[CLOSED] We're choking on ambitions.

[liveware]

WHO: Angela Brennan and her not Technomancer son
WHAT: This is the second Christmas where her eldest boy is home and moping and her eldest girl wants to smack him. This requires a mother's touch.
WHERE: The Brennan House, Stateside
WHEN: December 25, 2065
SAFE FOR WORK? I think so?
OTHER NOTES: FAMILY THINGS.


[She hadn't asked any questions when, back in 2064, Joshua had called in order to tell her and Aaron that he'd be over for the holidays. Given the reports that had been coming in and the stuff she had observed for herself, it made sense.

What hadn't really made sense at the time was the fact that Josh had come alone. And then she had seen the Look on Cindy's face (that tight-lipped, hard-eyed peer that Cindy only ever reserved for things that truly irked her), and she tugged on a few lifelines on her own, and discovered, to her horror, that it made a bit too much sense.

Nevertheless, she didn't ask, didn't say a word. She stayed close, fed her boy, distracted everyone with the tinies, let everyone - including herself - grieve and celebrate, and kept her house in order all throughout the holiday season.

It is 2065 now, though, and this is the second Christmas that Josh had come to spend with them, and - once again - Hikaru isn't with him. She knows more now, even if she hasn't had to ask. She saw, as well, the look that crossed Josh's face when he opened one particular present that's been sitting under their tree since mid-December. Now it's time to speak.

This is why Angela, after exchanging a significant look with Aaron after spending the past two hours sitting with Cindy and letting her daughter rant her frustrations over this situation out, is climbing those steps up to where the room of her darling twin children. She knocks once, and pushes the door open.]

Comments

[larue]

[ He looks askance, the edges of his vision blurring a little before he lifts a hand to rub at his eyes. ]

When we're good... we're really, really good. [ A pause; a breath. ] But when things get shitty, all I ever seem to do is hurt him and make him cry.

[liveware]

[Oh, Josh...]

Hasn't anyone ever told you that getting into scrapes like that is just a part of being together?

[Angela has always believed that her son cares so damned much about the people he loves that he beats himself over the head a bit too much when he thinks that he hasn't done good by them.]

[larue]

[ He actually... has no idea what to say in response to that.

When he does find his voice though: ] I was going to propose last Christmas.

At least... that was the plan, before... you know.

[ Him dying. Them fighting. ]

[liveware]

[She is not surprised in the least to hear that. As things stand, she's going to have to tell Aaron; he'll be overjoyed.]

And you can still propose to him. You can do it after the two of you are better.

[Yeah, she's speaking like it's going to happen. Because it will. She believes that much.]

[larue]

[ He's going to stare at you for longer than he honestly should before he blinks, ducks his gaze and worries at his bottom lip before he's glancing up at your expression again.

That's a sort of helpless laugh from him. ]

Don't tell Cindy yet? [ He'd rather let her know once he actually gets around to popping the question. ]

[liveware]

I never planned to. Besides, it won't do to give her and her circle more fuel for their stories.

[And that is, of course, your mother's attempt at making you feel better faster. Brennan Humor and all.]

[larue]

[ There's a wince as he remembers... well, that.

( He really, honestly could have lived without knowing about doujinshi. )

Have another tight hug, Angela. ]

Thanks, Mom.

[liveware]

[She's hugging you right back. It's relieving, really, to see you in better spirits. The past two years have been difficult for you.]

You're welcome. Now drink your damned beer.

[larue]

Yes, Mom. I love you, Mom.

[ He knows better than to say no. He wouldn't want to, anyway.