Green rode in the back with Curtis while Ruxs drove them back to his place. Curtis was exhausted, and understandably so. All in one evening he’d lost his mom, been yanked away from the only family he had, and thrown into the Bates Motel with the Children of the Corn. Forced to stay in a closet for hours with no food, no water. He was weak and surely dehydrated. Green wanted to take him to the hospital but Ruxs had said it wasn’t necessary, that Curtis just needed some peace and plenty of sleep in a place where he knew he was safe.

Green didn’t think he’d ever prayed harder in his life than he did today. If he wasn’t convinced before, he sure as hell was today: his lieutenants were a force to be reckoned with. When they arrived in eight Suburbans with sirens wailing, and God, Day and Syn walked menacingly up to that house with all twenty members of their team, like they were the brute squad, that house mother practically threw herself at the mercy of the law. Although she wasn’t charged criminally, she was no longer assigned to that group home and was suspended without pay while under administrative review. Shelia was able to allow Green to sign Curtis out of his foster home with a forty-eight hour pass. By then his temporary placement order should be in effect, so he was good with this.

As soon as they got in the house, Green’s mom rushed up to Curtis, pulling him away from Green and into her arms. She cried silent tears as she led him upstairs to his new room. “I’ll take care of Curtis honey, don’t worry.”

Green watched from the bottom of his stairs, desperately wanting to follow them, but he knew there was nothing like a mother’s love. It could be exactly what Curtis needed right now. He waited until they’d disappeared before he turned and hung his coat in the closet and walked farther into his home. He looked around for a second. It was squeaky clean. The wooden floor gleamed like new. Every piece of furniture, pillow, appliance, was in its appropriate place. All the workout equipment that had been in the upstairs room was set back up and situated neatly in the alcove behind the staircase. He was going to have to do something really special for all the members of his team, his mom, his friends; just everyone that came through and helped him and Curtis.

He smiled for the first time in what felt like hours when he noticed Vicki in his kitchen, her long pretty hair pulled up into a loose bun, her bare feet slapping the lemon-scented linoleum as she moved about, fixing dinner. “Smells good, sweetheart,” he said bending and kissing the top of her head while she cut up a cucumber to add to the large salad bowl.

“It should, it’s your recipe.” She winked looking back at the roasting pan on his stove.

“If that’s garlic rosemary chicken it’s actually my mom’s recipe,” he said with a coy smile playing across his lips. He lifted the lid and took a huge whiff. Smells so good. Ruxs is going to hate he missed this.

His lover had dropped them off and immediately got in the car with Ro to go back to the precinct. Now that Curtis was safe, they had a raid to finalize. Even though all prep and instruction had already been practiced and memorized, God and Day always liked to be 100 percent certain. He rubbed the back of his neck, the tension knots protruding beneath his skin made him groan. He figured half of his worry and stress was now about Ruxs being involved in that bust without him tomorrow night. Some SWAT member would be paired with his partner, given the responsibility to watch his back. It didn’t sit well with him, but there was no getting around it. 

He didn’t want to think about that. Ruxs would be home later, he’d reassure himself then. Green went and washed his hands in the sink, preparing to fix Curtis a plate. “Green, I got this. Why don’t you go rest before dinner, okay?” Vicki took the plate from his hand and set it on the counter. “Besides, I’m pretty sure Curtis wants to rest a bit too. When dinner’s ready, I’ll come get ya.”

Green was so drained he couldn’t even muster up the strength to argue. He simply kissed Vicki on her cheek and went upstairs to his bedroom. His face flamed with instant heat when he walked in and saw his bed made up with new linens, his supplies placed neatly back in his drawer. The way he and Ruxs had left the room, there was no mistaking what had happened in there to cause its disheveled condition. Oh god. He shook his head sadly, a humorless laugh escaping his mouth. Ugh, will this day ever end?

That’s it. He wasn’t going to think about another thing from that moment on. Not until after he’d had at least two to three hours of uninterrupted sleep. He tossed his clothes at the hamper and headed for the shower. When he’d finished scrubbing off the grime of the last twenty-four hours’ events, he didn’t even bother with pajama pants or briefs. He yanked the towel from around his waist, threw it on the chair, and dove face first into his bed.

Seven hours later he was awakened by the sound of the shower running in his bathroom. He jumped up and quickly threw his robe on. How the fuck had he slept through the entire day? Yes, he’d been physically and mentally exhausted, but how had no one woken him? He’d foregone the thought of a wet, naked Ruxs just a door away and raced out of the bedroom, cinching the robe’s tie tight around his waist. He put his ear to the door at Curtis’ room but didn’t hear anything. He peeked his head in and saw that he was balled up in the center of his huge bed with the cover pulled up to his chest. Green sighed with relief. He didn’t know what could’ve happened to the boy while he slept, but he needed to lay eyes on him nonetheless. He crept in, looking around at the wonderful job everyone did on getting the room transformed. He hoped Curtis liked it. He’d always bunked in this room when he stayed over, but it wasn’t an actual room just for his use before… not like this was now. He gently brushed a few strands of Curtis’ hair back from his cheek. God, he looked so peaceful, Green would spend the rest of his life making sure Curtis looked this way all the time. He pulled the cover up to his chin and tucked it in. He left the room, leaving the door just slightly cracked in case Curtis called out to him in the night.

He made his way downstairs, his stomach aggressively telling him to find some food. Most of the lights were off in his house. Where is everyone? He went in the kitchen, pulling off the small note taped to his fridge, written in Vicki’s neat script.

Your mom left a couple hours ago.

I’m leaving the food on the stove, neither of us wanted to wake ya to eat, you were both sleeping so peacefully. See you tomorrow. Love you.

Vicki

P.S. Don’t forget your rescheduled meeting with DHS is at 2p.m. and you still have the home inspection visit at 7p.m.

 

Man he loved that woman. She was amazingly good to them. How they made it before she came along was a wonder. He cut off a few pieces of chicken breast and began to pull out the fixings for a sandwich, not wanting to eat much of a big meal at this hour. He stood in the kitchen, eating his quick bite with a soda – since his mom had thrown out all the beer and liquor – when he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. He looked up and saw Ruxs smiling at him, looking comfortable in a pair of his pajama pants and no shirt.

Green smiled back. His thoughts went to the wonderful night they’d shared before his world was turned upside down. Ruxs came right up to him and yanked him hard against his chest. He slammed his mouth over his, taking what he wanted, and Green was more than happy to give it. He held on to Ruxs’ hips as he ground his hard on into his own. Green panted against Ruxs’ cheek while his jaw was bitten and chewed on. Ruxs grabbed two handfuls of his hair and pulled his head back so he could have full access to his throat.

“Fuck, baby.” Green groaned. He was realizing right now how much he’d missed his lover. His partner had never left his side during the whole stressful situation, but right now, he didn’t need Ruxs the detective, he needed Mark, his man. “Missed you.”

Ruxs untied Green’s robe, and lifted him to set his bare ass on the counter. Green smiled at Ruxs’ enthusiasm. He loved this man already. He knew he did. Not just as his partner anymore, but as his life partner as well. Ruxs gripped Green’s rigid length, slowly stroking the base while he licked around the head. Sucking and nibbling lightly on the sensitive nerves.

“Damnit.” Green moaned, wanting to thrust deeper into Ruxs’ sexy mouth. He cupped his hand on Ruxs’ jaw, the other hand on the back of his head. He pushed, wanting Ruxs to take him deeper, wanting Ruxs to put in more work. He could feel the flat of that warm tongue sliding up and down his shaft, the noises Ruxs made while he sucked him driving him insane with desire.

He pushed some more and heard Ruxs gag and Green almost came right then. “Fuck yeah.” He pushed Ruxs head down again. His lover didn’t fight him. He went down, trying to take as much in as he could, choking when he had taken only half of Green’s length.

“Shit. Yes. Choke on my cock, baby.” Green watched Ruxs’ every move. Felt his throat working under his palm. “That’s it, deeper. Ahhh.” Ruxs couldn’t take Green all the way down, but how hard he was trying was making Green’s toes curl and his spine tingle. Ruxs choking and spitting on his dick was a crazy fuckin’ turn-on for him.

Ruxs gagged hard, pulled off him coughing and cursing like he was angry. “Fuck. Chris. Big fuckin’ dick.” Ruxs jerked him fast and hard, bending back down and sucking on the head.

“Gonna make me come, babe. Shit. Just like that.” Green’s thighs flexed and his balls drew up tight against him. He reached under Ruxs’ body and pinched both of his nipples, hard, twisting them, enjoying the sharp crying sound Ruxs made around his dick. Green squeezed his eyes shut, his orgasm ravaging his body as he threw his head back, cursing in a low, growling timber. “Fucking, coming.” The first jolt from him had white lights dancing behind his eyelids. He let go of Ruxs’ abused nipple, gripping the back of his neck with both hands, forcing him down again. A powerful tremor shook him as he released more and more into that sexy mouth. Ruxs gagged again and Green saw his come leaking out of Ruxs’ mouth. He took his thumb and shoved it back in. His thumb and cock, spreading Ruxs’ plump lips. He held back his shouts as much as he could. But damn. Ruxs had him crazy with lust. Seeing and hearing Ruxs gag trying to take him deep, watching his come flood his mouth. Fuck! He’d never seen anything more erotic. 

Ruxs rested his head in Green’s lap, his breathing just as erratic. Green rubbed his hand back and forth over Ruxs’ soft strands. “Let me make you come,” Green said softly.

Ruxs looked up at him through drowsy eyes. A lazy smile slowly curving his swollen lips. “I already did,” he said hoarsely.

Green grabbed Ruxs’ face, pulling him close, resting their foreheads together. “You make me crazy, you know that.”

Ruxs chuckled softly, stepping back so Green could hop down off the counter. His legs were weak as he walked over to the kitchen sink to get cleaner and a rag to clean up their mess. Ruxs wiped himself with paper towels, grinning cheekily at him the entire time. Ruxs opened the refrigerator, eyeing the contents. “Hey. Where’s all the beer?”

“I think my mom threw it out,” Green replied wiping the counter.

Ruxs looked back at him with a strange expression. All Green could do was shrug. “How’d the meeting go?”

“Everything’s a go. Should be a good bust. I’ll be partnered with Samsky,” Ruxs said matter-of-factly.

Green hated it. He didn’t like the sound of Ruxs being partnered with someone other than him. He must not have hidden his disapproval very well. Ruxs walked up to him and kissed him softly on his mouth. “It’s just one bust. It’ll be easy as pie.”

“All busts have the potential to be dangerous,” Green argued. “I don’t trust anyone with you.”

“Don’t need you to trust anyone else. Just trust me. Believe it or not, I managed to make detective and work my way up, all without you being there to keep me from getting killed.” Ruxs stared at him.

“You know damn well what I’m saying, don’t try to start something that’s not even an issue. I know you’re a damn good cop, with or without me, I just —”

“Stop there.” Ruxs placed his fingertips on Green’s mouth, silencing him. His pale eyes focused on his sealed lips. The argument Green had seen in Ruxs’ expression was now turned into hunger. Ruxs pushed his middle finger against Green’s lips, prying his mouth open. Green forgot about the bust or Ruxs’ temporary partner and let that thick digit slide along his tongue. He closed his lips around it and sucked it like he wanted to suck Ruxs’ cock. He swirled his tongue around it, never taking his eyes off his lover.

“Yeah. Get it nice and wet,” Ruxs whispered. He kept his finger deep in his mouth while he leaned in and licked the side of Green’s lips. Holding them flush against each other, Ruxs backed them up until Green’s back hit the window in his dining room. Ruxs lifted the hem of his robe, not caring if someone was down on the street. If they were they’d get a damn good view of his ass.

Ruxs slowly pulled his finger out of Green’s mouth and reached around to his ass. With one hand gripping a furry ass cheek, spreading him open, Ruxs rubbed his slick finger around Green’s anxious hole. He braced his hands on Ruxs’ wide shoulders, his head resting in the crook of his neck. Ruxs smelled so fucking good, smelled like his body wash. Green latched on to Ruxs’ throat, sucking up a dark, red welt just above where his pulse beat against his tongue. The more Ruxs pushed that blunt finger deeper into him, the harder Green groaned and the more powerful his suction.

“Damn baby. Tight fuckin’ hole.” Ruxs sounded like he was on the edge again already. “Wanna fuck you. Come inside you. Right fuckin’ now.”

Green’s ass clenched and twitched around Ruxs’ finger, obviously loving that suggestion. Green hissed as Ruxs pegged his gland. “Goddamnit, Mark.”

“Yeah.” Ruxs groaned, pushing in even more, making Green rise up on his toes. Ruxs released a satisfied moan as he pushed in and out of Green’s warm passage. “You want something bigger in your greedy ass don’t you, sweetheart? Want my cock.”

Ruxs spun Green around, pushing his cheek and chest against the cool glass. His hands were flat against the window, trying but failing at pushing to give himself some room. Ruxs’ bulk held him firmly where he wanted him and he loved it. He felt helpless, defenseless against Ruxs’ indiscretions. “Fuck,” Green moaned, sticking his ass out.

“Mmm. Fuckin’ look at you.” Ruxs’ hard shaft was hot and heavy between his ass cheeks, pushing aggressively at his opening. He heard Ruxs spit, then that thick cock was easily sliding back and forth in his crease. Ruxs’ mouth was pressed against the back of his earlobe. He flicked the fleshy skin with his tongue before sucking it into his mouth, nibbling, and nipping at it, driving Green insane. With his tender lobe still in his mouth, he teased Green with what he knew he desperately wanted. “I should fuck your slutty ass right now, not even give a fuck who walks by and sees you.”

Green leaned his head back, wanting everything Ruxs was going to do to him. “Upstairs. Get the fuck upstairs, Mark. We can’t do it right here. What if Curtis comes downstairs?” Green panted. Thank god some portion of his brain was still working.

“Oh shit. You’re right.” Ruxs chuckled softly, rubbing his hand up and down Green’s body. “You’re so goddamn beautiful, I can’t think straight when I see you. You can’t be walking around in a fuckin’ silk robe, nothing but this soft material between me and your naked body.” He squeezed Green’s ass, thrust against him a couple more times before he dropped Green’s robe back down and pulled his pajama pants back over his ass.

“Go on up. I’ll make sure everything is locked up.” Ruxs smiled at him.

Green jogged up the stairs. He was so excited he didn’t know what to do. He needed more of Ruxs, lots more. He was sure it wouldn’t be long before he was completely powerless over his addiction to this man. Green listened at Curtis’ door for a few seconds, then pushed it open. It didn’t look like Curtis had stirred an inch. He was still curled up with the blanket where Green had pulled it up to his chin. He was concerned that Curtis should be up and ready to eat now. He looked at the small alarm clock on the nightstand. It was almost eight. If Curtis wasn’t up in an hour, he was going to wake him up.

Green closed Curtis door and went back to his own room, closing and locking his door behind him. Mark Ruxsberg lay in his bed, on his fresh dark blue sheets, as naked as the day he was born. His cock in his hand, hard and weeping as he stroked it without purpose.

“You gonna stare at me all night, or are you gonna get in bed so I can fuck you?” Ruxs’ deep, desire-laden voice shot straight to Green’s balls. He untied his robe, letting it drop to the floor. Green climbed up Ruxs’ long body, settling down on top of him. They stared into each other’s eyes, saying things that both were probably too afraid to speak out loud. Ruxs gently caressed his scratchy cheek, barely ghosting his fingertips across his lips. God, those words were right there. He felt them deep down inside himself. Knew they were real, knew Ruxs felt the same. Tomorrow his lover would leave his bed early in the morning to go fight in a drug war… without him by his side. What if something hap—” Green’s mind couldn’t go there. He wouldn’t survive if he lost Mark.

“It’s okay, Chris. Com’ere,” Ruxs said so softly he barely heard it. His throat sounded tight with the same emotion Green felt.

Green leaned down and hugged his friend, his partner… the man he loved. Held him close enough to feel his rapid heartbeat. Ruxs stroked his back, stroked every muscle in his arms as Green poured his soul out to him through their embrace. He kissed Ruxs like it would be the last time. He pressed his mouth to those soft, sexy lips and kissed him with all the feelings that flowed through his body. Fear, hope, want, need, love; everything.

Ruxs broke their kiss first. He held Green’s face in his hands, watching him. Staring into him, not at him. “Chris. I love you.”

Green’s body shook on top of his lover. He desperately held on, clutched at Ruxs for strength. Ruxs wrapped his arms around him, burying his face in his hair. “I do. I love you so fuckin’ much. I’m going to make love to you tonight, like you need me to.” Ruxs wove his hand through Green’s hair placing his mouth against his, whispering, “Then tomorrow when the bust is done, I’m going to come back home and make love to you again.”

Green was gently rolled over and positioned on his stomach. With his eyes closed, trying desperately to hold it together, he heard his nightstand drawer opening and the click of the lube. He shuddered violently, his body rebelling against composure. Ruxs rubbed his back with strong, sure strokes. Pressed all those muscles into his back, that magnificent weight making Green feel like nothing could reach him or hurt him ever again. Ruxs dug his hand into his hair and turned Green’s head to the side, kissing him softly on his cheek, nuzzling his face. Green felt a warm tongue flicking at his mouth, right before Ruxs pushed his tongue inside.

Green was still focused on submitting to Ruxs’ kiss when he felt dull pressure against his ass. A pressure that grew exponentially as his hole was forced wider and wider. Ruxs pushed in steadily, one long fluent motion until Green felt heavy balls snug against his taint.

The coolness of the lube did very little to soothe the burning sensation of Ruxs’ cock filling him beyond capacity. “Jesus, Mark.” Green huffed, scrambling for something to stabilize him, grasping at the bedding.

Ruxs covered Green’s hands with his own, interlacing their fingers as he oh so slowly pulled out of his body, before sliding back in, snapping his hips to peg his prostate, and then bottoming out.

Green’s body jerked with the movement. He bit into their joined hands to stop the shout that wanted to burst from him. Ruxs sucked on Green’s neck pulling out and snapping back in again. Green’s restraint was failing. This felt like nothing he’d ever experienced before, with any man or woman. God, this was so much more than sex, his best friend, his partner in every way, really was making love to him. Ruxs kept Green’s body pressed down and secure beneath him. Ruxs pushed back in deep, so deep sparks flashed behind Green’s eyes. Ruxs’ sweaty forehead was pressed against the side of his face, and that sensual bass-filled voice groaned in his ear over and over. “Love you, Chris. I love you. I love you.”

Ruxs ground his hips into his ass, just barely pulling out an inch, before settling back in deep. His cockhead applying constant pressure to his prostate. Green couldn’t get his hand under him to reach his dick, but he didn’t have to. The way Ruxs ground into him made his hard cock rub against the mattress. It was more than enough to get him there. He was about to come.

“Ohhhhh,” Green cried on one long stroke. It came out as a whimper – an actual fucking whimper. He writhed beneath his lover, chasing that euphoric feeling that Ruxs was so good at delivering. The man was dicking him so good that if he had any secrets, his lover could’ve gotten every one of them out of him. Green was beyond keeping up masculine bravado now. He whined and cried Ruxs’ name. His begging sounding like sobbing. “I’m gonna come, Mark.”

“Yes. Come for me. Show me how much you love me too.” Ruxs moaned.

Oh hell yes, he did. He loved Ruxs more than life. His orgasm slammed into him and Ruxs’ dick did the same thing.

“Yes,” Green cried. “I do love you. I love you, Mark. Fuck. Love you so much, baby.” Green’s body shook uncontrollably. His ass muscles clenching and seizing Ruxs’ cock with every jet of spunk that erupted from him. His orgasm held him in its clutches until it was ready to accept his surrender.

“Ahh. Fuck! Too tight, baby.” Ruxs shoved back in as deep as he could and grunted hard, stilling his hips. That thick rod pulsed against his walls right before Green felt an amazing warmth saturating him on the inside. His lover’s come flooding his well-loved ass. It reminded him of a stomach being filled with cocoa on a cold winter’s night. So satisfying and warm, full of comfort and so goddamn delicious.

Ruxs unlaced their sore hands and tilted his hips to slide out of him. He rolled, pulling Green with him, keeping his back to his chest. Green finally opened his eyes, realizing how long they’d been closed. Ruxs ran his hand up and down Green’s winded chest. “Shhh. Breathe. Relax,” Ruxs crooned softly.

Fuck he was so in love. So in love that it was terrifying. In the type of love that if it was taken away, he knew he’d never be the same again.

He stopped Ruxs’ hand from caressing him and kissed his palm before sitting up and throwing his legs over the edge of the bed. He went into the bathroom and quickly washed his face then his groin and ass. He ran his wet hands through his hair and walked back into the room. Ruxs was lying there half-asleep, half-awake. Green felt like he was floating. He threw Ruxs a sexy wink as he hurried into some clean pajama pants and a T-shirt.

Ruxs smiled and shook his head at him.

“What are you shaking your head at?” Green chuckled, opening his bedroom door.

“You going to check on your son,” Ruxs said looking at him seriously.

Green stopped in his tracks, staring at his partner. “W-what? What did you say?”

Ruxs sat up, scooting until his back was against the leather headboard. “You heard me. That’s what you called Curtis when you were giving that foster mom the business.”

Green stood there with his mouth open. He couldn’t recall it. But if Ruxs said he’d said it, then he must have. And if Ruxs heard it then that meant —.

“Did you not mean to say that?” Curtis soft voice was just loud enough for him to make out what he’d said.

Green closed his door, and walked down to the end of the hall where Curtis stood in his doorway. He rubbed tiredly at his eyes, wincing when he brushed across the bruise underneath his left eye. His hair was matted to one side of his head and his new robe hung off one of his shoulders.

“I said it. I meant it.” Green pulled Curtis’ robe up on him and held him by his shoulders. “I may have said it in the midst of an argument but it doesn’t mean it was a mistake. I’m sorry if it upset you. I know you probably don’t want to overanalyze our relationship right now, but I’ve always felt closer to you than the other guys do. I don’t know why. It’s just there.”

Curtis gave him a shy smile and it almost stopped his heart. “I know. I think I felt you and Ruxs were more like dads and the other guys are like really cool older brothers.”

Green smiled back at him. He was glad he hadn’t offended or upset Curtis by blurting that out when he did.

“So. Do I have to go back to the foster home in a couple days?” Curtis said shakily.

“No. Absolutely not. The judge will sign the temporary order for you to be in my custody first thing in the morning. The papers are already on his desk for when he gets in tomorrow.” Green said with confidence, eager to put Curtis’ mind at ease.

Curtis threw his arms around Green’s shoulders. “Thank you so much.”

Green held him back. “I’d do anything for you, you know that.”

“Yeah I do.” Curtis sighed, chewing nervously at his bottom lip. “Is it um. Um. Can I. Can I c-call you Dad?”

Green held his chest and chuckled heartily. Curtis looked a little taken aback before Green explained his amusement. “I’m laughing because I was trying to think of a way to ask you to call me Dad.”

Curtis looked relieved too. Green cupped the side of Curtis face and brought him in for another hug. They held each other for a long while before a deep voice broke into their bonding.

“I wouldn’t mind either… being called Dad. Just in case either of you were wondering,” Ruxs said softly, leaning against Green’s bedroom door watching them.

Curtis ran down to Ruxs and tackled him with a playful hug like they usually exchanged. “I wouldn’t mind two dads.” Curtis laughed as Ruxs ruffled his hair.

“How are you feeling, Curtis? You must be starving,” Green said, his fatherly role already like second nature. He’d practically been doing it for the past three years.

“No. I ate a small plate while you were napping, then your mom made me go back to sleep before she left.” Curtis laughed. “Besides, I think I just want to hang out in my cool new room.” He beamed.

He ran back into his room and jumped on the bed like a wild man. Ruxs and Green laughed. Thank god their Curtis was still here. Those boys at the group home hadn’t broken his beautiful spirit permanently.

“I was hoping you’d like it,” Green said, looking around at the newly decorated room. He hadn’t noticed the eclectic area rug or the new desk in the far corner. It made sense. Curtis was an honor student; he’d need a quiet place to study. The room looked amazing. His mom and friends had done a lot in such a short amount of time.

“Hey,” Ruxs said, pushing Green out the way to get to Curtis new entertainment system. “Is that the new Playstation 4?”

“Yep.” Curtis grinned slyly, still jumping on his queen-sized bed. “I got Call of Duty Warfare and GTA5. Furi bought it for me,” Curtis boasted.

“Let’s put this one downstairs in the entertainment room,” Ruxs said, eyeing the game system enviously.

“Um. Let me think about that,” Curtis said sarcastically. First he did a back flip on the bed, then looked at Ruxs. “Nope.”

Ruxs reached over, grabbed Curtis’ feet and yanked, making him crash down to the plush mattress, cracking up in a fit of laughter. “You little spoiled twerp.” Ruxs chased Curtis around his room trying to take the game controller.

Oh boy. Green’s smile faded as he watched Curtis wrestle the new controller from his other dad. He had to get this under control. He wanted Curtis to be happy and comfortable in his new home, but he also needed him to grieve properly. He had his mom’s funeral in two days; he didn’t want Curtis avoiding his feelings with video games, shiny new electronics, and a considerable amount of extra money in his bank account. Thanks to Day.

“Curtis you want to talk for a little while, son?” Curtis stopped laughing and came over to him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked nervously.

“Nothing’s wrong.” Green turned to face him. “I just thought maybe you’d want to talk you know… about your mom. We haven’t had the chance to yet.”

Ruxs came and stood beside him. “I’m sorry, buddy. Your dad’s right, you can talk to us, it’ll be good for you.”

Green smiled the way Ruxs worded that. He didn’t think he’d ever tire of hearing himself referred to as a dad.

Curtis shrugged. “Naw. Vicki said everything has been handled.”

“Yes. The funeral and services are handled,” Green clarified. “But I thought maybe you’d like to talk about how you’re feeling. Now that she’s gone.”

Curtis stood abruptly. His eyes were everywhere but on them. He went back over to the side of his bed and started adjusting the covers. “I’m good. I think I’m just gonna rest, I’m tired.”

Green looked at Ruxs who looked just as uneasy as him. Just like he’d suspected. Curtis wasn’t grieving. As soon as Green brought it up, Curtis avoided it. He might need to look into getting him some professional counseling. He stood slowly, not sure if he should push. Ruxs grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the door. Curtis was already burrowing under the thick comforter.

“Can you hit the lights on your way out?” Curtis said, his voice muffled in the pillow.

Ruxs cut the lights off, plunging them into darkness.

“Night, buddy.”

“Night, Curtis.”

Green was pulling up the door when he heard a sad, “Night, Dads.”

“Come on, Chris. Just give him some time. You can’t force it,” Ruxs whispered when he saw Green hesitate.

He and Ruxs walked back to their bedroom. They climbed into bed and Ruxs held onto him from behind, laying soft kisses on the back of his neck. He could feel that Ruxs wanted to get something started but Green’s heart was heavy with wanting to do the right thing for Curtis. He gently rebuffed Ruxs’ advances and turned the lights out. Ruxs sighed softly against his neck but didn’t make a big deal of it. It wasn’t long before he heard Ruxs’ soft snores behind him.

Green had a lot on his mind and sleep was not coming. He didn’t like what had happened to Curtis and he didn’t know how to help a boy that had lost the only biological family he had. He wanted to be everything Curtis needed and he constantly thought of ways he could be the best dad ever. He was also stressed about not being there to back up his partner during a major bust. He couldn’t be sure that Ruxs would feel secure and have his head in the right place with him not by his side. He was also concerned that immediately after the past couple of times – the only times – that he and Ruxs had made love, Green’s mind had been consumed with Curtis. Not giving him and his partner that very important time after sex to bond. He’d have to fix that too. Green’s head spun as the night hours ticked by.