Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

1962 | New York City, New York

If you were to ask any of their classmates who the least interesting group of friends on campus was, the general consensus would be in favor of ‘those four.’ Sure, Marvin, Whizzer, Charlotte, and Cordelia seemed alright; a good, strong friendship, inside jokes, always around each other, but they weren’t anything… much. Not popular but certainly not the absolute worst. They didn’t reach out too much, weren’t rebellious or unseemly, didn’t ever cause much of an uproar. Get to know them well enough and one could see a tinge of peculiarity, but nothing that couldn’t be easily brushed off. An example of this: Whizzer Brown. Tall, with just the right amount of muscle to not seem intentional, always perfect hair, dreamy eyes, an incredible devotion to style… Whizzer had most of the female population at their high school fawning over him. He could have practically any if them, yet he never showed any interest in themRSure, he was nice, but it was never more than platonic chivalry. Though, this could be written off easily as him deciding to focus on his studies or his family, however unlikely that may be.

And then there’s the matter of Marvin’s obsessive perfectionism, but that’s just his personality.

In fact, Charlotte and Cordelia seemed to be the most normal ones. Charlotte was smart and very studious, strong-willed and well-moraled. Cordelia was her counterpart. Fun, lighthearted, and caring, Cordelia was usually the one to keep things from getting too intense. She would always provide food for the others, (which the others would pretend to eat while secretly putting the vile snacks in the garbage, or the dog bowl if it was safe for the dog to eat).

So yes, on the outside, this friend group was nothing special.

Chapter Text

When it comes to Marvin, perfectionism is not quite the right term. While it seems like perfectionism to an outsider, it is more of an obsession to have everything his way. If someone is late, or doesn’t bring something they were supposed to, or doesn’t fit in his version of an ideal ‘them,’ they’re liable for an earfull, at the very least. 

But, when all goes ‘right,’ Marvin is very pleasant to be around. The problem arises when people act as they do: imperfect, ever-changing, and free-willed. He is in a constant state of strife for control over everything. This can make him a total asshole, for seemingly no reason. 

***

A circular coffee table near a couch in the small apartment Cordelia shares with her mother. The couch is a sort of L shape, but very small, and is shoved in the corner under Cordelia’s loft. There are two chairs opposite the couch. Four cups of hot coffee on four little coasters sit on the coffee table. Four people sit at the table, eating (or rather, pretending to eat) a particularly pungent batch of deviled eggs. Marvin and Whizzer lounge on the couch, Cordelia sits on a rung of the ladder leading to her bed, and Charlotte occupies one of the chairs while resting her feet on the other. It’s a Thursday afternoon, about 4:00, no spectacular or even remotely noteworthy weather to be seen. Marvin and Whizzer chat and Cordelia helps Charlotte study. 

“Okay, Next! We haaaave… what are… the chemical symbols for all elements in the first group on the periodic table? Hey, even I know that one…”

Cordelia stares at the flashcard in confusion.

“Are you sure this med prep class is all that fancy?”

Marvin chimes in, his voice betraying his annoyance:

“Dels, what grade level is written on the cover card?”

“Well I thought I grabbed-“

She cuts herself off after checking the front flashcard.

“…Eighth…”

Standing up, Marvin replies in a tone just short of shouting.

“Damn it, Cordelia, didn’t you know to get the JUNIOR YEAR CARD STACK? How do you ALWAYS manage to screw things up?”

“Marvin, please, she didn’t mean to.”

“NO, Charlotte! It’s not that fucking hard to get the right cards! Just use your-“

“MARV! Calm. Down.” 

Marvin pauses, surprised at Charlotte’s shout. Sure, she’s usually pretty loud, but she doesn’t yell at them. He sits back down and grumbles, sipping his coffee in a frail attempt to seem uncaring. Whizzer rubs his shoulder a bit, trying to calm him down. But it’s an awkward movement, as tends to happen when Marvin gets like this. 

Cordelia sits on her ladder, looking down and fidgeting with the offending flashcards. Just because they’re used to Marvin’s attitude doesn’t make it hurt any less. She shifts to the side as she feels a presence going to sit next to her. Charlotte wraps her arm around Cordelia, who leans her head on Charlotte’s shoulder. 

The awkward silence continues until Whizzer decides to get up and turn on the television, flipping through the channels until it shows the baseball game. It takes a minute, but eventually, everyone’s attention was on the game. Slowly, the tension from Marvin’s outburst is overshadowed by their focus on the players. 

Charlotte shoots up.

“HEY! Where the hell’d they get that Umpi- sorry, sorry.”

She sits back down next to Cordelia, who laughs and leans back on her. 

Whizzer puts his feet on the coffee table while Marvin leans back and runs his hand through Whizzer’s hairline, who playfully swats it away.

“Hey, would you stop it?”

They both laugh as Whizzer fixes his hair. 

Marvin tries not to stare into Whizzer’s eyes. 

Chapter Text

  The hushed rumors had been going around since 2nd grade, honestly, mostly due to those pearl-clutching mothers who gossiped over tea on Fridays. Ah, yes, the day the children went home to their mothers and told them about what Whizzer had said, the day his parents say him down and had a very stern talk with him, the day Whizzer asked an innocent question and got looked at like he had asked “why can’t we murder people?” It was during a class in which they were memorizing Bible passages. The teacher had explained one of them as “Men cannot love men.” Whizzer’s hand had shot up right away. 

“Why not?”

  Despite the rumors of Whizzer being a (gasp!) homosexual, some girls still threw themselves at him. This year, poor Claire had marked the 13th to be outwardly desperate. Her boyfriend was not pleased. Whizzer always felt bad, he really didn’t want them to throw their dignity away like that on him, they didn’t have a chance. It’s not that they weren’t pretty or sweet or smart enough; “they’re just not my type,” he would explain. He always failed to explain what his type actually was. And so the cycle continued. And, around the times for school dances, he would walk around with Charlotte or Cordelia on his arm just to hopefully dissuade anyone. It was so, so awkward, and Whizzer was so, so done. 

***

  “Oh, come on, it can’t be that bad, anyone would want to be in your position!” Says Cordelia. 

   “I just… I’m not interested. That’s all. Gotta… focus on my studies.” Nobody believed Whizzer’s reply. And everyone noticed the times his eyes would nervously flick to the other side of the room, to the couch, on which Charlotte and Marvin were sitting and talking. 

   Cordelia gets a look of realization on her face, and then a grin. “Oooh, not interested in anyone , are we?”

   “Yeah… that’s what I just said… yup…

   “Honey, I’m your friend, I know those looks you’re giving across the room! Eek! So! How loooong?” 

   “How long what?” Whizzer plays innocent, hoping at least Cordelia will get distracted by something before she can pry any further. Whizzer decided to devote time that night to thank every god he could think of that Charlotte’s mother came in with a plate of food, which Cordelia happily jumped up to grab. 

***

   To Whizzer’s dismay, Cordelia had not, in fact, forgotten their previous conversation. She kept shooting him little looks whenever the group hung out (which was a lot, it was starting to get more than annoying), she would nudge him with her elbow when she caught him staring, wiggle her eyebrows, all of it. Whizzer quickly got tired of it and pulled her aside. 

   “Dels? What’s with all the looks?” he asks her. 

   Cordelia’s face lit up and she took on a sing-songy tone. “Oh, you know exactly what they’re for! Soooomeone is in loooooove!” She boops his nose. 

   Whizzer straightens up and crosses his arms. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

   Cordelia punctuates her words with little pokes on his arm. “Yes. You. Dooooo!”

   “Fine then. Who am I supposedly in love with?” 

   “Just Chaaaaarl-“

   “WHAT?!” Whizzer cuts her off, a bit too loud. He gets some glances from people around them, which he brushes off. “I am not in love with Charlotte. She’s pretty much my sister. You know that.”

   This makes Cordelia even happier, for some reason that Whizzer can not figure out. But then she looks puzzled. “Well then, who is it? I mean, you were looking all smittenly when she was talking with- OH MY GOD!” More glances from everyone. She lowers her voice. “Oh my God! You like Marv! ”

   “Shut up.”

   Cordelia let out a fangirlish squeal. “EEEEEEEK! You like M-“ Whizzer cuts her off with a sharp glare. “Sorry. Sorry.” She continues in a hushed whisper. “You like Marvin! That’s so adorable!” 

   “Yeah, yeah.” People. Mark this in your history books. Whizzer Brown is blushing. 

***

   That day, at lunch, there was a bake sale fundraiser. 

   Marvin, being Marvin, grabbed an oatmeal raisin cookie. Whizzer hates those. 

   “Hey! Whizzer! These are good, try one!” Marvin’s mouth was full as he spoke, but not disgustingly. And oh no, the cookies were crumbly, and oh no , those crumbs were sticking to Marvin’s lips. 

   Never mind. Whizzer has never wanted to taste an oatmeal cookie more. (Un)Luckily, Marvin had already shoved one in his hands. Well, he couldn’t say no. He took a bite. And… it was awful, as always. Whizzer had to do something to keep himself from looking at his friend’s mouth, so he grabs his handkerchief and starts to clean the crumbs off for him. 

   “You… are soooo… messy. Come on, Marv, have some decency!”

   Marvin laughed and complained, inaudibly as his mouth was still full of cookie. 

Chapter Text

I’M SO SORRY I HAVEN’T POSTED IN A WHILE but more is on the way. School hit me like a truck but I’m getting back on it. Currently outlining for 5 more chapters (insert Cordelia’s little “YAAAAaaaaaayyyy…!” here) I should have one out by the end of the week, probably earlier but honestly who knows at this point. Anyways see ya! 😘

Chapter Text

Had a mental health break. But I’m working on the next chapter, yay!

Chapter Text

Charlotte needs help. Sure, she tells her friends to take it easy, to not overwork themselves, to sit down outside and just take a breather, feel the earth beneath their feet… she does not take her own advice. Sure, she’ll sit outside, studying her notecards. She’ll take a breather, with her nose in a textbook. She’s impressively smart, that much is for sure. But when it comes to herself, well, she needs to relax. It’s become a given to see her studying at any hour. Healthy or sick, good weather or bad, rich or poor, it’s like she was married to overworking herself. The woman needs an intervention.

***

It didn’t take much for Cordelia to get the other two to intervene with her. A couple phone calls and a secret meeting at Marv’s later, and they’re waiting outside the DuBois apartment on the 4th floor. There’s faint shouting that can be heard, which concerns them. They’ve never been to Charlotte’s. They know she has a handfull of younger siblings and one adopted older brother, but that’s about it. She doesn’t talk about her home life much.

The door is opened by a man in his early 20’s. He’s tall, with brown, curly hair and big brown eyes. He has a naturally caring look on his face.
“You’re Charlie’s friends, right? I’m sorry about the yelling. I’m Jason, her older brother. How can I help? You want me to call her down, or-?”
“-No!” Cordelia cuts in. “Sorry. No. We’re… holding a sort of intervention for her. She needs to not overwork herself, so we brought over a bunch of stuff to help her relax. Like a spa day! Whizzer’s mom works at a nail salon, so she was able to snag some items for us. Would that be okay?”
The man smiles. “Yeah, of course it’s alright! I’m just… glad to see her with friends who care about her wellbeing. She’s in her room, down the hall, first door on the right. I’ll keep the parents out. Have fun.” He winks at them before showing them over to her room. Whizzer is holding a large bin of materials, and Cordelia has a box of comfort food and cookies (store-bought, thank GOD) tucked in her arms, so Marvin knocks on the door.
“Charlotte? It’s us, can we come in?”
“It’s a mess-“ they hear through the door. Cordelia chimes in:
“Are you dressed?”
“Yes, but-“
“Then we’re coming in!” She motions for Marvin to open the door, which he does, and the three enter. Whizzer places his bin on her bed and opens it up, Marvin shuts and the door, and Cordelia sits next to her best friend.
“What is this?”
“This is an intervention, Charlotte. You need to stop overworking yourself.” Marvin says, sitting on the other side of her with a hand on her shoulder. Whizzer stands in front of them.
“Yeah, you’re worrying us. You’ll work yourself to death at this rate, and we like our friends very much alive, thank you.”
“I don’t overwork mys-“
“Yes you do! Honey, you’re shaking, and you live off caffeine. It isn’t healthy. Aren’t you supposed to be the aspiring doctor? What would you say to a patient if they showed up like this?” Cordelia asks with concern.
“I would… probably tell them to relax… fine.”
Cordelia grins. “You’ll do it?!”
“Yeah, yeah, I will.” Charlotte smiles, finding Cordelia’s excitement adorably infectious.
“Good. Then I didn’t haul this giant fucking bin here for no reason.” Whizzer pats the bin.
“What is even in there?”
“You’ll see!”

***

The three get to work, helping Charlotte relax. Cordelia rubs out all her tension, Whizzer paints her nails, and Marvin is… surprisingly good at hair and skincare (“It’s just basic chemistry” he would complain, with an eyeroll).
“I feel like a doll.” Charlotte hasn’t figured out if she loves it or wishes she could have worked instead. No, she definitely loves it. “Thank you.”
“Oh no no, missy! You aren’t done yet! We’re going outside. Get some sunlight. Be a plant, photosynthesize!” Cordelia has always believed in the therapeutic effects of being in nature.
“Yeah, come on, we’re going to have a picnic in the park. You aren’t saying no. It’s going to be perfect, got it?” This earns Marvin a smack on the arm from Cordelia, reminding him to keep it calm. He rolls his eyes, but knows this is for Charlotte’s own good.

They arrive at the park. Cordelia sets the basket down and falls to the ground with a laugh, rolling around in the grass. She comes to a stop at the base of a tree. “Ha ha HA! I love the trees!” she exclaims as Marvin and Whizzer lay out the checkered blanket. The sun is actually out today, which is great. They set down the paper plates with little paperweights in the middle so they don’t fly away. Everyone gathers around and they dig in. There’s a fountain not too far off, and it’s a fairly quiet area other than that. Marvin was right (don’t let that get to your head, Marv). It is perfect. They laugh and run around like kids again, lie down and stare at the clouds and birds that pass by, and just enjoy life outside. No worries, no stress. Just air and grass and trees and life, all around them, and that pretty little fountain in the distance.

Later, around sunset, Cordelia finds Charlotte sitting alone on the edge of the fountain, her shoes kicked off and her feet in the grass. She stares at the beautiful goddess of a woman for a while, just… basking in the sight of the woman her friend has grown into. A lovely picture, she’ll probably paint it when she gets home. Charlotte sees her and smiles, so she goes over to the fountain and sits beside her.
“Did you learn anything today?”
“Yeah. I… do really need to take a break sometimes, huh?”
“Duh.”
They sit in comfortable silence together for a while, calm and tranquil, watching Marvin and Whizzer goof off in the distance.

“…Cordelia?”
“Yeah?”
“I love y-“ She takes a deep breath. “I love the earth beneath my feet.”
“Me, too.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”

Cordelia pauses, because she just realized what her friend was about to say.

“And I love you, too, Charlotte.”
“What?”
“I- I love you, too. That’s what you were going to say, wasn’t it?”
“I-… yeah, I was…”
Cordelia leans just a tad bit closer. “It isn’t wrong, y’know. It’s love, love isn’t bad.”
Charlotte pauses, thinking before she speaks. “So… I could kiss you? That would be okay?”
“More than okay.”

Cordelia didn’t walk over to her family’s apartment until about noon the next day.