Shadows

It was okay! It was okay? Something bad's gotta happen right?

"Miss Hart, I need to speak to you."

Right.

"Daddy, no please!"

Maya resisted the urge to complain that Riley called her daddy more than her actual father, knowing it wouldn't put her in the greatest light, especially since she knew the talk she was about to endure. It didn't stop her from being fucking terrified though.

"Riles, I'm good. This isn't bad, right Matthews?"
"We'll have to see, miss Hart."
"Daddy! I love her!" Riley's yell quickly faded to a desperate plea, and Maya's eyes softened considerably, as did Cory's - thankfully.

"C'mon," Cory beckoned Maya over, who was quickly covered in chaste kisses all over her face by her girlfriend (her girlfriend who loved her!) and whispering quick words of reassurance before letting Maya walk into the kitchen space with Cory.

The usually cheery and carefree Mr Matthews looked uncharacteristically stern and serious as Maya sat down opposite him. She could understand though; Riley was a fucking princess, and since they'd started 'going out' she'd silenced a number of people who had shit to say about the girl's 'newfound' interest in girls (Maya knew Riley was gay way before they'd started hooking up, the girl was a walking rainbow).

Slut
Where's Lucas? She's obviously doing this for his attention
Greedy. She just wants a bigger playing field
Indecisive bitch
Maya Hart is just her new problem to solve

"So, miss Hart, I can now assume you and my daughter are now official?"
"Yeah, I asked her to be my girlfriend."
"I'm glad. Despite what you may think of him, Lucas is a good guy, and I'd hate for Riley to lose someone with such good intentions over someone who didn't love her just as much -"
"More."
"Okay, more than Lucas did."

Maya's jaw had been clenched since the mention of Lucas, and she'd internally cringed when she'd interrupted Matthews, but was thankful when he didn't react negatively, and was accepting of the fact that she loved Riley more than that slice of fucking bread. Of course she did, dammit.

"But Miss Hart, you have to know. This won't be smooth sailing."

It never is for girls who like girls, Maya thought bitterly.

"I know, and I'm guessing that's why we're having this little chat?"
Cory brought a hand to his chest in mock hurt, clearly relaxed in the knowledge that Maya wasn't stringing his daughter along.
"And here I was thinking I was your favourite Matthews!"
"You're not even my favourite Matthews parent," Maya smirked, then gasped when she remembered where she was.

"I would be offended, but Topanga's mashed potatoes are, what is it Riley says... naenae to one hundred real quick!"
"Sure..."
"Anyways, I'm sure Lucas has informed you of his father's close friendship with the New York chief of police?"
"Yep." Maya grumbled,
"Well, he wasn't kidding, I had a call this afternoon, they want your permanent record sent over immediately, and the next step will be appointing you a social worker."
"But I didn't do shit!"
"I'm sorry Miss Hart, my hands are tied. I can't be seen to be favouring a student, if a position of authority requests information, the only person who'll be able to deny it is the principal, and even then, if they have reasonable suspicion there's nothing anyone can do."
"Fuck!" Maya yelled, slamming her fist onto the table.

What she didn't realise was that the table was solid oak, practically as thick as the walls, thick enough to split her knuckles.

"Maya?!" Riley yelped, rushing into the kitchen and wrapping her arms around her girlfriend, who was now shaking, half from shock and half from anger.

"I'm fine baby, wait for me in the other room," Maya muttered, trying desperately to swallow the lump in her throat.
"Okay, and only 'cause you asked!" Riley spoke angrily, narrowing her eyes at a very concerned looking Cory, "dad, stop embarrassing me!" She whispered, before storming back to her bedroom.

"Miss Hart?"
"I'm fine Matthews, can we finish this conversation?"
"Sure, I'll give you the cliff-notes,"
"The what?"
"The internet has uses outside of online shopping! Basically, Lucas clearly has power over your relationship and as much as I can try to keep you separated from him, he'll have an eagle eye on you. If anything happens, you're on you're last warning already, right?"
"Yeah, I broke that guy's nose," Maya grimaced, remembering how long it'd taken Riley to stop crying enough to be able to unlock the bay window to let Maya in.

"Yes... well, you'll be suspended, obviously,"
"Obviously,"
"And if that happens, I can't allow you to keep seeing my daughter."
"You can't do that!" Maya whisper yelled, all too aware of Riley's presence around the corner.
"Miss Hart, I'd hate for things to reach that point, but she's my daughter, I will step in if need be."
"This is bullshit Matthews, you know I love that girl more than anyone or anything else on the entire planet. You can't take her from me! She won't let you."
"I know. That's why, if things reach that point, I need you to break up with her."

Maya immediately blanched. Surely not.

"No."
"Miss Hart."
"No fucking way."
"Maya!"
"No. With all due respect, Matthews, she's my fucking everything. I'm not leaving her."
"Why would you leave me?"
"Riley..."
"Riles..."
"I, I ah, I had to get my book-bag, but... um, n-nevermind." Riley sobbed, running back into her room.

Maya felt her heart rip in two.

"You see what ya do Matthews?!" Maya shrieked, before jumping off the bench to find Riley.
"So that could've gone better," Topanga said gently, resting her hand on Cory's shoulder.
"'Oh Cory, I'm working late, couldn't possibly join you for the talk, sorry!'" Corey mumbled, head in his hands.
"Hey, I was saving myself from their 'lesbian drama' ya big goof!"

Cory groaned, he'd really messed this up. Who'd be a dad?

~

"Riles, I know how it sounded, but..."
"Don't take another step near me, traitor, we are at war!"
"Wait, what? C'mere you goof," Maya sighed, then screamed as Riley's nightlight narrowly missed her head, smashing against the wall.

"Ugh, Farkle got me that you ass!" Riley yelled, as if Maya had broken the lamp.
"What's going on with you, are you crazy?!" Maya yelled back, staring dumbly at her girl.
"What are you staring at, you fuck?!" Riley screeched, unplugging her backup nightlight, preparing for a second attack.

"Oh, Christ, cease fire, babe! I just... you look cute when you're all psycho."
"Shut up," Riley mumbled, feeling her anger dissipate. "I must look fucking gorgeous right now."
"You do, let me hold you? Please, babygirl, it's been a long ass day."

Desperately trying to hide the furious blush covering her cheeks at the nickname, Riley opened her arms expectantly, and Maya practically threw herself into them.

"If I could live here, just you'n'me, forever, I'd do it in a heartbeat." Maya sighed, pulling Riley down onto her bed and organising her blankets so they were suitably cocooned.
"I love you so much. Please don't leave me." Maya's stomach dropped when she realised Riley was crying, and it was her fault.

"Riles, you're everything to me. Anything could happen, anything, and I'll never leave you. You're my girl, okay?"
"And you're mine,"
"Ever since we met." Maya grinned, remembering a very flustered Riley Matthews trying not to let Maya's incessant flirting get to her.
"Shut up!"
"Never. I'd scream it to the whole world." Maya smirked, nuzzling her face into Riley's neck, wanting there to be no space between them. She was always too far away!

~

Okay, they weren't avoiding the topic, they were just finding anything else to talk about. Anything else. Including shoelaces.

"I don't know Riles, I think the checked ones are too much, y'know? Avril Lavigne already had her generation by the throat, no need to choke them, right?"
"Maya, this is getting ridiculous."

Okay, so maybe Maya was avoiding it.

"What do you mean, Riley, no offence but I thought you'd be more dedicated to the pop punk genre, especially regarding the early 2000s,"
"Avril Lavigne isn't pop punk," Farkle groaned, happily taking the drink off Zay, then grimacing when he realised it was full of alcohol.
"Zay!"
"It's a party, man!"

Maya giggled at the exchange, before returning her focus to her amazing girlfriend.

As if her focus was ever not on Riley.

"Keep looking at me," Riley mumbled, wrapping her free arm around Maya's waist.
"I'm always looking at you babygirl," Maya grinned, taking advantage of the new nickname. Since Riley had expressed her love for it during a very heated, uh, study session, Maya used it as a weapon to get what she wanted. Hey! It was fair! She was whipped by Riley the other twenty three hours of the day.

"I'm exhausted, who even has a party on a weekday! A school night! A Tuesday!" Smackle groaned, flopping unceremoniously into Farkle's lap.

"Uh, oh, hey Isadora," Farkle stammered.
"Farkle! I'm sorry. I should've asked before invading your personal space, it's just, all of the seats are taken, except for the carpet but a drink was spilt and I like this skirt and you're the only person I feel comfortable enough with to, ahem, sit on."

At the end of her long winded speech, Smackle and Farkle were both bright red, and Zay, Riley and Maya all had heart eyes over the adorable interaction.

"Isa-Isa... Smackle, it's perfectly okay, I'm glad you felt comfortable enough with me to, you know..." Farkle grinned sheepishly. Smackle returned a bright smile, and Maya couldn't help herself.

"Kiss her you fool!"

Farkle blushed, before checking it was okay with Smackle (who nodded furiously) before connecting their lips in a soft, sweet kiss.

"Fuck yeah, get em boiiiiiiiii-" Maya was quickly cut off by a bruising kiss from her super proud - of Farkle - and embarrassed - by Maya - girlfriend.
"Shut up," Riley murmured, resting her forehead against Maya's, and staring at the shorter girl with half lidded eyes.

"Keep looking at me like that."