Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Larkin Family™:

Jack Kelly-Larkin: 19
Bisexual and polyamorous
Hispanic, speaks French
OCD and depression
Dating Davey (19) and Crutchie (18)

Race Higgins-Larkin: 17
Bisexual, pref for men, polyamorous
Italian, speaks Polish and Spanish
Anxiety and ADHD
Dating Albert (17), Spot (17), and Elmer (16)

Smalls Higgins-Larkin: 16
Straight ally
English
ADD
Dating Sniper (17)

Buttons Davenport-Larkin: 18
Pansexual
English, speaks Polish and French
Anxiety and PTSD
Dating Henry (18)

Romeo Larkin: 15
Bisexual, pref for men, genderfluid, demiboy
French
Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, depression, and an ed
Dating Specs (16)

-

Larkin Family™'s Partners:

Davey: 19
Gay and polyamorous
English, speaks German, Spanish, and French
Anxiety
Dating Jack (19) and Crutchie (18)

Crutchie: 18
Pansexual and polyamorous
German, speaks Spanish
Anxiety, depression, and OCD
Dating Davey (19) and Jack (19)

Albert: 17
Transgender (FTM), bisexual, and polyamorous
Irish, speaks Polish, Italian, and Spanish
Depression, dysphoria, and autism
Dating Spot (17), Elmer (16), and Race (17)

Spot: 17
Gay and polyamorous
Hispanic, speaks Polish and Italian
Dating Elmer (16), Race (17), and Albert (17)

Elmer: 16
Transgender (FTM), genderfluid, bisexual, and polyamorous
Polish, speaks French, Italian, and Spanish
Depression, OCD, ed, anxiety, and seperation anxiety
Dating Spot (17), Albert (17), and Spot (17)

Sniper: 17
Straight ally
German, speaks English and French
OCD and ADHD
Dating Smalls (16)

Henry: 18
Pansexual
French
Social anxiety
Dating Buttons (18)

Specs: 16
Nonbinary and bisexual, pref for men
English, speaks French
HoH (Hard of hearing)
Dating Romeo (15)

Chapter Text

He was running again. He didn't know where, but he knew he had to get out of that house.

He couldn't go back, they'd kill him. He just had to keep running. He ran and ran, not stopping for a breath. He ran until he collapsed in front of a woman dressed in pink. "Oh my goodness! Here, let me help you up," the pink lady said, "are you alright?" She asked before seeing his face.

She gasped. "My god, what happened to you sugar?" She went to touch his cheek, which was bleeding, but pulled her hand back when he flinched. "Now this just won't do. Come with me honey, we're gonna fix you right up! I'm Medda by the way."

Well, it was better than being killed..

-

"Now baby, this is gonna sting a bit," Medda said as she poured peroxide on a cotton ball. He nodded and took a deep breath in. She started cleaning his cheek, and holy 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 it hurt. "I'm sorry honey, it needs to be cleaned otherwise it risks infection."

Still, this was better than being killed.

-

After Medda cleaned him up she took him out for lunch.

"I never got your name did I?" She asked as he stuffed his face with a very greasy cheeseburger. He chewed and swallowed. "No," he replied. Medda nodded and sipped her soda. "May I at least know your age?"

"I'm fourteen." Medda's eyes widened comically. "Fourteen!?! Sugar, that's too young to be abused!" The boy shrugged and continued eating. "This just won't do. I'm taking you in."

-

After a lot of hard work, courts, arguments, and yelling; Medda Larkin won her case. She had adopted the boy.

After getting what little things he had from his old foster home, she asked him questions about himself, which had confused the boy greatly.

"So sugar.. what do you enjoy doing?" The boy eyed her suspiciously. "Uh.. I- I like art," he said tentatively, "and i also like girls-" Medda interrupted with a light laugh. "And boys," he finished. Medda looked at him swiftly. He took a breath in, waiting for the screaming to start...

But it never did.

"Oh honey, thank you for telling me. You know I'll love and support you know matter what, mkay? How bout this, we can go out and getcha some paintbrushes and canvases and paint and you can decorate your room however you want. How's that sound?" She asked. The boy stared at her with round eyes. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵. He hadn't told her his name yet, but she was still so accepting of him. How did she trust him?

"Jack," he whispered, "my name is Jack."

Chapter Text

"Jack, honey?" Medda called when she opened the front door. "Jack?" She walked toward his room and knocked. "Jack, sugar I just wanted to kn-" She stopped mid-sentence when she saw her son.

He was zoned out, staring at the two day old scars on his forearms. "Oh baby," she cooed as she scooped him up in a hug. Jack sniffed and let out a small sob. "That's it baby, let it out, it's okay." He started to sob louder and louder. Medda rocked him back and forth gently while whispering loving words to him. After a few minutes he finally calmed down.

"W- What was it ya wanted ta ask me?" He choked out. Medda looked at him sadly. "Well, I wanted to know if you wanted some siblings." Jack wiped his eyes and looked at his mom.

"Yeah! Of course!"

-

Jack was sitting in the living room working on his latest piece of art when the front door opened. "Ma? Is dat you?" He asked while getting off the couch. He jogged over to the front door and stopped as he made eye contact with a boy with blonde hair and bright blue eyes.

"Oh, uh, hi," he said. The blondie's eyes squinted and he moved to cover a short girl and brown hair and sage green eyes. Medda came through the door carrying two small bags. "Oh Jack! I see you've met Tony and E-" "It's Racetrack and Smalls." The blonde boy interrupted her. Medda smiled. "Of course, Racetrack and Smalls. Babies, this is Jack." Jack waved awkwardly. Smalls waved back with a shy smile while Race glared at him.

"Come on kiddos, you need to pick your rooms!" Medda exclaimed. Smalls whooped and ran off with her new mom, leaving Jack and Race alone. "Listen," Race said sharply, "If youse so much as lays a hand on 'er, youse'll pay for it." Jack nodded. "I'se wouldn't dare of hurtin' youse or her. I'se just happy ta have a family."

And with that, Race smiled and ran off to pick out his new room.

Chapter Text

"DAMMIT BOY JUST GET ME ANOTHER ONE!" He winced as a broken bottle flew by his face, cutting his forehead. "I- I'm sorry! I'm g- getting you one right n- now, sir!" 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘺. He thought as he grabbed his dad yet 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 bottle of alcohol.

He thought about his life and how it lead to 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭.
He was seven when his mom died, and his dad resorted to drinking to drown out his grief and sorrows. He then started getting abusive towards his oldest son, punching, slapping, kicking, even at one point raping the child one drunken eve, telling his son he looked just like his mother.

He shivered. He stepped over bottles and cigarettes to hand his dad that bottle. "There we go Benji, not so hard now is it?" His dad asked while touching his face. "N- no sir."

He had to get out of this place. He absolutely hated it here. The only good thing about his life..

-

"Hey sugar! I was just thinking about some new costume ideas!" Medda exclaimed excitedly when he walked through her theater doors. "Really? Cuz I was just thinkin' of some myself, Ms. Medda," he said politely. She smiled her award winning smile and hugged him. "Aw baby, I love you soooooo much! Are you sure we aren't family?" The boy smiled. "I'se sure, Ms. Medda."

She started walking towards the stage to continue directing the Bowery Beauties but stopped when she saw a dressing room curtain move. "Oh honey, I almost forgot! This is my daughter, Smalls!" A young girl ran out to Medda, "She found fashion interesting and wanted to meet you! Is it alright if she watches or helps you work?" He looked at the girl and nodded happily. "Yeah, of course it is! It'll be great to have an extra mind with more ideas!" Medda grinned. "Thanks so much sugar!"

-

They got along very nicely. It was like they were meant to be costume partners. "So your name is Smalls?" He asked her suddenly. She looked at him with a look that clearly said 'are you dumb or what?' "Yeah, ya wanna make somethin' of it?" He quickly shook his head. "No! No, I'se was just a little confused." Smalls looked down at the feather fan she was working on. "Sorry, my brother just told me not ta let anyone make fun of me.. Smalls is my nickname, I don't like usin' my real name."

"I'se get it, my name is Benjamin, but Medda nicknamed me Buttons with how much time I'se spend here." Smalls smirked and looked at him fully for the first time. "Youse is funny, yknow?" Buttons smiled. "Thanks." She nodded. "Hey," she started, "what's that on your face?" 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘵. "Uhh, nothin'! It's nothin'!" He said while trying to somehow cover it with the costume he was sewing. "BULLSHIT!! I'se know abuse when I'se see it! Lemme look Buttons!" She grabbed his face and pulled it to her so she could examine his cut.

"Abuse?" Smalls froze in her tracks. Medda walked over to the table and squatted down to look at Buttons. "Sugar, why didn't you say anything?" He looked at his lap ashamedly. "I'se didn't wanna worry youse. I- it's nothin' really, just a few cuts and bruises." Medda's eyes were sad. "Baby..." she stopped and thought for a minute, "Smalls, how about a new brother?"

-

"Jack! We're home!! C'mere for a sec, and bring your brother!" Smalls shot off like a rocket, running to her room. Jack and Race came around the corner. "Yeah ma?" Jack asked.

"You have another brother!" Medda said proudly. Buttons walked through the door carrying a backpack, when he looked up at his new brothers, his mouth dropped.

"Race!?!"

Chapter Text

His stomach rumbled as he trudged through the pouring rain. He just wanted someplace to warm up, take a nap, and be safe from sickness and pain. His neck was killing him, and so was his back. He had twisted his ankle from running as well. The boy finally found an alleyway that was thankfully decently dry.

He limped over to a back corner and sank down on the ground. He gently took his shoe off and stared in horror as he saw the purple and blue swell of his ankle. He leaned his head back against the wall and let out a deep sigh. It was quiet except for the rain on the buildings beside him. He closed his eyes and wished for shelter.

A crash then came from a trash can next to him. He gingerly got up and limped over, opening the lid when he got close. Inside, there was a tiny black and white kitty. "Oh my goodness, tu es si précieux!" He said as he carefully picked her up. She meowed and put her small, white paws on his arms. "Oh mon Dieu, je t'aime tellement. Je vais te nommer... Julie!" The cat meowed happily and purred, rubbing her head on his hand.

The boy smiled happily and sat down next to Julie, letting her play with his hands and clothes. "You're so mignonne, le saviez-vous?" He said rather loudly. "Hello?" A voice sounded from the back door of the building he was leaning against. "Hello? Who's there?" It was getting closer. He picked Julie up again and held her against his chest.

"Oh hello young man! My gosh, you look dreadful! Would you like to come inside?" A beautiful woman dressed in a gorgeous fuschia dress asked. The boy looked up at her sadly. "Je ne suis pas bon en Anglais, je suis désolé." The woman smiled kindly. "C'est bon! Je peux parler français. J'ai demandé si tu voulais venir te réchauffer, tu peux amener le chat avec toi si tu veux!" The boy finally smiled widely and stood up carefully, mindful of his ankle. "Juste ici, puis-je vous demander votre nom?" The lady asked.

"Oui, Roméo."

-

Inside the building was so warm. Romeo sighed happily and snuggled into the blanket Medda had gotten for him. He looked around and saw pink, pink, more pink, and a little bit of purple. He smiled to himself. He liked it here. Medda returned with a plate of food. Romeo looked at it and his heart sunk. "Oh... je n'ai pas vraiment faim, merci quand même." Medda's smile turned to a frown. "Es-tu sûr? Vous devez être affamé après être resté assis sous la pluie pendant qui sait combien de temps!" Romeo nodded. "Oui, je suis sûr." Medda nodded and placed the plate on the sidetable. "Juste au cas où vous le voudriez plus tard. Ç'est ici pour Julie." She said, pointing to a small slice of cheese.

Romeo smiled. "Merci beaucoup."

-

"I'm telling you, Jack! This little biscuit is skin and bones! Is it okay if I adopt him, baby?"

"𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘐'𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐'𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘮, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯' 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦, 𝘮𝘢. 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬."

-

After a week in court, Medda finally won authority over Romeo. After moving him in, she helped him learn English. Romeo and Race were basically true brothers now, Jack and Romeo were both artists, Romeo and Smalls bonded over being super short, and Buttons and Romeo bonded over fashion. Medda was so happy that he was finding his family.

She was also happy that no one was allergic to cats.

Chapter Text

It was Jack's junior year of high school when he met two boys. Davey Jacobs and Crutchie Morris. He'd come home every day, complaining about how obvious it was that they didn't like him the same way. Race would then start complaining about 𝘩𝘪𝘴 boy troubles too, Smalls took that as a cue to complain about her boy trouble, and Buttons... well, he did what he always does. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 complain.

But this day... this day was very different for one reason.

-

"Ma! I'se brought my boyfriends home, hope dat's okay!" Jack called into the house as he opened the door. "Honey! What have we said about not telling me these things 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 they happen?" She called back from the kitchen. "Sorry ma, it just happened abruptly so I'se didn't have time ta warn ya." Medda smiled softly and put the plate of grapes, crackers, cheese, and strawberries on the counter. "It's okay baby. Take whatever you want boys and Smalls, it's all here!" Jack guided his boyfriends up the stairs and to his room while Race and Smalls took some food off the plate, Romeo on the other hand, went to their room as well.

Jack pushed open his door and let Crutchie and Davey in before himself. "Wow Jackie, your room ist huge!" Crutchie exclaimed as he sat down on Jack's bed. "Yeah.. but that's what happens when your ma is a director and actress." He said, sitting next to Crutchie. Davey wandered the room and stopped in front of Jack's desk. "Jack, love," he began, "what's this?" He picked up a bloodied razor blade and held it for his partners to see.

Jack's eyes widened and he leaped across the room, quickly and carefully yanking the blade out of Davey's hand. "Jackie, vas ist das?" Crutchie asked cautiously. Jack took a deep breath and looked at his boyfriends. They were both scared, concerned, and.. sad?

"It's nothin'."

-

Race was worried. He'd seen Romeo eat, but it wasn't ever a full plate. It was usually a small bite or two, and after that he excused himself and went straight to the bathroom. Nobody had said anything about it, so Race had kept quiet. But this had gone on long enough.

Race knocked on Romeo's door and waited for a reply. "Entrez!" Race opened the door, walked in, and closed it behind him. "Hey Rome," he said as he sat on a beanbag, "have youse been feelin' okay recently?" Romeo stopped working on their homework and looked at their brother. "Oui, I'm fine." Race stopped himself from rolling his eyes. "Romeo, what's up wit youse and food? Everytime ya eat somethin ya go to the bathroom immediately after. I'se know somethin's wrong, just tell me. Please."

Romeo looked at their brother and sighed. "Fine, but 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 me that you will not tell mama." Race nodded.

"I'se won't tell mam."

-

"Davey and Crutchie! Can y'all come down here and talk to me for a minute, loves?" Medda called. Crutchie looked at Davey, who was still trying to figure out the whole blade problem. He carefully took the blade from Jack. "This isn't over," he said as he and Crutchie left the room. The two boys went downstairs and found Medda sitting on the couch. "Sit," she said, "I want to know what you boys plan to do with my Jackie."

Crutchie's mouth spread into a smile, like butter. "We'se'll take good care of him for you, Ms. Medda. We love him very much and would do anything for him." Medda smiled back. "Thank you, Crutchie. Davey? How about you?" Davey looked between his boyfriend's mom and his other boyfriend. "What Crutchie said. I love Jack so much. I will never let anyone hurt him, not even himself." There was a very slight falter in Medda's smile. "Thank you boys so much. One last thing," the boys nodded, "if you do anything, and I mean 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 to hurt my baby, I will have the personal pleasure of tracking you two down, killing you, and making it look like an accident. Mkay loves?" Crutchie started laughing while Davey sat there with his mouth gaping open.

"Y- yes ma'am!"

Chapter Text

"Mam! Hiiiiii! Listen, is it okay if I brings my boyfriends over? Hm? Sorry, boyfriends and partner? There's no homework, but they wanna meetcha."

"𝘖𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺! 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘶𝘺𝘴! 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶!"

"Love ya too mam."

-

It wasn't that big of a deal.. Jack had done it before with Davey and Crutchie. But Race's case was special. It was a four person relationship. Spot, who was 5'0 but made up for it with his strength. Albert, who was the quiet one, but made up for it with his fun facts about stars. And Elmer, who was just under 5'0 (they wouldn't confirm it yet), and made up for their height with joy.

Race loved them all so much, and was excited for them to meet his mam. He just hoped she would approve of the three. They all had their strengths and weaknesses, but together, they were unstoppable.

-

"Hello boys!" Elmer coughed uncomfortably. "Oh, mam, El is genderfluid... they're usin they/them today," Race said quickly. Medda looked in the car mirror and made eye contact with Elmer. "I'm so sorry honey, Race didn't tell me about that!" Elmer smiled politely and nodded. "Ees okay ma'am! Youse deedn't know yet." Medda smiled back.

"I like this one."

"Maaaaaaaam!!"

-

"Where are the other two?" Medda asked as she opened the door to the house. "Oh, they'se on a different bus, Spot's drivin em here." Race responded. "Make sure they have our address!" Race nodded and pulled Elmer up the stairs to his room.

"Eet's so big!!" El exclaimed as they set foot in Race's room. "Yeah, well Jack and Romeo's are bigger." El smirked and pulled Race in by his waist. "Dat's funny." Race looked at them in confusion for a minute until it clicked. "EeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEW ELLLL!!!!"

-

A knock on the door sounded. Race and El shot up and ran down the stairs to open it. "Al!!" Both of the younger said excitedly. Albert waved uncomfortably and started flapping his hands soon after. Elmer frowned and held their hand out for Albert to take. "Come on miłość, let's geet you inside." They took Albert to sit down in the living room. Race went outside and waited for Spot.

"Hey."

"Hi."

-

"Well helloooooooo Albert, honey! Want some crackers?" The boy in question shook his head and whined as Elmer led him to the couch. Medda frowned and set the plate of crackers down. "Are you okay sweetie?" Albert nodded as Elmer shook their head. "Al... ya ain't okay, you're, how do you say it in Engleesh.. nonverbal?" They looked at Medda for approval. When she nodded, they smiled brightly and went back to comforting their boyfriend.

"Hey mam! Is Al okay!?" Race called as he and Spot entered the house. Albert clasped his hands over his ears, curling up into a ball on the couch. Race quieted down quickly as he realized one of his boyfriends was hurting. "Oh, baby..." Spot walked into the living room carrying two big backpacks. When he saw his boyfriends on the couch, he dropped both of the bags immediately and swiftly moved to sit on the couch.

Albert started rocking back and forth, his fingers tapping out a pattern on his knees. Elmer sat back, unsure of what to do. "El," Race whispered, "Cmere." Elmer gently got up and moved to sit with the blonde boy. Spot switched seats and sat where Elmer sat before as Albert started calming down. He carefully chose his next words. "Al, honey.. d'ya think youse can come wit us ta Tony's room? Ya think youse can do that for us?" Albert's teary eyes met Spot's soft brown ones. The ginger nodded shaking, unfurling from his ball on the couch.

Race and Elmer smiled and led the way for the other two, making sure they weren't going too fast for Albert. Medda watched the interaction with a grin on her face.

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘬™, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.