PARLOR

a Covenant One-Shot by .writer

A/N: For prompt #3 (parlor) of my Covenant fic table (see my website, link in profile). Reid sits in the parlor after his father's funeral, surrounded by people who don't know anything at all.

Christ, he hated funerals.

The room was filled with people dressed in black, talking quietly to each other. In the corner was the local preacher, solemnly speaking about “the Lord's plan” and “finding solace in God during this difficult time”.

Reid suppressed the temptation to go tell the man exactly how full of shit he was.

Most of the people had no idea how Peter Garwin had died. The official explanation was cancer. The coffin had been sealed closed. Only four families knew the truth, and they weren't talking.

Slumping into a chair, Reid glared at the people filling the parlor of his family home. They were so ignorant, talking about his father as if they actually knew him. They didn't; all they knew was the mask the Garwin patriarch had shown the world. This deception allowed them to talk about what a good man Peter had been. Reid wanted to tell them the truth, that his father had not been a good man, because good men don't throw their lives away like Peter had.

Reid hated his father for his weakness, but he also understood. The Power called to him too, and he knew how tempting it was. Idly, he wondered if it was a genetic thing, this weakness.

Across the room, his mother moved from group to group, accepting condolences with an air of grief that would have made any actress proud. Only Reid saw the blend of anger and satisfaction that stormed under Clarissa Garwin's flawless exterior. He was looking for it, and it only confirmed his knowledge that his mother was a self-serving bitch.

What did you expect from a woman who married into a family like the Garwins? No one in their right mind would want to be part of this curse, not for all the money and history and social standing in the world.

Looking away from his mother, Reid saw Tyler standing in between his parents. The younger boy looked uncomfortable, and when he caught Reid's eye, he said something to his mother and father and then walked over to his best friend.

It had only been a year since they had gained their Powers, but that year had been enough for Reid and Tyler to become closer than brothers. Right now, Reid couldn't decide if he wanted Baby Boy to stay or go away.

He opted for rejection. “Go away, Tyler, I don't want to talk right now.”

Tyler flushed red, but then he shook his head. “No, Reid. I th-think I'm going t-to stay.”

Reid frowned. Tyler's stutter had faded away weeks ago. “Why? I don't want you here.”

“Maybe you n-need me here, Reid.”

Reid scoffed. “That's bullshit, Baby Boy. I don't need anyone.”

Tyler scowled at him. “I told you not to call me that! And don't be stupid. Of course you need someone.” Anger had burned away the hint of stutter.

“Why? I have everything I need. Money, now that Daddy's dead, and magic. I don't need someone to talk to, or something retarded like that.”

Tyler was quiet for a moment, his brow creased with what Reid recognized as his thinking expression. “Your Dad had money and Power,” he began. “But...he wasn't happy. And he Used too much...”

“And now he's dead!” Reid snapped. Tyler flinched. Reid felt like yelling at his friend for being such a chicken, and like yelling at himself for being such a jerk. He lapsed into tense silence.

“I'm your friend, right?” This from Tyler, who was looking hesitant.

Ried rolled his eyes. “Duh, stupid.”

Tyler nodded and crossed his arms. “Good. As long as you k-know you aren't alone, Reid.”

“Whatever, man.”

THE END