Chapter Text
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Piso!” Bon said, offering over the flowers.
He took the flowers, sniffing them as he did. “Wow, my wife will love these.”
Anthony forcibly closed his jaw, following Coy’s dad inside.
“Coy!” he greeted, just as his son walked around the corner.
He smiled first at Hanbon, then at Anthony. “Hey, guys!” The top two buttons of his green button-up were undone, revealing the white shirt beneath. His dress pants stopped at the ankle, showing pink socks.
“Should we take our shoes off?” Bon asked.
“Yes, please!” the Commissioner—Coy’s dad—replied.
The two did so as Coy informed his dad he’d be giving them a ‘tour’ of the apartment, starting with Coy’s bedroom.
His dad nodded. “And button up your shirt while you’re at it.”
“Will do!”
As they walked away, he leaned close to Anthony’s ear to whisper, “I’m not doing that.”
Anthony laughed a bit, only feeling the ball in his stomach begin to crawl up his throat. He swallowed it back down.
Coy shut his bedroom door behind them.
“Aw, Coy, your room is even cooler in person than on the phone,” Hanbon admired, spinning to get a full view.
Coy’s room had a visible green theme, but not to the point it looked tacky. With plants hanging from the ceiling and shoved into windowsills, band posters arranged neatly on the walls, and green bed made tidily, Coy fit perfectly into his room.
“You look like your room,” Anthony said, analyzing every detail.
Little figures dotted shelves and keychains hung from hooks on the walls. Those holiday sticky gels you get from dollar stores were stuck to the sliding glass door leading onto a balcony outside.
“Is that a compliment?” Coy asked, raising an eyebrow.
Anthony made eye contact. “Yeah. It’s cool.”
Coy smiled in that way you do when someone says something funny, but you’re not supposed to laugh.
Bon threw herself onto Coy’s no-longer-neat bed, stretching her arms out like she was going to make a snow-angel. “Coy, this is soo comfy.”
Coy collapsed next to her.
After a moment of silence, Anthony cleared his throat. “I, um, didn’t know your dad was the police Commissioner.”
Coy sat up. “You know my dad?”
Anthony shrugged, realizing too late that he probably shouldn't have said anything. “I’m a photographer for The Daily Bunch. I do all the Spider-Man pictures. He’s been in the papers a lot, you know, calling for action against the guy.”
Coy exhaled and looked up at the ceiling. “I forgot you did that. Yeah, my dad isn’t very fond of him. I don’t know why.”
Anthony raised his eyebrows. “You don’t feel the same?”
Coy shrugged. “I think he’s doing his best and his best is pretty good.” He rested his chin on his hand, grinning.
Hanbon sat up, resting her head on Coy’s shoulder. “Plus, being a spider guy is so cool. Ugh, I wish I was Spider-Man.”
“Spider-Woman?” Coy suggested, teasingly.
“I’d be the best Spider-Man,” Bon replied.
Anthony held in a laugh. “Yeah, you probably would be, Bon.”
Coy turned suddenly to Anthony. “Wait, so if you’re the Spider-Man photographer, you’ve definitely met the guy, right?”
Anthony paused, not sure how to explore this subject. “Uh, kind of. I usually see him from afar.”
Coy pressed his lips together and tilted his head.
Hanbon crossed her arms.
“Okay,” Coy said, clearly unbelieving.
After a moment of filler and warnings about parents, Coy covered Bon’s ear to whisper, “By the way, how are you today, Anthony?”
Hanbon pushed his hands away.
Anthony smiled. “I’m good. I appreciate you inviting me for dinner.”
Coy covered Hanbon’s ears again. “We’ll talk more later.”
“Coy, my hair!” She pushed him away again.
Coy ran his hands through her hair as she shoved him away with a yelp.
“Stop it!” she said.
“Coy, dinner!” supposedly Coy’s mom shouted.
“Coming!” he yelled back, standing as he did. He put his hands out. “Okay, Anthony, don’t bring up Spider-Man or your job. Everyone, don’t take anything they say to heart. All right?”
“Got it!” Bon and Anthony replied.
The two followed Coy to the dining room, and sat at a table for six. The Commissioner was already sitting at the head, and Coy’s mom was placing dishes of food in the center.
Coy had Anthony and Bon sit next to each other, and he sat across from Bon, closest to where his mom would be sitting at the other head.
Coy’s mom sat last with a smile. “It’s so nice to meet some of Coy’s friends,” she said. “He never has anyone over.”
Coy rolled his eyes.
“Now, let us say grace,” she said, clasping her hands above the table and bowing her head.
Bon and Anthony did as instructed and listened while Coy’s dad said the prayer. It wasn’t something that either of them were used to, as they never did so in their household.
Once he finished, the five loaded food onto their plates and began to eat while making small talk. They mostly spoke about college majors and future careers—that was always an adult favorite.
Coy’s dad teased him for working in a coffee shop when he could be getting a “real job.”
“Dad, please, I’m only part-time there because I have schoolwork to do,” Coy muttered.
“Speak clearly,” his dad replied. “And I’m sure that your friends are working full-time. Aren’t you?” He turned to Hanbon and Anthony.
Hanbon shook her head.
“Uh, part-time,” Anthony said.
The Commissioner raised a brow. “What is it you do then?”
Anthony glanced nervously at Coy.
“I’m a photographer, sir. For The Daily Bunch.”
“Really?”
“Yes, but I’m not contracted. I’m paid per photo.”
“Hmm.” He nodded, not sure whether to be unimpressed or not. “And what is it you take photos of?”
Anthony cleared his throat. “Um…”
The Commissioner spread his hands. “What are they paying you for? Must be good.”
“He takes pictures of Spider-Man, Dad,” Coy said, picking at his food. “His photos are the ones on all the covers.”
Anthony nodded hesitant, unsure of what to say next. “Well, mine and another girl my age. Usually mine, though.”
Mr. Piso set down his fork. Everyone waited, even Coy’s mom, to see what he would say next. “You’re the Spider-Man photographer?”
Anthony nodded again. “Yes, sir.”
He ran his tongue over his lip. “Really? So you’ve met him?”
Coy rolled his eyes again. “No, he’s never met him.”
Mr. Piso narrowed his eyes. “Huh. Your pictures are awfully close up. Pretty high quality.”
“Thank you, I use a really good lens—expensive.”
“No kidding.”
“Dear, no work-talk at the table please,” Mrs. Piso finally interrupted.
They went back to eating, and Mrs. Piso continued asking Hanbon about her finance major.
“That must be so exciting!” she said. “Especially with how much money that’ll make you. Isn’t that right, Coy? You should find a girl like her.”
Anthony narrowed his eyes, food suddenly tasteless mush between his teeth. Coy kicked him in the shin.
Hanbon laughed nervously. “Well, Coy will be making plenty of money on his own with his biochemical engineering major.”
Anthony tilted his head, forcing himself to swallow. “You’re studying biochemical engineering? That’s so cool.”
Coy pursed his lips. “Yeah. You thought I was an art major or something, huh?”
Anthony exhaled through his teeth. “Well, I guess I just assumed because we have mixed media together. But, to be fair, I’m also in that class and I’m not an art major.”
Coy perked up, eyes wide. “You didn’t turn that project in, did you?”
Anthony inhaled slowly and pursed his lips. “No…”
Coy threw his head back and sank into the chair. “Professor Allen’s gonna kill us.”
“You didn’t turn an assignment in?” Coy’s mom asked incredulously. “Coy!”
He put his hands up. “Tonight’s the actual last-minute, no return deadline. He just wanted it earlier for extra points.” The lie rolled easily off his tongue. “Not that I need them.”
“Why didn’t you turn it in on time?” Coy’s dad asked, looking from his son to Anthony.
“I—uh—”
Coy interrupted, “He had a really bad migraine. It was last night, when we were doing movie night. He got there late and then felt horrible. We told him just to go to bed.”
Mr. Piso shook his head. “You always have to be on top of those kinds of things. That’s how you get behind.”
“It was one time, Dad.”
“That’s what they all say. It starts with one time, then it’s another, and another, until it’s everytime.”
Coy set down his fork, seemingly full. “Yeah, Dad. You’re right.”
The Commissioner nodded. “Do better. Both of you.”
Anthony nodded, taken aback that he was also being talked to that way by someone else's father.
Coy stood suddenly. “Hanbon, Anthony, are you done eating?”
They both nodded hesitantly, as neither of them were done eating.
“If you want to wait in the living room, I’ll clean up. It’s the room where the front door is.”
They both waited, to make sure neither Mr. or Mrs. Piso would disagree. After a moment, both of them stood and went to the front room, where they waited on the couch. Even out of sight of the dining room, they could still hear every whispered word.
“All I want is for you to bring a girl home,” Mrs. Piso said softly. “I thought that maybe that was why you were finally bringing Hannah over—to tell us the news.”
“No, Mom. I brought her over because you told me I had to.”
“Don’t sound so ungrateful!” his dad shouted. “We’re helping you find a nice woman, with a nice salary. She has an acceptable career ahead of her.”
“So does Anthony!” Coy yelled back. “And so does Ben, and so does Toby. They’re all in the majors that you tried to pick for me, but you don’t care because they’re not women.”
Coy’s mom gasped. “Coy, don’t you dare. I thought we were over this. Coy, we’ve given you everything. I’ve tried so hard. Please, tell me what I did wrong to make you like this!”
“Enough!” Mr. Piso demanded. “We have guests. Coy, grab a boardgame and go to the living room.”
Anthony and Hanbon turned to each other with furrowed brows, wide eyes, and opened mouths.
A moment later, Coy was setting up Life on the coffee table.
Neither Anthony nor Bon said a word.
Coy sighed. “You heard all of that.” He didn’t look at either of them as he sorted cards into piles.
“I’m so sorry,” Hanbon managed, sliding off the couch to give him a hug.
Coy sniffed. “It’s whatever. We’re gonna play a game and then you guys are gonna go home and I’ll see you both on Monday. That’s what’s gonna happen. And everything will be fine.”
Hanbon placed a hand on his back. “Do you wanna come home with us? Or, do a sleepover, or—”
“Life?” the Commissioner inquired, sitting back in an arm chair. “Sounds interesting.
Mrs. Piso sat on a stool beside the coffee table. “Oh, it’s been forever since we played this.” She turned to Anthony and Hanbon. “We used to play so many board games, but since Coy’s sisters have moved out, we haven’t really been able to. There aren’t many board games for only three people.”
Anthony had only ever played Life with four players, but Coy’s seemed to have six car pieces.
Coy chose green, Hanbon pink, Anthony yellow, Mr. Piso blue, and Mrs. Piso red.
There wasn’t much small-talk, except for between Coy’s parents. Anthony had run out of words. Nothing smaller than the conversation he’d just overheard felt appropriate in that moment.
Coy took the next turn, landing on the wedding stop-sign. He spun the wheel, which decided that he would get married.
His mom dug into the bag of pieces and handed him a pink one, which he stuck into the passenger’s seat of his car with a sigh through his nose.
Each turn, Anthony felt the seconds tick by, watching the grandfather clock sluggishly raise its arms.
He didn’t want to leave Coy there alone, but he didn’t want to be there either.
Hanbon crossed the finish line first, parking in the driveway of the humble cottage rather than the golden mansion. She sighed dramatically. “You guys make it too easy.”
Coy’s parents clapped and leaned back.
“How fun!” his mom said. “I miss having all my children home.”
Coy, Bon, and Anthony stood.
“Well, it’s probably time for them to head home,” Coy said. “Their uncle gets worried.”
They both nodded, grateful for the excuse.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay the night?” Bon asked for the final time.
Coy shook his head. “No, not tonight. Thanks anyway.”
Coy and his parents walked Anthony and Bon to the door, exchanging pleasantries as they put their shoes on.
Anthony went to shake hands with the Commissioner, but he clapped his hand on Anthony’s shoulder instead, pulling him in for a hug.
Anthony held in a scream at the pain, reducing it to a wince and groan instead.
The Commissioner pulled back. “Oh, sorry. Did I hurt you?”
Anthony shook his head nervously, realizing the mistake he’d made. “Oh, no, sorry. I fell yesterday and hit my shoulder. It’s been sore since.”
“You did?” Bon asked.
“Is that why Will was doing everything for you?” Coy inquired.
Coy’s dad thought for a moment, then smiled. “Be careful, boy. Watch yourself, all right? And keep clear of Spider-Man when you’re working.”
Anthony nodded. “Yes, sir.”
"And turn in that assignment!"
"Yes, sir!" he said again.
Coy hugged Bon, seemingly scared to let go.
He hugged Anthony next, now careful of his left arm. The two had never exchanged a hug before, so Anthony wasn’t quite sure how to react. Coy pulled away before he had enough time to think too much about it.
“Call me later?” Bon asked.
Coy nodded.
“Thank you so much for having us over, Mr. and Mrs. Piso,” Anthony said, though he didn’t mean it.
“Of course!” Mrs. Piso replied. “Come back anytime!”
The whole walk home, Anthony and Hanbon had talked about Coy’s parents.
They passed the Jumpstart, where Anthony could faintly see Toby cleaning off counters inside. They waved but didn’t try to interrupt his closing.
Anthony’s phone rang, showing Will’s contact photo.
He picked up, informing Will immediately that Hanbon was listening.
The two of them explained some of the situation, though they didn’t want to expose all of Coy’s private business.
When they got back to their apartment, Will was waiting in pajamas to surprise them with a sleepover, though the atmosphere had been drained.
Anthony and Will took each other’s hands, pressing their foreheads together.
Bon sighed. “You guys are so weird. Dad?” she called.
Uncle John appeared in the hallway, already dressed for bed.
Anthony and Will waved.
“How was dinner?”
The two re-explained the situation, with Will chiming in with details even though he’d just heard the story himself a few minutes again.
Uncle John shook his head. “How horrible. Make sure he knows he’s welcome here anytime.”
“I tried to get him to stay the night,” Bon said, peeling a stray orange that had been laying on the counter. “But he said no.”
“You did all you could.”
A beat of silence.
Uncle John turned to Anthony. “Anthony, did you still want to talk to me?”
Bon and Will waited, staring at him.
“Well, I, uh…” He looked at Will.
Will nodded. “He likes girls.”
Bon raised a brow.
“Oh! He likes girls, and he likes boys, and it’s popular now—” (Please, catch the Slushynoobz reference)
Anthony jabbed an elbow into his ribs.
Uncle John opened his mouth and then closed it, thinking for a moment that seemed to stretch into minutes. “Did you think I’d be upset about that?”
Anthony shrugged. “No, I just… I got scared, I guess. I’m sorry.”
“And that’s why you ran off yesterday?”
He nodded.
“Oh, Anthony. You should know that won’t change how I see you. But maybe now I’ll have more options for setting you up.”
“That’s what I said!” Bon shouted.
Uncle John chuckled. “Okay, go ahead and get ready for bed.”
Anthony lay in his bed, with Will and Bon laying on blankets on the floor.
None of them spoke, not for hours until they’d begun to fall asleep.
Anthony, in his half-asleep state, thought of texting Coy to check in on him, as he had done the same for Anthony the night before. But, before he had a chance, Hanbon’s phone began to buzz.
He squinted his eyes against the light from the screen, but the quiet buzzing wasn’t enough to wake her, and the call rang out.
After a moment, Anthony’s ringtone began to go off.
He answered the phone quickly to keep it from waking the other two. “Coy?”