Tragic Kingdom (80s/90s imagines)

96: Chris Chambers (Stand By Me)

For @brook_de (I'm so sorry idk why it's not letting me tag you here)

Chris was not one to get nervous. He was known for staying calm, cool, and collected under pressure. So the sweat he kept wiping from his hands was foreign. His mouth kept going dry, and there was an unmistakable queasiness in the pit of his stomach.

That was all just on the walk over to your house.

You, on the other hand, were buzzing with excitement. You were running around the house helping with food or cleaning or whatever needed another hand. Sure, you had a few concerns about Chris meeting so much of your family at once—seven people seemed like a lot when he had never met any of them—but you were so happy that you two had made it to that point.

"Are you sure they'll be fine with me being there?" he had asked after you gave the invitation. "Isn't it a family thing?"

You shrugged. "My mom actually suggested it. She's been wanting to meet you for a while, and I mean, you were going to meet my family eventually."

He hadn't thought about that. All the logistics and formalities of going steady never really occurred to him. It wasn't like you were ever going to meet his family. It was always just about getting to be with you, but if going to a family party was part of dating you, then he'd do it.

After there was nothing left for you to do, you waited by the door, ready to hear a knock. When it finally came, you threw yourself at the door.

"Hi, Chris!" A wide, excited grin spread across your face as you opened the door. "Come in!"

The blond boy gave you a more nervous reflection of your smile and stepped into the house. "Hey," he greeted quietly.

Your parents materialized by your side, making an already anxious Chris gulp.

Your mother had a smile plastered to her face in the most genuine way. She had been the one to hear all of your gushing about him. "Hello, Chris! Y/n never fully described how handsome you are."

More than one body felt the effects of utter embarrassment, and you had never wanted to shrink away more.

"Mom," you hissed. "Anyway, Chris, this is my mom and dad."

After introductions, your father decided to take Chris under his wing- er, arm and have a "talk with him about grilling."

"Chris, this is Y/n's uncle," your dad stated, then turning to your uncle, who was manning the grill. "This is Y/n's boyfriend."

As the men had their time with Chris, you waited for a moment to steal him away. The moment came, but it was your mother and your aunt that came to Chris's rescue.

"Oh, you two leave the poor boy alone," your mom said, placing a protective arm around him. "I doubt he wants to hear about what the best charcoal to use is and all of that nonsense."

"So, you're Chris," your aunt chirped. She gave your mother a look. "When she told me you were a Chambers boy, I was afraid Y/n had gotten with a hoodlum-"

"Okay, my turn!" You linked arms with Chris and began to steer him towards anywhere else.

"She's got a point," Chris sighed.

Before you could make your getaway, your aunt defended herself. "I was just going to say that he seems like the good apple of the bunch. I know the family, but I know good people when I see them." She sent a wink to Chris, who seemed to relax in your hold.

He shyly mumbled out a "Thank you" before you pulled him back into the house.

When the eating started, the kids decided it was their turn to interrogate.

"Are you Y/n's boyfriend?" your 10-year-old cousin asked.

Your sister smacked your cousin's arm. "I already told you that." She turned to Chris. "Have you two-" she looked around before leaning in and whispering, "kissed?"

She and your cousins giggled.

Chris's face went strawberry red as he looked to you hoping for an idea of what to say. "Uh... why don't we talk about animals? Do you guys have any favorites? Mine's a lion."

His diversion seemed to work, and the kids were all going on about which animals were the coolest. For a second you were surprised he knew how to distract them, but then the realization hit you like a truck. He had quite a few younger siblings, and considering his home life, he probably did this sort of thing all the time—not that he talked about it.

By the end of the party, Chris wasn't nearly as shy and ended up in decent conversation with the adults.

"So, son, what do you drive?" your uncle asked.

"I don't drive anything yet, sir," Chris laughed. "I'm only 14, and I don't really have anyone to teach me."

The adults shared a look, and your heart sank a little at the meaning behind his words. Everyone knew what he meant.

Your dad reached over and patted Chris's shoulder. "You ever want driving lessons, you let me know, alright?"

Chris broke out in a smile. "I will. Thank you, sir."

When it was time for Chris to leave, you somehow got him to yourself. You walked him to the front porch to say your goodbyes.

"My parents would be more than willing to drive you home," you insisted for the second time.

He just shook his head. "No, I don't want them to go out of their way."

A moment passed.

He glanced to the windows to see if anyone was peeking out before quickly leaning in and kissing you. "I love your family."

"Well, they all love you too," you assured him. "And I do too."

"I love you too. I'll see you soon." With that, he started his walk back to his house.

Right then, watching his figure walk further and further away, you said a little prayer—or made a wish or whatever it was—that he would be at many more family parties to come.

I'm back on my "I hate the ending" bs again, but I hope this is what you were wanting! I hate making up names for other people since this is supposed to be your family, so I hope the fact that no one had a name wasn't too confusing to follow.

Thank you for requesting! I hope you enjoyed it! M'kay.

~Mariah