#bergen_county

"It was always just me."

“When I told them to bring Dirk home, I was just hoping he’d be a distraction so I could get away with more. But he’s kinda grown on me. Like a fungus.”

"heh."

“And maybe the kid will just be a kinain. Not even a real kid at all, really. Then they’d, hm. Maybe get rid of it. I hear stories from Ann Marie’s work. Or like that Connor, not what they wanted, so just throw it away to be someone else’s problem.”

"They wouldn't!"

"Not those two, it's their real baby."

“Well, why would they waste time on a kid that not Really theirs? Not in the soul. Just a mortal bit of whiny flesh.”

"They're gonna be all over it if it has 13 toes and it's purple."

"Except it's still theirs."

"And it's not fucking fair, I just got them!"

"I ain't even... not even one fucking year, right? And then they're gonna have some dumb drooling worm that's gonna take all their attention..."

“Only mortally. It will be YEARS before they even know if it MIGHT be part of their fae lives. Meanwhile, they made you their daughter by oath on that side. If they wouldn’t chuck a Mortal brat, maybe they get enough credit that they wouldn’t chuck their soul daughter either.”

“I think with the little shit demon around, they’ll appreciate you more. You just got them... mom and dad. And now you get a sister, too. It’s like, you get the whole set.”

"I don't want it."

“Yeah. Life sucks sometimes. You got a curveball. But you at least get 9 months to figure this shit out. And if you need an exit plan? You know I’ll stick by you. The others will too. You ain’t gonna be left in the cold no matter what.”

A grunt.

“Just don’t shut me out, okay? You’re the cool one. Otherwise I have to start trying to break in a new best friend.

And I won’t tell you “oh you should be HAPPY, whatever cuz your gonna hear that a lot. But hey, one way or another you’ll get through it. Dagmar STRONG.”

"..heh."

“You wanna see the movie? Or go find someone to beat up?”

"Movie. I mean, you said you wanted to?"

“Yeah! Let’s watch someone whose life sucks worse. And eat popcorn.”

"Good plan."

He grins, and off they go.

-------

Dagmar is late to dinner.

Tove raises a brow, her daughter has a good healthy appetite.

So she texts

TXT: Sam? It's dinner time

txt at movies w/Symon. Running late.

TXT: Ah! Ok. Have fun. Miss you

Dag does show up - likely after the pair have started.

She makes some ready to reheat, and bites her lip.

A grunt of greeting.

Turns out Jaymes isnt there, Tove turns noticing her, "Oh good.Hey, Sorry, your dad is working extra hours."

Scowl-grunt.

"How was the movie?"

She places Flyswatter in the corner, carefully. "Okay."

Tove nods "How is Symon? Hope he had a good Pennons?"

Grunt-nod.

She eyes her daughter, then serves the food before her, "Hope you like extra meaty chili"

"Yeah..."

She pokes at the surface with her spoon.

"Glad." She smiles "How are Stormwake and Star today?"

Grunt-shrug.

That raises a brow, but she goes on "Raindrop did the most adorable thing today. She ran UP the stairway rail then took off in great big circles."

A chuff, amused. "Yeah?"

"...You give her sugar?"

A guilty look "Yes. "

"She likes it."

"Yeah.. .but her zipping around made Odin bonkers"

Snort-grin.