Chapter Text
Thanks to years as a detective, not to mention being the father of an overactive child, Henry Spencer didn't need an alarm to wake him up in the morning. At 530 on the dot he rose from bed, dressed, and tiptoed down the stairs and out the front door.
Carlton’s car was still there, he noted when he got the paper. Good. He’d hoped that Carlton had gotten the message in time and decided to stay the whole night rather than running out after Shawn was asleep.
He puttered quietly around the kitchen, taking his time making the coffee and flipping through the paper. He didn't expect company for at least another hour, if Carlton was anything like himself.
As it turned out, Shawn and Carlton didn't arrive until almost 7am.
Shawn liked worse for wear, but better than the previous day. There was no doubt his son would go back to bed a nap before 10am. Carlton looked nervous, like he wasn’t sure he belonged.
“Morning boys.” Henry said cheerfully, trying to dispel any discomfort either of them may have felt.
Shawn grunted his hello and made his way to the coffee machine.
“Good morning Henry.” Carlton said.
“I’d ask how you slept last night, but that mattress has gotta be at least 20 years old by now so it probably wasn’t the best.”
Shawn grunted again as he filled up two cups.
“It, ah, wasn’t that bad.” Carlton said.
Henry nodded. Breakfast small talk wasn’t his forte either.
Shawn ambled back to the breakfast bar and placed a cup in front of Carlton before taking a long sip out of his own mug.
“Thanks.” Carlton said.
They sat and drank in silence for a moment.
“Are you, um, heading into the station today?” Henry asked.
“Yes, there’s still some paperwork left over from yesterday, plus some other open cases that need my attention.” Carlton said, looking relieved to be talking about something he was familiar was.
“Ohh, can I come?” Shawn asked.
“No!” Carlton and Henry said at the same time.
“The doctor said at least a week of bed rest.” Henry reminded him.
“But I feel fine.” Shawn said.
“Yeah, well, you look like crap.” Carlton said.
Shawn smiled up at him. “Oh Lassie, you say the sweetest things.”
Carlton choked on his coffee.
“Well… um… should get…” the detective said when he’d caught his breath. He reached out a hand and Henry shook it. “Henry, thank you for the hospitality.”
“Any time.” Henry said. He waved a hand dismissively, but he hoped his true meaning shone through.
“I’ll walk you out.” Shawn said.
This time Henry stayed put, not wanting to overhear anything else. He’d well and truly learned his lesson.
After a moment, Shawn came in. He made a beeline for his coffee and avoided eye contact.
Henry smirked. “So, you’ve gone and done it.”
Shawn looked up, eyes wide.
“You bagged yourself a detective.” Henry said.
Shawn’s groaned. “Dad, come on.”
“And a head detective no less. That’s a step up for you.”
“Knock it off.”
“That last girl you dated, Colleen, didn’t she sell rocks or something?”
“Gems, actually, thank you very much.” Shawn said
He looked less nervous than before, but doubt still played on his son’s face.
“Is that… all you have to say?” he asked.
How long has this been going on? Is he out yet, or is this a secret? Who else knows, besides Gus? Henry assumed Gus knew everything about Shawn’s life. But instead, Henry took a breath and asked the most important question.
“Is he kind to you?”
Shawn blinked. “Uh, what?”
“Is he kind to you? Does he treat you nice?” Henry asked.
Shawn opened his mouth, then closed it. A slight blush formed on his cheeks. “Ah, yep. Yes. He treats me nice.”
Henry nodded. “Well, good then. Because that’s all I care about.”
Shawn’s eyes glistened, and Henry knew it was time to leave. He stood up and walked out of the kitchen. But before he made it out, Shawn reached out and stopped him.
“Thanks dad.”
“No problems kid.” Henry patted his son on the back. “No problems at all.”