surprise, I guess!”[/color] he continued, grinning back down at Trisha before squeezing her again.
[color=577d06]”I love you! Tell her about it, I wanna hear you talk about it.”[/color] he said in a dreamy voice, prompting her onward and not thinking about how he may’ve been putting her on the spot.

When Casey hugged her again, the tension and anxiety threatening to burst out of Trisha simmered back down. She was able to push it back down, melting into him with a soft sigh. She loved him so much, so she could get through anything she needed to. It was just easier when some of his attention was on her, because he was why she was pushing through in the first place.

[color=d1b300]“I don’t know how to talk about it."[/color] Trisha said softly, smiling back up at him. The thought of telling Reyna about it made her nervous. Because if anyone was going to give them a hard time for it being too early, it was her. Cass was easy. The easiest. Nadiyah had just about accepted it, but Reyna? She’d start worrying and prodding. Like she knew better than Trisha… Like she acted when she broke up with Trisha all those years ago. 

But Casey said he wanted to hear her talk about it. She could do that for him. She was already ignoring so much of her anxiety for him. 

[color=d1b300]“It’s just hard to put how amazing it was into words. But, uh…”[/color] She turned herself slightly to face Reyna while still leaning heavily into Casey, her arms having snaked around him to cling. 

[color=d1b300]“He actually proposed to me first when it was just us… It was really sweet. No ring, because he wanted to get something together. I ended up imagining what I wanted, and he got it out of my hand to send to his Grandmother to make. Then he used that to propose again at Thanksgiving in front of… A lot of people. I’m glad I knew it was going to happen, because I probably would’ve run away if I didn’t.”[/color] She giggled softly. It would’ve been even more overwhelming. 
[color=d1b300]“He made a really nice speech… I can’t really repeat it without ruining the effect. But it was perfect. Probably the best day of my life.”[/color]

She purposefully missed some stuff out, of course. To her it was romantic that Casey proposed right after an argument, but she doubted Reyna would agree. Then she called it the best day of her life… It would have been if it wasn’t for what happened afterwards. 

[color=d1b300]“I was going to tell you, but we’ve been so busy, I haven’t had time. I also expected Cass to have spilled it by now.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Hey, hey, let’s keep focusing on your love rather than my mistakes!”[/color] Cass had slipped around to Leon, which meant she smacked him right in the face as she threw her hands up. Accidentally! She immediately rubbed his chin apologetically… She wasn’t super boosted right now, but she was always a little boosted. 

She was glad things seemed… Calmer at least. Well, Casey seemed a bit calmer. He wasn’t jumping all around the place, which honestly she wasn’t sure she could judge when she did the same thing. But she wasn’t that bad! She was pretty attentive to the people who needed it, at least. 

Reyna watched Trisha and Casey for a moment, finger brushing against her jacket. She couldn’t ignore the pink that lit up her vision, all their other emotions swirling beneath the love filled aura. Even if it seemed a bit dulled on Casey’s side compared to the last time… But what could she say about that? And as a Pink Lux user, she knew emotions fluctuated. 

She knew that Trisha was probably expecting her to disapprove. Really, she felt a bit maligned by all her friends there. Trisha and Cass both, seeming to expect her to question their decisions. She just wouldn’t sit silently while she watched someone make bad decisions. 

Was getting engaged in a month sensible? Not in her opinion… But whether they were engaged or not, she knew Trisha’s feelings towards Casey would be the same. Thus, the effect of him hurting her or leaving her would be just as devastating. It was better to support and hope than speak out against it and risk Trisha pushing her away. At least, even with whatever was going on right now, Casey seemed good to her. And she was clearly happy. 

[color=75a8ff]"Congratulations. That’s a very early proposal… But you’re clearly both happy about it."[/color] Reyna smiled at them both. 
[color=75a8ff]"I’m glad I found out now, rather than from a text. It’s nicer this way. When do you plan to have the wedding?"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“We’re not rushing… I’d like a spring wedding, but next year would be too early. Maybe the year after. We’ll see.”[/color] Trisha responded, looking back up at Casey with a warm smile. 
[color=d1b300]“You only get one wedding, so we want to take our time planning it.”[/color]

Casey nodded along, the spark in his eye clearly not as dull as the emotions overall. It was a manic expression in the first place, which could easily be construed as that same passion he’d had up until now. As long as it was obfuscated to Trisha, he figured it didn’t matter what the source was. But, it probably looked a bit strange for Reyna, whom he looked back up at without quite losing the expression. 

[color=577d06]”I wouldn’t even know what I wanted to do for it to begin with, honestly. I’m sure we’re both banking on something small, but what that actually means is still up for grabs. I’m looking forward to seeing everything that happens in between, anyway.”[/color] he admitted happily, head tilting once more to make sure she didn’t react in that attentive moment.

[color=C67C12]”As long as you guys aren’t gonna force us to go camping or something.”[/color] Leon joked, doing his best to keep things airy as he rubbed his face and playfully bopped Cass in the cheek as revenge.

[color=629c3f]”Oh- That’s a great idea, Babe! A camping wedding would be [i]awesome[/i]!”[/color] Cass grinned, grabbing his hand playfully. She was bouncing on the spot, making it a little hard to tell if she was also joking or being entirely serious about it. 

[color=d1b300]“I’m not having a camping wedding.”[/color] Trisha shook her head, laughing softly. She didn’t exactly have a picture in her head of what it would be like, or a set idea they had to follow, but she knew it wasn’t going to be something like that. She was a little worried Casey might actually agree with what was clearly a joke from Leon. 

[color=d1b300]“Can you imagine trying to wear a wedding dress while camping? It would end up brown instead of white.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Don’t worry, I’ll hold up your skirts with my ten arms to stop any of it from getting muddy! It’s my job as your best bridesmaid!”[/color] 

[color=75a8ff]"There’s already roles assigned?"[/color] Reyna raised her eyebrows, managing to tear her eyes away from Casey and Trisha. Mostly Casey, as she tried to parse out his aura. Searching for anything suspicious… But it seemed like a case of pretending emotions were stronger than they were. Not a good thing, but not malicious. Her hand moved away from her channeler. 

[color=d1b300]“No. Cass decided for herself, and she changes her title every few days.”[/color]

Cass let out a little cackle. 
[color=629c3f]”I’m settled on this once, cause I’m the best! And it’s my birthday celebration, so gotta do what I say, which means-”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“You don’t get to decide my wedding because we’re celebrating your birthday.”[/color] Trisha interrupted lightly.

[color=629c3f]”I was gonna say another beer for me, but alright!”[/color] Cass stuck her tongue out at Trisha, reaching into the box to pull out a random beer.
[color=629c3f]”Crazy wedding idea aside, camping [i]is[/i] fun. I ain’t actually been since I came over to the states.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Oh, we gotta run tests first. Trisha’s good outside, but I don’t know about extended periods.”[/color] Casey giggled, wagging his eyebrows.
[color=577d06]”No point ruining the experience and turning her off of it forever.”[/color]

Leon laughed aloud knowing what Casey could do in terms of his magic. It seemed silly to worry about going camping when he could stuff an entire cabin into a pill. She’d probably wind up with [i]internet[/i] if she deemed it necessary.

[color=C67C12]”Don’t tell me you’re gonna subject her to [i]camping[/i]? Not when you, y’know…-”[/color]

Casey looked up at Leon and shrugged.

[color=577d06]”Well, what would be the point of camping if it didn’t have camping in it? Why make it a crazy luxury experience when it’s something that gets you centered back with nature?”[/color] Casey asked in turn, biting his lip before looking down again.

[color=577d06]”Aw, who am I kidding? Whatever gets you out there. You want a hot shower? Would that be enticing?”[/color] he asked Trisha, giggling to himself.

[color=d1b300]“I’m willing to try camping however it’s meant to be, if it’s with you.”[/color] Trisha responded sweetly. She could survive a night without showering, but being somewhere any longer then… She probably would want that hot shower. She didn’t have the constitution to shower cold. But she could probably deal with everything else camping had to offer, as long as it was with him. It wasn’t like she was overly fussy about where she spent her time, or needed to be in the lap of luxury.

[color=d1b300]“Then… I can ask for that hot shower if I need it. But I do want to try. I’ve never done it, and it feels like something I missed out on. I like being outside and I think I could sleep in a tent… And do whatever else you do when camping.”[/color] There were a lot of things she’d missed out on. A lot of time spent inside, in one room. She liked nature and the outdoors, and only appreciated it more now thanks to her bees. She wouldn’t mind a couple of days of the basics. 

[color=629c3f]”I dunno, Trisha.”[/color] Cass’ expression turned deadly serious for a moment, almost solemn. 
[color=629c3f]”Unless you get a massive sleeping bag that fits both of you, it’ll be really hard for you to cuddle at night.”[/color] 

[color=577d06]”Oh, well it’s not like I’m trying to stuff her into a foxhole. I like using my canvas tent. It’s a bit of a bitch to put up, but it’s like… A nice room. I’ve got a cot just for me, but they sell bigger ones. Or, I could make one myself. There’s certain luxuries that I think are nice. Like, rainproofing! God, don’t get me started on spending time in China. Where we were, it was raining constantly. I told myself I’d never wanna camp like that again if I had the choice.”[/color]

He was encouraged by what she said, at least. It was nice to know that she’d try whatever, and he hoped that what he had to say was encouraging in return.

[color=577d06]”We [i]could[/i] go to an actual campground, where there’s amenities available. But, I bet you’d appreciate the privacy a lot more if we went somewhere just, y’know, out in the woods.”[/color] he reinforced the point, moving to hold her hand.

[color=577d06]”Like, if we end up getting some property like I’ve been looking at? Maybe we can spend the first couple weeks camping as we build the first structure together.”[/color] he grinned widely.

[color=C67C12]”Oh! Yeah, Reyna… Casey’s stealing her away to Montana. They’re gonna raise bees and farm flowers.”[/color] Leon joked, leaning across the kitchen and poking Casey’s arm playfully.

Casey laughed back, but kept looking down at Trisha to see how she felt about the idea.

Trisha was trying to process the idea of camping for a couple of weeks while building a house, smile frozen on her face. She wasn’t actually sure if she could do that. She’d never been camping! So she really didn’t know. It made sense if they had to build their new home… But it was something she’d really have to think about. 

[color=75a8ff]"Montana? The middle of nowhere in Montana, I assume?"[/color] Reyna raised her eyebrows, looking at Trisha. It didn’t seem like the kind of thing Trisha would want… But then again, it had always been hard to tell what Trisha actually wanted. Maybe she’d thrive somewhere away from all the people. She’d never seemed to want some life filled with luxury, even though it had been handed to her since birth. 

[color=75a8ff]"Well I guess I’ll have to visit loads when you’re somewhere accessible! I never pictured Trisha as the farm type."[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I’m not the farm type… But I’d like to go somewhere quiet. Casey will tend the flowers, I’ll tend the bees!”[/color] Trisha said with a gentle laugh. Her expression shifted, smile no longer awkward and uncertain. 
[color=d1b300]“I’ll need a hot shower if you want to camp for a couple of weeks… But can we try going away camping for a weekend first? I don’t want to jump right into the deep end, though I’m sure I’ll enjoy it with you.”[/color]

Casey gave a big nod in return, both to Reyna’s assumption and to Trisha’s necessary bar for entry. He definitely would want her there, especially if his theory about camping’s relation to his moods held true. It meant there may be a February trip necessary, and [i]that[/i] would probably be a struggle. Something he’d almost have to guarantee a bit of extra luxury in, given how harsh the climate at that time could get.

[color=577d06]”Yeah! We’ll go pretty soon. It’ll be cold, we’ll go somewhere snowy. I’ll make sure you’re all bundled up. Hell, I’d put you on a little sled. That’ll be fun.”[/color] he smiled half into space, thinking about better days ahead before taking a deep breath and beaming back up at Reyna.

[color=577d06]”It’s good you’re an Adept. I’m gonna look into a couple different artifacts from the family collection. My slice of the pie. The hope is that we’ll have a way to make sure our Adeptal friends and family can get in and out quickly. There’s no reason we should ever be totally stranded or isolated. I just want to be able to choose to engage life on our terms. Which, we can both agree on, right Babe?”[/color] he asked, pretty sure she was in agreement with that scheme.

[color=d1b300]“Right. We’ll be able to have peace whenever we want, but we’ll be able to easily have people visit too. It’ll be a nice balance.”[/color] Trisha nodded with a smile. She didn’t want to be isolated from the few friends she had… But she’d be happy to move somewhere that was more out of the way. Living in a city was easy, but didn’t exactly bring her many benefits. Outside of places to look for partners, but she didn’t have to do that anymore. It meant they’d only have to see who they wanted to.

She didn’t say anything about the possible cold camping trip. The idea of going camping [i]now[/i] was less appealing than in the warmer months… But he seemed excited about it, so she didn’t want to rain on that.

[color=75a8ff]"That’s good to hear. I was a little worried I’d have to travel for a whole day just to visit."[/color] Reyna smiled, feeling truly relieved at that. They weren’t planning to just isolate themselves from everyone… Hopefully. He was planning to isolate her, the kind of behaviour that would really worry her. 

[color=629c3f]”Yeah, cause you’re gonna have to visit a lot if me and Lee also end up there… Which is very possible, assuming everything works out! Who knows how things’ll go but, we could all end up nice and cozy in Montana.”[/color] Cass grinned. 

Reyna’s attention turned to Cass and Leon, brow furrowing slightly. What was with her friends and planning their future with someone far too early?
[color=75a8ff]"Please tell me you two won’t be engaged as well the next time I visit. I’m not sure I can handle that."[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Uh, no! Just cause I might move somewhere with him in the future doesn’t mean we’re gonna get married!”[/color] Cass responded fairly bluntly, though she meant [i]soon[/i] rather than ever. They weren’t going to rush into things… Though she still wasn’t sure whether she wanted to get married one day or not.

Leon nodded and laughed aloud at Cass’ bluntness, loving how her best qualities always came forward under pressure. It was an incredibly admirable trait to possess, and he was always gonna want that part of her. He didn’t know many other people like that. 

Maybe Gin, but that was a completely different kind of relationship. In this context, it was less adorable, and far more attractive. Unable to help himself, he had to follow her over the edge.

[color=C67C12]”She knows I want a few pups though. We’re still negotiating that.”[/color] he grinned.

Which caused Casey to curl back into Trisha and laugh a little too hard at the joke. He still didn’t want to know about their sex life. But, he had to act cool, because he didn’t know how accustomed Reyna was to that kind of talk or behavior. It couldn’t be helped anyway, and at least Leon kept going.

[color=C67C12]”But, we’re nowhere near done having fun yet. I promised her a world tour. We’re gonna do a bit of questing, if you will.”[/color] he grinned widely at Reyna, tossing a playful jab at Cass.

Cass giggled, jerking her whole body to bump him back.
[color=629c3f]”Yeah, I ain’t even thinking ‘bout settling down or kids or any of that shit till I get my world tour and adventure! While these two skip straight to cozy fantasy, we’re gonna be doing all the cool shit!”[/color]

Trisha rolled her eyes at the two of them, not trying to suppress her normal reaction to when Leon and Cass talked like this. At least it was the normal one, and not something more extreme. 
[color=d1b300]“I’ll take my cozy home over travelling around any day.”[/color]

Reyna shook her head, laughing lightly. 
[color=75a8ff]"That doesn’t surprise me. Honestly, I’d be concerned if Cass wanted to settle down so soon. It would be very un-her. It’s good you're both on the same page."[/color]

Then she smiled at all of them. Maybe this would come across as a bit condescending, but she genuinely believed it. 

[color=75a8ff]"I’m glad that you all seem happy."[/color] Even if there were difficulties for one couple, which did concern her. But all relationships had struggles, it was how they got through it that mattered. Hopefully they would push through it. 
[color=75a8ff]"Genuinely. Just a couple of months ago I was worrying about both of you."[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Both?! Trisha I get, but what was there to worry about me?!”[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"You spent most of your day sending us memes, and complaining about how boring everything was. It wasn’t very healthy."[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Eh, well, eh- Sure it was boring as fuck, but I was fine!”[/color] Cass protested again. 

[color=d1b300]“I was fine too.”[/color] Trisha piped up. 
[color=d1b300]“Now I’m just [i]better[/i] than fine.”[/color]

Reyna held up her hands, just laughing at both of their stubborn denial.

The brothers could only look at one another and shake their heads between one another. There weren’t words they could share that wouldn’t give their mutual suspicions of one another away. It had to just look like a heartwarming family moment! Casey patted Trisha, kissing her on the top of the head.

[color=577d06]”You’re such a soldier, Baby.”[/color] he giggled, kissing her again before nudging her back toward where his beer was.

[color=C67C12]”I can see you not thriving in that environment, Cass! It’s gonna be crummy enough when we [i]do[/i] need to slow down and get you right.”[/color] he moved to her in turn, poking at her as he got closer.

Cass waggled a finger at him. 
[color=629c3f]”Nuh uh, I’m never gonna-”[/color] She cut herself off, actually processing what he’d said. He didn’t mean when they got old or any shit like that! He meant cause of her stupid curse, when they wouldn’t be able to do stuff cause she’d been stuck in bed. It [i]was[/i] going to be crummy. It would fucking suck!

Trisha was more than happy to let Casey move her towards wherever he wanted to be, as long as she got to stay near him. As she leaned against him again, she glanced between Reyna and Cass. She was happy to put the attention onto Cass rather than her and Casey for a moment, even if it was a little selfish to prod at this topic.
[color=d1b300]“Have you told her yet?”[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"Told me what?"[/color] Reyna answered, folding her arms.

[color=629c3f]”Uh, well, it ain’t really a topic for fun hang outs! Or birthday celebration days!”[/color] Cass protested, absolutely not wanting to bring the mood down. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to tell Reyna… She was generally an honest person after all. It was just still something she was processing, so she couldn’t just talk about it happily. 

[color=629c3f]”That makes it sound like I gotta talk about something real bad. I ain’t dying or anything! Just, we’re all having fun, we can talk about it another time!”[/color]

[color=577d06]”I’ll drink to that.”[/color] he said, holding up his glass as he repositioned his other arm to hug Trisha across the front. 
Then, he gave her another kiss, and took a big frothy sip. It was delicious.
[color=577d06]”Holy shit! This is awesome! Babe, I know you don’t want a lot, but just take a little sip of this. It’s fucking great. We need this guy’s number as soon as we’ve got honey to spare.”[/color] he happily stole the show back, just to make sure that others saw how fine they were.

Leon’s forehead beaded with a little sweat, and he grinned down at Cass hoping that Reyna wouldn’t protest to Casey taking things into his own hands. He hadn’t meant to blurt it out, but that was often Leon’s problem in the end. He just said things! He didn’t mean anything by it, only that he was already thinking ahead to those times! About how they’d treat her while they were out and about in the world. Leon couldn’t just put his whole life on hold if he was doing a circuit, or God forbid he was invited to tour at any great capacity. 

It was going to be a big part of his life. He was amazed that Cass had kept such a lock on it. His hands moved out quickly, batting at her arms in a teasing way, eyes making sure she knew he was confused and sorry all at once.

Cass batted his hands away playfully, looking up at him with a smile. She wasn't upset at him, and that much was clear in her expression. Fully accepting of his non verbal apology, if a little sad. She was upset about the circumstances… And she really just didn't want to talk about it today! 

Unlike Leon, she had been avoiding thinking ahead when it came to her illness. Every time she did, it just made her feel like shit. Because she knew it was going to make things difficult if they were on the road! She'd have to stop and she'd miss out on shit. It would suck ass. So she didn't even want to think about it, to stop herself spiralling into feeling actually gloomy about it. Cause she really was excited for everything else! And she wasn't upset right now.

So she returned fire, poking at his arms before reaching up to hook her arms around his neck. She tugged him forward so he was forced to bend down to her level.
[color=629c3f]"All good, Babe! I ain't upset."[/color] She magically muted her voice, so even this close he should only be able to pick it up thanks to his super hearing. The others would only hear if they were concentrating their White Lux on them. 

Trisha reached up for Casey's glass, taking a small sip from it. Her eyes closed for a moment… It [I]was[/I] really good. It made her a little upset that she really couldn't drink herself. One beer might be fine, but it risked more, which meant getting drunk. She knew she wasn't going to be a happy drunk tonight… She'd probably be sad, and she wouldn't be able to keep a lid on her emotions like she did now. So she couldn't risk it. 

Hopefully Casey would keep letting her have sips of his, so she could at least try whatever he was having. 

[color=d1b300]“It’s really nice. Almost makes me want to supercharge my bees so they'll work harder."[/color] Trisha smiled up at Casey, leaning back against him. She didn't particularly like the attention being back on them, but it was fine. At least he was there and present… Being slotted in against him, the warmth of his body against her back, helped. She could almost fool herself that she felt perfectly fine. 

[color=d1b300]“I’ll probably have enough honey next February or March, seeing as I'm supplying Andrade with less for now."[/color] Even though he'd moved away, the contracts they had still held- or at least, had been amended. Just without the restaurants, there wasn't much to supply right now. 
[color=d1b300]“We need to refill our own supply, and I want to get my website running- even if it's just small quantities. Then we can get in touch with this guy to make mead. Do you really think he'll be that willing to work with us, Rey?"[/color]

Of course the typical anxiety came out. Would a brewery this good really want to use her honey? 

[color=75a8ff]"I'm sure he would, especially if he knows it's not just normal honey."[/color] Reyna smiled. She glanced over at Leon and Cass, but easily moved on without pushing her. It was Cass, after all- if she said they'd talk about it another time, they would. She wasn't one for hiding things. 

[color=75a8ff]"You'll probably have to visit, so he can test out your honey with you there. He's quite the hands on man… The Brewery isn't close to our university, but I'm sure if you made a trip of it you could show that off to Casey."[/color]

Trisha nodded at that, head tilting towards Casey. 
[color=d1b300]“That could be quite nice. I did spend four years there… We could make a trip out of it sometime."[/color]

Casey nodded in turn, accepting that at some point they’d be going to the midwest whether he wanted to or not. If it wasn’t this, it probably would’ve been something else that brought them into that windy, frozen shithole. He didn’t have a lot of good memories in Chicago. A parade that went tits up, a few presentations from the church as a younger kid, two tournaments following Gravity into the Windy City. He didn’t have anything against it per se, as much as he just didn’t have any reason to suspect it was worth going there. 

At least now they had personal reasons. This time would be the charm! She’d show him all the quiet little spots that a bunch of soldiers had no reason to look for.

[color=C67C12]”Let's go as a family! We’ll pack the girls up, get them the fuck out of here; I think it’ll be great! The estate’s still in charge of the Barrelchest!”[/color] Leon exclaimed with a wide smile, thinking fondly about all the good times he had experienced in the Ol’ Chi.

Casey immediately narrowed his eyes, in utter disbelief that they still had property there.
[color=577d06]”What the fuck? The Colbys aren’t dead?”[/color] was the only question Casey could possibly muster. He remembered Mr. Colby being old when they were [i]kids[/i]. Now? He must’ve been venerable.

Leon laughed and shook his head.
[color=C67C12]”Nah, Senior died a few years ago. You were on your last tour. Rodney actually came back home because of it; said the Army gave him some kind of pass ‘cuz he was the only son in the family.”[/color]

Casey frowned slightly, remembering playing with Rodney and Antonio as kids. If Rodney was the only son-

[color=577d06]”Where… the fuck did Tony go?”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Bought a farm, as you guys say. Somewhere over Finland.”[/color]

It made sense to Casey. Antonio had always loved planes. He remembered the collection on the boy’s wall. Rodney Senior had been their grandfather, on account the boys’ father was almost always traveling with [i]their[/i] dad.

Leon saw his brother become instantly introspective, and looked around the room until he settled on Reyna.

[color=C67C12]”Sorry! The Barrelchest is a little fuckin’ hole in the wall hotel over there. Up in Lakewood; technically our family owns it, but we really just bought the bills out from the owning family. Rodney Colby, his son is, uh… [i]Alexander Colby.[/i]”[/color]

A name Cass would’ve been foolish not to speak practically in the same breath as Gravity Richoux. Formerly “Coffin Colby”, who became “The Colby Comet” once he’d joined their Father’s team. Old Rodney was a boxer himself, and a captain in the first world war almost seventy years ago, who had won the building around the turn of the century. Much like the Cannery, it underwent renovation from an industrial processing facility into housing for travellers. Now it was a historic site, and they got paid more to let people tour the place than they did hosting guests. 

[color=C67C12]”And so, now his oldest son, J-Rod, we call him, but he’s Rodney Junior after his Grandfather. He’s the guy in charge of keeping it on the up. Since Alex, tragically-”[/color] he let Cass explain to the group what happened to poor Comet Colby.

[color=629c3f]”He got hit by a comet!- Wait.”[/color] Cass paused, eyes narrowing thoughtfully as she put two and two together. They knew each other… Comet Colby had been in Gravity’s team, who she knew had magic. They all had magic. They were crazy magic families. 

[color=629c3f]”Wait, he didn’t- It wasn’t a fucking freak meteor strike, was it?!”[/color]

Reyna raised her eyebrows. She didn’t know anything about boxing, but she did know that freak meteor strikes tended not to happen very often and they didn’t generally kill just one person. 
[color=75a8ff]"It’s a good excuse for a magical death. Did you seriously think it was a comet?"[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Yessssss! Of course I did!”[/color] Cass wailed.

Trisha only half listened, looking up at Casey with a slightly tired smile. 
[color=d1b300]“So much for a quiet future trip.”[/color] She whispered. Though if they ended up going to Chicago as a big group, the two of them were definitely spending a good chunk of the time alone. Cass could give the rest the university haunt tour.

Casey snorted to himself gently, air huffing out of his nose almost silently. 
[color=577d06]”It’s not something we have to tell anyone about. It’s a business trip.”[/color]

Leon was, thankfully, too wrapped up in relaying the information at hand to Cass to hear Casey’s insistence that they’d be alone.

[color=C67C12]”Yeah, I always thought it was a pretty wild claim for something so tongue-in-cheek, but I guess that was one of his last wishes. Dude got cursed by some asshole Adept gambler, I guess he wasted a bunch of money, tried to force Alex to fix a fight to get it all back, then tried extorting him when he wouldn’t. Ultimately, Alex beat the fuck out of the guy, but didn’t kill him. So, he cursed him with this crazy withering-”[/color]

[color=577d06]”-Westergard’s Curse of Seven Moons.”[/color] Casey piped up, feeling the need to clarify. 

Leon stuck his finger up.

[color=C67C12]”That’s the one. So, yeah. Seven moons, and you die. The Union spent seven months trying to find the guy, but he went hard to ground, and they couldn’t muster him. The guy showed up at Alex’s funeral in a green suit with a bouquet of clovers.”[/color]

Casey shook his head. It was something morbid to laugh at, but he couldn’t help it. That was the kind of pettiness he sometimes wished he could emulate, because it would simply hurt others. It was appealing to lose one’s sense of morality, even if only for a fleeting glimpse of what could be.
He’d spent long enough being exactly who he was without any sort of walls or masks. Active duty affords you that. His position, especially. A lone expert. A specialist. He didn’t have any one home, and went where he was needed. If people needed him, that meant putting up with whoever the Hell he was. And that meant dealing with every dark, depraved joke and sick ideas he happened to get a kick out of that day.

[color=577d06]”That pretty much sums up Eustace Westergard. Nine times nine lives, that guy.”[/color] he said without sounding [i]too[/i] impressed.

Leon just nodded.
[color=C67C12]”Yeah… Died of old fucking age too, crazy enough. Couldn’t outrun the reaper, thank fuck.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”[i]Oooo[/i] it’s good he’s already fucking dead, because he wouldn’t’ve been able to outrun me either!”[/color] Cass’ sense of justice was set alight, and she was even rotating one arm like she was about to go into a fight. That asshole! Fucker lost a bunch of his own money then got pissed when someone had morals, and killed him! Goddamn, curses were the fucking worst.

Reyna shook her head.
[color=75a8ff]"Blue Lux often brings out the worst in people. Not all of them, but it’s quite common. We can be thankful it’s the rarest type."[/color]

Trisha didn’t really have much to say. She didn’t know the long dead man- obviously- and while his death sounded tragic, it was kind of funny how petty it had been. Over something so small. It would be nice to be that free, and to just not worry about what was right and wrong. 

[color=d1b300]“The one Blue Adept I knew- uh, aside from Andrade- was a bitch. Honestly, that’s probably too nice. She was horrible to everyone, and her magic wasn’t even that useful.”[/color] With nothing to say about the situation, Trisha went back to her comfort place- bitching about someone from her past. 
[color=d1b300]“But she always acted like she was better than everyone because her family was rich [i]and[/i] powerful Adepts.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Oh, fuck, yeah. Not a good woman. Did she…-”[/color]

Casey nodded.

[color=577d06]”And sent packing. Her and Baksh both, I guess they decided it was time for a vacation.”[/color]

Leon breathed a sigh of relief. He may not have liked either of those women, but anyone who had to die to Dollhouse and their ill-conceived machinations, died for something that never should’ve happened in the first place. Anyone left was alright in his book. So, bygones could be bygones. Still, he wasn’t above a little shittalking.

[color=C67C12]”It’s a tough magic to wield. Obviously, she wasn’t the type for diligence besides consistently acting like an ass. But, being depressed all the time has got to wear on the soul.”[/color] Leon tried to relate, veiling a dig with a commentary.

Casey shook his head. Having known a few Blue Adepts besides Andrade himself, he’d seen how devastating a true Curse Master could be. Andrade was purely unique thanks to his dual Adepthood. Black and Blue are an obviously horrifying combination, but pure blue was a far more subtle nightmare. It wasn’t about what a curse could do instantly. It was about what it could do over time. What the capacity for those feelings were inside the Adept, and how they learned to apply their sorrow beyond their own body.

[color=577d06]”Think about the fact that there’s only a couple of kinds of magic that linger after death. Out of all of them, most require rituals, or some kind of anchoring to a magical point.”[/color] Casey spoke from Cass back down to Trisha, avoiding Reyna as he didn’t want to assume she didn’t know this already.
Taking a sip of his beer, he held it back down to see if she wanted another sip.

[color=577d06]”But, uniquely, Orange and Blue Lux have the distinction of lingering after Death. For whatever reason, they’re naturally persistent. So, a good Orange, or Blue, Adept… Which, if I remember correctly, Sloane was [i]both?[/i] Can weave spells that can withstand the test of time. We can look at most Artifacts, whose influence is almost always either Apparitional in nature, or made of Orange Lux artifice. Or, ancient curses… Like-”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”-Like Matthew’s Marching Feet!”[/color] Leon immediately took over, making sure Casey didn’t go anywhere near the more sensitive curse in the room.

[color=577d06]”God, right. That shit’ll drive you nuts if it holds.”[/color] he looked at Reyna, raising his eyebrows as if to ask her familiarity.

[color=75a8ff]"I know of it."[/color] Reyna nodded. Her family definitely wasn’t like the Richoux in terms of their wealth of magical knowledge, but both sides came from long and relatively pure lines of Adepts. Knowledge was passed down, and small magical communities always found. So she knew enough. 

[color=75a8ff]"It sounds like the worst case of tinnitus you could get."[/color]

Trisha pursed her lips, before reaching to take another sip of Casey’s beer. She was following the conversation, but she didn’t really understand what it had to do with what she’d said about Sloane. It already sounded like Leon was defending her, so she really hoped Casey wasn’t. He probably wasn’t, right? He was just taking the opportunity to talk about something he enjoyed discussing. 

[color=629c3f]”Wait, tinnitus- it ain’t something that makes you just constantly march?”[/color] Cass obviously knew very well how ancient curses persisted. She was fucking stuck with one! But this Marching Feet one sounded very different. 

Trisha tilted her head down. 
[color=d1b300]“What does this have to do with Sloane? Do you think it excuses what she was like?”[/color] 

[color=577d06]”Oh, that she didn’t stand a fucking chance, yeah. Not really an excuse-”[/color]
[color=C67C12]”-But it does explain a lot, yeah. She’s like… Constantly stuck between wanting to be a badass and being in a total self-absorbed depressive state. Like, we all deal with shitty moments, but try balancing those two feelings constantly. It didn’t surprise me that she wasn’t very helpful back then, and it doesn’t surprise me now.”[/color] Leon finished, shrugging his shoulders.

[color=C67C12]”I won’t hold it against her. I just hope she doesn’t go pointing herself at whatever and using her magic lightly. Hell, if I were ever going to encourage someone to Sever for the sake of their own mental health, it’d be fucking Sloane Farris. My [i]God![/i]”[/color] He shook his head, an absent smirk crossing his face.

[color=577d06]”Wow! Tell us how you really feel, Lee.”[/color] Casey giggled, looking down at Trisha.
[color=577d06]”I never bothered much with her files. Was she really that bad, Babe?”[/color] he asked her.

Trisha nodded, managing not to glare at Leon for what very much sounded like defending a shitty person thanks to Casey’s attention landing back on her. Because she was fine enough that she could handle something that really shouldn’t upset her so much. She’d said she’d be patient with Leon, which meant being patient with him excusing people like that. 

[color=d1b300]“She was. Half the time she had as much personality as a rock, the other half she was being the most judgmental bitch imagineable. She’d criticise everything and everyone. It was like she thought she was the only one that could do anything.”[/color] Trisha scrunched up her face in displeasure. The two of them had clashed a fair few times.

[color=d1b300]“Normally she’d be hiding with all the other ‘smart’ kids, who organised things over the radios. But there were a couple of times she came out… I ended up with her once. She spent the whole time criticising us, and she blamed [i]me[/i] when she ended up getting stung during a fight because she was trying to fend off a monster with a useless cursed item! I [i]saved[/i] her life and she ripped into me rather than being thankful.”[/color] 

For anyone that knew Trisha- which was everyone in the room- it would be obvious why she disliked someone like Sloane so much. Her lacking self confidence couldn’t take many blows, so harsh criticism was incredibly difficult for her to deal with. The way Sloane delivered her ‘hard truths’ was so similar to how Maria did too… Completely unempathetic. 

Casey nodded and gently patted under the arm he was holding around her.
[color=577d06]”Well, good news is that by the time she’s back here full time, we should be cleared out. And you’ll never ever have a chance in Hell of seeing her again.”[/color] he mused, sounding chipper about that at least.

Leon nodded.
[color=C67C12]”Yeah, that’s honestly been a blessing in disguise. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about other places I’d settle in if I didn’t have a foot bolted down to this city. Now’s the time to unscrew the last few fasteners.”[/color] he proudly added to Casey’s point.

The two of them exchanged nods, and Leon looked down at the box of beer before starting to rummage through for one [i]he[/i] found interesting as opposed to one that a [i]monster[/i] was interested in.

Trisha looked up at Casey before nodding. He was right… They’d be gone by the time she was back. Trisha never had to seem [i]any[/i] of them again. She was done with Sycamore, aside from Leon- who hardly counted at this point. They had more connections than just a dead coven. 

[color=d1b300]“None of us will have anything tying us to this city anymore… Which will be nice.”[/color] She agreed. Though, technically the things that had tied her down externally were gone now. It was just Casey, and waiting for the Temple to collapse and be done. Thanks to him, she had the confidence to leave her own family… Or at least, stop relying on them and staying here because it was easy. And with ‘Father Wolf’ dead she was safe to go wherever she wanted to. 

[color=629c3f]”Ooo, I’m an expert at unscrewing shitty place fasteners! Lemme get my hands in there!”[/color] Cass joked, holding up her hands as her nails grew into claws, as if she was going to slice through his foot. She wasn’t, obviously, but it was for the effect of it! 

Though, it had been different for her… She’d left while she still had plenty back there. But it also hadn’t been a crazy cult where leaving was like dying!

Reyna laughed lightly. 
[color=75a8ff]"You’re great at doing things like that through brute force, sure, Cass. I’m not sure that counts as being an expert."[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Uh, yeah it does! When have you seen me do that kinda shit anyway? I ain’t- Oh! Was it when I punched Naima’s brother and told him to get the hell outta her life!”[/color]

Reyna just nodded.

[color=629c3f]”It worked out, though! She even lived with me for a few years.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“She broke up with me, though.”[/color] Trisha complained. 

Cass laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of her neck. That had been entirely unrelated to the brother punching incident, the timing just happened to line up enough that she chose to take the blame… For Trisha’s sake!

[color=C67C12]”Oh, [i]that[/i] Naima… Geeze, Cass, where [i]haven’t[/i] your fists been at?”[/color] Leon playfully asked, putting his hands up like he did whenever they were sparring; open and ready for her to punch at.

Casey shook his head, looking up only for a brief moment before turning back down to Trisha. He couldn’t help but wonder why on Earth it mattered whether or not that person broke up with her. A million different things he [i]could’ve[/i] said went through his mind before he settled on just squeezing her a little tighter. It was the only option that wouldn’t have ultimately sounded snide or otherwise like bait for a fight. 

[color=577d06]”It’s pretty funny, honestly. How you always seem so ready for action, even when you always settle things pretty humanely, Cass.”[/color] he offered an insight instead, smoothing his desires out with distractions.

[color=629c3f]”Oh yeah, I only punch people who really deserve it!”[/color] Cass nodded enthusiastically, making an exaggerated [i]swoosh[/i] sound with her mouth as she punched Leon’s open hands. She didn’t do any extra magical boosts like she normally would when they sparred- cause they were inside and not sparring! She didn’t want to risk accidentally getting too excited and breaking the countertop or something. 

[color=629c3f]”I always try to talk it out first! But if it ain’t working, the fists gotta come out!”[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"Apart from when she’s drunk."[/color] Reyna countered.
[color=75a8ff]"Then, she goes for the fists first, and I would be the one cleaning up the mess."[/color]

Trisha nodded in agreement to that, though she didn’t look up at her friends. She was too busy leaning back into Casey, her arm hooking round his, like she was trying to merge with him. She wasn’t [i]upset[/i]- at least anymore than she had been the whole time- but the mention of another ex had set off her anxiety a little. Her own reaction outing that the person was an ex had set off her anxiety! Sure, Casey had said multiple times that he didn’t care how many people she’d been with, but that didn’t mean she should risk rubbing it in his face. Eventually he could decide he’d had enough of it, and deserve someone that didn’t have such a tarnished history. 

[color=629c3f]”Heyyy, don’t act like you also step in and try to sort this kinda shit out! Just you always use your words instead of fists, and you’re real good at it- Anyway, point is! I punch people who deserve it! Hard! And it’s almost always men cause, no offence, they’re  mostly likely to be aggressive, [i]sexist[/i] assholes.”[/color] 

[color=C67C12]”I’ve always found it to be a wealth-distributed demographic.”[/color] Leon offered as an idea.

One that Casey scoffed openly at.

[color=577d06]”Please, it’s one hundred percent an individual basis. It’s totally-”[/color]
He stopped, biting the bottom of his lip before swinging the cup in his hand about gently.
[color=577d06]”-totally subjective on all fronts. Coming from our modern military, there’s rich people and poor people. Men and women. Nobody’s got a decent thing to say about anyone else as a group. But, if you ask them who their favorite people in their lives are, I bet you’ll get a healthy mix of people of all kinds.”[/color]

Leon pouted his bottom lip out.

[color=C67C12]”Oh no, he’s been hitting the internet again.”[/color] he mocked.

Casey scowled back.
[color=577d06]”Just… Giving my unsolicited opinion, clearly.”[/color]

Trisha frowned, subtly tensing. She wasn’t happy that things seemed to be escalating, and Casey’s tone set off her anxiety. He wasn’t about to explode, was he? What happened to acting fine? She wasn’t sure if she could deal with him and Leon fighting.

[color=629c3f]”Whoa, whoa!”[/color] Cass waved her hands in the air vaguely between the two, as if she could cut the growing tension with them. She certainly hadn’t meant for this to happen with the comment!

[color=629c3f]”I wasn’t saying [i]all[/i] men are aggressive assholes, or that all women are perfect not-assholes! Just that my experience is that I gotta beat up men the most, cause they do shit to my lady friends… Of course it’s an individual thing. Sorta. There’s societal shit there, but we ain’t getting into that here!”[/color] She continued, doing her best to damage control before either Leon or Casey got more annoyed at the other.

It was such a silly thing to fight about. Well, maybe not silly, considering the societal effects- but right now, it wasn’t important.

[color=629c3f]”[i]Clearly[/i] I gotta healthy mix of people in my life! I mean, hell, there’s more men in there. And one of the [i]worst[/i] for everyday sexism is my own Ma!”[/color] She bounced a bit, throwing out something kinda personal in her attempts to cool things down. Not that she kept things that hidden, like Trisha did. 

She then reached up to pat Leon’s arm.
[color=629c3f]”It ain’t an unsolicited opinion, Casey. But whatever Leon was gonna say ain’t unsolicited either. Clearly there’s some different opinions, and that’s fine. I was just making an observation and all, I wasn’t tryna make it seem like a fact.”[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"It’s probably not a topic to dwell on. Can’t say it’s a particularly… Fun one."[/color] Reyna commented, very subtly inclined her head towards Trisha, who was still silently trying to melt into Casey and not have a panic attack. It was subtle- an increasing tension that only Casey would be able to feel since he was so close to her. It didn’t look much different to how she’d been moments before after grumbling about her ex. She was doing her best to keep it hidden.

But Reyna had gone for her channeler again, and could see the fluctuations around Trisha’s Emotional Field. 

Casey wanted to argue about things. He didn’t want to sit silently and let people bowl his opinion over without recourse. He certainly didn’t want to yield when he felt he was absolutely correct either. But, he knew just as well that doing so wouldn’t be very good for showing them all that they were [i]fine.[/i] He could keep a lid on it. He even thought his reaction hadn’t been particularly bad! Maybe a little snarky, but who wouldn’t be like that in the situation he was faced with?

Most of all, he could feel Trisha bridaling, and knew that there wasn’t any way forward through that mire that didn’t involve her getting more stressed out. Did she hate his opinion? Was it more that? Or more that she thought he was going to start an argument? Either way, he didn’t want to feel scorned by her. He didn’t want the separation between them to widen in the space between true love. 

But they were all treating it like it was an inevitable explosion. Like something awful was going to happen just because he got a little mad. They couldn’t handle him being upset. Clearly because they were afraid of the two giants in the room getting into some sort of shouting match. They were brothers, for God’s sake. Cass had siblings; had she never had an argument with them that was over ten seconds later? They were taught to not hold grudges like that. 

Leon could easily read his little brother’s twisting face. It was the same one that the frustrated toddler used to get when his favorite hammer toy got taken away because he was hitting Junior with it. The look that almost seemed threatening if it wasn’t attached to something so adorable. He still saw Casey that way so often, it was hard not to want to baby him.

[color=C67C12]”We’re all good! I’m good, at least-”[/color]
The oven timer went off for hot sandwiches, and Leon bent back down to pull the tray out as Casey’s head twisted from Leon and Cass, to Reyna, then back to Trisha.

[color=577d06]”Was I giving [i]not[/i] good vibes?”[/color] he asked openly.

[color=629c3f]”You both were! I ain’t dealing with you two getting all shouty at each other today… You can punch anything out at a gym later!”[/color] Cass responded, making sure to spread the ‘blame’. Not that she was blaming either of them. Sure, she wouldn’t have been as worried if she didn’t know Casey was in a shit place right now… But even in a good place, the two had issues before. Like that crazy time in the store where Casey pulled rank! Sure, they hadn’t outright fought, but shit had been tense. 

It wasn’t such an easy thing to answer for Reyna, whose focus had mainly been on Trisha. If she mentioned that she could see the increasing panic, Trisha would either panic more or double down on being perfectly fine. She’d become incredibly fake- neither was something Reyna wanted to happen. 

[color=75a8ff]"A little. I figured it wasn’t the time… And I’m afraid I’m a little too used to stopping my younger brother’s from fighting. Perhaps that feeling slipped in."[/color] She ended up settling on as an explanation. 

At least with things calming back down, Trisha was able to as well. She didn’t actually respond to Casey verbally, instead half shaking her head and turning around so that she could properly hug into him. She was just so on edge right now. A slightly harsher tone set off her anxiety… Because she was constantly waiting for another fight. She [i]shouldn’t[/i] be. She should trust that he’d really be able to manage. But he kept almost starting fights with [i]her[/i]. 

It was difficult, because each time the base level her anxiety went back to was higher. 

After hugging him for a moment, she spoke up quietly.
[color=d1b300]“I was just worried Cass might try to punch you.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Aw, Trisha, don’t slander me like that! I said I punch [i]assholes[/i]. So I’d only punch either of ‘em if they really started acting that way!”[/color] Cass let out a joke huff, already going for the hot sandwiches, fingers wriggling as she reached for them fresh out the oven.

Suddenly, he really did just want to go back upstairs. How could he allow himself to be baited into a conversation, then feel like the bad guy for holding back even though he’d done everything he could? It really wasn’t good enough… And if it wasn’t good enough around this group of people, how was it ever going to be good enough in a big party full of people? So, rather than protest further, Casey simply took what they’d said to him, and decided to shut the fuck up altogether. It was a lot easier just not saying anything than it was accidentally overexplaining and then covering for it in the end.

He hugged Trisha just that little bit tighter, energy changing slightly around her as she’d be able to feel him lose a little wind in the sails. At least Leon didn’t skip a beat. Picking up a couple sandwiches for himself, he pointed down at the hotplate full of them.

[color=C67C12]”Want one? There’s vegetarian [i]and[/i] vegan options as well.”[/color] he offered to Reyna, as if having the variety was going to convince her where she otherwise wouldn’t have been.

[color=629c3f]”Better be quick or I’ll eat ‘em all!”[/color] Cass added, stuffing one right into her mouth like an absolute animal. It didn’t even bother her that it was hot. 

Thankfully Reyna was used to Cass’ horrendous eating habits, so the sight of it didn’t destroy her own appetite. She smiled. 
[color=75a8ff]"I’ll have one… That should be enough for me. I don’t need the extra fuel."[/color]

Trisha, obviously, didn’t plan to eat anything more. She concentrated on Casey, hands moving up to rub his back as she looked up at him with gentle concern. It wasn’t because of how she reacted that he was feeling down, was it? Assuming that was how he was feeling. Certainly less energised than before. It probably wasn’t just her. It was probably everyone. Not just her. Because if it was just her, he wouldn’t be hugging her like this. 

[color=d1b300]“Do you want one? A sandwich?”[/color] She asked softly. 

[color=577d06]”No thank you.”[/color] he replied in an equally soft, if not distant tone. 

He was trying to figure out excuses that wouldn’t be excuses to run back upstairs and lock himself away out of embarrassment. His cheeks were getting warm, and he couldn’t tell if it was that, or frustration. Either way, his appetite certainly wasn’t there anymore, and he’d put the beer down on the counter to back up slightly and lean against the fridge.

Trisha followed his slight move back, though hesitantly. She was clearly beginning to clock out of the surrounding conversation too, tunnel visioning on Casey. She wasn’t sure what to do, though, or what he wanted. He was the one who’d come into this feeling so strongly about pretending to be fine… Not that she didn’t want to either. She hated people figuring out something was wrong. But if he was dropping the act a bit, what did that mean? Should they leave, but how?

Reyna glanced at the couple as she pushed off the back of the couch she was leaning against, choosing not to use her channeler to read them. The temptation would just lead to wanting to fix something she couldn’t fix. 

[color=75a8ff]"Before I get my hands greasy… Do you want your main present, Cass? Seeing as Trisha’s here too."[/color] Reyna said, reaching for the gift bag she’d brought down with her and holding it up.

Cass’ eyes widened and lit up at the same time, half a sandwich hanging out of her mouth. She tilted her head back to quickly gobble it down. 
[color=629c3f]”There’s more?!”[/color] 

[color=75a8ff]"I did say the beer was just part of it."[/color] Reyna laughed, moving forward to hold it out towards Cass. Cass wiped her hands on her shorts before bouncing over to take the bag with an excited grin. 
[color=75a8ff]"This one’s from me, Trisha and Diyah."[/color]

[color=d1b300]“[i]And[/i] Casey.”[/color] Trisha spoke up slightly. She had paid for half of it, after all. Her original plan had been to get Cass a joint gift from her and Casey, but when Reyna suggested getting something all together it had made things easier. It meant they could get her something quite valuable as well.

It was a pretty big bag, and Cass pulled a pretty hefty, wrapped box out of it. It was small enough to fit in a backpack, but pretty decently sized. She didn’t wait to rip into it, letting out an excited gasp.
[color=629c3f]”Holy shit, no way! You- How did you know the best fucking brand to get?! What the fuck!?”[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"Because I listen to you."[/color] Reyna smiled. 

Cass grinned, holding up the box that she’d been clutching to show it off. It was a [i]soldering station[/i]. A very nice one at that. For most people, it was an odd gift. But for Cass, who loved playing around with circuits and all sorts of shit, it was great.

[color=75a8ff]"[i]And[/i] I was concerned you’d burn your apartment down if you kept using your old one. Which you said multiple times was old and starting to smell bad whenever you used it."[/color]

[color=629c3f]”It wasn’t [i]that[/i] bad… But this is amazing! Thank you!”[/color] Cass wanted to hug all three of them, but figured that Trisha and Casey probably didn’t want that… At least, she couldn’t tell. So before getting to the thankful hugging, she spun around and shoved the box towards Leon.

[color=629c3f]”Look, Babe! Now it’s gonna be [i]so[/i] much easier to make funky mini computers that I then blast with my Lux! [i]And[/i] I bet I’ll stop burning myself everytime I solder shit!”[/color]

Leon looked down at the machine with a confused but discerning eye. The box had a decent display of what was inside, and he leered down at it to compare it with the tool she’d been using thus far. It was definitely higher quality, he could tell just by the sheer weight of it, and the fact that he couldn’t hear or feel any rogue play between the components within. Everything was solidly built and fitted together like a glove.

[color=C67C12]”She says it ain’t bad, but she can turn her super nose off. Honestly, [i]I’m[/i] grateful for a gift like this.”[/color] 
He looked up at Rey, then the happy corner couple.
[color=C67C12]”Thank you guys. We’ll both get some use out of it. Babe, is this the one that doubles as a wand?”[/color] he joked, turning the tender moment into something pervy.

Casey was already having a hard time dealing with being pointed out. He’d barely had anything to do with the gift. Trisha asked him if it was fine, he said yes. It wasn’t his gift. Frankly, he hadn’t gotten anything for her. Not intentionally, but just out of ignorance. He wasn’t a gift person at heart. He suddenly feared having to remember an anniversary, or some other special date that didn’t happen to fall on a major holiday. Birthdays escaped him more than anything else. It only made it harder to remember Trisha’s birthday, because her birthday wasn’t actually on a Holiday! He’d never in a million years remember if it was [i]before[/i] Christmas or [i]after![/i]

Still, he patted Trisha’s arm as if to encourage her celebration with them so neither of them seemed like they were trying to bring the mood down intentionally. But, he was straining. It was harder being made to seem like he was a part of something that he wasn’t… Like it was some kind of pity.

[color=629c3f]”It can be if you’re brave enough!”[/color] Cass cackled, grinning up at Leon and waggling her eyebrows. 
[color=629c3f]”Or crazy enough!”[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"You’re welcome. Honestly, I’m glad it really was the right one. Though I’m not dealing with any returns if you decide to use it for something like that."[/color] Reyna said with a light laugh.

It was difficult for Trisha to insert herself, even as Casey encouraged her. Normally she’d roll her eyes at the current pervy turn, but that wouldn’t really be celebrating. It was pretty far from acting excited. But she wasn’t sure how to get excited. She was overthinking how to act so she seemed [i]normal[/i]. Not too much, and not too little. [i]She could do it, she’d said she could.[/i] Especially since Casey wasn’t saying anything. She had to cover for them both.

[color=d1b300]“I want my money back if you do that.”[/color] Trisha intoned drily, shifting around so that she was facing everyone else again without moving away from Casey. Then, she smiled. 
[color=d1b300]“I’m glad you like it. I’m also glad it’ll save your nose, Leon… My senses are normal and it was bad enough when I lived with Cass.”[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”Don’t lie, you’re just glad that I ain’t gonna accidentally burn this building down now!”[/color] Cass teased with a bright grin.

[color=d1b300]“If I was worried about that, I would’ve thrown away your old one when we lived together before.”[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”Whoa?! Did you hear that? Trisha thought about throwing away my precious soldering iron!”[/color] Cass gasped, clutching at her chest jokingly.

[color=C67C12]”I’ve certainly thought about crying while having to smell it. It lingers. Even when you used it hours ago, I can tell you used it. The smell of plasma and chemical changes. And the alloy of whatever tin and other bullshit they use in the actual solder.”[/color] Leon continued, adding to the visceral description of Cass’ hobby.

[color=577d06]”If you’re attached to the old one, leave it up in my office one day. I’ll do something special with it for you.”[/color] Casey quietly offered, knowing what nostalgia and sentiment could do for the human soul.

Of course, what he meant he’d do with it wasn’t clear, so Leon had to make the joke in turn.
[color=C67C12]”I swear to God if that thing comes back on its second life as an actual vibrator-”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Why the fuck would I make-”[/color]
The tone in his voice was immediately harsher than it had to be, and he stopped on a dime to pivot away from the attitude.
[color=577d06]”-There’s a lot of things it could be that don’t have to have sex involved. I’m sure I can come up with something more creative.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Alright, I’m just making sure. I don’t think I could handle it.”[/color] Leon replied, brushing over Casey’s initial reaction thanks to his quick retraction and instant deescalation. 

[color=629c3f]”[i]Uh huh[/i], sure, you couldn’t handle it… But it was the first thing you thought of! Suspicious.”[/color] Cass waggled her eyebrows at Leon, teasingly nudging him. She turned to Casey with an incredibly bright smile. 
[color=629c3f]”I’d love it if you could do something with it! I’ve had it since I was… Uh, fourteen I think! Over ten years so, yeah, I’m pretty attached! It’s like my baby. My inanimate, hard working baby.”[/color]

Trisha looked up at Casey silently, a mixture of care and concern she couldn’t quite hide. But he’d, once again, pulled himself back down. She shifted her arm slightly so she could grasp his hand, gently squeezing it, expression turning into a smile towards him. She was trying her best to support him, which meant a positive reaction when he managed to push through… Right?

[color=d1b300]“That’s a really sweet offer, Casey.”[/color] She said softly. 

Cass nodded, getting more excited as she thought about it.
[color=629c3f]”Would you be making it into like… Some kinda nice thing to display? Or something I could use for something else?! Oh- I guess you said you’d come up with something creative, so you still gotta figure that out?”[/color] 

[color=577d06]”It could be anything.”[/color] he replied simply, not outright acknowledging Trisha, but squeezing her hand several times when she praised him, with his chin coming down slightly to brush against the top of her head.
[color=577d06]”It just feels weird. Obviously, they all knew something you’d appreciate. I’d rather do something that actually feels like it's from me.”[/color]

Leon nodded his head, keeping his frown from reaching his face as he realized what Casey meant. Trisha’d been kind enough to rope him into the group gift, yet he still pushed against it. Like being shoehorned into a group wasn’t enough. He hoped that was purely because he meant it, and not just because of how he was feeling. After all, doing something because you felt obligated, like [i]making[/i] a gift for someone when you were perfectly welcome to be included in a group gift, seemed like a slap in the face to those bringing you along in the first place.

As far as he knew, it wasn’t like Casey had made any kind of huge deal about Cass’ birthday. He hadn’t even seemed to be making a big deal out of Trisha’s… Though, he assumed that was more because of the timing. Their grand escape was the birthday present neither of them wanted, he bet.

[color=577d06]”So, if you can think of anything before I go around messing with it, speak your mind.”[/color] he added finally, looking back down at Trisha finally and kissing her forehead again from behind.

[color=629c3f]”Ay ay captain!”[/color] Cass jokingly saluted him.
[color=629c3f]”I’ll have a think and let you know! I can grab it and get it up to you, uh… Well, not today! Don’t wanna trigger Leon’s poor nose.”[/color]

She reached up to pinch Leon’s cheek teasingly, grinning at him. She wasn’t really reading into things enough to think about the whole group gift thing, too excited about getting her precious old soldering iron made into something new. 

The other two women did notice it. Reyna wasn’t upset, because Trisha was the one who asked for Casey to join. It being a four way split, technically, had allowed them to buy such a nice one… But if he wanted to make Cass something more personal too, she understood. 

[color=75a8ff]"It’ll become something that smells better for everyone’s sake, I hope."[/color] She said lightly.

Trisha was a bit more upset about it, though she didn’t show it. If he’d wanted to do something, he could have said no. She hadn’t forced him to contribute… She’d assumed that because it was her friend, it was her job to ‘organise’ it anyway. Even if Reyna was the one who organised it in the end. But she couldn’t let herself get upset at him. Not right now. It was such a silly thing too, and it really was sweet that he wanted to make Cass something… She just wished he didn’t have to act like the group gift was something he was forced into. It made her feel thoughtless. 

[color=d1b300]“Don’t give it to him too soon, or I won’t see him for a few days.”[/color] She tried to joke, smiling up at Casey. 

Leon grinned away, knowing that nobody could quite top what he had in mind when it came to gifts. But, Casey’s mastery of Orange Lux and extensive skill as a craftsman gave Leon plenty of reasons to trust that it was going to be great. He was just thankful that the guy was always willing to work no matter what. It made everything else a little easier to accept.

[color=577d06]”Or, you could give it to me right now and it could be done by the end of the day.”[/color] Casey replied sharply, hand gripping slightly on Trisha’s arm as he thought for a moment that he found an escape plan for them that didn’t look totally desperate.

[color=629c3f]”Oh sure! I can go get it just now- Don’t wanna lose whatever idea’s forming in your head.”[/color] Cass winked at Casey, as if she was assuming he wanted to do it right now because he had some amazing idea rather than wanting to escape. She wasn’t stupid, so she knew… It was so fucking obvious! But, they’d seen both of them. It’d even been quite nice! So if they wanted to leave, that was fine by her. 

[color=d1b300]“Wouldn’t it be easier for us to come up with you?”[/color] Trisha said, making it clear she planned to leave too. Just in case they expected her to stick around herself… But she couldn’t do that. 
[color=d1b300]“Unless you’re worried about leaving Reyna alone with Leon.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Oh, nah… I’m afraid of leaving Leon alone with Reyna! All the shit she can tell him!”[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"I’m already remembering the worst incidents to share."[/color] Reyna played along with a smile.

Leon did his best to smile it off as Casey left his glass of beer and everything. He was already wobbling around with Trisha trapped in his arms, making breakneck speed for the elevator exit.

[color=C67C12]”Casey? You didn’t want to stay and smoke?”[/color] he asked, trying to sound casual.

[color=577d06]”Well, you know it’s gonna be a long night anyway. This’ll give me something to look forward to. Trisha, you’re- It’s good, right? You were… The bees…?”[/color] he tried to think of an excuse that didn’t make it seem like he wasn’t fleeing. Of course, he didn’t want to force Trisha out of time spent with Reyna, but she’d also said a million times that she’d rather be with him than anywhere else. So, it was only natural she’d be coming back up with him. She even made it sound like that, and suddenly he was thinking about why he was putting her on the spot!

[color=577d06]”Who am I kidding, of course you are.”[/color] he managed an actual smile and a giggle at her, patting her on the shoulder.
[color=577d06]”We will be upstairs, Reyna. If you wanted to visit, neither of us are gonna tell you that you can’t, I don’t think. You’re spending some time here, right? You’ll get the chance.”[/color] he added, making it sound like they weren’t going to be at the party later.

[color=75a8ff]"I’m here until tomorrow afternoon… I’ll make sure to visit before I leave. There’s a few things I need to give Trisha anyway."[/color] Reyna smiled good naturedly, eyes flickering from Casey to Trisha. She didn’t protest their leaving, especially since it seemed to be a mutual decision. 

[color=d1b300]“Sure, that’d be nice.”[/color] Trisha responded, even though the idea of having to host someone for however briefly tomorrow sounded awful. But it was Reyna. Her close friend… Who’d unfortunately seen her at low points she’d rather no one see her at. There were worse people to see then. 

[color=d1b300]“And I’m good, you’re right… I also need to check the bees. Make sure they’re growing well.”[/color] She tried to cover up Casey’s half nonsense talking, forming it into an actual excuse for her to leave that wasn’t just ‘I’m attached to the hip with my fiance.’

With them hurrying out so quickly, Cass only had a moment to worryingly grimace at Leon. She patted his arm. 
[color=629c3f]”Keep Rey entertained, alright! I’ll be back soon.”[/color]

Leon leaned forward and caught her on the back of the head with a kiss before letting the two of them walk out and up the stairs. He turned to Rey immediately with a frown.

[color=C67C12]”Well? Not so great for an impression, I guess.”[/color] he said calmly.