Sink My Teeth Into This Nightmare

Part 1

"I don't understand why I can't just come with you," Andy whined, flopping down onto the bed he shared with his boyfriend.

Ashley just sighed and folded another shirt up into his suitcase. "Because my parents are, well, a little messed up," the bassist responded.

"Oh please. Everyone's got crazy family members. It's a fact of life. Babe, we've been together for two years. Why can't I meet your family? Seriously, give me one good reason. They know you're bi. They know we're in a rock band. They know we cuss like sailors. Why can't I meet them?"

"Because I said so!" Ashley shouted.

"What the fuck, Ashley? I'm your boyfriend, not your child!" Andy shouted back. "I deserve a decent answer."

Ashley sighed. "Look, you wouldn't understand my family. I don't want to subject you to that environment. They're toxic people, Andy. They'll drive you mad, and fast."

"But they're your family. And if this relationship continues there's a pretty high chance that one day they'll be my family, too. So just suck it up and let me meet them."

"Why is it so important for you?"

"Because," Andy started. He was quiet for a moment, avoiding Ashley's soul searching gaze. "Because I need to know that you're in this for real. I need to know that you're just as dedicated to this relationship as I am. That the reason you've been sneaking out at night isn't a blonde with big tits and a tramp stamp."

"Andy!" the bassist snapped.

"Take me. Let me meet your family. Prove to me that I'm the one you want and not some secret you're hiding in your closet."

"First of all, how'd you know I've been leaving at night?"

The singer shook his head. "Seriously, as long as you've known me and you really think I'm not gonna wake up in the middle of the night and realize you're not there. Please, Ashley. Don't even try to bullshit me like this."

"Oh, of course, now I'm the one being stupid, here."

"Yes, you are," Andy snapped.

"Well if it helps you sleep at night, I'm not sneaking out to cheat on you."

"Then why?" Andy demanded.

Ashely shook his head. "I can't...it's hard to explain."

"Well then start talking. I've got all the fucking time in the world." Andy motioned for his boyfriend to sit down, then crossed his arms over his chest.

Ashley turned his back on the singer in favor of rifling through the closet as if in search of something. "Look, Andy. There are things... Parts of this world I really... You wouldn't understand and I don't... It would put you in harms way if I... You just really shouldn't get mixed up in it."

"Stop being cryptic. Get your ass over here. And explain," Andy demanded, slowly but sternly.

Ashley let out a long, slow breath and came to sit on the opposite side of the bed from his boyfriend. "There's no easy way to put this. But before I start, I love you. Okay? And that's never, ever, going to change."

Andy rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well...act like it."

"I'm trying," Ashley snapped, close to tears.

"Really? Because you're doing a shitty job at it!," Andy shouted back.

"This isn't easy, Andy. It's not some simple, understandable shit like I used to be suicidal or something. Because honestly, that would be a thousand times easier to explain."