Two dads! Verse. Hey, met the boyfriend?

[fightagain]

The original plan was to hit the arcade and then dinner and a movie at Movie Tavern. It had been the plan for a couple weeks, actually. It wasn’t difficult to find time to spend with Demetri. They were practically pros at finding time for each other. But sometimes schedules don’t mesh entirely. Gwen had a dance competition she was practicing for, and there were extra classes there to handle. She also had the classes she taught at Cobra Kai every Tuesday, and then the end of year homework to catch up on so getting a date with Demetri?


Not as easy as Gwen wanted.

And then the day came and they realized something pretty important. It was the end of the school year. Everything they planned was going to be insanely crowded. Usually, that was fine. But both of them were kind of worn out so the plan turned to ordering take out and picking something on Netflix.

Plus, this whole dating her best friend of fourteen years thing? Still fairly new. Like within the last month or so new. Oh, the crush had been there for the last couple years, sure. But actually acting on it? Hah! Not with her twin suddenly figuring it out and making acting on it difficult. But Gwen managed and life had been pretty amazing since.

She hadn’t really even told her dads yet but surely they’d noticed the extra effort to spend time with Demetri. She was sure that, at the very least, dad suspected. Daniel was pretty good at noticing that kind of thing. It was a toss up for pop.

So now she was sitting on the steps on her front porch, waiting patiently for Demetri.

And possibly smiling just a bit more than usual.

She was changed out of her school clothes. Not so much an effort to look nicer? But definitely an attempt at distancing herself from the school year. Wearing a light blue t-shirt with the words “I wanna be where the people aren’t” and her favorite denim shorts, Gwen poked just a bit at text messages from friends, all while keeping one eye on the driveway. Trying to not look impatient.

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[theygetimmunity]

Demetri was as punctual as he could manage to her house, showing up on his bike and dumping it neatly in the front yard before approaching, shifting on the balls of his feet nervously. He didn't know why, it's not like he hasn't been here a million times, but things are different. A little different and worlds different at the same time, and hanging out at her house Before and hanging out other places are completely different than hanging out After at the house. Where her dads can grill him.

He's really not looking forward to that. But he's here, and he smiles at her, waving awkwardly in greeting as he closes the rest of the distance.

"Hey."

[fightagain]

"Hey," she replies back, rising to her feet and heading over to Demetri. She's just as nervous as he is, honestly. It was one thing to hang out with her best friend. That's what they'd been since kindergarten. But with how things changed recently? This was definitely new territory and Gwen really didn't know what to do.

That being what it is, however? That's absolutely not going to stop her from hugging him. Even if she did just see him a few hours at school.

"Are you okay?" She's not stupid. She can see that nervousness a mile away.

[theygetimmunity]

He hugs her back, which helps. Contact always helps, solid pressure and just knowing there's somebody there. So the smile is more sincere this time, lopsided and goofy but less nervous, which is good.

"Yeah. Totally. Absolutely fine. Wondering which of your dads is going to try to kill me by the end of the night, but otherwise great."

[fightagain]

Ah. That. Yeah, she has some concerns, there. So she might hold onto her boyfriend (!!!) just a bit longer for a moment, resting her chin on his shoulder and just enjoying the hug. It's not like they haven't hugged before? But this was different. It was better, somehow.

"I'm pretty hopeful that the fact that we've known each other for forever might help," Gwen states, stepping back to look up at him with her own lopsided smile. "I also have Nonna Lucille and my grandpa on speed dial. Both of them are pretty happy for us and told me if either dad start shit, I'm to call them right away."

And while Mr Miyagi is absolutely getting on in years? He's not going to let someone upset his grandkids. He can still kick ass his own way.

"C'mon, I think Lilly knows you're here." And sure enough, the old blue heeler is standing at one of the front windows, barking excitedly at Demetri, tail clearly wagging furiously behind her.

With that, Gwen puts her hand in his and starts walking back to the house.

"What movie are we watching?"

[theygetimmunity]

"For the love of everything good and just, please let this not get to the point of needing to call in reinforcements."

Not that he'd even know what to do past 'run away' probably. Sure, he's accumulated some Skills, but that's got nothing on this whole situation. Yeah, they've known each other forever already, but that's kind of not really at all the same as dating.

It'll be fine. Maybe. Probably. Hopefully.

So he takes a deep breath and squeezes her hand when she takes his, waving at the dog because dogs are always great. Universally.

"Depends what kind of mood you're in. Old school monster suits or new school 'don't try this at home'?"

[fightagain]

"We'll be fine." She trusts her dads. She even trusts her brother, irritating as he had been the last few weeks. Somehow, magically, Robby always seemed to be around just when things were going to change between Demetri and Gwen and if psychic twin shit was a real thing, Gwen would say that was an abuse of power on his part.

Nudging open the front door, Gwen watches as Lilly races into the hall and sits down patiently, tail still wagging hard. Waiting patiently for attention.

"Old school monster suits," Gwen says after a pause. She likes the more recent horror films, but nothing beats seeing a zipper when she shouldn't, especially when it's spotted as the monster chases some poor woman through the woods.

[theygetimmunity]

He crouches down in front of Lilly, petting and scritching and providing as many belly rubs as she wants, cooing and fussing over her before looking back up at Gwen.

"Old school it is," he agrees.

"As many Gojira movies as I could get my hands on can be found in my backpack. You're welcome."

[fightagain]

Those were, in Gwen's opinion, the best movies in the world. So the fact that Demetri brought them delights her to no end. Her face lights up when she hears what he says.

"Really?!" Yep. He just won so many brownie points with this one. She distinctly remembers marathoning them with him a few months ago when she was recovering from having her appendix removed, so not only are the movies just fun to watch, but there are good memories attached.

Lilly moves off to go find somewhere else to be. She's made sure the humans are happy, and considers that a job well done. The second Demetri is on his feet, he may or may not find Gwen pressing her lips to his for just a second or two before she pulls away and says "You're the best."

[innerbalance]

It may just have been a tiny, innocent peck on the lips but it was enough for Daniel to see. It was like parents developed this sixth sense that told them exactly when their kids' lips were in close vicinity to someone else's. It was the only logical explanation. After all nine times out of ten either Lucille or Mr Miyagi knew exactly when Daniel and Johnny had been sucking face. Admittedly, they tended to pick the worst places to make out - like the bonsai shed, or Mr Miyagi's dojo with its literal paper walls or Daniel's bed but for some reason they'd always close the door and play records really loud like that wasn't a major giveaway to exactly what they were doing.

They were young, dumb and in love, okay?

And Daniel had had his suspicions about Gwen and Demetri. They'd always been close. But recently they'd been closer. Not to mention the fact that Robby kept giving her this look like he was waiting for the perfect moment to spill some big secret.

"Woah, woah, woah, guys! Really? On the front porch?" If it was anyone else, he'd tell them to get a room. But this is his daughter and the very last thing he wants is for her and a boy to get a room together.

[theygetimmunity]

As soon as the older man speaks, Demetri is practically tripping over himself to make space and blushing furiously.

"Sorry, Mr LaRusso," he blurts out, no matter how much he would have preferred to continue. At least it could have been worse? The better dad to be caught by, he was pretty sure. At least this way he wouldnt be threatened.

"We weren't really... It wasn't really... Sorry. Won't happen again. But, um. Hi."

[fightagain]

Gwen keeps her hand in Demetris, squeezing it reassuringly. She smiles just a bit while he turns red and lets go of his hand, heading to Dad to give him a hug.

"Hi, dad. Demetri and I changed our minds about going to Movie Tavern. We figured everyone from school would be there since today was the last day and weren't really in the mood to deal with people being noisy at the movies."

Not only that, but Gwen does occasionally hit a sensory overload and today was filled with a lot of people screaming excitedly about summer plans.

"How was work?"

[innerbalance]

Daniel hugs Gwen back, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Work was... yeah, work was good. Well, it was okay. Work was bad... Louie blew the coffee maker up, scaled a customer and we spent the afternoon talking her out of a lawsuit. He's my family and I love him but he's a moron."

The only reason Louie even has a job at the dealership is because Lucille guilted Daniel into it. 'He's family. We take care of family'. He's a liability and an idiot, is what he is.

"So, you guys going to watch movies here? You need my card to rent something and order food? You're watching on the big screen downstairs... right? Not upstairs?"

[theygetimmunity]

Demetri winced at the story in sympathy before reaching over to pat him on the shoulder like they were buddies or something. Yes, he knew it was a strange move, but he wasn't going to think about it. Too late now.

"Sorry to hear it, Mr LaRusso, that really sucks. But no, I brought movies, no rental needed, although food will never go amiss."

[fightagain]

Gwen tries to not give her boyfriend a look of 'wtf was that?' at the shoulder pat. But she also knows she's told him enough stories of her awesome but amazingly inept uncle where, yeah. He probably does get it.

"The better screen is in the living room, anyway. But...yeah, can I borrow the card to order food? I won't go wild. I promise."

[innerbalance]

Gwen. Your boyfriend is weird. Like... super weird. Even so, Daniel doesn't want to appear rude, so he mumbles some kind of thanks.

He pulled out his wallet and hands Gwen his card. "Make sure you buy your brother something too. You can kick him out of the room while you're watching your movies but at least make sure you feed him."

He turns his attention to Demetri. "And hands above the waist at all times... okay?"

[theygetimmunity]

Yeah, he knows it was weird. He's sorry. He runs the back of his neck awkwardly and shrugs in apology, but at the instruction he nods quickly.

"Yes, sir. Absolutely, you got it. Nothing inappropriate, understood."

[fightagain]

They say weird, Gwen says yeah, probably but she also finds it endearing. Besides, she's known him for years. She doesn't mind the weird at all.

Taking the card and giving her dad another hug, she gives a nod of agreement. Nothing inappropriate. She promises.

"Did you want us to order you anything?" There's a handful of restaurants nearby that Gwen likes ordering from, and she has her families usuals memorized, right down to any modifications they might want.

[innerbalance]

Daniel has no room to speak really. He wasn't exactly one of the cool kids either. He was awkward and verging on nerdy. Now look at him! Married to the hottest guy in the Valley. And totally still a nerd

"Don't worry about me. Going to see if I can drag your pa to that little Mexican place. So we're not in your way. Is he home yet?"

[theygetimmunity]

He does his level best not to give away any of his unease about this whole situation. 'You' in this case clearly means plural, which means the one he's actually worried about. Even if he's pretty sure at least one of the people in the room would try to make sure he didn't get pummeled into a pulp about things. He's probably overreacting, he's pretty sure. Mostly sure. Sensei Lawrence would probably be a reasonable adult about things, right?

Ha. No. As long as Demetri has known the guy he's never been a reasonable adult about anything, or at least about very little.

But no, Daniel is hoping to get the lumbering neanderthal out of the house for the afternoon so that's...helpful. Not that he doesn't like Sensei Lawrence okay, he's just...really intense sometimes. Unnecessarily so. So he just looks over at Gwen with a halfway panicked look -- OH GOD DID HE MISS SOMEBODY BEING AROUND.

[fightagain]

Gwen reaches for Demetri's hand again, fingers threading through his as she steps over to him, resting her chin on his shoulder. An attempt at being reassuring, small as it is. And her way of showing at least one of her dads that she's really happy with her choice and probably always will be. They've had a long while to build a good, solid friendship. So, really, who better to date than the one guy who might know her just as well as her dads and brother?

Literally no one, that's who.

When Demetri gives him that panicked look, she smiles a bit at him, the smile soft. She has it pretty bad for the guy, that much is clear.

"Papa is going to be home in ten minutes," she says, both so dad hears it and Demetri does, too. "I think, dad, you have enough time to call him and at least see if he'll meet you at the restaurant at some point."

And absolutely thank you for getting him out of her and Demetri's hair.

[innerbalance]

Dating your best friend is all well and good, as long as they prepare themselves for the possibility that if, for any reason, they break up there is a chance that the friendship will suffer too. Not that Daniel is suggesting they will break up. Sure, most high school relationships fail but not all. If he and Johnny can stand the test of time even with the fucked up, rocky start they had, then Gwen and Demetri can definitely make it work.

But he's trusting them to make good choices. Because if Demetri knocks up his little girl on the family couch while watching horror movies... Daniel will not hold Johnny back and the outcome would not be pretty for any of them.

He's already pulling out his cellphone to call Johnny. "You guys have fun, okay? If there's any problems call us or call your gramps."

why do you guys put up with me? honest to god. anyway blah blah natural gwen spot

[fightagain]

They'll make the best choices. Gwen and Robby are being raised by some pretty decent people, and there have probably been a lot of talks about safe sex and all that jazz. Gwen wants a career in dance, at least for a bit. She has plans to go to Julliard and if she can't go there, a good performing arts school in the area.

Or maybe her band will start playing bigger venues than local coffee shops and Gwen will do that for a while. She'll be smart about things. She promises.

"We will. We'll call you guys first." Gwen loves her gramps and all, and knows he's a lot tougher than he looks, but she worries about him. Besides, who else is she going to team up with during family game nights? Robby?

"You two have fun, too. And please bring me back a couple of the glass bottle Cokes." They are her favorite.

Once Daniel's gone, Gwen turns to look at Demetri with amused concern.

"Are you okay?"

Re: why do you guys put up with me? honest to god. anyway blah blah natural gwen spot

[theygetimmunity]

He holds his tongue for once, lets Gwen handle it because he'd probably only stick his foot in his mouth anyway, squeezes her hand and nods his head, like he'd never do ANYTHING like that. And then he leaves and Demetri lets out a huge sigh, dropping dramatically onto the couch.

"Yeah, I'm good. Sweating bullets, but I'm good. That went well."

[fightagain]

Gwen sits next to him on the couch and leans against him, her fingers threading through his again as she turns and kisses his cheek quickly.

"I think it went well," Gwen says, resting her chin on his shoulder and smiling softly at him. And Daniel is getting Johnny out of their hair for a bit. Gwen's going to take that as a sign that at least he is okay with this. Otherwise, she's sure he'd have let Johnny come right home. So there's that.

[theygetimmunity]

He nudges her shoulder, leans against her, flexing fingers against hers.

"You think so? Because I don't know. He still scares me now we're...you know. Dating. Like leaving us here by ourselves is some kind of test. Or they're just hiding somewhere ready to jump out at us the minute we're too close together."

[fightagain]

"You could always test that theory, Demetri," Gwen replies, the smirk on her face just a bit flirty. She's trying to get him to smile. Relax. Stop worrying so much, and if being a bit flirty with her boyfriend might possibly help him out? That's just what she's going to do.

"We did have a kiss interrupted a bit ago."