Well, That Was Refreshing

"I bet most the town got annihilated. Half the people around here don't seem much like fighters." He laughed a little too himself - sarcastically of course. "In a dream kinda way."

"Oh you know like the shitty toxic boyfriend." Banzai looked over to John with a blank stare. "Cheats on his girlfriend they fight and then get back together type vibe. That was my energy in the one last summer or whatever. It was wack as hell but I am always the villian." He shrugged. "In and out of the dream world. Its sorta just who I am."

"Didn't know that was a role that needed to be filled in the town dreams." John let out a snort as he folded the towel he'd been using in front of him on the bar. "Is that a self fulfilling prophecy sort of thing? I'm always the villain so why try being something else is a bit how that last statement sounded. Not to sound like a therapist, I'm not qualified for emotional advice usually." That was a bit more Phil and Tom in their own ways.

He had his odd moments where he knew what to do, mostly, he'd just found people who understood his means of communicating his feelings and made up an entirely new language with someone (one that would have most concerned that they absolutely hated each other).

"It's usually not this busy at this time. Which is why my friend and I schedule our Vietnamese-only talk for about an hour ago. I was going to study up the notes he gave me, then entertain my husband while it's slow," he said, gesturing in Hatter's direction. "But, not slow."

He tapped his notebook.

"Got lots of studying in though, so win-win I guess."

He was making small talk because it really was only right, the bloke gave up part of his table which John wasn't always keen to do. He could put off cracking open the book in front of him for a moment.

John looked over to the counter and pretty much only saw Hatter behind it, "So, you're Hatter's husband?" He said curiously. He hadn't really known much about Hatter. He seemed to be an enigma of sorts. Honestly the only time he found out anything about Hatter was back when he associated with Mocha years ago through Ting-Ting and Jane and John. Surely much had changed since then.

Johnny’d had a lovely time at prom, his awkward meeting with John and Phil notwithstanding. He had known he would have a good time, because he and Maddy always had a good time when they were together. Maybe he had been a little nervous about prom, just because it felt like it had a certain weight to it, but it had been fun in the end.

Yet whilst he would like to think about how he and Maddy had a nice time, what he was mostly thinking about was the twin expressions on John and Phil’s faces throughout their entire conversation. Johnny was glad it had been a short one; he was sure that if it gone on and longer, both of Maddy’s brothers would’ve tasted blood from biting their tongues too hard.

What was it any of their business anyway? Johnny kept telling himself. Maddy was a grown woman who could do what she want and keep whatever company she wanted to keep. And how was Johnny supposed to know that there was something fucked up special Order of the Prince edition of Mamma Mia happening with John, Phil and Tom? It wasn’t like any of them wanted anything to do with him (and the feeling was mutual), and it wasn’t like he and Maddy talked much about family…

Johnny was puzzling through all of this as he headed out of Benbow, fishing in his jacket pocket for his headphones. So deep in thought was he that he didn’t realise he walked right into the path of John— and Phil too, apparently.

He’d had a hunch that Maddy and Johnny’s prom night would lead to an afterparty at her place. He didn’t want to think too hard about what that might mean. Look — he’d be a hypocrite if he had a problem with Maddy sleeping around with whoever she wanted. But c’mon? Did it have to be this twerp?

The whole encounter at prom had been polite, but Phillip couldn’t shake the gnawing discomfort. Of all the single people in this damn town —

Funny that apparently she’d met Johnny before she’d ever introduced herself to Phil, Tom, and John.

Phillip wasn’t actually sure if it had been his, John, or Tom’s idea (‘cuz of course they’d filled him in when they got home), but he and John set off the following morning, intending to confront Johnny about this whole… situation.

And it had been Phillip who suggested walking around Maddy’s place. 

“Oh hey there.” Phillip smiled, all bright and warm. “Just who we were looking for!” He swung an arm around Johnny’s shoulder. “Don’t worry — we won’t keep you long. Walk with us a bit, yeah?” 

Not that he and Jane hadn't had an "after party" of their own last night which kept his mind from dwelling on the run-in with Johnny. And no, he was not going to give details to Phillip which had been the conversation before the conversation to swoop by the apartment complex for reconnaissance.

Unfortunately, Phillip, as he usually was in matters of hooking up and other social interactions, was correct and Johnny waltzed right out from Benbow looking every part a man who'd gotten little sleep.

John let Phil take the lead on the approach of it, he certainly wasn't going to wrap his arm around the lad, instead he tuck his hands into his pockets coolly on the other side of Johnny, turning an icy gaze towards the former Order boy. "Have a nice night, Johnny? Our nights were great. Bit of a surprise though to find out that you and our sister are well-acquainted."

One of the perks of being married to Swynlake's caffeine dealer was never having to pay for your tea or coffee again. On his third cup of tea, the first two consumed during his monthly Vietnamese-only talk with Andre Tran, Mu-yeol was studying the notes Andre gave him about his speaking in his Vietnamese notebook.

Buiness had picked up around him, and he didn't notice until he spotted a man looking for a place to sit.

"I'm almost done, you can sit here," he said, gesturing to the seat across from him.

He could go upstairs and let the other man enjoy his time alone in a minute.

It was nice of him. Unnecessary, but welcome.

He slid into the chair and positioned his coffee and very thick historical tome in their proper places, glancing up to give him a friendly seeming polite smile, "Thanks, wasn't aware it got like this at this hour. Seems like summer hours are just every hour no matter what establishment you're at in town."

"I have heard some horror stories like that. My buddy Karen really had some doozie stories about some before I got to town." Banzai racked his memory a bit and shook his head. "I also heard once about demons or some shit. Wild."

It made for some good stories but shit.

"Oh well there was one that happened maybe 3 days after I got to town. It was full of greek gods and it was just rad. Plus that was where I met Stella." Not like that mattered now. "Then we had another one where I was in prison...then another were I was some chick flicks version of the toxic male love interest and that shit was wack as hell."

"Oh yeah, demons. We had Hunger Games which ended in tons of the town getting annihilated." He fondly remembered Hunger Games though, even if it had made him a very unapologetically flamboyant version of himself who once again fell for Jane.

"Toxic male love interest?" John raised a brow, unsure what that meant. "I mean, I've been somewhat a villain in some of the dreams but I can't say that's happened to me."

That shit wasn’t kismet. Hell it was just a make believe world created in the magic buzzing of the town. Probably to play a joke on all of us.

“Honestly that’s cool that you find her in every dream and get married. I think I have been in prison in a dream which honestly checks out.” Banzai shook his head and smiled before taking another drink. “Or just been a toxic piece of shit which also checks out.” Damn.

“Think I only had one good dream where I was actually living the life.”

"Yeah, guess it is." John said as he took stock of his bottles once again, keeping himself busy.

John gave a snort, "The dreams are kind of fucked sometimes. One of my mates got squashed by a boulder. Had his mind fucked up for a while and it wasn't a great memory." But all dream memories tended to fade once you tossed them aside.

"Oh yeah? What's living the life for you?"

"Oh, yes. We have." The blonde said as he reorganized the bottles in front of himself, "I've altered my course and gone for law. As much as I love history, I don't think I could find myself in academia for the rest of my life." He owed academia and the horrible TA office he'd been thrust into for his relationship, but beyond that, he couldn't find himself wanting to teach children, of any age, history for the rest of his life.

"Suppose I don't have a clear view or direction on that either. Corporate, criminal or civil could all be some sort of avenue."

Law was always one of those career paths that Ting-Ting had esoterically thought about but then immediately decided against. She’d be good at some of it, she knew. The research and the planning. But if she had to actually make an argument in person — nothing about that seemed appealing. 

It took a certain type of person. Tanya would’ve probably been a very good lawyer if her heart was not in investigative journalism. Mei, too, if she’d been more studios. Belle, of course. 

And John seemed perfect. He was organized, sharp, and a stickler for the rules. 

“I guess it’s one of those things where you just have to — excuse me for being cheesy — follow your heart. All of them could be rewarding. And demanding in their own way.” She shrugged. “But nothing you couldn’t handle.” 

"You know, Ting, you've always been exceedingly wise." John said with a slight smile, "No wonder you're such a wonderful mother."

He said it as if it were fact. There was no wiggle room in his opinion. No question or doubt. Ting was a mother John would have been proud to have. Unlike his own which had up and gone into hiding. Though it was an odd thing to think, it was true. She'd done so much by herself, and he'd watched Tom essentially be a single father for most of Levi's life and thereby they'd all been single fathers along with him. It took a certain sort of person, a person John wasn't entirely sure he could become, but that was something to think on another time.

That was something he always had done. You know in the past.

Girls were an accessory on his terms. The problem was he had that dream where he saved her. Then they were like magnets. Some force pulling them together that felt like it was beyond his control. All while his worldview was the literal pits of hell.

It always felt like he was alone though. That his life was never conducive to a “normal” relationship but hearing John speak about his - they weren’t perfect either. So maybe he was fine. This was fine.

“I bet you’ve got good duckin’ game then.” His eyebrows shot up and down as he looked to John. “Don’t see any book damage from here man.” Stella had never thrown a book at him…but time will tell.

Banzai did pick up on the yet though. The edge of his right brow lifted up. “Oh so you’ve thought about it then. I mean that’s the next step isn’t it.” Banzais fast melted into mental gymnastics as he thought about t relationship timeline. “I think back in the day it was against some unwritten law to move in before engagement or some shit.”

John Smith had not a sliver of game. Not one iota. Not a single modicum of roguish charm like Phillip or puppy dog sincerity like Thomas. Growing up, he was infamously quite terrible with women, no one was more surprised than him that Jane stuck around as she had.

If there was a charming moment, it was soon followed by John thoroughly placing his shoed foot in his mouth.

"Well, she wasn't trying to injure me. If she was, I'd be much worse for wear." That was an absolute fact.

John's jaw set slightly, annoyed at his own slip up and even more so that Banzai had picked up on it. He sighed out through his nose. "Yes, back then it was, I'm sure. Moving in just seemed the most logical and practical option." And not that he enjoyed his quiet mornings reading across the table from Jane, or any other mundane tasks he found himself completing with her. "In any case, yes, I've thought about it in the broader picture of life. Theoretically." But, and he would not admit this to anyone, it was oddly more enticing to call Jane his wife rather than girlfriend. "We did get married in a town dream a few times." Pirates, Regency, various other situations.

But he wasn't going to ask. All of that... it was in the past, now. Ancient history, almost. He was still glad that John had found himself somewhere to call home in the aftermath, even if it stung a little, the idea that this place was where Florian called home now because he still wasn't welcome in his own.

"Oh, nice. I've heard good things about the university." Florian nodded. "And I suppose there's plenty of opportunities for solicitors and the like around here. Quite a few of the parents in my class work for InterPride, in the legal team. That's if you're looking to hang around, I suppose." He added with a chuckle.

He'd burned much to the ground in his decisions. His mother no longer spoke to him, his father in prison, and their estate seized. Luckily, there had been money not based in the Order and provided in trusts to his sisters. But who knew what they'd done with that. He didn't ask considering he was the reason the funds dried up.

Every few weeks he'd get some kind of peppy call from Elizabeth detailing whatever grand adventure she found herself in in the States which would undoubtedly make him incredibly uneasy. Or he'd receive a call from Georgiana which basically amounted to her making sure he was still alive and waving some sort of corporate accomplishment in his face.

"Right, yes, Interpride. I figured I couldn't go wrong schooling so close to a corporate office with job opportunities for solicitors. They usually open up internships in the summer months as well so that might be what's next." John gave a small smile, genuinely, "Yeah, I think I'll be sticking around for a while."

It wasn’t because Banzai wanted to lock Stella or anyone out but the weight of what he was hiding would really just unravel his entire world.

Something’s are unforgivable.

“I wish I had like Dr. Phil or something to come moderate this whole mess.” He laughed to himself and took another drink.

“I appreciate the advice though. I never really asked much about your girl. So that shits pretty rad that you two figured it out.” Banzai was curious of what family drama his buddy here had. Prying not was not the fucking choice. “So now you’re all good? Yall married or what?”

Your girl. Again, such a strange sort of thing to call Jane. "Well, parts are figured out, and other parts get books thrown at me so every relationship certainly isn't without its moments of friction."

If John had been drinking something in this moment, he would've surely choked. Married. "What? Noo." He let out a laugh, "We've moved in. I don't know if we can even begin to think of marriage yet."

Odd... he'd said 'yet.'

He cleared his throat as he busied himself with something behind the bar, "Jane is quite independent so I'm not sure when the appropriate time to tie yourself to someone legally forever will be for her."

Numbers came easy to Ting-Ting. They always had. Not in the lofty theoretical sense of pure mathematics — there was a beauty to that she admired, but had never been able to really wrap her head around. She liked numbers because they were consistent and they made sense. Apply them to the chaos of the world and you could find order. 

It was the sort of thing she would’ve rambled about to John — Darling, not the John in front of her. The thought made her heart squeeze a bit.

She didn’t push it away fully. Just sort of hopskipped over to another Darling. 

“Jane mentioned you both came back to finish your degrees — are you still going for history or did that change?” 

"Oh, yes. We have." The blonde said as he reorganized the bottles in front of himself, "I've altered my course and gone for law. As much as I love history, I don't think I could find myself in academia for the rest of my life." He owed academia and the horrible TA office he'd been thrust into for his relationship, but beyond that, he couldn't find himself wanting to teach children, of any age, history for the rest of his life.

"Suppose I don't have a clear view or direction on that either. Corporate, criminal or civil could all be some sort of avenue."

He had to wonder what all of them would've done, had they not been forced to march to the beat of the Order's drum. Funnily enough, he couldn't imagine his brothers doing anything else at all. They had their respective day jobs, as most did, but Florian had always been well aware that what they did to make a living was not their passion. It wasn't their calling. Their calling was going out in the high noon sun, hounds baying at their feet, torches and swords in hand.

"Is that why you've come back?" Florian asked, before he could help himself. What had John being doing whilst he had been away? Another thing to ponder. "To support Phil's dreams?" He teased lightly.

"Oh no, well, perhaps in part. Multitude of factors really. Mostly, for some strange and deeply troubling reason, I found myself missing this town." Perhaps his fancy law school had only been a reason to take a break, to come up for air before diving back into Swynlake. It seemed as though it hadn't quite fit him. Outwardly, yes, he belonged. But in being there, he felt almost as if he was carrying out the rest of his Order destiny, trying to keep some sort of life of prestige.

And, though he wouldn't say it to her, he did feel Jane miss Swynlake as well. She'd left parts of herself in this town (in some ways quite literally), as had he (their names were Phil and Tom... and now oddly enough Maddy).

So, when the opportunity presented itself to move back in between his schooling semesters and before Phil found himself under the weight of a business. They were back.

"Other than that, I've transferred the rest of my law schooling at the university."

The boys next door had always been friendly with Ting and her sisters. And after all they’d been through, Ting was happy to see them all figuring things out. 

She wouldn’t have been surprised if Phillip stayed a chatty barista for the rest of his life, but this new path of his made sense. So much sense. An alarming amount of sense, actually. If she was a divination speciality, she might say it had been foretold.

“I think Swynlake definitely needs a pub,” she agreed. “And a good one. Phil always made sure people had fun at your parties. Even me, believe it or not.” She laughed a little. “I remember walking into that anything but clothes one that you did for Tom’s birthday… my goodness, that seems like a lifetime ago. I can’t believe I even did that. But Phil made sure I had a drink I liked and made sure I didn’t feel like too much of a dork.” She tilted her head. “I’m sure he’ll do the same for all his customers. He’ll probably need you to help run the numbers though.”

Something clicked.

“If you ever need help with that, let me know. It is my actual job. And I was helping my dad balance his books ever since I was a teenager. Which was less of a he couldn’t do it and more that he was busy thing.”

Her dad was a financial divination specialty after all. 

"He certainly could figure out a party. Our first year here, he threw one for each of us, just as strangely themed as the next." Some of them had ended well, some of them had ended in him almost blacking out and making Alana Triton's Australian guard dog wish he'd never thrown a punch at Phil. He'd learned they were married now.

Honestly, the offer made him feel a bit relieved. He grin crossing his face, "Oh? That would be brilliant, Ting, honestly. Even just for some input or a second set of eyes, it's hard being a financial team of one when I'm not even an accountant." He'd kept them all afloat once they'd been cut off from their family money, made budgets, all of that, but a business was a bigger undertaking. He wasn't ashamed to admit that even he was a bit out of his depths.