Family Secrets

Eliseo - Astrid: David and Diego's Courting Day

Eliseo

"We'll need witnesses," Pop muses. "For the Courting Day meeting."

"I'll go," Juan says immediately.

"I'm going too," I assert, cutting through the squabbling voices of my younger brothers.

Pop nods immediately, but Mama studies me for a long moment, seeming curious, maybe even suspicious. Her eyes drop to my side, looking at my wolf—I assume—then opens her mouth to say something.

"I want Eliseo there," Diego cuts in, looking between Mama and me. "He was the first one to say he'd stand by me. And he's friends with David."

I could hug my little brother.

"Why can't we all go?" Adrian whines. "I wanna see what happens!"

"Do I have to watch the kids?" Raul groans. "I've got plans with Kilan."

Pop looks at him, "It won't be long. I doubt there will be a lot of disagreement between us."

"And Kilan is welcome to come here," Mama says pointedly.

Raul sighs, "Can I at least go tell him?"

Juan looks torn, obviously wanting to go, but also—"I'll stay. Raul can go hang with Kilan."

"But you—" Mama begins.

"It's fine. It's more important for Ellie to go."

D. still looks dumbstruck. I lean toward him, whispering, "You okay?"

"Is this really happening?" he breathes. It might be my imagination, but I think he's close to hyperventilating. "Is this all a joke or something?" he whispers; he looks agitated, anxious.

"No," I whisper back, "I saw him and David kissing."

D. shakes his head, looking lost. "And Mama and Pop are okay with it. They're letting them begin courtship."

"Yeah."

He goes extremely pale, swallows several times, then blurts to the room at large, "I'm in love with a male too!"

The entire house goes quiet—maybe even the entire trailer park.

D.'s paleness rushes into a crimson blush. He casts panicky eyes around, "I—I—"

Diego scoops him up into a hug, "Congratulations!"

"The Giftling asshole?" Juan guesses, sounding resigned.

D.'s eyes widen, "How did—"

I snort, "We've known for a while. Diego was more of a surprise, actually."

Mama and Pop are nodding. Pop quirks a brow, "Why do you think you've not been allowed to stay the night with him?"

"But—but—"

"When you're ready," Mama assures him, "we'll meet with his people too. I'm not sure how that works with the Giftling, but we'll figure it out."

D. stares at all of us, open-mouthed. "You all... you knew? And are okay with it?"

"Wish he wasn't a Giftling," Raul mutters, "but he's not as bad as some of them are."

"You knew?!" D. gapes at him.

Raul shrugs, "You stare at each other a lot."

"Anyone else have something to tell us?" Mama asks, lips twitching as she looks around the room.

"Girls have cooties!" the twins blurt in unison.

"Cooties!" little Dustin whoops.

"I like fighting better than flirting," Raul mutters, cleaning his claws.