On the Verge of Something Wonderful.
Title: On the Verge of Something Wonderful.
Author: cloudblood
Pairing: Jay/Tango, eventual Grant/Steve
Rating: I'd say PG for now... eventually more.
Warnings: None.
Summary: Grant has questions. Steve has the answers.
Author Note: I haven't written in a few years. I go through spells. I work a lot, don't sleep enough, and drink way too much coffee. I get nerdier with each passing year. Oh, and I don't have cable.
Disclaimer: Totally not real. As Mr. Jellineck says, "If wishes and buts were clusters of nuts, we'd all have a bowl of granola." And I want my granola damnit!
Grant dropped the last box of his things in his new room. He sighed and surveyed his new surroundings. He was happy that the move was over and that he's now closer to family. However happy, Grant missed home.
“Honey,” his mother asked as she peered in, “Are you okay?”
He smiled and replied, “Yeah, Mom. I'm just thinking. It's weird to think we're no longer in New York.”
“It is weird, but I think it's better here. I think it will be safer.”
“I didn't think we were in any danger there, Mom.” When she hesitated to answer he continued, “But I know you try to keep us safe so I understand.”
She smiled and hugged him close, “My sweet young man,” she reached up to kiss his cheek, “I will do whatever my family needs to be safe. It may not always be obvious, but I do it all with the best of intentions.”
He smiled down at her and wondered at this strong woman. When his dad left, she took on raising him alone. It meant long hours at the office, long hours at home, soccer games, and more sick days than anyone could count. And this wonderful woman did it all without so much as a complaint. “Do you need help unpacking?”
She tucked some black hair behind her ear, “No, thanks. Your uncle Jay is going to come help me unpack. He's stronger than both of us. Besides, he drove a strong campaign for us to come back here. The least he can do is pack mule. “We'll be eating dinner out tonight honey so you'll want to wash up in two hours, okay?”
“Okay Mom. I'll watch the clock.” He turned back to his room and started the dull task of unpacking his room. If he was going to be living here for a year or so, he might as well get comfortable.
At the appointed time, Grant went to get ready for dinner. By the time he was done, he heard the bellow of a much loved uncle calling his name. “Grant, where are you? Where is that nephew of mine?”
Grant smiled and called down the hall, “Coming. I was getting cleaned up.”
He could hear uncle Jay's laughter across the hall, “Well, hurry it up. Your mother's been working me and I don't know about you, but I could use some dinner right about now.” At this he quickened his pace and headed toward his family.
As he turned the the corner into the kitchen, he grinned widely as Jay taunted his Mom. Anyone could see they were siblings, even if they didn't bear much resemblance. When the man saw Grant show up, he smiled and bear hugged the skinny young man. Grant laughed and held on for dear life as he suspended in the air. He had missed his uncle so he was more than willing to endure the fact that he was being treated as if he were 10 years old. It was nice to see that some people didn't treat him as if he were an adult. Not yet, this was his chance to enjoy the last bits of his childhood.
“Hey uncle Jay, where is uncle Dave?” He laughed as he was roughly deposited back on the hardwood flooring with little ceremony. “He's coming, right?”
He nodded and smiled widely, “He's going to meet us at the restaurant,” he ruffled Grant's hair playfully and continued, “Alright everyone, into the car. Uncle Dave can get very cranky when he's hungry. If that happens, it's on your head.” He laughed and added, “And I'll be staying here tonight. Let's go.”
They all started toward the door to meet the last person needed to complete their little family.
The dinner was a nice affair. Jason teased and taunted Grant while Dave and his mom talked about the drive and places for entertainment in Warwick. The town had truly grown since they were teens.
“So, Grant, are you dating anyone yet?” Jay looked ready to torture his nephew.
“I,” Grant hesitated, “No. I haven't started dating.” He ducked his eyes and blushed.
“Really? Anyone would be crazy not t snap you up.” Jay exclaimed as both Dave and his mother tried to stop the line of questioning.
“Jay, he'll date when he's ready. You know he's shy!”
“But he's a teenage boy,” Jay retorted as if this was a great mystery, “Why wouldn't he be dating?”
“I'm just not interested in dating right now.” Grant was very uncomfortable with the conversation. “I don't really want to talk about it.”
“You don't have to talk about it, Kiddo.” Dave cut in before Jason could say anything else. “Jason's heart is in the right place, but he went about it the wrong way.”
“i'm sorry. I just haven't been dating too much. Is that wrong?” Grant looked so concerned his mother wanted to smac her brother.
“No baby, there' nothing wrong with not dating at your age at all. Some people just start dating later. That's all. You know your uncle. He means well.” She shot him a look while trying to console her son.
“I didn't mean anything by it,” Jay stated plaintively, “I just want you to be happy,” he turned to face his sister, “Angie, I just want him to be happy.”
As she was about to retort, Grant replied, “It's okay uncle Jay.” He discomfort was obvious but he knew his uncle really didn't mean anything by it. His uncle ust wanted to make sure he was happy.
Jason's words provoked some concerns that Grant was somehow strange because he wasn't dating. When the food came, he carefully tucked into his meal while figuring out why his mom and uncle Dave reacted how they did.
When Grant and his mom arrived home, his mother started to address the situation that occurred at dinner, sensing her son's inner turmoil. “What are you thinking, babe? I know how you get when you're feeling confused about something.” They hadn't even gotten out of the car yet so she offered, “Why don't we get some ice cream and talk? Like we used to?”
Grant smiled, thankful that he had such a loving mother. “I'd like that.” There were so man thoughts in his head. Why had his uncle's well-meaning yammering bothered him so much?
She smiled before replying, “Sure thing. How about that drive-thru down the street?”
After their sundaes were ordered, they sat in the car and waited for their treats. They didn't want to start a conversation just to be eavesdropped upon or have to stop in the middle. When the sundaes arrived, his mom smiled and said, “So baby, what's going on? What has you so concerned?”
“I don't even know where to start. I mean, I don't even know what I'm interested in.” Grant looked down at his sweet confection, his mouth felt dry.
“Like,” she paused, “Whether you like men or women?” She tried to stay neutral and non-judgmental so as not to scare him off.”
Grant searched her eyes for any indication of what she was thinking. When he decided he couldn't, he finally responded, “Maybe? I mean, I don't know.”
“What do you mean, sweetie?” She stroked his arm in encouragement.
He stopped, hesitated, then replied, “Yes.” He tipped his head forward, “Dad's going to kill me.”
Her heart broke for the young man,” no he won't because he won't know. It's none of his business.”
“He's gonna kill me, Mom.” Grant emphasized, startling her a bit with his emotion, “You can't be Mormon and gay!"
She signed, “That's his religion, not yours.” He stiffened, “He won't know. He won't get you. That's why I am keeping you from him. I'm going to keep you safe from your father. This is why we moved from New York. I hadn't planned to say anything,” She looked down, “But your uncle has a big mouth. You need to decide what is best for you. Male or female, they have to be some one you love and I won't love you any less than I do now. You're my baby. You might be almost grown but you'll always be my baby,” he pulled a face, causing her to laugh, “One day, you'll understand.” He hugged her and she snuggled him close to her, like they did when he was a child. “And one day you'll understand that I'll always protect you, too. It's a natural thing for a parent.” He smiled as she kissed him on the top of the head.
Author: cloudblood
Pairing: Jay/Tango, eventual Grant/Steve
Rating: I'd say PG for now... eventually more.
Warnings: None.
Summary: Grant has questions. Steve has the answers.
Author Note: I haven't written in a few years. I go through spells. I work a lot, don't sleep enough, and drink way too much coffee. I get nerdier with each passing year. Oh, and I don't have cable.
Disclaimer: Totally not real. As Mr. Jellineck says, "If wishes and buts were clusters of nuts, we'd all have a bowl of granola." And I want my granola damnit!
Grant dropped the last box of his things in his new room. He sighed and surveyed his new surroundings. He was happy that the move was over and that he's now closer to family. However happy, Grant missed home.
“Honey,” his mother asked as she peered in, “Are you okay?”
He smiled and replied, “Yeah, Mom. I'm just thinking. It's weird to think we're no longer in New York.”
“It is weird, but I think it's better here. I think it will be safer.”
“I didn't think we were in any danger there, Mom.” When she hesitated to answer he continued, “But I know you try to keep us safe so I understand.”
She smiled and hugged him close, “My sweet young man,” she reached up to kiss his cheek, “I will do whatever my family needs to be safe. It may not always be obvious, but I do it all with the best of intentions.”
He smiled down at her and wondered at this strong woman. When his dad left, she took on raising him alone. It meant long hours at the office, long hours at home, soccer games, and more sick days than anyone could count. And this wonderful woman did it all without so much as a complaint. “Do you need help unpacking?”
She tucked some black hair behind her ear, “No, thanks. Your uncle Jay is going to come help me unpack. He's stronger than both of us. Besides, he drove a strong campaign for us to come back here. The least he can do is pack mule. “We'll be eating dinner out tonight honey so you'll want to wash up in two hours, okay?”
“Okay Mom. I'll watch the clock.” He turned back to his room and started the dull task of unpacking his room. If he was going to be living here for a year or so, he might as well get comfortable.
At the appointed time, Grant went to get ready for dinner. By the time he was done, he heard the bellow of a much loved uncle calling his name. “Grant, where are you? Where is that nephew of mine?”
Grant smiled and called down the hall, “Coming. I was getting cleaned up.”
He could hear uncle Jay's laughter across the hall, “Well, hurry it up. Your mother's been working me and I don't know about you, but I could use some dinner right about now.” At this he quickened his pace and headed toward his family.
As he turned the the corner into the kitchen, he grinned widely as Jay taunted his Mom. Anyone could see they were siblings, even if they didn't bear much resemblance. When the man saw Grant show up, he smiled and bear hugged the skinny young man. Grant laughed and held on for dear life as he suspended in the air. He had missed his uncle so he was more than willing to endure the fact that he was being treated as if he were 10 years old. It was nice to see that some people didn't treat him as if he were an adult. Not yet, this was his chance to enjoy the last bits of his childhood.
“Hey uncle Jay, where is uncle Dave?” He laughed as he was roughly deposited back on the hardwood flooring with little ceremony. “He's coming, right?”
He nodded and smiled widely, “He's going to meet us at the restaurant,” he ruffled Grant's hair playfully and continued, “Alright everyone, into the car. Uncle Dave can get very cranky when he's hungry. If that happens, it's on your head.” He laughed and added, “And I'll be staying here tonight. Let's go.”
They all started toward the door to meet the last person needed to complete their little family.
The dinner was a nice affair. Jason teased and taunted Grant while Dave and his mom talked about the drive and places for entertainment in Warwick. The town had truly grown since they were teens.
“So, Grant, are you dating anyone yet?” Jay looked ready to torture his nephew.
“I,” Grant hesitated, “No. I haven't started dating.” He ducked his eyes and blushed.
“Really? Anyone would be crazy not t snap you up.” Jay exclaimed as both Dave and his mother tried to stop the line of questioning.
“Jay, he'll date when he's ready. You know he's shy!”
“But he's a teenage boy,” Jay retorted as if this was a great mystery, “Why wouldn't he be dating?”
“I'm just not interested in dating right now.” Grant was very uncomfortable with the conversation. “I don't really want to talk about it.”
“You don't have to talk about it, Kiddo.” Dave cut in before Jason could say anything else. “Jason's heart is in the right place, but he went about it the wrong way.”
“i'm sorry. I just haven't been dating too much. Is that wrong?” Grant looked so concerned his mother wanted to smac her brother.
“No baby, there' nothing wrong with not dating at your age at all. Some people just start dating later. That's all. You know your uncle. He means well.” She shot him a look while trying to console her son.
“I didn't mean anything by it,” Jay stated plaintively, “I just want you to be happy,” he turned to face his sister, “Angie, I just want him to be happy.”
As she was about to retort, Grant replied, “It's okay uncle Jay.” He discomfort was obvious but he knew his uncle really didn't mean anything by it. His uncle ust wanted to make sure he was happy.
Jason's words provoked some concerns that Grant was somehow strange because he wasn't dating. When the food came, he carefully tucked into his meal while figuring out why his mom and uncle Dave reacted how they did.
When Grant and his mom arrived home, his mother started to address the situation that occurred at dinner, sensing her son's inner turmoil. “What are you thinking, babe? I know how you get when you're feeling confused about something.” They hadn't even gotten out of the car yet so she offered, “Why don't we get some ice cream and talk? Like we used to?”
Grant smiled, thankful that he had such a loving mother. “I'd like that.” There were so man thoughts in his head. Why had his uncle's well-meaning yammering bothered him so much?
She smiled before replying, “Sure thing. How about that drive-thru down the street?”
After their sundaes were ordered, they sat in the car and waited for their treats. They didn't want to start a conversation just to be eavesdropped upon or have to stop in the middle. When the sundaes arrived, his mom smiled and said, “So baby, what's going on? What has you so concerned?”
“I don't even know where to start. I mean, I don't even know what I'm interested in.” Grant looked down at his sweet confection, his mouth felt dry.
“Like,” she paused, “Whether you like men or women?” She tried to stay neutral and non-judgmental so as not to scare him off.”
Grant searched her eyes for any indication of what she was thinking. When he decided he couldn't, he finally responded, “Maybe? I mean, I don't know.”
“What do you mean, sweetie?” She stroked his arm in encouragement.
He stopped, hesitated, then replied, “Yes.” He tipped his head forward, “Dad's going to kill me.”
Her heart broke for the young man,” no he won't because he won't know. It's none of his business.”
“He's gonna kill me, Mom.” Grant emphasized, startling her a bit with his emotion, “You can't be Mormon and gay!"
She signed, “That's his religion, not yours.” He stiffened, “He won't know. He won't get you. That's why I am keeping you from him. I'm going to keep you safe from your father. This is why we moved from New York. I hadn't planned to say anything,” She looked down, “But your uncle has a big mouth. You need to decide what is best for you. Male or female, they have to be some one you love and I won't love you any less than I do now. You're my baby. You might be almost grown but you'll always be my baby,” he pulled a face, causing her to laugh, “One day, you'll understand.” He hugged her and she snuggled him close to her, like they did when he was a child. “And one day you'll understand that I'll always protect you, too. It's a natural thing for a parent.” He smiled as she kissed him on the top of the head.