Entry tags:

!completed gdoc, rowan fricks (staghead), ~2024 january, ~~allison hargreeves (changesreality)

Who: Rowan & Allison
What: A talk between the two.
When: Saturday afternoon
Where: Their house
Rating: Lowish most likely and if it goes any higher than I got questions lol

Rowan had headed into work for the morning, but her afternoon was aimed at finishing up her presentation final for one of her classes. Her perfectionist side was showing as she kept changing the PowerPoint, finding that she wasn’t pleased with anything that she put together. Though she was at least half way done, making her unable to change it cause she didn’t want to start from the beginning. Set up at the kitchen table, Rowan had decided to buy cookie dough from the store rather than make her own since it was easier. Right now she didn’t have the time to do make her own and instead it was easier to toss them into the oven while working until they were done.
Her phone alarm went off to signal to check on them, she moved away from her computer towards the stove. Pulling the cookies out, she set them on the top of the stove just as she heard Allison coming into the house. “Do you want any cookies? I made extra for my treat while I work on the project that may never end.” Okay, she was being a bit dramatic since she knew she was nearing the end, but oh god it did not feel that way.
—

The salon was packed with people trying to get their hair styled before the holidays. Allison was up at five-thirty that morning and had been doing hair since seven. Now Allison loved her job and she loved having the chance to chat and interact with all of her clients, but with how busy it was, she was unable to even take her break. So, by the time she entered the front door of their house, she was exhausted and looking forward to food and a hot bath.

The smell of baking cookies filled her nose as she kicked off her shoes and she was already making her way to the kitchen when Rowan called out to her. “Definitely. I’m starving. I didn’t get a break today,” Allison replied as she stepped into their kitchen and offered Rowan a smile. While Rowan’s schooling was different from Allison’s, she could sympathize with having to do something that didn’t feel like it would ever end.

“If it helps, I felt like my shift would never end today.”

__

A look of concern appeared on her face at hearing how she didn’t get a break today, glancing over at the clock on the stove for a moment. “Sit down and I can bring you some along with something to drink. What would you like? Cause it sounds like you had an exhausting day and deserve to sit for a few,” she said though she wasn’t surprised that it had been busy. It was a Saturday and near the holidays so people were trying to look good for their holiday pictures as she had that going on at her own job. The crying baby not wanting to sit still for photos was haunting her nightmares right now, and making her even more sure she was very fine on waiting at even the idea of kids until her mid to late 20s.

“A bit, but yours was because of so many customers, mine is cause of my own doing. The perfectionist is trying to come out and I have 400 different ideas for the project that my brain is wanting to go back and change it. I have managed to stop myself, but it’s making it seem longer cause my brain has all these ideas that it’s been difficult to just get it to stick with one and finish it,” she said with a small laugh. Her perfectionist side was making up for lost time considering with everything that had gone on back home, Rowan didn’t always attend school. So it felt like it was still trying to make Rowan pay for not suffering in her school work during that time. “Did you at least get to hear some interesting stories with all the people keeping you busy?”
—

At this point, Allison knew better than to offer up a protest to Rowan’s generosity even if the young woman had been working probably just as hard as Allison. “Just some tea and maybe a few of those cookies.” Allison offered the last part with another smile and settled into a seat at the table. She appreciated Rowan’s kindness and the brunette was very exhausted after a long day. Allison was relieved she would have to look at another curling iron for at least a day.

Rowan’s response about her perfectionism earned her a chuckle and Allison shook her head. “You would be you if you didn’t try your hardest to make something as perfect as possible,” Allison replied. “But it sounds like you’re getting a little bogged down by it. Why don’t you settle on what you have now and work with it?” Of course Allison knew it was easier said than done, but she felt like it still needed to be said all the same.

“But I did hear some interesting stories. That is really the best part of my job.” And why Allison enjoyed her job so much to begin with.

__

Nodding at the request, Rowan turned the water on to get it hot for the tea that Allison was wanting. Then tossed some cookies on a plate before coming over to set that down for her, then sitting down as well while waiting for the water to get hot. Rowan never minded helping or doing things like this. Maybe some of it had to do with it being a habit from her own father, making sure he took care of himself after a night shift on patrol. After her mom left and her big sister picked mom, Rowan had to pick up the slack to help out her dad. Yes, she had her issues with her dad like any normal teenager, but he was the only parent who had been there for her and she was happy to help where she could.

It was the same with Allison. The woman was more like a mother to her than her own mother was. Brie had been an amazing big sister who saved her a few times, so no one could compared to her, but Allison was definitely better than her own mom. “I knowww,” she dragged out in a dramatic tone before laughing softly. “But my brain is like nope, we should fix this and this and oh wait what about this and yeah, it might be winning at times.” Okay, there was no might about it, and she knew Allison would know that considering the woman knew what Rowan was like. “I’m trying or at least, as best as I can. Which is useful cause I’m like we can’t go back and start it all over so we must keep moving forward. So far that has been working,” the keyword being so far.

Rowan enjoyed some of the stories that she heard from Allison that she learned at the job. It was amusing and interesting how much some people would share with her while they were getting their hair done. “Anything I’m allowed to hear?” Rowan asked. “Which also any plans for tonight? Maybe going to see the boyfriend?” She wrinkled her nose to tease, but Rowan liked Mitch. Didn’t mean she couldn’t give Allison a hard time.
—

“Thank you.” Rowan placed the plate of cookies on the table and it was all Allison could do not to start stuffing a few into her mouth. Because that was obviously gross, Allison reached for one and took a bite. Not surprising, it was delicious. Rowan was a good cook and Allison always appreciated when the young woman utilized those skills for the two of them. Thanks to Rowan, her skills around the kitchen had improved dramatically too.

Allison chuckled. “Well, as long as you’re doing your best to fight against it. That is all that matters.” Even without the perfectionism piece, Allison knew Rowan’s presentation would be good. The young woman was passionate about school and doing her best. The brunette was pleased to hear that she was doing her best not to let perfectionism bog her down too badly.

The brunette swallowed another bite of cookie and shook her head. “No plans, but maybe a few stories you can hear.” Though, she did have something to talk to Rowan about and now felt like as good of a time as any to brooch the subject.

“But there is something I wanted to talk to you about concerning Mitch and Clem,” Allison added. “It concerns the potential for them moving in. I want to know how you feel about that.”

__

“You’re welcome,” Rowan said with a smile. While she did enjoy cooking and enjoyed testing out things she found on the internet, it was her way to destress. That and her photography; however, neither were where her career goals rested. Well, okay, maybe a side gig for her photos, but her interest and hope was to help people hence her major in psychology. After everything she had gone through and her friends had dealt with, Rowan was interested in helping people in similar situations or feelings that they all went through. Her need to make the world a better place and to help people in bad situations was where her goals were aimed. Though she had to admit sometimes she wondered considering the work; however, she loved it and enjoyed everything she was learning. So those questioning thoughts always vanished rather quickly.

“Ohhhh what kind of stories?” Rowan asked before glancing over at the stove, and then moving to make Allison her tea. While she avoided drama as much as she could after everything, Rowan was still human. And it was fun to hear about the drama in other people's lives, especially when it was something ridiculous as there were a few from the stories she heard. Much better being a listener of the drama than having it in her own life. Probably why sometimes she watched trashy reality tv when needing to get out of her own head cause it was wild and outlandish.

As Rowan made the tea, she listened to what Allison wanted to talk to her about. While she knew that conversation would come at some point, she did catch the part about them moving in. That meant she wasn’t looking to leave Rowan or want her to give up this place, which mattered to her. This had been the home of her previous guardian and Rowan didn’t want to move out of her, feeling safe and comfortable in this house. Thinking it over for a moment as she made the tea, she then brought it over and sat down before talking. “They’d move into this house?” She asked, wanting to make sure she wasn’t overthinking the words that Allison had said. Also asking without actually doing it that Allison wanted to stay. Even though Rowan was old enough to be without a guardian, she counted on Allison and trusted her, losing her was not something she wanted to think about or even deal with. “I want you happy and if that will make you happy, then I’m fine with it under a few..” she tried to think of the right word, “requests?” Her tone questioning if that was the right word that she wanted to use but then decided to leave it.
“Mainly I would like unless it’s an emergency for no one to go in my room without my knowledge,” Rowan was sure Allison knew the reason for that. Considering the people who tormented her had kept going into her room while she was there and when she wasn’t, the idea of people coming in stressed her out. “The other one is that if they use any of my coffee that they do not leave an empty bag or one barely with anything left and replace it,” she had to deal with that from her sister and was getting ahead of it. Allison knew what Rowan was like about her coffee so this was probably no big surprise. Rowan was fine with sharing just not being caught off guard by an empty bag or one close to it that she couldn’t even make any. Her area above the coffee machine looked like a mini coffee shop with all the different beans in the cabinet, which was why she didn’t mind sharing as long as she didn’t get caught with any surprises. “Do you think that’s doable or am I asking too much?” Rowan had a worried look on her face, wondering if she was asking for more than she should. Though she didn’t think it was a lot, she was still worried. Not that she would budge on the room one, knowing Allison would understand after everything. “But I’m fine with them moving in and I welcome the idea.” Rowan liked them both and she knew Mitch made Allison happy so she was fine with this idea.
—
At Rowan’s reaction, Allison chuckled. “Oh you know. People divorcing, cheating spouses, disapproval of son and/or daughter dating choices.” Given her Umbrella Academy name was The Rumor, it was really no surprise that Allison enjoyed a bit of gossip once and a while. Her job proved to be prime real estate for her to hear some of the juiciest tidbits in town. And of course she would come home afterwards and share them with Rowan. The two often had a good laugh over it too.
Allison knew Rowan needed a moment to think on what she was asking and Allison would not push the issue if Rowan was against it. She wrapped her hands around the tea cup and nodded. “They would. It has the most space.” And Allison didn’t want to push Rowan to move. If anything Allison would move out since Rowan didn’t need a guardian anymore. Though, Allison knew they considered each other more than just that at this point.
“I know and I appreciate it. What are the requests?” Allison took a sip from her tea and silently hoped they weren’t too much. Though, she didn’t think Rowan would be obnoxious about what she wanted.
Allison stayed quiet until Rowan had finished explaining her requests. Honestly? They were not terrible at all or obnoxious in the least. Allison reached across the table and gently played a hand over Rowan’s. “I don’t think you’re asking too much. If you want, we can meet and discuss together as a group too so you can make those requests clear to them.” Allison didn’t think Clem would be poking around Rowan’s room, but her dog might be more of an issue. All the more reason to have Mitch there too.
“I’m glad to hear you want them to move in though. That means a lot to me.”

---

“Never a dull moment with the stories,” she said with a laugh. Rowan definitely enjoyed hearing the stories, especially the ones that were so outlandish and oh there had been a few of those. Sometimes she felt like these people wanted to outdo soaps with the way things went in their stories.

It’d be one thing if Rowan didn’t know or like Mitch and Clem but she liked them both. Plus she knew it was to be expected and would happen at some point. The fact though Allison didn’t want to move out or have Rowan give this place up meant a lot, knowing this house meant something to her. Shawn had left it to her after he was sent back and this was her home. After everything, it was the first safe place she found for herself in a while. Which some might think she was being ridiculous but many didn’t have people wanting them dead in their room and filming them like she had. Even the one time the dome brough Dunbar and she had that here, Rowan was able to overcome her safe space being disrupted it cause of Five, Klaus and Allison. “I agree, Shawn and the previous Liz picked an amazing house with a lot of space,” she said with a small smile, thinking about Shawn for a moment.
Rowan knew some people could be outrageous with their requests. And okay, maybe back home depending on the circumstances, she may have been, but this was a different story. Worried once she finished that Allison might think it was a bit too much. Though Rowan knew Allison knew her life better than most around here. After everything, Rowan felt anxiety at the idea of anyone in her safe space without her permission unless it was an emergency. All the videos that had been taken back in her world from what should have been her safe space made her determined to keep it that way here. “Which we also need to make sure Clem’s dog and my cat get along. Not that I let the little princess out of the room often, but as you know she has been known to slip out when I’m leaving,” Rowan had her door mostly closed because of the cat that she ended up with after Zari had been sent back. It was her first real pet and she took care of it, but the cat had a very princess attitude. Even more so the time she was human, but that was hopefully, a one time thing by the dome. Still, that was another issue they’d have to address before they moved in. Turning her hand over, she squeezed Allison’s hand, thankful the woman didn’t seem to think she was asking too much. “I’d be down for us all sitting down. And of course, Allison! They are important to you and I’m not going to throw myself on the ground and throw a tantrum about it not being allowed,” she teased before tilting her head to the side. “Unless you want, cause I still can?” She moved the chair back as if she was ready to throw herself on the ground to do it.
“You’re family and I want you happy. I’m very happy that you feel ready to take that step though,” she said, squeezing her hand once again with a smile.
—
No, at Allison’s job dull moments were few and far between and she was grateful for that. Otherwise, she’d probably have been forced to find another job a while ago. The movie star in her would always crave a little excitement.
“It’s a nice place and, more importantly, it’s been your home for a while now. The last thing I want is to displace you from the place that made you feel safe for the first time in a long time.” Because that would be unfair to Rowan and, after everything the young woman had been through, the last thing she wanted was to put her into a situation where she felt uncomfortable. It was already going to be a change living with Mitch and Clem. Putting Rowan in a new environment would make that adjustment harder and Allison didn’t want that for her. She’d been through enough and deserved as much peace as Allison could provide.
The brunette nodded. “Which is exactly why I want to have the meeting. I want the little princess and Henry to meet. I’m sure they will get on fine, but it’s important to find out before the day they move in.” Henry wasn’t a hyper dog by any means. He was protective of Clem, but Allison doubted he would see Rowan’s cat as a threat. Clem would always be more focused on Henry than any other animal in existence. Allison squeezed Rowan’s hand in return and smiled.
“There will definitely be a meeting and I appreciate it.” When Rowan mentioned throwing a tantrum and pushed back her chair, Allison gripped her hand gently and laughed. “No, no, I’m good. I promise.”
A smile settled on her lips once more and she nodded. “I am happy. Happier than I’ve been in a while and I owe a lot of that to the family I have here, both old and new.” She squeezed Rowan’s hand again.

---

The most drama Rowan ever got at her job was fighting over the family photos or about the clothing choices. Things like that, but while it was amusing sometimes, it was nothing like what she knew about some of the people at Allison’s job.

Rowan smiled and couldn’t help as she moved over to hug Allison for that comment cause it meant a lot to her. She had been lucky after the third or fourth guardian leaving her that Allison had taken over and been happy to move in here. Even luckier that the dome never decided to send her back cause Rowan had been pretty sure she couldn’t take the loss of another guardian. It also meant a lot to hear how she wasn’t about to make her move, knowing how this place was safe for her. This was the safest she had ever felt or been since the nightmare with thezoo had started so the fact Allison said that showed Rowan exactly why she loved Allison like family and trusted her more than anyone. “You have no idea how much that means to me. But I agree it’s a nice place and plenty of room so they are welcomed to bring their stuff over and we can try to find room for it, depending on what it was.” Since they also had a lot of stuff, so it wasn’t like they needed another couch, but there was always room for compromise within reason as it depended on the object in question.
Rowan made a face at Allison saying how she was sure they will get on fine. “That’s debatable. I know Henry’s fine but Amira as you know can be a moody little brat if she’s feeling like it,” Rowan replied with a laugh. The cat made the name Zari picked out for her that translated to princess fit since she could have an attitude at times, then again it was their fault for spoiling her. “Though for the most part, I think they’ll be fine just might have some attitude from the spoiled little princess.” At least with other cats, Amira was great once she realized she was stuck having to deal with the situation and Rowan wasn’t giving into her. But the fact that most of the time she was in Rowan’s room also made it easier that she was sure it would be fine in the end. “But yes, we can set up a meeting that works for us all and do that before we decide on a move in date. Have us talk, let the animals meet, and then see when it works for everyone.”

When Allison gripped her hand, Rowan started to laugh at the reply. “You sure? Cause I’ve been working on my tantrum. After kids from the future and kids at work, I think I have it down pat,” she teased. Though she did laugh harder because the idea of her throwing herself on the ground was quite funny.

Rowan knew Allison had dealt with a lot back in her world, so to hear she was happy made Rowan happy. The woman deserved it, and considering she saw Allison like her second mom only this one actually thought about her feelings. That alone had Rowan wanting the woman to be happy, which this made her happy to talk about the whole moving in step with Mitch and Clem. “Well, I love you and I’m glad to see you happy.” She moved back over, wrapping her arms around Allison. “Though if he breaks your heart, I’ll break him for making you unhappy,” she joked since she was sure Mitch knew better. However, if he did, then she would find a way to do what she just said. “Now how about some more cookies and you share with me some of those stories while I avoid my project?”
—
Allison returned the hug the best she could while sitting down. No, the last thing she wanted was to make Rowan uncomfortable by moving into a new house. She felt safe here and given her past, Allison knew how big of a deal that was to her ward. “We’ll find space for what we can, but I agree. There are some things we don’t need and in that instance, we will just have to sell or give them away.” Because they already had a lot of things here and it would be difficult to stuff more furniture into this place.
The brunette sighed because she knew Rowan was right. The cat could be a brat. Maybe Henry could mellow her out. Though, at this moment, it felt like a big “maybe.” “Well, maybe Henry can win her over.” It was wishful thinking, but Allison was trying to be optimistic as much as she could, especially where the little princess was concerned. “We’ll see how it goes at the meeting,” she agreed. Hopefully, one of the animals wouldn’t walk away sporting any new injuries.
Allison’s expression brightened and she chuckled. “No, I’m good. I promise. Besides, the floor really doesn’t look that comfortable.” Though, Allison did find the idea amusing.
It had taken Allison a while to believe she deserved happiness, especially after everything back home, but hearing Rowan say it solidified the concept in Allison’s mind. It meant everything having Rowan’s support…and protection should Mitch decide to do something foolish. However, Allison didn’t see that ever happening. Mitch genuinely cared about her and Allison felt the same. Plus, she saw Clem like another daughter.
She squeezed Rowan’s arm gently. “That means everything and, hopefully, Mitch will never have to know your wraith.” The last part was said with a playful nudge to Rowan. She knew Rowan was joking. However, if it ever did happen, she also knew her ward would be in her corner a hundred percent.
“Yes, more cookies please. I have got one hell of a story for you.”