LOOK IT! LOOK IT! I MADE THIS FOR YOU!! Okay, in all seriousness though here's the next part. I hope you guys like it. There are some really fun and unexpected interactions in this chapter that went ahead and wrote themselves while I wasn't looking. Ultimately it's worth it and it works out perfectly. Enjoy!

Also I love you and have a wonderful day/night/morning/evening/afternoon. 

 -Rayne

"Honey are you okay?"

Sighing I throw a chunk of broken glass into the garbage bag in my other hand and glance at Julia. Jules looks just as beautiful as always even when frazzled and covered in wine. She doesn't seem to mind so much as she rubs a manicured hand through her dark, wet hair. Though her face is painted with an expression of worry and I can't help but feel terrible for the mess that I've made.

"I'm fine Jules. I just have to clean this mess up." I respond, picking up another large shard of glass and dropping it in the bag. I can't believe that Chip threw that bottle at me. Sure he's got an attitude and he's always been pretty vocal about his feelings but...he's never displayed such violence before.

"I'm sorry. That was all my fault wasn't it?" I can tell from the sound of her voice that she feels guilty and that's the last thing that I want. In reality this situation has nothing to do with her. It's between Chip and I.

I stand up and stretch my legs while sending her a quick shake of my head, "It wasn't your fault. It was my fault. I've been having a hard time lately and I thought that meeting with you would fix it but it turns out that it didn't fix anything at all."

Silence fills the room as I reach over and grab the broom which is leaning against the counter. I begin to sweep up all the small shards of glass as Jules taps her fingers against the counter in a little rhythm that tells me she's thinking. "What were you trying to fix by giving me a booty call sweetie?"

"I don't really want to talk about it right now Jules. I'm sorry I wasted your time tonight. In the end I couldn't even do it."

Jules scoffs and lays her chin in her palm giving me a quick smirk. "You're not the first man who couldn't get it up in front of me," Her smile dies and she glances at the graduation gown on the counter next to her arm. "I know you aren't impotent Theo, we've had sex before."

I shake my head again and wave her off continuing to clean up the kitchen floor. Why is it that I feel like I'm cleaning this room so often lately?

"It's because of the kid isn't it?" I don't respond and she shrugs. "You're into him and he's into you. So what's the problem?"

Closing my eyes I drop my shoulders in defeat. "It's not that simple Jules. I'm his guardian. I'm supposed to take care of him. I'd be spitting on his fathers' grave if I started something."

Jules laughs as if I've made an incredibly funny joke and picks at a cuticle before glancing at me. "Somethings already started Theo. I get that you're trying to wrap it up with a nice pretty bow and lock it away but there's no stopping it."

Leaning against the counter I reach over and grab Chips graduation cap, remorse exploding in my gut like a jumbo firework. How could I forget about his graduation? I made promises to him. Today was supposed to be about family. "Why not?"

"Because he already wants you baby and from the look of it he wants you bad. I think it's beautiful."

"He only wants me now. In two years he'll want different things and then who's going to look after him? He'll fall out of whatever he feels for me and our relationship won't be the same. Afterwards he won't feel comfortable coming to me for help. Every kid needs help from someone with life experience and if it all goes south he won't be able to get that from me anymore. Where will he get it then? He doesn't have anyone else."

"You're really going to be the guy who worries about the what-if's? Okay well two can play at that game. What if you die tomorrow? What if right now their car is swerving off of the road and he dies without ever hearing how you really feel? Do those what-if's mean anything to you? If I'm being honest here the sheer fact that the kid likes you despite all the bullshit that comes with it is amazing."

"What bullshit?"

"Are you kidding me? Theo we've been friends for a long time. You're an obsessive, possessive, and jealous lover. You require complete and utter control over everything to the point that it drive's people nuts. You're probably rejecting him constantly while also getting mad if he ever exhibits any sort of interest in anybody else whether it's platonic or not. Am I right?"

Awkwardly I glance toward the other side of the kitchen. Images of Chip with Raid and with that sweaty gym boob infect my mind and I can feel myself boiling on the inside. The need to control is already seeping into my fingers. It feels like I'm sticking my hands into hot water. The fact that Chip isn't here only makes it worse. "We have had...some arguments over similar things."

"See? The fact that he's even bothering to argue with you about it and not just peacing out means he likes you enough to deal with it as it comes. He's probably even low-key into it too. Anybody who spends an extended amount of time with you and still considers staying has an attraction to your control issues. Because honestly I'm your friend and I've been here for the sex but would I ever consider seriously dating you? No. I wouldn't. Because you're bat shit crazy. Love you, but someone had to say it. Also as a third party observer I must say that I think he might just be equally as crazy as you. I mean we both saw his jealous reaction right? He threw his drink in my face and tried to murder you. The sex you two could be having is both terrifying and arousing to think about."

"How do our conversations always end up at sex?" I question glaring at her as I gather Chip's graduation uniform in my arms and head to his bedroom to hang it up. Jules follows me throwing her hands around dramatically.

"They don't always end up at sex. I'm just trying to make a point. You're worrying about useless shit when there are tons of more important things to be thinking about. He's old enough to know what he wants and so are you. If it ends up being a mistake then let it end up being a mistake but don't be so afraid to start."

Chips room is exactly how I remember it even though I haven't dared to enter since the day of our argument. The day I ended up stripping him naked and coming all over him. A shiver rolls down my spine as I picture this but I ignore it and open the closet hanging the gown up near the back. "I just feel weird thinking of him so sexually. It's normal to think of him like that when I like him this much but it just feels like I'm doing something I shouldn't."

"Well then I suggest thinking about it more. Right now you're at a point where every time the thoughts enter your mind you end up pushing them out and shaming yourself. Work on that Theo. Cut yourself some slack. Let yourself fantasize about him more. I'm sure he's fantasized about you just as much if he likes you. Seriously I can't even imagine living in a house with someone I'm sexually attracted to and not going for it. How have you managed?"

I groan and knock my head against the wall. "I haven't managed Jules. I was trying and it all got so built up and I broke. It's disgusting. I'm disgusting. I did terrible things to him but he was so okay with it which made me feel even worse."

Julia's jaw drops and she falls onto Chip's bed. "You had sex with him?"

"No! I didn't have sex with him. We...messed around."

Julia nods slowly and then shoots an expression of disbelief in my direction. "So you gave him a taste and then said never mind? You're such an asshole!"

"I care about him. That's why I did that. It's not about sex. I don't like him because I want to have sex with him Jules. I like him because he's the funniest, weirdest, most annoying down to earth human I've ever met. He is quite literally the best thing that has ever happened to me and I don't want to fuck it up."

"Newsflash sweetheart you're fucking it up right now. You two really need to sit down and have a conversation-like some serious communication." She shakes her head and walks to Chip's desk poking around his things with extreme interest. "Now he hates me and I all I wanted was to be friends."

"I'm Sorry Jules."

She whips up a hand and holds it in my direction telling me to stop. "Everything is okay. Just call me after you guys have sex so I can come and embarrass you both. And if you are ever feel like it'll spice things up for someone to watch you have sex, I'm the first one you call got it? You wouldn't even need to pay me to watch I'd do it for free."

I can't help the laugh that bursts from my chest as I nod ushering her out of Chips room and down the hallway to collect her clothes. "Deal. If we ever feel the need to be watched we'll let you know. "

"I'm glad we've come to an agreement. I'm going to go home now to get some real action from my vibrator."

Of course. Like I said. Somehow she always ends it with sex.

"Sir you have the dinner meeting with the Portman party at 7 o'clock tonight. Shouldn't you be on the way by now? The driver said he went to pick you up but nobody answered the door. "

I ignore the voice of my secretary nagging through my cell phone and stare out my window. It's been nearly a week and I still have yet to receive a call from Chip. Usually by now he would've called me back out of sheer annoyance, especially considering I've called him an estimated hundred times per day. Groaning I shove my palm into my face with frustration.

"Sir?"

"Just cancel everything for the next week."

"Did you say cancel everything?"

"Did I stutter?" I repeat staring harshly at my sheer curtains. I'm aware of how angry my voice becomes but I can't seem to bring myself to care. She doesn't get paid to be coddled she gets paid to work and frankly I'm in no mood to present her with half assed explanations.

"No of course not sir. Cancel everything. Got it."

The phone clicks on the other end signaling her departure and I sigh hanging up and tossing the small device from hand to hand. According to the file I had been given from the private investigator that I hired Chip has been staying at an apartment with Raid near the city. Cracking my knuckles I reach up and rub my neck in an attempt to massage the annoyance out my muscles. Fucking Raid.

If it was up to me I would get the family security detail to go to him and drag him home but that's exactly the sort of thing Jules was warning me about. Maybe he needs some space. A bunch of strange men in suits forcing him into a car probably wouldn't bode well for me.

An uncharacteristic noise of desperation bursts from my mouth as I collapse into my chair and I swirl to look at the files on my desk. Apparently he's even gotten a job at a coffee house. The picture lying in front of me shows him taking someone's order with a smile on his face. Why does he look so happy? I lay my head flat on my desk and stroke the shiny photograph. He's so close and yet so far away. It would be so easy to send security to get him. All it takes is a phone call.

Just as I'm giving in and reaching for my cell phone the doorbell rings and the speed at which I rise from my chair is truly embarrassing. My heart beats at an unhealthy pace and I try to slow my breathing as I walk down the hallway and into the main foyer not even bothering to look to see who it is before I open the door.

All of a sudden I'm not so excited anymore. In front of me is Raid looking quite careless in a black leather jacket. He's glancing around the doorstep with barely there interest and I immediately seethe at the sight of him but try not to show it as I lean against the door frame. "And you are?"

"You know who I am." He states narrowing his eyes.

"I'm afraid you aren't nearly important enough for me to remember so you'll have to give me a hand."

"I'm the guy that Chip is living with." Raid smirks. His hair falls into his face as he says this and I can't help but feel just a little bit insecure. Me. Insecure. I know. Raid is good looking, who knows what could be going on between Him and Chip when they're alone together? It's not like he's ugly. He's attractive even I can admit it. He has broad shoulders, long legs, and a sparkle in his eye that can probably render any human useless. Oh...and he's young.

I've never felt old until this moment.

Dear god, I'm doing all kinds of things now, even going as far as comparing myself to an eighteen year old boy. What's wrong with me?

I think he can see the anger slowly forming behind my eyes because his grin only gets wider as time passes.

"Why are you here?" I question.

He shrugs and shoves his hands into his pockets nonchalantly. "I came to get Chip's things. He can only wear my clothes for so long you know? Eventually I'm going to run out of clean laundry."

I wish I was insane enough to commit murder. It would be so therapeutic to kill him right now.

"Well I guess you'll have to share for a little while longer. If Chip wants his things he'll have to come and get them himself."

"Do you really think that's going to happen?"

"You tell me?" I smirk and lean further out of the door. "Do you really think you know Chip? He has a job now sure but he's not the type to work for long. He never sticks it out. He can't even clean his room without getting distracted by a butterfly. It's only a matter of time before he realizes this and then he'll be right back where he belongs."

Raid's jaw clenches and he sends me a crackling glare. "You're insane."

I scoff. "Where do you get off acting like a hero? A week ago you were beating your lover. I may be possessive, angry and manipulative but I don't drop fists on the people I love."

It's at this moment that I'm reminded that Raid is just a boy. He tries to hide it but the expression of hurt that crosses his face is so child-like I feel a pang of guilt in my gut. Shit. I shouldn't talk to the kid like that. Sighing I run a hand through my hair and step closer to the boy.

"I apologize. That was...uncalled for and frankly it's none of my business." His eyes search mine as I say this but he doesn't say anything. "I...Like I said if Chip wants his things he can come and get them himself. Now if you'll excuse me." I turn around and begin to close the door but before I can shut it all the way Raid is speaking.

"We're a lot alike aren't we?"

What did he say? I open the door back up and look at the boy. "What makes you say that?"

He shrugs and looks at me again and for some reason I find respect in his gaze. Maybe even...idolization. Instantly I feel uncomfortable. Nope. No way. Not possible.

"You don't want to be like me Kid."

"Why not?"

"Are you – Have you not been present for the last ten minutes?" Raid just continues to stare at me. His stare is indestructible. Shaking my head I begin to close the door. "Go home kid. Go to sleep."

"Can I come in?" He shouts. I freeze and stare at my front door in confusion. Who is this guy? What does he want?

I open the door back up just enough to barely poke my face out and look at him. "What is your problem?"

He tilts his head in a way that reminds me of the Rottweiler puppy I had when I was twelve years old. Champ. That was his name. "What do you mean?"

"In what world is it okay for you to ask to come in? Can't you read the situation? Chip ran away with you, I haven't seen him for a week, we're supposed to hate each other. You realize the majority of the arguments I have with Chip start with you right?"

He looks mildly shocked. "Really? Me? Why?"

I squeeze my eyes shut and tilt my head towards the heavens. Why god? Why me? Why is this happening? "Are you joking? Have you ever looked in a mirror?"

Raid's face contorts with confusion and he looks down at his chest as if that has the answer.

"I'm not doing this right now kid. Go home." I begin to shut the door again but his clear voice reverberates loudly through the night.

"Are you saying that I'm attractive?" There's a lilt of disbelief to his voice like he's both flattered and put off. God no. I rip the door open for probably the millionth time to clarify.

"I never said anything and before you run off screaming like a fourth grader who just got cooties let me assure you that you aren't my type."

He looks relieved for a second but then his face contorts again. "But you know that I like Tanner so what's the problem?"

I think about this for a second pondering how to answer before realizing that I don't actually have a legitimate response.

Technically I do know that he likes that Tanner kid....so why am I so jealous?

"Can I come in now?" He asks glancing behind me into the house.

"Why do you want to come in so bad?"

"I want to talk to you." He states as if it's obvious.

"Why?"

"Cause you seem cool."

For a split second a foreign feeling settles in my stomach. Something akin to the feeling I used to get when I was praised by my father. "I'm not...cool...or...whatever. Just go home Kid."

"I'll dish about how Chip has been doing!" He shouts just as I'm about to slam the door closed. I consider this for a second. Yes I have had a private investigator look into Chip...but...nobody will know better how Chip has been doing than Raid who has actually been living with him. Groaning I open the door and stand aside.

"Fine but you can't stay here."

Raid scoffs and kicks off his shoes. "Why would I stay here? I have a place to stay."

A couple of hours later I'm draping a blanket over Raid who has somehow managed to fall asleep on the leather couch in my office despite swearing that he wouldn't end up staying. It's amusing that when he's awake he looks quite masculine and intimidating but when he's sleeping he reverts right back to the child that he is. Since when did I become the caretaker for a bunch of teenage boys? Doesn't he have parents? He groans deeply, shifts and mutters "Tanner" before settling into a comfortable sleep once again. Whatever. I turn the lights off in the room and leave closing the door as quietly as possible before going to my room.

Raid says that Chip is actually working really hard at his new job. This news should please me seeing as how it means that he's finally gaining a sense of responsibility. But...this also means that Chip could be very serious about never coming home. Raid is convinced that this is a good thing but I'm not so sure. I don't know if Chip has the ability to take care of himself yet. 

Sitting down on the couch in my bedroom I stare at the TV blankly as I think over the pros and cons of allowing Chip to live on his own. Technically he'll be with Raid which ordinarily would freak me out but after spending time with the boy he isn't nearly as bad as I had originally thought. Maybe I didn't give Chip enough credit. I laugh quietly spreading my hands. Who would've thought that Raid would end up sleeping over in my office? A quick feeling of concern bursts in my chest and I look at the door. Should I have moved him to a bedroom? The couch probably isn't very comfortable.

No.

Stop.

We don't care if he's uncomfortable.

He's the one who fell asleep in the middle of the conversation. Sucks to be him. If he wakes up with a sore back he can run to daddy.

Teenagers...always falling asleep in the weirdest places.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

I'm confused for a good second as I blink my eyes open the next morning. My back hurts and my neck is sore, which isn't normally a problem that I face when I wake up. It doesn't take long for me to realize that I'd fallen asleep on the couch in my bedroom last night as I was thinking about Chip. So much for not acting like a teenager.

"Theo?"

Shit the weird kid is still here.

Quickly I scramble to my feet and brush myself off in an attempt to make it look like I hadn't fallen asleep on my couch.

When I open the door Raid is yawning and scratching his head looking every bit as young as he truly is. I almost laugh out loud at the disarray that his dark hair has found itself in.

"Let's get you some breakfast." I offer as I walk past. He follows me with loud shuffling footsteps towards the kitchen. Just like Chip the large kid plops down in a stool and lays his head in his arms sleepily. As I begin gathering the necessary ingredients for breakfast I throw a quick glance at the clock. Eight o'clock.

"You're up early." I point out before I can stop myself.

Raid doesn't seem particularly concerned with the conversation. In fact he seems sort of content. "I'm an early bird. I feel weird if I wake up any time after nine."

I nod and crack open a package of bacon. "I'm the same. Chip says it's because I'm old."

He scoffs. "Chip says it's because I smoke."

I turn around and look at the boy twirling a spatula in my hand. "Smoking isn't good for you." Raid quickly averts his eyes and scratches at the counter not looking up. "I used to smoke when I was your age."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I thought it made me look cool or whatever, but then a good friend of mine told me how sick it could make me. He said he could feel my lungs rotting away. So I quit."

Raid laughs sleepily in disbelief. "Just like that?

Shrugging I turn around and flip some bacon over. "It wasn't easy. Nicotine withdrawal is uncomfortable to say the least, but after a while I felt great. I had more energy and more self-confidence. I felt better than I ever had before. In the end it was worth it."

This admission is met with a long silence before Raid speaks up again. "Tanner hates that I smoke."

"Yeah? Why is that?"

"He doesn't like the taste."

I hum and put some bacon on a plate to cool down before turning to lean on the counter across from Raid. He looks happy as he thinks about the mean boy, the corners of his mouth pulling up at the ends. "Are you guys back together?"

Good god I sound like a gossipy pre-teen.

The expression on Raid's face clue's me in on how frustrated he is about the topic when he looks at me. "I'm working on it. He's a lot more difficult than he was before."

I nod. "I'm sure Chip has something to do with it."

Raid smiles and rubs a hand through his hair. "Probably. I don't mind so much though. He's helping me do better."

"Good. I'm glad." I return to the stove and the grittle pulling pancakes, bacon, and eggs from what seems to be every direction.

Why am I making this kid food again?

"Why did you cheat on Chip?"

The question is both expected and unexpected. I don't respond immediately and instead take the food to the counter and set it in front of the boy. He continues watching me a curious shimmer in his eyes as I grab a plate and some silverware for him. "Coffee, milk, or orange juice?" I question walking towards the fridge.

"Orange Juice."

It's when I'm pouring the orange liquid into his glass that I finally respond aware of his patient gaze. "I didn't cheat on him. You can't cheat on someone that you aren't exclusively dating."

"Really." He says with an unconvinced and unimpressed tone to his voice.

"You want to know if I slept with her." I state reaching for my mug of coffee as I watch him scarf down the food I made. Jesus this kid eats faster than Chip and that's saying something.

"Yup."

"The answer is no. I didn't sleep with her. That was originally the plan but.....I changed my mind."

Raid nods, a long strip of bacon hanging out of his mouth. "You like Chip right?"

"I do."

I pause realizing that the answer came out so easily. I didn't even think about it. According to Jules this is what I need to be doing more often. Admitting how I feel and allowing myself to express my interest without shame. A strong desire to give an explanation as to why it's wrong consumes me but I force it down and remain silent.

"So tell him."

"He knows."

"Does he? You do realize that you have been completely ignoring him for weeks right?"

"I know."

"And you do remember that you forgot about his graduation and got caught fraternizing with the enemy in your underwear?"

I give Raid a weird look and he shrugs. "He cried a lot in the car, sobbing about how that chick was infantilizing him in front of you and treating him like he was a guest. I've never seen him cry before. Usually he's so strong."

"You're right. Usually he's very strong." I reply worried at the mention of tears.

We fall into silence as Raid eats the remaining food. He looks like a big five year old and seems to be more than comfortable in my home and in my presence.

"He has work today if you want to go see him. I can give you the address."

I swallow some coffee and wave my hand dismissively. "I already know the address."

"You do? Then why haven't you gone to see him yet?"

I twist my coffee mug between my hands and glare into the dark liquid. "I thought I'd give him some space after what happened."

Raid chuckles and puts down his glass. "Don't you think he's had enough space? That's what caused all this in the first place no?"

Tilting my head I acknowledge this with a nod. Kid has a point. My avoiding Chip and trying to redirect my desires towards Julia only served to worsen the situation. "Touché, even so I think that showing up at his workplace would probably be the wrong course of action." The dark haired boy nods thoughtfully and turns back to his food.

After breakfast Raid blunders through the house like a tornado getting into everything and shouting cool every ten minutes. I'm honestly awed that his vocabulary only extends that far, but its youth or whatever so I don't mention it. When I finally get him to leave its one in the afternoon and he treats the situation as if he'll be back soon. I tried not to give him the idea that he could come back but he seemed set on it and I didn't have the will to let him down. Exhausted I enter the kitchen to begin cleaning up the dishes that are still on the table after making him lunch. It's as I'm clearing them that I notice a half finished pack of cigarettes lying beneath his plate. I can't help the smile that spreads on my face as I grab the package and toss it in the trash.

What a strange kid.

It's probably nine o'clock at night when the doorbell rings again. I warily set down my newspaper and glare into the distance. I swear to god if that is Raid I'm going to kick his ass. I'm not his damn keeper.

Sighing I throw down the local tabloid and head toward the front door pushing dining room chairs into the table as I go. When I get to foyer, I swing the door open and glare already preparing a speech for the weird kid. "I don't know why you like my house so much but I'm telling you now-" My words cut off when my eyes finally meet those of a scorned Chenoa Masaya. His arms are folded tightly against his chest as if he's shielding himself from an uncomfortable situation and his eyebrows are furrowed so deeply I wonder if they'll ever come back up. "Chip." I state stupidly forgetting who I am and what I'm doing in mere seconds.

"I'm here to get my things." He snaps before pushing past me and into the house. I blink and close the door turning to follow him.

"I called you." I state and I can't help the fact that my voice naturally comes out as accusatory. He freezes, hand on the staircase banister before he twirls around to look in my general direction.

"Yeah I know. Like a thousand times."

His tone is icier than I've ever heard it, even more crisp and clipped than when we argued all those weeks ago.

"I was worried, you were so upset. That night I-"

"I don't want to hear it." He says throwing a curt hand in my direction as he turns around. He won't even look at me. Filled with anger and desperation I reach out and grab his wrist holding him still so that he won't be able to go to his room. For some reason the idea of him making it into his room solidifies the cold reality that he's trying to leave. I can't let that happen.

"Can we please just sit down and talk? Please?"

The silence that meets my request is unsettling and I find that my fingers unintentionally close even tighter around Chip's wrist, just in case he tries to run away. We stand there for a good couple of seconds before he rips his wrist away from me and turns around coming back downstairs and heading into the kitchen. "You have five minutes and the only reason you have that long is because Raid asked me to listen to you."

I silently thank the younger boy and follow Chip cautiously. From this moment on I have to tread very carefully. I've never in my life seen Chip act this outraged. Sure he's not yelling at me but that only makes me more nervous. I can deal with a yelling Chip. I'm not so confident on dealing with a stony and aloof Chip. He sits stiffly at the kitchen table a contemptuous eye glancing at the counter where Jules and I were seated a week ago. This version of Chip seems far more adult than I had ever imagined he could be. He's edgy and calculating as if he's trying to predict every outcome of this conversation. Reminds me a lot of how I feel when I'm with him and I wonder briefly if this bodes well for any sort of relationship platonic or romantic. Slowly I take a seat next to him staring at his hardened face as if it can give me some sort of hint on how to proceed.

Damn. Chip has never been this difficult to confront before. I feel like I'm a teenager again getting in trouble for driving while intoxicated. I guess that's kind of what being with Chip feels like. It feels like living dangerously under the influence of something that just might be greater than yourself, while foolishly believing that you have control.

Yeah. That's what being with Chip feels like.

"I wanted to apologize first. I know that I forgot you're graduation. That was absolutely terrible for me to do."

Chip shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly "It's hard to remember things when you're getting the sense fucked out of you isn't it."

I wince first and foremost at his language and also at the barely restrained fury.

"Chip I didn't have sex with her I swear."

He scoffs shifting in his seat and glaring at me. His eyes which are usually sweet and warm, quite reminiscent of a tropical ocean, are stormy and wrathful as if a hurricane just rushed in. "As if I'd actually believe that."

"CHIP." A bit of my customary temper slips out and I breathe deeply trying to reign it in. "You're mad. I understand but I swear to God that I didn't sleep with her. You have to believe me."

He nods and waves his fingers in the air indifferently. "Sure you didn't Theo. Anything else or can I go?"

An obnoxious and trembling sigh leaves my mouth and I lean down rubbing my hands into my hair. "Please don't act like this. I'm trying right now okay? How can I fix it if you don't let me?"

"What is there to fix right? I mean you never wanted me anyways." He drones throwing out words from our conversation at the gym. Hearing him say it like that stings because I know now how that must've sounded to him.

"Chip..."His name comes out as sort of a whine as I look at the floor and try to dig up better words to express how sorry I am.

"This is a waste of both of our time." I glance up quickly as he stands rubbing his hands against his jeans. My heart beats quicker than I've ever felt it beat before and an overwhelming feeling of loss rushes over me. He's leaving. He's leaving right now. He wouldn't even give me the full five minutes. "By the way I know that you applied and got approved for adult guardianship soon after I turned eighteen as per my dad's wishes. As such I thought it would only be right to let you know that I'm in the process of filling out the request forms for terminating guardianship."

Ice blankets over my whole entire body. "What did you just say?" I question grabbing onto his elbow as he tries to walk past. My angry voice is slipping out but this time I don't try to dial it back.

"I think you heard me."

"I heard you. Are you insane?"

"I'm not insane, I'm an adult. I don't need a guardian. The fact that my father thought I would is extremely stupid."

"Chip you don't have any existing blood relatives. If something were to happen to you that guardianship gives me the right to visitation. It makes us family. What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that your idea of the family you want me to be for you is very different than the idea of the family I want you to be for me. As such it would be much easier to take family out of the equation all together."

I shake my head as he tries to pull away and tug him backwards to look at me. "No. That's ridiculous. You're being immature and thoughtless. If it's the damn money you want you can have it. I don't need it I never did, but you can't terminate the guardianship."

"I beg to differ. A court hearing and a judge will be the ones who tell me whether I can or can't terminate the guardianship. And seeing as how I'm not considered incapacitated it should be a rather easy case."

I stare at him in shock. I can't believe that he's decided to do something so dramatic in only a week. I get that I upset him, and I get that I'm not the prime example of an adult who has it all together but he can't be serious. He takes my silence as reluctant assent and retracts his arm from my now limp grip in response. The beating of my heart makes me feel like I might vomit. Not only is this the exact opposite of what Elan wanted for us but it's not what I want at all. I know it's just a legal title and it only gives me superficial rights since he's a perfectly healthy adult male but those rights are what hold our family together. And Chip just wants to break that?

The pure panic that floods through my body is debilitating but I find it in me to stumble out of my seat and catch Chip once again as he starts walking out of the kitchen. He turns with an irritated expression on his face and I try frantically to sort through ways to persuade him to stop filling out those damn papers.

"Let go of me Theo! I don't want to talk about this anymore." I shake my head only really half hearing him as I cling onto his arm with a heavy grasp.

I feel like I'm five years old again desperately grasping onto my mother's skirt and begging her not to leave me. It's this feeling of total hopelessness, the feeling that if I let go then I'll lose everything. I won't even know who I am anymore.

I'm not anyone without Chenoa Masaya.

When did I get so attached? When did he develop this devastating power over me?

I'm not letting go. I can't let go. "I'm getting my stuff and I'm leaving Theo. Let go of me!"

Before I even realize what's happening I'm on my knees behind Chip wrapping my arms firmly around his legs. He stumbles a bit grabbing onto the side of the counter as I shove my forehead into the backs of his thighs, the air leaving my lungs in a breathless shudder. I don't even care how ridiculous I look right now. I'll sit on my knees for weeks and beg him endlessly. I'll kiss the god damn ground he walks on. Pride is useless when the only thing you care about is trying to walk out the fucking front door. Creed said that love is insanity. It's only right now that I realize he's right. I'll do whatever he wants me to do. I'll be whatever the hell he wants me to be. I'll let him completely and utterly control me as long as he doesn't touch those papers "Please. Please don't do this to me Chip."

Chip's body tenses beneath my touch and for a quiet second I'm filled with a sort of relief that makes me think that I've done it. Chip has a big heart. He knows that I'm distressed, he can feel it. He'll turn around and say he forgives me and that I'm a big idiot. The papers will be completely out of the picture and we can start over. In my mind this is how it goes.

In reality Chip pushes me away from him and turns to look at me with a wounding glare. "I don't have time for your bullshit Theo. I have work in the morning." With that he hurries out of the room the sound of his footsteps running up the staircase matching the heavy thumping of my heart.

I'm stunned.

Not only am I stunned but the rage that I'm so used to feeling begins to bleed into every one of my pores. I'm still trembling but it's not out of desperation anymore. I'm vaguely aware of Chip escaping out the front door with a large bag of clothes in tow, but I just let him go before grabbing a glass that rests counter and throwing it across the room. It shatters piercingly, breaking into multiple pieces before settling on the hardwood floor. Normally throwing something would calm some of the fury boiling in my gut but this time I only feel more manic.

So this is how he's going to be huh? I tried to apologize. I admitted that I was wrong and he's just going to disregard that? For a second there I was more than willing to surrender control. How stupid of me. With new conviction I charge towards my office to grab my phone and call the one person who I know for a fact will listen and understand me. It's a good thing I accepted his endless requests to exchange numbers. The call goes through and after only a few seconds his deep voice carries over. "Hello? Theo?"

"Raid. I need you to do something for me."

Recently, I've taken to being driven around by a company car more than driving myself. My father always used to scold me for wanting to drive my own car. He said that it made me look like any other guy on the street and that was distasteful. After all we were not a family that was the same as any other family on the street. We were better than that. We were old money.

My father was full of himself.

At the time I was stubborn and angry that I had been torn away from art school. I ignored everything he said but years later I can clearly see the benefits of what he was talking about.

It feels powerful.

Also I can text while in the car. It's illegal to text and drive. Solution? Don't drive.

It's been a week since I had my initial phone call with Raid and just as expected he has dutifully conceded to my requests and continues to keep me informed.

Grinning I slip my phone into my pocket as the car pulls over outside BluePlanet coffee shop. "Boss we've arrived."

"Brilliant Fane." I respond and he parks, rushing out of the car to get my door. When I step out of the vehicle I'm instantly hit with the overpowering scent of coffee. The sign perched at the top of the building has a large blue orb, with a shooting star streaming across it floating between the e and the P. I have never once been to this side of the city. It's an area teeming with college students as the local university is only a couple blocks away. Fane walks to the door of the coffee shop with a gentle stride and pulls it open for me nodding respectfully as I pass him. A bell rings signaling our arrival and we walk in slowly taking in the atmosphere. Normally coffee shops are warm and give off earthy moods. This coffee shop on the other hand is dark on the inside, the walls designed to look like the vast reaches of space. Each chair in the shop is fashioned to look like some sort of planet tucked into tables that each have a different depiction of the galaxy. Posters for various classic space movies are framed and hung along the walls and a large spaceship decoration hangs from the ceiling. I'm not interested in any of this though as I instantly focus on the boy at the counter. He's finishing up with an order his face bright below a dark blue hat. It's only been a week since he came to the house but he looks just a little bit thinner than I remember him being. He hands the pair of girls at the counter their finished coffees and gives them a smile before looking up at me as I approach. Instantly his smile is zapped from his face and he frowns but I don't miss the unmistakable spark in his eyes. When I walked in his smile was fake and his eyes were bored. It seems with my arrival he has sprung to life despite the deepening scowl slowly taking residence on his face.

"You god damn fuck." He hisses his eyes never leaving mine as I stop in front of the counter. I ignore his unrefined mouth and look up at the menu.

"I'll have a venti ursa major," I say before turning to Fane. "How about you Fane?"

He shakes his head. "I couldn't sir."

I throw my hand in his direction and search the menu for something he'd like. "And he'll have a venti cosmic mocha."

The tension in Chip's jaw tells me exactly how he feels about my arrival but he inputs my order into the machine all the same. "Anything else?"

I shake my head pulling out my card.

"That'll be nine dollars and fifty-six cents."

I hand him my card and wait as he swipes it and hands it back to me. "Fane and I will be right over there," I say pointing at a table with a deep crimson and orange galaxy painted over the top. "I understand you get off work in about five minutes," I glance down at my watch. "Just long enough for you to make our drinks and meet us at the table." I don't wait for him to respond and instead gesture for Fane to follow me as I take a seat. Fane looks around admiring the shop and all of the students milling about with laptops and stacks of text books. People watching distracts me easily enough for the next five minutes before two drinks are slapped onto the table with ferocity. I don't even have to say anything to Fane. He grabs his drink and leaves the table, taking residence in a booth near the door.

I'm not surprised in the least when Chip collapses into the seat across from me, slamming his hands down on the table with a loud smack. "During the last week the guardianship forms that I originally had have gone missing. I have tried to replace them three times since then and each time they've disappeared."

I nurse my coffee and fold my arms over the table giving him a small disinterested shrug. "How strange."

Chip scoffs and leans back in his chair folding his arms similarly. "Are you fucking kidding me Theo? Since when have you been ordering Raid around?"

I twist my coffee cup to study the planetary design on the side before giving Chip my full attention. When our eyes lock I feel a welcome rush of adrenaline. "Since he started letting me. You're a good judge of character Chip but the one thing you can't judge is the utility of a person. Yes Raid is a big teddy bear, soft on the inside hard on the outside, but he's also an individual who thrives under the leadership of somebody else."

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"In basic english - we click. He seems to be desperately in need of connection with a male figure who has a similar personality to his and I fulfilled that particular need without even really trying. That right there gives me leverage already. Add in the fact that despite his size Raid is a follower and I'm at a great advantage."

Chip scrunches up his nose, studying me with a critical gaze. "And why is that?'

"Because I am a leader." I see understanding dawn in Chips eyes and he sits up straight. I grin and sit back in my seat stretching my legs beneath the table. "You were right about one thing, he's not a threat at all. He's actually very valuable and admittedly quite simpler than I originally thought."

"How can you say that? How can you use him like that?"

"Everybody uses somebody Chip. It just comes down to whether they can acknowledge it or not. Raid doesn't know it but he's using me too. Like most people he's not even doing it on purpose. The only reason you're so peeved about it right now is because I admitted it out loud."

"You're such an asshole sometimes. You always have to have your way no matter what."

Immediately the amusement seeps from my body and I send an angry stare in his direction "Did you really think I was going to let you fill out those papers?"

"I did. I guess that was a mistake on my part." He shoots back with equally as much ire.

"I tried to apologize to you Chip but you're too angry and juvenile to accept it." I sigh and glare down at a blurry star to the left of my cup. "You want an adult relationship but you can't even handle a situation like this with maturity."

Chip scoffs loudly drawing the attention of multiple people at tables nearby. "Me? I can't handle a situation with maturity? Yeah because secretly calling my roommate and telling him to destroy all of my papers In order to keep me from submitting them is a really mature way to handle things."

"You weren't going to accept my apology Chip!" I hiss leaning over the table. "If you are going to be dramatic and immature than you are giving me license to do the same! You asked for it!"

"No. I asked for you treat me with respect Theo."

I laugh. "I was trying to do that! I was trying to treat you with respect by keeping my hands off of you."

"I didn't want you to keep your hands off of me! I wanted you to keep your hands off of other people! Apparently that was asking for a little bit too much wasn't it?"

"I DIDN'T SLEEP WITH HER!" I shout aggravated beyond words. The little coffee shop goes silent and everybody turns to stare at us. Some of my hair has fallen down onto my forehead so I reach up taking a deep breath and push it back into place. I lower my voice and sit more comfortably trying my best not to draw anymore unwanted attention. "Why do you care so goddamn much about her?"

Chip looks wounded by this whole conversation but he meets it with grace and poise as he stares into my eyes. I can see that he's going to say something that I will simultaneously love and hate. "I care so goddamn much about her because I love you Theo."

It hurts. It hurts to hear those words but it also feels better than anything I've ever felt before. It feels like the fucking sun came up in my stomach. How can he love me? How could anyone ever love me? I'm not good for anyone. Hell, I'm not even good for myself.

Despite the hummingbirds zooming around in my gut I keep my expression schooled and look at him. "Chip you're eighteen years old. You don't even know what love is."

"And you do?"

I stay silent because if I had to describe love I would end up describing the way I feel about Chip. I know that's what he wants to hear. He wants to hear that I love him and that I want him.

I do love him and I do want him but that's exactly what I'm trying to protect him from. Julia said it better than I ever could. I'm obsessive, possessive and jealous. I'm angry and violent and I have temper. I know that right now Chip doesn't care about those things, but what if five years down the road he does? What if he decides he doesn't want me anymore and that he can't deal with me? At that point I think I'll be in too deep to let him go.

I'm dangerous.

And this isn't me tooting my own goddamn horn, it's me being honest and afraid of myself. I know that Chip could let go of me, but I would bring on fucking Armageddon before I ever let go of him. So it's better and healthier not to start anything in the first place.

Somethings already started Theo. I get that you're trying to wrap it up with a nice pretty bow and lock it away but there's no stopping it.

I cringe when I recall Julia's words. I shouldn't have touched him. It was my damn temper that started it and it will be my damn temper that finishes it.

"You love me Theo. I know you love me. Say it." I shake my head and begin to stand but Chip grabs my arm and violently pulls me back into my seat. "Don't you dare run away from me. You always run away when you feel cornered. You don't get to run away this time."

"What is wrong with you?" I question. "A couple minutes ago you were pissed off because I wouldn't leave you alone!"

"What's wrong with you? Just a few minutes ago you wouldn't let me go and now you're trying to run away with your tail between your legs."

"I'm not running away!"

"Oh yeah? Well what the fuck do you call this then dipshit?" His eyes are bright as he challenges me. "You're a coward."

"You were the one who ran away first Chip!" I snap gesturing to my surroundings.

"I was within my right to leave. You were fucking that stupid bitch!"

I close my eyes trying to push away my irritation at his language. "I'm going to say this one more time. I DID NOT HAVE SEX WITH HER."

"Then why was she naked in your shirt?"

"I invited her over to have sex but I couldn't do it! I felt bad, she wanted to drink, I gave her my shirt. That was it Chip. End of story."

"So you were going to have sex with her." He states accusatorily.

Good god. Can we stop talking about sex in public like this? I can still feel the intrigued stares of literally every person in the room, including Fane.

"Yes Chip. I was going to have sex with her. Is that what you wanted to hear? Does that make you feel better?"

Chip looks hurt and a little embarrassed but he sits up straighter in his seat despite his reservations. "No." We fall into silence and I rub my palm over my face trying to pull myself together. Only Chip can make me like this. "Why her and not me." He mumbles his gaze falling down onto the table.

Sighing I put my hands out to emphasize my next words. "I have sexual relationships with no strings attached for a reason Chip. And you're a fucking rope." He winces and a pang of guilt hits my chest. "I don't mean it like that."

"Then how do you mean it?" I don't have the words to express myself and I feel like no matter what I say it only makes the situation worse. "You don't even understand yourself Theo. I'll tell you the reason it's her and not me. Because you're afraid of me. You were trying to take the desire you have for me and project it on someone who you thought was safer. You're right I am a rope but the only reason I'm a fucking rope is because you made me one. You can't have no strings attached sex with emotions, which means that by saying I'm a rope you're basically admitting that you have feelings for me."

"Chip-"

"So this is how it's going to go from now on," He starts and his whole demeanor changes. Instantly he exudes electricity and sensuality. His back is straighter, his eyes are more direct, and his gaze has an intensity that I've never felt before. "I'll come home with you - that's what you really wanted after all - and I won't sign the damn papers, but starting now you're playing by my fucking rules."

I raise an eyebrow in confusion the brief relief I felt quickly disintegrating.

"Starting now I'm going to be sleeping in your room."

"What-"

"In your bed."

"Chip stop acting-"

"You want us to be a family? Well so do I but we are going by my definition and these are my terms so shut up and listen."

I shut up.

"Things are going to get a lot more difficult for you from here on out Theo because, as I'm sure you can imagine, I'm not shy. Up till now we've been on your playing field but all of that is about to change." I can't help but swallow deeply as Chip reaches over to grab my hands in his running his graceful fingers gently over the flesh of my palms. His touch immediately sends pleasurable tingles rippling all the way from my fingers down to my toes. "Let's see if you can hold yourself up to your own standards while you're on my court."

As soon as he says this I know that if this is a bet...I'm already losing. 

So how was it? I hope you liked it. I like it but who am I really? I'm just the writer. Let me know what you guys think and if you have any questions throw them in the comments too. 

Wishing all of you the best! 

-Rayne

P.S. 

I have no legal background so just letting some of you know that certain content in this chapter may not necessarily be entirely accurate. But hey...that's why it's fiction. 

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO