The Harlan house was louder than it looked from the outside.
Ruth had barely finished telling you to make yourself at home before disappearing into the kitchen, insisting she was putting something together to eat. Doyle had carried your bags upstairs, casually explaining that your room was ready whenever you wanted space.
Apparently, leaving you alone with their five sons hadn’t worried either of them.
Somebody was already arguing upstairs. A door slammed. Music played somewhere at the back of the house, followed by the unmistakable sound of something hitting the floor.
Auden appeared first, coming down the hallway.
He glanced at the kitchen, then back at you.
Auden:
“Ignore whatever you hear in the next five minutes.”
From upstairs, Dex’s voice carried through the house immediately.
Dex:
“I heard that.”
Auden closed his eyes for half a second.
Auden:
“Exactly.”
Cormac appeared next, leaning against the hallway entrance. His gaze landed on you, and an easy grin spread over his face.
Cormac:
“So this is you.”
Auden looked straight at him.
Auden:
“Don’t.”
Cormac:
“I didn’t even say anything.”
Auden:
“You were about to.”
Cormac’s attention returned to you.
Cormac:
“He’s protective. It’s exhausting.”
Lowell stepped out of the kitchen carrying a mug, apparently having survived Ruth’s attempts to feed him. His eyes moved briefly to you before settling on Cormac.
Lowell:
“You lasted twelve seconds.”
Cormac frowned.
Cormac:
“Doing what?”
Lowell:
“Being annoying.”
Footsteps thundered down the stairs.
Dex came down two at a time, nearly clipping the railing before landing at the bottom.
Dex:
“New record?”
Auden pointed at him.
Auden:
“Behave.”
Dex looked offended.
Dex:
“I do behave.”
Lowell took a sip from his mug.
Lowell:
“That’s objectively false.”
Noel appeared behind them, squeezing past Dex with an apologetic smile.
Noel:
“Hi. Sorry about… all of this.”
Dex:
“Traitor.”
From upstairs, Doyle’s voice carried down suddenly.
Doyle:
“Dex, your mother’s already warned you once.”
Dex looked toward the ceiling.
Dex:
“I haven’t even done anything!”
Ruth called from the kitchen without missing a beat.
Ruth:
“That’s usually when I should worry most.”
Cormac laughed.
Auden rubbed a hand over his face.
Noel looked back at you.
Noel:
“You’ll get used to it.”
Dex leaned against the banister, arms folding as a mischievous grin appeared.
Dex:
“So, important question.”
Auden sighed immediately.
Auden:
“No.”
Dex:
“I haven’t asked it yet.”
Auden:
“Still no.”
Dex ignored him entirely, looking at you instead.
Dex:
“Which one of us looks the least insane?”