( a m a l t h e a )

he’d very briefly gone into shock after everything happened, but quill hasn’t been visibly upset for days now. his wife is still quite obviously rattled and so he’s preoccupied himself with caring for her, brewing pots of tea and digging more blankets out of cardboard boxes they had yet to unpack. none of his siblings have called on him until today. “indeed,” he gently agreed with his sister’s observation, “i reckon we could give them a moment.” closing the front door on poppy and elena, quill stepped out onto the porch with thea, his twin. immediately he reached for her, seemingly fragile frame gathered in his arms.

        as soon as his arms are around her she’s done - clinging to her brother as her heart fell to pieces knowing her daughter couldn’t experience the same ever again. she can’t imagine it - even when quill had been gone she knew he was still there, knew that if she needed him she could go to him. the idea of him suddenly not being there killed her, and she knew that she wouldn’t’ve survived what her daughter had. she’s not sure when she started crying, just standing there with her arms wrapped around her brother. “promise me you’ll live until you’re old and grey, okay? cross your heart.”

measured footfalls circle him threateningly, over and over. he doesn’t see her but she’s perched somewhere nearby in the shadows. “you can’t scare me off.” even if she could, one moody growl wasn’t going to be enough. soundless footsteps carry him cautiously — like it really makes a difference for someone who’s literally cornering a wild animal — until finally he spots the familiar shape of thea’s feline form, large and imposing even among the towering trees.

@amaltheawallace

      he hears the door from the back-room but he’s still fighting with a crate of beer for restocking. “be with you in a sec-” coop bellows, finally loosening it off the shelf to carry out to the front. agreeing to cover the bar for enzo wasn’t exactly his favorite job but since he had some time on his hands with thally’s disappearance, he couldn’t really say no. lugging the box through, he steps out into the space behind the bar, dark eyes focusing on the new arrival. and promptly, the crate slips from his grip, landing with the sound of shattering glass onto the floor.

        thea had planned on never seeing the man again. after his disappearance and his supposed inability to return any of the hundred-fifty-two phone calls she’d made when she found out she was pregnant, she was perfectly ready to cut him out of her life completely, even if he did show back up. unfortunately that didn’t stop the way her heart skipped a beat, though she quickly stamped out any feelings that may try to rear their ugly head. she was perfectly ready with a biting tone until she saw him, wincing at the sound of breaking glass. “you know, i was about to ask what the hell you were doin’ here but it’s pretty clear now - you’re trying to get enzo to kill you.”

@amaltheawallace

the pathways and foliage are drenched in traces of her scent. still, a less capable tracker would have trouble detecting it beneath the heavy odor of despair hanging so thickly over this area of deserted campgrounds located just outside the city. it’s everywhere but concentrated at the same time, growing more pungent with every step he takes. “i know you’re out here,” ben was quiet but she would hear him. “c’mon thea. you’ve gotta get a grip.” he stood in a small clearing with his arms folded, scanning the shadowy treeline and listening for movement.

“And how much experience do you have with my mother?”

        “Well enough, I think? Ben knows her better. The local leaders get together from time to time, keep each other up to date, but we don’t really hang out outside of meetings.”

“please, don’t make me call you aunt too or i’m going to tear my hair out. actually no, i wouldn’t do that but i’d do something just as dramatic.” he let out a noise that was it sounded a lot like a mix of a scoff and a snort. “also talking about hair, i think it’s about time for a retouch.” @amaltheawallace

“I’m not sure what you want from me. I can’t persuade my mother this time.”

        “Not surprised, honestly. Your mom, in my experience, seems to be the kinda person that sticks to her decisions once they’ve been made.”

“ if you’re looking for the wallace who cares , tessa is at the institute . if you’re looking for the wallace with the tail , thea is with the kids . if you’re looking for any of my brothers - please don’t . i can’t deal with them getting into fights today . “

        “correction - i was with the kids, but poppy wanted to follow nate around and quinton is hunting for leo, i’m sure we’ll hear them soon,” the werecat mused, rolling her eyes as she pressed a quick kiss to her brother’s cheek. “someone’s grumpy this morning - did someone try serving you bacon again?”