Chapter Text
If anybody would’ve told Lisa that she’d have two children tugging at her skirt and roaming around her home at the age of twenty-two, she would’ve thought that they were out of their mind. However, directly after graduating with a degree in education and landing her first teaching job, two students in particular made a lasting impression on her and in turn, she did the same for them.
At the time, it wasn't unusual for students to unintentionally refer to her as 'mom.' In fact, it happened quite frequently. The mess-up oftentimes was seen as endearing and Lisa welcomed it with a sweet smile despite the sheepish expression the children would have after realizing their mistake.
While she experienced warming occurrences, other comments from two of her more aloof students remained on her mind for as long as she could remember, "Miss Lisa, I wish I could go home with you." It was a statement so heart-wrenching to her— one said on more than one occasion, making it impossible to trivialize. They were only seven years old with such a bold plea at hand. With eyes that hid an unknown amount of dreariness and tattered attire accompanying them, how could she ever decline a request that held so much weight?
Years later, Lisa finds those same children lounging in her living room after a tiresome day at the nearby high school and she couldn’t imagine things any other way.
Speaking of said children, they should've been home by now. It was a rather rainy day, the weather forecast didn't predict the rain persisting through the evening. They mentioned that they would stop at their friend's house, as it was closer to the school and they could wait for the stormy sky to lighten up a bit. Lisa offered to pick them up as soon as she got off of work but her offer was adamantly rejected. Apparently Bennett's home was their intended destination from the beginning.
The sudden sound of chattering and the locked door clicking catches Lisa's attention. Her attention isn't the only one that is piqued as Andrius, their family dog, dashes towards the door. Moments later, Fischl’s voice is echoing across the living room and into the kitchen, "We’re home!"
Razor immediately kneels down to greet the excited dog as Fischl places the umbrella by the door. Lisa lowers the flame beneath the pot before stepping away from the stove. She walks into the living room, finding them a lot less soaked than she anticipated. "Welcome home. I'm glad you managed to beat the rain."
"Yeah, Bennett's dad brought us home since we stayed for a while and it was getting pretty late."
"Bennett almost broke his leg today, by the way." Razor contributes the information as if it's a normal happening.
Considering that it’s Bennett that they're talking about, it’s not abnormal for an extreme accident to seem common at this point. That poor boy can't catch a break. Still, there’s no way that Lisa will allow her children to become accustomed to such extremities. "Why do you sound so content even saying that? Oh goodness, is he alright?"
Fischl waves off the question as she sets her backpack beside the couch. "He’s okay. A ball got stuck in the tree and he decided to climb it while it was pouring down outside. I tried to warn him but we’ve been through this so many times before. Who am I to interrupt fate?"
"Interrupting fate, huh," Lisa repeats, the phrasing sounds oddly familiar to her. Her puzzlement is momentary and the familiarity in Fischl's speech dawns on her: green eyes, pigtails, and an uncanny fixation with destiny. "Remind me to have a nice long chat with Mona for hindering your good judgment. Well, besides letting your friend potentially get hurt, how was school?"
Razor hums before speaking, "We had English today, our teacher got changed a couple of days ago."
"Oh?" This is the first that Lisa is hearing of it. "What do you think of the class?"
When Fischl releases a drawn-out sigh, Lisa has a feeling that she's in for an earful. "The teacher is super nice, she really is but I can't believe she makes us write that much already! She should at least let us get used to her before giving us an essay that's due! It’d be nice if she could cut us a bit of slack."
Their conversation gradually travels into the kitchen. Lisa checks on the food while Fischl and Razor follow behind her. Andrius makes his way to the area containing his dog bed, leaving him to his own devices which usually meant noisily playing with one of his chew toys.
Lisa moves deliberately around the kitchen, reaching for the plates in the cabinet as Fischl and Razor hover around her just for the sake of it, "Is that right?"
"Yeah. Razor, tell her."
Upon having his shoulder nudged repeatedly by Fischl, Razor responds as concisely as ever, "Sure."
"An agreement from you two? How bizarre."
Fischl is quiet, thinking of a way to describe their teacher without being too judgmental. "It’s just… she's sweet but she gets way too into her lectures."
"She's passionate about books and plot points. I think she wants us to do the same." Razor adds.
Honestly, Lisa expected much worse. Something along the lines of someone lazy and grating all at once, she can't tolerate teachers with those mannerisms. She's met more than a handful of them during her time as a student, as well as in her teaching career. However, their descriptions of this new teacher sound perfectly fine to her. All things aside, it's seemingly a class that Fischl would excel in. Then again, it might be Lisa's teacher-like outlook butting into personal matters. "She seems like a decent teacher to me. Shouldn't that be right up your alley?"
"Normally it would be but she just makes it so. BORING. I’ve seen the books that she keeps by her desk. I must say, I'm a fan. Her taste is exquisite. But the ones she uses for our assignments, I can barely fathom looking at them. It's an utter nightmare."
Ah, her dramatics are kicking in. "I see. How dare she make you read and work on things that aren’t thrillers and full of fantasy? Shame on her," Fischl pouts at the obvious teasing. "Since you’ve had such a tough day, pick any book from my shelf tonight. It’s yours."
The faux gloominess disappears as Fischl's expression brightens, "Really?"
Lisa nods while keeping her eye on the simmering food.
Lisa is met with a lack of response, prompting her to turn back around. Her eyes meet a lighter pair of green, encountering a great deal of mischief lying behind them. "Even the adult books?" Fischl's hands cup around her mouth when she whispers the question as if it's a swear word.
"No, nice try though. You read enough of those on that phone of yours."
The panic that flickers across Fischl's face is instantaneous. "How do you know about that," She swiftly turns toward Razor, an accusation resting on the tip of her tongue. "Did you tell her? You did, didn't you!"
Her hands wrap around Razor's collar, swaying the two of them back and forth as she tries to swindle the truth out of him. To Lisa, the sight is hilarious to watch and by the sound of Razor's laughter, it's amusing on his end as well. No matter how funny the image in front of her is, she should put the assumption to rest and clear up the misunderstanding.
"He didn't tell me anything. Let's call it a mother's intuition," Lisa clarifies. Fischl has a supremely bad habit of leaving her phone unlocked when she gets sidetracked, which is quite often once she gets home. Lisa spotting the paragraphs that were meant to be unseen was strictly coincidental. "Now Razor, I assume you've suffered too with this new class. Is there anything that you want?"
He wiggles out of Fischl's loosened grip and stills for a moment, pondering intently on the question. "Dinner. I'm hungry." Razor finally says.
She should've seen that coming. Lisa releases a breath of laughter, "That's fair. Dinner is almost ready, so go change."
There's a brief moment of silence and Lisa finds it strange. It only takes a second for frenzied steps to replace the quiet and the two of them race towards the bathroom door. Razor reaches it first and the door shuts with preciseness that prevents it from harshly slamming.
"Razor, get out now! You take way too long and I'm the one with wet socks!"
His voice is muffled through the door, quickly drowned out by the sound of the shower turning on and the steady stream of water, "Quicker I’m clean, quicker I can eat."
Lisa shakes her head at the boisterous interaction along with the distant banging on the door, though a smile rests on her lips. Never a dull day.
---
A couple of days later, Lisa remains in her classroom after hours. Parent conference days are always the longest, time surely slows down after each meeting. Granted, it’s always a joy conversing with the people responsible for her adorable little students once they leave her classroom but prolonged conferences tend to drain her energy after a while.
Lisa glances over the list in front of her, checking off yet another name. There are three students' names remaining for the day, oh how she wishes that time would speed up. She supposes that she should prepare for the next person that enters her classroom. But before that, she reaches for her phone and searches for the desired name. That name being Fischl, of course. Lord knows that Razor wouldn't answer his phone even if it was ringing right in front of him.
After a few rings, Fischl’s face pops onto her screen. Razor is on the right side of her, smiling gently after seeing that it's Lisa on the phone. Bennett is walking on the other side of her, barely squeezing into the camera's frame.
"Hi mom."
Bennett’s face repeatedly enters and exits the frame. "Tell her I said hi!"
"It's nice to see you, Bennett," The scene causes Lisa to chuckle. "And I’m just letting you know that I’ll be home a little late this evening."
Even with the limited perspective, Lisa sees a subtle gesture of understanding from Razor.
"You mentioned parent conferences right?" Fischl asks.
Huh, so they do listen when she talks about work. Who would've thought? "Yeah. I don't know how much more I can't take, I'm so tired." Lisa responds. It seems as if her fatigue further settles in the more that she acknowledges it. If there were ever a time for her pleas to be answered, it would be now.
Razor moves closer into the frame, "We'll make tea for you."
"Yeah," Fischl cosigns with a nod. "It'll be the nicest cup waiting for you when you get home."
The suggestion itself is enough for her heart to swell and melt away the exhaustion prodding at her being. "That's so sweet," Her enthusiasm soon sizzles out like a wavering flame when she hears footsteps outside of her classroom. Back to work, she inwardly sighs to herself. "There’s someone else coming in so I’ll see you two at home." Lisa says but anything else that she aimed to say dissipates at the base of her throat. Her eyes wander towards the unfamiliar woman standing outside of her opened door. She’s talking to a child, that much is clear. Though from her seated position, all that Lisa can see is a flowing blonde ponytail and a delicate side profile.
Who is she, Lisa wonders. It's only when she tears her stare away from the woman and spots three intrigued faces on her phone screen, that she realizes her accidental ogling has been exposed. She brings the phone closer before rushing out her panicked words in a hushed tone, "Pretty parent, I gotta go."
Comically wide eyes are seen on Fischl and Razor while Bennett audibly gasps, and then the screen goes blank. She hates to end their call in such a haste, she'll have to explain this to them later. Probably. She places the phone on her desk in a hurry and readies herself to see the mysterious woman.
Somehow, she isn't feeling tired anymore.
In the midst of gathering the needed paperwork for the meeting, small footsteps tap against the floor before coming to a halt at the door's threshold.
"Miss Lisa," The child's voice bounces around the empty classroom. Lisa looks up at the sound, finding light red eyes glimmering at her along with the woman that captured her attention being tugged forward by a tiny hand. "I brought mommy like I said I would!"
"Hello Klee, thank you for bringing her," Lisa answers with similar energy. She pushes herself up from her seat and meets them at the other side of her desk to properly greet them. So the mystery woman is Klee’s mother… How unexpecting. From first glance alone, it's noticeable that she doesn't have anywhere near as much vigor as her rambunctious child. "It's nice to meet you…" Lisa leaves her response open.
"Just Jean is fine," Jean's voice is light as she offers her hand to Lisa. "It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Lisa."
Now that she's up close, Lisa doesn't know how the woman is able to enamor her any further than she already has. The smile that tugs at her lips is soft and her eyes… such a dazzling shade of blue. Lisa almost feels pitiful at how giddy she is after a simple introduction. It isn't like her at all.
Lisa takes hold of her hand, shaking it lightly, "Of course, Jean. Then just Lisa works."
Throughout the conference, Lisa's outward professionalism is in a league of its own. While she finds herself keenly observing the woman seated across from her, she's heedful to hide it well. In no way is it intentional, but the way that Jean repeatedly tucks straying hair behind her ear, the way that her thumb and index finger come up to rest at her chin as she is in deep thought, and the fondest gaze that she has on her daughter as Lisa expresses the details of her school life, she finds it all mesmerizing. Lisa is aware that it’s far from appropriate but what is she to do when she’s presented with someone as delightful as Jean?
"Thank you for your time, Lisa. I apologize again for this being scheduled so late."
"It’s fine! I know how pressing work commitments can be," Lisa insists. Jean didn't disclose what kind of work she did and Lisa isn't in any position to ask her about it. Nonetheless, she is understanding of where she's coming from. "Believe it or not, you’re not even the last ones on my list."
The surprise that grazes Jean's face is priceless, "Seriously?"
"Two more, to be exact."
"Well best of luck with the remainder of your meetings," Jean sends a gleaming smile her way as she stands from the chair, Klee following suit. "I suppose we shouldn't take up any more of your time."
Please, take all of the time that you want, I insist, Lisa thinks to herself. The thoughts are pushed to the furthest depths of her mind and the most that she can bring herself to do is return the smile without making a fool of herself.
"Bye Miss Lisa!" Klee crashes into her with a hug, evoking a laugh from both Jean and Lisa.
"Bye Klee," Lisa's right hand rests on top of her head. "I'll see you bright and early tomorrow, deal?"
Once she lets go, Klee gives her a thumbs up and returns to Jean's side. "See you around, Lisa. It was nice speaking with you."
"Likewise. I'm always a conference away." Lisa has never wanted to retract her words faster than she does at that moment. Normally, the statement wouldn't have any undertones, even now it isn't purposefully. Lisa is hyper-aware of her actions and she nearly allows her head to hang in shame. Is that her take on flirting? Has she truly been out of touch for so long that she can't handle the basics of attraction anymore? It makes Lisa consider just how far she has fallen.
Luckily, Jean grins at what Lisa sees as a thoughtless mistake. "I'll keep that in mind."
---
It felt like ages, but conferences finally came to an end and Lisa's exhaustion returned with full force. The remaining lineup on her list didn't do her any favors, as the students on the more disruptive side were saved for last. Explaining their behavior to their guardians took more time than necessary. Regardless, Lisa is glad that she can forget about work for the rest of the evening. Truthfully, the only thing that has been on her mind for the past twenty minutes during her car ride home is the cup of tea that her children promised her.
Lisa pushes open the door and walks into her home. The living room is surprisingly empty, save for Andrius sleeping soundly on his dog bed— someone would think that he was the one at work well into the evening.
How strange. Were they not home yet? "I'm home." Lisa calls out, stepping out of her shoes.
Her curiosity doesn't last very long as a pair of hands press against her back, immediately rushing her towards the kitchen. "Welcome home!"
"Hold on! I haven't even put my coat up yet!"
"I'll take care of that," Fischl's hands drop from the center of her back and she swoops the article of clothing out of Lisa's grasp before leaving it neatly on the coat rack. The action is done before Lisa can react. "You just sit there and relax."
Lisa skeptically takes a seat at the table while Fischl places the cup of tea in front of her. The tea, the item that Lisa has been desperately itching for. The steam hovers over the mug and the scent of cinnamon wafts through the kitchen, how relaxing. Razor follows up with a small plate of brownies and the gesture raises suspicions within Lisa.
They said that they’d have tea made when she got home but this, there has to be some ulterior motive. "I'm getting suspicious now," Lisa's fingers wrap around the handle of the mug, warmth radiating through her fingertips. She doesn't lift the drink yet, she's focused on determining her children's genuineness. "You’re being a little bit too sweet. What did you two do?"
"We just wanted to make sure you could relax after a long day."
There's an exaggerated inhale from Fischl, "To think that our dearest mother would believe we'd descend to coax her into relaxation, solely to conceal our transgressions," Fischl presses an innocent hand to her chest before continuing. "But really, we stopped by Xiangling's place after school and she was helping her dad with the shop. He told us that these brownies would pair well with this tea so we bought some."
It seems that she may have jumped to conclusions. "You're too good to me." Lisa takes a sip from the warm mug.
"Of course, you deserve it," Fischl states sweetly. The suspense that follows the sugary statement causes Lisa to watch the girl tentatively over the rim of her mug. Fischl leans closer to her, her palm pressed against the coolness of the table's surface. It's a spitting image of a detective holding an interrogation as Fischl eagerly carries on. "So who was the pretty parent you saw at work?"
Lisa sputters over her tea. She had forgotten about that… Actually, she didn’t but she did forget about her children being on the phone when it happened.
Lisa picks up a napkin and dabs at her mouth, "So this was just you buttering me up? I knew it."
"Maybe a little." Razor admits, leaning against the table as well. With one of them on each side of her, she's feeling cornered now.
"Now spill. Who's the mystery person?"
Lisa firmly shakes her head, "Not saying."
"Why not?"
Lisa's reasoning is rather straightforward. She doesn't feel the need to inform them about someone she'll rarely see. Realistically speaking, the only time she'd catch a glimpse of Jean is during another conference or a school event if luck was on her side. Plus, she hardly knows anything about Jean. Not to say that she's opposed to the idea of growing more familiar with her, she just can't make that call yet. Neither does she need the two of them (mostly Fischl) prying into things that aren't concrete. It's unimaginable how much they'd try to uncover if they did somehow learn her name.
The truth is intermingled in Lisa's reply, "I know that you'd search her up on every social media platform so no way."
"Huh," Fischl reiterates louder than before. "That would be helping you!"
"All that I'll say is that she was beautiful and sweet, she almost felt knightly." Lisa reveals her short-winded description with a dreamy tone, amplifying the prying nature of Fischl and Razor. The incredulous look that they share is satisfying beyond words to Lisa. Her secretiveness is all on purpose and they're catching on.
"You can’t say things like that without any evidence for us! We have to know."
Lisa chuckles at their fervidness. "Maybe some other time."
"Mom, you’re so difficult." Fischl deflates, plopping down on the seat beside Lisa. Their interrogatory positions are no longer warranted. It's evident that they wouldn't be getting any type of information from Lisa this time.
"Agreed," Razor concurs, slouching into his chair. "We will find out one day."
Lisa brings the mug back up to her lips. It sounds like a challenge and at this point, Lisa doesn't know whether she should find it humorous anymore or be worried at what their determination may entail.
Perhaps if she happens to run into Jean again sometime soon and learns more about her, she might be willing to let her children in on her identity.