The Rescue
Alex was running towards the garage before Hank even had time to process what he said. He was chasing after him anyway. Then Hank got what he said and stopped dead in his tracks.
“Wait, what?”
“My brother just called. He’s at some bus stop in Breckinridge. I got to go get him.”
“Ok, that’s something. But, let’s think this through first. We can’t just go rushing off to the middle of nowhere. We have no idea what we are getting ourselves into.”
“Does it matter? This is my brother, I have to look out for him.”
“Ok, I get that you care about your brother, but what if this is a trap?”
“I…I don’t know. But I have to try, and I don’t remember making you come with me.”
“I want to though. We don’t know what we’re getting into and it would be nice having someone that cares about you to have your back,” he hesitated, “Besides, I know how to drive in the jet.”
A few kids had gone back to the basketball court after dinner but quickly scattered when it started to shake. They all stared in awe as the court split in two and the immense plane rose from the ground. Not moments later it was up in the air and miles away. Not, however, before a certain red-haired protector could watch it happen.
“What are my dumbasses up to now,” she muttered
“So where exactly are we going?”
“I don’t exactly know, all I know is it’s some bus stop in Breckenridge, Colorado.”
“Well that’s helpful there’s got to be a dozen bus stops. We’re lucky he is not somewhere larger. It’s mostly ski resorts and I’m assuming he’s not in one of those.
Alex’s face twisted into a mix of fear and hopelessness. Hank’s stomach twisted in knots, “How about you get some rest? It's going to be a few hours.”
Alex opened his mouth to argue, but instead, just let out a small okay and leaned his seat back.
As promised, two hours later the plane touched down in a field outside the city. Alex had managed to fall asleep about halfway through and Hank really did not want to wake him up. He looked peaceful for once. But, he also knew he didn’t want to keep the man waiting for his brother anymore.
“Alex. Hey, Alex, we're here.”
When he didn’t wake, Hank shook him a little. Alex’s eyes indent sky snapped open and he lunged at Hank. Bring much more awake, he was able to mostly dogs it, but he still got ahold of his wrist.
“Hey, calm down, it’s just me. Hank,” he said smoothly meeting Alex’s fear-ridden eyes.
“Shit. Sorry, man. Habit I picked up in prison.”
“It’s fine man. I understand.”
“Thanks. And just please,” he paused, “Don’t mention this to anyone else.”
“Wouldn’t dare of it. We all got our demons.”
“We, uh, better go find Scott. He’s been there for a while,” Alex finally managed to get out after several moments.
“Yep, yeah.”
The main area of the town was small. Most people choose to live where they can ski; up in the mountains where the snow piles. There were only five bus stations in the whole city so it didn’t take long to check all of them. But that also meant they quickly realized Scott wasn’t out any of them and Alex started to panic. His passing quickly started outside their last stop.
“Dude you got to calm down we got to put our heads together. I’m sure we just missed something.”
“No, Hank you don’t understand. I…I can’t lose him. He’s all I have left. I’ve cut ties with all other family. He’s the only own that didn’t hate me when I came out. I haven’t got to see him in years. When I got that phone call I thought there was hope for us to reunite. I heard his voice, he was in this city just hours ago. Is this the universe punishing me? By dangling him right in front of me and then snatching him away. And what if he’s hurt? He always was a homebody. He barely ever left our parents' side. Oh my god. What am I gonna do? When I left things were so confusing. But I knew for sure Scott was going to be okay. He was going to get to grow up in a normal household and didn’t have to deal with me and my parent's content fighting. And oh my gosh my parents. What happened, why is Scott even out here? Are they okay? He always was their golden kid they wouldn’t just let him leave.”
Hank grabbed the other man, “You’re spiraling. Which isn’t gonna help you or Scott. And goddamn am I gonna need my own sanity if I’m gonna help? So here okay, this is something I learned in school.”
He brought Alex’s hand up to his chest, “Match my breathing.”
After a few moments of just standing there Alex finally calmed down, “Sorry, I, freaked out on you there. Still trying to get used to not being in control all the time. Which I guess I should be after all these years.
“Don’t say that. Some people adjust faster than others. Everyone has their own healing process. You’ve been through a lot of shit from the brief things I’ve heard. No need to rush the process.”
There was a quiet silence before Alex responded, “Uh, thanks for that.”
“No problem, believe it or not, I kinda get it. We should probably get back to your brother though. I think I saw a 24-hour diner at one of the bus stops. Maybe he’s hiding out in there.
The bell on the door echoed through the mostly empty diner. It was late and only a few tables were full. There was a couple sitting in the corner a little too close for everyone else’s comfort. A booth holding family of four looking like they came straight from the mountains. There were two people sitting at the counter. A middle-aged man in scrubs. And a young teenage boy with dark brown hair.
“Scott,” Alex half whispered.
The young boy turned around and in a blink of an eye had his arm wrapped around Alex. It took only a moment for the elder to return the gesture.
“Thank you,” the boy mumbled into Alex’s coat.
“Hey, I couldn’t leave my favorite brother hanging.”
“I’m your only brother.”
“And you're my most annoying too.”
“I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too bud.”
Hank awkwardly shifted his feet feeling like an intruder in their reunion. Alex must have felt it too because he looked up, eyes brimming with tears.
“Hey, this is Hank. He flew me out here to come get you.”
“First, that is so cool I half expected you not to be here for a few days. Two is here, you know?”
Alex stared at him confused until realization dawned on him, “Oh God no, Hank is just a friend.
“Where have you ever been all these years.”
“Since I left, all of the place. But, we came from upstate New York. I’ll tell you more about it on the flight home.”
“Awesome”
The pair of brothers retreated to the back soon after take-off. They talked in quiet voices inaudible to Hank. but, he let them be. He knew they had a lot to catch up on.
“So, it’s been a while.”
“Yeah, it has.”
“I didn’t want to leave you. I hope you know that.”
“I know. When I got a little older I started asking around. Mom and Dad refused to tell me what happened, shut me down whenever I brought up your name. But, I got in contact with some of your old friends. Told me dad walked in with you and another guy and that their good catholic hearts couldn’t handle it and kicked you out. Said they didn’t know where you went after that.”
“What about you, what do you think about all that?”
“I think it's bullshit.”
Alex smiled.
“But, that is all I know. I don’t know what happened after you left.”
“I did a bit couch surfing. Didn’t take long till I overstayed my visit and went to living in my car. You know, the beat-up van I got for my sixteenth birthday. I renovated it with the little money I picked up for working odd jobs to make it somewhat tolerable. Joined the military the minute I turned eighteen. Was dishonorably discharged last year though for beating up a homophobe. That’s actually when I met Erik. He took me in and let me live with him in exchange I started helping kids in situations like I was. Which is where I’m out now. He started this Institute for runways and LGBT people in bad situations. Hank actually helped out some. That’s really all though.”
“Guess it’s my turn.”
“You don’t have to share if you don’t want to. I wouldn’t turn you away.”
“No, I want to. About two days before I called you Mom and Dad found my search history. Found out I was bisexual. Took me to see some priest, they were gonna send me a way to some camp to help fix me.”
“Oh. Oh shit.”