Chapter 16: The Reaction

Through The Eyes of King

"I'm ready to tell you what's been bothering me lately…my secret…" he said to me. I folded my legs underneath me as I leaned forward to hear what he was going to say.

"Okay Pete, I'm listening. What is it?" I asked with genuine concern and interest.

"This isn't easy for me to say…" he began. Suddenly, I found that he resorted back to silence, as if he was considering not telling me anymore.

"You can tell me anything Peter, I'm not going to judge you. You know that…right…?" I said.

Peter looked at me and nodded slowly, just before looking back down into his lap. I got up and sat on the bed next to him, hoping he'd feel more comfortable with me there. My guess turned out to be right, for he looked over at me and gave a brief smile. On the same level, I could tell that he felt a little weird about something, but I didn't know what.

"You don't have to hide anything from me…okay?" I said. After that, I put my hand on his shoulder and got an unexpected reaction from him. He closed his eyes and shuddered, bringing his hand up to rub his right temple. Slowly, I took my hand off of his shoulder and waited for him to speak.

"King…I…I like you…" he managed to say before he put his hand over his mouth as if saying 'Why did I say that?'

Shock filled my head, and I could feel my body getting colder. I could smell my own sweat as he looked away.

"You…like me? As in romantically?" I said. Peter could only nod, and I noticed that his cheeks were redder than blood. He too was sweating, I could both see and smell it.

"I see…" I managed to say. Peter swallowed loudly before looking back over slowly at me. His eyes stayed at my chest, not even daring to make eye contact with me.

"Is that why you broke up with Julia?" I asked. Once again, all he could do was nod. I looked him up and down slowly. I wanted so badly to comfort him, but for once…I didn't know how. I didn't want to touch him because I think he would feel uncomfortable, but I didn't know what to do.

"Peter…I don't know what to say…" I said, kicking myself mentally right after I said it.

Peter looked down and got up, beginning to walk away and out from the room. I didn't want him to leave, so I did the only thing I could do…stop him from leaving. I reached out and grabbed his wrist, halting him dead in his tracks. He spun around with tears in his eyes. It looked almost as if he thought I betrayed his trust. Obviously, I had said the wrong thing. So I decided that it was time for a different approach…I had to tell him how I really felt about this.

"I meant that…I'm flattered Pete, I really am."

He looked at me with a look of shock, his mouth opening ever so slightly. He seemed to acknowledge the fact that it was hard for me to respond honestly.

"Nobody has ever loved me, not even my parents…that's why I ended up in the original King's orphanage. My mother abandoned me on his stoop. I've always felt that no one loved me, but you…you were able to get past the dark cloak I put on. You love me for me…and that's a rare thing…you know, for someone like me…" I said.

Peter remained silent, waiting for me to continue on. "I suffered throughout my life immensely, and I always wanted true love, but could never find it. No one has ever loved me the way you do." I said.

"King…people love you…your fans, they-"

I interrupted him saying, "They don't know me…they love what I show them…They love King, but not me…" I noticed that tears formed in my eyes, but none of them fell. Peter saw this and looked down. I was surprised when I felt his hand take hold of mine. He sat back down next to me and looked at my face. This time, I was the one who couldn't make eye contact. I felt ashamed that I had let him in…but I needed to let it out.

"I know you…and I love you for the man under the mask, not just what you show to others. I know that inside, you're a sincere, caring individual and you gave me a chance when no one else would. I…really do love you." He said.

I smiled and went into shock when Peter embraced me. I felt slightly uncomfortable, but grateful at the same time. I wrapped my arms around him and got ready to finish what I was about to say.

"As much as I love you…you have to know…that…we can't work out…" I said. I felt Peter's body stiffen up at my words, almost as if he had just been stabbed. I felt regret, but I had to be honest.

"You're my step-son now…and I can't be with you…to do so would be failing you as a father, and I am not about to let that happen…" I said.

Peter stayed quiet and I wasn't sure what to say next. He seemed to be thinking about something, but he didn't make it known to me. Finally, he stood up and began to speak.

"I have to figure all these things out on my own. Thank you for listening to me, King." He said.

"You don't have to do things alone. You can always ask me for help." I replied. He straightened up and looked me in the eye before saying, "Sometimes, people have to do things on their own. It helps them see who they really are. It's time I did some growing up."

I don't know what he meant by that and I was starting to wonder if I ever would.