Chapter 9 Royal Reunion
Trent/Caleb
Did I, almost move in to kiss a guy? Jason. Trent never felt more confused with himself until that moment came. But after hearing a morbid story like that. The atrocity of humanity! The vulnerability of Jason's haunted words showed on his face. Knowingly or not. Trent wanted, almost needed, to kiss him? Would that have made Jason feel any better? Would it have taken that haunted look in his words, his face, away forever?
What did that make Trent? Still Bisexual, obviously, but Trent couldn't say he'd never felt that way for another guy before. The deeper he thought about it, the more he realized, he'd never felt that way about a girl before either. Sure he'd messed around with girls, he loved them in their own ways. Women fascinated Trent like no other. In so many ways, he admired the body of a woman. How it would go into change and still come out a warrior no matter how much it was put through the ringer.
Trent had too much decency to act like some kind of animal. A degenerate. He respected all the young girls and grown women alike. Only low life scum felt the primal need to beat others down to where they could keep absolute control. Trent was nothing like that! No one in his family was like that.
For once, his sister's gay rights movement suddenly made much more sense to him. He'd make plans to march besides his sister next time the pride parade came to town. They wouldn't ride in a car this time either. They would walk hand in hand with other human beings, unafraid to be seen with them.
Trent really needed to talk to his sister. If possible talk to their parents seriously, about creating laws to protect people as wonderful, sweet and innocent as Jason, from getting hurt. No one deserved to be treated that way.
"Are you ok?" Jason's words were barely above a whisper but they were strong enough to bring Trent back to the here and now. "You look troubled." He tried to laugh.
"Yeah."
"Hmm, you didn't look like you just were."
Trent refrained from snapping, considering the story he just heard. He had to wonder, how could a guy pull off such an innocent look? Jason's eyes were wide with compassion, something most people would have a hard time keeping a hold of. Not after something as painful as getting jumped happened. Caleb heard the stories of people turning bitter after that.
Not Jason.
"Nothing. Really!"
Trent had to ignore the fact that Jason didn't believe him. He didn't comment any further.
Mr. Bateman was where he said he'd be, standing on the front lawn, checking his watch. This time he wore a fishing hat with camouflage shorts and shirt. He knew how to stand out. All he needed was a fish on a hook, at hand, and his look would be complete.
Trent needed to be casual, "Hey pops. Sorry I kept you waiting."
Mr. Bateman was standing too rigid, not very father like. Luckily he caught himself and made himself stand more casual. "Evening P-son." That was a close one.
Jason hardly seemed to notice, he was too busy eyeing the SUV with open curiosity. Mr. Bateman even noticed. "Know much about cars M-young man?" He almost used the word 'Master' or 'Mr', Trent wasn't sure which. Old habits do die hard.
"Um, no, not really. You just don't see much of these around here."
So much for laying low.
"And just, who is our guest Mas-er-ah son?"
Trent refrained from letting himself get anxious but it was an uphill battle.
"Jason," Jason politely held out his hand showing charm fit for a... prince. Trent was even impressed. "Jason Saint Laurent. And you are Mr.-"
Was that recognition flickering in Mr. Bateman's eyes? "You can call me Bobby if you wish."
Trent suddenly had to give a shocked look that silently tried to tell him to pull the plug. That wasn't part of the agreement! Mr. Bateman was not supposed to use his real name, but here he was, doing it. Like it didn't even matter.
After they shook hands, Mr. Bateman commented, "I see you've made a friend." He was overjoyed, but they could celebrate later.
"Yeah," Jason laughed almost nervously. "I guess you can say that. What do you think Trent? Want to be friends?"
But your friends don't like me, he wanted to say. Mr. Bateman was giving Trent a look that he'd better agree. So Trent nodded and said, "Sure! Why not?"
Jason gave him a strange look but Mr. Bateman quickly diffused the situation before everything they built on came crumbling down. "So where will it be?" He was too happy. "Back to our place?" The way he said it, as if he was hoping for that option. "Or this young man's place?"
For some reason Mr. Bateman was looking at Trent expectedly. Jason was staring with a guarded expression.
"I don't want to trouble you," Jason said. Again, there was that air of authority not even Trent could have seen. Not when someone like Jason who looked so innocent and quiet. Also... not to mention adorable for a guy. "I really should get home. Catch my mom or something. We need to catch up on half the weeks-time."
Mr. Bateman suddenly looked alarmed but picked his words carefully. "Oh? Well I'm sure you wouldn't be any trouble at all. We'd love to have you. Maybe my son could use a study partner and I could whip something up in the kitchen if you boys would like. You're both growing boys so I'll be sure to make a feast!"
Mr. Bateman wasn't lying about that at all.
"No really," Jason shook his hand in front of him, "you've been too kind. I'm used to this."
"If you are absolutely certain young man," But Trent knew Mr. Bateman was putting his hopes up too high.
Trent tried not to sigh too loudly but then he remembered something.
"There is that one thing I had to do!" Trent said without meaning to sound overly excited.
Mr. Bateman looked like he was following but he really wasn't. "Oh yes, there was... that one thing."
"Would you mind at least coming along for the time being? We promise to still bring you back safe and sound." Trent didn't mean to flutter his eyelashes for empathizes but went with it anyway.
Jason sighed deeply before saying, "How can I say no? Even though there are a lot of places in this city that makes a good dumping place for my body."
Mr. Bateman looked alarmed but Trent shushed him with a simple look. Jason wasn't serious, there was nothing to worry about.
Barely one full minute had passed and Trent felt like he was miles away instead of one seat away in the back of the SUV. He supposed it was because he'd been in close approximately that he had to get used to the distance all over again. Trent started to question himself again as he thought about his previous actions. He wasn't trying to lead Jason on but it all felt completely natural to him. Holding Jason close felt like it made Jason feel safe. That was all he wanted. Right?
Trent felt like he had an itch that couldn't be reached. It was at his side, the side Jason sat across from. Jason kept his arms across his chest and sat up straight. He was looking out the window. What Trent wouldn't give to hear Jason's thought's.
Mr. Bateman started to drive, all the while giving Trent questioning looks through the rearview mirror. Trent had no idea where they were going either. He gave directions like he knew what he was doing. Though he didn't.
When they came across an animal adoption agency, Trent finally had an idea. "Here we are pops."
Mr. Bateman tried not to cringe at the name but he parked anyway.
Jason zipped his head away from the window, excitement clear in his eyes. "You're getting a pet?"
"We are?" Mr. Bateman choked up and had to correct himself. "Oh yes we are. We've been talking about getting a dog for some time now."
A lie, but at least Trent knew he had someone to rely on.
"What kind of dog are you looking for?" Apparently this was the chink in Jason's armor.
"We'll see won't we?" Mr. Bateman barely had to turn his head giving Trent a what-are-you-doing and have-you-lost-your-mind looks.
"Yeah," Trent agreed without giving anything away.
Trent was first out of the car when he said, "My pops and I figured we could use an unbiased opinion, what better time than now?" It was too late, but his response had a lot of flaws. He hoped Jason didn't catch on.
He didn't.
Jason slowly started to bring his guard back up when he said, "You do know this is a big responsibility right?"
Trent sensed there were still trust issues lingering.
"Yeah," he said without looking at either Mr. Bateman or Jason. He didn't want either of them to see how foolish he was feeling. "Pops tells me that all the time." And it was true.
When they came in through the front door, Trent was shocked to find a girl around their age working at the front desk. She had her head pointed down in whatever work she was doing. It was algebra when he got a closer look.
"Hi, how can I help you?" She hadn't looked up yet.
"Uh my friend here wants to adopt." Jason said before Trent could say anything. Odd because he was rarely ever interrupted by someone that wasn't a part of his family. Yet somehow, he found it oddly refreshing. He was being treated like any other normal person.
The girl finally looked up, turned from red, to redder, to purple, back to red and finally to a normal color. All the while the freckles on her nose became more prominent. Trent was used to having his fair share of women swooning over him (there was a case of a middle aged woman once too) but this by far was a new definition. All Trent could do was smile politely instead of the lazy smile he usually offered. That would have been like overkill.
"Oh right!" She exclaimed and almost fell out of her chair. Her shoulder length brown hair draped around her face as she tried to stand up with more grace.
Trent could feel some tension behind him rise from Mr. Bateman but was distracted by Jason who found a doggy playpen. Every single puppy was trying to get his attention at the same time, and Jason didn't seem all to mind at all. Jason was laughing when one ugly yet disgustingly cute wrinkled face dog kept trying to go for Jason's mouth. Jason kept giggling as the other puppies attempted to do the same thing.
It was endearingly heartwarming to watch, because for the first time, Trent was seeing Jason with different eyes. Like a light glowed from the inside. A light that was refused to be oppressed or snuffed out. Trent still wasn't sure what it meant, but he was willing to keep traveling down the yellow brick road to find out.
There is a crack in everything, That's how the light gets in, Trent was quoting Leonard Cohen. He was introduced to Leonard through his sister some time ago. It was a song they used to sing to each other off key as possible. It irritated Augustus to no end. But looking at Jason, he knew the quote had truth to it now. Here was Jason, not perfect, nor did he try to be, hurt by life, a little cracked with his bad humor, but that's how the light gets in.
Why would someone dream of hurting someone like that?
The girl had to adjust her voice to get their attention but not even she was immune to a happy looking sight like that. "Right this way please."
They were led through a door to the left of the front desk where cages of some of the happiest looking dogs jumped and barked for their attention. Trent had to stop and turn back, wondering where Jason was. Jason looked sad as he set one of the puppies down to join them. He had to wipe his face with the back of his sleeve. Trent was sure his face was full of doggy slobber.
Still, it was disgustingly adorable.
They walked past a few cages. Trent was eyeing a full grown Dalmatian, it peed on itself due to over excitement. Mr. Bateman gave him a stern look, he wasn't so sure about this either. They continued to walk further. The girl was fanning herself with a folder but kept quiet. Jason ran ahead, and it seemed like all the other dogs tried to follow. It was weird to watch Jason run like a little excited kid, and have all the animals run to the other sides of their cages towards him.
"Animals have an excellent sense of character," Trent heard the girl from behind Mr. Bateman say, "don't you think?"
Trent was sure Mr. Bateman said something polite back but Trent couldn't seem to take his eyes off Jason. Jason was already at the far end near a door that looked like it led outside. The little window with the sunshine streaming through gave that away. It was when Jason stopped, on the left side and his face brightened up, Trent decided to go join him.
"My vote," Jason said, "is for this guy!"
Ironically enough, it was a British bulldog. It had the saddest expression imaginable and it was still disgustingly cute. Jason kept looking from the dog to Trent as if hoping Trent would start jumping up and down with him. But Trent wasn't so sure after he got a look around the dog's cage. Toys were torn to pieces and teeth marks were on everything, including his water bowl.
It was due to be a handful, but could Trent say no to a face as excited as Jason's? The dog even seemed to sense this and looked his way by cocking its head to the side. Innocent, but Trent knew better, that was what the dog wanted others to think. Trent kneeled to get a closer look while the dog stayed where it was, eyeing him pitifully.
So Trent stared into the dog's sad but hopeful eyes, looking, searching for some kind of bond. A connection was made!
Trent said the most unimaginable words. "I'll take him."
"Her," the girl corrected.
After all the paperwork was filled out and Jason was dropped off at an apartment complex. They were due to pick up the pooch next Monday. Jason let himself out with more vigor but said his goodbyes. Mr. Bateman and Trent sat in silence on the way back. Jason had given Trent a lot to think about. He started to think about seriously returning his sister's calls when he walked through the front door. Oddly the assistant from yesterday wasn't around to remind him of anything.
Caleb was slowly starting to shrug the teenager named Trent away as he walked through the house up to his room. Who knew having an alter ego could be so draining? He didn't have to open his door all the way to know someone was in it. His sister was standing by the bed looking out the window she opened, to let some fresh air in.
"Oh good, I was just about to call you."
"Yeah right," Her face showed disbelief but still very retaining her regal posture, "but I'm here now, so what did you want to talk to me about?"
Samantha laid herself across his bed and spread her limbs out like a starfish while she waited. Even though Caleb was sure performing an action like that in the dress she was currently wearing wasn't advisable, being a rebel didn't only apply to Caleb. They rarely ever had the time to relax like this so Caleb didn't bother asking her to move off of his bed.
"So what are you doing here?" Caleb felt like there was more to her sudden arrival. "Are you the only one who showed up?" He couldn't mask the curiosity mixed with anxiety. What if his dad was here? But wouldn't he have been warned?
Samantha sighed, "You're so lucky. Dad let you leave the country." And as if a switch flipped she was now looking at him in way that Caleb take half a step back.
"Samantha..." He was hoping she wasn't about to go there. Whatever might've been on his face was quickly masked.
"Ok, ok, ok. I came here first to check up on you. I know you'd never return my calls you ungrateful git. So I thought I'd surprise you."
"And...?"
"And mom came along. She brought Uncle Leo too." Their uncle Leo preferred his niece and nephews to call him that than his formal name, Leonardo. He thought it made him sound too stuck up. They all adored Uncle Leo, even someone as painfully untight as Augustus.
Caleb couldn't help but feel impatient. "So then, where are they?"
"Uncle Leo is around and mum is visiting an old friend of the family."
"An old friend of the family." Caleb mused out loud. "Any idea who that is?"
"No," She replied not hiding her frustration. "She wouldn't tell me. You know dear olé mum."
That they did.