important

"don't think too hard, you'll hurt yourself," he joked, joining his friend for a moment, reaching for the pack of cigarette and lighting one.

"Very funny." He said sarcastically, "I hate thinkin'." He truly reacted on pure instinct and didn't think shit through before doing it. It was way more fun that way.

Eyebrow arched, Ryder lit his own cigarette before leaning against the wall beside his cousin. "Jesus, why does everyone think I'm sneaking around today." First Reina, now AJ. Idly he wondered if maybe he could use his quiet footfalls to his advantage later. Coming back to the present Ryder shrugged as he exhaled smoke. "Do I have anyone you can fight? Not right now. What'd you do to piss Reina off though?" In reality - Ryder thought it didnt take much from his cousins to send their mother into a rage, but he also found AJ entertaining. "Well, you and I seem to be on the same page tonight, so we could make a pretty good team once we find a target."

"Jus' light on your feet, I guess. Might got somethin' to do with how small you are." He wasn't even short, but AJ just thought everyone was small compared to him. "She got all mad cause I said Rhea was flirtin' with me. Basically told me to suck it up and not get too drunk or somethin'. You know, just normal Reina things." Which meant he was going to do the opposite and get very drunk. His mommy issues were complicated, part of him always just wanted to please her but the other part didn't want to listen to her and he was constantly torn between the two. "We could go after a prospect, make him pay his dues."

"That's what you keep telling me." He sighed, already regretting going to talk to his brother. "Pretty sure you stole any goodie bag I ever received, anyways. So maybe it's just you, ruining all my fun." Rhett pointed out, because it sounded like something AJ would have done when they were younger. He looked over at their grandmother and back to AJ with a quick shrug. "Just do it fast when she isn't looking, then she can't take it away. I bet she knew how to have a good time back in her day." It was hard to imagine Reina being a party animal but for some reason he could picture their meemaw tearing shit up. "She was married to Cronus, she had to know how to have a good time at some point." Rhett stared at AJ for a moment and scoffed his next insult away. "Alright, asshole, whatever you say." Hopefully the aliens come back to get him soon, then. "Speaking of being an asshole, you think you can keep yourself contained tonight and not make a scene. For meemaw's sake?"

"You weren't gonna use whatever was inside of it anyways, cause you've never been fun. You've always been like a fifty year old trapped in a kid's body." Maybe it was just cause AJ was always immature. "Us Thane's know how to have a good time. I mean, besides you, of course." If he could tease the fuck out of his brother, he was going to take every opportunity to do so. "You're such a party pooper, you know that?" He asked rhetorically, "I don't try to make any scenes. It's not like I do it on purpose. It just happens. So like if it happens, it ain't on me."

Every conversation Reina has with her eldest son seems to, one way or another, either lead to a massive headache or have her questioning how she could've given birth to a human with so few brain cells. And maybe it'd been her fault AJ turned out this way — maybe she'd dropped him on his head a few too many times when he was younger and she's sure the fact that she was certainly still smoking and drinking wine while pregnant didn't help him any, but Reina will never take responsibility for her son's stupidity. As far as she's concerned, he's the reincarnation of his father no matter how much he looks like her, and more often than not, that that leads to her berating him in a way she was almost too afraid to do with Jason — especially now, when he's being so fucking irritating. "Oh stop. She's an old woman, she's harmless. Man up and deal with it." Truthfully, it is a little foul that Rhea is even associating her son with the absolute leach that is her late husband, but Reina's simply not taking that on as her problem tonight. And she's certainly not taking on AJ's bad behavior, either. “You aren’t Rick’s fucking responsibility and regardless, I'm sure he’s got shit to do later. You’re a thirty year old man, Anthony. Act like it.”

He sighed, giving her a frown. "Is your butt the one that's gettin' slapped? Nah, so you don't know how much it hurts too," Even talking back in this way was something he really only did when he was drunk. Usually AJ just shut up and listened but sometimes he had to say something. "This is some shit normal people would have to talk about in therapy." Not that he went to one. He didn't need one. Or at least that's what he told himself. "He's technically my step dad, I'm totally his responsibility, Ma. Will you just make sure I get home, please? I really don't wanna end up in the dorms. Someone drew a dick on my cheek last time."

@ajthane

"I'm gonna add a sucker punch," He told him, "I know what the fuck I'm doin'." If there was one thing about AJ, it was that he had the confidence of a fucking king, similar to Jason. He was his father's son, after all. He respected Seth, in a weird way. Mainly in a drinking way more than anything. "I can fight, Seth. You know that, right?" Even if it was just fists, no weapons, he got it. The height helped too. "You wanna step in, old man? I'll show you it works."

Brie knew their relationship wasn't considered picture perfect -- She didn't love AJ, but she loved what she could get from him. As long as she kept up the charade of dutiful girlfriend, it was easy to get him to do what she wanted. At least, until she caught him doing something stupid and it lead to another break up. This wasn't much different than anything else, but it at least gave her some peace of mind. "You're just in time," she answers with a shrug, scooping said eggs onto a plate before turning the stove top off. She gives him a hum in response, turning to leaning against the counter. Eyes roll, rather than answering his question. The mention of his mother prompts a shrug, brow arching as she plucks the piece of bacon out of his hands. "I doubt it." Reina probably didn't miss him, but she most likely wouldn't be happy to hear he was at Brie's apartment -- The older woman may have liked her roommate, but Brie knew Reina wasn't overly fond of her. "I bet she's happy to have you outta the house." Brie comments with a laugh, finishing the half eaten piece of bacon. "Can't say I mind the company, though."

Being with Brie was nice. To be honest, he liked the back and forth they had, arguing and then not arguing. It was kind of exciting for him. It kept him on his toes. And right now they were good which meant that he didn't have to cook either. A win-win in his mind. He liked feeling needed, even though no one would probably go after Brie, but it was still nice to feel wanted. "Nah," He shook his head, "I'm always a pleasure to have in any house." He wasn't a good guest at all, he kind of just made himself at home. Even here. "Mind the company? C'mon, I'm great company. I know you wanna spend like every minute with me. There's no need to deny it."

closed: @ajthane setting: bec & brie's apartment

He wasn't expecting Becky to be home at the current moment that she had entered the apartment, catching AJ in his boxer briefs as he was near the kitchen counter. "I have clothes on." He directed his eyes towards the underwear he was wearing. "I'm respectful." This was just like being at his house all over again, why couldn't he just be free? "What are you doin' here?" He asked as if it wasn't her place too. "Cause y'know, I could use the help. This ain't the one that Reina has."

@ajthane location: outsite the clubhouse, during rhea thane's 77th birthday party

AJ sometimes needed a break from people. It wasn't that he wasn't a social butterfly when he was drunk, he usually was. It was just that a whole birthday party was a lot sometimes. Gabe was a welcome sight, though.

Family is something Andy will always hold in high regard, but his nephew certainly loves to put that to the test. He can't help that the bias started because of Jason, but the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Andy had mostly been around while his nephew was a teen and after he was newly patched in, but something tells him AJ isn't much different six years later. His nephew didn't visit the state pen much, so most things Andy heard was second hand. "Watch your fuckin' mouth when you're talkin' about my wife, kid." Andy warns, not caring how drunk AJ was or wasn't. "I don't want any'a your cheap tequila," he waves away the offer, lighting up a cigarette. Even though he was sober, he didn't still crave a distraction. Nicotine helped. "You look like ya drank enough for both of us."

Leave it to his uncle to be the party pooper. He wasn't sure why he just couldn't be happy. "It was a joke, Andy. Relax." He emphasized the last word, hoping that Andy understood his playful nature at the moment. "I did not drink enough for me even so that can't be true. You know you're a man of few words? Why you gotta be so angsty all the time?" Here he was, trying to make conversation and Andy was being a little bit of an ass. "I'm happy you're here. Grandma's happy you're here."

@ajthane

AJ was outside of the clubhouse, smoking and thinking. Thinking about how traumatic it was that his grandmother had been hitting on him. "Shit, don't sneak up on me like that. If I didn't know your face, I would've accidentally elbowed ya in the fuckin' face, bro." It was just habit. "Both. I mean, I dunno about the first one. Reina seemed kind of pissed." But that was the norm, "If you got anyone I can fight with, lemme know." Little did he knew about the shit that would go down later. "I'm ready to go for someone's jugular."

starter for: @ajthane when + where: mid morning may 8th, brie's apartment

It was weird shacking it up with someone other than Reina and Rick, who he knew wanted him out of the house. He wasn't sure why, he was great company. Brie wanted him around, so that had to mean that he was great company. He liked being catered to, maybe it was the mommy issues. Actually, it was probably the mommy issues. And him and Brie were good right now. He was playing CoD on his phone when Brie called out that breakfast was almost ready. "Alright, alright. I'm comin'." He announced as he finally got out of bed and into the kitchen. He didn't bother to put a shirt on, not caring if Rebecca was still home or not. "Did you burn 'em?" He could handle the eggs, to be honest, as long as it wasn't the bacon. "Bacon smells fuckin' delicious." He helped himself to a piece of bacon. "Oh shit, you didn't want that one, right?" If this was home, he probably would've gotten a lecture of some sort. "I wonder if Reina misses me."

Rhett hummed an affirmation instead of adding another sarcastic comeback. If AJ wanted to drink copious amounts of cheap alcohol and destroy his body, so be it. There were much better ways to get drunk and enjoy the process of doing so. "AJ, please, you are an adult. This party is your goodie bag, now sign the fucking card." Rhett grumbled and held it out with a pen. AJ calling himself the 'Reina whisperer' actually pulled a laugh out of him. The only person he would remotely give that title to was Rick, or possibly Rowan. "You just called yourself lame, so congratulations." Rhett considered himself the closest thing on the earth to an AJ whisperer, though he can't imagine anyone truly holds that title. "Yes, she's in her late seventies. Though she might think she's in her twenties today, maybe we'll get to see her turn into a regular party animal later. You can do shots with her." Something the older generation of Thanes might not like, but Rhett would find funny as long as she didn't get hurt in the process. Let the lady let loose, might as well. "We're the same amount of Thane, moron." He gave him an incredulous look. "And you are definitely down to your last life."

He always forgot how boring Rhett was until he was next to him, talking to him. It was like talking to a piece of drywall. "You're really no fun, you know that? I dunno what goodie bags did to you." Next birthday party of his own, he was totally doing goodie bags. "I think Reina'll rip it away from her if she tries to do shots. Do you think Rhea was like the worst party animal back in her day?" It was weird to think about a woman who was now old being young. At the mention of Rhett being the same amount of Thane, AJ shook his head. "Damn, I hate to break it to ya at Grandma's party but you came from another universe. I'm sorry Reina never told you but I think it's time for you to know." His comebacks were so good. "You wish I was down to my last life. Sorry bro, I'm not goin' anywhere."

Reina can't help the way her eyes roll to the back of her skull the second she hears her eldest son's grating voice in her ear. It's a visceral reaction at this point, one she couldn't stop from happening if she tried — but she never does. "Wonder why. What number beer's that for you again?" Probably at least his tenth, if she had to guess. Reina's never really considered herself the drinking police, but between all of the morons here trying to turn her 77 year old mother's birthday party into a beer Olympics, she's decided they may as well give her a badge and call her Officer at this point. "You want her to stop thinking you're your grandpa, then stop fucking acting like him. I'm not dragging your drunk ass home tonight."

He always wondered why Iris was the clear favorite with his mother when he was right here. And so actively involved in the family business of sorts. "I dunno, were we supposed to keep track?" Maybe he should've if he wanted to beat Seth at his own game. "It's not my fault that Cronus was a walking stereotype. Can you at least tell her that I'm her grandson? She's lookin' at me like I'm a turkey fresh outta the oven on Thanksgiving." If she were to listen to anyone, it would be Reina or Rowan most likely. He then sighed when she said she wasn't going to drag him home. Though he was thirty, he still acted like he was in his late teens probably. "Come on, Ma. I ain't sleepin' in the dorms, that's fucking bullshit. Can't you just tell Rick to carry me home?"

"So weirdos bring wine, got it." Cheap beer did the trick and that was the important thing for him. Whatever got him drunk fast enough. "If I sign this card, I'm expecting Grandma to bring me a goodie bag since that's the proper thing to do back." He used to get the best goodie bags when he got invited to birthday parties in elementary school, probably because people were afraid of him. "I can tell. I'm like the Reina whisperer. Kinda like how you're the lame whisperer." No matter what, AJ was gonna use every opportunity he could to make fun of his little brother. "I thought she was turning like 90. You're telling me she's only in her seventies?" What the fuck? "I have like nine lives so I got nothing to worry about. And you're like barely a Thane so you have nothing to worry about, dude."