Elijah? Confused. Gender? Confusing. Hotel? Trivago.
Ship - Jack and Elijah (father-child)
Era - Modern
Triggers - None
(I know there is a typo in the title. It was initially a mistake but I love it so I kept it.)
Jack smiled as a broad smile came across Elijah's face as he finished the art project.
"Good job, buddy. You'll be in museums in no time."
Elijah giggled and smiled. "I'm not as good as you."
"Eli, you're fourteen. I'm thirty. I've had a lot more time to practice."
"Thanks for helping me, Dad."
"No problem, I'm always happy to help my boys."
Elijah went quiet and looked away from Jack. "What if I'm not a boy?" he asked.
Jack took Elijah's hands in his and looked his child in the eyes.
"If you aren't a boy, that's fine. All I care about is that you're happy."
"But I don't think I'm a girl, either," Elijah explained. "I don't know what I am."
"That's okay. Thank you for telling me."
Elijah nodded and leaned slightly into Jack's embrace.
"Can I go see Uncle Toni?"
Jack nodded. "Of course you can. I'll text him to let him know you're going over."
Elijah stood up and went to the door, slipping on their shoes. "Thanks. I'll
be back before dinner."
"We're going to Gramma's for dinner so be back by three to get dressed."
"Okay," Elijah muttered, concentrated on making sure their shoelaces were good and tight. And even, or else they'd trip over the ends.
"Text me when you get there and maybe remind Spot to remind Toni about dinner tonight. He always forgets."
"I will, Dad. Bye," Elijah called, rushing out the front door.
Jack sighed as he heard Elijah's loud footsteps disappear, dropping down into one of the armchairs. It was technically Davey's armchair but Davey was helping Les move into his new apartment so Jack didn't care. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and pulled up his texts.
Tones on the Phone(s)
Jack
Eli's going over to you
Don't forget about dinner tonight
Toni
Cool
My favourite nephew
And I haven't forgotten about dinner
for once
Jack
Thanks
Just a heads up, Eli's questioning their gender
Toni
Alright
I'll talk to him
Jack
Thanks. Love you
Toni
Love you too
Jack leaned back in the seat and smiled. Elijah was in good hands.
~~~
"Dad, I'm back," Elijah announced, slamming the front door.
"Hey, buddy. How was Toni's?"
Elijah nodded. "Good."
"Did you talk to him?"
"Yeah. Could you maybe use they/them pronouns for me?" they asked. "And could you help me tell everyone at dinner?"
"Sure I can. But don't feel like you have to tell everyone, you do it at your own pace."
"I know, and Uncle Toni said the same, but I want to tell them. Maybe not people in school just yet but I want to tell family."
Jack smiled and stood up to hug Elijah. The hug was gladly reciprocated.
"Whatever you choose to do me and Aba are here for you, always."
"I love you, Dad."
Jack kissed Elijah on their forehead. "I love you too, Eli. Always remember that we love you."
~~~
Davey was worried that Jack kept looking at Elijah worried, who in turn was playing with his food and avoiding conversation.
"Did something happen today?" he asked, leaning over to Jack.
"I'll talk to you tonight but everyone's fine. Nobody's dead or dying. Don't worry."
"Alright. Is Eli okay?"
"Yeah. They're okay."
Davey looked at Elijah before going back to eating his dinner. Around him, conversations were in full flow and he found himself talking with Charlie about the family trip to Medda's house upstate the next month.
"Everyone," Jack said, making all the conversation quieten down. "Eli has something they'd like to tell you all."
Elijah looked at Jack for support as he tried to find words.
"Um, I'm not a boy and I want to use they/them pronouns from now on. So, yeah. And if you have a problem, you can suck it up because I ain't changing for you."
Davey frowned as Elijah's face betrayed his words. "Eli?"
Elijah looked at Davey and nodded. "I'm sorry, Aba, I don't want to disappoint you."
Davey stood up and quickly wrapped Elijah up in his arms. "I love you and I will never be disappointed in you."
"Really?"
"Really. All I care about is if you're happy," Davey promised.
"Dad said that too."
Davey laughed and looked over at Jack. "You know your dad is right every now and again."
Elijah giggled and looked at Jack with a smile. Jack looked back at him and stuck his tongue out playfully.
"I love you," they whispered.
"We love you too," Jack replied as Davey kissed Elijah's forehead.
~~~
780 words
YOU ARE READING
Newsies One-Shots
FanficPretty much what it says on the tin. They are Newsies One-Shots. Requests are always open, and very much appreciated because I am bad at coming up with ideas, so feel free to send me some.
