everyonelives | why is it you always get to sit in the shade

I don't read Architectural Digest, but it's impossible to eye that cover.

( Plus, the casing. )

Am I interrupting?

( She knows full well what she's doing, but being the bull dozer is easier than standing back. It's been months since she's seen her husband and son. It's too easy for her to make this decision. She wasn't always a wrecking ball. Is it okay if she means well? )

[Being the bull dozer is why she and Laurel are going to be best friends. It's fine.

She smiles as they reach the dining room door.]

Not at all.

[She pushes it open, and turns that smile on the rest of the room.]

Guess who I found at the door?

[Both Sullivan men promptly choke on their food.]

Hey honey. Michael. Everyone.

( "Honey," William asks through a mouth full of food.

"You are?" Oliver says, standing in his seat, sending a questioning look to Laurel. But, she's his wife and a (19) has him reading the mischief on her face from the other side of the table.

Evelyn makes herself at home, taking the sunglasses from off her head and closing them in her hands. )

Evelyn. Nice spread.

[It's not that he's not happy to see her. He's always happy to see his mom. She's his mom. But at the same time ...]

Mom. I thought we were having coffee.

[That should answer anyone's questions of how this came to be.]

I smell coffee.

( Does that count? It probably doesn't count. Never the less. )

I told you I was in the neighborhood, honey.

( Star City, to be more precise.

William finally swallows the bite that, thankfully, didn't lodge itself in his throat from surprise. "That's your mom." The narration, and the room would like to confirm that it is in fact, Cooper's mother. "Do you want coffee? Does she want coffee?" Half-heartedly, he then pushes himself to his feet. Should be the host here? )

You did. But I didn't invite you to someone's house who is not mine.

[Which he wants to make clear, to Oliver. He didn't randomly invite his mother over. She invited herself. He moves to place his hand on William's arm, indicating that he should sit.

"It's okay. There's plenty of lunch to go around." Laurel gestures to one of the empty seats. "Please, help yourself."]

( William decides then and there that Laurel is an agent of chaos, backing down because there's not much he can do for his boyfriend's mother who suddenly shows up.

At a stalemate, and with an invitation, Evelyn takes a seat opposite her husband and the meal continues. It's delicious and just this side of uncomfortable, but she'd rather be uncomfortable in her son's presence than not be there at all. )

Mr. Queen, my compliments to the chef.

( "Thank you, Mrs. Sullivan." )

Please. Evelyn.

( "Evelyn," Oliver repeats, having been brought up right. Gate crashers are people, too.

The conversation moves forward as conversations do. Coffee is poured, as is tension. William smiles, tries to make small talk, but can't shake the awkwardness of her being there at all. He leans in close to Cooper's ear.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to say." )

You can ask me anything, Mr. Queen.

( William's eyes travel from Cooper to Evelyn, who practically grins behind her giant cup of coffee. She's either trying to be friendly or trying to get a rise out of him. Possibly both, he wonders. He also contemplates just how safe it is to actually ask her anything. )

[Cooper's eyes narrow at his mother, before coming to his boyfriend's defense.]

So what are you doing in Star City, Mom?

[Because while he will believe that this is a coincidence, he's curious how this coincidence came to pass.]

I am on a job, honey. You remember those? Before you traded our pickup for covert ops and international travel.

( It was only a matter of time before it was brought up, she just wanted to have a good time, crash a good party and meet her son's... partner? Well, now she might not get the answer to that question. )

Yes, I remember jobs. I kind of would like to go back to them, actually.

[Hunting is simple, straightforward. There was too much politics anywhere else. Also, you would have gotten the answer if she had just waited for coffee, but now he's going to make her suffer.

Metaphorically.]

After taking just a general break.

A break. ( It's as if every syllable she says has its' own laugh. ) Last I checked, hunters don't take breaks. They retire or they die. Are you trying to tell me something?

( "Your son doesn't have a death wish, Mrs. Sullivan."

Oliver watches as William stands up for his boyfriend and Evelyn finally turns her gaze to her son's paramour. )

It's Evelyn. ( She wouldn't burn both her son and husband by saying 'Ms.' They aren't divorced, just estranged. But, finally, she acknowledges a man that until now has felt like a ghost in her former life, ever since she heard about her first born. ) And what do you think about this plan? Taking a break.

( She hunted pregnant. And when she didn't, he took it up. They had family that helped. Friends. Cooper should remember what it was like growing up like that with an older brother and two loving parents. It worked.

His father's crusade Evelyn blames Michael for? Didn't work. The proof is in their collective loss. Why wouldn't she crash, why would she wait for coffee when she's missed out on answers for months? )

The last few months have been shitty, Mom. And I think you and I both know that retiring isn't really a viable option.

[The supernatural finds you anyway, so no matter what, it's really just death.]

So I'm taking a break. Not letting my guard down, just ... not actively looking for anything.

( She understands. She does. But, this isn't sitting right with her. When would her husband ever accept this? )

We make decisions as a family. We vote. Was the last vote the last ever vote? ( She finally looks to her son again. ) I know I haven't been around. I know I was outvoted, but considering the outcome, don't you think I should have a say?

( Her eyes find Michael again. )

Doesn't your father? Are you going to say anything?

[While he knows that his wife has every right to be angry with him, he did not think she would pick a fight with her own son about him making a choice that took him away from the danger.

He especially didn't expect her to do it in front of people that they are just meeting, who their son wants to make a good impression on. And they accuse him of being raised by wolves.]

Evie.

[While normally that nickname is said with fondness, this is a bit more clipped.]

Can we discuss this later?

[They were in the middle of lunch.]

( A protective air settles, Oliver for his son and William for Cooper as they wait for what Evelyn will say. Or not. Mickey has never met Evelyn before, but after seeing this outburst, it 100% makes sense for what Cooper has said about her. )

Will we?

( It's not fair, she's the one who didn't take his calls, not for a long time. Here she is extending a barbed olive branch. )

We will.

[They have to. So much has gone unsaid for far too long. But in private where she can properly yell at him like he knows she's been itching to do.]

When we're not intruding on these nice people's hospitality.

[Aka after lunch.]

You mean when I'm not intruding.

( That's what he means. Not Michael. Not her son. She's the uninvited. )

Mr. Queen - Queens. I apologize. For intruding on your nice hospitality.

( Oliver hesitates, able to give her the room if she needs it, but not if it makes Michael Sullivan and Cooper uncomfortable. Maybe it's not his place.

"If you need the room, we have enough. That's if your family is okay with it." And this way, they can have that talk.

William glances at his father, back to Evelyn and then to Cooper. )

["I'm fine with it if that's what Mom wants." Because he is happy to see his mother, and he's not sure how it went from there to hear. But gives William's hand a squeeze indicating he's fine, this is just why he calls her Hurricane Evelyn.

Michael keeps his eyes on his wife for a long moment, before glancing over at Oliver.]

That's very gracious of you. Thank you.

Okay.

( Cooper shouldn't be shocked that she has a rucksack in her pick-up parked just out front so when she does need to, she can retire to her room. )

This is where I usually apologize for making a scene. But, I'm just going to be happy that I get to be in the same room as my surviving son and my husband.

( William squeezes Cooper's hand back - as a silence falls over the table, Mia's phone chimes with Faith's name popping up.

Hey Tabloid Princess, guess who just finished her Star City business. Up for a little action? )

Oh thank god.

[It takes a second for Mia to realize she said that out loud, but when she looks up, she flashes them a smile.]

Sorry. I just forgot that I had plans with a friend in town. I'm late.

[She glances over and takes pitty on poor Mickey.]

Mick. You should come with me.

( After a second, she doesn't even wait for a reply and just drops a pin The Pink Door, a hotspot in Star City.

Mickey finally breaks his gaze with his plate around all the awkwardness and figures, well, anything is better than here.

"Sure. Yeah. I'll come with."

William slides his and Cooper's hands back and off the table.

"With - right. They're in town. I forgot." William says. "Old friend of Mia's she wanted me to meet. I hate to - cut this short -" )

Edited 2022-10-16 03:49 (UTC)

[Cooper glances at his boyfriend who is leaving with his sister and his best friend and is he supposed to just ... bail? Given what's going on with his parents right now. He glances to his father and Michael nods.

This is mostly between him and Evelyn. As far as Michael is concerned, they can talk when Coop gets back.

But he then looks to his mother, because if Evelyn wants him to stay he'll stay.]

( "Go. See Mia's friend. Have fun. You deserve it. We can talk tomorrow."

They can all talk tomorrow.

With the green light, William waits for his sister, Mickey, and Cooper and they end up rising in unison. )

[Laurel watches as the children free, delighted that lunch had gotten interesting. She reaches over and places a hand on Evelyn's arm with a nod.]

Why don't I show you to your room? Give you the grand tour?

( Not breaking away from her husband's gaze, she takes Laurel up on her offer, standing. )

Thank you. Your hospitality really is nice.

( Lead her away, Laurel.

In the meantime, Oliver sits.

"I have something stronger in the study." )

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