[right][code]St Portwell Department Store[/code][/right]
After they'd polished off their breakfast, the couple headed to their next location. 

St Portwell Department Store. Boringly named but it made it clear it was homegrown, rather than any kind of chain store. It had been around for as long as Trisha could remember... Though parts were destroyed during the Stygian Snake's rampage, it had just been rebuilt better. She was fairly certain her brother had some hand in the rebuilding... The Vanburen Family Business (or Ezra, at least) probably had some shares in it. 

It'd been a long time since she'd been here.  Last time was… highschool, probably, just before the Snake with her friends. It was fun going to somewhere that wasn't just a clothing store - they could buy anything they wanted, and did. It was a nice memory… 

Of course, while the exterior hadn't changed, the interior had. Things shifted, products were changed to replace old with new. Even the layout was different - the escalators all the way at the back were replaced by ones in the very centre, going up and up the seven floors it spanned across. It was all tastefully cream and gold, lending it an elegant appearance without being so much that it alienated its mixed clientele. 

The ground floor started out as a large section for makeup, various makeup artists trying to catch the unsuspecting customer browsing the wares or whatever company had hired them. Trisha expertly weaved around this, gripping onto Casey's hand as she managed to avoid every single staff member between them and the escalators. 

Thankfully there was a list of what was on each floor. Trisha quickly scanned it to find men's clothing - just a few floors up. She turned towards Casey with a warm grin as she tugged him on and upwards. 

[color=d1b300]“So what're you looking for?"[/color] Trisha asked him, swinging their joined hands. She smiled at him playfully. [color=d1b300]“Maybe something with colour? Or is that too out of your comfort zone?"[/color]

Casey too remembered being in this place as a little boy. Back in those days, Boxing was actually a more popular sport; being out with Max was something like a nightmare in itself. Every ten feet someone wanted a picture or an autograph, but he seemed to eat it up every time. 
People like Clarissa actually got things done. Dragging him through the store much like Trisha was doing now, her excitement and pleasure wholly focused on the mass exchange of currency. Four people, six children, and carts of shit between them while Max and Lynette played the local celebrity game.

The escalator seemed so much scarier back then.
[color=577d06]”I was already thinking that. I've never had much control over my clothes; it was Temple into the Military… Whenever I managed to come home on leave, I had a closet full of the same shit, y'know? I guess now my only concern is space… We could use one of the downstairs apartments to store stuff we only occasionally wear, but stuff that's easily accessible is limited.”[/color] he thought aloud, only really half answering her question. 

[color=577d06]”What I mean is, uh… Yeah. Color. I don't entirely hate the punk aesthetic, but I also envy those people who dress in really sharp business attire. Dad always told us to avoid clothes like that, because they're not flattering to the warrior frame we were gifted with.”[/color] he shrugged his shoulders, feeling silly as he said it aloud.

Trisha let out a thoughtful hum, stepping up onto the next step on the escalator and spinning around to look at him discerningly. 
[color=d1b300]“You know it’s all about the cut, right? You just need something that’s the right fit… Though you wouldn’t get that here. You shouldn’t buy business attire from a store that doesn’t specialise in it, really. You could definitely get tailored suits that look good on you. We probably even have a tailor- sorry, you probably wouldn’t want that, and I’d have to go through Ezra. But some of my brothers are pretty muscular themselves.”[/color]

She smiled brightly at him. She hadn’t been properly clothes shopping with someone else for a while. Her and Nadiyah used to do it occasionally, and before that some friends… but normally she ended up going alone. So this was nice. 
[color=d1b300]“But that’s not for today, or here at least. Storage wise… so long as there’s home clothes upstairs, I don’t mind storing a lot of mine in a downstairs apartment? I’m already taking up most of the space which isn’t really fair. It’s our home after all, we should be sharing the space. And you need more clothes… the more variety you get the more easily we’ll match.”[/color] She giggled a little at that as they got to the right floor. 
[color=d1b300]“Do you know where you want to start?”[/color]

He wasn't usually sheepish or nervous about things, but shopping? It was only their second time out, and the kinds of clothes he really wanted to wear weren't here… She said so herself! Having someone cater to him, using years and years of in-profession experience, put him at ease in a way that raw-dogging a department store just didn't.

At least she sounded like she knew things. 

[color=577d06]”Where are we supposed to start? There's nobody here who can take my measurements like that, right? I mean, when you said come here I thought maybe it was different, but…”[/color]
He looked around, a little overwhelmed by all the racks without any clear direction.
[color=577d06]”I don't know… This isn't what I know. I know that the last order of uniforms I ordered for the Temple had an extra layer of waterproofing inside the lining as a practical improvement. But they're still black jumpsuits.”[/color]

He almost twiddled his thumbs like an indecisive child. 
[color=577d06]”What'd you mean by the cut? Like… If we won't find that here, how're we gonna find anything that works?”[/color]
The tonal shifting was rather noticeable… He wasn't good at hiding his general nerves in a place where he already felt a little queasy.

Trisha stopped looking around the shop, craning her neck and going up on her tiptoes to try get a general gist of the layout. She turned back around to Casey, taking both of his hands in hers. 
[color=d1b300]“That’s only important for something like a suit, where you want it to fit [i]perfectly[/i]. It’s why made to measure suits look best - but it's unnecessary for almost everything else. We just need to make sure it’s not too small, especially if the material isn’t stretchy. Things like t-shirts are easy…”[/color] She tried to explain as best as she could, not entirely understanding where his nerves were coming from. It was just a store? Would he really be more comfortable in one of those stuffy places where someone makes all the decisions for you? 

[color=d1b300]“You don’t need exact measurements either. I can probably guess your sizes - and you try them on. That’s part of the fun of it. We should probably start at shirts…”[/color] she trailed off, squeezing his hands and trying not to let his lack of enthusiasm get to her. She’d just have to teach him how to enjoy it, right? If that was even possible. Maybe… 
[color=d1b300]“We can go somewhere else if you really want. One of the places that takes your measurements and does everything for you and forces you to buy clothes you don’t really like but they think look good on you.”[/color]

Casey tried his best to think about how to explain himself without sounding too crazy, as he probably already seemed crazy enough without explaining… Maybe that was part of the problem.

[color=577d06]”I just… I guess I trust professionals. People who put all their lives into what they do, I just kind of assume they know what they're talking about. I don't need to worry when it comes to fighting, because I learned from the best. I don't worry about magic, because I learned from the best. I… I guess I figured we'd be in the rich people stores getting pampered, not… Not in the local Kohl's equivalent.”[/color]

Sure. Don't talk about what's really bothering you… Getting smacked for hiding in the racks, grabbed by the hair-
[color=577d06]”I'm sorry. This is fine, it's just that I'm not in my element. Starting with shirts makes sense, I just… I know I'm gonna wind up looking like a suburban Dad if I pick shit…”[/color]
He gripped her hand tightly, frowning a little.

[color=d1b300]“Well there’s two things you can do to prevent that- don’t buy polo shirts, and don’t tuck your shirt fully into your pants,”[/color] Trisha said, forcing herself to still smile and not get antsy about it all. She didn’t like rich people stores. To her the ‘pampering’ there was just overwhelming and intrusive. Plus, every single one of those stores came with the risk of bumping into one of her family members. All the memories she had in places like that too… she’d always been jealous of kids whose parents picked out clothes for them. 
[color=d1b300]“Most people don’t have ‘the best’ to learn from, and just have to learn by doing. But luckily for you, you have [i]me[/i]. I can pick clothes for you- I mean, I’ll help you. Come on.”[/color] 

Her thumb comfortingly rubbed across the back of his hand, before she gently tugged him into those aisles of racks. Most of these stores had similar layouts, so it didn’t take her long to find what she was looking for: the shirt section. Of course, there was a great variety there. She’d already mentally narrowed it down to start. 

[color=d1b300]“Let’s start simple… I assume you don’t want to have to think hard about matching, right? So you want clothes that go together. Like…”[/color] She rummaged through one of the racks, pulling out a light blue button down shirt. It was made of a more casual fabric - cotton based probably, soft… It very obviously wasn’t his size… 
[color=d1b300]“Very versatile. You can style it in a lot of ways, and it goes with anything. It’s a good start. Look.”[/color] 

She shrugged off her coat, hanging it over the top of the racks. Bees visible on her shoulders fled to her hair, since there wasn’t much space to hide under the crop top she was wearing. Then she pulled on the shirt she’d grabbed. It was pretty big on her, but that didn’t matter.
[color=d1b300]“You can just wear it open like this over a t-shirt… or you do up most of the buttons. Unless you’re going full formal, never bother with the top few. Then you can tuck it in if you want… but you gotta pull it out a bit. You can even unbutton it more… roll up the sleeves. Loads.”[/color] She demonstrated each style as she spoke. She then turned around and rummaged a bit more to find their largest sizes. Thankfully there was quite the range here. 
[color=d1b300]“You want to go a little oversized, so it’s not, like… bulging.”[/color] 

She held up the button down she’d pulled out that was more his size, holding it up towards him. She glanced at it, then him, then shook her head and put it back.
[color=d1b300]“It’s too light, kind of washes you out, what about…”[/color] she went back to hunting and found a similar style shirt, quite plain, but this time it was more of a slate blue shade. She held it out to him with a smile. She really was trying her best to keep her energy up, hoping he’d at least start to enjoy himself if she did. 
[color=d1b300]“I think this'll look nice. What do you think? It’s all about just trying things on and finding what you like… I can pick out a bunch I think will suit you and then you could try them on?”[/color] 

Casey was doing his best to think about things in a logistical fashion. If they just took one of everything and bought it, they could do all that at home…
Wrinkling his nose, he listened to her talk about how to fit things and how they were colored. At least his military uniform was designed by someone who knew what they were doing… there was no guessing. No questions. Just a nice, sleek frame in a wonderful looking pristine olive drab.

[color=577d06][i]You suggested this. You wanted this. Doesn't it look good in the movies? Isn't it something you crave? Don't sour her mood over a location. Play. Have fun.[/i][/color]
[color=577d06]”Does it have to be so dark? I thought color was like…-”[/color]
He gesticulated an explosion with his hands.
[color=577d06]”Like bright and flashy. Like, a Hawaiian shirt. Are those fashionable?”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Uhhh…”[/color] It was Trisha’s turn to wrinkle her nose, though she was still smiling. 
[color=d1b300]“Some, but not the brightly coloured ones you’re thinking about. We can go brighter, just we’re, y’know-”[/color] she gestured to the clothes around them- [color=d1b300]“- in the boring blue section. There are colours between black and blinding, you know?”[/color] 

She spoke jokingly and shrugged, putting the shirt back. Her head tilted back, squinting at Casey. She knew the basics of what colours suited people- though she mostly remembered for herself, and they were pretty different there. Warm versus cold… but that was fine. 
[color=d1b300]“I think if you want bright, you’d suit purples or brighter blue- maybe some mint green too, kind of maroon? I [i]guess[/i] we can even try to find a nice hawaiian shirt… so long as it isn’t one of those ones with beers on it.”[/color] She laughed, going to move on towards one of the colours she’d said, before pausing. They were shopping together, she should really slow down… 

[color=d1b300]“If we’re lucky we’ll find something that suits [i]both[/i] of us. Properly matching.”[/color] She held her hand back out for his.

The menacing [i]hand[/i].
[color=e0c4ff][i]”Stop [b]fucking wandering off![/b]”[/i][/color]
Her bloody face… Last night. The sound of her fist cracking and splitting a skull like a coconut husk. He slowly took the hand.
[color=577d06]”Uhh… Bee, can… Can…”[/color]
He found his throat dry as he tried to say that he was suddenly not doing so hot. Breakfast was coming back.
[color=577d06]”M-maybe just… A new store? One neither of us have been to? I-”[/color]
[color=e0c4ff][i]”CASEAU L’DEL!?”[/i][/color]
His head spun. She wasn’t there. They weren’t there. It was the same feeling as a creeping shadow, not knowing if something was going to magically materialize out of nothingness. She could.

And then he gagged.

Trisha had frozen with her hand held out, utterly confused about what was going on. Was it her? Was she too pushy? No, she hadn’t done anything that bad, had she- she really didn’t understand. And when she didn’t understand it was hard not to assume it was her. 

[color=d1b300]“O-okay.”[/color] Her hand dropped and she reflexively took a step back. Was clothes shopping so bad that he felt sick? How was going to another shop going to help? She tried not to look upset, even though she was. Upset and confused. 
[color=d1b300]“I don’t really know any I haven’t been to- it’s fine, we’ll figure it out, should we go outside?”[/color] 

Without a second thought, Casey reached for Trisha’s hand and got real close to her. His breathing was heavy and erratic, and he was suddenly very sweaty. He wasn’t used to just [i]taking comfort[/i] in her. It wasn’t normal for him to take comfort in [i]anyone[/i]. And he didn’t exactly feel any safer around her. Of course, that wasn’t Trisha’s fault. It was all associative.

He could only do what his therapist had taught him. Get somewhere safe, take a moment, and come back to life. He couldn’t let things like this effect his whole world; so Casey’s arms simply wrapped around her. Like he would’ve done with his Mother if she’d given any lick of a damn.
So he held her close and tight, and found that it [i]did[/i] feel safe. So he took a breath and moved out of the way of a few people passing by as he did what he had to do.
[color=577d06]”Associative panic attack…”[/color] he said quietly to her. So quietly it almost didn’t sound like words, but being so close to her made it so it was clear enough. He didn’t explain further, just holding her close and breathing rather than letting the darkness consume him.

She frowned a bit more, her arms slipping under his to hug him back. Her hands rested on his back, rubbing in a gentle circular motion. She hoped that would help… she didn’t really know. Sure, she got panicked sometimes, but it wasn’t really like this? She didn’t think it’d ever really been a full blown panic attack. Nothing this bad at least. But he was holding her, so that must be helping. At least his breathing seemed a bit more steady? 

[color=d1b300]“It’s okay, I’m here,”[/color] she said softly, those nagging upset feelings pushed back down now that she kind of knew what was happening. She didn’t entirely understand it but… it wasn’t his fault, and it wasn’t her fault. Probably. 
[color=d1b300]“Just whatever you need, however much time you need, it’s fine.”[/color] She was certainly trying her best to comfort him, thinking of what she’d want if she theoretically had a panic attack.

He was taking deep breaths still, and the shaking was gone.
[color=577d06]”It’s not e-even… War shit… [b]Fuck![/b]”[/color]
It was his fault. He didn’t express how he felt when she told him to come here, he didn’t even… He wasn’t thinking about it. Didn’t realize it’d be like this. 
[color=577d06]”I’ve just… Been here a lot. And it was never good. Lots of crying and being scared. Feeling abandoned. I thought I was over it, then… You started tugging me, and it started to take me back and I thought I could just get over it and-”[/color]

Casey looked down at Trisha with full eyes and a wet face.
[color=577d06]”-I wasn’t. And I’m sorry. I’ll g-get over it in a second, and we’ll keep going. I’m sorry, I’m-”[/color]
[i]So broken? So worthless that you can’t walk through a store?[/i]
Those weren’t his normal thoughts, of course… Just self conscious ranting.

So it was because of her. 

Trisha couldn’t stop the thought. It was difficult not to get caught up in it, when she shouldn’t. Not right now, not when Casey was struggling like this. Just push it down like everything else, forget about it, add it to the large pile of things she did wrong. 
[color=d1b300]“It’s fine, you don’t have to apologise.”[/color] Trisha’s hands moved up to his face, just like they had earlier. Her voice was a bit… off, but that could just be because she wasn’t used to dealing with something like this. That was definitely it. She never got set off and panicked by things… 

[color=d1b300]“It’s not your fault, is it? You can’t help those feelings… I don’t really understand, I don’t have strong memories like that-” what did they say about lying to each other? But it wasn’t a lie-
“-But I know it’s not just something you get over. It’s fine, it’s really fine, nobody’s fault.”[/color] Well it was a bit hers. Or a lot. No, she was suppressing that thought. 

[color=d1b300]“We can go somewhere else if it’ll be easier, really. I don’t mind. I just suggested here because I know it. That’s not easy to just overwrite, right? And I won’t tug you again.”[/color] 


It took a few more moments before Casey spoke again, drawing air and snot through his nose.
[color=577d06]”One day… I’ll take all of it back, I think. My therapist always said it wasn’t healthy for me to attack what hurts me. I used to do that a lot more. To feel control. Confidence. But, I think… Knowing that the monster is gone because you’re the one to slay it? It’s something that eases the mind. Closure. Confirmation.”[/color]
Pulling away slightly, he looked around again.
[color=577d06]”Last night put me on edge. Not you, not our tiff. Work. A lot of people are dead who shouldn’t be, and it’s on my hands. Innocence. All because I trust her. The woman who raised me… Not my Mother.”[/color]

His hands gripped together behind Trisha, clenching and releasing.

[color=577d06]”I would never hurt you. And I would never abandon you. I don’t want this to be our life, and I know it won’t be… But now… I’m afraid of the monster in the closet, and nowhere feels safe except here in your arms. I don’t think I would’ve taken this job if you weren’t here. So now I think… I think I have to kill the monsters.”[/color]
Wiping the tears away, he leaned down and kissed her forehead.
[color=577d06]”Exposure therapy worked when we tried it before. I know I’m capable.”[/color]
Still slightly choked up, he cleared his throat and shook his head.
[color=577d06]”I just don’t want you to be… Afraid of me… Or us… And leave. If I don’t have someone else to do all of this for, then I really don’t… I don’t know if I actually can. I don’t feel like I’m enough.”[/color]

Trisha trembled a little bit. Not because of the talk of killing. He’d said he killed last night… maybe it should scare her, but he clearly didn’t want to. It was the fact that he’d taken the job because of her. Why? Why would you do something that meant he was even more stuck with the Temple… and he had to kill for them? Felt that he had to kill again… she assumed he was talking about Clarissa. Furio too. Probably. 

But she just didn’t understand how she was enough. Was she really worth it? Wouldn’t he just end up regretting it? But alongside her insecurities was selfishness - knowing that she was the only person who made him feel safe. But she should want him to always feel safe… And there was also that was actually doing everything for [i]her[/i]. Not for them. But if what he was doing made him struggle so much…
[color=d1b300]“I’m not afraid of you. You’ve never even gone to hurt me- why would I be scared? I’ve seen people lash out for less.”[/color] She was confident enough in that. He hadn’t hurt her, and she couldn’t imagine him doing it on purpose. 

[color=d1b300]“And I said this morning I’m not going to leave. You’d- you’d have to try to kill [i]me[/i] to get me to leave. So you don’t need to worry about that. But-”[/color] Her head tilted down, voice getting even quieter. 
[color=d1b300]“I don’t understand why. My situation wasn’t so bad you needed to take the job- or do all this for me. I understand doing things for someone else, but if it’s hurting you…”[/color] Was it worth it?

[color=577d06]”Have you ever wondered what the fuck is the point? Living? If you’ve never been suicidal, it sounds stupid. But after the war ended, I… I felt alone again. Like I couldn’t go home, and I couldn’t stay with the people who I came to love. OSS disbanded our unit; scattered us to advisory positions where we were needed. The only people I felt knew who I really was were gone without my control.”[/color]
Casey’s eyes closed. A few more tears slipped from the corners as he remembered that feeling again. Loneliness.

[color=577d06]”I don’t know what the fuck it is about you. I don’t know why I felt like I came home for the first time when I saw you… Holding your nose. Runny makeup. Bee onesie. Maybe I felt like you needed some kind of protection. Maybe it was the White Lux and I didn’t realize it. I don’t know, Trisha, I really don’t! All I know is that every [i]single[/i] time I look at you, I get that same feeling. That you’re [i]worth it.[/i] Worth me making the improvement, worth me taking back the life that I thought I wasn’t ever going to have.”[/color]

His forehead slowly but surely crept down until it pressed against hers. His long hair came around them, practically cutting them off from the world. 
[color=577d06]”I… I knew the second that I felt something like that, that I was going to have to smash through the walls between myself and freedom. Freedom to just [i]be.[/i] Everyone wants it… But they won’t suffer the consequences. I will. I’ve suffered already. I’ll take the weight. Carry it until there’s a place I can lay it to absolute rest.”[/color]

Trisha didn’t know what it was like to not want to live, because there’d always been something to keep her going - resentment, hope, spite… But she did know what it was like to be lonely. [i]So[/i] lonely. Everyone left eventually. There’d never been anyone who stuck around in the way she needed - giving her the love and attention she didn’t have growing up. She’d spent so many years alone that she’d forgotten how to let people in.

[color=d1b300]“Nowhere’s felt like home for me either, until you,”[/color] she admitted softly. It was true. It wasn’t like what Casey said for him- and unknown, or instant feeling. Sure, it hadn’t been long, but in that time he’d been [i]there[/i]. With her, for her. It wasn’t enough for her to feel like it wouldn’t all disappear, but… she felt comfortable. Like maybe she’d finally found her place and person. Such strong feelings.

Which was scary too.

[color=d1b300]”I- I don’t completely understand.”[/color] Because she didn’t feel like she was worth it. Not that much. She tilted her head up slightly to rub her nose against his. 
[color=d1b300]“But I want to just be with you. Even if it means that you- we have to push through so much to get there. [i]Together[/i], because even if I can’t really help, I’ll always be there for you. Whether it’s hard or easy. Because I-” love you.[/color]

She wasn’t ready to say it- or even truly admit it to herself, but he could probably tell… and it was hard to not feel it after everything he’d just said. That he thought she was worth it, that she made him feel like he’d come home… Each thing was a slight confidence boost. A little bit more stability and acceptance.
[color=d1b300]“I don’t want you to suffer, but if it’s to get to a better place… I understand.”[/color]

His arms pulled her close, and there the moment rested. But it was only a moment.
[color=C67C12]"That all sounded a little [i]gay[/i] didn’t it?”[/color]
Casey almost immediately deflated. Hearing that voice drove him up a wall, and every little bit of Trisha’s aggravation at the previous evening came welling back up through a new vessel. He didn’t respond, didn’t even turn his head to look.

But the look on his face told Trisha all she’d need to know. 
[color=577d06]”For fucks- Come on. Just walk.”[/color]
Casey’s hand moved down to grab Trisha’s, but as he moved, she’d get a good glance down the little throughway they were stood on. And, of course, there he was. All his glory, black on black with a black jacket and sunglasses [i]indoors[/i]. He even had a hood on, like people who were going to recognize him would simply suspend their belief like he’s Clark Kent.

Leon Richoux was stopped there, staring. But, someone else was with him…

[color=629c3f]”Oy, that ain’t nice- I thought it was cute!”[/color] 

Trisha stopped from trying to immediately flee, also staring. Her hand gripped Casey’s tightly and the immediate tension from hearing Leon’s voice didn’t go anywhere at the sight of her friend. Cass stood beside Leon, slapping his arm a couple of times. Her mostly black outfit was less egregious - at least there was some red here and there, and chains hanging from her ripped, baggy pants adding a little bit of… light. 

[color=d1b300]“... Cass? Why are you here?”[/color] Trisha’s lips pressed together, and she didn’t even acknowledge Leon. She didn’t want to. She was still pissed at him even if she’d talked everything through with Casey. She wasn’t someone to just forgive and forget. So she glared at him, holding Casey’s hand enough that it would’ve hurt if she actually had any strength. 

[color=629c3f]”In the flesh! You’d’ve known if you ever checked the chat! Nice to see you again, Casey!”[/color] Cass bounced forward a few steps, ending up standing in between the couple and Leon. She then glanced between them, whistling. 
[color=629c3f]”I’m sensing a bit of tension here… Do I need to defend your honour again, Trish? I’ll do it. Bros before hoes and all that- Sorry Leon.”[/color] She spun back around towards him with a grin, cracking her neck and swinging her arms around as if preparing for a fight. Then she winked.

[color=629c3f]”Guess it’s more like foreplay, eh?”[/color]
Trisha groaned, free hand pressing against her face. But the tension in her shoulders did ease a bit.

Leon looked at his younger brother, then his date, then Trisha… He didn’t get any smarter, pulling the hood and glasses off. His eyes were closed slightly, and he had a regretful look on his face.
[color=C67C12]"I guess that was probably the wrong thing to say.”[/color]
Trisha would feel Casey’s hand tense up as he answered.
[color=577d06]”If there weren’t people here, we wouldn’t be talking.”[/color]
Leon brought his fingers up to the bridge of his nose, wincing in frustration.
[color=C67C12]"This can’t be every one of our interactions, Man.”[/color]
[color=577d06]”It sure can if you keep dropping the ball…-”[/color]
Casey did his best to smile weakly at Cass.
[color=577d06]”-Sorry, Cass. If I knew you were here, I would’ve given you the courtesy instead of trying to run… You having fun in our lovely St. Portwell?”[/color]

Leon’s face turned down further until he looked genuinely hurt. But he didn’t make a stink out of it. 

Cass looked between the two brothers with slightly raised eyebrows, then at Trisha to try and read a little bit what [i]she[/i] wanted. Except Trisha had twisted herself to half hide her face against Casey’s arm, trying to reduce her annoyance enough to not end up glaring at her friend too. Because there was some frustration there too - why was Cass here, seeing Leon, without telling her? Why was she even still in the area?

[color=629c3f]”It’s fine, dude, I ain’t upset! I’m having a great time, y’know, loads to do, good company, and all that. Even if it looks like we’ll be having a ‘shit you don’t say’ lesson after this.”[/color] Cass threw up a thumbs up towards Casey and Trisha, head tilting backwards to grin at Leon. There was a hint of sharpened teeth there…

She then hopped forward until she was right next to Trisha, leaning in. 
[color=629c3f]”Y’know I can beat some sense into him later, just like-”[/color]
[color=d1b300]“It isn’t like that, and you can’t.”[/color]
[color=629c3f]”Yeah, yeah, it ain’t, I know, less’a problem and it’d be more like a bit of fun, y’know last time-”[/color] 
[color=d1b300]“[i]Please[/i] stop there. Why are you even here?”[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”Oh!”[/color] Cass stepped back from what had been an unnecessarily hushed conversation, grinning. [color=629c3f]”Aside from the date? I’m stickin’ around Portland a bit longer. In fact, I’ll be around a [i]lot[/i] more. I quit my job!”[/color]
[color=d1b300]“What?!”[/color]

Leon did his best not to look a little pleased about it.
[color=C67C12]"Why not, y’know? We’re all still young enough. I asked her if she wanted to spend some time, so that’s what we’re doing. She’s closer up North than where she was before, an hour versus a few.”[/color]
Casey stared at his older brother in abject silence and disbelief. He was trying desperately to process what was happening.

[color=577d06]”That’s probably for the best… I expect to see you at our place too then? I’m sure Trisha isn’t going to say no to some quality time.”[/color]
His grip was lightening. The tension was flowing away.
[color=577d06]”We were just talking about a rebellion! You can sign on, we have these fun uniforms and shit?”[/color]

Leon’s face went from somber to shocked and angry.
[color=C67C12]"Casey…”[/color]
[color=577d06]”Oh, and any food he hands you that sounds like its screaming to get out? Don’t eat it… Or do. I guess you’re a grown woman.”[/color]
[color=C67C12]"Qu'est-ce que tu fais, Putain?” What the fuck are you doing?[/color]
[color=577d06]”You can say cryptic shit to scare my girlfriend, but I can’t do the same? Classic, Leon.”[/color]
[color=C67C12]"I don’t think it’s [i]right[/i] Casey…”[/color]

[color=577d06]”[i]Address me properly…[/i]”[/color]

The command hung in the air like a damp cloth on the whole moment. Casey’s eyes were intensely blue, shimmering, and he was standing as stiff and tall as he could. Leon’s face changed once again, taking on new qualities of embarrassment and pleading.

[color=C67C12]"Don’t do this…”[/color]
[color=577d06]”Y’know Cass, I really wish you [i]could[/i] beat some sense into my Older Brother… I love him to death, but he can’t seem to stop treating me like shit. Like he’s above me… No matter how many times I outbox him.”[/color]

Cass was, of course, a little confused about the situation. She was pretty good at reading people - especially Trisha and all her subtleties. Obviously some shit had happened between Leon and the two of them… but when rebellions and screaming food came into it? Or proper addresses? Was this actually the army? She was fucking lost. Not scared, just fucking lost. 

Trisha wasn’t, but she was uncomfortable. She shuffled closer to Casey, moving to be slightly behind him while still holding onto his hand. While she liked that Casey was defending himself and her, she didn’t like the audience - that audience being Cass. Like she was being dragged into a situation that revealed parts of Trisha she didn’t like revealing…

[color=629c3f]”Well I dunno what you’re saying ‘bout a lotta that shit- if food screams at me Ima just throw it outta window- but…”[/color] Cass looked at Casey, eyes squinting slightly, then back at Leon. 
[color=629c3f]”You beat a boxer and they just wanna beat you back- not that that’s an excuse to treat anyone like shit.”[/color] Her eyes narrowed just a little bit at Leon. The arrogance was part of it, but really it shouldn’t come outside of the ring too much. 

[color=629c3f]”That’s just all some toxic masculinity shit. You can’t beat him in a way that’ll work- [i]I[/i] can. Well, will be able to. Gotta work on the [i]magic[/i] first!”[/color] Cass winked at Casey, before her lips curved into an almost evil grin towards Leon.
[color=629c3f]”You’ll enjoy it.”[/color]

Casey’s eyes narrowed… But he cracked a smile.
[color=577d06]”I’ll be sure to miss that recording.”[/color]
His voice became a rumbling giggle, and it seemed that whatever tension was there was starting to dissipate. Cass  would be able to feel Leon equally break tension.
[color=C67C12]"I love you…”[/color]

It wasn’t to Cass, of course… He was looking at Casey.
[color=577d06]”I love you too… If you know yesterday was up and down, and you know I’ll hear about it, the least you could do is not be like… [i]How you are.[/i]”[/color]
The elder brother nodded, taking a deep breath.
[color=C67C12]"You’re right, I know… And I’m sorry.”[/color]
Casey’s eyes went bright, and he raised his hands slightly.
[color=577d06]”Thank you! That’s all! Just fucking lead with that shit instead!”[/color]
[color=C67C12]"I know, I knowwwwwww… Christ, fucking… I thought Cass was going to make you both smile.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”You using me as some kinda peace offering? Y’know I aint cheap!”[/color] Cass elbowed Leon in the side pretty hard - because she knew both with and without magic she could barely hurt him. No need to hold back. 
[color=d1b300]“You should’ve brought someone quieter.”[/color] Trisha relaxed a little bit as Casey did, shuffling back around to his side rather than a bit behind him. She still stuck close, not quite looking at Leon. But she was clearly more… alright with his presence.

[color=629c3f]”Aw, c’mon, you love me! You missed me! And now you’re [i]stuck with meeeeee[/i]!”[/color] Cass skipped forward, practically launching herself at Trisha - and accidentally slapping Casey as she wrapped her arms around her friend. She practically smothered Trisha - and herself, since there was practically no height difference between them. 

[color=d1b300]“Get off me,”[/color] Trisha grumbled - but she was smiling… what little of her face was visible around Cass’s all encompassing hug. It remained there, just a little smile, as Cass let go. 
[color=d1b300]“You could’ve said you were going to be in St Portwell.”[/color] 
[color=629c3f]”That’d ruin the surprise! But I [i]did[/i] say - like ten times in the group chat. You just don’t check it! And that’s on you, babe.”[/color] Cass grinned teasingly, bouncing back into the middle of all of them. She gestured between Casey and Leon.
[color=629c3f]”But I’m real glad you two made up from whatever that was- you gotta hold onto that relationship, cause you dunno when it’ll be gone.”[/color]

Casey stuck his tongue out and blew it jokingly as he got slapped by accident.
[color=577d06]”Oh, it’s not up by a long shot, but there’s enough mutual respect to not dog-ass one another in front of two people who deserve better energy.”[/color] 
Leon seemed to agree with the sentiment, nodding his head.
[color=C67C12]"We’ve had it out before. We’ll do it again later. But he’s right, it’s… You two. Every story you’ve told me makes me understand how much love you two share, so… All shit aside.”[/color]

Casey nodded, taking a breath and looking at Trisha and Cass.
[color=577d06]”What brings you two here anyway?”[/color]


Cass looked between the two brothers again, nodding. She got it. She had four brothers of her own, after all, and there were tensions there… and she missed fighting with her oldest brother. For just a moment a sad look crossed her eyes. But just like that it was gone, right back to the normal Cass energy. 
[color=629c3f]”What else would we be here for? To spice things up in a different location!”[/color]
[color=d1b300]“Oh my God Cass, you-”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”I’m kidding, I’m kidding.”[/color] Cass laughed, waving a hand in front of her before Trisha had the chance to continue. Trisha just rolled her eyes, but it was good natured enough. She was still smiling. 
[color=629c3f]”Shopping, of course. I ain’t actually gone back to San Fran yet to get my stuff, and I ain’t got all that many clothes with me. Rey’s real anal about me borrowing her shit too, I’ve been having to cycle between like three shirts… So Leon suggested we go shopping! Course I agreed. We’re on this floor cause the women’s section [i]sucks[/i]. I can’t be bothered with tryna find the tiny amount I like and then dealing with those sizes- the fuck do the numbers mean? Nothing! It changes at every shop! You ain’t got any idea how lucky you guys are to have fuckin’ waist sizes and all that shit.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“You could just try it on. It’s not that bad.”[/color] Trisha tilted her head.
[color=629c3f]”Who’s got time for that shit?”[/color]
[color=d1b300]“Well, you. You’re unemployed.”[/color]
[color=629c3f]”Damn!”[/color] Cass clutched her chest, grinning. 
[color=629c3f]”Just hit me right where it hurts, why dontcha? Just cause I got the time doesn’t mean I want to. There’s better things to be doin’.”[/color] She looked up at Leon with a grin.
Credit where it was due, the giant man was trying his absolute best to not react to the provocation coming from Cass. She was relentless; just his type, and absolutely unapologetic about it.
[color=C67C12]"We’ve got an appointment with Balthazar as well. I wanted to get her a dress made because I think that man makes the sexiest dresses in the city.”[/color]

Casey knew that Balthazar was a shop run by a premier French designer. It was a place their Father used to bring Lynette whenever he won, or whenever there was some official banquet run by the boxing leagues. It took months to get those kinds of things commissioned and sewn up. 
Which meant he was actually fairly serious about this. The sex had to be good, Casey figured. He laughed.

[color=577d06]”I should rat you out to Wendy.”[/color] he said simply, a chuckle leaving his lungs.
[color=C67C12]"Oh God, I’ll never hear the end of it at Christmas.”[/color] Leon joked back, scratching the back of his head and smiling.
[color=577d06]”Wendy’s a cousin of ours. On our Dad’s side… Bigwig fashion designer out in New York.”[/color] Casey explained.
[color=C67C12]"Pretty impressive too! In an industry where she could’ve just used her magic to outcompete everyone, she’s done it all legitimately. No fancy Orange Lux tricks or anything.”[/color]

Casey’s head nodded as he thought about his family out East. The people who they never saw; most of whom hated his Mother and rightfully believed she was deceptive and duplicitous. 
[color=C67C12]"You guys already eat?”[/color]
[color=577d06]”Andrade’s… We got there before he sent Mom’s breakfast muffins off.”[/color]
Leon knew what that meant, and grimaced slightly.
[color=C67C12]"Jesus… You two must’ve had quite the talk about things.”[/color]

Casey smiled as big and wide as he could.
[color=577d06]”Yessir… Get why I’m pissy yet?”[/color]
Leon just nodded, taking a deep breath.
[color=577d06]”Which reminds me, Cass… Did you meet Leon’s cat yet?”[/color]


Once again, Cass didn’t get half of what was being said after the fashion talk - but she could tell that Trisha and Casey had a fight. It was pretty obvious by the look on Trisha’s face as Casey and Leon talked, lips pressed together and looking down at the ground. Which also meant they’d made up pretty quickly… that was good! Boded well for the future! So she grinned at Trisha, flashing her another thumbs up. 
[color=629c3f]”Y’mean the massive fuckin’ fluffy ones that talk? Yeah, like, briefly. I don’t think they liked me- I thought it was cute how they talked and they gave me this evil look when I tried to pet ‘em. Now that I think about it, maybe it was the wolf ears…”[/color]

Trisha shuddered just thinking about the cats, looking up at Casey. Her hand reached out for his again, just for a bit of reassurance. But she was also concerned… Cass could take a lot, Trisha knew that. She’d witnessed her beat up a fair few guys bigger than her. But the cats were different. 
[color=d1b300]“They haven’t tried to do anything to you?”[/color]
[color=629c3f]”The fuck could they do, they’re cats - talking cats, sure, but still cats. What’re they gonna do, bore me to death?”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“They’re [i]dangerous[/i], Cass. Really dangerous. Leon will tell you-”[/color] Trisha finally properly looked at Leon again, frowning. 
[color=d1b300]“If it hurts Cass I won’t forgive you.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Hey, hey, hey, let’s not get all up in arms again!”[/color] Cass once again put herself in the middle, reaching out to grab Trisha’s free hand, and then also one of Leon’s. Like a strange connecting human chain… 
[color=629c3f]”I dunno the fuck’s up with these cats, but they ain’t gonna hurt me on Leon’s watch, I’m sure. Plus, I can defend myself. I ain’t exactly round there doing cat friendly shit anyway- if anyone’s gonna be scarred by that encounter, it’ll be them.”[/color]

Trisha rolled her eyes at that, but seemed to relax a little bit. She still didn’t like it. The Wampus scared her a lot. What if it started targeting Cass as well because of her? Especially if she was going to be visiting St Portwell more… she looked up at Casey with a slight frown, not sure what to say. If Cass decided something was fine or she wanted to do something it was pretty difficult to change her mind… 

Casey was silent for a moment before he shook his head.
[color=577d06]”Y’know, I could’ve guessed they’d have a hard time with you. They don’t like you because there’s only [i]fun[/i] in that noggin of yours. You don’t get scared, you don’t get mad or depressed much… The positivity is like a black hole.”[/color]

Despite her aggressive prodding toward him, Leon nodded in agreement before turning to Trisha.
[color=C67C12]"It’s honestly… Pretty funny. I’m pretty sure they skipped the next night she was around.”[/color]
Which gave Casey an idea of why they’d not bothered testing his warding until recently. It… 
[color=577d06]”Can we… Get rid of it?”[/color]
Leon gave him a half-smile.
[color=C67C12]"Do you know what they know?”[/color] he asked. Casey didn’t reply with speech, only nodding his head slowly. 

Leon looked serious, if a little hurt.
[color=C67C12]"Ah… That’s not funny.”[/color]
[color=577d06]”It’s not a joke.”[/color]
Confusion, a furrowed brow and dull eyes causing the other three individuals to blur in his vision. He felt slightly sick.
[color=C67C12]"Then we probably need to talk privately about it.”[/color]
[color=577d06]”Save it then. Can we… Y’know, try and just-”[/color]
[color=C67C12]"[i]You[/i] asked. But, yeah. Lets-”[/color]

Casey’s hand reached out for Trisha’s, grabbing it and pulling it up.
[color=577d06]”If you’re both looking for Men’s clothes, then come on… I was doing some shopping too; we’re going on a date tomorrow and I wanted something that wasn’t [i]black or olive[/i].”[/color] Casey offered, flashing a more genuine smile at Cass.

[color=629c3f]”Awwww, that’s so cute! You gonna match? Trish has plenty of clothes, I bet whatever you get she can match you- that’ll be cute… I want pictures!”[/color] Cass grinned, easily moving past [i]whatever[/i] had happened about the clearly magical cat that couldn’t get into her head. No point dwelling on something like that after all. She reached out to slap Trisha’s arm a few times excitedly. 
[color=629c3f]”Seriously, you guys are so fucking cute!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Can you [i]please[/i] hit the overly muscular guy next to you instead,”[/color] Trisha said, squeezing Casey’s hand. While the talk of the Wampus wasn’t comfortable for her, she relaxed a bit knowing it couldn’t get Cass at least. Probably. And whatever Casey and Leon were getting at, well… if it was private it was private. She trusted Casey. 
[color=d1b300]“If you’re coming along, no hitting.”[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”Got it, got it, I’ll try my best.”[/color] Cass shrugged, before shooting finger guns at Casey.
[color=629c3f]”What kinda thing you looking for? Aside from a bit of colour- I wanna few plaid shirts, some tank tops, another pair of trousers- pants, fuckin’ Americans. But it’s whatever I can find, really! I like a good mosey around, y’know.”[/color] Even as she spoke she’d already started moving forwards, normal bounce in her step.

[color=#577D06]"[/color][color=#5D7C06]H[/color][color=#637C07]a[/color][color=#697C08]w[/color][color=#6F7C08]a[/color][color=#757C09]i[/color][color=#7C7C09]i[/color][color=#827C0A]a[/color][color=#887C0B]n[/color] [color=#947C0C]s[/color][color=#9A7C0D]h[/color][color=#A07C0D]i[/color][color=#A77C0E]r[/color][color=#AD7C0F]t[/color][color=#B37C0F]s[/color][color=#B97C10].[/color][color=#BF7C11]"[/color]


Leon’s arms snapped upward like he was calling a field goal.
[color=C67C12]"You’re so [i]fucking[/i] easy, Caseau!”[/color]
Casey wasn’t the least bit shameful. The fact that he was enamored with them was common knowledge among his close family… And besides, Trisha had seemed somewhat receptive to them previously.
[color=577d06]”Listen, I’m an [i]adult![/i] I was denied my love for their pretty flower patterns and bright colors for [i]too many years![/i] I will be [i]liberated[/i] by my prodigious collection of high quality flower and tiki prints, mark my words!”[/color]

Looking at Trisha, he could feel her concern about the choice in shirts for their incoming date.
[color=577d06]”Except, y’know… Not now. I guess it’d be up to you if we match, since you know what you own and I don’t.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I [i]do[/i] have some floral print dresses and skirts,”[/color] Trisha looked up at Casey with a soft, but thoughtful, smile. While Hawaiian shirts were maybe not the most fashionable thing she… really didn’t mind it if wearing them would make him happy. As long as certain designs were avoided. 
[color=d1b300]“They’re more for summer, though. It’s probably too cold for them. I would like to match…”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Trisha has so many clothes you could get anything and I bet she could match it!”[/color] Cass grinned, spinning around and walking backwards. She’d already managed to bounce quite a bit ahead… though not so far she couldn’t hear everything they were saying. 
[color=629c3f]”It was a right pain when we lived together! Her and Diyah were both fucking fighting for wardrobe space, I had to put my clothes under my bed… I couldn’t use the wardrobe in my own fucking room! It was like a fucking warzone, I swear, I’m surprised you’re letting Casey buy any clothes, cause I bet there ain’t room for them!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“First off, you offered up your wardrobe-”[/color]
[color=629c3f]”Only cause you two wouldn’t stop bickering!”[/color]
[color=d1b300]“- Second, I’d quite like my boyfriend to expand his wardrobe… and I’m not some kind of wardrobe controlling asshole like you’re making out. It’s [i]our[/i] home after all.”[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”Awww, love really does change a person- ooo!”[/color] Cass’s already shit eating grin only turned more devious as she reached out, pulling out a shirt. It had a pretty nice floral pattern, and had been practically hidden among the plain shirts… except it was also [i]eye-searingly[/i] orange. Like someone had made orange high-vis jacket into a floral shirt.
[color=629c3f]”What about this one?”[/color] 

[color=577d06]”Flamethrower…”[/color]
Casey’s cryptic answer was strange enough until you understood where he was coming from. That big orange jet of fire splashing across the ground like a pool of fire. The screams. The danger of the machine overheating and blasting the user to bits…
[color=577d06]”It looks like a catastrophic failure.”[/color]
His hand reached out and took the hangar. A morbid smirk opened up on his face, and he started to giggle before looking at Trisha. The flowers, at least, were white lilies that made him feel somewhat safe and secure… So he took the shirt.

[color=577d06]”Cass picked the first one, Babe… Your turn. Then Leon.”[/color]
Leon blew air through his lips, scoffing.
[color=C67C12]"Dude, you know I’m not the type.”[/color]
[color=577d06]”Sure you are. Just be ready… Uhhh… Do you even have anything that goes with this, Babe?”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Oh yeah, it goes with my collection of fashionable high-vis clothing,"[/color] Trisha snorted sarcastically, staring at the shirt for a moment with squinted eyes as if it was blinding her. Then she looked over at Cass. Cass just held up her hands with a grin. 
[color=d1b300]“If you get that one you're saving it for special, not wanting people to look at you occasions."[/color]

She craned her neck, trying to look across the rows and rows of clothing. It was all densely packed together and, honestly, poorly organised. From what she remembered it wasn't like this years ago. Who put something so orange among otherwise dull blues and blacks? But- oh. She spotted a section of greens just a little bit away. Rather than tugging Casey again, and upsetting him, she squeezed his hand before letting go. 
[color=d1b300]“I’ll just be a moment, babe."[/color] Then she scurried off, on a very specific mission. 

[color=629c3f]"While she's doing that- hold this for me."[/color] Cass practically threw the mostly black, with hint of red, plaid shirt she'd been wearing at Leon. It revealed what was basically just a harness bra, with multiple straps that went diagonally across her chest and up to her shoulders, underneath - the fishnet top over it didn't exactly cover much. Tattooed leaves came over her shoulder, turning into delicate birds across her shoulder bones. She pulled out what was very similar to what she'd been wearing, except the main colour was the dark red. It was thrown on without bothering to button it up, big enough she had to roll up the sleeves and it fell to her upper thighs. Her arms went out to the side. 
[color=629c3f]"Thoughts? [I]Too[/I] baggy? Not bright enough?"[/color]


[color=C67C12]"Not as cute as what you were wearing last night.”[/color] Leon grinned, shaking his head as he really gave the shirt a look.
[color=C67C12]"I don’t think I’ve ever said something was too dark though, so probably the wrong metric.”[/color]
[color=577d06]”That’s not true, you remember that dude Elise dated when she first moved to New York?”[/color]

Leon’s face cringed, eyes turning down at his brother.
[color=C67C12]"[i]HIS ABSTRACTION TURNED HIM INTO A BLACK HOLE.[/i]”[/color]
Casey’s lips turned into a duck face. 
[color=577d06]”Why’s he gotta be a [i]black hole[/i]?”[/color] Casey smugly replied, pulling the bright orange shirt off the hangar and pulling his sweater off to try this monstrosity on. It felt good around the shoulders, and he did a little dance as he made sure the whole thing fit well without restriction.

Cass laughed, putting her hands on her hips as she watched. It really was [I]bright[/I] - which was exactly why she'd picked it out. 
[color=629c3f]”Well I ain't really expecting you to say it ain't bright enough - you're clearly the all black kinda goth whereas I like to throw in a lil red and blue to spice things up… and you ain't getting last night's kinda spicy looks here. Just in comparison, y’know-"[/color] she gestured to Casey and his abomination of an orange shirt with a playful grin towards Leon.
[color=629c3f]"But seriously, a fuckin' black hole? That seems real inconvenient - did he just destroy shit if he turned into it accidentally? How do you even date someone like that?"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Black hole what?"[/color] Trisha reappeared, looking at Cass in confusion. She was carrying two identical shirts - because she hadn't been entirely sure of what size would be right. Her gaze trailed over to Casey, squinting against the bright orange even as she smiled… the dance was cute. 
[color=d1b300]“The fit is nice,"[/color] she commented softly as she got close to him again, deciding not to say anything about the… colour. Honestly, if it was any other colour the design would've been quite nice too. Her head tilted back, smiling up at him, and she held out what she'd brought over. It was a lighter cool green, with  outlined in a darker green and orchids outlined in blues and purples across it. 
[color=d1b300]“I can definitely match these colours. I think it'll look really nice on you too."[/color]

[color=577d06]”Oh, I do like my greens…”[/color] Casey cooed, taking the shirt and looking at it with a gentle nod.
[color=C67C12]"Yeah, uh… Well, he was good with his Abstraction. We didn’t realize at first, but he was a pretty well-adjusted Abcised, so… Elise cut it off.”[/color] Leon commented offhandedly, thinking back to finding out that his sister was technically dating a skinwalker. He still managed to toss Cass a suggestive look despite any lack of clarity as to how it could even [i]be[/i] suggestive.

But Casey had only brought it up to tease Leon. In reality, he was far away from the thought already. 
[color=577d06]”I assume a shirt like this just goes with everything?”[/color] he asked, looking across the department at the racks of pants.
[color=577d06]”But I don’t know how I feel about [i]blue[/i] jeans. I wish they came in more neutral tones. Like greys and shit.”[/color] he explained to Trisha, sliding off the high-vis shirt to try this new one.

[color=d1b300]“... They do come in greys,"[/color] Trisha said in an almost helpless tone. Like she was realising just how little he knew about clothes. She looked over at Cass hoping to share a despairing gaze… except Cass was smirking at Leon with her eyes narrowed playfully. Did she have any idea what was the cause of the suggestive look? Nope. Was she gonna go along with it? Hell yeah. 

[color=d1b300]“You can get jeans in all shades of blues, greys and black,"[/color] Trisha continued, going from scrunching up her face at Cass to smiling softly up at Casey. 
[color=d1b300]“This shirt would go with anything, but I think grey would probably be nicest? But it doesn't really matter so you wouldn't have to think about it much… whereas the other one…"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Would go with black!"[/color] Cass interrupted, stopping looking like she wanted to jump Leon there and then to incredibly swiftly screech back to friendly over energy. 
[color=629c3f]”Really it's perfect to spice up an otherwise dark wardrobe."[/color]
[color=d1b300]“... Would you wear it?"[/color]
[color=629c3f]"Nah but I ain't the Hawaiian shirt guy!"[/color]

[color=577d06]”Uhh… Yeah, I could see this one going with black jeans, but I’d… I guess I’ll buy grey ones too. Kind of trying to avoid the darkest stuff, Cass. That’s the point of this.”[/color]
[color=C67C12]"You should invest in the Dad look too, Bud… He always looked super clean in a white shirt and blue jeans.”[/color] Leon offered, a warmth bubbling up from within. 

For a moment, Casey stood thinking about him. About Max. About those days without worrying about being magical or anything. When they were just a family. It was rare, but he did have memories like that.

[color=577d06]”Remember he bought those jackets for us?”[/color] Casey smiled, looking at his older brother with a reactive pulse of White Lux emanating from him.
Leon laughed in turn.
[color=C67C12]"Totally impulsive, but we looked [i]great[/i] for being little kids.”[/color] 
[color=577d06]”We did, we did… Mom’s probably still got the pictures somewhere. Can you look for them next time you’re home?”[/color]
[color=C67C12]"You’re welcome to go down and look for yourself too…”[/color] he offered in turn.

But Casey wouldn’t be doing that. He was trying to broker a peaceful existence with those cats, at least setting a precedent that if they don’t invade his space, he won’t invade theirs.
[color=577d06]”We’ll see about that… For now, a couple Hawaiian shirts for the start of my [i]collection.[/i] And then, I guess… I would wear them open? So, I need undershirts and stuff, right Babe?”[/color]

Trisha nodded. She'd taken a few steps back to properly look at him trying on the shirt she'd picked out, her smile only growing warmer. It was nice. Both in looks, but also having him wear something she'd picked… it was a similar feeling of safety she got whenever she stole his sweaters. 
[color=d1b300]“Yeah, but you can really just use the t-shirts you have already for that? Or if that'll be too warm get some thinner ones… that's probably a good idea? Just neutral colours. White is probably best."[/color] As she spoke she moved back to his side, taking his hand and squeezing it. She was curious about the jackets and the picture but… maybe she'd ask another time. 
[color=d1b300]“You look [I]really[/i] good in that one."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"I gotta agree. Trish you've got great taste,"[/color] Cass grinned. She looked about ready to sprint over to where the pants were, having somehow managed to grab a couple of shirts herself… but wait. The hand not holding shirts flew up into the air, only avoiding smacking Leon fully on the chin because of the insane height difference.
[color=629c3f]"Ain't we moving on too fast? You said Leon got to pick you a shirt too."[/color]

Casey laughed.
[color=577d06]”He made his suggestion! I won’t torture him b-”[/color]
[color=C67C12]"Mighty presumptuous. Come on, we’ll find one.”[/color]
Casey put his hands up in a jokingly defensive manner, air pushing from between his lips dismissively. In turn, Leon giggled and slipped his arm around Cass’ waist. He slapped her thigh before resting his massive palm somewhere half between her leg and ass. As they walked, he shoved his free hand into his pocket.

[color=577d06]”Now I’m just worried what he has in mind…”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“It can't be that bad, can it?"[/color] Trisha looked up at Casey, before narrowing her eyes at Leon and Cass as they followed them. Somehow Cass still managed to [I]bounce[/I] rather than walk, even with Leon's arm around her and having slotted her body in right against his. It was almost impressive.
[color=d1b300]“It’ll probably be… the blackest black to have ever existed. I bet it'll suck in all the light around it."[/color] Trisha laughed lightly. 
[color=d1b300]“And if it's somehow worse than what Cass picked out, I'll veto it."[/color]

[color=C67C12]"Jesus, you guys… Can’t I just get him some nice clothes?”[/color]
They wound up in the designer section; dozens and dozens of different dress shirts and slacks packaged up in individual plastic sleeves to keep them from getting dirty. He grabbed a white and gray striped shirt, checking the size on the package and nodding before going for some of the accompanying vests.
He held the shirt over Casey’s chest, then the vest. It looked like he was going for some sort of cowboy influenced vibe with gold vines crawling across the vest.

[color=C67C12]"Trisha? Yee-haw?”[/color] he joked.

Trisha stared at the clothes, then at Leon. It was pretty obvious that she was trying her best not to react badly. What he said was a joke, but were the clothes? Probably not. She took a deep breath. 
[color=d1b300]“[I]Haha[/I]... The shirt is nice. I actually like the shirt. The vest…"[/color] she trailed off trying not to bluntly say what she was thinking. It was bad. She'd almost prefer the blinding orange over the cowboy look. 
[color=d1b300]“It’s more important that Casey likes it…"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Hey, I think it looks great!"[/color] Cass grinned. She held up one hand to the side of her face to hide it from Leon while winking at Trisha in an overly goofy, conspiratorial way. 
[color=629c3f]"Y'know what, why don't you get one too, Leon? Then you guys can match, and go shoot up some old style bars together… Ooo, or have some duels in a dusty street!"[/color]

The brothers exchanged a look that went from conspiratorial into completely different directions. Casey’s smugness radiated, and Leon slowly sunk into a pained expression.
[color=C67C12]"I… Already…-”[/color]
[color=577d06]”Ooooh, yeah… One of Leon’s favorite aesthetics is the Johnny Cash. Gold on black, cowboy boots, tassels, the whole nine yards. The Outlaw.”[/color]
Leon only looked more devastated.
[color=C67C12]"I’ss not my fault you can’t see it for what it is…”[/color]

Casey just laughed, shaking his head.
[color=577d06]”Blew your load pretty fast on that one, big guy… Should’ve been a bit more subtle about it.”[/color]
Handing the vest back, he kept the shirt.
[color=577d06]”But Trisha says this part’s fine, so…”[/color] he winked at her with a smile.

[color=d1b300]“It- it is."[/color]
Trisha couldn't hold back her laughter, looking between Casey and Leon. Each time she looked at Leon it welled back up uncontrollably. Just imagining him in the whole get up… fuck, it was just too funny. Cowboy boots… tassels… it was so ridiculous. She moved over to Casey, pressing her face into his arm just to stop looking at Leon. Eventually, her laughter subsided. 
[color=d1b300]“I’m never going to take him seriously again,"[/color] Trisha half whispered, slightly out of breath from how much she laughed. 

Cass looked Leon up, then she looked him down. 
[color=629c3f]"Why ain't you worn that around me yet?! Or were you saving it for a special occasion?"[/color]
[color=C67C12]"’Cuz you’re just gonna bully me………”[/color]
Leon’s best pouting face was plastered so wide across his head that even Lelou felt herself totally drying out. A gentle wisp of fog curled up and out of his ear, wafting toward Cass and whispering something gently into her ear. It was so faint, she’d only be able to hear it after getting used to these intrusions during their prior sessions.

[color=a36209][i]”He wants it anyway…”[/i][/color]
Leon was turning a hundred shades of red, then finally buried his face in his hands.
[color=C67C12]"For fuck’s sake…”[/color] he gently groaned.

[color=577d06]”It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s got our Dad’s old pair of chaps.”[/color]
Casey could only smile wider, bearing social pressure down upon Leon as he pushed the issue.
[color=577d06]”You’ll really love those, Cass. They’ve got [i]generational[/i] stains.”[/color] he finished, making a mock gagging noise.

[color=d1b300]“Gross, [I]Casey[/I],"[/color] Trisha grumbled, hiding her face against him again - trying to muffle laughter that was coming back up [I]again[/I]. Sure the stains sounded gross, but the thought of Leon owning [I]chaps[/I]. Wearing them? It was too much again. 

[color=629c3f]"Seriously? Do you actually have them?"[/color] Cass bounced right up to Leon, leaning into him a bit as she tilted her head up with a wicked grin. Not that she needed Lelou's whisper to bolster her confidence, but it sure was a nice extra boost. There was some genuine excitement in her eyes - not so much at the generational stains, funky as that sound, but something the Gravity had owned? Worn?! 
[color=629c3f]"Well now you gotta show me! The whole fucking thing! You're really worried about a little bullying? Like it won't be the best bullying of your life- c'mon,  you can bully me but I can't bully you?"[/color] Of course she probably wasn't talking about verbal bullying…

[color=629c3f]"We can make some new st-"[/color]
[color=d1b300]“Oh my god Cass [I]please[/I],"[/color] Trisha paused trying to become one with Casey's arm to cut off her friend from saying anything worse. Not that Cass seemed put off by it… 
[color=629c3f]"C'mon, Trish, you've heard me say [I]way[/I] worse. Do way worse too."[/color]
[color=d1b300]“... Because that apartment had thin walls and I didn't have proper headphones when we moved in!"[/color]

Cass just smirked, looking back up at Leon.
[color=629c3f]"Sooooo… do I get to see them?"[/color] 

Leon was looking a little more uncomfortable than before. It wasn’t the joking kind of uncomfortable, rather it was turning to something real.
[color=C67C12]"Dude… [i]Really?[/i]”[/color]
Casey knew what this was. It only made his grin deeper and more… [i]Evil.[/i]
[color=577d06]”Awwww… Too real when she starts fetishising him over you, huh? Ego can’t take it?”[/color] he asked, smugness undying.

Leon just put his hand up, looking at Cass.
[color=C67C12]"Just [i]please[/i] don’t call me ‘Gravity Baby’ again…”[/color] he whined.

[color=629c3f]"Of course, of course, don't worry, I wouldn't go doing something you've asked me not to!"[/color] Cass grinned, patting Leon's bicep a couple of times - there was maybe a squeeze in there too, she couldn't resist. 

[color=d1b300]“I actually think… I'm glad whatever is going on here is happening,"[/color] Trisha whispered to Casey, meaning Leon and Cass - and not really thinking about Leon's extra sensitive hearing. While she still wasn't comfortable around Leon, especially after everything last night, he was at least… a little more tolerable when Cass was around to do her thing. It'd always been the case with Cass, really. A great buffer between people with tensions. 

[color=629c3f]"Also no need to get jealous or anything! Sure, Gravity’s awesome and his legacy, damn… But I've always been your number one fan too! Literally can't fuckin' beat me in the stats, if the stats were purely online shit- tweets, fanpages, GIFs, fanfic… I've made the most! Especially the fic, the shit I write is the most accurate too- even before we met! Nobody's doing it like I am."[/color] Cass pointed a thumb at herself with a wide grin as she continued with her normal trend of being far too open about certain things. 

Trisha didn't even look annoyed this time. Honestly, she'd heard it all. There'd been one time when Cass had trapped her in their kitchen and gone on and on about something she'd written. If anything she was glad it wasn't just at her this time.

Casey felt his body slow down as the joke formed. He had every opportunity to avoid disaster by simply keeping his mouth shut and not bringing up their night last night. Not bringing up the meeting. Not bringing up the little piece of paper stuffed into Layla’s purse that let him hear [i]everything.[/i]
[color=577d06]”Holy shit, Cass… You write [i]fan fics?[/i] About, what, the PBL? Or is it just Leon?”[/color]
He knew of plenty of people who fetishized the Professional Boxer’s League. It was only natural that people would treat it like some kind of sideshow wrestling event, writing their fantasies of steamy backroom lockers and muscled up men rubbing-
[color=577d06]”We’ve got plenty of people who do stuff like that too in the Temple. My and Trisha’s friend Ginara writes that stuff too; we should hook you guys up.”[/color]

Crisis averted. Casey looked at Trisha and waggled his eyebrows.

[color=C67C12]"You probably would like her. She’s got the same energy as you most of the time. Very coiled and excited for pretty much everything she loves.”[/color]
[color=577d06]”She’s even got Trisha addicted to Minecraft.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I’m not addicted,"[/color] Trisha grumbled, though now that Casey mentioned it she remembered they never finished the new roof… they didn't even start it…

[color=629c3f]"Someone finally played Minecraft with you, Trisha? I'm happy- me and Sal played the death of it, so we didn't want to by the time we met Trish… Oh, wait, like, she writes PBL fic too? Cause I do write a lot, not just Leon- just wrote the most about him, heh. Hell yeah hook me up! So long as she ain't part of the weird part of the fandom with [I]wrong[/I] opinions that keep telling me that the shit I write is [I]inaccurate[/I] like [I]they'd[/I] know, fucking assholes…"[/color] Cass trailed off in some surprisingly aggressive muttering, before brightening right back up. Once again going a mile a minute.
[color=629c3f]"But nobody ever talks to me about this shit! Some of my friends- not naming any names- started trackin' when matches were [I]just[/I] to avoid me. Can you believe it?"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“You used to trap us and talk at us for hours,"[/color] Trisha commented, with a light laugh. She smiled at Casey. 
[color=d1b300]“I'm actually kind of scared about what it'll be like if Gin and Cass meet. Maybe we should just put them in a room and let them talk for most of a day?"[/color]

Casey nodded at Trisha, a goofy smile crossing his face.
[color=577d06]”We could. She will probably be a big help with some projects. Gin’s been looking for a programmer for a fangame she wants to make about Sycamore.”[/color]
If Trisha was going to get annoyed about Sycamore being brought up, Leon beat her to the punch.
[color=C67C12]"Please don’t exile my girl here into the code mines because of Sycamore shit. I’ll never see her again.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Well, not never. She seems to like you, right Cass? You like him? Like… You’re dating, right?”[/color]
Leon didn’t [i]confirm[/i] this. There was nothing exclusive about it per-se, so he wasn’t going to try and lock Cass down like that. Especially considering the dynamic between them… She was a friend, sure. Friendly, sure. But also a [i]fan.[/i] And Leon didn’t exactly love the prospect of being [i]in love[/i] with a fan.

Cass looked at Casey like he'd said the cutest, most innocent thing ever. Then she turned to Trisha. One hand offered a thumbs up while the other wiped away an imaginary tear. He really was so pure… luck for Trisha. She deserved someone like that. Trisha's reaction was, of course, an eye roll.
[color=629c3f]"Well yeah, I like him plenty. More than enough to not get stuck in some code hole and never come back."[/color] Cass said after the weird theatrics. 
[color=629c3f]"But it's been like… three dates? Less than a week? I ain't in a rush to label it like that, we'll just see where it goes, yeah?"[/color] she looked up at Leon, one shoulder pushing up into a shrug. 

While Leon didn’t offer more than a cursory nod, Casey made a cute but mocking pout.
[color=577d06]”Awwww, he’s so [i]embarrassed![/i] Leon Richoux, does our [i]Mother[/i] know?”[/color]
[color=C67C12]"Our Mother knows everything, Casey… I just don’t feel like exposing Cass to that kind of thing so quickly. Y’know, courtesy.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Hey, she’s [i]totally fine![/i] Handled it like a champ, right Trisha-Bee?”[/color]
Casey’s hand came up and playfully pinched Trisha’s cheek, a swift kiss following it.
[color=577d06]”Come on… I still need new pants! And I want to get some regular shirts that are just different colors… Trisha, can I get some of those dumb ass dad-print shirts? The ones that have slogans like ‘Wishin’ I was fishin’ or something?”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Handling it like a champ isn't how I'd describe it, but sure,"[/color] Trisha mumbled, but it was impossible to dwell on it with Casey's kiss and swift moving on. Her lips pursed at the thought of [I]dad-print shirts[/I], looking at Casey as she considered it. It was… embarrassing. Goofy. But also she wanted him to… wear clothes he liked, even if they were goofy and embarrassing. There was a line somewhere, and some dad-print shirts she just wouldn't accept, but it was fine…
[color=d1b300]“You can, [I]but[/I] you're not wearing them on dates. And I get to veto really awful ones. And we're cuddling tonight."[/color] She looked up at him with a cute smile, taking his hand and letting him lead the way - no more tugging on her part. 

[color=629c3f]”You want to hug while he's wearing a dad-print shirt?! You've sure got interesting taste, Trisha!"[/color] Cass interrupted the cute moment with a joke, deftly ducking under Trisha's free hand that lashed out to hit her shoulder. 
[color=d1b300]“Don’t you have your own clothes to go buy?"[/color]

Cass held up the shirts she'd been carrying slung over her arm, shaking them a little bit. 
[color=629c3f]"This is plenty, just need to find some pants that fit me and I'm sorted. I gotta go back to San Fran in like a week or something anyway, move all my shit into Rey's- my landlord gave me, like, two weeks after I broke the lease. Stingy bastard."[/color]
[color=d1b300]“Maybe it wouldn't be such a problem if you'd, I don't know, pre-planned things? Not just quit your job on a whim?"[/color]
[color=629c3f]"Hey now, I've been thinking about it for a while! That job's pay was fucking sound but it was so fucking boring. And it's just all perfectly timed- Rey's flatmate moved out, plenty of people to visit here, I just handed over a project anyway… I'm more relaxed than I've felt in [I]years[/I]!"[/color]

Trisha looked at Cass. She looked… about as energetic as she always did. Maybe more energetic. Had her job really been that bad? Maybe she… hadn't been paying enough attention to her friends. She was always wrapped up in her own problems.
[color=d1b300]“Well… I suppose that's good… I'm glad you're happy about it."[/color]

Cass looked at Leon, smirked, then looked back at Trisha.
[color=629c3f]"Sure am- oh! Maybe I can grab some fucking awful- I mean hilarious printed shirts too. Not for me, of course, but Christmas is coming up and Jack's an absolute fiend for them- that's my older brother. Literally all he wears. So you better not take all the good ones."[/color] Cass shot finger guns at Casey, grinning.
[color=629c3f]"Though I suppose it don't matter since there's an ocean between you."[/color]

Casey grinned back at Cass, holding Trisha’s hand tightly and rubbing the top of it with his thumb.
[color=577d06]”You should absolutely ask Leon to get him some of the Temple shirts we have left over. They’re not even culty, they’re just pure humor. Mia’s made a bunch in the last few years; there’s this one of an Angel throwing up in a toilet with like a bunch of bottles around it. Caption is ‘Can’t spell Heaven without HEAVE’... It was for some Beerfest they did.”[/color]
Leon laughed and nodded his head.


[color=C67C12]"There’s better ones. I’ll make sure she sends ‘em off.”[/color]

With that, the small group proceeded on into the deeper parts of the store for what felt like hours. Casey and Cass happily bonded over their enthusiasm for stupid clothing, while Leon had the ultimate run of not being an asshole… Whether or not it was enough to make up for what happened prior was a completely different question.
The longer they spent, however, the bigger the piles of clothes got. Casey found the jeans in various shades, and found a great deal of in-between colors and styles that had nothing to do with [i]black.[/i] In turn, his view of clothes expanded further, forcing a great deal of backtracking in order to put together outfits that previously hadn’t been explored.

By the time it was time to go, they’d spent well over a thousand dollars on clothing between them… Laden with bags, Casey felt right at home hauling what was necessary out of the store and off into the parking lot. While he still wasn’t incredibly enthused by his brother’s behavior, he couldn’t deny how much he cherished moments where he felt like a family. And if having Cass there meant Trisha would be comfortable in the future, then he was happy to have her close by… It meant she could experience it all with them!

[color=C67C12]"I for one am not looking forward to that shit… Any time they make a new movie it ends up being the same bullshit where they just take something we already liked and try to make it ‘better.’ Like, it’s not better, you just like your version more.”[/color]
They’d been talking about movies and the prospect of going to catch one together, but Leon wasn’t being very receptive.

[color=629c3f]”Aw c’mon, do you just not enjoy fun? It doesn’t gotta be better - sometimes it is, sometimes it ain’t! But it’s fun to experience!”[/color] Cass, unsurprisingly, was not backing down. It was somewhat comedic, her hands balled into fists on her hips and staring up at Leon as if she was about to start an actual fist fight over movie watching. Of course, it would be a fun, good natured fist fight! 
[color=629c3f]”But if you don’t wanna come, you don’t gotta. I’ll just go with my best bud and her super cool boyfriend.”[/color] 

Trisha just laughed as she listened - not one to have strong opinions on movies… or at least if Cass dragged her to something she tended to just go along with it. And having Cass around was nice, even if it meant spending a bit more time with Leon. For once she tried not to say anything… too shit to him.
[color=d1b300]”Movies are the one time Cass actually manages to stay still. It’s actually kind of incredible,”[/color] Trisha offered.

[color=C67C12]"Listen, I’m not saying I won’t go. I’m just saying… Let’s pick a different movie. I just feel like it’s gonna be the same movie that came out twenty years ago, just overall less charming.”[/color]
Casey laughed, adjusting the cluster of bags in one hand.
[color=577d06]”Well I’m not watching a horror movie, so… Our options are growing more and more limited.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]"I mean, there’s that romantic comedy? I’ll watch it even if it’s dumb, just… Not something that we’ve already [i][b]SEEN[/b][/i], you know? Like, I’m not asking a lot.”[/color] Leon shrugged, holding his hands up in a confused, slightly defensive posture.

Cass pouted. It [i]really[/i] wasn’t a normal look for her. She even slightly hung her head. She looked a little like a kicked puppy. Like, a super cheerful puppy that had been kicked. 
[color=629c3f]”Alright, fine… if you [i]really[/i] don’t want to see it. I really like the original, I’ve watched it like… ten times… but I’ll just see the remake myself sometime. Let’s go see that one, I’m sure it’ll be [i]fine[/i].”[/color]

Trisha pressed a hand to her mouth to suppress a snicker. It wasn’t that she was finding it funny, it was just… someone else having to deal with Cass’ fixation on doing a specific thing. 
[color=d1b300]“I’ll watch anything.”[/color] Trisha’s expression was practically screaming ‘not so difficult now, am I?’

Leon was silent for a moment, looking down at Cass as Trisha managed to be smug about not having an opinion. He found himself remembering why he didn’t like her to begin with, but as Casey seemed to enjoy it, he didn’t bother lashing out. Rather, his concern laid with Cass and her absolutely unseen brand new expression.
He’d not seen her make a face besides one of pleasure in the week they’d known one another, so this was a new and guttural reaction that was being driven into him.

He could only stammer out a response.
[color=C67C12]"W-well… Y’know… F-fine! Fine. We’ll go see it, Cass. It’s okay, really. I won’t even say anything. We’ll just go, you can enjoy your movie, and it is what it is!”[/color]
Casey’s head turned to Trisha.
[color=577d06]”Do you even [i]want[/i] to go to a movie? We were kind of planning on cuddling…”[/color] he explained aloud.

[color=d1b300]“We can cuddle at the movies,”[/color] Trisha replied after a moment of weighing it up. Just going back home and cuddling up on their massive couch was nice, but there was also something appealing about… going on what was kind of a chill date. Plus she could sense Cass’ pleading gaze. 
[color=d1b300]“It’s pretty dark… and maybe we can go to one of the ones with couches instead of those uncomfy chairs?”[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”Ooo, that’s a great idea!”[/color] Cass perked up pretty quickly after getting Leon’s agreement, grabbing his hand and practically beaming up at him. Of course she was pretty much always smiling, but there was an extra little something in there. 
[color=629c3f]”And the movie’ll be great! I’m sure of it!”[/color]
[hr][color=629c3f]”Oh my fucking God, that was absolute ass. They ruined it! They’ve ruined my comfort movie- they ruined my favourite character! She was barely fucking there!”[/color] 
Cass came out of the movie with all of her hopes and dreams shattered. She was a shell of her former self… even though her intense energy didn’t match that. While she was clearly pissed off about it, and ranting, she didn’t look [i]sad[/i]. But she did look like she was unlikely to stop ranting about it anytime soon.

[color=d1b300]“Even to someone who hasn’t seen the original it was bad,”[/color] Trisha managed to say around Cass’ rant. Though she hadn’t [i]not[/i] enjoyed the experience - namely because it had been a couple of hours cuddling Casey while only half paying attention to it. That was nice.

[color=629c3f]”Right?! How could they do that?! Who let that happen?! It was so fucking shit! I can’t believe we paid money to see that!”[/color] Cass’ hands reached up to grab her hair, yanking as if she was going to rip it out in frustration. 
[color=629c3f]”I’m [i]never[/i] watching a remake again.”[/color]

Casey had totally checked out of the movie; hated it as a kid and didn’t know why Leon ever liked it so much. It was just a dumb movie about a bunch of kids who didn’t have their shit together when the movie started, but weren’t any better by the time it ended. They just had magical powers after that… 
[color=577d06]”I thought it was an improvement. At least they didn’t have that whole scene where they were stuck in the dream world just crying until the wizard came and saved them. The main character realizing they could just wake everyone up with their powers was at least more realistic.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]"The whole fucking [i]point of that scene[/i] was because the main character and his little brother didnt have a [b]DAD![/b] The fucking Wizard [i]saves them[/i] and after that they start to actually [i]trust[/i] the rest of the group!”[/color]
Leon was probably just as hurt as Cass was. All the subtext and secondary plots about the group dynamic were pretty much washed away by asserting that they were all friends to begin with. Even if they still had their personal stories intact, there was no friction. No spark.

[color=577d06]”But the dude still ends up being evil, like he gives them that sense of trust and they, what? Hold onto it after it’s basically proven wrong?”[/color]
[color=C67C12]"WHEN IS IT PROVEN WRONG!?”[/color]
Leon’s hands gripped in front of him with a vague crushing motion, as if he was trying to squash whatever was in his mind between his hands.
[color=577d06]”He betrays them at the end!”[/color]
[color=C67C12]"BUT THEY STILL TRUST THEIR FRIENDS BECAUSE THEY DON’T BETRAY ONE ANOTHER!”[/color]
[color=577d06]”Easy, big guy… You’re gonna blow a gasket.”[/color]


[color=629c3f]"But he's right! That's what makes it so fucking good… even though they're betrayed by someone they trusted they don't lose trust in everyone!"[/color] Cass jumped right back in. She wasn't quite shouting like Leon was, but the way she bounced about now with her hands curled up into fists was like she was ready to punch [I]something[/I]. It was a completely erratic, aggressive energy. 
[color=629c3f]”And my girl… they made her a fucking barely there love interest! She was an integral part of the group! Sure, there were hints, but they're kids, it ain't the main thing. It's the friendship! But they took that away for her just to have some fucking save the girl scene that was. Fucking. Unnecessary! She was so badass in the original! I was so fucking excited cause I love the actress they cast as her, but then they ruined it!"[/color]

Trisha didn't really get it. She hadn't particularly enjoyed the movie, and she assumed she probably wouldn't enjoy the original… and what Casey said made sense to her. If she was betrayed like that, she wouldn't be so trusting anymore. But the thing that was on her mind more than anything, seeing the two of them get so heated… 
[color=d1b300]“Isn’t it just a movie?"[/color]

Cass screeched to a halt. She spun around so she was right in front of Trisha, putting her hands on her shoulders. It wasn’t aggressive so much as it was her trying to stare into her friend’s soul.
[color=629c3f]”No, it’s not just a movie, Trisha. Do you know how much I related to her growing up?! Everyone always like ‘you gotta be more girly’ or ‘a girl wouldn’t punch someone’ or ‘nobody’ll ever like a girl that acts like that’, like it was fucking endless! Just cause I was the only girl of five doesn’t mean I gotta fill that role! But then I watched this movie with my brothers and it was like wow, it doesn’t matter! She’s got all these friends and can just be herself cause that’s the message! And we all loved it- we watched it [i]all[/i] the time. It was like [i]our[/i] thing. It’s way more than a movie to me.”[/color]

Trisha didn’t entirely understand. She didn’t [i]have[/i] that - both the bond with siblings, or the attachment to media. There was no opportunity to while growing up - all she did was study, and then the Snake… She somewhat awkwardly raised a hand to pat Cass’ back. At the same time she looked over at Casey, clearly a little lost.
[color=d1b300]“I- I see. I guess it is… more than a movie… it’d suck to have something ruined like that.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]"And this is why I [i]didn't wanna SEE IT![/I]”[/color]
Leon's hands wound up on Cass's shoulders and almost around her neck due to their size. But he was gentle, slowly pushing his fingers into the muscles to massage her. It was colder out at this point, and the sun was fading off the coast before it would inevitably fade away.

[color=C67C12]"It's alright, Spitfire… We'll go back to my place, we'll pull out the VHS… We can get lost in the [i]actual[/i] movie together. Eh?”[/color]

Casey couldn't do anything but smile. He wasn't sure if Leon felt some sort of connection to Cass, or if he was just being super polite… He never considered his older brother to be an empath, so he assumed they were both just mutually suffering. It was kind of funny…

Revenge was so close.

[color=577d06]”That box of tapes is gone, Lee…”[/color]
Casey's voice held tight to its place in the air, forcing an expression of pain to wash across Leon's face.

[color=C67C12]"W-what?”[/color]
[color=577d06]”Like a month ago? You told me to bring those tapes off to McGuigan's? The black plastic bin?”[/color]
[color=C67C12]"I never sorted them, Caseeeeeey!!! I didn't get the chance to!”[/color]
[color=577d06]”Well, you told me to ta-”[/color]
[color=C67C12]"AFTER I SORTED IT OUT!”[/color]
[color=577d06]”Which was like two weeks before I did it! I figured it was done!”[/color]

Casey was nervously giggling at his elder brother's reaction. The box of tapes in question was stacked into one of the storage rooms in the apartment building, not in the hands of an orphanage… He knew Leon hadn't bothered doing what he said, and rather than do what he was asked, Casey simply put it in a safe and out of the way place.

[color=C67C12]"Dad bought us that fucking movie as kids!”[/color] Leon whined, hands digging into Cass’ shoulders nervously.

[color=629c3f]”Hey, loosen up a lil, big guy,”[/color] Cass patted one of the hands on her shoulders, though she wasn’t actually all that bothered by it. Wasn’t like it really hurt… She tilted her head backwards to look at him, feeling actual empathy. If it was bought by their dad, who was now gone… that really sucked. Not that she thought it was Casey’s fault! Just the whole situation. Man, this remake really was the worst thing ever!
[color=629c3f]”I’ve got two copies! When I was a kid we all saved and saved to each buy one, cause we thought it’d be cool to each have our own… just dumb kid things. But I got my own and my oldest brother’s. You could have mine! I’d just have to go back to-”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“You’d go back to England for a movie?”[/color] Trisha had escaped from Cass’ hold and gone back beside Casey, slotting into his side and leaning in slightly. It was cold…
[color=629c3f]”No, I ain’t rich! San Fran, I brought ‘em over with me… I know it wouldn’t replace something your dad got, but it’s the original VHS! Pristine! More fucking pristine than my bother’s copy, cause I fucking took care of it…”[/color]

Casey found himself surrounded by empathy, dropping his act immediately.

[color=577d06]”Oh Christ, they're still at home! Jesus, you don't actually-”[/color]
He stopped himself before he could start an argument about something that bothered him in front of these people who didn't need that kind of energy in their lives. 
[color=577d06]”-think… That… I'd get rid of your shit like that, do you? I'm a little more thoughtful than that, Leon. The box is in storage 104: I hope you go through it soon and bring the rest to those kids, because there's some actual good movies they could do with watching over there.”[/color]

His smugness radiated, but Leon's hands immediately softened, as did his face.
[color=C67C12]"You are [i]such[/i] a dick, Casey…[/color]
He waved it off in turn, exchanging a glance with Trisha that let her feel every ounce of smug satisfaction he could produce.
[color=577d06]”Yeah, whatever… Babe, do we have anything else to do out here? Or are we nest-bound?”[/color]

Trisha looked up at Casey, smiling. It was [i]cute[/i] how smug he was over this. And even better that person at the other end of it was Leon… because if anyone deserved to be fucked around a bit it was Leon. 
[color=d1b300]“No, I think we’re done here… let’s go home. I want to just relax together. Oh, I should check on the bees, though. Guess we can do that before we go cuddle up for the evening… maybe we could do what you suggested last night…”[/color] Trisha trailed off, voice getting quieter, but she was still smiling at him.

[color=629c3f]”I [i]was[/i] gonna ask what your dinner plans were, Trish, but I guess we got a movie to watch.”[/color] Cass’ head tilted back to grin at Leon. 
[color=629c3f]”I’m probably going back like tomorrow or Friday- to San Francisco. Gotta pack all my shit and move. But maybe I can swing ‘round before I leave depending on your plans… I ain’t gonna interrupt your date, don’t worry.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“You better not… but yeah, that’d be nice if we’re free.”[/color] Trisha paused smiling warmly at Casey for just a moment to nod to her friend, before going right back to staring at him.
[color=d1b300]“I guess we need to setup a meeting with Gin sometime too.”[/color] 

[color=577d06]”Just come up after your movie!”[/color] Casey was surprisingly warm and inviting with his offer, turning to Trisha slightly.
[color=577d06]”We’re night owls anyway; we can spend a few hours decompressing while you guys enjoy yourselves, and if you don’t come up, it’s no harm no foul.”[/color]

Leon’s lips pursed. He wasn’t sure if this was bait just like the video tape thing was, but he looked at Cass with a skeptical look.
[color=C67C12]"I mean… If we’re not too tied up?”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Literally!”[/color] Cass joked. Well, Trisha hoped it was a joke. It might not be…
[color=629c3f]”But that’d be real nice, we’ll be there!”[/color] She didn’t share any of Leon’s scepticism, arm twisting back to nudge him with her elbow. 
[color=629c3f]”I doubt we’ll be getting much sleep anyway, so what’s a couple of hours hanging out.”[/color]

Trisha glanced at Leon, then looked at Cass. She leaned into Casey before nodding. She would actually… like that. Spending time with Cass was one of the things she really missed from college… And if it helped her learn to tolerate Leon a little more, that was an added benefit.
[color=d1b300]“So long as all your movie ranting stays downstairs.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Course, I’ll get it [i]all[/i] out before intruding- oh, do you have any games at your place. What about Mario-”[/color]
[color=d1b300]“I am [i]never[/i] playing Mario Party with you again and no, we don’t.”[/color]  
[color=629c3f]”Well that’s alright, I’ll just have to keep everyone entertained with my wonderful company,”[/color] Cass grinned at them all.

Casey nodded at Trisha’s lean, rubbing her shoulder. 
[color=577d06]”Then it’s a double-double date! Just text one of us when you’re about to come up, we’ll figure out what's for dinner…”[/color]
Leon took a deep breath, then blew air out from between his lips.
[color=C67C12]"Ugh, fine… But you gotta be real nice to me.”[/color]
[color=577d06]”Don’t worry, Prince Leon. I’ll make sure the carpets are down so your pristine feet don’t touch the filthy organic wood-”[/color]

Leon, exasperated, simply turned on his heel and groaned, his hands leaving Cass as he made his way toward his car. Casey couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head and smiling at Cass.
[color=577d06]”Can you calm him the fuck down, please? He’s such a big baby sometimes…”[/color] he joked.

Cass laughed, hand raising to her forehead and moving forward in a mock salute.
[color=629c3f]”You got it! I’ll boost his ego so much he won’t be able to see anything past it, then you can say anything and it’ll just bounce off!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I’m not sure it can get any bigger…”[/color] Trisha commented quietly. 
Cass smirked, waggling her eyebrows.
[color=629c3f]”It can [i]always[/i] get bigger.”[/color]
[color=d1b300]“... Go deal with him and leave us in peace for a little while.”[/color] 

Cass just grinned. 
[color=629c3f]”Yeah, yeah, go enjoy your ‘decompressing’, don’t miss me too [i]muchhhh[/i],”[/color] she laughed, before spinning around and running (unnecessarily) to catch up with Leon. 

Trisha shook her head, looking back up at Casey with a smile. 
[color=d1b300]“Let’s go home?”[/color]