It all started with a letter that Mentor Ji gave Kevin this morning. He mentally knew what it was about but he didn't want to believe it was true. His eyes went to the return address to see that it was from Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, with his home address underneath. All he wanted to do was crumble the paper into pieces and toss it in the trash bin. He took a slow deep breath to try and push the thought out of his mind. He put it in his bedside table, nearly slamming the drawer shut. He heard a short knock on the door and heard someone come in. He turned his head to see Mike walking into the room with a small smile of glee on his face. Kevin's mind instantly relaxed and got up to greet him properly.
"Hi," Kevin wrapped his arms around his waist.
"Hi," Mike wrapped his arms around his neck and kisses him hungrily.
He pulled him closer to his body as his legs were forced back, causing him to land on the bed. He sat up and pulled Mike firmly in his lap by his hips. Now breathless, they stared at each other lovingly before Mike went to suckle on his neck. Kevin hummed softly in pleasure as his eyes wandered to the drawer, holding the invitation safe. He sighed softly and pulled away from Mike.
"What's wrong?" Mike asked worriedly.
"My father," he placed a hand on his back, to keep him steady, moved to pull out the envelope, and gave it to him.
Mike sat back on his heels and read the invitation, trying to make sense of his boyfriend's worried behavior.
"So, this is bad news?"
"I mean it is a good thing, I'm really happy for my father, truly I am. But I just feel like I'm not in his life anymore."
"So, we're not going," Kevin smiled softly at the fact Mike already took his side without knowing the whole story.
"Why didn't he just call me?"
"Because, like father like son, you both don't know how to bend the rules."
"You weren't saying that last week," Kevin teased softly.
Kevin kissed him softly while rubbing his back. Mike purred softly at his affection as his hands clench around his shoulders.
"Kev, stop it," he whined softly.
Kevin stopped his motion and leaned against the wall connecting to his bed.
"What should I do Mike? I want to go to the wedding, but i barely know Vanessa. I met her twice before I was called away to join the Rangers. Now a year goes by and now they are going to get married."
"Answer me this: do you love your dad?"
"Of course I do."
"Then go to the wedding. Get to know Vanessa and try to fix your relationship."
"I know but you don't know my father. Before mom died, he was the best. He said he was proud of me, he loved me, things a father should say to their son. But after he died, he changed completely. He just stopped being my father and became a trainer; a drill sergeant almost. If i got an A- he would say "you couldn't get a solid A" or when I couldn't beat my own personal best he would say "you couldn't be one minute faster". All he did was nitpick me on everything I did."
"That sounds rough Kev. Trying to be someone you're not, trying your best and still being told you're not good enough. I couldn't imagine papa being like that with me or any of my brothers."
"Your dad seems like an amazing father," Kevin could hear the slight envy in his voice.
"Papa had his problem, don't get me wrong. He had this thing about being in control. Not like a control freak but he liked things being a certain way. It was a sense of control when he came home from the final battle. Being a samurai, we don't really have much control over anything. Mami said that it was his way of coping with everything and trying to adjust being at home and away from training and fighting. We didn't really argue much when things like that when mom explained everything. We just try to remember things have to be in a certain place and he wouldn't get confused which would escalate to being angry. Other than that, he was pretty chill," Mike played lightly with his hands mindlessly.
"Like you?"
"No," Mike chuckled. "My dad was strict when it came to training Eric, my older brother. He was shocked when Bear zoid kept coming into my room and not going anywhere near my other brothers. Ji told him that it was because I was the true Green Ranger."
"Wow, I always thought that the newest ranger would be the firstborn. That was it in Emily's case but her sister was ill."
"Guess it works differently for me. That's not the point Kev. You need to call your father and talk to him. He would want to hear from you I'm sure."
"Maybe you're right. Can you just-you know," Kevin tried to form the words out of his mouth?
"I'm not going anywhere, make the call," Mike got off his lap and handed him his small cell phone.
Kevin took the phone and dialed his house phone number, praying no one would answer it. After a painstaking minute went by, someone picked up the phone.
"Hello."
"H-hi Vanessa."
"Kevin? It's great to hear from you. How long has it been? Nine months?"
"Yes, ma'am. I received the wedding invitation. Congratulations," Kevin tried to keep his voice upbeat.
"Oh, you did. That's wonderful and thank you."
"Is my father home?"
"He's in his office. I'll go get him I'm sure he will be thrilled to hear from you."
"Oh, I don't to-"
"Kevin, please, he's your father. You won't bother him, I'm sure of it."
"Okay," Kevin reached for Mike's hand and held it tightly.
Mike used his thumb and rubbed soothing circles to calm him down.
"Hello," a soft male voice said.
"Hi dad," Kevin realized that this was the first time he called his dad 'dad' in years.
"Hi, Kevin. It's um-it's been a long time hasn't it."
"Yes, it has. I just um-I just wanted to call you and tell you that I got the invitation."
"Oh, really. Sorry, I just wasn't thinking that you would-I mean,"
"It's fine father. Really, I get it. I'm just, you know, not sure if I can go since, well you know."
"I understand Kevin. You might, I mean, if you wanted to, talk to Mentor Ji about being able to come. It just wouldn't be the same if you didn't come. I was hoping you would be my best man. Since I don't have any brothers, well, you are all I have left actually."
"I'm gonna try. I'm gonna try to come, okay."
"Okay. That would be amazing son."
"Okay. I'll see you there then. Hopefully."
"Hopefully. I have to go, son, I'm sorry to leave-"
"Don't worry about it. I get it. Bye."
"Bye," they hung up the phone as a long sigh was released from his lips.
"Well, how did it go?" Mike asked with a worried look on his face.
"He didn't say I love you, no surprise there," Kevin scoffed softly while looking down as he put the phone in the drawer.
"I'm sorry baby," Mike hugged him.
"Don't worry about it. it's fine," he moved to sit down on the bed.
"Did he talk about the wedding?"
"He wants me to come."
"That 's great! That is great right?" Mike's expression changed after he thought for a second.
"It is great. I'm just nervous I guess."
"Ah. I understand," he grabbed him and pinned him to the small bed, "Your nerves never stopped us before," Mike purred softly while kissing his neck gently.
"Oh really," he placed his hand firmly on his hips.
Soft moans filled the room as they tussled on the bed. Kevin tore off Mike's shirt as thoughts of the future flooded his mind. With all of the courage he could muster he softly whispered, "I want to tell my dad about us." Mike instantly froze as he moved to lay down, pulling Kevin on top of him.
"Are you sure you want to? From what you tell me, he's not really understanding when it comes to being gay."
"I thought of that, a lot actually. I don't want there to be able secrets. I don't want you to be a secret from my family."
Mike smiles softly and kissed him hungrily. Several hours later, Kevin was laying down with Mike snuggled into his chest, with his callous hands rubbing his back gently. He turned his head to look at the invitation to the floor. He felt Mike stir, returning his focus to him. He saw his beautiful green eyes staring back at him with sleepiness and pure love in his eyes.
"Hey," Kevin whispered while stroking his hair.
"Hi," Mike groaned softly, his voice laced his drowsiness.
"Are you sleepy?" he teased while kissing his temple.
"You're a moron," Mike grumbled as he buried himself deep into his chest.
"Sh. I'm gonna talk to Ji tomorrow. Okay?"
"Kay," Mike snuggled under his chin and drifted back to sleep.
Kevin pulled the blankets on top of Mike to keep him warm. He let his hands linger on his body, getting in his final touches before drifting off to sleep. He knew, as a Ranger, he might not have another night like this. The last thing he remembered was the soft snores coming from the cuddly warm body on top of him.