Chapter Ten

~ Wright ~

He'd been doing well since arriving at the ranch. After his initial bout of stubbornness, as Xander called it, he spent weeks letting his body heal. He would rotate between hanging out in the guest house, sitting on the porch of the main house, and talking with those that lived or worked on the ranch. He liked everyone, they were all nice. Brett was in and out, and he'd even met a couple of the people living in the houses William designed. Him and Clark had stopped back by to check on everything when they came back from their honeymoon. Both of them were tanned and so, so happy. Wright wanted that.

The one thing he hadn't done was get in the way of everyone working. He would lean against the fence and watch the horses or wave at the guys coming and going in the trucks. But he didn't walk into the barn or wander away from the immediate yards around the houses. If he wasn't walking around with Xander or driving in his truck for whatever reason, he stayed close. The last thing he wanted to do was mess something up and someone get mad at him. Or he get hurt again.

"You're all good," Doctor Pillar said once she shut the door to the room he and Xander were sitting in. "Scans are all clear, your eye has healed up nicely. You might have some scarring. But blood work looks good too." She flipped a few papers in a folder and then looked up and smiled at him. "You healed up nicely, Wright."

"That's good," Wright said with a long sigh. He felt better, knew that he was going to get the clear today. He never did have any scares with bleeding or anything. Wright looked over at Xander and smiled. He'd settled on a baseball cap today instead of his usual cowboy hat. They'd spent hours outside last night, just cuddling and talking. Xander told him more about growing up on the ranch and helping out. He talked about his family, his parents before they passed, Patrick and Tracy and when the kids were younger. Paxton was nearly his age and hearing how she grew up with a loving family made him a bit sad. He tried not to compare them to each other, but it was hard. Everyone in the Lawson family was so supportive and accepting. Xander had taken his mind off of it by giving him his first ever blow job. He was pretty sure he could come again just thinking about the way his lips felt around him.

"Wright?" Doctor Pillar broke his line of thought.

He turned back and blinked, apologizing for the lost thought. She just smiled and Xander coughed into his hand. Wright chanced a look at him and saw him shake his head. He knew where Wright's mind had gone.

"I was asking if you minded if Xander stepped out of the room so I could talk to you." Her voice was calm and patient as it always was. She had long, dark hair and sharp features. Honestly, she kind of resembled Cher, in a third cousin kind of way.

"Oh, yeah, that's fine." Wright wasn't sure what she needed to talk to him about without Xander there, but he felt comfortable around her so he wasn't nervous. It was probably routine anyway. Xander stood, smiled, and promised to be just outside the room if he needed anything.

"I want to ask you a couple of questions," she said. She sat back down in the chair and looked right at him. "They might be uncomfortable, but I need you to be honest okay?"

"Okay."

"I know you've had quite a bit of trauma and while you have healed physically, I want to make sure that you're doing okay in other areas." She set the folder down and moved her chair closer to Wright sitting on the crinkly paper. He shifted, not sure where these questions were going to go. "How are you feeling? Not your body, but how are you handling everything mentally?"

"It's fine," Wright said. His voice was barely above a whisper and he was looking down, his hands fiddling with the edge of his shirt. He was wearing his own shirt today, but he wished he was wearing Xander's. He liked the way that it sort of swallowed him, made him feel safe. It also smelled like Xander and the detergent he used. A reminder that he wasn't back at home with his dad anymore. "I like living on the ranch. The Lawson's are nice."

"They're good people," she said. "And you feel safe there?"

"I do." Wright smiled and looked up from his lap. He squeezed his hands into fists. "I haven't felt this safe in a long time. It's been the longest I've gone without getting hit or someone yelling at me for messing up since I was twelve. Maybe before that."

"Is that something you're scared of? Someone yelling at you or getting mad?"

"I've talked to Xander about it a bit." Wright recounted their short conversation yesterday before they got in the truck. The entire night, he'd made sure to move slowly, always giving Wright a chance to say no. He hadn't, but he appreciated the concern. He appreciated that Xander listened to him so easily. Wright didn't have much experience with someone putting his needs first. "But yeah, I guess. I can't help but feel like this is just one big dream. Now that I'm healed up, I don't know what's going to happen and that makes me nervous."

"Have you talked to Patrick or Tracy about it?"

"I was planning on it," Wright said. "I spent a lot of years working around the house and doing things to earn my keep. I know I needed to take it easy to heal and everything, but now I want to help out. If they even have room for me to keep staying there. I don't want to impose on their family and the houses are all rented out right now."

"You're staying with Xander right now, right? I think I remember him saying that last time you were here. Has that changed?"

His cheeks heated and he glanced toward the further wall. Away from her knowing look. "I am, still staying with him."

"Now, this leads to some questions that might be uncomfortable for you." Wright looked back at her, questioning that because he thought these were the uncomfortable questions. "I tried to locate your previous doctor and records but haven't had any luck. Do you remember the last time you saw a doctor?"

Wright thought about it. It was definitely before high school. At least six years. "I think middle school. I needed a vaccine or something but I think they did them at the school. It was right before my mom left."

"You haven't had a flu shot or anything since?" Wright could tell she was holding back the surprise at that.

"I don't get sick very often." That was probably due to the fact that he didn't go anywhere but school and home. Realization struck him that he truly hadn't been living much of a life. Just being at the Lawson's was a whole new world for him. "My dad kept over-the-counter medications stocked at the house if I got allergies or anything."

"Do you happen to remember the name of the doctor you saw when you did go?"

"I have no idea. Sorry."

"It's all good," she said with a smile. "I think we should schedule a time for you to come back and we'll get you updated on everything and get you on the books for yearly checkups. If you need me for anything else you can schedule between visits."

"Sounds good." Wright wasn't sure how he'd be able to afford all these visits. He knew by the way his dad grumbled when bill collectors called or sent something in the mail about an old bill.

"I have one more question before you head out. It's going to be personal, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't ask."

Wright looked up at her and tilted his head just slightly. He didn't want to go over what happened to him or his life before a month ago. He wanted to forget it all. He was still waking up from bad dreams. Not quite nightmares, but bad enough that he woke with a start, often in the middle of the night. But Xander was always right there, holding him or close enough he could feel him in the bed beside him. He would take a few deep breaths and then go back to sleep. A few times, Xander had woken up with him and pulled him closer. Just like their intimate moments on Fridays, something Wright hoped would change now that he was cleared, they didn't really talk about it.

"Are you sexually active?"

Wright coughed, not expecting that question. She had asked him the same thing last time he was there and the answer had been no. If he answered honestly now, she would know. She would know he was messing around with Xander, wanted to do more with him.

"I'm not here to judge you, Wright. Whatever your orientation, I want you to keep safe, okay?" She crossed her legs and smiled, placing her hands on her knee. Her posture was relaxed and it eased a little of the tension in his body. "I can do testing in the office if you ever need it. I'm also going to suggest that you talk to someone, a professional, about what you went through. Not just this last event, but the years that you were mistreated."

"I haven't actually done anything, um, all the way." He hoped she understood what he was saying. She nodded and he let out a deep breath. This was weird to talk about, but it was something that he realized he had questions about. "I want to, with, uh-" His eyes flicked toward the door and back to the doctor. She nodded and smiled, like she had already guessed. "We've done a few things. Nothing major because we were waiting for an all-clear here. And I want to. I'm just… worried, I guess?"

"About what?"

"That I won't be good? I don't know. It's stupid."

"It isn't stupid," she said quickly. "I can't offer much advice in that department outside of tests and make sure to use protection when and if you do anything. But I am going to leave you with a referral to a colleague of mine that will talk to you. A professional. She lives out of state but is a close friend and colleague of mine, so I'll send her an email to discuss online sessions with you."

"I don't even have a phone," Wright said. He hadn't thought about it in a couple weeks. It was like his entire life was gone. He didn't have a family. His mom's side of the family had never been around and his dad's family lived across the country. The most he heard from them was a once-a-year phone call to say happy holidays. He didn't have a job. Or a phone. There was nothing for him to start his life over.

"That's fine," she said. "I'll give her Xander's number, if you're okay with that."

"I guess." Wright wrung his hands in his shirt again. He would need to find a job or something. He couldn't just lay around anymore.

"Okay, good." She stood up from her chair and moved to the door to let Xander come back in. She shut the door behind him once more but didn't move to leave the room. "Xander, if you're okay with it, I'm going to give your number to a colleague of mine to contact Wright."

"That's fine," Xander said. He looked from her to Wright. His face was full of worry. "But I was actually going to take him after this to get one of his own. So I can send you the new number this evening."

"What?" Wright shifted, crinkling the paper underneath him with every slight movement. "You don't have to do that."

Xander walked over to stand next to him and laid a hand on the back of his neck. "I want to. And you'll need one now that you're going to be helping out around the ranch. Everyone is required to have a phone on them in case of emergencies."

"I'm… I'll be working with you?"

"I'm going to let you two talk," Doctor Pillar said. "It was nice seeing you again. I'll send information over to you in a day or two, Wright. Call me if you need anything else."

"Thanks, Doc." Xander reached out his hand and shook her's before she left the room. He turned back to Wright and stepped toward him, holding his hand out still to help him get off the table. "I talked to Patrick this morning when I got up to help with the horses. We have an event next week for the Fourth of July that he says you can help with. He'll talk to you about it when we get back."

They walked out of the room and down the hall to the exit. Wright shielded his eyes when they stepped out into the bright sun. It wasn't even noon yet, but the temperature was supposed to be close to triple digits. In the next second, a hat was put on his head, pulled low enough to block the rough glare. He looked up at Xander and smiled. "Thanks."

"No problem." He opened the door for Wright to get in the truck. It wasn't as big as Patrick's truck and now that he wasn't hurting, he could pull himself into the seat easily. The bruises were still healing, but they didn't hurt much anymore. Sitting on the seat with Xander standing on the ground, he was just slightly taller than him now. "This is a new dynamic."

"Me being on top?" Wright asked jokingly. Xander rolled his eyes and Wright laughed, the first real laugh this morning. Xander shifted closer, folding his arms over Wright's knees. "So… I got the all-clear today."

"I heard," Xander said. He rested his chin on his hands and flicked his eyes up at Wright. It was the same look he'd given him last night. His hair was out of his face today, brushed back by his fingers and where the ballcap had been. Wright had studied his face many times, awake and asleep. Calm, tired, laughing. No matter what the expression, he enjoyed looking at him. Wright reached up and ran his hand through Xander's hair. He was the gorgeous one. Wright was just lucky. "Can I ask you something?"

"Go for it," Wright said easily. He started back at his forehead and trailed his fingers through his hair again. Xander closed his eyes for a moment and Wright heard a soft hum.

"Do you want to keep living in the guest house? With me?" Xander stared at him, waiting for an answer. Wright could feel the way he tensed his arms, waiting for the response. Wright smiled, but he knew what his answer was.

"I'd like to," Wright said. "But I understand if it's too much. I appreciate everything that you and your family have done for me."

"You're never too much," Xander said, stopping him from rambling. Wright's heart nearly skipped a beat at that. He could have just said it wasn't too much. Instead, he said Wright wasn't too much. It was small things like that which had Wright's insides melting. He felt like he belonged when Xander looked at him. When he talked to him, held him. "I would like for you to stay with me. I don't want to hold you back, though, gorgeous. If you want to go to school or find your own place, I'd understand."

"I haven't even thought about school in weeks," Wright said. "I'm sure I missed a deadline or something. But yes, Xander, I would like to still live with you. If you aren't tired of me yet."

Xander smiled and moved his arms to snake around Wright's waist. He pulled him closer to the edge of the seat, burying his face against his stomach. Wright smiled, laughing softly, as he wrapped his hands around the back of Xander's head and bent forward to kiss the top of his head. They stayed like that for a solid minute before Xander pulled back and stood up straighter. He was smiling big now, the crow's feet around his eyes evident.

"Okay, now that that is done. Let's go get you this phone. Don't argue with me. Then we'll pick Paxton up and go home."

"Home." Wright couldn't help but smile at the single word. He lived in a house all his life. It hadn't been a home for a long time.

"Home," Xander repeated and then shut the door.

When they got back after another two hours in the city, Wright had one of the newest models of smartphones, per Xander's insistence, with all of the Lawson family contacts already in it. He didn't have any other use for it, so he turned it off and stuck it on the dresser before walking back to the main house. Tracy was out on the porch when they walked across the gravel parking area.

"Welcome back," Tracy said. "Everything go well?"

"Clean bill of health," Wright said. He didn't mention the therapist she was recommending, hadn't mentioned it to Xander yet either. He didn't want to ruin the whole living together thing.

"Said that his shoulder healed nicely. Thanks to me." Wright rolled his eyes, but warmth spread across his neck and cheeks when Xander wrapped his arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer to him.

"I don't recall her saying those exact words," Wright said. He waited another beat before pulling away and joining Tracy on the porch swing. Xander made himself comfortable in one of the rocking chairs. The house was nice, homey. It was two stories and the porch ran the length of the front. There were plenty of windows to let in natural light all around the house in different points of the day. Wright knew with the size of the ranch and the sheer size of the barn alone that they had money and plenty of it. Brett gave him the history of the Found Family Ranch and how it was started, where Patrick had fronted half a million for the non-profit.

"Either way, I'm glad you're okay now." Tracy patted his knee and smiled warmly at him. "And has Alexander here asked you what your plans are now? Living wise."

"Contrary to popular belief, ma'am, I am old enough to handle these things." Wright looked at Xander and then back to Tracy. She was the only person that called him by his full name. It annoyed Xander, but in a funny way. They were all close. "Yes, I did ask."

"And I said that I would like to stay here, if it isn't too much." Wright helped him out. "I want to help out though, in any way I can. Contribute and all. I don't expect to stay here free."

"You'll have to talk to Patrick about that, hon. But I don't see any problem with that. We can give Paxton more time off to train and have some time with her friends before she starts college. Did you want to keep staying in the guest house? We have one of the houses opening up in August if you want it."

Wright shared a look with Xander and they both smiled at each other. Wright knew he was blushing again. He didn't know how to answer that without making everything awkward and making the whole thing more than an innocent question. "Okay, okay. That look between you two just answered my question. If, for any reason, you need a break from the overbearing nice guy, just let me know."

"I'm more than okay with overbearing nice guy," Wright said with a smile. "Lord knows I've had enough of the other side of that."

"You're here now," Tracy said. She wrapped her arm around him and pulled him to her side. She was wearing a flowy blouse and jeans today, her hair braided down her back. "And you're family."

"Alrighty!" Patrick's voice interrupted the moment. The screen door opened and Patrick walked out with two plates, one with some sort of meat piled on it and another with kebabs. "Xander, help me with the grill will you?"

"Yes, sir." Xander stood up and grabbed one of the plates.

"Hey, Wright. I'm assuming all good news today. If you don't mind, I'm going to steal my little brother away for a bit."

"By all means," Wright said. "I think I'm going to go change out of these clothes anyway. Do you need help with anything?" He looked between Patrick and Tracy.

"No, sweetie. You go and do what you need. Supper will be ready in a few hours."

"I'll text you when it's ready," Xander said quietly when they walked down the steps side-by-side.

They parted with a short side hug and Wright welcomed the silence of the small house. His home. The place he would be sharing with Xander now. He looked at every detail. The one cabinet that he had to get Xander to rearrange because he couldn't reach the cups on the top shelf. The fridge that held both their favorite drinks and snacks. The sink where their breakfast dishes still sat. He decided to wash them quickly and set them to dry before moving toward the bedroom to change.

He made sure to turn the phone back on and plug it in to give it a full charge. He folded his clothes when he stripped down, since he only wore them for a couple hours. He decided to lay down for a bit. It'd been a long day already and he knew there were some big conversations to have after supper.

The book he'd been reading yesterday still sat on the bedside table. He thought about it, wondering if he should chance continuing it. He wasn't lying to Xander yesterday when he said it got to him. He ignored the trigger warnings at the beginning, thinking he'd be okay. But the main character was going through abuse similar to him and he couldn't help but put himself in that situation again. He liked the storyline though and knew there was a happy ending. He hoped he had a happy ending after all of this.

He got comfortable, breathing deep against Xander's pillow and closed his eyes. Now that he was alone and had time to think, his brain ramped up with the last few weeks and everything that happened. He'd had plenty of time to think over the past month, but it was different now. He no longer was healing, he washealed. He was good to go, clean bill of health. He would look back and see this as the first day of his new life.

A month ago, he had no one but his dad to talk to. A few teachers were kind to him, even fewer of his fellow classmates. He focused on his studies and took all the classes he needed to graduate a semester early. Having been held back a grade and being over eighteen, there wasn't much the school could do to keep him coming in the last semester for extra classes. So, he'd been home on his own during the days since January. The few times he took for himself were far between and always tainted with worry that he'd be caught or yelled at for being lazy.

But now, he was living with an older man and doing things he never thought he would get to experience. And the best part of it all, his dad had no clue about any of it. He wasn't sure what was happening on that end. Xander was still in contact with the cop that took his statement, but he said there wasn't much of an update outside of the investigation is still open and they're keeping an eye on him. His life was still a mess, but today gave him one more step in the right direction.

He breathed deeper, rolling onto his stomach, and his thoughts turned to Xander himself. He replayed every moment he could with him. From the first day they met, when Wright was in so much pain he didn't even want to talk, to just last night when he cried out into the night air and emptied his load down Xander's throat. He'd been breathless and couldn't stop himself from pulling Xander back up and sealing their lips together. He could taste himself and was surprised he didn't hate it. Instead, he'd swiped his tongue against Xander's and deepened the kiss, reaching between their bodies to jack him off.