Instant Family (SWSH Fanfic)

Trial By Fire

What on earth has gotten into HIM?

Bea could barely recognize her brother as he stood up, wiping the dirt from his shorts. His face was significantly brighter, his posture was much straighter. She glanced over to see Gloria beaming up at him as he made his way toward to towering silhouette in the distance. Pink and purple cracks of lightning sparked in strands above them, getting consumed by fluffy, dark clouds. Gloria scooted up next to her, nudging her gently with her elbow as they watched Allister snap a dusk ball out of his belt and into his hand. The wind started to pick up, whipping around them swiftly, making Gloria shiver slightly. Bea felt her hushed whisper against her ear as she leaned closer to her.

"Pretty cool, huh?"

Pretty cool??? Is she insane?

"Gloria— this is not okay— he's not ready!" Bea turned her head and frowned at Gloria who seemed taken aback. She raised her eyebrow as the wind blew through her hair.

"Bea— where is this coming from?? I TOLD you we were gonna— did you just tune me out the whole time??" She leaned back, crossing her arms defensively and pouting at Bea whose foot was madly bouncing up and down.

"Okay I mean— maybe? Gloria, that's beside the point—"

"So what, you don't trust me?" Gloria let out a huff, standing back up and patting the dust off her bottom. She pursed her lips and glared at Bea.

Uh oh. No. UGH I am NOT in the wrong here.

Bea stood back up and crossed her arms back at her indignantly, raising her voice as the thunder got louder and louder. "Of course I do!" her voice carried, Gloria rolled her eyes, "Come ON— he's TEN— he's never been down one!"

"So why didn't you say anything earlier?? You literally said— and I quote— 'do what you want Allie, I'm good with it' while we were walking to the hotel! You seriously were not paying attention, were you..." She turned away from Bea, sticking up her nose and letting out another huff.

UGHHHHHHHHH

Bea reached her hand out to grab Gloria's arm, she flinched at her touch. Bea frowned, "Gloria—I'm sorry— but this is dangerous—" Gloria whipped herself around and pointed her finger firmly at Bea who held her hands up defensively.

"No it's not! I would've had things under control Bea, YOU asked for this! Plus— you're here. You can watch over him, we're gonna be fine!" Gloria brought her finger from pointing at Bea to the side to point toward Allister. "I'm good at this, Bea! Plus—" they both turned to follow Gloria's pointed finger, Allister's figure disappearing quite literally into a shroud of darkness. Gloria's voice wavered as she patted at her side with her free hand, coming up empty in terms of her bag. "I'm... the Champion...?" Her face turned white, she turned around frantically looking for her stuff, Bea's own eyes widened.

OH NO.

She staggered backward a bit as she brought her eyes upward, the mouth of the den wasn't even visible from her stand point. She shut her eyes hard, balling her fists in frustration.

My bag. Is on. A patch of grass. SHOOT.

Bea could feel her veins start to pop from her neck, she felt like steam would pour out of her ears any second now. Gloria's hands shot to her cheeks, bringing her gaze down to her big, worried, auburn eyes. Her voice wavered slightly as the words poured out of her mouth before Bea could say or do anything.