A/N: The first few chapters of this will be my entries from last year's RvB winter, as well as most of my other tumblr Yorkalina drabbles. After that, I'll update sporadically with whatever writings come to mind (prompts welcome). These will not be sequential, or even set on the same time line, unless otherwise indicated in the chapter title.
.:':. .:':. .:':.
"Hey, when are you going to introduce me to your parents?" Carolina looked up from the book she was reading. York had sprawled halfway over the arm of the couch, elbows propped up next to her curled feet, a crooked grin on his face.
"...I don't think that'd work."
"Why?" One arm flopped down, head tilting as he cupped it in his right hand, grey eyes wide. "They super strict or something?"
"My dad is. My mother... was."
The smile dropped, and he quickly moved into a normal seated position. "Aw, jeez, 'Lina, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"I know you didn't." She closed the book, dropping it gently on the floor. "It's alright, it happened a long time ago."
"Still, I feel bad for bringing it up."
A smile tugged at her lips. "It's really okay, York. She's not really gone if I just remember her. And who knows, maybe one day, I'll see her again."
"That's a good way of thinking about it."
They sat in silence for a few moments.
"So, why did you want to meet my parents?"
York rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well, I kind of wanted to ask your dad something."
Carolina was torn between wanting to smile and frown. "Oh, York. I'd love to, and I really want to, but I don't think my dad would approve at all."
"What, because of the strict thing?"
"Because he'd be jealous." She sighed, slumping against the cushions. "He loved my mother more than anything. She meant everything to him, and when she died, something in him just... stopped. It shrivelled and twisted, and she was all he could think about. I tried to be there for him, I tried to be my best at everything." She rubbed her arms. "I guess that my best just isn't good enough." York looped one arm over her shoulder, and she gladly sidled up to the heat of his body. She chuckled mirthlessly. "He'd be jealous, but part of me likes to think that he'd just be worried the same thing would happen to me."
"...Well." York replied at length, grin creeping back onto his face. "I've never really been the sort of person that lets other people's opinions dictate their life." He kissed the top of her head.
"Besides, it's not like I'll have to talk to the guy on a regular basis or anything."
