callmemajor | (no subject)

"Thank you, ma'am." He takes the plate and a piece of chicken and passes it to Lorne.

Maureen beams at him while Lorne takes a piece of chicken, and soon the potatoes, beans and rolls have also made their way around the table, and Lorne has poured the wine.

"So, tell me, Jack," she says. "What is it you do for a living?"

"I tend bar," Jack says and quietly thanks Lorne for filling his glass.

Lorne smiles across the table at him.

"Oh? That must be interesting. Do you like it?"

Lorne's willing to jump in and rescue Jack if his mom starts grilling Jack too hard, but for the moment, he's content to let Jack fend for himself.

"Yes, ma'am, I do. It's a good way to meet people. Hear a lot of interesting stories. The bar I work at attracts all kinds." He smiles at Lorne and eats some potatoes.

Lorne smiles as well, hiding it behind a roll.

"Is that how you and Evan met? At the bar?"

"Yes, ma'am." He sips his wine.

"Jack very kindly showed me the ropes," Lorne says with a smile. "And he's taken good care of me ever since."

"He's easy to look after," Jack says softly.

[ooc: Bedtime.]

"He always has been," Maureen says, smiling at them both.

Lorne blushes slightly and takes a sip of his wine.

[ooc: Goodnight.]

Jack has a drink too and wonders how Mrs. Lorne would react to him saying "I'm in love with your son."

He does not, however.

"It's beautiful country here. Have you lived here long?"

Her response is likely to be something along the lines of, "Well, I should hope so."

"We moved here when Evan was fifteen," she says. "His father was stationed at the base."

"We spent a lot of summers here when I was growing up, though," Lorne adds. "My granddad used to live here."

"So you must know it well," Jack says to Lorne. "All the best roads and views and things."

"I know it pretty well, yeah," Lorne says. "Did you want to go exploring after dinner?"

"That'd be great," Jack says with LOTS OF ENTHUSIASM.

Lorne has a very hard time not grinning at Jack's reaction. "I'll show you all my favorite places," he says.

"Make sure you take a jacket," Maureen says. "It's still getting pretty cold at night."

"Yes, ma'am," Jack says and smiles at Lorne in a manner that clearly says, despite his best intentions, "I am going to have so much fun with you."

Lorne smiles back in much the same way.

Maureen, noticing the smiles, asks, "Who's ready for dessert?"

Let it not be said she doesn't know how to read her boy's face.

"I'd love some, please," Jack says and wipes his mouth with his napkin.

On best behavior. Yes. Trying his best.

"Will you help me with these, Evan?" Maureen asks, standing and picking up her plate.

Lorne stands as well and picks up his plate and Jack's. When he passes by Jack on his way to the kitchen he stoops to kiss his hair and whisper, "Love you."

"Love you too," Jack whispers back and leans back in his chair to watch Lorne go.

There's a short conversation between Lorne and his mother while they're in the kitchen that pretty much boils down to:

"He seems like a very nice young man."

"I think so."

"Is it serious?"

Pause. "Yeah, it is."

"Good. I like him."

And then they're back in the dining room, and Lorne sets a slice of apple pie in front Jack with a satisfied grin before taking his seat.

Under the table, Jack reaches for Lorne's hand and gives it a brief squeeze.

"This looks delicious, Maureen."

Lorne squeezes back.

"Thank you, Jack. It's one of Evan's favorites."

"Did you grow the apples here?"

He eats with one hand, leaving the other wrapped around Lorne's.