Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2003 19:29:09 -0700 (PDT) From: Equinus Scorpius Subject: Silent Violin - Chapter 9 Legal Notice: The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts. The story is a work of fiction and has no basis in reality. Although the names of places used DO exist, they are in no way reflected factually in this story. Don't read this story if: * You're not 18 or over, * If it is illegal to read this type of material where you live, * Or if you don't want to read about gay/bi people in love or having sex. The author retains copyright to this story. Placing this story on a website or reproducing this story for distribution without the author's permission is a violation of that copyright. Legal action will be taken against violators. Note: This story will be slow moving, and plot oriented. It is not a porno, though sex will happen. It's a fact of life. Words in between <> are sign language, as text formatting does not support italics. E-mail responses to the story, questions, suggestions, criticism, and comments to: EquinusScorpius@yahoo.com Thanks to all my readers for the feedback so far! THE SILENT VIOLIN CHAPTER 9 Bastian followed Kevin out to the faculty parking lot. They walked in silence towards a candy-apple red Camaro and Bastian grew excited as they approached the spectacular car. He eyed it appreciatively, although he knew next to nothing about cars. Kevin walked around the Camaro and unlocked the driver's side door to a little white Hyundai Excel. He laughed to himself, for supposing a 21-year-old high school gym coach could afford a Camaro. Kevin caught him staring longingly at the Camaro and laughed. "You thought I actually owned it, didn't you?" Bastian shrugged sheepishly. "I actually make it a point to park next to it in the mornings. It looks very impressive when you see me walking towards it, as long as you don't see me get into the Hyundai." He twisted the car key in the door and released all the door locks. "Get in." He followed his own advice and fell into the driver's seat with a sigh. He closed his door and started the car; the radio came to life blaring the newest Pink hit before Kevin flipped the radio off. "What a day. You ready to go, Bastian?" Bastian buckled his seat belt and nodded. Kevin put the car in reverse and said: "Let's roll," before peeling out of the parking spot. He drove along the roads with controlled recklessness. After a while, Bastian tapped the dashboard to get Kevin's attention. Kevin glanced at him and sighed softly. "Well I promised to tell you, didn't I?" Kevin sighed again and Bastian shifted in the passenger seat to look at him. "I don't really know where to start, but I guess the beginning makes the most sense. "It all started a few months before your accident. You probably didn't know, but my dad died when I was three so I never really had a father figure growing up. My mother enrolled me into wrestling, and Coach Roberson happened to be my wrestling coach. He taught all the wrestlers of all ages. I guess I kind of latched onto him, you know? As a father figure. He taught me wrestling, how to fish, took me camping; all the things a father does with his son." He glanced quickly over at Bastian. "You have to understand that what I'm telling you has to remain between us." Bastian nodded emphatically and pantomimed zipping his lips shut. Kevin smiled at that. "I think I sort of seduced Ralph. I guess I was confused, thinking physical love was the only way to express emotional love; thought I know that's not the case now. He resisted me for a long time. It wasn't until I was fifteen that I wore down his resistance. He kept telling me that I didn't need to do that for me to love him, but I wanted to express my love for him. Don't think badly of Ralph, looking back, I know he did what he could to dissuade me of doing what we ultimately did without hurting me. And he hasn't hurt me. "I told my mother I was gay when I was 18, and she disowned me. She's very religious, and couldn't stand me being that way. Of course, Ralph took me in. He supported me through college, and helped me find my job at the high school. He really is everything to me. I love him deeply." He smiled to himself, lost in his thoughts and Bastian smiled at the show of Kevin's love. "But that's how I know that Ralph paid for all your bills. I really don't know where the money came from. I think it might be an insurance settlement or maybe a will," he gave a dismissive shrug. "It doesn't matter. We've been together for the past 3 years, although the majority of the population doesn't know the depth of our relationship, and I think both he and I would lose our jobs if they found out. I don't really know why I told you, except in a way you brought us together more firmly. I turned to him for comfort after your accident. How he handled it all with such calm collection. He was so worried about you. And then your mom never even responding to his letters, which I guess is understandable, considering you could have died on Ralph's hill." Kevin trailed off. Bastian reached over and patted Kevin's hand. Kevin appeared startled from his thoughts and glanced over at him quickly. "You okay with everything I've said?" He asked. Bastian smiled and nodded. "Good. We're almost there." Bastian looked out the window and recognized the road into Tilson. An idea struck him and quickly he jotted down a note. "Can we stop at the McKennough house so I can drop off their assignments?" He handed the note to Kevin who slowed the car down enough to quickly read it. "Sure. It's on the way. Have you guessed where I'm taking you?" Kevin asked, handing the note back and speeding up the car again. Bastian nodded and tugged down the collar of his turtleneck, pointing to the scar on his throat. Kevin lost his smile and nodded. "You okay with that?" Bastian swallowed hard and nodded. Kevin navigated the familiar streets of Tilson Estates and Bastian began to recognize landmarks: the Tilson Pool, the mom and pop store, and the library. A lot had changed as well. More houses had been built; the lot where the older kids had made a dirt bike track was gone now. As they drove past his old house, Bastian was surprised and a little disappointed that they had cut down the old pine tree on the side of the house and added a room above the garage. The old wooden fence was still there, but it was painted white to match the shutters on the house. Bastian sighed. It wasn't home anymore. His pulse began to race as he spotted Aiden's house a few houses down and across the street. Kevin slowed the car down, giving Bastian a moment to collect his thoughts. The house hadn't changed at all, he thought, just the people in it. Kevin turned between the mountains of snow at the end of the driveway and parked behind a weathered, brown station wagon. "First stop, McKennough residence. Go on and give them their things. I'll wait here," Kevin said and turned off the engine. Bastian nodded and collected what he needed. He climbed out of the car, juggling their assignments and his notepad. Carefully he crossed the slightly icy pavement to the front porch. The stoop had been well salted and he climbed up the few steps to ring the doorbell. He could hear footsteps approaching the front door and in a moment Meg McKennough opened the door, letting out a waft of warm air. "Bastian! What a pleasant surprise. You didn't have to bring their homework by, I told your mom that I would come over later and get it. Is your mother in the car?" She asked, craning her neck to look over his shoulder. Bastian shook his head no. Meg took the homework from his arms and Bastian wrote a few lines in his notepad. "I was in the neighborhood. I'm with Coach Haines. How is Mr. McKennough? Is Aiden here? Could he come with me for a little while? Just down the street." He handed her the note, taking back some of the homework so she could read it. "Oh, I see. Shamus is doing fine. Thanks for asking. He's due to come home on Monday. I'll go get Aiden for you. He needs to get out of the house and I think it will do him good to see your face. Come on in and get warmed up," she said, opening the door and stepping aside to let him in. Meg left Bastian in the living room and headed back towards the bedrooms calling for Aiden. Bastian took the chance to look around the living room. He couldn't remember what it looked like before, but the mandatory family portraits on the walls showed the whole clan for all the past years. Bastian couldn't help but smile as he studied the series of pictures of Aiden growing up. He was startled by the arms encircling his chest but smelled Aiden's unique scent, the combination of tea tree, mint, and rosemary along side Aiden's own natural smell, and turned around to face him. Aiden smiled at him and pecked him on the lips. His hair, still dyed black was in its naturally curly form and no makeup hid his freckles. Bastian noted that he could see Aiden's orange roots showing along his hairline. "Heya Bastian," he said simply. "How was your day?" Bastian smiled and hugged him back. After a moment, he broke the hug and stepped back. Quickly he wrote in his notepad. "I missed you, Aiden. I'm here with Kevin Haines. He's taking me to Ralph Roberson's place. Will you come with me? I think we both need to face some things. Please come." He handed Aiden the note. Aiden began to shake and the color leeched from his skin as he read the note. He looked up from the note at Bastian with wide green eyes. "Are you sure about this? I don't know if I can go through that." Bastian nodded firmly and took Aiden's hand mouthing: I need you. "For you. We'll draw strength from each other. Maybe you're right. You know, I haven't been back there since that day. Mr. Roberson closed the hill to all the neighborhood kids." Bastian tugged on Aiden's hand and led him towards the front door. Aiden paused at the coat closet and tugged on a winter jacket before following Bastian out to Kevin's car. When Bastian opened the door to the back seat and crawled inside with Aiden, Kevin was very surprised. "What's this? Hey, Aiden." Bastian poked Aiden in the ribs. He grunted with the impact and said, "Hey Coach Haines. Bastian said he and I probably both need to face some things. You don't mind do you?" Kevin smiled, studying the two younger boys. "It's Kevin, Aiden. And no I don't mind. I remember you two being fast friends, but I hadn't realized you'd kept in touch over the years." "Actually, we haven't. We were reacquainted on Monday. Things just sort of fell back into place, I guess." Aiden was obviously uncomfortable with Kevin's presence, unsure of how to behave with Bastian. Bastian noticed and pulled him into a loose hug, drawing a stare of surprise from Aiden. Kevin's smile only deepened. "All right then, let's get going," Kevin said and started the car. It was a matter of moments before he pulled into Ralph Roberson's driveway next to a Chevy pickup truck. All three of them took a deep breath before opening the car door, steeling themselves for what was to come. Aiden stopped outside the car door and turned to Kevin. "Are you sure that Mr. Roberson will be okay with us coming by like this?" Kevin gave a little laugh. "I'm positive that Ralph will be fine with it." Kevin walked up to the front door and pulled out his keys to unlock it. "You live here?!" Aiden asked, astonished. "Are you and Mr. Roberson roommates or something?" "Or something," Kevin agreed and pushed open the door. "Honey, I'm home!" he quipped loudly. "We have visitors. You decent?" "Kev? I'm in the kitchen! And I'm as decent as I can be, considering," Ralph called from farther in the house. "Come on in, guys. Make yourselves at home." Kevin offered, and closed the door behind them as they stepped into the foyer. He took their coats and hung them with his own on the coat hooks by the door. The house was neat, but definitely masculine. The walls were off-white and decorated with landscapes and the occasional autographed picture of some athlete. The furnishings were mostly leather and wood. There was a fireplace at the far end of the living room, with a portrait of Kevin and Ralph over the mantle. The house smelled faintly of wood-smoke, attesting to its frequent use. Aiden raised one orange eyebrow at that but said nothing. Kevin led them through the house to the kitchen. Ralph Roberson stood with his back to them preparing dinner. His wavy brown hair was still thick, though sprinkled with gray. His thick neck and broad shoulders supported an apron that tied around his trim waist. "Just in time for dinner," he said without turning around. "So who's company?" He asked, turning around. His eyes got very wide. Bastian noted that the apron read 'Kiss The Cook' "Aiden McKennough?" Aiden nodded in response. "And -" he trailed off, at a loss for Bastian's name. "Sebastian Blackmoore," Kevin supplied. Ralph's eyes got even wider and he stepped closet to study Bastian. "As I live and breathe," Ralph began. Bastian cut him off with a peck to the cheek, smiling broadly. "What?" Bastian pointed to the apron and smiled again. "Bastian Blackmoore, after all these years. What's going on, Kevin?" Kevin's smile slipped. "Bastian just moved back to the area, Ralph. He just joined my swim class today, and quite the swimmer he is, too. I - I invited him here, to gain some closure. He needs it, I think. They both need it, Ralphie." Kevin and Ralph stared into each other's eyes for a long while. Aiden raised his eyebrow at Bastian. Bastian smiled in response. Finally, Ralph cleared his throat. "I'm sorry boys. I didn't mean to be rude. You just caught me off guard, is all. Of course you are both welcome here. Why don't you both head out the back door. I'm guessing that's what you're here to see. If you want to talk about it when you come back in, we can, and I'll make you boys some dinner. Sound good?" Bastian nodded and Aiden replied, "Thank you, Mr. Roberson." Together they headed out the back door. "Wait a moment guys," Kevin ordered and ran back to get their coats. "It's cold out. Don't want either of you getting sick." He handed them their coats and closed the door behind them. "So Bastian knows," Ralph began. "And Aiden suspects," Kevin finished. "I don't think it will be a problem." "Are they -?" "I'm not sure, but my suspicion is yes. Bastian is the most compassionate young man I've ever met, and he has an easy way with others. I saw him staring at that hot Romanian kid I told you about, Arkady? I'm pretty sure he's family. With Aiden, I'm not sure. He's been closed off so long to everyone else he may even be closed off to himself. Maybe this will open him up." Ralph pulled Kevin into a hug and kissed his forehead affectionately. Looking out the window he could see Bastian and Aiden staring at the hill. Slowly their hands crept together. "Looks like you may be right, Kev." _______________ To Be Continued. Yes I know it's shorter. But it's better than nothing at all ;). Looks like my plans of 2 a week will be pushed back to 1 a week, due to scheduling. At least for now.