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[byrned]

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[mrandmrs]

[Whatever double meaning might be there flies right over both parents' heads, thankfully. Nathan's mother looks delighted at Matt's suggestion, though.]

Oh, he never let us put them up at home. Yes, yes... put them on display! You're so talented, Nathaniel.

[cravating]

Christ... [Nate says, wiping his hand over his face and laughing lightly.]

Coming at me from all sides, aren't you lot?

[byrned]

Listen to your ma, Nate. She knows what she's talking about. You're talented. Really talented. I want your paintings on all of these walls. And one of them in my room too.

[mrandmrs]

[Mr. Jones wags a finger at Matt, grinning wide.]

I like this boy. He's a good boy, Nathaniel. Clever boy. You listen to him. [Clapping a hand to Matt's shoulder, he gives it a friendly squeeze.]

Let's you and me get the rest of that furniture up here, hm?

[byrned]

[ There's a flinch that's almost visible when Nate's dad claps on his arm. Enough that maybe Nate might notice, but Matt masks it well enough. It's a dad thing, and entirely about what he's used to. ]

Yeah of course, Mr. Jones.

[ And out they head. ] You must be really proud of your son, eh?

[mrandmrs]

[Nate does notice, and he offers Matt a brief smile, knowing that he's jut got some reflexes that are hard to shake. Hopefully some time with a dad like his own will be good for Matt.

Mr. Jones lights up in a grin at Matt's question.]

Oh yes! Couldn't be prouder, really. You know my great great grandad was a sculptor. Proper famous one too. Seems that skipped a few generations, but our Nathaniel is picking up right where he left off.

[He's nearly bursting with all the pride he has tbh]

[byrned]

[ It's amazing to see just how much his dad loves him. It's crazy, he really can't recognise it. ]

Yeah? Seriously? You know Nate-- Nathaniel, he never told me that. Guess he keeps some things close to his chest.

[mrandmrs]

He didn't?! Well, high time we fixed that. [So he'll just launch into a history lesson on Bevan Jones. Nate's dad sure... loves to talk. He's very animated, and doesn't actually multi task well at all, so there's not much moving of furniture happening right now... Whoops.]

[byrned]

[ Matt... really doesn't mind. This is all sorts of great, and there's already a bunch of information in here he can use to tease him with later. ]

So Nate. What was he like as a kid? [ Ok these are the stories he wants, lbh ]

[mrandmrs]

Sweetest little lad you ever saw. Followed his mother around like a lost puppy most of the time. Until he got to school and then he suddenly wanted no help from anyone. Very independent. But always sweet, our Nathaniel.

[byrned]

Yeah he's a good guy. Quiet kid was he? Not running around with lots of guys I'm guessing? Oh did he have a weird grunge period? Or a year when he kept wearing eyeliner?

[ Come onnnn Nate's dad, give him gossip. ]

[mrandmrs]

No, no, nothing like that. He's always been a good boy. Brought home a few questionable lads, but I know he'll find someone who's a good fit for him eventually.

[byrned]

Seriously? Not one ounce of dirt on him? Guy really is a little angel, isn't he?

[ He laughs and shakes his head. ]

You know I can tell why though. Folks like you and your wife.

[mrandmrs]

Well, that's very nice of you, Matt. We tried our best to do right by him. He's everything to us.

[byrned]

[ Oh help, abort, Matt has sudden emotion. He takes in a shaky breath. ]

Oh so we should get these other boxes huh? [ CHANGE THE SUBJECT QUICK ]

[mrandmrs]

Oh, yes, we'd better. The wife will be after me if I get too distracted out here with you or Nathaniel.

[byrned]

You know Nate's very lucky. To have folks like you. I can see why he turned out how he did.

[mrandmrs]

Why, thank you, Matt. Now- give me a hand with this sofa, would you?

[And then they moved more furniture in until the van was empty? Idk how much moving shit small talk they can have lmfao. Meanwhile, Nate's mom is cooking up a storm so the flat smells better every time they come in with something else.]

[byrned]

[ Yay moving things. They do it pretty efficiently tbh, well done men. Back inside, Matt sets his keyboard against the wall, still in its lock case, and dusts his hands off. ]

Mrs. Jones that smells amazing. You know a way to a man's heart.

[mrandmrs]

[She turns and beams at him.]

Oh, just doing my part! I sent Nathaniel to the shop to pick up a few things. He'll be back soon, I'm sure. Sit, sit.

[Motherly fretting and what not.]

[byrned]

[ Oh Nate's not here? He didn't know this was going to happen. Nate. Come back. Help! But Matt still grins a bit, tries not to look nervous and sits as he's told. He's good at doing what parents tell him. ]

Oh hey no you're the guest I should be doing things for you.

[mrandmrs]

Nonsense! We came here to help. Sadly, my back has a little twinge in it so I can't lift much. Doctor's orders. But I can fix lunch, can't I? Make sure my boys are fed?

[Yes, that also means you, Matt.]

So what is it you study?

[byrned]

[ He really doesn't know what to do with this. It's too wholesome. Too weird to him. As wonderful as his own ma is, and she is, it's not like this.

So he's a bit quiet, almost bashful even. So not Matt. ]

Oh me? Er. Music. Classical piano.

[mrandmrs]

Oh, a musician! How lovely. No wonder Nathaniel is fond of you. Music and art, you two must have so much in common.

[byrned]

[ He laughs as he responds, shaking his head a little. Really, it's strange to see someone enthused about what he wants to do in life. ]

Oh me and Nate are pretty much polar opposites. But I think that's why we get on. Your son is teaching me to be a better man, Mrs Jones.