Page 88 of Kit
“You never mentioned being interested in guys.”
Nick slid his gaze away from Trevor to the dark town stretched out in front of him.
“Do you remember the fight I got into at school when I was thirteen?”
“I remember,” Trevor said without missing a beat. “The principal called me in the middle of the lunch rush, and I told him matter-of-factly that he’d mixed things up and had called the wrong parent. I couldn’t believe it.”
“I never told you what that fight was about.”
“You said your friend was an idiot who deserved it, but no, you wouldn’t tell me the details.”
“Laurence started secondary school that year with us, and he was… He didn’t hide that he was gay. Everyone in the school knew.”
Trevor tensed. “Did he make comments about Laurence?”
Nick traced the mountain edge with his eyes, a jagged triangle of black cut out of a night sky crowded with bright stars. “He made a comment about you. Said that because you were soft, Laurence was gay. At that point, I wasn’t overly interested in anyone, but I knew that I was attracted to guys, not girls. I also knew if I came out, and you had two gay kids, then there would be more stupid comments… I just didn’t want you to ever have to listen to crap like that,” Nick finished softly.
A bird twittered as it swooped over the yacht; Nick watched the little thing circle, probably looking for food, and when it found none, it spun on a wingtip and disappeared into the dark.
“I’ll never understand how I ended up with such wonderful kids.” Before Nick could object, Trevor had leaned in, rubbing his hair, hugging him closely. “Thank you for looking out for me.”
“You understand that it had nothing to do with hiding because I was ashamed?”
“I understand that you put everyone else ahead of your own needs, the way you always do.”
Keeping his family safewasNick’s core need.
“Alright,” Trevor said at last.
“Alright?” Nick repeated.
“Alright.” Trevor pulled out of the hug. “You’ve put everyone’s wants ahead of your own your entire life. I need to meet who made you decide to go after whatyouwant. Should I be expecting growls and sneers and dirty looks like I get from Adonis?”
A warmth blossomed in his chest. He’d expected Trevor to question him. Frown. Show his disapproval and for Nick to feel it keenly, but weather it in silence. He hadn’t anticipated Trevor trusting his judgement without question, to not try to talk him out of his decision.
“Kit’s polite. He comes off as formal, but that’s just the way he talks and…” Nick trailed off. “You won’t understand each other.That’swhy Laurence sounded strange on the dock.” Because Laurence was learning the language, not using a cheat symbol to do the work for him. “I haven’t actually taught him any English since this has just been translating everything for me. Have you been taking language lessons too?”
“I have, but not with the same dedication as Laurence,” Trevor admitted. “You’ll have to translate for us.”
“That’s fine.” Nick stood and rolled his shoulders. “Are you up for seeing him now? Or would you rather wait until morning? I’m going to spend the night at his place either way.”
“Now works.” Trevor glanced at the closed door leading below deck.
“Just you, if that’s alright. Connor puts him on edge, and Laurence just threatened to drown him. I’d like for him to meet a member of my family that he can relax in front of.” Nick walked to the gangplank, and Trevor followed.
“Laurence will come around eventually,” Trevor reassured him. “He just needs the chance to see that you’re okay.He’s hardly slept this entire time, so he’s going to be in better form once he’s not worried sick and sleep-deprived.” The walk through the town was quiet. A grey mound caught Nick’s eye as they passed the church. There was a pile of ash in the yard, curls of smoke wisping from the edges.
Nick had worried what would become of the dead god in the well. He’d wondered if the well would be repaired and refilled, that magic water recreated. He’d almost expected Kit to tell him that Valor was getting ready to start selling the water to cement his power as the new leader of Aridia.
Instead, Valor had dragged both the old god and Desre from the well and burned their bodies.
Nick stepped up to Kit’s door and raised his hand to knock. The door swung open before his knuckles touched the wood. Kit was in the doorway, tail slashing into a violent hook as he laid eyes on Nick.
“Sorry I took so long, I didn’t mean to leave you waiting. Do you mind if my dad comes in for some tea?”
Kit nodded stiffly, anxiety flashing across his face. Nick worried about it. He stepped in close, stopping just shy of touching Kit’s side. He let his hand slide lower, fingers caressing Kit’s tail as he raised it into reach. At the touch, Kit met Nick’s eyes, and Nick offered a reassuring smile. “I wanted to introduce you two. You don’t speak a common language, so I’ll translate.”
Kit nodded his understanding and inclined his head towards Trevor as he entered the house. “I am Kit. Nick has told me about you; you are welcome here.”
