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thewriteone · 22 hours ago

Text

Precipice

a/n: Finally, the very first fanfic idea I had for The Lonely Shore (@thelonelyshore-if) is completed. My brainchild. Third to be posted but no less loved for it. Still calling it an AU because idk how some of this stuff will actually shake out in canon, and this way I can just have some fun with it.

Takes place some amount of time after Hell and High Water. Switching from third person in Willow's perspective to first person in my MC's perspective because I know exactly how this bitch thinks. MC is not named but is genderqueer (she/he/they pronouns) and Willow's nickname for her is Ducky. Guest starring Beck and Perri because I love them. <3

Wordcount: 1621

cw: swearing

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You would think having a closet full of clothing means always having something to wear, and I suppose that is technically true. Yet having a wealth of options only makes it all the more difficult to reach a final decision. I at least manage to narrow it down to three options in less than an hour. The finalists, as it were.

The bedroom door swings open forcefully as I’m contemplating my choices. Willow has always been allergic to typical social conventions, and I never liked this particular habit of theirs.

“Ever heard of knocking?” I say without sparing them a glance. I don’t have to look at them to know they’re rolling their eyes in response. Very mature, very respectful. As usual. Willow flops down on the empty part of my bed as I eliminate one of my finalists. And then there were two.

“I’m bored,” they say, one arm draped over their eyes.

“Then go do something.”

“I am doing something. I’m talking to you, aren’t I?” They lift their arm to look me in the eye and grin. I narrow my eyes at them, an exasperated look that is made less effective by the upward curl at the edges of my mouth.

“So you’re treating me like some form of free entertainment?”

“You’d have to actually be entertaining for me to do that,” they respond, mischief dancing in their eyes. I consider swatting them with a pillow, but I settle for flipping them off instead.

“Oh, Willow, you’re such a comedian. Look at me, I’m simply dying from laughter over here.” I pick a winning outfit as Willow takes note of what I’m doing.

“I know,” they grin. “That’s why you’re so lucky to have me as a sibling. What are you getting all ready for, anyway? Planning to ditch me so soon?”

“Yep, I have plans today. Sorry baby sib, cool kids only.”

“Guess that means you won’t be going after all, then.” I’m helpless to stop the laughter that bubbles out of me at their response.

“Hey! I'll have you know that I'm very popular in this town.” The admonishment in my tone is tempered by my still-present smile.

“And you think that's a good thing?” Before I can formulate a response, Willow asks the question that’s been burning behind their eyes.

“So, what, you’re going on some kind of date or something?” They put an arm under their head, the perfect picture of nonchalance. I know better. I hesitate a moment before deciding to be honest. This isn’t our first date and it isn’t likely to be the last, not if I have any say in it, so Willow will find out eventually. Better they hear it from me.

“Yes, actually.” Willow sits bolt upright as though they’ve been struck.

“What?? With who??” they shout, equal parts hopeful and apprehensive. They knew who I had feelings for, and. Well. Only one of those options was acceptable, according to Willow. When I don’t answer immediately, they scramble off the bed to stand in front of me. “Don’t fucking tell me it’s Beck!”

“And Perri.” I respond, arms crossed. They turn away and groan, worst fears confirmed.

“You are somehow simultaneously the smartest and the dumbest person I know,” they spit out, their like of Perri never quite enough to eclipse their dislike of Beck. I frown as they turn back around to face me, irritation prickling in my chest.

“I’ll never understand why you don’t like Beck. You’re both so similar,” I respond. Willow splutters for a moment, the creases in their brow nearly spelling out the word “indignation.” I press forward before they can collect themself. “Besides, Little Sapling, you don’t get a say in who I choose to date. I like both of them, end of discussion.” While they’re trying to collect themself enough to respond, I manage to shoo them out so I can finally dress. The reprieve from their judgemental comments is merely a bonus.

When I walk out to wait in the living room, Willow is hot on my heels.

“I cannot believe you compared me to that arrogant little coward. We’re nothing alike. Nothing!”

“Riiight. You’re definitely not both reckless adrenaline seekers chasing after the next fun thing without any concern for the consequences. Totally not you at all.”

Their face sours bitterly. I’ve clearly delivered them the worst insult possible packaged in facts they can’t dispute, though that doesn’t keep them from trying. Half a dozen sentences start and fizzle back out.

"Beck lets her fear control her. I don't," they finally manage to say.

"Sometimes fear tells us when something is dangerous, when we're taking things too far. Listening to that can be a good thing!" Willow sneers. My own irritation from before bubbles back to the surface.

"Not when it keeps you trapped like a bird in a cage! Afraid to change, afraid to rock the boat, afraid to challenge the status quo!"

"Beck is trapped here because of the fog, like the rest of us."

"Sure, but she hasn't even bothered trying. She just lets the haunting spectre of her own fear ruin good things before they can even happen." Their eyes speak what their lips did not: She'll ruin this, too. Ruin you.

My irritation sparks into a flame. I tried not to mind their opinion before–Willow and I have always had different tastes–but now it is becoming unbearable. It’s not even the fact they don’t like Beck, it’s that they’re so hellbent on changing my mind. As though they need me to agree with them and stop hanging around her. But I’m an adult now. I am no longer bound by the childish whims of my younger sibling, nor the demands of my parents. I will not allow other people to dictate how I live my life. I take a few calming breaths before responding.

"Look, I know you care about me, and I appreciate that. However, who I choose to date has nothing to do with you. I've decided that Beck and Perri are worth taking a risk on, whatever that may mean for me in the future. You need to respect me and my choices instead of trying to change my mind."

“I do respect you! That’s why I’m trying so hard to get you to see reason–”

“I’m not the one who has trouble seeing reason!” I snap.

"But you do! You're letting your emotions cloud your judgement. Beck isn't a good influence, a good person. She's going to—"

An ill-timed knock interrupts their inane ranting. Well, ill-timed for them. I, on the other hand, welcome the sudden end to this pointless argument. I almost feel the heat of Willow’s searing glare on my back as I open the door to reveal Beck and Perri, both smiling as soon as they see me.

"Hey bud, you ready?" Beck asks. Perri clocks the tension immediately, posture stiffening and smile turning wooden as their eyes dart between Willow and I. Beck must notice the change in their demeanor, her eyes darting to her companion briefly as her smile flickers. Then, Beck’s gaze lands on Willow and her expression shifts. Her smile sharpens at the edges, almost taunting.

"Didn't realize you'd be home, Sapling. Trying to tag along?" Willow rolls their eyes.

"It's Willow to you," they respond, false smile plastered on their face. "And I wouldn't be caught dead spending time with you. Just what kind of dangerous stunt are you going to take my sibling on this time? Gonna go jump off a bridge or something?" Beck snorts.

"I considered it, but I know you wouldn't want me getting hurt. You're just...so caring." I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. I have had my absolute fill of bickering and arguments for the day.

"Alright, enough you two. Don't we have somewhere to be?" I direct my question to Beck. Perri sags with relief and manages a weak smile when I catch their eye and I briefly smile back. I turn to Willow and see their frown, knowing they have a retort on the tip of their tongue.

"We will finish this discussion later once we've both had time to calm down," I state firmly. Willow grimaces and then nods. The heaviness of everything both said and unsaid hangs between us. But it can wait. Three of us start to leave the apartment before we're interrupted.

“Wait!” Willow calls out. I turn to face them, curious about what they have to say. “I’m…sorry for yelling.” But not sorry for what they said. I frown, feeling the brief sting of frustration. Always so difficult. Whatever.

“I’m sorry for yelling, too.” We’ll address the rest later. They reach out for a hug, and the anxiety melts from their expression as I give it to them. They seem to melt too, clinging tightly.

“C’mon, Ducky! We’ve got a lot of great stuff planned for today!” Beck calls out, reaching the end of her patience. Willow tenses at the interruption, likely irritated, before we pull apart.

"Beck! Give them a moment!" Perri admonishes, shooting me an apologetic look. I laugh softly.

“Alright, alright, I’m coming,” I say with an annoyance betrayed by the smile on my face. “See you later, Little Sapling.” I nudge Willow in the arm one last time before finally leaving with my dates.

#whoops guess it's not just willow's nickname for them anymore >:3c #and don't worry guys #i'm sure they'll make amends soon and their relationship will be stronger than ever #i mean #what could possibly go wrong #willow sharing an apartment with mc is their consolation prize for all the shit i keep putting them through #i wanted to give perri more lines but i don't think they would have involved themself earlier (too stressful)#and this just felt like the perfect spot to end the chapter #the lonely shore #my writing

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