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“Damn, why is this family so dramatic? You upbraid me, you damn near threaten me, you foretell damnations and ruination, and now you’re bickering over crudités?”

Rhiannon stopped mid-crunch and looked first at Ceridwen, then back at Seren.

“Dramatic? I used none of those words. Maybe Deryn did, since she is the one who has a way with them. Did you know she called a ruined batch of biscuits ‘pisscuits’ the other day, because they came out soggy⁠—”

Ceridwen waved her hands in front of her face.

“Please do not use that word ever again in my presence!”

“Fine, fine. Anyway, I doubt Ceri used ‘ruination’ and the like. We’re just worried about you, baby sister.”

“Victoria already said her piece. I’ll be okay.” Seren set her flute down and snagged a celery from Rhiannon’s plate, leaving the last carrot for her sister, who smiled.

“You know, we had a ton of bets going where you were concerned. Now I guess we will only be left with when you will buy a Subaru.”

Seren made a face.

“I don’t like those cars.”

Ceridwen actually gasped, and Rhiannon tsked.

“Well, there you go. Your LGBTQIA+ subscription has just been downgraded to LGBTQIA with ads, baby sister.”

Seren felt her eyes go wide, then she burst into laughter. Her chest felt lighter. Rhiannon gave her a one-armed hug.

“Sadly, it’s not my joke. I read it somewhere and then kept waiting for the opportunity to use it. Speaking of reading funny things. Did you know Victoria is into weird internet memes these days? Did she tell you the one about the bay leaf and gussets?”

When both Seren and Ceridwen groaned, Rhiannon’s face was smug.

“Who do you think is helping her by sending her the most outlandish and funny ones? Moi. So let me give you one more for the road, as they say, Rennie.” Rhiannon winked and enunciated. “You’re not a William to have these kinds of De-Faux ways about being gay.”

“William De-Faux ways. Good one, Rhy. What can I say?” Seren rolled her eyes. “I’m happy to help.”

Ceridwen smiled. “See, Deryn would’ve said ‘At your cervix,’ and that’s how I could always tell the two of you apart, Rennie.”

Deryn waved at them from across the room, and Seren draped her arms around her sisters.

“Yes, I don’t make silly jokes. That’s the only reason you can tell me from Deryn. Not because we don’t actually look all that alike.”

“No, jokes aside, the way I tell you and Deryn apart is that I worry much more about you, Rennie,” Ceridwen said.

Seren pulled back.

“I bet you said that to Deryn just a few months ago, didn’t you?”

Rhiannon smiled.

“She told me something very similar when I returned to Dragons as well. But that doesn’t mean she’s not been correct every single time.”

“Wow, a compliment. Unexpected. Should I pinch myself?”

Ceridwen faked a swoon. Rhiannon tsked.

“Drama indeed. Listen, just take care of yourself, Rennie. And we are always here, even if most of your sisters are behaving like they can hide their own Easter eggs.”

“I heard that! And I resent the remark.” Deryn finally made her way toward her sisters, elbowing the group hug till she’d created space for herself. Seren kissed her cheek in apology, and Deryn laid her head on Seren’s shoulder in forgiveness and whispered.

“I love you, even if you’re structurally unsound, Rennie.”