[Lup being awake at strange hours during the night isn't such a strange occurrence, but for the little human boy Angus who needs his rest? Even through the grief that burns through her feels all-consuming, a touch of worry blossoms against the elf's thoughts.
Out of anyone under this roof, Taako would most want Angus to be taken care of. And if he isn't here to make it happen...]
sure little man
gimme like five mins and ill meet u in the kitchen we can make it together
[ The thing is, Angus being awake this late isn't that weird either, especially when he has a lot on his mind. He's ridiculously self-sufficient for his age, and while this is usually a good thing, it means that when he's upset, he doesn't seek out other people. He's used to handling things on his own, and not bothering the adults around him with his problems - in his experience, they either wouldn't care, or would suddenly see a child instead of a world-renowned detective.
... There's a chance that they might want some sleepytea, though, especially if they're also restless and awake at 2am.
Lup will find Angus in the kitchen a few minutes later, using Mage Hand to grab a box of tea off of a high shelf. He's in his PJs, and looks a bit ragged, but is otherwise wide awake. ]
[Lup's bare footsteps are silent against the floor, so maybe it comes as a surprise when she drops a hand onto Angus' head, stepping up behind him. She's dressed in a pair of leggings and a shirt with Taako's name scrawled across the front, short hair an unruly mess around her head.
Her eyes are a little red, but her face is dry, no hint of the tearful fit she'd thrown in their room earlier. Lup just looks about the same, tired, ragged, body needing sleep she just can't find quite yet.]
Sup, little man.
[Angus gets his hair ruffled before Lup's pulling away to lean casually against the kitchen counter, arms crossing over her chest.] So, I was thinking we could take this a step up from tea.
[ That hair-ruffle is so sudden that Angus squeaks, and almost drops the tea. His recovery is pretty quick though; the mage hand wobbles out of focus for a moment before reforming just in time to catch the box.
As he turns to face Lup, Angus takes in her appearance, especially the shirt, and inwardly winces. They could both use a distraction tonight. ]
What did you have in mind?
[ He has some idea - this isn't the first time they've met up in the kitchen late at night, and absolutely did not talk about their feelings. Usually it happened after Angus had nightmares, and was a little too jumpy to be as quiet as he'd like while heading upstairs. ]
[Just as Angus is studying her, Lup's studying the kid back, taking in that bedraggled appearance. She's silent for a moment, uncharacteristically so, lips pressed into a thoughtful line while she just watches Angus, gaze a little too intense to be anything close to comfortable.
But finally some of the tension held tight within her chest just goes limp. It doesn't quite snap yet, she'll be just as wound up later over everything, but Lup manages to stuff her emotions down enough to find a touch of relief, her shoulders not held as stiff as before.]
Wanna dip into our secret ingredient stash and see if we can bootleg up some macarons? It's kinda Taako's thing, but between us we can probs bust out some choice ones.
[ It takes him a few moments to notice that Lup's staring right back, and that realization, that feeling of being seen, is downright unsettling. Angus fidgets, glances away, mentally kicks himself for having such obvious nervous tells. Is this what being investigated feels like? No wonder nobody likes it!
... Macarons, though, those are a welcome diversion. He grins, a little shaky. ]
Macarons sound really good. I don't think I've made them since... gosh, Candlenights before last. You blew those ones up.
Sure did. Which like, that kinda was our big moment, huh? Sorta the first time we met.
[Not really, but looking back now that the pieces have been all slotted together, that whole burning her name in the wall thing brought up some nostalgic memories.]
It's been about a dozen years since I last made any, so we'll have to help each other out. Wanna grab three eggs? Gotta get those babes to room temp.
I, I guess so! Although I didn't know that you existed at the time? I wish I had my case journal from back home, I could've shown you my notes. I thought your name was an acronym, at first.
[ His case journal has two or three pages full of notes like LUPUS?LUPINS?LUPINE???, but Taako had shown no signs of the sickness, or of lycanthropy, and he couldn't find any significance to the flowers. Angus starts gathering the ingredients from the fridge, setting them down alongside a couple of bowls on the counter. ]
I'm pretty sure I remember the macaron recipe, I had that written down too...
[She wants to know it all, alright. Give her these details that she craves.]
Taako's recipe, right? I wonder if it's different from the one we used to use... [A lot of things can change in ten years. If anyone could have already improved on perfection, it would be her brother.]
He'll be back. You know that, right? He's gonna come back.
"Look Under the Precipice, Lucretia Underestimated Pringles, Levitate Unusual Parasols..." I'll be honest, I was guessing for half of them, but the second one seems pretty apt in retrospect.
[ Angus is still facing the counter, so his back is turned towards Lup when she drops that last bombshell, and he's too tired and stressed out to hide the resulting flinch. Damn, Lup is good at this. If she ever wanted to be one, she'd probably make a killer detective. He takes a deep breath, regaining his composure and doing his best to pretend that flinch had never happened. ]
I. I know. The evidence stacks up. I was only gone for a couple of days, you and Merle were gone for about a week. He'll be back with the new arrivals.
[ ... But there's a chance that he could come back different, or not at all. Angus isn't sure what would be worse. Magnus didn't even recognize him the second time he came back, and that had hurt, he isn't sure if he could deal with Taako not knowing who he is, considering how much closer they've gotten here.
There's no way he's letting any of this slip, though, because no matter how worried and anxious he feels, Lup has it a million times worse. Making her do the comforting here would be selfish. ]
It's ok, you don't have to... to try making me feel better. I'm okay.
Honestly, you weren't too far off the mark. Hell of a lot closer than Taako ever came.
[Just say the word, small fry. Think of the amazing buddy cop drama they could star in together.]
I'm not.
[O-Okay, maybe that came out too strong. Lup's mouth parts for a moment, though nothing comes out, like she's quickly backpedaling, trying to figure out how to properly word what she means.]
I mean, I don't want you moping all over the place either, that isn't what I mean. But I'm not saying it to be a bullshit faker either. When have I ever said shit just to be nice. Literally never. It's just...
[Lup pauses again, pursing her lips thoughtfully, before she's kneeling down to Angus' height, so she isn't quite talking down at him.]
He's not gonna leave us behind, alright? I feel it. I feel him. He's coming back. Call it twintuition. I'm not reassuring you, I'm giving you insider info.
[ Angus just stares at her for a moment. The World's Greatest Detective isn't totally convinced by Lup's 'twintuition', but the rest of him is a stressed out kid who is happy to take whatever reassurance he can get, and he is not gonna cry. He's already cried in front of Lup at least twice already, this can't keep being a thing, even if it's like 2am and he's tired and anxious and working really hard to keep it together.
Instead, he just kinda tips his head forward to rest against Lup's shoulder. Gods, he's tired. ]
... I guess I can't disregard info like that when it's coming from such a reputable source. And you've said nice shit plenty of times before.
[Angus slumps forward against her and Lup's skinny arms automatically wrap around him, keeping him close, her head bumping affectionately into his.
Considering the years, decades, it took for her to let any of the others in, it feels so strange how quickly Angus slipped in close to her heart, swiftly becoming someone she cares for, someone she feels the need to protect.
Thankfully, Angus drags her from getting too thoughtful and sappy by cursing, the elf pulling away just enough to grin at him, eyebrows arching upwards in delighted surprise.]
Check out the mouth on you, kiddo! Also, total bullshit. I'm never nice. Don't you dare tell anyone.
[ The corner of his mouth twitches upwards, which is the closest that Angus has gotten to a genuine smile in days. Lup has always been very openly affectionate, in huge contrast to her brother, and at times like this, Angus appreciates it more than ever. ]
I swear sometimes! It happens!
[ He pulls back, and mimes zipping his mouth shut. ]
Okay. I promise I won't tell anyone about making macarons at like 2am, or that time you got me a bunch of paint so we could decorate my room, or that time you said you were my aunt, or that time you got me a notebook for Candlenights, or...
[ The list goes on, and while Angus looks and sounds completely earnest, this is one of those moments where he's using his earnestness to hide the fact that he's being a little shit. ]
[Angus pulls away and what Lup expects is for him to be adorably shy, but grateful, maybe a splash of some much needed hope in his expression after her reassurance that Taako will be back. What she gets instead is this. This is unfair and cruel!
What. A total. Shit.
The elf reaches down and gives Angus a swat on the arm, much lighter than the punches she reserves for her brother or Magnus, before she's pulling out of the boy's arms completely, already turning to pull out more ingredients.]
Alright, you little shithead! That's enough of that! Zip it! Let's get to work before I throw you in the batter to make a giant Angus-shaped macaron!
[ He can't help it, he's trying to keep a straight face, but the corner of his mouth keeps twitching, and eventually he just dissolves into giggles as he starts getting the baking trays and stuff out. ]
You'd go to jail, and the macarons wouldn't even taste good! They'd be full of people-meat, that'd be disgusting!
[Now they are both giggling, making enough of a racket in the kitchen that somewhere from downstairs, Peanut barks (or at least, makes the noise Lup associates with barking for her kind) and that just leaves the elf laughing even louder. At least they'll be able to appease their housemates with sweet treats in the morning, for all of the noise made this early in the morning.]
That's the grossest thing I've ever heard come out of your mouth. [But Lup tips her head and grins, looking proud.] Knew I'd rub off on you sooner or later.
[ Angus clamps both hands over his mouth halfway through the giggling fit, once he realized how loud they're getting, but that doesn't stop him from laughing - the giggles just come out a bit muffled. ]
Thank you! They'd be like macarons filled with ground beef!
[ He may not act like it very often, but Angus is still an 11-year-old boy, he has untapped levels of potential grossness, and a macabre sense of humour that was probably influenced by seeing way too many crime scenes! ]
Alright, alright! [And she's still giggling, smiling wider than she has since Taako's abrupt disappearance, some of Lup's usual light twinkling in her eyes. Nothing will ever feel right without her twin by her side, but at least there's still family here, those few she can continue to rely on in his absence.
And Angus made the cut a long time ago.]
Let's get to it, son! Mango can put away at least two dozen of these at a time so we gotta start prep now.
So ideally, we'd need to make at least three batches? I'm not sure we have that many cookie sheets!
[ And with that, Angus gets to work! He'll probably end up falling asleep halfway through the second batch of macarons, but as long as Lup doesn't make good on her threat to toss him into the batter, they should be okay.
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text, around 2am a day or two after Taako disappears
no subject
elves dont sleep
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I'm
do you want some tea? I was thinking of making some tea, and I thought if you were up, you might want some too.
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Out of anyone under this roof, Taako would most want Angus to be taken care of. And if he isn't here to make it happen...]
sure little man
gimme like five mins and ill meet u in the kitchen
we can make it together
no subject
[ The thing is, Angus being awake this late isn't that weird either, especially when he has a lot on his mind. He's ridiculously self-sufficient for his age, and while this is usually a good thing, it means that when he's upset, he doesn't seek out other people. He's used to handling things on his own, and not bothering the adults around him with his problems - in his experience, they either wouldn't care, or would suddenly see a child instead of a world-renowned detective.
... There's a chance that they might want some sleepytea, though, especially if they're also restless and awake at 2am.
Lup will find Angus in the kitchen a few minutes later, using Mage Hand to grab a box of tea off of a high shelf. He's in his PJs, and looks a bit ragged, but is otherwise wide awake. ]
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Her eyes are a little red, but her face is dry, no hint of the tearful fit she'd thrown in their room earlier. Lup just looks about the same, tired, ragged, body needing sleep she just can't find quite yet.]
Sup, little man.
[Angus gets his hair ruffled before Lup's pulling away to lean casually against the kitchen counter, arms crossing over her chest.] So, I was thinking we could take this a step up from tea.
no subject
As he turns to face Lup, Angus takes in her appearance, especially the shirt, and inwardly winces. They could both use a distraction tonight. ]
What did you have in mind?
[ He has some idea - this isn't the first time they've met up in the kitchen late at night, and absolutely did not talk about their feelings. Usually it happened after Angus had nightmares, and was a little too jumpy to be as quiet as he'd like while heading upstairs. ]
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But finally some of the tension held tight within her chest just goes limp. It doesn't quite snap yet, she'll be just as wound up later over everything, but Lup manages to stuff her emotions down enough to find a touch of relief, her shoulders not held as stiff as before.]
Wanna dip into our secret ingredient stash and see if we can bootleg up some macarons? It's kinda Taako's thing, but between us we can probs bust out some choice ones.
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... Macarons, though, those are a welcome diversion. He grins, a little shaky. ]
Macarons sound really good. I don't think I've made them since... gosh, Candlenights before last. You blew those ones up.
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Sure did. Which like, that kinda was our big moment, huh? Sorta the first time we met.
[Not really, but looking back now that the pieces have been all slotted together, that whole burning her name in the wall thing brought up some nostalgic memories.]
It's been about a dozen years since I last made any, so we'll have to help each other out. Wanna grab three eggs? Gotta get those babes to room temp.
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I, I guess so! Although I didn't know that you existed at the time? I wish I had my case journal from back home, I could've shown you my notes. I thought your name was an acronym, at first.
[ His case journal has two or three pages full of notes like
LUPUS?LUPINS?LUPINE???, but Taako had shown no signs of the sickness, or of lycanthropy, and he couldn't find any significance to the flowers. Angus starts gathering the ingredients from the fridge, setting them down alongside a couple of bowls on the counter. ]I'm pretty sure I remember the macaron recipe, I had that written down too...
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[She wants to know it all, alright. Give her these details that she craves.]
Taako's recipe, right? I wonder if it's different from the one we used to use... [A lot of things can change in ten years. If anyone could have already improved on perfection, it would be her brother.]
He'll be back. You know that, right? He's gonna come back.
no subject
[ Angus is still facing the counter, so his back is turned towards Lup when she drops that last bombshell, and he's too tired and stressed out to hide the resulting flinch. Damn, Lup is good at this. If she ever wanted to be one, she'd probably make a killer detective. He takes a deep breath, regaining his composure and doing his best to pretend that flinch had never happened. ]
I. I know. The evidence stacks up. I was only gone for a couple of days, you and Merle were gone for about a week. He'll be back with the new arrivals.
[ ... But there's a chance that he could come back different, or not at all. Angus isn't sure what would be worse. Magnus didn't even recognize him the second time he came back, and that had hurt, he isn't sure if he could deal with Taako not knowing who he is, considering how much closer they've gotten here.
There's no way he's letting any of this slip, though, because no matter how worried and anxious he feels, Lup has it a million times worse. Making her do the comforting here would be selfish. ]
It's ok, you don't have to... to try making me feel better. I'm okay.
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[Just say the word, small fry. Think of the amazing buddy cop drama they could star in together.]
I'm not.
[O-Okay, maybe that came out too strong. Lup's mouth parts for a moment, though nothing comes out, like she's quickly backpedaling, trying to figure out how to properly word what she means.]
I mean, I don't want you moping all over the place either, that isn't what I mean. But I'm not saying it to be a bullshit faker either. When have I ever said shit just to be nice. Literally never. It's just...
[Lup pauses again, pursing her lips thoughtfully, before she's kneeling down to Angus' height, so she isn't quite talking down at him.]
He's not gonna leave us behind, alright? I feel it. I feel him. He's coming back. Call it twintuition. I'm not reassuring you, I'm giving you insider info.
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Instead, he just kinda tips his head forward to rest against Lup's shoulder. Gods, he's tired. ]
... I guess I can't disregard info like that when it's coming from such a reputable source. And you've said nice shit plenty of times before.
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Considering the years, decades, it took for her to let any of the others in, it feels so strange how quickly Angus slipped in close to her heart, swiftly becoming someone she cares for, someone she feels the need to protect.
Thankfully, Angus drags her from getting too thoughtful and sappy by cursing, the elf pulling away just enough to grin at him, eyebrows arching upwards in delighted surprise.]
Check out the mouth on you, kiddo! Also, total bullshit. I'm never nice. Don't you dare tell anyone.
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I swear sometimes! It happens!
[ He pulls back, and mimes zipping his mouth shut. ]
Okay. I promise I won't tell anyone about making macarons at like 2am, or that time you got me a bunch of paint so we could decorate my room, or that time you said you were my aunt, or that time you got me a notebook for Candlenights, or...
[ The list goes on, and while Angus looks and sounds completely earnest, this is one of those moments where he's using his earnestness to hide the fact that he's being a little shit. ]
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What. A total. Shit.
The elf reaches down and gives Angus a swat on the arm, much lighter than the punches she reserves for her brother or Magnus, before she's pulling out of the boy's arms completely, already turning to pull out more ingredients.]
Alright, you little shithead! That's enough of that! Zip it! Let's get to work before I throw you in the batter to make a giant Angus-shaped macaron!
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[ He can't help it, he's trying to keep a straight face, but the corner of his mouth keeps twitching, and eventually he just dissolves into giggles as he starts getting the baking trays and stuff out. ]
You'd go to jail, and the macarons wouldn't even taste good! They'd be full of people-meat, that'd be disgusting!
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That's the grossest thing I've ever heard come out of your mouth. [But Lup tips her head and grins, looking proud.] Knew I'd rub off on you sooner or later.
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Thank you! They'd be like macarons filled with ground beef!
[ He may not act like it very often, but Angus is still an 11-year-old boy, he has untapped levels of potential grossness, and a macabre sense of humour that was probably influenced by seeing way too many crime scenes! ]
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And Angus made the cut a long time ago.]
Let's get to it, son! Mango can put away at least two dozen of these at a time so we gotta start prep now.
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[ And with that, Angus gets to work! He'll probably end up falling asleep halfway through the second batch of macarons, but as long as Lup doesn't make good on her threat to toss him into the batter, they should be okay.
They'll both be ok, in the end. ]