Dark Stars, Light Stars

Chapter 19 - I'd Do It All Again

And in the end. I'd do it all again. I think you're my best friend. – Fall Out Boy, The Kids Aren't Alright

                  

Narrator

'Ah Justice, Alistair. Please, make yourselves at home.'

Gavin Casanova smiles as his daughter and her "friend" enter the room. He directs them to a plush leather couch and they both sit there silently, Alistair's arm draped across the back of the couch. Justice crosses one leg over the other and leans foreword on both arms.

In Gavin's perspective, the two of them look like a couple, but he wasn't in the position to let them know that.

'Is this a meeting like yesterday? Because I'd rather not listen to how shitty my life has been over the past few years — no offense dad, but I think I speak for the both of us.'

Justice leant back onto the couch, Alistair's arm squeezing her shoulder lightly, just to let her know that he was there.

Gavin shakes his head in response to Justice.

'No, it will not be a meeting like that, Jussie. It's completely different in a way.' Her Father took a deep breath before announcing his proposition.

'I am asking for the two of you to join the Dark Stars Legacy from today onwards.'

Justice sucked in a breath.

'It would do both of your families good and —'

'I'm sorry, Mr Casanova,' Alistair spoke up, 'Do we have to do this? I mean, do we get to choose?'

Gavin clasped his hands together and exhaled.

'Here's what will happen if you don't - and these are the agency's rules, not mine. If you choose to leave, a) You will be sent off to your old life to fend for yourself, no money and no support will come from us b) you'll most likely be targeted by Jusente due to being the son of a partner of the agency and c) You will not be able to see Justice.'

Alistair shot up from the couch, landing on both feet. Justice did the same, but wrapped one hand around Alistair's arm.

'Dad! You can't do that!'

'It's for the safety of the both of you.'

'Since when?'

Her Father sighed. He knew this would hit them hard, very hard. He had tried to change the rules - he really had - but the agency's law wouldn't budge. Alistair's father didn't even know that he was in the building.

'Are you sure there isn't a way to change the law, Mr Casanova?' Alistair asks. Justice nods her head in agreement.

'Believe me, kids. I've done all I could.'

'Well then obviously it's not enough. Dad, you don't understand.'

'Justice, I do. But some rules are made to withhold threat. If you want to stay together, then you take it up with Alistair's father.'

There. He said it. They knew the truth.

'My father?' Alistair asks. Gavin nods and tells them to sit back down. They obey, but Gavin notices that Justice is fidgeting.

'Your father is the head of the agency, Alistair. I am only his second in command.'

'Yet you have just has much power.' Alistair retorts. Justice hits him on the shoulder as a warning.

'Obviously he doesn't.'

Alistair glares at her. Gavin clears his throat. The two look back at him.