Instant Family (SWSH Fanfic)

Coping Mechanisms: Part 3

Gloria propped herself up against the backboard, letting the sheets fall from her body. She brought her index finger to her temple as she digested Bea's inquiries. She glanced down at Bea, whose eyes were wide in anticipation. She couldn't help but smile as she saw her struggling to figure out where to look, her cheeks beginning to get rosey.

She let out a sigh.

"Okay, so firstly," she leaned on her elbow and turned to face Bea, "I don't mind spending time with Allister— but I'm not gonna play favorites with the challenge. I don't want to give anyone the impression that certain individuals have an advantage over others... BUT... I'll give him some pointers here and there if you'll let me take him out to the wild area for training. You can come too," she leaned down and planted a kiss on Bea's forehead, "I certainly don't mind..."

"Yes! Thank you!" Gloria was suddenly yanked down into a tight hug as Bea's tan arms wrapped around her neck. Her face squished against her chest.

Mmmm... soft...

Gloria delicately wrapped her arms around Bea, squeezing gently. She did her best to avoid thinking about the searing pain in her muscles as she melted into the embrace. Her lashes brushed against Bea's skin as she attempted to bring her gaze upward.

I wonder if she felt that...

"H-hey, I'm not done!" Gloria attempted to wriggle free from Bea's embrace as she suddenly remembered the other questions she needed to address. She readjusted herself and looked up to Bea, her face beaming with happiness. "As for this, no this doesn't count as a date, so I still owe you..." her fingers scrunched at the sheets deftly as she averted her gaze. "I feel a little bad... I should've at least taken you out first!" Gloria sheepishly smiled as Bea gestured with her hands.

"Well don't worry about it! I'm not going to complain..." Bea's face started to glow bright red. She brought the sheet up to cover her chest, her legs crossing as she sat up. Gloria crawled out from beneath the sheets and kneeled in front of her, placing one of her hands on top of Bea's knee. Bea's eyes widened once again, she attempted to hide under the sheet. "Uhh haha..."

"So let me take you out? Tonight?"

-•-

Marnie was in a crumpled heap in Piers's arms sobbing. Piers was crying too.

Oh my gosh... How am I the responsible one here???

Nessa pried the whiskey bottle from Piers's pale hands as he hugged Marnie, incoherent slurs stringing from them both. She grimaced at the carnage on the couch.

"P-Piers— I really fuuhuhucked everything uhuhup this tiiiime—" Marnie's cheeks, nose, and ears glowed a bright red. Piers's hands shot out to cup Marnie's face, he tried his best to compose himself between his own stifled sobs.

"No M-Marn— NO — w-we can fix this—" his voice wavered as he drunkenly mashed Marnie's face, "it true love sis, you jus'— you jus' gotta remember whatchja did in tha firs' place ta m-make her fall fer ya..." he continued to relentlessly squish his younger sister's face as she continued to sob.

That's actually not a bad idea!

"But I'm— I'm—" Marnie's voice fractured between her ragged breaths, Piers watched expectantly. A new wave of tears poured from her eyes, "I'm not goohohood enough f-for h-herrr. It's i-impossible t-to love m-meeee!"

"Nnnnnnno!" Piers shook his head with comical vehemence. "Nnnnooo way sis. I love you. I love you so mush. I love ya so mush lil sis"