I don't want a dad, I want a brother

[notarrowette]

[RP with father_archer]

Cissie had told Roy she would call him after she talked with her mother, but she waited a few hours to do it. She needed to compose herself so he wouldn't think she was upset when she called.

Comments

[father-archer.livejournal.com]

"Hi hon." Roy said, tucking the phone under his ear and in the crook of his shoulder, "How's it going?"

[cisskabob.livejournal.com]

"Good," she said, pulling her knees up to hug them. "How's Lian? Is she feeling better?"

[father-archer.livejournal.com]

"She is." Roy said, stirring the tomatoes into the chili. "And she's doing good. I'm just making some chili... for you and Dick. How'd your chat with your mom go?"

[cisskabob.livejournal.com]

Cissie laughed a little and managed to avoid the question about her mother. "In other words, you're making tomato soup?"

[father-archer.livejournal.com]

"Kinda. With beans. How'd the chat go?" Roy could be endlessly patient.

[cisskabob.livejournal.com]

She sighed. "It was fine. She... wasn't very happy."

[father-archer.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry." Roy said, "I talked to her about it a few weeks back... she was kinda non-responsive."

[cisskabob.livejournal.com]

"You did?" Cissie asked, surprised. "She... was pretty surprised when I told her. And... kind of hurt, I guess."

[father-archer.livejournal.com]

Roy frowned, "Well, yeah. I wouldn't go behind Bonnie's back. I respect her too much for that." he took a breath. Damn.

He had never meant to hurt Bonnie. Just yell a little...

[cisskabob.livejournal.com]

Cissie blinked, confused. She'd really only witnessed Roy angry with her mother. "Really?" She pinched her nose as soon as she said it; that came out wrong. "Sorry, I didn't mean--I just meant... I don't really know what I mean?"

[father-archer.livejournal.com]

Roy chuckled softly, "Yeah, really. And I know what you mean, and it's okay. I respect Bonnie. She's your mother, and yeah, she made mistakes, lots of 'em, but everyone does." he shrugged, "Her mistake means she can't take care of you... Jade's meant she can't ever see Lian again." he said quietly, "I still love Jade. Well. Most of the time. And I sure as hell respect her. Yeah, I respect your mother."

[cisskabob.livejournal.com]

Cissie smiled, a little sadly, hugging her knees closer to her chest. She took a second before she answered, so that her voice wouldn't shake. "Thanks, Roy."

[father-archer.livejournal.com]

"No problem, Cissie." Roy said gently, "Uh. corn or no corn in your chili?"

[cisskabob.livejournal.com]

"Um--I don't know? Surprise me."

[father-archer.livejournal.com]

"Okay." Roy said, dumping in corn and peas. "I hope this turns out okay..." he muttered to himself.

[cisskabob.livejournal.com]

Cissie smiled into the receiver. "I'm sure it will be great, Roy."

[father-archer.livejournal.com]

"Not so sure. Never tried this..." Roy said, "Maybe it'll be kinda veggie spicy minestrone stuff."

[cisskabob.livejournal.com]

She laughed, relaxing a little. "Mildly spicy veggie minestrone soup?"

[father-archer.livejournal.com]

"Well, I didn't want to poison my little sister again." Roy said, "I felt sooo bad for giving you full strength that one time. I still feel bad."

[cisskabob.livejournal.com]

Cissie grinned, feeling like a weight had been lifted. It felt really nice to hear Roy call her his 'little sister.' "It's okay," she told him. "It wasn't that bad?"

[father-archer.livejournal.com]

"You cried." Roy said.

[cisskabob.livejournal.com]

She laughed again. "What, over the chili? Not... a lot!"

[father-archer.livejournal.com]

"uh-huh." Roy said, "Hon, you were suffering. It was sad."

[cisskabob.livejournal.com]

"Well, it was just my tastebuds being burned off my tongue. That's not a big deal, right?"

[father-archer.livejournal.com]

"I said sorry!"