Chapter Text
Nexus opened the door to Earth’s house, taking a deep breath in as she did so.
“Earth?
Earth, are you home?”
“Nexxie!
I’ll be there in just a minute, hold on…”
Earth wheeled herself out of the kitchen, joy on her face as she did so.
Nexus smiled, not wanting to seem too worried about her sister being in the wheelchair today.
“Hey, sis.”
Nexus said as she walked into the, rather nice, house.
Earth wheeled up to Nexus until she was only an inch or so away, and then gave her a hug around her waist.
“I’ve missed you! You really need to come more often, you know.”
She said as she beamed.
Nexus sighed, smiling, as she accepted the hug.
“I would, but I’ve been trying to help Sol and Moon with my adaptium crutches.”
“Oh! How are those coming along?”
“They’re not.”
Nexus grumbled as Earth wheeled away from her, wanting to be able to see her sister better.
“The piece Molten gave us wasn’t enough. I feel awful asking for more, but if we don’t get more, I can’t have the crutches.”
“Well, how are the ones you have now working for you?”
Earth gestured towards the plastic and metal American crutches that Nexus held below her arms, supporting her.
“They’re…fine, but I’m more limited. I can’t do as much as I could with the adaptium ones. With those, I could go anywhere, not to mention how much more comfortable they’d be, since we’re gonna make them forearm crutches.”
Earth nodded.
“You’ll get it figured out. For now, you have to try my newest cookie! I made it black raspberry flavored, and they look like little yous!”
Nexus smiled warmly.
“Let’s go eat, then.”
**************************************************
Monty walked down the stairs of the house, calling out for his fiance.
“Earth?
Earth, where are you?”
“I’m in the kitchen, hon! Nexus is visiting!”
Monty felt himself smile a bit.
He walked into the kitchen and saw Nexus sitting on the chairs next to the pool, and Earth pulling out fresh jam cookies.
“Hey, sweetie.
Hey, Nexus.”
Nexus nodded.
“Howdy.”
Monty suppressed laughter.
“Hey, hon! You wanna try my cookies? They’re Nexus themed!”
“Don’t mind if I do,”
Monty said, snatching one straight off of the sheet pan.
It was a rich, tart, sweet flavor, with the cookie’s own flavor taking more of a backseat to the fruit’s.
“Hmmnn…raspberry?”
“Black raspberry, actually!”
“Huh!
It’s delicious, sweetheart.”
Monty said as he gave Earth a small kiss on the cheek. Earth beamed up at the gator.
Nexus absent-mindedly rubbed the bottom of her leather coat between her fingers as she watched the couple. They really seemed to be happy with each other…
Nexus smiled softly.
“So, Nexus, you want a drink or anything? Beer? Wine? I think everyone’s havin’ dinner here t’night, anyways…”
“What?”
Nexus didn’t remember anything about dinner being at Earth and Monty’s place…
“Did Sun and Moon not tell you?
They wanted to have dinner at our place tonight.
They said they had a “really important announcement”.”
At that moment, Nexus got a call.
“Hey, Sun.
What’s up?”
“Hey, Nexus!
Uhhh, I forgot to tell you, we’re gonna have dinner at Monty and Earth’s tonight! Moo-”
“They just told me, actually.”
“Oh! Well, that works out, then! See you in a few hours, Nex.”
“Bye, Sun.”
The call ended.
“Well, at least he knows how to have good timing.”
Earth said.
Nexus laughed a little at that.
“If nothing else.”
“Well, Monty, do you want to help me prep the food? Moon wanted udon tonight.”
“ ‘Course he did.”
Monty mumbled.
“Yeah, just lemme get my apron.”
The gator walked back to the stairs.
Nexus grabbed her crutches, using them to help prop herself up before walking over to Earth.
“Do you need any help? I know I’m not in the best condition to, but you…well, you’re not doing your best, either.”
Earth smiled.
“I’ll be fine, Nexxie. How about you go round up the kids and bring them back here? Then, if I need any more help, I’ll ask you.”
Nexus nodded.
“Yes, they’dam.”
Earth laughed as she wheeled herself over to the fridge.
“I’m never living that down, am I?”
“No.”
Nexus teased as she placed a portal to her home down in the backyard.
In the blink of an eye, she was gone, and everyone began preparing for whatever news awaited them at the night’s meal.