Instant Family (SWSH Fanfic)

Have You Ever Seen a 3 Car Pileup?

Gloria just stood there for a moment. Cheep's ball weighing heavily in her hand. She looked to the sky for inspiration but found none.

Why am I being such a pussy about this? It's a simple conversation to have. Just fucking DO it.

She raised her shoulders and turned back to knock, but stopped midway, backing away from the lit porch. She sighed in defeat and released Cheep, who let out a triumphant scream as Gloria clamored onto him.

"Take me home, bud..."

Cheep's wings beat down against the air, starlight beginning to shine off the metal of his wings.

Tiny particles of dirt and sand plinked off of the windows of Bea's house.

-•-

Gloria and Cheep landed in front of the hotel in a glorious flourish, her hair whipping in the night time wind. Not even bothering to climb off, she recalled Cheep to his ball and fell to the ground, sticking the landing. She gave the receptionist a depressed "hullo..." as she slunk her way upstairs. She was marginally pleased to see that the package full of clothes she ordered from her Wyndon apartment was set neatly in front of her door. Scooping it up, she unlocked the door, gently placed Cheep's ball in her bag, placed her package on the dresser, and fell into bed stomach first.

She didn't bother turning on the light. She looked down at her phone to check her notifications and was pleasantly surprised to see a text from Bea. She went into her contacts and edited her name, adding an endearing emoji.

Bea🍦: Hey, hope you got home safe! See you tomorrow ❤️

She flopped on her back, bringing the phone to her heart as she sighed.

Bea is WAY too good for me. I don't deserve someo—

Her phone buzzed in her hand, startling her mid-thought. She peered down to see what it was.

😈Marnie: We need to talk.

That's what I get for complaining...

Gloria was in the middle of typing a short response when another bubble popped up beneath the first.

😈Marnie: I'm on my way to Stow-on-Side. Where are you staying?

Gloria didn't have it in her to argue or make any efforts toward this conversation. She lazily sent a ping and shared her location, tossing her phone to the side as thoughts raced through her head.

Thankfully I didn't sleep with Bea... not that it should matter to Marnie— we were 'never a thing' according to her... still... I don't feel good about this. Any of this. I don't like hurting people...

She rolled off the side of her bed, scuffing her feet against the carpet as she went to grab her toothbrush. She tiredly ran her fingers through her hair as she stuck the toothbrush in her mouth, making eye contact with herself in the mirror. She scanned the white and orange jersey, running her thumb over the soft material. She saw Bea's bomber jacket on the counter to the left of her and started to brush her teeth hard, closing her eyes and pretending to be elsewhere.

Swishing water in her mouth, she snapped out of her daze, staring herself down into the mirror. She spat the water out and pointed a finger at her reflection.

"Do NOT fuck this up Gloria. You're gonna be nice to Marnie for coming all this way, you're gonna tell Bea about her tomorrow morning, and you're gonna face your problems like a WOMAN." She gave herself an indignant nod.

"Strength starts with taking this off and giving them back." She pulled at the hem of the jersey, looking down at her feet.

Deciding to hit two rookidee with one stone, she started to get ready for bed, turning the handle of the shower to let a strong stream of steamy water out. The droplets of water hammered against the tile as she undressed.