A/N: So a little bit of background. I started the Hardy Boys series on Hulu recently and I'm about 3/4 of the way through. This is not my first introduction to the Hardy Boys. I have read several of the books growing up, they were gateway fun and nostalgic books for me and family gifts that I cherish, same with Nancy Drew. I still have my copies somewhere along with several of the old school computer games and I've watched some of the other TV series iterations as well in bits and pieces. They really got me into mysteries and storytelling along with Harry Potter and several of my other fandoms, so I figured it was about time I tackle some fic for it. And I'm a sucker for family fluff and angst, so this collection was a great starting point. I will be basing this heavily on the Hulu series which does not have its own category yet, but I hope that doesn't deter anyone. As usual, I do not own anything. The series belongs to Hulu, and the creative team, and the Hardy Boys and all related belong to Edward Stratemeyer, Franklin W Dixon and Simon & Schuster and original creators. Just having some fun. Hope you enjoy this short prologue.
Prologue: I Have to Go
Trudy Hardy is not a mother. She isn't even close to mother material. But she loves her nephews. So of course, she says yes when Fenton starts rattling off about having to leave and needing to make sure the boys are safe, having to take this case. She wouldn't refuse, even if it is crazy. Even if it is arguably the worst possible time.
"Seriously Fenton?" She may not refuse, but that doesn't mean she doesn't argue like hell. "Now?"
The way her brother looks at her...she knows that look. He's gripped. By grief, by questions, by a mystery. This case has him by the collar, and he knows. He knows his boys will be safe, safer than they would be with him. Because he still needs answers, and as long as there is opportunity for those answers, he's going after them. Bridgeport, well, in Bridgeport the boys will have family. Trudy, even Gloria, will make sure that the Hardy boys are safe. Laura's legacy... it is all over this town and they have friends here. Even if it's only been a short time since their arrival. "Trudy, I have to go."
But the thing that Trudy sees in that look that makes her step back, besides the absolute drive is absolute trust. And that is what has Trudy nervous. She's not a mother. And the boys are in a tough spot. She knows this to be fact. "Okay," But she says yes anyway. She will look after the boys this summer because that's what family does.