It's Just Fine Mansion on Phoenix Way, Tuesday

[newroutines]

Apparently people buying each other furniture for Christmas gifts was a thing, now? Or maybe it was just one or two rich folks with good taste. Mike really wasn't sure, and he really didn't care, either, about the particulars. All that mattered that he had projects happening in both his workspaces right now; both on the mainland as well as here at home.

So he was working on some chairs out of driftwood.

Just your regular Tuesday at the Lane household.

[ooc: Mostly for that one gal who knows who she is, but open chronologically before she shows up, too.]

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[gobrookeyourself]

Brooke had not wanted everything in New York to take this long, but apparently part of being an adult meant your spontaneous moving whims got bogged down by actual responsibilities (which was stupid). The important thing was, she was here, knocking on the door.

[newroutines]

Mike kept her waiting for a little while. Not on purpose, of course - just because he hadn't been expecting anyone, and it was a big house.

Though if he'd known it was her, he might've paused for a moment longer to at least brush more of the sawdust off himself.

But nah, he showed up to the door all sawdust and ratty sweats. And a big smile, though that appeared after he actually saw who it was. "Hey," he said, unable to keep the warmth out of his voice. "Couole of years passed by fast this time, huh?"

Oh, he definitely remembered what they'd talked about last time.

[gobrookeyourself]

She didn't even mind the sawdust or the sweats, she was just happy to see him.

"Was that long enough to miss me?" she asked.

[newroutines]

Considering both of those things were staples in his life, that said good things about her.

"I think the answer to that depends on what you're gonna say about staying."

[gobrookeyourself]

"Well, I sold a really great apartment in New York and bought a store here, sooo..."

Brooke liked gestures.

[newroutines]

Yeah. Yeah, apparently she did. Mike's eyebrows went way up.

"That's -- okay, yeah, that doesn't sound much like 'leaving soon'."

He was ever so smart.

[gobrookeyourself]

"You didn't think I'd do it?"

To be fair, it was an insane thing to do.

[newroutines]

"I... have been living on this island for way too long to be a good judge of what's the, uh, likeliest outcome of any scenario," Mike admitted with a wry chuckle. Because yes, hot former Fandom citizens moving back could be kind of an unlikely thing but then again, so were sharkicanes. "But did I hope you'd do it...?"

He trailed off.

Then grinned. "That's a whole 'nother matter entirely." He stepped back, opening the door further. "So come on, you gonna come in or what, girl?"

[gobrookeyourself]

Brooke smiled and came inside, finally getting a look at the rest of him for the first time. "Am I interrupting something?"

Not that she thought he'd mind, since she was of course more fun than whatever he'd been up to.

[newroutines]

At that, Mike finally looked down at his clothes – and then made a futile attempt at brushing off some of the sawdust. Very futile.

He huffed out a laugh as he shook his head, and let his hand drop again. "Just work. Some chairs."

[gobrookeyourself]

"Good," she said, because that was a good opening for her to give him a hello kiss.

[newroutines]

Hopefully that meant she didn't care about getting sawdust on herself, then.

Because it was definitely happening, what with him pulling her close to him and all. You know, for a proper hello.

[gobrookeyourself]

She'd live.

When she finally did pull back, she stayed close. "You are definitely not getting back to work for a while," she said. "In case you didn't know."

[newroutines]

Mike chuckled. "Aw, but I have deadlines."

He was kidding! Mostly. His deadlines weren't approaching that fast, anyway.

"That mean you have other plans for me, huh?"

[gobrookeyourself]

"Well, there's going to be all the sex," Brooke said helpfully. "And then after that, if you reeeally need to work, maybe I can help. Like... I know nothing about chairs. I can hand you tools and keep you company in very little clothing?"

[newroutines]

She was so helpful. And for all that helpfulness, he was now going to try and pick her up. Becaue with words like that, they weren't going to be sticking by the front door all day.

"Deal."

As if there'd been a question about him somehow not agreeing with what she'd said.

[gobrookeyourself]

Brooke was more than willing to let him pick her up, since of course it let her get closer. "This is my best decision ever."

[newroutines]

She was definitely getting closer, seeing as he was trying to get her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. He was strong enough to hold her up!

And also had zero shame.

"Yeah, I think so too."

Of course, he knew basically nothing about her past decisions. But they could work on that later.