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[byrned]

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[byrned]

[ Oh Nate's not here? He didn't know this was going to happen. Nate. Come back. Help! But Matt still grins a bit, tries not to look nervous and sits as he's told. He's good at doing what parents tell him. ]

Oh hey no you're the guest I should be doing things for you.

[mrandmrs]

Nonsense! We came here to help. Sadly, my back has a little twinge in it so I can't lift much. Doctor's orders. But I can fix lunch, can't I? Make sure my boys are fed?

[Yes, that also means you, Matt.]

So what is it you study?

[byrned]

[ He really doesn't know what to do with this. It's too wholesome. Too weird to him. As wonderful as his own ma is, and she is, it's not like this.

So he's a bit quiet, almost bashful even. So not Matt. ]

Oh me? Er. Music. Classical piano.

[mrandmrs]

Oh, a musician! How lovely. No wonder Nathaniel is fond of you. Music and art, you two must have so much in common.

[byrned]

[ He laughs as he responds, shaking his head a little. Really, it's strange to see someone enthused about what he wants to do in life. ]

Oh me and Nate are pretty much polar opposites. But I think that's why we get on. Your son is teaching me to be a better man, Mrs Jones.

[mrandmrs]

[She gives him this super proud, slightly emotional smile.]

He's a good boy, our Nathaniel. I'm just glad to see him so happy, studying what he loves, making friends. It does the heart good to know my son is where he's supposed to be.

Now- he normally helps me with the cooking, but he's out so you can fill in for him. You don't mind, do you, dear?

[byrned]

He's lucky to have you. [ He can't stress that enough, really, Nate's parents are amazing.

She doesn't have to ask twice, and he's on his feet, moving over. He'd roll his sleeves up if he wasn't in a tshirt.
]
Oh yeah, just you point me where you need me. I'm all yours to guide how you need. And I don't make that offer lightly.

[mrandmrs]

[I know fuck all about cooking so... /waves hands at it.]

Mix those things in that bowl for me. There's a dear. [She's oblivious to his flirting thank god.]

[byrned]

[ And he mixes it like a fucking pro. What, neither do I. It's good tho. ]

So Nate tells me you and Mr Jones did a lot of travelling?

[mrandmrs]

Ohhh, yes. Saw the world, we did. Back when we were about your age. I knew I wanted to have a family, but didn't want to ever feel like I missed out on seeing anything before I settled down.

Have you traveled much?

[byrned]

Matt shakes his head.

Before I came here furthest I'd ever been was Dublin. Didn't even have a passport. But I like the idea of the whole family thing. You know, eventually. Settle down, kids, all that.

[mrandmrs]

You know, I've been a lot of things. Held more jobs than I can count, seen the world and come back again. But the greatest thing I've ever been? Is his mum. So you take your time, because once you find the right person to make a family with, the rest of the world is going to seem so very small in comparison.

[byrned]

Oh I can believe it. Just need to find me the right girl. I'm sure she's out there. Just haven't found her yet. [ matt you're 22 calm down ]

[mrandmrs]

Plenty of time for all that. No need to rush. Give, give, give. [She means the bowl, which is easier to discern with the way she makes a grabbing motion with her hand. Lalala more cooking.]

You seem like a nice young man. I'm sure the girls love you. I can only hope our Nathaniel finds someone as nice as you.

[Speaking of... Here comes Nate struggling with bags of food that his mother sent him to buy. Surprise! First round of groceries is on Nate's parents.]

[byrned]

Oh I'm sure he will. [ But Matt doesn't like that idea. He doesn't really know why. Oh but good, Nate is back yayyyyy and Matt will head over to him to grab some of those bags. ]

Jesus mate how much did you get? We having a banquet or something? [ no but they are definitely having a house warming where there will be a lot of booze ]

[cravating]

Don't look at me! It was her list. [and her money whoops.]

[byrned]

What and you don't have a tongue in your mouth? [ Matt just feels bad about people doing nice things for him tbh ]

[cravating]

[Nate's dad comes to help the boys with the rest of the bags. Teamwork.]

If you want to argue with her about it, feel free. I learned better a long time ago.

[His mother just chuckles and shrugs. He's not wrong.]

[byrned]

No, no no arguments. [ Arguing with parents = bad ]

But thanks [ he looks up to each of Nate's parents ] I mean seriously. You didn't have to. We'll be eating like kings for a week!

[cravating]

[They both beam at the pair of them.]

Right, so. Dad, if you can put the food away, maybe Matt and I can start unpacking?

[He looks to Matt for confirmation like yes? Is this a good plan?]

[byrned]

[ Matt nods furiously. Maybe they can go somewhere just the two of them with less parents??? Not that he doesn't like the parents its just a lot for him. ]

Yeah lets start with your stuff. There's some boxes in your room.

[ TO THE ROOM! ]

[cravating]

[Heading for his room, Nate just immediately starts opening boxes.]

Sorry about them.

[byrned]

No, mate they're great. Really, they're great.

[ He moves to start helping unpack one of the boxes of some of Nate's art supplies, putting it on the table by the window. ]

It's just... well you know.

[cravating]

Yeah, I know. I tried to get them to tone it down. Didn't say why so I think they just thought it wasn't a big deal.

[byrned]

[ It's enough to make him laugh a bit, and he shakes his head. ]

What, tone it down, be less nice, that sort of thing? No, mate, no, they're cool. Really, it's great. You're lucky, you know. Having them look out for you.

[ He shakes his head a bit, trying to brush it off. ]

So this place, it's gonna look great, eh?