Hello everyone. I know I've been gone. I've been struggling a lot in school. I've also been going through a lot emotionally. One thing I've learned is that when someone is going through mental health issues just opening up can be really beneficial. So if anyone is going through anything, please please please just message me! I'm here for all of y'all. Fanficiton has been a part of my life for a long time and you all mean so much to me. Okay, on with the show!
Chapter 4: A Night Out
Ivan grabbed his phone off his desk and unlocked it to see a text from Henry.
Movie?
Ivan smiled, a blush that he couldn't control crept onto his face, reaching his ears. It's as if Henry knew exactly what he needed.
On my way.
Ivan grabbed a sweater as it had been cooling down since the sun was getting closer to setting. He tied on his converse and walked out to the living room. "I'm heading to Henry's to watch a movie! I'll be back once it's over."
"Okay! Make sure you do some homework tonight," Dimitri yelled out to him from the kitchen, where he was still talking with Abe.
The door closed and Abe couldn't help but smile after the boy. "You know that boy is completely in love with that Asian man next door."
Dimitri choked a little on the tea he was sipping. "Uhm…"
"Oh, c'mon Dimka, get with the times. Gay people exist."
"I honestly never thought that would ever come out of your mouth."
Abe nibbled on a cracker. "Well he definitely dresses the part. I'm waiting for the time he has come kind of crisis and dyes his hair."
"What the heck are you talking about?"
"Do you not go on the internet?" Abe sighed and stroked his beard. "I have a young man in my organization and he's from Brazil. He's got this strange haircut and paints his nails. He showed me this thing called Tumblr. It's so strange how young people communicate. Create these… trends."
Dimitri felt so confused and slightly overwhelmed. Somewhere deep down he knew that his son was most likely not going to get a girlfriend anytime soon, but putting a label on it is something he had never consciously made. "What's that?"
"Tumblr? Oh, it's like facebook. You have a computer? Let me show you."
Amongst the nightmare that Abe was about to put Dimitri through, Ivan had made it to his neighbors home. He pushed open the door like usual. Rogelio was at the kitchen that was visible from the front door. "Hello Ivan! Welcome back, Henry said you'd be over." Rogelio winked. Ivan blushed.
Rogelio and Anthony fully new of the huge crush the neighbor had on their son. Whether their son was gay or not was something they had never discussed. Understanding that sexuality was something confusing and pressuring from the rest of the world. They had made it very clear to their child that no matter who they ended up with they would fully support them. It seemed self explanatory since his parents were gay themselves, but it was a talk neither of them received as children and they wanted to make sure they did better.
"Hi Rogelio, where's Anthony?"
"He's at the store, we ran out of flour."
"What are you making?"
"Just some crab cakes. Need some flour and bread crumbs though, so Anthony went to the store for me. He's such a sweetheart. Love of my life."
Ivan loved hearing either of them talk about each other. They fought just like any other couple, but no matter what you could see it on their faces how much they love each other. Ivan wished he could be like that one day. He dreamed of it with someone specific, but not like he was going to be actually admitting that anytime soon.
"Would you like any help?"
"Sure Ivan. You have a great palate." Ivan slipped out of his shoes and sweater and stepped into the kitchen. He grabbed one of the aprons that were on standby in the kitchen. Rogelio loved to cook and he never hid it. Without having to say anything, Ivan began to chop the vegetables that were already placed on the counter.
After a few minutes the stomping of feet came from the stairs. "Papa?! Did Ivan ever-"
Henry cut himself off as he saw Ivan in the kitchen. He smiled and practically bounced over to the island that stood in between him and his friend and father. "Papa, stop stealing my time with Ivan."
"Oh, you see him plenty. He offered to help."
"Well, I have a great movie lined up for us."
"What is it?" Ivan asked.
"It's this documentary on Netflix. It's about the Flat Earth society."
Ivan laughed. "What's that?" Rogelio asked.
"I don't think you would like it, Papa. You would just get frustrated."
"Oh, you mean like those people who still think the world is flat? Ugh you know, those people are just-"
"You know what, why don't you watch it with Dad?"
Rogelio rolled his eyes at his son, but admired the blush he could easily see creeping on Ivans face. During the conversation, Ivan was already getting the apron off and washing his hands to head up stairs to Henry's room. Rogelio looked as Henry waved and gave a pointed look at his Papa and Rogelio just gave him his own knowing look.
Rogelio and Anthony have had a talk with their son about sexuality, and they never feared to bring it up at a young age. They knew from experience that being stifled could be so detrimental, and wanted to create an honest relationship with each other. Of course, that doesn't come with its difficulties. Henry was quick to make his own decisions, even if Rogelio and Anthony were not so encouraging. Henry has constantly expressed that he doesn't have any feelings for the younger Belikov boy. And as much as the fathers want to believe their son, it was hard to believe when they witnessed each other grow and bond in such a way that could be seen as more than platonic. They wanted to support him, but urged him to be careful when it came to being intimate with Ivan, as he was still only 17.
Rogelio watched the two go up the stairs towards Henry's room and then resumed his cooking. Anthony eventually came home. He left his shoes at the door and brought in the groceries and put on the apron and resumed his position next to his beloved. Rogelio gave his lover a quick peck on the cheek. "Ivan is here, love."
"Well, that is to be expected, isn't it?"
"Oh, I wish he would just admit it already!"
"My love, you know we can't push anything out of him unless he wants to share."
Rogelio smacked Anthony with a dish towel and Anthony grinned. He set down his utensil and grabbed his husbands hand, pulling him close. He put a hand behind his loves grinning face and used his other to wrap around his waist. The grinned and Anthony suddenly sticks out his tongue and licks it across Rogelio's face.
"Ohmygod! Not again!"
Anthony's deep laughter could resonate and even reached Henry's room.
"Was that your dad?"
"Yeah he must have gotten home and licked Papa's face again."
"You'd think he'd stop falling for it every day."
"It's cute."
They had made it through about a quarter of the movie. They sad together on the two seater couch Henry had in his room. Both boys lived in a much more comfortable lifestyle then their parents. However, they do attempt to try to understand that they should be thankful for what they have.
Henry's room was relatively large, he owned a queen sized bed, and in front of it sat the small couch. And about 4 feet across was a wall designated for a TV and multiple shelves that consisted of different CD's, DVD's, Books, Games. Across from the door was a slanted window that had a beautiful view of the sunset. Under the window was also a small seat. The walls were baby blue, a classic color for the nursery that it was originally. Henry sometimes thinks he wants to change the color, but never works up the effort to do it. Next to his bed was a foldable door for his closet, which fit his dresser and his sweaters and other fun outfits were hanging up. Much of it untouched. His luggage was still on his bed, barely opened. The lights were dark and the blinds were down to create less of a glare on the TV while the sun was setting.
They sat together on the small couch, Henry's arm over the back of the couch, the other resting on Ivan's legs, as Ivan was sprawled across the couch, his head up against the arm of the couch as they watched the movie together.
"Honestly, I think it's crazy people are willing to buy into this kind of crap," Henry claimed as they continued the film.
"People are afraid of what they don't understand."
"It's space, it's like, really not that hard though."
"I don't know, if space can be so infinite and great; I don't know, some people just can't comprehend that."
"Are you saying we should be letting them continue this?"
"Essentially, the more you try to turn them the other way, the more they believe that the reason you are trying to do that is because they are right, and not for education. Because they lack all trust in outside education, and believe they've been brainwashed."
"You are too smart for your own good. Why am I the one in college? You should have skipped a grade."
"I would be so sad if I ever did that. I could never just not be in the same grade as Mason."
Henry looked over at Ivan. He could tell something was weighing on his mind, but he didn't want to press the matter too much. Ivan is usually pretty open with him about what's on his mind. Henry believed it had to do with their Grandpa coming to town. It was interesting how both Henry and Abe had come in around the same time, but the universe can work in mysterious ways.
"Grandpa has come to talk about me taking over the business after highschool."
Henry's eyes widened. Ivan had mentioned that he helps out with the company his mother used to run, but Ivan was very reserved when he discussed those things. Anything that had to do with Rose was a touchy subject most of the time.
"Wow, what are you thinking about doing?"
"I don't know. If I do that, then I'm probably going to have to leave Canada for a while. I mean, I knew that this was inevitable. Grandpa has been just waiting for me to be 18 to bring it up. I knew Papa was holding him back."
"That's a lot, man. But what does your dad think?"
"I'm not sure. They brought it up before I came here. I asked them to tell me more about mom, and they said we would talk more tomorrow when Mason didn't have practice."
"That makes sense." Henry attempted to be smooth as his hand glided to the small patch of skin between Ivans socks and his pants. Ivan's skin burned where Henry touched, and he tried his best not to be too affected by it, due to the seriousness of the conversation.
"Alright, tell me about this new job!"
"Oh, yeah! I'm actually working for a non-profit right now. My friends and I started one to support foster youth in Canada and help them get to college. I'm essentially in charge of some of the event planning and social media campaigning. I'm going to try to get my own place soon, but for now I'll be here to save up some money. I sold most of everything I had in California."
"That's amazing! I know you told me about wanting to start it, but it's amazing you have been able to make it so far. I'm proud of you."
"Yeah, sorry I haven't been able to talk much. When I was working as a video editor at the company in California, they had me working all the time, and I almost never got any time for myself. It gave me a lot of experience, but California is like another world, honestly."
Ivan loved when Henry talked about his life, and what he was passionate about. His eyes got a little distant, and Ivan could tell he was reminiscing. It captivated him.
"I'm thinking about writing a book," Ivan blurted out. He sat up, so he could see Henry's face better, his shoulder brushed up against Henry's arm.
"That's awesome. Have you started anything?"
"No, I'm barely thinking of a story line."
"Are you going to tell me what its about?"
"No, not till its ready!"
"Alright, whatever you say…"
They continued the movie until it finally ended. Ivan, being the anxious person he was, was moving different positions every twenty minutes. Henry was used to this behavior, so the adjustments were silent and he was able to get comfortable each time.
The night went relatively smoothly, casual conversations here and there.
Henry walked Ivan home, as he did every time they hung out. They were at the front door, Ivan turned around and hugged him goodbye. "Hey get a room you too!"
Ivan jumped back and his face was beat red as he saw his twin brother running up the driveway from where he parked.
"I'll see you later Henry," Ivan mumbled fast before unlocking his door and rushing inside.
"Hey, man. Don't mess with him too much." Henry hugged Mason hello and smiled.
"Hey, man," Mason mimicked, "When you gonna get the balls to ask my brother out?"
"Why does everyone keep asking that?"
"Wow, I wonder why?" Mason slid past him with a sarcastic shrug and walked into his house where Ivan closed the door behind him.
"I can't believe you did that!"
"What do you mean? I do that all the time, and you just keep falling for it. You're like Rogelio when Anthony keeps licking his face."
"Yeah they literally did that when I was there."
"It's so gross, you'd think Rogelio would stop falling for it."
Ivan began to follow him to their bathroom. "That's besides the point Mason. You can't keep doing that. I don't want Henry and I to not be friends anymore."
"Ivan, stop kidding yourself, everyone knows you love Henry." He shut the bathroom door on his brother leaving him there with a red face and a desperately angry looking face.
"Are you okay my boy?" Abe said, peaking his head out of the guest room. So nosy.
"Nothing, Grandpa. I don't want to talk about it."
"Well, I'm here if you ever do. Have you tried looking on Tumblr-?"
"Grandpa, I think I'm fine. And, please stay off of Tumblr. Please."
"Maybe, if this Henry person doesn't work out you can always try Grinder-?!"
"Grandpa!" Ivan ran with the most embarrased look on his face into his room.
Dimitri peaked his own head out at Abe. "Gosh, stay out of it."
"I can't help it!"