Chocolate #27, Amaretto #24, Vinegar #25
Title: Soul’s Dinner Date
Prompt: Chocolate #27: determination, Amaretto #24: up for grabs, Vinegar #25: not for human consumption
Rating: PG13 for some minor adult themes
Characters: Soul Wade, Felix Wade, Firebird Blaze, Atlas Blaze, Draven Blaze, Nicky Nails Blaze, Papa B Blaze
Summary: I’m obsessed with Soul and Felix right now. They’re where all my inspiration is at for the moment, so I’m just gonna keep writing them! This is how Soul came out to his family. And I made Atlas look so silly here, but he really isn’t this clueless most of the time. He just doesn’t know anything about gay culture.
“Soul, how many times do I have to tell you not to knock-” Atlas stopped talking when he saw his soldier, Felix, standing with his nephew in the doorway. He took in Felix’s arm around Soul’s shoulders and the way Soul was leaning into the bigger man in deference to the bitter wind.
“Is this what I think it is?” Atlas asked.
Soul nodded. “Yes. I finally brought a date to Christmas dinner.”
Atlas’ lips quirked upwards. “Felix is not the nice girl I’ve been telling you to bring.”
Soul shrugged. “You said bring a date. I brought a date.”
Atlas’ brows drew together. If it were anyone else, Atlas wouldn’t have to ask, but with Soul he needed to clarify. It was entirely possible that Soul wouldn’t see the implications to bringing another man as his date to the family Christmas dinner. “Soul, are you trying to come out of the bathroom or something?”
“It’s called coming out of the closet, Daddy,” Firebird said, appearing at his side. “And, yes he is. Now would you let them in? It’s freezing outside.”
Firebird edged her father out of the way while he glared down at her. “You knew about this?”
“Of course.” She motioned the two young men inside. Felix hesitated, obviously unsure of if he would be welcome by the current boss even if the future boss was saying it was okay, but Soul just grabbed Felix’s gloved hand and walked right in.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he thundered.
“I thought you knew,” she shrugged. “You were there too two weeks ago when they left the warehouse together after the DeMico job.”
Atlas wasn’t quite yelling when he said, “Why would I think two of my men were sleeping together just because they left a job together?”
Firebird was undaunted. She took Felix’s coat and scarf then hung it up in the closet as she answered, “It was the way they left together. Really, Daddy, pay attention to your gaydar.”
“What in the hell is a gaydar and why would I ever have one?”
Firebird grinned at her dad, obviously greatly amused by his indignation, then turned her attention to Soul. “Uncle Nicky is in the salon with Papa B and Uncle Draven. Aunt Marie and Aunt Abriella are in the kitchen, so if you want anything to eat before dinner, I’ll get it for you. You should get Uncle Nicky on your side before the aunts get wind of this.”
“Alright,” Soul said.
“Felix,” Firebird raised a finger at him in warning, “Let Soul do the talking.”
“I am just fine with that,” Felix agreed. “Can I get a drink?”
“I’ll get you one.” Firebird patted Soul on the arm. “You’ll be great. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried,” Soul answered, his brows drawing together a little in confusion. “Should I be?”
“Of course not,” Firebird answered. “It’ll be perfect.”
“What are you giving them a pep talk for?” Atlas asked his daughter in outrage. “Did you plan this, little girl?”
“Daddy, how could I plan Soul being gay?” Firebird gave Atlas an innocent look that was ruined a little by the knowing smirk flirting across her lips.
“You and I are going to have words, Firebird,” Atlas said with narrow eyes.
“Later, Daddy. I have to go get the boys something to drink. Edan wanted you to see his snowman, he’s in the backyard.” Firebird said as she walked off.
“One thing at a time.” Atlas motioned Soul and Felix into the main house. “I can’t wait to see what Pop is gonna say about this.”
Soul led the way through the enormous Mediterranean style villa that had been the home of the reigning Boss Blaze since the first one had built it almost 150 years ago. Each generation had added on a bit more, changed up the décor a little, but the basic feeling of love with a glossy sheen of money permeated through every room. This was the first time Felix had ever been inside the Blaze Villa; if he wasn’t so freaked out about telling the most important family in the city that he had deflowered one of their own then he would have paid much closer attention to his surroundings.
“Soul, my boy,” Papa B said when Soul walked into the room. Papa B held out his arms and hugged Soul close, kissing both his cheeks. Uncle Draven was sitting in the other chair opposite his father, Soul hugged him next then turned to his dad behind the full bar.
“Hey, Dad,” Soul greeted Nicky Nails.
“Good to see you, son.” Nicky was fixing himself yet another drink. It was best if he was a little toasted when all of his family got together, then he could ignore Marie’s glares better.
“What’s Felix doing here?” Draven asked.
“Felix is my boyfriend.”
Nicky fumbled with the decanter. He set it down on the bar before he dropped it then turned to face his son fully. “What did you just say?”
“Felix is my boyfriend,” Soul repeated. He took Felix’s hand in his own as if to further prove his point.
“Oh, sweet mother of God.” Nicky ignored his glass and drank straight from the decanter.
“Jesus, Soul,” Atlas said, slapping his brother on the back when Nicky started coughing. “We gotta teach you to give people this sort of news slowly. You can’t just spring it on your old man. You’ll give him a heart attack.”
Papa B pointed at Felix with his cigar. “Did you do something to our Soul, boy?”
Felix had never been shy about his sexuality. He’d realized he was gay pretty early in his life, and as soon as anyone had tried to make fun of him for it, he’d proceeded to send them to the emergency room. Not only had this kept homophobic people from trying to target him, but it’d also given him the hardass reputation that had brought him to the attention of the Blazes. The family realized that who he kissed hadn’t changed the fact that Felix was one of the most loyal and promising wetworks men the Family had taken on in a long time. He didn’t come onto the other wise guys because they weren’t his type and he would beat the shit out of anyone that tried to label him as one of those fairy homos that wore glitter and liked to shop. As far as he was concerned, nothing bad had come from him being gay, and the family hadn’t really cared one way or the other.
But it was a different story when he was playing hide the salami with a Blaze. It was especially shocking that he was doing it with Soul, who had never even had his first kiss before Felix had happened upon him a little over a month ago.
“He didn’t do anything I didn’t want him to, Papa B,” Soul said before Felix could respond. Firebird had said for Soul to do the talking, so that’s what he was going to do.
“Hmph,” Papa B snorted.
Firebird walked in from the kitchen balancing a tray of mulled wine in one hand and a cookie tray in the other. “I brought food,” she said, setting the trays down on the bar. “Eat. I’ll bring you some, Papa B.”
“Do you know what Soul just told us, girl?” Papa B asked.
“She already knew,” Atlas grumbled, but took the drink and cookie she offered him.
“You already knew? How did you know?” Draven asked.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Nicky asked. Firebird handed him a cookie but set the hot drink beside him so he wouldn’t burn himself while he was still in shock.
Firebird picked up the cookie tray and took it over to Papa B and Draven. “Honestly, I’m more surprised you all didn’t know. They weren’t hiding it, they just didn’t come out and say it.”
“She said something about gaydar. I don’t know what the hell that is,” Atlas said around his cookie.
“Isn’t that some sort of thing for the military?” Draven said. “Why would we have that?”
“It’s nothing, Uncle Draven. Here, I brought your favorite.” Firebird pushed the cookies on him, which he took happily.
“You aren’t concerned about this?” Papa B asked Firebird.
Firebird handed him a drink and picked the biggest cookies off the tray for her grandfather. “No. It’s what Soul wants and Felix is a good man. Do you think there’s something wrong with that?”
“Soul doesn’t always know what’s best for him,” Papa B said.
“I know,” Soul replied honestly, “But this time I’ve got it right.”
The room was quiet for a long moment after that. Firebird kept handing out cookies and refilling drinks while the older men all mulled over the issue at hand. Ever since he’d been little Soul had required extra attention. There was something off about him, something not quite right in his head, that made it hard for him to feel the right emotions at the right time. All of the men had worked hard to help Soul learn self-control and how to act other people so that he would be safe from himself and his violent tendencies. But the other concern that had always gone hand in hand with his safety was making sure that he was happy.
Nicky Nails was the first to break the silence. He downed another drink from the decanter then rounded the bar. He took his son by the shoulders and looked him in the eye. “Is this what you want?”
Soul nodded. “Yes.”
“And being with Felix makes you happy?”
“Very happy.”
That was all that mattered to Nicky. He knew he’d given Soul a raw deal on more than one occasion, but in this case, he could do what he could to make sure other people didn’t try to take away his son’s happiness. Nicky kissed Soul on both cheeks. “Then I’m happy.”
Soul smiled a little. “Thanks, Dad.”
Nicky patted his son’s cheek then turned to Felix. “I’ll rip you apart if you hurt my boy.”
“Right. I wouldn’t dream of it.” Felix assured him.
Nicky hugged Felix and kissed his cheeks. “I’ve always liked you. You’re a good boy.”
Nicky’s acceptance was all it took for the other men to accept it as well. Atlas grabbed Felix in a rough man-hug, slapping him on the back a couple times. “You’ve been family for a while now, but now you’re family. Don’t screw it up.”
Firebird kissed Felix and Soul on the cheek then handed them each a glass of mulled wine. “Why are you just standing in the doorway? Go sit over there. I’ll bring you more food.”
The men all sat down in the big leather chairs in the room and slipped into their usual talk. Firebird disappeared to refill the cookie plate and get more wine for them. When she returned, Papa B ambled over to the bar where she had set everything down.
“Do you need more cookies, Papa B?” Firebird asked. “Here, I brought a little plate, I’ll pick you some.”
“Bah,” Papa B grumbled, handing her his glass. “Don’t look so damn pleased with yourself, girl. I know what you did, trying to soften us up with booze and sweets. You’re as bad as your mother was when she wanted something from my boy.”
“I can’t imagine what you’re talking about,” Firebird answered sweetly, filching a sip from his glass before refilling it and handing it back to him.
“I bet you can’t.” Papa B snorted. “You’re too nice to family. You never see their flaws. Would you have accepted this if it turned out he’d brought over a sheep or the like?”
“With open arms and a fresh bale of hay,” Firebird answered and kissed her Papa B on the cheek. “And so would you, so stop being a scrooge and eat your cookie.”
Prompt: Chocolate #27: determination, Amaretto #24: up for grabs, Vinegar #25: not for human consumption
Rating: PG13 for some minor adult themes
Characters: Soul Wade, Felix Wade, Firebird Blaze, Atlas Blaze, Draven Blaze, Nicky Nails Blaze, Papa B Blaze
Summary: I’m obsessed with Soul and Felix right now. They’re where all my inspiration is at for the moment, so I’m just gonna keep writing them! This is how Soul came out to his family. And I made Atlas look so silly here, but he really isn’t this clueless most of the time. He just doesn’t know anything about gay culture.
“Soul, how many times do I have to tell you not to knock-” Atlas stopped talking when he saw his soldier, Felix, standing with his nephew in the doorway. He took in Felix’s arm around Soul’s shoulders and the way Soul was leaning into the bigger man in deference to the bitter wind.
“Is this what I think it is?” Atlas asked.
Soul nodded. “Yes. I finally brought a date to Christmas dinner.”
Atlas’ lips quirked upwards. “Felix is not the nice girl I’ve been telling you to bring.”
Soul shrugged. “You said bring a date. I brought a date.”
Atlas’ brows drew together. If it were anyone else, Atlas wouldn’t have to ask, but with Soul he needed to clarify. It was entirely possible that Soul wouldn’t see the implications to bringing another man as his date to the family Christmas dinner. “Soul, are you trying to come out of the bathroom or something?”
“It’s called coming out of the closet, Daddy,” Firebird said, appearing at his side. “And, yes he is. Now would you let them in? It’s freezing outside.”
Firebird edged her father out of the way while he glared down at her. “You knew about this?”
“Of course.” She motioned the two young men inside. Felix hesitated, obviously unsure of if he would be welcome by the current boss even if the future boss was saying it was okay, but Soul just grabbed Felix’s gloved hand and walked right in.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he thundered.
“I thought you knew,” she shrugged. “You were there too two weeks ago when they left the warehouse together after the DeMico job.”
Atlas wasn’t quite yelling when he said, “Why would I think two of my men were sleeping together just because they left a job together?”
Firebird was undaunted. She took Felix’s coat and scarf then hung it up in the closet as she answered, “It was the way they left together. Really, Daddy, pay attention to your gaydar.”
“What in the hell is a gaydar and why would I ever have one?”
Firebird grinned at her dad, obviously greatly amused by his indignation, then turned her attention to Soul. “Uncle Nicky is in the salon with Papa B and Uncle Draven. Aunt Marie and Aunt Abriella are in the kitchen, so if you want anything to eat before dinner, I’ll get it for you. You should get Uncle Nicky on your side before the aunts get wind of this.”
“Alright,” Soul said.
“Felix,” Firebird raised a finger at him in warning, “Let Soul do the talking.”
“I am just fine with that,” Felix agreed. “Can I get a drink?”
“I’ll get you one.” Firebird patted Soul on the arm. “You’ll be great. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried,” Soul answered, his brows drawing together a little in confusion. “Should I be?”
“Of course not,” Firebird answered. “It’ll be perfect.”
“What are you giving them a pep talk for?” Atlas asked his daughter in outrage. “Did you plan this, little girl?”
“Daddy, how could I plan Soul being gay?” Firebird gave Atlas an innocent look that was ruined a little by the knowing smirk flirting across her lips.
“You and I are going to have words, Firebird,” Atlas said with narrow eyes.
“Later, Daddy. I have to go get the boys something to drink. Edan wanted you to see his snowman, he’s in the backyard.” Firebird said as she walked off.
“One thing at a time.” Atlas motioned Soul and Felix into the main house. “I can’t wait to see what Pop is gonna say about this.”
Soul led the way through the enormous Mediterranean style villa that had been the home of the reigning Boss Blaze since the first one had built it almost 150 years ago. Each generation had added on a bit more, changed up the décor a little, but the basic feeling of love with a glossy sheen of money permeated through every room. This was the first time Felix had ever been inside the Blaze Villa; if he wasn’t so freaked out about telling the most important family in the city that he had deflowered one of their own then he would have paid much closer attention to his surroundings.
“Soul, my boy,” Papa B said when Soul walked into the room. Papa B held out his arms and hugged Soul close, kissing both his cheeks. Uncle Draven was sitting in the other chair opposite his father, Soul hugged him next then turned to his dad behind the full bar.
“Hey, Dad,” Soul greeted Nicky Nails.
“Good to see you, son.” Nicky was fixing himself yet another drink. It was best if he was a little toasted when all of his family got together, then he could ignore Marie’s glares better.
“What’s Felix doing here?” Draven asked.
“Felix is my boyfriend.”
Nicky fumbled with the decanter. He set it down on the bar before he dropped it then turned to face his son fully. “What did you just say?”
“Felix is my boyfriend,” Soul repeated. He took Felix’s hand in his own as if to further prove his point.
“Oh, sweet mother of God.” Nicky ignored his glass and drank straight from the decanter.
“Jesus, Soul,” Atlas said, slapping his brother on the back when Nicky started coughing. “We gotta teach you to give people this sort of news slowly. You can’t just spring it on your old man. You’ll give him a heart attack.”
Papa B pointed at Felix with his cigar. “Did you do something to our Soul, boy?”
Felix had never been shy about his sexuality. He’d realized he was gay pretty early in his life, and as soon as anyone had tried to make fun of him for it, he’d proceeded to send them to the emergency room. Not only had this kept homophobic people from trying to target him, but it’d also given him the hardass reputation that had brought him to the attention of the Blazes. The family realized that who he kissed hadn’t changed the fact that Felix was one of the most loyal and promising wetworks men the Family had taken on in a long time. He didn’t come onto the other wise guys because they weren’t his type and he would beat the shit out of anyone that tried to label him as one of those fairy homos that wore glitter and liked to shop. As far as he was concerned, nothing bad had come from him being gay, and the family hadn’t really cared one way or the other.
But it was a different story when he was playing hide the salami with a Blaze. It was especially shocking that he was doing it with Soul, who had never even had his first kiss before Felix had happened upon him a little over a month ago.
“He didn’t do anything I didn’t want him to, Papa B,” Soul said before Felix could respond. Firebird had said for Soul to do the talking, so that’s what he was going to do.
“Hmph,” Papa B snorted.
Firebird walked in from the kitchen balancing a tray of mulled wine in one hand and a cookie tray in the other. “I brought food,” she said, setting the trays down on the bar. “Eat. I’ll bring you some, Papa B.”
“Do you know what Soul just told us, girl?” Papa B asked.
“She already knew,” Atlas grumbled, but took the drink and cookie she offered him.
“You already knew? How did you know?” Draven asked.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Nicky asked. Firebird handed him a cookie but set the hot drink beside him so he wouldn’t burn himself while he was still in shock.
Firebird picked up the cookie tray and took it over to Papa B and Draven. “Honestly, I’m more surprised you all didn’t know. They weren’t hiding it, they just didn’t come out and say it.”
“She said something about gaydar. I don’t know what the hell that is,” Atlas said around his cookie.
“Isn’t that some sort of thing for the military?” Draven said. “Why would we have that?”
“It’s nothing, Uncle Draven. Here, I brought your favorite.” Firebird pushed the cookies on him, which he took happily.
“You aren’t concerned about this?” Papa B asked Firebird.
Firebird handed him a drink and picked the biggest cookies off the tray for her grandfather. “No. It’s what Soul wants and Felix is a good man. Do you think there’s something wrong with that?”
“Soul doesn’t always know what’s best for him,” Papa B said.
“I know,” Soul replied honestly, “But this time I’ve got it right.”
The room was quiet for a long moment after that. Firebird kept handing out cookies and refilling drinks while the older men all mulled over the issue at hand. Ever since he’d been little Soul had required extra attention. There was something off about him, something not quite right in his head, that made it hard for him to feel the right emotions at the right time. All of the men had worked hard to help Soul learn self-control and how to act other people so that he would be safe from himself and his violent tendencies. But the other concern that had always gone hand in hand with his safety was making sure that he was happy.
Nicky Nails was the first to break the silence. He downed another drink from the decanter then rounded the bar. He took his son by the shoulders and looked him in the eye. “Is this what you want?”
Soul nodded. “Yes.”
“And being with Felix makes you happy?”
“Very happy.”
That was all that mattered to Nicky. He knew he’d given Soul a raw deal on more than one occasion, but in this case, he could do what he could to make sure other people didn’t try to take away his son’s happiness. Nicky kissed Soul on both cheeks. “Then I’m happy.”
Soul smiled a little. “Thanks, Dad.”
Nicky patted his son’s cheek then turned to Felix. “I’ll rip you apart if you hurt my boy.”
“Right. I wouldn’t dream of it.” Felix assured him.
Nicky hugged Felix and kissed his cheeks. “I’ve always liked you. You’re a good boy.”
Nicky’s acceptance was all it took for the other men to accept it as well. Atlas grabbed Felix in a rough man-hug, slapping him on the back a couple times. “You’ve been family for a while now, but now you’re family. Don’t screw it up.”
Firebird kissed Felix and Soul on the cheek then handed them each a glass of mulled wine. “Why are you just standing in the doorway? Go sit over there. I’ll bring you more food.”
The men all sat down in the big leather chairs in the room and slipped into their usual talk. Firebird disappeared to refill the cookie plate and get more wine for them. When she returned, Papa B ambled over to the bar where she had set everything down.
“Do you need more cookies, Papa B?” Firebird asked. “Here, I brought a little plate, I’ll pick you some.”
“Bah,” Papa B grumbled, handing her his glass. “Don’t look so damn pleased with yourself, girl. I know what you did, trying to soften us up with booze and sweets. You’re as bad as your mother was when she wanted something from my boy.”
“I can’t imagine what you’re talking about,” Firebird answered sweetly, filching a sip from his glass before refilling it and handing it back to him.
“I bet you can’t.” Papa B snorted. “You’re too nice to family. You never see their flaws. Would you have accepted this if it turned out he’d brought over a sheep or the like?”
“With open arms and a fresh bale of hay,” Firebird answered and kissed her Papa B on the cheek. “And so would you, so stop being a scrooge and eat your cookie.”