Date: Tue, 20 May 2014 18:29:13 -0700
From: andy dearth <andyistiredoftimeandspace@gmail.com>
Subject: Rings and Promises #21 by Kane

*Chapter Twenty One: Demons...*


*Aiden P.O.V*


 I can smell morphine. I must be in a hospital. Wow, it's been a while
since I've been a patient. My head really hurts. I want to wake up but my
body won't listen to me. "Please wake up." Huh? Who is that? "C'mon man..."
That sounds like Brett. Aw why does he sound so sad? "Wake up dude." I can
feel him squeezing my hand. Okay, I have to wake up. I need to see Brett.
For whatever reason, he's set on me waking up. I need to wake up. "Aiden?"
I pushed my consciousness forward as I willed my body to wake up. I opened
my eyes slightly to get used to the light. It really reeks of morphine in
here. "Brett?" My voice came out hoarse. Brett shot up. "Aiden! Dude!"
"What happened?" I groaned. Brett sat back down and took my hand in his,
placing it to his forehead. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry." He sounded like he
was on the verge of tears. "What are you sorry for?" I whispered. It hurt
to speak with such a dry throat. "My dad...he's the one who hit you." I
thought about it. "Okay...that's fine." I said. It really didn't matter who
hit me. I just wanted Brett to be okay. "That's fine!? Dude you could've
died!" He sounded angry. I looked Brett in the eye and gave him a sincere
look. "Maybe, but I didn't. I'm here. See?" I squeezed his hand. His anger
faded and the tears came. "It's all my fault." I shook my head. "Don't say
that. It's not your fault." He looked at me pathetically. "If I wasn't..."
I knew he was going to say "gay". I glared at him. "Don't you dare
apologize to me about being the way you are. That's an insult to
yourself...and Eli." It was like insulting the love between them.


"Okay...I..." He was easy to read. "Whatever bro, just get me some water."
I said. I needed some liquids. He smiled and got up. "I'll be right back."
He quietly left and I used his absence to get lost in my thoughts. "Wow,
it's pretty quiet in my head." I muttered. I think this is the first time
that I've ever gone blank without the help of Vulcan's pheromones. So I
started humming Demons by Imagine Dragons and waited for Brett to hurry
with my water. Half way into the song, the door opened and Brett came in
with a tray of food and a pitcher of water. "Good thing you're
coordinated." I said as I sat up slowly. "If it were anybody else, all that
would've ended up on the floor." Brett smirked and sat down by me, placing
the tray in his lap. He poured me a glass of water and handed it to me.
"Can I feed you?" He asked. I arched a brow. "Excuse me?" He blushed.
"Well...uh..." I smirked at his nervousness. "Feed me..." I said as I
pointed to the soup. He grinned and started stirring it. "Say ah..." He
teased in a baby voice. I rolled my eyes but opened my mouth anyway. The
soup was warm and comforting. "Want some bread?" He asked. I nodded and he
broke off a piece and placed it to my lips. I ate it and smiled.


He just kept feeding me until the soup was almost gone, the bread was half
eaten, and the water pitcher was half empty. "Wow, you eat a lot." Brett
commented. "Yet I never seem to get fat." I said as I patted my belly.
"Yeah well just wait, soon your metabolism won't work the way you want it
to and you'll get fat." I rolled my eyes. "Dude maybe that would scare me
if I were a girl, but the last time I checked I had a penis so..." Brett
chuckled and waved me off. He set the tray on the bed side table and dusted
his pants for crumbs. "So are you feeling okay? The doctor said you might
start feeling a little nauseous." "No I'm fine. Don't worry about me." I
was glad my voice was starting to sound normal. I actually felt fine.
"Brett..." I patted the space next to me. He eyed it and then at me.
"C'mon..." I patted the spot next to me again and he got up and moved next
to me. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "What happened today was
completely not your fault. Your dad is just, forgive me for saying this, an
asshole. I'm sorry but he is. Just know that Vulcan and I are always gonna
be here for you." He placed his other hand on top of mine and nodded. I
pulled him to me and hugged him.


"What's going on?" I let Brett go and met the face of a confused Eli.
"Brett thinks I got hurt because of him." I replied. "I told you, it's not
your fault baby." Eli said as he went over to Brett and put a hand on his
shoulder. Brett nodded and smiled up at Eli. "I get that." "Aiden?" I saw
Vulcan come through the door with Seth. He immediately jumped on me. "Are
you okay!?" Vulcan asked, looking me over. I nodded and gently pushed him
away. "Dude, chill...I'm fine." He sighed in relief. "Good...oh and Brett,
your dad's still alive." He said that last part like he regretted it. Brett
just sighed. "Was my mom there?" "Yup, wonderful woman." Vulcan replied,
smiling at the thought of Karen. "When can I go home?" I asked. Everyone
shrugged. "I'll go get a doctor." Eli said as he dragged Brett with him.
"What? Why do I--" Eli gave him a look that pretty much shut him up. When
they left, things got quiet. Vulcan sighed and sat down beside me. He
pulled me against him and kissed the life out of me. He kissed me until I
couldn't breath. I thought I was going to pass out. But his warmth was
something I needed. It felt good to have him touching me. He pulled away
and held me against his chest. "I'm so glad you're okay." "Um dudes, still
here." Seth said, waving his hands in the air as if to signal his
whereabouts. Vulcan laughed. "Sorry bro, I was just so freaked out." Seth
grinned and sat down beside my bed.


I looked at them and wondered what I did to deserve friends like these. I
reached for Seth's hand and squeezed it. He smiled at me and ran his thumb
over my hand. I grabbed Vulcan's and held them together. "I have a favor to
ask." They looked at me. I had met my mother and I think it's time I face
my other demon. "I want to go see my father." They both went wide eyed.
Vulcan was the first to get pissed off. "Hell fucking shit no!" I looked at
him. "I have to face him." "No, after what that bastard did he's lucky I
didn't go and rip his throat out." I smiled. "You're so quick to rage." He
sighed. "I don't want you to go there alone." "That's why you two are
coming with me." I said, smirking. Seth smiled mischievously. "You mean I
get to meet your sperm donor and maybe kick his ass?" I rolled my eyes. "I
would appreciate it if you didn't kick his ass." "Not even a little?" Seth
pouted. "No." He did that lower lip thing and I almost said yes to him
kicking my dad's ass. "Still...no." I said, though my voice didn't mirror
my refusal. "So when do you want to go?" Vulcan asked. "When I get out." I
replied. He didn't look happy but I was stubborn, and I was fully prepared
to bug him about this until he relented and let me go. "Fine, we'll go."
Vulcan said. I smiled and found myself counting the days before I could
face my other demon and conquer it. I think I can truly be at peace if I
face my father and move on from there.


Two weeks went by since that decision was made. For whatever reason, the
doctors decided to keep me a while. They said they wanted to make sure I
was fully recovered before releasing me. I had asked about Brett's father
and Vulcan told me he was charged with assault and attempted murder. I
didn't see how the attempted murder part fit in. All he did was hit me with
a chunk of wood. Vulcan says I'm being too nice. Brett thinks his father
deserves the wrath of Vulcan. I decided it was best to just let it be.
Okay, enough with all that, it's time to face my father. "Are you ready?"
Seth asked. I just nodded. My house didn't look any different, but it felt
different. It didn't feel like a hell hole anymore. It felt like I was just
standing outside anyone's house, like I hadn't spent twelve miserable years
in this place. I took in deep breaths. "All right, let's do this." I
knocked on the door and waited. I heard shuffling noises, then a thump, and
then a light groan before my father answered the door.


He looked us over. Then he pinned his gaze on me. There was no emotion in
his bloodshot eyes. In fact, he looked like he hadn't slept or cleaned up
since I left. "Hi...dad." I didn't know how else to start off the
conversation. He sighed and motioned for us to come in. Vulcan went in
first then nodded towards us. I felt like the President being watched by
the Secret Service. "Have a seat." My old man said as he sat in his usual
chair and gestured for us to sit on the couch beside him. Seth sat down
first. He was calm, happy even. But I knew if the situation presented
itself, he would change and let his insane personality take over. "So
um...mom came to see you?" I asked, even though I knew the answer. "Yeah
she did. Brought divorce papers with her." My dad replied. I had always
thought they had gotten divorced before mom walked out. "Oh...how'd it go?"
That was the first time any flicker of emotion crossed his eyes. "I signed
them...now she's going to marry some other guy." I knew that look on his
face. I got up and walked over to the fridge. I opened it and grabbed a
beer. I popped the cap off and walked back over, handing it to my dad.
"Here..." That look said he was miserable. The same look he's had for years.


He took the beer from me then took a sip. "It just doesn't taste the same
anymore." He looked at me. "What are you doing here kid? I thought you
weren't coming back." "Mom said she talked to you. She said you wanted me
back." He grunted. "I'm a lonely old man who treated his wife poorly and
his son even worse." "Ah so you were aware of what you were doing." Vulcan
said, ice in his tone. He was glaring at my dad. "Who are you?" Dad asked,
without a hint of anger. He sounded curious. "You're son's boyfriend." Seth
chocked. I turned and saw that he was trying not to laugh. "Sorry Aiden...I
mean, I knew he was going to say it, but hearing it out loud..." He stifled
more laughter. I couldn't see what was so funny about it. I turned to my
dad, expecting some sort of reaction. "And you?" He asked Seth. "Aw, I'm
Aiden's best friend!" He replied as he grabbed me in a headlock. I tapped
out and tried to get free. "Geez..." I said as I rubbed my neck. "I
see...so you've found something...somewhere better." My dad smiled. For the
first time in forever he smiled, and it only made his face seem more
sunken. Looking closely his eyes were dark and heavy rimmed, his cheeks
were hollow, and he looked thinner. "I can't apologize for what I did. But
I'm glad you came to see me. Now, I think you should go." I looked at him.
"Are you sure?" I asked. He nodded. "Yeah, I'm just glad I got to see you."
He stood up and so did we. He put his heavy hand on my head. "Be happy..."
Then he left us there. He went down the hall, possibly to his room. "Well
that was strange." Seth said. I nodded in agreement.


I stepped outside my house feeling kind of free but also worried at the
same time. I couldn't fathom how my father could look so worn and
regretful. I remembered an angry man, now...he was just a man. No anger,
nothing. "I feel strange." I said. Vulcan wrapped an arm around me. "Don't
worry...I think this is his way of saving face." I wondered. "Let's go
home." Seth said as he laced his fingers in mine and pulled me along. I
grabbed Vulcan's arm and dragged him with me. It's strange, I feel like
I've gotten over something. But there's a feeling I have I can't shake.
Maybe it was the look in my father's eyes. Still, I was happy I saw him. I
expected anger, instead I saw regret. Whatever happened, I'm glad it did.
It shocked my dad out of his rage and made him see some form of sense. Now
I can move forward. Suddenly, there was a loud bang. "What the fuck was
that?" Seth said as he jumped and turned towards the house. "That sounded
like..." Vulcan looked at me then back at the house. He turned to Seth and
nodded. They ran back towards the house. They opened the door and looked
around. I couldn't move. If that sound we heard is what I thought it was, I
didn't want to see.


"AIDEN!" Vulcan shouted. His voice echoed through the house. I stepped
through the door and down the hall. I saw where Seth was standing, just
outside my father's room. He had a look of pure fear on his face. His eyes
were wide and his face turned pale. He turned to me then back into the
room. I walked slowly, I knew what I was about to see. "Aiden I..." Seth
said right before I looked through the door. Vulcan was kneeling beside my
father's lifeless body. "I'm sorry Aiden." Vulcan said as he stood up. I
didn't know what to do. It's like my entire mind just shut down. I stared
at the gun in my father's hand and the blood gushing from side of his head.
He shot himself. Vulcan pulled out his phone and called the police and
requested an ambulance. I couldn't hear a word he said. I couldn't hear
much of anything. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. "Aiden..." I
felt someone hold me. Looking up I saw Seth steering me away from the room
and taking me down the hall. He didn't let go the entire time. My legs gave
out and I fell, taking Seth with me. I leaned against the wall and all of a
sudden time sped up and everything caught up to me. I screamed. The tears
came and I screamed so loud, I thought my throat would give out. But at
that point I really didn't care. With the tears and the screaming I
realized I didn't hate my father.


Seth cradled me against him. I stopped screaming at that point but I
couldn't stop sobbing. Seth whispered soothing words and rocked me back and
forth, trying to calm me down. When the police got here, Seth looked up and
nodded towards the open room. They rushed down the hall. Vulcan came out
and walked over to us. He had no expression on his face. He knelt down
beside us and placed a hand on my cheek. When he saw my tears his
expression changed and he looked sad. "I'm so sorry." He said. I looked up
at Seth who got the message and let me go. I fell into Vulcan's arms and
stifled my sobs against his chest. Everything faded for me at that point. I
must have been in complete shock. I could register the people around me but
I couldn't bring myself to react to anything. The tears hadn't stopped but
I was no longer sobbing. A policemen named Bob came and asked us questions.
He looked at me and I could see that he felt sorry for me. Vulcan and Seth
told him the whole story while I just sat there and didn't say a word. I
couldn't. I knew if I spoke, the screams would come back. When Vulcan and
Seth finished, Bob nodded to them and walked over to a gruff looking man
and filled him in on everything. "Let's go..." Seth said gently as he
placed an arm over my shoulder. I followed.


Everything seemed to flow. There was a funeral, Seth and Vulcan organized
most of it, my mother showed up with a man I guessed to be Evan, and when
everything was over there was the burial. I watched as they lowered my
father's casket. I tossed flowers onto the casket as they started throwing
in the dirt. I watched and tried my hardest not to cry. "Bye dad." I said
as I turned and let the other people put in their flowers and say their
piece. Vulcan came towards me and handed me a handkerchief. "Are you okay?"
I took deep breaths and wiped the tears threatening to spill from my eyes.
"Yeah...I am. I'm glad I faced him. I'm glad I saw him." Vulcan nodded and
smiled at me. "We'll be here for you." Brett and Eli showed up and walked
towards us. "Aiden I'm..." I stopped Brett before he could finish that
sentence. "It's all right." I said. Eli hugged me. "I love you." He
whispered in my ear before kissing me on the cheek. "I love you too." I
whispered back before releasing him. Brett hugged me next. Before pulling
away he placed one hand on my shoulder and lightly kissed me on the cheek.
I smiled. "Love you too Brett." He blushed but otherwise nodded. He held
Eli's hand and pulled him along, walking towards the grave of my father.


"This is hard." I said. Vulcan nodded. "I know." I knew he understood. I
finally felt a little better. It would be a while before I got over this.
But I knew I would have to face it and move forward. "I'll always remember
him." Vulcan nodded in agreement. "Let's go see your mom." He said. I
nodded and smiled. We walked around until we saw my mom standing by a tree
talking with the man I guessed to be Evan. "Mom..." I said with a smile.
She turned and ambushed me in a hug. "Are you all right?" She didn't look
any better than me. Her eyes were red and puffy. "I'm all right mom." I
said. She let go of me and smiled sadly. "Could we have lunch next week?" I
asked suddenly. She turned to Evan who nodded. "All of us I mean." I said
as I motioned to all four of us. Vulcan nodded in agreement. "That's fine
with me." Evan said in his deep, warm voice. He looked very familiar to me,
it was like I had seen him before. "Thanks." I said. I couldn't shake the
feeling though. I turned and watched as the many people who came to the
funeral talked amongst themselves, some crying, some remembering my father.
"Dad...I love you." I knew I hadn't said it before, but I did. He's my
father and nothing could ever change that. Vulcan placed a hand around my
waist and pulled me against him. He smiled at me and I knew, I would never
be alone to face anything on my own. I'd have a wonderful boyfriend and
great friends with me. My demons no longer lived in me. They were free.