Chapter Eight #3
What was happening right now? Aiden stared curiously at the outfit on the bed before him.
They’d done bath time, a relaxing one that, unfortunately, didn’t lead the same direction as bath did last night, and after drying him very thoroughly, Daddy had led him back into the room.
But there, on the bed, sat one of the few suits Aiden owned instead of pajamas.
“Ummm,” Aiden ventured, “I think that would be a bit uncomfortable to sleep in, Daddy.”
“I think you’re probably right, baby.”
That was all Daddy said as he took the crisp red shirt off a hanger and approached Aiden.
No explanation, not even a hint of what was happening in his expression.
It was far too late in the evening for dinner, besides, they’d eaten right before bath time.
He didn’t know of any shows playing tonight that either would be interested in seeing, so that wasn’t it.
At least, he didn’t think it was. Daddy didn’t go half way on making dreams come true so if he was going to take him to a Broadway show, no way would he make it an inferior one.
So, what was happening? Aiden had apparently followed instructions while racking his brain for the right answer because Daddy declared him perfect and kissed his cheek before heading to the other suit and getting himself dressed.
Huh. Whatever it was, it must be special because Aiden had never seen Daddy in a suit before.
If he had, he knew he’d never forget the sight.
It was magnificent. His tall, broad frame sported the look as if he’d been made for it.
There was no mistaking that under it he was a sight that would make the gods weep with envy and certainly made Aiden drool with lust. Who knew he had a fetish for a man in a suit?
Though, honestly, not just any man. Aiden had a fetish for Rocky in a suit.
So much so that he discreetly wiped his lips to make sure he wasn’t literally drooling.
Daddy led him to the bathroom, when he styled Aiden’s usually unruly hair. How did Daddy get it to behave? Was it a Daddy trick? Did he just give the hair a Daddy look and it fell in line? Sure, it worked on Aiden every time, but who knew it worked on his hair, too?
Looking into the mirror, Aiden took in the full picture of the two of them.
Himself, dressed in a black suit with a red shirt and green tie and pocket square.
Fancy. And his Daddy, also dressed in a black suit but with a green shirt and red tie and pocket square.
Drool-worthy indeed. Then, he noticed what his Daddy had done.
They were coordinated. He’d made sure that, wherever they were going, everyone would know they were together.
They were that disgustingly happy couple who matched themselves up and declared to the world how perfect for each other they were.
Aiden had always wondered about those couples and why they would do that.
Now, he might even get it. There was something about knowing that anyone looking would know without words that Rocky was his that just did something for Aiden.
As they headed out to their destination, Aiden didn’t bother asking questions.
He knew by now that it wouldn’t do any good.
He was glad he hadn’t wasted the effort when Daddy went so far as to hand a paper to the cab driver rather than voice their destination where Aiden might hear.
So, he simply sat back and prepared to enjoy the view.
He didn’t get long to look however, because Daddy grabbed his attention only a couple of minutes into the drive.
“There’s only one way this will work tonight, baby. So, I need you to listen closely.”
Aiden immediately sat up straighter. Any time Daddy got that voice he wasn’t playing around and it usually involved something that could harm him mentally or physically if he didn’t follow instructions, so his ears were now tuned and ready.
“Where we are going will have some quiet moments, and some extremely loud ones. So, I have brought two sets of ear plugs. One that softens the noise, like we’ve been using this trip already.”
Daddy held the plugs out and Aiden took them, getting ready to place them in, as had almost become habit. Before he could, Daddy placed a hand over his and continued speaking.
“The other set will likely be the one you need first. They block all noises, though, from the research I’ve done they won’t block sounds as loud as what will be happening tonight. They should soften it enough for you to be able to handle it better though.”
Daddy handed him the second set of ear plugs, whose packaging claimed they could mute industrial noise. What kind of place were they going that sounds loud enough that these wouldn’t block them out?
“If those don’t work well enough and you feel you need to leave, you better let me know.
I’m not kidding Aiden. This is for you. If you’re not enjoying it, I don’t want to be there.
I want to give you all the experiences you’ve dreamed of doing, but I can’t do that if you don’t let me take care of you by letting me know if something isn’t working. ”
Aiden nodded and tried to work the lump in his throat back down, but it was no use. A tear slipped from one eye. He still got a bit emotional about the fact that this amazing man cared so much about him.
“Okay, I promise I’ll tell you,” he finally managed to croak.
“Good boy.” God, those words. When put together, they were the best sound in the universe. “I have a system worked out. I’ll tap your arm twice when it’s time to switch ear plugs, okay?”
“Okay.”
“You should be good with no ear plugs while we are waiting for the event to start, but when I tap your arm I need you to put in the industrial ear plugs, okay?” Daddy pointed at them and Aiden nodded one final time. “Let’s go.”
It was then that Aiden realized they’d stopped and finally looked out the car window as he waited for Daddy to come open the door. When he did, his jaw dropped so far he worried it might unhinge itself from his face.
Holy cathedral, Batman.
Rocky
He’d done his research. Watched videos of services, poked through the entirety of their website, had even contacted the church and spoken with representatives and priests.
There was no way he was bringing someone so wronged by churches in the past to someplace that was likely to wrong him again.
But even with all he’d done, nothing had prepared Rocky for the visual wonder that was The Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
Not only did the building span an entire city block, it stood tall and proud, easily dwarfing surrounding buildings.
It had a gothic type feel to some of its construction, like its spires and angles, but also an art deco feel in a lot of the details like the carvings of famous sky scrapers and buildings of New York City in its columns.
Somehow, it still managed to offer the warmth, comfort and reverence of a church, as well.
Still unfinished after over one hundred and twenty-five years of construction, it was clear the building was prioritizing quality over swiftness.
Each detail he took in was complex and deliberate, only adding to the feeling of openness and welcome just being in the church’s shadow evoked.
There were so many blends of styles and backgrounds, modern and traditional.
The architecture alone screamed, “Let us welcome all, from every walk of life,” but when combined with all the little details, it said, “You are safe here, loved here, wanted here, no matter where you come from.”
Rocky had never gotten so emotional over a church before, but he knew he wasn’t alone.
A serene smile graced Aiden’s lips and a tear tracked down his cheek as he too took in the wonder before them.
Rocky wondered if Aiden was also curious how a building could stand like a sentinel protecting the city, and a mother welcoming her children at the same time. He’d never seen anything like it.
Aiden hadn’t said a word, but Rocky wasn’t worried.
He knew from his own reaction this place was a lot to take in, and he knew from Aiden’s past that this was going to take some processing for him.
Both Rocky and Aiden were Catholic, but where Rocky had been lucky enough to find acceptance and love in the church community, Aiden had an opposite experience.
That had always broken Rocky’s heart, but he hoped that, even though it wasn’t a Catholic church, St. John’s might be able to begin healing those old wounds.
He'd done some research into the Episcopalian religion, finding it quite similar to Catholicism, with only a few key differences. Part of what had drawn him to this plan was the religion's easy acceptance of things such as women in leadership, acceptance of all walks of life, and their belief that Christianity should be one religion that works together, rather than countless denominations fighting one another. It seemed if any religion would offer the ceremony that brought comfort combined with easy acceptance, it would be this one. So he’d begun his research and planned what he hoped would be the first step in Aiden’s healing journey. He just hoped it didn’t backfire.
Aiden wandered the building, soft music playing in the background as the church staff prepared for the upcoming service and Rocky stayed right by his side.
He still hadn’t spoken, tears streaming freely down his face as he occasionally reached out to brush his fingers reverently over some detail or another.
When Aiden finally spoke, it was barely a whisper but filled with awe so deep it reached out and touched Rocky's soul, “It’s so...welcoming.”
“Yeah,” he responded in an equally reverent whisper, “It is.”
Before he knew it the background music lowered and other church goers started filing in. Rocky tapped Aiden’s arm twice, pride burning in his chest as Aiden immediately pulled out the correct ear plugs.
“Let’s go take our seats.” He placed Aiden’s arm through his, leaving no doubt as to their relationship and led them to a pew.
At first, Aiden stiffened and glanced around frantically.
Once he saw that no one was blinking an eye or even fluttering an eyelash at them, he seemed to relax, however, and Rocky was able to finally take a full breath. Step one was a success.
Aiden
The beginning of the service had been a shock. Turned out, Daddy had been right. Nothing would completely drown out the sounds of such a huge organ but the plugs he’d worn for the music portion of the service had made it much softer and more pleasurable to hear.
When Daddy tapped his arm, signaling a plug switch, Aiden had worried that the sensory plugs would drown out the priests and bishops who ran the service, but he should have known better.
Of course, in a building this big and filled with people, they’d need to use mics and speakers, making the plugs perfect.
Aiden was so caught up in what was being said during the service that he hardly noticed the massive crowd of people around him.
The priest spoke of a Jesus who was born to save the world.
One who befriended and loved those who were deemed by others to be unlovable.
One who wanted to spread joy and good, rather than judgement and wrath.
With each word spoken, Aiden relaxed a bit more, until Daddy tapped his arm twice and he switched earplugs again.
Communion was offered, and for the first time in a long time, he didn’t feel unwelcome to partake.
The sacrament was one the catholic church only allowed those in good standing with the church to partake in and most priests weren’t unaware that Aiden’s sexual orientation put his standing with the church in jeopardy.
But despite the easy affection, matching outfits, and the hand Daddy had on his back that spoke more loudly than words ever could of what they were to each other, no one tried to stop either of them completing the ritual.
Their time at the Christmas Eve service was over too quickly, but it had been the best service he’d ever been to.
It's not just the building that’s welcoming and healing.
They didn’t speak much on the drive home or as they changed for bed.
But as they crawled under the covers, Rocky holding Aiden tightly, both of them still soaking in the wonder of their experience, Aiden couldn’t stop the whispered words that came from his mouth if he’d have wanted to. Fortunately, he had no such desire.
“Thank you, Daddy.” He succumbed to his most peaceful sleep in years almost before the words had finished leaving his mouth.