Chapter Text
THE PARKER HOUSE, EARTH-1616
JUNE 2029, AVA'S 35TH BIRTHDAY
We open with Benjy sitting in the kitchen working away on his homework. He gets a late night text from Amber wishing him good night. He gives a small laugh before texting a response.
Benjy's Text Message: Good night, Amber. Love you.
Send.
Amber's Text Message: Love you the most~.
He gives a small sigh and puts his phone away to finish his maths. Cue his aunt opening the door and helping his really drunk mother inside.
Ava: Benjy-Poo, are you ssssssstill awake? It's a school night.
Benjy: Someone had to, Mom. April and Maya are already in bed. ... How much have you had?
646Marinette: Too much this time around, kiddo.
Benjy: Did we enjoy ourselves at least?
Ava: Maybe I has. Maybe I hassssn't... Boop.
646Marinette: Okay, let's go...
Benjy watches his aunt take his mother to bed. After a few minutes, 646Mari walks back down as her nephew is still working away. She gives a small sigh of amusement.
646Marinette: Like father like son...
Benjy: Hmm? Oh, Aunt Mari. I honestly thought you'd have went Mom's the window this time.
646Marinette: I wanted to make sure you were alright first because your mother would definitely kill me if I didn't do so. Speaking of which, your mother's variant on my world says hi and hopes your combat training is up to date before her next session with you comes up.
Benjy perks up at the mention of his Aunt Ava a little.
Benjy: It's... definitely better than last year.
646Marinette: Good to hear. I'll pass on the message. Maybe you could go on a future patrol in our universe with your Uncle Kaya one day.
Benjy: Assuming Ms Romanov and Director Chang would allow that to happen.
646Marinette: Never say never. Stranger things have happened to you, y'know.
Benjy: True enough.
Benjy resumes thinking on his homework as his aunt makes a quick coffee for herself. After a few seconds of silence between the two, Benjy puts down his pen to talk just as his aunt washes her coffee mug.
Benjy: Aunt Mari?
646Marinette: Hmm?
Benjy: I... thank you for helping get Mom back home. She can get weird when she's drunk.
646Marinette: Ah, no worries. This is probably to make up for making her into a vampire fetish girl like, well... moi.
Benjy recalls the unfortunate evening he accidentally walked in on his mother and his aunts in the middle of a makeout session a few years prior as well as being a little overprotective of his mother.
Benjy: I'm still not a fan of you and Aunt Riko doing... that to her, by the way. However, she does seem to enjoy herself with you two after Dad's... y'know.
His aunt sighs with a small smile.
646Marinette: Least we keep her company...
He sighs in defeat at that and gives a small nod. 646Mari proceeds to hang upside down on the ceiling. Benjy facepalms at this and... tries not to look down the front of her dress. She notices that and smiles slightly.
646Marinette: You kinda remind me of your Uncle Kaya sometimes...
Benjy is surprised by that statement as well as a little confused.
Benjy: In what way?
646Marinette: Caring for your loved ones. Finding the good in people.
He gives a small smile as she looks down at him in worry.
646Marinette: Please... never lose sight of that.
The 12 1/2 year old can tell from his aunt's voice that she's been through something haunting her from long before he was born and gives her the best answer he can to her request.
Benjy: I... will do my best, Aunt Mari. If I do lose my way, I trust my friends, family, you, Aunt Riko, Uncle Kaya, and Aunt Ava to do your best to help me get back on track.
646Mari is a little relived by his answer as well as his honesty.
646Marinette: ... You never know when to give up, too. The mess last year with that new Doc Ock that your mother told me about being an example.
Benjy: Thanks, Aunt Mari.
She gives a nod... and he climbs up to the ceiling to hug her tightly. She hugs him back as we fade to her placing him in bed while he's fast asleep from doing more touchups on his homework. She brushes away a few strands of hair away from his forehead and she then kisses his forehead.
646Marinette: Sweet dreams, Benjy, and stay safe.
She climbs out his bedroom window and swings off to find a safe place to return home to her wife. We fade to black.