matchbreaker | Recollé IC Inbox

What, by slicking my hair back, throwing me in a suit, and making me extort people?

[...There's definitely something important in that sketchbook. What did Elda remember?]

No, no! Proper, willing to sincerely tell a woman - or a man - how beautiful they are and sweep them off their feet.

[ She brushes past the boy, shaking her head. honestly. ]

...What if I don't want to sweep anyone off their feet? What if I just want to sweep up their wallets?

[...]

The contents of their wallets.

Consensually.

[ . . .

She's going to reach up and grab his color. She's smiling ]

No could I really say I want a boy of mine to be known as a golddigger?

...I'm sorry, Elda. Kanye speaks to me.

[Please don't kill him, it's a joke-]

Try listening to some Same Cooke.

[ Huff!

But she will release him. ]

Maybe.

[He pauses for a moment, then makes a grab for her sketchbook.]

[ Sam**

Her hand shoots out and she makes to grab his wrist. ]

What're you doing?

You were sketching something, right? Come on, share with the class.

That's private, Silver.

[ she says, with an authoritative mom voice. ]

That bad, huh?

[It's enough to get him to stop, but not enough to make his curiosity die down. ...Or his concern.]

[ . . . She can't bring herself to lie. Both to lie to Silver after everything or to lie and say what's contained within is bad. ]

No, it's not that bad. Simply ... private.

You're home earlier than usual.

...Yeah. There's something I wanted to tell you.

[Not that he... Really wants to tell her, but he sort of needs to, at this point.]

Oh. ... Well, then should we talk over some coffee or tea? Juice?

[ She's already turning to get into the kitchen to get those, leaving the sketchbook there and trusting him not to grab it. and follow her ]

I found somewhere to stay.

[That just... Gets blurted out, really. He doesn't move, whether it's to follow her or touch the sketchbook.

[ Oh.

She stops short of her movement, her body half turns towards moving ahead of him and her face becomes rigid. She knew she had been looking, honestly, he was barely home. Out and about, always looking for that new apartment. She'd considered offering him a nice deal, perhaps paying his rent while insisting her take a class or two, not waste him time and...

But he found one, finally... so he's going to leave them again-

... That's not the right way to look at it. Silver's an adult, and this is an adult step. She inhales her breath deeply. ]

[ so she shifts and pulls him into a tight hug. ]

Oh did you! That's great, Silver! I know you've been looking!

[...That's what he wanted to hear, right? It's no problem. This was never supposed to be a permanent thing anyway. So why does that feel like a kick in the teeth?]

Yeah. One of my... friends, I guess. He found a place. It's really affordable. It's close to the college and work.

[Why the hell is he even mentioning the RU? It's not like he's planning on going. Come on, the least he could do is try to sound thrilled about this...]

[ She's going to cry.

It wouldn't suit her to cry right now, so instead she nods against his chest, smiling as she continues to hug the boy. ]

Oh, you really found something that suited for you? It's with people you trust, right? No one who I need to tell off? Oh, I'm so proud of you!

[...This isn't what he wants to hear. Silver wriggles his way out of her hug and... Turns to look somewhere else, really, because he's not sure he trusts himself to keep a straight face right now.]

Anyway, I think I'm gonna turn down his offer. I mean, he's pretty annoying, and I'm sure I'll do something to mess up a roommate situation in three months, tops. It's not worth it. I can keep looking for my own place. Or a nice park bench, if you get tired of keeping me here.

[He's not even sure what he's saying anymore, but he sure is saying it.]

[ Don't you do this to her. Don't you do this to her. A mother is supportive of their child, and that means... Well, right now, that means that she needs to bare the hurt of him saying that she could ever tire of him being here and argue against her own interests and desires. She exhales, and makes to take one of his hands in both of hers. ]

Don't say that. You've been looking out there for a month, and if you came to tell me in the first place, then it's obvious it's something you're seriously considering. If you'll be rent controlled and near you job and... [ RU... ] it'll be much easier for you going forward. You're always welcome here, but- [ Don't choke ] I know that you value your independence. Unless you really don't like this fellow, I'm sure you'll be an excellent roommate.

It's exactly what I've been looking for. Not for a month, for months. Since before I even met you. Since they first put me in foster care. I want my own independence. I want control over my own life. I'm tired of being passed around and discarded, or messing up what good I do get. If that's how it's gonna be, it's better if I'm just...

[Alone, right? Goro doesn't even see him as a friend. He's a convenience to the damn guy with no friends.

Even so, he can't bring himself to finish his words.]

[ She squeezes his hand a little bit tighter. She keeps her voice as even as she can manage it, showing ... trying hard to express all her affection and none of her hurt. After all, the fact of the matter is while no one has hurt her more than this boy, that's because she loves this boy. She was more than willing to make him her son and...

Maybe they're there. Maybe they'll never be there.

Oh well, a mother does what she can. ]

That isn't how it has to be, Silver. [ Her voice is gentle. ] I know it's hard for you to trust anyone, least of all me... but you do have people who will support you, both to keep you close when you need it, and to allow you that independence now.

The world isn't as cruel as you think.

[...That gets him to stop, and he looks at her with more vulnerability he'd like, opens his mouth to say something, and...

...Immediately ducks his head down and covers his god damn eyes, actually. That's not fucking normal.]

-Silver.

Silver, are you alright?

[ What is he doing? ]

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