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Scary can’t sleep. Its a usual occurrence, honestly - whenever shes by herself she’d get all into her own head about her identity, her stepfather, her friends, the way she acts and treats others. These racing thoughts end up making her so anxious that she barely manages to keep her eyes closed for longer than a minute.
Giving up on trying any longer, Scary gets up and slowly makes her way downstairs. If she can’t sleep she can at least make herself a coffee… with milk and sugar, since nobody’s watching. She makes an effort to be silent, but alas, as soon as she reaches the stairs they creak under her feet. A steady voice carries up to her - somewhere between a whisper and a sigh. „Hey Kiddo.“ Scary let’s out a groan. Quiet enough as to not wake her mother, audible enough to be heard by Terry Jr.
As she reaches the last few steps, she can make out her stepfathers light frame at the kitchen table, looking up at her. „Why are you up so late?“ The underlying worry in his voice is quickly met with a roll of her eyes. „None of your business.“, she mumbles before adding, „I could ask you the same thing.“
He makes a noise of agreement, and calmly taps the chair next to his, motioning her to sit. Annoyed, she decides to get over herself and joins him at the table. He slides a steaming mug over to her, one she didn’t even notice he was holding until this very moment. He quickly follows this gesture up with a „Don’t worry. I didn’t drink from it.“ Her disgusted expression promptly morphes into a questioning one. „Is this coffee?“
Terry gives her a soft smile. „It’s way too late for either of us to drink coffee. It’s warm milk. With honey.“ Despite her craving for caffeine, she takes a sip. The warmth in her throat is soothing, but she doesn’t show it. „How is it?“ Another gulp. It’s nice. „Fuck off, Terry.“ Her stepdad murmurs something to himself, but she can’t make it out. They sit there for a few more minutes, neither of them saying a word. „So…“ he starts, and Scary just puts her head in her hands. God he was infuriating. It’s the same questions every time.
‚How is school going?‘
‚Are you going to try out for the soccer team this year?‘
‚Do you have any plans for the weekend?‘
„I don’t want to talk to you, Terrance. I think I’ve made that clear already.“ He gives her an understanding, but disappointed look. Good. „That’s not- nevermind. Do you know who you remind me of Scary?“ He presses out after a bit of contemplating. He doesn’t wait for a response, because of course he doesn’t. „Myself, when I was a little younger than you.“
„Don’t act like you get me. Nobody does.“ He grabs the now empty mug from in front of her, and makes his way to the kitchen. „I felt the exact same way, I wanted people to treat me seriously. So I acted all grown up and angsty, in hopes of being left alone.“ He fills the mug with some more milk, and puts it in the microwave. „I even used to dress like you. Listened to the same music and all that.“ He snickers at the memory as he adds a drop of honey to the warmed up milk.
„Seriously? You used to have a goth phase?“ He puts it down before her, and despite not wanting to show her appreciation, she immediately snatches it. „I suppose you could call it that. Y’know we’re not so different you and I. We’re more similar than you know. I used to hate my stepdad. I wanted nothing more than to have my real dad back and for him to leave me and my mom alone. I thought I’d rather have no dad than Ron Stampler.“
Instead of sitting back down he starts making his own cup of milk. „That was until I realized he actually cared for and loved me. Looking back on it, I believe I shot him down too much. I wish we had gotten closer earlier than we did. I don’t want to force anything on you - If you don’t like me that’s okay. I just don’t want to make the same mistake again, now that I’m in his position.“
Scary let’s out a scowl. For a second she considers continuing the conversation here, admitting that she doesn’t absolutely hate him… but she quickly decides against honesty. „I don’t care about your sob story. Tell me more about your gothic past. Was it embarrassing? Do you have pictures?“ He seems hurt by her words, but it doesn’t take long before he sits down and pulls out his phone.
After scrolling through his gallery for a bit, he turns it around and hands it to her. She is met with a picture of a teenage Terry Jr. His tied back Locs dyed a Sandy color, acting as a contrast to the rest of his fully black outfit. Younger Terrys' maxi-skirt is just barely short enough to show his combat boots, his silky dress-up shirt slightly covered by a jacket covered in patches and pins. Aside from that, he is decked out in tons of accessories. Necklaces, rings, and all of the alike. The equally black Lipstick and graphic liner framing his face really pull the look together.
„Holy shit you looked metal. What happened to you? You’re so… lame now.“ Scary tries her best to keep her jaw off the floor. Slightly zooming out, she spots a man standing next to Terry. He is wearing a skirt himself, alongside a business-y shirt and a red tie. His outfit looks incoherent, but he has a bright smile on his mustached face. „Is this your stepdad…?“ As she looks up at him his eyes are filled with nostalgia and love. „Yeah, that’s Ron.“
„And he didn’t mind you dressing up like that?“ Her question is met with a shake of his head, and a shrug. „He just wanted me to be comfortable and happy.“ A beat. „That’s what I want for you too. I’m glad you’ve found a way to express yourself - and I won’t lie, I think it’s… ‚Metal‘ you like the same music I do.“ Scary cringes at her stepfather trying to adapt her way of speaking.
„You’re still into goth music?“ As the genuine curiosity slips out she curses internally. He seems to have caught it, since he responds with a giddy smile. „Yeah. Mostly the less underground band. Like The Cure, or Siouxsie. But some of the ones you like are great too. That one song about Lesbian Vampires…?“ The last of her performance slips. She barks out a loud laugh. „From outer space.“ She completes.
After laughing alongside Terry for a moment, she builds her stoic demeanor back up. „I’d love to have you dress me up sometime, if you’re up for it. Dressing like ‚a proper adult‘ is boring.“ He smirks at her. Suddenly, the both of them turn towards the stairs, from which a loud noise rang out „Hey kids it’s time for bed.“ Her mom says, joy apparent in her voice.
Terry gives her one last smile, before grabbing both of their empty mugs, and placing them into the sink. He lays a Hand on her shoulder as he walks by her, and up to his and Veronica’s room.
As they walk together, her mom leans down to her, and whispers in her ear. „I’m glad you two had a bonding moment. He really is trying his best.“ Scary had never been more glad for it to be dark at night, as her facial expression was anything but something she’d want to be seen. She lets out a dramatized groan, slightly pushing her mom away and turning on her heel to walk to her room. Before she opens the door she looks back for a moment. „I don’t know what you’re talking about mom.“