Page 58 of Carver

Yeah, the family hadclout.

While Royce had mostly stayed out of all that, their personality and appearance was always a hot button topic. If there was someone who could appear feminine and also masculine while keeping Gideon cool and calm and collected, Royce would be them.

With that in mind, Carver picked up his phone and dialed his friend.

Royce answered on the first ring, "I'm going to start to wonder what's going on if you keep this up."

“That's what you said last time,” Carver replied.

"Yes, and yet you're still calling me whenever there's not a mission happening. Or is there a mission about to happen? I didn't get an email from Trix, so I'm going to say no."

Carver hummed.

"There's nothing going on Royce, not in the way that you're thinking. I need your help differently." Royce was quiet, so Carver continued, "My sweet boy that I rescued before is skittish around women, feminine people in general, and I would like you to come out and show him what androgyny looks like, to show him that people can be feminine or masculine, or anything in between, and kind. The women here are doing their best to avoid him, but I think a bit of exposure will help."

Royce clicked their tongue. "You want me to come traumatize the kid? Is that what I'm hearing?"

Carver groaned. "No, it's nothing like that. Royce, you are one of the kindest, gentlest souls I know. Being around you is what calms the people that we save, and I have to give you credit where credit is due. I think you would be the perfect person to help me with this. Besides, you’d said a while back that you were considering a visit. What’s different now?"

"I'm not sure, Carver," they said. "It's not because I'm worried about how they'll react, but it's confusing. I don't have any type of speech or anything like that. This isn't something I've ever done. As curious as I am to know more about this boy who's gained your attention so completely, I can't say that I feel confident enough to do this."

Carver nodded even though Royce couldn't see him. "I understand that. Maybe just think about it. If nothing else, think of it like you're coming to explain to him what androgyny is and what being non-binary is like. I don't know what all Gideon learned while stuck with Mordecai, but I doubt she went out of the way to explain non-binary to him and what his options were. Maybe his pronouns aren't right. Maybe there's more to him that he needs to explore. Part of it is that I want him to see a feminine person who is safe, yes, but you're also masculine. That's where the whole fricking androgyny thing comes from. I want Gideon to see that there are people and things and places that aren'twhat he knows. And you were the first person I thought of. Take it as a compliment."

Royce laughed loudly across the line. "You sure know how to butter me up, Carver. I can't say that I hate all the compliments you've just given me. I do need to think about it though, so I'll get back with you just as soon as I can, okay? Hold tight. I'm sure my curiosity is going to make me want to come no matter what. Besides, I've always wanted to give a speech about what it's like to be an enby."

The way their voice went up a few notches made Carver smile. "I'm sure you would give the best speech ever about it. You are the most fabulous They/Them I know."

"Well, everyone says that," Royce replied. "You won't find another they/ them like me in the world. It's just the way it goes. But to correct you, I'm not always a soft, kind person. There are people that get under my skin and make my blood boil just like you. And while I am not Butcher level of madness, I have my moments where I'm an asshole too. I’m still a bit obsessed with that name, by the way. So cool.”

It was Carver's turn to laugh. "Yeah, I thought you might like that. It's befitting. Anyway, I'll let you go. Just give me a heads up if you do come down. You're welcome at any point. I don't have anything crazy going on here right now."

"You should have knocked on some wood because you know that you just invited it to your doorstep, don't you?"

Carver groaned. "Fuck, you're right. It was dumb of me. I already had a feeling in my gut something was going on. I need to focus."

"I agree," Royce said. "We'll talk soon. Go focus on your boy and whatever the hell else you've got going on. But be sure I have a nice place to stay while I'm there. I don't want to get a hotel. Being around all those sexy bikers really gets me going, you know?"

Carver hung up to the sound of Royce's laughter.

As he tucked his phone in his pocket, he sighed, whispering to himself, "This is going to be okay. It's the right thing to do. All of this is for Gideon."

Twenty-Seven

Carver's daysgrew longer and longer.

He hated going to his bedroom alone at night. He would only ever retire after he knew Gideon was asleep in the next room. It was then he could be in his space because he wanted to be close to his boy. He wanted to know that he would be prepared should anything arise.

Even if the two of them didn't spend time together during the day, at night, he kept silent watch. He wouldn't let anything happen to his sweet boy.

Unfortunately, that meant Carver was often restless during the day. He didn't get much sleep, and he was emotionally wrung out.

He missed Gideon desperately.

At the same time, he wanted to create a safe environment. And being safe for someone sometimes meant not being involved in their life. It meant giving them space.

In an effort to keep himself accountable, he kept one of his trusted men with him to aid his focus on work. On this particular day, Slash was in the office with him going over the bank statements for the last month.

“Something isn't adding up, boss,” he said, waving the paper in his hand. “There are small amounts missing, but it's enough that even I'm catching it. I think we need to get Trix involved.”