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Cleo smiled as she sat on the hard, lumpy couch next to Robert, who was currently awkwardly petting Sebastian in his lap.
Since the Squad had taken up residence in their old, abandoned house, they had sort of settled into a somewhat domestic routine: Wake up in the morning to the smell of Harley badly making eggs and bacon, eat breakfast together while joking and laughing about each other's most embarrassing stories, get briefed by Waller on their next mission, complete it, go home and shower, bond with each other, retreat to everyone's bedrooms to fall asleep.
Cleo loved every minute of it. Of course she missed the friends she had lost, but her still living friends made it easier to deal with her grief.
Cleo chuckled as Robert flinched at Sebastian's attempt to nuzzle into his large hand, followed by Sebastian's gentle squeaked apologies. "Sebastian says he's sorry he frightened you and he'll stay still longer next time." She translated for the sweet rat, patting his head.
Robert nodded, his eyes slightly wide and his jaw stressed. "I appreciate that." He assured the rat, looking up when he heard the doorbell ring in that garbled, scratchy tone.
Cleo looked up as well and stood up to get the door, Sebastian scurrying to climb onto her shoulder. She smiled and nuzzled the rat's head, pulling the door open to see none other than Christopher Smith. Peacemaker himself. "Peacemaker?!" She cried out in shock.
"What?!" Harley screeched from her chair, stopping her latest knitting project. "He's alive?!"
"Peacemaker?" Nanaue said in confusion and looked up.
"The fuck are you doing here, mate?" Robert deadpanned as he stood from the couch, gun in hand.
"Woah! I'm not looking for trouble, guys!" Christopher vowed, his hands up in surrender.
"Easy, Robert." Cleo soothed gently, keeping her eyes on Christopher. "Then what are you doing here?"
"Waller told me you all were living here now, and as part of the Squad, I feel like I deserve to live here, too." Christopher said simply.
Cleo studied the man for a moment in silence. "You know," she started, a small smile on her face. "you may have killed Flag, and you tried to kill me, and you tried to kill Robert, and you insulted Nanaue, but..." she shrugged. "Ehh, I am willing to give you a second chance." She granted.
"I appreciate that." Christopher nodded his thanks, about to step inside before Cleo slapped a hand over the wall to stop him, her kind smile replaced by a serious scowl. "Cleo?"
"I may be giving you a second chance," She started. "but I swear to God if you hurt Nanaue, or you try to kill Robert again, I will not hesitate to sic a dozen angry rodents up your ass." She threatened. "Understood?"
Christopher blinked and nodded quickly. "Yes, ma'am." He confirmed.
"Good. Hey, Harley." Cleo turned to Harley, grinning brightly at the blonde. "You want to get tacos?"
Harley perked up at that, clapping giddily. "OOH, let's get wine drunk together, too, and watch some chick flicks!"
"Let's!" Cleo nodded and stepped aside to let Christopher inside.
"Fuck, yeah! I'll bring some nom nom back for you in case you get hungry, Nanaue." Harley promised and patted the shark king's nose as she stood up and put her shoes back on, walking to the door.
"Yeah!" Nanaue's excited roar echoed off of the walls, webbed fists clenched as he celebrated having a snack later.
Cleo giggled and shook her head at her weird ass found family, crossing her arms. "Robert, Christopher, there is alphabet soup on the stove to heat up if you get hungry. Nanaue, make sure these two don't kill each other while we're gone." She instructed with a smile and she and Harley walked out with a wave, content to get some tacos, wine and girly movies with her friend.