#SBL02W01

[changingplumbob]

When I got back to the accommodation everyone was ready to head to the beach. We couldn’t have been luckier with the weather. Coraline was desperate to dive in the ocean while I watched over Emily. Mum and Art hung back, having a moment.

I couldn’t deny I’d been wrong about the two of them, they did love each other. I could see it in how she gravitated towards him, and how intensely he looked at her, like he was trying to permanently etch her in his mind. You may think with a love like theirs I believed in ever after... but they hadn’t taught me that.

Mum’s love had taught me you can get it wrong. You may think you’re in love but you might have not even met your person yet. So should I settle on the first girl I felt such a strong connection to? Maybe I was wrong, as wrong as she was when she thought she loved Malcolm. I can still remember her telling toddler me how much she loved him, like she believed it with her whole heart.

And Art, well he taught me that love won’t always be stereotypical. What’s more stereotypical than high school sweethearts? So many tacky romance movies or novels follow a couple who meet young. Ignoring my Landgrabb blood for a minute, would I just be blindly following tradition to stay with Meli?

[changingplumbob]

Welcome to the good part of the story, my part of it. Well mine and... nah, I'm getting ahead of myself if I mention her this second. I gotta start like mum did, back when I was a fresh young adult. Actually, screw it, let's go way way back. Not dinosaur back but little me back.

There we go. Wasn't I cute? All a sham really. Judging from the outfit this was one of the times Naggy Nanny Nancy pushed her way in to visit us. If I had to say where my tendency to see the glass half empty came from, it was having that woman constantly call me Brian. Grandad may be decent but she... you'll see.

[changingplumbob]

Struck By Love – Mar 16th Post 4

CW: Low level sim spice - Guide to content warnings

Melina: I do have a favour to ask you though. I love you Byron, I know I do. I want my first woohoo to be with someone I love

Byron: You want to woohoo even though we’re breaking up?

Melina: I know it might sound silly but... I’ve always wanted to have woohoo with someone I love. I don’t know what my future holds but I know what I feel here and now

I mean... if I was serious about not settling down, about playing the field, it might be nice for my first time to be with someone I trusted.

Byron: Do you have protection? What about your parents?

Melina: *smiles* I was optimistic so yes and I asked them not to disturb me if you visited

Laughing we took each others shirts off and I kissed her forehead.

Byron: You sure about this

Melina: Are you? I'm the one who told you not to woohoo with Tiffany. I don't want to pressure you

Byron: I'm sure... I want to do it with you

I almost told her I loved her then. But that wouldn't have been right. She had university to take by storm, I wouldn't make her doubt.

[changingplumbob]

I hated making decisions, I was too indecisive for my own good. I fell in to picking San Myshuno University by not being able to pick anywhere else to go. So again I tried to push my need to make a decision over trying long distance to the back of my mind. Much easier to focus on making a sandcastle with Coraline.

Coraline: What’s wrong? You picked Sulani, I thought you’d at least be happy to be here

Byron: I am

Emily: Your face no say

Where had she learned that sass? Mum, Uncle Johnny? Or was she trying to be sincere? Again, something I couldn't decide on.

Byron: I am happy to be here Coraline, it’s beautiful here. I’m going to enjoy the sun and the warmth and... maybe even get a tattoo

Coraline: *gasps* You’re going to get a tattoo?

Byron: Why not? Papa has one

[changingplumbob]

Art: What are you going to tell her

Byron: I can’t do long distance, heck I can barely do short distance. She deserves so much more than I can give her

Art: Byron, you’re a great kid- man

Byron: Not really but thanks for the sentiment papa. It’s not just me being down on myself though, I mean it mainly is but not completely

Watcher bless papa he just sat there in silence, giving me time to put my words together in my head.

Byron: I mean... you know how badly mum stuffed up with her first “love”, I saw it. It’s easy to get it wrong, and find out too late. Papa... what you and mum have is rare. It took a series of coincidences for you to even run in to each other, and to both be single at the time. If my person is somewhere out there, well I can't risk being in another stable relationship when they come along. Malcolm cheated on mum and I can't- I can't end up doing that to someone. I'd hate myself and just end up hating the woman I cheated with. The best thing for me- for everyone- is if I just keep things casual

Art: Hmm. Byron, I hope you know, whatever you do or don't do, your mum and I love you

Byron: I know. And I love you both. But I can't risk hurting Melina any more

[changingplumbob]

Coraline would help. She generally helped. I was the older brother yeah but she was like the silver lining to my storm cloud. Sadly someone else was talking to her.

Malcolm: You’re getting A’s across the board? I’m so impressed

Of course he would ask about her grades. Did he even know how well she’d done at the last gymnastics competition? Or that she did not see academics in her future. Heck did he even know Samson existed? I’d always tried to keep the jerks expectations off her, that wasn’t about to end so I sat down and became as distracting as I could.

Byron: She excels at everything she does. But more importantly she’s got a big heart

Coraline blushed but looked grateful as our father’s attention turned to me.

Malcolm: There you are, happy birthday

Byron: Do you even know how old I’m turning

Malcolm: *scoffs* Your time with your mum has not done you any favors. Don’t worry, your grandmother and I are going to fix that

To call him out then or let him run his mouth off until he tripped? I’d never been great at decisions, especially when he was involved.

[changingplumbob]

Coraline: What’s wrong mum

Layla: I never did like crabs even when we lived in Oasis Springs

Coraline: Oh he’s harmless, he’s just a little guy. I think you’re worried about Byron

Layla: *sighs* Maybe. I’m not convinced he realises how painful a tattoo will be and he won’t even let me go with him and Art

Emily: Water plays tag!

Layla: Do you want a hand Emily

Emily: No Mummy. I with water

Coraline: Want to play some juggling mum? I still need you. When the guys leave us three should go find a spa, there must be one with an attached daycare or at least child minding

Layla: *smiles* That sounds good

[changingplumbob]

The flight was a bit bumpy just like the inside of my mind. When we got to Sulani, Emily needed a nap and Coraline had to call Samson to let him know we made it safely. That left me free to go for a solo run. I had promised Meli I would think about us while I was here. I had to try.

As I ran past blue waves and emerald trees the Landgrabb legacy was getting to me. To be part of that family meant wealth and power and control. Well when I had power over Nanny with that recording of her conspiring to force me and Coraline to her way of thinking, I felt pretty damn powerful. And I enjoyed it, and I congratulated myself on it for years. I had to conclude that if toxicity was genetic, I had inherited some. I dreamed of being a superstar musician after all, and all the perks that came with that kind of fame.

[changingplumbob]

Byron: I can’t do long distance, but it wouldn’t matter if you stayed or I went with you. I don’t think I’m ready for a forever relationship

Melina put her head in her hands and sniffled. Watcher I was a jerk.

Melina: *quietly* I don’t think I am either

Byron: Wait you don’t?

Melina: I know I said I wanted to try long distance but... I think I want to focus on my study at university. Not my love life

Byron: I’m sorry-

Melina: No, don’t apologise. This is no one’s fault, it’s just something that happened. I love you, it's just not the right time for us

[changingplumbob]

I got up and started getting ready for the flight to Sulani, the bad memories stuck in my head. When the cops took me and Coraline back to Oasis Springs, well that was the worst trip of my life. Anger and confusion took over but I had a responsibility to make sure Coraline was okay. Dozens of ideas for how to get out of the situation came to me, until eventually I realised I could just record Nanny being herself.

I felt so proud of myself back then. I had foiled her plan, and I was getting my sister and me home. But I’ve never forgotten Nanny saying I had Landgrabb in me. And now dad was saying it to? I didn’t want to be one. Landgrabbs put the family image above all else, they had done despicable things in the name of saving face. They didn’t live happily ever after. They poisoned their partners until they broke like mum or got in line like Grandad. If I was a Landgrabb that meant I was a danger to any girl who wanted a relationship with me.

[changingplumbob]

Rohan: So are you still part of the band or aren’t you

Will: It’s tricky

Kerry: Will wants to be all "mature" and focus on study

Will: I’ve said I’ll still play guitar for you two at gigs. It’s just I’ve not got the creativity to write and compose professionally so I need an alternative

Rohan: That sounds fair Kerry

Kerry: Whatever, sounds like more abandonment to me

Will: Speaking of abandonment I’m going to say bye to Byron and jet off

Kerry: Oh boo, you suck!

Rohan: Catch you later dude

Yeah I'm not blind to how Rohan seems to be looking at Will here but alas Will rolled being straight so... have to acknowledge I can't just make everyone bi because I am *angry glares at Byron*

[changingplumbob]

Malcolm: Clearly too much time with Layla has filled your head with stupid impractical dreams. I am not about to let my only son throw his life away like this. I'm disappointed enough you don't want to pursue medicine-

Byron: First of all, mum's achieved her bestselling author dream. Second, how do we know I’m your only son? Maybe you got another stripper pregnant! Or have they stopped taking you as a client because you're riddled with WTD's?

Malcolm: Shut your mouth! Look, tell yourself whatever you want but one day you’ll realise the truth. You are my son and you are needed to carry on the family legacy. This degree you want is a mask, just like your hair dye. There’s no changing who you are

How the hell did he know I’d dyed my hair to look as little like him as possible? Screw him, it was my birthday. I didn’t need his nonsense. I stood to leave, Coraline had already managed to switch rooms during the argument so there was no reason to distract him anymore.

Byron: You don’t even know who I am, I make my own choices. Get out, I'll let Grandad know you're waiting in the limo

Malcolm: Byron I-

Byron: Goodbye!

[changingplumbob]

Malcolm: Like it or not you are a Landgrabb-

Byron: My last name is Delarosa!

Malcolm: It doesn’t matter what you call yourself, I gave you half of your DNA. You are a Landgrabb and with that comes obligations-

Byron: The obligation to make everyone miserable maybe

Malcolm: *sighs* Stop being a petulant child. Now your Grandmother has pulled some strings and we can transfer you to a proper business degree by correspondence, or law if you prefer

Byron: Wha- correspondence?

Malcolm: Yes. That way you can move back to Oasis Springs and intern at the company while you study. You've spent far too long here

Watcher how deluded was he. Was this really what I came from?

Byron: Listen, I am not changing my degree type and I am NOT moving back to that dust riddled hell hole that Nanny rules any way she can

[changingplumbob]

Malcolm: Do you want to hear my brilliant plan

Byron: To bang your assistant and tear your family apart? Oh wait, you already did that

Malcolm: *sighs* Johnny mentioned you were intending to go to San Myshuno University

Byron: I’m not “intending” anything, I’m going there

Malcolm: But fine arts, you’ll never do anything with fine arts

Byron: Excuse me?

Malcolm: Don’t make me give you the statistics on professional musicians Byron, they’re not good. You’ll just end up teaching recorder to a bunch of fourth graders

He always did this, it was one of the reasons I tried not to communicate with him. My dreams were never good enough.

Byron: So that’s why you’re here? To tell me how I’m going to fail at life? Great gift, saved yourself the cost of wrapping paper

Malcolm: Don’t jump down my throat for being the messenger of reason

[changingplumbob]

I needed a minute. I headed to the kitchen.

Kerry: And that is why you have to eat the sandwich

Byron: *laughs* You stuck on toddler duty

Emily: Biro I want cake!

Kerry: *sighs* Remind me again why I wanted to be part of a family. Emily, there will be no cake until you finish the sandwich. Aunt Layla said no filling up on sweets

As Emily grumpily tucked in Kerry turned to me, her face showing more concern than she’d be comfortable with.

Kerry: What’s wrong? You look like a storm cloud

Byron: *sighs* I just wish Malcolm hadn’t come. Now I have to pretend to be nice to him

Kerry: What? Why

Byron: I’m meant to be a grown up now

Kerry: Bunnypoop. A donkey is a donkey. It’s your birthday, treat him however you want

I should have guessed Kerry would be on the side of chaos and violence, she generally was.

[changingplumbob]

After the official photos I headed downstairs, left Melina talking to Will and looked around for who else was there. I was going to say hi to Uncle Johnny and Grandad but I noticed on my way over that jerk had tagged along. I did my best to ignore him.

Byron: Grandad, thanks for coming. I wasn’t sure if you would after being here for graduation to-

Geoffrey: Nonsense Byron. You’re my grandson, if it’s important to you it’s important to me

He pulled me away from the sperm donor, clearly sensing my attempts to pretend he didn’t exist.

Geoffrey: I’m sorry if you don’t want him here. He hoped in the limo and I couldn’t very well tell him to stay away

That’s the thing though, Grandad could have tried. But years of being under the thumb of Nanny had worn him down and he hardly ever argued. It seemed like no one ever said no to a Landgrabb. For so long mum hadn’t said no to them either, I had no doubt they were the worst years of her life.