flintlocking (flintlocking) wrote in reduxpitch, @ 2016-09-23 12:41:00 |
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Entry tags: | !thread, character: lucas flint, character: marcus flint |
WHO: Flints Senior Generation & Lucas Flint, later Marcus Flint
WHEN: Friday, 23 September 2003
WHERE: Flint Manor, Ireland.
WHAT: Lucas informs his parents about the baby. Then has a Moment with Marcus.
RATING: F for Flint language. Also for Flint feels.
STATUS: Completed in Docs
No matter how long he wanted to put this off, Lucas knew he had to tell his parents about Prim, about the situation they found themselves in, about what they planned to do together. Telling one another's families… well, it could have gone better. It could have also gone worse. Maybe he should have told Prim that he was meeting with his mother and father, but he had wanted to shield her from any potential hurt. He might want to believe the best about his parents, that they would come around, but he would not risk Prim and their child for his foolish fantasies.
Lucas took the time to prepare for meeting his parents. He had owled, notifying them both that he wanted to speak to them, arranging a time in his father’s incredibly busy schedule. He made sure to wear a suit that Pippa had purchased for him at one point, one that made him feel restricted and uncomfortable, but the look would be appreciated by his parents. Maybe it would give them pause if he at least looked like the son they wanted.
Steeling his shoulders, Lucas looked at himself in the mirror. He was going to be a father, good Godric, and he needed to tell his parents before they found out from another source. With that in mind he apparated to Ireland and his childhood home, though looking back maybe it wasn’t much of a home but the place where he just happened to be while he grew up. The elf led him to the parlor and he was forced to wait. Lucas tried not to think of it as a metaphor of his life.
Constantine was not sure what his younger son needed. He hadn’t heard from him recently, and for him to come here - without Marcus or Philippa was unusual. Josephine was running late, but he wasn’t going to wait for her forever. So - in a very tailored suit - he entered the private parlor where Lucas was waiting.
He cleared his throat, “Well, hello Lucas. What brings you over? I am assuming everything is well with you?” He made his way to the wet bar and started to making his cocktail. It was purely out of habit - he found his offspring were easier to deal with when he had had a drink.
Lucas had been sitting, but he stood out of habit, back ramrod straight. It was hardly out of respect, he was starting to realize that he would never earn that, but he held far too much tension in his body to slouch. “I was hoping to speak with you and Mother.” He watched as his father poured himself a drink without asking Lucas if he would like one as well. It didn’t matter as Lucas wouldn’t have accepted one, but it would have been nice to have been asked.
“But I am well, thank you. I trust business is going well?” He couldn’t really care about the family businesses and investments, that’s not where his heart laid, but he knew how to make small talk at least. “The Preserve is doing well thanks to your investment.”
“I am glad. We were more than happy to donate funds to such a worthy venture.” In all actuality - Constantine made the donation more out of obligation - it was appropriate to support the endeavors of your offspring after all. But if it pleased his other son, then that was well enough he supposed.
The door opened again and Josephine breezed in and went to Lucas, air kissing his cheek,”Hello darling…would you like something to drink? Perhaps some tea or coffee…?” She gave him a smile that appeared warm and welcoming. But her eyes were sizing him up - attempting to sort out what her brought him over - and without a sibling buffer to boot.
If Lucas knew that his mother was calculating his motives for being there, he gave no indication. They would make assumptions and he was fine with that. He made no move to kiss his mother, to readily show affection like he would with many of the other women his life, that’s not how his relationship with Josephine Flint worked. At least she offered him something. “Tea, if it is not so much trouble.”
Of course it wasn’t too much trouble. Mostly because it would be a house elf who poured the tea and fixed it to his taste. Or at least his taste when he still lived at Flint Manor. Did he really like that much sugar? Lucas made sure to take small sips as he settled in a chair and tried not to fidget like a small child. He did nothing wrong, Lucas reminded himself, and no matter the outcome of this meeting he would return to his vardo and Prim.
“I’m sure by now Marcus has shared his good news.” Lucas paused, watching his parents’ reactions as he brought up his brother’s engagement to Ginny Weasley. Despite his own feelings about the engagement, he knew Ginny was good for his brother. He only hoped (likely in vain) that his parents would be able to see that as well.
The elder Flints shared a look of disdain, “There has been a visit.” Josephine shrugged a delicate shoulder and poured the tea when it appeared in front of them, “But I hardly think that you would be here on his behalf. So Lucas, it’s not a holiday or our birthdays. Why the sudden urge to come home…”
His father stopped cold, “You aren’t getting married to someone completely inappropriate I am hoping. Two heartbreaks like that - it might be a bit too much for your mother.”
Lucas shook his head. There hadn’t been talk of marriage of any sort. He wasn’t ready for that, nor was he ready for a child to be honest, but he was not one to shirk his responsibility. Squaring his shoulders, Lucas borrowed some of Marcus’ bravado and strength. His parents would not like what he had to say, but that would not change the facts as they were. “There won’t be another marriage for some time, I imagine. However,” he took a deep breath and sent up a silent prayer for whatever might be listening, “in a few short months I am to become a father.”
He let the statement hang in the air and resisted the urge to offer platitudes and apologies. Prim was right, the baby might have been an accident, but not a mistake. He would not allow his parents treat it as such, no matter how much they may disagree with his actions or his choice in partner. Hopefully Marcus’ borrowed strength would hold out.
His parents exchanged looks. Marcus had been by the other night and forewarned them. But they were still less than pleased. Especially if Marcus was to be believed. A muggleborn having a Flint scion? It was unheard of really. Leave it to their children to disgrace the lineage….
Holding onto a shred of hope Josephine sighed deeply, “Can we at least hope that the mother is respectable and someone we will ultimately approve of?”
“I can’t think of someone more respectable,” Lucas answered honestly. Of course, his definition of respectable and his parents’ differed greatly. “She is someone who brings out the best of me and does not ask for more than I am able to give. If things had occurred differently…” Lucas held out his hands. Perhaps he would be informing them of a second marriage, but the fates had chosen a different course for them.
He did not miss the shared look between his parents. They knew something he didn’t. Or at least they knew something he didn’t want them to know yet. Bugger. He had at least hoped that this situation could still be salvageable. That they might see a new generation as a chance to start over, but those were really just childish dreams weren’t they? He could feel them dying as he spoke. “I’m not asking for any favors or your blessing. We both know you won’t give them, but I thought you at least deserved the courtesy of being told in person.”
Prim would have rather had them learn from the newspapers or birth announcements, but that would giving his parents grounds to be the wronged party. Here, they were told by their son. What they wished to do with that information… well, that was up to them.
Constantine studied him for a moment and then looked to his wife. Josephine sipped her tea and rested her chin on the heel of her hand. Marcus had given them a heads up - but the fact that Lucas - who they really took for granted for his yearning to please them - for him to hold back like he was with details…
Her eyes widened and she looked her youngest with hurt in her eyes. Surely he wouldn’t - with someone like THAT….even Marcus had had the sense to stick with one of their own. But… “Oh Lucas, no….tell me that you aren’t having a Flint baby with…with a muggleborn.” She said the last word in almost a horrified stage whisper, “Oh darling… Just… no…”
The hurt in his mother's eyes almost undid Lucas. He had no wish to cause anyone harm, but then he heard the words come out of her mouth and he could feel his heart sink lower. "Her name is Primrose and I request that you use it rather than define her by her parentage." After all, where would he be if everyone had chosen to define him by the actions of his parents rather than who he was as a person? The possibilities were not something he liked to think about.
"That you likely do no approve does not change the fact that it is happening." Lucas took a deep breath and put his tea cup and saucer down with a soft clink, willing his hands not to shake. "That was all I came to say, I will not take up any more of your time."
Constantine shook his head, “I am disappointed in your choices that have led you to this point. I am . I do hope that you are able to find your way - because if you are man enough to start your family then you are man enough to do so… without our financial support.”
Josephine, her eyes widened at Constantine’s words and she blinked, “Con…”
“No, he has made choices and those choices are putting him in this position.” the head of the Flint family shook his head, and looked at Lucas. There was a hint of regret around his eyes, but that was quickly replaced with resolute iciness, “I didn’t ask him to chose an inappropriate partner….”
Josephine sighed and shook her head, “But he is just a baby and inappropriate or not…” She looked at Lucas and sighed, “But your father does have a point. If you make these adult choices - we cannot help you.”
There was so much that Lucas wanted to say right then and there, to throw in their faces, but what would that get him? Hurt looks and sore throats in the very best scenario… worse case he did not want to even imagine. Quietly he nodded his head. "I wish I could say that surprised me, but we both know I would be lying."
While he might have felt defeated and at a loss, Lucas was not about to let either parent prey upon that. Borrowing from Marcus again, if only in spirit, he held his head high. He would rise above them and this situation. "If you ever do want to see your grandchild all you will ever have to do is ask." They wouldn't of course, but Lucas refused to give up in them, even if the others in his life had.
Josephine shot her husband a LOOK and then looked at Lucas, “We would like to know when the child is born. So we are aware….” She was not a good mother - she had never been one with those inclinations. Her choices in life had been to have the best outcome for her family - with herself in the forefront. And she had her beliefs - ones that had been given to her as a child. When it wasn’t considered so incorrect to cling to beliefs and traditions. She really did feel for Lucas - his life would be hard. And he wasn’t like Marcus or Philippa. He didn’t have that fire to him - but perhaps this would help him find it.
But she was also worried that if Constantine shot his mouth off that her eldest would make good on some of his threats. And that wouldn’t do either. She wasn’t ready to NOT be the Mistress of Flint Manor. To be the society matron she had been raised to be. And Marcus was popular enough and wise enough - he could make her life far less comfortable than she wanted it to be.
“I wish we could have surprised you Lucas. I know you won’t believe it. But I do wish we could have. But you see - our beliefs…our outlook….” She shook her head, “But truly - I do hope all is well for you and your… other person…”
That was where his parents were wrong about Lucas. If they had just stopped and considered that while he may have a sweeter outlook on life he too was made from the same stuff of his siblings. The fire had always been there, it just needed a bit more stoking and fuel to truly set it ablaze. "Her name is Primrose," his voice sharpened considerably, "and if you cannot bear to think of her as the mother of my child at least think of her as a… Bloody. Human. Being!" His voice rose with every word and his jaw snapped audibly shut. Lucas took several deep breaths as he forced himself to stay calm. Erupting in anger would do little good.
His gaze swung between them, eyes narrowed. "You could have had the perfect son, the one you always try to force Marcus to be if you'd shown an ounce of kindness and interest. I'd follow your every whim and parrot back your beliefs like a good trained dog." His voice was soft now, still full of anger, but rather than the fire the elder Flints expected it was all ice, "But now I'm glad that I will never be that person. You can take your beliefs and your outlook and shove them up your arses for all I care."
He had never dreamed about speaking to his parents this way, but it was well past time that did. Maybe if he had shown a bit more backbone before it wouldn't have come to this point. Or maybe they would have tried to break him. In any case, it was done now. Rather than wait for his parents' reply, or retaliation, Lucas stalked out of the room, ready to leave this forsaken estate until Marcus held the deed and title. Maybe then it would actually be a home.
Marcus was not in a grand mood. He had TOLD his parents to owl when Lucas showed up. He had given in to Ginny and Pippa and let Lucas tell them. He had softened the blow a bit - but mainly to save them from Lucas than the other way around. And they hadn’t. He had gotten alerted from an elf. Storming the compound he almost went right past his brother.
“Hey….” He grabbed Lucas’ arm, “Fuck - I take it that it didn’t go well?” His ran his fingers through his hair - loose and windblown from practice, “Do I need to help you bury anyone? Because I have a few locations in mind….”
Just as he was finishing Constantine stormed out of the room and grabbed at Lucas - which had Marcus shoving the other man into a wall, “I think you have said enough for now, Father.”
“Do you know how he spoke to us!?”
Marcus put on a thoughtful face, “The same way you have spoken to him. Karma is a real bitch at times hmmm?” He looked over his shoulder at Lucas, “Anything else before our father remembers something he needs to do elsewhere?”
Lucas gave an impassive look, shaking his brother off his arm. "What needed to be said has already been said." He came to stand beside Marcus, putting a hand on his shoulder, a silent indication that he did not require his brother's protection at the moment, he wasn't scared, and that it was time to stand down.
"My choices have put me in this position after all, but I don't regret them. Like I'm sure Marcus doesn't regret his. Or how you don't regret yours. It's over," he told his father. His voice remained quiet, forcing Constantine Flint to take pause and listen. "Like you said, if I'm man enough to start my own family than I am man enough to do it without your support, which I hardly counted on in the first place. That also means that I'm man to know that I will be raising my child the right way, looking forward to the future rather than back on the past."
His piece being said, Lucas was done here. He was Prim was due back at the vardo soon and he still needed to stop at the bookstore to purchase a peace offering and to get her some more mint tea. She had wanted to be here for this, but Lucas couldn't allow either of his parents to get their claws in her. The idea of going around her back didn't sit well with him, but Lucas had reasons for going about the way he did. He also needed to speak with his brother in private. Fixing Marcus with a look that brooked no argument, he waited until Marcus was looking at him before speaking. "We need to talk."
Marcus let Constantine go - letting him huff back into the room. Waiting till the door slammed shut. Marcus turned to Lucas - and crossed his arms, “Oh do we now? And what can I do for you I wonder?” He wasn’t leaving the property - he still had words to exchange with his father.
And if he copped an attitude with him for him even showing up - well, then Lucas was going to get an earful.
He was young, Lucas knew that, but young did not mean he was a child. As his father reminded him, he had to be a man now, which meant he couldn't be too upset with Marcus for helping. "I do wish you had given me the opportunity to tell our parents. First. It was mine and Prim's news to share." Lucas kept his voice level as Marcus wasn't the one he was upset with.
"Which begs the question as to how you suddenly knew when to show up. Prim doesn't even know I'm here."
Taking a moment to settle his temper, the older brother looked at him, “I didn’t tell them your news brat. I told them that you had news. I told them to listen and to check their tempers. I didn’t want either side to be backed into a corner they would regret.” He took a deep breath and looked at Lucas.
“And no, I don’t think I have to tell you a damn thing. Where I am, and why I am there - is my own damn business.”
"They already knew she was a muggleborn," Lucas insisted. "Before I told them. So either they decided to take a sudden interest in my friends and associates for the first time in almost a decade or someone tipped them off." He wasn't even sure his parents were aware he was an animagus so the fact that they knew about Prim's heritage was deeply unsettling. "I don't like being lied to anymore than you do."
Lucas settled back against the wall and watched his brother. Marcus was unnecessarily defensive. Right now all he had to do was wait it out and see where things led.
“I did what I do Lucas. I did what I do.” Marcus didn’t say anything else, he looked his brother right in the eye and shrugged, “I didn’t want you walking into hellfire - so I did what I have always done.”
And he would do it again. Yes it was his brothers news. But he hadn’t wanted his brother - who was already on edge - to have that gut reaction from his parents. The man that had sat at his dining room table and gone catatonic was not going to be able to have that talk with the elder Flints and be able to sleep with his gut reaction to theirs. And he wanted his brother to be able to sleep at night.
And if Lucas wanted an apology - he was going to have a long wait coming.
Lucas shook his head. "Their opinions didn't matter. Not when I walked in and not now. They've never accepted me with open arms. Why would they start now?" His mother had never hugged him yet Molly Weasley had done so the first time she met him. Even Lily Potter had embraced him. "I was ready to cut ties and now that it's been done, I'm okay."
Pushing away from the wall, Lucas walked over and planted himself in front of his older brother. "Do you hear that, Marcus? I'm okay. And whatever bargaining chip I was before? I'm not that any longer." Young didn't mean stupid. Hopeful didn't mean oblivious. Lucas might not know the full lengths his older brother had gone to in the past, but he knew his siblings were protective. It was not out of the realm of thought that Marcus had bargained on his behalf.
There were times that his brother and his naivete over how far Marcus was willing to go for him - truly pissed him off. And they were getting close to that point, “And so because you say that - you think it’s that easy?” He rolled his shoulders, “You think because it’s what you decide that it ends. That is a great world you live in Lucas. And I hope it stays that way. Because if you want me out….I am out.”
He held up his hands and backed away, “You enjoy that when you wake up and realize that this isn’t the end of shite. Not with them. It never is. But if you want it to be - that is evidently how it will all work out in the end.” He turned on his heel and headed for the door muttering about dreamers and crash landings into reality.
One of these days Lucas would wonder how things always seemed to go sideways when it came to him and his brother. "For fucks sake, Marcus." Lucas started out of his brother, not letting reach the door just yet. "I'm okay because of you. And Pippa. The both of you. If it wasn't for you… Merlin. I'd be a little shit." To put it lightly.
Reaching out to pull his older brother into a hug, he paused, unsure if he' be shaken off or not. Unlike his parents' rejection, Lucas couldn't actually face the idea of the same from Marcus. "It's just… you don't have to let them use me as a bargaining chip. I'm done with them. I'm on all yours side. Always."
Marcus stood there and let Lucas move in to hug him. He wanted to just push him away. He wanted to just lose his damn mind and tell Lucas that it was GREAT that he was on Marcus’ side. But that Lucas didn’t see himself as a bargaining chip - didn’t mean he wasn’t. Or that now that there was Prim and an incoming baby that he would be protective of… that there wasn’t even more. Because he was who he was.
He acknowledged he took a lot of this onto his own shoulders willingly. He acknowledged his siblings were adults and in theory no longer needed their older brother to protect them. But in a perfect world - or at least one with normal parents - he could. He could stop… but they didn’t. They were in a world where their parents looked out for themselves and wanted to keep things they way they wanted them. And he loved his siblings enough to be the shield.
And even take some hits from his siblings at times.
Lucas remained hovering. His brother wasn't saying anything and now faced with the man himself any strength he had borrowed to face their parents deserted him. Lucas was back to being that scared boy whose future was about to overwhelm him. "Thank you, I don't know if I've ever said that before." Probably not because they actually didn't like to acknowledge things like this. "But thank you, even if I won't ever know what you've given up for me even though it wasn't your job to do so. You're…" Lucas paused, looking down at his feet.
"You're," he started again, forcing the lump that had started to form in his throat down, "the one I've looked up to. Always. And if I can't do half as good a job with the baby we should be just fine."
And there came the weight of expectation. Even though Lucas had no idea what he was doing. It felt like a boulder on his shoulders… but Lucas had a lot in his life. And his younger brother couldn’t ever know about how heavy the expectations were. He couldn’t see the tiredness Marcus felt from them. So instead Marcus gave him a grin - and made damn sure it reached his eyes and pulled Lucas into a hug. He wrapped his arms around his little brother and whispered in his ear that everything was fine.
He didn’t acknowledge what Lucas had said in thanks. Because he didn’t do this for that. He did it so Lucas could live his damn life. And it seemed like the life he was going to live was going to be harder than most and more complicated. By Lucas’ own actions. And he was going to bring two more people into the fold that would make Lucas all the more vulnerable - and thus add to those Marcus would feel like he had to protect. And Lucas and Prim would never ask him for it.
But he would - because they were important to Lucas - and that made them important to Marcus.