(Dazzlings) Part 3: Blessings

>Your little stunt last night had cost you your personal bed warmer in favor of winning over Adagio, but every stretching second deepens your regret.

>It definitely didn’t help that you had to stay up till 2 cramming for a quiz, and your uncle doesn’t make coffee quite strong enough to prop up only four hours.

>”Alright class, I want you to finish the chapter tonight and work through problems 3-18,” your teacher barks, closing his lesson planner with a resounding smack as students hurriedly pack up.

“Stupid logarithms,” you grumble, shoving the accursed tome into your backpack and brushing stray bangs from your eyes.

>”Oh, get over it,” your eldest sister drawls as she slings her own pack over her shoulder. “You know how to use a calculator.”

“You come up with that one yourself?”

>”You tell me, kettle,” she shoots back. “This is small stuff.”

“Easy for you to say!” you snap, a headache building rapidly in your skull. “You’re not the one who got shoved up a grade because of make-up classes!”

>”She has a point,” Aria meekly interjects.

>”She’s in the same boat as us,” Adagio responds, leaning against her desk. “I don’t see me or you complaining about it.”

>”...Well...”

>The middle child briefly fiddles with one of her twintails.

>”It’s not been easy for me, either.”

>Adagio’s eyes suddenly light up at her admission, her near-trademark worry beginning to show.

>”Has it only been a problem recently?” she asks.

“Really?” you scoff, mouth agape in disbelief.

>”Maybe we can put time aside on Saturday,” Adagio continues, her irritation giving way to concern. “I’m sure we-“

>With your patience ground down to the nub by exhaustion, you can’t be bothered to care as you feel yourself slipping off the handle.

“Oh, so when SHE has problems you’re an open fucking book, huh?” you testily spit.

>”That’s not true! I listen to you all the time!”

“Bull. Shit,” you drawl. “Some sister you are. You can’t even be bothered to let me copy notes!”

>”Maybe if you TOOK them, you wouldn’t need mine!” she barks back. “I am not your answer key, shrimp!”

“Oh, is the shrimp not worth your time?” you growl, one hand flying to your scrunchie and yanking it down, shaking out your hair as you take three sharp stomps towards your sister. “You wanna repeat that?”

>”GIRLS!”

>The lot of you jump and whirl around, your teacher gesturing to the door with a look of utter emnity.

>”You’re free to discuss your educational struggles one of two ways: politely, in here, or OUTSIDE,” he booms in his I-will-be-heard-all-the-way-at-the-back-of-the-classroom tenor.

>Ducking your head down, you and your sisters make a hasty exit, powerwalking to your lockers down by the intersection of the 100 and 150 blocks, the weaving through the crowd eating precious minutes of downtime between classes.

>”Did he really have to yell?” Aria murmurs, still clenching her hands and shoulders as you flick in your locker code with a practiced ease.

>”Pretty sure he just wanted the chance to look big,” your other sister comments as she drops her math textbook in the bottom of her unit with a BANG. “Look, Sonata, I-“

“What? You gonna call me an idiot again?” you yell, gnashing your teeth at her. “We’re not all blessed with a tactical mind like you are, you walking dustmop!”

>”I’m just-“

“I know what you are!” you cut her off, volume rising as other students’ conversations die off in favor of listening in as you slam your locker shut. “You’ve always gotta be the biggest dog in the room, no matter what! Maybe if you could yank the steel rod out of your ass for five minutes, you might actually have some FRIENDS here, you indignant little CUNT!”

>Both girls take a step back from you as you fume, lips peeled back in a sleep-deprived snarl as your reddened eyes twitch erratically.

>”...I’m sorry,” Adagio mutters, turning away from you with a pained expression. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

>Like pulling the plug from a bathtub, your rage drains out of you in mere seconds, replaced with a cold and horrible guilt as you hear her fail to suppress a sniffle, arms tucked tightly against her chest.

>You turn to Aria for backup, a spike of acrid angst piercing you as she takes a step backwards, eyes wide and filled with an instinctive fear.

“...I didn’t-“ you try to stammer out, falling into a panic as the onlookers begin to chatter amongst themselves.

>You suck in the suddenly dry air around you, steeling yourself as you slowly reach out and touch Adagio’s shoulder.

“Dagi, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have yelled at you.”

>Your eyes are hot and wet as she looks over her shoulder at you, an exquisite mix of shame and concern on her face.

>”It’s fine,” she murmurs. “I’m supposed to be the mature one, but I wound you up anyways. Some big sister I am.”

>Her words only serve to sting you deeper as you screw your eyes shut, a small tear running down each of your cheeks.

>With a choked sob, you reach out, flinging your arms around her and burying your face in her shoulder.

“Stop putting yourself down like that,” you mumble into the fabric of her blouse, voice strangled and shaky. “You’re a great sister.”

>Your heartbeat begins to calm from the jump-start of only mere minutes ago as you feel Adagio’s hands alight upon your back.

>”Forgive me?” she trembles in your ear.

“Of course, Dagi. We’re best friends, right?”

>She merely whimpers in relief as the two of you remain embraced, your audience dispersing back into their routine with a myriad of reactions ranging from soft smiles to snickering.

>You almost doze off right there, nestled in her comforting touch, until your moment is interrupted.

>”Fucking loonies,” you hear one spectator laugh. “Get some weed for that bipolar shit or something.”

>”Excuse me?” Adagio barks, removing her head from your shoulder to stare him down.

>You can’t see anything, but the rumbling growl in her throat tells you more than enough as you hear him back up and walk briskly away.

“That’s the Mama bear I know,” you giggle as you finally let her go.

>”I told you not to call me that,” your elder replies with a chuckle of her own, brushing away stray strands of hair as a warm smile comes to her.

>Behind you, Aria slowly relaxes, peeling herself off the support pillar between locker rows that she’d flattened herself against.

>”So... you’re okay?” she nervously asks, still giving you a wary look as you turn around.

“Mm-hmm,” you nod. “Sorry I scared you.”

>You throw out your arms for another hug, grinning as she accepts your affection readily.

>”Wow, Aria. I didn’t think you’d be so eager,” Adagio comments as she picks up her backpack.

>”I’ve gotten... more comfortable with it,” your other big sister chirps, standing straighter than usual with a small smile.

>You and Adagio share a look of mild excitement before a new voice joins you.

>”E-Excuse me...”

>The lot of you whip your heads to the source of the plea, a pink-haired girl in a bright blue dress standing beside you with her hands clasped behind her back.

>”I’m terribly sorry, but I couldn’t help hearing you talk about your math work,” she continues, looking down at the floor like she’d broken something.

“Yeah, whataboutit?” you rattle off, hips cocked and arms crossed.

>”Well, I, um, I was just wondering i-i-if you might be...”

>Trailing off, the girl lets out a meep, face flushed as she turns away.

>”Go on,” Aria prods, her tone soft and patient.

>”...I was just wondering if you might want to study together?” the girl manages to push past her lips. “My friends and I get together on Fridays for a group session.”

>Near-identical looks of inquiry are shared between you and your sisters, before all of you shrug in unison.

>”I don’t see why not,” Adagio answers.

>The sharp screech of the two-minute bell blares out above you, and you swear under your breath as you re-open your locker and start cramming your books and binders back where they should be.

>”G-Great! I’ll introduce you to my friends,” the girl says, throwing up one fist in a cheer that she quickly puts down in embarrassment. “I think you’ll like them.”

“Cool!” you chirp. “Thanks, uhh...”

>”Fluttershy. S-Sorry.”

>”We’ll look forward to it, Fluttershy,” Adagio says, closing her locker. “Now let’s get to class before we get chewed out.”

>”It’s free period, remember?” Aria reminds the two of you, but you’re already moving.

“Last one there folds clothes tonight!” you shout as you take off, checking your sister in the shoulder as you break into a sprint.

>”HEY!”

——

>You’ve never been a particularly calm sort.

>Your childhood was filled with rather bombastic moments of zeal and vigor, often accompanied by the kind of impartial rage only a grade schooler can possess.

>But in the last few months, you’ve sometimes started to think that you’ve left that tendency to put chips on your shoulder behind.

And then the office chair currently underneath you gives you a cruel reminder.

>You grimace and stand from your desk for the dozenth time this morning, shooting pain running a relay race around your tailbone as you shift your hips with a pop.

“Bloody hell,” you mutter under your breath. “If this thing gives me hemorrhoids, I’m suing.”

>”Anonymous?”

>You shuffle around with a slight grunt as your back pops again to see Celestia standing by the narrow hallway leading back from your workplace to the administrative offices, a bundle of multicolored flyers in her hand.

>”Could you perhaps assist me in a small endeavor?” she hesitantly asks, looking away from you as you walk towards her, brow cocked in inquiry.

“Whatcha need?”

>”Well, in lieu of our recent shortage of student council members, I could use a hand in putting up the notices for the upcoming Halloween festivities,” she replies, gradually shrinking back towards the wall as she speaks.

“Uh, boss? You okay?”

>The taller woman finally meets your gaze, visibly breathing as she clears her throat.

>Before she can finish, however, the front office door flies open, your wards standing in the entrance.

“Oh, hey girls,” you nonchalantly wave as you sit back down, having just noticed your untied shoe. “You eating in the usual spot?"

>”Nope!” Sonata proudly barks, hands on her hips and chest puffed out.

>”We met some classmates,” Adagio elaborates as she steps past the ponytailed braggart. “We’re gonna try sitting with them today.”

“Oh really?” you reply, interest thoroughly piqued as you thread the loop on your laces.

>”Yeah! But, we need to ask you something,” Aria joins in, standing in front of your desk with a puppy-dog look that sets off a twinge in your chest. “Would you be okay with us going to their place on Friday?”

>Once, twice, thrice you blink, your brain suddenly doused in a neurochemical cocktail of danger instinct as you bolt up in your chair.

“Who and where?” you say, more of a command than a question.

>”This girl called Applejack helps her family run a local farm,” Sonata pipes up. “She says they’ve got plenty of space in their house for us and a few other girls to stay over while we study.”

“Wait, study? You girls having trouble?”

>”...Maaaaybe?” the youngest answers, rocking on her heels with a plastic grin.

>You sigh and pinch the bridge of your nose.

“Get me phone numbers so I can call ahead,” you order, reaching for your thermos and jolting in surprise when Aria presses a piece of paper into your outstretched hand.

>”We thought ahead,” she mutters with a smile.

“...Well, okay then,” you slowly say, looking over the dozen different contacts on the two stuck-together notes. “How many people are gonna be there?”

>”About 10-11, including us,” Adagio replies. “And before you ask, no boys.”

>Pocketing the slips, you stand again, swallowing before you give a nod.

>”Thank you!” Sonata cheers, dashing with a frightening pace and hugging you, head tucked under your chin as you wheeze.

“But!” you proclaim, one finger pointed skywards. “I have conditions.”

>”Like what?”

“You call me when you get there, when you’re going to bed, and if you’re going to leave their house for ANY reason. And I’ll be checking in with whoever’s parents to make sure you’re not getting into anything skeevy, got it?”

>”Deal,” Adagio deadpans, rolling her eyes at your tone.

“Good. Now go get chatty your friends. I’ve still got some stuff to clean up before lunch.”

>To your surprise, Sonata softly tightens her grip, standing on her tip-goes to kiss you on the cheek, her sisters following suit.

>”Love you, Uncle Anon,” they mutter.

>You simply smile and return the gesture, pecking them on their foreheads before they let go and scurry out the door.

“Welp, there goes my evening,” you muse as you sit down yet again, the nerves in your rear flaring up at the pressure.

>Spinning around, you’re met with the sight of your boss, Luna, Cadance, and Shining intensely watching you from the narrow hallway to the rest of the offices.

“What?”

>”You four are just. So. CUUUUTE!” Cadance gushes, hands on her cheeks as she giggles profusely.

“We’re not THAT interesting, are we?” you chuckle.

>Your humor fades as you receive no response, the silence an abrupt and unpleasant weight.

>”How do I put this, Anon...” Celestia begins, twirling a hand as the proper words fail to come to her.

>”My sister and I have spent our entire adult lives in the pursuit of being educators, Anonymous,” Luna interjects boldly. “And in those years, we have seen many youths hailing from unfortunate circumstances.”

>Slipping past Cadance, the shorter of the two principals puts a hand on your shoulder.

>”All of them, we tried to help. Many were beyond our reach,” she continues, a sad smile on her face. “It is a refreshing sight to see one such as you commit yourself to lending a hand where one such as myself could not.”

>Her smile brightens somewhat as her sister nods in agreement.

>"Couldn't have said it better myself," Cadance chimes as Luna removes her hand from you, her fingers trailing off your shoulder and evoking a strange shudder from you as she returns to her office. "But Celestia, didn't you have something to tell Anon? I've forgotten what it was."

>You're too busy checking your phone's sudden buzzing to notice the look the counselor gives her superior.

>"Ah, yes," Celestia blushes.

>"Anonymous, I was wondering if you were perhaps free this Friday evening,” she announces with a sudden steel to her voice, back straight as an arrow in spite of her blush.

>You set your phone down and let the cogs in your head spin for a bit before the question fully hits you, faking a slight cough as you look down, your shirt buttons suddenly quite interesting.

>”It’s fine if you’re busy,” Celestia adds, a panicked undertone in her voice. “I understand that you’re a very busy man, with your nieces and whatnot.”

“Umm... I, uh...” you flounder, mind awash with memories of her embrace at the fairgrounds. "I mean, I guess I'm free for the evening..."

>Your boss is making a move on you.

>You know that this kind of thing should be awkward, but you can't seem to find that part of your brain at the moment.

"Yeah, why not?" you think aloud, leaning back with a loud creak from your chair. "You've been pretty easy to get along with so far."

>Any response is sharply interrupted as your chair squeals again and buckles, the cheap plastic giving way as you fall over and slam your head straight into the corner of your desk, hissing at the impact.

>"ANON!" your boss shrieks in panic, dropping to one knee and slinging one arm over her shoulder. "Anon, speak to me!"

"Calm down, Princess," you casually say as you get up, checking your scalp. "Any bleeding?"

>"...N-No," she stutters, examining your chromedome before her eyes trail to the fresh dent in the aluminum frame of your workstation. "Are... Are you good?"

"Yeah. I got a REAL thick skull, hun," you laugh, tapping your temple. "I was hoping that thing would give out, anyways. Hurt like a bitch after a couple hours."

>You grab your phone and pocket it properly as your three coworkers stare in bewilderment at you.

"Well? Are we just gonna stand around, or get something to eat?"

---

>Four days of grueling, plodding monotony pass by, hours spent making phone calls and trading contact information with total strangers.

>What little time you have after data entry and remedial classes is swallowed by the house, upkeep coming in short bursts whenever you have a moment.

>Even as you smooth out the collar of a dark blue polo you’d dug out of your closet, your eyes pore over an English lesson plan, due dates circled in an ominous shade of red.

“Chill, Anon,” you mutter to yourself, giving yourself a fifth look-over in the mirror on the back of your bedroom door, your bulking frame an almost comical contrast with your semi-formal attire, grey slacks and black dress shoes both showing small traces of dust.

“Shit,” you growl, fishing your kerchief from your back pocket and wiping off the offending residue as best you can. “Of course I forgot to check laundry today.”

>”Oi, Uncle Anon?” you hear Sonata’s voice interrupt your self-scolding as she swings open your bedroom door.

“What did I tell you about knocking?”

>”Oh, I so sorries, massuh,” she scoffs.

“Don’t get snippy with me. You pack everything you need, or do you need to borrow my suitcase?”

>”We’re good,” she nods. “We only need one copy of each book, so we stuffed Dagi’s bag with clothes.”

“Smart,” you rumble, grabbing your wallet from the plain jewelry box on your vanity dresser and slipping it in your back pocket. “What time do you want me to pick-“

>Your question is abruptly interrupted by the sound of a persistent car horn outside.

>”We’ll call you,” Sonata quips before power-walking back into the hallway and down the stairs.

>Rolling your eyes, you follow, making a quick detour into the kitchen to grab your phone before catching back up with the girls at the door.

>A dark blue van greets your vision as you open up the front door, a girl with a large poof of bright pink hair excitedly waving, her top half hanging out of the driver window.

>”Come on!” she screams, startling every bird on the power lines above into taking off. “It’s party time!”

“Party?” you ask, voice bold and hard with doubt as your charges turn to you.

>”She’s... excitable,” Adagio explains with an exasperated sigh.

>You take a deep breath and collect your nerves, lurid imagery of the fatal, booze-filled fraternity moshpits you’d seen in the news flooding your head for a moment.

“Just call me if things start looking hairy, okay?” you say, almost pleading as sweat starts forming on your forehead.

>”Scout’s honor,” Sonata chirps, holding up an outstretched pinky.

>You manage a small laugh and shake on it before another brash honk pierces your ears.

“GIVE ME A GODDAMN MINUTE!” you bellow back in annoyance.

>The pink girl stops bouncing up and down in her seat at your retort, looking at you before slinking down past the dashboard.

“Little shit,” you growl. “You sure you’re ready?”

>The three nod.

>Irritation gives way to warmth as your waist is suddenly wrapped in arms, and you tightly return the embrace as you kiss each of them on the forehead.

“I love you, girls.”

>”Love you too,” they mumble in unison.

>As the younger two peel away to start hauling out the school bags, Adagio leans up on her tiptoes to peck you on the cheek.

>”Thank you,” she blushes. “I know letting us do this must be eating you up inside.”

>Your mouth hangs open for a moment before you chuckle and place a hand on her shoulder, rubbing softly.

“Ever perceptive, aren’t you? Or is that just the Mom part of you talking?”

>”Why is it always the Mom joke?” she protests, cheeks bright red as she crossed her arms.

“What can I say? You’re cute when you’re embarrassed.”

>Giggling to yourself at her mortified face, you decide to give her a break.

“Go. I’ll keep in touch.”

>Stepping out on the porch, you lean against the brick as you watch the van close up and back out, mouth suddenly dry as the vehicle shrinks to a dot in your vision before turning out of view.

>You close your eyes and breathe deep, turning your face to soak in the warmth of the autumn sun before exhaling.

>Your sedan lights flicker as you unlock the doors, and you unconsciously mutter a prayer as you seat yourself.

“Nothing I can do now, I guess.”

<><><>

“So, are we picking up the other girls on the way?”

>Your right twintail refuses to hang evenly as you fiddle with it in the backseat of the sweet-smelling van, your fingers fighting the nylon band.

>”Mm-hmm,” Fluttershy nods, turning to look at you. “Don’t worry, it shouldn’t take long. Thank goodness you don’t live very far out of town.”

>”And I assume they know we’re tagging along? You and Pinkie are the only ones who take a full lunch with us,” Adagio prods. "I don't even know half their names yet."

>”Yup!” the hyper-active driver chirps. “Sorry I forgot to give you their numbers - the Halloween surge has had me working at the Corner every night this week! And then I had to plan the twins’ B-Day bash, and Guppy had that awfully sore tooth problem, and I found this weird stone in-“

>”We get it,” Adagio testily cuts her off. “I prefer doing introductions in person, anyways.”

>”You make it sound like we're dealing blow or something," Sonata giggles.

>You merely sigh and turn your attention back to your hair for the next few minutes, grumbling under your breath until the vehicle comes to a stop.

>Craning your head past your sisters to look out the far window, you spot a girl somehow even paler than you with meticulously groomed purple hair tossing a tennis ball to another girl, petite and sporting an unkempt mop of every color on her head.

>"Oh boy," Adagio drawls, words steeped in sarcasm as the sliding doors on both sides open up, the new arrivals piling in.

>"Uh, Pinkie?" the tan one calls out, jamming a thumb in your direction from in front of you. "Who's these assholes?"

>"DASH!" the other one gawks, aghast horror in her eyes as she whips her head over. "Must you be so rude to our mutual friends' acquaintances?"

>"Um, wasn't talking to you," she snorts, rolling her eyes.

>"Oh my goodness, I can't believe you sometimes!"

>"Enough!" Adagio snaps, silencing both of them. "Car ride isn't even halfway done and I'm already getting a headache."

>The rainbow-maned girl merely rolls her eyes again and turns to her bag, rummaging through whilst the other one fully shifts to her side to properly look at you.

>"I'm terribly sorry, dear. Dash has an unfortunate habit of being blunt at the worst of times," she says, a distinct upper-crust tone in her voice. "Rarity, Carousel Boutique. It's a pleasure to meet you."

>"Boutique?" Sonata chirps, one brow cocked.

>"Oh, forgive me!" Rarity laughs. "I was discussing some orders with clients before Pinkie arrived, and my mind must still be focused on work. I run a small online store for custom raiments, you see."

>"What's a raiment?"

>You and Adagio snicker at the posh girl's look of utter bewilderment at Sonata's question.

>"Don't tell me you've never had anything tailored," she balks, mouth agape in melodramatic shock. "Every girl our age has done it at some point, especially one such as yourself."

>"What's that supposed to mean?" Sonata shoots back, crossing her arms.

>Umm... well..."

>"She's talkin' about your tits," Dash interjects, plugging her freshly procured earbuds in and laughing at her friend's horrified look.

>"Oh, those? I just got something a little too large and used a safety pin till I grew into it," your younger sister shrugs. "At least until I got my newer ones."

"Why do your breasts keep finding their way into conversations?"

>"Oh, dear," Rarity mumbles, sitting back down properly with her face in her hands.

>You and Adagio share a mutual look of annoyance as Dash's laughter breaks out into a full fit of hysterics, pointing and bawling like an animal.

>This ride is going to be a long one.

 

<><><>

>The beady, forest-green glow of your car radio reads a quarter till 7 as you smoothly slide into a parking space, your window rolling up with a soft squeaking as you work the hand crank steadily.

>You shut off the ignition and open the door, grunting at the pop in your knees as you stretch and lock the car, the air suffused with muffled noise from the steakhouse you’d picked for the evening.

>A quick once-over of the parking lot gives you clear sight of her car, the pale yellow hybrid resting just a few spots down from you.

“Well, at least she showed up,” you mutter. “Stop talking to yourself, Anon. You’re in public.”

>Taking your own advice, you saunter over to her, spotting the soft pastels of her hair as she absentmindedly types away at her cellphone, leaning against the car and thoroughly engrossed.

>You feel a mischievous twinge in your brain, and sidle along till you’re standing right beside the driver door.

“BOO!”

>With an accompanying slap on the side of the car, you send your boss into a panic, yelling and whipping her head over to see you sporting a grin fit for a toothpaste commercial.

>”Anooon!” Celestia chides, a slight mirth in her voice as she shoves her phone in her purse. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

“But it’s funny!” you reply, giggling like an absolute idiot.

>She merely rolls her eyes and steps forward, giving you a surprising hug, her heels boosting her up nearly a full head over you.

>”It’s nice to see you too,” she croons before letting go of you, slipping her purse strap over her head and letting the bag fall against her waist.

>It’s your turn to scoff at her smug look as she opens her car back up, grabbing her wallet from the passenger seat and giving you a good look at her evening dress.

>Dark green fabric trails down to just above her knee, modest ruffles patterned across the contours of her abdomen and cascading all the way down.

>But the main thing drawing your attention is her back.

>You swallow audibly at the plunging backline of the dress, her hair hanging to one side and revealing tanned skin, pristine and soft, the mild contours of toned muscle alluringly shifting as she moves her arm.

>”Okay, I’m ready!” she nods as she zips her bag up, closing the door. “Uh, Anon?”

“Whuh?”

>She laughs fully at your lapse in concentration, your face turning red.

>”Do I look nice?” she asks.

“Um, uh, yeah,” you stammer, eyes looking everywhere but back at hers.

>”Thank you,” she giggles. “I was worried the board meetings would get in the way of tonight, so I didn’t pack everything I wanted to wear.”

“Still can’t believe they made you drive across county lines for that,” you respond as the two of you make your way towards the restaurant. “Do they not know what a conference call is?”

>”That’s what I said!” she replies, throwing one hand up. “They give me all this spiel every month about cutting expenses, and then drag all of us around like we’re wearing leashes and make us hire substitutes left and right! For God’s sake, the people from Cloudsdale had to get a hotel room!”

>Opening the front door for her, you cock one brow as she suddenly looks to the side, embarrassed.

>”...Sorry. We’re supposed to be enjoying ourselves, and all I’ve done is complain to you,” she says, crestfallen.

>You frown and place a hand on her shoulder, getting her attention as she looks at you.

“I get it. Sometimes you just need to vent,” you gently respond. “Happens to everyone.”

>”...Thanks.”

“Anytime, Celly.”

>Stepping inside the building, your ears are immediately accosted by the boisterous voice of the greeter.

>”Welcome to Vaquero!” the boy booms at you, a soulless smile on his face as he takes three long strides, almost stomping on your feet. “Table for two tonight?”

“Y-Yes,” you stammer out.

>”Great! We’ll have a table ready for you in just a minute!” he blurts with a messy, yet practiced cadence as he grabs a bulky plastic beeper from the podium by the door, a short stack of the devices toppling over and rattling around inside.

“Mm-hmm,” you grunt, patience already worn thin as you pluck the noisemaker from his hand and promptly start putting distance between you and him, taking a seat on one of the wooden benches to the right of the entrance and draping your coat on the back.

“Bloody twit,” you mumble as Celestia sits next to you, purse tucked in her lap. “Twenty bucks says he just got chewed out by management.”

>”No kidding,” she laughs. “Hopefully the wait won’t be too long.”

“With how packed the parking lot is? Not likely.”

>”I guess you have a point,” she shrugs.

>A low noise of surprise escapes you as your date suddenly leans into you, resting her head on your shoulder.

>”It’s freezing in here,” she casually mentions, your hand trapped between her back and the side of the bench.

“Yeah, they try to cycle people in and out of here by any means,” you reply, awkwardly trying your damndest not to yank the shoulder of her dress down as you finagle your arm out and scoot closer, cupping her bicep as you let yourself relax a bit.

>A few minutes of relative silence pass, the mild cinnamon scent of Celestia’s perfume a calming presence as the two of you snuggle, the taller woman shivering slightly.

“Are you okay?” you ask.

>”I’ll be f-fine,” she stutters. “It’s nothing, really.”

>You frown and grab your jacket, pushing Celestia off of you just enough to offer her the garment.

>”No, really, I’m-“

“I’m not taking no for an answer,” you deadpan, steel eyes cutting through her protest swiftly.

>”Fiiine,” she groans, giving you a playful wink as she slips her arms into the sleeves and greedily pulls the leather around her, falling back against you.

>Whirring to life in your pocket, your phone breaks the mood with its ringing.

“That better be who I hope it is.”

<><><>

>”Hello?”

>You sigh in relief at the sound of your uncle’s voice, backed by the laughing of a woman in the background.

“Uncle Anon? We’re at AJ’s place,” you say, trying not to raise your voice too loudly.

>”Good,” he barks, seemingly distracted. “Make sure your sisters actually get some work done tonight, Dagi. I’m counting on you.”

“Yes sir.”

>”Sir?” he chuckles. “I am talking to the oldest one, right?”

“Real original, smartass.”

>”That’s MISTER Smartass to you, puffball.”

>You let out another sigh as the feminine laugh can be heard again, louder this time.

“I’ll call you again when we tuck in for the night,” you bluntly finish.

>”10-4. Have fun with your-“

>”Oh, honey bun, our beeper’s going off,” the voice interjects, almost as close to the phone as your uncle. “You gonna keep a pretty girl waiting?”

>”Sorry, Dagi. Gotta run,” he hastily spits before ending the call, leaving you with silence.

>Pocketing your phone, you blink slowly and breathe.

“Honey bun?” you growl, teeth bared.

>With your mood freshly soured, you unbuckle yourself and climb out of the van, dry grass underneath your feet as you jog up to your sisters, Sonata muttering a word of thanks as you take one of the bags from her.

>”We good?” she asks.

“Yeah. Say, did Anon have any... plans tonight?”

>Your siblings look at each other and share a shrug.

>”Did something happen?” Aria pries.

>You merely remain silent as you step into the shadow cast by the house, the well-aged home towering over you from its raised foundation, ensconced by a waist-high wall of crimson red bushes.

>”Yeah, those don’t look ominous at all,” Sonata comments, taking the steps up the porch three at a time.

“It’s called a burning bush for a reason, Sonata.”

>”Wait, really?”

“Yes. You need to stop sleeping in 4H class,” you snicker.

>”I don’t know how you can keep awake through it,” she snorts, waving her hands dramatically.” Oh boy, an hour of hick talk and trivia about fucking CORN!”

>”I heard that.”

>You and Aria bust out laughing at the ice-cold fear in your little sister’s eyes as she turns to see a tall, tanned girl with a Stetson standing in the open doorway, an annoyed look on her face as she crosses her arms.

>”Uh... uh... hi?” she squeaks, blood draining from her face as she takes a step back, almost falling off the porch in the process.

>The girl stares her down with a grim frown for a few seconds before her face cracks, joining you with a giggle of her own before doubling over in howling laughter.

>”Goodness, girl! You look like you’re about to pass out!” she blurts between gasping breaths.

>”What’s going on?” you hear Fluttershy pipe up as her and Pinkie finally rendezvous with the lot of you, the latter girl hauling a ridiculously oversized sack behind her, clinking and jangling as it drags along the ground.

>”Nothing, sug. Just sayin’ hello,” the tan girl calls back from the porch. “Come on, we just pulled the birds out the oven!”

>”Birds?” Aria pipes up, hip cocked to the side as she adjusts her grip on her bag.

“She means chicken.”

>”How do you know-“

“4H class,” you cut Sonata off with a smug smile, your sister pouting at your sass as you stroll past her into the house. “Let’s go.”

<><><>

>”My dearest apologies for the delay, sir. Here is your table for the evening.”

>You curtly nod to the waitress, a sprightly little reed of a woman with sea-green locks as you pull out the chair for your date, Celestia giggling and playing along as you give an exaggerated bow.

“After you, Madame,” you droll, nose upturned.

>”How gentlemanly of you, good sir,” she snarks back, taking her seat across from you as you let your bulking frame crash down into your own.

>”Can I start you off with anything to drink tonight, or an appetizer?” the waitress immediately rattles off as you pick up your menu and open the thick plastic pages.

>”Iced tea, unsweetened,” you reply, not bothering to look at her as you pore over the annoyingly small font. “How ‘bout you, Celly?”

>”Lemonade for me,” she mutters, trailing one pristine fingernail down the surface of her own menu. “Hmm... but vinegar breath isn’t very appealing...”

“You eyeing the fried pickles, too?” you smirk.

>”Well...” she shrugs.

“We’ll split one of those,” you tell the waitress, the girl hurriedly scribbling on her notepad.

>”Those should be right out to you!” she chirps before bounding off, zipping through the array of furniture and bodies with a surgical ease.

“I hope so, for her sake,” you comment as you lean back and unwrap your cutlery, spreading the cloth napkin over your thigh. “This is already off to a rocky start.”

>”Oh, chin up,” Celestia scoffs. “She’s trying her best.”

“That’s not saying much at her pay grade,” you respond.

>”Sourpuss.”

>She giggles again as you stick your tongue out at her.

>”Oh fine, be like that,” she rags you. “It’s that kind of attitude that made you the last to find out about Candy’s baby shower.”

“No, that’s because I scare the shit out of her husband.”

>”You scare a lot of people, Anon.”

“Damn skippy.”

>You share a chuckle before Celestia swears under her breath and hoists her menu up, concealing herself.

“Uh, Celly? Something wrong?”

>”Shh!” she hisses.

>Throwing your hands up, you comply for a few moments until she relaxes.

“May I speak now, General?”

>”Sorry,” she blushes. “I just didn’t think she’d be here, is all.”

“Who?”

>Following the line made by Celestia as she points behind her with a thumb, you spot a haughty-looking woman a little older than you in a booth by the far wall, accompanied by a young girl.

>A young girl you recognize as you gnash your teeth in anger.

>”Alright, here’s your pickles!” the waitress interjects as she returns in a frighteningly sudden dash, setting down a black plate of breaded dill slices. “I believe you had the tea, sir?”

>Squirming in your chair, you force your face to relax and nod with a fake smile, taking your glass from her.

>”Are you ready to order, or do you need a few minutes?” she pries, pencil in hand.

“I think so,” you reply. “I’ll have the catfish platter, with slaw and sweet potato for the sides.”

>”Would you like the potato dressed?”

“No,” you murmur, looking past her at the girl with a smoldering stare.

>”Um, okay,” the waitress cautiously says, wary of your tense form. “And you, ma’am?”

>”The house ribeye, 8 ounces. “Regular potato, dressed, and green beans,” Celestia lists, closing up her menu and grabbing yours before handing them off.

>As the waitress scurries off, you unconsciously crack your knuckles, an edge building in your brain.

“Who’s the woman?” you rumble.

>”Spoiled Rich,” Celestia sighs. “State superintendent and Filthy Rich’s trophy wife.”

>You appreciate the venom in her voice.

“What did you do to that little brat, anyways?”

>”Tiara? Two-day suspension,” she replies. “She’ll have that on her record till she graduates.”

“...For extortion?” you bawk, turning a few heads around you.

>”Well...” she begins, “We couldn’t find any other money, or a weapon. That’s all I could do, since she didn’t actually attack anyone.”

>You breathe gutturally through your nose as you sit back down in your chair, shoulders uncoiling like a river boa releasing a kill as you close your eyes and start counting backwards from twenty.

“...Sorry. It’s just an... important subject for me,” you apologize, head titled down towards the table.

>Your attention is yanked back to your date as she leans forward and clasps one of your rough hands in hers, eyes regarding you with a warm, quiet focus.

>”Don’t be,” she says, voice barely above a whisper. “That intensity you have is the best thing about you.”

“Really?” you respond, somewhat dumbfounded at the small smile on her face.

>”Of course,” she purrs, stroking the back of your hand with her pleasantly cool fingers. “It’s such a rare trait, wearing your heart on your sleeve all the time. You should feel proud that you can care so much about others like that.”

“Never really looked at it like that,” you admit after a moment, gripping her hand tenderly. “Just feels like I have this problem of getting angry easily.”

>”Some things are worth being angry about,” Celestia croons, your gazes firmly locked as her smile widens. “Maybe it’s just all of this irony and apathy I see in my students nowadays, but even when you’re ready to blow, your sincerity is wonderful.”

“That might be the nicest way to say “hush” I’ve ever heard.”

>She laughs differently this time, the polite amusement of earlier replaced with a full, rich timbre.

>”Just talking to you feels inspiring,” she muses. “Like there’s a real meaning to whatever subject’s at hand, no matter how small or trite.”

“You really think so?” you reply, a forced smirk doing nothing to hide the bright shade of red your cheeks have taken at her words. “Making me feel kind of nervous here.”

>Still clutching your hand, she leans over the table and touches her lips to yours all of a sudden, startling you as you almost knock your tea over.

>”Is that a good answer?” she grins cheekily as she pulls away, finally releasing your fingers.

“Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...”

>”I’ll take that as a yes.”

>Your brain remains thoroughly fried for a few moments as the flavor of sweet vinegar dances on your tongue.

>"Shit, she's looking!" Celestia whispers.

"Why are you so afraid of her?" you ask as your prefrontal cortex finishes rebooting.

>Your date merely keeps her head down for a few moments, until Spoiled's gaze is pulled away by her waiter.

>"She's the kind of woman who'll hold anything and everything she can against you," Celestia continues. "Everyone who gets in the way of her political goals resigns or gets fired less than a year later."

"Really now..." you rumble, leaning back with a potent stare past Celestia's shoulder at her boss as your waitress returns.

>”Alright, who had the sweet potato?”

<><><>

>”Okay, so simplifying this kind of logarithm is simpler than you might think...”

>The inside of your head feels like someone stuffed it full of raw cotton as you attempt to process the ominous wall of size-6 font equations on the page of your textbook, the hunk of fried chicken and apples in your gut making sleep a more appealing option by the second.

>”So if e of x and e are the same number, then the logarithm simply equates to X,” Rarity finishes, resting on the sofa as her dainty legs swing idly of the edge.

>You continue blankly staring at the page until a sharp poke in your shoulder makes you jump.

>”You still with us, handlebars?” Rainbow Dash bluntly asks, prodding you again with her pencil and hitting you in the collarbone as you turn to look at her.

“Loud and clear, washboard,” Sonata shoots back as you scoot further down to the left side of the coffee table in the Apple family room, your sisters on the opposite side with pillows tucked underneath them.

>The prismatic turd huffs and crosses her arms, returning to her notes as you turn the page, groaning at the two dozen problems on the exercise page.

”Is it break time yet?” you plead, the back of your head hitting the wall with a dull thud as you stare at the ceiling.

>”Five more minutes, Aria,” Adagio replies, not bothering to look at you as she scribbles down formulas from the next chapter. “Come on, you’re a big girl.”

>Sighing, you resign yourself to trying to piece together the finicky formulas until you hear the door shut from the next room over.

>”Guess who was in the neighborhood, girls?” Applejack announces as she walks in, accompanied by a stranger.

>Attention pulled away, all of you look up from your books.

>”TWILY!” Pinkie screams as she bolts from the couch with an alarming speed, stumbling across the room and narrowly avoiding kicking you in the face as she giddily embraces the new girl, knocking her glasses from her face.

>”Nice to see you too, Pinkie...” the girl chokes, her back audibly popping from the stress of the bubbly girl’s hug.

>”Evening, Twilight dear,” Rarity smiles from her spot, smoothing out her skirt. “We weren’t expecting you.”

>”How’d you get your brother to drive you all the way out here?” Dash asks, her head listly drooping of the end of the armrest. “Isn’t it like, an hour?”

>”Well, that’s the thing-“

>”Who are you again?” Sonata cuts in, scratching her head as she stands.

>”Oh, uh, hi!” the girl stammers at your sister’s sudden question. “I’m Twilight Sparkle. I, uh, I, well...”

>”Something wrong, sug?” Applejack asks, one hand on Twilight’s shoulder.

>”N-No, the opposite, actually,” she responds, fiddling with one twirled lock of hair that had escaped her otherwise perfect bun. “Dad finally let me move in with Shining until I graduate.”

>”That means...” Fluttershy murmurs.

>”It means it’s PARTY TIME!” Pinkie bellows, hands in the air as she jumps up and down. “I knew he’d let you do it!”

“Wait, Shining?” you pipe up. “What’s his second name?”

>”Armor. Why? Do you know him?” Twilight replies.

“I’m pretty sure my d-“

>Your words catch in your throat.

“...I’m pretty sure my uncle and him shoot the breeze outside of school most mornings.”

>”Oh, you must be Anon’s girls!” Twilight lights up in realization, an excited twinge to her otherwise cordial smile. “I’ve heard a lot about your uncle.”

>”I’m sure you have,” Adagio laughs.

>”Who?” Pinkie chirps as she takes Twilight’s bag for her, setting it behind the couch.

>”You know that dude in the main office?” Dash replies. “Mean-lookin’ motherfucker, little on the short side, got asked out by the principal-“

“What?”

>”What?”

>”WHAT!?”

>Although Adagio’s blurt easily drowns out your own, Dash looks back at you with a malicious giggle as she leans back.

>”What’s wrong, handlebars? Jealous?” she drawls, a grin fit for a serial killer stretching across her face. “Don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll still like it when you call him Daddy.”

>Your face flushed a stark shade of red almost immediately, and your sudden harasser snickers, blissfully unaware of the menagerie of horrified stares coming from her friends.

>”What did you just say?” Adagio lowly growls, standing and cracking her neck with an almost sickening sound as you bury your face in your hands.

>”Oh, struck a nerve?” Dash chuckles, Pinkie furiously mouthing “no” over and over as she raises herself up to meet your eldest sister. “I mean hey, if being Poppy’s little meatsleeve gets you jewelry like that, then maybe-“

>Rarity shrieks and scrambles to the edge of the sofa as Adagio’s fist slams into your accoster’s throat, her free hand taking a firm grip of her hair and driving her head face-first into a rising knee, catching her in the jaw and sending her sprawling across the coffee table.

>”You little bitch!” Dash sluggishly spits, attempting to regain her footing before your sister is forcibly restrained.

>”That’s enough!” Applejack barks, clutching Adagio’s upper arms and pinning her against the wall. “By God, I’ll throw both of you out flat on your rears if you don’t calm down!”

>”What the fuck, dude?” Dash shouts, massaging her freshly tenderized neck. “Get over yourself, it’s just a joke.”

>She looks to her friends for backup, finding only a collection of disappointed frowns and an aura of disgust.

>”What?”

>”...Do you not know?” Fluttershy meeps, two fingers nervously fiddling with the collar of her sweater as Adagio’s near-feral snarl refuses to fade.

>As Dash looks back at you in confusion, you manage to pull together the quivering and shaken pieces of your confidence into something resembling a backbone.

“I... about a year ago, I-“

>And suddenly it’s there again.

“I...”

>The block in your brain that rears its’ foul head.

“I was-“

>Your face finds itself pressed against your arms as you curl up out of sheer impulse, throat dry and heavy as your voice retreats.

>”Hey!”

>Applejack’s protest goes ignored as Adagio breaks free of the farmgirl’s hold, nearly knocking Twilight over as she bounds across the room to you, dropping to her knees and shielding you.

>”It’s okay,” she croons softly in your ear as Sonata joins her.

>You relax just enough, letting their arms envelop you in a familiar comfort as you quietly whimper.

>”I think you might be missing some information, darling,” Rarity whispers to Dash as the mood becomes choked with an uncomfortable depression, your struggling sobs the only sound in the room. ”Come on, step outside for a bit. We’ll... fill you in.”

<><><>

>”Check, please.”

>Your watch’s dim-lit hands show half past nine as Celestia’s I-will-not-be-ignored boss voice catches your waitress’ attention, the restaurant’s bustling having wound down to a tepid tranquil.

>Watching the girl blink in mild surprise before nodding, you reach into your back pocket, only for Celestia to hold up a hand as she opens her purse.

>”Don’t worry about it,” she smiles.

“You sure?” you ask cautiously, somewhat puzzled as your eyebrows rise.

>”I’m sure. I imagine you’ve got a pretty tight budget, taking care of three teenagers,” she warmly lilts, plucking the leather book out of the waitress’ hand and slipping a few bills inside before handing it back.

>After a few seconds, you lower your raised finger and shrug.

“I mean, I’m not complaining.”

>She merely rolls her eyes as the two of you leave the table for the door, stepping out into the cloudy night as it greets you with a bellowing breeze.

“Feelin’ a squall coming on,” you murmur, shooing away a stray fly.

>”Drama queen,” Celestia snickers, playfully slapping your chest as she sidles up to you. “But it is finally cooling down.”

>Despite the brisk chill, neither of you move for a minute, content to simply gaze at the cavaclade of lights along the highway.

>”I guess you’ll need your jacket back,” Celestia says, moving off of you and sliding her arman out of tourney coat, holding the thick piece of leather out to you.

“Keep it for now,” you grunt. “You can give it back on Monday.”

>”Thanks,” she nods. “My car heater isn’t anything special.”

>You chuckle, before frowning in annoyance.

“Don’t look now, but the brat’s coming out.”

>Your date scoffs and turns back towards you as the clacking steps of designer stilettos grow louder, the haughty pair bickering incoherently.

>”Don’t make eye contact,” Celestia whispers, arms tucked around herself.

>Your grimace deepens as Tiara’s gaze catches you, the young girl sticking her tongue out at you in smug pride as her mother follows her stare, quizzically scanning you.

“Too late, hun,” you mutter as you watch the duo turn to each other and start talking quietly out of the corner of your eye. “We’re compromised.”

>”Please don’t joke about it,” Celestia groans. “You really don’t want to piss her off.”

“Don’t you think you’re overreacting?”

>”After just suspending her daughter and you busting her ass? Not really,” she hisses, a manic tint in her eyes.

>Tiara giggles at you again, and you hold in the urge to smack the little shit just out of tackling range senseless, a boiling sensation in the back of your brain.

“I ain’t anyone’s goddamn pet,” you growl.

>”I know-“

“And neither are you.”

>Celestia yelps as you grab the side of her head and pull it down, pressing your lips to hers roughly as your other hand slips around the small of her back.

>Heat and the lingering aftertaste of medium-well steak dance along your tongue as she leans into the kiss, prying her mouth open gently and letting her hands wander to your shoulders.

>As you tilt your head to the side to reach deeper, her teeth touching your own, you snap one eye open and lock gazes with Spoiled, your blazing stare piercing like a javelin as her and her daughter take a step back.

>”Anon, what are you doing?” Celestia whimpers as you pull away.

“Quiet! Don’t let them hear us.”

>”What are you talking about?”

I’m talking about sending a message,” you reply, keeping your tender grip on her head to stop her from fully stepping back. “Tiara’s terrified of me. We can use that. You think her mother’ll give you any shit if she knows I’m around?”

>”...You’re joking, right?” she scoffs, humoring you and speaking softly.

“Dead serious. People like her fold over when given an example of the worst possible outcome,” you explain. “Why do you think she had a crowd of flunkies when she tried to rob my girls?”

>I don’t know, Anon...”

“Just act like we’re really into each other. Well, we are, but, you know-“

>”I get it,” she cuts you off before you embarrass yourself. “But this is on you if it backfires.”

“Deal.”

>Letting go of her, the pastel-haired woman suddenly licks her lips and grins, shifting to let her boss see her face as she lets out a throaty moan.

>”What got into you all of a sudden?” Celestia breathes, face lit up in heady excitement.

“Wanna find out?” you purr, your dials cranked to eleven on adrenaline as you trail a finger up her spine, grinning at her shudder and the sudden bump against your waist as she almost stumbles.

>”You got the time?” Celestia croons, half-lidded eyes no longer in a stress-induced tizzy as she slides her arms around your neck, her lips right by her ear as her husky words fill your head.

“My place or yours?”

>”I think I’ve got some things you’ll find... exciting,” she lilts.

>Both of you struggle to keep the illusion up as Tiara gawks at you, mouth agape and jaw dangling like a windchime whilst her mother blushes.

"Lead the way, hun."

>With you tongue firmly caught between your teeth to suppress your snickering, you head for your car, hopping in and turning over the ignition as Celestia's sedan already backing out.

>As you follow her taillights out of the parking lot, you give your horn a cursory honk, howling in laughter as it forces Tiara out of her stupor with a jump.

"Smug little bitch."

<><><>

>"I'm sorry."

>A somber weight pulls on your heart as Aria meekly apologizes, still leaning on your shoulder and shivering as Adagio calmly rubs her shoulder.

>"It's okay, Aria," she murmurs, palm working in a circular motion. "It's not your fault."

"We can leave if you want to, sis," you say, looking down at her. "I'm sure Uncle won't mind."

>Across the room, Twilight tries as best she can to focus on her book as Pinkie and Fluttershy quietly whisper to one another.

"Hey, Ari?" you pry, the girl's lack of response sending a chill down your back as she listly stares at the ground.

>As you and Adagio trade looks, silently racking your brains, the sound of the front door closing echoes into the room.

>You and your big sister stand up with the best evil eyes you can muster as Dash and Rarity return, Applejack leaning against the far wall with her hands on her hips.

>"What?" Adagio spits.

>Kneeling back down for a moment to help Aria up, you rise to see Dash step forward, head downcast.

>"I uh, I'm sorry," she suddenly blurts. "I didn't know about the whole... thing and all."

>Despite her efforts to avoid showing her face, you can see wetness at the corner of her eyes.

"You..." you begin, only to trail off as Aria shifts herself off your shoulder and takes a deep breath.

>"It's okay," she trembles. "I forgive you."

>Rarity taps her friend on the shoulder, a prodding look on her face.

>"Oh, right. Uh..." she fumbles, awkwardly extending a hand, cheeks beet red.

>Adagio lets out a strangled noise of surprise as Aria ignores the gesture, taking a step forward and slowly hugging her former harasser.

>"...Can we be friends?" she asks, a lifetime's worth of trepidation in her voice.

>Stuffy, choking silence suffuses the air, nobody daring to speak.

>"...O-Okay," Rainbow at last responds, visibly frazzled as she returns the hug slowly for a brief moment before backing up.

>"I think we've hit the books enough for one night," AJ calmly interjects as she kneels down, collecting the still-scattered papers from the coffee table. "Pinkie, would you mind?"

>"On it!" the poofy girl chirps, dashing out of the room, her exit followed by a loud banging and crashing sound from the other room that gets a jump out of all of you. "You want Extreme Party or Kekken?"

>"Kekken?" Aria mumbles, shifting to look over her shoulder as Pinkie stumbles back in, a tangled pair of cords threatening to choke her as she wildly swings a black, plastic device in an effort to keep balance.

>On instinct, you and your eldest sister look at each other with a mutual idea in your eyes.

"Kekken," you respond in place of the farmgirl, crossing your arms.

>"But-"

>"Definitely Kekken," Adagio picks up, cutting off your host once again.

>"You guys play too?" Dash excitedly says, the unease in her face falling away in favor of a grin.

"...Kinda. Uncle Anon's really good at it, and we sometimes just watch," you coolly reply. "It looks like fun, but he only has one controller."

>"Oh," the athlete frowns. "Well, it's not that hard. You feel like learning? That goes for you too, twintails."

>"I suppose so," Adagio shrugs. "I'll try anything once. Does that sound fun, Aria?"

>The middle child merely nods, still looking at the ground.

>"On it!" Pinkie blurts, zipping behind the TV with HDMI plug in hand as Rarity and Fluttershy silently observe from the sofa, neither having fully processed the sudden shift in mood.

>You and Adagio share a smug smile as Dash cracks her knuckles.

"This is gonna be hilarious," you silently say to your sister, who simply puts a finger over her mouth.

>"What are you two talking about?" Twilight asks, adjusting her glasses as she takes a single, cautious step towards the sofa.

"Oh, nothing."

<><><>

"FUCK!"

>Shooting up in your bed, you clutch the far side of your left hand in grimacing pain, having missed your alarm clock narrowly as it continues its infernal shrieking.

>Growling as you slam the snooze button, you swing your legs over the side of the bed, inspecting the rapidly swelling point of impact.

"Goddammit!" you spit, letting out a tirade of following swears as you nearly trip over your shoes, banging your hip against your vanity dresser on your two-meter walk to the tiny ensuite bathroom on the other side of the room.

>You yank your plain white tee off your torso and fidget for a bit with Sonata's hair dryer, eventually unplugging it properly and tossing it into the foot-deep closet that she'd commandeered for the rest of her and the girls' beauty supplies.

"Of course they use MY shitter for getting ready in the morning," you grumble as you slap the tap on and douse your face with a shivering shock of water, your procession of guttural dad-in-the-morning noises continuing as you wake yourself up.

>Once the crust clears from your eyes, you let out a final, rattling sigh and pop your neck before turning off the bathroom light and grabbing your pants from last night, tossing them in the hamper before opening your dresser and fishing out your outfit for the day.

"No need for anything fancy," you mumble to yourself as you yank your pants on, one hand fumbling over the top of the dresser for your phone before snatching it up.

>The beady display at the top of the screen reads half past 9 as you absentmindedly walk to the main bathroom, flicking the light on and grabbing your toothbrush out of the caddy.

>With your other hand occupied with taking care of your teeth, you clear out your inbox and work reminders over the course of a few minutes, frowning as you realize you had left the do-not-disturb setting on.

>As you turn it off, two messages blink into existence, one simply a .png file.

>"Had a great time last night, Python. Maybe we can make this a weekly thing? - Celly"

>Cocking one brow as you spit out the lather, you open up the file and nearly choke on your brush.

>A small peek of puffy, dark pink nipple greets you from a direct downblouse angle, your boss's lacy purple bra pulled back by the straps to give you a full view of cleavage.

>The added bit of text at the bottom reads: "You interested?"

>Coughing, you rinse and quietly save the image before your stomach screams at you for fuel.

>Fighting to stop your morning wood from re-awakening, you focus on getting the rest of your wardrobe on before your spinning brain discombobulates your morning any further.

>Another gurgling growl comes from your stomach, and you roll your eyes as you power-walk back to your bedroom and grab your shirt from the bed.

>Looks like drive-thru breakfast for you today.

---

>A finger hushes your GPS as you pull into the long, winding driveway to your nieces' friend's ranch, one arm casually hanging out the window as the rich scent of autumn grass and mild sugar wafts up your nose.

"Oi!" you call out as you kill the engine, hopping out of the seat and loudly closing the door behind you. "Girls?"

>You take the porch stairs in one large bound and knock sharply on the door twice, stopping your fist in alarm as the door opens to the sight of your youngest ward as she flinches.

"Whoops," you stammer, snickering slightly at her pout before she smiles and hugs you, nestling her head just under yours.

>"Don't make me call Hyun on you," she teases, unaware at the drain in color from your face at her joke.

>"Quit scaring him, shrimp!" Adagio yells from the room off to the right of you, part of her poof visible from your spot in the kitchen.

>"Is that him?" an unknown voice comments.

>"Yeah," you hear Aria interject. "Um, that is you, right, Uncle Anon?"

"Who else in this house knows the neighbor?" you ask as you let go of Sonata and stroll into the living room, surrounded by a gaggle of teenage girls whose eyes immediately lock onto you.

"...Something on my face?"

>You receive no response and sigh in annoyance, crossing your arms with a furrowed brow.

"Did something happen last night?" you say, as more of a command than a question.

>"...There was a small fight over some jokes that got out of hand," the tall blonde suddenly responds, standing from her spot on the couch. "Nobody's really hurt, though."

>"She almost broke my neck!" the prism-haired one protests from the floor, groaning afterwards as video-game noises from the television die down and she sets down her controller.

>You look over at Adagio, who shrugs noncommittally.

"Oh for heaven's sake," you sigh. "Dagi, what made you do that?"

>"I'm not some kid-"

"You're MY kid," you shut her down. "What happened?"

>Silence takes the stage for a few seconds as all of her supposed friends look away from the two of you.

>"Dash said some stuff about Aria, and the... you know... that happened?" she finally replies.

>"I said I was sorry," Dash mumbles. "We worked everything out, so can we just drop it? Don't know why you even brought it up, AJ."

>"Because he deserves to know, Rainbow," the blonde shoots back, adjusting her Stetson. "Might as well be lyin' to him otherwise."

>"But-"

"Alright, I get it!" you half-yell, raising a hand to quell the bickering. "If you're really okay now, I'll drop it."

>Looking around the room, you become aware of the unease in the eyes of these strangers, ready to back away at a moment's notice.

"You girls ready to go?" you say, changing subjects.

>"Not yet!" Dash shouts, controller in hand once again. "Not till I get a win in!"

>A glance towards the TV screen you'd ignored reveals a rather one-sided match underway, your middle niece idly comboing her friend for half her life bar against the wall while yawning.

"...Oh, I see how it is," you giggle, walking over and scoffing at the pink one's melodrama as she leaps away from you. "How long you two been going for?"

>"Since last night," Sonata chirps. "Skittles here got bodied for four hours straight and then spent the whole night practicing her combos, and still can't get over the hump."

>"Don't you tell me what I can and can't do!" she snaps, bloodshot sclera wide open and nearly pulsing, stifling a scream of frustration as a super move flashes across the screen, Aria calmly inspecting her nails.

"Well, now I'm interested," you grin. "Mind making room?"

>A bevy of confused stares are shot you way before Aria scoots forward, opening up a spot behind her.

>Plopping your heavy frame down on the thick carpeting, you smile warmly as she backs herself into your lap, one column of a leg on either side of her as she lets her back rest on your chest, tugging your arms over her abdomen.

"That's my girl," you smirk, kissing her on the back of the head.

>She laughs and cranes her head back to plant a return smooch on your cheek as the next match begins, neither of you aware of the mixture of shock, endearment and pure confusion on the faces of the clique encircling you, whispers eagerly breaking out.

>You observe the two go at it for the better part of an hour, giving your snugglebug a little squeeze of encouragement whenever she takes a match and spouting various bits of jargon at her friend whilst she miserably fails time after time, enjoying the cute smile on your niece's face as she rubs her head against your chest in acknowledgment.

>Eventually, Dash's head begins to bob, and not a minute afterwards, you throw one arm out to keep her from falling headfirst against the coffee table behind you.

"Think you might need to put the pad down for a bit," you say.

>"Mmmeeh… this isn't over," she mutters, slowly standing and dropping her controller as the lavender-haired girl offers her shoulder for support, escorting her to what you assume is the guest bedroom.

>"Finally," Aria groans, going limp against you with an exasperated sigh. "She started hounding me for a rematch the moment we finished breakfast."

"Oh, so you already ate?"

>"You're welcome," AJ proudly beams.

>"I mean, I can still eat," Sonata says. "You got food in the car?"

"Of course you can," you deadpan.

>"You calling me fat?"

"Says the girl who makes thick jokes at least four times a week."

>"...Touche."

>"If you three are done jabbering," Adagio cuts in, "I've got our bags repacked."

"Yeah, yeah, I hear ya," you wave her away, bringing Aria with you as you stand. 'We'll get out of your hair."

>"Um, Adagio?"

>The lot of you turn around as the two purple-haired girls look expectantly at you.

>"...Will you be back next week?" the bespectacled one asks nervously.

"Of course they'll be back. Sweet pea here owes Dash a rematch," you laugh.

>You don't miss the smile on the pigtailed girl's face widen ever so slightly as your motley crew exits the house, the pink girl enthusiastically shouting goodbye as she almost falls over herself again.

>The moment you finish climbing back into the car and fastening your harness belt, the piercing glare of Adagio's eyes hits you from the shotgun seat.

>"Where were you last night?" she pries with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer.

"Excuse me?"

>"We hear from the girls that you had a date night last night, and we're somehow the last to know?" she grimaces,

"I don't see how it's any of your business, Adagio," you reply, face hardening to match her incensed expression. "I knew you'd call if anything happened."

>"Oh, so dumping us off on someone else's porch to go party is just natural for you now?"

"What?"

>You twist your back in the seat to look back at her properly, her face red.

>"Are we just baggage to you now?" she murmurs, the bite leaving her tone. "Has the novelty worn off for you?"

>Oh.

"Dagi, I-"

>"Pet names aren't getting you out of this!" she snaps, smacking the console of the sedan. "We're not just some litter of cats you can leave with a sitter! We're-"

>This time, you cut her off, pulling up the console to expose the middle seat of the front and grabbing her by the shoulder, dragging the girl across to sit right next to you as her sisters remain silent.

"Stop," you say, heading her angry rebuttal off at the pass. "You're too heated to talk to."

>Your eldest fumes at you for a few seconds before deflating, hunching over in her spot and choosing to let her gaze focus on the cup holders in front of her.

"I'm sorry if you got the impression that I didn't want you around," you soothe her, a hand softly patting her back. "Things just kinda lined up well, that's all."

>"Well-"

"But more importantly," you continue, "I wanted all of you to have a chance to really make some friends. And although you apparently had some... complications, it worked, didn't it? I don't want all of you to only live life from school or home. That kind of isolation isn't good for anyone."

>Adagio manages to stow her stubbornness long enough to give you a sincere look for the first time today, eyes moist.

>"That's really just it?" she asks.

"Scout's honor," you smile. "Going out with Tia isn't ever going to come between me and taking care of you."

>"...wait, Tia? The principal?"

>Sonata's interjection brings a sudden look of concern to all of the girls' faces.

"Yeah. What about it?"

>"...Nothing."

"Good. Oi, cheer up," you tease, poking Adagio's shoulder. "Would something sweet from that ice cream joint make it up to you?"

>"Maybe," she answers after a moment of mulling it over, leaning into you. "But I get to sit here. Your AC either freezes or boils me on the far side."

>You roll your eyes and acquiesce to her demands as she drags her harness over to the middle, pulling out of the driveway and onto the main road slower than normal to account for your sudden use as a pillow.

<><><>

>"I can't believe you bilked some sweets out of him, too."

"I did not "bilk" him out of anything, Sonata," you snark as you set your bag on your bed, the girl in question making a beeline for her hairbrush. "And try to focus. We've got problems here!"

>"Oh what, the principal?" she shrugs, plopping down in the vanity chair. "Yeah, I suppose. Guess it's time for stage 2."

>Both you and Aria look at her in confusion.

"Stage 2?"

>"Yeah!" she grins, opening one of the drawers of her wardrobe and whipping out a small maroon book. "If he's gonna start dating, we just have to convince him that we're all he needs!"

"Gimme that!" you growl, snatching the tawdry tome out of her grasp and blushing at the scrap of paper taped to the cover.

"Sonata and Co's Guide to Getting Anon's Hot, Burly-" you read aloud before clamming up, cheeks turning scarlet. "You waited until now to tell us about these schemes of yours?"

>"Well it's not like I was gonna hand you something half-baked!" she scoffs. "This took some time to plan out!"

>With a frustrated groan, you flip open the book and start speed-reading, the contents taking your mortified mood to a new level almost immediately.

>"I'll give you the rundown real quick," your little sister announces as she sets down the brush and stands, plucking the text out of your grip and taking a spot on the bedside, motioning for you two to follow. "I'll be sex appeal, Dagi will cover the house and run interference for us, and Ari can play up the cute, romantic side."

>"Um, I'm not sure I'm ready for something like this," the middle child speaks up on the other side of her, twiddling her fingers.

>"Don't worry, you'll learn," Sonata casually responds. "Just snuggle with him a lot, give him long kisses, ask for him to go places alone with you for some quality time - you'll get into the date routine in no time! Then, after he ends up touching me and realizing I'm ready to gobble his schlong and have his thick, steamy nut butter fill all of my holes anytime he asks, and how attentive Dagi is to his daily needs, we'll have him in our pocket. It'll be like we're all one super-wife!" she finishes with a smirk.

>You both stare at her in agape shock for no less than a minute before she opens her smug eyes, whipping her head back and forth between the two of you.

>"...What?"

"...Alright, let's get this strategy discussed and over with," you groan.

>"You're not gonna tear me a new neck?"

"Don't give me any ideas, squirt," you snip back. "But I have no idea how to start, so I'm defaulting to you."

>As your youngest sibling pumps her fist and begins reading her worryingly thorough notes aloud, you can't help but wish for one thing.

>A fistful of headache medicine.

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

"RISE AND SHINE, SLEEPYHEADS!"

>Your devilish cackle rings out over the cacophony as your eagerly slap the underside of a freshly washed skillet with a thick wooden spoon, the banging filling the upstairs hallway.

>Taking care not to bang too hard for fear of scaring Aria, you duck with a cheeky smile as one door opens, a sandal flying down the hall and over your head.

>”Asshole!” Adagio barks at you as her messy head pops into view, reddened eyes threatening to burn a hole in your shirt with her glare. “It’s not even 9!”

>You purse your lips and blow a raspberry at her, a high-pitched giggle escaping you as she throws her hands up and exits the bedroom, heading for the bathroom sink.

>Walking into the bedroom, you spot Aria trying to hide under the covers and grin, setting the cookware down on a chair.

“I see you,” you sing as you tiptoe over, catching a glimpse of her eyes before she turns away.

>”Ten more minutes,” she mumbles into her pillow.

“Well, if you want to, that’s fine,” you say, kneeling down to squat on the balls of your feet. “But the big stack of fluffy, golden pancakes waiting for you downstairs are gonna get cold.”

>She shifts at your mention of a hot, homemade breakfast, your from-scratch pancakes a tempting bribe as always.

>”My leg’s asleep,” she tries to fib, before gasping as you slip your hands underneath her and easily lift her from the bed bridal-style.

“I gotcha covered,” you beam as she looks at you with an adorable sense of surprise, before softly smiling and letting her head rest on your shoulder.

>”Aw, why don’t I get a ride?” Sonata whines as the two of you exit from different rooms, standing in the hall.

“Hop on,” you sigh, bending one knee and taking a deep breath as the youngest girl squeals and latches onto your back, arms curling underneath your shoulders and latching on.

“Can you please get your foot off my crotch?” You testily chide her as you return to full height and start taking the stairs carefully, making sure to give the rascal on your back a good jolt with every step as she laughs in your ear.

>Finally teaching the kitchen, you shrug Sonata off you and kneel to set Aria down tenderly.

>”Thank you, Uncle Anon,” she whispers to you, giving you a long kiss on the cheek before scampering towards the stacked dining table.

>”You just can’t get enough of being the big man, huh?” Sonata teases.

"I don't see you complaining, squirt," you reply.

>The two of you join Aria at the table, crashing into your chairs as you sip from a hot mug of freshly brewed coffee and stare out the window at the multicolored treeline behind your home.

>Sunday is your sacred day.

>A day of home cooking, college football, crushing fools in Kekken, and huddling under a big blanket with your loved ones out on the porch as the sun sets.

>But this Sunday has been taken, a fact you’re reminded of as your phone buzzes in your pocket.

"Yello?" you quip as you answer, shoving a forkful of flapjack into your mouth.

>"We on for today?" you hear Hyun's irritated voice crackles through the speaker, distant pops echoing in the background of the call.

"...For the fourth time, yes," you respond after swallowing. "I told you I'd found time for the range."

>"Are they coming along?" she asks bluntly.

"I dunno, gimme a minute," you talk around a mouthful as Adagio enters, fiddling with her headband. "Y'all interested in going to the range?"

>The trio look at each other for a few seconds before the eldest beckons her siblings over to her with a wave of her hand, her other one holding up a finger towards you.

"They're gonna have a little powwow over it," you pick back up, stifling a belch. "You cool with that?"

>"I was actually hoping they'd tag with you," Hyun confesses. "It's been a while since I've seen them."

"What, you don't trust me? Or are you just feelin' nosy?"

>"I'm still their social agent, Anon," she chides you. "It's my job to be nosy, literally."

"Yeah, yeah, oath to serve and all that good jazz," you roll your eyes.

>Whilst you banter with your neighbor on the phone, three tittering teenagers huddle around each other on the other side of the kitchen.

>"A shooting range? That sounds so BORING!" Sonata murmurs. "But I guess it could work..."

>"Don't you even think of backing down now! You're the one who came up with these stupid roles!" Adagio hisses. "We're gonna have to stick to him like glue if we want to give him the impression that we're not just a bunch of hormonal kids. The best way we can do that is to show maturity."

>"You have a point, but it's so..." Aria trails off.

>"So what?" her older sister asks impatiently.

>"...Scary."

>Adagio quickly looks over her shoulder at you, still thoroughly engaged in trash talk, before whipping her eyes back to the conversation.

>"I'm sure it's safe, Aria," Sonata says. "And besides, I bet he'd think you look adorable with a little pink pistol."

>The middle child blushes to herself.

"Oi! Need an answer sometime this morning!"

>Sonata pops her head over the other two's hunched forms and nods eagerly at you.

"They're up for it," you inform Hyun. "We'll be up around 11 or so."

>You unceremoniously end the call and look over your nieces, a silence falling on the room.

"You sure you really want to go? You don't have to cling to my coattails," you say.

>If you were being honest, you'd prefer to have them attached to you by the hip, but that's just instincts talking.

>"Yeah!" Sonata chirps. "Hyun's cool, you're cool, guns are cool. Why wouldn't we?"

>The apathetic stare on Adagio's face tells you a different story, but you let it slide.

"Make sure you wear something practical then. Hyun is not a woman to fuck around with her ordinance."

---

"Everyone comfortable?"

>You nervously glance behind you from the driver's seat at the spot behind you, two long, black cloth cases and a metal box securely fastened to the side of the car by the seatbelt.

>"Kinda, I guess," Sonata shrugs from her wobbly spot on the middle backseat, Aria tucking her arms to herself to give her sister more room. "Better than getting hit in the head with a rifle."

"What did I tell you about making me nervous when I'm driving?" you groan as you back out of the driveway, quickly reaching the end of the street and turning out onto the highway.

>"Oh, get over yourself," Adagio scoffs next to you, inspecting her nails.

>You ignore her sass and occupy yourself with the road for the next ten minutes, until the first stoplight of town comes into view.

>"So, Uncle Anon? How did you and Hyun get to know each other? She mentioned you when she was talking about her college days one time."

>Cocking a brow at Aria's question, you pop your neck and sigh.

"Me and her go a long way back," you reply as you come to a stop at the red light. "She ended up getting crammed into my dorm room after the one she was in got condemned on account of the bugs nesting in it."

>”EWWW!"

"Oh, you don't know the half of it," you continue over Sonata's disgust. "This one time in spring, we had to get a vacuum cleaner out to suck up the literal hundreds of ladybugs crawling in through little holes in the doorframe. You know those scenes in horror movies where the walls start bleeding black goo? Imagine that, but it's skittering and making buzzing noises."

>The light refuses to change as weekend traffic clogs the interstate exit, but you're happily engrossed in recanting your university years.

"She ended up making me eat actual food so we could plan a budget for meals," you go on. "You'd be amazed what you can eat for $75 a month when you plan your grocery trips accordingly."

>"Is that why you clip coupons?" Adagio interjects.

>You lean over and pop open the glove compartment, revealing a neat selection of vouchers, organized by venue and clipped together.

"What do you think?"

>All of you laugh as you close up the drawer and start moving again, the next three lights all shining green before you.

"After we got out, she ended up moving in next to me once I got the house from Granddad. Apparently, she got it for a steal after the previous owner's kid got busted making meth in the garage. All I know is I spent a good two weeks helping her get the smell of fertilizer out of the place before she-"

>A furious blast of sound echoes out from your left, and you dart your head over before the entire world spins.

>The horrendous screech of clashing metal rings out as the car's movement is forced to the side, your senses overtaken by searing, crushing pain, your left half either numb or screaming inside of you.

>Your vision is scattered to the wind, and you shout as a soft, yet powerful force pins your body to the seat.

>Something hot and wet is on the side of your face, and trailing down.

<><><>

>... Your head is pounding.

>A grunt escapes you as you blink, suddenly aware of the pressure on your body as your eyes frantically scan your surroundings.

>Off-white canvas, dusty and dry, rubs against your cheek and neck, and you raise a fist, beating what you recognize as an airbag until enough air escapes for you to see.

>The door to your right opens, and a panicking Sonata grabs ahold of you, yanking your seatbelt off and almost ripping you from your seat.

"Sis?" you manage to spit out.

>"Oh God, Dagi, are you okay?" she blubbers, crying as Aria stands behind her, mouth agape and pupils shrunk to pinpricks.

"...Yeah, I think I'm good," you mutter, still dizzy.

>You look to your left, and your sense of delirium leaves you in an instant as you shriek.

>Your uncle lies limp in his seat, blood freely dripping from his head as his half-lidded eyes glaze over.

"ANON!"

>Quick as a hiccup, you run around the sedan, stopping in your tracks as you see a black sports vehicle not three meters away from the crushed car door shielding your uncle, the front crumpled like discarded paper.

"Oh God, oh God please no," you plead to yourself as you desperately take ahold of the destroyed door and tug with all your might, the hunk of twisted metal and plastic not budging.

"Unbuckle him! Pull him out from that side!" you bellow, stumbling over your own feet as you circle back around in time to help your siblings pry him free of the airbag and belt, dragging his heaving frame out of the car and laying him down on the pavement.

>Out of the corner of your eye, you see a stranger on the phone, rattling off an address as he looks at you in worry.

"Get an ambulance!" you cry, fishing Anon's handkerchief out of the back pocket of his jeans and holding to his head. "Get a goddamned ambulance!"

>Cradling his upper body in your arms, you try your best to hold back your weeping, but stinging water rolls down your face as you do all you can to stem the flow, the cloth in your hand already wet and heavy.

>The three of you gasp as his eyes flutter, voice coming in loud, ragged gasps as he squirms in your embrace.

>"Don't move!" Sonata pleads on his other side, hands keeping him from shifting his weight upwards as he weakly looks around, before going still again.

"Aria, get his water bottle out of the car," you command, desperately reaching for whatever control you can find.

>No response follows.

"Aria?"

>Looking up from Anon, bile rises in your throat as you see your little sister curled into a ball.

>"Oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no..."

>With nowhere else to turn, you try your best to focus on Anon, fingers constantly checking for his pulse and breathing.

>Both are labored, and slow.

"Please don't do this to me," you beg his limp form.

>The hand you hold curls inwards, thick fingers gripping your own as his vacant stare pierces you.

"Please."

<><><>

>Dim.

>It's the only word to describe the phantom lights that idly hang over your head as you walk down the hallway.

>How long have you been walking?

>...You can't seem to remember.

>All you can bring to mind is the same teal tiles and dark grey walls you're looking at right now.

>Your idle steps clap against the cool stone squares as the visage ahead of you is simply more of the same, stretching further and further, until your sight loses perception.

>A blink of your eyes dispels the illusion, and you decide to look at the floor as you move, puzzled as to how they seem to be the exact length of your feet.

>No sooner than you begin counting them, though, you grunt as your body gently collides with something.

"A door?"

>Voice echoing in the hallway, you're bewildered by the sudden wall in front of you, ensconcing a simple wooden door.

>"Anon" is inscribed upon a steel plate attached to the front.

>You look for a handle, and back up as it slowly swings open of its' own accord silently.

>Four cautious steps through the entryway, and the light vanishes without ceremony.

"Hey!"

>Spinning around on one heel, the door and wall are nowhere to be found as you stick your hands out, feeling for them.

>The darkness around you is just forgiving enough for you to make out the faint contour of the walls, color a luxury it will not permit.

>Your walking resumes, more methodical than before, and you begin to shudder, a newfound wind washing over you.

>The gales are warm and moist, carrying a faint, yet foul odor to your nose that makes you gag and swear.

>A few more steps forward, and your vision is destroyed by an impossibly radiant flash, the glow's intensity receding as it forms an irregular sphere that embeds itself in the ceiling.

>The source of the wind is revealed, and you fall backwards in shock and panic.

>Before you stands the husk of a great, rotting hound, its' curled claws cracked and powdery as it wobbles on decayed legs, clumps of exposed flesh pockmarking the hide where fur should be.

>Mind scrambled and senses reeling, you clumsily break into a mad sprint back from whence you came, the beast's roar turning your eardrums to mush in your skull.

>Thunderous steps grow louder behind you as you slam into another wall, with another door identical to the last nestled inside.

"Come on, you fucker!" you yell as you throw your weight into the door, pain shooting through your shoulder with each blow.

>Death's noxious perfume hangs over you as the hinges begin to warp, and with a great CRACK, the barrier topples over, and you with it.

>You crawl with all your will forward, and are pinned to the ground as the rest of the wall breaks into gravel, the hound shaking the ground with its sonorous warcry.

>Hard ground meets your head, and everything goes black.

---

>"...he's quite fortunate he managed to hit the emergency brake in time..."

>Slurred, distant speech enters your head as you struggle to open your eyes, the sensation bringing parts of you back into consciousness as a guttural, crackling groan leaves your throat.

>Sterile fluorescent lighting fills your field of view as shapes and colors meld into hard objects, a cornucopia of whites and grays all around you.

>"...Redheart, he's waking up!"

"Where... am I?" you croak as you attempt to sit up, a hand coming down and stopping you.

>Fatigue threatens to pull you back into slumber, before light pink hair comes into view above you, framing a tender, tired face.

>"Mr. Poster? Can you hear me?"

>The use of your last name manages to hold your attention as you shift your head slightly to better see the woman speaking to you.

"Yes."

>"You are in the hospital, Mr. Poster," she says, a slow, deliberate cadence to her speech. "I am afraid you were in a car accident this morning."

>Your brain doesn't register the severity of the statement, occupied with more pressing concerns.

"Where are my girls?"

>"Your nieces are outside, Mr. Poster."

>The texture of sand is on your tongue as you try and fail to wet your arid mouth and throat.

>"Would you like some water, Mr. Poster?"

"...Anon."

>"I'm sorry?"

"My name is Anonymous," you wheeze. "Please."

>A sound of rushing water comes from behind you for a few seconds, before a cool surface is pressed to your lips, and you greedily sip all you can from the glass, coughing and hacking as she pulls it away.

"...Thank you."

>A pair of footsteps out of your sight move closer to you, and the woman looks away from you.

>"Mr. Poster? How are you feeling?"

>Your stiff neck swivels over to your left at the new voice, and your head suddenly swims in nausea.

>"Please don't exert yourself, Mr. Poster. You've been through a lot today."

"Who are you?"

>"I'm your doctor, Mr. Poster. You may call me Dr. Remedy."

>Despite your difficulty discerning the difference in the two feminine voices, you give a weak nod, dizzy and exhausted.

>"Just keep resting, Mr. Poster."

"The girls."

>You try to reach for something to grab onto, only to find your left arm immobile.

"What the hell?"

>"Mr. Poster, please keep calm. We needed to keep your arm still for your safety," the first voice says sternly.

>Blood and chemicals rush through you, and a burst of vigor compels you to try and sit up, sliding your back along the incline you're resting upon.

>The change in elevation lets you fully see the two people talking to you, a pair of women sporting looks of worry as they try to send you back down.

"It's fine," you pant, waving them away with your free arm. "Back was hurting in that spot."

>"I can raise the bed for you, Mr. Poster-"

"Anonymous!"

>The one to your left shirks back slightly, caught off guard by the energy in your voice, before sighing and pressing a button below you.

>You moan as your back pops, the mattress beneath you bending and offering you more support as you quickly adjust to the new angle.

>It does nothing to help your pounding headache, however.

>"Anonymous, I need to inform you of what happened. Please bear with me for just a bit longer."

"Scowling, you acquiesce and silence yourself.

>"You have suffered a mild concussion, Anonymous," the one called Remedy explains, jotting something down on a clipboard. "Your left shoulder was fractured during the crash, and you lost a moderate amount of blood from a large gash on your scalp."

>That explains the tightness around your head.

"What about the girls?"

>"None of them received any serious injuries," she replies. "There were some minor bruises on one of their arms, but that was it."

"...Good."

>As the room begins to stop swaying, you begin following the doctor with your eyes as she opens the door, slotting the clipboard in a small hole at the foot of the bed before leaving.

>"Sorry for Doc being frigid like that," Redheart apologizes as she reaches behind you and moves your pillow up to properly pad the back of your head. "It's part and parcel for her, I guess."

>A few minutes of silence pass as you focus on clearing your muddled mind, getting your breathing under control and flexing your unbound digits to try and achieve some sense of fine awareness.

>"Anonymous? You have visitors!" Remedy calls out as she re-enters the room.

>You watch in surprise as people begin filing in behind her one by one, the space around you rapidly becoming cramped and clustered.

>Your coworkers.

>Your neighbor.

>And your nieces.

"Hey there, girls," you say, your volume barely above a whisper as they move to your right side, eyes red and swollen. "Sorry I scared you like this. Guess I should've kept my mouth shut."

>Reaching out, your arm is suddenly grabbed by all three of them, each holding a different finger.

>"Are you okay, Uncle Anon?" Aria dares to ask, unable to look at you as she fixates upon your forearm.

>A painful smile comes to you as you rise up just enough to lean over and kiss her on the forehead.

"I'm fine, sweet pea. Just fine."

>Adagio grimaces, choking back her tears as you rest, freeing your hand of their grip to cup her cheek.

"It's alright, hon. I'm not going anywhere, okay?"

>She clings to you, the coarse hair of your arm bristling as she shudders, trying to keep her composure.

"I'm gonna stay right here as long as I need to, yeah?" you soothe her, each of her little sisters offering what comfort they can as their hands as they rub her back.

>Your arm is finally released, and you grimace as another wave of nausea hits you, closing your eyes as you ride out the storm.

>"Not invincible after all, are you?" Shining jests awkwardly.

"I don't need both arms to kick your ass, you know."

>The tension fades, first at a giggle, then a laugh, as you deliriously snort and snicker to yourself, the rest of the room following as a weight is lifted from all your shoulders.

“...Oi, oi, calm down. We got out fine, didn’t we?”

>The girls stare at you in dumbfounded shock as you manage to grin.

“I made you a promise, to be there for you. We swore on it, remember?”

>Tamping down your discomfort, your free hand forms a fist, pinky stuck out towards Adagio.

“I do. Wouldn’t be nice of me if I forgot, eh?”

>Her eyes finally spill over as she grabs the digit with her own, quietly sobbing as she brings your hand to her breast and clutches it.

>Giving her sisters a knowing look, your arm falls to your side as they pull her away from you, murmuring whatever they can to give her peace of mind as they leave the room.

>”The doctor said there wasn’t anything permanent,” Celestia says as she walks over to your left side, gingerly touching your cast with her fingertips. “Guess you weren’t kidding about your skull, huh?”

“What, kidding? No, I never kid. Completely serious, all the time.”

>”Even now, you find ways to jest,” Luna sighs.

“Oh I’m sorry, sister, I didn’t know this was the opera club,” you drawl. “Lemme jus’ slip on my Fantoma mask and we’ll get right into the opening.”

>”Alright, I’m sorry to interrupt this,” Redheart interjects as she walks back in, eyes scanning the machines you’re plugged into, “but Anonymous needs to rest for now. I’m sure all of you need some sleep as well, given how late it is.”

>Nods and sighs are the response as your coworkers stand and stretch, a few yawning as the clock ticks over 1.

“Huh. Guess I was out longer than I thought,” you muse, before you gulp and brace yourself against the mattress as your head swims.

>”I’ll be back tomorrow, okay?” your boss gently smiles, leaning down to kiss you softly, your lips moving by instinct at the contact.

>As she saunters out behind Shining and her sister, you’re left with only your neighbor for company.

“...Hyun,” you speak through your queasiness.

>She locks eyes with you silently.

“...I’m counting on you.”

>The two of you share a thousand silent words in the still air, until she nods.

>Sleep pulls on your brain as she leaves, and you submit to it, drugs and injury a potent depressant as consciousness fails you.

<><><>

>”So... what now?”

>The question leaves you the moment you close the backseat door of Hyun’s truck, wearing all your emotions on your sleeve.

“We’re going home, Sonata,” the older woman responds as the engine turns over. “I’ll be staying at your place tonight, just to be safe.”

>”To be safe?” Adagio tersely growls from your left, arms crossed and shoulders raised.

>”Yes. I have the key.”

“And that’s it? Nothing else to add?”

>”No, that’s it.”

>”Then why are you so damn calm about all this?!” your eldest sister screams, teeth bared. “He spends 12 hours knocked out with a brain injury, and that’s all you say?”

>The older woman turns around, and a blistering chill runs up your back as she stares Adagio down with a crushing glare, the girl leaning back into her seat with a grimace.

>”Don’t assume that my silence is apathy,” Hyun quietly responds. “Being upset isn’t going to make any of this better, and I know you know better than to think otherwise.”

>Adagio’s heavy, almost labored breathing slowly cools as you and Aria each grab an arm, trying to soothe her.

“Come on Dagi, it’s fine. You’re gonna see him tomorrow, alright?”

>Her rage cracks and gives way to restrained anxiety as she closes her eyes, rubbing her temples as the car backs out of the parking space.

>”...I’m sorry,” she mutters after a moment.

>Ten minutes of still quiet pass as streetlights and signs begin to thin out, the edge of town approaching.

>”...Hyun?”

>You whip your head to the left to look at Aria as she breaks the stale silence.

>”Could you maybe tell us about how you and Anon got to know each other? We know about the dorm thing, but he doesn’t really talk about his past much,” she asks, eyes shut.

>Sure,” she bluntly responds. “What do you want to know?”

>The three of you share a look before you open your mouth.

>”I know he has a tattoo on his back, but I’ve never really seen it,” you say. “There a story behind that? He clammed up when I asked him about it.”

>Hyun’s sigh fills you with trepidation as she grips the steering wheel tighter.

>”Has he really not told you yet?”

“Told us what?”

>”...Of course. I can’t really say I blame him, given the subject. But you deserve to know.”

>”If it’s his secret, keep it,” Adagio interjects. “If it’s that important, you can make him tell us tomorrow.”

>Hyun rolls her eyes and drops the subject as she pulls into the driveway, your home looking over you in the full moonlight.

>Three minutes later, you crash onto your bed, the sheets unfamiliar to you as none of you bother to change, exhausted.

“Night,” you mumble, before swearing into the pillow as you remember the size of the bed. “Shit, sorry.”

>Aria looks at you in mild guilt before taking your spot on the bed as you turn off the light and lie down on the floor, closing your eyes.

>Time seems to pass as you struggle to sleep, until you sit up from the coarse carpet in frustration, a hollow feeling in your chest.

>Tired and high-strung, your head turns towards the door, staring at the hallway as Anon’s bedroom door calls to you.

>You unbutton your jacket and let it fall to the floor as your sock-clad feet make contact with the hardwood of his bedroom floor, your shirt and skirt following.

“Warm...” you mumble as his blanket covers you, the thick, rich scent of mild sweat and cucumber shampoo filling your head.

>You didn’t think you’d miss him so much, but even surrounded by reminders of him, you feel your heart throb in your chest.

>Rest finally comes to you as you doze off, unaware of the single, stressed tear running down your face.

<><><>

>”You okay, Aria?”

>Mucus is pulled away from the corner of your eye as you look at your younger sister, her concerned face both comforting and annoying as you grunt in response.

>”Come on then, let’s get some grub! We only get 30 minutes, you know,” she chirps, pulling you along by the arm through the hallways as you remain half-dead to the world.

>It was certainly better than trying to answer the barrage of questions from students, the rumor mill already cranking at full speed about “that one front office guy who got fucked up.”

>Wandering into the cafeteria, you find the closest seat to you and plop down, supporting your head with a hand as your eyelids droop.

>”Oí, wake up,” Adagio says as she shakes you, setting down a tray of food you don’t care about and a cup of coffee you immediately snatch up.

“...How did you get this?” you balk, the steam already energizing you.

>”I texted Cadance and asked her to make some up,” your big sister smirks as she sits, her own cup of joe already partially drained. “Beats the hell out of that shitty orange juice in the vending machine.”

>”No kiddin’,” Sonata adds through a mouthful of chicken sandwich. “I thought it was some kind of strong lemonade at first.”

>You manage to laugh at her stuffed cheeks as you bring the mug to your lips, the hot water of life falling down your throat as you chug it all in one go.

“Much better,” you smile as you slam the cup down on the table, stifling a belch afterwards.

>”God, you’re even worse than Uncle,” Sonats giggles. “At least you’re not a coffee snob like him.”

“Yeah,” you absentmindedly reply, the mere mention of your uncle damping your mood as your smile leaves.

>Adagio elbows her sister in annoyance before all of you turn your head towards your friends as they walk in, the gaggle of six making a beeline for you.

>”Wassup-“ Sonata gets out before Pinkie somehow manages to grab all of you from your seats at once, scooping you up in a crushing hug.

>”I’m so sorrrrryyyyyy!” the normally bubbly girl wails as the cafeteria chatter abruptly stops at her outburst, the other gathering around and joining her.

>”You need to talk about it?”

>”He’ll pull through, don’t worry.”

>”Ah reckon he’ll be right as rain in no time, sug.”

>”Oh, how terrible, darling! You must be on pins and needles right now!”

>”E...nough!” Adagio finally squeezes out, pushing the gaggle away as all three of you gasp for air, coughing as the coffee threatens to come back up.

>”...Fuckin’ dorks,” you hear behind you.

>”The FUCK did you just say, you little shit?!” Dash screams across the room, stomping towards the jeerer. “You wanna go out in the parking lot? I’ll snap your arms into a goddamned pretzel!”

>Rarity and Applejack look at each other in panic and run off to restrain the girl, leaving the group as all of you sit down again.

>”Well, she’s excited,” Sonata idly comments as she picks up her sandwich again.

>”She gets... aggressive when people insult her,” Fluttershy nearly whispers, tapping her fingers together.

>”No kidding. But what about you guys? Are you okay?” Twilight asks, taking hold of your hands and offering her warmest smile.

“Yeah, we’re fine,” you reply. “I’ve got a bruise on my back, but that’s it. We’re gonna go see him today after school lets out.”

>”Is he really messed up?” Pinkie blurts in her panic. “Is he missing limbs? Skull fracture? A vegetable?”

>”Nothing permanent, you chatterbox,” Adagio irritatedly cuts her off. “Just a broken arm. Can we stop talking about it?”

>”JUST a broken arm?” Twilight balks with saucer-wide eyes.

>”Yeah, it’s whatever. What are you even freaking out for?” Adagio continues. “It’s not like any of you really knew or cared about him - pretty sure all of you were scared of him when you met him.”

“Dagi...”

>”I-I’m sorry,” Twilight blushes. “I just thought that maybe we should try to help, that’s all. I know it’s gotta be hard for you right now. I was a wreck for a long time after big brother was...”

“The bomb, right?” you quietly ask.

>”Mm-hmm. I wasn’t old enough to really understand what had happened, but I couldn’t even eat for three days out of anxiety. You were there. I can’t imagine what you were feeling.”

>Your big sister’s hard glare softens as she reaches across the table and takes Twilight’s hand.

>”Thanks,” she murmurs after clearing her throat. “I shouldn’t be so hostile to you like that. I’m sorry.”

>”We’re here if you need to talk,” Fluttershy smiles.

>” Talkin’ bout what?” Dash butts in as the other three return, a sizable spatter of blood on the sporty girl’s fists.

>You look down at the flecks of crimson and gulp.

>”Oh, sorry. I got a little carried away,” she chuckles embarrassedly with a grin.

>”Anon’s fine, supposedly,” Twilight informs her. “Apparently he’s good enough that he can see visitors.”

>Pinkie suddenly bolts upright, slamming her hands on the table.

>”Uh-oh,” is all AJ can get out before Pinkie blasts out of her seat towards the office, a disturbing, manic grin on her face.

“That’s... not good, is it?”

>”No,” five voices answer in unison.

<><><>

>”Mr. Poster?”

“That ain’t my name, hun.”

>”Ugh. Anon?”

“Much better,” you smile, Remedy’s irritated eye twitch peeking at you as her head pops in the doorway. “What’s up?”

>”You have a visitor,” she deadpans before disappearing from view, Celestia’s bemused giggling following as she steps into the room, a bag in one hand.

“Hey,” you mumble as she takes a seat by the bed, reaching down and touching a switch to lower the bed till you reach eye level with her.

“Hey, I just got that where I want it,” you weakly protest. “Now how am I gonna watch the game with that glare on the TV?”

>Her response is to lean over and plant her soft lips on yours, giggling again as you moan in both pleasant surprise and confusion.

>”Don’t wanna spend time with lil’ old me?” she huskily croons as she pulls away.

“...Yeah, this is better.”

>”Good,” she winks, sitting back down and opening the bag. “Hungry?”

“Is that cayenne I smell?” you ask, sniffing the air ravenously as she pulls out a foil-wrapped sandwich and opens one half, the sultry scent of chicken and tomatoes calling to you.

>”Told the clerk to make it hot just for you,” she smiles, handing you the meal and grabbing the water mug you’d been provided from the side table and refilling it from the sink.

>You don’t hear her as you immediately tuck in, shoving the sandwich in your mouth and groaning in bliss as the heat floods your mouth.

“You have NO idea how little they season the food here,” you complain after swallowing. “I sent breakfast back twice this morning. How do you make bacon taste bland?”

>Your boss rolls her eyes before blinking in surprise as you nearly inhale the rest of the sandwich in two bites, greedy noises coming from you as you wash the last bits down.

“Ahhhh!” you rattle as the mug leaves your lips, giving Celestia a cheeky grin as you wipe your mouth and chin clean.

>”You seem much more alert than yesterday,” she comments, scooting a bit closer.

“Yeah, nine hours of sleep does a lot more than you think,” you laugh. “They had to put me in the biggest bed they have here since I kept falling out in my sleep, though. Remedy’s been a half inch away from blowing a gasket all day.”

>”I noticed,” she giggles. “I didn’t think they had a bed this big, though.”

“Apparently, it’s for Siamese twins,” you shrug. “They yanked the thing out of a storage closet on the top floor and dragged it down here. I had to call them back in to beat the dust out of it, Chrissakes.”

>You look up at the ceiling in phantom annoyance before a naughty idea crawls into your head.

“Tired?” you smirk as you throw the covers back and scoot over to the left, beckoning her with your good hand.

>”You’re kidding, right?”

“What, too much of a stick in the mud?”

>Celestia looks at the door for a few seconds before shrugging and kicking off her heels, slipping over the siderail and laying down next to you, snickering as you throw the blanket over her.

>”Inviting a woman to bed after one date? How scandalous,” she teases before kissing you, hungrily shoving her tongue in your mouth. “Lucky you’re such a big man.”

"Flattery will get you nowhere, ma'am," you drawl at her as she smiles and cuddles up next to you, the football game now background noise to the both of you as ten minutes of blissful silence follow.

>"It's a bit warm in here, though," she idly comments, reaching up and unbuttoning the top two buttons of her blouse. "Didn't think that would be a problem in November."

"...Yep," you blurt out.

>Your brain travels back to the photo she'd sent you, and the glorious angle you've been given of her chest as she relaxes, your arm curled around to rest palm-down on her stomach.

>"What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing."

>The smile on her face worries you as she saddles up higher against the raised back of the mattress, now halfway sitting up like you as her breath tickles the side of your neck.

>"You seem... distracted," she purrs in your ear. "Anything I can do to help?"

"No, I'm fine, I'm just... uh-"

>"I don't mind you looking, you know," she cuts you off, now luridly whispering in your ear as she shifts to give you a better view of her girls. "You think I send those kinds of pics to just anyone?"

"N-No-"

>Your brain officially shuts off as she grabs your good hand and leads it around, letting another button slip and exposing her lacy bra as she sinks your fingers into the soft flesh, licking the rim of your ear and panting softly.

>As your fingers instinctively knead, your lower head comes to life, already reaching full mast as her nails slowly slide down your stomach.

>And then, soon as it started, she's off of you, redressing herself as she slides out of bed.

>"I think someone's com-ming," she sings at you, tongue stuck out playfully.

>The pounding beat of your heart in your ears ebbs and subsides as a bolt of pastel pink shoots through the door, and nine pairs of footsteps follow, the room suddenly quite cramped.

>"Hi, Mr. Poster!" Pinkie shouts in your ear suddenly, the lesser demon of sugar and sparks beside you out of nowhere. "You feeling okay?"

"...Hi?" you say, overstimulated to say the least.

>Your boner thankfully calms down as your nieces wander over to your good side, Hyun watching in the doorway as their friends remain at the foot of the bed.

"What are all of you doing here?"

>You don't get a response as the walking glitter bomb to your left nods excitedly at her friends, and Hyun beckons someone off to the side with a finger.

>"We just wanted to say get well soon," Shining announces as he and Luna slide past your neighbor, holding a full sized poster.

>Your mouth opens as they flip it around, hundreds and hundreds of signatures coming into view, lined up in a dozen columns stretching all the way from top to bottom.

>"We were gonna put some decorations on it, but we got too many signatures!" Sonata beams, grabbing your arm and hugging tight. "We even got another one signed for the other guy, too!"

"Other guy?"

>"The person who T-boned you," Luna informs you somberly, setting the posterboard down by the foot of the bed. "Flash Sentry. Road litter from a work site got caught underneath his car and shredded the brake line. He's currently in a full-body cast."

>"Doc says he'll wake up soon though," Shining adds. "They managed to get everything set right, so he shouldn't have any big problems."

"I see," you mutter. "Maybe we'll go visit him after he comes to."

>"You're not upset at him?" Dash asks.

"Nah," you wave. "Interstate's a death trap in this state, and has been for a while. Wonder if he can sue the county?"

>"Well, I'm sure he'll pull through this just fine," Celestia interjects softly. "But we've got places to be, right Luna?"

>"Unfortunately, yes," her sister sighs. "You girls should probably be getting home too. The sun's going down faster and faster every day, it seems."

>The crow promptly thins out, leaving you, the girls, and Hyun.

>Your brow twitches as Celestia locks eyes with you, making an o with her hand and putting it to her mouth when nobody's looking, tongue stuck out as she leaves.

<><><>

>"Are you feeling better, Uncle Anon?" Aria softly inquires.

"Yeah, sweet pea. Night of rest did a lot to help."

>You eye the open spot on the bed with a gnawing itch as the humming of the central air intensifies.

>"What is it, Sonata?" your uncle asks.

>Without a word, you jump up on the bed in one fell swoop, crashing down and shimmying up next to him like an excited housecat, giggling profusely as Aria chuckles and Adagio brings a palm to her forehead.

"I missed this," you murmur as his thick, solid arm comes over you and pulls you snugly against his torso, your head finding its way to the side of his chest. "Warm..."

>You blush as he bends down and kisses your forehead, brushing your bangs from your eyes to look at you properly.

>Giddy, bubbly heat runs through your chest as he smiles and leans back, idly rubbing the back of your hand with his thumb.

>"Anon."

>The tranquility is broken by Hyun's cold, demanding tone as she closes the door behind her, walking to his bad side and crossing her arms.

>"Yes...?" he replies. "Look out, that's her serious face."

>"No jokes," she snaps, causing both of you to flinch. "You're long overdue for a heart-to-heart with these girls, and I'm here to make sure it happens."

>"About what?"

>"The tattoo."

>A yelp escapes you as your uncle's hand forms a fist, almost crushing your fingers as his knuckles turn white."

>"You know I don't want to talk about that, Hyun-"

>"I don't care, Mountain."

>His jaw tightens.

>"...Don't EVER call me that, goddammit. You know-"

>"What I know is that they deserve to know why they ended up here," Hyun shuts him down, raising her voice. "I don't care if it's been 10 years - they're at risk because you don't want to be honest with them, and I'm not gonna let you put them in that kind of situation on account of your squeamishness!"

>The room is silent save for your uncle's low, unconscious growling, until he lets himself fall back against the mattress.

>"...Fine," he spits out.

>"Uncle Anon?" Adagio says in confusion, looking between him and Hyun. "What's she talking about?"

>He closes his eyes and breathes deep, swallowing hard before opening his mouth as Hyun's stare bores into him.

>"Your mother..." he trails off, before collecting himself.

>"Your mother and I used to run in the biggest gang in the whole county."

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

"Your mother and I used to run in the biggest gang in the whole county."

>The taste of sour bile is in your throat as the words leave your lips, a scowl on your face.

>"...Why?"

>Adagio's question cuts right to the point as you lean your head back and stare at the ceiling, eyes closed as Sonata scurries out of bed.

"We were stupid, that's why. After your grandmother died, we were left alone as Dad kept busy on business trips. Two teenage idiots with money and a lot of free time."

>You can feel Hyun's stare drilling into you as your head turns subconsciously.

>Partially in anger, and partially in shame.

"I barely graduated high school, but your mother dropped out her junior year. She insisted she had to take care of the house, but she just turned the place into a drug den. I didn't care, of course - she let me smoke for free."

>"You were a pothead?" Sonata interjects, tapping her fingers against the wall as you sit up and open your eyes.

"It wasn't pot."

>All three of them raise their eyebrows in shock.

"Yeah, yeah, I was living in a crack den, judge me fucking later!" you raise your voice. "Where else was I supposed to go with no job?"

>"...We're not judging," Aria says quietly, taking a small step back from you.

>You growl to yourself and take a deep breath to reel your mind in before opening your mouth again.

"It didn't seem like much until I hit my junior year," you continue. "Then they started getting interested in me. High school football star, big build, and my big sister talking me up to them made me prime recruitment fodder. They gave me booze and drugs, and all I had to do was stand around in a gray bandanna and look tough."

>"Did you ever actually break the law?" Adagio asks as you pause to breathe again, your body now feeling heavy and slow.

"Not directly. They crashed on our couch a lot, and sometimes stored boxes in the garage. I never asked what they were. I was too high to care most of the time," you reply. "After I got jumped in and got my back inked, I started getting paid for it, too. I figured by that point that it was drugs, but they liked that I was quiet, and money talked better than I could."

>Silence falls on you for a few moments as you still refuse to look at any of them, staring down at your sheets.

>You flinch as Adagio steps forward and puts a hand on your shoulder.

>"What made you start changing your mind?"

>A stuffy sensation manifests in your mouth as your voice fails to come, choked up, until Hyun's long fingers meet your back softly.

>"It's okay, Anon," she murmurs. "You did everything you could."

"...I know."

>"Did what?" Adagio pries, before you finally look over at her.

"Your Mom got pregnant."

>A fresh wave of guilt washes over you as you watch the color drain from her face.

"Neither of us had any idea what to do. She didn't know who the father was until I saw him bail out of our house when we told our "friends" about it," you spit.

>"My..."

"Yes."

>After a handful of seconds, you gasp as she wraps both her arms around your good one, leaning against you as she sits down.

>"Go on."

"Are you sure?"

>She merely grips you tighter.

"We stopped using, and started trying to get our shit together, but the boys got pissed at us for telling them to get their product out of the house," you press on, sweat forming on your forehead. "I wasn't really hooked, but she had it bad, and pretty much fell apart. Got fired, went on unemployment, and then welfare."

>"...Wait, gray bandannas and back tats?" Sonata blurts from the other side of the room. "You were a Jackal?"

>Adagio and Hyun push you down as you try to lurch out of bed.

"How?"

>She doesn't answer you.

"...Please don't tell me..."

>"We needed money," Adagio sighs. "Mom never went to the grocery unless it was the first of the month."

>You're fully sweating now, face red and chest heaving as thousands of horrible thoughts flood your head.

>"They never sought us out - we would find one of them when Mom went out with them and get some work," she elaborates, tracing patterns with a finger in your palm.

"I... didn't know she was in contact..."

>"We only did it for about a year before we got here," she finishes. "I don't think she really cared, and we haven't been approached by anyone. Did she leave the gang, too?"

"I thought she did," you whisper. "We both got kicked out when Dad came home to stay, and she got us an apartment. Said she never wanted to see them again."

>"...But it wasn't easy," Hyun responds, rubbing your bad shoulder in her best attempt at comfort.

>"What do you mean?" Aria asks as you take another deep gulp of air.

"Jackals didn't take very well to losing their crackhouse," you reply. "We had to lay low for a while, but they tailed me one night while I was getting my stuff out of the old house, and it got messy."

>"Did you... you know?" Sonata reluctantly inquires.

"No. I tried to tell them what happened, but they decided it was my fault and ganged up on me. Worst fight of my life. I packed my stuff in grocery bags, hopped a bus to the next town over and got a hotel for the night."

>"And Mom?"

"No idea. I called her, told her not to try and find me. They wanted both of us, but didn't know where she was, and I was out of state by that point."

>"He got a studio apartment later that week, right?" Hyun takes over, your distress and discomfort now visible as you writhe in the bed. "Took a bunch of odd jobs, and then decided to try community college?"

>You manage to nod as your throat clams up completely.

>"So when did-"

>Hyun cuts Sonata off with a look as you uncoil your body.

"I'm sorry, Dagi," you choke out. "I should've-"

>She puts her slender hand over your mouth.

>"Don't say it," she trembles. "You don't need to say it. You don't need to say anything."

>Putting one leg over the low railing, she climbs onto your creaking bed, nestling your face in the crook of her neck as she wraps around you, as if trying to shield you.

>"You're here now. That's what matters."

>Your good arm comes to rest on her back as you try and fail to hold back tears, the younger nieces silent as you slowly calm down.

"...Thank you," you mumble after a few minutes, sniffling and wiping your eyes as you collect yourself. "We can talk more tomorrow, if you'd like."

>Adagio kisses you on the cheek as her serene gaze helps you steady, laying back down on you and grabbing your hand.

>"I love you, Anon."

"I love you too."

>The two of you share a smile before an almost inhuman rumbling noise pierces the air.

"The hell was that?"

>Aria's face turns beet red as her stomach roars, the sound akin to a tiger gargling sewer water as she clutches her abdomen.

>"Sorry."

>The whole room stares at her before you giggle, then laugh, then howl in uncontrollable mirth, the shock lifting the tension from your mind as you slap the bedside.

>"S-Stop laughing! I didn't get to eat much today," she grumbles as your cackling grows hoarse, turning your head to avoid coughing on Adagio.

"I'm... I'm sorry, sweet pea," you stammer between snickers. "It's just timing, is all."

>Sonata and Hyun roll their eyes in sync as you simmer down.

"You want me to have them send something up for you, too?"

>"Can you do that?" Sonata asks.

"Sure! That good-ass government insurance could cover a whole buffet, let alone some salads."

>You motion, and Hyun hands you the hospital phone, your fingers already punching in the number.

"Hello? Yeah, I'll have two number nines..."

<><><>

"Would it kill them to salt anything here?"

>"Actually Dagi, they might."

>You scoff at your little sister's smug grin as Anon passes you the chili flakes, sprinkling them liberally onto your sandwich as you lean into him, the bed cramped, yet comfortable.

"I still can't believe these were in your purse, Hyun."

>"That woman has an entire goddamned IKEA in her purse," Anon drawls past a mouthful of mashed potatoes. "I ain't kidding - saw her pull a whole jug of milk out once, with the label!"

>"Hey, someone had to get breakfast together that morning," she snips at him. "You were too hung over to do anything but puke on my shoes."

>"And you hated those fuckin' things, so you had an excuse to go shopping. You're WELCOME."

>You and your sisters stare as the "adults" in the room glare daggers at each other before giggling together.

>"Hey, Uncle Anon," Sonata pipes up. "You got any other stories from college?"

>"Oh, you would not BELIEVE the nonsense we got up to," Hyun laughs from her seat, calmly slicing into her pork roast. "Your uncle once got into some hot water with the local frat house over his motorcycle waking them up in the morning. They challenged him to drink the whole fraternity under the table, and if he lost, he lost the bike."

>"And if he won?" Aria prods as your uncle hides his face in his hands.

>"He'd get a thousand dollars and a case of top-shelf bourbon. He somehow won. Then he proceeded to fire-hose the whole joint and incur the wrath of seven dozen drunken fatasses. He lapped the whole campus three times trying to shake them!"

"That's... rather eventful," you muse.

>"Wanna see it?"

>"YOU TOLD ME YOU BURNED THAT TAPE!" Anon screams in bewilderment as he flails in bed, almost knocking his third empty tray off and causing all of you to flinch."

>"I did... onto a CD," she leers. "I'm the captain now, Anon."

>"Ah, fuck me."

>You all snicker at his misfortune before a sharp rapping on the door silences you.

>"Alright, visiting hours are over. Clear out!" Remedy nearly snarls, Redheart trying her best not to laugh at her superior from behind her. "You lot are pushing it, you know!"

>Hyun's smile immediately transmutes into a gaze of granite as she stands and strolls over to the door, Anon's eyes going wide as he shirks.

"What's up?"

>"Find cover."

>"And who are you, exactly?" Remedy sneers at the shortest woman in the room.

>"Their social worker," Hyun fires as she whips out her badge, the glint causing Remedy's poise to falter. "And I'd like to know why you're giving Mr. Poster such a hard time when he just wants to be with his daughters."

>You can see the doctor's eyes fill with an indescribable sense of burning dread and panic as Hyun keeps walking forward, almost forcing her out of the room.

>"And I'd also like to know why you think you're entitled to barge in on a sensitive meeting between an injured man when he needs to be evaluated for future provision competency."

>Her knees are shaking, and even you find yourself unnerved at the sheer feeling of anger in the air.

>"SO, if you could kindly provide us with another few hours or so, that would be highly appreciated," your neighbor finishes with a sickening grin as she slams the door shut on them, straightening her blouse as she returns to her seat.

>"Huh. Thought you were gonna go all-out for a second there," Anon idly comments as he scratches his stubble. "Didn't feel like cleaning up a mess afterwards?"

>"What are you talking about?"

>"You don't want to know, Sonata."

>"But-"

>"You don't. Want. To know."

>"So, where were we?" Hyun sweetly asks.

>"...I forgot," Anon shrugs. So, how are you doing with your friends, girls? You're not having any problems, are you?"

"Well, you're the talk of the school, obviously," you reply. "But the girls have been really supportive. They're the ones who got the card organized - we didn't actually do anything."

>"Not even sign it?" he pouts as he puts his arm around you. "Oh, you wound me!"

>You merely smile and kiss him on the cheek, taking his tray and setting it aside as you turn and lay on his side properly.

>"...You're really close, aren't you?" Hyun ponders as she observes you.

"What's it to you?"

>It takes you a moment to put two and two together as she smirks at you.

>"I just want to make sure you're happy," she smiles. "You can call me to talk anytime you need to, about anything causing a problem at home, including him."

>"Layin' it on a bit thick, ain'tcha?" the man in question frowns.

>"It's my job, smooth-brain."

"...He's the best thing to ever happen to me."

>Hyun goes silent before she can throw any more insults as you close your eyes and nuzzle your head underneath his.

"I thought we were going to die in that house," you murmur. "And now, I have a future. I have friends, goals, things to call my own. I can look at myself with a real sense of pride, with the knowledge that my sisters and me aren't alone anymore. And it's all thanks to you."

>Your little sisters join you on either side of the bed, their hands wandering to Anon's shoulders as you all look at Hyun.

"I don't want to go back to a life without him in the picture."

>Something powerful wells up in your heart as your hand comes to rest on his heartbeat.

"I love you, Dad."

>The bed creaks and groans as two more bodies pile on, Anon now covered in highschoolers as you all hug him as best you can, before you feel moisture on your forehead.

>You look up and see him crying again, for different reasons.

>"I love you too," he croaks as he holds you tighter.

>None of you notice Hyun's warm, verdant smile as she quietly slips out of the room, closing the door behind her.