Chapter Text
In this universe people are a specific classification (Dominant, Submissive, Caregiver, Little, or Neutral) at the age of 20 you go to the testing facility which gives you your genetic group.
Jemma:
My 20th birthday rolled around and I felt physically sick at the prospect of being tested my mother hates littles. She always stated if any of her children turned out to be one of them she’ll disown them, my two brother are dominants which was no surprise to the family they showed signs from a young age. Both bossy, both could take charge in a heartbeat and both could command the attention of the room the second they walked in unlike me. I didn’t like to lead I always felt lost and slightly confused I need someone to direct me and confront me. All I want is someone with a strong hand and comforting touch all these signs made me question if I could be a little this always makes my blood turn to ice at the thought of it. My mother would throw me aside like I was trash, my mum never liked me much because she never wanted a daughter and I was an accident. So I can’t be a classification she doesn’t like that’ll just give her more ammunition I hate me. I oftener wondered if she suspects I’m a little for her declare she hates them for all these year so she’ll have an excuse to disown me.
To avoid my family I was spending my birthday in the academy labs with my best friend Fitz he’s smart, caring and simply wonderful and we share so much in common. He too is from a rocky upbringing his father is vile, he thinks anyone who isn’t a neutral or dominant is disgusting and he’s convinced beating his son hard enough will shape him into a dominate person. Clearly Fitz didn’t get his brains from his father no outside forces can change your genetic coding and from what I’ve seen of Fitz I suspect he’s a little or submissive he’s far from a dominant or neutral, like me I can just feel it in my bones.
I sat on the chair as I watched Fitz tinker with a small black device “I promise when I’m finished, it will be worst the wait... It short circuited when I was testing it earlier it’s meant to be your gift” Fitz rambles. I smile weakly “You didn’t have to get me anything, not even my own mother did” he pinned me with his big green eyes “Oh Jemma, I’m sorry, your mother is a right piece of work but of course I was going to get you something”. I reached over and squeezed his shoulder “Fitz? Can I talk to you about something?” He laid down the screwdriver he was holding giving me his full attention “What’s bothering you?” I sighed and looked at my knitted fingers “The testing process, I suspect I’m a little and if I am one my mother will disown me and you know what happens once you get your classification falling into headspace is unavoidable it’s like when you know your classification officially your brain resets and it’s unavoidable”. I ran my fingers here through my hair as my nerves started to ramp up “I’ll be 20 next week too and I think it’s safe to say I’m not dominate the thought of taking charge gives me a stomachache so I’ve been thinking how about we don’t get tested?” I looked at him in shock “But the long terms side effects of living unclassified is risky serve depression, anxiety, panic attacks or worst after years you could snap and fall into headspace without any preparation for it and I hard it can be traumatic”. I tried to reason with him even though the idea of staying untested was ever so tempting, plus the side effects took time to surface. “Hear me out okay” he said with his hands flapping all over the place “You know we can’t risk being tested not with our folks my father would kill me if I’m not what he wants and your mother will disown you it’s too risky staying untested is less risky so how about it? I’ll tell my dad, I’m like my mum a neutral he won’t be overjoyed but he’ll be happy enough with the result and you tell your mum you’re submissive after all you couldn’t pull off being domination not with your brothers they’ll know you lied but submissive could work nicely you do as you’re told and follow the crowd”. I shook my head in disbelief but the more I thought about it the more it come appealing, Fitz’ dad would kill him I can’t risk his life plus it answers my problem too “That’s a good but risky loop hole which could work nicely for a while at least”. He grinned at me affectionately “We’re in this together” he said as I hugged him and we sat in silent for a while as he finished tinkering. “Now your gift should be working turn out the lights please” I jumped up off my seat and flicked off the light I heard him click a button then to my amazement the room got filled with a projection of the cosmos all the starts and galaxies swelling around the room “I wanted to give you the stars” he explained. “Oh fitz it’s beautiful thank you” I made my way to him trying not to bump into anything to hug him.
Two weeks later:
I walked home feeling physically sick I lied about going to the testing centre I just hope to God I can keep up the pretence. I slowly unlocked the door to see my mother June, father Steve and two brothers Bill and Chris sat at the kitchen table looking expectantly at me. “Well?” My mum snipped at me not even a hello because cutting to business “Submissive through and through” I gave a weak smile, after my mother gave me a resigned nod, my dad breathed out a sigh of relive, my brothers looked indifferent at the information. As I walked closer I could feel my mother’s anger simmering under the surface of her tight lipped smile “Good we wouldn’t want a disgusting little in this household do we Jemma?” She practically spat that sentence at me “No mother”. I tried to keep my cool composure, scared she’ll see through my lie but after a while of just her starting at me she seemed resigned. “I knew you wouldn’t be dominant like me or your siblings” I bite my lip nervously “Well yes it was pretty obvious I wasn’t dominant I’m more a follower than a leader explains a lot now I know for sure I’m a submissive”. She glared at me for a while before loudly pushing her chair out from the table and leaving the room clearly annoyed she doesn’t have a reason other than not wanting a daughter to disown me. She wouldn’t want the neighbours talking but sadly littles are the most discriminated against so her kicking me to the curb for that classification wouldn’t ruin her reputation it would only ruffle a few feathers in the community. I stood tense as my brothers followed after her they were just as bad as her, at times.
My dad stayed put looking broken year after year of being with my mother the spark in his eyes dimmers further now he was a shell of a man “Jemma” he whispered drawing my attention to the present “Yes?” I questioned “What’s your real classification? I know you’re lying and if your mother catches you in headspace you’re done for” he looked as panicked as I felt. I slipped into the seat next to him making sure to keep my volume low and my eyes on the door as I spoke next “I might of not got tested, I couldn’t risk it not with mother’s attitude we all know she only hates littles because she suspected me as one, Bill said she only started declaring her hatred for them as I started growing up because I let off vibes”. My dad grabbed my hand and held on tightly “Not being classified is dangerous in the long run sweetheart, the second you get a change, leave this place and never come back okay?” He looked at me with big worried eyes “Promise me Jemma” he promoted “I promise dad” I choked out. He sighed “She wasn’t always like this you know she used to be kind and loving but losing her parents twisted her up and made her sour I’m just sorry you have to deal with her bitterness”. I reached over and squeezed his hand “I understand dad things are complicated but I only have another year at the academy then I’ll be assigned my shield base but I’ll always write to you I promise, I love you dad”. He gave me a watery smile “I couldn’t be prouder of you, I’m glad we had you, I always wanted a daughter, just so you know you are wanted and I love you too sweetheart” he kissed my forehead and left the room.