All for nothing

08

Owen had called for a family meeting for the evening. Sean had been acting weird ever since last night and they needed to sort out plans for any new assignments.

Lately there had been a lot going on and the stress was just piling up. His brothers hadn't spent a full day together in what felt like months and he knew that they'd start drifting into their own groups within the family soon enough.

Whenever stress levels ran high, they automatically went off into groups which often meant they'd have to take time off from assignments and even go to boot camp again just to get the family together again.

When people started coming home- more specifically, to the family room- he had already been sat staring at the wall for a good fifteen minutes. He could feel his families worried gazes on him, burning into his skin. It wasn't often he called unscheduled family meetings.

By the time that everyone had settled into a seat, he had worked out the few  things he wanted to figure out. The few years he'd been with his now family, he'd always taken an automatic leadership role and though they'd progressed what with the lack of surnames in home, he still was the family co-lead and overall had the most authority.

They'd begun the meeting as usual, going around and talking about anything that's going on. They were obviously close as a family but sometimes he felt like they all needed a nudge so that they could actually share their feelings which he felt was quite ironic considering the man was known for being stoic.

When they'd reached Sean, he glared at Luke and Gabe before beginning his summary of the last few days which would usually include any issues in his life however, he begun by glancing at Luke, Gabe and Owen pointedly before speaking.
"I was at the hospital and then, Luke and Gabe dragged me to a nightclub and abandoned me, leaving me all by my poor self."
He'd said the last part in a teasing manner which made Luke sigh and Gabe sag slightly with the relief that he wasn't mad at them.

Owen found this all quite funny because Sean was probably one of the least scary members of the team until you got on his bad side, he could be sneaky as hell. He remembered times when he'd been caught in the crossfire of a prank gone wrong and the results weren't pretty.

Most of the group were waiting for Sean to continue but he just shook his head and leaned into his seat.

Owen watched as his family went over issues with each other offering up possible solutions and couldn't help but fell the pride bubbling up in his chest at how far they'd come. He remembered the start of the merge and how rocky it was for the two teams.

North and Brandon had spoken about their mission, explaining that they'd have to be on the assignment for a while but they weren't going anywhere so they'd still stay in the house.

"One of us is going to have to fake date a bird when we go to an auction that is supposedly a cover for illegal activities which will help us infiltrate the circle our target is in"
"There's a bird involved, who is she?"
Nathan asked, wondering if he'd know her from past missions.
Brandon tapped the side of his nose and shook his head leading to them pouting silently.
"Can't tell you. But she did call Dr. Roberts 'phillius'"

Luke began to cackle whilst Sean had a shocked look on his face. The room erupted into sudden laughter and Owen hid his small smirk behind his hand, watching on in amusement.

After a while of laughter, they had settled down slightly before Sean whispered a small shocked,
"Phil, phillius"
to himself.
Which seemed to set off the group again.

North suddenly glared at Owen, scowling,
"why do we have to let her take the lead, do you know how dangerous that could be to let a STRANGER lead us?"
He had to admit, he's forgotten about that conversation with Phil, the only way to take the mission was to let someone else take lead, Phil had assured him that the person was well trusted and they would also get a large sum of favors for this small assignment so realistically it was an easy decision.

In theory.

He had know North for years and knew of his violent tendencies, he tended to lash out when scared. So he simply tile him all he knew of it- that they were trusted by the council and any elders and she was personally recommended by Dr Roberts.

North nodded slightly, not that that reassured him but if he was being honest, Violet didn't seem too bad.

By the time the evening had ended,  North had closed himself in the garage, no doubt taking apart a car. Brandon had asked him to talk favors with Phil and the rest of them, excluding Axel, who'd gone to the kitchen, had gone to their rooms or out on assignments.

It had been a while since they'd had a group assignment actually.

A/n- I was thinking a little thing between Luke and Gabe or maybe an early relationship to be formed. Idk? Opinions Pls?
Anyways, this is a late happy new year to everyone x