a romance in the countryside: chapter 6
Wow, this one came pretty quick. As per usual, this has gay material in it. If you're not old enough or you don't like this sort of stuff, you know where the back button is. If not, enjoy!...
"I can't."
"You can."
"I can't."
"You can."
"No I can't!"
"Yes you can. I know you can."
"But what if-"
"But nothing Vinnie! He's your Grandad. Why should he care?"
In case you're wondering, no we're not having our first fight. Alex is trying to convince me to finally tell my Grandad that I'm gay. I know full well that it would help me a lot if he knew because I wouldn't have to hide it from him all the time. But here's the problem: My Grandad has lived in a small country town his whole life. And seeing as pretty much everyone here is seriously homophobic, I can only assume that my Grandad is the same.
"Come on Vinnie, just tell him."
I vigorously shook my head.
"It's not gonna happen."
Alex sighed.
"Vinnie, he's looked after you for pretty much your whole life. Your his grandson. I'm telling you, it won't matter to him because you're family."
He lifted my chin up to face his encouraging smile. I was about to protest even more against the idea when I realized he was right. Why would it matter to him?
I gave a despondent sigh.
"Ok I'll tell him."
He lovingly scratched me behind my ear. I leaned into his massaging and reassuring claws.
"It's gonna be fine."
I still wasn't convinced, but I knew I would have to tell him eventually. I guess it was better it was done sooner rather than later. Alex and I stood up from off of my bed and made our way down the staircase. Alex gave me a quick peck on the cheek before we rounded the corner into the kitchen.
"For luck."
He whispered. I took a deep breath and walked into the kitchen. Grandad was perched on a barstool at the breakfast bar in a white tank top and dark jeans, eating a bowl of cereal while watching some comedy show on the TV on the nearby counter. He chuckled with mirth at some joke made as I approached. I cleared my throat. Grandad turned to me with a grin.
"Oh hey mate."
"Um... hey."
He must have sensed something was wrong because his grin faded.
"What's wrong?"
He asked. I gulped and started writhing my hands.
"Erm... I need to talk to you about something... important."
He switched the TV off and gave me his full attention.I found myself uncontrollably stuttering.
"I-I've... kinda been h-hiding something... f-from you."
I felt a bubble lodge itself in my throat. And then a warm paw took hold of my own. I glanced over to see Alex giving me an encouraging smile. That was all I needed.
"Grandad... I, er... I'm... gay."
I stared at my shoes to avoid his judging gaze. He didn't say anything for a moment and that's when I knew I had just made the single biggest mistake of my life. But nothing could have prepared me for what happened next.
Grandad started heartily laughing!
I snapped back up at him. He was bending over forwards in amusement, laughing and shaking his head. Needless to say, Alex and I were just a little bit confused. After a full minute, he calmed down. And I got the second biggest shock of my life at what he said next.
"Oh finally! I was beginning to think you'd never come out of the closet!"
He... he knew?!
I tried to say something smart but all I could manage was:
"Huh?!"
Grandad just chuckled.
"Vince, you should know by now that looking after you is my full time job. I'm supposed to know these things!"
He ruffled my head fur.
"So... so you really don't care that I'm gay?"
"Of course not mate! What kinda person would I be if I did?"
Alex placed a hand on my shoulder.
"See? I told you he wouldn't care."
"Yeah, yeah I know."
Grandad smiled at the cheetah.
"And I also know that you've been dating my young Grandson Alex!"
Now it was his turn to be shocked!
"I-I... wha?!"
I laughed. Alex' expression was priceless. Grandad laughed too.
"But... how?"
He managed to get out.
"Well I've noticed that whenever you're over, you and Vince act pretty clingy. And one day, Vince left his bedroom door open just a crack and I 'happened' to see the two of you locking lips with each other."
Alex and I then began to blush furiously. Grandad placed his big hands on our shoulders.
"Well if the pair of you were worried about how I'd feel, I want you to know that I'm A-Ok!"
We both smiled at him.
"So Vince, has Alex popped your cherry yet?"
"GRANDAD!"
He and Alex laughed, though he was blushing. And eventually I just laughed with them as well. Yes, Alex and I were madly in love and Grandad finally knew that I was gay. Life was turning out pretty good...
***one week later***
"So what are you guys gonna be getting up to?"
Grandad asked me. I crossed my arms.
"I'm afraid that's classified information."
"What, not even a clue?"
I shook my head.
"Well all right, if you want to keep your sex life that much of a secret."
"Grandad!"
He chuckled. We were driving along the country road towards Alex' gigantic castle of a house. I had decided that he had been coming over to my house too much so I felt a change was in order. He had been reluctant at first for some reason. But after a fair amount of begging and sucking up (behave!) he finally caved and scheduled a little meeting at his place on friday. And that was where Grandad was driving me now. It was a rather warm day for winter so I had dressed in a pair of light blue shorts and a T-shirt with a depiction of an intricate blue samurai helmet. I was wearing my favorite white sneakers, silver rings and a gold ring through my right ear. This was one of my fancier casual outfits.
"Here we are!"
Grandad pulled to a stop at the front gates, where Alex was waiting. He was wearing quarter jeans with a black shirt that said there are days when I hate being me, but then I smile 'cause I'm not you. I had to laugh at that. I stepped out of the car.
"Use protection you two!"
Leave it to Grandad...
I pretty much slammed the car door shut and he drove off. I turned to face Alex and I was met with a deep kiss. He pulled me into his arms and I wrapped mine around his neck while our tongues had a mini wrestling match. We finally broke away long enough to say hello. By staring lovingly into each other's eyes.
"So... are you going to show me in?"
I asked after a full minute of gazing. He grinned.
"Right this way babe."
I chuckled as he lead me into the grand doors of his house.
"Wow..."
I walked in and needless to say, I was very impressed!
The place was grand, white marble floors dark green painted walls, a high ceiling with a beautiful crystal chandelier and a grand mahogany staircase at the far end of the foyer. Alex oddly enough seemed a little embarrassed.
"Yeah my family's... kinda loaded."
"No kidding..."
There were grand archways on either side of us. One lead to what I think was family room and the other had a large open room and taking pride of place at the center of which was...
"Cool."
It was a finely polished black marble grand piano. Alex followed my line of sight.
"Oh. You noticed my mum's pride and joy I see."
"Is she a musician?"
"Only in her spare time."
I smiled at him.
"Do you play?"
I asked. He blushed.
"Well... yeah, a little."
I smiled wider.
"Care to serenade me?"
He blushed even harder.
"Well... Ok."
We strolled over to the piano. Alex took a seat on the stool and scooted over for me. He stretched his fingers and prepared to charm me with his musical prowess. But he stopped just above the keys.
"I've got the music. Could you provide the voice?"
He smiled at me.
"I... um... "
"Please?"
"O... k."
He started playing. Instantly, I knew what song it was. My cue came.
"Young girl, don't cry.
I'll be right here when your world starts to fall.
Ooooh.
Young girl, it's alright.
Your tears will dry, you'll soon be free to fly.
Ooooh.
When you're safe inside your room, you tend to dream.
Of a place where nothing's harder than it seems.
No one ever wants or bothers to explain.
Of the heartache life can bring and what it means."
"When there's no one else.
Look inside yourself.
Like your oldest friend, just trust the voice within.
Then you'll find the strength, that will guide your way.
You'll learn to begin, to trust the voice within."
"young girl, don't hide.
You'll never change if you just run away.
Ooooh.
Young girl, just hold tight.
Soon you're gonna see your brighter day.
Ooooh.
Now in a world where innocence is quickly claimed.
It's so hard to stand your ground when you're so afraid.
No one reaches out a hand for you to hold.
When you're lost outside, look inside, to your soul."
"When there's no one else.
Look inside yourself.
And like your oldest friend, just trust the voice within.
Then you'll find the strength, that will guide your way.
And you will learn to begin, to trust the voice within.
Ooooh yeah. Ooooh yeah, oh."
"Life is a journey, it can take you anywhere you choose to go.
As long as you're learning, you'll find all you ever need to know.
You'll break it.
You'll make it.
Just don't forsake it because.
No one can stop you, you know that I'm talking to you..."
"When there's no one else.
Look inside yourself.
Like your oldest friend, just trust the voice within.
Then you'll find the strength, that will guide your way.
And you'll learn to begin, to trust the voice within."
"Young girl, don't cry.
I'll be right here when your world starts to fall.
Ooooh yeah. Ooooooh."
Alex finished playing and smiled at me, tears in his eyes.
"That was beautiful."
I brought him closer and dried his tears with my thumbs.
"But you're more beautiful."
He chuckled and licked my snout.
"I love you."
"I love you too..."
Awwwwww :)