Matt slowly closed Sonny's bedroom door but it didn't really matter if he made any noise, the teen was out for the count not even a blaring siren would wake him. Matt leant against the bedroom door allowing his thoughts to catch up with him, he still felt giddy with relief at the fact he had Sonny's approval. He no longer had to dance around his feelings for Kelly, he no longer had to cling onto his old memories of the academy and the four years they spent together before Sonny disappeared. He and Kelly could start to make new memories, maybe they could even achieve some sense of normality in their relationship. For so long Matt had feared he'd thrown away a life with Kelly for good but now everything was falling into place. However a really paranoid part of Matt was still waiting for something to go wrong. After a lifetime of facing hate Matt had learnt to always be prepared for the worst. Even his own parents had resented him for the way he decided to live his life and who he decided to love. Despite Sonny's easy going and caring nature Matt had been so prepared for Sonny to resent him. He had been positive that Ryder would have corrupted his sweet boy. After all he knew what growing up with a hateful person could do to someone. He could still hear his fathers voice sometimes chastising him for all his decisions. Kelly and Andy were the reason he no longer agreed with his fathers homophobic views. But much to Matt's surprise it seemed like Ryder wasn't homophobic after all. That fact only raised more questions as to what sort of man Ryder was. It proved that Matt really didn't know anything about Ryder. Matt wished more than anything that there was some one other than Sonny who had known Ryder, it would be easier to help Sonny if Matt knew what his sons demons looked like.
As he walked down the hallway Casey could hear the faint sound of Kelly moving around in his bedroom. Matt glanced at the door of his own room before smiling softly to himself and heading into Kelly's room. He walked straight passed the man who was busy changing into pyjamas and dropped straight down onto the bed. Kelly finished pulling a t-shirt over his head and a look of amusement appeared on his face as his eyes landed on Matt.
"What are you doing?" Kelly asked with a small chuckle.
"This bed seems comfier than mine".
"Uh Huh, what's going on?" . Matt struggled to suppress a snicker at the way Kelly's eyebrows furrowed in confusion and he titled his head slightly to one side. He contemplated telling Kelly about Sonny's admission but instead decided to savour the other man's befuddled expression for a little longer. Letting out a sigh Kelly collapsed down beside him. When the dark haired man turned towards him Matt noticed for the first time the sadness lingering in Kelly's eyes.
"Matt you know I would love for you to sleep here but what about Sonny?" Immediately Matt felt his heart swell with happiness and love, he knew Kelly wanted them to be together again but yet the man was still willing to remain apart as long as Matt needed. The blonde would never understand how he got so lucky to have Kelly in his life.
"Sonny knows". The words rippled through the air knocking the breath out of Kelly. He gaped st the blonde beside him as he struggled to form a response. Never in a million years had he expected Matt to utter those words anytime soon. He'd even joked that Sonny would have gotten married before he found about their relationship.
"He? He knows? Sonny knows? you told him?" Rambled Kelly all of his thoughts coming out in an incoherent mess.
"Nope, apparently we're not as subtle as we thought" . Kelly grinned brightly at that, he had to admit they hadn't always been very good at refraining from showing affection to one another. As his initial shock faded another realisation popped into his head.
"It doesn't bother him", it wasn't a question Kelly knew Matt certainly wouldn't be in his room if it bothered Sonny.
"He said he just wants us to be happy". Kelly stared at him in disbelief before pulling Casey into a hug. The first time they'd hugged in ten years without the looming fear of hate or resentment.
"God we're lucky to have him".
"Yeah, yeah we are".
A couple of nights later they found themselves sitting at the dining table with a very frustrated Sonny. Donna had dropped off some books and other things she'd thought would be helpful with teaching the young blonde to read. The books along with a brightly coloured assortment of stationery supplies were sprawled across the table. Unsurprisingly Sonny was very determined to learn, perhaps too determined. He was getting extremely annoyed at how slow the whole process was going ; unlike his father he wasn't one to hide his feelings or frustration.
"Sonny it's only been an hour, learning takes time" comforted Matt as he smiled softly at his son, but the teen rolled his eyes before dramatically slumping onto the table. When the teen began mumbling incoherently into his arms Matt had to move closer in order to hear him, eventually he managed to make out the boy's words, and Matt struggled to stifle a chuckle.
"I don't have time".
"You're fourteen Sonny you have plenty of time".
"But everyone else my age-", Matt placed a comforting hand on the boys shoulder gently cutting him off. He knew Sonny comparing himself to others would never end well ; the young blonde was significantly behind everyone else but there was no point dwelling on it.
"Most kids your age have been in school since they were five years old" reasoned Matt. Unfortunately Sonny wasn't listening, he was too caught up in the fact that his lack of education was yet another thing that would make him stand out. As much as Matt hated to see the boy distressed he completely understood Sonny's concern, the boy just wanted what everyone else his age did, to fit in.
"I'm never going to cope in school". Matt shared a glance with Kelly who was watching from the kitchen, he knew he couldn't lie to Sonny, telling him school would be easy and giving him false hope would just be cruel.
"Sonny you won't cope in mainstream classes yet and that's ok, there's plenty of other kids who need extra help, you'll be put in a class that will allow you to go at your own pace". Matt's words didn't seem to offer Sonny any comfort. The teen raised his head and looked at them with a glare of frustration before gritting out,
"My own pace is too slow". Before either of the Casey's could say anything more Kelly was out of the kitchen and behind Sonny. He tentatively placed his hands on the boy's shoulders and began gently pulled him away from the table."Come on I think it's time for a break".
"We can't stop now" protested Sonny dejectedly. Matt almost gave in as he took in the distraught expression on his son's face but it was painfully clear Sonny's mind wasn't in the right place to learn. Thankfully Kelly wasn't deterred by the boys puppy dog eyes or sullen tone.
"Yes we can, helping me cook dinner counts as learning" as Kelly spoke he steered the boy towards the kitchen while Sonny mumbled to himself.
"How does chopping up carrots count as learning?" Asked Sonny in a tired drawl as he glared at the vegetables in front of him.
"It's a good skill for when you live on your own one day, And you never know you might decide to be a chef" Kelly replied cheerfully but Sonny simply sent him another scowl. Deciding that there was no point in arguing Matt decided to change the subject, he didn't want Sonny to get himself worked up, fortunately he knew what would help brighten up the boys mood.
"I was thinking why don't we visit the firehouse tomorrow?"
"Yeah alright" huffed the boy his tone already softening. After only a few minutes in the kitchen Sonny began to calm down and concentrate on the task at hand. As the boy dutifully chopped up the carrots Matt and Kelly filled the kitchen with easy chatter. Eventually the boy even cracked a smile. By the time dinner was ready Sonny had joined in their conversation with his normal cheerfulness.
"I love you Kiddo" reminded Matt as he ruffled Sonny's hair,
"Love you too Dad".
Some days Matt found himself forgetting Sonny was a teenager, it definitely was not one of those days. But in a strange way Matt was grateful the boy felt comfortable enough to whine and groan, it was a clear indication that they'd earn get his trust. Matt knew their would be plenty more tough days to come but he knew they'd be ok. Everything was going to be just fine.