Herbs and Spices // snowbaz

one Normal family (au)

"Simon! Are you up?" 

Simon's eye struggled to open as he was pulled from his dreams by the loud voice calling up to his room, "Yes, I'm awake... I'll, ughhh, be right down." 

"If you're not down in 5 minutes, I'm coming to pull you out of bed."

"Yeah, I get it, Dad, I'm coming," Simon called downstairs, his voice growing more and more agitated by the minute, his body longing to go back to sleep, and simultaneously dreading what would happen if he did. With a heavy groan, he pulled himself into a sitting position, and then swung his legs off the bed and staggered to stand.

His hair stood up in a great mop as he slumped down the stairs, his eyelids feeling heavy and drenched in sleep that threatened to stick and stay stuck every time his eyes closed. Everything felt heavy after his 3 hours of sleep, as he walked down the stairs to stand in the doorway of his kitchen, looking at the back of his dad who stood before the stove, cooking something. 

"Your breakfast is on the table," his dad spoke, without turning around.

"How did you know I was here?" Simon said around a yawn, pulling up a chair to sit in front of his food, picking up a piece of toast to eat.

"You reek of smoke," his father turned around, already a disapproving frown on his face.

Simon shrugged, continuing to chew. Of course, he smelled like smoke, he had been smoking through last night, his stress about his overdue schoolwork sitting heavy on his skin and manifesting in the disgusting habit. He stilled himself, ready for the lecture from his father. 

"Good morning, my beautiful boys," Simon's mother said as she swooped into the room, already dressed for the day, planting a warm kiss on Simon's forehead before going to his father and kissing him on the cheek.

"Good morning," Simon said, smiling wildly at his mum who sat down opposite him.

"How did you sleep, my rosebud?"

"Yeah... okay, I slept alright," he lied, his teeth clenching to stop himself from yawning.

His mother's eyes softened in sympathy as she read her son like an open book, but she didn't say anything. She never said anything, not in front of Davy. None of them ever said anything in this home, not in front of Davy, nothing about Simon's lack of sleep due to stress, nothing about Lucy's own sleepless nights as she heard Davy's endless ranting at Simon, to do his homework, yelling about the one B he had on his report card. 

Lucy knew it was hard on Simon, his father's endless pressure to be as good as he was as a child, to be a straight A student, excelling in every subject with natural ability. They both had been such good students, but Davy had expected their child to be the same way, but he wasn't. That wasn't his fault, but Davy couldn't be swayed, and Lucy didn't have the energy to fight with him, not when it would be neverending. 

"You better hurry and get ready, sweetheart, I'll drive you to school today," Lucy said now, smiling at her son, wanting it to convey all her regrets and all her love and all her acceptance of him, that she knew he didn't see in his father's expression. Lucy knew Davy loved Simon, he had always loved him, but he always wanted more for him, he didn't know how to express that in any other way, and it was hurting both of them.

"Did you finish your schoolwork last night?" Davy spoke, his eyes holding steadfast onto Simon's face.

Simon sighed, "Yes, Father, I did, before going to sleep," he then stood and left the room, the only sound through the house, being his feet on the stairs as he walked up to his room.

Lucy stood at the doorway where her son had just left. She could still see his slumped shoulders, his exhausted eyes, his overwhelmed spirit, and she couldn't help but think a silent plea, "I'm so sorry, my rosebud boy." 

******************

Simon was pulled out of his sleep once more as the car shuddered to a stop outside of his school, and he looked across into the sadly smiling face of his mother. 

"I wanted to let you sleep until we got here," she said, her eyes soft around the edges. They were almost wet like she was willing herself not to cry as she looked at him.

"Thanks, Mum," he yawned, rubbing his eyes, "You have a good day, I'll see you at home." He sat up and undid his seatbelt, already opening the door and grabbing his backpack at his feet.

"Wait, Simon," she said, and he turned to look at her expectantly, "I just want you to know... that... I don't expect anything from you. I just want you to be happy, with whatever you do."

"I know, Mum," he said, smiling at her through his tiredness.

"I know your father can be... difficult, but he just wants the best for you, and so do I. But his version of what's best for you, may be different to what your version is, and that's okay. Just do what you need to do, to be happy. And I'll love you forever, no matter what, okay?"

Simon smiled now, his eyes now properly focusing on his mother, "Yes, of course, I love you too."

"Okay," she said, wiping her eyes quickly, "Now get out there, and I'll see you at home, my rosebud boy."

"Bye," he laughed quietly, and got out of the car, putting his backpack on just as she drove away and Penelope walked up to meet him in front of the school gates.

"Another day in paradise, hey Penny?" 

She laughed, looping her arm through his, his sarcasm not lost on her, "Come on, Simon, if we hurry I can proofread your homework before first period."

"Thank god, because if I don't pass this class, my father will definitely cry," Simon said, and then adopted a voice that was meant to be mimicking his father, "Oh Simon, you are such a disappointment to me, I was a genius when I was your age, and yet here you are, completely average." 

Penny smiled sadly at her friend, "You are not average, and your dad doesn't have a clue, especially about expectations and understanding you. He doesn't have any idea, Simon, and he doesn't know what he's talking about. Okay?"

Simon grinned at his friend, the anger and sadness he directed at his father still sitting heavily on his chest, but feeling lighter by Penny's words, "Okay, Pen, now let's go so you can help me not fail." 

*****************

This was kind of sad and just a bit aw - but this is how I picture Lucy and Davy raising Simon if they were all Normal. Davy would definitely expect too much, and Simon would feel unbearably small under it all, and Lucy would try to be the peacemaker and try to show Simon she doesn't feel the same way as his dad. 

Anyway, it's kind of shitty but whatever, thanks for reading!