anctherdogday

[anctherdogday]

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He said it and her stomach's knots doubled over onto themselves. A part of her was convinced if Brandon didn't bring it up then she wouldn't have to say it out loud. While it wasn't the first time the words left her lips, Annette hadn't wanted to taste their bitterness again. The tidal wave of emotions she'd been through over the last few months had all come back to this moment where none of it even mattered. All of the worrying, the planning, and in a second it was gone. "I'm fine, uh..." The girl bit her lip as she tried to keep the floodgates closed but forced herself to say what had happened. He deserved to know, Annette just struggled to find the right way to say it, knowing how delicate of a situation she was in. "The baby... After the attack I lost a lot of blood, I don't know... Um." She pulled her lips back into her mouth with her eyes shutting to hold herself back. "It didn't make it..." The girl finally said, the metallic taste of blood back in her mouth but she wasn't sure if it was from the words or biting too roughly on her cheek. "I am so sorry, Brandon. I didn't know how to tell you."

It had taken a lot of self-restraint to keep him away once he heard about Annette being shot at during the attack of the festival. But she had asked for some time to recover alone, and he wasn’t about to be the type of asshole that couldn’t respect her wishes. She said she was going to be fine and he had to trust that, at least for now. If she had waited too much longer to get back in contact with him, he might have broken - but thankfully she told him to come by her mother’s house and he was quick to make his way over. Seeing Annette answering the door was a bit of a surprise, Brandon fully having been prepared to speak with her mother for the first time in months, but it was a good surprise. The bright smile that was on his face falters only slightly at the less than enthused expression on her own and he holds back from launching himself at her in a hug, instead following behind towards her room dutifully and waiting to see what was obviously wrong. “Yeah, of course,” he acknowledges the thanks, standing somewhat awkwardly to the side, unsure if he’s supposed to join her on the bed. All of this seemed off, but he couldn’t quite figure out why. “Ann… What’s up? Is everything okay? Are you alright? Is the baby okay?”

[anctherdogday]

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Hearing about the misfortune of others, specifically her siblings, could always help her feel better. It wasn't that she really wanted them to suffer but a little drama never hurt anything and Annette had her own fair share. Besides she knew Scamp wouldn't have proposed it that way if it had been that big of a deal. Out of them all he was the one with the least bias but the brunette couldn't blame him for growing up with all of the girls, he had to stay alive some months when they'd rage against each other. Being the only boy surrounded by hormones and estrogen during puberty couldn't have been easy. As he told her about the events at the hospital a smile started to form but her laugh politely waited until he was done to expose itself. "Wait, this poor kid who already has to deal with Colette every day just found out they're related? She didn't tell him? Actually, that makes sense," the girl nodded to herself as she thought about it. The youngest Tramp wasn't one for sharing, who would it have been any different for her significant other? "I'm surprised she didn't jump across the bed and rip her extensions out right there." Annette for a moment forgot her own worries and was able to just enjoy the company of her brother, he'd always been good at cheering her up. "Do you think he got an earful when you all left?"

Scamp offered a crack of a smile in mild excitement to tell her about the encounter that could have gotten him shot a second time, this one by his youngest sister, had he cracked a laugh while witnessing the most awkward interaction he'd ever seen with his own two eyes. "So, her boyfriend, Sam, has a concussion, so they're keeping him overnight, and he's in the same room as Uncle Jim, right? And, I guess Marie was friends with Sam, just as herself, had nothing to do with Colette. I asked her if she wanted to come with me to visit, just to, like, see anyone who she might know here, or whatever, and she said sure. So, we get to Uncle Jim and Sam's room, and Sam said hi to her, like a friend would, and Colette had no idea they knew each other. That, and, Sam had no idea about the triplets being related to us. Poor kid stood there, so confused," Scamp recounted, letting out the laughter he'd been holding in for hours as he told his sister what she'd missed. "I swear, the look on her face, she looked like she was going to kill Marie. Uncle Jim and I were just staring at each other, trying not to laugh."

[anctherdogday]

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She had been keeping to herself, company becoming overwhelming seconds once they arrived. So far she'd only been able to handle her family and in small quantities. Annette hadn't felt comfortable talking about it with just about anyone, her mother being the only place she could talk about her emotions freely. There was a fear her siblings wouldn't understand, not really, or at least not in the same way a mother would. They'd been taking turns coming in to check on her as she recovered in the hospital and she fought against the urge to tell them she wanted to be alone. They all meant well, Annette just wasn't in the mood for talking lately. Still, the brunette put on a small smile for her brother as he took a spot next to her bedside. "Yeah, wasn't really how I saw my day going," she replied releasing the air from her lungs. "Thanks, Sam." A name she rarely used, though it was written on his birth certificate but this seemed to call for such an occasion. While she knew he probably wanted to talk about what had happened, the idea of hearing a story about their younger sister seemed far better. "You know I love a good Colette story."

who: scamp & @anctherdogday where: echo island hospital

As much as Scamp wanted to scold his sister the moment he was told the truth, to discover that Annette had been pregnant with the child of her former kidnapper this way left him both sad, and understanding why she'd kept it from him. He'd experienced the rollercoaster of emotion that had come with the news in private, in the hospital bathroom where he knew neither his mother nor his other sisters could find him pacing the length of the stalls while he tried to comprehend the series of decisions Annette had made that had landed them here. It was only once his anger had dissipated that he decided it was time to see her, not wanting to add to the existing pile of stress he was sure she had on her already.

Scamp took a gentle seat beside his sister, offering her a small smile as he struggled to find words of comfort and condolence. "Getting shot sucks," was all he could think to offer right now, hoping the levity might be appreciated. "I'm so sorry about ... everything, Annie." Scamp didn't quite know what else to say, never having been the best at offering sympathy. "We don't have to talk about it, uh, if you don't want to. I have a crazy story about Colette, instead, if you'd rather hear that," he offered with a light squeeze to her hand.

[anctherdogday]

- timeskip -

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Annette hadn't been able to look at him since the accident. In fact, the girl didn't even send a text message letting him know about the festival. It was better to deal with this without him or at least she'd thought so when she barricaded herself in her mother's home. She could only hide for so long, knowing that Brandon deserved to mourn the loss the way she did. He'd gotten enough information to keep him from coming around and asking questions but today she came at the situation head-on. Annette was anxiously picking at her nail polish on the couch when the doorbell rang and she knew it was time, she couldn't hide behind excuses anymore. "Hey, come in," the brunette waved him in, then leading down the hallway to her room that had been her sanctuary since the attack. "We can talk in here." She tugged at the sleeves of her cardigan as she sat on her bed, unable to find the right way to put the words together. "Thanks uh, you know, for coming. Sorry for going quiet on you. I... I just needed some time."

“Okay,” he says once more, repeating the same word he feels like he’s said a million times in this conversation. Admitting she was okay-ish maybe was a good start, Brandon supposed. It was better than outright saying she was doing shitty or something was wrong. Okay-ish maybe he could work with, he could probably find a way to turn it into a full on just okay. Or at least, that’s what he was thinking until the real bomb was finally dropped. He’s silent for a moment as his brain almost somewhat short circuits. Fuck. Oh fuck. Sadie’s going to kill him. Landon might even help. Fuck. A few seconds pass before he realizes Annette’s sitting there, waiting for him to respond to the news, and that in itself is more important than worrying about how his partners were going to react. “Okay.” There goes that word again, but really, what else is there to say. “Have you uhmm… Do you – Are you going to keep it? Or do you want to… you know… I mean, I support you either way. It’s your decision, your body, all that stuff, yeah… But uhh… What are you thinking?”

[anctherdogday]

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This wasn't something Annette had felt prepared for in any sense. Not like she was all that ready to be a mother either but the loss had hit harder than anticipated. While the child hadn't exactly been something she wanted, that baby would still be hers, and having it taken from her in such a way left her feeling empty. Maybe it had all been for the best but that didn't keep the aching from taking its toll. Annette hadn't reached out to her father, not knowing what to say or where to even begin. That had been a wall she feared facing but now that the subject matter had changed she didn't know where to start.

"Thanks, Mom," she replied reaching out to take her medication from the tray. It had been the only regular thing in her routine which was a blessing in disguise. Annette didn't dare brave her apartment alone, finding solace in her childhood bedroom and under her mother's watchful eye. Once the pills were down she attempted the toast, ripping it in half so she could dive right into the buttery center instead of crust. "Has Dad said anything? Does he know?" It was the elephant in the room in some regard, the answers she knew would have to be faced eventually. "I know I should've told him, I just... didn't know how," the girl confessed quietly, taking a small bite of the bread.

For all she knew that her daughter had been conflicted about her pregnancy and what she wanted to do regarding it all, Lilah still couldn’t even begin to imagine what losing a child like this must feel like. There was a devastation that rested in her own chest at just the thought of it all, and it hadn’t even actually been her loss. All she could do was focus on being there for Annette, supporting and caring for her in any and every way that she could. All she could do was remind herself that as horrible as it was, at least her entire family was still here and alive. Annette was in pain, emotionally and physically, but she was alive. It felt selfish, being so thankful that she herself hadn’t lost any of her children, but she couldn’t help it.

Entering the younger girl’s old childhood bedroom, Lilah brought a tray with some water, a smoothie, a few pieces of toast, and the necessary medications. “This’ll be the last dose for the night, unless you wake up needing more,” she promised as she set the tray down next in the middle of the window seat and sat on the other side. “You don’t have to, but I think you should at least try. The toast will be good for your stomach, something solid to hold it all down. But if you don’t think you’re up for that much, at least take a few sips of the smoothie.” It was so hard, seeing Annette down like this and knowing there was little she could do to actually help. Reminding her to eat and bringing her meds every time she needs them wasn’t enough. Lilah wanted to take all the pain and absorb it for herself - she wanted her girl to be smiling and happy again, she never wanted any of her children to suffer like this. It was one of her worst nightmares come to life, having to watch Annette so obviously struggle without really being able to do much of anything about it.

[anctherdogday]

- timeskip-

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As fast as her world had been changing, it all shifted once again when she got the news in the hospital. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise as she didn't want to be a mother but this overwhelming feeling of loss Annette hadn't expected. This was better or at least that was what she continued to tell herself. Meanwhile, the bandage on her leg was a constant reminder of what had happened at the festival. She hadn't seen Brandon since the accident, asking for space to recover with her family before having to face the reality of their situation. While they were out of the woods in some ways, they'd found themselves in the trenches of others.

That was where Annette sat now at the windowsill of her childhood bedroom with her eyes on their still street. It had been unusually quiet since the attack, many afraid to even leave their homes which included the girl herself. She knew the feelings would pass and life return to normal eventually, the wounds of the past becoming scars to make her stronger. Still, she found herself sulking in her emotions so that she was able to process them fully. What brought her back to the present was the sound of her door opening and her mother coming with her next dose of medication. Annette prided herself on being independent but after the accident, she'd returned home, needing her mother's love and care more than her pride. "Already? I feel like I literally just took them," the brunette sighed, turning around so that she could face the woman with her drug cocktail. "Do I have to eat with these? I'm not all that hungry." That having been another side-effect of her situation her appetite had gone out the window and had instead been filled with the urge to sleep the day away. If it weren't for her mother to pull her from the depths she would've happily withered away in bed.

Though her words said she was fine, everything about Annette’s being and body language screamed otherwise, which was enough to have Lilah on edge. Whatever was happening was shaking her daughter to the core, more so than even being kidnapped had done to her and it was concerning to say the least. The moment that she admits to having really messed up, with obvious signs of a breakdown oncoming, Lilah was moving to wrap her arms around the girl. Though she didn’t have enough time to take a guess at what she was talking about, it’s not necessarily a surprise hearing Annette admit that she’s pregnant. Not because she saw it coming or anything before this moment, but the genuine fear of having no clue what to do and the worry of how her mother was going to react was all too familiar to Lilah. It was a feeling she still so clearly remembered from her own youth, the first time that she had been pregnant - and even again at some level the second time she had found herself in that position, with the daughter currently wrapped in her arms, nonetheless.

While eventually her own mother and father had come to terms with her teenage pregnancy, the initial reaction hadn’t been pretty - their anger and disappointment having been the main factor at play in their screaming and yelling - so right off the bat she knew she couldn’t and wouldn’t respond that way. There was enough going on in this whole situation, the last thing Annette needed was for her mother to reject her or be overly upset. What she did need right now was support, a shoulder to cry on, and a plan. And that was what Lilah was going to offer. “Shh, shhh,” she hums as she pulls her daughter closer and begins to rub a hand up and down her arm in comfort. While in all honesty this certainly wasn’t what she would have wished upon Annette, she wasn’t going to let that show. No negative emotions needed to be displayed right now - that type of potential conversation could be had much later, when everything had settled down. “It’s okay. It’s going to be alright, honey. No one’s killing anyone, I promise. We’ll figure something out - whatever you want to do, we can figure it out. Okay? It’s alright. Just let it out, okay? Let it out and then we’ll figure everything out.” More tears were going to flow, she knew that from experience, and Annette likely had far more worries and fears bottled up that she needed to express before they could really move forward.

[anctherdogday]

[anctherdogday]

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Perhaps she had prefaced the conversation better, understanding that her mother's mind could've gone any which way with their family's recent problems. Little did Lilah know what secret her daughter was sitting on and how heavy it was weighing on her. While she had come to her mother with various problems over the years this wasn't the one Annette had been prepared to have. If anyone would understand (or so she hoped) it would be Lilah. "Yeah, I'm fine Mom." In a sense, she was absolutely fucked but not in the way that was being implied. The brunette didn't want to worry her mother more than necessary when it wasn't out of the question that someone could've hurt her. "I... I don't know what I'm gonna do. I really messed up Momma," Annette started to pour out, her lower lip quivering. "I'm pregnant and it's Brandon's. Dad's going to fucking kill him and what am I going to do with a baby? I'm not ready to be a mom, what am I gonna do?" The emotion trapped inside of her came tumbling out in the safety of her mother's presence. Until now she hadn't felt the entirety of what she'd done, it all falling into Lilah's lap as her daughter broke down.

Finishing up with the food cooking on the stovetop, Lilah would have gone to start plating it right away if it hadn’t been for her immediate spark of concern at her daughter’s answer and soft spoken hello. But that combination of responses had her setting the pan off to the side and turning to face Annette, dinner completely forgotten. “Is everything okay?” she asks, already on edge and preparing for the potential worst. Had Tristan gotten to her? Had someone else tried to hurt her to get back at Colin? Was Oogie after her again? There were so many potential situations she could have found herself in that Lilah wasn’t even sure where to begin with questioning. So she left it at just that, instead focusing on the seed of doubt that had been in her daughter’s request to talk. “Of course it’s okay. You can always talk to me about anything, you know that. Is everything alright?” A question she had already asked, but honestly the real root of her worry and something worth repeating, just to be sure that she was indeed fine.

[anctherdogday]

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The knot in her stomach was growing, only adding to the nausea she already felt. No matter how many times she went over what she was going to say nothing could've prepared her for the moment of truth. There was no turning back now, the pregnancy test was an Etch a Sketch that Annette was unable to shake clear. While she wanted to pretend this never happened and take it all back, it was too late to decide to make better choices now. As they sat on the couch and she looked anywhere besides in his eyes the words were starting to bubble out reluctantly. "I mean, yeah, I guess... Okay-ish maybe." Normally it was difficult to keep Annette from saying exactly what was on her mind but this had been a special case. These were words she hadn't expected to say for a long time, if ever. After a deep inhale she ripped off the bandaid and waited for the pieces to fall where they may. "I'm uh, I'm pregnant."

For all Brandon wasn’t the smartest guy around, far from it really, he wasn’t a complete idiot. Especially not when it came to other people’s feelings - what he lacked in book smarts he liked to think he made up for in what the internet liked to call emotional intelligence. So it isn’t hard for him to see right through Annette’s facade, to notice the forced nature behind her smile and the very obvious nerves coursing through her. But just because he notices it all, he doesn’t address it or call her out on lying. It was clear that she had something to tell him, likely about whatever was worrying her so much, and the best thing to do was just let her get it all out at her own pace.

“Okay,” he agreed easily, already having put that together. Nodding his head as well, he followed to sit down on the couch as well, keeping a bit more distance between them than he would have on any other occasion. Not because he doesn’t want to be close to her, but just wanting to give her the space she may potentially need to get through whatever this conversation was going to be. There were plenty of scenarios running through his head at what she might want to say, most of them involving ending whatever it was they had between them. And while Barrel would be upset if that were the case, he knew in the long run he’d be okay. They’d both be okay. And it was with that thought that allowed him to remain as relaxed as he currently was, not letting himself stress or worry over whatever might happen. “So… everything okay?”

[anctherdogday]

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While the person who would understand her situation better than anyone was one of the ones she feared telling the most, her mother had been the second she went to after Brandon. Sometimes a girl just needed her mom. Coming home felt a tad bittersweet when she knew it would never be the same after this conversation. It was unavoidable besides facing the consequences of her own actions. The knot in her stomach grew with every step closer to the kitchen. "Hey Mom," Annette replied softly while setting her bag on the counter and taking a barstool for herself. Silence sat for only a moment before her mother filled it which was a relief while she found the words to say. With Brandon, she knew the best way was to rip the bandaid off but Lilah was another story. "I'm not all that hungry, thanks though." The nausea was already creeping up from the smell alone, though it had been one of her favorite meals. Annette already didn't understand how her mother had done this three times. "I actually uh, need to talk to you about something if that's okay."

closed starter for @anctherdogday location: lilah's home

With everything that had been going on within their family, all of the stress and dangers and drama, it wasn’t unusual for at least one of her kids to stop by every evening. Which is why she at first only spares a quick glance up at Annette as the younger girl slowly makes her way into the kitchen. “Hey sweetie,” she greets, though her attention was brought back to the stir fry she was working on at the stove. If she had spared even a second look over at her daughter, Lilah would have instantly known something was up. Or at least, she would have sensed the bit of extra tension that the girl held in her shoulders. After twenty-three years of raising the girl, she had long ago learned all of her cues and signs of something being wrong - just like she had for all of her other children. “I’m just making some dinner - there’s more than enough to go around. Or I have some other leftovers in the fridge if you’re feeling something different.” Ever since the kids had made a more frequent habit of visiting and staying with her, she’s made it a point to ensure the house was always stocked up on anything they may potentially need or want. It meant a lot of extra cooking on her end, but that wasn’t too big of a deal for Lilah. Constantly having something to do and focus on was actually helpful, without it she knew she’d probably do nothing but sit around and worry all night every night.

[anctherdogday]

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Everything was going to change. As much as she'd been silently praying that her hunch was only that, the reality sank in her chest like a capsized cruise ship. Her chest was heavy while scenarios flashed in her head. She'd handle it as best she could but this wasn't something she had done alone, a certain boy playing a part in this catastrophe. This was a conversation she didn't want to have now or really ever for that matter. That wouldn't change what had already been done and the two blue lines that stared her straight in the face. Maybe if she closed her eyes another time and reopened them they would disappear. Annette wasn't so lucky, forced to face the lump that had formed in her throat.

When Brandon arrived she quickly answered the door, having been waiting anxiously since sending the message. The girl thought that seeing him would provide some semblance of comfort but instead brought a whole new wave of reality. Annette put on her best face, finding a small smile and a nod to his initial concern. "Yeah, yeah, I'm okay," she confirmed verbally in the hopes he didn't see right through her. Even though it was only a matter of minutes before the truth came out she still wanted to live in the fleeting bliss for a moment more. "I - I have to talk to you about something..." Her voice trailed off while her brain fired on all cylinders trying to find the right words. Brandon didn't seem the type but she knew better: anyone could leave. "You might wanna sit down." Annette took her own advice and went to the spot she'd been keeping warm while waiting for him.

~ timeskip ~

Ever since the night of that fancy engagement party, Brandon had found himself spending even more time with a certain brunette girl. If he wasn’t at work chances were high he was likely with Annette rather than at his own apartment. Which he felt guilty about and had been trying to fix in some kind of way, but it was hard to want to be around there when Sadie was clearly still pissed at him. And he knew that his avoiding her was only adding fuel to that fire, but he’d yet to find the right thing to say or do to appease her, which just made hanging out with Annette instead seem like the far easier option. So when she texted him asking for him to stop by her place after his shift ended, it wasn’t anything new or surprising. No red flags or worry signs had flared off quite yet and it remained that way until he was at her place and he took one look at her face when she opened the door.

Instantly, he knew something was up. Her usual smile was there, but it wasn’t as big nor did it quite reach her eyes the way it normally would. There was a tension in her shoulders and something brewing under the surface in her expression that Barrel couldn’t quite decipher, but he knew was there. “You okay?” he asks before he can stop himself. He’d long since learned that typically asking that to someone who very clearly wasn’t okay was a surefire way to only make things worse - but in the moment he didn’t quite know what else to do. Not until he knew what was happening or why she was so off right now. His eyes searched hers as he tried to pinpoint exactly what she might be feeling other than just the general sense of stress he was getting from her.

[anctherdogday]

[anctherdogday]

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Annette didn't know what brought about the confidence that night but she wore it proudly in the moment. Maybe tomorrow she'd regret the way she had acted, only if Brandon hadn't liked her boldness. It wasn't like her to care what a boy thought but to her, he wasn't just any other boy. The brunette didn't know why fate had put them in the same basement that night and what it had done to her brain that made her unable to stay away from him. Even when everything was against them, she couldn't help but find her way back. "Maybe you do and you could put in a good word for me." It was simple banter and she found sanctuary in that. Things didn't need to be so serious all the time, Barrel helping her realize that. He was her escape from her family, her work, and the reality of what they'd one day have to face. Annette thought she could be making headway with Sadie after their conversation on the dancefloor. That was the biggest hurdle she could see, knowing his roommates were the most important people to him, and without their approval, nothing would ever come to fruition.

She wanted to enjoy the time they had together without worrying about the future, only tonight having been so forward with her feelings. Right now she knew one thing for sure and it was that she didn't want to be anywhere else than with him. "And I trust you," her words were soft before his lips silenced her. It was a moment she'd been waiting for without even knowing. She got onto her toes, her arms draping over his shoulders as Annette gave into her desires. A girl usually so calculated had turned spontaneous when it came to the boy in front of her. "Do you wanna get out of here?" She pulled away enough to speak but not where she couldn't still feel their breaths mixing. Her words had come out almost without her realizing, something else taking over her. All she knew for certain was that she wanted to be with him.

As she starts to sell herself short and insist she wouldn’t know how to dance, Brandon’s just about to promise they don’t have to do anything fancy or more than just sway to the music but before he has a chance to even open his mouth she’s deciding to go for it. And that puts a grin back on his face as he nods and interlocks their fingers to follow out to the dance floor, settling in easily with his hands on her waist as they begin moving to the rhythm of the song. “You’re doing great,” he encourages her, despite the fact that they were barely even dancing. It was all fine with him, he’d much prefer to simply just sway and talk with her than do anything too fancy or impressive.

“Oh, yeah? Tell me about this guy. Maybe I know him,” he teased, looking down at her with a bright smile of his own - one he didn’t even try to hide. Brandon was never one to push aside his emotions, when he was happy everyone knew it. That’s partially why he was always walking around with the stupid grin on his face, content with all the small things in life that he strongly believed if you enjoyed long enough would add up to something far bigger. “You are pretty. And safe with me. I won’t let anything happen to you again,” he promises, a fact that it still amazes him that she believes. After everything that had happened, Annette had ever reason to hate him or even be terrified of what he and his partners were capable of - but somehow she still trusted him. And that meant far more to Barrel than anyone could realize. Her trust was something he never wanted to break again. Which was also part of why he hadn’t made a move on her yet, like she just called him out on - having wanted to keep the ball in her court, afraid of moving too fast or pushing her away. But now as they stood so close together, swaying on the dancefloor, she had all but given him the widest opening and invitation - and who was he to deny that? Removing one hand from her waist, he brought it up to lift her chin ever so slightly as he slowly leaned in, giving her time to pull back or change her mind. But when she didn’t falter in the slightest, he gently pressed his lips against hers, a grin still present on his own.

[anctherdogday]

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Annette had never been all too good at dancing, feeling like she had two left feet after almost taking out her dance partner at a middle school dance. Most of it was now saved for her shower concerts and bedroom breakdowns. Annette looked at him and then back to the people who moved to the music. "I don't know if I'd be any good..." The brunette bit her lip for a second before shrugging. "I do love this song though and fuck these people if they think we suck, right?" She reached for his hand, journeying to the dancefloor together to brave the waves of people. Whatever had gotten into her that night gave her an extra skip in her step as well as a wandering eye with only one destination. Even as she attempted to move to the beat, mostly just swaying with the occasional head bob, her eyes kept falling back onto Brandon.

"You think so?" Annette's eyes brightened and she looked down at her dress once more to hide her blush. Usually, she didn't get like this but tonight she couldn't help it. "There was this cute guy I wanted to impress actually," she confessed biting back her smile. It was almost like she couldn't help it from forming, pushing through her insecurity and into the open. "You make me feel pretty." There was a silence for a moment as she realized her own words. They'd come out without thinking, as if her subconscious took over. "I just guess I mean to say like I don't know... I feel safe with you or whatever." It was like her confidence had been upgraded and her heart laying bare unexpectantly. "Even if you have no idea when you make a move."

“Did you want to dance? I heard you singing - if you like this song we can go dance to it,” he offered, despite never really being much of a dancer himself. But if that was what Annette wanted he’d happily suck it up and figure it out. His smile never faltered in the suggestion and only grew at the way she seemed to be unable to look away from him. If it weren’t for the smile and light flush that was on her face, Brandon might have thought he had something in his teeth or his hair had gotten messed up somehow - but he was pretty sure everything was fine and his date just wanted to look at his pretty face. He might not have an ego as big as Landon’s, but he was at least aware enough that he was a fairly good looking guy. And his suspicion was confirmed with her compliment, one that he gratefully accepted with a chuckle.

“You look really good tonight as well,” he returns the sentiment, genuinely meaning it and hoping that she understood that. “You always look beautiful, obviously, but it’s like enhanced with the fancy clothes and makeup.” It wasn’t the most romantic of compliments in the world, but it was true to Barrel and his heart. He might not be the best at explaining what he means or putting his words together elegantly, but he meant everything that he said and he thought that counted for something.

[anctherdogday]

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It was unusual for Annette to come with a date, until recently when she'd finally found someone she didn't mind being around all the time. Most people got on her nerves after a while but Brandon hadn't even gotten close. No one else understood it and she didn't care. That was with the exception of his roommates, specifically Sadie who had it out for her since the moment she started hanging out with Barrel. She was jealous, that much was clear, which was why it surprised Annette that she'd approached her at the party without anyone forcing her to. The small talk was just that and it ended with Sadie offering her one of the candies that sat on the silver tray in her palm. It seemed like a harmless gesture but Annette was about to learn how wrong that was.

Nothing felt awry as she sat on the edge of the dancefloor, her hips gently swaying to the music. Most of the songs they'd been playing hadn't been her style but this one had actually got her to sing along to herself. That was until her date reappeared with a drink in hand that she was happy to accept. "Thanks," the brunette replied smiling up at him. That was when something shifted, her head tilting in observation of the boy in front of her. "Nope, nothing to report." She couldn't get herself to stop staring at him. So much so that a blush even came to her cheeks, forcing her to look down at the liquid she swirled around in its glass. "You look like really good tonight, by the way." Annette wasn't sure what had gotten into her but she finally felt like saying all of the things she'd kept to herself.

~ timeskip ~

Tonight was hardly the first time Brandon’s ever attended an event like this in his life, but it was one of the first parties where he had actually been invited, even as just a plus one. Crashing events like this was usually more his style, coming in alongside his roommates and taking advantage of the free food and alcohol. And while it was nice knowing that he actually was supposed to be here right now, a part of him missed the thrill of knowing he could get caught any second. Though he supposed now that rush was replaced with the minor anxiety that a certain mafia boss was going to see him instead - which honestly might be worse than just getting kicked out for trespassing. But it was going to be worth it, all of this was, because he was here with Annette and they were going to enjoy some free booze and hopefully there’d be a cake of some kind too.

They’d spent a good majority of the night together already, dancing a bit but mostly just hanging off on the sidelines watching people. The call of nature had drawn him away from her for a few minutes, in which time unbeknownst to him Sadie had started going around the party handing out her candies. If Brandon had been there, he would have known better than to let Annette accept anything that his roommate had to offer for her, but of course the girl had planned it perfectly to swoop in the moment he was gone. Returning to his date with two drinks in hand for them both, it didn’t hit him right at first that something might be up. “Hey. Did I miss anything important? Anyone pass out or throw up all over themselves yet?” he asks cheerily as he hands over one of the cups to her.

[anctherdogday]

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Even though her life hadn't been perfect by any means she was glad to have a mother that actually loved and cared about her. Now she also had a dad that did too. She knew that Brandon's life hadn't quite taken the same path. "I think it was because my mom got pregnant so young that she did, I don't think most people start getting the talk when we did," the brunette gave a small laugh before it fell back into her natural smile. "I feel like our house was unusual because we were so open about that sort of thing. I was the most boring one of us all though, for uh, obvious reasons." Annette hadn't meant to wait but never found anyone she thought was worth permanently changing her pH for. That was until now.

This conversation hadn't been one she planned to have but it had been something that crossed her mind. She couldn't explain what it was about him that made her feel so safe, especially not after what they'd been through. In all honesty, as awful as that night had been for her and how betrayed she'd felt at the moment, the bombing changed everything. She knew when it came down to it, he was going to protect her and Annette trusted him to do so. Just like she did giving him her virginity. At first, she worried that she'd embarrassed herself by being so forthcoming with her feelings but as he continued to explain she understood. Whatever relationship he had with his roommates had been a bit ambiguous though Annette was able to fill in the gaps. His words explained it plainly for her to determine if that was something she still wanted to pursue. The brunette thought for a moment before starting a slow nod. "Yeah, I'm okay with that. I mean, as long as you like me too because I like you," she said starting to ramble a little before getting back on course. "So they'd be okay with it? Sadie wouldn't like... kill me?" Annette half-joked, not being entirely convinced she wouldn't.

Given how young Mrs. Deare seemed, it made sense that she would give her children all the information and tools they might need when it comes to having a safe sex life. Most teen parents didn’t want to see the same thing happen to their kids, even if they’d made peace with the fact that it had happened to them. Or at least, that’s what the movies and shows always made it seem like - Barrel didn’t actually have any real experience in that type of situation. His parents had been long married by the time they had their first child and his great aunt had never had any kids at all, so it wasn’t like any of them were in any real rush to give him the talk or ensure he never brought a girl home knocked up. “That’s nice, though. Maybe my mom would have done the same - but I was too young for that kind of talk last time I saw her. And Aunt Martha wasn’t really all that involved in anything I did,” he responds with his own story, raising a shoulder half heartedly in a shrug. It was the type of thing that would bother him if he thought too long or too hard on it - but Brandon didn’t want to be burdened with those types of feelings, so he simply moved past it all as best he could.

It was sweet, how Annette tried to cheer him up despite not really knowing just how much was at stake with all of this, at least when it came to his roommates. The point’s going to come where Brandon needs to explain to her what was really going on between himself and Sadie and Landon, but he figures there’s no point in bringing it up until he knows for certain just where she stands with him. He’s just about to thank her for being so supportive and letting him rant about all of this seemingly out of nowhere, when a new thought is brought up, one that has him immediately raising his eyebrows and blinking a few times in minor shock. It wasn’t that Barrel hadn’t thought there was some chance that she was into him as more than just a friend, he had figured the likelihood of that was potentially high, but he never would have expected her to come so outright and ask him to fuck her like this.

“Really?” he asks, needing her to be certain of this before he agrees to anything. “There’s probably a few things I should tell you before you make that decision though.” It’s a bit of a warning, one that probably sounds far more intense than it actually is and as soon as the words are out of his mouth he’s continuing on, needing to give context before she starts overthinking or freaking out. “It’s about Landon and Sadie, and my relationship with them. They’d deny any labels or putting a title on what we are - but I’ve done some research, for moments like this when I have to explain it to someone else. They’re my partners. Like more than just working together for Oryan, I mean like… romantically. We’re in what the internet best describes as an open polyamorous relationship. Which means we’re together but also have like other partners, like you would be for me. I like you, like… I like you a lot. And I really would love to show you the ropes as you said. But I love them too, and I’m not going to give them up. If that makes you uncomfortable, I get it, I understand. But yeah… that’s something you should know before we you know, start anything.”

[anctherdogday]

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He continued to surprise her, leaving her guessing what she'd learn next about him and his mysterious past. Of course, he would answer any question she'd ask but she preferred when it came about naturally. She knew he hadn't lived a normal life and had suffered his own troubles, coming out the other side as the brightest spirit she'd ever known. Barrel never ceased to make her smile which she learned during the worst day of her life. Even when she was trapped, he made sure she knew she wasn't alone and that a light existed at the end of the tunnel. No one understood what made him so special to her and a part of her never wanted to let anyone into that world. This was the space she shared with him alone, the only boy she'd ever thought about giving herself entirely to. "Mom educated us young, didn't want us to end up in a situation we weren't ready for," she tried to explain without calling her siblings' conception a mistake. By now they weren't considered that way but at the time it wasn't in the plan or so she'd imagined.

His relationship with his roommates didn't entirely make sense to Annette though she accepted it for whatever it was. It didn't come as a shock that their views on children were different but she imagined it was hard for him to fully process. They were inseparable and anything getting in the way hadn't been perceived very well or at least her addition to Barrel's life didn't go well. She still wondered if Sadie was going to come after her or put a curse on her house. Still, Annette was a hard person to crack and she figured the girl wouldn't go too far if it was someone Barrel cared about. "That's a problem for later when you're like ready to have one and they aren't," she tried to rationalize, knowing it would be a discussion that might not go well. Right now it had just been a scare and given him a space to think about what he wanted which she thought was a positive. "It'll work out."

When he took her hand she paused, her gaze locking with his and a smile coming to her lips. Annette bit on her lip softly before averting her eyes to not get caught in his. "Thank you, I hope I am," she confessed. Motherhood seemed hard, watching what all hers had to go through, but she knew having the desire to be a mother made it easier. "Maybe one day, right?" Annette gave a small laugh, shifting her body so that she faced him on the couch and her hands fell into his lap. "Until then... Do you think you could, I don't know, show a girl the ropes in the bedroom? You know, so when one day I am ready to have a kid I know what I'm doing to make one." It was a roundabout way of saying what she wanted yet her nerves got the best of her. Annette didn't know how to appropriately ask a boy to take her virginity but she knew she wanted it to be home.

Turning to look fully at her, Brandon’s eyebrows rose as she admits that her mother gave her the sex talk at supposedly such a young age. Maybe his own mother would have done the same, if he had still been around her at that point in his life. As it was, he had long since been shipped away to his great aunt by then, and Martha wasn’t exactly the type to sit down and have any serious discussions with him like that. “I didn’t really learn about it till high school health class,” he admits with a shrug. Maybe it was something that he should feel bad about, but there wasn’t really much point in getting upset now. He’d never gotten an STD or anyone else pregnant as far as he knew, so it wasn’t like waiting so long to learn about safe sex had really hurt him.

A light chuckle leaves his lips as he nods his head in agreement, Sadie not being the motherly type was an understatement. While she did indeed have a caring side to her, one that many other people would be surprised to know existed, motherly wasn’t the way to describe it. And the thought of the girl having an actual child of her own was hard to picture… the same could probably be said for Landon as well. Which was where all of his confusion over the situation really stemmed from. Because it wasn’t hard at all for Brandon to imagine himself with a kid the same way it was for the other two. “I don’t want to lose them,” he admits, frowning slightly at the confession. “But… I want a kid at some point too. And I can accept having one with someone else, I’m fine with that. I don’t think they’d hate me for that, but it would definitely change everything between us.” Which was where the real questions came into play - was that change something that Brandon was willing to accept? Would having a kid with someone else someday completely ruin everything he had with the two people he loved most? He didn’t have answers for either of them, and that was what had him scared the most. It was a complicated situation - one that he probably didn’t need to focus on right now, but yet he couldn’t get the thoughts ouf of his head.

Still, he smiles brightly at the compliment at both himself and his two other roommates. “We really would, wouldn’t we?” he laughs lightly before reaching out and capturing Annette’s hand in his own when she pokes at him. “So would you, by the way. You’d make adorable little kids and you’d be a great mom to them too.” A part of him doubted if he would make as a great of a father as she seemed to believe he would, considering the fact that the only two paternal type figures he’d had in his life had been his own dad, who had kicked him out at the age of nine, and Oogie, who only really accepted him because of how close he’d been to Landon and Sadie. But it couldn’t really be that hard could it? He just had to love the kid and do the best he could, that was all any parent really could do, anyway.