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 Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2022 5:56 pm
“No, please don’t leave,” Chad quickly requested, a momentary panic seeping into his voice, which he knew was unnecessary. Elliot wouldn’t have left him, and if he did it wouldn’t have been for very long. And yet, Chad really didn’t want to be alone, even for a moment. He knew that was a little ridiculous, since he wanted Elliot to have his privacy too. He just needed to convince his heart that it could calm down and it was okay.
His fingers fluttered anxiously across Elliot’s cheek, before they reached back enough to lightly rub at his scalp behind his ear, in the same way Elliot was running his fingers through Chad’s hair.
“Sorry,” he mumbled shortly after, because he knew he was being clingy. But there was more to distract him.
“Emancipation?” he asked, unsure what that was. Elliot said it as though it was something to consider, so it was probably a good thing for him, but he had no idea. “I don’t know what sports I’d be good at, but I would like to try. If it lets me be with you, I’ll do anything.”
Oh, that was probably a little desperate sounding. Maybe he needed to rein his emotions back in and not overwhelm Elliot with needing to hold his hand for everything.
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Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2022 6:08 pm
Elliot sighed as Chad’s fingers worked to his scalp, and it was obvious from that alone that he was content and enjoying the light touches. “I’m not leaving, don’t worry. I could always text my dad to ask if he could bring it in if you need it. But I’m here, I promise.”
He smoothed his hair again and relaxed into the chair. “It’s basically like turning eighteen except you can do it when you’re sixteen. You can separate yourself from custody of your parents if you can prove that it’s in your best interest. I did a debate on it a little while ago. Technically I was arguing against it but that’s just because that’s what I was assigned to do. So I’ve got a bunch of counter arguments planned for whatever anyone could say because I was prepared for it from my opponent. So if you wanted to lie low until then, we can do that. But if you can’t wait until then, we’ll figure something else out. And if we can do something to get your dad off your back in the meantime, we should do it. Too bad we can’t convince him to let you go on some nature adventure or something. We could go camping, I could teach you how to make a fire and fish. That’s super macho, right? We can go play some sports at the park. It doesn’t matter if you’re good or not, as long as you’re having fun. And the more you practice, the better you get.”
He sighed, and then said, “There are so many school programs and things that we could use for cover if he gets suspicious. What does he want you to do, grow up to be a cop too or something?”
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Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2022 6:19 pm
Chad frowned thoughtfully to himself. He remembered something about it now that Elliot mentioned it being for one of his debates, but Chad had been paying so close attention to Elliot and the sound of his voice that he might have missed some key points, especially from the opposing side. It was a little embarrassing that he liked to sit in on Elliot’s debates just to listen to him and to watch his expressions and maybe sketch some…
“Oh, he doesn’t like letting me do anything that might be fun,” he said with a sigh. “If he knew I was with a friend… or even considered someone my friend…”
Just the thought had him shivering with discomfort, and he had to pull his hand away from Elliot’s so he could lift the mask up and look up at him instead. He wanted to look at his face, to treasure it. He wanted to hold onto that kindness that flowed so easily from Elliot, and save it for when he was feeling low.
“I don’t know what he wants me to do,” he admitted, clearly a little flustered by not knowing what he could possibly do to make his dad happy, or at least leave him alone. Except…
“I don’t think he expects me to grow up…”
But saying it out loud twisted something inside him, and while he tried chewing on his lip again to keep it from trembling, he eventually had to turn his face against Elliot’s stomach so he could hide the tears that threatened to spring up.
“I don’t know what I did wrong. I don’t know why he hates me,” he sniffled -- oh, maybe he shouldn’t be crying against Elliot’s shirt. That was probably gross.
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Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2022 6:35 pm
Elliot readjusted positions so he could make sure that Chad was more comfortable as he laid against him. A part of him understood what Chad was saying but it seemed so extreme, so foreign, so wild that it took a few seconds to settle in.
Chad’s father wasn’t doing him any favors by being an a*****e, and if Chad wasn’t going to grow up then it would have been his father’s fault. Probably directly.
“Well, he’s going to look really stupid when you do, and when you’re more successful and better off than he could ever dream of,” Elliot said, with absolute conviction and trust in such a claim.
“I don’t know what you could have done wrong, ever. I don’t even think that it’s possible to do something so bad that he should hate you. I’ll talk to my parents some, Chad, I promise. Just have faith in me, we’ll figure something out. It’s not right that he doesn’t want you happy. You’re supposed to have friends. You’re supposed to have fun. I’ll figure it out. He’s wrong. He sounds like a jerk. Like the villain in all of those movies about high school, where there’s always some bully, and he grows up miserable and unhappy. You’re better than that, and you’re better than him, Chad. He doesn’t deserve you.”
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Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2022 6:47 pm
Chad did trust Elliot, but the thought of him talking to his parents still made Chad look fearfully up at him. He trusted Elliot, he trusted Asher and Oliver. He didn’t trust his dad, or his dad’s girlfriend, to not make everything so much worse.
“I can’t go to foster care,” he whispered, as if even saying it would mean he would be taken away. “It would be worse there, for someone like me. Grandma warned me that they would make things worse. That my dad might even do it intentionally.”
He didn’t like thinking about it. He wanted to see the good in everyone, to give them another chance, and another, and another. But how long had he been living like he was now? Relying on scraps he could find, doing little chores for people he could convince to give him a couple dollars here and there. Trying to hide from bullies who… he was not convinced his father didn’t put them up to harassing him.
And he did feel silly, because Elliot didn’t even mention foster care, but Chad knew what would happen if he said anything.
“I don’t want to risk being sent away from here. Away from you.”
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Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2022 7:32 pm
Elliot immediately frowned but wasn’t willing to let Chad get worked up or worried about it. “Then we can just make sure that you don’t. I don’t know a ton about it, but my parents do. But they’re teachers, they’ve had kids from all sorts of situations. But maybe you wouldn't even have to go into foster care. Maybe you could stay here. I think they’re supposed to try and keep you as close to normal as possible. I mean! That’s–I’d want you here, of course. We’d figure it out. I’m not going to do anything crazy, and nothing without talking to you first. I just want to make sure you’re okay. We can work out a plan, I’ll do some research. You’re my friend, I’m not gonna let someone take you away.”
He smoothed his hair. “I understand you’re worried and all. We can figure it out later. Just know that I’m here for you and you’re not alone and we’ll figure it out. I’ve got your back. Nothing’s going to change that. I’m sorry you’ve got all this stress, Chad. I’m sorry that you’ve had to deal with all of this on your own for so long! But we’ll figure it out. We’re resourceful, and smart. And you’ve got people supporting you, no matter what. You don’t have to be scared. I mean–I know you must have a lot of scary things going on, but. It’s going to be okay. I promise.”
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Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2022 7:43 pm
The only thing he knew about it was what he’d been told, and what he’d been threatened with, and what he knew could possibly happen. He was afraid of tipping the scales one way or the other too much. He didn’t want Elliot to get caught up in his mess. Didn’t want him in danger.
Maybe Devyn had somewhere he could take him. Just to hide away, and then he could come back to see Elliot. Magic made that possible, right?
Chad tried to calm himself down. He focused on how it felt to have Elliot’s fingers in his hair, and how much he liked his voice, and he nodded in agreement to Elliot’s promises. He believed him. He trusted him. How could he not, when Elliot did so much to make him feel better? To take care of him? He brought him clothing to wear and food to eat. Elliot listened to him, and comforted him, and worried about him. He made sure he was okay and took time to spend with him when he could have been with his other friends.
At one point in time, Chad looked at Elliot and saw him like a guardian angel. Out of reach, but would be there if there was trouble. Not necessarily for Chad, but whoever needed help. Elliot had always been kind. To everyone. Chad wasn’t anyone special, and he never imagined being where he was now.
But now when his heart fluttered, it wasn’t because of some school aged crush where he got to imagine all kinds of impossible situations where Elliot would swoop down with his big angel wings and carry him away. Now? He was able to look into his eyes, see the sincerity, and know how much Elliot cared.
It flustered Chad, because he didn’t know what to do with these strange new emotions. But he knew he wouldn’t survive without Elliot in his life. He knew it was clingy and probably annoying, but he’d never felt so strongly for anyone else.
“I trust you,” he said quietly. He knew he should say more, but his voice was caught in his throat.
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Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2022 7:55 pm
“Thank you,” Elliot said, with what sounded like actual gratitude. He squeezed Chad’s hand, and let their fingers lace together. They fit well–really well, actually, and Elliot admired how comfortable it was. He didn’t stop smoothing Chad’s hair and seemed adamant about comforting him in any way possible.
“I won’t let you down. I’m gonna do research on all of this and get it figured out. And in the meantime, you and I are just going to do whatever we can to make sure you’re taken care of and have a good time. You’re not going to have to worry about anything. We’ll have a good dinner, and ice cream afterwards. Maybe we can put on a movie and do some art or something. We went to the store earlier today. It wasn’t the craft store but it was this really neat thrift store. They had a whole toolbox full of bead things. There’s like, fifty bags. Some of them are really pretty, I saw it and thought of you. Some of them look really old, too. I don’t know if it’s anything you can use, but it was eight dollars, so we got it. It’s as heavy as–I don’t know, maybe three textbooks. I’ll show you when you’re feeling better. But, I was really excited about it all so I hope you will be, too.”
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Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2022 8:15 pm
Elliot’s hand was warm and comfortable in his own. He would have happily held onto his hand all night if he could, but he knew that was ridiculous. He really was afraid of being too much for Elliot, but while he could, he appreciated how close Elliot was letting him. And playing with his hair was exceptionally nice.
“You found a whole box?” Chad’s eyes couldn’t help but light up at the mention of beads. “I would love to look at them. That sounds like a lot.” He was trying to imagine what was inside, while also trying not to blush some more over Elliot thinking about him.
“I know you won’t let me down, Elliot. You’re too kind. Even if things didn’t work out, I could never blame you. You’ve always been so nice to me,” he said as he squeezed Elliot’s hand again. “Thank you for letting me rest on you like this. I would like to try all of that. The movie and art and… everything. I’m always happier when I’m with you. You make me feel better.”
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Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2022 8:24 pm
“I’m glad to hear that,” he said, still working so hard to keep his voice gentle and quiet. In his enthusiasm, he’d slipped up a few times earlier, but he seemed like he was working very hard to make up for it and not give Chad any accidental surprise outbursts.
“But things are going to work out. Maybe not how we want, perfectly, but in the end they’re going to be. Hopefully well before then, too. But no matter what the obstacles are or whatever hurdles we have to overcome, I’m going to support you. Nothing’ll come between us, and no one’s going to take you away. Anyway, Michael’s got a ton of money, I’m sure he can just bribe someone if he has to. It’ll be okay.”
He squeezed Chad’s hand and seemed hopeful that he could keep him distracted on something he was excited about, so he returned his focus to the box of beads. “But anyway, there’s a whole ton in the box, it’s definitely a lot. I was going to try and get it all cleaned up so I could show you, but maybe it’ll be more exciting if we get to go through it together the first time.
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Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2022 8:35 pm
Elliot was right. Things would work out. Maybe not how they wanted, but they would figure it out. Chad’s heart skipped a little when Elliot said nothing would come between them, and that no one would take him away. It was sweet, and he believed Elliot. He had to.
He smiled at the thought of going through the beads and gave Elliot’s hand another squeeze. “That’s really sweet of you. Thank you. I would like that very much.”
And since he was feeling better, and also because he wanted to be closer to Elliot, Chad carefully twisted a little in the seat so he could push himself up. He wrapped his arms around Elliot’s neck and shoulders and held him tightly, even though it was a little awkward to lean over him like he was.
“Thank you for always taking care of me. It means a lot.”
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