The Run Away

The Runaway

(Sequel to The boy with the Scar on his Face)

Sub note: You do not need to read "The Boy with the Scaron his Face" In order to understand this one's story plot but I would suggest reading it... mostly because im a view whore and this is that stories birth child. XD Anyways enough of my nonsense, please enjoy the story. 

“Get up Ian.” Thomas called to me waking me up from my dreams.

“Is it really only 7:00?” I asked looking over to the alarm clock, and then at the bed across the room from mine; half asleep and dazed.

“Just because you want to sleep in Ian, doesn’t mean the rest of us can.” Answered Thomas in a sarcastic tone.

“Get up, Ian It is time to get ready for school.” A deeper voice said from the doorway. I looked up, my dad was standing there, in a blue button up with tan khakis on. He wore reading glasses that made him almost look professional.

“Mr. Isaac.” Thomas said nodding in his direction.

“I have already told you Thomas, you don’t have to refer to me like that. Most people around here just call me dad.” Isaac said with a polite smile as he leaned in the door frame and sipped his coffee.

He came over and sat on the bed. “Get up already.” He said ruffling my hair. I gave a half awake smile as I pulled the covers up on my head. “I don’t wanna.”

“Come on, its Friday. One more day then you can have a break.” Dad rebutted as he pulled down the covers.

I got up and had to fly to get ready in time for the bus. All four of my brothers were waiting to get on the bus as I ran up and Thomas asked the driver to wait.

“Late again Ian; it is beginning to become a bit of a habit with you.” The driver said. I just smiled and nodded.

I took my seat nearest the front, right next to John. He was the youngest of the boys and I gave him special treatment for it. I had four brothers currently: John, Henry, Thomas, Justin. While technically speaking they didn’t share any blood with me since they were all runaways or orphans, you would be hard pressed to find people who treated each other more like family.

John had just turned 8, He was about half my age. He had brown hair, soft pale skin, and freckles that lined both his cheeks and wore a pair of glasses to help him see. He was so small and sweet. He was the youngest but not the newest, having been dropped off at our home shortly after birth by his mother who couldn’t take care of him. He had been a sick baby and the doctors weren’t sure he would make it but if you looked at him now you would never had known that. He as just as content and happy as could be now.

The next youngest was Henry, He was 14. Smart as a whip that boy, straight A student since he had come to live with us, his family died in a car accident when he was only 8 so he had known his fair share of suffering. He had a small frame, and hadn’t hit his growth spirt yet, even though his voice began to crack when he would get flustered. His brown hair curled and made him look a bit younger than he actually was.

Justin was one of the older boys, he was about to turn 18; tall and muscular, he had almost snow blonde hair like Dylan, my other father that we referred to simply as dad as well (Except I called him Papa most of the time).His hair contrasted nicely with his dark green eyes, the ladies loved him and he seemed to be pretty fond of them as well. Unlike most homes for boys, we had no hard age limit on who could stay. He was a senior this year, with a football scholarship to the nearby university and my dad had offered to help him pay for living expenses if he wanted to live on campus. Our home was strange in that way, we didn’t just keep you safe till you were legal we actually cared for the people who walked through our doors. I had only once ever heard dad tell someone to leave and that was a boy who threatened to harm one of the boys while they slept.

Thomas was something else. Latin skin tone, deep voice, was inching towards 18 slowly as well. He and I shared a room, he was the newest addition, only have been with us about a year. His parents kicked him out after a huge fight where he told them he didn’t believe in their religion anymore. He was the one I was closest to. Always got me out of trouble, though to be fair most of the time he was the one who got me into trouble to begin with. He liked to enjoy life and by that I mean in all forms, he enjoyed partying on the weekends and would occasionally worry dad silly by staying out past curfew. He stayed grounded more often than not it seemed. Dad and he really butted heads sometimes over if he was old enough to be making those kinds of life choices, but as much as they fought it was evident that they did love each other. In fact, he and dad were pretty close since Thomas loved art as well.

I listened to Henry rattle on about some girl who had asked him to the school dance as we rode to school. The poor boy had those puppy dog eyes like he was falling in love with her already. “Cindy is just so pretty, you know? And she asked me out, can you believe that?”

“Well sure I can.” I smiled at Henry. “You are a great boy she should be happy to have you as the date to the dance.”

“Try not to step on her toes.” Justin added in from the seat behind us. “Do you have a date yet Ian?” John asked as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat next to me. The seats were old, the bus was old. The district we lived in only had a few buses that would transport all three of the school’s people, everyone from elementary to high school was on it.

“Not yet.” I shook my head. “Guess I will just have to go stag.” I whined a little.

“Nah, with your charm and good looks any girl will go for you.” Thomas said not even bothering to stop looking out the window.

“John, we are at the elementary school, you getting off or what?” called our bus driver somewhat grumpily as I moved to let John out.

“Be good John, we will see you tonight.” I said as he reached the door of the bus. He nodded as the teacher took him by the hand and led him towards the school.

The rest of us arrived at school, along the walls and lockers were hearts and posters that read “Nothing like a good Spring Fling.” The posters ranged in colors but had a depiction of a man and woman dancing on them. The hearts were posted on lockers and if someone wanted to ask you to dance they would just write their name on your locker. It was a ‘cutesy way’ of embarrassing yourself twice if you got rejected. I didn’t much want to go to the dance to be honest but Justin and Thomas made it pretty obvious that I didn’t get much of a say in the matter.

When I got to my locker I noticed my heart was filled with names and numbers to call them. Thomas came up behind me and began to read them off. “Jessica L., Sarah, Delilah, Jessica K, Lola, Tricia, Sydney, Ashley R. Ashley J.” He stopped after a handful more. “Damn buddy, look at you mister stud muffin, I don’t think you will have to worry about going stag at the dance tonight.” He said as he smacked my shoulder playfully. “Which one are you going to pick? May I suggest Either Ashley J, Delilah, or Lola?”

I pulled the heart down and threw it in my locker; I didn’t want to look at it. I just didn’t want to go to be honest. I hated social gatherings, I felt like I was supposed to be trying to impress people constantly. “I mean, Sarah is a sweet heart, but she doesn’t have the ass that Ashley does, then you have Delilah’s legendary rack to consider and don’t even get me started on Lola, not only is she hot but I hear she is pretty easy as well. She will send you home with more than a goodnight kiss that is for sure.”

“Then you take her.” I said slightly annoyed with the conversation. If there was one thing I didn’t like about Thomas it was that he thought with his dick more often than his brain.

“She didn’t ask me, she asked you. If she had asked me I would take her anywhere she wanted to go.” He said stressing the anything part.

“Just stop.” I said slamming the locker a little harder than I meant to.

“Sorry man. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s not that. I just don’t want to go to this stupid dance. I don’t want a date.” We turned and he walked me to my class as we chatted.

Along the way I noticed a boy out the corner of my eye. He was dirty and was wearing ragged clothing. Looked like he hadn’t showered a few days, the way his blonde hair was tangled and all over his head. He looked at me for a brief second then looked away and walked in a different direction.

“Besides man, the dance isn’t the main event, there is always the after party. Girls, a little bubbly, and there is even supposed to be a DJ.” Thomas chimed as we reached my class.

“I’m not going to that, dad will kill us.” I said as I went to walk in the class.

“You say that now, but we both know you won’t let me go alone.” He said as he turned and walked towards his class.

I sat through class, and listened to my teacher ramble on and on about the practical use of knowing history, and how if we don’t know history we would be doomed to repeat it. Afterwards I sat though pre-calculus and Spanish 2. “No quiero aprender español.(More or less ‘I don’t want to learn Spanish’)” I mumbled to myself as I tilted my head back and begged for the day to end so I could go home already. I thought about the dance tonight, maybe I should just pick a name off the list and go, would simply things so much. “I guess I will take Sarah, she is nice and won’t pressure me to do anything stupid.” I mumbled out loud softly forgetting where I was. “Ian, something you want to share with the class?” The teacher said as I tilted my head back to the front and looked at her.

“No, Senorita Parker.” I said trying to look sweet. She went back to teaching and I went back to day dreaming. I really hoped Thomas didn’t drag me to that stupid after party. It would be a pain to explain to dad why we were out so late. As much as dad tried not to treat me different than my brothers he couldn’t help it. It was natural I suppose. He worried when I was out and treated me more like I was John’s age than he did like I was Thomas’s. The bell finally rang and it was time for lunch. I sat with my brothers and their friends. It was hard to believe I was so introverted when it came to people. You would have thought given how many people considered me popular I would have been the life of the party.

Justin looked at me as I sat down. “There is our little lady slayer.” He said happily. “I heard you got a list and a half of names to go through there Santa.” Jerry one of his friends remarked. “If you aren’t going to take Delilah, you can send her my way.” Another one of his friends said as I took a bite of the slop they called food. The only thing worth eating here was the peas. The rest were as tasteless and plastic as the dinner tray they were served on.

“If you want her, go ask her to the dance.” I said not moving an inch as I took another bite.

“For someone with so much popularity you sure seem to let it go to waste.” Thomas spoke pulling my tray playfully from me. He took a bite of my mashed potatoes. “Damn this is so thick I could swear it was my dick.” He said laughing after he swallowed hard and beat his chest with one of his fists like he was tenderizing the potatoes in his chest.

I don’t know what was wrong with me. Lately I just hadn’t felt the need to be with people. I didn’t much like my brothers’ friends. They were loud and obnoxious, not to mention when they were around my brothers didn’t act the same.

“Is that guy eating out of the trash?” One of Justin’s football buddies said from the table behind me. I shifted my attention to see the small boy who I had passed earlier in the halls digging through the trash and pull out a half-eaten sandwich. “How gross.” One of them commented. I looked at Thomas and gave have him a look. He understood what I wanted him to do.

He called out to the guy loudly enough to get the attention off the boy trying to choke down the sandwich. “Hey Howard, Your girlfriend is pretty hot, you mind if I give her a go, and she gives me a blow?” He asked. They began to mince words. As everyone was distracted I went over to the boy with what was left of my food. He looked up at me as I reached him. “Here.” I said as I took the sandwich from his hand. “Trade.” I threw the sandwich back in the trash can and sat the tray of mostly untouched food down at his feet. “This will taste better.” He just looked at me for a long moment then nodded, his pretty blue eyes contrasting with his messy blonde hair. He ate the food I had been picking over with a disgusted look on my face liked he had never tasted such delicious delicacies.

I smiled at him but the bell rang and I turned to see Thomas about to get in a fist fight with Howard. I walked back towards them. “That’s enough, Apologize.” I commanded Thomas. He nodded. “Sorry man, I was just joking around, but seriously, your girlfriend is hot.” He said with a smile.

Howard just shook his head and got his stuff and left for class.

The rest of the day flew by rather quickly but the only thing that was on my mind was the boy who was eating out of the trash. I suddenly had wish I had spoken to him and asked him if he was okay. I wished I had said more than three words to him. The bell rang and it was time to go home.

The bus ride on the way home was always more annoying than the ride to school. Everyone was full of energy and bouncing around unlike in the morning when everyone was half a sleep and murmuring more than talking. John got on and took his place beside me. We rode to the house and everyone was getting ready for the dance. Dad had rented us all tuxes. John was upset because they couldn’t go because he was too young. I resentfully got dressed and splashed on cologne.

“Oh you look so cute.” Dylan said as I walked down the stairs and took photos of Justin, Thomas and I. So many photos, we must have taken five hundred. Dylan hugged me as he handed Thomas the keys.

“Remember the rules.” Dylan started. “Be careful, be safe, Don’t drink and drive, Don’t do drugs, be back by curfew or lose your freedom for the next two weeks; I’m talking to you Thomas. If you need us call us, don’t make us your last minute call. Don’t get anyone pregnant, and have fun.” Dylan sighed as he fixed Justin’s tie. “You all look very handsome.” He said as he took a few more photos.

“Dylan, Let the boys be. They are going to be late if you don’t stop treating them like they are at a fashion shoot.” Isaac said laughing.

“We never get to see them so dressed up though.” Dylan pouted.

“Come on Henry, I’ll drive you to the middle school social.” Dylan said noticing the time.

Isaac smiled at us, walked over and hugged us all and with the hug he slipped us all something. “A condom?” Asked Justin.

“Better safe than sorry, this is by no means me saying that I want you to have sex, but this is me saying I don’t want any surprises in nine months.” He laughed.

We all headed towards the door to get into the Jeep dad had bought last year. “Oh and don’t tell Dylan, you got them from me. I don’t want him pissed at me and telling me how I shouldn’t be encouraging you to have sex.”

We all laughed as we got in the vehicle. I rode shotgun next to Thomas and Justin stretched out in the middle back. When we picked up their dates they were simply beautiful. I could see the look on their faces as Thomas and Justin got out and opened the doors for them. Scarlet and Jennifer were their names, they were sisters. Scarlet was about a year older than Jennifer and was Thomas’s date. She wore a beautiful teal dress that reached knees with a sparkled silver band around her waist. It drew attention to how thin she was there while her other proportions were very well endowed. Jennifer was slightly bigger in the center, but still gorgeous; she was young and had the world in her beautiful green eyes. Her long almost black hair reaching the halfway down her back was contrasted beautifully by her bright red dress that flowed out from her figure. Her dress was backless and low cut around her breasts. I saw both Justin and Thomas exchanging glances looking at her body in that dress.

They were showered with compliments from both Thomas and Justin. They were returned to them. Scarlet kept putting her hands on my shoulder during the car ride. “You know, my friend, Casey really wanted you to ask her to the dance.” She said finally.

“Sorry, buddy boy here had so many girls ask for him that he just decided to go stag as not to break any of their hearts.”

“Well actually I called Sarah; she is going to meet us there. She asked me last year and I turned her down, so I told her I would go this year.” I said moving just enough to get Scarlet’s hands off my shoulder.

“Oh. Sarah…. Has a lovely personality.” Jennifer chimed in trying to not sound like a judgmental person.

I rolled my eyes softly and Thomas punched my arm softly as we pulled up to the dance.

It was as I expected, girls and guys working the floor, laughing and dancing. I just stood in the corner till Sarah found me. “Oh there you are Ian, I have been looking for you for 10 minutes now.” She said smiling at me.

She was wearing a black dress with gold accents around the hem. She put her hand out to me and I took it. “I am so glad you said yes.” She laughed. “You had so many other options and you chose me and that makes me feel special.” I nodded but didn’t speak. She lead, well more or less dragged me, to the dance floor. My two left feet made themselves evident rather quickly. As I was about to give up and go find a chair, Thomas grabbed my waist and shook it. “ Move your hips like this, small rotating circles, like you are grinding on a beautiful lady.” I blushed and knocked his hands away.

Sarah laughed at the exchange, it was apparent I was embarrassed by his help and the way he had taken the lead in my own dance. We danced a while longer till I said I was going to get some punch for us. I was standing in line at the punch table when I saw the blonde haired boy again, he was wearing the same ragged clothing as before. A teacher had him by the wrist and was walking him towards the door.

I can’t say why but I put down the cups and was at the teachers side before I even know what I was doing. “Hey man” I called out to the boy. He just stopped and looked at me like he was wondering what I was doing.

“Mrs. Jackson, where are you taking him?” I asked with courtesy and a bit of heartwarming smile.

“He doesn’t have a ticket and he isn’t dressed properly, Mr. Timmons. That means he has to go.” She said with a tiny huff as if I was in the way a bit.

“He has a ticket.” I said happily as I pulled mine from my coat pocket. She knew it was mine but nodded anyways “He still isn’t dressed properly though.” She remarked.

“What are you talking about?” I pulled off my Tuxedo Jacket and put it on his shoulders. “This is the style these days, blue jeans, a tee shirt and a fancy jacket. Mrs. Jackson, A lady as fashion forward as you must know that mixing ‘I don’t care’ and fancy is how this generation likes to dress.” I smiled at her as wide as I could.

She laughed. “Fine, the boy can stay.” She gave him a firm look. “Perhaps you should thank Mr. Timmons for his kindness.”

The boy continued to stare at me. “Thank you.” He muttered in a low tone, almost inaudible. His voice was deep and husky. His eyes were dark under the neon glow of the dance floors strobe lights. Mrs. Jackson walked away and left just me and him standing by ourselves.

“You want some punch?” I awkwardly asked him looking at his feet. He rubbed the back of his head for a moment and finally nodded. It was a slow nod. We reached the punch bowl and I got two more drinks when I heard a familiar voice behind me. “You are one hard person to get a hold of.” Sarah huffed a little as she sipped her punch. The boy just stared at me for a moment. “Sorry” I said apologetically.

“It’s fine, this dance is kind of lame anyways.” She said motioning towards the only handful of people dancing at this point. “At least it is almost over.” I reminded her.

“I know, it is almost time for the after party.” She said excitedly.

“Yeah, I’m not going to that.” I said rubbing the back of my head.

“Thomas and Justin both said you were though.” She seemed saddened by my refusal of the after party.

“Come on there will be food, actual music that the school doesn’t have to approve, plenty of alcohol, and after a few shots you may even be able to convince me of just about anything.” She said with a wink.

“Food?” The boy asked from behind.

“Who are you?” Sarah asked with a slight annoyed but still managed to smile like an angel.

The boy was struck silent again. He didn’t say a word for a moment. “Conner.” He finally spoke.

Suddenly she noticed. “Why are you wearing Ian’s coat?” He stared at me in a silence that almost made me uncomfortable. “He was going to be kicked out for not being properly dressed, but look at him now, does he clean up nicely or what?” I asked.

She nodded, “yeah he does.” “Why don’t you come with us to the after party, Conner?” Sarah asked then took another sip of her punch.

He stared at us both. He just looked at me. “Do you want to go?” I finally asked.

He shrugged his shoulders. “It will be fun.” Sarah chimed in.

“Ian, let’s go.” Justin interrupted us. “After party time.” Thomas shouted.

Before I knew it I was pretty much being dragged into the jeep, stacked two high on each seat. Sarah sat in my lap, Scarlet was in shot gun next to Thomas. Justin pulled Jennifer on top of him, and Sarah had pulled Conner into the seat beside us.

“Who is that?” Thomas asked looking into the rearview as he cranked up the car.

“This is Conner.” Sarah just said flatly.

We drove for about ten minutes to reach an old warehouse. We parked a few blocks away as not to be too close to the party. When we entered the warehouse, it had strobe lights and loud fast songs blaring through speakers scattered all around the place that had been hastily hung up. There were beer kegs and people in the corner smoking weed. I could barely see because of all the flashing lights. It was a haze of people, neon bracelets and loud skull ringing music. Thomas, Scarlet, Jennifer, Justin and Sarah all seemed to be getting lost in the music and people moving around quickly. I looked and I was alone. I couldn’t find anyone. I saw glimpse of Justin and Thomas doing the keg stand. Sarah was downing liquor. I finally ran into the buffet table. Conner was sneaking food. Someone handed me a drink. She was pretty. I had never seen her before. “Hey, cutie. You look like you could use a drink.” She said pressing the bottle to my lips. I took a few sips, it was sour and bitter to the taste. I normally didn’t drink.

“I’m Erica by the way.” She said reaching my hand and taking it into hers. “Why don’t we retire to somewhere more private?” She pointed towards what appeared like an exit door. She pushed the bottle to my lips again, and began to lead me to the door through the crowd of people. I was starting to feel a little off, was I drunk? My body felt warm. I sort of stumbled out the door. I couldn’t see straight. I couldn’t be drunk I had barely had half the beer she handed me.

We reached the door and she opened it. It was an alley way. There was no one around. I could barely stand up. I grabbed the wall for leverage. She reached into my pockets feeling around and took the money I had on me. “What’s going on? I feel funny.” I asked not being able to focus well.

“Honey.” She spoke in a soothing tone. “It seems like you have had way too much to drink.” She said as she pulled out my wallet and took the money from it.

“I only had half that beer you gave me.” I said shaking my head.

“Oh, then it could be the drugs I slipped in there. Haven’t you ever heard not to take candy, or alcohol for that matter, from strangers?”

“You drugged me?” I asked and noticed my words were becoming slurred.

“Oh don’t sound so surprised.” She said throwing my empty wallet back at me. “Just take a nap and you will feel better. It won’t hurt you, it’s just a knock out drug I mixed with just a tiny bit of ecstasy; it will be sure to give you sweet dreams.”

“You better give him that back.” Said a voice behind her.

“Who are you?” She asked.

“Doesn’t matter, give him the money back and scram.” His voice sounded loud like thunder. It was powerful. She dropped the money, and turned to continue down the alley way.

“You okay?” He asked as he picked me up. He was damn handsome. “Am I in heaven, cuz you look like an angel.”

“Wow, she must have really put a lot of ecstasy in that drink.” He laughed as put my arm around his neck.

“Let’s get you back inside.” He said in my ear. His breath was hot on my neck.

“I rather go be alone with you, Mister Hero.”

He laughed as we walked through the door. “Just stand here; I’ll go find your brothers.”

He leaned me against the wall. I saw him find Justin. I had been stumbling along the wall in my daze. I grabbed the cords by accident of one of the main speakers.

It tore from the wall where it was hap-hazardly placed. It came crashing towards me. I was on the floor before I knew it. Justin was pushing up on the huge heavy speaker to hold it from crushing us. Thomas was rushing over to help. The man who helped me outside was on top of me covering my body with his.

“Shit this thing is heavy.” Thomas yelled as he and Justin managed to get a good enough grip on it to place it on the ground. The boy who helped me out side asked if I was okay.

I nodded and got a better look at him. “Conner?” I asked.

He nodded. I don’t remember much of what happened after that, I somehow ended back up in my room.

I woke up the next morning. Thomas was sitting there happily. “You’re awake.”

“My head hurts like crazy.” I said a bit louder than usual.

“I bet.”

Dad walked in. “Glad you are okay.” He hugged me.

“I’m still not a hundred percent on what happened.”

Dad explained and quickly added. “Oh and just in case you are wondering, you are all grounded.”

Thomas laughed. “Where is Conner?” I asked.

“Oh, he crashed on the couch. He is probably still there.” He got a small knock on the head when he was trying to cover you from getting hit by the speaker.” Thomas added.

“I’m glad you are okay, but I am seriously pissed you guys didn’t stick together.” He said. Isaac sighed. “At least none of you drunk drove back here, you called like I asked.”

“I want to see Conner.” I said as I moved to get out of bed.

They all sort of moved. I went to the living room and the couch was empty. He had disappeared. I called out to him. “Conner” I didn’t hear anything. I passed by the window and saw him walking down the street. I ran outside and caught up to while calling out to him. He stopped walking and allowed me to catch up to him.

“There you are.” I said a little out of breath. “I wanted to thank you.” I said breathing just a little heavier.

“You are welcome.” He said turning back to look at the street as if he was going to walk away.

“You’re going home? I could walk you; we could get to know each other better.” I said reaching out and touching his shoulder.”

“Why?” He said in apprehensive and frigid manner.

“Because you helped me and I want to get to know you better. We could be friends.” I said not moving my hand.

“That’s not what I meant. That day in the cafeteria, why did you give me your food? Why did you make your brother take the attention off me? Why did you make the teacher let me stay at the dance or invite me to the after party? What do you want from me?” He said his back turned to me, and his voice sounding a bit hoarse.

“I simply wanted to help.”

“But why?”

“Because you seemed like you needed it. You looked hungry and I have seen people go hungry, it is something I can’t stand.” I said.

“Ian, you can’t walk me home. Go back to your house.” He said unflinching.

“Why?” I said repeating him.

A long silence ensued and I couldn’t tell if he would answer me or not. Finally his voice cracked and it sounded like he was crying. “You can’t walk me home because I don’t have a home.” His voice tore my heart out. I was a bit shaken by the way he had said it. “Where do you sleep?” I asked as I ran my hand down his arm and grasped his hand.

“I bounce around, mostly in the park.” He said unwilling to turn to me.

“Why not stay with us?” I offered.

“I am not a charity case.” He spat a bit annoyed. “And I know your family must feel real noble helping the trash like me get off the street but I don’t need your help. You and your brothers have always been popular, always been invited to everything. People know who you guys are just by first name; even teachers whose classes you haven’t even taken. ”

“Noble? We don’t do it to feel better than others. We help others because it is the right thing to do and because my father knows what it is like to wander the streets and be hungry. We don’t do it so that we can be popular and higher than thou; we are doing it so that maybe others won’t have to experience what he went through.”

I grabbed his hand but he pulled away. I didn’t stop. I got close to him and slid my arms underneath his arms and wrapped them around his waist. I hugged him. “Come on, you don’t have to stay but at least stay for breakfast. If you don’t change your mind about whom we are by the end of the day we won’t chase after you. You are free to walk out the doors.” I said holding him tight.

“Why are you hugging me? I smell bad.” He said.

“I don’t mind. I probably don’t smell like roses myself.” He twisted in my arms and wrapped his arms around me. “I’ll stay for a little while but that is all.

I looked up at his handsome pale face, now a bit red and his eyes puffy from holding back tears.

“Also you should probably put some pants on.” He whispered softly in my ear.

I looked down to see I was only wearing my underwear and an oversized sleep shirt.

Upon realizing this I quickly dragged him back into the house and sat him at the table.

I put on pants, well sleep shorts. “Why the hell didn’t you guys tell me I wasn’t wearing pants?” I yelled at Thomas and Justin.

They kind of looked at each other. “We figured it would be good to give the boy a glimpse at the goods.” Justin finally spoke.

“What the hell are you talking about?” I shook my fist with a confused scowl on my face.

“Turns out drugged you is very, and I do mean very handsy and flirty.” You could barely keep your hands off Conner in the car, or Justin and I for that matter; it was like everyone was fair game.” Thomas added.

I blushed profusely. I wanted to crawl into a deep hole and die.

“I couldn’t help it; I had ecstasy in my system.” I said panicked.

“Calm down, We know.” Thomas said putting his hands around my shoulders, as I looked at the floor and blushed.

“We also know you tried to kiss Conner.” Justin added in. My face couldn’t have gotten redder as I thought I would actually collapse into myself like a black hole right there in Thomas’s and my room.

“How am I going to face him knowing I tried to kiss him, and probably said a bunch of embarrassing things to him?” I said still glowing.

“Well you didn’t have much trouble speaking to him last night, nor hugging him half dressed in our drive way; why worry about it now?” Justin kidded me in a brotherly way. “Just be straight up with him, He knows you were drugged and probably knows you didn’t realize you weren’t wearing pants.”

“That reminds me, who changed me?” I asked looking at Justin.

“Well, your dad did…. As well as Thomas, they had to make sure you weren’t injured from when the stereo fell.” Dylan said coming in the door. “Time for breakfast, don’t dally, you have a guest and it’s rude to make him eat alone.” He said.

Justin and Thomas walked out the room and I went to follow but Dylan put his arm out and caught me. “Just one second young man.” He said sternly. I looked up at his blue eyes and glowing blond hair. His looks had not changed much with time even though he was going on 38. The way he looked at me, I figured he was about to let me have it. I prepared for him giving me the speech of a life time. Instead, He just hugged me. “You had me worried sick, Ian. Don’t do dangerous stuff like that.” He took a hard breath through his nose and pulled me in tighter. He let go and motioned his hand towards the door.

“That’s it? No lecture?” I asked.

“Oh you will get the talking to of all time shortly but right now you need some breakfast and I need to just be able to see you all acting like normal.” I walked to the kitchen. Henry was scarfing down the eggs; Justin and Thomas were fixing themselves a plate. Justin took a few more pieces than his fair share of bacon. John had strangely sat right next to Conner and was asking him questions when I came in. Dad just looked up as he sipped his coffee and stared at Dylan and me. The look he gave Dylan made my heart melt. So much love, so much compassion for him in his eyes. You could tell it was love; it was written all over my dad’s face. The way his smile slightly curled when their eyes met. The way they flirted and played around. That’s really all I had ever wanted was to have that same kind of happiness. The kind that they shared and showed not only each other but everyone around them; I in a strange way wanted to be that sparkle in someone’s eyes.

While I was lost in thought, Dylan walked over and put a plate of food in front of my dad and refilled his coffee. “You have to eat something Isaac or you will be hungry later on.”

I went over and fixed some food and sat down in the chair across from Conner, next to Henry. Henry whispered to me. “Is he coming to live with us?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know…. But I hope so.” I said, blushing a bit.

Conner looked at me across the table. He smiled but didn’t say anything. Breakfast was awkward at first till Thomas spoke up. “So, Conner, How is school?” He asked eyeing me while taking a huge bite of bacon.

Conner kind of just looked at him. “It’s okay.” He said taking a bite of the food.

My dad looked at him for a moment. “Thank you for helping Ian.” He said with firmness in his voice that was uncharacteristic of Isaac.

He glanced at my father, who suddenly seemed bigger and manlier than the teddy bear I knew. Conner nodded and looked down at the food. “It is delicious, thank you for having me.” He went to stand up but Dylan’s caught his shoulder. “You don’t have to rush off, you look tired, you could take a nap in the guest room, I am sure the couch wasn’t all that comfortable.” He said in a calming voice.

“No” He said a bit shaky as he stood up. “I have to go, thank you though.”

I without realizing it had moved to his side. “You can go, but perhaps you would like to come back for dinner.” He shook his head no, and then walked towards the door.

“If you change your mind; we eat around six.” I yelled as the door closed sort of harshly.

I sat back down with a sigh. They all stared at me.

“Lover’s quarrel.” Justin joked, Thomas hit Justin’s shoulder for the crack.

We had breakfast and Henry went off to friends. Papa decided to punish us. He made us clean the attic and the garage. We were grounded for a month, and that included losing our phones. Dad was no more lenient that Dylan on the matter.

They had all dropped the matter. I went down stairs to grab some water. I noticed Dylan sitting at the table paying bills. “Papa.” I stated as I reached him. He looked up and removed his reading glasses to reveal his gorgeous blue eyes. He looked at me. “Yeah, Ian?”

I stared at the floor for a moment, not knowing how to phrase what I was feeling.

“You okay? You look a little sick, you still feeling bad?” He asked as he got up and came over to me to feel my head.

“Do you, do you think he will be okay?” I asked. Dylan didn’t say anything. “Papa?” I asked again.

“Son, we have in the past decade had thirty-seven kids come to live with us, you and I both know that you can’t save everyone, you can offer them help but they aren’t always ready to take it. You have to just be willing to give help, it is always up to them if they stay or go.”

I nodded but didn’t feel any better. “But yes, I think he will be okay.”

I smiled. “You have a crush don’t you Ian?” Papa asked.

“No.” I said wide eyed blushing profusely and awkwardly turning away from him.

Dylan just hugged me. “Oh that’s so cute, you know I was around you age when I met your father.” He said smiling.

“Please Papa, Don’t tell me the story again.” I begged. It was too late for that he had begun to retell their life story again.

Dinner time came quickly and they all began to eat. Not a word about Conner was said. He never did show up. It was written on my face that I was worried about him. I picked over the food not really having the appetite thinking about him digging in the garbage for something to eat. “Why does he have to be so damn stubborn?” I said out loud causing everyone to turn towards me. “Who is being stubborn?” Dad asked. “Ian said a bad word.” John remarked.

They kind of just stared at me for a moment. “I am full. May I be excused; I’m still not feeling well.” I asked already scooting my chair back from the table.

Dad just nodded and told me to rest up. It was getting late but I still kept the hope that Conner would come back. He didn’t. It was about 11 P.M. when everyone started to head off to bed. I couldn’t sleep. I had just been lying in my bed tossing and turning. Finally Thomas spoke up. “If you are that worried about Conner go find him.” He said in a low but concerned voice.

“What makes you think I’m worried about him?” I asked in a slightly elevated tone.

“Not so loud.” He whispered in the darkness. “They will wake up if you talk like that.”

“If you have an idea of where he is at why not go check on him.” He asked.

“How would I even get out of the house?” I asked. He chuckled under his breath.

“You really are too innocent sometimes.” He said as he got out of bed slowly. He opened the window.

“We are on the second floor.” I whispered in a harsher tone.

“See the porch roof? You can get to it from here if you swing your leg out, once on that it is only a ten foot drop and you can climb back up if you stand on top of one of the garbage cans at the curb.” He said nodding to them at the end of the drive.

He smiled in the dark but I could still see his teeth and eyes shine under the moonlight. “In my old house, I used to sneak out all the time, luckily here I never feel the need to get away. This is the place I feel like I have been running to all along.” My heart leaped. In this moment I felt something for Thomas I had not felt before. The way he looked in this moment was something I cannot describe. It wasn’t love or anything; it was simply a mix of happiness and contentment I felt towards his words.

“Oh and He probably hasn’t eaten so bring him some food.” He said sliding the window to the top and locking it open.

“Where will I get food at this time of night, If I go down stairs I may wake up Dad and Papa.”

He rolled his eyes. “Here is twenty dollars.” He said reaching into his wallet, “Go get him some McDonalds’ or something, it isn’t rocket science bro.”

I nodded and headed out the window. “Don’t worry, I will keep the parental units occupied till you get back.” He laughed as he closed the window all but a touch so I could slide my fingers under to open it. He jammed it open with a sideways penny to keep it open.

I creeped down the roof of the front porch to the edge where it slanted down. I took a deep breath and dropped the ten feet. I was okay on the landing. I walked to the end of the drive and cursed myself for not bringing a coat noting how cold it was outside. I wandered my way around for a few blocks. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting to just stumble upon him. I finally came across the park.

It was creepy at night. Dimly lit, old and rusted, the wind blew the swings making them sway. It only added to its bad horror movie appeal. The sidewalk was hard under my sneakers and I checked benches to find no one there. I went under an underpass of stone looking around. There was no one around and I was rather relieved. I went to turn back but someone stopped me. “Give me your money kid.” He stated with something sharp to my back.

“It’s in my left front pocket. Just take it.” I stated. He reached in and took the cash that Thomas had given me. “Now your shoes.” I slid them off careful not to look at his face. “ Now get on the ground and count to one hundred and when you get up I will be gone.” He said as he stepped away removing the blade from me side where he had placed it in a threatening manner. I did as he said.

When I got up he was, true to his word, gone. I stood there colder than ever. I had just been mugged. I was calmer than I expected, I think I was in shock. It wasn’t till I hit the children’s playground did it really hit me. I could have died. I was just mugged in the park at midnight. I hit my knees, I couldn’t stand. I was shaking harshly and sobbing into my hands. I could have died. I was suddenly aware of how scared and close to harm I had just put myself. I was sitting in the sand a total wreck when I felt arms around me. I screamed. “I don’t have any more money. Please don’t hurt me.”

“Shh, calm down Ian.” His voice was firm and solid. His arms around me felt nice.

“Sorry, your hero was late; Traffic.” He said holding me tight.

“Conner?” I asked.

He nodded into my neck. “You okay man?” I nodded twisting into his arms. “I was mugged, I don’t know what happened I thought I was okay then it hit me all of a sudden.”

He sighed. “Let’s get you home. You have had a rough night.”

“The money was supposed to be to buy you something to eat tonight when I found you.” I don’t know why but that’s all I could think of and I cried harder into his dirty band tee. He held me like that for a long time and let me cry till I had calmed down. I was still shaking a little when he asked me. “Why did you come out here?”

I shook my head. “I was worried. You didn’t come to dinner, and I was afraid you weren’t going to eat.” He laughed, He stared at me a moment in silence, holding me in the sand that covered the playground.

He leaned over and kissed my cheek. “You should go home; you have already seen this place isn’t safe for people like you.” He helped me to my feet.

“No, I won’t go back unless you agree to go with me.” I demanded.

“I will walk you back but I can’t stay.” He huffed.

“Why not?” I begged as I stared at his face under the glow of the dim park street lamps.

“I can’t.” He stated again.

“But why?”

His eyes grew dim as he spoke. “I am broken, my own parent’s kicked me out. They threw me because I am gay. I’m not normal. I can’t live with people like you.” He stated.

“People like me?” I asked.

“Normal people, happy people, people who are kind to me. I don’t deserve that.” His eyes shifted to my feet as he spoke. He seemed disturbed by the lack of shoes on them but didn’t say anything.

I pulled him in closer. “You deserve to be happy, to be treated with love. You don’t need to go hungry or worry about where you are going to sleep. Just let us help you, and it is pretty obvious that my parents don’t care if you are gay or not I would think. I want to be there for you, just let me. ”

He grabbed the back of my head and pulled me in closer to his face. My heart was pounding into his chest as I gazed into his eyes. He leaned in, his mouth ajar as if he had something to say. Our lips met, and it felt like a bolt of lightning. I never expected to get my first real kiss in the park at midnight from some guy who I had just asked to live with me. The kiss grew more passionate as we slide down in the sand. He got on top of my body, and our mouths parted. He slid his tongue in exploring my mouth. He felt good, his breath hot. His body heat contrasted against that of the dark night.

I slid my hand up his shirt. I felt his small body, rubbing his nipples. He moaned. They felt different than what I would have expected. I had felt boobs before but always women. He broke the kiss for a moment.

“Damn.” I said as looked at him.

He laughed at me. “ That’s what I was thinking.”

We didn’t let it progress past the kiss as he pushed from on top of me. “Sorry, I can’t do this.” He said rearing up to his feet.

“Why? Was I that bad of a kisser, I’m sort of new to it…” I said embarrassed that I felt the need to explain myself to him.

“No, not that, you were great at that. I mean that I can’t come live with you.” He said as he moved towards the playground equipment. He climbed into one of those tubes that lay horizontal that kids climb through and pulled off his shirt and tucked it under his head. “I am tired, you should go home.” He said trying to avoid the conversation.

“I am not leaving without you.” I stated angrily at him, but he didn’t respond. I repeated myself again.

“Then sit there.” He said with a sarcastic tone. “I am used to the cold, you aren’t you will get chilly enough to leave soon enough.”

He was right in that regard, I was not used to the cold. I was shivering but being hard headed as I was I refused to move. Finally after a while of silence he spoke again. “Stop punishing yourself, just go home.”

“I thought you were going to sleep.” I stated still in the sand 15 feet away from him.

“I can’t sleep knowing your sitting there freezing for me.” He got up and came over to me. “Let me walk you home.” He commanded more than offered.

“Only if you agree to stay with us.” I replied with a bit of coldness that was out of character for me.

“That’s not going to happen, but if you stay here like this you will catch a cold.” He grabbed my hand.

“You are just too damned stubborn for your own good.” He said leading me up to the pipe. He let me inside first, and then he came in next to me. He pushed his shirt off towards me. “It’s not much but it’s better than nothing.” I shook my head no. I couldn’t take his shirt.

I put my hand on his chest. “You are freezing.”

“I am used to it.” He replied lying beside me pushing his messy blond hair out of his eyes.

I leaned in closer to him. “We can share body heat.” He nodded and snuggled closer to me.

His body felt nice against mine, his small frame was almost the same as mine. He slid his arm under my head to allow me to use it as a pillow. I kissed him again not thinking about what I was doing. It wasn’t as long or passionate this time. “Goodnight.” I said holding him close.

I woke up in the pipe; he was sitting at the foot of the tube looking out at the park. It was early in the morning; the sun had just risen up.

“You should get going.” He said turning to me.

“I am not going back till-“He put his hand up to stop me.

“Till I agree to live with you guys, I know.” He stated as he fixed his hair. “That’s why I hope you are ready for what you are getting yourselves into.” He smiled at me. “Let’s go then. I am sure your parents don’t know you are here and my money would be that you don’t want them to know.” He laughed.

We walked a few miles back to my house. It was getting about time for everyone to be up. I grabbed the can from the street and stood on it a Conner helped me up to the roof of the porch. I slid my hand under the window and slid inside. I had given Conner instructions to knock on the door and ask if it was okay if he stayed here for a few days. Thomas was in the shower I could hear the water flowing. I knocked on the door. “It’s open.” He called to me.

I walked in, his silhouette against the white shower curtain shown through. “Woah.”I said under my breath in a hopefully inaudible tone.

“So how did it go? Did my little prince find the princess?” He asked as the water beat down against him and the curtain.

I told him the story and how I got mugged and ended up sleeping in a tube with Conner to conserve body heat.

The water turned off and he stepped out to me. I tried not to look as I faced the wall, and he asked questions. He came over and lifted up my shirt over my head.

“Hey, what’s the big idea?” I asked as he felt my body for a quick moment and turned me to face the other direction and looked around my back. “Well no knife wound, no blood, no sign of bruising. I am glad you are okay.” He said pulling me in tight against his naked body. I blushed as I pulled away.

 “So where is Juliet?” He asked noticing that Conner wasn’t with me.

“He should be downstairs knocking on the door.” I stated stealing a quick peek at Thomas’s naked body. It wasn’t like Thomas cared if I looked at him. I figured he knew even though we never actually discussed it, He just didn’t care we were close and it probably felt no more foreign than when he checked my body for the cuts.

“You keep staring and I am going to have to start charging.” Thomas said, drying his head not even looking at me. “I’m just kidding, let this soak in.” He winked at me.

“You are such a tease.” I cooed.

“I am almost sorry he got to you before I did.” He leaned over and placed his hand on my shoulder. “Guess it’s a good thing, you probably couldn’t have handled me anyways.”

“I thought you were straight.” I kidded him.

“Oh, I am. I used to think the same about you till a few months ago.” He laughed. “You know how apples and trees can be though; they are rarely found too far apart.”

He smiled and walked past me to put on some pants. “You know, I don’t mind you and Conner get to doing it, but I do ask that you refrain from doing it while I am in here, and that you both avoid my bed.”

I blushed. “I would never…” I tilted my head in shame. “Besides, I wouldn’t even know how, I have never done anything with a guy… with anyone really.” I said in a sullen tone.

“No surprise; I pegged you for a virgin the first time I met you. Also on a side note, you smell like a sand box, you should probably get showered and changed.” He said motioning to the shower. I slowly striped down. Thomas brushed his teeth and talked to me while I showered. I got out and put on some lazy day clothes.

“Ian, will you please come down here.” Someone called from downstairs.

“Looks like Juliet decided to listen to you.” Thomas said with a smile.

I left the bathroom and walked down the stairs. The blonde boy was staring at me as I descended. “Do you mind if I crash here for a few days?” He asked to me as I reached him.

My lips curled trying not to smile. Dad and Papa just stared at me. They knew something was up but didn’t say much. Dad just watched me very carefully as I placed my hand on his shoulders. “Glad you changed your mind.”

“Welcome to the family.” Thomas said coming down the stairs in only gym shorts.

John came running in to greet him and see what all the commotion was about. Justin watched from the banister. “Oh great another guy in the house, this place is becoming a real sausage fest.” He chided him.

Conner just stared at me. His mouth began to curl too; we fought smiling at each other. Dylan gave my dad a side glance of knowing. My dad didn’t look happy about the way Conner was looking at me.

“I will only be here for a few days; I don’t want to be an imposition.” Conner said staring at me. His eyes looked at my lips as he spoke.

Dad spoke up before I could retaliate. “You guys know the drill, Justin, Thomas, go prepare one of the rooms. Ian, you and John fetch him a change of clothes. Dylan and I will show him around.” Dad said as he put his hand on Conner’s shoulder. Conner didn’t flinch even under my dad’s weight on his shoulder. He looked up at him. “Come on, you probably want a shower, and we will have breakfast ready when you get out.” Dylan chimed happily looking at Isaac.

It didn’t take long for us to find long to find him some clothing I thought would fit; John helped me pick them out. “Is Conner going to live here?” He asked after a moment. I just nodded.

John smiled. “So I get a new brother?” I nodded again. “Yeah, you get a new brother.”

“I hope he will be nice like you and not pick on me like Justin and Thomas.”

“Justin and Thomas only tease you because they love you… It’s in their own strange way how they show affection.” I said ruffling his hair.

“I know.” He said as we walked back to find dad propped against the door frame of the room Thomas and Justin were finishing making up.

“He sure had a… sudden change of heart.” He said looking at me intensely.

“Maybe, He realized we could be good for him.” I said nervously.

“Yeah, maybe.”

The water turned off from the adjoining bathroom. The door opened a crack and a hand reached out.
 I went to hand the clothes to him without trying to look. My father watched as the hand took the clothes from me.

A few minutes later the boy emerged from the bathroom. He was an orange shirt with a basketball logo, and blue gym shorts that would be comfortable to lounge around in. Dad took the ball of dirty clothes he had in his hand. “We will wash them, and give them back to you, when you decide you want to go okay?”

Conner was still silent, “You don’t say much do you?” Henry asked placing his bag on the ground near the entrance of the room. “Sorry I missed your arrival.” He added with a smile.

Conner just stared at him for a moment. “Sorry, I just don’t have much to say.”

“Breakfast time.” John ran up the stairs yelling happily.

We all walked downstairs and ate breakfast in the kitchen. Justin and Thomas sat beside each other and were their usual rowdy selves. Henry on the other hand sat there quietly picking at his omelet. John wouldn’t give poor Conner a break. He was bombarding him with questions about school, his life, his age and so on. Finally, He hit the question that we had all wanted to ask but felt it was inappropriate. “You are going to stay with us right?” John had this innocence in his eyes when he tilted his head to ask the question.

“For a few days at least, I don’t know if I will stay for longer than that.”

“Don’t be in such a rush to leave.” Henry spoke up now. “I know you may not know it yet, but this place is wonderful. No matter where you been, or what you did our dads will help you get past it and heal. They have helped so many of us. Don’t be in such a rush to throw away something that will be good for you.”

Conner looked at me as if he had just walked into an intervention. I stood up. “If he wants to leave, we can’t force him to stay. No matter how much we want him to stay he has to make that choice for himself.” I said sitting down.

“Sorry, Ian. I just don’t want to anyone be without a home.”

“Can I be excused? I am tired; if you don’t mind I would like a nap.” He said scooting his chair back without receiving permission.

As he climbed the stairs to him new room, you could hear the door close quickly and a bit forcefully.

Isaac sighed. “Whether he stays or not he is going to be a handful for sure.”

“He is just adjusting. You don’t remember a handful of years ago, Jared?” Dylan asked smiling at him.

“Oh dear god, I hope he isn’t as much trouble to begin with as Jared was.”

“Oh shush now, you ended up loving Jared.” Dylan smiled and took the plate Conner had left on the table.

“I am going to check on him.” I said as I moved from the table.

“You should really just give him a moment to himself.” Justin suggested. “Even if you guys mean well, all this love and attention coming from out of the blue has to be pretty damned overwhelming. We don’t know how long he has been living on the streets but it is safe to say it has been long enough that he doesn’t trust people right now. I think if we keep pushing him to stay we will only alienate him and actually be pushing him back out the door.”

Dad nodded. “I agree. We just need to give him space for now, let him think it over.”

I nodded and returned to my seat and finished eating, the day seemed to drag by as we ate and did chores around the house. Neither dad nor papa had for one moment, in the excitement of Conner’s arrival, forgotten that we were still grounded for the party incident.

After a few hours of driving myself crazy I couldn’t take it any longer. We had finished cleaning and were all sitting in the living room, Thomas and Justin playing tug of war over the remote and constantly switching between the sport channels, while John complained he wanted to watch cartoons. Henry just quietly read his book in the corner with his feet tossed over the corner of the chair. I excused myself and snuck upstairs to Conner’s room.

I knocked softly on the door, there was no response. I knocked a bit louder this time, still no response.

“Conner?” I asked through the wooden barrier that separated me from him.

A moment passed and finally a response. “Yeah, Ian?”

“Can I come in?” I finally asked.

There was a moment of silence as if he was thinking. I heard something stirring on the other side of the oak door. The door opened. With a sleepy look on his face and a bit of bed head he nodded and waved me inside. He closed the door behind me.

“Well you are in, what did you want to talk about?” he asked rubbing his right eye.

“I wanted to apologize for Henry kind of jumping on your case. I know it’s your choice on whether you leave or not, and I will make sure they understand that too. I just don’t want you to be angry at us or think that we are trying to hold you captive or something.”

“Ian, I want to ask you something.” He said as he stepped closer no longer looking tired and half asleep. “Do you want me to stay?”

My heart jumped as his hand touched my cheek. His deep blue eyes stared into mine. My mouth began to feel dry as I tried to speak. “I want you to be happy... and safe.” I added feeling uncomfortable. “I don’t want you to think that we are keeping you prisoner either.”

“That isn’t what I asked and you know it. I’ll ask again, do you want me to stay with you?” He said smiling.

“I-I want you to stay with me, with us. I don’t want you to leave.” I said trying to find the words that wouldn’t come off desperate or awkward.

He smiled and said, “Fine, I’ll stay, but one last thing.”

“What is that?” I asked. His smiled widened and he had a mischievous look in his eyes as he leaned in closer to kiss me. His lips met mine. His hands pulled my hips in closer, and then he put one on the small of my back as I reached under his arms and placed my hands flat on the center side of his back with my fingers ever so softly touching each other. He moved me slowly back towards the bed. My butt hit the edge of it and he pushed softly against my body. I sat down on the edge and leaned back a little. He was on top of me in a moment and I could feel a stir in my pants. He broke the kiss and looked me in the eyes. His hands wandered up my body and fell on my face.

“You are beautiful.” He said gently stroking my cheek with his fingers. “Much too beautiful for me.” He added pushing off my body and sitting on the bed beside me.

“Just stop.” I commanded. “Stop thinking you are so flawed and I am better than you. I have flaws too you know.” I crawled up and leaned his head back against the head board. I kissed him again. He stared at me as we kissed. Our eyes looking into each other, I grabbed his belt. I pulled it off kissing his neck. He moaned into the air as he slid his hand into my hair. He pulled my shirt off, and I unbuttoned his pants. He pushed back on me and was on top of me again. He slipped his pants off and grinded against me in his underwear. Spreading my legs slightly, He undid my pants. His eyes gazed into mine. My eyes closed as he slipped his hand into my pants. He felt my bulge and massaged it through my underwear. His fingers wandered into the opening of my boxers and felt me getting harder as he played with me. He kissed down my body till he reached the edge of my boxers. I looked down to see his eyes spark and the mischievous smile return to him. He pulled down the underwear leaving me exposed. He kissed the head of me watching my eyes as he did so. When he finally sucked the tip, I moaned, perhaps a bit louder than I had meant to. He took me bit by bit till he tried to take too much and gagged on me. The way he sounded like he was choking was both frightening but also strangely a turn on.

I moaned as he tried again and again. His mouth felt nice around me. He was tender with me. His head moved rhythmically against me. I ran my fingers through his hair. I didn’t expect to be so quick. “Conner.” I moaned his name. I tried to push his head back as my eyes closed tightly under the building pressure. “Conner, I’m gonna-” It was too late though, though I was trying to push his head back. My shoulders went up and my arms felt weak as I could no longer hold it. I came all over his face, and in his mouth. I began apologizing, looking down at his face. He was so handsome even covered in me. His eyes looked up to mine as he licked what had fallen onto my crotch, and cleaned me off. He then wiped it off his face and swallowed that too. “I am sorry.” I said blushing. “I didn’t mean to…” He shook his head as climbed up to eye level. “Don’t apologize, You did exactly what I wanted you to do.” He smirked. I leaned up and kissed him. He broke my kiss and laughed. “be careful, I taste like you.”

“I don’t care.” I said pulling him back into the kiss. There was a sound from the door, it opened a crack as Thomas stuck his head in. “That’s sweet and all but, you guys know John has been standing outside the door for like the past ten minutes right? You want to try to explain this to him or you want me to try to lie about it so you don’t have to?”

I went to get up. “Oh god, I will handle it.” I said getting to the door. Thomas stopped me. “You may want to be wearing clothes for this.” He said nodding to Conner who threw me my shirt.

I walked outside the door. Thomas looked at me and raised his hand up in the air.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

He smiled, “Come on man you just got your first blow job, high-five.”

“I’m not high-fiving over that, now where is John?” I asked moving past him a little bit.

He caught my arm. “Don’t worry; I already handled him. I caught him and pulled him away from the door not long after he got there. Don’t worry he thinks you two were wrestling and that your moan was of pain because you hit your elbow. Don’t worry he doesn’t understand what is going on.”

“Then why did you call me out here?” I asked confused as my eyebrows raised and I got a slight scowl across my face.

He shrugged. “I figured he would want you to return the favor, and I didn’t think you would want to.”

“You were listening at the door weren’t you?” I said angrily.

“Yeah, but not in a creepy way, I just wanted to make sure your first time was everything it was supposed to be.” He said placing his hand on my shoulder.

 “You’re an ass sometimes, man.” I shrugged his hand off my shoulder in annoyance. “Don’t you think it is kind of my business how my first time goes?”

He shrugged. “I… I was just trying to look out for you.” Sounding pitiful at seeing me seethe with anger. “I am sorry.” He added.

“I can’t stay mad at you, especially with those damn puppy dog eyes you have.” I stated. “Just don’t let it happen again.” I shook my head. He pushed his hand onto the top of my head. “Just can’t help it, you are important to me, I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Sometimes I think it truly is impossible to stay mad at Thomas. If you met him you would understand.

I went back inside the room to see Conner putting his clothes back on. “What are you doing?” I asked, trying to decipher the cryptic look on his face.

“Getting dressed.” He stated so easily. He said it in a kind fashion but with a bit of on the noseness that really annoyed me for some reason.

“Why were you hoping for round two?” He asked with a smile as he looked at me from the corner of his eye.

“Something like that.” I said smiling at him.

“How about just a kiss for now? I am rather tired.” He said, pulling back the covers. He got in and patted the bed beside him. “Want to sleep with me tonight? Just sleep I mean.”

I shook my head no, “I don’t think my dads would like that.” I said coming closer to him.

“Oh.” He said sadly and turning over in the bed to face the wall. He looked hurt, like I had stabbed him. I felt bad the way he pulled the sheet past his shoulder.

“Hey, don’t be like that.” I said reaching the bed.

“I’m not acting any certain way. I understand. I mean I should have seen it coming.”

“Seen what coming?”

He took a deep breath at this point. “It isn’t even important. Goodnight.” He said annoyed.

“I don’t understand what I did wrong.” I said climbing on the bed.

I reached out to touch his shoulder but he shrugged it away.

“Listen, I am sorry I hurt you. I didn’t mean too. I will stay.” I said pulling the covers down.

He leaned over and pulled me down on top of him. He whispered into my ear. “Don’t apologize. Just hold me.” He suddenly seemed a lot smaller in my arms than before, much more fragile. His body clung to mine like he was holding to a piece of drift wood at sea. He held me, breathing deeply into my neck. “I think I…. really like you.” He said.

I smiled. “Well I … really like you too.”

I cuddled closer to him and we fell asleep, he was tangled in my arms. I watched him while he slept on my chest. His blonde hair tangled across his head, I smiled and looked down when he released a slight snore that woke him a bit and caused him to stir.

He was just too adorable sleeping on my chest. I finally fell asleep and when I awoke he was already out of bed. I got up and looked for him. I caught him walking back upstairs with a plate of food for me. “I figured you may be hungry.” He said blushing.

“You were going to serve me breakfast in bed?” I asked. He blushed harder and slowly shook his head yeah.

“It was a way of apologizing for being unreasonable about last night.”

“Wow, going to make a house wife out of him already?” Justin asked from the right leaning over the banister in just his underwear.

“Well someone around here has to clean up your mess, since you seem incapable of doing so.” I retorted cutting my eyes in his direction.

“Wow, big talk coming from the guy I just saw leaving the new guy’s room. I am sure our dads would like to know about this.” He said with a wink as a sly grin slipped across his face.

I felt a slight panic but decided to call his bluff. “I suppose while you are explaining to them what you believe is happening between me and Conner I should explain to them about how on Wednesdays you aren’t going to the library with Tina to study, but to her house instead… or perhaps you want me to show them that stain in the backseat of the Jeep from that night with Jenny?” His smile slowly faded into a frown as a quick smirk appeared on mine.

“You got me there.” He paused for a quick moment, to sigh. “You’re kind of an ass sometimes, but hey you know how to run a tight ship, I’ll give you that.” He said turning back to his room. “But you know, you better learn to sneak around more or they will find out eventually.”

I nodded and turned to Conner. “Sorry you had to see that. Thanks for the food.” I added taking the plate from his hand and looking at him. “He is right though; we should probably be a little more low-key about this though. Papa wouldn’t mind much, but Dad would blow a blood vessel if he caught me with someone.”

Author's Note: so as always I will end with a small note to the audience.

Please don't ask for Part 2~~~~> as it will come out ....Eventually (Probably).xD With School, Work, a girlfriend, I rarely have time to write much anymore. It took me three months to crank this baby out to my satisfaction and even now I find that I am not thrilled with parts and see some mediocrity and short cuts I took in order to save pages. Anyways as always your support is both appreciated and loved, please leave comments, praise and criticism below and while I am here some acknowledgements, I'd like to thank caffeine, a deep desire to do anything but study for exams, you guys for both reading and putting up with my massive amounts of bullshit, spell check for keeping me humble to how awful I am at spelling, and the site for publishing my stories. I think I have gotten a bit better at writing since the original; what do you guys think? Anyways enough of my ramblings, thanks for reading see you guys again soon. ^_^

-Dustin...