Tweak

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Tweak says, "Init though"

Chloe Richards (rahrahrawr) wrote in darkdividerpg,
@ 2015-04-24 02:32:00

Entry tags:

character: chloe richards, character: jason richards, character: mateo rodriguez, date: 03.25.15

All I know, this morning when I woke
Who: Jason, Mateo, and Chloe
What: Lunch and conversation
When: Wednesday, March 25th
Where: A diner
Warnings: TBD

Chloe wasn't certain how lunch was going to go, but she really, really hoped that it wouldn't be awful. The'd gone to a diner near the station and had ordered their food and drinks without much conversation in between more than the niceties. The waitress returned with their drinks and then left them be while their food cooked and Chloe let her eyes move between her father across the table and her boyfriend beside her.

"I'm sorry for coming to the station to tell you, but I didn't think that doing it over the phone was right," she explained. And doing it at his house with no one there but him and Mateo would likely have just been a bad idea. Two alpha males together was just not something that needed to be pushed if it could be helped. The tension was already thick without them being alone together in a room when the knowledge was passed along.

"Everything will be okay, though," she said, even if her voice trembled slightly. "We're trying to make plans, put our ducks in a row. Figure things out." That had to count for something, right?

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_littlelionman_
2015-04-24 09:17 pm UTC (link)

Jason held in the frustrated growl. "I'm not giving up my space," he reminded his daughter. "Your grandma helped me buy that house so you girls didn't have to grow up in a cramped apartment." Lou had used her inheritance from his father's estate to help him buy the large house. "It's as much you girls as mine. I was considering selling it, I just haven't had the time." He'd much rather it stay in the family, have his grandchild grow up there. "I can move into Grandma's old apartment. That's more than enough room for me considering how little I'm home."

He looked at Mateo. "It's not intruding if I offer," he told the younger man. Taking another drink of his water and wishing he wasn't in the middle of a workday so he could have beer.

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rahrahrawr
2015-04-24 09:23 pm UTC (link)

Chloe just sort of stared at her father, wide-eyed and open-mouthed. Part of her was horrified that her father had considered selling the house. She'd grown up in that house for all intents and purposes. Some of her favorite memories had been in that house. The thought of some other family taking those spots and wallowing her memories with their own made her sick to her stomach. "You can't sell the house," she said, shaking her head a little at her father. "We grew up there, Daddy." Maybe Gracie and Hannah were off doing their own thing, but she was fairly certain they wouldn't want their dad to just sell the place. It was important.

The fact that he then went on to basically offer the house to them and move himself into the basement had her blinking and shaking her head. "How is you moving out of your room and into the basement not giving up your space?," she asked him, worrying on her lower lip.

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elgatonegro
2015-04-24 10:00 pm UTC (link)

Privately, Teo wondered if it wasn't still intruding. Because Jason certainly wasn't offering to make him happy. He was staying silent for now though - this was more a decision for Chloe to make than him. The idea of being financially beholden to Jason rankled even if the offer was there. Even if it would be a hell of a big help not having to worry about rent while he was in his first year residency. While they were looking after a newborn.

"If we moved," he said, because it was still an 'if', at this point, "we'd be looking somewhere near enough the fashion district, but still close enough to the hospital that I could bike to work in the summer." If he got his residency here. If they moved. If if if. Lots of ifs, which really wasn't something Teo was used to. He'd had his life all planned out, pretty much, and though he was giddy, he was also terrified.

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_littlelionman_
2015-04-24 10:14 pm UTC (link)

Jason did growl at that. "Hannah's got another year at MIT, and all of the job offers she's looking at aren't anywhere near the city," he reminded Chloe. "Grace moved in with a bunch of her friends until she finished her associates degree. Then she'll be in the Academy. And you didn't tell me you were thinking of moving back." Jason had pretty much figured he'd only see his daughters on holidays he didn't work because they were busy living their lives. Coming home to the huge empty house that nobody actually lived it got more and more depressing everyday.

"Depends on what hospital you get into," he told Mateo. "I can help you with getting in if they're resistant. Which they might be. Chicago's kind of an insular place. Especially public organizations. Knowing somebody is about the only way to get your foot in the door. Probably have the same problem in New York." He looked at Chloe. "Are you looking at an internship here?" Nobody told him anything, he swore.

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rahrahrawr
2015-04-25 06:00 am UTC (link)

Chloe knew that her father was right. Her sisters hadn't expressed any interest in coming back home, at least not to the house where they grew up. They had their own lives and their own things to do. Chloe had always been the sentimental one. She'd always been the one that wanted to hold on to the legacy and the pieces of the past. She appreciated that about herself, but her sisters didn't really fall into the same category. "I didn't want to say anything until we had talked about it more," she explained to her father. "I want to move back, but Mateo's mom is in the city and after she got sick, I know he didn't really want to leave her so there were a lot of variables," she sighed. Her eyes flicked to her boyfriend and she gave his fingers a little squeeze. "We could see if your mom would be interested in coming to stay out here, though," she thought aloud. "I mean, you said yourself, it's cheaper. And with the baby coming, she might want to be close to us too."

Her eyes moved to her father when he asked that question. "Yeah," she said. "The one I've really been wanting is here," she admitted. "It'd be a foot into the fashion world door and I'd still have time to work another part time job to help with the bills," she explained. Now she just had to convince Mateo that Chicago was a better option.

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elgatonegro
2015-04-25 04:42 pm UTC (link)

It was worth thinking about, though Teo knew his mom wouldn't, not straight away at least. Ana was still at school, and convincing his dad to move'd be more of a challenge. Though if it came to it, Teo could just snarl at him until he gave in. Teo loved his dad, he really did - but sometimes he wished his father was a stronger jaguar. Not something he needed to be thinking about right now though, especially with the kind of conversation that was going on around him.

"I'll talk to her about it," he said instead, squeezing back and smiling at his girlfriend. Baby. Their baby. Yep, no, still made him giddy. He was kind of hoping that wouldn't fade.

"And thanks," he added, looking across at Jason. "I've got a couple administrators back in New York who I think'd put in a good word for me, but...yeah." And the deadline was coming up fast on putting in his match requests. He'd kept his options open by not applying until the last minute and now he was relieved that procrastinating had paid off. He looked back at Chloe again, smiling at the lightness she had, just being back in Chicago. And felling like crap that he hadn't noticed that before.

"So, Chicago?" He murmured. Seemed like they were pretty decided on that front, at least.

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_littlelionman_
2015-04-25 05:27 pm UTC (link)

Jason couldn't help but soften a little towards Mateo when he smiled at Chloe like that. The kid had a lot of notions he didn't agree with and he still wasn't sure about his intentions, but that smile said a lot. He took another drink of his water. "I'd like to meet your parents," he admitted. Since they were about to be family. Ish.

He smiled when Chloe admitted she wanted to come back home. He reached out to squeeze the hand Mateo wasn't holding. His smile faded a little when she talked about working part time and doing her internship. Chloe was a chronic overachiever. "Don't push yourself too hard, Princess," he chided gently. "Internships are a lot of work and stress." They didn't have to worry about rent and Jason would pay for the utilities and a lot of the food. That gave them a lot less to worry about.

Jason nodded to Mateo. "It can't hurt to have somebody on this side who's inclined to hire you," he said. He had few connections when he'd joined the force, basically only getting in on his dad's reputation as a top notch security guard. He'd almost literally had to claw his way up through the ranks. While the corruption of the entire city disgusted him, using the system was the only way to do his job. Easing Mateo's way might make things less stressful for his daughter, so Jason would do it.

He smiled broadly when Mateo seemed to be decided on the move. Good. "Let me know if you need any help moving," he said. "I have plenty of leave saved up. I probably can take a week off without the city exploding." Maybe.

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rahrahrawr
2015-04-25 05:34 pm UTC (link)

Mateo's gentle smile eased a lot of her worries, but it was that one question that really had her realizing just how close to coming home she really was. Chloe let out a little breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding about the time that her father squeezed her other hand. Her eyes moved away from Mateo and caught her father's eyes instead. Of course he was worrying about her pushing herself. Mateo probably was too, underneath it all. She had a feeling getting away with interning and a part-time job too wasn't exactly going to fly with either of the men in her life. "Are you sure that you're alright with us moving in?," she asked him. Her eyes moved to Mateo then and she tilted her head a little. "Are you sure you're alright with all of this."

She felt a little guilty that she was getting a lot of what she wanted and Mateo wasn't getting much of a say. Forcing him to move was not something she wanted to do, but she desperately wanted to be closer to her father and to what she felt was home.

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elgatonegro
2015-04-25 06:02 pm UTC (link)

Teo leaned in and pressed a kiss to her temple, murring softly.

"I'm sure," he murmured. "Just want you to be happy, Queenie. That's all that matters." He wasn't over the moon about living with Chloe's dad, they all knew that. But if it made Chloe's life easier, if it made her happier...well, that was all that mattered. He wanted her happy, and settled, and he knew that she'd never been that in New York. He'd tried his best to make it feel like home for her but he knew that his family couldn't make up for missing hers.

"I'm sure my mom and sister'll help us move," he said, nodding. "I'll make sure dad takes a day off to help too, that way you can meet all of 'em." He turned to look at Chloe again, nudging his shoulder gently against hers.

"Hey. The supernatural research department at St Christopher's is one of the best in the country. And even if it wasn't - you want to be here. That's all I care about."

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_littlelionman_
2015-04-25 06:23 pm UTC (link)

Queenie? That was cute. Although Jason felt a little like the younger werecat was trying to one up him. But the sentiment that he wanted Chloe happy was something Jason could agree on.

"Yes," he insisted at Chloe's worrying. "The house is too empty with just me." He nodded at Mateo. "I'd like that." He could be civil for his not!in-laws-to-be, especially since there was going to be a baby soon. He wondered idly if the kid would be a lion or a jaguar. Not that it mattered. It was still his first grandchild. Jason was already starting to puff up at the thought.

Jason smiled at the last comment the werejaguar made. Yeah, Mateo was sold. Good. He disliked the kid a little less now. He leaned over to press a kiss to Chloe's cheek. "I'm glad you're coming home, Princess," he told her. "I missed you."

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rahrahrawr
2015-04-25 06:29 pm UTC (link)

The kiss to her temple and the soft sound that he made had Chloe smiling a little more broadly. The smile only seemed to widen when the two most important men in her life seemed to be getting along. And, of course, the fact that Mateo seemed sold on moving to Chicago. Okay, yeah, she was definitely thrilled at the opportunity to move back and to be at home again. If she smiled any wider, her face was going to start hurting.

"Guess we're moving home then," she finally said, giddy at the thought.

The kiss to her cheek made her smile. "I'm glad too," she admitted. "I've missed you. Tons." Not having to give up one for the other was probably one of the best things that had happened to her and she couldn't help but squeeze Mateo's hand in appreciation for what he was sacrificing for her. She turned to look at him and her smile softened. "Thank you."

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elgatonegro
2015-04-25 06:50 pm UTC (link)

And there it was; the reason Teo'd go through any amount of shit. To get Chloe smiling like that, every fucking day if he could. He sipped at his water, rubbing his thumb slowly back and forth along Chloe's hand, ducking his head as she smiled at him again.

"For what?" He murmured. "It's not exactly a hardship making you happy." He wasn't the one giving up his house, after all. If he remembered right, he and Chloe were definitely getting the better end of the bargain on this one.

"And you might not be thanking me when you're throwing up and craving wierd food," he pointed out, leaning in and ducking his head to kiss her shoulder.

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_littlelionman_
2015-04-25 07:46 pm UTC (link)

Yeah, he was starting to dislike Mateo more and more. It really wasn't anything to give up the main part of the house. It was too big, designed for a family. It would give Chloe and Mateo some privacy and he'd be right there if his daughter needed him. Mama would have smacked him between the eyes if he hadn't at least offered. Especially considering how lonely he'd been.

Jason snorted. "Just make sure she has lots of rare steaks," he chuckled. "That took your mom some getting used to. The mad craving for nearly raw red meat. I swear by Gracie she could pick the best steak by eyeballing it." It wasn't always easy to talk about his wife, but it seemed appropriate now. Since she wasn't here to share the stories with Chloe herself.

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rahrahrawr
2015-04-25 08:04 pm UTC (link)

Chloe kept smiling, especially when he pressed that kiss to her shoulder. "Maybe not," she said. "But you're giving up a lot to make me happy and that means a lot to me." More than she could have explained. There just weren't words that did her appreciation justice.

As for the weird cravings, she laughed a little at the thought. "Well, I guess you're going to just have to make it better by holding my hair back and going out at three in the morning in order to retrieve those weird cravings," she smirked.

This could be okay, she decided. They could do this. Everything was going to be alright. It was certainly turning out better than she thought it would be. "Guess I'll have some redecorating to do," she commented. "Maybe de-pink my bedroom," she smirked.

She laughed at her father's comments about the rare steak. "I'm sure she just loved that," she said, shaking her head a little. A human having a craving for nearly raw meat likely went over fairly bad at first.

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elgatonegro
2015-04-25 09:43 pm UTC (link)

If they'd been sitting opposite anyone else, Teo would've been happy to make a smart comment on her showing how much it meant later. Not with Jason though; he liked his balls attached.

"Steak I can definitely do," he agreed, looking over at Jason. "Not like eating a bunch of red meat's gonna be a hardship for any of us." And the Richards' house had a garden, which meant barbeques. Proper, outdoor, not tiny-grill-on-the-fire-escape barbeques. God his stomach was rumbling at the thought. Though that might have been because he'd just spotted their waitress heading towards their table with food.

"Your bedroom's pink?" He teased, looking surprised. "I'm shocked. Completely taken aback by that. I would never have pictured you as a fan of pink, really-" he couldn't keep talking, mostly because he was trying hard not to laugh. And avoid getting punched by his girlfriend.

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_littlelionman_
2015-04-26 03:41 am UTC (link)

Jason had the kind of grill setup that made people instinctively do the Tool Time grunt. Not that he got to use it much, but he did like grilled steak. His stomach growled at the thought as well, but the waitress was on her way. He smiled at her, thanking her as she put the plate in front of him.

"Yeah, the first time it bothered her," he said. "But after Mama told her it happened to her, she got over it." Jason took a drink of his water. It was easier to talk about Jen than before, but too much of it would upset him and probably Chloe. So the subject change about her pink princess bedroom was a good one.

"And zebra striped," he said, chuckling at Mateo's teasing. "Bet you didn't see that one either."

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rahrahrawr
2015-04-26 03:47 am UTC (link)

Chloe blushed a little. "Hey, it's not like I'm that predictable," she told the both of them. "I just happen to know what I like." And she did. Chloe had been a bright pink and zebra print girl for as long as she could remember. She gently elbowed her boyfriend for his teasing as the waitress put their food on the table. She thanked her and immediately tucked into her burger with an appreciatively hum.

Her father joining in on the teasing was momentarily unnoticed because her stomach was growling too loudly to keep from taking a second bite of the burger and at that point, her mouth was too full to speak anyway. Once she'd swallowed, she shook her head. "And here I was thinking you two were going to eat each other alive," she commented. "Now you're just going to join forces."

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elgatonegro
2015-04-26 08:50 am UTC (link)

"Uhuh, sure you're not," Teo said, still laughing as he picked a fry up off his plate, trying and failing to dodge her elbow.

"I guess we can go back to trying not to snarl at each other if you'd prefer," he suggested, smiling at Jason across the table. Yeah, no, ganging up on Chloe and gently teasing her was a lot more fun than growling at one another and being incredibly uncomfortable. He'd take the teasing any day.

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_littlelionman_
2015-04-26 09:24 pm UTC (link)

Jason chuckled and took a big bite out of his own burger. He was starting to feel better about the whole situation, even if it was far from ideal. He'd feel better with them living under his roof, where he knew Chloe would have a decent place to live and food and he could keep an eye on Mateo until he was sure the kid was actually devoted to his daughter. He wasn't completely happy about either of their attitudes about marriage, but that was something that was going to be addressed in the future.

"Yeah," he agreed after he polished off his first hamburger. "I didn't go through with any of my threats. Probably ought to call it a win and be happy I'm not trying to literally rip his head off." Which had been one of the threats he'd leveled if any boy knocked up his daughters. But this was different. They were adults, seemed to be in love, and better still, moving home. Jason could deal with this.

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