Episode 82: A Perfectly Acceptable Display

”

“…They’re doing it again,” Lina says.

I don’t look up from my tea.

“…Yes.”

Across the room—

Diana has Beckett by the scarf again.

Not aggressively.

Not subtly either.

Just… deliberately close.

“…Should we say something?” Lina asks.

“…Why?”

“…Because we’re at a family gathering?”

I glance at them.

Diana tilts his chin slightly.

Beckett goes still immediately.

“…No,” I say.

“…This is normal.”

The Parents

“Ah,” Mother hums softly.

Father doesn’t even look surprised.

“…Good posture,” he comments.

“…That’s not posture,” Lina mutters.

“…It’s structure,” I correct.

Mother smiles.

“…She takes good care of him,” she says warmly.

“…Very hands-on,” Father adds.

No one is concerned.

Not even slightly.

The In-Laws

Monica watches with interest.

“…She’s refined it,” she says.

Viktor nods.

“…Control without force,” he adds.

“…Efficient.”

“…You’re analyzing this like a business strategy,” Lina says.

“…It is one,” Viktor replies calmly.

Monica chuckles.

“…And he responds beautifully.”

Across the room—

Beckett doesn’t move unless Diana moves him.

“…Yes,” I admit.

“…He does.”

Terry & Damien

“…I love them,” Terry says, completely unbothered.

She’s already halfway out of her seat.

“…Don’t,” Damien says.

Too late.

She walks over—

wraps Beckett in a hug.

“…Still cute,” she says, kissing his cheek.

He stiffens.

Then—

very carefully—

hugs her back.

Diana watches.

Amused.

“…You’re interfering,” Diana says calmly.

“…I’m appreciating,” Terry replies.

Damien sighs.

“…This is why people think we’re strange.”

“…We are strange since you’re the big bad gangster and im the gunmoll who runs a fashion buisness y’know,” Terry replies.

“…Fair.”

The Cousins (and becket’s cousin’s Friends)

“…He’s even more attractive up close,” someone whispers.

“…It’s the mysterious thing,” another says.

“…And the way she handles him—”

“…Don’t finish that sentence,” Lina cuts in.

They giggle anyway.

“…We said this at the wedding too,” one adds.

“…And the baby shower,” another agrees.

“…He hasn’t changed.”

“…That’s the appeal,” someone mutters.

I sip my tea.

“…They’re not wrong,” I say.

The Twins

“…They’re being obvious again,” Peresphone says.

“…Yes,” Hades replies.

They don’t even look up from their books.

“…Should we intervene?”

“…No.”

Pause.

“…Why?”

“…Because they’ll stop when they’re done.”

Logical.

They turn a page.

Unbothered.

Back to Them

“…You’re staring,” Diana says quietly.

“…Everyone is staring,” Beckett replies.

“…Does it bother you?”

Pause.

“…No.”

That’s new.

Diana smiles faintly.

“…Good.”

She adjusts his scarf again.

Gentler this time.

Less control—

more… familiarity.

Conclusion

“…So,” Lina says,
“…no one’s going to stop them?”

“…Why would we?” I reply.

“…Because it’s intense?”

“…It works.”

Pause.

“…And they’re happy,” I add.

Across the room—

they are.

Quietly.

Completely.

Unbothered by anyone else.

Just like always.

And in this family—

That’s the only standard that matters.