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Fic: Dating the Cleverest Boy in the World. Chapter 13.
I can't believe how awkward this chapter has been. Mostly, it's due to Troy who just APPEARED and turned out to be so much bigger on the inside, threatening to completely take over the whole chapter. I've done my best to scale him back (he'll probably get his own story at some point), but I reckon I've discarded at least as much as is here - the sheer number of rewrites I had to do was unbelievable. /o\ (If you're curious about Troy, I wrote a little prologue/minisode for him: Unexpected.) Also - look I made a new icon! You'll have to wait until the next chapter to find out what it's all about, but I couldn't help using it. *pets it*
Fic index here if anyone wants to catch up. And on AO3 here.
Summary: Allison had always thought that university would be an adventure. But she'd not imagined that she'd end up dating Harold Saxon's son.
Setting: Christmas 2026 (AU post-Sound of Drums)
Characters: OCs (Alex, Allison, Allison's family)
Rating: 15 (mentions of abuse.)
Wordcount: 4200 words approx.
Feedback: *looks hopeful*
Chapter 13
One week before Christmas, 2026
“You know, if I took over the world I could have the trains running on time.”
“Alex...”
“If only I was allowed a car. Seriously, I can’t believe that I’m not allowed one. It’s... insulting. Even Uncle had a car when he was exile. It was called Bessie and was totally brilliant. UNIT must have it in storage somewhere-”
“Alex-”
“I know, I know, I’m a really careful driver, but even if I drove at 20 mph we’d still be at your parents’ before this train.”
“Alex!”
He finally turned towards her.
“What?”
“If you took over the world...”
Pulling a face, he tried shrugging.
“I know, I shouldn’t say that. But really, I could make everything just work-”
She took a deep breath of the cold December air and tried to stop herself from shaking him in frustration.
“If you’d let me finish? It’s always ‘If I took over the world’ - but why not try to make an actual difference? You are good at organising - it seems a shame to waste that.”
His eyes widened in horror.
“You mean like... politics or civil service or business or....”
“Or something like that, yes.”
“Not now, not ever, that would be like every nightmare imaginable!”
“But-”
“Apart from the fact that I’m my father’s son and that his legacy would follow me around everywhere, it would mean... bureaucracy. On every level. Following other people’s rules. And if I did go the whole way, I would just end up murdering my cabinet like dad did. Probably not on the first day, but I’d get there. Please - don’t ever suggest that again.”
Train platforms were not really the best place for serious conversations - especially not days as coldly miserable as this one - but she wanted to at least try to talk about this. He made mules look meek and easily persuaded - how he had become so completely fixed in his ideas at such a young age she had no idea. She wasn’t going to stop challenging him however.
“But you’re good at it. You’ve just spent four weeks being a... supervisor or foreman or whatever at that building site, and I know they’re desperate to give you a permanent contract.”
A bright smile broke through his frown.
“Oh but I like construction and building and creating things. That’s fun. However I’d much rather build my own stuff than help others with theirs. These past few weeks has just been... keeping my hand in.”
She was just about to say something about him being impossible, when there was an announcement over the tannoy which let them know that their train was finally on its way. Alex shook his head.
“I’d also invent better tannoys-” he began, and she abruptly pushed her holdall into his arms. Enough was enough.
“Look after that. I’m going to get myself some hot chocolate. You want some?”
At the tiny little stall she reflected wryly that at least he could now joke about the whole issue again... For the past many months - ever since that last night at the circus - it had been a huge sore point. She wondered idly where it came from. It was obviously to do with his father, a reaction against him of some kind, although she couldn’t quite work out how.
Blowing on the hot chocolate, she sighed and decided to leave it for the time being. She’d have to find a way of separating the issues somehow, so he didn’t keep getting everything mixed up. Although that would probably take a proper Christmas Miracle, and she wasn’t sure she believed in those.
***
It was dark by the time they reached her parents’, but there was supper ready on the table, and halfway through the meal Ella and Nathan turned up - childless and smiling.
“They’re with their other grandma for the night!” Ella announced, beaming. “We’re going out, but we thought we’d come and say hello first.”
“Have a cuppa,” their mother said, and soon enough everyone was gathered around the table, chatting and catching up, with Jimmy being slightly less annoying than usual, and their father actually leaving to catch up on work, rather than argue about womens’ role in the construction business. (Possibly something to do with the look he received from all the women around the table.)
The talk was flowing freely until the phone rang and Allison’s mother picked it up.
“Hello Toby,” she said smiling, but - as Toby talked - her face turned oddly quiet, silence falling around the table in response, and eventually she said “Well yes, of course. Please don’t worry, that shouldn’t be a problem at all dear...” before saying goodbye and hanging up.
“What is it?” Ella asked, concerned. “Is Toby OK?”
Their mother tried to smile, still looking oddly shellshocked.
“Yes he’s... he’s fine. More than fine, I suppose. He just wanted to double-check how long Alex was staying for, and if...”
She stared at the phone, as if expecting it still to be talking.
“And if it would be OK for him to bring his boyfriend home for Christmas. He didn’t want to crowd the house too much, he’s such a considerate boy...”
For a moment they all stared at each other, Allison’s overwhelming thought being that this was such a Toby thing to do it was almost ridiculous... Of course he’d only bring up something this pivotal and important when there was some kind of practical reason to do so. A second later the information itself sank in: Her brother was gay! Without hesitation she triumphantly stretched out her hands towards her siblings.
“And who was right, eh? Pay up please!”
Jimmy rolled his eyes and said that he didn’t have any money right now, and Ella sighed as she fished her purse out of her handbag, duly handing over a ten pound note. Allison was still basking in her victory when their mother’s voice broke through:
“Excuse me, but please tell me that you weren’t taking bets on your brother’s sexuality!”
As Allison froze, Jimmy immediately said: “It was Al’s idea!” and she turned to him furious.
“Don’t call me Al!”
Then she looked at her mother, caught between defensiveness and apology.
“It was that last barbecue at the end of August - not this August, the year before - and we were a... tiny little bit drunk maybe? And I said something about how Toby might be gay because of never having had any girlfriends, and then Jimmy said that that didn’t mean anything - so I said that he’s never shown any interest in girls, like, at all, and I didn’t know that he could cope with having a girlfriend anyway, because he’s Toby and he’s got enough problems understanding people, nevermind the opposite gender, and that he’s always liked male detectives and stuff and that I thought that this was probably a good indicator, but Ella said that I was just projecting - because remember how Toby and I used to watch detective shows together and I fancied lots of them? - and then I said that I was willing to bet on it, and they said ‘OK’, and... I was right, see?”
She smiled as widely as she could, praying that her mother wouldn’t start fussing further, and sighed with relief when she only closed her eyes and then walked off to tell their father the news.
Ella’s husband - the ever imperturbable Nathan - shook his head and studied Alex, with that amused conspiratorial look he usually reserved for Amanda’s husband.
“You’re taking this well - if you can cope with the madness, I think you’ve got staying power.”
Alex smiled softly.
“Oh I think they’re all wonderful,” he said, voice slightly dreamy, and Nathan laughed and patted him on the back.
“He’s got it bad Allie - best make it permanent before he can escape. That’s how Ella got me, by the way...”
They all laughed, but Allison realised that Alex had been doing the ‘observing’ thing again, watching them all as someone would a play, letting the conversation blossom around him rather than joining in. Although considering his own family, she couldn’t really blame him.
Then she realised that another ‘outsider’ would be added shortly, and began wondering what Toby’s boyfriend would be like, before becoming distracted when her mother returned and began wondering how exactly they would manage the sleeping arrangements, as the house would be crammed once Amanda and her lot arrived.
Allison - mentally reshuffling people from room to room - came up with a genius solution, and beamed:
“Mum! I know. Amanda will need the big guest room, yeah? So what if Toby and his boyfriend go in Jimmy’s room, Jimmy goes in Ella’s old room where Alex is now, and Alex can come in my room!”
Jimmy looked at her outraged. “And why do I have to go in Ella’s room? It’s tiny and purple.”
“Well, it’s the only logical solution,” she replied breezily. “Unless you want to share with me - or with Toby and his new boyfriend?”
A just-a-touch-evil grin topped off the sentence (‘That’s what you get for always calling me Al!’ unspoken, yet loud and clear), and Jimmy scowled as their mother slowly nodded.
“I think that might be the most workable solution, Allie. Thank you.”
Allison stuck her tongue out at Jimmy and then couldn’t help shooting Alex a triumphant look as soon as people’s attention was elsewhere.
They’d be actually sleeping together. She could kiss Toby for all the second-hand benefits he was bringing her.
***
Three days later Toby turned up with Troy, who was so completely not what she’d expected that Allison felt too stunned to say much for a long time. Troy was short, Irish and clearly an inveterate show-off, with curly hair and and tight clothing and a sideline in overt - almost aggressive - camp that reminded Allison of a more bitchy Jedward back when they were young.
(“Sorry about the name, my mum had a huge crush on that guy from High School Musical - luckily I turned out nothing like him, cause that could have gotten awkward - wouldn’t want my mum fancying me!”)
He was - of course - as carefully and thoroughly investigated as any new addition to the family, and he took it well, easily shining as the centre of attention. Yet Allison couldn’t shake a sense of unease. Ella (who’d come over especially) immediately adored him, and Allison could easily see why - Troy was, in many ways, quite similar to her exes. They’d all had that devil-may-care recklessness (and the ASBOs to match) and whilst Troy’s energy was obviously focussed more on entertainment (Jimmy was hanging on his every word, interspersing laughter with ‘You should do stand up! Seriously!’), Allison couldn’t help feel that he was all wrong for her Toby.
Despite the fact that Toby was two years older, they’d always been close and she’d spent a good portion of her childhood looking out for him. Not that he cared that the world didn’t make much sense, but she had tried her best to make sure that this indifference didn’t impact him negatively.
It was something of a shock to realise that she still, now, felt protective of him. He’d moved out three years before, and was doing fine, and yet...
He was sitting quietly beside Troy, just watching him with an odd intensity she’d never seen before, and Allison with a strange hollow feeling realised that he was obviously in love. She’d be happy for him, except- except for the impossible-to-ignore unease. Toby needed someone... Someone less brash. Less forceful. Less self-absorbed. Less Troy.
“So, the first thing Toby ever said to me was that I was giving him a headache!”
“You still do,” Toby said mildly, and everyone laughed. Allison smiled mechanically, and turned to Alex to gauge his reaction. She’d been too focussed on Troy to think about Alex, and was shocked to realise that he was studying Troy with a look not unlike Toby’s. Not sure what to make of this, she leaned into him, speaking so quietly that only he could hear.
“Alex... If you keep looking at him that way, it’s going to be hard persuading people that you’re straight.”
“Huh?” he said, blinking, before his face slowly cleared.
“Oh I don’t fancy him at all. But I think he might be giving me a headache too. Mentally, I mean, not physically. Mind you, he’s ginger...”
“I’m sorry, what?”
Alex eyes drifted across to Troy again, still oddly distant. “Is there anything more perfect that ginger hair?”
Allison had to stop herself from shaking her head, deciding to stick with the topic of ginger-ness for now. They could discuss other things later, in private.
“Every time I think I’ve got a hang of all your peculiarities, another one crops up and throws me. Is this your way of telling me that I should dye my hair?”
A smile spread across his face as he turned to her, finally focussing on her properly.
“Allie, you are perfect the way you are. I don’t want ginger hair for you - I want it for me.”
She lifted an eyebrow, studying him critically.
“Honestly? It’d look terrible. You’re not like Jamie...”
He shrugged.
“I know. Gotta wait for a different face.”
At which point she couldn’t help laughing, and then had to apologise as she’d interrupted a story.
After that, however, she kept quiet, listening. In between all the stories she managed to piece together a picture, and it wasn’t one she liked. Troy, apparently, had not had a permanent place to stay until Toby asked him to move in - hadn’t had much of anything, full-stop, and there was entirely too much about this that said ‘This guy is shallow bastard who is using my good-hearted brother.’
Unfortunately she didn’t have a clue what to do. Her mother was terribly pleased (she clearly saw Toby as Troy’s saviour), and - to her immense frustration - Alex refused to even talk about it when she raised the issue that night as they were getting ready for bed.
“Allie - leave them to it. It’s not your business.”
“But-”
“Not. Your. Business. Or mine. What would you say if Toby came and tried to interfere with you and me?”
“That’s not the same-”
“Oh yes it is. And I thought you didn’t want me meddling...”
He shot her a significant look, and she bit her lip, feeling angry helplessness welling up.
“But he’s my brother. And I don’t want him taken advantage of...”
Alex, about to pull off his socks, stopped and sighed.
“Sorry, but... that’s not what’s happening. Well, it might be partially true, but it’s much more complicated than that.”
“Because, as always, you know everything,” she said crossly; but he only glared in response, and then refused to continue the conversation.
A little later Allison for the first time realised that there could be a downside to sharing a bed: Specifically - when both of you were too stubborn to make the first move, you could feel far more lonely than if you were in a single bed.
***
The next day Jimmy decided to put up some mistletoe.
Goodness knew where he'd got hold of it, but Allison figured it’d certainly make for an entertaining Christmas. Especially given the way it immediately backfired.
As Jimmy stepped off the chair he'd been standing on, he found Troy waiting, mischievous smile firmly in place.
"Mistletoe, eh? Give us a kiss then!"
Jimmy, caught off guard, brandished the hammer in his hands defensively, before Troy plucked it out of his hands and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
"Don't set stuff up if you can't cope with the fallout," he laughed, as Jimmy - stunned - beat a hasty retreat.
Allison, thrilled, stepped forwards. She had her perfect opening, and she’d be damned if she didn’t take it.
“Well, I’m glad you have such an open-minded attitude,” she smiled, and then - before he could answer - put her hands on his face and leaned in, pleased to note that he was looking a little unnerved himself now.
"However," she continued, voice low. "If you hurt my brother I will beat you to death with a shovel."
She planted a kiss on his lips as he stared at her, open mouthed and shocked, then tilted her head. "A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend."
Smiling she stepped back, only to lift her eyes and see Toby staring at her with undisguised shock and anger, which quickly segued into that look - the one she remembered far too well from when they were younger.
Hello, many many kinds of ‘Oh shit, I just screwed up big time’.
***
Troy stared dumbly at the empty spot where Toby had just dragged Allison away ‘to have a talk in private’. He wasn’t entirely sure what had happened, although she’d been the first one to speak any sort of language he understood.
Slowly he turned and looked at Alex, who with his head indicated the front room.
“They’ll probably be a while. Wanna go sit down?”
“Suppose,” Troy said, still unsure what the hell was going on. As he fell into the sofa he couldn’t help noticing the way Alex was watching him as he seated himself in the neighbouring armchair. Alex had done rather a lot of just watching - him and Allison both - and Troy found it rather uncomfortable. To be honest he was happy that Allison had just laid the cards on the table - at least he knew where he stood with her.
After a moment Alex broke the silence.
"You must excuse my girlfriend. She doesn't... understand you at all. Not her fault."
Troy raised an eyebrow.
"And you think you do?"
Alex tilted his head, eyes narrowing.
"I think I've got a pretty good idea. I could be projecting, of course, but yes, I think I know why you are how you are."
Unable to resist a challenge like this (little rich boy, born to privilege - what the hell could he know about Troy's life?), Troy smiled condescendingly.
"Go on then - tell me about myself."
"I think..." Alex hesitated, studying Troy with a look that was in no way triumphant or challenging - quite the opposite in fact.
"I think someone hurt you. I think you loved him, and I don't think that you ever - not for a second - thought of it as abuse, even though any onlooker would have said it was."
As Troy stared at Alex in mute shock, somewhere inside his 15 year old self could still hear Mr Hollingsworth's voice - so warm, so reasonable, so rich and mellifluous and mesmerising, the perfect reflection of the man himself:
He could still feel the desperation; the pain; the soaring heights and soul-destroying burning intensity of that first and singular love...
The memory still made him feel hollow from want and eventual (inevitable) rejection. But he'd learned his lesson then, and learned it well. The kinder, the better, the more decent? The more likely they were to betray you... He’d made a conscious effort to aim for the shallow bastards from then on and to never to apologise for what he was; meeting the world with a sneer, taking what he could and not worrying about anyone else - until Toby. Impossible Toby, who didn’t fit with anything he knew. He was still waiting for the other shoe to drop, because people like Toby only existed on TV and in stories. In real life, you got screwed over and stabbed in the back when you found something beautiful, and pretending otherwise only led to destruction...
And Alex was still looking at him, and he needed to say something, but he couldn't get a word out. How the hell had he known? When Alex spoke again, he answered the unspoken question.
“Sorry if I upset you. But scars are scars, and there is no way that I couldn’t notice yours, being somewhat damaged myself...”
Swallowing, and knowing it was madness (he’d never told anyone - except when he’d blackmailed the Head Teacher, but that had been something else again...), Troy finally spoke, the words seemingly dragged from him by the improbable Alex who seemed to understand, and Troy had never thought he’d meet anyone who did:
“It was my English teacher,” he said, heart beating, feeling like he was walking out onto thin air like a cartoon character. “In Year Ten. He was... my first. In every way.”
And the air supported him, as Alex tilted his head, studying him thoughtfully.
“Was it wonderful, despite everything?”
“...yes. So much yes.”
A slow nod.
“My story is very different from yours - it was never sexual - but my childhood effectively ended when I was eight. Not that I was normal before then, mind you...”
Leaning back into the sofa Alex looked around the festive front room, the multicoloured Christmas tree twinkling in a corner, the photos on the mantelpiece almost swallowed up by elves and handmade decorations that spilled over onto every surface, the evidence of much diligence from a myriad children over many, many years.
“They don’t understand people like us. This family... they love each other without motives, without manipulation, without using each other. Like something from a TV show or a story... I don’t know how it can be real, but somehow it is.”
Catching Troy’s eyes again, he smiled in wonder.
“This is... the jackpot of families. They have their quirks, but I’m hanging in with everything I’ve got. Imagine this for years and years and years...”
Troy stared at him, trying to wrap his head around the very idea, and Alex impulsively reached out and took his hand across the gap between their seats.
What he was going to say was lost, however, as the door opened and Allison and Toby entered, Allison’s face a picture as she took in the scene.
“Oh my god, you’ve done it again.”
Alex frowned.
“Done what?”
“That thing you do. Just making people... adore you.”
Troy smirked. This was his home territory, and an opening like that was too good to leave alone.
“Afraid of the competition?”
“No,” she said curtly, folding her arms, and his smile widened.
“You should be. I could turn him in a heartbeat.”
Allison - who had a definite talent for looking obstinate - glared at him.
“I actually came to apologise, but you are making it really difficult.”
The tension was broken by Alex laughing, as he let go of Troy’s hand with a small wink.
“You’re making it feel just like home, death threats and all. Allison, come here and sit down. Everyone’s had a chat and we’re all good now, yes? So let’s see what’s on TV and not worry about it.”
Toby looked immensely relieved, taking a seat next to Troy and lacing their fingers together as Alex started to look for the TV remote. Feeling oddly exhausted (confession drained you, he should know that), Troy folded his legs under himself and leaned his head against Toby’s shoulder, for the first time allowing himself to believe that maybe they had a future.
(He would tell Toby about his past at some point. But not yet. Toby was already - by the very fact of how they’d ended up together - aware of that which still gave Troy nightmares, and without fail soothed the involuntary tremors that followed, kissing away salty tears in the dark of the night... No need to burden him further at this moment in time, by trying to explain something he would have great difficulty understanding and accepting.)
Meanwhile Alex had found a channel which was showing ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ and Troy smiled in approval. Maybe miracles were real after all... Christmas ones at least.
Chapter 14.
Fic index here if anyone wants to catch up. And on AO3 here.
Summary: Allison had always thought that university would be an adventure. But she'd not imagined that she'd end up dating Harold Saxon's son.
Setting: Christmas 2026 (AU post-Sound of Drums)
Characters: OCs (Alex, Allison, Allison's family)
Rating: 15 (mentions of abuse.)
Wordcount: 4200 words approx.
Feedback: *looks hopeful*
Chapter 13
One week before Christmas, 2026
“You know, if I took over the world I could have the trains running on time.”
“Alex...”
“If only I was allowed a car. Seriously, I can’t believe that I’m not allowed one. It’s... insulting. Even Uncle had a car when he was exile. It was called Bessie and was totally brilliant. UNIT must have it in storage somewhere-”
“Alex-”
“I know, I know, I’m a really careful driver, but even if I drove at 20 mph we’d still be at your parents’ before this train.”
“Alex!”
He finally turned towards her.
“What?”
“If you took over the world...”
Pulling a face, he tried shrugging.
“I know, I shouldn’t say that. But really, I could make everything just work-”
She took a deep breath of the cold December air and tried to stop herself from shaking him in frustration.
“If you’d let me finish? It’s always ‘If I took over the world’ - but why not try to make an actual difference? You are good at organising - it seems a shame to waste that.”
His eyes widened in horror.
“You mean like... politics or civil service or business or....”
“Or something like that, yes.”
“Not now, not ever, that would be like every nightmare imaginable!”
“But-”
“Apart from the fact that I’m my father’s son and that his legacy would follow me around everywhere, it would mean... bureaucracy. On every level. Following other people’s rules. And if I did go the whole way, I would just end up murdering my cabinet like dad did. Probably not on the first day, but I’d get there. Please - don’t ever suggest that again.”
Train platforms were not really the best place for serious conversations - especially not days as coldly miserable as this one - but she wanted to at least try to talk about this. He made mules look meek and easily persuaded - how he had become so completely fixed in his ideas at such a young age she had no idea. She wasn’t going to stop challenging him however.
“But you’re good at it. You’ve just spent four weeks being a... supervisor or foreman or whatever at that building site, and I know they’re desperate to give you a permanent contract.”
A bright smile broke through his frown.
“Oh but I like construction and building and creating things. That’s fun. However I’d much rather build my own stuff than help others with theirs. These past few weeks has just been... keeping my hand in.”
She was just about to say something about him being impossible, when there was an announcement over the tannoy which let them know that their train was finally on its way. Alex shook his head.
“I’d also invent better tannoys-” he began, and she abruptly pushed her holdall into his arms. Enough was enough.
“Look after that. I’m going to get myself some hot chocolate. You want some?”
At the tiny little stall she reflected wryly that at least he could now joke about the whole issue again... For the past many months - ever since that last night at the circus - it had been a huge sore point. She wondered idly where it came from. It was obviously to do with his father, a reaction against him of some kind, although she couldn’t quite work out how.
Blowing on the hot chocolate, she sighed and decided to leave it for the time being. She’d have to find a way of separating the issues somehow, so he didn’t keep getting everything mixed up. Although that would probably take a proper Christmas Miracle, and she wasn’t sure she believed in those.
It was dark by the time they reached her parents’, but there was supper ready on the table, and halfway through the meal Ella and Nathan turned up - childless and smiling.
“They’re with their other grandma for the night!” Ella announced, beaming. “We’re going out, but we thought we’d come and say hello first.”
“Have a cuppa,” their mother said, and soon enough everyone was gathered around the table, chatting and catching up, with Jimmy being slightly less annoying than usual, and their father actually leaving to catch up on work, rather than argue about womens’ role in the construction business. (Possibly something to do with the look he received from all the women around the table.)
The talk was flowing freely until the phone rang and Allison’s mother picked it up.
“Hello Toby,” she said smiling, but - as Toby talked - her face turned oddly quiet, silence falling around the table in response, and eventually she said “Well yes, of course. Please don’t worry, that shouldn’t be a problem at all dear...” before saying goodbye and hanging up.
“What is it?” Ella asked, concerned. “Is Toby OK?”
Their mother tried to smile, still looking oddly shellshocked.
“Yes he’s... he’s fine. More than fine, I suppose. He just wanted to double-check how long Alex was staying for, and if...”
She stared at the phone, as if expecting it still to be talking.
“And if it would be OK for him to bring his boyfriend home for Christmas. He didn’t want to crowd the house too much, he’s such a considerate boy...”
For a moment they all stared at each other, Allison’s overwhelming thought being that this was such a Toby thing to do it was almost ridiculous... Of course he’d only bring up something this pivotal and important when there was some kind of practical reason to do so. A second later the information itself sank in: Her brother was gay! Without hesitation she triumphantly stretched out her hands towards her siblings.
“And who was right, eh? Pay up please!”
Jimmy rolled his eyes and said that he didn’t have any money right now, and Ella sighed as she fished her purse out of her handbag, duly handing over a ten pound note. Allison was still basking in her victory when their mother’s voice broke through:
“Excuse me, but please tell me that you weren’t taking bets on your brother’s sexuality!”
As Allison froze, Jimmy immediately said: “It was Al’s idea!” and she turned to him furious.
“Don’t call me Al!”
Then she looked at her mother, caught between defensiveness and apology.
“It was that last barbecue at the end of August - not this August, the year before - and we were a... tiny little bit drunk maybe? And I said something about how Toby might be gay because of never having had any girlfriends, and then Jimmy said that that didn’t mean anything - so I said that he’s never shown any interest in girls, like, at all, and I didn’t know that he could cope with having a girlfriend anyway, because he’s Toby and he’s got enough problems understanding people, nevermind the opposite gender, and that he’s always liked male detectives and stuff and that I thought that this was probably a good indicator, but Ella said that I was just projecting - because remember how Toby and I used to watch detective shows together and I fancied lots of them? - and then I said that I was willing to bet on it, and they said ‘OK’, and... I was right, see?”
She smiled as widely as she could, praying that her mother wouldn’t start fussing further, and sighed with relief when she only closed her eyes and then walked off to tell their father the news.
Ella’s husband - the ever imperturbable Nathan - shook his head and studied Alex, with that amused conspiratorial look he usually reserved for Amanda’s husband.
“You’re taking this well - if you can cope with the madness, I think you’ve got staying power.”
Alex smiled softly.
“Oh I think they’re all wonderful,” he said, voice slightly dreamy, and Nathan laughed and patted him on the back.
“He’s got it bad Allie - best make it permanent before he can escape. That’s how Ella got me, by the way...”
They all laughed, but Allison realised that Alex had been doing the ‘observing’ thing again, watching them all as someone would a play, letting the conversation blossom around him rather than joining in. Although considering his own family, she couldn’t really blame him.
Then she realised that another ‘outsider’ would be added shortly, and began wondering what Toby’s boyfriend would be like, before becoming distracted when her mother returned and began wondering how exactly they would manage the sleeping arrangements, as the house would be crammed once Amanda and her lot arrived.
Allison - mentally reshuffling people from room to room - came up with a genius solution, and beamed:
“Mum! I know. Amanda will need the big guest room, yeah? So what if Toby and his boyfriend go in Jimmy’s room, Jimmy goes in Ella’s old room where Alex is now, and Alex can come in my room!”
Jimmy looked at her outraged. “And why do I have to go in Ella’s room? It’s tiny and purple.”
“Well, it’s the only logical solution,” she replied breezily. “Unless you want to share with me - or with Toby and his new boyfriend?”
A just-a-touch-evil grin topped off the sentence (‘That’s what you get for always calling me Al!’ unspoken, yet loud and clear), and Jimmy scowled as their mother slowly nodded.
“I think that might be the most workable solution, Allie. Thank you.”
Allison stuck her tongue out at Jimmy and then couldn’t help shooting Alex a triumphant look as soon as people’s attention was elsewhere.
They’d be actually sleeping together. She could kiss Toby for all the second-hand benefits he was bringing her.
Three days later Toby turned up with Troy, who was so completely not what she’d expected that Allison felt too stunned to say much for a long time. Troy was short, Irish and clearly an inveterate show-off, with curly hair and and tight clothing and a sideline in overt - almost aggressive - camp that reminded Allison of a more bitchy Jedward back when they were young.
(“Sorry about the name, my mum had a huge crush on that guy from High School Musical - luckily I turned out nothing like him, cause that could have gotten awkward - wouldn’t want my mum fancying me!”)
He was - of course - as carefully and thoroughly investigated as any new addition to the family, and he took it well, easily shining as the centre of attention. Yet Allison couldn’t shake a sense of unease. Ella (who’d come over especially) immediately adored him, and Allison could easily see why - Troy was, in many ways, quite similar to her exes. They’d all had that devil-may-care recklessness (and the ASBOs to match) and whilst Troy’s energy was obviously focussed more on entertainment (Jimmy was hanging on his every word, interspersing laughter with ‘You should do stand up! Seriously!’), Allison couldn’t help feel that he was all wrong for her Toby.
Despite the fact that Toby was two years older, they’d always been close and she’d spent a good portion of her childhood looking out for him. Not that he cared that the world didn’t make much sense, but she had tried her best to make sure that this indifference didn’t impact him negatively.
It was something of a shock to realise that she still, now, felt protective of him. He’d moved out three years before, and was doing fine, and yet...
He was sitting quietly beside Troy, just watching him with an odd intensity she’d never seen before, and Allison with a strange hollow feeling realised that he was obviously in love. She’d be happy for him, except- except for the impossible-to-ignore unease. Toby needed someone... Someone less brash. Less forceful. Less self-absorbed. Less Troy.
“So, the first thing Toby ever said to me was that I was giving him a headache!”
“You still do,” Toby said mildly, and everyone laughed. Allison smiled mechanically, and turned to Alex to gauge his reaction. She’d been too focussed on Troy to think about Alex, and was shocked to realise that he was studying Troy with a look not unlike Toby’s. Not sure what to make of this, she leaned into him, speaking so quietly that only he could hear.
“Alex... If you keep looking at him that way, it’s going to be hard persuading people that you’re straight.”
“Huh?” he said, blinking, before his face slowly cleared.
“Oh I don’t fancy him at all. But I think he might be giving me a headache too. Mentally, I mean, not physically. Mind you, he’s ginger...”
“I’m sorry, what?”
Alex eyes drifted across to Troy again, still oddly distant. “Is there anything more perfect that ginger hair?”
Allison had to stop herself from shaking her head, deciding to stick with the topic of ginger-ness for now. They could discuss other things later, in private.
“Every time I think I’ve got a hang of all your peculiarities, another one crops up and throws me. Is this your way of telling me that I should dye my hair?”
A smile spread across his face as he turned to her, finally focussing on her properly.
“Allie, you are perfect the way you are. I don’t want ginger hair for you - I want it for me.”
She lifted an eyebrow, studying him critically.
“Honestly? It’d look terrible. You’re not like Jamie...”
He shrugged.
“I know. Gotta wait for a different face.”
At which point she couldn’t help laughing, and then had to apologise as she’d interrupted a story.
After that, however, she kept quiet, listening. In between all the stories she managed to piece together a picture, and it wasn’t one she liked. Troy, apparently, had not had a permanent place to stay until Toby asked him to move in - hadn’t had much of anything, full-stop, and there was entirely too much about this that said ‘This guy is shallow bastard who is using my good-hearted brother.’
Unfortunately she didn’t have a clue what to do. Her mother was terribly pleased (she clearly saw Toby as Troy’s saviour), and - to her immense frustration - Alex refused to even talk about it when she raised the issue that night as they were getting ready for bed.
“Allie - leave them to it. It’s not your business.”
“But-”
“Not. Your. Business. Or mine. What would you say if Toby came and tried to interfere with you and me?”
“That’s not the same-”
“Oh yes it is. And I thought you didn’t want me meddling...”
He shot her a significant look, and she bit her lip, feeling angry helplessness welling up.
“But he’s my brother. And I don’t want him taken advantage of...”
Alex, about to pull off his socks, stopped and sighed.
“Sorry, but... that’s not what’s happening. Well, it might be partially true, but it’s much more complicated than that.”
“Because, as always, you know everything,” she said crossly; but he only glared in response, and then refused to continue the conversation.
A little later Allison for the first time realised that there could be a downside to sharing a bed: Specifically - when both of you were too stubborn to make the first move, you could feel far more lonely than if you were in a single bed.
The next day Jimmy decided to put up some mistletoe.
Goodness knew where he'd got hold of it, but Allison figured it’d certainly make for an entertaining Christmas. Especially given the way it immediately backfired.
As Jimmy stepped off the chair he'd been standing on, he found Troy waiting, mischievous smile firmly in place.
"Mistletoe, eh? Give us a kiss then!"
Jimmy, caught off guard, brandished the hammer in his hands defensively, before Troy plucked it out of his hands and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
"Don't set stuff up if you can't cope with the fallout," he laughed, as Jimmy - stunned - beat a hasty retreat.
Allison, thrilled, stepped forwards. She had her perfect opening, and she’d be damned if she didn’t take it.
“Well, I’m glad you have such an open-minded attitude,” she smiled, and then - before he could answer - put her hands on his face and leaned in, pleased to note that he was looking a little unnerved himself now.
"However," she continued, voice low. "If you hurt my brother I will beat you to death with a shovel."
She planted a kiss on his lips as he stared at her, open mouthed and shocked, then tilted her head. "A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend."
Smiling she stepped back, only to lift her eyes and see Toby staring at her with undisguised shock and anger, which quickly segued into that look - the one she remembered far too well from when they were younger.
Hello, many many kinds of ‘Oh shit, I just screwed up big time’.
Troy stared dumbly at the empty spot where Toby had just dragged Allison away ‘to have a talk in private’. He wasn’t entirely sure what had happened, although she’d been the first one to speak any sort of language he understood.
Slowly he turned and looked at Alex, who with his head indicated the front room.
“They’ll probably be a while. Wanna go sit down?”
“Suppose,” Troy said, still unsure what the hell was going on. As he fell into the sofa he couldn’t help noticing the way Alex was watching him as he seated himself in the neighbouring armchair. Alex had done rather a lot of just watching - him and Allison both - and Troy found it rather uncomfortable. To be honest he was happy that Allison had just laid the cards on the table - at least he knew where he stood with her.
After a moment Alex broke the silence.
"You must excuse my girlfriend. She doesn't... understand you at all. Not her fault."
Troy raised an eyebrow.
"And you think you do?"
Alex tilted his head, eyes narrowing.
"I think I've got a pretty good idea. I could be projecting, of course, but yes, I think I know why you are how you are."
Unable to resist a challenge like this (little rich boy, born to privilege - what the hell could he know about Troy's life?), Troy smiled condescendingly.
"Go on then - tell me about myself."
"I think..." Alex hesitated, studying Troy with a look that was in no way triumphant or challenging - quite the opposite in fact.
"I think someone hurt you. I think you loved him, and I don't think that you ever - not for a second - thought of it as abuse, even though any onlooker would have said it was."
As Troy stared at Alex in mute shock, somewhere inside his 15 year old self could still hear Mr Hollingsworth's voice - so warm, so reasonable, so rich and mellifluous and mesmerising, the perfect reflection of the man himself:
"Troy, you're such a lovely boy... Seems unfair that your nature should be so corrupted, but that is the truth, and one should never hide from the truth. Yet you tempt me beyond my will - my very own forbidden fruit. One can’t help but wonder how such luscious pleasure can come from such a poisoned well....”
He could still feel the desperation; the pain; the soaring heights and soul-destroying burning intensity of that first and singular love...
(Please Sir, please Sir, don't abandon me, I'll do anything. Your fiancée might be a beautiful, talented woman, but she can't please you like I do, can she? Can’t satisfy those appetites that I know are wrong, but that are more sweet than anything I could have imagined. Let me be your dirty little secret forever - I promise I'll never tell anyone, just keep coming to me, please, please...)
The memory still made him feel hollow from want and eventual (inevitable) rejection. But he'd learned his lesson then, and learned it well. The kinder, the better, the more decent? The more likely they were to betray you... He’d made a conscious effort to aim for the shallow bastards from then on and to never to apologise for what he was; meeting the world with a sneer, taking what he could and not worrying about anyone else - until Toby. Impossible Toby, who didn’t fit with anything he knew. He was still waiting for the other shoe to drop, because people like Toby only existed on TV and in stories. In real life, you got screwed over and stabbed in the back when you found something beautiful, and pretending otherwise only led to destruction...
And Alex was still looking at him, and he needed to say something, but he couldn't get a word out. How the hell had he known? When Alex spoke again, he answered the unspoken question.
“Sorry if I upset you. But scars are scars, and there is no way that I couldn’t notice yours, being somewhat damaged myself...”
Swallowing, and knowing it was madness (he’d never told anyone - except when he’d blackmailed the Head Teacher, but that had been something else again...), Troy finally spoke, the words seemingly dragged from him by the improbable Alex who seemed to understand, and Troy had never thought he’d meet anyone who did:
“It was my English teacher,” he said, heart beating, feeling like he was walking out onto thin air like a cartoon character. “In Year Ten. He was... my first. In every way.”
And the air supported him, as Alex tilted his head, studying him thoughtfully.
“Was it wonderful, despite everything?”
“...yes. So much yes.”
A slow nod.
“My story is very different from yours - it was never sexual - but my childhood effectively ended when I was eight. Not that I was normal before then, mind you...”
Leaning back into the sofa Alex looked around the festive front room, the multicoloured Christmas tree twinkling in a corner, the photos on the mantelpiece almost swallowed up by elves and handmade decorations that spilled over onto every surface, the evidence of much diligence from a myriad children over many, many years.
“They don’t understand people like us. This family... they love each other without motives, without manipulation, without using each other. Like something from a TV show or a story... I don’t know how it can be real, but somehow it is.”
Catching Troy’s eyes again, he smiled in wonder.
“This is... the jackpot of families. They have their quirks, but I’m hanging in with everything I’ve got. Imagine this for years and years and years...”
Troy stared at him, trying to wrap his head around the very idea, and Alex impulsively reached out and took his hand across the gap between their seats.
What he was going to say was lost, however, as the door opened and Allison and Toby entered, Allison’s face a picture as she took in the scene.
“Oh my god, you’ve done it again.”
Alex frowned.
“Done what?”
“That thing you do. Just making people... adore you.”
Troy smirked. This was his home territory, and an opening like that was too good to leave alone.
“Afraid of the competition?”
“No,” she said curtly, folding her arms, and his smile widened.
“You should be. I could turn him in a heartbeat.”
Allison - who had a definite talent for looking obstinate - glared at him.
“I actually came to apologise, but you are making it really difficult.”
The tension was broken by Alex laughing, as he let go of Troy’s hand with a small wink.
“You’re making it feel just like home, death threats and all. Allison, come here and sit down. Everyone’s had a chat and we’re all good now, yes? So let’s see what’s on TV and not worry about it.”
Toby looked immensely relieved, taking a seat next to Troy and lacing their fingers together as Alex started to look for the TV remote. Feeling oddly exhausted (confession drained you, he should know that), Troy folded his legs under himself and leaned his head against Toby’s shoulder, for the first time allowing himself to believe that maybe they had a future.
(He would tell Toby about his past at some point. But not yet. Toby was already - by the very fact of how they’d ended up together - aware of that which still gave Troy nightmares, and without fail soothed the involuntary tremors that followed, kissing away salty tears in the dark of the night... No need to burden him further at this moment in time, by trying to explain something he would have great difficulty understanding and accepting.)
Meanwhile Alex had found a channel which was showing ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ and Troy smiled in approval. Maybe miracles were real after all... Christmas ones at least.
Chapter 14.
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Ahhh, poor Troy. Hope he realizes (like Alex has said) that this family is the ultimate one.
Frigging fantastic!!
*HUGS*
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Allison is... quite contrary, really, when she gets in a certain mood. And Troy. Well. He is deliberately awkward. (Although with good cause, poor thing. Still doesn't make him easy to get on with, and she was actually not wrong to feel suspect about him.)
Ahhh, poor Troy. Hope he realizes (like Alex has said) that this family is the ultimate one.
Thought you'd take to him - have no idea why he had such a rubbish deal from life, but that's just how it was. I couldn't fight it. (Also - nifty Alex mirror...) And yes, Allison's family is exactly what he needs, especially after everything.
Frigging fantastic!!
♥
*hugs back*
ETA: By the way, if there's anything you're curious about, just ask. I might not answer, but there was SO MUCH I couldn't fit in, and not all of it is spoilery/going to be saved for later.
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Actually thinking of posting a touch of wha I worked on last night, but it would just leave people reeling and 'omg-whut?!'...so maybe not, lol!!!
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Aw, bless you. And I actually have a good chunk of the next chapter written already as I was going to end at a different point, but the Troy stuff intruded, it all got too long, and I cut it earlier than I intended. So hopefully your wait shouldn't be too long.
Actually thinking of posting a touch of wha I worked on last night, but it would just leave people reeling and 'omg-whut?!'...so maybe not, lol!!!
Heh. I understand! :)
Humph.
Re: Humph.
Re: Humph.
Re: Humph.
ETA: Plus, a) I don't have you friended and b) you need to unfriend me if you don't want to see my stuff on your flist!
Re: Humph.
PS- Livejournal n00b here.
Re: Humph.
And yes, I know. *pets* Sorry if I was being condescending.
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*beams* The thing is - Troy *is* a difficult person, and because he's so damaged could quite possibly end up hurting Toby an awful lot. Allison isn't wrong, there is just more to it...
I liked how he took up the position of truth teller in this chapter. It was an interesting alternative to his 'observing.'
Well Troy ended up as a very neat mirror for him, and one he was instinctively drawn to, He is struggling with a lot of the same issues that Troy is, although he withdraws/charms rather than get defensive - and he wanted to reach out to Troy and ensure that the other didn't make a mistake and lose out on the opportunity for something good and true. But when you've been lied to/bullied for the best part of your life it's hard to accept that anything can be genuine. (Troy comes from a small Irish village, and growing up was at every turn reminded that he was 'wrong' because he was gay. Boy has ISSUES!)
I'm looking forward to seeing where the story moves on from here. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thank *you* for reading. And I just wish I had more time to write, because I'm getting impatient with myself. There's so much story left...
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I absolutely loved the talk and relationship between Alex and Troy. I love how Allison was trying to do good for her little brother, and the sense of family between everyone. It's very much Christmas, and angst, all wrapped together into yet another great chapter.
Re: Humph.
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You see why Troy has been EATING MY HEAD?
I absolutely loved the talk and relationship between Alex and Troy.
Mirrorsssss.
I love how Allison was trying to do good for her little brother, and the sense of family between everyone.
OLDER brother. Heh. But he has Aspergers, so she's always looked out for him. And oh, the family stuff just writes itself. :)
It's very much Christmas, and angst, all wrapped together into yet another great chapter.
Aww, thank you. <3
Re: Humph.
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“You know, if I took over the world I could have the trains running on time.”
– Pretty much everybody waiting for every late train ever. Except that he really could.
“If you took over the world...”
Pulling a face, he tried shrugging.
“I know, I shouldn’t say that. But really, I could make everything just work-”
– !!!
It’s always ‘If I took over the world’ - but why not try to make an actual difference? You are good at organising - it seems a shame to waste that.”
His eyes widened in horror.
“You mean like... politics or civil service or business or....”
…it would mean... bureaucracy. On every level. Following other people’s rules. And if I did go the whole way, I would just end up murdering my cabinet like dad did. Probably not on the first day, but I’d get there. Please - don’t ever suggest that again.”
– !!!
how he had become so completely fixed in his ideas at such a young age she had no idea. She wasn’t going to stop challenging him however.
– That’s our girl.
A bright smile broke through his frown.
“Oh but I like construction and building and creating things. That’s fun. However I’d much rather build my own stuff than help others with theirs.
– … but I’m not allowed to go to my own planet and do that now, so…
“I’d also invent better tannoys-” he began
– As you say, we should be able to get that without a dictator with a Time Head, but…
She wondered idly where it came from. It was obviously to do with his father, a reaction against him of some kind, although she couldn’t quite work out how.
Blowing on the hot chocolate, she sighed and decided to leave it for the time being.
– again with the knowing and not wanting to know more…
Although that would probably take a proper Christmas Miracle, and she wasn’t sure she believed in those.
– “Because you’re a fairy tale. I grew out of fairy tales.” “Did you Clara? Did you really?”
(Possibly something to do with the look he received from all the women around the table.)
– Allison’s Dad getting a nicely described self-aware moment here…
Of course he’d only bring up something this pivotal and important when there was some kind of practical reason to do so.
– Perhaps because of all the reflexive “Al” / “Don’t call me Al!” business for some reason I thought Jimmy was the one with Asperger’s, not Toby, but this chapter clears that up.
the ever imperturbable Nathan - shook his head and studied Alex, with that amused conspiratorial look he usually reserved for Amanda’s husband.
“You’re taking this well - if you can cope with the madness, I think you’ve got staying power.”
Alex smiled softly.
“Oh I think they’re all wonderful,” he said, voice slightly dreamy, and Nathan laughed and patted him on the back.
– Lovely cameo of Nathan. And is this Alex being diplomatic, or part of Alex’s dawning realization that three years might not be enough after all?
They all laughed, but Allison realised that Alex had been doing the ‘observing’ thing again, watching them all as someone would a play, letting the conversation blossom around him rather than joining in. Although considering his own family, she couldn’t really blame him.
– Which might support the Alex-just-being-diplomatic option, or perhaps he is being so inward because he’s realizing that not only is it diplomatic, but it’s what he actually means. (Though, really, who could fail to find Allison’s family wonderful?)
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A just-a-touch-evil grin topped off the sentence (‘That’s what you get for always calling me Al!’ unspoken, yet loud and clear), and Jimmy scowled
– !!!
He was - of course - as carefully and thoroughly investigated as any new addition to the family,
– Of course.
Mind you, he’s ginger...”
– ‘Ginger! Just to piss off the Doctor, let me be ginger! Brighter than the sky when the suns rise, brighter than fire! Ginger!’
Every time I think I’ve got a hang of all your peculiarities, another one crops up and throws me.
– She’s still trying, bless her.
“Oh yes it is. And I thought you didn’t want me meddling...”
– Oh, ouch!
As Jimmy stepped off the chair he'd been standing on, he found Troy waiting, mischievous smile firmly in place.
– We’ve known Troy for half a chapter, and yet that is such a Troy thing to do. :)
"However," she continued, voice low. "If you hurt my brother I will beat you to death with a shovel."
– So. Much. Love. Even if “Hello, many many kinds of ‘Oh shit, I just screwed up big time’.”
ETA: Reading ahead, I had no idea this was a Willow / Riley quotation, my comment was just for how precisely how this is something a loving and protective sister would say.
To be honest he was happy that Allison had just laid the cards on the table - at least he knew where he stood with her.
– !!!
“Sorry if I upset you. But scars are scars, and there is no way that I couldn’t notice yours, being somewhat damaged myself...”
– Though really, this is another of the bits where I could just cite the whole scene…
“They don’t understand people like us. This family... they love each other without motives, without manipulation, without using each other. Like something from a TV show or a story... I don’t know how it can be real, but somehow it is.”
Catching Troy’s eyes again, he smiled in wonder.
“This is... the jackpot of families. They have their quirks, but I’m hanging in with everything I’ve got. Imagine this for years and years and years...”
– Okay, so either Alex is now being diplomatic at Troy, or he wasn’t just being diplomatic earlier. This is some point along the way to his “Oh damn! My original paremeters were misjudged and now I’ve almost certainly broken it” realization…
Allison’s face a picture as she took in the scene.
“Oh my god, you’ve done it again.”
Alex frowned.
“Done what?”
“That thing you do. Just making people... adore you.”
– !!!
Allison - who had a definite talent for looking obstinate - glared at him.
“I actually came to apologise, but you are making it really difficult.”
The tension was broken by Alex laughing, as he let go of Troy’s hand with a small wink.
“You’re making it feel just like home, death threats and all.
– !!!
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He is verrry efficient.
– That’s our girl.
Ayup. (I think there is an interesting distinction to be made - she challenges him about an awful lot of things, but rarely, as you point out, about their relationship - except when something really huge goes down. She will challenge him, but not them, if that makes sense?)
– … but I’m not allowed to go to my own planet and do that now, so…
Just keeping my hand in.
– As you say, we should be able to get that without a dictator with a Time Head, but…
Let's blame local government, and lack of funds.
– “Because you’re a fairy tale. I grew out of fairy tales.” “Did you Clara? Did you really?”
And their next Christmas will bring one. (Christmas miracle. Except she doesn't believe it.)
– again with the knowing and not wanting to know more…
I think she can sense the problems. And worries what'll happen if she confronts him properly. Last time they broke up...
– Allison’s Dad getting a nicely described self-aware moment here…
Ah yes. ;)
– Perhaps because of all the reflexive “Al” / “Don’t call me Al!” business for some reason I thought Jimmy was the one with Asperger’s, not Toby, but this chapter clears that up.
No, Jimmy is just your standard annoying little brother. Toby is the nice older brother that Allison feels protective of.
– Lovely cameo of Nathan.
Bless him, he doesn't get much of a look in...
And is this Alex being diplomatic, or part of Alex’s dawning realization that three years might not be enough after all?
Both. But you can see the latter as manifesting properly this Christmas - although that's next chapter, really.
– Which might support the Alex-just-being-diplomatic option, or perhaps he is being so inward because he’s realizing that not only is it diplomatic, but it’s what he actually means. (Though, really, who could fail to find Allison’s family wonderful?)
If there are multiple meanings, generally go with All Of The Above. ;) And yes, her family is wonderful. ♥
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NEW PERSON! Tell us ALL about yourself! :D
– ‘Ginger! Just to piss off the Doctor, let me be ginger! Brighter than the sky when the suns rise, brighter than fire! Ginger!’
Most perfect comment ever.
– She’s still trying, bless her.
She just wants him to make sense...
– Oh, ouch!
Touché indeed.
– We’ve known Troy for half a chapter, and yet that is such a Troy thing to do. :)
Like I said, he just... took over. And might get his own story one day.
– So. Much. Love. Even if “Hello, many many kinds of ‘Oh shit, I just screwed up big time’.”
A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend.
ETA: Reading ahead, I had no idea this was a Willow / Riley quotation, my comment was just for how precisely how this is something a loving and protective sister would say.
Willow never follows through, sadly. But it's a lovely moment of protectiveness.
– Though really, this is another of the bits where I could just cite the whole scene…
♥ (In some ways Alex doesn't get it quite right, but he gets the gist, and that makes all the difference to Troy.)
– Okay, so either Alex is now being diplomatic at Troy, or he wasn’t just being diplomatic earlier. This is some point along the way to his “Oh damn! My original paremeters were misjudged and now I’ve almost certainly broken it” realization…
*nods* And then it comes to a head in the next chapter.