🦆stubborn duck🦆

I stayed in bed for three days, and the only reason I am up now is because Charlie asked me to play a board game with her, Vaggie, Lilith, Al, and Anthony.

I think it was some kind of plot to get me out of bed because she knew I wouldn't tell her no.

Al probably told her I haven't eaten anything either.

I walk into the lobby, everyone sitting on the floor, Al sitting against the sofa at a slight distance from everyone.

I walk toward him, sitting beside him but not touching him.I try not to.I let him do so first.

He wraps an arm around me, pulling me closer, charlie scooting the board so that we all can reach it.

"So, everyone knows the rules to monopoly right?" She asks.

Of course.Monopoly.She used to pick it all the time to stay up later because it's such a long ass game.

She sets the little silver duck piece down in front of me.Anthony getting up and walking away.

"Babe, hand me the money and I'll pass it out."

Vaggie hands money out to everyone, except Al.

"Why aren't you playing-?"

"I don't know how, this wasnt a thing in the early 1900's. I'll play next time, teach me first."

"..okay."

Anthony takes a seat, a couple bowls in hand as Niffty trails behind with drinks.

"Hi hi! Lulu!" She drops the cans of soda, jumping into my arms.

"Hi Niffty."

"Are you playing? I'm not. But I'm gonna watch!"

"I am."

She climbs out of my arms, plopping down beside Anthony.

"Okay, is everything set up?" Lilith asks, sitting down across from Al and I.

"Yeah, just gotta put the pieces on start." Anthony says, chewing on some cheetohs from one of the bowls.He looks at me, holding the bowl out, "want some?"

I shake my head.

"Okay, I also got Gummy ducks and of course, taralli and fresh mozzarella."

"Ooo." Lilith grabs some of the taralli, "delicious."

"We didnt have any salami to serve it with, Charlies fault."

"How is it my fault-?" Charlie questions.

"You do the shopping."

"Well I did ask what you wanted, all you said were popsicles and orange juice."

"Actually I said orange FLAVORED juice, not squeezed oranges." He argues. "Its sweeter."

"Okay, can we start?" I ask.

Just wanna go back to bed.

"Yeah." Vaggie adds.

Lilith sets the boat piece on the board, her usual piece, charlie always alternated between the cat and dog.

This time she puts the cat on the board, Vaggie setting down the dog.

Anthony puts the car piece down, grabbing the dice. "Me first."

"How come you get to go first?" Charlie questions.

"Im the youngest. So suck a popsicle."

He tosses the dice, moving the piece to his square.

The game going on for awhile, I've bought everything I landed on and I am broke, which is good. I run out of money I lose, right?

"Dad!"

I look up.

"Your turn, hun." Al adds.

"Oh." I pick up the dice, rolling a four.

As I move the piece I land in free parking, recieving the money I put there when buying plots plus everyone elses.Fuck.

I sigh, grabbing the cash and sorting it.

"I'm going to get a drink. Play for me?" I look at Al.

"Oh. Alright."

I get up, walking to the kitchen.

As I grab a cup and pour some of my apple juice into it I lean against the counter and take a drink.

The hotel is so silent today.

Can't even hear the city.

I refill my glass and put the apple juice back, taking it to the lobby where I take my place back.

"Oh just in time, lilith landed on one of your plots." Al explains. "Don't know what to do there."

"Uhm.." I look for the card, the plot having all four houses and a hotel on it. Fuck. "You owe..1025 for the houses..140 for morgage..and 150 for the hotel.."

"Oh! Looks like I'm bankrupt."

She hands me the money, setting her piece in the box.

"Nice, Luci! You're kicking ass." Anthony says.

I've never really played. I always let charlie win.

We continue, it's atleast been an hour.

"Dang. Bankrupt." Vaggie sighs, handing in her piece.

"Oh."

She hands me her money.

"Wait what..?"

"She landed on your plot." Al points out.

"Didn't have much left, definitely not enough for boardwalks rent." She says.

I hum.

"So just Charlie and Anthony left?"

"You say that like you're coming for us next." Anthony cuts in.

I smile a bit, "maybe I am."

"Uh oh~ ultimate bad boy is gonna get you!!" Niffty giggles, still watching us play.

I rest my head on Als chest, watching as Charlie rolls.

"Ooo, I got free parking!"

"Shit, this whole corner is Lucis territory.." Anthony grabs the dice, counting his place.

Miraculously he rolls the only number that wouldn't have been bad for him.

"I gotta go to jail." He sets his chance card down, moving his piece to the barred spot. "Luci, hurry and get charlie put so I can make a miraculous return and beat you."

"Yeah, right." I respond, rolling the dice. Landing on my own plot.

Charlie happily grabs the dice and rolls, landing on the community chest.

"Uhmmm. Recieve fifty dollars from each player."

I hand her a fifty and anthony sighs, "still going broke in jail."

"Yeah, make your awesome comeback, huh?" Charlie says.

"All in time. Quickly start landing on my plots."

She rolls her eyes, "what plots? You barely have anything on the board."

"I have the railroads."

"And the orange plots."

"Yeah and I'm past that." Charlie points out, "you're just going broke."

I grab the dice, "you wanna try to roll doubles?"

"Nah."

"Kay."

I roll the dice, moving my piece.

"What time is it..?"

Anthony grabs his phone, "11:34."

"Ughh.." I sit up slightly, looking up at Al, he's fallen asleep.

As I fully sit up, his head slides to my shoulder, his ears drooping to the side.

"Awh.." charlie looks at him with a smile. "I don't think I've ever seen him sleep. Or not smile..it's kind of creepy.."

"How so-?"

"Smiles ain't smiling." Anthony adds as the game continues.

I yawn, "well it is nearly midnight."

"Games almost over."

Yea well I could be in bed, holding my evil ass version of bambi, sleeping.

The game finally comes to an end with charlie going bankrupt and anthony calling truce.Everyone cleaning up before I shake Al awake.

"Love, get up.."

"Mm..game over-..?"

"Thankfully."

He wraps his arms around my waist, hugging me."..kay.."

He nuzzles into my neck, inhaling deeply.I give him time as he slowly sits up.

Finally..back to bed.