Saffron followed Matt inside the office building, snickering about the case they'd just finished; a pair of low level vampires vying for higher ranks. They'd taken care of that, stopped off for lunch, and returned to the office. Matt was bitching about the amount of blood that got spilled. "Could have been worse." Saffron said with a wicked smirk as they started up the stairs. Saffron's cell phone rang and he took it out of his coat pocket, looking at the number. He didn't quite recognize the number, and he frowned slightly.

"Could've been worse..." Matt muttered with a snort. "So says the guy who somehow managed NOT to get any on him..." he added, shooting him a scowl that didn't reach his eyes which were sparkling with humor. "Thanks for using me as your shield by the way... I'm touched." he added sarcastically.

"Well you're bigger then me, it just seemed logical." Saffron replied with another smirk, considering how small Saffron was; Small and feminine. He sighed, and answered his phone. "Hello?"

"Is this Saffron Azreal?" Came a quiet voice.

 "Yus...who is this?" Saffron had paused on the stairs; an icy pit suddenly appearing in his stomach.

"This is Eric Straus. I'm the lawyer for Corey MacManis..." The man said.

Saffron felt the icy pit grow and his breath caught a moment. "Has something happened to Corey?" Saffron asked, much softer then normal. The good mood he'd been had suddenly vanished.

"I really hate to have to deliver this news," the lawyer said. "Corey died this morning, in a car crash."

Saffron forgot how to breathe and suddenly ended up sitting heavily on the stairs. "No..." He breathed.

Matt had stopped two steps above him when he'd answered the phone, and as Saffron suddenly sat down, he quickly returned to Saffron's side. "Kid? You alright?" he asked softly, dropping to one knee beside him. Saffron was always pale by most standards, but right then he looked even worse. "Kid?"

"According to Corey's will, you were made his son, Destin's godmother." Mr. Strauss said.

Saffron sighed, forgetting Shane and Corey's safety clause to keep the wrong people from finding Saffron when he'd lived with them, was to refer to Saffron as Shane's little sister. "Yus, of course..." Saffron answered, wondering if he'd remember to breathe. "Destin's... four...Gods... he's lost both his  parents..." Saffron groaned, closing his eyes. "Where is he?"

"He's with me at the moment." Mr. Strauss replied.

 "I'll...I'll be to Maine as soon as possible..." Saffron said. "I have to go..." He hung up, not sure how much longer he could keep from crying. He'd heard Matt's question and sighed, fingering his cell phone. "The last family I had... after getting out of the Black Court...died this morning..." Saffron whispered, before giving into some of the tears.

Matt looked on in shock as Saffron suddenly started to cry. He'd never seen him show much emotion openly; not in public anyways...  unless it was contempt or anger, and everything else had a heavy dose of sarcasm. Saffron had always been more relaxed and open when it was just the two of them, but...  Matt swallowed, the urge to pull him into his arms and try to sooth away the tears incredibly strong, especially with him looking so fragile and vulnerable. He sighed softly and reached out to rub a hand over Saffron's shoulder then up to caress the back of his neck pulling him a bit closer as he moved to sit beside him. "I'm sorry to hear that, kid..."

Saffron managed to get the tears under control after a few minutes of soft crying. He was leaning ever so slightly against Matt, before sighing deeply and raised a hand, wiping his eyes. "I've got to go to Maine. Fuck...I can't do this...not again...Shane died three years ago...now Corey. Destin doesn't have any one left, except me and he's only four, he doesn't remember me." Saffron said, miserable. "Corey's family abandoned him years ago when he hooked up with Shane...and Shane was an orphan..."

"I'll take you." Matt said softly. "My car's better for traveling anyhow... can sleep in the back in emergencies." he offered with a slight smirk. "Plus, you don’t seem like you're up to the drive..." he added in a more serious tone. "If he died this morning... that means... the funeral won’t be for a few days..."

Saffron sighed, "I imagine...Corey had funeral arrangements in his will...Other wise...there's no one to plan one...except for me...Shit! What am I going to do with a four year old!" He swore; it's not like he wouldn't take Destin; to Saffron he was family, his nephew, even if they weren't related by blood. He sighed again, and looked at Matt. "Thank you, Matt... for going with me...I couldn't do it on my own..." He finally managed to get to his feet. "I'd better inform Kay and Auron..."

Matt blinked and frowned slightly in confusion. "Whoa... what do you mean 'what are you going to do with a four year old’...?" he asked as he followed Saffron. "I thought you just needed to go to the funeral... reading of the will... that kind of shit... "

Saffron sighed, pausing on the stairs to look at Matt. "I'm Destin's legal guardian. When Destin was born, Shane and Corey made me his godfather. Like I said, Shane died three years ago, and Corey put in it in his will if something happened to him, Destin was to live with me." He snorted softly, shaking his head. "I'm about to become a single parent."

Matt stopped in his tracks as he watched Saffron climb slowly. "Fuck... are you serious?!" he asked then quickly climbed after him. "Damn.... Saffron Azreal a dad... you look too young... everyone's going to think you're his older brother." Matt said with a smirk and soft laugh, reaching out to tousel Saffron’s hair playfully. "Man... this means we can give Kay shit about being 'grandma'... "

Saffron snorted softly, a faint smirk actually coming to his lips. "You might want to be careful with that, you might not survive." He said softly. He'd inform Kay he had to leave for Maine for a few days, call Corey's lawyer back and tell him they were driving and to put any plans Corey might have had for a funeral into effect and he'd finalize everything when he got there...And to have the adoption papers ready. Then he'd go back to his apartment, pack and...leave. He realized he was going to have to look into another apartment...a two bedroom at least. It's not that he minded kids, he actually liked kids, he just...never thought he'd end up a parent...so soon.

Matt raised his hands in a defensive posture. "Hey... never claimed  'I' would.. just that we could. I was actually planning on just dropping the word here and there and enjoying the others getting in shit over it. I'm willing to bet MacDonnell drops it on her first..." he said, still trying to wrap his head around the idea of Saffron with a kid in tow. "So... this mean you'll be moving into one of the apartments the company owns? Security and all that... plus other kids around..?" he asked softly, already knowing that was a touchy subject; ever since Sylvie had started moving people into the complex, Auron had been after Saffron and Saff's brother Lex to give up their apartments and move there.

Saffron snorted softly, giving him a look. "Not if I can absolutely help it. There's a couple two bedroom apartments in the building I live in now..." He replied, reaching Kay's office and knocking before sticking his head around the door to see his step mother look up from some paper work. Saffron stepped inside, he didn't close the door all the way, incase Matt wanted to step in as well. "Sorry to bother you," Saffron said. "Vamps all taken care of though...but I have to go to Maine. Some one really close to me died this morning, and...I have to plan his funeral, and...pick up my...well...pretty much my nephew as well as godson...I'm his legal guardian now..." Saffron said, his tone was weary and a touch bitter.

Kay immediately set the papers aside and stood, the look of concern on her face faltering as Matt stepped in behind him. "I'm taking him." he said gruffly as he caught her look. "You'll have to clear both our schedules for a few days... probably a week just to be safe."  

Kay eyed him a moment, taking in the rather protective way Graves hovered over Saffron's shoulder and nodded slowly, turning her attention back to Saffron. "I'm sorry about your friend, hun. Get the lawyer to fax any paperwork to Sylvie and she'll take of it for you...." she said, as she came around her desk, ignoring Matt now that he'd taken on the role of body guard. "Is there any thing we can do for you? Taking on a child is big responsibility... but you know you can always turn to us, so I won’t even go there. Your father will... but I won’t." she said with a slight smirk as she reached out to brush the palm of her hand over Saffron's cheek. "Call if you need anything.... even if it's just to arrange shipping for his belongings... or transferring school records..."

Saffron sighed, though a faint smile came to him. "Well I've got a couple years before he starts school...he's only four... Would you ask Lex to stop by my apartment and feed Rum while I'm gone? I'm going to drop by there and grab a bag before we leave...I'll call from Maine..." He said, hesitating, letting her touch his cheek for a moment, before stepping away. He still hadn't adjusted to having a family like this. And now that he'd lost the last person he'd considered family before, he had a feeling it was going to take even longer, to get used to this one.

Kay let her hand drop, almost surprised he'd allowed that much of a show of affection from her. "Sure thing... Would you like us to set aside an apartment for you?"  Matt snorted softly and shook his head and Kay shot him a look, regaining some of her normal temperment. "Stay out of it, Graves. It was bad enough with you siding with him over living in an unsecured placed before, but now he has a child who's safety he needs to consider." she looked back at Saffron, her voice softening a bit. "Seriously, Saffron... think of the danger you face... you might be willing to risk yourself... but what about him?" 

Matt gave a slow shake of his head and caught Saffron’s sleeve, tugging him towards the door. "No fireworks... save it. Bitch in the car..." he said in a low voice.

Saffron thumped Matt rather hard in the chest, before glancing back at Kay. He knew she had a point, but still. "Let me just get to Maine and see Destin before I seriously consider it." He said through clenched teeth. "I have to see if Destin inherited any of his father's abilities." He added. "I'll call from Maine." He added, before slipping out of the office.

Matt rubbed his chest lightly as he shut the door behind them and followed him. "What was that for?" he asked lightly. "Don't try to fucking deny that you were about to bitch her out for saying that. I was just trying to stop from having every hunter in the building crowding into the hall."

Saffron shook his head, not really answering to that. He was trying to form a mental list of everything he needed to do. He took his cell phone out and called the lawyer back, telling him they were driving and to get things started. "Thank you for keeping my mouth shut." He said softly to Matt after hanging up.

~~ 

Matt paid for the coffee and handed Saffron’s cup to him before setting his own in the holder. The temptation to sit there blocking the drive thru while he opened his coffee and piss off everyone behind him was there, like always, but instead he moved out of the way. While they waited for a light to change, he opened the coffee and took a drink. "So... you want to tell me about this guy? Or guys, I guess... Sounds like you were pretty close...." he asked Saffron softly.

Saffron sighed, staring out the window for a moment as he slipped his coffee. "Corey and Shane were pretty much married. I met them...six months after I escaped the Black Court..." This was a part of Saffron's past he never talked about to any one. His life in the Black Court and being a slave and Right's toy were topics he'd only ever talked about to Lex...and Matt a few times. "I met Shane first, he was a cop and worked in the vice department, and I...I was living on the streets, prostituting..." Saffron said softly, he'd never told any one that he'd done that. "Shane was a death knight...not fae nor demon, but a preternatural assassin all the same. Instead of arresting me, he bought me a meal, and got my life story out of me...he knew what I was before I'd even told him. Instead of letting me live on the streets, he pretty much adopted me as a little brother...Corey was the same way. I lived with them for almost three years...learning to adjust to this world again...and get on my feet. Shane refused to let me put myself in danger, or stay a prostitute, not just because he was a cop...but he knew who LiVed was...and that LiVed could find me easily that way..."

Matt took the news in stride, not letting it show how much he hated the thought of Saffron doing that. He'd lived on the streets as a kid himself, so he knew you did what you had too. "Sounds like you were pretty lucky to have them." he said simply as he pulled back onto the road and continued on their way. They'd already been on the road for a couple of hours; he'd been letting Saffron decide whether or not to talk up until now, since the kid had been too quiet. "So what happened?" he asked, casting a glance over at him. "I mean... sounds like you three had a good thing going... why'd you split up?"

Saffron sipped on the coffee for a moment. "Shane and Corey both tended to have girlfriends every once in a while, though it was mostly just for fun; they were very much in love with each other. But at the time, Shane was dumb enough one night not use protection with the girl he was sleeping with, and got her pregnant. She had Destin, then dumped him with Shane and disappeared. By then, I had already been thinking of moving out...striking out on my own. They weren't thrilled I wanted to move out, but they were willing to back my choice. I didn't really loose touch with them, I mean, we were a family...they made me Destin's guardian. Destin had just turned a year old, when Shane was killed on the job. Corey and I both took it rather hard in our own ways. Corey decided he had to get out of Boston, away from his assholes of a family, and since he had extended family, you might say; no blood relations, but family all the same; in Maine, he moved there with Destin. We kept in contact through phone calls...e-mails...I just talked to Corey yesterday..." Saffron trailed off, blinking back the tears that threatened.

Matt scowled softly as he drove, thinking of things. They'd both been taken in by someone who'd become closer then family to them... and they'd both lost that someone. "Life sucks." he said softly. "I guess I should say something comforting like 'at least you had them for the time you did' or some meaningful crap like that... but... it just fucking blows." he added in a soft growling mutter.

Saffron sighed softly, raising his free hand and running the back of it over his eyes. "It's just...they were my family...it didn't matter that we weren't related by blood. Shane even introduced me to people as his sibling... Admittedly...it was easier... and safer for him to introduce me as his little sister..." Saffron said, blushing a bit and not sure why. "It kept certain people from finding me and it kept the questions down about me living with them and all that...But I guess you could say they're the reason I'm not entirely comfortable with the family I do have...Shane...knew what it was like...to live with Death..."

Matt snorted softly. "Hey... you don’t have to explain it to me. Marilee was my sister as far as the town knows. She was my sister as far as I care... blood only goes so far where the heart is concerned..." he said, letting the silence resume.  After a little while he finished his coffee and set the cup in the holder before venturing forward another question. "So.... you said they claimed you as a sister... that mean you dressed like a girl too? Or just that everyone figured you were anyhow...?" he asked, sure he was blushing. The image of Saffron dressed any more femininely then he already did was almost more then he could take.

Saffron felt the flush in his cheeks and he didn't look at Matt. "From time to time, I did..." He replied softly, finishing his own coffee. "To be honest... I'd already been dressing that way on the streets...I made more money that way..." He added softer, with a bitter tone.

Matt snorted softly at that. "Nothing wrong with surviving, kid." he said softly. "I've been there... you do what you have to. Tried the whole prostitute thing... didn't really work out for me..." he added with a wry smirk. "Not until I was older anyhow and then I'd just pick and choose... mostly got by with theft..." he admitted.

"Considering my looks and the fact that I was already being used that way...I figured why not just...make money with it..." Saffron replied, close to a whisper, still not looking at Matt. He was watching the dark clouds building ahead of them, and the state line for New Hampshire approaching. He wondered if they'd make it to Maine by nightfall. Mr. Strauss had said Destin was doing okay for now, and that he and his wife could keep him over night. He'd also told Saffron that Corey's house was open to them when they got there and Saffron figured while they were there for the funeral and all, Destin would do better living at home for the time.

"Yeah..." Matt said simply, his own voice still soft. "Same here... I hated it when I was a kid and refused to do it... got by with pick-pocketing and a bit of grave robbing until I was in my mid-teens... sex was better then..." he said with a weary smirk. "Just as many creeps, but at least I was big enough to stop any shit they tried..."

Saffron looked over at Matt after a moment, just looking at him. It seemed strange, he'd only known Matt a few months, and yet he'd told him more about his life then he'd told any one else...not since Shane and Corey. And Matt still accepted him...it seemed strange that their pasts were similar in ways as well. Saffron felt the crush he'd been dealing with for a few weeks now, stirring again and he turned away with a faint blush. He supposed it really was more then a crush, but he didn't dare say anything to Matt. It was just better to stay best friends. "The world's full of creeps..." He replied softly watching the rain starting to fall. "Thank you Matt...for coming with me..." He added after a moment.

"Don't mention it kid... it's what friends are for... right?" he said, glancing over at him for a moment. "And I don’t have many friends aside from you." he admitted then smirked, deciding it would be best to lighten the mood a bit. "Plus there was no way in hell you were leaving me back there alone. If I hadn't come with you I'd have just gone home anyhow."

Saffron snorted softly, a faint smirk coming to him though he curled up in the seat as the rain got heavier and there were flashes of lightening. "I'm sure Kay could have found something for you to do while I was gone. "

Matt snorted. "Yeah...I'm sure she could have... which is why I'd have gone home..." he said then glanced at Saffron again. "There's a bedroll in the back... you can either climb back and get some sleep or at least grab the blanket or pillow... make yourself comfortable... We’ve still got a fairly long drive...."

"I know..." Saffron replied softly, "If I get tired, I'll think about it." He said softly, leaning his head against the window as it rained.

~~

It was after two in the morning by the time they'd reached the small town of Middleton Maine. Mr. Strauss gave them the address of Corey's house and promised to meet them there with the key. Destin had apparently refused to go to bed and wanted to go home. As weary as Saffron was, he agreed for Mr. Strauss to bring him with him to the house.

It was a small, two story brick house in a nice neighborhood. Saffron had to wonder what the neighbors were going to think about the hearse in the morning, and it at least brought a faint smile to his lips as they parked in the drive way. The lights were on in the house and the front door opened to reveal a middle aged man in jeans and a t-shirt, though he looked tired. He waited for them to get out and approach the front door. "Ms. Azreal?" Mr. Strauss asked.

 "Yus, of course," Saffron replied tired; the way he was dressed couldn't reveal anything either way.

"All the paper work is in the kitchen, but I dare say it can wait until tomorrow. Destin is asleep in his bed finally." Mr. Strauss said. "I'm really sorry this had to happen." He added sincerely, handing over the key.

Matt had let Saffron speak to the man in private, retrieving their bags from the car and locking it before joining him. If the man thought anything of a large blue haired man on the front step or a hearse parked in the lane way, he didn't let on. "Thanks for everything." He said to the man softly, suddenly nervous about waking the kid up.

Mr. Strauss didn't seem bothered by Matt at all. In fact, Saffron noticed the man's eyes were very odd, but he wouldn't have been surprised if Corey's lawyer was preternatural. Corey had been half fae, half elemental; a water elemental. "You can drop by my office, say tomorrow afternoon?" Mr. Strauss said, handing Saffron a card as well. "I took the liberty of making sure the kitchen was stocked as well." He added, before stepping down off the porch.

"Thank you, very much." Saffron said, stepping into the door way. "We'll stop by tomorrow afternoon." He added, not sure why he said we, but not changing it. Mr. Strauss nodded and headed for his car on the curb.

 Saffron watched him go a moment before heading inside. The last time he'd seen Destin, the boy had been a little over a year. He doubted the boy would remember him, but he headed up stairs anyway, heading for the door that was cracked open. A soft night light was on and Saffron opened the door a bit more, looking in on the child. Destin was fast asleep in his bed, clutching a large zombie plushie; one Saffron remembered Shane buying for the baby. The boy's hair was a dark brown, a little longer then it should have been, and if Saffron remembered, the boy's eyes were green. He sighed, watching Destin sleep for a moment, before pulling the door closed some, and headed back down stairs.

Matt turned at the sound of Saffron on the stairs and offered a weak smirk as he set the photo he'd been looking at back down on the shelf. "You want to crash or would you rather sit up for a bit?" he asked softly.

"I don't know if I could sleep if I wanted to..." Saffron replied with a soft sigh, before glancing at the photo Matt had been looking at. The man in the photo holding the baby, had ice blue eyes, and the same dark brown hair as the sleeping child upstairs. "That was Shane..." Saffron said softly, before picking up a second photo; Shane and a young man with reddish blonde hair, and rather fae looking. "And that was... Corey..." Saffron said even softer, before he stopped at an old photo of the three of them. He sat the one of Shane and Corey down and picked up the photo of the three of them. Saffron looked like he was 14 or 15 in the photo, tiny and maybe even more feminine then he was now. "That was during the first year I lived with them..."

Matt hesitantly laid a hand on Saffron's back, rubbing lightly. He wanted to just wrap his arms around him and make the hurt vanish, but he didn't dare follow through on that. "Cute kid. I can see how everyone would believe you were his kid sister...." he said softly.

"Yeah...well I was 20... I guess I always have looked younger then my age... a lot younger..." He finally sat the photo down and looked around. He looked into the living room, not surprised to see the grim reaper and zombie collection on the mantel. The living room had a homey feeling; welcoming; the couch was large and no doubt a hide away bed. Saffron would probably sleep up stairs. He left his bag by the foot of the stairs and headed down the hall, turning into the kitchen and turned on the light. A stack of folders sat on the table and he moved over to them. He opened the first and saw the death certificate, and couldn't stop the tears this time.

Matt set the zombie statuette back down on the mantel, amused to find so many duplicates to his own collection... not to mention that they both chose to display them in the same place. The sound of quiet sobbing reached him and he made his way to the kitchen. "Saff..." he said softly as he saw him and sighed heavily, going to him and pulling him into his arms. He decided that under the circumstances, it was something a best friend could be expected to do. "Come on, kid... leave this for now..."

Saffron decided giving into the tears, couldn't hurt and tucked himself into Matt's arms, crying on his shoulder. He never displayed so much emotion around any one, any more. But it didn't seem wrong, and he didn't feel embarrassed to be crying on Matt's shoulder. He'd let go of the folder, letting it fall back on the table with the rest.

Matt wrapped his arms around him tighter, just like he'd been wanting to all day. "It's alright kid... let it out..." he said softly, resting his cheek against the top of Saffron's head and wondering why he was torturing himself like this. He'd been fine with them being just friends up until a couple weeks ago when he'd found himself becoming more and more attracted to the kid. Moments of closeness made it harder to ignore and this... this was going to made it even harder. "You think there's anything to drink here? I think you could do with a couple strong shots before heading up to bed..."

Saffron hiccupped, trying to stop the tears, but they just kept falling, and it felt so good to be in Matt's arms; a large part of him didn't want to pull away. "Probably...probably in one of the higher cabinets...t-t-o keep Destin away from it..." He muttered through the tears, before sighing deeply and finally pulling away. It left him feeling cold...and oddly lonely, but he moved over to the cabinets and after a moment or two, found a bottle of Jack Daniels with a shot glass on top of it.

Matt let his hand rest on Saffron's back again. "You mind if I get you drunk and then toss you in bed?" he asked playfully, hoping he wasn't blushing too badly as he said it. "I think it'll be the only hope of sleep you have unless there's some sleeping pills or something around here...." he added a bit more seriously.

"You're probably right...I probably won’t sleep unless I have a few drinks..." Saffron replied softly, unscrewing the cap. Something about the way Matt had said that didn't seem so bad. He didn't look at him though, and poured a shot of whiskey, before taking a soft breath and tossed it back. He had to lean against the counter for a moment, as his head spun and it burned his throat.

Matt chuckled softly and slipped an arm around Saffron's waist, taking the bottle from him with his other hand. "Come on... if you're going to belt it back like that, I think we should go sit down first. " he said softly, steering Saffron back towards the living room and the sofa.

Saffron snorted softly. "It's not like I can't handle a few shots of whiskey." He replied softly, but glad to be sitting down anyway. He took the time to unlace and pull off his boots, revealing the black and red socks with cherries running down the sides. He wiggled his toes a moment, before taking the bottle back from Matt and pouring another shot. He sat the bottle on the coffee table and knocked back the second shot. He was already starting to feel warm and fuzzy. A stray thought crossed his mind that he got drunk with Matt sitting right there, there was no telling what he'd do. He had to bury his face in the pillow on the couch a moment, to keep from giggling, or blushing darkly at the thought. When he finally felt under control, he sat back. He'd wait a few before taking a third shot.

Matt just watched him, a soft smirk on his face. After the third shot, he plucked the glass from Saffron's hands and set it back on top of the bottle. "Alright... I think that's enough. I want you to sleep... not wake up with a hangover and puke everywhere..." he said with a snort. "I'll put this away..." he said, picking up the bottle.

Saffron pouted, eyeing the bottle a moment, wondering just how long it'd been sitting in the cupboard. It must have been a while, because the shit was strong. He was pretty damn sure he was on the verge of being drunk. He turned slightly on the couch, tucking his legs under him. "Leave it..." He managed, leaning his head to the side, against the back of the couch and looking at Matt. He reached out, stopping Matt from getting up with a hand on his arm. "Just stay 'ere...with me...for a little bit...please..." he said with a slight slur.

Matt smirked softly. "I'll be right back... trust me, kid... you don’t need any more of this. I'll put it away and be right back... alright?" he asked softly. "We can watch some Tv or something until you're tired..."

Saffron gave a whimpering pout, but let him go; tucking his arms under his head. He watched Matt leave, taking the bottle with him back to the kitchen and wondered what the chances of him snatching it on his way upstairs was. Though Matt had a point; he didn't need to be hung over in the morning.

Matt set the bottle back in the cupboard Saffron had gotten in from then shut off the lights before heading back to Saffron. He stood there for a moment and just watched him, wondering just how he was going to get through the night. Biting back a sigh, he sat back down, picking up the tv remote from the coffee table where it lay and turned it on, making sure the volume was low. He left it on the channel it was on, not paying much attention to it. "I'm here for you, Saff..." he said softly. "I don't mind being a shoulder for you to cry or lean on when you need it. Fuck... you promise not to tell anyone I said it... I actually kind of like it. "

Saffron had been picking at a stray thread on the arm of the couch he was leaning against. He looked over at Matt when he said that, and smiled, a bit intoxicated. "I won’t tell any one...I've never cried around any one else anyway..." He said, the same slight slur to his words. "I need some one to cry on, I think..." He added, before moving, coming away from leaning against the arm of the couch to lean against Matt.

Matt closed his eyes as Saffron leaned into him and he slipped his arm around him. "Well... that's what friends are for, right?" he said softly, glad he'd left his gun and machete locked in the car. With his free hand it was easy enough to undo the knife sheath and toss it onto the table. It was a bit more awkward removing his boots without letting go of Saffron, but he managed it, propping his feet up on the table. "You can trust me, kid... I'll never betray you. No one will ever know you cried on my shoulder unless you tell them."

"Mmm, I already trust you." Saffron said softly, he was looking at the tv but not really watching it. He was quiet for a moment, before he sat up a bit, and turned to face Matt again, though he was still leaning close. "You're more then my best friend you know. At least I think you are. Not sure what term would be right, but it's more then a best friend..." He rambled softly. He leaned in again, his head against his shoulder. "You're important to me, Matt... you know that right...?" He asked softly. "You know I love you, don't you?" He added.

Matt felt his heart skip a beat at Saffron's words and reached up to stroke his hair softly. "Yeah kid... I know." he said quietly, then closed his eyes. "I love you too." he added even softer.

Obviously three shots of whiskey; strong whiskey, was too much for Saffron, though considering the day he'd had, it wouldn't have been a surprise. But he never would have said any of this if he wasn't on the verge of being drunk. Nor would he have done what he did either. "Mm, I'm glad of that..." He said softly, snuggling closer, his face turned in. He inhaled the scent of Matt deeply, before leaning forward enough to nuzzle and kiss Matt's neck.

Matt moaned at the feel of Saffron's lips on his neck and immediately felt himself start to get hard. "Gods... Saff..." he said softly, wanting more than anything to just let it happen and take the chance that Saffron wouldn't remember any of it in the morning. He let one hand slip up to cradle the back of Saffron's head lightly, telling himself he should definitely stop him.

Saffron moved the kisses upward, working his way up Matt's neck, then moved, leaning up more, until his lips found Matt's, and moaned softly as he kissed him. He had the brief, slightly troubling thought that this was a bad idea, but he had too much alcohol in him for the thought to stick very long and with out breaking the kiss, letting it even deepen, he moved, straddling Matt's lap.

Matt gave another low moan, his hands stroking Saffron’s back and hair as he kissed him back hungrily. Every night for the past week straight he'd dreamt of this, and the week before that had been almost as bad... and now that it was really happening he knew he'd regret it if he let it go further. With a groan, he broke the kiss, resting his forehead against Saffron's as he caught his breath. "Damn, angel... this is so not fucking fair..." he whispered softly.

Saffron pouted that the kiss had been broken and he leaned forward, nuzzling Matt's neck again. "Is fair..." He whispered, kissing the skin beneath his lips. "I want you..." He added, moving to the other side of his neck, as his hands slipped under Matt's t-shirt, caressing upward. That thought that this was wrong, came back to him again, and he frowned, but didn't pull away. But the intimate contact was leaving his abilities on a high that was making him dizzy...and sleepy, combined with the whiskey.

Mat moaned again at those words and he let his head fall back against the couch as Saffron slowly drove him crazy. "Oh gods... baby I want you too... but not like this..." he managed to say, gently pushing Saffron back a bit. "I've dreamt of this for so long, Saff... if I knew you'd feel the same sober, I don’t think I'd be able to say no right now, but..." he swallowed hard and caught hold of Saffron’s hands, pulling them free of his shirt and kissing the palms lightly. "Not like this, babe. I can't with you like this..."

Saffron frowned in an innocent, and confused, if not intoxicated expression, scrunching up his nose slightly. He attempted to tug his hands free of Matt's hold, to go back to what he was doing; he'd liked the feel of Matt's chest, and the move made him squirm on Matt's lap. "But I told you..." He replied confused, "I love you..." He added, but was unable to suppress the yawn that followed the words.

Matt bit back another moan as Saffron wiggled on his lap. "Yeah, sweetheart... I know... but you're drunk." he said with a soft smirk. "And as much as I want to kick my own ass for turning you down right now, angel... I'd rather wait until you're sober." he said softly, then snorted and rolled his eyes. "Fuck I can NOT believe I just said that.... You know it HAS to be love...." he said with a soft smirk.

"I'm not drunk..." Saffron pouted and couldn't stop a second yawn, but that didn't stop him for continuing to try with Matt. Though the chances of him remembering any of this in the morning were very slim. He got one hand free and ran it down Matt's chest, then caress over Matt's groin. He got his other hand free and moved it down to start undoing Matt's jeans, while the other hand continued to caress him.

"Oh gods damn it... why did I pick tonight to grow a fucking conscience...?" Matt growled to himself as he ran both hands through his hair. His body and his abilities both felt like they were in over drive and he wasn't sure which felt better. With a growl he sat forward and caught Saffron in a hungry kiss, one hand tangling in his hair while the other caught hold of Saffron's hand, pulling it away from his groin. "No... baby.... you're killing me here.. you have no idea how much I want this...." he said breathlessly.

Saffron whimpered softly, looking up at Matt . The alcohol was getting to his emotions as well, and there was a hint of tears in his eyes. "I want you, Matt..." He whispered softly, "I don't wanna be alone tonight..." He sighed, but moved to slid away from Matt, just miserable now and tempted to go find the whiskey again.

Matt gave a soft groan and caught hold of him, pulling him closer. "Saff... baby... you don’t have to be alone. I'll stay with you." he said softly, knowing even as he said it was a mistake. "I won't leave you alone... come on.." he said, kissing Saffron’s forehead softly before leaning forward to turn off the tv. "Let's get you upstairs and find a bed. I'll stay with you..." he said again,  telling himself he was just going to hold him... nothing more...

Saffron looked at him for a moment, before slipping off the couch. He wavered slightly, but managed to get his balance back, and quite unlike him, he grabbed Matt's hand, tugging him to his feet, though it made Saffron stumble back slightly and he had to giggle softly at that.

Matt couldn’t help but smirk softly as he stood, then bent to grab his knife in it's sheath as he suddenly remembered there was a kid in the house. "Quiet... do not wake the kid up.." he said sternly, his eyes sparkling as he bit back a smirk, letting Saffron pull him towards that stairs.

"I won’t..." Saffron replied softly, before pulling Matt with him upstairs. He stuck his head briefly into Destin's room, but the boy was deeply asleep. Some how he knew the boy wouldn't wake up for awhile. He left the door cracked a bit, and pulling Matt down the hall a couple doors to the other bedroom. He left the light out as he pulled Matt inside, and managed to turn to face him, before he slipped his arms around Matt's neck, and leaned up, kissing him.

Matt gave into the kiss for a moment, part of him wondering if he wasn't dreaming all this. With a soft moan he broke free, puling Saffron’s hands down from around his neck. "Stop... angel please..." he said with a smirk. "Gods don’t do this to me...." he said, leaning in to kiss him softly before pulling back. "Into bed. Go on..." he said softly.

Saffron pouted again, running his hands down Matt's chest. "Matt..." He whimpered softly, begging, and was right back to kissing him again. One hand had slipped down to caress him through the jeans again, the other arm going back around Matt's neck.

Matt groaned again, feeling his resolve fading with every kiss and caress. "Saff..." he whispered, his hands going to his waist to push him away again, but found he just couldn’t quite do it. The feel of Saffron’s fingers stroking him was sending electric shocks through him that only seemed to make him harder. With a deep moan, Matt caught Saffron's hand, trapping it beneath his own and pressed against him as he kissed him harder. "Fuck.... don't you dare regret this, baby..." he whispered softly before kissing him again.

Saffron moaned softly behind the kiss, leaving his hand under Matt's for a moment as he kissed him back, before he moved the arm from around Matt's neck, breaking the kiss for a breath of air. He leaned forward, nuzzling and kissing Matt's neck, as he reached down and began undoing Matt's jeans, fumbling with the belt. When he got his jeans undone, he slipped a hand inside, slipping it into Matt's underwear, stroking him.

Matt's eyes closed as Saffron’s hand found him and he moaned again, hoping he wasn't making the biggest mistake of his life. He caught hold of Saffron's hand again, pulling away as he stepped back and quickly peeled his shirt off, tossing it aside before removing his jeans and underwear as well. His eyes never left Saffron the entire time.

Saffron let his gaze travel over Matt, almost hungrily and licked his lips slowly, before he turned, going over to the bed. His clothes hit the floor, by the time he got to the bed and he crawled onto it, in nothing but the red lace boy-legs. He knelt there for a moment, taking the clip out of his hair and looked back at Matt.

Matt followed Saffron, bare except for his tattoos and the phoenix medallion around his neck. "Gods you're beautiful, Saffron..." he whispered softly as he crawled onto the bed after him, kissing him hungrily as Saffron let his hair down. "I don't want to lose you, baby…" he whispered softly as he reached out to run his fingers along the edge of the lace panties. "Don't regret me..."

"Why would I?" Saffron replied softly with a smile, though it was a bit of an intoxicated smile. He turned enough to kiss Matt back hard and hungry, while he let his hands caress over him, a moan escaping him and he shoved that thought of wrongness away again, finding it annoying.

Matt snorted softly as he let Saffron kiss him again, his own hands busy memorizing the feel of the body beneath them. "I love you, Saffron... " he whispered softly through the kiss as he pushed him down onto the bed. "Please... don’t hate me when you sober up..." he added, kissing him again.

Saffron gave another whimpered pout, wrapping his arms around Matt's neck as he kissed him. "Stop talking, Matt..." He growled softly, kissing him deeply. "Stop talking and just fuck me." He let go of Matt's neck, still managing to kiss him, and squirm out of the boy-legs at the same time, a soft giggle escaping him as he did.

Matt gave a low moan at that and shook his head softly as Saffron squirmed beneath him. He let his gaze slip over him until a hand emerged from between them and the red lace went fluttering to the floor with another giggle from Saffron. Chuckling himself, Matt caught him in another hungry kiss as they maneuvered their way beneath the blankets and back into each others arms, barely breaking the kiss as they did.

Matt shoved all doubts aside as he broke the kiss to kneel between Saffron’s legs, pulling him against him. With another low groan, he pressed himself inside him, his hands going to Saffron’s hips as he pushed harder. "Gods... mine, baby... I want you to be mine... no one else’s..." he muttered softly.

Saffron moaned, arching slightly, allowing Matt to slide in deeper, which only made Saffron moan more. "Gods yus..." He whimpered, biting his fist in effort to try and stay quiet, managing to remember Destin. He pushed back against Matt, urging him to move.

Matt tightened his hold on Saffron’s waist and gave a final thrust, burying himself as deep inside him as he could, moaning at how good it felt. "Gods baby...only you could make me feel this amazing..." he whispered before slipping one hand beneath Saffron to hold him against him. The other hand moved to brace himself on the bed while he leaned down to kiss Saffron hungrily before he started to  move again.

Saffron wrapped his legs around Matt's hips, his own body moving with Matt. His hands went to his back where his nails raked gently as he pressed up against him. "Matt..." He moaned wantonly. He could already feel the orgasm building intensely. "Not gentle..." He managed to beg in a whimper. He didn't want it slow and gentle, something else unlike him.

The feel of Saffron's nails over his skin brought a shudder of pleasure through him and he kissed him again. Taking him at his word, and not sure he could last long at any rate, Matt  kissed him hard and deep as he picked up his pace, using the kiss to keep them both quiet. Within a few strokes, he was already fighting to hold off his orgasm and moaning into the kiss as he struggled to keep his abilities under control as the contact with Saffron sent them reeling.

Saffron had never enjoyed a fast and hard pace as much as he was now, the orgasm building to great intensity. He had to break the kiss, to gasp for a breath and just as he managed to get a breath, his nails bit into Matt's back, scrapping, as he buried his face against Matt's shoulder and neck, stifling the soft cry as he came, the climax so intense, his body spasmed around Matt.

Matt did his best to bite back his own cry as Saffron's nails in his back triggered his own orgasm. He lost track of time as they lay twined together, struggling for breath; faces pressed to each others necks. "Holy fuck..." Matt finally gasped, letting his lips brush Saffron's neck in a gentle kiss.

Saffron's reply to that was a soft giggle, though it was cut off by a yawn. That annoying wrongness was back, and brought with it a faint sense of guilt, but Saffron shoved both aside. He slipped the fingers of one hand through Matt's hair, leaning up to kiss his cheek. "Can I be your lover now?" He asked innocently in a sleepy whisper, kissing Matt's ear.

Matt couldn't help but laugh a bit breathlessly at that, rolling onto his side and pulling Saffron closer. "Yeah sweetheart..." he said softly with a kiss. "You can be my lover now..." he repeated back to him before kissing him again. "Until your father kills me anyhow..." he added with a wry smirk, cuddling Saffron closer and holding him tight.

"Hmph...He wouldn't dare..." Saffron replied with a yawn, snuggling as close as possible to Matt, tucking himself in tiny against him, marveling sleepily for a moment, at how much smaller he did seem, snuggled against Matt. It made him giggle again, even as he closed his eyes, on the verge of falling asleep.

"You're my angel now, Saff. Just mine." Matt said softly, stoking his hair a he held him. "It's going to be so hard to let you go again if you change your mind..." he said with a soft kiss to his forehead. "Don't change your mind, baby..."

"Mmm...don't let me go..." Saffron breathed with a sigh in his sleep, laying his head against Matt's shoulder. He drifted into a deep sleep within moments, a soft content sigh escaping him.

Matt closed his eyes as he listened to Saffron's breathing deepen into sleep and wondered if he'd really just gained the lover of his dreams.... or just lost his best friend. He brushed his lips over Saffron's forehead once more. "Sweet Dreams, angel." he whispered lovingly.


~ ~~

Destin climbed down the stairs, the large zombie plushie in hand. He was an unusual boy; he'd picked up his father's abilities, making him a third generation death knight. And he was oddly aware of not being alone, though he knew it was some one new. Still, he wasn't afraid; Mr. Strauss had tried to explain things to him, but he missed his daddy. He peeked into the living room, but saw it was empty, so instead, he made his way to the kitchen and dining room, still dragging Bob the zombie with him. He came to a stop in the doorway, seeing the tall man with blue hair and the pleasant aura of death. "Llo." Destin said, staring up at the man.

Matt turned from the coffee maker at the voice and looked down to see the young boy looking at him. "Hey." he said simply, not sure how to handle things. He'd never been around kids much, and the ones he had been around were usually during Halloween and the point was to scare them. "I'm Matt." he finally said. "I'm ... Saffron's boyfriend..." he said, blushing slightly at having said it out loud and mentally crossing his fingers that Saffron would be okay with what had happened. "Um... you hungry?"

Destin blinked, still looking at Matt. "I'm Destin." He replied. "And this is Bob." He added, holding up the zombie. He seemed to pause a moment, looking at Bob, before looking back up at Matt. "Saffy? That’s what daddy calls her..." He said, curiously.

Matt smirked, choking back a laugh. "Yeah... Saffy. Bob's nice… I like Bob. You like zombies, Destin? My house has a lot of the same thing as yours does... all the zombies and stuff.... only my house tends to have real zombies too at time..." Matt said then realized he was rambling out of nervousness and sighed. "Come on, Dessie.." he said, pulling out a chair and patting the seat. "Park it and I'll see what I can find for you and Bob for breakfast..."

Destin finally left the door way and headed over to the chair, climbing onto it with Bob. He looked at Matt again. "You're dead." he said, and it wasn't a question. "I can tell...you died 'fore." He added, the same curious expression.

Matt raised an eyebrow at that before remembering Saffron's comment about Destin and his father. "Yeah. I died way back when I just a kid a bit older than you." Matt said softly as he opened cupboards until he found cereal and bowls and poured the kid a bowl. "I'm a necromancer..." he said as he added milk to the cereal and found a spoon for him before turning to pour himself a cup of coffee.

Destin blinked, the expression he looked at Matt with was pure awe. "Oh...you make zombies..." Destin was unusually smart when it came to things about Death. It’s why he knew his daddy was never coming home again, which made him very sad, but he knew there was nothing he could do about it.

Matt pulled out a chair and sat down beside Destin, smiling softly. "Yeah I do. And I know a lot of ghosts, too. My... big sister is a ghost and she likes to hang out at my place and bug me. Maybe you and Saffy can come visit and meet her..." he said softly as he drank his coffee, a part of him wondering if he asked Saffron to come home with him if he would... while the rest of him just tried not to panic and just believe things would be fine.

Destin ate quietly for a moment, his free hand still clutching Bob, before he looked at Matt again. "Am I moving away?" He asked. "I don't wanna move...I don't remember Saffy...'cept she sends me birthday and Christmas gifts...and daddy has pictures o' her."


~~


Saffron frowned, feeling the sunlight hitting him from the window. He could feel a faint headache, and his stomach was cramping. With a sigh, he started to wake up, stretching, only to groan softly. He was unusually sore, especially in his legs...He made himself open his eyes, raising hand to wipe the sleep from them and look around the bedroom. He had no memory of getting up here...or why he was sore. He started to sit up, when he realized he was naked...

Saffron bit his lip hard, trying to remember how he'd gotten upstairs to the bedroom, and how he ended up naked...and sore... Though the thoughts that seemed to answer those questions made him feel like panicking. He couldn't have done that with Matt...could he have? How could he when he was too afraid to tell Matt how he felt...? Matt wasn't in to boys... Saffron forced himself to stop biting his lip and got out of bed. He found his bag on the chair by the door and went over to it, not failing to notice the clothes he'd worn last night were on the floor.

He managed to get dressed, despite being sore. He hesitated for a long moment, before gathering up his clothes off the floor and leaving them on his bag, before he left the bedroom. He paused at Destin's room and saw that he was already up. With a frown and sigh, Saffron headed for the stairs, and started to make his way down. He heard Destin talking in the kitchen  as he reached the bottom step, and he was pretty sure he'd heard Matt. He hesitated for a long moment, feeling the burn in his cheeks and knowing he was blushing...probably darkly, before he managed to take a breath and made his way to the kitchen, trying to hide how sore he was.


~~

"Yeah, Des... you have to move away. You have to go live with Saffy now. I don’t know if...'she'... could move here or what's going on with the house and all that but... well... Saff gonna kinda be your mom from now on... I guess..." Matt said a bit awkwardly, suddenly aware of Saffron's presence growing closer.  With his stomach turning into a knot of worry, he stood back up and poured a second cup of coffee, this one for Saffron.

"Oh..." Destin said, a bit miserable, and went back to his cereal for a moment. "I never had a mom...I had two dads...but I didn't know one...he died." Destin said between bites. Then paused again, looking at Matt. "Are you going to live with us?"

Saffron stopped in the door way, seeing Matt by the counter, and Destin eating at the table. The question escaped him before he could stop himself. "Did you put me to bed last night, Matt?" He asked rather softly

Matt glanced up, caught in mid thought about his answer to Destin. He looked at Saffron a moment, trying to gauge his emotions and decide how to go with this. With a soft sigh, he set the cup of coffee down and went to meet Saffron in the door way. "No angel..." he said softly. "I took you to bed..." he corrected him, one hand reaching out to stroke his cheek softly then leaned in to kiss him tenderly, hoping he wasn't about to get slapped.

Saffron was caught off guard, and he pulled back from the kiss, looking up at Matt wide eyed and a touch frightened. "You...you took me to bed...?" He echoed in an unsure whisper. "You slept with me?! You're not into boys..." The whisper was even softer, his eyes even wider.

Matt swallowed hard, remembering their young audience. "I never planned on last night, baby." he said softly. "I probably would've kept denying things between us a while longer if you hadn't....." he sighed softly and reached out to touch his cheek again. "I love you, Saffron." he said softly.

Saffron continued to stare at him, trying desperately to make sense of things and remember what he'd done the night before. Had he apparently offered himself to Matt...? And had Matt take him up on it? He wasn't sure if he was shocked, or scared by the idea, and yet part of him wanted to remember the details...how it felt. Hearing Matt say he loved him...It was everything Saffron had wanted to hear Matt say for a while now.

Destin had finished his cereal, not really paying attention to Matt and Saffron; he seemed to know when the matters were adult matters. He rather liked Matt though; he was interesting. And nice.

Matt searched Saffron's face for any sign of what he was thinking. "Gods please angel...." he whispered softly. "Don’t regret me. You told me you loved me, Saff... was that true? Or... or were you just drunk...?"

Saffron closed his eyes, trying to make himself remember to breathe. Gods why couldn't he remember?! It was so unfair. To have this happen now, here...With out opening his eyes, he reached up, touching Matt's cheek. His breath was a little hard to catch, but he managed to reply. "I was drunk...I can't remember..." He whispered. "I...I can't..." He had no idea why he didn't tell Matt it was true; that he did love him and had for some time.

Matt's chest squeezed painfully and he reached up to take hold of Saffron’s hand, kissing it lightly. "I'm sorry, angel." he said quietly. "I swear... I never meant to take advantage of you..." he whispered, leaning closer and kissed his ear lightly. "I poured you a coffee..." he said, pulling back and letting go of him, suddenly wishing he'd brought his running gear so he'd have an excuse to run away. "I...I'm goin to go for a walk... let you two talk..." he offered awkwardly. "Des.." he said a bit louder. "How about you help Saffy get something to eat, okay..?"

"Okay." Destin said from his spot, looking up. Saffron opened his eyes, looking Destin's way a moment, giving the boy a small smile, but he looked back at Matt, a slight frown reaching his lips. The idea of Matt taking advantage of him seemed very wrong to Saffron. "Matt..." He started to tell him just that, but wasn't sure how to say it, or if he should...Instead he sighed. "Please...don't be gone long...I still need you..." He added softly.

Matt smiled softly at that. "I won't be. Just need some air." he said. "I told you last night, Saff... you can always lean on me... or cry on my shoulder." he said with a sad kind of smile. He wanted to recapture last night, to see Saffron looking at him that way again... and another part of him wondered if he had it to do over, would he have turned Saffron down... "Why don’t you go meet Bob..?"

Saffron bit his lip, watching Matt a moment, before sighing softly. He was kicking himself, for not telling Matt the truth. Even if he didn't remember last night, it didn't change how he felt about him. "Don't stay away to long..." Saffron said softly, before turning to go over to Destin.

Matt watched him a moment longer before heading outside. As soon as he hit the front steps though, his desire to walk left him and he sank down on the steps where he stood. He closed his eyes, the sudden urge to cry mixing with the need to scream and rage so confusing in him that he almost laughed instead. He'd taken a chance last night opened his heart... and lost it along with all his dreams... along with dreams, that until this morning with Destin, he hadn't even realized he had. For the brief time before Saffron joined them, he'd been wanting the both of them to come live with him.

~~

Saffron had watched him go, before turning to Destin. "Hello Destin." The boy looked up, looking at him a moment, before smiling.

 "Llo. You're Saffy..." He said.

Saffron smiled softly. "Yus, I'm Saffy..." He said softly, remembering the old nickname. He moved over and sat down beside Destin. The boy looked at him a moment, then did something that surprised even Saffron; crawling off his chair, and into Saffron's. Saffron blinked, but wrapped his arms around him, holding him. "I know you miss your daddy, Destin..." He said softly.

Saffron and Destin talked for a little bit, though Saffron did more talking, trying to explain things to him. At least until the phone rang. Destin headed off for the front room to watch cartoons and Saffron answered the phone in the kitchen. Mr. Strauss was on the phone and asked if Saffron wanted to come down to the funeral home. Saffron had to take clothes down there anyway and told him he would be, just to give him a bit of time. Mr. Strauss agreed and hung up. Saffron sighed, and peaked in on Destin a moment, who seemed distracted by cartoon, before Saffron headed back upstairs.

Saffron found an outfit Corey would have approved of, knowing Corey was against wearing black at his own funeral; he'd always been against that. So he found a black pair of trousers and a dark wine colored dress shirt. He knew Corey would have never worn a tie, so he didn’t bother to find one. Sighing, he folded the clothes, making sure the pieces of jewelry Corey would have wanted, were in a ziplock bag on top, and then changed out of the lounge wear he'd been wearing to go down stairs. Still playing the part, Saffron changed into a knee length skirt and a blouse that was deceptive, with ruffles down the front; both of them dark in color, along with a pair of heels, before going down stairs. He hoped Matt would be back soon enough...

With the clothes and the jewelry, Saffron headed back down stairs, thinking he was only going to end up sore from walking in heels, but it kept the illusion. He hadn't decided rather to explain to Destin and how or just... give in and live his life as a girl... like he'd been tempted to more then once lately. He stuck his head into the living room, but saw it empty and tried not to panic, turning and starting for the dining room, when he glanced out the window next to the door, to see Destin and Matt on the porch...

~~

Destin seemed to wait until Saffron had gone back up stairs, before he got up from the floor and made his way over to the front door, along with Bob. He didn't have any trouble getting the door open, looking out to find Matt sitting on the step. Glancing back over his shoulder, Destin made his way out on the porch.

Matt had no idea how long he'd been sitting there staring at nothing when he felt the death sense behind him. Realizing he was about to have company, he sat up a bit and took a breath, only then realizing he had stopped breathing... and that his cheeks were wet. Scowling softly, he scrubbed a hand over his face, wiping away any further trace of tears before glancing over his shoulder. "Hey kid... hey Bob..." he said softly, still slightly amazed at how easy he felt with the boy, despite everything else he was feeling right then. "You guys give Saffy the slip?"

"She went upstairs." Destin said, coming out on the porch more and managing to sit down next to Matt with Bob in his arms. He looked up at Matt, looking at him a long moment. "You need to hug Bob?" Destin asked, holding out Bob. "You loose some one too?" He asked, still offering Bob.

Matt couldn't help the soft smile that appeared at that and he reached over to ruffle Destin's hair lightly. "Thanks, kid... but I'm okay. I'm kinda big too be hugging Bob anyhow.." he said as lightly as he could manage. "I've never been one for getting or giving hugs. Just my sister... and sometimes Saff..." he added a bit softer. "You're lucky."

Destin blinked, hugging on Bob a moment. "Makes me feel better... so maybe Bob could make you feel better." He said innocently. He was quiet a moment, before he stood up next to Matt. "I give you a hug then." He said simply before wrapping his arms around Matt's neck, hugging him.

Matt blinked in surprise at the boy's move but found himself hugging him back, his eyes closed at how good it felt... and how bad it made him feel at the same time. "Thanks, kid..." he said softly, blinking furiously at suddenly wet eyes, determined not to let this get to him.  For a brief moment he'd entertained the idea of being with Saff and helping him raised Destin... of being a second father to the boy... and that brief moment had been enough to make this hurt more then he'd thought possible. He carefully released the boy, blinking his eyes clear as  he did. "So..." he said softly, suddenly aware of a stronger death sense behind him; this one the familiar feel of Saffron that made his chest squeeze painfully. "Saffy needs to do some things today ... maybe we can see if you and me can't find something to do to keep us busy, huh?"

Destin seemed to stay where he was, not minding in the least. "Okay." He said in agreement with a smile. "We can go to the park... daddy used to take me there..." he said, before looking over his shoulder as Saffron opened the front door. He blinked, seeing her with her hair down and in a skirt. It was going to be odd, having a mom. "Matt...Mr. Strauss asked me to come down to the funeral home. I have to take some clothes down there anyway..." Saffron said softly, his tone unsure.

Matt glanced over and caught sight of the skirt, then looked away quickly before answering. "No prob... I'll look after Des while you're busy. You need a ride? We can drop you off on the way to the park..." he said, then added, "Unless you need someone to lean on while you’re there? We can hit the park later...."

Saffron bit his lip, "I think I'd like to have some one there, Matt... though I'm not sure about Destin...maybe you should just drop me off... I can call you when I'm done..."

"I wanna come." Destin said.

Saffron looked down at the boy, before managing to kneel, even in the heels, beside Destin, though he had to put a hand on Matt's should to steady himself. "Destin, sweety...wouldn't you rather go to park?" Saffron asked softly.

Destin looked at him a moment, before shaking his head. He was still leaning against Matt. "We can go with you...and we can all go to the park later...You can come with us to the park."

Matt had his eyes squeezed tightly shut at the feel of Saffron, not only right behind him, but leaning on him. The combination of both of them touching him at the same hit him harder than he'd thought and he made a soft noise, something between a whimper and moan. Clearing his throat loudly to cover the slip, he eased Destin away from him and got ready to stand up. "Let me up, guys..." he said simply. "Dessie... go grab your coat and shoes, okay?" he said, still not able to look at Saffron. "We're coming with you, Saff. Dessie's not like other kids... he's like us. And he has us... He'll be fine."

"We can go to the park after?" Destin asked, looking up at Matt.

Saffron managed to get to his feet, stumbling only slightly in the heels. He looked at Matt a moment. "I know..." He replied softly with a sigh. "If you keep an eye on him...I'll thank you before hand, Matt..."

Matt stood up and reached out to mess up Destin's hair again, still avoiding looking at Saffron simply because he knew when he did, it would hurt. "Sure thing, kid. I said we would.. Go get your stuff so we can go." he said, before answering Saffron. "It's fine, Saff. Don’t worry about it... you do what you need to. The least I can do is keep the kid out of your hair... besides..." he added softly. "He’s a good kid... I like him."

Destin smiled and turned, going back into the house to get his shoes and coat. Saffron watched him go a moment, before looking back at Matt. "He is...and he's already fond of you..." He said softly, turning to go back inside, to help Destin and get the clothes for Corey. But he paused, looking back at Matt a moment. He had to say it, now that Destin was out of hearing range. "Matt...I may not remember, but... you didn't... take advantage of me...You didn't..."

Matt turned to look at him at those soft words and his heart caught at the sight of him. "Yeah I did...." he finally managed to say softly. "I got you drunk and took you to bed... you can't get much worse than that..." he said with a wry smirk as he swallowed hard and brushed past him. "I'll get my boots on and we can go...."

"Matt..." He couldn't argue with him, since he couldn't remember, but it didn't feel that way. "It couldn't have been that way, Matt... it doesn't feel that way..." He replied softly, starting to reach out to stop him. Destin appeared from the living room with his shoes on, though they were on the wrong feet and trying to pull on his coat, while still carrying Bob.

Matt glanced back at him and offered a weak smirk. "You knew I was an asshole from the start, babe." he said softly, before Destin got close enough to hear. "Don't worry... I'm still here for you. Don’t be too surprised if I offer you another drink or two before this is over though…" he added with a bad attempt at a joke before heading past the boy and into the living room.

"Only if you make sure I remember..." Saffron replied loud enough for Matt to hear, before turning to Destin, to see the shoes on the wrong feet. He snorted softly, "Your shoes are on wrong, Des."

Destin looked down at the untied shoes. "Oh..." He climbed onto the stairs to sit and managed to put his shoes on his right feet. Saffron knelt, the knee length skirt riding up on his thighs, and began tying Destin's shoes for him.

Matt paused just inside the living room as he heard Saffron’s reply and felt an odd stutter of hope flare through him. Maybe things would be alright and they would be able to slip back into the friendship easier than he'd thought. It would be harder to be around him without thinking about it, but he could do it. Saff meant too much to him to lose completely... and he found he wanted to be around to help with Destin. He quickly pulled on his boots and snatched his jacket off the chair where it had been tossed and rejoined them in the hall in time to see a glimpse of thigh before Saffron finished with Destin and stood up, smoothing the skirt  back down again. Taking a breath past the lump in his throat the sight had caused, he tried for the light bantering tone they usually shared. "You are one gorgeous lady, Saffy." he said. "Isn't she, Dessie? Got really nice legs too..."

Destin grinned, nodding as he got off the stairs, though Saffron managed to stop him, to get the coat on right. He took Bob long enough to help Destin and shoved the zombie plushie in Matt's arms, giving him a look, though his eyes were sparkling and there was a faint blush on his cheeks. "Thank you..." He replied a touch sarcastic and touch sincere. "Keep it up and you can rub my feet later, after the heels kill them."

Matt held the stuffed toy as he watched them, his smirk growing, despite the surge of feeling that comment brought. "Anytime, babe." he offered in reply, then wondered why he was such a glutton for punishment when it came to Saffron. "Where's the stuff you need to take?" he asked, Bob still in his hands. "I'll grab it for you..."

"Over there..." Saffron said, nodding to the table by the door, where the folded clothes and ziplock bag where. He knelt again, to zip up the coat, thinking the skirt was a bad idea, since when he made that move, it rode up again. He blushed a bit more as he zipped Destin's coat. He decided not to make what ever happened last night a troubled topic; as much as he wanted to know,  he decided that if he had told Matt he loved him, there was no use in really hiding it.

Matt glanced at the pile then looked back to ask Destin where he could find a bag... only to find himself staring at that glimpse of bare leg again. "Uh... Saff..." he said then cleared his throat. "You have a bag for it? Or shall I go check the kitchen...?" he said, hoping he wasn't blushing too much. "You'll need a coat too. It's nice out but there's a bit of a cool breeze..."

"The cabinet, by the fridge, there should be bags there." Saffron said softly, before finishing and standing. "Why don't you go with him, Destin? I'll go get my coat." He added. Destin looked from Saffron a moment, to Matt, before suddenly taking Matt's free hand. "I won’t be long..." Saffron said softly, having the sudden urge to kiss Matt, instead blushed and headed upstairs.

Matt watched her go, rather enjoying the feel of Destin holding his hand…and really enjoying the view of Saffron heading up stairs. With a blush he turned away and handed Destin back the toy. "Here you go... " he said softly. "Come help me find a bag for Saffy, alright?"

"Okay..." Destin said, taking Bob and following Matt to the kitchen. "Saffy says we're going to stay here for awhile...you going to stay too?" Destin asked. "She said we might live here, but she'd have to see..."

Matt felt his heart skip a beat at that. "For a bit, I guess. As long as you and Saffy need me." he said softly as he found the bags and got one. "I have a home of my own I need to look after too... and me and Saffy both have jobs... kinda.." he said softly, part of him wanting to add that he'd give it all up if Saff asked him to stay. "We'll see."

"We could all live here..." Destin said, watching Matt, while he toyed with Bob's clothes. "Could be a family..." He added softly. “Since Saffy's going to be my mom...you could be my dad..."

~ ~

Saffron grabbed the more feminine black short coat from his bag, pulling it on. His mind was on everything going on, and despite how stressful it was, having Matt by his side, didn't seem so bad. He was really going to have to thank him...he'd just have to make sure he wasn't drunk...he blushed at that thought, with a faint smirk, before heading back down stairs, grabbing his messenger bag from the hall table. He heard Destin talking as he approached the kitchen and sighed softly, he was going to have to have another talk with Destin...unless something happened between himself and Matt...

Matt swallowed hard and squatted down in front of the boy. "Des... you have no idea how much I would love that." he said truthfully. "But I think that’s something that will have to wait for a while before we can talk about it, okay?" he said softly. "Plus... while I'd really like to be your dad... you already have a dad. You have two of them. Just because they're not here with you, doesn’t mean you don’t still have them. I wouldn't feel right taking his place so soon. Maybe some day, though. In the mean time... I could be your uncle...Would that be okay?" he asked. "I've never been any one's uncle before either... and we'd still be family..."

Destin looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. You can be my uncle for now." He said. Saffron stopped in the door way, watching the two of them a moment. Destin seemed more comfortable with Matt then with him, but then Destin seemed to prefer the idea of Saffron being his new mom...and Saffron had the feeling he should just leave it that way; no use trying to explain to a four year old he really wasn't a young woman...

Matt smiled softly and stood, suddenly noticing the feel of Saffron close by. Hoping he wasn't blushing and that he hadn't over heard, he turned to leave and saw him watching him. "Hey..." he said softly. "Found a bag..." he said lamely.

"Thank you." Saffron replied softly, deciding to spare Matt any embarrassment. "We should probably get going, I don't want to have to make the lawyer wait too long..." He said, before taking the bag, going back out to the hall to get the clothes. Destin had grabbed Matt's hand again, seeming to stick to him.

Matt followed, Destin at his side. "Yeah... oh shit..." he said softly looking down at Destin. "Hey kid... you got a special seat or something for the car? Like... what do they call 'em.. a booster seat?" he asked as they reached the front hall.

Destin looked up at him, but shook his head. "Nope...I sit still in the backseat...buckled up."

"I can't see Corey having used a booster seat for him after four...and even if he was...it was in the car...that was in the accident..." Saffron said softly, bagging the clothes. "And according to Mr. Strauss, the car was totaled.."

"Oh." Matt said softly. "Damn... I'm sorry... I didn’t think..." he said, reaching out to tentatively rub Saffron's shoulder gently, then gave Destin’s hand a gentle squeeze.  "Well.. let's get going... I think you'll like my car, Dessie. I think Bob will too..."

Saffron smiled faintly weary, at Matt's touch, but grabbed the house keys, and opened the front door. Destin practically pulled Matt outside, still carrying Bob, and Saffron smirked a bit more, watching them.

Matt let the kid pull him along, aware of Saffron following a bit more slowly. The pull on his hand stopped abruptly as Destin caught sight of the hearse parked in the lane way. Matt watched the boy as his gaze traveled over the artwork painted on the sides. "So? What do you think?" he asked softly.

"Wow..." Destin replied softly, staring at it, before holding Bob up to see it. "Bob likes it!" Saffron was forced to laugh softly, pausing behind Matt and Destin. He let a hand rest on Destin's head.

Matt grinned lightly and headed over to unlock the doors, opening the rear passenger side. "Well then... you boys hop in and buckle up then." he said lightly, his gaze flicking to Saffron as Destin scrambled into the car and carefully buckled Bob in first before getting settled in his own seat. Matt shut the door before opening Saffron's for him. "My lady..." he said playfully, his voice soft.

Saffron snorted softly, approaching the open passenger's side. He reached up with out even thinking and brushed the hair out of Matt's face. "Try not to have so much fun with it." He said softly.

Matt couldn't help but smile softly at the touch and catch his hand. He kissed Saffron’s fingers lightly before reluctantly letting go and wishing he had the guts to do more. "How often do I have fun? Shut up and let me enjoy myself... get your cute ass in car..." he said as lightly as he could before heading around to his own side.

~~