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The time had come. Different cars had dropped off their passengers in the cold, impersonal parking lot of the highway-side building in the nearby town. The architect had tried to make the place more attractive and alluring, with its curved facade, the brown tone of the whole and the lightly colored stained-glass windows which gave the building a modern church feel. The doors were dark glass, letting only an amber light enter the hall. The stained-glass windows brought the rest of the light, the geometric shapes designed to remain religiously neutral gave a certain dignity to the place. All were dressed in dark or black. Even Greg had dark glasses. He didn't want to show his eyes red of tears. The young fox, in his mourning outfit, came to meet the group. Relatively new to the profession, he forced himself not to say hello, as common sense wanted. He made sure all the same of the identity of the newcomers.

« Messrs. Delacroix and Miller ? "

Samuel and Greg could only nod "yes". Fred was near his husband, Cody was trying to be as far away from his father as possible. The latter was trying to get used to it. Luke was about to prop up his father's elbow if the need arose.

" Please follow me. We will proceed with the ceremony. "

The group followed the employee, who led them into a room with light brown walls. Two rows of chairs formed an arc in front of a small altar and a wooden pulpit. Two identical coffins stood side by side. They were adorned with wreaths of flowers and other expressions of sympathy. Behind, the wide entrance to what was the crematorium proper, framed by curtains that would soon close over them to spare family and friends the sight of their cremation. The employee made sure with Greg that everything had been well arranged for the ceremony.

No prayer, in accordance with the will of the two deceased. Greg had to say few words. He walked over to the coffins to look at the assistance that had sat on the chairs. Family, friends, and those who made the trip for this last tribute. Luke realized that he had forgotten something. He turned to his oldest daughter, whispering something in her ear, handing her the keys to the rental car. She took it without protesting before stepping out discreetly in her black pants and midnight blue blouse.

Greg was facing the audience. He was next to his father, watching the couple still and yet so present. He opened his mouth. He closed it again, his throat tied. A second attempt was equally unsuccessful. He rubs his eyes before whispering something inaudible.

Fred understood that. He stood up. Greg's third attempt was also a failure. Fred was now standing next to him. Without saying a word, Greg went to sit down, trying to swallow his tears. Everyone understood him, and no one resented him for expressing all his emotion in this way at his parents' funeral. It was just too much for him. Fred remained standing. He felt he had to say something. Anything, but something. Words failed him. In French at least. He was hoping someone in the audience would translate for non-English speakers now or later.

" I'm sorry I can't do much. I don't speak french at all, even after all this time with my husband. I'll be quick anyway. "

Fred stared at the coffins, one hand on each of them in a sort of civil blessing. Luke had just taken back from his daughter what he had forgotten. Behind the guests, he took his violin out of its case.

" The first time I met these men, I was a kid. More, I was an ass. And it didn't went well I must say. But even after all I did, when the time for troubles came for me, they were here. Both of them saved me at that time. Each on their way. They didn't cared about what I did when they saw me into troubles. They just came to help me and It's not a lie to say than these men saved my life. I had the luck to be able to repay them. Becoming a better man. Behaving properly and once become old enough, helping their son on the rough path on the life. It's what they were. Men knowing to turn kids into adults. And also making asses into better men. I will never be able to thanks them enough for that. But I do anyway. "

Fred looked at the coffins, bowing before them.

" Thanks for all you did. You're gone now but you'll ever be with us with all you did. We are told when we're getting married it's only until Death tears us apart. It's crap. I saw it these days. Even Death wouldn't tear you apart. As it should always be for the ones who loves each others. "

Fred fell silent, unable to continue. Behind the guests, a sound arose. Clear and limpid, crisp and flawless. With a trickle of tears in his eyes, Luke began to greet his grandparents in the best way he could. With Berlioz to accompany the departure of the coffins which left the room, slowly hidden behind the curtains which were closing. The fair and bewitching sound of the violin seemed to follow the path of the coffins in the same slow and moving rhythm and it was not silent until the dead were gone forever.

Greg was looking up at the sky, pushing his glasses up a bit, his face neutral but relieved. Luke caught his attention then. He was accompanied by his daughters who greeted him one by one. Fred was there too and thanked the departing guests.

« Do you really have to go now son ? "

Luke seemed to hear a hint of reproach in his father's voice.

" I'm sorry dad, but the plane won't wait. And my conductor has already shown a lot of patience with me. I should have been home almost a week ago, you know. "

Greg knew this, just as he knew what he was referring to when his delayed return. He kissed his son and Fred did the same before their son boarded his daughters back home. The other guests also left one after the other, knowing that they would come home one last time afterwards to end the day of mourning. The employee gave a discreet wave of the hand. Greg and Samuel went to his office. They came out a few minutes later, each carrying a cylindrical urn in their hands. Greg had an extra envelope in his pocket. It contained his father's rings. Sam had his wedding ring on him.

They all looked at the remains of their fathers. Made of silver, the length of a hand, they received the ashes of their late parents. Along the length, a fine engraving only mentioned one thing. The name.

Greg was tracking Mark Miller's name.

Samuel was smiling on behalf of Eugène Delacroix.

A mutual, synchronous and unpremeditated gesture made them kiss their urn. Greg then turned to Fred.

"We're going home now. Have a bite to eat. "

Fred took the keys to the car and the two orphans then climbed in the back of the car to get home and get ready for the end of the day.

-

He hadn't been allowed by his parents to do this, but he had done it anyway. He would probably be punished for it, but Bixente didn't care. The young wolf wanted to be with Cody. Close, but not too much. His rant with him was fresh in his memory. But he couldn't help it. He wanted to see him. Even from afar.

Bixente had known Cody since the latter had moved in with his grandparents, it had been four years now. They were in the same class, they were playing on the same team. From the start, a bond had formed between them. Cody liked Bixente for his quick wit and Bixente liked the young tiger for his strength and humor. They had quickly become best friends in the world.

In recent months, however, Bixente sensed that something was changing. He was still close to Cody, but there was something else. He was starting to want something else. He didn't know what.

In fact, he knew.

Bixente knew this very well. He did not really know until recently, he was in love with his friend. But how to tell him ? Should I tell him ? What if Cody told him he didn't love him ? What if that ended their friendship ? What if Cody came to hate him because he loved a boy ?

But luckily for him, the boy felt and saw that his young feelings were shared. This helped him greatly and delighted him completely.

But he knew his parents wouldn't be happy to know him gay. The comments and looks they gave Mark and Ed spoke volumes about their deep opinion. This scared Bixente, because he knew that eventually, they would find out. It was hard for him to hide the intense gazes he was giving Cody. He found it hard to contain himself when he was next to him. The only times when everything was going well was on the rugby pitch.

That day, Cody probably wouldn't pay him any attention. Dressed in a black suit, he was walking, just behind two other adults. Bixente knew that the two urn bearers were the sons of the deceased whose ashes they carried. The rott was the oldest. He carried Mark's ashes. The tiger, the younger. He had Ed's ashes in his hands. Cody followed, therefore, empty-handed, head bowed.

Behind again there was a bulldog. Bixente understood that he was the rott's husband. Then followed the friends of the village. He brought up the rear. He was careful to leave a gap between them, not being formally invited.

The whole group walked along a dirt road that led to the top of the hill.

The deceased had chosen this place to leave. It was not a bad choice. The dirt road climbed slightly to cross a small wood. The troop continued, arriving beyond the small forest. The space was now clear around and the path approached the ravine, a wooden barrier delimiting the too dangerous places. The group made a ninety degree angle to get as close as possible to the steep slope. In front of them, the jagged and still bleached mountains of the Pyrenees stretched out. Fred put a friendly hand on Cody's shoulder, smiling sweetly at him. He stepped forward, a little hesitant. Samuel and Greg smiled back at him to comfort him. They didn't need to talk, everything had been said during the cremation.

Bixente watched the intimate ceremony from a distance. He had insisted on putting on his darkest clothes. Turning around, Fred gave him a friendly smile, inviting him to come closer with a nudge. The boy stayed where he was. Fred didn't insist.

Samuel and Greg then opened the urns. Cody hesitated before taking one in each hand, trying not to look inside, but he couldn't avoid seeing the fine gray ash. He feared he couldn't take any more, but despite his immense sadness, he lifted his head and walked closer to the precipice, staying behind the barrier.

He was now looking beyond the void, to the south, towards the rocky and uneven, mossy and grassy slope. He also saw the opposite slope, which rose towards Spain. He could feel the light wind on his back, which pressed his clothes to his skin.

The wind intensified and lasted. Without thinking, his hands swiveled downward and two large gray trails rose south, dispersing as they walked away. A sad smile lit his eyes as the whirlpools mingled the ashes together before disappearing into the blue sky. The wind died down, the boxes empty since a moment.

They were gone.

Together.

Cody joined Greg and Sam, who each took turns hugging his nephew, then his son.

Bixente noted that Cody was having difficulty staying in his father's arms. But he ends up staying there. He saw Sam cry even more when he could stroke his child's face and the child let it go. Bixente was fully aware of the difficult relationship Cody had with his father. He was glad to see Cody burst into tears, clinging more to his father's arms.

Fred and Greg exchanged a knowing look when they saw the father and son finally reunited.

The other guests at the private ceremony then took the way home after a final greeting to the deceased. Greg and Samuel were the last to leave. Bixente hoped that Cody would come to him. But the boy only gave him a neutral look before starting to descend. Left behind, the young wolf resumed his way back before stopping at a wooden table on the way, seated, his elbows on the table. Greg was guessing what was going on. He moved away from the group with Fred, whispering to him to return to the group so that he could focus on the boy who obviously had support. He pretended to walk on his own to isolate himself, remaining to be carried by the young boy, while the assistance regained the valley. Bixente saw the group moving away to his great satisfaction, also wanting to be left alone.

Greg gave the young teenager a few minutes for himself before approaching him. they were alone now.

Greg pretended to take an interest in his cell phone, pacing back and forth across the rocky terrain before turning to Bixente again as he tried not to pay attention to the adult. Greg put his cell phone away and walked over.

« Everything is ok, kiddo? "

Bixente turned his head, his face neutral and a little bored. He turned his head, trying to interest himself in something else. As he had expected, Greg smiled and moved closer.

" It was a nice ceremony, right ? It pleased me to see you to attend. "

Bixente shrugged, trying to make himself understood by gestures that he didn't speak English. He got a little irritated, seeing that the adult had sat down, acting as if understanding was taken for granted. The boy shook his head, avoiding looking at the adult. He ends up looking at him, his gaze sideways.

« On dirait qu'on n'est pas faits pour se comprendre après tout. »

" Looks like we weren't meant to understand each other after all. "

Greg only looked at the boy to shrug. Bixente understood this as a confirmation of his non-understanding.

« D'un autre côté, tu aurais pu m'aider. On est pareils. J'aime Cody. Je veux être près de lui, mais je ne sais rien de ce qu'il ressent pour moi. Il me dit une chose et m'en montre une autre. Et je ne sais pas non plus ce que je ferais si cela se savait. Je ne connais personne qui soit comme moi. Personne ici qui me comprenne ou a qui je peux faire confiance. »

"On the other hand, you could have helped me. We're the same. I love Cody. I want to be near him, but I don't know how he feels about me. He tells me one thing and shows me another. And I also don't know what I would do if that was known. I don't know anyone like me. No one here who understands me or who I can trust. "

Bixente looked at Greg again, who sported the same embarrassed little smile. Bixente decided to continue. The adult next to him did not understand him but it did him good to speak, to finally bring out what was on his mind.

« C'est bien ce que je disais. J' imagine que vu ton âge, tu dois avoir vécu pas mal de choses. Les seuls vers qui j'aurait pu me tourner sont morts maintenant. Mes parents vérifient l'ordinateur tous les jours... Je sais qu'ils seraient prêts à me casser la gueule s'ils savaient. Je ne fais rien de mal pourtant. Je suis juste ainsi. Je veux juste Cody. »

" That's what I was saying. I imagine that given your age, you must have been through a lot. The only people I could have turned to are dead now. My parents check the computer every day... I know they'd be ready to beat me up if they knew. I'm not doing anything wrong though. I am just like that. I just want Cody. "

Bixente was silent for a few minutes. Then he looked at Greg again.

« Je n'ose pas imaginer la force de caractère qu'il faut pour arriver à supporter cela. Parfois je me dis que sauter d'ici serait la meilleure chose à faire pour moi. Et la seule chose qui me retienne de le faire, c'est de savoir que Cody pourrait ne pas supporter cela. Et parfois je me dis qu'il s'en ficherait. Ma vie serait plus simple si j'étais comme les autres.

" I dare not imagine the strength of character it takes to come to terms with this. Sometimes I think to myself that jumping out of here would be the best thing for me to do. And the only thing holding me back from doing it is knowing that Cody might not take it. And sometimes I tell myself he wouldn't care. My life would be simpler if I were like everyone else.

_- Mais tu ne l'es pas. _

• But you are not.

- Non, c'est... »

• No. It is... "

Bixente stopped short. He just realized that the stranger had answered him in French. Greg was smiling softly at him. Bixente's mouth was half open, completely taken by surprise.

« Tu...

" You...

_- Je parle français, oui. Depuis longtemps. Désolé de t'avoir trompé, mais tu avais visiblement besoin de parler. _

• I speak French, yes. For a long time. Sorry for doing this to you, but you obviously needed to talk.

- Je... »

• I... "

Bixente felt betrayed. He had surrendered to a stranger believing he would not understand him. But on the other hand, he was starting to understand the unique chance he had. Greg looked at the young teenager, keeping his voice soft and firm. Bixente still felt cheated but he liked that Greg didn't talked to him like a kid. He saw that he was already a man in his eyes. The boy was proud and touched. His indignation gave way to a more serene face.

« Il y a des choses qui ne changeront jamais. Comme par exemple le fait que nous ne serons jamais totalement acceptés par tous. Les progrès accomplis sont grands pourtant. Nous pouvons vivre au grand jour maintenant, en beaucoup d' endroits. Nous pouvons nous marier, souvent. Nous pouvons élever des enfants, parfois. Mais tout le monde ne nous aimera pas forcément. Y compris parmi nos proches. »

" There are things that will never change. Like, for example, the fact that we will never be fully accepted by everyone. The progress made is great, however. We can live in broad daylight now in many places. We can get married, often. We can raise kids, sometimes. But not everyone will love us. Including among our relatives. "

Greg let a touch of bitterness dress his voice. But it was just an observation, not an admission of defeat.

« Mes parents sont de ceux-là. Ils n'ont jamais aimé les grands-parents de Cody. Si tu avais entendu toutes les horreurs qu'ils ont pu dire sur eux.

" My parents are one of them. They never liked Cody's grandparents. If you had heard all the horrors they could say about them.

- Une chose aussi qui ne changera pas, c'est le regard qu'un garçon porte sur un autre quand il a des sentiments pour lui.

• Another thing that won't change is the way a boy looks at another when he's got feelings for him.

- C' est comme cela que tu as su ?

• Is that how you knew ?

- Pour toi, oui. Pour Cody aussi.

• For you, yea. For Cody too.

- Il

• He...

- Tu as de la chance, c'est tout ce que je peux te dire. Fred est en train de parler à mon neveu pour en savoir plus. Pas sur lui, mais sur toi.

• You're in luck, that's all I can tell you. Fred is talking to my nephew to find out more. Not on him, but on you.

• Ce serait...

• It would be...

• Tu le sais depuis quand ?

• How long have you known?

• Que...je l'aime ?

• That...I love it ?

• Oui.

• Yes.

• Je ne sais pas. Je connais Cody depuis quatre ans. Je dirai...quelques mois...

• I do not know. I've known Cody for four years. I will say...some months...

• Et que tu es...

• And that you are...

• A peu près au même moment.

• Around the same time.

• Tu t'acceptes bien...

• You accept yourself well...

• Il le faut bien. Je suis ainsi. Cela a été pareil pour toi ?

• It must be so. I am like that. Has it been the same for you ?

• Pour moi ? Je dois reconnaître que cela n'a pas été facile pour moi. Au début.

• For me ? I must admit that it was not easy for me. In the beginning.

• Vraiment ? »

• Really ?"

Greg nodded "yes" slowly, remembering his adolescence, his refusal and denial of being who he was.

« Bixente, à ton âge, j'étais dans le placard. J'étais si profondément enfoui dans mon placard que je ne savais même plus que j'étais dans un placard. C'est vers 15 ans que j'ai fini par le comprendre. Pour être franc, plutôt à ne plus me voiler la face. J'avais commencé par... Bref... Je me disais que c'était normal, que cela devait arriver à tout le monde. Il faut dire que je sortais avec des filles à ce moment-là. Je ne les ai jamais touchées. Mais cela me suffisait à me rassurer, à me dire que j'étais...normal. Comme les autres. Et puis Francis m'a enlacé. Je ne m'y attendait pas. Lui non plus. J'ai tout de suite compris qui j'étais alors. Ce que j'étais. Quand il m'a embrassé la première fois, j'étais troublé, confus. Plus par peur que par honte. J'avais peur de mes parents, tout comme toi aujourd'hui. Francis a su me convaincre de la beauté de la chose. Il n'a pas eu à faire grand chose pour cela. Il a juste... Il m'a juste fait comprendre que je lui plaisait, et que cela était une chose magnifique. Nous avons même... Bref... La suite est moins joyeuse.

" Bixente, at your age, I was in the closet. I was so deep in my closet that I didn't even know I was in a closet anymore. It was around 15 that I finally understood it. To be frank, rather not to hide my face anymore. I had started by... Anyway... I told myself that it was normal, that it had to happen to everyone. It must be said that I was dating girls at that time. I never touched them. But that was enough for me to reassure myself, to tell myself that I was...normal. Like the others. And then Francis hugged me. I did not expect it. He either. I immediately understood who I was then. What I was. When he kissed me for the first time, I was confused, afraid. More out of fear than shame. I was afraid of my parents, just like you today. Francis was able to convince me of the beauty of the thing. He didn't have to do much for it. He just got it... He just made me realize that he liked me, and that it was a beautiful thing. We even... In short... The rest is less joyful.

- Pourquoi cela ? »

• Why that ? "

Greg watched the boy blush. Even by remaining vague and proceeding by allusions, Bixente understood easily. For Greg however, he was not yet ready for this, it was obvious.

_« Fred est mon mari aujourd'hui. Mais à l'époque il était amoureux de Francis. Et vexé de me voir dans son lit, il m'a outé à mon père. _

"Fred is my husband today. But at the time he was in love with Francis. And annoyed to see me in his bed, he outed me to my father.

- Il a fait cela ?

• Did he do that ?

- Oui. Je lui ai pardonné, je n'étais pas moi-même un modèle de vertu tu sais, loin de là. Et aussi parce que finalement son acte m'a beaucoup apporté. Il m'a donné un véritable père. Enfin, deux. Un avenir aussi. Et un amour sincère, également. Ainsi qu' un fils, et deux petites-filles.

• Yes. I forgave him, I myself was not a model of virtue you know, far from it. And also because ultimately his act brought me a lot. He gave me a real father. Finally, two. A future too. And true love, too. As well as a son, and two granddaughters.

- Jamais mes parents ne m'accepteront ainsi.

• My parents will never accept me like this.

- Il

_ ne sont pas forcés de le savoir tu sais. C'est ta vie, pas la leur._

• They don't have to know that you know. It's your life, not theirs.

- Mais si cela se sait ?

• But if it is known ?

- Gamin, mon oncle a été chassé de chez lui pour la même raison, et il n'a eu personne pour s'occuper de lui. J'ai été chassé de chez moi et il m'a accueilli. Cody est homosexuel, et jamais je ne lui en voudrai pour cela. Tu es homosexuel ? Bixente, si un jour tu as un ennui à ce sujet, sache que Fred et moi, nous serons là, que tu sois avec Cody ou pas.

• Kid, my uncle was kicked out of his house for the same reason, and he had no one to look after him. I was kicked out of my home and he took me in. Cody is gay, and I'll never blame him for that. Are you homosexual ? Bixente, if one day you have a problem about this, know that Fred and I, we will be there, whether you are with Cody or not.

- C'est...vrai ?

• It is...true ?

- Oui. Fred et moi nous avons pris la décision de nous installer ici. Je voulais prendre soin de mon père mais ce n'est plus d'actualité maintenant. Mais Cody a besoin de moi. Bien sûr, on pourrait déménager aux USA mais je ne veux pas déraciner mon neveu. Il vient de perdre ses grands-parents, je ne veux pas le traumatiser davantage. Et puis je ne veux pas non plus lui briser le coeur. »

• Yes. Fred and I made the decision to move here. I wanted to take care of my father but that is no longer relevant now. But Cody needs me. Of course, we could move to the States but I don't want to uproot my nephew. He just lost his grandparents, I don't want to traumatize him further. And then I don't want to break his heart either. "

Greg looked at the boy mischievously and Bixente blushed. Which made Greg smile even more.

« Il y a encore trop de gens comme nous qui subissent les pires choses à cause de ce que nous sommes. Je ne peux presque rien pour eux. Mais pour toi, oui.

" There are still too many people like us who go through the worst things for who we are. I can hardly do anything for them. But for you, yes.

- Et si au club, cela se savait...

• And if at the club, it was known...

- Ne t'en fait pas pour cela aussi. J'ai des amis...

• Don't worry about that too. I have friends...

- Comment cela ?

• What do you mean ?

- J'ai eu une belle carrière, j'ai encore un peu d'influence. Je ne dis pas que cela sera forcément facile pour toi, mais...les choses changent ici aussi. Gareth, moi...

• I had a great career, I still have a little influence. I'm not saying it will necessarily be easy for you, but...things are changing here too. Gareth, me...

- Gareth ?

• Gareth?

- Gareth Thomas. Un ancien joueur gallois. Il a fait son coming-out vers la fin de sa carrière et cela s'est bien passé pour lui. Pour moi aussi, même si certains joueurs faisaient bien attention dans les douches à ne pas me tourner le dos. »

• Gareth Thomas. A former Welsh player. He came out towards the end of his career and it went well for him. For me too, although some players were very careful in the showers not to turn their backs on me. "

Bixente smiled at this image. Greg too.

« Ce qui me permettait ainsi de bien voir leurs bites... »

« Which allowed me to see their cocks too ..."

Greg's smile was wide and sarcastic this time. Bixente's too.

« J'ai entendu parler de Gareth, oui, c'est vrai.

" I've heard of Gareth, yes it's true.

- Je l'ai un peu connu, il m'a tout de suite fait une bonne impression. Il n'était pas mon genre note bien, mais son exemple a inspiré beaucoup d'autres personnes.

• I got to know him a little, he immediately made a good impression on me. He was not my kind, you know, but his example inspired a lot of other people.

- Tu l'as connu, tu dis ?

• Did you know him, you say ?

- Hé, j'étais un pro, aussi... Je joue toujours un peu d'ailleurs, en amateur bien entendu.

• Hey, I was a pro, too... I always play a little.

- Mais oui... »

• Yea, yea... »

Greg felt annoyed by this remark. He took out his smartphone, opened the correct app and gave it to Bixente so he could see by himself.

« Regarde à Miller. Gregory Miller.

" Look at Miller, Gregory Miller.

• Le nom me dit quelque chose, oui. C'est toi ?

• This name means something to me, yes, is it yours ?

• Oui. »

• Yes. "

Bixente launched a search which succeeded quickly. His eye was surprised as he read.

« Bordel... »

« No way... »

Bixente alternately looked at Greg and his image, to make sure he had the same person in front of him.

« Six fois champion d' Angleterre, deux coupes d' Europe, deux fois demi-finaliste de la coupe du monde, trois fois champion des USA...

" Six times champion of England, two European cups, two times semi-finalist of the world cup, three times champion of the USA...

• Je connais mon palmarès, merci... »

• I know my records, thank you. "

Greg found it hard to hide his pride. In truth, he wasn't trying to do it.

« Et tout cela en étant out tout ce temps...

"And all this while being out all the time...

^J'ai fait mon coming-out auprès de mes collègues de Toulouse quatre mois après mon arrivée. Je voulais déjà leur montrer ce que je valais sur le terrain. Je ne voulais pas me la jouer « militant » et m'imposer pour de mauvaises raisons, papa me l'avait conseillé. J'ai été plutôt bien accueilli. C'est le secret, je pense. Il faut montrer aux autres en quoi nous leurs sommes semblables, en quoi nous sommes leurs égaux avant de leur faire comprendre notre différence.

• I came out to my colleagues in Toulouse four months after my arrival. I already wanted to show them what I was worth on the pitch. I didn't want to play myself "militant" and impose myself for the wrong reasons, Dad had advised me. I was rather well received. That's the secret, I think. We must show others how we are similar to them, how we are their equals, before making them understand our difference.

- Je...le ferai, c'est certain.

• I...I will, that's for sure.

- Au pire, n'hésite pas à me demander mon aide. Je te raconterai comment un vieux con a voulu un jour me faire virer de l'équipe à cause de cela et comment je l'ai pris à son propre jeu. Mais une autre fois, il me faut rentrer maintenant. N'oublie pas le plus important, Bixente. Moi et Fred, nous sommes derrière toi si besoin est. »

• At worst, don't hesitate to ask for my help. I'll tell you how an old jerk once wanted to get me kicked off the team because of it and how I beat him at his own game. But another time, I have to go home now. Don't forget the most important, Bixente. Me and Fred, we are behind you if need be. "

Greg stood up and stretched his legs to prepare for the descent.

The cell phone was still in Bixente's hands when it vibrated. He handed it back to Greg to read the message. Greg picked up his device and opened his mailbox. He smiled tenderly, showing the boy the screen. Above, the photo of two newborns lying beside their mother, exhausted, defeated, happy, visibly relieved.

« Mon fils vient de m'envoyer cela. Les jumeaux de ma belle-fille sont nés. »

" My son just sent me this. My stepdaughter's twins are born. "

Greg resumed his seat on the bench, his eyes flooded with a wave of emotions, a broad smile on his lips, his gaze fixed on the screen.

« J'ai des petits fils... »

« I have grandsons ..."

His tears were now flowing profusely.

« Eddy et Marcus... »

« Eddy and Marcus ..."

Greg did nothing to suppress his tears which redoubled, his smile mingling with those tears of joy.

During the descent, Fred kept one eye on the path so as not to fall, and the other on Cody. The young teenager also paid attention to his steps but also not to draw attention to himself. He obviously wanted to be alone. Downstairs, Samuel waved to the late arrivals as Cody walked home. Fred put a hand on his shoulder and pointed to the garden with a look, making him understand his desire to speak to him.

As a good teenager, Cody made him understand through his body language that he wanted to be alone. Fred did not let go and gave him a look of his real interest in talking to him. Fred's gaze was the most intense as Cody ultimately yielded following to the adult, keeping his posture of

" I pretend to give in but I don't think so less. "

Fred understood it but he didn't care.

With the gate closed, Fred positioned himself in front to avoid any escape, looking at him tenderly and firmly.

" What ?

• Cody, I know than you want to be alone but it's important we talk now. "

The boy completely agreed with this statement. Fred had nothing to hold back from the boy, his voice growing even more understanding.

" You had for sure the worst day of your life.

• Can't we talk another time ?

Fred shook his head.

" No Cody. That kind of troubles must be took care of as fast as possible. I want to do that for you too. "

Cody showed the limit of his attention he was willing to give the adult.

« Thirteen, indeed..."

Fred kept his remark to himself and rested his buttocks on a bench drying in the sun, seeming to enjoy the rest offered. He made sure to stay active and play sports but nothing to do. His age showed itself more and more easily. It was the middle of the afternoon and only few clouds tried in vain to hide the sun.

" What's the problem then ? "

Cody didn't bother to hide his contempt.

" It's not really a problem. Not for you. For your friend.

• Bixente ? What's the matter with him ?

• No one told him to come but he did by himself. It's nice from him.

• He knew them a bit.

• It's more than that. Everyone told me. He spends most of his time here. And I don't think it was for Mark or Ed. "

Cody turned around. He didn't like hearing about his grandparents. It was far too early yet. He also didn't want to show the red of his cheeks and that, Fred knew.

" They were nice people. It's fair for him to be sad for them. Their time had come. Way too soon for me. "

Cody agreed.

"But as I said, he didn't came for them. But for you. "

Cody still turned around, saying nothing.

" And how does this concern me ? "

Fred sighed and smiled.

" You know, you don't have to play tough with us. We all know that. The boy have a thing for you, so do you. "

Cody faced Fred, his eyes full of anger and embarrassment. Fred knew how sensitive teenagers were to the subjects of their first passions.

" Bullshit ! "

Fred was still smiling. Cody's outburst was genuine but his face was unable to hide the truth of it, and that Cody was aware of, too.

" Cody, I just wanna know why you're rejecting that poor boy so unfairly. You know than here, with us, you have nothing to be afraid of. It's not your father nor your uncle who will give you hard times about that. "

Cody wanted to leave. But Fred was on his way out and he knew him enough to know that he wouldn't let him down without having what he wanted. Plus, and Fred could see it, if the garden was secluded, it wasn't a place surrounded by barbed wire either. Cody could pass through the shrubs easily. And he didn't. The boy just needed encouragement.

The boy finally abdicated. He sat down on the floor facing Fred.

" He's an idiot. He doesn't know what will happen if they knew. It seems than sometimes he doesn't care.

• What could happen ?

• I know than you don't care if I like boys. But for Bixente... "

Fred nodded, eyes downward.

" I know. Your uncle and your father talked to me about that. "

Cody smirked sadly.

" I like when we're alone him and me. We can be as close as we want, but Bixente is not careful enough when they are people. Someday it will turns against him and I'm afraid I will not be able to do something, unca. I don't want to see something bad happening to him because of me, unca ! "

Fred kept his scowl to himself. The boy's words echoed his own fears. He was trying to overcome this phobia but the successive deaths of Mark and then of Ed did nothing to calm him and allay his fears. Fred understood this all too well. It reminded him of his teenage self-centeredness that Mark had kicked in the ass. He took a deep breath.

" You know, Cody, if I'm speaking now, it's because your uncle and I, we spotted you both. And we share the work so to say. "

Cody looked his uncle straight in the eye. Fred raised his hand to counter his objection.

" I know, it's not our business and you're right to complain about such an intrusion on your private life. But we're adults, we have the experience and honestly, we can't wait and do nothing. It's our duty. »

So Cody fell silent, still looking at his uncle with reproachful eyes.

" You remind me of someone I knew. A nice guy but he lacked of brains and had a tendency to be selfish. "

Fred's gaze fled from Cody's. The latter knew his uncle well enough to know that he was talking about himself. He smiled.

" Anyway, that guy almost blew up his relationship because of a big misunderstanding who could had been avoided with a single word. And I'm not talking about an affair, but a decades old wedding. "

Cody was now certain. His grief hadn't made him deaf to Fred's quiet arguments with his husband. His attention was heightened.

" What are you trying to say, unca ? "

Fred looked up. It was obvious to him that Cody understood. There was no point in beating around the bush.

" You're wrong when you thing than to reject Bixente will protect him against his folk's behavior, Cody. Your friend will need all the care he can get from his friends. And from you. "

Cody redoubled his attention.

" Imagine that. What will happen if you reject your friend ? Nothing will change. He'll be still gay but he'll have no one to take care of him, to help him. He'll be alone. "

Cody lowered his head. He was beginning to understand.

Fred smiled to comfort the boy.

" Now, he has arms where he can go if he needs them. You know Cody, maybe nothing will happen and Bixente will be gone before his folks know that.

• Do you think so ?

• Maybe. I lived long enough, Cody, to know than we can't make any promises lightly. "

Fred smiled more at the boy.

" It's anyway nice from you to try to protect him. It's just not the right way. "

Cody was about to answer when the gate opened. Greg was back and he was pushing the young wolf in front of him, so to speak. As expected, the two boys began to ignore each other. The adults then made the decision to withdraw and leave them alone despite their protests which Greg and Fred ignored as they ostensibly returned home. The two boys had no choice but to talk to each other.

When they got home, the two men couldn't help but watch Samuel witness the scene of the boys' reunion from the balcony on the first floor. The tiger looked at them then went back to his room. The two men looked at each other, then Fred walked away to join the boys.

« I'll let you take care of Sam. He's your brother after all. "

Greg had hoped for help, support. But Fred was right. Samuel was his younger brother, it was up to him to take care of it.

Greg went upstairs and after knocking on the door and receiving a

" Come in "

also discreet, he entered. Samuel was standing facing the bed. To his right, the open wardrobe let his clothes slip away one by one, piled more or less flat in the suitcase on the bed. The floor was wood and the walls covered with old wallpaper. It was probably one of the last rooms not yet redone. The only touch of modernity was the gray painted cast iron radiator. A piece in the image of Samuel and his desire not to be noticed. Sam would look at the still sunny outside every now and then. Greg stood behind his brother, a friendly hand on his shoulder. He felt the tiger accept the gesture but shudder a little all the same. Greg withdrew his hand.

" You don't have to go you know. "

Sam turned his head, his melancholy eyes.

" I have nothing more to do here, brother. Our parents are gone and I don't live here. Even Luke went home with his daughters.

• It's normal, their lives are in London. "

Samuel let some time pass before continuing, continuing to tidy up his things.

" I can't really say I have a life in Colorado, Greg. But that's where I live. "

Samuel took a seat on the bed next to the now full suitcase, his hands clasped between his knees. The prospect of returning did not please him. Greg saw it well.

« Do you know what you need bro ? "

Sam looked at him, questioning and silent.

« I see you're getting bored. I know you hate your job and you don't have anyone in America. Why not take opportunity of it ?

• Take advantage for what ?

• To change your life, Sam. Nothing is holding you back there. And I know you. You are dying to do it but as always, you do not know where to start and you dare not take the first step.

• If you had taken the blows that I received, you would be more of my opinion. "

Greg refrained from replying that he had received much worse blows. It was all Sam. He lacked courage and practicality. He was an adult, but sentimentally speaking, he was still a teenager. But Greg wanted to pull him out of the water, not drown him.

Not yet anyway.

" Sam, it's time, you know.

• Time for what ?

• To finally grow up. For you to see that you are much better than what you think. I know you did bullshit, you paid for it, but you should do it mostly for your son.

• But... "

Greg held up a hand, refusing to hear more.

" I know. But you can no longer stay like that, remaining passive in the face of events. You have to act, Sam. No longer let others dictate their behavior to you. "

Samuel bowed his head. He knew it, deep down.

« You knew how Cody behaved with me the last time I came.

• And I know how he behaved with you a few hours ago. Your son needs you, even if he's reluctant to admit it. "

Greg took a seat on the bed, an encouraging but firm hand on Sam's shoulder. Sam avoided looking him in the eye, seeing his strong will to make Sam an adult. But Greg was right.

« I just don't know how to go about it ..."

Greg sneered.

« So what ? Do you think we knew how to deal with Luke when he showed up by surprise ? Sam, you can't imagine the panicked moments we went through. Just to know how to feed him. The first few times, he was served plates that were far too full. And to know his size in terms of undies, luckily the kid already had some otherwise we would have left the stores with all sizes without knowing if one was the right one ! "

Samuel smiles. Greg liked it.

" We had to navigate on sight with administrations, schools and all that. Fred even spent a whole afternoon going around the house to prevent him from finding our little equipment scattered everywhere ! It was he who did it because I would have forgotten some, I know that. "

Sam's smile widened. Greg was still lying on the bed, his back back, his palms on the bed to keep his balance. He was looking straight ahead.

" But the hardest part was knowing him. To understand his habits and to respect them to facilitate his arrival in the family. And it lasted a long time because the kid quickly gave way to a teenager with even more changing tastes than before. "

Greg paused for a moment, his gaze down to the ground.

" Except when it comes to girls. He always had a big weakness for redheads. "

Sam couldn't take it anymore, he was trying not to laugh too hard. Greg was looking at him, all smiles.

" But it was the same for him. He had to adapt to living with us. He has learned to behave normally. To have a room of his own, not to have to change mattresses every night. He soon learned to love school and once stabilized he began to familiarize himself and love music until he turned professional.

• It is true that being second violin of the Symphonic Orchestra is not given to everyone.

• And yet the kid was a bum for the first six years of his life. And I only knew of its existence that day. You can imagine the road ahead for everyone. "

Sam looked at his feet again. He still had a small smile on his face, his eyes closed.

« Do you really really think I can do it ? "

Greg looked at his brother, still smiling.

« You were able to do more bullshit than I ever would have done in my life. It's the mark of those who can do it all when you think about it. You both have to learn from each other. You can both do it.

• But it won't be easy, right ?

• It never is. "

Greg stood up then, leaving his brother alone with his thoughts. Samuel stayed on the bed for a long moment, gazing downward. But that look was no longer that of a depressed. Just interrogative. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the open suitcase. With one hand, he pushed it and knocked it to the ground, leaving the clothes strewn about. He picked up his cell phone and opened the correct program. He looked at his digital return ticket. He slid his thumb over the edge of the screen, staring at the number button, bringing the skin of his thumb closer, pulling it out. Then putting it back on it.

A screen asked for a final confirmation. This time, he didn't hesitate and his thumb pressure cancelled his return flight and get his money back.

" Yes. I want to be worth it for you, Cody. »

-

The sunset lights now illuminated the old post house, giving a yellow-orange tint to the white walls and making the satellite dish fixed on the black tiles of the roof completely invisible.

In the house, the flat screen screened against the back wall, facing the French doors, diffused its bluish glow in silence as Cody, who was just in his tank top and shorts, busied himself with setting the table.

Samuel was isolated in the kitchen to finish preparing the meal. The boy was finishing putting the table for 4 people on the same side of the long table. Fred was busy closing the shutters, admiring in passing the deep blue of the sky which let appear the first stars. Having almost always lived in the city, he could only be amazed to finally see what looked like a sky without clouds and without stray lights, the public lighting of the large village being too far away and blocked by a grove of trees. He could hear the distant cries of the rare guard dogs, probably signaling an intruder, a falling leaf, or their desire to annoy the world. Greg was in a small room separate from the room, which he had converted into an office, busy solving various administrative problems.

Fred was less appreciative of the cool breeze coming from the mountains and he was hurrying to finish closing the last shutter when a movement caught his attention. From his position, he saw the gate that led to the road and saw the shadow that left the road, lit only by the still crescent moon and the last rays of the setting sun. A form that walked hesitantly, slowly, and stood for a moment at the gate that Fred would have to close to finish preparing the house for the night. He could hear rapid breathing and moans. Fred left the occupants to their tasks and walked over the gravel.

As he approached, he saw the shape become more precise despite the twilight and his tears were distinct. He recognized the voice from his sobs. Fred was appalled when he recognized Bixente standing in front of him, in his usual clothes.

" Oh my God... Bixente... What happened ? "

The boy didn't speak English, but that wasn't important. He walked over to the adult and once against him he completely let his tears come out. Fred stood next to him and led him home, a protective arm on his shoulder. He heard the boy moan in pain and sadness. Fred withdrew his arm. The boy was sobbing as he entered the house and Fred could only see the damage. The poor boy was bleeding. His eyes were wet with tears and his crying scared Cody when the latter arrived, recognizing the sound of his friend. He wanted to hug her, but he understood when he saw his condition that he was in too bad condition. This didn't stop the injured man from going to his friend, trying to find comfort in his arms, his pains preventing him from being too close, not wanting to add to his pain.

Samuel was finishing the preparations and Greg lifted his pen from the sheet when he sensed something was wrong. Both men saw at the same time and all were frightened to see the injuries.

Bixente was standing in the hallway, crying. He had the right side of his face damaged, some blood coming from his cut lips. He was holding his left arm in a sling and Greg could swear his forearm was broken. The left side of his body felt sore and he had no shoes on. This detail struck Greg. His right eye looked horribly swollen. Cody was screaming. He was pacing back and forth in the hallway. He wanted to hug Bixente, but he knew he would hurt him without doing it on purpose. Samuel didn't know what to do, how to react. Fred was in shock to see the boy with such injuries. Greg shook his head, trying to comfort the injured person as best he could.

« Bixente... mais que s'est-il passé ? »

" Bixente... But what happened ? "

Greg was asking a rhetorical question. The boy had been beaten. He knew it. More than twenty years on a rugby pitch had taught him what self-inflicted injuries looked like. He felt the anger slowly rising in him.

« Mina dut... Mina dut..."

Under the effect of pain, Bixente spoke in Basque, which no one understood. Here however the meaning was obvious, given the boy's expression of pain. Greg closed his eyes for a moment before taking a deep breath and opening them again.

" Fred. Gets the car keys. Samuel, you're going to stay here with Cody. "

Cody protested, Greg eyed him angrily.

" Do not discuss. We're taking him to the hospital now, you won't be able to enter. Don't worry, they'll take care of him. "

Greg's tone was enough to make his nephew listen to reason, adding the sweetness he needed to reassure him as a final touch. He took his phone and dialed the emergency number.

The trio were heading towards the car when Cody threw himself into his father's arms, in tears.

The car skidded a bit as it entered the hospital courtyard. It stopped under the porch from which came out two nurses with a stretcher on wheels. Greg got out of the car and helped the boy out. Slowly and firmly, the medics guided the bleeding and aching boy onto the stretcher and rolled him inside. The medical staff led the group but made the two men wait on benches near the entrance as the stretcher and its unwitting passenger disappeared behind closed doors. Fred and Greg were thus forced to wait, hoping to relax a bit.

Greg and Fred were still sitting waiting when two hours later the lemur appeared from the translucent glass sliding door. The young woman walked behind the counter without a word and began typing text into the computer. Tall, she still appeared to be erect, even when sitting in the chair, busy typing while searching and finding an aspirin on the counter. The two men got up and came to the news.

She was wearing a disposable blue outfit on her, her blonde hair too platinum to look natural held in a short bun, a plaque with Julia Makaya's name on the chest, a stethoscope around her neck.

« C'est vous qui avez amené ce pauvre garçon ?

« Did you bring this poor boy ?

- Oui, il est arrivé chez nous dans cet état. On a préféré l'emmener directement ici pour ne pas perdre de temps.

• Yes. he entered our house in this state. We preferred to bring it directly so as not to waste time. "

Fred didn't spoke French, he limited himself to trying to follow the conversation. Greg would translate the most important thing to him later. As usual.

« Vous connaissez son nom de famille ?

« Do you have his last name?

- Oui, c'est Mota.

• Yes. It's Mota. "

The staff being reduced after office hours, the doctor did most of the administration.

« Vous êtes de la famille ?

« Are you family ?

- Non. On le connait, c'est... »

• Not at all. However, we know him, he is... "

Greg hesitated.

« Un ami de mon neveu. »

" A friend of my nephew. "

Which was true after all. He didn't have to detail the depth of his relationship.

« Comment va t-il ? »

" How is he ? "

The doctor looked at the screen, shaking her head. She didn't like what she had just read, even though she suspected it. From time to time her fatigue made her rub the corners of her eyes with her fingers. Fred understood that his apparent detachment was due only to her fatigue.

« Le garçon va aussi bien que possible, ne vous en faites pas. Pour le sang, ce sont juste des coupures profondes et son oeil n'aura pas de problèmes par la suite malgré la fracture du plancher de l'orbite. Son avant bras est cassé aussi, ainsi que trois côtes. Nous allons le garder ici cette nuit et demain, les services sociaux s'occuperont de lui. Enfin, je l'espère cette fois. »

"The boy is doing as well as he can, don't worry. For the blood, it's just deep cuts and his eye won't have any problems afterwards despite the blowout fracture. His forearm is also broken, as well as three ribs. We will keep him here tonight and tomorrow social services will take care of him. Finally, I hope so this time. "

The "this time" made Greg's blood run cold.

« C'est déjà arrivé ? »

" It's already arrived ? "

The doctor nodded sadly.

« Oui. Je m'en suis doutée en voyant les traces et ses radios et son dossier est formel. Il est déjà venu ici trois fois pour des blessures multiples. »

" Yes. I suspected it when I saw the traces and his radios and his file is formal. He's been here three times for multiple injuries. "

Greg struggled to translate this to Fred, who clenched his fists in anger.

« A chaque fois, les parents ont donné une chute de vélo ou d'une hauteur comme raison mais je sais reconnaître des coups et blessures volontaires. Les services sociaux ont été avertis mais on dirait qu'ils n'ont rien fait. Je ne sais pas pourquoi. »

"Each time, the parents have given a fall from a bicycle or from a height as the reason, but I can recognize intentional assault and battery. Social services have been notified but it looks like they haven't done anything. I do not know why. "

Greg had both fists on the counter. He was trying to stay calm.

« Nous allons prévenir les parents et... »

"We are going to warn his parents and ..."

Greg screamed, trying to keep his cool.

« NON ! »

" NO ! "

Even the nurse passing by was surprised. A security guard, standing in a corner, jumped up and approached slowly. Greg looked at him and calmed down, gently resting his hands on the counter.

« Le gamin nous a parlé dans la voiture ! Ce sont eux qui l'ont frappé ! Qui l'ont mis dans cet état ! »

"The kid spoke to us in the car ! They are the ones who hit him ! Who put him in this state ! "

The doctor seemed to understand it. The vigil backed away.

« Je pense bien que c'est cela, monsieur. Mais je dois suivre les procédures. »

« I think that's it, sir. But I have to follow the procedures. "

What infuriated Greg was that he understood the doctor.

« Je sais bien cela... »

" I know it well... "

Greg growled.

« Mais avertissez aussi les flics. Et si les parents viennent, ne le laissez pas seul avec eux... »

"But also notify the cops. And if the parents come, don't leave him alone with them... "

Makaya understood this and agreed. Sadly agree.

« On peut faire quelque chose ?

« Can we still do something ?

- Laissez votre numéro de téléphone. La police voudra vous parler. »

• Leave me your coordinates. The police may want to question you. "

Greg did and left with Fred to whom he translated what he had not yet understood.

Midnight was about to strike when the two men returned to their home. Fred had taken it upon himself to notify Cody by phone. He was in tears in his bed when they returned. Greg was glad to see that Samuel was near him consoling him. He seemed to take his role of father seriously. When Cody finally managed to sleep, Samuel found his brother and his husband in the living room. It was now late in the night and Greg was pacing back and forth, fuming with rage. Fred seemed calmer, his arms crossed if you weren't looking at his face.

Greg looked at his brother and smiled at him.

" Sam, stay here. Fred, follow me please. "

It seemed like Greg had made a decision. He got back in the car and left the house again. Fred didn't ask him any questions, seeming satisfied with his husband's reaction.

« Are we going to do what I imagine ?

• Yes. That bothers you ?

• Not at all. "

Fred wore a sinister smile on his face. Greg liked to see this.

The car stopped gently in the pavilion street. Located almost at the other end of the village, the house looked very unimpressive from the outside. It was a housing estate like so many others, on one level. With its small garden in the front, its rather wild lawn, a few scattered toys. An old rusty basketball hoop hanging just above the garage door and a very cheap cinder block and white plastic fence. Visually, facing Greg's home, it was no match for it. It was in good condition, however, and living there safely was not difficult. A plastic gate marked the property line. Greg put his hand on the doorknob and stopped his movement, to look at Fred, who was behind him.

« Are you still following me ?

• I'm with you, Greg. In all.

• Thank you darling. "

Greg frankly opened the gate and knocked on the door with a firm fist. He stepped back and let Fred take his place. The door opened. Behind them the street was quiet, the public lights flooding the place with their orange glow. There was no one there this late hour, but neither Greg nor Fred cared anyway.

An adult, dressed sloppily, stood in front of them. The slender gray wolf obviously hadn't gotten out all day to wear the undershirt and shorts he was supposed to sleep in. He scratched the back of his thigh casually, a little sleepy. He must have been dozing in front of the TV.

« C'est pour quoi ? »

" What's up ? "

Greg spoke. His voice was neutral.

« Vous êtes Olivier Mota ? »

« Are you Olivier Mota ?

- Oui pourquoi ?

• Yes, why ? "

Greg didn't answer. He let Fred act.

Fred would later have liked to say he was smiling while doing this, but the truth is he sported a closed face. Only his eyes showed his deep anger and above all, his pleasure in what was to follow.

Without saying a word, Fred took his victim by surprise, acting quickly so that he didn't have time to defend himself. He cocked his right fist backwards and smacked the wolf's nose before he could shield himself. The latter staggered backwards but Fred held him back by his jersey. He picked him up and threw his knee into his testicles. Olivier bowed in pain and Fred hit him with a right hook that knocked him down. Fred leaned over and punched him in the face a third time. Olivier couldn't resist anymore, and he stayed on the ground, his face bleeding, moaning in pain.

Greg heard a cry coming from the kitchen and rushed into it. A woman was holding her phone and trying to dial a number. Greg grabbed the device and smashed it, throwing it to the ground. The interior of the house was sloppy, piles of papers crumbled on the table, dishes from several days dirty in the sink, multiple pairs of shoes on the floor by an open, empty storage cabinet. The tiled floor was stained with dried liquids and to be honest, the interior smelled rancid.

Greg was between the she-wolf and the door. She had no chance of getting out.

Greg's growls were loud and convincing enough that, at first, the woman remained with her back to the wall, not daring to move. Then she recovered and took a knife. Greg threw himself on her, disarmed her. The blade was on the ground when Greg grabbed her arm. He spun around, holding the hand trapped under his elbow, locking it with his other hand. He secured his grip and pushed firmly, breaking the wrist, without remorse. She cried out in pain, falling to the ground, holding hands and sobbing. Greg looked down at her, his face closed, his eyes fixed on her.

« Vous lui en avez cassé cinq... »

« You broke him five... "

His tone was firm and cold. The woman stayed on the ground, focused on her pain and her hand hanging now, looking incredulous.

After giving her a cold look, filled with anger and reproach, Greg left the she-wolf hurt and turned to Fred. The latter was standing, facing the adult who was painfully recovering on his elbow, on the ground, shortness of breath, moaning from his broken jaw. He looked at him with a neutral smile. He wasn't happy with himself, but he was happy he had done it anyway. Fred now felt his anger draining away and he felt no remorse, much to his satisfaction. He gave way to Greg, who crouched down, one fist on the ground, staring at the injured man.

« C'est autre chose que contre un gamin de 13 ans, pas vrai ? Ecoute moi bien, fumier. Je vais maintenant te donner des règles que toi et ta monstruosité de femme aller suivre. Pour commencer, tu ne le toucheras plus jamais, c'est compris ? Et à moins qu'il ne te parle en premier, tu ne lui parleras plus jamais. Et c'est valable pour ta conne de femme aussi. A chaque fois que tu le croiseras dans la rue, c'est toi qui changera de trottoir. Bixente est désormais sous MA protection. Il restera chez moi à partir de maintenant. »

« It's different from a 13 year old kid, right ? Listen to me, ass. I am now going to give you some rules that you and your monstrous wife will follow. For starters, you'll never touch him again, is that understood ? And unless he talks to you first, you'll never talk to him again. And that goes for your bitch too. Every time you meet him in the street, it is you who will cross the sidewalk. Bixente is now under MY protection. He will stay with me from now on. »

Greg glanced at Fred, who was sitting idly by. The father tried to stand up but a firm finger pointed at his chest dissuaded him from continuing.

« On ne se laissera plus jamais faire. Vous allez le comprendre un jour ? Nous ne raserons plus les murs. Plus jamais. On se protégera et on répliquera. Pour nous et ceux qui ne peuvent pas le faire. Des monstres comme vous ne devraient plus jamais pouvoir le revoir. Ce n'est pas de mon ressort. Mais on va faire comme si. »

"We will never let it go again. Are you going to figure that out one day ? We will no longer raze the walls. Never again. We will protect ourselves and we will fight back. For us and for those who cannot. Monsters like you should never be able to see him again. This is not of my resort. But we're going to pretend. "

Olivier had a hand on his broken muzzle, hoping he could ease his pain. His sweaty white undershirt was dotted with touches of red. It wasn't working, but he was still quite focused on the angry rott. The worst for Olivier was to hear him speak in an almost normal voice. It gave his words more impact.

« Quand la police viendra, vous pourrez leur dire la vérité. Que vous vous êtes disputés avec ta femme et que vous êtes tombés dans l'escalier ou un truc dans le genre. Quelque plaies et os brisés, ce n'est pas cela qui va vous tuer, pas vrai ? »

"When the police will come, you can tell them the truth. That you had a fight with your wife and fell down the stairs or something. Some wounds and broken bones, that's not what will kill you, right ? "

Greg's voice took on a sinister tone. The father could only give a short and shy "yes" with the head. Greg could also hear the moans of the woman coming from the kitchen. He was speaking loudly enough for her to understand too.

« Et ne pensez pas à faire les imbéciles, par exemple en amenant des « amis » à vous pour essayer de le récupérer. C'est clair ? Vous voyez cet homme ? C'est mon mari. Il a été soldat pendant un bon moment. Et vous savez ce qu'un soldat est parfois amené à faire. »

"And don't think of playing fools, like bringing 'friends' to you to try and get him back. It's clear ? Do you see this man ? He is my husband. He was a soldier for quite a while. And you know what a soldier has to do sometimes. "

Olivier could hardly speak, he just said "yes" with his head, gasping in pain. The hint was obvious and Olivier could see in Fred's gaze that yes, he was able to do it. Perhaps he had indeed done so. Greg seemed satisfied. He got up, and kicked the wounded wolf's stomach one last time, and he began to moan again, curled up on himself.

« C'est de la part de mon neveu, connard. »

« It's from my nephew, you bastard."

Fred left and Greg closed the door slamming it. The two men walked at a rapid pace, but without trying to run. There was no one outside when they left.

Behind the wheel, Greg's face calmed down a bit, breathing more calmly, his hands running slower and slower across the wheel.

« When I get home, remind me to call my lawyer. I will probably need him. "

Fred was smiling now, more relaxed, looking at his knuckles injured by the blows given, just scratched.

« Can he be mine too ? I will also need one I think...

• Don't you have one ?

• He specializes in business law, I don't think he will fit.

• It makes me think that mine is in sports law...

• Well, I imagine that he will know how to advise you someone anyway ... "

Greg smiled, started the engine and headed for the house.

---

The sun had recently risen, and the household was slowly waking up. Outside, the frost covered the ground with a white film announcing the first snows of the season. The sky was slowly lighting up, the rising sun obscured by a stubborn haze that covered the bare trees with a thin layer of frost. The heating was on full blast, filling the rooms with gentle warmth from the heated water. In the living room, the fireplace was still smoking from its blaze the night before. On the mantle, there was now a wooden frame which encircled between its boards the empty urns which had contained the ashes of the parents of Greg and Samuel. The table was still cluttered with the plates they had used the night before and the now empty glasses and bottles of their local liqueurs.

Sitting up in bed, smiling at the bear lying naked under the sheets snoring softly, the grizzled donkey now stood up, walking barefoot on the wooden floor, turning on the bathroom before positioning himself in front of the toilet for to evacuate there its liquid waste which cluttered him for a while. Letting his bladder empty slowly with a sigh, Francis took the opportunity to automatically scratch his buttocks before, relieved, to return to the bed where his one-eyed husband was waiting for his sitting, still half asleep.

" Slept well ?

• Not enough. I am in the midst of jet lag. I hope we don't do too tiring things today. It's Saturday today, right ? "

Dave smiled and confirmed it, getting up in turn, avoiding the barely unpacked suitcases littering the floor and going to the bathroom in turn. Francis took the opportunity to open the window then the shutters quickly so as not to shiver for too long under the effect of the biting cold. Dave felt it, causing his cock to retract a little.

" The weather has not improved since yesterday. They are really going to play in this weather you think ? "

Dave looked outside, Francis letting a hand hang over his bare buttocks.

" No doubt yes. Greg told me it was the last game before the winter break, a late one. I think they are used to it here.

• It's nice anyway to have invited us for the holidays. This will change from Florida for once. "

Dave smiled at his husband, wrinkling his long now brown scar that replaced his left eye.

" The scenery is great, but I still prefer the palm trees in Miami Beach.

• And his temperature... "

Dave responded to his husband's sarcastic smile with another before heading for the door, putting his hand on the doorknob and changing his mind, walking back to the bed to grab some underpants. Francis did without any clothing.

« Do you think it's wise to show yourself naked here ? There are teenagers, have you forgotten ? "

Francis ignored the advice of his former cop husband.

« Come on, this is nothing new for them, they are no longer kids and as they are both sportsmen, they are used to it. The same for Samuel.

• And then you still like it as much to show your ass to your ex, admit... "

Francis found it unnecessary to answer such an obvious question, emitting a slight chuckle as he left. The hallway was warm, he walked to the kitchen. His gaze was caught by the opening of a door. A gray lupine teenager poked his head briefly before shutting the door on him hastily, seeing a witness peering at him from the hallway. Francis having just had time to ask himself a few questions about his lack of clothing, entering the kitchen.

Fred was standing in front of the coffee maker, inhaling the first caffeinated fragrances that came from the machine. Greg, as dressed as his husband, was busy opening the shutters quickly, seeming to enjoy the tingling of the gel on his bare skin.

« Hey, did you sleep well ?

• I think. I hope Dave and I get resynchronized before leaving for the USA.

• It will be fine, it didn't took me a week to get back on time and you still stay a fortnight, right ?

• The advantage of being retired ! "

Fred began to take out the cups and bowls. Dave arrived in his turn, as dressed as the others, preceded by various sounds of hurried footsteps, of door closed quickly and of quick footsteps on the stairs.

" Hi guys.

• Hi Dave. "

Dave looked quickly down the hall.

" It's a wonderful house.

• Thank you. We will show you around after breakfast. You didn't have time to see anything because of your late arrival yesterday.

• It looks so tall. But don't you have enough rooms ?

• Why that ?

• Mind you, it's okay to see teens sharing one. I had to do it when I was on training course at the police academy. "

Fred and Greg looked at each other.

" A problem ? "

Everyone turned to Samuel who was entering the kitchen in turn. He was the only one with underpants and seemed to notice nothing about the others were wearing.

" No, Dave said. I was just saying that despite the size, you seem to run out of rooms. Your son shares his with his boyfriend, right ? I saw him come out naked. And Francis too. "

Samuel stood dumbfounded, his gaze blank at the guests. Fred rubbed his eyes with one hand, looking amused and full of compassion for Samuel. Greg shook his head, gazing upwards. Samuel answered in a somewhat cold voice.

« They each have their own room..."

Dave and Francis were starting to understand the situation, looking at each other, aware of having blundered.

« Oops, sorry ..."

Samuel shook his head, walking over to the fridge, trying to ignore the information received.

" Well. At least they won't do the bullshit I did at their age by making a kid... "

The common sense remark, made casually and fatalistically, drew a smile from the couples which they tried to hide. It was then up to the young people to make their appearance, Bixente trying not to meet the bear's gaze, and Cody trying not to look at his father. Both were, unlike the adults, dressed, no doubt hoping to go unnoticed and forget the previous minutes.

" Hey, already dressed, it's rare so early. "

Samuel put all the irony he was capable of in his voice. The boys then knew and tried to put on a good face.

" We want to... go for a run to warm up beforehand. The match is at 11... "

Cody was decidedly incapable of lying correctly. The adults had decided to believe them.

A car sound was then heard. From the open window, Greg saw a blue car with an unlit flashing light enter the yard and a few moments later a bull came out, bundled up in a large blue anorak with a horizontal yellow stripe across the chest. He placed a blue kepi on his head. Greg bit his lip, walking back to the living room to find some quick, minimal clothing. The gendarme knocked on the door and Greg opened it, making sure to steer him away from the kitchen full of naked men.

« Eh, capitaine, que venez vous faire ici ?

« Hey, Captain, what are you doing here ?"

• Bonjour Greg. La nuit a été bonne ?

• Hello Greg. Has the night been good ?

• Très bonne merci.

• Very good thank you.

• Vous avez de la visite ? »

• Do you have visitors ? "

Greg knew that the constable had seen the car rented by Dave and Francis. The teenagers took the opportunity to return to Cody's room.

« Oui, j'ai invité mon ex et son mari pour les vacances.

" Yes, I invited my ex and his husband for the holidays.

• Si j'avais fait la même chose avec mon ancienne femme, il y aurait déjà un cadavre dans ma maison. Ceci dit, j'ignore qui ce serait...

• If I had done the same with my former wife, there would already be a corpse in my house. That said, I don't know who it would be...

• Vous venez pour affaire ?

• Are you coming for business ?

• Oui. Je tenais à vous donner la nouvelle moi-même. Le procureur a décidé de classer l'affaire. »

• Yes. I wanted to give you the news myself. The prosecutor decided to close the case. "

Greg felt a great weight lift from his heart.

« Vraiment ? C'est génial.. Enfin...

" Really ? It's awesome.. Finally...

• Votre mari n'est pas là ?

• Is your husband here ?

• Il doit être en train de s'habiller.

• He must be getting dressed.

• Ce n'est pas grave, je suis occupé aujourd'hui, je ne peux pas rester longtemps. Je tenais à vous le dire moi-même. L'enquête est close et bien qu'il reste une multitude de questions dont j'aimerai connaître les réponses, l'histoire n'ira pas plus loin. »

• It's okay, I'm busy today, can't stay long. I wanted to tell you myself. The investigation is closed and although there are still a multitude of questions to which I would like to know the answers, the story will go no further. »

Greg is trying not to show too much contentment.

« C'est une bonne chose. Je veux dire. Je sais que c'était quelque chose de grave mais bon. Au final, personne n'en est mort, pas vrai ?

" This is a good thing. I want to say. I know it was something serious but then... In the end, no one died from it, right ?

• Vous avez raison. Et comment va Bixente au fait ?

• You are right. And how's Bixente anyway ?

• Il va bien. Vous voulez le voir ?

• He is fine. Do you want to see him ?

• Si je peux... »

• If I can... "

Greg turns around and calls the boy. It took only a few seconds to leave the room and approach.

« Bonjour Aintzindari..."

« Hello Aintzindari..."

Antonio smiles at the young Basque.

« Comment vas tu , txiki? »

« How are you doing, txiki? "

The boy shrugged.

« Cela va merci. Je n'ai plus mal depuis longtemps vous savez. Cela va bien. »

"That's okay thank you. I haven't been in pain for a long time you know. This is going well. "

The captain smiles. He felt the sincerity of the teenager's answers. The latter showed his muscles a little and moved his bruised arm in all directions to support his claims. If his physical wounds had healed a long time ago, there remained the psychological consequences. But he could see it. Living with Greg, his husband and especially his boyfriend made him feel good. The boy will be fine.

« Je suis content de te l'entendre dire. »

« Glad to hear you say that. "

The captain made him understand with a gesture that he could leave. He returned his attention to Greg who seemed to be making sure of the well-being of the boy who was returning to Cody's room.

« Je suis optimiste à son sujet, malgré tout ce qui lui est arrivé.

" I'm optimistic about him, despite everything that has happened to him.

• J'en suis convaincu. Vous faites bien attention à lui. Il se remettra de tout cela.

• I'm convinced. You pay attention to him. He will recover from all of this.

• Je l'espère bien. Je sais que vous tenez à ce gosse aussi. Vous en êtes proche, pas vrai ?

• I hope so. I know you care about this kid too. You're close to him, aren't you ?

• D'une certaine façon, oui. Son père et moi nous étions des amis d'enfance. On a grandi ensemble mais plus le temps passait, et plus on s'éloignait. J'imagine que je retrouve en Bixente mon ancien ami.

• In a way, yes. His father and I were childhood friends. We grew up together, but the more time went by, the more we part ways. I think that I find my old friend in Bixente.

• Sans doute oui. Je ne peux que vous remercier aussi.

• No doubt yes. I can only thank you too.

• Pourquoi ?

• Why ?

• Pour être intervenu auprès des services sociaux. »

• For having intervened with social services. "

With a gesture, the gendarme pushed aside Greg's thanks.

« Ce n'était rien. Je connais bien le directeur départemental de par mes fonctions. Et je sais aussi à quel point il n'aime pas faire de vagues. C'est mauvais pour la carrière d'un fonctionnaire qui a de l'ambition, vous savez. »

" It was nothing. I know the departmental director well by virtue of my functions. And I also know how much he doesn't like to make waves. It's bad for the career of a public servant with ambition, you know. "

Greg smiles. It reminded him of things, yes.

« Ici aussi, on dirait que l'on sait faire au mieux avec les règlements, pas vrai ? »

« Here too, it looks like we know how to do the best with the rules, right ? "

The gendarme looked around automatically, wanting to be sure his answer wouldn't hurt him later.

« Ne le répétez pas surtout. Mais parfois, il faut savoir regarder de l'autre coté. »

"Don't repeat it especially. But sometimes you have to know how to look the other way. "

Greg agreed.

« Je sais ce que c'est. J'ai joué au rugby. J'ai appris à respecter les règles et à savoir aussi quand l'arbitre regardait ailleurs pour nous lasser régler nos propres problèmes. Et savoir comment ne pas en abuser. »

" I know what it is. I played rugby. I learned to play by the rules and also know when the ref was looking elsewhere to get bored with our own problems. And know how not to abuse it too. "

The policeman's smile widened. Greg understood that he knew what he was talking about.

« Nous n'aimons pas quand cela arrive ici. C'est bien normal. Mais tant que la justice y trouve son compte, je ne vois pas de mal à ne pas interférer dans ce genre d'affaire. J'ai trop peu d'hommes après tout pour pouvoir faire mon travail de façon efficace autrement. Tant que la justice y gagne... Et puis les Muto devaient s'attendre un jour à ce que cela leur retombe dessus d'une façon ou d'une autre. Quitte à tomber d'un escalier d'une maison sans étage... »

"We don't like it when it happens here. This is quite normal. But as long as justice do well at that, I see no harm in not interfering in this kind of case. I have too few men after all to be able to do my job effectively any other way. As long as justice wins... And then the Muto had to expect it to fall on them one way or another. Even if it means falling from a staircase in a single-story house... "

The gendarme put his cap back on the spot, a smirk, signaling his imminent departure. Greg greeted him, grateful, before returning to the kitchen where the guests were finishing their breakfast. He approached Fred who inquired about the matter.

" Hey, there's nothing to worry about now. "

Fred seemed delighted and relieved. Francis understood that Greg was still stuck in an unclear story and Dave guessed it, nevertheless vowing not to interfere in what did not concern him. Time was passing and everyone had to start preparing. As he came out, warmly dressed, Greg looked at his father's cane hanging on the wall. He took it in hand, stroked the carved wood in the shape of a penis, a smile on his lips, then he took a few steps with it. Fred looked at him, a little worried.

" A problem ?

• No, my muscles are just a little stiff this morning, I'm going to take it today. "

Francis was finishing dressing too. His

« Another excuse to touch a cock..."

made everyone laugh or smile, even Samuel. The only heterosexual in the group, he had to admit that he struggled with his brother's humor and sometimes displayed his dismay at having a brother with such gritty humor. But extremely in the minority in the house, he could not say anything. And anyway, he really didn't care.

The cold didn't seem to be so biting anymore. The sun had managed to pierce and then disperse the white veil that froze the landscape two hours earlier. The group of marchers came slowly back from the small municipal stadium, face and feet frozen, hands in pockets, bodies covered in thick coats. Except for the two youngsters, who advanced at a faster pace, the sports bags on the shoulders, the sore and marked faces, the stiff joints, the bodies still sweaty from their recently ended match, the jackets open despite adult warnings. Cody was smiling, walking next to Bixente. The latter tried to hold his hand but Cody had fun avoiding the fast fingers to make the gesture more difficult. Bixente ends up releasing his usual

" Gorroto zaitut ! "

who this time was happy.

The sentence reached Francis, who questioned Greg.

" What did he say ?

• It's Basque. Something like « big jerk ". Well, I think... "

Bixente did eventually win though and was holding Cody's hand, smiling at each other. Behind, Greg and Fred were smiling at each other, Samuel had a tender look on his son and his lover. Francis and Dave, them, noticed at the intersection of the street an individual perched on a stepladder. The elderly Doberman was wearing overalls under a coat and was busy unscrewing the street sign on his pole. The boys ignored him and continued towards the house. Greg and the others stopped to look at the worker who looked back at them, continuing to work.

« Bonjour... Eh, vous faites quoi ? »

"Hello... Hey, what are you doing ? "

The worker showed the group the blue enameled metal plaque after returning the salute.

« Eh, je change la plaque. Le conseil municipal a voté le changement du nom de la rue et je met le nouveau nom pour l'inauguration de demain. »

"Hey, I'm changing the plate. The city council voted the change of the street's name and I put the new name for tomorrow's inauguration. "

Greg moved to try to see the new name. He knew that what was the

« Chemin des Vignes »

« Wineyard's way »

was going to change its name but he ignored the new one. Dave and Francis tried to follow the conversation in French. Greg would have to translate it for them later. As usual.

Fred looked at the new name. It was always a path. The name gave him and Greg a smile.

« Chemin de Fred ? »

« Fred's way ? "

The worker nodded, finishing tightening the new bolts.

« Oui. »

" Yes. "

He grabbed it and waved it, to make sure it was secure before getting off the stepladder, which he began to fold up.

« J'étais au conseil. C'était le surnom d'un réfugié espagnol de la dernière guerre. »

" I was on the board. It was the nickname of a Spanish refugee from the last war. "

The worker looked at the plate, a slight sad smile on his face.

« Personne ne se souvient plus de son vrai nom. On sait juste que les anciens l'appelaient comme cela. Je crois qu'il avait fui son pays après la guerre civile. Le pauvre gars a été fusillé à la fin de la guerre, ce surnom est tout ce que l'on sait de lui désormais. »

"No one remembers his real name anymore. We just know that the ancients called him that way. I believe he fled his country after the civil war. The poor guy was shot at the end of the war, that nickname is all we know about him now. "

Greg's smile was tinged with bitterness that spread when he translated the thing to his friends. A light cold wind then finished clearing the hill at the top of which Ed and Mark had seen their ashes scattered. Greg pulled the rest of the group over.

" We still have a moment to go before we eat. You follow me ? The view is magnificent and it is emerging. "

The group looked at the clearing summit and they made their way there except for Samuel who returned to prepare the meal.

In the house, the young Bixente saw that the adults passed the level of the portal to continue on the path. Then he focused his attention on Cody, sitting at his desk, tapping the keys on his keyboard to write some text. Bixente knew Cody kept a diary. He moved behind his seated friend, his arms around his neck, smiling as he kissed him on the lips, a kiss delivered with sincerity by his young friend.

At the top, as promised, the view was clear. Dave and Francis enjoyed the white curls that the light wind broke, allowing the sun to dissolve them more quickly. Fred knew the scenery by heart now, and he was concentrating on his husband.

" It is no longer.

• It isn't anymore, what ?

• When they baptized this street, this path with this name. I couldn't help but draw a parallel between this road and a life. Despite the name, this street is not mine, and this life is no longer ours.

• Really ?

• Look at us, Greg. We're getting old. We still have many years ahead of us, even decades, I hope anyway. But this life, this road, is no longer ours. It's not even Sam's or Luke's anymore. It's Cody's now. Bixente, too.

• It is true. We are closer to the end of our lives now. And they're still close to the start. Not to mention Eddy and Marcus'. "

Greg faced Fred, as Francis and Dave showed each other the remarkable mountains he discovered in the distance.

" I envy them, these young people. With all that we have lived and that they will probably not know. Everything we have done for them.

• We're not dead yet, Fred. And our children are grown up. But it's true, we will no longer be in the foreground. Our role now will be to watch over our grandchildren. It's up to them to walk this road. We will be by their side, to ensure that they do not fall.

• And if that happens anyway, we'll be ready to help them get up.

• Even after we die. I am convinced of it now. Mark and Ed have shown us the way. They are still with us. They built us. Maybe not our bodies, but our minds. Our way of thinking, in part. I see what you mean, Fred. And I agree with you. We will always be with them, even when we'll be no longer there. More than blood. More than the flesh. What survives us are the values we pass on.

• This is true immortality. "

Greg moved to Fred's side, a hand around his waist.

" I wouldn't like to be immortal without you.

• Eternity without you has no value in my eyes. For me, Paradise will be the place where you will be. "

Fred and Greg were facing each other again. They smiled at each other, then they kissed.

" And for me, Hell will be the place where you won't be. »

Cody turned his head to look at Bixente. He had started to keep his journal the day he arrived, to let go of his pain and frustration at not being able to help him like his fathers had. To his surprise, he had continued to hold it almost daily. He still had to finish cleaning up his morning notes.

Bixente would thus have every chance of building a normal life in his company, that of his father and his family. A simple life. It was everything Cody hoped for, too. And that's what he wrote before saving the text.

Cody was about to shut down his computer. Bixente released his embrace to concentrate on the rest of his day. But his gaze was caught by the name of the file that contained his diary. From the time he was writing it, he still hadn't named it correctly. Cody felt it was time to do it. He gently tapped the screen and the name "new folder" lit up blue. Cody thought for a few moments, a finger to his mouth, then gave him the best possible name he thought he could.

Cody validated the change. He was satisfied with the result.

He looked at the new name and then left the computer without turning it off, leaving the bedroom to accompany Bixente to his next activity. Cody was smiling at him, following him into the house. In life.

The computer finished recording the change and displayed the new full name in the now empty chamber.

A simple story.

The End.

A SIMPLE STORY III

According to a Caesarcub fiction.

Greg «Gruff» Miller, Fred and FJ belongs to him.

With (alphabetically) :

Franck Bell

Dave Bruback

Cody Delacroix

Eugène Delacroix

Samuel Delacroix

Andrew Findell

Beltran Garcia

Francine Holmes

Théo Ionescu

Daisy Kaplan

Frederick Kaplan

John Kaplan

Andréa Lopez

Olivier Muto

Bixente Muto

Rusty Maxwell

Cathy Miller

Gregory Miller

Jessie Miller

Luke Miller

Mark Miller

Reese Norman

Francis-John Redhorn

Marty Redhorn

Joshua Silverston

Jimmy Stewart

Karl Swift

Lewis Vincent

Richard Vincent

Irène Winther

Technical team :

Costume Designer : Kyle "faggot" O'Brian

stunt coordinator : Piotr "lazy" Geoges

Chief editor : Ed "cutting hands" Hamilton

Director of 2nd team : Morris "Unusual" Sank

Sound Editor : Erwin "deaf" Morris

Supervisor Special Effects : Steven "Unemployed" Spielberg

visual effects supervisor : Cody "Daddy's Son" Spielberg

Production Designer : Chris "fruity" Jones

Production Manager : Amelia "moneymaker" Heart

Production Manager : Diana "copyright" Prince

Dresser : Frieda "illegal" Alvarez

makeup artist : Pamela "sister" Alvarez

Composer : Hans «namestoler " Simmer

Written by : Mmarvinleatherbear

---

Scratching his head, the bear slowed down as his alfa had just taken the cross lane that brought him home. The ground was strewn with fallen leaves as the trees slowly stripped themselves under the effect of the light and still warm wind of this mid-autumn. Their red colors were revived by the setting sun barely hampered by dark clouds that spread over the orange sky. Ed watched without smiling but with relief the sight of Mark's blue pickup in his line of sight. He drove slowly to give the children playing on the road and the sidewalk time to realize his arrival and give him room to turn and park in his driveway. He cut the engine and climbed down, stretching his arms and back, giving a short wave to greet the children who said hello to him. From the back seat he picked up a canvas bag full of dirty blue blouses to wash. Ed had locked his large, muscular body in a green polo shirt and dark brown pants.

Mark was standing by the sink. He had just come home from his job and Ed hadn't come back from his yet. For two years he had known him, he had been aware of his habits. He knew he was going to arrive soon. He gazed nervously around the living room, trying to determine if it was tidy enough or not. He tried in vain to do something while awaiting the arrival of his lover. The meat for the evening was waiting in the fridge and it was better for everyone that Ed took care of it, and he was restraining himself not to open the fridge an umpteenth time. He had everything well prepared, there was no need to go back and check everything again. He was wearing a black tracksuit edged in red. He looked at himself in the mirror near the entrance. Maybe it was better to put on more elegant clothes ?

Mark imagined himself in the most appropriate clothes, but he didn't want to look too stuffy either. He didn't really like formalities, but perhaps the seriousness of the matter required an exception. It was too late anyway. Mark turned his head, hearing the sound of the car pulling up. He returned to the kitchen and opened the fridge, picking up and opening a can of beer, half of which he nervously drank before putting it back on the table. He just had time to be careful not to take the wrong one.

Mark waited, fingers entwined nervously, buttocks against the countertop, trying to calm himself down. The door opened, followed by a long sigh of relief and the sound of a fabric bag being thrown on the leather sofa. Ed wore a tense, tired face.

Sign of a tyring day in the hospital.

« Did the day go well ?"

Mark's voice was unusually strained. Ed didn't seem to notice it.

« Hi, Mark. Hope you are kidding... It's still one of those days when I wonder what I came to do here.

• Was it that difficult ? "

Mark nervously held a tea towel in his hands, he looked at the sink, noticing the dishes finishing drying and taking care to finish with them.

" Moreover. This job will drive me crazy, I think.

• Do you want to drink something to relax ?

• I'm not against a beer, yes. "

Mark opened the refrigerator door and took out the can while Ed went to sit on a chair in the kitchen. He put the beer in front of him. Ed was talking to him and watching him as his finger slid over the opening ring, body hunched over the table. Mark didn't seem to take his eyes off the beer, feeling his heart beat faster.

" It's the kind of day that makes me regret choosing this job. Nothing was right. Everyone was yelling at us. We weren't going fast enough, we weren't doing the right things in the right order, and we weren't licking surgeons' buttocks well enough for their tastes. Of course, patients were also not satisfied with our services. You are lucky not to do this crazy job.

• You know, taking care of dozens of kids who are more focused on the next Saturday to come and on their means to do the neighbor's daughter, it's not relaxing either. "

Ed sneered.

« With what you tell me, I'm very happy not to have children ! It's a real blessing for me to be queer ! No risk of having kids ! "

Ed slipped his finger into the ring without looking and pulled it towards him. He felt not the can open but the ring come loose. He was hanging down, slipped at the end of his index finger.

" And I broke the opening ring. Can you give me another one please ? "

Mark didn't move. He was looking at Ed. Well, more specifically at the beer. Ed wondered what could going on.

Ed didn't understand why Mark wasn't moving. Nor why he was looking at him that way. He let his hand touch the table. He realized that the opening ring was still on his finger, hearing the sound of metal against wood. Ed realized then that the ring felt very heavy. At first glance, however, it was a very ordinary aluminum ring. But it seemed to him... No, it was thicker.

Ed's gaze slid over the can and he saw the opening ring intact on the still closed can. Mark still wasn't reacting.

He looked at the ring on his finger again, slid it across the table and picked it up in the palm, and his eyes filled with disbelief. The ring was not stamped aluminum, but silver. Brushed silver, perfectly machined and round, with fine aesthetic stripes. Ed didn't understand what it was. He looked once more at Mark whose eyes never left his. His mouth was parted, his gaze seemed blank and questioning.

He then felt a great emptiness take place in him. A void that sucked in his sensations, leaving a feeling of dizziness that filled his mind. He was looking at Mark, unable to speak despite his strong will to do so. Despite his intense need, the surprise was too great. He couldn't take his gaze from Mark's eyes anymore. He felt himself going back two years or so, when he had met the man for the first time in his life. Without realizing it, he walked around the table, his eyes still on Mark. He couldn't move anymore, and didn't react to Ed's approach who was now standing in front of him.

Ed looked at the ring again. His eyes returned to Mark. He was unable to keep his eyes from crying. He could only utter a single word, accompanied by a short, discreet nod of his head.

" Yes... "

A word almost inaudible.

Mark couldn't say anything more. There was nothing he could do except start to cry heavily in his turn, hugging the man who was now the man of his life.

Ended December 30, 2020.

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