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Ice Creams of Divorce

Characters: Bdubs, Cleo, Scar, Etho

Wc: 920

Written for @flashfictionfridayofficial prompt 244, “Critical Ice Cream”

Ao3: Here!

“Mhmm,” Bdubs exaggerated delight with a mouthful of ice cream. “Delicious, right Cleo?”

Cleo didn’t respond. Bdubs turned to his left and they were glaring daggers at Etho from across the table. Etho, on his part, was bent towards the table trying to bring the ice cream to his face, but every time he moved the spoon closer, Cleo’s face hardened.

“Mom,” he whined. “The ice cream’s good, right?”

Cleo glanced at Bdubs and let out a small smile. “Of course, Bdubs.” Then looked back at the odd one out and continued frowning.

“Yes, Bdubs,” Scar said, across the table with his mouth full. “The ice cream is delicious. But it would be even better without Mister Deadbeat over there.”

“Come on, guys! He’s trying to reach out! Right dad?” Etho tried to speak but Bdubs continued. “Look! He’s here!”

“Yes, Bdubs, and that’s exactly the problem.”

“But! You guys were all in for the idea of inviting him! And it was all VERY civil during the meal! No one clawed the other’s eyes out! It makes no sense!”

“Oh, that was before dessert.” Scar said nonchalantly and Cleo nodded firmly, like that made any sense.

“So what!”

“I…” Etho spoke up, and all the eyes turned to him. He gulped, audibly. “I think I should probably… get going now.”

“What! No, dad!”

“Oh?” Cleo raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. “Is your little friend group calling? Asking when you’ll stop ‘babysitting’?”

Bdubs gasped. “Oh, don’t you speak of TIES like that! They’re great people, I’ll have you know!”

Cleo and Scar looked at him and then at each other. He couldn’t read their minds but he didn’t like whatever was happening, no siree! 

“Right… Scar, could you and Bdubs go for a walk?” they said, eyes never leaving Etho.

“Gladly!” Scar said, pushing his chair back. A crash followed. Scar looked down and pouted. “Awe, my cane, not again.”

Bdubs wanted to say ‘told you so’ but he didn’t think it would be the best idea.

Still, he muttered, “Told you not to hook it on the chair.”

Scar was close enough to hear him, but he clearly ignored it. Or maybe he was just too focused on trying to get his cane from the floor that he didn’t listen. He was like that.

He should help him get it.

At once, it hit Bdubs. “Wait, no!” Eyes on him again. He corrected his tone. “What about we don’t go?” 

Bdubs could probably count the amount of hairs on Cleo that turned gray in the length of the conversation.

“Pray tell, why would you not?”

“Because you would kill him and he couldn’t defend himself! No offense Etho.”

“None taken, sadly.” His voice grew sad. “I’ve already been called washed up and past my prime—”

“That’s a lie!”

“—Cleo would kill me instantly. I’ve accepted it.”

“Look at what you did!” Bdubs said to his mom. “The comment still hurts him!”

“I never said he was washed up! Everyone else said that but me!” They tried to defend themself but the cards weren’t in their favor.

“Clockers! Etho!” Scar said suddenly. He was already standing, cane in hand. When did he pick it up? “We’re getting too off-topic now! Come on, Bdubs.”

“Nuh-uh, I’m not going anywhere.”

“Bdubs…” Scar said with a threatening voice.

“I wanna hear what mom’s gonna say.”

Cleo sighed. “Take a seat Scar. Finish your ice creams.”

Bdubs had completely forgotten about it, and by the looks of it, so had Scar. Both scoops had already half-melted.

“Look, Etho… I hate putting the children in the middle of this—”

Bdubs wanted to retort that he wasn’t a child. So he did. They all ignored him.

“But if you want to be present in their lives, we could strike up an arrangement. Won’t suddenly drop Bdubs on you nor will you visit unannounced. You could call ahead and decide when to see them. That could be a thing. Nothing’s stopping you.

“If, however,” she continued, “you’re gonna be an absent father, could you be at least absent?”

The room grew dead silent.

Then, cackling. 

“Oh my god.” Scar said as he laughed.

A puff of air escaped Bdubs. Then, he felt something start to rise to his throat, stuck there for a second. 

And it escaped.

Bdubs laughed.

His eyes closed and he didn’t hear his parents join in, but their exhales felt less tense now. Almost fond.

After a bit, they stopped laughing. The air was silent, but no longer thick. Bdubs looked at his dad.

Etho breathed, then said, “Yeah I would… I think I would like that. The first thing. If Scar doesn’t mind. I know he hates me.”

“And that won’t change any time soon,” Scar said like a reminder. “But whatever makes Bdubs happy. Just remember, you mess with one of us, you mess with all, Mister Slab. Clockers stay together above it all. Remember that.”

Etho nodded firmly. “I will.”

“Oh, one more thing,” Cleo said. “You can’t take Bdubs to your crew of friends. I don’t trust they’re good role models for him.”

“Mom!”

Etho hummed. “You know, yeah, I see what you mean.”

“WHAT.”

“We’re a bit rowdy,” he added thoughtfully.

Cleo groaned. “Don’t ever say that again or I’ll rescind the invitation.” They rested their arms on the table. “So, are we on the same page?”

Etho looked at Bdubs, then at Scar. Then, back at Cleo. And with determination in his voice, “Yes. We are.”

Etho's realization....

How has the tables turned since the old days of Minecrack.

Enjoying a new view