What a Good Boy
OneThousandAngels
Chapter 3: Puppy Love
Summary:
The first week after Double D and Kevin's mortifying experience with hypnotism is a tough one. No one knows how to handle the situation, but Kevin knows what he wants and he'll fight for it if he has to. But his Double D on the same page?
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
During the week after the...incident...for the first time in Kevin's life his parents were actively concerned for his well-being. He had always been a self-sufficient kid and never got into any real trouble. There were a few fights and minor injuries in his earlier years: tumbling off his dirt bike and breaking his arm, getting suspended from middle school for decking someone, the reason for which his parents never really understood, and then there was the time Kevin got sprayed by a skunk so severely he was homeschooled for the second half of sixth grade. But on the whole, he was independent and well-adjusted, got average grades in school, had plenty of friends and hobbies, and never got involved in drinking or drugs. As far as the typical parental worries went, he was more than they could have hoped for.
His mother was the first to notice something was wrong as early as the first Monday after that weekend. Kevin was particularly sullen on Sunday evening and Monday morning as he headed out for school, but she figured it was a case of the Sunday night blues. She inquired as to whether or not perhaps he had a test this week? Had he fought with Naz or Rolf? No, he grumbled, and she left it alone. She wasn't one to worry and her husband insisted against prying. Kevin was a surprisingly private boy growing up and they'd learned that a softer touch was wise.
Friday rolled around and by then their tune had changed. Kevin's mood deteriorated as the week went on and they decided they would have to step in somehow. Kevin missed school on Wednesday and Thursday, and when his father confronted him about the absences, things got a little...heated. Kevin had never spoken to his father like that or yelled with such bitterness and ferocity. He had to admit that, being the adult, he shouldn't have lost his temper so much, and he was glad that his wife had stepped in and sent Kevin to his room like a child before the situation became physical.
But what was even stranger than the fight had been the apology that came afterwards. He went to Kevin's room to apologize, but instead of the bad attitude and coldness he'd expected from his son he was met instead with a look of defeat and an apology in return.
"Nah...I'm sorry, Dad. I'm an idiot, just... forget about it." He stared out the window as he spoke and lounged on his bed. With his arms crossed casually behind his head and a distant look in his eyes, it was nearly impossible to tell what he was feeling. "So am I like...grounded or whatever?" Despite the question, he didn't really seem to care about the answer.
He considered saying yes, just for a few days, at least that had been the intention, but Kevin looked so gloomy he didn't have to heart to do it.
"Nah, it's alright, Kev, uh...I shouldn't have called you those things." He paused. Kevin's father was usually a man of few words, but some things just had to be said. "You know I'm proud of yah, right Kevin?"
Kevin glanced at him, drawing himself out of his melancholy thoughts. "Yeah, I know, Dad. Thanks."
"You know you can always talk to us, right? If there's something going on or...buggin' you?" It wasn't eloquent, but it'd have to do.
"...yeah. Thanks, Dad." At least he was trying, but it didn't matter. He couldn't really talk about something like this with his parents. In all honesty, they were a big part of the problem.
