ıllıllı 𝙄𝙣𝙫𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩 12/10: 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩 2.2 -𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙣 ıllıllı
Transcript of Event below Cut:
+Cut to Benson Cabin - Post Arrest of Ricky Benson
Skylar:
The wolf slept in, considering that she barely had any sleep ever since she found out her aunt was in the hospital and her constant worried state had her wake up a few times throughout the night. Even when she did wake late the next day, Skylar did not feel like moving from her spot. Instead, she just snuggled in further into her pillow and pulled the comforter up over her head to block the sunlight peering in from the windows.
Erin:
Erin and Tomi had been taking turns checking on their Sleeping Beauty because that pup was out as soon as her head hit the pillow. They’d had to tag team actually getting her under the covers.
Being that was well into the afternoon now, Erin used her turn to go ahead and bring up some food for the girl. As she set the tray down on the side table, she noticed the movement beneath the comforter and simply said, “I know you’re exhausted love, and you don’t have to leave the bed, but please eat something. You don’t want to be out of form on your next stream.” Not that witch believed streaming was a big priority for the girl right now, but it was a last ditch effort.
Skylar:
She flopped over the end of her comforter and peeked out to look at her girlfriend. "...You could join me in bed if you'd like." She mumbled, sleep still clear in her voice. The girl glanced over to the tray and begrudgingly sat up. "Babe.." she reached with her fingers wiggling, motioning her to come to her. Sky knew she had to eat eventually but the girl wasn't that hungry. "Let's sleep together. With Tomi, too. A group nap sounds appealing."
Erin:
Erin simply met her initial request with a raised eyebrow, and said, "Phrasing, princess." She then took a seat on the bed next to the shorter girl and said, "Come on, you know you have to eat. Tomi and I were going to give root beer noodles a crack, but realized there was just no way anyone but Luke could make that edible. So instead, she helped me whip up some bangers and mash, extra bangers."
Erin sighed and pulled out her phone. "I'll make you a deal, you start eating and I'll text her to come up. Otherwise, she's going to come in here, tell you exactly what I did, and then you're just going to whinge the rest of the afternoon that we're 'ganging up' on you."
Skylar:
"I'm down for either.." She chucked as she set her pillow up so she could lean back against it. "Okay.. Okay.. I'll eat something so that your efforts won't be wasted." She reached for the plate and took a bite, chewing slowly. It'd be a lie to say that she wasn't hungry since she just woke up when normally she wouldn't be deterred by that.
As she ate, her other hand slipped into Erin's, taking solace by her just being there. "..What time is it?" She asked despite making no movements to search for her own phone.
Erin:
"Oh I am very sure you are, you insatiable little minx," she teased. "But we'd most certainly want to at least ask Tomi what she'd be 'down for'," Erin helpfully pointed out. As she watched Skylar actually try the sausages and mashed potatoes, she reached for her phone to shoot Tomi a text to come up. A deal was a deal, and even if Sky tried to back out, she could do with the back up.
Feeling her free hand be taken hold of, she provided a reassuring squeeze. She looked up from her phone and said, "It's nearing three. Everyone's been doing their best to let you catch up on rest, but your mom made Tomes and I promise we'd feed you before she had to head out."
Skylar:
"Of course, yes. I wouldn't do anything without her consent, even cuddling." She focused on her food, taking a small bite after another but at a consistent pace. So far, she managed to nibble at least halfway before she looked up again.
"Mom went out again?" She asked, "Is she visiting the hospital?" And without her? Skylar was a bit bummed about that since she wanted to head back too. The wolf didn't think she'd sleep in for that long.
Tomi:
Making it up to the room, she was glad to see that Erin had managed to get Skylar to at least start eating something. She closed the door behind her just as Sky was asking about her mom. "Oh, Aunty K got a call from Sheriff Miller earlier. She said a work emergency came up, but that everything was fine and that if she wasn't back within the hour, we should try to wake you up and make sure you ate something."
Coming to sit on the edge of the bed, just behind Erin, she added, "She also said she'd give you as many details as she was free to, about what she did and where she was as soon as she got back. Oh! And she said JJ was in charge which made Lyra and Nix unhappy."
Skylar:
"Did mom eat anything?" Since everyone was on her case about not eating, Skylar would like to know if they were also on her mom's case as well since she did spend more hours outside yesterday. "So what did I miss when I was sleeping?" Surely it wouldn't be peaceful if JJ was made in charge when Nix and Lyra were still under the same roof.
"Oh, how was Braxton and them?" She remembered how concerned Tomi was about the beta and it slipped her mind until now.
Tomi:
Tomi thought about how everyone had continued to keep a wide berth around the woman even after the news of Luke waking up. She shared a look with Erin before saying, “We didn’t really feel it was out place to tell your mom what to do, but your uncle JJ did get her to eat something before she had to go.”
Tomi smiled as she said, “He’s good. Rikke was able to work her Paladin magic and get him sorted. Turns out he also had his memory wiped once, which is how he forgot that he’s my actual dad. As for Ayden, she left the med bay with Aleja and Blake so…I know she’s well, but I can’t speak to her being okay, ya know?”
Skylar:
She was oblivious that everyone had been cautious when it to Keagan since she would never get to see the "murder rage" side of her, at least it wouldn't be directed at her. "Okay.. least she had something... I don't think she ate either..." She mumbled.
"Oh.. how did he take it now that he remembers?" She hesitated now that her brain decided to go down the possibility of Tomi leaving the cabin because she wanted to live with her dad instead. That did make her a bit sad to think about. She enjoyed their time together and definitely gotten used to this lifestyle...
Tomi:
Tomi and Erin had already opted on sparing Sky the details of her mom’s mood before leaving. It wasn’t like the girl would ever believe them anyway.
“He apologized for having forgotten in the first place, which, not his fault to begin with and honestly I was just relieved to find out he hadn’t purposely lied to me.” Tomi let out a tired breath before letting herself drop onto Erin’s back, still looking at Sky over the eldest’s shoulder. “I think he was actually far more excited to learn my powers were triggered and then promptly got all mopey when I told him I wasn’t going home with him.”
Skylar:
The smallest of the three held her fork in her mouth as she thought this through. "How are you handling that? With wolf powers and all now?" Her eyes widened again, "Oh... Wait since you're triggered now, you'll have to shift too right? Oh... First time is ..Not fun..." She shook her head, "Not fun...At all.." she couldn't really say the other times are that fun either but having to experience it when you've never known it before? That was rough.
"...Will you move back though?" She asked quietly, already feeling very sad about it even though Tomi hadn't even said anything yet. Her imaginary wolf ears would be drooping.
Tomi:
Tomi smiled at Sky, weary as it was, in a bid to ease her. When Skylar began to show her kinship to Lyra in how much and how fast she spoke? Girl was nervous, concerned, or both.
“I’m still getting used to the heightened senses and being able to distinguish individuals by scent alone. It’s…trippy,” she said. “But Erin helped me practice with some of my demon magic so I could compensate and not end up too overwhelmed.” As she said the witch’s name, her arms found their way around her middle as she continues to rest there. A look of mild fear crossed her face at the prospect of her first turn. “I witnessed Sean’s first and plenty of James’ to know it’s gonna suck..”
The question was one she hadn’t really thought about. “I don’t see why I would. I mean, I love the fact I know Brax is my dad and I know I’ll always have a place at the Rendall home, but I moved out to carve out a space of my own, and I think I’ve managed rather well here.”
Skylar:
"Trippy... but way cool, right?" She wiggled her brows. It's what she's been telling Tomi since her own wolf was triggered. "Oh man, that's right! Wolf powers and demon magic. Tomes is like.. super OP now." She should really finish her plate before they call her out again for not eating, but was distracted by the talk of shifting. "Well, both Sean and I will be right there with you when it happens. Brax too. There's no way he'd miss his daughter's first shift.
Her imaginary wolf ears definitely perked up when it was apparently decided that she wouldn't move out of the cabin. "Yeah? You're staying! That's-" Sky tried to not look as excited as she felt - or at least, as much as she could show with her exhaustion still sort of there. "That's great! Brax is highkey moping then."
Erin:
Erin did do her best to stifle her laughter and Skylar's immediate reaction to the news that Tomi would be staying, and then her terrible attempt to backtrack. 'Tried' being the operative word, because after a second or two of slight snorting she just caved and full on laughed. If the sound of laughter in her ear wasn't enough of an indicator that Tomi found it just as amusing, the fact they were both shaking with laughter certainly was.
"Wow, princess, way to make it sound like you're hype over the fact Brax is currently moping because it means that you don't have to," she teased.
Skylar:
"Well, I might be." She set the plate back onto the tray and sprawled herself across the bed because she needed to be involved with this cuddle entirely. "Who wouldn't be thrilled to have Tomes stay with us?" Skylar pulled up the comforter enough to cover herself, and in turn, the legs of the other two girls.
Was she acting more spoiled today? Most definitely. Did she care? Not at all. Skylar might also be doing this so she could take her nap although it was a lot warmer than when she was sleeping alone a while ago.
Tomi:
The sudden pull of the comforter had both girls off balance as they were essentially dragged up onto the bed by the deceptively strong wolf. Tomi had to tighten her hold on Erin when she felt the witch begin to go in the opposite direction. When it was all said and done, she narrowed her eyes at the redhead and said, "Use your words! A simple well placed 'please' and 'thank you' will work far more wonders than being a little brat and possibly causing bodily injury."
Shen then just rolled her eyes and said, "All right then, where would the princess like each of her ladies-in-waiting this fine afternoon?”
Skylar:
Sky looked up with a pout. "... I want to cuddle please." She mumbled. Maybe she was feeling a bit ashamed after all after being called out by Tomi. "You aren't my ladies-in-waiting." She frowned, alternating her attention between the two girls. "I want my queens to be beside me, that's all."
"I should head over to the hospital later..." Her words drifted as she started to figure out what her plans were for today. Even if she wanted to snuggle in bed all day, she really wanted to visit her aunt again. However, would it be a bother? Everyone might say otherwise, but Sky didn't want to bother the patient too much if it impeded on her resting time.
Erin:
Glancing over at Tomi, they shared an eye roll at the dramatics but acquiesced nonetheless, each girl taking to one side of the redhead. Once they were all settled in, it was almost like they could put the night behind them. Almost. Because as long as Luke wasn't home, things just didn't feel the same. And if she herself felt that way, she couldn't begin to imagine how Skylar would be feeling.
Almost as if having read her mind, the smallest asked after visiting her aunt. "I think that's be a great idea, love. I don't think anything would lift Luke's spirits quite like you attempting to explain to your mother why the three of us will now be sharing one room..." she teased.
Skylar:
When the two women settled next to her on both sides, Skylar felt safer - not that she'd ever say anything about it. She was just going to pass it off as her love for snuggles. And while Erin was probably teasing her, her mind went in a different direction. "...Should we upgrade the bed then? What's it called? Alaskan King size? I heard that one's the biggest size out there... I think we've got enough room for that."
"...Ohhh.. a new bed frame would be a nice short project to do..." She hummed, "If we're all going to share one room, I think there's going to be a lot of redecorating in here too.. Oooooh~ This is definitely a new project." When their basement is still unfinished. "..But I think I'll wait until Aunt Luke heals before telling her the idea... Maybe we should start sketching how we want things to go..."
Tomi:
Tomi should've foreseen this the moment Erin mentioned sharing one room. "Okay, whoa, hold your wolfies there, red," she said with a chuckle. "I think we should start by actually letting the people we want to know, well, know. Then perhaps instead of trying to fit into one room, we can talk to Luke about maybe letting us have the basement?" she suggested.
She ran a hand through the girl's hair and said, "I know you really want things to take your mind of everything right now, and that's fair, but if we're going to this, we should take our time and do it right. Besides, trying to get half of your wardrobe and half of Erin's in this one closet was already a feat. More space would mean all three full wardrobes fit, and we all get a little more space for our own hobbies and stuff."
Skylar:
"Who do you guys want to know first? Aunt Luke is a must. So's mom. The bean will cry if he was the last to know. Uncle JJ and Aunt Nix would be chill." She pressed her lips together as she debated if they should let Lyra know first before a few others in town. "I guess everyone in the gang should know too."
She closed her eyes as she felt the hand in her hair. "It does make sense to move into the basement.. There's definitely more space down there than in this room... Luke could probably use another room up here." She hummed, "It's not like the scoobs can't still hang in the basement either afterwards..."
Erin:
Erin smiled at how soft, yet firm Tomi was with Skylar. Honestly, she could not have asked for a better partner in crime. She did chuckle lightly at the rambling Sky opted to go on, clearly more ready after some sleep to acknowledge they were all together than she was when they discussed it in the morning. "Okay, well I'll let you two sort out the lengthy list. Personally, I only have Maths and Key to tell, and it'll have to be a joint meeting. If either knows before the other, they're both equally likely to be offended," she chimed.
She hummed in agreement with both girls. "Yeah, it would definitely be nice to be able to set up my easel again. Besides, it could be another joint project for you and Luke."
Skylar:
"Ohhh Joint meeting..." Now that was an idea... then Skylar was imagining to just have everyone in one place and ... announce it. That could also be a dumb idea, but it will be efficient...? Her blue eyes looked up at the brown, "Mmmmm... Literally anyone who might come over to chill, I guess?" That was almost three generations of scoobies.
"If you want, you could also paint the walls if you'd like." Her eyes shifted to Erin, "Mural on a wall, or all of them if you want." Her brows lifted at the idea, "You mean, you don't want to be part of renovating the place and putting furniture pieces together?" "
Erin:
Erin's eyes lit up at the idea of doing some some murals, but immediately narrowed at the question of furniture. "I would be more than thrilled to do some murals on the walls once that aspect is ready to be addressed, but babes, I stick to three 'C's: I cook, I clean, I cuddle. I have zero qualms with admitting that there's not single butch bone in me. I mean, I was raised by two prim and proper Brits, I don't even think I could manage a bar stool from Ikea."
Skylar:
"Oh wow." She laughed giving a playful eye roll, "Okay, okay, we won't have you build the furniture. We don't want things to accidentally collapse for no reason.. We also have to figure out the layout of the basement. I think we'll have to add a lot more things now that it's going to be our room.. Like a door for starters.. and a proper bathroom... "
Tomi:
"Well, I volunteer my brother and our construction company to help, along with my learned abilities to budget and order supplies, and we probably have a contractor we can spare," Tomi said, "But I think the layout and design, and the actual hands-on stuff, is all you and Luke. I may not have been raised by two Brits, but I was raised by a pediatric nurse and a man-child so..."
She took a breath and then said, "But can we rewind for a second and go back to this 'joint meeting'. I'm not saying it wouldn't be an efficient way of doing things, but we'd definitely want to curate the list. Maybe have several smaller joint meetings instead? I mean, can you imagine the aftermath of our 'announcement' with both Lyra and Avery in the same room?"
Skylar:
"That's a good ideaaaaaaa!" Skylar was already excited to tell Luke all about it. It was successful in getting her mind off of things, but she would also have to wait until Luke was fully healed before lobbying ideas to her. "Okay, we can do that but you'll have to tell us if there's anythign specific you want so we can fit it in." The two of them managed to make the cabin to look the way it did, it shouldn't be too different with the basement.
"Aunt Lyra and Aves are going to be the last people to know... " It wasn't clear if it was meant to be a suggestion or an already made decision. "....I think there might just be 3 main groups .. Family. Friends.. Lyra and Avery."
Tomi:
Tomi furrowed her brow looking at the girl curiously, but still managed a soft smile. "That is literrally the same way I went about helping with the original renos you dingus. As per usual, demolition is all on you two alone. I know how much you like getting to smash stuff, hey maybe your mom will want to join in with that," she suggested, hoping Keagan would be able to release all of that pent-up rage she'd been carrying recently. "Ooh, Erin can help you guys out by actually drawing legible design plans, because the scribbled napkins you guys had last time may have worked, but only barely."
As she listened to the three groups, Tomi began trying to sort them out. "Okay, so we're going to get Brax, Izzy, Keagan, Luke, JJ, Nix, and Sean in one room, then later get the rest of the scoobs in another...without Lyra or Avery finding out beforehand...?"
Skylar:
"It's not.. scribbles. But fine, we'll port it over to the computer, or redraw it on paper this time." Now this was getting more exciting. Her mom could actually join in on the fun! Demolishing the cabin really was a good stress reliever and god knows how much everyone probably needed it at this point.
Skylar let out a sigh at the topic of Lyra and Avery. ".... They already think there's something going on, besides.. Gen 1 will know before them so maybe they'll help.. keep those two away while we tell the scoobs. We'll figure it out somehow.." She could already imagine the amount of energy the two of them will show together once they let them know. "Do we need to let them know?"
Erin:
"Or I could just directly work on a tablet and give you the best of both worlds," she chimed in. "Lately the only thing I've been using it for is helping Hunter with designs for goodies, which incidentally, now includes chocolate and candy work. Sage mentioned offhandedly that Hunter just had access to too much on youtube."
At the question of whether or not to let Lyra and Avery know, Erin blew behind Skylar's ear as a reprimand and said, "Of course you have to tell them. They're your aunts! If anything, they should be in the first group. Their quirks aside, they're your family and they're good people."
Ianthe:
She had sent each of her children to find out more of the situation, but the news she kept receiving were just getting worse and worse. And when she heard that Luke got hurt, Ianthe was out the door with Jarret and made their way to Fallcrest. This blasted town. Nothing good ever came with living here. The people? Great. They were amazing. They even got their little groups that went on for generations, but the chaotic hell that came with it? Fuck no. She had her family out of there for a reason - except Keagan. Keagan never wanted to leave this town and it was even harder to convince her ever since Skylar was born.
By the time she got here, it looked like things have calmed down just a little and the good news was that Luke made it through the night and was resting at the hospital. However, her first stop was the cabin - what a joke to be calling it a cabin. The size of was basically a mansion when she saw it. When she got there, everyone but the kids and the two adults in question greeted them.
Eventually making her way to Skylar’s room, she knocked on the open door and poked her head in with a smile, “Tiny, they told me you should be awake by now.” As if she didn’t hear her from all the way downstairs.
Tomi:
Tomi was in the process of sheepishly conceding that Erin had a valid point about their aunts, when the knock at the door came.
Thinking it’d be the Hurnado herself, she and Erin shared a look and immediately sat up and on top of the covers.
When the door almost immediately opened, Tomi let out a sigh of relief as she said, “Mrs. C! It’s so nice to see you! Skylar’s awake, but glued to her mattress apparently.”
Skylar:
Her eyes snapped to the door, also afraid that it was the Hurnado.. but unlike Tomi, her eyes widened. "Grandma? What..When did you get here?" As if to prove that she wasn't glued to her bed, the shortest of the group slipped out and scurried over to give the woman a hug.
"Oh, you know Tomi. This is Erin, Erin, this is my grandmother, Ianthe." It wasn't hard to miss just who Keagan took after oppose to everyone else. "I guess grandpa's here too." He's never too far behind. Wherever Ianthe went, so did Jarrett.
Erin:
The knock had been startling for them all, but as was becoming the usual, she and Tomi were on the same page in seconds with just a glance.
And thankfully, it meant her first meeting of Skylar’s gran went far more naturally and far less awkwardly. She got up to shake hands with the woman proper, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Skylar’s told me so much about you and Mr. Calvetti,” she said.
Ianthe:
She shook the young woman's hand, holding it as she observed the other. There really wasn't a first impression in the world that might annoy her more than Richard Benson's, so this was already starting on a good note. However, she steeled her emotions, not letting the kid nor her friends know what she's thinking. It wouldn't be the first time she was intimidating any friends of her family.
"I've heard about you too." She eventually smiled and released the hand. "A lot from Lyra." She tilted her head in thought, "Though I'll have to see what parts are true, what aren't." She was well aware that her youngest daughter enjoyed exaggerating certain things.
"I plan on visiting the hospital right after this, gotta check in with that impulsive kid of an aunt of yours." That beanpole really went after that Benson kid and got herself wound up in the hospital.
Erin:
As Tomi moved in for a hug and greeting of her own, all Erin could manage at that was smile and a shrug. "Well, if there's one thing I've come learn about Lyra, is that she's rather fond of hyperbolic commentary. It can sometimes take a little digging to get to the nugget of fact, but hopefully I'll get the opportunity to allow you to create your own opinions of me," she offered.
"Oh, Skylar was just talking about heading up to visit herself."
Ianthe:
"Good, then it's a plan." Grandma Ianthe waits for no one, and this time was no different. The woman already walked out of the room and down to where everyone else was to inform them that she and the granddaughters - and her two 'friends' will be going to the hospital. If other people wanted to come, they can drive themselves because her car could not fit that many people.
"Hurry up, you three! Otherwise, I'm leaving your asses behind." She called out before walking out to her car.
+Cut to Benson's Cabin after 2nd visit to the hospital
Skylar:
When she got sent home this time around, Skylar was in a very different mood than when she first returned with her mom. And it was such a relief to hear that Luke was doing much better now - enough for Sky to relax enough to not want to latch onto either of her moms like a koala.
When she got home, the first thing she did was go right to both her girlfriends - ignoring Aunt Lyra’s nosy stare - and mumbled something about having something to tell them. She was trying to avoid getting her aunt too curious but honestly, there was probably nothing in the world that could prevent that.
Almost beaming once they got back to their room, Skylar walked further in before turning to look at the both of them. “So.” She made a face as she thought about a way to say this that didn’t sound so abrupt. “It turns out... I’m not Richard’s daughter.”
Erin:
She and Tomi had managed to catch a ride back earlier with JJ, Nix, and Lyra. Ianthe had made herself more than clear once JJ and Nix had caught up to the rest them with little in the way of a reason for how the Hurnado managed to give them the slip. So they were all essentially dismissed.
The witch and the were-demon had managed to keep themselves entertained by continuing some magic training, but were more than happy when Skylar returned, and even more so to see that she was in such high spirits in comparison to her return that morning.
They both followed the girl’s lead without question almost instinctively knowing she had something to share. But they had very different reactions to what Skylar finally said. While Tomi exclaimed ‘I knew it!’, Erin shot her hand out to put a silencing charm on the room and said, “Warning please! Walls and doors aren’t exactly the most effective against wolf hearing.”
Taking a breath she then furrowed her brow and gave a very apt, “Wait, what?!”
Skylar:
Skylar let out a laugh when Tomi finally got her satisfaction on being right about this. As if she hadn't been pointing that out over the years - it was literally the first thing she noticed when she met Richard for the first time after all. "Yeah... I'm not his kid. So.. That's a good thing! I'm not related to the asshole - not a drop of blood or anything." The pup continued to beam at that fact.
But then she realized shed would have to explain who she was related to and how. "I'm.. well, Luke's kid." She revealed, "Something about the Paladin's biology making this - " She motioned to herself, "happen. So that makes me.... half paladin myself? Except my powers didn't kick in yet.. clearly and we don't know when they might. But yeah.. I'm Luke's kid! Imagine that. Hah! People weren't wrong after all."
The girl went to sit at the end of their bed, looking up at the other two to see their reaction to the news.
Tomi:
Tomi had the presence of mind to at least look somewhat sheepish at Erin's reprimand, but as soon as she could feel the spell in the place she let out another squeal of satisfied laughter and even high-fived her best friend. "Welcome to the 'I'm not actually related to my dirtbag legal parent' club!" she exclaimed.
The new half-wolf was very much caught up in the euphoria of both being right all along and the second-hand happiness of Skylar not feeling tied to Richard in any way, shape, or form, that it actually took her a full minute or so for her brain to fully catch up to what her ears had just heard about who Skylar was related to and how.
A quick glance to the older witch let her know that she wasn't the only one with processing delay. "Wait," she said, brow furrowing, "Luke's a Paladin? *You're a Paladin?? Luke slept with your mom before???"
Skylar:
She was just as stoked as Tomi was and met her high-five with as much enthusiasm. "Hells yeah. The relief I felt when they told me." Unlike the other two who didn't have all the information, Skylar didn't even realize how vague she was being before she noticed how confused both Erin and Tomi looked.
"Oh. Shit. I .." Her eyes widened as her hand slammed over her own mouth. Was it a secret? Skylar didn't even remember. Smiling somewhat sheepishly now, she lowered her hand, "I think they might tell everyone later, but yeah.. Luke's a Paladin.. Which was why Rikke couldn't heal her when they first found her." Her excitement died down a little as she elaborated the news, "And.. Yeah.. They apparently had .. a thing when mom got married. Anyways, because of that.. It turns out I'm biologically both mom and Luke's.. That's so weird.. how magic works.." She hummed, "I'm half Paladin.. But I don't think my powers kicked in yet! So.. not really? I'm still just a wolf right now."
Erin:
Erin was far more subdued in her response to the news of Skylar's not being a biological Benson. She was just as happy for her as Tomi, but her brain had automatically gone from 'Richard's not my dad' to 'Then who is?'
Which of course, just ended up just bringing up several more questions when Sky said it was Luke. She was broken out of her mental processing when she heard Tomi asking after Luke and Keagan so bluntly, turning to look at her with a raised eyebrow before turning back to Sky. "Dr. Wren, Evan, and I recently discussed the possibility of the first born Paladin in ages roaming around somewhere, but I have to admit, I'd have never guessed it would trace all the way back someone in town, let alone currently sitting on our bed....this huge!"
Her excitement died down a little as she also caught up that one implication. "Uh, your mum is like super private, and for as much as Luke comes across as an open book, I don't think I've ever heard her openly discuss her relationships either, so...I think we should play it safe and keep this between the three of us for now? I mean, we can guess who may have told, but we don't really have a way of knowing for sure, and it's not exactly our bit of news to share freely in that regard." She looked pointedly at Tomi on that last point.
Skylar:
"..You nerds." Skylar couldn't help but tease her girlfriend. "But I guess the whole discovery about Luke and me.. will basically answer all of her questions." She still remembered how Dr. Wren had been observing the two of them as if trying to mentally link them together.
She dropped back and laid there with her eyes looking up into the ceiling. "I knowwww they're both really private.. I just really wanted to tell you guys. And I can't really tell you guys if I don't.. explain almost everything. I don't know if we'll have to keep it quiet for very long.. Everyone's going to do a double-take if I suddenly call Luke my mom. Aunt Lyra is going to get her mind blown..."
Skylar died down a bit as she allowed her thoughts to take over. "..Heh. Luke's my mom." It was a nice revelation considering how the woman was the one to raise her. "And they're going to be dating too.."
Erin:
The witch just rolled her eyes at the jab, and instead pointed out, “And raise some new ones. I don’t really think there’s a manual for born Paladins. I mean, from what I learned about the trio that sprung from the Nexus, they can’t reproduce after they’ve been made a Paladin.”
She let the smallest get it all out of her system, and simply smiled at how endearing it was to see her so clearly happy in contrast to the night before.
“Yeah, about calling Luke ‘mom’, from personal experience, that gets confusing real quick. You’ve been calling Keagan ‘mom’ for much longer. You’ll need a different title for Luke,” she pointed out before glancing over at Tomi with a mischievous glint. “I think I recall something about an Ook?”
Skylar:
"Now that just tells me that.. Luke and I will almost be like guinea pigs for research." She bit her lip, "Well, Luke mostly since her powers are actually triggered now..." She peeked down towards the witch and were-demon, "Speaking of research... So I've been told that there's certain requirements, but .. Uh.. Dr. Wren and them might need to figure out a way for me to and Luke to not.. accidentally impregnate someone.." Her nose scrunched up at the topic.
Her face then turned red and she immediately brought the covers over her face. "That's just.. something I called her when I was younger. I'm still thinking about what to call Luke because I also said that it was going to be confusing if I use 'mom' for them both." She sighed and sat back up, "Won't be 'mother' though, that's feels weird. Ma? Mommy?" She nearly snorted at that. "What does Emmy use for her moms?"
Tomi:
“Hasn’t Luke technically always been the guinea pig though? Like, anytime we wanted to try something new she’s always been the one to do it first so we learn from whatever happens with her,” Tomi pointed out. At the next piece of information she and Erin both looked at each other before looking back at Sky. “Uh, ‘someone’? What do you mean ‘someone’? How many potential candidates do you two have?” She asked with a raised brow, clearly just giving the girl a hard time. “Although in Luke’s case, wouldn’t that mean you’re in danger of no longer being an only princess, uh, I mean child?”
Tomi snorted and said, “Mommy doesn’t sound any more fitting than mother for that woman, to be honest.” At the question of what Embry called her mothers, Tomi shrugged and said, “I think she calls Julia ‘mommy’, like Levi, and Leo ‘ATM’ like the school board.”
Skylar:
"That .. is her usual methods. I don't really know how I feel about using her own personal experiences to get us not to do something." Her eyes widened, "I- I was just.. I don't want to .. accidentally let it happen especially when no one gave their consent... Luke did say I wasn't an oops baby but it's still better if we're safe, no?" Skylar's brain malfunctioned for a moment at the idea of a younger sibling. "..Uh. Maybe."
"...Dad." She suggested as a joke, "I think Lyra will die over that." When Tomi answered about how their mutual friend called her set of parents, she laughed out loud, "Maybe she just calls Leo by her name - I have not noticed what she calls her to be honest."
Erin:
Erin had only been around recently for the imparting of wisdom that Luke provided and said, “I mean, it’s not ideal to think she’s discouraging behavior that turned out bad for her, but it does make the advice stick a little more.” The witch held up a hand to give the girl a pause to breathe. “A. Tomi’s fucking with you, as per usual, and B. I’m almost certain there’s a lot more intricacies to Paladin reproduction that we can definitely address in detail later.” At look that overtook Sky’s fave Tomi’s suggestion of a sibling, Erin smirked and said, “Oh look, I think you broke her love.”
Erin let out a laugh and said, “I think some of your fans have already taken to calling her ‘daddy’, so Lyra has bigger fish to fry….or whatever American saying fits. As Embry, she calls Leo ‘mum’, same as Levi. And if we’re being honest, you could probably call Luke ‘Megatron’ or ‘Velociraptor’ and she’d accept it all the same.”
Skylar:
"It does, but it also does suck a little to know that she had to go through certain experiences to know what not to do for future reference." Her round eyes looked over to the witch, "Luke did say there are certain perimeters for me to happen; we just don't know exactly what because having both parties simply thinking of a future together sounds.. very inconvenient if that's the trigger.
"I don't really know what to call her that makes it feel like it's her. Momma? Momma Luke. Ma? Mum.... Momatron." She laughed before giving it a shrug, "I'll figure it out eventually. Maybe it'll just naturally come to me - or I can stick to Mom 1, Mom 2."
Tomi:
"Well, with a family like hers -the little that we even know- it's not like she had too much of a choice in most of those 'first attempt' missions," Tomi pointed out with a frown of her own. The frown gave way to one of confusion as Sky went on, and eventually she just said, "I think I'm just going to ask our Paladin for more information. I'm even if Rikke doesn't know everything going on with you and Luke, she can probably network with Jack and Hanuel to give something a little less vague and confusing."
Tomi snorted at the suggestions and said, "If you stick with Mom 1 and Mom 2, you're going to be setting off a perpetual chain of one-upmanship between those two as they constantly vie for the title of Mom 1."
Skylar:
"...I'm really glad that I'm not related to them at all. And I'm also very glad that Luke didn't turn out like any of them." She made a face, "At least I don't have to hear him continually say that I'm his kid anymore - he really acts like he's my dad whenever he felt like it." She looked over to Tomi, "Ohh.. Rikke..I wonder if she knows I'm her ..uh.. descendant?" That led back to her conversation with Luke earlier. "...I'm still bummed that they did not give me any of the height. I'm not even averaging between my moms. I'm shorter than everyone. How is that fair?" She sighed,
Skylar smirked at the idea of her moms battling it out, "I don't know if Luke would fight mom over the title..."
Erin:
Erin had been about to volunteer to ask Evan and Dr. Wren about Paladins as well when Sky's comment managed to -yet again- catch her off guard. "I'm sorry, you're Rikke's what now?!" She glanced at Tomi who shared the same expression of surprise. "Rikke, our Paladin. Rikke, your aunts' new friend. Rikke, who Lyra loves to tease Nix about....is your ancestor??" She put her hands on her hips, as she processed that, only to finally say, "Yeah, even more of a reason to keep this quiet. This entire conversation is just one giant crate of ammunition for one very trigger happy Hurnado."
Skylar:
"Yeah.. I think so.." She hummed, not even aware that she dropped a bomb out of nowhere, "It's such a small world.. They didn't really tell me much about it other than the gist of how we're all related.. but damn, it's pretty cool. Paladin by birth instead of being created by someone.. But like, I wonder how I can trigger the paladin side.. it'd be nice to be able to heal people."
Her face did a complete 180 from impressed to complete horror when Erin reminded her that Nix had been apparently flirting with with Rikke during the tour. "Oh What - Shit... They're going to find out eventually - Aunt Nix and Aunt Lyra... I don't want to be around for that."
Tomi:
"Okay, well, either you only half-assed listened when they were giving you the rundown or they only half-assed the transfer of information....which considering I know how Luke explains things, it was definitely the former," Tomi shot with a chuckle. "Regardless, there will be plenty of time to get another rundown from her once she's home, and we have external resources as well."
Tomi just flat-out laughed at Sky on that one. "Best of luck with that. Due to the 'severe weather emergency' that caused the evacuation of the town, both FCHS and FCC have opted to start our holiday break early. So you have nowhere to hide for the next....almost full month babe."
Skylar:
"...There was a lot happening." She mumbled before reaching out and pulling in the closest person for an overdue hug. "They'll have to be the ones to explain everything from the start." Now Skylar wondered if they'll say anything about why Keagan was even married to Richard in the first place because out of everything, that had always been a mystery in the family. "Even I don't know where they will start."
The wolf started to think of what options she had now that she learned the family might as well be all trapped in this cabin for the next little while. "Maybe I should just.. stay in our room.. or is there a way to keep them apart..."
Erin:
Erin felt herself get pulled in and immediately reached out to drag Tomi in with her. Once they were situated on the bed, she said, "To be fair to both of them, they don't technically owe us an explanation from the start. We'd be happy to just get an understanding of what shed know about you, and how that might come affect us. Simple, honestly. Knowing how private they are, it would be unfair to ask them for any other details."
It was her turn to let out a snort of laughter. "You just learned that one of your favorite people in the world is also your mom. Both of them are probably going to be around the place themselves for a while, do you really think you'll be able to stay holed up in here knowing they're both out there just waiting for family snuggles?"
Skylar:
"Good point.." The wolf was like.. goo, melting into the bed now that she was in her safe place between her two other favourite people. "I still won't know where they'll start explaining, especially when Grandma's in the room. I think Aunt Lyr is just going to have her mind blown once she realizes mom and Luke didn't just hook up."
She looked up at Erin as she pointed out a possible problem." There's too many people I want to spend my time cuddling.. This is .. hard." The wolf gave a shrug before looking at their overlapping limbs. "I feel like I should give them some privacy. Mom's been stressed ooouuuttt since before we were all at the hospital.."
Tomi:
"Bold of you to assume she didn't take advantage of JJ, Nix, and Lyra being banished back home to already fill in your Grandma on every last detail that the woman was willing to listen to," she scoffed. "If ever there was a time to have that conversation, it would have been in a completely different building to where Lyra was," Tomi pointed out. "For that very specific reason."
Tomi scoffed again and said, "I think the word you're looking for is 'frustrated'. Lyra's been going on and on about how 'no Calvetti woman would ever survive a vow of celibacy' which Erin and I know she's been doing to try and goad us into saying something, but Nix and JJ have been really good at stepping in. That being said, it does explain some things about you while also giving a glimpse at your mom's inner thought processes....not sure what to do with that last one though, but if we have to suffer with the knowledge so do you."
Skylar:
"Oh.. so Grandma will already know." What Tomi was saying did make sense. What better place than the hospital after sending almost everyone away.. for not keeping an eye on the Hurnado. "Grandma knows I'm Luke's kid.. She doesn't seem very surprised." If anything, Ianthe did not look at her with 'new eyes' and just acted like nothing happened.
The way and speed her eyes widened, looking over at Tomi was almost comical. "No Calvetti- What?!" She did not need to know about that. However she didn't comment further on it because she had a feeling that Erin and Tomi would actually call her bluff and she'd end up regretting if she denied it. Her mom would not be the only one frustrated when that happens. "Lyra... needs a filter."
Erin:
"You know, I was beginning to think how there seemed to be so many people that seemed terrified of your mom and grandmother -including the alpha wolf himself- but then I witnessed her manage to get Lyra to sit still and then ream JJ and Nix out for losing sight of her....I will never survive if I get on her or your mom's bad side." She chuckled at the announcement and said, "From what you've told me, she practically raised both of them at once. I know your moms are the least obvious people around, but she was a trained government agent."
She and Tomi could only laugh at the redheads response. "Lyra needs a lot of things. But you have nothing to worry about. After all, that's why you have two us. When the time comes, we can just do like American wrestling and tag in and out," she said, barely managing to finish before she and Tomi were laughing again.
Skylar:
"But Uncle JJ is always getting reamed for losing sight of her." She said as if that was nothing new. Keagan and Ianthe seemed to be the only people who could actually keep Lyra to do what they've instructed so far - to an extent. There was no way to prevent Lyra from being the Hurnado that she was for a long period of time. "Right.. Grandma already knows everything.. and probably saw it coming a mile away."
She hummed, "I... don't know if that'll just make her more nosy. She's been keeping her eyes on us for a whole different reason than making sure of our well-being." The wolf took a hand from both girls and gently placed a kiss on each of them. "Maybe we should find someone for Aunt Lyra to pay attention to."
Tomi:
"Well I suppose since we're all pretty going to be spending the majority of our time here, we're bound to get the information we need to appease our own nosiness eventually. Specifically because Lyra likes to talk, and she likes to do it loud," Tomi noted. She smiled at the gesture, and then scoffed again at Skylar's suggestion. "So what? You want to play matchmaker for the Hurnado? Where would we even start? Like, her 'type' is literally any consenting adult. It doesn't quite provide a nice, narrow list of candidates."
Skylar:
"...Who's single in town?" She smiled, "Grandpa is trying to get her to settle down too. Nearly wanted to pit Luke with her remember? What if it's just a list of people enough to like.. last ..at least until we get to leave the cabin."
Erin:
"I can only speak for myself, but once I met you and found out that you were single, I kind of stopped keeping track of other people's love lives. Tomi being the exception that proved the rule," she said, already reaching out her free arm across Skylar to grab the brunette's own free hand. "Also, it's been a long day, so my brain is considering this more of a tomorrow mission."
+Cut to Benson's Cabin after Luke's Discharge from the hospital
Keagan:
When Col finally allowed them to come home, Ianthe can came back to pick them up. And because her mom was the one driving, Keagan could not just gun it to head back home, however, she was very appreciative that her mom understood how she was feeling and just drove faster than the speed limit to get them all home.
Once they arrived, Keg turned to Luke with a smile. "Welcome home, Lucas." which only prompted a 'about time' from her mother. "Do you think we can sneak by Lyra?" The question was posed to no one in particular, it could even be rhetorical. They all knew Lyra was probably sitting by the door just waiting for them to walk in.
Luke:
Luke had not been a fan of the idea of getting wheeled out to the car, but as she got herself dressed and realized how stiff and sore she still actually was, she immediately was not only grateful for the assist with the chair, but for the fact she didn't have to driver herself home....or walk home, like she'd done in the past.
Doing her best to ease out of the backseat without drawing too much attention to her discomfort, she shot straight up at Keagan's question and simply said, "I'm sure she's already heard your mom's car coming up the drive and the only thing keeping her having met us half-way down the driveway was probably JJ keeping her in a choke-hold." She glanced around the front of the property and said, "Looks like I might have to-" she stopped on a dime as she caught Keagan's eye and simply finished with, "-uh, get someone else, to shovel the snow..."
Ianthe:
It was a good thing that one of her kids took after her. They couldn't all take after Jarrett because that would be a disaster on its own. "Lyra can shovel it if her ass is within proximity of the front door." She said it loud enough for all wolves in the Cabin to hear. If Lyra decided that it was a good idea to linger around due to her curiosity, she was shovelling all the snow.
Letting Keagan help Luke, Ianthe walked ahead to get the front door. "From what I hear from that Rendall kid, you are not to strain yourself. And so.." she threw a look at the redhead, "behave." Was it an order? Was it a warning? It's really up to their interpretation.
Luke:
"Now that would be sight. Not just the fact that Lyra of all people would be doing manual labor, but I'm almost certain my snow-shovel is taller than she is," Luke noted with a chuckle. As she turned to close the car door behind her, she did her best to maintain a semblance of balance on her own. Sure there was a touch of her independent streak fueling the desire to do things herself, but she also didn't want anyone to have any minimal excuse to feel they had to worry about her any more they already had.
As she reached the bottom of the steps up to the porch, she met Ianthe's gaze and simply replied with, "Yes ma'am." Had it been order? Had it been a warning? Luke figured the answer was: Yes.
Skylar:
She almost jolted right out of bed when she heard the car pull up. "Mom..." She whispered under her breath before completely jumping out of bed and making her way to the front door with her wolf speed. It made her chuckle a little when Lyra made herself scarce after hearing grandma saying that Lyra will have to shovel all the snow.
"Hi Grandma.." she greeted despite almost vibrating on the spot with excitement. The older woman ruffled her hair before moving further into the house. When she caught sight of Luke, she moved in for a hug, being careful not to inflict more injuries. "You're home." Her words muffled into the other.
Luke:
She hadn't even set her foot down on the first step up when she felt the stirring that only Skylar could produce. As she got closer to the front door, she could feel the sense getting stronger and was more than fully prepared for her daughter to be present and at the ready when she finally made her way inside. What she hadn't fully been prepared for was how increasingly sharp and acute her other senses were getting the longer she was off the fentanyl.
There was little time to dwell on that as she bent down to receive the incoming hug from her favorite girl. "I told you I would be," she said, returning the hug a little tighter to let her know she needn't be as concerned with hurting her now. "Oh Mini-me, I know I just saw you yesterday but I can't begin to tell you how much I missed you."
Skylar:
When she felt the arms around her tightened, Sky used a bit more strength of her own. "I missed you too." As if on cue, her tears were already spilling out as if she hadn't cried enough over the last two days. "I'm glad to see you walking around." It was almost daunting to see her mom confined to a hospital bed and it was definitely not something she'd like a repeat of.
Eventually slipping out of that hug, she went to give her other mom a hug too and smiled when she felt the kiss to the temple of her head. "...Are you still on bed rest? I think Col released you 'early' so that he doesn't get killed."
Luke:
Pulling back a bit, she brought a hand up to her daughter’s face, thumb gently wiping away the stray tears. “Hey now, no more tears. We’re going to need them when we start getting bored out of our minds here,” she said teasingly. “Not as happy as I am to be upright at all,” she whispered to her conspiratorially.
Standing back upright, with some minor difficulty, she turned to watch her favorite girls. “I am, at least for the rest of the day. But I think if I promise to behave, I can convince your mom to let me settle with ‘chair’ rest instead.”
Phoenix:
She entered into the room in the most ungraceful way possible - Lyra, with all her enthusiasm, had carried Nix on her back. Of course, she could have used magic to get Lyra to drop her but instead, just submitted to her doom. "Hi. Nice to have you back. Lyra could not wait any longer than she already has, as you can see." She sighed, "Lyra, put me down."
Once her feet was back on the ground, she just walked over to Luke like nothing happened and gave the tallest of them a hug. "Maybe we should invest in a wheelchair."
Luke:
Luke heard the pair well before they actually made it into the living room. “Credit to you both. Lyra for finally remembering she has wolf strength, and you for managing to keep a hold on her regardless,” she teased.
The redhead was more than happy to return the hug, but groaned at her suggestion. “Yeah, no thank you. Wheelchairs are clearly designed with the average height in mind, and I’ve eaten my own knees enough these past two days, thank you.”
Lyra:
"What wolf strength? Nix is just as light as a feather." She denied before throwing an arm around her niece. "Can't you just modify the wheelchair? Look, if you need the titan version of a wheelchair, I'm pretty sure that is doable."
Her eyes gave the other a good look. Unlike the rest of the family, Lyra didn't get the chance to spend that much time in the hospital room to even take a proper observation. "You look less shit, so that's good, right?"
Luke:
“Both things can be true,” Luke pointed out. “As someone who’s carried Nix a few times for choreo, I can agree she is in fact light. But you’re arm game is non-existing and she’s a full inch taller than you so…”
Luke shook her head. “Custom wheelchairs are already hard to come by for those who actually need them, I’m not about to take a resource I don’t even want to use from someone who needs it,” she adamantly. At Lyra’s ‘observation’, she smirked and said, “If you post-hangover is anything to go by, then yes. Look less shit means doing better.”
Skylar:
"Hmmm.. Technically we don't need a proper wheelchair? I mean, it's not like we haven't wing something up before. We can just make a make-shift one, can't we? Have a chair that's suitable to your height.. and just put.. bicycle wheels or larger on it." She could see her aunt pointing to her, silently indicating that it was an idea.
"..She already looks better compared to the past few days." She mumbled softly before going back to Luke's side to resume her role of a koala. "'Less shit' is better than anything."
Luke:
“One tiny flaw: I’m not unlocking the project shed until I get to muck around in there myself. So, I’ll just walk. Which I can do, and I am very much happy to do,” Luke stated, hoping to place an end to that conversation.
When Sky came back to her side, she gave her a tight squeeze and placed a kiss to the top of her head as she said, “Not that I don’t appreciate the thought though.” She chuckled at the remark before asking, “Where’d you leave my other two girls, Little Bit?”
Skylar:
Skylar pressed her lips into a thin line while raising her hands in surrender - considered the topic dropped. At the topic of the other girls, she looked up with a somewhat sheepish smile. "..They're still in bed the last time I checked. We.. I.. Can go get them. I'll go get them."
She refused to look in Lyra's direction because she did not want to see nor know the curiosity that was bound to be all over her face. When she ran to her room, she hovered around the door. "...Hey." She definitely didn't mean to just ditch the two like that, "Luke's home."
Tomi:
By the time Sky made her way back up, both girls were up, had washed up, and were finishing up making the bed. “Yeah we kind of figured that when you said ‘mom’ out of nowhere and then hauled ass downstairs,” Tomi snarked.
She broke into a smile and just said, “We didn’t want to intrude on your welcoming her home. Figured Lyra would be enough.”
Skylar:
She walked into the room slowly, sliding closer towards them. "Sorry.. I totally didn't mean to just dip like that. I just got.. really excited that she's home now. Even Aunt Lyra was excited since she was basically carrying Aunt Nix on her back.. who I think was supposed to keep her back to give them some space."
"Luke also asked where you two were, if you wanted to go down now... I should wash up first myself before I go back."
Erin:
Erin could only smile fondly, knowing that after feeling like she could lose the woman that meant so much to her, it must be one hell of a relief to have her home again. "Nothing to apologize for, love. I'm almost certain that you hadn't gone down to meet her, she'd have come up to meet you....and likely Lyra would've also closely followed, possibly still with Nix on her back."
At Skylar's prompting, they made their way downstairs -each dropping a quick kiss to either one of the small redhead's cheeks on their way out- and made quick work of rushing over to where Luke was now sitting on one of the couches before the tallest redhead could get up. Not that it stopped her from doing so though. "Welcome home, Luke!" Erin exclaimed as Tomi latched onto the woman, only to suddenly be brought in for a hug of her own.
Keagan:
Keagan made her own way to the couch and told Lyra to let go of their dear cousin before Nix actually decided to use her magic. Even the couch.. was more comfortable than the hospital bed. The Chief Deputy just sat back with her head against the back and her eyes closed. She could feel the seat beside her sink a little and without opening her eyes to check, she could tell that it was her mom. “What.. a week.” She chuckled, “I, for one, am glad that it’s over with.” Did she jinx it? Maybe but right now, she was glad to have a break of not.. being in constant worry.
JJ:
Having had to pry his father off the redhead with a reminder she still needed to get to the actual living room, JJ had gotten in his own quick hug saying, "It's so nice to have someone I don't have to crane my neck down to speak too. How do you live like this?" It had earned him a chuckle from his friend and more than a few glares from the rest of the ladies around.
He'd followed on through to the living room and took the seat on his sister's other side. "Girl it's not even been a full forty-eight hours. Give yourself more credit for having made it, and knock on wood before the rest of the week proves you right."
Keagan:
The middle sibling instinctively leaned into her brother when he sat down - not before a light smack at his arm for calling them all too short for his poor neck. “You two are just too tall for no reason.” She mumbled. “And I am just saying, a little break is much appreciated.” She eased off of him and naturally leaned the other way. “JJ, I’m just.. very appreciative that we’re all home right now.”
JJ:
"I'm almost certain the reason is genetics, but what do I know? I'm just a medical professional," he replied sarcastically. He turned to face her as she pulled away and raised an eyebrow. "Wow, I don't think I'd ever have taken you for such an optimist. That's usually my role. This whole 'family life' is really starting to suit you, Annie."
Taking not that everyone else seemed to be preoccupied with one thing or another, he leaned down and whispered, "So, have you been able to address the matter you wanted to?" He'd have asked outright, but as busy as Lyra seemed to be, her ears were always on the hunt.
Keagan:
Her eyes rolled at the sarcasm. "I'm not being optimistic.. I'm just.. stating what I'm feeling right now. Exhaustion and gratitude." She smirked.
When she felt her brother leaning in, she turned to give him her attention. Her smile softened when her brother asked about the matter. "Yeah." She answered quietly with a hint of joy. "We did talk about it and.. I was wrong.. in all aspects." Her answer was vague but she didn't think this was the time to start sharing when Lyra was listening in so intently.
JJ:
JJ looked at his sister with a blank look on his face as he attempted to make heads or tails of what she'd just said, but figured this was just 'Agent level' Lyra-proofing. "Well okay then," he finally managed as he sat back, still very much looking like he'd been given an algebraic equation with more than three variables.
His consternation didn't last long as the sound of the door suddenly made everyone come to a sudden halt. "Any volunteers to play butler for the day?" he joked, before immediately looking over at an already moving Luke, "You don't get to play, Spooky."
Lyra:
There was a secret; there had to be one with how vague her siblings were being. Just because they spoke quietly, didn't mean that she didn't hear them even if her attention was being pulled in all directions. It was all very 'sus'; she could feel it in her bones.
But her attention was also drawn away by the knock at the door. "...Is anyone expecting someone?" Since she was the closest by the door, she offered as tribute and walked towards the door. "Did you make an appointment? Because if you didn't, I am allowed to slam this door in your face." She joked.
Teagan:
It hadn't exactly been the longest commute he'd ever done, but the fact that he wasn't able to even start the trip until earlier this morning instead of the night he'd wanted to made it to where the entire time was spent with anxiety and barely contained anticipation wreaking havoc on him. So the sigh of relief the let go when he finally pulled up the familiar drive-way and was very welcome. Granted, once he made it to the round about at the front of the place, he wondered if he had the right address for a second. "You weren't kidding when you said you'd tear the fucking cabin to the ground and build the kid something better, Spooks," he mumbled as he waited on the door.
At the 'warm' welcome he received once it did open, he simply looked at the woman and said, "The fuck you are. I have brother rights. You want to power trip on someone in this house? Not gonna be me."
Lyra:
Her smirk turned into a genuine smile before giving the visiter a hug. "Teag!" It wasn't even that long ago since they met up with him during their tour but it was entirely a different feeling to have him visit them in Fallcrest. "Look who's here!" She turned to the family and stepped aside to reveal said visitor.
"I would never slap the door on you intentionally." Unintentionally? Probably one too many times. "The ganggggg is all back together! I could cry."
Luke:
Luke was already up and heading in the direction of door herself as Lyra brought in the 'visitor'. She had brief thought that maybe Skylar had a point with how beneficial this better hearing thing could be, but it was overwritten and replaced with nothing but joy at the sight of Teagan. A broad smile on her face as she opened her arms and exclaimed, "Hug meh brotha!"
Their meeting in Philly a month back had been far too brief, and after the last two days, solace in her real family was one of the only things Luke had left. As they parted, she turned to Lyra and said, "Please don't. We never knew what to do when you cried back then, we most certainly wouldn't know what to do if you cried now."
Ianthe:
Lyra's antics were nothing new but it was nice to see how Teagan's arrival made at least two of her kids happy and a lot more relaxed. "Nice to finally see your face around, you haven't been visiting." It might be code for 'You can help keep Lyra in line', not that anyone can really get her youngest to behave. These three climbed a tree and still thought it was a good idea to do it again after having fallen out of it by accident. Ianthe's expectations weren't high.
The eldest took a seat in an armchair adjacent to the couch, leaning back with both arms dangling from the armrest.
Teagan:
Teagan had the good sense to look sheepish at the remark. After all, it might as well be his own mom saying the same -which he was sure she would. He offered up a small shrug and said, “Life’s got a way of keeping one busy enough we lose track of things easily. It’s not an excuse, of course, but it definitely sucks that it takes something like this to act as a reminder of what’s really important.”
He did his best to keep his voice from cracking, but couldn’t do much about the sniffle.
Ianthe:
She sighed when she could see the kid on the verge of tears. “Come here.” Was it her old age that had her being softer than usual for these kids? Standing up to meet the other, she pulled him for a hug. “As long as everyone’s safe, that’s all it matters.” She reached up and ruffled his hair. “Welcome home kid. Now go, Lyra is about to get an aneurysm.” Her eyes shifted over to her daughter before taking back her seat.
Teagan:
He did not have to be told twice. Despite the long drive and the reason behind, being here with what was essentially his extended family made it all worthwhile. “Yes ma’am,” he managed, as he went back over to his friends.
“Man, Spooks, you have one hell of a way to get a person’s attention,” he said. “Lyra’s also not the best person for updates. She had me convinced you’d be saying hi to Steve for me every fifteen minutes.”
Lyra:
When her mom finally let him go, Lyra threw her arm around his shoulders. Honestly, she loved that she could still do this at least one of her friends. Lucas had grown too tall a long time ago. “Look, they didn’t tell me much about everything either. If anything, I think they were purposely trying to keep the news away from me.” She threw a playful glare towards her family. “I wouldn’t know why, but ya got what I got.” Out of habit, her hand was already fiddling with the end bits of his hair. “But really, I made a mistake. The doctor could have also said hi to him.”
Luke:
To say that Luke was dying to share her great news with Teagan would be a massive understatement. Especially when she caught sight of said news making their way back downstairs and joining the fray. But, she was hyperaware that the news wasn't just hers to share, and as Keagan very much seemed to be enjoying some more than well-earned rest and relaxation, Luke would just have to sit on it.
"For the record, it's not like I set out to do any of this on purpose. Especially the bit that led to this loveliness," she said pointing to the right-side of her head. At the confused look on her brother's face at Lyra's comment she added, "Colston took charge of my medical care, and was therefore the one tasked with finding a way to share information with Keagan and Mrs. C...good and bad news."
Skylar:
Sky was almost skipping down the stairs when she came back, and gave her girls a hug before noticing an extra number in the living room. "Uncle Teag!" She exclaimed as the tiny wolf made her way across the room to engulf the other in a hug. "I didn't know you were in town!"
Her eyes followed to the scar on Luke's head and immediately felt guilty again that it all happened because of her. Well, deep down, she knew it was mainly Richard's fault but Skylar did feel like she was the trigger. "You wouldn't buh-lieve how fast Col was talking."
Teagan:
At the exclamation he turned in time to catch his niece's incoming embrace. "Hey, Little Red!" he said retuning the hug. It may have only been a month since he last saw her, but it wasn't like a gig was the most conducive environment to actually get to say hello. "Well, when one's not-so-little sister finds herself in trouble, it's hard to stay too far away for long. Be glad you're an only child."
He followed the kid's line of sight and caught the sudden shift in look, which meant that if he was able to see it, Luke most definitely had. "I'm sure the full story is one that will keep at the edge of my seat, but I will unabashedly confess that I am very much happy not to have been present for a stressed Keagan."
Keagan:
The deputy waited until the hug broke before motioning Skylar to come over. "Hey baby." She whispered before pressing a brief kiss to her forehead. Keagan didn't like that Skylar for getting upset over something that wasn't her fault. The look on her face told as much and had her pulling the smaller woman into her lap before her attention was pulled away by Teagan.
"Everyone's exaggerating." Was all she could say about how everyone was tiptoeing around her when it came to Lucas at the hospital.
Luke:
"Oh my gawwwwdd, it was an accident!" Luke exclaimed at the reminder of the 'miracle'. "Besides, the reason I didn't get knocked back was because technically it had all been her idea to begin with. Any future ass beatings were avoided by me not being the human equivalent of a Hurnado...or rather, not being a hurnado around the two people least likely to put up with it."
Luke sighed, and went to make her way back over to the couch, her initial adrenaline boost wearing off. "Col would've been fine. He has an entire pack to call as back up when needed."
Lyra:
"No, you didn't get knocked back because Keg has a soft spot for you - which is quite unfair, because I'm her baby sister and she did not hold back, nosiree, she did not. I'm almost jealous." She laughed, "Keg never admits to it, but it really was a miracle, ask JJ! Has she ever held back against you? See, it's a no!" She said before even seeing his response.
"...Would the pack go up against Keagan? I wouldn't think they would."
Teagan:
"In all fairness, you can't really call out Keagan for having a soft-spot for Luke, when you're the one who literally just decided to adopt her practically on sight," Teagan pointed out. "If you're jealous now, you have no one but yourself to blame. Spooky never would've met Keagan if you didn't drag is into the eye of your hurnado life."
Teagan may be a human, but with his family having been hunters at one point, he was well-versed in the goings on. "I don't know about going up against her, but they'd definitely step in to protect their alpha."
Phoenix:
"Everyone has a soft spot for Luke." She said deadpanned. "Even Aunt Ianthe has a soft spot for her." That earned a grunt coming from the matriarch. "Fallcrest is a small town, I'm sure they would have ran into each other at some point via anyone else."
At the mention of the pack stepping in to protect the alpha, Phoenix only hummed - the pack wasn't her business nor territory but she was sure that no one wanted to get in Keagan's way for a reason.
Teagan:
"Fallcrest may be small, but where some might be generous and say that Lucas was born an old-soul, what she really was born is a hermit. Not too mention she always had something to take care of at home, so if Lyra and I didn't drag her away from this place, no one would've even known she existed," Teagan piped up. At some of the looks he got, he nodded and said, "I know right? Hard to believe when she runs multiple media channels and just had a handful of concerts a month back. Girl is the epitome of fake-til-you-make it."
Skylar:
"... Mom?" Since she was facing Uncle JJ, she twisted her body so she could look up at Luke, not even aware that she made a slip just now. It was indeed hard to believe that Luke wouldn't have 'existed' in their lives if Teagan and Lyra didn't invite her into their life - 'invite being a very generous word since she doubt that Luke had a say in it when it happened.
Luke:
As soon as she'd settled into the couch corner, she'd dropped her head back and let her eyes slip shut. With the pain meds wearing off, not only were her senses sharpening to their new normal -which with so many guests at the moment was terrible timing- but the pain was also sharpening and she just felt like a little rest would help.
Luke had managed to drown the conversation out for the most part as she focused herself on Skylar and Keagan's heartbeats. Even the faint 'mom' was overlooked as she habitually assumed it was meant for Keagan. But the sudden spike in heart rates was enough to get her to open her eyes. Taking a second to think as she stared up at the high, vaulted ceiling of the living room, Luke slowly lifted her head up and said, "Your mom is just confirm it, Mini-me. I mean, even when I was over at the Calvetti home, while Teagan and Lyra were running amuck, I was usually helping your mom with her homework." Hoping she'd bought Keagan a bit more time, she smiled and said, "That was back when I kept my brain on for most of the time."
Lyra:
If she didn't know better, she would have thought Sky was talking to her mom - Keagan.. Lyra's older sister. But she could not for the life of her justify why Sky decided to twist her body to talk to her when she was already on the woman's lap. Her eyes narrowed at the interaction between Luke and Sky. And as often as they are mistaken for daughter and mother, that didn't make sense. "Yeah, that's right, Tiny. Your mom had help from Luke with all her homework."
The little sister was weirdly smugnabout it even thought she didn't do well in school either but that was besides the point. "See, good things happened when I brought Luke into our lives! You appreciate it too!" Lyra smacked Reagan in the arm.
Tomi:
For the briefest of seconds Tomi thought that Skylar had managed to give away her mother's 'news' even after their entire conversation the night before. Luckily, Luke seemed to think fast enough to give some cover and even though the look on Lyra's face definitely made it clear she picked up on something weird, the woman was just as easily distracted by an opportunity to take a jab at her older sister and give herself credit.
"Well it's not really a surprise that Luke would be able to help someone older with their homework. Personally, I'm almost certain that if she weren't around to help me with mine I wouldn't even be on track to graduate, let alone manage school and soccer and the band."
Keagan:
Keagan ran her hand through her daughter's hair, thankful that Lyra didn't press on it. She just wanted at least a night's rest before dealing with Hurnado and her questions that were bound to come once the secret between Luke, Sky and her was revealed. "Well, we're all glad Luke's be around to help all of us with our homework and many other things."
They really were indebted to Luke who had done so much for them and never really asked for anything in return. She glanced over to the woman they were talking about and her felt sympathetic because Luke looked more tired than she was at the hospital. "Do you want to go up and rest a bit?"
Luke:
Luke simply grinned, as one of the tik tok sounds played in her head as she took in the group gathered in the room: I know something you don’t. I know something you will never know
At the question, Luke shook her head. “Nope. I feel like all I’ve done the last two days is rest,” she chuckled. “I would, however, appreciate some-“ Luke was interrupted by another knock at the door, “-Tylenol…”
Phoenix:
At the knock at the door, the Calvetti family all exchanged looks. There seemed to be an influx of visitors they weren't aware of. "Since everyone's sitting..." And her niece sped off to get the Tylenol. She offered to go herself.
Opening the door, she greeted in a much nicer tone than Lyra had used earlier. "Hello?"
Rikke:
It had been a long past 32 hours and 46 minutes -almost fifteen of which had been spent out in the snowy drive-way trying to figure out if she should knock or not- but Rikke had duty…and shift that Matheson couldn’t be left to his own devices for.
The Paladin knew that if bad came to worst, she’d feel it immediately, so she was at least safe in knowledge Luke was still alive. However, the woman hadn’t really received any updates after leaving the hospital post-surgery and when she’d gone to try and visit she’s been informed Luke was discharged. Which no one thought to tell her, but then again why would they? She was practically a stranger, a no-
Her train of thought was interrupted as the door opened and a familiar face greeted her. “Hi,” she replied dumbly. “Uh, I heard Luke was home and just wanted to check in. See if maybe you guys needed anything.”
Skylar:
She came almost running back from grabbing the medicine. "Would these still wor- Oh!" Her feet slowed down significantly before reaching Luke. Skylar didn't expect to see Rikke drop by and since she found out that she was Rikke's descendant... the wolf was outwardly staring at the Paladin with awe. She was related to her.. and was still bitter that she didn't get any of the height from Rikke nor Luke - Skylar was still the shortest in both families.
Eventually snapping out of it when Keagan gently took the bottle out of her hands, her initial question flooded her mind. Would Tylenol work on Luke? Because it sure doesn't work on any of the wolves so she wondered if it was the same case for Paladins. "..Is there a way to quickly cure a headache?" She asked just for jokes.
Rikke:
Once she was allowed inside, she waited for Nix to lead the way. It wasn't that hard to figure it out, as their seemed to be quite the boisterous group assembled. Rikke had enough wits about her to manage proper greetings to those she knew, and introductions to those she didn't. Granted, her focus made a beeline for the young woman that was essentially the youngest of her line, as soon as she heard her speak.
By the look on the kid's face, it was obvious that she'd either been informed of their kinship or she was really, really grateful for the assist Rikke managed in getting Luke some help. "Well," she began, "Professionally speaking, it depends on who it is that has the headache. Normally one or two of those," she indicated the bottle in Keagan's hand, "Will do the trick. But, for those with a naturally high tolerance, fast metabolism, or the unfortunate combination of both like myself, there are a few potions that can be brewed up in a few minutes with the proper know-how."
Skylar:
At the answer, the smallest of the entire room gave Luke a look, then to the bottle, and then back to Rilke again. "....Do you know how?" She asked since it was obvious than the normal drug wasn't going to help ease the headache now that Luke also had that unfortunate combination. "Or do we need to go find someone who knows how to brew it? ....Is it Dr. Wren?" At this point, Skylar just believed that the professor had the answer to most things if not all.
"Um.." she started, "Thanks for being there with mom.." Although Rikke couldn't use her powers on Luke, she was still able to diagnose the injuries. She smiled at the Paladin before going over to where Erin and Tomi was.
Rikke:
Rikke let out a light laugh in response but nodded and answered. “I do know the ingredients and steps to follow, but it does require a certain level of innate magic I don’t possess. And though I’m sure Ripley is more than capable, any witch would be able to brew it really.”
Rikke dropped into a bit of a squat so she could look at the girl eye to eye and smiled warmly. “You have nothing to thank me for, dear. Paramedics and Law Enforcement always have each other’s backs, and even if that weren’t the case, paladins were created to be guardians. Our natural instinct is to help.”
Lyra:
When Rikke showed up at the cabin, the shit grin she had before almost skipping over to her cousin and started nudging her. The cousin obviously swatted at her but Lyra didn't care and simply followed her around when Nix was trying to get away. Lyra had not learned her lesson since their time at the gym.
"Well.. Paladins are sure the opposite of wolves." She joked and her smile quickly turned into a cough when Keagan glared daggers her way. Imitating a key locking her mouth, she hid behind Nix.
Rikke:
The Paladin chuckled as she stood back up, the sisters not being anywhere near as subtle as they might think. Granted, she doubted subtlety was ever a priority for Lyra. “I think might depend on the wolf, don’t you think? I mean, the pack alpha is literally a pediatric surgeon. Doesn’t get more helpful than dedication to children’s health.”
Lyra:
"Mmm, maybe." She pipes down now that even her mom was giving her the "look". That was the signal to actually stop talking before she gets dragged out of her by the collar again. "Look, I'm just saying that certain wolves just attack first and ta- okay, I'm going to get a drink from the kitchen. Anyone else? No? Okay." And she does off.
Luke:
Luke had been quiet from the moment she was able to sense Rikke. Her focus was split between the growing pain and the growing list of questions she wanted to ask the older Paladin all at once, but it was all placed on the back burner as she witnessed how easily Rikke managed to interact with Skylar. She was even more than a little impressed at how the woman held her own with Lyra, even if only for a few minutes.
As Lyra headed off to the kitchen, Luke just couldn’t hold back anymore and standing from the couch she simply walked over and gave the woman a hug. “Thank you…for everything,” she said. It was clear on Rikke’s face that she’d understood Luke didn’t just mean helping her after the gym. But the sacrifices Rikke made, that led to her being here now.
Keeping an arm around the woman’s shoulders she turned around the rest with a proud look as she said, “Extended Calvetti Genetic Universe, meet the genetic root of my family tree.”
Phoenix:
She gave a light chuckle when Lyra sneaked away after going up against the Paladin. However that moment of amusement didn’t last very long when Luke suddenly made an announcement - introducing who Rikke was to her. Her eyes widened and was suddenly very glad that Lyra wasn’t here even if she could hear from the kitchen. And as if on cue, there was a ‘What!?’ coming from that direction. “Root of your family tree?” She asked before it clicked, “Wait, you’re - Oh.” That would explain so much.”
That was really all she could say before she too, made her way to the couch and took over the empty spot. Yep, it just caught up to her that she might have danced hard with Luke’s.. ancestor. Lyra was going to have a riot because the giddy look on her face when she came back from the kitchen said as much. “Don’t.” She ignored Lyra’s eyebrow wiggles.
Rikke:
It had taken her by surprise when Luke had come up to her, but there was no hesitation in returning the embrace. At her words, all she could do was nod, not really trusting her own voice. How could she? Everything that Grey’s ancestor and his cohorts had taken from her was now being returned in the form of Lucas and Skylar. It was honestly a miracle she wasn’t sobbing right now.
The impromptu introduction, however, led to anxiety immediately taking over, and it was only exacerbated by Phoenix and Lyra’s reactions. Not she thought it would be appreciated by the witch if she brought attention to it so instead she just said, “It seems that the Holstein line managed to find its way back to Fallcrest through the years.”
Skylar:
Her staring had not stopped since Rikke walked into the cabin, and had been watching even when Luke walked over the hug. However, just because they introduced her as Luke’s ancestor did not mean they knew Rikke was her grandmother as well. The kid didn’t quite know what to do without completely exposing herself. If her parents didn’t say anything about it, it was implied that they wanted to wait a bit. “..So you’re like… Grams..” The awe in her voice matched what was in her eyes this entire time.
“…Blake’s phrase of Born in Fallcrest, Die in Fallcrest sure rings true.” She snorted as her arms wrapped around the waist of one of her girlfriends, “Still, that’s pretty cool though. I’m glad you’re part of Luke’s family.” And in extensions, hers. Her smile just widened at the paramedic the more she thought about it.
Rikke:
She couldn’t help the easy laugh at the girl’s remark. “I suppose so, yeah. Might have to work on a bit of a cover story for the sake of those out of the supernatural loop though. They might be concerned as to what age I might’ve had my first child if Luke is claiming to be my granddaughter.” Rikke comically grimaced, but internally was already foreseeing all the ways that could go wrong if not addressed.
“Well, if I recall correctly, Luke here was actually born in Rochester, New York. Which probably helped her a lot in dodging one hell of a bullet these last couple of days,” she said, giving the redhead a squeeze. Even she share the connection she did with the younger redhead, the smile on her face was enough to clue Rikke in to just how genuinely happy she was, and it once again had her on the verge of tearing up.
So she deflected. “Speaking of your ordeal, let’s get your headache sorted. If we can’t get someone to brew the potion here, I can orb over to Ripper’s and see if she can whip something up.”
Keagan:
While Sky and Luke was happy to learn about the relation between Rikke and them, Keagan felt a tinge of nervousness. This sort of nervousness was perhaps similar to how Luke felt in the presence of Ianthe. The need to.. impress even though it wasn't expected of them.
"Do you think people will believe it to be a nickname?" a chuckle came from the couch. Oh speaking of names, she was reminded how they still haven't heard from Sky about what she was going to call Luke or if they were both going to go by 'mom' and just deal with the confusion later.
Getting up from her seat, she nodded to Rikke's plan. "If she's free to help, that'd be much appreciated. It wouldn't hurt for us to learn how to brew it too in case we need it again." If it worked on a Paladin, it might also be helpful for a wolf.
Luke:
Luke made a face as she considered how well 'grams' would fly as a 'nickname' for someone who looked like Rikke. "Yeah....I don't think that one's as easy to explain away as 'nan' is for Quinn. She just claims its short for Nancy, which is her middle name - but like it didn't work on me because I already knew her middle name is Scarlett-" She stopped mid-sentence realizing she was going off on one hell of a tangent.
Glancing over at the slightly shorter woman, Luke considered her for a moment and then said, "I can just claim you were a teenage mother...who takes really good care of her skin. Then grams makes coming from Sky." She nodded, pleased at her idea before subtly adding, "Since it's bound to get out that I'm dating Keagan, it all comes out in the wash."
Luke furrowed her brow at Keagan and said, "We literally have three women with innate magic sitting in this very room. If Rikke knows the 'how' and 'what' we can stock up and have plenty of potion left over for Lyra's inevitable hangovers."
Phoenix:
This was quite the news to wrap her mind around but it seemed that her cousin was having a blast because she kept shooting looks her way. JJ tried his best to deflect her attention but nothing could really could really distract Lyra unless she chose to be distracted. "Did a lot of people question it though?"
Her eyes flickered to Keagan when Luke vocally admitted that she and Keagan were finally dating. While everyone in the house suspected, it was never actually confirmed until now - though it seemed that the kids already knew whom she guessed was told by Skylar because her niece was basically radiating light from her smile alone.
"I hope the ingredients are easily accessible." She was never a fan of those that required the hardest ingredients to find because that just meant the potion was rare and they couldn't use it so carelessly. Was she also trying to avoid the topic that Lyra was more keen on touching on than she did? Yes.
Luke:
At Nix’s question, Luke glanced over and said, “Surprisingly, yes. At least it was far more people than those who you might think would question why she’s been running the same bar since they were kids and yet still looks the same…actually I think that speaks to the clientele she usually has.”
Not missing the slight glance at Keagan, Luke just let out a sigh and said, “Yeah, yeah, I know we haven’t really done anything drastically different in order to denote actual ‘dating’ but it’s not like the fact she didn’t come back here to sleep the last two nights didn’t raise any flags.”
At the question of ingredients she turned to Rikke who listed them off, and then volunteered to acquire anything that might be missing. “Ooh, do you think I’d be able to tag along? Like, side-orb or something?”
Keagan:
"Considering how she's.. Well, the oldest resident in town, that would've given her plenty of time to accumulate a long list of returning customers of all kinds." She smiled, "And how she serves the best drinks in town that could knock a supernatural out. It was bound to be a hotspot for those who won't question anything."
When her relationship status was revealed, Keagan ignored everyone's gaze and only smiled softly when she felt her brother nudging her gently. She was definitely ignoring Lyra's gaze, though it was almost eerie that she hadn't said much about it since the day she told her she had feelings for Luke.
"Lucas." The familiar and usual tone of hers when she felt it wasn't a good idea. "Let's put off the orbbing for you for now. I don't want anything to irritate your wound again." She sighed and got up. "Nix can go with you though," She turned to Rikke, "if you need a hand bringing things back."
Rikke:
For a moment she wasn’t sure who was meant to be the youngest Holstein, given Luke’s immediate look of disappointment at the suggestion she not orb. Looking to Keagan she said, “Thank you for being the voice of reason here. I trust she’ll be in very capable hands.”
Glancing back at the elder redhead, she gave her another quick squeeze before saying, “Go on then, listen to the smart one. There’ll be plenty of time to orb and figure out what all other powers you’ve got once your head has one less hole.”
She watched Luke very begrudgingly go to find a seat, but the woman couldn’t hide how exhausted she was once she actually sat down. At the mention of help gathering the ingredients, Rikke glanced over at Nix attempting to gauge her reaction. “Uh, yeah. It’s fine by me as long as it’s fine by her.”
Phoenix:
The news of them dating was surprising and not surprising all at the same time. Somehow they should have seen this a mile away with how the two of them always acted. 'Christmas Miracle in October' seemed to be the loudest clue they could get.
With that being said, she didn't expect Keagan to be the one to send her along with Rikke. She could almost hear the giddiness oozing off of the younger cousin. "Yeah, it's fine with me." she nodded with a small smile, "We should go now because Luke probably wants that potion sooner than later."
Walking over to Rikke, she awkwardly stood next to her. Since she never experienced orbbing before, she wondered if it was going to feel like when a demon shimmers. "Do I.. need to hold on to you?"
Rikke:
Glancing over at her ‘daughter’ once more, the fact she’d dropped her head back on the couch and was now staring blankly at the ceiling had her nodding and saying, “I think you’re right…”
As the shorter woman approached her, Rikke held out her hands before her. “You can just hold on to my hands if you’d feel more comfortable. Just hang on tight, and don’t let go under any circumstances until I do,” she instructed. Once set, she tossed one last, “Be right back” at the gathered group.
Lyra:
Much like Luke, she couldn't sit still for long. And with the arrival of Rikke, she was way past her limit. So when Phoenix and Rikke orbed away, Lyra walked up to where they were, pointing in the same direction.
"Oh my godddddd. Keg, I can't believe you sent Nix with Rikke. Niceee." She complimented though her sister only gave her a stern look. "Like, watch out. She's basically your in-law" she teased. "Grams. A hot grams though." And like the Hurnado she was, Lyra sped off before anyone could reprimand her.
Luke:
Luke sat back up properly at the eagerness just radiating from her friend’s tone as she discussed Nix and Rikke. But before she could even get a word out, the woman was off again. So instead she turned to Teagan.
“So, I know you just got here but-“ Teagan nodded and finished the thought. “I’ll see if I can entice her into catching a movie with the promise of drinks after.” Luke smiled appreciatively and said, “Thank you.”
As he went off after Lyra, Luke glanced around and said, “How successful do we think he’s gonna be?”
Keagan:
Keagan was.. also too tired to fuss over it. Her sister had always been like that regardless of other people’s comfort. And besides, her mom was also here.
“I think Lyra only listens to selective people, Teag’s one of them.” She took the opportunity lean into Luke since the nosiest of them had left. “Hopefully he can just.. keep her preoccupied for the rest of the night. I feel bad for Nix.”
Luke:
Luke didn't hesitate to move an arm to wrap around small shoulders as Keagan leant into her side, though she did let out a small groan at the mention of Nix. "I probably should've handled that 'reveal' better, but there's just no describing what it's like to have gone the majority of your life feeling like you were just slotted into a random place and then suddenly being able to literally feel a connection to someone else. I couldn't help myself. Speaking of connections, I need to ask after why I feel you're emotions, because that tosses a wrench in the 'I can only sense my relatives' theory. Maybe it just means you're special to me," she said with a derpy grin.
She let out another sigh though and said, "I do feel bad for Nix too, but at least it kept Lyra distracted from when I rather unceremoniously stated we were dating...which, I mean, I realize we never really like, labeled or anything and I may have just let my mouth run on that too, and by all means feel free to correct me at any moment. I'm a big girl, I can take it." The rambling was a sign she was nervous, but that was nothing new to any of the people currently present.
Keagan:
"I don't think anything could have saved Nix from Lyra because in the end, Rikke is your ancestor." Her sister had not changed over the years, and surely wasn't going to be shy about any situation which was why she wanted to break it down into groups when reveal Sky's relation to the Holstein's. If that was how much Nix was being teased, she did not want to know what her sister had in store for her, "We might need a better tactic later.." She said to no one in particular.
As for being able to feel her emotions, Keagan looked at the other curiously, "Do you feel.. anyone else's emotions?" She held her tongue just in time before she said 'besides Sky's'.
"It's fine. We are dating - or at least, that is the intention." She looked over to Sky since their kid didn't exactly give them an answer that time but the chances of her kid saying 'no' was very low.
Luke:
"I still feel bad," she admitted. "Maybe I could've announced it on a one-on-one model or something. Given Nix some time to process and then have to deal with Lyra later...I don't know. I guess, part of me, also feels bad for Rikke. Lyra may not be teasing her...yet, but what if Nix decides dealing with Lyra is too much and she decides not to be friends anymore? Rikke already doesn't have that many to begin with." She was kind of spiraling a bit, but the ramifications of what she'd done were very much catching up to her all at once.
The question gave her a shift in focus, and she shook her head gingerly. "Nope. I mean, there's your mom's, but that's all in the eyes and I've been sensing that since the day I met her," she joked.
"I certainly seem to have found a way to live my life all sorts of out of order," she chuckled. She lived her life like a teenager now, while as a kid she was the 'adult', she had a baby before she even dated the kid's mother, and now she nearly died before even learning the details of her actual birth. "I'm a mess and a half, but I'm working on it."
Skylar:
Not wanting to stand around, the wolf had taken a seat on the ground at the coffee table in the middle of the room. "I don't think Aunt Nix is the type of person who would quit being someone's friend just because Aunt Lyra's being annoying. I think it might be nice for them to hang out.. give them a break from Aunt Lyra."
Everyone can only handle Lyra in small doses but that also meant that everyone was on a rotation when it came to 'babysitting' her. "And besides, Grandma is here.. I think this is already Aunt Lyr being good." She sighed as if there wasn't anything to be done by this point.
When Keagan confirmed that they were indeed dating, one could hear a mutter under their breath, 'It's about time.' which caught Sky's attention." ...I guess no one else was surprised."
Rikke:
Almost as if on queue, the room was lit up as two forms emerged from a blitz of blue lights. Rikke stood holding a basket in her arms, which left Nix to wrapping her own arms around one of the paladin's in order to make the journey back as opposed to just her hands. Not that Rikke minded, but she wasn't entirely sure Nix was comfortable with the arrangement. Luckily it seemed that Lyra wasn't in the vicinity, so there was at least that.
Lifting up the basket slightly, Rikke said, "Care package, courtesy of your biggest fan." Glancing down at the contents, she added, "There's some vials of pre-brewed pain potion for supers, a bag with ingredients for another decent size batch and step-by-step instructions. She threw in a special balm that helps with scarring caused by other supernaturals, some scones, some scotch, Across the Universe, and The complete X-Files -whatever those last two are- to help keep you entertained and still."
Rikke debated on sharing the next bit, but it was part of the deal to get Ripley to hand over the goods. "She also asked that I let you know that she will miss your spars, but hopes you get better soon. And that I remind you that scars are sexy, and she can see how managed to win the genetic lottery...."
Phoenix:
The relief she felt when she didn’t see or hear Lyra when they came back. Her family - or Lyra herself - had steered her away for whatever reason, and for that, Phoenix was thankful. Her brows did go up when she saw Luke and Keagan cuddling with each other but let it slide since she knew that Keagan wouldn’t want it to be made into a big deal.
“She gave us quite a bit. I was almost sure we needed to wheel in a cart.” The witch released her hold around the Paladin and walked to the other side of the room, peeking up the stairs as if she could even see Lyra or Teagan from here. Her attention then came back to the crowd when Rikke shared what Ripley had requested them to say before giving them everything they needed and more. “Okay.” She clapped her hands together before Keagan could even frown. “Let’s get this potion brewing?” She motioned towards the kitchen.
Erin:
Erin was probably the least surprised by any of the things that had come from the duos trip to Dr. Wren's. She was, however, amused to see the older witch in the household's demeanor. The woman went form relieved upon arrival, to curious upon seeing Skylar's moms, to letting go of Rikke like she'd been shocked, to not-so-subtly trying to see if she could place Lyra. The woman was clearly in need of something to place her focus on.
Which is why she figured she'd help when she brought up the potion. "Hey, that sounds like a great a idea! Tomi and I can help you out in brewing the fresh batch, meanwhile Luke can just take one of the ones in the basket so she doesn't have to wait. It'll give us some good hands-on experience." Without much time for any possible derailments, she grabbed Tomi and started towards the kitchen, reaching into the basket to retrieve the items they'd need as they passed the older paladin.
Keagan:
Keagan had been waiting on the 'perfect' time to tell everyone about the link between Skylar and Luke but it was deemed harder than she thought since it felt as if Lyra was being more nosy than she normally was if that was at all possible. Her plan was to wait for the next day, but now that Teagan had her distracted somewhere...
"I.. may have something to tell everyone - well, we-" she motioned to Luke and herself, "have something to share." Out of habit, Keagan was trying not to look nervous but she was sure Luke could 'sense' her somehow. Keagan leaned forward so she could rest her arms on her knees.
Honestly, she was really thinking about the most direct way to give the news. "We learned recently that the Paladin has a special way of .. well, reproducing and it seems that the root of it all is essentially.. love and if there is a really strong connection and its reciprocated.. well, kids can be conceived." She looked over to her daughter.
"What I'm getting at is Skylar's Luke's kid in the most literal sense. Not a drop of Benson blood is in that kid."
Luke:
Once the potion was downed, Luke immediately began to feel more focused and in the moment. The pain had definitely been far less than the initial headache or the aftermath episode, but enough to where she'd started losing track of most things happening around her. It was a rather sudden and overwhelming sense of nervousness that immediately made her realize she should be paying attention.
"Yes," was all she could manage to add. As usual, Keagan had settled on the direct approach, though at least this time it was a bit more informative than when she'd initially told Skylar.
Of course, Luke was also now being overwhelmed by her own anxiety. She was, after all, currently surrounded by mainly Kegan's family...who would more than likely have questions...they may even have concerns. The possibility of having the Calvetti clan turn on her was exceedingly low, she knew this, but it was never actually zero and she also knew this...Jarrett and Ianthe may not be pleased with the conclusion they'd come to if they bothered to do the math...
"From what I've been able to learn, because I was conceived after my father's powers had been triggered, it basically imbued me with some of my abilities from birth, essentially. So, even though my full powers weren't triggered until the night before last, I could still manage my Skylar sense, and to have caused Keagan's nose to take longer to heal." At this point she realized she was talking to fill the silence. To distract herself from the possibility that she may have disappointed the only decent parental figures she ever had...but even in spit of this, one look at her daughter and she knew she'd never be able to bring herself to regret a single second of it.
Ianthe:
Ever since that 'Christmas Miracle in October', Ianthe had a feeling that there was something supernatural about Lucas. It was the only explanation as to why Keagan's injury took a while to heal. And so, she always kept an eye on the kid. But as time went on, nothing out of the ordinary ever happened.
Until now - where Lucas being a Paladin felt like the missing piece of the puzzle. And she could only deduce as to why Luke could sense Keagan despite not being related however, she was going to keep to herself. The kids will eventually figure it out on their own, much like how they finally got their heads out of their asses and are now dating.
However, this did not prepare her to learn that the biology of a Timeless would allow them to reproduce with.. anyone. And much less that Skylar was conceived that way. Her eyes shifted over to her granddaughter who didn't look surprised at all.
Her husband looked quite the opposite of that as his eyes widened to the point that she doubt she ever saw them that open. She supposed that this on top of the dating news will put a damper on his plan of betting their youngest daughter to date Luke. "Thank God." She spoke out as her focus returned to the new couple. "Now we really don't have a reason to deal with the Bensons." It was a very good decision to let the Paladin to take care of Skylar rather than entrusting that to Richard. "This explains why she looks exactly like you." She gave a smirk.
Luke:
To say Luke breathed a sigh of relief at the response she finally got, would be an understatement. Mainly because it implied she’d been breathing at all before then, which she didn’t realize she’d stopped after she last spoke. Getting over her slight lightheadedness, she managed a chuckle.
“Not really like I would’ve let either Richard or Malcolm anywhere near her again regardless,” Luke reassured. “It certainly does help that I’m now aware this entire property is legally mine and that all it would take is a simple mundane DNA test to prove Richard has no ties to her to enforce a restraining order if he weren’t already taken care of.”
Luke turned to face her daughter with a sheepish smile. “Yeah…though I suppose the Holstein height is a recessive gene…”
Skylar:
"That's not fair." A mumble came from her direction when Luke pointed out that she did not get the height factor from the Holstein genes. "But I get to call Luke my mom now! And that .. I can call Rikke my Grams.. if that's okay.." She peeked at the elder Paladin.
Getting up from her spot, she shuffled over to where her girlfriends were and wrapped her arms around the waist of the two. "Since everyone seems to be in a sharing mood.... Um.. The three of us are now dating.. Yep. Which ... apparently my moms were not surprised about."
Rikke:
The elder Paladin could only smile warmly at the girl as she nodded and said, “You can call whatever you’d like, love. As long you’re comfortable, that’s all that matters.” After so many years of not knowing what had become of her own son, nomenclature and titles seemed like the most trivial of things.
At the following announcement, for her own part, she just raised a brow and smirked. “I think it’s often hard to surprise the people who know you best -though not entirely impossible- but, they may also have understood that a child literally conceived from love would have love to give in spades. Jack did mention that polyamory and the communal raising of the young wasn’t entirely uncommon for the Timeless. Seems it was more something that was phased out as the species evolved into the main four others and, eventually, supernaturals attempted to blend in with mundanes more.”
Skylar:
"That's what mom - Luke said too, but it's hard finding a name that feels right.. But I'm glad that I have 2 grandmothers now." She grinned, looking over at Ianthe who simply smiled warmly at her.
At the description of being born from love, only to have lots of love to give had the youngest Calvetti-Holstein blushing in shyness. The girl almost wanted to give in and hide behind her twin towers. ".. But people still have poly-amorous relationships.." She frowned when she heard that it was phased out only to blend in." But then again, if it wasn't Erin and Tomi, Skylar would not have wanted to share either. "Um... when is Aunt Lyra going to know.. about everything..?"
Luke:
Luke couldn't help the sad smile that came to her face as she said, "Well, technically you have four grandmothers, and though I'm very glad you have two very capable women to look up now, I'm sure that Mabel and Shira would've also absolutely adored you in spite of the circumstances that may have led to them not being here today." It was one of the first -if not the first- times that Luke had even contemplated what her adoptive mother would've thought of Skylar, let alone her birth mother. But she fully believed in her heart that they'd have never done any wrong by the girl.
"Yes, polycules are still a thing now, but let's not forget that we live in a world where even just me holding your mom's hand in public, in the wrong place, could be unpleasant...to put it mildly. People have been made to change to fit certain molds for eras before now, and it's still taking a bit of work to break those molds and show that we were never meant to be constrained to begin with. So, ultimately, I suppose you've just managed to bring our kind full-circle in a way," she chuckled.
At the question of Lyra, Luke narrowed her eyes a bit before wincing and reaching for her ears. "Well, she's not entirely left the house, but I can't speak to what she's heard. Tegan's got her mucking about in the studio, and I really am not enjoying their volume control choices."
Skylar:
"..You think so?" Her smile matched Luke's a bit, wondering what it'd be like if she actually got along with Mrs. Benson, at the very least. The Calvetti barely wanted her to interact with Richard, much less his family. It would have been nice to meet Shira too, but unfortunately, none of them could.
Skylar pursed her lips, almost wiggling her nose like a squirrel at the world being a place where anything LGBTQA+ was considered 'abnormal'. "The world can suck it." She muttered. It was normal for her since almost everyone was accepting. "Never made sense to me why people are so hung up on being upset over other people's lives." Her arms around her girlfriends simply tightened, "They should take up a hobby or two or work on their own lives."
It was only now did she notice the loud noise coming from the studio. "Oh.. They're.. the audio must be in the red the entire time."
Luke:
"I know so," Luke replied adamantly. "The actions they took were very heavily influenced by outside sources and circumstances, but I know enough about them to know they were good people. I mean, your grandma Mabel looked at a baby that nobody else wanted and chose to give them a home. Besides, you have your mom's puppy dog eyes, which make it really hard to dislike you."
Luke let out a laugh as she said, "Speaking of taking after your mother..." Skylar had a point, but it was just too amusing to see how quick she was to let her temper flare. A Calvetti -well McIntyre, really- trait indeed. "I am, very happy to know that the environment you've grown up in has been conducive to you feeling safe enough to not only share this with us, but to do so proudly and to know you're loved regardless." Giving Skylar what she didn't have, was her ultimate goal, and this eased her mind in a sense, knowing it worked.
"It's a good thing we weren't mid-recording process, because I'm sure everything will be completely different to when I was last in there. At least they're not in the music room. Lyra goes through strings like nobody's business."
Keagan:
She looked at Luke, almost confused, "What puppy eyes? I don't have those eyes." If anything, she just thought those came from Luke. It was almost surprising that Luke was also somewhat saying good things about Mabel. But if Luke have that much faith in her, then who were they to say otherwise? The Paladin would know that family best.
"Yes, thought that environment did spoil her a bit, didn't it?" She teased, "Don't think we didn't see that pout you made when Erin and Tomi was about to head into the kitchen without you." However, would they have done anything different? Not at all. Keagan was well aware how much she spoiled the kid but that was in part due to the fact that she was hardly around to begin with. It didn't hurt to spoil her every time she got into town.
"I hope one of you will remember to fix the audio because if you think hearing everything now hurts, it's definitely going to be worse to have that up close."
JJ:
"Sure you don't," JJ finally spoke up, while at the same time sharing a conspiratorial look with his parents. Keagan may take the most after their mother, and would therefore prefer not to have a puppy look, but it was something ultimately inherent to almost all wolves...well, all well-adjusted wolves.
He glanced back at his sister when she tried to tease his niece and said, "Oh? You think she's spoiled because she pouts? Funny that, because she got the pout from the same place she got the puppy eyes." Was he pushing his luck? Maybe, but he also knew he'd be forgiven almost immediately. The girls weren't the only ones in the Calvetti clan that could make innocent faces.
"Oh, someone's going to have to teach Luke how to manager her new senses. Hey Annie, you feel like one of your old one-on-one tutoring sessions?"
Keagan:
Keagan was so tempted to smack her brother in the arm but their parents were watching which was most likely why her brother decided that now was a good time to be cheeky. She sent an offended look his way. "She got that sad pup look from Luke." She did not ever pull such a face - at least not to her knowledge.
"Why don't you check on Lyra and Teag, Jay? Hm?" All the glaring she did was probably rendered useless, seeing how she was very comfortable leaning against Luke. Turning her attention back, Keagan gave a shrug, "I could help with the new senses if you want, though I think Rikke would have a better grasp in general."
Luke:
Luke looked confused for a moment. “Do I have a sad puppy face? I thought I had a haunted Victorian orphan face?” she asked, directing the question mainly at the man who had provided the latter description in the first place. It was partially an attempt at distraction, but also a genuine question.
The redhead looked after JJ as he begrudgingly made his way upstairs, then glanced down at the statement directed at her. “Oh I’m sure there’s bound to be plenty that any of the folks in the house right now will be able to help with. I mean, for starters I need to figure out what all I can do before I can start working on the ‘how’…” There was glint in her eye that clearly showed she was getting ideas on ‘tests’ already.
Ianthe:
Ianthe sided with Keagan on that description. The kid looked like a lost puppy when Lyra led her in by the hand. How Jarrett saw a 'haunted Victorian orphan' was beyond her. "Just because you can heal faster now does not mean you can put yourself at risk. Keagan and Rikke will be there, yes?" The question was direct to Lucas because she was sure the other two was willing to be present.
Tomi:
Luke almost immediately said yes, but all three girls currently in a group hug just laughed in response. "Mrs. C, I'm sure Lyra has already shown you and Mr. C what our dear Luke has turned into her side-hustle. I think it's pretty obvious that having an audience isn't a guarantee that she'll be discouraged from going through with whatever idea has entered her brain. If anything, it'll just make her get more creative with how she goes about it."
There was another round of laughter as the older redhead complained at being thrown under the bus by her 'own employees'.
Skylar:
Since they were on the topic, Skylar did have a thought. "...But mom's never actually been around in person when Luke's doing her video ideas...." So physically, there was no way for Keagan to stop Luke.. but now that she was here, maybe...?
"I want to be there too.. well, when Grams teaches the Paladin stuff.." While she knew her Paladin side wasn't triggered, she wondered if she still had a hint of those powers much like how Luke had always been able to sense her.
Erin:
Erin hated to burst her girlfriend's bubble but, "Your mom was here for the Unsolved special and every stop of the mini-tour. BennieHolmie content still rolled out like clockwork." She suddenly glanced over at the girl's mother and said, "Not that I'm casting doubt on anyone's abilities, but we can't let ourselves be led into a false sense of security...especially when we know you have a bit of an impulsive streak of your own, love." It really was very difficult to deny the smallest was very much her mothers' daughter. An almost perfect mix.
Erin was about to bring up Sky's experience with balloons when the door sounded again. "...okay what is up with visitors today?"
Skylar:
At least she knew enough to not try and deny that since there had been multiple instances when she was told not to do something because it'd be stupid. "It's not that bad though..." She mumbled, and continued to mumble as she made her way to the door. "I think everyone is here to visit Luke.." She opened the door with almost an expectant look.
Hendrix:
When he heard the door open, he lowered the white flower arrangement in his hands, only to realize the person who answered was not who he'd expected. Lowering the flowers a bit more, he realized it was actually Keagan's kid. Not one to ever miss an opportunity, however, he dropped to one knee as he balanced the arrangement on the other and put on his most 'empathetic' face as he said, "Hi, I'm Hendrix. I work with your mommy catching bad guys. I heard about your recent loss and I came by to tell her how sorry I am...and you, of course. I know you were really close with your aunt."
It would be clear to anyone with any sense of actual empathy how incredibly patronizing he was being, but Drix himself just wanted to ensure that he was portraying the utmost sympathy. He'd make sure to be the knight in shining armor and prove he could step up when it mattered by being proactive and offering his condolences in person. Surely people would be too busy with grief to mention it to his boss... "Is your mommy home?"
Skylar:
When she opened the door, the last thing she expected was to be 'ambushed' by a bouquet of flowers in her face. The confusion that filled her when she saw all that only grew when they were lowered to reveal a man she didn't recognise, which then turned into shock when he suddenly went down on one knee. What the actual hell was going on? She was so surprised that she actually took a step back in wary of him.
Wait, loss?
It seemed that this man was under the impression that Luke died and decided it was a good idea to come to the cabin to talk to Keagan. Sky didn't know who this man was to her mom but regardless, she didn't get a good vibe from him. Therefore, instead of answering him and still kept him from entering the cabin, Sky looked straight at Luke, "Mom, some guy's here.. and he thinks you died?"
Luke:
Luke had already sensed the wariness coming from her daughter when she opened the door, and though she'd done her best to remain focused on the conversation at hand, her main focus had been in the direction of the front door the entire time. Once Skylar called out, there was nothing that could be done to keep her in her seat. Though the fact the girl had said 'some guy' should've clued her rationale brain in, all Luke picked up on was a male that made Sky wary thought Luke was dead...Richard.
As she immediately made to stand, she hadn't even reached full height when she was standing on the front porch, right between her daughter and- she glanced down and raised an eyebrow. "Douchewin," she called out in confusion, though the flower arrangement he dropped as he fell on back on his ass and looked up at her certainly conveyed he figured someone was dead. "Skylar, please go inside. I'll handle the misunderstanding here..."
Hendrix:
Hendrix smiled when the kid turned to speak, thinking that he succeeded in convincing her to get Keagan to the door. It'd be better if he could go into the cabin, but he'll take what he can get right now. At first, it was going well since she called out for her mom. Then, he was very confused when the kid said that he thought she died. How did that translate to him thinking Keagan died?
But before he could even ask, he saw a glow come in between the kid and him, causing him to fall on his ass. To say he was surprise was an understatement. Of all people, he did not expect to see Lucas Benson standing before him with all her height. "Oh." So she didn't die.. "Luke! What a surprise." He got up onto his feet as he tried to find some connection between 'mom' and Luke appearing. "Did not expect to see you here. At all."
Luke:
Luke waited until she heard the quick steps of Skylar clearly rushing back inside. She was certain the rush was more so to inform everyone of what transpired, and less about actually doing as she was told, but as long as she was away from this creep, Luke didn't care. She turned her attention back to the man, and took a measured step to close the distance between them once he scrambled back to his feet.
"Yes, I can see that," she stated in reply to his not expecting her. "I will say, I would be touched that you would care so much for me as to want to provide your condolences in-person," she remarked, "That being said, we both know you can't bring yourself to care about anyone but yourself so-" Luke reached out with speed and swiftly lifted him off the floor by the scruff of his jacket, "-just what is it that you think you're doing here? I thought I made myself perfectly clear on your last visit to my house: you are not welcome."
Hendrix:
"I-whoa!" Luke was definitely a lot more stronger and faster than he last remembered but that was not the issue right now. "Whoa, whoa, easy... Look, I'm allowed to give my condolences! I'm still Keg's partner you can't just keep me away. I thought you died, so what kind of partner would I be if I let her and her daughter mourn alone." Yep, that was still the excuse he was going with.
"Wait, how come you came when the kid clearly asked for Keg?" That was really still sitting on his mind because he hear mom and last he recalled, Luke wasn't the mom, but the aunt. Even if she was the favourite aunt, it was a bit much to call her mom, wasn't it?
Luke:
"Former," Luke corrected. "Keagan is your former work partner. Her reassignment means her touch points are now fellow agents on the same assignment here in town, as would be the most rational and effective course of action. I may come across as aloof to those who don't know me, but I assure you, I'm not nearly the imbecile you're currently trying to treat me as, Drixy."
She brought him closer, and raised him higher on instinct to take his feet fully out from under him. "We both know that even if I had died, the last thing that Keagan and Skylar would have been in this town, is alone." Luke let out a mirthless laugh at his question. "Doesn't matter. What does matter, is that you no longer have any ties to Keagan work or otherwise. Her life? Skylar's life? The details? No longer any of your concern, and most certainly not something you have any entitlement to ask after. But I will remind you once again, this is my house and I will do deny whatever I damn well please."
Ianthe:
When Skylar came back to inform them of what occurred at the door, it only took a few exchanges between Luke and this man for Ianthe to get up from her seat. It wasn't that she didn't think the new Paladin couldn't handle it, she was curious to see who this 'former partner of Keagan's' was. Someone who was very confident that title alone would allow him into the Cabin even though he was banned off the premises. Whatever was Keagan's choice of men, but none of them were acceptable. Nor did it help to hear that Phoenix and Blake had personally see him off.
"Goodwin." She stood into view but stayed a good distance away since Luke had him at bay. "I believe you were supposed to be on your way back to your post." It may have sounded like a question but Ianthe was not asking. If anything, she did not appreciate how irresponsible he was being just by being here when her sister in law was expecting him back. She held a hand up before he could speak. "I did not say you could talk."
Luke:
Luke didn’t even remotely flinch at the sound of Ianthe’s voice coming from behind her, which was a testament to how focused she was on ensuring that Hendrix did not come near her daughter again. The same could not be said for the man in her grasp. She could see the immediate flash of fear that crossed his eyes even before she began to feel the slight trembling of his body.
Luke raised an eyebrow at the mention of his post. “Sounds like someone didn’t even bother to give his superiors proper notice,” she said with ‘tsk tsk’ to follow. “Our last encounter was rather subdued, all things considered, because we were at Keagan’s place of employment and the last thing I’d want is to cause her issue there,” Luke started, “But we’re in the privacy of my property now, and I guarantee you Mrs. Calvetti will not take my actions as a reflection on her daughter. As soon as your feet touch the ground, I want you to leave the way you came. I won’t warn you again.”
Hendrix:
Somehow he had never anticipated that Ianthe Calvetti would roll into town. Hendrix may have not met the woman personally prior to today but who in the academy hadn't heard of her? As much as he wanted to impress her, this position was not doing it justice and she was not happy to see him as Keagan's mother.
"Mrs. Calvetti!" He almost pleaded in desperation. What was with Benson's strength right now? She could throw a punch but he did not recall being unable to even budge from her grasp. "Please. I was just here to give your daughter my condolences! I wasn't told that the surgery was successful! Even though I was her former partner, we still have a bond so it does make sense for me to come and comfort her as she had been there for me before!"
Luke:
Luke was growing fairly agitated at his constant reminder that he was basically only here because he thought she herself was dead. Which was fuck all about her own mortality and entirely enraging because of the thought this man would be willing to use Keagan and Skylar’s grief to his own advantage. Without breaking her eye-contact she addressed Ianthe.
“Mrs. C, Keagan is her own person, and I don’t want to seem unreasonable or controlling, because I’m really not. So, why don’t we let her decide if she would like to come out and accept Mr. Goodwin’s condolences?”
Keagan:
The amount of will power it took for Keagan to not react when Skylar tried to describe who was at the door. She had a feeling she knew but she wished she was wrong. Even listening to him speak just made her want to cringe. The audacity for him to saying all these things when he was well aware her daughter was in the house. It was really a fortunate thing that Hartley had grown up with the rest of them and didn't turn out to be the dimwitted asshole her brother was.
Giving her daughter a kiss on the temple before telling her to stay with her girlfriends, Keagan came to stand next to her mother - far from him, "Leave me and my family alone, Goodwin. You were already sent home once. I'll be getting a restraining order on you if you don't walk away right now."
Hendrix:
To say that his ego was currently taking the beating of a lifetime, would be a vast understatement. Not only was he being made to feel greatly emasculated by this freakishly tall and suddenly strong ginger, but to have his feet not even squarely in the ground when he finally got to meet Ianthe Calvetti? How was he meant to recover from this as a first impression? And now Keagan herself was throwing around terms like ‘restraining order’? No. No, no he was losing control of the situation before he’d even said two words to the woman.
“I meant it when I said that I understood my last time in town I was out of line, but this time I genuinely just wanted to be there for you and your daughter, for what I was under the impression would be a difficult time. I just wanted to redeem myself. To prove I can be more than just a last resort when you’re lonely.” It was less a self-dig and more a move to highlight, yet again, that they shared a past whether she liked it or not. “You make me want to be a better man, Keagan Benson. “ Hendrix felt solid ground beneath his feet once more, and took that as a point in his favor.
Keagan:
It really was his stubbornness that got him to where he was in his career but the man should really learn where to draw the line because he completely crossed it since the first time he came to find her. "And as you can see, I do not need you here. There is nothing for you to prove." She made a face between disgust and cringe when he said that she made him a better man because she did no such thing.
"No." She rejected that idea altogether, "This," she motioned to whatever this situation was, "is all you. This has nothing to do with me. I don't tell you to do anything other than to leave me and my family alone." Since it didn't look like the man was budging, Ianthe walked up to where Luke was and even Keagan could only imagine how intimidating that was. "I'm reporting this to headquarters, as well as your superiors." God, she just wanted to go nap with Luke right now.
Hendrix:
“You really don’t think this is all just a tad bit unfair to me in any way?” There was crack in his voice and he kept from blinking long enough to make his eyes water. “I’m supposed to just be okay with having been good enough when it was convenient to you and now I’m supposed to just step aside for some other guy to come along and be accepted into the very family you want to keep me away from? You opened the door to this, but somehow I’m the only one who has to deal with consequences?”
He was smart enough to take a step back when Ianthe moved up, but he kept his gaze on Keagan as he let the tears run down his face. “I just want a chance to show you I can be that missing piece in your family, Keggy. I can be the partner you need. I can be the father Skylar deser-“ he stopped as he was lifted back up. Hendrix immediately got the point the tall woman was making. “Okay, okay. Leaving Skylar out of this.”
Keagan:
Wow. He actually went with the waterworks route - that was something she did not think would happen. Even Ricky didn't pull that trick. "I made it clear since day 1, it is not my fault you chose to spin it and interpret it into a way that suits you. Not once did I tell you that we'd be anything more." Why was she even bothering with words because Hendrix wasn't listening nor was he going to listen because he believed he could still get his way somehow by harassing her.
The fact that he was still trying to use Sky's name against her. The wolf moved forward herself, and grabbed the man out of Luke's grip and punched the man in the face. She really had it with him. This and Richard. Words weren't going to cut it clearly, so she resorted to action. Consequences be damned, she was going to have to answer to both her bosses later. And with that in mind, Keagan threw another punch into his jaw.
Luke:
Luke had remained quiet during their entire exchange. She’d said it the last time she was a witness to one of their interactions: it was none of her business. Skylar, on the other hand, the Paladin had made very clear once before was very much her business. So that prompted her to step in, even if Keagan decided to cut it short.
It was obvious that the older woman had reached her limit and had something to get out of her system, so Luke didn’t immediately stop her. Instead she waited until she felt the point was made, and she simply grabbed the man by the scruff and orbed him into his car.
Words were clearly exchanged, then she orbed back to the porch as he peeled out of the driveway. “I don’t think he’ll be back. He seemed quite uneasy with the idea of me just being able to make him be somewhere without his consent, and I may have pointed out that he should be grateful I opted for the interior of his car and not the interior of say, a mountainside…it was admittedly a bold statement given how I’m surprised we didn’t end up stuck in the engine or some other splinching.”
Keagan:
She couldn't even get in more punches because Luke orbed away with him. Oh, and the fact that she orbed when the older wolf told her to not do so until she got better. Keagan just allowed her mom to pull her in for a hug in silence. She didn't even bother to reply when her mom teased her about the shit choice in men and having them bite her in the ass.
When Luke came back, Keagan didn't even watch the man leave. Instead, she migrated from one hug to the other, wrapping her arms around the taller woman as she leaned against her. "....I said no orbing." It wasn't very convincing but she gave up trying. It wasn't as if she could have stopped her to begin with. "Sorry, you had to deal with that.. I should have kicked his ass back myself." She tiptoed and gave the other a gentle kiss to the cheek.
Luke:
Luke felt like she needed a seat immediately, but managed to keep her footing sure if only for the sake of the woman now wrapped around her. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t entirely a conscious thing,” she began. “It’s hard to explain but, it’s kind of like breathing in your sleep: you don’t consciously think inhale-exhale, your body just knows what it needs and you do it.” The implication that she needed that guy to be gone was not subtle and she had zero intention of it being so.
She smiled at the kiss and simply wrapped her arms around the smaller woman’s shoulders. “You kicked plenty of ass on our behalf when we were kids. Consider it returning the favor. Besides, it’s not like I’ve been known to pass up the chance to put an asshat in his place. At least this one didn’t take a swing.”
Keagan:
Keagan only smiled at that since she also needed the man to be gone and was thankful that she basically yeeted him into the car so that he didn't get the chance to even struggle back. "I still can't believe he tried to come back after we kicked him out the first time."
Being exhausted by the interaction, she just wanted to stay here with Luke, but they should really head back in. Surely her kid was curious if her girlfriends hadn't prevented her from eavesdropping. "Come on.." she turned, pulling Luke to follow her and was not surprised to see that her mom already went back in without them
Luke:
Luke simply raised her brows and tilted her head to one side as she said, "I can." Looking down to meet hazel eyes, the redhead held the most earnest look in her own blue hues as she said, "You are one very difficult person to get over ma'am. Not everyone manages to do so, and not everyone gets lucky enough to have you give them another opportunity...speaking of which, I know this one hasn't been entirely the smoothest of rides so far but, I'm very glad you've chosen to come along anyway."
She let herself be pulled back inside, where her eyes immediately searched out for their younger counterpart. "Mini-me," she called out and met her half-way back to the living. "Are you alright?"
Skylar:
It was hard not to eavesdrop, but every time she tried to, Erin or Tomi ..or both would pull her attention back. The wolf had been almost sulking the entire time she was waiting there for her moms to come back because.. who on earth was that guy? Thankfully they came back before she was going to sneak over to take a peek herself.
"I'm okay." She buried herself into another hug with Keagan also joining in on it. "I don't like that guy. I don't know who he is but I don't like him - he said he worked with you, how on earth did you have patience for him?" the rambling kept going that she felt Keagan chuckle. "I'm serious!! I feel like you wouldn't be able to stand him just being in the same room as him... Why did he know that you were in the hospital though?" Her attention switched over to her other mom.
Luke:
The rambling might have earned a chuckle from herself as well, if only Luke was as oblivious as Skylar to what exactly Hendrix had to do with her mother... As it stood, at the question of how Keagan could even stand the man, all Luke could do was look off somewhere where the drywall was far more interesting than the current conversation.
The last question was clearly aimed at her, so she was brought back into the fray of it. "His boss is also your mom's boss, and as we're aware, also your mom's aunt. It's likely he just happened to eavesdrop," she answered with a smirk, knowing that the girl had likely attempted the same. Of course, it was far more likely he'd been keeping tabs on Keagan, but that was not her place to say.
Skylar:
"His boss is our relative.. and we have Grandma too.. and he still chose to come here? That's just... " The pup trailed off since she couldn't tell if this was guts or just stupidity because it was clear no one liked him, and considering that Luke didn't let him in the house, no one wanted him around at all. "He's gone now right? I think he thinks I'm like, eight or something. He.. does know I'm not, right?" Shaking her head, Skylar couldn't help but wonder what was Keagan's choices in men. First Ricky, then that guy.
"Wait, Grandma called him Goodwin." She frowned, "Is he related to Ms. Goodwin - Hartley?" That would... Be so unfortunate for the teacher then...
Luke:
“Unfortunately overconfident,” Luke finished for her before crouching down to be closer to eye-level. “Yes, he is most definitely gone, and as long as I’m around, he’s never going to be a concern for you again.” At the question of her age, Luke did manage a chuckle this time. “To be complete honest, I would personally prefer that he know as little about you as possible.” Of course, up until the day before it wasn’t like Shri had much of say in how much of Skylar’s life was shared…
Luke made a face and said, “Yeah, it’s her older brother. But luckily he hasn’t lived in town for ages, so she doesn’t have to deal with him. She gets Blake and Ollie instead.” Standing back up, she cupped her daughter’s face briefly before stating, “I hate to leave the party early, but I think I’m going to head up for a bit. As always, feel free to make yourselves at home.”
Lyra:
Teagan had her occupied for a lot longer than she realized because she was finally allowed into the studio which was something basically banned her from. Of course she was going to take the opportunity to play with all the equipment! Not only that, but she had Teagan with her so twice the shenanigans.
She didn't know how long it had been but when she came out, she bumped into said owner of the studio. "Titan! I did not touch anything but ..You know what, don't replay what we have unless your head heals." She laughed and disappeared down the stairs.
Luke:
As was the typical interaction with a hurnado, Luke didn’t even have time to properly process what was said in order to formulate a reply before the girl was gone. Instead she looked Teagan who followed close behind and just said, “You did good. She’s their problem downstairs now…”
They shared a small laugh and Luke took all of two seconds after Teag was also gone before the was inside the studio. She began by taking stock and then began the task of reverting everything back, and had almost reached a pace that may be considered frenetic when she heard the door from where she was inside the recording space. “Uh…they’re not heavy..?” was all she managed as she set the amps back down.
Keagan:
She saw her sister rush her way down at a speed that she almost thought she was listening in on everything that she needed to express her opinions. However, all she said was that she might have messed with the recording studio and was now here.. avoiding the owner of said studio. It was almost like she never left because she went onto the next topic that Keagan didn't stay to listen.
Making her way to the studio, she slipped inside to see what the other was up to. "I almost thought you were going to take a nap. Almost." As if Luke wanted more bedrest. "I hope she didn't break anything." This was all to technical for her. She saw a lot of buttons and switches and she.. had no idea what she's supposed to be looking at.
Luke:
Lucas managed to look properly apologetic as she made her way out of the recording space and into the engineering room. “I mean, the idea of a lie down did cross my mind but…I just had to see what the damages was. And then that led to my fixing the soundboard, which then gave me view of what had been messed with in there…” She trailed off as she realized she was just making one big long excuse. “I just needed a distraction and to regain a bit of sense of control again, I suppose.”
Taking a seat in one of the chairs, she pulled a beer out of her locked fridge and handed it to the older woman without even asking. She didn’t even bother with a drink for herself.
Keagan:
Keagan leaned against the table, careful not to get too near the equipment. "I'm sorry.." For Lyra messing up her soundboard, and for being the reason why Hendrix came back even though she wasn't actually at fault. To think that the troubles she brought home were ...men. "Anything I can do to help?"
She accepted the drink without question and once she got it open, she took a very long drink from it. "It's not even the end of the week yet." She snorted almost bitterly. "Fallcrest really has its way of reminding you that for a small time, peace is never an option."
Luke:
Luke just shrugged and said, "Not really your fault. Lyra's always been her own brand of chaos." There was obviously another elephant in the room that Keagan may have been trying to address but, as counterproductive as she was aware it was, Luke decided to pretend she suddenly did not see... "Nah, it's fine. I got everything sorted. Like I said, I was really just looking for an excuse to have something to do where I felt in my element."
She narrowed her eyes a bit and said, "I mean, technically depending on who you ask, Sunday marks the end of one week, but the beginning of the week for others so, toss up?" Luke reached out and carefully pulled the shorter woman in to sit on her lap, being mindful of the beer as she wrapped her arms around her and said, "Peace is certainly a rarity in this town, but we've never really been the peaceful sort now, have we? I think the most important thing to keep in mind right now, is that despite of the length of peace we may or may not experience, we are now -for maybe the first time in ages- getting to experience it all together."
Keagan:
"Luke.." She set her beer aside. This already happened twice and Keagan had a feeling that they really shouldn't hold this off for longer.. in case Hendrix found it a very smart idea to try again. "It's the beginning and it already feels so long." She gave a wry smile before readjusting her seat so that she's actually sitting a bit more onto the table. "Look.. about Goodwin.. and other choices that I've made.."
The wolf almost cringed just thinking back on them. "I must admit, weren't good highlights in my life, and I'm really sorry for.. being the reason they're even coming to this place despite all warnings and all. I'll give a couple a calls - hopefully he doesn't even think about it and move on.
Luke:
The redhead had done her best to keep things in their specific compartments, but it just seemed that one way or another that elephant would have to be addressed. She let out a groan in defeat as the levees burst and she just laid it all out. “It’s just, I don’t want you to feel like you have to apologize for your choices, especially not the me, of all people- because you’re an incredibly independent woman, and you shouldn’t have to answer to anyone,” she began.
Then immediately scrunched her face up in frustration and said, “But I would be lying if I didn’t admit to the fact that the idea of someone as lowly as Douchewin having been allowed to even share the same liminal space as you doesn’t tinge my sight red just a little. Especially when he’s done nothing but demonstrate how crass and disrespectful to your privacy he’s willing to be. And don’t get me started on the fact he saw himself as worthy enough to be a part of Skylar’s life. I didn’t even like having to let Richard anywhere near her and that was when I fully believed him to be her actual father! This guy- this guy! He doesn’t just get to show up whenever and disrupt her life. He shouldn’t even be disrupting yours and spitting all over the honor of having shared something intimate with you just for the sake of getting to boast about!”
It was the fact her breathing was labored that clued her in to the fact she may have gotten a bit too honest. “I’m sorry…I just…I’m sorry,” she mumbled.
Keagan:
Somehow, the outburst was something she expected and not expect at the same time. While she knew that the issue at hand was upsetting and should have been addressed sooner before he rolled into town and harass her family and her. God, if anything happen to them because of her, she was going to see red. However, Luke was giving her praises while she was at it so.. Keagan was actually finding difficulties suppressing the smile.
Still, she waited until Luke could get it all out before getting off the table to crouch down next to her chair and taking the younger woman by the hand, "You have nothing to apologise for either." She chuckled, "And you are right. He has completely crossed the line especially when he tried to get Skylar involved. He was an asshat when we were kids, and he unfortunately remained the same when we all grew up." She sighed, "It does make me regret ever even giving him the opportunity." She took a pause, "I can't believe he spoke to Sky.. " She couldn't imagine what was going through her kid's mind when Hendrix started acting like that. "Regardless, I should've been more careful.."
Luke:
If the fact she’d managed to rant herself breathless hadn’t given her pause, the throbbing in her head resuming definitely would have. “I do, because regardless of the point, there’s no reason to let it frustrate me to the point of practically yelling like a loon,” she grumbled. “It just- ugh, I don’t know, I guess it just seems that between my conversation with Richard yesterday and Hendrix today, the fact that such poor excuses for ‘men’ could ever feel any form of entitlement to someone like you….it’s infuriating.”
Her jaw seemed to clench impossibly more as the subject turned back to Skylar. She took a breath before giving their joined hands a squeeze and meeting the older woman’s gaze. “You should really talk to her. You will always be free to share what you believe to be right, with whomever, but I think she deserves to know the truth at least in so far so that she’s not left with her imagination trying to fill in the gaps and, as evidenced by our conversation in Philly, jumping to the worst conclusions.”
Keagan:
"I get that." She smiled softly, "Somehow.. of all the men from Fallcrest, I happen to give chances to two of the most obnoxious ones. Thank you for being so upset on my behalf, but unfortunately what's done is done.. we can only hope they don't come back because I think we've already been lenient enough."
Even if she wanted to tell her daughter, she had no idea how to. "There's a lot that I should probably talk to her about." She sighed as she got back up to her feet, "And then she'll be even more convinced that life on the field sucks." Keagan would be devastated if Sky somehow thought she'd rather be out there after all that than be at home. "Every time I see Sky when I returned, I always wondered if it was worth sacrificing so much.. and honestly, times like ..When he showed up makes me think it wasn't."
Luke:
It would honestly always be far easier for her to be upset the behalf of the people she loved than on behalf of herself. It wasn’t ideal, but it was what she was used to…but it’s certainly not something she was about to say out loud only to risk upsetting the older woman. Or worse, earning her pity.
Instead she latched on to the latter statement, a flash of something crossing her eyes -or perhaps just an actual flash…- at the thought. “Not to sound alarmist, but I think I’ll invoke my fifth amendment in advance, Chief Deputy.” It took a lot to get Luke to a point where her immediate response was violence, but messing with her family was definitely the speedrun version.
Luke followed in standing and offered the woman a sympathetic look. “Well, there’s plenty I’ll have to share myself as well, so it’s not like you should feel singled out. I think the fact I’ve managed to avoid giving her a clearer picture of what life was like with Mabel, Malcolm, and Richard for eighteen years was a feat only achieved by hiding behind the fact I was just the aunt…” At the sentiment expressed, Luke brought the woman’s hands up to her lips and pressed a gentle kiss to each knuckle, then meeting her eyes briefly before leaning down to place the lightest of kisses to the woman’s lips. Just a touch, for a second. Maybe two. She pulled away and smiled softly as she said, “Not to use your words against you but, what’s done is done. We should focus on the present and do everything we can to ensure the future’s better.”
Keagan:
"I am hoping the people around will keep him at bay, which I will have to follow up with Nix and Blake.. And my aunt too because there really was no reason for him snake his way back here without her knowing. He is lucky he's Hartley's brother."
"Skylar.. is just getting a lot of information just within a couple of months." She chuckled, tiptoeing to meet the soft kisses. When Luke moved away, Keagan almost frowned but decided to behave since the other was still injured. "Sounds like a plan." It was true that they could only focus on the present and future, and since she was with her family now.. the task didn't see as hard anymore. "Come on, let's get you laying down a bit. I know you're sick of being in bed by now, but humour me?"
Luke:
“I just hope someone manages to inform him that if it was in his own personal best interest to stay away from you two before, it most definitely is going to be now that I can sense you…” Luke trailed off a bit at that and looking sheepish added, “For the record, I figured out that if I focus on my emotions I can keep from sensing, so like, I didn’t- I wasn’t like, you know, prying into your feelings out there. I- uh, I didn’t think it’d be right.” Luke was also someone who subscribed to the idea of ‘why go asking questions you might not like the answer to’…
She chuckled at the understatement but smiled in reassurance. “She certainly has had to learn quite a bit, but she has a great support system in her girls. You and I will also be there, every step of the way and, honestly, let’s face it: being our kid, she does far better with too much information than she would ever do with too little,” she chuckled.
Luke would be lying if she claimed the hint of a frown as she pulled away didn’t give her ego a bit of a much needed boost, but she still dare not tempt the fates. At least not until she wasn’t back up to at least 75 percent…maybe 60…? She let out a groan like the idea of laying down was worse than torture. “Fine,” she relented, “But only if you keep me company…”
Keagan:
"He really should've gotten it through his head the last time he visited. I don't think my aunt would let this fly twice either." Her attention got cut short when Luke said she could sense her. "Right, you've mentioned that a few times.. I suppose that there are some differences in being born a Paladin." Was she .. technically her charge or was it because there was some sort of bond formed between them? "You're like a human lie detector.. but.. to two specific people."
Skylar was really a combination of the two of them; it's almost uncanny. However, it was because she was their kid that Keagan found it almost unpredictable what Skylar would do whenever she was provided information especially when provided the example of storming up to Dallas.
Keagan was amused to how much Lucas did not want to go back into bed but eventually relented. "Okay, let's go then." She chuckled softly before pulling the younger woman out of the studio and towards their bedroom.
Luke:
"Well, when you combine his natural predilection for being a difficult thorn in the side to remove, along with the fact that it's you he stands to lose...I don't agree with his methods, and I will not hesitate to demonstrate it if need be, but I can't say I'm surprised. If anything, I'm not even certain this will be his final attempt, but I'll just have to be prepared to burn that bridge when we get to it," Luke noted.
The older woman's sudden change in demeanor as her focus shifted to the fact Luke could sense her, didn't quite go unnoticed. It was a bit, unsettling, if only because it made Luke wonder if this was something that the other saw as a detriment and would rather opt out of...which- Nope. Brain still too damaged for any can of worms to be opened up. "I think that since charges were something that the witches and the seal on the Nexus dictated for created Paladins, for a born one, it just means we choose our own? Don't worry though, I'll be sure to get with Rikke and the others about how to best go about controlling it. Fixating my focus on my own emotions was helpful, but it's never been ideal..."
Blue eyes widened slightly, not having expected Keagan to relent to her 'demands' quite so readily, but she allowed herself to dragged along regardless. Once they were in the safe confines of their now shared bedroom, the taller woman came up behind Keagan, wrapping her arms loosely around the woman's middle as she rested the unharmed side of her head against Keagan's own. "Mmm, how is that being around you always makes me feel like missed something even if it's the first time I'm getting to enjoy it, eh?"
Keagan:
“Every time he rolls around, I worry he’ll impose on Hartley.” She could handle herself and while she also knew that Hartley could do and had more than enough people to help her out when needed, it still didn’t sit right with the wolf that Hendrix was even within proximity because of her. “TO think there’s someone even more annoying than Richard.”
It did make sense that born Paladins would be able to choose who their charges were. “I wonder if there’s a limit how many charges one could have.. or it’s just whomever you choose to focus on - like our hearing.” Keagan hummed, “Usually I’m supposed to make sure no one knows what I’m thinking or feeling.” She chuckled, “Although I haven’t been very good at it, I don’t plan on hiding anything from you or Sky - unless it’s job related, then I’m required to keep that quiet.“ While Luke was one of the people she would talk to about what she was feeling and all, but she normally did that at her own pace too. having someone be able to sense it more than the average person was … going to be something to adjust to.
She chuckled softly as she leaned back into the other, her hands on top of the arms around her. “I don’t know.. but we can snuggle in bed.” She was not going to let Lucas procrastinate her way there. “Come on, I want to check your bandages too. I’m almost surprised you haven’t unintentionally taken them off by now.”
Luke:
“He’d have to deal with Blake and -oddly enough- Hunter, before he even so much as breathes in Hart’s direction. Oh, and the Waldorf creep too.” Luke shuddered at the thought of the guy. Between Hart and Hunter it could be hard to tell who was more trusting, but the Waldorf connection cleared it up. At Keagan’s comparison, the look in Luke’s eyes hardened and darkened. “Yes well…annoying can be dealt with easily enough,” she said. Richard had just been cruel.
“Now that the seal’s broken and even created paladins aren’t bound to it, I don’t think so…? I mean obviously we’re not bound to continuously sense our charges 24/7, so it would be a matter of realistically seeing how many people each Paladin feels up to being able to safely assist…like security detail?” Luke was most definitely basing this on her media knowledge. She offered a small smile and shrug as she said, “Regardless of whether you plan on keeping secrets or not, our relationship has always been built on a mutual understanding on each of us opening up and sharing in our time. I don’t want to just randomly rob of you that, especially now when we’re looking to take said relationship in a new direction.”
It was easy enough to tell that Keagan wasn’t going to let her procrastinate, even if it had been unintentional…but she was still going to keep trying. “Yeah, that sounds nice,” she said, but made no move to let go. “Maybe it’s not a sense of ‘I missed this’ so much as a nostalgia at the thought of ‘I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on this’, ya know? Or maybe it’s just me. We’ve established my upbringing was, uh, unconventional at best.” With another pitiful sound of protest, she allowed herself to be led to the bed where she took a seat on the edge. “Oh that’s because I’ve been intentionally reminding myself not to mess with them,” she replied cheekily, before moving to carefully pull her hoodie up and over said bandages.
Keagan:
A brow perked at the mention of Hunter since Keagan wasn’t aware they were friends, but then again, the two of them were the type to befriend everyone and everything. “How is Blake handling the Waldorf creep?” At the subtle change, Keagan actually looked apologetic. “Sorry, that was in bad taste.” After all, she almost lost one of the most important people in of her life because of him. Why did she think it was a good idea to compare the two? At the very least, Goodwin had not tried to endanger anyone’s life.
“Despite the issues, there had been a few good things coming out of the broken seal. Unlike the other seals, so I’ve heard and read from the reports - which I still can’t believe I wasn’t here for.” She smiled and gave a nod, “I wasn’t doubting you, you haven’t done anything invasive so far so I doubt you’ll start just because you gained powers. Sky’s nosiness clearly came from the Calvetti’s side of the family, I won’t deny that. But even though you do allow me take my time, I want to work on.. letting it out earlier and not, eighteen years later because you don’t deserve that. Skylar doesn’t deserve that.”
Keagan rolled her eyes as she inched their way over to the bed until the Paladina finally took a seat herself. “Well, it did take us a lot longer than we would like, but we got here eventually. And I do hope you’re well prepared to make up for all that lost time.” Shaking her head, Keagan took a seat next to the other and waited until the hoodie was off so that she could take a careful look. “Good because it looks fine for now. Let’s try not to agitate it.” Once she relaxed, the wolf wrapped her arms around the other. “Your Paladin powers really kicked in at the most opportune time.”
Luke:
Luke made a face as she said, “Not well. I mean, she’s playing nice, for Hartley’s sake, but I’m almost certain she had Kieran do a digital deep-dive on the whole Waldorf fam…didn’t hear it from me though.” The redhead visibly relaxed almost immediately at the apologetic look. “Yeah, it was kinda fucked up, Cal,” she replied with a flat tone, before smirking at the woman and letting a small chuckle. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I know you and what you meant. He’s just going to be a bit of a sore topic for a while.” She grinned like an idiot at her own pun.
“Sky and I were on the other side of the country for those, but the gang was quick with the details upon our return. If anything, I’m surprised there hasn’t been some immediate magical mishap. Seems to happen every time a seal is broken and pent up Nexus magic is released,” she noted, before immediately looking for wood to knock on. She let out another light laugh and said, “I don’t think that kid realizes just how much she takes after her aunt Lyra sometimes. As for learning to share, I think Sky herself might be the paragon for how best to do that…”
At the what sounded an awful lot like the dropping of a challenge, Luke scoffed and warned, “Careful what you wish for, Calvetti. If I was more than willing and able to make up for any abs all lost time before my powers, just you imagine what I’ll be capable of now.” As they relaxed and settled in, Luke snorted. “Considering how in opportune it was for them to kick in just before Rikke could simply heal me, I’d say we were owed one.”
Keagan:
“It wouldn’t surprise me but if Kieran found dirt, wouldn’t Blake have kept her away from him?” Keagan wondered aloud though she trusted Blake to know what she was doing since her friend and subordinate wouldn’t do anything that would harm Hartley in any shape or form. Though before she could even think further upon it, the small pun from Luke had her groaning. “Okay, okay. We can refrain from talking about him in general since he’s out of our lives now.”
“I could’ve helped if I wasn’t out on my mission.” Keagan didn’t blame anyone for not telling her sooner since she was MIA for a while; she was angry at herself for being MIA. “Not going to lie.. I would have wanted to see those berzerkers.” They have always heard about them but there obviously weren’t that many chance to actually come across one, much less a whole army. Knowing it was dangerous, it didn’t sit well that she couldn’t be here to help especially when the pack was in trouble.
“Lucas…” As if the earlier frown was a tip, Keagan was not appreciating the teasing right now since she couldn’t actually do anything about it. “Still, I”m glad that.. it worked out all in the end.” Now that they were all settled in, Keagan understood the sentiments Lucas felt earlier. Not only that, she couldn’t recall the last time she actually felt as relaxed as she did now. Although she was not known to be the cuddly one, it was still clear as day where Skylar’s got her koala-traits from.
Luke:
"Not that I'm comparing Hartley to a teenager," though she could, "But if I were to tell Skylar to stay away from someone, it would be the most surefire way to guarantee that she wouldn't stay away. Besides, I'm sure Blake is still doing the thing where she doesn't want to make it obvious to Hartley that she's the scary shadow behind Hartley making all the kids run away." Ironic that she was using this analogy now, given that Keagan had been the 'scary shadow' herself at one point. Luke groaned as she admitted, "Not entirely...he's still enmeshed in our lives via the unfortunate detail of being Skylar's legal father so..."
Luke made a mock face of disgust as Keagan expressed her desire to have gotten to see the bezerkers, but didn't manage to hold it for long as her own curiosity got the better of her. "I know right? Like, obviously it was a serious situation, and I by no means would trade Skylar and your guaranteed safety for not having been in town, but d-amn would it have been cool to get to see those suckers in the flesh." The ScareCast existed for a reason, after all.
"What?" she replied innocently, "All I'm saying is that if I was able to not only -uh, what's the best way to put it- oh, keep up with a werewolf and have Skylar exist here now, as a human..." Luke trailed off, not really feeling she need dig her own grave any further now. As Keagan got comfortable, it drew it a low chuckle from the redhead. "So, the last time we shared sleeping space -not counting the hospital or glamping- was when you helped me escape Lyra's 8th birthday sleepover. Teagan had already ditched after cake, but I didn't actually want to go back home so you offered I sleep in your room. You weren't out for any more than like ten minutes when you settled into this exact same position. I spent the whole night awake and stiff as a board thinking you mistook me as a pillow. I thought you'd kill me if you woke up and realized, meanwhile your mom thought it was hilarious when she checked in on everyone later."
Keagan:
"I guess that's a good point.. Well, at the very least, Blake has the rest of us to keep an eye out for Hart in case something does happen. Hendrix would be in a world of hurt if he tries anything." Keagan could sympathise at the reality of always having to involve Richard in their lives solely because of that. "Well, we'll forget about him the best that we can." She offered.
"Oh, no. Of course not." Neither of them would want to risk the safety of Skylar and while Luke also considered her safety, dealing these sorts of things were part of her job and it really disappointed her that she didn't get to participate. "But to think that there was an army of them is a concern on its own.
"Lucas" She repeated though her voice was suddenly lower than it was a moment ago. "You weirdo.. You could have just woken me up." Even if she woke up grumpy, Luke would've been safe and the entire house knew it. "Is that your way of telling me that you're planning to stay awake this time too? Because that would defeat the purpose of having you relax up here." She snorted.
Luke:
“Ooh, wait til she finds out I can be there in the blink of an eye now,” Luke said, with a bit too much of keenness to her tone. “Not gonna lie, it’s going to be very nice not being the token human people worry about or that can’t really help much when push comes to shove,” she admitted. “I don’t know about forgetting…that’s uh…that’s never really been my strong suit,” she chuckled wryly, “Especially when I know that forgetting him can be a dangerous thing to do…” She let out a sigh and said, “I know logically he can’t get to us anymore, it’ll just take time.”
Suddenly looking for a need of a new topic she asked, “Anyway, you did say you’d tell me what got you all worked up last night. Was it something I did or said? I mean, I know I can clearly be a difficult patient.”
Luke simply grinned sheepishly at the tone with which she was full-named. “Last thing I’ll say: I genuinely missed having someone who cared enough to bother reminding me I have limits.” She shrugged as best she could and said, “I knew what a grumpy Keagan was capable of. Wasn’t going to risk miracles not being on my side a second time.” Luke chuckled and said, “No, not quite. I seem to have managed to get some sleep in yesterday well enough, no? I think, more than anything I was just looking back and seeing some of our interactions…I don’t know, through a different lens…I guess? I sound like an idiot.” She laughed in embarrassment.
Keagan:
She did wince a little when Luke reminded her of her promise earlier. Why did she have to mention Richard? With a sigh, she shook her head, "You didn't do anything, it wasn't you. I got a phone call from the prison. Richard.. managed to get someone to allow him a call, and so he called me because he loved getting in the last work."
Just thinking back to it made her blood boil. "He was under the impression that you died and topped it off by saying that Sky should visit him if she missed you which doesn't make sense in the first place." She scoffed, "His words got to me since they hadn't given you the serum and you weren't healing as fast as we liked.. So I went after Col just for some reassurance. "
Keagan couldn't help the dry laugh she let out thinking back to how stupid she was to have fallen for that rick. "I should've known better to trust whatever bullshit that came out of his mouth."
Luke:
Luke immediately tensed the second Keagan mentioned that Richard -who had been arrested just the morning- had already managed to do one of the things that was meant to be the most difficult for a prisoner in maximum security.
The blood in her veins was now pumping so hard and so fast that it drowned out everything else that Keagan managed to say. It created a din in her ears, and she slowly eased herself out of the other woman’s hold and off the bed completely. Her breathing was slow and measured as she walked over to the dresser and placed her hands on the solid wood in an attempt to steady herself.
She closed her eyes, each and every thought of ‘what if?’ flooding her mind all at once and her angry and anxiety both growing with each scenario until- A loud pop caused her eyes to snap open as she was rushed back to the present moment. She turned and looked frantically around, only slowing down once she realized it was the flatscreen above the dresser that had…”Did…this just blow up??”
Keagan:
Keagan was feeling very uneasy with how quiet Luke was being but still chose to observe for now and give the Paladin time to process her thoughts. Though she had seen Luke upset before, the wolf was a bit more protective since the other was still healing from her wound.
What she didn't expect was the flatscreen TV exploding before their eyes. Her eyes widened, almost comically, at the sight. "That's.. " She was so surprised that she was distracted by the commotion downstairs, already hearing people trying to keep Sky from coming up here. "That's new." She also got off the bed and walked over to examine the damage.
"I had no idea Paladins could do that."
Luke:
Luke's gaze remained on the TV as she studied it for a bit. The screen itself was luckily not made of glass, so no projectiles to worry about, but the damage was clear as it looked like a hole had melted right through and smoke still rose from the device as it sparked a bit. Thinking as quickly as she could manage right now, she removed the power cord to stop further sparking and took a few steps back until she felt the footboard hit the back of her legs.
"I...I'm not so sure they can," she admitted, a look somewhere between confusion and concern -maybe even fear- on her face as she continued to look at the ruined TV. "I don't- I don't know...what the hell am I anymore?"
As she pondered her own question, she looked over at Keagan as an idea dawned on her. "The witches," she said, "They should bind my powers until I can figure this out. As it stands, I might as well be a ticking time-bomb. What if- what if you'd been hurt? What if Sky had been hurt? I can't- I can't control these powers. They have- they have to go."
Keagan:
Her arms were already out when she felt that Luke's mind was just going through it. She had no idea in what direction but her priority was to get the other to calm down a bit in case another mishap might happen. "Lucas... Lucas. Hey, it's okay."
Her hands carefully moved towards the other, not wanting to startle her before finally resting on the woman's shoulder. "You're not a ticking time-bomb. You're new at your powers, which I'm sure are Paladin-related." She didn't have enough information to actually guarantee that. "The powers are a new thing, and that's okay. It happens to everyone - well, everyone who's a supe. And from what I know, powers generally have to do with emotions, right?" She offered a smile. "You'll be okay.. How many things have we broken over the years? Plenty."
Luke:
The combination of hearing her full name, and feeling the sensation of reassuring contact on her shoulders, was enough to begin the grounding process. Her eyes were more focused as she looked at Keagan, and her breathing evened out.
As the older woman continued to speak, Luke found herself dropping to sit back on the edge of the bed. She nodded in acknowledgment and understanding, because after all, Keagan was right. She had been there for plenty of her friends as they went through the same growing pains that came with new powers. Hell, she’d helped walk Skylar through her own triggering.
Glancing up at Keagan from her sitting position, an apologetic look took over. “I’m sorry,” she said lowly, before her own arms eased their way around the shorter woman’s waist and Luke pulled her in as she held on tight and buried the side of her face in the woman’s middle. “I’m sorry,” she repeated. “I just hate feeling like I have no control…it takes me back to a place I don’t want to go…” Her voice was small, but clear.
Keagan:
Easily keeping her arms on the woman's shoulders, Keagan gently brushed her thumb against the back of Luke's neck. "Nothing to be sorry about." She stated without hesitation before giving a soft kiss to the top of Luke's head - the rare times that she could even reach. "That's why you'll be practising with Rikke and the others, and in time, you will overcome that feeling. We're all here with you every step of the way. I'm here with you."
Keagan was going to stay like this for as long as Luke needed her. It seemed that all magic was related to emotions so any angry burst would have resulted in some sort of accident regardless - a certain witch in town could easily confirm that. Even wolves had their issues when it came to adapting to them. In fact, she was surprised at how quickly Tomi handled her senses. Sky had a bit of troubles when hers kicked in.
Luke:
Luke brought the woman impossibly closer, her hands now practically clutching at the fabric of her shirt as she desperately tried to just hold on. She felt as if letting go would leave her like helium balloon out in the open: untethered and directionless.
“I know you’re right,” she said after a brief silence, voice still low and small. “Believe me, I do know it…but there’s always that little voice at the back of my head telling me I’m only good to those I care about if I can be reliable and dependable…and I can’t be that if I don’t know what my emotions might do…and if I can’t be that, what’s my purpose? What’s my role?”
Luke could feel the tracks left by the tears as they began to fall, but she made no move to stop them. “I’m sorry,” she repeated once more. “I know this is hardly what you signed up for…”
Keagan:
As Luke tightened her hold, Keagan wrapped one of her arms around her shoulder while the other kept its consistent strokes. "Feeling unsure about your emotions and how it'll affect your powers does not make you unreliable or less dependable.." She hummed, "You're still the Luke who we all know and love, who I know and love." Because of her position, she couldn't see Luke's face but she could feel her shirt starting to dampen.
"Stop, I keep telling you, there's nothing to apologise for." She smiled, "I've known you for almost all our lives, you really think I don't know what I signed up for?" Leaning back and slightly to the side, she tried to catch a glimpse of the taller woman's face. "I don't think that everyone's got to have a purpose or a role to stay in someone's life. No matter what happens, it doesn't change the fact that you're important to us."
Luke:
The redhead knew it was a rhetorical question, but she still answered it. Albeit with an attempt at chuckle as she said, “I think it’s the fact I’m aware that if anyone has ever bothered to read the fine print that is me, it’s you…” She took a steadying breath before finishing, “…it’s what makes it all the harder to believe you’d still want to stay…I suppose you could say you weren’t the only one who Dicky managed to get to yesterday.” The admission was a hard one to make, but if she asked of Keagan’s trust to be open, it was only right she do the same in turn.
She loosened her hold when she felt the woman pulling back, dropping her hands to the shorter woman’s hips instead. Luke made no effort to hide her face as Keagan made to seek it out. If anyone had seen her even more broken than she felt in this moment, it had been the older woman, after all. The thought made her genuinely chuckle at the memory. “You know, the last time I cried and you comforted me, I ended up getting kicked out of the back of your car.”
Keagan:
Despite the situation, Keagan had to smile at Luke's words. "Why wouldn't I want to stay?" Her hands moved to the woman's cheeks, gently moving so that she could look at her in the eyes. "There's so much to love about you that it's be a shame to miss out on all that. Just look at Sky. She inherited all that from you."
At the trip down memory lane, Keagan looked sheepish for her past actions. "I'm sorry. That wasn't.. my best moment..." She sighed, "I was having... I guess a gay panic...And many other things went through my mind.."
Luke:
Even if Luke had wanted to look away -which admittedly a tiny part of her did- Keagan's hold on her face, gentle as it was, made the choice nonexistent. She looked up at the smile on Keagan's face as her thumbs began to rub where they held. Anxiety already filling her chest, knowing what she said next may very well wipe that beautiful smile off the woman's face...but she really couldn't keep it in. Not now. Not anymore. With a shrug and what she knew would be described as a sad look on her face, Luke simply replied, "Because you've never seemed to have wanted to stay before..."
It was low, and quiet, but Luke knew that she could've mouthed the words and Keagan's hearing would pick it up. She felt guilty immediately after, mentally asking herself what right she felt she had to question the woman, but she couldn't take it back now. And a part of her knew that she'd never know real peace until she addressed it. Face-on. Direct.
Shaking her head slightly she said, "Not all. There are so many fantastic qualities in that kid that I don't even posses now as an adult." Like probably having addressed this years ago instead of in the middle of what had to be the most exhausting weekend of her life. Another shake of her head, and she just said, "It's alright...I don't even know why I brought it up, it's not like it was my best moment either. I really should've known better, and if anything, I should be apologizing to you for having put you in such a position where you felt the only thing you could do was just escape...for uh, lack of a better word."
Keagan:
To say that she felt as if she was slapped in the face would be an understatement. Keagan had stilled when Luke called her out, to bluntly put it, because she wasn't wrong. Keagan was barely home if it weren't for a visit and because of that, she couldn't blame Luke for feeling less than confident about her staying. Was this also how Sky felt too? "Oh Lucas."
Her expression softened and she moved to sit so that she was at eye-level (or close to it) with the other. How should she approach this? "It's not that I never wanted to stay. I did, and I do.." She pursed her lips, knowing that she wasn't at all convincing even though what she felt was true. "But you're right.. I don't have an excuse as to why I didn't. Fear definitely had a lot to do with it, as is guilt." Her thumb automatically brushed against Luke's cheeks. "...And a lot of selfishness.."
She frowned as she thought about the time with the car, "I suppose that had been the start though.. when I started questioning everything I knew about myself, which led me to.. avoid home for a while.. and it just ended up... being the norm. And unfortunately, I had subconsciously decided that 'if it's broken, why fix it?' was the best approach. Which obviously wasn't true."
Luke:
She wanted nothing else than to pump the brakes on this train of conversation and redirect the track elsewhere, because she wasn’t sure they’d make it to their final stop unscathed…but she couldn’t. It was a train that she had left abandoned, only ever adding more carts too it, but always keeping it stationary in a dark corner, and as result the brakes were weathered and shot. There was no stopping it now until it reached the end of the line…
And as Keagan sat down and began trying to explain, it just led to more of the ‘carts’ falling like confessions from her lips. “You were the only person to see me, and you left. You left with no goodbye, and no contact for years- did you even know Richard moved us out to Jersey City for like six months? Because for every letter I sent, I got nothing back and eventually I just stopped…and the whole time I really thought it was all my own fault.
“I didn’t just feel embarrassed to have been left in the rain, I felt I’d managed to do something so wrong that I’d lost the only person who’d ever really got me and who had trusted me enough that I got them too. Things only got more confusing after that night in Rochester…”
Luke took a deep, steadying breath. “You divorced my brother nine years ago, and in that time you went on and had a life -as evidenced by recent visits- but not once did you broach the topic of us…at least not with me…I realize the timing is all wrong, the questions may be too much, but I feel if I don’t say it now, the foundation to our relationship is already cracked and anything we try to build on top of it will be a waste.”
Keagan:
They really should have tackled this topic long before today. However, with Keagan not being one to share much about ... well, anything, they were bound to come to the current situation. The wolf could only look even more apologetic than before. "I know I did.. but it's not your fault, it was mine." All that had happened was her fault if one were to think about it.
"I was scared because you were only sixteen at the time, Luke." She was almost whispering it. "But you're right, I made a mistake - I shouldn't have cut off contact, that wasn't fair to you." She sighed, "I wanted to make things right when i also got my shit together figuring out that I was also gay but that plan went out the window when the JJ and Richard thing happened."
Keagan roughly rubbed her face. A life, she said. She almost scoffed at that, but instead, chose to close her eyes and kept her head down. Somehow, it was doubtful to think that throwing oneself into their careers could be considered a life. "All it really boils down to was me being scared. A lot of time passed since then. I didn't tell you about Sky.. I didn't tell you about why I even married Richard.. I guess, I sorta hoped that.. maybe you would have moved on eventually but you didn't - or rather, you focused on Sky.."
Luke:
Luke listened without interruption; barely even breathing for it would be too loud or be misunderstood as some sigh or other response. She had been waiting for this conversation for so long, that up until Keagan had shown up on her doorstep a fury in jeans and some boots over her daughter -their daughter-, Luke had honestly given up all hope it would ever even happen.
And truth be told, she’d made peace with that. Sometimes in life we weren’t always fortunate enough to get the ‘why’ of it all, and we just had to accept things as they were and move on. But there’s no moving past the lack of answers if they were ever going to try and ride the same track again. Not if they expected things to work out well, for Skylar’s sake if nothing more.
It was the way Keagan went roughly at her own face that finally made Luke move, hands immediately reaching out to take the woman’s in her own and still them. “Thank you,” she managed, as she focused on their joined hands, thumbs smoothing over fair skin. “I-“ her words caught in her throat, so she swallowed as she looked back up and tried again. “All I- all I really wanted to understand was just why… I just got so accustomed to just knowing why you did the things you did, and then- then suddenly everything changed and even now I still feel like I’m having to relearn that kind of communication with you…to re-earn that trust that made it to where I didn’t have to second-guess anything, you know? We went from you just looking at me and me knowing to pass the salt, to deafening silence, to me feeling like sometimes instead of talking with each other, we’re both just desperately trying to solve the riddle that the other had become…”
There was moment of silence as she blinked furiously in an attempt to get rid of the tears blurring her vision. But when she spoke again, it was with resolution. “I don’t want to be a riddle to you anymore, and I really hope to I get to make you feel the same way.”
Keagan:
She shook her face because she didn’t think that what she said really deserved a thank you. This was what she should have told Luke throughout the years instead of waiting until now. She owed this explanation a long time ago and she only regretted that it didn’t happen sooner, which none was the other’s fault. “I would like that very much. This goes very much hand in hand of not wanting to keep anything from you anymore. Because it sucked, a lot.” She chuckled softly as she sat herself closer to the other.
Then she fell into silence, but she didn’t feel that it was an uncomfortable silence until she decided to speak again, “Not that I didn’t already think so but it was really stupid of me to have ran off like that - and rude for kicking you out of the car that night. You were my best friend yet I didn’t think.. just.. talk it out with you like we do with everything else.” That really was the start of their ‘fallout’ and everyone noticed to the point that even Ianthe had a talk with her at one of their family gatherings. “And.. since we’re finally talking everything out now.. was there.. anything else you’d like to know.. Any.. riddle you haven’t solved yet?”
Luke:
When Keagan shifted closer to her, Luke took the opportunity to wrap an arm around small shoulders and pull her in tight to her side. It felt like the instinctive thing to do, though subconsciously it was probably physical representation of just how much Luke was more than willing to have Keagan back in her life. Properly, that is. Even if they were always claiming each other as 'best friend' around the family, they both knew that they hadn't truly gone back to what made them give each other that title in a long time. There had always been something that kept them from doing so. Their own hangups, the situations they found themselves in, etc. But hopefully not anymore.
Luke gave a half-hearted shrug and said, "We were young and both prone to act first and think later. Neither one of us actually expected what happened that night, but yeah, I think maybe answering at least one of my calls or letters would've at least given us a head start on figuring things out. In the end, though, everything happens for a reason, and as difficult as the path has been at times, being here now, with you, with our daughter...I am very hard pressed to say I'd change anything about it."
She leaned over to press a tender kiss to the top of the woman's head as it rested on her shoulder. "I can't really think of anything significant that hasn't been addressed. So, unless you have a few more little secrets you feel the need to share, I think I'm good...that being said, what riddles would the great detective like to have solved for her?"
Keagan:
“I wonder what would’ve happened to JJ if I never got married to Richard? Probably nothing since he never actually killed anyone so Richard had nothing on him.” She wondered aloud. “Do you think.. anything would have changed if I didn’t marry him?” Would the ‘family honeymoon’ have happened? Would Sky have happened? Now that that thought came to mind, Keagan shook her head, “What was I even thinking? It would have changed everything. So even though.. I didn’t like being married to him, I don’t regret it? Because you and I might not have Sky and that’s something I would never want to take away.”
She smiled at the contact, “I.. honestly don’t remember if I do, so I will apologize in advance… As for the ones that had unceremoniously announced themselves, I just… wasn’t in a good place.. and they were the only.. choice.” She frowned at how she phrased it. When she was asked if she had any questions for Luke instead, the first question that came to mind was “So.. Why did you .. barely date? Or rather.. Why didn’t you .. move on?”
Luke:
"I mean, I'd certainly have been less obstinate and unwilling to actually hold a conversation with you, but I suppose it ultimately depends on how much of an affect that had on you. Like, how different were your plans when coming back from the academy prior to learning about what JJ was told he'd done? Did you even plan on returning to Fallcrest at all? These are the things would make the biggest difference," Luke rationalized aloud. Taking a moment to think about what she herself had planned, Luke said, "I'd probably have been long gone from Fallcrest as soon as high school was over, but would've been right back at any chance. This town was the home of the only family I've ever known, both the good and the not-so-good, and if learning about my origins has proven anything to me, it's that I was always meant to find my way here. One way or another."
At her mention of having Sky, she chuckled and said, "Well, I can say without a shadow of a doubt, that if given the same opportunity -be it sooner or later- Skylar would most definitely still be here. Maybe a bit older, more likely a bit younger, but still here....again, if I were given the same opportunity that is. It boils back down to what you had planned for yourself, Cal."
Luke made a slight face at the phrasing, before raising an eyebrow and simply saying, "You and the women in your family have the most interesting default response to dealing with stress..." She'd had plenty of conversations with Teagan to know it was likely a genetic trait. "Glad Skylar has a better grasp on her anger," she said with a whistle.
The paladin had expected the question to come up sooner or later. Almost everyone else and their grandmother had asked some variation of the question already so... "I did make an honest effort, you know. Especially after the, uh, family vacation. At the time, it seemed to have been that final nail in the coffin of any possibility there may have been for you and me…the fact you found out you were pregnant a bit after most certainly served to change my mindset from ‘try to move on’ to ‘you have to move on’, because that baby was the most innocent little thing and I wasn’t about to ruin their chance of a stable home, ya know…”
She let out a slight sigh knowing she just had to cop to the truth and stop procrastinating actually answering the question. “In my head, I had made up my mind that ‘moving on’ didn’t mean finding someone new, it just meant not actively chasing after something that didn’t want to be caught -or so it seemed at the time, not trying to put words in your mouth, don’t come for me Calvetti- so most of my relationships always started with the other persons being far more invested then me. Though, they weren’t usually after any big emotional involvement anyway….” Luke trailed off, the implication being more than enough she felt. “Anyway, it didn’t matter who the other person was, I always found that I had priorities that came before each and every one of them. None of them liked it….and my top priority didn’t like none of them either so…” She laughed at the mere memories of the kid acting as her ‘chaperone’.
Keagan:
With almost a twinkle in her eyes, she narrowed them playfully before she spoke, "I did have plans to return to Fallcrest - I also had plans for a different Benson but like always Richard made it about him." Keagan had been so determined too that year when she returned because she finally thought through it, but Richard screwed that up before she even stepped back into town. "I think that goes for most people.. Even JJ came back despite the circumstances. This place is still home to us." She sighed, "Although I think JJ is already planning to leave already."
She made a face at the opportunity of having Skylar again if things were different. "That would also depend where you would be, Luke. If you weren't around, Sky wouldn't." She chuckled, "If Sky still gets to be here, then she will be just ask spoiled, if not more." Her eyes rolled at the comment about her family. They all had their ways of dealing with stress, Keagan was not... proud of what she had down but that was in the past now. Hopefully none of those choices came back, two of them were enough headaches.
Keagan shook her head, "God, you are too good for that family." And for her too. Lucas was rarely a selfish person and it just broke her heart how often she let someone else's happiness be a priority over herself. "Richard would not have even cared if the roles were swapped." All his actions post-divorce was basically evidence of that. "But on that note, I wish I could erase him from being Sky's legal father."
The older woman fell quiet as she listened to the other speak. She was definitely the last person to judge and it had been years - she was always more surprised that Luke barely saw anyone. The snort she let out when she was told that Skylar basically came between Luke and all her dates. "That kid.." She laughed, "She is half Calvetti after all. We're very protective of our people."
Luke:
Luke’s eyebrow quirked as she asked, “Oh? You ‘had plans’ for a ‘different Benson’? Please, do elaborate, because otherwise it just sounds like you were coming to town to snipe someone…” At the mention of JJ being ready to leave she just said, “We left him alone with Nix, Lyra, and two thirds of the polycule. I’m surprised he didn’t drive back the second the sun came up.” As chaotic as she made their home sound, it was still their home, and it was a chaos she could never be without.
Luke just shrugged and said, “If we happened to coincide in town, which is likely, and you were willing and available, I can almost guarantee there is zero chance that Skylar wouldn’t exist eventually. Her name might not be Skylar -given that you ‘stole’ that from me- and plenty of other variables may be different, but she’d exist.” The determination in her voice was only slightly undermined by the mischievous glint in her eyes at the clear implication. “I mean, I have been told I’m great at helping with stress relief,” she added cheekily.
Luke shrugged and said, “Maybe, but we’re it not for the experiences I lived with them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Does that mean my entire personality is just a giant trauma response? Ripley seems to think so, but that’s an issue for another day.” The truth of the matter was that up until Richard came to her hospital room, Luke still found it hard to not think of him as her brother. “I know he wouldn’t have, but doing something good for someone else shouldn’t be contingent on whether they would do the same for you or not…otherwise I may never do anything for anyone,” she said the last bit as a tease. “Besides, I was mainly doing it for Sky. I wanted her to have the sense of stability I rarely did, and I am aware I’ve failed miserably a few times -divorce, Seattle, almost dying and whatnot- but overall, I think it’s all been worth it.”
She groaned at the reminder but paused and thought for a moment. “Well, at least she’s eighteen now so, there’s nothing he can actually do with the title…I might have a look at our options though.” Luke outright laughed at the last comment. “Protective? Is that what we’re calling it then? Well, I may just find your old work mate makes me a little protective,” she snarked.
Keagan:
Her eyes rolled, “Please, if I wanted to snipe someone, it most definitely would actually be Richard. But no, my plan was to find you actually - not to kill you. Not sure what exactly I would have done, but it would involve you for sure.” She remembered how determined she was after finally getting her internal struggles sorted out. “My brother most likely did want to leave as early as he could but being the older brother that he is, he probably wanted to be sure that you and I are alright before he head out.”
Keagan rose her brows, almost impressed with that confidence. “You’re that sure about it? Your Paladin powers are just going to kick in whenever?” She grinned, “She will most likely be different if it became any other way… and somehow, I don’t want that. I love Sky as she is.. She wouldn’t really be Sky any other way even if we raised her the same.” Keagan nudged the other at the cheekiness, “Have you forgotten that you’re injured? Lucas Jolene Benson, You’ve been teasing me the whole day, that is a dangerous game.”
Though she had a point, it still didn’t quite sit right with her. “The thing is that you’re always doing something good for someone else and not taking better care of yourself. Always putting yourself before others - I love you for it, but you need to think of yourself so that you don’t worry us along the way. And you’ve already done more than enough to give her a sense of stability that I couldn’t give which is why.. despite all those setbacks, I don’t think those meant that you failed miserably. You were there for her for almost all of that so.. I think you did a pretty good job and keeping your promise to her.”
The Chief Deputy let out a sigh, “I suppose that is the only advantage we have. He can’t do anything if Sky doesn’t want it - and Sky’s pretty adamant on not wanting to have anything to do with him. I should make sure they put extra details on him so he doesn’t slip out being the slippery snake that he is.” She still couldn’t believe someone gave him access to a phone. “Hmm.. I pled the fifth.” She was not going to openly admit that they were a jealous batch of people. It really is from the McIntyre side of the family where that jealousy streak came from. Either Lyra and JJ didn’t get that trait, or they were just less aggro in general.
Luke:
Luke made a face and narrowed her eyes in brief thought before saying, "It honestly would've depended on when you managed to catch me. Because considering what the root of a lot of our row's ended up being for a while there, if I weren't sober when you found me, you'd probably still be inclined to kick my ass and I would not even remotely blame you." Teenage Luke was a nightmare. A well-hidden one, but one that present Luke was very much aware and deeply ashamed of still. She let out scoff in response and said, "I can not believe I was stupid and naive enough to even incidentally have ever put Richard in the same category as JJ, Teagan, Steven, and Brax by calling the guy my brother."
She managed to raise her hands up as she shrugged innocently and simply stated, "Hey, apparently I was born with that particular set already so..." She turned glance down, blue eyes meeting hazel as that almost stubborn certainty came over her features again. "I can't help it if I know deep in my bones, that no matter what circumstances surrounded us, if you and I were to end up in that same position again, there is no way that-" her confidence faltered a bit as she realized just what she was bout to admit to, but she pushed through, "- at least I, wouldn't already be truly, madly, deeply, and irrevocably in love with one Keagan Anna Calvetti."
Feeling some of that confidence spurred by the older woman's 'complaint', Luke just smirked and said, "Well, if you're familiar with my professional career, you should know that those are my favorite types of games...but, you do have a point and it's not fair of me to keep winding you up when there's a likelihood I can't deliver." She made zero effort to hide her own disappointment at the reality of the matter. "I just-" Luke paused, briefly wondering if she should admit this out loud, but figuring this was the kind of relationship they were both claiming to want to cultivate, right? “-I mean, as terrible as this has the potential to sound, I may be intentionally obtuse most of the time, but I’m not entirely oblivious to the effect I can have on some people. Lyra has been making sure I’m aware of it since I hit puberty so…” Luke trailed off with a slight chuckle before leaning forward and bringing her mouth near the wolf’s ear and whispering, “But I will readily confess that there is just something absolutely intoxicating about realizing I might have even a fraction of that effect on you.”
Luke let herself drop back onto the mattress with a dull thud, her feet still very much firmly planted on the floor as she looked up at the ceiling. She groaned again, and said, “I know. Believe me, I know that realistically you can’t always be up for helping others if you don’t take care of yourself first, but I grew up thinking that me specifically being selfish in any way, shape, or form tended to have terrible consequences for the people around me. I’m working on it. Honest.” She propped herself up on her elbows, grinning, and said, “If you and that kid thought I was cool before, just wait. I’m going to make you both fall in love with me all over again.”
The redhead only glanced back over to the ruined television as she said, “Well, if does somehow think -let alone manage- to come anywhere near you or Skylar, he’s in for one hell of a surprise.” At her comment of pleading the fifth, the smile easily returned to her features as she raised an eyebrow and said, “Oh, you plead the fifth? That’s funny, because that’s what I’ll be pleading if Douchewin ever bothers to even breathe in your direction again.”
Keagan:
From the way Luke was phrasing things, it didn't seem that Luke enjoyed just a couple of drinks. While she didn't want to judge, she agreed that she would have definitely kicked her ass back in gear if she were to find the other in such a state. But now that the topic came up, Keagan wondered why no one else kicked her ass on her behalf. Surely their friends knew.. no? "One would think he'd change over the years, but sadly no. Ricky will continue thinking about himself only for the rest of his life.
Keagan wasn't sure what to expect when the other turned to her with eyes filled with such confidence and certainty. Hearing Lucas confess her love for her was definitely not it and it had her almost speechless to how adamant the other seemed to feel when it came to.. her. Her eyes softened along with her smile. It really wasn't a surprise to know that their kid had so much love herself. Keagan reached over so that and pulled the younger woman in for a soft kiss on the lips. "You're that confident about that?" There was no way the mother wolf wouldn't feel happy about hearing that, to know that Luke would be in love with her no matter what. "I guess that makes the two of us - Whether it takes me a bit longer, or earlier to realise it in the end."
Her eyes immediately rolled at Luke's preference of games. "Lyra hits on you literally everyday. Surely that'd be hard to miss." She loved her sister, truly, and the youngest wasn't wrong - Luke had been fair game since they weren't exactly together at the time. "What is it that Sky say? You've got a .. glow up especially when you hit puberty and everyone noticed." It should have been the first clue when she felt so much irritation and annoyance whenever anyone else flirt with the Paladin. It was even more infuriating when the other people knew how much it annoyed her.
Whatever irritation leftover was washed away immediately when Luke decided that it was a good idea to continue teasing her. "Lucas." She muttered, somehow managing to keep herself from blushing. "Think what you will, we shouldn't inflate that ego of yours." She smirked, already seeing the similarities between mother and child.
"I believe you, and we can always work on it together." She offered whilst holding her hand, looking down at the one lying down. "The scar I have should be enough evidence that I too, need help reminding myself sometimes." She pointed out before also laying down next to Luke, slipping her arm over the other. "As attractive as it is to see you so protective, that's enough of Douchewin for the day." She chuckled, "Better things to focus on than him."