It took Barry about twenty minutes before he dared to open the door. His stepfather - who he just unknowingly gave a blowjob - tried talking to him a couple more times, to no avail, before he told Barry that he was going to give him some space and meet him outside. Then, he left. Barry sat there alone, processing what just happened before he felt ready to step outside.
Of course, he had to wait for five additional minutes anyway before leaving the building - as, for some stupid reason, his damn cock wouldn't go down!
The sunlight felt intrusive in his eyes after leaving the dark restroom. It didn't take Barry long to find his stepfather's truck - it was the only car parked in the deserted parking lot. Slowly, he started walking towards the car. As he reached it, he saw his stepfather sitting behind the wheel, staring blankly into the distance.
Barry gathered up the courage to step inside. Then, he joined his father for another minute of silence.
"I'm sorry," Stavros said, in a trembling voice, "I know I'm probably going to say those words a million times more, but... I am so, so sorry, Barry. Oh god. What the fuck did we just... oh god!"
Something about seeing his stepfather like that made Barry soften up. They were distant - he had never seen Stavros in distress before. This was very unfamiliar to him, but it didn't feel unpleasant or weird. He felt selfish as he realized how much he had been ignoring his stepfather's emotions. After all, this was the same person Barry kept opening up to over the phone for the last couple of days.
"Stavros, don't," he said, putting his hand on his stepfather's shoulders, "You didn't know. I didn't know either. It was just... an accident."
"No, Barry, bumping a stranger's car with yours is an accident, this is just... crazy," Stavros said, as he rubbed his forehead with his fingers. Then he turned to Barry, his eyes glassy.
"I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"No!" Barry said confidently, "No, Stavros, come on! I mean, before I knew it was you, it actually felt... Never mind, don't worry. You didn't hurt me. You definitely didn't hurt me, Stavros."
"It was you the entire time," Stavros said, shaking his head, "I should have figured it out. I feel so stupid."
"Well," Barry replied calmly, "If it makes you feel any better... I feel a little stupid too."
Another moment of silence.
"You told me so many things," Stavros said, "So many things I had never heard you say. I would never imagine you being so... like you were."
He turned to Barry slowly.
"Is that... why you were being so closed off with me? Because you like men?"
Barry stared back at him. Then he looked forward again. He never imagined talking to his stepfather like this, but at that point, he had no choice. It was the same man he texted. The man he texted was a total stranger, and yet telling this stuff to Stavros felt so... weird.
"I'm sorry about that," Barry said, trying as hard as possible to keep his emotions together, "I'm sorry about everything. I know how I was. And I didn't like how I was. But I didn't know what was gonna happen if I said anything... I felt trapped and hopeless and alone."
Stavros's hand wrapped around his shoulders and pulled him closer. Barry leaned on Stavros's shoulder and buried his face into his shirt. Stavros's hand gently stroked his hair.
"Don't be sorry about that, Barry," Stavros said calmly, "These things are never easy. During the last couple of days, when I was texting... well, you, I also felt very strange. Good, but strange. You've been carrying this secret for a long time, I can't imagine how you felt."
He pulled him closer into a stronger grip.
"You don't have to be afraid to tell me anything," Stavros said, "Seriously. Nothing is going to change the way I feel about you, okay? We're a family. And I'll always be here for you."
Barry nodded slowly, unable to let go. He felt so emotional and confused... but so warm at the same time. It felt good. Talking to Stavros like this felt like the huge weight from his back was finally gone. After all those years... And he had never felt so free.
The two of them hugged for a while longer before they pulled themselves away. Barry wiped his eyes and looked at Stavros. They both smiled at each other genuinely, knowing that a wall had just been torn down. The sudden emotions they felt mixed together with the panic they experienced only a few moments ago were exhausting. But at that moment, they knew that everything was going to be alright.
"Let's go home," Stavros said, "It's not that late yet but I think we can both agree it was a long day."
"Sure, dad," Barry said, still smiling as he fastened his seatbelt. When he finished, he found Stavros looking at him with a bewildered look.
"You just called me 'dad'," he said, looking surprised, "You've never called me that before!"
Barry looked at him, only realizing that at that moment as well. He didn't know why he did it. Suddenly, it just felt natural to say it.
"Huh... I guess I did," he said, "It just kind of felt right... I hope you don't mind?"
Stavros sighed as he reached for the keys to start the car. Barry noticed that he blushed in the face.
"Of course, it is, son," he shook his head as he slowly pulled out of the parking space, "I just wish you picked a day when you didn't give me a blowjob to first call me that."
They both laughed, as the truck drove away and merged onto the road.