A leash would be nice. (OPEN)

[Greg Mackenzie]

One of the things Greg loved to do whenever summer hits Banff was to just grab a blanket, find a spot in around Bow River – or even through the trails, if there’s an open glade – and just lie under the sun for a couple of hours while his favourite summer tunes blast to his ears. He’s fortunate enough to not burn easily, though he almost always remembers to put sunscreen on just in case. As for food and hydration, that’s where his friends come in. At first he just forgot about it most of the time, but then his friends started bringing extra for him and he stopped thinking about it altogether.

Unfortunately for him, going home for the summer wasn’t exactly part of his agenda. According to Randolf, the town was still warming up to the idea of him being a meta, and he himself wasn’t sure if he’s safe enough for the public. (Emotional triggers still pose a huge problem to his control, and he’s fairly sure there’s at least one every corner back home). So until then, he’d have to make do. Luckily Pilot Ridge has a lake of its own, and while not as amazing as Banff’s, it was enough.

He’d been dozing for maybe a good hour so, lying on his back in nothing but his (rather skimpy) beach shorts, when he heard rustling to his side. At first he thought it was just some random jogger passing by him, but he didn’t get a mental reading. It was when he opened his eyes that he saw what seemed to be a dog, going through his open backpack. “Omigod no! Stop!” His shouting only served to startle the animal, which suddenly ran off with his very American tank top caught in between its teeth. “Stop! No! Dog on the loose!” he shouted as he scrambled to get up and run after the dog, not even stopping to put his flip flops on.

Bad idea really.

[Lucio & Marco Victore]

Lucio and Marco had no intention of going home for the summer. They just managed to get free from the water-logged town they came from. There was no way they could be pried from their beloved America. Besides, Lucio reasoned that they didn't really need to go back until the next celebration. Winter holidays and then try to get special privileged for leaving so they wouldn't miss the Carnival of Venice. Marco had to agree that it was entirely too important that the boys be able to attend the carnival. After all, where else did they have an excuse for the ridiculous amount of face painting they enjoyed? Not to mention the fun month before hand to make the costume and get everything coordinated.

However, the twins weren't entirely against their old home. They often missed them salty smell that clung to everything, the sound of water licking the walkways as they slept. So, today Lucio had decided they would explore more of the town and locate a body of water they could go swimming in. Marco agreed after only a moment of debating, as was his usual custom. The boys got dressed in their own (rather skimpy) swimsuits but threw on a pair of matching tank tops that Lucio had bought to tease their roommate of Kocher origins. After that the boys threw together a beach bag with towels and water bottles and money so they could buy snacks.

They were halfway to the lake shore (after asking people directions, getting free ice creams, finding a bottle of glitter in their bag, and Lucio losing his shirt) when a voice broke through their happy thoughts of swimming. Marco was the first to look up, a light frown on his features before he saw the racing dog. However since Lucio had free hands he was the one who tackled the dog right as it came past. He wrestled briefly with the bundle of fur before grinning. "Bad cane!" He could barely talk past his wide smile, happily pining the dog to the ground so his brother could free the stolen shirt.

Marco held up the tank top and frowned again, glancing between Lucio and the dog before looking to where the shirtless boy way running. His first thoughts were that the boy was cute. His second thought was mostly just wondering if the dog belonged to him.

"'Ello!""'Ello"[/u] Lucio let go of the dog and gave the approaching boy a wave, hopping on his feet to stand beside his brother who had spoke with a bit more reservation than he had.

[Greg Mackenzie]

Running after a dog wouldn’t have been that much of a chore, had Greg worn the proper footwear. While he wouldn’t be able to catch the dog immediately, it wouldn’t have had much of a head start. He did do cross-country running during lacrosse’s off-season, so the uneven terrain wasn’t that big of a deal. Unfortunately, him yelping and growling every time a pebble stabbed his foot was slowly him down so much that within ten seconds the dog was out of sight.

He was just about to give up when he caught wind of a guy – or was it two? His mental signature was weird, or maybe it was just his powers going all wonky – thinking of the exact same dog who stole his shirt. He did a little bit of a jog and was delightfully surprised with what he saw when he turned the corner.

And it wasn’t just because his tank top was out of the canine’s grasp.

He slowly walked forward (wincing just slightly as stones stabbed him left and right) and gave one of the boys a little wave. “Hey! Thanks for grabbing my shirt.” If Harrison was there to ask him, he’d say he’s looking straight at the shirt. But it won’t take a telepath to notice that he’s a little too busy trying to decide which twin to ogle starelook at. “That your dog? You really need to put a leash on him bro. Not cool.” He added a smile in the end to suggest that he wasn’t entirely disappointed. The American tank top wasn’t his most favourite shirt anyway, and if the dog brought him two identical Adonises. who was he to complain? “You two here to take a dip on the lake?”

[Lucio & Marco Victore]

Lucio watched as the boy hobbled towards them, trying to suppress his laughter at the fact the boy had been so distressed he forgot something as simple as shoes. Almost instinctively Marco's toes wiggled in his flip-flops, signifying that he was thinking along the same lines as his brother even if his face didn't betray it. The Italian bent down to pat the dogs nose before it went running off. Probably to steal another shirt. He thought, unable to keep the smile off his face at the idea. Hazel eyes looked up at the strangers words.

"Is not our dog. We tink it belonged to you, no?" Marco spoke up, holding out the shirt so that the new found person could take it. He didn't want to comment on the word bro since he understood it to be American slang. Instead he gave his own hesitant smile, a much smaller version than the one on Lucio's face.

"Yes! Swimming! Is much fun, no? Where we are from we 'ad water every where." Lucio said ruefully, crinkling his nose to show what he thought of that particular fact. Without waiting to introduce himself he took a few steps forward and threw his arm over Greg's shoulder. "You go swimming with us? Seems you are dressed for it." Another smile graced the Italian's face as he nodded in response to his own question.

Marco shook his head gently so that the tips of his pale hair were brushing his eye lashes. He looked over at Greg and gave another sheepish smile. "I am Marco, he is my oter half- Lucio. We are from Italy, transferring dis month."

((Lucio is shirtless~))

[Greg Mackenzie]

Not their dog? Then whose was it? Greg flared on the inside. Don’t get him wrong, he loved animals – dogs more than cats even – but couldn’t stand irresponsible owners. And to think he almost exploded on these two fine specimens thinking the canine was theirs. God. “N’aww. If I was to get a dog, I’d get a Great Dane. I like ‘em big,” he said without thinking, smirk on his face. Small dogs just have too much energy and were a little too feisty for his tastes. He’s already energetic enough for two people, he needs a dog who can keep up with him but not make him exert way more effort.

And ‘sides, with his height, he’s always scared he’d accidentally step on his dog if it was one of those pocket type ones.

He happily grabbed the shirt and tucked it in the waistband of his shorts. Just ‘cause the dog made him leave his spot didn’t mean tanning time’s over already. “Ooh, and where’s that?” Cute accent, he thought. He couldn’t quite place it, but he’s fairly sure they’re European. A small laugh escaped him when they mentioned that he should join. “I’d love to, but I didn’t bring a change of clothes.” God why didn’t he of all days? “I don’t think bus drivers like it when their passengers are dripping wet on the bus seats.” His mat can double as a towel, but he’s not sure he’d be down to wipe himself with something that’s been laid down on the ground for more than two hours now.

The skin contact was unexpected, but not exactly unwelcome. Maybe they’re just extremely friendly, he thought, which wasn’t exactly bad. “Greg. Nice to meet you both.” He extended his right arm out for a handshake (though who to shake with first, he didn’t exactly know), as his left happily snaked over one of the twin’s shoudlers. “By transferring you mean Hammel? Oh cool I go there too!”

“Lake’s this way. Shall we?”

[Lucio & Marco Victore]

Lucio bobbed his head along with the stranger's words, never once losing his smile. While intelligent, English wasn't the twins first language so neither twin caught the innuendo thrown their way. Though if they had they would have pounced for sure. Even if they were the romance type. Well Marco was more the jump on the first thing he was attracted to, Lucio was the romancer. "I tink I would want Bolognese. Is very small fluffy." He said helpfully, holding his hands in the rough equivalent of the dogs size. "We have 'amsters though! Dolce and Gabbana. Gabbana 'ad babies. You maybe want one?" This time is was Marco offering something mildly helpful.

Marco couldn't help but let his eyes wander of Greg's exposed skin before turning his attention back to the male's face. A look of mischief passed between the boys as they glanced at one another, returning to Greg as if nothing happened. "Oh but de driver will survive, no?" Lucio asked, eyes twinkling some as he grinned at the new boy. "We will lend towel. You will go swimming. Is simple." he gently waved his hand as if he could physically ward off any arguments the other might have to his decision. It was usually how it went when deciding to do something with Marco, so Lucio was resorting to just seeing the new guy as a variant of his more stoic brother.

Lucio was entirely too friendly for his own good, grinning like the cheshire cat with his arm around Greg's shoulder. His brother had taken an automatic step forward and took Greg's hand, shaking it gently but firmly. But unlike Lucio, Marco wasn't running head first into the touching of strangers. "Yes! 'Ammel! We go tere now. 'As roommate from Kocher. 'Is name is Theo, maybe you know?" More helpful words as Lucio nodded, turning to he could pull Greg in the mentioned direction. His brother followed quickly, unwilling to be more than a few steps away as he had their bag.

"We are trained by Signor Wright and Signor Wright, maybe you know as well?"

[Greg Mackenzie]

Dolce and Gabbana? Like were they for real right now? Whatever pain on his feet Greg was feeling was completely overcome by how ridiculous those names were. And he meant ridiculous in a good way. Seemed like the boys weren’t just model-like in appearance; they were model-esque everywhere. He so wouldn’t be surprised if they’re like those rich white girls who drive around in bright pink cars with little pink bags to hold Dolce and Gabbana.

And really, it wouldn’t make them any less hotadorable in Greg’s eyes if they were.

“That’s actually cute,” he said, turning to the other twin. Mario was his name right? Or was that twin Lucio and the guy talking a lot was Mario? Lucio and Mario right? The Canadian was naturally bad at names and without anything to distinguish the two – the differential ways of parting their hair escaped the boy – he’d most likely blend those two as one person for the time being. Hopefully they won’t mind. “I’m not sure I have the capability to take care of a little hamster, but thanks though.” And to be honest, cute as hamsters might be, they’re just not his thing. Again, he’s scared he might just squish them with his hands or feet, if not lose them altogether. He’d rather have an animal he can hug with his entire arm and not feel scared about killing.

He had to give props to this Mario guy – or Lucio, he still wasn’t sure – as pushy as he was, it was actually endearing. He was so proving Greg’s theory that anyone with an accent other than American can get away with most anything. Oh how unfair life was. “Last time I checked I’m in America. Just where did my freedom go?” Despite his supposed complaints though, he happily led the two to the watering hole, trying to contain the wincing that happened involuntarily whenever he took a step.

“Tada! You can place your bag there,” he pointed to the red-and-white Canada towel on the ground beside his bag. “And nope, never met him.” Unless it was short for Theodore. ‘Cause he’s met a Theodore Lancaster from Kocher and he so did not like that guy. A little too pompous and loud for Greg’s liking. Oh, and he ate the last red velvet cupcake in the cafeteria despite Greg calling dibs on it when they arrived. “Oh? You mean Mr. Jax and Mr. Xav Wright? Yeah!”

“You two aren’t Gestalt Twins by any chance wouldn’t you be?” The first few weeks when he learned of such metas he’d always assumed all twins shared a hive mind, but then he met – or at least encountered – the Chevaliers and other twins who weren’t, so he learned not to really assume things.

[Lucio & Marco Victore]

Neither twin actually drove so Greg's observation would prove groundless. However if Greg ever commented on what they named their hamsters they would forcefully kindly show him that many people from their country chose to name animals after famous designers. Then they would reveal their closet to show they did not in fact own any pink bags. They usually had blue bags. One of which just so happened to be a toy purse they could carry their hamsters in.

But that wasn't the point here.

Lucio would have laughed if he realized Greg was having trouble telling them apart. It seemed sort of obvious that the one without a shirt was Lucio and the one still fully dressed was Marco. Granted once Marco stripped to go swimming Greg would lose the advantage. But for now it would have sufficed.

"Simple! We took your freedom, no?" Lucio grinned even wider at Gregory, leaning in to kiss the boy's cheek before he wiggled free of the other's grip. Eyes sparkled with mischief as he turned and walked backwards to the towel, his gaze flicking between Greg and his brother.

Marco nodded slowly and carefully set their bag down beside Greg's towel, a soft smile pulling at his features when he saw the Canadian print. At least they couldn't be confused when it came to where Greg was from. He turned slightly, listening quietly to the boy's words before he finally gave a grin worthy of his brother at knowing the other male knew their trainer. "'E is odd, no? 'E was very... Cranky-""-Lonely, you mean-""-when we first met." He continued as if his brother hadn't interrupted, far too used to Lucio overlapping his words to care. Besides if anything it was a relief to Marco. It meant they still had each other and weren't yet a hive mind.

Mirror smiles of triumph met Greg's question and Marco nodded quickly. "We are Gestalts, yes." As he said this he took a step closer to both his brother and Gregory. "What are you then?" A look of curiosity as Lucio leaned in, head cocked to the side, lips still pulled into a playful smile.

[Greg Mackenzie]

Woah.

That. Was. Fast.

Even for Greg, who prided himself in being, well, more liberal, that was just way too fast.

Was that how they did things back in, where were they from again? France? Italy? New Jersey?

Either way, the kiss was enough to stun the Canadian. He stood there, unmoving for the most part. If it wasn’t for the occasional blink or the rise-and-fall motion of his chest as he breathed, he could’ve been mistaken for someone who was preserved. Was paralysis a secondary power of theirs?

If it wasn’t for Marco – or was it Lucio? Still couldn’t tell them apart – walking up to him and smirkingsmiling as he walked up to him and asked him what his powers were, he would probably still be standing there, shocked. “Oh, umm yeah, I’m like a mindreader,” he answered, shaking his head and blinking repeatedly to supposedly wake himself up. Hopefully it wasn’t that obvious that he zoned out. “Though I’m bad at reading minds. I’m better at projecting thoughts.” He’s working on it though. Baby steps and all. “Eh, the Mr. Wrights are all right, I guess. They’re cute. And nice.” Greg’s gotten around admitting to himself – and to his friends – that he found his trainers cute. Who would’ve thought blurting it out to them on the first day would be liberating? Not that he’s doing that again though come the new school year should he get a(nother) cute teacher.

Fuck he still can’t get over that kiss. It was just on the cheek yes, but god damn. Oh Harrison would so not believe his luck.

[Lucio & Marco Victore]

Neither boy noticed Greg's shocked stature. Even if they had there was little chance they would understand Greg's shock about having his cheeks kissed. After all both boys had spent a substantial amount of time with the French population at Kocher. Kissing just came naturally to them. It brought them home, as well as back to school.

Marco nodded quickly at Greg's explanation of his power, mentally filing it away as 'useful information'. A look of puzzled confusion passed his face before he cocked his head to the side, unconsciously tilting it towards Lucio, and spoke once more. "Telepath, no?" His words were short and precise but at odds with a tiny smile present on his face. Lucio was confused, but more at Marco's curiosity than at anything Greg had said. After all, to Lucio stating you were a mind reader was more than enough information to mean you had a useful power. "Can you read us?" Lucio perked up suddenly, eyes sparkling with mischief as he took yet another step closer to Greg.

Both boys had shrugged off the comment about their mutual trainer. After all there were more important things to discuss- namely Greg's power. Even if they both had different reasons. But really, even a topic like that could only hold their interest for so long. Lucio reached out to grab Greg's hand, smiling much like a cat who finally caught the mouse, and started physically dragging the boy towards the water. Marco hung back, watching carefully as he started to remove his shirt. He reached out to pluck Greg's shirt from his waistband, not saying anything as he tossed both shirts onto Greg's mat.

((This.... Really sucks.... Not for length... But for content.))

[Greg Mackenzie]

Read them? Still in a daze, it took about a split-second for Greg to figure out that they’re asking if he could read their minds, not if, well, he could read them. God that kiss truly was just out of the blue and was messing him up big time. He was thinking of putting it off as quite the effective tactic to throw people off their game though. If he’d ever do it himself, well, that still remained to be seen.

“I could try.” He took a deep breath and tried concentrating. Oddly enough, when he didn’t want to read minds he got glimpses; when he actually wants to scan minds, it took quite the effort to actually do so. How he hated the weird way his power worked.

Visualizing himself having tendrils and slowly wrapping them around his intended target usually helped. This time he was an octopus, having eight tentacles, swirling and digging into one of the twins’ – Lucio, he’s pretty sure maybe – head. As it was his first time reading a gestalt’s mind, things got a bit…hazy. “Holy fuck,” he muttered, feeling so lost. He instinctively reached out and grabbed the nearest twin closer, the physical contact – hand and body, as the twin and himself were naked – not only anchoring him but letting him know way more than he intended.

“Shit,” he said with a laugh, having to actually force himself out of the twin’s mind and off his grasp, sitting down as the effort took way more energy than his knees anticipated. “That. Was. Interesting.”

“Not too fond of spiders, aren’t you?” He slowly crawled to his mat, grabbing a sandwich from his bag. “Sorry that took a lot out of me. Need my carbs for a bit.”

[Lucio & Marco Victore]

Lucio halted suddenly in his attempts to drag Greg towards the water, head cocked to the side as Greg closed his eyes. He recognized the look on the telepath's face as one of concentration. His brother often displayed it often enough when focusing on a book or trying to sing along with a particularly difficult song. Nearby Marco had froze as well, his hands still pulling on the edge of his shirt. However he spurred into movement faster and managed to finish his original movement.

Since neither boy had no mental affinities they had no idea why Greg reacted the way he did. In fact Lucio wouldn't help but panic slightly when Greg reached out to grab him. Yet he took the action in stride and simply wrapped an arm around Greg's waist, looking nervously between the the telepath and his brother as though the smarter of two might understand what was going on.

As Gregory sat down rather heavily, Lucio's face creased with confusion and he followed the telepath down with pursed lips. "What 'appened?""What you see?" The boys spoke over one another as Marco tried to voice his own concern.

Marco sat down on the mat and reached out to touch Greg's shoulder, thinking he might comfort the telepath like he could comfort himself and his brother. "Spiders.... ESH! Very, very bad. Scary. Too many legs!" Lucio offered up, crawling after Greg to keep the telepath company. He gave the pond a rather sad glance before focusing on his new friend.

[Greg Mackenzie]

Greg let out an uneasy laugh when the twins crowded him. Now he felt bad for being such a show off. If he knew peering into a hive mind would be this hard, he wouldn’t have done it. The twins seemed to be the happy-go-lucky types; and now he’s crushed their happy-go-lucky-ness by being an utter a-hole and not knowing the limits of his own abilities.

He’s such a drama queen. And part of him hated himself for it. Only a part.

“Spiders. Like tons,” he said with a smirk, shaking his head as he gulped the huge bite he took from his sandwich. It was a little too much, which made the boy scramble for his water bottle lest he find himself attacked by another hiccup episode.

Their sudden kiss set the bar a little too high when it came to unexpected physical touching, so when Marco put his hand on the Canadian’s soldier, he wasn’t all that shocked. If anything, he even leaned slightly to it and shrugged. “Saw that you didn’t like it much. I feel ok about spiders. Better that lizards really.”

Lucio’s sad glance didn’t escape the boy. Feeling quite apologetic for the fuss he’s created, he took one last swig of his drink and slowly stood up, dusting his shorts from the crumbs. “So are we going to sit here talking about spiders or are we going to swim?” He let out a semi-uncertain laugh then began running to the lake, shouting, “Last one to the buoy buys ice cream for the other two!”

[Lucio & Marco Victore]

Had Lucio known that Greg's power would be so hard on the boy, Lucio probably wouldn't have suggested it. After all, the two boys had yet run into a telepath willing to probe their mind. At least now they knew a possible reason for all the reluctance. Granted, they didn't actually have a reason since Lucio had no idea if Greg's response was a normal one for a telepath or if he was new or if it was just that hard peering into gestalt minds.

Lucio laughed as their new friend took a bite, his grin turning into one that mirrored the Cheshire cat from Wonderland. If only because only a few seconds later Marco had leaned in to tickle Gregory's arm, acting as though his fingers were a spiders leg. "Careful. Spider eat you!"

Once their attempt to distract the male from whatever his power took out of him, Marco maintained the hand on the other's shoulder. It never even occurred to either boy that they were being far too familiar with their touching of Greg. In fact it likely wouldn't ever occur to them unless Greg brought it up. Instead Lucio joined the physical contact of Greg and carelessly threw one of his legs over Greg's, nose still wrinkled. "'Ow you not scared of spiders??" He threw his hands up, trying to empathize his point. "Too many legs." Marco echoed, nodding slightly.

There was a pause of confusion when Greg stood up, with both blonde boys just staring up at the other like he'd suddenly grown three heads. However, Lucio caught on fairly quickly and without thought both boys hopped up at the same time. Only to have Greg start running from them. Lucio laughed loudly as he and his brother gave chase, quickly shifting into taking longer steps to make up ground before practically sprinting the rest of the way.

Marco coughed some as he hit the water with his brother, shaking his head to dislodge the sudden water in his nose.