New year, new me? Or whatever they say. [cw]

"That's fine." he replied to her promise, returning the kiss before he cupped her face shortly. He let go and let her go before heading home himself. At home he was greeted by his mother who sent him a friendly smile as he walked in. "Hey Kurtiepie." she said in a warm tone, getting up and walking over to greet her son. Kurtis frowned as she got near and took a step back but she was faster, pulling him in for a hug. "Let me go." he mumbled, feeling his skin crawl just because it was so out of character for her. What was her game at? "Sorry, I just havent seen you in so long. You've been avoiding us for weeks, so we had to do this." she said as she let him go, Kurtis realizing as he widened his eyes a little looking at his mother. "You didnt have to do shit." he mumbled a little frustrated, shaking his head as he backed out to leave the room. "Zaira is coming over too." he said as an end note before he went to his room. He pulled out his phone and laid down on the bed.

[Messages between Kurtis and Zaira]
[Kurtis:] I already hate it here.

Zaira had gotten herself mostly ready, now she was just sitting and reading up on some homework, that was when her phone started buzzing. She reached for it, letting her homework rest on the couch as she sighed at his message. It wasn't really what she wanted to read. She had wished he could've just come home with her and they could've gone there together. But of course she couldn't keep him from his family, even though he despised them.

[Messages between Kurtis and Zaira]
[Zaira:] I'll be over soon enough <3
[Zaira:] Until then you could put together a nice outfit?
[Zaira:] Or we could start planning our costumes?

He read her replies, grinding his teeth slightly before he sighed and looked up at his ceiling. He probably had to figure out what to wear though it probably wouldnt be anything out of the ordinary. A knock sounded on his door and he turned his head. His mother came in, the lycan rolling his eyes as he sat up. "What?" he asked a little impatiently. "I dont like this coldness between us, you're my son, my beautiful son." she said, walking over to sit next to him on the bed, folding her hands on her lap. "Do you really resent your own mother that much?" she asked, her eyes tearing up a little. Kurtis looked at her with a hurt expression, knowing she was just trying to guilt him for being so drawn away. "No." he said in defeat after a while, looking away. She smiled, reaching over to touch his cheek gently in a motherly manner. "You're such a good kid." she praised him before letting go and getting up as the lycan was looking away. "Wear the new shirt I got you. I think you'll look very handsome in it." she said in the door. He waited for her to leave before he lifted his arm to rub his eyes and sniffle. He then got up and went to dress himself. The shirt his mother had mentioned was just a plain button up shirt but the fabric was thicker and had a nice texture to it. He put on some ripped jeans as well with striped socks, looking through all his chains before picking some out that he put on his clothes. He sat down by his mirror with a deep sigh. He picked out some rings and changed his earring to something that didnt just make him look plain.

It was nearing the time where she had to go, locking up the door behind her, setting up the alarm system, she headed out to the street where a taxi was waiting for her. The driver already had the address, so she just sat back in the seat, taking out her phone to text Kurtis that she was on her way. She was starting to feel the nerves now. She knew Alexis at least, but Kurtis' father had always been a bit of a mystery.
Getting through the gate, the taxi pulled up, and she paid the driver with a smile before getting out. Walking up the steps she knocked quite confidently, putting on a smile that she wasn't sure would last long.

The butler's words just made her shrug. What kind of butler commented on their guests dress anyways? He was just a bit creepy in her mind. But at soon as she got in, she couldn't help but smile as Alexis complimented her and the dress. "Thank you so much, I really love your pants suit, you look very sophisticated as always," she returned the compliment. Hearing the Kurtis wasn't down yet didn't seem out of the ordinary, nodding as she ascended the stairs.
The employees seemed extra busy today, but she guessed it was because Kurtis' father was home. Going to his room, she knocked before entering. He wasn't there, so she knew where he was, poking her head out the window she saw him there. Dressed rather nicely, and with his own style thrown on as per usual. "Hi there," she said a faint smile on her lips. She could see where he had tried to mask the bruise, but didn't stare at it. "You know, sometimes I wonder ..." she said, leaning her arms on the windowsill,
"if you stopped smoking, would we see a decline in pollution." She clearly meant it as a tease, sticking her tongue out at him all in good fun.

Zaira shrugged at his counterclaims, but to her it didn't really matter if he smoked or not. "I don't think people would be able to recognize you without your lighter," she chuckled, just leaning out the window, looking at the view. She liked looking out at the city, all the fancy houses that you could see from up here. It was amazing to some regard. Of course she hadn't expected him to be in a good mood, she had actually expected him to maybe have run off or perhaps hiding somewhere unusual. But here he sat, on his usual spot, smoking a cigarette like so many times before.
"When I get my own place I don't want a big house," she said, talking about something else than the impending doom he seemingly felt. "I'd want a cool apartment, maybe in the center of a big city," she pondered, looking out at the view, but she was clearly imagining it all. "I think I'd want a shit ton of plants too - that's what adults get when they try to fill the void ... Well that or kids," she shrugged.

"No, you dumbass, only the apartment," she said, shaking her head as she smiled to herself, then eyed him as he spoke about what he wanted. Scoffing, she could imagine him being a stray cat in his former life. But she could already hear that he might thrive better living alone, not that the thought of them living together was something she had even really given a thought. "So what if they are high maintenance, they're pretty and I'd need something to take care off if you're never home," she added, pulling herself inside as it was beginning to get chilly.
Walking over to his mirror she fixed her hair, not that she usually hype fixated on her looks, but she wanted to look nice. Dress to impress, that was how the saying went, right?

She shrugged, looking at him in the reflection. He seemed surprised. They were already dating, was it really such a strange idea that she actually liked spending time with him? His addition made her really feel the hand on her shoulder. Looking at his hand it felt so warm, but he always felt warm. This was a different type of heat, but she couldn't put a finger to it. "Why wouldn't I want to live together with you?" she asked, her eyes darting up to his face. Was he really so thick skulled? Her hand moved up, placing over his as she turned around to face him. "I'm not messing around, Kurtis," she said quite seriously, holding his hand rather gently.
She was quiet for a bit, just looking at him, letting him take his time just touching her. Feeling that she wasn't lying in what she said. "Sure, you're an idiot, and I bet I'd have to do most of the cooking," she said, letting her hand just mindlessly caress the back of his. "But it would be something good, I just know it would."

The way he seemed to take it all in just made her stand still. She knew he needed to learn how to trust, and she didn't blame him one bit for taking his time. But then he did something she hadn't quite expected, pulling her in to his arms, holding her close as she felt his heart beating. His lowered voice made her chuckle, looking up at him as she wrapped her arms around him. "Of course it does, you love my cooking," she teased, stepping up on her toes to place a careful kiss against his lips. Despite everything it made her happy that she could at least make him feel good right now. Even if they had the dinner to worry about as well.

"Oh really?" she smiled against his lips, kissing him once more just for good measure. She felt his grip loosen as soon as the butler stuck his head in, and she knew why he did it, she just wish he wouldn't. That he could feel brave enough to hold her close like this even in front of his parents. But she did not blame him. She knew better than to be upset about something this small.
Following Kurtis downstairs she sent his mother a small smile. Zaira would never forgive the woman for hurting him, but then again she wasn't the one who had to forgive. "I'd just like some water," she replied, it was a safe request and she wasn't quite sure about what the drinking policy was in this household. With her mom she could always grab a beer or a glass of wine, but here she wasn't sure.

Zaira smiled, thanking his mother for her words, but she was worried. Sitting at the table, she suddenly felt Kurtis' hand under the table, and she held his hand in her own, giving it a soft squeeze. But it didn't take her attention away from Alexis explaining the meal and the preparations it had taken. The plate in front of her was beautifully arranged, and her eyes widened, smiling a little. It truly looked wonderful, a really wholesome meal. It reminded her a bit of dumplings or perhaps another type of pasta with filling. But she had a feeling this was far from a normal ravioli. "The smell is delicious," she said, already feeling her mouth watering.

Zaira sat calmly, even if his father was scary, she knew she was here to support the lycan beside her. She let him hold on to her hand, grabbing around her fork with the other. Nodding at his father's presumption she smiled politely, "yes sir," she said politely, smiling and actually acting rather relaxed. Then his focus went to Kurtis, and she could sense how on edge the lycan was right now. Her hand moved in soothing circles around the back of his hand, silently starting to eat. As Lucius went quiet again and started eating Zaira looked across the table at Alexis, seeing how poised she sat. "I don't think I've ever had such a lovely dish," she complimented the food, smiling as she reached over to sip some water before taking another bite. "I'd like to ask your chef for the recipe later, if that wouldn't be a problem?" she asked, looking from Alexis to Lucius.

Okay this family dynamic was not healthy, but she could manage it for now, smiling at Alexis as she nodded, "thank you," she said, taking another bite as his father tried keeping the conversation going. How a man such as himself could sound so stiff was beyond her. "I met Kurtis in geography class last year; I started just after the winter holidays," she explained with a polite smile. Gods, she was tired of being this polished, but she could do it for Kurtis. But then he mentioned Vanessa, and it made her a bit surprised. Had she met his father before? Being quiet she heard Alexis trying to speak up on her son's behalf, but it failed as Kurtis said something that made her heart flutter with love and fear at the same time.
He had never said it like that, never claimed her as someone who actually was his. My girlfriend. In any other scenario she would've jumped around in joy, acted silly and goofy because that statement should've been said at another time and place. Giving Kurtis' hand a squeeze under the table she wasn't sure what to say. So for the first time ever, she was quiet.

Lucius hummed at her reply with a nod, though he didnt let the addition go just like that. It wasnt that he was really assuming much, but Kurtis never brought anyone home, especially not girls so obviously there had to be something. Kurtis' statement even made his father surprised but he smiled quite genuinely. "I see. It's nice to see that you have taken the time to grow from your past mistakes." he said which was actually a good thing. It was least made Alexis seem a bit relieved. Kurtis however wasnt too happy about the remark, though it was clear that he didnt want to stir up something. Neither of the three said anything for a while and it was just silent for a bit if Zaira wasnt speaking. But Kurtis seemed to just get more agitated as seconds went by. "But you know, I thought you would be happier about me not caring about girls." he said withholding a few swears that he otherwise would have used, Alexis frowning but his father just looking at him with those stiff eyes. "That means nothing if what you do instead is whoring yourself out and not caring about your reputation." - "So yes, a girlfriend is definitely good."

Wait. Just like that his father was alright with him having a girlfriend? It didn't make any sense. What was really going on here? Giving Kurtis' hand a squeeze she sent the lycan a faint smile, though she didn't feel like she was herself in this room. Lucius had cold eyes, that kind that could chill you to the bone if you looked at them for too long. "Reputation isn't everything," she smiled politely, looking at Kurtis. There was something soft in her eyes, young love perhaps. "I'm not the type of person to fall for reputation, that says nothing about who a person really is," she said.
Sure, when she had met Kurtis, she had judged him and pretty harshly at that. In fact she had hated him. But it was like slowly but surely he had crept under her skin, made her feel things she had never felt before, made her experience something very few could say they felt in their lifetime. "Kurtis is a hard worker, even though he might not show it," she smiled.

Zaira's words didnt really seem to sink in with the older man, eyeing her shortly like he was considering his reply. Though it was simple, reputation meant a lot in the eyes of Lucius Trevino, especially when Kurtis bore his lastname. "That makes Kurtis quite a lucky young man then." he simply remarked. Kurtis felt his jaw tremble a little with anger. Was his father really doing this? Belittling him in front of his girlfriend? "I can believe that." Alexis said as Zaira spoke of Kurtis. Lucius looked at her. "He has yet to show that through his marks." he said, as that was really the only part he got to see. "So you dont mind all that he has done? All the girls he has hurt and not cared about?" he suddenly asked, making Kurtis look to him with an angry look, letting go of Zaira's hand. "Stay seated, Kurtis." he just warned him. He then looked to Zaira, waiting for her answer, because in all honesty he was just saying what makes you so different from them?