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Hey!! Well, the site crash kind of stole away the story for a bit :( but, it's back again.....wouldn't have happened if my timing wasn't quite so bad : either way...i'll take this as the chance to say I've uploaded two chapters in two days!!

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The food helped, perhaps it was all hunger. Chris wondered idly as he chewed another bite just how hungry he'd been; it had certainly been more than half a day since he'd eaten--though not that long since his outburst at his father. No, it probably wasn't hunger. His ears flickered a little and he looked over at his father, "What about the food Ben was fixing?"

"Hmm?" Marion let out, looking over at the pup before realizing the question. He quickly swallowed his food to answer, "Uhh....well, I guess it's still there........probably no good by now," he replied, secretly wondering just how much of it had been really any good to begin with.

He wasn't a snob; not really. And sure it wasn't fair to judge Ben's cooking off of his breakfast in bed, but it was all he had to go off of at the moment. Today was supposed to be the trail to see if the bear could cook: now he'd have to wait even longer. Swigging around some soda in his mouth Marion couldn't help but also wonder if perhaps that was a good thing; the toast in bed had certainly been blackened--a lot. Oh you can't judge his cooking on his toast! he thought to himself with a smirk.

They ate in silence for the most part; it was a good silence though. The air was cleared, at least on Marion's part he thought. He didn't know what else to tell the pup that he hadn't already; what else could he do but try and be observant and be the best he could be?

"So...would you mind if I drive back?" Marion asked, not wanting to tell his son he was going to be driving back, but also not quite wanting the increased chance of throwing up--frankly. He'd have to take Chris out to some abandoned parking lot for more lessons, best when the pup wasn't emotionally upset--yes, most certainly when he wasn't upset.

Chris couldn't help a sigh of relief, "Yes please," he said, hearing a gruff laugh from his father at his reaction. They both exchanged a small smile in each other's direction, though Chris quickly looked away when he realized it. He didn't even think about getting out of the car, the idea that his dad could leave him in the parking lot, until he was back in on the passenger's side; far more comfortable.

There wasn't some forced attempt to continue the conversation either. After a few more tacos the car was back on the road again, riding in silence. It was nice though, a good silence, or at least it was for the first bit. Until he felt the need to talk again. He realized he hadn't explained somethings to his father, and that for some reason a part of him wanted to explain how he felt.

Instead of doing that he just rested his head on the window and watched the lamps pass by, enjoying the way the light would blur as he did--like the line from connecting dots almost. He kept that way for a minute, wondering what to say. Was the conversation done? Would his dad want him to say anything more? Obviously his dad would.

Letting out a slow sigh he focused all the more intently outside.

"It's not that I don't like him," Chris began, looking out the window as the car moved slowly down the now familiar streets. It was funny. While he'd been driving he could've been in the school parking lot and it would've seemed foreign, but back in the passenger seat things were so much more normal to him again.

Marion's ears flickered in questioning, but it went unseen by the younger wolf, and he didn't mind. Sure, he would truly want to hear more, but he couldn't push the pup--not right now; if Chris told him, then he would tell him.

"Ben's nice...." Chris continued slowly, letting out a slow sigh as he did, "I mean, well, I don't know. Should it be weird that he's my teacher? Does that make the entire thing even more different?"

He stopped for a few moments, thinking about the implications of what he'd said. Yet again he sighed, deciding that not talking was what got him here, so it couldn't hurt to just say whatever came to mind, "And....I....I don't mind it...that you are dating Ben. Th--that you both are, well, guys,"

Marion's ears flickered even more.

"But it is strange sometimes...or at least it seems so. Jake doesn't really get it, but he isn't disgusted by it, but there are some that are. Some guys at the school can make a joke or insult every little while......and I know I shouldn't care: I don't care. But I can't help but notice how I'm the one who has to deal with the jokes, because it's not like straights deal with that. I know that something like only five percent of the population is gay...or so they say...so I don't expect to see it everywhere......but......"

"It can be a bit weird," Marion joined in, not looking over at his son, "I know what you mean Pup. And, well, you're even more special because, well, frankly, it's not like many gay men have their own son. As it is in culture...being gay can still be seen as, as you've seen, disgusting or not right. It certainly isn't common though--but that doesn't mean it is wrong or unnatural either: just like there are more people that like chocolate over...say...licorice,"

It was quiet.

"That....was a weird example,"

Marion couldn't help a small laugh and shook his head, "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to interrupt....just know...I'm not expecting you to think that my relationship with Ben is something 'normal'...whatever you kids call it nowadays,"

Chris chuckled a little and felt a smile over his muzzle, feeling all the more relieved too. He certainly didn't think his dad was 'normal' perhaps, but then again, he knew he wasn't normal either--he didn't quite know what that meant. People just thought that the way his father and Ben was different was more different than how others were so; perhaps that their difference was in the open.

"Do you want to continue what you were saying before?" Marion asked, feeling it was the only suitable way to get the pup back on track: he hadn't meant to change the tone, so a forced push back seemed the best path.

Chris's ears flickered on his head, just like his dad's had been doing. He stared at the older wolf for a few moments, then down the road, then at the cup holders. The silence kept going for a few moments while he took a few hesitant sips from his drink before putting it back and wiping off the cool moisture on his pants. The road was passing again, and he stared at the blurring ligt of the posts on the sidewalk while forming his words, "I...like him. Maybe not as much as you do.......I just don't know what to think about him. Yeah, he's my teacher, but....there's more to it. What if you two broke up? What kind of position is that going to put me in, not even at the school level. You're my dad...I know I can count on you,"

Marion's ears flickered on that, as his eyes watered a little, but he didn't dare wipe them and show the words had touched him.

"But I don't know that about Ben. I don't want to...to like him and then for you guys to break up. It could be a simple break up...but what if it was ugly? Then I get put in this weird position not only at home, but at school too, unless Ben quits or something. But....I don't want to get to know him well, to get used to him and then for that to disappear on me. It's easy to say 'we'll stay in touch,' or 'you can still come to me,'....cheesy little things, but...it's not like that...give it a month...or more...and then those are weird encounters with someone who you try to pretend is a stranger, or try to convince yourself isn't a stranger anymore,"

Marion glanced over at the pup and then quickly back at the road. It was odd to hear--he'd thought that the pup's concerns would go as far as school, or maybe he'd just hoped they'd only gone that far. But they went as far as the things he'd stayed up some months ago dreading. Those were the past dreads though, so the pup was a bit behind, but he couldn't blame him at all. Chris was just a pup, who'd only gone to a few school dances and never really had a 'special someone' much less someone like Ben in his life: his greatest concerns were supposed to be if he'd get the part in a play or not fumble over his words asking a girl out.

He couldn't expect Chris to understand his relationship with Ben, or how they felt about one another--not truly. Sure, they hadn't made any life commitments, not in words, but they were committed to one another. The pup hadn't heard their mumbling love confessions, the sweet words about how they wanted to be with the other, how they would express the desire simply to see the other, or the jokes about being stuck with each other. And he had meant for that--he hadn't wanted to embarrass his son.

"You already know....how I feel about him I guess...don't you?"

"You mean the family part?" Marion asked, glancing over at the pup. That was important. Ben was important to him, and so was Chris, they were key parts of his life. But it wasn't like he could be the centerpiece that held it all together; they had to all be a whole.

"Yeah...I still don't get it,"

"It'll come to you Pup....I don't want you to force yourself to think anything for my sake. If you don't think of Ben as part of our family, then that is fine. H--He isn't a part of it," Marion said, seeing the look of surprise on the pup's face as he said so, "Because a family accepts each other...you know they're there for one another. Me and you...we're a family...just like with your grandparents and aunts and uncles......though I guess blood does help a good bit," he admitted with a chuckle. "But...what I'm trying to say...is that you and Ben still have to get to know one another a bit more. You two have to come to your own understandings. He's my boyfriend...and I love him Chris. I don't say those kinds of things around you because I don't want to embarrass you or anything, but...he's really special to me, and I know I'm special to him. In his arms....I don't know how to express it Pup...We're right for each other, I can tell. We may have moved slow at some points, or maybe even fast, but it was our pace...and our relationship: I know I can count on Ben to be a pillar of support for me like I can be for him and that at the end of the worst days he's the second guy I know who can make me smile and forget about the troubles of the world. But Chris...I can't force you to like him, and I certainly won't, but...what you say means a lot to me; so much. And I hope it's the same for what I say...so...let me just say...you can trust him Chris: I've got two great guys in my life,"

It was silent.

"And...well, see, I was right, you're embarrassed," Marion noted with a small embarrassed chuckle of his own.

His father was right, his ears felt hot. Chris snuffled a little, scratched at his cheek, glanced at his father, then quickly glanced away again. They were close to the house now--in fact, they were back on the block; it would only be a bit more. But once more, the silence was good; entirely good this time.

He felt he would've nestled further into his seat, but that seemed to be a worthless task seeing as they were beginning to pull into the driveway now. Instead he reached over to unbuckle his belt, sharing a small smile with his dad who added a knowing nod to the act. The little fears were gone now. He knew when he got out his dad wouldn't lock the door and fly off, or his dad wouldn't lock him out of the house, or any of those crazy little ideas--in fact, thinking of them was more like a humorous game.

Even though it was a game, it was one he didn't play. Thoughts weren't quite on his mind anymore--not much seemed to be, and for once it didn't bother him; it wasn't a restlessness, but simply a content feeling. The air outside was nice and crisp, but inside it was warm and, well, homey to him.

The TV came to life with a familiar crackle--much like static electricity--and against his better judgment Marion found them both sitting down now. Maybe Chris was watching, but he didn't know for the life of him what was even supposed to be on. The rest of the ride had tired him greatly; very greatly. Chris was young and strong, but Marion knew his own body wasn't the same. He'd become used to his pattern; like sleeping when the sun wasn't out.

Regardless they watched the show for a few minutes, and Chris slumped over against him after a bit. That made him prolong their time, but only for a bit.

"It's late....and...well, I guess we don't need to stay up through the night, do we?" Marion asked with a small smile, casting a glance down at his watch to confirm the rhetorical question. It was nearly three in the morning; far far too late for any normal night. He'd sleep quite well tonight he was sure, though for how long he didn't know.

After a moment he cast a glance over at Chris and couldn't help a small chuckle, seeing the pup was already sleeping again. He was a bit jealous--after all, Chris had been in bed all day to begin with, while he'd been the one on his feet. The chuckle and jealousy didn't last terribly long, or at least they didn't last as long as it was taking him to cart the young pup up the stairs.

Sure, when they'd first come here as a family it was an easy enough act, but it wasn't quite that way anymore. Even if he'd always call him 'pup' or think of him as such, there was a growing amount of physical evidence to suggest otherwise. Still, the pup hadn't hit a major growth spurt quite yet--rather strange for his age, but Marion reminded himself that Nancy had been a late bloomer, and regardless the evidence that was getting heavier and heavier he thought. The act wasn't made any easier by being tired himself, but it still wasn't so difficult as to be impossible.

It was a bit worse having to carry the pup all the way up the stairs, instead of the traditional room, if only because he didn't want Chris to sleep in his own room tonight. He remembered the broken glass from the lamp, and he wasn't about to let the pup have any chance of getting up on the morrow to cut his feet, and the sheets upstairs were clean--otherwise he guessed it would be a night on the couch.

After a few minutes it was all settled. He'd changed to his sleep attire and brushed his teeth and all the other acts he did before bed, even if he didn't quite want to do half of them. The warmth was nice; he'd be asleep soon, that much he was sure of. I can't stay up like this anymore he realized with a small smile, nestling closer to the pillow and letting out a content sigh. To his left the pup stirred a bit, and he was able to make out a small glean of his eyes.

Chris looked over at his dad and sighed; feeling a bit immature when realizing he'd fallen asleep down stairs and through his father carrying him up. It felt odd and nice at the same time. He knew he was a sophomore and that by all means laying in bed with his father was supposed to be embarrassing, stupid, and creepy; but it wasn't. He felt safe and secure--happy. There wasn't anywhere else he wanted to be. "Sorry for today...I...was just afraid you'll forget about me,"

Marion chuckled and shook his head, "Chris...trust me...that will never happen. Every time I look in the mirror I see you," he said, looking down and rubbing the pup's headfur.

Chris smiled lightly and looked away. He liked it when people told him that he looked like his dad--he wanted to look like him. "Dad..."

Marion smiled and tugged on his son again, this time effectively pulling Chris to him. He smiled and embraced his son tightly, "I love you so much Chris--you mean everything to me, OK?"

Chris nodded and nuzzled at his father's chest, "I know dad...I love you too," he replied and gave a small sigh. After a second he looked up at his father and tried to keep a neutral face, "Do you...think...you could stay?"

Marion smiled and leaned down, kissing his son on the top of his head. When he pulled back he nodded slowly, happy his son wanted him so close. Of course he was staying regardless--it was his bed after all. He wondered if the pup realized that. It wasn't something he'd ever done with his father. It would've been odd with his dad anyhow. This wasn't common, he knew that, but for them it worked. They could just do this and feel fine: his son didn't mind and he wanted to be near him. With Chris he could always relax near the pup. They could lay down next to each other and relax; without it being odd for either of them. One of his paws found its way to the pup's head and he gently stroked over it, "Yeah...I can stay--I'm pretty tired,"

The morning came quickly enough, or so it seemed to Chris, who came awake with a start. Without any windows in his dad's room the only indication of light was from a window in the hallway where the sun shone in through multiple windows. The morning sun, well, was gone; it had been replaced by the afternoon sun. That in itself wasn't a bad thing, he didn't mind sleeping in. However, it was also Monday, so the afternoon sun meant he should've been in school--hearing his history teacher droll on about the importance of some obscure political figure.

His dad should've woken him. But that hadn't happened. Nestling closer into the blankets he let out a small sigh, wondering why he was still in bed. It certainly wasn't a bad thing though; it was enjoyable.

The scents were different again though. Even if not so bad, and knowing that the sheets were different, he could still tell Ben had been here. He didn't frown at the thought though, or push away or anything. For once, he didn't even try to think about it; he just noted it and accepted it as he stared at the light that shone in.

He sat up slowly after a few minutes, shaking his head of sleep, as if that would send him back in time to where it would be the morning and he'd be rushing off to school. Not that he wanted to--it was just how it was. After a moment he threw his feet to the floor, going through the morning routine of stretching, further pushing sleep away from himself.

Soon enough he found himself moving down the stairs, planning to go to the kitchen until he heard noise from his own room. He made his way in, seeing his dad kneeling down. There was the same sound, one that was strange to him, even if he knew he'd heard it a thousand times; perhaps only for TV though. "What are you doing?"

Marion gave a start at the sudden intrusion, but quickly calmed himself and looked over his shoulder at the still obviously sleepy wolf. He was a bit jealous; he'd never been able to stay sleepy for so long--and he'd even gotten his full night's rest after calling in for the day. "Oh...just cleaning up a bit," Marion replied easily, sweeping more of the broken glass into the dustpan as he did.

After looking down Chris realized just what he meant, having forgotten some of the after effects of his outburst--like the broken lamp. Not meaning to, he winced and looked away; ashamed at the act more so for the act itself and not the damage. The damage was meger enough he assumed, but the reasons for the act; those stung his pride and mind.

"You know...you told me you wanted a lava lamp......this seems like as good a time as any to get one...what do you think?" Marion asked. He gave a slight groan as he stood up--his knees were hurting him from all the standing yesterday--glad to give that sound instead of the thought currently on his mind. Chris was smart--he didn't have to tell the pup he'd have to be careful about not throwing the lamp around. As it was he could tell the reminder stung enough. A part of it was nice; if only because he thought it showed his son was maturing--knowing such outburst didn't any place in a family, not that they could always be avoided though.

"Hey. Don't worry about it Pup," he said, patting his son on the shoulder and smiling.

Chris simply nodded, not knowing quite what verbal response would be suitable. _I won't? Yeah, and come across like I don't care. I'm over it? Uh-huh...cause nothing says you're insensitive like that. Then again...maybe being less sensitive wouldn't be so bad.......but hiding how I felt worked out so great last time... "_What about school?" were the only words he found coming out--wanting to just change the subject: to let it fall away from them both. The air was clear; even the floor's evidence was being thrown away.

"I figured we could spend the day together," Marion replied with a small shrug of his shoulders. With his constant questions about the pup's school-load he knew he wasn't missing anything today. Of course, he'd want to text Ben later, even if he knew when they next spoke the bear would reprimand him for the decision; not that he'd blame him. "This is just a one time thing though, don't get used to it, OK?"

Chris frowned a bit, but nodded nonetheless. He'd been hoping his father was telling him he was lightening up on it, but that was a fool's hope after all. And just like his dad he knew Ben would have a few things to say about missing school if 'just because' was their reason. But that didn't matter for now; now they had the day together. "OK....that sounds good,"

They walked down the stairs together, talking a bit, but nothing too much, and just like the night before, were soon back on the couch, once more not really watching what was on. Just like in the late nights, the early afternoon often offered very little good television. It was just a medium though, something to fill the silence when they weren't talking; which was becoming unneeded as the conversation began to flourish. As it was they were beginning to make plans, starting with what they would do on their impromptu day-off.

"Well, I know it's not in theaters anymore, but I was thinking we could get and watch Dead II: Risen Horror," Marion began, watching his son with a smirk, and the effect was quite immediate.

"Well...uhh, that....sounds nice....I guess," Chris said with a forced smile, wondering why his dad would suddenly change his mind about the movie he'd been forbidden to see. Worse, was the forbidden movie Ben had taken him to see, "....bu---but I heard from some friends that it's really not that great...so...we don't have to....not that I don't want to! I mean, of course I do, but you said I couldn't. But Ben didn't really like it that much either...he said it was too gory. That's what he said--I wouldn't know! I--I mean....umm, I do know....not that I saw it or an--I mean...it's just that it's early in the day...an--and....you know, don't you watch scary movies a--" he was saying before the sound of his father's laughter cut off his ramble.

"I'm sorry," Marion said with a laugh, looking over the pup's worried eyes and laughing all the more, "I know you saw it with Ben," he added, which caused the pup's eyes to widen a bit. After a bit more laughing though his son relaxed a little--apparently realizing his laughs showed he wasn't angry. And he wasn't. Sure, perhaps when he'd first found out--a few days after the two had gone behind his back (the pup didn't empty out his pockets, which was his undoing)--he'd been a bit upset, but it had faded quickly enough. After all, the two shared a secret, and it had been theirs to hold: he had hoped it would've made them slightly closer, and a part of him guessed it did. Another part of him however didn't mind having something to hold over the two, even if only for fun.

"How did you find out?" Chris asked, his ears low on his head and with a slight whine in his tone; the way he usually was after getting teased by his father. Sure, in a week or perhaps even in a few days he'd look back and smile at the memory, but now he just felt red in the face: which his black fur hid very well.

"I have my ways...I haven't told Ben I know...I was kind of thinking of asking if you two wanted me to go out and get it sometime yesterday,"

Chris chuckled a little, imagining how the scene would've played out. He wasn't sure if he and Ben would've been able to keep the secret at that point. It wasn't that it was something either felt guilty about; they didn't even talk about it really, but still, it was a secret from his dad: or so he'd thought. "I'm a bit glad you didn't," Chris replied, not sure he would've been able to lie effectively with Ben near him--for the sheer fact he wouldn't have known how the bear would react. And it wasn't like he was a great liar if caught unawares.

"I'll just have to wait till I catch you two red-pawed at something else...perhaps lying about a bad grade, hmm?" Marion inquired with a smirk, but knew no such thing existed, if only because he was apparently an elementary-grade-parent. Somehow asking to see your son's test when he got them back was very old-school, not to mention hanging the good ones on the fridge. "Come-on...how about we got get something to eat?"

"Out again?"

"Sure...wherever you want to go...but don't get used to this one either," Marion said with a laugh--leaving out the fact that the kitchen looked like an absolute mess. One he hadn't attempted to tackle to clean yet. See, it's a bad omen: he can't cook well if he leaves a mess like that. No. No it's not...stop being so judgmental...we don't know what Ben had been planning to make! Geez, it's just the kitchen.... he thought with a smile, not sure if he was relieved or disappointed the mystery of Ben's cooking was, well, still mysterious to him--and his son.