𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 ~ 𝗞𝗹𝗮𝘂𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀

~ Chapter One Hundred ~

"You know what I just realized?" Dusk glanced over to Dahlia who was gathering the folded plates and crumpled-up napkins. "What is it?" The blonde questioned. "At nearly every family function, it's always been Luther or Diego stirring up trouble," Dusk pointed out. "Mmm, if Ben wasn't locked up, I'd say he'd stir up trouble too. But yeah, I do see it," Dahlia nodded. "Although, since Diego's kids were born, I'd say he's changed quite a bit,"

"Really?" Dusk inquired. "How so?" Dahlia aggressively shook a white garbage bag open, trying to recall the first time she met them all back at the Sparrow Academy. "At first, I thought he was a selfish prick with knives. And now... I'd say he's just a stubborn prick," The brown blonde did her best to hold back her laughter, but it was no use. Though she rarely agreed with her rival, Dahlia did have a point. "What are you two laughing about?" Dusk and Dahlia grew silent as Diego approached them. "Oh, nothing," Dusk lied. "Just... family," the Sparrow shrugged. "Well, if you see Luther before you go, tell him the only thing he's getting from me for Christmas is coal," Diego whispered.

"Okay?" Dusk blinked. "I'm serious," the former Kraken shifted his gaze between the two. "My night shift starts in thirty, so you think you guys and Klaus can get the rest of this taken care of?" He asked. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Klaus with his face mask on, tidying up the ball pit, disinfecting the railings, and starting work on the inside. "Well knowing him, he won't leave until not a speck of crumbs remain," Dusk chuckled.

"Thanks, Dusk," Diego picked up the boxes of what remained of the leftover juice boxes. But just as he was about to walk out the door, he turned back to where Dusk and Dahlia were resuming their cleaning. For the briefest of moments, she and him made eye contact, and with a small smile, he whispered, "Nice seeing you again," Dusk nodded back, mouthing, "You too," as he turned around and left.

With every passing year, Dusk began to notice the changes within her brother; how he'd always be so energetic and eager to catch the next criminal in the act and pummel their face in. But over the last six years, he became a shell of who he used to be. The only thing fueling his existence being his marriage and children. She couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Maybe one day, he'd find his new purpose. Something to fill the gaping void. 

One by one, the siblings said their goodbyes and started to leave; Luther and Ben heading back to Luther's place, Dahlia telling them she'd be over soon to check on Ben. Her boyfriend scoffed and claimed she wasn't his babysitter. "You're right, she's not. But I am," Luther grabbed Ben's sleeve, and Ben looked up at him and squinted, but didn't say a word. Geez, he's moodier than I remember. Dusk inhaled sharply as she watched as Ben dragged his feet to the entrance. "Diego left you on cleaning duty?" Victoria questioned. "You know it. But there's not much left to do, so the sooner we get out of here, the better," Dusk nodded. "You heading back to the house?"

"No. Five and I've got to take care of some things," Victoria answered. Ever since Five and Victoria started working for the CIA, that had become the code word for their late-night assignments. With CIA confidentiality, it was a bit of a task for Victoria to not spill the tea to her bestie. But that code word was all Dusk needed to know. "We'll be back by 10," The brown blonde nodded, saying she'd leave the porch light on for them. And with a warming hug and a glare in Dahlia's direction, the redhead and her lover followed Luther and Ben into the snowy night.

"Nice to know Victoria still hates my guts," Dahlia spoke softly as she peeled off the tape keeping the streamers hanging off the sides of the table. "Well, you weren't exactly the nicest person when she first met you. Not to mention, you threatened to end me and my family," Dusk pointed out. "I only did that because I thought you were a threat to the Sparrows! It's not every day someone randomly enters your home and claims it's theirs!" Dahlia countered. Dusk had to agree with that, if she were in Dahlia's shoes, she'd probably consider them a threat too.