July 4, 2023 (party at the rec center; Ash has eczema)

Krux entered the kitchen to help with the cooking when he saw Ash scratching her arms furiously. The older twin walked over to Ash and held her arms down by her sides. "Stop scratching. You're making your eczema worse." Ash struggled a little before complying. Krux let go and put some oven mitts on her hands.

"Asshole." Ash told him. Krux raised his eyebrow.

"You'll be fine. Zane will be here any minute with your medicine. You're breaking your skin open."

"But I'm itchy. Just one little scratch?" Ash pleaded, but Krux held his ground and told her to keep the mitts on. Ash glared at him until Zane came back and applied some cream to Ash's arms.

"Ahhh, this feels nice." Ash looked at Krux and flipped him off. He just shook his head and laughed. "And I don't need no dang babysitter."

"You are something Ash. Don't ever change."

I won't, I promise." While Krux had his back turned, Ash tried to scratch her arms until he spoke.

"Don't you dare. I have eyes on the back of my head." Ash growled at him.

"Oh yeah, well stop biting your nails." Krux agreed. Everyone else arrived and the party was on.

It is Independence Day in the USA. Happy Fourth of July.