Kind to the point of doormat. (primlyrose) wrote in reduxpitch, @ 2016-09-13 07:57:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !thread, character: lucas flint, character: marcus flint, character: phillipa flint, character: primrose dursley |
WHO: Primrose Dursley, Lucas Flint, Marcus Flint, Pippa Flint
WHEN: 13 September 2002, Evening
WHERE: Potter Cottage, Flint House
WHAT: Making the rounds with the news
RATING: Medium-ish
STATUS: Completed in Docs (Part1, Part2)
Lucas squeezed Prim's hand before nodded to each of the Potters. “Thank you,” he told them, unable to be more specific than that. Taking just long enough to put on their shoes and gather their things, the pair walked outside.
Pulling her close, Lucas buried his face in Prim’s hair. “Hold on tight,” was all the warning he gave before disapparating.
They appeared right inside Marcus’ wards and Lucas has to force himself to take a deep breath. Everything would be fine, he told himself. They would be able to make it through this. Still, if he held Prim’s hand a little tighter as they made their way up the walk, it was nobody’s business but his.
“Marcus? Pippa? Either of you around?” Lucas didn't bother knocking, just let himself and Prim in. Unlike at the Potter’s he kept his shoes on, not knowing if he would need to make a quick escape or not.
--
Phillipa had been lost in proofreading an article she'd written for work, pieces of parchment spread across the dining room table as she went over each individually. She was definitely in for the night, dressed for comfort rather than show, wine glass in hand and half empty as her gaze flitted over her words. They weren't expecting company, at least not as far as she knew, but the door barely caught her attention since it wasn't like people didn't come or go from the house regularly. It wasn't until she heard her name, more so heard Lucas’ voice, that she glanced up.
“In here,” she called in response, gathering the parchment into a neat pile with a flick of her wand and leaning back in her seat, head tilted to look toward the entrance he would be coming through. Idly she wondered if they had any food, in case he was hungry, and she wasn't sure - but delivery wouldn't take long, if necessary.
--
Marcus was in his room going over some new game plans for the Falcons, he had wanted the peace and quiet - and this way if he needed to use inanimate objects to simulate his players in flight he wouldn’t accidently whack someone in the head. He heard the door and ignored it till he thought he heard his name. Scanning through his mind he couldn’t think of anyone else at the house currently that had a name that ended in ‘cus’....grabbing his protein shake he headed out into the main living area.
“Did you call me Pips? Or am I hearing things again….?” His hand automatically went down to scritch at Fi’s ears as she got up to come say hello, “Or did you finally teach Fi to speak in human words?”
His long hair was loose today and tucked behind his ears, a worn t-shirt from a charity poker game and a pair of worn denims with nothing on his feet completed his day off look. And he was only dressed in that many ‘real clothes’ because he had had to make a run to the grocery earlier - his training diet during the season was rather specific and people kept eating his fruits and vegetables as actual food when he needed them for his shakes.
The heathens he lived with sometimes…
~~
“Kitchen,” Phillipa added as she caught a glimpse of Marcus wandering in the hall, and she took a long sip of her wine. “And neither.” She pulled her feet up to sit cross legged on the chair and to keep them from being licked by Fi as the dog came into the room. She'd thought maybe Marcus had known Lucas was coming, but apparently not. It wasn't like either of them was going to complain about a visit from their little brother.
“Lucas?”
--
Part of Lucas was happy that both his sibling were their. Another part of his was terrified that both his siblings were there. Good Godric what was he supposed to say? He glanced between his siblings’ expectant faces and felt the panic rising. Unlike with the Potters where he could be fierce and defiant, here he was nothing more than their little brother, desperate for affection and approval.
He couldn't be polite about this or stall. Each moment he stood there the terror grew. “So… Um… It's like this.” Lucas glanced at Prim, a little wide-eyed with terror. “Prim went to the healer today and found out she was pregnant. With my baby. It's due in May. And I'm going to be there for her no matter what you or anyone else thinks or says.”
Lucas stood there, seemingly finding his defiance, though Prim was possibly the only one who could tell that he was shaking, ready for whatever they threw at him.
--
Maybe Phillipa had felt a small twinge of concern when she saw Lucas wasn't alone - not that she found Prim concerning, but them both showing up there together and wanting to see both her and Marcus… that wasn't something that usually happened. Ever, as far as she could recall. The way Lucas started out speaking didn't do anything to quell that feeling, and only made it grow. His words took a minute to sink in, and she sat silently, her grip tight on her wine glass as she stared at her little brother, her words finally coming out quietly.
“That's not funny.”
--
Prim held Lucas' hand tightly, for him and for herself. Facing the two people who meant the most to Lucas, in this context, frightened her, but she would be a source of strength for him. As much as she could be. When he spoke, she moved closer to him, putting their hands behind her back so she could press against his side--so he could literally lean on her if he needed to.
Taking the envelope containing the test results from her purse, she silent set it on the table and pushed it to where Pippa and Marcus could reach it. She couldn't find her voice or her words, and she couldn't stop her hand from shaking as she moved the paper. "I'm seven weeks," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "I found out today."
--
Lucas glared at his sister, more than a little hurt. While that was not the response he had expected, that certainly wasn't one he had been hoping for either. “Why would I joke about something like that?” He snapped. Anger was far easier an emotion to ride than despair.
“We’ve told Prim’s aunt and uncle. And now we’re telling you. In May we’re going to become parents.” Now that he words were out of his mouth, Lucas could not take them back. He was going to be a father.
--
Marcus was silent. He had heard what Lucas, Prim and Pippa had said. His face was blank, and he waited for a pause in the conversation around him before he spoke. When he did, his voice was low and even, “You told me that you had been careful...that you had protected both yourself and your partner.” He took another slow sip of his shake, “You lied to me Lucas.” He looked over at Prim and then at Lucas and finally at Pippa before he sighed.
“Okay, so you are going to be parents. To a baby. In May.” He set the bottle down, and his hands needed something to do so they ran through his hair, and then he went and pulled out a chair, “Prim, please have a seat. This may take awhile. Because my baby brother is going to have a baby. In May. With you. And I am still wrapping my head around this. Hell, i am still wrapping my head around that my sister used to date Krum and I have had more time with that one.”
He pinned his eyes on Lucas, “You lied. To me. You don’t do that.” He headed back towards the kitchen area, calling over his shoulder, “Would anyone life food, drink….a time turner perhaps?”
~~
Phillipa’s gaze following Prim as she set the envelope on the table, pulling it the rest of the way across to her and getting the paper out to look it over. There wasn't arguing with everything spelled out there, as much as it was difficult to believe. Lucas could snap at her all he wanted, but it was easier to think it was some bizarre, tasteless attempt at a joke than to accept her baby brother had gotten someone pregnant. She drained what was left in her glass and set the paper in front of Marcus in case he wanted to look it over.
“Yes, please sit,” she echoed, then pinched the bridge of her nose at the mention of Viktor. “Marcus. For fuck’s sake, it wasn't - just stop.” She let out a slow exhale as he walked away, turning her gaze back to the two in front of her. “More wine. Please.” She really needed it. “I… how? This is… sorry, unexpected, I'm not sure…” She trailed off, absently gesturing with her hands. “Okay. Baby. In May.”
--
"He didn't lie," Prim said sternly, stepping in front of Lucas slightly. "And if he did, it wasn't on purpose." When in the defence of someone she loved, Prim was protective and had more backbone than she gave herself credit for. "That first time--" A blush creeped up her neck and cheeks, but she continued, her voice steady. "We had nothing to drink but butterbeer, but there was a sense of abandon. It was like nothing could go wrong, and it was a need that had to be fulfilled."
She looked between the two older Flints and felt her bravado deflate a little. "He didn't lie," she repeated, her voice softer, and she wrapped her arms around her middle as she leaned against Lucas. "No time turners. It was an accident, but please don't treat it like a mistake."
--
Marcus froze in the doorway and turned, “No, Prim - when I ask my brother if had been safe. If he had protected both of you and he looks me in the eye and tells me yes...when he hadn’t....that’s what I am referring too. And I never said mistake. I was shooting my mouth off because you are sitting in my home, telling me that you and my baby brother are going to have a baby. And somewhere in my decades of training on manners and etiquette they never told me how to best deal with this particular situation.”
Licking his lips he shook his head and closed his eyes for a moment, “I am going to get some wine….and water….and potentially some food and whiskey.” His fists clenched and then he just seemed to deflate a bit, “Just have a seat and I am going to try and wrap my mind around this….and try to think of something to say other than what I am sure has already been said.” he focused his attention on Prim, as he was still trying to wrap his mind around everything else.
“And a plan….we are going to need a plan….” He started to mutter to himself as he entered the kitchen - making a tray with a bit more force than he would normally use.
~~
Lucas had told her, on several occasions, that his brother was like a mama bear: fiercely protective and incredibly caring. She didn't want to poke the sleeping bear, as it were, but she needed to defend Lucas. He would never lie to his brother, not when it mattered. "We hadn't wanted to be safe," she said earnestly, stepping forward. "I am careful to the point of never stepping outside of my comfort zone unless Lucas takes me on an adventure. But he never pushed. He was careful with me, with things shifting between us. And the thought of protection, in the moment, never entered my mind."
Her hands were clenched against her stomach, and she looked between Pippa and Marcus. "I know how these things work. I write romance novels, and I've had the speech. I--" She looked back at Lucas. "We would have been smarter about it if we weren't…" Prim trailed off, unsure how to put the feelings of that afternoon into words. She'd been bold and reckless, and she hadn't cared. "It wasn't a mindless passion," she continued, quietly. "It wasn't an urgent pawing. It wasn't like we were too caught up in the moment to think about it. There was something telling me--us--that we didn't need it."
It was the most she had ever said to either of the elder Flints in one go, but she didn't want Lucas blamed for this. She didn't want there to be grief between him and his brother. "It's not that he lied. It's that we felt safe and protected in the moment." She started to take a step towards the kitchen, but thought better of it and retreated to Lucas' side. He looked sallow, and she was worried about him possibly passing out. Tears were traitorously close to the surface, but Prim bit her lip and gently took Lucas' hand. She led him to the table to sit across from his sister. She moved her chair so she sat as close to him as was possible and waited.
--
Phillipa nibbled at the inside of her lip as Prim spoke. The way she talked about it, it was as though her subconscious had decided they wanted to have a child together - the first time they had sex. Which was sweet, she guessed, maybe, but they were so young and barely not children themselves and fuck how was she supposed to deal with this - with them? They were both acting so matter of fact, like they'd had time for reality to sink in when they'd only found out earlier that day. Marcus was right, there needed to be a plan.
Setting down her empty glass, she brought her hands up to rub over her face, like that would help her brain process faster. Of course this was happening during a week that was already hard enough. If Marcus didn't come back with more to drink soon, she might lose it. “Okay,” she said after a moment, speaking through her hands on her face before letting them drop. “Okay, so… this is happening. What's your plan?”
--
Lucas felt like a leaf in the wind, sent in the direction that the wind decided to blow in that moment. Letting himself be sat down at the kitchen table, Lucas’ eyes fell on the envelope and piece of paper that had so changed his world today. He hadn’t even thought to look at it, believing Prim with his whole heart. She would never have a reason to lie to him. Of course, he never had a reason to lie to Marcus… but that’s exactly what he’d done.
“I… We…” He started, but quickly lost the words he’d thought he’d found. He had done the one thing he thought impossible when it came to his siblings and disappointed them. It didn’t register that they were talking plans and not shouting at him. It didn’t register that they were offering their support, even in the face of their disapproval.
It had been easier when it was the Potters. He could take or leave their opinions, but with Pippa and Marcus, he didn’t know how he could do this without them.
--
Marcus came back into the room with a tray with a pitcher of ice water, glasses a bottle of wine that he uncorked and wordless poured into Pippa’s wine glass. He took the glass of aged whiskey and sipped it - letting the warmth spread through him. Lucas. And Prim. And a baby. They were going to need a healer, a place to live, a budget that he hoped to hell Prim would be better at following than his brother ever seemed to be. He didn’t sit at the table, instead chose to lean against the back of a chair.
“Let me get this out before you two get on some defensive high ground. We will make this work. Whatever your choices - I will support you. They are your choices. Welcome to adulthood. I hope you learn quick.” He shook his head, “Lucas, I love you. You know that. You know that it isn’t going to change because there was a slip in judgement that has brought us to this new path in your world. So please stop looking like it’s about to come crashing down around your ears.”
He looked from Prim to Lucas, “Well, hell, I don’t know what you want me to say at this point. Beyond - what can I do to help….oh and welcome to the family Prim. Because you are officially stuck with….” His voice trailed off.
“Tell me you haven’t told THEM without backup Lucas….”
--
Prim held Lucas's hand between both of hers. She tried to get his fingers warm again, for it seemed all of his blood was elsewhere, and that worried her. "We just found out today. We don't have a plan yet beyond needing to tell you and my parents. Not the parents who gave birth to me, but the ones who raised me." She shook her head, trying to make herself focus. That was beside the point.
"Your parents aren't on the list," she said, anger boiling in her at the thought of them. "Just like my actual parents won't be told." Her eyes brimmed with tears, but her anger held them at bay. Aunt Lily had said the mood swings were normal. "They don't know how to love us properly, and they will be judgemental and cold and mean spirited about it." She lifted her chin defiantly. "They will receive an announcement in the mail when our child is a year old."
That likely wouldn't happen, but it made her feel better, like she was punishing them. It released the last of her anger, and she deflated visibly. "I wouldn't let him go on his own, even if he wanted to." She didn't mean to speak as if Lucas wasn't there, but he felt so far away despite sitting next to her.
--
Phillipa picked up her glass again as soon as Marcus poured into it, taking a long drink as her older brother spoke. Of course they would be there, and be supportive. She murmured a brief correction to what he was saying, “we will support you,” but otherwise let him get it out. Even as Prim spoke up, she kept her gaze fixed on Lucas, trying to will him to look at her. It didn't work, but she still tried. All the talk of their parents made her want to scream, because they weren't really parents - not to Lucas, who wanted them to be the most, and not to anyone else.
Setting down her wine, she rose from her chair and moved around the table, sliding into the seat on the other side of Lucas and sitting sideways facing him so she could easily slip her arms around him - one around the back of his shoulders and the other across his chest, her hand coming up to the back of his head to pull him closer to her as she rest her forehead against his temple. “I love you, and you're okay,” she murmured, just loud enough for him to hear. “We’re not going anywhere. I promise.”
--
Lucas went easily into his sister’s arms, actions reaching him where words could not. He had presented a strong front at the Potters, but those walls were poorly shored up. Now, they were crumbling faster than he could think, but it didn’t matter because Pippa still loved him and wasn’t going to leave because of what he did.
Tears came unbidden and Lucas didn’t try to stop them. He wasn’t crying for his changed future, because honestly he hadn’t even thought that far in the future. No, the tears were from the confirmation that he wasn’t going to be dismissed and abandoned, that he was still loved and wanted. Maybe he had been broken, but not in the way he’d always thought, now however, he was on his way to being mended, crack by crack. It would never be perfect, but he would be whole.
Lucas couldn’t be sure exactly how long he’d cried against his sister’s shoulder, but after a time he sat back up, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “The baby’s going to be loved. I don’t care about anything else. It’s going to be loved.”
--
It was easy to sit and hold him, just like she'd done so many times before but never for anything so huge. Phillipa let her fingers stroke gently through his hair, endless patterns against his scalp as he cried on her shoulder. It was what she'd been waiting for, honestly. Putting on a brave face when something big and scary, because yes the thought of a baby out of nowhere was scary, could only last so long before emotions needed an outlet.
“I know,” she said quietly once he sat up, bringing her hand down to brush away the tears he'd missed. “You're good at that.”
--
There was a line - and talking to Marcus like Prim had - danced along that line. Writing romance novels was one thing - having a great speech about love and who will and wouldn’t be told was spectacular. But her parents were in another world. And his were here. And would find out. Eventually. Because they did and when that happened…
Marcus closed his eyes and took a deep breath. And they were already on edge from his engagement - this was not going to go well. In any way shape or form. But Lucas - he didn’t have to do that. And Prim - she shouldn’t have to either. A baby was a great thing. In this case an utter surprise and completely baffling thing - but still nothing that you should have to hide. And it wasn’t like he hadn’t born the brunt of his parents anger and disappointment.
He would tell them for these two. He would make them a deal to stay out of the baby’s life until and IF they were invited in. He didn’t foresee that being an issue - she was the Muggleborn family of a Potter. Not the type that they would want for Lucas. And they would care more about that then the fact their youngest was having a baby. It was all about the appearance of it to them. But he would go and take on that monster for these two. Already mapping out the speech in his head he made his way to Lucas’ seat and ruffled his hair, “Of course you are loved you daft puppy. For fucks sake you are my brother.”
He gently whapped his shoulder with one hand, “Honestly….you aren’t hiding anything else? There isn’t a dragon that needs to be adopted? You haven't found a bunch of stray something on the preserve that you need to hide somewhere?” He chuckled softly, “Are you hungry brat? I can make you something if you are… I went shopping today because these heathens I live with ate all my fruit like it’s fruit and not shake ingredients if you can believe that shit.”
~~
One of these days Lucas would learn what Marcus was thinking and would very emphatically correct that train of thought. While he loved Marcus for who he was and recognized the need for the other man’s support, taking on their parents and sacrificing his own happiness was not something Lucas asked for or frankly wanted. However, such discussions were not meant for moments like this.
Reaching out, Lucas retook Prim’s hand, squeezing softly. She’d seen him have his breakdown and had stayed by his side, not that he really expected anything different, but it was nice to know. “I could eat if Prim wants something.” He looked at her. “Do you think anything else is going to set you off?” Lucas refrained from commenting on Marcus’ terrible training diet. It basically took out everything that tasted good and left you with Godric only knew. No, Lucas much preferred being able to eat whatever he wanted.
At the mention of adopting anything else, Lucas’ mind drifted towards Prim’s sister. They could not be sure, but there was a chance the little girl could be magical as well. They hadn’t spent much time discussing what would happen if she was, but Lucas knew that their stances were similar. However, it was probably best if they didn’t lay that on Marcus now. “No, nothing else. For now.”
--
While remaining close, Prim had given Lucas and his siblings space. She'd had a similar moment with her aunt and uncle, when they'd asked him for some space. She knew how much it was needed. When Lucas reached for her hand again, she kissed the back of his before letting them rest in her lap. She wiped her eyes with the back of her free hand and shrugged. "I need to eat," she said quietly. "I haven't had anything since breakfast, and that…" She trailed off. "I don't know what will cause that reaction, but food would be nice." She looked up at Marcus and gave him a hesitant smile.
She felt like more needed to be said. She felt like she should apologize, but she wasn't sure why. She wanted to thank them for not automatically hating her, for being so wonderful to someone she loved. But she didn't. She felt like she might have already said too much, so Prim didn't say anything. She leaned against Lucas's shoulder. She was exhausted. It'd been a long, emotional day, and she knew there were more days like this ahead of them.
--
Phillipa knew that look on her older brother’s face. It was one of thought, but more importantly plotting. That would need to be addressed later, once they were alone. For the time being it was more important to focus on Lucas and Prim.
“Marcus can cook something,” she said, getting up to go back to her seat across the table where her wine was waiting. She watched Prim for a moment quietly, taking a long sip from her glass before cradling it against her chest. “How'd they take it? Your aunt and uncle, I mean. Lucas appears to be alive so I'm guessing not horribly.”
--
Prim chewed her lip. "In much the same way you did. Shock, then concerns, then hugs. They probably have wine or whiskey by now, too." She looked at Lucas then away quickly as her eyes filled with tears again. "I worried the same thing Lucas did. And they told me the same thing you told him." She was writing words on the back of his hand as she spoke, working on calming herself down.
"They wouldn't have hurt him. Ever. And they will help. We'll need it. They know about having babies." Suddenly, her eyes went wide, and she clutched Lucas' hand tighter, holding it against her chest. "Twins--" She swallowed hard. "My aunt had a set of twins. They didn't--the healer only found one. Please hope for one. I don't--we can't--two would--" Her breathing sped up as the thought took root and she couldn't shake it. What if they had twins? How did twins work? She needed to do research.
--
“Prim. Prim.” Already on edge from the emotions spent over the last twenty or so minutes, Lucas was already on the edge of his own panic, but the two of them couldn’t panic at the same time. That as a rule they had to make or something. Only one person could panic at any given time. “They’re fraternal twins. Which doesn’t have as big a biological component in humans. Not as big as identical, in any case.” Okay, the thoughts of twins was definitely scary, but Lucas could see how having more to love wouldn’t be a bad thing. Except that it would require at least twice the amount of work. Or maybe four times as things tended to grow exponentially rather than multiply.
Pulling her hands into his, Lucas leaned forward. “Besides, your aunt had twins like twenty years ago. The spells have gotten better And we can go for a second opinion if that makes you feel better. Or a muggle doctor,” though Lucas wasn’t sure if he trusted them. If going to one made Prim feel better he would go.
And if there were two babies they would plan for two. It was better to know in advance rather than to just show up the day of and come home with two instead of one.
--
Twins. Now that would have been extra bad to find out. One baby was bound to be hard enough to deal with, but two would be worse. Phillipa was glad Lucas worked on taking that theory down, or at least addressing it, because she had no idea about any of this. She'd worked very carefully to keep from ending up in the exact position they were in.
“Don't worry about things you aren't sure of,” she supplied, idly swirling the wine around in her glass. “The healer only found one? No reason to think there's anything else in there unless the next test they do says otherwise. I don't know what they can tell at what stages but I'm sure they'll know what they're talking about. Most of them do, anyway. We can find out who the best one is for this sort of thing and have you go to them.”
--
Facts. Prim liked facts when she was uncertain and scared, and she very much appreciated Lucas' facts. The logic sank into her thoughts, and she began to breathe easier. "No. No, you're right. We don't need a second opinion. I researched the machines Muggle doctors use, and the magic is actually more advanced than the ultrasound." She leaned back and sideways so she rested against her chair and Lucas' shoulder.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "That--that was the first time I had considered that possibility, and I'm sorry I panicked." This was a stressful situation. She shouldn't be adding to it, and she felt bad for her moment of panic.
"I went to the healer I usually see for my yearly checkups, but if you think there is someone better, I welcome your advice. I know we'll need a pediatrician, but not for some time." She chewed on her lip again. "There's a lot to research."
--
There was much to do that Lucas hadn’t even thought of, didn’t quite want to think of personally, but he knew better than to voice that opinion aloud. He wasn’t sure why they couldn’t just fly by the seat of their pants. Babies were little beasts that ran on their own schedules, no matter how much people planned or plotted.
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Lucas’ voice was far firmer than he felt but he was finding his solid ground again. Marcus and Pippa weren’t going leave or reject him. He could stand tall with their support. His hand came up to stroke Prim’s shoulder and back. “We’ll find a healer and a good book. We have your aunt.” They’d take this one day at a time,
--
It was good Prim’s aunt was in the picture. They should have someone around that had at least gone through this before. A book could only tell them so much, and Phillipa had nothing helpful to at when it came to babies. She'd been around when Lucas had been one, of course, but as a child and sibling, not one taking in what was going on like she was sure Prim’s aunt had. Multiple times.
“A healer and a good book is a good start,” she said, draining her glass and automatically refilling it with the bottle Marcus had left her. “Take a few days to let it all sink in, then go from there.”
--
Resting her head on Lucas' shoulder, Prim watched Pippa and felt terrible for the levels of stress and worry she'd just piled on her and Marcus. And her aunt and uncle. And Lucas. The smell of whatever Marcus was cooking wafted towards them, and her stomach clenched for a second, but she didn't feel like she was going to get sick. After a moment, she relaxed again, glad that she'd be able to eat.
She stared at the entry to the kitchen, though she couldn't see Marcus. "Is--is he okay?"
--
Phillipa glanced over her shoulder toward the kitchen, even though she couldn't see her brother. It still gave her a moment to consider him, because he was Marcus and she didn't have to be able to see him to pick up on how he was feeling. Especially not when they were dealing with something like this. Something huge and life altering - not their lives, but Lucas’ life.
“If I had to guess,” she began softly, her gaze falling back to the two across the table from her. “I’d say he's… okay, but thinking. Lots of thinking. I'll go check on him, though.”
She rose from the table, giving them a parting smile - one that didn't reach her eyes, but at least it was there - before disappearing into the kitchen.
Fin