Chapter 30

Justin was just clearing the table and cleaning up after breakfast when he heard his phone ring. He frowned, not really expecting a call. Brian and Vicky had just left for the day. Brian would drop her off at school, then head into Pittsburgh to get some work done for the day.

It was supposed to be a quiet Wednesday and he had nothing on his schedule, so he was confused that someone would call him that early in the morning.

He picked up his phone and was even more confused when he saw Luke's image on his screen, indicating that his son was calling.

Brian had told him about their conversation at the office yesterday and Debbie had called later in the evening to let them know that things between Jenny and Luke seemed okay again and they were out to watch a movie.

He just hoped that everything was alright. As far as he was concerned Luke should be on his way to school now.

“Hey, is everything okay?” He therefore started the conversation, immediately worrying that something might be wrong.

“Hi Papa,” Luke greeted and as far as Justin was concerned, he sounded okay. So far so good.

“Hey,” Justin greeted back rather sheepishly, admitting to himself that he might have jumped to the wrong conclusions. Luke sounded fine and it wasn't that weird for him to call his father, was it? Well, maybe not, but under the current circumstances...

“Uhm,” Luke started, obviously feeling rather nervous about what he wanted to say.

Justin immediately felt his own nervousness rise and forced himself not to jump to conclusions again and to stay calm. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, uhm... I was just wondering... uhm...Would you be home in the afternoon?”

Justin frowned, not quite sure what to make of that question. “Yeah, I think so. Why?”

“Uhm... I need some stuff for a project and... I was wondering if I could come by after school to...uhm... pick it up.”

“Of course you can,” Justin immediately replied. “You know you can always come by.”

“Okay, that's good,” Luke said in response, obviously still quite nervous.

“Do you want me to pick you up from school?” Justin offered, but wasn't really surprised when Luke declined the offer.

“I'll just take the bus home.”

“I just thought with your ankle and all,” Justin pointed out, but stopped when he heard Luke reply.

“It's fine. I always use the bus. I'll be fine using it today.”

“Okay,” Justin agreed, before he cursed. “Shit!”

“Papa?” Luke obviously seemed confused and hadn't expected that.

“I am sorry, honey. I just remembered that Vicky has rehearsals for her Christmas play today and I offered to pick her up afterwards.” Justin could have cursed himself for having forgotten about that. “She seemed so excited about the rehearsal and I know she'll be ready to talk my ear off the minute she gets into the car.”

Luke actually had to chuckle then. “I have no doubt.” He knew his sister well and knew that his father was not exaggerating.

“You know what? I'll ask your Dad if he can pick her up, so I'll be home when you come by.”

“Don't worry about it, Papa. I have my key. I can let myself into the house,” Luke said.

“I know, I just thought...,” Justin started, but then stopped, not quite sure how to continue.

“I was thinking,” Luke started, hearing the insecurity in his father's voice. “Maybe... I could stay for dinner, if it's alright with you and Dad. I think Vicky might enjoy that.”

Justin smiled, nodding to himself even though Luke couldn't see it. “That sounds lovely, Luke. I would really enjoy that, too.”

“Uhm, okay. I better go now, we're almost at school. I'll see you later.”

“Yeah, see you later,” Justin agreed, before he hung up, feeling ridiculously excited about the fact that Luke would come home this afternoon and stay for dinner. It wasn't a momentous step, it wasn't anything big, but the fact that Luke had asked if he could stay for dinner, was a small step in the right direction and at this point Justin would take whatever he could get and whatever his son was ready to offer to them.

***

Luke threw his backpack and jacket onto his bed, then hobbled through his room. He looked around and took in things he hadn't really paid attention to in years. Like the pictures on the wall. Pictures of himself with various family members on various occasions. With his fathers, with Gus and Vicky, with his uncles and grandparents.

He remembered how it had all started with one picture of his family when he had been small and scared of monsters under his bed. He remembered how his Dad had told him that his Papa had been scared of monsters as well when he had been younger and that his Grandma had put a picture of his happy family next to his bed, so the monsters would stay away as they were scared of happy families.

He couldn't help but laugh at how naive he had been back then to actually believe that story. It had been utter bullshit, but he had indeed stopped being scared of monsters. And even though he hadn't believed in monsters under his bed in a long time, he had always kept pictures of loved ones around and at one point had started putting them on the wall of his room. After every holiday, every vacation, every trip, he would add new pictures to his wall, just enjoying the happy memories the pictures brought back to the front of his mind when he looked at them.

Luke took in several of the pictures and couldn't help but smile as his eyes settled on an old one from when he had still been a small boy. It must have been taken on their holiday to Disneyworld and it showed him, Gus and his fathers happily posing for a picture with Mickey Mouse. Now that he thought back to it, he remembered that it was the first vacation they had taken together after his Papa had come back from New York.

He looked at the happy smiles on their faces and remembered how happy he had been on that trip. Mostly because it had been Disneyworld and what five year old wouldn't love that, but looking at it now, he couldn't help but be amazed by how happy his fathers looked as well.

At the time he hadn't been aware of everything they had been through, but now that he knew, it amazed him that they looked truly happy. As they all did in all of the pictures. Pictures where his dad was carrying him on his back and he was holding on like a crazy monkey, pictures where he was cuddling with his Papa, pictures where he and Gus were playing in the ocean.

He moved on to the newer pictures, pictures that now also included Vicky and he smiled when he saw a picture of himself holding her when she had still been a little baby. He remembered that it was the first day he had been allowed to meet her and actually hold her and how excited he had been to see his baby sister after only hearing about her and seeing images of her for so long.

Looking at the image, he couldn't help but move on to the next which was an image of him lying in his parents' bed, cuddled close to his father. They were both sleeping and by the lack of hair on his father's head he knew that this was taken when his dad had been going through his chemo for his lung cancer. They both looked so peaceful as they were sleeping.

He ran a hand over the picture, not able to stop the emotions that picture brought to him. At the time he had been so scared. He had been so young and hadn't really understood all about cancer and chemotherapies, but he had understood how seriously ill his Dad had been and that he could have died and he still remembered how scared he had been of his father dying. He remembered the many nights when he had been sad about his Dad being so sick that he couldn't get out of bed and how his Papa had held him, had told him stories and had always stayed positive for him, had always managed to somehow push away his fears and to calm him down and make him less scared of what was going on.

It had been a scary time, but he also remembered how both his fathers had always been there to comfort him whenever he had gotten really scared.

He moved on to more pictures of more recent holidays. Pictures of him and Vicky throwing snowballs at Gus on their skiing trip two years ago, pictures of him, Vicky and their Papa building a snowman. He laughed when he saw a picture of Christmas three years ago and Vicky wearing a ridiculous elf costume that Emmett had gotten her and that she had been in love with. She had insisted on wearing it for days and had thrown a tantrum every time their dads had tried to dress her in something else.

Which reminded him of the Elsa dress Emmett had gotten him when he had been into Frozen as a small boy and how he had loved wearing it, even though his Dad had made fun of him at the time. He remembered how angry he had been because he had loved the dress and hadn't cared at the time that it was really a dress for girls and not boys. He had loved it and had wanted to wear it and he remembered how his Papa had let him wear it whenever he wanted.

So many memories, most of them happy and good. He stood and stared at the images for almost twenty minutes, before he pulled himself away.

He slowly made his way out of his room and was on his way downstairs to the kitchen when he passed the master bedroom. The door was open and he couldn't help but look inside. As he saw the bed, he couldn't help but remember so many mornings he had spent in that bed talking to his Dad when his Papa had still been asleep.

His Dad had always been up early and had always talked to him, no matter how early he had been up and had kept him entertained until Gus and his Papa would wake up as well and they could have breakfast together.

As he stared at the bed, he couldn't help but smile as he remembered so many lazy mornings, so many weekends and holidays that he had spent in that bed with his fathers. So many nights when he had been small and sick or scared after a nightmare. Nights when his dads would let him sleep in the big bed with them even though they usually had a strict “no child in our bed at night”-policy and even though he and Gus had always been expected to sleep in their own beds. But sometimes... when they had been sick or scared, his dads would make exceptions and he remembered the nights being cuddled between them, being held and cared for by them.

He was taken back from his thoughts when he heard the main door of the house and heard Vicky's excited chatter as she was talking to her father. His Papa had been right, she was talking his ear off about the rehearsal. Luke couldn't help but smile as he heard her happy voice and decided to make her even happier by announcing his presence.

Thirty seconds later a loud squeal rang through the house when Vicky saw their surprise visitor and immediately started running towards Luke, who was just coming down the stairs.

“Hey, slowly. You know he's injured,” Justin admonished when she was almost about to run right into him.

At the last second she stopped and slowed down a bit, carefully looking up at her big brother who was now standing in front of her with a smile. “Sorry!”

“It's okay,” Luke smiled, not wanting her to feel bad. He actually felt quite happy to see how excited she seemed to see him. “We just need to be mindful of the crutches. Come here.”

He then carefully navigated the crutches, so she could come closer and give him a careful hug.

“I missed you!” She immediately said as she threw her arms around his waist, holding him close.

“I missed you, too,” Luke gave back, holding her close. “How was your rehearsal?”

“It was good! I am going to be a star. I have a really nice costume that Papa helped make for me.”

“I can't wait to see it,” Luke said with a big smile.

“It's at school, but you can see it when you come to my Christmas play. You will come, right?”

“Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world,” Luke promised, smiling at the happy squeal that came out of his little sister.

“Did you hear, Papa? Luke will come to my play.”

“Yeah, I heard,” Justin smiled, looking from his daughter to his son and back. “And even if I hadn't, your reaction would have told me as much.”

She excitedly hopped from one foot to the other, a big smile on her face.

“Come on, let's get you out of your jacket.”

She nodded, then made her way over to her Papa who helped her get out of her winter clothes.

“How about we all have some nice hot cocao together? I think we even have some cookies left from the batch we made last weekend,” Justin said, nodding towards the kitchen.

Both Vicky and Luke nodded and they all made their way into the kitchen.

Justin couldn't help listening as his kids were talking and his heart contracted when he heard Vicky ask Luke if he was now back home and was going to stay.

“I'll stay for dinner tonight,” Luke said, trying to sound as happy as he could.

“But you're not staying here? With me and Papa and Daddy?” Vicky looked at him sadly, her face showing very clearly how much she disliked the idea of him leaving again.

“No, not yet. I can't, Vicky,” Luke said quietly, very aware that his father was actually listening to their conversation. “I am sorry. I'll go back to Auntie Em's tonight.”

“Why don't you stay with us? This is your home. We are your family. Don't you love us anymore?” Vicky asked, her voice sounding dangerously close to crying.

“Of course I love you,” Luke immediately replied, pulling his little sister close. “I love you very, very much. You know that!”

“We talked about this, Vicky,” Justin said quietly, knowing that it wasn't really fair to leave Luke to answer those questions on his own. “You know that Luke needs to stay with Auntie Em for a while until things are better again between all of us.”

“But you're here now,” Vicky said, looking at her brother, clearly not understanding how that didn't mean that things were okay again.

“And we're very happy about that, all of us,” Justin agreed, coming over and giving her a hug as well. “I know it's not easy to understand for you, princess, but for now Luke will stay with Auntie Em and he will come and visit us when he feels like it.”

“Are you still angry with Daddy? Because he's sorry,” Vicky said, directed at her brother. “He told me that he's sorry. Didn't he tell you?”

“Yeah, he did,” Luke admitted, looking at Vicky from sad eyes. “But it's not that easy. I am sorry, Vicky.”

“Daddy said it's complicated,” Vicky said sadly, looking from her brother to her Papa and back. “I don't like complicated.”

“I know,” Justin said sadly, running a hand through her blond hair. “No one does, but sometimes it can't be helped. Why don't we stop being sad and just enjoy the fact that Luke is here now and will stay for dinner? Be happy about that, huh?”

Vicky eyed him for a couple of seconds, before she finally nodded. “Okay.”

“Okay,” Justin agreed, smiling at his daughter. He then moved back to prepare the hot cocao for all of them. He left Luke and Vicky to continue with their conversation until he returned a few minutes later with the cookies and hot cocao. By the time he returned, he was glad to see both Vicky and Luke smiling.

***

“Can I help you?” Luke asked as he looked up at Justin who was getting vegetables out of the fridge, clearly ready to begin preparing dinner.

They had had their cocao and cookies and Justin had then given his children some time on their own to spend together. Vicky had proudly shown Luke all the new things she had learned at school since he had been gone and Justin knew that she needed this time with her brother.

He had been in the living-room sketching while they had been upstairs and he had just moved into the kitchen five minutes ago to get started on dinner.

“You don't have to. You can spend some time with Vicky, it's fine,” Justin said as he turned around to look at Luke.

“I want to,” Luke said quietly. “I miss us cooking together,” he added, his voice hardly above a whisper as he met his father's gaze. “And she's busy drawing a picture for me of herself in her costume anyway so I'll already have an idea what she'll look like as a star.”

Justin smiled and then nodded, knowing better than to say no when his son actually wanted to spend time with him. They had often cooked together, would often prepare dinners together. Just like soccer was the thing that Brian and Luke had in common, cooking was the thing Justin and Luke had in common. They both loved doing it, found it to be very relaxing and they often did it together. It was a time when they could just talk, catch up and just spend some time together.

“I miss it, too.”

“What are we having?” Luke asked, looking at the vegetables his father had gotten from the fridge.

“I was thinking a vegetable stir fry with some brown rice,” Justin said, looking at Luke for approval. “It will be quick and easy to make.”

“Sounds good,” Luke agreed, taking the peppers and moving over to the counter. “How about I start cutting these?”

“That would be great,” Justin said, before he took the broccoli and cauliflower and started cleaning them.

They worked in companionable silence until Vicky joined them about ten minutes later. She announced that she needed to practice her lines, so Luke moved over to the table where she was sitting, cutting some more vegetables there, so he could help her practice her lines.

Justin watched them and couldn't help but smile. Even though Vicky was so much younger than Gus and Luke, it was obvious how much her brothers loved and adored her. They were really close to her, something for which Justin was glad. He knew that he and Molly had never been that close when he had been Luke's age and it made him feel quite bad at times.

They were close enough now, but when he had been a teenager, he had mostly been annoyed by his younger sister while Gus and Luke really seemed to love her and loved spending time with her.

He had just put on the rice, when he heard the front door of the house, knowing that Brian was home. Much like he had realised it, so had Vicky, who immediately jumped off her chair and ran into the hallway, greeting her father in a manner that the whole house could hear.

Justin had texted Brian earlier, letting him know that Luke would come for dinner, so at least Brian wouldn't be surprised by Vicky's exuberant announcement.

“Daddy! Luke is here and he will stay for dinner,” she exclaimed much to both Justin's and Luke's amusement.

“I know,” Brian told her calmly. “That's really nice, isn't it?”

They could then hear something that sounded like Vicky was whispering to her Daddy and Brian was actually whispering back to her.

“I promise, princess,” Brian said in a serious voice, before they appeared a few seconds later in the kitchen.

Justin wondered what that was about, but didn't get too much time to wonder about it, because he felt arms encircling his waist a couple of seconds later. “Hey,” he greeted his husband, smiling into the embrace.

“Hey,” Brian greeted back, leaving a quick kiss on Justin's temple. “You good?”

Justin nodded, then smiled up at Brian. “We're making vegetable stir fry. Sound good?”

Now it was Brian's turn to nod. “Just let me get changed and out of this suit. I'll be back in a few minutes.”

“Okay,” Justin whispered, leaning into Brian's body some more, before he felt him pull away.

Before Brian left the kitchen, he stopped at the kitchen table, where Luke and Vicky were back to practising her lines.

“Hey, sonny boy,” he said, meeting Luke's gaze when he looked up. “It's nice that you're staying for dinner.”

Luke nodded, not quite sure what to reply to that.

“Vicky is really excited about you being here,” his father then said, looking at him from eyes that made it clear that it wasn't just Vicky, but that his father was really happy about him being there for dinner as well.

“I know,” Luke said, smiling slightly. “So am I.”

“That's good,” Brian said in a heartfelt voice, meeting Luke's gaze for a bit longer. “That's good,” he then said more quietly, as he moved out of the room.

He returned a couple of minutes later, now wearing jeans and a shirt, having gotten out of his Armani suit.

He watched his children for a while from the doorway, before he made his presence known.

“What are you guys doing?”

“We're practising my lines, Daddy,” Vicky said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“How many lines does a star have?” Brian frowned, but immediately shut up when he saw the look Justin gave him.

“You'd be surprised,” Luke just gave back with a smirk that was very similar to his father's trademark smirk.

“Tell Daddy about your rehearsal today, honey,” Justin urged as he moved over to the table as well.

Vicky then started a detailed recount of the rehearsal. From the way her costume looked, to the way every single other costume looked, to the way the stage was decorated.

Brian listened with great interest only meeting Justin's eyes once. When he did, those eyes clearly said: 'You deserve that for your comment about her lines'. And he had to agree, he did.

By the time Vicky was done with her recount, dinner was ready and everyone settled around the table.

It was a surprisingly nice dinner and conversation was light. Brian told them about his day at the office when Vicky asked him how his day had been, they talked about Luke's school and how he was doing and unlike what Brian had expected, it had been rather nice and not uncomfortable.

Most of the conversation had been carried by Luke and Vicky, but even when he or Justin had said something or asked something, Luke's replies had been normal enough. For someone who didn't know what was going on, this could have almost seemed like any other family dinner.

Only that they knew that it wasn't and the truth of their situation was always in the back of their minds.

After dinner Vicky helped her papa clear the table, leaving Brian and Luke at the table on their own.

“So... you and Jenny are good again?” Brian asked, looking at Luke carefully, not sure if this was a question he should be asking, but as he had been the one to drop Luke off at Debbie's place, he knew they wanted to talk, so he figured he was just showing some interest in his son's life.

“Yeah,” Luke said, knowing full well that his father was only trying to make small-talk. He was pretty sure that the grapevine had already informed him of their trip to see a movie.

“That's good,” Brian said with a nod.

Luke nodded as well.

“You made your sister and your Papa really happy today,” Brian said next, looking at his son from warm eyes. “They really enjoyed having you here for dinner.”

“I know.”

“And so did I. I am glad you came by, Luke,” Brian said, meeting his son's gaze. “I know... things are still complicated, but... I am glad you were here today.”

Luke nodded, not looking at his father, but at his hands on the table. “So am I,” he admitted quietly.

A second later, Justin joined them again, stopping behind Brian's chair. He rested a hand on his husband's shoulder, squeezing it gently.

“Luke, if you want, I can take you back to Emmett's place, whenever you're ready to leave. Just let me know, okay?”

“I...,” Luke started, but then stopped, not quite sure how to continue. He then looked up at his fathers, meeting their gazes. “Can I talk to you guys after Vicky is in bed? I... There's something I need to say before I leave and... I think it's best if she's already in bed.”

“Okay,” Justin said slowly, tightening his grip on Brian's shoulder. “Yeah, sure.”

“I can just get started on my homework while you take her to bed,” Luke said, making it clear that he would be fine with his dads taking their time with his sister as they usually did. He didn't want to interfere with her bedtime rituals, knowing how much she loved this time with her fathers.

“If you're sure,” Brian said, looking at Luke questioningly.

Luke nodded. “Yeah.”

A couple of minutes later, Justin took Vicky for her bath, while Luke retreated to his room and got started on his homework. Brian moved to the living-room to watch some news, changing to one of Vicky's favourite cartoons when she came back from her bath.

They finished the cartoon before it was time for her to go to bed. On their way to her bedroom, they stopped at Luke's room, where Vicky engulfed her brother in a tight hug. They said goodbye and Luke promised that he would be over again soon which made Vicky very happy.

Brian then took her to her bedroom and read her a bedtime story. Once the story was finished, he helped her get comfortable in her bed and talked some more to her. This was their quiet time, time where they would talk about this and that.

“Daddy?”

“Hmmmmm, princess?”

“Did you say that you're sorry to Luke?” Vicky asked, looking at him from big eyes.

“Yes, I did. I promised you I would and I did,” Brian said honestly.

“That's good,” Vicky nodded. “I think he misses us, you know? Just like we miss him.”

“I know he does,” Brian said quietly.

“But if he misses us and we miss him... why can't he just come home?”

“It's not that easy, princess...,” Brian sighed, not for the first time wondering how to best explain this to his young daughter. “But the fact that he was here for dinner today and spent time with us... it's a step in the right direction. It's just gonna take a bit more time.”

“I don't like waiting...I want him to come home to us,” Vicky said in a way that made Brian smile at her.

“I know... I am not very patient either. I am sure if we just wait a bit longer, things will return even more to normal than they are now.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

“Try not to worry about it too much, princess. Whatever happens, Luke loves you very much and will always love you.”

“I love him, too.”

“So do I and so does your Papa. We just have to wait a bit longer, okay?” Brian then leaned down, leaving a kiss on her nose which made her chuckle. “Now go to sleep. You've got school tomorrow.”

“Okay, Daddy. Goodnight!”

“Goodnight. Sleep tight,” Brian whispered, before he gave her a goodnight kiss. He then made sure that she was tucked in securely and left her room. As he was about to close the door, he heard her quiet voice calling out for him once more.

“Oooh, I almost forgot: I love you, Daddy!”

“I love you, too! More than you can imagine,” Brian replied, smiling at his little daughter before he finally left the room.

He wasn't surprised to find Justin outside the room waiting for him in the hallway.

“I love you, too,” the blond announced, giving Brian a quick kiss.

“Hmmmm,” Brian sighed into the kiss, pulling Justin closer. “Love you, too.”

They both made sure that the kiss wouldn't get too passionate, knowing that Luke was still waiting for them and wanted to talk to them.

“I am scared,” Brian whispered as he looked at Justin from worried eyes.

“Don't be,” Justin whispered back, smiling encouragingly at Brian. “I am sure it will be fine.”

“I hope you're right, Sunshine.”

“Dinner didn't end in a disaster and there was no yelling and screaming either. I think we're moving in the right direction,” Justin said seriously, taking Brian's hand and giving it a squeeze.

Brian nodded, knowing that Justin was right. Together they then made their way to Luke's room.

They knocked and when Luke told them to enter, they did.

“You said there was something you needed to say to us,” Justin started as he and Brian moved towards Luke's bed and sat down on it. Luke was sitting at his desk, looking at his fathers and nodded.

“I just... I am not quite sure how to...,” Luke started, looking at his fathers from a face that spoke of his insecurity and nervousness.

“Whatever it is, you can tell us honestly,” Brian said, hoping that he would be able to quell some of his son's insecurity. “We promise to listen and not get angry.”

Luke nodded, then took a deep breath.

“I...I am just so confused right now and... I am not even sure if what I want to say will make sense...”

“Just tell us,” Justin said quietly, looking at his son from loving eyes. “Whatever it is, I am sure we'll figure it out together.”

“It's just that... everything is so complicated right now and... I hate it... I hate feeling this way...I hate that we're fighting. I hate that I am angry with you because... I know I shouldn't be... it feels like I shouldn't be and should be more appreciative of all you've done for me and I am... I know that you love me. Both of you! I know that you always did and I know that you always will, no matter what. I know that, but... at the same time I am so angry and... I don't think I even want to be, but I am and...I miss you... I miss being here... I miss us all spending time together as a family, but then... I am also so angry and ... I feel like I shouldn't be missing you, but I do and ... I just wish I wouldn't feel so damn confused by it all,” Luke started to explain haltingly.

He looked at Justin when he spoke next. “I know that you forgave Dad and... I know that Gus did too and now it feels like I am unreasonable because I haven't and... it feels like I have to because you and Gus did as well and... then I think about how much I miss being here, miss being here with you and Vicky and... I feel like I want to and then at the same time, I am still so angry and I know that I can't and...,” Luke stopped, once again taking a deep breath. When he continued, he looked at both of his fathers. “I am trying... I really am. I want you to know that, but... I don't think I am there yet and... I guess what I am trying to say is... I don't hate you. Either of you,” he said as he looked at Brian specifically. “When I said that... I was angry and it was the anger speaking. I love you... both of you and I really want to try and work through this, I am just asking you to... can you please let me try and work through this on my own in my own time?”

“Luke,” Brian started, meeting his son's gaze. “I know I've said it before, but... I want you to know how very sorry I am. And not just for what happened fifteen years ago, but... also for what you're going through now. I know it's my fault and I wish there was something I could do to take away this pain that you're going through now and... we'll do whatever you want us to do. We'll give you all the time in the world!”

Justin nodded in agreement with Brian's words. “Honey, we'll give you all the time in the world and we'll do whatever it takes to fix this.”

Luke nodded. “I just... I don't want to be completely cut off from everyone... I've felt so lonely this last week and a half, but at the same time... I am not sure if I really want to see anyone... it's just so confusing.”

“Luke,” Justin started, looking at his son from sad eyes. He felt so bad for the pain that Luke was going through, remembering so well what it had felt like when he had gone through the same pain so many years ago.

“I just...,” Luke continued, not giving Justin a chance to say anything else. “Today was okay... today was nice,” he then said, looking at his fathers from insecure eyes, almost begging them to agree with him.

“It was,” Brian agreed with a smile. “It was so nice to have you home again and have you spend time with us.”

“That meant the world to us, Luke,” Justin agreed with a sunshine smile.

Luke nodded slowly, before he continued. “I... I think I'd like to do that again.”

“Of course,” Justin said. “Honey, you are always welcome here. This is your home and whenever you feel like coming by, you come by. The door will always be open for you.”

“I just... I don't want to make any promises that this will become a weekly thing or a bi-weekly thing... I don't think I am ready yet to make any promises,” Luke admitted.

“And you don't have to. Like your Papa said, this is your home and you'll always be welcome here. When you feel like it, you come by and you stay for as long or short as you want...no strings attached,” Brian replied calmly, his voice full of understanding. “We don't want you to do anything you don't feel comfortable with, Luke. We don't want to pressure you into anything you're not ready for... whatever feels right to you, let us know and it will be okay. We'll be here, for as long or short as you'll want us to be.”

“Thanks,” Luke said quietly, his voice full of relief. “I... I know this is not what you were hoping for, but for now... I think it's all I can do...”

“And we'll take it,” Justin said, smiling at his son. “It's so much better than we could have hoped for. And... I don't want you to feel pressured by what I did or by what Gus did. This is about you and your feelings. No one can tell you how to feel or how to react. That is up to you and no one else and if this is what you can offer us right now, then we'll gladly accept it. We love you, Luke! And we will still love you if you don't talk to us, we will still love you if you occasionally come by for dinner, we will still love you if you one day decide to move back in here... We will always love you, no matter what!”

“I know,” Luke whispered, looking at his fathers from teary eyes. “I know.”

They looked at each other for several seconds, before Justin couldn't take it any longer. He got up from his seat on Luke's bed and slowly made his way over.

“May I?” He asked, knowing that he should respect Luke's boundaries and he felt beyond relieved when he saw his son nod.

He immediately wrapped his arms around him and held him tight. “I love you... Never forget that, okay? No matter what!”

“I love you, too, Papa!”

They hugged for a while, before Justin pulled back, gently wiping away the tears on Luke's face. He smiled when Luke turned towards Brian, who was still sitting on the bed and watching them from his place.

“I love you, too, Dad!”

“And I love you,” Brian whispered, before he came over as well, wrapping one arm around Luke and pulling him closer when he nodded his consent. “I love you, too!”