read_write42

Title: dashing fears
Author: read_write42
Prompt: National Treasure (movies), ben/Riley, “At least I had your mother, for however brief a time. At least I had you. What do you have? Him?” Ben hesitated before admitting, “Yeah. Yeah, I do. And we’re very happy together if you care to know.”
Fanfic or Fanart: Fanfic
Rating/category: PG13 (for safety)/slash
spoilers: the first half of the movie maybe
summary: Riley insecure about his relationship with Ben that is until Ben makes his stance in front of his father and in front of Abigail
P.S. this entry has been edited a bit seeing as I realized that my more current one had not been uploaded properly

Riley had always been a bit insecure about his place in Ben's life. After all, how could he compete with the mind that held historical information that as far as he knew held no limit? He was just a computer geek who just so happened to not mind following the crazy conspirator. It didn't help that bens father seemed to hate him. He would never tell Ben but he was sure that it was some combination of him being male, giving up his good paying 9 to 5 job to go chasing after treasure maps, or that he didn't know even half what Ben did about history.

Riley really couldn't blame him about that though no one had ever wanted him long term and in many ways, he was waiting for Ben to get rid of him or change their relationship once again. Truthfully he didn't know which one he would prefer but he also knew that he probably not get a choice in the outcome when this eventually came to pass.

That's why he really wasn't expecting anything from Ben. But that all changed that night they stole the Declaration of Independence.

They had wound up on daddy gates front step when the older man let them in. Riley was trying not to let the comment from either Gates men bother him too much. so he was sleeping with Ben and his father automatically assumed that Abigal was pregnant, ahh don't you love when people do that. Riley tried and failed to not listen to the scathing remarks that Bens dad made at him.

He chose to follow Ben out of his office job. his nine to five office job in the basement of some office building he hated with a passion. not only because of his co-workers but he was so boarded out of his mind he was making things up in his head just to waste time. So during his break time, Riley posted to a board about someone trying to find a lost boat in the middle of the artic. it was just too good not to reply to. So when three days later talk dark and handsome walks in and completely takes over his life, not that Ben had to twist his arm or anything because all the guy had to say was a treasure hunt, dangerous and will you come for Riley to walk out of his job and into the unknown. Not once in the months, or was it years now, did Riley regret following Ben. The fact that Ben kissed him within about 5 minutes of them leaving also did nothing to stop him. Ben had turned scarlet trying to apologize only to be pulled down and have Riley meet him halfway. That had been the beginning and the end of that discussion. But then again Riley had never been afraid to take what he wanted when it was offered to him.

But now hearing "At least I had your mother, for however brief a time. At least I had you. What do you have? Him?” it tore at him. Had he messed Bens life up so much that he would leave him? He hoped not, Ben could deny their relationship for all he cared just not see that guilt and hurt that lay in his dark eyes and as long as Ben came home with him once more. Though at this point Ben could have walked away from him and broken his heart and he would have still followed that man anywhere. But then Ben did something that shocked not only Riley but the whole room.

Even though Ben had hesitated his voice came out clear and strong. "Yeah. Yeah, I do. And we’re very happy together if you care to know.”

You could have heard a pin drop in the room after that. Riley was doing an amazing impression of a strawberry. Abigail's mouth looked like a fish as she looked between Ben and Riley. The elder gates looked shocked at this and was trying to make sense of what just came out of his son's mouth. Ben, on the other hand, rolled his eyes. Because to him, this should be obvious to anyone that he was with Riley.

"Can we get on with this?" He asked the room as a whole though it was his father he was withing for an answer for.

Time flashed as the found what they were looking for and found the treasure and Ian went to jail and it was after all that was done and over with that Ben did what he was dying to do since he had told the others about who Riley truly was.

Wrapping the smaller man up in ins arms he did the only thing he could think of and kissed Riley till the shorter man had to push him off to catch his breath.

"What was that for?" Riley said panting but not moving out of his arms. He was glad that no one else was around and they were back at Bens house. this was the one place he felt safest, her in this house with Ben wrapped in the elder's arms.

"With everything going on I haven't been able to do that in days."

"You kissed me before the heist and then again before we entered the tombs and then after we found the treasure," Riley remarked

"You forgot I kissed you after we were released from the FBI and I'm pretty sure everyone saw that one," Ben said smirking.

Riley sighed "what am I going to do with you?" he said mock exasperation but with a whole lot of fondness in his voice.

"hmmm....." Ben hummed looking into blue eyes that he had fallen for moments after meeting him the first time. maybe that's why he had kissed Riley moments after meeting him but considering that the man followed him willingly and returned his feelings he had yet been disappointed in his chosen one.

"I love you" Riley blurted out turning scarlet at his admission.

"Then I am a truly lucky man. For I love you very much as well." Ben said smiling but it softened when he saw a pure joy that it brought his partners face.

riley couldn't help but kiss Ben back for everything he was. this while not the beginning of their story was definitely a new chapter for their lives.

Years later Ben finds Riley sitting in their living room. Bens hair has grey intermixed with it and Riley where his glasses now more times than not. they have had adventures. saved priceless artifacts more than once. and had more than one call from the FBI about something or another that has them running around the country for weeks or months. Neither minds those adventures but it might be time to change the chapter once more soon. Riley is currently working on his 15th book of a series based loosely on them through he never explicitly says the two main characters are together the fact that females never last long in his books was probably his biggest indicator.

Ben leans down to kiss his temple. years of learning has taught him not to mess with Riley when he was typing.

"I'm thinking of ending the series soon."

"really" disbelieving Riley had said that several times throughout his books but he never stayed with it.

"Yeah, I'm thinking of ending it in the next book them have one last here then go on to something else."

"please don't tell me you're ending it by killing off one of the main characters."

"why would I do that?" Riley said confused. "no I was thinking about answering the question that all the fan sites seem to want to know are they together or not."

Ben blinked. and how are you going to do that"

"I'm going back to the beginning where one saves the other and like any good "damsel" in distress, he is going to kiss his best friend. therefore saving him."

"doesn't sound so real life."

'that's where your wrong you don't know it but that day in the office you saved me. In your dad's house, he took all my fears that I was trapping you away and when you said I love you back you rescued my heart from breaking. you, Ben Gates, saved my life I think its only fitting that my character in the books saves yours."

Ben who had been smiling like a fool while Riley talked falling even more in love with him as he did so sputter at the last thing.

"I thought I was the dashing hero."

"you are but your mine so thus in the books, I have to save you."

Ben pouted and all Riley could do was laugh. never would he have thought that one person would mean so much to him but he was so glad that he had taken that hand that Ben had offered and volatility went on a journey that started years ago but was still writing itself every day.

Title: Who would have thought
Author: read_write42
Prompt: alphas, Gary/Cameron, they're worlds apart but it works.
Fanfic or Fanart: fanfic
Rating/Category: PG13/Slash
Spoilers: information found throughout both seasons up to and including season 2 final
Summary: Truthfully no one saw this coming. or maybe no one had wanted to see it. It depended on who you asked that you got your answer. If the two that were involved were completely honestly neither one was expecting to wind up in a relationship with one another. Not that the two of them were complaining of course, far from it actually. It was several months into their relationship before the others found out about them it was by complete chance that they did too.

A/N: I just thought I would do something cute for these two.

-----

It was a normal day for Dr. Rosen and the others to come in. after the shock wave that luckily did not kill anyone but seriously messed with a lot of people minds. the five alphas and the doctor were getting their feet finally back underneath them.

It had taken months for it to happen but that was expected with having only Gary not be affected by the shock wave that had taken the rest of them out. Within that time, a lot of things had happened.

The first one was that the government tried once again to gain control over the so-called Alphas, which thinking about it should have been easy with only Gary being awake then but surprisingly or maybe not the young man gave nothing away, what would have been a shock was if his coworkers had heard what he had said to them that day making a few of them question their morals and that of what they were doing.

The second was the dynamic in their lives changed. Nina started to connect with people more. Cameron and his ex finally worked out a plan that worked for them. Rachel started to live her life and stopped fearing her gift. Bill and his family started to make time for one another. Even Dr. Rosen started to find time for himself and refinding his identity that did not have to revolve around the other five. Lastly Gary and his mother had sat down and talked about all the things they needed too change including involving her need to stop focusing on him only and his need to finding a normalcy now that life once again was changing for him and while it was difficult for both of them they were slowly making it happen and allowing the other to have a life outside of each other, something that they had both needed for a while but neither of them had been ready for until recently.

The last thing that they all knew had change majorly was their dynamic had changed. Who they wanted to be with and who they trusted with certain things changed. Though no one truly realized this until one day when they were faced with one of the biggest changes.

But like with some changes in our lives this was not big or showy or even that groundbreaking, okay well that last one might be mainly to do with the people involved but noting that was earth-shattering.

They had been fairly busy lately so on their first day free in a long time the six of them had decided to eat out. It was not unusual for one or more of them to get detracted and today was not any different.

Gary was distracted because the wiring for the TV was off making the picture and sound different from one another by about 34 seconds, according to Gary. Nina was trying to have a conversation with the guy at the next table without leaving the others behind and Rachel was trying not to overhear an older couple arguing outside. In truth it could have gone a lot worse Dr. Rosen sighed as he watched the two older men talk about the world cup game that had to happen just the night before.

He had seen the change in dynamics over the last few months. The group as a whole seemed to stop wanting to fight for control and seemed more at ease of who not only they themselves were but who the others were and who they were becoming. They had all grown in different ways since the shock wave and from what he could see they were all, while not the best direction, headed in a direction they needed too.

They were almost done with lunch and trying to figure out what to do when four of them caught an exchange that none of them had seen coming.

Without thinking Cameron had gently laid a hand on top of Gary's. While this was not odd, though sometimes one had to air on the side of caution when it came to touching Gary, it was how the other man acted.

Instead of sliding his hand from the others he stopped taping his fingers of that hand and looked at Cam.

“Gary its time to go.” The older man said softly having caught the others attention. “You ready to go?” he asked making sure there was nothing the other man needed.

He shook his head but made no move to get up from his spot. Cam on the other hand just smiled and leaned over and let his lips gently touch the other's temple causing the smallest of smiles to appear on the shorter man's face. It was only then that both men moved. Neither noticing the others watching as they let go of one another and made their way back to the car Cameron asking a question to something Gary said causing the taller Cam to sigh and shake his head as he led the other out.

It was only the tingling of the bell and slamming of the door that causes the three alphas to turn to their mentor. All Dr. Rosen could do is shake his head. “I will talk to the two of them later and find out what, if anything, is going on.”

Cameron was not stupid he knew that the others had seen what he had done to Gary. Unfortunately, he could not change how he reacted when they left a restaurant. It had taken him weeks for him to get this far with Gary and he was not about to lose him just because of the others. Also, it would confuse Gary more if he hadn't kissed him and the kid, though he really shouldn't call him that, had enough issues he was dealing with. He knew to go in that it would be a test of will, courage, and patience to hold onto this relationship but he had learned from his ex what not to do and Gary had a way of making the things that he found easy a brand new challenge and things he found hard way more easy than anything else.

Gary was looking elsewhere as the two waited for the others to exit when the young man spoke up for the first time since they sat down to eat.

“Their going to ask us questions aren't they?” the tone was soft but confused.

“Yeah they will,” he responded not taking his eyes off the other man he wished to grab his hand and pull him to him but that could go one of two ways and neither one of them very good.

“But what if they ask questions we don't know the answer too?”

“Then we tell them we are still working things out” there was silence from the younger man. “Gary we will figure things out. Somethings might just take us longer than others.” it was only in the window of a passing car that he caught the look of confusion and unsure on the others face. “Gary each relationship is different we are no exception to that rule.” Cameron moved around Gary not touching him until he was in front of him. “trust me on this, yeah it's quite a bit different than some of my other relationships but that does not make our any less valid. Does that make sense to you?

Gary shook his head. “I don't really understand.” Cameron bit his lip in any ways he wished he had told the others about the two of them earlier because at times they could get through to Gary easier then he could but at other times he was glad he hadn't because it made them both stop and thing and work through it. Sure they were often times going in completely different directions and often came up with different answers but often times they were able to make a compromise. Sometimes it was easy like getting a pizza and other times it was harder like trying to fit time in their already compact scheduled for what they have.

The others came out then stopping their conversation and got more looks. He was sure by the end of the day he was going to have at least four you better treat him right speeches and what are your intentions. He sighed as the six of them left in the van they had come in. he was unsure if it was by luck or by manipulation that he ended up in the back seat next to Rachel not that it was unusual or anything considering Gary always sat up front with the good Doctor. But in a way, he was glad bill couldn't glare at him and Nina could not integrate him about what had just happened.

He was glad because it gave him time to think about what he was most likely going to be asked and have to talk about when they got back to the office. What did he have to say? In many ways, he was just as confused if not more so then the others and he was one of the people involved. He had no idea what that meant or where this will go or if he would spend the rest of his life in what he had now and he didn't know how he felt about it. Sure right now it was nice they were moving slow and getting to know the other but he knew that this might be as far as Gary would ever let him into his world and this might be as far as he lets Gary into his. But was that it was this all it would be. He had to wonder the flashing of lights distracted him and he sighed glad it did before his mind wandered too far off. The truth has he had no idea where they were headed and yeah they lived in different worlds but that was okay he realized casting sight of the back of Gary's head. Yeah, it was okay because somehow the other male had captured his heart in a way that not even his ex had done.

It was just a few moments later that they stopped at the office and they all road up in silence. Cameron in worldly sighed but stepped up beside Gary nothing less and let their shoulders brush. This he had been doing since they had met and it was one of the few actions Gary allowed to him from the starting gate. Considering the twitch of his lips he was sure that Gary got the message that no matter what he would stay by his side.

Gary couldn't help but smile to the world ran differently in his brain than others not just because he could watch or read whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. He knew the others didn't realize that he had a constant flood of information running through his brain at all times day and night. He couldn't just turn it on or off like bill. No, he was more like Rachel with the ability to turn it up or down but unlike her, he barely had to think about it in order for his data to come up. In the last couple of mothers, he had learned to not always speak his mind but that didn't mean he had much control still on it. He was working on it just as Dr. Rosen wanted him to. But Dr. Rosen had also said to let people in. for them to see his world and at the same time try and see theirs. That was harder when his brain was constantly fighting itself to do that but he had been trying. Maybe that was why it had been easy with the others was because they allowed him to live in his world but also tried to get him to come out. This he knew was why he chose Cam out of all those he had touched worlds with Cams was the calmest. Cam saw his potential like Dr. Rosen, he saw his heart like Rachel did, he had no problems with him just saying things sorta like Nina, and he was like Bill with being honest and treating him like those around him with the same consideration. But Cam was different too, he allowed Gary to be himself but he also wanted Gary to give as much as he could and to toe what he was comfortable with and to speak up when it was too much. Cam was the one that made Gary want to expand his world to and to see his world. These were too concepts still new to the young man, but he was trying and he knew that Cam knew he was trying.

Surprisingly the others just walked away from the two men when they got to the floor. Both men took what they were given because they both knew that they were not going to get it for long.

It was almost the end of the day when Cam got a knock on the door. Dr. Rosen was there looking at him contemplating. Cam sighed out loud knowing what this was. He realized as the other man came he had been doing a lot of sighing at he had no idea of how he should feel about that.

Dr. Rosen opened his mouth to talk when someone else came in without knocking. The only one to do that was Nina or well Gary he thought as the younger man sat down on the couch looking outside letting his fingers take him somewhere else yet still be in the room. Gary must have known this was coming and had been waiting but Dr. Rosen blinked and the others where there too when did that happen. He hadn't realized he had said it out loud until Gary spoke up

“I've been in here since 3:14 since that's the time you start doing the rounds for asking how we each are doing for the day. You and the others want to know about earlier. No one wants to ask me what I think so you were all going to ask Cam. The others wanted to know too and so they were waiting until you asked him.” the young man said not looking away from the building next door. They all looked at him with different expressions. “ it's not nice to stare. It is also not nice to talk about someone else when they are not in the room unless it's about a surprise party or you want to find something for a present then its okay.”

“you right Gary you as much as part of this conversation as Cam” the doctor sighed sometimes the boy was too smart and remembered things at the most inopportune time but in this case Gary was right. He really should try to have talked to them both. Then he was confused if Gary had been here since a little after three then how come no one notice.

“how come we don't know he comes in here bill asked Nina who shrugged causing Cam to laugh and Gary to twitch his lips

“Gary's been doing this since not long after I started here. He likes it here in the afternoon.”

“it is less noisy than mine 5 weeks after Cameron joined the people upstairs moved away and the people that live there now are very noisy after 2:53. it's quieter here after then. I like my office better but for3 hours and 11 minutes I can work in here and I asked Cameron before I did it he said yes.

“figured it was better than having him wonder for a few hours plus he is usually pretty quiet and when he does talk its usually fairly entertaining” Cam said. “so are you going to get the interrogation on or are you all going to stare at us,” he said cocking his head to the side.

Rosen sighed he better get this on with. “Are you to together?” he asked

“What do you think?” was his response causing the good doctor to wonder if this was a good idea or not because he saw both men were on the defense. It was then that he realized he might have been doing this wrong. Neither men liked being a question and considering they hadn't told any of the others they might not have been ready for them to find out about them. He had to wonder when this all started and how it did. Maybe he should try a different tactic after all both men could make his head spin if they truly wanted to and he had no idea what they could do if they were to work together. This relationship might be very good or very bad. But before Rosen could respond Nina barged in

“we saw what Cam did at the dinner now we want to know why” the response came from an unexpected source though it really should not have been.

“he always does that when we go out to eat.” it was an honest answer from the younger man. Rachel was the one to move closer to him and ask

“Have you two done this often?”

“The second Tuesday and the fourth Thursday we go out to eat,” Gary said.

The room was silent. So Cam spoke up. “in the simplest of terms we have been dating. In long-winded terms, we are still trying to figure out everything between us. I really don't think you need to know every little thing about Gary and I. But here are the things you might want to know. Yes, his mother does know about us. No, I have not pushed him into this. He actually wondered about us and I had to think about it. Truthfully we have officially been together about 2 and a half months but thinking back we probably had been heading this where for over a year, we just never saw it. As for me, I happen to like where we are right now. We might have differences but we are working on them none the less. How far we have gone that one is easy you saw that today. Is there anything else?”

bill was the one to speak up. “what are your intentions? What do you get out of this” Cam smirked at this he had expected.

“what I get out of this is having someone the lets me be myself and no one else. I get to know someone who sees the world differently then I do and lets me catch glimpse of it. What I get is someone who is smart and funny and themselves and they don't expect anything from me that I'm not willing to give. Our relationship might be going slow but that does not make it any less real. As for my intentions, it is whatever Gary is willing to give to me” Cam had said not realizing he had stood up and was practically yelling at the others. What the others saw next shocked them more than the kiss earlier. Cam caught sight of Gary trying and failing not to cringe back. Cam hated yelling and Gary hated people yelling even more so. Cam took a breath calming down and slowly made his way to Gary

“Gary I'm sorry he said sitting beside him angry in turned pressed his forehead to Cam's chest after a moment and barely flinched as Cam brushed a hand through his hair. “sorry” he muttered again knowing he should have warned Gary about where he was going to touch. He knew Gary had locked himself into his brain again and with luck, he would be back soon but until then he had to let Gary make all the choices. He turned a glare at the others a gestured them out.

It was as Rosen closed the door that he caught Gary griping on to Cameron's arm. He had to smile because this, this is what he was looking for. He was hoping that with this relationship that Gary and Cameron both were letting someone in. But this was more then he thought they were allowing the other to stay in their world. The one they knew and had found peace and confidence in but they were letting the walls down just a bit more then they had done with anyone else. Yes, they thrived in different worlds but two worlds were colliding slowly and maybe one day with help from their loved ones two worlds could exist in one reality and make two very different men happy. Seeing the two together right then was all Dr. Rosen need to know that the two men were without a doubt good for one another. Because for some odd reason the might live in two different worlds but it worked somehow. And this was one mystery Dr. Rosen did not want to find the answer for not because he was afraid of what he would find that because if he did he was afraid he would ruin whatever they had.

Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: rain storm

Your Name: read_write42
Prompt: static shock (cartoon) Virgil/Richie & Robert, Virgil comes out to his dad
Fanfic or Fanart: fanfic

AN: I don't know why but I always thought that if Virgil came out to his dad his dad would be super cool with it but also remind him of the rules that he had come up when he was younger that involved him having a significant other. Also, I always imagine that Richie had lighter colored then Virgil even though I know that Richie has black eyes in the show so there for lighter eyes exists in this fan-fiction

Virgil couldn't help but smile when he heard a knock on his door. A moment later a voice entered his room.

“Hey, Virgil hows it going man.” Virgil best friend and something more for not very long said.

“Not much,” Virgil said not looking up from his computer that he was currently looking at.

Richie didn't need an invitation as he looked over Virgil's shoulder to see what his other half was looking at. He snorted as he saw that he was watching a 5-minute completion of funny animal videos. He shrugged letting his boyfriend finish up what he was doing so he went over and laid down on the dark blue blanket. He didn't know how long he had closed his eyes but he felt it when Virgil joined him on the bed.

Virgil hated being ignored by Richie something the blond revealed in and used to his advantage because in the three weeks they've been together it led to the progression through it had taken to lay down that Virgil did, in fact, have permission to kiss him almost anytime they were in previous. It wasn't like either one was ashamed of what they had but neither one liked PDA.

Actually, they had one thing to do before they really could come out to the city. Robert needed to know and both boys respected the man enough to want to tell him and not have said man learn through the rumor mill.

But today there were no lips on the blonds which actually caused the teen to open his eyes and turn his head towards his partner. Virgil was just looking at him in a mixture of emotions. His expression was soft, concerned, confused and contemplation which told Richie that he was sorting through his thoughts about something that involved him or them. He was unsure which it was but considering that Virgils emotions were in a tornado and probably just as destructive, in his mind Richie knew he had to draw the other boy out before he destroyed something, what that was he was unsure but would more than likely cause more problems for the two of than then what any super villain could do.

Richie let a small gentle smile grace his face. Shifting so his body facing the other he gently touched his hand to the side of his boyfriends face causing Virgil to look at the light colored eyes. Without hesitation, Richie moved to his lips gently touched the dark-eyed boy's lips it took a moment for him to respond but he did just as gentle. Pulling back they let their foreheads pressed against the other for a long moment.

It was only after a sigh left the dark-haired boys mouth that Richie felt the others hand lay on his a gentle pull made his move and let Virgil maneuver their hands until they were interlocked. Richie had to move a bit to a more comfortable position that involved him on his back and Virgil curled up against him with his head on his shoulder. Richie held their clasp hands in the air and he smiled as he saw the differences between his and Virgils reminding him exactly who he was with and that his heart had not been broken by his best friend. In fact, his heart had been save by said boy. He sighed letting their hands move to his chest as he let his other hand weave into dreadlocks.

The two of them had been best friends for a while now and with the change in their relationship, they were still trying to figure out exactly where they stood and how much they wanted to change their dynamic. But this part just lying together seemed to come almost without consciousness or effort.

The two lied there in silence for long moments neither wanting to move nor talk nor to change the atmosphere that was shifting around the two.

Finally, Richie sighed “Are you going to tell me whats going on?”

Virgil was silent until “Nothing really just thinking about what I'm exactly going to tell my dad about us.”

Richie was confused before it hit him before either really realized what was going on Richie had twisted and hovered over Virgil. “What do you mean?” his expression turned to one of hurt. “Are you backing out?” worry and accusation colored his voice.

“What” indignation then a change in tone occurred as he finished “No I'm just trying to....” Virgil bit his lip stopping him from saying what was going through his mind.

“Babe you know that your dad loves you. At the very least likes me. And you know how he reacts to the news about any type of discrimination. You also know his point of view on same-sex relationships. He won't be upset not like so many of people are. In fact, he probably will have our backs faster than anyone else ever will.”

“I know its just I'm scared you know,” Virgil said letting his hand clench at Richie's shirt

Richie nodded he knew that that and he did too at one point but he also had faith in the older man that he wouldn't turn his back on his only son.

Virgil sighed and nodded before baring his face in Richie's chest. It was rare that Virgil was this shy or scared that he sought comfort from Richie. Richie had noticed it was becoming a more common occurrence as of late. Richie hoped that the reason was that his boyfriend was just trusting him more to see him like this and not that everything was falling apart for him.

So Richie did the only thing he could do and that was wrapped his arms around the other and hold him as Virgil worked through whatever he was trying to work through in his head.

Somehow though neither really realized it the two boys had fallen asleep curled around one another. Virgil smiled sleepily as he woke up to Richie poking him in the side.

Yawning Virgil sat up and turned to his alarm clock with the numbers blaring 5:55 at him. Shit he thought, his dad was most likely home already which was both good and bad. Virgil looked over at the blond who just smiled at him as he adjusted his glasses.

“Ready Virg?”

for the first time, Virgil felt calm because he realized that no matter what Richie was going to be beside him the whole way.

“Yeah as ready as I can be,” Virgil said only to have a hand wrap around his and squeeze in reassurance.

“Come on then let's get it over with.”

Virgil nodded as his other half took him from the room by his hand this had always been the case for them grabbing and pulling the other after them but it was only a few months before their relationship started that the did so by hands instead of wrists or arms.

Before they had made it to the kitchen they heard moving around from the room. Letting go of each other the two boys walked into the room to see Robert with his hand rummaging in the spice cupboard for something.

“Need help dad?” Virgil asked causing his father to turn to the two boys. He smiled and shook his head right before he pulled out the crushed rosemary.

“No, I was just getting ready to start on dinner. With your sister out with friends this weekend I thought I would try a few dishes.”

Virgil walked over to the cookbook and say the page up rosemary and lemon chicken. “Did you know what you want with it?” he asked

“No, but you two could help.”

“No problem” both boys responded causing the older man to smile.

Richie decided to help with the prep of a salad. Okay so sue him he couldn't be trusted with electrical appliances or cooking of any kind, he either gave it raw or he burned it to smithereens. He thought it was highly unfair considering Virgil was the one with electrical powers.

Virgil, on the other hand, decided to do one of the few dishes he knew how to do from memory a cinnamon and sugar sweet potato dish that his mother had used to make and somehow Virgil was the only one in the house that could make it come out good. Not that Robert would ever tell his late wife but his sons were about a million times better but that might have more to do with hers always ended up burned more than anything else. Robert still didn't know where the boy got his cooking skills from but they certainly weren't from either of his parents

Without thinking about it Virgil also ended up doing the latter half of the chicken and salad as well. Well was probably for the better, all things considering, with two people that probably should never be allowed in the kitchen unsupervised for longer than a few minutes. But then again there was the time Virgil walked in on Richie covered in flour and how he got that way he will never know and Richie was defiantly never telling him.

As Virgil put the timer on he turned to his dad who was washing off the counters.

“Um, dad there's actually something I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Okay,” his father said not stopping what he was doing but his posture changed to show he was listening.

“Um...” he ran a hand through his hair in nervousness but a look from Richie was all he needed to get the courage up and speak up. Swallowing he opened his mouth

“I'm not straight dad.” Virgil finally got out.

His dad froze. He turned and looked confused

“Your gay?” He asked but they all knew or well in Virgil's case realized he said it trying to clarify.

“Not exactly I still like girls sometimes but I sometimes like boys. I'm not sure what makes me like them but I know I don't like every person I meet but I don't seem to mind what gender they are.”

Robert blinked for a moment. Then straitened putting down his wash rag and walked over to his son he placed his hand on his shoulder.

“Okay”

“Okay?”

“What did you expect from me, Virgil? Yes, it is fine by me that you like whoever you like as long as they treat you well you know I will support you.” vigil couldn't help but smile and then hug his dad. Robert was shocked at his son but hugged him back.

“Love you dad”

“Love you too son. But really there was nothing for you to fear. I will always love you. Now is there anything else you want to say” he told his son but the last one was said jokingly truthfully he had no problem with his son loving someone else and not caring what gender they were.

Virgil let go of his dad and bit his lip looking sheepish.

“Son?”

“Um yeah, there is. Um I'm kind of am dating Richie too,” he said in such a rush that his father almost missed it

“Um once again?” he said seeing if he had missed heard or if he was right.

“I am dating Richie now. We've only been together going on three weeks. But since he is over here a lot and he is still my best friend and you know him. I just thought you should know.” Virgil said softly and slower this time.

Robert sighed then looked at the blond who had gone scarlet it was obvious that while he had known that the conversation was planed he had no idea what Virgil was actually going to say.

“Please don't kick him out or ball him out it was...” whatever Virgil was about to say it was cut off by a low chuckle

“Virgil I couldn't kick Richie out even if I wanted to. He would find another way in.” Robert said. “Besides I am pretty sure it was you that asked him out.”

“Actually that was Richie” Virgil supplied. “I had just told him that I liked everyone pretty much and he kind of blurted out he liked me and could we change the movie outing we were going to go do to a movie and dinner and if it could be a date. I said yes” Virgil said with a pure sweet smile on his face that told everyone in the room how happy he was that his best friend had done that.

If Robert hadn't been a hundred percent supporting of Virgil beforehand he would have changed at that moment. He hadn't seen that smile on his face in a long time if he ever did. It was in that moment that while the two were dating currently they probably were not going to end it anytime soon even if the rest of the community turned on them. He caught the smile on Richies one of happiness, pride for Virgil and just a touch of confidence that only came from asking someone out and having them want you back. It was at that moment he was reminded of him and his wife when they had let her parents know about them.

He could not in good conscience take this away from his son so he did what every parent should do when their child told them this new. He smiled at them both then ruffled his son's hair laughing as the teen tried and failed to look affronted by such a thing considering he seemed to still be riding on cloud nine.

Robert just shook his head then turned fully to Richie.

“Are you done with that he said gesturing at the salad. Richie nodded blushing. "good why don't you help Virgil then finish up and I'll set the table.” Virgil and Richie both smiled at him as he got down cups and plates and started to set the table.

He couldn't help but watched the two boys move around each other as if this was where they were exactly were meant to be. At that moment he saw a future for the two of them getting an apartment or a house and doing everyday things like laundry, cooking, going to work and just being together. He always wondered what he would think we he saw the person he thought would end up with either one of his kids and it definitely wasn't this. He felt happy and quite a bit of shock that his son was still in high school when he found him but then again you couldn't help when you found that person nor when you fell for them. He was just glad that the boys had found one another and that they had found someone they trusted with a bit of their heart. He knew that though the world was changing there were still people that were going to treat them differently them for who they loved whether it was the color of their skin or the gender of their partner. He shook his head the boys were going into an uphill battle but he knew they were both physically and mentally strong enough for whatever came their way. He also had a feeling that where one of them faltered the other would be right there beside them either giving strength or to lend a hand.

While he watched both boys finish up getting everything ready he knew that he had to remind them of the house rules. He had sat down both children at different points to give them talks, ask questions and to lay down rules. He also wanted to clear up a few things with Richie too before things progress further. But that would wait until after dinner. With Richie's parents away for the weekend he had already given permission for the blond to stay the night he sighed that was going to be a change in dynamic that he was going to have to address. There would be some changes but from the twos, actions and inaction are he thought maybe not much would change in fact if he had to guess things were just added to what they already had going and more then likely would continue to grow as the two grew.