Work Text:
Arcadia Bay Cemetery
Father's Day
11:30pm
The car, a dark tan Subaru, sat idling alongside the gate. The single streetlight cast a yellow cone in front of the entrance, pushing away the darkness. Inside the vehicle, a slender woman was scribbling a note while the freckled brunette patiently looked on from the driver’s seat.
“Almost ready, Chlo?”
“Yeah... just a few more things.”
“Tell William hi for me.”
“Will do, Maxie.”
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Dear Dad,
My nightmares returned this week; always about the afternoon everything changed, and it keeps playing over and over...
Back then... Max and I had a great day together.
She's my best friend… and you were still alive...
She told me what I already knew; her family was moving away. She's gonna call and keep in touch… Seattle wasn't all that far from The Bay, we'd have plenty of chances to get together…
She's my best friend… and you waved goodbye, for the very last time...
That’s when everything went to shit, and Mom walked in the front door… without you, Dad. Even after all these years, I feel an emptiness, like piece of me that’s just not there. A specially shaped hole in my heart that only one person can mend. I miss you so fucking much.
Max had warned me; I know that now. Her powers gave her a chance to help me get through the disaster that I had been about to face, but I didn't listen. All I knew, then, was you were gone, and I instantly hated everything. She was still my best friend… but after what happened, all I could feel is being abandoned. You were gone, Max was gonna leave, and all I had left was my fucking worthless life. I lost so much that day, including my sanity.
I wanted to die so very much, and everything afterwards broke me further. I watched her parent’s car recede into the distance, leaving me standing there at the cemetery. I knew, and I saw her looking back at me through the window that I would never see her again. My heart had become ice. I needed her, I needed you, and you were both gone. So, I blamed her and started to hate my best friend. She was the cause, and all I could think of is how I wished they’d get into a wreck and die. Like you did…
These visions keep replaying over and over again, reminding me of the pain.
I guess, Dad, I'm telling you all this now for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I think I'm finally strong enough to talk to you about it and that I took your advice. Whether they were real, or hallucinations caused by drugs, alcohol, and some really bad choices, your words kept me going even after Rachel was gone. You told me to never give up during the hardest years of my life. I almost didn't make it… but I’m glad I did. And secondly, Hallmark doesn't make a fucking Happy Dead Father’s Day card. That’s a joke. Okay! It’s not very good, but I think you’re laughing your ass off anyway.
So... Here I am, years later, because Max came back; something amazing and completely out of the fucking blue. She changed everything, like it was Destiny . She's sitting right next to me as I write this, by the way; it was her idea. Anyway, everything started to get better after that, like we were meant to be together from the start, not that it was a big fucking secret; we’ve always been meant for each other. I just wish someone, God maybe, would have just asked first instead of taking you and my dorky best friend away from me. Would have saved us all a bunch of time and tears.
I’m doing okay, Dad; it’s been almost thirteen years since you’ve passed away. I’ve been to a fuck-ton of therapy, and with Super Max at my side, my life is slowly getting better. I still miss you and wish I could have shared so many awesome things that’s happened to me since you’ve been gone. If you didn’t know, Max and I are married now, and it’s amazing! It was a quiet little ceremony, up at the lighthouse, we thought it appropriate to show the still devastated, but recovering town that there’s good things, like love, that can make anything better. I wanted you so much to walk me down the aisle, but we both knew it was impossible. Believe me, Max tried again and again, but only managed to save Mom in the end. So, she was there on your behalf, and I let David do the honors; it was the only way I could think to thank him for saving my time traveling dork’s life... back in the darkroom.
We’re thinking of adopting, too. A little girl. We’re gonna take it slow and make that decision in a couple months after graduation. Yeah, and that too! After so long, I finally went back to school, and my First Mate finished a couple of years back; like everything, she's who inspires me to try again.
Ughhh! This is hella hard to put down so many things I... I need to tell you. But for now, I just want to say that you’re still my hero and I’ll never forget you, Dad. I gotta go now, but I’ll be back from time to time. Maybe I’ll see you in my dreams.
Happy Father’s Day.
Love,
Chloe.
P.S. Max says ‘Hey!’
P.P.S. Keep your eyes on Mom and David. They are good together, now at least, so be like a guardian angel or something, yeah? Though... honestly, I cannot imagine you with little wings, sitting on a cloud.
P.P.P.S If you happen to bump into Rach, tell her that I miss her too, and that Max and I are fine.
P.P.P.P.S. Love you... shit, I already wrote that... bye, Dad.
⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰
“I think that’s about all, Super Max.”
“You want me to come with you?”
“Yeah, I do... but... the Doc said I had to do this one myself, Babe.”
The woman exited the vehicle with a flashlight and proceeded inside the sanctified grounds while the other watched. The light bobbed up and down as she receded into the darkness, until only a glow remained, stopped in front of a very special headstone. There she stayed for a number of moments, then retraced her steps to end up back at the waiting vehicle.
“Mission accomplished. Let’s go home, please.” The woman buckled up, then leaned to the side and set her head on the other’s shoulder while a single tear ran down her cheek.
“I’m proud of you, Chlobear. It’s a good first step.”
“Yeah... I still miss him soooo much.”
The brunette turned and kissed the other on the top of her head, burying her nose in the soft blonde hair. “Of course you do, and that’s why we’re here. The point is to not forget, and to live your life knowing that he’s part of you. I know William would be proud of all the things you've gotten through.”
The blonde wiped at her eyes and turned her gaze to the path running back into the cemetery. “See ya, Dad.”
Quietly the Subaru drove away, leaving the grave behind. It was the final resting place of a beloved father, young girl’s hero, and friend gone from this world...
...but never forgotten.