#on the bright side if my lungs are shitty enough the government has to give me money apparently

[chicago-geniza]

Within a 10-minute interval

>me gagging on the Mucinex Man & his entire extended family

>me googling "what makes the body produce too much mucus"

>google: severe asthma, chronic bronchitis, especially alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

>phone alarm: don't forget to text sean back about pulmonary function testing for the severe asthma study & send your blood sample to the lab for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency genetic testing tomorrow,

[hacash]

for the word meme: Meyer and Charlie with Ayurnamat?

-

Ayurnamat - The philosophy that there is no point in worrying about events that cannot be changed.

-

It’s fucking hard to breathe here. He thinks it’s the Florida heat, close and sticky and as far from the streets of Grodno as it’s possible to get. Then he thinks it’s the smoke - sometimes it gets hard to take a draw, tightness to the lungs, God knows, they say some crazy shit, these doctors… But it’s not. It’s none of that. It’s the empty space across the shitty hotel room, where Charlie should be.

(You develop a reputation around the old neighbourhood as a steady thinker, a steady hand at the card tables, as cool a head as you could hope to find. ‘That Meier,’ the old men say, ‘he moves slow, but he thinks he’s going places fast.’ You ignore them.

You ignore people a lot, in the early days. You let them think you’re ignoring them, at any rate.)

He has to admit, he’d thought the ultimatum would be enough to make Charlie back down. Listen to reason. He’d forgotten: all those years playing poker alongside A.R’s cronies, Charlie never had the patience to back down before a bluff.

He pours a drink, slow. (You’ve seen too many gangsters succumb to the same stuff they peddle; it makes for clumsy hands.) Takes a long swig. It’s the first time in over ten years, he realises with a queasy lurch, that he doesn’t know what Charlie Luciano is going to do next.

That’s a problem.

(You come back from school that first day with a bloody nose, eyes so swollen you can barely see straight. Jake curses. Luckily your mother’s not around; it’s only your father, who dabs at your bruises with arnica and ruffles your hair ineffectually.

“Some older boys. Their leader said he’d beat me if I didn’t give them my money; so I didn’t.”

Your father smiles, that gentle milk-and-water smile. You want to slap it from his face, and you’re ten years old. “Well. You’ll go back to school tomorrow, yes? And they’ll have had their fill, they won’t come after you again.”

He likes to see the best in things, your mother tells you. That’s something to admire. You want to point out, what’s best in leaking roofs and mould on the walls and landlords that snigger when you say you can’t afford repairs. What’s best in jokes about blood, money, the same tired old shtik that was supposed to have been left behind in Poland, like a pair of forgotten shoes. What’s best in five dollars a day to break your back for someone who spits your name like it’s too much effort to keep it on their tongue. What’s best about living they way they want you to live, crouched out of sight in the shadows they make?

You shake your head. “No. He’ll be back tomorrow.”)

He wonders, coolly detached and lighting his second cigarette in so many minutes, if it might not be worth warning Petrochelli that some dumb two-bit low-life meshuggeneh (alright…maybe you are angrier than you let on) might come around and try to blow his head in. On balance, likely not. That sort of thing doesn’t make for mutual trust amongst business partners. Petrochelli’s a grown man, after all.

Besides, Nucky wouldn’t like it. Best to keep him sweet. He can handle Nucky.

“I was surprised to hear your partner dropped out so soon after coming all the way down here,” Atlantic City’s former treasurer remarks the next day, when everyone else has cleared out. “It’s not like popping round to Park Avenue for you boys, after all.”

“You know Charlie. He does what he wants, when he wants.” He slips silk into his voice.

“Funny,” Nucky says, the little avuncular twinkle in his eye. The frightening thing is, he really thinks the old bastard means it. Personally, Nucky Thompson is the world’s friend: a hundred dollars slipped to the frightened widow, a cheeky aside to the bellboys in his hotels, paternal advice to every down-and-out and hoodlum who passes his door. Personally, Nucky Thompson loves them all. But when it comes down to brass tacks… “Always thought the two of you were joined at the hip. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.”

He doesn’t know – or care – who they’re supposed to be. “Gotta move with the times, Mister Thompson. Nucky.”

Petrochelli is still alive by the time he leaves Florida. You’ve got to look on the bright side.

(You’ve known all along: you and Charlie, there ‘til the end.

It’s not as if you haven’t heard what people say – frocio, pillow-biter – and they don’t measure up. It’s not like there haven’t been women – haven’t been men, to be honest – but at the end of the day, it’s you and Charlie. It’s never bothered you. You’ve never tried to define it; it is what it is.

The thought of that no longer being the case frightens you. You used to tell yourself you weren’t easily frightened.)

Petrochelli isn’t the problem, not really. Neither is the deal. He can handle those. Business is business, and at the end of the day business is easy.

What’s not easy is the flash in Charlie’s eyes as he gets to his feet, the way his hands twitch as if aching for the feel of a gun. The bile in his voice as he speaks, spitting out poison. You sly little -

He already has a list of people he means to kill, and people who speak like that to him are top of that list.

(You don’t worry about the future, because you know, know, how it’s going to pan out. No point in worrying about things that won’t change. Some things just have to come to pass. Massaria’s smug face split asunder, his mouth that so easily spills insults now filled with blood. Eli Thompson’s hands, that once so readily held a gun to your head as he barked – dig –now shaking when he sees his son.

Nucky’s knees, creaking – getting on in years now, yes? they all get old, and they don’t expect to, they don’t plan for the future like they should – as he kneels in the dirt. Stares up at you. Blinks. Pleads.

No point in worrying. Some things are just meant to be.)

On the train back to New York he takes himself through it, the list of things that are beyond his power. Life, death, the forces of the law and government. The powers of New York and Atlantic City bearing over him. And Charlie Luciano. He can’t do a damn thing about Charlie Luciano.

Despite everything, he finds himself repressing a hint of a smile. These seem like good odds to him.

(You’ve always been sure of yourself, in a way that unsettles people who don’t know you better. Short, unassuming, Jewish, foreign. You ought to be tripping over your own feet just to beg for the privilege of waiting at the table, let alone taking a place at it. You ought to be frantic with desperation, eagerness to please. And the fact that you’re not…it scares people.

That Meier. Moves slow, but you watch him. He gets places fast.) 

Can’t worry about things that can’t be changed, he tells himself as the train slowly, surely eases him back towards home.

(Send me a word prompt!)

[artificialqueens]

Dina’s Fun Aunt Holiday Bonus Part 1 – Ellen Thwoorp

Summary – Katya has a proposition for Trixie, but it takes some upturned dinner plans, some Shakespearean quotes and some stupid puns before she can actually get around to it.

A/N: Surprise, more Dina’s Fun Aunt because I had more ideas and didn’t have the power to resist the temptation to write it. I’m going to try and update this roughly every week with my new AU series until it’s done. (Was originally going to post in one go but I’m pushing 13k and it ain’t even finished.)

“If it isn’t two of my favourite girls!” Katya cried as Trixie and Dina stepped out of the school. Svetlana rolled her eyes but smiled at the pair as they came towards them. Dina took Trixie’s hand as they walked down the steps at the front of the school. The teacher smiled, she was so thankful Dina’s jealousy phase hadn’t lasted long. It had been just over a month since their very public outing, and the girl somehow got over her jealousy within the space of about two weeks. Trixie suspected that either Svetlana or Katya had spoken to the girl as one day she came into class as bright as anything, said good morning and gave her a cupcake with a pink frosted t-rex on it. The thing that had made Trixie stop in her tracks that morning was the ‘good morning’, of all things. Dina hadn’t spoken to her for a full two weeks at that point.

“Are you going to watch the Disney film on tv tonight?” Dina asked, hopping down the steps and nearly causing Trixie to drop the two binders she had tucked in her arm.

“Ah, no I’m afraid not. Your Auntie Katya and I are going on a date.”

“Where?” The child asked as they stopped in front of the Russian sisters.

“We are going to the lands most prestigious eatery this side of the equator fair maiden, why doth thou ask so many questions?”

“Stop talking silly.” Dina giggled, letting go of Trixie to move her long hair out of her face.

“Shakespeare may be a bit advanced.” Trixie laughed.

“Exit pursued by a bear.” Katya cried, shaping her fingers into claws and lunging for Dina who squealed and ran to hide behind her mother.

“Now we can’t hang around here all day, someone has got karate class tonight.” Svetlana said with a clap of her hands. She suddenly turned to Katya making the other woman jump in surprise. “Have you asked Trixie yet?”

“No, I hadn’t gotten to it yet.” Katya mumbled, avoiding Trixie’s eye.

“Oh well. It’d be great if you could come.” Her sister added, giving the other woman a meaningful look. Katya just rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “Do you guys need a lift? I can take you to the restaurant if you like."

"Thanks but I’ve got my car and I need Katya to help me out of my clothes.” Trixie said with a slightly awkward smile. “I MEAN OUT WITH MY CLOTHES. She’s helping me choose an outfit.” She amended at the look on Svetlana’s face. Katya was trying not to laugh, thin hand covering her mouth.

“Ok…well I’ll let you go. C'mon bean.” The older woman said slowly, turning to her daughter with a fond smile. “Nice to see you again, Trixie.” She added as they walked away, although Trixie couldn’t be sure she actually meant it. In fact she doubted Svetlana ever meant it, each time they met Trixie somehow managed to make a tit of herself.

“You want to me to help you out of your clothes anyway?” Katya asked once the pair were out of earshot, smirking at her girlfriend with sly eyes.

“We hardly have time for that. Why is talking to your sister always so awkward?” Trixie moaned, taking Katya’s hand with her own free hand. She adjusted the binders in her arm and congratulated herself in not looking around them before she made the affectionate gesture.

“It’s taking her time. She’s never actually approved of or really interacted with my girlfriends before.” Katya responded, lacing her fingers with Trixie’s as they walked toward the carpark. “It’s kinda new for all of us I guess.” She shrugged.

“Have your girlfriends met Dina before?" Trixie asked. It was a question that had played on her mind before. She wondered if she was just one of many women Dina had met and then refused to talk to for two weeks.

"Only one and that was because I bumped into her in the street. After we’d broken up, thought she was mine.” Katya mused, swinging their hands. Trixie wasn’t sure she ever realised she was even doing it. “As if I could be anyone’s mum.”

"I think you’d make a great mum.“ Trixie confessed as they got to her car. She let go a Katya to search in her bag for her keys.

"Oh. I was taking about my youthful looks and tight pussy but thank you.” The Russian clarified with a half shrug and a wink.

“Katya!” Trixie gasped, pushing her girlfriend with a scandalised look as she checked around them. She saw Mr Parker across the car park and waved. He waved back heading towards her with intent that suggested work was involved. She bit back as sigh as she put a hand on Katya’s back. “Run while you still can.” She whispered, causing Katya to look up at the sky in confusion.

“Are the aliens attacking?” She asked, her face serious as Trixie laughed as she finally found her keys.

“That’s the first thing you think when I say run?” The teacher asked incredulously.

“Not aliens, velociraptors then?”

“In the car park?” Trixie snorted as she watched Mr Parker stopped to let a car pass in front of him. God he even walked slowly, didn’t he know she had places to be! She was a busy woman. Or at least a woman who is hoping to get busy after, or maybe even before, a lovely meal.

“Hey! It can happen, velociraptors are commonly found in parks, I saw it on this documentary-"

"Jurassic Park.” They said in unison, Trixie nodding fondly as Katya cackled. Katya was so madly predictable, that or Trixie had spent way too much time with her.

“Seriously this will be boring, if you want to escape, get in the car.” She whispered seriously, holding the keys out to her girlfriend. No one should have to go through listening to Mr Parker unless it was literally what you were paid to do.

“Through thick and thin, my love.” Katya said with a soft smile, placing her hand at the small of Trixie’s back. The teacher bit back the grin as the man came to stand in front of her, paper in hand.

“Tracy, I just wanted to check the scheduling with you…” Trixie nodded, looking down at her watch. Worst comes to worst she was wearing a nice enough dress to wear her work clothes to dinner. As the man droned on the torture felt a touch more bearable as Katya stood beside her trying to look as though she understood what they were talking about.

…………………………………………..

“When I said wherever you wanted, this isn’t what I had in mind.” Trixie said as they walked across the McDonalds car park.  

“You said I’m sorry we missed our reservation because of Mr Boring Mc-I-wear-more-shades-of-grey-than-you-can-fit-in-an-erotic-novel teacher man. But don’t worry Kitty Cat we can go anywhere else in the universe you want to go for dinner, we could even go windsurfing with your dead dad if you want." Katya said, raising the pitch of her voice in what seemed to be an impression of Trixie.

"I didn’t say that.” Trixie rolled her eyes. “And I don’t sound like that.”

“You mouth didn’t say it but that’s what your eyes told me."

"You’re terrible.” Trixie sighed, unable to fight the fond smile on her face.

“I know, I’m on a government list. Go find us a table upstairs and I’ll order what do you want?” Katya said, patting Trixie’s arm as they headed into the fast food restaurant. Trixie rattled off her order, which consisted of the only vegetarian option. Honestly even the salads had meat in. She pushed money into Katya’s hand, giving her an insistent look when she began to argue.  

She found a table upstairs near the back of the restaurant, if you could even call it that, and sighed. She’d been looking forward to their dinner. Obviously it didn’t really matter where they went, she mostly just wanted to be with Katya, but the food had sounded good at Romero’s. Kim had told her about it and Trixie knew Katya would flip over the ravioli. She’d been looking forward to seeing the joy on Katya’s face. The teacher pulled out her phone so as not to have to look at any of the other patrons. Kids just out of school. People in suits who looked one spreadsheet away from death. Old people who must have been around for the invention of hair brushes but somehow seemingly never used them.

“Excuse me, I don’t know if anyone has ever told you this but you are very beautiful.” A manly voice said from across her. Momentarily her heart filled with dread as she expected to look up and see a forty something year old man with a shitty suit and a problematic hairline, who thought he’d try his luck. Instead she saw the grinning face of Katya.

“Oh my god. What was that?”

“I got you didn’t I? Didn’t know it was me, did you?” She giggled, putting the tray down on the table before pulling out her seat. Trixie laughed, putting her phone down beside her.

“No. You’re not secretly a man are you because that was scary real.” The teacher asked with exaggerated suspicious, eyeing the other woman cautiously.

“I’ll never tell, mother.” Katya said sweetly, hiding behind a napkin. Trixie snorted, nudging Katya’s legs with her foot underneath the table. She looked down at the food and rolled her eyes.

“Oh my god, did you get a happy meal?”

“Well yeah, it comes with a toy, Trixie!” Katya exclaimed as though that was explanation enough. She pulled one end from her straw wrapper before blowing hard into the straw.

“I’m dating an actual child.” Trixie sighed as the wrapper hit her in the cheek and got caught in her hair.

“Yup, pervert.” Katya grinned opening the box and pulling out the toy with a level of glee not quite befitting at thirty four year old woman.

“Oh. My. God.” Katya gasped as she showed the toy to Trixie. “I got you!” She insisted as she tore open the bag to reveal a small plastic Princess Peach.

“I should be her for Halloween. I’m normally Barbie.” Trixie mused, opening her veggie burger. God she was hungry, lunch seemed like years ago.

“Oh my god, you should be Princess Peach and I’ll be Mario!” Katya gasped, eyes bright as she grabbed Trixie’s arm.

“What and you just keep saving me all night and punching bricks?”

“That’s true love. The modern Romeo and Juliet.” Katya nodded, looking back down at the figurine happily. She was very quiet for a few moments before she suddenly spoke. “Hey, Trixie. Ask me how I’m doing.”

“How are you doing?” Trixie asked, trying not to be suspicious at the sudden request. Katya grinned widely and held up the Princess Peach toy.

“Peachy.” She said as seriously as she could. Trixie groaned, chuckling at the stupid joke as Katya began to wheeze. “Trixie, ask me how I would describe your butt.”

“I feel like I know where this is going. Is it peachy by any chance?” The teacher asked, eyebrows raised.

“You said it, not me.” Katya replied, holding her hands up in the air.

“God, I love you.”

“Urgh.” Katya grimaced before smiling and blowing her a kiss. Trixie smiled back, rubbing her foot against Katya’s calf as she drank.

“It’s like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.” Katya giggled as she rolled her chicken nugget behind the toy. Grinning she took a bite of the food, looking very pleased.

“I’ve never seen it.”

“You’ve never seen it?!”

“As much as I love to see you, I don’t care to see your food.” Trixie mused as Katya looked slightly guilty. Swallowing her food she took a deep breath.

“Trixie.” She began seriously. “While the time we’ve had together has been great I’m afraid we are going to have to break up. I need someone who shares the same values… and the same DVD collection.”

"Oh my god, don’t do that to me Katya. I was starting to believe you.“ Trixie laughed in relief, putting a hand on her chest. She had managed to sound so serious. Imagine breaking up in a McDonalds at eight o’ clock on a Tuesday. She’d never live that down let alone the heartbreak. "I thought you finally realised you’re out of my league.”

“Sorry.” Katya apologised, looking a little guilty. She reached forward and took Trixie’s free hand in her own. “You think I’m out of your league?” She asked as she dipped her fries in sauce before filling her mouth.

“I’m pretty sure everyone is out of your league.” Trixie said softly, looking up from under her lashes at the other woman.

“You’re cute."

"Thank you.”

“I don’t think I’m out of your league at all by the way.” Katya added, pulling Trixie hand to her mouth to press a tender kiss to the back of her hand.

“No?”

“No. I mean who would have known the two sexiest, funniest, most charming, intelligent people in the world would fall in love?”

“Hah yeah, that’s them down the street there. What about us?” Trixie snorted, nodding her head to the window. Katya gaped in mock horror, dropping her hand.

“You wound me you sharp-tongued vagabond.” Katya said dramatically, putting a hand to her chest. “And yet you are definitely getting laid tonight for being such a duckie.“ She added with a smile, leaning forward to pink Trixie’s cheek. The other woman batted her hand away with a laugh.

“Pretty sure I was getting laid anyway, compliments or no.” Trixie grinned, leaning forwards so that people around them couldn’t hear her.

“Away, you three-inch fool!” Katya exclaimed.

“What’s with the Shakespeare today?” Trixie asked, shaking her head fondly as she went back to eating her food.

“I was listening to the radio yesterday and they were doing dramatizations for Shakey’s birthday or something.” Katya shrugged, taking a sip of her drink.

“Listening to the radio, showing your age a little there grandma.” Trixie mused, smirking at Katya’s offended look.

“Young people listen to the radio too, Trixie.” She insisted.

“Mmmhmm." Trixie hummed, dodging Katya as she tried to playfully smack her on the arm. The pair fell into giggles.

“Anyway I would have thought you’d like my Shakespearian flare today, its romantic.”  Katya said, waving a fry in front of her as though she was directing an orchestra of some kind.

“It’s not romantic if you only remember the insults and the bits with bears in, Katya.” Trixie snorted.

“I know other bits!” Katya insisted taking the other woman’s hand. “Trixie, Trixie, where for art thou…” She said, rolling her ‘r’s, hand resting on her chest as she spoke to Trixie’s hand. Trixie couldn’t contain the squeak of laughter as Katya suddenly pulled her hand towards her and covered it in sloppy kisses.

“I hate you.” Trixie laughed, wiping her lipstick covered hand with a napkin. Katya winked at her before sticking a whole nugget in her mouth. “And I’m guessing you’re wearing that dress because Shakespeare as well. I’m almost surprised you don’t own a ruff.”

“Completely unrelated.” Katya shrugged, waving her hand nonchalantly.

“Right.” Trixie nodded, not believing the other woman for a second. “Speaking of completely unrelated.” She began, causing Katya to look up from her food. "What was your sister talking about earlier?"

"Oh. Um.” Katya began, suddenly nervous, scrunching up her serviette in her hand. “It’s perfectly ok for you to say no, before I begin, I just want you to know we won’t take it personally. I won’t take it personally. I understand."

"Katya, what is it?”

“We’re going on holiday, Svetlana, Peter, Dina and I, we go away together every other year and um and Svetlana wanted me to ask you if… if maybe you wanted to come too?" Katya asked, eyes on the napkin in her hand as she began to twist one end of it nervously.

"You’re asking me to come on holiday with your family?" Trixie clarified, surprised by the invitation. She’d never been invited to go on holiday or anything with a girlfriend’s family before. She’d been away with Kim and her family before but never with a girlfriend.

"Sorry, sorry. I told her it was probably too much, I mean we haven’t been together that long really and we certainly haven’t been publicly. Just forget it.” Katya rushed out, still not looking at her as she sat back in her seat.

“When is it?” Trixie asked picking up her phone to check her calendar.

“What are you doing?" Katya asked, looking up in surprise.

"Checking if I’m free. I think I still have quite a few days off left if it runs a little in term time although I’d rather not do that.” Trixie said, closing a text from Pearl as it popped up. She’d answer it later.

“Wait, you want to come?" Katya asked, her eyes hopeful. Trixie looked up from her phone and smiled.

"Sure. Getting to spend time with you and your family would be nice." Trixie said, heart bubbling pleasantly as she saw Katya finally let her excitement show.

"Oh ok, we’re going Easter week, um we’re going to this resort place in Greece.”

“Is that expensive?" Trixie asked, doing a mental check of her current savings and bank account balance.

"Svetlana has offered to pay for your flight." Katya said.

"What? She can’t do that, I’ve got some stuff saved up.” Trixie replied quickly, she certainly didn’t know Katya sister well enough to be indebted to her like that. Plus she still wasn’t sure Svetlana liked her. Taking her money would only make that worse surely.

“She’ll honestly be more insulted if you paid for it yourself than not going." Katya informed her frankly.

"Oh."

"Yeah she’s got a bit of a complex. I also think it’s a bit of an apology for the way she was when we started out.” Katya shrugged.

“Oh. Ok. Well, I’m free that week.” Trixie said, putting her phone back down to look at Katya.

“So you’re coming?” The Russian asked hopefully, excitement swimming in her eyes. Trixie grinned and nodded.

“Yeah.”

……………….

“It was very nice of you to offer to drive us all to the airport.” Svetlana said as she settled herself into the back of the car with her husband.

“Of course. Thank you so much for inviting me.” Trixie replied from the driver’s seat, yawning as she looked at the time. Too early, definitely.

“It’ll be nice for us all to spend some time together.” Peter added as Trixie took a long sip of her strong coffee in her pink travel cup that Katya had decorated. One night Katya had just picked it up and asked if she could make it prettier. She then continued to cover it in doodles of hearts, flowers and Barbies floating alongside aliens and raccoons.

“You got everything, sweet?” Trixie asked as Katya slid into the seat next to her.

“My charm and my dashing good looks.” Katya sighed, rolling her shoulders back as she yawned. “It’s too early.”

“You look so beautiful.” Trixie smiled, making Katya bounce happily before thanking her. Some of the Russian’s hair fell from its messy and very lazy updo as she laid her head back on the headrest.

“Right. Let’s get this show on the road. Everyone ready?”

“Miss Mattel, I need a wee.”

“Remember, you don’t need to call me Miss Mattel while we’re not in school. Just call me Trixie.”

“You went while we were in the house.” Katya sighed looking exhausted. Trixie put a hand over Katya’s, rubbing her thumb over her knuckles soothingly.

“I need it again.” Dina whined.

“That’s no problem. Good on you for saying before we left. We’ll be right back.” Trixie said, turning to Katya. “You wanna give me your key, I’ll take her now.” Katya smiled appreciatively.

“You sure Trixie?” Svetlana asked, reaching for the buckle to her seatbelt.

“Sure, you guys sit down for five minutes.” She said with a wave of her hand, opening her door and getting out of the car. She walked around the car and opened the door for Dina. They headed into the house together, chatting away like old friends.

“Trixie is sweet.” Svetlana observed as she watched the pair enter the house.

“She has a heart of gold and more patience than I’ve even known anyone have.” Katya mumbled her eyes closed as she sat back in the seat. God it had been a long morning, and there was still plenty of it left.

“Does she tell you you’re beautiful a lot?”

“Yeah.” Katya smiled, turning slightly in her seat to look at her sister. “And yet every time she says it, it’s like the first time she said it.” She confessed, blushing a little. Svetlana grinned wolfishly.

“Now then Hun, I’ve seen that look before.” Peter began, looking up from his phone to give Svetlana a stern look over his glasses. “You can’t spend the holiday prying into their love life.”

“I just want to know that they’re happy.” She said defensively, folding her arms across her chest as Trixie and Dina stepped out of the house.

“Mhm.” Peter hummed disbelievingly, patting his wife’s leg. He gave her the kind of look that came as a result of many years of marriage.

“We are, I don’t remember being this happy before.” Katya sighed as Dina got back in the car and buckled her seatbelt.

“Hey.” Trixie said as she slid into the driver seat.

“Before we go can I have a small kiss?” Katya asked tiredly, smirking at the way Trixie blushed. The teacher looked behind her briefly, everyone else in the car suddenly seem to be very focused on something in their hand or looking out of the window.

Trixie leant forward and pressed a chaste kiss to Katya’s lips, staying perhaps a little longer than was necessary. Katya held a knuckle beneath the teachers chin as she kissed her back. She pulled away not long after, looking thoroughly too please with herself as she relaxed into the passenger seat of the car. Trixie sat back, rolling her eyes as she felt blush touch her cheeks.

“If you guys want.” Trixie began, coughing awkwardly as she broke the silence of the car. “You can go back to sleep for a bit. I’ll keep the music off.”

“That’s ok.” Svetlana answered as Trixie checked her mirror and began down the quiet road. “I won’t be sleeping and these three could sleep through world war three."

"If you’re all sure. I hope country is ok?” She laughed, pressing the play button on her Bluetooth car radio. Her question fell on three pairs of deaf ears. Svetlana chuckled. They were so predictable.

……………….

She’d been driving almost two hours when they hit the traffic. Just managed to catch rush hour, dammit. She slumped back in her seat with one hand on the wheel. She drummed her fingers as the song changed to Island in the Stream.

“Do you remember the time you sung this to me?” A voice said beside her, making Trixie jump. She had thought Katya was still asleep.

“Yeah. After we went to that terrible restaurant that had that weird waiter.” Trixie chuckled, edging the car forward a few inches before the cars in front of her stopped again.

“Benjamin was boss.” Katya gasped in mock outrage.

“You only think that because he likes the movie Contact.” Trixie pointed out, shooting Katya quick knowing look before returning her eyes to the road.

“He has taste.”

“Shush.”

“Let’s do it again.” Katya said suddenly.

“What?”

“She’s an amazing singer.” The Russian added, turning in her seat slightly to inform her sister and brother in law.

“I’m not that good, I just sing in key unlike some people.” Trixie interjected, as Peter and Svetlana chuckled.

“C'mon. It’s our song.” Katya pleaded, trying to sway her.

“Is it? I thought you said Hot for Teacher by Van Halen was our song.”

“We have multiple songs.” Katya shrugged. “Sing for me my angel of music.”

“Are we starting on the Dolly part then?” Trixie checked as the chorus finished. Katya nodded.

“I can’t live without you if the love was gone. Everything is nothing if you got no one.” Trixie sang, laughing when Katya began to clap. “And you just walk in the night. Slowly losing sight of the real thing.”

“But that won’t happen to us and we got no doubt. Too deep in love and we got no way out.” They sang together. Svetlana grabbed her phone, quickly turning on the camera. Peter rolled his eyes as she began to record them.

This was going to be an interesting holiday.