The Age of The Masrui

“Wanting my family to be happy isn’t good enough?” Odette frowned then as she pulled away.

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“Good for you for trying though Red. You did more than most would.”

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Tobias laughed as he got in.

"It's fine, I just.. want you to have something outside of us aswell."

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"I'm done talking about it, a waste of energy." Scarlert snorted. "You can bet if I were a man they woulda taken me seriously."

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Tesni smiled, closing the door gently before heading around to the drivers side. Driving home once she got in herself.

“Probably, the world is awfully sexist. Shitty you have to go through it… if I can help let me know.”

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“Family first, when they’re older I can focus back on me and go back to work.”

"No, no. I am here to look after them too, I have what I want. You need to start spending more time on your own needs, Odi."

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"Mm, you can help by being quiet about it tonight."

“If you want me quiet you’re gonna have to shut me up.” Archer teased, tilting his head to kiss just behind her ear.

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“They’re my kids, I love taking care of them Dorian, it’s alright.”

"You can love taking care of them and still have dreams, still have ambitions Odi."

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"No." Scarlett mumbled, pushing him away. "I'm not in the mood."

“Okay, okay…” Archer sighed softly as he pulled away.

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Odette shrugged then, dropping her arms

Scarlett sighed softly, taking his hand and kissing his knuckles before whispering, "This is my favourite movie."

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"You do have them.. dont you?"

“What makes it your favourite?” Archer asked as he wrapped his arms around her then, settling back under the covers.

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“I guess I’m not ambitious anymore.” Odette shrugged then, picking at her hands. “Left my job in France. Haven’t exactly worked since we moved, having the kids back to back and all…”

"Think about I - I love my sister to bits but I don't want you to be like her. I don't want you to put your dreams on the back burner to be a mom, or wife. Your dreams are important, Odi. Your aspirations."

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"The clichès. I'd hate all of that in real life but... Nice in a movie, hm?"

“You mean the kissing in the rain, pancakes in the morning, flowers just because kinda cliches?”

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“And what if I don’t have any? I just said, I’m unambitious.”

"Kissing in the rain, champagne with strawberries and chocolate on a sandy beach at sunset. Yes." Scarlett whispered, "I think every girl is a sucker for that."

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"You weren't before though. Ambition doesn't just disappear."

“Never had you pegged as the romantic type.” Archer mused, running his fingers through her hair.

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Odette shrugged, looking at the floor in embarrassment then.

"I'm not... not in reality." Scarlett whispered with a shale of his head. "Maybe like a.. secret heart inside of my own is though."

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"Come on, my swan. You've put your life on hold for me for too long now."

“You did it for near enough a decade in France. And we have forever so… it’s no big deal.”

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“Oh you have a heart?” Archer teased, kissing the top of her head.

"Mm, a very small, cold and secret one." She chuckled, almost nervously.

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"I.. I didn't though. I had my business over in France still, I moved over there for Lux but I never put anything on hold." Dorian frowned. "Am I dragging you down, Odi?"

“You don’t sound so sure.” Archer raised an eyebrow then.

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“No, of course not. Don’t be silly.” Odette frowned, shaking her head.

"You wouldn't think that... would you? I think Henry would say I was though."

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"Just watch the movie, pet."

“Whats this got to do with Henry? Has he - has he been in your ear? Is that where this is coming from?”

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“Fine fine.” Archer moved to rest his head on hers as he turned his attention to the screen

"Nothing. I'm just pointing it out - you've put your life life hold for me, he.. needs you and time is ticking with him. Your wasting time."

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Scarlett remained rigid for a few minutes, though as the move went on she relaxed; snuggling back into his arms and closing her eyes.

“He doesn’t need me nor want me and he made that clear when he moved and stopped taking my calls Dorian.”

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Archer smiled, gently shifting them to be properly laying down, gently rubbing her arm to help her drift off.

"Just resting my eyes, still listening to the movie... I promise." Scarlett hummed sleepily.

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"He isn't going take the pill, Karsi heard from Tesni that he is getting grey I - It's my side of our family he dislikes, Odi. I - I don't want him to...go... and you to regret it."

“Your number one rule is no sleepovers, Red. Want me to leave you be?” Archer asked quietly as he ran his fingers through her hair.

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“He’s not exactly middle aged. Greying early is a thing in the family, I’m not worried. You don’t need to be either.” Odette set her jaw, going to the refrigerator and pulling out a bottle of wine.

"Well I am and... people die, regardless of age so - so you need to start being around him more, start... living your own life more, your own dreams more. Stop putting yourself on the back-burner, Odette, please."

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"Lets scrap that tonight. I'm comfortable, and we haven't done anything tonight so.... stay."

“I don’t know where this notion has suddenly come from that I’m on the back burner. I’m happy, content. I like my life.” Odette poured herself a glass of wine, offering him a glass too.

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“Do you snore? Talk in your sleep?” Archer chuckled.