A/N: apologies for the delay in part two to this piece (shoutout to @ultravioletqueen for the request again — you’re the best!). I’ve been updating my Finnick series and recently dived back into my love for our resident SDN grump, so I wanted to finally finish out this request!
tag list: @just-lilita @idreamofbunnies69
previous part
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Fuck.
You were still standing in the kitchen, eyes burning from the onslaught of tears that you were unsuccessfully trying to stave off, when you heard the front door to your shared apartment with Robert open up.
“Hi Beefy boy, hi sweet girl! Where’s your mama, hmm?” You hear Robert talking to your two fur babies in a voice that he always swears “is not a baby voice, sweetheart! I just, I dunno, I can’t contain the love I got for them, ya know?”
You take a shuddering breath, keeping your back to Robert as he rounds the corner. He stops in his tracks, however, when he notices a few things.
One — you’re clearly tense, shoulders hiked up an uncomfortable amount.
Two — you’re gripping the counter as if it personally wronged you (which, in his opinion, it kinda has with the amount of times you’ve caught your hip on the edge of it, resulting in some random bruises).
Three — you’re clearly avoiding turning to look at him. You only do that when you’re trying to either suppress or hide whatever you’re feeling.
Having clocked all of this in the few seconds he’s looked at you, Robert waltzes right over to you and wraps himself around you from behind. He presses a kiss to the space right behind your left ear and gives you a moment to gather yourself before he pounces.
You take a few more shaky breaths, closing your eyes as you relax into Robert’s hold. It’s okay, you’re not in her house anymore. You technically don’t even have to see her if you don’t want to.
Once Robert sees that you’ve calmed down a bit, he ventures into things. “Hi sweetheart. You wanna talk about it?”
You let out a huff of laughter because of course Robert could read your distress from a mile away.
You shift a bit in his arms, turning to face him. Your hands slide up his chest to rest near his shoulders as your eyes slowly follow the same path up until you lock eyes.
And man, no matter how many times you look at him, he still manages to take your breath away.
His brown eyes shine with concern and love, wanting — no, aching to take and carry whatever problem you think you need to manage on your own. His thumbs rub gentle circles into your hips as your back rests against the countertop behind you.
You grimace a bit once you zone back in, Robert’s lips quirking up at the corners when he realizes he lost you for a sec but he’s always willing to wait for you.
“It’s just… my mother texted me today.”
Robert’s eyebrows lift at your statement, letting out a small hum to urge you on.
“She said that there’s a family get-together this weekend. Everyone’s going to be there.”
Robert nods, but is a bit confused at where this is going. “Okay… was there a reason she sent this to you? She’s obviously been aware of your radio silence since the last time you two saw one another.”
You wince a bit knowing that he’s not going to like the next words out of your mouth.
“She’s expecting me to come and wants me to bring you to meet everyone.”
At this, Robert lets out a bark of a laugh, not believing the audacity of your mother.
Well, I can’t blame him for that reaction. He hasn’t met the Wicked Witch yet.
He stops himself once he sees the seriousness that lines your facial expression. “Oh fuck, you’re serious aren’t you? Baby, why on earth would you subject yourself to going? You know it’s just going to be a shitshow.”
You grow a bit frustrated at that because Robert doesn’t fully understand the family dynamic that exists with you and your mother — sure, the two of you have trauma bonded a bit before with some similar situations from growing up. Robert isn’t a stranger to strained relationships with parental figures.
However, he doesn’t know.
He’s never had to deal with her never-ending guilt trips, often ending in her crying because “how could you be so selfish?”
He’s never had to be on the receiving end of one of her “I’m just so disappointed in you, sweetie” speeches.
He’s never had to feel the need to apologize for something that isn’t even your fault, all because you need to be the bigger person in the moment.
He’s never had to deal with the anxiety that stems from constantly walking on eggshells, never knowing if your actions or words will set her off.
He’s never had to deal with her. And so, you try to calm the bubbling frustration you feel building up because you know it’s stemming from everything else and has nothing to do with Robert.
But your mouth has different plans.
You push yourself away from Robert, making to move around him. “OF COURSE I know it’s going to be a shitshow! You don’t think I don’t realize how it’ll affect me by attending? It’s not that easy to say no.”
Robert grabs your wrist before you can get too far. “Whoa, whoa, whoa — not so fast. Sweetheart, I wasn’t meaning anything bad by that. I just worry because from what you’ve told me before, I know it’s not great between you and your mom. Hell, I’ve seen how you are after you’ve gotten off the phone with her. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to go.”
You tense up, your body still on the defense. You close your eyes for a moment, taking another deep breath before continuing, “I can’t just say no, Robert. You don’t know how many times I’ve been put in this same situation. I can already predict how her little speech will be if I don’t show up. ‘Of course, my ungrateful daughter decides not to grace us with her present. You know, it doesn’t surprise me because I know you haven’t been watching your weight and you figured you should avoid me since you don’t want to listen to me. I’m only trying to help you, honey.’” You mimick your mother’s voice on the last bit, already hearing the rest of her guilt-inducing words that will be said to you if you elect to not attend.
“Okay, fine. I’ll tell her no then.” Robert says in all seriousness, his gaze shifting to be more determined as he thinks about all of what he wants to say to your mother.
Your eyes widen at that, your heart leaping into your throat at the very thought of Robert speaking to her. You don’t even realize you’re shaking your head fast until Robert shifts to hold your cheeks, eliciting you to stop.
“Baby, relax, it was a joke. I won’t do that to you.” You ease a bit at that, but your nerves still simmer deep in your gut. Robert senses this and opts for a different approach. “Okay, how about this? We’ll go for a little bit, make the appearance and what not. But the second that she tries anything, we are getting the fuck out of there. Does that sound alright?”
You just stare at Robert and are just reminded of how much you utterly love this man. The fact that he’s willing to deal with my toxic mother is completely crazy and makes no sense, but—
“But I’m doing it because I’m also utterly in love with you, sweetheart.” You didn’t even realize you’d been speaking out loud until Robert’s voice breaks you out of your stupor. His lovesick gaze brings a smile to your face and you lean in to kiss him. He fully wraps you in his arms then, letting out a small sigh of happiness. When you pull apart, you finally open up your text thread with your mother and send her a “👍” before exiting out of your messages and kissing Robert once again.
———————————
It’s officially the weekend and you’re now faced with both having to see your mother and introduce Robert to your entire family.
“Tell me why we couldn’t have faked our deaths and left the country?” You ask Robert as you both walk up the small path leading to your parents’ door.
Robert chuckles, shooting you a small wink as he presses the doorbell. “Because who’d look after our two babies back home?”
You automatically say, “Chase.”
“Fair. But we’re not, so let’s face this and then we can go home to them.”
You pout a bit before conceding. “Okay, fineeeeee, BUT we’re watching some of the new season of Love Is Blind when we get home.”
“… deal.”
At that moment, the door swings wide open and you’re greeted with the gaudy scent of your mother’s perfume. She’s dressed in loose white capri pants, a turquoise color blouse, and some sandals.
Ever the picture-perfect hostess, you bitterly think.
“Ahh, darling! I’m so glad you’ve made it. And it looks like you do know how to listen! Hi, I’m Name’s mother. And you are?” She doesn’t even bother giving you a hug as she zeroes in on Robert entirely, reaching out a freshly-manicured hand to him.
Robert lightly grasps it before introducing himself.
“Well, it’s so nice to finally meet you! I know Name has been hoarding you all to herself — I swear, sometimes she forgets that not everything revolves around her! Come on in, everyone’s out back on the patio.”
You tense at the comment and notice Robert clenching his jaw out of the corner of your eye, but you elect to say nothing as you just arrived.
The three of you move through your childhood home, your grip on Robert’s hand tightening the further you get inside. Robert takes a moment to look around, noticing how there’s hardly any family photos around. The place looks straight out of one of those fancy home decor magazines.
You catch him looking around and while your mother’s back is turned, you shoot him a questioning look.
He leans closer to you, “No family photos?”
You make an “ah” face before whispering, “Yeah, mom thought that I looked unflattering or too plump in most of the photos, so she decided early on to just leave them in some photo albums in the family office. I don’t think I’ve seen one up on the walls since I was a little kid.”
Robert feels his heart ache for what you had to experience growing up. Granted, he knows a bit about coming from a shitty home life, but the way that your mother framed so many things as being an issue caused by you in some way (especially pertaining to your weight) is just outlandish and frustrating.
He nods once at your statement and quickly leans over to give you a quick peck. You give him a small grin before returning your attention to what lies before you.
The rest of your family.
You take a deep breath, squeeze Robert’s hand once more for luck, and allow yourself to get pulled into the grilling of the century.
———————————
You’ve been at your family gathering for all of 15 minutes before the real shitshow starts.
Robert was introduced to your other family members, primarily your father who pulled you aside later and said that he was “glad you found someone who makes you happy, bubs” to which you immediately hugged him for.
He’s also been introduced to too many aunts, uncles, and cousins for him to keep track of, but hey, he’s trying his best!
After the excitement of you bringing your “secret” boyfriend settled down, you both grabbed some food and sat down with a couple of your cousins who you’re the closest with. They were intrigued on how you two met and Robert happily shared the story, allowing you a chance to breathe and collect yourself from the overwhelming anxiety that’s been plaguing you all week.
It was during this moment that you heard it.
It being your mother talking with a few of your aunts and uncles as well as some old family friends who you hadn’t seen in a long time.
One of the couples, who’ve been close with your parents since you were little, never really rubbed you the right way. They always seemed to agree with some of the awful things your mother had to say about you, especially in regard to your size, and even went so far as to add their own input. They had a few children of their own that they often compared you to, citing how “you could take a few tips from them, sweetie, our kiddos love to stay in shape and could help you get on track with losing a few pounds!”
Tuning into the conversation that was conveniently taking place not too far from where you were sitting, you could hear your mother speaking.
“I am happy for her, I am — it’s just hard to believe is all.” A few hums of understanding were heard from the rest of the group.
One of your aunts chimed in, “Yeah, it’s hard to believe that our kids are growing up! I never thought I’d see the day that Name brought someone home for us all to meet.”
“That’s what hard to believe! I mean, don’t you think with how much extra weight she’s put on that that would be a dealbreaker for him? Or anyone for that matter? I just can’t believe after all this time, she’s still refusing to follow those workout routines I’ve sent her and use the meal plans my fitness coach made.” Your mother huffed a bit at the end, taking a sip from her wine glass.
Your parents’ friends, the couple mentioned before, chose this moment to speak. The man said, “Truthfully, I think he’s probably feeling sorry for the poor thing and is acting a bit out of pity.” His wife nodding sympathetically.
You didn’t hear the rest of the conversation, a faint buzzing taking over as your brain focused in on what was said.
Hard to believe.
Extra weight put on.
Feeling sorry for me.
Acting out of pity.
A slight shake to your thigh grabs your attention, but only for a second as you quickly notice how much your thigh jiggled from the movement.
Wouldn’t be that way if I actually listened to her.
“Baby, did you hear what I said?” Robert leans into your space a bit, searching for your eyes that seem to evade his at all costs. He picks up on your sudden change in mood, noting how your breath is picking up again and you’re trying to make yourself appear smaller. Oh no, he thinks. Not on my watch.
He chances a glance at your two cousins who you’ve been sitting with and the one subtlety nods their head at the group just off to the right of your table. The group that happens to include your mother.
Fuck.
Robert tries getting your attention once more. “Sweetheart, I’m going to grab another drink from inside. You wanna join me quick? You guys want us to grab you anything?” He looks at your cousins once more and realizing what he’s trying to do, they both offer a drink selection to give you more of a reason to step away from the outside gathering for a moment.
Robert grabs your hand and before you can even try to protest, he pulls you out of your seat and guides you toward the patio door. He briefly locks eyes with your father, who sends him a sincere look, before heading inside with you in tow.
The two of you round the corner, out of sight from the others, and Robert places himself between you and the door. He notices the glassiness of your eyes and curses before pulling you into a hug.
You melt into his body, releasing a small sob before letting it all out. All of the worries, the frustrations, the overall hurt of not being enough for your mother every single time. Your body shakes from the force of your crying and Robert takes it all in, allowing you the space and safety of his embrace to escape from everything and just be you.
Your crying eventually slows down until it’s nothing more but a few shuddering breaths and some residual tears on your cheeks. Robert quickly takes care of the watermarks on your skin, softly brushing beneath each eye before giving you a small kiss to your forehead. He gives you a look, you okay or you need more time? to which you shake your head. He nods at this before speaking.
“Alright sweetheart, lay it on me. Whose ass do I need to kick?”
You let out a breathy giggle, sniffling before shaking your head once more. Robert tuts at you for this.
“Nope, we’re not just brushing this off. You just sobbed into my chest and now you’re trying to say there’s no one who I need to beat up? Baby, I want names.”
“Robbie,” oh, now you’re pulling out the big guns as you only use this nickname in absolute minimal instances, “I don’t want to make a scene.”
“Well, you’re in luck because you won’t be. I will.” He firmly grasps your chin when you try to duck away, bringing your eyes back up. When you see the fire-laced determination laid within those gorgeous eyes, you know you won’t win this battle. Letting out a slight huff, you relay to him what you overheard.
“There, now you know what happened, so let’s just leave while we’re away from everyone—“ You cut yourself off as Robert immediately rushes out the patio door. Your heart stutters in your chest.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
You quickly follow suit and step outside to see him storming up to your mother and the small group around her.
You can’t exactly hear what he’s saying to them but all of a sudden, you hear a “I beg your pardon?” from your mother and a few gasps from the others in the group before Robert turns and addresses the rest of the crowd.
“And for anyone else who needs to hear it, I better not hear anyone say anything negatively about Name again, especially about her body, or I will fucking end you. She is the kindest, most thoughtful person I know and is an absolute stunner. I’m so goddamn lucky that she chose me to be with and I thank whatever higher power there is for gracing me with her presence because she’s an actual goddess. She’s fucking gorgeous and does not need ANY one of you trying to tell her otherwise.” Even though the party was outside, you could hear a pin drop with how quiet it was after Robert finished talking. He turned towards your two cousins, “It was nice meeting you both. I’m glad to know that not everyone in this family are fucking pricks.” They both laughed and gave you a small wave.
Robert turned towards your father. “Sir, it was nice to finally meet you as Name has spoken highly of you. I hope to see you again, hopefully in a better setting next time.”
As he was walking back to where you were standing stunned on the patio, your mother chose this moment to speak up once again.
“How dare you try to speak to me and my guests like this in my own home. No wonder you’re with Name, the both of you are perfect for each other, with acting entitled and self-centered. Hell, I’m surprised, Name. I thought you’d have more respect for yourself and would try to make some changes to better please your future part—“
“ENOUGH!” Your father’s voice boomed out, deftly cutting off your mother’s tirade. She turned, wide-eyed and mouth hanging open, to glare at her husband.
“And what do you—“
“I said enough. You have continuously belittled, insulted, tore down, and hurt our girl for far too long. And I’m ashamed that it’s taken me this long to finally call you out on it.” He shoots you a quick glance full of shame and guilt, causing your eyes to tear up once more. “If you continue to treat our daughter like this, she’s going to cut us out of her life once and for all, and I won’t wait for that to happen. Either you shape the hell up and start treating her like an actual human being or we can end this entirely.” A small gasp left the mouths of some of your aunts and uncles, realizing the severity of your father’s words.
He turned to you and Robert. “I’m sorry, bubs. I know that won’t make up for the past, but starting now, I’m changing my priorities to what it should’ve been this whole time: you.” You wipe your cheeks, giving him a watery smile. He nods once again before ushering the two of you out. “I think we’ve had enough for tonight. Let’s start wrapping this up, everyone!”
Robert and you head back out the front door, with him primarily leading you as you’re still in a state of shock at what just took place.
Once you both are buckled in, you sit for a moment in the driveway. Robert notes your silence and reaches over, squeezing your hand.
You glance up at him, the tears on your cheek finally dried up, and he asks, “You okay? I’m sorry if I overstepped or—“
“Let’s get married.”
Robert shuts his mouth immediately after you spoke.
“I mean it. You— you’re incredible and I just, I’m still a little in shock at what just happened, but you reminded me once again how much I love you and am lucky to have you in my life. And I don’t want to waste another second of it.”
Robert’s looking at you as if you hung the stars and the moon. He gives you a wide grin before leaning over to passionately kiss you, putting everything he’s feeling at the moment into the kiss.
The two of you part for air and Robert says, “Okay, let’s get married.”
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A/N part two: AHHHHH this got away from me!! But I’m happy with how it turned out, regardless of how all over the place the storyline went. Very wild ride, but I hope this fulfilled your request, @ultravioletqueen! Thanks again, babes, for sending it in :) As always, let me know what you thought and send in some requests if you have any!
