#(we'll see it in a few days - It's Set 240)

[gobs-o-dice]

Dice Set #235: Green Flow

[bratshaws]

through the hourglass 251. brb x oc

a/n: UGH ihate this man so much (comments and reblogs are super welcome and encouraged!)

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: none uwu

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

1/

/210/211/212/213/214/215/216/217/218/219/220/221/222/223/224

/225/226/227/228/229/230/231/232/233/234/235/236/237/238

/239/240/241/242/243/244/245/246/247/248/249/250

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-

“I can’t believe you really are going.” 

Beatrice sighs, washing the dishes harder, “Shells…it’s just to get this done with,” she mutters, squeaking the already clean plate with her thumb, just so it was really clean, “We don’t like this any less than you do.”

“And yet,” Shells purses her lips, one hand up and eyebrows darting to her hairline, “You two are going. I’d just stay home and get paintball guns to hit their house.” the apple she bites onto makes a sharp crack noise and she chews almost as if she was angry.

Which she probably was.

Beatrice chuckled at Shells' suggestion,not being able to help herself. She set the squeaky-clean plate aside and turned to face Shells with a playful glint in her eye. "As tempting as the paintball idea is," she began, "I think we'll have to stick with the more traditional approach for now."

Shells let out a dramatic sigh,tossing her head back and rolling her eyes. "Oh, where's the fun in that, Bea?" she lamented. "But fine, fine, I suppose you two are taking the high road."

Beatrice leaned against the kitchen counter, her expression more serious now. "We just want to get this over with, Shells," she said softly. "It's not about taking the high road; it's about...making whatever this is stop? Like, what do they want with us, why, those things."

Shells pursed her lips, tapping the red apple in her hand. "I get it, Bea," she replied, her voice sincere. "I just hate seeing you and Roos go through this mess. You deserve better."

Beatrice appreciated Shells' concern, and she knew her friend had their best interests at heart...as chaotic as she wanted to share them. She walked away from the counter and reached out to gently squeeze Shells' arm. "We'll be okay, Shells," she reassured her. "Roos and I can handle whatever they throw at us.”

Shells offered a small smile, her eyes softening. "I know you will, Bea," she said. "Just please don’t do that for too long, okay? Like…I like you guys, you guys are pretty cool.” the two women stared at each other, the seriousness dissipating because neither of them could hold back their laughter.

Beatrice sputtered and Shells slammed her hand on the table as soon as the first bubble of a chuckle escaped their mouths. 

Their laughter filled the kitchen, a much-needed release of tension that had built up over the past few days. Beatrice couldn't help but appreciate Shells' ability to inject humor into even the most serious conversations. It was one of the many things she loved about her.

Once their laughter subsided, Beatrice leaned back against the counter, wiping her eyes with her fingers. "You know, Shells," she began, "I'm really grateful for you. You've been such an amazing friend through all of this."

Shells grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, I do try my best," she replied with a flick of her wrist. "But seriously, Bea, you're like family to me. I've got your back no matter what."

Beatrice smiled warmly at Shells, "Likewise, Shells," she said sincerely. "You're family to us too."

“Don’t you make me cry, you whore.” Shells warns, but her smile only widens, “Listen, I know,I get it, I do get it…but let me tell you those people are fucking weird. Whatever they do, just be safe.”

“I know.”

“However I will love to hear about their reactions once you guys go to Oda again,” Shells smirks, “Ooooh it’s going to be so great. I cannot,cannot wait!”

"I promise we'll fill you in on all the drama," Beatrice replied with a mischievous grin. "You'll be the first to know if anything interesting happens. Matter of fact, we’ll facetime you the second it’s done.”

Shells clapped her hands together in excitement. "That's what I like to hear, Bea," she said with a wink. "I'm ready for all the juicy details, and I'll have popcorn ready for the show."

“And of course you’ll share with Nikki since she’ll stay there.”

“Of course, what sort of aunt would i be if I didn’t?” Shells smirks, “But question though, should I just be careful about…something in my house? Like,what should I do more?”

Bea crossed her arms, the corner of her mouth lifting a bit as she arched her brows, “Well…I remember your house before you met Bob.” she then makes the sign of the cross and Shells flips the bird in retaliation, both of them still grinning, “Shells, Nikki is a super chill baby, there’s nothing much to worry.”

"Yeah, yeah," she replied, waving a dismissive hand. "I know, I know. Nikki's a breeze compared to what my house used to be."

Honestly Shells had made quite the transformation in her home environment, especially after meeting Bob. It was amazing how love could change a person's priorities and habits.

And of course Penny was there to add some…words as well.

"But seriously, Bea," Shells continued, her expression turning more thoughtful, "if anything weird happens, you guys just give me a call. Don't hesitate, okay? I'll be there in a heartbeat."

Beatrice nodded in agreement, touched by Shells' words. "Thank you, Shells," she said sincerely. "We really appreciate it. And we'll definitely keep you in the loop if anything strange goes down."

Shells leaned back in her chair, a satisfied grin on her face. "Good," she said. "Now, enough about this creepy stuff. Let's change the subject and talk about something more exciting. Have you guys thought about what you'll wear to Oda?"

Beatrice was more than happy to steer the conversation away from the unsettling events surrounding the Haltons, even though it did…involve the Haltons in a way. She leaned forward, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Oh, absolutely," she replied. "I've got a few dresses in mind that I think would be perfect. And Roos will look amazing in his suit."

Shells clapped her hands together in excitement. "Yes, yes," she said. "I can already picture you two looking fabulous. You should wear something from Marcus."

Beatrice's enthusiasm was contagious, and she played with her fingers a bit. "It's been a while since we've dressed up for a fancy dinner," she admitted. "I'm actually looking forward to it as…weird as the situation is. We love that place."

Shells grinned. "I know, Bea," she said. "You two deserve a fantastic night out, especially after dealing with all this craziness. And who knows, maybe dinner will be the start of something good. Or at least a break from the weirdness."

“You really think so?”

“...eh,maybe,what the fuck do I know,yknow?”

Beatrice couldn't help but hope that Shells was right. She longed for a sense of normalcy and a break from the strange occurrences that had been plaguing their lives.And as much as the dinner at Oda was because of the Haltons, maybe it could be much better…maybe.

“If there’s one thing you can say is,” she looks back at her phone as soon as it started buzzing, “How to make a girl feel, good, thank you Shells.’ her friend just gives her the ‘that’s what I do’ hands before resuming her eating. Beatrice excused herself so she could answer the phone, walking towards the garden doors to check the outside as she answered the phone.

But of course, the person talked first.

“Hello darling.”

Her smile was immediate, ‘Hello Marcus. How’s my favorite fashion designer going?”

Marcus chuckled warmly on the other end of the line. "Well aren’t you chipper today?I'm going quite well, my dear," he replied. "But enough about me. I heard through the grapevine that you and Rooster are in need of some fabulous attire for an upcoming dinner."

Beatrice's smile dropped because 1. he hadn’t said anything and 2….how the fuck did he know?  "You you…you do? Uh…okay um…Marcus how do you-"

“Darling I have my sources! And you guys are going to the Oda!” Marcus exclaimed. "It's been ages since I dined there. A perfect setting for a glamorous couple such as yourselves. Tell me more about this dinner. It sounds quite intriguing."

“Oh, ah, well…” she chews the inside of her cheek, “It’s…not like that…” and she proceeded to share with Marcus everything that’s been going on, the Haltons’ invitation and the way Miranda was so,so ready to assume neither of them were capable of dining in such a place.

“Oh.”

“Yeah…”

Marcus hummed on the other end, his designer's mind already racing with ideas. "Ah, darling, we all have those people in our lives. If I had to tell you how many arrogant people I met during dinners you’d be surprised. But, well, you need a dress do you not?”

“Well,I already had one planned but-”

His shocked gasp was her only answer, followed by a almost disgruntled “Darling!No!”

“...no?”

“No,no absolutely not. You need to have something ready and something you haven’t worn yet.” she opens her mouth but he cuts her before she could speak “Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life, as Bill Cunningham would say. You need something…more. Something great.”

Beatrice blinked, thinking what was so wrong about an old dress "Well…okay, Marcus," she replied with a smile. "You…have something in mind already?”

Marcus couldn't contain his excitement "Darling, I always have something in mind," he exclaimed. "I'll make sure you look absolutely stunning. You deserve nothing but the best."

Beatrice chuckled at his enthusiasm. She looks back at Shells, who was having a hard time playing as if she wasn’t listening  "Thank you, Marcus," she said gratefully. "You know I trust your judgment completely."

"Of course, darling!" Marcus replied with a flourish. "I have just the right thing in mind.”

-

“You have to admit Rooster, it is kinda weird.”

Rooster looks up from his sandwich to where the squad sat, his eyes turning to Coyote “I know it is.” he replies, “But we-” and he had to be careful because they don’t know if Mark was close by or not, “We just want to deal with this.”

‘You don’t have to whisper,” Phoenix says, arching her brows, “The base is huge, it’s not like he’s right behind us…” cue to all of them looking around for a few seconds, calming down only when they saw there was no one there.

Rooster chuckled nervously, his shoulders relaxing as he realized that Mark wasn't eavesdropping on their conversation. The tension that had been building since their encounter with the Haltons had been difficult to shake, and he was grateful that he wasn’t around.

"Sorry," he said with a sheepish grin. "It's just been a bit...strange lately."

"Yeah, no kidding," Payback chimed in, his expression serious. "I mean, who invites their neighbors  to dinner and then acts all mysterious about it?"

Halo nodded in agreement. "And Miranda's attitude? Ugh, she's so condescending."

Rooster couldn't help but sigh, rubbing his temples. "Tell me about it. But we have to go, we have to figure out what they're up to and make sure it doesn't affect us in any way." he didn’t tell anyone about the possibility that he and Mav talked about.

Coyote leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "I get that, Rooster," he said, his voice earnest. "But we also have to be careful. If Mark is involved in any way, he's not going to make things easy for us." he taps the table, “We also work with him and,I dunno man, you are our friends. That means if that guys fucks with you guys, he fucks with us too.”

"You're right, man," Rooster replied, his voice still quiet as he meddles with his sandwich. "We'll be cautious, and we won't let them push us around. But we also need to find out what their game is. If it's personal, like we suspect, then it could affect all of us."

Phoenix leaned back in her chair, her expression contemplative. "It just makes no sense, what’s this weird obsession with you guys?”

“Maybe,” and that was the first time Bob ever talked about that, ‘They are jealous of you.” he replies while pushing his glasses up his nose, “For…for some reason, heh.”

Rooster raised an eyebrow at Bob's unexpected comment. "Jealous?" he repeated, his curiosity piqued. "Why would they be jealous of us?"

Bob shrugged, his expression thoughtful. "Could be a lot of reasons," he replied. "Maybe they envy your family, or they're envious of your success in your career. People can get weirdly competitive about the strangest things."

Halo chimed in, her lips curling into a wry smile. "Or maybe they're just bored," she suggested. "Rich people often have too much time on their hands and start meddling in other people's lives for entertainment."

Coyote nodded in agreement. "That's true," he said. "They might see you guys as a distraction from their mundane lives and want to stir up drama."

Rooster considered their words, the possibilities swirling in his mind. "It's all speculation at this point," he said, waving his hand a bit. "But we won't know for sure until we attend that dinner and see what they're really up to." he sighs through his nose, “We’re just-” another one, deeper this time as he rubs his eyes, “There’s just so much, the twins will be able to come back home in a month, Nikki’s birthday and my birthday are coming up and…it’s a lot.”

Phoenix nodded in understanding, her expression softening. "It sounds like you guys have a lot on your plate," she said sympathetically, earning a dry yet quiet chuckle from Rooster, who just inhales deeply, messing with his sandwich while pursing his lips.

“I guess what grinds my gears, honestly…is the fact they act like I own Bea or something.” and that only made him glare at the poor bread even harder, “Can you guys believe that?”

Coyote crossed his arms, his expression growing serious. "That's fucked up, man," he said,. "You and Bea are partners, equals. No one has the right to act like she's some sort of possession."

"Exactly," he said. "We're a team, and we make decisions together. No one else should have a say in our relationship."

Halo chimed in with a knowing smile. "You two have always had a strong bond," she said. "That's something they can't take away from you."

Rooster couldn't help but smile at his friends' words. "Thanks, guys," he said sincerely. "It means a lot to us."

Bob took a sip from his coffee, his glasses slipping down his nose once more. "So, what's the plan for Friday?" he asked, steering the conversation back to their upcoming dinner with the Haltons.

Rooster leaned back in his chair, his mind already racing with thoughts about the dinner. "Well…they made the reservations," he said. "Then we…are just going to dress up and go."

Coyote grinned mischievously. "And if things get too weird," he suggested, "we can always have a secret signal to bail."

Rooster chuckled at the idea, arms crossing immediately. "That's not a bad idea," he replied. "But I’ll have to put a pin on that one, no need for you guys to show up like that. We’ll be fine.”

“Well,”Payback smiles, punching his friend’s shoulder gently, “You can always call us if you need to.”

“Yeah,yeah I know.” he punches him right back, “I know.” he checks the time and heaves out a sigh, ‘I better shove it down because time is almost up…and I need to talk to Bea once I get home, there’s a lot,” he bites into it, “A lot, to discuss.”