Chapter Sixteen (Devin's POV)

"I still think we have a chance of eloping." Rick said as he sat on the edge of the bed, jerking his boots on roughly, which meant he was ticked. Not enough to throw a fit, but enough so that I knew he really didn't want to go to this therapy session.

"Rick. I can't just leave. Come on, how bad can it be? It's just a little talking and looking at ink blots." I pointed out, sitting on the bed side him. He stopped and dropped his feet to the ground with loud clomps, glancing at me out the corner of his eye before grunting.

"You haven't met this woman before, Dev. She's like this really freaky mix of Medusa and Queen of the Damned. And maybe Roseanne." He added, rising to his feet. I liftd a brow at him, leaning back on my hands and smirking.

"Don't tell me you're scared of her." I said. Rick's expression twisted up and he scowled, snatching his leather jacket off the bed and slipping it on.

"Oh, please. I'm not the one who should be scared of her." He replied, giving me a wicked grin before he went for the door. I blinked and got up, quickly following behind him as we went out into the hallway.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I demanded suspiciously. I haven't heard much about this therapist, just that she was supposed to be amazing, and maybe just a little on the weird side. It was hard to judge Rick's judgement on this because it had to be exaggerated.

"You'll see." Rick replied, but he still had that cocky evil smirk on his face. What happened to the Rick that got all warm and cuddly? Jeez.

We headed downstairs and started to go to the kitchen, but we stopped just before the doorway to hear voices from the kitchen. I opened my mouth to snap at Rick for eavesdropping, but he easily swung me around and into his chest, his hand over my mouth as we listened.

"I told you, nothing's going to happen to your son, Mr. Carter. Rick's been going to his sessions and he's actually showing progress." Vic's voice was saying. I stiffened and managed to peer past the doorframe to see my dad standing in the kitchen on the other side of the island counter while Vic scrubbed at some dishes to set out for lunch. Rick's grip tightened on me and he jerked me back against him, pressing a finger to his lips. I glared at him, but said nothing else as the conversation in the kitchen continued.

"Vic, listen, I'm not trying to insult your parenting skills or anything, but Rick's a bad influence on Devin anyway. I thought I said I didn't want them near each other anymore." My dad's voice stated firmly. I could tell by his tone that he was getting pissed. This time when I peeked into the kitchen, Rick didn't stop me and in fact did the same thing.

Vic shut off the sink water and shook his hands, drying them off on his blue plaid shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He turned to face my dad, who didn't even bother to hide his glare. Even so, Vic just stared back at him.

"Is this about the whole males shouldn't like males thing that Cherri told me about?" He asked flatly. Wow, Vic. Nice way to be subtle about it. I was surprised to see my dad's face turn a little pink with embarrassment, but he didn't let up on his macho man authority.

"Vic, I'm not insulting you or your... uh, ideas, but I don't want Devin thinking-"

"Thinking what? That it's okay to date whomever you choose?"

"No, I mean-"

"Mr. Carter," Vic drawled, placing a hand on his hip in a rather girly manner while he leaned on a nearby counter, "You're starting to choke on your tongue. Why don't you just come right out and say what's on your mind? I may have different 'ideas', but by the end of the day, I'm still a man and I can handle anything you have to say to me." My dad stood there for a second, then scowled at last, folding his arms over his chest.

"Vic, I don't want Devin thinking its okay to let people force you to think the way they do."

"Force? Who's forcing him?"

"Rick-"

"Rick didn't do anything. Okay, I'll admit, Rick was a little pushy in the beginning, but who's the one who caved into the affection?" Vic asked none-too-kindly. My dad flushed.

"I just came over here to tell you to not let Devin come over anymore, and to keep Rick away from him. Rick needs to find someone his own age, and type-"

"Own type," Vic echoed, pushing off the counter and daring to put both his hands on his hips, "What's his own type, Mr. Carter? Enlighten me so that I can inform Rick when I tell him he can't see Devin ever again and crush the only reason he's taking those sessions, or have you failed to pay attention to that fact?"

"That's not what I meant," My dad rushed in sternly, "I simply meant that Devin's just not meant to be with him, all right? I don't want to offend you or anything, but Devin is still lives under my rules and my rules state that he really shouldn't be getting involved in this sort of stuff right now-"

"What sort of stuff?"

"Just-Just dating in general. I'm not being racist or anything-"

"So gay is a race now?"

"Oh god." My dad smacked a hand to his forehead, rubbing at his temple. He seemed to be trying to think of something else to say, but Vic kept hitting him right and left. I had to resist the urge to laugh out loud, seeing my dad all flustered like that. He was normally the freakiest guy in the world.

I mean, come on. He was almost six and a half feet tall with enough muscles to make John Cena look bad. Let's not forget his eyes were like icicles whenever he glared at you and he was a wonder at the whole intimidation thing, but apparently Vic had dealt with his fair share of intolerant bastards because he was on a roll.

"I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable, Ace," Vic said calmly, dropping his arms to fold over his chest, "I'm just curious as to what sort of mindset you have. Do you really believe all the garbage you spew out? Listen, Rick's old enough to make his own decisions and if you have a problem, take it up with him and may God have mercy on your soul if you do because Rick is about as reluctant to let go of Devin as a tick on your jugular. I'll have you know that Devin's actually improved the way Rick acts. He's even cut back on smoking, and he doesn't leave the house to party anymore. Maybe you should have a nice long talk with Cherri about this because you really don't wanna get into it with me."

My dad stood there, letting Vic's words sink in and, of course, I wasn't surprised when he scowled again. Anymore of that and his face would be stuck like that.

"It's morally correct is why I 'spew all that garbage'. You go to church and you should know how wrong it is. I tried being nice about it, Vic, really, I did, but you're pushing you're luck with me. Devin is being corrupted when he hangs out with Rick and you saw the way he tore up that hospital room, what if he did that to Devin? I'd never forgive him, or you. You already took one of my boys and I'm not letting you take the other one. Devin's coming home and he's not coming back here." He explained icily. Still, Vic's expression didn't change as he averted his eyes for a minute, then shrugged.

"Like I said, don't talk to me about it. It's not my problem anymore. Rick's old enough to take care of himself, and you know what? Devin is too. Let Devin choose what he wants. It's his life, I don't see what gives you the right to control it." He answered and started for the fridge, but my dad scoffed rudely, making Vic stop.

"See, this is why Rick and Blake are the way they are. You're not raising them correctly. They should be with their parents, someone who actually has morals. You're too young and too... All I'm saying is that you refrain from letting my son hang out with Rick. If you don't, I'll call the police and get a restraining order." He snapped.

I felt myself stiffen. What is he, deaf?! Stupid? Both? Rick and Blake are the way they are because of their parents! He was such a jerk! Telling Vic he wasn't raising them right, of course he did! I felt Rick's grip around me tighten. I glanced at him to see him gritting his teeth behind sealed lips, staring out into the kitchen.

Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe we should just go now.

I gave his arm a tug, but he didn't budge.

"Oh," Vic said, his voice quiet, then he turned around and flashed my dad the nastiest glare I'd ever seen him make, "You're telling me how to raise my nephews? You really ought to know what you're talking about before you talk about it. For your information, Rick and Blake had no choice. If I had left them where they were, you can damn well bet they'd be dead by now. I'm raising my nephews just fine. At least they know that they can come to me when they have a problem. They know that if they need money for something, I'm here for them. They know that if they're in trouble, I'm here. If they want to be happy, then I'll back them up. I've done enough getting harsh with Rick, just because he happens to love your son. If Rick really loves him, and I'm positive he does, he'll do whatever he can to make sure Devin is safe and happy too. If anyone's got a problem, it's you, Mr. Carter."

"Me?" My dad demanded, looking utterly confused. Vic laughed, but it was almost bitter as he came up to my dad, who took a step back in surprise.

"It's a relationship. Two people that care about each other. You're in one, aren't you? Or do you want Devin to grow up and know that he can only ever love a woman, only ever marry a woman, and probably not be happy? No one is labeling him. Devin cares about who he cares about, so does Rick, so do I, and so do you. I don't see why you have to make it into such a huge deal. Or are you one of those types who just go off and insult people who are different because you're in denial your self?" Vic asked almost mockingly.

My dad was caught, again. He actually looked nervous having Vic stand that close to him. Sure, Vic was shorter, but he was pretty strong considering he owned a bodyshop. I just hope my dad didn't think Vic was coming onto him.

I could've sworn Vic already had a boyfriend, or at least someone he was interested in that wasn't crazy.

"Are you tongue tied again?" Vic asked flatly, leaning back out of my dad's face, but not quite stepping away. My dad blinked, blinked again and gave Vic a dirty look.

"I most certainly am not! I'm happily married, to a woman." He added dryly. Vic smirked.

"Well, good for you. Now please leave my house. I don't want you ruining our breakfast." He said, not moving an inch. My dad glared.

"But Devin has to-"

"He can stay or he can go, but you have to ask him, not me. I'm just the maid of this household." Vic answered coolly, putting a hand back on his hip as my dad finally stepped back a few steps, but even I didn't miss him muttering under his breath as he turned to leave.

"Oh, and Ace?" Vic asked. My dad stopped to glare at him. Vic just smiled, his usual charming sweet smile that he used to pretty much win everyone over.

"Glad we could talk. We should really go out sometime. I know of this nice bar on 67th Street."

Oh god. He was just asking to be punched.

Obviously my dad knew what type of bar was on 67th St because his face lit up red and he scowled, whirling around and heading for the hallway. Rick and I bolted, darted into the bathroom and hid behind the wall as I listened to my dad stomp his way down the hallway.

"Devin!" His voice practically shook the house. I winced and started to go out, but Rick gripped my elbow and glared at me. I glared back silently and gestured for him to stay put before I drifted out of the bathroom, heading into the lobby where my dad was waiting impatiently.

"Keep it down," I snapped at him, watching him almost jump at the sound of my voice, "Blake and Danny are still sleeping and you know how Danny gets when he doesn't get enough sleep." My dad stared at me for a second, then glared.

"We're going home." He stated.

"Not yet," I answered, "Rick has a session today and he wants me to come with."

"No," My dad argued heatedly, "Damn it, Devin. Don't do this. Come home and I'll reconsider not grounding you for the rest of your life." I rolled my eyes, but took a step back when my dad visibly tensed.

"Ooo, that's so tempting, but no. Mom should've already told you that I was going to spend the day with Rick."

"She did, but she's not the one who makes the rules."

"So it's a dictatorship?"

"Devin Ace Carter, you better watch your mouth because I'm really trying not to beat your ass right now. Get your things, we're going home. Now." He snapped. I stiffened.

"You wouldn't hit me." I challenged, but not with that much confidence. He could easily do it if he lost his temper.

Oh yea, and he thought Rick was bad. Psh.

"We're leaving." My dad stated.

"You didn't answer my question."

"And you didn't answer to my order." He returned harshly. I tensed up and whirled around to head back down the hallway. Let him stand there all day if he wanted to, I didn't care. He wasn't going to treat me like shit. I knew what I wanted and right now, I wanted to eat breakfast with Rick, then go to his session, and we could come back and have dinner, or something, anything. I just wanted it to be with him.

I felt my dad's grip latch onto my elbow and whip me back around, making me gasp, mostly out of surprise, but his grip did hurt a little, his fingers digging into my arm.

"Where do you think you're going?" He demanded. I glared at him, trying to jerk my arm out of his grip.

"I'm hungry, and I want to eat breakfast! Or is that a sin too?" I snapped.

"Don't do this, Devin." My dad seethed, his grip on me tightening. I winced now, gritting my teeth.

"Let go!" I barked. It was definitely loud enough for Rick to hear and he was there in an instant, easily prying my dad's fingers off my arm. He brought me behind him and stood between my dad and I. I already knew he was going to come anyway- He always did. It was just the fact that this was my problem, not Rick's.

"Rick..." I started, but he was glaring at my dad, who glared back in disbelief.

"Never, ever lay a finger on him again. I don't care who you are, no one touches him like that ever." Rick said coldly. My dad stared at him for a while, his body  tense and I could just see his muscles growing taut with his anger, but what surprised me, was that he took a step back, glancing at me.

"You still have a real home to come back to, and when you do, you're grounded." He said, his voice devoid of emotion before he threw the door open and slammed it shut behind him. Enough to knock the nearby coat rack over.

It was quiet, except for the sounds of Vic cooking in the kitchen. I nibbled on my lower lip, and part of me wanted to go after my dad, but I quickly pushed the thought out of my mind. I wasn't the submissive kid he wanted me to be anymore. I was an adult and I could think for myself just fine.

"Jeez," Rick muttered at last, turning around and taking me into his arms, "Next time move faster." I rested my head against his chest and I could hear his heart pounding like crazy. It made me hold him tighter.

"He's my dad, he wasn't going to do anything." I said quietly.

"That's what I used to think to." Rick said under his breath. I grimaced and held onto him before tilting my head up and kissing him gently on the lips. I felt a spark go off in my head. Wow, I was getting so comfortable with all this... I felt my face grow hot and I pulled away after a while, watching Rick smirk at me.

"I don't know about you, but I'm starving and when Vic's feeling triumphant, he makes some really good pancakes." He said. I grinned and we headed down the hallway back into the kitchen.

Vic didn't seem to notice us at first as he set out the plates and silverware, scraping a bit of everything onto everyone's plates. The heavy smell of bacon, eggs, and syrup hung in the air and it gave the kitchen a really warm, home-y feel.

I sighed, plopping down in a seat just as Danny and Blake decided to make their entrance.

"What the hell was all that noise? It sounded like Vic was watching the Young and the Restless again... Or wrestling." Danny added when Vic shot him a scolding look. He yawned, reaching up to ruffle his hair as he shuffled over to the breakfast table to look at the food with wide, hungry eyes.

"Dad stopped to give us his regards." I replied. Danny snapped out of his food daze to look at me uneasily. It was obvious that he was still hurt over dad booting him out. I probably shouldn't have used sarcasm in that answer, but it just sort of popped out before I could stop it.

"Yea?" Danny asked after a while, his eyes scanning the food again, but he didn't seem all that interested anymore.

"He says hi." I lied. Danny laughed uneasily, looking away.

"Yea, sure he did. Probably something like 'don't hang around with homos'."

"Hi, homos. What's the difference? Let's just eat." I said, wanting to drop the subject. Danny seemed grateful for it and his shoulders slumped with relief, only to grow tense again when Blake came up behind him and hugged him around the waist, pressing his lips to Danny's cheek.

"Speaking of homos." I drawled.

"Don't you have therapy to go to?" Blake deadpanned, refusing to release Danny, who was squirming to get away from him. Rick plopped down in the seat beside me, setting a cold beer down next to his plate.

"Not for another hour, dork. Now quit strangling Tweedle-dum and we can eat." He responded, flashing a wicked grin, only to have it vanish when Vic swooped in and picked the beer up.

"Hey-" Rick started to protest, but Vic pushed him gently back into his seat.

"You're still not quite ready for any morning beers. You can drink this with dinner tonight. I was thinking of grilling some steaks on the grill outside. Right now, drink this." He replaced the beer with a tall glass of orange juice, but Rick looked at it as if it were the most horrendous thing he'd ever seen.

"Oh, don't be a baby," I scowled, "It's not gonna eat you."

"That's what they said about the juice back at the hospital." Rick returned, glancing at the juice. I rolled my eyes and smirked while Danny laughed at him before sitting down with Blake taking a seat beside him. Vic finally finished setting the table and everything before he took a seat at the head of the table. We were about to just start eating, but Vic clapped his hands for us to stop.

"I was thinking today we do something different." Vic offered.

"There's more than one way to eat?" Rick asked sarcastically. Blake smirked and Vic rolled his eyes.

"No. I mean, let's say grace. It's been a while since I've done it and you know what they say. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car." He said, then held his hand out to me with a smile.

Obviously this meant a lot more to him than I figured. I reluctantly took his hand, then thrust mine at Rick, who gladly took it with a smirk. Danny didn't seem to mind at all and took Vic's hand, then Blake's.

"Rick, Blake. Don't make this difficult." Vic said when he saw that Rick and Blake were seriously hesitating.

"He might have rabies." Blake pointed out.

"He might have stupid- Oh wait, never mind." Rick drawled. Blake glared at him and Rick just smirked evilly. Vic rolled his eyes.

"Do it now or you're both grounded until you can't get it up anymore." He commanded. Blake made a face, but draped his arm across the table, avoiding eye contact with Rick, who just snorted and snatched Blake's hand quickly. A smile spread across Vic's face before he bowed his head, the rest of us doing the same.

"Lord, we thank thee for this food. For health and strength and all things good. May others all these blessings share and hearts be grateful everywhere. In Jesus name we pray, amen."

Blake and Rick let go of each other like slingshots.

"May I be excused to wash my hands again? I think I may have something growing on it." Rick said, wiping the hand he touched Blake with on his pants. Blake glared at him, then glanced at Vic.

"Can I just burn mine off?" He asked.

"Both of you shut up and eat." Vic snorted. Danny and I snickered before we dug into the food. Blake and Rick only groaned for a few more minutes before they decided they were too hungry to go on. Sometimes I wondered if Rick really was twenty-four and not four, same thing goes for Blake. He certainly didn't act like he was twenty.

"So, you guys are planning on going to Dr. Romero's house together?" Vic asked me. I didn't know what to say. Her house? She held meetings in her house? Rick sat in silence for a second, then shrugged.

"Just for an hour. We'll probably come back after. Why?" He asked suspiciously. Vic held his hands up in defense.

"Don't go growling at me, Balto. I was just curious because I was thinking of inviting some people over for the grille tonight." He answered. Everyone looked at him now curiously.

"Like who?" Danny asked.

"You have friends?" Blake asked flatly.

"You know humans?" Rick exclaimed. Vic glared.

"You boys have enough sarcasm to drown the planet. Now cork it. For your information, yes. I do have friends and they are humans... Most of the time," He added under his breath, then put his smile back on and continued, "Just a couple people from work, some guys from the bar, maybe some other people I know."

"You want a party." Rick deadpanned. Vic huffed.

"Well, why not? You boys are always going off on your own and leaving me home alone, or I'm called into work and I have to work all day. I need some downtime too. Besides, it's not like it's gonna be one of your crazy teen parties where you all get drunk and have sex on the porch. It's just a fun get-together that I'm sure you guys will enjoy. Besides, you need to get out more. You're all going to get sick of each other soon."

"You kidding me? I've been living with this twerp my whole life." Rick snorted, pointing his thumb at Blake, who rolled his eyes.

"And I was sick of you the moment I was birthed." He retorted.

"And I thought we were bad." Danny said to me, lifting an eyebrow at Blake and Rick, who just looked away from each other as if fed up with each other.

"Could be worse. They could get into a cat fight." I told him. Danny laughed.

"Oh, please," Rick drawled, "It won't be much of a fight. Blake is a lover, not a fighter. And there's no way I'm gonna solve a conflict his way."

"I hate you so much." Blake returned.

"The feeling's mutual."

"It's like watching The Big Bang Theory, only less intelligent." Vic mused. Danny dropped his fork to laugh and I snickered.

"Oh, please. Blake's the only one who didn't get a college degree."

"You dropped out halfway through your last semester." Blake argued. Rick snorted.

"Of my second term. I went to community, then state, but I think I'm more of a small town guy. State had way too many douchebags sprinting in tights. You have any idea what that does to egos of fellow men? To watch them run in tights on a field, jumping on each other? It's like the bigget orgy you'll ever see."

"So why didn't you stay? I thought that was your thing." Blake said. Rick glared at him.

"See this fork? It's going to replace that very special organ of yours any minute."

"Boys, I'm highly tempted to smash your heads together." Vic pointed out. Blake went silent. Rick just huffed and went back to eating. Danny and I just grinned at each other before we finished our breakfast.

Even with things like that happening at the table, it's not like Rick and Blake would ever seriously get into a fist fight. For more than one reason. One of which being that they were brothers, and from what Rick told me, he'd kill anyone who'd try and hurt Blake. That much I understood. The other reason being that Blake really was more of a lover, not a fighter.

Unless you counted his witty sarcastic comments as fighting, then he'd win the championship alongside Rick. The two were practically bred for it.

Danny and I helped Vic clean up the dishes while Rick went to grab some things before we left and Blake went upstairs to shower.

"So, what'd you mean when you wanted to invite more people? Cuz I know you have someone in mind." I pointed out as I passed Vic a plate that he placed in the sink. I also noticed a nice tinge of pink on his face as he shrugged innocently.

"No one in particular." He answered.

"You got a boyfriend, Vic?" Danny asked outright.

"You're too forward." I snorted. Danny scowled at me. Vic laughed uneasily.

"No, no way. I'm too old to be dating anymore. I just go to that bar to meet up with some old friends." He replied.

"Old friends you used to date?" Danny pushed. I rolled my eyes and grabbed the wet dish cloth off the counter, coiling it up and whipping it at Danny's back end, making him yelp and glare at me.

"Quit being such a chicken, Danny. You gossip about as much as Emily did." I scolded. Danny pouted, then whipped around to look at Vic, waiting impatiently for an answer. I threw my hands up in defeat and handed the cloth to Vic, who took it with a smile before he returned to washing dishes.

"Yea, Danny. Used to. Key words." Vic told Danny, who leaned on the counter next to the sink, ever so innocently quirking up one of his feet.

And he accused me of being an obvious homo.

The way he pranced around the house in his pajamas, you'd think he got special training from Richard Simmons.

"Sooo, are you inviting anyone you might like or something, maybe, kinda?" He asked.

"Why don't you just ask him if he looks at YouJizz.com?" I demanded.

"Only you would know the name of a gay porn site." Danny returned. I glared at him, taking the cloth back from Vic to smack Danny in the face with it. He yelped and ducked his head, about to slam into Vic if Vic hadn't of caught him and pushed him back.

"You guys are terrible," Vic chided, taking the cloth back from me, "It's just a friendly get-together. Like I said, I'm too old for dating. Why don't you two go do something productive? Like, go to the therapy session and watch Paranormal Activity 3. I hear Netflix just got it."

"Yes! It's about freaking time! Blake! Blake, Paranormal Activity is on Netflix!" Danny was already bounding out of the room, hollaring all the way up the stairs before the sound of the bedroom door slammed shut. I rolled my eyes and watched as Vic went back to washing the dishes.

"You're not that old." I answered.

"I'll be turning forty in a couple years, Dev," Vic laughed and shook his head, "It's fine. I'm glad to just have friends, and a happy family." He ruffled my hair before he went back to cleaning. I stared at him for a while, then heard Rick coming down the stairs and sighed, departing from the kitchen.

I couldn't tell if Vic was lying or not. I mean, he was probably being honest, but at the same time, there was something he wasn't saying...

"Ready to die?" Rick asked dully as he opened the front door and led the way out. I rolled my eyes and punched him in the arm playfully as we headed to the car.

"Don't be such a drama queen. How bad can it be?"