I look over at the alarm clock and realize, it's already ten thirty am. All three of us had a hard time sleeping last night. Ter and I stayed up comforting our  lover, Sky, who cried for hours. When he finally fell asleep it was long after twelve, and still, both Ter and myself were wide awake, agonizing about what had been. For a while we spoke in hushed tones, how could we start building up our lover's self-worth?

He had been working until a couple of months ago, and that had helped. he had his own money and spent it as he saw fit, within reason of course. He at times would go to the grocery store and stock up the place, usually against our wishes. Both Ter and myself earn enough to keep us all more than comfortable; yet, Sky always insisted on using his own earnings, he wanted to contribute.

It was all going well, except for the few arguments when, Sky would loose his temper,  and ended up with his butt throbbing, his mouth full of suds, and his face wet from tears.

Sky's last day at work was horrible. Ter decided that Sky should not take the bus. He was worried because of a snowstorm warning. So Ter left to pick him up and bring him home a little earlier. As he approached Sky's work place, he saw the boss by the window, he was enraged, and yelling at Skyler, who was looking down at his shoes, completely shamefaced.

Ter entered the shop and rung the small bell on the counter, he had not been noticed. Both men looked up, but their expressions were very different, Sky's seemed terrified, while the boss'  showed complete hate for the person before him.  

Ter's reaction was immediate, "Sky get your things, we are going home. Mr. Smalton, please find someone else for Sky's place."

"You are doing me a favor. I took this imbecile on because his former land lady asked me to. She wanted to get paid. He is slow and stupid and cannot even perform the simplest tasks. He can't sell, change stock, or even give change. Simply put a hindrance."

Mr. Smalton learned to fly. At any other time, Ter would just be civil, to the point, and thorough. On this day; however, someone had yelled, called names, and completely insulted our brat. Did I mention, we are both very protective of Sky?   

Our young lover isn't a dummy, but he does learn things differently. Maps and numbers don't make sense to him, but show him a poem or tell him of a thought, and one can see his eyes widening, his mind embracing it completely. He possesses a beautiful mind. He is capable of such complex thinking, that at times, both of us spend hours trying to comprehend it; however, what is logic to us at most times makes no sense to Sky.

We have spent hours explaining to Sky that just because he doesn't like my brother, it doesn't mean he can ignore him when he visits. He is absolutely unspoiled, hypocrisy is a complete foreign identity to him. In a ideal world it would be a quality, but in this world, a certain "fake" attitude is required. Sadly he must adapt to our shortcomings.

Over and over again, it has been brought to his bottom's attention that complete honesty isn't always appreciated. "Mar, her dress was hideous, and she did ask for my opinion. You said so." Sky yelled out, as he was being lectured on his response to a guest. At the time, Sky had responded with brutal honesty. He did get punished, he was grounded for one week, and had to write an essay on society's  expectations. Both Ter and I cried when we read it. It was so funny. He completely lacks the ability to understand society's wicked ways. He is an innocent.

                                    ************************************

I have been up for hours now. Mar and Sky seem to need the extra sleep so I  let them sleep in. I am going to make our brat's favorite breakfast, strawberry pancakes, with real strawberries on top. I imagine that he will need some extra care and loving this morning.

Last night was horrible for all of us. I am sure he felt betrayed. For months, Mar and I have been telling him that family is to be trusted. It hasn't been easy, he doesn't have any family, except parents who left him with a neighbor when he was five, promised to return within two days, and never came back.

Mar's brother screwed up immensely. At the time, he probably thought it would be funny. I am sure he never thought that our love would go to such extremes to prove himself, but this is an eighteen year old, who has never been offered a kind hand. To our Sky everything has a price and proving yourself, even to the ones you love is necessary. 

Last night Mar and I spoke. We came up with a plan of attack, it will be brought to Sky's attention today. We won't be budging, both Mar and I have decided that Sky will start school, his GED actually. He never finished high school, and now, since he is already eighteen, getting a GED is the best alternative. We are not simple minded, and are both aware a war will be taking place soon.

The second part to our plan has to do with a job. At this time Sky isn't equipped to deal with strangers in the work place, he lacks the fine social tuning. We both believe school will be a big help in that front. But until then, he will be working at the house and getting paid for it. Our home is huge, between the garden, pool, six bedrooms, three point five bathrooms, a huge basement, the mother of all kitchens, and two family rooms, he will be a full time employee. On the plus side, we can keep an eye on him, and when he has too much homework, he can just do the work later.

I am not, however, naive enough to believe that this will go down smoothly. If I know my brat, he will yell, throw tantrums, and try to hide from us, probably by locking himself somewhere. Did I mention my first activity this morning? I am in possession of about twenty two keys, not mentioning the spares. 

                                 ******************************************

I will never sit again!!! what did they do to me? I have been awake for a little while, but am trying to decide on the danger factor, is it elevated or has it evaporated? I am on my stomach, big surprise there, and can feel warmth to my left, but my right side feels kind of cool, Ter must be up.

"Open your eyes angel, I know you are awake," Mar says as he gathers me closer to his side.

He starts stroking my hair and soothing me with his touch. My head is lying on his left shoulder and he has moved a little to his left side, so that he can have better access. His right hand moves from my head and goes under the blankets, soon it starts stroking my back. It feels so good, but then he reaches lower, and it feels like my butt is on fire, "Mar please stoppppp, it hurts, please!!"

As I say those words, Mar pushes me gently away, and reaches for the blankets. I guess he wants to look closer at their masterpiece.

"Sky blue, your butt is really red, I am going to put some lotion on it. It will cool you down honey."

Mar gets up and walks into the adjoined bathroom. He spends an enormous amount of time in there, but finally walks out with a resigned look on his face.

"Sky, we run out of the unscented stuff and everything else we have you are allergic to, I am going to look in the other bathrooms and will return soon." Mar says as he leaves our bedroom.

I am so anxious. I am still waiting for one of them to start screaming and throw me out of the house. I have been so selfish and mean. I left their home without even bothering to write down my plans. They found out where I was only when I called them, at two in the morning nonetheless.

"Stop, I can hear you thinking from the backyard."

"morning Ter, where is Mar?"

"He left the house and went to buy some unscented lubriderm for you sweet. I am here to tempt you with breakfast." Ter replies with a big smile. Hmmm I wonder what he means by breakfast.

"Just strawberry pancakes you mischievous brat."

"You made your pancakes? the fluffy ones, the good ones?"

"Now be nice, when you say the good ones, you are insulting everything else I make." I say, as I look into the eyes of my sweet brat. He is so easy to please. Sometimes just from a simple smile or a kind word, he brightens and responds as if he has been handed  the stars.

"sorry, but your best dish is those pancakes." Sky answers with a gentle smile that show the dimples in his cheeks and enhances the green of his eyes.

"yes, you are absolutely right, but that apology of yours lacks sincerity, keep this up and I will be exercising my finger tips in your ribs."  As I say these words, Sky visibly relaxes and starts cracking up.

"I am verrrrryyyyy sorryyyyy." He giggles at me. He is anything but sincere in this admission. While he is claiming his sincerity, he moves his arms to cover his extremely sensitive ribs. Yep, he is asking for a good tickling. I shall not disappoint.

I start by tickling his stomach and the squeal  I get is enough of a reaction for payment concerning all the hurt to my pride. I keep on because it just feels good having him so carefree. He fidgets like a swimming seal, and his breathes are coming in short gasps, but he is happy.

He stops fidgeting and just looks into my eyes. As I see his gaze, all tickling comes to an end and I gather him into my lap. The only sound of distress comes from Sky, when his butt makes contact with my thighs, but he hugs me back. All form of speech  escapes me, for I have just fully realized that Sky is safe.

"Ter, too tight, please?"

"I am sorry sweet, let me hug you for a couple of minutes?"

My embrace becomes looser, I don't hear anything else from Sky as I keep on hugging him close to me.  It feels as if I have been handed a second chance with him. The thought of our circle being broken....Sky touches my mind.

With his ever present good timing, Mar enters the bedroom. I really don't want this to escalate, we have other things to do, like talking to Sky, and calm him after he explodes. Hopefully, all this will be done today. Fine, I am being ambitious.

                                       *******************************

I have the feeling my entrance was at a great time. Ter is looking a little emotional and Sky looks as if he would like to comfort our lover, but doesn't know what to do. Ter doesn't need to be comforted, Sky is sitting on his lap, that's all the reassurance needed.

"ok guys let's break it up. Have you had breakfast?"

My question is directed at both of them, but I only make eye contact with Ter, our brat has adjusted his position and is still sitting on Ter's lap, but with his back to me, and doesn't seem to have intentions of leaving it anytime soon. By turning his back, he thinks my unpleasant comment will go away.

"Get of his lap Sky. You do realize I have perfect access to a certain part of your body, right?"

Sky reluctantly moves from Ter's lap and turns around to face me. He looks at me noticing the bottle of cream in my hand. He walks closer and lifts his hand silently asking for the lotion.

"Sky Blue, turn around I will put it on you."

"No way, every time you see my butt, even when covered, you want to hit it."

"I wasn't going to spank you, I just wanted you to move, and voila, it worked."

As I say those words, I feel a smile spreading over my face. Sky; however, pouts at my reaction.

"It wasn't funny. I am really sore and any threat makes me nervous." 

"If you are over protective of your backside, chances are you will keep it out of trouble." Ter chimes in to the dismay of his brattiness.

Sky eyes move from us to the floor. I think we just committed a fatal error, he is looking guilty and sad.

"Honey, what's the matter? please look up."

Ter's request goes unanswered, so I move my hand under Sky's chin and lift it. It is complete misery that I find in that beautiful gaze. Once again the uncertainty of his place in the relationship comes to the forefront, and what was simply playfulness in our part has cause hurt to our lover.

"Skyler, I want you to stop thinking and start talking." Ter says calmly but with a firm tone to his voice.

"Why do you bother, wouldn't it be much easier if you didn't have to deal with me?"

"Love."

At the word Sky makes eye contact with first Ter and then myself, waiting for either one of us to elaborate, but the word will be our answer to our brat any time doubts emerge. We spoke about it, long conversations won't convince Sky, but he understands love, he feels it too. It might just work.  And yes, there it is a blinding smile from our lover. He does understand, now it will be a matter of time until it sinks in.

                                             ***********************

Sky is eating his strawberry pancakes and at the same time making  satisfied sounds. He complained about using the microwave to re-heat them, to the dismay of Ter,

"We cannot microwave them, they will taste as horrible as everything else Ter makes."

He wasn't aware that his comment could hurt Ter's feelings, I stepped in and spoke loudly,

"rudeness is not allowed Sky. If you are going to coldly hurt Ter's feelings, after he spent over an hour making those pancakes, you may as well stay quiet and let the slipper do the talking, got it?"

As I mention our lover Ter, Sky looks at him. Instantly, Sky's eyes fill with tears. He runs to Ter, links his hands around his neck, and starts sobbing.

"I am sorry, I didn't think. Thank you. Please don't be mad."

Again, Sky's forthcoming attitude towards others makes an appearance. His comments are never meant with the intent to hurt, but nonetheless, they do. He rarely thinks thoroughly how words can be interpreted, and the possible double meanings. In this case, I know he was joking, but the timing was off. He didn't realize that both his tops were preoccupied with something, our upcoming conversation, and was unaware of the tension in the kitchen.

He is still crying over causing hurt to Ter. Our Sky lacks the understanding of changing moods and feelings. He cannot read people's facial expressions if they change suddenly, and sarcasm is beyond him, he can; however, understand joking, and playfulness.

The misunderstanding in the kitchen over the pancakes, wasn't Sky's fault. He was still in a playful mood, but because Ter and I are worried, we were temporally out of tune with our brat. We are definitely to blame. His breathless sobs don't make me feel any better. 

"honey, stop crying, we misunderstood your comment. Shhh no reason for tears, all is well. Take deep breaths and relax, we have much to talk about, OK?"

Sky looks up uncertainly and waits for me to explain.

"Sky blue, Ter and I want to talk about certain things, but don't worry, these changes are meant to improve our lives, not make them more difficult, so stop bitting your lip."

                                            **********************

Sky is finishing his breakfast, both Mar and I are driven to his features. Every time he eats something that he finds enjoyable, his whole _expression changes, it becomes one of absolute pleasure. Because of his reaction, I try to make those pancakes at least once a week. It is worth it.

He is putting his plate in the dishwasher, and turning around to face us. We are both seated and waiting for him to settle down, so that we can talk.

"Ok, what do you want to talk about?"

Our brat's preference has always been in favor of  the direct approach. He might be scared, but when cornered, he faces his fears.

"Sky...Mar and I have been talking about your future and decided that some changes are necessary. At any given time, you would be consulted and your own decisions would account for a large part of the changes made, but this time, it won't be the case. These changes will come to be. You might not like it, but your well being is at stake and; therefore, we won't budge."

As I say those words, Mar looks at Sky, who keeps looking at us both, waiting for some words to clarify what I just said.

"Sky, the changes that we want to implement involve two things. The first, is your going back to school, and the second would keep you at home...."

Mar's explaining is interrupted by Sky's blunt reply.

"NO"

"Sky, I don't think you understand, this isn't open for discussion, you however, should let Mar finish what he was saying."

They look at me, Mar waiting for confirmation to go on, and Sky with an indignant look in his face.

"So what am I suppose to be, the boy toy Mar's brother tells me I am?"

All this is shouted. Mar is the first to react. He is a passionate man with a temper, he will never hurt our brat, but his words sometimes can freeze the person responsible for his displeasure. Expecially if his/her butt are on the line. 

"You might not like it, but it will come to pass. Meantime I suggest you listen because, you have already earned yourself lines, and corner time, don't turn this into a spanking too, I don't think your butt can take it after last night's little adventure."

Mar is not faking his upset. He is controlling himself with the brat as not to scare him further, but I know how capable he is of making anyone feel one inch tall if he chooses to.  Sky is looking upset too, but for different reasons. He is afraid and dispirited by the recent events, and isn't making eye contact, just looking down at his hands.

"Now as I was saying, we want you to stay home, and look after the house. You will get paid, after all, it is hard work. Sky, you might not be aware, but the work you will be doing is a lot more tiring than what Ter and I do everyday. There isn't anything wrong with working at home. It does not make you into a boy toy as you so eloquently like to put. We want you at home so that you can concentrate in your studies. School will always come first."

"Honey, think about it. If you get a job elsewhere, you will get minimum wage. I am sure you don't want to work the rest of your life for almost nothing. We want what's best for you, and at this moment having you attending school is the right choice. We want you  to feel happy and fulfilled, and working at a deli will always leave you unsatisfied. Mar and I didn't interfere before, because we wanted to give you some time, but over the last few weeks, you have become increasingly unsure of your place in the relationship. School and work will make you feel better about yourself, and in time you will realize how much we need you."

I say this rapidly to avoid any interruptions from Sky. He is still looking down obviously uncomfortable with eye contact.

"Please look up, honey. I know you are confused with everything, but Mar and I want to give you a future."

"Why would you?"

As he otters those words he looks up. What I see at that moment will stay with me forever, his eyes are soulful, haunted, and brimming with unshed tears. Why would we indeed? when his own mother and father abandoned him. His parents did care for someone, his two older siblings. They took his brothers but left him at a neighbor's house. I know his thoughts at this moment, if his own parents dropped him, why wouldn't we, and why are we offering what others haven't, and lastly what is the price?

"Sky, there's a difference between us and your lost relatives, we love and care for you. I cannot imagine going on living without you by my side, and I know the same goes for Mar."

As I say those words, Sky crumbles, he screams, and with his hands hides his face from us. Still I can see the tears licking through his fingers. He is wailing and Mar gets up from his chair and moves towards Sky.

Mar reaches with his hand touching Sky on his right shoulder. At the contact, Sky looks up, sees his beloved Mar, and launches at him. For a few seconds, Mar stumbles backwards to catch his balance. He wasn't prepared for Sky to wrap his legs around his waist and his arms around his neck, but now that he has caught himself, he puts his hands just below the Sky's butt to support him.

Sky is crying on Mar's shoulder, his face completely hidden from view.

"Ter, I am going to take Sky to the family room, come along love?"

"Sure, do you need help carrying him?"

"No it's fine, his weight is spread evenly."

We sit on the large couch and wait for our brat to look up and acknowledge us. We are giving him some time to recover, since he is still crying...he is crying softly, as if coming to terms with what has happened, hopeful those tears will start the healing of previous hurts. Even if the healing has begun, we still have hard work ahead, we are going to be his lovers and to a certain degree his parents. We are going to set to rights what was done wrongly, many years ago.

"Sky, honey please look up. Can you talk to us?"

Mar follows his words with action and moves Sky's head slightly. He is sound asleep.

                                      ********************** 

I come awake gasping...Did it happen or was it a dream. The reaction that I get from my sinus tells me, it is definitely real. Shit, I acted like a big baby, and cried like one too. But, they love me. So what is a little tears. They have always treated me with so much care. I am undecided about school. Maybe if I give it a try, when they talk about their chosen professions, I could step in too and not feel so out of place.

My brain is all over the place and my thoughts don't make any sense. I am going to find Mar and Ter.

                                            ******************

Ter and I are in the kitchen sipping coffee and eating a slice of carrot cake, when Sky walks in. His face is a little pink, he is looking around bashfully. He is so cute like that.

"Come here brat and give me a hug, I am feeling a little neglected."

Ter says with a smile. Sky steps into his arms and settles on Ter's lap.

"Ter....?"

"hmmm?"

"I was thinking...maybee...I mean...could I give it a try and if I don't like we change it a little?"

These words that pass between Ter and Sky, are whispered into each other's ears, and I almost missed them, except that I have moved to their side of the table, and have been rubbing Sky's back for a couple of minutes. Jackpot, our Sky wants to compromise. At this moment I am so proud of him. Even though, he is terrified, he is willing to try. My baby is so strong.

Ter looks at me, over Sky's shoulder, if his smile is any indication, he has just eaten the cream and the canary.

"Honey, you don't know how happy you make me. I love you so much, my sweet brat."

"yeah, what Ter says, and I can also tolerate you." I say winking at Ter, Sky turns around to give me a glare.

"Now give me a kiss to seal the deal?"

"you are mean Mar...that's not nice picking on me like that."

"Admit it, you love when I mess with you."

"Not answering."

"Sky we want you to start school in a month." Talk about an abrupt ending to bunter. Ter still has it, always stick to the business at hand.

"Ok...I guess, can you help registering and stuff?"

"We most certainly help, in fact Sky, I was thinking of giving you a pad and a pen so you can start to practice, and while you are at it, you can write the lines I promised you. And later there will be corner time, also promised as I recall."

"Mar, that's cruel. Don't you love meeeee?"

"You know I do, and because I love youuuuu, I will enforce discipline, now get up and get to it."

Sky is moving with a large degree of reluctance from Ter's lap, deja vu, but finally he gets up, and starts walking towards the desk to gather paper and pen. He is moving slowly, so I aid his efforts by planting my palm on his rear hard, the message has been delivered and received loudly.

                                       **************************

While Sky writes his lines, "I am not a boy toy because Mar and Ter say so", a hundred times, Mar and I are preparing dinner and planning Sky's' integration to school and chores. It is going to be a bumpy road ahead, but Mar and I will be there to support Sky the whole way. There will be punishment and consequences to his actions, but our love will never falter, and Sky's second chance will never be taken away, he has earned it.

TS