Dev’s mind went instantly to Seth and Leaf, and he couldn’t help the beaming smile that made his dad take notice.
“Oh, what’s this now?” he asked, smirking as he perked up.
“I might’ve met someone,” Dev admitted, smiling still. “But it’s early still, so don’t tell Mom anything, okay?”
“No, of course not. You’ll tell us if and when there’s something we need to know.”
“Tell Dad hi from me!” Angel called out from the doorway, making Dev jump. He hadn’t heard him enter the house.
“Hi, Angel!” Dad yelled, obviously having heard.
“Jesus, can you two stop screaming?” Dev mock-frowned at the screen and Angel.
“Give the phone to your brother, will you?” Dad asked.
Dev got up to take it to Angel. “I’ll go start dinner since I’ll be working this evening. Talk to you later, Dad,” he said toward the phone and went into the kitchen.
Soon Angel chatted away with Dad, and Dev smiled. They tried to stay in touch with their parents, but sometimes time just slid through their fingers and suddenly it had been a couple of weeks without contact. Then again, like Dev had told Dad, he didn’t feel the disconnect as much because he talked to Dad several times each week even if it was just about work. Their mom was pretty good at poking at them herself. She called whenever she felt her “mommy senses tingling,” or so she told them time and time again.
If their parents’ thirtieth wedding anniversary hadn’t been in a couple of months and Dev and Angel hadn’t had plans to fly down then for the party, Dev would’ve made time to visit them in Anaheim now. He missed them, but at the moment he had work to do and a new relationship to handle.
Dev zoned out a little, lulled by the rhythm of cooking, and missed Angel finishing the call. He was just throwing the noodles into water when Angel walked in.
“Here’s your phone.”
“Thanks.” Dev took it and put it into his pocket. “How was your day?”
“It was fine. Had an interesting lecture about—you know what, never mind that. You’re seeing someone?” Angel leaned his hip against the island and raised a brow at Dev.
Oh. Shit. So Angel had heard what he told their dad, or Dad had told Angel.
“Uh, yeah. Sort of.” Dev ducked his head a bit.
“Who is this person? You’re not usually this cagey about anyone, and you haven’t dated in a while.” Now Angel sounded concerned, and Dev didn’t want that.
“It’s still so new, Angel. It’s….” He gnawed on his lower lip, realizing it was a tell of his that Angel knew very well. His brother would know he wasn’t being completely honest, no matter what he’d say next.
“Is it someone closeted?”
“No, that’s not it. I just… can you give me some time to sort this out? And then I’ll tell you all about it?” Dev peered at Angel hopefully.
Angel sighed. “Okay, fine. But you’ll have to tell me soon. I don’t like us having secrets from each other.”
Dev opened his arms and Angel walked to him, slotting against him like the piece he’d been to Dev’s puzzle ever since they were little. “I promise, Angel.”
“Okay. I’ll give you the benefit of a doubt for now.” Angel kissed his temple and squeezed him hard. “How long until dinner?”
“As soon as your butt hits the chair, really.”
“Awesome. Let me get the bowls out.” Angel went to find their favorite bowls to eat stir-fry and noodles from, and set the table.
They chatted about Dev’s work situation despite the fact that Angel wasn’t into gaming much, and Angel’s studies, even though Dev didn’t get some of the stuff he was saying either. It pretty much summarized their relationship. They loved each other unconditionally, were there for each other about everything, and even though they were two very different people, they had enough similarities and a common ground in having grown up together that they just worked.
It always boggled Dev’s mind when he met someone who couldn’t stand their siblings. He’d even met a girl who didn’t like her twin sister at all. It seemed weird to Dev. To him, Angel was one of the things that made Dev… well, Dev.
“I’ll load the dishwasher. You go fix Dad’s problem,” Angel said when they were done eating.
“Thanks. If you’re making coffee later, can you…?” Dev gave him puppy-dog eyes, the expression making Angel laugh.
