Storge III - Siblings
Mary’s eyes were darting between her mother and the boys before finally setting on Martha.
“Mom! You did not tell me that they already arrived! I wanted to welcome them together with you.” She was pouting but did not seem truly offended, though slightly disappointed. Her demeanor changed completely, however, when facing Alex and Lafayette again. A huge smile was plastered on her face and she seemed like she was trying hard not to storm forward and envelope both boys in hug. Instead, Mary clasped her hands behind her back, unsure about how to approach her foster brothers without being overwhelming or too forward.
“I am sorry, dear. You were busy and I did not want to interrupt you. Plus, you are going to have lots of time to get to know each other. Why don’t you show the boys around on the first floor while I start preparing lunch?” After earning affirmative nods from all present parties Martha went down in the kitchen again, leaving the teenagers to themselves. The Washington’s daughter was the fist one to speak after her mother had left.
“I have not introduced myself, yet. Sorry for that. My name is Mary Washington and I am your foster sister… I mean if it is alright for guys to call myself that. I will not use terms like brother or sister if you are not comfortable with it!”
“Bonjour, ma chère. Je m’appelle Gilbert du Motier Marquis de Lafayette. C’est un plaisir de faire votre connaissance.“ Mary blinked a few times at Lafayette’s enthusiastic greeting, following his every movement as he took her hand and kissed it.
“Oh my… Oh gosh, I am so sorry! I do not know much French… uhm… je m’appelle Mary Washington?”
“ Je serais heureuse de vous appeler ma sœur.“ When Gilber kept on ranting to her in his mother tongue, Mary looked helpless at Alex.
“This may be more difficult than expected. Mum never mentioned you only speak French. Seems like I must start practicing the language again and polish the few skills I already have. I am really sorry about this! If I had known before, I would have done something about this language barrier.” The Washington’s daughter was mumbling more to herself than anyone else, not sure if the boys would even be able to understand any of it.
“Don't mind him. This guy is 100 percent able to speak English and so am I.” Alex intervened, rolling his eyes at Laf’s antics.
“Qui, indeed. I am very sorry about confusing you. My English might not be perfect, but I can understand you just fine. Though it is very nice of you offering to learn my native language.” Gilbert smiled apologetically at Mary, but she did not miss the mischievous glint in his eyes, showing that he was not really that sorry about his little scheme.
“Well, I do know a bit. Dad taught me some, but really, he is the only member of our family speaking it fluently. You probably want to see your room, right?” She spoke while leading the boys through the hallway and stopping only when they reached the end of it.
“Mom chose these rooms opposite from each other for you when she heard that you two were quite inseparable.” While opening each door without entering and this way revealing the very similar looking rooms, she smiled at both of them.
“You can choose which one you prefer and you are free to redecorate them any way you want. Just do not paint the walls without talking to Mum or Dad first. I know from experience that adventures like this can end rather badly.” Laughing, Mary pointed at the door opposite from the piano room.
“That one is mine. It is not off-limits for you guys, but if the door is closed, please knock before entering.”
Lafayette and Alexander were listening closely to the instruction, silently wondering about this ‘painting accident’ but not yet being brave or comfortable enough to ask about it. Alex then analyzed the interior of the rooms offered to them, noticing that the furniture was identical though arranged differently. The study desk in the left one, for example, was placed in front of a rather big window, while one in the right room was placed in a corner near the door. This part was were he would probably spend most of the time, so it seemed quite important in his mind. He also noticed how big and nice the bedrooms were. Everything was clean and rather new, not old and dusty like the ones he used to stay in in his prior homes. Plus, he did not have to share it with someone else. Alex would not have minded sharing a room with Lafayette, but it was still nice also kind of calming to know he had a place where he could be alone if he wished to.
“I would like to take the left one, if that’s ok.” Alex looked at Laf to see if he was fine with his choice, but his friend just shrugged.”
“I don’t have any preferences, though I must admit that both look rather great! We have to thank your parents.” When finishing his sentence, Gilbert addressed Mary happily and grateful.
“Hey! I helped choosing the furniture… But yeah, they paid for all the stuff, so I guess they are the ones that deserve the ‘thank you’ most.” The Washington’s daughter laughed but turned serious a second later.
“One last question though. After this you are free to roam around or settle down in your room.” The boys stiffened for a moment after the sudden change in her demeanor but nodded, nonetheless.
“Great, so tell me what you like to be called and which pronouns are appropriate. I know names and identities can be a rather difficult topic to address but me and my parents want you to feel completely safe and comfortable. Mom told me that they once fostered a trans girl and they were misgendering her the whole time because they simply did not know. They never addressed the topic and the child was too scared to tell them on her own. So, I just wanted to make sure that something like this would not happen again.”
The boys were stunned about the question and the following explanation. Especially Lafayette, being someone who was still unsure about his own identity sometimes, felt quite touched and in some weird way also understood.
“I don’t really like being called Gilbert. Most of the people I am or was close with just call Lafayette or Laf. I am not really sure about this whole identity thing yet, but he/him is fine with me right now.”
Alexander was slightly surprised about Lafayette’s answer. This was a topic they have not talked about before, so he did not know about his friend’s self-consciousness. Alexander would make sure to ask him about it later.
“I prefer Alex over Alexander, no particular reason though and also he/him pronouns. I honestly never thought about this topic much, but thanks for asking.” ‘Its great to meet someone who seems to care’ was left unsaid, but Alex was sure that Mary still understood. The way she was smiling at them left no room for doubt.
“You are most welcome and thank you for your trust. Well, I’ll leave you to it now. You are free to do whatever you want. I’ll be in the piano room again if you want to join me later.” And with a small wave she was already gone, slipping in aforementioned room but never fully closing the door to it, symbolizing that they were always welcome to enter, too.
Suddenly, Alex and Lafayette realized that they were in a house full of open doors… doors that might have been previously closed but now seemed so inviting and welcoming, not trying to exclude them from anything or anyone.
This house, this family wanted them to be here and it was both soothing and scary at the same time.