ato-the-bean:

More from Chapter 2 of Cleaving…and I’m betting you’ll all remember the picspiration for this scene…

Zach dug through his suitcase for a sweatshirt and socks to wear with his sleep pants.  Either his mom just liked to keep the house cool, or she needed more insulation.  Or he had been in California too long and was becoming a wuss.  

He opened the door just as Nathan squealed again, and Zach followed the sound of giggling and smell of coffee down the stairs until he came to an abrupt halt at the sight of Chris.   Chris, who was wearing a huge blue parka, purple gloves, a fur hat that might have been Joe’s at some point, two knitted scarves, jeans, and flip flops.  Zach bit back a laugh and leaned his shoulder against the wall, watching Chris put on a very confused “thinking” look while Nathan was practically breathless waiting for him to say something.

“Mmmm, no.  I’m still cold.”

Nathan threw his head back laughing and then ran over to Margo, who was holding another scarf and laughing herself.  This one was mustard yellow, and Nathan grabbed it with glee.  Chris leaned down so Nathan could place the scarf over the back of his neck.  Nathan was giggling so hard it took three tries, and then Chris straightened up and looped it around his neck.

“Babbo warm?”

“Hmmm.  I should be.  I have a hat,” he said, placing both hands on his head, “gloves, a coat, three lovely, warm scarves.”  All the while he was wiggling his toes in such an exaggerated way Zach was surprised he didn’t lose his balance.  He tapped his chin thoughtfully and said, “Still cold,” much to Nathan’s delight.

Zach was now laughing as much as any of them, marveling at how comfortable Chris was being a ham.  He did it for the camera, singing on talk shows and laughing about high school photos, and he was always willing to do it for Nathan.  Chris was shy in a lot of ways, but he was always very ready to laugh at himself.   Zach had decided long ago that it was a trait he should try to emulate, though he found it much more difficult.   Biting back another chuckle, Zach watched as Nathan literally shook with laughter in that full-body way toddlers invest themselves in everything.  When Nathan spun around to run back to Margo, he spied Zach in the stairwell.

“Daddy!  Babbo no socks!”

“I see that,” Zach chuckled.

“Babbo silly.”

“He certainly can be.”  Zach couldn’t help the fondness that suffused
his voice, or the warmth in his smile as he watched Chris start to peel
off the layers, the game apparently over.  He was flushed, either from
being overheated or being caught out by Zach.  He gave Zach a sheepish,
almost shy grin, and Zach’s heart clenched.  He looked better.  The
shadows under his eyes were less severe, and his expression was actually
animated for the first time since he’d returned from England.  He
looked like himself, finally.