—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫.

gotham rp. he/him. layout by @laughlikeavirus.

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

https://t.co/qgtcTRUaMC

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

he— he couldn’t? even if he…he’s my dad..?

[ he doesn’t know for sure, of course. but why else would he have been left with the man at all? ]

…I want to stay with you. you’re so nice to me… [ sniff. hiccup. ]

[⧰ Vivi ⧰ @directorarkham]

{ She fusses a hand gently through his hair }

I want to be clear- he isn’t coming back. He *cant*. But even if he did- I have legal custody of you. I’ve adopted you.

He couldn’t take you anywhere without my permission and of course- I would never give it.

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

//my shaylaaaa 😭😭

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

[ his face sort of scrunches up, like he’s trying not to cry. ]

I keep— I keep dreaming that he comes back…and I have to go with him…

[⧰ Vivi ⧰ @directorarkham]

{A frown- briefly- before her soft and reassuring smile returns.}

Yes. Paul. My son.

He’s gone.

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

[ sips. he feels so small. ]

…he’s gone…right? really gone..?

[⧰ Vivi ⧰ @directorarkham]

[ Getting him some water and a cool cloth- wiping hair off his forehead, then placing the cloth there ]

Do you want to talk about it, sweetheart?

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

okay.

[ small voice. shuffling over to lie down. ]

[⧰ Vivi ⧰ @directorarkham]

Poor Sweetpea.

Lay down on the couch- I’ll bring you some water.

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

bad dreams…can’t sleep.

[⧰ Vivi ⧰ @directorarkham]

Oh… my son- what’s the matter?

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

sniff.

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

@directorarkham you’re welcome…

[ he’s a little confused, but hey, his mama’s happy. ]

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

//I figure if you spend a lot of your life thinking you have no family and/or the single family member you DO have is a piece of shit…even if you learn later you have other blood relatives, you might not consider them family. idk

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

@directorarkham collecting?

…no. why would I? you’re my family.

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

okay!

…I think it’s gonna be a nice story, still.

[⧰ Vivi ⧰ @directorarkham]

You can have it chickadee.

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

I just want the picture.

[⧰ Vivi ⧰ @directorarkham]

If the article is nice you can keep a copy… if it’s not, then you can have the picture.

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

do you think I could keep a copy? at least of the cover?

I think you’re doing great. I mean, you work really hard there…

[⧰ Vivi ⧰ @directorarkham]

I think so! It’ll be on the cover of the magazine.

I’m not sure how I feel about that… but anything to get the word about Arkham out there.

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

I’m glad you do. did they like it?

[⧰ Vivi ⧰ @directorarkham]

It’s the dress you picked out for me! I love it.

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

pretty!

[⧰ Vivi ⧰ @directorarkham]

Had to do a little photoshoot for an article they wrote about me… I think it went nicely.

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

“never…he’s gone. and I know he is, but sometimes the dreams…they feel real.”

paul slumps, then leans into his mom, head on her shoulder.

[⧰ Vivi ⧰ @directorarkham]

A little rub of her thumb just letting him know he isn’t alone.

“I understand how scary that must’ve felt. And, I know words aren’t always enough at times like this… but I promise. That will never, could never, happen.”

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

a swallow, and he nods.

“…it was like when I was younger again. you weren’t there. just…just him. but I wasn’t…wasn’t a kid. I was like this.”

[⧰ Vivi ⧰ @directorarkham]

She’s moving to the edge of the bed. Sitting beside him. Gentle hand on top of his.

“Okay, chickadee. You don’t have to be alone. Do you want to talk about it?”

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

“I don’t know. I just—“

he’s freezing up, clutching at fabric, looking down at his hands.

“…I just don’t wanna be alone.”

[⧰ Vivi ⧰ @directorarkham]

“Oh. My poor baby.” Her voice is soothing. Genuine.

“Would you like to stay with me? Or I can take you back to your bed and lay with you… whatever you like.”

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

he’s trying to take deep breaths, but he’s shaking.

“I had- I had a bad dream…”

[⧰ Vivi ⧰ @directorarkham]

She’s startled awake (classic mom)

“Paul? Darling? What’s the matter?”

[—𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫. @SECONDCICERO]

tugging on @directorarkham’s comforter.