A light tapping at the door drew Rory from his sweet dreams, all remnants from the night before. In Rin's arms, he'd discovered a pleasure unmatched by anything he'd ever experienced before. He groaned as another knock sounded on the door.
"Rory, dear? Are you awake? Is it alright if I come in for a minute?" Maggie called through the door. "I brought coffee and muffins…"
Rory arched his brow as a muffled snort of laughter sounded from beside him and strong arms tightened around his waist.
"Are you really going to turn down coffee and muffins?" Rin murmured as he pushed up onto an elbow and feathered kisses across Rory's face.
"But we're not dressed…"
Rin snorted out another round of laughter. "You think she doesn't already assume that? Go ahead and call her in. I'll have some fun with it."
"Yeah, mom, we're awake… now…" Rory called out before muttering the last part. "Come on in…"
Rin snickered as he gave Rory one last, lingering kiss before rolling out of bed. He pulled a tight, thin tank top on and was pulling up a pair of lace panties as Maggie cautiously pushed open the door. Rin sent Rory a wolfish grin as he intentionally moved around the room in just the tank and underwear, pretending to get dressed and ready.
Rory tried his best to hide his amusement, but he couldn't hide his distracted curiosity as his attention continued moving to Rin instead of what his mom was saying.
Maggie cleared her throat. "Aham… I'm happy to see the two of you get along so well in private, given you said you had to hide your relationship publicly."
"Hum… Yes…" Rory muttered, his attention back to Rin as Rin idly moved two outfits back and forth in front of his body by the floor-length mirror. "That one." Rory threw in as Rin paused with a navy-blue vest set in hand.
Rin met Rory's gaze in the mirror. "You think? Better than this one?" He moved a sleek black romper with slitted pants that tied around the ankles.
"You know you'd look great in both, I just feel like the other matches our earlier plans better. You could come back and change later if you'd like to wear that to dinner."
"Hum… What are you wearing?" Rin asked, moving the vest set in front of himself once again.
Maggie's eyes widened. "The two of you match outfits?"
"We coordinate outfits. There's a difference. Rory is my assistant. It's important for the company image that we appear a certain way when we're in public, especially since we never know when pictures and such will be taken." Rin supplied.
Maggie frowned. "I see. So, this is something the two of you have done since the start of your job, Rory?"
Rory nodded. "Yes. Rin was very generous to me when I first started. Rin provided me with enough clothes to fill three of the closets in my old room at home."
Rin shrugged. "What was I supposed to do when you showed up at my house with nothing more than a tiny suitcase and the ragged clothes on your back?" He shot Maggie a pointed look as he added. "I couldn't help but want to take you in and do all I could. It was like having someone drop a wet, beaten, starved kitten off at my door. You may have bitten and scratched a bit in the beginning, but once you warmed up to me, it became a love I'd not trade for the world. I pity anyone who'd willingly give you up." Rin turned his focus back to the mirror. "You're right, the vest outfit's shoes would be easier to walk in all day…"
Maggie frowned as she set the tray of coffee and muffins on the nightstand. "I understand what you both must think… and feel about me… about Ben… but…"
Rin turned on her sharply. "No but. You abandoned your son when he needed you most. He still hasn't been able to tell me exactly what happened to him, but I can tell you from the screams I have had to wake him up from on more than one occasion… it was nothing good. There is nothing you can say to justify or rectify that."
Tears burned Maggie's eyes as she nodded. "I… I know that… I just didn't know what to do at the time…"
"So, you chose to let your new husband kick out your only son, then not contact him for four fucking years. Were you not the least bit curious what happened to him?" Rin barked.
Tears began streaming down her face as she lowered her head. "I worried every day. Thoughts of Rory were my constant burden to bear, but I was worried what Ben would do if I tried to reach out…" She lifted her tear-streaked face, a weak smile spreading across her lips. "But I knew you were strong, Rory. That you'd be able to take care of yourself."
"No, the fuck he wasn't! He went through hell and back because of your bullshit! He's here right now despite you, not thanks to you, Bit-"
"That's enough, Rin." Rory had the sheets wrapped around him and held in place with one hand, and his other arm wrapped around Rin's waist. He stood between his mom and a very angry Rin, his own body trembling as he did. He pressed his head against Rin's chest and could hear the heavy pounding of Rin's heart, proof he was indeed worked up. "Calm down…" He turned his head and placed a kiss right over Rin's heart as he tangled his fingers into the tight fabric of Rin's tank top. "I know you're angry because you love me, but this isn't what I want."
Rin drew in a shaky breath and released it slowly. He wrapped his arms around Rory and buried his face in the nest of soft blonde tangles that was Rory's hair and breathed in his scent. Rin didn't take his angry gaze from Maggie as he breathed in another long breath and let it out slowly, causing whisps of blonde hair to flutter around his face. "You're right…" He placed a kiss on Rory's forehead and didn't remove his lips as he continued. "I do love you. I'll never not get angry when you've been mistreated… even if it was by me… I'll work the rest of my life to make up for my wrongs." His eyes burned into Maggie. "I'd expect anyone else who claims to love you to do the same."
Maggie bowed her head. "I understand what you're saying… That is my intention… Regardless of what this relationship the two of you have is… I don't care. I accept Rory as he is… as he was… It wasn't that I didn't accept Rory then. I was shocked and thought I could confide in my husband. I didn't know how to react at the time when he acted as he did."
Rin arched a brow as Rory turned in his arms. "And now?"
Maggie shrugged. "I've only ever been a wife… But I think I'd rather figure out my own way than go more time apart for my son." Tears began streaming down her cheeks again. "I only went all this time without contacting you because I was ashamed… and because I thought you wouldn't want to speak to me…"
"Oh, mom…" Rory pulled away from Rin and ran to his mom. He stumbled into her as she shot up from the armchair and pulled him into her arms.
Rin crossed his arms as he arched a brow. "So, you'll accept Rory regardless, you say?"
Maggie nodded, her head nestled against Rory's shoulder as she held him tight.
"Rory? Your call, love. It would make things easier, and if push comes to shove, she can always come live with us. That is, if she's serious."
Maggie leaned away from Rory but didn't release him as she stared at him questioningly. "Rory?"
Rory blew out a sigh. "Sit back down, Mom…" He turned and nodded to Rin. "Can I at least pull on some bottoms?"
"Go ahead, I'll head this shitshow. You know I'm perfectly comfortable as is." Rin walked over to the small desk and snagged the tablet from it. He leaned against it as he pulled up the search bar. A devilish smirk curved his lips as he spoke into the search. "Rin Perish." He then pushed away from the desk, walked over to Maggie, and held the tablet out to her.
Maggie's brows bunched as she scanned the author profile opened on the page. Her heart thudded, then fell when she scrolled down to the large profile picture below. Her brows knitted. "But this says…"
"That I'm a man?" Rin nodded. "My mother was a vain bitch with mental health issues. She couldn't stand the fact that being pregnant was taking her off the runway and was terrified it was going to ruin her career for life. So, around seven and a half to eight months, she caught my dad gone and tried to self-abort. Luckily, one of the housekeepers happened to stop in and found her in time to save me, but my mother wasn't so lucky. The experience did two things for my father… got him his first major hit novel, to movie best seller turned Oscar winner, and put a hate for anything that looked like my mother in him…" Rin held his hand out for the tablet. He did voice search again, this time his eyes on Rory, who was now walking over in curiosity. "Ragen Nichole Banks." He handed the tablet back to Maggie and watched as Rory moved over to the armchair to look as well.
"You look like the male version of her…" Rory whispered.
Rin shrugged. "Imagine what I looked like as a child before the bulk was possible. My dad couldn't stand looking at the 'woman who chose her looks over him' every day. So, he decided he had no daughter… He raised me as his son from the day he brought me home from the hospital…"
"Was he the one who named you Rin?" Rory asked.
Rin nodded. "Renee Ingrid Nichole. His mother's first name and middle, and my mother's middle name… probably out of spite…"
"And you never thought to change it?" Rory asked as he pushed away from the chair.
Rin shook his head. "No… not really… Like I told you, I've lived this way my entire life. It would be like you suddenly changing your name one day. This isn't anything new to me. It's just how it is. Who I am." His attention moved to Maggie. "No questions or comments down there? Remember, you did agree to leave Bennie Boy out of any and all things we discuss in here today. I will have you sign an NDA before you leave this room."
She shook her head. "I… Can't believe your father would do that to you…"
Rory frowned as he stood and wrapped his arms around Rin's waist. "That's not the worst part… Mr. Parish based a lot of his novels on Rin's life. Events he forced on Rin and made Rin journal about… Then he would twist it into literature and make money off."
"Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that, dear…" Maggie's eyes studied Rin. "I hate to ask, but does that mean…"
"That I'm still gay?" Rory nodded. "Yeah… kinda." His eyes moved back up to Rin. "Bi? Pan? It's been a topic of conversation for some time now." His eyes shimmered with admiration and affection as he held Rin's gaze. "But whatever I am and whatever you consider Rin… I love everything, every side, every part… I love all that is Rin…"
Rin smiled tenderly down at Rory as he wrapped his arms around him and pulled him into a tight embrace. "And I love all that is Rory." They were mid passionate kiss when another tap sounded at the door. Irritation returned to Rin's eyes as he pinned Maggie to her seat with a glare. "I am not joking when I say there is an NDA you will sign on the desk. Go there now and don't be obvious." He cleared his throat before calling out. "It's open."
Ben didn't hesitate as he pulled the door open. He froze in the doorway when he realized Rin was mostly naked, however. Color flooded his face as he quickly turned his back on the room. "I was here to see if you all were about ready to leave. I recall you mentioned plans at noon. It's nearly that now."
Rin glanced at the clock on the nightstand. "Ah shit, it is… It's fine. I can call and push back the reservations. We'll be out in a few."
**
A frown curved Rory's lips as he tried once again to take a picture of a particularly strange-looking fish with his cellphone.
"What's wrong, buttercup?" Rin asked as he rested his head on Rory's shoulder.
"It's too dark in this exhibit, but the flash keeps reflecting off the glass weird… If only Dillon was here…"
Rin snorted out a laugh. "I'm sure he'd love to hear you say that." Rin lifted his head and slipped his arms around Rory's waist instead. "DM him. I'm sure he could help you troubleshoot your shot. Hell, he might help with all the others in here, too. No offense, but the last few haven't been so great… and I hear they have eel and octopus exhibits farther down."
Rory's eyes lit up like a child. "Really? You think he'd help with something so mundane?"
Rin huffed out a laugh. "For you? Yes, no doubt. Fuck, he'd probably drive the three hours to get here and take them for you if the place would still be open by then."
Rory pursed his lips as he scrunched his brows. "Now you're teasing."
Rin tightened his hold and pressed a kiss to Rory's puffed-out cheek. "I'm really not, though. That's just how he is with the people he likes." When Rory sent him a doubtful glance, Rin continued. "Don't believe me, text him. You'll see."
Rory quickly opened his DM's and typed out a message, then attached the last several pictures he'd taken from the aquarium. Before he backed out, another unread message caught his attention, however. He bunched his brows as he opened it.
Unknown user, "My favorite little fagot has gotten quite popular… I can't wait to see you. It won't be long now."
Rory stiffened, and a cold shiver ran down his spine.
"What is it, babe?" Rin asked as he peered over Rory's shoulder. "Ah, another one? Just ignore it, babe." Rin's face lit up. "Ah, look! Told you he'd reply."
Rory glanced up to see a notification that Dillon had replied to his message. Sure enough, he'd given several different tips and even offered to drive up to help. Rory quickly typed a reply back. "I couldn't ask you to drive all this way for something so pointless, but I'll try what you suggested and send you the results."
"I look forward to seeing them. How has your weekend been? Are things with your parents going alright?" Dillon texted back almost immediately.
"He wouldn't ask if he didn't care. He doesn't do small talk." Rin commented.
Rory typed a quick reply. "It's been interesting. We'll explain when we get back tomorrow. I owe you major. Thanks for some of the things you packed, BTW."
"Pay me back with some pictures of them as well then." Dillon sent a winking bunny with piercings and a spiked collar that made Rory instantly giggle.
"Where did you even get such a thing?" Rory typed back.
"He probably designed it." Rin supplied. "He does all kinds of shit with computers."
"Are you going to look at the fish or them the whole time?" Ben muttered as he stomped along beside Maggie with his hands shoved deep inside his pockets.
"I can see fish anytime. This is the first time I'm seeing my son in four years… and the first time I'm seeing him happy with a partner. Look at them…"
"I am looking… along with everyone else in here. Do you know how odd they look? What man gets led around and man-handled by a woman like that? Woman… psh… Anyone looking at them from this far away probably just thinks it's two men, still…" Ben grumbled.
"And what does it matter if it is. They're not hurting anyone. And I'm looking around, no one else seems bothered by them." Just as she said that a group of five girls came running up to them, phones held up. She watched as Rin nodded and turned to pose with Rory. After their reveal this morning, she'd insisted that Rin not bother looking like as much like a woman today. Obviously, it was a good call because she'd already lost count of how many times Rin had been stopped today.
"How popular could she really be? It's almost like they've paid people off for this." Ben complained.
Maggie bit back a smirk as she remembered what she'd read earlier. "Rin is very popular among young adults, and now, thanks to his involvement with Rin's work, so is Rory."
"Rin? You're now on a nickname basis with her, too?"
Maggie shrugged. "I guess I am… After all, it looks like I may be that child's mother-in-law in the near future."
He arched a brow. "Did you intentionally word it that way?"
Her brows shot up innocently. "I have no idea what you mean."
"You mean we will be their in-laws?"
She shrugged. "That all depends on you, dear."