What Happens At Cons

Bill and Ralph trailed behind Kevin as the younger Hinkley led the way to the hotel’s café. Every so often, the partners would brush their arms against one another, as if by accident, and shoot thoughts back and forth in the blink of an eye.

We can’t sit opposite each other.

I know, we’ll end up looking at each other like a coupla goofs.

I suspect Kevin wonders about us sometimes any way, Billy.

Oh man, it’s been so long.

Where’d that come from?

I’m fuckin’ horny, that’s where.

Ralph laughed out loud, taking a quick step away from Bill and toward his son.

“What, Dad?” Kevin asked, looking over his shoulder at his father.

“Nothing, I saw a couple of Klingons over there, picking on some little guy.”

Kevin looked, and laughed too. “That’s Yoda, Dad, you saw ‘Empire Strikes Back,’ didn’t you?”

“Oh yeah, okay.”

The three were seated quickly, since it was past Midnight.

Ralph waited for Kevin to seat himself, then took the bench opposite his son. Bill automatically sat down next to his partner, as he usually would have. Kevin looked at the two, and shook his head, not commenting.

Bill’s knee touched Ralph’s under the table.

I think you’re right, Ralphie. I think he kinda wonders about us.

He gave me this weird look at the house, when I told him you were coming to the con with us, Billy.

And that look in the hall earlier, when he laughed, then said how he’s an L.A. kid, nothing phases him.

Hmmm, maybe he’s known something all along. I told you he’s a sensitive kid, didn’t I?

Now that I think about it, we’ve had lots of people wonder about us. Remember that doc in the E.R. that we kept getting that time?

The two pondered the situation, still touching but not consciously communicating. Bill’s heart had finally calmed down somewhat as he started to settle into the new paradigm, the new level of partnership he shared with Ralph.

Guess ‘partner’ is going to take on a whole new meaning, Ralphie.

He ended the thought with an audible chuckle, and Kevin looked at him, frowning.

“What?” he demanded of Bill.

“Just thinkin’, kid,” Bill said, making a show of inspecting the menu. “I sure could use a burger or two. Get my strength up.”

Among other things, he silently added for Ralph’s benefit.

Ralph barked out a quick laugh, then held the menu up to hide his face to hide the laugh-tears.

STOP IT! he yelled to Bill through their connection.

Still hiding, Ralph said, “So, Kev, what happened in your game? How’d you get killed?”

Ralph knew his boy, and was confident the kid would be talking non-stop for the next ten minutes or so. He took the menu down, watching his son talk, but not paying the least bit of attention. He nodded his head when Kevin would pause, knowing it would be expected, but his thoughts were entirely focused on his partner sitting so close to his side.

Bill projected more of what he had in mind for Ralph, and it involved leather straps (easily obtained in the dealers room), amaretto (he was confident Prince Ra would oblige) and other devices Ralph wasn’t entirely too sure about.

If it can’t be had at a con, Ralph, I’m sure Rob can steer us in the right direction.

God, Bill, are you sure this is okay? When the hell are we supposed to DO this, with Kevin around?

Listen to him, Ralph. He’ll be back at that table of geeks at first light. We’ll just have to talk to Rob and see if he can get us loaded up for the weekend.

Bill learned that not only thought, but a sense of actual touching could be transmitted through their bond. Ralph felt a slight brush against his neck, and swatted at himself, as if a fly had irriated him.

That was me, Ralph, he felt from Bill.

It was?

A whisp of sensation moved up his neck, and Ralph closed his eyes, visualizing the source touching him with the soft, sensual mouth.

Soon the whispy feeling left his neck, to the center of his chest, and moved down. The touch became almost a tickle, and went lower… lower… toward his abdomen. The lips were almost palpible, the moist tip of a tongue teasing him as it….

“Dad!” Kevin shouted, breaking the spell. Ralph guiltily pulled away from Bill’s touch, physical and ethereal, and picked up his cold soda, taking a nervous sip.

“Sorry, son, you were saying?”

“What, are you tired already, Dad?” Kevin asked, glaring at Bill as if it was all his fault.

“No, of course not, I was just resting my eyes. That dance was dark and smokey, and the lights, you know. Discos.”

Bill turned to face Ralph directly. “Yeah, Ralphie, you okay? Still want to catch that movie?”

“Sure, Billy, it’s not too late. I think it’s already started, but I can explain what’s going on.”

“What movie?” Kevin asked.

“Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Ralph told his son, positive he’d never heard of it.

Kevin almost choked on the soda he was sipping. “You’re going to get BILL to watch that? This I’ve gotta see!”

“What? How do YOU know about Rocky Horror, Kev?” Ralph asked, once again the concerned, attentive father.

“C’mon, Dad, I’m 15. I’m not dumb, you know.”

“Please tell me you’ve never seen it, Kev,” Ralph said in a low, dangerous voice.

“Um… sure, okay, Dad. I’ve never seen it,” Kevin said unconvincingly, telling Ralph what he wanted to hear.

Ralph glared at his boy, then shrugged, smiling in capitulation.

He touched Bill’s knee and thought to him, Kid’s growing up.

What’s the deal about this movie, Ralph?

It’s rated R for one.

And?

It’s rated R for a reason. It’s pretty nasty, both in a hetero and gay way. And, um… well, I had it in mind earlier this evening, before we went into the dance.

You did?

In a flash of images, Ralph sent to Bill what had happened earlier in the day, in Ralph’s hotel room, after he’d put the suit on. He showed Bill how he’d seen him practicing with the sword, swinging it around expertly, lunging and parrying, working himself into a healthy, glowing sheen of sweat.

And you wanted me to see this movie, thinking it’d sort of speed things along? You were already thinking of me this way?

Not consciously, Billy, but I couldn’t help but wonder why seeing you doing that intrigued me so. And then I SWEAR, for a split second, you looked right at me, as if through the wall!

Do you think we were already connecting, like in a holograph?

I think so. I can never tell if I’m seeing through something, or holographing on it.

Wow, was all Bill could think back.

“So which video room is the movie in, Dad?”

“Never mind. I don’t think we’re going to watch it after all.”

“Good, it’s weird,” Kevin opined.

The three had been seated quickly, but the waitress, who had the entire section to serve, was only now approaching their table. They placed their orders, and she scurried off to give them to the cook.

“Two burgers, Billy? You sure that’s wise? You’ll have a heckuva time sleeping tonight,” Ralph said, smirking at his partner.

“I’m sure I’ll be able to work it off this weekend, Ralphie,” Bill replied, “what with the dances, walking around… other stuff.”

Kevin looked between the two as they talked, not saying a word. Finally, he asked, “What’s going on? Dad?”

“Hmmm?” Ralph answered.

“I’ve never heard you call him ‘Billy.’ I’ve heard him say ‘Ralphie,’ usually when he’s yelling at you,” Kevin said, rewarding Bill with a glare for addressing his father in such a fashion.

Ralph blushed almost as brightly as his suit.

God, I always underestimate how smart my kid is, Billy, Ralph thought to him with pride and a small sense of panic.

Another egghead Hinkley, that’s all we need.

Shut up.

Aloud, Ralph said, “Well, Bill said his close friends have always called him ‘Billy.’ I figured it was about time, since we’re partners and best friends.”

Ralph realized when he finished that Kevin would object, as he’d done earlier that day, to him addressing Bill as “partner.” Oddly enough, the boy didn’t say a word about it.

The sense of panic hit both men. They both took simultaneous deep breaths to calm down.

He KNOWS something’s different, Billy! I told you he would!

Naw, he’s thought it for some time. I think he’s picking it up off of us. You’re broadcasting.

Am not.

Are too.

The two busted up laughing, and Kevin joined in, although he didn’t know what he was laughing about, only that his dad looked happy and relaxed.

“So, Kevin, got your pocket program? What’s next on the agenda tonight?”

Kevin pulled the program from his uniform, and consulted it. “There’s filking from now till about 4am.”

“Filking?” Bill asked.

“Yeah, it’s when you take a song and change the words to a science fiction theme somehow. A lot of the songs are REALLY funny too!”

He pulled out the video guide. “Hey, Star Wars is on at 1:00! I’m gonna go to that! How in the world did they get a copy of it?”

He looked up nervously at Bill, as if he suddenly remembered his father’s best friend was an FBI agent. “Um, Bill….”

“Don’t worry, kid, what I don’t see won’t hurt the convention committee. Maybe I’ll skip on Star Wars then, so I don’t have to wonder.”

“Whew,” Kevin said with relief. That’s all he’d need: make a grand entrance as a newbie at a con, with a perfect costume, then be involved in someone on the con com getting busted by the Feds.

Their food soon arrived, and Kevin began shoveling it into his mouth, so he could make the beginning of the movie.

“Slow down, Kev, Luke and Leia aren’t going any where!”

“Sorry, Dad, told ya I was starving! And I want to be sure to get a seat, it’s sure to be a packed house even at 1 a.m.!”

The two men didn’t bother to tell Kevin he could watch it from the comfort of his own hotel room. They had other plans for the couple of hours he’d be gone.

“Okay, okay, but wash it down with some water, or you’re going to get stomach cramps.”

Kevin did as he was told, and soon finished the meal. He stood quickly, looking around for his school friends. He saw them in the hotel lobby and caught their eyes with a wave.

“There’s Bill and Danny, Dad! See ya! Thanks for dinner!”

Ralph said before his son could make tracks, “You coming back to the room right after the show?”

“Yeah, should be over about 3:30 or so, I’ve got my key and communicator if you need to reach me.”

“Okay, just wanted to know where you are, since that’s why I’m supposed to be here for you.”

“Sure, Dad!”

“Behave yourself!” Ralph yelled at his son’s back.

Kevin looked over his shoulder and quipped, “You two, too, Dad!”

“Oh God, Ralphie, he knows,” Bill moaned, covering his face with his hands. Ralph smiled when he heard the chuckle behind Bill’s palms.

“Told you he’s a sensitive kid, Billy!”

Bill kept his face covered, but sent to Ralph via their bond, Now, where were we?

I think we need to get some amaretto, Billy. Think Prince Ra has a stash somewhere?