slashxmistress | fic rec! (Reply)

Step Brother AU. Ryan’s father can no longer care from him, and he’s made to live with his mother where he’s tossed into an unknown situation, taken under the wing of a tragically dangerous boy, William, and learning about the strain of friendships, the battles of life, and his step-brother, Brendon. About changing, fucking up, and sexual experiences and the attachments that come with it.

This is just beautiful! Squish writes characters with such depth and range. There are no villains, there are only people- dealing the way they can. William is tragically beautiful in this. It's an emotional ride that will tug at your heart, and leave you with hope.
Warning: It's written in 2nd person. Most of you know how I feel about 2nd person, and that I wouldn't rec a fic unless it really transcended that for me. This really did. I forgot all about pov almost immediately. It may have even contributed to sucking me into the story, which is theoretically what 2nd person is supposed to do. So bravo Squish!~

When she married Paul, she took his last name, Urie. You remember a time when you hated the world, when you were about fourteen, fifteen, and told her by giving away Ross as a last name, she was giving away her connection to you. You remember her face when you said it; torn, pained, confused. Her happiness used to be a thorn in your side, because you never understood why she deserved to be happy when you weren’t.

Years went by though, and you grew up more, much more than you should have because of your father’s condition, and you understood things better. Your mother always called you every Thursday night to ask about school, and about how things were going; she would always invite you out, every weekend, even though you kept making up excuses; she made sure you were in the front pew during her wedding; you’ve since realised that these things are better than a stupid last name.

“Julie’s your mother too,” you say, and it sounds odd to call her by her name. “She treats you like it.”

Brendon’s fingers are fumbling with yours; uncertain about how they should fit. “I know. Just, you’re here, and you’re hers-”

“You too,” you tell him.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” You don’t feel like throwing up anymore.

“I still don’t think this whole thing is going to work.”

“I don’t hate you.”

“I don’t, either.”

“Then why do you think it’s not going to work?” you ask.

He looks at you and bites his lip. “Because.”

You stare up at him. You have a prang deep in your stomach, telling you your stepbrother is beautiful. Oh.

“Oh,” you say, aloud. He looks away.