by K. C. Wells
“Well, you may have started it, but I’m finishing it,” Dad declared. “This ends now.”
Robin gaped at him. “Just like that? You haven’t even asked me how I feel about him. How serious we are.”
“And how serious are you?” Mom’s voice was so quiet. Dad flashed her a warning glance, but she glared at him. “He’s right. You haven’t given him a chance to tell his side of things.”
“That’s because I don’t need to hear it! The guy’s a teacher, for Christ’s sake.”
“But he’s not Robin’s teacher,” she said in that same quiet voice. “He never was.” Her gaze met Robin’s. “How do you feel about him?”
“I love him. And he loves me.” Robin felt sick to his stomach.
“You’re eighteen!” Dad hollered. “What do you know about love? And no eighteen-year-old son of mine is going to… carry on with a guy his age.” His eyes hardened. “Like I said, this ends now. You’re not going to see him again. So you’d better call him and let him know.”
“I don’t get a say in this?” In all his darkest moments when he’d worried about their reaction, he’d never once imagined his dad would be so… hard. So unfeeling.
“Robin, why don’t you go to your room for a while?” Mom said in a soothing tone.
In other words, his dad needed to calm the fuck down.
He nodded, his throat tight. Robin picked up his bag, left the room, and headed for his bedroom. Once inside, he closed the door and got out his phone.
“Missed me already?” Dean asked when the call connected.
“They know,” Robin said simply. “It’s all such a fucking mess. Dad says I can’t see you anymore, that it’s over. He went on about your age, and how I don’t know a fucking thing about love, because how could I? I’m only eighteen. I—”
“Robin. Robin!”
He shuddered out a sob. “Yeah?”
“Okay. Take a breath and tell me exactly what happened.”
Robin tried to breathe as he related the scene in the living room, his stomach clenched and his chest constricted. When he got to the end, he fell silent, exhausted.
“Okay.”
“Okay? How is any of this okay?”
“Right now your dad is all worked up. So you need to give him time to calm down.” A pause. “We knew it might go like this, right?”
“Wait—you’re not saying we’re gonna do what he says, are you? You’re gonna roll over and say, ‘Okay, Mr. Davis, you win. I’ll forget I’m in love with Robin’?”
“Right now I’m thinking of your relationship with your dad. You work with him. You live under their roof.”
“Then I’ll leave. I’ll…” Shit, this was such a mess.
“Give it time,” Dean said quietly. “Maybe in a few days I’ll come over, and we can talk to him together. Maybe if he sees us as a couple, he’ll start to realize he’s being unreasonable.” Another pause. “I don’t want your relationship with your parents to go to hell over this. You only get one set of parents. And believe me, I’ve seen how much pain results when that relationship breaks down.”
Robin breathed a little more evenly. “You’re not saying we’re through, are you?”
“Sweetheart, I love you. I’m not suddenly going to fall out of love with you. All I’m saying right now is give your parents time. I’m here if you need to talk, okay?”
“Okay.” Robin swallowed. “I love you.”
“Love you too, so much. Try to get some sleep. Things might look brighter in the morning.”
“Hey, Dean?” Robin’s chest was so fucking tight. “If I… if I need a place to stay…”
“You don’t have to ask.” Dean’s voice radiated assurance. “But… let’s hope it doesn’t get that far. He’ll be more reasonable when he’s calmed down.”
Robin so wanted to believe that. “Goodnight.” He disconnected the call and put his phone on the nightstand. Then he lay face-down, his face buried in his pillow, still wearing his coat and boots.
Everything is fucked.
The tears he’d fought so hard to keep inside would no longer be held in check, and he sobbed into the white cotton. In less than fifteen minutes, his dad had ruined his life. A deep ache ran through him, all the way down to his soul, and his tears spilled out without restraint.
A gentle hand tentatively squeezed his shoulder, and Robin almost leaped out of his skin. Ryan stood beside his bed. “Hey, bro,” he said softly. He looked as miserable as Robin felt. “It’s okay. I heard everything.”
“Oh Ryan.”
That was all it took for Ryan to stretch out beside him on the bed, his arms wide. Robin clung to him, and Ryan stroked his back, soft supportive murmurs falling from his lips. “Let it out, bro. I got ya.”
Robin laid his head on Ryan’s chest, his tears soaking into Ryan’s sweater. “I love him.”
“I know you do.” Ryan’s hand was gentle on Robin’s hair. “We’ll find a way to make it work out.” He sighed. “Dad can’t see past Dean’s age, but I can. And if Dad was thinking clearly, he’d realize he knows exactly how you’re feeling right now.”
“D-Dean said to give him time, l-let him calm d-down.” Sobs wracked his body.
“Dean’s right. So don’t go bringing it up again. Let Dad simmer for a while.” Ryan tightened his arm around Robin. “I gotcha, bro.”
Robin lay in his twin’s arms, the two of them saying nothing as Robin’s tears slowed.
At least Ryan knows how I feel.
Then he figured maybe Mom knew too. Some of the things she’d said gave him a glimmer of hope.
Now all he had to do was hope she could work a little magic on his dad.
Christmas is the time for miracles, right?
Robin sighed. Maybe this was one Christmas miracle that was beyond even Santa.
Then something Ryan had said finally sank in. “Why should Dad know how I’m feeling right now? What did you mean by that?” He wiped his eyes.
Ryan gaped at him. “Because he’s been in your shoes, dude.”
Robin sat up. “Okay, explain.”
“You know he’s older than Mom, right?”
Robin rolled his eyes. “Duh.” There was eight years’ difference. The fourteen years between him and Dean sounded way more to Robin’s mind. What surprised him was that he hadn’t brought it up when Dad kicked off. Yeah right. My head was too busy spinning to come out with logical shit. But now? Jesus, the hypocrisy…
Ryan nodded. “But what you probably don’t know is what happened when Mom first brought Dad home to meet Grandma and Granddad.”
“And how come you do?”
“Another of those conversations I wasn’t supposed to overhear. It was maybe two years ago, when we visited Grandma. She and Mom were talking in the kitchen.” Ryan took a deep breath. “Okay. I didn’t hear all of it, just enough to understand that when Mom first brought Dad home, Granddad hit the roof. He said Dad was way too old for her, she was still a kid….” Ryan cocked his head. “Any of this sound familiar?”
Cold washed over Robin’s skin. “Are you sure about this?” When he came to think about it, Dad talked a lot about meeting Mom for the first time, but not a word about after that. “How come you’ve never mentioned any of this?”
“I had a lot going on at the time, okay?” When Robin gave him a hard stare, he sighed. “My mind was on other stuff. Let’s leave it at that. And then I forgot all about it. But yeah, I’m sure. And I’m also pretty sure when Dad calms down, he’s gonna remember all that stuff he’s conveniently forgotten for the moment.”
Robin swallowed. “Then I’m gonna go jog his memory.” Before Ryan could get another word out, Robin lurched up off the bed and headed for the living room. Mom and Dad were still sitting there, Mom looking uneasy.
Dad jerked his head in Robin’s direction. “I’ve said all I’m going to say for now,” he said quietly.
“Well, that’s great but I sure haven’t.” Robin walked over and stood in front of him.
“How about you tell me the story of meeting Granddad for the first time? How welcome he made you feel? How happy he was that you were dating Mom?” He stared at his dad, mentally daring him to deny it.
Mom caught her breath, but Dad’s eyes were hot. “That has nothing to do with your situation.”
“It has everything to do with it. Granddad gave you a hard time, didn’t he? But you obviously won him over. He clearly gave you and Mom a chance. So why don’t I get that same chance?”
“We’re not talking about your mother and me, we’re talking about you and Mr. Quentin. It’s not the same thing at all.” Dad’s face was red, his breathing harsh.
Robin forced himself to be calm. “Okay, I need to say a couple of things here, and then I’ll get out of your hair. One. Right now you’re obviously not thinking clearly. If you were, you’d see how illogical what you just said is. Two. I’m gonna go stay at Dean’s place. And before you say another word, this is not me being a kid and having a hissy fit. I’m not moving out. This is me leaving temporarily to give both of us some time to think, before we say a lot of shit we’re gonna regret. And three…” His throat tightened. “I always thought you were such a cool dad. I never thought you’d be such a… hypocrite.”
“Are you finished?” Dad said, his eyes still flinty.
“Yeah, I’m done.” And with that, Robin walked out of the room and into his bedroom.
Ryan gaped at him. “Holy fuck, Robin.”
Robin ignored him. He emptied his bag onto the bed, went into his closet, grabbed a handful of briefs, and tossed them onto the comforter.
“You’re not really going to Dean’s, are you?”
Robin thrust the underwear and a couple of T-shirts into the bag, followed by a sweater. “Yup.” God, he was trembling. “I’m gonna give Dad some breathing space, but I need some too.” He threw his toothbrush in there too.
“Is Dean gonna be okay with this?”
Robin nodded. “He said so.”
“Well, I know what you’re gonna be doing for the next few days,” Ryan said with a smirk.
Robin froze. “Are you for real? You really think I’m going over there so we can fuck each other’s brains out? Christ, Ryan.” His shivers multiplied and his hands shook as he zipped up the bag. Sex was the last thing on his mind. All Robin wanted right then was a place where he could think, and that wasn’t under his parents’ roof.
“I’m sorry.” Ryan looked so lost. “I shouldn’t joke.”
Robin put his bag down on the bed and went over to Ryan. He hugged him tightly. “It’s gonna be okay, right?” he whispered.
Ryan’s face was warm against his. “He’ll come around.”
God, Robin hoped so.
As he went to the door, it opened, and Mom stood there, her face ashen. “Don’t go.”
Robin swallowed hard. “Like I told Dad… I’m not moving out. I’m giving us both some space.” He leaned in quickly and kissed her cheek. “Love you, Mom.”
“Love you,” she said, before giving him a hug. As he walked past her, she added, “Your dad loves you too.”
That sent a sharp pain lancing through his heart, and he couldn’t reply. He walked up to the front door, stepped outside, and closed it behind him.
I thought if anyone was gonna break my heart, it would be Dean, not my dad.
Dean switched on the washing machine, his mind on Robin.
I hope he’s okay.
Dean had known it was never going to be a walk in the park, but it sounded like Robin’s dad had reacted badly. It had taken every ounce of Dean’s strength not to get into his car and head to Robin’s house. Robin didn’t need that right then. He needed calm assurance that they were going to get through this, and that his dad would come around.
Dean was less sure about the second part. He didn’t know Mr. Davis well enough to be certain of that.
The doorbell rang, and Dean glanced at the kitchen wall clock. At this hour? As soon as he walked into the hallway, he knew who was standing on the other side of the door, and his heart sank. He hurried to open it, and his arms were full of a shivering Robin.
Dean pushed the door shut, then held Robin to him. “Hey, what happened?”
Robin pulled back and gazed up at him. “Can I stay? Maybe for a few days?”
Aw fuck. “Of course you can.” He kissed Robin’s hair. “I take it things went from bad to worse.”
“Can… can we talk about this in the morning?”
Dean looked closely at him. Christ, he seemed exhausted. “Yes. You need to sleep.”
Robin gripped his upper arm. “If it’s okay… can I sleep in your guest room?”
He nodded. “I’ll make up the bed. On one condition.” He lifted Robin’s chin with his fingers. “If you need me, you come right on in to my room, okay? Don’t lie there upset and in a mess. Get into my bed and curl up with me.”
“Okay.”
Lady chose that moment to stroll into the hall, and Robin scooped her up into his arms. “Is it okay if Lady sleeps on my bed?”
Dean didn’t have the heart to refuse him. “That’ll be fine. Just be prepared for the other little furball to come too.” He kissed Robin’s forehead, before heading for the stairs. “Come on up. I’ll show you to your room.” Dean didn’t quite get why Robin didn’t want to share his bed, but he wasn’t about to argue the point.
What mattered now was giving Robin time and space to ease his pain.
Then Dean was going to try to sort out this mess.
Chapter Twenty-One
After the tenth time of checking his phone for texts from his parents, Robin gave up. They’re not gonna budge on this, are they? Granted, it had been less than twelve hours since Robin’s world had crashed and burned, but he thought there’d be at least one text asking him to come home.
Nothing.
And not all my world crashed and burned. Dean was still there. And Ryan had sent several texts. Some of them weren’t appropriate to the situation, but his heart was in the right place. Robin was sure he and Dean would both get some enjoyment out of them at some point once everything was resolved.
If it ever gets resolved.
Dean came into the living room, carrying two mugs. He set them down, then glanced at Robin’s phone on the coffee table. “Still nothing?”
Robin couldn’t answer. He had the feeling that if he tried to speak, his voice would crack, and the tears that had fallen so freely the previous day would return with a vengeance. The night had passed with little to no sleep, and although he’d debated getting up and going to Dean’s room, Robin had stayed put.
He had to know for sure.
Dean sat beside him, and Lady got up from her spot by the fireplace and strolled over to them. She jumped up, landing with a soft whump on Robin’s knee. Dean smiled, stroking her behind her ears. “Lady’s come to give you some love.”
Robin snorted. “She’s a cat. I’m pretty sure she’s expecting me to do the loving.”
Dean gave his thigh a gentle squeeze. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Thanks, but no.” Not unless you can give my dad a new heart for Christmas. Because right then the one he had wasn’t working. How could it be, if he couldn’t see the parallels with his own life?
“Do you want me to go talk to him?”
Robin sighed. “He needs time to think. And I need to not think about this.” He’d replayed their conversation over and over in his head. “I keep asking myself: was there something else I could’ve said that would’ve gotten through to him? If I hadn’t flown off the handle the way I did, would he have acted the way he did?” Robin leaned his head back against the seat cushion and closed his eyes. “Only two days till it’s Christmas.” Except what kind of Christmas was it going to be this year?
“What does your family usually do on the day?”
Robin opened his eyes. “We actually start celebrating on Christmas Eve. Mom makes a special meal. It’s kind of a tradition.” He smiled. “There was
one year when Ryan tried to convince them it was okay to open presents after midnight, but they nixed that idea. And on Christmas Day, we all get up as soon as Ryan does, because… hello, big kid. Then we help Mom make breakfast. She has Christmas carols playing all morning.”
“I like the sound of that,” Dean murmured.
“And in the afternoon we watch Christmas movies, usually our favorites, and that lasts pretty much all day.” He swallowed hard. “Except… it won’t ever be like that again.”
“Hey.” Dean’s voice was soft. “You don’t know that.”
Robin huffed. “Yeah, I do. This feels like the day I discovered Santa wasn’t real.”
Dean gave a gasp of mock horror. “He’s not?” Robin couldn’t help laughing at that. Dean leaned in conspiratorially. “I wouldn’t say that if I were you. You might offend him.”
Robin bit his lip. “You believe in… Santa Claus?” Okay, this was adorable.
Dean smiled. “How else do you think you ended up with me? You think it was by chance I walked into the boatyard?” He kissed Robin lightly on the lips. “You’re everything I ever wanted. You’re beautiful, smart, romantic…”
“Romantic? What gave me away?”
Dean chuckled. “I think it was the candle on the table when you made me dinner that evening. But more than that, it told me something vital.”
“What was that?” Robin wondered how revealing reheated mac and cheese could be.
Dean locked gazes with him. “I wanted to know if there was more to us than sex. I got my answer.”
“I could’ve told you that. You only had to ask.”
“Yes, but I’m a guy. That would have been too easy.” Dean covered Robin’s hand with his. “You said you didn’t want to think about all this. So can I make a suggestion?”
“If it’ll get my mind off my dad, I’ll go for anything.”
Dean squeezed his hand. “Let’s get out of here. You need fresh air, exercise… all good things for breathing life into you.” He smiled. “We were going to go skiing, remember?”
It was on the tip of Robin’s tongue to say he was in no mood to hit the slopes when he realized Dean was right. It was exactly what he needed. Sitting around worrying accomplished nothing.
