Stubby Boardman

Jacob didn’t show how surprised he was at that added thanks but he was. This had to be the first time he’d heard the bloke say it, certainly was the first time he’d said it to Jacob. Usually he just acted like an entitled pop star. “Welcome.” He couldn’t help wondering if Stubby was sincere or just putting on the appearance of manners for Hestia. Maybe he’d kept her a secret not just for the fans and his dad but also to keep her seeing the real him. Not his problem. Mean maybe but Jacob had enough on his plate without trying to figure out what in the world Stubby and Hestia Jones relationship involved. “Probably for the best to just stick around there. But I’ve got another job and responsibilities. If something unexpected comes up I may not be able to show up. Don’t worry, any backups would just be the extra help we’re gonna need. I’ll keep the circle small and only blokes I know I can trust fully.” Jacob figured Stubby was concerned about more people knowing where he was, with good reason. Hopefully the blokes Stubby was trusting proved just as trustworthy. Jacob wasn’t sure about that one but it was a relief to know Stubby did’t have a big entourage or anything. “Good.” He might have felt bad for Stubby going from having a ton of people around to just three. But he’d seen how terrible Stubby’s life was before rehab,  this was a lot better. Would be for Stubby too if last time was any indication. He thought a moment about if there was anything else. His auror training and being best mates with Kingsley felt like it was helpful considering he hadn’t ever done this before. But he felt reasonable sure he could keep Stubby as safe as anyone. “You might want to continue signing your owls Stanley or some other name.  Keep ‘em vague too. Owls are typically safe in transit but the tabloids aren’t above poking through trash or other ridiculous moves to dig up information. A little extra diligence to protect your privacy is worth it.” It seemed like Stubby was taking this seriously so giving him encouragement to continue doing so might help him keep it up. “That’s it, we can head over to the beach house unless you have any questions for me.”

Somehow finding out Stubby didn’t even have a full education wasn’t surprising. At least he had some of one, Jacob supposed. “It’s not too complicated but it’ll help keep smaller things safe. Basically anything smaller than a box. I’ll show it to you when I get done checking out the beach house.” The charm was nothing like Gringots level but it would keep Stubby’s gold safe from most people. “Good. Since I’ve got to round up some help I’ll see about trying to have some backups in case I’m busy.” Somewhere between him telling Stubby to owl him and Stubby agreeing he realized that this was another thing he’d need some help with. He was going to take Stubby’s safety seriously but he wasn’t about to drop what he was doing to take the bloke on some last minute errand or whatever. He was definitely going to have to figure out how to make this work. Hopefully he had some time before Stubby owled him or his location got out. Which might be sooner rather than later if those two losers were involved. It was surprising to hear that they’d teamed up with the secret girlfriend to convince him not to go back to his dad. And that they’d actually cut him off. Maybe that was why he’d been wondering around Knockturn puking on some kiddy gang member’s ugly shoes. He couldn’t argue with Stubby about having choices. Jacob had worked for him long enough that he felt like if Stubby had real mates he’d have seen them. Instead it was all employees, fellow band members, and hanger ons. Maybe these two hanger ones wouldn’t be so bad. But just because Stubby trusted them didn’t mean Jacob was going to let his guard down. “So far it seems like it’s better than your dad at least,” he commented. Which was as complimentary as he felt he could be. “Anyone else I should be aware about?” Jacob wanted to make sure there were nno more surprises. Or potential security risks.

Jacob raised an eyebrow at what Stubby just told him. Going to the beach house was a priority for sure. This bloke was gonna be completely broke, really surprising he wasn’t already, before too long. “How are you with charms,” he asked instead of pointing out what a terrible idea it was to tell people where his gold was. “I want to teach you one to safeguard your gold, can’t be too careful.” As far as he knew Hestia was an honest person, of course he hadn’t known she was Stubby’s lil secret or that she’d apparently gotten a beach house out of that so there was a chance there was more to his little brother’s unassuming female mate than he’d thought. Even if there was’t it would make him feel better knowing there was an extra level of protection on Stubby’s gold stash. Just in case. At least Stubby was sticking to one place. “Good. Unless there’s a good reason to, staying in one place is better. I can get it secure and you won’t need someone around at all times. You’ll owl me, of course, if you decide to go somewhere so I can make sure it’s secure, right?” This was going to be a different setup than Stubby was used to. He couldn’t afford 24 hour security and Jacob sure wasn’t going to put his entire life on hold to just sit around with Stubby Boardman all day for the foreseeable future. Rich and Wren. Jacob tried to place who that was. The names sounded familiar. As far as he knew they weren’t the other band members. No one who worked for Stubby. And then it hit him and not only did he know who they were but felt like Stubby’s sad hope of then mot selling him out was probably a lost cause. “You mean those two potion slingers who were always hanging around? They know where you are?” Jacob had’t actually seen either of them give Stubby potions but he was sure he’d seen both of them with potions. Knew for a fact that the Minister’s son definitely had issues with potions. And staying out of the tabloids for all the reasons Stubby did even when the pair of them weren’t falling out of some club together. He hand’t been able to find out much about Wren without a last name, as far as he could tell it was just some nobody who popped up at some point and stuck around. They were not the sort of people he thought a bloke who was honestly trying to stay sober should be hanging around. Jacob wondered what they’re angle was.

50 galleons was less than what he was looking for when he was out job searching. But it was more than he expected Stubby to offer when he realized what was happening. While it wouldn’t fill the hole losing that 100 galleons an hour had left it would at least help keep things okay for now. And it was better than working for free. “Alright,” he told Stubby agreeing to the 50 galleons. Jacob nodded when Stubby said he was working on keeping sober. “Good.” Given who his father was and the way that man operated it was probably a better idea to worry about Stubby screwing him over. To scrape up some money and get a lawyer of his own to write up a contract. But the bloke looked more like a lost kid than a rock star at that moment so he decided to trust Stubby. Possibly a mistake but despite having been burned in the trust department in the past he till found himself leaning towards trusting people rather than away from it. “The schedule will be helpful, I can start seeing if I can round up anyone to help so we’re prepared. But yeah, I can check it out today. Just make sure the contract is written up and signed before any of these lawyer meetings you have.” Jacob wanted that done and dealt with as soon as possible. But Stubby’s safety could be at risk so he did’t feel right just leaving the bloke while they got the contract worked up. “We might need a few things to secure this beach house but I wont’t know till we check it out. Now is that the only place you’ve been staying? Are you here at all? Or any place else? Cause I’ll need to check the security of any places you’re going to be.” Being th one to call the shots was new. Usually Jacob just got told where to be and for how long. Had to bite his tongue while he saw obvious security mistakes. Or what he’d thought was mistakes and had now come to wonder if they weren’t on purpose after all. Jacob was so far enjoying getting to be calling the shots. He just hoped he was up to the task since a bloke’s actual safety hinged on him being so. A little more stress than he’d like but he wasn’t going to back down from the challenge.  

Jacob wasn’t surprised when Stubby wanted to know why he was making him the offer he did. It was a stupid offer, probably. But before he could answer Stubby was pointing out an obvious flaw in it. “Well then we’ll just have to put a clause in the contract that says if you don’t you pay it back in payments when you get a regular job,” he answered Stubby. Not that he thought this bloke could ever get a regular job but if he didn’t get his money back he was gonna have to work somehow. “The why is pretty simple. Maybe I’m too nice but I can’t just walk out of here and leave you to a mob of lunatics any more than I could stand by and not say something while your dad pressured you into drinking that potion.” It really was as simple as that. Jacob would feel terrible if he didn’t try to help Stubby after the bloke came to him and asked for it. He’d feel responsible if something happened to Stubby that he could have prevented by helping him. Jacob just couldn’t do it. “Besides I saw you last time, you seemed good off the potions. I dunno if it would have kept up but it wasn’t right what your dad did. And this time you asked for my help. I can’t work for free but I’m not gonna turn down someone who legitimately needs my help when they ask for it,” he added. Jacob had no idea if Stubby could stick to his conditions, stay clean and not go off partying and making Jacob’s life more difficult. But the bloke deserved an actual chance to try. Something he wouldn’t get around his dad.

Jacob was not heartless by any means. The fact that Stubby sat across from him looking sad and more than a little pathetic pulled at his sympathy. Especially when they both knew that someone would find out. It was great that Hestia was helping him out, and her family apparently. And despite the iffiness of them maybe getting a beach house and who knew what else from Stubby they seemed like they cared. That’s the impression he got from the what Stubby had said Hestia’s dad said. Assuming he was the Mr Jones Stubby was talking about. But even if they and everyone at these law offices kept their mouths shut there was one person who would’t. Mr. Bishop played dirty. Jacob didn’t even know how dirty because he was never around for any of that. But he’d heard and seen enough to know he payed dirty and had no problem pressuring Stubby into taking potions despite the bloke’s clear problems with them. If it would benefit him, or who knows maybe just to hurt Stubby as some kind of twisted punishment, he would give up Stubby’s position easily. “They’re going to find out,” he told Stubby, not to be mean but because Stubby needed to be prepared for that. “Your dad payed me a hundred galleons an hour. I doubt you have that laying around so here’s what I’m willing to do about the money. You pay me what you can manage right now and we put it in a contract that you’ll pay me the rest once you get control of your money. Including the cost of any extra help needed.” There was a very good chance that Jacob was fucking himself over, himself and putting his daughter’s future at risk, here. But he wouldn’t feel right leaving stubby to whatever fate his dad had for him over money. Jacob needed, and liked money, but not at the expense of being a good person. It’s why the job with Stubby before had been so stressful because there were a lot of nights where he wondered if what he was doing was such a good thing. He was not going to get into that position again though. “But you start doing potions, partying, taking unnecessary risks and making my job harder the deal is off. I’m out and the bill will be due in full.” It didn’t seem like Stubby was planning any of that but Jacob wasn’t taking the chance. Better if they both knew the rules up front. “How’s that sound?”

Jacob got distracted from the surprise of Hestia by Stubby answering his earlier question. Stubby it was then. Which was probably good because that’s what Jacob had called him for so long anyway. “Okay,” he replied before going ahead and fixing himself a cup of tea. It felt weird eating his little brother’s biscuits while meeting with Stubby Boardman of all people. Just as weird as the fact that he was having tea and biscuits at his little brother’s mate’s kitchen table talking to Stubby Boardman. There was a lot to take in. Stubby seemed more vulnerable than he had last time he’d been sober. Hestia’s family apparently had a beach house? He thought her dad was a gardener. Did Stubby buy his apparent secret girlfriend Hestia’s family a beach house? It wouldn’t really be surprising considering the ways he’d seen the whole band spend money on things for others to look like big shots. Or so he assumed that’s why they were doing it. But right, he wasn’t here to speculate on Hestia Jones, though he was definitely wondering. Stubby seemed rough. More like how he’d expected the bloke to be the first time he’d gotten out of rehab. Only that time he had the security of hiding out in his own flat. Till his dad got tired of him not making money that was. At least this time Stubby seemed to be standing up for himself even if he did look like he was barely able. When stubby had been wasted and doing his rock star shit it was easy to forget he was just a year older than Connor. Looking like this it was impossible to not think of how close in age he was to Connor. Or to remember that his dad held a lot, if not all, the responsibility for what a shit show Stubby had been. Jacob couldn’t really afford to work for cheap but his nature also wouldn’t allow him to get up and leave Stubby looking like he was looking when he could help. “I’ll have to see this beach house, see how secure I can make it. If your dad does leak the location of your meetings I might have to bring someone else in to help things stay in control. I’ll want to bring in people I trust, not any of those blokes who worked for your dad,” he added. Jacob wasn’t sure if Kingsley would do it but he might be able to persuade the bloke to help. Maybe even Ted. Since he wasn’t sure about what Stubby could pay it really limited him to people he knew would be okay not being paid what the job was worth. Jacob knew how insane Stubby’s fans were, and how insistent the paparazzi could be. It would take more than just him.

Being Stubby Boardman’s bodyguard had come with a lot of unexpected grief. The main one being that it had always felt like he was the only one who seemed to worry about th bloke’s safety. Not even the kid himself had seemed to care. But there was also how much of an arse his manager, who turned out to be the kid’s dad, was. How the other bodyguards did what Jacob considered the bare minimum and seemed to be rewarded for that. And of course that point where someone at Witch Weekly had decided that alongside their coverage of any time Stubby Boardman so much as breathed they needed a little thing about his hot bodyguard. A title Jacob had been both surprised and embarrassed to find out had been given him. For th longest month of his life he’d been subjected to people from the magazine trying to cozy up to him, trying to get him to pose for pictures while he was working, and all the Stubby fan girls who thought he would be an attractive way to get closer to Stubby. Because Jacob knew that it wasn’t about him or even his looks but ultimately about his position as Stubby Boardman’s bodyguard. Thankfully for him the attention lessened almost as quick as it sprung up, a combination of his complete refusal to cooperate and some one else’s bodyguard or assistant or something being more photogenic. Poor bastard, but Jacob had been relieved. It hadn’t stopped th fan girls but the teasing from his mates had lessoned at least. So aside from the loss of paycheck he hadn’t been too torn up about losing his job.

He also had never expected to hear from any of them again. Sure he’d seen the headlines, he wasn’t about to read any of that garbage, but he’d assumed it was some kind of PR. Or maybe Stubby gone off the rails again. But if the owls he got were really from Stubby, now Stanley apparently, he might have had things wrong. Jacob was interested enough to find out. Plus he was struggling to find a job so even a part time gig might be worth it. Assuming he didn’t have to keep some idiot from drowning in his own sick again. No amount of money was worth doing all of that again. There had been just enough information in the owls that he had felt confident enough that they were from Stubby. He hoped since he’d let that bit about getting fire because he’d objected to the potion abuse out. It should be known what a dick Mr. Bishop was but Jaco would be sick if he gave that information to some trashy tabloid. The mention of the flat he’d take a very messed up Stubby to some nights made him feel more certain he was writing to the right person. Jacob had never known what the deal with that flat was. No one ever mentioned it except for Stubby when he needed help getting there. He had never asked any of the others in case it was something private. It was certainly private from the tabloids and fans. He’d been suspicious the first time he’d brought Stubby here. It was a decent flat in a decent building in a decent neighborhood, all very normal in a way nothing involving Stubby was. But when he’d helped Stubby in the door it was just as nice and normal as the surroundings. Nothing to suggest it was some seediness happening. Jacob could’t help wondering if it was some secret girlfriend. Or boyfriend. Maybe one from school. Whatever was going on there he’d never done anything but leave Stubby inside and give the bloke the privacy he never got anywhere else. Jacob would usually wait outside, inconspicuous but close in case he was needed.

Today he’d been going inside. Maybe finally find out what the deal with the flat was. Jacob was surprised when Stubby himself answered. Might not have recognized him except for the fact that Jacob had seen him last time he’d sobered up. He was a bit different than that time but similar enough. “Thanks,” he replied stepping inside. As he followed Stubby he spoke again. “So erm, do I call you Stubby or Stanley,” he asked. While flat was just as normal and small as he remembered from his brief looks inside, there was one very big surprise. “Hestia?” Jacob did’t hide his surprise or confusion. Hestia didn’t look surprised or anything. “Hi, Jacob. I made a pot of tea and there’s biscuits in the tin, Connor’s actually.” She told him all of that pleasantly as if her being here with Stubby Boardman was completely normal. Was this her place? Her next words felt like a yes. “I’ll just let you two talk, if you need anything let me know.” What the bloody hell? Hestia Jones?  Her place was the one Stubby stumbled into all of those nights. So was she the secret girlfriend? Did Connor know? Connor didn’t sell weed to Stubby did he? Weed was the least of his problems but really. He’d have to have a word with Connor, find out what the deal was and make sure he hadn’t been selling to Jacob’s bloody boss. A worse thought struck him and suddenly he was hoping that Stubby Boardman hadn’t been the loser Connor had sex with. But that didn’t feel likely. If Connor had some secret lover he wouldn’t be able to keep it secret for long, he was terrible at secrets. Whatever had happened had been a one off. And Stubby had been staying over here for a while. Right, couldn’t be. That still didn’t explain the Hestia Jones of it all. Maybe Stubby would provide an explanation.

This was better, but Stubby was still scared. Scared it wasn’t enough. Scared it wasn’t sustainable. Scared none of it would matter and he’d end up back in his dad’s clutches. Or on the streets with nothing. Despite Mr. Jones’s promises those felt like distinct possibilities. Especially when he’d come and gently let Stubby know that while he’d do everything he could to keep Stubby out of the process, Stubby would still have to participate in some ways. Affidavits, he’d said. Depositions. Meetings. He’d told Stubby he’d be there with him the whole time, but he’d also suggested Stubby bring a bodyguard along, just in case word got out of where he would be. Stubby had been surprised when Jacob answered his owl, and even more surprised when he’d agreed to meet with Stubby about a potential job. The bloke really must be desperate. So was Stubby. 

Stanley,

Really? That’s really your name?

Welcome. Sorry it didn’t do any good.

Good for you. Won’t lie, pissing your dad off by helping you avoid him makes this more tempting. Be even more tempting if it was full time.  Well, if you’re serious about keeping a low profile, I should be able to help with that. I can’t guarantee I can keep your dad from finding you given I don’t know what your current set up is. Not to mention how well funded your dad is. But if the terms of employment are acceptable and I take the job, I can promise I’ll do my best to keep him from finding out and if need be, from harassing you if he does. We can discuss a full time offer once the dust settles.

Of course. I’d hope my history of discretion speaks for itself, so you’re not wrong there. I’ve never been interested in selling your secrets to the tabloids no matter how sweet the deal. And there’s no way I’d give your dad the time of day either. 

Jacob

Jacob,

Yeah, me too. 

We’ll see if any of it actually works. That’s fair enough. I’d rather not meet anyplace public right now. Haven’t been keeping up with the tabloids but from what Hestia, Rich, and Wren have told me all of London is wondering where I am. And not just London. But do you happen to remember that flat I would ask you to drop me at some nights? Any chance you’d be willing to meet there to talk about all this?

Good, that’s what I’m counting on. 

Stanley Bishop? Who the hell is Stanley Bishop? It’s gotta be Stubby but what the hell? He’s offering me a job? This feels fake.

Stanley,

Really that’s your name?

Yeah, he fired me because I told him that shoving potions at you after you nearly died was fucked up. Does lay low mean that you’ve fired your dad and are staying clean? If I’m right about that I’m open to discussing working for you.

And yeah, you should be sorry about how hard you made my job. Not sure if I’m desperate enough for this. 

Jacob

Jacob, thank Merlin I guessed the right one, 

Ah. I thought I imagined that part. Right. Thanks for trying. Thanks for trying. It’s more than anyone else ever did. 

I wouldn’t say I fired my dad so much as I’m trying to quit working for him. There’s a lot of lawyers involved and I’m trying to avoid any public attention. And trying to avoid the potions too, yeah. Can’t make any promises there. But I’m trying. So there’s not gonna be any concerts or parties or that kind of shit. I can’t afford someone full time right now, anyways. I just need someone to help me keep a low profile going to meetings and shit. And to help make sure my dad doesn’t find me. If I win back any of my Stubby Boardman money, though, there’ll be a full time offer for you after. If that’s something you’d be interested in. 

Also, even if you’re not interested in any of this, I’m kind of going out on a limb here and trusting you not to talk about anything I’ve said here. You’ve kept enough other secrets for me over the years I’m hoping I’m not wrong about that.

You probably don’t want to hear from me, but I think you’re the only one of my security guards who ever gave a fuck about me actually doing your job so here goes anyways.

My memory of the last few weeks is fuzzy, but I think my dad fired you? Sorry for that. Except not really because I know for a fact how shit he is to work for so I reckon you’re better off. I guess what I should really be sorry for is how hard I made your job, huh? 

I’m not selling this well. But the point is, I’m trying to lay low while my friend’s lawyer dad sorts through my contracts and I could use a security detail, and if I’m remembering right about you getting fired maybe you could also use a job?

Let me know.

Rich’s smile grew. It felt good to be able to use the present tense about Davey. “Yeah, boyfriend. Maybe you can meet sometime, you’d like him. Everyone does. There’s just something about him that makes people like him. He’s… real.” Rich didn’t know how else to put it. Davey was the realest person he’d ever met. Genuine. It felt like that was what drew people to him. Aside from the fact that he’d been a baseball player and the reason Rich had t-shirts and sweats, he wasn’t really sure what else to say about Davey. Him being a genuine person summed it up. And it felt good to talk about Davey. To think about introducing him to people. But right now there was a more immediate need. Stubby needed his own things. He listened to what Stubby listed and where things were located. Seemed like a good thing that Stubby wanted his guitar. Though the fact that the bloke didn’t even have a key to his flat yet there wasn’t anyone waiting on him at the hospital was trash. Not surprising though. Rich wasn’t sure he’d ever seen Stubby with things. Money, id, keys. None of that. There was always someone with him with anything he might need. And lots f things he didn’t need. “Shouldn’t be a problem. Wren and I will find a way in,” he reassured Stubby. Getting in and out wasn’t something he was concerned with. He and Wren had ways Stubby didn’t know. “Worse case we’ll just pay someone. I can only think of one bloke on your team that might be trouble.” Not that they’d need to worry about security guards but Stubby’s had always been shit. Letting people backstage, into parties, even ones at Stubby’s flat, that shouldn’t be for gold. “But don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone where you are or say anything that might give it away.” Preferably they would’t even have to talk to anyone but Wren wanted to try and reassure Stubby that they would’t sell him out. The least he deserved was a few days away from all that shit to figure things out for himself.

The last time Stubby had been at his place things had ended very badly. Rich was nervous they might this time as well. It felt weird not only having Stubby here again, a subdued and sober Stubby, but also the knitter, who Stubby apparently did know. Well it sounded like. It was still a huge surprise. As was the fact that Stubby’s name was Stanley. How pathetic was it that one of the people who were the closest thing to friends Rich had for so long he hadn’t even known their actually name? Because he wasn’t sure he could qualify Stubby as a friend. Wren was now. Maybe even that bird of his, Ebony. Maybe Juni too. Beck was feeling less of a friend these days. Stubby felt like an even bigger question mark than anyone. Whatever Stubby was, whoever he was, Rich was glad he was able to help the bloke some. Even if he was still feeling unsure of himself in this whole situation. Somehow the person in charge, making the plans. That was not someone Rich ever thought he’d be. He hoped he didn’t fuck it up.

At least he had something to offer Stubby. Even if it was just sweats and a t-shirt. Rich was actually sort of surprised that was what Stubby went for. But it was the least rock star look his closet had to offer so maybe it shouldn’t have been. He felt nervous as he waited for Stubby to change. Rich hadn’t expected they’d be coming back here. While he hadn’t used a potion in months he worried that maybe there was something in his bathroom that might be too much of a temptation. Something he had missed or something he just didn’t think of. So it was a relief when the other bloke came out looking like he hadn’t just downed whatever shit he could find. Though also weird to see Stubby looking normal but also really fragile. He wondered if he should say something. Wondered what that something should be. Stubby spoke first. Rich found himself laughing. “I’m not,” he admitted. “It’s um…my boyfriend.” He could feel his smile growing at the word boyfriend. Just the simple fact that he could call Davey that again was nothing short of a miracle it felt like. Though it still felt so new that it made him nervous talking about it. Like he might jinx it. Except he wasn’t a superstitious bloke so more like he might fuck it up again. Or it would all end up being some Veela trick and the broom would be pulled out from under him at some point. “He was a player. You’ve got him to thank for the clothes cause I was never much of a t-shirt bloke. Glad you found something.” Despite having to use the past tense Rich managed not to dwell on all the ways Veela, including himself, had ruined Davey’s life. Instead staying focused on Stubby, though the smile stayed a little bigger than it would have thanks to the mention of Davey.  “Like I said at the hospital, Wren and I can swing by your place and pick up anything you need or want. Or go to the store. It’s fucked they didn’t even bring you a bag.”

He hadn’t said much as Rich led him to his closet and let Stubby pick out a pair of very nice sweatpants and a t-shirt. Though he had wondered about all the Pride of Portree stuff. Rich had definitely never seemed like a sports fan. More likely he was a fan of the players. But Stubby also clearly didn’t know the bloke well. He was glad Hestia had come along on this stop. While he’d decided he didn’t have any choice but to trust the odd crew that had shown up to collect him from St. Mungo’s, he also figured Hestia was the least likely to screw him over, even if she did have ulterior motives. Not that she could do much to fight of Rich and Wren if it came to that, but her presence was still a comfort. Still, Stubby didn’t want to hang around Rich’s flat longer than necessary, so he changed quickly. It took all his willpower not to search Rich’s drawers for a potion. There were probably none in there. Even if there were, they would kill him. Would one really kill him? There was no such thing as one for him, that was what the healers kept saying in rehab. Stubby gripped the edge of Rich’s counter and looked in the mirror as he struggled with himself. He looked different, in a baseball team-branded hooded sweatshirt, his hair ungelled, no stars dancing in his eyes to obstruct his own appearance. There was no pop star looking back at him. Just a bloke. Tired, pale, scared, trying not to fall apart. 

Rich felt for Stubby. Picking yourself up wasn’t easy. And Stubby was picking himself up from about as low as a person could go, it felt like. Trusting wasn’t easy either. Rich knew a lot about how hard that was when you’d been betrayed by the people everyone said you could trust the most. His parents, the real ones wherever they were, had ditched him and clearly wanted nothing to do with him now that he was older and knew about his Vila-ness. The Minster was a liar who held his sons to a standard that even he couldn’t keep without extra help. Not to mention the fact that he was so desperate for power he’d gotten into bed with the Vila and clearly not known the fine print. While the Minster’s wife hadn’t even noticed her son was switched. Rich had seen enough babies to know they did not all look exactly alike. Not to mention all the times she sat by while her husband bullied their sons, ridiculed their choices, and forced them into rolls they couldn’t fill. Finding out your parents were arseholes was the quickest way to trust issues in Rich’s opinion. And Stubby’s were clearly arseholes. Stubby not knowing he was a Vila and couldn’t lie meant he couldn’t just tell the other that it was okay, he could trust them. He’d have to let Stubby figure that out on his own. Which was a shame because he was sure the bloke was wondering if he was going from one shit show to another right now. At least this bird had turned out to be someone Stubby actually knew instead of just some crazy. Though Rich was still wrapping his mind around Stubby hanging out at the beach with a knitter who threatened people with kicks of all fucking things. Mystifying. He was relieved when Stubby seemed to decide that the unknown was better than the shit he knew. Now they just had to hope it actually turned out better for Stubby. Given that he wasn’t sure how the breaking contract thing would go, it was hard to say for sure. But it had to be better. “We can do that,” he answered before the knitter had a chance. “This beach house you two were talking about or do you wanna stop by my place and change. I think my clothes will fit ya. Doubt anything beachy, but I’m sure something will suit ya.” He hadn’t been to the beach in years but he at least had clothes that were a hell of a lot more casual than the outfit Stubby was currently wearing. He’d seen pictures of Stubby’s last concert in the tabloids and was certain that was the same exact outfit. Especially because the bloke had nothing with him, no bag or even just a change of clothes clutched in his hands.

Hestia was surprised when Stanley hugged her back. She didn’t actually remember when the last time he’d hugged her that wasn’t him actually just holding onto her because he was too out of it to stand. It had been that long. Better than the hug was that Stanley had agreed to let them help him. She was even more glad now that his friends seemed to be good ones because she wasn’t exactly sure what now. Other than just getting Stanley somewhere his dad couldn’t hurt him. But the Rich bloke, the one who looked familiar, did know. It sounded smart too. Lawyers might be needed, Hestia hadn’t even thought about contracts. Hestia felt even more optimism about actually being able to help Stanley out of all of this now. But it was sad to know that he couldn’t go home.

“That wouldn’t be good,” Rich told him.

If Stanley was right that his parents owned everything, Stanley’s place would be theirs. She was just glad she wasn’t the one having to voice that it wouldn’t be good. At least he had options. Her flat, her parents’ house, Rich had offered his flat. Or the beach house. Hestia’s face lit up when Stanley mentioned it. He remembered! Family holidays to the beach house had always been wonderful. But those times Stanley had been with them had felt extra special. The only worry she had about the place was if it would be good for Stanley. It hadn’t felt like it was good for Regulus. But maybe what Stanley actually needed was time alone. While Regulus hadn’t needed that at all. Despite the worry that it wouldn’t work for him either Hestia smiled at him. “It’s not stupid! No one’s there. You can have the whole house to yourself if you want. Or if you think it’d be better for someone to be there with you. I can stay. Or they can,” she said gesturing to the two blokes that she really hoped were as good as they seemed. “Or we can take turns. Whatever you want. There’s no way your dad would think to look there. And you wouldn’t have to worry about fans either. It’s the perfect place to lie low.”

“We can go to your place and get some things for ya if you want. Clothes, whatever else you might need,” Rich offered.