Work Text:
Robert loved his Mummy, or at least he admired her. There was a time when he remembered the way she used to hold him. The way she would kiss his forehead and tuck him into bed. She used to read to him.
He looked a lot like her, Nanny Joan told him. She had the same blonde hair and bright blue eyes. But, now, Mummy’s eyes were normally closed. She was on the couch, another bottle on the floor next to her.
Daddy was never home, when he was, he was dealing with Mummy. Mummy was unreliable. She would say she would pick him up from school, and not show up until two hours after school ended.
She smelt like Daddy’s office. He used to guess that meant that they spent time together. But, then he found a bottle that smelt the way Mummy smelt and he deduced that maybe they didn’t.
When Robert turned five, he told her he didn’t need the Nanny’s over constantly. She listened and reduced their hours. He wished she didn’t.
That’s when the days in the study started. Robert would come home after school, his hand within Mummy’s and she would bring him into Daddy’s study. She would sit him on the floor with his school books and lock the door.
He would be let out when Daddy came home. Daddy always looked disappointed. Robert would ask, “Why can’t I hang out with Mummy?”
“Your mother needs her alone time, and you don’t behave. If you don't behave, Robert, you’re going to get punished.” Robert didn’t know what about his existence pertained to not behaving. He supposed that was okay, his parents made the rules anyway.
Robert adapted. He learned. He knew that maybe, just maybe, if he could stay out of Mummy’s way by himself. He wouldn’t be forced into the study. That’s when the second rule came to play.
Stay outside .
It was the safest bet for everybody.