Title: The Wearing of the Green
Author: Peach
Email address: Peach1250@hotmail.com
Fandom: X-Files
Pairings: Skinner/Krycek
Warnings: None
Rating: PG
Date: 03/16/03
Archive: If it's posted to your list it's yours
Disclaimer: The characters of Skinner, Krycek, and the X-Files belong to Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and the Fox Network. No copyright infringement is intended. No money is being made. Farscape is referred to in this story; it is owned by Jim Henson Company, Nine Network Australia and Hallmark Entertainment.
Summary: A snippet for St. Patrick's Day
Notes: For Ursula. Also this is a sequel of sorts for Resurrection and Redemption in case you are keeping track of my universes. Betaed by Jose and Flintstriker any remaining errors are mine. Thanks also to Callisto for her help with name confusion.
"Alex, you better hurry or we'll miss the start of the parade."
Walter was standing at the bottom of the stairs wearing a pair of worn jeans, a green Henley, with his leather coat hanging over his arm. The weather was unseasonably cool and they wouldn't be returning home until late that night.
"Be right down. Why don't you go get the jeep started?"
"I'll do that."
The car was running when Alex ran out of the house and jumped into the passenger seat. Backing carefully out of the driveway, Walter headed toward the part of town where the parade was taking place. He'd promised his brother's kids that they'd meet them for the St. Patrick's Day parade.
Walter's baby brother had married a devout Irish Catholic girl and they were raising a passel of children. All of whom loved their Uncle Walter and Aunt Alex with a fervor which only children achieve. It still was a source of amusement to Walter that the oldest, Seamus, had called Alex that when introduced to him and Alex had allowed it. Of course none of them used it in public, it was their private family name for him.
He managed to find parking closer than he expected to the spot arranged for the two households to meet. Alex had spotted a couple of the children before Walter even had the car in park. He jumped out and headed toward them as Walter was still fumbling with his seatbelt.
"Hey, kids."
The smallest redhead detached herself from the hand holding hers and ran to him. He swung her up into his arms laughing as she planted a sticky kiss on his cheek.
"Alex, I had cotton candy."
"Really? I never would have guessed."
Alex smiled at her as he spoke. He'd never admit it but little Siobhan was his favorite of the Skinner children. He'd held her when she was only a few hours old and they had bonded the first time she looked into his eyes.
Walter reached the little group and smiled at his niece being held securely in his lover's arms.
"Are you getting Alex all sticky?"
"I'm not sticky, am I, Alex?"
"No, not sticky at all, princess."
She giggled at Alex's pet name for her, a name no one else was allowed to use, matter of fact, from others it elicited a temporary deafness. Walter bent his head slightly and licked the small tuft of pink from Alex's cheek.
They turned to join the other children at the concession booth. Seamus turned to look at them and smiled.
"Uncle Walter, can you lend me a buck?"
Walter stuck his hand into his pocket and pulled out a bill for the kid.
"Keep the change. I'm sure you can find a pretty girl to spend it on."
"Got my eye on a beauty alright. The brunette over by the pub."
Alex and Walter turned to look in the direction he'd mentioned. Walter's mouth dropped open and Alex chuckled. The brunette in question looked a great deal as Alex had at sixteen. Seamus was going to college the next fall and so far he'd only dated girls so it was a bit of a surprise to his uncle to know his nephew wasn't as straight as he'd thought.
"Your mother will kill me."
"No, she won't. She's very practical about some things. When she told me about you and Alex, she said you'd found love and she was happy for you."
"Well, guess we'd better get to the parade. We can handle the kids if you want to go introduce yourself."
Alex turned toward the street where the parade was taking place as Walter took the hand of the next youngest child in the group. Seamus headed across the street toward the pub.
They found a good spot and got the kids all arranged so they'd be able to see. Seamus didn't show up until the parade was almost over. The brunette was introduced as Ryan O'Rielly, which made them smile, couldn't get much more Irish than that.
They divided up the kids for the ride back to the pub that was owned by Walter's brother, Derek. The family was meeting there for a corned beef dinner, and of course, green beer. Cordelia and her sisters had been cooking since early morning and the pub was filled with the smell of corned beef, cabbage and potatoes.
Derek waved from the bar as he filled another pitcher. The party was in full swing already. The smaller children were fed and sent upstairs to nap or play games while the adults had their early dinner. Once the dishes were cleared, the band began to play.
Alex and Walter were in a corner watching the dancing and enjoying the band when Seamus coaxed Ryan out onto the floor. Only the newest members of the group paid any attention – most were used to seeing Alex and Walter dance together so it was no big deal.
Walter watched as Derek made his way over to the band as the song ended. He whispered something quietly and stepped back.
"Folks, we're gonna take a break and when we come back Derek has requested the heavy jig. So if any of you brought you dancing shoes and aren't wearing them yet, get them on now."
"I'll get our shoes, Alex. You might want to get out of that sweater."
"I will when you get back."
While Walter was gone, Seamus came over alone to talk to Alex.
"Alex, I need some advice."
"What is it?"
"I wasn't completely honest earlier."
"Really?" Alex's eyebrows rose a little.
"Stop that. Uncle Walter is wearing off on you."
"And this is a bad thing?"
"No, guess not."
"What did you want to ask?"
"Ryan and I have been seeing each other for a while. WewanttohavesexbutI'mnervousandnotsurewhattodo."
The last sentence was so breakneck that Alex had to take a minute to break it down. Then he blanched. How the hell was he going to handle this?
He'd made every effort to be a friend to the boy. He wanted all of Walter's family to accept him, if not love him. But he saw this as a lose-lose situation. If he didn't give the boy advice then he would be hurt and angry. If he did then Derek and Cordelia would be furious with him. He was fairly certain that tonight was their first clue that their son might be, if not gay, at least bi-sexual.
Finally, his mind decided that he'd rather have his in-laws angry with him than have two boys start off their sex life badly.
"What do you want to know?"
Seamus began his questions, face flaming as he asked. Alex kept his answers as simple and factual as possible. He saw Walter come back in the door but he was waylaid before he could reach them.
"Seamus, Walter is back. I'll meet you tomorrow and we'll talk some more. In the meantime, if you guys get too excited, stick to hand-jobs for now. Other things can be much more fun but you are both still very young."
"I know. Thanks for letting me ask you. It's not the kind of thing I can talk over with my dad."
"I know."
"Alex, here are the shoes and you're still wearing that sweater."
"Just shooting the breeze with my nephew here."
Walter smiled at him. "So, Seamus, does Ryan do the heavy jig?"
"I'm not sure I'll go ask him. Thanks again, Alex."
"Any time."
"What's going on?"
"Later, the band is headed back to the stage and I want to show off."
Alex and Walter changed their shoes hurriedly. Alex reached for the hem of his sweater and Walter reached out to help. When it was out of the way, Walter stood and stared.
"What the hell is that?"
"Don't you like it? Looks very Irish doesn't it? And the lettering is green."
"Aeryn go Braless?"
"It was to support the Farscape campaign."
Alex turned so he could see the back, which read 'Women Support Farscape'.
"They sent in bras to the channel to try and make a point about the show being canceled. It was great."
"I'm in love with a scifi loony toons."
"Yep. Music's starting. Are we gonna dance?"
Walter shook his head and led Alex out to the dance floor. They had been practising and he wanted to show off his lover. Ryan and Seamus lined up next to them. They danced until their feet were sore.
It was around midnight when they got ready to head for home. Alex excused himself as Walter was saying goodnight to his brother and sister-in-law and went over to Seamus and Ryan.
"I'll meet you at Starbucks's around one tomorrow. That work for you?"
"Yeah. Is it ok if Ryan comes with me?"
"Sure."
Walter's big hand wrapped around his waist.
"Let's go home, Alexei. Your old man is tired."
"You know, he always says that."
"Night, boys."
In the jeep Walter turned to look at him. Alex squirmed and knew he'd be giving it up before the night was over so he just blurted it out.
"Seamus and Ryan are thinking about having sex and they want advice."
Walter nodded, then started the car. Alex figured he was angry because he didn't say anything. When they got home Walter headed straight for the bedroom. Alex went to the kitchen for a beer.
"Alex! Get that cute ass in here."
He headed for the bedroom, stopping in the doorway.
"You aren't angry with me?"
"Why would I be? He needs to talk. Far better for him to ask you than get it somewhere less reliable. At least I know you'll emphasize safe sex."
"I hope your brother will see it that way if he finds out."
"Derek asked if we'd talk to him."
"What?"
"My baby brother is a sharp cookie. He knows his son inherited the Skinner fuck gene. And the boy *is* almost eighteen."
"Skinner fuck gene?"
"Come to bed so I can show you how well it works."
Alex chuckled as he walked toward the bed, throwing off his clothes to land wherever. Sure was nice to have a family.
The end.
If you want to see the shirt go here
http://www.sanetv.com/index.htmlAnd there really is a campaign going to send bras to Bonnie Hammer this week. You can read about it here
http://www.watchfarscape.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8074