Chapter Eight: PAPA JO

The house was bustling with life, everyone oblivious to the emotional battle that had just gone on with the boys right in front of the house. Stefan passes a weak smile to everyone as he went to sit on a chair.

He needed to go home.

But he didn't.

Maybe he had done the right thing.

"Hey, kiddo! You good?" An older man's hand tapped on his shoulders. Stefan smiled knowingly at the voice. He has always loved his grandfather, the man was strong and had thought him almost everything he knew, from fishing, to boxing and to basically everything that he needed to know.

"Yes, papa Jo," Stefan told the old man, he loved the man and he sure knows how to keep a secret or two.

"What's eating ya up?" The old man's concerned voice hovered over the younger boy. A week smile passed Stefan's lips and he blinked back tears.

"It's nothing, papa Jo, just a little boy fight with Sky. Is all." Stefan tried to sound convincing but was certain he failed.

"Ya know, ya can't lie to this viejo." Stefan smiled at his grandpa. 'Old man'

"You're not that old," Stefan saw the old man scoff, but kept his eyes locked on Stefan, he knew he couldn't lie to the man. "I know." He admitted shamelessly. He shouldn't have lied in the first place, but still couldn't get himself to tell the older man the truth.

"If it hurts, then don't do it," John told his grandkid, he knew the boys' connection was more than meets the eyes, they both were special. He saw it from the first day that boy was shown to Stefan and he had watched them grow. They were both his grandkids, their fathers his children. And it pains him to see the suffering they were both going through at their very young age. John just couldn't watch them hurt any more than they already have. It's hard enough having to struggle with your emotions and even worst to try and bury them.

To pretend like it was never there.

Act like it doesn't exist.

To be normal.

If this isn't a phase and they both didn't grow out of it, he sure as hell doesn't want them to live a life full of lies and secrecy. Everyone else might be oblivious to the battle going on between these two, he has always been watching, observing and praying for the best for both boys. John does not want to see his grandkids hurt, he would do all he can. The only problem was that he lives long enough to help them when the time comes.

"How did you know?" Stefan whispered, Was it that obvious? Who else knew? His heart was doing a double-take. John saw the questions in his eyes and smiled, squeezing the boys' hand into his.

"Nadie más, hijo. I've just been watching you two. I saw the connection from the beginning." The man smiled. 'No one else, son' Stefan blinked back hot tears, his love for the older man filling his broken soul with comfort.

"Did you-" Stefan tried to ask. He needed to be sure no one else knows.

"No, just me," The old man smiled. "But you must give Sky time to grow up without you, just give him time to live a little, you need that too. You need time to think, to explore the world and its beauties, try to find love, sex, fun, and heartbreak. And then if this doesn't phase out between you two, you must promise me you would embrace it with open arms. No questions, just know it is meant to be." Stefan hugged the man, crying into his shoulder. He was glad at least one person doesn't see him as vile and disgusting, just as he did himself.

"Prometeme." The old man repeated.

"I promise," Stefan whispered, "Thank you." He spoke into the man's hair, breathing in the scent that was all his grandpa's. Stefan opened his eyes to have them piecing into the dark blue eyes of Sky. The boy was broken and it was all his fault. But he needed a time out, they both do. John felt the boy tense in his grip and gently pulled him away from their hug, he too was met with Sky's eyes. His face expressionless, that it had the old man gasping in horror. Sky was like a zombie, his eyes so dark, he was filled with so much anger that it made him look older than he truly was. John had to look twice to be sure he was really staring at his other grandson. He felt sorry for his boys but stayed quiet, they needed to seek this out on their own.

Whatever this evening brings he would be here for both boys.