Sensibilities | Deetranada AU

recollection

A/N: Trigger Warning: Self-Harm/Depressive Language

I would like to let you all know that the following chapter will include self-harm imagery and depressive language. If you aren't comfortable, please skip this chapter. I have a chapter recap prepared that gives a synopsis of what happened without the depictions. If you would like to read that instead, please PM me and I'll provide it.

Flashbacks will be center aligned and in italics.

A Few Days Later

Dee excitedly rushes to the table, standing at the end with a bright smile. 'What you smiling for?' Roscoe asks, his mouth full of food. ''Cause I just found somethin' crazy for us to do.' She takes out her phone and slides it to the middle of the table. They huddle around it, the video starting to play but they quickly back off, resuming their meals.

She's confused. 'Y'all didn't even listen to it.' 'We already knew about it,' Peach adds. She frowns, crossing her arms. 'And won't none of y'all gon' tell me?' 'What you think we been practicing for?' Peach says through a bite of her pasta. The sauce flicks over her chin and Key wipes it away, both briefly sharing a secret smile.

'You can't come anyway nugget, ya moms not gonna let you outta her sight for that long.' 'It's only a week!' She sits down, taking back her phone. 'And it's spring break. And y'all gon' be there.' 'You gotta have a manager though,' Latto adds. 'Aye, ask Jermaine!' Dee groans, placing her head on the table. 'He don't know nothing about music.' 'Better than going with ya moms.' She looks at Nova, the memory of him meeting her mother making her eyes widen. She pulls out her phone, quickly texting her brother.

****

'You expect me to let you go to Atlanta for a week with a bunch of kids?' Dee's mother says. With her eyebrow raised and arms folded, its easy to see where Dee gets it from. 'I'll be there too, ma,' Jermaine adds. 'I said what I said.' She looks to Dee. 'Everybody gonna have managers there, Key's mom is gonna be there.' 'And Nova?'  'Ma, I'm focused right now, ain't no lor boy changing that. I could get signed from this.' Her mother sighs deeply, uncrossing her arms. 'You really want this?' 'I really do. I never had an opportunity like this.' 'Fine,' she says. Dee jumps up, starting to dance. 'But I need to talk to his mama first.' 'Ughhh.'

****

Dee, Jermaine, Momtranada, Key and Mama Key sit around the living room. Dee and Key take pictures together, the mothers conversing about the logistics of the tour. 'We already got the hotel, the itinerary, flight and everything.' Mama Key says. 'Do you get to go to everything or is it just them?' Momtranada asks. 'As far as I know, we're attached the whole time except the studio.' Key fakes exasperation and Dee laughs.

'I know it feels crazy but she'll be good. She's a sweet girl and I haven't had any problems, unlike some other girls.' Mama Key squints at Key. Dee whips her head to him. 'What other girls meatball?' 'Nothing man, she trippin'.' Dee nudges him continuously, annoying him. 'Key, don't make me put you on front street.' 'They don't even say that no more, ma.' They continue going back and forth. Who is this girl? I'mma have to call in reinforcement.

They finish with a laugh, Momtranada starting again. 'I know she'll be fine. Just..watch her for me. She needs a mother there, you know.' Dee rolls her eyes, burying herself in her phone. 'Of course, she's already my adopted daughter.' Momtranada beams, 'Great. Um, where's the bathroom?' Still occupied, Dee doesn't see her mother motioning for Mama Key to follow. 'Oh, I'll show you.' The two stand, leaving quickly.