[Fic] Little Ears
Little Ears
Sydney Alexis
Gus sat on the floor next to his Daddy’s coffee table, pudgy little fingers wrapped around his Captain Astro pencil as he practiced making ‘M’s on his big chief tablet . His tongue darted out in concentration the same way that Justin’s did when he was drawing. His Dad called it ‘the zone.’ Gus wasn’t sure what that meant ‘cause at school ‘the zone’ was where the buses picked kids up.
As soon as the office door began to open, Gus put down his pencil. It had been days since he’d last seen his Dad and he wanted a hug before he read the note Mrs. Meadows sent home.
“…I believe Cynthia placed the final contract on my desk, Leo. Why don’t you come on in and have a seat,” Brian said, opening the door for the strange man to enter.
Remembering his Mom’s warning to be good and not to spill anything on his Dad’s white sofas, Gus picked up his pencil and started practicing his lowercase 'm's.
“And who do we have here?”
Gus looked up from his work to the stranger and then at his Dad. His father was smiling so he stood, walked across the room, and held out her hand to shake like Justin had taught him.
“My name is Gus, and I am five years old.”
“Oh…ho. Five you say? You must be a genius to get a job so young.” A beat while the strange man looked from Gus to Brian, smiling all the while. “Well…my name is Leo Brown.”
Gus scrunched his nose up at the man as he tried to place the name. “Daddy says you’re his favorite client ‘cause he doesn’t have to bullshit you. Mom says I should say words like that though and usually makes me practice reading when I do.”
Gus paused, watching a surprised look go between his Daddy and Mr. Brown. Uh oh…
“Did I say somethin’ wrong? Mom always tells me I shouldn’t repeat what people say ‘cause it’s rude, but Nana Deb always says ‘if you say it in front of little ears, it’s bound to be repeated.”
Gus’ question was interrupted when Mr. Brown started to laugh the way Papa Carl does-loud and chesty like Santa at Macy’s last year. Daddy smiled down at him and he knew he wasn’t in trouble. Then again, Daddy never stayed mad with him or his Daddy Justin long. Taking his chance, he threw his arms around his Dad’s waist and hugged him.
“Sorry I interrupted your meeting, Daddy.”
There was a snort of surprise from Mr. Brown and Gus twisted around to look at his Daddy’s face. Gus sort of shivered because his Dad had those hard eyes he used on the gang sometimes that meant ‘none of your business.’ Gus’d never seen that expression towards him ‘cause Daddy always told him the truth, ‘I’ll tell you when you’re older,’ or ‘Go ask your Justin.’ Like the time Gus found his Daddies’ ‘toy’ drawer. Daddy Justin turned bright red, called Brian an asshole, and said Daddy was going to be the one to pay for all his the therapy when Gus got older.
“You’re out of school early today,” Daddy said, lips thinning. Gus knew that meant he was either worried or thinking.
Gus looked between Mr. Brown and his Daddy.
“Mrs. Meadows sent me home early. Mom dropped me off here ‘cause the GLC was so full they couldn’t take me. She told me to go and sit in your office. That you’d be back as soon as your meeting was finished.
“Cynthia said she was too busy to play with me though ‘cause she was writing up a contract that she wanted to finish ‘cause ‘it’s too early in the day for your Daddy to take my head off.’ She told me to come in here and color, but to mind the sofas because Crayola and Barcelona don’t mix,” Gus started, pausing when both men started laughing. He kind of wondered what he’d said.
“Daddy? Do you want me to go practice letters in Uncle Ted’s office? I can if you need me to. It’s kinda fun ‘cause every time I move something on his desk he gets this look on his face. Sorta like Uncle Mikey when I turn the pages in his comic books too fast.
“Cynthia says she thinks Ted actually uses a ruler to measure out where everything on his desk ought to go. She also says Uncle Ted needs to get laid,” A beat. “Daddy, what does she mean?”
Mr. Brown and Daddy started laughing again. Gus frowned at the sound and the slap Mr. Brown gave his Daddy’s shoulder.
“Kinney, I’ve worked with you for years, but this is the most I’ve ever learned about you and your team. And to think all I needed for trade secrets was a five year old boy.”
Daddy shook his head and gave Gus a look that said he wasn’t going to get any ice cream that night before clearing his throat and pulling out the contract Cynthia had finished that morning.
“Well, Leo, now you know why there’s child labor laws.”
Mr. Brown laughed, signed his letters on the page so messy that Mrs. Meadows would make him do it again, and left.
“Well, Sonny Boy, you certainly make an impression,” Daddy said, kissing Gus on his forehead before sitting beside him on the sofa.
“I’m sorry, Daddy. Sometimes I just start talking and don’t know when to stop. Uncle Mikey says I’m just like Daddy Justin when he was a twink.”
Daddy got that far away look in his eye like he was remembering something sad. Gus climbed into his Daddy’s lap and hugged him. Daddy pulled him close and kissed the crown of his head again, mumbling something about how Gus was just like his Daddy Justin-always knowing how to take care of one of his moods.
Daddy cleared his throat again like he always did when he got uncomfortable. Momma said it was because he was afraid of becoming a lesbian. Gus never understood that. How could his Daddy become a woman like his Mommies?
“So, Sonny Boy, what sprung you from Meadows’ House of Pain early?”
Gus giggled--his Daddy way always making him laugh.
“I punched Sean in the nose.”
Brian raised an eyebrow at his kid for a moment.
“And why did you do that?”
Gus turned beat red, avoiding his Daddy’s eyes. Brian placed his fingers beneath Gus’ chin, forcing him to look up.
“Gus, what happened,” Brian asked, voice soft with concern.
“Sean called you and Daddy Justin a mean word and he wouldn’t take it back.”
Brian nodded, knowing what was said. Christ they were starting them young these days.
“We were sitting in class and Mrs. Meadows said next week she wanted us to have our Dads come and talk about their work. I told her I had two Daddies and asked if they could both come. Mrs. Meadows said she didn’t realize I had a step-dad, and I told her I didn’t…that I live with my mommies and my two daddies live together. Mrs. Meadows got really quite. Then Sean stood up and said that that made you and Daddy fags. That you’d get sick and die because God hates fags. And then I remembered Uncle Vic had died and that Nana Deb had said Ben and Hunter were sick too. And I was scared because I didn’t want to loose them or you and Daddy Justin.
“I told him that that wasn’t a nice thing to say and told him to take it back, but he wouldn’t. He called me a fag lover, and I said if that was what loving my daddies made me then I guess I was, and then I punched him in the nose.”
“I see,” Daddy said, looking down at his hands.
“Mrs. Meadows called Sean’s parents and Mom. Mom told Mrs. Meadows that tolerance and respecting all kinds of people should be part of her lessons ‘cause letting kids hate a whole group of people led to bad things. That people could get really hurt.”
Gus paused to look at his Daddy. He was angry and had a sad look in his eyes again. His Momma had had that look the whole car ride over.
“Mom said that I shouldn’t have hit Sean, but that she understood why I did it. She said it must be the Irish in me,” Gus explained.
Knowing that his Daddy was sad by the way he started stroking his hair, the little boy sighed before curling up in his Dad’s lap. It wasn't long until he found himself falling asleep.
. . . . . .
Justin entered Brian’s office as he was knocking-a habit Brian found infuriating but was unsuccessful in breaking.
“Hey, Brian, I just got a message from Lindz-“ he started, eyes falling onto Gus. “What’s he doing here?”
“I would guess, but the lack of activity, he’s sleeping.”
Justin rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean, asshole.”
“He got sent home early for defending out honor. Lindz couldn’t find a sitter on such short notice,” Brian responded, keeping his voice low to keep from waking Gus up.
“He got into a fight?”
“Daddy,” Gus said sleepily, hand rubbing at his eyes.
“Hey, kiddo. How was your day,” Justin asked.
Gus struggled to sit up on the sofa, letting the coat Brian had covered him with rumble and his side. The minute he noticed his Daddy Justin standing near the doorway, Gus smiled brightly.
“I had a good day. Momma made me pancakes. Mrs. Meadow let us finger paint before lunch, but then we talked about our Daddies and Sean said something mean so I punched him in the nose ‘cause he wouldn’t apologize. Then Mom came to school and told Mrs. Meadows and Sean’s daddy that teaching children to hate people because they’re different can lead them to do hateful things.”
Justin stood stalk still, gripping the strap of his messenger bag so tightly his knuckles were white. Brian watched the color drain from his partner’s face.
Gus looked between his Daddy Justin’s pale face and his Dad’s worried expression. It was the same look his Momma got every time he had an asthma attack.
“Daddy Justin? Papa," Gus started, voice filled with worry as he raced across the room. "I’m sorry I hit Sean,” he said, hugging Justin’s waist tightly. “I shouldn’t hit people...even if they deserve it.”
His Daddy Justin let out a puff of air and finally looked down at Gus, offering a weak smile.
“Why don’t you go practice your letter with Uncle Ted,” Brian suggested. Gus nodded, grabbing up his school bag and big chief tablet. He stopped by his still immobile Daddy Justin’s side to hug him one last time.
“I love you,” he said softly, big hazel eyes filling with tears.
. . . . .
Gus turned the corner into Uncle Ted’s office, and he watched the man get really pale.
“Gus? What are you doing here,” Ted asked, nervously shuffling important papers into folders and hide them away in his filing cabinet. After the last time Gus took a brick red Crayola to the Dandy Lube cost analysis sheet three minutes before their meeting, Ted had made it a point to hide anything of great importance from the K-I-D.
“I was in Daddy’s office, but Daddy Justin showed up. I think he was sad so Daddy told me to come play with you.”
“Um…well…I don’t really have any toys for you to…”
“That’s okay, Uncle Ted. I’m supposed to practice my 'M's. Can you help me?”
Ted smiled and visibly calmed. Working on things that took precision was something he could handle.
“Of course I can. You know…all kinds of important words start with 'M's. Mortgage, mutual funds…”
“Uncle Ted,” Gus interrupted, “Does God hate Dad and Daddy Justin because they’re fags?”
Ted looked up from the big chief tablet to the inquisitive, too smart for his own good kid and gaped. He swallowed hard and closed his eyes for a brief second, pulling upon every text he’d ever read.
“God doesn’t hate anyone, Gus. He loves everyone just the same. But He made everyone different so we could learn from each other.”
Gus bit his bottom lip, considering this.
“So that’s why some boys like girls and others like boys instead?”
Ted nodded. It was a reasonable as a five year old could understand.
“Nana Deb says that there’s someone out there for everyone. Do you think that’s why Dad and Daddy both like boys more than girls? Because they were meant to be together,” Gus asked, looking up at Ted with big, hazel eyes.
Slowly blinking to absorb what he’d just heard, Ted smiled. Jesus. Five years old and the kid was already trying to answer the questions of the universe.
“Probably so, Gus. I know your Dad’s a whole lot happier since Justin’s come along.”
Gus nodded and resumed writing his 'M's before starting on N. He’d finished filling up the second line before he looked up at Ted again.
Ted didn't like that look because he knew what it meant, and nothing good could come of a mini-version of his boss asking questions about the universe the he, himself, didn't have the answer to.
. . . . .
By the time Justin and Brian came to get him from Ted, Gus was playing Spaceship Invaders on the computer, and Ted was lying on the floor with a bag of ice to his temple. Gus looked between his dads--both were sort of smiling at him, and he knew things were okay.
“Theodore. Laying down on the job again, I see,” Brian mused, sitting on the edge of the desk.
Ted peered up through heavily slitted eyes.
“Fuck you, Bri.”
fanfic100: 61/100 [.080 Why?]
A langinappe. Not in the Healing universe, but it is Brian/Justin & Gus centered.
Sydney Alexis
Gus sat on the floor next to his Daddy’s coffee table, pudgy little fingers wrapped around his Captain Astro pencil as he practiced making ‘M’s on his big chief tablet . His tongue darted out in concentration the same way that Justin’s did when he was drawing. His Dad called it ‘the zone.’ Gus wasn’t sure what that meant ‘cause at school ‘the zone’ was where the buses picked kids up.
As soon as the office door began to open, Gus put down his pencil. It had been days since he’d last seen his Dad and he wanted a hug before he read the note Mrs. Meadows sent home.
“…I believe Cynthia placed the final contract on my desk, Leo. Why don’t you come on in and have a seat,” Brian said, opening the door for the strange man to enter.
Remembering his Mom’s warning to be good and not to spill anything on his Dad’s white sofas, Gus picked up his pencil and started practicing his lowercase 'm's.
“And who do we have here?”
Gus looked up from his work to the stranger and then at his Dad. His father was smiling so he stood, walked across the room, and held out her hand to shake like Justin had taught him.
“My name is Gus, and I am five years old.”
“Oh…ho. Five you say? You must be a genius to get a job so young.” A beat while the strange man looked from Gus to Brian, smiling all the while. “Well…my name is Leo Brown.”
Gus scrunched his nose up at the man as he tried to place the name. “Daddy says you’re his favorite client ‘cause he doesn’t have to bullshit you. Mom says I should say words like that though and usually makes me practice reading when I do.”
Gus paused, watching a surprised look go between his Daddy and Mr. Brown. Uh oh…
“Did I say somethin’ wrong? Mom always tells me I shouldn’t repeat what people say ‘cause it’s rude, but Nana Deb always says ‘if you say it in front of little ears, it’s bound to be repeated.”
Gus’ question was interrupted when Mr. Brown started to laugh the way Papa Carl does-loud and chesty like Santa at Macy’s last year. Daddy smiled down at him and he knew he wasn’t in trouble. Then again, Daddy never stayed mad with him or his Daddy Justin long. Taking his chance, he threw his arms around his Dad’s waist and hugged him.
“Sorry I interrupted your meeting, Daddy.”
There was a snort of surprise from Mr. Brown and Gus twisted around to look at his Daddy’s face. Gus sort of shivered because his Dad had those hard eyes he used on the gang sometimes that meant ‘none of your business.’ Gus’d never seen that expression towards him ‘cause Daddy always told him the truth, ‘I’ll tell you when you’re older,’ or ‘Go ask your Justin.’ Like the time Gus found his Daddies’ ‘toy’ drawer. Daddy Justin turned bright red, called Brian an asshole, and said Daddy was going to be the one to pay for all his the therapy when Gus got older.
“You’re out of school early today,” Daddy said, lips thinning. Gus knew that meant he was either worried or thinking.
Gus looked between Mr. Brown and his Daddy.
“Mrs. Meadows sent me home early. Mom dropped me off here ‘cause the GLC was so full they couldn’t take me. She told me to go and sit in your office. That you’d be back as soon as your meeting was finished.
“Cynthia said she was too busy to play with me though ‘cause she was writing up a contract that she wanted to finish ‘cause ‘it’s too early in the day for your Daddy to take my head off.’ She told me to come in here and color, but to mind the sofas because Crayola and Barcelona don’t mix,” Gus started, pausing when both men started laughing. He kind of wondered what he’d said.
“Daddy? Do you want me to go practice letters in Uncle Ted’s office? I can if you need me to. It’s kinda fun ‘cause every time I move something on his desk he gets this look on his face. Sorta like Uncle Mikey when I turn the pages in his comic books too fast.
“Cynthia says she thinks Ted actually uses a ruler to measure out where everything on his desk ought to go. She also says Uncle Ted needs to get laid,” A beat. “Daddy, what does she mean?”
Mr. Brown and Daddy started laughing again. Gus frowned at the sound and the slap Mr. Brown gave his Daddy’s shoulder.
“Kinney, I’ve worked with you for years, but this is the most I’ve ever learned about you and your team. And to think all I needed for trade secrets was a five year old boy.”
Daddy shook his head and gave Gus a look that said he wasn’t going to get any ice cream that night before clearing his throat and pulling out the contract Cynthia had finished that morning.
“Well, Leo, now you know why there’s child labor laws.”
Mr. Brown laughed, signed his letters on the page so messy that Mrs. Meadows would make him do it again, and left.
“Well, Sonny Boy, you certainly make an impression,” Daddy said, kissing Gus on his forehead before sitting beside him on the sofa.
“I’m sorry, Daddy. Sometimes I just start talking and don’t know when to stop. Uncle Mikey says I’m just like Daddy Justin when he was a twink.”
Daddy got that far away look in his eye like he was remembering something sad. Gus climbed into his Daddy’s lap and hugged him. Daddy pulled him close and kissed the crown of his head again, mumbling something about how Gus was just like his Daddy Justin-always knowing how to take care of one of his moods.
Daddy cleared his throat again like he always did when he got uncomfortable. Momma said it was because he was afraid of becoming a lesbian. Gus never understood that. How could his Daddy become a woman like his Mommies?
“So, Sonny Boy, what sprung you from Meadows’ House of Pain early?”
Gus giggled--his Daddy way always making him laugh.
“I punched Sean in the nose.”
Brian raised an eyebrow at his kid for a moment.
“And why did you do that?”
Gus turned beat red, avoiding his Daddy’s eyes. Brian placed his fingers beneath Gus’ chin, forcing him to look up.
“Gus, what happened,” Brian asked, voice soft with concern.
“Sean called you and Daddy Justin a mean word and he wouldn’t take it back.”
Brian nodded, knowing what was said. Christ they were starting them young these days.
“We were sitting in class and Mrs. Meadows said next week she wanted us to have our Dads come and talk about their work. I told her I had two Daddies and asked if they could both come. Mrs. Meadows said she didn’t realize I had a step-dad, and I told her I didn’t…that I live with my mommies and my two daddies live together. Mrs. Meadows got really quite. Then Sean stood up and said that that made you and Daddy fags. That you’d get sick and die because God hates fags. And then I remembered Uncle Vic had died and that Nana Deb had said Ben and Hunter were sick too. And I was scared because I didn’t want to loose them or you and Daddy Justin.
“I told him that that wasn’t a nice thing to say and told him to take it back, but he wouldn’t. He called me a fag lover, and I said if that was what loving my daddies made me then I guess I was, and then I punched him in the nose.”
“I see,” Daddy said, looking down at his hands.
“Mrs. Meadows called Sean’s parents and Mom. Mom told Mrs. Meadows that tolerance and respecting all kinds of people should be part of her lessons ‘cause letting kids hate a whole group of people led to bad things. That people could get really hurt.”
Gus paused to look at his Daddy. He was angry and had a sad look in his eyes again. His Momma had had that look the whole car ride over.
“Mom said that I shouldn’t have hit Sean, but that she understood why I did it. She said it must be the Irish in me,” Gus explained.
Knowing that his Daddy was sad by the way he started stroking his hair, the little boy sighed before curling up in his Dad’s lap. It wasn't long until he found himself falling asleep.
. . . . . .
Justin entered Brian’s office as he was knocking-a habit Brian found infuriating but was unsuccessful in breaking.
“Hey, Brian, I just got a message from Lindz-“ he started, eyes falling onto Gus. “What’s he doing here?”
“I would guess, but the lack of activity, he’s sleeping.”
Justin rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean, asshole.”
“He got sent home early for defending out honor. Lindz couldn’t find a sitter on such short notice,” Brian responded, keeping his voice low to keep from waking Gus up.
“He got into a fight?”
“Daddy,” Gus said sleepily, hand rubbing at his eyes.
“Hey, kiddo. How was your day,” Justin asked.
Gus struggled to sit up on the sofa, letting the coat Brian had covered him with rumble and his side. The minute he noticed his Daddy Justin standing near the doorway, Gus smiled brightly.
“I had a good day. Momma made me pancakes. Mrs. Meadow let us finger paint before lunch, but then we talked about our Daddies and Sean said something mean so I punched him in the nose ‘cause he wouldn’t apologize. Then Mom came to school and told Mrs. Meadows and Sean’s daddy that teaching children to hate people because they’re different can lead them to do hateful things.”
Justin stood stalk still, gripping the strap of his messenger bag so tightly his knuckles were white. Brian watched the color drain from his partner’s face.
Gus looked between his Daddy Justin’s pale face and his Dad’s worried expression. It was the same look his Momma got every time he had an asthma attack.
“Daddy Justin? Papa," Gus started, voice filled with worry as he raced across the room. "I’m sorry I hit Sean,” he said, hugging Justin’s waist tightly. “I shouldn’t hit people...even if they deserve it.”
His Daddy Justin let out a puff of air and finally looked down at Gus, offering a weak smile.
“Why don’t you go practice your letter with Uncle Ted,” Brian suggested. Gus nodded, grabbing up his school bag and big chief tablet. He stopped by his still immobile Daddy Justin’s side to hug him one last time.
“I love you,” he said softly, big hazel eyes filling with tears.
. . . . .
Gus turned the corner into Uncle Ted’s office, and he watched the man get really pale.
“Gus? What are you doing here,” Ted asked, nervously shuffling important papers into folders and hide them away in his filing cabinet. After the last time Gus took a brick red Crayola to the Dandy Lube cost analysis sheet three minutes before their meeting, Ted had made it a point to hide anything of great importance from the K-I-D.
“I was in Daddy’s office, but Daddy Justin showed up. I think he was sad so Daddy told me to come play with you.”
“Um…well…I don’t really have any toys for you to…”
“That’s okay, Uncle Ted. I’m supposed to practice my 'M's. Can you help me?”
Ted smiled and visibly calmed. Working on things that took precision was something he could handle.
“Of course I can. You know…all kinds of important words start with 'M's. Mortgage, mutual funds…”
“Uncle Ted,” Gus interrupted, “Does God hate Dad and Daddy Justin because they’re fags?”
Ted looked up from the big chief tablet to the inquisitive, too smart for his own good kid and gaped. He swallowed hard and closed his eyes for a brief second, pulling upon every text he’d ever read.
“God doesn’t hate anyone, Gus. He loves everyone just the same. But He made everyone different so we could learn from each other.”
Gus bit his bottom lip, considering this.
“So that’s why some boys like girls and others like boys instead?”
Ted nodded. It was a reasonable as a five year old could understand.
“Nana Deb says that there’s someone out there for everyone. Do you think that’s why Dad and Daddy both like boys more than girls? Because they were meant to be together,” Gus asked, looking up at Ted with big, hazel eyes.
Slowly blinking to absorb what he’d just heard, Ted smiled. Jesus. Five years old and the kid was already trying to answer the questions of the universe.
“Probably so, Gus. I know your Dad’s a whole lot happier since Justin’s come along.”
Gus nodded and resumed writing his 'M's before starting on N. He’d finished filling up the second line before he looked up at Ted again.
Ted didn't like that look because he knew what it meant, and nothing good could come of a mini-version of his boss asking questions about the universe the he, himself, didn't have the answer to.
. . . . .
By the time Justin and Brian came to get him from Ted, Gus was playing Spaceship Invaders on the computer, and Ted was lying on the floor with a bag of ice to his temple. Gus looked between his dads--both were sort of smiling at him, and he knew things were okay.
“Theodore. Laying down on the job again, I see,” Brian mused, sitting on the edge of the desk.
Ted peered up through heavily slitted eyes.
“Fuck you, Bri.”
fanfic100: 61/100 [.080 Why?]
A langinappe. Not in the Healing universe, but it is Brian/Justin & Gus centered.