Bandom One-shots book 3

Something I'll Never Be (Stuff)

~Steven Adler POV~

The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, warm and golden, lighting up the living room of the house Duff and I had bought together. It wasn't anything fancy—neither of us cared much for that—but it was ours. The walls were lined with posters from shows and albums we loved, and the faint smell of Duff's cologne mixed with the coffee I'd made earlier.

Duff sat on the couch, a book open in his lap, one leg stretched out lazily. He'd been trying to get me into reading lately. I told him books weren't my thing, but I liked listening to him talk about them. His voice was low and steady, and it felt like home.

I was in the kitchen, humming to myself as I made us some tea. The kettle whistled softly, but before I could pour the water, the phone rang.

I froze, my stomach twisting. Calls like this never meant anything good. Duff glanced up from the couch, his brow furrowed.

"You want me to get it?" he asked.

I shook my head quickly, wiping my hands on a dish towel. "No, it's fine. Probably nothing."

But I knew better. I always knew better.

I picked up the receiver, cradling it to my ear. "Hello?"

The voice on the other end made me stiffen. My mother. Her tone was sharp, her words clipped and loaded. "Steven. I heard."

She didn't need to say what. I could hear the disgust in her voice. My heart sank, and I leaned against the counter for support. "Heard what?" I asked, though I already knew.

"Don't play dumb with me," she snapped. "I spoke to your aunt. She told me everything. About your... 'husband.'" She spat the word like it was poison. "You didn't think I'd find out, did you?"

I swallowed hard, glancing toward Duff. He was still watching me, concern etched into his face. I turned away, gripping the phone tighter. "It's not a secret, Mom. We've been married for months."

"Married," she repeated, her voice rising. "To a man, Steven? To a goyim? Is this how you honor your family? Your heritage? Everything I've taught you?"

"Mom, please," I said, my voice shaking. "Duff's a good person. He's—he's the best thing in my life. Why can't you just be happy for me?"

"Happy?" She laughed, cold and bitter. "You want me to be happy that my son has thrown away everything I raised him to be? That you've turned your back on your faith, your family, your people? I should've seen this coming. You've always been selfish."

The words hit me like a slap. I tried to steady my breathing, but my chest felt tight, like there wasn't enough air in the room. "I haven't turned my back on anything," I said quietly. "I love him. Isn't that supposed to matter?"

"Not when it's an abomination," she snapped. "This—this life you've chosen—it's wrong, Steven. It's disgusting. And if you think I'm going to stand by and watch you disgrace this family, you're wrong."

Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them back, gripping the counter so hard my knuckles turned white. Duff was on his feet now, moving toward me. "Mom, I'm still your son," I said desperately. "I'm still me."

"Not anymore," she said, her voice cold and final. "You're dead to me, Steven. Do you hear me? Don't call. Don't visit. Don't come crawling back when it all falls apart."

The line went dead.

I stood there, staring at the receiver in my hand like it was a snake. My chest felt hollow, the weight of her words crushing me from the inside out.

"Steven?" Duff's voice was soft, tentative. He placed a hand on my shoulder, turning me gently to face him. "What happened? Was it your mom?"

I nodded, the tears spilling over now. I tried to speak, but the words caught in my throat. Duff pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly against his chest.

"She disowned me," I choked out, the pain in my voice raw and unfiltered. "She said I'm dead to her."

Duff didn't say anything at first. He just held me, his hands warm and steady on my back. His heartbeat was strong and even, grounding me in a way nothing else could.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, his lips brushing against my temple. "You didn't deserve that. None of this is your fault."

"But it is," I whispered, my voice cracking. "If I'd just—if I'd been different—"

"Stop." His tone was firm, but not unkind. He pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, his hands cupping my face. "Don't you dare blame yourself. She's the one who can't see how amazing you are. That's on her, not you."

I shook my head, the weight of everything crashing down around me. "She's my mom, Duff. How can she just—"

"She doesn't know what she's losing," he said softly. "But I do. And I'm not going anywhere."

I leaned into him, letting his words anchor me. His arms tightened around me, and for the first time since I picked up that phone, I felt like I could breathe again.

The kettle whistled in the background, the sound shrill and insistent, but neither of us moved. Duff held me, and for now, that was enough.

~Something I'll Never Be~