Hello Mom. Hi Dad (Damien)

[Josef Muller]

Josef didn’t go home very often. Fact was that he didn’t like to go home. He liked Vermont. It was colder and he’d adjusted to it. He liked his own kitchen, he liked his friends there, he liked not having a basement and he particularly enjoyed the fact that he could be himself and no one—not a one—cared. Whenever he came home, he felt as if his skin was physically itching.

Which was stupid, he told himself. He was forty-two years old and he’d just shaved. Besides, it was impossible to need to scratch your skin on the inside.

Still, when his mother had called, he’d known he had to answer it. She didn’t call often. Although they’d reached a truce of sorts, they didn’t talk. Josef called for holidays and sent cards. He also received them. But neither visited nor suggested it, until his mother called saying his father had fainted while doing yard work and she needed him. She needed him. It was a strange sensation, but Josef had agreed, closing his business and scrounging up enough money for a plane ticket. Then, after a moment of hesitation and a phone call to Damien to quietly and shyly if he would mind accompanying him to Kansas to help him with his folks, two.

Because he’d decided he’d like to have Damien’s company. And he was actually dating someone he’d like his parents to meet, for once. It was a big step for him, but Josef tried not to let it show. He had a feeling he was already freaking Damien out.

Josef had rented a car and had driven them from the airport to the house, where he stood idly tugging on the collar of his button-down shirt. He’d taken more than the usual care with his appearance. His hair was brushed neatly, jawline shaved to the point where there was no longer the usual 5 o’clock shadow, and he might’ve been wearing cologne, although he never would’ve admitted it. It was to disguise the nerves. The house itself was nothing special—made of old bricks, it was well-built and looked old, at least from the 1960s, with low ceilings and a concrete walkway. The garden seemed overgrown, and Josef eyed it with a slight frown before turning to his boyfriend, a smile reappearing on his face.

“You all right?” he asked. “Not gonna pass out on me, right?” It was a gentle tease only. Josef thought he was the one more likely to faint.

[Damien Tremblay]

It was very difficult for Damien to picture the relationship between Josef and his parents, mostly because he was so close with his own. It had never mattered what he wanted to do, as long as he was safe and happy, they had supported him. Though he hadn't gone back recently, any visit was always like coming home. He knew the little Josef had told him about his own family, but in the past twenty four hours he'd learned more than he'd expected.

The call had been far from expected, and Josef's tone had put him on alert instantly. Naturally, he'd agreed rapidly. He cared about Josef, and if he needed him, he would be there for him. It was just that simple. The full situation hadn't really hit him until he had spoken to Josh and Janice, and had been packing a bag.

He was going to be meeting Josef's parents.

It had been a long time since he'd had to meet anyone's parents, least of all a boyfriend's. He was insecure at the best of times, and this was just... nerve wracking. Of course he was going to try to make a good impression while trying to lend support where he could... no matter how he looked at it, it was daunting.

On the flight he'd been minorly distracted by Josef. He'd never seen him so dressed up, and he smelled different. In a different situation, he might have been tempted to take advantage. Instead he'd just offered his hand out to take if he wanted or needed to. Insecurities be damned, he was going to be there for him.

It was harder to keep that promise when they actually arrived. Though Damien had done his best to look presentable and confident on the surface, inside he was a quivering mess. He did manage a brave smile for Josef. "No, passing out isn't likely. Vanishing, on the other hand, is possible." He was trying hard to be lighthearted about it. In reality, he wanted a cigarette to settle his nerves, and for this all to go well for Josef 's sake.

[Josef Muller]

Josef had done his best to bring Damien up to speed about his family. His mother the secretary, his father the architect (who spoke German and not a lot of English, so he was warned about that in advance), Helene (who wasn’t going to be there AT ALL) and his father’s health, which was fine, just a little poor at the moment. The doctor had said it was vertigo. Josef had gotten that call on the way to the airport, but he wasn’t going to turn around then. Whether they were close or not, Josef did care about his parents and wanted to be there for his father.

Even if it meant dressing up to please his mother. Although it wasn’t just that. It also made him feel less nervous. He just wished he could do the same for Damien. He’d taken his hand often during the flight, squeezing it gently or just leaning against his shoulder for support, quiet, but obviously grateful the other man was there. He’d also said thank you. Often. Now at the door, he was wondering who was more nervous—him, or Damien.

“You’re going to be fine,” he promised. “They’ll love you, trust me.” He decided not to mention that the reason they would love him was because he was successful and sweet, where Josef tended to go for the charming failures. He thought his parents were well-ready for someone normal. “But if you ever feel the need to vanish, that’s all right too. I get it, okay? I just—I owe you one.” And he leaned in for a kiss that might’ve lasted a little too long. Damien wasn’t the only one who was a quivering mess on the inside. Of course, that was the moment an older woman had to open the door. She didn’t look much like Josef aside from her build, which was stocky, and her hair, which still had hints of Josef’s dark coloring despite the large quantities of white. She was still striking, though, dark eyes lively and hands planted on her hips. But, to the suddenly pale Josef’s relief, she didn’t say anything.

“Thank God you’re here,” she told him. “I can’t get your father to take anything. And you are the only one as stubborn as he is.”

And that was his mother—abrupt and to the point, as always. Josef cleared his throat and recovered his balance remarkably quickly. “Ah, mother. This is Damien. I’ve told you about him. The one that works for Joshua Bernstein at the law firm? Damien, this is my mother, Emma.”

Emma stopped and looked him up and down. “So you’re…dating my son?”

Josef closed his eyes. He was fairly sure he’d stopped breathing, but at least his mother hadn’t said anything along the lines of, I don’t get it, you LOOK normal.

[Damien Tremblay]

Damien had been strangely relieved after learning about Helene that she wasn’t going to be there. He and Josef had discussed their sisters before, and he had to admit to being intimidated by Helene. Okay, and Josef’s parents, but he was going to suck it up and be brave. He wanted to be there for Josef, and he wanted to try to make a good impression. God, it felt like he was in high school or college all over again. At least he had a flight to attempt to settle his nerves.

It was easier to just focus on relaxing Josef. He couldn’t imagine the stress involved if their positions were reversed. Instead of thinking about what to do or say when they landed, he just let Josef do what he needed to do, occasionally stroking his thumb over his hand when he took it. He could deal with his own feelings later.

He wanted to believe Josef. Really, he did. But there was a rather deep rooted sense of doubt and dread that prevented that. It wasn’t like he’d had terrible experiences before. He just... he still didn’t quite understand Josef’s attraction to him. Still, he swallowed and nodded. “I’m going to hold you to that.” If things went poorly, he might just have to slink off quietly outside and just vanish for a bit. “You don’t owe me anything, Josef. You’d do the same for me. And I’ll try not to disappear on you.” It had been a long, long time that he’d stressed himself out to the point of his power activating on its’ own. Hopefully this wouldn’t be one of those times.

He didn’t have long to think about that. When Josef kissed him he automatically kissed back, briefly forgetting where they were and what they were about to do. If only they’d thought of that earlier, they both might have de-stressed prior to arriving. What Damien didn’t expect was the door to open right then. Looking more like a guilty child caught with his hand in a cookie jar, he smoothly stepped away from Josef and attempted to wipe the guilt from his face.

It was easy to do when Emma spoke to her son. Damien couldn’t help the slight smirk that appeared. Josef, stubborn? Surely not. Now he was wondering just how alike father and son were. That amusement went only so far, though, as Josef effectively shifted the attention onto him. As a teenager, he might have responded with a deer-in-the-headlights stare, followed by a swift shift into invisibility. As an adult, that wasn’t as viable an option. Instead, he managed to square his shoulders and tried to smile in a congenial way. “It’s nice to meet you, Emma.” Tentatively, he held out his hand to her in greeting. “And yes, I am.” There. That hadn’t been so terrible. Maybe he’d survive this yet.

[Josef Muller]

Josef was incredibly grateful for Damien for trying to calm him down. He felt bad because he typically tried to be the strong one. Instead, he was definitely leaning on Damien through this experience. But that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. It was a good thing to learn to lean on your partner, and he would eventually get used to it. So he’d squeezed Damien’s hand and, in spite of the fact that he wasn’t much of a hand-holder and Kansas was not the best state to be gay in, didn’t release it for most of the trip there. And he was intimidating enough at times to prevent anyone from commenting on it.

He knew how much that promise cost Damien, and the smile he offered him was genuine. “I—really appreciate it, Damien. And I might not owe you anything, but I’d like to make you dinner later, at least.” Not that it mattered. When he was home, he typically wound up cooking for everyone. His cooking was a little healthier than what they made and he could do it faster than his mom. Plus, she still hated cooking.

Josef’s hand twitched as if he wanted to reclaim Damien by his side, but he resisted. He wasn’t a young man anymore, trying his best to stand up to his parents. He was older. He didn’t have to prove anything and it was better to make his parents more comfortable this time ‘round. Still, seeing the guilt on Damien’s face was kind of…adorable. Even if he did want to protest the smirk with the stubbornness comment. It wasn’t that he wasn’t stubborn. He was. But it wasn't that bad.

Okay, it was that bad. But he didn’t want it to be brought UP. As it was, Damien handled it splendidly. Emma took his hand with a firm grip and studied him in her no-nonsense way, then nodded. She didn’t smile. Josef had warned Damien already that his mother wasn’t much of one for affectionate gestures. “You seem nice enough.” Besides Damien, Josef started breathing again. That was the best he’d gotten out of her for any of his boyfriends so far. “Thank you for coming with him. We could use the hand. Any good in the farm?”

“That’s a joke,” Josef mumbled under his breath.

“Sort of. Here, you can meet Jakob—“ It was said like Josef’s name, Ya-kob “—while Josef persuades him to take his medicine. He’s in the back.”

“Thank you, mother.” Josef decided to steal Damien away before the conversation could go downhill from this relative high point, and steered Damien into the house, which had white carpet and white furniture. There were a lot of pictures, mostly of the family. Some were of an extremely young Josef in a karate gii, which the older man ignored, but there were much fewer of them showing Josef as older and increasing amounts with Helene. There were no lingering signs of children of any nature—the two extra bedrooms had all been redone into aesthetically pleasing but impersonal guest rooms. Josef stopped outside of the master bedroom and smiled at Damien.

“No disappearing, right? My mother is the worst of it.”

[Damien Tremblay]

Being strong wasn't usually Damien's strong suite. Much as he'd tried with his ex girlfriend, he just didn't seem cut out for the role. Still, he was trying with Josef because he had to. There wasn't another option. He was sure one day he'd need Josef as much as the older man seemed to need him now, and it wasn't fair to cop out now only to expect support later. He wouldn't do that to him. Damien just did what he could, letting Josef keep his hand as he saw fit. If they'd gotten looks, he hadn't noticed. His focus was zeroed on on keeping his partner calm.

"You owe me nothing, Josef. Promise." Not even dinner. He was here because Josef had asked, and he was there to lend whatever support was needed. Not because he was expecting some kind of reward. That was just underhanded. "I'm here for whatever you, or your parents, need." Another gentle squeeze to the hand hopefully sealed that.

Damien had moved partially out of respect, though he would have been lying if he hadn't admitted to doing so to make a better impression. Nothing said 'meet my boyfriend' better than making out on the front step. Thankfully, Emma seemed to be ignoring it.

He had dealt with many seemingly emotionally void lawyers over he years, but even with Josef's warning he felt a little... well, nervous with Emma's greeting. At least she wasn't saying anything negative. That had to be a good thing, right? Maybe she was just stressed. He would be, in her shoes. "Thank you," he said quietly. Was that a sort-of-compliment? Maybe? "I couldn't say no. He would do the same for me." He tried a tentative smile. "Just put me to work?" He had no idea what she meant by farm, but he'd go along with it.

He let Josef direct him in the house, oddly apprehensive about meeting Jakob. Lowering his voice, he glanced at Josef with the smallest devious look. "I didn't know anyone was more stubborn than you." All he wanted was for the tension in his partner's shoulders to ease up, or a smile. As they passed photos, he took special interest in the ones of a small, dark haired martial artist, making mental notes to look closer later.

Pausing by the bedroom, he shook his head at the question. "No disappearing. And your mother seems... nice." In a scary way. "Are you okay with this?" This being preparing to fight with a parent over medication of course. "If your mother is the worst, I guess I shouldn't be so nervous now, hey?"

[Josef Muller]

“Maybe I want to owe you something.” But Josef knew he had to let that go. His experiences with relationships thus far had traveled to two extremes. The first was that he let his partner do most things—case in point, William. The second was that he tried to do everything himself. He knew he tended to lean toward the latter and tried to restrain himself because Damien was here to help him and he had to let him. This wasn’t something he was ready to do on his own. “No. I just—want to show that I’m grateful for you being here. Thank you.”

And as for the contact, Josef was grateful she was ignoring it. In past experiences she had done everything in her power not to let Josef and his boyfriend at the time touch. Whether it was getting rid of the couch, changing his bed to a twin, bunking Helene with Josef so the guest could have “his own room,” she’d been quite devious about it. And she’d shoved the neighbor’s young daughters at him as well. All in all, Josef was glad they’d both outgrown that phase. She might not exactly accept him, but at least she didn’t try to change it either. And in return he didn’t push his lifestyle choices in her face.

“Josef? Be responsible. Right.”

Josef didn’t even bother to hide the eyeroll. At times, he felt like he regressed a year for every minute spent in his mother’s company. Right now, he’d put his age at about twenty-four—exasperated and frustrated. And it was worse when she was stressed. She ignored him anyways and studied Damien, then, to Josef’s surprise, actually smiled.

“I might just do that. Don’t worry—we only have a dozen horses.”

“Joking again,” Josef muttered to Damien. His lips twitched up faintly at the statement about his father, and he shook his head. “Where do you think I learned it from?”

Nice? Josef could think of two people who had described his mother as nice. And one had been a girl his mother had thought was his girlfriend. Damien was too kind for his own good. His look softened as he studied the other man, and then he shook his head. “I’m not worried. My father’s not so bad as all that. And I think he’ll like you. Don’t be nervous.” His mother had left to go to the kitchen, so he felt comfortable enough to sneak a quick kiss. He pulled away, offered Damien a smile, and then nudged the door open.

Josef’s father looked strikingly like his son. His hair was all white, but the lines on his face were severe, rather like Josef’s, and his eyes—although fever-bright—the same light brown color. He had a line of stubble on his jaw, and his skin was reddened and tough from prolonged exposure to the sun in his youth, although it was pale now. He was propped up in bed, wearing a truly hideous Hawaiian shirt, but he seemed awake and aware enough. He studied the two men curiously, then offered a smile to Damien.

“You are the French-Canadian, yes?” His smile widened. “Damien. He’s told me about you. He didn’t mention you were so much—“ He waved a hand “—younger.”

[Damien Tremblay]

Damien sighed and rolled his eyes slightly, but he let it go as well. If Josef wanted to feel like he owed him something, he knew that hi stubborn streak wouldn’t allow for it to be dismissed. If he knew Josef wasn’t quite as stressed, he might have suggested a different way to make it up, but given the situation that was better suited to another time. He’d just let Josef do as he wanted. “I know you are,” he promised. “And you’re welcome. I should be thanking you, really. You got me out of the office and away from Janice playing twenty questions.” Again, it was a poor attempt at making Josef smile, but he was going to try, damn it.

Had he known how Josef’s mother was with boyfriends and contact, Damien might have been a little more careful. His own parents had never particularly cared. He’d never really had sleepovers with boyfriends or girlfriends, but he’d certainly had them over. Especially in University. He suspected that his parents had just been thrilled to see him get past his shy nature enough to be with someone. Of course, his parents were rather affectionate as well. It was difficult to do one thing, and tell your kids not to do it. Damien hadn’t minded, at least until Melissa had started having rather intimate make out sessions in the den with her boyfriend at the time. Then he’d wanted a little discretion around the house. Too bad he hadn’t gotten it. Something about Melissa being a free spirit.

He tried to ignore the comment about Josef’s responsibility. He knew his boyfriend was responsible, and he’d been warned about his mother and her opinions. Instead he just shifted a minute bit closer and nudged Josef’s hand with his. A quiet, subtle reminder of what he had hoped had translated on the plane. I’m with you.

“I’m sure I can handle whatever you need,” he said with more confidence than he felt. He was trying so hard to get and maintain a good first impression. Josef had already told him that it wasn’t easy to do, but he didn’t care. He wanted to do it, for Josef’s sake.

He’d had no idea that Josef’s stubborn streak had been inherited, least of all from his father. Still, he managed a little grin. “I should probably thank him, then.” He hadn’t had to butt heads with Josef often, thankfully. Just seen little bits and pieces of his stubborn side. If his father was any indication, however, this could actually prove educational. Huh.

“I’m trying not to be nervous. Or worried. Or any combination of the two.” As for his power, he still felt completely in control. He had no fears of sudden disappearances. “I think I’m just hoping for something along the lines of ‘not hating’. Anything else is a bonus.” The kiss made him that much more relaxed, which made it a little easier to follow Josef into the bedroom.

The resemblance between father and son was... unexpected. Damien paused for a moment to take it in before stepping closer to Josef’s side. The question made him flush slightly as he offered his hand out. “You could say that. My grandparents are from Quebec, yes.” Though only one set of them was actually native to there. “It’s nice to meet you.” He hoped that this was going okay. As for the comment on his age, he managed a little grin. “It’s not a huge age gap.” Only a few years, really, and at their age? Who cared. ... Okay, hopefully not Josef’s father. “I already let Emma know, but if you need anything, please, I’m here to help.” And to keep Josef calm, which he considered his primary duty at the moment.

[Josef Muller]

Josef’s lips twitched into the smile Damien had been hoping for. “I haven’t met the woman, but she doesn’t seem that bad. And at least she’s interested in your well-being.” He hadn’t met her yet, although he’d promised Damien he would eventually—once he finally got the nerve to attend one of those legal parties, because that meant putting on a suit of some kind. Maybe that was what he could do for Damien. At least then the other man wouldn’t have to attend alone.

Of course, Josef wasn’t going to tell Damien of his family’s previous experiences with boyfriends. For one, it didn’t matter now. His family had—for the most part—come to terms with it, and although they still lamented his taste in men, he figured they could have no objections with Damien, who was by-far the most standup and good guy he’d dated in a long time. And if they did…well, he fully intended to whisk Damien out of there as soon as his father was feeling better and damn the consequences.

He was half-tempted to do it right then, even though he should’ve been used to his mother’s comments by then, but instead Damien nudged his hand, and Josef exhaled and offered him a faint smile, grateful for the support and a calming influence. He was not hot-tempered, but…his mother had always had him on a kind of simmering boil since he was younger..

“Thank him?” Josef laughed softly. “I think that you’re the first person who’s ever wanted to thank someone for me being stubborn. And if it’s ‘not hating’ you’re going for, then you’ve already succeeded in that. C’mon, Damien. No one could hate you.” His tone was teasing, but he held Damien’s gaze because he meant it. Every word.

Jakob may have been ill, but it didn’t stop him from studying Damien curiously and with a good deal of intelligence. This time, Josef stayed silent. He and his father had had their differences in the past, but they got along better now, and Josef knew his father liked to make his own opinions. He crossed to the bedside instead, placing his hand briefly over his father’s own, and then began examining the medications on the table. This allowed Jakob to study Damien as intensively as he liked. However, the old man eventually smiled and reached forward to shake his hand. His grip was firm even if his hand trembled. “It’s nice to meet you too. And if it is your grandparents, I don’t think we will have problems. I am more amused that my son did not mention you were younger.”

Josef just shrugged, but he was smiling now at least, even if there was a hint of pink on his cheeks. Jakob watched him for a moment, then turned his attention back to Damien.

“If you already told Emma this, then you will be no good for me,” he told him. “Come, sit down and tell me about your flight. I promise I’m not—how do you say? Contagious?”

[Damien Tremblay]

Damien stifled a little laugh. “Don’t say that until you meet her. And there’s a difference between an interest in well-being and a vested interest in playing match maker. I’ve been at her mercy for years.” This was why he was dragging his heels on the next law firm party. He didn’t know what it was going to be, but he had a feeling that if Janice had anything to do with it, she’d invent a reason if one didn’t come along soon enough, just to meet Josef.

He did grin at Josef’s surprise. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I?” It was a gentle tease. “You aren’t that bad, I promise. Not from what I’ve seen.” Perhaps once the visit was up, he might have a different opinion, but as far as he was concerned Josef really wasn’t that bad. “But if you get worse, I know exactly who to thank.” He nudged his hand again, more playfully than supportive this time, though that playfulness quickly gave way to a flustered look. “I’m sure they could find a reason,” he started, though he knew it was no good. Josef would find an argument, flaunt his stubborn side, and despite all of his legal terminology, Damien would be completely defeated.

The careful way Jakob looked him over made Damien slightly nervous, but he managed to keep himself steady and tried not to show it. He wanted to made a good impression so badly, and tripping all over himself now wouldn’t help matters. Josef seemed to think he was some sort of hero for handling Emma as he had, but this was different. He was trying, at least. Once Jakob actually took his hand, Damien’s shoulders relaxed slightly. His comment confused him, and he looked to Josef for help in clarification before looking back at Jakob. “I promise, just my father’s parents. My mother’s moved from Puerto Rico to Quebec, and my parents moved to Vancouver Island.” More people knew where that was than Saltspring Island.” Would that help? He had no idea what he had meant by problems, but it was making him nervous now.

He did manage a small smile at the invitation and inched closer. “Emma said something about a dozen horses to tend to. After that, I’m sure she’ll let me go.” Was that right? Maybe? God, he was out of practice with how to behave around the parents of his partner. As for the flight... Josef had provided a distraction, and a welcome one at that. It had kept Damien’s mind off the fact he wasn’t fond of flying. “The flight was all right. It’s been a while since I’ve flown,” he admitted. Really, he’d hoped he’d hidden his anxiety from Josef well enough that he hadn’t caught on. He had focused on keeping his boyfriend calm, which had in turn helped him. “More importantly, is there anything you need?” He knew Josef still had to fight with him over the medications, but if he could get Jakob anything aside from that, he would.

[Josef Muller]

Josef smiled at Damien and shook his head. “Well then. I’ll just have to let her know you’ll taken, and her services as a matchmaker will no longer be required. Look at the bright side, having me around means you no longer have to be at her mercy.” He kissed Damien’s forehead. He was not as worried, but then, he wasn’t as afraid of attention as Damien was. And he wasn’t worried by a woman who liked to match-make.

Mind, once he met Janice that might’ve been a different story.

Josef’s lips twitched up wryly at his other statement, and he shook his head. “I’m not sure I believe you, but I appreciate the sentiment, Damien.” He wasn’t used to anyone viewing his stubbornness as a beneficial trait. Most people he knew tended to think of it as one of his more exasperating traits. He smiled at Damien, and because he was incredibly grateful for being here and for helping, squeezed his hand gently and let the issue go.

Jakob, on the other hand, seemed unlikely to let any issue go, his eyes glinting in amusement at the flustered look on Damien’s face. Josef noticed this while he was looking at the medications, and his eyes narrowed as he studied his father. “Dad…”

Jakob laughed softly, and then it lapsed into a cough. “I am fine, I am fine.” He waved his son away as Josef approached, concern shifting the irritation and wariness away. “I promise, I’m fine.” He smiled at his son, then looked back at Damien. “The French and Germans don’t get along,” he told the man. “If you don’t know this, then maybe it’s not the same in Canada.” He shrugged his shoulders. “But you aren’t French, so it doesn’t matter, does it? Now all we have to worry about is the age difference.”

Josef sighed softly, but gave up on trying to dissuade Jakob into talking about that and sorted out the pills.

“Taking care of the horses is Emma’s code for cleaning the kitchen,” the older man said with a smile. “She thinks I don’t know, but I notice these things. Have Josef do that. He’s good at it. And that way he and his mother won’t get into one of their fights.” Josef didn’t try to deny this either, but he did sit down on the edge of the bed and held out the medications to his father, along with a bottle of water.

“This should be it, Dad,” he said. Jakob eyed him, then the pills.

“And what will these do?”

“Cure your vertigo. Take them from two weeks and you’ll be on your feet.”

“Fine.” Jakob sighed and took the pills, knocking them back. Then he put the bottle of water on the bedside table and regarded Damien. Apparently, that had been the fight.

“I don’t think I need anything from you,” he said. “But maybe tell me about you? Josef doesn’t often bring his partners here. I don’t get to talk to them before he’s made up his mind.”

[Damien Tremblay]

Damien had to laugh quietly at that and shook his head. “Good luck with that. I’m always at her mercy one way or another.” If it wasn’t relationship advice it was dumping work on him. Only one of them he was actually qualified to deal with. Still, the kiss made him smile and relax a little. “Remind her of that when you meet her, okay?” Maybe meeting Josef face to face would make her back off. Either that, or she’d just bug him that much more.

Really, he was teasing Josef. He hadn’t seen what he suspected was the worst of Josef’s stubborn streak, but he’d seen enough to know it had the potential to be problematic. Case and point, why they were here now. At least he knew where it came from. Hell, maybe Josef’s parents knew how to deal with it. Maybe he’d ask Emma later, if he was feeling brave enough.

Not being so close with Jakob, he didn’t know what Josef was warning him for. The coughing fit, however, somewhat alarmed him. At least Jakob said he was fine. Whether or not it was true, it was hard to tell, but he seemed to settle. Long enough to fill Damien in as to why he had mentioned the French part. He nodded in understanding, though frowned very slightly at the age comment. Why was this so funny? “It’s really not that bad...” This was probably not going to sway him, but he wanted to put it out there. Age was just a number, right?

At least he was blissfully distracted by further explanation. He couldn’t imagine growing up with some sort of code for housework. It was usually just pointed out that rooms needed cleaning or dishes needed doing. Still, it was kind of... cute. “If you think it’s all right to disobey Emma. I did say I’d help her.” Considering how Josef had explained his relationship with his mother, he wasn’t sure that would help or not. But if Jakob said it would, well, he’d believe him.

Why did he suddenly feel sixteen again?

Damien fell silent as father and son reviewed the medications, braced for an argument. Apparently, he was braced for nothing, though. Stubborn? Really? Maybe Josef was just that good.

And the spotlight was back on him. Caught off guard, Damien looked first to Josef, then back to Jakob. There was a moment of fidgeting with the cuff of his shirt before he tried answering. “What do you want to know? I’m not sure what he’s told you already.” Apparently about his job, and where he was from. Sort of. What else did he really want?

[Josef Muller]

“Yeah, but see, she hasn’t had to deal with me before.” Josef smiled at him. “I’m pretty good at charming people when I want to. Relax.” It was a trick he’d sort of picked up from William—the knack for getting people to like you even when they didn’t get why they should. The trick of putting them at ease. But he didn’t know how to rescue Damien really. After all, what could he really do when the other man was at work? Not much, but he was going to do his best anyways. He grinned at him and nodded.

Josef so far hadn’t had a reason to show his stubborn streak to Damien, but he knew the other man was teasing. It was definitely true that his stubbornness was bad, though. He hoped he was doing better, but most days he knew that just wasn’t the case. Well, perhaps he could still avoid Damien seeing the worst of it.

Jakob studied him, then turned his attention to Josef and addressed something to him in rapid German. Josef shook his head and said, “English, Dad,” and Jakob sighed and turned his attention back to Damien.

“My son was always the younger partner,” he said. “Or is this how you would say it? Older men preferred him. But I think this topic embarrasses my son.”

It did indeed, because Josef was flushed red. But he did his best to ignore them both as he settled on the end of the bed.

“She won’t expect you to listen to her anyways,” Jakob said. “She never does. Do you have a…how do you say—sense of humor?”

”Dad.”

“What? It’s an important question.”

Jakob rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to Damien. “My son has told me little. This is normal for him. Would you prefer for him to leave? Would this make me easier? Or, ah, should I leave instead?” This was said with a slightly sly smile.

[Damien Tremblay]

Damien managed a little smile at Josef at his persistence. “All right, I trust you. If you can charm your way into her good graces, you’ll be my hero.” Had they not been in Josef’s parents’ home, he might have added just what came with being a hero in his mind, but he decided against it. He could always tell him later, when they were alone. For now, he was in Best Behaviour Mode. Though Josef was making it tricky to adhere to, he was trying.

Jakob’s sudden burst of German was only slightly startling to Damien. Josef had already warned him that his father spoke German primarily, but he hadn’t really expected it. At least Josef directed him back to English.

... Okay, maybe he shouldn’t have done that.

Damien did his best not to flush pink this time as he shook his head, running his hand along the surface of the blanket on the bed for a moment. It looked as though Jakob was getting a kick out of embarrassing Josef, and he felt for his boyfriend. He’d have to figure out a way out of this topic, and fast. “It really didn’t matter to me that he’s older,” he tried again. It still wasn’t a big difference, or a big deal. Not to him, anyway.

At least he moved on, for now. While the topic wasn’t great, it had the spotlight off of Josef. He managed a little smile. “I like to hope I do.” It just showed up better when he was more relaxed. He’d proved that with Josef.

Jakob’s next question startled him more, and he looked between the two men before relaxing and shaking his head. “He doesn’t have to go if he doesn’t want to. Unless Emma wants her kitchen clean now.” If Josef was tired of being picked on by his father, maybe he’d take the bait. With that said, Damien looked back at Jakob and shrugged. “I’m not sure what you’d like to know. I went to the same school Josef did, and went to law school after I graduated. After working in Vancouver for a few years, my boss Janice offered me a job out here, so I took it.” He pointedly left out the part about trying to get away from bad feelings left from university and a bad breakup. “What about you? Josef said you were an architect?” Part of him asked out of interest. The other part? He just wanted the spotlight off of him, too.

[Josef Muller]

“Good.” Josef offered a smile. “I like being the hero.” It was a gentle tease and one that he dismissed. Had they been alone he might’ve been more flirty, but in public—any sort of public—he tended to be more withdrawn. Flirting in private, yes. In public, not so much. It made him uncomfortable.

Jakob laughed. “Of course it doesn’t. I think women talk about this—they say with age comes…” And then he said something in German that made Josef blush again, then looked right at his son as if requesting for him to translate it. Josef shook his head, and Jakob sighed and shook his own in a near perfect imitation of his son. Or perhaps it was the other way around. It didn’t matter, as Jakob turned to Damien and smiled at him. “More experience, I think is the phrase. My son finds me embarrassing. I am sure he will apologize to you later.”

”Dad.” It was half a sigh, half a groan. What was it about his father that turned Josef into an embarrassed teenager all over again? He was half-tempted to take the offer, but there was the balance between how much he enjoyed (or didn’t) his mother’s company and how much he trusted his father to not harm Damien while he was away.

”Josef! Get in here!” His mother’s voice floated through the walls. Well, that answered that question.

“I’ll be back later,” he said. “After I see what she wants.” He squeezed Damien’s shoulder gently, then slipped out of the room to see what she required. Jakob watched him go, then turned to Damien.

“You’re smiling,” he said. “Good. I was worried you were only nervous. You are different, yes. My son—well, it doesn’t matter.” He waved a hand. “You went to law school?” There was approval there, and a smile. “Very good. I like people who are well-educated. Josef, he—never had the drive. School wasn’t for him, I think. It happens.” He smiled at Damien, and then brightened. “Yes! And I still consult. I made wonderful buildings in the capital in my youth. All curved lines and numbers. It was one of my favorite parts of life. Do you like your job, Damien?”