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Moxxie knew right away things had changed since his mama went away, but he wasn't so sure they had changed in a good way. He missed his Mama, but his father said it was better this way, better that she went away. He knew better than to argue with his father.
Dinner had been the hardest change for Moxxie, not that it wasn't already hard before, but at least when Mama was there it was a little easier. His father wouldn't ever help him cut his food like his food like Mama did and she wouldn't get mad if he looked at her. His father always hated when he looked at him. It made him feel sad and alone.
He wished his Mama was still here, that things could just go back to the way it used to be. Things weren't perfect back then but at least it was easier.
"Mox.." Crimson called, getting the little imps attention. "Go wash up for dinner."
Even though he felt hungry, Moxxie didn't want to get ready for dinner. It made him feel uneasy, but he knew better than to disobey, so he did it anyway.
After getting ready Moxxie headed to the dining room to see the table set for three. It confused him as the table was never set for three at least not anymore now that Mama was gone.
"Sir?.." Moxxie meekly asked, showing hesitation. "Who's the third place set for?"
"Alessio." Crimson answered simply, seeming preoccupied with something to Moxxie's relief. "He'll be joining us tonight.. You can expect him every night for the foreseeable future."
Crimson's response caught Moxxie by surprise as dinner was typically kept as a family thing, but he wasn't about to complain. He didn't really like eating alone with his father and though having Alessio there wouldn't be the same as having Mama there, it sounded better than the alternative.
Moxxie was quick to take his place, watching as Alessio helped with the food. It smelt better than it usually did, making Moxxie wonder if his father had hired a new cook for them.
"Thanks Ale." Crimson said, throwing the shark a smile as he took his plate from him.
Alessio simply nodded in response, sitting Moxxie's plate in front of him before taking his own seat. Moxxie couldn't remember the last time he had seen his father smile like that, it was different from the smile he typically had from work. It was almost affectionate.
"You know Ale.." Crimson began as he cut into his steak. "I was thinking we could take a trip up to lust in a few weeks.. got a big drug heist that could seriously make us some profit."
"Whatever you think is best." Alessio answered accordingly, giving Crimson his full attention as he always did. "I think a few days from Greed could do us some good.."
"Don't get too excited.." Crimson cut in, a smile creeping its way back onto his face. "It's business before pleasure."
Moxxie zoned out as Crimson's and Alessio's conversation carried on. It wasn't often his father went away from Greed and he knew he wouldn't be going with. It wasn't anything for him to worry about, however, his steak certainly was.
The more Moxxie tried to cut his food the more he struggled. He felt hungry but he couldn't eat without his food being cut. Glancing up Moxxie could see his father still talking to Alessio, paying him no mind and while he was grateful for that, it didn't take away the fact he needed help.
He knew the last time he asked his father to help him cut his steak didn't go well. His father grew angry at him and sent him to bed without any dinner. He didn't want that to happen again, so he just looked back at his steak and continued to try and do it himself. It didn't take long for the plate to be lifted away, something that caught Moxxie by surprise.
"You know Ale.. you should really cook more often." Crimson said as he ate his own steak, seeming unfazed as Alessio cut Moxxie's for him. "Don't think I've had anything this good for a long time."
It surprised Moxxie that his father didn't look mad at Alessio for cutting his steak. His father always got mad at Mama when she did it. He was surprised that Alessio was cutting his steak at all.
"Are you sure sir?" Alessio smiled, passing Moxxie's plate back to him. "I think what you had last night was pretty good.."
"You know that doesn't count." Crimson hissed, continuing to pay Moxxie no mind. "I mean real food."
With his steak cut, Moxxie didn't hesitate to eat. He could see Alessio giving him a knowing look that he returned with a smile. His father was right when he said the food was great and he too hoped the shark would be cooking more often.
The faster Moxxie ate the more difficult it became to swallow. He needed a drink, but when he went to grab one the glass ended up slipping from his hands spilling all over the table. His father never liked when he made messes making him worry. The last mess he made ended with him being punished. He didn't want to be punished.
The sense of fear Moxxie carried only worsened when he noticed the water had ruined one of his fathers cigars. He didn't want to think of what his father was going to do to him for that. He knew how expensive they were.
"It's alright Mox.." Alessio spoke up, grabbing some napkins to help the little imp clean up. "Accidents happen.."
"Don't encourage him." Crimson hissed disapprovingly as he finally began to take notice. "He can clean up his own damn mess.."
"I helped you clean up yours last night.." Alessio reminded, throwing Crimson a knowing look. "And it was a lot messier than this.."
Moxxie didn't quite hear what Crimson said next but whatever it was made Alessio smile. He knew then that he wasn't getting punished which made him feel relieved.
"Let's go get you all cleaned up.." Alessio said, picking the little imp up. "Then we'll get you some dessert. How does some chocolate cake sound?
Moxxie couldn't keep the look of surprise off his face as Alessio took him to get cleaned up. It was rare that he ever got dessert and especially not after making such a mess. It confused him.
"Ale?" Moxxie spoke up quietly, letting Alessio get him into some dry clothes. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course." Alessio answered, giving the little imp a kind smile. "What's your question Moxxie?"
The little imp always reminded Alessio of Crimson. They looked so much alike and Alessio couldn't help but feel a bit soft for the child. He cared for the boy just as he did Crimson.
"Why are you eating dinner with us?" Moxxie asked, finally voicing the question that had plagued his mind all night. "..and why does sir seem so happy with you here?"
"I was invited." Alessio explained simply, picking the boy up again. "And as far as your father seeming happier goes.. I guess he just likes having me around."
Moxxie wasn't stupid and he couldn't tell Alessio wasn't being completely honest with him and he knew Alessio knew he knew.
"But why?" Moxxie questioned further.
"You'll understand when you're older.." Alessio reasoned, wanting to put an end to this conversation. "How about cake?"
Cake was something the little imp didn't hesitate to agree to, practically vibrating in his seat as the shark brought out two identical slices. One of the slices sat in front of him while the other was shared between his father and Alessio.
"Why are you sharing?" Moxxie asked, seeming confused by it. "Wasn't there enough?"
"I just like your fathers cake is all.." Alessio answered causally. "And he was generous enough to share.."
"After last night I think you've had enough of my cake." Crimson muttered, stabbing the shark's hand with his fork. "The rest of this is mine."
Despite being stabbed, Alessio seemed pretty happy which confused Moxxie. It didn't take him long to finish his cake and by then he felt tired.
"I should probably get the kid ready for bed.." Crimson mentioned, getting up. "Should only take me an hour."
"Take your time.. Night Mox." Alessio stated, letting his eyes wander. "Hope you don't plan on sleeping anytime soon.. I would like a piece of a different kinda cake."
Moxxie wasn't sure what that meant but based on the look his father gave, he knew it couldn't be good. It was a warning look, one he knew not to take lightly.
Crimson soon led Moxxie to bed, getting the boy ready like he did every night. He seemed to be in a good mood despite earliers incident giving Moxxie the push he needed to ask his question.
"Sir?" Moxxie questioned. "Is Alessio going to be staying with us more often?"
"More than he already is.." Crimson stated, tucking the boy in. "He'll be joining us more often for personal things.."
Like with Alessio, Moxxie knew his father wasn't being completely honest with him, but he told him what he needed to know. Things were changing and Alessio was a part of that change. It seemed like a good change.
"Goodnight mox.." Crimson smiled, turning out the light. "Sweet dreams."
It was a change that caused a change in his father.. a change for the better.