#[ interactions || belle marshall kenner ]

[fightforbetter]

Belle Marshall-Kenner ( @kennheir ) said ❛ We take care of each other. ❜

The smile that blooms on Hayley's face is immediate, soft and joyful. In spite of everything, in spite of the hardships and the struggles and the pain and the heartache and the losses, her daughters have this.

❛ We do. ❜ Her tone is gentle, though firm in its steadfast conviction, as she brushes her hand over Belle's head, just a gentle touch. ❛ Always and forever. ❜ 

Hayley hadn't had anyone to take care of her when she was younger, nor anyone for her to take care of. She had been on her own, all for herself because she had to be, because no one else would be. Hope and Belle have each other, always, and they have her. In the end, she has to be glad they have that at least.

[fightforbetter-a]

@kennheir said ‘ don’t let this be temporary. ’

It scared her, honestly, the conviction this woman had in her  —  her need for Hayley, or who she thought Hayley was, who Hayley had apparently been and then died as. It still made no sense, even though she had seen the pictures, had heard the stories from both Belle and Hope’s mouths and the rest of their pack’s. How could she possibly have made this kind of life for herself? How could she have had two daughters that grew up to be these strong and independent women that, for some reason, loved her and wanted her to stay anyway? It was clear they didn’t need a mother, let alone her, the imposter, who was younger than they were.

❝Look, you probably know more about this situation than me.❞ Her voice was a little sharper than intended, but Belle’s insistence brought her defences up sometimes. It made her wonder — wonder and worry, endlessly, fruitlessly — what exactly the older girl wanted from her. ❝For all I know, I could pop out of your existence and back into mine — you know, where I should be,❞ she tilted her head, emphasised, ❝any minute now.❞ She was almost hoping for it.  

Hayley wanted to run, to declare these people insane and continue on her goal as she had been since Neil and Imogen — she wouldn’t call them ‘mom’ and ‘dad’, not anymore, not even in her own head; they clearly didn’t want the titles — kicked her to the curb. But there was something, uneasy and squirming but undeniably there, that connected her to Belle Marshall-Kenner. 

[fightforbetter]

Belle Marshall-Kenner ( @kennheir​ ) said ❝  i don’t really have anything to say,  i just know that i don’t really want to be alone.  ❞

Hayley pulls Belle closer, tucks her into her side like she’s still small enough to fit on her lap. God, it’s such a heart ache to realize how big her girls’ are getting, not just physically but ... things aren’t so easily revolved nowadays, aren’t so easily distracted from them. Nightmares are not imaginary monsters  —  now, usually, those monsters are real. 

❝Of course, sweetie,❞  she murmurs, and tries to keep the concern out of her voice. It’s not Belle’s burden to carry right now, all she wants and needs is to feel Hayley’s comfort.  ❝I’m always here, no matter what. You’re never alone. You’ll never be alone. I promise.❞  

She swears to them both.