Homecoming - 13. Chapter 13

Anton sat at the kitchen table, staring into a cup of warm tea, Tina had made him. She retired to bed, exhausted from her long flight. Adam’s birthday cake sat in the middle of the table, covered on a cake dish prop on a pedestal. Anton glanced at it now and then and wished for the years to reverse back when he had all his boys at the table. Their chatter and arguments would echo the halls as Troy would referee and Anton would be the deciding vote.

He bit his lip as his long bangs dangled over his sleepy eyes. Then the reassurance of lights flashed through the window telling him someone was home. He jumped up and went to the front door and swung it open. Car doors slammed as Troy approached holding Patrick in his arms and Kyle behind him. Anton opened the door wider so that they could enter.

“What happened?” he asked, moving to the couch where Troy placed Patrick. Kyle carried in Patrick’s shoe, placing it down near the couch.

“He fell and twisted his ankle,” said Troy, taking off his coat. Anton went to the kitchen and retrieved a freezer bag and filled it with ice, then wrapped it in a towel. He walked over to Patrick and examined his ankle. He grabbed a pillow and rested it underneath his injured foot placing the ice on top. Patrick braced from the chill, but settled down, glancing around.

“Where’s Adam?” said Patrick and Anton at the same time looking at Troy. When Troy turned to Kyle he saw that he slipped away to the kitchen. He cleared his throat and turned back to the two concerned men.

“He needed to talk to the Sheriff and that he and Justin would be home later.”

“The Sheriff,” said Anton. “Why would he need to talk to Chris?”

“I’ll explain later, right now we should get Patrick up to bed.”

Anton’s eyes hovered on Troy for a minute before soaring to Patrick.

“You must be in pain. When we get you upstairs, I’ll get you something for it.”

“Could I ask a favor from you?” said Patrick.

“Of course,” said Anton.

“Can I not sleep in Adam’s room?” Anton turned back to Troy with an inquisitive stare. Troy responded to Patrick’s request.

“You can stay in Kyle’s room with Justin. It has twin beds and Kyle can bunk with his brother.”

Kyle came back into the room after hearing his father’s arrangement, holding a piece of cake in his hand.

“Wait, me sleep with Adam. He only has a full-size bed.”

“Patrick’s ankle is injured,” said his father. “He shouldn’t have to worry about it being bumped in the night.”

“Or, Justin can bunk with Adam,” suggested Anton.

“No!” said Patrick and Kyle together. Anton studied all their faces and wanted answers.

“Fine then, Troy, help Patrick upstairs to Kyle’s room while I get him a pain killer. Kyle go get a plate for that food before I have you cleaning my living room.”

Troy reached for Patrick who raised his hand stopping him.

“Wait you don’t have to carry me Mr. Potter I must be heavy,” Patrick said. Troy smiled at him and picked Patrick up any way.

“Are you kidding, I’m not letting you put any weight on that ankle.” Troy carried him upstairs to Kyle’s room and lowered him on the twin bed that sat next to a window.

The room was filled with different sculptures of fantasy characters, weapons, and vehicles in all shapes and sizes. The walls were covered in different maps from real to imaginary realms. Pictures of Kyle posing with people dressed in full costume. Patrick looked around and was impressed by Kyle’s love of the genre. If not for the circumstances Patrick might have loved to dive in a conversation with Kyle about the topic. But as the biting pain in his sore ankle distracted him, he decided to leave it for another time. “Adam tells me you’re into role play,” Troy asked.

“Yes, I try to go to the local conventions whenever they come to town.”

“Adam use to love it, but lost interest.”

“He comes with me, I guess to act as my body guard.”

“He does? He never told me.”

“Well I had a stalker and Adam saved me from him.”

“The Harlequin.”

“Yes. Mr. Potter…”

“Please, call me Troy. And don’t worry about telling Anton. I just never brought it up because of his reaction. But he’s fine now, so don’t worry yourself.”

“I just wanted to make a good impression meeting you both.”

“You did. And we like you. I have to say you are different than most of Adam’s past friends but different could be what he needs.”

“I love him.”

“And he loves you. How about your parents. What do they say about your relationship with Adam?”

“My mother is supportive but my father…well, he is…”

“Over protective?”

“Yes.”

“Well, don’t fret. He’ll come around after getting to know him.”

“That’s what I told Adam.” Anton entered without knocking.

“Alright, I’m here to help you get ready for bed and make you comfortable. Troy leave.”

“Alright, goodnight Patrick.”

“Goodnight, Mr., I mean Troy.”

Anton helped Patrick remove his dirty clothes and gave him one of Adam’s old tee shirt to sleep in. He adjusted Patrick’s ankle so that it was levitated and covered with another ice bag.

“It doesn’t look like a bad sprain so there’s barely any swelling, the pain may be gone by morning.”

“Thank you,” said Patrick

“Now, here is some ibuprofen. You’re not allergic, are you?”

“No.”

“Good.” Anton gave him two pills and a glass of water. When Patrick swallowed them, he gave the glass back. “There, you’ll start to feel better soon.”

“Thank you, Mr. Potter.”

“Oh, don’t be so formal, call me Anton.”

“Well, to be honest, I thought you were a woman when I heard Adam call you mom.”

“Oh, that. The boys started calling me that after Damien, my oldest boy, friends told him I was better than their own mothers. He came home and started calling me mom. He kept it up after his brothers were born and then they started calling me mom. So, it stuck.”

“That’s sweet,” said Patrick.

“Patrick, I know Adam is set in his ways, he gets that from me. I wasn’t thrilled when he enlisted into the military and then joined the police force in Cargo City. He did some risky things that could have cost him his life. But I trust Adam abilities and so should you if you want to be in a relationship with him. Try and meet him half way.”

“I’ll try.”

“Good, get some rest and I’ll fix a nice breakfast for you all in the morning.”

Patrick laid back and closed his eyes. Anton shut the door behind him and went to go downstairs.

“Anton, I’m in here,” said Troy, from their bedroom. Anton walked into their bedroom, closed the door behind him and saw Troy removing his clothes. The brawny man who took him as a hostage and seized his heart stood shirtless undoing his jeans as he kicked off his boots. He sat on the bed as he lowered his pants. Anton walked over and stood with his arms crossed as Troy shed his clothes.

“If you think you can distract me with the hint of sex, you’re sadly mistaken.” Troy looked up at him and smiled.

“Not that it wouldn’t have been spectacular holding you under me. I have to admit, I am done in,” he said, pulling on his flannel pants and tugging on a tee shirt.

Anton walked over and sat next to his husband.

“Tell me what’s going on Troy.” Troy placed his arm around Anton and pulled him close.

“Eric Perkins, is dead.” Anton stared at Troy not sure he heard him right.

“Dead?”

“The boys found him in the cave up on the platform impaled on the battle ax.” Anton turned away and almost rose from the bed. Troy grabbed hold of his arms and kept him beside him. “I’m sorry I had to tell you at all. Sheriff Owen’s is there now with Kai, Michael and Adam.” Anton spun back to face Troy with an alarmed expression.

“Adam, why is he there?”

“He wants to help with the investigation.”

“But he’s leaving tomorrow.”

“He still might. He just wants to help.”

“He doesn’t need to be involved.”

“Anton, he’s done this before. He’ll be careful.”

“Yes, but—I just don’t want him to bother, since he’s leaving.”

“Anton, that’s not it, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he said, unconvincing, just as a knock came to their door. Troy stood and answered it finding Kyle yawning at him.

“Yes, Kyle?”

“Oh, hey dad. I called Paul and he said he wasn’t coming home tonight. He said I can crash in his room.”

“Okay. Have you spoken to Adam?”

“No, you want me to call him?”

“No. I’ll wait up for him.”

“I wasn’t going to bed right away. I’ll stay up.”

“Thanks, good night.”

“Night dad, night mom?”

“Night sweetie,” said Anton, in a somber voice. Kyle was about to ask if everything was alright, but his father nodded his head telling Kyle not to. Kyle stepped back and went back downstairs. Troy closed the door and turned back to Anton, who was now undressing. Troy walked over just as Anton removed his shirt. He reached around and unbutton his pants and slowly lowered them.

“We don’t have to do much. I just want to hold you.”

“That would be perfect.” Anton disrobed to his bare skin and Troy joined him. They climbed under the warm blanket and Troy spooned his mate. Their skin on skin was just what they both needed as Troy kissed Anton’s neck. The silence between them was troubling to Troy when he decided to break the tension.

“Anton, tell me what happen when you went to see Perkins today?” Anton felt the breath leave him as he lay still. “Was he acting strangely? What did you talk about? Anton?” Troy looked and saw that Anton was asleep. He settled down and closed his eyes falling asleep. Once Anton heard Troy’s steady breathing, he opened his eyes and laid awake thinking.