Part 2

Context: Your relationship with your family has never been great, largely thanks to your father. A good ol' boy and ex-military, he convinced everyone your acts of rebellion were good enough reason for all of them to cut you off or assume the worst. Except for Charlie. Ten years your senior and an ex-squadmate of your father, Charlie was able to see through those lies as you started college. He's come to your aid plenty of times, protected you, and encouraged you. It's hard not to appreciate him and all he does for you. Even harder not to appreciate those big, strong arms and cocky smile.

Setting: The old family home

Tags: [M4F][Friends to Lovers][Older Man Speaker][Younger Woman Listener][Confession][Controversial][Kisses][Protective][Old Friends][History Together][Hugs][Military Boy][Angst][Loss][TW: Implied Abusive Family/Sexism/Racism/A Generally Shitty Dad][CW: Older Man x Younger Woman]

Usage: You may tweak or record this script. Gender flipping is OK! Please credit me if you use this script in any of your projects. If you would like to use this script for a paywalled recording, please note:

Monetization: All forms of monetization are OK with me! Youtube, Patreon, etc. I would appreciate being able to listen to the recording, if possible. Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!

***

[Scene opens at the old family home]

[SFX: The Listener moving boxes followed by a knock]

[You kneel in a sea of boxes, sorting through the remnants of your old life when a knock comes at the door. You turn and see a familiar face]

“Hey, Shortstack. Got a hug for lil old me?”

[Pause!]

[You stand and hurry into the man’s arms. He squeezes you gently, heart thumping under your ear]

“Mmh! Hehe, look at you. It’s damned good to see you, sweetheart. Just wish it was under better circumstances…”

[He glances at all the boxes and sighs, still holding you]

“...How you holding up, Shortstack?”

[Pause]

[He sighs, holding you close]

“I know… I know, sweetie, God, I’m so sorry… None of us expected your old man’s health to deteriorate like that, certainly not that fast.”

[...]

“Hey… Look at me.”

[He tilts your head up to look at him, eyes gentle]

“... I got here as fast as I could because I knew this was going to be hard on you. I’ve told the rest of your family that they best stay away while we sort this mess. I know how they can be, and they know how I can be if I get pissed enough.”

[Pause]

“... Do I have real pretty eyes, Shortstack? Hehe, you’re going to make me blush, which is a feat, at my age.”

[Pause]

“Yeah, I know I’m not that old compared to your Dad but I’ve still got a decade on you, pudding pop. That classifies me as a proper old man. I get how it feels to be the youngest in a group of old farts, though. It’s all relative. C’mon. Let’s get to sorting all of these ghosts.”

[Pause]

[SFX: Boxes shuffling]

[...]

“Another box full of empty bottles… Mmh. Hm? What was that, Shortstack?”

[Pause?]

“Did… Did he talk about you at all before he passed?”

[The man shuffles, uncomfortable]

“Yeah. He did… Please don’t make me repeat any of the awful things he said, sweetheart. I can’t say I’m proud that I fought him again, even after all these years… but, to be fair, he threw the damned glass of whiskey between my eyes first. Then took a swing at me. Bastard could still scrap, hehe… Guess the fight you learn in the military never really leaves. Did you hear about how a bull broke out from the local parade last year?”

[Pause]

“And how some muscle-brained idiot punched said bull in the face?”

[...]

[He laughs sheepishly]

“Eheh, yeah, like I said… The fight never leaves you. Kind of glad for it, to be honest…”

[He takes a breath and sets the box aside]

[SFX: The box being set aside]

“...I know I didn’t come into your life until you were eighteen, Shortstack, and I came in hearing how your father talked about you with no other frame of reference… It kills me that I scoffed off so many of those red flags. How many times I heard “Oh, she’s just being rebellious” or “You know how girls can be”...”

[Pause]

“Sweetheart, there’s no way I’m never not going to blame myself. I knew your old man could be a right bastard in even the best situations, and I guess being in his squad made the… non-physical atrocities… seem a little less harsh, I reckon.”

[Pause]

“Hmm? How have I been? Ah, the same, really. Still just trying to take it one day at a time, work on woodcutting, do some boxing down at the gym.”

[Pause?]

[He flushes a little]

“Been on any dates? Hey, hey no, you stop. Always so damned nosey about my nonexistent love life.”

[Pause]

[He shakes his head but smiles]

“Yes, it’s still nonexistent. Listen, I’m happy with my own company for now. I miss parts of being in a relationship but considering the last one ended with her “mistaking” my older brother’s junk for my own, I think I can live without drama for a bit.”

[Pause]

“Heh, yeah… You’ve poked fun for years that I need to stop running in like some knight in camo armor to protect folks. Hand me that box there.”

[Pause]

“Yeaahh, that’s the one full of all the, um, racially charged letters he wanted to send to the Congressman. I’m just going to toss them in the fire. Cept for the ones you asked me to save in case his lawyers try to do any more slandering.”

[...]

“Hey. C’mere, sweetheart.”

[You hug him, not even thinking about it]

“I got you, Shortstack… Kills me that you suffered in silence all those years. Fucking kills me that even with me standing there, right fucking next to you at that stupid family gathering, they still came down on you for being some kind of hellion when all you ever wanted was peace.”

[Pause]

[He gently strokes his fingers down the back of your head]

“I’m here… I have you, Shortstack, don’t you worry…”

[Pause]

[Fuck it]

“Huh? Lean down? Alr-...mmh!”

[You kiss him, hard enough that he almost stumbles back a moment]

“H-Hey! W-What the Hell are you doing kissing me?!”

[He looks at you, eyes glassy and face flushed]

“...Are you sure about this?”

[Pause]

“Shortstack, c’mon… I’ve got ten years on you… I watched you grow from a sweet, sassy girl that got dumped at prom and needed some dumb soldier to rescue you to an incredible young woman absolutely laying fools out left and right, breaking hearts…”

[Pause]

“Am I afraid you’ll break my heart?”

[You hadn’t noticed that your lips have inched ever closer]

[SFX: His heartbeat quickening]

“...Yeah.”

[He barely manages to whisper that single word as you inch closer]

“I’m… I’m terrified…”

[You go to take charge, to kiss him, but his hand cups the back of your head and pulls you forward. He pauses, giving you that look, and rumbles:]

“...But that doesn’t mean I’m not still in charge here, lil girl.”

[He draws you flush, lips claiming yours]

[Pause]

[He chuckles into the kiss, pausing to purr:]

“Ooh, was that a swoon, Shortstack? Lemme guess… Been dreaming of these big strong arms around you for years?”

[Pause!]

“Hehe, I did not read your diary! But I did become fascinated by your book collection and its spicy covers. Started reading my copies and, ah … noticed some recurring themes, we’ll say. Big, strong arms, deep voice, in charge… French, for some reason - can’t help you with that one, unfortunately, and don’t ask me to fake the accent, please.”

[You laugh and he rests his forehead on yours, affectionately]

“...This is a terrible idea, you know? The age difference is already… Plus, your old man led my damned platoon, I…”

[Pause]

“...OK, listen to me. Please. I want this, but I’m terrified as all get out. Any feelings didn’t set in until you were damned near done with college, but I don’t know how to navigate a relationship with someone I… love as much as I do you. If you want this… you’ll have to be patient with me, OK?”

[Pause]

[He kisses you again, hungry but unsure]

“Fuck, I am in so much trouble now…”

[SFX: A car pulling into the driveway]

“... Please tell me that there isn’t a red car in the driveway.”

[Pause]

“Fuck me, that means Uncle Jim’s here… C’mon, Shortstack, I need to get you to a safe room!”

[SFX: Harsh knocking on the door]

“Damnit, go! And get ready to call the cops if you hear it escalating!”

[SFX: The Listener scrambling upstairs and locking herself in a room]

[From downstairs, you can hear the door open and your friend speak]

“Ay, Jim. Brought your gun this time?”

[To be continued]