SUCKER

“Py…thon?” Zoe had managed to break apart the word into two, each syllable its own constitution within the English language. She didn’t know what else to think, images of a dangerous snake slithering around until it constricted around her leg. There was a paleness that came with the thought, even just a touch of it, nervous laughter to follow from one rush of breath. “Oh! That’s so… wow!” Take a drink of coffee, but you’re still not able to cover the look of anxiousness in the eyes, the worry that you’re talking to the wrong sort of person when they grin like that while talking about bones being crushed. “Is that… I mean, I wouldn’t ever tell or anything, I’m def not a snitch, but like…” her voice then lowered, head bowing forward slightly, “is it legal? Are you an animal smuggler or something?”

“mhm. it means snake.” tatum replied, the shit-eating sarcasm dripping from her voice. malibu barbie did not seem to like the idea of such a pet, which tatum decided, meant she had to keep pushing this. “no i mean, it’s not even a big deal. like, i got him from a friend of a friend because he got out of his cage and choked the guy in his sleep--but i think he just doesn’t like men because he’s slept in bed with me for the last week and i totally haven’t had any issues.” she paused to casually tear a bite off of her pastry, chewing as she added, “i don’t know who said snakes aren’t loving, ‘cause he’s a great cuddle-buddy.” and while a part of her had no doubt that crowley would be a great cuddle-buddy, tatum also had the common sense to know that letting a python out of its cage for any reason would be an all around bad idea.

“but you’re right, i’m not really the kind of person who’s concerned about what’s ‘legal’.”

“Uh.. I’m.. I’m not sure,” Tomas’ voice dropped with a shrug, Thanksgiving was more of his mother’s American side, and Sinterklaas was the Dutch side, how they’ve always split the large family gatherings, yet it’s been getting more and more quiet over the last few years. “Since mama passed away.. there hasn’t been much and with papa in the hospital..” perhaps they were the glue to the large extended family. “The bakery will probably be open on Thanksgiving,” that was the best he could give her, but he knew what she was looking for when she asked, “do you want to hang at the bakery? Maybe.. maybe we could get a turkey- that’s what you guys have on Thanksgiving right?” It’s been almost decade since he’s really celebrated.

He choked a laugh at the name decided upon the poor rascal, “perfect, no sympathy there for him. Good riddance.” Good riddance, the person not the rat. He took note of the label, pressing a finger to the glass as the poor rat sniffed at them. “..you okay?” He glanced towards his cousin, finding the subject more touchy than others but he still wanted to be there for her.

a smile slowly crept onto her face, though it lacked the usual sinister undertone and was unusually sweet. tatum gave a soft bump to tomas’ shoulder. “a turkey, yeah.” she let out a half-hearted chuckle. “maybe we can have a quiet one.. me, you, skylar, ade.” it sounded a lot more appealing than anything else she could think of. “i’ll take the lead; let the american show you guys how it’s done!” tatum may not be the culinary masters that her cousins were, but she had a few memories of holidays past rattling around her head to guide her. 

“totally.” her response was fast. too fast. she let out a small huff of air and then backtracked slightly. “i mean, i’ve dealt with it? i was pissed. and hurt.” at anthony... at the hunk she almost rebounded him with... but more at herself for falling for their stupid acts. “but i’m over it, y’know?” and she was. “i’m running a fucking empire, i don’t need some sleaze ball to distract me anyway.” ‘empire’ may have been a little exuberant, but there was no denying tatum’s career was still holding steady. 

“Mmm, I truly envy how much you can eat,” Tomas nodded in agreement, as much as he loved food, he didn’t exactly have the biggest capacity and the more than occasional Prometheus controlled diets didn’t help either. He always appreciated his cousin’s willingness to volunteer tasting everything, and nothing’s really changed regarding that in the years. “Snakes just really savour their food, huh?”

He narrowed his gaze suspiciously at Tatum on that comment, but she knew that he’d rather not know and be completely scarred. “..Amazon should get that checked out then.” Depending on how shady. But not that a mega corporation really cares. His hands passed through some toys, maybe a new one for Appel, starting to chew at things. He soon followed suit with Tatum, bending down to frown at the innocent mice, “oh, poor mouse..” While he understood the delicacy for the python, he did feel bad for the hopeful mice to get a forever home, instead a forever home in a stomach. He paused for a second before turning his frown towards Tatum’s grin, “..I feel like you’re gonna name it.”

“speaking of eating, what’s going on for thanksgiving this year?” would he and his siblings be spending it with their family, as usual, and would tatum have to choose between joining and feeling like the odd sheep out or thinking of an excuse to stay away from her own mom and dad? of course, the de vissers’ were nice people, good people--and tatum knew in her heart that she’d be welcomed in if she just could just stop being such an overdramatic little brat. but would she? probably not. 

tatum looked between the small balls of fur, trying not to get stuck up on the fact that some of them were pretty cute. she narrowed her gaze, deciding on one that seemed a little less cute than the rest. “guess that’ll be him.” she tapped against the glass. “and his name will be... anthony.” a name tatum hadn’t spoken in quite a few months, and intended to never speak again after this little metaphorical feeding to her new best friend. 

Tomas had to hold back the snort, it’s not everyday to see the blatant defiance and insult against Julian Santiago, Juno excluded considering their constant headbutting. “I’m sure Jess had instructions.. you’d think he’d know more considering it’s been more than a few months,” the thought of Jess still stinging in his chest but he kept the amusement up with a smile. “They only eat every two weeks?” he hummed, still perusing through the specific treats, basket filling up, now Crowley sounds like so much lower maintenance than the cats. “Wait- can you really get frozen rats off Amazon??” Tomas hadn’t really seen Tatum with much of a pet before, but it feels like it’ll be perfect for her, “what are you thinking of getting here today then?”

tatum shrugged off his defense of the director, not really caring much one way or another. “snakes have a pretty slow digestive system--like, the exact opposite of my crazy fast one.”

with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what she was talking about tatum informed, “oh yeah, you can get some really shady shit off of amazon.” and that’s all she was going to say on that. tomas was much better off if she didn’t bother elaborating. finding the display she was looking for, tatum rested her hands on her knees as she leaned down to look into the mice enclosure. “well, i wanted to give him a ‘coming home’ treat.” she turned her face up to tomas to show him her grin. “so for today he gets a live one.” 

Zoe was just in the cafe, grabbing another iced mocha, two shots of espresso, perfect cocktail for anxiety and accomplishments. It was always some deadline! She would finish one and another would crop up, nervous breakdown at 3am with Gossip Girl playing in the background. It happened! All worth that pat on the back and ‘good job’ she was bound to get one day. At least it sounded like someone else was having a good time in life as she walked out, making her mirror the puckering lips, the empathetic soul triggered into giving a small 'aw’ at what she could only imagine was a newborn puppy or baby kitten on the other side of the screen. Adorable! “Brooklyn 99 for the win,” she joked with a grin before beaming. “Crowley sounds like a little cutie! Gotta be careful if he’s a baby. The teething phase! Oh my god! Def leaves marks behind. My cat Orson was lowkey a nightmare, but totally worth it. What is Crowley? Like dog? Cat? Guinea pig?”

crowley may only need to eat every two weeks but tatum’s metabolism lie on the other end of the spectrum--a blessing and a curse, not that anyone had ever asked. she loved being able to eat like a raccoon digging through trash and never have to worry about her figure but even going a few hours without a snack left her lightheaded and bitchy. or, bitchy-er than usual, anyway. digging into the pastry bag that she’d just gotten from the cafe tatum bit into another éclair. a small hum came from her chest, the sound a sign of her lack of impressment with the pastry. tomas’ were miles better. not that she’d ever tell him that.

she shook her head at the blonde’s assumptions, trying to swallow before answering. “python. it’s less a teething phase and more a ‘wrapping himself around you and breaking all your bones’ phase.” she informed with a grin. 

“Uh huh, if you say so,” Tomas rolled his eyes amusingly watching his cousin dramatically coo over her new pet. Well, not exactly new, Tomas had interacted with Crowley once in awhile, Jess used to bring him onto the Boy Venus set, making an appearance on screen by Tomas’ side, and then at Julian’s, but it didn’t mean he still wasn’t intimidated by the large python. Not Julian looking insulted when Tomas seemed hesitant to Julian’s offer to bring Appel the tiny kitten over as he stared at Crowley in his living room. Yet in a turn of events, somehow the snake is just moving closer into the family than ever. The cousins walked down the pet store aisle as he quickly grabbed some cat food and treats for the cats, spending some time browsing here before they head towards the more reptilian section, “do you know what’s his diet and care? Did Julian tell you?” He softly asked, making sure they knew what they were getting.

the camera she’d installed beside crowley’s cage so that she could video call him had cost her a pretty $400, but tatum hadn’t so much as batted an eye at any of the animal’s expenses. tatum had been doing pretty damn well for herself lately and she couldn’t help but wonder if all the time and energy she’d spent on men like anthony had been holding her back. “julian didn’t know shit,” balancing on her tiptoes so she can see into one of the higher cages, tatum replied, “i did my own research.” though julian had no desire to see the animal dead, he wasn’t exactly going out of his way to give it the lavish care that tatum intended to. standing back on her feet she looked up at tomas, “frozen rats are whats on the menu. every two weeks from now until forever.” sounds delicious, doesn’t it? “i have all this shit from amazon coming later today so i can finish getting his tank set up. this snake is gonna live in luxury.”