Thomas smirked and ran his hands down her sides before sliding them under her shirt, a silent way of asking permission to remove it,
Conner shook his head, "Something tells me that they're a bit busy" he said with a smile, picking up the leashes and calling the dogs over
She bit her lip and shook her head slightly "not yet." she said quietly, slightly embarrassed. She sighed and laid her head down on his chest "I'm sorry, just with everything that's happened to me,…I'm not ready for that, not for a while. It's not that I don't trust you, I just…." she closed her eyes, pushing back tears that were forming from the memory "not yet," she begged
He glanced back in worry towards where the two disappeared, feeling conflicted on whether to wait for his sister and Thomas or to go with Conner
Thomas gently cupped her face, "Hey, it's okay," he said quietly, stroking her cheeks, "It's totally fine. I understand, Ferris. I get it. I'll wait as long as you need, my love" he said truthfully, smiling.
Conner clipped the leashes on the dogs and stood, "Ready?" he asked Raz, a smile on his innocent face
"I don't want you waiting for something that may never happen, Thomas, you deserve better, stronger, not a broken thing like me." she tapped his disk, watching it change colors at her touch "I love you, Thomas. I don't want to hold you back, I won't do that to you."
He kept glancing back not hearing what Conner had said what if they get hurt, what if they need help, or get lost, what if Fer doesn't come back… memories of his sister leaving flooding his senses. He crouched down and placed his head in his hands
"Hey, stop," Thomas said firmly, forcing her to look at him, "I don't care" he said, "I don't want you just for that. I love you. All of you. Every single part of you. The good and the bad" he gently stroked her cheeks, "I'm serious, Fer."
Conner furrowed his brow and crouched next to him, laying a gentle hand on Raz' shoulder, "Hey, hey… What's wrong?" he asked softly
She swallowed the lump forming in her throat and looked him in the eyes "I love you too, the good, the bad, all of you." she hugged him tight, never wanting to let go "so you're ok with waiting?"
He jumped, forgetting Conner was there "sorry, sorry…it's nothing…just thinking." he sighed and decided she was safe with Thomas "sorry, ya lets go." he sent a quick text to Ferris telling her where he was if she needed anything
//he Fer, I'm heading to Conner's house, text me if you need anything, tell Thomas that if I see a scratch on you, he's dead, love you sis.//
Thomas nodded, holding her close, "Forever if that's what you need," he whispered, rubbing her back lightly.
Conner nodded, "Okay," he smiled and held out the leashes, figuring he'd want to walk his own dogs, "My car is back at the restaurant. We can walk there and I'll drive," he said
"Thank you," she said into his neck, she glanced up when she heard her text tone ring "Raz is going to Conner's house, ha he sends you this." she showed Thomas the text and laughed aloud "brothers are great!"
He nodded and smiled "I think Loki likes you, you can walk him if you want, right Loki?" he smiled down at the dog
Thomas chuckled, "I'll keep that in mind!" he said, kissing her neck tenderly.
Conner smiled and pet the husky, who barked happily and began to walk forward. Conner slid his free hand into Raz' and smiled
She laughed again and bit his ear gently "don't taunt him, I've seen him do it before. he may be cute and innocent, but he'll do what's needed to protect those he loves"
He leaned his head against Conner's shoulder "sorry for being dramatic back there, I just worry about her." he said sheepishly
Thomas nodded, "I'll keep it in mind, promise" he made a 'cross my heart' sign
Conner shook his head, "Don't worry about it," he said, "I'd do anything for my siblings,"
He chuckled lightly and buried her head back into his neck, craving his touch and warmth "So where to next?"
"you have siblings?! there's more of you????" his jaw dropped "how many siblings do you have?"
Thomas shrugged, "Wherever you want" he said, kissing her cheek, "As long s you'll be there"
Conner giggled, "I have an older stepbrother and a younger half-sister," he explained, turning a corner, the restaurant coming into view
She smiled "what time is it?" she asked out of the blue
"And are they as great as you?" he smiled seeing the resteraunt
"Um, around 20:00, I'd guess" he said, looking at his watch to confirm, "Why?"
Conner nodded, "My sister is so cute. She just had her seventh birthday last week" he beamed as they walked towards his car, "I haven't heard from my brother in ahwile though…"
"yes yes yes yes yuss, we can make it, come on!" she stood quickly and pulled him up, heading to the cliffs "come on come on come on!!"
"congrats!" he smiled at his happiness "i'm sure he'll turn up soon, probably busy, are you close?"
Thomas blinked, grabbing his disc and following, "What? What's happening?" he asked
Conner shrugged, "Not really, if I'm being honest. He never really liked me. When his dad married my mom he actually became really upset and cut off," he shrugged, unlocking his car, "We became kinda close when I moved out, but drifted apart over the years." he helped Loki and Reyla inside, then got inside,
"just follow, we might be able to get a good view from here," she crouched down in the bushes near the edge of the cliff and gestured for him to sit beside her "watch" she jerked her chin towards a clearing.
He nodded in understanding, "I get that, maybe you can meet up sometime and talk, just as brothers. Nothing personal just casually like you used to do. Imma check the restaurant real quick." He smiled and walked towards the doors, making sure they were locked. He peered inside. "Shit…" He pulled out his phone and dialed Ferrris's number "pick up pick up pick up!!!!"
Thomas crouched next to her, peering into the clearing, "What am I looking at?" he asked in a hushed whisper.
Conner looked over and saw the panic, "Stay in here guys" as if the dogs would leave. He got out and ran over, "Raz, what's going on?" he asked
She heard the phone ring "hold up," he said point at him "Hello, hey Raz- what?….nonononononononononono….I'm on my way." she hung up and stood. "we need to leave, I'm sorry but something came up."
He gestured for him to wait while he talked to Ferris. After hanging up, he pulled Conner aside "Our parents are in there waiting, I need you to drive home, bring the dogs, but get out of here, I'll let you know when everything's safe." He instructed, and kissed him once more before heading into the restaurant.
Thomas stood as well, "Okay. What's going on?" he pressed the disc to his chest and prepared to fly.
Conner watched him go for a minute, then followed his instructions and got into the car, turning it on and driving to his house. He got out and grabbed the dogs, taking them inside and filling a bowl with water and another with some leftover meat he had found in the fridge. Unable to sit down, he held his phone in his hand and paced back and forth
"My parents are at Raz's restaurant….this is going to be interesting," she said as she walked off towards the cliff "whatever you see, whatever you hear, do nothing, I know that didn't really work this time, but please, they will hurt you if you intervene."
"Hey, mom, Hey, dad, Raymond." he sighed and sat in an empty booth and stared daggers at them "you know she'll say no, so why bother?"
"Maybe she's changed…" Zuriel said to her son "all we want is her to be a part of our family
"your…you mean your family"
Thomas followed with a nod, taking off and following her to the restaurant, landing outside and waiting for her. He peered inside and looked at the people inside, watching their movements.
Conner eventually sat down and turned on the tv, just for a distraction
She entered quietly and sat next to Raz "what. Do. want." she knew…knew what they were here, "I told you I won't do it."
Thomas stood beside her, staying silent. He folded his arms across his chest and watched them, curious, but cautious