Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2003 19:29:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: Equinus Scorpius <equinusscorpius@yahoo.com>
Subject: Silent Violin - Chapter 9

Legal Notice:
The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts.
The story is a work of fiction and has no basis in reality.  Although
the names of places used DO exist, they are in no way reflected
factually in this story.

Don't read this story if:
* You're not 18 or over,
* If it is illegal to read this type of material where you live,
* Or if you don't want to read about gay/bi people in love or having
sex.

The author retains copyright to this story.  Placing this story on a
website or reproducing this story for distribution without the author's
permission is a violation of that copyright.  Legal action will be
taken against violators.

Note:  This story will be slow moving, and plot oriented.  It is not a
porno, though sex will happen.  It's a fact of life.  Words in between
<> are sign language, as text formatting does not support italics.

E-mail responses to the story, questions, suggestions, criticism, and
comments to: EquinusScorpius@yahoo.com Thanks to all my readers for the
feedback so far!

THE SILENT VIOLIN

CHAPTER 9

	Bastian followed Kevin out to the faculty parking lot.  They walked
in silence towards a candy-apple red Camaro and Bastian grew excited as
they approached the spectacular car.  He eyed it appreciatively, although
he knew next to nothing about cars.  Kevin walked around the Camaro and
unlocked the driver's side door to a little white Hyundai Excel.  He
laughed to himself, for supposing a 21-year-old high school gym coach could
afford a Camaro.  Kevin caught him staring longingly at the Camaro and
laughed.  "You thought I actually owned it, didn't you?"  Bastian shrugged
sheepishly.  "I actually make it a point to park next to it in the
mornings.  It looks very impressive when you see me walking towards it, as
long as you don't see me get into the Hyundai."  He twisted the car key in
the door and released all the door locks.  "Get in."  He followed his own
advice and fell into the driver's seat with a sigh.
	He closed his door and started the car; the radio came to life
blaring the newest Pink hit before Kevin flipped the radio off.  "What a
day.  You ready to go, Bastian?"  Bastian buckled his seat belt and nodded.
Kevin put the car in reverse and said: "Let's roll," before peeling out of
the parking spot.  He drove along the roads with controlled recklessness.
After a while, Bastian tapped the dashboard to get Kevin's attention.
	Kevin glanced at him and sighed softly.  "Well I promised to tell
you, didn't I?"  Kevin sighed again and Bastian shifted in the passenger
seat to look at him.  "I don't really know where to start, but I guess the
beginning makes the most sense.
	"It all started a few months before your accident.  You probably
didn't know, but my dad died when I was three so I never really had a
father figure growing up.  My mother enrolled me into wrestling, and Coach
Roberson happened to be my wrestling coach.  He taught all the wrestlers of
all ages.  I guess I kind of latched onto him, you know?  As a father
figure.  He taught me wrestling, how to fish, took me camping; all the
things a father does with his son."  He glanced quickly over at Bastian.
"You have to understand that what I'm telling you has to remain between
us."  Bastian nodded emphatically and pantomimed zipping his lips shut.
Kevin smiled at that.  "I think I sort of seduced Ralph.  I guess I was
confused, thinking physical love was the only way to express emotional
love; thought I know that's not the case now.  He resisted me for a long
time.  It wasn't until I was fifteen that I wore down his resistance.  He
kept telling me that I didn't need to do that for me to love him, but I
wanted to express my love for him.  Don't think badly of Ralph, looking
back, I know he did what he could to dissuade me of doing what we
ultimately did without hurting me.  And he hasn't hurt me.
	"I told my mother I was gay when I was 18, and she disowned me.
She's very religious, and couldn't stand me being that way.  Of course,
Ralph took me in.  He supported me through college, and helped me find my
job at the high school.  He really is everything to me.  I love him
deeply."  He smiled to himself, lost in his thoughts and Bastian smiled at
the show of Kevin's love.  "But that's how I know that Ralph paid for all
your bills.  I really don't know where the money came from.  I think it
might be an insurance settlement or maybe a will," he gave a dismissive
shrug.  "It doesn't matter.  We've been together for the past 3 years,
although the majority of the population doesn't know the depth of our
relationship, and I think both he and I would lose our jobs if they found
out.  I don't really know why I told you, except in a way you brought us
together more firmly.  I turned to him for comfort after your accident.
How he handled it all with such calm collection.  He was so worried about
you.  And then your mom never even responding to his letters, which I guess
is understandable, considering you could have died on Ralph's hill."  Kevin
trailed off.
	Bastian reached over and patted Kevin's hand.  Kevin appeared
startled from his thoughts and glanced over at him quickly.  "You okay with
everything I've said?"  He asked.  Bastian smiled and nodded.  "Good.
We're almost there."
	Bastian looked out the window and recognized the road into Tilson.
An idea struck him and quickly he jotted down a note.  "Can we stop at the
McKennough house so I can drop off their assignments?"  He handed the note
to Kevin who slowed the car down enough to quickly read it.
	"Sure.  It's on the way.  Have you guessed where I'm taking you?"
Kevin asked, handing the note back and speeding up the car again.  Bastian
nodded and tugged down the collar of his turtleneck, pointing to the scar
on his throat.  Kevin lost his smile and nodded.  "You okay with that?"
Bastian swallowed hard and nodded.
	Kevin navigated the familiar streets of Tilson Estates and Bastian
began to recognize landmarks: the Tilson Pool, the mom and pop store, and
the library.  A lot had changed as well.  More houses had been built; the
lot where the older kids had made a dirt bike track was gone now.  As they
drove past his old house, Bastian was surprised and a little disappointed
that they had cut down the old pine tree on the side of the house and added
a room above the garage.  The old wooden fence was still there, but it was
painted white to match the shutters on the house.  Bastian sighed.  It
wasn't home anymore.
	His pulse began to race as he spotted Aiden's house a few houses
down and across the street.  Kevin slowed the car down, giving Bastian a
moment to collect his thoughts.  The house hadn't changed at all, he
thought, just the people in it.  Kevin turned between the mountains of snow
at the end of the driveway and parked behind a weathered, brown station
wagon.
	"First stop, McKennough residence.  Go on and give them their
things.  I'll wait here," Kevin said and turned off the engine.  Bastian
nodded and collected what he needed.  He climbed out of the car, juggling
their assignments and his notepad.  Carefully he crossed the slightly icy
pavement to the front porch.  The stoop had been well salted and he climbed
up the few steps to ring the doorbell.  He could hear footsteps approaching
the front door and in a moment Meg McKennough opened the door, letting out
a waft of warm air.
	"Bastian!  What a pleasant surprise.  You didn't have to bring
their homework by, I told your mom that I would come over later and get it.
Is your mother in the car?"  She asked, craning her neck to look over his
shoulder.  Bastian shook his head no.
	Meg took the homework from his arms and Bastian wrote a few lines
in his notepad.  "I was in the neighborhood.  I'm with Coach Haines.  How
is Mr.  McKennough?  Is Aiden here?  Could he come with me for a little
while?  Just down the street."  He handed her the note, taking back some of
the homework so she could read it.
	"Oh, I see.  Shamus is doing fine.  Thanks for asking.  He's due to
come home on Monday.  I'll go get Aiden for you.  He needs to get out of
the house and I think it will do him good to see your face.  Come on in and
get warmed up," she said, opening the door and stepping aside to let him
in.
	Meg left Bastian in the living room and headed back towards the
bedrooms calling for Aiden.  Bastian took the chance to look around the
living room.  He couldn't remember what it looked like before, but the
mandatory family portraits on the walls showed the whole clan for all the
past years.  Bastian couldn't help but smile as he studied the series of
pictures of Aiden growing up.
	He was startled by the arms encircling his chest but smelled
Aiden's unique scent, the combination of tea tree, mint, and rosemary along
side Aiden's own natural smell, and turned around to face him.  Aiden
smiled at him and pecked him on the lips.  His hair, still dyed black was
in its naturally curly form and no makeup hid his freckles.  Bastian noted
that he could see Aiden's orange roots showing along his hairline.
	"Heya Bastian," he said simply.  "How was your day?"  Bastian
smiled and hugged him back.  After a moment, he broke the hug and stepped
back.
	Quickly he wrote in his notepad.  "I missed you, Aiden.  I'm here
with Kevin Haines.  He's taking me to Ralph Roberson's place.  Will you
come with me?  I think we both need to face some things.  Please come."  He
handed Aiden the note.
	Aiden began to shake and the color leeched from his skin as he read
the note.  He looked up from the note at Bastian with wide green eyes.
"Are you sure about this?  I don't know if I can go through that."  Bastian
nodded firmly and took Aiden's hand mouthing: I need you.  "For you.  We'll
draw strength from each other.  Maybe you're right.  You know, I haven't
been back there since that day.  Mr. Roberson closed the hill to all the
neighborhood kids."
	Bastian tugged on Aiden's hand and led him towards the front door.
Aiden paused at the coat closet and tugged on a winter jacket before
following Bastian out to Kevin's car.  When Bastian opened the door to the
back seat and crawled inside with Aiden, Kevin was very surprised.  "What's
this?  Hey, Aiden."
	Bastian poked Aiden in the ribs.  He grunted with the impact and
said, "Hey Coach Haines.  Bastian said he and I probably both need to face
some things.  You don't mind do you?"
	Kevin smiled, studying the two younger boys.  "It's Kevin, Aiden.
And no I don't mind.  I remember you two being fast friends, but I hadn't
realized you'd kept in touch over the years."
	"Actually, we haven't.  We were reacquainted on Monday.  Things
just sort of fell back into place, I guess."  Aiden was obviously
uncomfortable with Kevin's presence, unsure of how to behave with Bastian.
Bastian noticed and pulled him into a loose hug, drawing a stare of
surprise from Aiden.  Kevin's smile only deepened.
	"All right then, let's get going," Kevin said and started the car.
It was a matter of moments before he pulled into Ralph Roberson's driveway
next to a Chevy pickup truck.  All three of them took a deep breath before
opening the car door, steeling themselves for what was to come.
	Aiden stopped outside the car door and turned to Kevin.  "Are you
sure that Mr.  Roberson will be okay with us coming by like this?"
	Kevin gave a little laugh.  "I'm positive that Ralph will be fine
with it."  Kevin walked up to the front door and pulled out his keys to
unlock it.
	"You live here?!"  Aiden asked, astonished.  "Are you and
Mr. Roberson roommates or something?"
	"Or something," Kevin agreed and pushed open the door.  "Honey, I'm
home!" he quipped loudly.  "We have visitors.  You decent?"
	"Kev?  I'm in the kitchen!  And I'm as decent as I can be,
considering," Ralph called from farther in the house.
	"Come on in, guys.  Make yourselves at home." Kevin offered, and
closed the door behind them as they stepped into the foyer.  He took their
coats and hung them with his own on the coat hooks by the door.
	The house was neat, but definitely masculine.  The walls were
off-white and decorated with landscapes and the occasional autographed
picture of some athlete.  The furnishings were mostly leather and wood.
There was a fireplace at the far end of the living room, with a portrait of
Kevin and Ralph over the mantle.  The house smelled faintly of wood-smoke,
attesting to its frequent use.  Aiden raised one orange eyebrow at that but
said nothing.
	Kevin led them through the house to the kitchen.  Ralph Roberson
stood with his back to them preparing dinner.  His wavy brown hair was
still thick, though sprinkled with gray.  His thick neck and broad
shoulders supported an apron that tied around his trim waist.  "Just in
time for dinner," he said without turning around.  "So who's company?" He
asked, turning around.  His eyes got very wide.  Bastian noted that the
apron read 'Kiss The Cook' "Aiden McKennough?" Aiden nodded in response.
"And -" he trailed off, at a loss for Bastian's name.
	"Sebastian Blackmoore," Kevin supplied.  Ralph's eyes got even
wider and he stepped closet to study Bastian.
	"As I live and breathe," Ralph began.  Bastian cut him off with a
peck to the cheek, smiling broadly.  "What?"  Bastian pointed to the apron
and smiled again.  "Bastian Blackmoore, after all these years.  What's
going on, Kevin?"
	Kevin's smile slipped.  "Bastian just moved back to the area,
Ralph.  He just joined my swim class today, and quite the swimmer he is,
too.  I - I invited him here, to gain some closure.  He needs it, I think.
They both need it, Ralphie."  Kevin and Ralph stared into each other's eyes
for a long while.  Aiden raised his eyebrow at Bastian.  Bastian smiled in
response.
	Finally, Ralph cleared his throat.  "I'm sorry boys.  I didn't mean
to be rude.  You just caught me off guard, is all.  Of course you are both
welcome here.  Why don't you both head out the back door.  I'm guessing
that's what you're here to see.  If you want to talk about it when you come
back in, we can, and I'll make you boys some dinner.  Sound good?"
	Bastian nodded and Aiden replied, "Thank you, Mr. Roberson."
Together they headed out the back door.
	"Wait a moment guys," Kevin ordered and ran back to get their
coats.  "It's cold out.  Don't want either of you getting sick."  He handed
them their coats and closed the door behind them.
	"So Bastian knows," Ralph began.
	"And Aiden suspects," Kevin finished.  "I don't think it will be a
problem."
	"Are they -?"
	"I'm not sure, but my suspicion is yes.  Bastian is the most
compassionate young man I've ever met, and he has an easy way with others.
I saw him staring at that hot Romanian kid I told you about, Arkady?  I'm
pretty sure he's family.  With Aiden, I'm not sure.  He's been closed off
so long to everyone else he may even be closed off to himself.  Maybe this
will open him up."
	Ralph pulled Kevin into a hug and kissed his forehead
affectionately.  Looking out the window he could see Bastian and Aiden
staring at the hill.  Slowly their hands crept together.  "Looks like you
may be right, Kev."

_______________

To Be Continued.  Yes I know it's shorter.  But it's better than nothing at
all ;).  Looks like my plans of 2 a week will be pushed back to 1 a week,
due to scheduling.  At least for now.