EVERMORE ─ marvel

II. Past Selves

Chapter Two
Steve

"So, tell me about your parents. What are they like? What's their backstory?" I ask Liam, who is currently staring off into space in the co-pilot seat.

He looks startled when I address him, clearly having been lost in his own thoughts for some time. He sits himself up a little and replies: "Well, my mom is a white woman from Los Angeles and my dad is a half Indian, half Pakistani man from Chicago."

I gesture with my hands for him to continue, he sighs and does so.

"My grandparents moved to America in the 60's. My grandfather was from Pakistan and followed the Muslim religion, but when he married my grandmother he converted to Hinduism. My mom also converted to Hinduism when she met my dad. Because of that I've always felt more connected to my Indian heritage than my Pakistan heritage. My parents met at a baseball game in LA, fell in love, moved to Fresno when they got married, at some point were apart of a secret government project, had me, claimed they loved me, and then betrayed me the second they found out who I really was."

"So you are apart of the Hindu religion. That's cool," I say, trying, and probably failing, at throwing in some levity. "What's that like?"

"Um, it's a bit complicated. There are different denominations of Hinduism, my family has always followed the god Shiva. We believe in compassion, justice, and wisdom. Shiva is the god of the soul. By doing good in this life we cleanse our souls and work towards binding our souls with his in the next life. We believe in reincarnation and karma, which is something most people in the Hindu religion believe in. I have done meditation and yoga every day since I could walk, and I'm a vegetarian. I think that's the major points of it."

I knew about him being a vegetarian, and I have seen him meditate before, but I had no idea it was part of his religion. "Why haven't you talked about any of this before?"

Liam shrugs, staring down at his lap. "I don't know, I guess I was worried that all of you wouldn't like me talking about my religion, some people really hate that."

"Lee, come on now, that wouldn't happen. In Wakanda they worship Bast, in Jabariland they worship Hanuman, my parents and uncle are Catholic, two of them are German and one is American. We have all been surrounded by different religions and cultures for years. Wakanda is a safe place for everyone to be themselves, I don't want you to feel like you have to hide who you are."

"I've always had to hide who I am." Liam mumbles, ha eyes briefly glancing up at me.

I feel a pang in my chest at the honesty in his voice, and the pain. "If you want I could meditate with you from now on, and do yoga, it sounds really interesting. And I know everyone in my family would love to hear more about your religion and your culture, I know I would."

Liam looks up at me fully this time, a small smile creeping onto his lips, his eyes shining with vulnerability. "You would really do that?"

I nod firmly. "I'd do anything for you."

I feel shock roll through me at the honesty of my own words. I think it's shocked Liam as well, he looks away from me, his cheeks beginning to redden.

I feel myself blushing too as I ask: "Will you teach me more?"

Liam nods, and for the rest of the trip he tells me all about his heritage, his religion, and for the first time since we left home today, he smiles.

-

Liam

I can audibly hear myself gulp as Stevie and I stand in front of my parent's house. I never thought I would be back here. The house looks exactly like how I remember it: the same cream painted panels, dark brown roof, large porch, and the same dark brown door. From here I can see the window to my bedroom, it's sealed tightly, the dark blue curtains inside blocking my view from what lies inside. Both of my parent's cars are in the driveway, which makes sense because it's a Saturday, they're always home on Saturdays. It's just after lunch, I think around now they would be doing yoga. They're probably in the living room, which is right next to that brown door.