Homecoming {Brandon}

Hot air hit Levi like a brick to the face as he stepped out into the parking lot of a crowded Los Vegas airport. The asphalt beneath his feet was baking, waves of heat forming mirages in the distance. Everywhere he looked people rushed around like bugs, intent on their own destinations and problems, ignoring every thing not pertaining directly to themselves. It was easy to blend into the crowd, to stride confidently among the tourists and businessmen, to act as if he was one of them and not who he really was.

Armed only with a backpack, Levi made his way into the long term parking garage. As he walked down the lanes filled with cars he was constantly scanning the interiors, looking for that one idiot who had forgot to lock their door before leaving. Before long he spotted what he needed, and with a confident pull of the handle the door of a nondescript SUV opened. Levi hopped into the drivers seat, grinning at the ease in which he had taken what he needed. Poor bastard would learn to lock his door next time, Levi thought. He was really just teaching the guy a lesson; no harm done.

It was simple to hot wire the car – a skill he had nearly perfected. The engine hummed into action, and Levi drove out of the airport, mindlessly taking turns that would lead to his previous home just outside of the city.

While it certainly didn't feel like coming home, Levi did feel a little less anxious than he had before leaving California a few hours previous. He had been there for nearly three weeks, staying in the house that Glitch and the rest of the girls were living out of. After helping Sally with her little problem, the one that had forced him back to California in the first place, he had decided to stay in the state. It was not like he had a place to go back to in Vegas anymore, anyway. Thanks again, to Sally.

The first week was bearable. He teased Ember, did his best to get along with Glitch and Ghost, and plotted with Sal. Too soon the walls of the house and the crowded streets began to feel like a prison, though, and he started spending more time wandering the city and outskirts with no real destination. He was antsy for action, growing impatient with the calm that had seemed to settle over the little group. During one of his nighttime adventures he met a willing young woman, and went with her back to her apartment, yet left only an hour later in a rush, unable to go through with what she obviously wanted. That wasn't like him. He needed to get out of California.

Now here he was. Levi hadn't told anyone he was leaving, he just up and went. It was a split second decision, as were most of the choices he made.

When he reached the warehouse he knew immediately there would be nothing left for him there. The windows had been shattered, broken glass strewn all over the ground. The front door that had been blown from its frame was still missing, letting all manner of debris and who knew what else inside.

Only slightly deterred, Levi left the car and walked into the building. His eyes went first to a bedraggled kid huddled on the dirty bed. He looked to be in his teens, and for one short moment Levi felt a slight tug at his heart, reminding him of his own life. It passed quickly, though, and he just stared at the boy and motioned to the open door. “Scram, kid.”

The boy scrambled out, obviously afraid of Levi and his imposing glare. After he was gone Levi attempted to sort through the mess of his old home. The place was picked through and it didn't take him long to get frustrated with the situation and storm out, unable to find anything of value left.

Leaving the renovated warehouse, Levi returned to the car and drove away. He supposed he would have to find a hotel to stay in for a while. For now, though, he just cranked up the stereo volume and drove down deserted and increasingly suburban streets. Somewhere in the back of his mind, where things that require serious emotional consideration get pushed to be forgotten, Levi knew all along where he was headed. It shouldn't have been a surprise, then, when the shabby house with the peeling paint came into view. It looked much the same as it did the night Levi had snuck away into the dark, if a bit more welcoming in the morning light.

Sure, his thoughts had drifted to Brandon and the night they spent together over the last few weeks. His thoughts drifted a lot to a lot of things. So what? So what if it was with frightening frequency, and often when he was staring up at the dark ceiling trying to fall asleep? It wasn't like imagining that stupid smile and way those soft curls felt in his hands  was indicative of something more meaningful. Levi just had nothing better to think about, that was all.

Seemingly on its own the car pulled up on the side of the road near the house. Levi left the vehicle, slamming the door on his way out. It crossed his mind that this was a new thing for him to be doing; normally after sleeping with someone Levi had little inclination to see them again. He tried to reason it away in his mind, to say that Brandon was really the only one he knew in Vegas and that's why he was here.

Once he was at the door, he knew there was no turning back. He raised his fist and knocked loudly, getting ready to offer a wide grin when Brandon opened the door, most likely more than happy to see Levi standing there.

Minutes passed. Levi fidgeted on the doorstep, his hands finding his pockets and leaving almost immediately to scratch the back of his neck. What was taking so long? It didn't take that long to answer a door. Maybe Brandon wasn't home, or maybe he hadn't heard the knock. Raising his fist to the door, Levi knocked again, getting impatient.

Brandon was once again in the kitchen, apron tied around his waist, ready to get down to business. The sauce pan sizzling with bacon, filling the whole room with delicious aroma. In another pan he had eggs being stirred together to make scramble eggs, and he just put bread slices in the two slot toaster. Brandon was humming along to Joshua who was singing in the shower. Brandon wasn’t very sure what he was singing because Joshua seem to be saying every other world. It might have been from Panic of a disco, Coldplay or Linkin Park, Brandon could not be certain, but the words he did know, he belted out with such enthusiasm. “Josh,” he yelled, trying to get the boy’s attention through the paper thin walls, over the shower running and Joshua’s singing. “Five more minutes!” If he heard Brandon, Brandon could not tell because right at that moment he screamed “WHORE!” Yup, it was Panic of a Disco. Brandon just smile and shook his head, trying to remind himself to either keep Josh away from his ipod (which was probably virtually impossible) or get age appropriate song on it.

The eggs were done, the toast was crispy than usual and the bacon continue cooking away. Breakfast was almost ready when the door rattle on its hinges by a loud knock to the door. He was so startled, he forgot to grab a towel as he grabbed the hot pan to move it over. “Ouch. Son of…” He danced around in pain, like he was summoning a rain god. He toss the pan to the next burner and ran as fast as he could to the sink, which was just a few feet away and submerged his hand in cool water. He was grumbling under his breath, more like threatening to kill whomever was at the door. Before the throbbing could subside for him to get to the door, he heard, “I’ll get it” from the bathroom. “Josh! No!” Was all he could say, before the room started to spin like a spinning wheel. That wasn’t the worst part as he spun around to see Josh stark naked, his hand already gripping the door knob. “Wait!” But it was too late, Joshua thrust open the door, exposing himself to the unsuspecting stranger.

“JOSH!” “MONSTER!” They both yelled at the same time. Josh ran out the door and threw himself onto Levi, wrapping his tiny arms around one of Levi’s muscular thigh. The pit of Brandon stomach dropped, realizing who Josh was referring too. An inward grown, but it was soon replace with anger, an anger that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He came to the door and with a steady and even tone, Brandon said, “Joshua Noah Conner, come back inside and get dress.” Joshua knew not to disobey when his father used his full name. With his sheepish eyes and pouty lips he trudge back inside. When Joshua passed the threshold, Brandon stepped in the doorway to shield the boy’s bum from Levi. Even though his son wasn’t modest and preferred to run around with no clothes, Brandon was.

Finally, he acknowledge the stranger at the door. It was without a doubt Levi. He couldn’t mistake those tattoos that he delicately traced in the throes of passion, his stern but sensual face, and those piercing eyes. Looking at him made him more furious.

“What do you want?” he said coldly, bandaging his burnt hand in his apron.

Never one to be caught surprised, Levi wasn't fazed to see Joshua answer the door in a flurry of commotion. The boy was dripping wet and bare skinned; it was obvious he had just dashed from the bath to the door.

“Whoa, kid, hey,” he said as the boy latched onto his leg, getting his jeans wet in the process. During the hours he had spent with Josh he had decided he liked him – he had some spirit to him that Levi could admire. He pulled a hand from his pocket and ruffled Josh's hair in an affectionate gesture. “You're gonna get my clothes wet, back off.” Though he motioned for Josh to let him go, Levi did nothing to pull him off.

The sound of movement in the hallway caught his attention and Levi's eyes darted to the man now striding towards him. Before he could speak, though, Brandon had stomped up to the door and banished Josh back into the house, and Levi was left with his entrance barred by Brandon's body. The man was staring daggers at him – a look that Levi had seen many people give to him throughout his life.

Instead of intimidating him, it made him laugh. Did Brandon think he was going to scare him into leaving? Good luck with that. He gave Brandon a crooked smile as he chuckled, not caring in the least about the man's anger. In fact, it only served to stir some base part of him, and Levi was pummeled with the desire to step forward and grab the back of Brandon's neck and kiss him. Showing rare self control, Levi forced himself to remain standing on the threshold and stop laughing.

Settling himself, Levi took a moment to look over Brandon. The man was not expecting visitors, that much was certain. Hair messed, apron tied around his waist; was it early? It must be, but Levi couldn't be bothered to visit at a decent hour. He really didn't know how to behave in this sort of situation. Normal people probably didn't show up on the doorstep of some one night stand's house, did they? Well fuck normal. His absent driving had brought him here, and he was determined to get something out of it.

“I don't know. Breakfast?”

Brandon knew that look, even the laugh was reminiscent of his work at the halfway house for troubled mutants. The satisfactory defiance, that whatever the other person said or did, they were going to do the exact opposite. That was Levi down to a tee. What was worse is that Josh and him were bounding over the no nonsense attitude. He did not know for certain if it was going to corrupt him or make the kid stronger, but at this very moment he did not care. “Breakfast?” he said incredulous about the prospect of inviting him into his home once again. “Haven’t you’ve been served enough meat for one day?”

“Meat!” Brandon just grown inwardly as he turn around to see Josh behind him. Apparently, Levi inspired him to wear his knight’s uniform: white jeans, white shirt, crimson cape and an army hat. He was ready to do battle. But he added another item to his ensemble, which was a tooth brush. Was that supposed to be his sword? Well, Joshua answered that, seeing him stab his teddy bear like it did something wrong. “Yes. Time for breakfast: Bacon, eggs and toast.” His face light up, because it was his favorite thing to eat for breakfast (besides ice cream. Damn Levi!) “Can monster join for breakfast? Please? Please? Please!” Joshua resorted to bouncing up and down with the begging look on his face, the way a puppy gets waiting for their owners to throw scraps of food to them. It was hard to say no to the little guy and after all it was his birthday, so he stepped aside.

“Yaaay!” Josh said running up to Levi, grabbing on of the man’s massive hands and pulling him towards the kitchen counter top. “Come on monster! Hurried it up before it gets cold.” He had a sinking suspicion that Levi wasn’t going to leave right after breakfast. Brandon close the door behind, before returning to the kitchen to serve three plates, as he listen to Joshua chatted away to Levi. He handed the first plate to Joshua. Even when his mouth was full of eggs, he continue to chatter away. It was the first time in a long time he held a conversation with someone that wasn’t himself. “And then. And then BAMMM!” Joshua threw his hands up, flinging his fork around that had douse ketchup eggs onto Levi’s shirt.

“Joshua,” he said withholding his laughter, but a smile he couldn’t suppress. “What have I told you about being animated while eating?”

“Only throw food at people you don’t like?”

“No…What?” Joshua just laughed returning to his eggs. Finally the toaster popped up with the second round of toast, he handed the plate which had bacon, eggs, toast and mix fruit to Levi, before adding his serving of toast into the toaster. “Eat up,” was all he said and Joshua was happy to oblige.

The last plate of bacon and eggs with fruit for the side laid forgotten on the kitchen counter, because Brandon stepped out of the kitchen for only a moment. He went passed Joshua's bedroom which looked like a toy junk yard that he promise to clean up, but never did, to his room. Moments later he return with a plain white t-shirt, black jeans and his college leather jacket, that seem worn but functional. "Here," he said laying it over the chair behind Levi and Joshua, who was munching on bacon, egg sandwich with his fingers. "Wait till you finish eating before putting these on. Joshua is bound to get more ketchup on your clothes."

"Nah. Uh!" Joshua protested as a glob of ketchup from his bacon and egg sandwich fell onto his shirt. "Oh," was all he said realizing the truth but not really caring as he devoured the next slice.

Obviously Levi has miscalculated the effect his sudden reappearance would have on Brandon. He had expected to be let back in immediately, and for all to be forgiven, because really, what was there to forgive? It stuck him odd how Brandon looked at him as if he were some unpleasant bug, and honestly it struck a nerve. He was just about to give the man a piece of his mind when Brandon spoke up again.

Levi didn't bother to contain his laughter at Brandon's scathing remark. The old man was more of a firecracker than Levi had thought. He responded with a wink and a smile that only cemented what was now on his mind. “Not yet, but the day's not over.”

Before he could zip off to another topic, Joshua was back. It looked like Levi was going to get breakfast after all, as the kid seemed determined to invite him inside. Watching him bounce up and down and plead, Levi gave Brandon a look of triumph knowing he was not going to refuse his son. Brandon stepped aside without a word, and Levi once again got to enjoy the feeling of getting what he wanted.

He flinched away from Joshua's hand at first, reacting before he knew what he was doing. But the kid wasn't another cop or mobster out to get him; he was just a boy. He relaxed his posture, which had become rigid, and this time allowed Joshua to grab onto his hand. As he let himself be led into the small house, Levi took note of the clothes Joshua  had decided to put on. “Nice look, kid. I dig the cape. Got one in my size?”

Sitting at the counter Levi realized he was hungrier than he thought. When was the last time he had eaten? It was another thing he tended to forget to do, as he was always in the middle of something else. When he did, though, Levi ate like a starving man. His body required a lot more energy than most people's, as he was always moving. He could devour a meal made for four with little trouble.

While he waited for the food he attempted to focus all his attention on Joshua. The kid was actually pretty cool for a tiny human. He liked the energy he had, as it matched his own. Joshua talked a mile a minute, but Levi was able to keep up easily. It reminded him how he was as a kid, and even still was occasionally. His eyes only darted to Brandon a handful of times, and then only for the slightest of seconds.

Joshua had just finished a big story when he splattered food on Levi. He jumped back in his chair quickly, making it so the eggs caught his shirt instead of his face. It seemed Levi couldn't win them all. He didn't let it bother him, though, and continued on after Brandon's lecture as if nothing had happened.

“You think that's tough? Listen to this – I knew a guy who had to kil- uh, he had arrest some other guy who could breathe fire. Like a real dragon. Real pain in the ass too. Still owes me money. Never getting that back now I guess.”

When Brandon all but slammed a plate in front of him, clearly still sour about Levi's presence, he was more than happy to eat every last thing on the plate. He watched out of the corner of his vision as Brandon retreated to the back of the house and returned a moment later, clothes in his hands. “What, you think I'm not used to wearing dirty clothes or something?” He was thankful, though, as even though he didn't mind the stain on his shirt, he had not thought to bring any clothes with him from California. Just another thing that he never thought about.

As he finished eating Levi smirked over at Brandon, ready to start giving the man more of his attention. “Where'd you learn to cook? Single daddy 101?”

Brandon was toeing a fine line between wanting to strangle Levi, which he doubt he could unless they were BDMS role playing, and trying to set a good example for his son. But Levi was trying to get under his skin, and it was working. Even his simple question rubbed him the wrong way like a bad rash. Brandon for the life of him could not explain why Levi irritated him so. He had one night stands before, He probably was that guy once or twice in his life time, so why was he so heated with him. A fury of retorts came to him, but he bit his tongue so his son did not witness his indiscretion, but that didn’t mean he did not show his contempt. His ice glare at Levi’s childlike mischievous glee. His set jaw clench so he did not put more putrid bile into the atmosphere. All of this was were signs of his distaste for Levi.

Joshua on the other hand was happily eating his breakfast, while swiveling in his chair like a merry-go-round. “Josh,” Brandon said ever so gentle compared to the cold as ice vibes he was giving to Levi. “I am going to take a shower bud. Eat up and be ready when I get out. Okay, buddy?” Brandon was holding on the bar stool to hinder Joshua’s swiveling so he was forced to make eye contact. Joshua just nodded his head in agreement. Flecks of eggs tumbled from his chin and onto his Knight in shining armor uniform. “You goofball,” he said tussling his hair with one hand, reaching for a napkin on the counter to brush his face off. He only glanced at Levi for a fleeting moment, before returning to his son’s needs. “Also, say goodbye to your friend as well. Got that?” Before Joshua could protest, Levi to give a snarky retort Brandon disappeared back into the hallway and took the first right into the bathroom.

Joshua tilted his head curiously at his monster. “HEEYYY!” he yelled to get the man’s attention. “What did you do to make daddy angry?” he asked in a whisper tone. Holding his hands up to his mouth as if the walls had ears to eavesdrop, which they did. You heard everything in these paper thin walls. Voices, noises and of course the bathtub running. “Did you poop on the carpet?” He said jokingly, confusing a pet dog with his monster.