Fic: The House Guest

[jess-d-10.livejournal.com]

Title: The House Guest
Author: jess_d_10
Fandom: Shelter
Rating: R
Pairing; Characters: Zach/Shaun; Gabe, Cody
Chapter: 10/10
Summary: Gabe needs help more than he ever has before, so Zach and Shaun step up to the plate.
A/N: So, I'm kind of an idiot. I was totally under the impression that I had posted this chapter months ago. I realized today that I didn't...oops! Sorry about that, folks. So, here it is, the final chapter of The House Guest. Thanks for reading!

Previous Chapter:
Chapter Nine

New Chapter:

Gabe

Gabe took a deep breath, readjusted himself so that he was more comfortable sitting up on the futon, and called his father. Larry picked up on the fourth ring. “Larry McTavish.”

“Hey, Dad, it’s me.”

“Gabriel. How—how are you?”

“I’m good. Actually, I’m great. I just got my grade back on my math final.”

“And?”

“And I aced it. I got a ninety-one percent. Now, I’ve just got my Sociology final, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to nail that one too.”

“Well, I’m proud of you, son. It sounds like you’ve finally learned how to apply yourself.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” There was silence on the line as both men suddenly realized they didn’t know what to say next. Gabe wasn’t sure if he had “finally learned to apply himself,” but he felt like he had learned something in the past five months.

“Well,” Larry said gruffly, “I suppose we can put things back to normal then. Would you like me to have Stella find you a new apartment in Santa Barbara? Perhaps it would be better if you lived on your own this time.” Stella was Larry’s personal assistant.

“Actually, Dad, I’ve already got an apartment. I’ve already got most of my shit figured out already.”

“Don’t curse, please. What neighborhood is this apartment in? I’m sure Stella could find you something better.”

“No, actually, I’m pretty happy with this one. Thanks anyways.” He was going to be sharing an apartment with a friend of Ben’s from work and one other guy. Gabe had met them both once, and they seemed like cool guys. He liked the idea of living with people he wasn’t really friends with—he thought that it might be better that way. He had driven out and seen the apartment, and it was a pretty typical messy college apartment, but Gabe thought it looked absolutely perfect.

“So what other—what else have you gotten ‘figured out’?”

“Well, I already talked to an academic advisor at UCSB, and I’m on track to start up with my classes again in September.”

“Good. That’s very … responsible of you.”

“I even have a job.”

“What kind of a job?”

“I’ll be working at a sister-store of the one I’m at now. It’s a place that sells surf, skate, and snowboard stuff. It’s a pretty sweet gig.”

“Gabriel, you don’t have to work at a place like that. You just focus on your studies. I can set you up with an internship for the summer, if you really want to.”

“No, thanks, Dad, I like this place. The money isn’t half-bad either, considering how chill of a job it is.”

“You don’t need to worry about money. I told you, I’ll give you back all the support you had before. I think you’ve shown me that you earned it.”

Gabe took a deep breath. For a second, he was tempted to just say yes, to take that easy rode again. He wanted to say yes to the freedom it allowed, the carefree life. But then, he thought about the past five months and all that that had given him, and he knew what he had to do. “I know, Dad, and I really appreciate that. I still need your help, but I’m going to try to do more for myself from now on. I think the job will cover my rent, my car, and my basic living expenses. I’ll need a hand with tuition, though.”

Larry was quiet for a moment, before saying. “Son, this is completely unnecessary.”

“It is necessary, though. I need it for me. I like working and earning a living.”

“You’ll have plenty of time for that when you finish college.”

“Come on, Dad, I’m trying to be mature and responsible here. You’re making it kind of hard for me.”

Larry uttered a noise that sounded something like a grumble. “You are being responsible, Gabriel, I can see that. I am impressed, but I just want to make sure you know what you’re doing. It isn’t easy to work and go to school at the same time.”

“I know that. I’ve been doing it for the past five months.”

“Of course.” Larry was quiet for a moment. “Well, all right, then. If it’s what you want, I’ll let you try this out.”

Gabe chose not to mention that he was going to do this, whether Larry “allowed” it or not. “OK, then. So, I just wanted to let you know what was going on, and make sure that you can take care of September’s tuition. I think it’s due early in the month.”

“Of course. I’ll take care of it. I’m proud of you, son. I really am.”

“Thanks,” Gabe said. “And just so you know, most of my newfound maturity is thanks to my big brother. Shaun’s been really helpful. Zach too.”

“Well. That’s … good then.”

“They’re doing great, by the way, in case you were wondering.”

Larry cleared his throat loudly. Gabe wasn’t surprised: he knew he shouldn’t expect anything more from his father. “Will you come see your mother and me this summer?” he asked.

“Sure. When will you be around?”

“We’ll be travelling for July and some of August, but I believe we’ll be back for a few weeks starting on the sixteenth. Of August, that is.”

“OK,” Gabe said, “I’ll come by in late August.”

“Good,” said Larry. “Well, I’m glad that’s settled.”

“Yeah. Uh, so, I’ll see you later then?”

“OK, Gabriel. You take care.”

“Late,” Gabe said, and hung up the phone. Well, it was done then. No more endless cash flow from his father: he’d be going back to UCSB almost completely on his own steam. He grinned to himself. He had a feeling it was going to be a good year.

That night at dinner, he gave Zach and Shaun the big news: he was set for school, set for his job, set for a place to live, and he’d be moving out in a week. Gabe had not exactly expected them to jump for joy, but he wouldn’t have been surprised to detect a hint of relief in their voices. Zach and Shaun did not seem relieved at all, though, when Gabe made his announcement. In fact, they both seemed a little sad about it.

Of course, they were completely supportive. Shaun said, “Good for you, man,” and Zach said, “That all sounds great.”

Cody was the most disappointed of all. “You’re leaving? For good?”

Gabe glanced at Shaun and Zach who were looking at each other. After Cody’s reaction to Shaun’s time away from home, he knew that the guys were concerned about him.

Zach said: “Yeah, Codes, he is. Remember what we said when Gabe first moved in? About how he would only live here for a little while?”

Cody looked from his fathers to Gabe for a moment before saying, “But I like it with you here. I think you should just stay.”

“That,” Gabe said, “would be amazing, bro, but I think it’s about time I got out of your dads’ hair. Besides, the school I go to is pretty far from here. It’s better if I live closer.”

Cody nodded and seemed to not be able to find a counterargument to this. “Well, you’re going to come back and visit, right?”

“Of course! All the time, man. You can even come visit me, if you want.” He looked up at Zach and Shaun. “You guys all need to come visit me. You’ve all been saying you’ll visit me in S.B. for ages, and you never have. You guys owe me.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Zach said, “we’ll make it there eventually. But we’re staying in a hotel.”

“No, come on! The three of you can all crash in my living room.”

“Ha,” Shaun said, “yeah, right. We’ll just let Cody curl up beside the keg.”

“What’s a keg?” Cody asked, and they all laughed.

God, Gabe thought, I am going to miss these guys.

*          *          *

Zach

Zach took a haul from the joint, held it in his lungs, exhaled, and then said, “I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow.”

“Bright and early,” Gabe said. “You guys can finally have your place back to normal.”

“Come on, man. You know it’s been great having you here.”

The two of them were seated on the back porch once again, watching the evening fade into darkness, sharing a joint, and enjoying Gabe’s last night there. Gabe took the spliff from Zach.

“You must be looking forward to getting back to the good life,” Zach said. “I bet you missed a lot of parties being all the way out here with us.”

Gabe shrugged as he exhaled the smoke into the air. “Parties are over-rated. I might actually start not going to as many.”

Zach looked at his best friend. “Is this Gabriel McTavish I’m talking to? Are you feeling OK?”

“I’m serious. I’ve learned a lot about what the good life really is living with an old married couple like you and Shaun.”

Zach smirked. “Just remember, only one of us is old.”

“Ha. I wasn’t talking about your ages. You guys are an old married couple: it’s simply a fact. You finish each other’s sentences, you cuddle on the couch, and you spend your Saturday nights falling asleep in front of lame movies.” Gabe grinned at him.

“Hey, now, I don’t think I ever remember finishing one of Shaun’s sentences, we keep our cuddling fairly private, and we do go out on Saturday nights. Occasionally.”

“Whatever, man. The old married couple thing was a compliment by the way. I admire you guys.”

Zach shrugged. “We just try to do the best we can.”

They passed the joint between them again and each took a hit before Gabe said, “You know, before moving in here, I thought that living life to the fullest was about having fun at every opportunity, and just doing whatever I wanted whenever I could. I still think some of that’s true, but … I guess I’m realizing that a happy life is about more than just that. It’s about, like, balance, man, you know?”

Zach nodded. He was feeling very philosophical. “Yeah, totally. Like, with Cody, Shaun and I can’t go out that much, but sometimes that’s good, you know? When we all first moved in together, I had no idea what to expect.” Zach chuckled as memories that hadn’t occurred to him in a while came flooding back. “Everything was so new: being Cody’s parent full-time, going to art school, being, you know, out and everything with Shaun. I didn’t know how I’d handle any of it, but then … it all just fell into place. I woke up one day and realized that I had this whole new life, and it wasn’t crazy or exciting or anything, but it was just … amazing. I realized that I loved it. I still do.” Fuck, he thought, weed makes me talk!

Gabe looked at him. “That is the truth, man.”

The door opened behind them and Shaun stepped outside holding a folded up camp chair under one arm and a beer in his other hand. “Hey, guys,” he said and set up the chair next to Zach.

“Quick, Zach,” Gabe said, “quit talking about him. You can tell me how tiny he is later.”

“Ha!” Shaun said. “Feeling a little insecure, are we?”

“As if. I am feeling on top of the world, brother.”

Shaun relaxed into the chair and opened his beer. “Yeah? Psyched to get out of here and back to your life of freedom and debauchery?”

“Oh, I won’t be that free, and I probably won’t have much time for debauchery. I’ll still have school and work, you know.”

Shaun nodded. “Yeah, I know. And I’m proud of you, little brother.”

Gabe rolled his eyes. “Aw, shucks.” They all chuckled, but then Gabe said, “In all seriousness, though, I can’t thank you guys enough for all you’ve done. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten my life back together without you guys.”

“You did it yourself, Gabe,” said Shaun.

“Maybe, but I still would’ve been totally lost without you two. Not everyone is so willing to have some jackass taking up their guest room for half a year.”

“You’re not just any jackass, though, Gabe,” Zach said with a smile, “you’re a jackass who’s a part of this family. And we help family out.” He and Gabe locked eyes for a moment before looking away. Male best friends were not exactly known for getting sentimental with one another, but Zach thought the moment was appropriate.

“Shit, man,” Gabe said, “you’re making me blush.”

“I think that’s the marijuana,” Shaun said.

“First of all,” said Gabe, taking the joint from Zach, “weed doesn’t make you blush. I’m pretty sure it has the opposite effect. Second of all, did you just say marijuana?”

Shaun grinned. “That’s what it is, right?”

“Man, you are so lame.” Then, the three of them all laughed, Zach and Gabe for much longer than Shaun.

“Seriously, though,” Gabe said, once he’d recovered. “I’m just trying to say thanks.”

Zach and Shaun looked at each other, then together, said, “You’re welcome.”

Gabe grinned. “Aha! So you two don’t just finish each other’s sentences, you actually speak in unison! You practically have one brain!”

“Huh?” Shaun said, raising an eyebrow.

Zach laughed. “Gabe’s just giving us a hard time.” He put his hand over Shaun’s. “He says we’re an old married couple.”

“Well, thank you, Gabe.”

Gabe looked at Zach. “See? I told you it was a compliment.”

“Whatever, man,” Zach said, but he was grinning. How could a compliment that was sort of an insult make him feel so happy? Or maybe it wasn’t just that. Maybe it was the weed. Or maybe, Zach thought, it was just … everything.

The next morning, everyone helped Gabe load up his car, even Cody. They had to cram things in tightly since Gabe had acquired a few items since moving in with them: a skateboard and some clothes he’d purchased with his store discount, an end table and some sheets Zach and Shaun had given him for his new place since they didn’t need them anymore, and a hefty stack of drawings from Cody, who made him promise they would go right up on the refrigerator at his new place.

Zach knew he’d be seeing his best friend soon enough—they already had plans to meet up in Laguna in a few weeks to surf and hang out in the big house—but this still felt like a real goodbye. Five months had flown by, but at the same time, he had gotten so used to having Gabe living with them. He had been tempted to join in with Cody and insist that Gabe just live there with them for good, but knew that for many reasons, that would be a bad idea.

Once the car was completely packed, there was nothing else left to do. “Well,” Gabe said, “it’s been real, guys.”

“Yeah, man,” Zach said, reaching out to shake his best friend’s hand, “drive safe.”

Gabe took his hand, but pulled him in for a back-thumping hug. Next, it was Shaun’s turn, and the two brothers hugged and said their goodbyes. Cody, who had suddenly entered a no-hugging phase, got a ruffle of the hair and a slug on the shoulder. “Keep it real, playboy,” Gabe told him.

Cody nodded. “Don’t forget to put my pictures up.”

“I won’t! No worries, man.” Gabe opened the door of his car, then turned back to look at them. “Thanks again for everything, guys. It’s been a blast.”

“Anytime,” Zach said. They all waved, and Gabe finally got into his car and started the engine. The three of them stood side-by-side, with Shaun in the middle, his arms wrapped around each of Zach’s and Cody’s shoulders as they watched the car drive off. Zach felt a heaviness in his chest and he was reminded, suddenly, of a day almost two years ago when the three of them had stood just as they were now, watching a different car drive away. On that day, he had been nervous, excited, angry, happy, and also deeply sad. On this day, Zach was still nervous and excited for what the future would hold, a little sad to say goodbye to his friend, but also very, very happy. He knew that he may not have everything, but he had everything important, so what else mattered?

The End

Comments

[pairatime.livejournal.com]

great ending to a great story

[janes-thomas.livejournal.com]

awesome. thanks for giving us such a lovely story.

[figaro23.livejournal.com]

Gabe's goading Zach about Shaun being "tiny" was so funny! I really loved this whole image of what it'd be like with Gabe living with the guys. Well done, great dialogue throughout this whole saga! I can't wait for the epilogue... (Of course, we have to check in with Gabe and the guys after Gabe has begun his new life, don't we? *wink wink*)

[msmaxine.livejournal.com]

Enjoyed the whole story. You did a great job. Hope we'll see more.

[bbmaniac.livejournal.com]

this was FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's kind of shitty that you had to finish it. though.... THANK YOU.