Sweet Surrender

Attempting to sneak into his own house, Nathan thought he was doing good, almost to the foot of the stairs.

Until the living room light came on.

"Nathan. Come here."

Frowning and hanging his head, he slowly walked from the stairs to the living room doorway. Elle was sitting on the couch, glaring slightly.

"Where have you been?"

"... At a friends-"

"Don't you dare be vague with me Nathaniel, now where were you?"

"... I was at Varian's."

"... Varian?"

"Venerra's brother."

His mother's glare seemed to intensify at that. "Why?"

"I got bored and figured I'd help him out on the farm, you know, since he's been sick and all."

Elle sighed, shaking her head. "Nathan, if I tell you to stay home, do me a favor- stay home. Please. You know I don't trust people-"

"I'm nineteen years old! I know what I'm doing! Besides, the last kidnapping around here was, what, never? We're practically out in the middle of nowhere!"

"Do not argue with me Nathan, I am not in the mood." she said. Nathan stood still for a minute before sighing and turning to go back upstairs.

"I'm going to the zoo tomorrow. Just so you know."

"No you're not."

"Yes I am. It's Venerra's birthday, and I'm taking her and Varian."

Elle didn't reply again as he walked up stairs. When he got to his room, he sat on the bed, yawning before taking out the picture Venerra had drawn. She really was a good artist.

Putting it on his desk, he stripped down to his boxers before climbing into bed, quickly falling asleep.

************************************************************************************************

He woke up late. Of course he did. He was supposed to meet Varian at the zoo, and he'd be late.

Fuck.

Pulling on his shoes, he all but ran down the stairs, pausing when he heard Elle and Eric again.

"I don't want him hanging around that boy. He's going to find out."

"Well, Honey, we can't choose who he talks to..."

"I don't care, I'm his mother damn it! He should listen to me."

Deciding to simply walk in on the conversation, he came out to the living room, looking on the key hook and not seeing any keys. "Where's the keys?"

"Which car?" Eric asked, digging in his pocket.

"Eric!" Elle scolded, "Don't give him the keys! He's not going!"

"Eric, key's please. Yours preferably." Nathan said, holding his hand out as Eric handed them over.

"Fine, whatever, but if he finds out, it's your fault." Elle mumbled. Nathan tilted his head slightly.

"Find out what, Mom?"

"... Nothing. Go. No one listens to me anyway."

Smirking slightly, Nathan paused at the front door, glancing over his shoulder to his Mom. "I'll see you later!"

"Out! Now! I don't want to see either of you!"

Laughing to himself, he stepped out of the house, going to the car and preparing for the long drive.

***********************************************************************************************

Varian woke, sitting up and gasping as memories of the day before flooded his mind. Images of Venerra, and Nathan. Especially Nathan. His glanced around, noticing he'd been tossing and turning last night a lot more than usual. His sheets were rumpled and his blanket all askew, but his heart still fluttered in his chest, the burning caresses that Nathan had given him the day before still fresh in his mind.

"Just a dream..." he whispered to himself, burying his face in his palm. Just a dream...who was he trying to convince? Certainly not himself. He'd never had that kind of dream before, and it left him rattled.

"Admit it," he said to himself, peering through his fingers tentatively to stare at his door, his room still dark. "I love him."

He sighed and then found himself laughing softly as well, his shoulders shaking. "Nathaniel Vogel you've won my heart, and there isn't anything I can do about it."

Closing his eyes, Varian flopped back onto his mattress and stared up at his ceiling. It was painted darkly with all sorts of shades of black and blue to resemble the night sky, stars and galaxies of all shapes, sizes and colors pierced through the darkness, some actually glowing. His walls were also painted the same way, only the paint lightened the closer it got to his carpeted floor until it was a horizon bathed in the light of the rising sun, his favorite color of gray used in abundance. It was the last thing his father had done for him before his parents had alienated and ostracized him for being gay.

"It's not like I chose this..." he began, a lump forming in his throat. "Who would choose to be ignored and hated by their parents? Who would want to be terrified every time they stepped foot somewhere public, where they were vulnerable and easy prey?" Blinking back the tears that had been seeming to make their presence known these last couple of days, he sniffed.

At one point in his life his parents had loved him. They'd made time out of their busy schedules to talk and play with him. They'd tuck him in at night and kiss his forehead. They'd read to him, even though they liked to remind him he was getting too old for stories. They'd hugged him, held him while he was crying, kissed all his little cuts and scratches.

And then he'd met Grant.

Varian had just started seventh grade, his body had begun to change and he'd found himself aware of all the boys in the classroom. Tall boys, short boys, it didn't matter. But none of them saw him the same way. In fact very few of them knew what was happening to themselves, let alone him. And one day out of many when his parents had been late to pick him up from school he'd been waiting on the steps in front of the building and Grant had walked out.

Varian had been minding his own business until he'd seen the brilliant flash of a smile from the much older Senior. Grant had sat down next to him on the steps and turned to look at him.

"Hey."

Varian had turned to Grant. "Hi," he said, unsure of what to do.

"You look pretty down, something wrong?"

"Not really. My parents have just been really busy and the boys in my class-" he'd broken off, not knowing how to finish his sentence.

"The boys in your class what? They don't like you?"

"You could say that," he'd said.

"I like you," Grant had said reaching out and touching Varian's shoulder. Varian remembered the little thrill of his touch and had closed his eyes. "You like that?" Grant had asked.

Now Varian had blushed. That one little thing set the stage for his whole future because Grant knew then that he was gay, even though Varian hadn't known it himself.

"Tell you what, how about you let me talk to your parents and I'll ask them if you can come over. Sound good?"

Varian hadn't known what to say so he'd just nodded. His parents had unwittingly allowed him to go to this stranger's house. It was there that Varian had his first kiss, and there that Grant taught him about all the things of growing up and what they did to his body. What his body could do then that it hadn't been able to before. And Varian had been smitten, his parents allowing Grant to come over to his own house, his mother now pregnant with Venerra.

His whole seventh grade year Varian knew and loved Grant, and Grant told him he loved him too. And one day, his parents had gone to the hospital to have their second child, and Varian was in his room with Grant when he'd started kissing him. But these kisses were different. They were rough and hungry, and made his blood boil. But they hadn't stopped there like they had so many times before. Grant pushed him further saying that he should just relax and enjoy the feelings he was giving him. So Varian had. Even after his clothes had gone, he hadn't protested. Even after Grant climbed on top of him, he hadn't protested.

And then he remembered the pain. Grant was too rough, too eager. Varian remembered digging his nails into Grant's shoulders and arching his back from the pain, silent tears sliding out of his eyes, staining his pillow. Grant kept telling him he was doing good, that he was fine, it was just going to hurt a little longer. And he'd been right. It had hurt a little longer, but once he'd shifted his hips, it began to feel good.

Varian squeezed his eyes shut at the memory, at how Grant had made him feel so good after hurting so bad. No longer were his groans of pain, but pleasure, and he arched his back to feel Grant more fully. Grant had brought his level of pleasure up so high he couldn't tell pain from pleasure anymore, and then, as he'd hit the very peak of the feeling Grant gave him, Grant had bitten him. Bitten him hard, and his fangs had pushed through his gums, sinking into his neck.

And Varian had Changed. And Grant had left him then, pleased and confused, Changing himself. Out of his fear and confusion he'd lashed out at Varian, but instead of fists Varian had felt heat. He'd turned his back, and felt the flames scorch his back, burning the flesh. Grant had stumbled back and grabbed his clothes, dressing quickly as the blood ran from Varian's back, from his body, staining his sheets crimson, the same color as the sheen of his eyes. Grant left him there, claiming to no longer be his mate.

Something within Varian had wrenched horribly, and snapped, shattering. And then he'd remembered feeling that shattered part leave him, giving him the sense of a hollow, black hole where that half of light had once been. And for the last time in his life Varian had called out for his parents, sobbing, hurt in so many ways, he couldn't face it alone. But instead of helping him they'd barged in, saw him bleeding, burned, and naked, covered with evidence of what he'd done and sneered at him. And as the burns began to heal his parents grabbed him as he clung to the bloodied sheet to cover his naked body desperately, and drug him from his room and threw him onto his knees in the kitchen where his crying newborn baby sister lay, her diaper half changed.

"She's your responsibility now," his mother had said, tossing the same beautiful auburn curls that Venerra shared over her shoulder, her eyes tainted with hate. He'd looked to his father then, clutching the bloodied sheet closer to cover himself. "Daddy?"

His father had hung his head, not meeting Varian's gaze and straightened his shoulders. "No boy that willingly offers his rear to another to please himself with is a son of mine. You've reached manhood, suck it up and deal with it. That's how life goes."

And then they'd left, leaving him there, sobbing, his heart broken. He hadn't thought he could hurt that much before, but he knew now that the heart could suffer much pain and still feel more. And after a long time of useless crying he'd sworn to himself that he would never cry again for his parents. And he'd stood up, and looked at the tiny, little bundle his parents had called his sister laying crying on the table. One look at her angelic face, and Varian had fallen in love with her.

Plucking her from the table he'd held her securely in his shaking arms and smiled down at her, sniffing. "I'll call you Venerra, Varian's joy."

And so he had.

****************

Snapping out of his memory, Varian grabbed the nearest pillow to him and buried his face into it, sobbing openly, his whole body shaking. The intense wave of pain and longing stabbed at his chest, raging and roaring and tore him apart all over again. Piece by piece his heart broke, fiber by fiber it split, as images of Grant, his parents, snippets of his childhood bombarded his vision. But the worst part of the annual suffering was yet to come. As soon as what was left of himself shattered, it began to piece itself back together, no amount of pain medication, figurative or literal could prepare him for the agony that wracked his body.

Doubling over, he cried out into his pillow, breathing shallowly as the blackness slowly shifted back to light, memories of Venerra, Cana, all his horses, replacing the bad ones. And then the most startling were those of Nathan. His frowning face, the way the light played with his spring green eyes always telling the tale of irritation, how his eyes had turned blue right in front of him for the first time. His smile, so startling beautiful lighting up his face and bringing color to his paler complexion. The first day in Latin class together when he'd had the migraine and how he'd curled his fist so close when he'd told him ways to make it better.

His argumentative nature, and the pure look of astonishment when he'd shown his his element of earth and what he could do with it. His scowl when Varian he'd laughed at him as the cloud he'd unwittingly formed above his head rained upon him. The feel of Nathan's lips against his, soft and tentative or hungry and passionate. The way his hands felt against his bare skin.

The memories of Nathan eased the pain, and Varian sucked in gulps of air, shuddering as the ache subsided, his chest no longer constricting, his heart healing, his soul brightening, as scar tissue formed where Grant and everyone else had hurt him, and grew, patching up the bleeding fragments of himself until he was mostly whole once again.

Wrapping his arms around himself, Varian breathed, sweat breaking out on his forehead, exhaustion sweeping him. Every year it hit him, but this was by far the easiest one.

His thoughts broke at the soft knock on his door that he got every year since Venerra had her own room.

"Varian?" she asked through the door, her voice soft and sweet.

Varian covered his mouth as the tears began to fall once again. Sniffing, he wiped at his eyes furiously and got out of bed, walking slowly, expecting the lingering pain that wasn't there. Opening his door he saw her wearing the pink pajamas that she'd dressed herself in. They looked soft, and Varian knew they felt softer than they looked.

"Did you have a nightmare?" he asked, kneeling down so he was on eye level with her.

"No," she whispered, but wrapped her little arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "But I know you did."

Scooping her up, Varian held her to him as hard as he could without hurting her, and couldn't help but break down again as he carried her to the living room where he sat down on the loveseat and squeezed her gently. "Oh God, Venerra, I love you so much," he whispered, kissing her forehead and the top of her head, stroking her cheek before burying his face in the sweet strawberry scent of her hair. She saved him from himself in the way only a child could, but Nathan saved him only the way his other half could.

"I love you too Varian," Venerra said, closing her eyes and falling asleep in his arms. Varian didn't care how tired he was, he would stay awake until the end of his life if it meant he could have her love and hold her while she slept.

**********************************

Varian woke sometime later with the sun already risen. He didn't remember falling asleep, just holding Venerra. That's when he realized he couldn't feel her weight on him. Bolting upright he jumped off the couch and sprinted into the kitchen only to see her dressed and scooping the rest of her cereal into her mouth. She set down her bowl and turned to him with a milk-mustache smile.

Varian sighed and smiled back. "You need to find your shoes so we can put them on while I go take a quick shower and get dressed."

"Are we going somewhere?" She asked, tilting her head, her messy auburn curls draping low.

"Yes we are, and I think you'll like it very much," he said before going down the hall and grabbing some clothes before he undressed and stepped into the shower, quickly scrubbing down and washing his hair. He'd washed out the dried blood from the cracked tile long ago, and had removed it and replaced it long ago. But the memory of it still haunted him.

After he finished, he quickly threw on his clothes consisting of faded blue jeans without any holes and rips outfitted with his favorite western style belt. His V-neck T-shirt was a navy blue that fit him well, exactly as the white one had the day before. Over it he wore an open silvery gray button up shirt. He'd always loved this outfit, almost as much as the checkerboard gray plaid one he wore. He knew he looked nice.

Walking out of the bathroom he slipped on his nice walking boots and checked to see Venerra brushing out her curls. Taking the brush from her he finished and kissed the top of her head. She turned and looked at him with a quizzical expression. "Nathan's going to kiss you again if you wear that."

"Maybe I want him to," Varian said with a grin before ushering her outside and into the truck. "How did you know we were going to see Nathan?"

"You never smile like that unless he's involved."

Varian had to laugh at that as he drove her off towards the zoo where he'd meet up with Nathan. He couldn't help but feel his heart pound at the the mere thought of him.

***************************************************************************************************

Nathan managed to make it to the zoo in record time.

Why?

Because he's that damn good.

... He also knows where all the cops are...

Smiling slightly, he stepped out of Eric's car, which was slightly bigger than his own. Which was at home since Elle hid the keys.

Adjusting his jacket and yawning briefly, he walked through then parking lot, glancing around at all the cars.

Of course he saw Varian's truck, smiling as he passed it. So he may have made good time, but he was still a little late.

As he walked toward the entrance, he noticed Varian and Venerra there, which only made him smile even more

... Except for the shirt Varian was wearing. Which fit him exactly like the white one. Which fit him well.

Very well.

Damn him.

Varian had let go of Venerra's hand as soon as the two caught sight of Nathan, the six year old running over and hugging his legs tightly.

Nathan laughed, stumbling slightly before finding his balance again. "Well, nice to see you too. Happy birthday."

Venerra smiled back. "I'm seven today!" she replied. Varian walked over as well, hesitating before speaking.

"I can pay for Venerra and I."

Nathan smiled down at Venerra for a moment before looking up to Varian, shrugging slightly. "I was gonna pay for everyone, but it's up to you I guess. Your sister after all."

He had wanted to pay- still did. So Varian should just let him be nice and let him pay. Varian could pay if they went out again.

"I'd feel bad if I made you pay for all of us. It's enough that you decided to include us." Varian said gently.

Nathan frowned. He just wanted to pay, damn it. "But then I'll be useless..."

Maybe if he made Varian feel bad bout it...

Varian smiled softly. "Tell you what, how about we both split the cost, that way you don't feel useless and I don't feel like such a leech?"

Damn him and his nice personality...

"... Fine..." Nathan mumbled, reaching into his pocket to pull out his wallet.

"Not a problem then. Have you been here before?" Varian asked, glancing to the entrance.

"Twice." Nathan replied, not bothering to describe it. The last time was with Justin, and they'd gotten thrown out for being obnoxious. About two years ago.

Noticing Venerra had let go, Nathan made his way to the entrance to stand in the line, which thankfully wasn't as long as usual. Varian followed, having a hold of Venerra's hand again as he stood beside Nathan and fidgeted. Choosing not to comment on it, Nathan decided instead to glance him over quickly before looking hackney his wallet, smiling slightly. "You look nice today."

Well, he always looks nice. He's Varian. But Nathan did like the shirt more than usual. For obvious reasons.

"Thought I'd change up the usual gray and black ensemble." Varian replied with a mischievous grin, removing his own wallet. "How much?"

"110 all together. So 55 each." Nathan mumbled. Why did zoos have to be so expensive? It was ridiculous.

Varian nodded, removing the money from his own wallet before handing it over to Nathan.

"Thank you." Nathan mumbled back, taking out his half as they got up to the ticket booth, handing the money over before receiving all three tickets.

As they headed into the zoo, Nathan shoves the tickets into his pocket, smiling at the excited look on Venerra's face. Glancing to Varian, Nathan was slightly irritated to see him looking nervous again. What the hell does he have to be nervous about?

Deciding not to push it, Nathan walked with Venerra, who looked like she didn't know where to go first.

This should be fun...

***************************

Halfway through the zoo Nathan was ready to tale a break. They'd ran after Venerra sever times, who went from animal to animal quickly, only to go back to the first one she saw in the area. He was just glad this one didn't have a petting zoo like so many have now.

Varian had still seemed nervous, which was starting to bother Nathan. He didn't want to say anything in front of Venerra in case she got curious, but then again, she was barely paying attention to the two. Stepping slightly closer, Nathan looked over to Varian.

"Mind telling me what's wrong?" he whispered.

"Just not used to being around so many people in a place I've never been with Venerra." Varian replied honestly. "My senses are on overload, but they'll adjust in a moment."

Nathan nodded. Yeah, that was a good reason to be nervous. He looked back to Venerra, who had just finished looking at one animal and was now making her way to Sea Otters, as far as Nathan saw.

Walking over, Venerra stood on her toes, trying to see past the crowd of people at the tank. Varian suddenly picked her up, putting her on his shoulders before walking closer. "Can you see now?" he asked.

Venerra smiled and laughed. "Yeah!"

Nathan smiled as well, glancing up before looking to the large tank. It was too crowded to really see much, so he looked back down to his own feet, avoiding the various people walking around.

Zoos really were overcrowded.

Varian had apparently decided to take charge and grab Nathan's hand, making him tense up slightly.

"You're just as important here. I don't want you to feel left out, and I don't care who sees us."

On the one hand- he'd never held hands in public. Why? ... He didn't know, he just didn't.

On the other hand- He was holding hands with another guy. And while he was all for gay relationships and marriage, he knew very well that not everyone was.

But he didn't want to let go, either.

Nathan stared at Varian for a minute before glancing around himself.

Oh fuck it. It was his... Whatever the Hell Varian was (Boyfriend? Maybe?) and he'd fucking hold hands if he wanted to.

He quickly made his decision, squeezing Varian's hand tightly in his own.

"What's next?" Varian asked. Nathan thought for a minute.

"... Penguins... I think..."

He wasn't sure how far he and Justin got last time. Zoo security is pretty good.

"Then lets go." he said happily, walking as Nathan followed, still clinging to his hand.

**************************************************************************************************

Varian felt absolutely no shame in holding Nathan's hand in public. He wasn't sure how Nathan felt about it until his hand squeezed back, reassuring him that he wasn't wrong. It was good for Nathan to get out of his comfort zone every once and a while. He certainly was, but touching the very reason he wasn't home doubled over in pain was all the more victory.

Walking up to the penguins exhibit Varian was pleased to see that he could actually get up close enough to see. Momentarily letting go of Nathan's hand, he set Venerra down and watched her ogle over the flightless sea birds and quickly took hold of Nathan's hand again.

Nathan squeezed back, watching Venerra be enraptured by the strange creatures. Varian had never really seen penguins in real life, and looking at them outside of a Marine Biology text book was truly something else.

Unfortunately, people all around them were focusing on him holding Nathan's hand more than the quirky sea birds. Varian could hear them whispering to each other, some pointing, others clearly disgusted.

"Go somewhere else if you're going to hold hands you creepy fags!" somebody said to them a little too loudly.

Nathan glanced in the direction it came from and Varian felt his hand loosen it's hold. Instantly anger welled up in his veins, the need to feed surfacing as well, but he quickly suppressed that feeling.

"If you want to let go, I won't be mad," Varian whispered to Nathan gently. "But it only gives me incentive to kiss you instead."

Nathan smirked slightly. "Well... I think I'm okay with that. I don't know if they will be." he whispered back before dropping Varian's hand. Varian felt himself grin. He'd known that Nathan would challenge him. But what Nathan didn't know was how far he was going to take his offer.

Varian grabbed his hand again and pulled Nathan against him, lowering his head and capturing his mouth fully, nipping his bottom lip so he'd open his mouth. Nathan did so eagerly, trying not to smile and put his free hand on Varian's waist. Letting his tongue slide in, Varian groaned softly as Nathan's met his. It was a matter of a statement, but oh, it felt good. Nathan seemed to think so too as his tongue responded, rubbing against his own, Nathan moaning at the contact of their tongues.

Not wanting to take it that far, but wanting so desperately to end it with an even bigger statement, Varian kissed Nathan deeper, drawing the very breath from his lungs. Nathan gasped quietly before pulling away, smiling widely. Mission accomplished.

At this point everyone that had been gawking turned and abruptly continued on, ushering their children ahead of them quickly, relatively clearing a broad pathway for them. Wanting to enjoy the moment, Varian looked around and noted an ice cream vender. "Up for ice cream?"

"Yeah... ice cream's good," Nathan replied, still smiling.

Taking his hand once again, Varian reached out and took Venerra's who was completely oblivious to what had just gone on. "Do you want ice cream Venerra?" Varian asked, although he already knew the answer. "Yeah!" she exclaimed, bouncing up and down, smiling and skipped along as they approached it.

Venerra let go of Varian's hand and ran up to the vender gazing wide-eyed at all the different choices. "What would you like sweetheart?" he asked.

Venerra turned to look at Varian, her eyes hopeful. Varian thought briefly about telling her whatever she wanted when he remembered how much Nathan had wanted to pay for them. Turning to him he let his expression ask the question.

Nathan nodded back, taking his wallet out and going through it for the cost of the ice cream.

"Which one would you like?" the vender asked, opening up the sealed glass panel and reaching inside.

"I want that one!" she said, pointing to the strawberry ice cream shaped like a fudgecicle on a stick. Varian had to smile at her pick because it was one of the cheapest ones. Nathan forked over the money without a word.

The Vender decided to get a good look at Varian and Nathan and Varian watched the vender to see how he'd react to their hands, but he just smiled and shook his head. "And for the lovely couple?"

Nathan leaned over slightly to Varian and whispered, "I like this guy a lot better," before he addressed the vender and said he wants Vanilla. Varian chuckled at Nathan's statement before deciding upon his own. He hadn't had ice cream in ages, and he wanted to make sure it was a good choice. "I'll take the caramel swirl."

Nathan shrugged as he withdrew his phone to check the time before he paid and they set off with their ice creams. Venerra was obviously enjoying hers, devouring it and getting strawberry ice cream all over her chin, and mouth, even smearing a little on her cheeks. Varian chuckled, grabbing a napkin and wiping her face clean. She smiled and hugged him and he patted her head. She was calming down a lot more now. Even looked slightly tired.

"I think it's about time we called it a day, what do you think Nathan?"

"I think it sounds good. My feet are killing me anyway," he agreed.

Varian nodded and picked up Venerra, holding her on his hip as they walked around back towards the entrance. In a way part of him didn't want to leave, but another part couldn't wait until the next time he saw Nathan. How had he fallen for him so quickly? When had Nathan's skepticism turned to trust?

Honestly, he didn't care. He was head over heels in love with Nathan, and he knew Nathan cared just as much.

Eventually they reached the exit gates and walked out, headed for their respective vehicles, Nathan remaining close as Varian buckled Venerra into the truck. She rested back, her eyelids drooping. He smiled gently at her before carefully shutting the door and walking back around towards where Nathan stood.

He hated to say goodbye, but he couldn't help but admit he'd had a great time, despite Venerra's excessive energy.

Walking closer to Nathan he stood back a little bit, and met his gaze. "I had fun," he said.

"Yeah. It was nice. More than I've done on a weekend in... months. Possibly years." Nathan replied with a small shrug.

Not wanting to beat around the bush, Varian decided to cut right to the chase. "What are we Nathan?" he asked, wanting to know so badly where they stood.

Nathan hesitated momentarily with his answer before sighing and rubbing the back of his neck. "Well.... um... that's sort of up to you, I guess. I have no problem being your b- ... boyfriend... if you want.... and if not, then.... I don't know." he mumbled.

Varian felt his heart flutter at the word "boyfriend". He hadn't been anyone's boyfriend in a long time. He bit his lip, mulling over what he was going to say.

"There's no doubt in my mind that I want you to, but being with me could cause you problems," Varian said.

"... Like what?"

"Rumors, and being treated differently. Everyone at the school knows me. My name is a derogatory phrase. If you decide to be my boyfriend, I wouldn't want to see you get absorbed in all the crap I go through. It wouldn't be fair."

Nathan thought on it for a moment. "... You know what's amazing?" he asked.

"What?"

"The fact that I do not give a shit. After the past two weeks, and everything that's happened, you really think that some high school drama in our senior year is going to make me suddenly not want to be with you? I honestly don't care what they say. Even if I am... I don't know, thrown into lockers for the rest of the year, it won't change my mind."

Varian felt his heart swell with all kinds of emotion, and he didn't care. "I love you..." he whispered before closing the distance between them and giving Nathan a kiss that made the other one at the penguin exhibit seem like a peck on the lips.

Nathan smiled into the kiss before responding, wrapping his arms around Varian's neck tightly.

Varian couldn't remember another night better than this. But he did feel slightly bad that Nathan would for sure have a bruise on his lips.

****************************************************************************************************

Stepping through his front door, Nathan did his best to keep his head down, walling into the kitchen and hoping it was empty.

But, of course, he was wrong.

"You're back earlier than I thought." Elle mumbled.

"Yeah, uh... Venerra got tired..." he said in response, putting a hand over his mouth quickly as she looked at him. He knew very well that his mouth was probably swollen, feeling somewhat tender after the... "attack" from Varian.

So it'd be best if his mother didn't see that.

"I remember when you were that age. Used to fall asleep in your breakfast." Elle smiled, going over to the sink and preparing to wash dishes, Nathan assumed.

He didn't reply, choosing instead to look in the fridge, still covering his mouth. "Well I'm pretty tired. I think I'm gonna go take a nap."

Elle glanced over, but frowned afterward and turned to him fully. "What's wrong with your mouth?"

Freezing, Nathan glanced around, thinking. "... Nothing. Bit my lip earlier."

"... Let me see."

"... It's not that bad..."

Elle sighed, putting a hand on her hip. "Nathan, you better tell me where you were today, and I want to know the truth."

"I did tell you. I was at the zoo."

"And you bit your lip at the zoo? Is there something you're not telling me?"

Nathan hadn't told his mother he was bi. Didn't plan on it either. Who knows how she'd react. Granted he didn't think it would be as bad as Varian's parents.... But still.

"... Well what about the stuff you don't tell me?"

"Don't change the subject, Nathan." she said. He shrugged back, dropping his hand.

"Well if you're allowed to have secrets, so am I."

"I don't have any."

"Bullshit! What happened to my father? How did I get some damn genetic disorder? I've never even heard of it! So what did you do to make that doctor go along with it?"

"Nathaniel! Watch your mouth! We have been over this!"

"No we haven't! Because you won't tall about it! I am not normal, I know that, but you didn't have to hide exactly how "not-normal" I am!"

"What are you talking about?" Elle asked, glaring slightly.

"Oh, maybe the fact that I'm fucking Mortal. That my eyes aren't from a disorder. Like you've been telling me for nineteen years.... Why would you lie to me?" Nathan asked calmly, watching the expression on Elle's face go from shock to anger.

"This is all that boys fault. He's been telling you things, I know it, otherwise you wouldn't have said anything." She mumbled, turning to the sink and filling it up with water before throwing in some dishes.

"This has nothing to do with Varian. This is about you not telling me what's really going on. And I think I deserve to know!"

"You wouldn't understand!" Elle yelled, throwing the cup that she was holding on the ground forcefully. "You're a child! You have no idea what I went through! You have no business asking about these things! He's dead- that is all you need to know!"

Nathan stared back as Elle stood for a moment before wiping her eyes, turning off the sink and heading up stairs, where Nathan heard a door slam. Sighing, he walked over to the broken cup, picking up larger pieces to throw them away. As he was putting them in his hand, he sliced his finger; not deep, but enough to bleed, and to ensure that it would be there for a few days.

Finishing the job, he glanced around the kitchen before going up to his room, closing the door behind him and sitting on his bed. He wasn't quite sure if his weekend had been good or bad, but it was the most eventful one he'd had in a while.

Hopefully it would also be the last. He didn't think he could take another one. Not for a while.