The Treehouse [BxB]

thirty

"How about this? It would compliment your eyes." River's Mother, Olivia, ran her fingers over a knitted blue sweater, examining the label. They were in Axminster's shopping centre, browsing for clothes after Olivia dragged her son out of bed this morning, and insisted he leave the house for once.

River shrugged, "It's okay."

"It's nice." She pulled it off the railing and draped it over her arm, "You're trying it on."

"I don't need anymore clothes." He complained, following his Mother around the shop, wishing he was back in bed.

"You can't just wear Mickey's clothes everyday."

"Why not?"

"Because..." She looked at him with those same blue eyes, "You need your own wardrobe."

"Why?" He asked stubbornly.

Oliva sighed heavily, "River, please, just..." She placed a hand on his shoulder and guided him towards the changing rooms, "Try it on." She shoved the sweater into his arms.

He glanced down at the label, "Mum, I can't afford this." He groaned.

"I'll buy it for you." She suggested.

"No." He handed it back to her, "I owe you guys a ton of money, you shouldn't be buying me things until I've paid everything back."

"River, we told you, it's okay-"

"No, it's not." He snapped, "How can you be okay with me stealing five grand? Don't pretend that doesn't piss you off."

Oliva tossed the blue sweater onto the nearest shelf, and walked out of the store and back into the mall, giving her son no choice but to follow her. "Food court?" She offered.

"Mum." River grumbled quietly.

"I fancy a burger-"

"Mum." River grabbed onto her sleeve and stopped walking.

She turned around to face him, adjusting her handbag on her shoulder, "You were sexually assaulted." She said simply.

He looked down at his hands, then back at her, "That isn't an excuse..." He sighed, "Just hold me accountable, will you?"

"No." She shook her head, "I'll hold myself accountable. For not noticing...for not doing something - anything." She folded her arms across her chest, "What type of Mother can't see that her own son is depressed-?"

"It's not your fault-"

"It is." She cut him off, "You can forgive me, River, but I'll never forgive myself." She was distressed - he could see it in her face. "So, no, I'm not angry at you for stealing the money, because you're back now, and that's all that matters. I'm angry at the kid who hurt you, and I'm angry at myself, and your Father, and I'm angry at-"

"Mum." River whispered, placing his hands on her shoulders, "I-It's okay." He lied. It wasn't okay. It would never be okay. "Please don't cry."

She wiped her cheeks with the back of her sleeve, and noticed for the first time that they were wet, "I'm sorry, River."

"Me too."

"I love you."

"I love you, too, Mum." He flung an arm around her waist, and rested his head on her shoulder, guiding her towards the food court, "Let's go get burgers."

River ordered whilst his Mother looked for a table, and once the man behind the counter handed him a tray of food, he joined her. Olivia smiled at River when he sat down opposite her, "I think that the guy who served you was checking you out."