between the rumors circulating about the basketball team, his injury, and the drama with his daughter’s mom  — 𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐀𝐃 barely had any time to actually enjoy winning mr thu or talk to 𝐉𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐙 while he’s been away. his days had consisted of bickering, bad moods, and all around shitty vibes. which was way out of his normal element. being the overly enthusiastic person he was, it was rare to see the male’s energy thrown off. luckily, being back in the woman’s presence provided a sense of a relief and calmness that he’d been needing since going home. & his mannerisms backed that. upon hearing the nickname she used, 𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐀𝐃 dropped his head and let out a low chuckle while shaking his head. “ you gotta chill wit’ these names. i think that one was the wildest of ‘em all, pookarooks. ” he replied, joshing along with her as they mimicked famous tik-tok videos. his smile progressed into a concerned expression as he watched the shift in her energy that she tried to mask. with a brow raised, he closed the lid to the grill and took a seat on a lawn chair, only to pull the woman onto his lap. “ nah, don’t do that. you know, you of all people ain’t gotta worry ‘bout bein’ a burden to a nigga. spill. ” finishing off the blunt, he laughed at the uneasy look she carried toward the smell of weed. before he could reply, a long exhale escaped his duo, followed by him scratching at his head, unsure where to start. “ between my folks and this dumb ass broad, I couldn’t wait to get the fuck outta there.  pops was on my ass ‘bout the injury,  making threats ‘bout if i start using again. just sayin’ dumb ass shit. then mom’s on my ass ‘bout my baby moms, shit wasn’t what i went down there for, but that’s what i dealt wit’. i did get to see, baby girl though. ” the mention of his daughter bringing a soft smile to his visage as he continued to speak. “ she’s funny as fuck, forreal mane. i aint never thought i would meet a girl version of my ass, she got a nigga facial expressions down and everything, i met my match wit’ that one. you drinking on anything tonight ( ? ) i know you been tryna cut back on the liquor. ” 

too busy tending to the electric grill, 𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐀𝐃 didn’t take the time to lift his head, and realize he was speaking with the familiar woman — when he asked for the lighter initially. while hearing the distinct voice respond to him, he nearly stopped in his tracks and turned to acknowledge the woman’s presence. with a soft smile curling his duo as his hues met her almond ones, the male took the lighter from 𝐉𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐙 and placed his blunt between his parted pair to light the end of it. “ ‘preciate it, mama. ” he replied, allowing his eyes to do a quick scan of her full outfit before a smirk stretched across his face. in the midst of smoking, the male planted a quick one onto her soft set. “ yea’ no dramatics tonight, i had enough of that back home from my folks. i missed you though, like a mafucka’ … you been enjoying yourself ( ? ) ” he inquired, watching as the heat on the grill grew to a suitable temperature. holding the wood between his pair, 𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐀𝐃 continued to take light pulls from it while layering the shrimp & steak skewers onto the grill.