Lizzy: Oh, I just so love the extremely long review, it made my day. I'm really glad that you like the characters and I'm glad that you think it's a stretch from what you normally read. I normally go for things like that, I just wanted to try and think out of the box for a change, but then I realized that all my stories are weird. J ! So the whole question that you were wondering was if Jake is gay…hmm…mmeerrr….geeerrr…this is a tuffy, I think I'll leave that as a question for now, I don't want to spill the whole plot twists and turns. It might ruin the whole story! So just settle on what you think he is for now…-smiles in background while thunder clashes and a evil laugh bubbles forth only to turn back on the lights because my mother is staring weirdly at me- Oh, also, since Jake is about to turn 15 Marco's 16, but he'll be turning 17 soon. Oh, another also, It's kind of funny how Marc and Ryan just jelled in so quickly, but in reality, they're been together for 4 weeks now so they're pretty close. I'm trying to take it slow because once the summer is over so is the story…
Chapter 10: Untitled 1
Ryan ran through the bushes and through the darkness as the sun disappeared into a blanket of trees. He was almost there, just a little bit closer. He tripped over a rock and landed face first into dirt and mud. He curled his fingers around in it and looked up ruefully, tears threatening to drop but he bit them back." Hello dad"
He threw his little bundle of clothes onto the floor and laid down over them, his own jeans and jacket messy with mud and soil." It's been a long time since we've talked…12 years to be exact, but hey, who's counting?" He smirked a little," I'm in trouble, remember how anutie Ree used to say "Never trust those damn bastards ?".Well, I think I might be one of them. But hey, don't fret, I think that it's just one of those acidental axcitement wrapped up in the moment things". He looked at the ground expectantly." Mom's doing fine, in case you're wondering, and so is everybody else, Robert especially. I'm trying to get a grant on my art work, remember that paint brush that you left me? Well I use it, or I used to, it's broken now." He laughed sourly," My broken little paint brush. But what's more importantly happening right now is that I actually have a trust worthy friend besides Natalie, his name is Marco. And he has a son and a boyfriend and everything. Maybe I might stay there". He sighed and brushed some strands from his face. He licked his lips," Maybe I should just crash here for the night,"He laid down fully and closed his eyes, letting his mind wander back far far away, to when his parents were contemplating on weather or not to take a trip to France as a birthday present…
"Chris, the boy is only 5 years old, why take him to Paris?" His mother, Lillian, asked her husband.
"Because" He said, admiring his son as he held him in his arms," He's my little sunshine, and plus, I only want what's best for him. Who knows when I can see him again, with my company being so busy and all" He paused to tickle his son under his chin," Wouldn't you like to go to Paris for your birthday?" He said in a sing song voice," Smile for daddy, guchie, guchie gooo".
Ryan happily giggled contently and his father raised his eyebrows at his wife. She playfully smacked him and took her child into her arms and placed him onto the floor," Jesus, he's 5 years old, not 1". She smirked as Ryan toddled around in a circle, looking on into the sky, pointing and running sloppily after birds and bugs." He's quite the advenurer" His father remarked sadly.
"Yeah, he is Chris, and I'm sure after you seal this deal you'll be able to come home, for real for once. We're building a family here" She said, motioning to her rounded stomach. She was carrying Lizzie at the time," And we need a strong man around the house"
"And we will" Chris replied as he smiled down upon his son," He'll be beautiful and strong, and talented. You see those hands, those are artistic hands, and I'll be damned if he was anything less"
Ryan plopped down onto the floor and clapped his hands happily, laughing at a private joke as he looked up and said," Daddy…could you paint me the sky?" It was an absurd notion, but it was just sounded so adorable coming from him that his father just tilted his head to the side and smiled." How about this, in a few years, you can paint the sky for me, until then, I can give you something even better than the sky, or the world, or even space, you know what that is…?"
Ryan clueless shook his head." What?"
"This" His father smiled, pulling out a paintbrush, it shined very prettily, and I use that word because it's in the view of a five year old, captivated his eye. He automatically reached up to grasp it and his father laugh, good naturedly," Cherish it sunshine, it might just be the best gift that daddy ever gives you"
Ryan nodded happily and stuck it into his mouth. His mother and father laughed before picking him up onto his feet, each one of them holding one of his hands, and walking off towards the car," So Chris, have you decided weather you're going to go to Paris?"
Chris shrugged," It's up to Ryan, whatever he wants, it's his birthday. Ry, what do you want?"
Ryan looked around before answering," A sister"
A wish that he would later regret that month.
It was fun when we had good times, Ryan mused, How we used to laugh and giggle at my cuteness.But it was always you dad, being the real grandmaster that you were, stunning and fashionable, loving and sweet. Sometimes I wish it was me who died instead of you, you were too young, too beautiful, too ready to go. You wanted to go, mom had told me so. That's why you planned ahead of time, put your money away, set things up, was it a conspiracy? Did someone plan your death, did you stage it, or are you on some island, signaling for help right now? His lower lip dropped a little. Maybe in some alternate universe, you didn't get on that plane, and you came home to us. But then again, he ran his fingers over the grave stone, I doubt that a bloody worn down corpse would show up at the door now. If it's any constilation, I'd love you all the same. He didn't know if he was thinking, or talking out loud at this point, he just felt cold. But he knew that he had to get his brothers and sisters out of there, before something bad happened. But first he needed a place to stay. He looked down sadly, sobbed out a quick " dad" and kissed the cold stone, his teeth chattering. I'd love to stay, he whispered silently, But I have to go, I'll some back later, again, and I promise, it won't take another 12 years this time either. He reluctantly pushed himself up, ready to trudge on out, but lost the heart and fell back down. I guess I can't leave just yet, I'll go in the morning. He clutched onto the gravstone as a life support and sneezed, At least that way I can spend one last final night with you.
Jake stomach growled demandingly." God Dylan, please tell me you're making something edible, and not some of the automactic oatmeal crap like last time". He was in a slight better mood, he was a little bit more happier, but still obviously weary of the whole scenario from the day before. He didn't speak a word of Michael, though he tried to break through twice, or Rory, who erupted into his dreams with astonishing power. Marco, who was sitting next to his hungry son, bit out," Yeah damnit, I'm starved"
"Oh my, you're bitchy" He placed a chaste kiss on his lips," It's sexy"
Jake rolled his eyes as Dylan moved back over to the stove and began flipping things and sizzling things." Food" Marco murmured again, looking over at Jake, who laughed. His father became quite deranged when food was involved. He once saw Marco demolish a whole turkey in 12 minutes flat. Now that, dear reader, is power. "Breakfast" Dylan smiled out as he walked over to the table and placed three plates down, " Is served.".
Dylan wore a plaid button down shirt with jeans and an apron that said "KISS THE CO-" but the rest of the letters were smudged out, due to wear and tear conditions.Marco pratically launched himself into the scrambled eggs when his cell phone went off, scaring the crap out of him. Michael, Franz Ferdinand's song played for a few seconds, everybody in the room dancing to the catchy tune as Jake smiled "Hey, don't I know this song?"
Dylan's smile dropped when he realized the lyrics," Marco, pick up the phone…quick"
"Huh?" Marco asked as he began to sing,
This is where I'll be
So heavenly…
Marco raised his eyebrows," Oh…crap, where's the button…"
So come and dance…
Marco fumbled around
With me…
He tried pressing the button but it didn't go off." DAMNIT!" He swore as the last word came up.
Michael…
Dylan looked down, fork and knife still in his hand.
Jake looked down at the table." Now I remember…"
Marco angrily picked up the phone" How ever you are, you just majorly fucked up my breakfast, you will feel my wrath in exactly 2 days!"
"Marco Angelo Donatello Del Rossi!" Marco's mother's voice rang out.
"Grandma!" Jake smiled happily as Marco covered his mouth. Dylan sat down, muffling his giggles along with Jake and began munching silently.
"Sorry Madre…It won't happen again" Marco muttered, rolling his eyes.
"Don't roll your eyes, they just might stick that way" His mother scolded." And I told you to switch from the damn Michael tune a long time ago and replace it with Marc Anthony, now there's a real man…mmm…" She trailed off.
"Ma, subject, me, eating….food!" Marco snapped.
"Oh! Mio, Dio my little Nino…too many O's…Ryan's here." His mother answered quickly.
"Ryan?" Marco questioned.
Both Dylan and Jake looked up.
"Put him on the phone please" Marco asked politely. There was shuffling in the background before hoarse voice came on." He-llo?"
" Ryan!" Marco shrieked," What happened? You sound horrible!"
Jake looked concerned, but still ached from even hearing the name Michael.
" Karen, kicked me out" He sneezed," I'm sick, long story, I came here and am crashing in your room, I'm sure you wouldn't mind…just until I can get on my feet?"
"No, sure, stay. I don't care.But did anyone hurt you. I'll murder them, you know!" Marco asked, pacing around the room, chewing on a piece of bacon.
"I kind of burned…broke…burned and fractured my hand…but it was an acident"
"Acident my ass!" Marco said darkly," Just wait dear, once I get there…you and me, are going to talk. Go get some sleep, you need it,. Stop pacing around the room and please, don't worry"
"How did you know?"
"I know you too well" Marco said as he smiled.
"Kay" Ryan said softly as he hung up. Marco sighed, downed a whole cup of coffee, lifted up his plate, dumped it's whole contents into his mouth and then delicately wiped his lips with a napkin." Who was that?" Dylan asked, jealousy sneeking up behind him like a tiger.
"Ryan, he's a friend" Marco replied, settling back." He got kicked out Jakey, you know?"
"Wow…what about Robert and them?" Jake asked, sipping slowly. His throat burned a little.
"I dunno, we'll figure that out when we get home, until then, let's enjoy the time we do have to spend together" Both Jake and Dylan nodded.
"Hey lover" Marco said softly, rolling his tongue over his lips.
"Yeah?" Dylan asked, leaning over the table.
"Do you want those eggs?"
Marco danced to "It's Raining Men " On the radio, being the fabulous disco queen that he was, while ironing his new shirt that Dylan had gotten him as a present." It's rrrhhhaaaaiiiinnnnnnngggg mmmeeeennnn!" He dragged out, shaking his hips and dancing in between the cord.
Jake decided to walk in at that time and laughed quietly as his unauthentic dad boogied away. Marco didn't know all of the lyrics, so he mumbled through most of the song. And amazingly enough, he still created the perfect crease. It never seemed to fail, Marco was super fab dad. Smiling, not wanting to disturb his happy father figure, he left the room shaking his head. Once he left Marco pulled off the dirty pair of jeans he was wearing, from washing out all of Dylan's 'clean' clothes. ( Because Dylan considers clothes dirty until you have wore them for longer than one week). He placed those jeans down onto the bed, picked up a fresh pair, and ran through the pockets finding a wonderful little present, a credit card. Now, a few weeks before, his mother had given him a beautiful platinum card to be used as spending money. But Marco, being the fashionable little disco diva that he is, got a little trigger happy and maxed out his card. On the upside, he had a nifty new pair of designer jeans, a new Polo shirt, some make up, ( for those boring Saturdays when Ryan would come over) and some casmire gloves.
Off subject, he was rambeling, the good news was that within his hand laid a beauty like no other.Every gay's boy's best friend, lover and suppliers. In a flurry, he picked up the shirt, grabbed a pair of sun glasses and kissed his son happily on the head and twirled out the door, and in a sing song voice said " I'm off to the homeland, I'll be home in a few hours…" His voice floating away as Jake shut the door., he could only imagine him coming back with a feather boa and some drag queen name like " Chocolate Bunnies" or " Coca-Coca".
Marco smiled madly as he walked into the store, automatically picking up on his sonar a nifty sales rack.He quickly shuffled through it when a salesman, around his early twenties came over," May I help you with anything sir?" His voice was professional.
"Yeah…err…" Marco trailed off, squinting a little once again. He peered at the tag," This says 24.95, but the rack says it 50 precent off, making it around 12.30 something if I'm not mistaken, but they said all blue tag items are on sale, with an extra 30 precent off and ones with white tags are an extra 15 precent off and well this one has both on it…see…"He said, holding up the silk blue shirt he had in his hand to the sales guy.
He blinked, shocked before he smiled." Oh…my, uh, sorry, I'm new here and well…" He trailed off, shaking his head," I have no clue what you just said"
Marco bowed his head." Oh, okay. Look, can I just speak with the mana-"
"Oh, no, no no!" The boy protested," I just got this job, I don't wanna get fired"
Marco sighed," I just want a discount-"
"I'll give you one then, here" He said, motioning to the cash register. " Right now, I'll ring it up"
"Okay, thanks. But I wanted to shop around, you know, and then could I come back to you?" Marco asked timidly.
"Do you want me to help you with anything else- I mean, to make up for the mishap?" The boy studdered.
Marco shrugged," Yeah. Sure. Can you keep up with me?"
The boy laughed," I hope so"
Dylan ran around the house, Jake behind him," Candles, candles, candles…" The kept repeating," Where the hell are the candles?"
"Here" Jake said as he tossed them over.
"Oh thanks Jake, I don't know where I'd be without you…" Dylan sighed out, placing the candles on the table." Do you feel better?" He asked, making small talk as he still maintained his speed.
"Yeah…er…besides the gaping hole that's in my chest from the emotional baggage of my past, the fact that I was pratically disowned by my mother, my brother is somewhere floating the the dark cosmos above and I will forever be looking for a love to fill the space that they left bleeding and empty, I'm pretty much sure I'm okay." Jake stated emotionlessly.
Dylan kissed him on his head and riffeled up his hair," I'm taking you to target pratice, get you all butched up" He made a face, "Move the other plate to the left, I want him to scream when he sees this…"
"Along other things"Jake snarked happily.
"My, Jake, what has happened to you?" Dylan asked him laughing.
"I'm just happy I get to spend some time with you, since you know somethings that dad doesn't…sometimes it's just easyer to talk to you" Jake explained.
Dylan looked at the plates and candles and wine that was placed elegantly around the table and grabbed his coat from the bench." Let's go out, you and me, choose a café, okay?"
Jake looked shocked." Hello, anniversary that you have to attend to"
"It's done, you and me need to hang" Dylan said," How am I supposed to talk to you if we don't…"
"Talk?" Jake laughed
"Yeah…" Dylan said as he opened up the door," Chop, chop brilliant boy"
Jake smiled as he got through the door and looked at the floor." Well, there has been one problem lately…"
"Priceless right here, you have great taste you know. Casmire scarves and satin gloves, Marco, are you an artist or something?" The boy asked. Him and Marco had been running around the store for an hour so far, and he was carrying all the clothes. By the way that Marco dictated what he wanted and the clothes he chose he learned that Marco had a very presise taste.
"Listen Less, I'm flattered. Ha, I'm more shocked that I could even find all of these clothes.Okay, look, I'm going to change, wait for me to come back out and tell me what you think"
The boy, Leslie, shortened to Less, nodded.
Marco disappeared into the booth and Less could soon see his jeans and his shirt tossed over the door. Marco talked while he pulled on a pair of leather pants." So, do you have a girlfriend or something? You sure look like you do" He pulled the laces tight on his shrt and smoothed down his hair.
"You could say something like that" Less trailed off as Marco stepped out. He wore a tight pair of black leather pants while a black shirt with laces down the middle hugged him tightly. He was wearing some boots with a black finish also." Damn…" Less trailed off.
"Pardon?" Marco asked, twirling around." Is it too much"
" No, no, it's prefect- I mean it's good. I'm sure your girl friend would like it" Less studdered out.
Marco turned around and smiled." Yeah, he would" He walked back into the booth as Less's jaw slackened and switched into the next outfit. He came out again with a simple pair of black pants, dressy sort, a red shirt with cuffs at the end and as a special touch…a pair of glittery red avaitor goggles ontop of his head.
"Boyfriend?" Less asked timidly.
"Yeah" Marco smiled as he spun around again." Could a straight person be so fabulous?" He blushed internally, he had never flaunted his sexuality before and now that he thought about it it felt rather good." I'm pretty sure that this seems uh, inappropriate, but would you like to go have some coffe or something?"
Leslie laughed," Sure, but I need an outfit like yours if we're going out together"
Marco' eyes flashed happily." Hello there friend, where have you been?"
"In your purse" Leslie smiled as he began to loosen up. He went down the alise, "I'll get an outfit, you be fabulous"
"Will do" Marco said smiling. He clapped inside,'I knew it! I knew it! My gaydar works! YAY!'
Leslie came back giddly and rushed into the booth. Later on he came out with a blue leather jacket ( I never saw one in real life), matching blue leather pants and a blue glittery goggles across his head. He wore an earing, not that Marco noticed, that was white." You're a quick type"
"Well, I see I can loosen up with you. This is weird" Leslie confessed.
"Honey with me, everyday is going to be weird" Marco smiled as he extended his hand. Leslie gladly took it.
"But don't have too much fun with me, I don't think that Jesse would agree to that" Leslie blushed out.
Marco spied the zipper on his pants were undone as he bent over to tie them." Jesse? Hm…first love?"
"More like only love" Leslie said as he smiled.
Jake and Dylan passed by a window in a local store." So tell me more about this…Ryan person" Dylan said casually.
" Oh, he's really awesome, he's the best. He's always at our house until like 5 in the morning, and he's like an excellent painter, I foud this one drawing that he did of Marco when he had first stayed the night" Jake rambled.
"Night?" Dylan asked, some of his jealousy showing.
"Yeah…wait…don't tell me your jealous?" Jake asked rolling his eyes." Marco loves you, he'd never leave"
Just then they walked past another window to see Marco bent over infornt of some brunette smiling and laughing. Dylan almost passed out as Jake caught him. " Coincidence !" Jake howeled, but it sure as hell didn't look that way.
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