Work Text:
What Do We Call Him
In a little cottage in Forks, Washington lived a man named Harlen and his fiancé Trevor. “Hurry up love! We’re going to be late!” Harlen said. They were going to his parents’ house. Neither one was looking forward to seeing the father but figured they should tell Trevor was going to be a part of the family. “Alright I’m ready we can go now!” Trevor replied, and Harlen kissed him lovingly on the forehead as they walked out of the house hand in hand. They did not break apart until they got to the front porch of his parents’ house. Harlen was bouncing up and down nervously, so Trevor gave his hand one last squeeze before knocking on the front door. Harlens father Klaus answered, “what is he doing here!” he questioned Harlen angrily. “We have some news. May we come in?” Harlen tried to ask politely. Klaus just stood aside as an answer.” They all walked into the living room where Harlen’s mom was knitting. “Hey kids, what's going on?” Cami questioned. Harlen sucked in a deep breath and blurted out, “Me and Trev are about to get married!” “What?!” his father yelled, causing Harlen to flinch and Trevor to grab his hand and squeeze it letting his fiancé know he was there, but that only made Klaus more angry. “If you marry him, then you will never be let back into this family again!” Harlen looked like he had just been hit, and Trevor couldn't take it anymore. He had to say something. “How could you say that to your child just because he is gay? If you push him away you're going to be missing out on the most amazing and loving person ever.” But Klaus didn’t even look at him; he just kept glaring at Harlen in contempt. Harlen had heard him be tough, and those were the words he needed to finally stand up to his father. “I have been with Trev for three years now, and you have never accepted us and I’m sorry my birth mom left you for Shayde, but you can’t continue taking it out on every gay person you come across. Klaus’s face turned red and then he lunged at Harlen, leaving Harlen defenseless against him. Trevor was quick to get Klaus off, but not quick enough, as Harlen ended up with a broken nose and bloody eye. Trevor held Harlen as he cried and told him it was going to be alright. Then Cami started yelling at Klaus. “How could you hurt your own son like that when all he ever wanted was your love and acceptance? I’m taking them out to lunch while you figure your shit out! You better start accepting your son or you won’t just lose him you’ll also lose your wife!” Then Harlen, Trevor, and Cami went to dinner. Klaus never did come around and it hurt not having him there for the big moments like getting married and adopting a baby girl. It hurt, but Harlen got through it with the love and support of his husband, mother, and children and he also found his own self love and approval. He loved his father but was no longer dependent on his father’s approval and that felt so good and freeing.