Chapter Text
For as long as she'd known him, Harriet had always known Ralph as a hard-working, stubborn, set-in-his-ways type of guy. The man had enough pride in himself - as well as arrogance - to know that, whatever he set his mind to, he was going to accomplish it. It was why Ralph was such a businessman, in that aspect; cut-throat, take it or leave it, and was hard to budge when making deals with other companies. It was also why Harriet had been attracted to him in the first place; he had known he wanted Harriet the moment he laid eyes on her, and chased after her even when she initially rejected him when they first met.
But she had also known that, because Ralph had grown up to be a stubborn fool, his personality is quite...unlikeable to some. There were many times where people had walked out of a deal with Ralph because Ralph hated plans being changed - even the tiniest of bit - or because the offers weren't quite matching up to the vision Ralph had. It had her worried, at first, because too many times she had seen people walk away from Ralph's company red in the face, frustrated they couldn't get a deal or because of Ralph himself. If Ralph wasn't as skilled as he was, Harriet was sure they would've gone bankrupt years ago. Instead, she placed her faith in her husband, figuring he knew best than her when it comes to technology, inventing, and investing in a product. She was glad to know that her faith wasn't misplaced in that aspect, at least.
Now, though, her faith in Ralph of wanting to accept something different about their children has wavered.
She had thought, she had assumed that Ralph would at least come to an understanding that their kids were important to them. She had thought in spite of where they are in life, Rip and Rev were something to be proud of and love them for who they become. Sure, she worries about Rip a lot; the boy was so different from them, it was hard to believe that he was her son sometimes. But regardless, she had loved him. Still loved him. Rip may not have been the fastest of all the Runners, but he was her child and she accepted him with open arms.
Ralph didn't see it that way though.
When Rip was born, Ralph had been excited at first. She remembers him talking so much about how he was going to have two great inventors in the family, how he was going to raise them right, and that they may never have to work a day in their life because they'd been gifted with such talented little boys.
(In retrospect, Harriet should've realized how much of a problem having that ideal was. Rev was barely two at the time, and Rip was just straight up born for not even a second in appearing in the world. To put that much expectation on someone, that bound to cause trouble, and Harriet laments on the fact she could've quickly nip this in the bud, had she known what the future looked like.)
So, you could imagine how devastated Ralph was when Rip wasn't exactly the fastest Ralph thought he could've been. Add onto his slow speech, and whatever dreams Ralph had for his two sons were quickly disappearing out the window. It didn't exactly help that Rev was also not the fastest of the two runners (Rip beats Rev for more than 4 seconds, surprisingly).
Disappointed, but not out of the woods. Instead, Ralph focus more on helping his sons build things - and by that, I mean, helping Rev with inventing, Rip was on his own. Because Rev was first born, so, first borns would always get more privileges than second, or thirds.
And more Harriet thought about it, the more Harriet realized how horrible of a mindset that is and - why hadn't she realized that sooner?
Because that meant all the pressure of wanting to be great fell onto Rev's shoulders. That meant that whatever Rev does is going to be scrutinized under Ralph's watching eye. That meant that no matter what he does, Rip was always going to get the short end of the stick, having to deal with being compared to his older brother, and nothing will ever be good enough for him. It meant that all this time, Rev had spent worrying about whether he was making his parents proud, that he probably did things he didn't really want to do - like inventing. Harriet always thought Rev was good with numbers and hacking, but trying to make things into reality has always been a struggle.
"It's going to take some time," Ralph had said to her. "But he'll get use to it. One day, he's going to run the company just like his pops is doing, and he's going to run it well. I truly believe that."
But...was that always Rev's dream? Had they asked him? Did Rev even say he wanted to take his dad's job?
Yes, she thought. He has told you so many times he didn't want to run the company. He even vouched for Rip to take it. But you hadn't listen.
No, Ralph hadn't listen. And what was she doing?
Going along with it, because Ralph is your husband and you trust your husband with the business side of the family.
But Rev and Rip aren't business. They were kids. They were their kids. Kids who had other ideas of what they want out of life, what made them happy, who has go to out in this world on their own and trust the knowledge that their parents gave to them to ensure that they succeed. But what have they done?
Pressure. You put pressure onto them. More specifically, you put pressure onto Rev to become who you want him to be and then proceed to toss Rip to the side in favor of Rev, because Ralph thought he had more potential than his younger son. And in doing so, you have ignored your sons wants and needs, didn't allow him to grow anymore than knowing that what they do, is never going to be supported by you. Or rather, their father.
Which would've resulted in Rip showing resentment, and Rev probably stressing out to the point of anxiety.
Harriet slumped her shoulders against the chair, realizing just how many mistakes she - along with Ralph - had made.
Harriet was not stupid. She has read books and stories about people trying to live up to other's expectations, and how the end result was never pleasant. It's even worse when it's your parents that's doing it - because all that meant was a broken relationship between the child and parent.
Can it be fixed? Certainly, but both parties have to be willing and Harriet doubts anything she says can change the mind of Ralph.
But that's my son, Harriet thought. And I'm the mother. I'm suppose to nurture, aren't I? I'm suppose to care for my sons until they're old enough to take care of their own self. I'm suppose to...to be there for them. No matter what. That's what a mother's love is, isn't it? I should...I should always want the best for my child.
And she proceeded to tell Ralph this too, and Ralph scoffed.
"As-far-as-I'm-concern-I-have-no-son." Ralph growled out.
"You-don't-mean-that," Harriet said, glaring at her husband. For the first time, she didn't feel like she should sit back and let Ralph do everything anymore. Not when her relationship with her sons was at stake. "You-can't-mean-that-Ralph-I-remember-the-day-Rev-was-born. You-loved-that-boy-so-what-changed?"
"What-changed-was-that-my-faggot-of-a-son-had-decided-that-he-loves-men-and-not-only-that-but-also-a-coyote. Am-I-not-allowed-to-be-pissed-that-my-dreams-have-been-ruined-Harriet? That-everything-I-expected-from-my-sons-did-not-happen?" Ralph asked, returning the glare with his own.
"Do-you-not-hear-yourself?-'Your dream'?-Ralph-you're-being-inconsiderate-your-son-has-told-you-many-times-that-he-didn't-want-your-company!-And-you-didn't-listen!-Instead-you-kept-shoving-him-into-that-direction-to-the-point-where-he-went-to-college-to-get-away-from-you!-Imagine-that-Ralph-your-own-son-went-to-the-city-because-he-couldn't-stand-you!"
"Please-that-boy-went-to-college-because-he-wanted-to-further-his-career-in-tech-business!-You-telling-me-he-lied-to-me?"
"Yes!-Yes-I'm-telling-you-he-lied-to-you!-Rev-was-never-interested-in-the-company-but-he-felt-like-he-had-no-choice-because-whatever-else-interest-he-had-in-you-brushed-them-off! You-even-laughed-off-the-idea-of-him-becoming-a-superhero-and-helping-the-community!" Harriet screamed. Ralph glared her.
"You're-not-so-innocent-yourself-Harriet-or-did-you-forget-you-pulled-out-a-wad-of-cash-because-you-thought-this-little-superhero-thing-wouldn't-last-either?" He snarled at her. Harriet winced, feeling guilty.
"I know I did," She started slow. "I know I was in the same boat as you. I didn't want it to last either. I thought it was silly at first, because you...you made things work, Ralph. I had trusted you, because I still remember how hard you worked to get where you are now. I had doubts about your toy company, I still remember the anger people had when the deals didn't go through," She looked over at him. "But you proved me wrong. You went out and sold so many toys and other products that people wanted to buy. It may not be as big as the coyote's-" She ignored the way Ralph started to puff up at that. "But it was something. And it started out well for us. And I thought...I thought you knew what you were doing too, with our sons."
Ralph didn't say anything.
"...But I was wrong. I love you so much, Ralph, I do. But I love our sons more. It's fine if you don't want to be part of Rev's - or even Rip's - life. Nobody will begrudge you for that. But...they are my sons. And I want to show my support to them, no matter what it is that they do. I don't care that Rev likes men, or that he is dating a coyote. I just want him to be happy."
And that was all a parent could ask for from their child. To succeed, and being happy while doing it. Harriet figures being part of the Loonatics and being in a relationship with that coyote is making Rev happy.
"I don't care what you do anymore, at least, when it comes to our children. Be upset all you want, but in the end, it will be you who's missing out, not Rev. Not Rip." And with that, Harriet got up from the table and walked towards the door. "I'm going to see my son. I'm going to tell him it's okay, and that I love him. He doesn't need your approval if he at least got one from his family member. And I'm pretty sure he's got two."
And with that, Harriet started to run to the city.