“Will you sing something for me?” - Ric
@shakenquake @myvalentina (Another thing sitting in my drafts forever. Hope you enjoy reading this ramble and the song love!)
“Of course.” Alison had woken to her body jostling on the bed. Or more like the whole bed was rocking, along with the building surrounding her. Luckily, she’d come to her senses quick enough to realize this wasn’t some ordinary earthquake but Rictor’s powers manifesting while he suffered a nightmare in the hotel bed beside hers.
He’d woken up covered in sweat, pulse racing. After he’d gotten some water and cleaned up she wordlessly invited him to settle on her bed beside her. Turning back the covers and patting the soft mattress near her hip and shaking her head side to side when he began to protest. Weary, Rictor had climbed in beside her so she could cuddle him silence. There was no reason to press him on what he’d experienced. If this road trip taught her anything it was that they both had a bunch of things they were working through. And while she liked talking her issues out, Ric preferred to wrestle with them silently while having someone who cared for him close by. So Alison accommodated his wishes, holding him close and stroking his hair tenderly.
She remained quiet for a few moments after her response, trying to think of what song to sing for him. Finally one came to mind. Something from a movie she’d seen some months previous.
Alison began humming, fingers of the hand resting on his shoulder tapping a gentle rhythm as her other hand continued to caress unruly deep chestnut tresses. After warming up her voice she started singing.
“My Oh My Lord, I just can’t hardly wait.We’ve been worn down in the hardest waysWith long nights over, I’m starting to believeI’m not as broken as some made me out to be
What makes a house a homeBeen running for so longWhen I met you, I couldn’t let youWhat makes a house a home?
Time moves fast now, Like tires on the roadBut I don’t mind it, I always dreamed to goWith long nights over, I’m starting to believeI’m not as broken as some made me out to be”
Alison pulled Julio a little closer, begin to rock their bodies just slightly. Like you would when holding a baby that needed comforting. She and Rictor shared a unique relationship. She’d befriended him and the other new mutant teens when Kitty introduced them, showing off how she was friends with The Dazzler. In her on again off again superheroing antics with various X-Men teams Alison got to know him and the others quite well.
Him falling in love with her time/dimension displaced child who had come to their world a grown man already is where the uniqueness of their relationship blossomed. Then of course the time inbetween when he and others figured out those facts but chose not to fill her in. Through all that they’d worked hard to maintain a friendship outside of their connection to Shatterstar. This road trip they were taking was a testament to that. They’d both wanted to set out on a bit of a soul searching adventure and since Alison liked having company she’d invited him along.
“What makes a house a homeBeen running for so longWhen I met you, I couldn’t let you
What makes a house a home?What makes a house a homeBeen running for so longWhen I met you, I couldn’t let youWhat makes a house a home?
Been running for so longBeen running for so longBeen running for so longBeen running for so longWhat makes a house a home?Been running for so longWhen I met you, I couldn’t let youOh I’m tired of being alone”
For the longest time Alison had been hoping to find something to anchor her. She loved her career and all the opportunities it offered in connecting with so many people and traveling to new places. But having an anchor to come back to was something she craved. Something to help recenter her. She thought she’d found that in Longshot. They’d build such a deep connection. One that drew them back together through memory wipes, and interdimensional travels.
It had taken her longer than she cared to admit that she didn’t need to throw all her expectations on him and their relationship. There were so many people in her life that gave her similar feelings of comfort, belonging, and support. One of them was currently held in her arms.
“My Oh my LordI just can’t hardly waitWe’ve come so far, through the darkest daysThe long nights over, and I’m starting to believeI’m not as broken as some made me out to be
What makes a house a homeBeen running for so longWhen I met you, I couldn’t let youWhat makes a house a home?”
