My father's son

Most of the diamonds were on the nude netting of her dress, but several were physically glued to her skin. It was a perfect detail she had thought this morning in prep, but now she wished she hadn’t as she found herself anxiously picking at one of the rhinestones. Moving her hands to hold her clutch instead of pick on her arms, Lisette moves around a corner to find a quiet place to sneak a cigarette to calm her nerves.

Only to nearly run into Theo.

“Sorry-” she says before realizing the tall figure was in fact one of her greatest sources of guilt. “Theodore,” she breaths feeling a chill creep down her spine. If anyone could see through her ‘calm and collected’ façade it would be him. “I’m so sorry,” she says again, only this time she is not entirely sure what she is so sorry for. Moving to pass around him, she begins to walk away, knowing well that she is likely the last person he wants to see or speak to.

~

It was like thinking about it had drawn Lisette to him, and for a moment, he wanted to ignore her. And yet, at the same time, they were on a boat. In the middle of the river. And the chances of them continually running into each other was high. Maybe the universe wanted them to talk it out, and if they actually did, it would mean they wouldn’t keep running into each other. 

It was at least worth a shot. 

 "You know, you don’t need to apologize every time you see me,” Théo sighed as he turned around to look at her. “I know that you’re sorry for what happened, but you don’t need to apologize for existing.” 

Location: Awards Afterparty

The last time that Théo had been on a yacht he had been pushed into the river and cheated on - and truthfully he wasn’t sure if that was the right order or not. It wasn’t a question he particularly wanted to ask. But it was with that in mind that he did his best to avoid the sides of the boat, he had no plans on being soaked tonight and with his friends, he wouldn’t be surprised if someone planned on getting him in the Thames. Or the pool. That he almost fell into trying to avoid a waiter who wasn’t looking where he was going. “Careful,” he said to the person after him, “Seems like the waiters are actively trying to push someone into the pool.” 

@mobscene-starters​ Location: After Party

Yvonne stood on the deck of the second floor, overlooking the main dance floor. Now that the party had kicked off without any major hitches, she finally had a moment to breathe. There was still time for everything to turn to shit before the night ended, but for now her heart rate and breathing could resume their normal patterns.

At the sound of steps approaching her perch, Yvonne turned around with her warmest hostess smile spread across her lips. “Hi, thank you so much for coming.”

~

“Well, I’m pretty sure my girlfriend wanted to make sure that she could show off her outfit and would have dragged me here whether or not I wanted to be,” Théo admitted - he hadn’t meant to run into Yvonne. He knew that she was hosting, and so he had attempted to try and be where she wasn’t. And apparently had immediately failed at it. “everything looks excellent. You should be proud.” 

Olivier couldn’t help himself as the laughter bubbled from his throat. The fact that Théo had been most likely to be assasinated…again was almost comedic but also some what worrying. Brows furrowed for a moment as he tried to stop a grin spreading across his lips. ‘’I have to say I’ll never understand how you keep getting this nomination?’’ — There was a part of him that did understand but some part of Olivier wasn’t allowing him to go there. ‘’Although our friends are trolls its kind of worrying that we always end up the pit of everyones jokes…are we that laughable?’’ Olivier asked, tilting his head to the side as if he were a dog listening for a command. ‘’If we’re lost causes then I pray for the rest of the world.’’ 

For the first time in a long time he smiled at the man who’d been his best friend as if they were that once again. Friends. They might’ve been a long way off but it felt naturual. ‘’Drink?’’

~

“I understand it. Half of it is our friends are trolls, half of it is I have a terrible habit of saying or doing something stupid in front of the wrong people,”  Théo shrugged, before shaking his head. “You know, it used to get to me pretty often, but I think almost getting my head pounded in multiple times just made he really accept that I’m always going to be the weird introvert who prefers books to drugs and I don’t really care if they make fun of me for it anymore. I’d rather do what I love and I’ve just decided to take the teasing as a way that they show they care. Which for Jean and Elaina at least, it is,” he shrugged, nodding at the drink and getting a glass of wine, “and if there’s anything that I know, eventually we’ll get a new recruit who will draw everyone else’s attention. It’ll get better, I promise.” 

Sofie: I never said she would be the one to push you in.

Sofie: Also if you pull me into the Thames with you, you're sleeping on the couch.

Théo: I promise that I will not pull you into the Thames on the chance that I get pushed in there.

Sofie: Because isn't the after party on your ex's yacht?

Sofie: Maybe we should also find you a bodyguard.

Théo: .....yes

Théo: Though I'm pretty sure Yvonne doesn't hate me. At least not that much.

Théo: With all of these nominations, why do I feel like Awards night is going to end with me pushed into another river?

For: All French. @mobscene-starters​

When: 19.03.2023

Where: The fucking pub.

‘‘Well it’s nice to know people think I’m a top standing human being.’‘ He grunted with a raise of his glass before bringing it to his lips. ‘’I’m a walking joke even if I don’t win.’’

~

“Nope, don’t let yourself feel that way. This is my third nomination for most likely to be assassinated, I’m just going to bring a bullet proof vest at this point,” Théo shrugged, “it’s been a hard year for you. Everyone we know are trolls. I’ve found that accepting that saves so much energy,” he said, holding out his glass in a toast, “how about to lost causes? And starting our smear campaign against Jean for next year’s awards.” 

Olivier offered him a smile sticking his hand out for a shake. It’d been a long while since they’d worked on something together. And honestly it felt good to go back to the way they were, even if it was short lived. He still wasn’t sure how he’d trust him again, but potentially with work they might get there one day. ‘’That’s awesome, thanks Théo.’’ He murmured taking the paper from him once it was done. ‘’I’ll keep you updated, I’m hoping it’ll turn something up.’’

Olivier looked at Théo as he sighed, shoulders dropping.

‘‘It’s…Emilia.’‘ He said with hesitation quickly licking at his drying lips, he’d chewed them raw. Was he overstepping a line by telling Théo? It wasn’t like he had that many friends anymore. Étienne had been busy being a father and so had Laurent and slowly his male friends had dwindled out. As nice as it was having female friends there was just a difference in how he could be with the guys. ‘‘She’s pregnant, dude. And it’s mine.’‘ He was terrified. This was something we wanted so bad but the timing couldn’t have been any worse. The fact that it was Emilia’s made the situation all the more worse. 

~

Théo’s eyebrows rose at Olivier’s news. had known about their relationship, and despite everything having fallen apart back when he was in his coma, Olivier had filled him in on exactly what had happened. And it was a secret that he had promised to take to his grave. It was a complicated situation, one that Théo truly had decided to stay out of because of how much he valued both his friendship with Olivier and his friendship with Emilia. But this news? He knew that it could open up quite a bit of drama that he knew was going to be hard on all of them. 

“Well first of all, congratulations, I think that you’re going to be a great Dad and that kid’s going to be really lucky,” he said, they were truly the first words that came to his mind. Despite the upcoming storm, he couldn’t help but be happy - the same sort of feeling that he had when Yvonne first told him that he was pregnant. In the few precious seconds before he was given a concussion. “Are you happy about it? Just outside of the inevitable drama, is it something that you want?” 

Stop eating pastries.

F - Yvonne

M - Sofie

‘‘I need information — I know that sounds kinda’ ominous. I’ve been doing as much of my own research as possible, but I’m a bodyguard. Not really trained in any of this; thing is I’ve not been able to locate anything at all.’’ Brows furrowing. ‘’Which I find a little…suspicious?’’ 

It wasn’t anything major but there’d been whisperings of what had been going down with the other mobs, that included the Rutherford’s and the Turks. Olivier was trying to prove himself to the likes of Yves and Varden in order to step down from his role as bodyguard and change into the ranks of a solider. It was the only way he’d ever progress and the title of a bonehead security guard was beginning to eat away at him.

And with a child on the way he needed something more secure. He needed to provide. The reality of the conversation he’d had with Emilia was settling in and there was one more he wanted to tell more than anyone. The man stood before him. He’d been in this position, and he’d gone through the horrors of everyone finding out it was from enemy lines.

But could he trust him? He’d already been betrayed once, he wasn’t sure he could take it again.

‘‘I was wondering if you’d be able to hack into the database to try and find out any intel to see if there’s plans for them to attack, if they’re making large shipments of anything. Basically just anything out of the ordinary.’‘ Olivier held out a folder, a half-smile on his face. Stood here before the man he used to call best-friend he honestly wished they were still close. That things hadn’t gone to shit and Olivier hadn’t lost his mind. Sanity really was tiptoeing on the line of insanity. 

‘‘I— uh, I’ve been going through somet— actually, forget it. Sorry. Back to the topic.’‘ 

~

“Yeah, I can definitely have someone do that for you,” Théo nodded, pulling out a post-it note and writing down some information for Olivier. Name, address, nothing that would be suspicious or noteworthy if someone was to find it. “Tell him that I sent you, he’s the best hacker that I have in London and should be able to get into whoever you’re looking into. And keep me in the loop if you find anything interesting,” he said, handing it over to the man. Though Théo’s brows scrunched together at Olivier’s words. “No, if you need to talk about something, I’m happy to help. I know...things have been weird for awhile, but I’ve never stopped being willing.” 

He’s shoved back against a familiar face, one who wastes little time in telling him his venture’s futile. He doesn’t have time to argue, doesn’t have the attention currently to wonder what a French Commandant is doing so close to the fray, or whether he had anything to do with its initiation. All Gideon can think of, is what he stands to lose if he can’t get any closer to the shop.

“Yvie’s in there.”

He doesn’t know if that’ll make any difference to Théodore, doesn’t know if this next name will, either. “ — So is Maddie.”

He’s desperate. He’s not sure he can do anything by getting any closer, but he can’t stand the thought of his sister needing someone in such a critical moment and him being unable to heed the call. To be this close and still too far… It’s unacceptable.

 Unthinkable. 

~

While a flash of anxiety could be seen behind his eyes at the mention of Yvvone being in there, it was impossible not to miss the look of absolute panic on Théo’s face at the mention of his daughter being in the store. HIs heart wanted to go in there, to make sure that she was alright. But his mind reminded him that his advice still stood. Even if he knew that he wouldn’t be moving from that spot until he could see that Maddie was okay - he wouldn’t approach. It wasn’t fair for him or Yvonne to try to insert himself into the aftermath of this, but he needed to know that his daughter was alright.  

“Well then I’m absolutely sure that Yvonne will do everything in her power to keep her and Maddie safe,” Théo said, taking a deep breath in a failed attempt to compose himself. “But it doesn’t change the fact that if you go in there, you will make things worse. What if they start shooting and Yvonne or Maddie get caught in the crossfire? Would you be able to live with yourself? What they’re going to need is someone safe out here, to take care of them once the situation is over.” 

Théo’s House

Millbank, London, SW1P