houseofcards_rp | [ota] there ain't nothing that I need

It's been a gloomy sort of week. He's blamed the holiday season for it. Holidays made a person think about home, after all--and for a large number of people, that wasn't a pleasant thing. Cadogan's hardly the only one who gets quiet when asked about family, about traditions, about 'would you be going back now if we could leave?' Home is such a completely odd word, shifts this way and that and really doesn't need to be highlighted just because it's time to celebrate the winter holiday season.

But Friday morning... Friday morning he's going to vanish for a little bit. Not out of the Deck, clearly, but into his office for a few hours when it's entirely possible he really ought to be out being a Ten.

He'll reappear in the afternoon, play catch-up with files and monitoring and all the other work he's meant to be doing in a day. With, of course, two notable breaks being made.

He's got to hug Sophie for telling his mother to come. And he's got to hug Silas for bringing her here.

{ooc; Catch Cadogan (or be caught in a hug by Cadogan) here, but if you want a whack at his mother answering questions about what a little shit he was as a kid, she's also here.}

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Course we can't have Cadogan being unrepressed. It'd be like a rain of frogs, cats and dogs living together. End of the world type stuff.

"I'm so glad you get Christmas with family, darling. I know how gloomy you've been lately." And you get another arm squeeze, Cadogan, with a smile that's just a hint wistful. At least someone she cares about gets to spend the holidays with someone they love.

There's the briefest duck of his head for that. It's true, after all--but still a bitch to know that it had been entirely obvious.

/Don't think you're getting out of her feeding you Christmas Eve or Boxing Day./

If he'd mentioned a name, he was certain his mother was chomping at the bit to make a meal.

Oh, it was hardly obvious. Certain people just got more attention from the ever-observant Seven than others. He just happened to be one of them. Not many people around willing or able to translate those stoic expressions, after all, and someone's got to make sure he doesn't mope too long. Luckily this should keep him happy for quite some time.

The offer gets a smile, eyes widening just the slightest bit. "Not that I'd say no, but I wouldn't want to intrude on your family time. It's your first holidays together here, after all." The idea of a home-cooked meal from Mrs. Thomas was, however, irresistible. Especially if there were stories about Cadogan in the balance as well.

/She'll be sick of me by then./

But, much more importantly, and completely genuinely?

/It will help her settle in here, meeting people. She wants to get to know you./

And don't think he hadn't had good (if moderately misguiding) things to say about Eden. Roisin didn't quite believe she existed--or tolerated such a taciturn friend.

"So you've talked about me, then? Should I be worried?" The smile on her face is a touch bemused, and a little alarmed. Generally speaking, the talking one did about Eden Harper wasn't the sort of thing a mother wanted to hear. She'd probably be quite gratified to know the reality of the situation, and how her friendship is not only accepted but appreciated.

"Suppose I have to meet her, then, if only to reassure her that not all the rumors are true. Only about three quarters of them, and half of those exaggerated."

The clack of his tongue is brief, nudge of his fingers at her shoulder mildly affectionate.

/Promise I've only told her nice things./

And really, it's Cadogan.

The nudge gets a brief smile, and a quick hand to his elbow. She knows better than to grab at his fingers, by now.

"Well, as long as you promise. You sure you wouldn't mind company on Christmas Eve? I don't really have plans, and, well, it'd be nice to spend it with someone new." Especially since she couldn't get out to see her family now. Made things look quite different when one couldn't get out, as opposed to just not wanting to.

His nod is instant, smile entirely faint but actually moderately apparent, even for any passersby who might not have Eden's inherent ability to understand Cadogan's facial ticks as expressions.

/We would love to have you. No promises she won't assume you're my secret girlfriend./

Although why mothers always seemed to assume their sons were keeping secret girlfriends when having a girlfriend would stop the barrage of questions is unclear.

Oh, take it from her, Cadogan. Speaking from experience as said girlfriend to more than one hopeful young man in the past, having a girlfriend didn't end the questions, only changed them. 'When are you going to find a nice girl' just turned into 'so when are you two tying the knot and giving me grandbabies'. That family dinner had ended abruptly, as had the relationship.

Her return smile, in contrast to his, lights up her face. Not to worry, Cads, Eden's got plenty of expression for the both of you. She even raises eyebrows at that last bit, looking amused.

"Darling, if it makes her happy, she's more than welcome to assume I'm your secret girlfriend. There are far worse people my name could be attached to than a sweetheart like you." True story.

Someday, in theory, he'll learn this--because someday, in theory, he'll have a girlfriend to introduce to his mother. But that's not now.

Now, however, is the time to snort at her softly, lips not quite quirking higher but certainly settling more comfortably into the pleased expression.

/We'll see you Christmas Eve, then, lover./

That, Eden, is your Christmas present--Cadogan Thomas saying the word 'lover' ever at all. Also cake and a hat, if Mother Thomas had her way. But mostly this right here.

And it's a present she'll treasure forever, rest assured. Not that anyone would believe her if she told them about it. It's not exactly part of his standard vocabulary, is it. It does, however, get a delighted laugh.

"Right. Christmas Eve, sweetheart. Should I bring anything, or would Mrs. Thomas be insulted by that?"

/Whiskey./

What? His mother's half-Irish, and at this point the surviving Thomases are really full Welsh. There's going to be a fantastic amount of drinking.

/No cookies./

"Whiskey. Right. I'm sure I can find something to bring that won't embarrass you. See you Monday, then!" And you, Mr. Thomas, are not escaping a quick kiss to the cheek before she leaves, for being so wonderful and letting Eden spend a holiday with your family, since hers isn't reachable.

She's one of the people he genuinely doesn't mind having in his personal space, in his personal life. True, the kiss will get her cheek swatted at in return, light and actually somewhat affectionate as the click of his tongue.

Happy Christmas, Eden. He loves you too.

[ota] there ain't nothing that I need

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