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[myhousemyrules]

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[myhousemyrules]

[ This time, Marta sits up and brightens. She beams with such pride for her sister. It will be so hard to let her go, but it's important for her to be independent. Alice has a good head on her shoulders, and she'll always know she can come back home if needed. ]

She's being ambitious. Pre-law major with a minor in international affairs.

[trustfundee]

[ Cameron's smile widens as he finishes typing up his note. Hearing Marta talk about her family is always sweet. He lifts his brows, impressed. ]

Wow, so she's gonna be invested in doing good like her sister?

[myhousemyrules]

[ That pulls a laugh out of her along with warm flush to her cheeks. Marta shakes her head, always down playing herself. ]

She's going to do much more.

[trustfundee]

Only because you're here supporting her. [ She's adorable when she's bashful, and he smiles warmly. ] It's the curse of the older sibling. We have to be responsible and stable so our younger siblings can go out and explore fearlessly. [ There's a sparkle of adoration and humour in his eyes. ] But I don't know what I did wrong. I'm still waiting for Celeste to grow out of her rockstar phase. [ His sister, who heads up a alternative indie rock band. ]

[myhousemyrules]

It's her passion. She has a life that can allow her to explore it. [ It's a playful protest, but it's a conversation they'd had before. Cameron cares deeply for his younger sister. His family dynamics are so different than Ransom's. Naturally, they developed differently. She shouldn't compare them. She shouldn't think on him at all.

She focuses Cameron. On Celeste. On Alice. ] You still need to take me to one of her shows. I promised her I'd go to one.

[trustfundee]

[ Cameron winces, pinning a skeptical look on Marta. ] Did you really promise her that?

[myhousemyrules]

What? She was so excited. Why wouldn't we go? [ She blinks back at him. It hadn't occurred to her that Celeste could be terrible. ] She said she's been booking different dive bars.

[trustfundee]

[ He laughs quietly and shakes his head. He's very fond of his younger sister and only teases her for her music because it's his duty to. ]

Yeah, it'd make her really happy. I'm just--trying to not encourage it too much, you know. She's getting older. What's she going to do when she grows out of it?

[myhousemyrules]

Well, that's what older siblings are for, right? [ She raises a brow at him. Celeste is in good hands. She's got a good head on her shoulders even if she is more of a dreamer than her brother is. ]

[trustfundee]

[ Cameron smiles, gaze dropping to their linked hands. ]

Yeah. Okay. [ He seems to consider it for another beat before nodding. Celeste is such a free spirit, and he probably hasn't helped by giving her whatever she asks for, making her feel like everything will always be okay. ] Let's go one night then. See, this is why she loves you.

[myhousemyrules]

She loves you too. She just thinks you're kind of a square.

[ Her eyes glitter with mischief. The ache she carried with her doesn't hurt so bad. She can forget it for awhile. Releasing his hand, she goes to open the dessert. ]

What do you have going on the rest of your day?

[trustfundee]

[ Cameron lifts his brows at that. A square! He's heard it from Celeste before, but to have Marta repeat it is another thing. He grins, folding his hand back as she opens up the dessert. ]

Meetings. One I need to drive out for, then I need to review a proposal for a media company--but maybe I'll do that on the drive, then I'll be done a little earlier. [ The loose pieces are always slotting around in his mind. ] Do you... wanna grab dinner?

[myhousemyrules]

[ She giggles a little at the face he makes. She grins right back at him, feeling so much lighter than she had in awhile. She's not surprised to hear he has a busy evening. She's used to Cameron working a lot and having so many engagements on his schedule. She doesn't mind it in the least. She doesn't need to take up so much of his time.

So when he offers to get dinner, she's surprised. It's usually one or the other. Lunch or dinner. Brunch on the weekends. She's never had two meals of his time before. ]

Are you sure?

[trustfundee]

[ Her question makes his smile falter a little. He knows he's busy. His days are usually packed from five in the morning to the moment his head hits his pillow. It's a way he keeps himself moving forward, but also a form of escape, but it doesn't feel good to see his partner so surprised he's offering up his time.

He nods. ]

Yeah. Unless--you've got other plans?

[myhousemyrules]

[ Her expression brightens. There's delight and a tentative hopefulness. Maybe this is the mark of something new. Maybe it's a step forward. She nods happily. ]

I don't have plans. I'd love to get dinner with you.

[trustfundee]

[ That's a spark of genuine happiness on her expression. The tightness in his chest loosens. ]

Great. [ His smile widens. She always says he's patient towards her, but he thinks she's the same way back. She understand he's horrible at declining work-related things, and can't help but want to do everything, meaning his personal life is always what ends up bearing the grunt of it. ]

I know it's very last-minute, but I was thinking we could drive up to Portland. [ His heart's racing in his chest now. ] And have dinner with my parents. [ Has she ever seen him this hesitant before? ] It doesn't have to be a big thing--and I totally get it if I'm springing this on you too late. I--no pressure.

[myhousemyrules]

[ There's a stab of panic. Meeting his parents is serious. It's completely unexpected. She can see in his face that he hasn't expected to offer it, but she can also see that this means a lot to him. Her agreement is out before she second guesses herself. ]

Yes. Yes, I don't mind.

[ His sister is lovely. She knows his parents will be too. It's a totally different dynamic than the Thrombeys. She's surprise hit to not to feel any nausea. ]

[trustfundee]

[ She practically agrees so easily that she cuts off his bumbling, and he shuts his mouth, taking in her expression before a relieved huff of a laugh spills out from him. He shouldn’t be so impulsive, but if he’s truthful with himself, he’s been wanting this for a long time now. ]

Okay. [ His smile is full of genuine joy. ] Okay, then, I’ll come pick you up around five. [ It’s early for him and he might have to work after they get back, but it’s worth it. ] They’re gonna be so happy to meet you. They’ve been asking for a while now but things didn’t feel right yet. Thanks, love. This means a lot to me.

[myhousemyrules]

[ Their lunch is coming to an end. It's ended up being something she hadn't expected at all. She's so nervous about meeting his parents. She starts cleaning up their mess though she laughs a little at his graciousness. ] What should I wear? Should I bring them anything? Wine?

[trustfundee]

[ He starts helping her, picking up and scrunching their food wrappers and pulling out the trash bin under the desk. ]

Sure, wine, or flowers, they’d appreciate that. My mom loves lilies. [ He knows she wouldn’t want to go empty handed so he gives her an easy thing to grab. ] And wear whatever you want. We’re just going home. Wear something you’re comfortable and confident in. Don’t be nervous. They’re really easy.

[myhousemyrules]

Easy for you to say. [ She shakes her head fondly. It's always nerve wracking meeting the parents. She makes a note to pick up some lilies. Marta knows this means a step forward into the serious with Cameron. It's something she's been holding back on, but now-- Now she has nothing holding her back. The only way to move on is to move forward. She cleans up his desk then goes around to give him a hug and a kiss goodbye. ]

I'll see you this evening.

[trustfundee]

[ He gives her a warm hug, enjoying her soft scent and her embrace. He kisses her too. ]

See you. Have a good day, love. Thanks for popping by. [ As soon as she’s gone, he sinks into is chair, every trace of their conversation wiped clean off his face as he preps for his 1:00. ]