[Guest Art] Parental Instinct

oooooough SO the other day I wrote a rough lil drabble in the comments of my last post and dear patron AsTheJayFlies kindly illustrated key parts of it! Guhhhhh just LOOK at Liv’s expression, her contempt, her character acting. I wish to consume this sketch comic for nourishment and I’m gonna smear it against all of y’all eyeballs. Thanks again, Jay! 💗💗💗

Here’s the original, full dialogue. I made some edits! It’s a scene set shortly after Snickerdoodle is born, when Liv comes to visit. 

Liv: I'm simply curious, is all. I mean, you've spent several decades furiously convincing me you aren't a woman, so why now are you attempting to be a mother?

Perry: That's not what- I'm not-

Liv: Do you think parental instincts come naturally? Did you think you'd take your precious bundle home and live happily ever after? Because, darling, I take no pleasure in telling you this, but you're in for a rude awakening. Babies are miserable little beasts. They spew bile from both ends, and throw tantrums at garden parties, and cry, cry, CRY until they've driven you stark mad. Now then, are you truly equipped to handle that? Hmm? Is your swine?

Tibbs: *snorts*

Liv: Oh don't you make those piggish grunts at me, beast of burden. I will not be cowed! I'm simply speaking the truth! You two want to play house so badly? Well, I say you both need to know exactly what you're getting into!

Perry, meekly: Mom, I don’t think-

Liv: All this fuss over "adoption", and for what? To bring home that pitiful little rat-!

Perry: Out.

Liv: Excuse me?

Tibbs, sharp: You heard him.

Liv, sharper: Oh no, I don't think I did. *to Perry, sickeningly sweet* Because I'm certain no child of MINE would ever ask me to leave MY home. Isn't that right, honey-lamb?

Perry, hesitant, startled at his own bravado: I'm....I'm not asking. Mom, I....ha. *weak chuckle* You know….I think you've made me miserable my entire life.

Liv: Ohhh, my sweet kitty-baby. The feeling is mutual~

Perry: But I let it happen, because I always hoped...that you could change. I let you mistreat me-mistreat my husband-! Because I was stupid enough to think THIS time, it would be different. Again, and again, and again. I'd hope that THIS time, you'd be better. That you'd finally be who I always needed you to be. Who I wanted you to be.

Liv: Yes, I'm quite familiar with the pattern by now. You throw a tantrum because I'm not perfect, and then a month or two later, you oh-so graciously forgive me, and are right back clamoring for my attention like a starving kitten. It's getting old, dear.

Perry: Yeah, it is. I'm a dad now, Mom. I can't put you before my kid, or my partner, or myself. You're never going to change. Maybe it’s my fault for expecting otherwise. You are who you are. I….I can respect that.

Liv: *eyes widening in confusion, suspicion* Oh?

Perry: Yeah. *biting his lip, his expression becomes almost begging*…Yeah. But….Mom, I can’t allow you around my family. Not my husband, not my baby. Not me. Not anymore.

Liv, eyes narrowing to poisonous slits: …Ah. Yes. There it is. How very self-righteous of you, dear. After all the allowances I have made for you, after everything I’ve put up with- you cannot return even an iota of the same patience, nor tolerance, I have afforded you from birth. *wry laugh* Didn’t I tell you parenting was a thankless task?

Perry, refusing to be baited, sucking in a deep breath: It’s time I accepted that you’re just...never gonna be the mom I needed.

Liv, coldly: I am the mother you deserve.

Perry: *beginning to tremble, voice clogging with emotion* You're always gonna be a...y-you're j-j-just a...

Liv: Ah, yes, yes, here come the tears, right on schedule. *To Tibbs* So melodramatic. *To Perry, mocking* I'm just a 'what', darling? Spit it out, come now, be brave.

Perry, faltering as she steps closer: You- *breathing growing strained, very obviously struggling not to cry* Yuh....Y-You're a-

Liv, imitating his stammering: I-I-I...I'm a- *clutching her chest like a distraught actress* I'm a-!

Tibbs, blocking her path: Olivia, that's enough.

Liv, neatly side-stepping Tibbs: Hmm? Speak up, Perry. Am I a bully? A tyrant? A mean, rotten mother that won't let you wear a frumpy suit to homecoming? A-

Perry, erupting with explosive force, claws bursting forth, fur bristling:

A MISERABLE

OLD

BITCH ! ! ! 

*The outburst crashes against the walls like thunder, so sudden and violent that it awakens Snickerdoodle in the next room, who begins to cry*

Liv: Oh ho! *phony clapping* Bravo, darling! Bravo! What a show!

Tibbs, touching Perry's shaking shoulder: Sweetheart-

Liv: No, no, let him continue! I'm on the edge of my seat! I simply cannot wait to see how he hopes to repair our relationship by insulting his own mother! What a lovely, nurturing temper you've got, my dear! No doubt you'll be a better parent than me~

Perry, furious tears welling up, hissing with animalistic rage: GET. OUT!!! 

Liv, grabbing her purse: Oh, I'm leaving, love. You needn't shout. I know the next step in this sad little song and dance. Excellent job! You've chased off the villain of your little story! *pats Tibbs' cheek, ignoring his growl* What a wonderful visit, I cannot wait to do it again sometime.

Perry, bitterly: ...There won't be a next time.

Liv: Of course, son. Of course. Just know that when you finally tire of this farce of a life you've built, well...Mother will always be here for you. *stepping through the door* Goodbye now, Perry~

Perry: Goodbye, Liv.

Liv pauses at that, and twists round to look back at Perry. But the door is already closed.