War Paint | Jonnor

Chapter 18

Connor's POV
Sitting here with Jude on the couch, I thought that everything was going to be fine - that nothing could come between us anymore - but once Lena had opened the front door, it all fell apart. My life flashed before my eyes as I saw the one person I hated the most step foot into the Adam-Foster's household.

Dad.

There he was, standing with clenched fists by his sides. I could feel the tension rising in the room, my voice unable to break open. He scanned the area and focused his eyes directly on me. My heart was beating a mile a minute as the silence lingered through the air.

Lena rested her hand on Dad's arm, causing him to look up at her.

"Why don't we be more civilized and handle this as adults?"

"I didn't come here to have a conversation with you, I came here to find my son."

She sighed. "Adam, you need to think this through first. Connor did nothing wrong. He's been a wonderful guest and we love having him here."

Dad shook his head in disagreement. "I've told him before that he wasn't allowed to come over. My boy can't be hanging out with your son, Jude."

"Unbelievable. Is this what's bothering you?"

"Yes, and frankly, I don't like it."

"As a parent, you need to realize that Connor can handle himself. He should be able to hang out with whoever he wants."

"No son of mine will have a friend who's gay."

"Excuse me? Jude is a special kid, there's nothing bad about him being different. And why exactly does his sexuality matter to you?"

"Listen, I just don't want Connor to be involved in that kind of environment."

"I would beg to differ. Do you consider the environment he has with you to be safe?"

Dad's jaw tightened, his mouth forming a straight line. "Watch it."

"Try me." Lena folded her arms.

Without realization, Dad and Lena had both forgotten that we were still in the living room with them, hearing everything they mentioned.

"Boys, why don't you go outside in the backyard while Mr. Stevens and I settle this conversation?"

Jude and I nodded, leaving the room quickly.

General POV
Connor walked outside as Jude trailed behind his feet. The older boy crashed onto the grass, letting out every emotion he carried inside of him. Jude understood what Connor was going through and rubbed his shoulder gently.

"What am I going to do about my dad? There's no way he'll let this slip. I'm scared Jude, not only for myself but for us."

"Believe me, I'm scared too. I can't lose you Connor, not after everything we've been through together."

"I wish it would just go away, all the problems in our lives."

Jude nodded in response. The boys laid back against the ground, staring above them at the night sky. There were a series of stars - each one brighter than the other - twinkling across the dark canvas. Throughout all the chaos, this was the only moment where they felt at peace.

Connor shifted his hand towards Jude's, gripping his pinky softly. He smiled at the mere touch and titled his head to face him.

"I will never stop loving you."

Jude grinned, his face shining upon the moonlight. Connor was about to close the open space between them - that was until footsteps approached from behind. Lena stood in front of the doorway looking defeated as ever.

"You guys can come inside now." Lena starts. "Oh, and Connor before you go, your father would like to speak with you." She paused, then continued. "Jude and I will leave you two alone to talk with one another."

Connor's eyes dozed off in fear when Lena's last words escaped her mouth. It felt like his mind was driving in a constant loop.

Your father would like to speak with you.

Your father would like to speak with you.

Your father would like to speak with you.

Out of all the complications that occurred in his life, the last thing he wanted to do was converse with his dad. Jude helped him up off the grass and went inside the house. Adam stepped out not too long after, taking a seat right beside his son.

Connor immediately stared down at his shoes and didn't dare to make eye contact with the man sitting next to him. Evidently, he was expecting a long argument to pop up from his dad, but there was none.

Adam pulled his hands out in front of him and held them in mid-air. He didn't know where to begin or what to say, the words couldn't seem to piece together correctly. Finally, he let out a note.

"I-I'm sorry."

Connor raised his head in pure shock. Was this real? Was this really happening? Did he actually hear what his father just said? Leaving the thoughts aside, he came back to find himself being covered in Adam's arms.

A weight of relief lifted off Connor's shoulders while his dad squeezed him. It felt like the world was coming back together again. This was all he could ever ask for: support.

They pulled apart and Adam cut out a small smile.

"I should have realized how much you care about Jude. You really do love that boy. I can see it in the way you look at him. Ever since the day at the batting cages, I knew something was going on between you guys. It reminded me of how I felt when I first fell in love." Connor was listening with all ears. Adam had never really shared to him about his childhood. "Her name was Alice, she was the most amazing person that ever came into my life. I could get lost hearing the sound of her voice. One day, I asked her out and she had said yes. We dated in middle school for a couple of months. It was the greatest time of my life, or so I thought." Adam dropped his eyes to the ground. "At the end of the year, our relationship came to a fall when she broke up with me. I felt hurt, betrayed, and worthless. I thought I could never find true love again. However, the spark came back to flame when I met your mother." He beamed back up and continued. "She was so beautiful, and she still is. On the day your mother gave birth to you, I knew my life was going to change. I promised myself that I would protect you from the one thing that could possibly hurt you: love. That's why I raised you to like certain things and do certain stuff, all because I was afraid - afraid of what would happen if that one person didn't feel the same towards you. But I was wrong. Jude does love you. And if you truly believe that he's the one, then I couldn't be more happier for you both. So forget everything I taught you to be as of now, okay? The only person you can be Connor is yourself. I love you no matter what and I'm proud to be called your father. You'll always be my son, that's never going to change."

Tears of joy seeped under Connor's eyes. He finally understood why his dad was rather over-protective of him throughout his entire life. He was just scared.

For all the times Connor got beat up by his father, he knew that it didn't matter anymore. Adam had apologized and this was his opportunity to forgive him.

Connor bumped shoulders with the old man, lightening up the mood. He chuckled and brought his son closer to him. By locking an arm around Connor's neck, he used his other free hand to noogie him on the head.

"Truce!" Connor surrendered.

Adam laughed, loosening his grip. He pulled Connor in for another hug and whispered behind his ear, "I love you son."

Connor smiled. "I love you too Dad."

They sat there in tranquility, viewing the starry night that lay above them.