"Semi-Short Stories" [ Story Collection ]

The Trial [] 10/12 []

Max had asked Valentine's permission before inviting their newly discovered father over to the Swan residence. Val originally suggested that they talk over dinner, but Max declined, stating that they'd be too nervous to eat and that the food would go to waste. Val understood. Just a general meeting, then.

Cosmin was staying in a hotel nearly an hour away, which Max found both dreadful and a blessing. A dreadful blessing. They were anxious to properly meet this man. They'd gotten along over text, but would the two get along in person? Max tried to nap for this hour, clinging to Mal's side until they'd gotten a text stating that Cosmin was less than five minutes away. Then they'd made their way to their own bedroom to run a brush through their hair and smooth their clothes. By the time they made their way back into the living room, the doorbell rang.

They feel as if they might be sick. They make eye contact with Val, who was seated on the couch with Nymphadora asleep in his arms, and are met with a reassuring nod. So they step to the door and open it.

The man on the other side is only a couple of inches taller than Max. His hair, no longer hidden by a fedora, is bright red in the afternoon sun. His eyes are hazel and the smile on his face is joyful. He offers a hand.

"Hi."

Max accepts this gesture with their own shaking hand. The smile is returned, though it's clearly nervous. "Hi. I'm Max. You already know that, I already...told you that, but hi."

He chuckles and releases their hand. "It's nice to properly meet you, Max."

An awkward pause. Valentine clears his throat. Max, getting the hint steps back so that Cosmin had room to enter the home. "Sorry."

"It's alright. I'm nervous too, if that helps at all. I've never had a kid before." He looks confused at his own words. He stumbles when he speaks, similarly to Max. "Well, I suppose I've had a kid for over seventeen years, but- I think you know what I mean."

"I don't know what anything means right now."

"Hey! Neither do I."

They share a laugh. Max closes the door as Cosmin slips his shoes off and nudges them out of the way with his foot. Max is smiling.

"I like your socks."

Cosmin looks down, seeing that one is short and grey and the other is blue, polka-dotted, and inside out. He flushes. "I was in a rush."

"It's okay. I really do like them. I never wear matching socks, but my boots usually hide them." They look down at their own feet, which are bare. "I mean...I'm not wearing any right now. But that's because the carpet is soft and-" They exhale. "Want something to drink? Eat? Romeo made cookies. He always makes cookies. We're never out of cookies, I think he might have a problem."

Val laughs and Nymphadora stirs. He stands and rocks her, giving a smile to Cosmin and Max, before making his way down the hall and disappearing into another room. Best not to wake the baby. She's teething and has been overly fussy lately. Much to Max's surprise, Val's absence doesn't make them anxious - this awkward sock talk has made them feel better. Comfortable. They beam at Cosmin and point to the kitchen. He nods.

"What kind of cookies?"

"Literally any kind that you can think of." Max heads through the living room and into the kitchen (it's an open-floor plan). Cosmin trails behind them, hands in his pockets.

"Triple chocolate chip with peppers, raisins, and...vodka."

Max laughs. They're at ease. "Almost every kind you can think of."

He smiles at the laugh. His joke! It was appreciated! How wonderful. "Just chocolate chip is fine. A classic. The king of all cookies, really."

"Hell, if the cookie crown fits."

"Know who's the cookie, uh...un-royalty?"

"Off-brand Oreos, duh."

"Did you know that Oreos have actually been the off-brand this whole time?"

"...You're lying."

"I'm not! Want to see? I'll pull it up, hold on." He pulls his phone out of his pocket with his free hand, cookie in the other, and speaks his search into the assistant. He soon turns the phone to face Max. "Hydrox is the OG Oreo."

Max gasps dramatically. "This is more shocking then finding out that my dad isn't my dad."

"Your entire life has been a lie." Cosmin makes a tsking noise while shaking his head. Crumbs fall to the floor and he slips his phone back into his pocket.

"It has. Man. I can't believe this."

"Fuckin' Oreos, am I right?"

"Fuckin'. Oreos."