I Won't Ever Hide Alone

Ch: 28 After Dad

"Have you two had sex yet?" Kara curiously blurted out to Julian. They had gone for a walk together. Kara felt like she needed to get out with some fresh air for a while. 

Julian practically choked on his water, " WHAT?! No!" 

"Okay. Just asking. Don't die on me." Kara teased.

"But I really really want to." He stated, smirking.

Kara giggled, "Well, why haven't you then?"

"I don't know, because I'm scared. He's just so MMMM. AHHHH. UGHHHH. And then, there's...me."

Kara laughed at that response, "You're fine as fuck, baby, you don't need to worry about it. Just go for it."

"We did do a lot of kissing last night though." Julian blushed a little.

"OoOo! And that will eventually turn into something more. You'll see." She winked and nudged him.

-

"How was your walk?" Julian asked Dom.  Julian was sitting on his front porch waiting for Dom to return. He was enjoying the weather.

"Interesting!" Dom said as he walked up to Julian. "I found a spot that has oranges all over. That was cool and I definitely did not steal any." Dom winked, "How was your visit with Kara?"

Julian knew Dom was being sarcastic, especially because he was peeling an orange right in front of him and eating it as he spoke.

Julian shook his head, smiling. "You know you could have came with me to see Kara." 

"I know, but she needs you right now. I will go next time, Love." Dom clasped his hand into Julian's and they both started to walk down Julian's hill.

"HEY BUDDY!" 

Julian and Dom both spun around to find Julian's father getting out of his car right in front of Julian's house.

Julian immediately tossed Dom's hand aside and ran his hand through his hair to act natural. 

"Hold on, Dom." Julian said as he ran over to his father.

Dom watched after Julian as he ran to his father. He couldn't really hear everything that was being said, but he did make out the word, "friend" as Julian told his dad who Dom was. Dom was starting to feel a little hurt. First, Julian tossed his hand away like he was doing something he shouldn't have been doing. Second, Julian is calling Dom his friend  to his dad. Dom was just such an honest person with everything, especially at their age, he didn't quite get why Julian was being so weird about this.

After a couple minutes, Julian ran back over to Dom and said, "My dad wants to talk to me. I'm sorry. Can we finish this later?" Julian gave Dom his pleading eyes. Dom could tell Julian truly did feel bad which admittedly made him feel a little better, because it helped him realize that Julian is just transitioning to the newness of this relationship.

"Yeah, sure. I'll-uh-see you later, Love." Dom said then quickly corrected himself when he saw Julian's facial expression change, "I mean, Julian... Yep. Okay. Bye" Dom didn't mean to seem so bothered, but it wasn't like Julian's father could hear them or anything. So Dom wasn't sure why Julian glared at him.

Dom wanted to embrace him like he always did when they departed, but he knew he probably shouldn't right now. Julian smiled at him and ran back over to his father.

-

"What's going on with you? I haven't heard from you in a while. Anything new you wanna talk to me about, Julian?" Ben asked his son as they both sat down at Matteo's for some food together.

"Nothing really." Julian said as he sipped on his iced tea.

"Okay, well what about that Dom person you was talking to? How did you meet him?"

"Uh... Warped Tour." After Julian said that he thought to himself, Not a total lie, very true actually. He always had to reassure himself in his head.

"Oh okay. Nice and how's Kara?"

"She's doing much better."

"Good."

"How's you and Patricia?"

"Patty and I are great. She's actually going to come live with me, and Lori is staying in their house for now while she goes to school."

"That all sounds nice. You must really like this one."

"Yeah. I do. So, Lori told me that you and her are okay now. Is that true or is she just saying that so we don't keep asking if she's okay?"

"Well, she stopped by the hospital and spoke with me for a bit. We seem to be alright. She's a very understanding and patient chick, I'll tell yah that."

"Just like her Mama." Ben chuckled. "So, I don't mean to get in your business, but what happened with Lori? You two seemed to be doing so well."

Julian rolled his eyes and sighed, "Dad, we just weren't meant to be. Kinda like how you and Mom were."

Julian could tell that struck something inside his father and Julian instantly felt bad for even saying that.

"I'm sorry. That sounded better in my head." Julian apologized.

"You seem different, Son. Are you sure there is nothing new going on in your life that you would like to talk about?" 

"Positive, Dad. When there is something, I will tell you."

-

"You just have to give him time, Dom." Kara was trying to comfort Dom while Julian was away with his father for the evening.|

"I know. It's just difficult when someone you care about makes you feel less of  a person, because of other people." Dom confided in Kara.

"I know, Honey, but I promise you he doesn't mean it like that. He REALLY likes you. Trust me."

"You're a good person, Kara."

"Oo! Thank you! You treat my bestfriend with all the right ways, so I have nothing but respect for you. Plus, your music is bomb." 

Dom burst out laughing, "Thank you so much!" He couldn't help, but hug her and they stayed that way for a while.

-

"Alright, Love you, Dad." 

"Love you Son. Keep in touch." Ben said before he got in his car.

Dom was already walking over to Julian from Kara's house. "Hey, Bay- I mean Julian."

"Hey! Come inside, please." Julian motioned for Dom to come over so they can walk inside the house.

Dom waved good bye to Ben, who was still sitting in his car watching them. Julian opened the door to his house and Dom went inside, Julian followed after. 

-

"I'm so sorry, Dom. I will tell him, just not yet. I have to wait for the right time."

"Can I let you in on a little secret?" Dom stepped closer to Julian until they were face to face. "There's never a right time. You just have to do it." Then Dom pressed his forehead into Julian's and kissed him.

Julian felt Dom ended the kiss too early though, because he wanted more and Dom had stopped to walk up to Julian's room.

"Ugh, tease." Julian said under his breath and he followed Dom upstairs.

-

"Your mum is a party animal, aye? She's always gone." Dom noted once they entered Julian's room.

"Yeah. She settled down with my dad at a very young age, because she had me very young." Julian put some music on.

"Oh a young mum. That must have been hard." Dom sat on Julian's bed. "My mum was quite young too."

"Yeah, that's why she always goes out now and my step dad works third shift so he is always pretty busy."

"Makes sense."

"Yeah he is retiring soon though. Then they both will probably go out all the time." Julian chuckled at the thought of that.

"Julian, I need to talk with you about something." Dom's tone was more serious than  before which peaked Julian's interest.

"What's going on?" Julian walked over to Dom and knelt down in front of him so he was in between Dom's legs. He looked up at Dom as Dom spoke.

"I know you are having a hard time coming out to your father, and I understand that, but can you promise me to never push me aside?"

Julian was a little stunned by that for some reason, "Is this about what happened earlier today? I didn't mean to just blow you off like that, but he is my dad and he doesn't approve of the gay stuff."

Dom shook his head, "It's not that, Julian. I am stating for the future, alright? If you get too used to pushing me away, like when you threw my hand before, then you may never tell him. I am just saying this now so you know how I feel."

Julian stood up in frustration and he paced back and forth. 

"You don't understand what it's like with my father. He won't just accept me for who I am. I barely even know who I am still. I am just getting started in that department."

"I know-"

"I don't need you telling me how to be. All of this is super new to me and I don't know how to act with you in front of people yet."

"Why are you getting so angry? I just wanted to talk to you. To make sure you realize actions speak louder than words. I care for you so much, don't you see that?"

"Don't you see I care for you?" Julian fought back. "I will even be so bold as to say that the moment my eyes fell upon you back at Warped Tour, I cared for you then!" 

Dom stood up to try to calm Julian down, but Julian continued, "I suffered for months with Lori, which yes, it was my fault, but I did it, because of you."

Dom looked really confused. 

Julian continued, "I wanted to be with you so bad, but I saw you with Ashley and with other girls after her and it broke me into tinier pieces every time. That's how I knew, I felt for you. It hurt every time..."

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize-"

"No, you don't always realize."

Dom looked like he was about to cry.

Julian kept pacing back and forth and running his hands through his hair. "Alright. Actions speak louder than words you say right?"

Dom nodded, watching Julian pace.

"I will tell my father. I promise. I will tell him next time I see him." Julian said matter of factly.

"When is that?" Dom asked, curiously.

"Next week, before you leave again. Is that soon enough for you?" Julian still sounded annoyed.

Dom held Julian tight, "Julian, I want you to tell him when you are ready. All I am saying here is, don't push away the people that love you. It was just a warning before anything gets worse. I would hate to lose you over something so stupid."

Julian let out a deep breath and rested his head on Dom's shoulder. "I'm sorry I freaked out."

"Oh. It's alright. I kinda liked it." Dom smirked.