+Um... I'd like to keep living in your house,+ he says. +I'm really not keen on your dad threatening me. If I stay away will he not threaten me, or would I have to just avoid him for the rest of his life, or what?+

+Well, if he can't talk to you he can't threaten you, but that would be kind of tense for me-and-him, if I had a boyfriend who refused to interact with him,+ says Bella. +I don't know about the rest of his life. I think the cultural standard is that he's entitled to one sorta parting shot if we get married and then he has to shut up. I don't know.+

+I really, really don't want your dad to threaten me,+ says Brilliance, shivering and cuddling closer.

+...I could maybe talk to him about it?+ Bella says, stroking Brilliance's back soothingly. +What qualifies as threatening, though, he's going to need clear instructions if he'll listen to me at all.+

+I don't know, exactly - just - even though I know he can't actually hurt me that easily, if I feel like he's saying he will hurt me if I do such-and-such, I'm going to freak out a little. Even if such-and-such is something I don't ever want to actually do.+

+He's not likely to say it outright like that. Especially since he knows it would in fact be hard to hurt you. It'd just be vague, "It'll be best for everyone if thus and so" stuff.+

+...That could be either fine, or really really awful, depending how he said it. Sorry I'm so - finicky,+ he says helplessly.

+I could maybe get him to pass on any such vague threats through me? Would that help?+

+Yeah. That would help lots,+ he says, cuddling her.

+Okay, I'll try that.+ Snuggle snuggle. Kiss on the end of his nose, see how he likes being kissed in silly places.

It makes him all happy and giggly!

Aww. +I'll let you know when it's safe to be around Charlie,+ Bella says, and she runs her hand through his hair and teleports to join her folks for lunch.

+Okay,+ says Brilliance comfortably. +Love you.+

+You're sweet.+

Lexi has made lunch, and she has chosen for lunch to be macaroni and cheese. "Where's Brilliance?"

"Hanging out on the planet with the rainbow sand. He can conjure food now," Bella adds as a misleading explanation.

"That explains all the ice cream in the freezer and the stack of pie plates," snorts Lexi.

"Yeah. Charlie on his way?"

"He'll be here in five. Why, you gonna tell him you're doing Brilliance?"

"I'm going to tell him I'm dating Brilliance, thanks, rumors of my doings should not reach Charlie's brain."

"Okay. So you worked it out about the whole exploding stuff thing?"

"Yeah. You know," shrugs Bella, "forward."

"And going forward you want in his pa-a-ants," sings Lexi.

"Oh my god, Lexi, shut up."

"When Charlie's home I will. He's no-o-ot yet thouuuuugh," sings Lexi.