One More Night

Growing Pains

Growing Pains-Classified.
Picture this:
Arthur, Francis, and the kids, Matthew, Alfred, Peter, and Michelle, are on their way home from a visit with Alister. He lives far away from them, but not far enough that a plane is necessary, so they are driving.
It's late at night so all the kids are asleep and they're the only ones driving on the highway. The car only has three seats in the back, but Michelle is just a baby so she was able to sleep on Matthew's lap.
This song comes on the radio, emitting a sort of calm over the vehicle. Francis, who's driving, turns his head slightly and smiles at Arthur who turns his head to smile back at the children. Francis takes his hand and they hum together in sync.
Everything is perfect.

Matthew woke up at about six in the morning.
Which was weird.
He never woke up early unless somebody else caused him to.
The Canadian sat up from where he was curled against his brother's chest and sighed.
"Mattie?" Alfred mumbled.
"I'm sorry for cuddling you like that. I know we're not kids anymore."
Alfred chuckled and pulled Matthew back towards him. "Bro, we could be eighty five with bad breath and wrinkles all over and I'd still let you cuddle me. We're twins. We have to stick together."
Matthew snorted, laughter overtaking him.
"What?"
"I'm just imagining you with a crappy old man moustache."
"Mattie, I can't grow facial hair to save my life. Francis and Arthur stole that from us."
"I honestly thought Francis would have grown out of his his stupid chin stubble by now."
"Nope. It's even thicker now."
"He's probably got it to impress Arthur."
"Haha. Yeah man. I actually have my suspicions that it's this major erogenous zone or somethin'."
Matthew snickered softly.
"So, I see you've met Peter." Alfred shifted so Matthew was deeper in his arms.
"Yeah. He's a good kid."
"Try saying that after you changed his diapers for a year."
"So, you've known him for a long time?"
"Francis met Arthur a few months after you ran off. Peter was the result of a one night stand eyebrows had with one of the other girls at his university. She was super pro life but didn't want a baby so she dumped it off with him."
"That's so tragic..."
"Yeah, it is. Artie knew nothing about childcare. He was a freaking mess. But Francis jumped in and helped him out and the two eventually got together."
"And what about this house? The last time I was around we could barely make ends meet."
"That's a funny story, actually." Arthur shrugged. "Francis was working for this restaurant. But the guy who owned it was super stressed because his wife killed herself and all her debts went to him, plus, because suicide is illegal, he didn't get any insurance money. He had this massive heart attack and Francis was the only one on his will. All the wife's debts went to her sister and Francis used the insurance money to revamp the restaurant and start a chain."
"That is so like him."
"Well, he had help from this Vash guy who did all the finance stuff. But still...were loaded now and I'm just this useless little parasite living in with my cousin."
"You're not a parasite, Al."
"Yes I am. I haven't even done anything with my college degree and I don't help out around the house much. But look at you. You went to university and got a medical degree. Then you became a doctor. You'd make mom and pops proud."
Matthew smiled softly.
"Hey, Mattie?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you do us a favour?"
"What kinda favour?"
"Can you never leave us outa the loop again? At least call every once in a while."
"I will. I promise."
"Thanks bro." Alfred smiled. "Now go back the fuck to sleep."

"Shicky hasn't posted one of her novel excerpts in a while."
That's right. I haven't.
And I don't feel like digging one up for you guys now.
But I do have a concept scene I've played with that I've been meaning to write in full. So I'll do that here.

"Gooooood morning fuckboi!" Emerald burst into her and Diamond's bedroom, pyjama pants clinging to her waist and a baggy grey t-shirt, stolen from her fiancé, over her large chest and round abdomen. The side of her bangs was sticking up slightly.
"When did you get out of bed?"
"Only a few minutes ago. I had to go to the bathroom."
"I didn't hear you."
"I'm pretty sure you were in a coma a few minutes ago..." Emerald shrugged. "Also...you drooled...a lot..."
Diamond lifted his hand to his mouth, wiping off what had escaped. "Sorry."
Emerald walked up to the bed and let herself fall on top of her partner, resting her head on his chest. "Fer what?"
"Emerald, be careful, my leg."
"Aww. Are you hurting again today?"
Diamond sighed. "Kind of."
Emerald smiled sympathetically and snuggled closer to him. "I love you."
"I love you too."
"WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING!"
"Em?"
"What a beautiful wedding, says the bridesmaid to a waiter."
"Emerald, no."
"But guess what, what a shame."
"A shame I have to endure this?"
"What shame the poor grooms bride is a WHORE."
Diamond smiled, kissing her auburn head. "Can I have my meds today?"
"You just said it wasn't that bad."
"It's annoying."
"Can't you just lie in bed all day?"
"I have work."
"Paperwork."
"That needs to be done."
"Do it tomorrow."
"Okay, Emerald Procrastination West."
"Mm yeah. I haven't heard my last name said in a while. Say it again."
"West." Diamond sighed with a lack of enthusiasm.
"Again."
"West..."
She smirked. "Now say it with my real name."
"Ivy West."
"Oh yeah."
"Em, are you just trying to mock my accent."
Emerald's eyes widened. "Uh..."
"Yeah, well, you pronounce your e's weird."
"I do NOT!"
"Do too."
"No!"
"You also pronounce my name all wrong."
"Die-mund."
"Die-a-mond."
"Die-mund."
"Die-a-mond."
"Die-mund Lu-cuss."
"Die-a-mond Lu-kiss."
"What the hell are you two doing?" Sapphire bounded into the room, puzzlement on her face.
"Emerald, why is your sister in our house."
"I added her to the security system's files."
"Why?"
"Well, what if you fell or somethin'? The only part of you I can lift is your dick."
"EMERALD!"
"What? It's true...don't think I don't know what's going down in your pants when we're swaying back and forth out on the dance floor."
"Don't talk like this in front of your sister..."
"Dude, she's probably seen just about as much action as you an me combined."
"We're both virgins."
"And she's asexual so there."
"Sapphire...why are you here?"
"Besides wondering how many of your painkillers Em took? Sending you more work. Your watches are off so I had to come here directly."
"More?"
"This stuff's for Emerald. Betton fucked something up when he was fixing somebody's blaster and now it's just leaking water for some reason."
"What the hell? I swear to the island I'm gonna smack that guy so hard his family can feel it."
"Emerald, behave."
"Well, looks like I have to leave for a while. Will you be okay on your own?"
"I'm an adult."
"Your an emotional adult with a gimpy leg."
"I'll be fine." Diamond insisted, burying his face in her hair and taking a strong whiff before she left. She still smelled like smoke and leaves. Even though it had been years since the Campfire Junkie's hay day before they migrated their partying inside.
"Good. See ya tonight...probably around ten?"
"Take your time."
"Let's go, sis." Sapphire urged.
Emerald got up and quickly threw on a sweater and a decent pair of pants. Then the two went off on their trek to the main part of Techy territory, leaving Diamond free to live out his day without the distraction of the most amazing person he knew.

That was way fucking longer than I intended. If only every piece of my writing went this well...