Phantom's father glared around at all of them, ending at Tobias once more. "He won't get another chance from me."
"He won't need one. Go."
He turned stiffly and went, not looking back. The door closed on him with a thud that sounded very solid and final.
"Well," Tobias said into the silence left by the closing door. "That was interesting." He stroked Phan's hair almost absently, but it was Noah he was looking at. "Come here, pet."
Noah took a couple of steps to Tobias. "I should have asked you first. I'm sorry, but I couldn't let Phan walk out that door. I couldn't let that bigot have him. He's working too hard, he's been through too much, and he's a friend, you know? I hope... I mean you're okay with it, I can see that, but I should have--"
Noah's explanation was cut off as Tobias kissed him, pushing his tongue into Noah's mouth. Tobias held him in place with his free hand until they were both gasping for air. "You did the right thing," he said when he finally let Noah go. "Thank you."
He petted Phan again and looked at Noah. "Do you have time to go to the apartment before your ballgame tonight?"
Noah was still holding Tobias' gaze as Tobias' words registered. "Ballgame. Oh! After my ballgame. Sure," Noah nodded, stepping back from Tobias and righting his uniform. He was grinning and looked a little floaty. "What do you need? I could also call out, I'm wondering if I'm really in the right frame of mind to be trusted with a loaded gun today, anyway."
"Deidre will kill me if I miss today." He looked down at Phan. "Well, boy. Looks like we have some talking do."
"Yes, sir," Phan said, his gaze fixed to the floor even though he was leaning against Tobias' leg.
Tobias shook his head fondly and looked back at Noah. "I have rounds. You can either go to work or take Phan to the apartment -- in either case, I'd like us all there after my rounds so we can sort out some practical details." He transferred his gaze to Bradford. "You can talk now, I know you're dying to say something."
Bradford grinned. Tobias was quite sure he'd been deliberately silent all this time, quietly observing with Nikki kneeling at his feet. He turned his gaze on Noah. "Thank you, boy, I do believe you have solved more problems than you know. It's a great relief to me." When he looked back at Tobias he started to chuckle. "May you take nothing for granted, you lucky old bastard."
Noah laughed. "If it's all right with you, Master Bradford, will you look after Phan today? I think I should get to work, after all." He looked at Tobias. "I'll get one of the other counselors to cover practice tonight; this is important."
Tobias nodded and kissed him again. "I'll see you after your shift, then, pet. Be safe, all right?"
"Yes, always. I better run." He knelt down in front of Phan and touched his face, then kissed him lightly on the cheek. "You made the right decision. Eat, will you? And get some sleep." He smiled and stood up again. "Glad I could be of service," he told Bradford in his most official cop-voice and winked at him. "Got the car keys?" He held out the keys to Tobias' truck in exchange.
Tobias fished the car keys out of his pocket and traded them with Noah just as his cell phone began to ring. "Dee," Tobias groaned, looking at the screen. "Go, we'll see you later." He tapped Phan on the shoulder and said, "Breakfast. Now."
"Yes, sir," Phan said. "Noah--" He paused and shrugged. "I'll try to say thank you later."
Tobias' phone rang again and he pointed to the dining room and the front door, smiling as his boys scattered. "I'm on my way," he said into the phone as he pressed the talk button.
"Oh, good, we've got work to do," Deidre said in his ear.
Tobias looked at Bradford and raised an eyebrow. "We certainly do."
Tobias got home at four on the dot, stunned by how quickly the day had passed. He and Deidre had been run nearly ragged, and he hadn't had time to do much more than call Bradford and ask the man to bring Phantom to the apartment at about four-thirty. He certainly hadn't had time to actually sit and think, which was good from a not panicking perspective, but not great when one considered the situation as a whole.
He showered quickly, ridding himself of the smell of livestock as best he could, and dressed in soft jeans and a sweatshirt. Working clothes, really, and probably not appropriate to soothe and coax either Noah or Phan, but sometimes comfort was more important than image.
He'd just put the coffee on when the front desk buzzed him to say that Noah was on his way up, and he found himself waiting by the condo door, eager to see what kind of state his lover was in.
Noah knocked briefly and started to let himself in, seeming surprised to see Tobias on the other side of the door. He looked up and smiled, his eyes tired, but he seemed in good spirits. "Hi," he said as he moved into the hall. He was still in uniform and was carrying a large duffel on his shoulder. "I hope you don't mind, I picked up a few things at home on my lunch break today, figuring it would be a late night or two, and then... well, the weekend."
"Good thought," Tobias said, taking the bag from him and tossing it on the floor. He crowded Noah against the wall and added, "You've had a lot of them today." Then he kissed him thoroughly.
Noah melted into the kiss, sliding fingers into Tobias' hair. When they paused to breathe he looked into Tobias' eyes and said, "I hope this is a good idea. I don't see Phan getting another chance."
"Shh. Phan later. You and me now." Tobias kissed him again, one hand going to the small of Noah's back and pulling him closer. "Mine," he growled. "No matter what."
"Nothing will change that." Noah was breathless from the kiss, and a little flushed. It looked as good on him as his uniform. "How much time do we have?" He tugged on Tobias' sweater.
"Not enough," Tobias said with real regret. "Come on, let's get some coffee into you, at least." He leaned in and took another kiss, though, not ready to let Noah go.
"Coffee sounds great. But promise me that I'll get you alone for at least a couple of hours tonight." He grinned and slipped away, if only a few inches. "I better change. You want my gun and my pager?" He reached for the hefty buckle on his gun belt.
"Yes," Tobias said, holding out his hand. "Give me your gun." He grinned and winked to add to the tease, then added, "I'm sure we can manage a couple of hours -- if nothing else, Phan will fall asleep fast. Hungry?"
Noah pulled his gun out and separated it from the clip, putting both into Tobias' hand and then adding his pager on top. "Not quite yet." He tugged off his tie and loosened the top button on his shirt, showing off his collar. "Should I put my bag in the bedroom?"
"Yes. I'll put these away in the desk." He leaned forward and kissed Noah yet again. "Love you."
Noah let Tobias get a few steps away before he answered. "I love you, too," he said with a smile, then he hefted his duffel and disappeared into the bedroom.
The doorbell rang moments later.
Tobias swore, putting the weapon and pager away quickly and hurrying to the door. He hadn't even managed to get coffee into Noah yet. He pulled the door open and smiled at Bradford, who had Phan at his heel, eyes down.
"Come on in," Tobias said. "There's coffee on, and Noah's getting changed. At least, I think he is."
Bradford nodded and stepped inside, shrugging his coat off and handing it to Phan. "Phan's had a nice long nap, he should be fairly alert this evening. I can't say the same for you, though; you look exhausted. Coffee is probably a good idea." He followed Tobias into the kitchen. "How is he?"
Noah walked in just then, but he didn't answer the question himself. Instead, he lingered just inside the doorway neatly in his display position. He was barefoot, wearing jeans that sat more on his hips than his waist and a black T-shirt that hugged every muscle in his shoulders and chest. His collar stood out prominently against the black fabric.
Bradford looked him over critically.
"He's tired," Tobias said shortly. "I worried him all night and owe him an apology for it. He turned immediately to Noah and said, "I am sorry, Noah. It was inconsiderate of me, and I regret not phoning you to let you know what was going on."
Noah managed to smile for him, "I understand, sir. But thank you, and I accept."
Tobias nodded and glanced at Phan, who was still at Bradford's heel, a duffle bag in one hand. He looked a little better than he had that morning, but Tobias was well aware of the dark circles under his eyes. "Phan, help Noah with your things, please. I have no idea where you'll eventually end up, but for tonight you'll be in the guest room, unless we decide differently as we talk."
"Yes, sir," Phan said softly. He walked toward Noah with a measured pace, clearly unsure if Noah was still as welcoming as he'd been earlier in the day. His shoulders were tense, his back so tight it had to be aching.
Noah reached out and took the bag from Phan, looping the strap over his own shoulder instead, and then slipped his hand into Phan's. "Relax. I've been looking forward to seeing you," he told Phan quietly, and led him from the room.
Tobias felt his shoulders sag. "Thank God for that," he said under his breath. He turned to Bradford and asked, "So. What do you think?" as he reached for four mugs and the coffee pot.
"I think one of us, or both of us, has greatly underestimated your boy. And provided that you can give him the right balance of alone time, I think this could work out very well indeed. But I won't say you don't have your work cut out for you; I don't envy you these first few weeks. If you need help, or just need to blow off steam, you know you can come to me."
Bradford slid an envelope across the kitchen table toward Tobias. "This is my contract with Phan. It's very mechanical and clunky, but we drew it up quickly and without much foresight. It's up to you whether we should keep it in place for now or shred it. You'll be discussing some kind of arrangement this evening that you'll put in writing, I assume, even if it's not a contract? I would advise it."
Tobias poured the coffee and nodded. "We have to set a lot of guidelines tonight, get certain things settled right away so everyone knows where they stand, yes. I think writing it down is essential, if only because there's so much to cover. Would you like to stay and listen?"
Bradford considered that for a bit. "I'm not sure. I can see the merit as a mediator, but I don't want Phan... I'd hate for him to feel like he couldn't speak his mind about the things he needs and isn't getting from me. What do you think? I'm inclined to leave you three to it."
Tobias chuckled. "Friend, I am adrift without a map here. Whatever you feel most comfortable with -- I may not want you to witness my pitiful attempt to soothe the boys. Or my gloating if it all works out and I manage to get some comfortable sleep tonight without anyone falling apart." He gestured to the living room and picked up the loaded tray. "Shall we?"
Bradford stood, taking Phan's contract along with him. "How about I stay long enough to hand Phan over officially? If he feels like he wants me to stay I will, but otherwise, it's really not my negotiation."
As they left the kitchen, the boys in question were making their way back down the hall.
"Living room," Bradford instructed and the pair followed along.
Tobias set the tray on the coffee table and sat in the easy chair. "All right. Business first." He gestured to the floor beside him. "Noah, here, pet." When Noah knelt beside him, Tobias looked at Bradford and nodded.
Bradford moved to Phan and talked to him quietly for a moment. "Phan, I know you agree that dissolving our contract is the best thing for both of us." He smiled. "And I also know that you're going to be happier and more fulfilled where you're going. So, while we've been through a great deal together, and I will miss you, it's with a very light heart that I step out of your life as your Master to make room for Master Tobias." He handed Phan the envelope. "That's my only copy. I release you."
"Thank you, Master Bradford," Phantom said softly. "For everything." He waited a moment and then turned around and walked to Tobias' chair, kneeling in front of him. "I don't know what you're going to do with me, sir, and I'm not expecting anything. But I come to you freely and offer everything I have for a chance to serve as you see fit."
Tobias petted Noah's hair and nodded. "I don't know yet what I'm going to do with you either, boy. But you're welcome here, and we'll make sure you're safe. Won't we, pet?"
"Yes, sir." Noah smiled at Phan.
"Phan," Bradford said more clearly. "I was planning on leaving you to your negotiations here, unless you think you need me to stay for some reason?"
Phan shook his head and glanced behind him to Bradford. "I'm fine, sir."
Tobias pointed at the coffee table and raised an eyebrow. "You're going to leave me with these two and that much caffeine? You're a hard, hard man, Bradford."
He wasn't sure, but he thought Phan might have almost giggled.
"You know what? I am. And I'm going to go home and take a flogger to Nikki because he's been a good boy and deserves some TLC. Don't get up, anyone, I'll get my own coat." He winked at Tobias. "Good luck."
"Thanks. Tell Nikki he's going to love your present when it gets here." Tobias watched as Bradford left the room, his fingers still stroking Noah's hair.
When he heard the door close he sat back a bit and sighed. "I don't know about you two, but I could use the coffee. Make yourselves comfortable, we're going to talk frankly, as in negotiations. No roles for now, just us, all right?"
Noah stood up and picked up a mug right away, making the transition as easily as he always did. He took a seat in one of the chairs beside the coffee table and took a long sip. "Oh, man, I needed this," he said with a sigh.
Tobias laughed as he reached for a mug. "You look it. Phan? Help yourself, really."
Phan nodded and picked up a mug, still kneeling by Tobias' chair, though looking around. "Um. Can I... Noah, can I sit with you?" he asked in a rush.
Noah looked surprised. "I... sure, it's fine with me if..." he glanced at Tobias.
"No roles," Tobias said firmly. "Not yet. You two want to cuddle up, go ahead."
"In that case, we're taking the couch." Noah grinned. He got to his feet and moved over, settling into the corner of the couch and waving Phan to him. "But if you're leaning on me, you're going to have to refill my coffee when I need it. And I will need it."
"You got it," Phan said with a smile. He sat on the couch and settled against Noah with a sigh, sitting up enough that they could both drink their coffee. "Thanks. I just... kinda needed to cuddle," he said with a half-smile. "You're the best cuddler I know."
Tobias smiled to himself and slouched down in his own chair. "He is," he agreed. "Fill up, and tell me what you want on your pizzas. I figure we can relax for a few minutes anyway before we start talking this out. Unless you two want to get right to it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I like sausage and mushroom if you're ordering from Romeo's," Noah said. "And I'm ready to start when you are, but I'm really not sure what would be the best approach to this conversation. You think we should bounce around concerns first? Maybe see where they overlap? It might be easier to attack the solutions that way. Just an idea."
"Sounds fine to me," Tobias said, reaching for the portable phone. "It's hardly a secret that we're all feeling our way here -- I've never had to two subs for longer than a scene before, so whatever you two have to say, say it. Phan?"
Phan nodded. "Sure. Don't blame me if I don't shut up, though. Oh, and can I have spinach and lemon?"
"Spinach and lemon what?"
"Pizza."
Tobias stared at him and started dialing. "You've spent far too much time trying new food, I can tell."
"It's good!" Phan insisted, looking at Noah. "They do it with three cheeses and lots of garlic."
"Anything with garlic has got to be good," Noah said with a grin. It was clear, though, that he wasn't inclined to hold off on this discussion until after dinner. "I think I'd really like to hear from you first, Phan, just because Tobias and I already have an agreement between us. What we're talking about tonight, I think, is almost entirely about you." He gave Phan a squeeze with one arm. "And don't pretend you don't like the spotlight, I know you better than that."
"It's kind of different this way, though," Phan said, and Tobias watched him snuggle into Noah a bit more.
Tobias continued to watch them as he ordered the pizzas, surprised to discover that they knew exactly what he was talking about when he asked for spinach and lemon, and added a standard pepperoni and cheese one for himself. They'd be eating leftovers for ages.
"All right," he said, hanging up the phone. "We've got half an hour. The only thing I want to say upfront is that the contract I have with Noah is signed and stands. Anything else has to work within that, understood?"
Phan nodded and then said, "Um, can I see it?"
Tobias snorted. "That would help, wouldn't it? Hang on." He got up and went to his desk, getting both the contract he and Noah had created and a stack of paper, along with some pens.
"Okay, take two," he said, putting everything but the contract on the coffee table. "Bradford suggested we take notes, and I agree." He handed to the contract to Phan and picked up the coffee pot. "Coffee?" he asked Noah.
"Please." Noah held out his cup. "Notes. Well, at least I'm not the only one that thinks this is going to be complicated." He set a pen and some paper in Phan's lap as he read.
"Oh, no," Tobias said, pouring coffee. "This is going to be very complicated."
"Uh-huh," Phan said, sounding distracted. "This is really nice. Lots of room to move, but really clear." He looked up and blinked. "Um, I mean for you two, as a contract. Not from an accommodating me standpoint." He flushed and looked down.