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 Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 8:33 am
Devyn was still not particularly used to hugs, but it wasn’t hard to consider that technically he’d been hugging Chad this entire walk over to Elliot’s house. So, when Chad hugged him, he gave him a little squeeze back.
“Oh, it would take me more than just the rest of this walk to tell you about him.”
They weren’t too far now, maybe only a street and a half away.
“But, he was wonderful. And he would have liked you very much. You have a lot in common, I think. He had a gentle disposition, too. But he could fight when he had to. And he liked art. Elliot kept telling us what a good artist you are. Percy was sweet. Saw the good in me when I don’t think anyone cared to look. Made me a better person. Always believed in me. Things weren’t always easy for me, but he was always there. Never doubted me. He taught me a lot of good lessons, and helped me take care of my world.”
It was hard to choose what few things he could say between now and the Reid household, because there really was so much.
He could have spent the rest of the night singing his praises and telling stories, but he supposed Chad might have better things to do. Like go see Elliot.
“Maybe you can come over some time, I’ll tell you some stories and show you his paintings. And we’ll feed you. Part of being strong is being healthy, so you’re already working in the right direction.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 9:14 am
Percy was such a sweet name. There was no way it was going to be on his list, but it was the kind of name he wished he would have had instead of something harsh like Chad. Oh, but this wasn’t about him right now. This was definitely about Devyn and Percy and how good of a person he was.
And Chad knew that it must have made Devyn very sad to lose him.
“I would like that, if that’s okay?” he said quietly, looking up at Devyn. He recognized the houses now, so he knew they were close. “I would really like to see his paintings and hear more about him. He sounds really nice. I’m glad he was there for you. I’m sorry he’s not any more.”
He couldn’t keep the tears from filling his eyes, but he did his best to blink them away. The way Devyn talked about Percy was so loving and gentle, that it was obvious how much he must have meant to him. How he still meant to him, since he wasn’t really gone as long as there were people to remember him, right?
There were also so many other questions Chad had that he couldn’t ask. Did Devyn have a space ship? What was it like living somewhere not on Earth? Could he visit? With Elliot of course, because he wanted Elliot to be with him whenever possible but, oh, that would mean Elliot knowing about Devyn, so maybe he could convince Devyn that it would be okay.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 9:55 am
“Yeah,” Devyn sighed, “Me too. I miss him every day. But I’ve got Michael, so I’m not alone. And he’s been great. Really, I don’t know where I’d be right now if he hadn’t found me.”
He turned the corner and could see Elliot’s house, and though he didn’t want Chad to know, a bit of relief flooded with him. He was glad they hadn’t had any more trouble or run into anyone else. Chad would be safe, soon. Oliver and Asher would make sure he was fed and give him a ride home.
Devyn rubbed his back as he carried him.
His arms were less sore than they would have been if he’d tried this a month ago, two months ago.
It was a good sign. He was getting stronger.
Any soreness or pain he felt now was directly related to the Corrupted Senshi, and he wasn’t going to let him slow him down.
“He’s probably worried. I’ll drop you off and then go check on him. He’s pretty sweet, too. I told him I was going to go check on you, but he worries that I’ll get hurt. He fusses over me more than I fuss over myself, it’s cute. So I have to get stronger so he can’t worry so much. He’s going to give himself a stomach ache one of these days. But he’ll be glad to hear that you’re safe, that’s the most important thing. He’s asked about you, he worries about you, too.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 10:04 am
Chad nodded to show Devyn he understood. And he was sure Michael was as sweet as Devyn said he was, he was just… a little more reserved than even Asher. He’d only been around him once before, but Michael seemed like he was uncomfortable around him, which wasn’t all that surprising since he made people uncomfortable in one way or another.
“I was told it’s wrong for boys to fall in love with other boys. That it was evil,” he said softly, his cheeks burning red as he spoke, and he quickly shook his head to try and make it clear that he didn’t mean to leave it as just that.
“Elliot told me that’s not true, and I met Elliot’s parents, and know how much they love him and each other, and there’s nothing wrong with them. They’re good people and kinder than most adults I’ve spoken to. And knowing that you were married as well I…”
He paused. Chad knew how he felt but he wasn’t sure how to say it. Part of him wasn’t really sure why he was saying it, except that he felt as though Devyn needed to know that he trusted him and believed in him and thought he was good and wonderful.
“I’ve met so many nice people that… I don’t know what I’ve believed that was really a lie.”
His eyes burned, but he ignored it and swallowed down as much of his emotions as he could and took a shaky breath.
“What I mean to say is… thank you for being honest with me. I promise your secrets are safe. And please let Michael know I appreciate him thinking about me. I’ll work on becoming healthier so I can be stronger and more useful.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 10:13 am
Devyn smiled softly because he knew Chad was trying so hard. He knew he was being honest. And, it warmed his heart.
“I know. You’re doing a good job. I’m proud of you. And, I’m sorry that anyone tried to tell you that falling in love is evil. If I hadn’t met Perce, I don’t think I’d have fallen in love at all. He was just the perfect person, at the right place at the right time. I never really thought about the possibility of there being anyone else. Love wasn’t something that ever occurred to me until I met him.”
And it hadn’t been something he’d really thought about since he was gone. It was like the idea simply left his mind before and after Percy.
For someone to dictate that loving another person was wrong didn’t make sense to him. But then, people liked to control others for no other reason than to do it.
“You’re young. You’ve got other people telling you what life is, and what’s right and wrong. You’re still growing up. One day, the whole world is going to open up and it’ll be just you there making decisions. You, and whoever you want to be around you. Not who you’re stuck with by whatever law decides. It’s very different here. Back home you could just run away and that was that. I suppose there were times when you could get the court involved. But,” he shrugged now, and supposed it wasn’t really important to get into. He couldn't explain his whole world between here and the next four houses he had to pass to get to Elliot’s.
“You’re a smart kid, Chad. I don’t want to lie to you. I trust you, and you seem honest. And you understand why it’s important that nobody else knows who I am. If anyone found out, Michael could be in trouble. You could be in trouble. Elliot, and Asher, and Oliver. I have to be more careful, I don’t want to make your lives harder. I’m grateful to have met all of you. I want you taken care of.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 10:26 am
“I wish I could run away,” Chad mumbled quietly. “I’ve thought about it, but… I didn’t have anywhere to go until, well… Elliot. And you too, now. Oh… I mean, if that was okay. I wouldn’t want to impose.”
It was complicated. He wanted desperately to be away from his home and father, but it was always worse for him if he did end up staying later somewhere.
“I think I can walk from here, if you don’t want to take me to the door,” he said after a moment, because he didn’t want Devyn to have to keep carrying him if he didn’t want to. Oh, and what if Elliot thought he was hurt? He didn’t want him to think that.
He didn’t think he was as smart as Devyn did, but he appreciated how kind Devyn and Michael and the Reids were to him. Just a few weeks ago he was digging through dumpsters for some food, knowing that the lunches he would be given would be practically inedible.
“I know it’s probably not my place to say, but… I think Percy must have been so happy to have met you. I’m happy I got to meet you, Devyn. I’ll protect your secret so I can protect everyone else, too.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 10:48 am
Devyn understood that there were a lot of reasons for Chad to want to be put down, but now that it seemed less like he thought he should be on the ground because he was some sort of burden, Devyn carefully set him down. He made sure he was on his feet and kept a light hand on his shoulder just to make sure he could hold his own weight before he finally stood up straight and kept walking.
“It’s a very nice thing for you to say, thank you. And I appreciate your secrecy.”
He squeezed his shoulder–gently, because he didn’t know how hurt he might have been underneath, but because he couldn’t easily just give him another hug to express gratitude.
Devyn was not a hugger, but Percy had been. Chad was.
He understood what a hug could mean.
“If you ever need to run away, we’ll figure something out. I don’t always know what the rules are around here, but I know you’ve got a lot of people who care about you and want to help. You’re not an imposition. So if you need anything, just let one of us know. It wasn’t easy for me when I was a kid. I ran away all the time, to be honest. Even if I had to go home, I always got a meal out of it first. I’ll walk you up to the door. Oh, here. Let me fix your hair real quick.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 10:55 am
Chad held onto Devyn’s arm to make sure he was steady before letting go, although he was grateful that Devyn seemed to have the same idea of keeping him upright.
It was good to know that he could run away if he had to. He thought about it a lot, but never had the resources he would need to survive. He was only thirteen, and barely knew… anything.
But he did perk up a little at the offer to help fix his hair, and he quickly put his pen into his pocket so he could brush his fingers through the strands really quick so Devyn had less knots to work with.
“Thank you,” he smiled, even if his eyes were still a bit puffy and red from crying. He wanted to make sure he made a good impression on the Reids, especially since he was showing up unannounced. “I won’t tell them I ran into trouble and needed help,” he offered, because that would help in keeping Devyn’s secret, right? He would just come up with something else to be upset about, probably.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 11:04 am
Devyn smiled appreciatively and as soon as Chad’s hands were out of his hair, he picked up where he’d left off. It seemed like he must have had some sort of skill in detangling and fixing messy hair because he managed to smooth Chad’s hair out without tugging or pulling. It took him less than a moment to style his hair into something much more presentable, and then he placed his hand on Chad’s back as they walked for extra support.
“Maybe you can tell them that you just had a bad day and needed to be around people who cared about you. Or, I can ask if you can stay for dinner. I’ll walk you up to the front door, you don’t have to go alone. And if they’re busy,” and he knew they wouldn’t be, but he just wanted to make sure Chad wouldn’t worry, “Maybe Elliot can come over and we’ll have dinner back home.”
He certainly made enough food to feed four people, and he could make more for himself if he was still hungry, later. “It’ll be okay,” he reassured, because he needed Chad to know that it was be okay. He didn’t want him to have to worry about anything. “And, you look very handsome. Your eyes are a little red, you might be able to borrow their bathroom and splash some water on your face. I know they’ll take care of you, though. They care a lot about you.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 11:15 am
There was a weight lifted from his shoulders as relief replaced some of his worry. Chad hadn’t been sure what to do, or if he would have the courage to actually knock on the door, but knowing that Devyn would be there to help him made him feel a lot better.
And the offer to have him and Elliot over for dinner was so kind that Chad was pretty sure his eyes were going to start watering again.
“Thank you, Devyn. Yeah, I’ll try to do that. That’s a good idea,” he agreed to the suggestion about splashing some water on his face, holding his hands up to rub at his face once-- oh, he probably should stop rubbing because that would make it worse.
“I know,” he said with a small smile as they made their way in front of Elliot’s house. “I care a lot about them, too.”
As always, Chad waved to the little garden gnome as they passed, although it was the floodlight coming on that made him jump a little, followed by an awkward laugh because it was only a light.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 11:30 am
Devyn just smiled reassuringly, even though he had absolutely no idea what Chad was waving to. It was odd, but not so much that he thought he should stop and ask Chad about it. Maybe next time. Or, he’d ask Michael.
He stood quietly on the doorstep and gave Chad to settle himself. “You’ve got this,” he reassured, and when he was sure that Chad was ready, he knocked on the door.
“I’ve got it!” Elliot called, enthusiastic but muffled from inside.
“There’s chicken all over your hands, Elliot–go wash them, first. I’ll get it,” Oliver said, and probably had to race Elliot to the door. It was better that he answer it, anyway; it was starting to get late and they weren’t used to visitors.
Oliver was clearly looking a little anxious when he answered; he’d drawn himself up to his full height and sucked in a breath, and–
Completely released it once he realized who was on his doorstep. He was surprised, but this wasn’t the police coming to knock on his door, or some neighbor who had just had an emergency, or some burglar there to rob them. “Devyn, Chad,” he greeted warmly–albeit, a little confused.
“What are you two doing, is everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine. Chad and I were just hanging out at the park, but we got to talking about Elliot and were thinking, if it’s not too much trouble, could Chad visit for a while?”
“Oh, of course.” Oliver seemed all too eager to invite him in and moved aside to welcome him. “We’re just making breaded chicken for dinner. If you want to help, there’s room in the kitchen. But between you and I, I think Elliot’s having too much fun playing with the chicken right now, so I wouldn’t mind if you two wanted to go watch a movie or play a game or something. Just you, Chad?”
“If it’s all right,” Devyn answered. “I should finish dinner for Michael and I.”
“Oh, of course. But you two are more than welcome to come over for dinner some time, maybe all of us can get together. Come on in, Chad,” he said, and opened his arms for a hug because he didn’t have to look at Chad for very long to imagine he could use a few.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 11:42 am
Chad felt his heart skip a few beats at the sound of Elliot’s voice inside the house, but was just as happy to see Oliver. He was grateful to Devyn, of course, and took a moment to check his pocket to make sure his pen was still there. It was. Good, he would need it to send Devyn a few messages later.
Not wasting any time, Chad entered the house so he could wrap his arms around Oliver’s waist and bury his face against him. Oh, but he pulled back enough to see Devyn one more time.
“Thank you. I’ll talk to you later,” he promised. Maybe they could actually spend time together without there being any trouble.
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