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hso2012_r3s12012-07-21 09:02 pm
jabberwockyx) wrote in hso2012_r3s12012-07-21 09:02 pm
Fic: Untitled (Team Bro<3Dad)
Summary:
Characters: Bro Strider, Dad Egbert, Dave Strider, John Egbert
Ships: Bro<3Dad
Category One:
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No other Cat.1 tags apply.
Category Two:
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“Mister Strider, might I have a word with you?”
“Yeah, sure, no problem.” Bro flopped down onto the couch, casual as ever.
Egbert hesitated, then took a seat on the couch as well. He looked nervous. “I apologize if I’ve misread your intentions, and this really is part of your whole ‘irony’ thing, but I would...appreciate it if you would stop making advances towards me.”
At his words, Bro almost had the feeling like he’d been punched in the gut, but he kept his face as impassive as ever. “Pfft, no problem, man. I wasn’t really serious about any of that, anyway.”
“Ah, well, good.” He looked down at his hands, which he was wringing together. Bro could tell he wanted to go smoke his pipe, because did do the same thing when he’d been without cigarettes for too long. “I want you to know, whatever your...preferences are, that doesn’t bother me. It’s just that I don’t...share them, you understand...”
“It’s cool, man, stop freakin’ out. I was just fuckin’ with you anyway.” Well, that was a pretty huge lie, but whatever. It’s not like the Dadbert needed to know that. Besides, he was too uncomfortable to notice even if Bro wasn’t a master at keeping his voice even. He didn’t even make any comment on the other’s language like usual. “I think I’m gonna go get a pack of smokes,” Bro said suddenly, voice strangely too loud in the uneasy silence that settled around them. “I’m runnin’ low.” He got to his feet and made his way to the door.
Egbert stood as well, as started to follow Bro. “Strider, don’t take any of this to mean that you and Dave aren’t welcome at the house whenever you’d like, for as long as you’d like.”
“Yeah, I know.” Bro was starting to feel a little irritated towards the other man. He couldn’t tell if Egbert saw through his act, or if he just had a pre-planned speech he was determined deliver in its completion, but it was setting him on edge. “I already said it ain’t a big deal, so stop trying to make it one.”
“I...apologize, I wasn’t trying to start anything.” Egbert cast his eyes downward. “Just be back before dinner, alright? The roast won’t be in the oven too much longer.”
“Cool, got it.” Bro gave him a thumbs up before disappearing out the front door.
///
“Strider, can I have a word with you?”
“Yeah, no problem. What’s up?” Bro flopped down onto the couch, putting his hands behind his head.
Egbert took a seat next to Bro, and turned his body towards the other man. “Strider, I...apologize if I’ve read too much into your comments, and you really are just joking around, but I have to ask...Do you have an...interest in me?” Egbert was trying to maintain eye contact as best as he could, considering he couldn't see through Bro's shades.
For his part, Bro kept his face completely impassive. "The hell d'you mean by 'interested'? Don't get me wrong, you're a pretty interestin' guy. I love fuckin' around with you, it's hilarious watchin' you get all flustered."
"I do not get--" Egbert sighed, and looked down at his hands. "So, some of the more...interesting things you've said towards me were part of your whole 'irony' thing, then?"
Bro studied the other man for a moment. "And what would you do if they weren't?"
Egbert looked back up, and seemed to be considered his answer very carefully. "Then there is a possibility I would be inclined to return any potential affections."
"And if they were?"
"Then I might be disappointed that there wasn't any truth behind your words after all." Egbert looked to the side, trying not to actually seem disappointed.
"I always tell the truth when it comes to you, Egbert. Even if it don't seem like it." Bro leaned towards Egbert, smirking slightly when the other man turned around and jumped slightly at his proximity.
"Strider, are you saying that...?"
"I'm 'interested' in you, yeah. And you?"
Egbert smiled, and his entire demeanor relaxed in relief. "I would have to say that I am quite 'interested' in you, as well. Perhaps we should do something about this bit of knowledge, hm?"
"Fuck yeah we should. I can think of a few ideas already..." Bro raised his eyebrows, and stuck his tongue out just far enough to run it across his bottom lip.
Egbert's eyes flicked down towards Bro's lips, and he coughed, turning away slightly as his face started turning a light shade of red. "I'm...sure you do. How about we just start with a kiss?"
"Oh, hell yeah. I'm gonna get my mack on with you so hard that--" Bro was cut off by Egbert abruptly kissing him. He smiled against the other's lips, and eagerly returned the kiss.
\\\
Bro was, in a way, glad they didn't go visit the Egberts in very often. Every other month or so for a week or two at a time depending on Dave's school schedule was proving to be enough. More than once, he had debated letting Dave just go on his own, but he liked taking the chance to get away from home for a while, and only an idiot would say no to those home-cooked meals, and desserts made from scratch.
The problem was that things had gotten awkward with Egbert ever since that one day. As much as he wanted to deny it, Bro knew it was all entirely his fault. He wanted to be cool, play the whole thing off like it wasn't a big deal. He had never really gotten hung up on another person before. However, he couldn't help but avoid Egbert as often as he could get away with. Their conversations had become painfully civil, and Bro usually ended them the first chance he got.
At first, Egbert had respected his desire to put distance between them. However, he had started to worry, and kept checking up on Bro, asking him if he was alright. Bro always assured him he was just fine, he wasn't acting any different from normal. Eventually Egbert gave up, and just started avoiding Bro as well.
"Bro, is something going on with you and John's dad?" Dave was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, staring at Bro through his shades.
Bro looked at him over his shoulder from his spot on the futon. "The hell makes you think that?"
"Seriously, Bro. You guys have been all weird around each other lately, and it's kinda' freaking me and John out. Something's up."
"Just clashin' personalities is all. Nothin' for you to worry about."
"Whatever." Dave sighed then, and dropped his arms to his sides. "You sure it's alright if I go there for the summer? I can just stay here if you'd rather--"
"Go. I'm a big boy, I can take of myself just fine."
"Are you sure you don't wanna come with this time?"
"Got work to do. Get some sleep kid, you've got a plane to catch tomorrow."
The next morning, Bro dropped Dave off at the airport and gave him a speech about stranger danger and practicing safe sex so he didn’t get pregnant. As the plane departed, he tried to prepare for spending the next few weeks by himself.
///
Bro looked forward to the trips to Washington to see the Egberts as much as Dave did. Sometimes he wished they could take them more often, but Dave could only miss so much school, regardless of the fact he always got his work for the week early and worked on it at the same time John did his. He never missed his home in Texas when they were gone, and he looked forward to Egbert's cooking and baking. You couldn't get food like that from an all-night diner.
More than all of that, he really missed getting to be with Egbert himself. The man made him feel like a lovesick puppy, and that was totally uncool, but the way he felt when they were together mattered more than his image. At first, they had tried to keep their relationship a secret from the boys. Neither one of them knew how John and Dave would react to their guardians being together, and they hadn't quite figured out how to break it to them, either. That plan had gone out the window one night when things had gotten a bit more heated than they were meant to. Bro was pinned under Egbert, perfectly happy with the way the other's tongue was shoved down his throat, when a door slammed from upstairs. It sounded like John and Dave were running for the stairs, and Bro and Egbert scrambled to get into a proper upright position on the couch.
John was the first one downstairs. "Hey, Dad, is it alright if, uh...Are you guys alright?"
Egbert was still trying to fix his tie, his hair was messed up from Bro running his fingers through it, and his face turning red. Bro merely adjusted his shades so they weren't crooked, a mysterious little smirk on his face.
Dave made a strangled then, muttered a rather lengthy expletive, then turned and bolted back up the stairs. John gave his dad and Bro a confused look before running after his best friend.
"Dave, what the hell is wrong with you?"
Egbert groaned and put his face in his hands. "I feel like they could have picked a better time to come down here..."
Bro laughed, and put a hand on Egbert's shoulder. "Coulda' been worse, babe. Coulda’ been so much worse.”
After that, Egbert and Bro sat the boys down for a long and rather awkward conversation. For the most part, John and Dave seemed accepting, if a bit weirded out. When it was over, they all went out of milkshakes, despite the fact that it was late.
\\\
"Mister Strider, I appreciate you paying for our trip down here. I could've afforded it, I wasn't about to make John miss his best friend's graduation, but we're grateful all the same."
Bro shrugged, and busied himself with lighting a cigarette. "Don't worry 'bout it. Graduation gift. Little shits have only been friends for fuckin' ever, figured he deserved it."
The Egberts had flown down to Texas for Dave's high school graduation, since his was first by a couple of days. Early the next morning, the four of them would be going to Washington for John's.
"Thanks, all the same." Egbert followed suit, and got his pipe ready. They were both waiting outside the high school while the boys talked to some of Dave's friends. "How long will you be staying?"
"Dunno how long Dave's gonna stay, he's gotta' work that out with you. I'm headin' back the day after."
"Are you sure? You're welcome to stay as long as you like."
"Yeah. Got work to do. You know how it goes."
Egbert frowned slightly, but let the subject drop. They stood next to each other and smoked in silence until the boys were finally ready to go.
///
"Oh, man, I'm like, so nervous. I hope I look as smooth as you did up there." John laughed before shoving a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth.
"Tch. You wish. You're prolly gonna trip on your robes and faceplant, dude."
"Dave! Not cool!" John shoved playfully at his best friend, who was trying to keep a smirk off his face.
Bro had paid for the Egberts to come down to Texas for Dave's high school graduation, insisting it was John's present, since his own graduation was in a couple of days. They would all be heading to Washington for that.
Egbert shook his head at the boys before turning his attention to Bro. “I’m glad you’re coming back with us. How long will you be staying this time?”
Bro shrugged, and fought the urge to admit to Egbert he’d rather not have to come back to Texas. “For however long it takes you to get sick of us, I s’pose.”
Egbert chuckled. “That won’t be for a while. We haven’t seen much of each other since their last semester started. I’m looking forward to having you around.”
Bro leaned closer to Egbert, and his voice took on a sly tone. “And I’m looking to getting you into bed.”
\\\
Dave and John had spent the first week of their winter break at Bro's apartment in Texas. Despite the fact they went to the same university and shared a dorm together, the boys had spent the entire week staying up late, sleeping in, playing video games with Bro, and generally hanging out with each other like they still only got to see each other once every few months. Dave was supposed to be spending that time packing, but it gotten neglected until the night before.
It was early in the morning, and Dave and John were getting ready to head to the airport so they could go back to John’s house.
“You sure you don’t wanna come with?” Dave asked Bro as he was lacing up his shoes.
“Yeah, I mean, you’re more than welcome to come, too, Bro,” John added. “It’d be cool to have you there, too, y’know.”
“Nah, I’m good.” Bro shoved his hands into his pockets and shrugged. “I got shit to do here.”
Dave gave him a skeptical look, but didn’t say anything. “Whatever, man. You’re the one who’s missin’ out on all that delicious fuckin’ food. I’m gonna eat enough for both of us, and then make sure you know how goddamn good it was.”
“Have fun gettin’ sick, shithead.” Bro flipped his younger brother off. “Now get out of here, you assholes have a plane to catch.” The boys said their goodbyes, and there was something oddly final about the sound of the door closing.
It was later that night that Bro realized he was completely on his own. He was still getting used to Dave not being around because of school, and he didn’t have anyone else to go to. He hadn’t had a date, hadn’t even tried seeing anyone in years. Not since that one incident with Egbert, over four years ago. Bro tried to figure out exactly when the fuck Egbert had gone from the dude he was kinda’ crushing onto to the man he couldn’t get over. Somehow, Bro had let this happen without even knowing, and now he was completely, and utterly alone.
///
Dave and John split up at the airport, taking different planes to their homes. However, Dave was only going to be in Texas for a couple of days. He was only going home long enough switch out the stuff he wanted to take with him, then he and Bro were headed to Washington to spend all of winter break with the Egberts.
As their waited for their flight, Dave could barely keep his excitement in check. Bro wanted to harass him about it, since he got to see John all the time because they shared a dorm room. However, in all honesty, he was just as excited. He had visited Egbert a few times during the school year, staying almost a month one time, but something about it being Christmas made this trip seem special.
This hadn’t been the first time they had all been together for the holidays, but for the next week and half, everything was perfect in a way it hadn’t be before. The house always smelled like cookies, since Egbert had to keep baking new ones to keep up with how quickly they were being eaten, there was always a Christmas special playing, usually under the guise of it ‘being ironic’, even though everyone knew better by that point, and everything outside was covered in snow. Bro found himself not wanting to ever leave, and couldn’t bring himself to miss Texas even a little bit.
Christmas morning had gone as expected, starting with a big, traditional breakfast. After that, the boys had torn into their gifts like they were children. Egbert’s gift from Bro had been a purple fedora with a white band.
“You didn’t think I have enough of these?” Egbert chuckled, admiring the hat anyway despite its intense color.
Bro shrugged. “Thought it’d look good on you. ‘Sides, you could use some variety.”
“Fair enough. Thank you dear.” Egbert placed a light kiss to Bro’s temple. “Now, I have to apologize, because I didn’t get you a physical gift.”
“Oh, man, please tell me it’s something to do with the bedroom.”
Egbert shook his head. “I’m afraid not. It’s important, though.” He reached up, gently removed Bro’s shades, and carefully set them aside. He then took both of Bro’s hands in his, and looked him in the eye. “It’s just that, with John and Dave out of high school, and going to university, I don’t see much point in you staying all the way out in Houston. I...wanted to know if...you would like to move in with me, here.”
For a moment, Bro couldn’t speak. Yeah, he wanted to stay here for good, but somehow he never thought that could actually be a thing that happened. As he looked at Egbert, and then over to John and Dave, it hit him all at once. He was loved. He had a family. They had already been a family for a long time. He fought back against the wave of emotion that was threatening to overwhelm him, and nodded. “Yeah, yeah I do. Can’t think of anything I’d want more.” He then pulled Egbert into a passionate kiss, and realized he was right where he belonged.
Characters: Bro Strider, Dad Egbert, Dave Strider, John Egbert
Ships: Bro<3Dad
Category One:
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Tags Not Used: None
No other Cat.1 tags apply.
Category Two:
Tags Present: None
Tags Not Used: None
No other Cat.2 tags apply.
“Mister Strider, might I have a word with you?”
“Yeah, sure, no problem.” Bro flopped down onto the couch, casual as ever.
Egbert hesitated, then took a seat on the couch as well. He looked nervous. “I apologize if I’ve misread your intentions, and this really is part of your whole ‘irony’ thing, but I would...appreciate it if you would stop making advances towards me.”
At his words, Bro almost had the feeling like he’d been punched in the gut, but he kept his face as impassive as ever. “Pfft, no problem, man. I wasn’t really serious about any of that, anyway.”
“Ah, well, good.” He looked down at his hands, which he was wringing together. Bro could tell he wanted to go smoke his pipe, because did do the same thing when he’d been without cigarettes for too long. “I want you to know, whatever your...preferences are, that doesn’t bother me. It’s just that I don’t...share them, you understand...”
“It’s cool, man, stop freakin’ out. I was just fuckin’ with you anyway.” Well, that was a pretty huge lie, but whatever. It’s not like the Dadbert needed to know that. Besides, he was too uncomfortable to notice even if Bro wasn’t a master at keeping his voice even. He didn’t even make any comment on the other’s language like usual. “I think I’m gonna go get a pack of smokes,” Bro said suddenly, voice strangely too loud in the uneasy silence that settled around them. “I’m runnin’ low.” He got to his feet and made his way to the door.
Egbert stood as well, as started to follow Bro. “Strider, don’t take any of this to mean that you and Dave aren’t welcome at the house whenever you’d like, for as long as you’d like.”
“Yeah, I know.” Bro was starting to feel a little irritated towards the other man. He couldn’t tell if Egbert saw through his act, or if he just had a pre-planned speech he was determined deliver in its completion, but it was setting him on edge. “I already said it ain’t a big deal, so stop trying to make it one.”
“I...apologize, I wasn’t trying to start anything.” Egbert cast his eyes downward. “Just be back before dinner, alright? The roast won’t be in the oven too much longer.”
“Cool, got it.” Bro gave him a thumbs up before disappearing out the front door.
///
“Strider, can I have a word with you?”
“Yeah, no problem. What’s up?” Bro flopped down onto the couch, putting his hands behind his head.
Egbert took a seat next to Bro, and turned his body towards the other man. “Strider, I...apologize if I’ve read too much into your comments, and you really are just joking around, but I have to ask...Do you have an...interest in me?” Egbert was trying to maintain eye contact as best as he could, considering he couldn't see through Bro's shades.
For his part, Bro kept his face completely impassive. "The hell d'you mean by 'interested'? Don't get me wrong, you're a pretty interestin' guy. I love fuckin' around with you, it's hilarious watchin' you get all flustered."
"I do not get--" Egbert sighed, and looked down at his hands. "So, some of the more...interesting things you've said towards me were part of your whole 'irony' thing, then?"
Bro studied the other man for a moment. "And what would you do if they weren't?"
Egbert looked back up, and seemed to be considered his answer very carefully. "Then there is a possibility I would be inclined to return any potential affections."
"And if they were?"
"Then I might be disappointed that there wasn't any truth behind your words after all." Egbert looked to the side, trying not to actually seem disappointed.
"I always tell the truth when it comes to you, Egbert. Even if it don't seem like it." Bro leaned towards Egbert, smirking slightly when the other man turned around and jumped slightly at his proximity.
"Strider, are you saying that...?"
"I'm 'interested' in you, yeah. And you?"
Egbert smiled, and his entire demeanor relaxed in relief. "I would have to say that I am quite 'interested' in you, as well. Perhaps we should do something about this bit of knowledge, hm?"
"Fuck yeah we should. I can think of a few ideas already..." Bro raised his eyebrows, and stuck his tongue out just far enough to run it across his bottom lip.
Egbert's eyes flicked down towards Bro's lips, and he coughed, turning away slightly as his face started turning a light shade of red. "I'm...sure you do. How about we just start with a kiss?"
"Oh, hell yeah. I'm gonna get my mack on with you so hard that--" Bro was cut off by Egbert abruptly kissing him. He smiled against the other's lips, and eagerly returned the kiss.
\\\
Bro was, in a way, glad they didn't go visit the Egberts in very often. Every other month or so for a week or two at a time depending on Dave's school schedule was proving to be enough. More than once, he had debated letting Dave just go on his own, but he liked taking the chance to get away from home for a while, and only an idiot would say no to those home-cooked meals, and desserts made from scratch.
The problem was that things had gotten awkward with Egbert ever since that one day. As much as he wanted to deny it, Bro knew it was all entirely his fault. He wanted to be cool, play the whole thing off like it wasn't a big deal. He had never really gotten hung up on another person before. However, he couldn't help but avoid Egbert as often as he could get away with. Their conversations had become painfully civil, and Bro usually ended them the first chance he got.
At first, Egbert had respected his desire to put distance between them. However, he had started to worry, and kept checking up on Bro, asking him if he was alright. Bro always assured him he was just fine, he wasn't acting any different from normal. Eventually Egbert gave up, and just started avoiding Bro as well.
"Bro, is something going on with you and John's dad?" Dave was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, staring at Bro through his shades.
Bro looked at him over his shoulder from his spot on the futon. "The hell makes you think that?"
"Seriously, Bro. You guys have been all weird around each other lately, and it's kinda' freaking me and John out. Something's up."
"Just clashin' personalities is all. Nothin' for you to worry about."
"Whatever." Dave sighed then, and dropped his arms to his sides. "You sure it's alright if I go there for the summer? I can just stay here if you'd rather--"
"Go. I'm a big boy, I can take of myself just fine."
"Are you sure you don't wanna come with this time?"
"Got work to do. Get some sleep kid, you've got a plane to catch tomorrow."
The next morning, Bro dropped Dave off at the airport and gave him a speech about stranger danger and practicing safe sex so he didn’t get pregnant. As the plane departed, he tried to prepare for spending the next few weeks by himself.
///
Bro looked forward to the trips to Washington to see the Egberts as much as Dave did. Sometimes he wished they could take them more often, but Dave could only miss so much school, regardless of the fact he always got his work for the week early and worked on it at the same time John did his. He never missed his home in Texas when they were gone, and he looked forward to Egbert's cooking and baking. You couldn't get food like that from an all-night diner.
More than all of that, he really missed getting to be with Egbert himself. The man made him feel like a lovesick puppy, and that was totally uncool, but the way he felt when they were together mattered more than his image. At first, they had tried to keep their relationship a secret from the boys. Neither one of them knew how John and Dave would react to their guardians being together, and they hadn't quite figured out how to break it to them, either. That plan had gone out the window one night when things had gotten a bit more heated than they were meant to. Bro was pinned under Egbert, perfectly happy with the way the other's tongue was shoved down his throat, when a door slammed from upstairs. It sounded like John and Dave were running for the stairs, and Bro and Egbert scrambled to get into a proper upright position on the couch.
John was the first one downstairs. "Hey, Dad, is it alright if, uh...Are you guys alright?"
Egbert was still trying to fix his tie, his hair was messed up from Bro running his fingers through it, and his face turning red. Bro merely adjusted his shades so they weren't crooked, a mysterious little smirk on his face.
Dave made a strangled then, muttered a rather lengthy expletive, then turned and bolted back up the stairs. John gave his dad and Bro a confused look before running after his best friend.
"Dave, what the hell is wrong with you?"
Egbert groaned and put his face in his hands. "I feel like they could have picked a better time to come down here..."
Bro laughed, and put a hand on Egbert's shoulder. "Coulda' been worse, babe. Coulda’ been so much worse.”
After that, Egbert and Bro sat the boys down for a long and rather awkward conversation. For the most part, John and Dave seemed accepting, if a bit weirded out. When it was over, they all went out of milkshakes, despite the fact that it was late.
\\\
"Mister Strider, I appreciate you paying for our trip down here. I could've afforded it, I wasn't about to make John miss his best friend's graduation, but we're grateful all the same."
Bro shrugged, and busied himself with lighting a cigarette. "Don't worry 'bout it. Graduation gift. Little shits have only been friends for fuckin' ever, figured he deserved it."
The Egberts had flown down to Texas for Dave's high school graduation, since his was first by a couple of days. Early the next morning, the four of them would be going to Washington for John's.
"Thanks, all the same." Egbert followed suit, and got his pipe ready. They were both waiting outside the high school while the boys talked to some of Dave's friends. "How long will you be staying?"
"Dunno how long Dave's gonna stay, he's gotta' work that out with you. I'm headin' back the day after."
"Are you sure? You're welcome to stay as long as you like."
"Yeah. Got work to do. You know how it goes."
Egbert frowned slightly, but let the subject drop. They stood next to each other and smoked in silence until the boys were finally ready to go.
///
"Oh, man, I'm like, so nervous. I hope I look as smooth as you did up there." John laughed before shoving a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth.
"Tch. You wish. You're prolly gonna trip on your robes and faceplant, dude."
"Dave! Not cool!" John shoved playfully at his best friend, who was trying to keep a smirk off his face.
Bro had paid for the Egberts to come down to Texas for Dave's high school graduation, insisting it was John's present, since his own graduation was in a couple of days. They would all be heading to Washington for that.
Egbert shook his head at the boys before turning his attention to Bro. “I’m glad you’re coming back with us. How long will you be staying this time?”
Bro shrugged, and fought the urge to admit to Egbert he’d rather not have to come back to Texas. “For however long it takes you to get sick of us, I s’pose.”
Egbert chuckled. “That won’t be for a while. We haven’t seen much of each other since their last semester started. I’m looking forward to having you around.”
Bro leaned closer to Egbert, and his voice took on a sly tone. “And I’m looking to getting you into bed.”
\\\
Dave and John had spent the first week of their winter break at Bro's apartment in Texas. Despite the fact they went to the same university and shared a dorm together, the boys had spent the entire week staying up late, sleeping in, playing video games with Bro, and generally hanging out with each other like they still only got to see each other once every few months. Dave was supposed to be spending that time packing, but it gotten neglected until the night before.
It was early in the morning, and Dave and John were getting ready to head to the airport so they could go back to John’s house.
“You sure you don’t wanna come with?” Dave asked Bro as he was lacing up his shoes.
“Yeah, I mean, you’re more than welcome to come, too, Bro,” John added. “It’d be cool to have you there, too, y’know.”
“Nah, I’m good.” Bro shoved his hands into his pockets and shrugged. “I got shit to do here.”
Dave gave him a skeptical look, but didn’t say anything. “Whatever, man. You’re the one who’s missin’ out on all that delicious fuckin’ food. I’m gonna eat enough for both of us, and then make sure you know how goddamn good it was.”
“Have fun gettin’ sick, shithead.” Bro flipped his younger brother off. “Now get out of here, you assholes have a plane to catch.” The boys said their goodbyes, and there was something oddly final about the sound of the door closing.
It was later that night that Bro realized he was completely on his own. He was still getting used to Dave not being around because of school, and he didn’t have anyone else to go to. He hadn’t had a date, hadn’t even tried seeing anyone in years. Not since that one incident with Egbert, over four years ago. Bro tried to figure out exactly when the fuck Egbert had gone from the dude he was kinda’ crushing onto to the man he couldn’t get over. Somehow, Bro had let this happen without even knowing, and now he was completely, and utterly alone.
///
Dave and John split up at the airport, taking different planes to their homes. However, Dave was only going to be in Texas for a couple of days. He was only going home long enough switch out the stuff he wanted to take with him, then he and Bro were headed to Washington to spend all of winter break with the Egberts.
As their waited for their flight, Dave could barely keep his excitement in check. Bro wanted to harass him about it, since he got to see John all the time because they shared a dorm room. However, in all honesty, he was just as excited. He had visited Egbert a few times during the school year, staying almost a month one time, but something about it being Christmas made this trip seem special.
This hadn’t been the first time they had all been together for the holidays, but for the next week and half, everything was perfect in a way it hadn’t be before. The house always smelled like cookies, since Egbert had to keep baking new ones to keep up with how quickly they were being eaten, there was always a Christmas special playing, usually under the guise of it ‘being ironic’, even though everyone knew better by that point, and everything outside was covered in snow. Bro found himself not wanting to ever leave, and couldn’t bring himself to miss Texas even a little bit.
Christmas morning had gone as expected, starting with a big, traditional breakfast. After that, the boys had torn into their gifts like they were children. Egbert’s gift from Bro had been a purple fedora with a white band.
“You didn’t think I have enough of these?” Egbert chuckled, admiring the hat anyway despite its intense color.
Bro shrugged. “Thought it’d look good on you. ‘Sides, you could use some variety.”
“Fair enough. Thank you dear.” Egbert placed a light kiss to Bro’s temple. “Now, I have to apologize, because I didn’t get you a physical gift.”
“Oh, man, please tell me it’s something to do with the bedroom.”
Egbert shook his head. “I’m afraid not. It’s important, though.” He reached up, gently removed Bro’s shades, and carefully set them aside. He then took both of Bro’s hands in his, and looked him in the eye. “It’s just that, with John and Dave out of high school, and going to university, I don’t see much point in you staying all the way out in Houston. I...wanted to know if...you would like to move in with me, here.”
For a moment, Bro couldn’t speak. Yeah, he wanted to stay here for good, but somehow he never thought that could actually be a thing that happened. As he looked at Egbert, and then over to John and Dave, it hit him all at once. He was loved. He had a family. They had already been a family for a long time. He fought back against the wave of emotion that was threatening to overwhelm him, and nodded. “Yeah, yeah I do. Can’t think of anything I’d want more.” He then pulled Egbert into a passionate kiss, and realized he was right where he belonged.