Cath arrived at school Monday morning after a strange weekend. Her family had had a party for Greyson Page’s 50th birthday. Greyson was the father of one of her best friends; Aislin as well as her brother girlfriend Paige and their sisters Iris and Thea. It was mostly a fun party except when her Tante MC called and caused a lot of trouble. Greyson was also dating her Tante Lisette and they found out that night that the two of them were expecting a baby. In the meantime Tante MC, with all her pious judgment had turned her gaze on Tristan...who Cath had just discovered was dating her brother Rene. Rene was gay, and Tante MC would have likely crucified him, literally, if she found out. So when MC asked about Tritan in her scary jugey racist way Cath had announced he was her boyfriend to take the heat off Rene. But she had done it in front of the whole party. Now Cath was hoping for a nice busy school day so she could figure out how to undo what she had possibly created. She would find a way to talk to Aislin privately and try to explain without explaining? Cath furrowed her brow as she slid her rain jacket over the back of her chair and sat down.
Aislin had been so excited since the party. She danced around as her father sang show tunes as they walked home. He was drunk … or maybe half drunk as he’d had coffee just before they left. Either way she was happy. Only one thing confused her and that was finding out that Cath was suddenly dating Tristan. So when she arrived at class, she flopped down, dropped her bag and looked at her she asked what she’d been dying to ask. “So when did you two start dating? You and Tristsn?” she demanded.
Tony was sitting in class, being perfectly normal and literally just waiting for class to begin. The kids that were newer seemed to be settling down to the idea that they shared classes with him. Of course, he was followed, but he had been used to that for a long time. All he was doing was waiting for everyone to get there so class could begin. Then Aislin came in, plopped down and asked when Cath and Tristan had started dating. Tony blinked and looked at Tristan. “Wait … what now?” he demanded.
Tomas came in right behind Aislin and arched his brows because … he had no idea what was happening. But he was interested … he couldn’t lie to himself about that.
Daphne was already sitting at her table when both Cath and Aislin had walked in. She had tried to wave to Cath but Cath was a million miles away. Then she was about to do it again when she saw Aislin. Tony was at their table too but she was still feeling a bit cooler towards him. Mrs. Baldwin had rearranged the tables and now she sat across from LaTonya and had to watch her make eyes at Tony and Tony, from the looks of if ,flirt back. Oh please. But then Aislin asked Cath a question that made her blink and stare and call over “Cath and Tristan?” She actually did look at Tony as she shared his surprise to a lesser degree. But then she smiled a bit….maybe it would be adorable. They were both so shy.
Tristan walked in the door of the classroom right into Daphne saying Cath and Tristan? He froze and considered it if might be better just to turn and run right back out and pretend this wasn’t happening. It was at school now already. He blew out a breath as he stalked to his chair like prey avoiding a predator and dropped his backpack beside it. Should he clear it up? Should he play along. Should he stick his finger down his throat and make himself puke and go hide in the nurse’s office? Before he could consider any option Cath replied in a way that decided it. She was replying to Aislin.
Cath turned very pink and laughed nervously at Aislin “Oh well….it’s very new…” That part wasn’t a lie. Then Tony was asking and Daphne was asking and in walked Tristan looking positively frightened so Cath panicked again and waved at him “Hi Sweetie.”
Tristan smiled awkwardly and waggled his fingers at Cath and then sat down and slumped a bit.
LaTonya was looking at Tony. She could not believe her luck. Mrs. Baldwin had changed their seating arrangements and she had been put at the table next to his. For the whole school year, she assumed. Granted Daphne McLeod was at her table, but she and Tony were literally just friends. She was thinking about how and when the best time to make her move would be when talk started about Tristan and Cath. She blinked and looked at at Tristan as if she had never seen him before. Her eyes move from the table altogether to Haley like ‘are you hearing this?’.
Rene was right behind Tristan and, when he heard ‘Cath and Tristan’. Rolling his eyes, he sat at his table with Daphne, Tristan and LaTonya. Then Cath was waving at Tristan and calling him Sweetie. He made himself remember that Cath meant well and was only doing this so that he could pick his time to tell their parents .. and Gen … that he was gay and dating Tristan. But not two days later, word was spreading. He could almost see it’s path through the classroom. And then it would leave the class and spread all over school. Then it would spread all over town … and then British Columbia … and then Canada … and then North America .. and then the world. Cath with Tristan was like the novel coronavirus.
Mina James shuffles into class after Rene and walked around him because he was moving too slow for her. There seems to be some kind of buzz in the room but she has her headphones on with her hood up overtop and she’s exploring Dante’s punk rock collections on his iPod. Green Day is blasting so loud people can probably hear all the words to Basket Case. She drops into her seat beside one of the Wong twins and ignores the world.
Sophia was watching Rene walk in and tapping Mia “He looks sad that he’s not sitting with us.” She glares at Mina “Can you turn that down?” She slaps the table in front of her and points to her ear.
Mina rolls her eyes but does “Fine.” Then to her annoyance Sophia is still talking to her.
“Which one is Tristan? Apparently he’s the consort of Rene’s sister.”
Mina rolls her eyes again and definitely turns the volume back up. She’s not going to make small talk about petty gossip.
Mia nods at her sister, watching poor Rene as he sits without them. Then she tunes into the gossip. “Tristan is that little Japanese boy over there.” the points him out quite obviously. She then looks at Cath and shrugs. “She’s rather plain, but maybe she offers more in other areas?” she suggests.
Mason walks in and heads to his table, his eyes on his tablet computer. But his ears are picking up a buzz and as he sits those Wong twins start talking about Tristan and Cath. He turns his head so fast to look at them, he hurts his neck a little bit. “You’re joking, right?” he says a bit too loud staring between his older friend and the newer one that he is now apparently dating. He keeps the rest to himself, since Tristan told them in confidence about Banjo and that whole mess.
Hayley was already sitting. She often came to school early. She saw LaTonya’s look and raised her eyebrows. Cath was new but she’d gone to school with Tristan for three years now and he’d never dated anyone yet. Mind you neither had she. He looked nervous. Cath looks happier but she was also a quiet girl. Braver than she could be watching Tony from afar....who she suspected would date LaTonya since she was prettier and more confident.
Mabel was just ahead of Mason and had sort of helicoptered herself around at the gossip looking excited. She bounded up to Cath “You and Tristan?! Tell me it’s true? We need a good romance this year. Are you in love? Is he a good kisser?”
Cath shrank down a bit from Mabel’s advance and barrage “ Uh...yes.... I uh...Mabel ...” She looks awkwardly at Tristan “That’s private.” She purses her lips. What had she gotten them into?
Mabel just beams and sails back to her table “It’s so romantic...I shall live vicariously..”
Stefan was just setting down his binder as Mabel had her big reaction and when she sat back down again he looked at Tristan and Cath who looked embarrassed to be put on the spot. “Hey maybe let them just do their thing eh?” He chuckles and sits down casting a sodelong look at Hayley.
Tristan wanted to die at Mabel’s display. He had heard Mason question it and felt like he needed to pull the guys aside and debrief but he and Rene had to be on the same page about it and they hadn’t fully had that conversation. He looked at his fingernails like he was fixated on them as his cheeks burned.
Daniel blinks as that hyper Mabel starts spinning around like a dreidel asking about Tristan and Cath. “Uh …. Guys …” he is with Stefan on this one, thinking maybe it was none of their business. His mother had once stepped out of the elevator in front of their penthouse screaming all kinds of personal things about their father to anyone who cared to listen. When security came to drag her away she had kept screaming even after the elevator doors closed. He knew not all relationships failed … unless you were his father, but he still thought it was private.
Rene looked at Mabel with wide eyes. She’d calmed down about him over him since school started and now he thought he knew where all that energy had gone. Looking quickly at Tristan, he noticed that he looked as miserable as Rene felt. He would give anything for the school day to end right there and then. Anything but Tristan, he quickly realized. He shook his head in disbelief as the talking went on and on. Surely the school day was over now. Over and he could go someplace with Tristan and hide from everyone and everything.
The school day went on with various tortures. Cath and Tristan were shunted together at lunch time on the end of a bench with really only room for one of them. They were both exceedingly polite about but had such little elbow room they took turns eating.
Mabel traded partners for French conversation projects so Tristan and Cath could be partners which put her with Rene. Mabel’s French skills mostly consisted of saying English words with a horrible French accent. Cath of course spoke fluent French but struggled with writing in any language and he couldn’t read her attempts at handwriting to save his life . Tristan tried to be patient and offered to just take dictation but she got very self conscious about her learning challenges. Tristan figured he’d maybe just do both halves as homework.
By the end of the day both Tristan and Cath were more than ready for a break from their fake romance and she practically shoved Rene to walk home with Tristan to his house before almost bolting for theirs.
The walk felt long and awkward from the day. They joked around a bit and kept it light until they got into Tristan’s house and shut the door and Tristan grabbed Rene in a tight hug like they had been separated by tragedy. As he held him he called out loudly “Mom? Dad?” No answer.
Earlier that day Stephanie Reinhardt had been in a meeting with Darlene Smith at the Northern Sun Yoga studio about ways to improve the accounting for the business when she had felt a nasty headache coming on. She was probably dehydrated and overtired but by the end of it she canceled her next two and took herself home. One of the across the street neighbors was out front with sawhorses and a lumber project using the loudest power tools known to humanity. Stephanie cursed him and put in her best ear plugs, and slipped on noise canceling earmuffs and a sleeping mask. She hit the pillow hard and slept deeply.
Tristan pulled back from the hug a bit and sighed “We’re alone.” He leaned in to kiss Rene softly. What a day.
After the day he had personally had, Rene was more than happy to hear the door close them into the quiet of the Reinhardt house. He held onto Tristan almost desperately and did not even flinch when Tristan called out loudly for his parents. They did not reply and that was even more relief that they had the house to themselves. When Tristan announced that the were alone and kissed him softly, stress started to melt off of him. Finally the kiss broke and Rene replied. “Dieu merci” and toed out of his shoes with a sigh. Tugging Tristan only a little deeper into the house, he dropped his bag and sat on the couch, hoping ristan would join him. He put his arms around him. “I am SO sorry.” he moves in to kiss him again, glad that at least Cath hadn’t tried to kiss Tristan at any time during the day.
Tristan kicked off his shoes sloppily as he was still holding Rene and when he gets pulled to the couch he snuggles into Rene with comfort and ease. “No I’m sorry....oh my god. I thought Mabel was going to try and arrange us in marriage or something.” He laughs a bit and then kisses Rene back like their alone time was too good to be true. He briefly breaks the kiss and turns the TV on. “In case they come home soon. I never know my mom’s exact schedule because she’s self employed.” But then he wastes no time and kisses Rene again, running his hand through the side of Rene’s hair a little.
Rene laughs a little about Mabel’s enthusiasm, and smiles when the TV is turned on. “I understand.” He relaxes into the kissing again and the more they kiss, the more relaxed he becomes. Tristan’s hands in his hair are magical. His annoyance with his sister and even Mabel melt away as things go the way they truly are with him in Tristan’s arms. It is far from forgotten, but he can wait for a bit before they worry about it again. He breaks the kiss only to tilt his head in another direction and kiss him again.
Tristan is in heaven. He could kiss Rene for hours and maybe he has or maybe it’s only been 15 minutes. He has no sense of time and place. He feels little jolts of electricity now and then. Not like the first one but just little nudges. He moans a bit into the kissing and unconsciously starts to lean Rene back a bit into the arm of the couch. He’s not lying on him fully but so far just leaning but in two moves they could be like that. Tristan’s kisses get deeper.
Stephanie wakes naturally feeling no headache. She quietly takes out and off all her silencing gear and then heard the TV. Tristan must be home. How long had she slept? She remembered Mike had an early finish today too because he had left at an ungodly hour. Maybe they could all have an early supper and walk down to the beach for ice cream. She smiled and eased herself from the bed, feeling rested and well.
Rene leans back, more than happy to have Tristan's weight on him. He runs his hands through Tristan's hair and the moan he hears from Tristan is echoed by one of his own. Turning his head again, he engages in another kiss, loving the way their tongues play with each other. As far as he is concerned, they can kiss like this forevermore.
Tristan feels very inspired by Rene moaning back and he shifts them so he’s completely lying on top of Rene, stopping briefly to look down at him and grin “Oh god Rene...” He leans into him and kisses him harder rolling around a bit in his growing excitement. Rene’s hands in his hair make him shudder and moan again. His breath is a little fast and audible.
Stephanie yawns as she pads down the hall. She then heard something unusual. Quiet talking and then a moan and laboured breath. Was Tristan hurt? Was he exposed to eggs. Her momdar goes off and she runs to the living room and then sees something she really didn’t expect. “Holy fuck you guys!” She realizes that was probably not the ideal response. It was Tristan and Rene rolling around and making out like crazy. She walks away a bit looking the other way but calls back almost jovially “Something you want to tell me?”
Tristan hears his mother’s voice out of nowhere and springs back from Rene into an upright seated position “Shit! Mom!” He’s working to catch his breath.
Rene sighed into the kiss when Tristan called his name. It was all beautiful and he loved it. And then there was swearing and questions and he is sitting up staring at Tristan's mother. He stares. “Madame Stephanie .. Madam Reinhardt …” he’s forgotten if he had permission to call her Stephanie .. he’s almost forgotten his own name in his alarm. “Bonjour…?”
Tristan blows out a breath and then looks at Rene apologetically “I’m sorry.” And then he turns to his mom “I’m sorry. And yes I have something I want to tell you. In case it wasn’t obvious....Rene is my boyfriend.” He reaches out to take Rene’s hand.
Stephanie comes back over once they’re both sitting up and talking to her. She sighs and smiles “I should have maybe seen this coming. You two are very suited for one another. We might need to have a bit of a talk about a few things. You’re not in trouble.” She looks pointedly at the couch they were previously near setting on fire with their passionate moment.
Rene relaxes again immediately and takes Tristan’s hand. “Oui … I am .. and he is mine.” which once it comes out of his mouth sounds awkward. But Stephanie is smiling and saying they are not in trouble. He smiles back and lifts Tristan’s hand to his lips and kisses it just as the front door opens.
Michael had gotten off of work earlier than normal thanks to a call at an ungodly hour. It had turned out to be nothing and so he got to come home early for a change. But before he had, he’d gotten some odd news, so he was planning on speaking to Tristan as soon as he could. Now he puts his key in the lock and opens the door. Looking down to toe off his shoes, he sees Tristand in the middle of the mat. He rolls his eyes, but knows Tristan is home. “Hey Tristan!” He calls working the shoes off. “I heard you had a girlfriend. What’s up with…” he looks up and sees Tristan finally. His son's hand is in Rene Beaulieu’s who has lifted it to his lips and is kissing it. “That…” he ends the sentence as he closes the front door, locking it entirely out of habit.
Stephanie looks sweetly at Rene. Clearly they care about one another. They were young but both level headed and she did genuinely want Tristan to have love and happiness in his life. “I get it... “ she starts to say but then Mike comes in and says he’s heard Tristan has a girlfriend and she gives Tristan a wry look “Something else you wanna tell us?”
Tristan has a melting look as Rene kisses his hand and says and he is mine. And then his dad comes in and it seems this Cath thing is insanely pervasive “Yeah about that.” He looks at Rene and tries to summarize “At Grey’s party Rene’s family got a face time call from a scary homophobic religious aunt who started asking who I was. His sister Cath, who knows about us said I was her boyfriend to cover for us....but now everyone thinks that Cath and I are a thing. I’m not sure how to undo it quickly. Kinda blew up at school today too.”
Rene lowers Tristan’s hand when his dad comes in and asks about his girlfriend. Tristan tries to explain and Rene tries to help. “My Tante MC … she saw Tristan and … Cath tried to protect me from her. She is …” he blows out a breath. “She is convinced that I am going to join the seminary and become a priest. I would have told her everything but …” he sighs deeply. “I don’t know what to do now either, but it’s scary for me … my parents and sisters and brother are one thing but … I just don’t know how the others will react.”
Michael listens to them both and then moves into the house, motioning for the boys to scootch over. He sits and reaches for Steph’s hand. “Your sister made herself Tristan's beard.” he says it calmly and with quite a bit of sympathy in his voice. He got the religious family angle and how careful guys had to be in order to both feel and actually be safe. “Well … you’re safe here, as far as I’m concerned.” he looks up at Steph, remembering when he asked her straight out to be his beard and how scared he was when he did.
Stephanie takes Michael’s hand and listens. She felt bad for Rene. He was up against a lot more than Tristan for sure with a Catholic family, even if the immediate ones were open. “That’s tough Rene. And like Mike said you are safe here. I wish the world was safer and kinder for you both.” She has to laugh “I was Mike’s beard... but it went a different way. But I think it’s very sweet that your sister wants to protect you guys.”
Tristan makes a face “I promise not to fall in love with Cath!” He looks at Rene earnestly. “I don’t feel like I need a beard but I also don’t ever want to make you feel pushed to come out to anyone.” He looks at his mom “I’m guessing one of the things you want to talk to us about might be no more sleepovers. Which is fine... but I need to tell you we really were just kissing when you walked in.”
Stephanie looks conflicted. “I don’t know what to say about sleepovers. Ok, there’s a bigger topic here but I probably have to embarrass you both to have it” She looks between Tristan and Rene and then at Mike. “Because you were kissing but lying down. I’m not judging it. But I also remember being a teenager in the window of time after school when no one else was home. You guys are both turning 14. I was 14 the first time I slept with a boyfriend.” She admits “So I won’t be a hypocrite. But I might have some wisdom to share. If you can handle it.”
Tristan looks wary but nods “Yeah ok...” Then he marvels “14...really Mom?”
Rene grins. “She surprised me. I think part of it was the fear of Tante MC.” he smiles at Tristan’s promise. “I appreciate that.” he looks at Stephanie as she talks about kissing while lying down and he understands it. He listens, but doesn’t speak looking all over the room but where humans are.
Michael listens to Steph. He thinks Tristan and Rene make a cute couple. She mentions how they were kissing lying down and he puts his arm along the back of the couch, refusing to say a word about their ages. He was 12 when he’d first had sex. At some point he may bring up condoms, but he’s comfortable letting Steph handle it solo for now.
Stephanie takes a deep breath “I have two different areas of concern. One is more general I suppose and the second...well unfortunately it has to do with you guys being a gay couple in a world that might not always get that. But I’ll get to that. I would say for now, if you guys want to have a sleepover you can, but maybe one of you crashes on the couch if it’s just the two of you. I know there might be sleepovers with Tony and Mason and I would assume that’s not an issue.” Steph sees Rene not making eye contact “I’m sorry if I embarrass you guys a bit. And I am not going to tell you how to have your relationship. But I will say this. You seem to have a pretty special connection. And it can be really easy to give into your hormones and feelings and just blaze through. You need to know though that there’s lines you can’t cross back over from after you’re across them. And if you’re not ready and you can’t go back sometimes it ends things. So my advice is take your time. I would hate to watch you break each other’s hearts.” She pauses to let them take it in.
Tristan did look embarrassed at first but then he began to look pained and nodded “I don’t want that either.” He hugs Rene’s hand to him “And I’m pretty sure I’m still not ready for sex....even though we kissed lying down.” He laughs a bit and then looks serious “Mom I know the world is full of scary people, some of whom might hurt us if we kissed in the street. But this is Alexandra...”
Rene nods. “That is fair for the sleeping arrangements.” but he still looks a little embarrassed. “I’m not ready for that, either.” he tells them. “Alexandra seems so accepting…” he admits.
Michael listens and Stephanie is handling it like a champ. She even touches on the most intimate of intimacies. “Your mother is right.” he tells Tristan but looks at both boys. “Saying your not ready is one thing, but sometimes that doesn’t even factor in if things get too hot and heavy. But there are a lot of steps between kissing on the couch and sex. And heartbreak at any of those steps can hurt an awful lot, I hear.” he smiles. “Plus there’s no rush, boys. Rushing can be a mistake. Again .. bell you can’t ever unrung.”
Tristan smiles at Rene when he says he’s not ready too. They got each other. And he’s fine with the sleeping arrangement idea. But he does nod about what his father says. He had felt more desire for Rene than he ever thought possible. It intertwined with the powerful feelings he had for him. But he still wasn’t going to rush and wreck what they had. Then he frowned at his dad “You hear? Dad are you saying you never had your heart broken or broke anyone’s heart? Because I figured Mom was speaking from experience on one of those.”
“Both.” Stephanie chimes in. She has more to say but is a little curious how Michael is going to answer Tristan first.
Rene keeps listening. Tristan's parents are taking time with them and he loves it. Someday, he will be able to sit with his parents and sisters and talk with them as well. But Michael is special, because Tristan had told him that his dad had lived as a gay man until he fell in love with Stephanie, so he is curious.
Michael looks between the boys. “You two are so close I’m guessing that Tris has told you that I lived as a gay man until I fell in love with Stephanie here.” he reaches for Stephanie’s hand. “She’s never broken my heart. And of all the men I … well found, fucked and forgot … only one was anything even remotely close to someone I gave a shit about.” he pauses and smiles a little even at the memory. “I loved him. ANd he stayed in the closet with me for a long time before he talked me into moving to Cedar Point, coming out of the closet and having a life with him there.” he pauses. “And then there was an earthquake. He was presumed dead .. his body was never That … crushed me … not just because I loved him, but because almost no one knew I even knew him, never mind lived him.” he looks between the young men. “Which is why at some point I want you two to be able to live out and be proud if that’s what you want .. without a need for beards. If you need me to help talk to your parents .. I will be glad to.” he offers to Rene.
Stephanie holds Micheals hand and squeezes it, especially all through the story of Harley. And then she seconds his offer to help talk to Rene’s parents “I would as well but Michael is really the person who has lived experience where I don’t. I do have lived experience being the mom of a gay teen and the sister to a gay ...well maybe bi brother. And one of my best friends is a lesbian….I’m not proven by my resume as it were...But I’ll always strive to be an ally.”
Tristan looks at Michael and swallows hard “I know there was someone you loved….but not all those details. I think I thought you guys were able to be more together at some point.” Both his parents offering to help Rene talk to his parents make him proud to be their son “I want that too Dad….and thank you...Mom you are an ally. I love you both.” He looks at Rene and almost tells him he loves him too but he’s not sure he wants the first time he says it to be with anyone else but the two of them. But he knows he feels it.
Rene listens to the story and nods sadly, trying to imagine what Michael went through. He can’t, but is grateful. “Thank you, sir. I can do it on my own. Or with Tristan’s help. He was with me when I told my older brother.” he blows out a breath. “The trick will be waiting until I can get my family alone … I mean my aunt and cousin are in town and they’re cool and all but … I really don’t want to have to put an ad in the paper and tell a thousand people all at once.” he sighs. He looks at Tristan and smiles.
Michael sighs a bit. “We were going to be … and then …” he sighs. “And I love you too.” he looks at Rene. “I can understand wanting to tell people in small bunches.” he tells him. “And I suppose … if your sister doesn’t mind playing your beard for a while … then go for it Sometimes straight people are all for the rights of gay people until they realize they’re related to one. That didn’t happen to me, but I knew a lot of gay guys it did happen to. And I was spared telling the worst member of MY family because he died on me.” his tone is oddly light on the subject of this death, as if he’s still happy it happened.
Stephanie smiles at Tristan “I love you too.” She watches how Tristan and Rene look at each other and it warms her heart. Stephanie then chuckles “My brother told me in a walk in freezer. I don’t recommend that for a family of 5. What if you tell them you want to talk to them and set a time Rene?” Stephanie nods along with Michael “I think the support of family is important…..and if you think they’re going to be open you should tell them. I know we all think this island is this diverse utopia but things happen here too...there are good people and bad people everywhere. I don’t want to scare you guys. But there was a young gay couple where something violent happened to one of them this summer after a tourist saw them together taking in the sunset on the beach. The fact that it wasn’t a local is a good thing….but it’s still a factor. And I hate that. The more people who love you know, the safer you are.”
Tristan shakes his head “I can’t keep letting people think Cath and I are dating. I need to talk to her and undo that….it’s too weird at school. And it got back to you at work?” He shakes his head at his dad and then Rene “Nope. Rene, I have to break up with your sister. I’m going to do it tomorrow.” He listens to his dad about the family stuff and then his mom “A freezer? Geeze……” Then he frowns “Which young gay couple? Not Logan and Kurt? We would have all heard….”
Stephanie looks at Michael as if for permission and sighs “You can’t say anything….because you go to school with them. They’re older than you though. Levar Hawkins-Domino and Otis Carpenter. I do the books for the barber shop but I’m pretty sure Otis reported it too…” she looks again at Mike “He wasn’t that badly hurt thankfully. They had said goodnight, kissed probably. Then whoever it was followed Otis. He’s smaller than Levar so maybe picking the easier looking target.”
Tristan looks shocked and disturbed “That’s not ok. I do know who they are. Levar’s been pretty out since grade 9 or so...Otis took longer. I think someone said Levar’s running for student council president. He definitely has my voite...not just because he’s gay. He’s a good guy...they both are. We’ll be careful Mom. I promise.” He looks worriedly at Rene. He couldn’t imagine anyone hurting him after they said goodnight. He didn’t want to think about it.
Rene listens to it all. “I should make a time. Everyone is so busy.” He then smiles when Tristan says he is going to break up with Cath. “Dieu merci.” he knows he sounds relieved. Then he hears about the gay boys from school, even though he doesn’t know them well.
Michael nods. “Yes, it was a tourist. But even here we have some very vocal people. Mrs Norris being one.” he smirks. “But if she gives you boys a hard time around my mother … she’ll probably attack Mrs Norris again and .. unofficially … that never gets old.” he shrugs. “But yes. Be careful, both of you. Maybe I am just a cynical old bastard, but … watch each other's backs.” he looks at Stephanie, wondering if she had anything to add.
Tristan nods gravely “At that party...Rene’s Tante MC. I overheard Seamus saying she was like Heinrich….” He doesn’t go into details. “And Sasha said she was like Mrs. Norris.” He looks between his father and Rene “I’m sorrier for you guys being and having been related to people like that. And I do love that Kaitlin punched Mrs. Norris. She’s a kick ass Grandma.” He nods again “We will Dad.”
Stephanie saw Micheal’s look and smiled “Safety, taking it slow, the world being a shitty place…..unless we want to embarass them more with the safe sex talk I think we’re golden.” She looks at Tristan and Rene “And I do suspect they cover some of that in school. But we’re here for you guys anytime.”
Michael snorts when Tristan speaks the name Heinrich. Looking at Rene ne explains. “Heinrich … my father. Made the Nazi party look like a group of okay guys. He dies a few years ago and that’s when we found out how great my mom is.” he smiles, almost a polar opposite of when talking about his father. Then he gets a slow grin on his face. “Oh .. the safe sex talk. Well… if they’re in a monogamous relationship they are probably fine without condoms, but there are things they might want to know if they do decide to have anal intercourse.” he looks the boys over. “Never required of course. Some gay couples never go that far. Teh whole making love is making love as long as everyone consents.” He looks at his wife. “Do you think we should bring Seamus in on this? He is our resident expert…” he is totally trolling the boys now.
Rene winces at the description of Heinrich and smiles at the description of Kaitlin. Then Stephanie and Michael get to talking about sex and his eyes widen a little bit, because it is jost not something he could really discuss wih his parents .. at least not the way they were before their reconciliation.
Tristan smirks about Heinrich making the Nazis look like ok guys. His father had a way with words. He nodded in agreement about Kaitlin. When his parents get into the sex talk he leans his elbow on his knee and slightly obscures his face with his hand as it turns red. “They do teach some of this in school you guys…..and I’m all about consent. I would never do anything Rene didn’t say yes to. Please for the love of any deities we need to acknowledge do not call Seamus. Besides, he still thinks I’m dating a girl.”
Stephanie sees Rene’s eyes widen at her and Micheal’s words and then Tristan looks embarrassed “We’re not calling Seamus. Sorry Rene we’re pretty damn open about everything in this family.” she laughs “I hope it’s not scaring you off.”
Michael looks at his wife as if she’s just snatched his favorite toy out of his hands. “We’re not?” he looks at Rene and winks. “Baby … he’s Catholic with an aunt who apparently thinks he’s going to be a priest. I can’t imagine we’re scaring him. Embarrassing him, because he is now realizing he is dating a Reinhardt and maybe getting how many embarrassing moments that it going to bring him.” he nods. “Baptism by fire, baby. Baptism by fire.”
Rene smiles at Stephanie and then listens to Michael with a bit of a wince, thinking about what he is saying. He looks at Tristan. “He has a bit of a point.” he admits. “But my family is so much happier now. I am sure they will support me .. us. I just have to schedule something. My parents are just now catching up with the towns teeth.”
Tristan lets go of Rene’s hand so he can put an arm around him instead and gives him a little one armed squeeze and a light kiss on the cheek “Yeah your aunt was scarier than any sex talk I’ve ever heard.” He smirks. Then he looks at his parents “I’ve already warned him about the drunken pissing ritual in case it comes up...not that we’re old enough but I mean as a witnessing. “ He nods at Rene “They will, I'm sure. Your parents are very kind. And two of your siblings know….the other sister thought Cath was gay or pansexual…” He shrugs. ”Let me know when and I’ll be there.”
Stephanie laughs and nods with Mike. “Baptism by fire...it’s the only way.” She smiles at what Rene says about his family and chuckles about the teeth. Then she watches her son openly show affection to his boyfriend in the safety of their home and wishes for a better world. Then she snorts “You told him about the Reinhardt wizz walk and he still wanted to be your boyfriend? Rene’ll do fine in this family.” She grins at him.
Michael looks delighted that he knows about the Reinhardt drunken antics, but also that Tristan is willing to stand beside his boyfriend when it came time to tell his family. “Yes, he will.” he gives Stephanie a grin. “We should let them do their homework in peace.” he suggested. “Welcome to the family, Rene.”
Rene laughs about the family ritual. “Definitely more animated than my family, but we do alright I think.” he leans into Tristan’s kiss and sighs happily. Then he is reminded of homework and grins. Their private time was definitely over over, but they could have more of it here. And someday, he knew, they would be able to have some at his house as well. He just had to get his whole family together without interruption.
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