Bea Thomas

Renee: hey, babe, maybe we should let my best bud Jean out of his indentured servitude so he can pursue his chef dreams

Ichirou: no, babe, not in this economy

Renee: fine, then I’m breaking up with you

Ichirou: noooooo, don’t leave meeeeeee. I’ll let Jean pursue his chef dreams

(Idk why more people aren’t talking about this. It’s so obvious this is exactly what is going to happen)

(I’m kidding. I’m KIDDING)

(I’m on one today)

(But imagine Renee telling the Foxes and Jean she’s dating Ichirou MORIYAMA. The reactions would be worse than finding out Neil is the Butcher’s son)

(Ichirou may be a morally questionable person, but Renee could fix him)

Kevin didn’t speak for a while but Renee didn’t rush him. Letting the silence between them linger for as long as he needed it to. It had been a long day for him, for both of them. When Kevin did speak he kept his head down looking at the ground.

“Dad said he’d text when they got off the plane.”

The new title sat awkwardly but it took so long for either of them to get there that no one commented on it. “That’s good to hear” said Renee lightly though she knew it wasn’t why he was here.

“Yeah…” Kevin said softly before sighing and turning to face her. “I’m sorry…I know how you felt about him” he said quietly almost guilty. “Letting people go is never easy” the “I would know” remained unsaid but they both heard it loud and clear.

Renee’s expression softened.

“It never is. Do you think it’s selfish that part of me wishes he could stay?” Kevin shook his head with a small smile on his face “I think it makes you human. I just hope he’s okay out there…”

Renee put a hand on his shoulder “he’s not alone. We’ve given him everything to start a new path and the Trojans will be by his side too. It won’t be easy by any means but” she smiles warm and bright “I know Jean’s gonna be alright.”

Kevin smiles back, watery and fond. “Yeah he always was stronger than he ever gave himself credit for.” She nods having seen it for herself and adding “I think you both have that in common.”

He snorts but doesn’t disagree with her.

A silence falls over them again but this one less heavier then the last. “Do you wanna grab a drink?” Renee considers it before shaking her head “maybe later I think I’m gonna go touch up my hair” she gestured to where the colours had started to fade.

“Oh right yeah of course” said Kevin mentally kicking himself for asking but Renee wasn’t done. “I was gonna ask the girls for help but Dan’s on a date with Matt and Allison is out shopping with Nicky, you helped me once before so I was wondering if you could again.”

An invitation.

For company in the here and now and not to let him drink his sorrows away in the dark. And maybe just maybe Renee didn’t want to be left alone either.

Kevin looked at her in surprise before nodding “sure, I’d be honoured to give our rainbow back her colours.” He didn’t have night practice for a while yet and maybe it’d be a good distraction.