Growing Older (Travlyn Fic)

Aphmau

Being in a car with a four year old can only be described as painful. Even though the drive from O'kasis where we were visiting Melissa wasn't as long as the drive from Phoenix Drop, it was still a very, very long six hours.
"Mama, can I have a fruit snack?" Alina says, impatiently. I sigh.
"We will be at Abby's birthday, soon, Lina," Aaron says, his fingers drumming on the wheel.
"There will be food there and you can play with Kitty and Abby and Leelo." I turn back to face her. Alina scrunches up her face.
"I don't like Abby or Leelo or Kitty," she says. I roll my eyes. She always says this when we drive up. As soon as we walk through the door, she is obsessed with Abby and Leelo and practically follows Kitty around the room.
"You love Abby, Lina. Why do you say that?"
"She doesn't do anything!" Lina began to kick Aaron's seat.
"No, Alina. Don't kick," Aaron says sternly. His voice sounds stressed. We've switched who was driving every two hours. I would of driven her whole way, but Aaron insisted. Still I knew that he hates driving. It's how Derek died.
I don't usually think about his death. But I can see how nervous Aaron is. He used to love driving. It was his get away. Now, everything has changed.
"I can drive it you want, Babe," I say, turning back to face him. Aaron curses under his breath as some pedestrians run across the street.
"Mama!"
I whip my head back around. Everyone says I remind them of my mother. I can see it sometimes too, but I honestly don't think I'm that scary yet.
"Enough, Mija," I say. "We are almost there. Daddy told you no."
Her lower lip trembles. I sigh, guilt overflowing. I shouldn't feel guilty, but I do.
"Okay, Mama," Her little voice shakes. I close my eyes. I don't want to be the bad guy. Somehow I feel like I am all the time. From saying no to ice cream for breakfast to this, I'm always the bad guy.
"Actually, Aph, can you please drive?" Aaron says.I smile at him, ignoring the sniffling toddler in the back, who I can see in the rear view mirror is cuddling her stuffy. It's her favourite one from Travis.
"Yeah. Here pull over at Coco's." We are almost there, so it seems pointless. But really, I know how much this scares Aaron. His dad died this way. He doesn't want us too. It doesn't help that the two year anniversary is in a few months. My mouth tightens. Lina use to ask when we could visit Grandpa, that stabbed like a knife to the back. It stabbed like a beam of pain, breaking my heart.
Aaron pulls into the Coco's parking lot. I see Jason getting into his car. I roll down the window, a gust of cold wind hitting my face, blowing my long hair out of my face. I like it long, but it was nice when I bobbed it in fifth grade.
"Jason!" I shout. I wave. He waves back. I've met him a few times, enough to see why Travis feels threatened by him. They don't get along that well. He's also not the nicest person, but I don't know him well enough to make a judgement. Some people think Aaron isn't a great person, but once they get to know him they realize he's a great guy. Cough, cough, pointed look, Mom.
He jogs over, blonde hair falling into his eyes.
"Hey, Aphmau right?"
"Yeah, are you going to Abby's birthday?"
"Of course. I'm Katelyn's best friend." I frown. "One of them anyways," he adds. I can kinda see why Travis doesn't like him. He's cocky and the slightest bit stuck up. Besides, I'm Katie's best friend.
"Are you stopping here for food? There will be some at the party." Aaron looks slightly red. I place my small hand over his.
"We are switching who's driving," I inform him, tightening my grip on Aaron's hand. Please don't ask why. Please.
"Why? Kate's house isn't that far from here."
Of course. He had to ask. Aaron's face flushes red.
"It's a long story. It's not really mine to share."
Jason doesn't look happy. I guess Katelyn doesn't usually keep secrets. But I'm sure she does. I'm sure he doesn't know about her past life.
She wouldn't tell him about Travis and his father, she wouldn't tell him about Laurence, she wouldn't tell him about me. About my dad.
And she most certainly wouldn't tell him about Elizabeth.
"Well, we should get going." I turn to Aaron, feeling Jason's blue eyes drill into me. His eyes are blue, but a different blue than Garroth's which are dark and kind. They are like an ocean. Somewhere both safe, but can be dangerous. They are closer to Laurence's, but Laurence's are like pale blue pools, almost like a mirror. Jason eyes are like daggers. Wow. Way to over analyze eyes, Aph. Still, I don't like them. "Come on, hun." I climb out of my seat, opening our car door.
"Okay, Aph." As I pass Aaron walking pass as I walk to the driver's door, I can't help but sigh. He is so handsome.
Jason frowns slightly. He looks short next to Aaron.
"Anyways see ya there," Jason says.
"Bye," Aaron says cooly. He seems calmer now. He doesn't like driving, but he doesn't mind being in the passenger seat as much. He rolls up the window.
"Why does Katelyn like him so much again?" I shrug.
"Coworkers I guess? Maybe he's nicer to her? Honestly, I have no clue."
"Let's just go," Aaron suggests. Yes. Please.
"Let's go, Mama!" I smile.
"Okay. Let's go."
Let's go see Katie.

****
A little shorter, but the next one will be good. Just wait.
Also Jason and his Uncle Percy are references to Jason Grace and Percy Jackson. However, they are not them. I do have a few fan fictions about them, but they aren't that great.
Anyways, I hope you enjoy! Thanks for reading!
-AJKBOOKWORM