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“No snuggles. No. Hard pass,” I announce as I enter the room, nearly tripping over something on the floor that shouldn’t be there. “Oh my fuck!” I manage to right myself just in time to trip over something else and land directly on my ass. “That’s it! House meeting! Now!”
I feel around with my hands, completely off-kilter, and manage to lift myself onto my couch and sit down. I’m suddenly unsure of myself in my own damn home andthatpisses me off more than anything. It’s the one fucking place in the whole damn world where I know exactly where everything is. It took a lot of trial and error to get it to where it is now and I will not have that taken away too!
Two more auras press into the living room with me and Kai, and I shake off the remnants of whatever it is that Nic’s earlier behavior brought out of me. “I don’t want you here,” I start simply, struggling to find the words I want.
“Why don’t you tell us how you really feel?” Kai’s voice and aura portray a short blast of distress before a blanket of facetiousness seems to wrap him up defensively.
“But…since you have to be, I’d like to make a few things clear here. My house is my safe place. It’s the one place in the entire universe I can make my way around like I can see it myself. You guys being here mucks all that up. So, rule number one, don’t leave shit out on the floor for me to trip over, or move furniture or items, or anything like that!” I kick my foot out angrily, making contact with whatever it was I tripped over the second time. “I can’t actually see unless I’m really concentrating with Gizmo and Snitch. But that shit takes a lot of energy and I can’t do it all the damn time. So clean up after yourselves and always put things back exactly where you got them from.” Turning my head as if I’m actually able to see them, I swivel it back and forth, giving them the death glare. “If you don’t, I will do everything in my power to make you all fucking miserable. And you’re stuck with me as much as I’m stuck with you. Are we clear?”
“Yes.” Ezra’s response is instant and controlled, like he gives no fucks either way, but he understands the assignment and he will abide by it. And I know he will.
“We’re not stuck with you, Wicked. Wevolunteered,” Kai supplies and I vaguely remember Alan saying the same thing, but this time it sinks in.
What are their motives?
Kai? Well, he likes to have fun and stir up shit. What better way than this?
Nic? Well, he probably just thinks he’s the only person in the world who can go up against me.
But Ezra? I have no idea when it comes to him.
“Either way. Don’t be here if you can’t follow the rules.” I cross my arms over my chest as Gizmo and Snitch zoom into the room and I feel them start running in circles, no doubt wondering what the fuck is going on.
“Alright. We’ll put everything back where we find it and keep our stuff out of the way. Anything else?” Kai’s tone is placating, yet somehow still mischievous, like he always has something up his sleeve.
“No snooping through my shit. If you eat something, replace it. If you piss on the toilet seat, wipe it up. Definitely no leaving the seat up! I swear to God, if I take a midnight piss and end up tits under in toilet water, I will literally murder you. Clean up after yourselves. I don’t want or need mice. Yes, Gizmo and Snitch are great hunters, but those things are terrible and will leave a trail of shit everywhere before they’re caught. The cleaning lady only comes once a week, so just…” I count off things with my fingers as I list them before pausing in thought. “If I think of anything else, I’ll let you know. Capiche?”
“Roger.” Ezra slides into military speak, and I try to hide the smile it brings to my face. I could get used to his bluntness. It’s refreshing.
“Aye, Aye, Captain!” Kai’s charm oozes from his tone and my smile grows before falling right off my face as I move on to the next guy.
“Nic?” I tune into his aura and smirk. “I watch the Bachelorette every Tuesday when it airs. You won’t have to miss your show, no worries. Well, I guess Ihearit every Tuesday.”
He lets out a growl before stomping off and slamming something on his way out. I swear that man is going to be the fucking death of me. I’m talking about a full-blown aneurysm just from his attitude.
“Let me show you where you’ll be staying.” I climb to my feet before cautiously stretching my foot out to make sure I don’t trip over anything as I make my way out of the living room.
Where is my cane at when I need it? I whistle three short bursts and a flurry of movement sounds around me as Gizmo and Snitch race to do what I need. Their bodies fly past my legs before Gizmo squeaks in triumph. Which is promptly cut short when Snitch flies into him with a thud. They start to wrestle, their squeaks and growls bringing a bubble of happy energy to my chest.
“Wicked! Aren’t you going to stop them? They’re going to kill each other!” Kai exclaims as he comes up next to me, his nervousness bombarding my consciousness.
“They’re fine, Kai. They’re just playing.” I let out a giggle as one of them hits the wall with a bang, their growls picking up in volume.
“It doesn’t seem like playing. They look like they’re trying to kill each other.” I feel a shift in the air and tune into Kai, catching him rubbing away nervously at the back of his head.
“I promise they’re fine. They’re brothers. They would never actually hurt each other on purpose.” I’m proven right as Snitch lets out a higher-pitched squeak of pain and Gizmo immediately stops wrestling, his squeaks of concern and comforting purring taking the place of playful growls and barks.
They take care of each other, just like they take care of me.
Their little raccoon auras grow closer, approaching in tandem, as they come to some sort of compromise. I crouch down to meet them. “Aww, Snitch! Are you okay, baby? Did mean ole Gizmo play too hard?” Gizmo lets out a squeak of protest as they reach me and I grin. “Look at you guys working together to bring mama her cane, so sweet!”
And they really did. Gizmo and Snitch each have an end of my cane in their mouths as they bring it to me together. I wipe the saliva off and give them both extra head scratches in return. “Thank you, boys. You’re the sweetest, most adorable, amazing little buggers. Yes, you are! Yes, you are!”
“Ahem,” Kai clears his throat, interrupting my baby talk to my trash pandas, so I glare in his direction.
“Hey, don’t be jealous. They earned my affection,” I chastise playfully before standing upright once more and using my cane to check for things on the floor as I make my way down the hall. “This way to your room, men!”
“Room? As in singular?” Kai’s voice is both cautious and regretful, leaving me to smile widely at his suffering.
