Moses heard the shushed murmurs of Mal and his father after he left. There was a burning sensation in his stomach. Part of him wanted to go back in and apologize. The rest of him was angry. Betrayed. Mal knew his father more than now than he ever did. He went and loved someone else’s kid, making memories and having fun little banters with a child who wasn’t his own. And now, to find out his dad not only had a significant other, but was also queer? After all the crap his mother put him through over his own sexuality? After being kicked out of her house because she found out the rumors about him were actually true? This isn’t fair. This has got to be some kinda sick joke. Moses heard a light knocking on his door.

“Look, I’m sorry about ruinin’ your precious dinner, but I’m pissed off, so can ya just leave me alone?”

Mal opened the door.

“What the fuck do you want?”

Mal closed the door lightly, sitting on the bed next to him.

“I’m the one who should be sorry,” he whispered, “I’m the one who ruined dinner. I got too excited, and had to go open my big mouth. I’m sorry, Moses.”

Mal looked like he was about to cry. Against his better judgment, Moses found himself unable to stay mad at the boy. He looked like a sad puppy, and his voice was so gentle in this very moment. He was so soft, so weak, and he seemed so small at that time. Moses put a hand on his arm, feeling a tingle inside.

“It’s HIS fault for not tellin’ me. I’m actually glad ya did.”

“Yeah, Dean’s really bad about that.”

“Oh, you have no idea.”

“I bet. I still feel bad, I shouldn’t have said that.”

“How else was I gonna find out? When they actually get married and tell me I’m the flowergirl?”

Mal chuckled.

“You’re a funny guy.”

“You’re not just sayin’ that.”

“Maybe I am. Maybe I laugh at all your jokes cuz you’re cute.”

“Cute?”

“Sure. Real cute.”

“You know how that might sound, don’t you?”

“I want it to sound that way, though.”

Mal grabbed his hand, holding it firmly. Moses felt little electric shocks piercing through his heart, his stomach doing nervous flips. Mal traced the back of his hand with his fingertips, and it sent shivers down his spine. He leaned in, until his face was mere inches away from Moses. There was that look again. The intensity of it made Moses tremble, and all his resolve melted in a single instant, his heart doing jumping jacks in his chest. Mal moved the hair out of his face with his free hand, grazing the side of his cheek with his palm. I’m gonna go into cardiac arrest. Holy fuck. Moses inched closer to him, feeling his heart pounding in his chest.

“What do YOU want, Moses?”

He shivered, his eyes tearing up, and Mal gently held his face.
“No one’s asked me that before. I don’t know.”

“I can help you find out if you’ll let me.”

“What if this is a bad idea? We literally just met!”

“It don’t gotta be anything if you don’t want it to be.”

Moses felt his chest tighten up as the distance was completely broken between them. The kiss was soft and delicate at first, Moses’ lips brushed against Mal’s, and he deepened it, holding Moses tightly. He didn’t know where he ended and Mal began. He didn’t care. In his mind, it was probably one of the stupidest things he’d ever done, but that didn’t matter right then. Moses gasped as Mal pushed him down, pinning him onto the bed. He grabbed Mal’s face, deepening the kiss as they both struggled for breath. Gasping, whining, almost begging was all that the two of them could hear from each other at that moment. Mal pulled away first, still breathing heavily, his cheeks flushed and his hair a wild mess. Moses was sure he looked about the same. I just made out with a super hot guy I just met. What the hell is this day? Moses sat up, closing the distance between them again.

“Believe me now, pretty boy,” Mal whispered in his ear.

“You could say that.”

Moses pulled him in, and their lips joined once more. Mal bit his bottom lip playfully, nipping at his neck and pushing him down again. Moses whimpered as Mal went to town on his neck. His eyelids fluttered as the dull pains form where he had marked him.

“That really hurts y’know.”

“Want me to stop?”

“Hell no.”

Mal continued, planting little kisses and marks along his ears and neck.

“I wonder what Dean would think,” Mal growled, “If he knew his son was havin’ wet dreams about the guy who was livin’ with him.”

“What?!”

Moses jolted up out of bed. IT WAS ALL A DREAM?! YOU’VE GOTTA BE FUCKIN’ KIDDIN’ ME! Moses quickly looked under his sheets. Fuck. There it is. I have a hard-on for a guy I just met. Just my luck, of course. What am I gonna do?! I have to live with this guy! I can’t just not see him! He’d probably be disgusted if he knew. God, I feel so weird. Still very much disoriented from his dream, Moses stumbled to the bathroom. It looked more like something out of a catalogue than out of a house, very much like everything else in this house. The walls were a bright seafoam green, which made Moses nauseous. He washed his face in the sink, hoping the cold water would make him come to his senses. It didn’t. Everything he’d experienced and felt in that dream seemed so real. So vivid and large in his mind that he couldn’t have denied the feelings he had for Mal even if he wanted to. He’d had crushes before, sure but nothing like that. Nothing that woke him up in a cold sweat from his bed in the middle of the night. Nothing that made him hunger like the hunger he felt for this guy. He’d always known he’d just liked boys, even when he was just starting to figure out what a crush was, but this was something stronger than just that, and it scared Moses. Made him feel weird and unnatural. Were all the things that his mother said finally getting to his head? Why was it like this? He’d literally just met him that day. So what was this thing developing in his mind? In his heart and so strong that his body was now reacting to it as well? What could he do to make it stop? Could it stop? He looked over at the wall clock, and it read 4:00 AM. Shit. There’s no way in hell I’m gonna be able to go back to sleep now. Defeated, Moses started to make his way back to his room. He stopped when he noticed a light coming from the kitchen. The old man is gonna run up his electricity bills if he keeps all the goddamn lights on in this place. Moses made his way to the kitchen to turn the light off. He jumped in surprise when he saw a small man with an apron on. He looked to be around his father’s age, and he was putting something into the oven. He was pretty and handsome at the same time, and though his hair was long like Moses’, it was much more tame and pulled away from his face. He looked at Moses with sharp green eyes and smiled at him. Is this the rumored fiance?

“Hi, I’m sorry, did I wake you up,” he whispered, and Moses noticed he had an Irish accent, “I hope I wasn’t making too much noise! I’m doing my prep work right now.”

“Prep work?”

“Oh, I should’ve explained. I’m a baker. I’m usually up and about at this hour every morning for work. I have to get everything ready and prepared so I can just go to my shop and not have to worry about it.”

Moses shuffled, still feeling uneasy about the unfamiliar man.

“I was supposed to meet you yesterday, but I had an emergency, so I’m really sorry about that! I’m Teeran. Your father and I are engaged.”

“So I’ve heard. I’m Moses, but I’m sure ya already knew that.”

Teeran nodded, setting aside a bowl of dough.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from your dad.”

“He talk shit about me?”

Teeran giggled, “not at all! That you’re a smart kid and you like music, mainly.”

“I used to play guitar, actually.”

“Why’d you stop?”

Moses shrugged, wanting to avoid saying too much. It was better to him if no one knew too much. It was safer that way. Nothing good would come from him talking too much about his life. Teeran seemed to get the hint, and changed the subject.

“Yesterday, at work, a customer came in and ordered a dairy free tres leches cake for a birthday party.”

“Isn’t the whole point that the cake has milk? I mean, I don’t bake, but I’m pretty sure I know that!”

“Right! Like, I have no issue with modifying an order for a food allergy or sensitivity, but to me, that’s a little like ordering a peanut-free peanut butter pie.”

Moses chuckled. He could tell Teeran was a nice guy, and he wasn’t sure how he ended up with a guy like his dad.

“I better go back to my room. Don’t wanna wear out my welcome.”

“Oh, by all means, stay if you want! I could use the company actually. It’s been a while since I had someone to talk to during this time. It’s nice.”

“Wish ya had a better conversation buddy.”

“Not at all! You’re delightful. Would you like some coffee or anything?”

“Sure.”

Teeran got to work brewing coffee for him and Moses.

“When did you become a baker?”

“Well, I actually originally wanted to be a lawyer, but baking has always been a hobby of mine. I tried going to law school for a time, but I hated it. I found that I loved baking and it was something I’d enjoy doing as a career, so I went to culinary school and went from there. I’ve owned my own shop for 6 years now. It’s been really great. I love my job! Sorry, I’m babbling.”

“That’s ok. It’s cool you’ve found somethin’ you’re so passionate about.”

Teeran grinned.

“I’m glad you think so. Oop, the coffee’s ready!”

Teeran eagerly handed Moses his mug, and Moses noticed the flour in his hair.

“Ya got somethin’.”

He pointed to where it was.

“Oh, crap! I’m always making a mess. Goodness, I’m a disaster.”

“I’ve seen much worse, trust me.”

Teeran got the flour out of his hair, then went about assembling everything for work.

“Well, I’d better go so I’m not late. It was lovely meeting you!”

To his surprise, Teeran went in for a hug. Moses didn’t remember the last time he’d been hugged. It was nice. Moses accepted the hug, and Teeran patted his back. Teeran pulled back, getting his car keys and various containers.

“Need any help?”

“I think I’ve got it. Thank you, though. I’ll be home by 2 today, so I’ll see you then.”

“Yup! See ya.”

After Teeran left, Moses returned to his room, burrowing under the covers of his bed. Maybe living there wouldn’t be so bad.