Why the Straight One? - Chapter 3: Chapter 3

"Yes, my name's Alexander, but only my mom calls me that. Everyone else just calls me Alex." He nodded, and stood there awkwardly.
"Listen, I'm sorry about this. Dad kind of put you in a very difficult situation." Well, at least he was civil.
"Yeah, it was a bit of a dick move, but pretty smart when you come to think of it. Sounds to me like you are in a difficult situation too."
"What do you mean?" His dark eyes flashed dangerously, and I held up my hands.
"I'm just talking about you being straight and all. Calm down, man."
"Oh right. Sorry about that. It's been a weird day." He sat down on the bed. I couldn't help but wonder what else he could have been thinking of that made him snap like that.
"Tell me about it." I sat down as well, staying a few feet away. "Well, betrothed husband, when's the date gonna be?"
"I'm not sure yet. Dad wants it to be soon though." He played with his hands, staring down at them. "Are you really okay with this?"
Can I just pause the story for a second to talk about how cute he looked right then? Like seriously! He was being all nice, and his dark eyes held actual concern. Damn, this man was attractive and he wasn't even trying!
"Yeah, I am. I don't have any problem with you, and if it means all the other people like me have freedom to marry whoever they want, I'll gladly do it."
"Okay then. So, do you want to see around the palace?" He stood up, and when I stood, I realized that he was a good three inches taller than me.
"Sure." I followed him out the door, and he started walking the opposite direction of where I had come from.
"So, where you met us is kind of at the end of all the official meeting rooms or state rooms, and this area is where we all live."
One of the doors burst open, and a tall, shirtless man, came jogging out. He apparently didn't see Thomas, because he ran right into him. Besides the fact that he ran straight at him, it was an unfortunate accident.
"Wow! Watch where you are walking Thomas!" Thomas scowled at the man who was just as tall as him, and who stood there grinning from ear to ear.
"What the hell are you doing running around without a shirt on, and running into me?"
"First of all, I didn't run into you. You are in my hallway, so if I don't see you, that's your problem. Second of all, I, unlike you, do what I like, and if I like running around shirtless I do that." He seemed to notice me for the first time, and flashed me a grin.
"Oh, you must be the guy dad's trying to have Thomas marry, aren't you? Well, he's not much to look at, but will you have him?" Thomas clearly looked annoyed, but the newcomer didn't seem to mind at all. In fact, he looked like he rather enjoyed it.
"I've decided to pass over his looks, and marry him for his money instead." The man high-fived me and grinned at Thomas.
"Oh, Thomas, you guys are going to have so much fun! I'm Raymond, by the way, this guy's older brother."
"I'm Alex." I held out his hand, and he took it in his.
"Have you seen Elliot?" He addressed this to Thomas, who had been quietly smoldering a few feet away.
"He's talking to Dad." Raymond nodded.
"Hope he talks some sense into Dad, though he's probably too scared to. If Dad honestly thinks that I'm gonna let Elliot marry that-"
"Why are you looking for him?" Thomas cut in quickly, unaware that I already knew what they were talking about.
"Well, I was going to the workout so I was seeing if he wanted to since I need a spotter and all. Unless, of course, you want to go with me?" It was obviously a challenge, just by how he said it.
I've never seen Thomas without a shirt on, but I would hate to go up against Raymond in the gym. He was seriously built. Not that I was looking or anything.
"No thanks, I'll pass."
"Why? Too afraid you'll be outdone?" Thomas shoved his brother away, and gestured for me to keep walking.
"Because I haven't the time to waste. Come on, Alex." He started walking, and I decided it would be better to follow then stay conversing with his shirtless brother.
"See you around, Alex. Welcome to the family! Sorry that you are stuck with the worst of the family, but that's life sometime. And try not to let him get you down. He's kind of morbid."
"Sorry about him. He still hasn't grown up." I much preferred he two brothers to what I'd seen of him, but I decided to hold my tongue. It wouldn't help to get him mad at me.
"Anyways, this is kind of the family kitchen." We walked into a kitchen that was probably he size of the first floor of my parents house. "With the amount that Raymond raids it, we needed one close."
"Ahh, Thomas! Keep your voice down!" The words come from somewhere behind the island counter. I glanced at Thomas, who smiled knowingly.
"It's Walter, and I bet you anything he's hiding from Grace."
"Yes I am! Now shut the fuck up!" The voice whisper yelled.
"Daddy, don't say fuck." The voice must belonged to Walter's three year old son that Elliot told me about.
Thomas just stood there, so I grabbed his arm, and pulled him behind the counter.
"I'll say it whenever I want, child. You're not my mother." I found myself crouching next to a small boy who held a tub of ice cream and a spoon in his hand. He was glaring indignantly at his father.
"Yes, but momma said no." The man sighed and shook his head.
"This is the last time I am taking you on a raid with me." He turned to his brother, a frown on his bearded face. "Why'd you have to talk so loud. Someone might get the impression that you were trying to get Grace to hear."
Thomas shrugged. "I thought you guys were on some healthy plan or something. Maybe I should get Grace in here. She's like to know what you are actually eating."
At that particular moment, Thomas fell quite a bit in my eyes. If there was one thing I didn't like, it was a snitch.
"Dude, that's not cool. We won't tell, as long as you give me ice cream." The little boy looked at his father, who grinned.
"Deal. Give him a spoon, son." The little boy pulled one from somewhere, and handed it to me, holding out the tub of ice cream so I could get some out.
"You must be Alexander. I heard Dad talking about you. I'm Walter." I had just put the scoop on my mouth, so I nodded, and held out my right hand.
"Uncle Thomas. Do you want ice cream?" Thomas looked over my head at the little boy seated on the ground.
"No thanks, you eat it." His voice was close too my ear, and I realized just how close we were sitting. My leg was almost touching his.
"Aww, come on, Uncle Tom! It's yummy."
"Walter, don't give him any then. That just means more for us." Walter instructed his son, who looked confused.
"But mom says to share." The crown prince rolled his eyes.
"That's true. Eat the ice cream, Tom, so my son can obey his mom."
"No thanks, it's too early in the day for that." Seriously, this guy was way too uptight. I scooped some onto my spoon, and turned so I was facing him.
"Come on, Thomas. Eat the ice cream." I brought the spoon up to his mouth, and he backed away.
"Alex, stop! Could you scoot back?" Instead I leaned forward.
"Why! Scared of the ice cream? If you don't eat it, it's gonna melt on you soon." He glanced all around, from the spoon near his mouth to my hand holding it, and then to how close we had become.
"Dude! I don't want the fucking ice cream!" He stood up quickly, and walked away.
Now, I don't know about you, but I don't think it was the ice cream that made him react like that.