FAMILY BOND

Chapter 14

"Are you okay?" Adam asks as he leans back against his husband's chest as they sat in the hot tub and enjoyed a glass of wine, watching the sunset.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why shouldn't I be?" Tim asks as he kisses the blonde on the temple.

"Well, you were pretty angry with Eddie earlier. I was just wondering." Adam shrugs.

Tim chuckles and shakes his head.

"Ed has always known the right buttons to piss me off. I think he gets off just seeing how far he can push me." Tim says.

"I remember one time, back during your pool playing days, that Chris and I had to pull you guys apart before punches were thrown." Adam smiles.

"Yeah, I remember that. He'd probably kick my ass but I've never been the kind to back down." Tim says as he takes a sip of his wine.

"Do you miss it?" Adam says as he turns his head to look at his husband.

"Miss what? Playing pool?" Tim asks and Adam answers with a nod. "Yeah, a little bit. It was my life for so long. Traveling around from city to city for tournaments. Avi and I were famous and feared by the other players." He chuckles.

"You're still feared by many." Adam says as he lays his head back on Tim's shoulder.

"But in a different way." Tim says quietly.

"Do you miss that?" Adam asks, turning his head once again to look at Tim when he didn't answer. He was staring out across the blue water. "You do, don't you."

Tim sighs and hangs his head.

~~

The weeks passed quickly and even though they have had fun, they were all exhausted. Everyone chatted with excitement as they loaded their suitcases into the van. Everyone that is except for Avi.

Tim glances over to see him standing on the walkway, staring out across the ocean.

Tim quietly walks over and leans over on the railing, lighting a cigarette.

"Something wrong, Sweet Cheeks?" Tim asks as he looks out across the water.

"I don't want to go home, Timbo." Avi says quietly as he hangs his head.

"Why?" Tim asks softly turning his head to look at the bearded man.

"Bad things always happen. You and I almost died when we fell into that well. Those two guys attacked me and Kirst. If you guys hadn't come along, they probably would have raped her." Avi says, raising his eyes to meet Tim's. "Nothing bad has happened to us here."

"Sweetness, us falling in that well was just a freak accident. Those two maniacs? Well, there's a lot of crazy people in this world. Those two just happened to wander upon you two." Tim says. "Kirstie was scared but she wasn't hurt. Be thankful for that."

"Oh, trust me, I am. I'm thankful to God and to you for killing those assholes." Avi says. "But I'm still scared."

"You can't live your life living in fear. Accidents are going to happen. They always have and they always will. That's all part of life. We moved to the lodge to start over, you might say. And we have. Yeah, a few bad things might have happened but good things have too. You and I have both gotten married on that property. Chris and Nate found each other. Chance and Austin started their relationship there. Eddie will be opening his new bar once we get home. And maybe someday, you and Kirstie will raise a family there."

"I guess you're right. I'm just being stupid, I guess." Avi sighs as he hangs his head.

~~ (Meanwhile, back at the van)

"I wonder what's going on over there?" Chris asks as he nods in Tim and Avi's direction.

"Avi seemed really down about something this morning. He kept saying that he was fine but I know that something was bothering him." Kirstie says as she looks sadly at her husband.

"Well, if anyone can cheer Avi up, Tim can." Adam says as he lays a suitcase inside the van.

"And that doesn't bother you?" Nate asks.

"No, why should it?" Adam asks, turning around to face Nate.

"I mean, if I saw Chris talking to one of his ex-lovers like that, I would be crazy with jealousy." Nate says.

"There is something about Avi and Tim that you hadn't realized yet, Nate." Kirstie smiles. "They have got a very special bond. A one of a kind friendship. Yeah, I'll admit that I was crazy jealous of Tim at first. That was before I got to know him and the kind of person he was."

"Nate, it's not unusual for Avi to walk over and sit down in Tim's lap or to see them cuddle while watching a movie. But that's just the kind of relationship they have." Adam adds. "And they have their pet names for each other."

"But we know it goes no farther than that." Kirstie says. 

"Because we know who their hearts and bodies belong to. Us." Adam smiles as he looks around at Kirstie.

"Well, that's perfect timing." Eddie smiles as he looks down at his phone.

"What is?" Esther asks.

"The guy that has been working on the bar just texted me. It's finished." Eddie looks up with a huge grin. "We'll open in about a week."

"A week?" Esther asks.

"Yeah, I need a vacation." Eddie laughs. "I'm exhausted."

~~ (Meanwhile back on the walkway)

"No, you're not being stupid at all." Tim says as he puts his arm around the smaller man. "You're just letting the bad things overshadow the good things. Don't ever forget to count your blessings, no matter how bad things look."

"It will be nice to sleep in my own bed again." Avi says with a smile.

"I agree." Tim nods. "I mean, no, we don't have the ocean to wake up to every morning but we're surrounded by beautiful mountains."

"That's true. And the lake is so beautiful." Avi adds.

"We have a gorgeous home. And if I have to have a wall with barbwire at the top built around our property so you'll feel safe, I will." Tim smiles.

"And bars on the windows?" Avi chuckles.

"If you think they're needed. Sure." Tim grins.

"I guess we don't need to go that far." Avi laughs as he turns and hugs the hitman. "Thank you, Timbo. Thanks for always being here."

"Any time and I always will be,  Sweet Cheeks." Tim says as he hugs Avi. "Love you."

"Love you too." Avi smiles. "Let's go home."

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