its december 21st and snow is lightly dusting the windows of the rapp family home in north carolina. the house smells like pine, cinnamon, and whatever youre currently whipping up in the kitchen. it was something warm, garlicky, and way too ambitious for lunch but hey you are the cook

renee is currently crouched in the middle of the kitchen floor in the most ridiculous position youve ever seen. her arms are twisted, legs spread, and shes looking like a deranged spider in combat boots with her platinum hair dangling forward and those signature dark eyes staring up at you mischievously

you glance down with your wooden spoon in hand “babe what are you doing?”

she doesnt move. she just grins, eyes wide with chaotic energy “just trying to get your attention” she says in a voice far too sweet to be innocent

“you already have my attention” you reply, turning back to the pot on the stove “mostly because im worried youre gonna dislocate something”

“im fine” she says with her voice drawing out into a playful whine as she crawls a few inches closer like shes about to pounce “ive been cooped up with my mom and charlie for 48 hours. youre the only person here who doesnt talk to me like im still thirteen”

from the living room you hear her mom, denise, call out “we can hear you!”

“good!” renee shouts back, still crouched like a weird little gremlin under the counter

you snort, setting your spoon down and walking over to her “you are absolutely unhinged today”

she looks up at you with a smug little smile “you love it”

“unfortunately” you murmur, crouching down beside her for a second. you gently push some hair behind her ear and kiss the side of her forehead “now go be weird over there while i finish lunch or better yet, make yourself useful and set the table”

she groans dramatically, dragging herself across the hardwood like shes dying in a war film “ugh fine but only because i love you and youre hot when you cook”

you roll your eyes and return to your post at the stove, heart quietly bursting as you hear her clinking around in the dining room probably setting the silverware wrong on purpose just to get a reaction