One month is how long it took for Zack to get somewhat back in Jared’s good graces. Even then it took many days of playing video games, eight dog walks, four ice cream shop visits and one outside game of basketball in the park with his friends and their dads. Brian had sat back watching the whole game; letting Zack spend some time with Jared. It worked because finally after that month Jared gave in, only just a little though. That night when they all decided it was a movie night at Zack’s house Jared crawled under the blanket and curled up against his dad’s boyfriend. Zack smiled; not making a big deal out of it incase Jared wanted to change his mind.

“Hey Zee,” Brian asked catching Zack’s attention once Jared had finally fell asleep.

“Yeah Brian,” Zack whispered over the little boys head.

“Do you want to go on a date with me tomorrow night?” Brian asked looking over at Zack while fidgeting his fingers.

Yeah, where too?” Zack noticed how Brian visibly relaxed and sighed when he agreed.

“How about we visit the Zoo?” Brian suggested being sure to check Zack’s body language.

“That sounds kind of fun.” Zack replied letting out a loud yawn.

“Why don’t we head home so you can go climb in bed.” Zack shook his head at Brian’s comment.

“No I don’t want you guys to leave yet.” Zack let his head fall back onto the back of the couch.

“How about we stay then; he’s already out and you’re soon to follow. I can crash on the couch.” Brian suggested when he saw the wary look Zack gave him.

“No, you guys can sleep in my bed.” Zack curled his feet up onto the couch.

“We are not taking your bed.” Brian stated letting his eyes scan over his boyfriend once again. Zack looked a little skinny and paler than normal.

“That’s not what I meant.” Zack’s eyes slipped closed.

“You mean,” Brian paused. “All of us?”

“Yeah,” Brian could barely hear the whisper as Zack finally slipped into dream land. Brian stood up, stretching before picking up Jared and carrying him up the stairs and into Zack’s room. Next he made his way downstairs and did the same for his sleeping lover; somehow Zack stayed asleep through the whole thing.

Brian slipped Zack’s pants off; leaving him in a tee shirt and boxers. He did the same to Jared so the little boy could be comfortable. Finally he discarded his own pants and climbed into the bed. Brian gave the two boys a once over to make sure they were tucked in just right before he let himself relax.

The next morning had been just like the months before when they would all wake up together. Jared was sleeping on Brian and everyone woke up in a good mood. Brian looked over at the clock though. “Shit!”

Zack’s eyes peeped open. “What. What’s wrong?” He asked leaning up.

“I’m late! I have to be at work in a half of an hour. Crap. Jared, come on buddy wake up. You are supposed to be in school in five minutes.” Brian gently shook the boy awake silently cursing himself for not bringing him any extra clothes. Brian hurriedly pulled on his pants.

“Slow down Brian.” Zack threw his legs over the side of the bed and headed to his bathroom. “I can take him to school.”

“That’s okay he will be late anyway. I need work clothes and he needs his school uniform. It’s their uniform day. Shit.” Brian searched in the bed for his sock that had come of in the middle of his sleep.

“Well let me follow you to your house. I can get him ready and to school so you have time to make it to work.” Zack yelled through the bathroom door. He came out with a toothbrush in his mouth while pulling on a new shirt. When they were dressed they both realized that the little boy was still in bed and had gone back to sleep. Brian groaned, he stalked over to the bed, pulled the blankets back and woke Jared. He helped the still half asleep boy into his jeans.

Zack grabbed them a few breakfast bars and everyone was out the door. It was a hectic drive to Brian’s but when everyone got there Brian sped up the stairs. Zack took Jared into his bedroom and made sure the little boy was in his uniform. He even took him into the bathroom to Mohawk his hair. Brian came through the door; grabbing his watch from the counter.

“Can I spray his hair with temporary coloring?” Zack asked the father.

“Sure as long as it washes out. You guys have a good day.” He said pecking Jared’s head, he turned to Zack and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for helping me.”

“Your welcome,” Zack placed a kiss to his cheek before resuming doing Jared’s hair.

“Are you going to leave again?” Jared whispered when Zack sprayed the tips of the Mohawk with his favorite color. Green.

“I don’t plan on it buddy.” Zack informed the little boy Jared just stayed quiet. Soon enough they were in Zack’s car and on their way to school.

“Mommy left us when I was littler.” Zack almost missed the statement because the boy was speaking so quietly. “Daddy never told me why but I miss her.”

“I’m sorry Jared. I won’t go into detail but mine weren’t the greatest parents around. You are lucky to have your dad. You may not have a mom in your life but your daddy does all he can to take care of you and make you happy.” Zack informed the little boy. “Do me a favor; when dad comes to pick you up from work today give him a big hug okay?”

“Okay!” Jared bounced in his seat as they pulled up to the school. Zack got the little boy out of his seat and held his hand while they crossed the street. Zack figured that Jared would let go but the little boy didn’t. In the office Zack signed him in as tardy. She had been one of the women was happy to see Zack; she had been one of the mothers at Jared’s birthday party.

“Good morning Zack. How are you doing Jared?” She asked looking down at the little boy when she stood.

“Okay. I’m tired though.” As if to prove a point the little boy let out a shuddering yawn.

“Did you not get enough sleep?” She wondered filling out the pink form for the boy to give his teacher.

“I don’t know why you are tired dude. He got lots of sleep last night; the little bugger kept waking me up though.” He pointed out to the smiling mother in front of them.

“When ever I have nightmares I sleep in dad’s bed. Your bed feels different so it was hard to sleep.” Jared informed the older male.

“How would you know what my bed feels like you wound up sleeping on either mine or your dads chests all night?” Maybe the little boy had really had troubles sleeping on his bed, was it too firm for him?

“Just do.” Jared took the slip from the woman.

“How about next time I stay over at your house that way you can either sleep in your own bed or be comfy in your dads.” Jared nodded enthusiastically. With great thanks Zack walked out to Jared’s classroom. Mr. Kale didn’t look all too pleased that his student was late. Jared handed him the slip and stood next to Zack; he gripped the older mans hand and brought him to his knees in a hug.

“Don’t let him be mean to you.” Jared whispered and took off to his little desk.

Mr. Kale stood from behind his desk and faced away from his students as if they couldn’t hear him speaking. “I do not appreciate my students being late”

“I’m sorry. We got off to a late start this morning,” Zack half assed his apology; not meaning a word of it.

“Where is his father; Mr. Haner should have brought him in with the tardy slip by the way unnatural hair coloring is against school policy. I do not like seeing such young pupils look so uncoordinated.” Mr. Kale stated with his arms crossed; a permanent glare on his round face.

“Brian couldn’t make it today so he asked me to drop Jared off.” Zack looked over his shoulder and to the little boy playing with a few of his friends.

“I will have to send a call home then and let Mr. Haner know that anyone but him is not allowed to bring Jared in as tardy. I will also bring up what has happened to the boys hair.” Mr. Kale threatened.

“Go ahead Brian wont care about Jared’s hair. I asked him if I could spray it before we left and he was okay with it. As for who is allowed to drop children off I don’t think that is quite your call Mr. Kale. I have a feeling you will be seeing a lot more of me in the near future.” Zack threw a smirk at the balding man.

“I will have you banned from this campus for improper conduct.” Mr. Kale stated with crossed arms. “I would like to know the reasoning as to why my pupil is so late today. Was it because you took your time coloring his hair?” He sneered.

“No actually. My alarm didn’t go off today so we all woke up late and Brian was in a rush to get to work so we took Jared by their house so they could get ready. Brian had to make it to work so I volunteered to bring Jared.” Zack was getting impatient now.

“Students should be home and in their own beds on school nights. If I find out that young Mr. Haner is late because he was at your home one more time I will report you to child services.” Mr. Kale crossed his arms over his pudgy chest and scowled.

“With no respect I can honestly say that you have no power to do so. Jared and his father stayed at my home last night; so what. It would be no different than Brian staying at his parents for the night with his son. One time we are late and that was not because they were at my home I have a feeling that we would have overslept anyway we all had a pretty crummy nights sleep. Try being kicked in the balls by a little boy repeatedly in the middle of the night and tell me you are going to want to wake up on time.” Zack defended.

“What was Jared doing in your bed Mr. Baker?” Mr. Kale’s borrows rose and he began to breathe harder.

“I don’t have a guest room in my house; Brian and Jared were there last night. The little one got tired and fell asleep and apparently so did I. Brian put us both to bed and crawled in right beside him.” Mr. Kale was getting ready to shoot back a nasty reply but Zack cut him off. “Before you say anything there is nothing illegal about it; kids have nightmares all the time and go crawl into bed with their parents.”

“You are not his parent.” Mr. Kale nearly whispered still glaring daggers at Zack.

“I might as well be. When I lived with them I cooked his breakfast every morning with Brian. I would take him to school when Brian had something he had to do. He knew he could always count on me if he had a bad night’s sleep or was sick and couldn’t get out of bed. I cooked dinner every night and made sure that Brian had Jared’s lunch packed for the next morning. I helped him with homework just as much as his own father and I made sure he was tucked in every night for bed. When he would have nightmares I would carry him into Brian’s room and put him in bed because I didn’t want him being alone for the rest of the night. Now you have the audacity to tell me that I’m not close enough to the boy to bring him to school?” Zack ranted throwing his hands up in the air at the end.

“Lived, Mr. Baker; there is probably a reason why you do not live with the Haner family anymore.” Mr. Kale was grinding on Zack’s last nerve.

“Because I had to go home; but even now I take him to the park every weekend and I take him for walks with our pups. We get ice cream and crash at the others house one night each week so we can watch movies together.” Zack defended.

“Mr. Baker it is unhealthy for an adult to spend so much time with someone else’s child. If I find anything suspicious I will have to report you to child services.” Zack let out a low growl.

“There is no way in hell you are keeping me away from my boy.” Zack stated before walking out of the classroom.