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“So what do you think of me and Sylus being together?”
“It’s sort of gross-” “Kind of sweet!”
The twins turn their heads to look at one another and narrow their identical eyes, a high pitched ‘hhhmmm’ can be heard clear as day. You already know by now how much they detest not being completely identical.
You suppose that’s why you’ve only ever seen them wearing their masks around you since the beginning. Unlucky for them, there was still ways to tell them apart other than the jewelry that adorned the masks. Luke and Kieren were far too eccentric in their own ways to ever mix up to your trained eyes.
And maybe that’s why you’re somewhat protective of them. You can’t say you feel like a parent but some days when you have to wrangle them in since Sylus is out doing God knows what, you might as well be a surrogate parent in his stead.
A part of you hopes they see you just as familial, though. If them only wearing medical face masks was any indicator it tells you that they're more comfortable with letting you see the real distinction between them.
Kieran was the one that bore scars along his face down to his collarbone where you assumed it trailed further to the rest of his body. You’ve occasionally caught glimpses of the scars on his hands but he always joked it off and somewhat gaslit you into believing otherwise. Truly younger sibling style to mess with anyone older than him.
He hasn’t told you the truth behind such scars and you haven’t asked but you can guess all sorts of reasons. The N109 zone isn’t forgiving and the scars were proof of his strength. Still… It makes something ugly stir in your heart over it.
Something…. Parental.
Damn. You didn’t want to be the step parent that stepped up but here you are with these two menaces along with their dickhead dad.
The two little crows kept bickering amongst themselves while you were stuck in your head. It must have been some sort of a debate going on between them. You could almost picture their feathers getting ruffled and their beaks snapping at one another.
It was sort of cute! Two little crows that kept snapping at one another only to share a knowing glance then dissolve into giggles and cackles. Does Sylus see them like this, too?
You smile and let out a happy huff, arms crossed over your chest as you listen to their ‘argument.’
“The boss is a lot more nice lately, anyway, so them being together is a good thing! I don’t get why you’re being so lame about it.” Kieran tilted his head, definitely grinning underneath his mask.
Luke groaned. “Because now we have to watch over them, too! There’s a big ass target on their back now and guess what, dumbass!!! That’s gonna be a whooole lot of jerk offs trying to assasinate them!”
“It’s fun though.”
“Yeah I guess so but that’s besides the point.”
“And we get to hang up one losers who think they can take the bosses treasure.”
“It’s really fun gutting them…”
“Exactly! So it’s a good thing!”
Luke goes quiet for a moment and turns to look at you, his gaze scrutinizing you fiercely before he leans in close to his brother.
“But like, they’re super gross about PDA.”
Now it’s your turn to shoot them a nasty look. “Excuse me-?”
Kieran nods sagely, hand settling at his chin as he feigns deep thought. “I’m starting to get really tired of going on walks when they’re freaky in bed…”
“Learning that the boss has a daddy kink was super disgusting. I thought he was classier than that!”
“Yeah but they’re also loud during it,” Both brothers sharply look at you and cringe. Great, now you’re blushing. “Like, you’re really really loud. If we had the police over here then they’d get called because you’re so loud.”
The twins at least have some mercy to apologize in unison when they finally notice how flushed you had gotten. Even if they’re clearly grinning at you under those masks. Teenagers really are the worst.
You sigh heavily and groan into your hands. At least you now know to keep your voice down despite the embarrassing way it came about. At the very least Kieran seemed more bashful about it, ever the saint.
“… Do you guys at least like me being here?”
Your soft question lingers in the air and it stays there for a second or two longer. You groan even louder as your shame crawls over your skin and you want to flee. Might as well go dig a hole to bury yourself in.
Luke is the first to try and save you, hands frantically heaving around. “We do like you being together! It’s just that… Uh..”
“It’ll take time to get used to.” Kieren finishes. “It’s been us and the boss ever since we joined up. No one else stays around that long so… You’re a lot. I’m still waiting for the boss to give you a bullet between the eyes, to be honest.”
“Nah, that’ll never happen. Have you seen the way he looks at them? He would steal the moon out of the sky and put it on their ring finger if they asked.”
“Gross. But yeah, you have a point.”
A smile creeps onto your lips. Another confirmation that you didn’t know you needed.
Your relationship with Sylus meant a lot to you. Maybe that’s why you wanted to be on good terms with the twins, too. They were incredibly loyal to him and nice to you even though they didn’t have to. Going out of their way to protect you, even if they complained, also warned your heart.
Unbeknownst to you, the twins had a single shared thought at seeing that fond smile. ‘Ah. I guess I’ll kill to protect that smile.’
“I really care about the two of you… Even if you’re a headache some days, I trust you with my life. I hope we can get even closer.”
Your arms swing open and they instantly step back, reaching for the weapons always at their side. Yikes. Should have known better than to doing a hug on them.
“Put the guns down, boys,” You roll your eyes, laughing. “Give me a hug and we can move past the mushy stuff.”
Kieran snickers, pulling his mask down to expose some of the worst of his scaring but all you could focus on was the sweet smile he wore. His sharp canines peaking out from his lips as he laughs and drags in his brother to hug you.
Luke pretends to hate it but he quickly follows, his arms slinging around you and Kieran until he picks the two of you up off the floor to do a little spin. It always shocked you to be reminded that the pair weren’t your average human with normal strength. When one showed off then the other was quick to follow.
Kieran had his turn expect he would out do his older brother. The instant your feet hit the floor he would then grab hold onto you both and swing you around like you were nothing but limp noodles in the wind. It was only from Luke’s shouting and your loud laughter that had him stop. He of course didn’t come out unscathed — Roughhousing between the twins can get started even from something as wholesome as a group hug.
You went to act as referee as you sat back and watched the crowd fight. Their shared pain was used against each other which made for some very interesting techniques. Distantly, you wonder how scary it must be to live with their ailments when they know that the death of one meant the death of the other.
“Oh? Are the boys fighting again?”
That ever present amused, deep voice snuck up on you with a hand resting at your shoulder. You didn’t have to look up to know who the owner must have been.
You grin, leaning back into your seat and nodding. “My money is on Kieran winning. He’s gotten some brownie points from me.”
Sylus barks out a laugh. “Choosing a favorite among your children is very cruel, kitten.”
“My favorite changes depending on the day. They get it. Just like how you’re their favorite parent.”
A chair is pulled over so that he could sit beside you as he watches the show, his hand somehow worming its way to lay on your thigh and his head ever so slightly leaning your way.
“I was under the impression that they enjoyed your softer touch. They speak highly of you, you know.”
“Hah-?”
You look at him with wide eyes. That was definitely a surprise.
Sylus smirked, nodding as he gestured to them. “Our conversations always somehow circle back to you. It may be a shock but I’m only responsible for bringing your name up only fifty percent of the time. The other fifty is split evenly between them. They’re quite smitten by you.”
He scoffs as if he felt scorned by such information. Silly man.
“Well… The fun parent always prevails.” It’s all you can say as you attempt to not melt into a puddle of goo. So much information dumped onto you… How could you ever fit in with this crazy family?
You laugh quietly to yourself as Sylus heads off to break apart the fight between the twins before they start knocking out teeth. The warm kiss he pressed at your forehead feels like it spreads down to your cheeks, making you smile from ear to ear as your new little family bicker amongst themselves.
This could work out, you muse. You want it to work. Your lover and his strange bird kids that you’ve now taken under your wings. Would that make you the dove of the family? A pigeon?
Sylus is the one to catch your stare and he winks at you. “I refuse to let you little chicks make me look bad in front of your step parent. Come, fight me. Let us see who the real winner is.”
“Got it!”
“We won’t lose this time!”
You sigh, getting up off your comfy chair to go get the first aid kit. Another fight, another restock of bandaids. What a strange, lovable family you’ve found for yourself.