#lynette talbot

“Lynnie, you’re at home right?” He began, easing her into the option.

Brody sat down; his fingers tensing around the telephone, watching his snarky shit of a boyfriend manage the damage around him once again. As awful as it was to know this was quite the extracurricular activity of their lives, managing chaos with limited moments of down time, they were good at it for the most part. Sebastian sometimes more so, with his ability to not jump in immediately with empathy and get drawn into the mess; he was usually able to control the flow of the conversation and postpone his direct sympathies of involvement to afterward.

“Okay, well uh - Bro- No, it’s fine. I called you remember? - Actually, he’s here. Do you want to have two perspectives on this, or just talk to me? What would be-?”

“It’s fine. We’re your friends, Lynnie - so if only for that reason, I’m going to pick your side over those shits… Fine, people. Yeah yeah, you’re in trouble because you fucked Jeff, but you still kept dating them during it. You still tried- No, I’m talking now. You can’t take the full blame because it was a relationship with four people. Everyone had a part to play and you could’ve been a real douchebag and dumped them both for Jeff right after you saw him again, but you didn’t. You tried to make it all work and fit together like you always do - but you can’t fix everything.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes and passed the phone to Brody. “She wants to talk to you.”

Brody frowned, and pressed the Talk button on his own phone, knowing she’d forgive them and the benefits of having a conference call were better than passing the phone back and forth anyway. “Lyn? You’re on speaker.”

“Fuck you two. I told Seb I just wanted to talk to you about it.” She sounded exasperated on the other end, and the call had just started.

“Tough luck, you called here, you’re stuck with the both of us.” Sebastian quipped, before letting Brody in on the updates. “The threesome broke up with her, and Lyn’s blaming herself and not knowing what to tell Jeff, so she called us first for advice.”

“You were the only option!” Lynette rebutted from the other line, already calling out Sebastian on his low-key attempts to keep things neutral. She paused, trying to reach composure before talking to the pair of them. It was one thing to be a wreck with Sebastian, it felt like a nostalgic low to do it with Brody. “Reagan’s going on exchange, so she broke it off with Nate and I, and had already been avoiding me for weeks before - It all started after I visited Jeff - and was staying at her Uncle’s, but she told us that she’s leaving and isn’t going to keep renting the house, which makes perfect sense, but we both knew it was just the easy way of breaking things up. So Nate and I were in limbo when she started packing her stuff and trying to sneak out after that conversation, and I knew he was still pissed at me for kind of ditching them for Jeff sometimes, but I was trying to balance everything, and hadn’t seen him in so long that I felt more obligated since we had so many unsaid things to deal with - but I can totally own up to the fact I was equally fucking things up with Nate and Reagan. But with Reag checking out earlier, Nate and I were kind of stuck and he knew me better, in all honesty. I mean, I started out with him knowing about the breakup and all of my bitchy I don’t want a relationship, and keeping it a fling, but he wouldn’t drop it. So I knew he wasn’t going to drop this easy either. And we were trying, but it was kind of obvious that I was still in love with Jeff - sorry - and-”

“Lyn, you don’t have to apologize.” Brody interrupted, hearing the awkward tone in her voice, no matter how many times they’d all told her it was okay to discuss this stuff around him.

“I know, it’s habit. But… yeah so, he knew that obviously, and was kind of backing off and giving me space, which was good but awful at the same time because Reagan was already doing that, and it just felt like before when I was the main problem that tore everyone apart.” Lynette sighed, hating the inevitable cycle that had followed her into her second relationship.

“You were not the problem.” Sebastian reminded, shutting down her vices immediately.

“Yeah… there were a lot of other factors… “ Brody added, avoiding Sebastian’s familiar ‘do not blame yourself for this’ gaze.

“I know. I know that, I do, but I still feel like it’s ultimately my fault. But anyway, so we were trying to keep things going but when your structure is already cracking, you can’t help but go with it eventually.” Lynette explained.

“That sounds an awful lot like a reality; compared to it all being your fault, now, doesn’t it?” Sebastian smirked through the phone and Brody hesitated to argue with him, knowing that it was still not completely appropriate timing to press Lyn’s patience. He knew his own perspective of not being able to deal with joking behaviour at times when he had already numbed out and accepted the self-critical tendencies.

“Shut up.” Lynette retaliated despite the truth. “Anyway, so it was kind of a mutual awkward realization with Nate and I that this wasn’t working, and even if we tried, he knew it wasn’t a be-all-end-all between us. I liked him, and maybe kind of loved him a bit, but never the same intensity as before with… well with you, and Jeff. Like, I’m upset about this, but I think I’m more upset over the fact that it’s similar to the Phantom breakup. When I think about - well, we all know that I can’t even tell Jeff yet because I’m terrified of what will happen.”

Brody piped up at the parallel, knowing that she would likely believe it coming from him of all people, “Jeff’s going to care. He’s going to hear you out - eventually, even if he doesn’t know how to deal with it right away. But, if you’re scared he’s going to leave you… It won’t happen, Lyn. It might be weird for a while, but he loves you. We got over the breakup and still talk, and I mean, Jeff and I talk. We all got over it. It doesn’t work like that if you don’t truly care about someone. We all forgave and forgot about it over time. I think it was a bigger deal for him to let you back in then it will be to find out your relationship broke up and you still love him.”

Sebastian’s concern had swapped to Brody the minute the Phantom breakup got addressed. Maybe this was a bad idea? He knew Brody could handle it, but he hated reminding him of one of their lowest points. He hated reminding Brody of one of his insecurities. “In case you forgot, you’re still pretty loveable even after you ruffle people’s feathers.”

Brody met Sebastian’s eyes, shrugging in response to the unspoken question of whether he was okay, and took Sebastian’s hand in his own to convince him. “He’s not lying.” Brody encouraged, knowing she’d scoff off the compliment but appreciate the honesty either way.

“So where do you stand with him? What does he know?” Sebastian asked for clarification as he preoccupied himself with stroking Brody’s hand in reassurance.

Lyn sighed, “Fuck, I don’t know, I mean I was vague with him last time we talked since Reagan dropped the bomb about her leaving, and then he was off with choreo stuff. I know he’s back because he sent me some messages, but I haven’t answered them yet.”

“You can’t leave it too long.”

“I know that, Sebastian. Christ, I didn’t call you for babysitting advice!”

“Excuse me; I can take ‘advice’ however I like. You didn’t specify your definition on the voicemail!”

“Can we get back to the point?” Brody eye rolled at their behaviour, and squeezed Seb’s hand to get him to focus. “He just got back. You let him settle back in, but it’s going to come out, and it has to come from you, Lyn. It’s not fair for him to hear it from someone else, or see it somewhere, or have you not tell him right away. It’s better to just get it out in the open sooner before it causes a bigger issue.”

Sebastian nearly cut off the circulation in Brody’s hand at that remark. “Why would you say that? We are not going back there. You are not putting yourself in that scenario again.” He cautioned in an aggravated whisper but Brody just shrugged him off.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t want to get you upset, Brody…” Lynette trailed off in response to catching Sebastian’s warning to him.

“It’s fine. I can handle this you two. How many times have we been over it? Plus I’m more into writing metaphors for dicks these days, so…” Brody smirked, receiving mutual laughs all around, which was the goal.

“Now you’re corrupting the children and bringing a whole new meaning to the hidden innuendos of Disney.”

Sebastian grinned, “I’m a good influence.”

“I don’t know, Brody’s pretty good with that stuff on his own.” Lynette smirked. “I don’t doubt that you light idiotic fires, though.”

“I’m already going to hell, so, I might as well enjoy the trip.” Sebastian added.

“You’re awful.” Brody grinned, and abandoned his phone for Sebastian’s and put it on speaker so he could curl his way into Seb’s lap.

“Before you two start making out on me, I really want advice - babysitting aside - how do I even bring it up in the first place? Hey Jeff, few weeks no see, how was your trip - oh wait let me drop this bomb on you that I likely broke up a relationship but I still want you so…” Lynette rambled sarcastically.

“That’s sure to get him to say yes.” Brody smiled.

“Shut up, asshole and be serious.”

“Don’t call my boyfriend an asshole. His ass is mine.” Sebastian protested.

“Off topic!” Lyn laughed, already knowing this conversation was fading into the normal idiocy.

“Just tell him the truth, even if it’s awkward at first. You can stumble through it, and he’s still going to appreciate that you were courageous to tell him everything, and then hide it from him until you perfected the response.” Brody suggested, dodging Sebastian’s handsy behaviour. “Get off me.”

“You’re the one who sat on me.” Sebastian argued with a grin. “Yeah Lyn, just tell him. Maybe summarize it that you mutually broke up, or got dumped, however it happened, and that he deserved to know, because he’s involved just as much as you are…were… Then get into the details. But just be honest and he’ll respect that. Or get him to call me, and I’ll sweet talk him. I love booty calls from your blondie.”

“Remind me why I thought it was a good idea to ask your advice?”

“You tell me, you call us all the time. Admit it, Lyn; we’re your booty calls after you can’t get any from Jeff. We all know my irresistible charm.” Sebastian flaunted the humor while Brody only encouraged it.

“It’s the hair. Or the snark.”

“I thought it was my-”

“Stop flirting. I’m hanging up.” Lynette interrupted

“Go! Leave us! We don’t need you now. Your call worked just as well as Viagra, we’re done with your sex line services.” Sebastian encouraged while Brody burst out laughing.

“I accept cash and gifts mailed to my direct address.” Lynette replied with a genuine smile. “Okay, I’m gonna go and booty call blondie. I’ll let you know how it goes - tomorrow, I’ll leave you to it.”

“Love you, Lynnie!”

“Good luck!”

“Love you, losers.”

“I take offence!”

“You should!”

“Bye!”

“If you need to crack the ice, tell him about my blondie booty call joke.”

“That’s sure to set the mood, Seb.”

“Hey, you’re supposed to support me!”

“Bye Lyn.”

“Bye Brody.”

“What about me!”

“About yesterday—“

Lynette sighed, knowing he wouldn’t drop the subject. He always chased after her. Why would he stop now, especially when she hadn’t clarified things fully the previous night? She couldn’t come to terms with it herself. She was merely doing what she thought was right. She was still in love with him, that was certain, but it was obvious that this was only hurting Brody’s reputation further. He was good at hiding that fact, but Lyn saw through it. She saw the different sides, the jabbing stares, rude comments, betrayals, and of course, Jeff’s point of view. She knew what they said about Brody, and he had to be fairly dim if he didn’t know either, but it was taking a much harder toll on Lynette than she cared to admit. She knew what needed to be done, as much as it pained the pair of them. “I meant what I said, Brody.”

“No, you didn’t. You wouldn’t be here if you meant it. And besides, you’re confusing as hell when you are scared to tell the truth, Lyn. You know me; you can be honest with me, Lynette. Besides, you’re the not the one everyone hates right now, that’s my territory.” Brody smirked solemnly and approached her cautiously. Things had been foggy last night. He assumed Lynette was attempting to break things off with him, whatever these things were. They definitely weren’t official in any sense, mainly because they’d been seeing each other in secret ever since the aftermath hit. Ultimately, they both knew this wasn’t going to work, not in this way at least, and Lynette seemed to voice that realization before Brody did. Of course that’s how it was. He would never leave her. He would never be the one to hurt her intentionally, and leave her broken. He couldn’t bare that, not after he’d loved her for so long. It had to be Lynette. Of course it did. That was inevitable, and he knew that. However, it didn’t mean he accepted it.

“We aren’t okay, Brody. Nothing about us feels right anymore. We’re hiding in secret, living a lie and just pretending things are okay instead of facing the truth. We’re walking on eggshells, Brody. I can’t do that anymore. I can’t do this. It’s not fair to you. We are only lying to ourselves believing that we can make this work. Maybe we could’ve before if I wasn’t with Jeff, or even months later after everything had died down, but not now. I can’t keep up this act.”

“Oh it’s an act now? What, you just felt so devoted to your character; you thought it would be okay to drag it out just a little bit longer? Do you know how hard this was for me?! Letting you in after everyone found out what I’d be hiding for years! Years, Lynette! This wasn’t just some silly crush! This was a part of my life, and you feel bad because you can’t play ‘this act’ anymore? Is that all I was to you? A dress rehearsal of ‘dating Brody’ and you realize you don’t like the real thing? ” Brody snapped at her, taking her wrist in his grasp and yanking her hand off his chest. He was overreacting, and he knew that, but she really had to choice that phrase? He had a good idea of what she actually meant, but wasn’t in a clear mindset to acknowledge that fact right now. She shouldn’t be attempting to protect him, he could protect himself. She shouldn’t be blaming herself; it was his fault all of this happened in the first place. It broke him more to know that was likely how she saw things, breaking up to salvage some of his reputation and honour so he could piece himself back together. Sighing at the sight of her facial expression, he tried to redeem himself, “I’m sorry…I know you didn’t mean that, and I overreacted. I didn’t—“

Lynette shook her head and stepped away from the boy. He let go of her wrist and she let her hand fall to her side, her wrist slightly stinging from the tightness of Brody’s grip. “It’s fine. You told me to be honest, and that’s what you just did. If that’s how you feel, I can’t get mad about it. But don’t you see? This is not us. We aren’t like this! Phantom just ended not that long ago…we rushed into this because we felt like we should, that it was a good thing. Maybe it is? But I think we need time to decide that. We’re chasing after something that could just be heated stage emotions, or what we could have had before Phantom even happened. I think I still feel guilty that you’ve loved me for so long and I blocked out my feelings for you because I thought that could never happen. And then I dated Jeff. I think I still regret assuming we couldn’t be together, that I’m trying to make sure we can now. But, we can’t keep doing this…not this way…It shouldn’t be this hard.”  Cursing internally as her waterline started brimming with tears, she looked away biting her lip and choking back a sob. She hadn’t meant to hurt Brody this much, but it was as if her brain wouldn’t shut off the loop of how much his life had been damaged because of her. This was the only way she could think of stopping their hurt, their pain, their anguish.  

Brody enveloped the fragile girl in a hug. His arms wrapped around her waist, and he buried his nose in her hair, inhaling slow and steady. Fearing that he’d start crying too, he swallowed before answering. “If you’re not happy anymore, you know that’s what matters most to me.” A shaky sigh escaped his lips, and the tightness in his chest only intensified. The love of his life was breaking up with him and crying in his arms and all he cared about was comforting her.

No matter how horrible he felt, Brody would never put his feelings above her own. Lynette was worth everything. He felt it was his job to protect her, to look out for her even if she didn’t need him. He would always be in the shadows doing everything he could to keep things in her best interest. It was part of the reasoning he didn’t put up a fight when she started seeing Jeff. He just wanted her to be happy. That was all he ever wanted for her. As hard as it was to admit, if she wasn’t happy with him, he had to accept that.

“I love you, Brody. I honestly have fallen in love with you over these past few months, with the history we have and everything, but it’ll never measure up to what you feel for me. And that’s why I have to let you go.” Lyn confessed, and broke away from his embrace, lightly lacing her fingers with his. “You understand, don’t you?” She sniffed, trying to fake a small smile of reassurance so that he wouldn’t blame himself.

“I do…Even if I don’t agree I understand where you’re coming from. I love you, and will always love you. This doesn’t have to be forever. Summer’s coming, and—“ Brody attempted to rekindle any sense of hope between the pair of them, not wanting to side with her statement completely, but was unfortunately cut off by his ex’s solemn stubbornness.

“I wish I could hold onto that, I really do. But I can’t make any promises to you. I can’t give you any further false hope…I’ll see you around, okay? Goodbye, Brody.” Lynette sighed, and slid her fingers away from his, stepping away and starting to walk away from the boy she’d probably damaged even more.

Brody wasn’t able to muster up a retaliating argument, so instead he let his actions do the talking. Scaring himself a little with his uncharacteristic behaviour, he took her by the arm and spun Lyn around to face him again. Cupping her face with one hand, the other slipped around her lower back, pulling her in close as he caught her eye and shifted his gaze to her lips, leaning in softly. Fortunately, his actions were reciprocated and Lynette kissed him back, grazing his jawbone with her fingertips, as she attempted not to cling to him like she truly wanted to, and not let go. She promised herself she had to do this for him, and needed to stick to her word. But matters of the heart can never be fully resolved when your emotions control you rather than your brain.