Reviews:
SlumberingVoid — He lives! Couldn't kill my favourite, and I shant apologise! muhahaha!
Bucket Hat — You read it all in one go!? That's so awesome! Glad to hear you're enjoying it. Welcome to the shenanigans that equate to Rhys' life!
Hours Ago.
-Carl-
I catch Dad before he leaves. He's standing by the front door of Barrington house, checking his rifle over before heading out.
"You still joining the scouts?" I ask, hoping he might change his mind.
"We need people keeping their eyes peeled out there," he says. "Mine'll do just fine."
He goes to open the door.
"We'll be fine," I say suddenly, extending the seconds. "Rhys and me."
He smiles, his face tired and burnt from the sun and the fire kindled by our home. "I know you will be."
His hand finds the door again.
"Dad..."
He turns to look at me again, but I hesitate this time.
I don't know why I choose now. There would be so many better moments. There have been. But I've got nothing else to say. And I guess there never is a good moment for stuff like this.
"Me and Rhys..." I start with a breath that ends with my mouth open and my words lost somewhere between all the lines I've rehearsed for this conversation in my head since we lost the prison.
Dad's expression doesn't change. He just watches me with that waiting stare, like there's nothing going through his head except the next thing.
I breathe again, finding myself, finding him.
"We've talked about it for a long time," I say. "And we just agreed that it didn't matter. We know people know... and that's fine. We're fine that people know. It's not some big secret or something we're not comfortable with yet or whatever..." I trail off, a little scared of how unchanging his face is. "It's just who we are."
I decided for myself months ago that I wouldn't let it matter how Dad took it. When Rhys and I used to talk about what we were in the early days of our relationship, he asked me if I'd tell my dad. I remember day one in Alexandria, lying in the grass with him by the lake and deciding that it didn't matter. I didn't think it mattered, and I still don't. What we have is ours. It's never needed more than that.
Dad doesn't speak until I'm quiet and my arms stop their nervous swinging.
"So Rhys is your boyfriend?" he asks.
I don't know why that word makes me cringe on the inside. The same way I used to cringe when Ron would call me gay in conversations we'd have when the five of us would sit in his room and play video games. I don't know if it's the same as that — if it's those labels or the way it makes it feel commercial, or if it's just the way that Dad's face still hasn't changed.
I nod at him, every movement small. "He is."
Dad nods, and his face finally shifts until it's something I don't recognise at all and it's somehow scarier than anything I'd ever imagined.
"Son," he says quietly, putting a hand on my shoulder and squeezing gently. "I am sorry if it felt like you couldn't say that to me."
"No..." I cut him off. "It's not that. I mean... maybe at first, but not after. I just—" I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose like he often does. "I worried about when to tell you for a really long time, and then I kinda just realised that I didn't need to... I mean, Rhys helped me realise that... but I also realised that it's not important to me. He is, obviously. But I just don't get why telling people who you like has to be a big deal — or why I feel that way. But I also felt like you'd be upset if I never told you, so... yeah."
I shrug to finish it off, like tying off a bow at the end of wrapping a gift.
"Well, you two have never been subtle," he chuckles.
"We don't try to be."
"I know."
I nod.
"You know you are only fifteen, Carl."
"Dad."
He holds his hands up. "I know that's not what you wanna hear. Me and your mom were the same. About your age, too."
My eyebrow shoots up. "I didn't know you guys met when you were young."
Dad nods, smirking and rubbing a finger against his eye. "We got married young, too. Thought we knew what it meant, and I guess we did to a point."
"But you didn't?"
Dad sighs. "Getting married is complicated. I don't think you ever know what you're doing."
I nod like I know what he's talking about, trying my best not to think too hard about mom.
Dad nods in kind of the same way.
"Fuck this is awkward," I suddenly gasp, laughing a little.
Again, Dad lets out a similar breathy sound. "Yeah." Then he frowns. "Language."
"Sorry."
He pats my shoulder, turning back for the door.
"I'll see you soon, son."
A/N
Honestly debated for a long time if I was going to ever have Carl have this conversation, because I think it's an important part of his character that he doesn't let his sexuality define him. But I also think it makes sense that he would worry his dad would be upset about never being told outright. I also felt that since Carl survives in this story, it would be nice to give him an emotional/ hopeful talk with Rick, where as in the show Rick's at his lowest by this point.
I know this chapter's pretty short, but hopefully I'll be able to get next chapter out sooner because of it.
We're heading to Sanctuary next chapter!