I sit awkwardly at the dinner table, in between Blue and Ink. The others lined up accordingly, from one side of the table to the other it's: Blue, me, Ink, Geno, Chess, Serif, and Dream. I watch them as they all gradually eat the chicken parmesan Blue made. I always wonder how they mandated to do that, but when I asked Ink, he'd always say magic. But I noticed Blue sprinkle something onto the food, he told me it was a monster produced substance used to make is possible for monsters like them to ingest food.
Blues cooking has not only improved, but also expanded since he has been a stay at home husband...dad? Mate? Whatever, he just doesn't have a job, none of them do. After dinner I'm probably going to go feed Stella, before she gets fussy, the last thing I need is a angry baby on a weekday. But not before they tell me what in the world their hiding.
I put my fork down and clear my throat, catching everyone's attention.
"So...are we going to talk about whatever it is you guys are hiding, or...?" I mention casually, Geno looks over at Serif.
"I think Serif should explain since he was oh - so eager to tell you." Geno spits, still bitter from earlier. Serif sighs before turning to face me, not retaliating to Genos sour comment.
"If we are ever not home, it will be because of one of two reasons...I don't know...maybe both. One, we'll be stopping Error and his friends from doing something life threatening to other people. Or, were visiting...family..." they have family?
"But you would never be home alone! We will make sure you always have someone here with you." Okay...hold on, I understand the first scenario, but what family, and why haven't I met them yet?
"Can of meet them?" Everyone stops, the room filling with a silent tension.
"U-um...their...sometimes...they...uh..." the only 'family' I'm aware of is Dreams brother, Nightmare, and he as a total sweetheart under all that goop, so it can't hurt that much to meet any others, right? After a minute of pitiful stuttering brought to you by Serif, Ink takes over for him.
"Only three of us have...other family, not counting Dream." He says, picking at his food. Geno suddenly gets up and slinks away from the table, what's his problem?
"Which three?" Serif, Blue, and Chess all raise their hands, I wonder what their families are like?
"You really don't have to meet them I you don't -"
"I'd LOVE to meet them!" I clasp my hands together, imagining what they would be like. Would Blues be hyper? Would Serifs love to dance? Would Chess' also be as in love with the game as him?
"Maybe this weekend I can go meet them!" Blue give me a quizzical look.
"Why not tomorrow or something?" Dream beats Blue to the obvious question.
"Tomorrow is Wednesday, I have to work." I groan, after the way today went, I wouldn't mind skipping out on the next couple of weeks. But duty calls.
"We told you to stop working, we miss you when your not home..." Ink mutters, a dull multicolored blush, slowly rising in saturation on his face.
"I love you guys too, but, I can't just...sit still!" I sputter, why is it so hard for me to just...relax?!
"I guess I'm just used to having to work really hard for everything I have, so sitting still just feels so...alien to me." I rub my arm, my explanation feeling stupid.
"Oh you wouldn't be sitting still, sugar~" Serif wiggles his brows suggestively, earning a elbow in the ribs from Chess, Serif snickering. I laugh, even as I feel the burning sensation of my own embarrassment creeping up over my face.
"Oh, come off it, Serif!" Blue scolds, a similar blush like Serifs, except a bit of a brighter blue rather than Indigo.
"We wouldn't do anything to you without your consent..." Dream looks genuinely apoplectic, speaking softly to calm me, but it only makes me more uncomfortable. Change the subject, change the subject!
"Thanks, well, it's about Stellas feeding time, and I'm beat, so..." I ease out of my chair, picking up my plate and placing it in the sink, knowing Blue would insist on cleaning it himself. I glance at the chart we made, it showing me who I would be sharing a bed with tonight, so I could get personal one on one cuddle time with everyone, tonight's with Geno, perfect. Now I can figure out what happened to him during dinner. I yawn, the drag of sleep pulling on my body as I creep out of the kitchen while the other five continue their petty argument, both Serif and Ink dying in laughter.
...
"Sweet dreams, cupcake..." I whisper, placing a feathery light kiss on the infants forehead, she's so beautiful. I stand up from over her crib, readjusting my bra. I never knew breast feeding would be so uncomfortable and awkward, if this keeps up, I'm going to have to switch her over to formula. Now it's time to get ready for bed, and as ready as I am to get some well deserved shut eye, I need to find Geno first, make sure he's okay, he's still my mate. I sigh as I reach for the door handle, already thinking of little hidden nooks and crannies he could have tucked himself away in.
Just before I could grasp the cool brass of the knob, it twists open, swinging outwards. And low and behold, there in front of me is the one skeleton I was preparing to search for, Geno.
"Sorry...just wanted to see her before bed..." He focuses his eyes toward the ground, I tilt my head and sigh.
"Oh, Geno..." I tilt his chin up to look at me, red and blue tears staining his ivory cheek bones, a few combing, making violet. He sniffs and shivers, still refusing to make any kind of eye contact with me. I bring him in for a tender loving kiss on the mouth, his eye sockets close, fresh tears spilling from them as he gladly accepts the kiss. He reluctantly broke away when I gently pushed his shoulders, needing air. I keep my eyes closed, not moving away from him, our foreheads touching as I calculate my next words carefully.
"No...it's okay, I'm sure both of you wouldn't mind some extra cuddles before bedtime...give us time to...talk..." He lets out a hollow laugh before nodding his head, following behind me as I re-enter the baby's room. Geno whispering a few words as he shuts the door quietly behind us.
"I'd like that..."