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FIC: Growing up Gus (QaF, Brian/Justin, Gus - Gus universe)
Title: Growing Up Gus (Prequel to By Any Other Name)
Requestor:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
fraserette
Prompt: Brian/Justin, Gus and stuff.
Time Frame: All post show
Words: 1440
Beta: Just me. So all mistakes mine.
Summary: Smallest fragments that make up Gus.
Rating: PG-13 (some cursing)
Disclaimer: I own none of this - they belong to Showtime, Cowlip and others. I make no money. Thank you.
Growing up Gus
The first time he knew he was different was the school play where he was, god help him, a tree. Even at the young age of six, he was pretty sure being a tree was a part that sucked. But when he told his mothers, they’d cheered and kissed his cheeks and danced around him with glee.
Even at six, he rolled his eyes.
When he told his father, there was the smallest smile and a sincere “Good job, Sonnyboy.”
That had made him feel proud.
Weeks later, he’d received the coolest framed sketch of him as tree. It was a little scary but that was the reason he loved it so much.
Justin was the best sort-of-kinda-Dad.
And now standing onstage, waiting for his two lines, he could see the whole row his family took. Standing straight, he said the words loudly. The hoots coming from his aisle made him blush but he felt warm and loved.
And even at six, he knew that was important.
###
Baking cookies with his Daddy Justin was always a problem. Mostly because they got more flour and dough on each other and the floor then they ever managed to get on the actual cookie sheet. Which drove his Dad to muttering about having to cover his very expensive kitchen in plastic.
Daddy Justin would only grin at his Dad, tell him to stop being such a fucking queen and turn his attention back to Gus. This was their time and they both loved it. Gus spent most weekends with his Dad and Daddy Justin at the house. They were his favorites times. Especially since Daddy Justin had stayed this time for a long while.
He’d never really asked his Dad about that. He just knew that sometimes Daddy Justin wasn’t there. Those times, where it was just him and his Dad, those were great moments, but he could always tell his Dad was a little sad.
He glanced up at his Daddy Justin, dropping another glop of dough on the tiled floor of the kitchen, and smiled. “Daddy Justin?”
A pair of blue eyes he’d heard his Dad call heartbreaking once, something that at eight he didn’t really understand, turned to him. “Yeah?”
“I’m happy that you’re here. I hate it when you go away.”
He waited for a long minute as his Daddy Justin stared at him, and then he smiled and kissed Gus’ head.
“Me, too.”
###
He was really nervous.
That was the only thought inside his nine-year old head as he gripped his Dad’s hand, looking with wide eyes at the white walls that surrounded them. He’d never really been inside a hospital. He’d seen one on television and Auntie Em told him that he’d been in one when he was a baby, but he couldn’t remember that really.
His Dad’s hand squeezed gently and Gus brought those same huge eyes up, saw his Dad’s face soften and heard the quiet “It’s okay, Sonnyboy.” right before they walked through one of the doors that lined the hallway.
The first person Gus saw was his Grandma Debbie, her smile bright and loud and he felt a little relief. That was always a good sign. Grandma Debbie happy made him feel like everything was the way it should be.
His Daddy Justin waved him over and Gus was frozen in place when his eyes fell on the bundle of squirming pink in his Daddy’s arms.
His Dad bent down, face to face with Gus and just looked at him, asking without words.
Gus spoke so only his Dad could hear.
“What if she doesn’t like me?”
J.R. sometimes didn’t like him. Of course, he didn’t like her back sometimes either. But he always loved her even then so…
His Dad just smiled. “Only one way to find out.”
Gus took a deep breath and let go of his Dad’s hand, walking to the bed and when Daddy Justin told him to sit on it, he did. He glanced at the woman in the bed, his Daddy Justin’s friend and she smiled encouragingly at him. His eyes flicked between her and the nice lady holding her hand. But then he felt something in his arms and when he glanced down, there was blue eyes staring back at him. He could feel Daddy Justin’s arms supporting his but all he could do was stare at the little baby.
They looked at each other for a long time when suddenly a little hand touched his face and Gus smiled, his heart squeezing in some way he’d never really known.
He grinned and said, “Hi, Alex. I’m your big brother, Gus. It’s nice to meet you.”
###
He leaned in, squeezing his eyes shut, and kissed Lisa on the lips like he’d seen his parents do. She did the same and they stayed that way for a good long while. Gus didn’t know what to do now. He never really stayed around to watch when his parents started kissing. I mean, they were his parents. And his Dads, especially, did it a lot.
They were outside, next to the swing set and he’d only kissed Lisa because she dared him to.
He sighed a little, bored just a bit now, and wondering what it was that his parents liked about this that they were always doing it.
There was clearing of a throat and Gus pulled away fast, getting to his feet. He turned, cheeks flaming when he caught his Dad’s very amused look.
“Gus.”
“Dad.” He glanced at Lisa, who was busy getting her things together, face beet red. In all his eleven years on this earth, he’d never been this mortified. So he went on the offense. “You’re late.”
“It looks like you kept yourself entertained.”
Lisa rushed past him. “Bye Gus.”
He watched her go, a little relieved that he didn’t have to lie to her and tell her that he liked what they did. Grabbing his bag, he started to walk to the car across the street. His Dad fell into step beside him.
“So…”
“Oh, god. Dad, no.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“No, but you’re about to make a big deal about it. It wasn’t anything. She dared me. I kissed her. That’s it.”
His Dad nodded. “Okay.”
“I didn’t even like it.”
His Dad coughed a little, hiding what Gus knew was a grin in his hand but he ignored it and climbed into the car.
He couldn’t imagine ever liking that. Ever.
He was never kissing a girl again.
###
Gus straightened out his shirt, tugging the collar in place and looked into the mirror. His hair had gotten really shaggy and he thought maybe it was time for a haircut. He hadn’t had one since before…
He gripped the edge of the sink refusing to finish that thought.
It would send him back to bed and he was determined that today he would go downstairs. Today, he would go outside. Today, he wouldn’t let the grief take over.
Taking a deep breath, he walked down the stairs pausing only three or four times on the way. That was better. It usually took him twice that many times to reach halfway and then he’d just turn back.
When he reached the hall, he smiled a little.
He could hear the bustle in the kitchen and forced his feet in that direction. When he filled up the doorway, three pairs of startled eyes looked at him. And then two grins and a smile were thrown his way.
“Good morning, Gus!” Alex waved, her chubby hand clutching the spoon that she’d been using for her cereal.
“Morning, Al.”
He looked at his Dad and gave him a small smile. “Hi, Dad.”
“Hey, Sonnyboy.” He shoved a bowl in Gus’ direction. “Have some of Justin’s oatmeal?” His Dad’s eyes pleaded with him a little and Gus’ smile widened some. He shook his head, though. He wasn’t ready for that yet. His stomach turned at the idea of real food. “Just toast is okay.”
“I’ll get it for you. Sit down.” DJ pointed to a seat and then winked at him. “Morning, kiddo.”
His eyes held onto DJ’s gaze, nodding from across the room and he felt calmed. DJ was the reason he was down here. He’d helped him want to come back. Gus glanced at the two other people sitting at the table and he felt his heart give a little stutter. He’d missed them more than he realized.
“Thank you, DJ.”
He let the words lay heavy between them. Knowing that he was understood.
DJ always did.
End
###
One down. A million to go. *lol*
###
Requestor:
fraserettePrompt: Brian/Justin, Gus and stuff.
Time Frame: All post show
Words: 1440
Beta: Just me. So all mistakes mine.
Summary: Smallest fragments that make up Gus.
Rating: PG-13 (some cursing)
Disclaimer: I own none of this - they belong to Showtime, Cowlip and others. I make no money. Thank you.
Growing up Gus
The first time he knew he was different was the school play where he was, god help him, a tree. Even at the young age of six, he was pretty sure being a tree was a part that sucked. But when he told his mothers, they’d cheered and kissed his cheeks and danced around him with glee.
Even at six, he rolled his eyes.
When he told his father, there was the smallest smile and a sincere “Good job, Sonnyboy.”
That had made him feel proud.
Weeks later, he’d received the coolest framed sketch of him as tree. It was a little scary but that was the reason he loved it so much.
Justin was the best sort-of-kinda-Dad.
And now standing onstage, waiting for his two lines, he could see the whole row his family took. Standing straight, he said the words loudly. The hoots coming from his aisle made him blush but he felt warm and loved.
And even at six, he knew that was important.
###
Baking cookies with his Daddy Justin was always a problem. Mostly because they got more flour and dough on each other and the floor then they ever managed to get on the actual cookie sheet. Which drove his Dad to muttering about having to cover his very expensive kitchen in plastic.
Daddy Justin would only grin at his Dad, tell him to stop being such a fucking queen and turn his attention back to Gus. This was their time and they both loved it. Gus spent most weekends with his Dad and Daddy Justin at the house. They were his favorites times. Especially since Daddy Justin had stayed this time for a long while.
He’d never really asked his Dad about that. He just knew that sometimes Daddy Justin wasn’t there. Those times, where it was just him and his Dad, those were great moments, but he could always tell his Dad was a little sad.
He glanced up at his Daddy Justin, dropping another glop of dough on the tiled floor of the kitchen, and smiled. “Daddy Justin?”
A pair of blue eyes he’d heard his Dad call heartbreaking once, something that at eight he didn’t really understand, turned to him. “Yeah?”
“I’m happy that you’re here. I hate it when you go away.”
He waited for a long minute as his Daddy Justin stared at him, and then he smiled and kissed Gus’ head.
“Me, too.”
###
He was really nervous.
That was the only thought inside his nine-year old head as he gripped his Dad’s hand, looking with wide eyes at the white walls that surrounded them. He’d never really been inside a hospital. He’d seen one on television and Auntie Em told him that he’d been in one when he was a baby, but he couldn’t remember that really.
His Dad’s hand squeezed gently and Gus brought those same huge eyes up, saw his Dad’s face soften and heard the quiet “It’s okay, Sonnyboy.” right before they walked through one of the doors that lined the hallway.
The first person Gus saw was his Grandma Debbie, her smile bright and loud and he felt a little relief. That was always a good sign. Grandma Debbie happy made him feel like everything was the way it should be.
His Daddy Justin waved him over and Gus was frozen in place when his eyes fell on the bundle of squirming pink in his Daddy’s arms.
His Dad bent down, face to face with Gus and just looked at him, asking without words.
Gus spoke so only his Dad could hear.
“What if she doesn’t like me?”
J.R. sometimes didn’t like him. Of course, he didn’t like her back sometimes either. But he always loved her even then so…
His Dad just smiled. “Only one way to find out.”
Gus took a deep breath and let go of his Dad’s hand, walking to the bed and when Daddy Justin told him to sit on it, he did. He glanced at the woman in the bed, his Daddy Justin’s friend and she smiled encouragingly at him. His eyes flicked between her and the nice lady holding her hand. But then he felt something in his arms and when he glanced down, there was blue eyes staring back at him. He could feel Daddy Justin’s arms supporting his but all he could do was stare at the little baby.
They looked at each other for a long time when suddenly a little hand touched his face and Gus smiled, his heart squeezing in some way he’d never really known.
He grinned and said, “Hi, Alex. I’m your big brother, Gus. It’s nice to meet you.”
###
He leaned in, squeezing his eyes shut, and kissed Lisa on the lips like he’d seen his parents do. She did the same and they stayed that way for a good long while. Gus didn’t know what to do now. He never really stayed around to watch when his parents started kissing. I mean, they were his parents. And his Dads, especially, did it a lot.
They were outside, next to the swing set and he’d only kissed Lisa because she dared him to.
He sighed a little, bored just a bit now, and wondering what it was that his parents liked about this that they were always doing it.
There was clearing of a throat and Gus pulled away fast, getting to his feet. He turned, cheeks flaming when he caught his Dad’s very amused look.
“Gus.”
“Dad.” He glanced at Lisa, who was busy getting her things together, face beet red. In all his eleven years on this earth, he’d never been this mortified. So he went on the offense. “You’re late.”
“It looks like you kept yourself entertained.”
Lisa rushed past him. “Bye Gus.”
He watched her go, a little relieved that he didn’t have to lie to her and tell her that he liked what they did. Grabbing his bag, he started to walk to the car across the street. His Dad fell into step beside him.
“So…”
“Oh, god. Dad, no.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“No, but you’re about to make a big deal about it. It wasn’t anything. She dared me. I kissed her. That’s it.”
His Dad nodded. “Okay.”
“I didn’t even like it.”
His Dad coughed a little, hiding what Gus knew was a grin in his hand but he ignored it and climbed into the car.
He couldn’t imagine ever liking that. Ever.
He was never kissing a girl again.
###
Gus straightened out his shirt, tugging the collar in place and looked into the mirror. His hair had gotten really shaggy and he thought maybe it was time for a haircut. He hadn’t had one since before…
He gripped the edge of the sink refusing to finish that thought.
It would send him back to bed and he was determined that today he would go downstairs. Today, he would go outside. Today, he wouldn’t let the grief take over.
Taking a deep breath, he walked down the stairs pausing only three or four times on the way. That was better. It usually took him twice that many times to reach halfway and then he’d just turn back.
When he reached the hall, he smiled a little.
He could hear the bustle in the kitchen and forced his feet in that direction. When he filled up the doorway, three pairs of startled eyes looked at him. And then two grins and a smile were thrown his way.
“Good morning, Gus!” Alex waved, her chubby hand clutching the spoon that she’d been using for her cereal.
“Morning, Al.”
He looked at his Dad and gave him a small smile. “Hi, Dad.”
“Hey, Sonnyboy.” He shoved a bowl in Gus’ direction. “Have some of Justin’s oatmeal?” His Dad’s eyes pleaded with him a little and Gus’ smile widened some. He shook his head, though. He wasn’t ready for that yet. His stomach turned at the idea of real food. “Just toast is okay.”
“I’ll get it for you. Sit down.” DJ pointed to a seat and then winked at him. “Morning, kiddo.”
His eyes held onto DJ’s gaze, nodding from across the room and he felt calmed. DJ was the reason he was down here. He’d helped him want to come back. Gus glanced at the two other people sitting at the table and he felt his heart give a little stutter. He’d missed them more than he realized.
“Thank you, DJ.”
He let the words lay heavy between them. Knowing that he was understood.
DJ always did.
End
###
One down. A million to go. *lol*
###
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