Chapter 17
A/N Once again, edits are relatively minor - some corrections, some changes to some things for better flow, and moar pictures. Also, I have changed the cut texts to lyrics to the song that I consider the theme song for this story. No, I'm not going to try and make them fit each update, we'll just be taking them in order. I'm not that creative, thanks. And now, without futher ado...
Buzz came down the stairs for his normal morning run and was surprised to find Tank waiting for him in the living room, dressed in sweats and looking very nervous.
"Hi, Dad," Tank said as he stood and wiped his hands on his pants.
"Hey, Son, you're up early," Buzz replied.
"Um, yeah...I was hoping I could come with you on your run this morning...."
"Sure...love to have the company," Buzz said. He was puzzled as to what brought this on, but he wouldn't complain. Tank would be gone to college in just a few days, after all.
They walked out to the sidewalk and did some stretches, then started off. Buzz deliberately held back a bit - Tank was in good shape but he didn't run nearly as much as Buzz did, plus there was the fact that Buzz' legs were longer. Besides, he wanted the boy to have a chance to talk to him if he wanted to. He clearly had some reason for being out here. The boy was much more into swimming and kickboxing than running.
"So...you about ready to go?" Buzz ventured.
"Yep," Tank said. He was breathing hard but he could still talk, so that was good.
"Good...looks like Andrew's court case isn't going to be done in time, so I'll be taking both of you up," Buzz said, which elicited an "Mmmhmmm" and not much more. Of course, the boy was starting to sweat a fair bit, so he might not be able to talk right now. Buzz slowed down even more - they were jogging now rather than running, but the last thing the boy needed was to pull a hamstring right before leaving for college. Tank did have something he wanted to say, though, so Buzz decided to just cut the run a little short and let Tank have his say back at the house. So he only did a couple miles today, it wouldn't hurt anything...he could always hit the gym later if he felt like it.
"Head back?" Buzz asked and Tank rather gratefully nodded. They turned and jogged back to the house, walking the last bit to cool down, then Buzz led Tank into the kitchen to get some water.
"Thanks," Tank said as Buzz handed him a glass of room temperature water.
"Don't drink that too fast," Buzz cautioned, and Tank nodded.
Tank and Buzz sat at the kitchen table and drank in silence. Tank finished his water and sat for a minute, then squared his shoulders and started talking.
"So...Ali and I will be roommates in college...."
"More than, I would think, with you living together..." Buzz said, eyebrows raised.
"No, we're roommates, that's it...it isn't like that!"
"Ok...fair enough, but...this does bring up something I did want to talk to you about."
"What's that?"
"Listen...you're going to be in college, away from home, on your own...free to do a lot of stuff that you can't do now, right?" Buzz said.
"Yeah..."
"I want you to know that I do understand that. I was a college student, a million or so years ago," Buzz said, which made Tank roll his eyes. "Dad," he said, but Buzz shushed him.
"No, now listen. I'm just saying that whatever you do, be careful, ok? I love you, Son, and I'm very glad you were born...I don't regret for a second the fact that I married your mother...but...well, you weren't planned. I don't want you to have to make some of the choices I had to make. I want you to have children when you want them...so...be careful, that's all."
"DAD," Tank said with an exasperated look on his face, "That's what I've been trying to tell you...trust me, it won't be happening"
"David, no matter how careful you are..." Buzz said, and Tank stood up and threw his hands up in the air, cutting Buzz off.
"Dad, it won't happen because I won't be sleeping with any GIRLS!"
Buzz sat there a moment, digesting that, then gestured at the chair Tank had been sitting in. Tank sat down and looked at Buzz, warily.
"Ok, you're gay, that's what you're telling me, David?" Buzz said.
"Yeah...." Tank said.
Buzz just shook his head. "Andrew will be so disappointed....he likes the look of you for a prospective son-in-law."
Tank blinked and looked at Buzz. "That's it?" he said.
"What were you expecting?" Buzz asked.
"I don't know...I...thought you'd be...mad...or something...."
"Really? Did you really, honestly think this wouldn't be ok?"
"I...I don't know..." Tank said, taking deep breaths. It was obvious he was fighting tears.
"Oh, Son, don't do that, come here," Buzz said, and stood. Tank stood and let Buzz hug him.
It was a bit awkward, but they smiled at each other at the end of it.
"You're my son...I love you. Nothing will ever change that, ever."
"Thanks...Dad...I just...you hear stories and stuff about parents disowning their kids...and....I don't know."
Buzz sighed. "I'm sorry if anything I have ever said made you think I wouldn't be ok with this....I *am* a bit disappointed in one thing...I agreed with Andrew. I was hoping for a match, too. She's a nice girl."
"She is, and a good friend. Totally ok with the fact that I'm gay...she has told one guy I'm her boyfriend, though, because "not interested" didn't work. You're really ok with this?"
"Really. Gay is no big deal. Hell, I've even kissed a guy before," Buzz said.
"You have not!"
"I have, Scout's Honor," Buzz said.
"Ok, I have to hear this," Tank said his disbelief clear in his tone.
"All right, let's have some breakfast and I'll tell you the story...."