Work Text:
No.
Those were the first words Mother told himself when he realized how his face felt warmer around her.
"You okay, dad?" The voice was Cairo's, of course, it just had to be him. Mother didn't mind... okay, he did mind, but that was because it felt odd having his child with Clementine in front of him and here he was, fawning over his co-worker and friend.
"Of course I am. I'm just not feeling well," he replied, smiling kindly at his son.
Monty entered the room at just the time Mother was definitely asking for, "Yeah, you'd probably not feel too well after being drugged multiple times."
"Shut it, Monty."
Monty raised an eyebrow. Mother was not the type of man to say that. "Ruffled your feathers, eh?"
Mother let out a scoff and got up, before tripping over himself pathetically. "Okay, okay, going down-"
"I find this quite funny," the woman with dark red hair in front of him snickered. Cairo held back his own laugh before helping his dad up, knowing that it probably sent his "poor old man" heart racing.
Mother allowed himself to be picked up by not only Cairo but the rest of the boys as they dragged his body to his bed. "My dear children, I'm aware of your concern for me, but I'm fine, I assure you."
"Say that without slurring your words and we'll consider," said Rio. Paris gave Rio a disapproving look but he couldn't argue, everyone was worried about Mother and knew he needed at least some rest.
As the boys helped Mother onto his bed and Mother flailed around a rather stupid-looking way, the girls came themselves with some biscuits Monty had made for him. "Ah, well, at least she was a dear and made some for me."
"Actually, she said your attitude to her has been poor, so she made these for us," the voice was Sydney's.
"Lovely."
Mother didn't mind at all, he loved seeing his children enjoy the baked goods from Monty, and really just enjoy themselves either way, they're kids it's what they should be doing. Plus, he knew Monty was going to bring him biscuits anyway, and just as he thought, she did! She came in with her hands balancing a plate with two cups of tea and about four biscuits once the kids were gone. "Official good afternoon to you, Mother."
Mother smiled softly as he sat up on his bed, still in a bit of pain from the fall and just regular growing-up pain. "Thank you for this, dear," he replied, batting his eyes innocently.
"Now, since the kids aren't here, explain yourself." Monty huffed and crossed her arms over her chest once she had set down the plate.
"Oh dammit," he grumbled. He seriously thought if he just put on the "pathetic sick old man" act, he'd get away with his pricky actions. However, he has to admit, he hasn't been the kindest or the most mature. He waited a bit before adding, "Sorry, I'm just a bit out of it lately."
Monty took it, after all, he seemed to be genuine. She handed him his tea carefully while replying, "I can tell. The poison?"
"Probably."
Monty smirked, knowing how he was... "'Life is filled with 'probablies,' a man who calls himself Mother."
Mother smiled at this, "Of course, like I say, only fools and liars say it's completely possible. Wait, how'd you hear that?"
"I've known you even before the City Spies were found. Before you recruited Paris, before Operation Gumdrop, before," her breath hitched. She waited a beat before adding, "Before you and Clementine were together."
"My wingwoman," he chuckled, even though it hurt physically and emotionally. "Don't take it personally, you were amazing with me and Clemmie."
Monty nodded, sympathizing with his situation. Of course, she'd never been married and all that, but she didn't mind. "Alright, think you can get up?"
"Actually, there's something I need to add."
Monty raised an eyebrow, sitting beside him on the bed. She took in the 360 view of the room, finally enjoying the familiarity of the weather. "Alright, hit me with it."
"Say your friend probably likes their best friend, what advice would you give them?" Mother decided to use his go-to excuse.
"What'd you do this time?"
Mother quickly put his arms up in defense, having already finished the tea, "Nothing, I swear! Just a question for a friend."
"Well, I'd say that he needs to grow a pair and confess. Life's too short to wait for things, especially if he's sure he wants this best friend of his," she replied with a sass. This didn't sit too well with Mother, he was hoping she'd ask more questions but she had a fair point...
"Alright, it's settled. Monty, we've been good friends for a long time now and we've even been raising kids,"
"You've been adopting them off the street without my consent."
"You love them, let me continue." This raised an amused eyebrow from Monty and even a small grin. "As I was saying, we've been good friends for a long time and we've even been raising kids together as their guardians. Therefore, I would like to ask you if you'd join me for tea as more than-"
He stopped, feeling the sudden awkwardness of the situation. His mind took a good break of "What in the bloody hell did I just say" and "I'm gonna make myself disappear under mysterious circumstances" before he was interrupted by the laughter of Monty. "Oh wow! I can't believe you actually said all that!"
Mother felt his face burn in embarrassment, fear, and just a hint of finding her laugh beautiful. "What's so funny?" The man demanded.
"Nothing, just, the way you were on a roll and then just stopped. But in regards to what I assume your question was, I'd probably go," she said with a smug grin plastered on her face.
Mother perked up at that, "Wait, seriously?"
"I said probably. There's a difference," she replied.
This brought a big smile to Mother's face. He knew that nothing would come out of it(probably) and that, in the end, they'd always (probably) remain close friends. But as Monty said, life is too short to wait, so it's better to get a "probably" than to never get it at all.