Okay, one note before we get rolling. In the show Rev's parents talked just as fast as he did…maybe a little slower but still fast. When Sypher took Rev's powers…he talked slow…like normal speed…so…I'm a tad confused on that note…but for this story's sake, only Rev's talking has the little "-" between words. No one else has super speed so they don't get that privilege. Lol read on guys and like I said at the end of the last chapter, this is clean so no detailed love sceen, enjoy!
Ch. 6: The Dinner
"You're-hopeless." Smirked Rev as he walked over to Tech who was getting intangled in his tie. "I-don't-understand-why-you-always-have-issues-wit h-simple-things-like-this,-Tech. You-can-build-six-battle-suits;-equipped-with-work ing-lazers-and-gadgets;-but-when-you-try-to-make-a -batch-of-coffee-a-fire-breaks-out." His fingures expertly tucked the tie into place and smoothed it down. He looked up, shaking his head. "You-really-are-a-mystery."
Tech rolled his eyes as Rev kissed him gently. "As you reminded me a while back, Love, it's unhealthy to know everything." He said against Rev's lips. "So I just bothered to learn the important things." He held his avian close, not wanting the kiss to break.
"You-start-this-now," Rev said, pulling away so he could look into his boyfriend's eyes. "then-my-parents-are-going-to-find-out-about-us-th e-wrong-way."
"There's a right way?"
"Well,-there's-the-classy-way-and-then-there's-the -'I-wanna-give-my-folks-a-heart-attack'-way." Rev said. "And,-Tech,-I-don't-want-to-give-them-a-heart-atta ck."
"Either way," Tech said, reluctantly releasing Rev and allowing him to straighten out his own dress shirt, "someone's going to die tonight and I promis you it wont be either of your parents."
"Well,-you-still-have-till-the-end-of-dinner-to-wr ite-out-your-final-will-and-testiment." Rev joked. "We're-not-saying-anything-till-Marina-is-safely-o ut-of-the-red-zone."
Fifteen minutes later the whole team was greeting Rev's family at the door.
"Please tell me you're planning on coming out tonight." Rip muttered to his brother. "If I have to listen to mom talk about setting you up with another knitting chick I'm going to loose it."
"That's-the-plan,-Rip,-but-we're-going-to-wait-til l-after-Marina-leaves-before-saying-anything-so-ju st-hang-in-there-a-little-more,-okay?"
"So, Tech, give anymore thought about selling your inventions?" Pa Runner asked as they sat around the living room. Tech gave a soft growl.
"I told you last week I wasn't and my mind's not changed." He said, glaring straight at the elder bird. "And no matter how many times you ask it will never change."
Rev's pop shook his head. A few minutes passed in awkward conversation before the door bell rang for the second time.
"Woah, dude, that's your sister?" Rip asked softly as Marina was let in by Slame who gave her a greeting hug that almost crushed her to dust.
"Yeah." Duck said not picking up on Rip's impressed stare.
"You sure? I don't see the family resemblance." He teased. Duck glared but Marina came over before he could reply. He gave her a hug.
"Hey, I'm Rip." Rib said, stepping forward and holding out his hand. She smiled and took it politely.
"Rev's brother, right?" she asked him, a radient smile on her face. She had her hair down, a sea green clip holding her bangs out of her eyes matched the little dress she wore. A shell pink denim jacket over top of it hid the fact that it was strapless.
They all went into the dining room and sat around the long table. The roadrunners sat on one side, Duck, Marina, Lexi and Slam sat on the other while Ace and Tech sat at either end, each next to their respected mates.
To keep up the appearance of Tech being a vegetarian, both he and Slam had had a dinner of steak before the party arrived so neither protested at the sight of a big romain salad and zukini rotini.
"So, Marina, you were accepted into Acme Tech?" Rip asked, trying to get conversation rolling. He was being curiously aware of how he sat and ate, as if he suddenly cared what people thought of him. She nodded as she took a sip of water.
"I'm going to study robotics." She explained.
"Well, whenyou get into the class that requires you to have internship hours, give me a call. Runner's Interprizes could always use fresh new talent." Pa Runner said cheerfully.
"Rev, honey, have you found a girlfriend yet?" his mother asked. "Because I think this young lady would be a great match for you."
"Mom." Rev moaned, his blue feathers turning a dark purple from the heat rizing to his face. "She's already taken."
"Guilty." She said as Rip's face fell just the slightest at this. "Besides, I thought-" she broke off as Rev shook his head furiously. "I thought Rev was seeing Lexi." She said quickly, trying to cover her tracks. Slam and Rip paused, their forks half way to their mouths, a look of astonishment on their faces. Duck, Tech and Ace all started choking on their food as Lexi sprayed water all over her plate. Rev was too stunned to react, his beak wide open in horror.
"NO!" Lexi and Rev shouted at the same time once everyone had recovered while Rip smirked over at Duck, both trying not to fall to the floor in a fit of laughter.
Marina was looking very abashed.
"Na, Marina, she's wi't me, not Rev." Ace said gently as if Marina had simply made an understandable error. Tech had his napkin pressed to his mussle, a look half way between disbelief and amusement on his face. He covered a laugh with a coff and had to quickly drink some water before he lost it.
"Sorry." Marina apologized sheepishly. "I just met them a couple of weeks ago." She explained to the Runners. "I'm still trying to keep them all straight. Machines I know…people however are another story." This wasn't exactly true. Marina was the kind of person who never forgot a name, face or fact about anything or anyone. But she was doing a good job at appearing to be a slight ditz. All in all her cover up had worked.
"Now that we have that out of the way." Tech said, daring himself to speak. "Rip, you're going to start Acme Tech as well aren't you?"
"Yeah, I'm going into business and economics like Pop did." He said, looking at Marina as he spoke. "Guess I'll see you round." He flashed her a lazy but gorgious smile at her. She felt more heat rise to her face as she grinned back.
"Yeah, I guess so." She breathed out.
They finished eating and about an hour or so later Marina was hugging everyone goodbye.
"I have to go and meet my parents now." She said as she gave Tech a goodbye hug.
"Are they speaking to you again?" Duck asked as she turned to him.
"Well, I couldn't keep the big news from them now could I?" she asked as he hugged her. "They're still pissed but at least we're passed all the shouting and crying."
"What news?" he asked as she gave Ace a squeeze."You getting into college or your boyfriend?"
"Who we still have to meet by the way." Lexi chited.
"Getting into college." Marina said, digging her keys out of her bag. "They don't know about Stephon yet and they wont until I graduate from college and they can't do a thing about it one way or the other. As for introducing him to the rest of you…" she turned to Lexi. "Tomorrow okay? He gets off of work around five."
"If no end of the world crisis comes up, five thirty works." Lexi agreed. Marina nodded then turned to the Runners.
"It was so nice meeting you all." She said warmly.
"You too dear." Ma Runner said giving Marina a hug. "Do well in school and stay out of trouble."
"Oh, I'm sure Rip will keep an eye on me." She said teasingly and giving Rip a wink. His laid back composure faltered a little before he nodded and grinned. They had been talking the whole time and seemed to really hit it off. Marina was a little sad that she was seeing someone else, Rip seemed to be a great guy.
"Count on it." He said in his low and gentle voice. She smiled and gave him a fleeting hug before waving goodbye and running out.
"What a nice girl." Pa Runner said to no one in particular. "I wonder who her boyfriend is."
"No one important." Duck mumbled before he could stop himself.
"I thought you liked him." Lexi said as they all sat down in the living room, Ace getting everyone drinks. He handed Duck a soda as the mallard replied, nodding a thanks to him.
"I do…it's just he gives me the kreeps for some reason. I don't know how to explain it."
"Uh,-speaking-of-boyfriends…" Rev said nervously. Everyone looked over at him. He sat next to Tech, eyes flitting back and forth around the room so fast they all started feeling sick and had to look away. "Mom,-pop,-I-have-to-tell-you-something."
"You're finally a boyfriend?" Pop asked proudly. "That's great son, who's the lucky girl?"
"No,-pop. I-mean,-yes,-but-"
"Oh, you have to introduce us." His mother cut across. "Why didn't you invite her tonight? There was enough room for her, she could've sat next to us or we could have laid out another table-"
"No,-mom,-I-mean,-yes,-I-am-seeing-someone-but-it' s-not-a-girl." He let that sink in for a moment.
"You're gay?" his father asked andRev nodded nervously. "Well why didn't you say so son? Who's the guy? We're anxious to meet whoever you've fallen in love with."
"Why didn't you let me know? Tifony's son Jake is gay I could've introduced the two of you." His mother rambled.
"No-mom,-I'm-already-in-a-relationship."
"With whom?" his mother asked.
"Is it Dork?" his father inquired, jabbing a thumb in Duck's direction.
"How many times do I have to tell you? It's Duck, D.U.C.K." Duck grumbled, sipping his cola. Rev gripped his own coke tightly.
"No,-pop,-it's-not-Duck,-trust-me. Not-that-I-don't-like-Duck,-he's-nice-and-all-but- he's-not-my-type."
Duck spluttered. "I'm also not gay bird brain."
"It's-Tech." Rev blurted out before anyone could stop him. The room went deafly quiet. After the first couple of shocked seconds his mother started absentmindedly fidgeting with her purse.
"Do I have my compact with me?" she mumbled distractedly to herself. His father just stared at him.
"Rip, go to the car." He said at last.
"But-'
"The car Rip."
Rip grumbled but started slowly sauntering towards the door. He put a hand on his older brother's shoulder. "Good luck." He whispered.
"Rip."
"I'm going." He shot at his father's stony face. He walked passed Duck and grinned. "Ya think ya can slip me your sister's number?"
"RIP!"
"Okay, already, I'm outa here." He rolled his eyes and left the room.
"Lex, wanna help me clean up d'a kitchen?" Ace asked pointedly.
"Yup. Duck, Slam, a hand?"
Slam jumped up without a second thought but Duck looked up at them. "You don't need four people to wash dishes."
"Duck." Ace said forcefully.
"Fine, but we have a machine so I don't see why- HEY! Watch the feathers." He yelped as Lexi zapped him with her brain blast.
Once it was just the three Runners and Tech in the living room Pa Runner stood up.
"Mr. Runner, please-" began Tech but he was silenced by a single look.
"You don't get to talk." The elder bird snarled. Tech gave a low growl. "It's clear that, for whatever sick twisted means are in your little coyote head, you've corrupted my son."
"But-pop-it's-not-like-that." Rev protested asTech bared his teeth, his eyes starting to glow green. Rev gripped his hand gently and Tech managed to control himself, barely. This guy was getting under his skin. He had had a problem with him from day one, back before he and Rev were even together. He and his self righteous wife and their 'coyote issues'. He had had to deal with prejudice like that his entire life. But he had worked hard to get where he was and earn the respect he deserved. Who was this little insignificant walking lunch meat think he was? Rev's father and the man you want to impress so you don't tear up Rev's heart by making him choose between family and love. A voice said in his head. He took a deep breath through his nose and slowly let it out.
"Pop,-you-don't-understand." Rev pleaded. "I-love-him. He-loves-me.-What's-so-wrong?"
"I don't understand? What's so wrong?" his father was pissed, stomping around the living room, his hands in the air. "He is a COYOTE! His kind doesn't know how to love! He's just after one of two things from you, Rev, a quick physical fix or a quick pick-me-up. I thought we raised you better than this! He EATS birds, Rev! That's what his kind does!" he roared.
"I do not!" Tech snarled. He might want to stay on the old man's good side but he wasn't just going to let him slander his name. "My parents did, but I NEVER did so! And you know why? My parents left me when I was a child! I was raised up on the streets, having to beg for my next meal while everyone ran away from me before they even KNEW me! I worked fucking hard to get where I am and if you think I'm going to do ANYTHING to jepardise that you're more twisted than I pegged you to be. I have worked non stop for YEARS to NOT be what others expected of me. I've done nothing but do all I could my entire life to prove people wrong, rise above any negative stereotype that was thrown at me and prove I'm BETTER than any of those blind, narrow minded, moronic demons. Believe what you want, but this much is true. I love your son, for his mind, his personality, his generosity, his selflessness, his sense of loyalty and kindness. Him being a roadrunner has absolutely NO baring on our relationship. Don't you tell me why I'm with him and don't you assume you know anything about me!" he never shouted, but it had been a difficult effort. His words were more like growls and his jaw was starting to ache from the pressure of clenching it so tightly.
"And-the-same-goes-for-me." Rev said firmly. "I-don't-care-if-he's-a-coyote-or-not. He's-more-of-a-roadrunner-then-any-other-bird-I've -met-with-the-exception-of-the-two-of-you-and-Rip. Not-technically-of-course-because physically-heis-a-coyote –but-on-the-inside-he's-got-the-heart-of-any-bird- you-could-meet. He's-never-even-released-his-claws,-EVER."
This wasn't technically true, but seeing as how the occasion in question had been a life or death situation, Rev didn't feel the need to bring it up.
"Excuse me." Duck said as he quacked into the room right in front of Pa Runner, startling him to the point he almost fell on his tail feathers. "If I could say something."
"No you can't." said Lexi firmly as she and Ace stomped into the room.
"Tech really does care for Rev." Duck said, walking out of their reach and continuing on anyways. "He's saved him on more than one occasion and for your information he's not the only conivour on the team. Just look at Slam."
Slam grumbled protestingly from the kitchen as if to say "(Don't look at me.)"
"I think you're the monsters for not seeing how happy your son is with-" Ace and Lexi finally caught up with him and Lexi clamped his bill shut with her hand.
"Uh, sorry 'bout d'at." Ace said as he and Lexi dragged Duck back into the kitchen.
"Yeah, won't happen again. Carry on." Lexi said with a small smile and wave. "What did we tell you about going out there?" she hissed as they disappeared into the other room.
"You really care for him?" Pa Runner asked his son, looking hopelessly between him and Tech. Rev nodded. He turned his empty eyes to his wife. "Harriet?"
"Your dancing with the devil with this one, Rev." she said. She turned her face to her husband's and nodded.
"Right." He said. "It was nice seeing you son." He helped his wife up off the coutch and without another word, without another glance at their son or a thank you to the others in the kitchen, they walked out of the room, out of the building, and they were gone.
Rev stared after them as the others walked back in, looking uncertain. His huge emerald eyes filled with tears and he raced out and all the way to his room. Tech growled.
"That was harsh." Whispered Lexi, glaring at the door Rev's parents had just left through.
"D'ey'll come 'round, Tech." reassured Ace. "D'ey just need time is all."
Tech didn't reply. He got up and went to go check on Rev.
"Rev." Tech said, knocking gently on his door. "Rev, open up it's me."
Rev didn't reply. Tech pushed a button and Rev's door slid open. His eyes softened when he saw the poor avian curled up around his pillow, tears sliding down as he tried hard to hold back his sobs. Tech walked in, the door closing behind him. He let his eyes roll over model airplanes and space crafts sitting on shelves around the room. The red walls had been nearly choked out by different charts, diagrams and maps ranging from the periodic table and disections of machines, plants and animals to the world and other plannets, their solar systems and far away galaxies. There was a triple wide book case, five shelves high and holding dozens of books that stood in one corner. They were stacked neatly, their bindings facing out, proudly showing off their titles and waiting for some curious eye to fall on them and investigate their contents. A desk stood in the far corner, models of skeletons, cells, volcanoes, dinosaur's and other random figures and devices stood on it. A group of colorful orbs swung on strings hanging from the ceiling. On closer inspection Tech realized it was a huge model of their own solor system, including planets, moons and the sun. Stars were painted on the ceiling against a velvet black background, all painted to show off different constalations, as many that would fit, all in the correct astrological formation. On the headboard hung a poster board, a mesh of random cultural art projects were tact to it. He shook his head as the collage of Rev's room hit him, all the information his brain took in just by walking into the room was too much for him. He focused his attention once again on Rev before his head exploded from info overload. As he did his eye fell on one last thing, a small child sized teddy bear propped up neatly against the head board. A childhood momento? Who knew?
"Come on, Love." He said gently, sitting down on the bed and pulling Rev into his lap. "It's okay."
"They-hate-me." Rev sobbed. Tech was lost for words. He knew how Rev was feeling. His own father hadn't even stuck around to name him and his mother had walked out ten years later. He had lived five years on the streets thinking that he was a monster who's own parents didn't even want him. But then he had found his mentor and adopted father, more of an older brother, who had forced him to see that he had potential. Tech had been on the verge of going insaine and becoming what everyone expected him to be before Zippy Gonzalez found him. He had given him work, an education, and had submitted Tech's first thesis paper to Acme Tech without asking him first. Tech hadn't thought he had been good enough for college so Zip decided to give him that first kick in the tail he needed. The school had allowed Tech to come in on a scholarship and no one had any problem with him being a coyote. Of course he spent all his time in a lab so not too many knew he was there…but still it was nice.
"Rev, they don't hate you." He finally said, praying to whatever god might be listening that he was saying the truth. "They just don't know what to think. They've hated my kind all their lives because that's what they were taught to believe. Now, their oldest kid is in love with one. They can see that you're happy, and that I really care for you. But it goes against their entire social structure. It disrupts their happy little perfect world. Like Ace says, they just need time to let the shock wear off. They'll come around, Love, you'll see. They could never hate you. No one could. And don't forget, none of the others; not your brother, nor the team, nor Zadavia, nor anyone else has the tiniest issue with us. So cheer up, it'll be okay." He smiled down at the bird who was cradled in his arms. Rev had his head on Tech's chest, his eyes closed and trying to hold on to every word he was saying, as if it was some sort of life support that was saving him from falling into a bottomless pit of despair. He needed his family to approve. He couldn't choose between them and Tech, it was like asking him to choose between eating and drinking, it's impossible. "Come on, Rev, your bear wants you to cheer up." Tech said teasingly. Rev opened his eyes at that, glaring up at his grinning face.
"Leave-Mr.-Tex-alone." He grumbled., pushing up and pulling the bear into his arms.
"Mr. Tex?"
"Mom-made-him-for-me-when-I-was-born. She-made-Mr. Tenny-for-Rip. Both-of-us-still-hold-onto-them-because-it's-like- having-her-with-us-no-matter-where-we-are." He whispered, tears still falling. He hugged the bear closer. Tech's heart melted. He wish he had the power to go and change those avian's minds around so fast it would make Rev's head spin. Rev was clutching the toy as if it was his real mother and he was looking for comfort from a nightmare. He looked up at Tech.
"You-never-told-me-you-were-abandoned." He whispered. Tech and Slam were the only two who no one knew anything about when it came to family. It seemed they didn't have any, that they had just come into existence. Tech an automatic, under aged grad student at Acme Tech and Slam a heavy weight wrestler. Tech smiled sourly.
"I don't think about it much." He admitted. "My inventions are my family, and you and the team and that's all I need. Besides, as your pop stated, it's not in my nature to love others." He growled. Rev gently sat Mr. Tex to the side.
"He was wrong." He said, crawling forward. "He was wrong about all of it. You do love, you love all of us. You're the most caring coyote I've ever met."
"Yeah, my folks would be so ashamed." Tech said bitterly, trying to lighten the mood. But there was nothing funny about parents not accepting their kids for who they were. Wasn't that the whole pointof being a parent? To love and support your kid no matter what? Help them make the right decisions in life and be smart and safe and all that sure, but in the end not have expectations of them but just love them the way they were?
"I'm-not-ashamed-of-you." Rev said. "And-neither-are-the-others. We're-all-extremely-greatful-that-we-have-you. I'm-extremely-greatful-that-I-have-you." He flung himself into Tech's arms and started squeezing the life out of him.
"Same here, Love, but I can't breathe." Tech gasped, holding Rev tightly himself. Rev loosened his hold a little and gave a weak giggle.
"Sorry, Tech." he said as Tech took his face in his giant, gentle paws. He stroked his avian's face lovingly, drying the tears away.
"I love you, you know that, right?" he said softly. Rev pressed his mouth to Tech's, giving him a soft but passionate kiss.
"That answer your question?"
Tech grinned. "Maybe one more, just so I know there's no miscomunication." He teased. Rev sat back, releasing his coyote. He lovingly picked up Mr. Tex and sat him on the floor, facing the wall. He took the headphones to his music player and put them over the bear's ears. He then turned back to Tech and grabbed his tie. He pulled him down on top of him. "There's no miscomunication and you know it." He whispered, looking up at the only one he would ever love. "But I'm not against obliging your request."
Okay, just so you guys know…I want Rev's room. I'm in the process of designing my study…I think I'm actually going to set it up just like that! Lol, anyhow, let me know how ya guys liked it and keep reading! Chapter 7 is a head wirler and should be posted up either tomorrow night or the next morning…not sure…anyhow have a good one! ;D