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Having an interspecies family amidst a race war certainly isn't the easiest to maintain. What with the legitimacy of their marriage currently in the process of being threatened by Jane Crocker's pronouncement, Rose and Kanaya already had enough on their plate as is raising a young daughter in a world that wasn't providing a beaming future for the new generation of trolls she was a part of.
Of course, to combat this bleak outlook, Karkat had stirred up his own rebellion, naturally leading them with a honed sickle and a clenched fist. This came with the price of minimal interaction with him though, and at this point, Kanaya couldn't even recall the last lengthy conversation they held together.
Their close-knitted relationship had surely loosened, the moments of emotional understanding they shared on romance and frustrations about the regulation something of the distant past, but that didn't matter anymore in the heat of war and wrangling a seven year old child who was already keeping secrets.
Sneaking a glance over Vriska's shoulder, Rose narrows her eyes on the drawing her daughter is intensely focused on, her blue crayon becoming duller by the minute. Spying on Vriska wasn’t a tendency Rose had by all means, even if Vriska was too young to even care for her privacy as much as a thirteen year old would, but the only object that seemingly existed in Vriska’s world at the moment was the piece of paper in front of her. From what little she could perceive by the unskilled child doodle, it was more than obvious one of the figures was Vriska, given away by her unmistakable horns and short hair. Which was something her parents were far too familiar with in fridge hung drawings.
But alongside her wasn’t a crayon drawn version of either of her parents; instead, her oven mitt shaped hand was linked with a figure the same height as her, their eyes rounded with little dots jotted sloppily in the center, while Vriska’s portrait only had mischievous beady eyes. Studying the drawing for a moment in utter silence, recognization finally snaps in Rose’s head.
ROSE: Is that Tavros Crocker?
Vriska immediately jumps at the sudden sound of her human mother's voice, lifting up her head before her brows furrowed, slamming her arms down onto the page protectively.
VRISKA: Ugh, Mom!!!!!!!! Leave me Alone!
ROSE: My, my, is that in anyway appropriate to speak to your mother? As if I were some invasive, obnoxious sibling that continuously entered your room without acknowledgement of your permission?
VRISKA: You sure Act like one!
Vriska blows a raspberry at Rose's smirking face, crumpling the paper to her chest. Rose chuckles, nonchalantly moving a strand from Vriska's face.
ROSE: I suppose this is confirmation you wish to remain as the only child of your mother and I?
VRISKA: I don't want a si8ling, they seem Annoying. Also, I h8 8a8ies.
ROSE: Well, I certainly hope your disdain for babies isn't permanent, I do want grandchildren in the far future, you know.
VRISKA: 8leh!!!!!!!! Never!
ROSE: That's a shame. Whoever are your dear, loving mothers going to supply with maternal adoration and routinely goodnight kisses to once you're fully grown?
VRISKA: My pirate Apprentices when I Finally get a Ship.
VRISKA: And also,
VRISKA: I still, erm
VRISKA: Want goodnight Kisses....
Vriska wrings her hands, flushed with embarrassment, garnering jovial laughter from Rose. Ruffling Vriska's pitch black hair, Rose pecks a sweet kiss to her daughter's forehead, causing an unrestrained smile to spread over Vriska's countenance, a high purr vibrating in her chest.
ROSE: Of course you do. But I'm also terribly curious to know the purpose of your magnificent drawing, do you mind sating my curiosity before it becomes my ultimate demise?
Vriska's eyes suddenly stretch wide, showcasing every bit of yellow in her sclera, rapidly shaking her head and resorting back to protectively holding the paper to herself.
VRISKA: None of Your 8usiness, mom! Go 8ack to 8eing Gross with mama.
In an adorable attempt, Vriska tries pushing Rose out of her room, but with how small and weak she was comparatively to her god tiered mother, she couldn't even manage to budge an inch. Though, luckily for Vriska, a swarm of sympathy suffused in Rose, and she leisurely walked herself out towards the door, which earns a triumphant grin on Vriska’s little face.
Once Rose is successfully pass the threshold, Vriska yells out a good riddance that shouldn’t be as hilariously adorable as it sounded, then shuts the door firmly.
Instead of scolding her daughter for such barbaric behavior (seriously, Rose was lost on wherever she attained it from, Serket clone genetics be damned), Rose treads to the cramped living room of the apartment, gaining a soft smile to bloom on her face at the beautiful sight of her extraordinary wife nearly lulling to sleep on the couch with a bit of drool leaking out at the corner of her mouth. Her hair, usually combed and styled, was unruly, glittering stickers littering her face and spattered shirt. Truly, Rose sighed mesmerizingly, a lovely sight to behold.
Vriska's figurine toys splayed out across the couch, some in Kanaya's currently loose-gripped hand, since their daughter apparently had a knack for just leaving her mess behind for her servant mothers to clean. With pursed lips, Rose whispers lowly into Kanaya's ear, her black hair tickling her nose.
ROSE: (Darling.)
KANAYA: Guhuh
Kanaya immediately perked up, a drowsy guttural noise escaping her as she wipes the drool from her mouth.
KANAYA: Oh My Love
KANAYA: Uhm
KANAYA: Excuse My Ruinous State
KANAYA: I Was Vriskas Playmate For The Entirety Of This Morning
ROSE: I can indisputably see that.
ROSE: Perhaps you'd be better suited in our big, luxurious bed, bereft of the stiffness of the couch and the cluttering of our daughter's toys?
KANAYA: Ug Yeah
KANAYA: That Sounds More Pleasant
KANAYA: Than Just Attempting To Convince Myself Im Completely Comfortable In This Stale Position
KANAYA: I Dont Wish To Develop Posture Pole Issues At Such A Young Age When My Daughter Is Still Exceedingly Active
KANAYA: Do You Mind If You Take Over Dear
Rose nods responsively, leaning down to press a kiss to Kanaya's temple and caressing her head, the scent of the jadeblood's vanilla shampoo invading her wife's nose in the most delightful and euphoric way. Kanaya sighs in relief, light purrs seeping out of her as Rose entangled her fingers into her hair, therapeutically carding through that loosened the tight joints in her bones that culminated from stress.
Unfortunately, that well-earned rest couldn't even come into fruition; pitter patters echoed in the short distance for a moment, before a loud, squeaky voice met Rose and Kanaya's unexpecting ears.
VRISKA: I wanna go to the Park! Right now!!
Kanaya groans softly, quickly locking her tired gaze with Rose who gives her a sympathetic smile, patting her cheek comfortingly and gently urging her up. Vriska rarely ever took 'no' as an answer, and judging by her extremely urgent tone, her parents had weak chances of contending.
***
Vriska didn’t waste a second of time to dash towards the park equipment, her drawing she kept secret from Rose and Kanaya clutched securely in her tiny hand as she disappears in the sea of gamboling children.
Rose and Kanaya heft out sighs as soon as they find an empty bench to retreat to, under a flourishing spring tree that shaded out the heat from the blazing sun.
Public parks, woefully, were still an aggravation for Rose and Kanaya’s anxiety, politically and maternally. Although the park was a sanctuary for Vriska's innocent mind, away from the loneliness in the apartment, the number of human parents surrounding the area grimly reminded Rose and Kanaya that they lived in the heart of the Human Kingdom. Maybe it was overprotective instinct triggering Rose and Kanaya to keep their young and naive daughter in a safe embrace from the troubling world they created, but they were heavily contemplating the idea of officially moving into the Troll Kingdom, somewhere Rose and Kanaya knew with assurance that Vriska would be out of harm's way.
ROSE: Have you found an available hive yet?
KANAYA: Urgh No
KANAYA: The Current Political Situation Has Unquestionably Affected The Housing In The Troll Kingdom
ROSE: God damn it. This is becoming increasingly fatuous for a situation concerning a pair of literal Gods trying to seek a new, better environment to raise our family in.
KANAYA: It Honestly Wholeheartedly Is
KANAYA: I Suppose We Could At Least Count Ourselves Lucky That Moving Will Not Deeply Affect Vriska
KANAYA: Since She Does Not Really Have Any Stable Friends Here That She Would Particularly Miss
ROSE: Mmm, that's true, at least there's one blessing. I feel immensely racked with guilt already after having to pull Vriska out of the public schooling system when it was discovered Jane had been keeping tabs on her old elementary.
KANAYA: Remember Darling We Are Just Trying To Do What We Think Is Best For Her
KANAYA: We Are No More Culpable Than An Average Guardian Doing What Seems Beneficial And We Are The Ones Who Are Required To Protect Vriska At All Costs
Suddenly, Rose furrows her brows, sitting up from her curled position into Kanaya's arms, flitting her gaze from every hyper child crawling over the park equipment before her gaze firmly settles and her lavender eyes size down into small discs. Kanaya senses her worry in a split moment, because when she follows the direction of her wife's pointed gaze, she spots Vriska at the vast field - which wouldn't have been something of interest, until a familiar bucktooth little boy with rounded glasses immediately spurred Rose and Kanaya up to their feet.
Bounding towards them at a swift pace, Vriska and Tavros' innocent voices promptly flood into earshot once Rose and Kanaya were only a few inches away, one loud and abrasive while the other was shy and meek. Vriska incessantly offers Tavros the drawing in her hand, to which Tavros hesitantly grabs ahold of and examines it with an almost unsure expression. Vriska's cheeks, from the rather covered angle Rose and Kanaya were looking at her, was also slightly tinged with noticeable cerulean.
VRISKA: My Moms told me we're gonna Move out of the Human Kingdom soon, which is totally Awesome, 8ecause No Offense 8ut a lot of kids here are huge Weenies, even 8igger Weenies than You.
TAVROS: Yeah, I'm not really,,, surprised you think that. After all,,, you do kind of bully me,,, for having a peanut allergy.
VRISKA: 8ecause you're a Wuss! Look at Harry Anderson, he has a Peanut Allergy and he still eats Peanut 8utter.
TAVROS: That's because it's not as severe as mine,,, Vriska.
VRISKA: Whatever. You're still at least More Tolerable than Harry Anderson, honestly.
TAVROS: Er,, thank you?
VRISKA: You should tell your Mom and Boymom to 8ring You to the Troll Kingdom some time!! I heard the Parks there are so much Cooler than the ones here.
TAVROS: Erm,, I don't think my mom will allow me to step into the Troll Kingdom, or er,,, my "boymom" for that matter.
VRISKA: Pffft, why not? I Know your Boymom is like a huge dork over Safety, 8ut he's also a huge Pushover.
TAVROS: Well, uh,, my mom doesn't really take a liking,,, to trolls very much,,, she often tells me her distaste for them.
TAVROS: And uh,,, I'm not really allowed,, to see you either anymore.
Vriska scrunches her brows together, tilting her head puzzlingly. Tavros handles the paper delicately, keeping his green orbs purposefully stuck on the paper instead of meeting Vriska's confused eyes.
VRISKA: Why not-
KANAYA: Vriska!
Both children jump, flitting their heads to Rose and Kanaya with wide eyes. Tavros squeaks, scrambling to his feet before staring at Vriska's parents with giant, wet eyes.
TAVROS: Oh! Mrs. Maryam,, and Lalonde,,, uhm, hello.
Tavros scuffs his well-polished shoe against the grass, hiding the paper behind his back with his head sunk down between his shoulders. Pity was the only emotion Rose and Kanaya ever felt towards their rival's son, and they'd never once carried any sort of ill will for Tavros despite the endless irritation his mother gave them. He was only a child, an oddly submissive one at that, but an uneasiness still pervaded Rose and Kanaya at the thought of Tavros Crocker, the son of a woman who vehemently abhorred trolls and would do who knows what to little Vriska Maryam-Lalonde if she was ever within arm's reach. Cutting ties with the Crockers was evidently hard, proved as such by Vriska intentionally getting her parents to take her outside so she could see Tavros, and this caused panic to well up in Rose and Kanaya.
It was their faithful appointed duty to protect Vriska and they wanted nothing more than for her to thrive and flourish; so, they did what any other sensible parent would.
KANAYA: Come On Vriska It Is Time To Go Home
VRISKA: WHAT!!!!!!!!
Vriska stamps her foot onto the earth, her fists clenched. She turns to Rose, perhaps in hopes of her other mother having a contradicting statement, but Rose simply places her hands on her hips and gives a stern look.
ROSE: Listen to your mother, Vriska. It's getting rather late, and we still have supper to prepare.
VRISKA: 8ut-
KANAYA: Say Goodbye
KANAYA: To Tavros
Vriska bites her bottom lip, kicking the grass as she grumbles, then forcing her frustrations to subside when she faced a nervous Tavros.
But before she could even give him a mere wave and a proper verbal goodbye, a bright red guard promptly appears behind Tavros and startles Vriska, adorning an emotionless expression with cold shades and a signature spork on their uniform. Kanaya hurriedly pulls Vriska into her arms, her bloodpusher thumping against her chest rapidly as Rose prepared to equip herself with her needles if necessary. The Crocker guard replies with nothing but an usher for Tavros to leave, which he reluctantly follows with a weak wave at his friend.
As the Maryam-Lalondes trek back home, Vriska never brings her grumbling underneath her breath to a stop, her hand clasped in Kanaya's. The ceruleanblood's eyes stay glued on the ground, frowning deeply to herself as an important question aches in her chest.
VRISKA: When can I see Tavros again?
Rose and Kanaya's hearts cease to a halt. A dreadful feeling suddenly looms over them, over the naive question their young daughter posed to them. Rose and Kanaya glance at each other apprehensively, as if waiting for the other to utter an answer. Eventually, after an awkward minute of staring skipped by, Rose exhales through her nose and braces herself as she meets Vriska's curious yet to be colored eyes.
ROSE: I'm, uhm, not sure. We are, after all, moving into a completely different area that Tavros' mother isn't particularly fond of, darling. Although, I wouldn't worry too much about when your guys next meeting will occur, you're going to develop plentiful of camaraderies in the Troll Kingdom. You have quite of a famous reputation there, actually.
VRISKA: ...
Vriska stares at Rose with big, imploring eyes, putting the seer on the spot. Rose clears her throat, running her palm over her hair and trying to contemplate of how exactly she was supposed to explain the ongoing war to Vriska, about Jane's hatred and unadulterated disgust for every inch of her, and the painstaking concept of cutting ties. As playdates with Harry Anderson started to dwindle as Rose and Kanaya's frustrations and feelings of betrayal from Roxy ignited, Vriska inevitably got upset when her playdates with him got trashed altogether.
The fact Vriska had apparently been hanging out with Tavros behind her parents' backs only spiked and validated their anxiousness regarding her safety. What if Jane begins using Tavros as a way to lure Vriska? As a tactic trick of messing with the opposing side, slicing deep at the weakest links in her rivals?
No, they thought. They would never let that happen, at every cost.
KANAYA: It May Be Unclarified When Youll See Tavros Again In All Honesty
KANAYA: But I Have No Doubts Youll Befriend Someone New Quickly
KANAYA: Besides You And Tavros Are Exceedingly Close Friends
KANAYA: A New Relocation And A Few Years Apart Will Not Hurt
Silence promptly falls over the small family, Vriska’s curiosity apparently finally sated. Rose and Kanaya share a reassuring gaze, letting out a breath that was cloistered in her tightened throats. For the rest of the way, everything was serene, until-
VRISKA: How did you Guys fall in Love?
ROSE: …
KANAYA: …
KANAYA: Uh
KANAYA: Why Do You Ask My Little Love
VRISKA: I’m just… Curious. You guys are the most Lovey Dovey people I’ve ever seen!
KANAYA: I Thought Baring Witness To Your Mother And I Being Lovey Dovey Was Quote
KANAYA: Icky
VRISKA: You Guys are! Especially you Guys!!
KANAYA: Then What Brought On This Sudden Inquiry Because Youve Always Been Rather Squicked Out Of The Thought Of Kissing
VRISKA: Me and Tavros were just talking a8out Aunt Roxy and Uncle John, then we started talking a8out his mom and boymom and then you Guys.
ROSE: Ah, only a topic that would ever be thoroughly discussed in the light of childhood.
VRISKA: Yeah, whatever.
VRISKA: I 8et Tavros would 8e Annoying and Stupid to 8e Married to. He’s such a Wimp, I feel sorry for anyone who’s gonna have to Kiss his Ugly face when we’re grown ups!
Lavender and jade green eyes reconnect with silent foreboding revelation communicated between them without words, dread overwhelmingly looming above them. Kanaya’s stomach twists multiple anxious knots, trepidation clearly painted on her face which garnered a soft, assuaging squeeze from her wife to her shoulder.
Rose's attention gets captured by a large, deep red billboard hanging in the center of city, depicting the woman that was once a friend to the married couple, who attended their wedding and fought alongside in the game. Her warm baby blues that melted and changed into an icy stare burnt into Rose as she read the bolden words against troll reproduction.
Kanaya didn’t bother to look, instead securing Vriska’s small hand in her much larger one more.
***
Lounging in the spacious common area, Rose and Kanaya curl into each other in the darkness blanketing the room, only the blue light from the television providing any sort of ounce of light.
Rose shifts underneath the fluffy, black cover for a moment, leaning slightly up in order to press a tender kiss to Kanaya’s cheek, then one correctly onto her lips when the jadeblood turned her head. Kanaya smiles through the kiss, entangling her fingers into Rose’s freshly cut short hair, while her other hand slid along Rose’s pale skin. The sounds of the TV buzzed in the distance, only the noises of their thumping heart and flowing blood audibly echoing in their ears.
Until the front door abruptly opened rapidly, startling Rose and Kanaya to a massive degree and forcing them to separate.
There in the doorway, stood their thirteen year old daughter, with her hands smothering her face, hair mussed, and her body almost trembling. Rose and Kanaya were quick to come to their daughter’s side, desperately attempting to aid whatever was wrong.
ROSE: Darling, what’s wrong?
KANAYA: Did Someone Harm You
KANAYA: Who Was It I Will Rip Into Them Immediately
Rose gently pushes Vriska’s hands away from her face, revealing only suppressed blue tears leaking down her face, a sense of relief flooding her mothers at the bereft of blood or scars.
VRISKA: It… it’s Tavros,
VRISKA: That Stupid, Gross Wimpy four-eyes.
ROSE: Did he do something to you?
KANAYA: !!
ROSE: Kanaya, honey, please calm down, lest we regrettably jump to awful presumptions in the heat of motherly rage.
VRISKA: No!
VRISKA: It’s just - he’s -
KANAYA: Hes What Darling Please Tell Us Im Getting Worried Sick
KANAYA: I Dont Wish To Assume The Worst And Accidentally Hurt An Innocent Child Unless He Did Do What I Fear
VRISKA: He told me his mom is Setting Him Up with some fucking Bratty, Richy Bitch!!!
KANAYA: Vriska Language
KANAYA: But Also Uhm
KANAYA: What Is Upsetting And Cause For Concern About This
KANAYA: Exactly
Rose and Kanaya gaze quizzically at their daughter, who suddenly renders quiet, shifting her hands around as her nine eyes flick down in an embarrassed look that uttered the reasoning behind her disorderly emotions better than blubbering words could.
It clicks in Rose and Kanaya’s heads utmost immediately like the final piece to a puzzle.
ROSE: Oh, Vrissy.
Rose cradles Vriska’s face in her hands, until the ceruleanblood hurtles into her human mother with her limbs clenched around her like a lifeline. Her parents soothingly rub her back and cards through her hair, shooshing her in a comforting manner that quickly lifts the restrain Vriska has on her tears, sobbing into the dry, cotton material of Rose’s shirt.
The only feelings Vriska had for Tavros, now, was as cold as black.
Rose and Kanaya encompass her with a hug, allowing her to let out every bit of bitterness and exasperation and very first heartbreak taking a chokehold of her in a protected space she always knew they offered her in home.
Rose and Kanaya’s initial discomfort at the idea of their daughter being interested in a boy that could possibly put her in the place of danger was wholly discarded in the moment; they almost forgot their perturbation in the midst of Vriska’s wrenching cries.