three . video

[misconceived]

WHO Chris Halliwell
BROADCAST Accidental Fleet-wide video (thanks Atroma!!)
ACTION SS Huntress.
WHEN May 10th. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.
WARNINGS don't play fetch with the soulball

[ The video is abrupt, the angle awkward. It cuts on to a comm laying on what appears to be a dining table in a fully upgraded kitchen. Chris is standing off-center, facing someone who is holding what appears to be a lightly-glowing orb in his hands.

This appears to be a very controversial thing, holding a glowy ball. ]

They gave you grandad?! It's a casino! Where the hell did they even get that?

Actually, where the hell do you even keep that now? Or... then. Back then? Whatever. How do you play slots to win your father's soul?

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[misconceived]

[ That pit of dread sitting in his gut has expanded and he almost can't feel his fingers anymore, close to digging into Piper's shoulders while the immediate answer clarifies in front of his eyes. It isn't right, it can't be right, but that piece slots into place so quickly and he's almost dizzy from it. ]

I wouldn't call you Aunt... because I'd call you... Mom?

[ Distress, heartbreak, pick a terrible-sounding word and there's probably some of that in his tone. Piper's expecting a son and he isn't that son. He's himself, he's Chris, son of Phoebe Halliwell and Cole Turner, but he can't help but feel like a failure or something that wasn't made right, anyway. Years of degradation of his worth and place in the family is pretty hard to get rid of for all the self-confidence his family helped build up around him like a shield. It's only a temporary revolt of the mind but that uncertainty is crushing while it lasts. ]

[devilsinthedetails]

[Hearing Chris's words throw all attempts at helping Piper out the window and his focus is on Chris. Cole always had issues about not being Chris's father, that he was just a replacement for the one that actually raised him, but this? This hits him in the gut like he'd been run through by another sword or wing.

Piper remembers Chris as her son, which means he's Leo's son as well. She might remember it being that way, but Cole definitely doesn't and even if it was true he wouldn't accept it. He's already lost one son. He's not going to lose another if he can help it.]

He's not your son. [Cole can't help but say that a little bit too sharply as he pulls Chris into a half-hug.] It's impossible. You wouldn't cheat on Leo and I wouldn't even dare get involved with you like that.

[normallycharmed]

[ It's with the wash of pain from Chris' fingers digging into her shoulder that every reason and thought she had to not say anything was affirmed. She trains her eyes on anyone but the pair of them and swallows hard. She tries desperately to count to three but there is no more restraint. Not when Cole speaks. She knows what she remembered.

The eyes trained on the wall don't even blink when the paneling flies off, a luckily, interior wall of the ship. Her mouth feels filled with cotton when she's finally able to speak. ]

That's right, he's not. [ Still just as hallow, still refusing to look at the pair of them. ]So just go. There's nothing else to say.

[misconceived]

[ Chris falls into the half-hug like he's being arranged rather than moving of his own accord. His hands are still on Piper's shoulders and it makes the position awkward, but he can't let go. He wants to after all this, but he can't. His body isn't listening and his mind is working against him.

His life was good before it went to shit. He doesn't blame anyone but the actual parties involved with turning Wyatt, it certainly wasn't his family's fault, but part of him is desperately wondering if maybe the things Piper remembers — maybe if Wyatt had a little brother instead of a demonic little cousin, maybe things would be better. Maybe he should have been that way instead? ]

But I am to you. Your son. The Chris—the me—that you remember is your son. [ He licks his lips, expression difficult and twisted up, as impossible to sort out as his emotions right now. He doesn't even react to the microexplosion behind him. ] Dad, I—Piper, it's not...

[devilsinthedetails]

[It says a lot that his first instinct is to grab Chris and just shimmer out, but it says a lot more that all he does is hold him close while being overly protective. This is his son, not Piper's and all he wants to do is keep him close and confirm it. He was already comparing himself to his future self, the Cole that this Chris was raised by and loved dearly, but now he has to compare himself to Leo and that's almost a bit too much for him.]

Kit, you're not the son she remembers. We should go before things get even more out of hand here.

[Namely, Piper doing more than blowing up parts of the ship.]

[normallycharmed]

No, he's right. And pretending you are wouldn't be right.

[ But it just complicates so many feelings. Because this looked like her Chris-- exactly like him. Even if she doesn't remember as much as she likes those feelings and thoughts are as strong as they always were, stronger even with the lack of memories. Again, she tries to pull away closing her eyes. ]

Next time I tell you to get out of her you might as well listen.

[ It's dry humor, still not quite there even for her dryness. ]

[misconceived]

[ Maybe not right to pretend, but it isn't something Chris is discounting. He kind of owes his family everything and wants to do right by them, his own instincts a jumbled mess of insisting Phoebe is the only mom he'd want (it's true) while feeling terrible for being something Piper doesn't expect, might not even want.

He turns his head down, finally forces his hands away from her shoulders. ]

Right... We're still family, though. Nothing is going to change that.