Chapter Fifty-Two #2
And a troop of big Irish dudes stalks through the mansion.
“Ugh… I thought we got rid of the mob,” I whine.
“Everyone alright?” Velle asks the room. Mostly Ivory and Angel.
“We’re fine,” Angel sighs, though he’s attempting to calm down his man, who’s visibly raging.
“I’ll fucking slice him from ear to—”
“Diablo. Shh,” Angel snaps.
“Who does he think he—”
“Enough.”
“I can’t even with how whipped he is,” I whisper to Dash.
“I know,” he sighs. “It’s nuts.”
“I’ll handle him. Don’t worry.” Joy darts up the stairs with her men.
“Maybe everyone just… stay away from the atrium for a few,” Velle breathes, racing up past Byron and Trevel who are coming down.
“You lads alright?” Trevel asks.
“Yea, we’re good,” I hum. “Just another day on the Isle with bullets flying around, right?”
Dash peeks at his father, who’s stomping off somewhere. “Yea… We’re probably gonna have to go soon.”
“Why?” Byron frowns.
“What do you mean go??” I whine.
“I’m just missing Sobaka,” Dash says, gripping Kemper’s hand. “We can’t leave him with Nikki forever.”
“Please, he’ll be fine,” I grunt. “You can’t leave… we just got all reunited and shit.”
“Yea, and um…” Felix chimes in, visibly squirming.
“What’s his deal?” I smirk at Lemuel, who’s actually smiling.
“We wanted to wait until everyone was together…” he says, gazing down at his bespectacled beau.
“Now that the war is over, we’re… going to get married,” Felix beams. “Here.”
Literally, I’ve never seen his face so jubilant. You’d think he was hacking someone to bits.
“When? Now??” Byron coughs.
“We would wait until things settle down a bit,” Lem says. “Maybe in a week or so.”
“If that works for everyone else,” Felix adds. “We want you all to be here.”
It’s fully adorable how happy and excited he is. I’m just overflowing with mushy queer joy.
“Sweetheart, that’s fantastic.” I grin, hugging Felix. Then launching myself at Lem, who’s utterly stiff, while Felix giggles.
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Trevel smiles at them.
“Can’t wait.” Byron grins, squeezing Felix’s shoulder.
“Aww! Look at you two. Besties,” I squeal.
Byron rolls his eyes.
“Count me and Lex in.” I shrug. “If he finishes whatever the hell he’s doing by then…”
Dash chuckles.
“Actually, I wanted to ask you…” Felix turns to Dash. “If you’d be my best man?”
Dash’s eyes widen. His jaw drops for a solid moment of surprise that’s swept up in emotion.
“Oh my God… Felix.” He pouts like he might break down. Attacking, he hugs so hard that The Carver almost topples over. “Of course I will be your best man! I’d be honored.”
“Oh no… you sluts are actually gonna make me cry, aren’t you?” I fan my face.
Dash pries off of Felix, holding him at arm’s length. “I feel bad, though. I don’t think we can stay for a whole week.” He pouts, peeking up at Kemper.
“We can come back.” Kemper grins, brushing his fingers through Dash’s pink locks. “No biggie.”
Felix nods, then nudges Lemuel, who looks uneasy.
“And, uh… Trevel,” he croaks. Trevel is immediately bouncing. “I’d love it if you would be my best man.” He clears his throat. “Please.”
“Bugger off,” Trevel laughs, diving on Lem, hugging him hard. “I would love to be your best man, Lemuel.” He pulls back. “If it’s allowed? To have a patient as your best man?”
“Well, you haven’t paid me in a while.” Lem’s lips twitch. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“Aww,” Byron is cheesing.
And now I’m really about to cry.
“You bitches, I swear to God,” I sniffle, wiping my eyes.
Dash cackles. “What’s wrong with you??” He shakes me by the shoulders. “Are you falling apart?!”
“Shut up, idiot,” I whimper. “I have something in my eye… gunpowder, or falling debris.”
Felix squeals, pulling us all into a group hug.
“Wait!” Dash snaps, and we all jump. “This doesn’t feel right without Luthor!”
“Lexington!” I scream.
“Bro, that was right in my fucking ear,” Byron grumbles.
“Are you okay down there?” Angel calls out. “Why are you yelling?”
“We’re getting married in a week!” Felix is wiggling. “Will you guys come?”
Angel looks elated to even be asked. But his smile slips off when he peeks behind him, I’m assuming at Ivory, though I can’t see him from down here.
“Um… we’ll see,” he murmurs. “I’d love to, but it… depends. Ya know?”
We all nod, understanding what he’s saying without saying it.
The Ivory can’t stay here.
It doesn’t make sense for them to live in this mansion with the rest of us. With Velle in charge… How would that work?
Short answer: it wouldn’t.
“Guys!” Lex’s voice squawks from behind us, and we all turn to find him barreling over, like Doc rushing to tell Marty he fixed the DeLorean. “I did it! I finally fixed it!” See?? He’s out of breath when he gets to us. “The network is officially up, and it’s impeccable.”
“There you go, beautiful boy.” I cup his jaw. “I never doubted your mad skills.”
He gives me an unamused look.
A sudden symphony of pings and beeps and chimes rings out, everyone’s phones blowing up all at once.
Lex’s lips slope into an immensely pleased, smug little smirk.
“Wow,” Kemper huffs, checking his phone. “You’re good.”
I take my phone out of my pocket. “Whoa… holy crap.” Lex peers at it over my shoulder. “I guess Tauren’s been trying to reach us…”
“Where’d all those random white dudes with guns come from?” Lex asks.
“Luthor, we’re getting married here next week,” Felix tells him, unconcerned with anything else right now.
“Awesome!” Lex hugs him. “That’s gonna be so fun! Are you staying?” He asks Dash, who looks uneasy again.
“I—”
“What’s going on??” Velle barks from over the bannister, racing down the stairs.
“Felix and Lem are getting married next week!” Trevel cheers.
“If that works for you,” Felix bats his lashes. “We don’t want to interfere…”
“Yea, sure. Marry it up,” Velle grunts. “But do you hear that?”
We all go quiet for a moment, listening. There’s something coming from outside, in the distance. Growing closer…
The vague sound of a helicopter.
Lex and I share a look.
“Oh shit…” I breathe, noting the dozens of texts that just came in from Tauren.
They’re here.
“To the roof!” Lex gasps.