when i hear "found family" in relation to an ensemble of fictional characters in media there's two different things that could be happening here.
often it's what i think of as forced family, which is like "i found myself in a situation with these people" but a key part of the trope is that, like most families of origin, they're stuck with each other and can't leave without taking extreme action. voyager's "found family" is a forced family. i'm watching m*a*s*h now and it seems that way too. in both cases there's an outside constraint where you literally cannot escape these people and so grow to love them as a result, often in a codependent or unhealthy way but you are closer to them than you will ever be to anyone who did not share this experience. you would sell some of them to satan for one corn chip but god help any outsider who tries to break you up or even understand the situation. sometimes you get lucky and there's a person or two in there that you would choose to spend every day with regardless of circumstance (but would you really? can you even tell for sure??). but also it's "i will never ever speak to you again as long as i live but i'm really bored so can you give me a ride to the 7-11 first."
meanwhile chosen family is more like star trek the next generation where they are placed in this group at random but there's no hostage element to it. any one of them could request a transfer at any time, but they never will because this community and group of people have become an inseparable part of their identity. in both cases they'd saddle up and risk their lives to save each other forever at any personal cost ("not to me, not if it's you") but forced family also contains the element of "i'll fucking do it but christ alive." not every ensemble fits into one or the other but i think it's fun to distinguish as a concept.
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You're supposed to panic at the disco
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Epel and Leona
Rating: Everyone
Warnings: Panic attack;
Word count: 734
Notes: So yeah @insertsomthinawesome had yet again clobbered me with feels with a Whumptober piece that has languished in my drafts. Enjoy!
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They had a joint lesson with the upperclassmen and Epel just wanted it to be over. Everyone else in his class always got so nervous, especially if it was a day Leona bothered to show up, and it had a way of getting on Epel’s nerves. Maybe it was because he was in the Spelldrive club and knew firsthand that Leona was way more bark, er, roar, than bite, but he got secondhand embarrassment watching the other freshman fall over themselves trying not to do anything that might be considered even slightly offensive.
The delicate melody of breaking glass drew his attention. Michael, another freshman, was clutching his hands to his chest and backing away from Leona with fear etched in every line of his face. It was pitiful, and Epel waited for Leona to say as much, but the words never came. In fact Leona was oddly still and quiet, his unfocused eyes staring at his hands. Epel shoved his lab supplies onto the closest table and moved closer, his concern quickly mounting. “Leona?” he said softly. Leona flinched, a low growl erupting sharply from his throat that made several students nearby scurry away. Epel paused and stared. Leona was trembling from head to foot, his ears pinned back and sweat beading on his forehead. He was still staring, confused and unresponsive, at his shaking hands. “Leona,” Epel took a slow step forward, holding his own hands out palms up. “Look at me?”
Finally he got the housewarden’s attention. Epel gently took one of Leona’s shaking hands in his own. “Can ya come with me?” He led Leona out of the classroom, away from the murmuring crowd, and into the hallway. Fortunately it was easy enough to get Leona to sit on a bench. He was still shaking, his body painfully tense and his breathing rapid. “It’s okay,” Epel said quietly. He kept hold of Leona’s hand. “Ah’ll stay with ya until ya feel better.”
What was the matter with him? Leona didn’t know, and that made him feel all the worse. His heart was pounding so hard. You never really think about your heart beating. You don’t feel it. Except he was feeling it. And he could feel how hard he was clenching his teeth. His back hurt from how tense his muscles were and as the seconds ticked by he realized he was probably holding onto Epel’s hand way too tight but Epel wasn’t complaining.
It seemed to take ages until he was calm enough to take a deep breath, until the roaring in his ears that distorted all the other sounds abated. Suddenly instead of feeling stiff his whole body felt too limp and he tried to shake the fog out of his head. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” he muttered. He’d never wanted a nap more in his life than at that moment.
Epel chewed on his bottom lip and responded slowly. “Ah think yer havin’ a panic attack.”
“I’m inclined to agree.” Epel jumped. Leona was one thing, but how he didn’t notice Professor Crewel standing next to them was downright shameful. With a flick of his magic pen Crewel had their labwear replaced with their uniforms before fixing Epel with a sharp look. “Felmier, escort Kingscholar to the nurse’s office.” His gaze slid to Leona and though his eyes may have softened the tiniest bit his voice remained firm. “It is not a request.”
“Sure.” Leona was beyond tired. He was completely drained, an unshakable exhaustion settling into his body. He didn’t have it in him to put up a fight right now, even if he’d wanted to. He got to his feet feeling unsteady but shrugged it off; tails were useful like that. He shoved his hands into his pockets and waited for Epel to stand and lead the way.
“Leona.” As he went to walk by Crewel stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “The mind is just as important as the body. There’s no shame in taking care of yourself.”
“Right.” Leona mumbled. He knew it was true, but that didn’t disperse the uncomfortable knot in his chest. From up ahead Epel offered him a small smile.
“We’ll get you through this, Leona.” Suddenly Epel’s face split into a wide grin, his eyes bearing a certain country-wild glare. “And ah’ll punch the snot outta anybody who gives ya a hard time!”
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