Fic: Shaun, Zach, and Larry do Lunch
Title: Shaun, Zach, and Larry do Lunch
Author/Artist: jjd_1983
Pairing/Characters: Zach, Shaun, Larry
Rating/Genre: PG-13
Notes/Warnings: PG-13 for mild sexuality and language
“Top of the ninth, Twins 9, Cubs 7.”
“Shit!” Shaun said as he threaded the car down the street to the beach house. “The Cubs are losing, he’ll be pissed off, and we’re about to break the news to him.”
“Come on Shaun,” Zach said. “We’ll get through the Dad thing.”
“Stepdad,” Shaun reminded him.
Zach began to worry. All the time they’d known each other, Shaun had been the very image of confidence and self-assurance. Shaun was always comfortable in his own skin and didn’t apologize to anyone, including Larry, his stepdad, for being gay. It was Shaun who took a chance kissing him that cool summer night, and who didn’t give up on him no matter how freaked out he got. Shaun also took it upon himself to send Zach’s portfolio to CalArts, knowing that would rock Zach’s world. And together, they had faced Jeanne down when they picked up Cody the day she left. If none of that made Shaun break a sweat, why was he so anxious today?
Shaun, knowing that Larry didn’t like surprises, had decided to bring up the subject gently. They’d been to lunch with Shaun’s mom, Laura, the week before. They all laughed and smiled as Shaun told her about him and Zach’s summer together. Laura loved Zach, and they’d had a good time shopping for new furniture and toys for Cody. Shaun knew that Laura would pave the way with Larry back at the house, but he still wasn’t sure how Larry would react.
Larry was a nice man, but he was “old school.” He was a big baseball fan, and followed his Cubs religiously. He went to church every Sunday and still taught Sunday school occasionally. His first car was a Chevy, his last one a Caddy, and he wouldn’t be caught dead driving anything made outside Detroit. He was good to Shaun and Gabe, but he sure let them know if they ever disappointed him. Shaun wanted so badly to bring someone home his stepdad liked, but was never sure that strait-laced Larry could understand the whole gay thing. Secretly, Shaun worried that Larry would scare Zach off.
Although Shaun and Larry had never seen eye to eye about Shaun’s gayness, Shaun had more in common with his stepdad than he cared to admit. Both were careful and conventional in their day-to-day lives. Neither of them partied like Gabe, and Shaun secretly appreciated Larry’s repeated attempts to get Gabe to “tone it down.” Both cared about friends and family and immersed themselves in their work. Larry’s passion for baseball was matched only by Shaun’s obsession with surfing.
Shaun pulled into the driveway next to Larry’s shiny black Cadillac. Maybe they should they have taken Zach’s Blazer instead of the Volvo… He took a deep breath, sighed, turned to Zach and said, “let’s get this over with.” As they walked up to the front door, Zach took Shaun’s hand.
Laura opened the door and hugged Shaun and Zach warmly. They walked back to the living room, where Larry was watching the game.
“Strike two.” Larry grimaced and turned off the TV. This was serious - the Cubs had made it to the World Series, and Larry turned off the game when it was really close. Shaun stepped forward to introduce Zach. “Papa Larry, this is Zach.”
“We’ve met,” Larry said, shaking Zach’s hand. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Papa Larry, I’d like you to meet the love of my life, Zach.” Silence fell over the room for what seemed like forever.
“Zach, can I get you some coffee?” Laura asked. “Yes,” Zach replied, following her toward the kitchen.
“Shaun, may I talk to you in private?” Larry asked, motioning toward the study. Shaun felt his heart sink to his shoes. He followed Larry into the study, expecting bad news. It was in that study where Larry had given him and Gabe a good talking-to about that party when Tori got drunk and puked all over the deck. The same study where Shaun had a little explaining to do after Larry had walked in on him and Chris, his first boyfriend, going at it on the couch. The same room where Shaun tearfully apologized for crashing Larry’s brand-spanking-new Corvette just days after he got his license.
Shaun slumped down in the chair, looking over Larry’s baseball memorabilia, waiting for the other shoe to drop. To his surprise, Larry sat down next to him instead of at his desk. “Shaun, I’m really proud of you.”
“Really?” Shaun’s jaw dropped so far, he thought he’d have to pick it up off the floor.
“Yes,” Larry replied. “Remember when I said that a good man will always step up to the plate?”
“Yes,” Shaun said nervously.
“Your mom told me about you and Zach when I got back from Chicago last week. First of all, I’m glad you met Zach here at the house, and not at the bars. I’m proud of you for getting Zach into Cal Arts. And I was touched when Mom told me about those hot dogs and pancakes you made for Cody. Not only did you step up to the plate, but you hit a home run and smacked it out of the park.”
“Really?” Shaun asked.
“That’s what love is all about,” Larry said, a smile breaking across his face. “When I fell for your mom twenty years ago, she told me she was a package deal. If I got her, I also got you and Gabe. When I looked in her eyes and saw you guys playing in her living room, I just melted. She was poor as a church mouse, and it made me feel good to do things for you guys and to fulfill her dream of going to college.”
“Oh, stop,” Shaun said, blushing. He’d almost forgotten the old man had a soft side, a kind, gentle side too. Could it have been Larry who made Shaun take to Cody so readily, and ease his way into Zach’s heart?
“Remember I said that whoever you fell in love with, I’d be happy for you,” Larry said. “But this time, I’m really happy with who you fell in love with. And what you’re doing for Zach and Cody reminds me of what I did for you, Mom, and Gabe back then.”
“Thanks, Papa Larry,” Shaun said, his face turning bright red. He stood and reached out to shake Larry’s hand. Instead, Larry gave Shaun a big hug and opened the door.
“Is everything OK?” Zach asked as Shaun and Larry returned. “Yes,” Shaun replied, breathing a big sigh of relief.
“Why don’t we go for lunch?” Larry asked. “It’s on me.”
As the Cadillac glided down the street toward the country club, the radio blared, “Bases loaded … home run! Cubs 10, Twins 9! Cubs win!” Larry and Laura, Zach and Shaun were all grinning from ear to ear.
After lunch, Zach sat down with Larry in the study. Now Zach felt a little nervous, sitting there with Shaun’s stepdad with him.
“You did a great job bringing Shaun up,” Zach said. “He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And Gabe’s been a great friend too.”
“Thank you Zach,” Larry said. “I tried my best, and I’m glad the guys listened to what I taught them about friends and family.” Zach brushed the tears away just as they began welling up.
Larry handed Zach a tissue. “You must be busy with school and Cody. You must need a vacation by now.”
“Seriously, don’t worry about it,” Zach said. “Life is better than ever.” Larry scribbled away and tore a check out of his checkbook.
He folded the check and handed it to Zach. “When school gets out, you guys go someplace on me.”
“Thank you,” Zach said, blushing. “It’s too much.”
“If there’s something left over, maybe you could get Cody some new clothes or save it for his education,” Larry said.
“Thanks again,” Zach said. “We’ll use it wisely.”
Zach and Larry walked out of the study and met Shaun in the driveway. Larry embraced Zach, then Shaun, and said, “Come back soon.”
Shaun was much more relaxed as he drove back toward the freeway. “That went better than I thought,” he said, “and good thing the Cubs won.”
“Your old man is great,” Zach said, “and so are you.”
Author/Artist: jjd_1983
Pairing/Characters: Zach, Shaun, Larry
Rating/Genre: PG-13
Notes/Warnings: PG-13 for mild sexuality and language
“Top of the ninth, Twins 9, Cubs 7.”
“Shit!” Shaun said as he threaded the car down the street to the beach house. “The Cubs are losing, he’ll be pissed off, and we’re about to break the news to him.”
“Come on Shaun,” Zach said. “We’ll get through the Dad thing.”
“Stepdad,” Shaun reminded him.
Zach began to worry. All the time they’d known each other, Shaun had been the very image of confidence and self-assurance. Shaun was always comfortable in his own skin and didn’t apologize to anyone, including Larry, his stepdad, for being gay. It was Shaun who took a chance kissing him that cool summer night, and who didn’t give up on him no matter how freaked out he got. Shaun also took it upon himself to send Zach’s portfolio to CalArts, knowing that would rock Zach’s world. And together, they had faced Jeanne down when they picked up Cody the day she left. If none of that made Shaun break a sweat, why was he so anxious today?
Shaun, knowing that Larry didn’t like surprises, had decided to bring up the subject gently. They’d been to lunch with Shaun’s mom, Laura, the week before. They all laughed and smiled as Shaun told her about him and Zach’s summer together. Laura loved Zach, and they’d had a good time shopping for new furniture and toys for Cody. Shaun knew that Laura would pave the way with Larry back at the house, but he still wasn’t sure how Larry would react.
Larry was a nice man, but he was “old school.” He was a big baseball fan, and followed his Cubs religiously. He went to church every Sunday and still taught Sunday school occasionally. His first car was a Chevy, his last one a Caddy, and he wouldn’t be caught dead driving anything made outside Detroit. He was good to Shaun and Gabe, but he sure let them know if they ever disappointed him. Shaun wanted so badly to bring someone home his stepdad liked, but was never sure that strait-laced Larry could understand the whole gay thing. Secretly, Shaun worried that Larry would scare Zach off.
Although Shaun and Larry had never seen eye to eye about Shaun’s gayness, Shaun had more in common with his stepdad than he cared to admit. Both were careful and conventional in their day-to-day lives. Neither of them partied like Gabe, and Shaun secretly appreciated Larry’s repeated attempts to get Gabe to “tone it down.” Both cared about friends and family and immersed themselves in their work. Larry’s passion for baseball was matched only by Shaun’s obsession with surfing.
Shaun pulled into the driveway next to Larry’s shiny black Cadillac. Maybe they should they have taken Zach’s Blazer instead of the Volvo… He took a deep breath, sighed, turned to Zach and said, “let’s get this over with.” As they walked up to the front door, Zach took Shaun’s hand.
Laura opened the door and hugged Shaun and Zach warmly. They walked back to the living room, where Larry was watching the game.
“Strike two.” Larry grimaced and turned off the TV. This was serious - the Cubs had made it to the World Series, and Larry turned off the game when it was really close. Shaun stepped forward to introduce Zach. “Papa Larry, this is Zach.”
“We’ve met,” Larry said, shaking Zach’s hand. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Papa Larry, I’d like you to meet the love of my life, Zach.” Silence fell over the room for what seemed like forever.
“Zach, can I get you some coffee?” Laura asked. “Yes,” Zach replied, following her toward the kitchen.
“Shaun, may I talk to you in private?” Larry asked, motioning toward the study. Shaun felt his heart sink to his shoes. He followed Larry into the study, expecting bad news. It was in that study where Larry had given him and Gabe a good talking-to about that party when Tori got drunk and puked all over the deck. The same study where Shaun had a little explaining to do after Larry had walked in on him and Chris, his first boyfriend, going at it on the couch. The same room where Shaun tearfully apologized for crashing Larry’s brand-spanking-new Corvette just days after he got his license.
Shaun slumped down in the chair, looking over Larry’s baseball memorabilia, waiting for the other shoe to drop. To his surprise, Larry sat down next to him instead of at his desk. “Shaun, I’m really proud of you.”
“Really?” Shaun’s jaw dropped so far, he thought he’d have to pick it up off the floor.
“Yes,” Larry replied. “Remember when I said that a good man will always step up to the plate?”
“Yes,” Shaun said nervously.
“Your mom told me about you and Zach when I got back from Chicago last week. First of all, I’m glad you met Zach here at the house, and not at the bars. I’m proud of you for getting Zach into Cal Arts. And I was touched when Mom told me about those hot dogs and pancakes you made for Cody. Not only did you step up to the plate, but you hit a home run and smacked it out of the park.”
“Really?” Shaun asked.
“That’s what love is all about,” Larry said, a smile breaking across his face. “When I fell for your mom twenty years ago, she told me she was a package deal. If I got her, I also got you and Gabe. When I looked in her eyes and saw you guys playing in her living room, I just melted. She was poor as a church mouse, and it made me feel good to do things for you guys and to fulfill her dream of going to college.”
“Oh, stop,” Shaun said, blushing. He’d almost forgotten the old man had a soft side, a kind, gentle side too. Could it have been Larry who made Shaun take to Cody so readily, and ease his way into Zach’s heart?
“Remember I said that whoever you fell in love with, I’d be happy for you,” Larry said. “But this time, I’m really happy with who you fell in love with. And what you’re doing for Zach and Cody reminds me of what I did for you, Mom, and Gabe back then.”
“Thanks, Papa Larry,” Shaun said, his face turning bright red. He stood and reached out to shake Larry’s hand. Instead, Larry gave Shaun a big hug and opened the door.
“Is everything OK?” Zach asked as Shaun and Larry returned. “Yes,” Shaun replied, breathing a big sigh of relief.
“Why don’t we go for lunch?” Larry asked. “It’s on me.”
As the Cadillac glided down the street toward the country club, the radio blared, “Bases loaded … home run! Cubs 10, Twins 9! Cubs win!” Larry and Laura, Zach and Shaun were all grinning from ear to ear.
After lunch, Zach sat down with Larry in the study. Now Zach felt a little nervous, sitting there with Shaun’s stepdad with him.
“You did a great job bringing Shaun up,” Zach said. “He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And Gabe’s been a great friend too.”
“Thank you Zach,” Larry said. “I tried my best, and I’m glad the guys listened to what I taught them about friends and family.” Zach brushed the tears away just as they began welling up.
Larry handed Zach a tissue. “You must be busy with school and Cody. You must need a vacation by now.”
“Seriously, don’t worry about it,” Zach said. “Life is better than ever.” Larry scribbled away and tore a check out of his checkbook.
He folded the check and handed it to Zach. “When school gets out, you guys go someplace on me.”
“Thank you,” Zach said, blushing. “It’s too much.”
“If there’s something left over, maybe you could get Cody some new clothes or save it for his education,” Larry said.
“Thanks again,” Zach said. “We’ll use it wisely.”
Zach and Larry walked out of the study and met Shaun in the driveway. Larry embraced Zach, then Shaun, and said, “Come back soon.”
Shaun was much more relaxed as he drove back toward the freeway. “That went better than I thought,” he said, “and good thing the Cubs won.”
“Your old man is great,” Zach said, “and so are you.”