Secrets Make You Sick

"You could've... y'know, volunteered something? To help me out of the struggling hole I was in?" Thatch pouted, looking hurt. "Honestly. Help a guy out."

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Door began to nod, then hesitated slightly. "...Yes," she said at last. "Almost positive... I mean, she seemed sincere about it..."

And we all know how sincere she was before, she thought silently.

Aislin smiled, making her move. "I didn't want to hurt your manly pride." she joked.

"Seriously, though," she grinned. "if you want help, I could give you some pointers."

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Alex nodded. "Okay..." he said, taking her hand, "Okay...if you're sure..."

He paused. "...Goddesses bless the child." he mumbled.

Door nodded slowly. "Please... you can't tell. Not everyone listens like you do... Not everyone would see what's right."

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"What hurts my manly pride," Thatch argued, watching the board, "is you thinking that my manly pride could be hurt."

Aislin made her move and glanced back at him, smiling a little. "Then I was right?"

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Alex nodded grimly. "I promise. I'd rather not think of them again, to be perfectly honest. Just...let them live their lives, and we'll live ours..."

Door sighed, looking as if a million pound weight had just been lifted from her shoulders. "Thank you," she whispered gratefully, hugging him lightly. "Thank you."

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After a moment's pause, Thatch nodded. "Yeah, I guess."

He shook his head, holding her to him. "No, thank you..." he paused, "For being such a good person."

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Aislin looked fondly at Thatch for a second, a smile forming. "Well, I'm sorry."

Tremor scooted a piece forward. "Check."

Torn away from grinning stupidly at Aislin's smile, Thatch winced. "Good luck with that."

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Door smiled faintly, looking to the side. "I-I'm not, really. But I just couldn't bear... If it wasn't for their child, I..."

Alex smiled. "Lucky them, I suppose." And that ended that.

He held on to her for a few more seconds, then smiled. "So, where to now?"

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Aislin looked quickly from Thatch's face to the board, and frowned deeply. "Oh, bother."

She smiled amiably at the board as she mulled over her moves, though the smile was meant for him. "You really are such a distraction." she teased, trying to counter the attack on her king.

Door shrugged, chewing her lip. "Oh, I don't know... A walk along the riverbank, maybe? What sounds good to you?"

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Thatch smiled at her smile, blinking fondly at her. "I try, I try."

Trem watched the board with an eagle's gaze.

"Sounds fine to me." he said, standing to his feet and offering Door his hand.

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Aislin finally made her move, and she half-smirked. "Is that your plan, then? Try and distract me from the game so I'll lose?"

Thatch opened his mouth to reply, but Tremor's disbelieving choke cut him off. "...What? Frog in your throat?"

Trem shook his head, hovering over the board. One hand floated above his king, while the other traced out possible moves that the piece could make. As the seconds passed, his eyes grew wider...

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Door smiled, taking his hand and rising. "Alright, then," she sighed, snuggling onto his arm. "Off we go."

Alex smiled, leading her in the direction of the river. "So, we really should begin seeing more of each other now."

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Aislin smiled warmly. "Somethin' the matter?"

"Yes," Door agreed firmly. "We should. And we will."

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Tremor mock glared at her, then shook his head. With a casual flick of a finger, he toppled his king piece and sat back. "Congrats," he said simply.

Thatch gaped. "On your FIRST TRY!?!"

Aislin laughed. "Checkmate!" she cried, snatching up Tremor's fallen king and holding it aloft. "Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week. Autographs in the living room."

Standing on tiptoe, she pulled Thatch down to her level by the chin and planted a peck on his lips.

And then, turning, she extended her hand to Tremor. "Good game, Trem. Thanks for playing with me."

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Alex nodded. "You don't think the twins would mind if I stopped by regularly?"

Thatch stood upright, trying to look annoyed and not too dopey as he rubbed his chin. "You don't have to rub it in," he muttered.

Almost laughing, Tremor shook Aislin's hand. "Excellent game."

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"They'll never notice you," Door grinned. "What with their always arguing about one thing or another."

Alex laughed, "I hope they're okay without us responsible adults home to keep an eye on things..."

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Aislin beamed and glanced at Thatch, "Aww, don't look so disappointed. He prob'ly just let me win."

Tremor's eyes flared defensively, and he smiled as Thatch spoke.

"He never lets anyone win."

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"They're responsible enough," Door said. "Well... enough to know what not to destroy. But the boys keep them in line for the most part. And Tremor's the voice of reason... if that makes any sense."

"More like the disapproving stare of reason." Alex laughed. "Poor Thatch...hahaha."

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Aislin's smiled widened a fraction and she laughed. "Really?"

She glanced at Thatch, "Then I have no idea how I pulled that one off."

"You and me both," the brothers said simultaneously. They glanced at each other, Tremor shrugging.

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Door winced. "I dunno if I'd call him 'poor', but he is the one who's beaten down, usually. But he gets through it. It's good for his ego."

Aislin laughed, "Hey, Ariel! Did'ya hear? I just kicked butt at chess."

Ariel leaned in from the hall. "I heard. Dunno how you managed that."

Aislin laughed again, genuinely pleased.

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Alex nodded. "Aislin's a lot calmer as of late."

"She got lucky," Thatch made clear. "Trust me. He won't let it happen again."

Trem shook his head, grinning.

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"It's Thatch," Door said without hesitation. "Undoubtedly."

Alex laughed. "Oddly enough, you're right. I must say though, it's nice to finally be around some people with a little energy. Aqua's great and all, but..."

He grinned.

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Aislin grinned. "Tomato, tomahto. You're just jealous" she winked, "of my wicked chess skills."

"I don't do jealousy," Thatch sniffed. "Such is beneath me."

Tremor almost laughed.

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Door smiled, eyes laughing. "Not the best for holding conversations?"

Alex nodded. "Yes, that. Top-notch listener, though."

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Aislin just grinned. "Mmhm. Whatever you say."