Little Secrets

Big thank you to HalfBloodPhoenix, lilca24, From across the Pond, Keira and lana! If it weren't for you guys, this would have died before it reached the second chapter. You make it worth while.
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When Dean gets home that night, he walks through his front door to the sound of laughter coming from the living room. Frowning, he takes off his jacket and hangs it up, before heading into the living room to see what’s so funny.

“Oh, hi honey.” His mom smiles. “Your friend’s here to see you.”

Dean thinks he’s stepped through a portal to another dimension, because no way is Tristian sitting on his parent’s couch, being cuddled up to by his little sister. This is too surreal. “Outside. Now.” Dean states, glaring at Tristian.

Acting surprised with Dean’s behaviour, Tristian pulls his arm free from Clara’s grasp and follows Dean into the hallway and out through the front door. “Your family is so Brady Bunch. If my parents were like that, I might actually enjoy their company.”

“What the hell are you doing here?” Dean demands, frustrated by Tristian’s apparent memory loss. “You remember the part where I told you we were over, right?”

“And you remember how much you hated me when we first got together, right?” Tristian smirks. “I won you over then, I can do it again.”

Dean almost smiles at the near-romanticism of Tristian’s declaration, but catches himself before he lets the other boy see how dangerously close he is to falling for such a cheesy line. “So, you’re planning on kidnapping me, getting me drunk and tricking me into sleeping over at your house so you can lure me into bed? Wait, I think I may swoon.”

“I’m just saying,” Tristian states, ignoring Dean’s sarcasm, “if you can stop hating me and start liking me enough to sleep with me in one night…”

“Now you’re calling me a slut.” Dean interrupts, enjoying being the irritating one for once. It’s strangely addictive.

Tristian doesn’t look amused. “You can’t deny we’re good together. And I know you still want me.”

“Yeah, well, it’s not enough.” Dean argues, casting a look at his house, only to find his parents are watching through the window. “You realise my parents now think we’re together.”

Tristian waves at them with a smile on his face. “Good.”

Surprised at Tristian’s approval, Dean goes to sit down on the steps leading up to his front door. “They’ve been like this since I told them. They think in order to be supportive, they have to assume I’m constantly looking for a boyfriend or dating any guy who looks twice at me.”

“Count yourself lucky.” Tristian says, wistfully, sitting down beside him. “At least they’re not going to send you away. My parents would rather never see me than accept that I love you.”

Dean suddenly realises what Tristian has said and turns to look at him, confusion on his face. “Why did you say that?”

Still staring at his feet, Tristian shrugs.

“Did you mean it or not, Tristian?” Dean demands. “If you think this is the quickest way to get me to change my mind…”

“I just miss you.” Tristian admits, quietly. “Are you really gonna make me say all this touchy feely shit? Can’t you just figure it out for yourself?”

Dean doesn’t know how to answer those questions, so he drops his gaze and bites his lip, awkwardly.

“You’re not going to say anything?” Tristian asks, in surprise.

“I just don’t know what to do.” Dean tells him. “I don’t know if I can trust you. And I know I can’t put up with this big secret if it means you showing off your girlfriends and shouting abuse at me to make yourself look good.”

Tristian knows he deserves that and nods in agreement. “You think I can’t change. Well, you’re wrong.”

Dean shakes his head. “I’m not so sure.”

“So, let me prove it to you!” Tristian cheers up a little at the thought. “Just tell me I’ve got a chance and I’ll show you.”

“Why can’t you be like this all the time?” Dean asks, unable to stop his smile from surfacing.

Tristian places an arm round his shoulder and winks. “Nobody else gets to see this side of me, you should feel special.”

“It’s getting late, I should get inside and start on my homework.” Dean stands up and shoves his hands in his pockets, awkwardly.

“One thing before I go?” Tristian asks, getting to his feet. He leans in and kisses Dean before the taller boy can even think about saying no.

Of course, once Tristian’s captured those lips in one of his speciality kisses, Dean can’t even remember how to use the word ‘no’. It’s hard not to think about all the times he’s lost himself in Tristian’s arms, his heart beating so fast he’s sure he’s about to go into cardiac arrest. This moment is no different and Dean never wants it to end because he knows once it does, he has to walk back inside his house and risk losing Tristian forever. And for what? It’s very difficult to focus on why he’s angry at Tristian when all he wants to do is give in…

Tristian sighs as Dean pushes him away lightly. “Sorry.”

“You make it very hard for me to stay mad at you, you know that?” Dean chuckles, really hoping his parents aren’t still watching. He’s aware his cheeks are flushed and his heart is still beating ridiculously fast. But he doesn’t care. He’d forgotten what a buzz just being near Tristian could be.

“So if I do it again, all is forgiven, right?” Tristian grins, attempting to lean in for another kiss but stopped as Dean’s hand holds him back.

“I’m insane for doing this.” Dean mutters to himself. “Look, this is your last chance, okay? I’m not asking you to tell you parents, or anybody else, if that’s what you want. But if you really want to be with me, no more girls. Or guys for that matter. Just me and you.”

“I can do that.” Tristian nods in agreement.

“And apologise to Brad.”

“Okay, that too.” Tristian sighs, reluctantly.

“And I’m gonna need you to kiss me again.” Dean adds, seriously.

“Now that, I can do.” Tristian kisses him again, ecstatic as Dean’s arms move around him, holding them together as the kiss deepens.

At the sound of the door opening, they both break apart, guilty looking at Dean’s mom.

“It’s late, honey.” She points out, looking suspiciously at each boy in turn. “Tell your friend you’ll see him tomorrow.” The evidence is right there on her face. She’s as embarrassed as them.

“Yeah, Dean.” Tristian smirks. “Tell me you’ll see me tomorrow.”

Dean smiles as Tristian begins to walk away backwards. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Tristian.” He waits until the other boy turns around before he himself turns round and heads back inside, avoiding eye contact with his mom.

*~*~*~*

Dean can’t sleep that night, all he can think about is kissing Tristian and just how badly he wants to believe that this is going to work. He knows it’s a huge risk, but part of him really doesn’t care. He glances at the clock and sighs in frustration.

It’s going to be a long night.

*~*~*~*

Tomorrow doesn’t come soon enough for Tristian. He’s awake by eight o’clock, which for a Saturday is unheard of for him. He happily greets his father at the breakfast table and ignores questions about whether he’s on drugs. Things are definitely looking up and Tristian isn’t going to let anything ruin his day.

“I’ve heard a disturbing rumour.” Tristian’s father starts, not taking his eyes off the morning paper.

Tristian has a very bad feeling about that statement. He quickly tries to think of an excuse but his mind is blank. “Yeah, what kind of rumour?” He asks, weakly.

The older man slams his paper down and looks accusingly at his son. “Why don’t you tell me?” He waits for Tristian to answer, but the boy just looks helplessly at his uneaten breakfast. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out? I make it my business to know everything that goes on in this town. Not to mention my own household. Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

“Not really.” Tristian says, quietly, hiding his panic well. He can’t let his father know just how terrified he is of being sent away. Not now, when things are finally working out for him.

“Insolence will not help your case, here, son. Now, where is it?”

“It?” Tristian asks, confused.

“Your fake ID, hand it over!” The man shouts, angrily.

The wave of relief is overwhelming. For a moment there, Tristian really thought his father had discovered his relationship with Dean.

“Oh, and don’t think you’ll be going anywhere for a long time.”

“What?” The relief slowly fades away as Tristian realises what this means. “No, you can’t do that!”

“I can and I will.” His father states, smugly. “Your behaviour lately has been unacceptable. Perhaps this will teach you to respect the rules.”

Tristian throws his fork down onto the plate and heads off to his bedroom, furious that his big plans for tonight have been ruined. He grabs his cell phone and calls Dean, angrily pacing the floor until the familiar voice greets him.

“This is Dean, he’s asleep right now…call back at a more sociable hour and maybe he’ll consider talking to you.” The tired voice practically yawns down the phone.

“Very funny.” Tristian isn’t in the mood for jokes. “I just got grounded.”

“What?” Dean wakes up very quickly. “Why?”

“My dad found out about my fake ID.” Tristian sighs. “I can’t believe I finally got you talking to me and now I can’t talk to you!”

Dean hesitates. “How about if I sneak over?”

Tristian can’t believe those words have just come from Dean’s mouth. “Are you serious? Breaking the rules, sneaking around…risking getting caught? I thought that was more my style.”

“What can I say? You’re a bad influence on me.” Dean teases. “That and if I don’t see you, I may go crazy.”

“Yeah?” Tristian smiles at that. “Missed me?”

“Maybe.”

“How about if I told you how hard I am right now, just thinking about you?” Tristian asks him.

“You are not!” Dean laughs. Tristian can picture the poor boy blushing. “But if you can’t wait for tonight, go right ahead. I’ll just amuse myself…”

“Don’t you dare!” Tristian threatens. “Sure you don’t wanna come over now? You can climb up to my balcony.”

“How Shakespeare of us.” Dean mocks.

“So, do we have an ETA yet? Come on, being locked up is driving me crazy!” Tristian moans, dramatically.

“How long have you been grounded?” Dean asks, amusedly.

“I don’t know, five…ten minutes?” Tristian sits down on the bed and falls down onto his back in frustration. “What time are you going to be here?”

Dean sighs, before yawning and climbing out of bed. “I have some things to do, but I guess late afternoon?

“Half an hour then.” Tristian jokes, playing with the buttons on his shirt.

“Four. At the earliest.” Dean says, firmly. “And I don’t know why you’re getting so excited. Part of our agreement was you apologising to Brad. Which you haven’t done yet. And you’re not getting any until you do!”

Tristian sits up very quickly, his mouth wide open. “Oh come on! How is that fair? I can’t leave the house; I have no way of contacting him! I’ll do it at school on Monday, I swear!”

“See ya later.” Dean cuts him off before Tristian can say another word.

Rather disgruntled, Tristian throws the phone on the bed and wonders if maybe Dean is winding him up. He knows Dean won’t be able to resist once they’re finally alone, but on the off chance Dean is serious, Tristian knows he needs to come up with something and fast. He begins to flick through his phone’s memory for someone who might have Brad’s number. No such luck. The only person remotely likely to have it is Rory, and even that’s a long shot. His finger hovers over the call button, before he finally gains the courage to press it.

“Hey, Rory.” Tristian greets with all the cheer he can muster.

*~*~*~*

“Tristian.” Rory states, a little shocked to hear the voice on the other end of the phone. She glances at Dean, who is sat right next to her at Luke’s.

“No cell phones!” Luke shouts at her from across the room.

Lorelai, sat on Rory’s other side, dismisses him with a flick of her hand and leans in to listen to the conversation. Dean quickly follows suit.

Trying to ignore the two eavesdroppers, Rory frowns and plugs her other ear to hear better. “Why are you calling me? And where did you get my number?”

“I need a favour.” Tristian starts, sheepishly. “Dean’s not with you, right?”

Dean quickly shakes his head at Rory and she begrudgingly replies. “No, why would Dean be here?”

“I need Brad’s phone number. Tell me you have it!” He begs her, desperately.

Both Rory and Dean attempt to stifle their laughter while Lorelai quickly attempts to stop Luke from confiscating Rory’s phone.

“Hello?”

“I’m here.” Rory says, quickly. “Uh, Brad’s number. I have it…somewhere.”

“Can I have it?” Tristian asks her.

Rory grins at Dean. “I don’t know. I doubt very much he wants to hear from you.”

“This is an emergency!” Tristian complains. “I have to apologise now.”

“It can’t wait until Monday?” Rory frowns, looking at Dean for an explanation,

“Apparently not.” Tristian mutters. “Look, Dean’s coming over and I need to apologise before he gets here, so…give me the number!”

“I don’t know…” Rory teases. “I think I should check with Dean first.”

Dean nods at her, still finding it hard not to laugh out loud.

“Just give me the number, Rory!”

“Alright. But be nice to him!” Rory chastises. “Dean and Brad are friends, you know.”

Tristian sighs down the phone. “Alright, alright. Number!”

Dean is already on the case, finding Brad’s number in his own phone and holding it up for Rory to see. She reads it off to Tristian carefully.

“Thanks. Oh, don’t tell him I asked, okay?” Tristian asks her. “I don’t want him to think…just don’t tell him.”

“Okay!” Rory smiles. “Have fun tonight!” She puts the phone down on the table and both she and Dean finally share a laugh. “That was just too adorable.”

“If you knew why he was doing it, you wouldn’t think it was that adorable, trust me.” Dean tells her, taking a sip of coffee.

“Oooh!” Rory exclaims, grinning. “I see.”

“What?” Lorelai asks, sitting down beside them having forced Luke to give up his quest. “What I miss?”

“Dean’s boyfriend is well and truly under the thumb.” Rory giggles.

Dean smiles to himself, not letting on just how ‘under the thumb’ he can be where Tristian is concerned. It’s a good feeling to know Tristian is prepared to go to these lengths to be with him. Now, he needs to figure out the best way to reward the lovesick teenager, because Dean definitely wants to show just how grateful he is.

*~*~*~*