Sawyer and I stood there crying for a bit, hugging each other tightly as Hunter gently rubbed my back. I slowly pulled back and smiled and Sawyer wiped my tears away with his sleeve.

"You cry as easy as I do," Sawyer laughed, a hiccup escaping him.

"I guess I do," I laughed as well, "I cry easily. Especially when Hunter is being sweet."

"Gray," Hunter sighed, his cheeks bright red.

"He's easy to embarrass," I whispered to Sawyer who smiled, "he couldn't even look me in the eyes and tell me sweet things for a month."

"Grayson I swear to God I won't set up the projector for movies if you're gonna do your best to embarrass me," Hunter huffed, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Yes, you will."

"No."

"Yep."

"Fine," Hunter rolled his eyes with a smile, "ya know I'll always do what I can to make ya smile."

"I know."

Sawyer started to laugh again and we both looked at him, "Sorry. It's just… you remind me of Nat and me when we were young. She could always get me to do what she wanted. She was so free-spirited. We would climb trees, splash in mud puddles when we were kids. When we were teens she'd come to my bedroom window to get me to sneak out and we'd watch the stars together and talk. She kissed me first because I never knew if she loved me back until she told me. I had no idea what to do as far as a girlfriend went but she knew. She took charge. She was… she made me feel so good about myself because she was proud to be with me. She told everyone all the time that I was her boyfriend. That she'd marry me as soon as we were old enough. It uh… wasn’t something that obviously happened, but it was sweet. I just… I froze in time when you both left and…”

“I think it’s time to come back into the world of the living,” I smiled, “you’ve clearly traveled. You said you were in Nepal when we lost Mom.”

“Oh yes. I went all over Europe. But surprisingly, North Dakota is the only state I’ve ever been to.”

“Then come to Montana,” Hunter smiled, “it ain’t that different from North Dakota, but I think you’ll like it. At least the town Gray works in. We live outside of it. We’re kinda isolated but it’s nice.”

“I will,” Sawyer nodded, “I’ll come and visit soon.”

“Good,” I hugged him again and we all made our way into the dining room.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Sawyer gestured to the meal he had made, “I don’t eat meat. So I made adobo mushroom tacos.”

“I didn’t know ya could do that,” Hunter whispered, “I don’t like eating meat if I can avoid it.”

“Hang on,” Sawyer jumped up and grabbed a book from the counter, handing it to Hunter, “here. Take it. I have two. It’s a recipe book for vegetarian meals that have plenty of protein. You won’t need meat if you don’t want it. They’re pretty easy to make too.”

“Oh… thank ya,” Hunter blushed, flipping through the recipes, “Gray?”

“Hm?” I smiled, leaning against his arm.

“Can ya make some of these? You’re a better cook than I am.”

“I don’t see why I can’t,” gently kissing his arm, I took the book and placed it on the side of the table, “I can look through it later. I know what you like and what to avoid.”

“Thank you.”

“Anything for you.”

We started to eat, talking about simple topics as Hunter stayed mostly quiet, allowing me time with Sawyer.

“Hunter?” Sawyer smiled, clearing the table.

“Yeah?”

“Do you like rum?”

“Absolutely,” Hunter laughed, getting to his feet, “I even got Gray to like it.”

“Yeah but I can’t drink much,” I snorted, “I get drunk easily.”

“Just one glass for all of us. Adam has scared me away from alcohol for the most part. But it’s nice to have a glass every now and then.”

Sawyer handed both Hunter and me a glass of rum with ice and we followed him into the backyard, taking a seat on the deck, “So. Hunter.”

“Yes sir,” Hunter smiled, taking a seat next to me.

“How did you manage to get a farm at… how old are you? I can’t tell.”

“25,” Hunter laughed, “most people think I’m about your age actually. I just look a lot older than I am. Anyway, my grandpa left me the farm. I’ve owned it since I was 18. Taken care of it alone until Gray literally crashed into my life.”

“You didn’t go to college or anything?”

“Nah. I could’ve. I just didn’t want to. Grayson can tell ya but I’m actually far more intelligent than I seem.”

“He can do complex equations in his head,” I smiled, taking a sip of my drink, “holy hell that’s strong. Anyway, he also reads all these books on physics and the universe that I just… can’t understand. But he does. He explains them to me in simpler terms. It’s fascinating to watch.”

“Well color me impressed,” Sawyer laughed, “sorry. It’s just… you’re dating my son. I had to ask some questions. I don’t really mind either way as long as you make him happy. I just want to know about you.”

“Can I ask ya somethin’?” Hunter sighed.

“Of course.”

“I understand why my parents were so acceptin’ of me. My sister just told them she was a lesbian when she was fifteen and they had to deal with it. So they did. And I’m pretty sure they knew I was gay before I told ‘em. They’re also just not prejudiced. But Gray and I get weird looks when we’re shoppin’ in Livingston. We hold hands a lot. I get why. It’s a small town, we’re both men. I just… I expected some shock from ya.”

“Oh! Well… I’m a firm believer that love isn’t something that gender defines. Nor do your genitals define your gender. When I went to Europe, it was a very common thing for me to see same-sex couples. I myself have been attracted to men before. So I don’t see anything but two people who care for each other.”

“Dad,” I whispered, “are you bi?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugged, taking another sip of his drink, “I was only ever with your mom. I think so but it doesn’t really matter to me. I don’t plan to go out and try and meet someone. I’m forty now. I’d much rather just spend time with my kid and his almost boyfriend's family than go out and try and meet someone. I like being alone.”

“Whatever makes you happy, makes me happy. I just want you to know that Mom would be angry with you for never trying again.”

“Well, she didn’t either.”

“That is true,” I laughed, “she was a very solitary person. I don’t think she really had friends either. It was rare she had a day off of all her jobs at the same time and when she did she spent them with me.”

“Because she was a good mom,” Hunter kissed the top of my head, “I’m glad I get to meet you, Sawyer. I did talk to Natalie for a bit. But um… can I borrow ya for ten seconds?”

“Oh! Absolutely,” Sawyer nodded and led Hunter to the corner of the yard where I couldn’t hear them.

Rude.

What are you talking about?

I wanna know.

Huffing softly, I downed the rest of my drink, a shiver shaking through me at the small burn of the alcohol. Setting my glass down, I watched them talk before Sawyer patted Hunter’s arm with a nod and they came back over to me, Hunter flopping down next to me and wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

“Why are you keeping secrets?” I huffed again, annoyance in my chest.

“I will tell ya what I told your mom and dad tomorrow. I promise,” Hunter kissed the top of my head and I felt my annoyance start to melt.

“Fine.”

“Grayson,” Sawyer laughed, “I promise it’s good.”

“Whatever.”

“Oh no,” Hunter poked me, “the grumpy is back.”

“I blame you.”

“How can I make it better then?”

“Give me a kiss.”

“In front of your dad?”

“I don’t care. If you don’t want me to be grumpy then give me a kiss.”

Hunter chuckled softly before cupping my chin and turning my head, his lips finding mine in a gentle, warm kiss, “stop it.”

“Fine.”

“Well,” Sawyer sighed happily, “I have no idea what to do now.”

“Can I see the pictures you were talking about?”

“Of course!”

Just as we all started to head into the house a massive flash of light filled the sky followed by a boom of thunder that shook the windows of Sawyer’s house.

“Holy fuck!” I shouted as it began to pour and we all ran into the house.

As soon as we locked the back door there was a surge and the house went black, plunging all of us into darkness.

“Oh no,” Sawyer sighed, “fuck I hate when this happens.”

“Do ya have a fireplace? I didn’t see one,” Hunter shook his curls out, getting the water off as best as he could.

“No. It’s all closed up. The flue is broken and fills the house with smoke if we aren’t careful. It’s just going to be dark and cold here tonight. Nothing I’m not used to. This house is over a hundred years old after all. Same with Edward’s house.”

“Just come over there with us. The fireplace is nice and the house is two bedrooms. I was planning to sleep in one and Hunter was going to take the other but I can take the couch. I don’t mind,” I smiled.

“I do. You’re my kid. I’ll take the couch. You guys take the rooms.”

“I think we might all need to sleep in the livin’ room actually,” Hunter sighed, “the fireplace ain’t gonna heat up the bedrooms enough. It’s just a small stove. That don’t put out enough heat for a home even with the bedroom doors open. It's only goin’ to keep the livin’ room warm. So, you two can take the mattresses, I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“I know you can lay on it. You did earlier today but you’re not going to sleep well up there,” I poked his chest.

“We’ll figure it out when we get there, okay boys? Let’s just go now before the road floods and we’re stuck here,” Sawyer grabbed his jacket and keys from the hook by the door before tossing Hunter his hat.

“Does that happen often?” I shouted over the storm as we left the house.

“Every time it rains like this,” Sawyer called back.

We quickly rushed across the road and onto my grandfather's farm, Hunter locking the gate behind us as Sawyer and I ran up to the porch. Hunter came running up after us and we all headed into the house. As I jogged off to the bathroom to get towels, Hunter went to the fireplace and started it with the logs that were sitting in a holder next to the mantel.

“Thank God,” I sighed, flopping down in front of the fire and ripping my jacket off, “I was soaked.”

“We all are,” Sawyer laughed, joining me on the floor.

Hunter sat behind me, pulled me closer, and started drying my hair, humming softly to himself as he did.

“He’s so sweet,” Sawyer whispered to me.

“Mhm. He takes good care of me,” I smiled at Hunter over my shoulder and his face turned red, “Oh my god I can’t even compliment you!”

“Shuddup,” Hunter whispered, “do ya know if the water heater is gas or electric, Sawyer?”

“It’s gas. I primarily stay here after all. I hate having to rely on the power grid to be able to shower. It should be fine as long as the pilot light is still lit.”

“Imma take a fast shower. I wanna get warm and that’ll be the best way. I think ya both should too. We just gotta be quick so that we don't take all the hot water," Hunter kissed the back of my head, getting to his feet.

"I don't need one. You guys just take a little longer," Sawyer stretched, drying his hair.

"Fair enough. Get me if ya need me, Gray," Hunter smiled, heading into the bathroom.

"He's giving us space," Sawyer groaned, "I'm interrupting your trip."

“Interrupting? No. He’s awkward. I think I’m going to pull him aside after my shower and talk to him. He wants to make sure that we can talk, but I want you to know him too. He’s really important to me.”

“I know, Gray,” he softly rubbed my back, “I remember sitting with you like this when you were one. It was your birthday and we had lost power just like this. You were terrified. Screaming and crying. Nat was doing everything she could to calm you down but you didn’t want her. You wanted me. So she brought you out here with a blanket. I lived here too but I stayed in the living room because the bed wasn’t big enough for the three of us. Ed hated it but he liked me so he dealt because he knew that you and Nat needed me too. Anyway, she brought you out here and sat with me on the floor. We sang to you, played games with just the light of the fire. The two of us fell asleep on the floor, you were on my chest snoring softly and I woke up with my head in Natalie’s lap. She was playing with my hair as she watched the flames flicker. I asked her if she wanted to marry me when we were 18. She said yes. It was… a beautiful simple moment. I lost you both a year later. We never argued, we were in a solid relationship. But she wanted to get out of Belfield. I begged her to let me go with her. On my knees,” he sniffled, “begged her to let me be with you. Or leave you here with me until she was ready to come back. I promised to wait, to take excellent care of you. But she told me no. That I… that I wasn’t your dad. I had no rights to you. It was a lie. I know that now. But it hurt. She was sparring me from how difficult things would be if we just set out like that. She didn’t want me to struggle too. But I wanted to. I wanted to if it meant our family stayed together. I realized she wasn’t going to change her mind. So I asked for one last goodbye with you and she let me put you into the car. I… I almost just took you, Gray. Took you and ran. I… I could have accepted Natalie leaving me. Wanting more of a life than I could give her right then. But I… I never accepted you being gone too. I would see you during the summers, running around in the yard, playing with flowers and it broke me. I fought so many times with Ed. I wanted you to know who I was. To spend the summer with me too. But he told me that Natalie had forbidden it. That you were hers and no one else's.”

“That doesn’t sound like Mom,” I whispered, staring at the fire.

“Because it wasn’t. It was Edward. He lied to me. Kept me away from you. I have no idea why. I still don’t. I had no idea where you were in Montana for a long time. I didn’t find out until Natalie wrote to me. Then she was gone again.”

“Dad… if… if you had just told me… I spent so many years of my life wondering who you were. Where you were. I… I thought Adam was my dad because of the notebooks,” I pointed to the bookshelf, “Granddad never talked about you.”

“Not surprised,” he snorted, “as soon as Nat was gone, it was like I didn’t exist anymore. He threw me and all my shit out. Told me I drove her away. It wasn’t me.”

“It was him.”

“Mhm.”

Leaning over, I laid my head on his shoulder, ignoring how wet it made the side of my face, “can we move on? I don’t want to live in the pain. I don’t want to forget that you fought for me for years in secret, but I want to… I’m here now, Dad. You’re here. I don’t… I don’t plan to move back here. My life is in Montana with Hunter. That’s where I’m supposed to be. But I want you to be a part of it.”

“Let me visit a few times. Your grandpa Jon has been wanting to sell the cemetery administration to the funeral home for a while now. If it’s something I can make happen in a year or so I’ll move out there too. I think… I kept this house for you, ya know? In case you wanted or needed to come back. If I had known a year ago you were homeless, I would have come and got you. Brought you here. But…”

“I needed to live my life so I could find Hunter.”

“Mhm,” he smiled, “so give me a year.”

“I can wait.”

Hunter came into the room and I jumped up.

“Can we talk?” I smiled.

“Of course, Gray,” Hunter smiled back.