Chapter Text
Jonah wakes up and gets out of bed, stretching a bit, ugh why did he choose a female host this time, the back pain is killer. His husband Peter has already left for work, he usually left early before Jonah woke up. Not Jonah, he corrects himself, Lydia, it wouldn't do to slip up and reveal himself at an event or in front of his kids. Which speaking of, they would be getting up soon, or he would wake them up, the last thing he needed was for them to be late to school. Gertrude would laugh at him, a member of the PTA, whose kids can't get to school on time. He scoffed thinking about the older woman, his rival, he hated her but couldn't deny that they did plan the best fundraisers when they were not at each other's throats over what food they should serve in the cafeteria (Gertrude believed in organic produce and the transformative power of veganism, Jonah laughed at her and said he didn't want his kids only eating carrots like rabbits). He got dressed, he would never admit it but he liked dresses to a certain extent, some of the frilly ones were hideous but nothing wrong with a sensible one, sometimes ones with nice embroidery if he felt fancy. Peter said he liked those the best so Jonah wore them the least just to spite him. He went downstairs and made breakfast before he woke up the kids. They had 3 kids, two boys- Tim and Martin, and one girl- Sasha, all sensible well educated children as Jonah raised them to be. Martin was a bit fanciful and more prone to crying than Tim, fair enough as he was the youngest, and Tim was a showoff, always trying to impress his siblings. Sometimes to his own detriment, like the time he fell off his scooter while playing outside, Jonah hated when they cried or got hurt, not just because he cared for them- only a little- he hated dealing with their whining or whatever bruises they got this time. It was tiring. He didn't really want kids if he was honest, but then again none of this was his first plan, Peter had told Jonah that he betted he couldnt spend a week away from working at the institute and one thing led to another so now here he was. Definitely a bet gone wrong but not all of it was terrible. They pretended to be an average family, Peter working and Jonah mainly staying home- he spent a lot of time Watching his neighbors, he was determined to have a better garden than Deborah next door and occasionally poured cola on her plants so they would wilt just a little, she hadn't found out it was him yet- they had their three kids and jonah was on the PTA. Perfectly normal, the only tricky part was making everyone else believe it, and not murdering each other as they played the part of suburban parents. Jonah focused on the task at hand and yelled at Sasha, Tim and Martin to wake up or they’d be late for school. He heard their footsteps on the second floor as they slowly got up and came down for breakfast.
“Mom, I wrote another poem, wanna see?” Martin piped up, drinking some tea- his favorite drink- and looking much too cheery for this early in the morning.
“Not right now Martin can't you see mommy is busy. Ask your brother later.”
“Yeah sure i’ll look later but then you have to play a game with me.” Jonah sighed internally, well that was bound to end with one of them crying, Tim played too rough and Martin was much too clumsy, he decided not to interfere unless Tim told Martin to slide down the banister again. He gave them each their lunches and headed to the car, they made it to school on time thankfully and he kissed each of them on the cheek before driving back home. Maybe he’d spend some time Watching Doug - one of their neighbors, a loud and obnoxious sports fan- again, it was always fun to make him just a little bit afraid. He heard the phone ring from the kitchen and went to pick it up.
“Hello you’ve reached the Bouchard and Lukas household this is Lydia how can I-” The voice on the line cuts him off.
“Hello Jonah! How are you today?”Jonah laughs, it's Nikola Orsinov, she's been putting up a facade as the co-owner of a yarn shop with Annabelle Cane at the moment, having wanted to join Peter and Jonah in their challenge of normalcy. She and Annabelle had already been dating and it was amusing to Jonah that she had chosen a yarn shop. Always pulling strings Annabelle was, even in her off time apparently. She usually called Jonah to tell him about whatever gossip was going on in the avatar world.
“Mmm fine as always Nikola, what's the news today.”
“Weeeell, Jude and Agnes said they can't make it to knitting night this week, they're finally going on a date, which I called that by the way, you owe me 5 bucks you said they wouldn't go out until next week.”
“Hmm alright I suppose I do owe you then.”
“How are the kids?”
“Fine thank you, Martin is still writing terrible poetry, Tim is still falling off scooters and Sasha is quiet as always. I swear she's the only one with any sense, but she does join Tim in some of his adventures.”
“They're good kids, feel free to call me if you need me to babysit again.”
“Of course, well I’ll see you later Nikola, I need to finish the housework for today.” He hangs up before she gets another word in. He didn't call her for babysitting anymore, not after they all got lost in a wax museum, Martin cried of course and Tim thought it was a game. He sighed, Nikola was fine, but definitely not meant to have kids.
Chapter 2: A Special Visit
Summary:
Jonah gets a visitor
Notes:
well, enough of my friends liked it that i wrote this, during history class today. anyways enjoy yeah.
Chapter Text
Peter would be home later tonight for dinner, Jonah finished all the housework, sweeping and washing dishes and the like. He heard a knock at the door and sighed, probably one of Peter’s “business partners” as he claimed. Jonah was well aware that they were members of the Mafia, as much as Peter lied that they were “totally normal business people doing uhh business stuff yeah” to which Jonah would nod and pretend that he believed the obvious deceit. He dusted off his apron and opened the door to greet-
“Good afternoon Lydia, lovely to see you today. I assume Peter is out then?”
“Afternoon Simon, how nice of you to stop by, for work I assume?”
“Yes indeed, you know how it is. Always working.”
“Oh yes, Peter is the same way, leaving early and coming home late. But I am grateful to him for providing for the family.” The words come easy to Jonah, simply a part of the character he is playing, an elaborate ruse, a dance. He could not lose this game. Simon was unfortunately aware of Jonah’s identity, the byproduct of a disastrous dinner party. In which Peter had gotten unreasonably drunk and told the assembled guests that Lydia was in fact his husband Jonah. Of course some of them were too drunk to remember and the sentence didn't make sense to half of them regardless. Jonah pretended that the scene had never occurred and Simon did as well but the way he spoke the name Lydia every time they were around each other was more than enough of an indication that he remembered the night vividly. And yet they both played the game, not ones to reveal their secrets or let the other win.
“Yes hes quite the man. May I come in?” Jonah obliged and held the door open for Simon to step in, he was grateful that he had just finished all the cleaning and there was a fresh pot of tea on the stovetop, He poured two cups and offered the second to Simon who took it politely but didn't drink any. Smart man, if Jonah wasn’t afraid of bringing the anger of a group of powerful avatars onto himself he would most certainly attempt to poison Simon and Simon knew that very well. Of course he had tried to poison Peter a few times too, sometimes it worked, he never used anything lethal, just a dash of whatever might cause him a bit of discomfort for a little while. Or he’d just put salt in his coffee instead of sugar and Peter would drink it anyway not wanting to let Jonah get the better of him. Usually he did that when Simon or the others were over, that was always good for a laugh. Peter sometimes caught him and then Jonah had to watch out for the next week for any snakes or other things Peter would try in an attempt to get back at him. It was all part of their marriage, it was this or getting divorced and remarried several times in the span of a month, which is what they used to do. However with the need to feign a normal life they were no longer permitted to do so, making do with infuriating the other in whatever way wasn't noticeable by their children. Jonah had once spent a week moving all the furniture slightly to the left while Peter was on a sailing trip and the kids were at summer camp. Peter had spent the next week getting bruises on his shins from bumping into the coffee table and Jonah quietly laughed every time he saw him stumble into it. Of course Peter blamed Jonah which was a fair assumption despite how much Jonah denied ever touching the furniture. To get Jonah back Peter hid all his tea cups in the hardest to reach cupboards and moved all his ugly mugs to the cabinets Jonah could reach. Peter knew Jonah was too stubborn to ask Peter to get them down for him and refused to get a stool for the kitchen so used Peter's ugly mugs with sailing puns on them until Peter finally relented and moved the tea cups back. Jonah often cursed his husband's unreasonable height and Jonah’s own petite frame.
“So, what business brings you here today Simon?”
“I have some things to drop off for Peter, I would rather give them to him in person but I suppose I can leave them for him.”
“I’ll make sure the kids don't peek.” Jonah said dryly, knowing full well that Simon’s hesitance was based on Jonah’s own curiosity. A silly thought, Jonah could Know what was on the files as soon as he wanted. Another reason why Jonah was not sure why Peter continued to pretend he had a normal job when he was well aware Jonah could Know what he was doing. Jonah held out a hand and Simon begrudgingly handed him the folder of papers before setting down the tea cup and getting up. Jonah opened the door for him and closed it behind him, setting the papers on the counter for Peter to look at later. He decided he wouldn't look right now, he could later if he wanted to. He finished up the house chores and left the house to pick up Tim, Martin and Sasha.
Chapter 3: Middle School
Summary:
dinosaurs
Chapter Text
Jonah drove to the middle school and waited for the bell to ring. He sighed internally as Gertrude walked up next to him, obviously here to pick up Jon.
“Good afternoon Gertrude.” He said, feigning politeness.
“Afternoon Lydia.” She didn’t say anything else, normally Jonah would have felt like he won if the other person was silent but Gertrude was the exception. Someone once said she was a stone cold bitch and they were right, good at her job though. Head librarian for the local library, everyone was so afraid of her that they returned books on time out of pure fear of what she might do if they didn't. Gertrude’s silent felt pervasive, a cold hard empty space and it made Jonah want to crawl out of his stolen skin.
“How is your garden? Petunias wilting again? I know you asked about that at the last gardening club meeting.” He made his words sound as condescending as he could. Gertrude just raised an eyebrow at him.
“No, they've been doing wonderfully ever since you told me that trick about the sprinklers.” She replied, the picture of innocence and (can't think of word find it later). Jonah almost growled in frustration, he could never get anything over the old woman and it drove him mad, he was trying to think of a biting retort but was saved by the bell ringing and his three kids almost knocking him over as they each gave him a hug.
“Yes thank you Martin you can let go now, I missed you too.” He felt Martin let go as Jon walked up to Gertrude, quiet and reserved as ever. Jonah saw the slight blush that crept across Martin’s face as he looked at Jon and almost laughed. He knew about Martin’s crush very well, Jon was one of Martin’s favorite topics of conversation and Jonah hated it. But he couldn't deny that it was pretty cute. Not Jon, Jonah hated the kid, but as much as he was loath to admit it, he did want Martin to be happy and Jon was one of the few things that did.
“Let's head home, we can play a board game if you’ve all done your homework.” He gave Gertrude a small wave goodbye as they left. Tim excitedly talked about the field trip they went on today while they drove home-
“And there were so many different exhibits I didn't even know what half of them were. But I liked the dinosaur bones the best. They were so cool, mom, what's your favorite dinosaur mine is triceratops because he has that cool crown thing on his head.” Tim was the most talkative out of the three and Peter always said it was off putting, especially after being alone on his boat. Jonah didn't always mind just so long as Tim was quiet while he was busy.
“I've always liked velociraptors, they're fast and can rip you apart before you can blink.” Jonah replied to his son’s comment without having to think about it too hard. He had chosen a favorite ages ago when Tim had brought home a book about dinosaurs from the library and left it on the kitchen table. Jonah had flipped through it a bit and enjoyed some of the details. Tim nodded seriously,
“A good choice dad.”
“Thank you, Sasha? Martin? How were your days at school?” They were each a year apart, Tim being the middle child- in 7th grade, Sasha the youngest- 6th and Martin the oldest- 8th.
“Pretty okay, we studied some new things in english, I’m going to use them for my poetry later.” Jonah nodded.
“Sasha?” he asked.
“Oh it was fine, it's always too loud at school.” Jonah frowned, he had already asked the teacher to make sure the volume was kept lower please but they must have ignored him, he was close to lodging a formal complaint but decided to try something else first.
“Let's get you some headphones for when it's too loud, you can put them on when you need to, okay alright sweetheart?” Sasha nodded. They got home and Jonah let them watch some show they liked while he watered his flowers outside and made sure they were all growing alright. Then he started on dinner before Peter got home. He finished and set the table, they ate, Tim continued to chatter on about dinosaurs, Peter hadn't arrived so Jonah left his plate on the counter and the rest of them watched a movie. He sent them to bed and sat down in his armchair, reading through a book on the psychology of fear, it was a great read and perfect for an avatar. You would never guess the tricks for getting fear books like these had, unsuspectingly of course. He paused to order Sasha headphones as promised, picking out some cute ones with cat ears he thought she might like. Then he returned to his book, losing track of time and feeling himself start to fall asleep a bit as it got later in the evening. He didn't hear the door open or notice Peter had come home rather feeling his arms suddenly around Jonah and lifting him up. Jonah was too tired to protest as his husband carried him bridal style to their bed and tucked him under the covers before going back downstairs. Maybe to eat or look at the file next to his plate. Jonah fell deeper into sleep before he got back but noticed when Peter slipped into the bed and Jonah moved drowsily so he was cuddled up next to him. After that he was out like a light. Being married to Peter Lukas wasn't always bad.
Darcin on Chapter 1 Wed 11 Aug 2021 08:14AM UTC
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dust_records_and_drumbeats on Chapter 1 Wed 11 Aug 2021 02:04PM UTC
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Darcin on Chapter 2 Fri 13 Aug 2021 09:12AM UTC
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Darcin on Chapter 3 Sat 14 Aug 2021 09:54PM UTC
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dust_records_and_drumbeats on Chapter 3 Sun 15 Aug 2021 04:06PM UTC
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