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rockinhamburgerRummaging for Answers in the Pages
United States of Tara
Marshall/Lionel
Spoilers for the whole series...
G-rated
Even though Marshall's younger, he was usually the one comforting or helping Kate. She always seemed more upset by the given situation than Marshall generally felt. Of course, there were times Marshall got fed up or angry, but he never wanted his mom to see that or, more importantly, to feel that.
Because ultimately Marshall knows it's not his mom's fault that they aren't a normal family. He's been reading up on the subject since he asked his dad about the details of her disorder just before middle school. He knows both the theories and the counter-theories surrounding DID, has known them for years, and as a result he understands that his mom cannot control her alters or the mayhem that occurrs because of them.
And actually, Marshall doesn't have a problem with being Kate's leaning post. It's just that sometimes he'd like to to talk about his frustrations. And sometimes (okay, most of the time) Kate's busy with her friends or the new guy she's interested in or whatever she's looking at on her computer screen, and Marshall doesn't want to be pushy; if Kate isn't available to listen, he can respect that.
His dad's always busy with Mom or work, and his mom's always dealing with something. Sometimes Marshall just feels like no one really has the time for him. And he gets that there are important things going on that need his family's attention, but Marshall can't help feeling resentful (once in a while) or sad (most of the time). And because he doesn't get to talk about it, he tends to let his anger and frustration and sadness build up until he explodes and says things he doesn't mean (or, actually, things he absolutely means but never meant to say).
But stranegly, a solution has come in the (cute) form of Lionel. Because Lionel listens. Sometimes he makes a smart-assed comment immediately after Marshall talks it out, but the important part is that he listens. And not only that, but he doesn't seem to hate what he hears. A small part of Marshall is afraid that the things he wants (or needs) to talk about will come off as heartless or selfish or mean to everyone else, but Lionel just pulls him closer, presses a kiss to Marshall's nose or the corner of his mouth and says, uncharacteristically somber, "Most people our age don't have to deal with even half the stuff you have to deal with. And whatever they're dealing with at home, it just makes them go out and get wasted, or - or do drugs... but you're different. You come home and make dinner for your family, you come home and help. You're amazing, Marshy." And when Marshall buries his head in Lionel's neck because the words are just too nice, Lionel just pulls him closer.
Sometimes Marshall can't believe his luck. When Lionel falls asleep in the middle of a word, Marshall can't help watch him sleep for a few minutes before he turns off the lamp by the bed and curls up around Lionel, utter joy making his chest almost hurt. Or when Lionel checks his phone for missed calls and struggles to hide his sadness over the lack of them, Marshall pushes Lionel down on the bed and kisses Lionel all over, trying to heal Lionel's hurt with his lips.
Marshall thinks they're a good match. Sure, they aren't perfect; they argue almost every time they're together, usually about something frivolous and unimportant, but it's the details that make it work, like how Lionel absolutely adores Marshall's cooking and laughs at Marshall's jokes. And even though Marshall finds it testing at times, he really does appreciates Lionel's unwavering conviction in his strong beliefs, and Marshall can't help but grin unabashedly whenever Lionel gets an impulsive desire to do something ridiculous, like drag Marshall outside to run around the block in the pouring rain, or play Mission Impossible in the parking lot of the shopping mall, both of them ducking behind cars and diving from one hiding spot to the next, laughing uncontrollably.
Basically, they balance each other out. And truly, Marshall can't remember the last time he was this happy, so he resolves to enjoy every moment of happiness he's come to know with Lionel.
The hard stuff doesn't seem so hard with Lionel by his side.
United States of Tara
Marshall/Lionel
Spoilers for the whole series...
G-rated
Even though Marshall's younger, he was usually the one comforting or helping Kate. She always seemed more upset by the given situation than Marshall generally felt. Of course, there were times Marshall got fed up or angry, but he never wanted his mom to see that or, more importantly, to feel that.
Because ultimately Marshall knows it's not his mom's fault that they aren't a normal family. He's been reading up on the subject since he asked his dad about the details of her disorder just before middle school. He knows both the theories and the counter-theories surrounding DID, has known them for years, and as a result he understands that his mom cannot control her alters or the mayhem that occurrs because of them.
And actually, Marshall doesn't have a problem with being Kate's leaning post. It's just that sometimes he'd like to to talk about his frustrations. And sometimes (okay, most of the time) Kate's busy with her friends or the new guy she's interested in or whatever she's looking at on her computer screen, and Marshall doesn't want to be pushy; if Kate isn't available to listen, he can respect that.
His dad's always busy with Mom or work, and his mom's always dealing with something. Sometimes Marshall just feels like no one really has the time for him. And he gets that there are important things going on that need his family's attention, but Marshall can't help feeling resentful (once in a while) or sad (most of the time). And because he doesn't get to talk about it, he tends to let his anger and frustration and sadness build up until he explodes and says things he doesn't mean (or, actually, things he absolutely means but never meant to say).
But stranegly, a solution has come in the (cute) form of Lionel. Because Lionel listens. Sometimes he makes a smart-assed comment immediately after Marshall talks it out, but the important part is that he listens. And not only that, but he doesn't seem to hate what he hears. A small part of Marshall is afraid that the things he wants (or needs) to talk about will come off as heartless or selfish or mean to everyone else, but Lionel just pulls him closer, presses a kiss to Marshall's nose or the corner of his mouth and says, uncharacteristically somber, "Most people our age don't have to deal with even half the stuff you have to deal with. And whatever they're dealing with at home, it just makes them go out and get wasted, or - or do drugs... but you're different. You come home and make dinner for your family, you come home and help. You're amazing, Marshy." And when Marshall buries his head in Lionel's neck because the words are just too nice, Lionel just pulls him closer.
Sometimes Marshall can't believe his luck. When Lionel falls asleep in the middle of a word, Marshall can't help watch him sleep for a few minutes before he turns off the lamp by the bed and curls up around Lionel, utter joy making his chest almost hurt. Or when Lionel checks his phone for missed calls and struggles to hide his sadness over the lack of them, Marshall pushes Lionel down on the bed and kisses Lionel all over, trying to heal Lionel's hurt with his lips.
Marshall thinks they're a good match. Sure, they aren't perfect; they argue almost every time they're together, usually about something frivolous and unimportant, but it's the details that make it work, like how Lionel absolutely adores Marshall's cooking and laughs at Marshall's jokes. And even though Marshall finds it testing at times, he really does appreciates Lionel's unwavering conviction in his strong beliefs, and Marshall can't help but grin unabashedly whenever Lionel gets an impulsive desire to do something ridiculous, like drag Marshall outside to run around the block in the pouring rain, or play Mission Impossible in the parking lot of the shopping mall, both of them ducking behind cars and diving from one hiding spot to the next, laughing uncontrollably.
Basically, they balance each other out. And truly, Marshall can't remember the last time he was this happy, so he resolves to enjoy every moment of happiness he's come to know with Lionel.
The hard stuff doesn't seem so hard with Lionel by his side.
