[ota] that stay on my nose and eyelashes

[bluntforces]

Evan isn't supposed to be coming back to the Deck until Christmas time. He's in fact supposed to be studying this weekend. He will be studying this weekend. Definitely 100% going to spend time studying here despite not having his study group to force him to when it starts to get boring

Comments

[uncutclarity]

Bags everywhere. Everywhere, Evan, just look at all of this.

"You know, sometimes I think you need a bell to warn people that you're coming."

It's not a bad idea. He might get one for Christmas.

[bluntforces]

But look how he scrambles. Like a super-well-trained scrambling thing.

"We tried that," he huffs between snatching things up for her. "For, like, a month when I was fifteen. Ain't actually-- all that useful. People looked-- too low, y'know, thinkin' it was-- a dog comin' up on 'em."

He's not actually joking.

[uncutclarity]

"Not seriously?" Though, actually, she vaguely remembers this, as it was during the ending phase of Crushing Relationship. "Well, I'll think about it. Maybe one of the chirping bird things that tells you when it's okay to cross the street. How're you, love?"

She's been home. Matthew's Aussie rubs off.

[bluntforces]

So seriously, Avery. That's what the brief, mournful look is about while he finally finishes getting the bags piled properly. He'll be carrying them wherever she's going as penance, clearly.

"Or some sorta car alarm." To be decided, clearly. Time yet before Christmas. "Been doin' real well, actually. Grades gettin' better, meetin' real nice people, feelin' real settled out there." For now. Probably. "How 'bout you, hm?"

Vi encouraged me.

[headfollowheart]

It's probably a good thing it's a flats day. Heels are far less stealthy, so it's a lot harder to sneak up behind adoptive brothers and poke them between the shoulders with a finger unadorned by an engagement ring.

That's on the other hand.

The unholy glee is hard to hide, though. See, Riley is more than happy to share details of your sex life, Evan. "You didn't tell me you'd be back before Christmas, stranger."

You are both horrible in every way and I love you. B| <3

[bluntforces]

He'll just be assuming that the unholy glee is from seeing him. What else could it possibly be.

And he'll absolutely be sweeping her up into a tight hug once he's done squawking in surprise. "Missed ya way too much, kiddo. Couldn't keep away."

Only with our equally hideous third musketeer <3

[headfollowheart]

Absolutely nothing else. Certainly nothing about him clinging during sex. Or anything about hugging. Lots of hugging.

Evan McCartney is a hugger: possibly the most unsurprising news bulletin of the century. "Somehow I doubt you came home just to see me," she says. Not that she's giving him a clue that she was the devil on Riley's shoulder that made her cancel on him. "Elani probably missed you."

Dibs on being Comte Olivier d'Athos. \o/

[bluntforces]

Stop the presses. The world must be made aware of the fact that a McCartney enjoy human contact immensely. They'll never believe it.

"Ain't just for you, yeah," he'll concede, although he absolutely also won't be letting go of keeping an arm around her. "But it also ain't not t' see the ring."

And Riley. And Elani. And his parents. And Tess and Sophie and Rowan and Riley.

[elani_songbird]

It's probably not fair to take advantage of his momentary snow-distraction to ninja-hug him, is it?

Oh well, too late. You just got yourself an armful of sister, Evan.

[bluntforces]

It isn't, but he never objects to things that result in an armful of little sister. She doesn't mind getting spun, does she?

"Well hey there, munchkin."

[elani_songbird]

"Little early for Christmas, aren't you?"

Not that she's complaining, really. Not at all.

[bluntforces]

"Couldn't help myself. Missed you." It had been a while, after all, since he'd actually set foot on Deck. Hugs were necessary to continue existing.