There's No Treat Only Trick!

Soul+mates

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Jacque is settled in the living room on a mound of cushions with a cup of lightly spiked, peppermint hot chocolate and a dog half draped in her lap.

"Told you we could make it happen again," Ichigo gleams with a wink across the coffee table, sipping from his own steaming mug. Minato and Inasan are out, while Elias and Kagura are at the kitchen, making dinner. The house smells of garlic and red pepper. There's a movie playing on the TV, something off Netflix, something having to do with coral reefs, which is what James' eyes are focused on while Jacque scratches at the thick fur around his ears.

"Jacque-san," Ichigo says when Jacque just drops her head with a flush instead of responding. "Call into the café and let them know that you're sick. Then, tomorrow, go in and turn in your two-week notice and inform them that you're sorry, but your workload with school takes priority."

Jacque taps her fingers along the porcelain of her mug. It looks expensive. Feels well-made. Along the bottom are a set of carved initials. "Are you trying to do that voice thing on me again?" Jacque asks, glancing up under his lashes.

Ichigo gives a little shake of his head. "No. I'm trying to do the thing where I guilt you into taking better care of yourself."

It's a joke, and Jacque thinks it would make her smile if her head wasn't set on smothering him at the moment.

James shifts in her lap, whining. "I can't quit," Jacque mumbles, brushing a hand over James' furry head, dragging it down along his back. He's wearing a bright yellow sweater. "I need to start saving for after school."

"Jacque. Do you trust me?"

Jacque looks up. Ichigo is no longer lounging. He's sitting at attention, hands folded neatly in his lap. He's studying Jacque with very serious, very gray eyes. He hasn't bothered to hide them since he walked in and found Jacque curled up between Elias and James in dog form on his living room floor.

"No," Jacque says. Ichigo edges a brow up. "Fine. Yes. But I probably shouldn't."

"You're being very rude to someone who's about to offer to pay for all your bills for the next year."

Jacque's head falls to the side, considering. "What?"

Ichigo gestures for Jacque to take a sip of her drink, which has gone untouched in her hand for several minutes now. Somehow it's still warm. "Your pay from the clinic goes towards groceries, toiletries, school supplies and such, correct?" Jacque gives a tiny nod. "If I cover that for you, you can begin saving your earnings from the clinic and the second job will become obsolete."

Ichigo says it so matter-of-factly. So reasonably. Like it's all in the details and the details just aren't important. Don't make a difference. Are so easy to just move past.

"But you—" Ichigo smiles at her. "You can't do that."

"I can do that," Ichigo says, taking a drink from his mug, borderline smug.

 Jacque sputters. When she looks down to James, James' eyes flicker to her and then back to the TV, quick as can be. This is a planned attack. A group effort. "Well I won't let you,"  Jacque tells them. "I told you I don't want handouts."

"Then how about a trade." Ichigo eyes are sparkling, as if he's playing some kind of game, which makes Jacque the pawn who's losing against him. "I pay your bills so to speak, and you come over twice a week when you have time to entertain us."

Jacque's brow furrows. "Entertain?"

"Sorry, it's a colloquial term. I mean keep us company," Ichigo explains, lazily gesturing about the room. "Maybe have dinner. Play games with the guys. Chat. You can bring your schoolwork, if you'd like."