#team Marian is full of sympathy for her

[quietparanoiac]

Gemma Whelan as Marian Lister in Gentleman Jack (2019–), 2x05

[peachybowen]

stupid • r.b

series masterlist

  pt.1 pt.2

pairing: ricky bowen x reader

warnings: swearing? cliche things? My writing?

songs: I think you kinda, you know by Joshua Bassett, Start of Something New by Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron

words: 3.6k

A/N: this is my first time posting/writing on Tumblr! I hope u enjoy xx

italics= little scenes? (like the scene where Ricky says: „this is a nightmare. Love is dead.”) :)

crossed words is when they usually turn to the camera you know :))

There may also be a few mistakes but I tried my best! :)

Junior year. Another year sitting in a classroom full of teenagers. Also another year of creating memories with my two best friends, Ricky and Big Red. Ricky Bowen, the cutest boy you will ever meet. Trust me on this he's so cute I-

,,Today's the day guys. It's happening.'' Ricky stated excited while nudging my shoulder. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

,,Hell yeah. Junior year, baby'' Big Red replied just as excited as Ricky.

,,Might grow a mustache. Might do a lot of things.'' he continued with a grin on his face. I just kept on walking between the two idiots.

,,Dude, I'm talking about Nini.'' Ricky said with a smile. The smile on my face was now replaced by a frown. I grabbed my backpack straps and continued walking.

,,Today's the day we start over.'' Ricky explained.

While we were walking down the stairs of East High School, Ricky said something about him and Nini texting and her sounding mutual.

,,Nothing about bad news or needing to have a big talk. Just ,,Hey.'' That's good right?'' the boy continued and turned his head to me. I just shrugged.

,,Summers are no man's land, Ricky. I don't know what ''Hey.'' means and neither does Y/N or you.'' Big Red sighed and started to walk faster.

,,I think it's good.'' Ricky breathed out and sent a smile my way which i obviously returned. Soon after we actually found Nini by her locker talking to her best friend, Kourtney. We said our hellos and it was silent for a second.

,,Can we talk?'' Nini asked and turned to look at Ricky. He looked shocked.

,,I met somebody else at camp. I didn't plan-'' she tried to explain but Ricky interuppted her asking if it was a joke. They both didn't seem to care that we stood there watching the scene unfold in front of us.

,,Still talking here.'' Nini snapped and continued.

,,I didn't plan for it to happen but it happened. He was the Music Man, I was Marian, the librarian. It's called a showmance.'' she finished looking her, now ex boyfriend, straight in the eyes.

,,Wait, you went to librarian camp? That's a thing?'' the red headed boy beside me asked. I looked at him and nudged him so he would stop asking dumb questions.

,,Please tell me you're joking.'' Ricky wailed. I could literally see the hurt in his eyes.

,,I'm not.'' Big Red and Nini replied at the same time. I kicked Big Red this time to finally shut him up.

,,Come on, Ricky you know what you did! Or you didn't do.'' Nini pointed out. I knew what she was referring to. The night she told him that she loved him. Ricky came over that night explaining everything and that he wasn't ready to say the L-Word yet. It was the night where I realized how I really felt for him. We played 'Just Dance' all night and my goal was honestly just to make him happy. He was so stressed and worried. I just wanted him to have fun and forget about all that Nini stuff, even if it just was for 5 minutes.

,,Good morning, students. Please make your way to the gym for our annual back-to-school kickoff.'' a teacher announced trough the speakers. Nini was about to leave when Ricky spoke up again.

,,I don't belive this. You're blowing me off for some theater punk you met four weeks ago? At a lake?'' Ricky asked still in disbelief that he was getting dumped.

,,You kinda dumped me!'' the girl snapped back.

,,It was a break. It wasn't a break-up.'' he corrected. At this point it was hard to watch. It was awkard standing there, watching the drama onfold in front of my eyes but I didn’t want to leave Ricky alone.

,,I'm sorry Ricky but it is a break-up now.''

,,Pop off girl.'' Kourtney, Nini's best friend, commented. Me and Big Red turned to look at her.

,,Stay out of it, Kourtney.'' Big Red hissed.

,,I'm dismantling the patriarchy this year, and I'm not afraid to start with you.'' Kourtney threatend before Nini left with her. I turned to look at Ricky who was frozen in his place.

We were sitting in the Gym soon after the whole agrument. The kickoff was boring.

,,And I am also pleased to announce that this year, seniors will be allowed to wear baseball hats on Fridays.'' the principal announced. Everyone just looked at him not saying a word. Well besides that one girl who screamed: ,,Go seniors!''. The principal continued a few seconds later.

,,And now for a special introduction. This year, East High has a new drama teacher with an announcement that she swore, in writing, would not cost too much money.'' he said and gestured to a woman who was sitting in the front. Everything was silent again. Nobody clapped besides two students.

,,Why? Why do things have to change?'' Ricky asked staring at Nini who was sitting two or three rows in front of him. We turned our heads to look at a heart broken Ricky.

,,Some things never change.'' I replied in a whisper, smiling when he turned to look at me.

,,I've been wearing the same socks for three days.'' Big Red added with a shrug. I looked down at his feet for a second and gagged dramatically. Big Red just smiled and turned his attention back to the new drama teacher. I did the same.

,,My name is Miss Jenn, and when I heard that the high school where High School Musical was shot had never staged a production of High School Musical, the musical, I was shocked as an actress, inspired as a director, and triggered as a millennial.'' she explained. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion for the second time that day.

Millennial?

,,Auditions are tomorrow after school.'' Ms. Jenn continued and looked around.

,,This show could change your lives, and I'm saying this as a background dancer from the original movie. Third from the left, back row, red headband, and those are my real teeth.'' she exclaimed happily. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Nini nudging Kourtney to  indirectly say that she was gonna audition. After that she introduced us to the student Choreograph, Carlos.

Sitting at our usual table at lunch and talking about Nini was one thing, but seeing Nini being all lovie dovie with my big brother was another. And if your wondering, no, he didn't tell me that he was dating Nini. Normally he told me everything but he just decided to not tell me that he started dating the ex-girlfriend of my best friend.

,,Dude are you seeing this?'' Red asked, looking at my brother and Nini, and then back to Ricky who was looking at them as well.

,,I'm seein' it, I'm hearin' it, I'm hatin' it.'' he replied and turned to me.

,,Did you know?'' he asked with a semi angry expression on his face.

,,What? No! And you know that I would have told you if I did.'' I replied looking at him.

,,I can't believe it.'' Red muttered still watching the couple.

,,She's dating my brother.'' I mumbled turning my gaze to them as well.

,,Yes. I have eyes'' Ricky growled, clearly being annoyed.

,,Co-captain of the water polo team. Senior class treasurer.'' Red listed eating his food.

,,That's correct.'' Ricky mumbled still annoyed as shit.

,,What are the odds that the guy she hooks up with at camp goes to East High?'' the red head asked not knowing that he is annoying Ricky more and more.

,,Apparently, the odds are exceptionally good.'' Ricky snapped and I decided to show a bit sympathy.

,,I'm sorry Ricky.''

The curly haired boy turned to face me.

,,What are you gonna do?'' I asked him.

,,I don't know.'' he sighed, stood up and left, leaving me with Big Red.

,,Ok is there something you wanna tell me?'' I asked as soon as I arrived at home. EJ was sitting on the couch and was on Instagram, as always.

,,What do you mean?'' he asked looking up from his phone.

,,Oh I don't know maybe you getting a new girlfriend who was the girlfriend of my best friend by the way. How about that?'' I hinted with a mad look on my face.

,,Oh that. Yeah I'm dating Nini.'' he simply said, turning his attention to his phone again shortly after. I went to the couch and sat down beside him.

,,Why didn't you tell me?''

,,Nini told me not to say anything. She wanted to sort things out with Ricky first, you know.'' he replied turning his phone off. My gaze softened. 

,,Oh.'' I simply whispered.

,,Yeah, I'm sorry. Anyways, are you auditioning?''

,,Of course EJ.'' I answered with a smile.

,,For what part?'' he asked further.

I crossed my legs before answering.

,,Probably Taylor.''

My phone rang just as EJ was about to reply. I picked up my phone and saw that Ricky was calling me. I didn't think twice and picked up.

,,Hello?''

,,Hi, Y/N. It's Ricky. Meet me at Big Red's House. Now!'' was all he said before he hung up. I stood up and sent an apologetic smile towards my big brother before grabbing his car keys and my shoes.

,,I'm taking your car! Love you!'' I yelled before closing the door and running to the car.

,,Okay, I know it's crazy, dude, but she has to see me in a whole new light.'' Ricky explained while I was sitting on a chair and Big Red was playing a videogame.

,,But we hate musicals.'' Red argued, still focused on his game.

,,I don't.'' I chimed in, rolling my eyes at Big Red's argument.

,,I just think it's weird when people, like, burst into song in the middle of the street.'' Ricky stated, paching around in the room.

,,That is a musical.'' I retorted, looking at my best friend.

,,Okay, look. I'm auditioning for this thing tomorrow, and nothing is gonna stop me.'' he declared.

,,Do you even know the plot of High School Musical?''

,,Of course! It's about Zac Efron dancing with a basketball.''

,,Wrong. It's about the character, Troy, having to choose between being true to his friend, Chad, or following his heart with Gabriella.'' I corrected with a smirk.

,,The point is, you're out of your league here, man. You can't pull this off.''

Ricky looked at his male best friend.

,,Yeah?'' he asked.

,,Yes.''

And with that, Ricky grabbed his Skateboard and left without saying another word.

The next day was uneventful. I was nervous because of the auditions but I got through the day without having to throw up.

,,People make sure you audition number is clearly visible on your clothes. This isn't a game.'' Carlos yelled as he walked passed me. I looked down to see my audition number. Number 5. I smiled and went to talk to my brother.

,,You know, I'm actually kinda bummed that we don't have any competition here. It would make getting the leads all the sweeter.'' he said to Nini and I rolled my eyes playfully and sat down on a chair.

,,Could you stop tempting fate?'' Nini asked with a laugh and looked at her boyfriend. EJ looked back at her and grinned. I never felt more single in my life.

,,You know what? You're right.'' she continued turning her head back to the mirror in front of her. I was about to say something but Ms.Jenn knocked on the door.

,,Okay, theater people. Let's do this!''

Everyone started cheering and got up from their chairs. The smile on my face grew and I turned to my brother.

,,Good luck!'' I said and hugged him.

,,Good luck! I love you.'' he replied and hugged me back.

,,I love you more.'' was all I said before I left the room.

We all got on stage and Ms. Jenn told us to pair up with someone who wasn't our friend. That's when I realized that Ricky wasn't there. I sighed and paired up with Ashlyn. I know that Ms.Jenn said to not pair up with a friend but she did not say to not pair up with your cousin.

We all lined up and chatted till Miss Jenn started walking down the line of students. She stopped in front of a boy.

,,I'd love you to read for Ryan.''

,,You are giving major Taylor vibes.'' she said to the next girl. The next in line was Ashlyn.

,,You. You're giving me uncommon depth. Ms.Darbus?''

I looked at Ashlyn and she started smiling.

,,I'm dying. I'm deceased. Yes.'' Ashlyn replied, still smiling happily.

,,Oh. Your application says you play the piano.''

,,I dabble.''

,,You ever written a song?'' Ms.Jenn asked with a curios look.

,,Nothing I've ever shared with anyone.''

,,I always thought the drama teacher should have an Act Two power ballad. We'll sidebar.'' was all the blonde teacher said before she stood in front of me.

,,Gabriella.''

I looked at her and shook my head slowly.

,,No. I'm actually here to audition for Taylor.'' I answered a small smile forming on my lips.

,,Oh, ok.'' was all she said before she continued walking down the line.

Ricky still didn't show up and I really thought he just decided not to audition last minute. I was sitting on stage with the others. It was EJ's time to audition.

,,Okay, what do I need to know?'' Ms. Jenn whispered to Carlos.

,,EJ Caswell. Big brother of Y/N Caswell, most Instagram followers. Wakes up looking like that-'' was all I could hear from their little conversation. Soon after EJ started singing 'Start of Something New’ while Seb played the piano.

,,Well, excuse me. Armie Hammer called. He wants his jawline back.'' The female teacher joked with a bright smile on her face. I sent a smile towards him which he returned.

,,Moving on with the Taylor's and after that we're gonna continue with the Gabriella's!'' she announced while clapping, shortly after.

It was my time to audition and, boy was I nervous. I was trying really hard not to throw up on stage in front of everyone. Like, I auditioned for plays before but I wasn't like my brother who was really confident in the things he did. I'm the sibling that overthinks everything.

,,Ok Y/N start when you're ready.'' Carlos said and waited for me to start. I took a deep breath and started reading Taylor’s lines. It was the scene where she apologized for trying to manipulate Gabriella and Troy's relationship.

,,Gabriella, we were jerks. No, we were worse than jerks because we were mean jerks. We thought Troy and the whole singing thing was killing our chances of having you on the scholastic decathlon team.''

,,Thank you Y/N! Now let's hear your singing.'' Ms.Jenn instructed. My eyes grew wide and I gasped.

,,Hold on. Jade didn't need to sing and she auditioned for Taylor as well. Why do I need to sing?''

,,Just do it!'' EJ whisper-yelled. I turned my gaze to him and then back to Carlos and Ms.Jenn who smiled widely. 

,,Ok.'' I mumbled and looked at Seb who started playing the Piano seconds later.

,,Livin' in my own world

Didn't understand

That anything can happen

When you take a chance

I never believed in

What I couldn't see

I never opened my heart (Oh) To all the possibilities

I know that something has changed

Never felt this way and right here tonight

This could be the start of something new

It feels so right to be here with you (oh)

And now looking in your eyes

I feel in my heart (feel in my heart)

The start of something new.''

In conclusion...I sang my heart out.

,,Great, thank you Y/N. Let's continue with the Gabriella's!''

I smiled and sat down beside Nini. She smiled at me and I returned it. My brother sent me the same proud smile as Nini.

Gina was incredible. She was a multi-talent. I was kinda jealous. I mean I knew she could dance but she could also sing like a goddess. It was Nini's turn after Gina. To be honest, I did not think she could take on Gina. I mean she mostly played Trees and animals in plays soo...you know.

Just as Nini positioned herself on stage, Ricky came running in with his guitar.

,,Am I too late?'' he yelled, totally out of breath. Nini looked not so pleased.

,,We're all set on Troys. We're low on Chads. You can read after the Gabriellas.'' Ms.Jenn stated and turned her attention back to Nini, who still looked mortified.

,,I only studied the Troy scenes in the movie.'' Ricky told her while walking up the stairs. My brother rolled his eyes at Ricky, which lead me to roll my eyes at him.

,,Troy would have arrived on time.'' Carlos commented.

,,Thanks. Let me do the talking.'' the blonde whispered to the young choreograph.

,,Okay Nini let's try this again.''

Nini looked so much more nervous than before. No wait. She looked terrified. I didn't blame her. Having her current boyfriend and her ex-boyfriend in a room while you're trying to audition for a lead role is kinda nerve-racking.

,,You got this babe!'' EJ literally screamed. The scream startled Ms.Jenn so much that she spilled her coffee over the sound system. All the lights turned off.

,,Nobody panic! Nini, let's wait for the lights to come back on. I don't want this to throw you.''

,,I'm not thrown.'' the brunette replied. Everyone looked at her (well as best as they could.) and she started singing. Not even a minute later, Ricky got his phone out and turned on the flashlight, literally holding it in Nini's face. And of course, EJ got up and did the same. Nini was really good. Like really really good. Just as she finished singing, the lights came back on.

,,Well, thank you Nini. I only needed 32 bars but I appreciate your commitment.'' Ms.Jenn said while Carlos held up his right thumb. She turned her attention back to Ricky.

,,You, late boy.''

He looked at her.

,,Let's do the Chad sides.''

Ricky nodded and grabbed the script. It was quiet. Ricky looked at me and i sent him a (hopefully) comforting smile. Big Red came in last second as well. He held his thumbs up and smiled.

,,Hey, there. I'm Ricky Bowen. I'm a junior. And here it goes.'' he said before he started. I smiled the whole time, trying to somehow lift his spirit. He started reading the lines but stopped a few seconds later. My smile slightly faded and I looked at him with furrowed eyebrows. He crumbled the script in his fist and I turned to look at Big Red who was looking at me with the same expression I had on my face.

,,I don't know. Maybe its the way Gabriella always had your back. And maybe you can't stop beating yourself up for totally blowing it with her'' Ricky began, looking at Nini who was sitting beside me.

,,And look, Troy. Even if you never said the L-word to Gabriella, 'cause that's, like, not even a word your parents say to each other anymore. That doesn't mean that you don't. Maybe it just means you were waiting for the right time to say it. So that everyone could hear it.'' he continued looking Nini. She was trying to avoid eye contact though.

,,No. That she could.'' he finished after a short pause. My smile was completely gone and I just looked at my hands.

,,Okay kiddo. Time to sing.''

Before Seb could even start playing the piano, Ricky asked if he could sing his own song. Ms.Jenn just agreed and he grabbed his guitar. And the next thing I knew was that he started singing the song Nini wrote for him. Don't get me wrong. I was so proud of him for being so damn brave but it still hurt a lot. I sighed and slowly got up, leaving the room. Just to clear my mind for a bit.

,,Clear!'' Carlos yelled as he ran past me with a blue piece of paper in his hands. I followed him, realizing that it was the cast list. Everyone was crowding around it so I didn't really get to see if I got the Taylor part.

,,"Chad"? She thinks I'm a Chad?'' EJ asked dumbfounded, his ego obviously hurt. I really thought he was gonna get the Troy part. Everyone stepped back and I finally got to look at the list.

Taylor McKessie - Gina Porter

Honestly the day couldn't have gone worse. First the Ricky thing and then the Musical. Big Red seemed to notice my sudden mood switch.

,,Y/N?'' he asked and I looked up to him with glassy eyes. He started smiling.

,,Look at the top of the list.'' he said chuckling. I did as he said and my eyes grew wide.

Gabriella Montez - Y/N Caswell

I turned to look at my best friend. I was so confused.

that's why Miss Jenn asked me to sing.

Big Reds' smile grew bigger and bigger every second. Mine did as well. But then I realized that Nini wanted the role and I practically just stole it from her. I looked at the list again.

Gabriella Montez understudy - Nini Salazar-Roberts

I looked at Nini and smiled at her. She flashed a sad smile my way and went to talk to EJ.

Big Red hugged me and, of course, I hugged him back. Ricky then stepped forward, searching for his name on the list.

Troy Bolten - Ricky Bowen

And that was definitely the start of something new.

[skellyskoo]

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 

read on ao3

Bethany was ill as they travelled to Gwaren, and as well on the boat to Kirkwall. Two parts seasickness and one part recovery from her injuries. Towards the end of their journey the tenderness of the bruises began to fade, the color turning from a deep purple to a greenish-gold. Aveline stayed with them, their not-so-silent protector, and Marian and Garrett made a silent pact to protect her in turn.

Leandra and Aveline spoke often during the trip, quiet talks about Malcolm and Wesley; while the siblings sat close to each other, huddled for shelter against the rank stench of all the warm bodies.

They were at the bottom, packed together with dozens of other refugees, all of which whose homes were overrun with darkspawn and blight. The constant swaying of the ship combined with the near-total lack of light had them all feeling ill, using the intervals between trips to the upper decks to empty their stomachs of nothing and Bethany’s progress to track the days. Poultices were used in place of magic, causing the healing process to creep along at a mind-numbingly slow pace. They couldn’t risk magic so close to so many people, no matter how badly they wanted to. Even Carver wished for it.

Marian and Garrett stayed close, never straying far from their twin. They were close enough before, but now they were inseparable, as if something might happen to the other if they stood apart for even a second. Bethany’s near-death incident scared them all, pushing caution and the overwhelming desire to protect to the forefront of their minds.

Time stretches on between the days, the hours, the minutes. They all feel restless. Birds were never meant to be caged, and they’re Hawkes, packed in below-decks.

-- Bethany wakes, feeling feverishly warm and disoriented. The disorientation, she knows, is from being on this Maker-forsaken boat, and it’s something she can’t exactly fix right now. The warmth, she notes, is from her twin. He’s sleeping on her, legs propped on her (now healed) abdomen. Annoyed, she shoves his legs off of her with newfound strength, and the force of it causes him to jolt awake with a snort. His head hits the back of the wooden pillar he was propped against, and he lurches forward, rubbing where it hit. "Wha's that for?" He slurs tiredly.

“I’m not your furniture,” Bethany snaps at him, and he gives her a look.

She knows that look, “Don’t you dare,” she tells him, and he responds in kind by putting his legs right back on top of her.

She takes it as a challenge.

--- Marian Hawke loves her sleep. She enjoys the dreams far less than the actual sleeping, but 'Hey,' she figures, 'Can’t have an omelet without cracking a few eggs.' Typically she tends not to wake for while, enjoying being comfortable and nappy, and will laze about until the sunlight hits her eyelids, making it impossible to ignore, or until her mother comes to rip her out of bed unceremoniously and demand she get to work. Neither of those factors have disturbed her sleep since they got on this boat - and she knows she's still on said boat, the constant rocking gives it away - so she isn't sure why she's awake. Marian decides to puzzle out why she's awake, and who woke her by listening for clues, and finds them soon enough. Carver and Bethany are snipping at each other under their breath, and occasionally she feels one of their limbs nudge her. 'Kicking fight,' she deducts, and then decides to feign sleep in the hopes of falling back under.

The kicking continues, and Marian continues to be awake. She keeps her eyes closed, however.

She's nothing if not stubborn.

Someone kicks Marian, and she figures she can’t very well pretend she’s still sleeping anymore- it was a pretty hard kick. Still, she wants to at least try and stay comfortable in the vain hopes that rest comes back for her.

“Children, please” She calls tiredly, voice muffled from using Garrett as a cushion; and kicks back, full strength, in her best guess of where Carver is. She still hasn’t opened her eyes, but she knows she managed to clip him by the resounding noise of discomfort that comes from his direction. Marian smiles to herself. "Victory," she mouths.

She hears Bethany suppress a snicker, and its the last warning she gets before she is forcibly removed from dreamland as her younger siblings team up to take her out.

-

Garrett is awakened by the sweet sounds of a sibling scuffle- namely by the sounds of his twin getting pinned to the ground. He hears Marian let out a string of half-hearted curses and figures that he can’t very well let Bethany and Carver get away with taking her out. It makes them look bad.

Without even opening an eye, he flops on top of his younger siblings, knocking them over. Their surprised squawks are music to his sleep-addled ears, and Marian to wriggles her way out from underneath the dogpile and dives on top, helping him pin them down. Marian cackles as she descends, and they’re all all giggling like idiots.

For once things don’t seem so bleak. He feels like he’s back in Lothering, and it’s Summerday morning and they’re all children again, wrestling in the dirt in silly competitions. Twins on twins; Garrett and Marian versus Carver and Bethany. The girls getting dirt caked all over their clothes. Bethany's dresses and Marian's trousers, because their mother gave up on the idea of Marian keeping her nice clothes clean.

The illusion is broken when someone kicks Aveline, who yells at them to knock it off. She's leaning against a wall, resting. Garrett looks over and sees that Aveline hasn't opened her eyes, or made a move to stop their childish fight. It’s silent as the four siblings stay still in a pile of limbs and hushed breaths. Marian, in a bold move, silently reaches out a her foot, and slowly lowers it to rest it on Aveline's knee. The sleeping woman cracks an eye open, grabs Marian’s ankle, and wrenches her off the top of the pile within a matter of seconds, and Marian yelps in surprise before falling from grace, landing on the ground with a hearty “oof."

Carver dissolves into laughter from the bottom of the pile.

Garrett looks at Bethany, who is looking back at him; their eyes wide. Laughter bubbles up in Garrett's chest and he begins to snicker, Bethany follows suit.  Marian, from her spot on the floor, calls to them in an attempt to garner some sympathy.

“Brother… Sister... so cruel…” She throws in a fake cough for good measure, “Here I lie on my deathbed and yet you laugh at me...” she rolls over to lie on her belly, resting her face on the floor in an attempt to play dead.

Carver snorts loudly before shoving Bethany and Garrett off of him, "It's your own fault, sister," he tells her; and Marian, face buried in the ground, cracks a smile. A relative peace falls down around them and as quickly as it left the reality of their situation returns to them, the stench of the boat coming back in full force to plague their senses. Someone, possibly Bethany, heaves a sigh. Carver shares the sentiment, “This sucks,” he says, “I never want to be on another a boat again. Ever.”

Garrett, in an attempt to bring the light atmosphere back, speaks up, “Oh I don’t know,” he says, voice taking on a conspiratorial tone, “What if we meet a band of pirates and they ask us to join their crew?”

Bethany senses his game, “Oohh how exciting,” she says and pretends to think for a moment, "Hmm, I think I’d have to go with ‘No”, she deadpans.

“What if it’s a sexy pirate” Marian speaks up, face still pressed against the grimy floor. Carver is holding her there, now, legs on her back; using her as furniture since Bethany won’t let him use her.

His twin’s response eggs him on, “All pirates are sexy,” Garret says.

Carver pauses to digest that before making a face.

“No they’re not.” He says.

“Well- in my fantasy they are,” Garrett says defensively, lacing mock hurt into his tone. Carver shakes his head, and Bethany watches the exchange with a thoughtful look on her face.

"Fantasy, Garrett?" She asks, and he nods. "Yeah," he says, "Fantasy. You know, a fictional realm in your mind, full of wonderful things? Twists and turns, drama and comedy. A beautiful thing."

Marian barks a laugh at Garrett, the force of it causing her baby brother’s legs to slide off her back limply. Carver gives up on pinning her down, feeling she’s gotten her punishment, and Marian swings up dramatically, then flops into Carver’s lap. Garrett watches as his younger brother considers this development, before sighing and crossing his arms, surly all the while. He allows it. After a moment he continues the conversation, rolling his eyes.

“Knowing you, I feel like being in your fantasy realm would be the not only dangerous, but also disgusting.” Garrett reels back, gasping in mock offense, but internally he congratulates his sibling on the burn. Marian has the same idea, laughing tiredly from his lap and mocking him with a long, drawn out “Buuurrrnnn,” before raising an arm to hi-five Carver.

He rejects it, instead responding with: “That goes for your dumb fantasy world too, idiot,” and Marian drops her arm.

"Oooohhh, a burn for me too! I feel the warmth of your love, little brother,” she looks up at him and makes a heart-shape with her hands.

Carver shoves her off his lap.

“Now I feel the cold floor again!” She exclaims, and Bethany snorts.   “Are you sure that warmth you that you were feeling isn’t just from his burns?” She says, and  Garrett grins, “Oh good point Bethy,” He leans close to Marian, “Maybe we should check to see if she needs medical attention?” He looks back at Bethany conspiratorially. “I dare say I think she does,” Bethany returns the grin, "A cooling salve might do the trick, do you think?"

Marian takes her cue to start being dramatic.

“Oh nooo,” she whines, “Carver, why have you done me in like this?” She fakes wiping away a tear, “I’m gonna tell mom you were bullying me.” Carver scoffs, unafraid of her threat.

“Fine,” Marian grins, all teeth, “I’ll tell Aveline you were bullying me.” “I don’t care, Hawke!” Aveline responds, hearing her name, a few feet away. Marian strains to look over, the rest of them following her lead, and they see that Aveline is in the same position as before, pretending to be dozing lightly. Leandra lies next to her, finally resting. Together they all look back at each other and heave a collective sigh, mood brought back down by the realization of where they’re at again.

It’s quiet, minus the sounds of the other refugees shuffling around to try and get comfortable and return to their dreams.

All together they sigh.

“This sucks.”