𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄.

⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

[ً @aslovewept]

compassion———always her deepest instinct.

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

- touch , though there was still a wary edge to it . '' that so ? ''

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

she arched a thin , graying brow as she peered over her glasses , brown eyes scrutinizing the young woman before her . lips pressed into a firm line , apron-clad arms folding over her chest as she squared her shoulders . though she wasn't a physically imposing woman , -

[‍ ‍ ℒ𝙸𝚃𝚃𝙻𝙴 𝚂𝙸𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚁. @THEYREALlVE]

⠀⠀

mina awkwardly looks up at the woman, mouth almost agape like a fish. the blacks of her eyes big like nickels.

“sorry. i ain't got anywhere to go...”

she seems distracted. looking past the woman, then back at her. sniffing, seemingly.

“you smell good.”

⠀⠀⠀

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

- apron , the old wedding band on her hand glinting in the dim light . '' ain't polite to go round smellin’ people , darlin' . ''

she gave the girl another once-over , gaze shrewd and calculating . '' you said you ain’t got nowhere to go . '' luda's voice softened just a -

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

- my sweet boy , '' she murmured against his chest , '' ain't nobody in this world means more to me than you , you hear ? you and this family—ain’t nothin’ more important . i don't ever wanna catch you doubtin’ yourself , you understand me ? you were made special . ''

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

luda let out a soft breath , warmth flooding her chest as her son’s massive arms encircled her . the weight of his embrace was solid , reassuring , just as she had always been for him . her hands , worn from years of hardship , gently patted his back .

'' oh , -

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

/ 💔💔

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

- the best thing ever happened to this family . ''

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

she reached out to take the bracelet and turns it over gently , fingers tracing the pieces , expression unreadable for a moment before she lets out a warm chuckle .

'' oh , it's lovely , sugar , '' she coos , cradling it in her hands like a cherished treasure . -

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

- thoughtful boy , always takin’ care of your mama , ain'tcha ? ''

her voice dips into something more tender , something almost wistful . '' don’t you ever let nobody make you feel like you ain't good enough , you hear ? 'cause you are , my sweet boy . you're -

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

@OFC0NCRETE

'' i advise you to get out of here , '' luda says , lowering her glasses to look at mina .

'' folks around here don’t take too kindly to trespassers . ''

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

- like some tantrum-throwin’ brat . ''

her gaze flicks down to his hands , the way he clutches that hammer like he’s just itchin’ to use it . then back up .

'' you so strong ? show me . ''

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

lips pressed into a firm , thin line , eyes darkening with something deeper than anger—disappointment , disgust , maybe . she doesn't flinch at his display , doesn’t so much as blink when he sears his own scalp with that glowing-hot hanger .

'' that just makes 'ya -

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

- nothin’ but foolishness rattlin’ ‘round inside it . '' she takes a step closer , unbothered by his wild eyes and twitchy limbs . '' all i see is a damn fool that don’t know where he belongs . 'cause if you did , you wouldn’t be standin’ here , tryin’ to rile up an old woman -

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

- my family , you're about to learn just how serious i can be . ''

gaze locks onto his , unblinking , posture shifts from the motherly warmth to something far more formidable . the tone is calm , but it’s a fury wrapped in velvet .

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

eyes narrow , jaw tightening as the words hit her . she leans in just slightly , voice steady .

'' now , ya listen here , '' she starts , '' you think 'cause you're throwin' around sick jokes like that , you can go and act like you're somethin' special ? well , you -

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

- ain't . and you ain't gonna disrespect me or anyone else , you understand me ? i don't care who you are , i raised boys stronger than you , and i've had to do a helluva lot worse than deal with your childish nonsense . if you think you can walk in here and make a fool of me or-

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

- i have to show ya just how serious i can be . ''

gaze locks onto his , unwavering , despite the wild antics he continues with . she waits a beat , hand still resting on her hip .

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

eyes narrow behind her glasses , expression hardening for a moment as she takes in his antics . the sound of her soft , steady breath fills the air before her lips tighten into a thin line , patience finally wearing out . she steps foward slightly , hands on her hips . -

[𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄. @meatriarchs]

- '' you listen here , boy , '' she says in a tone that is both calm and steely . '' you ain't too old for me to put ya in your place when i need to . and this foolishness ? '' her voice drops an octave , '' i won't stand for it . so quit actin' like a fool before -