Declassified

Declassified Part 89 The Present

      "We won't be long." Alex explained, adjusting Andy's tie. "I just have one more gift to give Thalie and then we'll come over."

      "You can't give sexual favours as gifts." Dan smirked at him from the table. "You're supposed to give people things they'll like."

      "It's not a sexual favour." Alex grumbled, shaking his head. "I have a real gift. A nice one."

      "Not nice enough to give it to her in front of us." Dan pointed out, shrugging as he got up.

      Alex just glared at his brother, thrusting his tie at him without responding. Truthfully, he was a bit hesitant about his gift. He knew it was risky especially given their recent history, but he was nothing if not a risk taker. Besides, he was sure Thalia would love it. Even if he had crossed a line or two.

      "It's cute that you do each other's ties." Thalia observed, pausing in the doorway.

      "You look amazing." Alex said, trying to turn to get a better view.

      "I thought you were going to wear your jersey." Dan commented, straightening Alex's collar before releasing him.

      Thalia paused just long enough to convince Alex that she'd contemplated it, but then she smoothed her hands over her dress, smiling. "No. My dress complements my new necklace."

      Alex smiled, slipping his arms around her waist. "You look gorgeous. And the necklace goes well with it."

      "I don't know." Dan disagreed. "I think Andy's jersey goes better with your hair."

      "You don't know anything about colours." Alex protested. "You're wearing an orange tie."

      "This is coral." Dan corrected him. "And I make it look awesome, right, Thal?"

      Alex's girlfriend laughed. "Yes." She said agreeably.

      "You got Andy to hug her so she'd agree with anything you say right about now." Alex pointed out. "But I guess anything that distracts from your face is a good thing."

      "You're just jealous of my natural good looks." Dan protested, smoothing one hand over his tie. "Don't hate me just because you're hideous."

      "I don't understand how you can make fun of each other's faces. You guys look so much alike." Thalia disagreed, shaking her head as both brothers protested the comparison. "All of you do." One hand touched her hair unconsciously, and Alex wondered if she was thinking about whether anyone out there looked like her.

      "Whatever." Alex gave his brother a playful shove. "It's Christmas so I won't rub it in that I'm the good looking one in the family." He caught Andy's eye, an unspoken message passing between them.

      "We better go." Andy spoke up. "Mom and Dad'll be waiting."

      "We won't be long." Alex said again, glancing at his girlfriend.

      "You better not be." Dan put his hand on the back of Thalia's head, pulling her closer. He grinned as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "'Cause if you're late I'm going to eat all of Bahba's cooking."

      "You wouldn't." Thalia disagreed, glaring at him. "It's Christmas."

      Dan laughed. "Don't be late and you won't have to worry, Thal."

       Alex shook his head as his brothers left, amused that somehow Thalia had his brothers wrapped around her finger. "You do look gorgeous, Thalie."