Chapter Text
“Gigi, Cecilia.” Elizabeth calls out as she strides into the kitchen. Gigi waves from the stove, where she’s cooking what seems to be an omelette. The younger girl is in her signature pigtails, dressed in a large orange hoodie that makes Liz wince every time it brushes the stovetop. A long black tail sways behind the chaser's legs as she focuses, and Liz smiles. Gigi had taken her suggestion to not hide it anymore! That means she must be getting more comfortable.
“Would you like any coffee, or tea?” Cecilia asks from her spot at the table, drumming mechanical fingers against the wood. The automaton is in one of Liz’s red hoodies and grey sweatpants. Liz really needs to take these girls on a shopping trip.
The Justice unit has just been freshly formed, Gigi joining around a month ago after Liz was called to her mansion and saved her, and the two had been sent to find Cecilia five days ago. Between all the rules being shoved on them and training with Sargent Smokey, Liz has barely had time to take the poor girls to the store for clothes that fit them.
“I’ll probably have a coffee.” Liz nods, and Cecilia begins to rise from her seat.
“Well get your own.” The automaton huffs, suddenly sitting once more and crossing her arms, a scowl darkening her face. “I’m not your maid.”
The room is silent for a moment, and Liz can feel both girls' eyes on her, seeing what her reaction would be. It’s not a secret that Gigi’s home life was horrible, and even after a month free of that vile place she’s still yet to fully relax inside the Lookout. Jumping at shadows, hiding her tail, tearing up at even the slightest hint of negativity— whether it’s faced towards her or not. Something that Sargent Smokey refuses to understand, even after Elizabeth has borderline yelled at him about it. She doesn't let Gigi around him if she can help it.
“Of course.” Liz shakes her head of her thoughts, shooting Cecilia a warm smile. “You are your own person now, Cecilia. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.” She pats the girl's shoulder as she walks to the coffee maker, pretending not to see the way Gigi slumps in relief at the lack of hostility in her voice.
“Tea is better anyway.” Cecilia huffs, but it’s with a twinkle in her eye, lips turned up into a small smile.
“We have our very first mission with Cecilia.” Liz says when they’re all settled at the table, sipping on her coffee as she pulls out a folder. “
“Whasshit?” Gigi gargles arund a mouthful of egg, ketchup dripping down her chin as she stares up at her leader with excitement. “Agh weh beh-urk!” The gremlin’s question is cut short as she seemingly chokes on a piece of egg, eyes bulging out as she begins to cough.
Before Liz can even react, Cecilia is there behind the girl, thumping her back. Luckily, the piece of egg— and everything else in Gigi’s mouth — is spat right onto the table as Gigi collides into it, forehead smacking against the hardwood before she falls back and crumples onto the floor.
“Fick!” Ceci curses as she drops to kneel beside the groaning girl, hands hovering over her crumpled form. “I’m sorry! Automaton strength! I didn’t mean to!”
Elizabeth can’t stop the giggle the bubbles up from the sheer absurdity of the last five seconds. “Do you— pfft— do you need some ice, love?” She peers over the table at Gigi, who’s dazedly blinking.
The gremlin opens her mouth…and she laughs. Deep, booming belly laughter that neither of them had heard before, hands clutching her stomach as she rolls around, her tail slapping the floor behind her.
Cecilia cracks next, shoulders trembling as rapidfire giggles escape her. Liz, try as she might, falls soon after.
Their laughter echoes through the Lookout for hours to come.