Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2000 18:04:33 -0700 (PDT)
From: Dewey <dewey2k@yahoo.com>
Subject: For the Love of Pete Chapter Seventeen

This story is a work of erotic fiction involving teenage boys partially
based on real people and events.  Names have been changed to protect the
guilty as well as the innocent.  All the usual rules apply.  If you
shouldn't be reading this now, then don't continue on.

Copyright Notice - Copyright July 2000 by Dewey.
This story is copyrighted by the author and the author retains all rights.

For the Love of Pete
Chapter Seventeen

When I awoke the next morning, I was afraid to open my eyes to see that it
all had been a fantasy.  Even the thought of last night having been a dream
brought me to tears.  Slowly, I became aware of the world.  A monumental
headache had taken up residence, but at least it wasn't a migraine.  My
neck was stiff, too.  I must have slept wrong.  Stretching out some of the
kinks, I rolled onto my side, finally opening my eyes.  In front of me lay
the most beautiful sight I have ever seen before or since.

He must have been exhausted.  Pete lay on his back, face toward me, snoring
lightly.  His blond hair was a mess, wild and untamed.  No lines were
visible on his young face, his visage relaxed and peaceful, as if
everything were right in the world.  No troubles haunted him now, the
perfect picture of contentment.

Softly, I brushed his hair out of his eyes, unable to resist running my
fingers through his hair again and again while I lay there asking myself
what I was doing there with Pete when he so clearly deserved far better
than anything I could offer him.

He stirred under my hand, and I jerked it away, afraid of rousing him
further.  He was sleeping like an angel. Pete settled down again, rolling
away from me as he did.  I hesitated.  I ached to feel him against me
again, but he was sleeping so well.  Trying not to wake him again, I slid
over until I was spooning him, and put my arm around his stomach. As I lay
there with him, just feeling his body next to mine, listening to his
strong, steady breathing, I felt I had at last found my place, the place
that I belonged, but at the same time, I felt like I was a pretender to the
throne.

Pete surprised me by pulling my hand to his lips, kissing it.  "Good
morning, babe."

"Morning.  How did you sleep?"

"Great, Bri.  Just knowing you were here with me put me out like a light.
You?"

"Really well for a change."  I gripped his hand tighter, and continued in a
softer voice.  "Thank you for holding me last night.  I really needed it."

"That's why I'm here, to give you what you need."  He rolled over to face
me, and his smile lit up my soul as he leaned in to kiss my forehead.  "I'd
like to stay here all day, but I really need to use the bathroom!"  Once
again he kissed me, but he was out of bed before I could return it.  As he
left I got a real good look at his body.  Gone now was the boyish form I
had known, replaced by a magnificent teenage frame, already well developed
with a promise of more to come in manhood.  He was well defined, but not
bulky.  Pete smiled as he left the room, sending a thrill through me.  I
melted back into the bed, marveling at my good fortune, and then Nature's
Call made itself heard.  I took my time getting out of bed, stretching out
more of the kinks from last night.  As I was arching my back, the door
opened without warning, and it wasn't Pete.

To my embarrassment, my shorts were tented with the morning urge to relieve
myself, and my arched position did nothing but accentuate that part of my
anatomy.  There was nothing I could do to cover myself, and if I had, it
would have embarrassed me even more.

"Whoa, man, sorry!"  It must have been Ray by the description Pete had
given me.  Without any sense of shame, he stood there, looking me up and
down like a show horse, paying special attention to my crotch.  I was
becoming distinctly uncomfortable under his gaze.

Pete entered and clapped a hand on Ray's shoulder.  "What's going on here,
Ray" Pete's voice was hard, and he was frowning.  Finally taking his eyes
off of me, Ray turned to Pete, saying, "Mom wanted me to tell you she's
making breakfast.  Damn, bro, I gotta hand it to you.  You sure know how to
pick 'em.  I knew he was fine, but with that bod and package, he's hot.
He..."

"Get out, Ray."  Pete was angry.  "We'll talk about this later.  Just
leave."

Ray gave Pete an insufferable grin.  "What, you don't want to share?"  Pete
immediately flushed all the way down to his chest, and bodily removed Ray
from the room, telling him that he had gone too far.  The rest of the
conversation was lost as Pete drug him to what I assumed was Ray's room.
He came back shortly, still furious and shaking his head in disbelief.

"I'm sorry about Ray.  He is terrible about privacy.  He walks in on me in
the shower, or when I'm drying, anytime I'm not dressed.  But that will
change now."  Still embarrassed that I had been seen by Ray, I said
nothing.

"Bri?"

"Huh?"

"Are you okay?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess.  Just overwhelmed is all."  I got up, walked toward
him, and gathered him in my arms, feeling his strength, inhaling his scent,
absorbing his warmth.  I squeezed him tighter just as Nature's Call
returned with a vengeance. "I'll be back in a second."

I dashed to and through the door, almost running over Kevin in my
haste. "Sorry! Gotta go!"  His laughter followed me as I did the pee-pee
dance to the bathroom. It took me a few moments to finish, wash my hands
and face, and return to Pete's room.  Finding the door closed, I knocked
gently and poked my head in.  Pete was sitting on the bed still in his
shorts, and Kevin was sitting on the desk chair, motioning me in as he
spoke.

"That's fine, Pete.  I'll talk to him, let him know.  It's about time he
learned I suppose.  Sharon and I have let it go on too long."  Kevin turned
to me.  "I'm sorry Ray walked in on you.  It won't happen again."

I shrugged. "It's no big deal.  I just wasn't expecting him, was all."
Kevin shook his head.

"That's not it.  That is part of the problem, but his comments were
inappropriate, too."  Not sure how to respond, I shrugged again.  Kevin
gave me a strange look, then glanced at Pete, who shrugged slightly.  He
stood and replaced the chair under the desk.  "Well, everyone else has
already eaten."  "Okay."

Kevin gave me another strange look, like he was trying to scan my mind,
glanced at Pete again, and shook his head.  "Don't be long, boys."  He left
and shut the door behind him, but not before taking another sidelong look
at me.  What was up with that?

"Are you okay, Brian?"

"Sure.  Why shouldn't I be?"

"What's bothering you?"  I was putting on my clothes from last night.  I
paused before I spoke, long enough to complete dressing.

"I'm hungry.  I'll meet you downstairs."  I put my hand on the door handle.

"Brian, stop!"  It was an order, and I had to obey him, and dropped my hand
from the knob. "Sit down."  I did as instructed.  A knock came from the
door.  "WHAT!"  Pete was really ticked off.

A female voice came through the door.  "Is everything alright in there?"

"Fine!  We need a few more minutes!"  He was very angry, glaring at me as
he spoke. I dropped my eyes to my lap.

"Are you sure?"

"I said YES!"  I could hear her muttering something, and heard Kevin's loud
whisper.

"Well, your breakfast is getting cold."

Without acknowledging that comment, he raised his voice and lit into me.
"What the hell is going on with you?"

"With me? What's up your ass?"

"You!  You're not talking to me.  Tell me what's going on in your mind!"

"I'm just not very talkative this morning.  There's nothing wrong.  I'm
fine!"

"No, you're not! You are so closed off I can't read you.  Do you want to be
here? With me?"  He was serious, brows furrowed and nostrils flaring.  Now
it was my turn to be pissed.

"What the fuck kind of question is that!  You know I do!"

"Do I? Last night you were laying in my arms spilling your guts to me.
This morning you wake up and cuddle.  Now you won't give me the time of
day! So I ask again, what the hell is bothering you?  What are you
feeling?"  I stood, nose to nose with him.

"What I feel is my business, not yours.  You don't like that?  Tough.  I
have been okay without you for the last three fucking years so I can keep
doing it.  I don't need you or my parents or anyone, so FUCK YOU!"

Silence.  Pete didn't say a word, just looked at me with wide, unbelieving
eyes, jaw hanging open.  He was stunned.  Then the words I had just uttered
hit home in my heart.  My legs wouldn't hold me and I collapsed to the
floor in front of him.

"Oh my God, Oh my God, I'm sorry Pete.  I didn't mean it.  Honest I didn't.
I was angry and wanted to hurt you, but I didn't mean it."  I pulled myself
up to my knees, pleading.  "Oh God, Pete.  I need you.  I am so alone. I
don't have anyone but you and now I am trying to drive you away.  I don't
have anyone, and if you don't love me now..." I hesitated for a brief
moment, took a deep breath, and said, "I'll understand."  I dropped my head
as tears welled up in my eyes.  I rubbed them away, trying to get control
of myself.  Crying would just make it worse.  How could he love a crybaby?
What must he think of me after last night?  He had even held me like a
baby.  I was weak.  That's all there was to it.  Better for him that I left
instead of holding him back.  I rubbed my eyes again.

I stood on shaky legs, and moved toward the door. "I'm not worth it.  I'm
sorry, Pete."

"Where are you going?"

"I don't know.  But I can't hold you back any longer.  I've already held
you back far too long.  I have to let you go, so you can find someone to be
happy with; so you can go on with your life.  I love you, Pete, but I can't
live with myself knowing that I have kept you from being who you can be.
I'm sorry.  Good bye."

Just as I opened the door, his hand fell upon it, slamming it shut.  I
didn't move, fearing the worst.

"Brian, turn around. Look at me."  I made no move to face him.  Pete gently
turned me by my shoulders as I kept my eyes downcast.  He put his hand
under my chin and raised my gaze to meet his.  Instead of the contempt and
rage I expected, I saw the same thing I had always seen in his eyes: a
deep, abiding love.

"Do you really think that some words said in anger would make me abandon
you?  Do you think I don't realize what you have gone through?  At least
some of it?  Brian, I've said this so many times I've lost count, and I'll
say it as many times as I need to.  I love you, always have, and always
will.  You are the one I have chosen to spend my life with, and I knew that
from the very first day behind the bleachers.  I chose you knowing you for
who you are, problems and all.  There is nothing you can do to get rid of
me.  Nothing!"  He wrapped his arms around me and pulled my head into his
chest.  "I am here now, Brian.  I am here.  You aren't alone anymore.  We
are together, and we always will be."  I could feel the tears coming again.
Irritably, I tried to pull away to brush them out of my eyes, but Pete held
me fast.

"It must have been terrible for you, babe.  Not even knowing if I was
alive.  And not being sure if I was still in love with you and waiting for
you.  Dealing with your parents and all the pain and anguish they caused
you. All you could do is bottle it up inside, try to hide it all, not
letting anyone know how badly you hurt.  I know now, Bri.  I see it.  But
you won't share it with me. You won't let me help you with the weight you
are carrying."  More tears formed as I remembered all my parents had done,
betraying me not once, but twice.  Not even showing that they cared whether
I lived or died.  Not helping me when I needed it the most, instead, acting
as if everything was okay, driving me away with their regret and eagerness
to make amends, not believing that I was in love with Pete, denying the
fact that I was in love with another boy.

A shudder went through my body, followed by a huge sob.  My eyes were full
of tears, falling down my cheeks onto his bare chest.  Another sob, and
another.

"Let it go, Brian.  I have you. You're safe here.  Nothing can hurt you.
Just let it out, let me share your pain, so we can deal with this together.
Let it go... Let it go...  I have you now."  He sat us on the bed and laid
us down, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tight.  "We are together
now.  We are safe.  No one can hurt us.  We are together."  The sobs
continued to come until I was at last crying, clinging to Pete with all my
strength.  If I had let him go, I would have been lost.  I cried until my
lungs hurt, with Pete holding me tight the whole time.  He repeated himself
over and over as I once again cried myself out.

Finally, my eyes dry, I pulled away from him.  He let go reluctantly,
watching me as I got up.  Pete put on his sweats, his gaze never leaving
me.  I waited for him to finish, looking at the floor, feeling sheepish.
He moved to stand in front of me.

"Bri, look at me."  For some reason, I had trouble holding his gaze that
morning.  Every time he tried to talk to me, I dropped my eyes, like I was
afraid of him.  In a way, I suppose I was afraid of him.  "You are okay.
Everything you are feeling is normal, and acceptable.  I am not angry or
upset because you cry.  Everyone needs to cry.  Lord knows I sure did my
fair share.  I expect that I'll have to cry again, maybe soon, depending on
the judges ruling, and I am sure it's not going to be the last time,
either. So, don't let it worry you.  "

"I was just trying to be strong for you.  I just couldn..."

He took me into his arms once more as he interrupted me.  "It takes much
more strength to feel your emotions and let them out than it does to hide
them.  It takes a huge amount of strength to admit you are vulnerable and
show it.  Please, Brian, don't ever be tough for my sake.  I understand,
and I will never mock your feelings.  Even if you are angry with me."

I looked at him askance.  "I'm not angry with you.  I'm more angry with
myself."

Pete grinned.  "Well, kick yourself in the ass then.  Let's go eat.  I'm
starved."  With a quick squeeze and a peck on the lips, he lead me
downstairs to the kitchen.  The table was set for the two of us, with
Sharon cooking up a couple of bacon and cheese omelets.  Kevin was working
on a cup of coffee as he read the front page of the newspaper.

"Get yourself something to drink, boys," Sharon said, "This is almost done,
and you WILL eat this hot."

"Mornin' guys.  How did you sleep?"

"Like a log.  Unusual for me in a strange place, too.  Usually I have
insomnia anyway."

"Well, I think this environment is a bit different.  You're among friends."
He nodded meaningfully toward Pete with a grin.  I blushed.

"Kevin, don't tease him.  He's had a rough morning.  Here you go, kids."
She served the omelets and sprinkled cheese over them for the finishing
touch.  Pete returned to the table with a gallon of OJ and two large
glasses.  He remembered my passion for orange juice, it seemed.

"Okay, I won't tease him.  But I do have some questions."  Pete gave Kevin
a warning glance, but if Kevin saw it, he gave no sign.  "I know your
background and a bit about your home life from what you told us during
prep, and what happened before Pete was brought up here.  What happened
afterward?  How did you deal with it?"

"Dad, I'm not sure that now's a good time."

"It's okay.  I have to talk about it sooner or later.  Might as well be
now.  Um, lets see.  I watched Pete and Brenda drive away that morning, and
I just lost it completely.  I was so bad that the paramedic had to tackle
me.  If you want details, you'd have to ask Danny.  I don't remember much.

"When I woke in the hospital, there were two things on my mind.  I was sad
because Pete was gone, and I absolutely hated Danny and my parents because
they knew Pete was being taken away and didn't tell me.  That hatred for my
parents still continues today, mostly.  They betrayed my trust- twice.
I'll never trust them again."  A few tears started leaking out of my eyes.
I reflexively brushed them away.

"After I got home, I threw myself at everything I could.  Body building,
football, wrestling, track, running, academics, you name it.  At one point
I almost starved myself to death.  I needed to make weight.  The doctor
figures I would have collapsed in another two days or so if the season
hadn't ended when it did.

"A buddy of mine, Chris, got me started working out, and when I got into
it, I worked out seven days a week for almost a year and a half.  Then I
dropped it to five days a week.  I slept more at Chris's than I did my own
home.  My grades are pretty much 4.0 since Pete has been gone."  I sighed,
looking at my hands in my lap.  "I tried to destroy myself when I intended
to distract myself."  I gave a half-hearted grin.  "Speaking of which, I am
missing my workouts.  Is there a gym or something in the area?"

Sharon answered me. "Yes, there is, but I'm not going to let you out of
this house until you eat."  Pete giggled as he finished off his omelet.  I
glared at him, but couldn't quite keep my own grin suppressed.  Rather than
fight it, I wolfed down my breakfast, occasionally remembering to breathe
in between bites.  In no time, my plate was clean.  I thanked Sharon and
ran upstairs to prepare for the rest of the day.

After I got my things for the shower and decided what I was going to wear,
I sat on the bed letting my mind drift.  I don't remember what I was
thinking, but I do remember Pete surprising me as he came into the room
with nothing more than a towel around his waist, closing the door behind
him.  He dropped the towel, raised his arms, and turned a slow circle.  "Do
I pass?"

"Oh, yeah, you pass."

He giggled "It's all yours, Bri.  Have at it.  The shower, I mean."  He
leveled his devastating smile at me.

I said, "Okay," but I was rooted to the spot. I couldn't help but take
another long look at his body.  While I watched, he turned his back and put
on a pair of boxer briefs.  He turned back to me with a broad smile.
"Well?  What's holding you up?"

"Just admiring the view."  His smile broadened as I left for the shower.
As usual, I showered quickly. When I returned to the bedroom, Pete wasn't
there.  He must have gone down stairs.  I dressed and went back to the
bathroom to brush my teeth and do my hair, not that there was a lot to do.
Having finished everything, I too headed downstairs.

Pete was watching TV.  "Everyone else went to work or school.  Looks like
we are on our own for the day.  How about we hop on the bikes and take a
ride around the neighborhood.  You can use Jason's bike. We can go down to
the park and throw the football around."

"Sounds good.  I could use some time to chill out and get some fresh air."

He led me to the garage and opened the automatic door.  The day outside was
sunny, but breezy and cool.  I stood silently as Pete took the bikes down
from their hooks.  He rolled the first one to me, and then took the second
for himself.  After closing the garage, we started down the street toward
the park he had mentioned earlier. Pete was unusually silent as we rode.  I
didn't pay much attention to where we were going, instead watching Pete for
some hint of what he was thinking.  When we got to the park, Pete stopped
near a bench, got off his bike and sat down.  I did the same.

He asked some hard questions.  "Where are we going, you and I?  Do we still
feel the same for each other as we did before?"  His eyes bored into mine
as he spoke. "Do you love me and really want to be with me?  To suffer, to
risk your life because you love a man?  From what you've told me, you
haven't faced the things that being gay can inflict on you.  I have, some
of it.  It's frightening, Brian.  If the guys who attacked me, Jason, and
Ray hadn't been drunk, they could have cut us bad with that knife."  This
took me by surprise, but Pete continued before I could ask for any details.
"Are you so sure that this is what you want to do?  To stay with me even
knowing some of what you'll face because of it?"  I couldn't tear myself
away from his penetrating gaze.  He had never looked at me in this way
before. Never.

I swallowed hard.  His questions were good ones, questions that I had never
asked myself, questions I didn't really know how to answer.  Never in my
thoughts after he left did my orientation come to mind.  I just knew I
loved him and that was the end of it.  I still loved him.  But was that
love worth facing all of that, putting myself in harms way?  I sat there
quietly, still locked to his eyes.  I could see faint traces of sadness,
anxiety, and uncertainty in his face.  I was taking my time responding to
his questions.  He seemed to take that as a negative sign, that I was
dumping him, and he was waiting for me to say it.

"Pete, for three years I have loved the boy that I knew, the boy that was
taken from me far too soon.  It was hard.  I won't tell you that the
thought of giving up on you didn't occur; it did.  But somehow, I held on,
knowing that in spite of the fact you hadn't called or written, you weren't
going to give up on me, either.  I came close, so close to giving up on
everything.

"When my dad showed me the subpoena, I was shocked.  You hadn't gave up on
me.  I was right about you.  He gave me all your letters that day.  I still
hate them both because they hid them from me.  I moved in with Danny to get
away from them.

"I have never faced anything other than the usual locker room jokes.  I am
not out to anyone, only Chris and Danny.  But, to be honest, I still don't
know if I am gay or not.  I still get turned on by girls, and some guys
too.  But one thing I know.  Whether I am gay, straight, or bisexual, I
love you.  Deeply.  With all my heart and soul.  When I saw you for the
first time in court, it was as if the time we were apart didn't exist.  I
picked up right where I was the night before you left.  We have changed.
We're older, bigger, more mature, but I went back to being that young kid
in love.  Nothing can change that if it was there the whole time.

"Yes, Pete.  I love you.  I want to be with you.  I would suffer through
anything for your sake.  I would die to keep you safe."  I paused, looking
for the right words.  "I want to be with you now, tomorrow, and all the
tomorrows to come."

His surprised, unbelieving smile filled my heart with light.  Both of us
were on the verge of tears.  I reached out and squeezed his hand.  He took
a quick look around, and seeing nobody close, reached over and hugged me
for a second, then withdrew.

"I love you too, Brian.  I can't tell you how happy you've made me.  All
this time I thought you didn't want to be with me.  I was afraid you would
leave and not want to see me again."

"What do we do about the distance?  I still have to go back home."  My good
mood evaporated as quickly as it had come.

"We'll deal with that when we get back to the house. Let's throw."  He
jumped up and grabbed the football, sounding not the least bit concerned
about my impending departure.  I followed him, trying to put it out of my
mind.

We played catch in a companionable silence, lost in our individual
thoughts.  Gradually we increased the distance between us until we were
about thirty yards apart, and then collapsed inward again.  When Pete was
about ten yards from me, he threw the ball and then charged.  Startled, I
tried to dodge him, but he caught me full around the waist and took me down
to the grass.

Now we were in my element.  I dropped the football and quickly reversed the
hold he had on me.  In no time I had him wrapped up in a cradle with his
shoulders on the ground.  After a slow five count I released him with a big
grin on my face.  He was grinning too as he recovered.

"I forgot about the wrestling you do. I'll never tackle you again without
help."  He laughed as he stood and brushed himself off.  I didn't let him
get far though.  I took him by the legs and down he went.  He struggled
against me as we rolled around on the ground laughing.  I didn't try too
hard.  I let him come up on top, and stopped fighting him.  He sat up,
knees on my shoulders, looking at my eyes again.

"You have beautiful eyes, Brian."

"Yours are more beautiful."  We sat there for awhile, lost in each others
eyes.  My pants were starting to get tight.  "Uh, Pete?  Maybe we should
head back to the house?"

He smiled and stood, helping me up as he did.  "Yeah."  He looked around
again, seeing no one was in sight.  I heard him let out a deep breath.

"You're not comfortable in public?"

"Not after what happened at the theater.  But sometimes I don't care."  We
walked up to the bikes, picking up the ball as we meandered that direction.
"When I'm with you, I don't care about anything."

I blushed.  "Thanks.  Let's get going.  I have to use the bathroom."  I
did, but not because I had to go.  And to make matters worse, he slapped
such a passionate kiss on me that it became very uncomfortable to move at
any speed.  He grinned as he disengaged.

"Okay.  Let me grab the football."  He gathered it up once more, and we
were on our way.  It was just a short ride from the park to the Patterson's
house.  In spite of my claim to need the bathroom, we rode slowly, neither
of us speaking.  I took the opportunity to look around this time.  The
neighborhood was beautiful, having a small town feel even though it was in
the middle of a large metropolitan area.  It was very relaxing for me,
being here with Pete.  I couldn't remember feeling this well since I had
been with him before he was taken away.

It was still before noon when we got back, and the house was empty when we
returned.  Pete said he didn't expect anyone to be home before three, but
Kevin could come back at any time.

We put the bikes away, and I settled at the kitchen table as Pete made us
some tuna sandwiches.  We were bantering back and forth about anything and
everything, both trying to avoid the questions we knew had to be asked.
But we couldn't avoid them long.

As I finished my sandwich, I started asking them. "We are going to stay
together, right?"

He looked at me with a "Well, Duh!" look and said, "Um, Yeah. I thought we
had that settled."

"We did. Do."  I took a second to put my thoughts together.  "Remember when
we were in the fort by my house the day after your... dad... went psycho?
You remember the talk we had?  About sex?"  He nodded.  I swallowed, and
continued.  "I have been thinking about this since I woke up this morning.
I think I want to wait.  We just met each other again."  I giggled. "Hell,
we've only been together as boyfriends five days.  I want to give us some
time."

Pete looked at me with a gentle smile.  "I feel the same way.  Let's play
it by ear.  If it happens, it happens.  Maybe we can find something we can
do that won't put pressure on us.  If we do, great.  If not, I can live
with it.  What do you think?"

"Sounds good to me.  Thanks, Pete.  I feel better."  I looked into his
liquid eyes. "I love you, Pete."

"I love you too, Bri."  He took my hand and squeezed it tight.

"Now, what are we going to do to stay together, in the same place?  Somehow
I have to convince my parents to let me stay up here with you.  Any ideas?"

"A few, but let's wait to talk to dad and Danny, maybe even Van.  I don't
know if there are any legal avenues or not.  We'll talk to them tonight,
okay?"  Pete rose and cleared the plates from the table.

"Okay.  I'm just impatient, and I don't like not knowing."

"I know, babe." He came around the table and hugged me from behind.
"Things will work out."

We spent the rest of the day watching movies.  We sat on the couch holding
hands or putting an arm around each other, sharing the occasional kiss,
simply enjoying the time we spent together.

Kevin arrived home first.  He came into the house like a hurricane,
practically running up the stairs, saying, "Hi boys!" over his shoulder in
his haste.

I raised an eyebrow and looked to Pete. "He's always like that unless he
has something on his mind.  Or, he may just have to go to the bathroom."

Sure enough, we heard the toilet flush a few minutes later.  Kevin had
changed clothes when he came down, wearing casual pants and a button down
shirt.  Pete and I were both watching him as he bounded down the stairs.
When he noticed, he stopped in his tracks, giving us a wary, paranoid look.
"What?"  Pete and I both cracked up at his antics.

"How was your day, guys?"

"Boring mostly," Pete said We went to the park and threw the football
around for a while. Then we came back and watched a movie."

Kevin grinned.  "Sure you did."

"Yeah, we did.  We need to talk to you."

Kevin sat down across from us, immediately putting on a professional
air. Pete turned off the TV.

"What's up, boys?"

"Brian and I have been talking." He took my hand in his.  "We have decided
that we are committed to each other, and want to stay together.
Physically.  We want to live near each other."

"And what do your parents think about this, Brian?"

"They don't know.  And I could care less about what they think."

"Okay... how can I help?"

"We need to figure out how we can be together."  I shrugged, trying to make
Kevin believe that it was that simple.  He pursed his lips.

"Hmmm.  Are your parents abusive?"

"Not physically."

"Then it isn't likely that anything can be done, unless we get them to
agree."  My heart fell.  There was no way that my parents would let me live
up here with people they had never met.  "Don't give up yet.  We can be
pretty persuasive when we have to be.  Have you spoken with Danny?"  I
shook my head.  "I'll call and have him over for dinner.  Then we can talk
about this and have more information."

I sighed resignedly.  "I guess we don't have much choice."  Pete squeezed
my hand in sympathy.

"Now, a personal question.  Are you two having, or going to have sex in the
near future?  I'm..."

"DAD!"

"...not trying to pry, I just want to make sure you know what you are doing
and have what you need."

I looked at Pete for a second, then answered him.  "We decided to wait.
We're not sure how long, but until we are both ready to take that step, we
won't."

He looked at us with those piercing eyes.  "I believe you.  And I know that
you may do other things in the mean time.  I can't stop you, and I won't
try to.  Just be discrete.  If you have questions, you can ask me or look
them up for yourselves.  Be safe, boys.  I'll call Danny now."  He rose and
went to the kitchen.

I looked at Pete and gave a half-hearted smile.  I didn't hold out much
hope that my parents would agree, but I still had the rest of the week.
Court was tomorrow.  We would find out what Pete's fate was, and mine too,
in a way.  If he wasn't granted emancipation, there was no way that I could
be with him.  All I could do now was hope.

The rest of the afternoon dragged out into eternity.  Everyone else
straggled in here and there, introducing themselves as they did.  Sharon I
already knew from breakfast.  Joanne reminded me of my sister, but cuter.
Jason was really nice.  He treated my like a family member form the very
beginning.  He even called me his little brother, since Pete was also.  He
wasn't half bad looking either.

Ray had already blown his chance at a first impression, but I was
determined to give him a chance to redeem himself.  Overall, I liked the
Pattersons.

Danny arrived just before dinner at five-thirty.  Something was obviously
bothering him.  I could tell.  He looked the same way he did when he'd had
a really bad day on patrol.  He didn't really avoid me, but he didn't go
out of his way to talk to me either.  I knew that I hadn't done anything;
he'd call me on it immediately.  That meant that something had happened
back home.  I started to worry the moment I had worked it out.  Whatever it
was, it wasn't good news for me.

Pete elbowed me at one point during dinner. "What's wrong?"  I shrugged my
shoulders in reply.  Pete frowned, but didn't say anything.  We'd both find
out soon enough.

Dinner was uneventful.  Danny, Kevin, and Sharon had a real good
conversation going, with Pete and Jason joining in occasionally, but I
couldn't tell you anything they talked about.  I was too involved trying to
figure out what had happened at home to listen.  Danny's voice startled me.

"Brian.  Wake up. Why the brooding?"

I was quiet for a second, then I asked him, "What happened at home?
Something happened or you wouldn't have seemed so upset when you came in."

"I wasn't upset..."

"Bullshit.  You looked like you had to pick up a kid for protective
services."

"Brian, you know that's not acceptable language."

"Answer my question. Quit sidestepping."

Kevin and Sharon glanced at each other.  Jason and Joanne moved food around
on their plates.  Ray looked on with great interest.  Danny looked at me
hard with a disapproving expression.  He shook his head and sighed.

"I was going to wait until after dinner, but it looks like now is a better
time.  Brian, your dad called me this afternoon.  He, um, he had an
incident at work today.  He lost it totally.  He blew up at his boss, and
he got fired.  He lost his job.  He doesn't know what he's going to do
yet."

I sat back, stunned, as the ramifications ran rampant through my head.  I
had no idea what it meant for me and Pete.  All I could do was blink at
Danny.  I felt Pete's hand on my thigh, and I covered it with mine by
automatic reflex.  Then Ray piped up from across the table.

"Maybe they could move up here now that there isn't really anything holding
them down there.  He's a vet, right?  The government will pay for
retraining, or at least part of it.  If you wouldn't mind, Pete, they could
live at your grandparents house for the time being until they get back on
their feet."  Everyone at the table was staring wide-eyed at Ray, some with
jaws hanging.  "What?  What'd I say?"

All eyes went from Ray to Danny.  I broke the silence at last.  "Would they
do it?  Would they?"

Danny ignored my question, instead asking, "Pete, would you let them live
on your property?"

Without hesitation, he said, "You bet.  It's just sitting there now.  I
have to talk to my lawyer, but I don't see why there should be a problem,
do you dad?"

Kevin pursed his lips in deep thought.  "I'll call Mr. Taylor right now.
The anticipation will kill us all."  He rose and went upstairs to his
office.

"Ray, if this works, I'll owe you one."

He grinned back at me.  "And I'll take you up on it, someday."

After we finished eating, we cleared the table, adjourned to the living
room, and settled in to wait for the word from Kevin.  He took his time,
though, returning almost an hour and a half later.

Danny was quiet as we sat watching television, listening to we boys kick
the idea back and forth, listing the pros and cons, what life would be like
with me up here, what it'd be like for me to live with them again.  I
wasn't enthused by the idea, but if it meant that I could be with Pete,
then I would do that, and more.

"Hey, Danny, what's eating at you?"

Looking around the room, seeing everyone, he put on a sheepish expression.
"Can we go for a walk?"  This caught me by surprise, but I agreed.  The day
had turned overcast and windy, with the smell of coming rain.  We wandered
down the street until we came to a dead end looking over the valley.
Standing there, Danny spoke.

"To be honest, Brian, if you do move up here, I am going to miss you.
You've lived with me for quite a while now, and I enjoy having you around.
The thought of losing you, even to your parents, is painful."  He turned to
me and put his hands on my shoulders.  "Brian, you are a son to me.  I
never thought I wanted to have a child of my own, until you moved in.  I
guess I just...  I'm jealous.  You bring out feelings in me that I had
resigned myself to never have.  I don't know what I'd do if you weren't in
my life.  It sounds stupid, but it's true."

"Why don't you move up here too?  I am sure that the police or the sheriffs
would hire you."

He smiled.  "If they decide to move here, I'll look into it."  A pleasant
silence settled over us.  "You know, this kind of move isn't something that
is done on the drop of a hat.  This is a really hard time for your dad, and
losing his job as he did could throw him into a mid-life crisis."

Another moment's silence passed

"Danny?"

"Hmm."

"I don't think I said it before, but I want to thank you for all you've
done for me.  I mean it.  You have been more of a father to me than my dad
has."  I reached out and hugged him.  We held the embrace for a moment,
then he spoke again.

"Brian, you have to give them a chance.  We all make mistakes.  Bad ones.
They deserve another chance."

"Why?  I'm not sure I'm gay, but I love Pete.  They can't seem to accept
the fact."

"Well, you haven't thrown it in their face like you will this time.  They
haven't had the time to get used to the idea. You haven't really mentioned
him that much since he left, up until you got his letters.  But you did
punish them for what they did.  Even Dawn.  When will it be enough?  When
will you be able to look at them without sneering?  Will you ever be able
to have a pleasant conversation?

"I know what it is to lose parents.  Mine are gone.  You have no idea how
much I wish I had spent more time with them, gotten to know them.  They are
your mother and father, the only ones you will ever have.  They are the
only connections you have to your family.  Don't squander it, Brian.  Give
them a chance."

Looking down, I kicked at a few stray rocks and replied quietly.  "I don't
know if I can."  We lapsed into silence once more.  A few moments later, a
soft rain began to fall as the wind picked up.  "We'd better head in before
it starts..."  Rain began pouring in sheets.  "...raining really hard.  Oh,
well."

We started back to the house, paying no attention to the rain running down
our backs and off our noses.  It felt good, cleansing, like it was washing
away all of the stress and anger I held inside.

By the time we got to the house, we were completely soaked, dripping water
everywhere.  I knocked and Kevin answered.  He took one look at us and
started howling.  Sharon got up to see what was the matter, and then
started to grin herself.  "You two look like drowned rats.  Come around to
the garage and get undressed.  I'll get you something to wear, Danny, until
I can get your clothes dry.  Brian, I'll ask Pete to get you some clothes,
okay?"  I nodded my assent.  "I'll be back in a moment."

As we stripped down, Pete returned with our towels, my sweats, and another
pair of sweats for Danny.  I toweled off and dressed quickly.  It was
getting cold.  Danny did likewise.  Once we were decent, we trooped into
the living room where everyone was waiting to hear what Mr. Taylor had
said.  After we settled in, Kevin began without preamble.

"I spoke at length with Mr. Taylor, making sure that we had all our bases
covered.  I explained the situation, and what our proposed plan is.  There
were a lot of things that we had to deal with, such as rent, maintenance,
and insurance.  I'll spare you the details.  Mr.  Taylor has come to the
conclusion, as have I, that there is nothing to prevent us from proceeding
from this end.  Now we have to convince the Kellam's that this is in their
best interests, as well as the boys' best interest."

There it was.  We could do this.  But how would I convince my parents?

Kevin continued.  "I have to talk to Danny, but I think it would be best
that he and I talk to your parents and broach the topic."  I let out a huge
sigh or relief, but somehow I still wasn't comforted.  "Any questions?"
There were none.

"Danny, let me get you something to drink, and we'll head upstairs."  Kevin
retreated to the kitchen, pouring two glasses of bourbon over ice.  Handing
a glass to Danny, they followed the stairs up to the office, shutting the
door behind him.

It was only around seven, and already I was so exhausted I could barely
keep my eyes open.  So much had happened that day.  Pete noticed me dozing,
and gently propelled me up the stairs to his bedroom.  He helped me undress
and tucked me in, stroking my hair and kissing me good night.  Sometime
later, he climbed into bed and scooted up close, spooning me, his arm
around my chest.  I didn't even realize we were both naked until I woke the
next morning, feeling all of his hard, warm body against me.


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