The Love they Shared Part 9
#9 of The Love they Shared
Hey guys, here is the next chapter. I have some great ideas for the next up coming chapters so stay tuned for more, cas it gets really good. There is also a change of pace (You'll see what I mean). ALSO, to help keep peoples interest, I made the chapters a bit shorter by breaking them up a bit, so that you wont have to read a twenty page chapter in one sitting. Please enjoy :)
The Love They Shared part 9
Sometime in early June...
The husky saw the frail looking German Shepard make his way across the café to a vacant table in the far right corner. An unnerved frown came across the husky's brow. The German Shepard's lips were bleeding along with his nose. His black T-shirt was stretched out around the collar showing matted clumps of fur. His normally short hair had grown in length, the black locks drooping down in his face slightly. His frame had diminished his built wiry frame now a skeleton of a tormented canine. Frank watched him slowly lift his head and make eye contact. His brown glowing eyes were now dull and tired. He just looked back down at his food and continued to eat in silence.
"Aaron, it's been six months and he is still getting beat. I think this might be going a bit too far."
For once, Aaron had a sad look on his face.
"He may still be a jerk, but the fact that they are still hurting him...It's starting to bother me as well. I don't understand how he takes that abuse. It's from his friends too out of all people."
Frank frowned.
"I know, he looks so broken now...maybe we should do something, you know. Speak to the others, before something bad happens."
Aaron shook his head. "That seems like a bad idea. Asking them not to beat up the guy who lied to the school would cause problems for us. I think its better if we stayed out of his business from now on."
Frank knew Aaron was right, he hated that he was right, but he knew he was. He just sadly nodded his head in agreement. Frank stood up and through away his trash before exiting the room.
"Later hun..."
After school that day
"Do you honestly think he deserves forgiveness?"
Frank had a troubled look on his muzzle.
"I don't know, what he did was...cruel. And very selfish. He did something that almost forced us apart. It's so hard to just forgive all that, but I mean, he was our friend right?"
Aaron let out a light chuckle.
"Yeah some friend. Well, at least everyone realized that we are not to be screwed with. After that party, everyone left us alone because he became public enemy number one. We should thank him for that."
Frank sat up on the sofa in the middle of his living room.
"That's true, but I have seen how he's progressed over these months. He's been getting hounded for what he did non stop, if that was me...I just don't know how long I could take the constant torture."
Frank knew that Aaron probably was not feeling too sorry for CJ, after all he kind of did try and destroy their relationship, but they had been good friends. He was just not sure how Aaron was feeling inside. Aaron had become very quiet all the sudden, with very distant look on his brow.
"What's wrong hun?"
Aaron gave him a frowning look.
"I've been thinking."
"About CJ?"
"No... Frank, it's almost the end of the year Frank...and we have to leave for college..."
Frank let out a small sigh. He knew this conversation had been coming. He just didn't want to face it.
"Aaron, I love you and I always will. We can make it work. I know the distance is long, but you and me...we can visit, we can video chat, we can call each other. There are still so many ways to be together. And don't forget that it's only temporary."
Aaron looked at Frank with a worried look. Frank knew that communication wasn't what was bothering him.
"Frank...when you're around, I...I feel more alive than I have ever felt. You help me remain in control of my life and you're always there to keep my best interest at heart. I'm afraid...afraid of relapsing back to my old self, back to when I had to hurt others to keep sane."
Frank could feel a powerful sensation building up in his chest and he didn't like it.
"Aaron. I can talk to you, we can keep in contact. If you ever have a problem with anything. You can always call me babe. You don't ever have to feel alone."
Aaron reached his arm around Frank's back and pulled him into a warm, loving embrace. Frank was melting in his arms.
"It's this right here that I'm afraid of losing."
Frank could see the tears starting to form in his eyes and he could feel Aaron's on his cheek. They just huddled up for now, trying to think about the time they had left rather then when they had to part. It was not permanent, but Frank knew Aaron was right. He would really miss being held.
June 5, The night before graduation
Frank sat slumped up against a large black sofa in a small house on the other side of town. The alcohol was making his head spin, but for once in a long time, he was happy. He had made a new friend, Kevin. The stag from the party decided to throw his own little private party at his house for graduation. Frank knew that no one in the school was too keen on having a huge out of school party after the New Years incident. A lot of kids got DUI's and Jeff's house was wrecked, leading to a lot of fines for property damage, noise violations, and a lot of groundings. Kevin could not recall most of the night, but he did remember the balls that Frank and Aaron had and he respected that. Since then, he's been hanging out with Frank and Aaron more often. Frank didn't realize how much fun Kevin could be. They would hang out and to both Aaron and Frank's surprise; Kevin's friends were cool with them being gay. Tonight was no different, and the small group sat around talking about the next day. That is the only reason Frank was drinking tonight. Normally he wouldn't do something like that, but tomorrow was their graduation. It was going to be the finial end to a long and tiring school year. Frank was definitely ready for it.
"So Frank, you ready to walk tomorrow?"
Frank snapped out of his day dream to answer the stag's question. He gave out a stifled laugh.
"Hell yeah man. I can't wait to be done with school."
Kev raised his glass of some green liquid mixture.
"Hey...cheers to the end of the school year."
Before they could say any more, there was a sharp knock on the front door.
"Door's open!" Hollered the stag.
The door sung ajar revealing a lion wearing a gray V-neck t-shirt and some brown shorts, looking hot as ever.
"Hey there handsome. Welcome to the party."
He quickly vaulted over the couch with minimal effort and landed beside his boyfriend.
"Hey hun enjoying Kev's company?" He shot a wink at Kevin who silently laughed in return.
"Yeah, we were just about to have a toast." The husky proclaimed semi-drunkenly.
Aaron smiled at the husky. He was so cute when he was buzzed.
"I almost missed the toast, to...?"
"To the end of being in that prison." Kevin chimed in. With that said, he hurried over to the kitchen to get so champagne for the newest member at the party.
"Guess what Frank?"
Frank could tell by the look in Aaron's eyes that there was some he was dying to say. He was almost never this excited.
"What's up?"
"I told my mom!"
Franks eyes became wide with astonishment. He didn't even need to ask what he said. He knew what Aaron meant.
"What did she say?"
That hardly seen huge grin had appeared across his face once again, displaying his pearly white teeth.
"She was ok with it!" He was overjoyed.
"Just like that, no reaction accept that she accepted you?" Frank was almost positive she didn't just say "ok".
"Ok, maybe at first she was a little shocked, but then she was ok after I explained."
Frank was dumfounded on how he still told her.
"How did you explain?"
Aaron still had that smirk on his muzzle.
"I just told her the real reason. I told her that I loved you and that I told her because I love her and felt that she needed to know."
Those last words really sank into Frank deep. Frank could already feel the guilt in his stomach. He wanted to tell his dad but could never find the right words. I think I just found them.
Frank smiled wide and gave his boyfriend a big hug of congrats. It was just in time too, because Kevin had reentered the room with the champagne.
"Here you go...hey!" He was clearly drunk, again. "Hey lets have the toast! He cleared his throat. "To the graduation of High school. Fuck you school, were glad to get rid of you twat!"
There were multiple glass clings and laughter and talking. Frank knew Kev had a big mouth when he was drunk, but he joined in with him anyway. Tomorrow was graduation and nothing was going to change that. Frank let out a sigh of relief and cuddled close to his boyfriend in celebration.
June 6th Graduation day
The school auditorium was filled from front to back with people. And there was a lot of people here today. The gowns were blue, the hats scrunched tightly to your head, the parents were emotional wrecks, yeah it was a pretty standard graduation or so Frank thought. The Valedictorian, a high pitch voiced female otter gave her speech followed by the principal, superintendent and the rest. Standing there waiting to get your diploma is a very mundane and boring task. Frank gave a look of complete boredom towards Aaron who only gave a silent chuckle in return. Soon their names are called one at a time. Frank can feel his heart rate quicken as his name is called out. As he makes his way to the stage, his heart stops pounding. It's odd, but he could feel the nervousness melt away as he grasped the diploma, smiled at his parents, shook hands with the schools head members and walked off stage. Aaron follows in the same fashion; he was clearly excited to be leaving because he almost fell going up the steps. The real interesting part of graduation was when CJ was called up. He moved quickly, getting right on stage, quickly shaking hands and bolting off in a matter of a minute and a half. The look on his face was the opposite of how it should have looked. It was a depressed and sad look, but it looked panicked, like something was out to kill him. As Frank looked around he noticed that CJ's parents were not in the crowd, only his old sister Jessie was there. As he clambered down the stairs, he made a sharp left and cut out through the emergency exit before anyone could even question his motives. His sister was not far behind.
Later that Night...
"Hey dad, mom can I speak to you guys for a minute?"
Today was very long for Frank and he knew that it was going to become even longer once he began the next few sentences.
"What is it Frank?" Both parents spoke in unison.
Frank shot his mom a look, a look that just told everything he was going to say in the next few minutes. A look of a thousand words. Her motherly intuition picked up on it right away, causing her to stifle out a quiet "Oh..." She took a seat on the couch next to her husband, giving a nod of approval towards her nervous looking son.
Frank let out a big sigh. Here goes everything.
" Dad, I love you and I feel it would be pretty hurtful of me to keep something about me from you. I feel that you should know because I do not want to lie to you anymore."
Frank could feel tears trying to escape from his eyes, but not this time. This time he was going to hold the stiffest upper lip he could.
"What are you talking about Frank?"
"What I mean to say dad is that I...I'm gay and Aaron is my boyfriend."
Mr. Decanis let his throat squeeze and create a hard swallow, his brow crinkled in thought, processing what he just heard. He let out a slow and steady breath as if getting ready for a test or something. There was a long awkward silence that built up the tension in the air. Frank became worried when his father had yet to respond.
"Dad's...are you ok?"
Frank dad spoke as soon as he was addressed.
"Are you sure son? Is this what you really want?"
Already, Frank was having a hard time processing what was going on. He was almost positive that his dad was going to freak out, but this was not what he expected. His dad seemed sad, but more confused than anything. He swallowed quite loudly before speaking.
"Yes dad, I'm certain. I love Aaron and he loves me and I hope you can understand that. It's more than just love, it's a bond, we...we have a bond that's unbreakable."
Mr. Decanis put his paws on his knees, his wife, was anxiously biting her bottom lip next to him.
Mr. Decanis spoke in a cool and even tone which came to Frank's surprised. He was a really reserved person to be taking this news so well.
"Well I can't say that I would have expected this out of you son, but I kind of had a clue. The way you two look at each other...I was either thinking really strangely or there was something else going on between you two. Something that was on a "Closer than friends basis."
Frank could feel the color leaving his skin under his fur. He felt cold and afraid of what was coming next.
"All though most people on my side of our family would not approve of you being...gay, I don't want to be the father that you hate for the rest of your live because I was too stubborn to accept you..." He stood up and pulled Frank off the couch and onto his hind paws. "... And you are still YOU and nothing has changed. Am I right?"
Frank didn't know what to say or do; this was not at all what he expected. He could feel his emotions taking their hold on him, making him feel all of the feelings he was holding inside. He did what he could do and that was to embrace his father. He pulled the older husky into a tight hug. Frank felt the tears escalating down his muzzle, but he didn't care.
"Yeah Dad, I think you couldn't have put that any better."
Frank slowly after a minute or so let go of his Dad and sat back down on the couch. Everything that Frank was terrified of melted away in his father's arms. Coming out, Frank thought, was going to be his hardest challenge. He was afraid of facing his Dad, but now...now he felt like a large weight had been lifted off his chest. He had not felt this happy since he first met Aaron.
Around 11pm that night...
"So, how did I do Clair? You sure do have a way with words..."
"Lucas...you did great..."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Frank woke up the next morning with a smile on his face. Not long after he told his dad, he IM'd Aaron and told him everything. Life seemed to be looking up for Frank. Everything had fallen into place for him. As he scooted out of bed and down stairs to grab some breakfast, he noticed a piece of paper wedge under his front door. Curious, he opened the door and snatched up the large letter that was under the door. As he examined the letter, he was even more curious. There was no Name, no address, just the words, TO: FRANK neatly written on the front of the letter. The note itself was written on a single piece of computer paper. Frank read the note quietly to himself, before dropping it onto the table and rushing to the phone.
"Hello?"
"Aaron, I just got some news, can I come over."
"Now? It's like 10am."
"Please, its important."
Frank knew Aaron could hear the worry in his voice.
"... Ok sure."
It was not more than a couple minutes before Aaron heard banging at his front door. He quickly shifted out of bed and hurried down the stairs. He opened the door with a look of discontent.
"What's eating at you babe?"
Frank could tell he just woke and was quite grumpy, but he would just have to suck it up.
"I found this under my front door."
Aaron took the slip of paper from Frank's paw with an inquisitive look.
"Read it."
Dear Frank,
_ I know that as soon as you read this letter you're going to go tell your boyfriend, so this is addressed to both of you, but mainly you Frank. I know I'm the last person you ever want to see but I just want to say...I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I know that no matter how many times I say it, it will never be enough to reverse the pain that I put you through. I just feel that...everybody has a chance to begin again, even if what they did seems unforgivable. Back in December I applied to the University of Phoenix out in Arizona, just as a school that was on my list. Now I see that, it's my only way out. By the time you have gotten this message, I have already stolen the money I needed from my parents bank accounts. The grief that they caused me... this is payback. My sister helped me escape via train. I'm going to get there and start again in a place that no one knows me for what I've done. I...I hope you and Aaron enjoy living with each other. You make a...happy couple._
See ya...
-CJ
"Wow... there's tear stains all over this..." Aaron's voice shook.
"He's finally gone... I would have never thought..."
Aaron stopped him.
"Frank...are you ok?"
Frank now realized that a small tear had made its way down his cheek. He lifted a steady paw towards it and wiped it in surprise.
"I...I guess it just finally hit home...losing a friend."
There was some quiet tension between them.
"Aaron, he was my first real friend that I had, now that he's gone... even after what he did...it still hurts to see him go."
More tears had started to rain down his cheeks, and Frank could feel his body shaking. Aaron remained silent for the next few minutes with a sad look in his eyes. Just as Frank was about to turn around and leave Aaron spoke; his voice hoarse and dry.
"Wait Frank...over the amount of time I've known both you I really did like him. I really did. I feel bad about him running off, but... I think it's for the best."
Frank gave an offended look. Why the hell would he say that? After everything they had been through.
"Don't look at me that way just listen. Here in this area, everyone he knows and loves hates his guts. To have him stay in the area, he would never have a life away for what he did. He was right. Everyone needs a second chance to start a new. I think...we should stop hating him what he did, and just hope that he has a fresh start...and a better life."
Frank was stunned by what Aaron had said. Frank thought that Aaron hated CJ with a passion, that he would be overjoyed that he was gone. This was...different. Now he saw the true side of Aaron, the side that he loved. It was the one he had fallen in love with last year.
"I...I love you Aaron."
Frank united their muzzles before Aaron could respond. Their kiss was a lavish, passionate one. Frank wanted Aaron to stay like this forever, he wanted to be with Aaron forever.
Aaron pulled them apart. "That was unexpected, but...it was so nice."
Frank smiled at his lover with glee in his face.
"'I'm glad you liked it."
He gave a small chuckle, "I love you too babe, now do you want to eat breakfast or stand in the entryway all day?"
Frank gave a small giggle and a nod. As they began to walk into the kitchen, Frank decided he had to make sure of one thing, one thing he's been thinking about since hearing Aaron's thoughts on CJ.
"Aaron?"
"Yeah hun?"
"Do you think...well be together forever?"
Aaron knew that Frank was talking mainly about college and the gap that could form between them.
"Do you want me to show you the answer?"
Frank raised an eyebrow, not sure of what to expect. Aaron picked up on that look quite quickly. He let a small smirk form on his mouth.
"This is what I mean..."
Aaron wrapped his arms around the husky's neck, pulling him in close. They just both stared into each other's eyes, not wanting to let go of each other. Their gaze unbreakable, blue locked into green. Aaron slowly pressed his muzzle up against Frank's mouth, waiting for him to accept him. Frank was glad to accept, knowing that he had found the one he wanted to be his true mate for life.
Frank began to wonder to himself, "How was this going to work?"
He pondered on that thought for a few seconds, before coming to an answer that made him smile on the inside.
"I know just the thing..."