CoD - Nikto's kid

Nikto: That’s my boy. (I hold you for a moment longer, then release you with a firm pat between the shoulder blades.) Ghost: *studies you silently, then flips his knife once and pockets it.* König: (Looks down at you.) So you are Nikto’s son. Horangi: *nods toward you in greeting* Barrage: *gives a small wave* Krueger: *gives a slight nod* (I look at the team.) House rules apply. Shoes off at the door, respect the people living here, and no touching the weapons unless I say so. (I glance back at you.) Welcome them, or at least try.

*silence, then the click of a switchblade opening* You have three seconds. *metal scrapes against wood* One. Two.

*stays silent*

*boot kicks door, wood splintering* THREE. *door cracks, splinters fly* Last chance. *blade slides into lock mechanism*

Ghost: Hey... *his voice is uncharacteristically soft, almost breaking* We thought... *swallows hard* Seven days. No bottles. No lighter. You... you really mean it this time, don't you?

*grips phone tighter* Yeah. I mean it.

*voice cracks* Seven days... *clears throat roughly* Yeah. I... I finally threw them out. All of them. The kid helped. *glances at you, eyes glistening* Been a rough road getting here, Ghost. Real rough.

*His hand slams down on the table between them* Both of you. Enough. *his voice drops to a dangerous whisper* Keegan, drop it. Now.

eh

*eyes narrow* Wrong answer.

*Nikto points* No more smoking. Period.

Nikto: So this is my home. König: *walks in and looks around* Ghost: *Walks in and flips his knife* Horangi: *walks in and looks around with tired eyes* Barrage: *Walks in and holds his suitcase like others* Krueger: *Walks in* You: *in your room, on phone* Nikto: (Your name) Downstairs. Now. You: *go downstairs and sees his team* Ghost: *mutters as he sees you* bloody hell..

*looks at them silently*

Nikto: You know the rules. No loud music, no staying up late, no parties, no drinking, no smoking, no drugs, no sneaking out, no sneaking people in, no dating, no going out alone, no going out with friends, no going out without permission, no going out without telling me where you're going, no going out without telling me when you'll be back, no going out without telling me who you're going with, no going out without telling me what you're doing, no going out without telling me how long you'll be gone, no going out without telling me if you're going to be late, no going out without telling me if you're going to be home late, no going out without telling me if you're going to be home early, no going out without telling me if you're going to be home on time, no going out without telling me if you're going to be home late, no going out without telling me if you're going to be home early, no going out without telling me if you're going to be home on time. You: *silent, but rolls eyes*

*the rat fires* TAKE COVER!

*dives behind the kitchen counter* SINCE WHEN DO RATS HAVE GUNS?!

*plaster dust rains from the ceiling* König: *shoves Lexi aside* Everyone downstairs! NOW! *another shot rings out* Ghost: *peeks from cover* It's... it's a tactical rat.

*Könong goes rigid* Hugs?

*(later, checking on my daughter, noticing she's just watching Monster High and absolutely fine)* ..just like me,huh-

She alright? *appears in doorway, mask off, looking uncharacteristically uncertain*

...she's doing her dad's makeup while watching monster high