All Tied Up

Emmanuel had been serious about keeping River in his sight at all times. The only time he felt comfortable not being able to see River was when they had to go into work at different times, and even then Emmanuel had asked River to share his location with him so he could make sure he was okay. It let River see where Emmanuel was too, and that helped calm both of their fears a little.

The only unfortunate part is that River's family also wanted to keep an eye on him, but Emmanuel's work schedule could be more hectic than even River's was. The location tracking gave River a glimpse into just what Emmanuel had to do to earn money each week. The man seemed to have four or five part-time jobs on top of scalping tickets for upcoming shows and sporting events.

Watching it made River wish there was something he could do to help. He knew if he asked his dad, they could probably help Emmanuel get a higher paying job, but he didn't want to overstep. It was late in the day on a weekend that River saw his opportunity to offer, though. Emmanuel dragged himself through the door and sat tiredly on the edge of the bed. He kicked his shoes off and fell backwards dramatically. He just laid there for almost twenty minutes before getting back up and showering.

After his shower, Emmanuel pulled on his pair of house-shorts and sat next to River on the couch that River had insisted they needed earlier in the week. He had to admit that it was nice to be able to sit next to his Pet instead of across from him all the time. "Pet. I think we need a splenda-parent," Emmanuel admitted tiredly.

River gave him a sympathetic smile. "I hate seeing you killing yourself just to make a living. We do have options though. Dad owns the stores, as well as invests in businesses he thinks would be profitable. Usually that means people he networks with, but he gave Carson a job for a while before Carson came to him with a business plan laid out and dad agreed and invested. It's doing well too. Plus, it's not like my salary isn't good."

Emmanuel blinked at River as if he hadn't even considered any of those points. "So..." Emmanuel said blearily, "Pet is Splenda-Daddy?"

River gave a little snort at that. "I think technically I'd qualify as real sugar, but I'm not mad about it or anything. If I can help make your life easier, I want to, Sir."

Emmanuel smiled as he started to drift off to sleep, putting his head in River's lap. River shook his head and went back to his book. River ran his hand through Emmanuel's hair while he slept, enjoying the intimate gesture while reading. When Emmanuel woke up several hours later, River was squirming slightly. Emmanuel sat up and River immediately ran off to use the bathroom. Emmanuel waited for him to return and turned to face him on the couch.

"Okay, so, you were saying that there are options. I hadn't even considered asking you for any help with the apartment because you have your own place to worry about, but I'm not too proud to work for your father if he has an opening for a job I can do," Emmanuel said, making it clear with his tone and eye contact that he was speaking not to his Pet but to his boyfriend.

River gave a small nod and smiled at him. "I'll go over and talk to him tomorrow. He likes you so I know he'll be happy to help out. Dad views family money as ways to help the rest of the family, and that includes his children's partners."

Emmanuel thanked him and cuddled back up with him for a moment before murmuring, "Have you put any thought into dinner? I feel like I haven't eaten in a month."

River ruffled his hair again. "Yeah, let me get up and put it in the oven."

The next day River went over to his parents' house before he had to go to work himself. He still had his travel kit and supplies in the back seat of his car. He came into the house and was a little surprised to see Vinny there with his parents, but didn't show it too much. When he sat down, he got down to business by bringing up what he and Emmanuel had spoken about to his dad, who was incredibly excited to be able to help.

They talked through various options so River could go back to Emmanuel to lay them out and let him choose which direction he wanted to go in. Once River had that written down for later, Gardenia asked River to at least have some food before he left, which he gave in to. While Gardenia went to make food for him, August got a call on his phone that was important so he went to go take it in his office.

That left Vinny and River alone in the living room together. Vinny looked at River with a frown, crossing his arms in front of him as River got up to move around the room a little, putting space between them.

"You've been pretty distant lately," Vinny told him.

"Have I?" River asked him, stopping behind the couch. "There's been so much going on, what with work and the fire."

"We used to be so close before you got that recent boyfriend of yours," Vinny commented. "I don't think he likes me much."

River couldn't argue with that. He had been good at hiding information, but never good at outright lying. "I mean, our relationship is kind of...odd, isn't it?"

"Is it?" Vinny asked, getting up from his spot so he could casually come over to where River was. River was nervous the closer he got, but he didn't move yet, wanting to figure out what he was up to. "Sometimes relationships change over time, grow. I don't think there's anything odd in that."

"We've always been uncle and nephew," River told him as he looked over to the side, not wanting to look Vinny in the eye right then. "Not...whatever we've been acting like for a while."

"You didn't like it?" Vinny asked.

"It's not that," River admitted. "It...I liked it a lot. You were the person I was closest to in the entire world, but...It's not really appropriate for our relationship to each other. We may not be blood related but I've been raised as if we were."

"Maybe if you were still a teenager, but you're an adult, River," Vinny said to him, coming much closer than River was expecting, so there was very little space between them anymore. "We can have whatever kind of relationship we want with each other."

River looked up again, surprised by what he was saying, and Vinny moved in to kiss him. River was taken by surprise at first, completely shocked that Vinny would do something like this, and in his parents' house no less! When he put his hands on Vinny's chest to push him away, Vinny planted his feet so River wasn't able to, pinning him against the table that was behind him.

River finally did the only thing he could think of. He took Vinny's lip between his own and bit down as hard as he could. Vinny let out a cry, pulling away while River held on a little longer before he let him stumble away. When River turned around, he could see blood all over his lips and chin. He heard Vinny swear behind him and then grabbed a handkerchief that was on the table he was standing against, wiped the blood off, then folded it and put it back down onto the table before he used his sleeve to wipe off the rest, including what was in his mouth. By the time Vinny had a sound enough mind to turn back to River, he could see River wiping at his mouth with his sleeve.

Vinny held his own sleeve up to his mouth to try and stop the bleeding, looking at River like he was surprised that it went that way. "That's your answer then?"

River nodded his head slowly. "I'm with Emmanuel, and nothing will change that. I love you, but not like that. You're my uncle, you're...you're family."

Vinny frowned at that, but eventually took his hand away from his mouth and looked down at where the blood was on River's shirt. "At least let me clean your shirt. As an apology. Blood is so hard to get out of clothing."

"I'm a forensic scientist," River pointed out. "I know how to get blood out of clothes."

"I insist," Vinny said and River could see he wasn't going to take no for an answer. River unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off, and Vinny took it from him before he silently turned and walked out of the house. River watched from his spot as Vinny went down the walkway and eventually drove away in his car.

As soon as he had disappeared down the street, River turned around and picked up the handkerchief off the table. The table he was leaning against had a few things of Cassia's, which included a pair of white gloves and an old, white cotton handkerchief that she had loved to use to be "fancy" as she put it. His mom might be angry at him for this later, but he felt like he had to do it. He folded the handkerchief again and slipped it into his pocket before he went to ask his mom for the food to go because he needed to get to work.

As soon as River got outside, he got into his kit and slipped the piece of cloth into an evidence bag, labeling it the way he knew how to before securing it in his bag and heading to the coroner's office. Once he was inside, he put the bag down and got to work on getting a blood sample that he could test for DNA. It would take a few weeks for him to get back, but he had to know once and for all.

He didn't get the chance to see Emmanuel until after work. River got home first and went to take a shower, taking extra care to scrub his face and lips. He felt dirty even though he had fought back, and he was nervous about Emmanuel's reaction to this. Emmanuel had expected to find River sleeping in the bed, leaving a spot for him, so he was surprised when he came home to find the lamp next to the bed on and River sitting on the couch chewing on his thumb nail while his legs were pulled up against his body.

Emmanuel immediately went to River's side and asked if it was okay to touch him. River nodded his head to say that it was okay; in fact, he wanted Emmanuel to. Emmanuel took him in his arms and just quietly petted his hair for a while. It was only once Emmanuel had him in his arms that River broke down and told him what happened with Vinny at his parents' house.

Emmanuel froze briefly while River told him, his muscles taut with suppressed emotion, then he relaxed and started breathing again as the story progressed. River could tell he wasn't happy that Vinny had tried something, but he was pleased with River's reaction and quick thinking. That seemed to relax River a little too, knowing Emmanuel wasn't angry with him.

"I feel so dirty," River admitted.

Emmanuel hugged him closer, saying, "You're not, though. You're strong and brave and I'm proud of you."

"I used Cassia's handkerchief to get a DNA sample," River said after a moment.

Emmanuel, not really grasping the significance at first, looked confused but proud. "Did you process the sample?" he asked.

"It's processing now," River replied. "It can take a few weeks, though. I figure I owe it to myself to check it against the two DNA results we have for Cassia's killers."

Emmanuel nodded his understanding and then the import of what it meant that River had used his sister's handkerchief dawned on him. "River! Are you okay? That handkerchief is important to you and your family isn't it?"

"It is," River agreed. "It's stayed on that table in the living room since her funeral. And now it's possible evidence, but...if it gives us answers, then it's worth it. And we might be able to get it back after a trial if it comes to that."

Emmanuel hugged him tightly, saying, "I'm sorry you had to make that choice, but I am so proud of you."

"Really?" River asked as he looked into Emmanuel's eyes. "You aren't mad at me about the kiss? I blanked out at first before I could even think to react."

"River," Emmanuel said, his expression serious. "You were sexually assaulted, by a family member! Why would you think I'd be upset with you?"

River stared at him for a second before it clicked in his head that that was what had happened. It made his feeling of being dirty make sense to himself too. He looked down as he said, "I guess I hadn't...I don't know, put that together in my head."

Emmanuel nodded his understanding of River's position. "Sometimes we have to be reminded that we were assaulted. We tend to internalize what happens to us and find ways for it to be our fault."

River swallowed hard at that, nodding his head quietly as he took that in. "I guess I just...never expected to be in this position. Especially not with Vinny. He's been my favorite person other than Cassia as long as I can remember. I loved him, still love him, though I'm not in love with him. I just...I don't understand how he could want that. He's my uncle."

Emmanuel shuddered. "I don't even want to understand how someone could think that way about someone he watched grow up. I don't think any reasonable person would have expected anything like this," he said disgustedly.

River shook his head like he couldn't understand it either. "I have some nieces and nephews now and I think I will only ever be able to look at them like they are kids no matter how old they get. I know Vinny isn't my uncle by blood, but I was raised like he was. I just don't know how to reconcile reality with what I thought it was. It taints the good memories I have with him."

Emmanuel squeezed River tightly for a second, saying, "I'm sorry, love. I'm here for you. We can absolutely talk about anything that you need to at any time, if it helps. Have you told your parents about what happened yet?"

Emmanuel felt River shake his head against his shoulder and neck. "I asked for the food from mom to go and then went to work. I don't even know how I would start that conversation. They love him like a brother."

Emmanuel considered that. "I don't know your parents incredibly well just yet, but I would think speaking frankly and from the heart would be best. You can start with my observations if you'd like. I can also go with you, if you want," he said thoughtfully.

"That might be a good idea," River agreed. "It might be easier to have you there to help give me strength."

Emmanuel nodded his agreement and kissed River's head. "You ready for some food? We can also just sit and watch bullshit TV if it'll help," he asked gently.

"I'll try to eat, yeah," River agreed. He'd been sick to his stomach with anxiety and upset since his parents' house but talking to Emmanuel had helped some. He figured he could try something simple on his stomach and see if he could keep it down or not.

Emmanuel quizzed him briefly about what he thought he might be up for and then set to making a simple chicken soup with cheese tortellini and vegetables. He served it in a bowl and sat with River to watch trash TV.

River ate most of the bowl before he put it to the side and snuggled up against Emmanuel to watch the show better before they were both too tired and then they stripped down. Emmanuel took a shower real quick before he joined River in the bed.

Emmanuel spooned River confidently, tucking one arm under his head and wrapping his other arm tightly around his lover, cocooning River in his scent and warmth. This was what he had needed to finally fall asleep. It made him feel safe, like nothing could hurt him here.

The next day, River went over the options his dad had for Emmanuel, which was a mix between starting in the family business, helping August build up a new one, or going back to school for something he wanted to do that August would help with. It would be up to Emmanuel what he wanted to do. Emmanuel promised to think about it and get back to Mr. Thorn as soon as he could.

The results of the DNA test took time to get back, as River wanted to make sure it was perfect. He set up an alert on his phone for once it was put into the system, whether by him or by Dr. Carrington or one of the other lab workers.

Emmanuel made himself busy in his usual manner, but he seemed more than a little distracted over the next couple of weeks as he considered what he was going to choose. He was trying to think of something original that he could do that fit in with his skills and interests but that was such a foreign concept to him after a decade and a half of working mostly for other people. He had gotten so used to the constant hustle and grind that he hadn't ever conceived of a world where he would have a choice like this.

While he was lost in his own mind during that time, he still paid close attention to River's whereabouts and state of mind. It felt like River was in some sort of limbo as he waited for the results to come in and he was not managing it without a fair bit of anxiety. When they were home, Emmanuel did his best to keep things light and fun, but they were both clearly distracted.

River went over to his house after a shift one night to check out the progress of the living room. He told Emmanuel where he was going and that Atlas was going to meet him there. When he got there was when most of the team rebuilding the living room was leaving but the contractor was still there.

Most of the living room had been gutted, as they had to redo the ceiling, the walls, and the floor. There was still the base floor under that was okay despite the fire and water, but almost everything else in the living room had been a loss. They had thrown out the furniture and remnants of any decorations, along with the pieces of floor, ceiling, and wall they had taken out. Right then it looked a bit like a blank canvas. They had finished putting insulation in and the drywall was being finished while the floor was being prepped to put new wood down.

"Dr. Thorn!" the contractor, David, called out. "What do you think of the progress?"

"It looks great!" River said as he looked over the work. "You almost couldn't tell there was a fire here. You'd think I was just remodeling or something."

David grinned at him. "We got all of the smoke damage out as well. There's still quite a bit of work, but I think we're making great progress."

"You are, it looks beautiful. Thank you, Dave," River said to him. "I'm just going to grab some things to take over to my boyfriend's, if that's okay."

"Yup, of course," David told him as he threw his bag over his shoulder. "I'm heading out!"

River bid him farewell and then he opened the door to the basement and slipped downstairs. They were getting closer and closer to the year and a day requirement, and River wanted to grab a couple of his restraints and crops to take over to Emmanuel's house until they could be here again. They were small things that would be easy to slip underneath the bed so that Emmanuel didn't feel that it was cluttering up his small apartment. He knew how worried Emmanuel was by not having things fit in there right then. He didn't like his space cluttered.

As he was putting the items into a small bag of his meant for his BDSM equipment, he heard his phone chime. He pulled it out of his pocket to look at it. The DNA results had come back and Dr. Carrington had put them into the system. The blood matched the DNA to the hair that was ripped from the culprit.

River sat down hard on the bench down there, his whole body feeling cold. He didn't know what to do with this. Realistically, he knew what they would do from a justice department standpoint, but from an emotional standpoint, he didn't know how to feel or what to think. Could Vinny really have been part of his sister's death?

He couldn't think of why else Vinny's hair, root and all, would be on Cassia's body. The culprits had even tried to clean her up, though they had been hurried and not perfect in their work. River had no idea why Vinny would do this, but the white dress and the veil over her face made sense based on his relationship to her.

River looked up when he heard movement near the stairs, and was surprised to see Vinny there. Vinny took in the appearance of him as he came forward. River was too shocked to do anything so he didn't even fight it when Vinny took his phone from him and looked at it.