𝙿𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚎 *𝙻𝚞𝚖𝚊𝚡

*Bullied*

*Requests : maddiecheers03 asked for a one-shot of Lucas and Max's child getting bullied. This will embark how they handle the situation and more! I don't think I've written any thing like this before so I hope you all enjoy! If anyone is dealing with bullying, online or in person, make sure to reach out for help! I am always here to talk if anyone needs to send me a message <3

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The car ride home from school was unusually quiet. Lucas stole glances at his daughter Evelyn through the rearview mirror while Max hummed a tune, trying to break the silence. But Evelyn remained lost in her thoughts, staring out the window with a distant expression.

"Dad, can we stop for ice cream?" Jayden, their younger son's innocent request pulled Lucas's attention briefly, but concern for Evelyn lingered. "Maybe another time, buddy," Max replied, shooting a worried glance at their daughter. "Evie, how was your day at school today?"

Evelyn shrugged, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. Lucas exchanged a glance with Max, furrowing his brow slightly. Sensing their daughter's mood, Max gently chimed in, "Long day at school, huh?" Evelyn simply nodded, not offering more.

The car rolled into the driveway, and Lucas parked, feeling a knot of worry tightening in his stomach. This departure from Evelyn's usual spirited self didn't sit well with him. As time passed, they finally settled around the dinner table for dinner, the subdued atmosphere persisted.

Lucas and Max attempted to engage Evelyn in conversation, hoping to ease whatever was troubling her. "Hey, sweetheart, is something bothering you?" Lucas inquired, his voice laced with concern. Evelyn remained closed off, her responses terse. "It's nothing," she muttered, her eyes avoiding direct contact.

Max's worry deepened. "You know you can talk to us, right, honey?" she urged gently, reaching out to touch Evelyn's hand. But Evelyn withdrew, pushing back her chair abruptly. "I'm not hungry," she announced, her voice tinged with frustration. With a swift turn, she made her way up the steps and to her room, the door clicking shut with a slam.

Jayden, sensing the tension, sat quietly, his innocent curiosity dampened by the palpable unease that had settled over the dinner table. Max's concern escalated into a mix of confusion and a tinge of frustration. She exchanged a worried glance with Lucas, feeling at a loss.

Sensing Evelyn's need for space, Lucas nodded subtly, silently encouraging Max to give their daughter some time. Max turned to Lucas, "I mean, I honestly don't understand. Why is she so closed off?" Max whispered, a hint of frustration evident in her voice. Lucas reached out to comfort his wife, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Maybe she just had a bad day," he explained softly. "Remember how I used to be as a kid? It's hard for her right now." Max nodded, her confusion lingering. Clearing her throat, Max watched her son as he finished his plate, playing with his utensils. "Okay Jay, you ready for bath time?" Max suggested, trying to divert her attention.

She guided their younger son upstairs, engaging him with his bath. Meanwhile, Lucas made his way to Evelyn's room, gently knocking on the door. "Evie, can we talk?" he asked, his voice tender and patient. The door creaked open, revealing Evelyn's tear-streaked face.

"Hey, sweetheart," Lucas began, taking a seat beside her. "I know today was tough. What's going on?" Evelyn hesitated, feeling a lump in her throat. "It's the kids at school." Lucas's heart clenched. "What are they doing, honey?" "They're so mean to me dad!" Lucas's heart broke as he watched his little girl cry.

"B-But, I thought you had so many friends at school and-" "It's because of my skin, dad." She finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. He knew the complexities of facing discrimination firsthand. "I understand, Evie," he said gently, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"When I was your age, I went through something similar." He paused, gathering his thoughts, knowing how delicate the situation was. "People can be unkind when they don't understand differences." Tears welled up in Evelyn's eyes again, the pain of being judged for something beyond her control palpable.

"Why can't they just see me for who I am?" she choked out, her voice breaking with emotion. Lucas took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "You're amazing just the way you are, sweetheart. But sometimes, people aren't as open-minded as they should be. It's not your fault."

With a tremble in her voice, Evelyn poured out her heart to her father, recounting the hurtful incidents and the feelings of isolation. As she spoke, Lucas listened intently, memories of his own struggles resurfacing. "I remember feeling like I didn't fit in," Lucas shared, his voice soft with empathy.

"Kids used to tease me because I was different, too. They called me Midnight because of the color of my skin. But you know what? That difference is what makes us special. Embracing it makes us stronger." Evelyn wiped her tears, finding solace in her father's understanding. "But it hurts, Dad," she whispered.

"I know, honey," Lucas replied, enveloping her in a comforting hug. "But you're not alone. We'll get through this together. You're stronger than you think." As Evelyn slowly calmed in her father's embrace, Max finished Jayden's bath, the sound of his giggles a temporary reprieve from the heavy atmosphere.

She guided their younger son through his bedtime routine, her mind, however, focused on Evelyn's distress. Once Jayden was settled in bed, Max quickly made her way to Evelyn's room. As she entered, she found Lucas sitting on the edge of Evelyn's bed, comforting their daughter.

"Evelyn, baby," Max began, her voice a mix of concern and determination, "Wanna tell me what's going on?" Evelyn frowned, "The kids at school are so mean to me, Mommy," she confessed, her eyes filled with a mixture of hurt and frustration.

Max's expression hardened with a protective fierceness. "What do you mean? What are they doing?" Her voice held a tone of indignation. "They just say mean things, okay?!" Evelyn explained, her voice barely above a whisper. "About what?" "About my skin and how I look different..."

Max's jaw tensed as she struggled to contain her anger. "What? How long has this been going on? This is not okay. They have no right to treat you like that," she asserted, her tone fierce yet comforting. Lucas, standing by the door, shared a concerned look with Max.

He knew how much this hurt his daughter and could sense Max's growing pain for her. "We'll take care of this, okay?" Max assured Evelyn, trying to temper her rage. "No one should ever make you feel bad about who you are. You are perfect."

Max gently brushed away Evelyn's tears, her heart aching for her daughter. "You're beautiful just the way you are, sweetheart. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise," she whispered, her voice filled with love and determination.

Lucas stepped forward, his voice calm but resolute. "We'll talk to the school and make sure this stops. You don't have to go through this alone, Evie." Max nodded in agreement as she gently kissed her daughter's hair. "We'll make sure they understand that this behavior is unacceptable."

Max's protective instincts surged as she tucked Evelyn into bed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "We won't let anyone hurt you, okay?" she assured, her voice firm yet gentle. Evelyn, feeling the support of her parents, nodded weakly. She found solace in their protective stance, knowing they would stand up for her.

Later on, as Evelyn drifted off to sleep, a sense of security washed over her. She could always count on her parents, united in their determination to shield their daughter from the cruelty of the world, resolved to take immediate action to protect her.

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