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He sees that eyebrow raised. "Ouch, come on now. Frat boy is barely a step above axe. Hurtful." Half kidding but also, already thinking of something to switch it too. "The comic boards, however, I don't take offense too." He added because, he did have standards.
Once it was handed over, he shrugged. "I try my best, not big on the yelling or speeches about smoking." He'd worked for the Monarch long enough to have them memorized. "I mostly quit when 24 died" His amusement washing away with a touch of sadness thinking of 24 again.
He should have known she'd know more about the minions than Malcolm.
Once it was handed over, he shrugged. "I try my best, not big on the yelling or speeches about smoking." He'd worked for the Monarch long enough to have them memorized. "I mostly quit when 24 died" His amusement washing away with a touch of sadness thinking of 24 again.
He should have known she'd know more about the minions than Malcolm.
"Too bad they can't bottle that, or nerd culture might be transforming." Thank god they can't, and won't. At least not while they're alive.
Sheila groans at the very thought of the speeches. "I'd almost rather he left those stupid pamphlets around the house."
Ah, 24. She gently touches his shoulder. "True. You can show the new caterpillars the way of the dank one day, maybe. Take them under your wings like 24 did."
Sheila groans at the very thought of the speeches. "I'd almost rather he left those stupid pamphlets around the house."
Ah, 24. She gently touches his shoulder. "True. You can show the new caterpillars the way of the dank one day, maybe. Take them under your wings like 24 did."
"Oh, some can. There's a place called Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. They make some awesome scents, ones an old library scent." He admitted without any shame. Though, nerd culture would truly be bottled. No one wanted that.
He nodded, with the time that passed, he was tempted to light up again, but decided not to. "Oh, I so understand, he's screeched in my ear so loud over it in the past I thought he blew an ear drum." Which still wasn't as bad as the morning after the bachelor party.
Gary couldn't help but chuckle when she touched his should and gave him the great idea. "Maybe, I totally plan to take them under my wing. But, possibly, not the dank ways though, but everything else. Kinda keep him alive by keeping the neophytes alone."
He nodded, with the time that passed, he was tempted to light up again, but decided not to. "Oh, I so understand, he's screeched in my ear so loud over it in the past I thought he blew an ear drum." Which still wasn't as bad as the morning after the bachelor party.
Gary couldn't help but chuckle when she touched his should and gave him the great idea. "Maybe, I totally plan to take them under my wing. But, possibly, not the dank ways though, but everything else. Kinda keep him alive by keeping the neophytes alone."
Library scent. See, that's something she'd get behind! That sounds so nostalgic...but dusty, but without the dust. That could work.
"Try waking up next to that when you slide into bed after a last ciggie." An eyeroll. It's fond, though!
"And pizza rolls. And supper."
"Try waking up next to that when you slide into bed after a last ciggie." An eyeroll. It's fond, though!
"And pizza rolls. And supper."
It might be something he'd look into for her in the future. But he didn't realize yet that she'd even like it.
"Dude, I could not even imagine. I'd probably hit someone if they did that to me. But I've always slept alone and don't like people in my space." Which would likely have changed if he ever got in a relationship, but he'd been single basically his whole life and at this point he was more than fine with it.
"That's a fluttering horde tradition! Pizza rolls, and the buffalo wings, I will not deny them that. And dude, no one respects supper anymore." He made a face, Malcolm never made it on time when Gary made supper. Such a shame.
"Dude, I could not even imagine. I'd probably hit someone if they did that to me. But I've always slept alone and don't like people in my space." Which would likely have changed if he ever got in a relationship, but he'd been single basically his whole life and at this point he was more than fine with it.
"That's a fluttering horde tradition! Pizza rolls, and the buffalo wings, I will not deny them that. And dude, no one respects supper anymore." He made a face, Malcolm never made it on time when Gary made supper. Such a shame.
That's-- she knows he says that, but man that's a little...sad. Sheila hopes very much her expression doesn't show as much, but jeez.
"You mean you haven't forced your boss into a cuddle pile? That's a surprise," good cover, Sheila.
Pat, pat. "I know, I know. He's not used to that-- I think he was on his own a lot for dinner as a kid."
"You mean you haven't forced your boss into a cuddle pile? That's a surprise," good cover, Sheila.
Pat, pat. "I know, I know. He's not used to that-- I think he was on his own a lot for dinner as a kid."
He notices it, but he's gotten the same look for 24, and from Malcolm when he'd made self-deprecating comments about his lack of a love life. As it was, he had no real interest in a relationship, he just wanted to further his career and help his best friend with his rivalry.
"Dude, how embarrassing would that be? Plus, he might hit me with those bony elbows." A shrug followed. "Unless the heat died or something." He's thought about it before, mostly as a watch a movie and all chill under a blanket on the couch kind of deal. "Which is so lame to say aloud?"
He didn't mind the pat. "Oh, I didn't really think about that. Kinda Bruce Wayne like that, huh? Except, no Alfred."
"Dude, how embarrassing would that be? Plus, he might hit me with those bony elbows." A shrug followed. "Unless the heat died or something." He's thought about it before, mostly as a watch a movie and all chill under a blanket on the couch kind of deal. "Which is so lame to say aloud?"
He didn't mind the pat. "Oh, I didn't really think about that. Kinda Bruce Wayne like that, huh? Except, no Alfred."
"The elbowing is pretty painful. And then he acts like it isn't his fault." She has to snort at her own cuddle pile joke, though, for such soft men, they sure try to act tough sometimes when it comes to all that.
"It's totally lame, but that's alright." Like Bruce Wayne... "No, no Alfred, as far as I know." He could have used one.
"It's totally lame, but that's alright." Like Bruce Wayne... "No, no Alfred, as far as I know." He could have used one.
"I had a feeling, you can just tell with some people." Though, he shook his head when she mentioned Malcolm acting like it wasn't his fault. Classic Monarch, he wasn't even shocked. Before 24 died he might have openly given his idea without much shame, but now he cared a little more about what he says and how it can be taken.
Outside of his fandoms, anyway.
"And that's why it will never be mentioned again." He pushed himself up, grabbing the empty bottle and the cigarette butt to drop it inside. "That so sucks, he deserved better than that." Looking back to her. "I'm gonna head back in, in a second. Want me to ditch yours too? He never takes out the trash, easier to just toss them in the can." That's how he's hid the cigarette butts and kept Manolo from getting blamed.
Outside of his fandoms, anyway.
"And that's why it will never be mentioned again." He pushed himself up, grabbing the empty bottle and the cigarette butt to drop it inside. "That so sucks, he deserved better than that." Looking back to her. "I'm gonna head back in, in a second. Want me to ditch yours too? He never takes out the trash, easier to just toss them in the can." That's how he's hid the cigarette butts and kept Manolo from getting blamed.
Depending on the people, he's a little easier to argue with these days. Maybe it's old age or just settling in. Or just a best friend who respects him but doesn't fear him like he used to.
Her smile softens into something sad, wistful. Of all she knows about bitty Malcolm, he deserved so much better. "He deserved the world, then."
Now that trust fund...it depends. Sheila shrugs. "C'mon, let's go in. I'm freezing my tits off, but it's good to know I was right-- he isn't taking out the trash."
Her smile softens into something sad, wistful. Of all she knows about bitty Malcolm, he deserved so much better. "He deserved the world, then."
Now that trust fund...it depends. Sheila shrugs. "C'mon, let's go in. I'm freezing my tits off, but it's good to know I was right-- he isn't taking out the trash."
Probably a bit of old age, and a best friend who will argue with him now. Gary always tended to befriend people older than him. Hank, aside, of course. But they had a lot in common.
"Well, we can at least try to give him the world now. Team effort, or family effort, I guess." That brought a smile to his face as he pulled open the back door for her, motioning her in first.
"You totally should have said something, I would have loaned you my hoodie." He lightly chastised, but would follow her inside once she was headed in. The bottle still in hand to ditch with the rest of the trash. "Come on, did you really think he was? I take it out, and to the street."
"Well, we can at least try to give him the world now. Team effort, or family effort, I guess." That brought a smile to his face as he pulled open the back door for her, motioning her in first.
"You totally should have said something, I would have loaned you my hoodie." He lightly chastised, but would follow her inside once she was headed in. The bottle still in hand to ditch with the rest of the trash. "Come on, did you really think he was? I take it out, and to the street."
Her smile widens. That's right. They'll give him the world-- or else. Sheila skitters inside at his polite motion, shakes her head.
"It's alright, I needed the fresh air-- fresh cigarettes." The house is much warmer, even as she rubs her palms over her arms. "It's normal to hope, you know?"
"It's alright, I needed the fresh air-- fresh cigarettes." The house is much warmer, even as she rubs her palms over her arms. "It's normal to hope, you know?"
That smile was returned, Gary already wanted to make sure both of them were safe and happy. So, the idea was no different from normal. Sheila and Malcolm were his family now after all.
"Totally get it, some nights it's just nice." The burly henchmen manage to not offer his hoodie again, but starts to head towards the kitchen, so he could go take that trash out before Malcolm comes looking for them. "Oh, I so get it, but I also don't mind, and he knows that. I like helping out."
Once a minion, always a minion. It's why he never cut it on his own.
"Totally get it, some nights it's just nice." The burly henchmen manage to not offer his hoodie again, but starts to head towards the kitchen, so he could go take that trash out before Malcolm comes looking for them. "Oh, I so get it, but I also don't mind, and he knows that. I like helping out."
Once a minion, always a minion. It's why he never cut it on his own.
"I know you do...I just wish he wouldn't just count on that."
He had for too long, before, and then 21 had left a bit-- to grow up, to heal a little, heal a scab ready to return and be picked at a little more, but-- still.
He had for too long, before, and then 21 had left a bit-- to grow up, to heal a little, heal a scab ready to return and be picked at a little more, but-- still.
"I mean, I'm his henchman, it's expected. And I don't mind. Besides, I can hide these without him knowing." The beer bottle tossed in the trash can as he pulled the bag out. "I'll see you tomorrow, have a good night, m...Sheila." He caught himself, maybe he'd be able to keep it.
A tiny sigh, but again, it's fond. He's the best at his job.
"Goodnight, Gary. And thanks for all this. I appreciate it."
"Goodnight, Gary. And thanks for all this. I appreciate it."
He'll get it eventually. For now, he waved and headed on back out to ditch the trash, so he could head upstairs to play one of his games a while, then off to bed.
21 had not been back more than a month or two, but he was already getting the Fluttering Horde back into a decent working order. He had grown up a lot in the 9 months he had been gone. While a lot had changed, a lot stayed the same. He was still the same dork under the muscle and scruff, but the men respected him more now, which they never did before.
It was even more amazing to get that respect with a child strapped to his chest a lot. While he was told not to expect help. 21 knew the Monarch could be a softy, and it was either him or Sheila that was sending 65 and 37 at times to take Paulie off his hands for missions or, sometimes, just to catch a nap without the baby.
Which didn't work like it should, he'd be back up in an hour or two worried and going to retrieve him. The longest he was away was on missions or harder training, where he worried about Paulie's safety.
Today had gone smoothly, and a raid on the venture compound had gone better than expected. Upon returning, he went to get Paulie and sent 37 in his place to report to Dr. Mrs. and the Monarch with post mission data, it was all in his hand writing all the guy had to do was read it, but he bumbled it.
In his room, Gary was sitting at the desk, working on some paperwork, one foot rocking the rocker bassinet with it's star wars mobile on it, where Paulie was sleeping. While Gary hummed the imperial march to try to keep the child napping. It was a little early for bed, but Gary was tired too and figured it couldn't hurt.
It was even more amazing to get that respect with a child strapped to his chest a lot. While he was told not to expect help. 21 knew the Monarch could be a softy, and it was either him or Sheila that was sending 65 and 37 at times to take Paulie off his hands for missions or, sometimes, just to catch a nap without the baby.
Which didn't work like it should, he'd be back up in an hour or two worried and going to retrieve him. The longest he was away was on missions or harder training, where he worried about Paulie's safety.
Today had gone smoothly, and a raid on the venture compound had gone better than expected. Upon returning, he went to get Paulie and sent 37 in his place to report to Dr. Mrs. and the Monarch with post mission data, it was all in his hand writing all the guy had to do was read it, but he bumbled it.
In his room, Gary was sitting at the desk, working on some paperwork, one foot rocking the rocker bassinet with it's star wars mobile on it, where Paulie was sleeping. While Gary hummed the imperial march to try to keep the child napping. It was a little early for bed, but Gary was tired too and figured it couldn't hurt.
Edited 2023-08-29 04:06 (UTC)
Today had been a pretty chill day in the cocoon. A few drills, some training, but mostly just a boring Wednesday when Venture wasn't archable. 21 had been back with the baby a few months now and the small dark haired child was not quite crawling but pulling himself along by his arms. Gary was so proud of him.
There were times he forgot this was the clone of his best friend and really had that father's pride watching the baby grow. There were some nights he thought about borrowing the Monarch Mobile and going and punching Doug in the face just for failing this poor child long before Gary was ever born.
Those thoughts were floating through his mind as sat on the floor of the lounge, watching Paulie try to pull himself towards him in one of his butterfly onesies. 35 had just carried the baby back across the purple carpet and put him back down. Some of the henches were bored and watching the lead Henchman, who still refused to change his number, and the baby.
"Guys, look at him go!" Gary spoke, grinning from ear to ear as Paulie pulled himself along. It also helped that Gary had the pacifier in his hand. Paulie was mostly weened off it besides at night, but he clearly wanted it without being fussy. One of the newer henches had taken a picture of the scene, sending to Sheila and Malcolm both. The baby was basically team baby, so the bosses get hench updates, even if Gary tries to stay professional and not bother them too much.
There were times he forgot this was the clone of his best friend and really had that father's pride watching the baby grow. There were some nights he thought about borrowing the Monarch Mobile and going and punching Doug in the face just for failing this poor child long before Gary was ever born.
Those thoughts were floating through his mind as sat on the floor of the lounge, watching Paulie try to pull himself towards him in one of his butterfly onesies. 35 had just carried the baby back across the purple carpet and put him back down. Some of the henches were bored and watching the lead Henchman, who still refused to change his number, and the baby.
"Guys, look at him go!" Gary spoke, grinning from ear to ear as Paulie pulled himself along. It also helped that Gary had the pacifier in his hand. Paulie was mostly weened off it besides at night, but he clearly wanted it without being fussy. One of the newer henches had taken a picture of the scene, sending to Sheila and Malcolm both. The baby was basically team baby, so the bosses get hench updates, even if Gary tries to stay professional and not bother them too much.
Sheila's the more professional of the bosses, obviously, and despite what she and her hubs had always agreed-- 24 is one cute kid. She lives for the updates, and sends some herself-- and yes, sometimes, Paulie's expressions are used as memes throughout the cocoon.
Which is why she's click-clicked down to the lounge to see for herself the baby's newest challenge. She's quiet upon approach, watching Paulie's concentration with rapt attention herself.
Which is why she's click-clicked down to the lounge to see for herself the baby's newest challenge. She's quiet upon approach, watching Paulie's concentration with rapt attention herself.
She's so professional, it's an inspiration at times. Gary's been trying to be a model henchman to protect the others and the tiny one attempting to crawl.
But those memes are great and Gary's got them all saved.
He doesn't look up at her when click-clacked down the hall into the lounge. Paulie was almost to 21 when she came inside.
"That's it little guy, come on dude you got this!" 21 encouraged the baby holding his hands out towards him. The pacifier ring around one of his fingers as Paulie pulled he himself closer just getting to Gary's ankles. Some of the others snapping more pictures for a new 'you can do it' meme.
But those memes are great and Gary's got them all saved.
He doesn't look up at her when click-clacked down the hall into the lounge. Paulie was almost to 21 when she came inside.
"That's it little guy, come on dude you got this!" 21 encouraged the baby holding his hands out towards him. The pacifier ring around one of his fingers as Paulie pulled he himself closer just getting to Gary's ankles. Some of the others snapping more pictures for a new 'you can do it' meme.
Her face immediately lights up at the sight of Paulie with his dad, his best friend and the person who'd go to hell and back for him more than anyone else. Much as Malcolm sometimes bitches about it, seeing their other henchmen with the baby is pretty adorable.
"You can do it, baby!" Sheila adds in the cheers, phone already out.
"You can do it, baby!" Sheila adds in the cheers, phone already out.
Sometimes Gary still gets flustered when people call him Paulie's dad, but at this point. Clone or not, it was true. He'd do anything for that kid, and the guy he was cloned from. He knew Malcolm bitched, but he's also kept the fact that he sometimes pops in for surprise inspections and makes faces at the baby. So, he wasn't too worried about that one.
Malcolm was a softy at times, and they all knew it, and pretended they didn't.
Paulie was just in the grasp of Gary's arms as he leaned forward and scooped the baby up. "That's it! You did great!" So much pride at that moment. Those little hands grabbed for the pacifier and popped it back in his own mouth, just before being hugged against Gary's chest. It was only then that he looked up. "Hey boss! Hope we didn't disturb you guys." He spoke up cheerfully from the floor. Some of the guys had been cheering pretty loud.
Hearing the word 'boss' Paulie wiggled to look Sheila's way. He knew that word, that word meant one of two people he really liked, holding his arms out towards her as Gary loosened the hug some, but didn't get off the floor yet.
Malcolm was a softy at times, and they all knew it, and pretended they didn't.
Paulie was just in the grasp of Gary's arms as he leaned forward and scooped the baby up. "That's it! You did great!" So much pride at that moment. Those little hands grabbed for the pacifier and popped it back in his own mouth, just before being hugged against Gary's chest. It was only then that he looked up. "Hey boss! Hope we didn't disturb you guys." He spoke up cheerfully from the floor. Some of the guys had been cheering pretty loud.
Hearing the word 'boss' Paulie wiggled to look Sheila's way. He knew that word, that word meant one of two people he really liked, holding his arms out towards her as Gary loosened the hug some, but didn't get off the floor yet.
Sheila had long fought her nurturing instincts, the motherly feelings. They'd agreed. But that doesn't mean her titi instincts aren't there-- the instant she sees those dark little eyes meet hers, she wiggles her manicured fingers at Paulie.
"You didn't. I heard there was a commotion and wanted to see what's going on," she smiles.
"You didn't. I heard there was a commotion and wanted to see what's going on," she smiles.
Gary tried not to impose little Paul on anyone, but he did love seeing his coworkers interacting with the baby.
"Oh, dude, boss! It's great, you have got to see!" He replied, excited, as he shifted to put Paulie back down. "Go on to Dr. Mrs. The Monarch." He offered, it was a long name to teach a baby, but he was trying. The dark eyed little guy on his stomach, back on the floor, pacifier in his mouth. Looking back from Gary to her before he started to pull himself towards her.
"He'll be crawling soon at this rate."
"Oh, dude, boss! It's great, you have got to see!" He replied, excited, as he shifted to put Paulie back down. "Go on to Dr. Mrs. The Monarch." He offered, it was a long name to teach a baby, but he was trying. The dark eyed little guy on his stomach, back on the floor, pacifier in his mouth. Looking back from Gary to her before he started to pull himself towards her.
"He'll be crawling soon at this rate."
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