⍟ Broken Strings {A Chaos Theory x Male Reader Story - Yasmina}

𝟹. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚀𝚞𝚎𝚎𝚗'𝚜 𝙲𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚝

"The Broker had a whole dino making factory in that lab back in Senegal." Y/N recalls as he continues to feed and rock Smoothie.

"Yeah, but those were cloned from dinosaur species that already exist." Darius looks at the feather, "This would be the first of its kind."

"I mean, we know all too well other genetic companies are out there."

"I don't know where it came from or who's doing this... but if there's a new dinosaur out there, it could put this whole area in danger." Ben monologues dramatically.

"We have to do something."

Gia sighs wistfully, "Isn't he magnificent?"

"Uhhh..." Y/N looks down at Smoothie as if he'll understand the awkward moment, "Yeah?"

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

"Who's Superstar?" Gia raises a brow as a notification pops up on her computer.

"Superstar..."

Ben gasps, "Brooklyn!"

"What does she want?" Kenji rolls his eyes, staying by the bed with Y/N and Smoothie as the others rush to crowd the computer.

"She's reaching out to us!" Ben beams.

"I knew it." Yaz smiles.

"Are you sure it's her?" Sammy hums.

"Let's just see how she's doing." Darius suggests as Ben taps on the voice message.

'Hey, Ben.' It's definitely Brooklyn's voice.

'Hoping to get some intel about a Professor Desai?'

'I think he teaches at the college you and Y/N go to. I know he supported Biosyn's recent expansion, but that's not... totally weird.'

'Got anything?'

The voice message ends and Ben stares at the screen blankly.

"See if she needs our help!" Yaz insists.

"Let's ask how she's doing first." Darius opposes.

"Maybe we should ask if she has something to say to us." Sammy folds her arms, "Like, I don't know, 'hello' or, 'I'm sorry for all the trauma and heartache I put you all through'?"

"Unbelievable." Kenji sighs, looking down at the way Smoothie fusses in Y/N's arms as the others begin to argue over the computer.

Y/N glances down at the slightly distressed dino and back up at Kenji, "You wanna--"

"Yeah." Kenji gets up from the bed and heads for the door.

The two of them step out, their gazes lingering on their friends before they bump into someone unexpectedly.

Nonna. She's standing there with the broom, her eyes immediately drawn to Smoothie sitting in Y/N's arms.

Kenji chuckles nervously, slowly taking Smoothie from Y/N and tucking him under his arm.

"Nonna, we--"

Before Kenji can even get a word out Nonna begins swinging her broom. Kenji bolts down the hallway and she chases after him, screaming in Italian as she sprints into the kitchen.

Y/N turns back to open the door, hoping Gia can get Nonna under control but his words pause in his throat when he sees the looks on his friends' faces.

"Thats it?" Sammy looks down glumly, "Just 'don't worry about it'?"

"No, 'How are you', 'Miss you', or, even a thank you? Guess we're not getting an apology."

"I think Brooklyn reaching out, it's the closest thing to an apology we're gonna get right now." Yaz infers.

"How is that good enough for you!?" Sammy huffs.

"Hey, why don't we just--"

"She's going through a lot." Yasmina cuts Darius off.

"Yeah? But we're going through a lot too." Sammy argues.

"You don't see her dropping everything to check on us, do you?"

"W-We have each other, and... and she doesn't have anyone." Yaz insists.

"Yeah, she needs us." Ben nods firmly.

"See?" Yaz sighs, "Ben, Y/N and I think that--"

"Actually..." Y/N speaks up, "I don't know..."

"What!?" Ben exclaims.

"Are you serious?" Yaz huffs.

"I--I... Nonna's chasing Kenji and Smoothie around with a broom!" Y/N stammers, trying to change the subject.

"What!?" Ben jumps out of his chair.