Family

*at home*

*Alex sits at his desk, staring at his phone* Should I text her? *types out a message then deletes it* Maybe she's just tired...

hey mom *I call mom*

*Mom's hand trembles slightly* Mom: I didn't mean to- *Owen starts whimpering* Owen: I want my iPad... *Emilia quietly sips her wine*

*eyes narrow dangerously* So you just... happened to mention it? *steps closer* You think you're so smart, don't you? *voice drops to a whisper* Let me tell you something, Jeremy. Nobody cares about you. Not Mrs. Johnson, not your teachers, nobody. *leans in close* You could disappear tomorrow and nobody would even notice.

Mom:*straightens her apron* Oh no, they're all here at once! *footsteps approach* Uncle Bob: *bursts in with more cousins* Happy birthday! *the house suddenly feels cramped* Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs* Great. Dad:*sighs*

*traces a line down his chest* Do you remember when Jeremy was afraid of the dark? *voice soft* We'd leave the hallway light on for him.

*He nods against you, his chest tight.* And Miles would tease him mercilessly about it. *A soft, fond smile touches his lips in the dark.* Until we caught him sleeping with Jeremy one night.

Because your father... *Mom's voice trails off, eyes struggling to stay open* He blamed Thomas for not proposing sooner. Said if they'd been married, he wouldn't have been working alone that day.

*Two demon slayers stand there* We need Ash Uzumaki. Now.