Broken Toys

Chapter 46

"I look like a dork." Casey frowned at his reflection ignoring the laughter from the other side of the room.

"That's 'cause you are a dork," Billy finally managed to squeeze the words out between laughs.

"And I suppose you're a fashion god in that thing?" Casey gestured but the oversized black robe hid the motion. He scowled down at the floppy sleeves and tried - again - to shove them up over his hands.

"You're confusing Billy with me again, Case." Zeke struck a pose. "I make this look good."

To be honest, Zeke did look good in the black graduation gown while Billy looked almost as lost in his as Casey did. Not that Billy was about to admit such a thing.

"Here's your crown then, oh supreme being." Billy tossed the black cap at Zeke and grinned when Zeke put it on.

"Now we all look like dorks," Casey decided.

"Smart dorks," Zeke corrected with a grin walking over to Casey and transferring the cap to him. "Don't forget your sash, Mr. Scholarship." He draped the honors sash around Casey's neck and followed it with a quick bite to the neck.

"You turning into a vampire?" Casey demanded as he tilted his head to give Zeke better access.

"It's not your blood he wants," Billy snickered, levering himself off the desk and joining the pair in front of the mirror. He loved watching Casey when he had that look in his eyes.

"Want me to help you with that?" Casey reached back and found the gown's fastener. "Wouldn't want to be all wrinkled, would we?"

Eyes locked onto their reflection, the three of them played their favorite game, each matching the actions of the other as they slowly removed each other's graduation gowns.

As one, the robes slid to the floor where they remained, forgotten, until morning

*****

"Plague and pestilence?" Zeke asked mildly, watching as Billy slammed the phone handset back into the cradle a few times more than necessary.

"Worse. Both parents and steps will be here for graduation. The school probably won't survive."

"Sounds like fun. Too bad we can't lose them in Europe with mine."

Billy snorted and turned. He had the door open before he stopped and turned back. "I gotta get out for a while. I won't be late."

Casey and Zeke watched the door close and listened until they could no longer hear Billy's receding footsteps. They tried to go back to their studying but the silence was uncomfortable.

"Have you heard from your parents, Zeke?" Casey looked up from his textbook with an unreadable expression on his face. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on any of them - the only one who wanted his parents at graduation was the one who no longer had parents.

"Talked to them last week. They're somewhere in France and have..." Zeke made a face, "obligations. They probably don't even remember what school I attend."

"Do they know?" Casey asked quietly. "About us?"

Zeke leaned over and touched Casey's hand. "I told them I'll be living with you. They're giving me the room and board allowance that I would have paid the college. I thought we could use it to fix the place up a bit, and it will help with utilities and groceries." He slid his hand up Casey's arm to his shoulder and neck until he reached Casey's chin. He leaned in and spoke close to Casey's lips. "They don't need to know the rest. It wouldn't mean anything to them."

"Are you afraid to tell them?" Casey whispered, his eyes locked onto Zeke's, fear shining clearly in those blue depths.

"No, Casey. I'm not ashamed of who I am. I'm not ashamed of you or Billy either. It's just... they don't care enough about me to be part of my life. They don't deserve to know us."

"Will you tell them someday?"

"I don't know. Maybe." Zeke pulled the book out of Casey's hands and tossed it aside, pressing Casey back to the bed. He stretched out beside the smaller teen, resting his head on Casey's chest.

They lay together for a while, just listening to each other's breathing.

"Do you miss them?" Casey whispered into the silence, combing his fingers gently through Zeke's hair to calm him. Although Zeke claimed that he didn't care about his parents, the tension in his body told a different story.

"I used to," Zeke admitted, his voice so soft it was like a breath. He tightened his hold on Casey. "Not anymore." He lifted his head and looked down into Casey's eyes, glittering in the light with the faintest hint of tears. "It's ok to miss them, Case."

"I shouldn't. They don't deserve it. My dad doesn't deserve it." Casey amended. He turned his face away and rubbed at his eyes.

"It's ok," Zeke whispered, gently turning Casey's face back towards his. "You don't have to hide from me. Ever." Zeke kissed Casey tenderly.

Casey tightened his hold on Zeke, the loneliness and fear of the last weeks breaking free. He curled into the safety of Zeke's arms and didn't try to stop the tears.

As he calmed, he reached up to Zeke and traced the path of moisture that tracked the older teen's face. Casey lifted himself up and used his lips to wipe away Zeke's tears. It made him stronger and he turned, guiding Zeke down and sheltering him.

Billy returned, taking in the scene without a word. He accepted the invitation of Casey's outstretched hand and climbed in beside Zeke. It took just a little shifting to find the right fit so that they were comfortably pressed together.

Billy urged Zeke to turn onto his side and rubbed his back, returning the kindness Zeke often shared when Billy was upset or couldn't sleep.

Casey stretched out his hand and played with the hairs on the back of Billy's neck. Zeke just sighed and rested his head against Casey's chest, one hand resting on Casey's hip.

Casey watched as the tension eased from his lovers' faces and bodies. He felt strong; a deep primal strength. He leaned down and kissed the top of Zeke's head, then the tip of Billy's nose, keeping his lips busy to stop the laugh that suddenly filled his chest.

He had found the answer for Dr Carson.

Return to Broken Toys