~Sibirskaia Twenty-Five~
Casualties of War
Refugee
(December 8th)
``This would be so much easier if Scott was the only one they were investigating,'' James Callaway paced a dimly lit room, while Jeffery and Scott Hammond looked on from the couch. ``I've got an entire apartment we could put you in, where I'm not even living anymore.''
``No use going down that road, though,'' Scott urged. ``They'll be watching the apartment just as much as they will this place.''
``Yeah,'' James agreed. ``And, the expense aside, putting him up in a hotel would be too easy to trace.''
``Would it?'' Jeff interrupted to ask. ``Even if we paid with cash?''
Scott, though, shook his head. ``They'd still ask for identification, kitten. They've got to know who to look for if someone skips out on a bill or wrecks the room.''
``I dunno,'' James paused his pacing to shrug. ``There might be someplace around here seedy enough to not ID.''
The fox, though, simply scoffed: ``And you'd be okay with leaving him alone in a place like that?''
``It's better than the street,'' his lover argued...
...but Scott replied, in a sharp and unyielding tone: ``But it's a last resort.''
Silence crept in. Jeffery watched as James averted his eyes -- knowing better than to argue the point further -- and resumed his pacing. He watched, too, as Scott's footpaw began to nervously tap the carpet, his eyes on the ceiling in thought. And the kitten could feel the tension between them. It was a difficult situation, and emotions were high. Had these been his parents -- his biological parents -- he would expect this to spark a fight. Luckily, Scott and James had more control than that.
``What about your friends?'' James broke the silence at last, looking over at the little cat. ``After last night, you've got more than a few. Could any of them help?''
``Uhm...let me think,'' Jeff ran the options through in his head, and then aloud. ``Elliot's no good: not while he's living with his mom. I'm sure Hunter would be cool with it, but...I don't know how we could explain any of this to Stan...''
``Especially not with how much faith he's put in me and Scott,'' James interjected. ``The last thing he needs right now, is finding out that the faces of his little campaign have an underaged pet.''
``I could call Mic!'' the cat continued. ``His parents don't need to know who I am. I could just be a friend from school spending the night. I'm sure they won't care enough to actually check into anything. And I don't...I don't really know Donald that well, but I'm sure the same goes for him and his parents.''
``Or for Hunter and Stan, in a pinch,'' James added...
...and Jeff went on: ``Maybe even Viri's foster family!''
``Hold on,'' from the other end of the couch, Scott spoke up. ``I'm sorry to rain on this little parade, but that isn't an answer to the problem. Even if you're right, it's nothing more than a temporary solution. It'll buy us a couple of nights, at best. But we need something long term.''
Jeff, though, was sure he had it all figured out: ``I could rotate it, though! Spend a night or two at Mic's, then a night or two with Donald, then Hunter, then Viri...''
``But that's still only four options, kitten,'' the fox explained. ``Think about it. As soon as you leave any one of their houses, you`ll be back there in as little as four nights -- or a week at the most! How long until one of their parents gets tired of having you over so much, and says no? Or worse: how long until they start asking questions?''
James, though, responded before Jeff could even begin, ``Okay, Scott. He gets the point. It's not perfect. But even a temporary solution is a lot better than the nothing we had ten minutes ago.''
And to that, Scott was forced to concede, ``Granted.''
``Well...'' their kitten pushed the conversation along, ``do we know anyone else?''
``We could always hand you over to Coach Martin,'' James laughed. ``I'm sure he'd absolutely LOVE you.''
``I think his preferences are a little more on the athletic side,'' Scott laughed along with him. ``But either way, he's got a wife. What he may or may not be doing in the locker room is one thing. But he can't bring it home.''
The raccoon's brow furrowed, and a serious tone returned to his voice, ``Wait. What about the Masters? I know Elliot's with his mother, but what about Will and Kris?''
``What makes you think they'd be an option?'' Scott asked.
``Everything!'' James answered. ``I mean, think about it. Elliot told us everything about his and Will's escapades. Even the photo booth!''
The fox hummed, thinking to himself before adding: ``And not just Will's, either. Don't forget about Kristoff's little going away party.''
``Exactly. So, do you really think they'd have a problem with...'' James paused to sweep a paw around the room, and to motion to Jeff in particular, ``...with this?''
Scott's eyes widened, and the grave expression he'd held to so firmly, finally began to relax, ``I doubt it, actually. If anything, William would probably be...'' he eyed Jeff, ``...excited by the idea.''
And the raccoon looked his way as well, ``And our kitten does love a good knot,'' before turning back to Scott. ``But the point is: they are the ONE group of people we could be honest with! They'd actually understand where we're coming from. They could relate. They'd be sympathetic.''
``And they might actually help,'' Scott agreed.
``But even if not, I don't see what we have to lose! I mean, there's no way they'd get us in any trouble over this. The worst they could do is say no!'' in his excitement, James reached for his keys on the coffee table...
...but his vulpine lover quickly leaned forward to stop him, ``Hold on, hold on. Don't get ahead of yourself. It's a good idea: the best we've had.'' He held out a paw, motioning for James to leave the keys alone, ``But I'm not going to bother them with this, last thing on a Sunday night.''
``You're probably right,'' James sighed, backing away from the coffee table. ``What do you think, then? Tomorrow?''
But Scott only shook his head, ``A Monday? Middle of a work day? No. We should wait until next weekend, when we know we'll have plenty of time to deal with this.''
For a while, Jeffery had simply been looking on. His fathers -- his masters -- understood the situation with Elliot's parents better than he did, so he had little to add to their discussion. And as they'd gone on, they'd more than convinced him that this was their best option...
...but now, he finally had reason to interrupt, ``Wait. We're waiting `til next weekend? But what'll we do until then?'' he asked. ``I mean...will I be safe here for a whole five days?''
``Probably not,'' Scott shook his head again, with a sigh. ``But we DID discuss some temporary solutions, right? That should, at least, be able to cover us for the week.''
James clarified: ``You think he should start calling his friends?''
``I do.''
``But what if their parents say no?'' Jeff asked.
``Like I said. Last resort,'' the fox reminded them. ``If all else fails...I'm sure I can find some seedy, little, cash-only motel for a night.''
~
(December 11th)
Brandon Sutela watched as Mic disappeared behind the closing door.
The wolf wriggled in his seat and rewetted his drying lips. He felt a tremor in his breath, and a dull ache behind the cast on his paw. He forced his tapping foot to lie still when he realized just how loud the sound of it had become in the otherwise silent room. And in that silence, he let his eyes scan across the gray cat sitting opposite him.
Jeffery. His name was Jeffery. Brandon knew that much, at least...though little else. He didn't know that, back home, this cat was someone's `pet.' He didn't know how the boy was on the run. He didn't know that he'd spent Monday and Tuesday with Hunter, or that he'd be in a motel room come Friday night, for lack of options. All he knew was that tonight -- the last Wednesday night before school let out for Christmas break -- Jeffery was here, spending the night with Mic. And just as the hyena had promised, he'd taken this opportunity to bring the two of them together...
But as the wolf looked across the room at Jeffery, he saw the little cat avert his eyes. The boy couldn't even look at him.
``You're scared of me,'' Brandon observed.
Jeff, though, could only glance at him for the briefest of moments, before looking away. And he made no attempt to argue.
``I know...'' Brandon began, slowly, ``I know Mic told you about how I been treatin' Hunter and his boyfriend at school,'' he admitted. ``But I'm tryin' real hard not to be like that anymore, and-''
``No,'' Jeffery cut him short. ``I-it's not that.''
``But it's somethin'. You're scared,'' the wolf repeated. ``So, if not that, then...?''
``You, uhm...'' Jeff gulped, his left paw nervously rubbing his right wrist. It seemed almost a physical struggle for him to speak, but at some length, he did. ``You look like him.''
Him.
Tony. Anthony Sutela. The reason they were here. Years ago, Brandon's uncle had taken him and used him. Left him broken and bloody time and again. Brandon remembered the blind, moonless night that started it all. He remembered the weight on his back and the breath in his ear. He remembered the creak of the bed, and the taste of blood and cum. Metallic and sweet.
And this boy, this kitten had been through the same. That same wolf had hurt him, just as he had Brandon and God knows how many others. And now...now this cat couldn't even look Brandon in the eye...
...because he looked like Tony.
``Maybe this was a bad idea,'' Brandon sighed, gripping the arm of his chair with his good, right paw so he could rise to his feet.
``No!'' but Jeffery stopped him. ``No. I mean: I think Mic was right. I think...I think this is a good thing.'' His gaze remained unsteady, but he did his best to not look away. ``It's just...hard, y'know?''
``Yeah. I do.''
And the wolf wondered: was it him? Did he really look that much like Tony? After all, they were related...so it was possible. But maybe that's really all it was. Maybe it didn't matter if they actually looked alike. They were of the same bloodline -- black furred wolves -- so maybe it was just the Sutela family as a whole. Maybe, if Jeffery saw Brandon's father or cousins, he would react the same. Or maybe it didn't matter at all. Familial similarities...fur and eye color...maybe it was all irrelevant. Maybe all it took was seeing a wolf -- any wolf -- to remind the boy of Tony.
But, if that were the case...
``Aren't you gay?'' Brandon asked, out of the blue...
...and Jeffery recoiled in momentary surprise, ``Uhm, no? I think I'm bisexual.''
``You think? You ever been with a girl?''
``No. Just guys.''
``Then doesn't that make you gay?''
``No. `Cause I still think about girls. I just haven't had the chance to be with one.'' The cat shrugged as he answered, ``I do know I'm interested in both, though.''
``So then...why'd you say you just `think' you're bi?'' Brandon arched a brow. ``You sound pretty sure, to me.''
``Do I? Cause I'm not,'' Jeff laughed. ``It's just...I've thought about it a lot, you know? What I am? A few months ago, I thought I was completely straight! But since then, I've...'' he paused, looking at, and then away from the wolf, ``...well, I don't wanna' make you uncomfortable with the details.''
``Thanks.''
``I really have done a lot, though -- all of it with guys -- and I still wanna' do more! But sometimes I think that I...'' he rubbed the back of his neck, ``...y'know, that I might actually still be straight.''
``What??'' the wolf leaned forward. ``That doesn't make any sense. How can you have sex with guys...how can you WANT to have sex with guys, and think you're still straight? I mean you can't suck a dick and then tell me you're straight!''
His eyes shot open wide the moment the words left his muzzle. This was it. This was the attitude he was trying to break. This was the old Brandon he was supposed to be fighting against. The blind bigot. These were the narrow-minded thoughts he'd used to justify who he'd been before...
``Fuck,'' he hung his head. Clenched his broken paw. Winced at the penitent pain. ``I-I'm sorry...I...
``No. It's okay. I understand,'' Jeffery, though, proved far kinder than he deserved. ``You're new to all this, and, uhm...it's actually a good question. But I guess the answer's just: it's not about the sex.'' He took a breath, ``I'm sorry to be detailed, but...when I see a hot guy, I don't get hard. I mean: you could strip nude right now and my dick wouldn't even stir. But if you were a girl, it would! Like, y'know? The sight, the smell, all that? That basic stuff only works for me with girls.''
Brandon, of course, still didn't understand, ``But you...?''
``Okay, let me see if I can explain.'' The cat paused in thought for a long moment before going on: ``So, if a guy puts his arm around me, right? If he holds me, or lets me lay my head in his lap, or...or even just lean against him. If a guy shows me any real affection or attention. Or, if I think there's the possibility he may? It uhm...'' he trailed off with a chuckle, obviously guarding his words, ``...let's just say it works! So, I've thought a lot about why that is. And I think I know. See, the first guy I ever did anything with, he saved me from something pretty bad. He protected me, and loved me, and took care of me like nobody else ever had. But he...he expected a little something in return.''
As if on reflex, Brandon's hackles rose, and his lip curled into a snarl, ``You mean he used you!?''
Jeff, though, just calmly shook his head, ``Some people might think he did, but...I think of it more like: we were each taking care of one another. We were both lonely...in our own ways. And we needed someone.'' The boy's smile -- nostalgia and bliss -- disarmed the wolf's anger. ``But what I'm saying is: gay sex isn't just sex for me. I mean: there are parts of it I really do like. But...being with guys? It isn't about how they look. It isn't about dicks...or at least not JUST about dicks. It's about comfort. No matter what perverted little thing we might be doing, and even if I've learned to enjoy it...it's not really about that for me. It's about being important to somebody else, even if just for a little bit. It's about feeling connected...safe...loved...''
``I don't get it,'' the wolf muttered.
``I know it's confusing, but-''
``No! It's not confusing. It doesn't make any fuckin' sense!'' he barked. ``How...how can gay sex feel SAFE for you? How can it be comforting!? You can barely look at me!''
Again, Jeffery recoiled, surprised by the wolf's words, ``What?''
``Look me in the eye. Right now,'' Brandon leaned in, still feet away, but as close as he could get to Jeff without standing. ``What do you see?''
The kitten stammered in confusion, ``I...I see a wolf?''
In a deafening burst, Brandon lunged forward. He came up from his chair, to the sound of a piercing bark. He snarled and gnashed his teeth, and Jeff lurched back so hard, his chair nearly fell. It wobbled. Its wooden feet clacked against the floor, and the two stared eye to eye until the wolf's snarl faded...
...and he asked again: ``Now what do you see?''
At first, Jeff could only heave his heavy breaths in response, but in time he answered: ``Tony.''
``Tony! Exactly,'' the wolf exclaimed, falling backward into his chair.
``I...I don't...'' Jeffery stuttered.
``After what he did to you, you're terrified of me!'' Brandon explained. ``Hunter's twice my size. But if he growled and snapped at you, would you jump back like that?''
The cat stilled himself, his eyes widening at the thought. ``No.''
``No. Because he's not a wolf. Because he doesn't look like Tony,'' Brandon went on. ``So how can gay sex be comforting for you? How is it that Tony still has you this scared of me, but you can...can...'' he stumbled, searching for a euphemism, before finally giving up, ``...can still suck a dick or get fucked by a guy and call it comfort!? How can you even be in the same room with Mic, or Hunter, or that little husky, or-or...''
As Brandon trailed off in his mounting frustration, Jeff's demeanor shifted. And with a surprising composure, he asked: ``This isn't really about me, is it?''
The wolf lowered his head into his good paw. Later, he would look back on this and wonder why. Why had he opened up like this with someone he'd never met? Was it their shared trauma? Was it something about the boy himself? Or was this simply something he needed: something he finally decided to let himself have, no matter who it was with?
Later, he would wonder. But for now, he just let it flow: ``I wanna' fix what I did. I wanna' be friends with Mic, again. I wanna' apologize to Hunter and Elliot. I want `em to believe it and to forgive me. I don't wanna' be a monster to them, like Tony is to me.'' He looked up, eyes blurry with tears still not ready to fall, ``...like I am to you.''
``But you're still scared...''
``And angry!'' he barked. ``Every time I see them. Every time I think about what they do -- about what YOU do -- I just get so...'' he clenched his fists. Pain shot through the left, and for once he barely registered it. ``How do you do it, Jeff? How did you get over what Tony did to you??''
Jeff responded with a dark little laugh, ``I didn't say I got over it. It's just...Tony's not my only memory, Brandon. I'm sorry to put it this way, but...he's not the only guy who's fucked me. I have so many more, so many better memories of...of gay sex. Sweet memories. Happy memories, where I felt loved, and needed, and where I knew I was safe in the arms of the guy I was with.'' He paused, glancing away to muse, ``...even if I didn't always like what we were doing.''
``But what Tony did-''
``Is still there. It always will be. But...'' The cat stopped, looking down for a moment, and then back up. His eyes were sharp and determined, and there was a conviction in his voice, as he went on: ``You wanna' get better? You wanna' heal? You wanna' be able to look a queer in the eye, and not be scared? To not feel sick to your stomach? Then you gotta' make new memories.'' He smiled softly, ``Tony can't be the only experience you've had.''
Immediately, Brandon felt his hackles rise in defense, ``Are you suggesting that we...?''
``No!'' Jeff shook his head and waved his paws about. ``No, no. I couldn't do that.''
``Oh right. I look too much like him,'' the wolf sighed, surprised at just how disappointed those words made him sound. But he didn't care enough to correct them.
``No. It's not that. I'm just...I'm just not the right guy to help you.'' Jeffery turned in his seat, looking toward the door where Mic had earlier left, and he added: ``We both know who that is.''
Mic. The only one who saw through all of Brandon's bullshit and bravado. Who was willing to take a beating just so the wolf might see the truth. Who caught him when he broke down, and held him when he cried. Who wouldn't even allow a bloodied muzzle to stand in the way of helping a friend...
``But it doesn't have to be sex, Brandon,'' Jeff went on. ``I'm not telling you to suck a dick. But you need better memories. Something better to...to associate with gay guys when you see one of us. Friendship. Love. Comfort. Anything.''
Brandon ran a finger under his eye. It was wet. ``How can you be so sure it'll work?''
``Because it worked for me. And...'' the cat stood up with uneasy smile, motioning for Brandon to follow....
...and slowly, he did just that. He rose from his chair and padded close, looking down at the boy in silence.
``...and it's working for me, now.'' Shaking, Jeffery stepped in, sliding his little gray arms around the wolf.
For a moment, Brandon froze, stiffening at the touch of this gay stranger. But he understood. New experiences. New memories. As his own muscles strained to move, he could feel the cat trembling against his body. They both needed this. So slowly, he wrapped the frightened boy tight in his arms...
...and together, they sank into the embrace.
~
(December 14th)
``Okay. Things will go a lot faster if we just lay all our cards on the table,'' Scott stood in the center of an unfamiliar room, steeling his nerves before five separate pairs of eyes. ``I've gone over this in my head again and again over the past week. I tell you that I know everything about what the two of you have done with Elliot...'' on the couch before him, William Masters' eyes widened, while his brother, Kristoff, jolted, sitting straighter in his recliner. But the fox did not pause long enough for them to speak, ``...you get angry and defensive like you're already about to do. You deny it. You play the victim. You assume that I'm here as an agent of the school, or of the police, or of Ms. Kharski, trying to trick you into admitting the truth.'' He watched as both of them relaxed ever so slightly, and as Aaron Jones, the rabbit to William's side, arched a curious brow. And on he went: ``And frankly, I don't have time for that. There's no point in me spending the next half hour or more trying to convince you that I'm not lying, when it's so much easier to just do this.'' With a short breath, he pointed a finger at Will, ``Elliot told me how the two of you sucked each other's dicks in Kris's bed, and in the photo booth at the mall.'' Quickly, he shifted that same finger to Kris, ``I've also heard about your little going away party from Elliot, too. Though to be fair, he told Hunter, Hunter told Jeff, and JEFF told me.'' And, finally, he pivoted, pointing to the small gray cat standing behind him, holding tight to James's arm, ``And speaking of Jeff. This, my flabbergasted new friends, is my 14-year-old live-in pet: Jeffery. I found him homeless and running from his abusive parents, and I took him in. And yes: when I say `pet,' this is to say that he pays for his room and board in sex.''
It was a Saturday afternoon. This was the living room of the Masters family. Six days had come and gone since Scott, James, and Jeff had settled on today's little venture. And now, in the wake of Scott's revelation, this unfamiliar room had fallen deathly silent...
...until, again, the fox spoke: ``So. Are we all on the same page?''
The first to make a sound, or even move, was William. His face fell into his paws, and a slow thumping laughter echoed through the silent room: a measured, yelping beat...a reaction of pure disbelief. From the recliner, Kristoff rose in silence, and turned slowly from the scene. And all the while, Aaron simply stared ahead, wide eyed and stunned.
Through his laughter, though, Will eventually managed an answer. ``Y-yeah? I think so.''
``Goddamnit,'' Kris muttered, ``what's happened to my life...?'' as he slowly walked out of the living room, in route for the adjacent kitchen.
And with a steadying breath, his brother lifted his face from his paws to answer that question, as well: ``It's become a porno, Toffy. A very illegal porno.''
``But missing all the funny music!'' he called back as he pulled open the fridge.
``Fuck,'' and finally, Aaron, too, managed to speak, ``and I thought MY teenage years were wild,'' with a smirk and a wink across the room at Jeffery, who could only grin back shyly in response.
``Okay,'' William clapped his paws together, looking up at Scott from the couch, ``so we're all on the same page. A page that reads: `Elliot has some very loose lips.'''
``In his defense,'' from behind Scott, James responded, ``he didn't tell us anything until he found out about Jeff. It wasn't until he knew that we...had reason to be trustworthy...that he decided to share.''
``Sure; I get that,'' Kristoff padded back in to the living room, beer in paw. ``Blackmail. He had something on you. Knew you wouldn't say anything.''
But Scott shook his head, ``More like he knew that we'd be okay with it. That we don't have a REASON to say anything.''
``Six of one, half a dozen the other,'' Kris shrugged...
...as his little brother leaned forward in his seat, to ask: ``But what I don't get is...why was he so free with our secrets, but he never told us about yours?''
``He uhm...he might've just not had the chance,'' James answered. ``He only found out about all this about a week before...uhm...''
``Before Robyn took him away,'' Kristoff finished the sentence for him...
...and he nodded as he continued, ``...and he had more important things on his mind, then, than his teachers' sex lives.''
``Fair enough,'' Will nodded, too. ``But again I say: we're on the same page, now. Except for...'' he narrowed his eyes, ``why are you here?''
Still standing at the center of the room, all eyes upon him, Scott crossed his arms to ask: ``Should we ease into this? Or should we continue being blunt?''
``Personally, I'm finding blunt to be very refreshing,'' Kris answered. ``Takes everyone far too long to say what they mean, around here.''
``You got it,'' Scott nodded and obliged. ``We need to find a place for Jeff to stay for a while. And we feel like you're the best option.''
``Because we have so much in common?'' Kris mused.
``Basically.''
``We'd have to lie to anybody else,'' James interjected to explain. ``Lie about who Jeff is. Lie about why we need this. And then worry about the truth coming out. But we don't have to worry about that, here.''
``But why DO you need this?'' William asked.
``Well, you know about the school board meeting,'' James assumed. ``We know you couldn't attend, but you should still know by now. If you haven't heard about it from Stan, then you've at least seen it on TV.''
``Yeah,'' Will nodded...
...and slow after a sip of beer, his big brother guessed: ``So you're scared you'll get caught.''
``You catch on quick. But, yes,'' Scott confirmed. ``There are far too many eyes on us, right now.''
Before Scott could go on, or either of the huskies could ask any more questions, though, Aaron interrupted, to address Jeffery directly. ``What are your thoughts on all this, little guy?'' he asked in a gentle little coo, tilting his head at the cat.
Scott turned to look at his kitten again, and watched as Jeff timidly stepped away from James's side to answer. He took in a long breath and stammered as he began, ``I...uhm...I don't eat all that much. I don't mind doing chores. I know you might not want me sleeping in Elliot's room, but if you let me, I promise it'll be just like he left it when he gets back. A-and if not, I'm okay with the couch.''
Aaron just chuckled in response, ``That's a very nice sales pitch, buddy. But I was asking what you thought about leaving your, uhm...your master, here.''
``If we're all being blunt, it sucks,'' Jeffery answered. ``I like living with Scott. I don't wanna' go anywhere else. But I have to. And Elliot loved living here: never had anything bad to say about any of the three of you. So...'' he shrugged, ``...no place better, yeah?''
And with that, Scott continued, turning to address William and Kristoff, once again, ``I know you barely know us. We're dropping this on you out of nowhere. But we don't know where else to turn. And out of everyone in this town, we thought you'd understand better than anyone else.'' He paused to look Kris directly in the eye, ``I want my boy to be somewhere safe. In good paws. And I believe that's you.''
They stared at each other for a long unblinking moment, until finally the husky broke their gaze to pad slowly across the room, to Jeffery's side...
``You're right,'' he agreed, gently petting the boy's head with his empty paw, ``I definitely understand.''
And from the couch, Will confirmed: ``If I'd been in your shoes, I'd've come here, too.''
Scott looked on as the two huskies eyed his kitten: one still petting his head, and the other simply staring from the couch. He imagined what this must be like for the two of them: the sudden realization that someone knew their deepest and most dangerous secret, the unexpected introduction to Jeffery, and now this request...all three crashing down at once. He wondered what they must be thinking -- of him, of Jeff, of the situation as a whole -- and at once, a very specific thought occurred to him. One, he decided, he should address immediately...
``In the continued interest of being blunt,'' he began, drawing both of the huskies' attentions again. ``I don't mean to offend you, if this hasn't crossed your mind...but I know it would've crossed mine by now, if I were you.'' He paused, awkwardly, ``We'll be sending his things. His collar and his leash included. Thanks to Elliot, I know at least two of you have...similar proclivities to my own. I'm well aware that something might happen. And I've no interest in being possessive. If it happens, it's Jeff's decision. Not mine. If he's up for it, I've no power to stop it.''
``And in the continued interest of being blunt,'' Kristoff repeated, darkly. ``It doesn't matter. Because Jeffery can't stay here.''
Scott could only sigh and hang his head in defeat...
...but James was not one to remain silent: ``Why not?''
``Well,'' Kris answered, ``since you found this little guy on the street -- since you took him in -- I assume you haven't gone through any legal channels to adopt him. If you had, you wouldn't be here, trying to find a place for him to hide.'' He looked down at Jeff, and then back up at his two masters, ``Because the sex isn't the issue. You can cover up the sex. The problem is, if the police find him, there'll be kidnapping charges. Right?''
Solemnly, Scott agreed, ``Yes.''
``I want to help. I really do. After everything you've done for my son and his friends, we owe you that much, at least. And beyond that...'' again, the elder husky looked at Jeff, with a warm but tentative smile. ``You can call this boy your pet, but we all know he's not. You wouldn't be this worried about a pet. No matter what you might do behind closed doors...Jeffery's your son. And,'' he looked up again, directly at Scott, ``I can definitely relate to someone wanting to protect their son.''
From the couch, William chimed in: ``But you're not the only ones under scrutiny right now. Robyn and her lawyers are looking for any justification to keep Elliot away from this apartment forever. And the special victims unit and the DA are just itching to find the evidence they need to put me in front of a judge.''
``I wish we could help,'' Kris reiterated. ``But the fact of the matter is: we can't. Jeff is no safer here than he is with you.''
Scott watched as Jeffery and James sank under the weight of their defeat. Jeff's footpaws turned inward, toe-to-toe, and he let out a long, shaking sigh as he wrung his little gray paws before him. James's face contorted, eyes wrenched shut as if in pain, as a paw rose to his temple. And Scott wondered if he looked half as despondent as they did.
All three, though, were soon roused by Aaron's gentle voice, ``Actually...that's not entirely true.''
All ten eyes turned to the rabbit, but it was Kristoff who asked first: ``What do you mean?''
``I mean, you're right. He's not safe here, in the slightest!'' Aaron beamed a hopeful smile, ``But I think we CAN help!''
``You have an idea?'' William asked.
``Stanley.''
And Jeff double checked: ``Hunter's dad?''
``Yeah! No one's investigating him for anything!'' Aaron explained. ``He's a respected member of the community. A doctor. One-hundred-percent straight as far as anyone outside of this room knows...''
``...and still a soft ninety-percent even to us...'' Will interjected.
``And a sweet old lady just entrusted her only grandson to him in her will. No one's gonna' be snooping around his house. No one's gonna' suspect him of anything.'' The rabbit tossed up his paws with a laugh, ``Hell! He could run a fucking child prostitution ring out of his home and nobody would know!''
``Uhm...Aaron...?'' James began.
``What? I'm not saying he should!''
``No, no. I know that was a joke. It's not that,'' the raccoon shook his head. ``It's just that...we've already considered Stan. Jeff even stayed the night at his house on Monday and Tuesday. Y'know: as a friend of Hunter's.'' And, once again, he explained: ``But, we chose the three of you because we can be honest, here. We can't with Stan. We have no idea how he'd react to...well...to the truth.''
It was William, though, who argued: ``No. We do know, in fact.''
``What do you mean?'' Scott asked...
...and Aaron took over, again, ``He means: Stan already knows everything about what happened with Elliot, and he...well, he really didn't care.''
``Well...'' Kristoff added, glancing at the beer in his paw, ``...not after a few belts of vodka, anyway.''
``That's fair,'' the rabbit granted.
``But either way, Aaron's right,'' Will agreed. ``I don't think Stan would be bothered by this, at all. Or...to be fair, I can't read Stan to save my life. I have no idea whether it would bother him or not. But he definitely wouldn't go to the cops. I mean: he lied for us. He's not gonna' turn you in.''
James, though, remained cautions: ``But would he actually let Jeff move in?''
``With Hunter there to back you up...?'' Aaron answered, ``I'd expect so.''
It wasn't often that Scott allowed himself to be hopeful. But the fact of the matter was, they had run out of options. Jeffery had already spent the past week bouncing between his various friends' houses, and the seediest motel that neighboring Brooksboro had to offer. Their temporary solutions were tapped out. And the Masters had been the only permanent one they'd believed could work, even for a second.
It wasn't often he was hopeful. But for both Jeff's sake and his own, this was one time he had to be.
``If this is all true,'' he smiled softly, ``It's definitely worth a shot.''
And James stepped up, paws on Jeffery's shoulders. ``Okay then, Scott. If you're up for another `cards on the table' speech...I say we go see Stan, right away. No point in waiting.''
``And I should probably go too,'' Aaron added. ``Nobody knows Stan better than me. I should be able to help.''
Scott nodded, Aaron rose, and at once the four moved for the door: Scott, Aaron, James, and Jeff. But before a single paw could light upon the doorknob, a voice halted them.
``Hey. Kid?''
They turned back, to see Kristoff setting his beer aside. Silently, be beckoned Jeffery to come back, and the boy obliged. With a somber little grin, the husky knelt...
...and he met the kitten in a hug, ``I'm sorry I couldn't let you stay,''
``It's okay, sir,'' Jeff assured him. ``I understand.''
``Good luck at Stan's, though, okay?'' Kris pulled away from the hug to look the kitten in the eye, ``And Jeff?''
``Yeah?''
``Next time you see Elliot...tell him I miss him.''
~
``I must have misunderstood,'' Stanley Jones rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. ``Certainly, the two teachers I chose as the faces of this entire movement...do not have a fourteen-year-old sex slave!''
``He's not a slave,'' Scott argued...
...but Stan shot back: ``My apologies for using the wrong terminology, Mr. Hammond. What would be a less offensive term for your young charge? Toy? Pet? House boy?''
``Anything but slave!'' James answered for them both. ``Slave implies we've forced this on him and-''
``Are you having sex with the boy?'' the rabbit cut him off. ``Is he paying for his room and board with these services? Is he under eighteen? If the police were to find out about any part of this, would you end up in prison!?'' His questions were met only with silence. ``Then tell me, what use is there in an argument over semantics!? He is a child! You are having sex with him! And it is compulsory! Is the word I use to describe this arrangement really so important?''
Stanley's living room was full to bursting: Stan, Scott, James, Jeff, Aaron, and Hunter all crowded together in a home built for one, and barely housing two.
James had only stepped foot into this house once before -- when he had helped Hunter move in -- and he'd never expected to be back under circumstances like these. This was clearly a mistake. Despite Aaron and Will's assurances, Stan was reacting exactly how the raccoon had expected. James could feel Jeffery tightening his grip on his arm...he saw Scott flashing an angry glance at Aaron...and he could see Aaron's muzzle parting, preparing to argue with his brother...
``What the hell, Stan? Calm down!'' Hunter, though, beat him to it. ``What's wrong with you? You didn't act like this with Will!''
``Ah. William,'' Stanley grumbled in response. ``That is precisely the problem. William...Elliot...now this...''
``But you didn't have a problem with this, before,'' Aaron chimed in. ``You were fine when you found out about Will and Elliot.''
``This is true,'' the older rabbit sighed. ``And neither do I take any particular issue with...'' he waved a dismissive paw at his guests, ``...this.''
Now, James was thoroughly confused. And judging from the looks on Scott's, Aaron's, and Hunter's faces -- and the loosening of Jeffery's grip -- he wasn't alone. Stan didn't take issue with this? That's certainly not what his reaction implied.
``Stanley, buddy?'' Aaron prodded. ``You're confusing everyone.''
His brother gave out an even longer, almost exasperated sigh, before attempting to explain: ``I have never been one to hold with `accepted' social values. I have always believed such things to be constructed. What may be best for one, is not necessarily best for others, and it seems unnatural to me to expect everyone to live their lives in the same fashion and to the same moral codes.''
James, for one, definitely couldn't say he disagreed with such a sentiment.
``Elliot is happiest living with his father and William,'' Stan continued. ``He misses them. It is a home where he finds comfort, love, and acceptance. And whether their sexual activities are a part of that comfort or not, I cannot say. Perhaps they help. Perhaps they are only incidental. But regardless, they are in no way harming the boy.''
And from what he'd seen, James couldn't help but agree with this, as well.
``And as for Jeffery,'' the rabbit went on, ``he seems well adjusted enough, to me. He is polite and friendly, and has honestly been my favorite of Hunter's friends -- Elliot included. He made for a fine and respectful guest on Monday and Tuesday,'' he paused to smile and nod at the boy. ``So, I have no reason to believe that your arrangement with him is, in any way, more detrimental than Elliot's forays with his family...especially considering the life you claim to have rescued him from.''
Once again, James agreed, but there was still the pressing question: ``Then what the hell's the problem?''
``The problem, Mr. Callaway, is pure damnable luck,'' Stanley answered...
...and Scott pressed: ``What do you mean?''
``I mean that I am preparing to tell an entire state, if not a nation, that this is NOT who you people are. To tell them that homosexuals are not deviants and criminals, and that they deserve protection and freedom in their careers, the same as anyone else. To tell them that Elliot's father and uncle would never do anything inappropriate with him, regardless of their sexuality. And to tell them that just because two teachers are gay does not mean that they are attracted to their students.''
And now it was James's turn to sigh, as he finally understood where this was going, ``But...''
``But,'' Stan repeated him, ``legally, William has committed every crime he is accused of. He is a deviant and a criminal, and Elliot HAS been molested by both his father and his uncle, regardless of how willing he is.'' He touched a paw to his chest, forcing on a happy tone, ``But I had come to terms with that. I had accepted the irony, and my own hypocrisy and lies. And then I came to the two of you, so I could find the faces for my campaign.'' Just as quickly, though, the cheerful attitude fell away, ``And now I learn that you have a pet who is the exact same age as your students! Confirming the fear of every bigoted parent in the county!'' He threw up his paws, ``I could absolutely not care less what any of you do behind closed doors. But my problem is this: I know that you are not representative of the gay community. And I am cursing my own abysmal luck that, to fight the good fight and fix the system for us all, I am stuck working with William, Kristoff, and the two of you. Four perfect examples of every possible argument against our cause.''
And yet again, James couldn't help but agree. He was right. ``We're sorry, Stan.''
The rabbit though, simply flicked a dismissive paw, ``Apologies are a waste of breath. You are who you are, and the plan has not changed. We will just need to be as careful with protecting your secrets as we are with Elliot's.'' Unexpectedly, he let out a short laugh, ``And to that end, we should all be thankful that you came to me with the truth when you did.''
``Wait.'' Scott, asked: ``Why?''
``Because I had assumed Jeffery was your son: adopted through legitimate channels,'' Stanley answered. ``And I had intended on leveraging this fact: presenting it as an example of how trustworthy you are.''
At that, James laughed aloud, ``Holy shit, Stan. I'm glad we stopped you.''
``As are we all,'' the elder rabbit nodded. ``But now, I assume there is more to this visit than a simple confession. Otherwise my brother would not have joined you. So...what do need from me?''
James turned to look at Scott, intending to paw the conversation off to him. The fox, though, simply shook his head and motioned a paw for James to handle it on his own. Perhaps it was because James knew Stan better? He wasn't quite sure...
...but no matter the reason, the raccoon nodded, and then turned back to Stanley to answer: ``We're looking for a place to hide him.''
``Ah. You are being investigated by the school, and you fear he'll be found,'' Stan surmised. ``But why come to me?'' He glanced at Aaron, ``I assume my brother told you how I was accepting of the situation with Elliot...but am I really your only option for lodging?''
``The only other people we could be honest with are Kris and Will,'' James answered...
...and Stanley concluded: ``But they are under even more scrutiny than you.''
``Whereas, you're not under any,'' Scott added.
``Am I not?'' the older rabbit tilted his head. ``I have not, of course, been accused of crimes like William, nor am I under any other sort of investigation. But I will be spearheading our campaign. Do you really believe the media would not look into who I am?''
``Of course they will,'' James agreed. ``But they're the media, not the police or private investigators. You can keep them out of your home and keep Jeffery a secret. We can't.''
``True. But is he to stay locked up, here? Awaiting me to deliver his meals? Never to see his friends? What would happen the first time he stepped outside my doors to the flash of a camera?''
``It's not ideal,'' Scott granted, ``but it's safer than staying with us...''
``...or us,'' Aaron added.
``Safer,'' Stan repeated, accentuating the `er' at the end of the word, ``but still not safe.''
``Jesus!'' Hunter called out suddenly. ``You guys are slow!''
One by one, Jeffery and the four adults each turned to look at the tiger...
``Okay. So he can't stay with you,'' Hunter pointed at Scott and James, ``and he can't move in with Elliot's dad and uncle. Sure. That makes sense. And staying here with Stan is better, but still risky, right? Well, those aren't your only options.''
``Aren't they?'' Scott asked. ``Mic and Donald's parents wouldn't work. Neither would Viri's foster family. And if you're going to suggest sending him back to his own family, or into the system, you can stop right now.''
With a huff, Stanley concurred, ``I would have to agree with Mr. Hammond, Hunter. Short of sending him back to street, I see no other options.''
``Unless, of course...'' James mused, ``you see something we don't.''
``Yeah!'' Hunter laughed and tapped his chest, ``Me!''
``You?'' Jeffery repeated, clearly confused. But before Hunter could even begin to explain himself, the kitten gasped. At once, he rushed away from James's side and grabbed hold of the tiger's shoulders, screaming: ``YOU! Why didn't I think of that??''
``I don't know!'' Hunter answered. ``You were over there just last week. It should have been the first thing on your mind.''
``My God, it's perfect,'' the little gray laughed, squeezing his friend's shoulders. ``I feel like an idiot!''
James, of course, had no idea what they were talking about. ``Uhm...you two care to fill us in?''
Stan, though, smiled, as he too caught on. And he answered for the boys: ``Dorothy's farm.''
``Yeah! My grandmother's old ranch!'' Hunter explained, finally breaking free of Jeff's grasp. ``That place is mine, now. It doesn't belong to Stan. It has absolutely no connection to the two of you, and the only connection it has to the Masters is the fact that I'm dating Elliot. No one will have ANY reason to be looking at that place, or worrying about who's coming and going.''
``And even if they did, what's the worst that could happen?'' Jeff added. ``I'd just say that I ran away, and that a friend had been letting me crash at his place. It wouldn't lead back to any of you and...and what kind of trouble could they really get Hunter in?''
``None! I'd just be a kid protecting a friend!'' the tiger answered. ``It'll be great! I've been visiting that place all the time lately, anyway. I'll just have to start bringing over food and stuff.'' He paused to turn to Stan, ``And maybe stay the night there a bit more often, so he doesn't get lonely.''
James blinked in silence, slowly taking in the flood of information, before finally responding: ``It...it sounds like it should work.''
``Are you okay with this, Stan?'' Aaron double checked with his brother...
...who simply nodded, ``I can think of nothing better.''
``And you, Scott?'' James did the same with Jeffery's `dad.'
``Jeff seems happy,'' the fox smiled. ``That's good enough for me.''
``This is gonna' be great!'' nearly bouncing, Hunter turned back and grabbed hold of Jeffery's shoulders, just as the kitten had done to him. ``Me and Elliot'll have to throw you a party over there, to celebrate!''
Jeff, though, simply grinned as he asked: ``...can Donald come?''
