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C/Z Holidaze! aliensouldream brings us together for ANOTHER fic-fun event, w00t! Thanks so much, for doing these all the time, baby!
Title: In So Many Words
Pairing: C/Z
Rating: R
Warning(s): mean people, strong language, minor taboos
Disclaimer: Don't own!
Synopsis: I chose the prompt 'Unwelcome Guests'; Zeke could care less whose feathers get ruffled.
The whole living room full of people stopped their idle chatting and drink-sipping to turn their heads to the far corner of the room. They all gaped in mute horror with dropped jaws and saucer-sized eyes. Casey didn't know what to do-gape with them or flee in terror-as Grandpa Dan raised an eyebrow. “What was that, Son?”
Zeke stared back, took an easygoing sip from his cup full of hot cider, smacked his lips and replied, “I'd said... 'You're a real asshole, aren't you?'” Cocking his head to the side and quirking a corner of his lips, he added, “And I'm not your son.”
“Mmm. I DID hear you right.”
“Um... Dad-” Casey's father tried interjecting, but without looking at his son, Dan raised a hand to shush him. It worked... always did.
“No, Franklin. I'd like to hear this young man out. Tell me, Ezekiel...” Dan leaned over his thighs, his elbows coming to rest by his knees. “How, exactly, am I an 'asshole'?”
“No one here's told you about that, huh?” Zeke said. Casey squirmed as he caught the almost-invisible glance Zeke made to him before turning his angry face back to his target. “I'm surprised, though maybe they're used to abusive fuck-faces. Like you.”
Dan made an ugly smirk. “Telling the truth isn't abusive, Son. If that truth hurts, well... that's not my fault.”
“I've watched your grandson shrink down five sizes since you walked your ass into the house. See... I don't like that.”
“Zeke.” Mr. Connor's voice was cold with warning, while his face looked hot. He shook his head at the young man, but Zeke only smirked.
“Zeke what? You put up with this bullshit? Or do you agree?” Zeke asked.
“Now is not the time,” Mr. Connor replied. He nodded to Casey's two young cousins, Evan and Justin, who'd been glued to the TV playing on Casey's Nintendo. Zeke's commentary had stolen their attention of course, along with everyone else's.
“Actually, now is the perfect time. You're all here and someone's finally said it-and I met this fuckstick, what, two hours ago? LESS than?”
“Zeke, stop it. Now,” Mrs. Connor chimed in. She wasn't as firm, more pleading than angry, and Casey knew why.
“The only way I'll let it go is if Grandpa here turns to his grandson and tells him, 'I'm sorry, Casey, for calling you a 'little fairy' about twenty times all afternoon, giving you dirty looks and acting like you're worthless,' with as much sincerity as he can muster up,” Zeke said. “That kid took his coat and told him 'Merry Christmas, Grandpa,' with this huge hopeful smile the second he got here, and I'd be willing to bet the car that this isn't the first get-together that Gramps here's made him cry.”
Casey was a huge mix of emotions; he wanted to cry for a million different reasons, punch and kiss Zeke at the same time... the possibilities were endless. Each one stemmed from the fact that every time he was around Dan Connor, he was reminded that he wasn't as loved or respected as everyone else in the family. Evan was a rising star as a JV-footballer, Justin was only ten but showing promise in getting A-pluses in gym and having a fetish for the Chicago Cubs and Marie, the cousin who couldn't make it was still in Connecticut, still riding the high of her basketball team's win for UConn, cementing their place in the national finals. All Casey did was make head photographer and the top five of his class. That wasn't important around here.
But Zeke seemed intent on making Casey important. Maybe that was why he wasn't being lifted up by his ear and thrown out of the house by his father, who'd done a much better job over the last year in accepting his gay, non-athletic son. It'd taken a lot of time, but the struggle was still too much at times. There were reasons for that; one of those reasons was now glaring instead of smirking snidely.
“This is MY family, Ezekiel. If you don't like that, you don't have to. You can head on home anytime.” Dan sat back, now staring at Zeke over the rim of his scotch-glass.
Zeke fell silent for what felt like forever before raising his eyebrows, shrugging and standing. All eyes were on him as he went through the living room archway to the chair in the hallway where his coat, hat and gloves sat. He whistled lightly as he readied himself for the god-awful chill outside, taking his sweet time. When he was finished, he turned, smiled then looked right at Casey. “Ready?”
Casey stiffened all over. Ready... for what? When Zeke nodded quick to the coat-rack, the boy realized what he meant. 'Leave the family-on Christmas...' his thoughts went into panic-mode. Dinner had been eaten, but the present-opening hadn't happened yet, besides the ones from aunts, uncles and cousins. When Casey recalled the number of gifts Dan had brought in, none of them bearing his name, he almost, almost started sobbing again-this time in the open, instead of making it quick in the bathroom to hide it from everyone. Instead of bawling, however, he stood in a shot, went to the hall and threw his boots and coat on.
“C-Casey...” Mrs. Connor made a feeble, sad plea as he followed Zeke out the door, bootlaces untied. This needed to go as quick as possible before he decided to go against the idea of showing his family exactly how he felt about the way he was treated. Perhaps it was unfair when it was only Dan who did it, but it'd been allowed by everyone, for far too long.
Before Casey knew it, he was sitting in the GTO's passenger seat and Zeke was starting the car. The tension started easing until he felt Zeke grab his chin roughly and turn his head, forcing their eyes to meet. Zeke looked angry; the fire in his eyes stilled Casey entirely.
“Listen to me. Listen to me good. I never... ever... want to see you take that shit ever again,” Zeke said in a low, growling voice. “That was a whole new level of fucked-up bullshit back there, and you KNOW you're better than all of it.”
“I...” Casey stopped to swallow and try his best to keep his own gaze firm on Zeke's face. “Yea, I... I know.”
Zeke sniffed and let go of Casey's chin. A small pause followed before he put the car into drive and said, “Next Christmas is at my place. If that asshole wants an invite, I'll wanna see a twelve-step-fucking-program certificate.”
Even with the crazy amount of sadness and tension, Casey had to smile. “I love you,” he said.
“Me too.”
“Yea. You proved that.” Casey moved his hand to Zeke's arm and rubbed it lightly. The young man finally allowed himself a tiny-but-there grin, reached with his other hand to Casey's and gave it a squeeze.
“Just want you happy, baby,” he said, and Casey believed him.