Not Quite Like the Movies (Otis Milburn x OC)

New Years Resolutions

Chapter XXV

A week into the next year, and Otis knows he hasn't kept his New Year's resolution. He did tell Jean about what a disaster Christmas Eve was for Abby...

"Otis," Jean says Christmas morning. "Are you alright? Please tell me. I knew Gabriel at one point, and if he..."

"He did try to hit me," Otis says, causing Jean to cover her mouth in horror. "But he was so drunk that he really took out the mashed potatoes and the table."

"Is he still there," Jean asks, already getting up from the table. "Because I am going to give him a piece of my mind! I can't believe you stayed the night there after that monster-"

"Mum," Otis says. "He's in London."

"Lucky bastard," she mumbles. "Running away from his problems. He knows good and well what I'd do to him..."

"I mean, I don't think he knew I was your son," Otis points out. "Abby didn't tell him my last name, and he spent most of the evening calling me Noddy. Well, when he wasn't trying to convince me to confess my attraction to his wife."

"Of course," she says. "And how was she?"

"...They're well matched," Otis admits. "Two alcoholic bullies."

"Do you see now why I had concerns about Abby," Jean asks, sitting down. "Where was she during all this?"

"She was being their main target, actually," Otis says. "We didn't finish the meal. I stayed the night after she ran upstairs crying. Her father trying to hit me was the last straw."

"...Is she alright," Jean asks, her face softening.

"I left her with her nan," Otis says. "I'll see her again on Boxing Day. I...I got her to smile after we were alone in her room. And no, before you ask, she didn't smile because of any orgasm-adjacent activity. I just...found a way to amuse her." Openness with his mum or not, there's no way he's ever going to acknowledge that he actually...parped in front of his girlfriend, of all people. He's taking that to the grave.

"That's good," Jean says. "Do you...did she seem alright? Before you left to go home?"

"Yeah," Otis says. "Unfortunately, I think she's used to her parents' treatment. All of it is generally based around mocking her looks, her tastes, her values...I think she's remarkably well-adjusted, considering."

"...Poor girl," Jean finally says. "I can't imagine what it would be like to have a father like Gabriel Hammond." She sighs. "I think I'd best stop prodding. It's a special day, after all."

Otis nods and grins. "I'll tell you more later, if you like."

Jean smiles. "I would like that very much."

...but after that day, Otis can't say he's told his mum much else.

The amount of time he spends masturbating is a big part of that. Hell, he can't say he even seesmuch of his mother anymore, between the shampoo bottle woman and Abby's Yugi picture. And Abby herself. She doesn't come over as often during the afternoon anymore, usually because she's either hanging out with Aimee while winter break is still on, or checking up on Maeve. But she's still crawling through his window at midnight enough that he's almost been trained to expect it.

And it's not like Jean's actually lonely or anything. In spite of that disastrous "family dinner," Jakob has practically moved in. Every morning, he's at the table for breakfast. Or he's showing up after dinner. Or just plain popping in and starting some project, leaving all his stuff around in the meantime. Honestly, with how often he catches Jean flinch, Otis is just waiting for her to snap. Patiently waiting.