Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

March, 2000.

"I hate them."

Pretty Boy looked up to Jay, who had scooped closer to him as if to shield his view from the three big guys from a week ago. Jay’s eyes shot daggers at the dudes, who’s gazes mirrored the demeanour, asking nothing else than to just start another fight then and there.

Only fighting in the school corridor wouldn’t just go as unoticed as from behind the gymnasium, and Jay had his group of friends around, the exact same people that managed to beat up worse the harassers. And so, the latest could only furiously glare as they passed by, disappearing in the crowd of students awaiting for the morning classes to begin.

Soon they had made their way, but Jay was still tensed, and heavily sighed.

"I swear to God if they ever come near you again..."

Pretty Boy gave a small calming smile. "Jay... you know they left me alone, right ? It’s all good."

The jock mumbled under his breath. "They knocked out one of your tooth. They look at you the wrong way and it’ll be enough for me to-"

"They broke one of yours too ! And look at your nose..." Pretty Boy defensively reminded the other.

I’m not the only one that got all black and blue ! Look into a mirror, and even at your friends-..!

Jay layed a hand on Pretty Boy’s shoulder, looking at him in the eyes when saying his name. He wanted the other’s full attention; which he got. "They knocked out. One of your tooth. It’s not nothing..."

"I never said it was nothing" he protested, lightly chuckling, puting his hand on the top of the other’s. "What I did say, was that there’s no reason to worry. They didn’t even try to approach me since you and your friends... rescued me ?"

Hey... don’t pull that face on me ! No need to be all gloomy...

Pretty Boy playfully poked Jay’s arm. "My very own knight in shining armor, with his mighty companions !"

Ah, there it is ! Lil smile.

"Stop !" Jay chuckled, hiding his face with his arm. It probably didn’t help that his friends all teamed up to tease him about the instant blushing.

"He always gets to you, man ! Aren’t you supposed to be the one getting him all flustered, huh ?" One of Jay’s friends teased him, lightly nudging him.

Jay smacked the guy’s back of the neck, flush worsening. "Oh, shut your big mouth ! You don’t even know shit about how-.. about how it works !"

"How "it" works ? What, gay couples ? Cause you do, mister 'no I’m straight there’s just something about that pretty bo'-"

Jay grabbed the guy’s hair and tried to force him to the ground. "You’re fucking stupid ! Fuck you, John, fuck you-"

"Aren’t you supposed to fuck hi-"

"Nathaniel don’t you dare" Jay let go off a laughing John to warningly hold an index out at another of his friends, his face looking like a tomato.

Pretty boy found this amusing, watching, smug grinned.

Well that surely is entertaining. Hehehe...

Jay endured a few other teasing from his friends, and then sighed once they left him breathe.

"Hey" he turned to his boyfriend, who had just pulled his nokia phone out to check the time left before classes would start.

"Mmh ?"

"Just... I know those guys left you alone." Jay started again, more serious, but slightly concerned looking. "It’s just... you know, they can’t be the only ones messing with you, and it just..."

He let out a frustrated grunt, shoving his hands in his pockets. "It sucks. I wish I could know who exactly’s writing that shit on your lockers. Or starting the rumours, and shit."

"Well, they’re not really rumours, if you’re talking about the ones about me being gay, you know ?" Pretty Boy smiled, shrugging.

"I- of course I know" Jay once again flushed a little, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean we’re kinda dating so..."

Pretty Boy refrained a laugh, almost snorting, hand over his mouth. "Woah, who knew, a boy dating boys is... gay."

The jock pouted, still flustered. "Oh wow indeed. The shock I am going through right now is undescribable..."

Now seems like the perfect time to pull out a smug grin... I absolutely love flustering him until it seems like there’s smoke coming out his ea-

The blond’s face suddenly fell, fixated to a point over his shoulder.

...Or maybe not. I don’t know what that’s about, but he doesn’t look in the mood just now.

Pretty Boy, curious, flipped over to try and see the object of his boyfriend’s disapproving glare.

"C’mon, jackass !"

"Hey ! Do not refer to me by such insults, Kimberly ! For, I the Maveri-"

"Oh my GOD someone shut up this guy !"

"Well, I happen to be one of your companions, therefore wishing such treatment upon me should grant you punishment from the boss. A-Am I right ?"

"Nope."

Pretty Boy blinked.

Huh. Well they’re loud for sure.

Just why were Jay’s eyes so angry when glancing at those kids ? It genuinely didn’t look like anyone there was being harassed, the blond –wait was that a wig ? Was it even permitted in school ?– guy didn’t look worried, he just seemed to be teased more or less relentlessly by an annoyed-looking short girl with half her hair shaved. The other girl –the one that the odd guy called 'boss'– looked unipressed, smirk plastered on her face.

That girl rolled her eyes when the wiged teen asked for her 'avail to correct her lieutenant for the injure to his person', shaking her head. "Mikhael, this is a fight that is yours to fight" she shrugged, mimicking his demeanour, pushing a strand of her pink hair away from her face dramatically.

The other did not pick up on her irony and challenged the other to a duel for honor.

She did not pay attention to him, mumbling under her breath, flush of embarrassment on her face.

That girl shifted her head to where Jay and Pretty Boy stood, feeling the eyes on her, so both boys stopped staring.

"Hey, what’s up with them ? Why were you looking at them that way ?" Pretty Boy was genuinely confused. "Did they do something to you ?"

Jay sighed, shook his head. "No, no. It’s just... I’ve heard from a friend that they’re nothing but trouble. They’re in a gang." He said the last part lower, as if the concerned people would hear whispers in the corridor full of students chattering.

The other rose a brown, honestly in disbelief. Them..? A... gang ?

"They honestly seem just like a bunch of what everybody would call weirdos" He noticed. "They seem pretty harmless too. Calling them a gang seems... really far-fetched." he added, seeing the 'blond' boy get his wig snatched away by the small irritated girl and act as if he had a limb torn off.

Jay’s gaze darkened for a second. "Apparently that girl" he pointed at the bubblegum haired one "carries around a nailed bat. That isn’t harmless."

I’m not going to argue with that fact.

"But even so, I don’t see why you seemed so... displeased; when they showed up ? It’s not like they’re doing anything wrong.."

Sure, they’re... their fare share of weird, but that doesn’t harm anyone.

"I heard they’re a bunch of bullies" Jay scoffs looking irritated.

"Heard ? Jay, you know rumours are not to be trusted.." Pretty Boy gently reminded him.

"No, I know. It’s not the rumours though. I’ve got a friend who knows those guys better, and he’s set on it : they’re nothing but trouble, and they’re agressive."

They... don’t look exactly agressive to me.

The comic lover detailed the teens from where they were, the two girls sharing candy purposefully ignoring the theatrical-acting teen. If not, okay, a bit troubled, but nothing more than just regular outcasts that grouped together...?

"Okay" Pretty Boy nodded. "Let’s say they might be agressive, and bullies. We don’t know them, so... what’s the issue ? They don’t mess with you, do they ?" He enquired, trying to figure out where the other’s resentment came from.

"No, not me." Jay insisted on the last word, then looked into the smaller one’s eyes.

What..? Oh–

"They don’t mess with me either ! I had never even noticed them before" Pretty Boy gave a reassuring grin, chuckling.

"We never know ! They could be the ones writing all that shit on your lockers..."

I appreciate that he’s looking out for me. But suspecting the whole school is just going to be tiring. We should just focus on the friends we have rather than the enemies we do, we can afford that luxury after all. We’re numerous enough not to get cornerned up, and besides, no one wants to mess with the football team.

One of Jay’s friend joined in the conversation again. "Nah, Jay, I don’t think that’s them."

"Why so ?"

"See the girl there ? Square glasses, half shaved hair ?"

"Uh... yeah, I do. What about her ?"

"She’s definitely queer. She ain’t gonna be tagging another gay’s locker, it’s like a scoring a goal against your own team."

"John, you can’t just assume she’s gay simply because of her looks" Pretty Boy laughed a bit. "Sometimes people just look different, it doesn’t mean they’re gay."

John blinked. "Well, you gotta admit, she does look gay. And actually, the pink haired one too, like, isn’t dying your hair a sign of gay-ness for girls ? Like maybe they’re dating or something ??"

Pretty Boy playfully rolled his eyes. "John, again, you can’t just tell someone’s queer just by looking at them. Hey, look at Jay, for example. Does he look gay to you ?"

"Why am I the example ?" Jay complained, blushing yet again.

"Cause you’re a queer too even though you don’t look like the type to like..." Nathaniel snickered "...y’know, sausa-"

Nathaniel received a smack in the back of the neck.

"I will choke you."

"With your big sausag-"

Nathaniel received another smack in the back of the neck.

Meanwhile John laughed to the point he was teary. "Oh my god you should’ve seen your face Jay– and look at your man, bro, he’s enjoying the shit out of this–!"

"Am not !" Pretty boy replied with his most innocent voice.

Ah, the joys of holding the power to fluster one’s partner...

"No more gay talk !" Jay decreed, looking like he’d just ran a marathon from how red he was.

It never ceased to amaze his boyfriend how this guy could get so tomato-like.

"And what if I wanted a detailed class about how gay relationships worked, huh, since apparently I don’t know how 'it' works and you do ?!" Nathaniel’s durability to Jay’s punches apparently was infinte, and he was back with the teasing. "What if I was interested in a demonstration ? Say, have you guys already fu–"

The bell loudly rang, and Jay took it as his cue to run away from the discussion. He shoved Nat away, gave an express hug to Pretty Boy and off he was to his class.

John and Jay’s third friend, Hugh –timid one that rarely talked much, but according to Jay was one of the best players in the football team– who had watched it all happen with a slightly amused eye though not daring any teasing, followed after the two.

Ah, it’s a shame Jay and I aren’t in the same class... welp. Cons of huge highschool, I guess. Better luck for the junior year I hope.

Instead of his loving boyfriend, he was stuck with the teasing pal, Nathaniel. Who, funnily enough, got somewhat too embarrassed to tease the smaller boy. One day, Pretty Boy had heard him mumble that it was because he was the 'first queer he met', that he 'wasn’t sure what was okay or not to say' and the goofy explanation had and still made him giggle a bit.

It was a change to see some awkward embarrassed demeanours when he interacted with people his age. A good one, obviously he preferred from far hanging out with Jay and his nervous lads, unsure about how to interact in a good way with him, than interacting with most the kids at the school who ripped his comics appart and calling him slurs.

Nonetheless, Pretty Boy had endless teasing material towards his boyfriend and his friends, and not a day went by without him getting good laughs out of everyone of them, with everyone.

He was a smug little bastard a times and boy did he enjoy jokingly turning his friends into flustered messes.

"So !" He perked up. "Let’s go to class, it’d be dumb to be late since we’re just literally next to the door" He pointed at the door, and turned to Nathaniel, who shrugged, nodding.

"Yep, I guess– though we ain’t gonna have class."

Huh ?

"What do you mean ?"

Nathaniel rose a brow. "You didn't hear ?" He pointed at a poster next to the entrance of the class, as people went in the room. "They’re giving a mandatory 'bullying’s bad' pep talk for each sophomore classes. Principal heard of what happened with the other assholes last week. Finally decided to say something about it I guess."

"Huh" Pretty Boy blinked. "Well it’s... more than nothing. I guess. Though they’re doing it too late, I’m left alone now, so... well, I guess it can’t hurt to say it another time. Plus I’m definitely not the only one that was messed with."

His friend shrugged. "Don’t hold them too high in esteem, dude. I bet they’re just gonna be like 'bullying bad stop being mean' then act as if they fixed the world by saying that."

"Maybe. Maybe not, what bad can a little hope do ?" The smaller boy chuckled. "Maybe today’s the day where they start actually taking action."

"Where do you always pull out this positive attitude or like hope, dude ?" Nat sighed. "It’s a good thing you never like, give up on humanity despite how fucked up people treat you."

"I pull my hope out my ass, and humanity has created comics, so it’s not all bad." He gave the other finger guns.

"You’re obssed, man" The other shook his head, though looking a bit amused, before heading into the class.

Pretty Boy chuckled. Yeah, not gonna lie, I am. But hey ! Comics are the best thing ever. It’s not for no reason I’m always in possession of one of those brilliant creations of humankind.

But yeah. Time wasn’t to dwell on the wonders of comics, but to go inside the classroom, take a seat, and listen for two hours about a speech most likely planned because of how he got beat up.

Oh, he wasn’t ashamed it was his 'fault'. He knew the other kids would complain about it being 'shoved down their throat how bullying was bad', that it had been for years, but he didn’t feel bad for them. Just a slight annoyance at their incapacity to realise bullies weren’t inherently evil people with the full knowledge of their actions and their consequences. He still had a little hope at least one of the kids in class would get that it wasn’t so simple, and take action.

Yup. Got hope in store even though maybe I may actually be holding them too high up the pedestal. But yeah, what has to happen will happen I guess.

He just had to be sure to find solutions to continue to make the most of his life, no matter what happened. If that intervention he more or less caused could help anyone, even as draft-ish as it was, even just one person, he’d consider it a win.

The teen took a few steps, towards the entrance, following the people in his class. He was about to close the door as he was last when he heard something, and peeked out.

He caught glimpse of the pink haired girl seen earlier, further away in the corridor. She was standing over a blong guy, who seemed to have fallen down.

Or, given how his furniture was all around him, and how he wasn’t moving or looking up, having been shoved down.

The bubblegum haired teen scoffed, and he saw her go off to her own classroom. Probably.

Oh.

So, seemed like Jay was right, she might actually be a troublemaker.

...

Urgh... I really don’t like judging people this fast. I don’t know her.

But he’d seen his fair share of bullies, and had troubles empathising with their reasons to act this way.

The blond teen got up, getting all his stuff in a hurry. He shoved the notebooks in his bag, and looked in the direction where the girl had left. Pretty boy saw the boy’s shoulders raise up, then down. Then he turned his head, as if he felt the gaze on him.

Their eyes linked for a second, but before he could even register it and signal the other, Pretty Boy was called in the classroom.

He closed the door, and went to sit next to Nat.

"Hey, what were you waiting for ?" He whispered. "Saw someone you knew or what ?"

He hesitated for a second.

"No, not really."

"What were you looking at then ?"

"Nothing much, don’t bother."

"If you say so" he shrugged. "Welp. Time for hearing a whole ass speech." The guy leaned back his chair, the people who were going to give the talk introducing the topic already.

Pretty Boy nodded, sighing internally. If only it was unnecessary.

But it wasn’t. And it wouldn’t do anything in the end.

—

Jay went straight to hug Pretty Boy when the bell rang for ressess, half laughing and half fake crying, calling out his name as soon as he got out his classroom.

"It was so long... and it was so awkward, they took me as an example when they were speaking about like, 'the heroes who don’t stand by and so something'– I didn’t ask for this ! Arghhh..."

"Come on" His boyfriend chuckled, extending his arm and patting the other’s head. "You survived. Want an award ?"

"Please god no, they acted as if I was the saviour of the bullied people just cause I have common sense. What I need right now is to be treated like a normal person."

They broke the hug.

"Okay, okay. Was it really that horrible though ?"

Jay sighed. "Well... obviously, it wasn’t as horrendous as it could’ve been. It was somewhat okay, I guess. Embarrassing when they like, forced me to talk about the backlash I faced when I first started to like, in their words, 'make friends with the loners' talking about you which I obviously didn’t like."

They did that ? Wow, that was... not a smooth way of asking him anything.

"I was a loner though." He pointed out.

"Well, if we’re technically speaking, kinda, it’s just... y’know, the tone and implications behind those words. When they said it. Just... urgh."

Can’t argue with 'urgh', Pretty Boy playfully thought.

"But yeah, I guess besides it, it was... acceptable. I just wished we got like, actual professionals speaking on the matter like we did in elementary." Jay noticed his boyfriend’s questioning look and developped. "There was some sort of association specialised on anti-bullying stuff that came once, when I was in like, 4th or 5th grade. I bet they’d have been better at this than the school watchers," he sighed. "Those who were the same ones that didn’t do shit about you."

"I guess, maybe. Very probably. But you know how a lot of us... them... well the other teens, here are about this. They think we get too much of interventions like those."

"Gee, I wonder why" Jay mumbled, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Perhaps it’s linked to the fact, oh wow, the same people who complain about the constant speeches don’t stop harrassing others."

"Hey. It’s no use to get angry over that, alright ?" Pretty Boy gave a smile, putting a hand on the other’s arm. "It’s upsetting, for sure. But on the bright side, neither you or me are getting crap from anyone anymore. Right ?"

"Yeah" Jay admitted, nodding. "Yeah, you’re right."

"I’m always right." He winked, teasing.

Jay gave an unimpressed face. "Even when you’re wrong ?"

"Even when I’m wrong."

"Nope ! The one holding the power of always being right is me !!" A guy popped up behind Jay, ruffling the athlete’s hair playfully –but seemingly a bit hard judging by Jay’s expression– and laughing.

They seemed friends, so Pretty Boy didn’t think too much of it. And this guy wouldn’t have joked with Jay if his goal was to bother him, haha.

They probably know each other with sports, right ? This guy has a jersey. Okay it’s orange and not blue like Jay’s, but maybe he doesn’t do soccer and something else ?

"And who might you be, you who pretend holding all truths ?" Pretty Boy might as well join in this new guy’s playful pretention. He looked like he was a funny guy, and the comic lover never said no to more friends.

Jay laughed, and pushed the other off him, amused. "That’s Kelsey. He’s in my class. He’s a dork, don’t listen to him, you know better than he does."

"Does not ! And drop the Kelsey ! It’s awkward, literally only the teachers call me this" the guy whined, pushing the other slightly.

"Everybody has free will dude." Jay smirked, then gestured to his boyfriend "Anyways, Kelsey, meet–"

"Call me Kel or I’ll take your secret comic collection you hide in–"

"HOW DOES YOUR ASS KNOW ABOUT–"

Kel exploded in laugher, finding Jay’s reaction hilarious. Once the poor guy had chilled down, Kel and Pretty Boy could properly exchange names. Though Jay was still petty, clearly upset at seemingly all of his close people circle had made it their goal to make him into an embarrassed or flustered mess all day long.

"That’s blackmail. You threatened to blackmail me, Kels– Kel."

"Well it did work" Kel innoctently batted puppy eyes. "Besides, you were humiliating me. You’re not my mom, don’t call me by my full name. Makes me feel like I’m in trouble, like broke a super pricy vase or something" he shivered. "Nah, I swear, my mom’s a dinosaur when she gets mad."

"Your mom still calls you by your full name when you’re in trouble ? And it still scares you ? Bro. It’s childish."

"To answer those questions : Yes, yes, no. She’s the ultimate terminator when you messed up so no talking on what you don’t know. And do not make me feel like I’m about to get like guilt tripped for houuuuurs. Thank you."

"Nope, what if I did not care and still called you Kelsey as if I was your moma and you were my little Ke–"

"Oh no, I’m being taken by a sudden urge to read those more or less explicit comic books about gay boys Jay hides–"

"You’re an asshole. You bully."

"You get what you ask for" Kel shrugged. "Speaking of bullies. You survived being called to the board to testify, whoah ! See ?"

"...you’re not in my class how do you know about–"

"I heard your cries of agony as you told the tale to your buddy here" Kel explained, motioning to Pretty Boy, amused.

"I was that loud...? Fuck I guess–" Jay grunted. "Yeah. I know I know... I survived. But still, wasn’t fun."

"Well, you don’t look like you had any fun, yeah." Kel approved. "But after all it wasn’t the goal. To have fun."

"You said it" Pretty Boy joined in. "But it’s over, huh ? It could’ve gone worse anyways. I heard some kids in class C say some of them got the whole class detention because they were being insufferable and really like, annoying."

Kel shrugged. "Well, it was okay in class B." He seemed to admit. "But some of the people in other classes really acted like goddamn hypocrites." He mumbled.

"Huh ? What do you mean, what happened ?" Jay asked.

"So there’s that girl" Kel starts, talking and making all sorts of hand gestures while doing so "she’s like, a real pain in the ass. Like, a bully. An asshole, to put it bluntly."

"You must really hate her to say all that" Jay observed. "You never talk shit about anyone."

"She’s an exception. The exception." Kel sighed. "Let’s say we knew each other and then she randomly became an ass for no reason. Like, during the speech she was all like 'yeah nobody deserves to be left alone while suffering', like she knows anything about that. Her and her group of friends just harrass everyone that like, looks at them the wrong way like she got beef with the whole world."

"To this point ?" Pretty Boy rose a brow.

She sounds really angry. Pent up ball of rage.

"Well" Kel made a face. "Okay, I may be exaggerating. Just a little though. She’s not gonna smack you across the face for looking at her the wrong way but you’re definitely gonna hear shit from her or her little goons if you do so. And yeah, the most ironic part of it was like, she was saying all that crap about how it’s important to help others, in an anti-bullying intervention."

Jay and his boyfriend awaited the rest. Kel noticed they were waiting for more context, and flat out said "She’s a bully. She won’t leave alone one of my friends."

"Who ?" Jay automatically looked alarmed.

Kel’s friends were by extension his, and Pretty Boy knew that look; Jay was afraid he’d been oblivious to another one of his close one’s situation. He had seen this look so much a week ago, after Jay had called his friends to help him with the dudes beating him up often.

"You don’t know him." Kel notified Jay. "He’s a childhood friend."

"Oh, okay." Jay looked relieved.

"But yeah. Aubrey’s really a pain. Like, she has no reason to do this. And just the way she didn’t even react when– urgh, of course she wouldn’t, she’s Aubrey and nobody understands her or why she’s such an ass" Kel used a weird mocking annoyed voice, rolling his eyes.

"What’s that about ? And like who is she ? If I see can recognise her and see her doing anything mean, I can go up to her and make her stop" Jay suggested.

Kel chuckled without much real will fo laugh. "Don’t even bother. She’d the most stubborn prick you’ll ever be given to meet. Plus I wouldn’t mess with her alone. She either has her goons around or a frickin nailed bat."

It clicked in Pretty Boy’s mind at the same time it did in Jay’s eyes. "Hey, isn’t she the girl with the pink hair ?"

Kel blinked. "Yup. You know her ?"

"No, I’ve just seen her around. But what did she do ? You looked really pissed a moment ago."

Kel’s face fell again, and he got annoyed again. "It’s something that happened during the speech, a friend told me what happened. I don’t know if they said the same stuff for you or if there was some point of script, but so they did a bit of, well, suicide prevention. Cause bullying, and stuff. And I kid you not, apparently some idiots in the class all turned to Basil and made a mockery out of him. Straight up fucked up, like one fucker even threw some crumpled paper and told him he was being nice and giving him a sheet to write some fuckin’ goodbye notes."

Kel had his fists clenched in anger. "Like, what the fuck ? And Aubrey didn’t even do anything ! What’s her problem with him, huh ? Like, she should know that’s not a topic to joke around with after M–"

The guy cut himself off, rubbing his neck. "I-I mean, like, she was his friend before and now she just lets people tell him to straight up kill himself. He didn’t do anything, like, Basil’s the nicest person I ever met, and she just lets that stuff happen ? I wish I was in his class like last year, I could’ve done something about it, dammit. I hope he didn’t take it too hard, he seems tired lately. Still, I still can’t figure out why she’s acting like that. Like what the fuck, even for her, it’s too far.."

"So you really don’t know why she’s like that towards him ?" Pretty Boys asked, frowning.

That seems messed up. And they didn’t do anything about it ? The adults ? It’s hypocritical given the context, maybe they didn’t hear what it was about.. It’d be a lie to say I wouldn’t want to see that fixed somehow. Even though I have no clue who that Basil is–

Then again, Pretty Boy wasn’t against new friends, and any friends of Jay’s (friend’s friend in that case–)  was his friend too. Plus if he could rattach one person to the group and have this help them be safer than he was not in the slightest going to hesitate.

"No" Kel admitted. "I tried to ask her but she keeps ignoring me. It’s really frustrating, she’s acting so... I dunno. Like she knows better than anyone."

"Okay, so we know who she is" the comic lover stated. "And what she looks like. But I’d like to know about Basil too, just to keep an eye out you know ?" He enquired. "If he needs any more friends it’s no problem to me. Especially if he gets crap, I’ve been through it, I can share a few tips to him if he wants."

"You’d do this ?" Kel looked genuinely surprised, pleasantly so. "It’s awesome of you. And yeah he needs some people to hang out with him. I can’t really since I always need to go practice basketball or take additional classes" he grimaced "cons of failing most of them. But yeah, I’m sure he’d like that. Probably. You look like the type of people he’d enjoy to hang with."

"Really ? How’s he like ?"

"Well for starters he’s pretty calm most of the time. You just gotta get him to open up about what he likes and boom, he’s never shutting up, so no worries on conversation, hehe." Kel listed. "He’s really nice. Like, he deserves his picture in the dictionary to replace the definition of nicity. Or is it niceness...? Whatever. Dude’s an angel, you’ll see what I mean when you see him."

"What does he look like ?" Jay joined in the Basil talk, visibly curious.

"Well he’s as tall as this, all tiny for a guy,–" Kel put his hand a bit above Pretty Boy’s height.

Should I be offended at the fact he just implied I’m basically shorter than a tiny dude–

"–he got blond hair that goes like that, never understood how his hair stays in place by the way." he mimicked the haircut by doing sorts of triangles with both his hands at the sides of his head. "He got freckles, blue eyes– they’re really big, like, he always has his eyes wide opened for some reason. So maybe it’s some sort of impression, but yeah. Big blue eyes. And also he wears a flower clip occasionally I think ? Dunno he used to do that. One time someone thought he was a girl and the dude wouldn’t believe he wasn’t, it was so funny... man that was already three years ago, damn time flies–"

"Flowers ? Like he’s effeminate ?" Jay tilted his head.

Kel shrugged. "Well I guess you can say that, I never really paid attention to it really. He’s just Basil."

"It think I kinda see who you’re talking about" Jay told Kel. "I got a guy in my class who’s like, yeah feminine I guess. I never saw him wearing a flower though, well after all I don’t really pay attention to him. He’s kinda, uh... I dunno he looks like he wants to be left alone ?"

"What do you mean by that ?" Kel looked confused. "He doesn’t really like being alone much so that’s weird. You sure it’s him ?"

"Yeah" Jay nodded. "Small blond dude with like, a girly face, constantly nervous or something, he always leaves in a rush so nobody really talks with him. Most the kids in class think he’s a bit creepy."

Short pause. Kel looked upset, while Jay looked like he wanted to add something. Which he did.

"And gay too."

"Huh ?" Kel looked confused. "Basil’s gay now ?"

"Well" Jay shrugged. "People think he is. It wouldn’t be that far fetched I guess– he looks like it I guess– ?"

"Maybe he’s bullied for it ?" Pretty Boy wondered out loud.

It’d make sense in a way, rumours spread about me because of how I looked like even before I said I was gay. And even Jay, he doesn’t look like your typical gay stereotype and yet he was getting called queer for hanging out with the 'feminine looking guy' they all say I am.

Well, Pretty Boy was just Pretty Boy, in the end how he presented wasn’t the first thing on his mind. Unlike the newest hit manga, or the latest spaceboy issue.

Kel said earlier that 'Basil was Basil', so it might also just be a problem of looks. Problem ? Well, a matter of.

"Well, he could just look gay and not be, but that still wouldn’t stop the bullying." He pointed out to the two. "They don’t actually care if you’re queer or not, it’s about if you look like it or not. Take my example"

"You’re gay ?" Kel looked baffled.

"Yup. Most people don’t even think I’m not, because of the way I look."

"There’s a gay appearance ??"

"Well according to people the more feminine a guy, the more likely he’s a homosexual." Jay shrugged. He looked a bit hesitant for some reason, while Kel blinked as if this was brand new information for him.

"Is it like– real ? Like so it means Basil’s gay ? Cause he... likes flowers...?" Poor Kel didn’t seem sure of his own words.

"Well it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s queer" Pretty Boy chuckled. "It’s not systematic, people will be people. I just happen to not look, well, what you’d expect of a guy, and I’m gay. It doesn’t mean it’s the case for Basil. Effeminate dudes can be straight."

With all this Basil talk I really want to put a face on the name– and it’s, uh, weird. To discuss that stranger’s sexuality–

"And uh.. straight...-looking dudes can be queer" Jay shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant.

Silence fell.

Jay then looked at Kel, as if waiting for the basketball player to have a response to this.

"Uh okay ?" Kel looked lost. "Why are you looking at me like this–"

"Well I mean anyone could be gay." Jay shrugged again.

That sounds... weirdly ominous–

"...meaning ?" Kel desperately frowned in perplexion as to what Jay expected of him.

"Meaning anyone might be gay, even when you don’t think they are."

How does that get more and more–

"h-huh ? And ?" Kel was almost afraid.

"Some of your friends might even be gay."

HOW– JAY WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO ACHIEVE–

"Jay you’re looking at me so weird like what do you mean–" Kel’s expression shifted into a grimace.

He didn’t comprehend what was up and neither did Jay’s partner.

"You talking about Basil ??"

"No– well, kinda ?? Like– what would you say if he was gay ?"

"He’s gay ??"

"If he happened to be" Jay corrected.

"What– uh– why do you ask you’re scaring me– uh I dunno what I’d say ? Maybe like– uh– congrats ??? What do you even say when you learn that ?"

Jay nodded slowly, relieved. "So like you’re chill about it ?"

"About what–?" Kel looked about to rip his hair out from the incapacity to follow Jay’s logic.

"About queers. Like you got no problem with that ?"

"No ?? What's with all the questi–"

"So like, if one of your friends was gay, what’d you say ?"

"Is this a secret test or something ?? If so I didn’t get the lesson please what the hell is going ooon–" Kel whined.

"Kel please take a hint– I’m tryna come out" Jay smacked his hands on his face, as equally despaired as Kel by the lattest’s cluelessness.

"Come out of where ???"

It took a lot inside Pretty Boy not to laugh.

Don’t laugh, dummy, what if he thinks you’re making fun of him ? Plus he’s always nervous when coming to his friends, guess Kel didn’t know. I just wonder why he specifically decided to come out now out of every moment–

"I– it means I’m gay." Jay mumbled out, fully embarrassed now because of how the confusion had lingered. And nervous about Kel’s reaction.

Kel did not react.

Well he did, but a few seconds later.

"OH THAT’S WHAT IT MEANS–" He exclaimed, and Jay quickly motionned him to dim the volume of his voice.

They were still in the corridor, and a loud voice got a few looks Jay didn’t really ask to have.

"So like– he’s gay" Kel pointed at Prety Boy "and you’re gay. Huh, what are the odds !"

"What are the odds of what ?" The comic boy blinked, wondering.

"Well, that two gays would hang out so much ! Like you two are always together and you can relate to each other since both of you are gay and– wait"

Both boyfriends could see the cogs go into motion in Kel’s brain, and soon his mouth was O shaped, pointing at each boys respectively.

"You’re gay for each other !"

Pretty Boy didn’t manage to contain his laugher this time.

What’s with that way of phrasing it–

"Well, you’re not wrong" he laughed, and playfully nudged Jay’s arm.

"Why didn’t you tell me ?" Kel asked Jay, genuinely wondering.

Jay shrugged, trying to play it down. "Ah– y’know, you never know what people think. Just wanted to make sure you were fine with it and like, you’re a good pal so I assumed you could know."

"Well... thank you ?" Kel smiled, not too sure of if it was the right thing to say, but saying it nonetheless, thumbs up. "Woah. So that’s a lotta gays–"

"A lot ?" Pretty Boy laughed a bit again. "We’re two. It’s that much ?"

"Well if Basil is gay then that makes three– meaning I suddenly know three queers, which is like, uh... sudden ?" Kel scratched his hair.

"Do we know for sure if he’s gay though ?" Jay asked. "If you want to keep track of the number of queers you know then it’s currently two confirmed gays, one... uh, theorised ?"

"I dunno– I should ask I him guess ??" Kel thought to himself. "Wait, should I ? Like I don’t ca– Oh !"

Kel’s eyes spotted someone in the crowd of students. Both his friends followed his gaze, and they found themselves staring at the guy Pretty Boy had seen earlier; the small blond kid that had been shoved in the corridor before he went in class.

It clicked instantly, in the same time Kel yelled the teenager’s name.

Wait so that’s–

"BASIL !! OH BASIL, HEY, COME HERE !!" Kel yelled, gesturing with both his arms as if anyone could miss a guy his height and as loud.

Basil, because it was clear it was him now, was putting stuff inside his locker, his green backpack at his feet. Was, because it all came crashing out with the way he jolted when Kel yelled out his name despite being only a few foots away. The boy’s head snapped towards them, eyes wide open. He froze for a bit, blinking, looking ten times more lost than Kel was earlier, staring at them in a way that got uneasy really fast.

Though Kel didn’t seem affected by it at all.

"Hey ! It’s been a while, ri–"

As Kel started to walk towards Basil, the latest hurriedly shoved all his belongings in his locker, smacked it close, yanked his bag and quickly walked away without a glance back or a word.

Kel came back, dumbfounded.

"Aw shucks... why’d he do that ??"

"Bro... you screeched his name. Randomly. In the corridors." Jay remarqued. "Everybody was looking right at him and you."

"They were ?" Kel glanced around.

"Not anymore, but I think it freaked Basil out– I mean, a lot of things seem to freak him out" the soccer player noted. "One time we were studying a book in class, and when the teacher asked Basil to read a part he straight up ran out the room. So maybe it’s like, the attention ? Not you. Don’t take it personally, eh ?" He nudged Kel.

"Oh, okay. It’s just..." Kel frowned a bit. "I don’t know. He never ran away when seing me before, so that’s new. Maybe it’s because we’re in school or something..?"

Jay shrugged. "Could be an option."

Kel sighed.

Then, they moved on from this, Kel speaking to Jay about some of the sports events to come, opposing Faraway High to Nearbycity’s school.

Pretty Boy half listened, thoughts mostly trailing to Basil.

Damn, that was... weird. He looked way more freaked out than... than what ? I don’t know. Guess I didn’t expect that look. Poor guy looked like he had seen a ghost. Well, Kel seems quite the loud type, but not the mean type... does Basil think Kel’s mean ? But didn’t they know each other ? Isn’t that what Kel said ? So maybe he thinks Kel changed, like Aubrey ?

The boy leaned against a locker, an came up with a few ideas. Okay. So he seems lonely given what Jay says. So I’ll try to talk to him– not in the middle of the corridor with everyone. There’s way too many people. But when, and where ?

Approaching people wasn’t an issue, Pretty Boy considered himself quite social, and at ease in public, despite what one might think with his previous bullying problems.

Just, how to find Basil ?

Where did he even go ?

—

He slipped through the door to math class, and went to sit at his desk in the back.

The teacher wasn’t there yet, but she’d be here soon, as the bell was about to ring.

...

Basil unclenched his fists, wincing at the sting that pinched through his palms where his nails had dug cressents in. He opened his bag, and resisted the urge to kick it, instead burrying his head into his arms on his table, grabbing strands of his hair.

Of course. Of course.

In the rush to get out of the corridors he’d forgotten why he had even opened his locker to begin with. Now he’d have to go through the class without his manual. And if the teacher found out he didn’t have it again she’d have someone share theirs with him and they’d be reluctant and dislike him even more. Or she’d shame him. Or punish him. And he hadn’t even done his homework on the top of everything. And she’d give him extra homework for sure. That he’d forget to do. And then he’d get detention. She’ll even post likely warn him about this in front of everyone. And they’ll laugh at him. Again.

And he couldn’t run out the corridor in hopes to grab his book. He’d get tripped if seen running. And no way in hell was he going to submit himself to all those eyes again.

God, this day couldn’t get any worse could it ?

It just kept adding up.

Waking up to Grandma’s state yet again worsening when she should be getting better as she always did around spring.

Almost missing the bus because he locked himself in the bathroom during breakfast because no way in hell was Polly see him cry like a baby before school.

Having Aubrey shove him the second he showed up and being late in his room because he hadn’t dared reopen the door that had shut in his face the second the last student had came in his class.

That stupid intervention and those stupid kids with their stupid remarks.

And now Kel wanted to tell him god knew what about god knew what, getting all the students in the corridors to stare at him with their watchful eyes and judging whispers that already followed right behind him at all times–

...

That... that had been scary.

His eyes burned. He heard the bell ring, and he wiped his eyes in prevention. No way he’d be seen crying. He already did too much and enough people had put their focus on him today.

God, he just wanted to be left alone.

Chapter Text

March, 2000.

"So like. There’s no room to argue about this, football’s better than basketball, sorry Kel but it’s the truth."

Kel put a hand to his heart and gasped as if Jay offended his entire bloodline, not very credible in itself. The sauce all over his mouth also served to decredibilise the reaction too.

"My whole team would very much disagree ! Your statement is even less true than... than... anyone saying Orange Joe tastes horrendous !"

"So that basically means since you’ve just lied about thinking this abomination of a drink is anywhere remotely close to being enjoyable, you qualifying basketball as superior to football is also a lie ?"

Kel blinked in confusion. "Hey– no ! You folks have no taste !" He whined.

"I mean, you’re more or less surronded by the football team and they all hate Orange Joe" Pretty Boy remarked. "Did you expect anyone around this table to be on your side here ?"

Kel grunted. "Well, you’re not on the football team. Nor on the basket one. You’re a neutral opinion ! So, what’s better ?" He carefully listened to the other as he shoved another fork full of spaghetti in his mouth.

"Comics."

"That’s– that wasn’t an option !" Kel exclaimed, nearly chocking on his mouthful.

Pretty Boy smirked. "Well, you didn’t say specifically between basket or football. Plus, as you said, I am a neutral opinion."

Kel pouted. "And here I thought you were an ally. The betrayal I’ve just endured is soul shattering."

"Wait until he starts saying how he actually prefers football since he gets to see his boyfriend all flushed and panting like as if he–"

Somehow, in a curious turn of that thing called life, Nathaniel recieve Jay’s soaked wet paper towel in the face.

"I hate you so much, asshole" Jay pushed through gritted teeth.

Funny how those two are best friends. Life sure is contradictory if he’s that close to a source of sheer hatred. Pretty Boy playfully thought.

"Am I lying though ?" Nathaniel apparently decided to dig his grave deeper.

Seeing how close this is to Jay starting a food fight with him, let’s just not say anything, Pretter Boy decided, just pulling out a smile and repetitive blink as a very understandable response.

Once Jay was done trying to make his nemesis slash best friend slash most hated being ever choke on bread, the jock’s boyfriend thought it’d be a good idea and time to pull a topic that everyone would agree on.

"So, putting all this aside. What if, let’s say, we scheduled a pet rock match ?"

And that got everyone to agree.

"Yeah, sick !!" John said. "And then the last one to lose against Rose Lad buys everyone ice creams !"

"What ?!" Hugh exclaimed, dropping his fork, the spaghetti on it, and his usual more timid than the others demeanour. "How is that fair ?! Why the last one that loses ?"

"Cause... cause you’re always the last one to lose against Pretty Boy" John smirked. "Maybe it’ll give you the motivation to train your pet rock harder and finally beat him."

"Why don’t you do it if you’re that set on the idea of beating him ?!" Hugh protested. "If you lose against him, you pay, but if he does, I pay. Deal ?"

John thought about it, and shook his head. "Nah. Defeat him, and I’ll pay. You lose, you pay."

"I do not agree to this !"

While the two argued, implicating Jay because when friends fought they obviously needed to spread the war, Kel nudged Pretty Boy’s elbow.

"Hey, dude ! What if you didn’t fight them, but me ? Today’s the day I finally beat you. I can feel it !"

He chuckled. "Well, I don’t see any problem with that... let’s do that next recess ?"

Kel nodded, grinning. "You’ll see, I trained Pluto a lot. Like, a lot. I’ll win, a hundred percent sure. I’m pretty sure I’m more than your equal now. I’m superior even."

"I feel obliged to remind you that ever since we’ve become friends two weeks ago, I beat you six times out of ten. So we’re not equals yet."

"Damn, pretentious much ?"

"Hey, I have the title of best Pet Rock player, gotta rub it in your face a little, you second best player" he winked. Kel stuck his tongue out.

"One day, I’ll put a guy in front of you that’ll beat you in one try. You won’t understand a thing."

"Sure thing, I’ll wait until then" Pretty Boy shrugged. "But get prepared to most likely lose."

Kel pouted. "You’re pulling that face again, you know ?"

"What face ?"

"The one where you smile like that character in Spaceboy that always pranks him. I can literally see the shadow on your face and the glow thing of your eyes. And the... deranged smile. Dude. Stop. Makes me feel you’re about to skin me alive. And enjoy it."

Pretty Boy gave him an innocent grin. "We’re only talking about pet rocks. No need to conjure such violent scenarios... I’m a peaceful guy."

"Except in pet rocks. You’re an absolute demon."

"No," Pretty Boy shook his index. "Rose Lad is a peaceful fighter."

"How do you even fight peacefully ??"

That’s...

"Good question, actually–"

They both pondered on that question for a few moments, deep in thought. Until the cooks of the cafeteria announced there was leftover spaghetti, when Kel shot up, grabbing his plate to go into the forming hord of hungry teenagers.

"Be right back !" He informed the table before taking off.

Ah yes. Kel and food. Well, understandable, it’s bologna day.

Pretty Boy’s eyes followed the basketball player, amused at how he was going around tables in hopes of finding a shortcut and get the more food he could before the cooks ran out. Most people still sitting shot the guy tired, amused or frustrated looks as he accidentally knocked against this or that person without noticing.

One person sitting alone, who didn’t get brushed against or anything was also looking at Kel for the moments he was walking around the cafeteria.

Pretty Boy knew him.

Hey, is that Basil ?

Well, knew him. Knew who he was.

Why’s he alone ? Did his friends get up to grab some leftovers ?

He didn’t see any trays around Basil though.

...Hey wait ! This was the perfect occasion to go talk to him ! Doing so, he’d also avoid the dispute over pet rocks competition rewards. Besides, with less people around, it’d be easier to walk to the guy.

He got up, grabbing his tray. Jay noticed the movement.

"You going already ? You’re done eating ?" He sounded surprised.

"No, don’t worry !"

"What are you doing then? Getting leftovers ?"

He shook his head. "Look over there" he made a small head movement to the blond loner, picking at his salad with his fork.

"You’re going to talk to him ?" Jay’s eyes were a bit wide. "Like, actually ?"

His boyfriend hummed. "Why wouldn’t I ? I told you I’d go see him at some point"

"Yeah, but–" Jay scratched the back of his head, looking a bit uneasy. "You sure ?"

Now he was confused. "Yeah ? Why shouldn’t I be ?"

"I mean, he’s..." the jock sighed. "Oh, nevermind. I’m coming along."

He’s what ?

"What’s that about ?" The comic boy questioned the other as they grabbed their trays and started walking. "I can go talk to him alone, it’s fine, y’know ? He won’t do anything."

I mean, I think ?

Basil didn’t look the type to be agressive. He was just... there.

"Yeah, yeah... it’s just, I’ve heard stuff about him, you sure you wanna be friends with him ?"

"Jay" Pretty Boy sighed. "You heard. You gotta make your own opinion. Remember ?"

Jay stayed silent, before nodding. "You’re right, you’re right. Sorry."

"I know you don’t do it on purpose. But it’s important that you give people a chance to prove what kinda person they are, like what you did for me, alright ?"

He got a nod.

I know he doesn’t mean wrong. It’s more comforting to listen to people you know about people you don’t. I just don’t know why he looks so reluctant about Basil. What did he even hear about him ?

Both of them reached Basil’s table, and set their trays in front of him.

"Hey !" Pretty Boy gently called out.

He expected to somewhat startle the other, who seemed focused on his plate of greens, but not to the point where the teen nearly jumped out of his skin, fork falling on the ground.

"Whoa– you good ?" Jay looked taken aback by the reaction.

Basil just opened his mouth, eyes darting around, trying to find a response that eventually died out. He picked his fork up, wiping it with his napkin quickly, making a good point at not looking at the two in the eyes.

Well, he... definitly looks nervous. It was almost concerning.

Jay blinked. Then pulled the chair back, sitting. "Welp, we’re gonna sit here if you don’t mind" he told Basil.

He got a blink out of the boy, nothing else. Basil had stopped eating for some reason, keeping his gaze focused on his salad, as if ignoring his two new companions.

Well that’s awkard–

Pretty Boy cleared his throat. It didn’t make the other lift his head, so after a second or two, he started speaking, assuming he was listening.

"So... we saw you were sitting alone, so we tagged along, that’s fine with you ?"

Basil gave no response, if not for a small shrug. Still no eye contact. Pretty Boy didn’t give up though.

"I’ve seen you around. You seem interesting, so I figured I’d come and speak with you !"

Basil gulped, and gripped his fork. "Oh" was all he let out, hushed voice.

Jay shot his boyfriend a look. This wasn’t going anywhere, was it ?

"Give him time" Pretty Boy mouthed to the other. Maybe he just needs to get used to us or something.

Still, the blond’s demeanour was... weird.

Pretty Boy laid off the talking for a moment, taking a fork of food to his mouth and glancing at Basil from time to time. He’d not gotten the chance to detail him really, the only times he’d seen the boy around after learning who he was were from afar.

So closer up as he was when facing him at a lunch table was the nearer he’d ever been.

And closer up, Basil was... well.

How to describe this. How to describe this, nicely.

The comic boy hadn’t expected him to look this unhealthy. Greasy and messy hair, crumpled clothes, quite pale, and god, when was the last time this kid got any sleep ? And why was he this skitterish ? The way he was darting his eyes around and making these weird anxious sounds was almost making Pretty Boy nervous himself, like there was something to be afraid of that only Basil knew about.

But still. He wasn’t gonna turn away at just that.

Pretty Boy was raised and instructed to be patient with people, to have basic respect, so he didn’t judge him too fast. But a little bit of concern sprouted in a corner of his mind.

He already knew from Kel that this guy seemingly struggled in school, courtesy of the bunch of bullies there. Apparently since Pretty Boy himself had been labelled off limits as he hung out with the popular kids, Basil had been the one on who they’d set their sights on. Similarity in profile, Jay had supposed.

People struggled sometimes, and it happened that it could show more or less. Then again, wasn’t that more of a reason to approach the blond ?

"So" he tried to speak up again after a few moments. He introduced himself. Then, introduced Jay. And then, hoped Basil would do the same, even if both of them already knew his name.

Well. He had hoped.

Basil merly gave a hum of acknowledgement. Either he was purposefully waiting for them to get tired and go away, or he was genuinely fascinated by his plate.

Pretty Boy wasn’t going to give up this fast though.

"Your name’s Basil, right ? I’ve heard it around."

Basil was picking at his plate. Maybe a bit too much. His fork slipped from how much pressure his shaky hand was putting on it and scrapped the porcelain. They all flinched at the shrill sound.

"Y-Yeah." The blond ended up speaking up, hanging his head down to try and have his overgrown bangs cover up the shameful flush spreading across his face. Making that noise had clearly mortified him enough to try and cover it up with something.

Well at least he talked.

Well.

One word. But it was better than nothing. Right ?

Pretty Boy brainstormed topics to talk about, taking into account the almost disturbingly clear anxiety of the guy.

"So, uhm... you don’t like bologna ?"

It’s not too personal but not too random given the context, so that should be okay to ask.

The sentence confused Basil enough for him to glance up at him for a second, his blue eyes filled with perplexion but also somewhat... unnerving. Like there was something behind the person who he was looking at.

Pretty Boy brushed it off. It wasn’t important. Uncanny, but unimportant.

"What ?"

"You’ve only got the side dish. Salad. You don’t like bologna ?" He repeated, clarifying himself.

Basil darted his eyes back away. "Uhm... I’m, uh... I just like salad. I-I guess."

You guess ?

"But you don’t like bologna ?" He hadn’t technically answered the question. Not that Pretty Boy cared much about the question in itself, but if Basil got comfortable talking to him it’d be easier, right ?

"It’s just–... uhm, I don’t eat meat."

A funny thing about Basil was that Pretty Boy hadn’t expected his voice to be that deep. Well, it wasn’t as deep as Jay’s, but still deeper than what you’d think when you saw him.

"Like... you’re a vegetarian ?" Jay enquired, mouthful of spaghetti.

"Y-Yeah" Basil mumbled. He looked embarrassed about it.

"Oh, nice" Pretty Boy gave him a little smile.

Basil didn’t see it, too focused on avoiding his eyes and nervously scoffing.

"I mean I don’t really get why’d you chose to give up like barbecue and stuff like that but you do you I guess" Jay shrugged.

"Maybe he has reasons ? Say, what prompted that decision ? I’m curious" he asked away.

Basil cleared his throat, but not in the 'okay lemme explain' way, just in a ... well, nervous way.

Damn. He’s... really anxious.

"Okayy..." Jay let out, sighing at Basil’s silence.

The latest seemed to shrink on himself at the slight frustration in the footballer’s tone. That didn’t break his silence though.

Pretty Boy was about to try and find another topic to relance the conversion, if that was what this was, when he heard snickers from behind.

He didn’t think too much of it.

"Dude, check it out, the three fags are making a club !"

Okay, now he thought much of it.

Jay apparently did too, as he snapped around. "Yo, what was that ?!"

His raise in voice didn’t deter the guy who’d just said that.

"Y’all planning a threesome or what ?"

Pretty Boy wasn’t unused to those type of comments, but for Jay, who was only getting them since a bit before February, it was relatively new, and soon his mortified feelings had turned to immediate anger after a couple weeks. Where Pretty Boy was frowning and letting people talk, Jay, being the confrontational guy he was, looked about to throw a punch.

"What’s your deal ? You wanna get some ?"

"Oh hell nah" The guy scoffed. "Don’t even think about you or any of your little boyfriends touching me."

"The hell’s wrong with you ?!"

"Jay–" Pretty Boy was about to urge his partner to drop it, remind him of where they were, but he suddenly remembered the third implicated party in this the moment he heard the sound of a metal chair scrapping on the floor, his head snapping to Basil.

The teen was hurriedly grabbing his bag, getting an arm stuck in the urge to put it on fast. He nearly tripped over himself, his hands shaking and suprinsingly, quite visibly sweating.

Pretty Boy made his way around the table and grabbed the boy by the wrist before he could take off.

"Basil, wait–"

He just needed to mention that whatever it was that was going on with the bunch of pricks from the table behind was his fault. And find another place to chat where.

But Basil clearly wasn’t having this, trying to yank his arm back after violently flinching when he’d been grabbed. His gaze met Pretty Boy’s for a second, and the latest saw that Basil thought they were bringing trouble to him. Or, he was bringing trouble to them. It was complicated to decipher his look. But he clearly wanted out of this.

"Basil–"

The other was not listening, a strained complaint escaping his lips.

"Let me go–" he blurt out, yanking his arm back with little success. It was like he wasn’t really putting much force into it.

"Wait, just– where are you going ? I just wanna talk–"

"I– I gotta go to the bathroom" Basil blurt out.

Pretty Boy sighed, loosening his grip without noticing. Basil took the opportunity, pulling his arm back and taking off, leaving his tray behind. The comic lover could only watch, frustrated at how things had just turned.

Basil’s excuse was.. very poorly bad. But if he wasn’t lying, well, he knew where to find him.

Soon, Jay sighed heavily, walking next to Pretty Boy just in time to notice Basil’s head disappearing through the exit.

Pretty Boy grabbed Basil’s tray. Might as well put it away for him. He didn’t seem to be coming back anytime soon.

"Well this was a disaster" Jay made a dejected grimace.

And his partner could only agree.

———

Whatever the hell that was, was a complete disaster.

Basil let his back slide on the locked bathroom door until he was sat down, curling in on himself, hugging his bag. The floor wasn’t really clean, especially in the boy’s bathroom that was for some reason avoided by the janitors. But getting his trousers dirty was always better than standing amongst the crowd.

He’d just have to very, very carefully scrub himself when he’d get out for next classes.

...if he got out for next classes.

At this point, he felt like he was likely to just skip it. He didn’t have it in him to walk out anytime soon.

Whatever he’d do or not here, he knew it’d keep him locked in for a while. He had to keep himself together here, or he’d burst. And he couldn’t have that happening outside. Here was acceptable. It wasn’t like anybody would see or hear, and the illusion of containement he got from how small the room was, was as close as comforting as it could get. It would hold him and his emotions in and wouldn’t let it spill all over everywhere, and picking up his pieces would be easier if anything happened with him alone.

He didn’t know if he would cry. Well, he would’ve if he’d stayed out and overwhelmed with everything and everyone staring. But now he didn’t know. Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe he’d just stay still and do nothing. Maybe he’d not do that. Maybe he’d dwell and end up nearly drowning in on himself and the pit in his stomach. Maybe not. There was a lot of things he could do or not do alone there, that he’d chose or not to do instead of going out.

It’s not like it mattered anyways. His grades were as low as they could get, and skipping again wouldn’t get him much. A scolding from the teacher next time, probably. Which he’d dread, obviously. But he’d get one today of he went regardless, he’d skipped this class the day before. So what was one more skip really. They’d call Polly, or give him detention at worst. But avoiding Polly was easy, and he’d just have to wait detention out. It’s not like he had anything to look forward to when going back home.

At least he’d go home later and avoid taking the student crowded bus and all that came with it.

...who was he kidding ? Not himself. This sucked.

School sucked. Bullies sucked. The cafeteria sucked. Interacting sucked. He didn’t want to stay to school but he didn’t want to go home to his ill, worried Grandma and a caretaker he didn’t want to get to know, because what for.

At least he was alone in the bathroom. Alone sucked too. But at least he could have a tiny bit of control over everything here. Away from the student body, away from the frustrated teachers, pushy councelor, and whoever it had been that had spoken to him for whatever reason. He didn’t know much.

Maybe by pity. Or curiosity. He felt like some circus freak for a bunch of reasons, and that kind of attention of 'just speaking to him' added to it.

He didn’t think about it too long. It didn’t matter. Whoever they were, they wouldn’t try to speak with him again after today’s comments he brought on them by association.

He was a little freak hiding away, secluding himself away in a small prison like area. But then again, at least he got some control over things, over what did or didn’t happen to him there.

Alone was preferable to among dozens of curious or disdainful gazes. Alone with himself, and his thoughts.

He let his head fall in the fabric of his green bag that he was still holding.

...maybe that wasn’t really better.

Chapter Text

March, 2000.

Pretty Boy stepped out of the class, holding the one sheet left that the teacher had for the science exercises. It wasn’t the first time the teacher had miscalculated the amount of paper needed, and this was getting comical really. There was no assigned student to go make more, but somehow it often ended up being him who had that task.

Welp. Thankfully he didn’t really mind missing science class. His deal was more like art anyways. And it gave him an occasion to get out of class and hope to run into Jay or one of his friends and chat a bit. That was much more interesting than class, not to mention that the last Captain Spaceboy issue that came out the 24th was, once again, an absolute masterpiece worthy of hours of yapping about.

But nonetheless. He shouldn’t spend too long out of class, or the teacher would get suspicious.

If he even remembers he sent me that is– Last time he did think I was late and tried to make me photocopy the stuff I had already as punishment–

So, he took the familiar direction of the teacher’s office’s printer.

I wonder if they can make a badge for 'official paper printer'... probably not, haha.

Walking through corridors sure was easier alone. No crowd, less noise, though he was glad he changed shoes because the old ones were kind of doing that one obvious squishy sound whenever he walked. And it had been worse when he was walking alone previously. So yeah, a breif alone time, nice. Sure, there could be the occasional couple making out thinking nobody would go out of class and thinking they were invisible between those two lockers, but that was only the case like a quarter of the time. And he usually walked pass them in a blink. And today, didn’t seem like there were a cuddly couple. He was walking all alone, footseps echoing in the halls lacking the previous squish quirk of his old shoes.

It was almost the only sound. Almost.

Pretty Boy had barely turned a corner that he came to see another student, facing one of the many red lockers. The comic amateur stopped for a second, slightly surprised.

He hadn’t seen Basil in a while. In fact, he hadn’t seen Basil since that day in the cafeteria. And even though school was the only logical place to see the blond, he was stunned for a second, before realising the perfect chitchat opportunity that had been handed to him on a silver platter.

No people around, nobody to bother us ! It’s perfectly calm so I just gotta not startle him and it should be a-okay.

He took a few steps closer.

And then realised the opportunity maybe wasn’t the best. Given that Basil was kind of, sort of crying.

...Maybe crying was a big word. After all, Pretty Boy only heard sniffling, and the other’s face was hidden by the open locker door. Open tagged over locker door.

Oh.

Well at least he didn’t have to ask Basil what he was upset over. It was pretty explicit, and became even more when the blond shut the door, tissue in hand and tried scrubbing it with it. The tissue ripped with how quick Basil was handeling it, and if he kept that up he’d get scraps or friction burns. If he even cared. Didn’t seem like he did.

Pretty Boy sighed, and put his hand over the other’s to put a stop to this.

"You’re not going anywhere like this" he said softly. The boy’s flinch hadn’t gone unoticed, and he put in extra care not to sound annoyed, as he remembered how Basil had shut himself off further last time they interacted when Jay had seemed on edge. "And if you keep doing it like that you’re just gonna hurt yourself, y’know ?"

Basil, as more or less expected now, didn’t answer. He just let his arm fall to his side, eyes darting to the ground. And wiped his face with his arms with a sniffle.

So he was crying.

Pretty Boy thought not to adress it. Yet.

"Want some help ?" he offered instead.

No response still. Basil merly fidgeted with his fingers, picking at his already red and angry cuticules.

"Would you need some help ?" As usual, he didn’t give up that fast.

That rephrasement did get a reluctant quiet nod out of Basil though. So, a win on PB’s part.

He pulled a piece of cloth out of his own bag, and went in front of the locker to scrub it.

I wish I had actual cleaning product. But oh well, at least keeping that thing in my bag did come in handy. And it’s not like I have the space in my bag to carry any product around. I’d be weirdly and sadly prepared.

"You know, you don’t have to just let that happen." He gestured to the tags, not giving too much thought about what they called Basil, though he recognised all the words as those previously on his and Jay’s lockers. "We’d have no problem taking you in, you know ? It’s easier if you got people with you to help get that off. Feels better too."

Basil gave a weak hum, not giving a particular answer to the suggestion. Then glanced around, even though there was no one in the corridor but them. That didn’t stop him from having a really low voice when he spoke up, still stuttering quite a bunch.

"You don’t have to... to do that. Really. I don’t really care about... about that. And, and... stuff."

Pretty Boy didn’t buy that. "You were crying seconds ago. It seems like that got you pretty worked up..."

Basil closed himself off, eyebrows ever so slightly furrowing, and the other thought maybe that was a bit overboard. Should he backtrack ? It was the truth though. He had been crying over it.

Unless it was something else. But... it didn’t seem like anything else with the way he was scrubbing it off. If there is something else, then this at least made it worst. Should I try to help ? But how ? I don’t even know him. And he’s very obviously not comfortable.

He internally sighed. Well, he’d have to backtrack a bit, for the sake of building anything remotely close to a friendship.

"Anyways," he went back to scrubbing the words off. "That stuff happened to me too, that’s why I said that. About it sucking. I wasn’t taking it too well, obviously, people being assholes does that. But it’s better to have friends around to help you get that crap off. Don’t you think ?"

Basil muttered something close to "I dunno", not very motivated at the thought, picking at his fingers still.

Should I tell him to stop doing that ?

He decided against it for now. Basil wouldn’t be comfortable, and Pretty Boy didn’t want that for a few reasons. Firstly, it’d drive him away from him, and he wanted to make the blond guy one of his friends; second, he didn’t really want to see Basil go up more tiers of anxious because it was already sad enough to witness; and thirdly, as much as he hated to acknowledge it like this, merly being around Basil like that was making him uneasy too. He didn’t know why, that was the worst part. Maybe something in his voice. No, tone. Demeanour...? Eyes ?

Yes. The eyes. They were unnerving.

Besides the point. Operation turning him into a buddy to hang out with.

"So, what do you like to do in your spare time ? I bet getting tags off lockers ain’t it, so... what do you do ?"

Maybe the joke was too early, or just poor taste in the context, because it didn’t help Basil to be less tense. On the contrary even. God, this was hard. It was like just being around this socially akward guy pumped out all of PB’s social skills. And he was plently full of that.

"Uhm... I... uh" It was like Basil didn’t even know what he did. Or, he was hesitant to even share it.

I’ll go first. Maybe that would make him feel more comfortable.

"Well, I like reading comics myself ! And making pastries. I love those, they’re awesome. Right ?"

"Ah, uhm, I, I don’t like sweets that much." Basil muttered. He looked like he didn’t know where to put himself as PB was wiping the insults and drawings off the locker.

"Oh ! Well that’s unusual, a lot of people usually enjoy sweet stuff" Pretty Boy remarked, taking a glance at Basil. "Not that it’s bad, it’s just unusual. Welp, that just makes more sweets for me at the cafeteria if you don’t take them" he laughed a little.

Basil tried to reciprocate the laugh, but it ended up more like an uncomfortable strained choke than anything.

"So I guess my blog would seem annoying to you pretty quick... I post about the type of pastries I get like, everyday" he informed the other.

"Oh" was all Basil found to say. But that was enough, and a start.

Would you look at that, he was finally having a conversation with the mysterious Basil guy !

Well, maybe he was blowing it out of proportion. Basil was just another student amongst the lots of them. But, Basil specifically had something strange surrounding him. Something that seemed to weight him down. And if Pretty Boy could be of any help, well, he’d be right there. And also, he wouldn’t lie, he was all one for solving mysteries. And a big mystery was Basil in himself.

But for now, maybe Pretty Boy should just start with learning the basics about the blond boy.

"So what’s your favourite color ?"

Basil blinked, taken off guard for a second, his nervous expression disappearing for a second where his eyes stopped being uncanny.

"Uh– favourite c-color ?"

Pretty Boy hummed. "What’s yours ? I’m curious."

Yeah, that icebreaker’s playground level, but who cares ? If it gets him talking...

"Uhm... green, I guess...? I don’t– I don’t really think about that– that sorta stuff..."

What do you usually think about then ? He asked in thought. He wasn’t going to really ask that, obviously. But he was curious.

"And, what’s your hobby ?" He tried asking again. Maybe he’d get an answer this time. He probably wasn’t ignored the first time, he’d just changed the topic and Basil must’ve forgotten the question.

Basil ignored him this time. He kept staring at his locker through Pretty Boy, as if he hadn’t percieved the question.

Okay... maybe he’s not comfortable to share. Yeah, must be that. Nothing to be pissed about.

Though, he was getting slightly frustrated in a corner of himself. He could make efforts for Basil, but the other needed to give some of his too. If he didn’t this wouldn't go anywhere. Getting uncomfortable around people was one thing that he could understand. Not everyone was socially skilled. But ignoring people like that was rude. Pretty Boy wouldn’t ask for eye contact, because it didn’t mean much about respect in his opinion, he didn't mind not having that, and honestly Basil’s eyes were oddly creepy.

He took a deep breath. There was no need getting worked up about any of this. He was the one trying to be friends with and convince Basil to be his too. If the other was reluctant, there was bound to be those kind of struggles. Pretty Boy just had to find a common interest. But what ?

He detailed Basil for a few moments, hoping he wasn’t making it worse for the other’s comfort. And then he found it. It was insane he hadn’t noticed before because they had the exact same item.

Well, almost.

"Hey, you got a flower on your bag !"

Basil flinched. Maybe the sudden exclamation. His eyes darted around a bit, almost as if looking for an escape.

"Uhm– I–"

It suddenly tilted in Pretty Boy’s head. "Wait– I’m not making fun of you ! I was pointing it out cause–" He dropped his own bag from his shoulders, pointing at the patterns "–cause I got some on mine too ! That was why"

Basil detensed, sighing inaudibly.

So he did think I was gonna make a fool out of him... uh.

"Y–... Yeah." He stopped there, awkwardly shifting his weight from one feet to the other now that Pretty Boy was putting his wipe back in his bag as he was done.

Done with the scrapping off, not the talking, unfortunately for Basil.

"So you did that yourself ? I doesn’t seem like the flower goes with the bag. You see what I mean ?"

Basil pinched his lips. He must’ve thought the talking would be over now that his locker was clean. "Uh, no, it’s... well yes– b-but no, I-I mean–"

He grimaced, unable to formulate properly what he wanted to say.

"Take your time" the other said nicely.

Basil took a few seconds, eyes closed and gulping. "It didn't, it didn’t come with the bag. It’s a, a patch. My, uhm, my grandma sewed it on a while ago. It’s a sunflower. Uhm– you probably don’t even care." The last part was muttered.

The comic lover frowned a little. "I do though ? Do I look like I don’t ?"

Basil backtracked the millisecond Jay’s boyfriend was over replying, absolutely freaking out and making panicking hand gestures.

"I– I didn’t mean it like– like it– Like I– Like that–"

"Woah, woah– it’s okay, it’s okay !" Pretty Boy was not expecting such a reaction, and internally cursed. There went all the tiny bit of progress he had managed to build up. Basil wasn’t listening anymore.

"I’m just– I-I, I’m gonna go now–"

Basil took a step back.

"Wait, uh–" fuck, fuck–

Pretty Boy took one forward.

"Ah– uh, t-thank you for the– the, uhm– the help–"

Basil took another back. Pretty Boy grasped the other’s wrist.

"Hey– wait, I’m not mad ! I’m not mad ! So, don’t go. I still– I just wanna talk to you, eh ?"

Basil stared at the other as if he had just suggested the weirdest thing on Earth. A strained "What" was all he managed to croack out.

"I wanna talk with you" he repeated, letting the other’s wrist go. "Get to know you, and all. You seem lonely and all, and... I mean, we could have common interests. And common friends !" He suddenly recalled.

Basil had a confused face. "Common f-friends ?"

"Well, Kelsey ! Y’know ? Kelsey Desoto ? He said he was your friend, right ? He’s mine too"

"Kel...?" The blond’s gaze got duller for a moment. "We’re not... it’s... it’s not, it’s... complicated." He mumbled.

"Complicated ?"

Basil looked on edge now. "Y-Yeah. I... I’m going now."

Oh, for the love of– I was finally talking with him !

"Wait" Pretty Boy asked. His tone might have been interpreted as an order, because Basil went stiff. The black haired teen softened his voice, sighing. "At least give me your number."

Basil had an uncomfortable flinch at that. "S-Stop ! I’m not– I’m not like you !" he blurt out.

That made the other freeze in stupor. "What do you mean by that ?"

The blond looked oh so eager to get out of there. "I’m not– like you. I-I’m not, I’m not, I don’t– I’m not a–"

It was like he was digging his grave deeper and deeper.

"You’re not a...?" Jay repeated, cautious with his words. Basil didn’t scare him, not in that sense at least, but he was getting close to potentially saying stuff that wouldn’t sit very right with him. And would be odd too, in a way. But Pretty Boy said it himself, appearances didn’t mean much.

"I’m not–" Basil was very annoyed with his incapacity to push out words at normal pace. "I-I don’t like boys– that way."

Pretty Boy blinked, reassured Basil wasn’t about to call him a slur yet confused about the sudden rise of that topic. And Basil’s not convinced tone at his affirmation, though he wasn’t going to question it, for Basil’s sake and also because he didn’t see why he even should. "Uh... cool ? I hadn’t really asked ?"

Basil didn’t reply, him now looking perplexed, before his face flushed a bright red and he looked ready to die on the spot. "I– O-Oh my god– I thought y-you were–" he slapped his forehead, hard. It made PB flinch. "Of course he wasn’t– s-stupid, stupid– of course not–"

It would’ve been somewhat comical to witness if the instigator of the mess that the blond currently became wasn’t so concerned about how much strenght he had hit himself with. Basil looked aside, blinking quite a lot, looking about to genuinely cry tears of shame. He was lightly bouncing on his feet and flapping his hands as if he wanted to get rid of the feeling.

"I’m sorry– I-I’m so sorry, I’m stupid, I’m so stupid–"

"Hey– It’s fine ! It’s okay" Pretty Boy had a calm down motion with his hands, seriously worried Basil was going to seriously get himself worked up about such a silly misunderstanding. "Basil– Hey, Basil. It’s. Fine."

Basil did not look like he believed this.

"I know you didn’t mean it like that. You know I didn’t ask your number because I assumed– y’know. It’s all okay. You don’t have to give it to me, it’s fine. Okay ?"

Basil nodded, wiping his face as if the color would come off with the sweat.

Pretty Boy took a piece of paper out, scribbled on it and handed it to Basil. The boy looked at him with a questioning glance.

"That’s my number. At least you have it. If anything like that–" he gestured to the lockers "–happens again, you can just text me, I’ll come help. Or even if you ever need anything. Alright ?"

Basil nodded. Then shifted, uncomfortable still. Pretty Boy sighed.

"You can go now I can see you wanna."

Basil pinched his cracked lips, giving a little nod, whispering a rushed "see you around" before taking off. Not running, but walking quick.

Only to come back as he had forgotten his bag, throwing it onto his shoulder, briefly grimacing when it yanked him a bit from the miscalculated weight.

Then he took off again, even more embarrassed.

Pretty Boy watched him go around the corner, standing still, the spare copy still in hand. He should go photocopy it now, that had been the goal, hadn’t it ?

He turned around, taking the direction of the teacher’s rooms, thinking back on the whole interaction.

Well... That was progress... right ? At least he can reach out now.

...Fuck. I can’t text him until he sends me anything.

Welp. Hopefully he’ll hear from Basil soon enough.

I want to die, I want to die, I want to die— Oh god–

Pressing his head against random lockers in the corner probably wasn’t hygenic, and didn’t work to shut up the slimy hot burning embarrassement running all throughout his body. His palms hurt from how tight he was balling his fist, and the crumpked paper in the left one didn’t make it anything but worse, but then again he deserved that for the absolute idiot he made out of himself. And the other guy.

Whose name he couldn’t even remember.

Yeah, sure, just keep calling him 'that pretty boy from school', definitly helping your case.

Case against who though ? Himself maybe. Not that he cared.

'I’m not like you, I don’t like boys'. The worst part wasn’t even how he most likely told on himself, but how he had assumed in any way that this guy felt anything for him. In that way. Nobody even remotely liked him enough to be his friends, so anything more ? Oh god. He must’ve been so disgusted.

And he had a boyfriend, didn’t he ? The blond guy. Sports guy.

Oh god– is he gonna tell him– is this guy gonna come for me and think I wanted to go out with the pretty other guy–

He slammed his head into the locker, his thoughts not ordering themselves if not stopping for a second due to the embarrassement of how accidentally loud it’d been and the pain.

If you wanna do any of that crap, just go to the bathroom, you fucking moron !

He groaned under his breath, rubbing his forehead. How funny if that left a bruise, huh ? That and earlier’s facepalm.

...God, he just couldn’t shake off the embarrassement. He wanted to die for a whole new other reason now.

Great. One more to the list, I guess. He couldn’t help but think bitterly.

God. That’s just sad.

He stood there, pressing his hands to his face, disliking the sweaty feelings of his palms. And the spiky crumpled paper. Right...

What should he do about that ?

Basil sighed, and just tossed the paper in his bag. He’d throw it out later.