Chapter 44

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WARD

WARD LOVED coming home to his boys.

Geez . Could he even call them that? They hadn't sat down and talked about anything regarding relationships. It felt like it was too soon, and there had been too much else going on. As far as Ward knew, Skylar and Charlie were still boyfriends while he was simply the third wheel, the guy giving Skylar a place to stay and allowing Charlie to visit.

But it felt like so much more.

It had only been a few days so far, but the boys looked so happy to see him come home from work each night. And their interactions were beyond comfortable. Even cozy and domestic. They had dinner together, showered together, and shared a bed, never any one of them being left out. They checked in on each other, making sure they'd all brushed their teeth and eaten enough and, in Ward's case, driven safely to work and back. It was everything Ward had ever wanted in a relationship, even if it was with two other people instead of just one.

And two men, at that.

But Charlie liked having everything a familiar, predictable way. And Skylar? That poor boy had been through enough upheaval without bombarding him with a conversation about relationships. The last thing Ward wanted was to throw another heavy topic into the mix. For either of the boys.

So maybe he was getting ahead of himself. Or misreading the situation. Or defining it differently than the boys might have done. But he couldn't help it. They felt like his , and Ward couldn't get enough of that feeling.

He'd just have to wait and watch. See if the boys felt the same. Because when it came right down to it, the truth was that Ward was afraid to jinx it by bringing it up, only to find out he was merely living some fantasy in his head. After all, confessing his love had ruined every other relationship he'd ever had. Even with Kelly, eventually, and that one had turned out worst of all. Why should this be any different?

Ward shook off the thoughts as he took off his boots, then grinned as he enjoyed hugs and kisses from the boys.

Charlie grabbed Ward's lunch bag and ran off to the kitchen to unpack its remains. The boy had surprised him with it that morning. After brushing his teeth, Ward had stepped out of the bathroom, ready to put on his boots and walk out the door, when Charlie pressed the bag into his hands.

The thoughtfulness was something Ward hadn't expected. And the food had turned out to be surprisingly good. Not necessarily what Ward would have chosen for himself, but he wound up eating every bite, smiling to himself the whole time.

Charlie looked at the empty containers and let out a long, happy squeak .

Skylar breathed a laugh. “It's funny,” he whispered. “Charlie hates cooking and meal prep, but he loves taking care of people.” He paused. “Mostly because he thinks people don't take care of themselves the right way.”

Ward chuckled, but the mirth quickly faded as he took in Skylar's face. “Hey,” he murmured, grabbing the boy gently by the chin. “You okay?”

“I'm–” Skylar began, then let out a heavy sigh and shook his head. “No. I'm not. I'm sorry. I'm just anxious to hear from my doctor. I know it's probably too soon, but I already called again to see if there was any news on getting me a referral for a new doctor down here. And I also called my insurance to see if they could give me an updated estimate on what my surgery might cost, but after I was on hold for an hour, the call dropped out. And I hate being without my car. And I'm worried about getting tested, because what if they find something? I need you guys to be safe. I need that. Fuck. If I gave you something, I'd never be able to live with myself. I mean, I know my tests have always come back negative, but that doesn't mean it'll always be that way. And on top of it all, Charlie's been fidgety all day because he doesn't want to leave but he also wants his own, familiar surroundings, and it's been all I can do to stop him from completely rearranging your apartment–”

“Sky,” Ward interrupted him. He rubbed his thumb along the boy's jaw. “Easy. Everything's gonna be okay.” Ward paused before he added, “We do need to talk about your car, though.”

Skylar's face fell. “Shit. It's bad, isn't it?”

“It's not good,” Ward gently admitted. “Come sit down.”

Ward steered the boy over to the couch and helped him to sit. Skylar pressed his hands between his knees and hunched in on himself while Ward perched on the coffee table so he could face him.

Charlie ran over and lurched to a stop, rocking on his feet. “ Hhnn .” He signed, Shower?

“In a minute, little mouse,” Ward said. “I need to tell Sky something first.”

Charlie went still, his gaze wandering. After a moment, he carefully sat down at Skylar's side, close but not touching, like he felt Skylar's tension. Knowing him, he probably did.

Ward patted Charlie on the knee, then took Skylar's hands and gave them a reassuring squeeze. “It's the engine, Sky. Vaughn said he was hoping it would be something simple like the starter, but once he heard it crank over–”

“Shit.” Skylar pulled his hands free and covered his face. “I knew it sounded weird when it wouldn't start, but…” He ran his hands back through his hair, staring blankly at the floor. His face was white, his hands shaking as he shoved them between his knees again.

“Sky,” Ward murmured. “I know this sounds daunting, but we'll figure it out.”

Skylar slowly shook his head, then slapped a hand over his mouth as he shot to his feet and ran for the bathroom.

Charlie whimpered.

“Easy, buddy,” Ward murmured as he got up. He hurried after Skylar and found the boy bent over the toilet, retching. Ward crouched beside him and rubbed his back. “Sky? It's gonna be okay.”

Skylar shook his head, hugging himself and trembling. “I can't go back, Ward,” he choked out. “I can't .”

“You don't have to–” Ward began as he grabbed a wad of toilet paper and handed it over.

“I don't have a choice!” Skylar coughed and wiped his mouth while tears streamed down his cheeks. “I can't afford an engine. Or another car, for that matter. Goddamnit . I shouldn't have left. It was only three more months. Fuck! I should have just stayed and toughed it out–”

“Hey,” Ward interrupted him. He grabbed Skylar and turned the boy to face him. “We're going to figure this out.” Ward paused. His entire being revolted at the idea, but he knew he had to say the words. “If you really, honestly want to go back, then I will support your decision. One hundred percent.”

Skylar choked out a sob and covered his face with his hands.

“But let's try to find another way first,” Ward went on. “Okay?”

A tiny whimper sounded behind him.

Skylar looked up and held his breath. He coughed again and snatched another wad of toilet paper, wiping his face as he sniffed and straightened his shoulders. “I'm okay, Charlie. Really. I'm f–” He broke off and turned away, hiding his face.

Ward inwardly cursed. He sat down on the floor, leaning back against the wall, and hauled Skylar to his side. The boy came willingly, tumbling against him as sobs wracked his little body. Ward gestured for Charlie to join them. That boy hesitated only a moment before he sank down next to Ward and curled into his side, watching Skylar intently.

Help! Charlie signed. Fix!

“I'm trying, buddy,” Ward murmured. “Let's give him a moment, okay?”

Charlie whimpered, but then he sat quietly, letting Skylar cry himself out.

It was several minutes before Skylar showed any signs of stopping. The boy trembled, his chest hitching with every breath. “I'm sorry,” he finally whispered.

“You have nothing to be sorry about,” Ward murmured. He pressed a kiss to the top of Skylar's head. “You're under a lot of stress. You're allowed to be upset.” He tipped Skylar's head up so the boy was forced to look at him. “We will figure this out. Together, okay? One way or another, we're going to get you everything you need.”

“ Hhnn ,” Charlie added, nodding emphatically.

Skylar swallowed hard, then gave them a single nod in return. “Okay,” he whispered.

“That's my good boy.” Ward nuzzled Skylar's temple. “Now, it's Friday, which means we can't do anything until next week, anyway. So here's the plan: Tonight, we're going to take a shower, have some dinner, and relax. Tomorrow, we'll go to the clinic and get tested, so that'll at least be one less thing to worry about. Okay?”

Skylar hesitated only for a moment before he nodded.

“Charlie?” Ward asked. “You okay with that?”

The boy rolled his head. Test? he signed. When Ward nodded, Charlie signed something else.

“Sorry, buddy. I don't know that one.”

“That's needle ,” Skylar translated with a sniff before wiping his face again. “Charlie hates needles.”

Ward rubbed Charlie's arm. “It's entirely up to you, little mouse. It's your body. Nobody has a right to tell you what to do with your body.”

Charlie's gaze wandered for a moment. No condom?

“For everything but intercourse, yeah,” Ward told him, “assuming all our tests are clear. At least until Sky has his surgery.”

The silence stretched while Charlie considered that. Finally, he nodded.

“We'll all go together,” Ward assured him. “We'll be right there with you the whole time. And we're going to be fine,” he quickly added before Skylar could say anything. “I'm sure of it.”

Skylar looked like he was going to argue, but the boy kept his mouth shut in the end.

Though the worry never left his face all weekend. Skylar had to get a more thorough test than either Ward or Charlie, considering how sexually active the boy had always been, so they wouldn't get his results for a few days. It left Skylar constantly anxious and jumpy. It was all Ward could do to try keeping the boy calm.

But a few days later, Ward came home from work to find Skylar more wound up than usual.

Charlie greeted him at the door, begging for a hug even before Ward got his boots off. When Ward looked past him, he saw Skylar pacing the living room, arms wrapped around himself and breathing hard.

Oh hell . The poor boy must have gotten bad news.

Charlie pulled back from Ward and covered his ears, then quickly signed, Loud.

“I know, sweet boy,” Ward murmured. “It'll be okay. We're gonna fix it. I promise.” He quickly took off his boots, locked the door, then headed in Skylar's direction. “Hey, kitten. It's okay. Whatever–”

“I have enough,” Skylar blurted out. His eyes were wild. His cheeks, flushed. He kept pacing, moving faster with each pass across the room. “I can't believe it. I have enough!”

“Enough what, Sky?”

Skylar worked his mouth, but no words came out. Finally, he came to a stop and sank heavily onto the couch as though his legs had given out.

“Is it your test results?” Ward asked, cautiously perching on the coffee table in front of him.

Skylar shook his head. “Those were fine,” he said, sounding surprised. “I'm actually negative. I can't believe it.” The words came out distractedly, though. He clearly had something else on his mind.

“What's enough?” Ward prompted again.

Skylar let out a shuddering breath. “I talked to my doctor. I asked him about getting a referral for a surgeon down here, but that's going to mean a consultation and maybe having to go through all the hoops of a psych evaluation again and–” Skylar squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. “But then my doctor suggested driving back up to see him for the surgery.” He swallowed hard. “He works mostly in San Francisco, but he apparently also operates out of a place in San Jose. And when I talked to their billing department, even without insurance, it'll be cheaper to do the surgery there than at the hospital up in the city, where I'd originally considered going.” Skylar paused, running his fingers back through his hair. “And I have enough for it. Oh holy fuck. Ward! This can actually happen.”

Ward grinned. “That's great, sweetheart.” He studied Skylar's face, expecting to see joy as the reality of the news set in, but all Ward saw there was worry. “What's wrong?”

Skylar's lip trembled. “I'm scared. It's so close to the city, and I don't want to feel like I'm going back–”

“Hey, easy,” Ward murmured. He grabbed Skylar's hands. “Tell you what. You set a date, I'll get the time off work. We'll drive up to San Jose and get a hotel for a couple days. You can have your surgery, and once the doctor releases you, I'll bring you right back here to recover.”

Skylar squirmed. “I don't want you missing more work because of me.”

“You let me worry about that,” Ward insisted, then paused. “Do you want this?”

The boy trembled all over. “Yeah. I do.” He swallowed hard. “He has an opening the first of September.”

Shit . September would put them right up against the start of harvest. But there was no way Ward could ask the boy to put this off. Poor Skylar would probably be a nervous wreck as it was, having to count down the days just for the next couple months.

“Schedule it,” Ward said, his tone gentle but nothing short of a command.

Skylar's eyes lit up. “Really?” When Ward nodded, Skylar threw his arms around him. “Fuck, I'm gonna owe you so much.”

“You don't owe me anything,” Ward insisted with a smile as he hugged Skylar back. The boy could have simply run off and figured out how to make all this happen on his own, but instead, he'd stayed and asked for help. Not in so many words, but his body language spoke volumes.

Charlie tapped him on the shoulder. My Sky surgery?

“Yeah, little mouse.”

Charlie bounced in place and let out a long, joyful squeak , then pulled out his phone. I research! he signed as he started to run off. He barely got a few steps away when he spun right around and came back, dismissively signing, Later . Charlie put his phone down and grabbed Ward's hand instead, tugging insistently. Shower! Hurry! No condoms!

Ward chuckled even as his dick reacted to Charlie's excitement. “One second.” He turned to Skylar, rubbing the boy's back. “Sky?”

“Oh please,” Skylar gasped. “Daddy, please!”

“ Hhnn! ” Charlie tugged again.

Ward stood, pulling Skylar along with him. The boys rushed for the bathroom, so Ward quickly followed.

He might not know for sure if they were his, but they sure felt like it.