A Bloodless, Broken Family

『 ¹₃ 』

[ 𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐞, 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 ]

panic attack; self-harm; religous trauma; internalised homophobia; (mild) sexual intimacy; mentioned burn-out

Ji-U excitedly anticipates her friends and partner coming over to get ready for the Halloween bash this weekend. Her mother was away for the next two weeks working with a high-profile client for some successive fashion event that Ji-U had no interest in, so she had the place to herself, so long as she informed her mother beforehand of any guests.

They have an hour and a half to get ready before Ripley would drive them over to Yelena's. Since they aren't keen on drinking, they offered to be the designated driver for the night, much to everyone's gratitude.

The sound of her doorbell has her on her feet in seconds, skipping over to the door with a wide smile.

"Ah, baby!" she greets, jumping up and pulling Ripley down for a hug.

"Hi, honey," Ripley greets back with a laugh, wrapping their arms around her and squeezing her twice before letting go.

Ji-U looks over Ripley's shoulder and sees Izuku and Eliseo, waiting with bags in their hands.

"Hi!" She waves at them, pulling open her door wider and letting them in. Ripley and Eliseo, having been over before, know to take off their shoes and coats. Izuku does too, without question, and Ji-U is only shocked for a moment before she remembers that he grew up in Japan, where it was customary.

Eliseo pulls her in for a quick hug which she returns. Izuku stares at her awkwardly, before taking a deep breath and opting for a side hug. Ji-U refrains from smiling too much. Barring Eliseo, Izuku is never one to initiate contact outside of the occasional handshake or hand on the shoulder.

"Okay, okay. Because I'm all for reveals, Izuku and I will get ready in my room and you two will get ready in Ripley's."

"Ripley has a room?"

"No, I don't."

"They do, they're just too embarrassed to say it."

Ripley pouts, folding their arms across their chest.