Ember X Wade oneshots

Surrounding the experience

Marina, the bright and inquisitive daughter of Ember and Wade, is growing up quickly. With her mother's fiery determination and her father's gentle, empathetic nature, she's a blend of both her parents in the best ways. At school, she excels academically and socially, often finding herself surrounded by friends. But as she gets older, she begins to encounter topics and conversations she's not entirely familiar with.

One day, Marina overhears some older kids at school talking about something they saw online—adult videos. Their tone is teasing, as if it's a secret they're proud to know, leaving Marina feeling both curious and left out. She wonders what it is they're talking about and why it seems so significant to them.

That evening, when she gets home, Marina goes to her room and turns on her laptop. Her innocent curiosity leads her to search for what she overheard, not fully understanding what she might find. When explicit content appears on the screen, Marina is startled, but her curiosity keeps her watching for a few moments before she quickly closes the laptop in shock.

Later that evening, Ember heads to Marina's room to check on her, as she often does. She knocks lightly before entering, finding Marina sitting quietly on her bed, staring at her closed laptop. Something feels off, and Ember's motherly instincts kick in.

"What's going on, sweetie?" Ember asks gently, sitting down beside Marina. When Marina doesn't respond right away, Ember notices her daughter's eyes are red, as if she's been crying.

Seeing Ember's concern, Marina hesitates but finally says, "I...I saw something on my laptop, Mom. Some kids at school were talking about videos, and I didn't know what they meant, so I looked it up."

Ember's heart tightens as she realizes what Marina must have seen. "What did you see, honey?"

Marina's voice trembles as she admits, "I think it was something bad... something for adults. I didn't understand it, and now I feel so... so confused. I didn't mean to see it, Mom. I'm not a monster, am I?" Tears start streaming down her cheeks as she looks up at her mother, scared and ashamed.

Ember's initial reaction is a mix of shock and sadness, but she quickly pushes those feelings aside, focusing on her daughter's distress. She wraps Marina in a warm hug, holding her close. "Oh, Marina, you're not a monster at all. You're just a curious kid who wanted to understand something. It's okay to be curious, but there are some things you're not ready for yet."

At that moment, Wade walks into the room, noticing the serious expression on Ember's face and the tears in Marina's eyes. He sits down on the other side of Marina, his presence calming and reassuring. "What's going on?" he asks softly.

Ember gives Wade a brief glance, silently communicating the situation. Wade, always the emotionally open and understanding parent, places a hand on Marina's shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. We're here for you, whatever it is."

Marina, still crying, explains everything again, this time to her father. Wade listens carefully, his face reflecting nothing but understanding and love. When she's done, he gently wipes her tears away.

"Marina," Wade begins, "what you saw was something meant for adults, and it can be really confusing to see it without understanding what it really means. But you're not in trouble, and you're definitely not a monster. You're just learning about the world, and sometimes that means stumbling into things you're not ready for yet."

Ember and Wade take this opportunity to have a calm and honest conversation with Marina. They explain that what she saw is a part of adult relationships, but it's not something she needs to worry about right now. They emphasize that it's always better to talk to them if she has questions about anything she hears or sees, rather than trying to figure it out on her own.

"Growing up means you'll have lots of questions, and that's okay," Ember says softly. "But you don't have to go through it alone. Your dad and I are here to help you understand things when you're ready."

Wade adds, "And it's okay to feel embarrassed or confused. We've all been there at some point. The important thing is that you trust us enough to come to us, just like you did today."

Marina nods, feeling a mix of relief and lingering confusion. "I'm sorry, Mom, Dad... I just didn't want to be the only one who didn't know."

Wade smiles gently. "You don't have to apologize, Marina. You're learning, and that's part of growing up. We're proud of you for being honest with us."

Ember kisses the top of Marina's head. "We love you, Marina. You're a good kid, and nothing you did today changes that."

In the days that follow, Ember and Wade make a conscious effort to be more present and open with Marina, ensuring she knows she can always come to them with any questions or concerns. They also take this opportunity to talk more openly about boundaries and what is appropriate for her age, making sure she feels safe and understood.

The experience strengthens the bond between Marina and her parents, who navigate this challenge with love, patience, and understanding. Marina, reassured by her parents' reactions, learns that it's okay to be curious but that she can always rely on her parents to guide her through the complexities of growing up.

The story ends with Marina feeling more secure in her relationship with her parents, knowing that they will always be there to support her, no matter what challenges or questions come her way.