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The lights on him are very bright. Eddie’s leg bounces up and down and his hands are sweating. He can’t remember the last time he was this nervous, and to be honest, it’s confusing him a little, because he didn’t think he would be.
Not this much, at least.
“Are you okay?” one of the producers asks him and he takes a deep breath and nods.
“Yeah, I’m alright.”
“Ready to start? We’re not gonna go unless you’re comfortable.”
Eddie nods again and smiles at the producer, appreciatively. They’ve really all been incredibly sweet to him, checking in, making sure he has everything he needs.
He was immediately down when Chrissy approached him and asked if he wanted to do this, but just thinking it’s a cool idea and actually going through with it are two different things.
Sure, free shots and all, yeah, but–there’s still the whole thing of being filmed and put on the internet for the whole world to see.
Now he’s here, lights and cameras on him, sitting at a table in front of a white paper background, getting ready to come out through the premise of a game.
The tequila on the table is staring at him.
The producer smiles back at him and nods at one of the camera people. “Okay, then we’re rolling. Could you please tell me your name and why you’re here?”
Eddie straightens a little, turns to the camera and grins, putting on all the fake bravado and confidence he can muster up. It used to work in high school, it’ll work now. Fake it till you make it, right?
“My name is Eddie,” he says to the camera, “and I am here to play Truth or Drink with my uncle.”
“Why did you decide to bring your uncle?” the producer asks.
“Well, my mom passed away when I was very little. And my father is–an asshole.” He laughs dryly. It’s the truth, but it’s always weird to say. “We’re not in touch. So I–brought my uncle because…he raised me. He’s the closest thing I have to a dad. He’s my family.” That’s also the truth and it’s never weird to say. It always just feels comforting.
“Does he have any idea why he’s here?” The producer asks.
Eddie shakes his head. “Nope,” he says, plopping the p sound. “He just heard free shots and agreed.”
Some of the crew laugh with him.
“How do you think he’s gonna respond when you come out?”
“Positively, I hope. I mean I’m pretty sure he will, he’s–a very loving person. But there’s…always the anxiety, you know?”
“Okay. Are you ready for us to bring him in?”
Eddie rubs his hands over his dark jeans. “My hands are sweating. Like, I don’t know why I’m this nervous. But yes. Go ahead.”
He gets reassuring smiles all around, which definitely helps and then someone walks Wayne onto the set and the second his uncle throws him a lopsided grin, he feels his pulse steady a bit.
Because, sure, this is nerve-wracking, but it’s Wayne.
Just Wayne.
And Wayne loves him.
Eddie doesn’t have anything to worry about.
“Hey old man,” he greets when Wayne sits down opposite him.
“Hiya Eddie,” he greets back and cracks his neck in the way he always does when it’s a little stiff. He turns to the producing team.
“What would you say is your dynamic with your nephew?” one of them asks the first question aimed at the parental half of the video.
“We have a good relationship,” Wayne replies. “Life wa’n’t always easy on either of us, but–we always pull through, don’t we?” He looks at Eddie in the end and Eddie feels himself getting a little choked up already. He thought he’d at least make it through the first half of the game/interview before crying.
But well. He’s always been an emotional son of a bitch.
“We do,” he confirms.
“Do you wanna start with a shot?” the producer asks, gesturing towards the alcohol and Wayne and Eddie nod at each other and reach for the glasses and bottles.
“Wanna start with a blunt, that’s what I wanna start with,” Wayne grumbles as he pours his shot and Eddie cackles.
“We coulda arranged that earlier,” he says, holding his shot glass up.
“Bottoms up, son.” Wayne clinks his glass against Eddie’s and they take the first shot together.
“Alright, so now, just as we’ve explained, you both have the stack of cards in front of you and take turns reading them out loud. You can then always answer or take a shot. Mr Munson, you start with the first card.”
Wayne nods, takes his first card, reads it, snorts and immediately reaches for the bottle.
Eddie laughs. “What does it say?” he asks.
“Let’s take turns telling each other ‘bout how we lost our virginity,” Wayne recites and shakes his head. “And I don’t wanna know that, you keep that to yourself.”
Eddie chuckles and nods. He’s not gonna argue with that. Wayne and him already know way too many intimate details about each other from living in a tiny trailer for so many years. “Alright.” He accepts the shot, they drink, and then Eddie reaches for a card.
“What do you think my type is?” He reads and looks at his uncle expectantly. This, he wants to hear.
“I think it’s someone who has an interest in you,” Wayne answers without hesitation. “Someone who looks in your eyes, not at ya, y’know?”
Eddie blinks, a little surprised. “Wow,” he says. “Yeah, I–I mean. Pretty much.”
He didn’t know what he was expecting, but that’s actually so nice to hear. That his uncle knows him like that. Because it’s true. All he’s ever wanted was being seen. Seen and accepted and loved, for who he is.
They look at each other for a beat, then Wayne smirks. “I can also imagine you have a thing for the pretty ones.”
Eddie chuckles and nods. “That’s– I mean. Yeah, there’s definitely some truth to that.”
Wayne reaches for the next card.
“Gimme some–” He cuts himself off, his eyebrows shooting up.
“What?” Eddie inquires again, but Wayne sends some capital L Looks over to the production team.
“Gimme some sex advice,” he then reads and Eddie immediately starts cackling again. Wayne laughs with him.
This situation is absolutely crazy.
Eddie kinda loves it.
“Maybe we should take another shot for that,” he proposes. “I mean I’ll give you some, but–“
“Excuse me, but I don’t think I need any,” Wayne interrupts, defensively and Eddie grins, delighted.
“Oh. Well.” He looks at the camera. “You heard the old man.”
They take another shot and one of the producer’s says the next card is for Wayne again, so he reads it.
“When was the last time you were–oh. When was the last time you were disappointed in me?”
He looks at Eddie with soft, inquiring eyes, a little dull. Like he’s scared of the answer.
Eddie lets out a soft breath. “I–” He smiles gently. “I think you’ve put my life and my needs and everything over yourself so many times. And–” He turns to the camera. “Like, when I was in high school I had to repeat senior year. And my uncle had this opportunity to go follow this woman he was seeing and–” He turns back to Wayne.
“And you didn’t. You stayed and provided for me and–and I mean of course I’m mostly immensely grateful. For that. For everything you’ve done for me. I mean you saved me, Uncle Wayne.” Eddie’s eyes well up. He lets them.
“But I think to some extent…I was a little disappointed in you too. For not…taking that chance, you know? That leap of faith. Because I know exactly how much you loved her. And I think a part of you was just scared.”
Wayne listens. Nods a tiny nod. He’s looking a little teary-eyed himself and Eddie was telling the truth, he was a little disappointed, but he’s also…he’s so incredibly proud of Wayne. Always. His uncle is the greatest man he knows and he should really know that.
They take a moment to compose themselves and then Eddie reaches for the next card.
“What’s something could I do that would make you disown me?” he reads.
Wayne snorts. “Vote for Trump. That’s about it,” he says and Eddie laughs again. He hears some of the production crew join him and thinks yeah that’s right. My uncle’s funnier than yours.
When Eddie turns around the next card, his breath stutters.
If you’re still comfortable with it, this is where you come out, the card says.
“Oh,” he breathes and Wayne cocks his head, his eyes narrowing in a little ‘you okay?’ expression.
Eddie smiles at him. Alright. It’s time.
“I’m dating someone,” he says. Wayne raises his brows in surprise.
“We’ve been together seven months now. They’re 10 outta 10 and it’s like…the healthiest relationship I’ve ever been in–”
“He’s a serial killer,” Wayne interrupts him.
Eddie chuckles. “No, he–wait.” He straightens up, frowns. “Did you just say he?”
“Oh, sorry, were you…talkin’ bout a girl?” Wayne cracks his neck again. Eddie blinks.
“No,” he says. “Uh, no–I–” He doesn’t know what to say.
“Aw, damn,” Wayne sighs. “Were you tryin’ to finally come out to me’n I ruined it?”
Eddie’s still a little frozen. “Finally? What do you mean finally?”
“Ed.” Wayne smiles. “I been knew you were gay ever since you were in middle school. Or maybe even before.”
“Really?”
Look, Eddie knew his uncle is the sweetest and most loving, warm man on this planet, but he’s also…a certain generation. Was brought up under certain circumstances. And he just–he didn’t expect him to really have gay people on his radar, let alone suspect it about Eddie.
“Yeah. You’ve always been…I don’t know, a sensitive kid? Eddie, I just–I know you.”
“Yeah, I guess you do,” Eddie huffs out.
Wayne smiles. There’s so much warmth in his expression Eddie’s feels the tears coming again. And this time there’s no holding them back.
“You really like this guy?” his uncle asks.
“I love him,” Eddie immediately replies.
“I ain’t happy for you, then, Ed,” Wayne says and Eddie doesn’t even have time to panic about the choice of words, before he adds, “I’m ecstatic for ya. You should be able to enjoy your life with anyone you wanna be with. And I can’t wait to meet’im.”
Eddie laughs and the tears spill. He sniffs and wipes at them with the sleeve of his shirt. “He can’t wait to meet you either,” he confesses quietly and smiles.
“Oh, Ed, don’t cry.” Wayne holds out his hand on the table and Eddie takes it, squeezes it. “’M so proud of you. I’m always prouda you, you know that, right?”
Eddie’s openly crying now and he could not give less of a fuck. He forgets there are cameras on them and that this will end up online, he’s just so incredibly happy to have done this. He has the best Wayne in the world.
“I know,” he gets out between the tears and chuckles. “I love you, Uncle Wayne.”
“I love you too, Eddie. More than anythin’.” Wayne’s eyes are glassy, too, and his voice is wavering, but his tears don’t spill. There are some things still engrained, Eddie supposes. But it’s okay.
Wayne never passed that onto Eddie. Never told him not to cry. Always just held him. Softly shushed him. Put colorful band-aids on scraped open knees and kissed Eddie’s curls.
Now he squeezes Eddie’s hand and nods towards the bottles. “Wanna take a shot?”
Eddie laughs again and nods. “Yes. Yes, let’s take another shot.”
He takes a deep breath, as Wayne pours them the alcohol and wipes his cheeks. He’s okay. Wayne loves him. Wayne’s the best.
They clink their glasses together and drink.
“How many is that now?” Eddie asks after a sip of his chaser and Wayne laughs.
“Well, we ain’t drivin’ home, lemme tell you that,” he replies and Eddie grins.
“It’s uh–” He smiles widely. Can’t stop himself, never can, when it comes to this. “It’s a good thing Steve’s picking us up then.”
Wayne’s brows shoot up. “Steve?” He asks and smiles and Eddie nods.
“Yes. Steve. We thought we could do lunch together after this. The three of us.”
“I would love nothin’ more,” Wayne reassures.
Eddie smiles. He’s positive he’s beaming; that the entire production crew (and anyone who will watch the video later, for that matter) can tell how happy he is. He doesn’t mind. It feels great.
After a moment he looks down at the cards left between them on the table and cocks his head. “Wanna get back to this?”
Wayne nods.
“What did you think my reaction to you coming out would be?” he reads from the next card and Eddie immediately shakes his head amusedly.
“Well, certainly not that.”
Wayne snorts and nods.
“I was very nervous actually. I don’t even know why. I just was.”
“That’s okay. You never have to be nervous ‘bout a reaction from me, but–it’s natural, y’know? I’m just glad it’s–I’m glad you’re not nervous anymore.”
Eddie nods. Reaches for a card and laughs out loud when he reads it.
“Did you suspect I was queer?”
“Well.” Wayne laughs. “Evidently.”
“Alright, there are two more cards, they’re both for you, Eddie. And then we’re done,” the producer informs them and both Wayne and Eddie nod.
“What advice do you have for me now that I’ve come out?” Eddie reads and Wayne shrugs one-sided.
“To talk, to communicate. Pay your taxes.”
Eddie and some of the crew cackle yet again. When Eddie turns over the last card he just smiles. He looks up at Wayne.
“Do you still love me?” he asks. He’s calm and happy. There’s no anxiety or fear left in him.
Wayne smiles back. “Of course I do. You’re my boy, Ed. You’ll always be my boy.”
There’s a beat and Eddie sighs happily. “Thanks for doing this with me,” he says. “I love you so much. You’re the best.”
“I love you, too.”
“How do you two feel after having that conversation?” the producer asks and Eddie smiles into the camera.
“Amazing,” he says. “Great. Like I’m the luckiest person in the world. I just can’t wait for him and Steve to meet each other.”
“Well, we don’t wanna keep you from that, then,” the producer says. “Thank you so much for being here. For sharing that with us and being open and vulnerable. And honest.”
“Thank you,” Eddie responds.
“Yes and thank you for the free alcohol,” Wayne adds, making Eddie roll his eyes fondly.
The crew stops rolling and some people come up to them to rid them of the microphones and equipment. Eddie does a double-take when Chrissy shows up next to him and unscrews something.
“When’d you get here?”
“Bout half an hour ago,” she responds and grins. “I asked Carla if I could come for your taping.”
Eddie pulls her into a hug. “Thanks for asking me if I wanted to do this, seriously.”
“Hey, I’m the one who has to say thank you. That I found someone last minute got me a full time job here. Rupert was, and I quote, very impressed by my initiative.”
“Oh my god, what, Chris, that’s great!” Eddie grins and turns around to his uncle. “Did you hear that?”
“Yeah, that’s amazin’. I didn’t even know you worked here.”
“Surprise.” Chrissy pulls wires out of Eddie’s shirt and puts the little microphone in some kind of case for it. “It’s good to see you, Wayne.”
“You, too, Chrissy. How you doin’?”
Eddie watches them with an almost unmountable feeling of fondness. It might be the alcohol that’s starting to really kick in, but it’s always nice to watch his uncle and best friend interact. Wayne’s had a soft spot for Chrissy ever since Eddie first brought her home to let her sleep off a bad trip on their couch, after he found her wandering the streets, because her shithead ex had left her alone with it.
Now Chrissy’s so far from that lost girl, it’s incredible to witness. She’s beaming.
“Pretty amazing, actually. As mentioned I just got promoted. And I started dating someone who makes me really happy.”
“No way, you too?” Wayne grins.
“It’s Steve’s best friend, actually,” Chrissy volunteers. “Your nephew is quite the matchmaker.”
Eddie rolls his eyes.
“Speaking of Steve.” She smiles and pats Eddie’s chest. “He’s waiting in the parking lot. And you’re free to go.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
Chrissy nods and shoots him and his uncle a last smile before she excuses herself with an “I gotta go, have a good lunch!” and goes back to being a busy bee.
“Well,” Wayne says, when Eddie turns to him. “Now, where’s that boyfriend of yours?”
Just about ten minutes later, after they’ve gathered all of their things and talked to some people of the production team who also assured them they could leave, Eddie pushes the last door open and they make their way onto the sunlit parking lot.
His eyes zero in on Steve in less than a second, because they always do. It’s like it’s physically impossible for him to to give his attention to anything else when his boyfriend’s around. Steve is leaning against his BMW, wearing sunglasses and one of Eddie’s shirts, looking like he just stepped out of a modeling catalogue.
It’s been seven months and Eddie still can’t believe his luck.
Wayne whistles appreciatively and Eddie’s a little confused for a second before his uncle adds, “That is one fine ass car,” under his breath. Eddie rolls his eyes.
That’s one fine ass man, most of all.
“Hey”, Steve calls and pushes himself off the Beemer, walking towards them. Eddie pulls him into his arms the second he’s close enough, picking him up a little and spinning him around. Steve laughs in his ear and Eddie wants to bottle up the sound, to keep it around for bad days.
“I missed you too,” Steve whispers and smiles widely at him, when Eddie puts him down again. “I take it it went well?”
“So well,” Eddie murmurs and presses a soft kiss to Steve’s lips because he can’t help himself. Steve blushes a pretty pink, presumably because Wayne is right next to them and pushes his sunglasses into his hair.
He turns to Eddie’s uncle and holds out his hand. “I’m Steve. It’s so nice to finally meet you, sir.”
Wayne immediately shakes his head.
“Nah, son, none of that nonsense. I’m Wayne. Come here.” And with that he pulls Steve into a hug and says something that Eddie can’t quite make out but sounds a lot like “welcome to the family.”
The alcohol seems to be getting to his uncle too.
Steve’s eyes find Eddie’s over Wayne’s shoulder and Eddie gets emotional again (Jesus, this day is a wild ride), because he knows Steve’s never experienced any kind of parental warmth and acceptance and here Wayne is, healing him a tiny little bit with just one hug. Welcoming him into their family of two like it’s nothing. Like he’s never been happier.
‘I love you,’ Eddie mouths at Steve.
‘I love you too,’ Steve mouths back and then Wayne pulls out of the hug and clears his throat.
“Alright, now are we gonna go eat somethin’ or what?” he says, voice a little husky because he also seems to be emotional again.
“Yes,” Eddie says, looking at the two people he loves most in the world, shining in the sun of the parking lot. “Let’s go eat.”