I'm not making any promises about update schedules, but I have actually been enjoying writing this again, and I do have another chapter written for next month. For now, I'm sticking with the original plan. Some life updates, I have a job, and a boyfriend, and I turned 18 a few months ago (just for those of you that care lmao) x Also this chapter was gonna be longer but I love cliffhangers so..

"So what are we making?" Connor asked, opening the fridge to look inside
"I was just going to make some pesto pasta, but we can have whatever you want!" Cynthia responded. She was clearly nervous about cooking with her son.
"Sounds great Mum." He smiled at her and collected the ingredients from the cupboard.

As Cynthia boiled water on the stove, Connor quietly cut up some chicken.

"So, how was your day?"
Connor laughed at the rigidity of Cynthia's question "It was great mum, thanks. How was yours?"
"Oh good, nothing interesting."

They worked in silence for a few more moments until Cynthia spoke again "How's Evan?" Thinking about Evan made Connor smile.
"He's great. We just watched movies and stuff."
"Sounds fun."

...

"How's....Dad?"
This time it was Cynthia that laughed
"He's fine." She turned to look at Connor "I really appreciate you trying to talk to me."

"I miss talking to you." He said. "I'm sorry I haven't for so long." Cynthia engulfed him in a hug.
"I'm so sorry Connor. You don't need to apologise for anything." She pulled away from the hug and smiled at him "Why don't you put on some music? Something we might both like?"
"Sounds great."

As Connors Bluetooth speaker blasts out some indie jams (more to his mothers liking than his other music) she dances and he sings.

-

"Evan seems really nice." Cynthia says, then takes a bite of her pasta.
"He is." Connor replies
"You must like him lots." She prompts
"Yeah, I do." Connor deadpans, a cheeky grin on his face.
"Are he and Zoe friends too?" She smiles softly.

Connor is slightly taken aback by the wording "I'm not too sure mum." Does she think we're just friends? "Has Zoe had anyone over recently?"

"A couple, but they're definitely just friends."

"As opposed to?"

Cynthia smiles in response.

Never mind.

Suddenly they hear the front door open.

"Honey! I'm home!"

Cynthia chuckles "He's in a good mood."

Larry walks in with a happy Zoe trailing behind him, holding a large stuffed rabbit.

"There was a pop up arcade in town." Zoe explains.
"And I was the best Dad in the world." Larry interjects.

Connor looks down, shifting uncomfortably in his seat at that last statement.

Larry visibly softens for a second "It's really nice to see you two spending time together."

"You too." Connor replies honestly, smiling at his sister.

"Can I go upstairs?" Zoe asks

"Of course sweetie." Larry replies

"You're free too if you want, Connor." Cynthia suggests

Connor gets up and hugs her "Thanks Mum."

Later that night, Connor is lying in bed when he hears someone making fart noises outside his door.

"Yes?" He asks

*fart noise*

Connor smiles, and blows a raspberry.

The door opens, and Zoe enters, holding her large pink bunny toy.

"Did you play a tiktok song for our mother?" Zoe teases

"What? No." Connor replies, fake-defensively

"Your spotify says otherwise."

Silence

"I wanna be your girlfriend is a perfectly good-"

"ohhhhh my god you big gay."

"That's HOMOPHOBIC." Connor fakes hurt, choking back laughter

"Connor has big gay." Zoe exclaims

"Zoe has a case of the straights."

"Sounds fake but okay."

Connor stops for a second

"Zoe is,,,,,,,,, big lesbian?" He questions

"Zoe is big bi. You thought our parents had a straight kid?" Zoe smiles

"Fair enough. Did you just come say hi so you could come out to me?"

"No, but I just wanted to say good night and get any hot tea that you might have."

"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh OK I don't think I have any hot tea but I'm happy to say goodnight."

"Boring."

Zoe walks over and hugs her big brother, then she leaves the room quietly.

When she gets back to her bedroom, there's a notification on her phone.

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