Alright, I was just going to have this as a one shot but people seem to like it, and I just love a bunch of Ranebows :)
Again, none of the characters are mine from Dalton, they all belong to CP Coulter who is amazing and lovely and talented.
It had been exactly six months since Reed and Shane had officially become boyfriends, and so far things had been smooth sailing, but this was their first test as a couple; Reed was going to come out to his mother and father. Being in a relationship with Shane has taught Reed many things, and one was that he really was gay. It wasn't the most important thing, but it was still true. Right now he and Shane were lying on the couch, talking.
"So you're sure about this Reed?" Shane said to his boyfriend, playing with one of the boy's bouncing strawberry curls.
Reed gulped and squeaked out,"Yes, I'm positive Shane; I don't want to hide the boy that I love from my parents anymore." Even after six months of Shane being with Reed, it still sent shivers down his spine whenever Reed said this. He kissed his nose and gave him a warm smile. Just then, a crowd of Windsors came through the front door.
"Ugh guys, again?" Chaz said, exasperated. "I've seen just about enough couple-y sweetness to last a lifetime from the two of you. Honestly, you're worse than Kurt and Blaine were." Reed shot up from where he laid, cheeks flaming. He almost fell off the couch but Shane caught him just in time, grabbing him from around the waist and pecking his cheek just to annoy Chaz further and okay, to see a little bit more of Reed's adorable blushing. He wasn't disappointed.
"Bat and Dormouse sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" the twins started chanting in unison.
"Okay, that's enough embarrassment for today, we can bother them some more later," Kurt said, smirking and holding Blaine's hand. "Let's clear out before Reed bursts into flames."
"Actually, I kinda have to talk to you Kurt." Reed said tentatively. He turned to Shane and said," We'll talk about this a little later, but right now I could really use some advice from Kurt."
"Alright, just meet me when you come back down," Shane smiled goofily. Reed stood up and gave Kurt a nod to follow them to their room, and the diva complied, following Reed. When they got there Reed closed to the door and turned to his best friend, letting out a slow breath.
"Alright, what's this about?" Kurt asked, raising a perfectly shaped eyebrow. His tiny friend stared at him, feeling terrified. He looked up at Kurt, and suddenly tears filled his eyes.
"Kurt, what was it like when you- when you came out to your dad?" Reed stuttered in a whisper. Tears were now streaming down his face freely, finally letting out how scared he actually was admitting his orientation to his parents. Kurt strode across the room to give his friend a tight hug.
"Are you sure you want to tell your mom and dad Reed? Once you come out of the closet, there's no jumping back in. I'm not going to lie to you, it sucks at first, you don't know how people will react, much less your friends and family. But trust me, it's so much better in the end." Reed just stood there, sniffling and listening to Kurt's words of comfort.
"I'm just so scared of what they'll think of me afterwards." Reed blubbered, and Kurt knew he meant Hilde and Winston. All he could do was sit there and wait for Reed to calm down. Eventually after what seemed like an eternity of tears, Reed cried himself dry. He wiped his red puffy eyes with a tissue and lay down on his bed, flustered.
"Oh God Kurt, I'm sorry about that. I never expected that to happen, it just… took control of me." Reed said sheepishly.
"It's okay, your feeling better, I can tell. So what does Shane think of all of this?" the singer asked with a curious look on his face.
"He only thinks I should do it if I'm sure, and I am. I've been thinking about it ever since we got together, and I don't want to hide someone I love from my family because I'm afraid of what they'll think." Reed voiced this bravely, his face serious. "Shane is worth so much more than that."
"You know you're a hell of a lot braver than I am Reed, everyone already knew I was gay, I didn't have to tell them. When I was ready to come out, all I had to do was live by what everyone else already thought of me." He laughed at the memories. "My dad said that all I wanted for my 3rd birthday for my birthday was a pair of sensible heels."
"Well it makes sense," Reed chuckled. "They would go perfectly with just the right knee length sweater."
"I know!" Kurt exclaimed in an excitement of someone finally understanding the importance of the concept at hand. And suddenly, they were both laughing. It started as a chuckle, but grew into full out hysterics. Their eyes were streaming, lungs aching for air. Reed didn't know how long it had been since he had been this crazy, but he found it hilarious. Forcing calm over himself, he suppressed further giggles from escaping.
"Thanks for this Kurt, it really helped me," the tiny painter smiled. "I'm going to go talk to Shane now, we have to make plans for this. Got to get a flight out on the weekend from the twins, I want to talk to both of my parents personally, this isn't a thing you can just say over the phone." The other boy nodded in agreement. He didn't say anything as Reed left, only watching as he shut the door, wondering what could possibly lay in the Dormouse's future.
"So, we're going to your mother's first, and then your dads' place?" Shane asked his boyfriend, making sure of the plans. Of all the things that Shane has screwed up in the past, this was not going to be one of them. Shane wasn't about to be the one to make matters worse if things ended…..badly.
"Yeah, I think my mom will be more...accepting of me, and of us. She has probably been expecting me to come out for ages, given the world she raised me in." Reed said, proving his point by the outfit he was wearing: the shirt Reed himself had designed with a black vest over it and a pair of $200 dollar black skinny jeans (which Shane rather liked on him) He wanted to look his best to see Hilde, not wanting to give her anything further to comment or improve on.
Both Shane and Reed's bags were packed, and they had to leave in the next half hour. One day was to be spent with each of the parents, and Reed had to make Hilde swear not to hint anything at Winston. Both boys started walking down the stairs with the bags, Shane standing close by the painter, in fear that he might trip and fall down the stairs. The Tweedles were standing at the limo to send them off.
"Good luck little Dormouse-"Ethan said.
"and remember-"Evan chimed in.
"We'll always love you for who you are!" the twins exclaimed, this time in unison. "You too, not as tiny bat." and they hugged both Reed and Shane, something unusual for the twins. But when did the twins ever do anything usual? Saying the last of their goodbyes, Shane and Reed got into the black limo.
There was an awkward silence between the two on the way to the airport, neither wanting to be the one to bring up what was about to happen. They just held each others hand, Reed resting on Shane's shoulder. Shane was bouncing his leg up and down, getting agitated from the quiet. Finally, he couldn't take any more of it and spoke up.
"Reed, you know no matter what happens I'll love you right? If they can't see how much we really do love each other they must be blind." Shane exclaimed with worry traced into his facial features. Reed looked at him with a face full of distress.
"I know that you'll always love me, and I'll always love you. But I honestly don't know if my parents, or rather my dad, will let himself see it." He looked down, not wanting to meet Shane's eyes as he said this." What kind of a boyfriend can I be if I'm rejected by my own family?" Reed's voice quivered, truly breaking Shane's heart at the devastation. He grabbed the artist into his arms, pulling him onto his lap.
"You'll still be you. You'll continue to paint beautiful pictures, and you will sing your heart out at Warbler's practice, and you will still trip over your own two feet." Shane chuckled." You will still be the perfect you, and that's all I need. My perfect little mess." Shane smiled at Reed, and leaned down to kiss his forehead." Now lets not talk about this until we absolutely have to. Only happy thoughts from now until we get to the Upper East Side on Park Avenue."
Shane speaking these words immensely comforted Reed. If Shane thought this of him, he knew he would be alright, even if his mother and father didn't accept him, or at the bare minimum, tolerate him. It was at this moment that the limo came to a stop and they were right in front of the twins' private jet. The driver opened up the door finding them in the position they had been in for the last fifteen minutes. Shane pulled Reed off his lap, unashamed and dragging his boyfriend out behind him. Both boys' bags had already been searched and loaded into the jet, and Shane was rather looking forward for the two hour flight full of video games, dancing and of course, alone time with Reed which he so rarely got ever since transferring to Dalton.
"Come on Reed, let's go and play guitar hero!" Shane jumped up and down, as excited as an 8 year old at Disney World. He ran towards the large plasma screen T.V. and PS3. He picked up a guitar and turned on the machine, along with the T.V.
"No I can't Shane, I'll trip over a drum set!" Reed squeaked.
"Fine, I'll do one on my own first, but I'm forcing you to do the next one. It's part of my duty as boyfriend to make sure you enjoy yourself sometime." Shane said, flipping through the choice in songs. Seeing one he particularly liked, his face lit up, then he turned to Reed with a smirk on his face.
"This one is all for you, babe." He wiggled his eyebrows suspiciously. The song started playing, and Reed recognizing it immediately grew bright red and he attempted to through a pillow at the younger Anderson, but was off by many feet.
You know I never
I never seen you look so good
You never act the way you should
But I like it
And I know you like it too
The way that I want you
I gotta have you
Oh yes, I do
Shane was strumming along with the chords, and was now singing along, or rather shouting, glancing at the mortified Reed standing next to him.
You know I never
I never ever stay out late
You know that I can hardly wait
Just to see you
And I know you cannot wait
Wait to see me too
I gotta touch you
Cause baby we'll be
At the drive-in
In the old man's Ford
behind the bushes
till I'm screamin' for more
Down the basement
lock the cellar door
And baby
Talk dirty to me
Reed just looked at Shane, surprised at his insane bravery, for it sure wasn't going to be rewarded. Shane was really asking for some rather serious death threats from the tiny little Warbler. Not that it were ever possible, Shane could easily overpower Reed.
You know I call you
I call you on the telephone
I'm only hoping that you're home
So I can hear you
When you say those words to me
And whisper so softly
I gotta hear you
Cause baby we'll be
At the drive-in
In the old man's Ford
behind the bushes
till I'm screamin' for more
Down the basement
lock the cellar door
And baby
Talk dirty to me
"C.C., pick up that guitar and talk to me." Shane said to Reed, quoting the song. Reed smiled, shaking his head but joining in anyways, pretending to play on the other guitar.
Cause baby we'll be
At the drive-in
In the old man's Ford
behind the bushes
till I'm screamin' for more ore more!
Down the basement
and lock the cellar door
And baby
Talk dirty to me
And baby
talk dirty to me
and baby
talk dirty to
uh ...wooooo
Reed and Shane finished Poison's "Talk Dirty to Me" together, toppling over each other and laughing hysterically. Reed immediately tried to bounce up, but got light headed and would've come toppling to the ground if Shane hadn't, again, stopped him from falling.
"My turn to choose the song!" Reed said, turning on the other guitar and flipping through everything. They did this for the rest of the flight, laughing and singing and playing the guitar. Neither boy really noticed as they landed, or even as they got out of the plane and into the next limo; they were too engrossed with each other. Reed and Shane almost forgot what they were coming to New York for until they reached the front steps of the large apartment that belonged to the Van Kamps. It was a bit of a wake up call for both of them when they arrived at the front steps, where behind the door Hilde Van Kamp was waiting expectantly. It was Shane who rang the doorbell, seeing as Reed had suddenly become a statue and didn't make any plans to return from that state any time soon.
After a knock, both boys heard a clicking of heels make their way to the door, a lock sliding open and a doorknob turning. Into their view came the lovely Hilde Van Kamp, fashionable as ever. Reed started to whimper quietly, and Shane gave him an encouraging look, giving him the courage to carry on with what they both came here for.
"Uh- hi mom, I know you're wondering why-why I wanted to come see you out of the blue." Reed stammered. He took a deep breath and continued." Can we step inside?"
"Of course you can Reed, come on in." she gestured for them to follow her to the clean white living room, and offered the two of them to sit on the pale white couch. It was rather comfortable.
"Are you alright Reed, you look a bit pale, dear." Hilde said concerned, her rare maternal instinct kicking in.
"Yeah, I'm okay," Reed squeaked, starting to sweat, his hands clammy." I'm actually more than okay, I'm great." This statement was laughable, seeing as the poor boy looked like he was about to have a heart attack. Shane was looking at his boyfriend with a growing worry, then glancing at Hilde to see her expression.
"I'm…I'm in love mom." Reed said, taking Shane's hand finally." I'm in love with Shane," Reed said, all but passing out from the tension in the room. "I'm gay." Reed finally blurted out, and puffed out the rest of his breath in a rush of air. Dead silence filled the living room, and this time Shane didn't dare start tapping his feet even if it killed him. Hilde then looked between her son and Shane, and she smiled.
"Oh Reed, finally! I've been waiting for you to tell me this for ages! You never were very good at keeping secrets you know. I'm so happy for you!" she got up from the couch and ran up to hug her only son, finally obviously proud of him for being so brave. Hilde then turned to Shane, giving him a once over, taking in his appearance. Apparently she approved, so she went to go and hug him too this one more delicate as she didn't know Shane. He was surprised but hugged her back, then went to wrap his arm around Reed's waist.
"Mom, thank you so much for accepting me and who I love, you have no idea how much it means to me. I'm going to dad's tomorrow, and I have absolutely no idea how he'll react. It just really helps knowing that at least one of my parents will love me no matter what." Reed was beaming, grinning ear to ear. Shane had mirrored him exactly, goofy smile intact.
"If you love someone Reed, than I love them too." She turned to the younger Anderson so as to not ignore him. "You take care of Reed okay? I'm not always there to protect him and I sure don't want any problems." The Van Kamp heiress warned, her eyebrow raising.
"Oh no, I don't think that's going to be a problem Mrs. Van Kamp. I went through a lot of trouble to get him to be my boyfriend; months of convincing, me transferring schools, and serenading him." He smiled at Hilde, hazel eyes gleaming and full of happiness." He just loves to play hard to get." Shane teased, kissing his cheek playfully and causing the artist to turn a rosy red color. All Hilde could do was laugh.
It was this moment that Reed thought of absolutely nothing. He had no troubles, no fears, and no flaws. It was the perfect moment, and Reed would cherish it forever. He would remember it for the rest of his life like a photograph, not knowing what the future had in store for him, only feeling that his present was definitely worth living.
