Family Isn't Always Blood

Chapter 2: Mr. Andrzejewski's Aftermath

Charlie woke up with a start at the pressure of a hand on his shoulder. "Relax, Charlie. It's only me." Charlie blinked up at Quill.

"I think that's the first time you've called me Charlie." He said sleepily. He stretched his arms over his head.

"Your mate is still asleep. You should probably get him out of the tub before he gets hypothermia. These human bodies can't stand the cold for too long." Quill's back. "The male version looks weird without clothing." She added as an afterthought.

Charlie jumped off the ground. "Out! Quill! Leave until Matteusz is dressed!" He held out his arms as if he could block her from seeing his boyfriend's body.

She rolled her eyes. "He's not even awake."

"Quill! He's naked, and it's a choice who you are naked in front of. He can't make the choice. Go wait downstairs. We'll be down soon for breakfast."

Quill scoffed and headed out the bathroom door. Charlie heard her footsteps head down the stairs. He reached out his arm and pushed a piece of Matteusz' hair off his forehead. Charlie put his other hand in the water. Quill was right, it's freezing! "Matteusz, Matteusz, wake up." The taller boy didn't move. "Come on Matteusz." Not even a flickering eyelid. Charlie pulled the lever that drained the tub. There was a telltale gurgling and the water level slowly dropped. Charlie grabbed a towel from the closet.

Matteusz blinked forcefully. "What's-Charlie? Why-" He started shivering. "Was I taking a b-b-bath?"

"Yes, you were, but now it's time to dry off. Do you want me to help?" Matteusz nodded. "Okay, I'll need you to stand up then." He did as he was told. Charlie started rubbing the towel gently on his lover's skin. Matteusz just stood there, looking lost. When Charlie had finished, he helped Matteusz step out of the tub and walk into the main room. The Pole was so dazed he just sat on the bed, naked. He watched his boyfriend and roommate rummage around in a drawer and pulled out some underwear. He watched the golden-haired boy walk over and hold out the white Calvin Kleins.

Charlie sighed. "Matteusz, I need you to stand up, okay, now lift up this foot..." And on it went, until Matteusz was fully dressed. "Let's go downstairs, and then we can eat breakfast. Are you hungry?"

"Yes." Came the reply. Charlie quickly pulled on some pants and grabbed one of his shirts out of the closet. Not bothering to button it up yet, he guided the puzzled boy down the stairs. "Wait." Matteusz stopped. They heard a voice coming from the kitchen. A familiar voice. But it couldn't be. No way was that actually Quill, singing in the kitchen. They walked down the rest of the stairs and looked into the kitchen. Sure enough, the blonde was making something in a pan that undeniably smelled good. She continued singing something about "books of old, the legends, and the myths" along with the radio as she flipped whatever was in the pan.

"Pancakes!" Matteusz gasped. He ran and hugged Quill, physically lifting her off the ground, and she froze. She patted him awkwardly on the back and gave Charlie a puzzled look over a broad shoulder.

The prince started laughing, a bizarre-and-slightly-deranged type of laugh, but one that made Matteusz put Quill back on her own two feet and stride quickly over to Charlie before kissing him, his hands on either side of the Rhodian's face. Charlie melted into the kiss, glad Matteusz was knocked out of his trance. Matteusz pulled away and hugged Quill again, gentler this time.

"Can we make them with blueberries?" He asked her.

She smiled. The corners of her lips moved upwards. Charlie couldn't believe it.

"Yes, Matteusz," she said calmly. "We can make them with blueberries... if you're willing to run to the store quickly and buy some."

"Come on Charlie! I love blueberry pancakes! My grandmother used to make them for me back in Poland, but they were made with potatoes... Where are my sneakers?" He rushed around looking for them before dashing up the stairs for socks. Charlie shook his head in amazement. How did humans go from that state to... whatever this is?

"Charles, I may be used to the two of you running around here half-naked, but I'm pretty sure the world would prefer if you finished getting dressed." Quill pointed at his unbuttoned shirt with the whisk she was stirring more batter with. Some of the mixture got onto the floor. "I'll clean that up later. Just go with Matteusz and get him some blueberries. If they made him normal again, they're good enough for me. Get some more coffee beans while you're there. Here's the card." She handed over the debit card the Doctor had given them all those weeks ago. It seemed like years, now.

Matteusz came thundering down the stairs completely ready with socks and shoes for Charlie in his hand. Charlie pocketed the card and got ready, buttoning his shirt as he walked out the door. There was a drop of blood on the doorstep from when Quill's slap broke the skin on Mr. Andrzejewski's face. The two walked cheerfully down the road, headed towards a corner store where blueberries and coffee beans could be bought. Halfway there, Matteusz stopped dead in his tracks.

"Charlie. I remember what happened with my father. I'm sorry I didn't do something after he called you a... a..." He couldn't bring himself to say it.

"I understand, Matteusz. I understand."

"Is there any way I can make it up?" The Pole asked with sorrowful eyes.

"Kiss me," Charlie said.

The blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy leaned in and the two kissed for an eternity. Everything else melted away. Just the two of them, boyfriends, soulmates, lovers, whichever word you choose. Just the two of them. Until Charlie's phone rang. Regretfully, the two pulled away and Charlie picked up a call from Ram. "We're all thinking of watching a movie tonight, you and Matteusz in?" Mattuesz nodded and Charlie answered affirmatively. "I'm talking to April and Tanya on video chat right now, and we're wondering who's place."

"It can be ours. We're going to the store right now, what should we pick up?" Charlie asked. Matteusz shook his head in disbelief at how much Charlie still didn't know.

"Popcorn, some candy, and soda," Ram answered. "The three of us will each try to be there at around... let's say... eight o'clock? Yeah, we'll be there around eight."

They said their goodbyes and hung up. Matteusz and Charlie continued to the store and back home. Home. Because that's what it is. Home isn't blood. Home is family. Home is where the heart is.