"I won't say anything, you know that. I don't need Emmett's wrath directed my way too, with everything already going on in his life he'll direct it at me," Finn said, shaking their head. The last time they had been in town, they had watched Emmett's family at his throat over him disappearing with Miles and they were sure it hadn't gotten any better. They had the texts to prove nothing had changed, actually; part of why they were here was to help Zoe get Emmett to relax. "Now, let's go. You owe me new boots." They grinned, looping their arm with Dan's and dragging him to the door.
"Pay for your own damn shoes, you get paid to skate," Dan reminded them as if they forgot what their main source of income actually was as he locked the apartment door behind them. "On top of that, you're loaded like the rest of us."
"But they're so much better as a gift, don't you think?" Finn pouted, glancing to Genna for a moment to get her agreement.
Dan rolled his eyes at that; having the two of them was likely going to be a headache now that they were here together. Just wait until Emmett's involved. The thought made him groan internally, trying to shake the idea off. Having all three of them around each other meant a level of bratty attitude and behavior he wasn't ready for yet; it was bound to be interesting when Emmett found out, even more so when they inevitably had to see each other again.
Genna raised her hands in surrender. "I am not involved in this." As nice as it was to receive gifts, she wanted no part in this little argument of theirs. They would have to figure it out on their own without her, she knew what she needed and she would try for Dan's sake not to get too sidetracked. The mall was her playground so she couldn't make any definite promises, but she would do her best to behave. With Finn here that would likely be a little more difficult, it was no secret they liked to go shopping just as much as Genna if not more. It's been awhile since they last saw each other but she did remember that much now. "We've got places to be chop chop." She rushed the pair as she opened the door and walked through it, making her way to and down the stairs at a brisk pace. The faster she went the faster they could get this done. "Who's car are we taking?"
"Mine," Dan said, holding up his keys. "I'm not listening to any argument on who sits where, so Finn, backseat." Luckily, there was little comeback from them, nothing more than a general complaint but nonetheless they complied. He was expecting Finn to be a brat just to be a brat, especially since they typically claimed the front seat; he assumed it was because they knew, at least on some level, the kind of day Dan was already having. He led the way to his car once they got down the flights of stairs; living nearly on the top was a hell of a hike when it came to stairs. He pressed the button to unlock his car doors, letting them get in and situated as he had when Shiloh was in the car. Though, this time he didn't have to cover his attitude up so much; Finn and Genna were just like him when it came to driving. The music was louder than it had been earlier, now comfortable to have everything in its normal place as he pulled out of the parking space. "Don't stress me out," he said, looking in his rearview mirror to eye Finn specifically before glancing to Genna with a smirk. "And don't make me regret taking you two out."
Genna settled in to her seat, placing her purse on her lap so that she wouldn't lose it. It wouldn't be the first time, although she's lost it when it's been in plain sight before too. Sometimes she could be a little silly. She glanced at Dan, shaking her head at the little display. The music was loud but she was used to that from him, it was normal. Everything about this was familiar and she loved it, she had missed it. It was a good feeling, so she would do her best to be on her best behavior. Dan obviously had quite a morning even though he wouldn't tell them what happened, so getting on his bad side wasn't the best idea. Getting on his bad side regardless wasn't a good idea. "Taking us out huh? We on a date?" She smiled mischievously, yeah she had missed this.
"Oh, yeah. If we're on a date, then that makes Finn a cheater," Dan said, watching the way Finn's head snapped up at the accusation. It made him smirk again; typical.
"Are you asking me to break up with Kendall to be with you? Oh, Danny, baby, that's so romantic," Finn said dramatically, pretending to swoon in the backseat and ignoring the middle finger they received.
"All I'm asking is you behave and not make me want to strangle you in public. I swear, taking you out is like taking a fuckin' child out sometimes." Dan shook his head, pressing the button on his steering wheel to change the song until he came across one he actually wanted to listen to so he could ignore whatever protest Finn had to him. This was good, having both of them in his car again and listening to the music they all listened to. It made the tension drop from his shoulders little by little, but he would most likely not be out of his bad mood fully until he was at work. Without fail, it always made his mood better; he figured it had something to do with how bonded some of the animals were to him.
"I'm sure you always want to strangle some poorinnocent person." Genna joked, knowing better than that. He was a hot head, but he had more control than that. If anything he was always at least thinking about strangling someone but never acted upon the urge. Just as she always wanted to slap her mother but resisted doing so. Her mother would have her arrested in no time flat, hiring the best lawyers to keep her locked up for as long as possible. The woman already had some power over her, she didn't want to give her any more than absolutely necessary. One day she would get out, sooner rather than later, she just needed to convince Shiloh to move in with her. Get her out of rhat neighborhood, but the ashy blonde was so wonderfully stubborn. She sighed aloud, looking out the window as a few thoughts passed her mind, trying not to let any get to her too much. Of course she perked up when she saw the mall, shopping was her thing, but her concerns were louder than ever. It probably had to do with how secretive Dan was being, but she promised to behave so she wasn't going to bring any of that back up now. "As I said, you two are always going at it like an old married couple."
"How would you know if you're not in my head?" Dan asked; like he'd want to subject any of them to what his head was actually like. No, it wasn't for the faint-hearted and it wasn't anyone's burden to carry but his own. He shared little bits, but it was nothing compared to the full picture within his mind. It wasn't a pretty place to be most days, most days were dark and clouded with various intrusive thoughts he wished he could just make disappear. He sighed, rolling his eyes when he heard Genna's comment about the two of them acting like a married couple; he was used to this, she'd made this comparison ever since she'd first seen how he acted around Finn.
"Dan wishes we were a married couple," Finn said, sticking their tongue out as Dan soon pulled into the parking lot to find a spot.
"Oh, yeah, definitely. You're all I want, fucking brat," Dan told them, turning into a spot to park. Once the car wasn't moving, however, he moved to reach behind him to smack Finn who loudly complained. "That's for pissing me off on this very short ride. You make me so angry so quickly, it's remarkable."
"I barely said anything!"
"Yet here I am, boiling with hate. Out of my car," Dan said, turning his car off and putting his phone into his pocket again.
Last Edit: Sept 14, 2021 19:39:44 GMT by QueenHarley
Genna rolled her green eyes and got out of the car, pulling the strap of her bag over her shoulder. They really did act like such a married couple, but she did know that it was all in good fun. This was how they were with each other, just as she and Dan had always acted more like siblings than friends. Always willing to jump into each others fights although before he taught her how to throw a punch it had mostly been him jumping into her fights. How many bruises had he accumulated in her honor? He was a good guy, she would never stop saying that because it was the truth. Dan stood up for the people he cared about, no matter what the circumstances. Of course it wasn't lost on her that he cared more for specific people ovet others but she wasn't going to think about that right now either. She looked at the two of them one last time before she turned with a flip of her brown locks and made her way towards the entrance. Her shopping wouldn't get itself done.
"Drama queens, the both of you," Dan mumbled, shaking his head as he let Finn drag him towards the mall to go inside. He was in for a long couple of hours with the two of them, especially since he knew Finn would be bothering him for shoes the entire time despite having their own money to get it themselves. Shopping was never his thing despite how often his friends dragged him out over the years, recently as an attempt to just get him out of the house. He appreciated the effort, but he dreaded shopping when he hit his low points. Public, crowded places were often headache inducing, and mixing it with his stress and bad mood it often made it near unbearable to even go to class the day after he was dragged out. The moment they stepped inside, Dan pulled the two of them to a stop. "I can see it in Finn's eyes they want to go into those stores," he said, gesturing to a clothing store in the distance with various shiny accessories in the window and, of course, the shoes in the other.
"We can split up so we don't hold you up, Dan owes me shoes and that'll take some time," Finn grinned, dodging the incoming hit from Dan. "Meet us when you're done or want to come in those two stores?"
"I didn't even do anything this time!" Genna had paused in her step, looking outright offended that he would call her of all people a drama queen when she was completely innocent. Sometimes she could act like one but this was not one of those times. She threw a quick bird at him and made a run for it into the mall as if he were going to chase her down and tackle her to the ground or something. It wouldn't be the first time he has done something like that after one of her signs she pointed in his direction. Again all in good fun. They had bickered plenty before, both serious and humorous arguments. She stopped just in the door and looked at the two of them once they caught up, throwing the idea around in her head. Those stores could be fun, but she wasn't really looking for shoes so she would let them have their fun on their own. "Nah, I need to behave myself or Dan here will throw a fit. I'll text when I'm done, or you can find me." Phones were a good invention, allowed for communication whether in the same room or on opposite ends of the world. Besides, she would be fine on her own, less likely to focus but she would get it done. Just a few outfits to keep at Dan's, that's all she needed.
Genna offered them a peace sign in farewell, turning and walking off to a different store. She really took no time when it came to shopping, throwing herself at the racks almost immediately to look through the goods.
Dan watched Genna go before he felt Finn tug on his arm, trying not to dig his heels into the ground to avoid having to go with them. He let Finn take him across the mall, nodding along to whatever it was they were saying. It's going to be a long fucking day.
In another store, Damian was holding up a few miscellaneous accessories and a shirt. He looked puzzled, making an important decision on what to buy as he put one of his items down. He took a few steps back, not exactly looking where he was going and spinning around on his heels to go pay...when he bumped into the person behind him. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I一" He stopped when he got a good look at who he'd hit; Genna. He hadn't seen her...well, since she'd slapped him. Still, though, a kind and sweet smile spread across his lips. He wasn't one to hold a grudge, not after what he'd been through though many believed he would have turned out the opposite way. "I wasn't paying attention. Long time no see?"
Genna settled into her rhythm, picking out an item to look it over before she decided if she wanted to keep said item or not. She didn't have a lot as she just started, just two shirts; one of which she would sleep in so it was pretty plain. Picking out a pair of shorts to go with them was proving to be a bit of a struggle, she couldn't decide on what kind she wanted or if she wanted them to be plain like the shirt or patterned. A process that was soon interrupted when she felt something, or rather someone, run into her and she felt her heart stop. That voice was familiar, she would know it anywhere as it made her heart skip a beat or two every time she heard it. After Nathan passed she didn't think she would ever feel anything for anyone again, so she just convinced herself that it was caused by the sudden surprise of being run into. She turned and looked at him, narrowing her eyes slightly though not in an unfriendly manner. "Getting me back for my little slap are we? I'm not going to apologize." Not because she didn't have it in her, she just thought it had been well deserved at the time and one thing she learned was to never apologize for the things you meant to do or say. "I see you're as bright and cheery as ever."
"I'm not looking for an apology," Damian told her honestly. It was the truth; he had no need for it. What happened was in the past, and despite what Dan had told him in response he wasn't the slightest bit angry. His friends often told him when these kinds of things happened, it was okay to react with anger and that he should considering how bad some people treated him but Genna wasn't someone he harbored and bad blood towards. "It happened. And yeah, I guess you can say that." The smile never wavered; that was also something people had tried to use against him, time and time again. Too nice, too forgiving, but he didn't think so. People often mistook his kindness for weakness and assumed he didn't have it in him to be mean which...he did, it just wasn't often seen. "Hope I didn't interrupt the shopping. Sorry again for running into you."
"How are you so happy all the time? It's a little creepy." Genna was sure Damian had his downs just like everyone else, but she was so used to seeing the way Dan and other people dealt with life so it was strange to see someone so positive. Shiloh too was a positive and vibrant person, but even she lost her smile sometimes. Damian was always smiling every time she saw him, he was like a little candle still lit in the darkness. So easy to get lost in but she didn't let herself do so, taking a step back to create some distance between them. He just looked so happy to be here, when really he should be running far from her after what happened the last time they ran into each other. Not quite as literally as this time. He also happened to be a part of that group, the same group Dan needed to talk to about her and who was interested in her friend. Maybe she could get a little more information from him, doubtful but she could try. Being in his presence wasn't that terrible. "It's fine, just shopping for a few things."
"I'm sorry, is me smiling suddenly creepy?" Damian asked, amused by how she was acting. "I didn't realize that's how we judge people now. Odd." He couldn't help but laugh a little, shaking his head. She really was a strange one, she always had been ever since he first met her. Though, he had been referred to as a literal ray of sunshine on multiple occasions by all of the guys, so he figured she was at least somewhat on the right track. He didn't think that made him creepy, nor did anyone else so he assumed that this was just...Genna trying to be weirder than she already was. "Oh, me too. For my little sister," he said, holding up the items in his hand as proof. His lab had finished up early and he had the perfect opportunity to be able to go and pick something up for her birthday; he'd nearly forgotten it was tomorrow if it hadn't been for their brother texting him about it.