Luke Henry is cursed to live for (aneternity) wrote in rooms,
Re: Queens: Evie/Wren/Luke
[No one was forcing Evie to do anything, or say anything; at least, Luke didn't think they'd come off that way. Wren was just being supportive and, of course, if she was supportive then he was too, and all they were really doing was letting Evie know the truth was okay. She didn't have to lie or pretend. She could be honest, if she wanted to be. But she seemed uncomfortable, and like Wren he didn't think it was too warm in the house at all. Maybe, then, they should just stop talking about it. And if Evie wanted to talk, then she could talk whenever she was ready.
He didn't really care much about the pacifier going in the lemonade. Luke just smiled, amused at Daisy's antics, but then she screamed. And it was loud. It was so, so loud, and he winced.
Lia cried, too. It wasn't anything he hadn't heard before. But Lia was different; Lia was his kid. He could rock her, or give her a bottle, or try to soothe her cries. And, if none of those things worked, he could go somewhere quiet to compose himself and get away from the noise. Here, Luke couldn't do that. Daisy was screaming and screaming and he was frowning, he couldn't help it, Wren nearly let Lia slide right off her lap and he reached for her without thinking. But it was okay, it was fine, she caught her. Gus was whispering something in his ear, but his head was pounding and he couldn't make the words out. Whisper, whisper, screaming, and he closed his eyes like that might help. God, that kid must've driven Max insane.
Thankfully, Daisy stopped screaming. And once that stopped, so did Lia's sympathy cries. It got a little quieter. Gus stopped whispering; instead, he put his hands on either side of his father's head and looked at him, hard, all little-boy seriousness, and asked if he was okay. Luke smiled despite himself and opened his eyes.] Yeah. Daddy's fine, kiddo. [He looked over at Wren, saw the desperation and confusion written all over her face, and he reached out to place a hand on her knee.] It's okay, baby. It's okay. [Distantly, he was aware that Evie was pacing, Evie was saying something, but Wren was serving the food like she was on autopilot and that worried him. He kept his hand where it was, like a tether, something physical, and he gave her knee a squeeze.] Daisy's loud, huh? But it's fine. [Smile. Smile. Calm.]
Look, Evie, we don't have to talk about anything you don't want to talk about. We're just saying, when you want to-- if you do, we're here. We'll listen. [He looked up at her. Luke wasn't great at smoothing things over, but if he didn't do it who would?]