on become such a big deal."
"Ethan wants to make games," Bill pointed out. "How'd you get into it?"
"I got lucky," Braden told him. "I'd just gotten my degree when I stumbled on Chance's job listing. Remote work sounded good. I thought it would be something to pad my resume, and then it kinda became this. I've been working for Deviant Games since it started. I hope to keep going until I'm too old to see the code. Those people are like my family."
"So, any advice for my boy?"
Braden's mouth opened, paused, and then closed. Every time he called Rhaven "Ethan," it bothered him. Each time he had to say "he" was difficult. But hearing Bill so casually ask about his "boy" hit him harder than the rest. That was why she was having trouble coming out. The casual way they gendered her as a male, saying it with so much love and pride, made it almost impossible to be upset. And yet, if it annoyed him this much, then how bad must it hurt Rhaven?
"Um," he said, trying to ignore it. "I think the pro gamer plan is a good one. I mean, for every opening, there are a few thousand applicants, so it's not easy. But, he knows what he's doing, and his mods are impressive. That's coding experience - and design. Degree or not, there's a lot of good stuff."
"Not gonna put in a good word?" Tyler asked.
"Of course I will," Braden said. "But I don't hire employees. We have a human resources department now. There's a system, and I don't honestly know how it works."
"Dad," Rhaven begged. "Please don't pressure him?"
"Fine," Bill said, moving to take the chair beside Braden. "Go help your brother get plates. Paper towels, too!"
Tyler groaned. "You can at least put the burgers on, Dad."
"In a sec. Have to let them breathe a bit first." His grin made it clear that was a line of shit.
But Tyler and Rhaven still headed inside. The door was barely closed behind them before Bill turned in his chair to face Braden. From the look on his face, he was done messing around, and Braden realized exactly where Tyler got his attitude.
"So," Bill said. "You seem like a nice enough guy. Tyler says you're trying to hit on Ethan. Any truth to it?"
Braden just sighed, took a drink of his beer, and shifted to face the man. "And what would you do if I was?"
"Ask if it went both ways," Bill said. "Look, I try, but I don't really understand that boy. Ethan's nothing like me. Doesn't mean I love him any less, but I feel like I'm playing blind here."
"Then back off and tell him that. Make it clear that you will - or won't - accept him no matter what." Braden shrugged. "I'm only saying that because yes, I'm bisexual. I got outed before I was ready, and it sucked. I was terrified. My parents both took it hard. Caused some problems between us that I'm still trying to fix. I'll also never take a boyfriend home because of it. So, if you want to know what's going on with Ethan, then ask Ethan, not me."
"I don't know how to do that," Bill admitted.
Braden tipped his beer to the man. "About like this. And just think about it for a second. If it's this hard for you to even say it's ok, imagine how hard it is for someone like me to wonder what their parent would do. Half of this country isn't ok with it. A good chunk of people would try to hurt us - and I'm talking about any person who isn't cis or straight here."
"Cis?" Bill asked.
"Um, those who feel the same gender inside as they were declared at birth. I'm a cis bisexual man. Some people are trans, which means they're the opposite gender, and others are non-binary. That's something in the middle that isn't male or female."
"The ones who want to be called 'they,' right?"
"Exactly," Braden said.
Bill nodded. "And that didn't really answer my question. You trying to start something with Ethan or not?"
"I promise that I'm not interested in your son," Braden told him, choosing his words carefully. "Ethan and I are friends from the gaming circuit. I like the guy, and he's more fun than I expected. As to his sexuality? Well, even if I did know, I sure as shit wouldn't tell you. Not my place, sir. That's the best way to lose a friend in