Chapter Text
The soft fragrance of sweet pea and sandalwood is stuck in her nose. Her mother’s melodic voice melds perfectly with her father’s gentle strumming on his acoustic guitar. She has her ear lightly pressed against her mother’s baby bump, sadly hearing nothing. Her mother takes her hand and gently presses it to the other side of her belly. Little Molly jolts back in surprise, gazing up at her mother’s adoring face. Her mother brushes her other hand through little Molly’s unruly ginger locks.
Molly wake up-
Scorching heat engulfs the room all around her, burning through her present day body. An orange sea of flames light up the dark depths of her childhood bedroom. Devouring the walls, eating through anything and everything in its path. She can’t move. Suction cupped to the burning floorboards. The doorway of her room appears to be miles away encased in billowing black smoke and fire.
Down the fiery hall there is a figure standing in the middle of the flames untouched by fire. She can barely see the form lumbering towards her room. Black smoke swirls in all around her, swiftly covering her in a blazing hot blanket.
Wake up Molly-
She can’t breathe, she can’t close her burning eyes. Soft slow paced jiggling of bells pull her back to the figure.
“ Molly… ”
She knows exactly who that is-
Molly hasn’t dreamt about anyone since..since Iris ..oh god! Please don’t-
Wake up!!!
Her sight becomes blurry. Shock floods her system as an ice cold weight crushes her into the flaming floorboards. A huge freezing hand takes hold of her jaw in a bone crushing grip. The hand forces her to look away from the doorway.
Her sight trails up the long arm belonging to a broad chested man. A ginger-haired man wearing a stark white dress shirt and black slacks is crouching over her. The second their eyes meet, he leans down. Glaring. Glaring at her with molten lava colored eyes. He slams his free hand down beside her head. She doesn’t jump. His frown deepens, working his square jaw.
‘Lydia! Help!!’
Wakeupwakeupwakeup!!!
The man squeezes her jaw, leaning in close to her face. A grimacing smirk pulls at his plump lips. “I’ll let you in on a little secret Rio… ” He pauses, his smirk turning into a pearly white grin.
‘How does he-’ That strikes her veins ablaze.
His red glare softens to a silky blue, standing out against the raging flames. Bells, the sound of bells stop just out her childhood bedroom.
“I am the prince of destruction. Terror of mankind. Eater of worlds! There is nowhere either of you can hide. I will be close behind you. Behind her ,” The man rolls his angry marbly blues to the doorway. A fond smile melts his handsome face. Molly can barely see out of the corner of her bleary eyes.
The ginger takes in a lungful of smoke, unaffected by the fumes. “Isn’t she a sight for sore eyes Molly?” He snaps her head to the fire licked door frame-
Wet sandpaper rakes continuously over her upturned nose. Salmon fills her lungs, fluff sticks to the sweaty skin of her neck. Round sky blue eyes with slitted pupils slowly blink at her. In return, she slowly blinks back.
“Ya hungry?” She asks softly in a light voice. All she gets in return is a calming ‘murr’ “Then c’mon, lemme up-” She gently pokes warm fluff, petting down her cat’s back. “Ghost c’mon man!” She puffs, sitting up on her elbows. The black tux hops off her chest, zooming his way to the kitchen, yowling all the way. Letting anyone and everyone know he’s hungry. She flops back down into her sheets. Lifting her left leathery scared arm, biting the inside of her cheek. "What the fuck." She wills away her tears as her sight coasts up her arm. "What the fuck was that about?"
Molly almost shits herself as she exits her bedroom. Completely forgetting Bea and Robin crashed here the other night. Ghost rubs against her legs, purring like mad. Robin turns his messy pink bedhead in her direction, throwing a content smile at her. Mouthing ‘Good morning’
Ah. Bea’s still asleep. Shit. Well it’s not like Robin hasn’t heard any of her horror stories of growing up. So this dream will be no different. She mouths back ‘Coffee? Juice?’
He holds up two fingers. Nodding she strategically dances around her bat shit crazy cat to get to the pantry. All the while Robin tries not to laugh, continuing to hold Bea in his arms.
With Ghost finally fed, Molly grabs two glasses filling them with apple juice. As soon as Molly sits Robin’s glass on the table, Miss sleepyhead stirs. Bomb braids scatter every which way across Robin’s chest. Bea blinks the sleep from her dark eyes, focusing on fiery curls and bright green hues that are way too close for comfort.
“GOOD MORNIN’!!!” Molly shouts with a shit eating grin.
“OhMyGOD! Why’d you do that?!” Bea yells back, curling further into Robin’s chest.
“Coffee or juice ma’am?” Molly giggles. Robin busts up laughing when Bea lays her hand over the red-head’s face, pushing her away. Mumbling something along the lines of ‘Too early…’
Molly snorts a laugh, kissing the palm on her mouth. “‘Offee!” She shouts, licking Bea’s palm. Who quickly pulls back groaning in disgust, wiping her hand down her boyfriend’s top.
“Why me? What did I do babe?!” He clicks his tongue, laughing.
“Too early.” She hisses again, trying to hide under their sheet. He kisses the top of her head, smiling to himself.
“You two are stupidly cute and I love it.” Molly watches from her kitchenet.
Robin snorts. “You’n Lydia can’t show off all the time!”
Warmth scorches her cheeks. “We don’t mean to!” She kind of wants to scream into a void at that comment. She knows he doesn’t mean anything by it either. But at the same time, she gets it.
Bea sits up, turning her attention to the ginger, sleepily blinking. “Well hello!” Robin grins up at her.
“Mornin’ sunshine! Finally awake with us? Smell of coffee summoned you?” Ghost rubs against the red-head’s leg, earning himself a few pats and scritches behind his ears. Then she sits down on the tiles with him curling up in her lap.
“Sure.” Is the african-american’s response. Yup, she’s still sleepy alright, nothin’ a little food won’t help with.
“So…all I got is some yogurt and a few nanners. And maybe eggs?” Molly drags herself to the fridge, undisturbing the puddle of fluff in her lap. However, when she opens the fridge, Ghost launches himself across the kitchen to the front door. “Agh! Frick dude! Little shit dug his nails into my thighs!!”
Bea groggily yawns, “Twins must be here then.” moving back to snuggle with Robin.
“Aw babe , I was just gonna sit up.” He pouts childishly.
“Too bad, this is mine now.” She nuzzles into his neck, wrapping her arms under his back.
“Always am Beebee.” He hums, kissing her temple.
Ghost chirps at the door, tail standing straight up rattling in excitement. Molly hops to her feet, briskly strides to the door and peeks out of the peephole. And nearly dies laughing, opening the door.
As soon as the door opens, it reveals a stone-faced James who then shouts in a high pitched voice “The dark lord is here!” He crouches down letting his set of oranges roll into Molly’s apartment. Then slowly crouch crawls after them like a spastic crab, again face as straight as can be. Molly sucks in much needed air, holding onto the thankfully sturdy door.
Beatrice groans holding back her confused smile to the best of her ability. While Robin can’t contain his giggles. Luke comes out of nowhere, shoving his hair into a loose beanie.
“Aye Boss!” He waves, holding up his dainty hand, scooping Ghost into his arms. The cat falls limp, purring like mad loving the attention.
After everyone is situated with either a coffee or glass of juice, they all calm down.
And yes, Bea is fully awake now.
“You guys are here early. Not that it’s a bad thing! I just woke up a few minutes ago is all..” Molly kicks herself in the ass watching their joy being sucked out of their faces. “Nevermind I didn’t mean to-”
“Nononono- Molly- It’s not you-” James starts waving his free hand about, and Lucas finishes for him.
“Mom was playing piano.” He then shoves his face into Ghost’s fluff as a distraction. James nods, shoving an orange wedge in his mouth.
Robin grimaces, while Bea frowns. “How’d you guys make it out unscathed?” Bea asks with worry brimming over in her gaze.
“Jus’ snuck out is all.” James blankly states, handing his twin an orange wedge. Luke gingerly holds it between his slim fingers. Then passes it to Molly, excusing himself to the bathroom. Ghost follows after him cheerfully.
“Guess everyone’s morning was shitty then.” Molly sighs, focusing on the slice. Trying to force her dream from her brain at the moment.
Bea can’t help but notice the distant gleam in Molly’s swirling forest hues. Keeping tabs on that in the back of her mind, taking a long sip of her coffee.
“Ours wasn’t too bad, I’d say.” Robin pipes up, holding a smirk out towards their hostess.
The ginger makes a face. “Please tell me you guys didn’t-” she gestures with her hands between the couple. James loses his shit laughing with Robin.
Bea groans in slight frustration. “Oh hell no! Don’t even make her think we did anything while-”
The boys snicker with laughter. Robin quickly throws his thoughts to the wind. “ Obviously you were still asleep babe.” He takes her hand and kisses her knuckles. “I mean c’mon , we’re better than that .” He beams, tossing an amused grin between the girls.
Molly rolls her eyes so hard they all can hear them. “Oh sure, sure I bet you can keep it in your pants loverboy.”
Bea’s jaw drops, face turning ten different shades of burgundy “Can we not-”
The red-head waves them off, a fox-like grin cutting them in half. “Yeah, pretty sure Lids would be stoked to know you guys have hit third base in my apartment.” That makes James nearly spit out one of his orange slices from laughter.
“Good god- Molly!! We haven’t done anything remotely-”
Molly interrupts Bea super quick, flailing both arms towards them. Then points at them smiling wide, trying to hold back another laughing fit. “Ahbah- I don’t want or need to know! That shit is between you guys and the lovely deities you wish to pray to!” James howls with laughter.
“Okokok whatever Rio!! Anyway, have you heard anything from Lids yet?” The african-american sighs, curiosity nipping at her nerves.
“Nah, not since last night actually. Well, y’know how she gets on these trips!” Molly catches Luke’s head peeking out from the bathroom looking more than worried and quite pale. This prompts her to almost jog over to see what’s up. Their conversation is put on hold. James tenses watching them intently, having a vague idea of what’s going on.
“Everything ok?” she whispers.
“No.” He mumbles, eyes wandering around looking everywhere but at Molly. “I uhm.. it started..”
Molly nods, keeping her voice low. “Tampons are in the second drawer. And I’ll get you some advil, yeah?” She smiles softly when he nods. “C’mer,” They hug. She knows it's not much, but it's the best thing she can do. “You’ll get outta that house before you know it okay? First thing we’ll do is cut that hair, and order a binder.”
Luke nods harder, squeezing Molly. Puffing out a light sob. “Yeah.” They quickly separate, returning to their tasks.
Molly and James make eye contact both quietly exchanging knowing looks. However, everyone knows what is going on, out of respect nobody brings up that topic. Especially the twins. When Lucas joins them again, glumly taking the advil Molly hands him. Washing it down with apple juice. Ghost is back in Lucas’s lap leaning excitedly into much needed pets.
They pick up their previous topic where it left off without a second beat.
“Scatterbrained, you mean.” James smiles jokingly. And bumps shoulders with his twin.
“She’s spending time with her dad! We already ruin that shit enough for her already.” Molly sits criss crossed on the floor.
“You know that’s not true.” Bea reasons with her. “She doesn’t feel that way about us. Also, Richie has told us, or in this case, you , thousands of times he loves having all of us around. Thought you already knew that hun.”
“I..I just..I still-” She clicks her tongue.
“Here, take this, it’ll make you feel better.” Luke grins, and gently plops Ghost in Molly’s lap, who instantly begins making biscuits into her thighs. He bumps shoulders with James again, who seems a tad less tense. Holding out his hand for another orange slice.
“It’s a deep emotional thing for you, we get it hun.” Beatrice gazes intently at her. A solemn frown drapes over her pretty slim face. It’s that look that she used to give Iris. The ‘We need to talk’ kind of face. The ‘I know something is wrong’ face.
Ghost head bumps Molly’s chin, breaking their extended eye contact. She looks down, happy for a distraction at the moment.
“Molly.” Bea grabs her attention once again. “Is there more than that ?”
Molly huffs, not breaking away from Bea’s intense knowing stare. “It’s nothing.” Her stomach drops as Bea’s eyebrows climb upwards.
She points an accusing finger at the red-head. “It’s something all right.”
“It was just a stupid dream. It’s nothing.” Molly waves it off.
“Dreams are weird, man.” Luke states. “It could mean somthin’” He holds his hands up.
“And we could help you find out its meaning!” James snaps his fingers, while Lucas shoots finger guns his way.
Molly shakes her head. “Nono. It was pretty straight forward. It was..it was trauma based. Don’t. Don’t worry about it.” She heaves, quietly pleading with her eyes for them to drop it.
“Your aunt?” Bea starts to visibly get upset. Curling her lips into a harsh frown, dark hues hardening.
“No. Just stop. Please .” She holds her hands out to her best friend, holding back her fright, sadness and-and everything with a trained iron will. “I swear, I’m o-a-k. For the most part..” Ghost ‘murs’ head butting Molly again, and rubs into her neck.
Then it clicks with Bea. The african-american’s visage calms immediately. And she nods.
“Aren’t we all just a little bit fucked in the head, huh?” Robin sighs. Leaning into his girlfriend's warmth, laying his head onto her well built shoulder. She leans into his touch, lovingly squeezing his knee.
“God sorry. I shouldn’t-”
“What? You shouldn’t feel your own feelings in your own home? Molly. If you’re not feeling great, at least talk to us. What did we all promise?” James snaps at her. “You shouldn’t isolate yourself for something as silly as that.”
“I know Jim. Just-..I’m sorry. I haven’t been outta that hellhole for even a year and I still fall back into that mindset of keeping everything in. And I-”
“You’re getting better. We all are actually.” Bea smiles at her. “Mom says so, anyway.” She scratches her neck.
“I’m sorry for snapping. I just thought of-” Tears prick the corners of his pale blue jewels, as he shoves his chestnut bangs from his forehead. Luke bumps into his shoulder, taking his hand.
“Aw dude. I wouldn’t let it go that far..” Molly gets up, going in to hug James. Who just stares up at her with the saddest puppy eyes in the world. “I think Lids and Bea would kill me then revive me only to kill me again if they knew something was up and I kept it to myself.” That makes a sniffling snort escape from the other teen. “Besides, I can’t hide shit from you guys. Y’all know too much..” She laughs, breaking away from the hug.
“I miss Iris..so…so fucking much dude..” He sobs. That prompts Luke to launch a bear hug at his brother. Molly hugs them both. Followed by Robin and Beatrice.
“We all do..” Bea barely raises her voice.
“Thanks guys..” James whispers after they break from their emotional group hug. And everyone returns to their spots.
Molly giggle snorts, “Remember when Bea thought she was hardcore hitting on Lydia?” She throws Bea a shit eating grin.
Who in turn turns deep red. “Oh god no! Please don’t-”
Molly leans back on her hands. “I kinda figured she was trying to hint at me like ‘hey see Lydia is totally into you girl!’ ”
Bea hides her face in her hands in shame. “Goddamnit please- I still wanna go back and kick myself in the ass for being so dumb -” She groans out her last word. Making everyone laugh.
Robin kisses her cheek. “You’re brilliant and you know it babe. What is your college again hmm?” The two share an intimate gaze. “You’re my brilliant shining star that’ll kick ass at marine biology!” He kisses her cheek again, then pulls her hand up kissing it as well.
“Just you wait Mr. ‘I’m gonna make it to Marvel Studios one day.’ ” She bats her thick eyelashes at him.
They share a long kiss.
“Make it stop Jesus-” Lucas retches. “You both are gross .”
“Hey! That’s not very nice! Let them be in love damnit!!” Molly pretends to faint, holding her hand across her forehead like a damsel in distress.
“Yeah, who are you, my mother?!” Robin snaps his attention to Luke, pouting his lips.
“Hell no!” Luke yelps. “She’s scary as shit.”
“Okok. I think we’ve bickered enough. What the fuck are we doing today guys?” James asks, throwing away his orange rinds.
Molly turns to him. Speaking in a serious monotone voice, “What we do every night Pinky. We try to live another day.” but breaks out in laughter at the end.