𝐒𝐊𝐘𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋, ᵏᵃʸᶜᵉ ᵈᵘᵗᵗᵒⁿ

iii. teaparties

(set in season three episode one)

"HEY El, I think she might be getting hungry" Colby called out, eyebrows furrowing at the sight of the child sitting on the bench in front of him, mouth open with drool hanging out as she stared at the sandwich he was eating.

Pausing her bite of food she tilts her head at the baby before chuckling, pulling apart a piece of the sandwich to pass to her, Mavis almost immediately devouring it.

The owner of the ranch, who was introduced as John, had allowed the two siblings to head into town for lunch. Both needing a private place to speak.

"So..." Colby started, breaking the bubble of serenity that once was. "Are you gonna explain why you didn't tell me you were coming?"

Elaine sighed, playing with the food in her hands as she avoided eye contact. "It's a long story, Colby"

"I have as long as you need" Colby stated, leaning back in the chair to get comfortable.

Elaine looked up at her brother, hating that she was about to break his peace with her next words.

"He did it again"

No longer in the comfortable position of leaning back he was sat forward, eyebrows pulled together as he tilted his head.

"Lenni hurt you again?" He asked, nose flaring in frustration.

At the mention of the action Elaine looked back down to Mavis, feeling her nose burn as she watched her daughter trace her finger along the diner table.

"He didn't just hurt me, he threatened to hurt Mavi aswell" She elaborated, only furthering Colby's rage.

"El I told you he wasn't a good man" Colby said.

"Yes I know, you don't have to rub it in" She grumbled in response, shaking her head.

Colby sighed as he ran a hand down his face in worry, taking a moment of silence before speaking again. "Does he know you're here?"

With a shrug Elaine responded. "I don't know, I didn't say anything but you know what he's like"

He nodded solemnly, licking his dry lips. "I'm sure you'll be allowed to stay at the bunkhouse with me, I can't promise that I won't have to explain the situation to Mr Dutton though"

Elaine nodded in relief, reaching over to grasp the warm hand that belonged to her brother. "Thank you"

He offered a soft smile in response, soon picking up his own sandwich and finishing it off.

—

"May I have some milk please?" Ryan asks, his large hand holding a small cup, fingers squished together as his pinky finger shakes from being held out too long.

Mavis giggles as she grabs an empty water bottle, pretending it's a carton of milk as she slowly pours it.

"Thank you madam" Ryan thanks, pouting his lips as he fake sips from the cup.

Mavis waddles over to her mother, handing her a cup aswell as a spoon.

"You drink" She declares, grabbing the water bottle before turning around and pouring it in her mothers cup.

"Oh thank you" Elaine chuckles, lifting the cup to make it look like she's drinking it.

As they continue playing the door to the bunkhouse is pushed open, two men entering just to stand stunned at the sight infront of them.

All habitants of the bunkhouse, minus Rip who was standing with an unknown man, were sprawled out amongst the room, different coloured cups in their hands as Mavis moves around them with the empty bottle, pouring them some 'milk' when they asked.

"The hell's going on in here?" Rip asked, his face straight although his lips threatened to quirk upwards.

"What does it look like? We're havin' a tea party" Lloyd exclaimed, laughing when Mavis waddled over to his cup next.

The unknown man was quiet for a few seconds before a chuckle slipped out, turning around to exit the bunkhouse as he shook his head.

"Have your tea party later, we've got a barn to build" Rip announced, giving directions to the wranglers as Elaine instructed Mavis to help pick up the mess they made.

"Hey Elaine?" Rip called once everyone knew what they were doing.

She hummed in response as she placed all the cups on the table.

"If you wanna head up to the main house there's another kid the little one can play with, he's had a bit of a rough time so some company might help" He suggested, watching as she slipped a pair of shoes onto Mavis' feet before walking towards him.

"Uh- yeah why not. Nothing better to do" She stated, following him out.

They came to a stop infront of the unknown man, Rip introducing them to each other before letting her know the man, Kayce, was going lead her to the main house.

"Is he your son?" Elaine asked when they were waking along the path, albeit slow due to Mavis waddling alongside her.

"Yeah, some years older than her" Kayce replied, nodding down to the grinning toddler.

"Rip said he's been having a hard time?" She asked absentmindedly.

At the mention Kayce tensed up slightly before realising this woman probably didn't mean any harm by it.

"Yeah just some family stuff going on" He briefed, slowing down as Mavis bent down to pick up a particularly shiny stone.

Elaine nodded in understanding, staying quiet for the rest of the walk.