Chapter Text
The air had grown cooler over the past week, an indicator that fall was creeping up. Tonight though, it felt especially cold as the breeze came in through Anne's open window. Anne, Marcy and Sasha were spending the night together again, just as they had for the past several weeks. Not that any of them complained anyways. Marcy was just glad that they all made it out of the amphibian chaos alive and mostly intact. Sure Sasha lost an eye while Anne lost her arm and Marcy got to experience mind control, but considering what they were up against, they got off relatively okay.
“Should I get some snacks and stuff?” she could hear Sasha ask.
“Ooh yes, grab us some Doritos and-“ but before Anne could finish her request Marcy interjected.
“MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM PLEASE”. the last word dragged out for added emphasis.
“So, Doritos and mint chocolate chip ice cream?” Sasha reiterates. “And tea! don’t forget tea” Anne adds, this time without Marcy’s interruptions.
“yes of course, anything for you majesty” Sasha playfully retorts, to which Anne all but smiles. As Sasha was about to leave the room, she turns back and plants two soft kisses to her girlfriends foreheads before finally heading downstairs.
Marcy was still somewhat surprised that things all came down to this point. I mean, sure Anne and Sasha had an argument any time they were together in amphibia, but clearly they worked much of it out after Marcy had been temporarily out of the picture. Considering the whole ancient mind control thing. And once she was indeed back, it was clear the two no longer held much resentment. In fact it was quite the opposite. Marcy may have been physically tolled but her mind, once under her own control again, was still just as agile as before and it didn’t take much observation to notice the quick hand brushes Anne gave Sasha. Or how Sasha would stare fondly at Anne whenever she wasn’t looking, before quickly turning away as to not be caught. What Marcy didn’t see coming was that exact affection towards herself. At first she thought they were just feeling really guilty about everything but as days went on and her physical state improved, they were still touchy and affectionate. She didn’t even acknowledge her own feelings until the constant touch from the other two almost felt unbearable, not because of its presence but because of the utter sadness it’s absence brought. Not to mention the confusing thoughts that rose whenever Anne’s face came too close to her own while she fixed Marcy’s bandages. The same thoughts that came when Sasha carried her downstairs, arms keeping both of them pressed together. It was inevitable for one of them to slip up and confess their love, leading the other two to do the same. Ever since then, their days never failed to include gentle kisses and warm embraces. Something Marcy was really in the want right about now.
“Anne?” Marcy says, extending her arms out towards Anne, who sat at the edge of the bed while trying to find something to watch on the Tv. Consider that one of Sasha’s additions to Anne’s room since they all came back home. Anne looks back towards Marcy who had been sitting by the headboard, already covered in blankets and an axolotl plushie resting at her side, one which Lady Olivia and Yunan had gifted her. The extended arms presenting an invitation for cuddles, something Anne could never say no to.
“Do you know what you wanna watch tonight?” Anne asks while she settles by Marcy’s side, her head resting on Marcy’s shoulder.
“hm… we could watch The Eagle House maybe”
“Marce, we’ve seen that about twenty times already. you don’t wanna see anything else?” Anne replies, lighthearted enough to leave room for the chance Marcy does indeed want to increase their watch count to twenty one.
“Are there any new documentaries out?” Marcy asks
“What, already watched all the ones that came out this year?”. Anne said this as a joke but to no one’s surprise Marcy nods as if it was a genuine question.
“Leave it to Marcy to have already binged all the documentaries” Sasha jokes as she walks in with the snacks as requested, closing the door with her foot.
“They’re so good though, what else do you expect me to do while trapped inside for weeks Sash?”
“Fair enough. I think it’s cute anyways” the blonde replies.
“Ugh you sap” Anne interjects in playful disgust.
The snacks Sasha held are settled at the desk and handed out to the girls splayed out on the bed. Sasha grabs her own share and joins them. Except there’s one obstacle.
“Hey Marce, could you move your plushie?”
Anne and Marcy look over at Sasha. Anne’s face was painted with amusement, already aware of what’s to come. Marcy’s on the other hand, had pure insult written over it.
“How dare you ask me to move Sir Achilles the Second” Marcy tried to keep up her act as she held up the plushie and cradled it like a baby who had just been injured. It didn’t last long as Sasha’s genuine concern for the possible insult made both Anne and Marcy burst out laughing.
“Haha, very funny. I’ll just sit on the floor then” Sasha threatens, trying to sound serious except the smile that crept onto her face conveyed a different meaning.
Marcy moves the plushies onto her lap, leaving room for Sasha to wedge herself onto her free side and taps at the now open space. Anne, still at Marcy’s right, drops the remote in defeat. Unsure of what to watch.
“Ya know, we could just cuddle and talk right? that wouldn’t be too bad would it?” Marcy suggests.
“I mean, it’s what we used to do…” Anne mentions, taking a sip of her tea.
“No thanks. talking to you two is exhausting. I’d rather just go to sleep” Sasha adds jokingly
“ugh I know it must be awful” Anne wiggles slightly to sit on one of her arms in order to get a better glance at Sasha, who looked back in a smile. The movement; however, added unprecedented pressure onto Marcy’s scar and she winces.
“Oh- I'm, I'm sorry are you ok?!” Anne asks instantly. Putting away her tea by the windowsill to have full access to Marcy if needed.
“Yeah! I’m fine. You don’t need to worry so much anymore Anna Banana.”
“I just-its been so much and- you're still recovering. I want you to be okay-”
“Yeah, I know,” Marcy reassures. Leaning up to plant a soft kiss to Anne’s cheek.
Anne’s worry was genuine and Marcy knows that. She knows that her injuries weren’t something to be brushed over. It just feels patronizing to always have people think she wasn’t capable of ever being okay again. Recovery is recovery, you can’t deny that but how can you fully recover if people are always questioning its extent. Not that Anne and Sasha’s constant inquiry of her physical state don’t come out of a place of love, she just can’t help but feel like they see her as someone who’s helpless. Incapable of being self-sufficient. She knows it’s not true but those thoughts creep up whenever the chance is given.
“Marcy?” This time it’s Sasha’s voice that speaks.
“you here?” The blonde asks, a hand placed on Marcy’s own. She had apparently been fiddling with her hands this whole time.
“I’m here” She tries to smile to emphasize some form of reassurance, but Sasha must have seen it’s fallacy because she still looks worried. Marcy turns to Anne whose face reeks of the same concern.
“Can you guys stop looking at me like I'm a dying puppy please.” Marcy finally speaks, releasing air from her lungs she didn’t know were trapped in the first place.
“We’re not looking at you like you’re a dying puppy-“ Anne tries to argue. Marcy all but sighs and rolls her eyes.
“Yes! You are! It’s like you guys think I'll just shatter into a million pieces if you brush past me the wrong way.” Marcy feels her throat tighten as tears build up. She doesn’t let them persist though.
“Marcy, we just want to make sure you’re alright, you went through a lot.” Sasha adds to Anne’s defense. By now Marcy had sat up straighter against the bed frame, freeing herself from the previous cuddle.
“I know. I know that. But, it’s almost like I'm broken. I'm not… I’m not broken right?” Marcy says quietly. So quietly you might have missed it if you breathed just a little too loudly. Anne and Sasha share a distraught glance. Sadness washes over their faces at the realization of just how much of Marcy’s recovery they had forgotten to check on.
They knew she was doing fine physically. Marcy had been able to walk on her own again after some time and the stairs were no longer an obstacle. But Marcy kept most of the persistent struggle internally as to keep up a strong front. She wanted to appear strong. Anne had lost an arm and was moving around just as productively as before. And Sasha lost her eye! Yet she still trained and helped with reforms back in amphibia. Why couldn’t Marcy do the same. Instead she was bedridden for weeks, probably annoying her girlfriends with how feeble she seemed. Just for once, Marcy wanted to be as strong as them. To be a force to be wrecked with.
“You aren’t broken Marce. Far from it.” Anne starts, looking down at her prosthetic arm as the hand extended and retracted it’s fingers. She eventually looks up, brown eyes filled with nothing but love, meet Marcy’s. She could spend the rest of eternity staring at the hidden universe kept within Anne’s eyes.
“We may not always know exactly what’s going on inside your head, probably couldn’t keep up even if we did-“ Anne adds, smiling as she moves her hand to clasp with Sasha’s. The other, who has yet to say anything, just reassures her own presence with a gentle touch to Marcy’s back.
“But, we’d love it if you shared some of it with us.”
Her words are genuine and soft. It makes the tears Marcy has been repressing that much harder to keep at bay. And with that, the flood gates are opened and Marcy let’s go of weeks of bent up distress.
“oh wow hum…”
Sasha nervously turns to Anne. She didn’t always know how to handle this stuff, so Anne was usually the lead in these situations.
“Is it ok if we hold you, Marce?”
Marcy, who had just now pulled her knee up to her chest and dug her face into the crevice, nods a yes. Immediately Anne pulls her into a tight hug and Sasha follows. Neither of them say anything. Cars can be heard outside in between the hicks and sobs Marcy let out and Anne could feel the panic in Marcy’s breathing. In an attempt to help her calm down, Anne relaxed her own breathing in hopes it pulls Marcy’s into a similar rhythm. Meanwhile, Sasha brushes Marcy’s hair gently and presses gentle kisses to her wet cheeks. Anne has to admit, Sasha may not always know the right words to say but ever since they worked things out, this affectionate side of her has been nothing but a wonderful new world to explore and it pleasantly surprises Anne at times. Thankfully this is all enough to help Marcy calm down enough to form words.
“I just wanted to be strong like you guys” She's able to whisper through the remaining sobs that persisted. Sasha lifts up her head from Marcy’s space upon hearing this.
“What do you mean?”. At this Marcy throws her head up, almost in annoyance it seems.
“Oh come on, I mean… You lost an eye for frogs sake! Because of me actually, and you just went about helping reform a whole city!” Marcy cries out. She’s not mad at them. She’s not sure who or what she’s mad at actually. And this uncertainty just makes her more frustrated. And Sasha’s laughter. That was also very infuriating. Marcy looks over at the blonde who is just in a hysterical fit.
“oh wow, you weren’t joking?” her laughter diminishing. Marcy stares at her longer.
“Anne, how long did you have to keep me tied to the bed until I recovered enough to ‘rebuild a whole city’?” She asks without breaking eye contact.
“about 2-3 weeks at least” Anne replies
“right.”
Marcy swiftly turns to look at Anne in surprise.
“Wait, what?”
Sasha gently grabs her face and turns it to her again, wiping away some tears as she does so. A face so soft and loving that Marcy can’t believe it comes from the same sword wielding warrior she knows, not that it’s a bad thing really.
“The last thing we’d consider you is weak. Especially after everything you had to go through” And yet again Marcy feels the tears trickle down her face. Sasha pulls her closer to her chest so both heartbeats could be felt, a reassurance that they were both alive and okay. She can feel Anne come over to sit in front of her and Sasha to make whatever she wants to say more inclusive.
“You know, when I lost my arm it took me a long time to accept what happened, Marbles. Even now I still have trouble accepting it. What happened to me- to all of us, is almost incomprehensible to other people. Yet we’re still standing aren't we?”
Marcy nods and pulls Anne into their hug; it always felt somewhat incomplete until the third was added.
Once more, they stayed like this, slightly swaying which Marcy usually did without even noticing. Their embrace is nice, always is. Being in their arms feels like it’s own ecosystem, filled with warmth and love… It felt like the safest place on earth. Honestly, it was almost comical at how right it all felt, a sense of familiarity that only a prophecy could hold.
Marcy breaks the silence first.
“I love you guys”
“We love you too, Marbles,” Anne replies. Sasha mumbles in agreement.
Both take turns showering her with kisses which turn into a puddle of giggles. Much of their interactions seemed to result in some king of laughter.
“I guess we did just end up sitting here and talking huh?” Sasha adds after a moment, chuckling slightly.
“Yeah I guess we did- OH NO” Marcy tries to say but a sudden realization strikes her. Anne and Sasha stiffen up, unsure of what problem she’s just come to find.
“My ice cream melted by now!”
Sighing in immense relief, “Don’t do that omg!” Sasha shouts, giving her a light shove.
“But this is serious! It’s probably all liquid-y by now, Sash!”
“It’s fine I'll get you a new one” Anne says laughing, movements implying she was actually planning on getting up from the bed. In retaliation, Marcy throws herself towards Anne and clings onto her waist, accidentally almost shoving the both of them right off the bed and onto the floor. Thankfully Sasha manages to grab a hold of the two and firmly clings onto them herself.
“Now you’re both staying here” She says. Meanwhile her girlfriends chuckle at what had just happened, or what almost happened.
“No! Let me out!” Anne jokingly complains, giving little to no struggle. She could very easily free herself and Sasha would allow it but Anne is more than satisfied staying like this. Marcy gets herself comfortable in Sasha's space and rests her head on the girl’s chest. Hands interlocking with Anne’s across Sasha’s stomach.
“Honestly I’d think you were having a heart attack if I wasn’t your girlfriend, Sash” Anne smugly pokes fun at Sasha’s quiet fluster, earning herself a kiss and a loving “shut up” afterwards. Sasha turns to give Marcy a kiss too until she realizes the shorter of the three had already passed out. Sasha gave her a quick kiss to the head anyways and turned back to Anne. She looks tired as well so Sasha lightly tugs her closer. No matter how close they were, they always wanted to get closer. Which was frustrating at times considering it eventually became physically impossible. Tonight was one of those nights but Sasha tried regardless. Maybe one day they could just fuse into the same being or whatever Marcy talked about sometimes. But for now they’ll settle for this. After months of fearing that they’d lose a war, holding each other close now was reassurance enough that the only fear was losing each other for good, unable to ever experience this kind of love again. And the thought of that is something neither of them would ever have to face alone. Eventually Sasha and Anne would join Marcy in sleep, blissfully ignorant of any worries as long as they remained woven together as they are now and for eternity to come.
Morning
Anne woke up first. She usually did for some reason, either she was waking up early or her girlfriends were always sleeping in. Anne looks around at the three of them still together in her bed, exactly as they were at the beginning of the night, which is surprising because Marcy usually splayed out over the course of the night. They looked so peaceful like this. The golden light shone on their faces lightly through the curtains, bringing out the golden streaks of the blonde next to her. Watching them sleep is one of those things that never gets old, mostly because of the way their faces soften in innocence. Whatever was left of it anyways. The same people Anne had to fight, now lay in her bed. She manages to wiggle out of the bed without waking either of them up thankfully. Or so she thought.
“Leaving already?” She hears Sasha whisper from behind her. Anne doesn’t say much as she turns around, seeing Sasha’s sleep drunken state and pressing a kiss to her nose.
“Never”
Anne plants another kiss to her forehead and several more across her face. The other girl hums in bliss before returning a kiss herself.
“I’m gonna go check for breakfast, you wanna stay here with Marcy in the meanwhile?” Anne asks. To which Sasha simply nods and burrows herself back into a comfortable cuddle with Marcy. Anne could’ve melted onto the floor right then and there.
Picking up her phone on the way, Anne leaves the room and heads downstairs to the empty kitchen. Her phone says it’s 9 am which means her parents should probably be up already. They likely headed to the restaurant early in preparation for the weekend rush. Anne decides you could never go wrong with pancakes, so she searches for the box of powdered batter and gets to work. Low music playing from her phone as Domino comes to keep her company. Her dark fur pushing against Anne's legs. Couldn’t have been a better morning so far.
By now the pancakes are close to done and Anne hears a door open and then close from the upstairs. Two sets of footsteps can be heard walking down the stairs. Two sets, Anne never thought she would be this happy at two sets of footsteps. Coming around the corner from the main hallway of the house appears a sleepy Marcy dragging an even sleepier Sasha. Clearly someone who didn’t plan on actually leaving the bed any time soon.
“Morning!“ Anne turns to greet them but hears no response, just a grumble from Marcy who then hugs her waist. Sasha doing the same.
“Ok so it’s a quiet morning?”
Both girls nod against Anne’s shoulders. There were mornings where words were too much so the concept of “Quiet Morning” came to light. It usually didn’t last long until one of them made some remark that sent them into a laughing fit, or Marcy on an info dump that both of her girlfriends always paid as much attention to as possible. For now though, they’d stay in a comfortable silence. Anne on the other hand was feeling more talkative.
“You two can sit down, I'll bring the plates over” Except neither of them moved, either due to clinginess or an overall laziness to move. Marcy is the first of the two to break the silence.
“Can you add chocolate chips to mine Annie?” She mumbles.
“If you two let go of me I could go over to the pantry and grab them, yeah.”
“Never mind then.”
Anne releases a lighthearted sigh, flipping the pancakes one last time before placing them on their respective plates.
“Sash, do you want the batman plate?”
“Anne, I'm not five. I’ll take the Teen Titans one.”
“Right. Of course”
Anne’s family had bought these plastic plates years ago when the three of them were still kids. Her parents would take them all shopping for clothes and necessities to keep at the Boonchuy house considering Sasha and Marcy were always over, which is ironic considering their current living status. The plates were one of the things that persisted throughout the years. Anne manages to grab all three plates, thanks to her experience in servicing, and leads them all to the table. Marcy took her usual seat by the window, while Sasha took the seat with its back to the wall. She’d never admit it but it was more of a safety thing, if she had her back to the window or the open kitchen, anyone could come from behind. But sitting by the wall she has all the viewpoints she needs. Anne only knows because she does the same on occasion. Not only for her own safety, but for her girlfriends too, she would keep an eye out whenever they couldn’t. For now though, there was no threat, just the three of them together for an uneventful morning. They couldn’t ask for anything else, not after the last few months.
“Anne, this is actually really good! You even make box pancakes good” Marcy glees
“We’re set for life, Marce” Sasha adds. Not noticing her fatal mistake. A mistake Anne would milk for as long as possible.
“Set for life?” Anne repeats, emphasizing the last word. “Do you think we’re gonna get married, Sash?” The blonde’s face turns red as she chokes on her pancake.
“Wait hold on, that's not what I said-“ She attempts to save herself but it’s too late.
“Oh my frog! Sasha plans on marrying us!” Anne cheers.
“Aw Sasha, that's so sweet! Where are the rings?” Marcy joins.
“You two are insufferable. I don’t know why I have you as my girlfriends.”
“Nope nope nope. Wives. You will refer to us as your wives now Sasha” Marcy corrects, swaying her index finger in the air and a satisfied grin on her face.
“But we’re not even actually married!” Sasha lets out in flustered frustration.
“Yet. Not Yet” Anne adds
Sasha gets up from the table with a thunk as her knees hit the underside of it. Almost tripping and stumbling into Anne, who can’t hold in her laughter anymore. Marcy follows suit.
“First you put words in my mouth and then you laugh at me, some wives you are!” She shouts playfully, except once again she notices her slip up. Defeat washes across her face as Marcy and Anne turn back to her, glee shining in their wide smiles. Her shoulders drop as does her head.
“Wives! Wives! Wives!” the two chant together.
“Yeah… I’m leaving”
“Oh come on, marrying us wouldn’t be too bad would it?“ Marcy questions, a genuine undertone to her inquiry. Anne’s laughter calms down as she actually ponders on the idea too. She stretches her arms out while still sitting to signal Sasha back towards them. With no hesitation, Sasha rests her head atop Anne’s while she hugs her from behind.
“Imagine we do actually get Married someday. I mean… can we even do that?” She actually wanted to know, which caught Anne slightly off guard. Not necessarily in a bad way.
“I think we could, pretty sure it’s considered a consensual non-monogamy or something like that.” Marcy replied.
‘Huh. Good to know” Sasha says before letting go of Anne and sitting back in her chair. They settle into a comfortable silence, reflecting on the more real aspect of that conversation. To Anne, the concept of marriage was something far away. Not of much concern to the three who can’t even be conspired legal adults yet. Still, the thought of the three of them growing together through time, married or not, is a thought Anne could dwell on happily.
“Uhm Anne? could you grab my crutch upstairs please”
“Yeah sure”
And at that, Anne heads upstairs humming some random tune. In about a minute, she reappears with the assistive crutch Marcy uses whenever she feels the extra support is needed.
“Thank you, wife”
“It’s no problem, fellow wife” they both turn to Sasha now, who is halfway through taking a bite of her pancakes.
“What? Are you two gonna make this a thing now? If so just vote me out please” The blonde says, finishing her bite. The other two flash each other a smile.
“I’m gonna go check up on my plant samples outside” Marcy states, leaning on her right side where the crutch presented it’s support. Meanwhile Anne begins to gather the plates and cups from the table before Sasha stops her. She only gives Anne a look, stern but sweet. Anne leaves the rest of the table to be picked up by Sasha. It was only fair, she guessed. For Anne, it was always the little things that made the biggest impact. Sasha had very obviously changed since the past few months, even more so since she decided to spend most of her time at Anne’s home. Basically both Marcy and Sasha had moved in, Sasha more unofficially than the other. And since then, the blonde would do little things to help around. Even things she wasn't asked or expected to do, and it only made Anne fall harder in love every time.
Once the dishes had been placed in the sink, Sasha stationed herself to get working. This time Anne could return the back hug from earlier, placing her chin by Sasha’s shoulder. Out through the window they could see Marcy gathering whatever data there was from her plants. The garden in the Boonchuy's backyard was split in half once they all returned home, one side remained for Mrs. Boonchuy while the other was for Marcy. The idea was suggested by Anne’s mom herself who thought it could serve as some form of therapy. Anne didn’t really understand how it would help but it was clear it worked for Marcy.
“She’s such a dork,” Sasha chuckles quietly, looking back down at the sink.
“You’re a dork too, ya know”
“What- no I’m not. I was a whole war general at one point and you’re here calling me a dork?”
“Yeah because you, General, are standing here in my kitchen washing dishes while gushing over our girlfriend” Anne lightly pokes her cheek and watches Sasha frown. She would have thought Sasha was actually upset if she didn’t almost immediately smile and turn red.
“I blame you two”
“For what?”
“You turned me soft- or something. I don’t know.”
“That was all you Sash”
“I could still kick ass”
“I’m sure you could”
Anne plants a kiss to her cheek before letting go. She leans over Sasha and turns the water off, grabbing Sasha’s hands and leading her outside to where Marcy was. Marcy was sitting under the one tree in Anne’s backyard, hunched over her phone.
“Marce, we talked about keeping a proper posture-“ but before Anne could finish Marcy dropped her phone down on the grass.
“My dad called”
Anne thought she could read Marcy like it was second nature but there were instances where she became almost unrecognizable. It was terrifying.
“Oh”
“What did he say?” Sasha questions, trying not to sound pushy.
“He wants me to move to Ohio with them. I already said no multiple times but he keeps pushing it-“
“It’s okay though, right? He agreed on my parents having legal guardianship over you, no?” Anne adds.
“Yes but my parents still have an upper hand on this stuff. If he really wants me there, he’ll find a way”
Anne and Sasha exchange looks, unsure of what to say. Sasha knew to stay quiet on the subject because if she were to speak, she might end up just getting more upset at Marcy’s parents. And Marcy never liked the shit talking Sasha did of her dad, no matter how much she agreed with her statements. What Sasha did know was how it feels.. having a parent with little to no regard for what their kid really wanted or needed. She sits down next to Marcy, pulling an arm around her. Marcy leans into the touch but still remains somewhat closed off. Anne crouches down to be at eye level with Marcy.
“I’ll go grab you some water, okay?”
Marcy nods, still, no detectable expression on her face. It was blank. Anne must have been visibly concerned because Sasha nods her own head in reassurance. A quiet way of saying “I got this”
As Sasha watches Anne head back inside, Marcy shifts closer to Sasha’s touch. The blonde’s hand comes up to cradle Marcy’s head against her chest.
“Why are our parents like this?” Marcy starts.
“I’m not sure but, it’s not our fault”
“I just- why didn’t we deserve the love too? Why do people like Anne get to have amazing parents while we… we get this.”
“Just because we didn’t get it, doesn’t mean we were never deserving of love, Marce”
“don’t make me cry again or I'll hit you”
“No offense but by ‘hit’ do you mean push lightly?”
Marcy pretended to be offended but hardly committed to the act. She just let herself be in Sasha’s hold.
“I just can’t talk about this stuff with Anne, you know. I mean, I physically can but… it’s not the same.”
“Yeah, I understand. I think it’d still be important if you tried though. Whenever you’re comfortable or whatever. We owe it to her”
“When did you get all emotionally smart like this?”
“I guess I make up with Anne ONCE and boom, her mushy emotional stuff rubs off on me” This earns a smile from Marcy, which in turn makes Sasha smile too. Soon after, Anne emerges from the back sliding door, glass in hand. She sits down next to Marcy and hands her the water, which is then spilled on a plant sample behind them.
“The water was for you, Marcy”
“Oh. Right. Thank you though”
Anne picks at the grass, unsure if she should join them in their embrace. Part of it felt like something Anne didn’t belong in; couldn’t fully understand. And she didn’t but that was okay too. Marcy clears her throat and turns to face Anne, who still looks concerned but after being told to stop worrying so much, manages to keep her worry to herself.
“C’mere you” She smiles, extending one arm to welcome Anne into their cuddle.
“You sure?”
“More than ever”
The air was cool and the sun kept its shine on the recently cut grass. The leaves of the tree rustled above them, letting shots of sunlight through its shade occasionally. A leaf detaches from its branch and slowly makes its descent down, finding refuge in Anne’s hair. Sasha looks over at the sight and Marcy follows, both of them erupting in laughter.
“what?!”
“Your hair!” Marcy points out
“what about it-“ Anne asks again, this time brushing over her hair and feeling the leaf. She holds it up to her face and sighs.
“I can never escape. I’m telling you.”
The rumble of laughter in their chests is enough to make Anne lean towards them, so much so that they all tumble down on the grass. Anne showers them both with kisses to the face, wherever she could reach, as they squirm and laugh beneath her. The utter content she feels is beyond words. Nothing could possibly be better than this. Her two worlds are right there, she can feel their warmth, hear their laughter, and see their smiles; the undeniable truth of their presence. A reality that was once at stake of being lost forever. She'd be caught dead before letting something like that happen again.
The rest of the day had been spent laying around together, watching tv, playing with Domino and having snacks. They had earned this ability to sit around and do nothing, they weren’t about to waste it.
“Can we go get boba?” Anna suggests, she sat in the middle as both her girlfriends laid around her. Marcy with her head in Anne’s lap and Sasha resting on her chest. Marcy is the first to entertain the idea.
“I could go for some boba. Haven’t had any since I got back.”
“Oh yeah! Then we totally have to go. Sash?”
They look over to Sasha who has her eyes closed, arms clutched around Anne’s.
“There's no way she’s actually asleep” Marcy states. It wasn’t like Sasha to just pass out like this. If anything, she was usually the last one asleep, staying up thinking of the countless things that go on in her head. But now, she really did look deep in sleep. What’s more surprising is that their movements didn’t awaken her, which it almost always did, since Sasha had to have those reflexes back in amphibia otherwise she might not have made it to the current moment.
“Is she… alive?” Asks Marcy, jokingly at first but there was a more genuine tone in the midst of it.
“I can feel her heartbeat, yes. Sort of weird though. We haven’t even done much today”
“Did she train this week?”
“Nope, hasn’t trained for weeks actually”
“huh”
Marcy twists around so that she’s laying on her stomach. She cups Sasha’s face with her hands and gives it a light squish. Nothing.
“wow. I was fully prepared to have my hands snatched off just now”
This was odd, they’d definitely talk about it when Sasha was conscious. For now though, they decided to leave her alone, gloating at how peaceful she looks while asleep.
Anne decides to let the ponytail in Sasha’s hair loose, remembering how her girlfriend complained of headaches yet refused to let her hair down. Sasha all but shifts a little but remains asleep. Anne moves as well so that her girlfriend fits more comfortably while Marcy remains in her lap. Anne could feel Marcy staring up at her.
“Hey Anne?”
“hm?”
“I love you”
“I love you too Marcy”
“No like. I LOVE you.”
“Yes, I know Marcy. I LOVE you too”
Marcy giggles and turns back to the Tv. She did this sometimes. Neither Anne nor Sasha really understood it fully but it was a sweet gesture and always came unprompted. There were a lot of things they each did that made less sense to the others but over time they just learned to grow fond of it. Sasha liked to rest her head on them no matter the occasion, and Anne had a habit of playing with their hands
With Sasha’s gentle snoring at her side, Anne could almost let herself drift off into a nap as well. It isn’t until she finally decides to close her eyes that she hears a car come up the driveway.
“Oh crap. Sash!” Anna whispered to Sasha, trying to wake her up as quickly yet as gentle as possible. Marcy already came to the same realization Anne did and quickly sat up straight on the couch.
“Sash!” Anne whispered again, a bit louder this time. She nudged the girl with her arm and it finally got some movement out of her.
“wut-“ Sasha questions half asleep, “oh crud”
“yeah”
Now they’re all aware and sitting with at least 2 inches between them, Sasha is still feeling woozy but awake enough to tie her hair back to it’s usual state. 'Must have been one hell of a nap to have this kind of toll on Sasha' Anne thinks to herself.
In a matter of seconds the front door opens and in comes Anne’s dad. Now, it’s not that her parents would necessarily be against them being together, it just wasn’t something any of them really wanted to deal with yet. It also felt a little awkward, telling your parents that the childhood friends you grew up with are now your girlfriends.
“Hi girls!” Mr. Boonchuy says as he steps inside, grocery bags swaying at his side.
“Hi dad” Anne replies, standing up from the couch to help them with the groceries. Sasha and Marcy follow. On their way to the car they come across Anne’s mom who greets them and heads inside. Anne begins handing out bags from the trunk for them to carry.
“Are you ever telling your parents?” Marcy questions. She wasn’t trying to pressure Anne, more so to get an idea of how long they’d have to pretend they weren’t absolutely in love with each other while in the presence of her parents.
“Soon? I don’t know. I doubt they’d be upset but it’s still… scary?” Anne sighs. “trust me, I really want to but- they might need more time to adjust then we did”
“I think my dad would have a heart attack,” Marcy jokes. In reality it was anything but a joke.
“My mom would say, ‘who is Marshall and Anna?’“ Sasha adds, making them laugh at how painfully true her joke was as well.
The bags had all been gathered now and they head inside, placing the groceries in the kitchen and helping put everything in its designated area. Mrs Boonchuy turns to Marcy as she puts away the noodles.
“Say, how are your torch ginger seeds doing Marcy?”
“Oh! they’re going great! In fact, it’s rhizome root system is getting stronger by the day and they should one day grow to be at least 12 feet tall.” She exclaims, throwing her arms up into the air to emphasize their size.
“Wow! That is great Marcy. Did you see the Calla Lilies I added?”
“I did! Ugh they look so pretty!”
Anne just watches as her mom and Marcy chat about their garden. It’s a sight to see really. Anne feels a swift elbow to her arm.
“Careful Boonchuy, your gay is showing” Sasha whispers close to her ear as she glides behind Anne in order to reach the fridge. Anne can feel the heat in her cheeks now. She turns towards Sasha who has the biggest smug face imaginable. It only made Anne’s cheeks burn hotter. She was insufferable at times and it always got worse when they were around her parents.
“I have to go show Sasha something in the bathroom really quickly, uh… soap stuff” and before her parents could reply she grabbed Sasha by the wrist and dragged her away.
“what are you-“ But Sasha is cut off by Anne basically throwing her inside the downstairs bathroom and shutting the door behind them.
“Can you tell me what-“ But again she’s interrupted by Anne who practically crashed into her with a kiss. Pressing both of them against the closed door.
While Marcy’s kiss with them was usually soft and gentle, Anne and Sasha’s tended to have more drive. Sasha's hand come up to cradle Anne's face by instinct alone. While the moment is nice, the absence of their third weighed in. Without notice, the door swings open and Marcy screams in surprise. Thankfully, Sasha reacts quickly and pulls her into the bathroom, swinging the door shut.
“I thought you were doing soap stuff!” Marcy yells. Quickly being hushed by Anne who desperately gestures for her to lower her voice. Sasha just covers her face with her hands, the blush still very much evident.
“I mean, you can continue…” She whispers this time.
“Marcy!”
“What I'm just saying!”
“Get out” Anne gestures at them, making her own way towards the door in order to hold it open. They walk out in a line, Sasha towing in last and Anne could tell she was still not fully back to full functionality.
“Careful Sash, your gay is showing” she says as Sasha walks past her.
“YOU-“ except before Sasha could dissolve into whatever mess was to come, Mr. Boonchuy comes down the hall.
“Sasha, could you help me bring down this dresser from upstairs?”
“Yeah- yeah of course” Sasha glances back frustrated at Anne who just smiles back and waves before disappearing into the kitchen with Marcy.
“So. You and Anne are friends again right?”
“Yeah, friends.” Sasha replies. Something about his inquiry seemed off but not concerning enough to pry. They went up the stairs and into Mr and Mrs Boonchuy’s room. Sasha has hardly ever been in here, last time must have been when they were all six and had to chase Domino before she ate the lizard she’d caught.
“She hasn’t talked to us much about what happened… I just want to make sure she’s ok. I’m sure she talks more about it to the two of you”
“She’s okay. And- she’ll talk to you about it soon. Maybe, I'm not actually sure but, she really missed you when we were still in Amphibia '' Sasha reassures to the best of her ability, aside from how awkward this situation felt. She was also really nervous, more than usual. I mean, she knew Sasha wasn't his personal favorite. Mr. Boonchuy’s distaste for Sasha in the past was fully understandable and it was never something he tried to hide. Sasha grew used to it over the years but it did sting at times. His resentment for her certainly lowered but it was still confusing on where they stood. Talking about Anne, his daughter and the person who Sasha was currently dating without his knowledge, surely didn't help.
“I promise I'll take care of her Mr. Boonchuy. I know how much you worry for Anne. I won’t let anything-“
“Sasha. I know. And... thank you” He cuts her off. “I know you two had some issues while in Amphibia but I also know you risked your own safety in order to ensure she came back home. And for that I thank you.” Sasha is dumbfounded. How is she supposed to reply to this?
“Oh uhm. Yeah it’s no problem really”
“You and Marcy- she just seems so much happier since you two began spending more time here. Please stay as long as you want.”
If it weren’t for the circumstances Sasha could have cried on the spot but she kept her composure, for now at least. After some silence, Mr. Boonchuy cleared his throat and motioned to the dresser they were set to move. Sasha helped him lift it, directing it down the stairs and out into the front yard where it would soon be picked up by the city. While they both stood outside, sunset creeping down the hill, Mr. Boonchuy opened his arms. “There's no way,” Sasha thought.
“Please” he started, “I don’t know how else to thank you, or Marcy”
Sasha allowed it, just this once. She walks up to him and allows for the hug to ensue. The feeling of being hugged by anyone other than Anne or Marcy was odd, but not bad. Sasha didn’t know how much she needed this. How much she needed someone besides her girlfriends to see her. Someone to appreciate her when her own parents couldn't, or at least wouldn't. As they come apart Mr. Boonchuy taps the top of her head lightly like he used to do when they were kids. It was its own gesture of fatherly love, one Sasha had been lacking for far too long. From another human at least.
“I'd love to get to know you better, Sasha.”
“I wouldn’t mind that”
As they both head back inside, Mrs Boonchuy could be heard singing with Anne and Marcy in the kitchen while they prepared dinner. Pad Thai cooked in its respective pan while Anne stirred the pot, her mom chopping vegetables next to her as Marcy directed the radio. Mr. Boonchuy soon put on his own apron and joined them.
“They’re back!” Marcy yells in excitement.
“Perfect! Sasha could you please wash the Cilantro?” Mrs. Boonchuy asks.
“Sure”
“Here Sash, I already got everything from the fridge” Marcy interjects, pushing the ingredient over to Sasha’s side of the counter.
“What are YOU doing to help huh?, freeloader” Sasha questions lightheartedly.
“Manning the audio duh, its a serious job”
“More like sleeping on it, why are you playing Ed Sheeran?”
“Mrs. Boonchuy likes it!” she replied, smiling over to Anne’s mom who danced to the rhythm.
Dinner went by quickly and so did the clean up, meaning it was almost time for bed again. They all head upstairs and get ready to sleep, brushing teethes and changing into pajamas. The three say good night to Anne’s parents, and Anne makes the extra effort of hugging them before bed, a habit she had picked up upon returning home. As Anne entered into their room where Marcy and Sasha had been waiting she made sure to take everything in. Thinking back hard into the memories made that day, engraving each so deep into her brain so they’d never be lost in time. Sasha sat on the floor as Marcy laid on the bed braiding the blonde hairs between her fingers. The crutch she had been using throughout the day leaned against the wall next to their bed, full of stickers on its material. Almost everything Marcy owned was covered in stickers. Anne's thought process is cut short by Sasha below her who pulled at Anne’s sock, and motioned at her empty lap. Anne took the invitation and settled horizontally on her girlfriend's lap, arm wrapped around her neck.
“So” Sasha starts, “your dad hugged me today”
“what?” Anne seemed surprised, leaning back to get a better view of Sasha’s face, scanning for a mischievous smile, but she was serious.
“He said he wanted to get to know me better.. I dunno. It was nice"
"Aw Sash! That's so sweet" Marcy gasps
Sasha tries to seem unbothered, "Its not that big a deal-"
“Ok wait so that’s it? He just hugged you and said that? when did this even happen?” Anne realized she sounded somewhat desperate for answers. Truthfully she just didn’t believe it, even she knew her own father’s distaste for Sasha’s influence.
“You make it seem like it’s a bad thing”
“No! I was just wondering. He didn't ask you about-" Anne motions a triangle between them with her finger, "You know"
“Well, he did say that we make you happy- whatever that means to him”
As long as they're still flying under the radar, Anne could relax. Although she could definitely agree with her dad on this one. They made every day worth experiencing, as long as they did it together. She hopes desperately that that would never change.
There's more to this conversation Anne wants to explore but for now she’s too tired to think and Sasha’s lap is far too comfortable. Marcy moves her hands to Anne’s hair now, and while Sasha rubs circles around her back, the room seems to spin. Anne presses a pressure point on her prosthetic arm and it releases gently to reveal what’s left of her left limb. She hands it carefully to Marcy so she could place it by the windowsill. Marcy had actually spent a lot of her bed ridden time fine tuning and improving the robotic arm to better fit Anne. It wasn’t anything extraordinary, but it was enough and Anne loved the personal touches Marcy had added. She lifted her head up to see Marcy still above them on the bed, a geeky smile that she knew all too well and not enough. She pulls Marcy’s head down gently and into a quick kiss. Then she moves her attention to Sasha who got herself a kiss as well. And so, time's ship sails forward with the three of them at the helm, a journey so far into the open ocean yet still so close to the shore it had first departed from. Unsinkable.