Coming clean (Stefan)

[Stefan Spencer]

Stefan instantly regretted bringing up his sister. Although he felt it was important that her children never forget her, he knew this would probably never be the case for Brendan. Still it was important to remind him of her. And yet Stefan hated to see that sad smile on his nephew. “Of course she would be okay with it,” Stefan said, turning a bit on the bench so he could look Brendan in the eye. “She loved…loves you. All of you. And she’s more understanding that you give her credit for young man. After all, she dealt with me for years.” He smiled, but his eyes were serious.

“Oh you wouldn’t, would you?” he said, laughing also. “Well just how do you think you caught young Vin’s eye in the first place?” He had no idea how Brendan had met Vin or the circumstances surrounding it. But he also knew that things like this were hardly ever a one-way thing.

Stefan couldn’t help but smile at Brendan’s dramatic sigh. “You really that worried about me meeting this guy?” he said with a chuckle. “So you’re living with two students? I see I’ve taught you well.” He had meant it as a joke, but he had also picked up on something underneath what Brendan was saying. He took another drink, deciding to not pursue that for the moment. Maybe that revelation should wait for another day.

“Dinner sounds great,” he said. And it was obvious that he meant it. “Shall I dress casual?” He wiggled his eyebrows at his nephew. For Stefan there were too types of outfits. Formal and casual. Formal was a suit, which he wore almost everyday no matter the occasion. Casual was…usually left for the bedroom.

[Brendan James]

He could still feel his heartache with his mother’s absence. It still hurt. And if Brendan were to be honest, not that he ever would be, there were times when the fact that she was gone still brought tears to his eyes. Never in front of people mind you. As the oldest James child, he knew he had to be strong, strong for his little sisters. And even for his dad. “I know she does. And I do, I give her so much credit. Especially dealing with both of us.” Bren said with a little smile at his uncle. Stefan wasn’t the only one who knew how to get into trouble after all. “But… With losing my job. For starting something with a student.” Shaking his head, he paused for a moment. Too many damn emotions. “What parent is actually ok with that? That their child is so lacking in morals that something like this happened?”

Grateful for a more chipper subject, Brendan laughed. “Ok… Well… I suppose I have certain things going for me, yes.” Now he was just being ridiculously modest. But it was obvious by his smirk that he knew just how modest he was being. “I was the best looking teacher at Hammel for the short time I was there.” Granted, Bren had been the first to award him with this title. Others had concurred later on though.

“It’s boyfriend meeting family.” Not to mention Brendan’s… other. “Always a little nerve wracking.” Even though Bren knew his uncle would be able to tell he was lying, he stuck with it. If nothing else, he would never admit to Stefan that the fear of Vincent, and Fifi too, liking his uncle more than they liked Brendan plagued his thoughts. But again, his uncle managed to get a laugh. Though, Swag had no idea just how right he was. Then again, perhaps he could know. Bren wasn’t all too caught up on what exactly Stefan’s powers could tell him. “You did in fact teach me well. Thank you.” He said with a smile and nod.

Brendan tried to not have a panic attack at Stefan’s joke. It was a joke after all…. Right? This is HIS uncle after all. The man who taught Bren pretty much all his ways. And would anybody be surprised if ex-Hammel teacher went somewhere dressed ‘casually’. Mix in the thought of Vincent being around his ‘casually’ dressed uncle. Bren nearly barked “Formal.” Shaking his head and chuckling, the man tried to pass it off as something of a joke. “Formal will be good.”

[Stefan Spencer]

Stefan paused, taking a long drink before he answered his nephew’s question. The problem wasn’t the answer, exactly. He just wanted to be sure to word it right. It was true that his sister might not have…approved of the circumstances leading to Brendan’s lifestyle changes. But if there was one thing he was sure of, it was that she always cared for her family not matter what. “I think you’ll find her to be a bit understanding than most. And beside, you’re her son.” He left it at that. He wasn’t nearly drunk enough to launch into a gushing description of his sister’s love for her son.

Stefan laughed at Brendan’s list of his self-accomplishments. “Well I suppose you’ve upgraded to the best looking man working at the theater.” He grinned. Modesty (or lack there of) seemed to be another quality Brendan had learned from his uncle.

”Well not the entire family,” he said. “Don’t worry, I’ll be on my best behavior.” He grinned and gave his nephew a wink. Brendan’s apprehension did not go unnoticed by Stefan, although he thought it was just because he was worried his uncle wouldn’t approve of his new boyfriend. Not being a mind-reader he had no idea that it was a different sort of fear all together.

Stefan chucked as Brendan’s anxiety increased. “Formal it will be then,” he said. “I’m not going to embarrass you. At least not as soon as I walk in the door.”

[Brendan James]

Brendan wasn’t exactly sure how their conversation had gone from discussing his new life to the contemplating his deceased mother’s reaction might have been to the change. But he was right there with Stefan, he was not nearly drunk enough for it. Mimicking his Uncle, he took a large gulp from his own flask, wiped his mouth with his thumb, simply said, “Thank you.” and that was that.

While his Uncle’s compliment was appreciated, Brendan shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know… Theater owner is pretty damn hot.” But he couldn’t help but laugh. He could only imagine Eugene’s face if he had heard his employee describing him in such a way. Surely he’d blush. But he’d also become flustered. Just as he had when Bren stroked his arm suggestively. It’d been wonderful.

“True. Not the whole family.” That Brendan could be thankful for at least. And he’d probably put off that meeting until the day he died. Because The Captain and Vincent in one room together… No, he couldn’t think about that right now. He might actually throw up if he thought about it too much. “I know you will be.” But you and Vincent both drink a lot. And our both promiscuous... And in Brendan’s mind, those two things meant only one thing.

“Truth be told, it’s not just you worried about.” He said with a little chuckle, though it was entirely true. “Vincent… He uh… He’s not really known for behaving too well. You’d have an easier time getting fifty puppies to all behave honestly.” At least Vin was potty trained. Kinda.

[Stefan Spencer]

Stefan joined in with his nephew’s laugh, even if he didn’t know the exact reasons for it. He had always felt Brendan’s emotions to be contagious for him. “Surely he’s not hot enough to be in the running with you?” he asked in mock amazement. Stefan had never felt there was anything wrong for having pride in one’s looks. Something he seems to have passed on to Brendan.

Watching his nephew’s unease at the prospect of him coming over was making Stefan more than a little curious. Surely Brendan knew that his uncle could hold his liquor and behave himself for the most part when the situation called for it. It wasn’t like he was going to run around the house with his pants on his head. At least he didn’t think he would.

“Well he is young,” Stefan said. Although without having met Vincent there wasn’t much he could comment on other than the boy’s age. “And I didn’t think you were ever one to follow all the rules and keep in line either.” He wondered if perhaps that was one of the reasons for Brendan’s attraction in the first place.

[Brendan James]

Brendan was most certainly not shy when it came to his own good looks. Actually, he wasn’t shy in any way. However, he was also adamant about telling others just how good looking they are. “Honestly… He’s hot enough to be in the running with you.” And he couldn’t help but laugh. Even if it were the partial reasoning for his worry of them meeting. How could two so attractive people deny each other?

He quickly forgot that though when he laughed again. “You’re right. Rules and staying in line are for people who don’t look nearly as good as we do.” If his mother were alive, she would either find it amusing or disturbing just how alike her son and brother were. Probably some mixture of the two.

Pulling out his pocket watch, Brendan glanced at the time. “I should probably get running. I’m supposed to have a meeting with my boss about the next play we’re doing at the theater.” He put the watch back into his pocket, leaned across the bench, hugged Stefan tight for a moment, then released him and stood up. “I’ll call you later, give you the address to our place. I don’t want you trying to get an early peek at Vincent and Fifi.” With a laugh and wink, Bren turned and left. “Bye Uncle Stefan. Love ya’.”

[Stefan Spencer]

Whether it was simply in their blood or Stefan has just passed his traits along to his nephew over the years, it was clear that on the issue of shyness neither of the men seemed to have a problem with complimenting themselves.

“In the running with me?” Stefan said, feinting shock. “I didn’t know I had such competition in this town.” He held onto his concerned expression for a moment long before laughing. Stefan knew he was a good-looking man, but that didn’t mean he had to be entirely vain as well.

He was laughing so hard at Brendan’s next comment that he couldn’t get the words out to make a response. He also wondered what his sister would think of the obvious influence he had over her son. Although he was leaning towards her finding it more disturbing than amusing.

Returning his nephew hug, Stefan rose slowly to his feet. “I’ll be looking forward to it,” he said. “Love you too Bren.”


(((wrap)))