West stared at the tiny piece of paper in his hands. Never before had he been as terrified as he was in that moment.
The paper wasn't what was causing him concern, but rather what was written on it. Dennis had finally gotten ahold of Simon's contact details, he even managed to pull up his last known whereabouts; New York City.
West pulled out his phone and texted Killian urgently, he didn't want to be alone when it was time to call the man.
A street away from West's house, Killian was helping finishing up Sparrow's math homework when his phone buzzed from ontop of the coffee table. He excitedly unlocked it, but his smile soon turned into a frown when he saw West's text.
Weston⤠: 911!! Please, come over now!
He quickly wrote down the steps to do the last sum, then bolted out the house as fast as he could.
Upon reaching West's house, he knocked on the door twice, and when he didn't get a response, let himself in anyway.
He froze when he noticed Paul seated on the couch, though. It was rude to enter people's houses without them letting you in and Killian knew that, but it seemed as if Paul didn't even notice someone was in the room with him, it was obvious his mind was elsewhere, like something was really bothering him. Killian wondered if it had anything to do with West's 911 text.
He tiptoed up the stairs until he got to West's bedroom before pushing the door open.
West was sitting on the floor with a distressed look on his face, his hand tightly gripping a piece of paper.
"What's going on?" Killian asked worriedly.
West didn't say a word. He handed Killian the piece of paper, and the sight was enough to make his mouth fall wide open.
"Is this...?"
"Yeah." West responded softly.
Killian nodded, then dropped down on the wooden floor next to West, "So, uh... what do you-- what do you want to do?"
"Call, I guess?"
"Are you sure? I mean... are you ready for that?"
"No, and no. But I need to know."
West reached for his phone and dialed the number, it rang a couple of times before a man with a silvery voice and a slight accent picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hi. Is this Simon?"
"Yes. Who is this?"
"Weston..."
Simon waited for West to elaborate further, and when he didn't, released a slight cough.
"I'm sorry, I'm very busy at the moment, so--"
"Do you by chance, know a Jennifer Hastings?" Killian interjected upon noticing how overwhelmed West appeared.
There was a prolonged silence on the other end of the line.
"Simon?"
"What is this about?"
"Well, she, uh, is my mother, and I-- you're my-- my father."
West immediately face palmed himself. The words had just spewed out of his mouth, he had no intention of being that straightforward.
"I don't understand. Jennifer, she... died. How can that be?"
"She, uh... she died when I was born."
"What did you say your name was again?"
"Weston. Weston Rickert."
"I'm familiar with that last name... though I can't quite put my finger on it..."
"My Dad-- The man who raised me, his name is Paul Rickert."
"Paul... yes, I remember him. Look, Weston, I'm sorry to cut this conversation short, but I'm already late for a very important meeting, so I'll have to call you back. I'm-- I'm sorry."
West sighed disappointedly as soon as Simon ended the call, "Well, that went just as I expected."
"No, maybe we just caught him at the wrong time... He'll call you back, I know it." Killian encouraged.
"And if he doesn't?"
"Then it's his loss, anyone would be lucky to have you in their lives."
"Thanks, Killian..."
Killian could see how little impact his words had on West. He was no stranger to rejection, but then again, he'd never experienced it coming from a parent. He had no doubt in his mind that it was the most heartwrenching thing in the world. He was suddenly struck with an idea. If there was one thing that could boost West's mood, it was skating
He felt underneath the bed with his hand for the board then heaved himself upwards.
"C'mon, get up. I'm in the mood for skating."
West eyed Killian with a less than amused expression. "Are you trying to kill yourself?"
"Hey, I've improved since the last time we were on the rink!"
"Yeah? With whose help?"
Killian narrowed his eyes at West, then looked away, pouting.
"That's what I thought."
"At least give me a chance to prove myself."
-
"Alright, show me how much you've 'improved'."
"Uh, yeah." Killian smiled nervously. "Sure thing."
He got onto the ramp and set the board on the ground before putting one foot on top of it. The wheels started rolling almost immediately so he tried to steady himself in an effort to not land on his face.
Once he was balanced, he pushed the board forward with his right foot then placed it on the board along with his left.
"Just complete a circle. Just one circle." Killian muttered to himself as his legs wobbled about on the board.
West gave killian a thumbs up from the sidelines and watched as his boyfriend struggled to even maintain his balance on the board.
Killian only brought West to the park because he knew it was his sanctuary, his happy place, and the place where he felt most liberated. He thought that maybe if West took to the rink and skated, he would feel a tiny bit better. It'd been a long time since he had done so, anyway.
West's happiness was one of the most important things to him, and seeing him so upset affected him, too.
He was starting to regret ever mentioning finding Simon, his only hope was that he'd make good on his promise, and call West back. He at least deserved that.
Killian felt a wave of relief wash over him when he spotted West laughing at him from where he was seated. It felt good to see him smile, he only wished he could remain like that forever.
"Did you see that? I didn't even fall this time!" Killian exclaimed once he had returned to the sidelines.
West only shook his head and laughed, "What even was that?"
"Great to see my suffering puts a smile on your face."
"That is one of the things that bring me joy, yes."
"Why don't you show me how it's done, then."
"Gladly." West smirked.
All eyes were on him as soon as he stepped foot onto the rink.
No one dared to say it, but he was the best skater in all of Easton. Many had tried to replicate the tricks and dips he was able to do, but none could ever live up to him.
If most of the skate park regulars didn't hold hate in their hearts for no reason, he probably would've volunteered to teach them.
On his way back to the sidelines, he noticed Killian staring at him in admiration, so for good measure, he flipped his board off the ground effortlessly before sliding over a table and landing on the ground with ease.
Upon witnessing that final trick, Killian gave him a nod of approval and an applause to which West bowed gracefully to.
"Ever thought about going pro?"
"Yeah. When I was twelve," He replied breathily.
It had been so long since he'd been active, the feeling was exhilarating and quite similar to runner's high. He'd forgotten how addicted he was to the the adrenaline rush and the feeling of contentment after the fact. "I'm actually pursuing music." He added.
"Really? I didn't peg you for the type," Killian suddenly remembered how familiar the voice on the Barney song sounded, "Wait... were you the one singing on that prom-posal song?"
"Took you long enough."
"How was I supposed to know? I honestly thought you got it off the internet or something..." Killian already knew the words to the song, he had asked West to send it to him so he could listen to it on repeat, it's a wonder he didn't figure it out earlier.
"You're really good, West."
"Thank you..."
"I can't wait to fall asleep to you singing Winnie The Pooh lullabies. "
West raised an eyebrow, but didn't object, "Continuing the kid's show theme, then?"
"Winnie the Pooh is for everyone." Killian stated in a definite manner. Babysitting Trenton all the time had got him accustomed to watching all the six year old's favorite shows.
"What's next? Bob The Builder?"
"You know, I used to like Bob, but then they gave him a whole new look. Bob is not the same Bob anymore."
West couldn't help but smile, coming to the skate park hadn't been such bad idea after all, "Thanks for bringing me out here, Killian. I really needed it."
--
The first thing West did when he was back at his house was run up to his room to check his phone. And much to his bewilderment, it started ringing as soon as it was in his hands. He watched it ring for a few seconds, then drew in a sharp breath before putting the phone up to his ear.
"Weston?"
"Yes..."
"I'm sorry about earlier, I just-- I hadn't heard Jennifer's name in such a long time... it was overwhelming to say the least."
"I understand. "
"I'd like to meet with you, if that's alright. If what you say is true, then... we have much to talk about."
---
Back at the Ackerman Household, Killian was laying on his bed catching up on that month's issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine when Linda burst into his room with a grin the size of the State of California.
"Guess what?"
"You finally found a job?" He deadpanned.
"Yes! At Shirley's!"
"Excuse me?" If he had a drink in his mouth, he probably would've spit it out.
He didn't want Linda working with him, part of the reason why he enjoyed going to work was because he got to mess around with West. It would be hard to do anything with Linda in the picture... especially since she had her own opinions about West.
"For the manager position!" Linda yelled excitedly. She practically jumped onto Killian's single bed and pushed him over so she could have space to sit.
"I didn't want to tell you beforehand in case I didn't land the job, but I got it! Isn't it exciting?"
Killian shook his head in disbelief, "I don't understand. West has basically been managing the whole place for over two years, and now suddenly you're the manager? How is that fair?"
"Darling, Shirley told me she tried to promote West to manager, but he declined. She also couldn't promote you since you're just an assistant--"
"That's ridiculous," Killian scoffed, "He would never decline a promotion."
"Oh, you don't know, do you?"
"Know what?"
"He told Shirley he was going out of state in a month. For good."
_________________________________________