"I can try," he said, chuckling. "Besides, people stop arguing when you say 'we'll see'. They might get frustrated, but there isn't much they can say to that, because you aren't arguing with them." He'd used the technique plenty of times. In fact, he'd learned it from all those social workers who never wanted to commit to anything when he asked them questions. It was the perfect way to disarm someone. "I'm right here with you, babe. We will figure this out when the time comes." When the time came, Travis would make sure that TJ did whatever was best for himself, regardless of the impact on others.
"Really? You're not sure?" Travis laughed. "It was August, warmer, and this guy couldn't even talk to me in public. He certainly didn't like people to know his business, no that there was anything to know, because he didn't do serious, just sex in private." He nipped TJ's lip, smiling. "We're standing outside our, our house, so close that we're practically having sex, talking about dinners with your family. Yes, you're obviously the same person."
He ran his hand behind TJ's hand, soothing it although the bang wasn't hat hard. "You're changing, but you aren't a new person. You'll get there, and then you won't be so much of an idiot," he said, chuckling. "You know, you wouldn't be you if you turned into Mother Theresa. Baby steps, TJ."
Travis nodded. "I will, because I believe in you, with all of your strengths and faults. I believe in the man, not the image, and any man isn't perfect. As long as you keep trying, then you're a good man."
He smiled. "You're really looking for my gun, is that it?" he teased. "Do you even have yours or did you walk out without it? I'm not even going to ask if you have all of the other supplies on you." He looked at TJ for a moment and sighed. "You have your family, TJ, but some of us need the kumbaya family, because we have nothing else. She had no one here and she made a family and family, a very messed up, insane, eclectic family is what gives us the strength to keep going. She's trying to give everyone that, even when she doesn't have to. They invited me to family dinner the day after I arrived and they didn't have to. I kind of like her kumbaya family. You don't have to like it, but don't make fun of it."