Hideaway

The waiter went to Finn next. He ordered the both of them an omelet and then proceeded to order Gray a side of pancakes with chocolate and peanut butter drizzle. His father handed his menu back the waiter before asking his question. “What’s your favorite football team?” A little bit of panic rushed over Finn. He took Gray’s hand and squeezed it a couple of times, almost as if he was spelling out Seahawks in morse code. 

Finn smiled and nodded his head at Gray. “Yeah, I do.” He let go of the other’s hand to look at the menu. He wasn’t sure if Gray knew, but Finn knew his father staying for brunch and his brother acting like he already knew was his family being supportive. Sure it wasn’t going to be a perfect coming out story and he still didn’t have his mom on his side, but it was a start. “I’m sorry she did that.” His father broke the silence between them while his brother ordered. “So you two– that’s on fleek as you kids would say.” He looked at Gray, now serious again. “I have one question for you—”

“Remember his little friend in high school? I caught them doing things. Finn didn’t go to swim camp that summer. He went to a camp that the old church suggested. They helped Finn become a good Catholic again, but clearly, he has lost his faith again.” His mother explained to his father. A waiter finally came up to the family’s table. “At this point, Griffin has ruined the family’s meal. I am sure we have all lost our appetite.” His mother stood up from her seat and Finn could feel his heart sink. He knows this could have cost him his family and even worse it could have cost him Phoenix. Why would anyone let two young adults adopt a child when they had no family support on either side? He didn’t think about the latter until just now. Part of Finn wanted to tell everyone it was a late April’s fool joke. “No, I’m actually still pretty hungry.” His dad spoke up before Finn could get lost in his thoughts. “I am pretty sure the boys are too, but if you would like to go home feel free to take the car. We will get a cab.” Finn’s father told his mother. This obviously irritated her and caused her to storm out. His dad began ordering and his brother looked at him and Gray. “Johnny totally owes me fifty dollars.”

His mother stayed quiet thinking of her next argument. Finn turned his attention to his father to help out Gray. “Phe was a case I had. Her parents actually. Really bad drug addicts, I was doing welfare checks on them. One check I found that they had OD’ed. I had taken care of Phoenix until social services took her in. I thought about her all the time, though. About how she was alone and scared. I– We fought like hell to be able to foster her and now we are in the process of adopting her. She will legally be our daughter soon.” He turned to his mom. “See you will still get grandchildren.” She let out a scoff. “I can’t– I just can’t believe you are doing this to me again, Griffin.” His father arched his brow. “Again?” Finn sat back in his chair, with a no care attitude even though his heart was racing and his hand was fused to Gray’s.

“Yup,” Finn said quickly to Gray. While waiting for his family to overcome the shock and say something, Finn pulled out a chair for Gray to sit in and then sat next to his boyfriend. His father coughed and his mother was the first one to say something. “Griffin, this isn’t something very funny to joke about. Y’know people from church eat here too, what if they heard you?” At this point, his father was just staring at Gray. “So what if they heard me? Not everyone thinks like you, mom. The Carter’s daughter is gay. Member the Poyles’? Both of their sons are gay. The church still excepts them.” Finn took Gray’s hand, using it as a security blanket to help him speak to his mother. “How do you have a kid if you are gay?” His father directed to Gray. “Was it a drunken night?” His brother pitched in.

“I believe that is a bit… what’s the word? … shallow?”

“Yeah, well, I’m only deep when I’m on shrooms and well, I’m not on shrooms. I’m starting to get the feeling whatever you’re studying, it’s one of those stereotypically ‘easy’ things.”

Abby rose to her feet and walked up to the guy, invading his personal space a little. Looking him carefully in the eye, “and it’s clear why. Someones got the munchies?”

“Well, that’s for damn sure.” He said, not meeting her eye contact as he scanned the room some more. “Speaking of, where are these munchies?”

Finn smiled when he looked up to the door of the restaurant and say his boyfriend walk in. He excused himself from the table and met Gray. “Thanks for coming, baby,” Finn whispered to him while he wrapped an arm around the other’s waist and guided him to the table his family sat at. “Mom, dad–” He started, getting confused faces from both his parents. “You both know Gray. Well, not only is he my roommate, but he is also my boyfriend.” Finn paused after, waiting for the reactions of his family.

“Well think possibly you either be quicker?”

“Uhhh... Maybe. I don’t really have a grasp on— time. Right now.”

“Why is that? Does it not matter if I fail at something you think is not important?”

“Well, of course. Why would I let you cut me for something I don’t think is important?”

Finn wanted to stop to ask Gray was he was going to gag him with, but he knew he had to leave now if he was going to make it in time. “I love you.” He called out to the other while leaving.

After church the Bleu’s were going to the family home to have brunch like tradition. Him and his mom were having a good day and he decided to ask her if he could bring a ‘special friend’ home. Of course his mom excitedly agreed. While in the back seat of his brothers car Finn shot a text to Gray asking if he can leave Phe with Kai and come over dressed his best.

“Yes, sort of. By that I mean that I have a lot of homework, so I need coffee and as much time as I can get. Unless you want me to fail.”

“Well, I guess it depends on what you’re failing at.”

“I love your Pizza Hut. I mean yeah we can watch Moana for the twentieth time or we can go through with the sleepover then binge watch Big Brother. And finally, end the night with you fucking me so hard the neighbors three stories below us can hear me screaming.”

“Dude, that’s definitely not going to happen. I mean, seriously, c’mon. Nobody’s going to be able to hear you screaming after I gag you.” He laughed, shoving Finn’s shoulder. “Go. You’re going to be late for church. Also, buy me the Big Brother live feeds tonight.” He grabbed Finn’s shoulder, pulling him in to kiss his cheek before letting go and spinning him around toward the door.

Finn pulled away with a big smile on his face. “That sounds great, to be honest.” His smile faded with Gray reminded him about a sitter. “Maybe Kali wants to have a sleepover. I’m sure Kai won’t mind. He does owe us.”

“Maybe tomorrow. I’m thinking I can whip up a delicious Pizza Hut pizza for my two favorites, and we can, I dunno, watch Moana or some shit. I heard that’s on Netflix. And then after Phe is asleep, I’m gonna keep you up to have that one on one time. Over and over again.”

Finn shrugged his shirt the rest of the way off and handed it to gray as he took the other’s shirt. “Geez, babe. You are perfect.” He commented, checking out his boyfriend while putting on the shirt. Finn then leaned in to kiss Gray’s lips. “I couldn’t be without you.”