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The Sawyer house was alive with noise. The whine of Bubba’s chainsaw hummed from outside, blending with Nubbins’ erratic cackling as he stumbled into the kitchen, waving his camera around. You stood near the table, watching as Drayton barked orders like a drill sergeant. 

“Bubba, shut that damned thing off before I take it and shove it where the sun don’t shine!” Drayton yelled toward the door, his voice cutting through the chaos. 

The chainsaw sputtered, then died down, and moments later, Bubba shuffled in, his hulking form filling the doorway. His head hung low like a chastised child, and he fiddled nervously with his apron. 

“Don’t give me that look,” Drayton snapped, slapping a dish towel against the counter. “You keep trackin’ blood through my kitchen, and I’m gonna make you clean it up with your tongue!” 

Bubba whimpered softly, and you felt a pang of sympathy for him, but Drayton wasn’t done. He turned to Nubbins, who was now poking at the meat on the counter with a filthy finger. 

“And you!” Drayton stormed over, snatching the camera from Nubbins’ hand. “What did I tell you about takin’ pictures of everything? You’re gonna ruin the meat, you idiot!” 

Nubbins shrieked with laughter, snatching his camera back. “It’s art, Drayton! People gotta see the *beauty* of our work!” 

“The only thing they’re gonna see is your brains splattered across the wall if you don’t shut your mouth and sit down!” 

Despite his sharp words, you could see the control Drayton held over them, his presence keeping the chaotic family in check. He turned to you, his expression softening slightly, though his tone remained gruff. 

“C’mon, darlin’. Let’s show these idiots how a real meal’s made.” 

Together, you worked on the barbecue, Drayton guiding you through his process with an intensity that bordered on obsession. He muttered to himself as he seasoned the meat, his hands moving with expert precision. 

“You see this?” he said, holding up a slab of meat. “This ain’t just food. This is legacy. You screw this up, you screw up the whole family.” 

“I won’t screw it up,” you promised, and he grunted in approval, handing you the cleaver. 

As you worked, Bubba hovered nearby, watching with curious, childlike eyes. Nubbins leaned over your shoulder, his erratic laughter grating on your nerves. 

“You’re really lettin’ her touch the secret recipe, huh, Drayton?” Nubbins teased. “What if she messes it up?” 

Drayton shot him a withering glare. “She’s got more sense in her little finger than you got in that thick skull of yours. Now sit down and shut up!” 

Dinner was a chaotic affair, the table crowded with mismatched dishes and heaping plates of food. Drayton sat at the head, his brothers flanking either side, while you took a seat beside him. The meal you’d worked on together sat proudly in the center, its smoky aroma filling the room. 

“Now this,” Drayton declared, carving into the meat with practiced ease, “is what real food looks like. Not that garbage you get at the store.” 

Bubba reached for a piece, but Drayton slapped his hand away with a scowl. “Wait your turn, you big dummy! You eat like a dog, and you’re gonna choke like one too!” 

Bubba whimpered, shrinking back into his seat, while Nubbins burst into laughter, nearly choking on his food. 

“Look at him!” Nubbins wheezed. “He’s gonna cry!” 

“Shut your damn mouth, Nubbins,” Drayton snapped. “You ain’t any better, with your filthy hands all over the food. You got no respect for nothin’!” 

You watched the chaos unfold, unsure whether to laugh or feel horrified. The bickering was relentless, but underneath it all, there was a twisted sense of camaraderie. 

As the meal went on, Drayton finally turned his attention to you. “Well, what do you think, darlin’? Think you can handle more meals like this?” 

You glanced around the table. Bubba was quietly gnawing on a bone, his eyes darting nervously between his brothers. Nubbins was snapping photos of his plate, cackling about how he was going to immortalize the moment. 

“I think I can handle it,” you said with a small smile. 

Drayton’s grin was sharp and proud. “Good. Took me years to whip these two into shape. Maybe with you around, we can finally run this place right.” 

The rest of the evening passed in a haze of smoke and laughter, the chaos of the Sawyer family swirling around you like a storm. It was messy, brutal, and unnerving, but as Drayton placed a protective hand on your shoulder, you couldn’t help but feel like you’d found your place in their twisted world. 

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