FAKE: Fanfic: Lending A Hand Or Two

[badly_knitted]

Title: Lending A Hand Or Two
Fandom: FAKE
Author: badly_knitted
Characters: Dee, Mother Maria Lane.
Rating: PG
Setting: After the manga.
Summary: Mother ropes Dee in to help her with something while they talk.
Word Count: 511
Content Notes: None needed.
Written For: Challenge 329: Hold.
Disclaimer: I don’t own FAKE, or the characters. They belong to the wonderful Sanami Matoh.



“Dee, be a dear and hold this for me, would you?” Mother looped the skein expertly around Dee’s obediently raised hands and began the process of winding the yarn into a ball.

“This brings back memories.” Dee smiled across at the only mother he’d ever known. “You were always ropin’ me in for yarn duty when I was a kid.”

“Sometimes it was the only way I could keep you in one place long enough for a chat. You were always off doing things, so busy all the time.”

“That’s what bein’ a kid’s all about, isn’t it? So much to learn about everything.”

“Yes, but you’d race past me like a blur, and how was I supposed to keep an eye on you, find out if anything was bothering you, when you were never still long enough for me to ask?”

Dee chuckled. “So you used the excuse of needing an extra pair of hands to help with your yarn so you could check up on me?”

“It worked, didn’t it? We had some good talks while you helped me with my winding.”

“Yeah, we did.” Dee got a distant look in his eyes, remembering. Those had been special times, just the two of them and the skeins and balls of colourful yarn that mother would later knit up into sweaters, and hats, and scarves for the children in her care.

“Hold it a bit lower if you wouldn’t mind, dear. You’re a lot taller than you used to be.”

Dee lowered his hands a few inches. “Is that better?”

“Perfect.”

“So what’re you gonna make this time?”

“Bobby needs a new sweater. He fell and tore the elbow of the only one that fits him. He’s growing so fast! I managed to darn the sleeve, but that’s only a temporary solution.”

“You always made sure we all had warm sweaters for winter.” Dee could still remember every single one she’d made for him, and some were probably still being handed down to the younger kids.

“And I always will, until these old hands can no longer hold the knitting needles, but that won’t be for a good few years yet.” Mother smiled at the boy who’d always been like a son to her. “I enjoy knitting; it’s relaxing.”

“Doesn’t look it to me.”

“Well it is. Everyone needs a hobby. You should have one as well, especially considering how stressful your job must be.”

“I have hobbies. I like watchin’ sports, and I draw, and Ryo’s teachin’ me karate.” Which was fun for a whole bunch of reasons he would never mention to Mother.

“That’s good, I’m glad you have things you enjoy doing.”

“Tons of ‘em. Never have time to get bored. But you know what else I like doin’?”

“What’s that?”

“Sittin’ here talkin’ with you and holdin’ your wool for you. I never let on back when I was a kid, but it always made me feel special that you trusted me to keep your yarn from gettin’ all tangled.”

Mother smiled softly. “I still do.”


The End