[discontinued] I'm Listening... (Book 4 of the Can't Say series.)

Chapter 21

"I thought we were done with her. "

"We are. She had to ask something. "

"What did she say? "

"Avi, Daniel wants to see you--"

Kevin felt his blood boil.

"What?! "

The trio were in shock. Mitch looked at Avi, knowing it was his decision, with pleading eyes.

"Avi? "

He turned to look at the Italian.

"Please don't tell me you'll do it. "

"... maybe, i dunno... "

"Why?! Avi he ruined you! "

"But he built me up too. Made me who I am. He seems like a bad person but... "

"But?! "

"Oh Avi do not tell me you're considering this. "

There was a sickly silence, Avi picked his phone off the table.

"What are you doing? "

He looked up at his sister. Dead in the eye while he stood to leave the room.

"Calling Kia. Tell her I'll do it. "

"What?! "

"Avi you are not serious! "

"Yes I am serious. He has done unforgivable things but that doesn't define him. "

"This is DANIEL WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AVI! "

"You haven't seen what I've seen, alright? "

He went to leave but was pulled back by Esther.

"Avi please consider what you're doing or the position you're putting yourself in. "

"I did. I have a call to make. "

He left the room and opened his contacts.

"Avi. I've been expecting a call from you. I assume Esther told you? "

"She did. "

"Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if you say no but I wanted your word and not Esth-"

"I'll do it. "

"-and hon-- wait what? "

"I'll do it. I'll go see him. "

"Wait really? Oh ok. When? "

"Well were touring now... We should be done in about three months. "

"Oh ok yeah, sure. I'll let Daniel know then?"

"Let him know. "

"Thanks, Avi. Good bye. Enjoy the rest of your tour by the way. "

"I will, thanks. "

He hung up and walked back inside. Looking at the faces on his band mates and sister.

"It's done now. You can't scold me for that."

"I can. But I won't. You know I was right about you. "

"What? I forgive to easy? "

"No. You're gullible. And shamefully naïve."

Esther left the room, much to the disapproving noises of Scott.

"Wow... I'm shook. Avi don't listen to--"

"No, Scott. She's right. "

"Av--"

"They all are. I'm gullible, naïve, weak, defenceless, incapable, submissive--"

Kevin couldn't bare his boyfriend talking bad about himself. He got up from the chair and walked over to him, resting his hands on his shoulders.

"Hey. Stop that, alright? You're not... all those things. "

"Yes I am she said it herself. I going back to the bus. "

He pushed Kevin's hands off him and walked out the door. Kevin looked at the trio.

"That was uncalled for. "

"Well what do you expect from him his--"

"Not Avi. Esther. She didn't have to be so harsh. I'm gonna go talk to him. "

Kevin left and the trio soon after, collecting all the things left behind. Kevin made his way to the bus and found Esther in the kitchen.

"Yes Kevin? "

"Yknow you've upset him right? "

"It's true! They hurt him he falls apart we spend ages trying to build him back up and he goes crawling back to them as!!! "

"He isn't gullible though. That's not gullible. That's forgiving. "

He walked off to the bunks and heard light sniffles and knew it was Avi. He pulled the curtain back and slipped in next to him wrapping an arm around him as he closed the curtain again.

"what? "

"you know that saying ‘Head over heart every time. ’? "

"yeah. that's not me, kev. "

"i know. you have an overly large heart. you let your heart do the talking and you know what? "

"what? "

"that's what i admire and love about you, avi. you don't give into that ‘toxic masculinity’ stuff, you express your true feelings and open your heart to the world."

He flipped him into his other side so he could see his tear-stained face. He brushed a loose strand of hair out his face while he talked.

"you show how you feel, you're not afraid to cry, laugh, scream, yell. you wear your heart on your sleeve. you're true to you, and the world. and that's all that matters. you're a role model to all men. and to me. i admire you, avi. and i love you, so much, my love. "

He was still crying but because Kevin's words were so strong. He felt every one. He sniffle and pressed his forehead into the nigerian's chest, feeling his thumb come up to his face to wipe a tear from it.

"don't cry, babe. i love you"

"... i love you too, kevvy... "

Kevin scooped him into his arms as he fell asleep. He stayed cuddling the green-eyed man in his arms even as he slept.