The art of in and out (Pride/Del/open)

Taking a bite then a another sopping a bit with the cornbread. He pause looked from his plate back to her smiling like the cat that got the cream. "Days? Naw gal been one of them half years. Been a raging back o park party nonstop since oh bout this time last year. Er’body hoping gone calm down after. Truth be tol’ most folks expectin the world to end or at least da city considerin all the land lost and the water coming back creepin in slow like a fox bout to crawl in through the cracks of a hen house. "

He smirked sampling more assuring himself what he was tasting. “And you know good and doggone well what you done did here. Gal dis Nan’s recipe with a little spice thrown in." He chuckled that she remembered and that it was as good as he remembered it always being.

Putting her own bite of food in her mouth she moaned happily, the spice was just right not enough to burn your throat hairs but a good kick. Sipping she tried to plot the conversation in her head" So a week huh? You planning on outlasting most of the tourist. Good time for it more folks strolling round than ever before. Sadly lil sis I’m gone be real busy save a few days. Means you gon’ haveta maybe entertain ole Nando and his lil bits."

He knew her tells and did his best to ignore them. Not out of any callousness but mainly as he wanted the good moment to last a little while longer. He was hoping to stall whatever she felt she had to tell him. It was either a pregnancy a marriage or more of her biker stuff none of which would make her happy. Pregnancy would be bad as she most definitely didn’t want to pass on her pappy’s genes even accidentally. Marriage would have to be forced she as not afraid of love, she was however petrified of that sort of love. And her biker business would have to be life or death to have her risk coming back here especially without them having had a time to insure she didn’t run afoul of the Kiss. So in short he was not in a rush to have her unburden herself.

Smiling as his mind went to his dark beauty and the trouble he knew she would be up to. She was singular in never letting a slight be carried out against Peppers people. He tried to look the other way as often as he could. Having unspoken rules in place was harder time to keep up than one would have expected. She of the guarded though loving heart who on more than one occasion had been the calm of him offering peace through action. " Well yes and no…Been a long time though." He chuckled his mind immediately thinking of the last time they’d had the opportunity to tarry.



He didn’t mind the ribbing it was their way. As family more times than not hey each knew how to get under each others skin and work around like sand in the creases and crevices. " Yeah she like dher food dat way but dat damn chicory she drank was like swallowing honey flavored pepper where someone doped it up wit enough caffeine to give a herd bulls heart attacks."



Speaking between bites and a sip he screwed up his face in a mock frown before teasing " And didja ever think maybe I want to? Spendin some quality time wit you bout one da best things I could have goin. Wit all da hoodlums comin from elsewhere and dose homegrown getting out o hand. Been a long year o partying and got completely out o hand."



Sighing some he sat back nearly sated he sipped more. " Yaw anna call over da boys see if they up to some house hangin, not much in da mood for nothin big or out’a doors really?"

  

He nodded at her prognosticating on Nan’s morning and occasionally evening cup. It was the most noxious of things but it was a sure fire cure for a bit too much good time rolling. So much so that when he knew he’d be in the bag buried in another bag he’d swing by for a catch up early enough she’d have a pot going. As she bounced off he squinted there was something going on. He was hoping it wasn’t more yakuza triad gangland foolishness. If it was they’d square it up but he’d honestly prefer a hangout without having to draw down on anyone.



Her smile when she got back drifting off he sat back in his chair waiting on the proverbial shoe to drop. It wasn’t long and it was more of a metal-studded fur lined combat boot not a shoe. Her eyes going the amber lightness of a lion, much like Peppers had his brow shoot up. Most folks seeing a display like that would have freaked out much to much to hear anything else that came after. He reached forward pouring a good belt and refilling her glass as he listened. Really listened. Meeting her eyes as he downed his drink. He stood as she finished stretching and pacing a step one way then the next.



Finally stopping he rested his hands on his chair. Meeting her eyes again. Opening his mouth to speak then shutting it. " Well damn gal you had me thinking it was something horrible like a gangwar or pregnancy!"



A smile cracking across his face he went, " You best come give me a grip let me know you, you ain’t gone all feral like Remy."

Holding her tight and swallowing the pangs of guilt for not being there and for wondering how she could be so happy. It was clear as day she thought this was for the best. He however had a tougher time in part because of his half yes half no state. Happy for her as she unlike Remy and Guy and REN seems honestly well suited to it. She was safe that’s all that mattered now.

Chuckling he said, “Yeah dat sound like him. Always willing to go nuclear.” Enjoying the hug and loathed to break it he did all the same. “He ever tell you when he gonna come home. All I got was he was not looking to die but he would if things were ever bad enough for him to come back.”

Being honest with himself he thought when he’d said goodbye all those years ago that Remy was going to off himself. The boy had become a very violent man. It was never obvious in any way you could put your finger on but it seemed to be always there just out of sight. Like he was sizing up ways to hurt the world for him being able to still take a breath.

A smile on his face as what she said of Remy was even in as bad as it was, was actually good news. It was like hearing a loved one diagnosed with a terminal disease, but it was in remission. Or had been caught in time. Bad news but the best possible outcome for it. He took the small victory for his brother from another mother.

"Well, hell that’s not good news. But its better than de other options spose."

As he heard Nando and Ren arriving D bounced off not trying to hide her new speed. Nando came through the door drinks in hand and glad handing. They were all happy having D back even for short visits. It was a contagious bit of feeling as it was like Christmas, birthdays and a hell of a Friday night out all rolled into one. A few seconds later and D was bounding back down stairs doling out the presents that she had clearly picked with care. Each man mirroring their younger selves; softly shaking and listening before unwrapping with clear glee.

“Well damn baby D you have surprisingly good taste. Looks like I gotsta get more shirts. Thankya luv” Del exclaimed. As Ren looked from his present to baby D he smirked a knowing look as he feigned a deep inhalation and furtive glance to Del and Nando.

Nando was one handed texting as he looked at the box then to D squinting some. “Baby D you sight enough for broken eyes let alone sore ones but is it me or you done toned up like you fighting more. What Remy go and get you into out dere on the coast?”