takers dark lover, Chris should know better than to joke about such things. LadyDragonsblood, I remember watching that Batman with my papaw when I was little, it's why I loved it as a kid. Catwoman in Batman Returns will always be my favorite, I fell in love with her when I was five. Fond memories. I'm kind of a rerun junky. Thank you, hun. They're all such cutie pies. & Adam as Catwoman, or in this Spider(wo)man costume I found in a Halloween catalog. M.j's place, thank you!
The Darkest Corners;
Chapter eleven/ 'Babysitters'
Rated; M/ L (violent memories)
Everything was fuzzy, unclear. There were voices, screaming in panic.. and a wet puddle of something that was a deep dark red on the floor.
"Shit. Shit. Shit."
"Finish him off. Now."
A break in voice. "I.. I can't.."
"Do it." Two voices. One husky and commanding. Both panicked in different ways.
There was this massive pain in his head, throbbing. It was hard to focus and the more he did the worse it got. His eyes struggled to open, to see who owned the voices. They sounded familiar in a way he couldn't place.
"Fuck."
Through his slit eyelids he could see the dark silhouette of a figure, the man without a face. He couldn't see the face and he couldn't place the voice. He reached up shakily as the figure raised the object above his head. He didn't know what it was, it had caught him from behind. What was he doing there? How'd he get here? There had been screaming and blood. The red, it had to be blood. The scene.. he couldn't remember it in detail, there were so many pieces missing.. but he knew that it had been horrid.
"I'm sorry.."
And the figure brought his weapon down.
-xx-
Adam paced in the living room. It was Saturday and he was supposed to be getting dressed for his date.
"C'mon, go get ready. We've not got all night. Hurry." Chris urged, already ready.
Adam stopped and slouched. "I don't know if we should go tonight, Chris. Not after that nightmare he had last night. Maybe we should wait awhile. We might be doing this too soon."
Chris walked over and placed his hands on Adam's shoulders. "Now stop that. It'll be alright. He was fine when he got up this morning, we watched Care Bears and played with his blocks, we even colored. The nightmare isn't affecting him. He doesn't even remember it. You can take one night. For me?"
Adam let out a steady breath. "You're right. I can. I'm just worried."
"No need to be worried. Besides, you trust Jay with your life. Gerard's in good hands." Chris assured.
Adam nodded. "Okay. I'll get ready. I won't take long, I promise."
Chris knew that when a woman makes that promise, she never keeps it. Here Adam would smack him for calling him a woman, blush and tell him to shut up.
Adam not only had to get dressed and fix his hair a bit and fuss, he had to pack Gerard a bag for his stay.
"You said a small bag. He isn't staying for a week, Adam." Chris said, standing propped up against the kitchen door frame with his arms folded.
Adam looked down at the bag. "It's small. And you never know what could happen. I just have what he needs in here." Like a change of underwear and two pairs of pajamas just in case, his sippy cup, a back-up sippy cup, coloring books and crayons, a couple of his toys, the medication just in case. He had already given him his bath and dressed him in pajamas. He even had a blanket to wrap him up in to carry him to the car and from the car. It was chilly outside. And of course he'd have to take Charcoal.
At first they thought Gerard might throw a fit or panic because he clung to Adam when they got to the Reso house. But it was a house he had never been in and was strange because it wasn't Adam's, but was no less nicer than Adam's. But Heath was there cooing to him, taking his hand and leading him to the living room. He looked back at Adam apprehensively, but he had promised Adam he'd be okay. Adam was going over things with Jay, like what he had brought him, to call him if he needed him. Both Jay and Chris were so patient with their worrisome blonde.
Adam thought walking out the door- or being shoved out by Jay- would be a disaster, but Gerard found a distraction very quickly in a black and white cat and was soon following it around the living room as it explored. The fluffy ball of fur stopped and Gerard had reached down to pet it when it saw him, recoiled and darted down the hallway.
"Hey hey, where you going?" Heath took the boy's hand and led him to the kitchen. "Mama said to feed you, we're about to have dinner. Spaghetti sound good?"
Gerard nodded enthusiastically. Spaghetti sounded so very good.. he just wanted to squish it in his fingers and play with it while he ate.. but Heath wasn't having any of that. He gave him a toy to play with and fed him. More carefully than Adam did because Heath didn't have the practice Adam had and badly needed it. So they didn't get too messy, mainly just his face because no one could eat spaghetti without the assistance of a napkin or two.
Heath was quite proud when he got some noodles perfectly wrapped around the fork. "Here, open up." But when he fed Gerard the bite, he clamped down on the fork and held it. Heath gave it a gentle tug. "Come on now, let go." Gerard only bared teeth and gave a playful growl. Heath huffed and narrowed his eyes. "You do not scare me." He pulled the fork away when Gerard giggled.
Jay watched in content amusement. He knew his fox sometimes worried, but he knew he was going to do just fine when their baby was born. Heath got him fed and cleaned off, his shirt changed because it had gotten sauce on it, but wasn't a big deal. He'd rush and get some stain remover on it as quickly as possible though to save Adam effort. And by 'he' he meant Jay.
After dinner Gerard was back to investigating the cats in curious fascination. He had never been near a real cat before, having only saw them on TV or in books. He wondered if they were as soft as Pooter, they looked soft and they were very cute. He wanted to pet and play with one. The small yellow tabby was snooping around the skirt of the couch. Gerard crouched down behind it, moving to his hands and knees to stalk it. He watched the bundle of fur stop, crouch low and pounce on a cat toy and took the opportunity to reach out and pet it. The cat startled just a bit, but turned and pawed at Gerard's hand, mewed and crawled up into his lap to be petted.
Gerard giggled when the cat batted at his hand with its paw. "Kitty.."
Heath sat down to watch the boy. "Yes, kitty. You find a friend? That's our Bianca, she's very friendly. The other two spook easily.. until they get to know you.." Heath smiled, seeing the black and white cat peep around the corner and watch Gerard with interest before creeping over cautiously and pawing at his leg. "That's Sally. Pet her really slow." He said as Gerard reached over to pet her.
The boy touched her lightly with his fingertips and the cat ducked its head for a second, but soon nuzzled into the soft pets, closing her eyes and purring contently.
"There you go." Heath giggled when Bianca got jealous and tried to climb up on Gerard's shoulder to curl around his neck. The big gray cat just sat on the couch, curled up and watching in what almost looked like critique, green eyes narrowed. Heath reached over to pet him, scratching his ear. "What's a matter with you, lazy cat? This here's Byron. He's all fat and lazy, yes him is."
Jay sat down beside Heath, turning on the TV. "He ain't fat. That's all muscle. Call my cat fat. Shame on you." He teased, nibbling Heath's cheek and making him giggle.
Byron decided to abandon his goofy parents and get down to check on Bianca and Sally, who were both trying to crawl all over Gerard.
So far this babysitting thing wasn't hard. It was good practice anyway. Heath sat back and enjoyed the scene in the floor, wondering if their kid would get along so well with their cats. He sighed and rubbed his tummy, filled up on pasta, dreamy and content. That was broken when he heard a small sneeze.
Heath raised up, eyes wide. "Oh, my.. goodness, bless you, sweetheart."
Gerard sat up and wrinkled his nose, blinking repeatedly. His nose and eyes itched and he furiously rubbed them. He sneezed again and the cats scattered. He rubbed his nose and whined, trying not to sneeze again. He coughed instead.
"Uh-oh.." Heath plucked a tissue from its box on the side table and shuffled off the seat to lower himself to the floor to wipe Gerard's nose as he sniffled. Naturally the boy shoved him away. "No no.. here, blow.." He covered his mouth as Gerard sneezed again. "Daddy.. you think we need to call Adam?"
Jay had his arms folded. "Nope."
"But what if he's sick? While he was left with me." Heath's eyes got even wider. "Oh, god.. I'm in so much trouble.." He felt of Gerard's forehead. Naturally he wasn't hot. He just looked really irritated.
"Stop.. itchy.."
"I don't think he's sick." Jay said as Gerard sniffled. He got down to where Gerard and Heath were and lifted Gerard's chin, looking at his eyes as the boy blinked at him.
"You don't..?" Heath said smally.
"Nah. He might be allergic to the cats. Heh, like Mama." Jay smiled fondly.
Heath nearly sighed relief and lifted himself back up to the couch with a grunt. "But why didn't Adam tell us?"
"He might not have known, precious. It's okay. Hold on just a second, okay." Jay got up and headed to the kitchen.
Of course the cats had taken interest and raised their heads in curiosity. Gerard looked around nervously. He was allergic to the cats? But why? Did that mean he couldn't play with them? They made him itch and sneeze. That wasn't fair. They were so soft. He was about to panic when Jay returned with a small box and popped out a pink pill. Heath recognized it as the emergency allergy medicine Jay kept for when Adam was over and the cats took interest in him. Adam was allergic to their babies as well.
"Here, take this. You just chew it up, okay. Stop you from sneezing." Jay gave him the tablet to chew. "I keep these for Mama. He likes the chewable kind cuz he's such a princess." Jay grinned, teasing.
Gerard didn't like the chalky texture, and the cherry flavoring tasted kind of stale, but he chewed it up anyway.
"I am so telling him you said that." Heath said, lips quirking and beaming at Jay. He was cute all fatherly. "But he never sneezes when we go over, I know the fur's on our clothes."
"That probably wasn't enough to trigger it." Jay said, sitting back on the couch. He had been rolling around with them in the floor, after all.
-xx-
In the restaurant, Adam gazed at his phone on the table. He wondered briefly why it had not rang once. He knew he was being paranoid, he knew Jay and Heath could handle things. He trusted them, they were capable. He sighed and relaxed as Chris came back from the restroom and sat back down. "They brought rolls."
It wasn't a fancy restaurant, or a romantic one with candle light and classical music. It was a nice family restaurant with friendly staff and good food. It beat the usual fast food joint.
Chris looked down at the phone. "All good?"
"Yeah. They can handle it. I'm not worried." Adam picked up a roll and nibbled it.
"Mhm. You can call later and check up if you want, Adam. I don't mind." He got a roll for himself because he was starving and the food just couldn't get done fast enough.
Adam smiled, reaching out to take his hand on the table. "I know. You're so good to me."
Chris returned his smile and lifted his hand up to kiss the back of it. "I am." He grinned, rubbing his thumb across his knuckles. "You deserve it."
Adam giggled. "I do. I love you."
"I love you too, Adam."
They ate in peace, talking about work and recalling fond memories. The plan was dinner and then to go home for some special private time. So far things were going good.
-xx-
The allergy tablet had helped and made the nasty sneezing and itching stop, now Gerard sat on the couch, coloring book spread across his lap and crayon in hand, Bianca curled up beside him asleep.
Heath waddled back from the bathroom and eased himself down beside Gerard. "Hey there, 'bout done?"
Gerard nodded, not taking his eyes off the book, tongue peeking out the side of his mouth as he guided the crayon across the paper. "Uh-huh." He colored in the last piece and held it up. "Kitty."
Heath smiled. It was a picture of a cat he had colored yellow batting around a blue ball of yarn. "It's very pretty. S'it supposed to be B there?"
Gerard nodded, teeth buried in his bottom lip.
"Aweh." Heath petted his hair and cuddled him. "You 'bout ready to go to sleep, I'll read to you."
"No. Wanna wait for Mama." Gerard raised his hand up to nibble on his thumb.
"But Mama might not be back for a little while, I don't think you can make it." Heath took his hand down.
"I can so. I stayed up 'fore." Gerard protested.
"C'mon, you can take a little nap and Mama will be here to get you." Heath assured, he could see he was tired and would not make it until the lovebirds returned.
Gerard huffed, shaking his head, voice slightly raising. "No, wanna wait for Mama. I want Mama."
"Okay okay, shhh.. shhh, it's okay." Heath took his head in his hands. "We can wait. How about I still read to you until then?" He pulled out a book from his bag and opened it.
Gerard regarded him carefully and nodded slowly. "Kay.. just one.."
"Just one." Heath wrapped his arm around him as he cuddled into his side, stroking his hair and beginning to read.
Gerard had his hand laying gently on the swell of Heath's tummy, fingers lightly scratching as he listened, eyelids heavy. He blinked and shook his head. He yawned, continuing to fight his sleep. Nope, he didn't want to go to sleep. His eyes wanted him to, but he wasn't going to let them. He wanted to wait for Adam. He knew Adam would be back, but he needed to see it for himself. Adam and Chris would be back for him. Gerard's eyes drooped again, his thumb going to his mouth instinctively. He was drowsy, slipping slowly into slumber. He snapped his eyes open for a second and dropped his head again.
Heath closed the book. Gerard had finally fell asleep, sucking on his thumb and making the cutest sighs. Heath shushed Jay as he entered the living room. "He just fell out. I'm kinda stuck for a bit."
Jay smiled and carefully sat beside his fox, hand going to Heath's belly to rub and trace invisible patterns over his t-shirt. "You're gonna make such a great mom."
Heath smiled, placing his hand over Jay's. "I hope I do."
"You will." Jay kissed him and continued to enjoy the comfortable silence.
Heaf's a good little mama. Adam would have packed the whole house had Chris let him. My boys and their pussy allergies. Tsk. I have plenty wrote, I just haven't been able to edit it yet. Please bear with me.