Butterfly Boys

by Cameron James

  “Oakley?” he asked, “come on Oakley, come on.” He said lifting Oakley’s hand up to his mouth, kissing his knuckles as Oakley took another, deeper breath in, and then he began to cough. His eyes fluttering open then searching the room.

  “Frankie.” He said in rasp, then turned to me. “Sam?” he said, we both laughed together as Frankie gasped and kissed Oakley’s hand and I searched out his button that summoned the nurses. “Where’s Sky? Is Sky okay?” Oakley asked, Frankie began to nod, and nod.

  “They’re fine. Just banged their head.” I said, Oakley almost smiled. “Do you remember what happened?” I asked, Oakley frowned then he nodded.

  “Vividly.” He said then winced. “Ow.” He whispered as he pressed his fingers against his nose. “Ow.” He repeated as the door opened, Nurse Mitchell came in, followed by a second nurse.

  “Nice of you to join us sunflower.” She said as she swapped places with me and took his hand, the Nurse on the other side did the same with Frankie. “You two, go and call his Dad’s please, and I think you should also call Sky. Okay?”

  “Okay.” We agreed together, getting our phones out before we had left the room.

  ❋

  Chapter Nineteen

  We stood in the waiting room, Frankie’s phoning dialling out to Skylar, as mine did to Riley.

  “Sam? Is everything okay? Is Oak okay?” he asked once he picked up the phone, I smiled taking a deep breath then nodding.

  “He’s fine Riley. Really, really fine. He’s woke up.”

  “Shit.” Riley said in a deep breath. “Thank you Sam, thank you for calling, we’ll be there as soon as we can.” He said, then hung up on me, so I sighed, locking my phone then looking at Frankie as he smiled at the end of the conversation with Sky. He put his phone down, tapping it against his chin then looking towards me. He went to say something to me, I saw him as he did then he frowned, so I turned around.

  “Alistair?” Frankie asked, Alistair stopped where he was, looking between us then he shook his head.

  “How did you guys get here so fast?” he asked,

  “What? How did you?” Frankie said, so Alistair shook his head, then he gasped.

  “Oakley.” He said, we both nodded, “Is Oakley okay?”

  “He woke up.” I whispered; Alistair gasped it sounded relieved.

  “But, if you didn’t know that, why are you here?”

  “Enzo.” He said, we both frowned at him. “Zie went into labour last night. Zie had the twins.”

  “Are you serious?” I said, Alistair nodded.

  “I’m going to get some food for Enzo and Caleb. Zie is awake, the babies are perfect. They’re in fifteen if you want to go and see them.” he said, we both nodded back as Alistair passed us, leaving the hospital. Frankie walked around me quite quickly, turning back to smile at me, the smile perfectly saying to me, come on Sam, babies!

  So, I followed. Walking down the corridor behind him until we reached room fifteen. Frankie touched it lightly, knocking on the door then opening it when we were granted entry.

  Enzo was sat on the bed, in the nonbinary t-shirt we’d worn on Pride, and a pair of shorts. Zir legs crossed and a big smile on zir face. Caleb was sat on the chair next to the bed, also looking very happy, just now in our direction.

  “What are you two doing here?” Caleb asked as we came further into the room, my eye line being distracted by the cot that was nearer to the window.

  “We were with Oakley.” Frankie said softly as he went to Enzo, then hugged zir. “How are you?” he asked, Enzo nodded as zie laughed.

  “We might as well have our RCNB meeting here tonight.” Zie said laughing then nodded towards the cot, so Frankie turned. “I’m good. All three of us are very good.” Zie said as Caleb stood walking around the bed towards the cot, so I followed. Gasping as I looked into it at the two tiny babies who were swaddled up next to each other.

  “Aren’t they gorgeous.” Frankie said, Caleb nodded.

  “I’m glad you think so.” They said as they stroked their fingers over the head on the nearest baby.

  “Aren’t you like super early?” I asked, Enzo shook their head.

  “Thirty-six weeks. Ashley said that he’s been expecting me for weeks.” Enzo smiled, as I nodded.

  “Who’s got Emma?”

  “My sister.” Caleb said nodding, “we were going to give her to Rory, but with Oakley we thought…”

  “Of course.” I whispered,

  “Can I hold one?” Frankie asked turning to Enzo and smiling a big smile, Enzo laughed and nodded as Caleb did.

  “Take a seat.” Caleb said, Frankie sat on the end of the bed, then smiled happily as Caleb reached into the cot, picking out the baby on the right, shushing them lightly and taking them to Frankie, resting them into his arms. Frankie gasped as they stroked over the baby’s hair then turned more towards Enzo. “Sam?” Caleb said, offering me the second baby, I bit my lip then nodded, sitting on the other side of the bed then smiling at the baby Caleb placed into my arms. They appeared content, happily snoozing, feeling little nothing in my arms.

  “Have you named them yet?” I asked, Enzo nodded as I stroked over the little wisps of hair the baby in my arms had.

  “Sam, you’ve got Quinn.” Enzo said, I looked towards zir then I grinned.

  “Quinn, I like that.” I said then lightly stroked over Quinn’s hand. “Hello Quinn.”

  “And Frankie, you’ve got Marley.” Caleb said, Frankie gasped.

  “Hey Marley. What a gorgeous name you’ve got.” Frankie said turning more towards me. “Marley, you know Quinn.” He said amused, then he smiled at me so I smiled back as he nudged his elbow against mine.

  Riley decided, as per Enzo’s suggestion to bring the RCNB meeting to Oakley as we were all already in the hospital so why not meet there, so we sat, scattered around Oakley’s hospital room decorating square candle holders.

  Every branch of RC had been given a different set of holders this week, and asked to decorate them for the vigil this coming Sunday. Riley had been telling us in great detail about the meeting all the group leaders had, had and about the reaction the entire room had given when RCA had been given little jars to put their candles in, until he was cut off, by Caleb coming into the room.

  Caleb smiled at us all then took a step back letting Enzo in behind them. Emma ran in past them, coming to me, laughing playfully then running around the chair I was sat on before settling herself on my knee and pointing at the candle holder, so I gave her my pen.

  “We thought we bring our theybies to their first RCNB meeting.” Enzo said as zie went to the bed, then hugged Oakley, whispering something to him as Oakley cuddled zir back. Caleb pushed the double pram further in until it was next to Enzo. “Would you like to meet them?” zie asked, Oakley nodded enthusiastically as Skylar, who was sat on the bed beside him nodded too. Enzo smiled as zir reached into the pram, unclipping the harness and lifting the first baby, who was dressed in a yellow and white striped sleepsuit into zir arms.

  “This is Marley.” Enzo said softly as zie passed them to Oakley, who gasped happily, stroking the palm of Marley’s hand.

  “Hey baby.” Oakley whispered, “my face is usually far nicer than this.” He added; Skylar gasped as they laughed.

  “Shut up. All things considering you came out with a mostly intact face.” They said, Oakley grinned at them as Enzo laughed and lifted Quinn out of the pram, who had a matching, red and white striped sleepsuit on.

  “They’re my babies.” Emma whispered to me as Enzo introduced Quinn to Skylar.

  “Yours?” I repeated, she nodded happily, so I laughed as she jumped off my knee, running around the bed to Caleb who picked her up, leaning her down to look at the babies.

  “Why are you so good with kids?” Frankie asked, I looked at him as he grinned. “So good.” He said nodding, so I nodded back.

  “I guess it’s just my thing.” I said, he bit his lip.

  “It’s hot.” He said rai
sing his eyebrow at me, I did it back so he pulled his tongue at me. I sighed until he laughed.

  “What?” I asked my voice just above a whispered as his eyes twinkled with delight. He shook his head, the playfulness not leaving his expression as he continued to colour in his candle holder.

  “I feel like I might’ve walked in on something here.” Nurse Mitchell said as she came into Oakley’s room with a clipboard. She searched the room, smiling at Skylar, then Frankie and me. She hesitated on Enzo and Caleb, as she’d obviously never seem them before then she looked at Riley, she smiled at Riley. The smile alone told me that Oakley was going to be completely one hundred percent okay.

  “Oakley.” She said, Oakley nodded back to her, looking up from Marley, as Marley wrapped their tiny hand around Oakley’s thumb. “Your surgery on your nose will be tomorrow.” She said, Oakley nodded as Nurse Mitchell scanned the room. “No visitors.” She added, we all complained back at her making her laugh, “except of course Dad and Pa.” she added, Riley nodded.

  “Thank you.” He said softly as she nodded and left. Riley smiled after her then stood and sat next to Enzo on the bed. He stroked down Marley’s stomach, smiling cheerfully as he shook his head. “I don’t think Kieran would be up for having another baby.” He said thoughtfully, Oakley laughed.

  “Please don’t. What if you love that one more than me?” he said, Riley shook his head, the gasp clear.

  “Never.” He stated; Oakley laughed.

  “I think it’s past your time Riley.” Enzo said tapping Riley’s cheek. “Sorry sunshine. We better leave it to the young ones now.” Zie said amused then looked at Caleb, “you hear, three is enough.” Zie said, they laughed as they saluted.

  Oakley was allowed home the day after his surgery. Every Doctor and Nurse he came into contacted concluded that he was okay, and the only thing he needed now was rest, so they sent him home, giving Riley and Kieran strict instructions to wait on him hand and foot. Much to his delight.

  Kieran answered the door when we rang the doorbell, smiling at us as he let us in and directing us into the living room, where Oakley was sat on the couch, a fluffy looking blanket, and Sonic the cat sat on his legs. Sonic allowing, and enjoying the scratching behind the ears he was receiving. Riley was sat next to Oakley, also underneath the blanket, with Spyro on his legs. He was also giving Spyro the cat plenty of wanted love and attention. Trolls played out on the television in front of them,

  “Near the end.” I said, Oakley frowned at me then laughed as he nodded.

  “How on earth do you know that?” he asked, as Frankie laughed behind his hand.

  “Yes, pray tell how you know that Sammy.” He said as he walked towards Oakley, and began to stroke Sonic.

  “They’re all grey, that means it’s almost the end.” I said nodding, Oakley nodded back so I sighed. “I watch it with Emma sometimes.” I added as Sonic stretched on Oakley’s legs then jumped off rubbing up against Frankie’s doc martens.

  “Traitor.” Oakley said raising his eyebrow at the cat who couldn’t care less about being a traitor.

  “How do you feel?” Frankie asked as he crouched to stroke Sonic. Oakley nodded.

  “I’ve been better. I feel like my face has been hit with a rock.” He said then smiled pleasantly. “But everyone’s pretty happy, so I figure I’ll be fine.”

  “You’re so strong.” Frankie said in a gasp, as Riley nodded. “If it was me, I’d be crying into a pillow and telling everyone to get out of my room.”

  “Don’t give him ideas.” Riley said as he stroked through Oakley’s hair. Oakley smiled. “Granted, if it was me, I’d also be hidden away in my room.” He said, Frankie laughed. “Although I’m pretty certain Kieran wouldn’t allow it.” he said raising his eyebrow at Oakley who shook his head.

  “How dare you hide away your beautiful face?” Oakley said, Riley nodded as he laughed.

  “You’re gorgeous that hasn’t changed. Now feed the cats.”

  “He’s not wrong.” Skylar said as they came through the doorway, they smiled at Oakley who grinned back, lifting one side of the blanket so Skylar sat next to him. They kissed once they’d sat down. Sonic jumped back up onto them, snuggling up against Skylar making Oakley laugh and push the cat away.

  “What’s the plan this afternoon?” Frankie asked as he sat on the second couch. I sat beside him, being leant on almost instantly.

  “Films.” Oakley said lightly, “R and R I believe is on the cards, right?” he said, Riley nodded.

  “Everything short of a little bell.” He said amused, as he passed Oakley the remote for the television.

  ❋

  Chapter Twenty

  “Sam.” My Dad said sounding shocked as I let myself into my house. I frowned at him as he came into the hallway.

  “You seem surprised to discover that I have a key.” I said, Dad laughed shaking his head.

  “I…” he said looking back over his shoulder through to the kitchen, then he sighed. “Sam, come and meet my boyfriend.” He said, I laughed out in shock.

  “Boyfriend?” I said, Dad nodded as he sighed.

  “Boyfriend.” He said nodding towards the kitchen so I followed him. I smiled as I saw the man in our kitchen, as he stood with two plates in his hands, taking them to be cleaned. He looked around Dad’s age, maybe a little older, with a full well-groomed beard and friendly eyes. He stopped where he was, examining me, then looking at Dad.

  “Chris.” Dad said, the man nodded, “This is my son.” Dad said, Chris put one of the plates down to shake my hand.

  “Sam?” he said, I nodded as I shook his back. “I’ve heard a lot, mostly about how you completely destroy him on the PlayStation.” I laughed.

  “At least he doesn’t lie.” I said, Dad rolled his eyes as he took the plates.

  “How’s Oakley kid?” Dad asked, I nodded again just a lot quicker.

  “He’s really good actually, his surgery went well. They’re not sure if he’ll be able to go to the vigil yet, but he’s fine.” I said, Dad sighed, it sounded happy.

  “That is amazing news. Oh, I am so happy to hear that Sam.” He said then looked behind me, so I also did. “Frankie and Sky are staying the night with him. I have work tomorrow, I felt it was wiser to leave them be.” I said, Dad nodded then looked at Chris. “I can go, so not to interrupt your date?”

  “No, no don’t worry.” Chris said, I raised an eyebrow at him. “I’ve heard a lot about his favourite person in the world, it’s an honour to actually meet you.” He shrugged lightly. “It’d be great to get to know you.” He added, then looked at Dad, as I did. Dad smiled before disappearing into the kitchen. “So, hey. I’m Christian, most people call me Chris, because telling people I’m Christian opens up too many questions.” He said, I laughed, so he grinned as he obviously figured I was accepting his somewhat Dad jokes.

  “Sam.” I said, then I nodded. “Samuel, I guess, but only Dad calls me Samuel, and usually only when he wants something, and well only Frankie gets away with calling me Sammy.”

  “Frankie?” Chris repeated as I sat on the couch, he followed sitting on the second couch.

  “Frankie’s my…” I began then shrugged, “friend.” I said, he rose his eyebrow at me, so I did it back. “Don’t judge me.” I said, he laughed shaking his head at me.

  “I wasn’t.” he said lightly, “your Dad mentioned to me that you’re nonbinary.” He said, I almost frowned as he looked as if he was searching for what to say. “I was interested, in learning more.” He said, I frowned.

  “Why?” I asked, he laughed.

  “I’m gay.” He said, I nodded as Dad came and joined him on the couch, “but I’m also a thirty-eight year old gay who’s biggest experience with gender expression was a Drag Show I went to back when I was a teenager.” He said, then he looked at Dad. “I think her name was Jasmine, and she looked like a real woman. It was a confusing time.”

  “So?” I encouraged, he looked back at me,

  “So I
’d like to learn more, to ensure I’m addressing you correctly, using the correct words.”

  “Frankie’s better at this than I am.” I said, Chris nodded slowly as Dad smiled at me so I looked away. “Even Oakley, Sky. They’re all better at the nonbinary stuff than me.”

  “But none of them are you,” he said, I frowned as I looked back at him. “And only you know what makes you feel comfortable, and what being nonbinary means to you.” He said, I stuttered lightly.

  “Well…” I said softly, “I’m more caterpillar, because you see we came up with this metaphor to describe how we felt. Feeling more masculine, means I feel more caterpillar, and I do a lot of the time, but even though I wear very boy-like clothes, it doesn’t stop me from being nonbinary, and even though I use male pronouns that doesn’t stop me either.

  Some days I might appear more feminine, more butterfly. I might come down the stairs in an outfit worthy of a doubletake but that’s just when I feel brave, which happens sometimes, which mostly happens with Frankie, but I’ve started to feel a little braver by myself now. A bit more willing to experiment and to try new things, because if Oakley can express himself, be attacked and then come out of it as strong, and as proud of himself, then I can be a little more strong, and a little prouder of myself than I have been, so I’m just Sam, I go by he and him pronouns, and I’m nonbinary.”

  ⦁

  I frowned at my laptop as it began to ring, watching it with interest as I saved my dissertation then minimised it. I smiled as I clicked the little green circle.

  “Ben?” I said, he smiled.