You're going out with him?
You're going out with her?
Have we met him?
Have we met her?
Are you sure about this?
Are you REALLY sure about his?
He doesn't deserve you
She doesn't deserve you
You deserve better
You deserve better
Nora and Linnie hadn't been the only ones to question their relationship since they had started dating. Taking the day to let out some stream after their last, awkward dinner date, Nora and Linnie decided to take the day for themselves, away from each other for a few hours. Nora, feeling completely drained and emotionless from the rough work days and getting cold feet, she decided to stop by the pub, where she would occasionally spend her evenings playing billiards with some of her friends from work.
"So, I hear you and Mr. Cosma are a thing.", Liz, a fairy with long, sleazy green hair commented.
"We've been a thing. What kind of cave have you been living in?", Nora asked, though not losing her focus on the yellow ball in front of her. Liz snorted.
"Didn't think you'd be the type to fall in love with pussies.", she laughed, "I mean come on, surely you could do better, right? Someone who makes your kind of money could potentially have anyone they wanted if they bribed hard enough."
"Yeah, but I don't need to go around flaunting my back account. I'm already having financial problems as it is."
"Hey, I told you buying that stupid ring was a bad idea."
"It's not just the damn ring", Nora sighed as the ball bounced off on the corner of the table, missing the hole entirely, "He's pregnant."
"Get outta here. Really?", Liz said, positioning herself on the board. "Well, now that you mention it, he had started to put on some weight. Is the baby yours?"
"Unfortunately.", Nora complained, "Which sucks since that basically means I'm trapped with him unless I want to pay child support, which I really don't. You know, that's my hard earned money. I don't know why I have to go spend it on some brat I didn't want because Linnie had assaulted me that day.'
"Wait hold on, back the bus up.", Liz said, putting the club down and looking at Nora with concern, "He took advantage of you? Like he forced you to have sex with him? Are you sure?"
"Yeah I'm sure. I mean, why would I have sex with him if I didn't want his child? He made me sleep with him."
"Wow, that's fucked up. To be honest, I've never really approved of this relationship you're in anyways. I ask because if so, then maybe we should report that kind of thing to Jorgen. You know, have him fired. You know, I'm not crazy about kids either, but if he was willing to do that to you, imagine what he does to those kids he works with. That monster is sick! I never liked him. I can't believe you're still with him!"
"Yeah well, at least he's good in bed, and he can be quite persuasive when he wants to be."
"Still! He took advantage of you to get what he wants; a baby and a good time. You shouldn't stay with someone that's going to treat you like shit, Nora. You deserve better than that! Why in the world would you want to be with someone like him?"
"Well, it beats being lonely.", Nora shrugged, "And it's not like I can just get rid of him at this point, especially since this kid is in the way."
"This might be a stupid question, but do you even still love him, or are you afraid of what else he might do?"
"Pssh..I can handle it. I was just caught off guard when he showed up at my house, drunk and half naked. But..he has been the only person, other than you, to look my way."
"Yeah, probably because he knows he doesn't deserve someone like you. I can't believe you would waste your money on someone like him."
"Well, I wouldn't say he's all bad to be fair. Linnie may be a weirdo and a pervert, but at least he's good in bed. Plus, I don't think my house has ever looked better and he's got some skill in cooking.", Nora said, taking her turn, "He's got his perks. I'm just the only person that ever notices them."
"Wow, so you're saying then even after he assaulted you like you claim, you still want to be with him? Why? I thought you were angry that he was pregnant, not to mention the assault claim sounds pretty big. I don't know anyone that would just blindly stay with their abuser like you would, Nora."
"What do you mean, abuser?"
"Come on, I'll get you a drink and we'll talk.", Liz led Nora over to the bar after putting their clubs on the table, ordering two juice and rocks on the able, "You know, I always thought Linnie as kind of shady. He seems all sweet and nice and polite, but he's just trying to get you to fall for his little façade. Plus, I think it's interesting how he doesn't leave that daycare until the end of the day, not even for lunch. Does Linnie ever keep secrets from you, Nora?"
"Don't think so."
"Well, I can't tell you what to do but if you stay with him, I would beware of the secrets he might be holding. You never know, they can bite you in the ass. He could just be using you for more kids, or using you for your money, or hot body. It sounds like to me he's taking advantage of your kindness, and if that's not abuse, I don't know what is. Honestly, you deserve so much better", Liz said, taking a sip of her drink, "Why Linnie all of the sudden? What happened to Arthur? I thought you two were still married.:
"Oh, don't get me started on him.", Nora snarled, rolling her eyes, "He left me for this pink bitch who shall not be named."
"See, that just proves my point. You let these men walk in and manipulate you to where you're miserable. In my opinion, it might do you some good to go solo for a while. Leave Linnie if he's going to keeping using you."
"Yeah well, he's pregnant so that would be kind of hard to do without child support."
"You can't take the kid with you?"
"I don't want to take the kid. I'd rather die."
"Alright then, suit yourself. I was just giving advice,", Liz said, now studying Nora's odd body language, who looked somewhat tense, "You ARE telling the truth, right?"
"Yeah of course. Why wouldn't I?"
Linnie had finally gotten some time to catch up with his two guy friends after his visit with the gynecologist. They gathered around a round, white table in the garden of the Moonlight Bistro, feeling the cool breeze as the sun shined down. Linnie thought it would be good to get out one last time before he became too big too really go anywhere.
"So..Nora seems interesting to me.", Pixel said, looking at Linnie with keen interest, "I'm going to be honest with you, I'm surprised you like her."
"R-Really? What do you mean?"
"You two are like polar opposites, and while I know the rule opposites attract, I'm not sure if you two share enough to form a connection. ", Pixel said, frowning, "She was quite rude to me when she barged in looking for you."
"Really? What happened?"
"She basically demanded where you were, and when I would be back. It scared some of the kids." I mean really now."
"Oh, that's awful! Those poor babies.", Felix, a blond fairy with reading glasses said, "They don't deserve that."
"Yeah.", Pixel said, frowning again at Linnie, glancing down at his belly and back up to him, "Are you sure about this? Didn't you say she took advantage of you that one night."
"Well..uhm..yes. It all happened so sudden. She called me over in the middle of the night and started kissing me and dragging me to her couch. ", Linnie complained, "She had also been a bit cold and distant from me lately, but I think work is really starting to drag her down."
"Well, I can't stop you from living your life Linnie, but I would just be careful if I were you. You know, the fact that she was rude to you after you went on your date night just gives me several red flags already. You have no idea what kind of person Nora can be."
"Maybe..but who knows. It could just be a bad day at work."
"Maybe, or it's her true colors.", Felix added, "Nora always made me uncomfortable. I have no idea how you put up with it Linnie."
"Yeah well..I guess Nora's not all that bad. I mean, she is working hard to give me the life I wanted and she's not perfect. Maybe we're being too hard on her.", Linnie suggested, causing the other two to look at Linnie with concern. "She just has a more, assertive personality. I wished people would stop punshing her for that."
"No one's punishing her or you. We're just saying be careful if you're not going to leave Nora. We wouldn't want you getting hurt, dear.", Felix said, putting his hand on Linnie's shoulder. "You know, I'm not sure if she deserves you if she's just going to take advantage of your kind nature. You might just be better off on your own."
"Yes well, it doesn't matter. I don't have the money to move out, or go back to the apartments I used to live in, especially since I had a baby on the way.", Linnie sighed, "I really wished you'd give her a chance. She can be rude yes, but I don't think she genuinely trying to be a bad person. She just needs a little help every now and then, that's all."
"Well, we can't tell you what to do. If this is what you want, we'll support you as much as we can, but I won't say we agree.", Pixel said, getting a nod from Felix before picking up the bread basket, "You want another roll, Linnie?"