"OK," Rob said still confused.
"Why did Riley want you to take Rob's shoes?" Julian asked.
"So he won't go away," Danny said.
"This was something you talked over with the other kids?" Rob asked.
"Yes," Danny said with a nod. "We talked about important stuff when we were painting the pies. Then they told me about dates."
"Uh, they did?" Rob said and gave Julian a quick glance.
"Do you know about dates?" Danny asked both of them.
"We've heard of them," Julian told his little brother.
"He learns so much from those kids," Rob said as he and Julian eyed each other apprehensively.
Once Danny had gone off with Lenny, Julian sighed. "He got so scared just because he couldn't find Lenny for a little bit. And he's worried about losing you too." Now Julian looked at him long and hard. "I don't want to pressure you."
"You aren't," Rob said, not sure what he was getting at.
"I think Danny is right about dating, about making this official," Julian said kind of stiffly.
"Official?"
"Sorry. I don't know how to do this." Julian slumped down and got that helpless look that always touched Rob's heart.
"Wanna go out?" Rob said to show him how easy it was.
Julian laughed. "Yes. I'd love to go out with you."
Taking him in his arms, Rob kissed him. "This isn't complicated. It's just you and me."
"Right," Julian said and lowered his eyes for a moment before he squared his shoulders and gazed at Rob again. "I've lived more than half my life hiding my emotions. For Danny's sake, I can't afford to be that way any more. I want to do better for you and for Danny. Be a better man."
Rob didn't see it that way. He felt like Julian was more open and closer to him than anyone had ever been. "You're wonderful," Rob told him, running his thumb over his lips. At those words, Rob watched Julian's eyes shine and his face light up with a big smile. Rob kissed that smile and felt it go all through him like his whole world opening up.
