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Growing up, Specs had never wanted kids. Even now, with the way his life is with college and paranormal huntings, he doesn’t think he would be able to settle down and start a family, even if he wanted to. The concept of being a father just never seemed all that appealing to him.
So, here he is, in the present, studying the items for sale in the airport gift shop for something to bring to his niece. Or step-niece, maybe? He’s not sure what the term actually is.
Tucker meets him as he’s busy combing through shirts, looking to see if they have Diana’s size.
“You’re gonna get her a shirt?” He asks, but his voice is laced more with amusement than judgment. Specs takes a moment to stare at him, and continues to busy himself. “Probably not.” He replies. He can hear Tucker snort, and he just rolls his eyes.
He settles on a stuffed animal (kids love those, right?) and he shoves it into his carryon bag. The entire time, Tucker’s eyes are trained on him, almost as if the other man is judging Specs for getting such a low effort gift.
There’s no problem getting to the gate and boarding the plane. It’s almost routine at this point, with how often he’s taken this exact flight before. The only thing that’s different today is that Tucker’s joined him.
Usually, the other man never has time or he doesn’t feel like flying for hours to visit Specs’ older brothers, but the minute Specs had mentioned a kid being involved this trip, he was packed to go within the hour.
The flight is uneventful, save for Tucker falling asleep and resting his head on Specs’ shoulder while he comfortably watches a movie (the inflight movie wasn’t interesting, and he had his laptop on him anyways). Tucker stirs a few times, and Specs has to admit, Tucker’s soft breathing against his neck and hair against his skin is a nice feeling.
The plane touches down, and Specs gently shakes Tucker awake, cleaning the drool off of his shoulder (It’s kind of gross, and he reminds himself to not wear a t-shirt next time. Or bring a blanket or washcloth).
They hop off the plane, grab their luggage at the carousel (Specs nearly loses Tucker, a surprising accomplishment due to his towering stature), and wait by pickup.
Specs finds himself resting his head against Tucker’s shoulder while they wait for his brother to show up. Without fail, Specs always feels sleepy when he touches down in his hometown. He just chalks it up to minor jet lag though, as he struggles to not drift off.
He closes his eyes for a split second, and Tucker gently nudges him. Though, gently is putting it lightly and Specs stumbles for a moment before he spots David’s car coming.
David pulls up, and Tucker takes Specs’ luggage with him in the back as Specs crawls into the front seat. As usual, David has a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth, and his headphones hang around his neck. His lighter rests in the cupholder, and the radio is playing a song Specs doesn’t recognize (he and his brothers’ music taste tends to clash).
“I see you’re wearing the shirt I got you.” David chuckles as he reaches for his lighter. Specs looks down at his shirt for a fleeting moment. It’s a simple black tee, with the words I’d rather be ghost hunting in white text. David had gifted him it for his birthday. He’d hidden it near the back of his closet. He did love it, but he wouldn’t be caught dead telling David that.
Tucker makes a noise in the back as David lights up, taking a drag of his cigarette. Specs’ nose crinkles. He’s always hated the stench of smoke, and it bothers him inside that his older brothers both smoke. Especially since the incidents. But Specs knows there’s nothing he can really do about it.
He opens the window to lean out as David starts the car and they’re off on their journey.
* * *
David’s car pulls up in front of the house, and Specs jolts awake. He hadn’t even realized he’d drifted off. A quick peek over his shoulder confirms that Tucker was in the same boat. He’s also waking up and seeming disoriented.
Specs hears David chuckle, and whips around to face his brother.
“Welcome back to the living realm, sleeping beauty.” He teases as he unlocks the doors. “Wasn’t sleeping.” Specs says, in an attempt to defend himself, but David snorts.
“You totally were. You had your head back, and you were snoring.” David laughs, exiting the car. Specs scrambles out, and leans against David’s car. “Was not. I don’t snore. Tucker snores.” He says, and he can hear Tucker groan as he gets their luggage from the backseat.
“I do not.” He growls as he shoulders Specs’ backpack.
His tone of voice suggests the conversation is already over. So Specs leaves it be.
He grabs his suitcases, and they head inside the house, only for Specs to nearly be sent flying as soon as he steps through the door. Diana’s wrapped around his legs in an instant, arms secured around his waist.
“Uncle Specs!!” She squeals, and he can’t help but chuckle. She’s so damn adorable. “Hey, Di.” He greets her, awkwardly reaching to ruffle her hair.
A familiar chuckle rings in Specs’ ears, and he moves his head in the direction of the sound. Adam is draped across the couch, head pressed into Lawrence’s shoulder. “Down, girl.” He laughs, and Diana pouts before releasing Specs from her grasp.
“She’s been asking about you, Steven.” Adam says matter-of-factly, sounding amused as Diana circles him and David like a shark. Tucker stumbles in through the open doorway, and he quickly makes eye contact with the girl.
The sight is amusing to Specs as he continues to drag the suitcases inside the house. Tucker, a tall specimen of a man, being sized down by an eight year old who barely reaches up to his chest. They’re both staring each other in the eye, as if neither trusts the other.
“Who is this?” She asks, casting her glance in Specs’ direction.
He finds himself biting his lip, since he’s not sure what to say. Co-worker? Friend? The guy that lives in my garage? All three?
“I’m his partner.” Tucker simply grumbles, nodding his head towards Specs in a simple gesture. Diana’s eyes flicker between the pair, and Specs can see her look towards his brother and Lawrence.
“Do you want me to help you bring your luggage upstairs?” Lawrence offers, but Tucker shakes head. “I’ve got it.” He says, brushing past Specs. Specs grabs his suitcases and starts up the stairs, but Adam’s off the couch in a flash, taking a suitcase. “Adam, you don’t n-” he starts, but Adam stares at him.
“Can a guy not catch up with his little brother?” Adam feigns innocence, batting his eyelashes in Specs’ face. Specs sighs. “What’s up with you?” He asks as they ascend the stairs.
“Not much. Di’s been bugging us about when you were coming.” Adam shrugs, shouldering one of Tucker’s duffle bags.
Specs makes a noise in his throat akin to a purr.
“Really. She’s been counting down the days ‘til today. For months. Kind of endearing but also annoying. Don’t think I‘ve ever been more excited to see my baby brother.” Adam drops the suitcase on the stair as he maneuvers Specs into a headlock. Specs squeaks, and attempts to wriggle away from Adam while Adam ruffles his hair.
“So, how’ve you been, Steven?” Adam’s beaming, and Specs just shakes his head, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
Tucker grunts as he climbs the top stair. “I’ve been good, I guess. Classes aren’t too bad.” Specs shrugs.
“That’s good.” Adam clicks his tongue as he throws open the door to the guest bedroom.
Specs sneaks a look over at Tucker, who seems to have busied himself with throwing his duffle bags on the bed. Their luggage is soon in a pile, and Adam grins. “Come down when you’re settled.” He laughs, and closes the door.
Specs allows himself to fall backwards onto the bed with a deep exhale.
“Your brothers are really something, huh?” Tucker asks, breaking the silence. He’s cracking open a can of soda (Specs has no idea where he got that, and he doesn’t feel like questioning it) and taking loud sips as Specs lays there, focusing on his breathing.
“They can be so much worse, dude.” Specs says, removing his glasses and wiping them down with his shirt. “Oh?” Tucker chuckles into his drink and Specs nudges him with his elbow.
“You don’t know the half of it, man. You’ll probably see it by the end of this trip.” Specs chuckles, and Tucker snorts. “I hope they live up to my expectations.”
Specs lays back again and sighs, allowing himself to stretch. His back kind of hurts, and a nap sounds very nice right now, but it’ll have to wait. He wants to get Tucker accustomed to David and Adam’s nonsense as soon as he can.
There’s a comfortable silence as Specs lays there, listening to Tucker lap up every last drop of his drink.
“You gonna take the bed, and I take the floor?” Tucker asks, and Specs has to sit up to make sure he heard his associate correctly. “What?” He asks, shooting Tucker a raised eyebrow. Tucker simply shrugs. “I brought a sleeping bag. In case you wanted the bed all to yourself.”
Specs rests his fingers on his temple.
“Why would I make you sleep on the floor?” He presses. Tucker chuckles.
“You’re the one who said I snored, I thought?” He looks smug. Specs rolls his eyes.
* * *
After a good twenty minutes of arguing over the sleeping arrangement (Tucker had still chosen to use his sleeping bag. He didn’t see the point of not using it when he’d gone through the effort to pack the thing), Specs heads downstairs.
Naturally, Diana lunges at him before his foot even hits the floor, causing him to stumble and tumble to the floor. He can hear Tucker snort as he rises to his feet, dusting himself off. Diana is looking up at him, eyes sparkling almost.
Then, he realizes he forgot the plush in his backpack.
After a panicked run upstairs where he may or may not have shoved Tucker hard into the railing, he comes back, and Diana rips the toy from his hands. “I thought you would like it,” Specs awkwardly says, and Diana hugs it closer to her chest.
“I love him, Uncle Specs!” She chirps, and Specs feels a bubble of warmth rise inside his chest. “I’m glad you do,” He reaches out to ruffle her hair, and she sticks her tongue out at him.
Lawrence and Adam are still draped across the couch, but Adam’s on one side, head tilted back and staring towards the ceiling, and Specs can see his tongue lolling out of his mouth. Specs can’t tell if he’s concentrating on something or zoned out. Adam is hard to read. Lawrence on the other hand is reading.
David is in an armchair across the room, watching tv. His head perks up as Specs enters the room. “Look who finally decided to join us!” David teases, grinning so wide he looks like the Cheshire cat.
“Shut up, David.” Specs rolls his eyes, crossing his arms across his chest. But he’s smiling, and he can start to see Adam smirking from the corner of his eye.
“Hey, Steven. How’s work going? Catch any good spooks?” He asks, turning his head to make eye contact with his brother. Specs' ears suddenly feel like they’re on fire. Tucker just shrugs and stalks off towards the kitchen.
“Spooks?” Diana’s voice sounds, and Specs barely manages not to jump. He twists around as she pads into the room, looking up at her step-uncle. “Like, ghosts?”
“Yup. Your uncle’s a ghost hunter, Diana!” David bursts out, staring his brother directly in the eyes. Specs can feel the heat curling around his ears as it descends down his neck. He thought Lawrence had told them to lie and say Specs had a “real job” (he doesn’t even remember what it was now, actually), didn’t he?
Diana’s eyes widen, and she reaches out to touch Specs’ shirt. She traces the words across his chest, and her mouth twists.
"That's so cool!" She bursts out as she traces the words on Specs' shirt. So naturally, he leans down on one knee to grant her better access.
"Used t’ be a hobby before," Tucker says as he comes back into the room, munching away on some chips. Specs wishes he could be surprised, but Tucker’s stomach is like a black hole. So he really isn’t.
"Do you have any stories?" Diana asks, eyes sparkling. Specs and Tucker share a quick glance, and they both seem to be thinking the same thing.
Specs settles himself onto the floor and Diana follows suit, draping herself across his lap. He absently runs a finger through her hair.
"I dunno about that one, Di. Might be scary for you." Specs teases, curling a strand of her hair around his finger. She huffs up at him. "I'm a big girl!" She confidently exclaims, eyes sparkling up at her uncle.
"Even big girls can get scared. We're both adults and we get scared." Tucker says through a mouth of chips. He winks at Specs, and he immediately understands.
"C'mon, Uncle Specs! I wanna hear your stories!" Diana whines, poking him in the cheek. He finds himself chuckling as he runs his hand through her hair.
"I don't know, Di. Your uncle's seen some scary stuff." Adam chimes in, clearly amused. "Yeah, he's got nerves of steel!" David adds in, grinning.
Specs knows David is right. His mind wanders back to that house, to that creepy girl on the bed. To the rocking horses creaking on their own. To that red faced demon, lurking above the bed and brandishing its claws. To the possessed girl. He briefly wonders if those would be a good story, but ultimately decides against it. Lawrence would kill him.
"Very true, Diana. I’ve seen a lot. I don’t think you’re brave enough to hear about any of it though,” Specs winks at her, booping her on the nose. Diana clearly suppresses a giggle.
"I can handle it! Just tell me, Uncle Specs!!" Diana whines, tugging on his shirt.
"What say you, Tucker? Should we?" He says, casting his gaze in the direction of the other man. Tucker just crunches on his chips, but he nods. Specs can see crumbs accumulating in his beard.
"Alright, if you insist." Specs laughs, and Diana's smile melts his heart. He has to admit, he does like being around kids. He straightens himself, and Diana rolls off his lap. She sits up and stares at him with her utmost attention.
Specs clears his throat as Tucker settles down next to him on the floor.
The two of them launch into a story. It’s a simple and tame, yet still fascinating one. Specs thanks his lucky stars that they have mediocre stories to tell, but he makes a mental note to tell Diana about the scarier experiences when she’s older.
Diana watches Tucker and him as they recount numerous tales, mostly from their early hunting days. She’s totally enthralled, and Specs feels pride well up inside him. Diana is clearly impressed, which he’s surprised by. Most people would probably only care about the Dalton incident, as it had come to be known between him and Tucker.
Specs wonders briefly if he could somehow get them to meet. He feels like they could be friends.
When the story is wrapped, Diana bounces into Specs’ lap. Tucker yawns, shaking the bag of chips into his mouth, and Specs’ nose wrinkles as he watches the crumbs dust his beard.
“I want to go ghost hunting with you!!” She exclaims, rolling off of Specs’ lap and hitting the ground with a soft thump. He freezes for a moment.
"I'm not sure about that, Diana." Specs says, running through quick scenarios in his brain. He's not sure how Lawrence would feel about the two of them taking his daughter halfway across the country. Probably not too happy.
"Yeah. We don't have our equipment with us. 's risky to bring it." Tucker says, crumpling the bag and tossing it in the direction of the trash can across the room. The bag lands inside, and Tucker pumps a fist in the air. Diana claps.
"Sorry, kiddo. Maybe when you're older, your uncle will take you. Right, Steven?" David suddenly chimes in. Diana pouts, but she doesn't attempt to fight back.
"Right."
Though, Specs has to admit the idea of having Diana along seems fun. He's already promised to take his brothers in the future.
"Can I hear another story?" Diana asks, eyes pleading.
Specs glances back at Tucker, who just nods.
* * *
The conversation dies down eventually and they watch a movie and eat dinner. Soon enough, it's bedtime and Specs and Tucker retreat to the guest room.
Specs walks into the room, rubbing his damp hair with a towel. Tucker is already in his sleeping bag, staring up at the ceiling.
He sits on the bed, continuing to dry his hair, listening to Tucker's breathing. His own unintentionally starts to sync with Tucker's as he finishes drying his hair.
"Steven?" Lawrence suddenly appears in the doorway, and Specs jumps. "Yeah?" Specs gets out, feeling his heart pounding. Lawrence nods his head and Specs follows him outside.
"What's wrong?" Specs asks as soon as he steps outside into the hall.
"Oh, nothing. I just wanted to thank you." He says, smiling. Specs cocks his head to the side like a puppy.
"For what?" He's confused, to say the least.
"For telling Diana your stories. I haven't seen her that happy in years." Lawrence says softly, and Specs feels his heart pick up.
"I'm glad I could help?" He's not sure what to say.
"I may not believe in this stuff myself, but seeing how enthralled she was with how animated you were… it's sweet." Lawrence says, clapping Specs on the back.
"Thanks." He responds, still unsure about what he should be saying. But Lawrence turns and walks away, and Specs watches him go.
He walks back into the bedroom, and hears Tucker stir. He sleepily drawls something, but Specs can't make it out.
He crawls into bed, and swiftly falls asleep.
It's going to be a good visit.