Meet the parents

“I still can’t believe you’ve brought me out here for your visit.” Player said, fidgeting nervously in his seat. They were in a transport boat, on the way to staxel island to visit Reck’s parents. Jr was asleep in his booster seat, for once. Player picked at his piercings until Reck tapped his hand away. “We haven’t even met in video call yet… Do they even know I’m coming? Do they even know who I am?”

Reck sighed, and wove his and Player’s hands together to calm him. Player moved from his piercings to the zippers of his punk leather jacket.

‘It’ll be fine, Tadashi. They’re fine people’ Reck signed. So the answer Player was getting from this was ‘no’. This didn’t make Player feel any better.

Player was used to elders being a little closed-minded. It was a comforting step for him to know that Reck’s dads were gay, but their personalities didn’t sway him. He was still feeling sick to his stomach. He still couldn’t sit still.

“Hey,” Reck said, rubbing the hand he was holding with a thumb. “It’ll be okay.”

Player sighed, nodding. He leaned onto his partner tentatively and waited for the boat to arrive.

---

Reck messed with Player’s jacket collar. They were getting ready for their dinner, and Reck had warned his family of two new guests that were going to arrive.

“Oh god, Reck, I’m so nervous.” He said, messing with the brim of his witch hat. Reck sighed, and held Player’s face in his hands.

“They’ll love you.” He said. Player took a deep, deep breath, and nodded.

“Okay. Okay, sweetheart. If you say so.”

They helped Junior into his shoes, and went on their way.

---

Next thing Player knew, he was in a cozy house, eating dinner with the love of his life and that man’s family. Reck was digging into his food excitedly, but his parents hadn’t eaten a single bite. Player watched his fiance nervously.

“The… The food is good.” Player started. “You both are very talented.” Tal smiled softly and nodded, then looked to Doug. Doug harumphed.

“Whose this city boy you brought on into my house, Reck?” Doug grumbled. Reck frowned.

“Dougie!” Tal scolded, tapping Doug’s hand lightly. He turned to Player and smiled. “We’re happy to have you here, Tadashi.” Doug was clearly disagreeing, but he knew better than to voice it again. Player smiled nervously.

“I’m glad to be here.” He said.

“Maybe you should tell us about yourself.” Tal said. Player nodded.

Doug softened his upset demeanor when he started talking his head off, and the two got into a tangent about stealing a horse. Ruckus smiled, watching the two of them bond.

By the end of their conversation, Doug was just a little happier about this relationship. Doug even offered to show him around their farm. Tal and Reck stayed in the kitchen, washing dishes. Tal watched his boy dry a plate.

“Do you love him?” Tal asked, keeping a watchful eye on his son’s face. Reck nodded. Tal watched him, humming softly. He waited for Reck to talk to him. It took a while for Reck to respond.

“...I’m gonna marry him.” He said. Tal’s brows rose.

“Really?” He said. Reck nodded.

“He’s the only man for me.” Reck said, setting the plate down and picking up another. Tal smiled, and turned the sink off.

“You love him that much, huh?” Tal said. Reck nodded.

“I’ll propose to him soon.” He said. “I have a ring already.”

Tal smiled, and held his own hands together.

“Oh, my sweet boy.” Tal said, and went to hug his son. “I’m so happy for you. Tadashi sounds like a fine man. And if you love him that much, then I will too.” Reck blinked, and smiled softly. He hugged his dad back.

“Thanks, Baba.”

---

That night, Player, Reck, and JR came back to their hotel with excitement.