Greg tried to go to sleep early that night. It was depressing not being able to go out. First he had been mad about the whole thing, then he was embarrassed, then it was just annoying... and now? He just wanted it over. He couldn't sleep though, it was too early. It gave him deja vu of summers long ago when he and his brother used to whine that it wasn't really bedtime if it wasn't even hardly dark out yet. He tossed and turned for a little while, frustrated.

God Dad, you've made your point. He sighed. I should just... apologize. Talk to him, man to man. I'm not a kid anymore and he's just looking for me to... man up. He just wants me to say I fucked up. I can do that. It doesn't have to be this big power struggle. It may be ridiculous, but if swallowing my pride is all he wants then... fine.

Resolved, Greg got out of bed and went out into the hallway. He could hear Blaine's voice coming from his bedroom. He must be on Skype with Kurt. God he's totally a first-time-in-love kid these days. They just went out this afternoon. Rolling his eyes, Greg made his way downstairs. His Dad was watching the news. Mom was still out at her book club.

Greg went into the kitchen and pulled the lemonade out of the fridge, considering the best approach. Look Dad. I was out of line and I'm sorry... Hey Dad, I just want to say, I don't know what came over me... Dad, I just gotta say, I hope one day Blaine appreciates the discipline you and Mom instilled in us over the years as much as I do now... so can I get let off the hook already?

"That you, Blaine?" Gabe's voice called from the living room.

"No Dad. It's me." Greg sighed, pouring himself a glass. It's probably hopeless.

"Thought you went to bed."

Greg wandered into the living room. "Couldn't sleep."

"It's pretty early yet."

Greg shrugged. "This is good lemonade."

"Yeah your mother bought some new brand this week."

"You want some?"

"Nah, I'm good." Gabe indicated the soda in his hand. He picked up the remote and changed the channel.

Greg slipped into an armchair, feigning interest in the economic report on television. He put down the glass on the little table near the chair, trying to get up the nerve to talk.

"Oh hey. You need a coaster." Gabriel grabbed one from the shelf under the coffee table and tossed it to Greg. He smiled. "Your mother will have a fit about it otherwise."

Greg chuckled. "Yeah, don't want to be in trouble with Mom I suppose."

"No one ever does." Gabe leaned back in the couch. "So how's your house arrest treating you?"

Really Dad? Greg looked away and whined, "Da-a-ad..."

"Well from the sound of it, it's gotten your attention."

Greg pursed his lips and leaned forward. This is the chance. Don't screw up. "Yeah. I mean, yes. Sir, I should have watched my language better."

"This wasn't just about-"

"Language. I know sir. My attitude wasn't acceptable and..." Greg tried to think of what his father would want to hear. "...you and Mom... raised me better than that."

"That's true."

"I'm real sorry Dad. Honest." Now you say, "Okay, well as long as you've learned your lesson..."

Gabriel Anderson studied his older son as he took another drink.

"Well good."

"I don't know what came over-"

"Fear."

"I- ...I'm sorry, what?"

"You're afraid. You've got a temper and apparently you've gotten used to swearing like a sailor at college..." Gabe gave Greg a look that made him feel about eight years old. "But mainly you're just scared."

Greg was confused. "What? I'm not-"

"You're worried about your brother. It's sweet."

Greg bit his lip, unsure of what to say. "Well I don't know about- I mean, I was... angry..."

"Because?"

Greg sighed. He looked away. "I shouldn't have blown my stack."

"I know. But I'm guessing it wouldn't have happened if you'd... dealt with why you're afraid about all this."

Greg fidgeted, uncomfortable. Since when is Dad the one who wants to talk about feelings? "Do you think he's... seriously considering this?"

Gabe sighed. "I think we're all going to need to get used to the idea, yes."

"I don't like it."
"So you've said."

"Mom can't have been-"

"She likes it less than you do."

Greg paused. Really? "Then- why isn't she-"

"Because that's just not what you do when your kid's growing up, Greg." Greg looked at his father, incredulous. "For the same reason she bit her tongue last month when he said he was going to go with Kurt to his prom at the high school."

"He went to-"

"You didn't know that?"

Greg was stunned. "I can't believe you let him-"

"Well we couldn't believe he wanted to. We've been living in the past, thinking he's some kind of victim- but Blaine's in a different place now. I think he was... a little nervous, but... he did it." Greg couldn't get over it. He went to prom. With a guy. This is Ohio. He's lost his mind. Gabe smiled. "You should have seen your mother, she was a wreck the entire night. But damned if she was going to let Blaine know that." Gabe leaned into his son, putting a hand on his knee. "Part of being a grown up is dealing with your shit and knowing when not to put it on other people. Your brother doesn't need the burden of our anxieties. Being a teenager is hard enough."

Greg took that in. He didn't think he'd ever heard his father curse before. But more... it felt like they were having an adult conversation. "It's reasonable to be worried. There are a lot of things that could happen-"

"You don't think he hasn't thought of every one of those things already? He's the one who had three guys kicking him in the face that night." Gabe looked away, caught off guard by how emotional that image suddenly made him. He rubbed his hands together, stammering through his thoughts. "I may have been the one to pay the dental bill, but I didn't have to- That was just an awful lot of... shame... for a boy his age to- ...And your mother and I just didn't know how to... " Gabe trailed off. He looked back at his son. "Honestly Greg, sometimes... it's a miracle to me your brother is as... together about some things as he is. He's... made of stronger stuff than you think. He's not letting what happened before stop him from living his life and neither should we."

"It was just easier when I knew he was at Dalton."

"Sure. And he may choose to stay there yet, but either way... he's learning to live without just being afraid. It's a good thing. We've tried to raise you two to be honest, to be respectful, and to make good choices for yourselves even when they're difficult. The easy road isn't necessarily the right one."

Greg took a deep breath. "Yes sir."

"And he may be your brother, but he's not your responsibility. You've got your own growing up to be concerned with."

Greg swallowed. "Yes Dad."

Gabe stood up, turning off the TV. "And don't even bother trying. You're not going anywhere until Tuesday."

"What? Hey! I didn't even-"
"You were looking to try-"

Greg blushed. "I- wasn't-"

"Right. Well tomorrow your mother's driving me in and I didn't want you to be tempted to wander off, so I'll be leaving a list of chores you can occupy your time with on the refrigerator."

Greg moaned. "Da—ad."
"We can always make it longer Gregory."

Greg leaned his head back on the chair, resigned. "...Yes sir."

"Night, Son."
"Good night, Dad."