Summary: A visit back home to see Austin’s family suddenly turns sour when readers life is exposed.
Pairing: Austin Porter x Black!Reader
A/N: This is a bit of an AU fic. I know Mama Porter would never be like this towards Austin’s lovers but the idea came to mind while I was at work today. And I used him because our hearts need more Austin content on here so here you go.
“Be yourself, he said. She’ll love you, he said.” I angrily muttered as I tossed a T-shirt of mine back into my suitcase. “Love me my ass. I’m getting the Hell outta here.”
In the few hours I’d been inside of Austin’s childhood home, I believed everything was going according to plan. We flew from Los Angeles to Charlotte, North Carolina because somebody had been begging to meet me, Austin’s girlfriend of six months. I bonded with Ryan over simple guy topics; sports, TV shows, the latest video games, you name it. Mason wasn’t here due to prepping for his wedding but Austin promised to FaceTime him later for the introduction. Mr.Porter resembled my father; chill but made sure to remind his sons who the man of the house was. Mrs.Porter? Well, she was a different story.
I went along with Austin’s words prior to us flying out here: being myself. And I believed she accepted that. Like any other kid with their parent, I revealed my goals and dreams as an individual, how school was panning out for me, what I did to earn money, what my parents did for a living, and so on. His mom attentively listened, like she was genuinely interested in the life I was raised in and built for myself when my parents set me free. She offered advice when my struggles were exposed and throughout her speaking, Austin held my hand like the caring boyfriend he was.
I scoffed. Caring. It didn’t even fit him anymore! He was more than likely downstairs plotting how to tell me things were over.
Moments before I commenced my repacking, I was headed downstairs for the dessert Mrs.Porter promised was “the best in the household”. What stopped me from entering the kitchen was hushed but frantic whispering.
“I don’t know Austin. Something doesn’t feel right.” whispered his mother. “I don’t think she’s the right one for you.”
“Mom, what the Hell?” he responded. I knew that phrase with him. When said, it was laced with confusion and frustration because Austin was currently at a loss for appropriate words to fit the scenario.
“Watch your tone! I am not one of your friends.” A deep sigh was heaved. “Sweetie, I don’t think she has her life together yet. From the looks of it, she’s having a difficult time with obtaining auditions.”
“So? What does that have to do with me?” By then, he was probably crossing his arms.
“Your career Austin. You’ve been placed in a band by one of the greatest music critiques on the planet. Y/N is just your average girl trying to make it as well but it’s not working for her. She’s not getting anywhere.”
“Mom, one of my duties as a boyfriend is to support her in anything she’s determined to do. Of course, she’s struggling but at the end of the day, I’m picking her back up so she can try again and eventually make it.”
“The last thing you need to be doing Austin is taking care of a child. Y/N is still in college and you’re not. You’ve got a job as a singer and you can’t let her lifestyle pull you down. The minute that happens, there’s no coming back up for air.”
Then there was silence and my stomach dropped. Austin wasn’t saying anything and when he didn’t say something, it meant he was mulling over his opponents response. It’s what he did with me before he agreed that I was right.
The silence was cut but the words pooling from my so-called boyfriends mouth didn’t cure my nerves. “Alright, I’ll um… I’ll talk to her. I mean, I didn’t even think of it like that.”
“Good. I just hope she understands that what you’re doing is for the best. For you and her.”
Who was this woman? Who was she to be judging my relationship with her son? Oh, that’s right: she’s Austin’s fucking mother. And like the old saying goes: “Mother knows best.”
I had just zipped up my suitcase when the bedroom door opened. Knowing it was Austin because we were supposed to be staying in his room for the time being, I refused to look at him as I heaved my bag off of his bed and onto its wheels.
“Wh-what’re you doing?” was the first thing he said. The nerve of this guy, I tell you.
“I’m leaving.” I simply answered.
“Back to Los Angeles, Austin.” I turned around to finally look at him and immediately regretted doing so. His eyes held sadness behind them, something I rarely caught a glimpse of when he was doubting his skills as a singer. But then I remembered why my hand was gripping the handle of my luggage so hard that my knuckles lightened. “Don’t try to play the Guilt Card on me. I heard every single thing downstairs between you and your mother.”
“Yeah, you forgot that I was coming back down for dessert? Seriously, if you’re going to talk about me, the least you can do is wait until I fall asleep or I’m at least a five minute drive from your house. You and her both had the audacity to question my life and how it would affect yours.”
He sighed in realization, placing his head in his hand. “Y/N, it’s not what you think.”
“Then what is it exactly that I’m thinking Austin? I heard her clearly: I’m not the one for you because I can’t get my shit together. And instead of you defending me, you side with her. What kind of bullshit is that?”
“Baby, you have to understand--”
“Don’t call me that, you do not get to call me that name after what I heard down there.” I snapped with my index finger pointing directly at him.
He huffed. “Fine. Y/N, you have to understand that she’s only looking out for you and me.”
I shook my head, appalled at his response. “Are you fucking kidding me right now? I’m the last person she’s thinking about. I’ve only known her for a few hours and she’s judging how our relationship is gonna end up because I’m not like you. I’m not famous and living on my own. I’m just a kid trying to graduate college and begin my career and she’s assuming my young adult life is going to ruin yours. Austin, she’s only thinking about you.”
“No she’s not!” he argued.
“Yes she is! And you’re too oblivious to see it because she’s your damn mother!” I yelled.
Both of our eyes widened in shock. I’d never raised my voice before, let alone Austin. And thinking about it now, my cheeks were wet from tears. Fuck, this is really screwing me up.
I shook my head and wiped my cheeks. Austin made a move to come forth and comfort me but I shoved his hands away, grasping the handle of my bag again.
“I have to go.” I spoke, a quiver obvious in my voice. Before I could exit the room, I faced Austin one last time. “When you finally go back to L.A., don’t even bother trying to hit me up on some friendly bullshit because that’s not what I wanted between us. Delete my number right now and don’t even think about getting your friends to contact me.”
He only stared with furrowed brows and watered eyes. All I could do was shake my head in shame and move on.
