Festivities and Family Ties
There was one thing that Fjord enjoyed about the Clay household during the holidays.
“Mona stop pestering your brother.”
“Bo, can you ask Gus if he is planning on coming in any time soon.”
“Molly, dear, have you seen Toya?”
Something that really made it feel like he had not been dragged there to a group who suffered his company.
“Ornna, please tell Yuli to put the dog in the basement if he can’t stop trying to eat the tree?”
“Yes, mom.”
“Thanks, Desmond, I could have sworn I left that in the living room.”
It was loving chaos.
Yasha had grown accustomed to it in her own time, which was evident at the way she moved around the family with ease and a small grin on her face. She, after all, had been best friends with Molly since high school. The man’s room was littered with cork boards that still had old pictures stuck to them, alongside notes and ticket stubs from when he was younger. Here and there her pictures were scattered throughout the house as well. Her towering over Molly and their friends in a prom picture. Them in stage make up for a play. All seven Clays, Yasha, and a few others in Salem. It made Fjord smile every time he came over to stay because as he did, the man noticed other things. Such as his own picture with Molly from last year, opening gifts, that had been put on one of the many wall displays in the basement stairwell and the second floor.
It was not a grand location. The basement had been finished to house a small media room and Molly’s bedroom that he had shared once with Cad. Bo and Gus shared on the third floor with Toya and the twin sisters Mona and Yuli sharing the master bedroom on the first floor. The parents had the smallest room in the house, reasoning that their kids deserved the larger space. It was not perfect and it always seemed far too cramped, but that was okay. It felt like home.
“Fjord, can you give me a hand here?”
“Dad, Bo wants to know if you’ve seen the carving knife.”
“Toya, stop getting in the guys’ way. They’re setting up the second table.”
“Yasha, can you come over here, Molly is useless.”
“Oi!”
Fjord had called that morning to talk with his family. His Tia and Tio had picked up. They were essentially his parents, as his mother had died young and he never knew his father. Abuela had always been the one to be dotting on them all, of course, as was a grandmother’s duty. But she was in the kitchen making bunuelos with two of his cousins. It was a standard affair by now to have a disjointed phone call that was interrupted several times. He had opened one or two of what they had sent up, both small things as there was not much to go around even now, as they opened his own. They had asked about his life and for a moment he had almost come clean, but fear froze him. He faltered, only stating that there was someone he was interested in and nothing else. After the call, Yasha had found him scowling at the Netflix browsing menu in the basement and sat next to him for a while as the house upstairs started their standard Christmas affairs.
“Mom, is the coffee cake done yet?”
“Someone tell Mona that Desmond needs the car keys.”
“Bo, Gus, stop hitting each other with the throw pillows.”
Fortunately, there was little time to dwell.
Caleb (12:54pm): Merry Christmas, Fjord.
Caleb (12:56pm): I will actually be free tonight after all if you would like to talk.
“Hello, legs,” Bo purred in a way that was alarmingly like Molly, just far deeper.
Fjord looked at him, then down to see if he had forgotten to change out of his shorts and into pants. He had not, but he then noticed that there was a text notification on his lit-up phone. And on it was that picture of Caleb with his face half-covered by the phone and what looked like naught but the jersey on. Fjord nearly choked on his own spit. He swiped his phone quickly and opened it as the man laughed.
“I forget how shy you are,” he stated. “Molly never said you had a lady friend. She send you pictures like that with stockings, too?”
“He,” Fjord corrected weakly because he was too busy rationalizing how he would actually like to see those long pale legs in thigh highs. That was a thought he’d never share with Molls.
“Huh,” Bo considered, then grinned a wicked and knowing smirk.” “Does he send-”
“Stop,” Fjord sighed and ran his hand over his face.
Bo laughed and gave a good natured shove before sauntering off. A house full of almost six versions of his best friend always seemed like less fun when that teasing energy was turned on him.
GAME HOES
DramaKween [Image Sent]
DramaKween toya got fjord in her hello kitty apron
MissJester Ohmigosh it has frills~! I WANT ONE?!
SassyWitch It really brings out your eyes, Fjord
DarkAngel Is this why you still haven’t finished setting the table?
SassyWitch busted!
NottListening How is everyone else’s day?
SassyWitch boring. I think Wulf wants me to come over later. Caleb is out doing something with his parents
MissJester I know Beau won’t be around pretty much like all day~
MissJester Her family kind of forces her to do the whole big family thing with like all of the visits and stuff
SassyWitch gross. I’m sure her leaving in two days isn’t helping that either
MissJester Well
MissJester Actually, they are not at all close. This is more “how families should act” I think
Fjord (5:07pm): They’ve busted out the egg nog
Caleb (5:08pm): May your stomach rest in peace.
Fjord (5:10pm): it’s the batch that has been aging since last year. I’m scared
Caleb (5:11pm): I would offer to protect you, but that is not possible. Also I know you won’t listen.
Fjord (5:13pm): Absolutely not. Never come between a man and his dairy obsession
Caleb (5:15pm): Wouldn’t dream of it. Has it been a good holiday this year?
Fjord (5:20pm): It has been pretty darn good but it could be better
Caleb (5:25pm) Ja? How so?
Call Duration: 36:09
GAME HOES
MissJester U G H
MissJester It was so nice to see my mother again~! I am soooooo glad she is here for another few days!!!
SleevesRBS oh shit she was able to come over
MissJester Yes! It was a surprise and such a happy one! We drank hot cocoa and marshmallows
DaddyTough that sounds nice
MissJester It was! I may not be on for the rest of the day but I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. Or day for people who don’t celebrate!
SassyWitch Thanks, love.
HeySailor [Image Sent]
HeySailor happy hols from the 26th sailors and marines
HeySailor oh fjord galo says you’re a punk slut
DaddyTough lol
DaddyTough tell the pillow princess I miss him too
SleevesRBS is he the one whos wife used to write him embarrassing notes because you read them
DaddyTough nah he was the one who used to put tape over our cacs if we left them out
SleevesRBS …
SleevesRBS your what now
DramaKween why do you never leave your cac out now
DramaKween I promise not to put tape on it
DaddyTough common access cards
DaddyTough y’all are menaces
DramaKween uwu
SleevesRBS uwu
DaddyTough No.
“Beauregard, open up,” her father’s voice scolded through the door.
She tossed her head back in annoyance and stomped over. It was barely after dinner and she had finally gotten out of the ridiculous outfit they had made her wear to her grandparents. She was now in a set of joggers and a shirt she had cut the sleeves off of to use at the gym. Her hair was tied up and out of her face. The door was opened in a quick pull and the woman was met with the unimpressed face. His eyes looked her over and the crease in his brow deepened. The glance looked over her shoulder at the bag she had brought home from school that was now packed and ready to leave in just over 36 hours.
“Do you really need to go back or are you avoiding the fact that you still have not told me if you are moving back after school to work for the company.”
In fact, Beau had told him both no she would not move back and no she would not work for the company. He had simply refused to accept she was serious in that regard and decided she had not replied. So, the woman said nothing and only stared longer.
“Surely you know this… phase will need to end. Do you even think of your future?”
She did think of her future. She had an internship lined up this coming summer at one of the historical societies.
“Have you nothing to say?”
“Nothing I say will matter so why waste both our time,” she offered dryly. “Can I go back to packing now?”
“Is there a boy,” her dad asked. “Or are you still pretending to only want women to embarrass the family?”
Beau arched her eyebrow and slammed the door in his face. She took a long inhale before doing anything stupid like punch through the door. Instead, she turned on her heel and grabbed her air pods.
“City morgue,” the chipper, light Irish accent purred after two rings. “You stab em, we slab em.”
“Video,” she clipped out.
There was a pause, then her phone slipped to Facetime. Molly had placed his phone somewhere in the basement and put her on speaker. He was on the floor with Yasha seemingly getting frosting out of his hair while Fjord was in the background playing with the dog. Despite the former frustration, there was something about seeing their faces that unclenched her jaw and made her breathe easier. She dropped down heavily on her bed and shuddered out a breath.
“What’s up,” Yasha asked.
“I hate it here,” she admitted. It was a raw statement, maybe more than any other she had said.
“I…” Fjord started then climbed the back of the couch to sit next to Yasha. “Maybe when we get back we can start looking at student housing by campus. I get money to go to school and have benefits from my injury that will be decent enough for some of the rent.”
Beau only nodded and swallowed. She hated crying.
“Yeah, and I am bar training at the start of the new year,” Molly added. “That’ll be way more bunce to add. Get a three bed, one group of us doubles up, and save money.”
Yasha looked at Beau and they paused in the eye contact. The woman was offering to be the one to share with her. For all of Beau’s abrasiveness, she had become almost dependent on having someone with her when she slept, even if platonically. So she nodded.
“You’ll be home soon,” Yasha promised her. “Just one more day.”
“Yeah,” Beau sighed. “I’ll be home soon. Can we talk about something else?”
“Molly started a food fight in the garage again,” Fjord offered. “Toya won when she threw a chunk of the Kahlua cake.”
“The moose.”
“Cake,” Molly repeated with a grin pulling at his lips. “She cheated and used a plate as a shield.”
“Did you save some of the coffee cake for me,” Beau asked and Molly nodded. “Thanks. It’s my favorite thing your mom makes.”
“I’ll tell Cad he’s replaced by cake.”
“it’s always been cake,” both Beau and Fjord commented at the same time, making Yasha roll her eyes.
“You two need to get off Tik Tok.”
DM: SleevesRBS and Widogast
Widogast Fjord told me you have had a… rough go of this holiday.
SleevesRBS yeah fuckiong dad being a fucking prick
SleevesRBS comment on my being gay
SleevesRBS comment on my fucking degree
SleevesRBS oh hey, spawn that I wished was a son you have a paid internship but I’m still disappointed in you
SleevesRBS fuck
SleevesRBS sorry
Widogast Nein. Please, at least let the steam off here.
Widogast I was wondering if one of our days you’d like to drive up to Salem or Gloucester and go to some museums.
Widogast Maybe a see if they want to check out the new exhibit at the Science Museum if you want the group to go.
SleevesRBS you know
SleevesRBS id like a day just chilling with you
SleevesRBS science museum date
Widogast I even have membership cards from my family. It’s a date.
DM: MissJester and NottListening
NottListening [Image Sent]
NottListening [Image Sent]
MissJester look at that little angel~ of goodness!
MissJester [Image Sent]
MissJester My mom wanted to send you a picture of us from today~!
NottListening the apartment looks so cute
MissJester Thank-you!!! I did a little tour of the living room on social because people were people commenting on the set dropping.
NottListening I never thought pastel Christmas would be so cute? But, then again, it’s you.
MissJester :)
MissJester I was hoping to head up with her before she leaves? She wants to see so much and I figure you and Luc would be so much fun for her to meet.
NottListening I’d like that a lot. I can check with Yeza when he’s off again so we can schedule something. When does she leave?
MissJester 3 Jan
NottListening Come over for New years!
MissJester OMG YES! PERFECT!
MissJester Mom is like, super down, too! So excited!!!!
NottListening I told Luc you’re sleeping over next week. He is screaming
MissJester s o b b i n g
DM: SleevesRBS and TeaLeaf
TeaLeaf bitch where am I picking you up
SleevesRBS hoe Delta
TeaLeaf slut at door 8
SleevesRBS hussy omw out
“Hey, Caleb hope you don’t mind Astrid let me in,” Beau called as the front door opened.
Astrid snickered from her side as she continued prepping the potatoes. The door had creaked open and the wind from outside howled until the door closed. Caleb came into the living room with a tired face and bags under his eyes. Beau hissed at how haggard he looked compared to the last time she saw him.
“You look like shit,” she informed him bluntly. He snorted.
“Ah, thank-you Beau. You know how to make me feel special.”
“Call it my special skill. Right up there with diplomacy.”
“I’ve spent three hours with you, girl, and that’s a fucking lie,” Astrid replied. “But now that he’s here I have to make sure the other one doesn’t get jealous.”
“I thought you said he was getting better,” Beau commented with a groan.
“He is, but still. Handling baby siblings can be rough.”
“Wouldn’t know,” Beau replied as Caleb commented, “He’s older than both of us.”
Astrid smirked and washed her hands before gathering her coat and heading out the door. Caleb joined her at the counter and washed his own hands. After a moment, he took up cutting the potatoes and putting then in the colander. Beau poked the bagged chicken and watched the marinate sludge around in reaction to the pressure. Caleb seemed to notice that she was not in the mood to discuss everything yet, so instead he kept cooking.
“I, ah, did get people gifts as I know… everyone else celebrates Christmas. I figured one of the times I am back in Boston we can have our small gathering.”
Beau looked over at him and caught the faint blush creeping across his face.
“I got you something, too. It’s in the bag on the couch. I know how gifts and shit go down is different but… I suck and we can blame it on that?”
Caleb snorted inelegantly again and wiped his hands on a paper towel before checking it out. She was biting the inside of her cheek as she waited. Molly had been the one to order it and thankfully it came in for this. They had all gotten small things for each other, after all. The bag crinkled a bit and then she heard it. The long, pained sigh. Beau could feel her body vibrating from the attempt to not laugh outright. She turned with her lips fighting and failing to not smile. Caleb held up a garish lilac shirt with “Save a horse, ride a cowboy” across it while wearing the least impressed face she had seen on him yet.
“Beau,” he sighed.
“Yes, Caleb.”
“I am not wearing this.”
“We’re going clubbing on New Year’s Eve. Yes you are.” Caleb rolled his eyes and she whined back at him. “It’ll be funny come on.”
“Was this Molly’s idea.”
“Both of ours,” she admitted and threw a piece of carrot she had been chopping at him. “Please.”
“Fine. But I am allowed to have another shirt once the joke is done.”
“Deal.”
Maybe Christmas was not that bad Beau mused as she watched as he found the “IOU” note in the bag and smirked. It was just a little late.