We all take turns giving Elias hugs and assurances that he can contact us whenever. While we would have been more than happy to host him until he was reunified with his parents, we also try to go through proper channels when it’s both possible and beneficial.
This priest friend of Erik’s has ties with a group home just outside of Austin that has older kids Elias’ age in a supportive, trauma-informed environment. I’m not usually thrilled at the prospect of a religious group home, but Erik and Charlie have worked with these folks before and know Elias will be in good hands.
Beckett approaches Elias and says in Spanish, “I think you’ll like the place we’re taking you. Everyone’s pretty cool, and I promise you won’t have to go to Sunday mass unless you really want to.”
Elias stitches his brows together. “Do you give the mass?”
“I do.”
“I didn’t know priests could have tattoos.”
Beckett shrugs. “Sometimes you’ve got to break the rules, kid.”
Elias grins at Ant. “Sounds like the kind of church you should go to.”
Ant narrows his daggered eyes at Beckett. “Maybe one of these days I will.”
Beckett sends Ant a wink, then leans up to whisper in Erik’s ear. “Uh, yeah,” Erik responds, gulping.
“You’ve got my number,” Beckett purrs, patting his chest. “Use it.”
With a quick nod, Erik ushers Beckett and Elias out of the house as the vein in Ant’s forehead throbs. We all stand on the porch and wave goodbye to Elias. The second they disappear from view, Ant turns to Erik, scowling up at him with balled fists, looking like it’s taking every ounce of self-control not to kill the tall Nord where he stands.
“You just had to go and fuck a priest, didn’t you?”
Erik’s ears go red, but he doesn’t deny the charge.
“Ugh!” Ant yells, throwing his hands in the air. Turning on his heel, he stomps back through the house, a rapid-fire storm of Spanish curses trailing behind him. He slams the door to his room behind him, then opens it and slams it again.
Erik walks into the living room, staring in Ant’s direction for a long moment before shaking his head and walking to his own room.
Javier comes up, putting his arm around me. “Erik may come to regret scheduling a training session with Ant today.”
I laugh and Javier joins me. Erik has his work cut out for him.
* * *
Erik,Javier, and I join Ant on the mats in the back of the therapy barn. The purpose of this first lesson is to show Ant how vulnerable he is. Fortunately—or unfortunately, as the case may be—he’s stronger and far more cunning than any of us have given him credit for.
And he’s still mad as hell, despite the deadly calm he’s trying to display.
I should feel bad saying this, but it’s funny to witness Erik struggling to come to terms with Ant, especially after this morning’s scene. He’s impressed, upset, and maybe a little turned on? We all know he doesn’t understand his own feelings, but it is a little humorous to watch him grapple with his confusion.
I knew Ant would have to find a way to move on from his crush, certain it would never work out between them. However, now that I’m seeing them work together…I’m beginning to think it’s inevitable they’ll end up together.
Even if Erik can’t see it yet.
So…I decide to help him along.
I sidle up next to him. “He’s stronger than I realized,” I note in a neutral tone.
Erik scrunches his nose, annoyed. “He’s too young for this, Lev.”
Biting the inside of my cheek to avoid smiling, I toss back, “Ant never did get to be young.”
“And now, according to Hedy, he’s going through a delayed adolescence.”
“Yeah, maybe. Still, he needs us. People his age don’t understand him, and he’s had to mature much more quickly than would be expected of a guy in his early twenties.”
