ROAD TO NOWHERE

Chapter 26

The next two days were extremely hard on the two lovers. 

Avi had promised to give Tim some space but it was killing him. He just wanted to take Tim in his arms and show him what love was all about.

Tim was finding it hard not to take Avi in his arms and make love to him like he did while on their road trip. But he needed time to be sure that he wasn't just leading Avi on. He didn't see this as a breakup, more or less, a chill out time to maybe dissect his heart and feelings.

Austin could tell that something was going on but just couldn't figure out what. Neither of the two men was willing to talk about what went on in the bathroom that night. He knew it had to have something to do with the incident with Big John. But why were they keeping each other at arm's length even though the want was still in their eyes?

The four of them sat outside of the Justice of the Peace office. Austin and Adam awaited their appointment to get married.

"Do I have time to go use the restroom?" Avi quietly asks. 

"Yeah, we still have about twenty minutes." Adam answers with a smile.

"Great, I'll be back in a little bit." Avi says as he gets up from his seat to go find the restroom.

Austin walks over and sits down beside Tim who was nervously bouncing his leg.

"After Adam and I get married, you and I are going to have a little talk." Austin says sternly.

"About what?" Tim asks softly.

"About what's going on between you and Avi. Don't think I haven't noticed." Austin says, placing a hand on Tim's leg to stop the nervous bouncing.

"There's nothing to talk about." Tim mumbles, shaking his head.

"That's bullsh*t, Timmy, and you know it!" Austin says. His voice rising in annoyance.

"Shhhh." Adam says softly trying to quieten his fiance. The large empty halls of the court house cause their voices to echo very easily.

"Alright. We'll talk but Avi and I have something to do first." Tim says in a hushed voice.

"And what is that?" Austin asks.

"Uh, Avi is going to go visit his parents for a little while. I have to take him to the airport." Tim answers as he watches the hallway for Avi.

"Sweetie, are yall having problems?" Austin asks with concern.

"Can we just talk later? Please?" Tim asks.

Austin could see the sudden sadness in Timmy's eyes.

"Whatever is wrong, it can be fixed." Austin whispers as he brushes back his friend's hair. "You two have something special."

The sound of footsteps echoing in the hallway hushes the conversation. About the time the door of the Justice of the Peace office opens and a lady looks out into the hallway.

"Adam Rupp and Austin Brown?" She asks looking at the men.

"Yes, Mam." Adam answers as he reaches for Austin's hand.

"Made it back just in time." Avi smiles as he and Tim follow Adam and Austin into the office.

Tim could not tear his eyes away from Austin during the ceremony. Happiness was radiating off his boyish freckled face. A lump came up in his throat and his eyes misted over as he thought back on all the hard times, sad times and fun times that they had shared together. He had never seen Austin look happier than he did right at this moment. The sparkle in his eyes as he looked into the eyes of his fiance as they said their vows.

He slowly turns his head to look at Avi standing next to him. Avi's green eyes were full of tears as he stared mindlessly at nothing. His mind was definitely on something besides the wedding.

"WE DID IT!" Austin laughs as he grabs Adam into a hug. Drawing Tim's attention back to the newly weds.

"Congratulations." Tim says as he plasters on a smile.

"Yeah, congratulations." Avi says.

"I can't believe this is actually happening." Austin giggles as he stares at the wedding band on his finger.

"Me neither. I never thought you'd find anybody that would want you." Tim chuckles as he pulls the smaller man into a hug. "But I'm happy for you."

"I'm so glad you were here." Austin whispers as he hugs Tim tightly.

"I wouldn't have missed seeing this for the world." Tim says softly, kissing Austin on the cheek.

Tim then pulls Adam into a hug.

"Take good care of him. He's pretty special to me." Tim says.

"I will, you don't have to worry about that." Adam smiles.

~~

"Are you excited about seeing your parents?" Tim asks softly, trying to break the silence inside the airport.

"I guess." Avi answers curtly.

"Avi, I promise, it's just for a little while." Tim continues to speak softly.

"You keep saying that. But I just don't understand." Avi shakes his head as he quickly wipes a tear. "Why is this even happening?"

"This .. this is not a breakup." Tim says, shaking his head.

"Then why do I feel like it is?" Avi asks as a tear rolls down his cheek.

"Because you want me to tell you that I love you. But, I want to make sure. My mind is so confused right now." Tim says. "It's not fair to you if what I'm feeling is just .. sexual attraction."

"Tim, if it had been just sexual then I wouldn't have had to seduce you." Avi states. "You would have made the first move."

Avi had made a good point. But Tim's mind and his feelings were still mixed up.

"Avi, I wish I could make you understand. I have NEVER had any kind of love in my life. Is this love that I'm feeling for you, maybe, I just don't know." Tim says with a shrug.

"FLIGHT 67 TO VISALIA, CALIFORNIA IS NOW BOARDING." The announcement came over the intercom.

A brief silence fell between the two as Avi stands and picks up his carry-on bag.

"I gotta go." Avi says.

"Call me when you get there to let me know that you made it alright." Tim says as he leans in to kiss Avi.

Avi turns his head to keep Tim from kissing him on the lips.

Tim sighs and places a soft kiss on Avi's cheek.

"Please, understand." Tim whispers.

"That's the problem. I don't." Avi answers before walking away.

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