((Kay, I have to get off soon for now anyway.))

Léan purred, softly, and stayed still. The way he was laying across the cave's entrance also blocked Glory from escaping, if it turned out that she was the one who lost her temper first.

Glory stayed cuddled with him until she saw her mother go by and do a double-take.

"There you are," Clarissa said. She didn't seem surprised to find them together.

"For the last few hours or so," Glory replied. She didn't move from where she was snuggled close to Léan. She and Clarissa looked at one another for a few moments, neither one being sure how to start the conversation. "How about we work under the 'don't ask, don't tell' principle?" Glory finally said. "I think that'll make things easier for everyone." She was effectively stepping around anything that would spark an argument between them. Apparently, Clarissa caught on and nodded.

"Alright," she said. She still didn't necessarily look comfortable with the whole situation, but it was becoming increasingly clear that Glory was an adult, not the child she remembered.

Léan was monitoring them both carefully, tail flicking back and forth slightly. He was feeling rather cautious, but seemed to sense that they probably weren't going to fight, unless someone said something better left unsaid.

"So are we good?" Glory asked. She didn't want to touch on anything that could start an argument, at least until they were more comfortable around each other.

"We're good," Clarissa nodded.

Léan slumped over in relief, content to snuggle up with her again and ignore the rest of the world. He was hoping his mother and father didn't return...at least not yet. He wanted Archie to reunite with Honeydew. He just...he didn't want Betelgeuse to come back.

Glory snuggled with him as her mother left again.

"Were you really that worried?" she asked him softly. "You know we argue all the time, it's not unusual."

"Yes, but I was worried she was going to take it out on me as much as you," Léan chuckled, scratching his head. "Haha...well...I was worried, yes. Quite worried." He craned his neck to glance out towards deeper water, for any signs of movement. "I wonder where they went..."

"Which 'they'?" Glory asked. "We have like three 'they's we try to keep track of."

"My parents," Léan clarified, frowning. "It bothers me that they've been missing for this long. I'd like to know where they are, but I don't want to intrude on anything, soooo...I'm staying put."

"It hasn't been that long," Glory pointed out. She cuddled with him. "I wouldn't worry too much, I'm sure they'll be back."

Léan sighed, heavily. "I worry, though. My mother's strength...she doesn't seem to fare well in open ocean. She needs to rest--I hope they're resting, at least."

"Would it make you feel better if they hung around here?" Glory asked. The beach was already crowded enough for the moment, so she would probably end up moving inside again, but if it set him at ease...

"I don't know," Léan admitted, hanging his head. He desperately wanted to spend time with his mother. But he couldn't stand being near his father, and wanted him to leave.

"Everything will work out," Glory said, giving him a kiss. "Besides, I'm sure she'll insist on dropping by."

Léan grumbled despite her reassuring words. He had yet to come to terms with his father about everything he had done. The physical abuse, he hadn't minded so much. He could defend himself. Archie was frightened of Betelgeuse, but he didn't harbor the deep hatred towards him that his twin did.

No, it was the abuse Betelgeuse always saved specifically for Léan that forced that hatred to take root within him.

Glory snuggled close to him, laying her head on his shoulder and offering comfort. She wanted to do something more, but she wasn't sure what to do. He hadn't taught her how to sing yet or anything.

Léan hadn't thought of that, not yet. Everything had been distracting him lately, and he hadn't gotten the chance to even think about teaching her how to sing. If she asked, though, it would probably serve as a fine distraction for him.

Leaning up, Glory gave him a kiss.

"You seem like you need to be distracted," she said softly.

Léan leaned into her, nodding slowly. "I do..." he admitted, in a small voice. He usually didn't like admitting he needed help, unless he was in an embarrassing situation.

"Well..." Glory replied, thinking. "There has to be something you haven't taught me yet. I refuse to believe there's nothing else."

"Besides how to sing...I don't think there's anything else," Léan mused, softly. He nestled his head up between her shoulder and neck, comfortably.

"I think I would know if you'd taught me that one already," Glory said. "And I'm pretty sure you didn't yet." She grinned, and added teasingly, "We have got to be one of the cuddliest couples ever. It's all we seem to do."

Léan went pink, but didn't comment on that. "I can teach you, if you'd like. But...if your Nana is in the house, we should try to get her used to it, first, so she isn't startled and doesn't end up injuring herself while walking, or falling, or unintentionally being lured out to the water while we practice."

"We could always just head inside and stay in my room," Glory offered. "It would be easier to keep an eye on Nana that way, too."

Léan unwillingly started to budge up, frowning. "Urgh. I feel like a ton of rocks. I don't want to move in the least."