"I'm his son."
Nobody spoke.
Until Cole did.
"You know what? How about we all head inside and settle this? Maybe help you out, get you where you need to be." Cole clapped a hand on the teen's shoulder. "Sound good?"
"Really? That'd be great! Thank you!" The teen smiled brightly at the invitation to come inside, like if he hadn't just dropped a major bombshell.
Zane felt like he had to look away.
Cole started to unlock the front door, probably saying something else to this traveler, but he couldn't make out the words. The jingling of the keys slowly turned into a ringing in Zane's ears.
He felt like he couldn't move. His body had become cold, his head heavy, like if it was full of cotton. Everything was slow.
Nevertheless, his mind was racing. Searching, for something, anything.
Anything that could explain this.
His father...his father would never - would have never kept anything from him. It was always just the two of them.
He wouldn't.
He couldn't.
He would never.
Right?
Zane.
Zane.
"Zane-"
Broken out of his trance, the blonde snapped his head back up as he took a step backward. The sudden movement caused his daughter to stir in his arms a bit before she turned her head onto his shoulder and became still once again.
He blinked slowly, seeing Cole's hand reached out to him.
"Let's go inside."
Zane didn't budge. He looked past his husband's gaze, focused on the kid who was already in the doorway, looking around the entryway to the house.
Cole spoke again, in a gentle tone, trying to get through to him.
Zane could tell.
"Let's get her inside, too. We can figure all this out, oka-"
He didn't let him finish.
"Excuse me." Zane said, moving past the both of them and into the house. He flicked on the light switch to their living room.
Zane gently set his daughter on the sofa and pulled out a blanket from inside the ottoman adjacent to the coffee table. Draping it over her, he could just make out Cole speaking to the person in the other room.
"Uh, sorry, it's just been a long day, for the both of us. Have a seat at the table over there, and make yourself at home."
The blonde sat down beside his sleeping child, and crossed his arms. He could hear Cole's footsteps coming closer.
He came to stand in front of Zane.
Cole opened his mouth to say something, but Zane beat him to it.
"What are you doing?"
"What do you mean what am I doing? You're the one that stormed off."
Zane stood up, stepping closer towards Cole. "You're also the one who decided to invite that - stranger - into our house!" He whispered tensely.
Cole decided to ignore the accusatory tone in his husband's voice. He sighed. "Zane. You saw him, he's just some lost kid. And if he really is who he says he is, then he may very well be your-"
"Don't even finish that sentence." Zane interjected coldly, his ice blue eyes glaring at Cole. He raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, the awful feeling coming back.
He squeezed his eyes shut. "Something's not right here. He could be lying - or- or - just misinformed - that's all. That's - that's the only logical conclusion here."
He opened his eyes, lowering his hand away to see Cole give him a concerned look, before holding his arms out in invitation.
"Come here."
"No, Cole." He replaced the hand over his forehead, shielding his eyes. Trying to focus, just to keep the awful chill at bay. He closed his eyes again, taking a breath, attempting to steady himself.
He reopened them when Cole pulled him in anyways.
Zane let his warmth envelop him.
"What was that out there?" Cole asked, softly, carefully.
Zane snuggled into his shoulder, trying to pick out the right words. The right way to describe what he was feeling. "I-"
"Oh hello there, what's your name?"
"Rebecca."
Zane abruptly pulled away, turning around, only to confirm that his daughter was no longer fast asleep on the sofa.
He quickly made his way to the dining room, Cole following close behind.
When he entered the dining room, he could see Rebecca in the doorway to the kitchen, with the teenager still sitting at the far end of the table. He sat straight back up, having scooted a bit forward to speak with his daughter.
"Daddy," she said, pointing at the stranger, "who is he?"
"Don't point honey." Cole answered instead.
"My name is Echo." He smiled, leaning forward again, extending a hand out in greeting.
Rebecca shyly took his hand.
"I like your glitter flower, it's very pretty."
Rebecca pulled her hand back, smiling at him.
In the light of the dining room, Zane was finally able to have a good look at...Echo? He was a stark contrast compared to Zane. Whereas Zane's hair was so blonde it appeared white, Echo's hair was full of chocolate curls. He had tawny brown skin, and warm honey colored eyes, while Zane was pale with icy blue eyes.
He was torn from his analysis by a pull on his pant leg.
"Papa, I want juice."
Zane saw an opportunity to escape this situation. He could just put his daughter to bed, let Cole take care of the rest with the stranger.
Until Cole volunteered first.
"How about some milk instead to help get ready for bed?"
Zane shot a pointed look at his husband, who in turn gave a sheepish grin and a small shrug in return. Cole walked over to the kitchen doorway where his daughter was standing. He stopped suddenly, turning around. "Echo, can I get you something? Water? Milk? Soda?"
"Soda!" Rebecca chirped.
"Not for you, silly." Cole said, pinching her cheek playfully.
Echo let out a small laugh. "No thanks, I have some water here," he said, tapping his backpack with his foot.
"Alright," he said, before turning to his daughter again. "Well, miss, I'm going to get you some milk, and then straight to bed," Cole said, smiling at his daughter. "Say goodnight, honey, then wait for me in your room." he said, before heading into the kitchen.
Rebecca ran over to Zane, who in turn, crouched down to give her a hug.
"G'night Papa."
"Sweet Dreams," Zane replied, pulling back, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Rebecca smiled, before pulling away. She glanced at Echo, waving at him. Echo returned it with a smile, before she left the room.
Now they were alone. Together.
Neither of them said anything, creating an awkward silence.
Zane chose to clasp his hands together, feigning a sudden interest in them.
"Your daughter is beautiful."
"Yes, yes she is." He replied quietly.
The silence returned.
Zane looked up, only to pose a question. "How long were you out there?"
"Uh, maybe an hour? Hour and a half?" Echo said, his voice trailing off as he fiddled with the sleeve of his sweatshirt.
Zane walked over to the table, pulling out the chair, to sit across from him.
"May I ask how you got here?"
Echo continued to pick at his sleeve, pulling it over his left hand. "Well, it's kind of a long story."
"We have time." Zane said, standing from his seat. "Should I make tea or coffee?"