Abrade - [Charles Leclerc] A Sequel To Corrode

Otto

Charles' alarm rang barely five hours after they had gotten home with Mick and a shot wound, a 24-year-old who could break into tears, another 24-year-old who was done with everyone and Teresa, who had slept through everything. Joanne stirred in her sleep, pulled from her deep slumber by the shrill sound. She turned around to not face the alarm clock, and Charles reached for it to shut it off. He leaned over to kiss her cheek, pulling the sheets up to her shoulders as he slipped out of bed and went to find some clothes. He got into some slacks and a black button-up, moving into the bathroom to face his face and brush his teeth, sliding his bracelets and watch around his wrists afterward. Charles looked over at his wife, curled up in bed, her silhouette visible under the low light of the lamp on the nightstand. He had noticed that she had trouble falling asleep last night, as she kept twisting and turning in bed until she eventually found a comfortable position to sleep in and when her mind was finally put to rest.

Charles closed the door softly behind him and went downstairs, finding Jules already at the table with a cup of coffee. "You're up early," Charles mentions, walking around the table and greeting Celia, who was on her way to get Charles' usual morning coffee. "Couldn't sleep anymore," he replied. Charles nodded slowly, having nothing to say to that. "Carlos and Pierre are coming over for a meeting today. I think you should be there," he adds, causing Jules to look up. "Really?", he asked. "It's not a reward. You can explain yourself to my partners because they will help clean up the mess you made," Charles muttered. Celia blushed as she interrupted the conversation by putting down his coffee and some toast. Jules swallowed hard with a nod, looking down at the table, feeling five again, just like last night. "Don't let dad's moodiness in the morning get to you," Liam mentioned as he came into the kitchen, squeezing Jules' shoulders when he walked around the table. "This conversation has nothing to do with any kind of mood," Charles said, looking over at his other son, who raised his eyebrows at him.

"Sure," Liam said, asking Celia for some tea and a bowl of yogurt when she reappeared. "What are you all doing up at this hour?", Mick came into the kitchen, limping a little, but he was able to make it to the chair closest to him. "I'd like to ask the same question," Charles said, now feeling a mood bubbling in his brain as his eyebrows furrowed together. Normally, this would be one calm moment before his working day started. "Why are you up, Mick?," Liam commented while pushing a spoon full of yogurt into his mouth. "Maybe because I got shot last night," Mick replied, matter-of-factly. "I'm in my room in case you need me," Jules got up and left his coffee behind, not wanting to be part of the conversation anymore. "You shouldn't be so hard on him now," Liam commented. "I can decide how I talk to my son, thank you," Charles replied. "I'm sure you already made everything clear last night, he feels bad, truly," Liam said. "Ask Mick for the other side of the story, he's up and running now," Liam smiles as he walks past the guard when finishing breakfast, patting on his back and earning a grunt from the German.

"I'd be happy to tell you what happened before I had a temporary system shut down, sir," Mick said. "How's Joanne? She seemed worried and very emotional last night," he continued. Charles took a deep breath and nodded. "She was, it took her a long time before she fell asleep, but she's still sleeping now, so I'll just let her rest." Mick nodded at what he said. "What about Teresa? She was standing at the top of the stairs last night when Joanne spoke to Jules," Mick said. "She was?", Charles asked, gnawing down at his bottom lip. He still had a hard time explaining stuff to the youngest of their family. Teresa was very well-informed about her father's work, and their involvement with the mafia and their crew, but he didn't want her to be scared. The fact that Teresa hadn't asked about anything last night nor came downstairs, told him enough already. "You're her friend, Mick. Talk to her when she's up? Letting her know you're okay probably takes away some stress. She has school tomorrow, and should focus on that," Charles decides.