[Deleted]

Tomas had been sat in a meeting with the other senior partners when his phone had buzzed against the table. It wasn’t unusual, he was constantly receiving emails, texts, WhatsApp’s. All of them were. His colleague, Giles, didn’t even pause what he was saying, and Tomas just casually flipped his phone over and looked at the name on his screen.

Matthew Lucas…. now that was strange. Tomas was not close to any of his immediate family. Growing up he had spent time with his cousins most summers. When he left for college, he had purposefully distanced himself from anyone related to him. In case his parents used it as a way back into his life. This stance has slacked slightly over the years. Matthew was the same age as him, of all his cousins they had been ‘closet’, a few years ago when he had been travelling for work, he had been in Texas and had contacted Matthew. They had kept up minimal but cordial interactions since then: Christmas or birthday cards, seeing each other if they were in town. He rarely received text messages.

Opening the message Tomas raised his eyebrows. It was short and sweet.

“Hi Tom…” – Tomas rolled his eyes and his lip curled at the shortening of his name; he wasn’t a fan.
“…Annabelle has moved to Los Eurosia. I’m pretty sure you’re still living there. Look out for her will you. Thanks, Matt”

Tomas hadn’t seen his youngest cousin since he was eighteen and she was eleven. While he was unsure if his other cousins had developed gifts (he was pretty sure Matt was human) he was sure he remembered his parents mention that Annabelle’s gift had manifested somewhere in her teens. Tomas wondered what her gift was.

He placed his phone back on the table. He did not want to get dragged into some family drama. Anna was an adult now, surely she didn’t need his help, Matt was probably just being overprotective. Sure if he heard she needed help he wouldn’t turn her down but other then that he was going to just ignore the fact that he had family in town.

Tomas’s hand twitched in his lap and his zoned in and out of the rest of the meeting. The day ticked by slowly and by lunchtime Tomas completely gave up on ignoring his intrusive thoughts. Annabelle had never been a problem; she was a sweet kid. What was the harm in him getting in touch and letting her know she had someone around, should she need it. If she got hurt, or the Guild found her if she was gifted. Los Eurosia was both a haven and a hell for Gifted people, would he be able to forgive himself if something happened to her. Sighing Tomas made a quick phonecall and within an hour had her address scribbled on a piece of paper.

Grabbing his suit jacket of the back of his chair he pulled it on and headed out of the office, letting his PA know he wouldn’t be back. She lived downtown, not exactly the same area as him but not to far and as he stood outside the door of her apartment, he ran his hands through her hair and scowled to himself. He wasn’t sure if he was going to regret this or not but he knocked on the door either way, wondering what to expect when it opened.

Annabelle Lucas

[Annabelle Lucas]

---

Annabelle had made it home from work and just collapsed onto her bed. She was exhausted. After several days where it hadn't felt like she had been able to stop, she was starting to feel it. Her phone was laid next to her, the incomplete take out order page timed out under the dark screen. It had been about 30 minutes since she’d walked in the door, and she hadn't moved.

”Alright, Annabelle, get your lazy ass up.” She hyped herself up, but still, she was laying there, unmoving. At the very least, she wanted to change into pajamas. She was grateful that she had the night off from her waitress job at the bar down the street. She didn’t have the energy to be on her feet for another six hours tonight.

Finally, Annabella propped herself up on her elbows and looked around. Her apartment was a mess for her standards. There were throw pillows stacked on one side of the couch, her sweater and jeans were draped over the back of the stool at her counter, and she had a couple dishes stacked on the counter next to the sink that she hadn't gotten to washing before leaving in the morning.

Grudgingly, she got up and changed out of her leotard, choosing a comfortable pair of shorts and a soft oversized t-shirt. She moved around the apartment, straightening up. Clothes made it to the hamper in the bathroom, pillows were straightened, and dishes were washed, dried and put away. Annabelle grabbed her phone off her bed to restart the dinner order, not wanting to cook or go out tonight, but then she heard a knock at her door. She glanced at her phone, certain she hadn't accidentally completed her order earlier.

”Hello?” She opened her door and stood face to face with a man who looked very familiar. He had no bag or take out containers, so he definitely couldn’t be delivering a mistakenly ordered dinner. He was tall and well dressed. It took a few long seconds, but the realization crossed her face. ”Tommy?” She practically squealed, and launched herself at him, practically tackling him with a hug.

It had been about twelve years since she’d seen him in person, but she’d seen the articles and announcements that had been sent to her mother about him. Her uncle and aunt loved to brag about how well he was doing, though she noted that she hadn't heard from him about any of it. Matty gave sporadic updates on him, the few times a year the two of them had contact with each other.

”I completely forgot you live here.” She stepped back, looking up at him. ”Who sent you to check on me, Matthew?” She was suspicious because there was no way he’d be there, at her apartment, if someone hadn't sent him to check up on her.

---

@tomas
COUSINS! Lemme know for adjustments.

[Deleted]

As the door swung open Tomas took in the sight of the woman before him. Last time he had seen Annabelle she had been a child, now she was all grown up. For a moment Tomas felt old. He shook off the ridiculous feeling and gave his cousin the once over. She was about shoulder height on him, dark hair was tied messily up, like she had just climbed out of bed. She looked comfortable in an oversized t-shirt and shorts and he waited a few moment for her to recognise him.

When she did, her reaction took Tomas slightly off guard and he flinched ever so slightly as she launched herself at him and enveloped him in a hug, it was purely his size over her that kept him from being knocked off his feet. Tomas spine straightened. The only person who hugged him was Maddie and that was in a very different way. He gently patted his cousin on the back and then put his hands on her hips and extracted her from him.

She suddenly looked suspicious and questioned how he knew she was here, he gave her a quick nod to acknowledge that someone had told him she was here “Matthew sent me a message,” he didn’t think it was a secret, if it was it was a stupid one. “I’m told it’s normal to be overprotective and unreasonable when you’re an older sibling.” Tomas had know siblings of his own, but he had been this was about both Maddie and Mason over the years, apparently now that feeling was going to extend to Anna, “Are you busy?” he said, rising an eyebrow and glancing behind her into her apartment, it was cute, tidy. Not as minimalistic as his own but better then some hell holes that could be found Downtown or the East End.

Annabelle Lucas

[Annabelle Lucas]

---

Annabelle couldn’t help but laugh a bit at Tomas’ reaction. She was so used to having big brothers, she just greeted him the same way she would either of them if they surprised her at her door. But he stiffened and just patted her on the back before creating distance between them again. ”Sorry, I forget that you’re an only child.”

Tomas confirmed that yes, it was Matthew who had told him where to find her. ”Of course it was Matty. He’s been texting me constantly, but I’ve been so busy that it’s been hard to message him back more than a couple words.” Overprotective was one way to put it. Annabelle and Matthew had always been close, closer than her and Caleb were. They were the two ‘sensitive artists’, and Caleb was the oddball of the three, he was analytical and math savvy.

She stepped back inside her apartment, holding the door open so he could follow. ”I’m not busy. I got home about an hour ago, and I actually have tonight off. I was about to order something for dinner. Are you hungry?” She didn’t have much in the apartment to offer, but her previous exhaustion had given way to excitement at seeing her cousin. ”We could order in or go out somewhere, if you know of a good place? I’m still learning all the best spots in town.”

---

@tomas
Lemme know for adjustments.

[Deleted]

Tomas raised his eyebrows as she apologised for the hug. He shrugged when she verbalised his discomfort being from his life as an only child, it certainly was one of the reasons. Tomas couldn’t even remember the last time he was hugged by anyone that wasn’t Maddie and those hugs meant very different things these days. He nodded in agreement with her though “Affection wasn’t a thing in the Callaway house” he muttered. He had no idea if Anna had ever picked up on the way his parents were, but she was an adult now and he wasn’t going to pretend he tolerated them, or even liked them.

He listened as she spoke about why she hadn’t messaged Matt back properly and how busy she had been. Tomas didn’t think it would make much of a difference to Matt, overprotective brothers were the same no matter what. He followed her into her apartment as she carried on talking, explaining that she had just got home an hour ago, “Where were you?” he asked, Tomas wasn’t one for mincing his words, if he was being tasked with ‘protecting’ Anna, then he took the job seriously. “Where are you working?” he didn’t wait for her to answer the first question before he threw in the next one. It was probably best that he gave Anna the chance to offer up information before he found it out through more dubious means.

She mentioned food and Tomas shrugged, he took his suit jack off and slung it over the back of the chair before rolling up his sleeves and sticking his hands in his pockets and looking around. The apartment seemed fine, could maybe do with a security upgrade but Tomas could arrange that. He looked Anna over once, he knew she had a gift, he didn’t know what, but he certainly didn’t want hunters or even Blackstorm getting their claws into her. “I know every good place,” he muttered “But I’m happy getting take out, my driver can get us anything in the city,” his entire demeanour nonchalant as he watched her. He hadnt asked Matt why Anna was in Los Eurosia and he pondered on the reason silently, he would have to ask if she didn't offer up in the information.

Annabelle Lucas

[Annabelle Lucas]

---

Had it not been for the summer get togethers, Annabelle probably won't even have known her cousin at all. At it was, the Callaway side of the family was pretty much a mystery to her. By the time she came along, her mother wasn't really speaking with his dad much. Annabelle barely knew her Uncle Bartholomew. She did know that her mom said he wasn't worth the frustration of dealing with him. She could only assume what growing up with parents like that was like. She didn't envy Tomas. He had to have a lonely childhood. She couldn't relate to that. She was surrounded by her brothers, her loving parents, and her Uncle Alejandro and his family came around frequently. The Lucas side of her family was tight-knit and caring.

"Sorry, that must have sucked." Annabelle knew Tomas well enough at least to know he wouldn't be looking for pity, that it was just the truth. He was always very matter-of-fact. She could appreciate that, because there wasn't much question over what he meant.

He asked about where she had been and where she was working, and Annabelle realized it probably sounded like she'd just been out, not at her main job. "Well, I kinda have three jobs right now. So I was working at my main job. I got hired at the local theatre here, mainly as a dancer in the corps, but it also means I might get the chance to act from time to time as well." It was clear from the way her eyes shone as she spoke that she was excited about her new job. "I'm also teaching beginner ballet at a studio associated with the theatre. And I work as a cocktail waitress three or four nights a week at a bar a block away from here." She knew that it sounded like an insane schedule. It was an insane schedule. But she felt like she was thriving. She went out most nights when she wasn't working. She was determined to support herself and still maintain a social life.

"I already had theatre rehearsals and teaching beginner class today. I don't work tonight and I didn't happen to make plans to go out, so you showed up on a good day!" She gave her cousin a beaming smile and slid onto the empty stool at her counter. She watched as Tomas glanced around her tiny apartment. She was glad she'd cleaned up, her anxiety would be killing her if she still had dishes in the sink and clothes scattered about the small space. She hated clutter and mess. Her decorations were sparse, minimalistic - most things in her apartment had a function.

"Of course you know all the good places. I should have remembered you lived in Los Eurosia, I don't know how that slipped my mind. It's been way too long, so I'm really glad you are here! What have you been up to? And, I mean really, not just work."

Annabelle popped back up out of her chair and went to to the cabinet, pulling out two glasses. She had to stand on her toes to get to it, but she also pulled down a bottle of Garrison Brothers whiskey, a brand from home she kept stashed away for special occasions. "So, since you know the best places, what should we eat? And, I should have probably asked, but I figured seeing my cousin for the first time in a decade was cause to celebrate. You like whiskey, right?" She set one of the glasses in front of him. If he didn't like whiskey she still had wine she could open instead.

---

@tomas
Lemme know for changes.

[Deleted]

"Sorry, that must have sucked.”
Tomas shrugged “It is what it is,” he said is response to her statement. She went on the explain all three of her jobs. Tomas could tell the dance and the acting meant a lot of her from the way she talked about it, clearly the teaching was important as well. He did not, however, like the idea of having the work three jobs. She would burn out and make herself sick. If she wanted to act or dance then that is exactly what she should be doing, whenever she wanted.

He mulled over her list of jobs as she changed the subject and began to ask about him. He thought about exactly what he had been up to, he wasn’t about the mention Blackstorm. “I work a lot,” he shrugged “I train and I spend time with the people Im close to,” Tomas wasn’t good with small talk when it wasn’t Maddie and Mason. Anna may be family but he hadn’t seen her in a decade, it would take him a moment to relax around her, even though deep down he instantly felt the bond of family snap into place, not something he had felt for a long time.

Anna was family, and Tomas needed to protect family “You should quit the job at the bar, I can cover you rent and bills” he stated “I can give you work if you feel the need to earn it but you should concentrate on what you want to do most,” Tomas was matter of fact about his money, he had a lot of it and he knew that Matt wouldn’t want his sister killing herself by working an insane amount of hours, if she wanted to “work” for it then he would give her simple tasks. He hoped Anna wouldn’t take offense to his offer of money, if she insisted on keeping the jobs that was fine but it felt wrong to not offer out his endless wealth. “And yes, whiskey is my drink of choice,” he nodded as she poured him a glass. “I can get us into any restaurant in this city, you name it and we can go” he added as he took a sip of the whiskey.

Annabelle Lucas

[Annabelle Lucas]

---

There was a sense of guilt when she thought about how different Tomas’ childhood must have been compared to hers, to her cousins on the Lucas side. She wondered if her mother knew. Maybe that was the reason her mother had insisted on getting together with her brother summer after summer, to show her nephew that there was a different kind of family, one that actually had compassion for one another. Or, maybe she was reading too much into this now. As an adult, it seemed different than she’d seen it as a kid. Back then, it was just fun to have another family member to bother and have fun with, just like her two older brothers. She didn’t press further with the topic when Tomas dismissed it, but she would have to remind herself to dial it back in the future.

The topic changed to work and life. She could see that his mind was mulling over her answer of what she’d been doing, even as he gave one of his own. A lot of work, training - though he left out what for - and spending time with people he cares about. He’d answered her, but still said almost nothing. Annabelle frowned briefly, but didn’t push him. Especially because it was clear he had something else to say.

He expressed concern about her third job. She should have guessed that was the one that put the pensive expression on his face when she first mentioned it. But she wasn’t planning on dialing back her crazy schedule. She thrived when she was busy, when she didn’t have time to pause and overthink everything that was going on in her life.

”I appreciate the concern, but no.” She shook her head. ”If it was really just about money, I still have my full trust fund in the bank. But, I like being busy. I like being able to say that I did this for myself.” Annabelle didn’t want a hand out. She didn’t need it, honestly. But more than that, her pride wouldn’t let her accept help on such a magnitude, even from her cousin. Even if she worked for him, it wouldn’t be the same as doing it herself. She wanted to prove that she was capable, that she could make it on her own. She didn’t want to need anyone.

She poured the whiskey in both glasses when he confirmed that whiskey was, in fact, his drink of choice. ”Good taste.” The smile returned to her face, and she picked up one of the glasses. ”Just because Matty sent you to check on me doesn’t mean you need to worry. However, I do appreciate the sentiment. So, to catching up with my favorite cousin to throw water balloons at.” She tried, and failed, to hold back a laugh when she thought about the last summer she’d seen Tomas.

She had roped Caleb into helping her fill dozens of water balloons, and they’d ambushed Matt and Tomas with them. She didn’t think the two eldest would have quite the fond memories of the incident as she did, but she’d been delighted when they chased after her, Matty picking up the water hose and turning the stream towards her and Caleb in revenge.

That had been the last summer before Matt went to college. The last summer before Annabelle’s gift had manifested. She wondered if Matt had told Tomas about that, about her gift, as well. Was it part of his concern? Did her brother worry that she was going to spin out of control faster than she could pirouette across a stage? She didn’t want to bring it up, though. What if Tomas didn’t know about the Gifted? Her brothers and parents knew about her gift, but she didn’t tend to think about it outside of the occasional loss of control she had with it. She decided to continue with that trend, and only talk about it if Tomas decided to bring it up. That way, she wouldn’t be spilling secrets that he may know nothing about.

”So, what should we do for dinner?” A mischievous look crossed her face. ”It’s gotta be vegan, of course.” She let the smirk tug at the corner of her lips, waiting to see if he would call her out on her bullshit. While she did keep a healthy and varied diet, growing up with a family in the cattle ranching business had given her a taste for quality beef that couldn’t be challenged, no matter how healthy vegetarian or vegan diets could be.

---

@tomas
Lemme know for changes.