Chapter Text
The hunting party decided to head back after an hour of waiting for a deer to appear. Thankfully, Pete had been correct in his observation. Bullet dodged, literally.
By the time they got to the house Pete was shaking uncontrollably. He headed straight for the fireplace, took off his wet shoes and socks and set them on the brick hearth.
"Oh my God!" Chasten gasped. "Did you get frostbite? I'm so sorry. I should've told you to bring some hikers."
"Don't worry about it. I'll be fine as soon as I warm up." He smiled at Chasten and watched his expression ease a bit.
"He did well, though," Terry said. "Not a single complaint."
"Unlike someone else we know." Dustin stared at his little brother.
Chasten stuck out his tongue and Dustin laughed.
Sherri came in with a small tub of water. "Peter, you need to soak your feet for a few minutes, bring the temperature up slowly."
"Thanks." He rolled up his jeans and set his feet in the water. Needles of pain made him catch his breath. "Whoa."
Terry looked guilty. "Sorry, pal. The cold can creep up on a guy. You should've said something."
Pete shrugged. "I honestly didn't notice. Plus I was enjoying myself. I love the snow. I just didn't pack for the occasion."
"I really am sorry." Chasten sat next to him.
"Hey, it's okay." Pete took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
The rest of the family walked out of the room, giving them time alone.
"I should've warned you about the hunt. It's a family tradition. I was just scared."
"Of what?"
Chasten wouldn't meet Pete's gaze. "That you wouldn't come here with me. That you would think my family is crazy. That--"
"Stop."
Chasten looked up at him.
"Your family is great. It's obvious they love you a lot. Just like I do."
Chasten blinked, then blinked again. "Did you just say what I thought you said?"
Pete grinned. "I love you, Chasten."
His boyfriend's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "I love you too."
"I know. You told me earlier."
"Oh, you caught that, huh?"
Pete laughed. "Yeah, it's what kept me so warm the entire time I was out there."
Chasten hugged him. "Thank you for loving me."
"Loving you is the easiest thing in the world."
Just as they went in for a kiss, a chorus of throat-clearing rang through the air. They jumped apart.
"Okay, we all love each other," Dustin said. "Can we eat now?"
--
Chasten couldn't stop smiling. He wasn't sure why he had been so nervous about Peter meeting his family. It was obvious how much everyone was getting along.
He only wished his brother Rhyan would come around. What sort of God would tell people to shun anyone? Yet Rhy was now leading his own church and teaching others to be bigots.
The country was founded on freedom of religion because of persecution. Now religious leaders were using their backward beliefs to persecute people who were born different.
"Hey, you okay?"
"Hm?" Chasten glance over at Peter.
"You were frowning. I much prefer your smile."
Chasten smiled sadly. "Sorry. I was just thinking about my other brother."
Dustin nodded. "Rhy can be a little stubborn."
"You mean stupid," Chasten growled.
"Chasten," Sherri interrupted. "Can we just please enjoy our lunch?"
Peter's tension rolled off him like a wave. He was happy when Peter spoke up. "I mean no disrespect at all, but doesn't it bother you that your other son is not accepting of Chasten?"
Sherry nodded. "It does. More than you know. I've told him his behavior is appalling."
Chasten was stunned by his mother's admission. "You did?"
"Of course I did! I don't think he has any right to preach love and faith, while being so judgmental. Jesus would never do that." She paused for a moment. "And just to be clear, he was planning to be here, but I told him not to bother coming if he was going to just stare down his high and mighty nose at you and Peter."
The silence that followed was deafening.