“Hmph,” I looked her over, “okay. You can stay. I’m Sparrow. This… thing is Thomas.”
“Tommy,” Thomas nudged me, “where did my Aero go?”
“I’m right here,” rolling my eyes, I shook Hannah’s hand, “it’s nice to meet you.”
“You too! Cal talks about you like a lot,” she giggled, “his favorite baby brother.”
“I’m his only baby brother, don't let him lie to you. Welcome to Idaho.”
“Thanks! I’m from Washington so it’s not really that different to me. I just go to college with Cal.”
“How did you meet?” Thomas smiled, wrapping an arm around my waist, and as tempted as I was to push him away, I once again leaned into his warmth.
“Oh! We share a few classes. He pestered me constantly to go on a date with him. A year of him asking.”
“Yeah that sounds familiar,” I snorted.
“Oh, are you dating?” Hannah smiled at Thomas and me.
“No,” I said at the same time that Thomas said “kind of.”
“We are not,” I glared at him.
“We sort of are,” he shrugged, “Aero we go to dinner like 3 days a week and you always dress up for it. We’ve… you know twice in two days. We’re sort of dating.”
“That’s not what we agreed on,” I hissed, “I’m not ready.”
“I don’t think you have much of a choice but to admit that you are, Aero,” Callum laughed, pulling Hannah close, “you might not be boyfriends but it sounds like you’ve been dating for a while.”
“Ugh!” groaning, I walked to my bedroom and started to get dressed, leaving all of them in the living room.
The door opened and Thomas came in, a small smile on his face as he watched me.
“What?”
“You’re just… I love how grumpy you are. I don’t have to worry about anyone else trying to get close to you. You’ll scare them off,” Thomas pulled me to him and helped me to zip my binder.
“I just don’t like being proven wrong,” I whispered, pulling my pants on, “I wanted to ignore the fact that we were going on dates. I wasn’t… I didn’t think I was ready.”
“You’re still hurt over Casey,” he spun me around and slowly pulled my hair into a low ponytail, “I’m not stupid,” he kissed the side of my neck, making eye contact with me in the mirror, “I know, baby. But I’m doing my best to help you forget. You just have to open up a little and let me.”
“It’s so hard,” leaning into him, I closed my eyes, “you showed up and flipped everything I’ve ever sworn by on its head. I swore to never let anyone touch me again.”
“Again?” he jumped.
“I… okay,” hanging my head, I stared at my feet for a moment, “I need you to swear something to me.”
“Anything.”
“You can’t act disgusted when I tell you.”
“I won’t.”
“When I was still trying to figure out my identity, I would use the girl's locker room. No one knew that I was pretty sure I was a guy, not a girl, and seeing as I’m gay, it didn’t bother me to be around the girls. Anyway, there was a boy in my class I had a crush on. I was a freshman, he was a senior. Too old for me at that age. My parents are a few years apart, but… they were in their twenties when they met, so it wasn’t a big deal. But I was 14. He was 18. I was just a kid, ya know? I guess some of the girls in my class told him I had a crush on him. I was a cute kid, even I can admit that. I made a cute girl. It was before I started making changes to my appearance and all of that. He… took advantage of me. Kissed me and stuff. The school was empty, I had been there for choir practice and realized before I went home that I had left a book in my locker. I was going to get it when he pulled me into the bathroom and he…”
“He didn’t,” Thomas gasped, his hands shaking against my stomach as he held me.
“Mhm. I’ve never told anyone but Cal and my parents. He was arrested for sexual assault, battery, he had shattered my nose, and molestation because he was a legal adult and I was only 14. He’s still in prison. But I… I was scared to be close to anyone again. It’s why the most Casey and I did was kiss. It… goes to show you how much I trust you. I trust that you aren’t going to hurt me… use me. Please don’t prove me wrong… I want to put my trust in you, Thomas.”
“I…” his hands kept shaking and he pressed his forehead to my back, “oh Aero… I am so sorry…”
“It happened. That’s all there is to it. I went to a lot of therapy, having my uncle Isaac helped. He went through something similar and… well it sucked but… I’m okay. It’s why I push people away. But I promise to do my best to be open to you. I just can’t promise I won’t be mean. But remember…”
“It’s how you show me you care,” he kissed my cheek and I giggled.
“Yes.”
“I adore you,” he whispered, “I’m glad we got to know each other.”
“I… like you a lot too.”
“I know,” he smiled in the mirror.
“Are you going to get dressed at any point? I’m all for you walking around in boxers and a sweater but…”
“Jealous? Don’t want anyone else to see me?”
“Absolutely!” I pouted, “I mean… I don’t care…”
“Sparrow, stop lying,” he snorted, “no one but you will see me this way,” he kissed my neck again and let go of me, getting dressed as I watched from my new spot on the bed, “what do you want to do today?”
“It’s Christmas Eve. I have to finish decorating for my parents, make sure the pies are good, and get certain dinner things together as well as find the plates and cups Pa always wants at Christmas.”
“Alright. Sounds like we get to be busy.”
“Probably. Let’s go eat breakfast with my stupid brother,” groaning, I climbed out of bed and as I walked past Thomas he grabbed me, pulling me close and kissing me deeply, “Tommy,” I whimpered, my legs weak.
“You are the strongest person I know,” he whispered softly, “I am so proud of you. Thank you, for letting me be here at your side.”
“We aren’t together!”
“I refuse to give up hope. I’m stubborn.”
“I’ve gathered,” I laughed and kissed him, “alright. Just hang on then. If you really want to wait, I’ll be ready for you soon.”
“I know.”
We left the bedroom and I found Callum in the kitchen, making breakfast as Hannah sat on the counter next to him, talking to someone on the phone.
“Yeah dad I know,” Hannah sighed, “well… it’s been two years so… I know but… tell Grammy Rosie I love her and I’ll bring Cal in the spring okay? How is Papa Rowan?”
Thomas took a seat at the table and I started helping Callum with breakfast.
“Who is she talking to?” I whispered.
“Her dad Finn,” he whispered back, “he’s younger than Pa. I guess he had her at 16. I’m pretty sure he’s the same age as Auntie Juni. Her great-grandpa Eli passed 3 years ago, great-grandpa Wes 2 years ago and this is the first holiday she’s not spending with the rest of her family. They’re as big as ours. So her dad has called like 15 times.”
“Why didn’t you go with her? To Washington right?”
“I wanted to see you,” Callum bumped me with his shoulder, “and Vi. We should call her.”
“It’s like… 1130 at night for her. Let’s call her tonight and tell her Merry Christmas.”
“Oh, I should do the same! Kennedy is only 8 hours ahead I think. Or more. Never mind. I’ll call her at 8 tonight,” Thomas smiled.
“You have a sister?” Callum smiled.
“Just one. She’s a lot older than me. Lives in Japan.”
“How much older? Violet is 8 years older than Aero.”
“She’s 18 years older than me,” Thomas laughed, “from my dad Theo’s first marriage. Then he married my other dad Killian.”
“Oh yeah! You weren’t here for that! His dad Killian has the thickest Irish accent. It’s intense and deep,” I snorted, “hey does he look like you?”
“His eyes are gray but yes.”
“Hot,” I smiled.
“You have me, Eeyore.”
“You’re irritating, Chip.”
“Guys,” Hannah looked at us and we quieted down, “huh? No it’s Cal’s little brother Sparrow and his uh… his…” she looked at me confused as she replied to her father’s obvious question of who she was talking to.
“Best friend,” I whispered, “just say friend for now.”
“Ah sorry, Tommy is Sparrow’s best friend,” Hannah smiled, mouthing thank you, “I swear to God dad. Everything is fine. I am 22 years old. A grown woman. Please… yeah I’ll call you later. We’re about to eat breakfast. I love you too, bye,” she hung up and tossed her phone onto the counter, “that man needs to get laid because I swear to God…”
I started to laugh loudly, clutching my side, “ah fuck. That’s great. He just cares.”
“I know. He’s lonely. But he has my cousin and stuff. Dorian should be there. We’re the youngest. My dad has a crap load of cousins too. Giovanna, Philip, Amara, Brooklyn, and Cameron. I just… think he’s having a hard time after losing my great-grandparents. They built such a good life for his parents that… he just misses them.”
“What are his parents' names?” Thomas smiled.
“Oh!” she smiled, “Rosie and Rowan. My dad is named after my uncle Cian’s dad I guess. He passed a long time before I was born.”
“Cian is a Welsh name?”
“Yeah I know. His grandparents were from Wales. His dad lived there for a long time.”
“How funny. My dad is Irish.”
“And ours is Japanese,” Callum shrugged, “we’re all just a mix of things. Except Aero oh and me I guess. I forget that Kai isn’t my birth father because Violet and I look so similar.”
“So you’re adopted?” Thomas tilted his head.
“I am,” Callum nodded, “they told me when I was 13. I don’t care, Shiloh and Kai are my parents and that’s all there is to it. I love them. They took wonderful care of us.”
“I can tell. They were really sweet to me.”
“I can’t wait to meet them,” Hannah smiled, kicking her legs, “ugh.”
“Are you okay?” I looked at her concerned.
“Nausea,” she gagged, “what the fuck are you cooking?”
“Vegan eggs and veggie bacon for Aero and Tommy,” Callum had a confused look on his face, “baby are you okay?”
“It reeks,” she ran down the hallway, Callum chasing after her and I looked at Thomas in shock.
“She’s pregnant,” we whispered at the same time.
“Morning sickness…” I swallowed thickly, turning back to the stove.
“Hey,” Thomas rushed over, wrapping his arms around my waist, “you’re going to trick yourself into thinking you are too. The brain isn’t something to mess with. It’ll convince your body that you are.”
“I know… oh God. Pa is going to kill them.”
“Probably,” Thomas laughed as Callum rejoined us, his face pale.
“You knew, didn’t you?” I glared at him.
“Well I had a… I thought maybe,” Callum nodded, “she’s been sick a lot lately, avoiding food I know she loves. We’ve been together for over a year, I know my girlfriend after all. I… ah fuck,” he slumped into a chair, “fuck me. She needs me to get her a test.”
“I need to go to the store anyway. Do you want me to?” I patted Thomas' arms so that he would let me go and went over to Callum, running my fingers through his hair, “how far along would she be?”
“2 months is when the nausea started. But she was on birth control so we didn’t question it. Just assumed it was some kind of illness, honestly.”
“Let me go get her a test and some stuff to help with nausea. I’m not hungry. I’ll just take Pa’s car. He won’t mind. Keep Chip entertained for me.”
“Aero…” Callum looked up at me with tears in his eyes and I hugged him tightly, kissing his forehead.
“God it’s okay, Cal. We all sorta… made some choices lately that will probably get us killed by our parents but it’s… it’ll all work out how it’s supposed to. You love Hannah, right?”
“Of course I do!”
“Then don’t be afraid,” I whispered, “you’ll make a great dad. Don’t worry. We won’t tell anyone.”
“A titkod biztonságban van nálam.”
“A titkod biztonságban van nálam,” I repeated, a smile on my face, “I’ll be back soon,” going over to Thomas, I took a small breath and pressed a kiss to his cheek, “take care of him for me.”
“Always,” Thomas smiled, rubbing my arm, “be careful please.”
“I will be.”
After grabbing my jacket and shoes, I headed to the store, picking up four pregnancy tests. I stared at them for a while, debating putting two of them back before sighing and taking them all as well as anti nausea medication and some ginger ale for Hannah.
“Alright. Your total is $60.72,” the cashier smiled at me.
“Thanks,” I quickly paid and grabbed the bag from him, rushing out to my dad’s car. Tying the top of the bag so that you couldn’t see what was in it when I walked in the front door, I headed home, waving at the security camera on the doorbell so my parents wouldn’t worry, “I’m back,” I called as I walked into the house.
“We’re in the den!” Callum called.
Leaving the ginger ale in the fridge, I pulled out two of the tests and slipped them into my coat pocket before going into the den and tossing the bag to Hannah, “here.”
“What the… oh,” she gasped, “th… thank you, Sparrow.”
“Yep,” I flopped down next to Thomas, “you’re going to the store from now on. I hate it.”
“Why in the world would he do that?” Callum laughed, “you live alone.”
“He’s moving in with me so he doesn’t have to go back home. He hates being in college so he’s going to drop out and get a job, stay with me until I graduate then we’ll come back here.”
“Oh that’s so sweet! Where does your family live?” Hannah leaned into Callum who softly kissed the top of her head.
“Indiana. I’m bringing Sparrow with me in the spring to meet my family,” Thomas smiled.
“Ew why in the hell would I do that?” I groaned, “it’s bad enough you’re here now.”
“Shut up. Anyway, my Papa Lucas has pretty advanced dementia and I want you to at least meet him once before it gets to a point where he can’t process anything. I’m going to need you… your support. You’re my best friend after all. I love my grandparents and… it hurts a lot to know that he’s not going to remember me soon.”
“Oh…” I whispered and slowly leaned against him, “I… I’m sorry.”
“I know,” he wrapped me in a hug and I smiled at him, “hi.”
“Hi,” I poked his nose.
“Alright what the fuck did you do to Sparrow?” a voice called from behind us and we found my cousin Orion, “he’s usually such a bitch.”
“Ori!” I jumped up and hugged her tightly, “what the fuck! Pa said you couldn’t get here.”
“The weather cleared enough that I could fly but there’s a good chance I’ll be stuck here until after the new year.”
“I’m so happy to see you,” I sniffled, “oh um… this is Tommy,” I gestured to him, “remember that weird guy we were talking about?”
“Hey I’m not weird,” Thomas huffed, “I’m relatively normal. Just hyper. It’s nice to meet you, Orion. Aero talks about you a lot.”
“He better. I’m his best friend,” Orion laughed, “well maybe not anymore but I’m okay with that. Oh! You must be Hannah,” Orion rushed over, “you’re too pretty for Cal.”
“Rude,” Callum huffed.
“Thank you,” Hannah laughed before gagging, “ah fuck! Not again,” she ran out of the den and Orion followed her with her eyes.
“What the hell did you do to her?”
“I…” Callum sighed, “I’m pretty sure she’s pregnant.”
“Oh fuck,” Orion gasped, “oh man Uncle Shi is gonna kill you.”
“I know.”
“Well… take her those tests. Let me go change and we can finish getting things ready,” I slowly got to my feet, “come on, Tommy.”
“Huh? Oh okay,” he nodded, following me to my room.
I’m getting nervous.
I don’t want to wait to know.
Two more weeks?
I’m going to have a fucking panic attack.
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