Meet the Parents
Caleb <3 (11:10am): Are you sure you are okay with this?
Fjord<3 (11:10am): Yeah. I feel like it’s a bit overdue
Caleb <3 (11:12am): How do you mean?
Fjord<3 (11:13am): We’ve been together for almost 5 months and I have only met your mom once and it was on accident and not the best start of the lunch outing
Fjord<3 (11:15am): I feel bad
Caleb <3 (11:15am): They understand. It is not like you live in the same city. They have not made it seem like that has bothered them. And it is not like they don’t know of you.
Caleb <3 (11:16am): IO had told my mom about you a few times over Thanksgiving.
Caleb <3 (11:17am): I distinctly remember you being shocked that she thought you were handsome.
Fjord<3 (11:19am): Yeah true
Fjord<3 (11:19am): There isn’t anything else? They’re okay with me?
Caleb <3 (11:21am): Fjord, they have known I was bisexual since I joined the GSA in my high school. I anything, they are shocked that you’ve managed to make me watch and enjoy sports.
Caleb <3 (11:21am): A sport. I only like hockey.
Fjord<3 (11:25am): Nothing else? That’s it
Caleb <3 (11:30am): I feel like I am missing a significant point that you are uncomfortable highlighting. What are you asking.
Fjord<3 (11:32am): Are they okay that im black
Fjord<3 (11:33am): It’s been an issue in the past. And my family being Mexican. I just want to know what I’m walking into
Incoming Call 11:34am
“Hey,” Fjord answered on the second ring. He sounded unsure and maybe even embarrassed. Caleb sighed.
“I’m sorry for not… connecting that with what you were asking,” Caleb answered quickly. His words rushed out, thick in accent, before his boyfriend could lie and say it did not matter. “I fear the friend group we share has… ah… tainted my perception on how people see others.”
“Caleb, it’s fine…”
“Don’t say that. We both know it is not. But to answer your question, no they do not mind. While I fear it would be rather… hypocritical of them to act that way I also know it would most likely not be all that irregular.”
Fjord and Caleb had divulged a lot of their family history, but some elements were kept in the background. Something tucked away and purposefully avoided. Not out of distrust or contempt, but more out of neither man knowing how to breach the topic. In this case, it was how his grandparents were raised in at the tail end of the Second World War and into the Soviet assimilation of Poland. All but his maternal grandfather, where his middle name came from, were Jewish. Caleb never directly suffered the wave of anti-Semitic tensions, even as they peaked over the last few years. Even if he had, Caleb also would never truly understand how something as simple as who Fjord is could impact someone’s perception.
The fact that he even looked over it felt like a betrayal.
“Caleb,” Fjord’s voice called. The man realized he had been speaking the whole time. “Come back to me, darling.”
“Ja, sorry.” Caleb sighed. “I am still sorry, Lieb. I never… I forget and that is not fair to you.”
“I know.” Caleb could hear the sincerity in Fjord’s voice. In a way, that made it worse. “I know you love me, and that’s what matters.”
“I’ll do better,” Caleb promised. A beat of silence followed. Then another. “Do you want me to hang up, Fjord?”
“It’s not because I don’t want to talk to you.”
“Work?” The silence that followed told Caleb that no, it was not because of work. That his boyfriend was not sure how to reply without upsetting him. “I’ll talk to you later. Don’t worry about staying over if there is something else.”
“Cay?” Caleb hummed in response, but Fjord was silent for a moment. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Caleb replied. He hoped how much was readable in his tone.
The line went dead, and Caleb was left looking at his phone. He sighed and almost pocketed it. He knew Fjord was not mad at him. He felt that in his bones. But he was also keenly aware of the fact that his boyfriend was not okay. Something about the conversation had bothered him, and it was something that he was not sure how to talk about. Caleb was not the type to force someone to open up before they were ready. Especially when it came to their relationship. He, after all, had kept a lot silent in the past. It was still a new relationship. Something that he needed to remind himself of constantly.
He frowned and sighed. It was impossible to have a relationship without small squabbles and fights, but this one made Caleb uneasy. He looked back at his phone and pulled up the conversation with Molly. As much as he knew Yasha and Beau would be willing to check in on him over this, but he did not need the emotional conversation that would inevitably happen as Beau bullied his thoughts from his mind. Molly would agree that he had done something stupid and move past it without much analysis.
He also always said if Caleb needed someone to talk to, he would be there.
DM: TeaLeaf and Widogast
Widogast Molly are you available?
TeaLeaf for a sec whats up
Widogast Fjord may be a bit off. I fear I’ve accidentally upset him. I was hoping you could keep an eye on him tonight? And if he is not okay, promise him it is fine to not come up tomorrow like we planned?
TeaLeaf wtf did you do
Widogast Nothing on the level of Ava if that is what you’re concerned about.
Widogast I may have overlooked the chance of racism when meeting my parents.
TeaLeaf …
Widogast My parents did not say anything! I forgot about the fact that Fjord may have had bad experiences with parents.
TeaLeaf not to be a dick but how the fuck could you forget that
Widogast Well, for one, they were technically moved to Romania after birth in the 40s and moved back after the Iron Curtain fell.
TeaLeaf …
Widogast Because they’re Polish. And Jewish.
TeaLeaf you know that’s fucking fair from your side
TeaLeaf did you apologize
Widogast Of course I did. And he pretended to be okay, but I know he’s not going to talk about it.
TeaLeaf I’ll keep an eye on him
TeaLeaf maybe reach out to him later tonight
Widogast I will. Thank-you.
TeaLeaf yep
Molly (2:09pm): Fjord.
Molly (2:09pm): Fjord.
Molly (2:10pm): Fjord.
Molly (2:10pm): Fjord.
Molly (2:10pm): Fjord.
Molly (2:11pm): Fjord.
Molly (2:11pm): Fjord.
Molly (2:11pm): Fjord.
Molly (2:12pm): Fjord.
Fjord (2:12pm): For fucks sake what?
Molly (2:14pm): stop ignoring me and open your door
Molly (2:15pm): or turn your music up louder like a child
Molly (2:18pm): Fjord. I will spam you again until you listen
Molly (2:19pm): Actually this is fine. I don’t need you to respond because we both know you’re too much of a child to do that until I piss you off enough. So. I know what happened. And I know you’re now sitting in your room feeling like you overreated.
Molly (2:21pm): which I mean maybe, but you also didn’t. But considering your sweet ginger snap felt bad enough to ask me to watch you for today I figure I should at least do that much for the little kitty cay
Molly (2:27pm): You know all you have to do is actually talk to him and it will get fixed. This isn’t like some secret code phrase that needs to be said. Maybe try with the hey, here is this part of my past I am still too stupid to mention.
Molly (2:29pm): and then he can be like oh, here is part of my shit that I am too emptionally constipated to realize impacts things. And then the two of you can be like fuck. I have no idea how to talk about this so we will awkwardly sit in silence for three fucking hours until one of us eventu
Molly (2:30pm): ally crumbles and it comes out in one fell swoop that will either piss everyone off because it’s so pointless, cause us to break up, or result in excellent makeup sex
Fjord (2:31pm): For the love of god shut the fuck up
Molly (2:32pm): You’re an atheist
Fjord (2:34pm): Fine. For the love of all things deep fried and covered in powdered sugar
Molly (2:34pm): there we go
Fjord (2:34pm): fuck off
Molly (2:35pm): I can’t. I gave him my word and you know I don’t go halfies.
Fjord (2:36pm): If I call him will you please stop blowing up my phone like a teenager defending their first crush?
Molly (2:38pm): lol no
GAME HOES
HeySailor ill b ther for the move in
HeySailor bringin with me the best
SleevesRBS YESSSSSSSSSS
DarkAngel She just wants other people to lift the furniture for her.
WhatsurPoison Wait, do I finally get to meet Darrow?
MissJester I keep forgetting you two never met.
FjordTough !!
HeySailor soon
SleevesRBS hell yeah
SassyWitch Maybe this time Wulf can be an adult and play nice…
HeySailor ive seen how soft he is
SassyWitch So true.
FjordTough going dark I have a long drive
DarkAngel I thought you were going up tomorrow morning.
FjordTough Nah
Fjord stood outside the apartment with his overnight bag at his feet. He knew he should have sent ahead to ask if Caleb was okay with him staying over the whole weekend rather than the next day. He was impulsive about this, yes, but he also knew his boyfriend would be digging himself deeper into the whole of regret over something that was not as serious as his brain would make it seem. Fjord knew there would always be miscommunications. That was life. That was how relationships worked. There would be times as accidental as this and as severe as an earlier argument over Essek before he and Molly hooked up.
The door opened and Caleb blinked, confused and half asleep. His hair was pressed flat to one side with a crease in his cheek from the pillow. He felt a pull in his chest of fondness. He smirked and stepped in. Caleb raised to his toes automatically when Fjord leaned in to press a kiss to his forehead.
“What were you up to, darling?”
“Studying.” Fjord snorted and raised his eyebrows. “I may have fallen asleep.”
“Let’s get inside.”
Fjord gently pressed on Caleb’s shoulder and guided him into the house. The couch had a few books and pillows on it. The laptop was on the coffee table with a notebook and a mug. All of them seemed to be abandoned if Caleb’s state was anything to go off of. He had on a sweatshirt that was several sizes too big for him and threadbare sleep pants. He ran his hand through the red hair and released the locks from the elastic.
“I thought you were coming up tomorrow,” Caleb muttered and dropped his head onto Fjord’s shoulder.
“I wanted to see you and not immediately face the parents.”
“Are you mad…”
“Caleb.” Fjord stopped himself and sighed out his nose. Caleb blinked a few times up at him, and the man reminded himself that his boyfriend was barely awake. “No. I just wanted to spend time with you beforehand.”
“Oh,” the redhead dropped onto the couch and pushed the books to the side for a clear spot. “I need to read more.”
“You’re going to fall asleep again,” Fjord pointed out as he sat down.
“Keep me awake?”
GAME HOES
FjordTough [Image Sent]
FjordTough [Image Sent]
SassyWitch I see studying is going well.
HeySailor look at my sweet boy
FjordTough He is a handsome boy
FlattAss that’s who you left for me
FlattAss wait who the fuck changed my name
BigBadWolf Sucks to suck.
Sexybutt anywho you two are gross
FjordTough your face is gross
BigBadWolf Are you ready for tomorrow?
ItsYaBoi What’s tomorrow?
Sexybutt He’s meeting the in-laws
ItsYaBoi Oh snap. Good luck.
SassyWitch Oh please, the Widogasts are sweet.
SassyWitch They’ll love you.
FjordTough thanks
DM: FjordTough and TeaLeaf
TeaLeaf you nervous
FjordTough no
FjordTough yes
FjordTough I think it’ll be okay
TeaLeaf it will be
TeaLeaf you’re great with parents and meeting people
TeaLeaf if you need to take a break I’m sure Caleb will understand
FjordTough thanks
FjordTough I need to get him to bed
Caleb looked over at his boyfriend with a smirk. He had attempted to dress nicely for this even if it was simply a trip to a café. He could hardly complain with the result. Fjord was gorgeous, especially now that his hair was steadily growing longer. He even had his hair restyled for it. He was in the café now with his long sleeves rolled up and forefinger and thumb rubbing together out of nerves. Caleb reached over and put a hand over his and gave a soft smile.
“It’ll be fine,” Caleb promised.
It went off well enough. Traffic made them wait for the Widogasts to arrive. His father was in a soured mood after a series of arguments with a mechanic. The baristas were overworked and there was a longer wait time for drinks and their food. Fjord was nervous and fumbled through the first few minutes of the conversations.
It was largely small talk. Fjord explaining where he was from, what he does and studies, and how he met Caleb. In turn, he learned a bit about both while refusing to call them anything other than sir or ma’am. To Caleb’s embarrassment, Fjord was able to ask questions about his past. He watched with a smirk on his face as his boyfriend relaxed into the afternoon.
“I like him,” his father stated calmly. “He’s a charming boy.”
“I’m glad.” Caleb smirked and looked over at Fjord as he politely debated over picking up the bill with his mother. “Even Wulf likes him.”
“Well, I can’t argue that high standard. And he said he is moving to the area officially?"
“He’s moving into a real apartment,” Caleb amended. “Next month.”
“I hope to see more of him.”
GAME HOES
ItsYaBoi How did it go?
MrPalomares2 Quiet well, thanks. They approve.
FjordTough I am maxed out on social interaction
MrPalomares2 It’s true. He is currently holding my cat hostage.
ItsYaBoi Aren’t you allergic to cats?
MrPalomares2 He is. Frumpkin is hypoallergenic.
ItsYaBoi Lucky that.
FjordTough [Image Sent]
FjordTough I have been chosen.
MissJester Damn. I think that means you two are pet married now.
DragonQueen Don’t change Fjord’s name, though. It makes Ford commercials tolerable
Sexybutt fiiiiiiiiiine
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Caleb curled up into Fjord’s side. The larger man pulled Caleb close and turned his head to look at him. Fjord’s voice failed him as he attempted to ask the question that had been on his mind all day.
“What is it?”
Fjord could see how Caleb’s face paled with worry even in the dark.
“Stop overthinking,” Fjord told him. “I was just… You know how Wulf offered to drive down with me?”
“When you move? Ja.”
“I was curious if you want to join me. In Texas, that is.” Fjord waited for nearly a minute in silence before looking away. “It was stupid… Sorry.”
“Nein, No, I… Fjord are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Fjord felt the soft fingers tap his chest. It took more of an emotional effort than he was proud of to look back down at him.
“I’d love to go.” Fjord swallowed hard but felt a smile tug at his lips. “Just make sure I pack sunscreen.”
That made Fjord laugh. A sudden, loud bark of laughter that shook him. He could feel Caleb shake as well while the pressure escaped them both like steam from a kettle. He rolled over his boyfriend before it died out fully and smiled down at him. Caleb looked up with the dim light from the bedside clock illuminating those impossible orbs. And for a moment, for the first time in a while, Fjord wanted a feeling to last forever.