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Shawn can admit that he’s more than a little nervous as he and Cory wait on the boardwalk at Coney Island for Turner. It’s not a surprise that Turner returned to New York, especially when he reconnected with that old girlfriend of his. She’s not coming today, but he’s hoping that things go well, and he could re-meet her later.
And at least he’s not alone for this. Cory’s here to support him if the worst happens.
Not that he’s thinking about the worst.
Of course not.
Cory keeps telling him that Turner would be supportive, but Shawn’s never had that much of his optimism. The only time he’d been remotely positive that coming out would go well was with Cory’s parents because they are the most loving people he knows, and he could never imagine that they would turn on their middle son for dating his best friend.
But Shawn has never had that (except when he was living with Turner) and he’d let him down returning to his parents (who turned around and ran out on him, again), so would he – did he love Shawn enough to accept them? Did he love Shawn at all?
Shawn wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t. He barely knew Shawn and after all, Shawn hadn’t made it easier on him suddenly having a teenager that he had to take in because he… felt bad for him. It’s not like he raised him from birth and had that love for him for over twenty years.
Not like Cory’s parents.
“Shawnie, you okay?” Cory asks as he returns from a nearby street vendor with a couple of waters.
Shawn accepts the water and nods. “I just…”
He can’t quite find the words.
“Thinking of the worst?”
“We’ve gotten lucky so far,” he offers, by way of explanation. “Your parents, my brother, Feeny…”
“And you think the odds are stacked against this one?”
“Maybe,” he says, shrugging. “I just… I’ve never been an optimist.”
“I get it,” Cory offers, but before he could try and offer some of his positivity, they hear, “Matthews! Hunter!”
They both turn and spot Turner walking towards them. He’s still walking a bit slowly, but he no longer needs a cane. He looks surprisingly good, healthy.
He doesn’t hesitate to hug both of them. Genuinely happy to see them.
“John, you’re looking good,” Shawn compliments.
“So do both of you – all grown up,” Turner offers with a grin. “Can hardly believe it.”
“Yeah, a lot has changed,” Shawn offers.
“I’m sure,” Turner offers with a smile. “Want to go for a walk, catch up?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’d like that.”
***
He still hasn’t said anything about his relationship change with Cory, and he keeps stumbling over what he and Cory do when they’re visiting different nature-esque places because it’s not like they could play video games or watch TV. Typically, they’re having dates that generally end without clothes (sometimes start without clothes) and those thoughts fill his head whenever the conversation veers that way. Unfortunately, Cory isn’t any better about not thinking about their not-quite dates and flushing as he does.
So by the time, they’ve made it down the boardwalk and to a place for lunch, Turner’s very clearly picking up something as he says, “You know, I know that we were living together for a year, but I do know you pretty well, Shawn,” as they sit down.
He’s across from Shawn at a four top with Cory facing the empty chair at the table between them. Turner’s smiling encouragingly at him, even as he eyes the two of them.
“I, uh, I know you do.”
“So, that said,” Turner says, still smiling at him. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”
Shawn bites his bottom lip and glances at Cory, who’s smiling reassuringly at him, too.
“I, uh, I started dating Cory in the fall.”
He’s not looking at either of them. Instead, he’s playing with his straw, swirling his drink.
“Yeah? Have you been happy?” Turner asks, voice soft. He sounds reassuring, non-judgmental, and not as if he’s disgusted at all.
Shawn looks up.
Turner’s giving him a soft smile. “What? Did you think after all that time we spent together that I’d even be surprised? Or bothered by who you’re dating? Shawn, I literally told you that Cory was your best relationship. Admittedly, I meant as a friend, but hey, they say the best relationships usually start as friends first.”
“Uh, honestly? Yeah,” Shawn offers, and then seeing Turner’s frown, adds, “Not because it’s you but because we’ve been pretty lucky so far.”
Turner glances at Cory, who says, “My family, Feeny, Shawn’s brother… the odds … seemed unlikely.”
It doesn’t help that there’s been commentary when they’ve been more obvious on them being together out in public in certain places. Some places aren’t as… accepting as others. They’ve learned to test the waters before being too coupley out in the world.
“Ah, well, people who love you are going to be more accepting if they truly love you, and,” here he looks at Shawn, again, “and they’ll always just want you to be happy even if it’s different than expected.”
Shawn nods, a warm wash of happiness falling over him. He can appreciate what Turner’s saying without the actual words, and it means the world to him.
“So, now that you’re all out in the open, why don’t we go back to my place and really catch up?”
“Sounds great.”
“Good.”