• Everything Will Be Alright •

[Payton Elouisa Rhodes]

Payton was only slightly less nervous tonight than she had been during the first time she'd met her boyfriend's mother and brother. At least now, she could somewhat read their lips and she wasn't so worried about them entirely hating her. She'd been getting along okay with Nix's brother, mainly because it was easier for her to understand him than the boys' mother. However, she worked hard to learn the kind woman's mannerisms, and was now reading without so many mistakes. Tonight, however, was more important than the little conversations they'd been having while Nix recovered in the hospital; tonight was a test.

She'd been invited to a little "family" dinner, somehow being brought into the family now. She was excited that they accepted her, but she hadn't gotten used to two Nix's being around and she still had to focus hard to figure out Mrs McKenzie's questions. Pay had never been to a dinner like this before, not even with past boyfriends, so it had her on edge. She just hoped she didn't screw anything up.

Paige had helped her prepare for the evening, the twins using it as an excuse to chat and giggle over the fact that, finally, Payton was smiling again. It was a mix of Nix being released from the hospital and the high seeing him always brought, but, it didn't matter. She was smiling, and that was all that was important between them. When her sister brought out the dress, Pay had been a little less than thrilled. White? Since when did she wear white? It was a little too girly, which she freely expressed to her twin, who then handed her a leather jacket and a pair of black heels. Now that was more like the twin Payton knew! She showered and changed, letting her sister fuss over her hair and the little makeup she allowed. How she looked mattered more tonight than ever, so she didn't mind the extra time and effort that she normally abhorred.

Pay took off for Nix's apartment, taking the subway in her urban finery and arriving at the building a little earlier than expected. It was only ten minutes, but she was on edge, and being early helped ease some of the butterflies frantically whizzing through her stomach. She took the elevator up to his floor, taking deep breaths as she smoothed her skirt and re-checked her hair. The elevator doors opened and she walked down the hall to Nix's door, knocking as hard as she could before taking a step back and waiting. This was it.

WORDS: 447!
TAG: Nixxy!
LOCATION: His Place!
OUTFIT: SEXY SWEET!
MUSIC: Princess Charming by Megan & Liz
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Phoenix Austin McKenzie]

It was like some sort of crazy Vegas invasion had come to town. With just Derek and his mom, it was a relatively tame invasion, but if Robert could have got the time off work and Nathan wasn’t tied up with university out west, then Nix was certain his neighbours would have had him evicted by now. He had stayed in the hospital for a few more days, just until the pain could be managed at home and the doctors had a more complete idea of the damage caused by the bullet. He would definitely need physiotherapy and some nerve damage meant that his fingers were hard to move most of the time, but the doctors were convinced that by the start of 2013, he would be back at 100% again. Plus, learning to sign for Pay would force him into practicing movement more, which hopefully meant a quicker recovery. For now, his family were staying in his tiny and cluttered apartment. They were leaving at the end of the following week, once his mom was convinced that Phoenix wasn’t about to fall out of a window on the sixth floor just because of one bad arm. He’d still need help, apparently, but he was eager to see what he could do by himself first, even with the navy sling keeping his arm strategically pinned to his chest at all times.

Tonight, his mom was adamant on cooking a nice big family meal and inviting Payton over as well to ‘put some meat on those bones’. The same was said about Nix, despite his argument that his cupboards were full of junk food and for twenty two years she had tried in vain to fatten him up and failed each time. He was just skinny and lanky and that was the way it was supposed to be, despite his mom’s constant fussing. Luckily, that afternoon she went shopping for groceries and left the two brothers to their own devices, which resulted in a hardcore gaming session in which Nix managed to beat his brother, despite playing one handed. “Something isn’t right with you, bro.”

[/i] Derek joked as he flung the control down on the coffee table. “Why are you surprised by that? I’m a skilled man with my hands; even when one is out of commission.”[/color] Nix said with his typical grin. Luckily, his hand wouldn’t interfere too much with finishing up at the university and a few months off before working wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen. He was just thankful that he would still be able to chase his ambitions once his arm was stronger again. The brothers sat chatting for a while until the sound of the booming voice of their ma caught their attention and Derek moved to help her bring the bags in and start preparing dinner. Nix took his pain medication and sauntered into the kitchen to see what he could do, but it wasn’t long before the McKenzie matriarch shooed both of her sons from the tiny and cramped kitchen.

It really was like being at home again. Soon, the smell of one of his mom’s home cooked meals infiltrated the apartment and Derek moved to make space on the small round dining table that often was used as Nix’s desk. The knock on the door moved Nix to pause the first person combat game he was playing and with after declaring overly loudly that he would get it, he moved to the door and pulled it open with a grin, knowing who would be on the other side. “Hey, gorgeous.”[/color] He swept her up with his good arm and planted a sweet kiss on her lips before dropping her back inside his apartment and kicking the door shut carelessly. “You look stunning.”[/color] He kissed her again, noticing that her effort did not reflect in his own outfit. Then again, Nix did not have ‘nice’ clothes. He had no real need for them yet. Derek threw his head around the wall and waved across at Payton whilst his mom foolishly shouted from the kitchen before appearing, wiping her hands on her apron before giving the brunette a tight hug and then rushing away to check on the potatoes. Nix rolled his eyes and smiled apologetically at his girlfriend. “Dinner will be a bit longer, I’m just playing Fallout.”[/color] He pointed to the small TV and then took Pay’s hand, leading her to his couch to sit down. He had kept his guitar hidden in his wardrobe, just as a precaution this time.
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• • •

TAGGED! Pay!
WORDS! 800!
OUTFIT! Messy Pup!
LYRICS! Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas - - - Brandon Flowers
NOTES! <3

[Payton Elouisa Rhodes]

With Nix's mother there, Pay hadn't had her full chance to fuss over him yet. She'd done it as much as she could, of course, along with reassuring Mrs McKenzie that, after she left, there would still be someone looking after Nix and attempting to keep him out of more trouble. She was worried about what he'd do with all the restrictions put onto his movements now, but she kept promising she'd be there to entertain and amuse as much as her job allowed her, which also meant that the "fussing" was long from being over. Unlike his mother's, Pay's would be accompanied by kisses and cuddling and a heck of a lot less lecturing.

The last time Pay had had a huge, homecooked meal prepared by an actual mom was back in California. She wasn't the biggest fan of cooking, and she didn't have a lot of time to eat with her sister these days, so the family dinner was sort of a treat for her. True, it wasn't her family in technical terms, but she felt welcomed into the fold and had grown to like both new faces. It had been a long time since she'd been doted on by a mother who didn't give her the pity-filled eyes and nervous questions, and it sort of made her miss the way her own mom had been before everything. Payton enjoyed the fussing, even if her boyfriend didn't, and even if she felt a bit selfish for taking up attention when the son with the gun-wound was sitting next to her.

Her heart fluttered as the door swung open, a smile on her glossy lips as she met Nix's eyes. She kissed him with a gentleness suitable for any other eyes, pulling away and glancing worriedly over her attire as she realized she was a tiny bit over dressed. "Too much?" she signed with a quick flick, already figuring out ways to tone down her dressy outfit. Kick off the heels and lose the jacket; that would probably fix it, right?

Her eyes moved to Derek and she gave him a wave accompanied by a shy smile. She was still a bit intimidated by him, even if he was a lot like his brother. Pay hugged Mrs McKenzie and nodded a hello, her smile bigger as she looked back to Nix. She pecked his cheek, lacing their fingers together and following him to the couch.

By now, she had almost forgotten what had occured the first time she'd been in his apartment. It seemed like ages ago and she truly did just want to erase that from her memory. As it was, she glanced around once, giving Nix's hand a light squeeze as her eyes met nothing. He'd remembered.

Pay sat down on the couch, her purse in her lap as she remembered the new toy her parents had sent as a sort of "we're sorry you're deaf and we can't handle it" present. Packages arrived all the time for her, most of which she opened and threw out, card and all, but this one she couldn't ignore. A shiny iPad had met her eyes when she'd peeled open the cardboard, an expensive gift that was no doubt thanks to Paige mentioning how Pay carried a notebook around in order to communcaite. This expensive technology would be a heck of a lot easier and Pay had had her eye on one for awhile, but it had been much to expensive. According to her parents, however, nothing was too good or costly for their "poor" baby.

Curling her legs up next to her, Pay pulled the bulky gift from her bag and pressed the button to turn it on, already opening up the notepad and typing away at the screen. She hadn't had time to show it off to Nix yet, having only recieved it a few days earlier, but she was looking forward to being able to talk to his family by herself instead of through him. Turning the screen towards him, she smiled more. "How're you feeling? Does your mom need help?"

WORDS: 724!
TAG: Nixxy!
LOCATION: His Place!
OUTFIT: SEXY SWEET!
MUSIC: Princess Charming by Megan & Liz
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Phoenix Austin McKenzie]

Nix didn’t feel as though all this worrying and fussing was necessary. Yes, he’d been mugged, but that had happened before. Growing up as such an oddball with a distinct lack of sense when it came to personal space, Nix had often found himself on the other end of a fist. Standing out from the crowd seemed to be an invitation to become a punch bag, but that never deterred Nix, even if it did stress his mom out. The only thing that made this any different was the gunshot wound; something Nix still found amazingly epic. He had been taking photos of it each time his dressings were changed and he couldn’t wait for the day when he could wear it proudly, like it was some sort of badge of honour.

Smiling down at her, he shook his head. She wasn’t overdressed at all. Nix just didn’t grasp the concept of dressing up and often didn’t make the effort simply because it was all too confusing and he didn’t like fancy shirts in bland colours and outfits that had to match. “Not at all; you look perfect.”

[/color] He said as his smile widened. He was sure his mom was ‘dressed up’ anyway and Derek always managed to pull off a sophisticated look, though Nix was convinced that was because of his age and role as the eldest sibling and not because he actually intentionally dressed like that.

There wasn’t much to do other than to wait for the meal now. Knowing his mom, it’d be some massive thing that Nix would be eating out of Tupperware for the rest of the week. Overcooking portions was her speciality and she always seemed to be amazed when there was plenty leftover. She had raised four boys and whilst they all had hearty appetites, she always seemed to wind up resembling the role of the witch from Hansel and Gretel with the size of the spread she threw together whenever she had the chance. He supposed that now there was no one at home to cook for each night other than his dad, she probably got a little too excited whenever one of her sons made an appearance and gave her the chance to play that role again.

Raising his eyebrows at the appearance of the iPad, Nix tapped the side of the thing with his fingers to get Pay’s attention and then smiled. “What’s with the awesome upgrade?”[/color] He joked, draping his good arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer. He was still in considerable pain really, but he was able to deal with it thanks to the course of pain medication he had been sent home with. “I’m peachy keen, jelly bean.”[/color] He said with that permanent smile on his face. He didn’t want Pay to worry about him being in a bit of pain. Plus, he was fine now since his last dosage had been just before she arrived. It was sleeping at night that proved to be the worst. “And, if you step foot in that kitchen ma will shoo you right back out. Believe me, we’ve been trying to help her all day.”[/color] Derek nodded in agreement as he took a seat on the only armchair in Nix’s apartment.
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• • •

TAGGED! Pay!
WORDS! 580!
OUTFIT! Messy Pup!
LYRICS! Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas - - - Brandon Flowers
NOTES! <3

[Payton Elouisa Rhodes]

Pay hadn't really "slept" in a long time. She dozed on and off, rarely getting more than a few hours before her mind would jog her awake with some memory that was too hard to handle. That was when her fancy gave out its cruel punches, ones she couldn't always handle without leaving her bedroom and going for silent walks around the apartment. It kept her up most nights, which was why she'd told Nix to text her if he ever had trouble sleeping these days. More than likely, she'd be awake; she'd be very willing to help out in any way she could.

The appearence of the iPad had surfaced more memories than Payton had been able to cope with. It didn't help that the first thing she'd seen when she'd turned it on was a picture of her, her parents, and Paige from right before she'd gotten sick. She was still trying to figure out what posessed them to put that, of all pictures, as her screen saver. She'd deleted it, of course, but it was burned into her mind now, and she hadn't quite gotten over the image of that smiling girl who couldn't have ever been her. After that incident, the tablet had come in quite handy, and she was already figuring out all the nooks and crannies of her new toy. She'd been playing with it at work, amazing herself with how easy it was to talk to her co-workers now that she didn't have to reach for a pen and paper every time she wanted to say something. In a way, it was giving her some of her freedom back.

She looked up when his fingers appeared, but she only shrugged and turned her face back down, writing a short reply. "Guilt-gift from Mom and Dad," it read and she erased it as soon as she thought he'd finished. Already, she was working to forget that the lovely object was from her parents.

Pay gave him a disbelieving look, typing again, "You're lying, and I know it." She gave him another sweet kiss and cuddled up to his side, trying not to bump into the sling that made their position more awkward than it had been before he was shot. "Good thing. I'm not a cook by any means," she wrote and displayed, enlarging the text a bit so she could flash the message towards Derek. Even if she hated how she'd recieved it, Payton was enjoying not having to sign or physically write; it felt good to talk on her own.

WORDS: 469!
TAG: Nixxy!
LOCATION: His Place!
OUTFIT: SEXY SWEET!
MUSIC: Princess Charming by Megan & Liz
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Phoenix Austin McKenzie]

Nix knew from Paige that Payton seemed to be coming out of a shell a bit more since they were dating. He was happy that he could help her, but he still wished that he could do more to make her smile; getting shot probably wasn’t the best choice though. He still saw how worried she looked whenever he struggled with something or when he had been moving around the hospital at his usual pace before the pain set in. The nerve damage was the worst part – even worse than the pain, since it left his hand mostly redundant and useless. Still, things were okay for now since his mom and brother were floating around to do most of the work they wouldn’t let him try yet. Once they left, he would really get to test himself out and find out just how dependent he would have to become, though the optimist in him was convinced he would be fine and could do everything.

He only knew that Payton didn’t like talking about Derby Acres or really thinking about it. Paige had never been able to tell him what really went on in the brunette twin’s head but Nix didn’t really want her to; since she had become his girlfriend, Nix wanted to peel away that shell himself with very little help from her sister. He knew exactly how twins could be used against each other when it came to secrets and skeletons in the closet. Luckily enough, neither Nathan nor Nix really had any blackmail on the other considering they had both lived really similar colourful lives with little drama that they chose to keep hidden from everyone in their lives.
Letting out an inaudible sigh, Nix pulled her closer to his side, his lips finding her cheek as he snuggled closer to her. He didn’t know what the deal with her mom and dad was, but he knew better than to force Payton into something she wasn’t ready for.

Smirking, he shook his head at her and managed a one arm shrug, knowing better than to aggravate his injury. “I’m gonna be fine, gorgeous.”

[/color] He promised for what had to be the millionth time since leaving the hospital. Everyone fussing about him was not his style and he didn’t need folk to worry when he would be perfectly alright again in a short while. Chuckling at her response on the screen Nix ruffled her hair. “Ma likes to fuss and she’ll do it regardless of how much help we give her.”[/color] His brother nodded in agreement. “Give her two minutes to get that apron off and she’ll forget her sons to dote on you. We don’t envy you one bit.”[/i] Derek joked, knowing just how terrifying Mrs McKenzie could be when she showed her affectionate side; it really wasn’t much of a surprise to see where Nix and the boys got there from.

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• • •

TAGGED! Pay!
WORDS! 523!
OUTFIT! Messy Pup!
LYRICS! Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas - - - Brandon Flowers
NOTES! <3

[Payton Elouisa Rhodes]

It was a slow process, but Payton was revealing more of herself to Nix as the days went by. Telling someone other than Paige got the stories off her chest, allowing her to breathe easier and climb closer to the sunlight as more and more was told. She didn't spill her whole background, especially not details about the music she'd been so found of back then, but she was gradually letting Nix work deeper and deeper into her history. Soon enough, he would know it all and then there would be no secrets on her part. But, first, she had to work up the strength to relive old memories and dreams from a time when the world had seemed like a fair, promising place.

On the other hand, she was enjoying getting to know Nix's family. They didn't judge her like she was so afraid they would, instead welcoming her and wondering, not how she lived without hearing, but how she put up with the hyper blonde guy she proudly called her boyfriend. She was getting more comfortable around Derek and Mrs McKenzie, now joking with them and not sitting mutely next to Nix. It was sometimes hard to keep up with the rapid-fire conversations, and Pay had gotten frustrated with herself as she was learning how to read the new faces, but things were going well after a couple weeks. She almost didn't want to see them leave.

It was an "almost" because, once they were gone, Nix would be all hers again and she could fuss over him as much as she pleased. Of course, there was the blonde girl who he hung out with and his friends from school, but Pay didn't have the same duties as the girlfriend. She'd be there whenever he needed help, and she'd even volunteered to write or type any papers for him if he needed it; it wasn't like she didn't have free time at work. But, with his mother present, there was hardly a need for the shy young woman, as Pay had quickly learned.

Snuggling up to Nix's side, she nodded reluctantly as he said he was fine. She still didn't believe him, and probably wouldn't until he was out of that sling and the doctor's said he was okay again, but she had to take what she could get. Smirking at the boys, she typed, "So she likes me then? I passed whatever girlfriend test she has?" Payton's eyes sparkled with humor as she displayed the message, looking between Nix and Derek as she waited for one to speak. With how protective and fussing their mother was, she no doubt had some sort of test that the boys' girlfriends had to pass. Pay could only hope she'd waltzed through it with a decent score.

WORDS: 490!
TAG: Nixxy!
LOCATION: His Place!
OUTFIT: SEXY SWEET!
MUSIC: Princess Charming by Megan & Liz
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Phoenix Austin McKenzie]

Nix had always been an open book. He had little to hide in his life and was too much of a blabbermouth to try and successfully keep any of his own secrets. Then again, nothing had seriously affected his life before and getting shot really was the first thing that had him facing his mortality, even though he was taking this all in his stride, not really suffering psychologically from what had happened. He still thanked his chosen career plan for that little fact, but at the same time Nix was still unable to understand how some people took a long longer to recover mentally from their own traumas. It was a good job that he would be working more with the forensic side of things when it came to solving crimes rather than having to deal with the victims of crime. He didn’t even want to think about exactly how much he would mess that up given his usual loud personality and lack of filter.

His bold personality probably made a lot more sense to Payton now that she had met part of his family. The McKenzie’s shared a common trait when it came to being loud and friendly. They were the people other families quickly grew annoyed with when they were out in full force and the sort of folk who would befriend, adopt and care for any guest who chanced a night in their company. Luckily Payton was able to escape from time to time, but had she not had a job or other things to tend to, his mother would never let her leave, keeping her around just for someone to fuss over. Nix wasn’t enough it seemed which was mainly because he would happily sit playing video for a whole day without complaint.

The two brothers read her typed messages and then looked at each other, their eyes sparkling with laughter before the sound erupted from their lips too. They weren’t laughing at Payton, but at the idea. It was Derek who spoke up first whilst Nix fought off the pain that laughing had brought to his shoulder. “The fact that you can bear to date Nix is good enough for ma. I’m sure she was convinced he’d still be running around single when he was an old man.”

[/i] He said with a smirk. Nix threw something at the older McKenzie and then snuggled Payton closer to his side. “Ma loves you already for that reason. That and you’re not a Vegas showgirl. I used to threaten to run away with one every time I left the house.”[/color] He told her with a huge grin before Mrs McKenzie poked her head into the room. “Dinner is ready, my children.” Already Payton was classified under that marker and Nix rolled his eyes. Whilst he was even more accepting than his mother, he wouldn’t call his son’s girlfriend “my child”, ever.
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• • •

TAGGED! Pay!
WORDS! 522!
OUTFIT! Messy Pup!
LYRICS! Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas - - - Brandon Flowers
NOTES! <3

[Payton Elouisa Rhodes]

Until Nix had come around, Payton hadn't been open in the slightest. She didn't talk about her hometown unless necessary; didn't mention family other than Paige; never revealed more than needed about herself. She'd never seen the point in letting people know her because she'd been telling herself they wouldn't like her anyways. But, since the blonde tornado had rolled in, she'd been carefully letting go of things. The way he never hid anything encouraged her to reveal her secrets to him and, though it was a painful process, she was telling him about her music; she was giving up the part of herself she'd sworn to never speak of again.

In a way, the music had been her voice long before she'd lost her hearing. When she couldn't revel in that language any longer, she lost her way of communicating freely and, even if the sign language helped, nothing she tried brought back the voice that had been taken from her. None of it felt right; not like singing and song-writing had. If she could've, she would've put the whole story of her life into a song and given it to Nix, knowing that words came easier when put to music. It would've solved so many problems; protected her from so much heartache.

Payton bit her lip as she looked between them, hiding the smile tugging on her lips. She'd made them laugh, a feat she hadn't accomplished with a crowd in a long, long time. Her face lingered on Nix's for a moment, noting the pained expression that went straight to her heart. If there was one thing she hated, it was seeing anyone in pain, especially her hyper boyfriend. Deciding to sign so Derek couldn't guess the small question, Pay pulled a hand free and said, "You okay?" Her attention quickly moved back to the other McKenzie, translating and then catching Nix's words, as well. With a tiny smirk, she wrote, "Showgirls? No wonder she likes me so much. Think she'd mind if you ran away with me instead?" Amusement sparkled in her eyes as she showed off the message, nodding at Mrs McKenzie as she came into the room. Pay clicked the iPad onto standby, getting up off the couch and tucking it under her arm as she grabbed Nix's good hand, not wanting to leave his side. Even if she'd been with the family for awhile now, she still didn't want to be too far from him in case she needed a translator or a strong arm to cuddle under.

WORDS: 462!
TAG: Nixxy!
LOCATION: His Place!
OUTFIT: SEXY SWEET!
MUSIC: Princess Charming by Megan & Liz
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Phoenix Austin McKenzie]

Nix didn’t like people fussing or worrying over him. He was fine and was going to be fine; no one needed to wander about fluffing his pillows or making sure his apartment was clean and tidy. He wanted his mom and brother gone as soon as was possible so that he could get on with dealing with his life and his injuries. People were a lot worse off in the world than he was and he was a survivor. It wasn’t like he was about to drop dead in his own home from what had happened to him and he wished that the day he’d been discharged from the hospital everyone would’ve gone back to their lives as though there was nothing different and as though nothing had ever happened to him.

It might have been scary for the three people currently keeping him company in his apartment, but he didn’t understand why. All they had to worry about were “what if this had happened” and other hypothetical theories. Nix had been the one there and if he was okay now from what he had endured on that night then he didn’t see why everyone else was so worked up still, asking if he was okay every time he did something or fussing about the second he winced. He wasn’t invincible but he was going to be fine and whilst the consideration wasn’t taken for granted, it was becoming a little tedious to have to repeat “I’m okay” at least once every half an hour he was awake for.

Phoenix turned his attention to Payton’s signing and rolled his eyes, smiling. “I am fine. Stop worrying so much about me, gorgeous.”

[/color] He said quietly. He didn’t want her worrying anymore when everything was going to be fine in a few months and the pain would be gone even sooner than that. He had a feeling his words were futile though after reassuring her several times already since she had arrived in his small and now rather cramped apartment. “I could always dress you in a showgirls outfit just to make her fears and my ‘dreams’ a reality.”[/color] He teased, wiggling his eyebrows and grinning. “I think I have a gold sequined one in my cupboard.”[/color] It had been a dare of his high school friends to attend a party dressed as a group of Vegas showgirls. It had been an interesting night, especially when one or two got chatted up on the way home when they were walking through the streets of the neon lit city. Thankfully, Nix had not been one of them.

At the table, Nix took his seat and stared at the food in front of them. As always, Mrs McKenzie had cooked for an army of starving people and doggy bags would be a necessary option to move most of the food. Nevertheless Nix began to pile his plate up with what he could and then began to settle into his new routine of having to eat one handed. “I hope you’re hungry, Payton.” Mrs McKenzie said with a warm smile, focusing her attention on the young woman rather than the two blood children she had sitting near her too.
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• • •

TAGGED! Pay!
WORDS! 573!
OUTFIT! Messy Pup!
LYRICS! Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas - - - Brandon Flowers
NOTES! <3

[Payton Elouisa Rhodes]

Once Nix's mother and brother were gone, Payton would probably start to believe that he was okay. Surely, if they were leaving, they believed him to be strong enough to live and that they wouldn't be coming back out for a funeral any time soon. That was what she needed to really move on and look towards how to help him instead of lingering on what had almost happened to him. Plus, once the family was gone, they could get back into a normal routine. It wouldn't be the same as before, Pay knew that, but it would be better than having two visitors throwing their entire lives off balance. She was starting to miss the nights where they'd cuddle and watch a movie, or when he'd come pick her up from work and take her out to lunch when he didn't have class. The sooner they got back to that, the better.

One eyebrow raised at his suggestion of a showgirl costume, a dark sparkle shining in her eyes as she looked up at him. "I think that could be arranged," she wrote and showed to him, hoping that his brother wouldn't mind the flirting. Payton only ever acted this open around Nix, so she usually cherished every moment she could. Even her sister didn't get to see her so carefree and like her old self; Paige probably would've paid to see it. "I don't think the doctor'll allow any 'shows' until after you're cleared, though," she typed with a tiny smirk, this time not even showing the message to Derek. She figured it'd be a little awkward; besides, she didn't know how much Nix wanted his brother to know about the couple's physical side.

Payton took her seat next to her boyfriend, the iPad in her lap as she took in the feast spread out on the table. She hadn't seen a meal like this since leaving home but, somehow, it felt nice to be sitting down with family and enjoying it. She'd missed dinners like this. At Mrs McKenzie's question, Pay clicked out a message and turned it towards her, smiling sweetly. "Nix warned me to save my appetite. Everything looks delicious." She tried her best to not fidget with all the woman's attention, but she did find herself scooting a bit closer to Nix as if he could somehow save her from his mother. When it came down to it, she just abhorred being the focus of a room; she wasn't actually afraid of Mrs McKenzie. At least, she didn't think she was yet.

WORDS: 470!
TAG: Nixxy!
LOCATION: His Place!
OUTFIT: SEXY SWEET!
MUSIC: Princess Charming by Megan & Liz
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Phoenix Austin McKenzie]

Nix was still bemused as to why his mom and brother had stayed in New York for as long as they had done. They didn’t have anything to do in the city and the help they provided was something Nix was grateful for, but it wasn’t necessary. He would have to manage everything himself once they were gone anyway and the pain medication was still going to be pumping through his system for some time and the injuries were not leaving him bedridden and they hadn’t done since he had been discharged to the hospital. Luckily, they were leaving again soon and Nix could get back to enjoying his own space and valuing his messy, cluttered apartment without his mom moaning at him for having muddy feet or leaving papers and comics scattered all over the place.

Derek was the one who laughed first at what Payton wrote on the device in her hands. Shaking his head, he remained silent, but threw his brother a look that was familiar with Nix and the other McKenzie boys. It was the one that they usually shared over the dinner table when they were speaking in innuendoes or riddles about the girls in their lives of the activities they might have been up to that would seriously land them in trouble with their mother. Nix returned the look with a smirk and then flipped the older brother off. “Well, I know what our next date night is going to be.”

[/color] He teased, wiggling his eyebrows playfully. He didn’t mind Derek overhearing this as the brothers had always been close and in a typical boyish fashion they would often discuss the girls they were dating and joke about bedroom activities in a goodhearted manner. It was just a topic of bonding for them ever since they were teenagers, but Phoenix wouldn’t tell Payton about that; none of the girls ever knew about what the brothers chatted about, even if it helped their relationships in some way. “I think I can handle a ‘show’ one handed.”[/color] He formed the words with his lips, but no sound actually came out.

Phoenix threw his mom a look and then shook his head, turning his attention back to eating, which should’ve been a simple task, but he was still getting used to only having one hand to use for everything. Still, he managed it, if not a bit slowly. “Well, I’m glad. Now, don’t be shy for seconds or thirds; I know my boys won’t be.” They may have had hearty appetites but there was no way the four of them would get through the food on the table tonight. He also had a feeling that they’d have a hard time moving from their seats by the time they had eaten all they could handle.
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• • •

TAGGED! Pay!
WORDS! 505!
OUTFIT! Messy Pup!
LYRICS! Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas - - - Brandon Flowers
NOTES! <3

[Payton Elouisa Rhodes]

Watching Nix with his mother and brother was resurfacing memories from days when guitar and country roads were Payton's life. The way they joked around; little looks they'd throw each other; his mom's homecooking and petting -- she missed all of that more than she'd realized. It was so easy to slip her and Paige into the role of children with the doting mother and to visualize the meals around a table with their father, talking about politics or gossip from town. She'd caught herself lost in a daydream more than once as she spent time with the McKenzies, which made her wish even more that they'd go home. With how much she'd been recovering lately, she couldn't afford reminders of the past like that; they'd only drag her back towards the depression that had been on the brink of engulfing her.

Pay's attention flickered between the brothers, lingering mostly on Nix as she scrutinized his reaction to her words. She didn't miss the look he shared with Derek, but she ignored it, having done the exact same thing with her sister countless times. It was a sibling thing; it couldn't be deciphered by those not sharing blood. Payton smirked more, reaching up to give him a sweet peck on the lips as she stored the idea away in her mind. Maybe she'd make him dig it out for her when he started to get bored of hanging around the apartment; at least she could cheer him up, then. "You may be able to, but I don't want to hurt you,"

[/b][/i][/color] she typed out, shaking her head a little as she thought of all the bad possibilities that could come out of a "show." Already, she could imagine having to explain to the doctors why Nix's wounds were bleeding again and why his bandages were askew. It wasn't a scene that sounded particularily pleasing.

Pay kept up her sweet smile until Mrs McKenzie turned her attention away. She didn't enjoy so much petting from the woman, but she endured it for Nix's sake. She wanted his mother to like her and, so far, she believed she was doing a pretty good job of it. At least, she hoped she was. Gently setting the iPad in her lap, she picked up her fork and began picking at her food, eating slowly and slyly watching the faces around her in case she had to read their lips. It was a bit harder when they ate because their mouths were distorted, but she managed okay.

Out of the corner of her eye, she studied Nix eating. She'd seen him inhale food before, so it pained her to see him struggle with it now, and the sling did nothing for her peace of mind. She continued to eat though, trying her best to nibble quietly.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]

WORDS: 498!
TAG: Nixxy!
LOCATION: His Place!
OUTFIT: SEXY SWEET!
MUSIC: Princess Charming by Megan & Liz
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

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