What if minnie was born before the divorce and she was there in the scene where Alec tells everyone they’re getting a divorce (aka his cal moment)
I hate this scene but it’s an “ugly scene” and also quite crucial to the plot line. So, adding something or removing something wouldn’t have changed it. Any change would only make it worse, adding fuel to the fire, so to speak. So, let’s see.
“Why do you want a divorce?” Max asks, pulling at bapak’s nightclothes. “Bapak. We can…We can fix this.”
“My love, I tried,” bapak whispers. “Alec and I went for therapy, and we tried. But-”
“But he gave up,” dad hisses loudly. “He gave up because that’s what he always does.”
“Alexander,” bapak raises a hand. “Please stop talking such bullshit in front of the children before I lose all respect for you. You are scaring them-”
“Stop talking like they are just your kids, Magnus!” dad spits at him. “You wouldn’t even have them if it wasn’t for me.”
There is a moment of quietness. A small void opens between the four of them. Rafael can see it.
Rafael wants to scream into it.
The voice is small and confused. Rafael’s heart almost stops.
“Why is bapak crying?” Minerva asks in confusion.
Rafael turns around and notices that bapak is in fact crying quietly. How come he didn't notice that?
When did he stop noticing bapak’s tears? When did they become normal?
As always, bapak finds the strength - from god knows where - to put her first. He wipes his tears, climbs out of the bed, and pulls her into his arms. “It’s nothing, my love.”
“I had a bad dream,” Minnie whispers into his shoulder.
“It’s just a dream,” bapak whispers. “Come. I’ll read you a story. The one with the monkey, hm?”
He walks out of the bedroom with the toddler. But he doesn’t make it out of there.
“Where do you think you’re going?” dad demands, blocking his path.
“I’m putting her to bed,” bapak replies calmly. “Get out of my way, Alec.”
“You’re taking her away from me,” dad said quietly, his blue eyes worried. “You’re going to take her from me.”
“Dad,” Rafael sighs and grabs the man. “Let’s get you to your room.”
“No. Fuck. No. What the fuck, Magnus?” the man yells.
“Stop shouting,” bapak says, clutching Minnie tightly. “You’re scaring her.”
“I’m scaring her?” dad laughs in disbelief. “You’re scaring her, Magnus. You’re scaring all of us!”
Bapak’s face is blank. Dad is right. It is scary. “Let me go, Alec.”
“No,” dad shakes his head. “I won’t let you take her.”
“Alec, I’m just taking her to her bedroom.”
“God knows what you tell her in there!” dad growls.
“What on earth does that even mean?” bapak demands.
“You think I don’t know about your secret plans with Rafael?” dad asks him. “You’re probably going to take him and run to London.”
“Rafe,” Max whispers. “What is he talking about?”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Rafael promises.
But Max doesn’t look convinced. He looks scared. Minnie looks confused. Dad looks furious. Bapak looks done.
There are fires all around him. Rafael doesn’t know which one to put out first. He considers if he should just let himself burn.
“I won’t let you take them. You think you can just take the children and fuck off?” dad asks both angry and terrified.
“I won’t let you take them!” dad screams out. “You think you get just take your favourites and let me be stuck here with Max?”
Max does too. But it’s softer - and a little broken.
“Max,” dad sighs and turns around. “Max. I didn’t mean it like that-”
“Fuck you,” Max spits out, all his fears momentarily replaced with anger. “Fuck all of you. Do whatever the fuck you want with your favourites. I’m out of here.”
“Max!” Rafael yells as the boy runs out of the room. He wants to run after him. But not now. Not right away. He turns around.
Bapak and dad are staring at each other. Minnie seems to have fallen asleep on bapak’s shoulder. Even amidst all of this. It makes Rafael want to smile. Even amidst all of this.
“I won’t let you take Minerva,” dad whispers.
It’s not a promise. It sounds like a plea.
“What is that you said, Alec?” bapak asks, clutching the girl even tighter. “You wouldn’t even have her if it wasn’t for me.”
Dad’s eyes widen at that.
Bapak pushes him away and walks upstairs to Minerva’s room.
Dad leaves too. Rafael doesn’t know where.
