@capsburbs I wrote a thing inspired by your blog hope that’s okay :))))
Nicky/Alex, 832 words, Suburban Dads AU
PTA meetings are not exactly Nicky’s idea of fun. He goes to them because he feels like it’s his responsibility to make sure his sons have the best possible school experience. Being part of the PTA gives him a measure of influence, as well as a look into the school’s inner workings. But he sure as hell doesn’t go there to socialize – he really doesn’t have a lot in common with the hoard of White Republican Moms. He supposes it’s his own fault for settling in this neighborhood, but really. It’s earned him a reputation of being standoffish and rude, but he really couldn’t care less. He has enough friends, thanks. Which is why he’s mildly surprised when he’s approached at the end of the meeting, when the other parents in attendance have started mingling and gossiping. Alex had just texted him, letting him know he’d picked up Tom from hockey practice and would be there to save Nicky from a room of judgmental stares shortly, when someone clears their throat at his side. Nicky looks up from his phone to see a blonde woman standing next to him – he’d noticed her as a new face, but not given her too much thought during the meeting.
“Hi,” she says, smiling sweetly. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.”
Nicky shakes her proffered hand and tries to smile politely – he has no reason to dislike this woman. Yet. “Nicklas,” he says.
“Nice to meet you,” she says, “I’m Amanda. I thought you made some really good points about the grade 6 reading list.”
“Oh,” Nicky says, pleasantly surprised. “Thank you. From what some of the others were saying, you’d think 12-year-olds were still not mature enough for anything more challenging than Dora the Explorer.”
Amanda throws her head back and laughs, and Nicky is slightly taken aback. He didn’t think what he said was that funny.
“Oh, you’re so right,” she says, leaning a little closer to Nicky. “My daughter is in grade 6 now, and she’s such an avid reader. I wouldn’t want her to be bored in class from books that are too childish for her.”
“Exactly,” Nicky says. “I have a son in grade 6 as well – Ms James’s class?”
“Yes, that’s my daughter’s class!” Amanda looks entirely too pleased with that, and Nicky has a growing suspicion he’s being flirted with. He’s rather flattered, actually – Amanda is a very beautiful woman. In another life, Nicky might have flirted back.
“You’re new to the area then?” Nicky asks, because he thinks he knows most of the parents of the other children in his kids’ classes.
“Yes,” Amanda confirms, “we moved in just before the start of the school year. We needed a fresh start after the divorce was finalized.”
“Oh,” Nicky says, a little awkwardly. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be, it was for the best,” she says. Her smile has turned a little coy, and Nicky sighs internally. “I was just wondering,” she says, taking yet another small step closer. “There usually aren’t a lot of dads at these things.”
“No,” Nicky agrees. “Though I think that a lot of the stay-at-home moms use these meetings more as a social club than from any desire to improve the school.”
“So is that why you come?” Amanda asks. “You want to improve things?”
“Mostly it’s to stop the republicans from making it worse,” Nicky states. “And also if I were to send my husband it would be an unmitigated disaster.” Amanda’s eyes widen in surprise, but before she gets a chance to comment, the doors to the meeting hall burst open. Nicky closes his eyes and sighs, despairing at his husband’s inability to do anything subtly. He turns around to see Alex standing in the doorway, and when he spots Nicky he starts waving enthusiastically.
Tom pops out from behind Alex and shouts “Pappa, hurry up, Papa said we can order pizza!”
Nicky turns to a still wide-eyed Amanda and says “He spoils them. But I suppose I shouldn’t keep them waiting – I’ll see you around?”
“Absolutely,” Amanda says, but her smile is a little tense.
Nicky makes his way over to his family, and Alex immediately puts a possessive arm around him and plants a smacking kiss on his cheek. Nicky pretends not to notice that half the room is staring at them disapprovingly. He’d deny it if asked, but riling up the conservatives is one of his favorite activities.
“Making new friends?” Alex asks as they make their way out to the parking lot.
“I’m not sure,” Nicky says. “I think she was trying to hit on me.”
“Of course,” Alex grins, “everyone want Nicky, most sexy dad in whole school.”
“Ugh, shut up,” Tom says. Nicky just smiles, and gives Alex a quick kiss before they get in the car and drive home.
