This is a fictional story that may involve sexual acts between two or more males. If this offends you, why are you here? If you are under the legal age to read sexually explicit material then do not read any further. This story in no way represents any person living or dead. Any resemblance to any real person is purely coincidental.

This story is the property of the author and no copying or posting to any other website is permitted without the author's written consent.

Happy holidays to everyone. Consider making a holiday donation to Nifty. http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html

Note: The events in this chapter of Brent's Struggle are taking place at the same time as the events in the currently posted chapter of Devyn's Struggle and one that will post soon. It is a bit odd jumping between the two stories so please send me your thoughts. You can send them to keith.96@att.net or devyn.96@protonmail.com.

I do not believe that you have to read Devyn's Struggle to follow the storyline but it might help. You can find the story here:

https://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/devyns-struggle/

Brent's Struggle Chapter 43

Matt was pouring over a design on the computer. He was trying to determine the best way to incorporate some last-minute changes that the client wanted. He had just gotten off the phone moments ago with Bryan. Bryan had Brent back home and Brent was resting in his room. Matt felt some relief at having Brent back home. He would worry less if Brent was where he and Bryan could keep an eye on the teenager.

Matt looked at his office door as there was some sort of disturbance in the outer office. "You can't go in there!" Matt heard Albert's raised voice and then moments later his door burst open.

"What the fuck happen to my son?" Richard yelled at Matt.

Matt turned from the design to Richard. He could see the anger burning in Richard's eyes. He had known at some point the man was going to learn of Brent's accident. It had happened a little sooner than Matt wanted. "There was an accident." Matt started to explain but his words were cut off.

"You did not even have the decency to call and let us know our son was hurt and in the hospital?" Richard had moved to stand directly in front of Matt's desk.

Matt knew he should have called and told Brent's parents that Brent had been hurt but he had not wanted them showing up at the hospital. Matt knew that would only hurt Brent. "Brent's home and recovering nicely."

"BULL SHIT! I demand to see my son. I want to see him right now!"

Matt wondered if Richard thought Brent would be at his office. He took a deep breath. "Brent just got home today. He's not ready for visitors."

"You won't keep my son from me." Richard's voice was lower now and sounded more menacing. "It is obvious someone like you is not capable of being a father."

Matt felt his fingers clenching into a fist. He had to not lose his temper this time. He did not have Bryan here to stop him from throwing Richard right out the window. "I can see you are upset..."

"You're damned right I'm upset. My boy was hurt and in the hospital and you caused it." Richard leaned towards Matt with his hand resting on the edge of Matt's desk. "This all happened under your watch."

Matt let out a sigh. Richard was not stating anything Matt had not already thought. He knew Brent had been hurting after that last visit with Richard but Matt had missed the signs that Brent needed help. He blamed himself for that. "Brent was upset after learning Devyn was dead."

"He needed to know that filthy trash was gone. I was the only one who was honest with him."

"Yes you were honest and you did not care how that honesty might hurt Brent in his fragile state. We've filed papers for permanent custody..." Matt's words were cut off.

"That is not happening now," Richard said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of folded papers. "Your negligence has proven how unfit you are to be Brent's guardian." Richard tossed the papers onto Matt's desk.

Matt picked up the papers and quickly scanned through them. He guessed he should have expected this. "So, you think filing this petition with the court to terminate our guardianship is in Brent's best interest."

"It's obvious that you aren't fit to be his guardian."

Matt clenched his jaw and fought down the urge to punch Richard. That would only make all of this worse but it would be so satisfying to knock that smug look off Richard's face. Matt's voice was calm when he finally spoke. "You know, I would think that your most important concern would be how Brent is doing. But it seems that is not as important to you as making sure that you tell me that as a guardian I'm not fit. Well, the judge, I think, will see that differently."

Matt's door burst open again and Linda Watson ran into the room. "Richard! I told you not to do this. We talked about this and decided to wait until..."

"If we wait, these...people...will end up killing our son. We've got to get him the help he needs."

Linda glared at Richard and then turned to Matt. "Matt, how is Brent doing? Obviously, we learned there was an accident and he was seriously injured."

Matt could see the concern in Linda's blue eyes. "He was released today. I talked to Bryan just a few minutes ago and Brent is at home and resting in his room. He's still very sore and the pain meds make him a bit groggy. Physically he will be fine in a few weeks." Matt knew that Brent's emotional wounds were going to be harder to heal and take longer.

"That is good news. Could we see him?" Linda wanted to drop to her knees and beg the man. She would do that if she thought it would do any good.

"That decision is up to Brent. I will ask him. It should probably wait until after this court hearing." Matt held up the papers that Richard had tossed at him earlier. "Besides, Brent needs rest."

"We will have our son back," Richard said. He stepped closer to Matt. "I'll make sure of that."

Matt wondered if that was a threat. If it was, it was not as threatening as Richard wanted it to be. "The judge will decide that. I'm sure after he hears all the facts, he'll make the best decision for Brent." Matt hoped the judge would see it that way. The best thing for Brent was to stay with him and Bryan.

"Is everything alright Mr. Chancellor?" The security guard was standing in Matt's doorway. There was a second security officer behind him. Albert must have called them. "Thanks, Mike. If you could just show the Watsons out."

"We aren't going anywhere until we see our son." Richard glared at Matt and then at the two security guards.

"Brent is not here," Matt said. "You can see him when he is ready and not before."

"Come with us Sir," Mike said, grabbing Richard by the arm.

"I'll have you arrested for assault!" Richard jerked free of Mike's grip.

"Sir, it is time for you to go."

The other guard stepped forward and looked down at Richard. The guard was several inches taller than Richard. "Do not make us use force." The man's voice was deep and held an edge of menace.

Matt almost hoped Richard would force the security guards to use force. It might be somewhat entertaining.

"You cannot force me..." There was little doubt that the guard could, in fact, force Richard. The guard was probably 100 pounds heavier than Richard and it was solid muscle.

The guard grabbed Richard's arm. "Just try me."

Richard gulped. He took a step back and bumped into the other guard. "I'll go but you'll be hearing from my attorney."

"I'm sure I will," Matt said.

"Matt, please call me and let me know how he is doing." Linda's eyes were pleading with Matt.

"I'll do that." Matt could tell that Linda's concern for her son was genuine. He wondered just what Richard's concern was. It was obvious that the man did not want a gay son. Did Richard still think there was a way to convert Brent?

"I'm sorry it took so long for me to get security up here," Albert said. "I'm not sure why they were allowed in. Lucy should have called up here."

Matt let out a sigh. "Albert, please get my attorney on the phone and send over a copy of these papers." Matt passed the court documents to Albert.

"Do you think there is a chance that they could get custody of Brent?" Albert was concerned for both the teenager and for Matt and Bryan. He knew how much the two men had come to care for Brent.

"I'm sure there is a chance that the judge could rule in their favor but if Brent does not want to go, he won't." Matt's voice was firm. It left little doubt in Albert's mind that regardless of the outcome of the court, Brent would not be going back to live with Linda and Richard.

# #

"How's he doing?" Matt asked Bryan when he got home.

"He's resting," Bryan said. "It wore him out some. He's strong though. He just needs to rest." Bryan paused before continuing. "Matt, the woman from Family Services was here."

"Of course, she was," Matt let out a sigh. "The Watsons learned about Brent's accident. They paid me a visit today."

"Fuck!"

"In a word, yes." Matt took a seat on the sofa and Bryan sat next to him. "How did things go with the social worker?"

"I explained it to her. She seemed to be understanding."

"I'm sure that Richard wanted them to take Brent from us right now."

"She said that she did not want to do that. The latest reports from Dr. Drake still recommended our home as the best place for Brent. She just needed to get all of the facts for her report."

"Well, that is good. I'm not sure what we would have done if they had wanted to take him and place him in some foster care facility."

"It wasn't going to happen," Bryan said.

"No, it wasn't. Just like Brent going back to Richard isn't happening."

"I'm sure you have already talked to the attorney?"

"Yes," Matt said. "He said for us to not worry. The facts are on our side and what Brent wants will carry considerable weight."

"That is good." Bryan was a little relieved at hearing that but was still worried. He knew, like Matt, that the best thing for Brent was to stay where he was with them.

# #

Brent was glad to be back home and in his own bed. It was much better than being in the hospital. He still felt a bit weak and sore. If he did too much the wound hurt. He did not like taking the pain pill the doctor had prescribed. They made him sleepy.

"That's so you rest and don't overdo it," Bryan told Brent when Brent had been reluctant to take a dose of his medication.

Brent had been glad to be out of the hospital but even at home he was not feeling like he had any alone time. If Matt and Bryan were not home checking on him, then Matt's mom, Alison, was there, or Albert. Brent knew that everyone was just concerned about him. Dr. Drake was also concerned and was seeing Brent twice a week. "Isn't that a little much," Brent had said when he had been told about the twice weekly visit.

"It is just temporary," Matt said. "It will be good for you and for our court case."

Brent would do almost anything for the court case. He did not want to see Richard again. He wasn't sure he wanted to see his mother either.

Trying to explain to Dr. Drake why he had taken too many of his pills and had the alcohol was not easy as Brent did not understand it himself. He honestly had not known what he had been doing. "All I know is I wanted the pain to stop."

"Do you still feel like that?" Dr. Drake watched Brent closely.

"Well, some of the pain was believing Devyn was dead. He's not. I get to try and explain things to him."

"Are you sure that was the only reason for doing what you did?"

"It's all messed up in my head. I think...I think..." Brent did not know what words to use. "I think that hearing Devyn was dead was like..."

"The last straw? Maybe the thing that you believed you could not manage?"

"Yeah, I thought I had this chance to try and make things right with him. I mean at least tell him how stupid I had been and how sorry I was. That got taken away from me. It was like my dad wanted to hurt me...no he's not my dad. Matt and Bryan are better dads than fucking Richard. He's just an ass. I think he likes hurting me. I think he likes torturing me."

"Are you sure he does not believe he is helping you?"

"If that is his form of help, then I don't want it. I don't want him. I don't want anything to do with him. I never want to see him again." Brent's voice became more forceful with each word.

"After what you have been through, that is understandable." Dr. Drake made notes as he spoke. "What about seeing your mother again?"

"I...um...well don't know. She's as much to blame as Richard, isn't she?"

"You tell me."

Brent hated it when Dr. Drake said something like that. It meant he had to think about the answer. He had to analyze his feelings. "She is. She took me to that fucking clinic of Wilson's. She dumped me off there."

"That is true," Dr. Drake said. "But she did call and check on you, didn't she?"

Well, they both kind of did that. We had weekly calls but Wilson was always sitting there making sure that I did not say too much."

"So, it was Wilson that prevented you from telling them how poorly you were being treated."

"Yes but well during those calls the really bad shit hadn't started yet. Once that stuff started, she did not let me call and talk to them."

"So, if they had known..."

"It wouldn't have changed anything. My dad hates me. He's never going to accept me being gay and I can't change that."

"You shouldn't try to change it, Brent. It is who you are and it is perfectly normal. There is nothing wrong with loving another boy or being attracted to other boys."

"He's never going to understand that." Brent looked down at his hands. He knew Richard would never come to terms with having a gay son.

"What about your mom? Do you think there is a chance she could understand?"

"I think she tries harder than he does."

"So maybe you should see her? Maybe try and have a discussion. We could do that here."

Brent looked at Dr. Drake. "Should I?"

"Brent, you tell me."

Brent considered it for a moment before speaking. "I don't want anything to do with either of them." Brent was sure that he would be better off never seeing either of his parents again but there was a part of him that felt guilty at not seeing them. He felt like he had failed somehow. He did not voice those thoughts to Dr. Drake.

# #

"You are being quiet," Matt said on the drive home from Dr. Drake's office.

"Um, just, um, thinking." Brent glanced over at Matt and then out the window. He watched the buildings passing by in silence for a while.

Matt let the silence draw out for a few minutes. He did not want to make the same mistake a second time with Brent. He and Bryan had given the teenager space before but that had ended up with Brent in the hospital. "You know you can talk to us about anything."

Brent glanced over at Matt. He took in the handsome face with the strong jaw, the perfect cheekbones, and sculpted nose. He and Matt could not look less alike but the man had been there when Brent needed him. He had been more a father to Brent than his own father, Richard, had been. "Why don't you and Bryan have kids?"

The question took Matt a little by surprise. "Ah, well, we had talked about adopting but it never felt like exactly the right time."

"You should. You make great dads." Brent turned to look back out the passenger window.

"Thanks, Brent. That means a lot." Matt paused thinking about the confrontation that he had with Richard and Linda. He had not told Brent anything about that or the court papers that Richard had served to Matt. "Would you like a little brother or sister?"

Brent jerked his head back to look at Matt. The evening son was causing Matt's hair to appear more red than it normally did. "What?"

"Well, if Bryan and I adopted a child, they would be your brother or sister."

"But...but I'm not..."

"Brent in every way that matters you are. You are our son. You have been almost from the moment you made that call from Wilson's."

"But, but I'm so..."

Matt pulled the car onto a side street and parked. "If you say you are fucked up, I`m going to ground you." There was a serious tone to Matt's voice but a slight teasing twinkle in his green eyes. "You have had some emotional turmoil to cope with but you are not fucked up."

"Matt, I, I don't know what I'd do without you and Bryan. You guys have been...been wonderful to me. I've been so messed up. I don't know how I'm supposed to act. I don't know who I am anymore."

"That's alright," Matt said. "That is part of being a teenager. This part of your life is for figuring out who you are." Matt wanted to add that was what his parents were supposed to help Brent to do but they had failed. "Devyn has done that. I do not know what all he went through after Frank threw him out but it was hard on him. He's started over and even changed his last name."

"I, um, don't remember that." Brent was frustrated by the holes in his memory.

"You wouldn't." Matt could see the distress in Brent's blue eyes. Those eyes were so like his husband Bryan's. Matt reached over and pushed a lock of Brent's blonde hair back. That hair was also like Bryan's.

Brent flinched at Matt's touch. He pulled back. He could see that he hurt Matt by doing that. "I'm sorry. I just..."

Matt smiled. "It's alright Brent. I understand." Matt did understand but it still hurt a little. He would have hoped by now that Brent would trust him but he knew that the reflex was done unconsciously. "Devyn told me that when he met me in the waiting room at the hospital. It was just one of the surprises that day."

"Matt, Ur, um, do you think we have a chance? I mean Devyn and me?"

"I don't know Brent. You have both been through so much."

"I know but I think, I think, I still love him. I know he hates me..."

"He doesn't hate you, Brent. I know that. I saw the concern in his eyes. He still cares about you."

"Then we have a chance?" Brent looked imploringly into Matt's eyes.

"I'm sure there is a chance, Brent." Matt paused before speaking. He could see the hope in Brent's eyes. "But what about Alex? That boy loves you and he believes you and he had something special before your accident."

Brent looked at the window and then back at Matt. "I've tried but I just don't remember that. I like him and all but as a friend." Brent wasn't sure that the last part was totally true. He had felt something that time he and Alex had hugged. Once he was able to get past his initial stress at being touched, it had felt good to have the other boy's arms around him. There might be more there than just friends but was it the same as what he felt for Devyn? Brent did not know.

"I think," Matt began, "you need time. You are still recovering from what Wilson did to you."

Brent knew that was true. He was still not able to reach a climax. Although, he had not tried since before the hospital. That one wet dream had given him some hope but now he wasn't sure he'd even be able to get an erection. Would either Alex or Devyn want him as a boyfriend if he could not even become erect? Brent doubted it. Alex said he could manage it but could he really? Steven had said giving the other person an orgasm was part of the fun and Brent agreed with that. "Matt, what...what if...what if I never recover?" Brent's voice shook as he asked the question that was always in the back of his mind.

"Brent, you are so strong. I'm not sure you understand how strong you are. I'm confident you will recover. Yes, there will be an emotional scar but we all have those. You and Bryan just have deeper ones than some of us."

Brent was hopeful that Matt might be right. He just was not sure he could muster the confidence that Matt seemed to have in him. "I hope you are right."

"You know, you and Bryan are so much alike. Not only do you two look alike with those beautiful blue eyes and blonde hair but you both underestimate your strength. He thought he'd never cope with his PTSD but he has. He thought he'd never be able to recover from the rejection from his father but he has. Yes, he still hurts but he's healed."

"When we are out somewhere, people often assume he's my dad. I kind of like that. It's easier that way."

"I'm sure Bryan likes that."

"So, do I. I like the idea of him being my dad. I just wish it were true."

"We could make it true."

"What?" Brent was confused at Matt's comment.

"Bryan could adopt you and make it legal." Matt hoped that was a possibility. He hoped the court would not do something stupid and Grant custody back to Richard and Linda.

"Really?" Brent had never considered that. "But the guardianship is temporary."

"That is true but we could file papers to have Richard and Linda's parental rights terminated and Bryan could adopt you." Matt had already talked to his attorney about this. Since Richard was forcing them back into court, Matt thought they might as well make everything permanent.

"So then, there would never be a chance of me going back to my...I mean to them?" Brent was not going to call Richard and Linda his parents.

"That's right." Matt thought he saw a weight being lifted from Brent's shoulders. Was that just in his imagination or was it truly a weight being lifted from Brent? "We would have to go back to court and you would probably need to talk to the judge. Given your age, I think what you want would carry considerable weight."

"So, I'd have to see them in court?" Brent did not want to see Richard again. He was not sure he wanted to see his mother either.

"Yes, you would but we would be there with you." Matt would never let Brent face this without him there.

"So, after that, I'd be done with them?"

"The power would be all yours, Brent. You will only have to see them if you choose to do that."

"I'd never choose to do that. Can this, I mean is this really possible?" Brent did not want to get his hopes up but he wanted to stay with Matt and Bryan. He trusted them and he felt safe with them.

Matt smiled at Brent. "Yes, it's really possible. If it is what you want, I'll call the attorney tomorrow and have the paperwork started."

"Yes, it is. Thank you, Matt." Before Brent thought he leaned across the center console and put his arms around Matt. "Thank you."

Matt was a bit surprised by Brent's sudden action but quickly put his arms around the teenager.

# #

After his talk with Matt, Brent felt a little more relaxed. It seemed like he might finally be able to never have to see his parents again. If he did, it would be on his terms and not theirs.

Brent was sitting at his desk trying to get caught up on his schoolwork. He was so far behind. He had been stressed out before the night he had taken the pills and drank and had let everything go. He was not sure he would ever get caught up.

Brent heard his phone ringing but ignored it and let it go to voicemail. He had a good idea who was calling him. In a couple of moments, he heard the sound of the caller having left a voicemail. Then he heard a text come in. The man was nothing if not persistent.

Brent tried to get back into the history paper he was supposed to have turned in weeks ago. He could not help but think how much easier this paper would be if Devyn were there. Devyn had always liked history and it came easy to him. Brent could remember their study sessions and how those sessions would sometimes end with them making out or doing a little more.

"He was leading you down a path to perversion. He was destroying you and making you just as twisted as he was." Brent tried to silence Wilson's voice. He wanted that bitch out of his head. He could not have one sexual thought without her voice or image popping into his mind.

There came a knock on Brent's door that pulled him out of his thoughts. "Come in."

Bryan stepped into the room. "Look soldier," Bryan began. "I'm not going to be your secretary."

"What?" Brent was confused.

"You have your own phone. Alex doesn't need to call me."

"Oh, Ur, um..."

"Why aren't you answering his calls?" Bryan's voice was gentle.

"I, Ur, don't know what to say to him."

"Try hello," Bryan said. "It works for me when answering the phone."

"I mean about, well, everything else. I mean Devyn's back and well I don't want to hurt Alex."

"Brent, not answering his calls is hurting him. It drives him crazy and me and Matt."

"I'm sorry but..."

Bryan placed a hand on Brent's shoulder. He felt the teenager flinch but he ignored it. He hoped that touching Brent more frequently would help the teenager. "No buts soldier. Just call him and talk to him. He's a good guy, Brent. He cares so much for you. He wants to know you are doing alright."

Brent looked down at the textbook. He knew that Bryan was right. Alex deserved to be treated better than this. "Um, sure, I'll call him."

"Brent, you aren't thinking about how lucky you are."

"Lucky?" Brent was sure he had not heard correctly.

"Alex is a hot guy and he's into you. Enjoy that attention."

Brent wished he could enjoy it. He just could not get past Wilson's voice telling him how perverted he was. He wondered if it would be as bad with Devyn. "I'll call Alex."

"Thanks." Bryan squeezed Brent's shoulder. He then turned and left Brent to do his homework.

Brent picked up his phone and looked at the message from Alex. "Please give me a call...anytime...it's never too late."

Brent shook his head. The guy was almost too nice and too understanding. "Working on homework. Will call tomorrow." Brent thought that would at least give him some time to think about what he would say to Alex.

Brent had barely hit send before there was a response from Alex. "Me too. We should study together sometime."

"Maybe we could." Brent paused before hitting send. He should not give Alex the wrong idea. He deleted the text. "Talk to you later. Got to get this paper done." Brent put his phone down but could see the "K" that came back.

# #

Brent listened to the silence in the house. It was almost too quiet. He got up and turned on some music to push back the silence. It was the first time he had been alone since his injury. He had never been alone in the hospital. If Matt wasn't there, then Bryan would be there. At night, Alex was there beside his bed. When he had gotten home, either Matt or Bryan was there. If Bryan had to go to work, then Alison was there or Albert would suddenly need to show up to pick up some paper or drop something off.

Brent guessed the guys were concerned about him but they didn't need to be quite so concerned. He was not going to make the same bonehead mistake a second time. He was taking the medication as prescribed by Dr. Drake. He was easing back on the pain pills. Those tended to make him sleepy.

Brent heard a car pulling up and moved to the window. He saw Albert getting out of the car. Brent was not surprised. It had been almost two hours since Bryan had left.

"Hi Albert," Brent greeted as the man stepped up onto the front porch.

"Hey Brent, how's it hanging?"

"Ur, fine." Brent felt a slight pink in his cheeks. He hoped Albert would think it was the chilly autumn air.

"You're looking good, Brent. It's good to see some color back in your cheeks."

Brent felt his face grow a little more pink at those words. "Ur, thanks. I'm feeling better."

"That's good. You had us all really worried." Albert reached and tried to give Brent's arm a friendly squeeze but the teenager jerked away from him. "I, um, am dropping off some papers for Matt."

"Oh, he's gone. He had a meeting, um, somewhere. I mean..."

"Yes, I know. I know his schedule better than he does."

"You, Ur, want to come in?"

"Sure. I've got a little time to kill." Albert followed Brent inside. "I've always loved this cabin. It is so like Matt and Bryan." Albert moved to Matt's desk and put the folder of papers in the center of it. "Matt asked me to drop these off on my way out of town so he wouldn't have to come back to the office after his meeting."

"He'll appreciate that." Brent also guessed it was a way to make sure someone checked up on him. There was a bit of an awkward silence. "Ur, um, you want to sit, or um can I get you something?"

Albert moved to the sofa and took a seat. "No, I'm alright. Just come and sit. We can talk. We've never talked much."

Brent moved to the sofa. He took a seat leaving space between him and Albert. "You know," Brent began. "I know you're here checking up on me. You don't have to stay, I'm doing alright."

Albert shrugged out of his jacket. His shirt was tight across his muscular chest. The man might not be tall but he was well-built. "They're just worried about you Brent. I don't think I've ever seen Matt and Bryan so distraught as when you were hurt."

"I know they are but things are different now."

"Because Devyn is back?" Albert was watching Brent closely.

"Well...um...I think that is part of it."

"Just part of it?"

"There's some other stuff going on too." Brent did not want to get into the guardianship case and the possible adoption.

"I'm sure having your custody issue settled will be a huge relief." Albert could see a slight sign of surprise in Brent's eyes. "Yes, Brent, I know about that. I'm Matt's assistant. I know a great deal about his work and personal life."

"If, if that happens, I mean me getting to stay here then I, I can start over."

"You'll be starting over with two damn good Dads. There is just one thing Brent." Albert paused. He knew he was stepping into something he probably shouldn't but he cared too much about Matt not to step in. "Why is it you only want Bryan as your dad?"

"Ur, what do you mean?"

"Matt's going to be pissed at me but well all of the paperwork has Bryan adopting you. Just Bryan."

"Just Bryan. Doesn't Matt want to be my adoptive Dad?" Brent felt like he had been kicked in the stomach. Did Matt not want him? Was Matt just doing this for Bryan?

Albert could see the panic creeping over Brent's face. "Of course, he does Brent. Matt loves you. He could not be more like your dad if he had contributed his DNA to you."

"Then why..."

"That's what I'm asking you," Albert said. "Did you only want Bryan to adopt you?"

"No, no. I wanted them both. I, I need them both. Matt's been...been...hell of a better dad than Richard. He's there for me. He encourages me instead of telling me how fucked up and perverted I am. Matt's awesome. Bryan is wonderful too. He's been teaching me to drive and helping me get caught up on my schoolwork. Matt helps too but Bryan has more time." Brent knew he was babbling now. He stopped talking and looked at Albert.

"Then I'm not sure why Matt had the documents drawn up the way he did.," Albert said.

"Me either," Brent said. "Matt's awesome and I wanted them both...I mean to be my dad."

"Well, I'd like them both to be my daddy too but in a totally different way."

Brent giggled and wiped a bit of the tears that had started to slide from the corner of his eye. "You're funny."

"Oh, I'm only joking."

Brent believed he was. Matt and Bryan were both hot and Brent had to admit he had occasionally thought about the two men. Brent still had a clear memory of that day he had seen Bryan totally naked. If Wilson had not been in the back of his head, he was sure that that image alone would have been enough to push him over the edge to a climax.

"You and Bryan look so much alike that everyone is assuming you're his son."

Brent remembered having that conversation with Matt about how he and Bryan looked alike. That had been when the adoption had come up. "Fuck. He couldn't think..."

"What?"

"We talked about that...I mean how I could pass as Bryan's son. He must have thought...I mean could he have believed...Fuck. I bet it hurt him and he never said a damn word."

"Um, Brent I'm not following."

"Look Albert, I need you to do something, please."

# #

Brent paced as he waited for Matt and Bryan to get home. He had been lucky that Albert had been able to get everything done before either man made it back home.

Brent heard the car pulling up and went to the window. He watched as Matt got out of the SUV. Brent nervously licked his lips. Albert had assured him that all of their thoughts had been correct but Brent was still nervous. Brent watched as Matt stretched and then grabbed his briefcase and started towards the house.

"Hey Brent," Matt was a bit surprised to see Brent waiting on him. "How was your day?"

"Ur, good." Brent could not stop being nervous. If he had made the wrong conclusion would Matt be royally pissed at him?

"Bryan isn't home yet?"

"He called; he's running a bit late. That army buddy of his needed some help."

"Ur, so you've been just hanging out solo...did Albert..."

Brent sighed. He could see the concern in Matt's emerald eyes. "Albert was by. We had a long talk."

"Oh, that's good."

"Yeah, he's got a hot date tonight. Did you know that?"

"He didn't mention that."

Brent thought how odd it was that Albert seemed to know everything about Matt. Brent wouldn't be surprised if the guy knew Matt's cock size. But Matt did not seem as tuned into his assistant. "Yeah, with my nurse. I mean that guy at the hospital."

"Oh, I thought he might be gay. It was hard to tell. He took diligent care of you though and that was the important thing."

Brent moved closer to Matt. "You take great care of me too. I mean like a parent."

"I try Brent. We want you to recover from everything you went through."

"I don't know if I will but I know I wouldn't have a chance without you." Brent moved to Matt's desk and picked up the papers Albert had brought earlier. He turned back to Matt. "Albert brought these over. He said he was saving you a trip to the office."

"Yes, thanks." Matt moved to take the documents from Brent but Brent pulled them back. Matt was a bit confused. "Those are..."

"I know. They're the petitions for my adoption." Brent held the papers up and tore them down the middle.

"Brent!" Matt could not believe that Brent had stood there and torn the court documents in half. "What are you doing? Bryan needs to sign those and..."

"Those were messed up."

"Well, they are now." Matt watched as Brent dropped the papers back on the desk and picked up another set of documents. "Albert was able to get the attorney to correct them." Brent was not going to tell Matt that Albert had been forced to twist a couple of arms to get the papers drawn up and then the guy had gone back to the attorney's office and brought them back out. Brent held the papers out to Matt. "They're ready for your signature."

Matt took the papers and looked at them. They listed his name alongside Bryan's as one of the adoptive parents. "You, you had my name added to them?" Matt looked from the paper to Brent.

Brent moved closer to Matt. He fought down the reflex to avoid touching the man and reached out to take Matt's hand. "I want you as my dad. I want you both." Brent's throat got tight. "I wouldn't be here without you. Matt, I love you. You are...well...truly a dad. Richard isn't. He's selfish and an ass. But you. You're what a dad should be. I mean that is if you want, ah, to be my dad?" Bent hoped he had not misjudged any of this. Albert had assured Brent he hadn't but Brent still wondered if Matt had not wanted to adopt Brent.

Matt looked from Brent to the papers he still held in his hand. His name was still listed there next to Bryan's. "I do. I mean I want you Brent as a part of my life. I wanted to adopt you too but thought you just wanted Bryan."

"I want you both. I need you both." Brent moved forward the short distance to throw his arms around Matt. "I am only alive because of you."

Matt enfolded Brent into his arms and held the teenager tight. "You've completed us, Brent. We didn't even know something was missing until you came into our lives."

"I'd have died in that hell if it wasn't for you and Bryan." Brent's face was buried in Matt's shoulder. The teenager could not stop the tears from escaping. "I was sure no one wanted me. I was sure I was twisted and perverted for being gay. You, you showed me that being gay isn't twisted or perverted." Brent pulled his face back from Matt's chest and looked up into the man's face. "You are like my own lone ranger. You came in on your white horse and saved me."

Matt tenderly pushed the soft blonde locks of Brent's hair back. "I want you to be happy and healthy as a gay young man. That is all either of us want. I'm glad you called us for help and that we found a way to help."

"You did more than help Matt. You saved me and Steven and every other boy that was trapped in Wilson's hell."

"I'd like to shut down every facility like Wilson's that there is. What they were trying to do should be stopped and banned worldwide."

Brent rested his head back against Matt's chest. "Me too. No one should go through what we did."

"I agree with that."

Brent looked back up at Matt. "So, you aren't mad that I, um, had the documents changed?"

Matt's smile lit up his face. His eyes glistened with the unshed tears. "No Brent. I'm so not mad." Matt leaned down a bit and kissed Brent's forehead. "I'm happy. This was the best thing." Matt realized that Brent was not pulling away. The boy had not flinched when Matt's lips had touched his skin. Was Brent starting to heal from what Wilson had done to him? Or was his normal reaction being overwhelmed by other emotions?

"For me too. With you, I can be me. I can be gay."

"Straight or gay, it does not matter, Brent. Bryan and I will love you just the same." Matt's strong hand rubbed up and down Brent's back as he hugged the teenager.

Brent rested his head back on Matt's chest. It felt nice being held. Brent was not even experiencing the panic that he normally felt when being touched. Was he able to get past that because he trusted Matt completely?

Matt held the teenager a bit tighter. Brent might have thrown their world upside down but Matt would not change it. He could not picture their house without Brent in it.

"Hey guys." Bryan had just stepped inside. He was concerned about the scene before him. "Is everything alright?" He moved towards the two. "Did something happen?"

"Everything is fine," Matt stated.

"Yeah, it is," Brent added. He reluctantly released Matt who released him. "Albert just brought over the corrected papers for the adoption."

"The corrected ones?" Bryan was a little confused.

"Yeah, some bonehead left Matt's name off of them," Brent said.

Bryan saw the teasing twinkle in Brent's eyes and it made his heart swell a bit. Maybe now the boy was starting to recover. "It would take a true bonehead to leave Matt's name off those papers. I'm glad it has been straightened out."

# #

Brent hesitated and then tapped the call button. The phone was entered on the first ring. Brent wondered if the guy ever put down his phone. "Hey, Alex."

"Hey." Alex could not hide the excitement in his voice. "It's good to hear from you. I was afraid that maybe you forgot."

"I didn't," Brent said. "I, Ur, would have called earlier but I've been busy. You know, trying to get my schoolwork caught up."

"I could help you with that." Alex would do anything to spend time with Brent. He had neglected to do some of his own coursework while spending his nights with Brent at the hospital. "We could study together. Having a study buddy makes it more fun."

Brent knew that was true from his and Devyn's study sessions. Of course, those sessions had ended with them masturbating together. "Ur, Alex, I want to be upfront about something."

"You know you can tell me anything."

"I don't know if Matt or Bryan mentioned this while I was in the hospital but...Ur...Devyn is back."

The words seemed to hang there for the longest time before Alex spoke. "Devyn, he's not, ah, dead?"

"No, that was all fucked up. It was just a lie his father started because he didn't want a gay son."

"That is so fucked up." Alex could not believe how unaccepting Brent and Devyn's parents were. His own parents were accepting and supportive of him.

"It is. His parents are as messed up as mine."

"So, if Devyn is back, are you two like, um, trying to see each other again." Alex closed his eyes. He tried to keep the emotion out of his voice. He knew how much Brent had been in love with Devyn. Alex knew that if Devyn was back in Brent's life, then that might mean that Alex was going to be pushed out of Brent's life.

"Honestly Alex, I don't know. We, Ur, haven't really had a chance to talk. I was, um, well out of it most of the time when he was here. He's going to come back though."

"For a visit?" Alex hoped it was just a visit.

"Yes, soon I hope." Brent wanted to explain everything to Devyn. He knew he had not done a good job of that when he had been in the hospital. He then wanted to try and get Devyn to forgive him and then see where that left their relationship.

Alex was at a loss for words. He wanted Brent to be happy but he, Alex, wanted to be the man that made Brent happy. "You know you have been through a lot."

"Yeah, I know. Matt and Bryan already said that. We are not the same boys we were when we last saw each other."

"It's true Brent. You've changed a lot. I mean, you aren't even that same boy that I picked up at the theater."

"I was put through hell, there is no way I wouldn't be changed by that." Brent had to remind himself that Alex had stood by him. No matter how hard Brent had tried to push the college guy away, Alex had stood by him.

"I know Brent." Alex's voice was soft. He did not want to upset Brent. "Your strength is one of the things I love about you. Just one of the many things."

"Alex, I want you to understand..."

"I do Brent. I know you don't remember feeling that way towards me. I think eventually..."

"Alex, I don't think it's going to come back. My memory, that is."

"You don't know that." Alex knew there was a chance that Brent's memory would never return. He had hoped that over time, Brent would start feeling for Alex what he had once felt. Alex could remember their dates and the fun. He could remember the romantic walk in the park. He just wanted Brent to remember that. "You really haven't had enough time yet."

"Alex, it's been almost a year."

"Injuries like this can take time. Plus, you had other stuff that inhibited your recovery." Alex was thinking of the months Brent spent in Wilson's hell hole of a clinic.

"Look Alex, with Devyn back in my life..."

"You still love him don't you?" Saying the words cut Alex to the quick but he knew that Brent did love Devyn.

"I need to figure that out."

"That means without me?"

"For a while Alex." Brent really did not want to hurt Alex but leading the man on was not right either. Brent did not think that he and Alex had a future as a couple. He did believe that he and Devyn could have that. He could remember his feelings for Devyn so clearly.

"Well, I'm not giving up on us that easily."

Brent let out a sigh. "But Alex..."

"I understand Brent. You need to see where things stand with you and Devyn. You need to do that to have closure. If he feels for you the way you want him to...well then maybe you two can have that." Alex knew that meant he was left alone. Could he go on without Brent? Alex was not sure.

"This isn't fair to you Alex." Brent appreciated Alex's persistence. He even liked the strong feelings that Alex obviously had for him. He just did not want to hurt the guy. He felt he had already been doing that.

"I understand where we stand. I get that you need to see where things are with Devyn. You two did not end in the best circumstances."

Alex was correct about that. Brent had been so messed up by his parents and by Wilson. "Alex, you are a good friend."

"Some of the best relationships start out as friends." Alex was not going to give up on them. He knew Brent had changed and he was sure Devyn had as well. Brent needed time and Alex could give him that.

"That might be true." Brent knew he and Devyn had started out as friends. Their feelings of attraction had grown out of that and then into the passion they had for each other.

"So, spend some time with Devyn. See how things are with him. Just, um, don't cut me out. If nothing else, I want us to be friends."

"Are you sure about that?" Brent thought it would just hurt Alex if they tried to just be friends.

"I am," Alex said. "If nothing else, I want us to be friends."

"I'd like that too." Brent meant that. He liked Alex. The man was loyal and compassionate. He truly was a good friend.

# #

Brent put down his phone. He and Steven had just finished a texting conversation. Steven checked in with him every day. Sometimes it was just through messages and sometimes they talked.

Brent went back to the homework that he was trying to get caught up with. His phone buzzed again. "I forgot I wanted to show you this." This time there was a picture attached to the message. Brent could only guess what Steven might be sending him.

Brent tapped the picture and as Brent had suspected, it was of that guy Jessie that Steven had a crush on. The guy was once again shirtless but it was obvious that Jessie knew he was being photographed. The man was looking directly at the camera. His chest was bare and he was rubbing a nipple. His other hand was inside his open pants. It appeared that the man was massaging himself.

Brent had to admit the dude was hot. His chest was sculpted and his six-pack abs were even noticeable in the photo.

"Isn't he fuckin' hot?" Steven's message popped up on the screen.

"Yes." Brent knew he had to respond.

"I thought maybe seeing this would help you."

Leave it to Steven to try and find Brent some jerk-off material.

"I told him he should do porn."

"How are you getting him to do this?"

"He likes showing off. So far he hasn't shown me the big muscle but one of these days."

"You're crazy!" Brent could not help but look at the picture of Jessie. He could see why the man was the focus of Steven's fantasies.

"Don't you just want to lick that chest?"

Brent wondered momentarily what it would be like to lick the tan skin of the man's chest. He wondered what it would feel like to suck on that erect nipple the dude was rubbing.

Without any effort on Brent's part, a memory slid up from somewhere deep in his mind. He was licking a tan chest. It was like Jessie's but not quite as muscular. He could remember the nipple under his tongue. He could remember the taste of the skin. It had been salty.

Brent looked harder at the image of Jessie. His eyes slid across the chest and then followed the man's muscular arm down to the hand that was rubbing the sizable basket. He could remember licking his way down from that nipple down over the stomach and into the man's pubic hair. He did not know how he knew but he knew it was a man and not Devyn or Alex.

"Stop this perversion. Stop it. We worked so hard to suppress those disturbing thoughts. Do not resurrect your perverted tendencies!" Wilson's voice seemed to echo through Brent.

"GET OUT of my head!" Brent wanted the bitch to leave him alone. He wanted her gone from his head.

"Don't you wish you had a chest like that? I know I would like to have it. Maybe then I'd get a boyfriend. Well until then I've got a hand."

"Geez, Steven." Brent had managed to push Wilson's voice out of his head. He wanted her gone forever.

"Going to go take care of things."

Brent was sure he knew what things Steven was going to take care of. "Have fun."

Brent glanced again at the picture of Jessie. He then moved to his dresser and looked at his reflection in the mirror. Compared to Jessie he was a wimp. He grabbed the hem of his long-sleeved t-shirt and pulled it up and off. His skin was pale compared to Jessie's. He had in no way the definition of the man. He should start working out with Bryan again. Brent's eyes traveled down from his chest to the bandages on his stomach. He started to peel them off. Slowly he removed the tape from his skin.

He looked at the red scar on his stomach. It was not as dark as it once had been but it was still there. He lightly touched the ugly wound. "No matter how defined your chest is, no one is going to want to touch you with this thing." Brent did not say the words aloud but they were in his head.

"Hey, Brent." Matt had pushed Brent's bedroom door open. He saw the teenager jump in surprise. "Sorry. The door was partially open. I didn't mean to scare you."

"No, it's fine." Brent grabbed his shirt and started to try and hide the scar.

"Is it hurting you?" Matt moved closer to Brent.

"No, I...I was just..."

"Looking at it?"

Brent pulled the T-shirt on and covered up his stomach. "Yeah, just, um, thinking..."

Matt let out a little breath. "Don't stress about it, Brent. It looks fine."

"The hell it does. It's ugly and hideous. Devyn is not going to want to look at that." Brent blurted the words out before he could stop himself.

Matt placed a comforting hand on Brent's shoulder. He felt the teenager flinch but he did not remove his hand. "Devyn is not that shallow and neither is Alex."

"You're right. They could overlook it but it's still..."

"It's a scar, Brent. It is just another battle scar. Some guys find them sexy. I know I do."

Brent turned his head to look into Matt's green eyes. "You do."

"Sure. Bryan has a couple."

"But that's Bryan."

Matt chuckled. "True. He does make everything look sexy doesn't he."

"Ur, well yeah."

"That's the point, Brent. He'd say they're ugly but they're not. They're sexy. Just like this will be to Devyn or Alex or whoever you have loving you." Matt placed his hand lightly on the spot where Brent's scar was. He felt Brent tense up but this time the boy did not flinch as noticeably.

"I guess."

"If it helps, in time it will probably be barely noticeable."

"I hope you're right."

"Even if it is, the guy that you are with is not going to care. At least not about it being what you call ugly. He's going to love you and that includes all of your scars. The seen and the unseen."

"Sure." Brent could not hide the skepticism in his voice.

"It's true." Matt had heard the disbelief in Brent's voice.

"Alright, Matt." Brent did not truly believe Matt but he understood the man was trying to make him feel less self-conscious about the scar.

"Now for the reason I came in here. Devyn called."

Brent perked up at hearing those words. "Is he, is he going to be able to come this time?" Devyn had not been able to come last weekend. He had called and said he could not come because of a rehearsal for a school play. Brent still found it hard to believe that Devyn was acting in a school production. It did not fit the guy he remembered.

"Yes, he's coming on Saturday. He said he'd leave home early but it is a long drive."

"That's great." Brent could not keep the excitement out of his voice.

"I think he's looking forward to it. He still feels bad he could not come last weekend but he could not get out of that rehearsal."

"That still just does not seem like Devyn. I mean being in a school play. We, Ur, always tried to not be noticed."

"Well, I always thought he was more than attractive enough to be a star. I guess the drama teacher in that small town sees that in him too."

"Yeah, he's definitely, Ur, got that attractive thing."

"So do you." Matt placed a hand on Brent's shoulder. He felt the teenager flinch but he did not shrug off Matt's hand. "Maybe you should consider the drama club when you go back to school next week."

"Oh, hell no," Brent's voice was adamant.

"You know Devyn said that it turned out to be more fun than he expected. He's made some other friends from being in the play."

"He's an easy guy to like." Brent never understood why Devyn had not been more popular at their old school. The guy had been liked but he wasn't what you would call popular. Of course, he had ended up dating the hottest girl in their class. Brent should think about reaching out to Sue. He had liked her and they had tried dating briefly. "That sort of thing isn't for me."

"Talk to Devyn. Maybe he'll change your mind."

"I, um, will but I don't think I'll change my mind. Devyn's just got something special that draws everyone to him."

"That is true. He's got something. I mean that is why I was drawn to him back at the construction site when he showed up with Frank. I knew Frank had an issue with me being gay so I should have just avoided talking to his son but I didn't. Devyn seemed to just draw me to him.

"He did that to me." Brent could remember as clearly as if it had just been last week. He had seen Devyn mowing the yard across the street the day they had moved in. Brent had wanted to talk to the guy that day but he had been too shy to just go over and say hi. He had not needed to though as Devyn had shown up the next day with Devyn's mom Judy. Their friendship had started almost instantly from that first day.

"I can see why you two were drawn to each other. You both have something that makes us love you to death."

Brent felt his cheeks heat up. "Er, thanks."

"If you don't mind, I'm going to send Devyn your number. You two can talk or text or whatever."

"Um, sure, that's fine." Brent felt both excited and nervous at knowing Devyn would be coming for a visit soon. Brent just was not sure what the outcome would be for their relationship.

# #

Copyright 2023 by Keith yates (keith.96@att.net) all rights reserved.

No copying, reposting, or distributing is permitted without the author's written consent.

Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it. Thomas Paine

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. Thomas Paine

To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture. Thomas Paine

Character is much easier kept than recovered. Thomas Paine