tough mother

"Ah, guess who’s birthday it is?" Kara asks, summoning a reluctant grin. "Or used to be, I guess. If you’re dead, it’s no longer really your birthday, is it?" 

    "Oh, shit, I forgot. Fuck. I'm sorry."

      "Because it’s boring? Duh.”

    "It don't gotta be."

      "But I don’t wanna do better."

    "Why not?"

      “It’s not stupid. It’s me having fun the way I wanna have fun. I could be doing worse, y’know?”

    "Mm," she hums. He's right, she figures. "Could be doin' better though, as well."

     ”I’m just having a bit of fun. That’s all.”

    "There's a line 'tween fun and just plain stupid, Cody. Y'need t'learn t'draw it."

     ”Thanks. Always been told I’m a good actor.” he retorts, just as sarcastically. "I dunno what you’re talking about."

    "I think y'know exactly what I'm talkin' 'bout."

      "I just said I didn’t do it though—"

    "Oh, yeah, and y'were very convincin'," she says sarcastically. "'S'goin' on with you, huh?"

      "If you see a baseball and a shattered window that baseball totally isn’t mine."

    "Ain't y'in enough shit with y'folks already?" she asks, eyebrows raised. "First house-trashin' parties, now this?"

    “Thanks,” he nods as he follows her through. "You don’t, er— have t’show me how t’use it or anything. Mom’s a cop, remember."

    "I know," she nods. "Uh... under the bed -- y'gon' gotta bend down f'me, I can't get down there -- should be a suitcase."

    “I’m not gonna shoot anybody. Christ, Aunt Lu, you saw how I was before, but— I dunno. I’d… just feel safer, I guess? I mean, I dunno how t’even describe it I just—”

    "Alright, c'mon," she says, before turning and heading through to the bedroom. 

    “D’you have a gun I can borrow?”

    "Luke, I'm-- Sweetheart, I can't just give ya a gun without knowin' what's goin' on. C'mon, talk t'me-- I might be able t'help."

    “Yeah. Uh— can I ask you something? That you might not like?”

    "That I--? Sure. What is it?"

    “Thanks. I feel like a huge fuckin’ baby but— yeah. I just don’t wanna be there right now. I’ll be outta your hair in a day, though. Promise.”

    "Long as y'need," she repeats. "Y'ain't ever a burden, alright?"

    “Just… unsafe, I guess. I dunno. Feels like something’s gonna go down, y’know?”

    "Yeah, y'stay here as long's y'need, my darlin'."

    “I’ll take is so easy, you’ll think I’m not even trying—”

    "'Sounds good. There anyhin' I can do t'help or--?"