Chapter Text
It’s so quiet, dead quiet, that Lassiter doesn’t want to move. It’s like the lull in a shootout, when all involved are crouched behind barriers, guns at the ready, waiting for the next move that launches them into action. He doesn’t want to disturb this uneasy silence, though he has no clue just how this situation could get worse.
Henry isn’t speaking.
Shawn flexes his fingers, stretching them out as if releasing all the tension stored in his body, before he speaks.
“He’s....my boyfriend” he repeats. “Lassiter’s my boyfriend. We’ve been dating for four months.”
Shawn reaches his hand across the table, catching Lassiter off guard. Shawn squeezes his hand before turning back to Henry, eyes firey. He’s determined, Lassiter knows that much. He’s not backing down from this.
Henry puts down his cutlery, staring at nothing for a moment before letting out a deep sigh. “You lied, Shawn. The fish, I overcooked it.”
Carlton raises an eyebrow, watching as Henry gets up and begins to rummage through the fridge. Shawn drops Lassiter’s hand, standing up quickly.
“Dad? A-are you really just gonna act like the fish is what’s important here?”
Henry peeks out, a butter dish balanced between his hands. “It’s dry, Shawn. And frankly, at least I can fix the damn fish.”
Shawn twitches, a horrible wince that both Carlton and Henry catch. Henry breathes deeply, rushing to place the dish down before he fixes his error.
“Not to-- I didn’t mean-- look....”
Shawn’s watching, expectant. Lassiter rises, moving to stand beside Shawn. He rests one hand on the small of his back. It’s okay. I’m here.
“What about Juliet?”
Shawn laughs, though it teeters between normality and uneasiness. “Dad, really? Yeah, I used to like her.”
“And?”
“And....she wasn’t interested?”
“So you’re into girls.”
“I’m bisexual, Dad. I-I like guys and girls, and maybe I’d chat up a nonbinary if they were cute, and had good taste in movies.”
Henry rubs at his temple. “Woah, kiddo, slow down there.”
“No, I-I’m bisexual. I’m bi. I’m dating Lassie, and either you accept that o-or you....” Shawn trails off, unsure of himself.
Henry swallows, every bit as uncomfortable as Lassiter would imagine. “D-did you tell your mother this?”
“I....no. Not yet.”
Henry chuckles. “Huh. That’s a first. I mean, ever the profiler, she had her theories, but I thought you’d tell her before me at the very least.”
Lassiter cocks his head, finally breaking his silence. “Wait, really?”
“Oh, yeah, Shawn was a very ‘sensitive’ kid growing up. Very flowy, and the amount he clung onto Gus....well, Madeline thought it was a little crush.”
Shawn cuts in with a scoff. “Ah, Dad, gross! Gus and I are practically brothers. Though, I guess it’d be a ‘brother from a different mother’ type of situation....”
Henry crosses his arms, a small smirk spreading across his face. He turns slightly, facing Carlton. “Well, I guess Madeline was right when she told me you were a fairy.”
Lassiter sighs deeply. “Henry, call me a fairy again....” His eyes snap open, just realizing what Shawn’s dad has said. “Wait, she knew?”
“Oh, yeah. Carlton, as macho as you try to be, it’s pretty clear.”
Before he has the chance to fire back, he’s startled by Shawn’s loud laughter. He’s bent over, clutching at his knees, and Lassiter can feel his face soften. He so rarely sees Shawn laugh so raucously around him.
Shawn brushes a few tears from his eyes, and for a moment Lassiter wonders if they’re from the laughter or not. Shawn clears his throat, eyes flickering between the floor and his father. Lassiter gently brings an arm around him.
“So....we’re good. We’re good?”
Henry nods, quiet. “Yeah, Shawn. I just wish you’d come around more for dinner.”