So...You're Gay....

Elisa's detective skills kicked in as soon as she walked out on the veranda. Her gargoyle friends were in stone sleep, as usual. All eyes were on Lexington. Goliath was frozen in stone just as he was about to take his customary perch on the highest parapet. He had his face turned to Lex and had an expression of extreme shock, his mouth wide open. Elisa tried not to laugh too hard at the expression. Lex looked startled. Had Goliath shouted at him? Most telling was Staghart's body language. He had his hands on Lex's shoulders, in a comforting, reassuring gesture. "So," Elisa said to the stone that was Lexington. "You finally came out of the closet."

With sunset, the stone shattered and the gargoyles awoke. "Elisa!" Goliath saw the woman he loved. "Perhaps now is not a good time...."

Elisa shook her head. "I'm part of this clan." she reminded him. "Anything that concerns its members concerns me." She looked at Lex. "Lex, congratulations on coming out. That takes a lot of courage."

"Uh...how did you know?" asked Lex.

"Elementary, my dear Lexington." Elisa replied with a smile, nodding to Staghart, who suddenly realized he was still holding on to Lex's shoulders. He abashedly took his hands back.

Goliath was rubbing his temples, as if fighting a headache. "Lexington," he sighed. "Just what do you mean by this?"

"Yeah." said Nashville. "When's somebody gonna tell me what 'gay' means?"

"I'll tell you what it means, Nash." said Lex.

"Lex-Kun," said Katana. "Perhaps you shouldn't...."

"Don't worry, Katana. I won't give him any big spoilers." Lex turned back to Nashville. "Nash, it means, I love Staghart very much." He took his beloved's hand. "I love him like your parents love each other. Like Broadway loves Angela. Like Goliath loves Elisa." Goliath started to say something, but Elisa put her fingers on his lips and shook her head. "There's just one difference, Nash."

"That...you're both guys?" Nashville guessed.

"That's the only difference." said Lex. "Gay means that one guy loves another guy."

"Oh." Nashville replied. "I'm hungry. Mom, can I have some ice cream?"

"This early in the evening?" Katana said, clearly scandalized. "If you are hungry, you can eat cereal or fruit."

"Can I have strawberry ice cream? Strawberry's a fruit."

Katana took her son's hand. "Come along. I will make you something to eat." They walked away together.

"Hey, Lex." Broadway said. "I just want you to know, that I'm just glad you could be honest with us. And no matter what, I'm always gonna be your big buddy."

"Uh, wow, uh thanks." Lex wasn't sure what to say.

"C'mere, little buddy!" Broadway scooped him up in a bear hug. As Lex was getting breath back into his lungs, Broadway extended a hand to Staghart, which he took. "Welcome to the family, Staggy!"

"My friends call me Amp." he responded.

"You need a new catchphrase." said Broadway. "Well, anyone who wants blueberry waffles, meet me in the kitchen in about half an hour!"

"Best to go now." Hudson said as he began to follow the younger gargoyle. "The way that lad eats, there won't be any waffles in half an hour!"

"Goliath, I need a word alone with you." said Elisa, leading him away from the others.

"Lexington," said Angela. "I'm also glad you could be honest. about this. And don't worry, I'm sure Father will come around. Katherine did." She kissed him on the forehead. "See you at the breakfast table."

"I kinda figured it out some time ago." said Brooklyn. "For the longest time, all I could think about was how I missed you and Broadway and everyone. And, one day when I was fighting some Hittites, it just came to me. Why you were never that much into Angela, why you used to drool over Goliath, why you sometimes acted weird when I walked in when you were on the computer."

"I never drooled over Goliath!"

"You think I didn't notice?" Brooklyn's remaining eye twinkled. "At first, I thought it was just hero worship. Now, I realize it was something more. I'm really happy for you, Lex. I wish you and Staghart as much happiness as I have with Katana." Brooklyn gave his rookery brother a hug. "Don't take a single moment for granted." he told him, before joining the others in the kitchen.

"Are you alright, Lex?" Amp asked his sniffling lover.

"Y-yeah." said Lex, choking down a sob. "It's just...I guess I never realized until just now...they really do love me."

"You see? I told you." Amp gave his lover a hug and nuzzled the top of his head.

"But...Goliath...."

"He'll come around, like Angela said." He took Lex's hand. "I'd like to know who that Katherine person she mentioned is. Come, let's eat."

Nash was at the table, eating a banana while his mother fried some sausages at the stove and Broadway mixed some batter in a bowl. "How do you like your eggs, Staghart-san?" Katana asked as she took a carton from the refrigerator.

"Scrambled, thanks. And I like my tea like I like my men. Hot and sweet." Staghart smiled at Lexington.

Angela laughed. "Griff said something similar when I first met him." she said as she took a can of pineapple from the pantry.

"When was this?" Broadway asked, pausing mid-stir.

"Oh, Broadway, it was before we met." Angela opened the refrigerator. "We got any strawberry yogurt? I'm up for an Avalon Sunset."

"What's that?" asked Staghart.

"It's a smoothie recipe she came up with." said Lex. "Pineapple, orange juice and strawberry yogurt blended together."

"We'll have to make do with Sunny D." Angela said, getting out her ingredients. "Well, a little beta caratine never hurt anyone." She put the can of pineapple under the electric opener. "I prefer fresh pineapple, but canned works."

"Say, Angela." said Staghart, "Who's Katherine?"

Angela smiled as she disposed of the can's lid. "She's the woman who took care of me on Avalon. She was a princess from medieval Scottland, so she had quite a few quaint ideas about how things should be done." She dumped the can's contents in the blender. "For instance, for the 25th anniversary of our hatching, Tom- that's the name of one of the men who took care of us- made some presents for everyone in his forge." She spooned yogurt into the blender. "Girls got jewelry." She held up a be-bangled hand to make her point. "Boys got arrows and spears."

"Freudian symbols, ahoy." chuckled Brooklyn.

"What's a froy-dee-un symbol?" Nashville asked between bites of his banana.

"You're eating one." Nashville frowned at his father's response.

"Anyway," Angela continued as she measured orange juice. "My sister, Ophelia, wanted to know if she could trade her bracelet for a quiver of arrows. Katherine tried to tell her that hunting was something boys did. Tom took Ophelia's side, however, gave her a bow and arrows and took her hunting with the boys." She poured in the orange juice and placed the cap on. "Ophelia turned out to be just as good as most of the boys, if not better, at hunting." She turned on the blender. "Personally, I'm a better cook than a hunter."

"She's right." Broadway put his arms around her. "And one of these days, I'm going to wheedle her secret recipe for barbecue sauce out of her."

"Get me some glasses, sweetheart?" she asked. Broadway complied.

"That's a bit different." said Staghart. "Ophelia just wanted to hunt. She wasn't gay. Was she?"

"Oh, no." said Angela, filling a glass Broadway gave her. "She's actually mated with my brother, Gabriel. They worked together well. They'd turn a deer carcass over the spit while I...." Angela flushed when she realized her faux pas. "Oh, I'm so sorry...."

Staghart laughed. "No offense is taken, Angie. Can I call you Angie?"

"No." she said with all the sweetness of Dot Warner. "Call me Angie and you die." She smiled and offered him an Avalon Sunset.

"Angela, then." He took a sip. "Very nice. Anyway, there's a world of difference between me and a side of venison, so I don't take issue with anything your clan ate."

Angela filled more glasses. "I had a pair of brothers that turned out to be gay." she said. "Aindreas and Jophiel. They were best friends as hatchlings. Then, they grew up and started spending all their time together. It wasn't unusual for my siblings to spend more time with some than others. I imagine that happens whenever there's a large group. But, one day, I caught Aindreas and Jophiel in the pantry together, doing something, shall we say, unsanitary with a honey jar."

"What were they doing?" asked Nashville, who had been listening.

"Uh, they were sticking their fingers in it!" said Brooklyn.

"Um, yeah, their fingers." said Angela. "Well, they made me promise not to tell Katherine."

"Why would it be such a big deal?" asked Nashville. "Sticking your fingers in honey is kinda gross, but it's not that bad."

"It was really special honey!" Brooklyn said quickly.

"I told them I didn't feel right about lying to Katherine." Angela continued. "They told me I wasn't lying. I just wasn't mentioning what I saw. I told them she'd eventually find out and it was better if they just told her. Still, I promised not to tell anyone what I saw. To be honest, I kinda wish I didn't see. Well, I was right. Eventually she caught them in the library. Jophiel tried the 'He had something in his eye.' excuse."

"Even I know what that means." Nashville said with an eyeroll. "Dad said that once when I walked in on him and Mom smoochin'."

"Katherine threw a screaming fit that could be heard all through the castle." Angela said as Broadway served her a still warm waffle. "Thanks, love. She was berating the both of them, telling them it was disgusting and unnatural. Then, Magus took her outside, saying he needed to talk to her alone. Much like Elisa just did with Father. I don't know what he told her, but she was a lot calmer and actually apologized to Aindreas and Jophiel for her harsh words and told them she loved them. " Angela poured syrup on her waffle. "When Avalon was...invaded, Aindreas got his wing clawed up. Fall broke his leg as well. Would've crippled him if the sun hadn't healed him. Jophiel didn't want to leave his bedside, but Aindreas told him he had to go out and fight to protect everyone."

"Clawed up?" said Staghart. "You mean by another gargoyle, then?"

Angela really did not want to go into details of that incident, so she changed the subject. "You know, while Lex was in England, I helped out this boy named Chris who got thrown out of house when his parents found out he was gay. He's a nice kid. He lives in the Labyrinth now. Maybe you two could...."

Just then, Goliath and Elisa entered, causing everyone to suddenly become very quiet and still. "Lexington." the tall gargoyle intoned. "I'd like a word with you. Alone."

Lexington looked at Staghart, who gave him a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. Lex gulped and followed Goliath into a sitting room. /This is Goliath./ Lex reminded himself. /He's our leader. Leaders don't kill members of their clan./

Goliath gave Lexington an indiscernible look. Lex stood up straight, trying to look taller than an inch under five feet. "Elisa has told me what you are." he said.

"We are what we are." Lex said simply.

Goliath actually smiled. "Those words have a familiar ring to them." he said. "Lexington, I don't presume to know your heart, and I am in no position to tell you who to love"

/Got that right!/ Lex bit his tongue and merely nodded.

"However, I worry about the practicality of this relationship."

"You think love is practical?" Lex asked before he could stop himself.

Goliath seemed only mildly perturbed. "Hear me out, Lexington. Our race is dying. You have told me about the restrictions the London Clan is putting on reproduction. The Mayan Clan has a mere four living members and a clutch of 32. The Ishimura Clan is still reeling from the blow to its population due to radiation from neighboring Hiroshima. Only 11 of their eggs hatched in 1958 and some females committed seppeku, believing the fault to be theirs. Once numbering hundreds, they are only 43, 44 if they take back Yama. They have only 19 eggs. This clan has but one egg in the rookery. In ten years time, we will be lucky to have two. After that, Angela will be the only female in the clan capable of bearing eggs."

"So, what are you saying, Goliath? That we should just be fruitful and multiply? Lay back and think of the clan?"

"That...would not be practical either. Females prefer mates who will be devoted to them, not mates who see them as only a receptacle." Goliath heaved a sigh. "Hudson has told me of Staghart's courage and capability. He has assured me that Staghart would be an acceptable member of our clan. Lexington, I do not pretend to understand this, but I will accept it."

"That's all I want, Goliath."

"I'd like a word alone with Staghart now."

"OK." said Lexington as they returned to the kitchen. "But, I should tell you something, Goliath. Amp and I aren't going to keep secrets from each other."

"Good. Mates should always be honest with each other."

Lex smiled. /He called us mates! Well, indirectly. But still..../

"Staghart." Goliath said as he re-entered the kitchen. "I'd like a word alone with you." Staghart nodded, rose from the table and followed Goliath outside. In passing, Lexington gave him a smile of reassurance.

/Right then./ Staghart told himself. /Stand up straight. Show respect, not intimidation./ Goliath was silently looking out a window, making it hard for Staghart to gauge his mood. After what seemed an eternity, Goliath spoke.

"Hudson told me about you, Staghart." he said. "He told me of your courage and competence in battle. He told me that you saved Lexington's life."

"I was only returning a favor, sir." said Staghart, trying not to think of the wonderful, erotic moments that followed on that night. "Lex saved my life earlier."

"When I first encountered your clan, they were wholly uninterested in protecting the humans. I hope you realize that the rules of this clan will be very different."

"That won't be a problem, sir." Staghart said with a smile. "When I was younger, Coco and I actually got in trouble with Una for protecting humans." Goliath gave him a hard look. /Oh, no, he thinks I'm a troublemaker! Say, didn't he fight along side Griff?/ "It's like this, Una and Leo told me and the rest of my rookery sibs all about Griff and how one night he went out to fight Nazis, never to return. They meant it as a cautionary tale, but it had just the opposite effect on me and Coco." Goliath was looking attentive. Did he want to hear more?

"It was like hearing about Robin Hood or St. George or Beowulf, only this time, the hero was a gargoyle like us. Coco and I wanted to be just like him. Only, there were no Nazis to fight. So, we made do with a gang of Skinheads that frequented Hyde Park. One got me in the leg with a bat and would've gone all /Clockwork Orange/ on me if Coco hadn't lamped him one and got me out of there." /I say, that doesn't make me look good./ "Of course, I was much younger then and I've learned to be a better fighter since."

"I take it Una was not happy that you disobeyed her." Goliath said.

"Oh, she was furious! Nearly refused to put a healing spell on me. But, she took pity on me and did it anyway. Of course, for it to heal properly, it had to be set. Hurt like billy-oh. But, Una saved her worst scolding for Coco. She had high expectations for her, being second-in-command and all. Coco later tried to apologize to me, thinking it was her fault I got hurt. But, I knew it had been my decision. I wasn't about to blame her for it."

"Very responsible of you."

"Thank you, sir."

"You need not 'sir' me so much. You may call me Goliath."

"And you may call me Amp! Can I call you Golly?"

"Don't push it."

"Er, no, I won't. Sorry, sir, Goliath, sir." Staghart decided now would be a good time to leave.

"Staghart!" Staghart froze in his tracks. "There is one thing you must know. From your story, it sounds like you understand that actions have consequences." Staghart gulped and nodded. "Then know this. If you ever betray Lex's trust, break his heart, or give him reason to cry, I warn you, the consequences will be...most dire." Goliath underscored his meaning as his eyes glowed white.

"Understood, sir." Staghart knew he would never willingly do anything to hurt Lex in any way, so he was safe. Still, the older gargoyle could be intimidating.

Later that night, Lexington and Staghart were on the couch, watching TV and recounting what Goliath had told him. "I can't believe Goliath would even think you might hurt me." Lex said grumpily.

"You told me about his former mate, Demona." said Staghart. "There was probably a time he wouldn't believe she'd ever do something to hurt him. Think of it this way, Lex. It means he cares about you."

"He does, doesn't he." Lex smiled. "So, you and Coco used to mix it up with Skinheads? They're pretty rough."

"Tell me about it. I'd like to think some of the rumors about Herne the Hunter might be because of me."

"Who's Herne the Hunter?"

"English folk hero. He was a hunter who died trying to save King Richard II from a mad deer. It's believed that Herne's ghost still haunts Windsor Park, looking for people to rescue, wearing the antlers of the deer on his head. Let's face it, on a foggy night, I can look rather ghostly."

"I'm afraid you might not get such a good reception here in New York."

Staghart shrugged. "I got you. That's enough."

"So, any other English heroes you want to tell me about?"

"Well, you've no doubt heard of Robin Hood and you've met King Arthur. When I was a hatchling, though, I always loved hearing Leo and Una talk about Griff. They erected a statue to him and told us all about him. Their stories about Griff are what inspired Coco and me to take on Skinheads and other such yobbos. It was exciting to finally meet him. We got to know what he was really like. He liked films and superhero comics- something practically verboten by Una. I guess she thought Superman was a bad influence."

"I think I saw some reprints of the old Superman comics from the 30's and 40's. They're pretty far removed from the Death of Superman saga DC is running now."

Staghart chuckled. "The first thing Griff wanted to know was what became of his favorite film stars. Well, with the exception of Shirley Temple, they were all dead. Bad habits did most of 'em in. He was well gutted, but he tried to cheer up by saying 'Well, at least Superman can't die!' I showed him the last issue and he nearly fainted." They both laughed.

"You didn't show him /Superman IV/, did you?" Lex asked with a smile. "He would've had an aneurysm!"

"I think he just saw the first couple. Griff was chuffed beyond words to find out that people could now own films and watch them whenever they wanted. He watched a lot of his old favorites that he only got to see once or twice from the rafters of the local cinema. He was rather fond of The Three Stooges shorts."

"Griff likes The Three Stooges?"

"I found it hard to believe too. But, learning little things like that made him better than a folk hero. He was someone real." Staghart gave a sad smile. "I used to have something of a pash on him. One night, we were watching The Three Stooges, having a bit of a munch, and I decided to try the old arm around the shoulder trick. Well, just at that moment, Moe got a pie in the face and Griff laughed hard enough to squirt Coke out his nostrils." Lex laughed. "Moment was ruined. The next night, I overheard a conversation between him and Una. Seems they had a bit of a thing going back in the 40's. Well, if Griff preferred birds to blokes, I wasn't going to embarrass myself sharking after him."

"Say Griff hadn't squirted Coke out his nostrils." Lex said, realizing Amp already had an arm around his shoulders. "What would've happened next?"

"Well, I reckon he would've shimmied away and give me the old 'I like you as a friend' speech." Amp gave a short laugh. "And had I pressed the issue, he would've kicked my bloody arse seven ways from Sunday."

"But, suppose he did this...." Lex scooted even closer to Amp and wrapped an arm around his waist.

"Well, I probably would've started playing with that feathery mohawk of his." Amp ran his fingers over the center of Lex's scalp.

"And...what if he did...this!" Lex began nibbling and kissing Amp's broad neck.

"Oh...erm...that- that might be- Ah! Might be hard to...to do with, with a beak." Lex was making it hard for Amp to think straight.

"Or, suppose he did this." Lex undid the snap on Amp's unitard. "What is it Griff said once? In for a penny, in for a pound?"

"Well, if we're coming out of clothing...." Amp started undoing Lex's belt.

"You should really consider a loincloth, Amp." Lex said, peeling the blue and gold garment off. "Easier to take off." /I wonder if this makes me a furry./ Lex wondered as he ran talons through the silky white fur on Amp's chest. /The fur is part of him, so I love it!/ Lex nuzzled his face against the broad chest as large hands fondled him. The hands then took him by the shoulders and laid him down on the couch. Amp was covering him with his body, his hardness pressing against Lex's hip.

"I love you, Lex." Amp whispered to him. "Hot as I was for Griff, I don't think I honestly could've told him that."

"I love you too." Lex gasped. "Think you could move a little? You're crushing me."

In one swift move, Amp was lying on his back and positioning Lex so that he was straddling his hips. He took Lex's hand and put it on his stiff, pink member. He grabbed a hold of Lex's stiff green member. He positioned it so that their cocks were both touching each other. He smiled up at Lex, who smiled back. Lex began rocking against Amp, who squeezed and pulled at both cocks. Lex grabbed Amp's shoulders for leverage as he thrust against him, loving the feel of skin on skin. Amp was whispering to him.

"Yes, my love, like that. Just like that!"

"Amp! It feels so good!"

Lex rode his lover on the way to ecstasy. His whole body was warm and tingling with pleasure as their cocks rubbed together. Amp had his head lolling over the arm of the sofa, his antlers nearly brushing the floor. He was breathing heavily as a look of rapture brightened his face. He would sometimes let out a small moan of pleasure. The air was heavy with the scent of musk. Hot fluid began seeping out of their members, mingling as it trickled over their hands, making their grasp more slippery.

Amp could feel himself cumming. He went from being content to lie back and be ridden by his beloved to feeling hot pleasure coiling inside him, ready to spring. He arched against Lex, begging for more. He gave a small shout as his orgasm claimed him. He gratefully murmured Lex's name as he went limp and relaxed.

The sight and feel of Amp cumming in hot bursts combined with the reverent sound of Amp's voice was enough to make Lex cum. He gave a shuddering moan as the hot eruption of semen poured from him. He collapsed over his lover's body and was cocooned in strong arms and soft feathered wings.

/Definitely worth traveling 3,470 miles for./ Staghart thought as he fondly stroked Lex's back. He looked at Lex's face, loving that sheepish look he always had just after cumming. He nuzzled the top of his head. "I love you, Lex." he whispered.

"I love you too, but we both made ourselves kind of messy." Lex replied with a laugh. "C'mon, we'd better clean up." The two got up and went in search of the nearest shower.

Author's Notes:
Yeah, I know, took awhile to get to the smut. I wanted to give Staghart some more backstory and cover Goliath's reaction to this new relationship. I also thought it would be interesting to make two of Angela's brothers gay. According to Greg, 16 of the eggs (including Angela) were female, 3 were beasts (a male and two females) and 17 were male. This way, the two odd males aren't lonely. I just might write something about them. I also have an idea for a misadventure Angela has in the Labyrinth. Keep reading!