The Age of The Masrui

“So… you’ve been writing stories about me?”

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Lux sighed softly.

"Not about you, no - no. Fictional, entirely fictional. He just looks like you and... yeah, yeah just looks like you. He isnt you though."

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"I'm sorry." Dorian grimaced. "This hasn't been the most relaxed day has it?"

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"Al..." Marlowe whispered as she wandered into the room he was in, pulling the door closed behind herself.

Rex just shook his head with a laugh then. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”

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“Just give me a moment please.”

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“No but it’s fine.”

"I'll just be outside in the hallway, and when you do come out I will be giving you a hug - just so you know." Marlowe warned gently, adding a soft; "Love you." before letting herself out. Closing the door behind herself and, as promised, leaning against the wall to wait.

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"What does that even mean?" She chuckled nervously.

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"It isn't. I wanted it to be... I thought it'd be a good day when - self-centred I guess." Dorian sighed, "When your done I'll drive you home."

“Sorry, disappointed you haven’t I?”

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“Just means what I said… I’ve never met anyone like you. In a good way.”

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Altair nodded, coming out a few minutes later.

Marlowe offered him a sad smile, stepping forward to pull him into a tight hug. Hand moving up to tangle in his hair as she squeezed his shoulders gently.

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"So long as it is good, I guess." She laughed, genuinely then.

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"No, you'd have to do a lot worse to ever be able to do that and.. even then I'd think it were pretty impossible. Your my whole world, Lux."

“You wanted a day out to celebrate being finally happy with your face and Ive ruined it.”

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Altair held her close.

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“It is, don’t worry.”

"You haven't. We can't- no individual can control everything, can they? I feel like we've... we've had some important discussion today."

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Yasmin leant her head back to kiss him softly.

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"We're going to have a nice evening, and as soon as Ash and Chris leave after that nice evening we will call Karsi and give her hell. We'll find it what kind of jobs she is putting him on, and get it sorted. He'll be okay." Marlowe whispered, turning her head to kiss the side of his head gently.

“I have a feeling Karsi has nothing to do with this.”

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Rex kissed her back gently.

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“Sorry… again.”

"Who do you think does then? Who do we need to talk to - whoever it is we'll get to the bottom of it."

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"You have nothing to say sorry to, my light. Do you want to go home, or should we see if the arcades are open?"

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"We can't do it again." She whispered breathlessly against his lips. "I - I need to keep you wanting more."

“I’ll always want more.”

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“The arcade sounds good.”

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“I don’t know… I’ll get find out.”

"We'll find out." She agreed. "Right now though, he needs you to pretend he is in control and this is nothing, yeah? He can't see your a concerned dad right now, for him this is about.. belief. So pretend you aren't bothered and you know he has this under control and we can deal with the rest of it later when he is gone."

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"Good. I'll beat you on the shooter." Dorian smirked, getting to his feet as he finished his drink.

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"I'm not willing to risk me being right."

“Don’t be cruel.”

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“That was the plan.”

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Lux chuckled and headed out after him.

"It's good we think alike." She hummed, leaning back from the hug to offer him a warm smile. "Leaving the boys time alone is good though so, maybe lets not rush back downstairs?"

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"I'm not being cruel. I am- I have meal with my brother and sister in law in a few hours, I need a nap before that. Are you going go nap with me?"

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(( Skip for Rian and Lux? ))

Altair nodded.

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“I probably won’t sleep but if it helps you sleep better I can hold you.”

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((Sure!))

Marlowe leant back, resting her fingertips beneath his chin to smile warmly at him. "Are you okay, handsome?"

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"You holding me is the best way I sleep."

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"Home sweet home. I have some more things to do today but... if you need me call and I'll be right with you, okay?" Dorian hummed as he pulled up outside the alley that'd to the apartment before curling his fingers in and shaking his hand towards her in a almost secret handshake. "Love you. Next time I'll beat you."

“Then let’s get back to bed.”

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“I’m fine, I’m okay.”

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“Never dad, I’m too good.” Lux grinned.

"Good. We'll always be trauma buddies but happy buddies is so much better, right?" Marlowe laughed softly. "Speaking of which; I'm not ready for the wedding yet because of our kids but.. a party to celebrate us? An engagement party... we should do one of those, right?"

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"Okay." She whispered, moving away so she could put her sketch books away before frawling beneath the blankets to sleep.

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"Ah, but if the apprentice doesn't out do the master then the balance is all off, correct? Until next time, young one?" Dorian grinned. "Call me if you need me."

“If that’s what you want.”

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“Young one?” Lux chuckled before nodding. “I’ll see you soon dad, love you.” She hummed before getting out of the car and heading into the apartment.

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Rex followed her, scooping her up into his arms.

She squealed in joy, wrapping her arms around his neck and curling into him. "You're going to make leaving for dinner difficult, aren't you?"

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"No, no. What do you want? This is going to be about both of us."

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"Oh! Hi." Antione greeted is French, eyes wide in surprise as he was crouched down by the plug; having just put the lamp on that he had spent the past few hours gluing back together. "I uh- Surprise?"

“Maybe…” Rex grinned, tucking them in and pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Now sleep.”

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“Oh… I - oh.” Lux whispered as she took in what he was doing, looking at the lamp in disbelief.

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“I want you to be happy.”

"You are, don't do that. What excuse would I be able to come up with? There isn't one."

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"It uh.. isn't perfect." He whispered. "It looks a bit chipped and - and not what is was but I know how important it is to you so I - I done my best. Tomorrow I'll bring it to a professional, get it sorted properly, you know?"

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"I am happy with you. I want to celebrate us."

“Thank you for even trying.” Lux whispered as she pulled him into a hug.

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“Then that’s what we’ll do.”

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“Jet lag?”

((Night))

"I could try... you send the text on my phone whilst I sleep?" She chuckled nervously. "I feel awful cancelling on them."

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"I'm not ready to give up on both of our kids celebrating our marriage yet but our engagement - fuck that right? We'll invite everyone but all that matters with that one is me and you."

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Antione hugged her back tightly, "I'll get it sorted properly tomorrow when your in lecture, I promise. I've already got it booked in. It'll be as good as new."

(( Night ))

“You’re a wuss.”

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“Thank you for doing this.”

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“If you’re sure you can handle any disappointment.”