In Which They Go to a Barbecue
Sam pulled the car to a stop in front of his parents' house and took a deep breath before turning back to look at the other people in the car. Marion and Andy had fallen asleep next to each other in the back seat early on in the drive, so for the most part it had just been him and Devon talking. Well, more so him than Devon, but still. It wasn't a bad drive. He just hoped the one back was just as nice.
The house itself was relatively modest -- a split level with a big backyard. There was a basketball hoop over the garage door, with his brother absentmindedly bouncing the ball in front of him, occasionally stepping back to take a shot at the hoop. That either meant that Sam was early, or things were getting too hectic back there already, and Sam wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing, but -- he figured they'd sort it out as they went. With a deep breath, he turned to face Devon with a sigh.
"Look, if it gets really bad in there -- let me know, and we'll leave. I -- I don't want to make you uncomfortable."
Pushing the release on his seat belt, his eyes were now fixed on the house before him and on the guy in the driveway. "Is that you brother," he asked, looking over at Sam, finally. He just had to remember that this wasn't about him - this was Sam's day. He may have been meeting the parents but the parents certainly didn't know that. He made the decision to let go of the fact that he was in a pretty serious relationship with their son, Maybe that would help.
"Yeah," Sam nodded, before reaching back to shake the two in the back seat awake. Ethan had turned around and noticed them at this point, giving his brother a grin and a wave as he started to jog over to them, still bouncing the basket ball as he went.
"You're late," Ethan stated as he leaned in to Devon's window. "The backyard's already been invaded by teenage girls."
Sam rolled his eyes slightly, ignoring the mumbles of Marion and Andy rousing themselves. "This is my brother, Ethan. Ethan, this is Devon, Andy, and you know Marion."
"Hey," Devon said with a self-conscious smile completed with a lame wave. He could see the resemblance between Sam and Ethan and in that moment he did wish this were under different circumstances. The young reporter looked back at Marion and Andy, trying to gain some support from his friends but Marion was hardly in the position to put a hand on his shoulder and assure him things were going to be OK.
"Hey, Ethan," she said, flashing him a sleepy smile as she started to get out of the car.
"Long time, no see," Ethan nodded, moving away so that Devon could get out of the car. "And nice to meet you guys. There's plenty of food in the back, so if you think you can manage the sea of seventeen year-olds, have at it."
"Food," Andy nodded, starting to head in that direction. "Awesome."
Taking a breath, Devon kept eye contact with the dashboard before opening the passenger side door and stepping out of the car. Closing the door behind him, he tried to catch Marion's eye. Whose idea had this been, anyway?
Hers. And she felt bad about that. She really did. She moved over and nudged him lightly, sliding her arm through his as they followed Ethan and Sam back towards the house. "You okay?"
"I would love to say yes, Marion." Looking to her, he sighed, before looking front again, breathing heavy. "I felt special. When he asked me. I felt like he wanted me to meet the parents. Why didn't I realize that I actually wouldn't be?" he asked, stopping. "I just, need a moment." Stepping back, he pulled his arm away, his hands coming to his thighs. He bent over and took several deep breaths before standing up straight again. "Come on," he said, linking arms again.
Marion pulled him closer, resting her chin on his shoulder lightly. "You wanna get out, lemme know. I'll steal Sam's keys and we'll go hang out somewhere else for a while."
"Hey Mom!" Ethan shouted into the house as he pulled open the front door for the others to head in ahead of him. "Sam's here!"
Devon led the way with Marion into the house, following a few steps behind his boyfriend. The only way he would get through this day was to stop thinking that way. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside, plastering a quiet smile on his face.
Marylin Harper was drying her hands on a dish towel, as she made her way into the living room, a wide smile on her face. "Sammy," she said with a happy sigh, wrapping her arms around her son for a warm hug, before pulling back with a smirk. "You're late."
"I had to drive three hours," Sam laughed. "Give me a break." He pulled back from the hug. "You know Marion, but that's her brother Andy, and Devon. This is my mom, Marylin."
Marylin gave them all a smile, before gesturing back towards the kitchen. "Well c'mon in. The General just started putting burgers on the grill, but I could always get you something to drink, and there's chips and things, so just -- go ahead and help yourself."
"Oh, chips and things," Devon said to Marion, albeit sarcastically. Looking to her, he rolled his eyes. "Fine," he relented. "I'll make the best of it. I do like burgers."
Marion squeezed his arm lightly, before looking over at Sam. "Maybe we should find Liz." She couldn't believe she was suggesting it herself, but -- it might help to have someone in Sam's family who actually saw him as he was.
Sam looked slightly apprehensive at that, because his sister was, indeed, the spawn of Satan, before nodding slightly. "She's probably in the back."
Andy just looked between the three of them and shook his head slightly. "I so have not had enough caffeine for this." That was followed by Marion reaching over and smacking her brother upside the head.
Devon laughed for the first time since about half an hour into the car ride. A half an hour in, he had realized just what he had gotten himself into. But, he was also being a drama queen. He could be better. He was going to be better.
"I don't need Liz," he assured them. "And please stop looking at me like a dog with a gimp. I'm fine. I am," he said, in Sam's direction this time. When Sam had moved away from him he leaned into Marion. "Please, don't alert my boyfriend of just how not OK I am. This is for him so I'd rather not worry and or piss him off. I. Am. Fine." After the fifth time saying it, Devon didn't believe it anymore then the first time he had uttered those words but followed Sam out, anyway.
Marion let him go, hanging back with Andy for a moment. "I'm an idiot."
Andy smirked. "Well, I could have told you that one." With that, he headed towards the backyard, making a beeline for the soda and plopping down into one of the lawn chairs. Marion sighed, running a hand over her face as she got pulled to the side with Ethan again, striking up a conversation about upcoming law school things that he was into.
Sam, on the other hand, was being tackle hugged by a seventeen year-old who was rambling on about something unimportant. Monica and a tall, older man were talking over by the grill, and Marylin had sat down by Andy at this point, engaging him in some kind of conversation about nothing at all.
Left to his own devices, Devon weighed his options. He had really just been introduced to Sam's mother and she was talking to Andy which seemed to be the safest bet. He couldn't see Liz right away but then again, he had just texted her that one time. The older man who stood by a woman Devon assumed was Sam's older sister had to be the General and he was so not ready to meet Robert Deniro, Army Edition. Blythe Danner, however, was always pleasant and welcoming. Licking his lips, he meandered over to Andy and Sam's mother, pouring himself a drink, before turning around and leaning against the table. He didn't have to speak. He could stand - and listen. And not freak out.
" -- Well, it's just nice to meet more of Marion's family," Marilyn said with a slow nod. "They've been friends for such a long time now, you'd think the families would know each other better." She noticed Devon standing there, before looking over with a smile and patting Devon's hand warmly. "So how do you and Sam know each other? I'm afraid he hasn't mentioned you much -- are you recent friends?"
"He works at the newspaper I used to write for," he said, with a smile, looking down at Marylin. The half-truth slipped out easier then Devon had anticipated. He was surprised how calm and collected he was at that moment and then realized the butterflies in his stomach, the ravenous, cannibalistic butterflies. "And Marion is my best friend. I met him through her."
"That's good," Marylin nodded. "Sam needs more friends. He's always been such a quiet boy -- I worry about him sometimes." She leaned back in the seat a little more with a sigh. "But occasionally he does bring home proof that he has a social life. Guess a mother can't ask for much more than that, now can she?" She shook her head a bit. "So you said you used to write for the paper? Where are you working now?"
Devon wanted more than anything to explain that Sam's penchant for being quiet was just a defense mechanism and that he had heard many conversations and phrases come from Sam's mouth and how much he trusted and yeah, loved her son. But he didn't. He couldn't.
"Stark Industries," he said. "I'm an events reporter there so I both go to the events and I occasionally write press releases for them," he explained, smiling, and looking to Andy for a moment.
Andy raised his eyebrows back at him, before taking a long sip of his soda and shrugging. He didn't know why Marion had picked him of all people to do this, but she should have known that he wasn't game for 'Meet the Parents' moments.
Marylin, however, was somewhat impressed. "Oh, that must be exciting. Stark Industries is always known for the new and innovative, and there's always all those extravagant parties -- "
"Mom also spends too much time reading the gossip pages," Liz said with a smirk as she bounced her way over, hands in her pockets.
"I do not," Marylin said with a smirk, reaching over and taking her daughter's arm lightly. "I can't help it if Tony Stark usually winds up on the front page."
Liz rolled her eyes, before extending her hand to Devon. "Liz. You must be Devon."
The spawn of Satan him or herself was standing before Devon, right now. The only real chink in the Devon's cover story armor. Devon just wished he had left the destructive feelings at home. It was too much to ask Liz to out her brother or to out Sam himself or at all. He pushed those thoughts deep down and shook her hand, smiling.
"Liz," he said, shaking her hand. "I'm guessing you're a relative of Sam's?" He wondered how long this game would last before she pulled him aside and pumped him for gay information. He also wondered how Liz had been the one to find out. Devon realized just how much he didn't know about Sam.
"His sister," she said, before rolling her eyes slightly. A buzzer went off in the kitchen and Liz was pulling on Devon's hand towards the kitchen before her mother could get up. "We'll get it! Stay, Mom. Talk to this guy before he falls asleep on you." She twisted her foot to kick Andy in the shin -- probably harder than she should have, and Andy jerked awake, shooting her a glare as she dragged Devon back into the house.
"Lucky me," he replied, a little over exuberantly before following the youngest Harper into the house. Once the door closed behind him, he let go of her hand. "What are you doing?" he asked, sighing, and looking back outside. He thought about curbing his volume but they were inside now. "Don't -- it's for Sam. I'm here for Sam so don't let any proverbial cat out of any bag. Keep it in. I beg you. I fed the cat and it's sleeping so letting it out...would just be bad."
"Okay -- I dragged you in here because I want to actually speak to you without letting said cat out," she replied as she went to the stove, pulling out whatever her mother had been baking and setting it on top of the stove. "Don't get me wrong -- I want nothing more to have Sam finally out and happy, but a) the only person who would actually consider what I was saying to be the truth would be Ethan, because I think on some level he kind of knows, and maybe Mom, but b) and more importantly, this is my party. I'd prefer if it wasn't turned into a shit fest -- thanks. Personally I'm kind of gawking at my brother's stupidity here -- not you, just the fact that he asked this of you and actually brought you here."
She paused for a moment, before turning to face him so that she was resting her elbows on the counter behind her. "I would, however, like to get to know you better. If at all possible. Because, ya know, you are kind of dating my brother."
"I know," he said, sighing, and sitting in the nearest chair, laying his head down on the table. "I don't know why I thought this would be any sort of good idea," he said, looking up at Liz. "Whatever. Ask away." Sighing, again, he yawned, wondering if he could get away with staying in the kitchen with Liz the entire time.
"I could smack him for you, if you want," Liz replied, moving to sit across from him. "People expect physical violence of me."
"Please don't," he said, lifting his head up. "I said I love you." A moment passed before he laughed. "Actually, our friend Serena did for me but that's out there. I can't believe I love your brother and yet I have no idea about his family or -- other things. I hardly know him when I really think about it and he told me he's not there yet, not at love yet and I hate that days like these worry me that he'll never be."
"No, he will be. He's not a total moron." She sighed slightly, before drumming her fingers on the table. "He wouldn't have bothered to bring you here if he didn't feel something. Even he it feels like he's making you hide -- " She paused for a minute, her face twisting up slightly as she tried to figure out how to phrase it. " -- in his own moronic way, this is his way of showing you that he likes having you there. He wants you to be part of his world, as fucked up as it is."
"It is fucked up," he said, sitting up. A laugh escaped, small at first before it abruptly grew, finally subsiding about a minute later. "Either way, I'm in hell."
"Well, when in Hell, at least go out in style," Liz teased, before continuing. "Look, seriously? Just be yourself. A huge chunk of the family isn't going to care about your orientation enough to actually say something about it, and if the General opens his mouth, I'll remind him that it's my party and tell him to shove it. Sam's a grown man, and he's allowed to be friends with whoever he wants."
"You tell your dad to shove it," he asked, standing up and stretching back. "We should get back out there or else your mother's going to think you jumped me," he joked, sighing. "And this still sucks." Giving her an appreciative smile, he left her in the kitchen, opening the back door, and heading back into the yard, surveying the scene before him.
Sam had wandered over to Ethan and Marion, joining in on the conversation while Devon and Liz were inside, and Andy was collecting burgers and talking to the General. He still looked half asleep, but at least he had his appetite. Monica and Marylin were still by the drinks, talking about something unrelated, and Liz took a bit longer in the kitchen, collecting whatever she had pulled out of the oven and getting ready to bring it outside.
He figured, Marylin was still the safest choice and now he could meet another of Sam's relatives. Walking over, he waited for a lull in the conversation before speaking. "Liz is in there pulling things out of the oven," he said, smiling. "She'll be out in a second. I'm Devon," he said, in Monica's direction. "A friend of Sam's."
"Monica," the woman replied with a wide smile. "I'm Sam's sister."
"Devon is an events reporter for Stark Industries," Marylin said with a small smile.
"Really?" Monica said with an eyebrow raise as she took another sip of her soda. "Spend a lot of time with the CEO?"
"Less than you'd think," he replied with a smile. "I met him back in New York and I've talked to him online a few times. But, most of my communication is with my editor." Walking over to the table, he grabbed a few chips, turning around and holding them in his one hand while putting one at a time in his mouth.
"Gotcha," Monica said with a nod. "Well, still must be interesting at least. I've heard that things with Tony Stark are never dull."
"That I can confirm," he said, smirking. "Where do you work?" he asked, putting another chip in his mouth.
"Here on the base," she said with a nod. "I'm working my way up through the ranks, just like my dad."
Devon smiled, nodding, looking over to where the General was. "I'm going to go get a burger," he said, before turning towards the grill, grabbing a plate, and crossing.
The General was rambling on about some kind of mission he'd been on in the past, and Andy was just kind of standing there nodding with a thin smile on his face. When he saw Devon, he let out a small smile of relief. "Devon! There you are." There was a bit of a 'thank God' muttered under than man's breath as he continued to chew on his cheeseburger.
"What can I get ya, son? Burger, dog, chicken?" the older man sighed, giving the man a friendly smile.
"Burger," he said, handing the General his plate. "No cheese. And uh, hi, I'm Devon - like Andy said." Giving Andy an eye roll, he looked back at the General. "You have a really nice house."
"Thank you," the General nodded, placing the burger on the bun for Devon. "Worked a lotta years bouncin' around from place to place to finally get a place that was our own. Are you a friend a Sammy's like this one?"
"Yeah," he said, looking to Andy again. "We used to work at the same newspaper but I work for Stark Industries now. I met Sam through Marion." He thought that may have been too much or suspicious but it was the truth. Marion was his best friend then.
"Ah," the General replied, shaking his head slightly. "Sammy's still doing that photography kick, isn't he?"
"Yeah," he replied, trying not to seem coarse. "He's still on that kick. He's good at that kick. The best at that kick at the L.A. Daily News." But he stopped there.
"Now, don't get me wrong -- I'm glad he's doin' what makes him happy," the man sighed. "Just wish that he would do something a little more -- productive, is all."
"For him, it's productive," he said, actually smiling now. He actually liked the General - two minutes in, anyway. "Andy works as a security guard. Best guy there," he said.
The man tilted his head to the side slightly, and Andy was glaring at Devon for bringing him back into the conversation. "Ever thought about upgrading to the police force."
"Can't," Andy sighed. "Have a record. But thanks for the suggestion."
Devon made a phase, slightly amused, taking a bite of his burger. "Oh, I have to ask Marion something. I'll be back," he said, raising the burger acknowledging a thank you and then bee lining for Marion and whoever she was talking to at the time.
Marion was watching Ethan and Sam head off to go play basketball in front of the house again, before coming to a stop in front of Devon. "Hey -- how's it going?"
"Still alive," he said, smiling. "It's hard," he admitted. "It sucks - but I'm alive."
"Good," she said with a nod, before looking over at her brother and the General. "How's he doing?"
"I think, good. I don't think he knows how he got stuck talking to him. I think because he went straight for the food. Where's Sam," he asked, scratching the back of his head.
"Went out front to play basketball with his brother," Marion said with a nod.
"You want to watch a basketball game," he asked, raising an eyebrow.
She considered this for a minute, before nodding. "Lemme grab a soda first."
"OK," he said, crossing his arms. "I'll wait here." Knowing his luck, he'd be accosted by a Harper but he was content to stand - and be silent, away from people.
It took Marion a minute to grab the kind of soda she wanted, before taking Devon's arm and leading him around to the front of the house, the two brothers coming into view as Ethan leaned back to take a shot from the middle of the driveway, wincing as it bounced off the rim.
Devon smirked, exchanging glances with Marion before taking a seat in the grass next to the driveway, legs in front of him. The trick to this was to not stare at his boyfriend playing basketball too hard, even though he had never actually seen Sam play basketball. Ever. It was hot.
Crap.
Sam smirked as he took the ball from his brother, and they bounced it back and forth a few times, before Sam started to make his way around the far side of the driveway. Ethan glanced over his shoulder back at the two of them, before speaking as he went to cover Sam. "So Devon -- Marion says you used to work for the paper?"
Gaze broken, he looked to Ethan, nodding. He really had to watch himself. "Yeah, the crime section. It was -- exciting," he tried, taking a sip of Marion's soda before handing it to her. "Don't fight it," he said to her. "I either need soda or a cigarette." Not that he smoked, but this seemed about the time to take it up. "What about you?" he asked, Ethan.
Marion didn't object to the soda stealing, so long as she got it back. She just inched closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder lightly.
"College," Ethan replied. "Junior at Berkley."
Smiling, Devon looked up. "I...went to Berkley," he said. "I loved it there." It was easier to say that then, I'm in love with your brother. And it seemed way more appropriate.
"Yeah?" Ethan said, glancing over with a grin. "Nice. I'm doing pre-law stuff mostly right now, but I'm looking into their law school program -- trying to see if I can get a full ride if I stay in-school."
"The odds are pretty high," Devon replied. "Especially, if you stay there for Grad." Smiling, he looked at Sam again, glancing this time before looking back at Ethan. "Good luck with that, though."
"Thanks," Ethan nodded. "So has my dad run you out yet, or is he still being mostly tolerable?
He frowned, shrugging. "Tolerable, I'm pretty sure..." he said, warily. "But, I haven't revealed my ties to the sex slave ring just yet. I was saving that revelation for dessert." When in doubt, go for the joke.
Ethan laughed. "Oh, I'm sure he'd take that in stride. Though I'm not sure if he'd have a response at all for that one."
"Good thing I just like guys," he said, really not thinking. Before he could pull it back into his mouth, he looked to Marion.
Marion glanced back over at Ethan, who just shrugged slightly, before tossing the ball to the hoop again. "I'd keep that to yourself. Unless you want him openly mocking your sexuality in that oh so charming way of his. Don't get me wrong, I love my father, but he can be a moron sometimes."
"Right," he replied, feeling sheepish. "I'll take that into account." Sighing, he laid back in the grass, preferring to look at the sky and not his boyfriend or the basketball or Ethan.
Sam was exhaling as he went to collect the ball, and Ethan raised an eyebrow at him. He shook it off, and his brother dismissed it with a slight eye roll before going back to check the ball. "So what else do you like to do? Other than work and stuff?" The question was directed at Devon, since he already knew Marion pretty well.
"I like to write," he said. "Uh, clearly - but I also watch television, listen to music. I'm thinking about getting back into bartending. After I briefly moved to New York I lost that job - sort of didn't...quit but - I kind of miss it," he said, sitting up.
"I did bartending for a while when I needed the extra money," Ethan replied. "Didn't really have the patience for it though -- lost the job after a month."
"It's hard to take," he said. "But, I got used to it and I really enjoyed it. Met -- a lot of great people doing it," he said, glancing up at Sam.
"I just didn't have the personality for it. They bumped me over to security -- made less money, but I was put to better use."
"Exactly," Devon replied. "I couldn't bounce - or -- you know, secure the bar," he said, laughing. "I may be scrappy but I'm not scrappy enough to take on 6'5 drunk college students."
Ethan chuckled slightly. "See, that's an area where the military shit paid off for me. I just can't take orders. Working my way up through the ranks would have pissed me off."
"Do you usually bring friends home," he asked Ethan, putting a head on Marion's shoulder.
"Depends on the event," Ethan sighed. "But usually? Not really. Between my father and my hellion of a sister, I would wind up offending someone."
"How so," he asked, sitting up and bringing his knees to his chest.
"I have friends who are more into the artsy end of things, and my dad thinks that if you're pursuing a career in the arts you're wasting your time, and my sister -- well, she can't keep her mouth shut."
"Don't I know it," Devon said, rolling his eyes before realizing he needed to explain himself. "She just...pulled me into the kitchen and wanted to know all about me," he added, laughing.
Ethan's forehead wrinkled slightly, before he shook his head. "She's batshit."
"I kinda like her," Devon admitted. "She's fiery and blunt, sure but a lot aren't even that genuine," he said, looking to Marion. So far, he liked Ethan and Liz with the jury out on Monica.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Ethan shrugged, taking a final shot at the basket. "I just wish she had a bit more -- respect for the hierarchy sometimes."
Devon stretched his legs out, putting everything into the simplest terms possible. "Some people are just wired differently. That's how they were born."
"Yeah, I know," Ethan sighed. "Best we can do is try to teach her tact and hope she doesn't open her mouth around the wrong people, right?"
At that, Devon shrugged, pulling himself up. "Actually? She looks like she could handle herself," he said, rubbing his hands together and then holding an arm down to help Marion up. "To Liz, the hierarchy doesn't matter or, it's a false hierarchy. To her, the military shouldn't have as much power as it does or it shouldn't be deemed above -- but, anyway, yeah, hopefully not," he finished, looking down, stopping his diatribe.
Ethan shrugged, before tossing the ball in his brother's direction, before wiping a hand against the back of his arm lightly. "Well, I'm gonna go grab a drink. You guys want anything?"
Devon shrugged, shaking his head, his hands going to his pockets as he looked to Sam.
Sam and Marion both shook their heads, and Ethan nodded before disappearing behind the house. Sam did the same, before making his way over to them. "How's it going?" Sam asked, tilting his head to the side slightly.
Devon glanced over at Marion and then back at Sam. "Oh, you mean me?" He shrugged. "It could be worse." With that, he smiled, and took a step back, his hands still in his pockets.
Sam looked over at him for a minute, before looking down at his hands. "Saw that you were talking to my dad -- how'd that go?"
"Fine," he said, warming up to his boyfriend. "He gave me a burger, I told him what I do and how I know you - the faux-version and then we talked about your photography. And then I walked away. It was the stuff of Nicholas Sparks novels, believe me," he said, eying Sam, warily.
Sam's jaw set slightly, before looking up at him again. "Well -- I'm glad that things are going okay."
"I know," he said, eyes now raising to Sam's eye line. "I'm sorry," he tried, looking down. "I don't want to express how hard this is for me because I don't want you to ask me if I have to leave. I'm not hyperventilating and I'm not freaking out. It's hard. But, so is life. It's nice to get this glimpse into your life," he said, taking a step forward. "I didn't mean to be cold." Sighing, he looked down again. "I don't know how to act around you - I've only ever acted one way."
"Hard for me too," Sam said softly. "And I'm sorry. I never should have put you in this position anyway."
"How else would I have met your family?" he asked. "Besides Liz." He didn't give a fair enough amount of time to Sam before answering his own question. "That's what I thought," he added, sighing, and heading into the backyard leaving Sam with Marion.
Marion sighed slightly, before placing her hand on Sam's shoulder. "I'm sorry. This was a bad idea."
"Not your fault completely," Sam replied, running a hand over his face. "I went along with it."
Andy had finally managed to drag himself away from the General and was now sitting at the drink table again, talking something over with Liz. The conversation was a little more animated than he had been as of late, but he was still looking pretty tired as it was.
Instead of gravitating towards a certain individual, Devon sat on the steps that led into the back of the house, trying not to look like his heart was about to break. Not that it was going to. At least, he hoped not. He new he was going hot and cold on Sam but he couldn't help it.
"You okay, sweetie?" Marylin asked as she walked past him, another plate of marinated chicken ready to be grilled in her hand.
Looking up, he smiled, nodding. "Just taking a party break," he said, sighing. "You have a really nice family, Marylin. Or, Mrs. Harper," he tried, standing up. "Everyone's really great."
"Marylin's perfectly fine," she said with a nod. "And good. I'm glad you're having a good time."
"I am," he responded, still smiling. "And you're - wonderful, really. It's me. I'm -- I have issues," he said, vaguely. "But, today is not a day for my issues. Today's a day for Liz, I think, right? This is her party?"
"Yes, it is," Marylin said proudly. "Got into Brown. No full ride, but -- enough so that she can actually go."
"I went to Berkeley," he said, leaning against the house. "I looked at Brown, even visited the campus. I guess I wanted to be on the West Coast more than I had thought." he said. "Earlier this year...or late last year I had sort of moved to New York but I came back to L.A. I guess...three weeks later. It didn't work out there."
"Liz has been wanting to get as far away as possible since she was a little one," Marylin said with a slow nod. "I am worried, a bit, about her going so far away, but she's a smart girl with a good head on her shoulders. She'll do okay."
"I can definitely agree with that," he said, looking in Liz's direction. "I can tell that she can take care of herself." Smiling, he turned back to Marylin. "Sam can to, but in a different way. He's more quietly independent."
"That he is," Marylin nodded, pausing for a minute, before handing the plate of chicken over to her husband. "I just hope he's happy, is all. He seems like he is, but Sammy's always been good at bottling it up."
Sighing, Devon brought a hand to Marylin's shoulder. "He's happy. I mean, I'm not one hundred percent sure but I'm pretty sure - he's happy with where he is right now." Sighing, he pulled his hand back. "Excuse me," he said, stepping into the house, needing a moment.
Marylin nodded, brushing a hand across his face lightly, before heading over to the grill to talk to the General.
Making a bee-line to the bathroom, he didn't bother closing the door before leaning into the sink and looking at the mirror. Breathing heavily, he turned on the faucet, splashing cool water on his face before taking the small towel on the sink and drying himself off.
Marion and Sam made their way back into the backyard at this point, before going their separate ways. Marion went to get food, and Sam headed over to talk to his sister and Andy, balancing the basketball under his arm.
Devon turned around, leaning against the sink, needing more time, needing more something in general that would make it easier to get through this day. Maybe someone would find him or they would forget he was there completely. They didn't know he existed in the first place.
There was another minute, before his sister took the ball from him, and Sam made his way into the house, wandering and looking around and eventually stopping in the living room, dropping with a huff onto the couch.
Devon heard the huff, taking a breath and emerging from the bathroom, catching sight of Sam. Deciding that they were alone, he sat down next to his boyfriend silently, putting his head on Sam's shoulder only for a second before giving him a sympathetic, I'm not actually angry at you look. After, he simply sat, looking front.
Sam looked back at him and gave him a small smile. "I'll make this up to you."
Devon nodded, so briefly that it wasn't apparent that he was nodding before looking down and relaxing back into the couch, quietly.
Sam sighed softly, before glancing back over his shoulder and then turning back to Devon. "So what do you really think of them?"
Looking over at Sam, he sighed, his head returning to Sam's shoulder. "They're great, Sam. Even the general," he said, looking up at him. "Monica's a little rigid and Ethan while open is not as open as he thinks -- they're all...good people."
"They try, at least," Sam shrugged.
"They succeed," he said, sighing. "At least, today they do."
"Good," Sam nodded.
"Well, wouldn't want to out you to one or all of your family members," he said, sitting up, and then standing up after that. "You can even count to five," he added, walking back out into the yard.
Sam waited with a heavy sigh for a moment, before getting up and following him, heading back out into the yard with him.
Pulling his arms around him, Devon plastered yet another smile on his face before going to grab another soda for himself.
"Dude," Andy sighed, rubbing his eyes slightly as he leaned back in his chair. "Are we almost done yet, because I'm so gonna crash soon."
"Dude, I want to take this fork and stick it into this entire day," he responded, sitting down next to him. "I mean, yeah, yay parents, yay family but -- it's the wrong yay. It's faux yay. It's bad, bad, bad yay. I hate this yay. This yay should go die in a fire."
"Now you're starting to sound like my sister."
"And you're just learning this now?" Devon asked. "I've been your sister's best friend for about two years. Has she ever met the guy she was dating's parents who didn't know she was dating him?" he asked, leaning in closer to Andy.
Andy paused for a moment, considering this, before nodding. "Yes! There was this guy, in Jersey. I think she worked for his father or -- something. Anyway, it was totally awkward. But my sister is also a blond. She doesn't think things through before she says them."
"Whereas, I say things in backyards that if overheard could rock my boyfriend's family's world," he said, gulping down his soda. "I wish I had a lighter."
"A lighter?" Andy frowned, tilting his head to the side slightly.
"To set the day aflame," he said, poetically, albeit more loudly then he had meant to. "I really think we played this day out." Sighing, he relaxed back. "This sucks."
"Yeah, it does," Andy sighed, glancing down at his watch.
"I don't even know why Sam thought to ask me," he said, looking up. "It just doesn't sound like him."
Andy paused for a minute, before looking back towards the house. "Oh, I think I know why."
"Huh?" he asked, looking over at Andy.
Andy sighed slightly, before jerking his head in the direction of where his sister was talking to Monica.
"No," he said, shaking his head. Well, this made sense. "Excuse me," he said, crossing over to where Monica and Marion were speaking. "Hi, excuse me. I'm sorry to interrupt," he said. "But do you mind if I borrow the effervescent Marion - just for about two shakes?" he asked, holding two fingers up.
Monica frowned slightly before nodding. "Sure."
Marion was confused, but glanced over at him as they started to walk away. "Something wrong?"
Bringing them into the house, he stopped in front of the door way, trying to calm himself down. "This was your idea?" he asked, simply.
Marion sighed heavily, before reaching back to run a hand through her hair. "Yes? It felt like a good idea at the time, Dev, I'm sorry."
"HOW?" he asked. "HOW did you think THIS was a good idea?" he asked, gesturing around. "This hurts me - a hell of a lot and only reminds me how -- I may never have all of -- it. All of - them," he tried, sounding awkward but continuing anyway. "I just - I can't help but worry that I'll never be introduced as anything more than that guy who used to work with him and randomly tagged along to enjoy the festivities with his sister, Liz, who by the way, is the only person in his family who knows. This...hurts!"
"I know, I know, I didn't think," she said, burying her face in her hands. "I didn't expect him to actually go through with it, either. He's supposed to have more common sense than that."
"And so are you, Mar." he said. "I mean, I knew he had the unassuming family who lived on an army base which basically ensured "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" but I never thought -- I don't know what I thought. I really don't. But, this isn't encouraging or good or fun or any sign that -- I'm afraid," he added, walking further into the house. "I'm afraid that -- we won't last, that he won't be out, that he won't fall in love with me or feel anything close to love for me. And I don't know how to not feel this way."
"I'm sorry, okay?" she said with a sigh, following him as she went. "I'm sorry, I didn't think -- I've never been through this kind of thing before."
"I'm...sorry," he said, lowering his head. He took a few steps closer, embracing his friend, burying his head into her chest. "He can't put into words. How he feels. I don't...know how he feels. I don't even know if he knows. I just -- wish...I wish I knew what he felt, that he could put what he feels into words."
"He'll figure it out," she sighed, wrapping her arms around him. "He's not a words guy, but he'll figure it out."
"Well, I wish he were a words guy. I wouldn't be freaking out. I might not even be here in this position. I mean, I've met these people. Do you think they'd treat me or their brother/son any differently if they knew we were together? Honestly?"
"The General would," she admitted honestly. "I don't know about everyone else though."
"Well, the General can shove it," he said, looking up at Mar.
"I know. But he's still Sam's father. That means something to him."
"I can't hate that Sam isn't honest with everyone in his life, right? It doesn't affect me. -- Except when I'm actually here."
"That's something you have to talk about with Sam. I don't know the answer to that."
"Right," he said, walking back outside, still pissed at Marion but frustrated in general.
Marion stayed inside for a minute, trying to get herself to seem less emotionally tired, and not like she'd just gotten into a fight with one of her best friends.
Making a mental note to apologize to everyone in the vicinity, Devon crossed back over to the drink table, sitting in the open chair, sighing, and laying back. He was beginning to echo Andy's sentiment in wanting to leave.
Sam and Marion both emerged from the house a few minutes later, before making their way over towards the rest of the group. Sam paused for a minute, before looking down at his watch. "It's getting late."
Devon looked in Andy's direction, his eyebrows raising before standing up and wiping his hands on his pants, before walking towards the assembling group.
"We're leaving? Awesome," Andy muttered to himself, before making his way over to Sam. Sam looked at him, before holding out the car keys.
"I'm saying goodbye. You go sleep."
"Thank you," Andy nodded, before heading over to the car.
Devon followed Andy with his eyes, before looking back at Sam and Marion and then everyone else. Leaning over, he said in a low voice. "I'm sorry," to Marion before standing back up.
"Me too," she whispered, reaching back to give his hand a squeeze, before moving to say goodbye to everyone along with Sam.
Devon hung back, not really knowing just who to say goodbye to, preferring to simply wait.
Marylin came over to him after a minute, giving him a slight smile. "Did you have a nice time, Devon?"
"I did, Mrs. Harper," he said, nodding. "I hope I get to do it again," he said, his eyebrow raising. "And don't worry about Sam. He's in good hands," he replied.
"I hope so," she said, before leaning in and giving him a warm hug. "It was nice meeting you."
The hug took him by surprise but Devon couldn't help but hug the woman back, almost like he was holding on for dear life. Pulling back, he thought he shared a knowing look with the woman but now wasn't the time to find out. A part of him thought, though, that he had conveyed so much in one statement. That part of him hoped she understood how much he loved her son.
"Well, I better let you go," Marylin sighed, before walking over to her son and kissing him on the cheek lightly. "Drive safe. Be careful."
"I will, Mom," Sam nodded, before turning and heading towards the car, pausing after a minute and waiting for Devon to follow.
Devon gave the entire scene one more look, before he sighed, and turned back towards Sam, catching up to him, but not putting an arm around him as much as he wanted to.
The house itself was relatively modest -- a split level with a big backyard. There was a basketball hoop over the garage door, with his brother absentmindedly bouncing the ball in front of him, occasionally stepping back to take a shot at the hoop. That either meant that Sam was early, or things were getting too hectic back there already, and Sam wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing, but -- he figured they'd sort it out as they went. With a deep breath, he turned to face Devon with a sigh.
"Look, if it gets really bad in there -- let me know, and we'll leave. I -- I don't want to make you uncomfortable."
Pushing the release on his seat belt, his eyes were now fixed on the house before him and on the guy in the driveway. "Is that you brother," he asked, looking over at Sam, finally. He just had to remember that this wasn't about him - this was Sam's day. He may have been meeting the parents but the parents certainly didn't know that. He made the decision to let go of the fact that he was in a pretty serious relationship with their son, Maybe that would help.
"Yeah," Sam nodded, before reaching back to shake the two in the back seat awake. Ethan had turned around and noticed them at this point, giving his brother a grin and a wave as he started to jog over to them, still bouncing the basket ball as he went.
"You're late," Ethan stated as he leaned in to Devon's window. "The backyard's already been invaded by teenage girls."
Sam rolled his eyes slightly, ignoring the mumbles of Marion and Andy rousing themselves. "This is my brother, Ethan. Ethan, this is Devon, Andy, and you know Marion."
"Hey," Devon said with a self-conscious smile completed with a lame wave. He could see the resemblance between Sam and Ethan and in that moment he did wish this were under different circumstances. The young reporter looked back at Marion and Andy, trying to gain some support from his friends but Marion was hardly in the position to put a hand on his shoulder and assure him things were going to be OK.
"Hey, Ethan," she said, flashing him a sleepy smile as she started to get out of the car.
"Long time, no see," Ethan nodded, moving away so that Devon could get out of the car. "And nice to meet you guys. There's plenty of food in the back, so if you think you can manage the sea of seventeen year-olds, have at it."
"Food," Andy nodded, starting to head in that direction. "Awesome."
Taking a breath, Devon kept eye contact with the dashboard before opening the passenger side door and stepping out of the car. Closing the door behind him, he tried to catch Marion's eye. Whose idea had this been, anyway?
Hers. And she felt bad about that. She really did. She moved over and nudged him lightly, sliding her arm through his as they followed Ethan and Sam back towards the house. "You okay?"
"I would love to say yes, Marion." Looking to her, he sighed, before looking front again, breathing heavy. "I felt special. When he asked me. I felt like he wanted me to meet the parents. Why didn't I realize that I actually wouldn't be?" he asked, stopping. "I just, need a moment." Stepping back, he pulled his arm away, his hands coming to his thighs. He bent over and took several deep breaths before standing up straight again. "Come on," he said, linking arms again.
Marion pulled him closer, resting her chin on his shoulder lightly. "You wanna get out, lemme know. I'll steal Sam's keys and we'll go hang out somewhere else for a while."
"Hey Mom!" Ethan shouted into the house as he pulled open the front door for the others to head in ahead of him. "Sam's here!"
Devon led the way with Marion into the house, following a few steps behind his boyfriend. The only way he would get through this day was to stop thinking that way. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside, plastering a quiet smile on his face.
Marylin Harper was drying her hands on a dish towel, as she made her way into the living room, a wide smile on her face. "Sammy," she said with a happy sigh, wrapping her arms around her son for a warm hug, before pulling back with a smirk. "You're late."
"I had to drive three hours," Sam laughed. "Give me a break." He pulled back from the hug. "You know Marion, but that's her brother Andy, and Devon. This is my mom, Marylin."
Marylin gave them all a smile, before gesturing back towards the kitchen. "Well c'mon in. The General just started putting burgers on the grill, but I could always get you something to drink, and there's chips and things, so just -- go ahead and help yourself."
"Oh, chips and things," Devon said to Marion, albeit sarcastically. Looking to her, he rolled his eyes. "Fine," he relented. "I'll make the best of it. I do like burgers."
Marion squeezed his arm lightly, before looking over at Sam. "Maybe we should find Liz." She couldn't believe she was suggesting it herself, but -- it might help to have someone in Sam's family who actually saw him as he was.
Sam looked slightly apprehensive at that, because his sister was, indeed, the spawn of Satan, before nodding slightly. "She's probably in the back."
Andy just looked between the three of them and shook his head slightly. "I so have not had enough caffeine for this." That was followed by Marion reaching over and smacking her brother upside the head.
Devon laughed for the first time since about half an hour into the car ride. A half an hour in, he had realized just what he had gotten himself into. But, he was also being a drama queen. He could be better. He was going to be better.
"I don't need Liz," he assured them. "And please stop looking at me like a dog with a gimp. I'm fine. I am," he said, in Sam's direction this time. When Sam had moved away from him he leaned into Marion. "Please, don't alert my boyfriend of just how not OK I am. This is for him so I'd rather not worry and or piss him off. I. Am. Fine." After the fifth time saying it, Devon didn't believe it anymore then the first time he had uttered those words but followed Sam out, anyway.
Marion let him go, hanging back with Andy for a moment. "I'm an idiot."
Andy smirked. "Well, I could have told you that one." With that, he headed towards the backyard, making a beeline for the soda and plopping down into one of the lawn chairs. Marion sighed, running a hand over her face as she got pulled to the side with Ethan again, striking up a conversation about upcoming law school things that he was into.
Sam, on the other hand, was being tackle hugged by a seventeen year-old who was rambling on about something unimportant. Monica and a tall, older man were talking over by the grill, and Marylin had sat down by Andy at this point, engaging him in some kind of conversation about nothing at all.
Left to his own devices, Devon weighed his options. He had really just been introduced to Sam's mother and she was talking to Andy which seemed to be the safest bet. He couldn't see Liz right away but then again, he had just texted her that one time. The older man who stood by a woman Devon assumed was Sam's older sister had to be the General and he was so not ready to meet Robert Deniro, Army Edition. Blythe Danner, however, was always pleasant and welcoming. Licking his lips, he meandered over to Andy and Sam's mother, pouring himself a drink, before turning around and leaning against the table. He didn't have to speak. He could stand - and listen. And not freak out.
" -- Well, it's just nice to meet more of Marion's family," Marilyn said with a slow nod. "They've been friends for such a long time now, you'd think the families would know each other better." She noticed Devon standing there, before looking over with a smile and patting Devon's hand warmly. "So how do you and Sam know each other? I'm afraid he hasn't mentioned you much -- are you recent friends?"
"He works at the newspaper I used to write for," he said, with a smile, looking down at Marylin. The half-truth slipped out easier then Devon had anticipated. He was surprised how calm and collected he was at that moment and then realized the butterflies in his stomach, the ravenous, cannibalistic butterflies. "And Marion is my best friend. I met him through her."
"That's good," Marylin nodded. "Sam needs more friends. He's always been such a quiet boy -- I worry about him sometimes." She leaned back in the seat a little more with a sigh. "But occasionally he does bring home proof that he has a social life. Guess a mother can't ask for much more than that, now can she?" She shook her head a bit. "So you said you used to write for the paper? Where are you working now?"
Devon wanted more than anything to explain that Sam's penchant for being quiet was just a defense mechanism and that he had heard many conversations and phrases come from Sam's mouth and how much he trusted and yeah, loved her son. But he didn't. He couldn't.
"Stark Industries," he said. "I'm an events reporter there so I both go to the events and I occasionally write press releases for them," he explained, smiling, and looking to Andy for a moment.
Andy raised his eyebrows back at him, before taking a long sip of his soda and shrugging. He didn't know why Marion had picked him of all people to do this, but she should have known that he wasn't game for 'Meet the Parents' moments.
Marylin, however, was somewhat impressed. "Oh, that must be exciting. Stark Industries is always known for the new and innovative, and there's always all those extravagant parties -- "
"Mom also spends too much time reading the gossip pages," Liz said with a smirk as she bounced her way over, hands in her pockets.
"I do not," Marylin said with a smirk, reaching over and taking her daughter's arm lightly. "I can't help it if Tony Stark usually winds up on the front page."
Liz rolled her eyes, before extending her hand to Devon. "Liz. You must be Devon."
The spawn of Satan him or herself was standing before Devon, right now. The only real chink in the Devon's cover story armor. Devon just wished he had left the destructive feelings at home. It was too much to ask Liz to out her brother or to out Sam himself or at all. He pushed those thoughts deep down and shook her hand, smiling.
"Liz," he said, shaking her hand. "I'm guessing you're a relative of Sam's?" He wondered how long this game would last before she pulled him aside and pumped him for gay information. He also wondered how Liz had been the one to find out. Devon realized just how much he didn't know about Sam.
"His sister," she said, before rolling her eyes slightly. A buzzer went off in the kitchen and Liz was pulling on Devon's hand towards the kitchen before her mother could get up. "We'll get it! Stay, Mom. Talk to this guy before he falls asleep on you." She twisted her foot to kick Andy in the shin -- probably harder than she should have, and Andy jerked awake, shooting her a glare as she dragged Devon back into the house.
"Lucky me," he replied, a little over exuberantly before following the youngest Harper into the house. Once the door closed behind him, he let go of her hand. "What are you doing?" he asked, sighing, and looking back outside. He thought about curbing his volume but they were inside now. "Don't -- it's for Sam. I'm here for Sam so don't let any proverbial cat out of any bag. Keep it in. I beg you. I fed the cat and it's sleeping so letting it out...would just be bad."
"Okay -- I dragged you in here because I want to actually speak to you without letting said cat out," she replied as she went to the stove, pulling out whatever her mother had been baking and setting it on top of the stove. "Don't get me wrong -- I want nothing more to have Sam finally out and happy, but a) the only person who would actually consider what I was saying to be the truth would be Ethan, because I think on some level he kind of knows, and maybe Mom, but b) and more importantly, this is my party. I'd prefer if it wasn't turned into a shit fest -- thanks. Personally I'm kind of gawking at my brother's stupidity here -- not you, just the fact that he asked this of you and actually brought you here."
She paused for a moment, before turning to face him so that she was resting her elbows on the counter behind her. "I would, however, like to get to know you better. If at all possible. Because, ya know, you are kind of dating my brother."
"I know," he said, sighing, and sitting in the nearest chair, laying his head down on the table. "I don't know why I thought this would be any sort of good idea," he said, looking up at Liz. "Whatever. Ask away." Sighing, again, he yawned, wondering if he could get away with staying in the kitchen with Liz the entire time.
"I could smack him for you, if you want," Liz replied, moving to sit across from him. "People expect physical violence of me."
"Please don't," he said, lifting his head up. "I said I love you." A moment passed before he laughed. "Actually, our friend Serena did for me but that's out there. I can't believe I love your brother and yet I have no idea about his family or -- other things. I hardly know him when I really think about it and he told me he's not there yet, not at love yet and I hate that days like these worry me that he'll never be."
"No, he will be. He's not a total moron." She sighed slightly, before drumming her fingers on the table. "He wouldn't have bothered to bring you here if he didn't feel something. Even he it feels like he's making you hide -- " She paused for a minute, her face twisting up slightly as she tried to figure out how to phrase it. " -- in his own moronic way, this is his way of showing you that he likes having you there. He wants you to be part of his world, as fucked up as it is."
"It is fucked up," he said, sitting up. A laugh escaped, small at first before it abruptly grew, finally subsiding about a minute later. "Either way, I'm in hell."
"Well, when in Hell, at least go out in style," Liz teased, before continuing. "Look, seriously? Just be yourself. A huge chunk of the family isn't going to care about your orientation enough to actually say something about it, and if the General opens his mouth, I'll remind him that it's my party and tell him to shove it. Sam's a grown man, and he's allowed to be friends with whoever he wants."
"You tell your dad to shove it," he asked, standing up and stretching back. "We should get back out there or else your mother's going to think you jumped me," he joked, sighing. "And this still sucks." Giving her an appreciative smile, he left her in the kitchen, opening the back door, and heading back into the yard, surveying the scene before him.
Sam had wandered over to Ethan and Marion, joining in on the conversation while Devon and Liz were inside, and Andy was collecting burgers and talking to the General. He still looked half asleep, but at least he had his appetite. Monica and Marylin were still by the drinks, talking about something unrelated, and Liz took a bit longer in the kitchen, collecting whatever she had pulled out of the oven and getting ready to bring it outside.
He figured, Marylin was still the safest choice and now he could meet another of Sam's relatives. Walking over, he waited for a lull in the conversation before speaking. "Liz is in there pulling things out of the oven," he said, smiling. "She'll be out in a second. I'm Devon," he said, in Monica's direction. "A friend of Sam's."
"Monica," the woman replied with a wide smile. "I'm Sam's sister."
"Devon is an events reporter for Stark Industries," Marylin said with a small smile.
"Really?" Monica said with an eyebrow raise as she took another sip of her soda. "Spend a lot of time with the CEO?"
"Less than you'd think," he replied with a smile. "I met him back in New York and I've talked to him online a few times. But, most of my communication is with my editor." Walking over to the table, he grabbed a few chips, turning around and holding them in his one hand while putting one at a time in his mouth.
"Gotcha," Monica said with a nod. "Well, still must be interesting at least. I've heard that things with Tony Stark are never dull."
"That I can confirm," he said, smirking. "Where do you work?" he asked, putting another chip in his mouth.
"Here on the base," she said with a nod. "I'm working my way up through the ranks, just like my dad."
Devon smiled, nodding, looking over to where the General was. "I'm going to go get a burger," he said, before turning towards the grill, grabbing a plate, and crossing.
The General was rambling on about some kind of mission he'd been on in the past, and Andy was just kind of standing there nodding with a thin smile on his face. When he saw Devon, he let out a small smile of relief. "Devon! There you are." There was a bit of a 'thank God' muttered under than man's breath as he continued to chew on his cheeseburger.
"What can I get ya, son? Burger, dog, chicken?" the older man sighed, giving the man a friendly smile.
"Burger," he said, handing the General his plate. "No cheese. And uh, hi, I'm Devon - like Andy said." Giving Andy an eye roll, he looked back at the General. "You have a really nice house."
"Thank you," the General nodded, placing the burger on the bun for Devon. "Worked a lotta years bouncin' around from place to place to finally get a place that was our own. Are you a friend a Sammy's like this one?"
"Yeah," he said, looking to Andy again. "We used to work at the same newspaper but I work for Stark Industries now. I met Sam through Marion." He thought that may have been too much or suspicious but it was the truth. Marion was his best friend then.
"Ah," the General replied, shaking his head slightly. "Sammy's still doing that photography kick, isn't he?"
"Yeah," he replied, trying not to seem coarse. "He's still on that kick. He's good at that kick. The best at that kick at the L.A. Daily News." But he stopped there.
"Now, don't get me wrong -- I'm glad he's doin' what makes him happy," the man sighed. "Just wish that he would do something a little more -- productive, is all."
"For him, it's productive," he said, actually smiling now. He actually liked the General - two minutes in, anyway. "Andy works as a security guard. Best guy there," he said.
The man tilted his head to the side slightly, and Andy was glaring at Devon for bringing him back into the conversation. "Ever thought about upgrading to the police force."
"Can't," Andy sighed. "Have a record. But thanks for the suggestion."
Devon made a phase, slightly amused, taking a bite of his burger. "Oh, I have to ask Marion something. I'll be back," he said, raising the burger acknowledging a thank you and then bee lining for Marion and whoever she was talking to at the time.
Marion was watching Ethan and Sam head off to go play basketball in front of the house again, before coming to a stop in front of Devon. "Hey -- how's it going?"
"Still alive," he said, smiling. "It's hard," he admitted. "It sucks - but I'm alive."
"Good," she said with a nod, before looking over at her brother and the General. "How's he doing?"
"I think, good. I don't think he knows how he got stuck talking to him. I think because he went straight for the food. Where's Sam," he asked, scratching the back of his head.
"Went out front to play basketball with his brother," Marion said with a nod.
"You want to watch a basketball game," he asked, raising an eyebrow.
She considered this for a minute, before nodding. "Lemme grab a soda first."
"OK," he said, crossing his arms. "I'll wait here." Knowing his luck, he'd be accosted by a Harper but he was content to stand - and be silent, away from people.
It took Marion a minute to grab the kind of soda she wanted, before taking Devon's arm and leading him around to the front of the house, the two brothers coming into view as Ethan leaned back to take a shot from the middle of the driveway, wincing as it bounced off the rim.
Devon smirked, exchanging glances with Marion before taking a seat in the grass next to the driveway, legs in front of him. The trick to this was to not stare at his boyfriend playing basketball too hard, even though he had never actually seen Sam play basketball. Ever. It was hot.
Crap.
Sam smirked as he took the ball from his brother, and they bounced it back and forth a few times, before Sam started to make his way around the far side of the driveway. Ethan glanced over his shoulder back at the two of them, before speaking as he went to cover Sam. "So Devon -- Marion says you used to work for the paper?"
Gaze broken, he looked to Ethan, nodding. He really had to watch himself. "Yeah, the crime section. It was -- exciting," he tried, taking a sip of Marion's soda before handing it to her. "Don't fight it," he said to her. "I either need soda or a cigarette." Not that he smoked, but this seemed about the time to take it up. "What about you?" he asked, Ethan.
Marion didn't object to the soda stealing, so long as she got it back. She just inched closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder lightly.
"College," Ethan replied. "Junior at Berkley."
Smiling, Devon looked up. "I...went to Berkley," he said. "I loved it there." It was easier to say that then, I'm in love with your brother. And it seemed way more appropriate.
"Yeah?" Ethan said, glancing over with a grin. "Nice. I'm doing pre-law stuff mostly right now, but I'm looking into their law school program -- trying to see if I can get a full ride if I stay in-school."
"The odds are pretty high," Devon replied. "Especially, if you stay there for Grad." Smiling, he looked at Sam again, glancing this time before looking back at Ethan. "Good luck with that, though."
"Thanks," Ethan nodded. "So has my dad run you out yet, or is he still being mostly tolerable?
He frowned, shrugging. "Tolerable, I'm pretty sure..." he said, warily. "But, I haven't revealed my ties to the sex slave ring just yet. I was saving that revelation for dessert." When in doubt, go for the joke.
Ethan laughed. "Oh, I'm sure he'd take that in stride. Though I'm not sure if he'd have a response at all for that one."
"Good thing I just like guys," he said, really not thinking. Before he could pull it back into his mouth, he looked to Marion.
Marion glanced back over at Ethan, who just shrugged slightly, before tossing the ball to the hoop again. "I'd keep that to yourself. Unless you want him openly mocking your sexuality in that oh so charming way of his. Don't get me wrong, I love my father, but he can be a moron sometimes."
"Right," he replied, feeling sheepish. "I'll take that into account." Sighing, he laid back in the grass, preferring to look at the sky and not his boyfriend or the basketball or Ethan.
Sam was exhaling as he went to collect the ball, and Ethan raised an eyebrow at him. He shook it off, and his brother dismissed it with a slight eye roll before going back to check the ball. "So what else do you like to do? Other than work and stuff?" The question was directed at Devon, since he already knew Marion pretty well.
"I like to write," he said. "Uh, clearly - but I also watch television, listen to music. I'm thinking about getting back into bartending. After I briefly moved to New York I lost that job - sort of didn't...quit but - I kind of miss it," he said, sitting up.
"I did bartending for a while when I needed the extra money," Ethan replied. "Didn't really have the patience for it though -- lost the job after a month."
"It's hard to take," he said. "But, I got used to it and I really enjoyed it. Met -- a lot of great people doing it," he said, glancing up at Sam.
"I just didn't have the personality for it. They bumped me over to security -- made less money, but I was put to better use."
"Exactly," Devon replied. "I couldn't bounce - or -- you know, secure the bar," he said, laughing. "I may be scrappy but I'm not scrappy enough to take on 6'5 drunk college students."
Ethan chuckled slightly. "See, that's an area where the military shit paid off for me. I just can't take orders. Working my way up through the ranks would have pissed me off."
"Do you usually bring friends home," he asked Ethan, putting a head on Marion's shoulder.
"Depends on the event," Ethan sighed. "But usually? Not really. Between my father and my hellion of a sister, I would wind up offending someone."
"How so," he asked, sitting up and bringing his knees to his chest.
"I have friends who are more into the artsy end of things, and my dad thinks that if you're pursuing a career in the arts you're wasting your time, and my sister -- well, she can't keep her mouth shut."
"Don't I know it," Devon said, rolling his eyes before realizing he needed to explain himself. "She just...pulled me into the kitchen and wanted to know all about me," he added, laughing.
Ethan's forehead wrinkled slightly, before he shook his head. "She's batshit."
"I kinda like her," Devon admitted. "She's fiery and blunt, sure but a lot aren't even that genuine," he said, looking to Marion. So far, he liked Ethan and Liz with the jury out on Monica.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Ethan shrugged, taking a final shot at the basket. "I just wish she had a bit more -- respect for the hierarchy sometimes."
Devon stretched his legs out, putting everything into the simplest terms possible. "Some people are just wired differently. That's how they were born."
"Yeah, I know," Ethan sighed. "Best we can do is try to teach her tact and hope she doesn't open her mouth around the wrong people, right?"
At that, Devon shrugged, pulling himself up. "Actually? She looks like she could handle herself," he said, rubbing his hands together and then holding an arm down to help Marion up. "To Liz, the hierarchy doesn't matter or, it's a false hierarchy. To her, the military shouldn't have as much power as it does or it shouldn't be deemed above -- but, anyway, yeah, hopefully not," he finished, looking down, stopping his diatribe.
Ethan shrugged, before tossing the ball in his brother's direction, before wiping a hand against the back of his arm lightly. "Well, I'm gonna go grab a drink. You guys want anything?"
Devon shrugged, shaking his head, his hands going to his pockets as he looked to Sam.
Sam and Marion both shook their heads, and Ethan nodded before disappearing behind the house. Sam did the same, before making his way over to them. "How's it going?" Sam asked, tilting his head to the side slightly.
Devon glanced over at Marion and then back at Sam. "Oh, you mean me?" He shrugged. "It could be worse." With that, he smiled, and took a step back, his hands still in his pockets.
Sam looked over at him for a minute, before looking down at his hands. "Saw that you were talking to my dad -- how'd that go?"
"Fine," he said, warming up to his boyfriend. "He gave me a burger, I told him what I do and how I know you - the faux-version and then we talked about your photography. And then I walked away. It was the stuff of Nicholas Sparks novels, believe me," he said, eying Sam, warily.
Sam's jaw set slightly, before looking up at him again. "Well -- I'm glad that things are going okay."
"I know," he said, eyes now raising to Sam's eye line. "I'm sorry," he tried, looking down. "I don't want to express how hard this is for me because I don't want you to ask me if I have to leave. I'm not hyperventilating and I'm not freaking out. It's hard. But, so is life. It's nice to get this glimpse into your life," he said, taking a step forward. "I didn't mean to be cold." Sighing, he looked down again. "I don't know how to act around you - I've only ever acted one way."
"Hard for me too," Sam said softly. "And I'm sorry. I never should have put you in this position anyway."
"How else would I have met your family?" he asked. "Besides Liz." He didn't give a fair enough amount of time to Sam before answering his own question. "That's what I thought," he added, sighing, and heading into the backyard leaving Sam with Marion.
Marion sighed slightly, before placing her hand on Sam's shoulder. "I'm sorry. This was a bad idea."
"Not your fault completely," Sam replied, running a hand over his face. "I went along with it."
Andy had finally managed to drag himself away from the General and was now sitting at the drink table again, talking something over with Liz. The conversation was a little more animated than he had been as of late, but he was still looking pretty tired as it was.
Instead of gravitating towards a certain individual, Devon sat on the steps that led into the back of the house, trying not to look like his heart was about to break. Not that it was going to. At least, he hoped not. He new he was going hot and cold on Sam but he couldn't help it.
"You okay, sweetie?" Marylin asked as she walked past him, another plate of marinated chicken ready to be grilled in her hand.
Looking up, he smiled, nodding. "Just taking a party break," he said, sighing. "You have a really nice family, Marylin. Or, Mrs. Harper," he tried, standing up. "Everyone's really great."
"Marylin's perfectly fine," she said with a nod. "And good. I'm glad you're having a good time."
"I am," he responded, still smiling. "And you're - wonderful, really. It's me. I'm -- I have issues," he said, vaguely. "But, today is not a day for my issues. Today's a day for Liz, I think, right? This is her party?"
"Yes, it is," Marylin said proudly. "Got into Brown. No full ride, but -- enough so that she can actually go."
"I went to Berkeley," he said, leaning against the house. "I looked at Brown, even visited the campus. I guess I wanted to be on the West Coast more than I had thought." he said. "Earlier this year...or late last year I had sort of moved to New York but I came back to L.A. I guess...three weeks later. It didn't work out there."
"Liz has been wanting to get as far away as possible since she was a little one," Marylin said with a slow nod. "I am worried, a bit, about her going so far away, but she's a smart girl with a good head on her shoulders. She'll do okay."
"I can definitely agree with that," he said, looking in Liz's direction. "I can tell that she can take care of herself." Smiling, he turned back to Marylin. "Sam can to, but in a different way. He's more quietly independent."
"That he is," Marylin nodded, pausing for a minute, before handing the plate of chicken over to her husband. "I just hope he's happy, is all. He seems like he is, but Sammy's always been good at bottling it up."
Sighing, Devon brought a hand to Marylin's shoulder. "He's happy. I mean, I'm not one hundred percent sure but I'm pretty sure - he's happy with where he is right now." Sighing, he pulled his hand back. "Excuse me," he said, stepping into the house, needing a moment.
Marylin nodded, brushing a hand across his face lightly, before heading over to the grill to talk to the General.
Making a bee-line to the bathroom, he didn't bother closing the door before leaning into the sink and looking at the mirror. Breathing heavily, he turned on the faucet, splashing cool water on his face before taking the small towel on the sink and drying himself off.
Marion and Sam made their way back into the backyard at this point, before going their separate ways. Marion went to get food, and Sam headed over to talk to his sister and Andy, balancing the basketball under his arm.
Devon turned around, leaning against the sink, needing more time, needing more something in general that would make it easier to get through this day. Maybe someone would find him or they would forget he was there completely. They didn't know he existed in the first place.
There was another minute, before his sister took the ball from him, and Sam made his way into the house, wandering and looking around and eventually stopping in the living room, dropping with a huff onto the couch.
Devon heard the huff, taking a breath and emerging from the bathroom, catching sight of Sam. Deciding that they were alone, he sat down next to his boyfriend silently, putting his head on Sam's shoulder only for a second before giving him a sympathetic, I'm not actually angry at you look. After, he simply sat, looking front.
Sam looked back at him and gave him a small smile. "I'll make this up to you."
Devon nodded, so briefly that it wasn't apparent that he was nodding before looking down and relaxing back into the couch, quietly.
Sam sighed softly, before glancing back over his shoulder and then turning back to Devon. "So what do you really think of them?"
Looking over at Sam, he sighed, his head returning to Sam's shoulder. "They're great, Sam. Even the general," he said, looking up at him. "Monica's a little rigid and Ethan while open is not as open as he thinks -- they're all...good people."
"They try, at least," Sam shrugged.
"They succeed," he said, sighing. "At least, today they do."
"Good," Sam nodded.
"Well, wouldn't want to out you to one or all of your family members," he said, sitting up, and then standing up after that. "You can even count to five," he added, walking back out into the yard.
Sam waited with a heavy sigh for a moment, before getting up and following him, heading back out into the yard with him.
Pulling his arms around him, Devon plastered yet another smile on his face before going to grab another soda for himself.
"Dude," Andy sighed, rubbing his eyes slightly as he leaned back in his chair. "Are we almost done yet, because I'm so gonna crash soon."
"Dude, I want to take this fork and stick it into this entire day," he responded, sitting down next to him. "I mean, yeah, yay parents, yay family but -- it's the wrong yay. It's faux yay. It's bad, bad, bad yay. I hate this yay. This yay should go die in a fire."
"Now you're starting to sound like my sister."
"And you're just learning this now?" Devon asked. "I've been your sister's best friend for about two years. Has she ever met the guy she was dating's parents who didn't know she was dating him?" he asked, leaning in closer to Andy.
Andy paused for a moment, considering this, before nodding. "Yes! There was this guy, in Jersey. I think she worked for his father or -- something. Anyway, it was totally awkward. But my sister is also a blond. She doesn't think things through before she says them."
"Whereas, I say things in backyards that if overheard could rock my boyfriend's family's world," he said, gulping down his soda. "I wish I had a lighter."
"A lighter?" Andy frowned, tilting his head to the side slightly.
"To set the day aflame," he said, poetically, albeit more loudly then he had meant to. "I really think we played this day out." Sighing, he relaxed back. "This sucks."
"Yeah, it does," Andy sighed, glancing down at his watch.
"I don't even know why Sam thought to ask me," he said, looking up. "It just doesn't sound like him."
Andy paused for a minute, before looking back towards the house. "Oh, I think I know why."
"Huh?" he asked, looking over at Andy.
Andy sighed slightly, before jerking his head in the direction of where his sister was talking to Monica.
"No," he said, shaking his head. Well, this made sense. "Excuse me," he said, crossing over to where Monica and Marion were speaking. "Hi, excuse me. I'm sorry to interrupt," he said. "But do you mind if I borrow the effervescent Marion - just for about two shakes?" he asked, holding two fingers up.
Monica frowned slightly before nodding. "Sure."
Marion was confused, but glanced over at him as they started to walk away. "Something wrong?"
Bringing them into the house, he stopped in front of the door way, trying to calm himself down. "This was your idea?" he asked, simply.
Marion sighed heavily, before reaching back to run a hand through her hair. "Yes? It felt like a good idea at the time, Dev, I'm sorry."
"HOW?" he asked. "HOW did you think THIS was a good idea?" he asked, gesturing around. "This hurts me - a hell of a lot and only reminds me how -- I may never have all of -- it. All of - them," he tried, sounding awkward but continuing anyway. "I just - I can't help but worry that I'll never be introduced as anything more than that guy who used to work with him and randomly tagged along to enjoy the festivities with his sister, Liz, who by the way, is the only person in his family who knows. This...hurts!"
"I know, I know, I didn't think," she said, burying her face in her hands. "I didn't expect him to actually go through with it, either. He's supposed to have more common sense than that."
"And so are you, Mar." he said. "I mean, I knew he had the unassuming family who lived on an army base which basically ensured "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" but I never thought -- I don't know what I thought. I really don't. But, this isn't encouraging or good or fun or any sign that -- I'm afraid," he added, walking further into the house. "I'm afraid that -- we won't last, that he won't be out, that he won't fall in love with me or feel anything close to love for me. And I don't know how to not feel this way."
"I'm sorry, okay?" she said with a sigh, following him as she went. "I'm sorry, I didn't think -- I've never been through this kind of thing before."
"I'm...sorry," he said, lowering his head. He took a few steps closer, embracing his friend, burying his head into her chest. "He can't put into words. How he feels. I don't...know how he feels. I don't even know if he knows. I just -- wish...I wish I knew what he felt, that he could put what he feels into words."
"He'll figure it out," she sighed, wrapping her arms around him. "He's not a words guy, but he'll figure it out."
"Well, I wish he were a words guy. I wouldn't be freaking out. I might not even be here in this position. I mean, I've met these people. Do you think they'd treat me or their brother/son any differently if they knew we were together? Honestly?"
"The General would," she admitted honestly. "I don't know about everyone else though."
"Well, the General can shove it," he said, looking up at Mar.
"I know. But he's still Sam's father. That means something to him."
"I can't hate that Sam isn't honest with everyone in his life, right? It doesn't affect me. -- Except when I'm actually here."
"That's something you have to talk about with Sam. I don't know the answer to that."
"Right," he said, walking back outside, still pissed at Marion but frustrated in general.
Marion stayed inside for a minute, trying to get herself to seem less emotionally tired, and not like she'd just gotten into a fight with one of her best friends.
Making a mental note to apologize to everyone in the vicinity, Devon crossed back over to the drink table, sitting in the open chair, sighing, and laying back. He was beginning to echo Andy's sentiment in wanting to leave.
Sam and Marion both emerged from the house a few minutes later, before making their way over towards the rest of the group. Sam paused for a minute, before looking down at his watch. "It's getting late."
Devon looked in Andy's direction, his eyebrows raising before standing up and wiping his hands on his pants, before walking towards the assembling group.
"We're leaving? Awesome," Andy muttered to himself, before making his way over to Sam. Sam looked at him, before holding out the car keys.
"I'm saying goodbye. You go sleep."
"Thank you," Andy nodded, before heading over to the car.
Devon followed Andy with his eyes, before looking back at Sam and Marion and then everyone else. Leaning over, he said in a low voice. "I'm sorry," to Marion before standing back up.
"Me too," she whispered, reaching back to give his hand a squeeze, before moving to say goodbye to everyone along with Sam.
Devon hung back, not really knowing just who to say goodbye to, preferring to simply wait.
Marylin came over to him after a minute, giving him a slight smile. "Did you have a nice time, Devon?"
"I did, Mrs. Harper," he said, nodding. "I hope I get to do it again," he said, his eyebrow raising. "And don't worry about Sam. He's in good hands," he replied.
"I hope so," she said, before leaning in and giving him a warm hug. "It was nice meeting you."
The hug took him by surprise but Devon couldn't help but hug the woman back, almost like he was holding on for dear life. Pulling back, he thought he shared a knowing look with the woman but now wasn't the time to find out. A part of him thought, though, that he had conveyed so much in one statement. That part of him hoped she understood how much he loved her son.
"Well, I better let you go," Marylin sighed, before walking over to her son and kissing him on the cheek lightly. "Drive safe. Be careful."
"I will, Mom," Sam nodded, before turning and heading towards the car, pausing after a minute and waiting for Devon to follow.
Devon gave the entire scene one more look, before he sighed, and turned back towards Sam, catching up to him, but not putting an arm around him as much as he wanted to.